Deity Preview: Kor

Kor
Symbol: A dull gray hammer, flanked by orange flames
Alignment: Lawful Good
Portfolio: Perseverance, fortitude, compassion, valor, and self-sacrifice
Worshipers: Dwarves
Cleric Alignments: Lawful Good, Lawful Neutral, Neutral Good
Domains: Earth, Healing, Protection, and War
Favored Weapon: War Hammer

A minor deity worshipped by blacksmiths, Kor’s nature would not allow him to turn his back on an entire nation willing to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others.  The bulk of the Dwarven population was feeling emotionally low at the prospect of abandoning their peaceful, artistic ways to go fight a war they might never win. Kor’s presence helped give them strength and carried the Dwarven people through those first hard years; it still carries them today.

When Hember asked the gods to accompany his people, only Kor agreed. The rest felt that if the Dragon were already dead, what good would it do to hack away at its corpse. They felt the “death throes” of the beast would cease in time, and that the people of the Accordlands were worrying themselves over nothing. Kor was far more practical in his thinking. Whether or not there really was a danger, these people had faith, faith that there was a great evil at the center of the earth, and faith that they could stop it. This touched Kor deeply, and he agreed to journey with the Dwarves, taking them as his own.

He named Hember his first Hethrhod, his voice amongst his new followers. Hember in turn named his companions his High Vicars. The Dwarves embraced their new god. If none of the old ones they used to give praise to wished to come with them, then they would turn to the one who had. All throughout their initial journey into the earth Kor, through Hember, promised his people that their time fighting would be short, and when they were through he would welcome them into his home. The Dwarves eagerly latched onto this message, and they have worshipped Kor and heeded his message throughout their centuries old conflict.

Kor’s church is built on self-sacrifice. Every Dwarf relates to this. Parents never know the joy of bringing up their children. Friendships, due to the high casualty rate, are short-lived. Most Dwarves do not know their true name. 1000 years ago the Dwarven people gave up everything they were for the benefit of those on the surface. There is not a day that goes by that they don’t wish they could escape their fate.

To this end the Church of Kor preaches the rewards of Kor’s blessing. All those who die in the name of their duty and their people are guaranteed a place at Kor’s table. Those that do not are granted another chance to escape the hellish confines of their lives. The clerics stress that by giving of themselves here, they can find a greater peace in H’mmelle.

Those that live up to this ideal are canonized as saints, alongside Hember and his companions. By elevating such noble examples of self-sacrifice the Church of Kor hopes to inspire others to equally great deeds. It is easier for some to believe in the strength of others who have come before then in Kor himself. The clerics are careful not to raise any Dwarven saint, including Hember, to equal footing with Kor. The saints are examples of Kor’s strength and will, not as a substitute for him.

The murder of another Dwarf is the single greatest sin in Kor’s church. A Dwarf relies on his fellows day after day, and the trust between Dwarves is a sacred thing. Even less desirable Dwarves, such as the King’s Assassins, may not be well regarded or liked, but in the heat of battle the warriors know they can trust them. To break this trust is to forever sever oneself from the Dwarven nation. There is only one punishment for this crime: exile.

Failure to perform ones duty is also a great sin. No Dwarf is expected to be perfect, no matter how great they are, but to truly fail is a sin not only against Kor, but also against themselves. Laziness, ineptitude and cowardice are not tolerated. It is another form of breaking the trust each Dwarf places in the others. Those who allow themselves to sin in this way are sent to Rockhome, where they can absolve themselves and find renewed purpose, or die, to be born again and given another chance. It is a harsh outlook, but no less so then the lesson of daily life.