Wild Dwarf-Human Crossbreed

Wild crossbreeds are bred in captivity for gladiatorial games; these are the ones who got away to the plains and oases. They stand 6 to 6 1/2 feet and weigh up to 300 pounds, tall like humans but thick and sturdy like dwarves. Skin is light, sometimes coppery, and the human face has swept-back, slightly pointed ears. Neither sex grows any hair on head or face.

Bounty hunters hired by the nobles and templars who run the arenas track them constantly, so they fight often and well. Most still wear the leather armor they escaped in (AC 8), often with a small or medium shield. Long swords are typical, polearms, flails or maces less so, and short swords rarer still. Weapons are usually bone or stone, though some carry obsidian or metal. Their strength adds +1 to damage with any weapon.

Like many desert creatures they are psionic: 75% are wild talents with one or two powers and 25% are full psionicists. Psionic powers available include, in psychokinesis, the science telekinesis and the devotions levitation and control body; in telepathy, the science mind link and the devotions contact, mind thrust, inflict pain, thought shield, mind blank, conceal thoughts and invisibility.

They form clans of two to seven, usually slaves who fled together, settling in barren rocky ground where plains meet desert. With so little plant life, many eat animals and even other humanoids, and other races fear them in turn. Convinced that anyone who finds them is hunting for the arenas, clans distrust everyone, a party with a crossbreed member slightly less.

All are sterile, so young appear only if they fled with adults. Escapees rarely enter cities again; one caught inside the walls is usually executed publicly to discourage others.

As hunters of humanoids they are hunted too: some mantis warrior tribes prey on them, and the two races hate each other.