Moradin Breathblessed

The Scrolls of Narvil tell a heretical story of how, after forging the world, the gods, and the dwarves, the Creator became weary and slept. Some lesser gods, jealous of his skill, bound him as he rested, then heated up the Great Forge of the Creator to make species in their own likenesses: humans, for example, and elves. Then they began arguing over what part of the world would be given to which species; their clamor awoke the Creator, but the lesser gods laughed at him and refused to set him free. However, the lesser gods did not know how to control the Great Forge, and great globules of molten stone fell from the Forge toward the new world; the Creator breathed on them from his place of bondage, giving life to the fragments and thus creating the first dragons.

Moradin is the father and creator of the dwarven people.    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 people 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 Soul Forger.    Honor your clan leaders as you honor Moradin.

Clerics of Moradin are known as sonnlinor ("those who work stone"). Novice clerics of Moradin are known as the Unworked. Full priests are known as Forgesmiths or the Tempered. In ascending order of rank, other titles used by priests of Moradin include Adept of the Anvil, Hammer of War, Artisan of the Forge, Craftsman of Runes, Artificer of Discovery, and Smith of Souls. The High Old Ones of the faith have unique titles but are collectively known as High Forgesmiths. His clerics commonly multiclass as fighters.   Clerics pray in the morning. Moradin's holy days fall monthly; in some cultures, this is when Luna is full, while in others, it is when Luna is a crescent. In addition, the High Forgesmith may call a holy day at any time, often in celebration of some local event. On the monthly holy days, common and precious metals are sacrificed to Moradin by melting them down at the forge and reforming them into objects usable by the clergy. While making such offerings, participants kneel, chant, and reach bare-handed into the flames of the forge to handle the glowing metal directly. Moradin prevents harm to the truly faithful.   During such ceremonies, the priests enter the temple, bow to the forge, and (in times of peace) surrender their weapons to the temple guards after striking the anvil by the entry with their hammers once. Priests of other gods are not permitted to advance to the forge except with the express permission of a High Forgesmith or an avatar of Moradin himself. The service then consists of humble prayer and open discussion on current dwarven issues. This discussion is considered to be between equals, though the ranking priest of Moradin has the authority to open or close any given topic. The service ends with a rising chant until the smith's hammer rises from the anvil of its own acccord; it may, or may not, then move about or glow to denote the god's will, but it always rings on the anvil thunderously to signify the end of the ceremony.   Moradin's prayers refer to metals and smithing: a common prayer to Moradin states, "You burn the dross from me, but the iron remains." Genealogy is important to Moradin's rites, with funeral prayers reciting the deceased's ancestry for hundreds of generations.  

Vestments

Daily vestments for Moradin's clerics are earthy-colored robes with chain mail and silvered helms. Ceremonial vestments for Moradin's priests include flowing, shining robes of woven wire of electrum treated with blueshine. Other ceremonial garb includes silvered (everbright) helms, silverplated war hammers, and earth-brown leather boots. The holy symbol of the faith is a miniature electrum war hammer treated with blueshine.   In combat, Moradin's clergy members favor chain mail or dwarven plate mail, a helm, and a medium or large shield. Priests of the Soul Forger are skilled in using the war hammer, but many favor other weapons, such as battle axes, broad swords, and hand axes.  

Temples

Temples to Moradin are always underground and carved from solid rock but never set in unworked natural caverns. Hammers and anvils, the symbols of Moradin, are the dominant themes, as are statues of Moradin All-Father and the other gods of Der Hoyk Erat.   At the center of every temple to Moradin is a vast forge. This forge is more than just a workplace but also a sacred area. Dwarven forges rely not only on hammers and muscle but also on power derived from water and wind, thus fusing all four of the classical elements. If the flame in the forge (which is protected by a permanent wall of fire effect) ever goes out, the temple must be abandoned or torn down stone by stone. Usually, a new temple is built on another site, but occasionally, the previous temple is rebuilt and reconsecrated.

The Hammers of Moradin are an elite military order dominated by crusaders and fighting clerics with chapters in nearly every dwarven stronghold and members drawn from every dwarven clan. The Hammers serve both as commanders of dwarven armies and as an elite strike force skilled in dealing with anything from large groups of orcs to great wyrms to malevolent fiends from the Lower Planes.   The order is dedicated to defending existing dwarven holdings and carving out new territories. Individual chapters have a great deal of local autonomy, but in times of great crisis, a Grand Council (the reigning monarchs and senior Hammers of the affected region) assembles to plot strategy and divine Moradin's will.   Another elite military order of Moradin is the Order of the Anvil of Light. Lead by their leader Barock Stormbeard of the Stormbeard clan who has lead this group for ages it seems. The group is dedicated to protecting the spirit of dwarf-kind. They advice rulers, and oversee the direction the culture as a whole moves in. Making sure it stays in alignment with the will of Moradin.