© Daniel S. Wall, April 28, 2026.

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“Shunning the company of others, Mognir followed a deep cavern into the mountains. Finding different colored ores in the walls about him, Mognir built a great forge and began to smelt the ore into all types of metal. Stoking the flames to great heights, Mognir discovered the secrets of bronze, of steel, and even gold. As he worked, drops of Mognir’s sweat fell to the floor and took life in the form of Vorim, the Great. Beholding the first blade forged, a drop of blood fell from Mognir’s soot-covered fingers. Landing upon the floor, it became Dvergrim the black.

“Standing unnoticed in the great shop, Vorim and Dvergrim each occupied himself in his own fashion. Vorim took up the tools about him and began to put them to good use making all manner of weapons and tools out of the materials in Mognir’s workshop. Dvergrim found charcoal markings upon the walls of the cave and set himself to learn their meaning.

“Having satisfied himself with the art of metalwork and the crafting of weapons, Mognir taught himself to render the most beautiful of metals and stones into great art. He took little notice that newer and better tools could be found in his shop, nor did he care that runes could now be found about the walls of his workshop. But Mognir did notice when one day an elf wandered into his home from the forests above. Taking refuge from some threat above, the weak and frail creature cowered in the shadows and begged Mognir’s to grant her asylum. Asking the little creature to find him some food, Mognir handed Aelfgemmel a pile of his finest creations. The first dark elf studied the odd assortment of gold chains along with a silver bracelet then she set to work. Seeing as the sun now hurt her eyes, she ascended to the surface at night to place her trap outside the entrance. Quickly she returned to the workshop lest she be seen out on the surface.

“Forty days and nights passed in the outside world before a hair fell into Alfgemmel’s trap. Forgetting the elf and his request to her, Mognir set about fashioning armor of different sorts and sizes. Unbidden by any army, chain, scale, and even plate armor began to take shape in Mognir’s shop. Mognir took no heed when food entered his home. On seeing meat for the first time, Vorim and Dvergrim learned of their own hunger, grown insatiable since birth. Neither could wait for the other and both began to fight with Aelfgemmel over the small morsel meant to feed the lot of them.

“Hearing a commotion in his shop, Mognir beheld for the first time all of his helpers. Seeing them in conflict, he carved deeper into the mountains. Mognir settled Dvergrim in the furthest reaches of his caverns, whereupon Dvergrim placed all of his books and raised his children to be masters of runecraft. Carving still deeper into his caverns, Mognir settled Aelfgemmel in a maze of hidden rooms where she raised her children far from the sight of forest elves and their allies. Leaving his shop and all of its tools to Vorim, Mognir carved a side passage and proceeded still deeper into the mountain, disappearing altogether and leaving behind only his crafts and his progeny.

“And thus were the great kingdoms of the underworld born, the kindred of Dwarf, Dvergar, and Dark Elf, …each in turn dependent on the others. …and each jealous of the other’s fortune. Bound to one another in trade and in conflict, these three kindreds rule the underworld. Each honors Mognir in its own fashion, and each emulates some feature of his skills to the best of its abilities.

– The Darkening Saga.

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Whether Mognir can best be described as a Dwarf or a Dvergar is a subject of great debate, but only the most foolish of dark elves would claim anything but a relation of adoption. He is worshipped by each of these three kindreds.

Mognir takes little notice of the conflict occurring between his legions of followers, noticing only those with some mastery in some skill or craft. Among the Dvergar, it is magical runecraft which serves as the most common route to his approval. Among the dwarves, it is conventional crafts of metal work and stone cutting or architecture. The Dark Elves claim their fortune in the use of traps and the construction of elaborate mazes.

If there is anything approaching civilization in the cavernous regions of the world, it is generally due to the kindred of Mognir and their contributions to the shape and care of a dungeon. When each is not trading with the others, they are likely to be raiding one another. And yet, some strange bond remains between each (most likely the legacy of Mognir himself), and so wars between Dvergar, Dwarves, and Dark Elves always stop well short of outright slaughter. Each kindred seeks to hold the others under its control, and using the fruits of one another’s labor to their own advantage. Each kindred also seeks to show itself worthy of Mognir’s legacy.

Religion: Priests of Mognir are almost exclusively found in underground lairs. Some few may be found on the surface of major cities, often surrounded by smithies and related craftsmen. They are commonly devoted to some craft or another. Dark Elven Priests normally devote themselves to the most obscure lore available, often guarding great secrets of value to those on the surface world. Dwarven Priests will advance the arts and crafts of metalwork, and Dvergar show great mastery in the use of runes and creation of Magical artifacts. All Priests of Mognir can be relied upon to support the pursuit of excellence in some form of craftsmanship or secret lore.

Domains: Caverns, Crafts, Dwarves

Symbol: An Anvil.

Favored Offerings: Mognir is most pleased with luxury goods made by master craftsman.