Dolgrael the Lord of War, Master of the Forge
| Favored Race | None |
|---|---|
| Element(s) | water, void |
| Home(s) | The Eternal Battlefield, The Falcon's Nest |
| Alignment | lawful neutral |
| Symbol | a falcon |
| Porfolio | wars, conflict, honor, smithing, arms, armor |
| Worshippers | warriors, soldiers, gladiators, mercenaries, blacksmiths |
History in Avendar
From the very beginnings of Avendar's recorded history, there has been war. Between Gods and men, law and order, light and dark. From this forge emerged Dolgrael. Whether he came to this plane sensing the conflict that raged there, or was created by the martial urges of the races themselves is a subject of debate. Records exist of his worship dating back to the War of Fire, though mostly amongst mercenary bands and smiths. It is said Dolgrael was the deity who reintroduced the art of all metalworking, and most importantly that of steel, to the races after the Sundering. So went it through the ages. The Lord of War granted his aid to both sides, seeking to even conflicts as his sense of honor demanded, turning routs into brutal conflicts.
For a time, after the Kankoran Wars, a lull in the great conflicts of the realm saw the Master of the Forge grow dormant. Be it weariness or the craft of Alajial, Dolgrael slept. It would not be for another century that events would lead to his awakening. He was roused when his followers recovered, with the somewhat unwitting aid of several prominent adventurers, a glorious piece of the sky-metal mei'tzec. Moved by its perfection, he took up his hammer and fire burned at the Forge of Conflict once more.
Since then the realms have grown more tumultuous and conflicts more dangerous. The Lord of War would have it no other way.
Goals and Methods
As the god of war and the forge, Dolgrael sees all mortals as raw steel to be tempered in conflict's forges. Only by surviving these ordeals might one realize their fullest potential. By this token he bids his followers to follow codes of honor and seek out battles to test their mettle to the fullest. Mere slaughter only dulls a blade and by evening conflicts all who survive will be stronger for it. Dolgrael himself rarely meddles directly with the affairs of mortals, usually being content to work within his forge, coaxing forth weapons and armors of great beauty and power. When not at his forge he views his realm, the Eternal Battlefield, where the spirit-armies of the void and waves wage endless battle.
Organizations and Followings
Any soldier or mercenary will tell you in the dangerous trade of war, there is safety in numbers. Despite this there are those who walk their paths alone, and just as many who would battled another of the faithful to prove their mettle to their god. The Lord of War is worshipped in many ways, very few of them united.
The Invincibles
"Three against an old man? There is no honor in this battle. Not -yet-."
This martial organization seeks to bring glory to Dolgrael's name, fighting with honor and valor. Founded by the Lord of War's chosen priestess, it is amongst the most respected of the Forge-Lord's following. Dishonesty and greed are shameful, and cowardly tactics abhorred. Invincibles often join conflicts to even the odds, unafraid of pain and death, knowing such will forge the truest steel of their souls. This isn't to say the Invincibles battle foolishly, or to the death. While one shouldn't fear death, it is not something to be embraced either.
Lords of Conquest
"Come. Draw your sword and prove to me why you should live."
The oldest of the Falcon's factions, many of whom refer to their god as Marlax, Dolgrael's name in an ancient Alatharyan tongue. Among the most feared of Dolgrael's followers, the Lords of Conquest seek to cull those warriors who prove themselves unfit from the land while proving their own physical prowess. The Lords seek battle to test themselves and their foes in physical combat. The abhor the sneaking tactics of rogues and the weakness of scholars, using magic like a crutch. Though they are the most ruthless of the Forgelord's faithful, they are not without their codes. Overpowering through numbers and the repeated killing of an unworthy foe are avoided, and a worthy foe slain is often left with most of their belongings. Foes who acquit themselves well in combat are often spared, and sometimes groomed to join the Lords of Conquest.
Falcons of War
"Listen to me and I'll make a soldier of you yet. Glory shall follow."
Composed primarily of older warriors and generals, the Falcons of War generally organize and command mercenary bands and mentor young warriors in the arts and codes of battle. Amongst themselves, they see their role as keeping the fires of conflict stoked and its blades keen. Amongst their troops they speak of the glory and riches their charges will attain. The Falcons are the faction most loathed by the faithful of Alajial, as they actively seek to draw young men and women into their battles. They speak of them disdainfully as old soldiers, sacrificing youths on the altar of war for the sake of their egos and their god.
Individual Followers
The faithful of Dolgrael are loners at heart. Even amongst military organizations, their pursuits of honor and personal perfection are deeply personal things. Those bonds they do form are always in the heat of battle, be they trusted friends or bitter rivals. Honor amongst warriors and an appreciation and reverence for the creation and use of weaponry are common truisms amongst the Falconsworn. They often eschew weak or defeated foes, seeing in them no chance to better themselves. If attacked, though, they will defend themselves. With brutal efficiency.
Relationships
Dolgrael enjoys the grudging respect of most of the Pantheon of Avendar. With his tendency to fall on the side of the underdog, few gods would seek to alienate the Lord of War should they find themselves in need. Alajial is the most notable exception to this, her and her followers cooling tempers and bringing wars to early ends. Chadraln, too, has little use for Dolgrael's brutish pursuits. Seeing them as a distraction and at times a threat to his agenda, Chadraln and his followers are disinclined to aid in or encourage such conflicts. The closest thing the Lord of War has to a true ally is Enirra. Dolgrael's sense of fairness works to the advantage of the Lady of Balance as she seeks to thwart imbalance between the powers of the land. In turn, Dolgrael respects the difficult path the goddess and her followers walk.
