Difference between revisions of "Dolgrael"

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Dolgrael is a deity whose domain concerns the matters of war and
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{| align="right" style="text-align:center;"
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conflict.  He believes firmly that only through conflict and discord can
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!colspan="2" style="background:#ABE"|'''Overview'''
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society, and more importantly, individuals, grow stronger.  Dolgrael was the
+
|-
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deity who reintroduced the art of all metalworking, and most importantly
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|'''Favored Race''' || [[Human]]
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that of steel, to the races after the Sundering. He feels that mortals,
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|-
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much like the best steel, must be put through the forge of conflict to bring
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|'''Element(s)'''  || [[Earth]], [[Water]]
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out their true potential. 
+
|-
 +
|'''Home(s)'''      || The Forge of Dolgrael (vnum 18634)
 +
|-
 +
|'''Alignment'''    || [[Lawful Neutral]]
 +
|-
 +
|'''Symbol(s)'''    || A hammer
 +
|-
 +
|'''Portfolio'''    || War, honor, pride, metalsmithing, victory, defeat
 +
|-
 +
|'''Worshippers''' || Warriors, loners, blacksmiths, upstarts, footmen
 +
|}
  
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Dolgrael often does not meddle directly with the affairs of mortals, usually
+
==History in Avendar==
−
being content to work within his forge, coaxing forth weapons and armors of
+
The birth of humanity heralded great change for Avendar, epitomizing adaptability and growth. With their Father, [[Jolinn]], immersed in His long slumber, other deific forces focused their efforts on the young race. One of which was Dolgrael, the forger of souls. The elder [[aelin]] discovered metal artifacts amidst the ruins of the fallen [[alatharya]], and from it, discerned the rudiments of metalcraft. Humans, on the other hand, were introduced to the art directly by the Forgemaster. With their natural ingenuity, humanity developed a myriad of uses for iron, eclipsing the aelin bronze age. One of these uses, of course, was weapons and armor, about which Dolgrael offered special insight. With these new tools, human lust for expansion and battle knew few limits. They warred amongst themselves, and established settlements and kingdoms throughout the wilderness.
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great beauty and power. Mortals who wish to follow his ways however often
+
−
join the ranks of the Invincibles, a legion whose reputation for prowess in
+
−
battle is legendary.
+
  
−
The Invincibles follow the standards of valor, of cunning, and of honor.
+
As [[Sythrak]]'s warlords emerged from the marshes, they encountered the warlike and well-armed humans of the Earendam river valley. The [[srryn]] possessed limited power over the magics of [[Fire]], but it was an imperfect weapon. It quickly became apparent that humanity would be no trivial foe. This led to a tenuous alliance between [[Sythtys]]' templar-generals and expansionist humans. The srryn learned first hand about the keen power of properly forged weapons, and in turn, created forges of their own. Humans, on the other hand, learned of the Flame, and honed it into power an order of magnitude greater than what any srryn could. Dolgrael was pleased, as this conflict would ensure that mortalkind had the possibility to test itself in the greatest forge. Great warriors arose from many races, but the Forgemaster was particularly impressed by an embattled aelin swordsman named [[Marlax]]. It would be he who would become Dolgrael's first chosen, and known the world over as the Falcon King.
−
They fear not pain and death, for they know that such only forges their
+
−
souls stronger and brighter. They follow cunning and strategy, for they
+
−
understand that reckless squandering of their energies and powers are merely
+
−
a waste and serve no purpose.
+
  
−
And they know honor, because honor is a reflection of the mettle of ones
+
The rousing of Jolinn and the rise of the magics of Water ended the [[War of Fire]], and while beleaguered mortals breathed a sigh of relief, Dolgrael grew bored. Peace was tiresome, and the God of War focused His attention on His forge and the contests of demons and demigods, such as the [[Anirim|Challenge of Ashurru]]. He empowered Marlax to serve as His agent on the Prime, and left him to perpetuate the ideals of honor. Meanwhile, Hammer-bearers refined their use of the forge to develop steel, as well as deeply influenced the development of the modern [[earth templar]] creed. With the emergence of the [[shuddeni]] from their subterranean world, Dolgrael's interest in Avendar was again renewed. As the [[War of Night]] shrouded the world in darkness, Marlax's white falcon would become a legendary symbol on the battlefield. The Forgemaster Himself took great pride in all those who proved their mettle, particularly during the [[Battle of Aramril]].
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soul.  Honor in the eyes of Dolgrael is a combined factor of many things.  
+
−
He expects his Invincibles to be trustworthy; they will never break their
+
−
word, and always follow any conditions agreed to, regardless of
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−
circumstances. Greed for simple material wealth is frowned upon by those of
+
−
the Invincibles; they shall take what they need to better defend themselves
+
−
in the trial of life they must go through, but no more then that. They will
+
−
not attack an unclad foe, unless they must retaliate against an attack.  
+
−
Also never will you find an Invincible who cowardly defeats a foe through
+
−
the use of superior numbers.  Allowances are made of course in cases of self
+
−
defense or to answer an insult or challenge; though even these circumstances
+
−
will not permit an Invincible to use superior numbers against his enemy.
+
−
Honor is the fundamental issue in their life, whether against evil, or good,
+
−
or those that walk the balance.
+
  
−
The Invincibles serve as the martial arm of Dolgrael, casting their strength
+
With the sudden arrival of the [[ch'taren]] and their goddess, [[Rystaia|Rystaia Lightbringer]], Dolgrael's anemic following suffered a heavy blow. Humanity's fickle interest grew beyond the now well-known art of the forge, seeking new territory with the magics of [[Spirit]]. Although Rystaia's religion claimed many of the best and brightest of the age, Dolgrael's greatest threat was much closer. Marlax's vast renown had led to his elevation in the eyes of mortal warriors, and he now acted as their god. He founded the [[Lords of Conquest]], who while powerful, frequently lacked the true mettle demanded by Dolgrael. As their actions grew increasingly more honorless, Dolgrael decided that the age of the Falcon had ended. He heralded His return with a meteorite, and destroyed His first chosen. Claiming the Lords of Conquest for Himself, Dolgrael transformed the worthy among them into a legion of elite combatants known as the Invincibles. With the completion of Dolgrael's temple in the modern era, He is venerated throughout Avendar as the only true god of War.
−
into a conflict at the command of Vashel, the Mistress of War, Captain of
+
−
the Invincibles.  As the avatar of Dolgrael, Vashel takes care of the day to
+
−
day matters that the God of War does not wish to concern himself with.  
+
−
Members of the Invincibles are also encouraged to seek worthy conflicts
+
−
themselves, in order to better themselves and bring further glory to the
+
−
legion.  The ranks of the Invincibles are often filled with warriors,
+
−
templars, and even scholars that have honed their magics into a fearsome
+
−
fighting weapon. People of all alignments are accepted, for Dolgrael
+
−
recognizes that the qualities he looks for can be found in both those who
+
−
pursue the Light, and those that dwell in the Darkness. Rogues and those of
+
−
chaotic ethos often find a hard time finding admittance, due to the fact
+
−
that Dolgrael looks unkindly upon those that skulk within the shadows and
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−
those that are undedicated of mind and spirit.
+
  
−
Those that are deemed worthy in the eyes of Dolgrael or Vashel to join the
+
==Goals and Methods==
−
Invincibles are marked with the Sigil of the Hammer of Iron. Members whose
+
Dolgrael seeks to create a world ruled by honor. Honor is what tempers the powerful into legend, allowing them to resist petty faults or blinding moralisms. To Dolgrael, the rule of this elite favors improvement over oppression, and avoids subservience to the inferior. The metaphor of the forge is common to the God of War's followers, as the steady shaping, forging, and strengthening of a weapon aptly describes their lives. Dolgrael seeks a world of action rather than stagnation, and expects His followers to remain in perpetual motion. This means continual testing and retesting of oneself and others. [[Jalassa]]'s following is often compared to Dolgrael's, as both seek personal improvement through combat. However, while the Arbiter's devoted hope their toil results in a moment of sublime enlightenment, Dolgrael's warriors seek only to prove their merit to both Him, and themselves. Thus, while the former is defined by revelation, the latter is defined by personal honor.
−
service within the legion are impeccable, and whose sterling reputation are
+
−
known throughout the lands are rewarded with the Sigil of the Hammer of
+
−
Steel.
+
  
−
Lastly there have been those rare mortals who have risen above all others of
+
To create the world Dolgrael envisions, He demands that His disciples maintain a rigorous code of conduct. They must be trustworthy, never breaking their word or violating the rules of a contest. They must take only what they need, and avoid the common vice of greed. They must avoid attacking unarmed foes unless circumstance utterly requires it, such as in self-defense. Finally, they must never succumb to cowardice, and always avoid using superior numbers against their foes. This representation of honor is only especially meaningful when it is tested in battle. Thus, Dolgrael demands that His warriors seek powerful foes, accept challenges and participate in wars. Conflict is the flame which keeps alight the forge of souls, and Dolgrael's chosen are always at its heart. It should be noted, however, that Dolgrael's vision of valuable conflict does not include "culling the weak", a hold-over from the once-famous Lords of Conquest. An expertly forged weapon is meant for glory, not tillage.
−
their generation, and impressed even Dolgrael. These are bestowed the Sigil
+
 
−
of the Hammer of Dolgrael. Mortals that wish to catch the attention of
+
==Organizations and Followings==
−
Dolgrael should visit his central temple within the woods of Nendor and pray
+
Dolgrael's chosen serve under the banner of the Invincibles, which stands upon the ruins of the Lords of Conquest. It is expected that those who fight for the Forgemaster's creed will fight in their name, although they may serve in varying capacities within it. As a result, Dolgrael's warriors are divided by action, rather than faction. A description of the general ways in which a mortal serves the Invincibles is as follows:
−
at the altars there. It should be noted that there is a risk involved in
+
 
−
summoning the attention of Dolgrael if you are found unworthy. Dolgrael
+
=====Legionnaire of the Invincibles=====
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does not suffer fools lightly, and takes offense to those who seek to waste
+
''"Come to the circle and know my worth."''
−
his time.
+
 
 +
:A Legionnaire of the Invincibles tests himself against others often. This may include seeking other powerful adventurers to fight, or answering challenges from them. This often occurs within Dolgrael's temple, as it provides ample space for mobile or stationary contests. However, he is not merely a bull-pen ace; he will take to battle whenever he feels there is a challenge to be met. Much like a [[Enirra#The Knights of Enirra|Knight of Enirra]], he will always ally himself with the weaker side irrespective of his opponent. His primary goal is to better himself through battle, be it to hone his skill or prove his mettle. A Legionnaire is perhaps the most iconic representation of Dolgrael's following, as he makes a name for himself mostly within the adventurer class. Warriors, templars, and scholars comprise the majority of Legionnaires.
 +
 
 +
=====Challenger of the Invincibles=====
 +
''"Bring your best. I need no armor to defeat you."''
 +
 
 +
:While the Legionnaire primarily concerns himself with other adventurers, a Challenger of the Invincibles focuses on arbitrary challenges or great beasts. He will most often be found training, but will take it a step beyond the common concerns of coins or artifacts. Instead of seeking easy victory, he will try to increase the difficulty of his journeys just because he can. This may mean challenging great foes with the simplest of weapons, with little or no armor, with smaller formations or entirely alone. It may also manifest itself in accepting contests against other adventurers, but in much the same spirit; always choosing a disadvantage to see the limit of his strength or fear. A Challenger might appreciate the insane thrill-seeking of a [[Alil#The Sensates of the Lotus|Sensate of the Lotus]], but even with a disadvantage, he intends to succeed. Scholars, templars, and [[psionicist|psionicists]] are the most likely to follow this path.
 +
 
 +
=====Emissary of the Invincibles=====
 +
''"Know the Forgemaster and know yourself."''
 +
 
 +
:While a Legionnaire and Challenger are focused primarily upon themselves, the Emissary of the Invincibles seeks to train others in the ways of the God of War. They will often concern themselves with the training or empowerment of others, but only within the code of the Forgemaster. An Emissary will not only instruct, but demonstrate by example the proper behavior of one who seeks the Invincibles. He will train, accept challenges, and serve the Invincibles as any would be expected to; he does not put talk before action. It is primarily through Emissaries that Dolgrael's religion is spread, be it through organizations in which the Emissary is a member, or simply those he encounters on his journey. [[fighter|Fighters]] and [[water templar|water templars]] are most likely to be Emissaries, as they most often know the value of hierarchical training.
 +
 
 +
==Individual Followers==
 +
Dolgrael seeks those who are not faint of heart. If one chooses the path of the God of War, he must be willing to fight at all times, and he must do so with the steady resolve of honor. Although he does not have to fight for others, he avoids petty bullying or braggadocio. When a follower of the Forgemaster speaks, he says what needs to be said without embellishment; his voice is plain but confident. Dolgrael's followers represent the truest dedicants of war throughout Avendar, and often study tactics or carefully hone their skills. They are much more at home seeking their own personal growth, battling whoever seems most powerful, rather than commanding an army. While the life of the Hammer can easily be a solitary one, a follower of Dolgrael has no need to turn away friendships or seek meaningful relationships. However, those who forge such friendships always prove their worth in battle, and thus those closest to them often share a value for strength and devotion.
 +
 
 +
The worship of Dolgrael is common throughout Avendar's fighting companies. He is venerated most often by humans, ensuring the spread of His religion the world over. His following is not exclusively human, though, and can be found among most of Avendar's races. Shuddeni, ch'taren, and especially [[caladaran]], rarely seek the God of War, be it because of a proclivity for "dishonor", a lack of relentless focus, or a less martial outlook overall. Dolgrael appeals to most professions, but frequently to the exclusion of rogues because of their dishonorable methods. The enlisted men of a standing army often venerate Dolgrael, while officers or hereditary aristocracy instead favor Jalassa's philosophy of enlightenment. Because of His multiracial appeal and lack of upper class support, those who seek to worship Him do so at His temple or in private, rather than at public, city shrines.
 +
 
 +
Those who find favor with the God of War are marked with the Sigil of the Iron Hammer.
 +
 
 +
==Relationships==
 +
Dolgrael is known throughout pantheon for His elite following and magnificent creations. Ch'taren deities appreciate Dolgrael's martial bent, with He and [[Calaera]] sharing a mutual interest in the art of war. The gods of the caladaran are mixed on Dolgrael's meaning. While His direct application of violence appalls [[Alajial]], Jalassa approves of His rigor and dedication, and [[Chadraln]] finds His warriors' feats fascinating moments in history. Other deities of the light accept Dolgrael's help when it is available, but do not rely upon it. Gods of darkness often have little use for Dolgrael, as His followers rarely show interest in truly forwarding their dark designs. Gods of chaos, in particular, dislike the Forgemaster's lawful bent and resent His snubbing of their capriciousness. However, [[Alil]] provides a curious echo, with Her lust for thrills mirroring His drive for greater challenge. Gods of law are neutral toward Him, as His concerns and Theirs rarely meaningfully overlap.
 +
 
 +
[[Enirra]] has a troubled but functional relationship with Dolgrael. While She and He both seek upheaval and conflict, their methods often clash as much as they cooperate. Enirran Knights tend to have little value for the Forgemaster's honor when balance is at stake, while the Invincibles have little use for the copious, under-skilled ranks of Her devoted. However, Enirra and Dolgrael both recognize that their warriors share many of the same battlefields, and thus have developed a measure of quiet respect.
 +
 
 +
==Shrines, Sigils, and Mobs==
 +
 
 +
=====Areas=====
 +
:'''Temple of Dolgrael''' (vnums 18651-18699)
 +
 
 +
=====Rooms=====
 +
:'''A Shrine to Dolgrael''' (vnum 17221)
 +
 
 +
=====Sigils=====
 +
:'''Tier 1 - the Sigil of the Hammer of Iron''' (vnum 18615)
 +
:* AC 7/9/7/4
 +
:* HP +4
 +
:* Strength +1
 +
:* Death prog: Automatically notes deaths to Dolgrael
 +
:* Speech prog: ''May my might divide and conquer!'' - [[Division]]
 +
:* Speech prog: ''Let the matrix be summoned upon you'' - [[Matrix]]
 +
:* Verb prog: ''sacrifice <[[stone of power]]>'' - grants the sigil charges to use the above powers.
 +
:* Verb prog: ''sigil essence'' - reveals the number of charges the sigil has.
 +
 
 +
:'''Tier 2 - the Sigil of the Hammer of Steel''' (vnum 18616)
 +
:* AC 10/12/10/5
 +
:* HP +8
 +
:* Strength +1
 +
:* Damroll +1
 +
:* All tier 1 sigil progs
 +
:* Speech prog: ''May my will be invincible!'' - Favor of Dolgrael (level 65) (-3 saves, 48 ticks)
 +
 
 +
:'''Tier 3 - the Sigil of the Hammer of Dolgrael''' (vnum 18617)
 +
:* AC 12/15/12/7
 +
:* HP +12
 +
:* Strength +1
 +
:* Damroll +2
 +
:* All tier 1 sigil progs
 +
:* Speech prog: ''May my will be invincible!'' - Favor of Dolgrael (level 70) (-5 saves, 48 ticks), Stabilize (character's level)
 +
 
 +
=====Mobs=====
 +
:[[Vashel]] (vnum 18602) - Mistress of domination and avatar of Dolgrael
 +
:[[Dilasem]] (vnum 18608) - Chillaxin' in the Chamber of Preparation
 +
:[[Nehruin]] (vnum 18609) - Priest of Dolgrael in the temple proper
 +
 
 +
=====God Mark=====
 +
:You notice a hammer-shaped birthmark.
 +
:''+4 Strength modifier''
 +
 
 +
==Notes, Logs, and Other Documents==
 +
Dolgrael engages those He interviews in a game of chess.  This is the time in which the initial interview occurs (during the game). This can take place at any number of chess boards throughout Avendar.  It is not required that they win the game of chess to proceed to a later interview, but more that they accept the challenge and do their best.
 +
 
 +
If they pass their initial interview, they receive a shard of mei'tzec (vnum 18626) (a rot_death floatie) to signify that they are a hopeful for the Invincibles.  They spend some time carrying the shard around as a sort of litmus test to see if they are Invincibles material.  If they try to avoid battle, or run away because they don't want to lose the shard, they are obviously not a suitable Dolgrael follower.  While they aren't necessarily required to survive with it, if they continue to fight and don't lose it, it can be a mark in their favor.
 +
 
 +
After a successful first interview, the candidate is then interviewed by Vashel, which is significantly more thorough and the most important of the three encounters.  In theory, the first test should determine not whether this interview happens, but if it actually is an interview rather than a "thank you, but no".
 +
 
 +
=====Helps=====
 +
:Original [[Dolgrael website overview]] (9/21/2004)
 +
:Old [[Dolgrael staff wiki notes]]
 +
 
 +
=====Lore=====
 +
:None
 +
 
 +
=====Logs=====
 +
:None
 +
 
 +
[[category:Gods]]

Latest revision as of 09:34, 11 April 2019

Overview
Favored Race Human
Element(s) Earth, Water
Home(s) The Forge of Dolgrael (vnum 18634)
Alignment Lawful Neutral
Symbol(s) A hammer
Portfolio War, honor, pride, metalsmithing, victory, defeat
Worshippers Warriors, loners, blacksmiths, upstarts, footmen

History in Avendar

The birth of humanity heralded great change for Avendar, epitomizing adaptability and growth. With their Father, Jolinn, immersed in His long slumber, other deific forces focused their efforts on the young race. One of which was Dolgrael, the forger of souls. The elder aelin discovered metal artifacts amidst the ruins of the fallen alatharya, and from it, discerned the rudiments of metalcraft. Humans, on the other hand, were introduced to the art directly by the Forgemaster. With their natural ingenuity, humanity developed a myriad of uses for iron, eclipsing the aelin bronze age. One of these uses, of course, was weapons and armor, about which Dolgrael offered special insight. With these new tools, human lust for expansion and battle knew few limits. They warred amongst themselves, and established settlements and kingdoms throughout the wilderness.

As Sythrak's warlords emerged from the marshes, they encountered the warlike and well-armed humans of the Earendam river valley. The srryn possessed limited power over the magics of Fire, but it was an imperfect weapon. It quickly became apparent that humanity would be no trivial foe. This led to a tenuous alliance between Sythtys' templar-generals and expansionist humans. The srryn learned first hand about the keen power of properly forged weapons, and in turn, created forges of their own. Humans, on the other hand, learned of the Flame, and honed it into power an order of magnitude greater than what any srryn could. Dolgrael was pleased, as this conflict would ensure that mortalkind had the possibility to test itself in the greatest forge. Great warriors arose from many races, but the Forgemaster was particularly impressed by an embattled aelin swordsman named Marlax. It would be he who would become Dolgrael's first chosen, and known the world over as the Falcon King.

The rousing of Jolinn and the rise of the magics of Water ended the War of Fire, and while beleaguered mortals breathed a sigh of relief, Dolgrael grew bored. Peace was tiresome, and the God of War focused His attention on His forge and the contests of demons and demigods, such as the Challenge of Ashurru. He empowered Marlax to serve as His agent on the Prime, and left him to perpetuate the ideals of honor. Meanwhile, Hammer-bearers refined their use of the forge to develop steel, as well as deeply influenced the development of the modern earth templar creed. With the emergence of the shuddeni from their subterranean world, Dolgrael's interest in Avendar was again renewed. As the War of Night shrouded the world in darkness, Marlax's white falcon would become a legendary symbol on the battlefield. The Forgemaster Himself took great pride in all those who proved their mettle, particularly during the Battle of Aramril.

With the sudden arrival of the ch'taren and their goddess, Rystaia Lightbringer, Dolgrael's anemic following suffered a heavy blow. Humanity's fickle interest grew beyond the now well-known art of the forge, seeking new territory with the magics of Spirit. Although Rystaia's religion claimed many of the best and brightest of the age, Dolgrael's greatest threat was much closer. Marlax's vast renown had led to his elevation in the eyes of mortal warriors, and he now acted as their god. He founded the Lords of Conquest, who while powerful, frequently lacked the true mettle demanded by Dolgrael. As their actions grew increasingly more honorless, Dolgrael decided that the age of the Falcon had ended. He heralded His return with a meteorite, and destroyed His first chosen. Claiming the Lords of Conquest for Himself, Dolgrael transformed the worthy among them into a legion of elite combatants known as the Invincibles. With the completion of Dolgrael's temple in the modern era, He is venerated throughout Avendar as the only true god of War.

Goals and Methods

Dolgrael seeks to create a world ruled by honor. Honor is what tempers the powerful into legend, allowing them to resist petty faults or blinding moralisms. To Dolgrael, the rule of this elite favors improvement over oppression, and avoids subservience to the inferior. The metaphor of the forge is common to the God of War's followers, as the steady shaping, forging, and strengthening of a weapon aptly describes their lives. Dolgrael seeks a world of action rather than stagnation, and expects His followers to remain in perpetual motion. This means continual testing and retesting of oneself and others. Jalassa's following is often compared to Dolgrael's, as both seek personal improvement through combat. However, while the Arbiter's devoted hope their toil results in a moment of sublime enlightenment, Dolgrael's warriors seek only to prove their merit to both Him, and themselves. Thus, while the former is defined by revelation, the latter is defined by personal honor.

To create the world Dolgrael envisions, He demands that His disciples maintain a rigorous code of conduct. They must be trustworthy, never breaking their word or violating the rules of a contest. They must take only what they need, and avoid the common vice of greed. They must avoid attacking unarmed foes unless circumstance utterly requires it, such as in self-defense. Finally, they must never succumb to cowardice, and always avoid using superior numbers against their foes. This representation of honor is only especially meaningful when it is tested in battle. Thus, Dolgrael demands that His warriors seek powerful foes, accept challenges and participate in wars. Conflict is the flame which keeps alight the forge of souls, and Dolgrael's chosen are always at its heart. It should be noted, however, that Dolgrael's vision of valuable conflict does not include "culling the weak", a hold-over from the once-famous Lords of Conquest. An expertly forged weapon is meant for glory, not tillage.

Organizations and Followings

Dolgrael's chosen serve under the banner of the Invincibles, which stands upon the ruins of the Lords of Conquest. It is expected that those who fight for the Forgemaster's creed will fight in their name, although they may serve in varying capacities within it. As a result, Dolgrael's warriors are divided by action, rather than faction. A description of the general ways in which a mortal serves the Invincibles is as follows:

Legionnaire of the Invincibles

"Come to the circle and know my worth."

A Legionnaire of the Invincibles tests himself against others often. This may include seeking other powerful adventurers to fight, or answering challenges from them. This often occurs within Dolgrael's temple, as it provides ample space for mobile or stationary contests. However, he is not merely a bull-pen ace; he will take to battle whenever he feels there is a challenge to be met. Much like a Knight of Enirra, he will always ally himself with the weaker side irrespective of his opponent. His primary goal is to better himself through battle, be it to hone his skill or prove his mettle. A Legionnaire is perhaps the most iconic representation of Dolgrael's following, as he makes a name for himself mostly within the adventurer class. Warriors, templars, and scholars comprise the majority of Legionnaires.
Challenger of the Invincibles

"Bring your best. I need no armor to defeat you."

While the Legionnaire primarily concerns himself with other adventurers, a Challenger of the Invincibles focuses on arbitrary challenges or great beasts. He will most often be found training, but will take it a step beyond the common concerns of coins or artifacts. Instead of seeking easy victory, he will try to increase the difficulty of his journeys just because he can. This may mean challenging great foes with the simplest of weapons, with little or no armor, with smaller formations or entirely alone. It may also manifest itself in accepting contests against other adventurers, but in much the same spirit; always choosing a disadvantage to see the limit of his strength or fear. A Challenger might appreciate the insane thrill-seeking of a Sensate of the Lotus, but even with a disadvantage, he intends to succeed. Scholars, templars, and psionicists are the most likely to follow this path.
Emissary of the Invincibles

"Know the Forgemaster and know yourself."

While a Legionnaire and Challenger are focused primarily upon themselves, the Emissary of the Invincibles seeks to train others in the ways of the God of War. They will often concern themselves with the training or empowerment of others, but only within the code of the Forgemaster. An Emissary will not only instruct, but demonstrate by example the proper behavior of one who seeks the Invincibles. He will train, accept challenges, and serve the Invincibles as any would be expected to; he does not put talk before action. It is primarily through Emissaries that Dolgrael's religion is spread, be it through organizations in which the Emissary is a member, or simply those he encounters on his journey. Fighters and water templars are most likely to be Emissaries, as they most often know the value of hierarchical training.

Individual Followers

Dolgrael seeks those who are not faint of heart. If one chooses the path of the God of War, he must be willing to fight at all times, and he must do so with the steady resolve of honor. Although he does not have to fight for others, he avoids petty bullying or braggadocio. When a follower of the Forgemaster speaks, he says what needs to be said without embellishment; his voice is plain but confident. Dolgrael's followers represent the truest dedicants of war throughout Avendar, and often study tactics or carefully hone their skills. They are much more at home seeking their own personal growth, battling whoever seems most powerful, rather than commanding an army. While the life of the Hammer can easily be a solitary one, a follower of Dolgrael has no need to turn away friendships or seek meaningful relationships. However, those who forge such friendships always prove their worth in battle, and thus those closest to them often share a value for strength and devotion.

The worship of Dolgrael is common throughout Avendar's fighting companies. He is venerated most often by humans, ensuring the spread of His religion the world over. His following is not exclusively human, though, and can be found among most of Avendar's races. Shuddeni, ch'taren, and especially caladaran, rarely seek the God of War, be it because of a proclivity for "dishonor", a lack of relentless focus, or a less martial outlook overall. Dolgrael appeals to most professions, but frequently to the exclusion of rogues because of their dishonorable methods. The enlisted men of a standing army often venerate Dolgrael, while officers or hereditary aristocracy instead favor Jalassa's philosophy of enlightenment. Because of His multiracial appeal and lack of upper class support, those who seek to worship Him do so at His temple or in private, rather than at public, city shrines.

Those who find favor with the God of War are marked with the Sigil of the Iron Hammer.

Relationships

Dolgrael is known throughout pantheon for His elite following and magnificent creations. Ch'taren deities appreciate Dolgrael's martial bent, with He and Calaera sharing a mutual interest in the art of war. The gods of the caladaran are mixed on Dolgrael's meaning. While His direct application of violence appalls Alajial, Jalassa approves of His rigor and dedication, and Chadraln finds His warriors' feats fascinating moments in history. Other deities of the light accept Dolgrael's help when it is available, but do not rely upon it. Gods of darkness often have little use for Dolgrael, as His followers rarely show interest in truly forwarding their dark designs. Gods of chaos, in particular, dislike the Forgemaster's lawful bent and resent His snubbing of their capriciousness. However, Alil provides a curious echo, with Her lust for thrills mirroring His drive for greater challenge. Gods of law are neutral toward Him, as His concerns and Theirs rarely meaningfully overlap.

Enirra has a troubled but functional relationship with Dolgrael. While She and He both seek upheaval and conflict, their methods often clash as much as they cooperate. Enirran Knights tend to have little value for the Forgemaster's honor when balance is at stake, while the Invincibles have little use for the copious, under-skilled ranks of Her devoted. However, Enirra and Dolgrael both recognize that their warriors share many of the same battlefields, and thus have developed a measure of quiet respect.

Shrines, Sigils, and Mobs

Areas
Temple of Dolgrael (vnums 18651-18699)
Rooms
A Shrine to Dolgrael (vnum 17221)
Sigils
Tier 1 - the Sigil of the Hammer of Iron (vnum 18615)
  • AC 7/9/7/4
  • HP +4
  • Strength +1
  • Death prog: Automatically notes deaths to Dolgrael
  • Speech prog: May my might divide and conquer! - Division
  • Speech prog: Let the matrix be summoned upon you - Matrix
  • Verb prog: sacrifice <stone of power> - grants the sigil charges to use the above powers.
  • Verb prog: sigil essence - reveals the number of charges the sigil has.
Tier 2 - the Sigil of the Hammer of Steel (vnum 18616)
  • AC 10/12/10/5
  • HP +8
  • Strength +1
  • Damroll +1
  • All tier 1 sigil progs
  • Speech prog: May my will be invincible! - Favor of Dolgrael (level 65) (-3 saves, 48 ticks)
Tier 3 - the Sigil of the Hammer of Dolgrael (vnum 18617)
  • AC 12/15/12/7
  • HP +12
  • Strength +1
  • Damroll +2
  • All tier 1 sigil progs
  • Speech prog: May my will be invincible! - Favor of Dolgrael (level 70) (-5 saves, 48 ticks), Stabilize (character's level)
Mobs
Vashel (vnum 18602) - Mistress of domination and avatar of Dolgrael
Dilasem (vnum 18608) - Chillaxin' in the Chamber of Preparation
Nehruin (vnum 18609) - Priest of Dolgrael in the temple proper
God Mark
You notice a hammer-shaped birthmark.
+4 Strength modifier

Notes, Logs, and Other Documents

Dolgrael engages those He interviews in a game of chess. This is the time in which the initial interview occurs (during the game). This can take place at any number of chess boards throughout Avendar. It is not required that they win the game of chess to proceed to a later interview, but more that they accept the challenge and do their best.

If they pass their initial interview, they receive a shard of mei'tzec (vnum 18626) (a rot_death floatie) to signify that they are a hopeful for the Invincibles. They spend some time carrying the shard around as a sort of litmus test to see if they are Invincibles material. If they try to avoid battle, or run away because they don't want to lose the shard, they are obviously not a suitable Dolgrael follower. While they aren't necessarily required to survive with it, if they continue to fight and don't lose it, it can be a mark in their favor.

After a successful first interview, the candidate is then interviewed by Vashel, which is significantly more thorough and the most important of the three encounters. In theory, the first test should determine not whether this interview happens, but if it actually is an interview rather than a "thank you, but no".

Helps
Original Dolgrael website overview (9/21/2004)
Old Dolgrael staff wiki notes
Lore
None
Logs
None
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