Dodsdyra - The Worshipers of Death
The Dodsdyra are an ancient dwarven religious cult whose adherents worshiped the myriad forms of death. The cult members reject all forms of wealth and riches that, in their minds, infect the dwarven culture with fallacies of life and other promises of prosperity.
Members of this cult lived separate from Mountain Dwarf society for a time, and were content remain isolated in their practices. Several hundred years ago, more zealous members began kidnapping young female dwarf-maids to use in their dark rituals. Eventually the cult was outlawed and after a bloody struggle, the entire membership was exiled.
The exiled cult members travelled to Coldwind Isle and settled there, hoping to prove to their cousins that luxurious living was decadent, and they could all survive without it. Due to the harsh conditions of Coldwind, the exiled cult became known as Ice Dwarves, or the Isdwarf.
The practice of Dodsdyr is actually a perverted remnant of the ancient worship of Nehebkau, who the dwarves once worshiped. His presence has been forgotten by most mainstream Mountain and Hill Dwarves, but strangely his presence lives on in the rituals and history of the Dodsdyra.
Members of this cult lived separate from Mountain Dwarf society for a time, and were content remain isolated in their practices. Several hundred years ago, more zealous members began kidnapping young female dwarf-maids to use in their dark rituals. Eventually the cult was outlawed and after a bloody struggle, the entire membership was exiled.
The exiled cult members travelled to Coldwind Isle and settled there, hoping to prove to their cousins that luxurious living was decadent, and they could all survive without it. Due to the harsh conditions of Coldwind, the exiled cult became known as Ice Dwarves, or the Isdwarf.
The practice of Dodsdyr is actually a perverted remnant of the ancient worship of Nehebkau, who the dwarves once worshiped. His presence has been forgotten by most mainstream Mountain and Hill Dwarves, but strangely his presence lives on in the rituals and history of the Dodsdyra.
Culture
When it existed as an active cult, its membership lived in virtual isolation. They revered the inevitable end of their life and rejected the trappings of dwarf society.
Disbandment
The cult was officially disbanded and its members dispersed into exile. The strange religion of Dodsdyr is no longer practiced even by the Ice Dwarves officially, although its possible isolated worship may still be occuring in some dark circles.
Mythology & Lore
Doad, the god of death, waits just below the subterranean rocks, waiting for the dwarves to set him free. This god of death has the form of a dragon, or perhaps a large lizard, and his flickering tongue causes earthquakes from time to time. When he is freed, he will devour the world.
Divine Origins
When Nehebkau's official worship ended centuries ago, it is possible the dwarves were so despondent they transferred their reverence for life into one for death, transforming the traditional giver of life into one of despair and destruction.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
Life is Death, Stone is Death, We are Death
Type
Religious, Cult
Location
Comments