Crafters of Old II

Those Skilled with the Hammer and Anvil

Fantasy equal: Moradin

Each of the races of fantasy realms excel at using a particular set of weapons and possibly a particular type of armour as well. The Elves, for example are formidable archers and aren’t too shabby with a long blade either. Therefore should you be in search of a quality bow, the master craftsmen you should seek out would be that of the Elven kin.

So yes, horsemen have mastered the crafting of spears, wizards the enchanting of staffs, but which race is truly the masters of the forge? The answer is the Dwarves. The pride of Dwarves originates from the length of their beards, their prowess in battle, but most of all from the great halls they build and the armour and weaponry they create.

The quality of an item is not only subject to the skill of its crafter, but to the materials used as well. Since the Dwarves dwell in great mines deep within the rocky crust of the earth, they are able to yield some of the greatest metals used for armour and weapons. Precious rocks and crystals they mine are used for enchanting purposes as well as the crafting of magical rings and amulets.

The fantasy connection for Craftsmen of Old II is Moradin, the Creator God of the Dwarves of the Forgotten Realms. He is the chief deity of the Dwarven pantheon and like all good fathers he is always inspiring his kin. He improves the race of Dwarves by encouraging prosperity, good nature and stimulating smithing, mining and Dwarven engineering.

Moradin is held by many Dwarven creation myths to have been incarnated from rock, stone, and metal, with his soul eternally present in the form of fire. That same fire fuelled the forge in which Moradin created the Stout Folk (Dwarves) and, in some myths, Moradin breathes fire over the first dwarves to bring them to life.

The building I work at is undergoing renovations. I’ve spent several moments watching the builders outside constructing a wall. The whole process of erecting a wall is no easy task. Laying down the foundation, the stacking of bricks, plastering; it all requires skill. I can’t help to wonder why these guys are paid so little here in South Africa. They all have tattered clothing (not so much due to the work they do, but more from poverty I’d say) and equipment. Builders (those who actually do the hard labour and not the lazy foremen) and all other kinds of craftsmen are very unappreciated, in my opinion. So craftsmen all over the world, this collection is dedicated to you and the great objects and constructs you have produced with your blood, sweat and tears....

"Moradin (MOAR-uh-din) is the creator god of the dwarven race and leader of the Morndinsamman. He is said to have created all dwarves, forging them from metals and gems in the fires that lie at the "heart of the world," and breathing life-the first dwarven souls-into the cooling forms. All dwarves appease Moradin, even if they do not wholeheartedly support him. Lawful good dwarves support and work openly to serve the Soul Forger, even if they also worship another deity. His name is invoked by dwarves involved in smithwork or craftsmanship of any sort, and they give him homage by doing their best work and seeking to emulate his stonework and craftsmanship. Moradin is said to inspire dwarven inventions and seeks constantly to improve the race-increasing dwarven good nature, intelligence, and ability to exist in harmony with other living things. At the same time, he battles the pride and isolationist tendencies that occur naturally in his elite creations."
http://www.nj-pbem.com/data/Gods/dwarvengods/Moradin.htm