Dwarven Ancestor Worship

The Dwarven do not worship deities, they do not have gods like other races do. Dwarven religion is Ancestor Worship, where they pay respect and venerate those Dwarven that came before.
The Dwarven religion is open to all, being spread across Xanthiri by dwarven trade. Even those who do not closely follow the religion still know of at least a few spirits and customs.

Mythology & Lore

While dwarves do not worship deities and have no deity creation myths, there are still many stories and beliefs associated with ancestor worship.

The Mothers

The most venerated, common ancestors shared by all Dwarven are the Mothers. Dwarven Mothers as as close to venerating deities as it gets, but they are never viewed as such. They are the literal creators of the four realms, who have taken the form of various landmarks. These land forms also serve as Kato Ina.

• Mothers of Akasa: The dwarven who created Akasa, the tallest mountain in all of Emryne, in the north.

• Mothers of Vinza: Dwarven who created the volcano, Mt. Vinza, in the west.

• Mothers of Kito: Dwarven who created the various Kito islands in the south.

• Mothers of Halaman: Dwarven who created the fertile land that the great Halaman forest grows in the east.

Kato Ina

An important monument in a dwarven community, a Kato Ina is the center and "mother" of a town, city, or even country in the case of the Mothers. It can be a wide variety of objects, but they all house the spirits of the ancestor who created and shaped that land or founded a village. Defiling one is one of the worst crimes in dwarven society.

• Stone Kato Ina: Rocks, crystals, mountains, stone statues

• Soil Kato Ina: Trees, shrubs, forests

• Sand Kato Ina: Statues, islands, spring well

• Ash Kato Ina: Coal, hearths, pyres

Reincarnation

When a Dwarven dies, their soul is returned to the earth. Their spirits help to ensure the flow of magic between the earth and the aether. This is considered the reason behind things such as stones and crystals having magical abilities. It is considered a natural part of the dwarven life cycle.
For the dwarven to be born flesh again, the soul must be released from the earth. This happens in a variety of ways, from cutting down a tree, a rock fracturing, or an earthquake.
However, it is possible for dwarven souls to fade away. It is believed that if they are not remembered in life as a person, they will forget about ever being dwarven. Eventually their consciousnesses will fade and be permanently interwoven with the earth's energy. To avoid this, dwarven keep expansive recordings and give frequent offerings.

The Stars

The study of astronomy is very important in dwarven culture. They were once a primarily nomadic people, and some pockets of dwarven still are.
It is believed that a lost, traveling clan of ancient dwarven came across an injured bird. They nursed it back to health, when it revealed itself to be a powerful spirit. It saw the kindness of the dwarven people, and as a sign of thanks, placed their glittering jewels into the sky as a map. From then on, the dwarven never lost their way.

Spirits

The dwarven regard spirits as kin in a way. After all, many spirits are responsible for protecting the earth and many have assisted the dwarven. The dwarven work daily with spirits, be it in small superstitions or in large ceremonies. They ask for small blessings and little favors frequently.

Worship

Offerings

Offerings are frequently given at Kato Ina to their ancestors. They believe that even part of the earth, they still enjoy such pleasures. To be remembered is to ensure that spirits can be reincarnated.
The most popular form of offerings is food. It is a common earthly pleasure that all dwarven enjoy, that is most easily received into the earth as it decomposes.

Renewal Day

This practice of spring cleaning takes place on Month of Seeds, Day Five. Ceremonies to protect a villages' water supply are done on this day. Homes are given a thorough cleaning with blessings. Discarded items are disposed of in a special fire.

Feast of Ancestors

This holiday takes place on Month of Sun, Day Ten. A large feast is prepared by the whole community in honor of the ancestors, a plate for which is left out for them at the Kato Ina and is not eaten. Preparation can start weeks before the actual feast.

Marriage

Marriage traditions play a role in their ancestor worship and reincarnation beliefs.
It is a huge festivity for the entire community, where everyone chips in to create a large feast and celebration. This is in stark contrast to other religions, where the preparation is mostly headed by the families and religious heads involved. Also unlike other cultures, the dwarven welcome strangers to take part. One does not need to know the newly weds to celebrate with them
The ceremony takes place at the base of a community's Kato Ina. The bride and groom's hands and wrists are bound together in a specially woven cloth. This symbolized their union, ensuring that they will return to the earth together as one and be reunited if they are reincarnated.

Priesthood

There is not any official clergy in dwarven religion. To be a shaman or elder, a leader in dwarven communities, one must be apprenticed by a current shaman or elder. The knowledge they pass down about ancestors, rituals, and spirits is invaluable. Because there is no organization, their knowledge can vary from region to region.

Type

Religious, Other