| Other Names | The Forger |
| Area Of Control | Craftsmanship, Construction, Labor, Art, Tools |
| Ethos | Through labor and patience, all things can be built, all things can be mastered. Fate itself can be shaped. The Chaos of the Universe can be remade into Order. Never stop building. Never stop working. Through creation, one achieves divinity. Any mindless brute can destroy, but the act of creation is for the wise and the skilled alone. When you create, you prove your greatness. Laziness is the greatest sin of all. |
| Pantheon | Dwarven |
| Worshipers | Dwarven blacksmiths, stone masons, sculptors, architects, artists and all others who build or craft for a living. |
| Appearance | Daraugmor is usually depicted as a tall and handsome dwarf with a brilliant golden red beard and mane of hair. He is dressed in shining silver and gold armor. He wields a long handled golden hammer and a shield of polished mithril. At other times, he is depicted as a dirty dwarf wearing a smith's leather apron and a tool belt. In this latter form, he is almost always depicted working with a forge or standing in front of a forge. |
| Symbol | A forge |
Daraugmor is the dwarven god of all things that are made, all crafts and all that is built or designed. He is the patron deity of smiths, masons, artists and the like. He is an important figure in dwarven mythology. Through him, dwarves see the benefit of hard work, the results of labor, the mastery of the world, the
The faithful of Daraugmor hold that Daraugmor lives deep in the ground in a great cavernous hall with a tremendous forge. Long ago, in his great hall, he forged the first dwarves from the metal of the underworld. He quenched the metal dwarves in deep underground lakes and breathed life into them.
The faith of Daraugmor is an important religion in dwarven society. The concepts of this religion: labor, persistence, overcoming adversity, skill and patience are at the very core of dwarven life. This church has been worshiped since the earliest generations of dwarves and has had a profound impact on the evolution of the dwarven race.
Temples of Daraugmor can be found in any dwarven city or nation. The three main dwarven nations: Ulkran, Uthran and Urmordia each have dozens of temples to Daraugmor. Independent dwarven clans, such as Irondale, also will have at least one shrine to Daraugmor.
The temples of Daraugmor are magnificent structures. They are built by the priests and the faithful, almost all of whom are skilled craftsmen and artisans. Even the lowliest and most humble dwarf has craft skills. But those who follow the faith of Daraugmor are the very best craftsmen and artisans of the entire race. This level of skill and exacting detail is evident in the temples of Daraugmor. The finest materials are used: shimmering mithril, fine gold foil, polished marble, lapis lazuli, hammered bronze and copper, silken threads, intricately carved stone statues, masterfully forged metalwork and more will all be found arranged and built to create a dazzling display. This is especially evident at the altar which is the heart of every temple. An altar of Daraugmor will be a blinding work of art, so intricate in detail and perfect in measurement that it can be studied for hours on end.
Each temple of Daraugmor is more than just a gathering place for the faithful to join in worship and adoration. The congregation of faithful are a society unto themselves. The craftsmen and artisans who make up a church of Daraugmor function very much like a guild or brotherhood. Raw materials are brought, purified, stored and shared. Training is a constant thing and takes place in informal discussion and formal workshops.
There are many ceremonies associated with the worship of Daraugmor. Once each month, the faithful gather to sing praise, tell stories, teach each other new skills, show completed work, share wealth and tithe to the church. The completion of apprenticeship to full master is a time of celebration and often several apprentices will be honored together in formal ceremonies at the monthly gatherings.
Priests of Daraugmor command many powerful forms of magic. They can bless items, purify raw materials, enhance the strength of metal, repair objects, find lost tools, sharpen blades, probe for weaknesses in constructed objects, summon raw materials from thin air, alter one substance into another, reshape physical objects and other fabulous feats.
Priests of Daraugmor wear shining steel breastplates over finely tailored robes. The color of the robes denote rank and they are associated with the colors of the forge.
Imari - The "Initiate" rank - The lowest and most humble rank. The imari wear black robes. They are assigned the most humble tasks such as cooking, cleaning, polishing and running errands.
Athoquet - The "Apprentice" rank - Those imari that show promise after at least one year of service are promoted and become an athoquet or "apprentice". They then don red robes. They are given more responsibility and begin more advanced training. The athoquets greet guests, serve the high ranks directly, carry important messages, oversee the imari and serve as the eyes and ears of the church out in dwarven society.
Gemasan - The "Journeyman" rank - Ater three years as an athoquet, the truly gifted and hard working are promoted to become a gemasan. They don orange robes. The gemasan are the true priests of the religion. They conduct services at the monthly gatherings, lead classes, organize events, represent the temple in minor matters out in dwarven society, oversee important projects and conduct the day to day business of the church.
Aldor - The "Master" rank. Only the greatest and most prolific gemasan are given the chance to prove themselves worthy to apply to the inner circle of the Aldor. This usually involves a quest for the Church to further the glory of Daraugmor, the crafting of a fabulous item. The challenge is unique and different for each applicant. Upon completion of the task, the inner circle of the Aldor will vote. If accepted into the inner circle, the gemasan dons the gold robes and becomes a member of the inner circle of the Aldor. These are the high priests of the Church and their council rules the church. They conduct the ceremonies of the monthly gatherings, represent the temple in important matters out in dwarven society and oversee the day to day affairs of the church.
Uchayor - The "God" rank. Each temple of Daraugmor will have a single member who wears the white robes and this signifies that he is the Uchayor. There is only one individual in the Church who may claim that title. The Uchayor is chosen from the ranks of the Aldor and only upon the death of the old Uchayor. The Uchayor is a figurehead for the temple. The Uchayor has very specific roles within very specific ceremonies. When not performing one of these rare duties, the Uchayor is rarely seen and spends most of his time working alone or in "communion" with Daraugmor. According to the belief of this faith, the Uchayor is the only one who may communicate directly with Uchayor and he brings the Word of Daruagmore to the church.
This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.