Da Kirkja Dverga

Da Kirkja Dverga

Da Kirkja Dverga is the Dwarven Clergy, the leaders of the Dwarven faith of The Brathmordakin. They spread the teachings of the Brathmordakin to all who wish to follow it. They are Upholders and teachers of the laws of the Brathmordakin; gods of the Dwedmar. The guardians of the faith of the Dwarven race. They are also in charge of organizing the holy orders of the dwarves and makes sure the will of the Brathmordakin is done.

History

Da Kirkja Dverga has been part of dwarven society since the first Kingdom of Urguan. Their members respected and honored among dwarves. However, with time dwarven society became more militaristic and the clergy soon became weak, during these years it was not uncommon for there not to be any leader of the clergy. Because of these times of lack of leadership the clergy suffered multiple schisms. With time the clergy became strong once more after the rebellion of the Mountain Monarchy, under the leadership of High Prophet Aldal Ireheart.

After the independence of the Frostbeards in the second Frostbeard rebellion the dwarven clergy was once again divided. Starting with High Prophet Baldin Frostbeard-Grandaxe who led the clergy of New Jornheim at the time, to then High Prelate Thoak Goldhand who created the Ar Yemarin Anaros in New Jornheim when it was about to formally create the Kingdom of Kaz'Ulrah. The creation of Ar Yemarin Anaros formally divided the dwarven religion. Unlike the past form of clergy the Ar Yemarin Anaros was renounced for keeping track of their past leaders and hence despite its short life information about it is as easily found as the original clergy. This would be mainly thanks to the Treebeard High Prelates that led it in different times: High Prelate Ozneat Treebeard, and High Prelate Dutesli Treebeard

Despite the fall of Kaz'Ulrah the Ar Yemarin Anaros reached the continent of Arcas under the wing of the Kingdom of Agnarum. This Kingdom would soon after be renamed as the Under-realm of Urguan. There were three more High Prelates of Ar Yemarin Anaros in Agnarum before it merged back into Da Kirkja Dverga thanks to High Prelate Fili Grandaxe who was the last High Prelate of the Ar Yemarin Anaros. When he reunited the clergy High Prelate Fili changed the title of Prelate to Preceptor. This was probably a diplomatic act to unite both clergies. It is important to note that Prophet/Prelate/Preceptor are ranks that mean the same and usually changed due to the influence of politics in religion. Prophet was changed to Prelate by the Ar Yemarin Anaros because they believed that the title of Prophet was a heretical title and that the name was being use to spread the propaganda of Urguan loyalists. The title of Prelate was changed to Preceptor to make sure that Da Kirkja Dverga and its titles was not connected to the politics of the dwarves so that it can remain as a center of unity for dwarfkind. After High Preceptor Fili Grandaxe, Preceptor Baldin Frostbeard-Grandaxe was elected by the council of Preceptors as the new High Preceptor. Baldin Frostbeard-Grandaxe focused on having the clergy be able to fend for themselves in the case that the kingdom falls again so they can still guide the dwarves without having to politicize their duties. For this reason he formed Orders that will help the clergy to achive this: The Holy Guard, The Order of Anbella's Word, and The Order of the Moon, being some of them.

Ranks of the Clergy

High Preceptor the leader of the Clergy, in charge of overseeing its functions and head of all subordinate ranks.

Kirkjadwedmar These are dwarves that have been in the clergy in the past and have shown great wisdom and knowledge, but for one reason or another are not in the clergy any more. These members have a say in the council of Preceptors but do not get a vote. They mostly serve as a moral compass to make sure the clergy does not corrupt itself with its own power.

Preceptor Senior members of the Clergy who are knowledgeable in the Clergy’s teachings and are familiar with all of the gods. They are the most experienced teachers and preachers of the clergy and hold domain over Priests and Initiates. They typically dedicate themselves chiefly to a single god so that they can focus their efforts in one area of theological thought.

Priest Priests of the Brathmordakin are experienced in their ways and are familiar with many or all aspects of the gods and the teachings of the Clergy. They are responsible for being mentors to Initiates and to the Dwarven race as a whole. Priests have shown that they are willing to dedicate their lives to the Brathmordakin and work towards mastery and the rank of Prelate.

Initiate Initiates are followers of the Brathmordakin who have shown interest in serving the gods and the Dwarven race though involvement in the clergy. While they are initiates, it is their job to work closely with the other members of the Clergy so that they may learn the teachings of the Brathmordakin and the Clergy fluently and eventually teach others the same.

Acolyte Initiates When a dwarf is too young to officially be in the clergy he/she is given the rank of Acolytes. These dwarf beardlings help around the temple tending to the needs of the preceptors and High Preceptor who teach them on the ways of the Brathmordakin in hopes they will one day be good and responsible members of the clergy.