Religion

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In terms of spirituality, the dwarves tend to enjoy liberty of belief. Most are devoted to the traditional Gods, but a few dwarves are xenotheistic, agnostic, pantheistic or atheistic in conviction, more prevalent in mountain realms than among the more isolated gnomes, and their rights of belief are supported by law. Most dwarves and gnomes also honor Khoshirezh, the Source of Consciousness, an interesting deity since it is not personified or even individuated, most comparable perhaps, to the idea of Buddha-consciousness.

 

Public religious festivals are held for all of the traditional gods and those with other beliefs are welcome to observe their faith in their homes or a group of such may hold a public ceremony or festival in a public place with prior approval from the people's council. Sharing or even preaching ones beliefs publicly is perfectly alright as long as it is positive and affirming of ones own beliefs and not negative about or disparaging of another's and no one is allowed to heckle them for it. Such, however, are not permitted to publicly speak ill of the traditional dwarven deities. Mountain dwarves tend to build grand temples to their gods, but usually also pray before iconic symbols in their homes. Gnomes do not build temples, but dedicate sanctuaries in the forest with rings of standing stones, and also pray in their homes.

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Listed here are the principal Gods of the dwarves with the names given in Kheled Mor's  Tultarezh. The corresponding Tulnomedh (gnomish) names are given in the section on that language.

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• Khoshirezh - Primal Consciousness in Gods, spirits, mortals, animals, vegetative life, and even matter and energy. The source of all creation and consciousness. Impersonal with a dynamically changing range of individuation or unity. Compares well with Buddha Consciousness. Deity of light, intelligence, poetry and music.

• Gronashek - The Hammer Wielder, God of Earth, Warrior, Judge, Avenger,  Craftsman (Smith or Carpenter), Carver, Giver of Language and the Runes. Foundation Builder. The most masculine of the Gods, exemplifying strength, reliability, and all aspects of honor.

• Ghorasheth - Lady of Flame, Goddess of Fire. Associated with all forms of love. Protector of Families. Can also be a Punisher with Gronashek of wrongdoing. Teacher of the material creative arts. The most feminine of the Goddesses.

• Yalashets - Deity of Water - genderless and hermaphroditic. A bit of a trickster, not unlike Norse Loki, but not so evil. More predictable than Vashek. Giver of speed, efficiency, adaptability and flexibility. In ice form, Yalashets is the darker more fearsome side of their nature.

• Vashek - Male Lord of Wind & Chaos, God of Air, Unpredictability and Aggression. The Spear Thrower - reference to lightning. The Destroyer.

• Golhasheth and Tsilasheth - Gentle twin sister Goddesses of growing things, Fungi or Plants and Trees respectively. Daughters of Yalashets and Gronashek. Benevolent teachers of agriculture. Givers of Abdundance.

• Kadorek - Lord of the Hunt, God of Animals - Son of Yelashets and Ghorasheth. Taught dwarves to hunt and be good stewards of nature. Lord of Wisdom and Discernment.

• Barashek and Marasheth - The Great Father and Great Mother, deified first-created dwarves. Co-created by all the elemental deities, beginning with Gronashek and given consciousness directly by Khoshirezh. The most prayed-to of the Gods.

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Lesser deities are considered additional children of one or more of these Gods. Only Yelashets is hermaphroditic and has some children without mating, but also has mothered children of Gods and fathered children by Goddesses.