Speakers of the All Father

Lands: The Dwardok Mountains

Races: Dwarf (Hill, Mountain), Gnome (Rock)

While the Ap’Dwardok (Hill Dwarves) of the Border Kingdoms were largely wiped out in an ancient war with the forces of the Pact Primeval, the Dur’Dwardok (Mountain Dwarves) still maintain their holds in the high peaks and far corners of the world.  Their Speakers are the keepers of this history and faith.

There are three pillars of the faith of the Dwardok People.  The first is that of the All-Father, and administered to by priests who obtain miracles directly from him.  The second is the blood of the All-Father, which manifests in the ability to command might tempests with sorcery (and is, in these days, exceedingly rare).  Finally, there are the Storm Heralds, mighty warriors who have been bless through their faith in the All-Father to defend their people.

History

For thousands of years, the Speakers of the All-Father have served the clans of the Dwardok people faithful.  However, the constant battles against the Pact Primeval, as the Ap’Dwardok sought to expand their empire (and eventually failed) signaled the decline of the dwarves to the state they are in today.  The Ap’Dwardok are dying, and the Dur’Dwardok have disappeared into their mountain holds.

Goals

• The Faith of the All-Father revolves around the sky:  the open sky is sacred to Dwarves, and most dwarves tend to avoid it outside of religious ceremonies.  
• As the advisors, defenders, and arcanists of the dwarven people, the Speakers of the All-Father serve the chieftains, but never lead.  
• While the Dwardok people observe a strict caste system, there is little structure or order within the Speakers… they exist outside of the Clan dynamic, and often travel between clans to make sure their people are well served.

Key Individuals

• Barra Zendarek: The last of the Ap’Dwardok storm heralds, Barra spends his time drunk on the edge of human and elven lands, dividing his time between marauding and self-pity.
• Irma of the High Hold: The high priestess of the Dur’Dwardok fortress known as High Hold, Irma is regarded as the First Speaker of the All-Father.
• Indal Blackrock: Irma’s brother and one of the most powerful arcanists on the planet, India also dwells in High Hold.
• Yurek of Wyvern Pass: The high priest of the hold at Wyvern Pass, and Irma’s main rival for influence amongst the six holds.  
• Manx of Ubantoe: Perhaps the most famous dwarf outside of the Dwardok Mountains, and one of the few “adventurers” known to be active in this age.
• Note that each of the 6 Dur’Dwardok holds have a cleric of the rank of Cordel or higher.  No remaining Ap’Dwardok clan has a cleric or storm sorcerer of greater than Thrundel rank

Rank and Associated Abilities

Associated Subclasses Barbarian (Storm Herald), Cleric (Forge & Tempest domain), Sorcerer (Storm Sorcerer)

• Dundel (Rank 1): Barbarian, cleric, or sorcerer training available (required for 1st level of cleric or sorcerer or 3rd level of barbarian).
• Drankel (Rank 2): Cleric training available (required for 2nd level of cleric).
• Thrundel (Rank 3): Barbarian, cleric, or sorcerer training available (required for 6th level of barbarian, cleric, or sorcerer).
• Cordel (Rank4): Barbarian, cleric, or sorcerer training available (required for 8th level of cleric, 10th level of barbarian, or 14th level of sorcerer).
• Grandel (Rank 5): Barbarian, cleric, or sorcerer training available (required for 14th level of barbarian, 17th level of cleric or 18th level of  sorcerer).

The Rhysonian Mysteries

Lands: Primarily the Imperial City and Heartlands

Races: Aasimar, Halfling (Lightfoot), Human, Tiefling

The masters of the Rhysonian mysteries are priests drawn from the nobility, and inducted into one of nine orders.  The orders are in a hierarchal caste structure, with the Violet order at the top, the Whites and the Blacks serving them, and the organized beneath them.  Virtually every part of the Imperial City’s society is dominated by the mysteries, and the noble families associated with each caste serve as priestly kings.  

• The Violet serve as the masters of the Mysteries, and are the lone members of the First Caste, interacting only with other priests.  Their domain is Arcana (from the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide).
• The Whites oversee the administration of sacraments to the layfolk, and are half of the Second Caste.  Their domain is Light.
• The Blacks hold sway over all matters relating to property, worldly possessions, and death.  They are considered the lawgivers and are the other half of the Second Caste.  Their domain is Death.
• The Blue are those sworn to minister to the poor and protect the faithful.  They are one of two warrior orders (the Reds being the other).  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Whites.  Their domain is Protection.
• The Gold are the artists and poets of the clergy, and charged with the creation of various works to exult the mysteries.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Blacks.  Their domain is Life.
• The Gray are secret keepers.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Blacks.  Their domain is Trickery.
• The Red are a warrior order, who serve as the Mysteries generals and warlords.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Blacks.  Their domain is War.
• The Silver are the lore masters and scholars, who rigorously attempt to keep the secrets of the Empire alive.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Whites.  Their domain is Knowledge.
• The Greens are the prophets of the Mysteries, a powerful group who practice spiritual magic.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Whites.  Their domain is Nature.

History

Prior to the Great Conflagration, the power of the priests of the Rhysonian Mysteries ruled across the lands.  However, since then, they have fallen into decadence, completely controlled by the ruling families of the Imperial City.  During the Reckoning over a century ago, the Malengarth family gained control over the Violet Order, but would be wiped out through treachery two generations after.  Since then, the White and Black orders have acknowledge no true Violet priests, declaring anyone who practices the mysteries of Arcana to be heretics.

Goals

• Each order has a specific goal: for example, the Whites tend to the flock, while the Blues serve as guards and constables.  
• Since the Great Conflagration, there has been no contact with the Exalted Ones, the angels of Rhys that taught the priesthood their mysteries.
• The true purpose Rhysonian Mysteries is to maintain Imperial Society, and if possible, bring the light of Rhys back to the world as a whole.

Key Individuals

• Master Miksel the Black: A scion of the powerful Durrington family, and the de facto master of the Imperial City.
• Master Orphelia the White: Matron of the Corrinbyrd family, and Miksel’s chief rival.
• Master Garielle the Red: The captain of what remains of the Imperial forces, and the favored daughter of the Winding family.
• Master Ignoblis the Silver: The eldest member of the Ironcrown family, and one of the great lore masters of the city.
• Master Jayce the Green: One of the Justimans, the largest family in the city, Jayce embraces their chaotic ways as he leads the city’s seers.

Rank and Associated Abilities

Associated Subclasses Cleric (see descriptions for available domains)

• Acolyte (Rank 1): Clerical training available (required for 1st level of cleric).  Note, there are currently no Acolytes of the Violets.
• Adept (Rank 2): Clerical training available (required for 2nd level of cleric)
• Initiate (Rank 3): Clerical training available (required for 6th level of cleric)
• Master (Rank4): Clerical training available (required for 8th level of cleric).  Currently, there are no Masters of the Blues, Golds, or Grays.
• Templar (Rank 5): Clerical training available (required for 17th level of cleric).  Currently, there is no Templar within the mysteries.