Gorum
Gorum is a god of battle above all other pursuits; it is said that he would rust away into nothingness if there is ever a time with no more conflicts to be fought. Known as Our Lord in Iron, his faithful believe he is present in every iron weapon of war that is forged.
Gorum's presence was unknown in the earliest days of the world. His clergy claim he was formed from battle itself, a suit of iron armor standing alone on the battlefield once the dust had settled. His genesis is generally considered to have resulted from conflicts that erupted between orcs and humans following the former race's surge to the surface during the Age of Darkness. Warriors and knights have ever since claimed to see a vision of the god as they strike a killing blow or charge into battle. Gorum is considered the divine embodiment of martial prowess and glory on the battlefield.
According to ancient legend, the devil Alichino tasked the legendary hero Strada with the conquest of an invincible city. Strada sought the help of an oracle of Gorum and was given the thousand fangs of the dragon, Kathalphas. When Strada sowed the teeth into the ground outside the city as instructed, all the heroes the dragon had devoured sprang up into battle. Having frustrated the devil, Strada ruled the city for 90 years with the skeletal army as guard. Magical spartoi seeds that temporarily summon the skeletal undead warriors known as spartoloi have been created since in memory of this legend.
Gorum concerns himself with few matters outside of battle, and this attitude extends to include his relations with other deities. He sees little value in matters of diplomacy and politics, considering the pursuits of his divine peers as frivolous a best. The Lord in Iron is considered brash and impulsive; he takes what he wants, by force if necessary, and answers any direct opposition to his will with violence. His priests and followers tend to follow the god's example, which means that there are more ruthless and exploitative members of his faith than those who espouse altruism.
Divine Domains
- Chaos
- Destruction
- Glory
- Strength
- War
Holy Books & Codes
Gorum's church claims no holy text, but it does feature a set of seven holy poems called the Gorumskagat. A controversial text, the Myth in Iron, maintained by secluded priests in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings recording great and powerful accomplishments of Gorumites in the past, is seen as heretical by some.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Gorum's symbol is a sword in mountain
Tenets of Faith
- Attain victory in fair combat
- Push your limits
- Wear armor in combat
