Drome

The God of the Forge and the founding member of the Arcane Accord in Delgos. To the dwarves of Astravia, Drome is the Great Architect who shaped the world with a hammer and anvil, striking the raw stone of creation again and again until the mountains and valleys took their proper form.

The Forge of Creation

The dwarves believe that when Drome struck his great forge to shape the world, the resulting sparks and tumbling rocks became the first of their kind—beings made of living stone with bellies full of divine fire. Drome is depicted as a powerful and cunning dwarf, eternally busy at his forge, hammering at a weapon or shield that will eventually become a legendary relic. He is the consummate planner, possessing a contingency for nearly every outcome, and he expects the same level of preparation and foresight from his followers. His faith is the bedrock of industry in the Impossible Lands, where every rhythmic strike of a hammer is considered a silent prayer to the father of creation.

The Breath of the Raysors

While ancient in origin, Drome’s influence saw a resurgence during the Age of Arcane. He is credited by the arcanists of Delgos as the divine inspiration behind the first Raysors—the creatures of Raysium now known as Clanks. As the patron of both the forge and sentient clockwork, Drome is worshipped as much by the metallic Clanks as he is by traditional smiths and architects. He represents the spark of life within the machine and the endurance of stone, teaching that anything—be it a nation or a soul—can be perfected if it is tempered in the fire and struck with enough conviction.

The Priesthood of Metal

Clerics of Drome are skilled architects, artisans, and military planners who serve as the guardians of civilization's infrastructure. They are often found working alongside the League of Miracles, providing the structural stability that arcane magic sometimes lacks. Formal dress for the clergy is a work-worn, heavy leather smithing apron that reaches the knees, often paired with a heavy blacksmith’s hammer. These aprons serve as a living history for the priest; they affix rivets, plates, or badges to the leather to commemorate significant life events, such as the completion of a grand project, the birth of a child, or a victory in battle.

Temples dedicated to Drome are almost always circular, built around a large, central, and fully functional forge. Satellite anvils are placed throughout the sanctuary for mundane tasks, for the church teaches that honest labor is the highest form of worship. The holy book of the faith, Hammer and Tongs: The Forging of Metal and Other Good Works, is usually bound in heavy metal plates and chained to the central anvil of the temple.

Sacred Signs and Ancient Feuds

Burrowing animals and creatures that dwell within the deep earth are sacred to the faithful, seen as fellow stone-dwellers. Conversely, flying creatures that inhabit caves—bats in particular—are viewed as abominations and freaks of nature that defy the grounded order of Drome's design. The God of the Forge rarely speaks in voices, instead sending messages in the form of cryptic riddles that appear momentarily on stone surfaces. Earthquakes are seen as the ultimate indication of his displeasure, though those who survive such cataclysms are thought to be blessed with his tempering fire.

Drome's followers harbor a deep, ancestral hatred for the spawn of the Forgotten Gods that squirm in the dark corners of the world. Yet, despite their alignment with order, they often find themselves at odds with the more forgiving faiths of the Prismatic Ray. To a follower of Drome, the sun-worshippers' willingness to forgive and their reliance on ephemeral light seems like an indication of structural weakness; a crack in the foundation that can only be fixed by the heat of the forge and the weight of the hammer.