Zwakhasis

"I am the mighty architect. I am the humble laborer. I cheer when you triumph. I weep when you falter. I am Zwakhasis, the Gilded Crafter and you are my child." —The Prophecies of Kaikobad

The Gilded Crafter (a.k.a. Urdashdin; the Maker; the Forger; the Father of Dwaves; the Architect of the World;)

Zwakhasis is one of the twelve gods that makes up the Heavenly Council and is the titular deity in the Zwahi religion. Zwakhasis serves as the god of crafts, masons, builders, carpenters, architects, smiths, engineers, inventors, ingenuity, fire, and the dwarven people. Within the mythology and rituals of the Heavenly Codex, Zwakhasis is a minor but important figure, for it is he that created the weapons, armor, and magical tokens of the rest of the Heavenly Council. In Zwaism, Zwakhasis is the creator of the world itself and of all that is good within the world. He stands opposed to the twin manifestations of evil; the Darkness of Ókan and the Chaos of Zaguna. His desires are laid out in a series of Prophecies entrusted to the religion's founder, Kaikobad (sometimes called Karkobad.) While Zwaism is largely centered around dwarven communities in Nioa, Zwakhasis enjoys flocks of faithful worshipers across theMaterial Plane.

Divine Domains

Zwakhasis serves as the god of crafts, masons, builders, carpenters, architects, smiths, engineers, inventors, ingenuity, fire, and the dwarven people. His domains are Forge, Life, Light, and Knowledge.

Holy Books & Codes

Zwakhasis is briefly mentioned in the Heavenly Codex—his section, the Book of Zwakhasis, is by far the shortest of the text.
In Zwaism, the Prophecies of Kaikobad and the Proverbs of Kaikobad are also believed to be dialogues between the famous prophet and Zwakhasis. These texts are not recognized by most of the Heavenly Council's faithful.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Zwakhasis's divine symbol is a cubit rod crossed with a hammer. His sacred colors are gold, silver, and orange like a flame.

Tenets of Faith

In Zwaism, the purpose in life is to become an Urdashan (a master of Urdash) and to bring happiness into the world, which contributes to the cosmic battle against evil. Zwaism's core teachings include but are not limited:

• Follow the Threefold Path of Horaxa: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds
• • Charity is a way of maintaining one's soul alignment to Urdash and to spread happiness
  • The spiritual equality and duty of the genders
  • Be good for goodness' sake without hope of reward

Holidays

Zwakhasis's feast month is Trodden Leaf, the eleventh month of the Auloan Calendar. Weekly services to Zwakhasis are held each Fathersday.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Zwakhasis is often depicted as a dwarf or an older bearded humanoid, covered in muscles. His eyes are flashing motes of fire and his voices is a low rumble like the earth at the rim of a caldera.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

According the Zwaism, Zwakhasis took great joy in working methodically in his caverns, believing that creation with the acceptance of impermanence one of the most upstanding acts one can do in life. It was only upon having to forge the many Hallowed Arms of the Heavenly Council and fight against several members of the Unspoken Six including Ókan, Valdra, and Zaguna, that Zwakhasis came to question his role in the universe. He then forged the dwarves in an attempt to pass on his philosophies to a race of worthy builders like himself. He made six statues—two from the ores of the hills, two from the ores of the mountains, and two from the ores of the deep places. He took the ores of Nine Mountains to build the dwarves. He carved their skin from marble. He hammered iron for their bones. He fused ochre to liquid for their blood. In their eyes, he set emeralds, sapphires, jade, and amber. He wove gold, black iron, copper, brass, and white silver mithril to form their hair. He wanted their beards to gleam when they emerged from their homes in the earth. To this day, all dwarves revere Zwakhasis as their father above all other gods.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Zwakhasis and Lacorré are said to have been intimate with one another and bore a child but Lacorré convinced him that the child would be far safer if he bore the child rather than she. Because of this, Zwakhasis is often invoked along with Porcia during pregnancy rights. Zwakhasis and Lacorré’s child, Qingu, inherited his father’s passion for hard work, discipline and intelligence.

Family Ties

Unlike most of the other members of the Heavenly Council, Zwakhasis was born spontaneously from the Void or from a spark of flame off Uriah⁣'s cape. Regardless, he has no extended family beyond his son, Qingu, whom he carried to term in his thigh. Some believe he made the dwarves because of this, for he desired to have children of his own.
Many of those who follow the word of the Heavenly Codex believe he remains inside the Celestial Mountains to this day, forging a perfect consort for himself after the embarrassment of Lacorré's abandonment.
Zwahis believe that he is a transcended deity with no physical form that has become one with the Urdash of the universe in an attempt to prevent divine power from falling into the hands of the Darkness and the Chaos.

Divine Classification

Deity

Religions

• Zwaism

Alignment

Lawful Good

Current Location

Celestial Mountains

Realm

Celestial Mountains

Church/Cult

Zwaism

Circumstances of Birth

Born when a spark of flame leapt from Uriah's cape upon the sea foam of Primordial Void and emerged fully formed from the dark waters.

Birthplace

The Void

Current Residence

The Celestial Mountains

Aligned Organization

Zwaism

Other Affiliations

• Heavenly Council

Related Myths

• "Lacorré Steals The Heart of the Sea"

Hallowed Arms

The Forge Fists: a set of dragon-hide and mithril-fringed gloves filled with fire and radiant energy

Holy Orders:

• Acolyte: Apprentice

• Cleric: Drafter (Forge Domain)

• Monk: Spiritsmith

• Leader: Architect

• Leader: Zwaism: Shah of Shanindar

• Temple: Foundry

Animal Harbingers:

Honeybee