Dugmaren Brightmantle

Dugmaren Brightmantle, also known as The Errant Explorer, is the dwarven deity of scholarship, discovery and invention and an exarch of Moradin. Just as Marthammor Duin exemplifies the urge to explore the world beyond the mountain, Dugmaren Brightmantle signifies the exploratory striving to blaze the trails of creativity by using accumulated knowledge to create that which is new and good. Brightmantle represents the progressive elements of a naturally conservative race that nonetheless prides itself on its infrequent innovations.

Worshipers
Dugmaren’s clerics, known as xothor (“those who seek knowledge”), draw from the most creative tinkers and free thinkers of dwarven communities, on rare occasions even allowing gnomes to join their orders. They follow a doctrine of knowledge for knowledge’s sake, seeing equal value in learning a once-lost recipe for toasted zygom stalk and discovering the crucial flaw in an enemy’s defensive fortifications. In fact, since the xothor strongly favor creation over destruction, there’s a good chance many of them would prefer the recipe. Temples of the Errant Explorer, usually sprawling edifices filled with the scattered detritus of a half-hundred abandoned experiments and twice as many open books, can be found above and below the surface.

Xothor pray for spells in the morning. They observe few official holidays, instead whispering a prayer of thanks to the Errant Explorer upon the discovery of some new bit of lore. On Greengrass and Highharvestide, xothor begin the day with several hours in private meditation, staring at the flame of a candle. Thereafter, neighboring xothor gather to discuss their discoveries and creations since the prior convocation. Xothor frequently multiclass as lore masters, rune casters, or wizards.

Relationships
His ceaseless quest for knowledge and constant tinkering and exploring have a tendency to get Dugmaren into trouble and although Moradin admires his adventuresome spirit, the Dwarffather despairs at his tendency to wander away from a pursuit to follow something else that catches his notoriously fickle attentions. Dugmaren's circle includes Haela Brightaxe, Marthammor Duin, Brandobaris, Erevan Ilesere, Gond, and Shaundakul. Gargauth, who represents knowledge-hunting for illicit and perverse purposes, is among his most hated foes.

History
Dugmaren's ambitions ensure that he's always at the center of some exploit, frequently in the company of his loose circle of deific associates.