Vorax: Sects
Brothers of Battle
Followers of Vorax, the Brothers of Battle are one of the most militant orders on Layonara. The Brothers were founded by Thergrim of Clan Fallode approximately 1,500 years ago when he fell down a crevice while traveling through the Brech Mountains. Losing his axe in the fall, Thergrim lodged in the rocks with his torso pinned between jutting ledges with the bone-numbing cold slowing his attempts to wriggle free. Just as he was losing hope, he received a vision of silver-mailed fists smashing the rocks that trapped him. Emboldened, he used his own fists to relentlessly punch at the rocks and by some miracle was able to shatter the granite trapping him and escape. Now convinced that he needed nothing but his fists to serve Vorax, he founded the Brothers of Battle, taking Stonefist as his new surname. In memory of Thergrim's miraculous deed, the head of the Brothers of Battle is still called the Stonefist and often the gloves worn by the Brothers are painted silver or sewn with silver and red thread. Members of the Brotherhood can be found throughout Layonara, but they gravitate to areas of conflict. The Brothers are affiliated with the church and often work with it. The Stonefist is also often asked to attend Council Vigilant meetings as his input is valued. A new Stonefist is chosen by the previous. The title used to be for life, but in the last few centuries, it has become customary for the Stonefist to appoint his successor and step down before death, so that knowledge can be passed on rather than lost.
Stonefist Glorthie of Clan Mountainhome is the first female to head the order. She is middle-aged and small for a dwarf but those who know her know not to be fooled; she moves faster than a snake, hits harder than a griffon, and is out of a return blow's way before her opponents realize they were hit. She has studied with several monk orders in her lifetime to expand her horizons, including the one at the Monastery of Dreams. She brings every new move to her Brothers (females are also called Brothers of Battle) and often sends groups to fight alongside the Red Axes and War Priests.
Rune Carvers
Dwarves and arcane magic don't mix. This has been a given since the first dwarf was created, and most think it is genetic to the race; some scholars say that dwarven physiology reacts to the Al'Noth, although reasons why are in short supply. However, it is understood that enchanted weapons are often required to defeat certain foes and this has created a conundrum within the church for centuries. Only in the last two decades has a real solution been found in the work of one Vorax-worshipping couple, Harar and Nurrian Morrload. Determined to overcome the stigma of having to use magical enhancements, the best engraver and most clever brewer of the Ulgrid Fortress set out to learn of alchemy in the year 1342 and researched all that they could of runes of old. Along the way, they discovered-- they don't speak of how--certain runic combinations that added power to whatever they were carved on. The runes had additional power when alchemical paint was added. It took them fifty years to develop and perfect their methods. During this time they took on others who were interested in the possibility of enchanting without magic. By 1400 they had amassed a group of nearly sixty people, all dedicated to that moment in the deep of that winter when they carefully engraved a special rune onto an axe, then painted the inside with a glowing mixture of owl's blood, fireseed essence, saltpetre, charcoal, and bat guano. A few test swings showed the axe to ignite into a fiery flame edge when striking and at that moment the din from the cheers of victory were deafening.
Since then, they have perfected recipes for basic elemental damages including acid, electrical shocks, fire, and cold. They are working on several other types of runes and are often partners with the Church of Vorax when battles are imminent, preparing weapons and armor for the task. Membership in this sect is based solely on what the potential member can offer in terms of research or talent and all who are involved work toward expanding the knowledge and power of the runes.
Harar and Nurrian Morrload -- Husband and wife, parents to a loved daughter, and the founders of the Rune Carvers, this dwarven couple have spearheaded what has become an incredibly important part of the Vorax church. Their work on runic enhancements has taken a great weight off the shoulders of the magic-adverse dwarves and has spread all over Layonara with their runes popping up on a great number of weapons. They are driven but fair minded folks who take their work seriously and eject from the Rune Carvers anyone who does not pull their own weight.
