Gronrhun
god of fire, steel, stone and craftsmanship
Description:
According to the
legends, Gronrhun was the first Dwarven Smith and thereby the Ancestor of all
craftsmen. He is said to have invented some of the Runic signs and especially
those engraved upon weapons and armour to strengthen them. Gronrhun represents a
very beloved part of Dwarven society, namely that of craftsmanship - the ability
to make even a petty tool of death like a dagger appear as a work of art.
Gronrhun is the Ancestor and patron of the Smiths, the Rune Smiths, the Gem and
Stone Carvers and anything else traditionally connected with craftsmanship. Even
ordinary Dwarven Smiths will chant his name while making a particularly
beautiful piece of work. It is said to give the work before the Smith, the
strength to endure the onslaught of time.
Gronrhun is portrayed
as a broad muscular male Dwarf, clad in heavy leather boots and trousers and
wearing only the apron of the Smith on his upper body. His huge fists are
covered by heavy metal gauntlets and he holds a small hammer used for fine work
in one hand and the heavy hammer of the Blacksmith in the other. Gronrhun's skin
is usually sodden from the hours spend in front of the furnace, as is his
wild-growing white beard. He usually stands in front of an anvil.
Alignment:
Neutral
The two Dwarven words
have actually been derived from Gronrhun's own name. But a small and a large
hammer crossed is also used. Sometimes a black Raven is associated with
Gronrhun and on old paintings of him, it can be seen to sit near the
anvil following his work closely. Some have theorised that the Raven is a
messenger from Mórr, overseeing the tools of death created by Gronrhun.
Whatever the reason black Ravens can sometimes be found near both Clerics of
Gronrhun but also near any Dwarven Smith or Craftsman. Some have even been
accepted as personal pets by several such Dwarves.
Gronrhun's Clerics
wear a black robe with short sleeves, so one can see the heavy metal gauntlets
they wear on their hands. Gronrhun's symbol is engraved on the left breast of
their robe in pure silver and some also wears the symbol of the hammers in a
heavy chain around their neck.
Area of Worship:
Gronrhun is worshipped
throughout the World, were ever there is a Dwarven craftsman the worship of
Gronrhun is also present.
Temples:
Every Dwarfhold in the
Old World wherein a craftsman is present, there will be a Temple of Gronrhun. Of
course the Dwarven strongholds have the largest and most magnificently
Friends and
Enemies:
The cult of Gronrhun
is on friendly terms with the rest of the Dwarven pantheon. Some connection is
known to exist between the cult of Gronrhun and that of Mórr, but otherwise the
cult has very little to do with the gods of other races. It is of course
violently hostile towards the enemies of the Dwarven race.
Holy Days:
A small festival is
held on the 11th day of the 11th month, which is believed
to have been the day Gronrhun was born. On this day all the craftsmen will
gather in the Temple of Gronrhun where they sit from sunset to sundown
meditating on the art of their trade in honour of their Ancestor. When
the sun disappears, ale and food will be brought forth and they will eat, drink
and dance to the next morning.
Cult
Requirements:
The
cult of Gronrhun is open to any Dwarf with a trade normally associated with
craftsmanship. This means Blacksmiths, Runesmiths, Armourers, Engravers,
Jewellers,
Strictures:
All Initiates, Clerics
and followers of Gronrhun must abide the following strictures:
Never craft anything
using less than your full range of abilities (unless the customer is someone for
which you hold a grudge).
Never engage in a
piece of work if Your soul is not in it.
Never suffer the
company of persons who work solely for profit, letting their craft suffer.
Never surrender to
Goblins and their kin.
Clerics of Gronrhun
may cast all Battle Magic Spells, as well as the following Elemental Battle
Magic Spells:
Banish Elemental (Earth and Fire Only), Breathe Fire, Cause Fire, Clap of Thunder, Dispel Elementals (Earth and Fire Only), Extinguish Fire, Flame Sheet, Hand of Fire, Resist Fire,
Summon Elemental
(Earth and Fire Only), Summon Elemental Horde (Earth and Fire Only)
Skills:
The followers of
Gronrhun does not have access to any special skills other than those listed
under their current
career. But they can, however, learn any of the following skills twice
thereby doubling the effect: Arcane Signs - Dwarven
Runes, Gemcutting, Metallurgy, Rune Lore, Smithing, Stoneworking and Strike
Mighty Blow.
Trials:
A trial set by
Gronrhun will often involve the crafting of some particularly difficult item,
restoring and/or repairing an ancient artefact or the construction of a new
temple or simply reworking an old
one.
Blessings:
Skills favoured by
Gronrhun are Arcane Signs - Dwarven Runes,
Gemcutting, Metallurgy, Rune Lore,
Smithing, Stoneworking and Strike Mighty Blow.
Favoured Tests are
Construct and Search.
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