Church of Gond
The Church of Gond, also known as Gondarism, was the primary religious organization dedicated to the worship and service of Gond, the Wonderbringer and Holy Maker of All Things.
Foreign Relations
Merchants often tried to cultivate relations with their local Gondar clergy, hopeful that they would be able to acquire and sell their latest inventions. But at times Gondar have created things that inadvertently upset existing markets and quickly earn them hostility from other faiths.
Some members of the Church of Mystra opposed Gondarism, as they believed he held technology as being above magic. And in the case of the Church's secret subsect, they were right. That subsect also viewed the Church of Waukeen as an enemy and sought to one day subsume it, believing that Gond would one day force Waukeen into marrying him.
Some members of the Church of Mystra opposed Gondarism, as they believed he held technology as being above magic. And in the case of the Church's secret subsect, they were right. That subsect also viewed the Church of Waukeen as an enemy and sought to one day subsume it, believing that Gond would one day force Waukeen into marrying him.
Divine Origins
Time of Troubles
In the year 1358 DR, the mortal gnome avatar form of Gond washed up on the shores of Lantan. His nature was quickly discovered by the Lantanna, who sheltered and worshiped him until the Avatar Crisis had passed. Later that year, in gratitude for the sanctuary they provided him and confident that they would not misuse his gift, Gond revealed the secrets of smokepowder to the Lantanna. As well as how to make reasonably safe and accurate firearms that utilized the substance. From that year onwards, the Lantanna priests of Gond (for a time, mainly the specialty priests) would work to spread the use of firearms, shipping them to Western ports.
Post-Time of Troubles
Interest in and worship of Gond was on the rise following the Time of Troubles, including among gnomes. As many young gnomes viewed the fact that Gond's avatar took the form of a gnome as a sign that it was time for their race to invent a new way of life. In this early period many gnomish communities frowned upon becoming a priest of Gond, but over time it gained greater acceptance.
But alongside this rise in interest was a rise in attacks upon the clergy by rival faiths and those who feared their inventions. Rival makers of Lantan's special glass jars slowly emerged in the nations of Calimshan and Tashalar, while elsewhere there emerged rival makers of firearms, though they were inferior to that of the Gondar.
By 1367 DR, priests of Gond could be found throughout the North.
By Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR, the Church had made firearms available all throughout Faerûn. But in turn they had earned the ire of many rulers, who saw the weapons as a threat to their authority. Around that same time, Gondsmen in Mulhorand aided that land in reviving their degradading system of irrigation pumps.
In 1373 DR, missionaries traveled from Lantan to the continent of Maztica. On Tarsakh 18 they established a temple on the largest island of the Green Sisters archipelago, which they proceeded to name St. Ippen.
In the year 1358 DR, the mortal gnome avatar form of Gond washed up on the shores of Lantan. His nature was quickly discovered by the Lantanna, who sheltered and worshiped him until the Avatar Crisis had passed. Later that year, in gratitude for the sanctuary they provided him and confident that they would not misuse his gift, Gond revealed the secrets of smokepowder to the Lantanna. As well as how to make reasonably safe and accurate firearms that utilized the substance. From that year onwards, the Lantanna priests of Gond (for a time, mainly the specialty priests) would work to spread the use of firearms, shipping them to Western ports.
Post-Time of Troubles
Interest in and worship of Gond was on the rise following the Time of Troubles, including among gnomes. As many young gnomes viewed the fact that Gond's avatar took the form of a gnome as a sign that it was time for their race to invent a new way of life. In this early period many gnomish communities frowned upon becoming a priest of Gond, but over time it gained greater acceptance.
But alongside this rise in interest was a rise in attacks upon the clergy by rival faiths and those who feared their inventions. Rival makers of Lantan's special glass jars slowly emerged in the nations of Calimshan and Tashalar, while elsewhere there emerged rival makers of firearms, though they were inferior to that of the Gondar.
By 1367 DR, priests of Gond could be found throughout the North.
By Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR, the Church had made firearms available all throughout Faerûn. But in turn they had earned the ire of many rulers, who saw the weapons as a threat to their authority. Around that same time, Gondsmen in Mulhorand aided that land in reviving their degradading system of irrigation pumps.
In 1373 DR, missionaries traveled from Lantan to the continent of Maztica. On Tarsakh 18 they established a temple on the largest island of the Green Sisters archipelago, which they proceeded to name St. Ippen.
Tenets of Faith
In the Gondar faith it was actions that mattered above all else, including intentions and thought, for those who serve Gond do. When faced with the unknown, one was to always challenge and question it with new inventions. To this end it was the duty of all Gondsmen to become skilled in one or more fields of creation — such as casting, forging, or tempering for example. Beyond honing one's skills in a craft, Gondsmen had to regularly practice experimentation and innovation, including in the ways they made tools and implemented processes. And they had to practice various means of joining and fastening things.
By fulfilling these duties Gondsmen not only became fit to bring new wonders into the world, they became prepared to make things that could suit any situation or space they were confronted with. But the duties of Gondsmen did not stop with improving themselves, for the faith called on them to encourage these virtues in others. Either through direct aid, diplomatic support, or sponsorship.
In summation, Gondarism revolved around the act of creation, bringing new wonders into the world, as well as the expanding of knowledge, both scientific and arcane. However, it was considered important for inventions to display both a utility and an elegance
By fulfilling these duties Gondsmen not only became fit to bring new wonders into the world, they became prepared to make things that could suit any situation or space they were confronted with. But the duties of Gondsmen did not stop with improving themselves, for the faith called on them to encourage these virtues in others. Either through direct aid, diplomatic support, or sponsorship.
In summation, Gondarism revolved around the act of creation, bringing new wonders into the world, as well as the expanding of knowledge, both scientific and arcane. However, it was considered important for inventions to display both a utility and an elegance
Ethics
Among a number of the faith's gnome members, who referred to Gond as either Nebelun or Gond Wonderbringer, it was believed that the god was gnomish in form rather than human. This was also the case for the Bralian sect of the faith.
Views on arcane magic were mixed within the Church. Generally, technology was not seen as being in opposition to arcane magic, with it being said Gond viewed magic as but another means of creating new devices. Many Gondsmen were fine with it being utilized, with priests on the island of Lantan even using arcane magic for propulsion and rust proofing. But there were some in the Church who did view it as the opposition, many of whom were members of a secret subsect. Such Gondsmen believed that the greater the veneration of magic in a society, the less respect technology received.
Views on arcane magic were mixed within the Church. Generally, technology was not seen as being in opposition to arcane magic, with it being said Gond viewed magic as but another means of creating new devices. Many Gondsmen were fine with it being utilized, with priests on the island of Lantan even using arcane magic for propulsion and rust proofing. But there were some in the Church who did view it as the opposition, many of whom were members of a secret subsect. Such Gondsmen believed that the greater the veneration of magic in a society, the less respect technology received.
Worship
Gondsmen followed a daily routine of reciting prayers in the morning (often while getting dressed) for their spells before their morning meal. This was followed by a longer prayer of thanks during their main meal, and the reciting of prayers as they retired for the night (often while disrobing). Before commencing any work on a new project, one was supposed to recite a special prayer of thanks and dedication.
Whenever a new tool or machine was either made or seen by a Gondar, they were charged to make two copies of the item, if it was possible to do so. One of these copies would be hidden away in a temple, hidden from thieves and vandals to await later display to their fellow Gondar. While the other would be smashed (or more preferably, burned), while a prayer of offering known as "Sacred Unmaking" was chanted. Altogether this ceremony was meant to reinforce the idea that Gond had dominion over not only constructive engineering, but destructive as well.
Whenever a new tool or machine was either made or seen by a Gondar, they were charged to make two copies of the item, if it was possible to do so. One of these copies would be hidden away in a temple, hidden from thieves and vandals to await later display to their fellow Gondar. While the other would be smashed (or more preferably, burned), while a prayer of offering known as "Sacred Unmaking" was chanted. Altogether this ceremony was meant to reinforce the idea that Gond had dominion over not only constructive engineering, but destructive as well.
Priesthood
The Church of Gond had a very ordered religious hierarchy, one where obedience to a superior was unquestioning.
- High Artificer, the highest position within the church hierarchy. In theory, their authority extended over all of Faerûn.
- Artificer, the title of a priest who has been personally rewarded and named by Gond for special service.
- Master, the title of a priest of tends a holy site or leads a religious community.
- High Seeker, the title held by all senior members of the clergy.
- Seeker of the, a title ranging from Twelfth to First Order.
- Greater Seeker.
- Seeker after Small Things, the title of a confirmed priest.
- Seeker Postulant, the title for a priest in training.
- Wonderer, the title of a novice priest within the church.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Creation
When it came to the creations of its members, the Church was widely known for clockwork and golemwork. These included such creations as an imitation of the bore worm, small golems tasked with taking care of unsightly municipal duties, the mechanical bodyguard assistants known as gondsmen, and some warforged. Some Gondsmen had even sought to create helmed horrors with divine rituals and prayers, though they were unsuccessful.
Gondar priests were also responsible for some major public works in the Realms. In the city of Baldur's Gate, they were responsible for the city's refurbished sewers, as well as the design and construction of their dock's system of cargo railcarts, scoops, and massive cranes.
Itinerant
The clergy of Gond were itinerant, meanings clerics typically traveled all across Faerûn to spread their faith, share their creations, and discover new inventions. While traveling it was a Gondsmen's duty to observe, acquire (often by buying), and safely store samples of new inventions by others for later exhibition to other priests of the faith. Though in some cases they sought ancient relics and would hire adventuring companies to retrieve them if they were in particularly dangerous places. If the item was magical in nature, then an artificer was often called upon.
Clergy also assisted inventors and innovators, including those who sell new mechanical creations or tools, regardless of whether or not they worshiped Gond. If others sought to capture or harm such inventors and selling for the purpose of seizing or destroying their work, then a Gondar was obligated to intervene. Either by defending them, freeing them, or liberating their work. And they were expected to regularly file reports with the nearest Master ranked priest by means of messengers of the faith.
Due to the nomadic nature of Gondar clergy, it was frowned upon for clerics to settle in one place. Though superiors would allow this if a priest were to show that the locale was a place where innovation occured and therefore required the watchful eyes of the Church. Such areas in the past have included Athkatla, Suzail, Waterdeep, and Zhentil Keep.
Knowledge
Throughout their lives Gondsmen kept meticulous records of their ideas, their attempts at invention, and their progress towards creations. All this was to ensure that when the day came that they died, others could continue their work. They also kept journals of ideas, innovations, and inventions they discovered along their travels that they would turn over to the resident scribes of major temples, who in turn recorded their observations for posterity.
Gondsmen sought to spread to others outside the faith the knowledge and understanding of new tools, new ways doing things, and improved means of crafting or utilizing existing tools. They also discussed and spread their own ideas to others, in hopes that they may see the light of the Wonderbringer.[12][13] And Gondsmen were encouraged to demonstrate to the public simple machines and tools like the cog, gear, lever, pulley, and swivel joint in order to show that there were means of accomplishing great things without arcane and divine magic.
Mercantile
Gondsmen were encouraged by their Church to make a living for themselves. Doing so not only demonstrated the rewards of following the Way of Gond. This included establishing alliances, caches of goods, and investments as they traveled. These investments they made were typically promising craftmen. Finding employment as builders, crafters, engineers, and smiths.
Many Gondar supported themselves by selling various high-quality manufactured wares. This included buckles, small brass bells, mortars and pestles, monocles, clocks, books, lanterns, worked leather, skillfully cut lenses, wonderous inventions, and the substances that were closely guarded secrets of the Church.
In the late 14th century DR, the wares peddled by Gondsmen included bullets and smokepowder. Non-adventuring techsmiths were also known to create and sell smokepowder weapons and bombs. The more unscrupulous of such techsmiths sought out conflicts where they could profit from supplying both sides.
Members of the Church's secret subsect took this mercantile aspect of their faith a step further, using their money to buy up the buildings and land of those ruined by competition over their unique wares. Establishing hidden caches of weapons, transport vehicles, and their wealth and creating devices to entrap intruders.
Beyond the activities of clerics, the Church of Gond notably had its own hard currency, known as gond bells. Throughout most of Faerûn these were valued at 10 gold pieces, but within a temple of Gond they were worth 20 gp.
When it came to the creations of its members, the Church was widely known for clockwork and golemwork. These included such creations as an imitation of the bore worm, small golems tasked with taking care of unsightly municipal duties, the mechanical bodyguard assistants known as gondsmen, and some warforged. Some Gondsmen had even sought to create helmed horrors with divine rituals and prayers, though they were unsuccessful.
Gondar priests were also responsible for some major public works in the Realms. In the city of Baldur's Gate, they were responsible for the city's refurbished sewers, as well as the design and construction of their dock's system of cargo railcarts, scoops, and massive cranes.
Itinerant
The clergy of Gond were itinerant, meanings clerics typically traveled all across Faerûn to spread their faith, share their creations, and discover new inventions. While traveling it was a Gondsmen's duty to observe, acquire (often by buying), and safely store samples of new inventions by others for later exhibition to other priests of the faith. Though in some cases they sought ancient relics and would hire adventuring companies to retrieve them if they were in particularly dangerous places. If the item was magical in nature, then an artificer was often called upon.
Clergy also assisted inventors and innovators, including those who sell new mechanical creations or tools, regardless of whether or not they worshiped Gond. If others sought to capture or harm such inventors and selling for the purpose of seizing or destroying their work, then a Gondar was obligated to intervene. Either by defending them, freeing them, or liberating their work. And they were expected to regularly file reports with the nearest Master ranked priest by means of messengers of the faith.
Due to the nomadic nature of Gondar clergy, it was frowned upon for clerics to settle in one place. Though superiors would allow this if a priest were to show that the locale was a place where innovation occured and therefore required the watchful eyes of the Church. Such areas in the past have included Athkatla, Suzail, Waterdeep, and Zhentil Keep.
Knowledge
Throughout their lives Gondsmen kept meticulous records of their ideas, their attempts at invention, and their progress towards creations. All this was to ensure that when the day came that they died, others could continue their work. They also kept journals of ideas, innovations, and inventions they discovered along their travels that they would turn over to the resident scribes of major temples, who in turn recorded their observations for posterity.
Gondsmen sought to spread to others outside the faith the knowledge and understanding of new tools, new ways doing things, and improved means of crafting or utilizing existing tools. They also discussed and spread their own ideas to others, in hopes that they may see the light of the Wonderbringer.[12][13] And Gondsmen were encouraged to demonstrate to the public simple machines and tools like the cog, gear, lever, pulley, and swivel joint in order to show that there were means of accomplishing great things without arcane and divine magic.
Mercantile
Gondsmen were encouraged by their Church to make a living for themselves. Doing so not only demonstrated the rewards of following the Way of Gond. This included establishing alliances, caches of goods, and investments as they traveled. These investments they made were typically promising craftmen. Finding employment as builders, crafters, engineers, and smiths.
Many Gondar supported themselves by selling various high-quality manufactured wares. This included buckles, small brass bells, mortars and pestles, monocles, clocks, books, lanterns, worked leather, skillfully cut lenses, wonderous inventions, and the substances that were closely guarded secrets of the Church.
In the late 14th century DR, the wares peddled by Gondsmen included bullets and smokepowder. Non-adventuring techsmiths were also known to create and sell smokepowder weapons and bombs. The more unscrupulous of such techsmiths sought out conflicts where they could profit from supplying both sides.
Members of the Church's secret subsect took this mercantile aspect of their faith a step further, using their money to buy up the buildings and land of those ruined by competition over their unique wares. Establishing hidden caches of weapons, transport vehicles, and their wealth and creating devices to entrap intruders.
Beyond the activities of clerics, the Church of Gond notably had its own hard currency, known as gond bells. Throughout most of Faerûn these were valued at 10 gold pieces, but within a temple of Gond they were worth 20 gp.
Sects
The Church of Gond was loosely organized into three major branches. The primary branch was the neighboring isles of Lantan and Suj, where the High Artificer reigned supreme and whose word was sent out far by the Lantar, Lantan's chief envoy. Both carried great authority among Lantanna expatriates.
Another major branch of the Church was the largely independent Gondsmen of mainland Faerûn, which were a conglomeration of northern branches represented by the House of the Wonderbringer. They nominally knew and acknowledged the High Artificer, but few paid great heed to their edicts.
Another major branch of the Church was the largely independent Gondsmen of mainland Faerûn, which were a conglomeration of northern branches represented by the House of the Wonderbringer. They nominally knew and acknowledged the High Artificer, but few paid great heed to their edicts.
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