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]

Index of Higher Beings in Monvesia

Higher beings of Monvesia include:  ascended beings (saints, paragons, and patriarchs of the various races), archdaemons, aeons, and genie lords. Though described in more detail in other posts, there are listed here for quick reference.  All of the beings listed below share a particular trait:  they are available as patrons/sponsors for ascension.

The entries below follow the following format:

Name (T), Alias(es).  Description.  Epithet(s).  Planar home.

Names are listed with the oldest name first; alternate names include secondary entries referencing the main entry.  (T) is temperament, using their initials as an abbreviation:  Altruism, Materialism, Dynamism, Idealism, Vitalism, Nihulism, and even Universalism.

The "cannonical" order of temperement is therefore:  AMDIVNU.  That the Great Old Ones of Monvesia are called HMDJVNW ("Am-DIV-New") is no coincidence--for the Old Ones are a corruption of the temperamants, representing zealotry, obsession, and madness.