Incense

Incense

Incense is born at a dwarf’s birth, marriage and death. Parents are responsible for choosing three characteristics represented by the incense that serve as a lifelong guiding prayer and blessing. The incense is burned at home and at the temples. The incense vapors represent [Krivothrir, the God of the Forge]'s blessings spreading among his followers.

Parental Responsibilities

One of the great responsibilities of parenthood is selecting the child’s incense censer and incense. There are several characteristics parents can choose from, including personal loyalty, loyalty to clan and kin, bushy hair and strength, methodical, sensible, religious devotion, wisdom, innovation, bokenkoi, and sveigthir . Each of these characteristics is associated with a unique phrase of music. The three characteristics are sung in the order selected by the parents to create a personal hymn. The hymn always ends with a phrase connecting the individual with Krivothrir.

First Burning

The parents burn the incense in the child's censer within the first hour of a child’s birth. This allows the child's first breath to be filled with the God’s blessing. The censer is considered a sacred object for a dwarf. It is given to them at birth and burried with them at death. When not in use, each family member’s censer sits on top of an ornate mantle liner above the hearth. This area is considered the focus of the home. Impoverished dwarven family will decorate the hearth will ornate liners and decorations, even at the expense of other practical items.

Bokenkoi

Dwarven priests and clerics are responsible for harvesting and blessing the incense. They burn rock pine resin, known as Gokul, commonly found in the high mountains, and mix it with a specific herb. Common herbs include molihua, rju blood petals, aloeswood, and loteoseu. The resin, herb, and ground wood powder are mixed together and shaped into hexagonal prisms. After resting for three days, a priest will etch the symbol of Krivothrir on the top.

Gokul Resin

Gokul resin comes from the Shokujir trees common in the high mountain forests. The bark is brittle. Removing too much of it too quickly will kill the tree. Priests and clerics have an ancient harvesting ritual designed to support the life of the tree and the potency of the resin. The resin is also used as a healing salve.

Saltmarsh

The tradition of home incense burning outside of vital ceremonies has dwindled. Local religious leaders cling to the ancient traditions. Valit Shadowbrand continues to roll incense and burns sticks at the vital ceremonies. Gokul resin shipments from the high mounts are infrequent, limiting his ability to promote home incense burning. Censers are still considered a valuable part of the home, and are brought to the temple during important life and community events.