Bhor

When The Great Mother Eraah instilled Balfadore with her essence, Bhor was one of the first titans to command influence among the creatures of the world. He listened closely to their desires as their civilizations advanced into a feudal structure. He prayed upon the naturally greedy and filled the world with rare stones and metals to grow that greed into a soulful desire.
As his influence grew and society established law, Bhor became a prominent idol of those seeking power through dominance. During the Aeons of Chaos, he bestowed great boons to his most devoted champions, growing more powerful with each of their conquests.

Entombed in Mount Knovash

Long before the Age of Exploration, Bhor's influence reached a critical mass of sorts as the warmongering Hurak'ah acolytes enslaved every other creature and race in the realm, lords of Balfador with no one to contest them.
Mother Eraah was disgusted by Bhor's exploitation and corruption of her essence and began to release raging typhoons and volcanic eruptions to disrupt the Hurak'ah, scorching her own beloved creations in the process. Slaves slew their masters, shackles were cast off, and the Hurak'ah were dethroned.
With his influence shattered, Bhor was greatly weakened and retreated to the Underdark. Without hesitation, Mother Eraah manifested Seven Rune Stones to focus her energy and create a great mountain on top of Bhor's sanctum. It is believed now that Bhor is still entombed beneath Mount Knovash.
Dominion: Mount Knovash, Minerals, Ore, Conquest, Obedience, and Greed.
Description: His dark, tough skin clings tightly to his sinewy musculature. Long ribbons of silver hair flow behind an obscured, skeletal face. A bright orange serpent wraps around the figure's arms, throat, and face, standing upright to act as the being's eyes. His stone wings are draped with a fur hide and a plethora of gold jewelry adorns him.

Seven Names

According to legend, "Bhor" was the name Dwarves gave to an ancient being discovered in the mines of Mount Knovash many centuries ago. Although he is often referred to by many variations of the number seven in various languages, Bhor is said to have seven true names, all of which are known only to those who gives themselves completely to his service, foregoing their sanity forever. Knowledge of Bhor's true names is said to come with immeasurable power and the promise of immortality. As such, there are many false names for Bhor which common followers try to invoke with the hope of gaining some small benefits, including "He of Seven Names", "The God with Seven Names", "The Dweller Beneath the Dark", and "The God Beneath the Mountain".

Core Beliefs

Power and wealth are the key to immortality through lineage.

Without law, there can not be order.

The desire to own and control is the guiding force of the world and it should be embraced.

Bhor's Influence

Few devout followers of Bhor exist outside of Gladerune as the great fall of the Hurak'ah Empire is told as a legend and assumed to be greatly exaggerated. Few creatures outside the region have ever heard of such a deity and only small subsets of humans ever congregate. With such localized influence many travelers passing through Helmfirth doubt the claims by faithful of extended longevity and uncanny recovery from injury or illness. Nevertheless, Bhor is a huge part of Helmfirth's culture and no traveler can resist the urge to purchase a small idol of the deity.

Symbols of Faith

Most followers of Bhor wear the mark of the goblet and the serpent - a circle with a cross at the bottom, curved wings on either side of the top, and a snake head above - as a pendant or other gold jewelry, oft encrusted with rare gemstones. Bear pelts and snake skin are typical adornments for acolytes serving in temples.
More devout followers go as far as tattooing serpents, skulls, and roses on their bodies. There are even stories of an order of Bhorian monks who cut out their own eyes, entrusting pet snakes to guide and protect them.

Sacred Rites

Devotees of Bhor must endure tests of faith which directly put their lives at stake. As various groups have adopted these kinds of rituals, the methods and hazards. These rituals are not open to outsiders and are closely guarded from the public. The inherent secrecy of Bhor worshipers tends to stem from the experiences shared in these rituals, but the lasting affects tend to alter their entire outlook on the world.
Many supposed accounts of Bhorian rites exist, but none have ever been confirmed or supported with evidence. One such account described a poisoned cask of wine distributed to all in attendence, causing those of weak faith to succumb while the most pious among them felt no effect. Other claims include elaborate swinging blades on pendulums and excursions into the Underdark itself to square off with untold monstrosities.

Corruption

Due to their natural obsession with power and wealth, Bhorian followers are swayed with promises of fortune and renown everlasting.

Death and Immortality

For some Bhorian congregations, the sole purpose of life is to reveal some way to prolong it; forever. Immortality is a recurring theme in Bhorian holy texts and many Clerics study the Death Domain seeking greater understanding and control over it.
Throughout Balfadore's history, many have sought this same goal only to end up obsessed with it. Pushing them to commit despicable acts and create putrid abominations in the name of magical study. For this reason, many necromancers trace the roots of their madness to Bhor.
Others find themselves seeking divine intervention or invoking Bhor's power to resurrect their fallen allies. These rituals often come at a great monetary cost when made upon request of Bhorian clerics and carry an even greater cost when invoked by someone open to his influence.