Temple of the Five Perfect Deities

In the Kingdom of Gulthar, the dwarves practice a unique variant of dwarven religion. They have abandoned all but five of the dwarven deities. These gods, *The Five Perfect Deities* (**Gro Khazin Zohz)** include Gwandyla, Thodhar, Mavrin, Hulthan, and Bruselle. All others are illegal to worship as they promote nontraditional values or immorality, in Gulthar's eyes. Worshipers within this religion call themselves the "**Helafumh**" or Soul-Sworn. Those that are caught worshiping the so-called Flawed Gods (***Sabrak Zohz***) are exiled or imprisoned and dubbed "**Helathulduk**" or Soul-Damned.

In each Gulth stronghold there is a Temple or ***Zoha'zunara*** containing five Chapels (*Zohima*) which radiate from a pentagonal common area. The five chapels are the chapels of Life (*Hela*) in worship of Gwandyla, Forge (*Khar*) in worship of Thodhar, Order (*Rula*) in worship of Mavrin, Arcana (*Zani*) in worship of Bruselle, and Protection (*Hul*) in worship of Hulthan. So Gulth dwarves who work in the mines and have sworn themselves to Thodhar would attend the Chapel of the Forge or *Zohima Khar* to worship.

Those that dedicate themselves to a chapel in place of taking a profession are called ***Ulzoh*** (chapel devotee or cleric). Five is an important number in this religion, and within it there are also five hierarchical tiers an Ulzoh can achieve: Cardinal, Bishop, Priest, Deacon, and Acolyte. For a temple to be considered "official" it must be led by an Ulzoh of deacon level or higher. Most are headed by a priest and in large cities, a bishop.

## *Zoha'zunara il Rul*- The Seat of Power

The royal stronghold of Gulthar'ghaz has a *RoyalTemple* which is the seat of religious power in Gulthar**.**  They have power over any other stronghold temple and can strip others of rank if they abuse their power. All aspiring to climb the clerical ladder in this society must pass trials by or be appointed by members in this seat of power.

### Ulzohru - The Cardinals

The five chapels of the royal temple or Zoha'zunara il Rul are headed by extremely powerful clerics called ***Ulzohru*** or "Cardinals". To become a Cardinal is to be capable of the resurrection of a being 100 years older or more or a miracle on a similar level (9th), as overseen and judged by the other four cardinals (ties broken by the royal clan matriarch). Sometimes there is no Cardinal of a particular deity and they must await a chosen replacement. Sometimes there are more than one (this has only happened a very small handful of times) and one must be chosen after competing against one another in *The Five Sacred Trials*. If this happens, the one not chosen becomes an intermediary High Bishop (***Ulzohzi'bar***) who often becomes a royal adviser, traveling missionary, or other leadership role related to their domain (and acts as a backup in the event of a Cardinal's death). They could decide to become the leader of a non-royal chapel in another stronghold as well. The Cardinals are in charge of keeping the stronghold safe from large scale evil threats and especially guarding the royal family and stronghold. They are also the only dwarves that can challenge a decision made by the royal clan leader, if three or more of them find it questionable.

### Ulzohzi - The Bishops

There are three Royal Bishops (***Ulzohzi Ilgaz***) that work under each Cardinal (or share power and responsibility if there *is* no ruling Cardinal). These Royal Bishops have reached levels of divinity as such that they have the power to summon celestial beings to assist them without question and the power to conjure a consecrated temple to their god from nothingness (7th - 8th level spells). The Royal Bishops are involved in judgement in Gulth Court proceedings wherein a member of the royal clan is involved with law-breaking. There are non-royal Bishops (***Ulzohzi***) as well, though they are considered lower than their royal peers, that serve in other strongholds (usually as the head of a large chapel). Regular Bishops can also serve as clan leader advisers and judiciary members to smaller strongholds. Bishops are in charge of all increases in member ranking and oversee ceremonies that promote acolytes to deacons and deacons to priests. Only a cardinal can test and appoint a bishop from a priest. Both royal and regular bishops must get involved if Gulthar is threatened in major ways, especially by extra-planar or underdark threats.

### Ulzohno - The Priests

Under the bishops are the Priests (***Ulzohno***). The five Royal Priests (***Ulzohno Ilgaz***) of the royal court serve as court judges in important trials (like those of murder, rape, kidnapping, sabotage, treason etc). In order to become a priest, one must be able to bind a celestial to ones will (having been summoned by a bishop) and the power to make an area "hallow" ground (5th - 6th level spells). The main job of priests is to preach to worshipers and commune with their gods for answers and blessings. They often serve as high level diviners, seeking out information, guidance, and the future. Priests can work in all areas of stronghold life- as healers, judicial members, spellcrafters, or simply as temple administrators. There is a lot of variation. Most strongholds have five chapels and most are headed by at least one Priest. When there are multiple priests, the most powerful of them assumes leadership as a High Priest (***Ulzohno'bar***). They also assume this title if they have no competition.

### Ulzohsha - The Deacons

Below this are a multitude of *Deacons* (***Ulzohsha***). There are no "Royal" Deacons. To become a Deacon one must either enter service within the temple as an acolyte for 150 years OR complete the *Three Sacred Trials* which entail casting a healing spell, radiant damage spell, and finally they must be able to form a Zone of Truth, wherein they submit to it's effects and make a lifelong oath. Deacons who achieve their titles through years of service are considered "Honorary Deacons" (***Ulzohsha Erena***) and are primarily put in low administrative positions. Deacons (and Honorary Deacons) serve as jury in minor trials (petty theft, vandalism, adultery, blasphemy). Deacons may also serve as "battle healers" or those who join hunting parties or are in charge of healing stronghold guards during an assault. If they are particularly gifted in abjuration or enchantments, they can join the Order of the Spellcrafters as a divine spellcrafter (zana'ulzoh or just zanazoh). Some Deacons are employed to Gulth diplomats or traveling royals wherein they protect their charge through detection of poisons, magic, and evil, and provide translation or other helpful services.

### Uzohgro - The Acolytes

On the bottom rung are the Acolytes (***Ulzohgro***)- the fifth tier, essentially powerless worshipers who dedicate themselves to worship and service under their gods in hopes of one day making direct contact with them and receiving a blessing or power. There are some acolytes who can conjure sacred flames and perform minor blessings, but until one can create the zone of truth, they are a simple acolyte. Experienced acolytes can, with the permission of a Deacon, become stronghold healers and give minor blessings.