Fiction:The Firmament/Skasdrumri

Skasdrumri is the god of architecture, craftsmanship, creation and tradition, who is treated as the patron deity of the dwarf race.

Appearance
The Great Creator is often depicted as a giant dwarf, either made entirely out of stone or wearing stone-like armor which obscures all but his face. In either case, he possesses a very long braided beard which almost touches the ground beneath him. His form is covered in runes which radiate incredible power, and he is typically depicted carrying a toolbox filled with tools typical for a blacksmith.

History
Certain creation myths say Skasdrumri forged the physical aspect of the planes by hammering existence into its current shape from the primordial matter of the Firmament. The dwarves claim he created their kind by harnessing the energies of the Plane of Earth and forging them in his image, using the remains of the ancient Primordials. While the veracity of the myth is up to interpretation, the elementals of that plane claim the god 'owes' them something he has taken from their realm in the past.

There is evidence found in Primordial ruins that Skasdrumri was involved in the Great Gap as one of the gods who fought Varagarash Narahil, leading to his eventually imprisonment at the Abyssal End. Such tales describe a massive god of stone using an enormous hammer to strike at the World Worm in hope to squash him under it.

Realm
Skasdrumri's realm is known as the Forge of Worlds, near the outer regions of Ziana. There, he toils day and night in constant work, striking his divine anvil with his hammer which is believed to be how entire mortal worlds are created. Living alongside him are his family members, many who are gods among dwarvenkind as well, as well as the souls of his chosen champions, who serve as his mightiest assistants. As he does not appreciate being interrupted, he does not allow other deities to come into his realm without warning.

Personality
The World Smith is a stoic and focused deity who spends the majority of his time in his forge, creating new crafts which test the extent of his own divine abilities. He considers small talk a waste and as such doesn't partake in it, though he is willing to pay attention to other beings who he knows are trustworthy. While generally positive in attributes, Skasdrumri is also known for being a particularly stubborn and vengeful deity, and those who wrong him are said to earn his grudge for all eternity, with the only way of earning his forgiveness being to pay him in tributes (typically crafts of exceptional quality) or blood.

Relationships

 * Allies
 * Dwarven Pantheon - Skasdrumri is the king of the dwarven pantheon, with it being made out of his own family members.
 * Aldirei - Skasdrumri thinks Aldirei is too soft, but appreciates her efforts regardless.
 * Shenryundi - The World Smith respects the old dragon god for his wisdom.


 * Ambivalent
 * Archangels - While he is biased towards good, Skasdrumri's vengeful tendencies cause many archangels to be wary of his wrath.
 * Umberien - The lord of the Plane of Earth claims Skasdrumri owes her something important. The World Smith does not appear to care, however.


 * Enemies
 * Varagarash Narahil - The World Smith sees the World Worm as an useless waste of space who deserves utter annihilation.
 * Skanqrak - The Rat King's hatred towards his dwarven sons has not gone unnoticed to Skasdrumri.

Cult of Skasdrumri
Skasdrumri's church is an ancient one, as old as the dwarves who worship him, and in the modern day, has become common among humans as well. Tradition is a focus for his worshippers; action, rather than ceremony, is what they crave, and they can be counted on to protect their communities without hesitation. Skasdrumri is relatively distant with his followers; he grants them blessings, but rarely instructs them directly, leaving them free to make their own way through life. The god believes this makes them stronger and wiser.

Skasdrumri's followers are predominantly clerics, with paladins also existing but being less common. Many of his followers are architects, artisans of all stripes, or military planners. He is also popular among guards and city watchmen, who pray to him for protection. Skasdrumri's temples tend to be circular, built around a large central and fully-functional forge and satellite anvils used for even mundane tasks, for every act of smelting and smithing is considered a prayer to him.