Dwarven Pantheon

The **Dwarven Pantheon** is a collection of gods first worshipped by the dwarves of the Serpentspine Mountains based on the belief in the deities of the pantheon as well as the Primordials. The pantheon is led by Dagrin Everbeard who was the first dwarf to be created by Halanna and acts as the wise king of the gods. The religion was practised all around Aul-Dwarov until the invasion of the orcs and long after the fall of Amldihr. With much contemplation, many holds abandoned the faith, leaving only the holds beyond the Serpentspine, Rubyhold and Verkal Ozovar remaining faithful to the pantheon.

## The Dwarven Creation Myths

The followers of the Dwarven Pantheon believe in the Dwarven Creation Myths that state the Primordials began the existence of the world they currently live in, the creation of the giants and Halanna bring the dwarves into creation with Dagrin Everbeard being the first Dwarf.

## History

The faith in the Dwarven Pantheon was widespread across all holds of Aul-Dwarov and Rubyhold until after the invasion of the orcs in 6000 BA. As the dwarves lost hope in their gods with such a devastating attack on the Dwarovar, many lost faith in the belief, choosing to convert to Ancestor Worship. A large conversion happened during the Segbandalic Golden Age in 3590 BA as the dwarven population of the Segbandal slowly began a transition to modern Ancestor Worship. Some holds stood stalwart in their faith, with Ovdal-az-Ân accepting the pilgrims who had moved out of Ovdal Kanzad in 3859 BA due to the hold’s conversion to Ancestor Worship, further strengthening the presence of the Cult of Halanna in Ovdal-az-Ân.

By the time of the first major dwarven adventurer company expeditions in 1443, no remaining hold within the Dwarovar followed the Dwarven Pantheon faith, with every surviving remnant hold following the Ancestor Worship faith.

## Split from Ancestor Worship

The primary differences the Dwarven Pantheon has with Ancestor worship is the stance of the godhood of Dagrin Everbeard, with Ancestor Worship believing him to be the Chief Ancestor instead of a god. The followers of Ancestor Worship also do not believe in any of the gods of the pantheon except for the Primordial Halanna, who they also believe granted Dagrin his endlessly long beard.

## Divinities

### The Primordial Halanna

The Primordials are the believed elemental foundations of the world, composed of four elemental beings. Halanna is the main primordial worshipped by the followers of the Dwarven Pantheon, she is described as the Earth Mother, Maker of Dwarves, Shaper of Stone. She created the Stone Giants after an interaction with Buran. She created Dagrin Everbeard as the First Dwarf in order to help her make the fine details, as even with her divine abilities, after the Era of Madness much of her energy was spent and so the dwarves would never rival in stature even the smallest of Giants.

### Major Deities

#### Dagrin Everbeard, Father of Mountains

The First Dwarf, Halanna made him and his family immortal to represent her whilst she saw to managing her personal domain in the Realm of Elemental Earth. King of the Pantheon, Firstborn, he leads as a wise king and alongside his family carved their domain into the very depths of the earth up to the mountain peaks above.

#### Anvelind Hearthmaiden, Mistress of Justice

Wife of Dagrin, moulded from pure elemental essence, with platinum strand hair and pure silver eyes by Halanna herself. Matriarch of the Pantheon, she keeps the tempers of the gods in check and order in the Court of the Gods, acting as divine lawmaker and judge.

#### Durvorazir, God’s Mason, Carver of Caverns, Firstborn of Dagrin

First son of Dagrin Everbeard and Anvelind Hearthmaiden, it is said he carved the caverns of the depths of the world, piling high the rocks and stones after each excavation, creating the first mountains. Some he would carve down further, creating the first hills to accompany them.

#### Margurz, Brewmaster, Master of Ale and Herbs

Second son of Dagrin and Anvelind, Margurz would discover the process of fermentation and consequently medicine, when he had to cure the first hangover caused by his discovery of alcohol. These processes he would become the expert in, in short order, discovering what could and could not be made into alcohol. Upon his marriage to Thyrfen Goldenhands, it is said his brews grew even greater in potency, aided by the hands of his wife and the crops they produced.

#### Miradeth Earthseeker, Delver of the Deeps

Daughter of Dagrin and Anvelind, Miradeth would seek the metals her uncle, Azmirethazin sought for his forge, prowling through the caverns her brother Durvorazir carved beneath the earth, though she more often sifted through the piles of rubble he stacked upon the surface. This is said to be why many of the earth’s riches remain deep underground as opposed to the mountains above- Miradeth had long ago stripped them clean for her Uncle’s forges.

#### Azmirethazin, Hearthkeeper, Forgetender

Second Creation of Halanna, foster brother to Dagrin, it is he who discovered Metalsmithing and gifted a mastery of one of its trades to his son and two daughters. Master of metallurgy, he crafted the regalia for his sister Anvelind and foster brother Dagrin. In his roles, he also acts as the divine arm of Anvelind, enacting her punishments with his mighty forging hammer, Mae’nalenlier. Such an object is not exclusive to his divine forge, and he often uses it in battle against the enemies of his brother and family.

#### Lady Argezenna, Steel Guardian and Slayer of Monsters

When Azmirethazin first wrought metal in his fiery hearth, he started with the most common he could find- magnetite. Purifying the metal he poured it into a crucible, and added gemstone dust and bone ash, uttering prayers to Halanna as he did so. Unknown to him, the gemstone he scattered was a stone crafted from Joztralanna’s Essence.

From this emerged a woman with a form of steel and eyes of gold, Lady Argezenna. She taught Azmirethazin the secrets of the forge and led him on a journey the world over for the materials to create a forge of their own. Upon her return she took his hand in marriage and together had a son and two daughters with Azmirethazin.

#### Auirikus, The Hand of Dagrin, Organizer of the Gods

As Dagrin’s domain grew, so too did the need to organise it all. Realising that while he ruled, he needed someone to spread his decrees and ensure they were followed. In this, he sought a dwarf who would listen to his tasks and would remain on the course. One dwarf in particular stood above the rest, and he was named Auirikus.

With this knowledge, Dagrin raised him to a Divine State, and made Auirikus his hand and steward to ensure that all within his realm occurred as it should, and all tasks were followed to the letter. Auirikus did so, driving fear and terror into the hearts of those who were found lacking in their efforts, and casting down shoddy or incomplete work as a disgrace to Dagrin.

#### Urisazirn Mithrilhand, Runecraft & Scholars

First son of Durvorazir, Urisazirn did not match the strength of his father, but instead possessed a cunning and curiosity unparalleled by any other. He sought to truly understand Halanna’s plan for the world, documenting and recording all that he could in an attempt to collect all the information in a single place.

After a time, he sought more and more knowledge and wisdom. The Dwarves, in comparison to the Dragons and the Giants, did not have magic to their scale. In the disputes between the two, it was the dwarves who were trampled underfoot. Seeing this, he developed a way to channel the latent magic within the earth itself, channeling it into a form of language that could harness the magic in a dwarves’ stead. This was the first Runework, and the history of dwarven civilization was forever changed afterwards.

### Minor Deities

#### Dolurazan, The Divine Blacksmith

Son of Azmirethazin and Argezenna, Dolurazan was taught mastery over the black metals- of iron and steel. It was he who made the arms and armour of the Gods, and is seen as the patron of all blacksmiths.

#### Derzobrazan, The Noble Lady

Daughter of Azmirethazin and Argezenna, Derzobrazan was taught mastery over the noble metals, platinum, silver, gold, and all others. It was she who made the jewellery of the gods and her works were sung in praise and legend.

#### Bervinazan, The Red Handed

Second daughter of Azmirethazin and Argezenna, Bervinazan was taught mastery over the basic metals- Copper, tin, lead, pewter, bronze, brass and all others. Her mastery of artistry took form and shape in lifelike- or even living statues made of the metals and alloys of her domain.

#### Karazlov, Speaker of the Mountainhomes

When Dagrin needed missives to his distant relations, the Giants, or the spawn of Aesanna and Setzovar, the Dragons, it was Karazlov who was sent forth. Originally a common dwarf with a gift of speech and song, he made a performance that enraptured the very hearts of the Divines themselves. Rewarded with divinity by Dagrin himself, he was sent out into the world beyond the mountain homes to act as his eyes and ears.

#### Grimthar, Shaper of Trees and Woodcarver

When the first trees emerged, it was Grimthar who peered from the mountain halls and saw their worth. Traversing the newly emerging forests, he taught himself to shape and carve them into intricate forms and learned of their uses- including teaching Margurz what parts can be turned into alcohol, and created for him barrels to better ferment and impart his creations with new and interesting flavours. By Margurz’ petition and his own skill Grimthar was awarded Divinity, becoming close and fast friends with Margurz.

#### Verdrik Azirkra, Crafter of Wonders

Second son of Durvorazir, Verdrik was not like his more scholarly brother. Verdrik was focused on the practical, and the physical. He turned stone to block and from block to building. Art to him was the cold practicality of the stone he laid, expressed in arches and fortress walls. Bridges arched over chasms and roadways laid through caverns.

#### Thyrfen Goldenhands, Goddess of Grains

Once a mortal queen of ancient Amldihr, Thyrfen is said to be the one who first began the grand feat of engineering that turned the Serpent’s Vale into the bountiful farmland that would in time allow Amldihr to forge the Empire of Aul-Dwarov. Pious and devout to the gods, she took no husband and sired no children, even as her hold grew fruitful and rich from the grains of the Vale. Just as her reign was reaching its apex, It is said that Margurz himself took her as his wife, coming down from Dagrin’s Halls and whisking her away in front of her entire court.

After that day, she became Thyrfen Goldenhands, Goddess of Grain and the Harvest, and patron of the Serpent’s Vale.

#### Werdûn Diamondeye, The Gem Setter

Once a mortal dwarf, and humble goldsmith from Ovdal Lodhum, it is said that Werdûn once received a challenge from a compatriot to venture into the unknown and acquire a gemstone beautiful enough to capture the eye of the gods themselves.

Venturing to the Tree of Stone with his equipment, it is said he emerged into a surface vale, filled with the most beautiful diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds of all sizes, shapes, and colours. However, he chose carefully, taking the two simplest stones he could find- a pair of uncut garnets. There in that vale, surrounded by pre-existing natural beauty, he instead brought out the beauty within two stones.

His work did not go unnoticed, and Dezobrazan herself emerged from the earth, informing him he had succeeded the test set before him. Offered a place among the divine, he accepted- but only after he had returned to Ovdal Lodhum. Promising that he would return, he gave one of the garnets to Dezobrazan, and ventured home to Ovdal Lodhum. When he managed to do so, he presented the stone to those who challenged him originally, and then said. “This garnet has its pair in the hands of Dezobrazan, whom I now go to dwell with. Goodbye.” At that moment, he vanished, and it is said that the temple to the goddess of noble smiths had a new mosaic, depicting Werdûn and Dezobrazan’s wedding, attended by the gods themselves.

#### Lorgrim, The Wanderer

Twin of Lorgram, Lorgrim is said to have simply appeared one day in the Halls of Dagrin, alongside her brother. Whilst her brother Lorgram keeps the dead, it is Lorgrim who wanders the caves and halls, ensuring that their souls reach Lorgram, and by extension Dagrin’s halls. As well, when Lorgrim returns, she brings news of the wider world to Dagrin.

#### Lorgram, Keeper of the Dead

Twin of Lorgrim, Lorgram is said to have simply appeared one day in the Halls of Dagrin, alongside his sister. When he appeared, he began ensuring the souls of the dead were taken into Dagrin’s halls, and organised into areas according to their skills and virtues in life.

#### Grobilazk the Twisted

Grobilazk is the leftover of an age before. In that age, the Void itself invaded Creation, and when it departed, Grobilazk was left behind. But Grobilazk was a cowardly creature, and had always loathed its masters. Caught in the purifying blast of the Primordials, they were anchored to this world and strove to keep beneath the notice of the seven beings that lorded over it.

However, when they began to sculpt the world, and Halanna created the Dwarves, Grobilazk grew jealous. Stealing some of Joztralanna’s gifts, he took the stone and took a cave chameleon, and rendered it into his image. For Grobilazk lacked the ability to truly imagine new things, instead, he would take what was there and make it into something that would suit his needs. In doing so, he created Goblins. As the ages continued, he would in turn create Bugbears and Hobgoblins in an effort to prove himself better than Halanna and her Dwarven children.