Gond
The Wonderbringer
Gond (pronounced: /ˈgɑːnd/ GAHND), the Lord of All Smiths, is a deity of craft and smithwork, whose faith is the state religion of Lantan. The church of Gond was tolerated across Koria and members were found in both good- and evil-aligned human populations. He had an increasing following in rock gnome communities. He also is worshipped by the name Zionil, patron of craftfolk, inventors and creators, in Avancross.
The heart of Gond's church is the High Holy Crafthouse of Inspiration in the city of Illul in Lantan. This monastery was run by Danactar Bors the High Artificer, Most Holy Servant of Gond. Danactar is the highest-ranking mortal cleric of Gond; he is the supreme voice in ecclesiastical matters and he served in Lantan's ruling council, the Ayrorch. The church of Gond consisted mostly of wandering clerics who traveled from settlement to settlement, finding work as artisans and engineers. Settling in one area was only encouraged in centers of innovation that warranted constant observation. The church encouraged wealth, as it demonstrated the benefits of following Gond. As they traveled, clerics took samples of any inventions they discovered and assisted innovators they encountered, filing regular reports to their superiors.
Temples to Gond were imposing, boxy stone structures surrounded by porticoes. The only internal decorations were sprawling exhibits of items, some of historical interest, some representing the latest work of master crafters. The central altar consisted of a massive anvil surrounded by spinning cogs in a giant machine. Backrooms consisted of workshops.
Clerics of Gond had a unique dress. They wore saffron robes, sashes that held tools, and sun hats. They had great belts of large linked medallion ringlets. In northern communities, they served rural communities as tinkerers, carpenters, and civil engineers. All clerics of Gond kept a journal in which they wrote down ideas for inventions to be worked on and contemplated. Journals kept by wandering priests were given to temples they visited. Their notes were recorded and added to the temple library for everyone to gain insight from.
The faithful of Lantan also built a great museum, The Hall of Wonders, to display Gondite inventions.
Gond views magic as a tool to further his creativity. Merchants cultivated relationships with Gond's clergy in the hope of profiting from trading in Gondar inventions. Periodically, an invention of the followers of Gond would have an adverse economic effect, resulting in hostility from other faiths.
Divine Domains
Forge, Knowledge
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