The Dwarves

According to legend… In the beginning there was the Rock…

Two great pieces of rock came to life in the primordial chaos that was.  One rock took the form or Morodin, ‘The Father/Forger/Crafter/Smyth’  The other took the form of Gisell, ‘The Mother/Giver.’
Morodin began crafting the stone about him into little versions of Gisell and himself and then Gisell breathed Life and Souls into each one.  Thus creating the original ‘Ancestors and Forefathers’ of all the Dwarves that came after to this day. 

The Dwarves believe that Morodin created fourteen pairs of Dwarves, male and female, who became the founders of the Great Clans.  These ‘Elders’ led their people across the world and established vast, underground cities and kingdoms.  Over time, these clans intermingled creating numerous ‘lesser’ clans or ‘Septs.’  It is recognized that several of the original ‘Great Clans’ have died out or otherwise vanished, with one, the ‘Vahnar,’ annihilated  by the Goblins tens of thousands of years ago.  (This event is generally regarded as the Origin of the Goblin Wars and the beginning of the ancient blood feud.)  Though each of the Great Clans originally staked out homelands over the ages there has been much migration, merging and cooperation such that today most Dwarf cities are a mix of multiple clans and septs.  There is little to no friction between the various clans because, while the bloodlines of Dwarven families are carefully recorded and tracked, it is more so for marriage and inheritance purposes then any form of clan chauvinism. 

Dwarven Forges & Tools

It is well known that the forge is a key part of Dwarven religious practices, in fact the altars to Morodin and Gisell are forges.  But what most outsiders don’t know is that not all forges are sacred or special.
Anywhere Dwarves are found working you will find a forge, anvil and tools. They are an essential for making and maintaining tools if nothing else.  Most Dwarven communities will have more then one, large populations, like Dhun-Thar, probably have thousands of them.  But Forges, Anvils and Tools (always in combination) of special significance, are much rarer.

Enchanted, Blessed and Consecrated

Most clans have a number of Enchanted Forge/Anvils sets  These are used to make most magic weapons and armor.  The actual anvils and forges are often a product of cooperation between Dwarven clerics and allied human Wizards.  Like the non enchanted forges and anvils, there is no religious significance to these pieces. An Enchanted Forge and Anvil are always engraved with runes, glyphs and symbols of its enchantment.  (It should be noted that many Dwarven anvils and tools are engraved with the names of the maker and owner and are often named.  Thus at first glance it can be difficult to distinguish a mundane Dawrven set from an enchanted set.)

A Blessed Anvil and Forge does have religious significance. While not as common as Enchanted forges, they are not rare either.  They serve as the altars in chapels and temples of Morodin, and are used to make Special items of significance to the Dwarves. The product of one of the Blessed Forges is NEVER sold for money!  Blessed forges and anvils are engraved and inlaid with precious metals that dedicate the set to Morodin and Gisell.  A Blessed set must be made on and with Consecrated Forge, Anvil and Tools.

Consecrated Forge and Anvil are very rare!  Each Clan and Sept has only one.  It is the High Altar for the Clan and is used in special services, communing with Morodin and Gisell, and to fabricate other Blessed and Consecrated Forges and Anvils.  Consecrated Forge and Anvil sets are very elaborate, carved, shaped engraved, inlaid and set with precious stones.  The symbols and images both dedicate it to Morodin and Gisell and at the same time identify the Clan or Sept for which it was crafted.  A Consecrated set consisting of the Forge, Anvil and Tools, is THE treasure of the Clan it belongs to.  It requires two other Consecrated sets to make one and the process can take years!

Tools

Like the Forge and Anvil, the Tools associated with the forge and anvil are of three levels. Normal, non enchanted or ‘mundane’ tools are of course used with ordinary, mundane forge&anvils. (Dwarven tools, even mundane ones, are always of Good or better quality.) Mundane tools can also be used normally on an Enchanted Forge and Anvil with no negative effects.  However, Enchanted Tools are essential for making any magic item of +2. Blessed tools are never used on any but a Blessed or Consecrated forge and Anvil and Consecreated Tools are only used on a Consecrated Forge and Anvil.

Morodin’s forges continue to craft things, and Gisell continues to breath life into them, but rarely these days does Morodin make a Dwarf directly. (Leaving his people to reproduce on their own.) But sometimes, when a great hero comes along, it is said that He/She is ‘From the Fire!’ Meaning made at Morodin’s Forge.
Dwarves who are worthy, upon death, go to work beside Morodin and Gisell.  Those unworthy wander forever in the darkest vaults of the earth, never knowing peace…