The Church of Moradin
In some of the mountains surrounding Procan's Depths, there are dwarven clans dwelling deep underground and tucked away in the hills. These dwarves most notably form the Empire of Keoland and Empire of the Silver Crown, both of which share a religion: The Church of Moradin.
Moradin is the central deity of all dwarven religions. He (he is referred to as male despite being like, outside the notion of gender or sex) is seen as the Uncaused Creator. He is one with the world, he created the world and he makes the souls of the dwarves. Moradin's soul is an ever-burning fire, and he created the world. First made was water, then earth, then air, then the holiest of the elements: fire.
Moradin dwells in the Highest of the Seven Heavens, a series of realms within the Aboveworld. There he rules from his throne and works in his soulforge.
The dwarves believe Moradin created all beings, but was dissatisfied with them. He then made the dwarves, his chosen people, in his image. He gave them souls, and they were allowed to dwell in the heavens along with his other servants, the angels. However, some of the angels would not bow to the dwarves, and as such they were cast out to the seven hells, which are within the world in the Underworld.
These fallen angels then tempted the first dwarves in heaven and caused them to fall to the world where they live with the animals and other spirits (sometimes called "Jinn"), such as humans, elves, fey, etc. This has led some dwarves (such as the Keoish) to believe in a hierarchy of being where they are better than the other species of the world.
In mimicry of their creator, dwarves reproduce by shaping a new body out of stone and giving it life through a ritual that imbues it with fire, during which Moradin creates a soul in his soulforge and gives the new body such fire. This transmutes the stone and fire into a living, breathing organism.
Temples to Moradin have eternal hearthfires that are used as forges and are never to go out. These temples are always carved into underground places. In Keoland and the nearby dwarven states, this denomination is led by a Pontifice and the clergy is considered a familial clan unit. All members of the clergy eschew gender to be closer to Moradin and, generally, are made with androgynous forms. Due to the presence of beards on all dwarves, outsiders tend to assume they're all men and that the church, like Moradin himself, is patriarchal.
Moradin may be stern and unyeilding, but he is also fair and merciful. From him ethics and law come, and this is reflected in the holy texts of the dwarves which were revealed long ago by prophets (different sects might believe in different prophets), some of whom are said to have already/eventually will fufill prophecies of messianic nature, usually in final, apocalytpic judgements. Those dwarves (and maybe outsiders, aka Jinn, depends on who you ask) who follow Moradin's laws and teachings, repenting from sin may go to the heavens when they die (though they may need cleansing in purgatory beforehand), where they will live in unity with Moradin and the Angels. Those who refuse are damned to the seven Hells along with the Fallen Angels (or Devils). They may or may not eventually be saved or annihilated in judgement, again it depends on who you ask; but damnation is not eternal. While Moradin is omniscient and infallible he is not all-powerful, and he gave dwarves reason and free will, and as such predestination is not a belief of most dwarves.
The Church of Moradin and it's followers have seven central shared traditions, though these can vary across denominations. They are:
The Pontífice of the Church of Moradin rules out of an independent papal state. It is they who crown the emperor of Keoland and the Kings and Queens of the Silver Crown.
The angels of Moradin are arranged in the following heirarchy:
Moradin is the central deity of all dwarven religions. He (he is referred to as male despite being like, outside the notion of gender or sex) is seen as the Uncaused Creator. He is one with the world, he created the world and he makes the souls of the dwarves. Moradin's soul is an ever-burning fire, and he created the world. First made was water, then earth, then air, then the holiest of the elements: fire.
Moradin dwells in the Highest of the Seven Heavens, a series of realms within the Aboveworld. There he rules from his throne and works in his soulforge.
The dwarves believe Moradin created all beings, but was dissatisfied with them. He then made the dwarves, his chosen people, in his image. He gave them souls, and they were allowed to dwell in the heavens along with his other servants, the angels. However, some of the angels would not bow to the dwarves, and as such they were cast out to the seven hells, which are within the world in the Underworld.
These fallen angels then tempted the first dwarves in heaven and caused them to fall to the world where they live with the animals and other spirits (sometimes called "Jinn"), such as humans, elves, fey, etc. This has led some dwarves (such as the Keoish) to believe in a hierarchy of being where they are better than the other species of the world.
In mimicry of their creator, dwarves reproduce by shaping a new body out of stone and giving it life through a ritual that imbues it with fire, during which Moradin creates a soul in his soulforge and gives the new body such fire. This transmutes the stone and fire into a living, breathing organism.
Temples to Moradin have eternal hearthfires that are used as forges and are never to go out. These temples are always carved into underground places. In Keoland and the nearby dwarven states, this denomination is led by a Pontifice and the clergy is considered a familial clan unit. All members of the clergy eschew gender to be closer to Moradin and, generally, are made with androgynous forms. Due to the presence of beards on all dwarves, outsiders tend to assume they're all men and that the church, like Moradin himself, is patriarchal.
Moradin may be stern and unyeilding, but he is also fair and merciful. From him ethics and law come, and this is reflected in the holy texts of the dwarves which were revealed long ago by prophets (different sects might believe in different prophets), some of whom are said to have already/eventually will fufill prophecies of messianic nature, usually in final, apocalytpic judgements. Those dwarves (and maybe outsiders, aka Jinn, depends on who you ask) who follow Moradin's laws and teachings, repenting from sin may go to the heavens when they die (though they may need cleansing in purgatory beforehand), where they will live in unity with Moradin and the Angels. Those who refuse are damned to the seven Hells along with the Fallen Angels (or Devils). They may or may not eventually be saved or annihilated in judgement, again it depends on who you ask; but damnation is not eternal. While Moradin is omniscient and infallible he is not all-powerful, and he gave dwarves reason and free will, and as such predestination is not a belief of most dwarves.
The Church of Moradin and it's followers have seven central shared traditions, though these can vary across denominations. They are:
- Shaping of the Body - to create a new dwarf is a holy act that all are called upon to do, except the priesthood.
- Oath of the Faith - this is a confirmation of a dwarf's devotion to Moradin. This is sometimes seen as a reforging of them; it can be swearing witness, baptism in water or fire, etc. Rites vary and overlap. This is seen as beginning the call to do good in words.
- Prayer to the All-Father - dwarves are to pray to Moradin regularly, usually daily, and always in the presence of fire (be it a holy heart or simply a common torch). This is always at night and at church services, but different denominations may command other strict prayer schedules. This is seen as affirming the need to do good in thoughts.
- Feast of the Prophets - To honor the prophets of the religion, many feast days are observed. The ritualistic consumption of certain foods, and always ale, are observed typically within a church during specific days.
- Fasting of the Saints - To honor the saints (or hallows) of their religion who lived closely with Moradin (through martyrdom or ascetism), the dwarves observe times of fasting where they give up certain things (think Ramadan or Lent) and reflect on their faith, giving things up for faith to be closer to Moradin like the Saints were. They also give to charity more.
- Charity of Alms - Seen as affirming the need to do good in actions, dwarves help the needy and, most importantly, give to the church. These gifts can be money, artisinal goods, or worked metal. The latter of which is ritually reforged (as all souls will be during judgement) by the priests in the hearthfire into things that will suit the community. These gifts are then used to support the church and support needy dwarves.
- Last Rights - in order to ensure safe passage to the afterlife, when a dwarf is dead or dying it is imperative priests see to the proper rituals and spells to protect their body and soul.
The Pontífice of the Church of Moradin rules out of an independent papal state. It is they who crown the emperor of Keoland and the Kings and Queens of the Silver Crown.
The angels of Moradin are arranged in the following heirarchy:
- Seraphim - four angels who attend to Moradin's forge and throne.
- Cherubim - angels who sing Moradin's praises.
- Ophanim, aka Angels of Paradise - angels who guard heaven.
- Archangels (Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Azrael, Previously Azazil) - specialized angels with particular abilities.
- Angels of Hell - angels who torture sinners and prevent the devils from escaping.
- Scribes of Heaven (Raqib and Atid) - angels who record the actions of people.
- Messenger Angels (Guardian Angels, Angels) - angels who interact with and watch over mortals.
Granted Divine Powers
As any god, pantheon, philosophy, or force can in the multiverse, the devout of Moradin's followers can gain clerical or paladin magics. Furthermore, piety to a specific angel grants the faithful blessings, charms, and magical boons. See individual deity pages for more information on their domains, peity rewards, and other game material.
Did God make Man, or Man make God?
The dwarven religion is a mirror to dwarven societies, or perhaps it is the other way around. While the magical power the Gods grant is real, and their agents do sometimes come to The World, some dissenting scholars have argued that all Gods are at least partially shaped by the societies that worship them.The most radical scholars have claimed that the Gods, Saints, and all other divine Entities are directly created and shaped by their mortal worshippers, and that the Dwarven people were not literally forged by the Creator, but rather "evolved" from "burrowing monkeys". Clearly, these "scholars" are dissenters from Moradin's divine will, and are being led astray by demonic forces.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Leader
Permeated Organizations
Deities
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