Pantheon

File:Pantheon.jpg

"Light your forges proudly, as they will guide you through the dark night."

—Premonitions of A Faithful

Summary

The Pantheon of the Ring was created by a group of four dwarven proletarians who believed that if you work hard, stay focused, and live with honor - you will be reborn again. If this life has not been what wished it to be wish, make it the best you can by following the principles and living your life to the fullest. That is the focus. While dwarves primarily follow it, but also other races as well though not as prominent. In fact, King Arland Drakon was a proud follow of the Pantheon as well as Seraphism, proving that one can follow two belief systems at once as long as you honor both.

Created in an effort to bring the downtrodden citizens of the former Frostburn Den as it was sacked, the belief system is based through the idea that by working your hardest, you will be forever reborn in the songs of bards and of carvings in stone.

Origin

During the Iron War, the dwarves predicted an effortless success against the orcs. This ultimately lead to the slaughter of thousands and the loss of their capital Frostburn Den. They were seemingly prepared, having send the women and children to underground shelter beneath hidden keeps - they were overrun and massacred. While most tales tell of the horrors inflicted by the barbaric orc invaders, few enlightened dwarves speak of the battle being their comeuppance. They did not build their walls high enough, they did not build their buildings strong enough, their people were not hearty enough. The five believers of this statement were the six generals which lead the dwarven people to restoration, giving them a new home in a time of affliction. This night was known as the "dark night" and will forever be remembered as an atrocity among the dwarves, but is celebrated as a holiday as Bondram Deepbelt, Vagnar Heldhammer, Colejorn Hardmantle III, Vovreal Flatfury, and Garhous Gravelhide lead their people to revival and spoke of a chant that acted as a war cry; "Light your forges proudly, and they will guide you though the dark night. The night will be dark, full of horrors, but you are of the stone. You will never crumble." The way they walked appeared as a ring did. Rumor speaks of a sixth, but truly only four are credited for the creation of the Pantheon as Vovreal Flatfury perished shortly following it's creation.

The reason the religion is called the Pantheon is that each of the four principles represents the four generals.

Requirements

All Lords must follow the Pantheon, and if a Lord questions the Pantheon, they are shamed and often times executed for being a dastardly example. To completely embody the dwarven spirit, one must follow without question. The principles act as a base for all standard in The Sink, and by disobeying it as such is to dishonor the sacrifice made by the "four" generals.

Principles

The Principles of the Pantheon are as follows:

"(1) Work harder, for you will be remembered in stone.
Show respect to your people and even your mortal enemies, for in dire times they will know who is superior.
(2) Even if you bear your final breath of this life, take comfort in knowing you will always be remembered.
(3) The highest mountain top is yours to conquer,
With the heart of a dwarf, you can overcome any obstacle.
(4) Hark! For your woes do not go forgotten. Stay vigilant.
Keep your weapons at the level of your eyes.
Light your forges proudly, as they will guide you through the dark night."

—Premonitions of A Faithful