Moradin
Encyclopedia
Moradin is the chief deity
in the dwarven
pantheon in the Dungeons & Dragons
game and is a member of the default D&D pantheon. Moradin's domains are Creation, Earth, Good, Law, and Protection. His titles include Soul Forger, Dwarffather, the All-Father, and the Creator. He created the first dwarves out of earthen materials and tutored them in dwarven ways.
in Dwarves Deep (1990).
Moradin was detailed in the book Monster Mythology
(1992), including details about his priesthood.
His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).
Moradin received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).
Moradin is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Moradin is detailed in Deities and Demigods (2002), and his role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
(2002).
(2004).
and Maglubiyet
among his most fierce foes. He is friendly with Pelor
.
In many campaign setting
s, the dwarven pantheon of gods consists of the leader Moradin, as well as Abbathor
, Berronar Truesilver
, Clanggedin Silverbeard
, Dugmaren Brightmantle
, Dumathoin
, Muamman Duathal
, and Vergadain
. Other dwarven gods may be present in different campaign settings.
, which he shares with his wife Berronar.
The order is dedicated to the defense of existing dwarven holdings and the carving out of new dwarven territories. Individual chapters have a great deal of local autonomy but, in times of great crisis, a Grand Council (the reigning monarchs and senior Hammers of the affected region) assemble to plot strategy and divine Moradin's will.
Another elite military order of Moradin is the Order of the Anvil of Light. Its leader is Barock Stormbeard of the Stormbeard clan, who has led this group for ages, it seems. The group's latest information is having to deal with a deity trying to return to the Material Plane.
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
in the dwarven
Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
pantheon in the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
game and is a member of the default D&D pantheon. Moradin's domains are Creation, Earth, Good, Law, and Protection. His titles include Soul Forger, Dwarffather, the All-Father, and the Creator. He created the first dwarves out of earthen materials and tutored them in dwarven ways.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
Moradin was created by James M. Ward for the Deities and Demigods Cyclopedia (1980).Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
Moradin was first detailed as part of the dwarven pantheon in the Forgotten RealmsForgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
in Dwarves Deep (1990).
Moradin was detailed in the book Monster Mythology
Monster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
(1992), including details about his priesthood.
His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).
Moradin received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).
Moradin is described as one of the good deities that celestials
Celestial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, celestials are a class of creatures and monsters known as outsiders who are of wholly good alignment....
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
Moradin appears as one of the deities described in the Players Handbook for this edition (2000).Moradin is detailed in Deities and Demigods (2002), and his role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons is a campaign accessory for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons, for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.-Contents:...
(2002).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
Moradin appears in the revised Players Handbook for this edition (2003). His priesthood is detailed for this edition in Complete DivineComplete Divine
Complete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
(2004).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
Moradin appears as one of the deities described in the Players Handbook for this edition (2008). A setting-specific version of him appears in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide and the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide (both 2008) for this edition.Relationships
Moradin is the head of the dwarven pantheon. He is married to Berronar Truesilver, and counts GruumshGruumsh
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Gruumsh, also known as Gruumsh One-Eye, is the patron deity of orcs, who regard him as the god of Conquest, Survival, Strength, and Territory. He is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon of deities...
and Maglubiyet
Maglubiyet
Maglubiyet is the god of goblins and hobgoblins in the fictional setting of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. He was first described in the Nonhuman Deities chapter in the first edition of Deities and Demigods, by James Ward and Robert Kuntz published by TSR, Inc. in 1980...
among his most fierce foes. He is friendly with Pelor
Pelor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Pelor is the god of the Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing. Pelor is also a prominent member of the third edition of the game's default pantheon, and is a popular choice among player character clerics because he...
.
In many campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
s, the dwarven pantheon of gods consists of the leader Moradin, as well as Abbathor
Abbathor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Abbathor is the dwarven deity of greed. His holy symbol is a jeweled dagger.-Publication history:...
, Berronar Truesilver
Berronar Truesilver
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Berronar Truesilver is the dwarf goddess of Safety, Truth, Home, and Healing.-Publication history:...
, Clanggedin Silverbeard
Clanggedin Silverbeard
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Clanggedin Silverbeard is the dwarf deity of battle. He is a member of the dwarven pantheon. He is called the Father of Battle, and his area of influence is war, especially as a way of life...
, Dugmaren Brightmantle
Dugmaren Brightmantle
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Dugmaren Brightmantle is the dwarf deity of scholarship, discovery, and invention...
, Dumathoin
Dumathoin
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Dumathoin is the patron of mountain dwarves, and the dwarf deity of mining and underground exploration. He is also the protector of the dwarven dead. His holy symbol is a cut, faceted gem inside of a mountain.-Publication...
, Muamman Duathal
Muamman Duathal
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Muamman Duathal is the dwarf deity of wanderers and expatriates. He is also the dwarven god of lightning, which he uses as an omen...
, and Vergadain
Vergadain
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Vergadain is the dwarf deity of Wealth and Luck. Vergadain's titles "the Trickster" and "the Laughing Dwarf" are not used by his worshippers. His holy symbol is a circular gold coin. These coins must be acquired in payment for...
. Other dwarven gods may be present in different campaign settings.
Realm
Moradin's realm is Erackinor, on the plane of Mount CelestiaMount Celestia
In Dungeons & Dragons, the fantasy role-playing game, Mount Celestia or more fully, the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, or even the Seven Heavens is a lawful good-aligned plane of existence...
, which he shares with his wife Berronar.
Worshippers
Moradin charges his followers with the task of removing the kingdoms of orcs and wiping out the followers of Gruumsh. He is upset if they flee from their foes or kill their fellow dwarves.Clergy
Moradin's clerics wear earthy colors, with chain mail and silvered helms. His clerics are usually drawn from family lines, like most dwarven occupations.Hammers of Moradin
The Hammers of Moradin are an elite military order dominated by crusaders and fighting clerics with chapters in nearly every dwarven stronghold and members drawn from every dwarven clan. The Hammers serve both as commanders of dwarven armies and as an elite strike force skilled in dealing with anything from large groups of orcs to great wyrms to malevolent fiends from the Lower Planes.The order is dedicated to the defense of existing dwarven holdings and the carving out of new dwarven territories. Individual chapters have a great deal of local autonomy but, in times of great crisis, a Grand Council (the reigning monarchs and senior Hammers of the affected region) assemble to plot strategy and divine Moradin's will.
Another elite military order of Moradin is the Order of the Anvil of Light. Its leader is Barock Stormbeard of the Stormbeard clan, who has led this group for ages, it seems. The group's latest information is having to deal with a deity trying to return to the Material Plane.
Temples and rituals
Moradin is worshipped at forges and hearths. Melted metals are sacrificed to him monthly.Additional reading
- Races of Stone
- Dragon magazine #283 - "Do-It-Yourself Deities"
- Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"
- Dragon magazine #58 - "The Gods of the Dwarves"