Larok the Blacksmith
The Story of Larok, the Blacksmith God
In the vast pantheon of gods, Larok stands apart as a divine paradox—a chaotic good deity of the forge and the grave. His followers say he is the embodiment of duality: a creator who forges life and a shepherd who guides souls to rest. His name is spoken with reverence in both bustling forges and solemn graveyards.
Origins of Larok
Larok was a blacksmith of unmatched skill during the early years of Coroth. He lived in an age of tyranny where the gods demanded absolute fealty and used mortals as pawns in their endless games. Larok, though deeply spiritual, was defiant and refused to bow to gods who brought nothing but suffering.
One fateful day, Larok's village was razed by war. He took up his hammer, originally a tool of creation, and turned it into a weapon. Though he fought valiantly, he was slain defending the last of his people. As his soul stood at the threshold of the afterlife, the gods debated his fate. Some wanted to punish him for his defiance, while others admired his courage.
Shadar Los, the goddess of death, an impartial judge of souls, was moved by Larok's sacrifice. She offered him a choice: eternal rest or the chance to ascend as a god to forge a new path for mortals. Larok chose the latter, vowing to be a protector of those who sought to create and a guide for those who faced death.
Domains and Symbols
As a god, Larok presides over the Forge Domain and the Grave Domain, embodying creation and endings:
Forge Domain: Larok inspires artisans and smiths to create wonders that benefit the world. His followers believe every strike of the hammer carries his blessing. Temples dedicated to him often include forges where craftsmen work tirelessly to create tools, weapons, and works of art.
Grave Domain: Larok holds a deep respect for the sanctity of death. He opposes undeath and those who seek to pervert the natural order of life and death. His clerics are often found tending graves, ensuring the dead are honored and their souls guided safely to the afterlife.
His symbol is a hammer wreathed in flames, with a skeletal hand holding its handle—a representation of life and death intertwined.
Personality and Philosophy
Larok is a god of contradictions. Though he is chaotic, his actions are driven by compassion and justice. He believes in freedom and the dignity of all beings, encouraging his followers to challenge oppression and forge their own destinies. However, he also demands respect for life’s inevitable end, urging mortals to cherish their time and honor those who have passed.
Larok’s worshipers often say, “Life is a forge, and death is its cooling touch.” To him, creation and destruction are not opposites but part of the same cycle.
Myths and Legends
The Hammer of Souls: Larok’s divine hammer, Soulforge, is said to have been forged from the remnants of his mortal hammer. Legends claim it has the power to destroy undead with a single strike and can repair even the most damaged of artifacts. It is said he used it to seal away an ancient lich who defied death itself.
The Burning Forge: In a time of great despair, a city’s forge was extinguished by a tyrant seeking to control the people. Larok appeared in mortal guise, teaching the townsfolk how to reignite the forge with their determination and unity. This act inspired a rebellion that overthrew the tyrant.
The Silent Procession: When a powerful necromancer raised an army of the dead, Larok walked the battlefield, guiding the restless souls back to peace. His clerics tell this story to remind others that even in chaos, the god stands as a guardian of the natural order.
Worship and Practices
Larok’s worshipers are a diverse group, including blacksmiths, gravekeepers, adventurers, and rebels. They build shrines in forges, workshops, and cemeteries. Rituals often involve the lighting of a forge or the blessing of graves with sacred oil. His holy days are celebrated with both feasts and moments of silence, honoring the balance of creation and rest.
The Call of Larok
Larok’s followers are often adventurers with a deep sense of justice, particularly clerics and paladins who seek to protect the weak and defy those who exploit the cycle of life and death. To serve Larok is to embrace the duality of existence, forging paths where none exist and ensuring that even in chaos, goodness prevails.