Editing Duergar (section)

==Physiology==
Physically, duergar look a lot like their [[dwarf]] kin, differing predominantly in coloration; their complexion and hair ranges from medium to dark gray, though some art depicts them with white hair. Their eyes are often shown in art (if not mentioned in text) as solid white - strangely, their "Ecology" article claims they have solid pitch-black eyes (something the XPH agrees with) and that grey or white eyes are rare and considered a terrible omen. Like the [[drow]], duergar have adapted to the eternal darkness of their subterranean environment, and whilst their vision in the dark is keener than a dwarf's, sunlight pains and disorientates them. A strange trait that duergar gained around 3rd edition is that they are almost universally bald, males and females alike, although females are more likely to have hair than males and even males usually just have a receded hairline (no hair on their skull above their ears) rather than being completely hairless. Male duergar still grow beards and mustaches.

Duergar have a few traits unique to them; unlike their traditionally magic-inept kin, duergar have innate magical powers, allowing them to become invisible and grow to [[ogre]]-like figures for limited periods when need be - these traits may suggest that duergar draw their inspiration in part from the [[spriggan]]. Whist they share a similar toughness to dwarves, they are even more resistant to poison, and have a unique resilience against illusion spells and paralysis. The Psionics Handbooks both state that duergar have a natural affinity for [[psionics]], especially compared to their dwarven kin. In 5e's "Tome of Foes" splatbook, it's even stated that their innate powers of invisibility and growth are actually inherently psionic in origin.

Another strange addition to their lore in the "Tome of Foes" is that duergar rarely imbibe alcohol, and always do so in moderation. This is because, whilst a normal [[dwarf]] can experience happy ancestral memories by getting drunk, duergar who overimbibe are assaulted with racial memories of the terrible torments that their ancestors underwent whilst enslaved by the [[illithid]]s. Needless to say, this is unpleasant and duergar don't like remembering that shit.

Because of their gray coloration, it's common for duergar to be nicknamed "gray dwarves".

Duergar of the [[Nentir Vale]] are different creatures entirely. In effect, the duergar of that setting are more like a dwarven [[tiefling]], having more in common with the [[Durzagon]] than with the duergar of other worlds - they are the descendants of evil dwarves who swore themselves to the service of [[Asmodeus]], resulting in their descendants being tainted with diabolic energies. One of their more unique traits is that they grow viciously sharp, barbed spines from their scalp (females) and chin (males), which soak up toxin from venom glands; these duergar can rip these spikes harmlessly from their skin and hurl them as poisoned darts. Other mutations are also implied to be possible; one duergar statblock is a warrior that fights with oversized, devilishly sharp taloned fingers.