The Brathmordakin

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The Brathmordakin are a pantheon of deities traditionally worshipped by the dwarven race. There are seven Brathmordakin with Yemekar. The dwarves worship the Brathmordakin for two main reasons; life purpose and reward in the afterlife. To the dwarves, they were created as the perfect tools for Yemekar to keep his creation balanced. Dwarves are expected to dedicate their lives to this goal usually electing a patron Brathmordakin in the process, fufilling their purpose of maintaining Yemekar's Balance in different fields of creation. As a reward for their service when a dwarf dies they are bidded upon by the Brathmordakin in the afterlife based on their action, resulting in them being rewarded by their patron afterward.

Traditionally Da Kirkja Dverga was the main order that guided the faith of the dwarves. However, with time different orders emerged with different interpretations of the stories of the faith. During and after the time known as the unstable years Da Kirkja Dverga worked to regain its position but too much time had passed without them and many different groups emerged to educate on their faith in their absence some created by former leaders of Da Kirkja Dverga and some created due to the belief that the institution was a tool of the state instead of a religious organization like the Ar Yemarin Anaros of Kaz'Ulrah. Other organizations emerged as embodiments of cultural differences that existed in certain dwarven groups for millennia which was the case with the Seers of Hefrumm, who incorporated forest dwarf practices into the faith.

Tales of the Faith

The dwarves are a race with various distinct clans, groups, tribes, and cultures that all worship the Brathmordakin. Additionally, dwarven sources that tell the stories of the Brathmordakin and dwarven heroes and paragons come from many different authors from different parts of the diverse dwarven population and from different points in time, spanning several centuries. Cultures and their beliefs change over the course of a few decades, let alone centuries, so their stories adapt too. Below are listed the stories of the faith: Tales of the Dwarven Faith.

List of Brathmordakin

Yemekar, The Maker

Symbol: Hammer & Anvil

Species: Creator

Portfolio: Creation, balance, leader, smithing, protection, metalwork, stonework, the Rhun

Yemekar is the father and creator of the dwarven race. Honor him by emulating his principles and workmanship in smithing, stoneworking and other tasks. Wisdom is derived from life and tempered with experience. Advance the dwarven race in all areas of life. Innovate with new processes and skills. Found new kingdoms and clan lands, defending the existing ones from all threats. Lead the dwarves in the traditions laid down by The Maker. Honor your clan leaders as you honor Yemekar.

Anbella, Hearth Mother

Symbol: Two Silver Rings

Species: Brathmordakin

Portfolio: Safety, honesty, home, healing, marriage, family, fertility, records, oaths, rule of law, hearth, nature, peace

Anbella is the wife of Yemekar. Just as dwarven souls are forged on Yemekar's Ruhn-Anvil, they are ever warmed and nurtured by the loving embrace of the Hearth Mother. Tend to hearth, home, and land, drawing strength and safety from truth, tradition and the rule of law. Join with friends, kin and clan in common purpose. Do not succumb to the misery of greed or the evils of strife, but always bring hope. health and cheer to those in need. Once an oath is made, Anbella watches over its keeping - to break it is to wound her sorely. Children must be cherished and guarded well from harm, for they are the future of all dwarvenkind.

Dungrimm, Guardian of The Dead

Symbol: An Iron Mask

Species: Brathmordakin

Portfolio: Battle, valor, bravery, honor, defense, the dead, the moon

The finest hours of dwarven kind come in the thrusts and feints of war. Seize the opportunity to defend your kin and ensure their victory when conflict erupts. Revel in the challenge of a good fight and never waiver in the face of adversity, no matter how ominous. Lives should never be thrown away foolishly, but the greatest honor is to sacrifice oneself for the cause of the field of battle in service to a righteous cause. Honor the dead and death itself and keep the places of the dead inviolate and well tended; the noble ancestors of our race will neither be robbed nor moved through the actions of thieves and defilers. Abide not undead creatures, especially those that take the form of dwarves, thus mocking the creation of Yemekar.

Belka, Lady of Passion

Symbol: A Lightning Bolt

Species: Brathmordakin

Portfolio: Love, romance, youth, dancing, courtship, explorers, travellers, seduction, lightning, sailors, stars

Be merciful in speech and deed. Temper your anger and hostility with constructive and charitable endeavor. The children of the dwarves must live in safety and propagate. Love with a fiery passion. Embrace the gift of life with courtship and marriage. Belka restores the fertile seed of dwarven life, while Anbella protects the fruit.

Ogradhad, The Lore Master

Symbol: An Open Book

Species: Brathmordakin

Portfolio: Scholarship, invention, discovery, knowledge, magic

The secrets of the world are waiting to be discovered. Travel widely, broaden your mind at every opportunity, and pursue the life of a scholar. Cultivate the spirit of intrigue among the young and be teachers to all. Seek to recover lost and arcane knowledge of ages past and apply it to the world today. Try new methods of doing things just for the joy of experimenting. Learn a little of everything, for you never know what might be of use to you down the road.

Armakak, Merchant Father

Symbol: A Gold Coin

Species: Brathmordakin

Portfolio: Wealth, luck, chance, negotiation, merchants, cleverness, the sun

The truly blessed are those whose enterprise and zeal brings both wealth and good luck. Work hard, be clever, seek the best bargain and the Merchant Father will shower you with gold. Treat others with respect, but shirk not your responsibility to try and strike a better deal for you and for them.

Grimdugan, Lord of Avarice

Symbol: Obsidian Dagger

Species: Brathmordakin

Portfolio: Greed, money, merchant, thieves, shadow, tax collectors, miners, raids

The wealth of the world was created for those dwarves crafty enough to capture it by any means necessary. Revel in the possession of all wealth that shines or sparkles, for its form was meant to bring you pleasure. Greed is good, for it motivates the possession and holding of all that is precious. Do not seize wealth from the children of the Brathmordakin however, nor conspire against the favored of Grimdugan, for strife in the name of avarice weakens the clan.

Fallen Brathmordakin

Khorvad, Lord of Darkness

Symbol: An Eye

Species: Brathmordakin (fallen)

Portfolio: Undead, chaos, disease, hatred, anger, temptation, misfortune, relentless ambition

Formerly known as the Brathmordakin of ambition, Khorvad was once said to have held a seat among the council of the Brathmordakin, albeit his true history is lost within the winding trails of time. It is known that in his thirst for power, he betrayed Yemekar and became a longstanding enemy of the Brathmordakin. It is said the it is he who was responsible for the undead attacks on Aegis and his name is often used synonymously with the archdaemon, Iblees. However, there is still some dispute as to whether Khorvad and Iblees are one and the same. Many consider Ibless to be an underling deity under Khorvad, in the same way there are dwarven gods that serve the Brathmordakin like Kjellos and Wyrvun.

Paragons

Paragons are considered great dwarves that have been able to enable the betterment of the dwarven race in such a way that they increased the ability of dwarves to keep Yemekar's Balance. It is believed by some dwarves that the Paragons form the Iron Council, which oversees the day-to-day duties of their patron Brathmordakin. Some belive that the Paragons all live in Kaz'A'Dentrumm, while others hold the belive that they reside in the realm of the Patron Brathmordakin. Some Paragons like Kjell Ireheart were deified by their people becoming a god in service of the Brathmordakin. Here is the list of the Dwarven Paragons.

Heroes

The Hall of Heroes; a selection of dwarves folk who are deemed "legendary" among their people, but who have not performed feats worthy of being made a Paragon. These dwarves can be chosen because of their role in society, political endeavors, or even for just being notably courageous, kind, or for having other personality traits of that manner. Here is the list of the Dwarven Heroes.

Core Beliefs of the Brathmordakin

Auction of the Dead

When a Dwarf dies, they travel to Khaz'A'Dentrumm, the Halls of the Dead. There, the Brathmordakin bids for the Dwarf's dwedohim (dwarven essence / soul). A Dwarf has a higher chance of being auctioned to a specific god based on their service to said Brathmordakin in life.

Sanctity of the Beard

A Dwarf's beard is a gift from the Brathmordakin. It should be groomed and well cared for at all times.

Yemekar's Balance

Dwarven religion instructs them that they are to be the keepers of balance throughout the realm, as said by Yemekar, the creator. This is interpreted in many different ways, ranging from a reason to stay at peace, to a reason to go to war.

Sanctity of the Dwarven Race

The dwarven race has been created in the image of Yemmekar and has been chosen by the all-maker himself. Because of this killing a dwarf is the gravest sin one could commit against the dwarven kind. A dwarf that kills another dwarf loss the sanctity given to him/her by Yemmekar and is hence not a dwarf anymore. For this reason, a dwarf that has murdered another dwarf is able to be killed by another dwarf. If a dwarf kills another dwarf in self-defense he should repent and ask for forgiveness from the Brathmordakin and the dwarves, but he/she should not be killed or tortured for something that was out of their hands.

Other Beliefs Associated with the Brathmordakin

These are terms that are generally accepted by dwarves but whose details in contention depend on the subcategory of the Brathmordakin Theology a dwarf follows.

The Rhun

For most of dwarven history, the Rhun was not a pillar of the faith but a theological concept. The Rhun was in essence the will of Yemekar to create from the void and make balance out of chaos. Similar to Yemekar's Balance there are different interpretations of the Rhun as it was a very broad concept in its origins. In Almaris the term became a contended term with the name being taken over by a cultist's order. Some golemancers describe the discipline as "Rhuncraft" connecting it to the concept.

Kaz'A'Dentrumm and the Realms of the Brathmordakin

Kaz'A'Dentrumm is the hall of the dead. Here all dwarven souls are bidding upon. While all dwarves believe in Kaz'A'Dentrumm not all believe that it is where dwarves spend their afterlife. Among mountain dwarves and forest dwarves especially it is common to see Kaz'A'Dentrumm as a temporary place of judgment where one is bidded upon by a Brathmordakin and then the dwarf in question goes to the realm of the Brathmordakin who has bid the highest for them.

The Dwedohim

The Dwedohim is the dwarven spirit/soul/essence. It is what makes a dwarf a dwed. This essence is said to be granted to the dwarves by Yemekar when he made them the chosen race to keep his balance. The Dwedohim is something that can be broken by breaking the covenant dwarves have with Yemekar, going against his balance. Physically the beard is the physical representation of a dwarf's Dwedohim. Different groups differ on the matter of wether the Dwedohim is the same thing as a descendant soul or if it's something different, the debate of whether the dwarven soul is singular, dualistic, or pluralistic.


Written by: The Dwarven Clergy

Religions
Human Faiths Canonism · Red Faith · The Old Faith · Muri'jah
Dwarven Faiths Brathmordakin
Elven Faiths Aspectism · Aepheism
Orcish Faiths Orcish Spiritism
Other Faiths Halfling Spiritism · Om'echan · The Viera