Vulcan, Forge-Master

A reliable minor god of Stratalus, Vulcan is the patron god of volcanoes and the forge. Often in legends he is depicted as a giant, wielding a massive hammer to strike blades and weapons fit for the Gods. He is one of the few petty gods often left in the mortal realm to his own devices as well, occasionally training mortal blacksmiths or sending adventurers on quests.
Vulcan, The Forge-Master, is a minor god formed by Stratalus to monitor the realms of Azura and the mortals on it. When Azurans began to utilize the ores and resources within Azura’s crust, Stratalus did not smite them, for he saw it as a compliment that man used the resources he had created for their own devices. Vulcan was then made to watch over and influence the art of forging these metals and ores to weapons and armor. In addition to this, he seeks mortals of great aptitude to dispel forces of evil from Stratalus’ lands. Due to this he is seen more often and freely on Azura than many other gods, teaching master blacksmiths how to perfect their craft, or sending adventurers and warriors on great quests.
Vulcan is often depicted as a molten giant, with a long beard of magma from his face and horns from his head. Striking down on an anvil with a massive hammer, inside a forge in the heart of a volcano, crafting armaments fit for the Gods. Other depictions of Vulcan show him as a man in a great set of dark armor equipped with a massive warhammer, with reddish skin and orange hair. Signifying his domain over forging and quest-takers. When seen in Azura, records show him to be a senile man who is to be overlooked by many, or a dwarf blacksmith constructing the finest of steel money can buy.

Because Vulcan is a petty god, he has no major cult. On occasion blacksmiths and craftsmen who worship Vulcan will form small circles to cooperate towards a common goal. Vulcan is pleased by vigorous self-improvement, whether this be in smithing, moral standing, or skill in combat depends on the individual. Some forges and workshops serve a dual purpose as shrines to Vulcan, where those who seek his guidance will find it through hard labor.