Duana Fire-HammerDuana is the goddess of Dwarfs. She is usually depicted as a muscular, handsome female dwarf, with a flowing red beard which is plaited with gold. Sometimes however, she takes the form of a giant badger or other underground creature, usually in order to guide lost dwarfs to safety or to lead them to a rich ore seam. Duana's symbol is a large golden warhammer, which strikes enemies with a great burst of flame.
BeliefsThe Dwarfs say that Duana created the World at her smithy and crafted the Dwarfs with her own hands to protect and cherish the fabric of her creation. The other races were made by lesser craftsmen, working under Duana's direction. Only the Dwarfs have the 'hallmark' of Duanna. After death, Dwarfs believe that the souls of worthy Dwarfs return to the workshops of Duanna. There, most Dwarfs work at repairing and maintaining the fabric of the World. However, the wisest and most skillful amongst them help Duana in her greatest work - the smithying of new Dwarven souls which are sent down to the World to battle the Endless Night. Occasionally, great Dwarven heros craft new bodies with the Godess's speacial blessing and return from Duana's workshop to rally their people against the forces of the Dark. The followers of the Endless Night are hated by the Dwarfs because the pervert the wholesome darkness of the underground world into evil and fear. They also abuse the noble art of war and combat by their use of magic and dishonourable warfare. As guardians of the World, all Dwarfs consider it their duty to battle the Endless Night wherever they can. Areas of InfluenceThe EarthMining, engineering, crafts Dwarfs Underground creatures Combat against the Dark The DwarfsChurch and worshippersDuana is worshipped by almost all Dwarfs. Humans who have journeyed into the mountains to learn from Dwarvish craftsmen have joined her followers in the past and the craft guilds in some human cities may operate a temple to Duana. Her temples are always underground, even those which are found in human cities. The rough hewn walls are often inlaid with semi-precious stones to create the illusion of rich ore seams. A fire is always buring in the temple, usually in a forge, which serves as the altar.
Temples of Duana are known by the Dwarfs as Halls. They often contain workshops, especially weaponsmiths and armourers. The priests of Duanna take the ranks of guild members:
Because Dwarfs are so clannish, each Clan has a clerical Mastercraftsman (usually the highest level priest in the clan) who serves as the high priest of Duana for that clan.
CeremoniesDuana does not have set major festivals. There are usually large celebrations in her name whenever major engineering works are completed, or when new mines or quarries are discovered and opened. Ceremonies are also held before and after battles against the servants of the Dark. Priests will also hold services whenever others request them to. Some of the more commom causes for a cermony to be held are:
BrettanyChurch and worshippersThe worship of Duana is common in Brettany, which has a long history of association with the Dwarfs. The faith in Brettany is slightly different, in that Duana is paired with a consort, Duan. Duan is credited with special influence over smithcrafting and husbandry, whilst Duana has become an even more martial warrior goddess.
Although there is only one church, temples are usually devoted to either Duana or Duan and there are separate priesthoods. Priests of Duan are usually male, those of Duana female, although there is a minority of the opposite sex in either priesthood. The priests of Duan follow the craft ranks of the original dwarfish faith, but the priests of Duana take military ranks, as follows:
Temples to Duana are usually built underground and are mostly found in towns and cities, castles and other military strongholds. The temples of Duan are both urban and rural and are often built above ground although they have few windows and are always built of stone. CeremoniesDuana is the 'state' goddess of Brettany; she is charged with the protection of the country and is devoutly worshipped by all those who serve in the military. She is also invoked by those fighting the powers of the Endless Night in all ways. Her consort Duan is seen as more of a 'household' god. He is petitioned daily by those who work in crafts or fields to grant them success and prosperity. This division is apparent in the calendar of festivals. Holy days associated with Duana occur on the dates of celebrated battles and, in a parallel with the worship of Amariya, on the longest night of the year. This midwinter festival has a strong martial component with parades and trials of strength and competitions common. Although the actual ceremonies vary across Brettany, there is always a 'beating the bounds', where horse riders ride a circuit around the village, manor or town. Military unit have a daily service to Duana, which is also common practise in castles. Ceremonies are also held daily to honour Duan, usually in the evening, with a larger ceremony held once a fortnight. Priest Progression
Special BlessingsPriests of Duanna may gain the following abilites as they gain greater understanding of and empathy with Duanna. They can be bought by spending extra experience dice when advancing on the 'clerical hierarchy'. Remember that they are sign of the priest's closeness to Duanna and therefore require that their behavior have been exemplary. GMs may decide the character does not merit them, even though they are 'good-enough' to gain the other benefits of advancement. It is unusual for priests to possess more than two or three of these powers, at the most.Some of these blessings are especially appropriate to one or other of the churches of Duana. These are noted in the description:
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