Mortrim
Mortrim stands as the somber sentinel of dwarven spirituality, embodying the reverence that the dwarves hold for their ancestors and the inevitability of death. Unlike other ancestor gods in the Dwarven Pantheon, Mortrim is not a deity of light or grand celebrations but rather a quiet guardian of the tombs, the keeper of memories, and the bridge between the living and the dead. He represents the final journey every Dwarf must take and ensures that this journey remains undisturbed and dignified. His influence is felt in the stillness of ancient burial halls, the quiet moments of remembrance during funerals, and the comforting knowledge that the spirits of the departed rest securely under his vigilant watch. To the dwarves, Mortrim is both a protector and a wise custodian, one who guides them through the natural cycle of life and beyond.
Mortrim’s legend began not as a celestial figure but as a mortal shaman—one of the first dwarves to understand and practice Soul Magic, a powerful art allowing communication with the spirits of ancestors. He was respected for his wisdom, his gentle guidance of the lost, and his unyielding defense of dwarven traditions. The greatest trial of his mortal life came when Kusatta, a rogue shaman corrupted by dark desires, began twisting spirits into monstrous, enslaved entities to serve his hunger for power, a practice which became Dark Shamanism, the earliest form of Necromancy. Mortrim rallied his kin and eventually expelled Kusatta from ancient Meyland at the expense of his own life. This act of bravery—his willingness to sacrifice himself to protect the sanctity of dwarven souls—cemented Mortrim’s place among his people as a revered figure. After his death, his memory became a beacon, and he was deified as an ancestral god, watching over dwarven spirits as they transitioned to the afterlife.
The worship of Mortrim is an integral part of dwarven society, especially in times of loss and remembrance. He teaches that death is not an end but a necessary passage, a return to the stone from which all dwarves are shaped. His followers, particularly the Seneschals, serve as custodians of dwarven necropolises, ensuring that the sacred resting places of their ancestors are honored and protected. Mortrim's domain is not one of fear but of deep respect, where life is celebrated through the legacies left behind, and death is embraced as a solemn rite of passage. Under his vigilant eye, the dwarven dead rest undisturbed, their stories preserved in stone, their spirits guided safely into the afterlife.
Depiction
Mortrim is often depicted as an imposing figure draped in heavy, shadowed robes of deep grey or black, the fabric seeming almost woven from the shadows themselves. His attire is inscribed with runic symbols that faintly glow, marking his command over the Veil—the boundary between life and death. Beneath a heavy hood, his face remains obscured, with only his eyes visible. These eyes are depicted either as softly glowing silver or as fathomless voids, representing his piercing gaze that sees into both the realms of the living and the departed. Mortrim wields an Obsidian staff, its length intricately carved with the names of ancient, forgotten heroes. The staff serves as both a symbol of his authority and a beacon to guide lost souls toward peace. At times, Mortrim is portrayed with the Lantern of the Veil hanging from his staff, while in other depictions, he carries it in his left hand. The lantern’s cold blue flame—believed to be a spark from the Forge where souls are reforged—illuminates the path for wandering spirits, its light a symbol of hope amidst the shadows. A raven often perches on Mortrim's shoulder, a symbol of knowledge and the delicate transition between life and death. This familiar, with its sharp, watchful gaze, acts as an extension of Mortrim’s vigilance. Many dwarves believe that this raven embodies Rovin, the Raven Spirit of death from the Pantheon of the Wild—an ancient spirit rumored to share a close bond with Mortrim, perhaps an ally in his unending task of safeguarding the dead. Mortrim is typically portrayed amidst somber, shadowed settings—standing at the threshold of ancient crypts, within mist-cloaked forests, or beneath the looming arches of mausoleums.Tenets of Faith
Honor the Dead and Protect their Rest. Mortrim’s followers are charged with the sacred duty of protecting the resting places of their ancestors. The dead must be given their due respect, their graves and tombs undisturbed by those seeking wealth or power. To the dwarves, desecrating a dwarven burial site is one of the gravest sins, a transgression not only against the deceased but also against the entire clan. Seneschals, Mortrim’s priests, vigilantly oversee ancestral mausoleums, catacombs, and ossuaries, ensuring that these sacred places remain sanctified and secure. Followers believe that, through their vigilance, they honor Mortrim and strengthen the connection between the living and the legacy of the departed. Accept the Cycle of Life and Death. Mortrim teaches that death is not an end but a return—a necessary and honorable part of existence. His followers are encouraged to live their lives without fear of the inevitable, instead focusing on the legacy they will leave behind. The Gate of Mortality symbolizes the delicate boundary between the realms, and Mortrim's faithful respect it deeply. The manipulation of the dead without spiritual consent is considered an abhorrent violation of this boundary. Mortrim's followers actively oppose such practices, believing it is their sacred duty to ensure that the dead remain at rest and the sanctity of the afterlife is preserved. Listen to the Wisdom of the Ancestors. Mortrim’s followers are encouraged to draw upon the wisdom of their ancestors, seeking guidance in times of uncertainty. The Whispering Stones—ancient monuments within dwarven catacombs—are sacred places where the boundary between the realms of the living and the dead is thinnest. Here, the Seneschals—scribes devoted to Mortrim—conduct rituals to commune with the honored dead, asking for their counsel. The voices of past heroes are said to speak through the stones, and those who listen with reverence may learn invaluable lessons. To ignore the wisdom of those who came before is to forfeit the strength that comes from an unbroken lineage. Endure in Silence. Mortrim himself is a silent god, a figure of quiet endurance. His followers are taught that strength often lies not in boastful declarations but in steadfast action. Seneschals often take vows of silence as they etch the deeds of the dead into stone, creating a permanent record of their achievements. Silence is seen as a form of devotion, a way to reflect on the past and connect with the spirits who watch over the dwarven people. The tenet of silent endurance is a reminder that true power is not always loud and visible but often resides in the unseen, unwavering resolve to protect what is sacred.The Church of Mortrim
The Church of Mortrim is a central institution in dwarven society, alongside the Church of Duun, functioning as both the guardian of ancestral tradition and the spiritual custodian of the deceased. Unlike the grandiose temples and rituals dedicated to other ancestral gods, the Church of Mortrim is marked by its solemn simplicity and reverence for the natural cycle of life and death. It is composed of Seneschals—priests devoted to ensuring the sanctity of dwarven burial grounds and the smooth passage of spirits into the afterlife. These priests also serve as scribes who preserve the memories of the dead through intricate carvings and record-keeping. These servants of Mortrim are steadfast and grave, committed to upholding the honor of those who have passed beyond the Veil.The Duunhollow Catacombs
The church’s most prominent place of worship is the Duunhollow Catacombs, which lies beneath the Duunheart Cathedral. The Duunhollow Catacombs are the largest and most sacred burial grounds in Meyland, a sprawling subterranean necropolis that stretches far beneath the city of Duunhollow. The entrance to these catacombs lies beneath the Duunheart Cathedral, accessed through the Path of Remembrance, which descends into the depths of the mountain. These catacombs are a sacred place where generations of dwarves, from kings and warriors to artisans and scholars, are laid to rest. They represent the culmination of Mortrim's duty as the Silent Warden—a place where the spirits of the departed can find peace and their legacies endure. The catacombs are a maze of passages, chambers, and grand burial halls, each section dedicated to a different aspect of dwarven life. Elaborate stone sarcophagi and Ancestral Diamonds mark the resting places of the honored dead. These diamonds, forged from the ashes of legendary dwarves, serve as a symbol of their deeds in life and their continued presence within the community. The largest of these gems, called Clan Stones, are kept in the Hall of Ancestral Diamonds, a revered inner sanctum deep within the catacombs. This hall is a place of immense spiritual significance, where the greatest heroes of dwarven history are honored, and where only the High Veilkeeper may tread without invitation. Throughout the catacombs, Lanterns illuminate the darkness, their cold flames providing guidance for both the living and the dead. The presence of these lanterns is believed to keep restless spirits at peace and ward off those who would disturb the sanctity of the catacombs. Seneschals patrol these sacred halls, ensuring that no foul magic or intrusion threatens the balance that Mortrim guards. These guardians wield cold-iron weapons and carry lanterns themselves, using the sacred flames to dispel dark forces and purify any corruption they may encounter.Places of Worship and Rituals
In addition to the Duunheart Catacombs, smaller shrines dedicated to Mortrim are scattered throughout Meyland and other dwarven settlements. These shrines are typically found in the deeper halls of dwarven cities, close to where the dead are laid to rest. They are marked by simple stone altars, engraved with Runes symbolizing the Gate of Mortality, and adorned with a single lantern that burns continuously. These shrines serve as places where dwarves come to commune with their ancestors, seeking the guidance and wisdom of those who have passed. Seneschals often visit these shrines to perform rites of remembrance, particularly during times of community crisis or on the anniversaries of great battles. The Church of Mortrim also oversees the annual Silent Vigil, a sacred ritual in which Seneschals and the devoted descend into the Duunhollow Catacombs to renew their vows and honor the spirits of the dead. During this ceremony, they walk the length of the catacombs in complete silence, carrying lanterns filled with the flame of the Veil. This ritual serves as a solemn reminder of their sacred duty and reinforces the connection between the living and the dead. It is during this vigil that the Seneschals also update the records of the honored dead, carving new names into the Whispering Stones—ancient monuments that allow communion with the spirits of past heroes. For the dwarves of Duunhollow, the Duunhollow Catacombs are not just about death; they are about continuity, legacy, and respect for the eternal journey. Every dwarf knows that when their time comes, they will be welcomed into the sacred halls beneath Duunhollow, watched over by Mortrim and the unbroken line of their ancestors. It is this enduring belief that binds the dwarven community together, offering solace in the face of loss and a sense of purpose that transcends the mortal coil.
Portfolio
Dwarves, Death, the Afterlife, Graves, Spirits, Ancestry
Dwarves, Death, the Afterlife, Graves, Spirits, Ancestry
Divine Classification
Greater Ancestor God
Religions
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Species
Children
Gender
Male
Comments