Monvesian Culture: Dwarf-Kin Religion

The dwarf-kin--dwarves, gnomes, and neanderthals--venerate a pantheon of ascended beings called the Paragons.  Though they ascend through the same process as the human saints, they are far older.  Free from the oppression of the HMDJVNW, ancient proto-dwarves were able to learn of the paths to immortality much earlier than humankind.

Though they interact with the Paragons differently, all three dwarf-kin races recognize them as the eldest of their kind.  Eight paragons are universally recognized by all three races--these are the paragons presented in "Priests of Monvesia." They are known by their dwarven names, which is the eldest of the dwarf-kin languages.  The variation in epithets demonstrate how the culture of each race compares to those of its kin:  caste dwarves, traveler gnomes, and nomadic neanderthals.

• Materialist Paragons
• Mosamartle
• the Magistrate [dwarf high caste]
• the Lawgiver [gnomes & neanderthals]
• Meomari
• the Warrior [dwarf High Caste]
• the Defender [gnomes & neanderthals]
• Khelosani
• the Artisan [dwarf Middle Caste & gnomes]
• the Smith [neanderthals]
• Meshakhte
• the Miner [dwarf Low Caste & gnomes]
• the Mason [neanderthals]
• Idealist Paragons
• Mekare
• the Archivist [dwarf Middle Caste]
• the Storyteller [gnomes and neanderthals]
• Vachari
• the Merchant [dwarf Middle Caste & gnomes]
• the Trader [neanderthals]
• Vitalist Paragons
• Msakhuri
• the Servant [dwarf Low Caste]
• the Homemaker [gnomes]
• the Fire-Tender [neanderthals]
• Vaeltava
• the Casteless [Casteless dwarves]
• the Wanderer [gnomes]
• the Scout [neanderthals]

Dwarves of Prace and Henjal

As the world expands, the way the established races interact with must change.  Humans and goliaths are not the only race to migrate. Elves and dwarves can be found on other continents as well.

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Language Analog: Georgian
Inspiration: Dwarves in the Dragon Age franchise, Oriental Adventures
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Tainted Counterpart: Hobgoblin
Temperamental Association: Materialist

Male Names: Amiran, Anzor, Archil, Avtandil, Bidzina, Givi, Gocha, Gurgen, Imeda, Malkhaz, Mamuka, Okropir, Otar, Revaz, Tornike, Vakhtang, Vazha, Vepkhia, Zviad

Female Names: Bedisa, Darejan, Endzela, Eteri, Gulisa, Khatuna, Lali, Makvala, Manana, Mzia, Nana, Natela, Nestan, Rusudan, Tinatin, Tsisana, Tsiuri, Vardo

From left to right: Crown Dwarf ("Duergar"), Pracian Dwarf,
and Fuhonese Dwarf ("Korobokuru")