Waterdhavian Festivals Dwarven

Daily

• x

Tendaily

• x

Monthly

• Deepstone Triad (New Moon, plus Days Before and After): Dumathoin. Holy days in which the moon is thought to be a gemstone hidden in the earth. Gems and jewelry are sacrificed during this time.
• Ringing the Anvil (Full or Crescent Moons): Moradin Soulforger. Holy rite in which the faithful enter the shrine, bowing to and ringing a hammer against the forge as they enter and surrender weapons (in times of peace). Clergy engage in humble, verbal prayer and in open, earnest discussion of dwarven problems and issues. Such discussions are assumed to be between equals, no matter the standing or even race of those present, save the ranking priest of Moradin. Ends in a rising chant of "The dwarves shall prevail, the dwarves shall endure, the dwarves shall grow!" which rises steadily in tempo and volume. As it does, the hammer on the largest anvil rises into the air by virtue of the god's power. It may glow, move about the room, or otherwise suggest messages from the god, but always ends by dropping back onto the anvil with a loud ringing, as though a powerful figure had smote the anvil with the hammer.
• Coin Day (Before and After a Full Moon): Vergadain. Worship festival conducted underground or in windowless rooms around a torch, brazier, or other flame. Consists of dancing in slow, stately shifting around the flame, wearing and displaying as much gold and other wealth as the dwarves possess. Each dwarf who worships the god throws at least one gold piece into the flame, where it is consumed utterly. The dance ends when the flames leap upward, a sign of acceptance. Lights are then lit and those gathered discuss business. Afterward, the priest passes his hand through the flame, which dwindles to nothing, and each dwarf present kisses a gold piece in a gesture of farewell.

Other

• Buying Grace (Once a Year): Abbathor. An enemy of the dwarven people is sacrificed upon the altar to Abbathor, and gems are sacrificed to the god, setting them upon the sacrifice, making sure they touch the blood. The value of the sacrifice is said to determine the amount of Abbathor's favor that will benefit the offerer. The sacrifice is then burnt to ashes, gems and all.
• The Splendarrsson (Major Subterranean Discoveries): Dumathoin. Called for when dwarf-folk discover a major new lode of ore, a lost subterranean treasure cache, or something of the sort. Celebrated by a sacrifice of gems and jewelry to Dumathoin.

Month of Hammer

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Midwinter (Festival)

• Days of the Reverend Mother: Berronar Truesilver. High holy days to Berronar, beginning with chanted prayer, followed by an address from the Keepers of the Truesilver, and ending in a responsive prayer led by a chosen priest (often a High Old One). Next comes a report of the good works and successes of the priesthood, and an identification of the failures and problems still to be overcome. Finally, any sick or injured dwarves are identified, and the clergy pray over them, often resulting in spontaneous healing for those involved.
• Rites of the Chancel Door: Gorm Gulthyn. Guardians of dwarf-folk gather for the rhythmic grounding of weapons and a responsively chanted prayer. Offerings to Gorm are weapons used, even broken, in the service of guardianship anointed with tears, sweat, and drops of blood of the dwarf making the offering. Silent vigils, muttered prayers, and answering visions from the god are often involved. At the height of the salute, if the ritual is performed in the chancel of one of Gorm's temples, the sacred door behind the altar may open by the god's will, presenting instructive images, scrolls or potions, weapons, pieces of armor, maps - a variety of blessings that tie to the kinds of protection Gorm's faithful will be called upon to provide in coming days.
• Rites of the Chancel Door: Gorm Gulthyn. Guardians of dwarf-folk gather for the rhythmic grounding of weapons and a responsively chanted prayer. Offerings to Gorm are weapons used, even broken, in the service of guardianship anointed with tears, sweat, and drops of blood of the dwarf making the offering. Silent vigils, muttered prayers, and answering visions from the god are often involved. At the height of the salute, if the ritual is performed in the chancel of one of Gorm's temples, the sacred door behind the altar may open by the god's will, presenting instructive images, scrolls or potions, weapons, pieces of armor, maps - a variety of blessings that tie to the kinds of protection Gorm's faithful will be called upon to provide in coming days.
• The Rooting: Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating the reforging of ties to the mountain homelands.

Month of Alturiak

• The Rebirth (Alturiak 9th): Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating the reemergence of dwarven wanderers from their mountain fastnesses.

Month of Ches

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Month of Tarsakh

• x

Greengrass (Festival)

• Single Candle Convocation: Dugmaren Brightmantle. After early periods of meditation over single lit candles, scholars, sages, and other learned folk gather to discuss scholarly investigations and advancements, defending learned stances with research conducted in the previous year.
• Rites of the Chancel Door: Gorm Gulthyn. Guardians of dwarf-folk gather for the rhythmic grounding of weapons and a responsively chanted prayer. Offerings to Gorm are weapons used, even broken, in the service of guardianship anointed with tears, sweat, and drops of blood of the dwarf making the offering. Silent vigils, muttered prayers, and answering visions from the god are often involved. At the height of the salute, if the ritual is performed in the chancel of one of Gorm's temples, the sacred door behind the altar may open by the god's will, presenting instructive images, scrolls or potions, weapons, pieces of armor, maps - a variety of blessings that tie to the kinds of protection Gorm's faithful will be called upon to provide in coming days.
• Time of the Spawning: Haela Brightaxe. Grim ceremonies of preparation for the next wave of orcs and other monsters that pour forth from occupied ancestral dwarven lands. Includes endless choruses of battle hymns, rhythmic chanting to the beat of war drums, and the ritual shattering of weapons and armor seized from enemies.
• The Wind: Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating new discoveries.
• Coin Day (Before and After a Full Moon): Vergadain. Worship festival conducted underground or in windowless rooms around a torch, brazier, or other flame. Consists of dancing in slow, stately shifting around the flame, wearing and displaying as much gold and other wealth as the dwarves possess. Each dwarf who worships the god throws at least one gold piece into the flame, where it is consumed utterly. The dance ends when the flames leap upward, a sign of acceptance. Lights are then lit and those gathered discuss business. Afterward, the priest passes his hand through the flame, which dwindles to nothing, and each dwarf present kisses a gold piece in a gesture of farewell.

Month of Mirtul

• The Wayfaring (Mirtul 9th): Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating extended sojourns into the homelands of other races.

Month of Kythorn

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Month of Flamerule

• x

Midsummer (Festival)

• Days of the Reverend Mother: Berronar Truesilver. High holy days to Berronar, beginning with chanted prayer, followed by an address from the Keepers of the Truesilver, and ending in a responsive prayer led by a chosen priest (often a High Old One). Next comes a report of the good works and successes of the priesthood, and an identification of the failures and problems still to be overcome. Finally, any sick or injured dwarves are identified, and the clergy pray over them, often resulting in spontaneous healing for those involved.
• Rites of the Chancel Door: Gorm Gulthyn. Guardians of dwarf-folk gather for the rhythmic grounding of weapons and a responsively chanted prayer. Offerings to Gorm are weapons used, even broken, in the service of guardianship anointed with tears, sweat, and drops of blood of the dwarf making the offering. Silent vigils, muttered prayers, and answering visions from the god are often involved. At the height of the salute, if the ritual is performed in the chancel of one of Gorm's temples, the sacred door behind the altar may open by the god's will, presenting instructive images, scrolls or potions, weapons, pieces of armor, maps - a variety of blessings that tie to the kinds of protection Gorm's faithful will be called upon to provide in coming days.
• The Axe Held High: Haela Brightaxe. A joyous day of celebrating Haela's defense of the dwarven-folk with midday ceremonies held outside in the sun. Followers hold that an unsheathed sword appears momentarily at the center of the solar orb at high noon, and those who see it receive special blessings for twenty-four hours.
• The Hammer: Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating dwarven craftsmanship and creativity.

Shieldmeet (Once every 4 years)

• The Shepherding: Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating dwarven wanderers and the introduction of the hidden things of the world to their human and demihuman neighbors, per the faith of Marthammor.

Month of Eleasias

• The Anvil (Eleasias 9th): Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating dwarven craftsmanship and creativity.

Month of Eleint

• x

High Harvesttide (Festival)

• Single Candle Convocation: Dugmaren Brightmantle. After early periods of meditation over single lit candles, scholars, sages, and other learned folk gather to discuss scholarly investigations and advancements, defending learned stances with research conducted in the previous year.
• Rites of the Chancel Door: Gorm Gulthyn. Guardians of dwarf-folk gather for the rhythmic grounding of weapons and a responsively chanted prayer. Offerings to Gorm are weapons used, even broken, in the service of guardianship anointed with tears, sweat, and drops of blood of the dwarf making the offering. Silent vigils, muttered prayers, and answering visions from the god are often involved. At the height of the salute, if the ritual is performed in the chancel of one of Gorm's temples, the sacred door behind the altar may open by the god's will, presenting instructive images, scrolls or potions, weapons, pieces of armor, maps - a variety of blessings that tie to the kinds of protection Gorm's faithful will be called upon to provide in coming days.
• The Thunderbolt: Marthammor Duin. Holy day on which the faithful pray for guidance in any upcoming battles of the Stout Folk.

Month of Marpenoth

• The Fulmination (Marpenoth 9th): Marthammor Duin. Holy day in which the faithful pray for guidance in any upcoming battles of the Stout Folk.

Month of Uktar

• x

Feast of the Moon (Festival)

• Rites of the Chancel Door: Gorm Gulthyn. Guardians of dwarf-folk gather for the rhythmic grounding of weapons and a responsively chanted prayer. Offerings to Gorm are weapons used, even broken, in the service of guardianship anointed with tears, sweat, and drops of blood of the dwarf making the offering. Silent vigils, muttered prayers, and answering visions from the god are often involved. At the height of the salute, if the ritual is performed in the chancel of one of Gorm's temples, the sacred door behind the altar may open by the god's will, presenting instructive images, scrolls or potions, weapons, pieces of armor, maps - a variety of blessings that tie to the kinds of protection Gorm's faithful will be called upon to provide in coming days.
• Commemoration of the Fallen: Haela Brightaxe. Gathering celebrating those who have fallen, with much drinking and recounting of their battles - particularly their final ones. Armor and weapons are consecrated in their memory, and brand new armor and weapons blessed during this are thought to hold up with the bravery of those who have fallen.
• The Beacon: Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating the path revealed by Marthammor Duin and the knowledge learned by interacting with other cultures.

Month of Nightal

• The Runestone (Nightal 9th): Marthammor Duin. Holy day celebrating the path revealed by Marthammor Duin and the knowledge learned by interacting with other cultures.