Gorethar
Clangeddin Silverbeard | Titania | Corellon Larethian | Tobin | Ptah | Gruumsh | Blibdoolpoolp
Alignment: LG
Worshippers' Alignment: LG
Domain: Dwarves, Craftsmen, Warriors of Goodness
Colors: Silver
Holy Warrior: Paladin
Clerical Domains: Earth, Good, Magic, Protection, War
Religious Orders: The Order of Gorethar
The world is constantly beset by forces of good, evil, law, and chaos. These factors are very black and white. Something is either good, bad, orderly or chaotic. All who follow Gorethar are born into this world with the important job of making sure the pull towards goodness and law is the most dominant one. When the nine warriors discovered the Eternal spark, which ultimately changed them into the Gods we recognize today, The warrior Gorethar was the only one who thought that the Spark should not be used by anyone because its power would most likely corrupt anyone who used it. The first sentence above, explains the ethos, that is the devout follower of Gorethar.
At the end of the Age of Gods, the newly created gods decided to consult other gods that were in keeping with their outlook for advice on the creation of their followers.... Gorethar enlisted the aid of Clangeddin the Dwarven god. Clangeddin told him that he should never fall prey to the imperfect ideals of others, and that he should create a race that will spread goodness and work hard, regardless of what the other gods and races would do. Taking this point further, Clangeddin went on to state that dwarves suited Gorethar's character the best, since they were so hardworking. He insured Gorethar that Dwarves would work hard to spread goodness throughout the planet in an effort to make it a better place. So, taking Clangeddin's advice, Gorethar created dwarves in the same way he suggested. To show his gratitude and satisfaction with his new race, Gorethar allowed Clangeddin to teach the Dwarven people craftsmanship, and to have a few priests of his own on Avlis. So, being the first race to walk Avlis, the dwarves quickly got started on improving their living conditions and philosophy before anyone else. They also spread out over a pretty sizable chunk of land.
Gorethar was also the first of the nine to create a holy warrior, the Paladin. Paladins were the very first holy warriors ever to appear on Avlis. They are almost as ancient as the Church of Gorethar itself.
| Out Of Character Information
Paladins shall be covered in greater depth in a different document, however it should be noted here that ALL Paladins worship Gorethar, they belong to him and no other church. All of the nine major gods have their own holy warrior, the Paladin is the only one that is not a prestige class, all of the others will require DM intervention, in the form of a quest or other in game manner, to become one. The Paladin is the exception, you can select it during character creation. |
While Gorethar is the creator and patron god of the Dwarves, he also has an affinity for warriors that fight to eliminate evil. His warriors are staunch in their beliefs that evil must be destroyed at all costs. When it comes to being good, Gorethar has no preferences or cares for the race of his worshipper. He is as kind and fair to his human paladin followers as he is to his Dwarven and lizard man followers. All races are found in his service, though Dwarves are the largest in number.
Followers of Gorethar believe that it's possible to have a society where everyone obeys the laws and everyone is happy, but remember, they also understand the "spirit" of the law. If a law is obviously going to hurt an innocent by carrying it out, they will make an exception. However, if you are not innocent and you broke the law, you deserve punishment accordingly. They are not as rigid as a LN society, but they can still be rigid in certain cases.
When one's deeds lead towards good and order for other people in addition to the one doing the deed, the forces of good and law are said to get a leg up on their opposites. By aligning your own beliefs and psyche with these forces of good and order, you will become an enlightened being who is able to see the will of Gorethar in the world.
Goodness and order take work! Gluttony and laziness are the bane of Gorethar and anyone who follows him. The forces that are constantly pulling at the world must be constantly countered. This is the path chosen by the devout of Gorethar. The hope of all who worship Gorethar:is that each person who is helped and enlightened may help an enlighten two others to bring about peace and tranquility for all.
Crafting is one method by which order may be brought, and this is why Gorethar made the dwarves and gave them the love of crafting. Dwarves are always hard working, and they constantly move about to beautify the surroundings of their homeland. At the deep root of it, Gorethar watches over crafting and preaches it because it teaches discipline, and it shows how to make something out of nothing. This is a representation of bringing order from chaos, and is thus sacred.
One should also not forget that Gorethar is a warrior first and foremost. Sometimes it is necessary to sacrifice a local peacetime to bring about goodness and order. When there is a fight to be had in support of these things, Gorethar is never far behind, and neither are his followers. Hate, mistrust, theft, murder, rape, plunder and destruction are always things that Gorethar will violently oppose. Mercy is to be had and quarter is to be given to those who surrender, however it is acceptable to make sure they are contained in the future.
Gorethar has temples in Kuras, Visimontium, Ferrell, Elysia and Mikona.