Dwarven Gods of the Old World

Grungni – The Father of the Dwarfs

Overview
Grungni is the foremost of the Dwarven Ancestor Gods, revered as the god of mining, metalwork, and stonecraft. He is said to have taught the first Dwarfs the secrets of forging and masonry, giving them the skills to carve halls into the mountains and craft weapons and armor unmatched in the world. Grungni embodies diligence, skill, and resilience, and is considered the protector of the Dwarfs’ ancestral knowledge and craftsmanship. His followers believe that his guidance flows through every hammer strike, every chisel mark, and every perfectly forged rune.

Beliefs & Principles
Grungni’s teachings revolve around hard work, precision, and the pursuit of perfection. The faithful are encouraged to master their craft, preserve the wisdom of the Ancestors, and contribute to the glory and survival of the Dwarf people. He represents the enduring spirit of creation and the sacredness of stone and metal. Shrines to Grungni remind his worshippers that skill and dedication are divine virtues, and that the spoils of labor are to be honored, not squandered.

Worship & Practice
Temples dedicated to Grungni are often integrated into mines or near forges. Rituals include offerings of masterwork weapons or tools, the blessing of mines before extraction, and ceremonial hammering or forging to invoke his favor. Festivals may coincide with the opening of a new mine, the completion of a great hall, or a forge’s annual observances. Miners, blacksmiths, and runesmiths pray to him for safety, inspiration, and the skill to overcome any challenge posed by stone or ore.

Priests & Orders
Priests of Grungni are both spiritual leaders and master craftsmen. They wear robes adorned with metal studs and runes and often carry hammer and chisel symbols. Their duties include overseeing sacred workshops, instructing apprentices, conducting ceremonies in mines, and interpreting the divine will through the quality of craftsmanship. In battle, they may bless weapons and armor, ensuring that Dwarfs carry Grungni’s protection and favor into combat.

Valaya – The Earth-Mother

Overview
Valaya is the consort of Grungni and Grimnir, the Earth-Mother who watches over hearth, home, fertility, and the wellbeing of the people. She is the goddess of nurturing, healing, and protection, embodying the care and stability that allow Dwarfs to thrive despite the dangers of the world. Valaya is often depicted as a serene figure surrounded by symbols of prosperity: flowing water, harvests, and sacred hearth fires. She founded many Dwarf holds and established customs that preserve the strength and unity of Dwarf communities.

Beliefs & Principles
Valaya teaches compassion, responsibility, and community stewardship. Her followers care for children, elders, and the sick, cultivate fertile lands, and maintain the balance between labor and rest. Valaya also emphasizes the importance of moral and spiritual protection, guiding Dwarfs to act with honor and maintain their sacred traditions. Her creed promotes stability, moderation, and respect for the cycles of life and nature.

Worship & Practice
Her temples are often central to Dwarf settlements, serving as places for healing, instruction, and festivals. Rituals include blessing crops, brewing sacred ales, healing ceremonies, and rites of passage for children and newlyweds. Her festivals mark planting and harvest seasons, celebrating fertility, abundance, and the protection of family and clan. Worship of Valaya is as much about daily devotion—caring for hearth and kin—as it is about grand ceremonial observances.

Priests & Orders
Priestesses and priests of Valaya often practice herbalism and healing, wearing robes in earthy tones adorned with flowers, runes, or symbols of hearth and home. They tend to the sick, teach domestic arts, guide childbirth rituals, and maintain sacred spaces for both community gathering and individual reflection. While not warriors, they wield quiet power through the moral and spiritual strength they bring to Dwarven society.

Grimnir – The Fearless

Overview
Grimnir, known as “The Fearless,” is the Ancestor God of war, valor, and unyielding courage. He is the patron of the Slayer cults and embodies the martial spirit of the Dwarfs: facing overwhelming odds without fear, pursuing heroic deeds, and seeking honor above life itself. Grimnir is often depicted as a towering warrior clad in fur and iron, wielding twin axes, his expression resolute and unyielding.

Beliefs & Principles
The followers of Grimnir prize bravery, endurance, and the pursuit of glory. They honor their ancestors through deeds of valor and believe that facing death courageously is the highest form of worship. Grimnir’s creed teaches that true worth is measured by deeds, not by wealth or rank, and that Dwarfs must confront their foes with honor and determination, never shirking from challenge.

Worship & Practice
Temples to Grimnir are typically found in the mountains, remote halls, or fortified settlements. Worship often includes martial exercises, hunting, duels, and trials designed to test courage and endurance. The faithful commemorate great battles, honor slain heroes, and vow personal acts of heroism in his name. The Slayer cult specifically dedicates itself to vengeance against those who have wronged their kin, seeking an honorable death in battle to honor Grimnir.

Priests & Orders
Priests of Grimnir are warriors who have proven themselves in combat, often wearing wolf furs or other martial regalia. They lead rites before battle, guide warriors in the ethical conduct of war, and maintain the stories of legendary campaigns. Their authority is martial as much as spiritual: they inspire courage, enforce honor codes, and serve as symbols of Grimnir’s unbreakable resolve.

Gazul – The Protector of the Dead

Overview
Gazul is the Ancestor God who watches over death and the proper care of the dead. Unlike other Dwarven gods, Gazul’s focus is not on creation, hearth, or war, but on preserving the memory and honor of those who have passed. He is depicted as a solemn figure cloaked in black, often carrying a staff or key, guiding spirits safely to the ancestral halls and protecting them from desecration.

Beliefs & Principles
Gazul’s worship emphasizes respect for the dead, ancestor veneration, and the maintenance of tombs and burial rites. His followers believe that failing to honor ancestors brings misfortune and weakens the Dwarfs spiritually. Life and death are both sacred; protecting and guiding the departed ensures the strength and continuity of the clan.

Worship & Practice
Temples and shrines to Gazul are located near burial sites, ancestral halls, and sacred caverns. Rituals include funerary rites, prayers for departed souls, the upkeep of tombs, and commemorative ceremonies honoring past heroes. Offerings such as engraved runes, crafted tokens, or small relics are made to ensure that the dead remain at peace and their spirits continue to guide the living.

Priests & Orders
Priests of Gazul are often robed in black or grey, carrying keys, scrolls, or other symbols of the dead. They act as undertakers, guardians of tombs, and spiritual guides. In addition to performing rituals for the deceased, they instruct the living in proper ancestor veneration, preserve genealogies, and guard sacred burial sites from desecration or theft. Their influence is solemn and enduring, reflecting Gazul’s quiet, immutable authority over death.