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| Quote: | Gorethar (Greater God)
The Battle Lord, The Paragon, The Dwarven Guardian, The Incorruptible
Home Plane: The Seven Heavens (Mount Celestia)
Symbol: Hammer and sword crossed in an “x”
Colors: White, Silver
Alignment: Lawful Good
Portfolio: Dwarves, Valor, Loyalty, Honor
Worshippers’ Alignment: Lawful Good
Clerics’ Alignment: Lawful Good
Domains: Earth, Good, Magic, Protection, War
“The wellspring of community is dedication, loyalty and honor. Without these things our lives would be bleak and without hope, our homes beset by corruption and greed. Community in turn gives men and women purpose, and what improves one of us, improves us all. Yet at all times this community must be defended from corruption, both within and without and there, the Battle Lord’s followers must have Valor…” –The Cadence of Virtue, from The Paragon’s Song
Gorethar, the Battle Lord, is the creator of dwarves and the deity of honor, valor, loyalty and righteous warfare. The vigilant guardian of justice and community, he is rightly considered the patron god of knights and warriors dedicated to fighting the lure of corruption and sloth. Gorethar himself is known as something of a dour deity, relentless in his vigilance and unyielding in his principles, yet like the dwarves he created he is also fond of the brotherhood of community and the ale which flows in the taverns of the Dwarven nations.
History
As one of the Great Nine, Gorethar is one of the eldest gods in the Avlissian Pantheon, with a steady string of worship and reverence dating back over five thousand years. Although his worship is still primarily focused in the Dwarven nation of Galdos, he has over the years expanded his influence through the human nations of Kurathene and Pylatea. In the process his church and focus has become more centered on the more martial aspects of his philosophy, with his son Omer taking on the communal details of his portfolio.
Philosophy
For Gorethar and those who live by his philosophy, the world itself is a single entity with the community at its core. What harms the community harms the world, and what harms the individual harms the community. The philosophy of Gorethar therefore stresses the bonds of community and the responsibility of every individual to work for its improvement.
In Gorethar’s ideal society, everyone is aware of the ties that bind the world together, and through that understanding find their ideal place in the world. His followers work to live in accordance with this ideal, working to find their place in society and through that bring order and goodness to their community. The philosophy of Gorethar strongly stresses the need for self-reliance, responsibility and to set examples through action. Though a long and difficult process that works one person at a time, those that live by Gorethar’s philosophy believe that such knowledge and focus is contagious.
Yet Gorethar’s philosophy also reflects an understanding that temptations and corruptions constantly work to undermine the good works in a community. Even the most dedicated individuals tend to have lapses of judgment, and it is here that the philosophy shows its harder, military edge. Though disdainfully referred to as prudes or moralists, the followers of Gorethar know that the most effective way of fighting greater vices is to punish the lesser ones. This vigilance against the smaller crack in the foundation has attracted derision from other faiths, but for followers of Gorethar, the constant refinement and examination of oneself is both an integral part of his faith and his lifestyle.
Justice is therefore the key component of Gorethar philosophy, balancing the needs of the community, with the needs of the individual in matters of law. The spirit of the law is always more important to the follower of Gorethar: the spirit of the law is for the betterment of community. To Gorethar, law without justice damages, rather than enhances the community as a whole.
All of this is not to say philosophy has no room for joy or relaxation. The community itself provides ample opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment, and it is the joy in seeing the improvement of their communities and participating in pub discussions or communal festivities that make the dedication worthwhile.
Relations with Other Deities
Though his number of allies has grown, Gorethar remains closest to his daughter Berryn and son Omer, taking a paternal pride in the accomplishments of both. He has also developed a friendship with Senath and his daughter Ethraeli, though he remains somewhat wary of Senath’s consort Hurine. He has a professional if somewhat distance relationship with Dagath, as Gorethar’s warriors are often responsible for the destruction of undeath, and is a dedicated foe of the gods Maleki, Varsthys and The’ton.
Worshippers
As his portfolio and philosophy have evolved over the years, so too has his base of worshippers. Generally Gorethar’s worshippers can be divided into three camps: traditional Dwarven worshippers, non-dwarven warriors, and non-dwarven commoners. Though he has no particular preference between the various branches of followers, the church of Gorethar has changed with the changing range of peoples and cultures that Gorethar’s worshippers have been found.
Dwarves tend to be the most conservative of Gorethar’s followers, with a strict interpretation of his philosophy and generally avoiding contamination with the outside world. They generally remain in the mountains of Galdos, and are rarely seen outside of their homelands.
The second common worship of Gorethar tends to be focused in the human nations of the Pylatean League and the Seventh Imperium, where much of the society is organized to the highly structured ideals of Gorethar.
Knights and warriors dedicated to the eradication of evil often choose Gorethar as their patron deity, and the orders militant of the Church of Gorethar are some of the best organized and capable in the world. They can be found in a wide variety of locations, ranging from the southern territories of the Seventh Imperium to the northern reaches of Tyedu, working to halt the spread of evil and corruption.
Dogma
The community is the key to all things: every act you take will affect it for good or for ill. Justice, honor, valor and loyalty are the pillars that support the community, and their practice begins within. Strive to undo injustice wherever you encounter it, and beware of corruption for it lurks ever present in the hearts of men. Valor in combat may ward against cowardice, but it is valor against vice and sloth and honor in daily life that keeps one pure. Be steadfast and forceful in opposing wickedness. Yet remember to give quarter when asked, for even valor and battle may become corrupt if left merciless.
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