Caphos (God)

Element: Fire
Domains: Craftsmanship, Invention, Fire
Cleric Domain: Forge Domain
Material: It is something of a folk habit to offer Caphos shavings or slivers of iron, and in truth such byproducts of the forge are not unwelcome. The learned members of Caphos's religious order, however, know that it is bituminous coal is the most favored offering of the Craftsman--especially when it is used to fuel a project.

Summary

Caphos is the dwarven god of invention, the hammer of creation and creativity. Charged with guiding mortals in the ways of the forge, He also supplemented this gift by sharing all manner of artifice. Born from the lavas of a volcano in Tarwa'kem, Caphos is as merciful as He is productive--His hand stilled the flames and diverted the volcano's rage, creating instead the geothermal vents and hotsprings that snake through the mountains and make the desert kingdom more hospitable than the landscape might otherwise have offered.

Cultural Reception

Whose hands but Caphos might have guided the architects and craftsmen of Carinthia so long ago? Dwarven influence is rumored to be seen on some of the oldest structures in the northern kingdom, but little in the way of worship finds Caphos in these frozen lands. Even so His mercy extends to the elves in small ways, fires heating springs so that they need not know only cold in their fight against dragonkind.
Aqualonde does not turn to frequent worship of Caphos themselves but for very different reasons than their northern cousins. Demeria and Caphos have never quite seen eye to eye after all, and the Fauconwood elves have taken the former's side. This is not to say that the elves do not have craftsmen or value ingenuity of course, but stone and flame are rare to find in these lands.
Avosa Tevosa treasures cleverness and invention and so of course they welcome Caphos as they do Alophia, but the emphasis is primarily on those qualities. Inland from the shores and ships one is more like to find forges, but even here the Avosan people work for creativity's sake rather than perfection of the craft.
Tarwa'kem is absolutely about perfection of the craft. Their forges burn day and night in pursuit of realizing the ultimate blueprint: the perfect money-making product. The cynical say that Commerce is the only Divinity to receive proper worship in Tarwa'kem, but if it has lost them Caphos's favor it has not shown in the quality of their craft.

In Art

In art Caphos is a tall and sturdy dwarf whose hair and eyes are dark as the soot covering His apron. It is practically a requirement, however, that the Craftsman never be portrayed with a frown. The merciful Divinity is ever kindly, curious, and good-natured.
Metaphorical accompaniment must be the Hammer and the Forge or Flame.

Sculptor of Fire: A Charcoal Tribute to Caphos by Rohar Boulos

"With skilled hands and an artist's eye, Caphos crafts marvels from the flames, his divine craftsmanship illuminating the world with ingenuity and creativity."