|
The Way of Moradin
A Guide for the Faithful
Scribed in Honour of Our Lord by Vigdis of Runedar
The dwarven people have lasted long eons beneath the sheltering stone. Our homes have been
cut from the living rock and girded by the wisdom of our ancestors carried on in their progeny. In
all things, look to the ancestors and their guidance. In doing so, we look to the gods of our
fathers, the Morndinsamman, the Shield-Brothers. Guidance is handed down by Moradin for the
benefit of all kin, His every word succor to His people. So too do we benefit from the lessons of
the nine exalted divines in Dwarfhome: Moradin, Berronar, Clangeddin, Dugmaren, Gorm, Haela,
Marthammor, Thard and Vergadain.
It is not uncommon for our kin to take up the mantle of the paladin and champion one of the Nine.
Each calls warriors to their service, but those called to serve Moradin are easily the most
numerous. Service to Moradin, however, differs from service to any other member of the Nine; it
demands a true and devout adherance to the Soul Forger's philosophy of betterment for our
people, but also requires knowledge and respect of the philosophies and traditions of Moradin's
allies in Dwarfhome. As He is the leader of his fellows, an exemplar of all a dwarf may hope to be,
so too must His faithful exemplify all aspects of dwarven life taught to us by the Nine. To do any
less is to dishonour the allies of Moradin and thus Moradin Himself.
This is a brief guide for those seeking to understand the burdens and responsibilities of those
seeking to champion Moradin's cause, to aid you on the road to becoming a paragon of our people,
a shining light for all to see.
I. The Tenets of Moradin
Remember, faithful, the creed of the Soul Forger: “Temper, Hone, and Serve”.
To Temper:
To temper is to temper oneself, face your shield into the trials the world besets you with and endure.
We are not warriors of a stone heart, but we are the strength of the living rock itself. Each and
every kin is possessed of the indomitable dwarven spirit; no matter how much weight is piled on
our shoulders we, like the living stone, endure. Even in tragedy, the champion of Moradin must be
strong enough not to break, yet pliable enough to bend. Break not from the way for tragedy or
strife, but rather keep your faith even in these hardest of times, that your dedication may harden
you as steel on the forge.
In triumph also we must temper ourselves: be ever humble before your kin and the world, lest you
become swallowed by vanity. Blunt the edge of your pride with the wisdom of the Soul Forger, for
it is a two-edged sword that too often swings back our way. Treat no task as below you, no
lesson as unbecoming, no gift as inadequate. Grace, thankfulness, and humility are the
watchwords of the champion of the way seeking the enlightenment of Moradin.
Be in all things clean: your body, your mind, and your conscience. Ablutions are a daily part of the
life of a dwarf; observe them, even if they must be in ritual only. Cleansing of the body aids in
cleansing of the spirit and the mind, ridding oneself inwardly and outwardly of the impurities of the
world. Be chaste before marriage, and bear children after; it is the gift of a family with which
Moradin blesses us most.
Mind well that while our soul was forged by hands greater than our own, it is up to us to temper
it through our lives.
To Hone:
To hone is to hone oneself, your mind, body, and faith.
Grow wise by learning your trade well and excelling in your endeavours. Be adventurous and not
fearful of defeat but rather driven on by the hope of your next success. Learn the ways of
outsiders, that we may, in our Temperance, be welcoming hosts and pleasant guests. Learn the
sciences, that we may develop new and useful tools for our people.
Hone your body, that you may be in good health all your life and never a burden to your kin. Be
not slothful, let not your feet rest once you have made your fortune. Be always in form, to
defend against those who would do our people harm. Even in old age, train your body; it is the
duty of every dwarf, young and old, to defend their Hold and Hearth.
Be faithful, ever reverent in your faith and dutiful in your adherence to the lessons laid down by
the Dwarffather. Observe His teachings in all things, and be not deceived by the false words of
deceitful gods. Let not the false genteel mannerisms of wicked faiths mask the hearts that follow
such dark gods; they know what their patron stands for and follow them willingly.
To Serve:
To serve is to serve others, generous in giving to the deserving, wrathful to those who would do evil.
Be ever a host to kin, ever generous to allies, ever kind to friends, ever honourable to all. Honour
even your enemies, lest they force your hand against them. Form friendships and alliances
founded on generosity and honour, that we may being Moradin’s peace to the lands through
wealth and industry. To your people be true; your clan, your family are not as important as all
our kin, as we are forged by the hand of Moradin.
To those who intend evil and perpetrate harm, deal out retribution that they may be dissuaded
from their acts, or destroyed if they cannot so be. Do not let yourself be led astray by false
justifications; see the heart of the matter for what it is and not what is claimed. Let not the
wicked strike fear into your heart, for one of you must die.
Serve foremost those in need- go to those places most desperate, most in need of the justice of
the Soul Forger, where your talents will serve the greatest good. Only through Temperance,
Honing, and Service can we embody the ideals set out for us by Moradin, and so lead our
communities ever further along the road He has prepared for us.
When you stand before the Soul Forger, He will know you, as He knows all creations of His hand.
And He will say to you, “My child, my work. Come, let us see what your works have wrought,
what my child has forged with the gifts I have given you.” Every blemish shall be examined, every
missed stroke scrutinized, and your work shall be judged by the master of all forges. On that day,
those who have held true to His teachings shall be taken down to Dwarfhome and stand honoured
among the ancestors, a warden of the realm of Moradin.
II. The Lessons of Berronar Truesilver
Be warned, seekers of the way, that Berronar Truesilver is a goddess first, a wife second. Even
we, the truest of His way, must remember that as all things, our duty comes before even our
family. But it is in this very aspect of our lives that the wisdom of Berronar is most needed.
Berronar teaches the values of Reconciliation, Compromise, and Family, the backbone of all
peaceful and prosperous dwarven society.
Reconciliation
It is the duty of a dwarf to forgive. While we are not asked to be foolish, we must be generous
in forgiveness to those who truly seek atonement for their wrongs. Be ready to offer forgiveness
when it is earned, not before. With kin, be magnanimous and even more reconciliatory; in unity
we grow strong, and in strength we prosper.
Compromise
As a flat road in the depths, the children of the stone may be both hard and gentle. Strive ever
for your goals, but be mindful of those of others. When they conflict, find a peaceful solution if
one exists. Only seek war against those you cannot find an acceptable compromise with, and
reevaluate constantly in hopes that Reconciliation will become possible.
Family
In our home we have our light, our hearth, our kin. Stand fast to support your family in all things,
and be ready to start a family of your own. Welcome the honourable, the loyal, and the just into
your circle of friends; honour them as you would kin. Build your family on the values of the
Morndinsamman, ever faithful and steadfast to the ways of piety, honour, and duty.
III. The Lessons of Clangleddin Silverbeard
As the Morndinsamman teach peace with our friends, so too do they teach us how to face our
enemies. The Lord of the Twin Axes, Clangleddin, has wrought amongst our kin the finest of
warriors and most honourable of soldiers. In his honour, we of the way uphold his teachings of
Warrior’s Honour and Readiness.
Warrior’s Honour
A warrior is ever honourable on the field of battle, giving their opponent a fair and just
engagement. But should that enemy engage in deceit or treachery to gain the upper hand, we
are exhorted to show no mercy in purging the land of their taint. Be always ready to teach your
fellow warriors of the honour of the Morndinsamman and the ways of battle, that they may grow
stronger inwardly and outwardly in their protection of our people.
Readiness
Be prepared always for battle from the moment you can pick up your weapon. Train daily in
anticipation of battle, so that you may be prepared when it comes. Seek not conflict but shy not
away from it, dealing out justice without pause and without bias. Make also ready those around
you, encourage and uplift all kin and all allies that they may stand strong when danger nears. Be
an example and an inspiration in all you do, that others may follow you and be ready also.
IV. The Lessons of Dugmaren Brightmantle
Uplifted is the dwarf who hones both body and mind, and in doing so we must listen and pay heed
to the wisdom of the Wandering Tinkerer. Hone your mind through all your life and you shall find
yourself a paragon of our people, bringing them new strategies, innovations, and technologies to
make us stronger as a whole. In the pursuit of the way of Moradin, the wisdom of his ally
Dugmaren must be paid heed: Cleave fast to the values of Discovery and Conscience, lest you be
led astray on a darker path.
Discovery
Exploration is not only discovery of the world around us, but the unseen world of knowledge and
academics. Strive to ask questions and seek answers. Be never satisfied with the wisdom you
possess, for more is always waiting for our discovery. Learn about all things beneficial to our people,
but even more importantly learn about that which would harm Moradin’s children; only by knowing
our enemy may we defeat them surely.
Conscience
Do not seek knowledge for the sake of evil; the perverse quest for knowledge to enslave, control,
and destroy. Seek instead their knowledge that you may counter it. Never seek to learn ways to
control or harm kin, but rather to advance the safety, strength, and fortune of the dwarven
people. Be always of good intent; judge carefully those who wish to learn the ways of evil, that
you may ensure they seek the knowledge for righteous purposes as you do.
V. The Lessons of Gorm Gulthyn
As you look without and within for challenges to defeat, be always mindful of the challenges
faced by your kin. Know that our people are greater than we alone and have needs outweighing
our own concerns. In our defence of our home, hearth, and kin, we look to the Vigilant Lord to
guide us with his values of Vigilance and Sacrifice.
Vigilance
Keep your eyes always to the darkness, seeking out those would hide within it. Stand fast, ever
ready against the foes that would assault our people. Journey not far from home and hearth in
times of need. The strike of our foes can come at any time, from any direction; only by constant
vigil may we ward off the dangers they pose. In this we ever prepare ourselves; our tactics,
skills, and prayers hone us as we hone them. Keep weapons ever at your disposal, armour ever
nearby for the moment you will have to take up arms to shield your people from our foes.
Sacrifice
As Gorm teaches us, be ready to lay down your very life for the dwarven people; no higher honour
can be accorded a kinsman than a warrior’s death in service to his kind. But do not let this one
sacrifice be the only one you are ready to make; every day is a test to subordinate our selfish
desires to the needs of our people. Let not lust, greed, hatred or sloth consume you; your own
wants are of a passing nature at best. Seek rather the greatest good for our people in all things,
even should it not benefit you. This is your holy duty before the Morndinsamman.
VI. The Lessons of Haela Brightaxe
Defence, hearth, and home are not the only aspects of the life of a dwarf. Indeed, offence and
aggressiveness are the hallmarks of the mighty dwarven spirit. While Clangleddin’s wisdom guides
us in battle, it is the Luckmaiden whose wisdom helps guide us in where we choose to bring that
battle. By heeding her teachings of Fortune and Purification, we spread the light of the
Morndinsamman throughout the lands above and below.
Fortune
While all kin dream of a wealth to call their own in life, few understand that it takes hard work,
integrity, and a little luck to get there. The Lady of the Fray teaches us that we need not always
analyze each and every detail of a situation; sometimes it is good that we trust in our steel and
sinew to best our opponent on the battlefield, or our mind and industry to best our competitor in
the market. Be bold in your decisions, willing to take risks and seek happenstance, for therein lies
the greatest of rewards.
Purification
When seeking your fortune in the world, never neglect your duty to purge the wicked from the
lands. Drive the unrighteous and evil before you like the ashes of the fire before a mighty wind,
swept away never to return. But also seek to purify yourself inwardly, examining your deeds and
recounting your mistakes that you may learn to avoid impurity. Seek out evil in all your travels,
let it not escape your sight. In all your wanderings the Morndinsamman stand with you; no evil
may best the dwarf guided by their wisdom.
VII. The Lessons of Marthammor Duin
A follower of Moradin is not insular, bigoted, or hateful. We work with other races to promote
understanding and cooperation, building an extended family of races through alliance and trade.
In these matters, the Finder-of-Trails guides us with his wisdom. His teachings of Adventure and
Tolerance, practised properly, ensure that our kin are well-liked and respected through the lands
and stronger at home because of it.
Adventure
Seek the road less traveled, and trust that wit and industry will bring you profit from your
boldness. Be never shy in the face of adversity, but seek the opportunity hidden within the
circumstances. Be ready to strike out to unknown lands and foreign shores, for your strength
and goodness are needed in places far beyond our comfortable halls of stone. Learn new tactics,
new techniques, and new ways of thinking that you may better serve our people, and when your
travels are done bring your weary feet back to the halls of home. For it is in Adventure that we
grow, and only by completing our adventure and returning home can we share our fortune with kin.
Tolerance
Hate not a person for what he is- such wrath is reserved for our enemies alone. Never judge
fellow kin unfairly or rashly, no matter what they have done against you. Likewise, never allow
yourself to foster baseless hatred of our allies and friends, for they are good people as we are.
Tolerate views different than your own, but expect that tolerance from others. Promote it in the
world, that the free exchange of ideas brought by Adventure may flourish and be spread to the
corners of the map.
VIII. The Lessons of Thard Harr
The children of the stone are not bound to it alone; we are as diverse and varied as any race,
though many of us prefer the smell of the living rock in our lungs to the open air of a field. In our
journeys, some of our kin regressed in society to the primal dur Authalar. But even in such an
unusual people, place, and god can we find enlightenment. Thard Harr’s place in Dwarfhome is to
impart a single, powerful teaching to all of us:
Survival
The dwarven people are under assault daily; personally and as a race we suffer the foul attacks
of beings who would destroy us for merely being different, for being in their way, or for having
something they desire. We cannot let that happen- place the kin above all others, or we may be
extinguished from the world, our halls falling silent forever. Be strong and ready to survive, ready
to defend and sustain yourself. However, always put the needs of the dwarven people above your
own. Your death is a certainty; that of our people is not.
IX. The Lessons of Vergadain
While historically there has been much debate about the overall value of Vergadain’s dogma,
those faithful of Moradin inherently trust the Dwarffather’s decision to welcome the Merchant
Prince to Dwarfhome. And so, there are at least some of his lessons which we take to heart:
those of Negotiation and Wealth.
Negotiation
Never be unwilling to negotiate an honest opponent, but be wary always of the dishonourable
merchant or adversary. Find common ground where all parties may benefit, but be strong,
skillful, and cunning in your negotiation. Learn the arts of the arbitrator, the mediator, and the
negotiator; find always the path to reconciliation whenever possible. By brokering favorable deals
do we make ourselves wiser and more experienced and our communities richer and more stable.
Celebrate the opportunity to trade, for in it you will find friends and allies.
Wealth
A dwarf should always strive diligently and industriously for his wealth, working all his days.
Champion this amongst your fellows by not only building your own wealth, but using that wealth to
build the fortunes of others. Be canny in business, that profits may grow and friendships be forged.
Secure financial independence and security for your family, clan, and Hold- but keep not money to
yourself. A paragon of Moradin treasures wealth only because it may be given to make our kin
stronger. In your own possessions be poor, giving all you can afford to our people and those who
would defend us honourably.
X. Daily Life and Duties
A dutiful dwarf is, before all things, a faithful dwarf. A morning prayer to the Morndinsamman
should be said each day upon rising, that we may strengthen our will by our faith and in doing so
ready our spirit for the day to come. While each of the Nine has their own custom, the traditional
prayer to the Creator (as detailed in most temple literature) is appropriate. Should this book find
itself teaching a faithful where there is no such temple, however, the following procedure is
accepted as a customary prayer to Moradin: Kneeling down, place one’s forehead flat to the
stone, eyes open. The words traditionally spoken are “Dwarffather, I, your servant, seek your
ear.” At this point, speak any blessings you seek to the stone. At this point the prayer is
complete, though many prefer a small closing dedication.
Once prayer is complete, a dwarf should perform his or her daily ablutions- clean your body that
you may greet the day at your best and not have your interactions sullied by uncleanliness. Once
clean, tend next to the duties assigned you by your station. Do not dally or delay; only by
placing our greatest priorities first may we be certain to complete them.
A dutiful servant of the people uses his free time wisely, never for ill. Spend your free hours not
idle, but engaged in a pursuit to aid the cause of your family, clan, or hold. Find joy in the work
prepared for you by the All-Father’s hand, that you may grow strong and uplift your fellow dwarf.
Never eat nor drink to excess, for gluttony on the part of even one drains resources needlessly.
In times of plenty, be active in storing and preserving food and supplies for the lean times to
come. In times of little, do not host feasts or banquets that will consume precious and needed
resources. Celebrate with your kin, but be mindful that even in revelry your duty to their
wellbeing compels moderation.
Celebrate with your honourable opponents when not on the battlefield. Do not celebrate with the
wicked, for they hold honour only so long as no-one knows they are being dishonourable. There is
no true peace with those of evil heart, so give them no opportunity to break a false one.
XI. Resolving Conflicts of Duty
There may well come a time when your hold may require something of you that Moradin forbids.
In this time, remember above all to Temper yourself and your words; only the foolish rush to
judgment of their fellow kin. Know that the way is not immutable, but bends gently like the
flexing of fine steel. If there is a way to reconcile your duties, find it before making any
judgment at all.
Should you be ordered to perform an action directly against the will of the Dwarffather, you must
not. Moradin places an overriding emphasis on the wellbeing of our race as a whole, and thus his
edicts are superior to that of any settlement. Obey the laws of kin and other mortals when they
do not conflict with your faith. Should they conflict, seek change first through peaceful means
until it is clear that no change can be effected in this manner. If battle is the only option, do not
bring it against kin unless they threaten the greater safety and security of our people. It is better
to leave your hold and find a new home than strike another dwarf.
XII. On Representing the Faith and the Kin
Having and keeping the way is only part of the duty of the champions of Moradin’s will. So too
must you seek to espouse his teachings. To do this, we live our lives as an example to others
of what a faithful should be: fit, intelligent, well-spoken, clean, humble, and pious. Before we
may truly guide others, we must show in ourselves the results of that guidance.
Moradin smiles on those who take His teachings to foreign lands and spread His wisdom even to
those not of the stone. Truly, His ideals create not just a strong and good dwarf, but a strong
and good person. Thus, all races and all persons can benefit from the guidance of the
Dwarffather. It is your duty to present the best face you can to the other races, that they may
be more welcoming of His way.
Look also inwards to kin; guide and protect them in the way of Moradin that they may see and
know His grace through you. Seek every opportunity to strengthen the faith of your fellow dwarf,
be it through charity, example, or simply lessons from the Scriptures. Be persistent and gentle
with your guidance, inoffensive but wise. Let yourself never grow angry for nonbelief or rejection,
but rather exhibit the peace and duty brought to you by His way.
XIII. Afterword and Conclusion
To the kin seeking to take this path, I wish you the best of fortune. The road is hard, the lessons
many to remember, and the decisions difficult. You seek a lifestyle of dedication, faith, and duty
that few are truly prepared for. Do not be frightened of it, but seek fervently your answer in your
prayers and contemplations. Should this path not be for you, strive still to honour the teachings
of our Creator in your life. To those on this path already seeking guidance, I pray that this tome
has brought you some level of such. Learn its lessons well, and be humble in the eyes of Moradin.
_________________
~Diana de Priondragas - Enigmatic druid, Arbiter, Counselor, Bear.
~Corinn Aldaine - Just a girl with a big heart... who can turn you into a newt.
~Vigdis Haldorsdottr - Walk softly and carry a big axe.
|
FAQ
Search
Login
