Deep Duerra (Deep Dur-ah)
Overview
Daughter of Ruthar and sister of Laduguer. Banished and cursed alongside her brother during their betrayal of their father after the Calamity. Elderly gray dwarf mind wardens speak of an ancient time, when the great god queen ruled a dwarf empire of immense subterranean territory and dark, expansionist ambitions. The queen herself stood at the front of her armies, on one occasion dominating a huge illithid army during the Calamity. Duerra ordered her underlings to shackle the mind flayers, who once had almost killed the entire duergar race. Over the course of a century after the Calamity had officially ended, Duerra and her surgeons wrested the power of the mind from the captive illithid, transferring it to her brood and hence into her races' bloodlines.Portfolio and Responsibilities
She is the godess whose portfolio includes psionic power, conquest, expansionism, and tactics. Few surface dwellers know of Deep Duerra or her clerics, known below the surface as norothor (“those who seize enemy land”). Their recent efforts in the Underdark, however, have made them the talk of underground way stations and trading communities. The norothor preach expansionism to such a strong degree that they have become a nuisance to the older, more staid duergar, who prefer to serve Laduguer. The norothor nonetheless serve an important role in society, training young gray dwarves in the development of their natural psionic abilities, attending to and controlling the slaves who form the underclass of duergar society, and scouting and clearing out nearby tunnel systems that the community might grow. Lastly, their focus on the mental disciplines makes them ideal ambassadors to psionic races such as the illithid and aboleths, though the inherent brashness of the faith means that many such missions end in utter disaster.Divine Domains
Darkness, Dwarf, Destruction (only Hatred), Earth (including Metal), Evil (including Devil, Fear, and Kyton), Glory, Law, Madness (only Nightmare), Strength, Void, Vengence
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Holy Weapons - Crossbow, Battleaxe
Holy Animal - Rust Monsters
Holy Colors - Grey, Purple
Holy Minerals - Telekill
Holy Symbol - Mind Flayer skull
Tenets of Faith
Edicts - Conquer earth and stone and destroy those who banished us. Seize new lands, new wealth, new slaves. Use your mind and psionic power to expand your power.
Anathema - Rely on arcane or divine magic. Consort with surface races other than minor trade. Sacrifice land and life for nothing.
Holidays
5th of Ches - The Melding (Duergar) Duergar psychics gather and combine their minds, sharing information and learning of one another in ways conversation could not.
Example Antipaladin Codes
By the unparalleled power of Deep Duerra, the god queen of psionic might, I take this oath. Into the vast labyrinth of the Underdark, I move with purpose and authority, always championing the cause of the duergar and ensuring our eternal dominion in the dark realms below.- I swear allegiance to the great god queen, Deep Duerra, recognizing the sacrifices she made to empower our race with unparalleled psionic might.
- Conquest is our birthright. I commit to expanding our territories, seizing lands from our enemies, and establishing our dominion in the dark vastness of the Underdark.
- Through meticulous planning and superior tactics, victory shall always be within our grasp. I will immerse myself in the arts of strategy, ensuring our triumphs in every skirmish, raid, and war.
- Slaves are the backbone of our society. I pledge to oversee their toil, ensuring productivity and obedience, all the while acknowledging the crucial role they play in the grandeur of our civilization.
- Above all, I acknowledge our divine purpose: to dominate, expand, and thrive. I pledge my life to Deep Duerra, channeling her indomitable spirit as I stride through the Underdark, leaving a legacy of conquest in my wake.
Physical Description
Body Features
She is often depicted as a well groomed and richly dressed Duergar woman, clutching a battleaxe.
Divine Classification
Rank 16 Greater Deity
Alignment
Lawful Evil
Realm
Church/Cult
Honorary & Occupational Titles
"Queen of the Invisible Art" or "Axe Queen"
Children
Pronouns
she/her
