Dwarven Ancestors

While some dwarves worship the universal pantheon that all races share, most dwarves (and especially those living under the comforting iron fist of the Dwarven Empire) worship one of the Dwarven Ancestors, the legendary dwarves whose mighty deeds in life entitled them to special privileges in the afterlife. The Ancestors, all of whom founded Dwarven clans before leaving the living world, can grant spells to those among the living clan who revere them. The Ancestors aren't gods; rather, they have earned the right to intercede on behalf of their dwarven followers for divine power and favor. In practice, there is little difference between the cleric of an Ancestor and the cleric of a god except that Ancestors, free of divine responsibilities and bothersome portfolios, have nothing better to do than manage their legacies by pestering their chosen servants. Bonds of loyalty are strong among each Ancestor's church, but those who bring shame to the Ancestor can expect to be dwarfpiled by their former compatriots in short order.

Clerics may worship any Ancestor, but must join the chosen Ancestor's clan to do so. Thus, all clerics of an Ancestor will have that Ancestor's name as a clan name. Clerics who were not born into an Ancestor's clan are accepted but considered less important and trustworthy than "natural born" clerics. There are no Chaotic nor Evil Ancestors, and neither Chaotic nor Evil clerics may ever draw power from the Ancestors. Needless to say, non-dwarves can never draw power from the Ancestors.

All of the Dwarven Ancestors are considered Demigods, and all favor the Dwarven Waraxe.

The Ancestors

Bjerkin the Healer

Symbol: Gray Mushroom

Alignment: Neutral Good

Portfolio: Healing, Life, Death

Cleric Alignments: LG, NG

Domains: Good, Healing, Repose

Description:

Bjerkin was a wise and merciful healer who discovered many cures in his time. While he was a healer of great compassion, he never flagged in battle. It is said that his was the sharpest axe in any battle, for he kept its edge fine enough to slay any enemy without causing undue pain. He also took on the duty of slaying fallen dwarves too wounded to complete the long mountain trip back home. Bjerkin's clerics still do this today, but a few unfortunate instances of overenthusiasm have made it less common.

Dunmorg the Giantslayer

Symbol: Gray Axe

Alignment: Lawful Good

Portfolio: Combat, courage, craftiness

Cleric Alignments: LN, LG, NG

Domains: Strength, Trickery, War

Description:

There are a number of Orcslayers in Dwarven history (perhaps more than were strictly necessary to defeat the orcs), but few Giantslayers. Among those few, Dunmorg is the greatest. With a combination of wily tactics, obsessive training and stark courage, Dunmorg became such a mighty champion that giants refused to face him in single combat, and he had to begin adding to his impressive tally of defeated giants in battlefield combat. Dunmorg does not encourage lying nor lawbreaking. He teaches misdirection and exploitation of the opponent's ignorance as just another combat tactic, and this is why his domains include Trickery.

Gargrim the Maker of Gloves

Symbol: Gray Glove

Alignment: Neutral

Portfolio: Humble craftsmanship, gloves, defense of dwarven culture

Cleric Alignments: N, LN, NG

Domains: Artifice, Strength, Protection

Description:

Gargrim is just one of many relatively humble dwarves who rose to Ancestor status by virtue of their contribution to the Dwarven Empire. When a bitter war dragged the armies of the Dwarven Empire unexpectedly into freezing mountains, Gargrim, a fabulously efficient businessman and dedicated glovemaker, organized the other tailors of the empire in producing prodigious quantities of insulated coats, scarves and (most famously) gloves to prevent the already-deployed troops from dying of exposure. There are many Ancestors like Gargrim who were only moderately notable on the battlefield, but nevertheless mattered enough to history to earn Ancestor privileges in the afterlife.

Haggaturk the Wise Judge

Symbol: Gray Eye

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Portfolio: Wisdom, Law, Justice

Cleric Alignments: LG, LN, N

Domains: Community, Knowledge, Law

Description:

Patron of judges, leaders and sages, Haggaturk is dedicated to truth and justice as the twin pillars of continued Dwarven prosperity. Haggaturk was a key figure in writing the giant, glorious headache that is the Dwarven Imperial Code. He was known for his assiduous attention to detail and his unrelenting pursuit of legalistic fairness. Haggaturk demands that his clerics defend their communities by rooting out all secret knowlege and seeing that justice is done. This is the source of the Dwarven saying, "In Kas-Turaaal, you go to court. In Schlackengravva, court comes to you."

Jorn the Stonemason

Symbol: Gray Chisel

Alignment: Lawful Good

Portfolio: Craftsmanship, stone, great Dwarven temples and cities

Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, LN

Domains: Artifice, Creation, Earth

Description:

Jorn was the greatest Dwarven stonemason who ever lived and now enjoys Ancestor status for his contributions to Dwarven society. In life, Jorn was never a leader, but helper to a succession of Dwarven rulers. It was he who planned many of the great cities that still sit in the depths of the mountains today. All works by Jorn have his symbol, a chisel, somewhere on or in them. Jorn was known to say that "the difference between a great work and a passable one can be one false strike of the chisel", a standard of quality that drew praise from clients and black, burning hate from subordinates. Jorn is one of the most respected Ancestors, and yet some of the most oft-told tales about him are still about his deficiencies as a boss. Thus, Jorn is worshipped more often by supervisors and patrons than by the haggard dwarf who's been chiseling the Emperor's armpit for five years.

Hagginkreyga the Grand Emperor

Symbol: Gray Crown

Alignment: Lawful Good

Portfolio: Royalty, law, power, Dwarven conquest

Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, LN

Domains: Law, Nobility, War

Description:

The first true emperor of the Dwarven Empire was Hagginkreyga, the general and mastermind who unified the Dwarves under the Dwarven Imperial Code and led the war against the orcs for the mountains that surround Axebeard Bay. Hagginkreyga's clan is the most prestigious in the Dwarven Empire and still the clan that produces the most Emperors. Hagginkreyga was a stern but fair leader, like most Dwarven emperors, but he set himself apart with his legendary generosity. It was Hagginkreyga who organized the Dwarven Widow Corps, a crack security force of widows who protected the Imperial capital city of Thunderkeep during wartime. Such "tough charity" continues to be a trademark of Hagginkreyga's clerics, who hold themselves to the same standard of service and often serve as both healers and soldiers during wartime.