The Center of Worship for an Ancient God
The Temple of the Great Dwarf pre-dates the establishment of Castle of the Stone Throne which was deliberately built in proximity to the Temple in the underground city of Uftlon. Initially called the Temple of the
All Father referencing the true name of the Voice that called the Dwarves. The name of the Temple was changed after the Betrayal when the dwarves were charged with containing the malevolent
Dark Elves and their unholy mistress
Ligeoa.
A Temple of Two Times
The Temple was first constructed during the reign of Thamwoline Oakaxe, and was completed in two steps, the original construction or Old Temple was completed in 57 AH and consecrated that year. The New Temple refers to renovations, restoration and expansion of the original Temple over thousands of years to include an entry component in the Ultflon's Main Cavern thereby giving visitors visual access to the worship site. The Temple of the Great Dwarf is the home of the High Priest of the Great Dwarf and centers the worship of the dwarves in Uftlon and the
Draak'thor Massiff .
The Old Temple was built as a place of worship for the royal family, and the New Temple additions served the function of extending that gathering for worship to the entire dwarven people. The courtyard in the Main Cavern of Uftlon is quite extensive. The Temple contains two altars: a large tiered altar in the courtyard which is accessible to all persons, and one in the Old Temple at the entrance of the Holy Place which is accessible to only the priesthood and the royal court. Offerings of products from each clan and guild are required, and these are placed upon the altar and accepted or rejected by the Great Dwarf at the time of offering.
Within the Holy Place, a living offspring of the World Tree, Elysium, gifted by the orcs to the High Priest of the Great Dwarf, reaches up to the sky through the ceiling of the cavern and breaks into the surface world. At the surface, the tree continues to ascend into the heavens. Tradition dictates that the Great Dwarf himself opened the ceiling of the cavern to let in light, and directed the spring of Salom to open up and fill the Pool of Stillness which waters the roots of the holy tree. The Holy Place is the place of visitation with the Divine Presence outside of the time of offering. The Dwarven Council, the King, and the High Priest come to this place to consult directly with the Great Dwarf.
Close Calls of the Military Kind
The Temple was almost overrun in the advance of the brief dark elf occupation of the Uftlon Main Cavern in AH 1334 commonly referred to as
The Uprising of the Dark. The dark elves, led by Gen Vincere Iraenox managed to fight to the door of the Temple, then attacked the doors of the Temple with a magical dark elf black fire but the doors, were not consumed and held fast. Traces of this event are still present on the lintel of the door, though the door itself was replaced. Iraenox was killed in action during the campaign, and his body was completely burned to ash by his surviving soldiers, an unusual move for dark elves who will give a mercy stroke to their critically injured and leave their dead to rot.
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