Intermidate Deity
Symbol: The Creator’s Hammer
Home Plane: Mount Selenia – Caves of Sheren’Dur
Portfolio: Dwarves and smithing
Worshipers: Dwarves, crafters, smiths
Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, LN
Domains: Craft, Dwarf, Good, Endurance, Earth
Favored Weapon: Warhammer
Names: Dwarf-father, Craftsman, Rock of the People
High Priest: Daedain Stoneshaper, Ghent’s Hammer
Ghent was not always a god, but he was one of the first generations of dwarves created on Alduras. When the world was young and the dwarves first created, they were given to the spaces under the mountains. They thrived in their underground environment. They did not have wood to work with, but they did have stone, and metal, and the gems of the world. They became master craftsmen of these materials, and first among them was Ghent.
It is said that Ghent could make anything he set his mind to, and one day it was turned to collecting the unseen energy of the universe. Few of the dwarves learned the way of wizards and sorcerers, but they could not argue with some of the powers such people could bring to bear. Ghent thought that he could devise a contraption based upon crystals that would slowly absorb the free magical energy of the universe. That energy could be used by the dwarves for all sorts of projects to further their craft.
In the great crafting hall of the ancient dwarves, he had a large anvil placed. Taking up hammer and chisel, he cut the crystals dug from the depths of Alduras. Using the meticulously flat surface of the great anvil, he aligned the crystals. He expected a faint glow to appear after a few hours to indicate that the energies were manifesting within them. What he did not expect was a light as if the sun itself had risen with the crafting hall. In the blink of an eye, uncontainable energy was pulled into the crystals. Ghent, knowing something was wrong moved to unalign the crystals before the power destroyed his home. As he touched the first crystal, its energy suffused his body and he disappeared from the hall. The only trace of him and the crystals was the giant anvil softly glowing in the center of the hall.
Ghent had not just harnessed the magical energies of the universe; he had somehow harnessed energy directly from a god.
Dogma:
Ghent is still a creator at heart. However, he now chooses to live through his people and be inspiration to others. Whenever a person dedicates themselves to their work, Ghent is pleased. He holds the dwarves dearest to himself, for he was raised up from them, but he will not turn his back on crafters of other races.
Ghent, like any good dwarf is willing to take up arms in defense of his home and respects those dwarves who do the same. Their focus on their duty is no less honorable than that of the crafter.
Upon their death, those that are the true embodiments of the dwarves are taken up by Ghent and forged into Paragons. They are almost like known saints, and do the will of Ghent upon all planes of existence. Often when dwarven clans boast of their deeds, the number of Paragons raised from their number is noted with unabashed pride. Only the truest of remarkable craftsmen and the most dutiful of honorable soldiers have the slightest hope at becoming Paragons, but it is something that most dwarves who worship Ghent strive for.
Clergy and Temples:
The Soulforger’s clergy have a strong tradition among the dwarves, and though rare it is not unheard for non-dwarves to be his priests and take his doctrine to the forge cities of man. Blessing anvils and tools, wishing safety upon the workers, and finding solace in their own craft are all part of the day for the Tools of Ghent, sometimes called the Soulforger’s Own.
The Great Crafthall of the ancient dwarves is the high temple of Ghent the Soulforger. The Anvil of Ghent is his most holy altar. When the high priest, known as Ghent’s Hammer, feels the calling, he enters a holy trance and approaches the altar with tools in hand. Ghent’s Hammer then goes to work, sometimes for days without rest. The product of this effort is usually a billet of shining steel known as Ghentforged Steel. It is nigh invaluable to the dwarves as it is strong, light, and usually holds magical properties. On the very rare occasion a billet is not made, but a piece of equipment, weapon, or armor. Where a Ghentforged Steel sword is better than a steel one, a Ghentwrought sword is that and again. Legends abound among the dwarves, that in times of trouble Ghentwroght weapons and armor have been crafted and bestowed upon their champions, though few if any have seen such a thing in their lifetimes. The high thanes of the dwarves wear Ghentforged Steel circlets to show their station.