Moradin's clerics, known as Sonnlinor, are usually drawn from family lines, like most Dwarven occupations. All clerics of Moradin have a high standard to which they must strive. The Church of Moradin is highly respected throughout the civilized lands, and most civilized races view Moradin’s clerics favorably. It is vital for Moradin’s clerics to uphold their god’s standards and never bring shame to the church’s image. Because of the stringent selection process, there have been times where Moradin clerics have fallen into short supply; the church has always refused to alter or weaken its entrance standards, even if it means leaving a temple without a priest. Few other faiths are as demanding in their selection of potential priests.

​

Hierarchy

The church of Moradin observes a fairly rigid and strict hierarchy, with one of the more organized and formalized faiths in Orben. Individual clerics, especially those of lower rank, are expected to obey the orders of their superiors and, whenever necessary, answer the demands of those superiors.

Novice clerics of Moradin are known as the Unworked. Full priests are known as Forgesmiths or the Tempered. In ascending order of rank, other titles used by priests of Moradin include: Adept of the Anvil, Hammer of War, Artisan of the Forge, Craftsman of Runes, Artificer of Discovery, and Smith of Souls. The High Old Ones of the faith have unique titles but are collectively known as High Forgesmiths.

Vestments

Ceremonial vestments for priests of Moradin include flowing, shining robes of woven wire of electrum treated with blueshine. Other ceremonial garb includes silvered (everbright) helms, silverplated war hammers, and earth-brown leather boots. The holy symbol of the faith is a miniature electrum war hammer, treated with blueshine.

In combat, Moradin’s clergy members favors chain mail or dwarven plate mail, a helm, and a medium or large shield. Priests of the Soul Forger are skilled in the use of the war hammer, but many favor other weapons as well, such as battles axes, broad swords, and hand axes.

Rites and Duties

On the monthly holy days, common and precious metals are sacrificed to Moradin by melting them down at the forge and reforming them into objects usable by the clergy. While making such offerings, participants kneel, chant, and reach bare-handed into the flames of the forge to handle the glowing metal directly. Moradin prevents harm to the truly faithful.

During such ceremonies, the priests enter a temple, bow to the forge, and (in times of peace) surrender their weapons to the temple guards after striking the anvil by the entry with their hammers once. Priests of other gods are not permitted to advance to the forge except with the express permission of a High Forgesmith or an avatar of Moradin himself. The service then consists of humble prayer and open discussion on current dwarven issues. This discussion is considered to be between equals, though the ranking priest of Moradin has the authority to open or close any given topic. The service ends with a rising chant until the smith's hammer rises from the anvil of its own accord; it may, or may not, then move about or glow to denote the god's will, but it always rings on the anvil thunderously to signify the end of the ceremony.

Moradin's prayers refer to metals and smithing: a common prayer to Moradin states "You burn the dross from me, but the iron remains." Genealogy is important to Moradin's rites, with funeral prayers reciting the ancestry of the deceased for hundreds of generations.

Moradin's holy days fall monthly; in some cultures this is when Luna is full, while in others it is when Luna is a crescent. In addition, a High Forgesmith may call a holy day at any time, often doing so in celebration of some local event.

Moradin charges his followers with the task of wiping out the orcs and wiping out the followers of Gruumsh. The church of Moradin also has an active role in guiding the morals of Dwarven communities; they emphasize his hand in everyday activities such as mining, smithing, and engineering, and invoke his blessing when these tasks begin. They lead the gentle push to found new Dwarven kingdoms  underground and increase their status among surface communities

Clerics of Moradin are expected to tithe everything they earn back to the church. Furthermore, his priests are expected to donate whenever possible to charitable groups and functions. Although Moradin’s clerics appreciate material possessions and the value of wealth, they are taught the importance of remaining above such considerations. Gold and gems are things of beauty, and can serve as tools of commerce, but they should never be given too much importance, or allowed to influence a cleric’s good judgment and common sense.

​

A cleric of Moradin is prohibited from lying. In the eyes of Moradin, a lie is one of the worst sins. If the truth proves dangerous or harmful, the cleric’s best response is to remain silent or change the subject. A typical response might be “I choose not to answer your question,” which sometimes means the dwarf does not want to lie, but can also reflect his desire not to commit to an answer just yet.

Clerics of Moradin are commanded to oppose evil in all its forms whenever possible. This is a broad command, but it requires the cleric to devote his life and wealth to the cause, regardless of personal desires.

​

Affiliated Orders
The Hammers of Moradin are an elite military order dominated by crusaders and fighting clerics with chapters in nearly every Dwarven stronghold and members drawn from every Dwarven clan. The Hammers serve both as commanders of Dwarven armies and as an elite strike force skilled in dealing with anything from large groups of Orcs to great Wyrms to malevolent fiends from the Fiendish Planes. The order is dedicated to the defense of existing Dwarven holdings and the carving out of new Dwarven territories. Individual chapters have a great deal of local autonomy but, in times of great crisis, a Grand Council of Hammers assembles to plot strategy and divine Moradin's will

​