Khelerate

Those deities forged or elevated from their mortal status to guide and instruct the people of the stone.

Mythology & Lore

When the people were first forged from the stone near the beginning of the world they encountered a harsh land. Food was scarce under the mountain and safe locations hard to find and protect.
The people cried to the creator for help and they were heard, but they heard nothing in return.
The bravest among them demanded help from the creator and they were heard, but they heard nothing in return.
The strongest among them offered what little food they had as an offering and they were heard, but they heard nothing in return.
Then the wisest among them went away and crafted the first tools of out stone. These they presented as an offering and asked that they be taught how to better help themselves. They were heard, and the creator answered.

— Opening from The beginning of Crafting

Early on in our peoples' history, back when we did not know how to work metal or even the concept of growing food, life was extremely hard. Staying in one place for long was impossible as what food could be gathered soon ran out, so the tribes of the people were constantly on the move. The stone above and below protected the people from the predators of the surface and sky but there were still some that prowled the tunnels.

The First Teacher

The people begged for help from the createor but of all the creators, the Soulforger is perhaps the most unlikely to help those who do not first help themselves. Success is the reward for effort and while a helping hand may be given, it only comes when the work is already underway. Many turned away from the creator, wrongly believing that they had been abandoned, but one group stayed true and tried to improve their own situation. Seeing their hard work, and pleased with their efforts, our creator took up his hammer to forge the first of the great teachers.
From water and soil the creator shaped a body into which he placed a heart of truest stone. With his own essence our creator gave it life, a name, and purpose. Magragan of the bountiful cave, the one who taught our ancestors to farm.
With Magragan's guidance our ancestors prospered as they no longer needed to travel in order to find food, but a new threat soon appeared. The goblins, small of stature and mind, driven by their vile deity came to attack the peaceful clans.

Flames of Wrath

The clans were unable to resist this unprecedented onslaught and many were killed or driven from their homes. The conflict was not limited to mortals for the evil being which inspired the goblins was also attacking our creator, aiding by it's fiendish allies.

With Magragan occupied with trying to find a way our people could keep themselves fed after losing too many caves our creator was left to face the foes alone. The intense struggle between powers so much greater than we can comprend blasted apart mountains and split seas. Almost overwhelmed by the sheer number of fiends our creator reached deep into the ground to the burning rock that lies below. Channelling a full measure of rage our creator shaped another being from the molten rock, Dawagin the Burning Wrath.

Some believe that misunderstood stories about Dawagin may have been the source for the myth about the Blazing Worms.

Dawagin burst from the ground, laying waste to the fiends assailing our creator. The flames of Dawagin's rage lit a similar fire in our peoples' hearts. Withis fire driving them they drove out the goblins and restored the lost caverns.

The Crystal Mind

Though the battle was done, Dawagin's fire continued to burn in the hearts of our people, as it still does to this day. Heeding the burning desire to hunt down and slay the goblins led many of our people to their deaths. Those who felt the call of Magragan more strongly called for an end to the conflict but this only led to a rift between the two great powers.
Seeing the divide between the two who were meant to guide our people the creator resolved to make a third being to act as a mediator. Takimg a multitude of gems and crystals from the stone, the creator fused and shaped them into a multi-faceted mind.
The perfect strength of diamond became an enduring store for memory. The cold blue of sapphire shone the light of reason on any problrm, while red-tinged ruby allowed for an understanding of emotion while never being affected by it. All these and more were linked together with hueless quartz.
After placing this in a body with a heart of obsidian the creator poured in a measure of wisdom and named it Iremegar, the crystal clarity. Iremagar was tasked with balancing the drives of the other two and quenching the flames of Dawagin when they were not needed.

Belt of the Brewer

The next to join the Khelerate was not directly made by the creator. It was a mortal, Arathak son of Dougan. It may be hard to imagine now but before Arathak there was nothing like the ale which we take for granted today. Arathak developed the first process for brewing an ale out of the mushrooms that grow in our caves, providing not only an enjoyable drink but also a way of making use of impure water.
Seeing both the benefits of Arathak's product and the potential for further development, our creator fashioned a belt for Arathak. This belt, woven from golden wires, carried a portion of our creator's power and perhaps more importantly an equal measure of the passion to invent and try new things. The belt allowed Arathak to join the Khelerate as a subordinate of Magragan.

Cogs and Springs

As smithing techniques improved the scope of what could be achieved with metal also expanded. The most notable of the new skllls developed was of course clockwork. That a skilled crafter could now achieve some of the same effects as a spellcaster made even our creator take notice. There was clearly a need for a new member of the Khelerate to help guide the expansion of this incredible new technology so at the behest of the Khelerate the Voices of Wisdom began a search for the most skilled in this new discipline.
With our creators guidance the Voices were led to Rustin 'Rusty' McDermont. Rather than working on gears or the intricacies of mechanisms Rustin specialised in the springs.and pendulums that helped drive and limit the power of clockwork. At the creator's command Rustin agreed to become responsible for driving the development of clockwork as Rustin, the Eternal Spring.

Worship

You may have noticed that there is a lack of temples or shrines for the members of the Khelerate. Do not mistake this for there being a lack of respect for them. Though we may come together to honour our creator in certain ceremonies this is far from the best way of showing our respect and loyalty. What our creator demands is that we show our devotion through how we act and in the things we create, and this approach has been passed on to the Khelerate.

Magragan

As the one who presides over water and growing things, small altars and carvings dedicated to Magragan can most often be found in the caves devoted to growing crops or the Poudin pens. Magragan's embvlem can also be found on the pumps which supply water throughout Khezdur.
Prayers are offered to Magragan by those working the mushroom caves and by the herders. Amongst the more traditional families it is also considered good manners to offer thanks to Magragan before partaking of a meal.
With food being regularly imported to Khezdur Magragan has fallen somewhat out of favour at present. This has happened several times before, but the people come back to Magragan each time food grows scarce or the outside world becomes inaccessible.

Dawagin

Emblems to Dawagin can be found in most military establishments and more than a few soldiers have tattoos featuring Dawagin's symbol. What might be termed prayers (really curses against our enemies) are roared to Dawagin before or during a fight, especially against the loathsome goblins. Batleds and squeds frequently find that they have to restrain their soldiers from honouring Dawagin too much during fights with goblins.
Some weaponsmiths also favour including Dawagin's emblem on their creations. Every blow with such a weapon honour's Dawagin though it can cause the wielder's fire to burn too hot.

Iremegar

Iremegar's emblem can also be found in many military establishments, usually in the commander's study or in a war planning room. Though most will never see it there is a small shrine dedicated to Iremegar in the Hall of Echoes where the Voices of Wisdom go to pray for guidance.
Many struggle to see how Iremegar influences their lives, not realising that everytime they exercise patience or resist the urges that come from Dawagin they are honouring Iremegar.

Arathak

Many would claim that drinking ale is how you honour Arathak, but would it surprise you to learn that this isn't true. Arathak's favourite drink is in fact whiskey, whose creation he helped inspire. That aside Arathak oversees all forms of brewing and distilling, and only the very foolish fail to offer a prayer while they are crafting their beverages. Believe me you can taste the difference when they don't.

Arathak also oversees the medicinal arts as several of the techniques used to create medicines were developed off the back of distilling techniques. As such halls of healing and apothecaries usually have Arathak's emblem displayed.

MCARBECKS
Despite their well known fondness for strong drink followers of the McArbeck Way do not follow Arathak, instead they favour Iremegar.

Rustin

While those who honour Rustin can be found anywhere complex mechanisms are made, most of the Rustys are found in Ironhammer halls. The master clockmakers there all proudly display Rustin's emblem on their signs and many of them offer prayers before and after their work each day. Some even go so far as to wear replicas of the puzzle ring that was given to Rustin by the creator.

Priesthood

Although most of our kin do not revere just a single member of the Khelerate there are a few who dedicate their lives to spreading the word of just one. Though dedicated to one of the Khelerate those who follow this path are trained and supported by the creator's clerics and supervised by the Voices of Wisdom.
Occasionally one will appear that claims to represent one of the Khelerate without being linked to the formal structure of the creator's faithful, but these tend to be frauds seeking to lure people away from the true teachings, or just trying to make a quick coin.

Forging The Future

Type

Religious, Pantheon

Related Species

• Dwarf

Power vs Understanding

While creator deities have great power and an incredibly broad perception, they do not always comprehend (or care about) the day to day minutia that is so important to mortals. The wiser and more caring ones, like our own creator, address this by creating aspects or intermediary that have less power but are able to focus on the detail of one aspect of life. The aspects lesser powers also make it easier for the aspects to interact with and aid us without accidentally flattening a mountain.

Different Directions

Apart from when our people are directly threatened the Khelerate do not always try to guide us in the same direction. Each member has their own priorities, their own mission from the creator, which they want to fulfill. These conflicts are reflected in our own society with crafters, famers, and soldiers rarely able to fully agree on matters. These conflicts between the Khelerate and our own people are all part of the creator's design, since if we were all of one mind there would be a limit to our creativity.

Magrannor

You may have noticed the similarity between the name of one of the Khelerate and that of Clan Magrannor. This is no accident. The Magrannors took their name as servant's of Magragan and it was thanks to Magragan's guidance that they found the lake which supports Crystal Spires and the rest of Khezdur.

Borry

Although not a member of the Khelerate Borry frequently features in the prayers of the faithful. As our advocate in Merial's Halls of Determining Borry makes sure that none of our peoples' souls are unfairly claimed by a dark power.

Greatest reward

While being granted the right to create something durimg the Blessed Crafting ritual is the highest honour someone can realistically aspire to, the ascension of Rustin and Arathak shows that the very best might attain even more. It is impossible to predict if there will be further members of Khelerate as it will take something truly extraordinary to catch our creators attention.

Distrust and dislike

Khelerate

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Ilma Olie

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