The Delver

A Common Depiction of the Delver

## Overview

The Delver is one of the primary deities of the Turin faith of Toria. He is the deity of the hunt, journeys, minerals and caves. He watches over travellers of all kinds, especially those that journey underground. He is also seen as the oldest son of the Ore and the Marred.

## Appearance and Symbols

The Delver is often depicted as a large, muscular man with no hair. Like all Turin deities, the Delver has polished metallic skin underneath clothing of fluid metal, no mouth, and fine lines of glowing energy spread all across his body.

In the case of the Delver, his skin is polished but brushed and scuffed, as if it'd been dragged across hard stone, rock and crystal.

His primary symbol is that of a dark pickaxe, linking to the weapon he used to battle the Marred.

## Worshippers

Those that worship the Delver above the other five tend to have occupations closely linked to mining, hunting or searching for lost things.

The Delver is also worshiped by those seeking something within their life, whether it be a change, a dream or a goal of some kind. Those with ambition and the will to chase it, no matter the obstacles presented before them.

He is also worshipped by those that have lost things or people, in the hopes he will return or watch over them.

## History

### Mythology

The Delver was the firstborn child to the Ore and the Marred, and given rule over the art of travel. Like his siblings, he saw the beauty in the creation of the world, and thought to show the creatures the thrill of seeking things.

He gave the gift of drive and determination to some of the beasts of the land, partially creating the sentient races. But this joy was short lived. The jealously of his mother over him and his siblings will to share the creation had reached it's limit.

Behind her family's back, she had created the Cursed Ones, and sent them to destroy all that her family had built. They rushed across the world faster then the Ore and his children could stop, killing and corrupting those they passed. The Marred and her Cursed Ones created the first of the destructive emotions, and spread them amongst the survivors.

The inverse of the Delver's gift was sloth and gluttony.

Unable to stand by, the Delver brought his siblings the ingots of Dark Purium that they used to construct weapons to fight their Mother. Together with the Ore, they were able to cage her in the sky, trapping her vast power within the void that surrounded the planet. The Marred lashed out, her strength manifesting as the first night, but going no further.

The Delver and his family then gifted the people of Verramar the strength and power to survive, inversing the destructive emotions with their positive counterparts. They also imbued an individual with a great amount of magic; the Brightwalker. With them at the head of the army, The Cursed Ones were pushed back and banished forever.

In the aftermath, the Five tried to cleanse the land of the Marred's treachery, but as she was the Ore's equal they were unable to banish it. All things destructive could be redirected, but not stopped. However, the people of Verramar could choose to do better, thereby defeating the corruption of the Marred.

So, the Delver and his family spread their word, to do good and create; to leave the world better with the life they had. If so, they would be rewarded, but if they clung to the ways of the Marred, they would join her in her prison.

### Archaeologically

The Delver is a relatively recent addition to the Turin church, only dating back a few hundred years. It is likely that he is the modern form of an ancient deity of Smithston or Loland, commonly called Stonebreaker. He also shares traits with the Smith, hinting a historical connection.