Dwarf deities

In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Morndinsamman, the dwarven pantheon of gods, consists of the leader, Moradin, as well as Abbathor, Berronar Truesilver, Clanggedin Silverbeard, Dugmaren Brightmantle, Dumathoin, Muamman Duathal, and Vergadain. Other dwarven gods (such as Hanseath, Mya, Roknar, Tharmekhûl, Thautam, and Valkauna from the Races of Stone supplement) may be present in different campaign settings.

Abbathor

Abbathor is the dwarven deity of greed. His holy symbol is a jeweled dagger. Abbathor manifests as a very large dwarf, fat and piggy-eyed. He wears leather and furs made from those non-dwarves who have opposed him in the past.

Of all the dwarven deities, Abbathor gets along best with Vergadain, with whom he sometimes travels. Other dwarven gods may be present in different campaign settings.

Although he is the only evil power among the Morndinsamman, he is tolerated by the other dwarven gods because he has sided with them whenever a threat appeared from outside. Abbathor may be untrustworthy and the embodiment of all dwarven qualities the other gods would rather avoid, but in the end he's still a dwarf, and both they and Abbathor believe in sticking together. "Greed is good, but do not seize wealth from the children of the Morndinsamman," Abbathor teaches, "for strife in the name of avarice weakens the clan."

Abbathor's realm in the Gray Waste is known as the Glitterhell. It's a place of great natural beauty, if you like gold and gems. The true location of the Glitterhell is unknown, and Abbathor maintains several false locations of his realm to throw off the greedy men and dwarves who are always attempting to steal his gold.

Worshipers

Abbathor's priests dress in red leather, and leather caps. Abbathor's holy days are on the solar eclipse, and he demands the sacrifice of both blood and gems annually.

Myths and legends

Envy and avarice

Originally, Abbathor was god of the beauty of gems and minerals, but he fell into a rivalry with his brother Dumathoin over who would be the patron of the mountain dwarves. When Moradin named Dumathoin, Abbathor became twisted with disappointment, vowing that from that point on, whenever he desired something he would take it.

The beard shirt of Dunforth

The legendary dwarf hero Dunforth wove his beard into a shirt, forsaking all other forms of armor. The dwarven god of battle, Clangeddin Silverbeard, was so impressed by this gesture that he invested Dunforth's beard with power, making it strong as chain mail. Abbathor conspired with Vergadain to trick Dunforth into gambling his beard away. Shamed as only a beardless dwarf can be, Dunforth tried to redeem himself by single-handedly exterminating an orc village. Though he slew thirty of his foes, the overwhelming number of orcs eventually felled the armorless Dunforth, and the beard shirt remains as part of Abbathor's hoard.

Berronar Truesilver

Berronar Truesilver is the dwarf deity of safety, truth, home, and healing. She shares a realm with Moradin, Erackinor, on the plane of Mount Celestia. She acts as Moradin's consort.

Worshipers

Berronar's priests wear silver chain mail and silvered helms. Her holy days are on the new year's day, upon which the annual sacrifice of silver is made to her.

Clanggedin Silverbeard

Clanggedin Silverbeard is the dwarf deity of battle. Clanggedin's realm is named Mount Clanggedin after himself, located on the plane of Arcadia.

Worshipers

Clanggedin's priests wear silver war helms and chain mail. He is worshipped before and during battle, and weapons are sacrificed to him in honor.

Dugmaren Brightmantle

Dugmaren Brightmantle is the dwarf deity of scholarship, discovery, and invention. Dugmaren shares the Dwarven Mountain on the Outlands with Dumathoin and Vergadain.

Hanseath

Known as the Bearded One for the thick hair that obscures most of his face, Hanseath represents the festive side of dwarven culture. Brewers hold him in high regard, as do dwarf barbarians and any dwarf who charges headlong into battle heedless of the odds. His favored weapon is the greataxe.

Hanseath is portrayed with thick beard that obscures most of his face.

Worshipers

Hanseath is worshiped by brewers, dwarf barbarians and dwarves who charges headlong into battle.

Hanseath's clerics often serve in dwarven military units, acting as healers and spellcasters, urging their fellow dwarves into battle. Such units are not always a comfortable mix of personnel, though, since Hanseath's clerics also have a rebellious streak. Many dwarf armies segregate Hanseath clerics into their own berserker units.

Hanseath's shrines are great festhalls dominated by long tables where worshipers feast and raise goblets to Hanseath's glory. Most have extensive kitchens and pantries attached.

Hanseath's rites look like great feasts, rich with food and drink. Most are raucous affairs performed prior to battle and after a great victory, with one exception -- the Ritual of the Cleft Shield. Few events in dwarven life are more heartbreakingly solemn than this ritual, performed by followers of Hanseath for a particularly beloved comrade who fell in battle.

Hanseath's prayers are often chanted or sung. Many have simple rhyme schemes and frequent, repetitive choruses. In other words, they're drinking songs.

Hanseath's followers are seemingly always off on a great crusade of some sort; they're either in battle or marching toward the next battle. Hanseath often orders his followers to make war against the traditional enemies of the dwarves: goblinoids, orcs, giants, and drow.

Herald and Allies

Hanseath's herald is a 20th-level celestial dwarf barbarian. Howlers, green slaadi, and death slaadi are his allies.

Muamman Duathal

Muamman Duathal (Moo-AM-man Doo-AH-thuhl) is the dwarf deity of wanderers and expatriates. He is also the dwarven god of lightning, which he uses as an omen. His symbol is an upright mace over a single leather boot trimmed with fur, or a mace clutched by a pair of gauntleted fists. Muamman appears as a weathered, nondescript dwarf dressed in plain clothes, usually green. He is thin, with a beard of deep black. He wields Glowhammer, a mace that glows as if were still cooling from being forged. Often, he carries a weathered staff.

Muamman is an ally of Dugmaren Brightmantle, and both share the ideal of traveling to gain knowledge. He is also allied with Baervan Wildwanderer, Berronar Truesilver, Clangeddin Silverbeard, Cyrrollalee, Dumathoin, Moradin, Stronmaus, and Vergadain. He is the foe of Laduguer, Urdlen, and the goblinoid and evil giant gods.

Muamman's realm is the Cavern of Rest in the ever-shifting subterranean layer of Nidavellir on the plane of Ysgard, though he prefers to wander. The Cavern of Rest is guarded by the souls of those dwarves who died on the surface of the world, under the sky, and by boars and war dogs trained by Muamman himself.

Muamman teaches that dwarves must adapt and learn to live with other races if they are to survive. He preaches alliance with humans in particular. He also instructs his faithful to help wanderers who are lost and in need, and to explore new paths and ways in general. He teaches hope.

Worshipers

Muamman Duathal has a growing cult among urban dwarves, and he may be evolving into an intermediate god.

Clerics of Muamman are wanderers and adventurers. They have a significant role in many urban, expatriate dwarf communities. Novices are known as the Lost, while full priests are known as Watchful Eyes.

Priests of Muamman Duathal establish way-places and waymeets on roads and in long tunnels beneath the earth, and on mountain trails and passes.

Muamman in the Forgotten Realms

In the Forgotten Realms, Muamman is revered only as an aspect of the god Marthammor Duin.

Vergadain

Vergadain is the dwarf deity of wealth and luck. He shares the Dwarven Mountain on the Outlands with Dugmaren and Dumathoin.

Worshipers

Vergadain's priests dress in the finest golden chain mail and helmets. His holy days are on the full moon, and gold is sacrificed to him monthly.

References

• Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities (TSR, 1998).
• Boyd, Eric L, and Erik Mona. Faiths and Pantheons (Wizards of the Coast, 2002).
• Greenwood, Ed. Dwarves Deep (TSR, 1990).
• Gygax, Gary. Unearthed Arcana (TSR, 1985).
• McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996).
• Moore, Roger E. "The Dwarven Point of View." Dragon #58 (TSR, 1982).
• Olsen, John. "Worth its weight in gold." Dragon #109. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986.
• Oppen, Eric. "The Folk of the Underworld." Dragon #131. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.
• "Servants of the Jeweled Dagger." Dragon #152. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
• Sargent, Carl. Monster Mythology (TSR, 1992).
• Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:1
• Living Greyhawk: Volume 1, Number 3. Spring, 591 CY. February, 2001.
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