The Compact

The compact forged between the folk of Hammerfast, Moradin and Gruumsh created the foundation upon which the town rests. It shapes everyday life and infulences the towns development. Of course, as with anything involving dwarves and orcs, it also creates a source of constant tension

The Compact
When the dwarves first resolved to settle in Ham­merfast. the priests of Moradin beseeched their god for guidance. The necropolis was once sacred ground, before the invading orcs defiled it.

A champion of Gruumsh named Tarrak led the assault on Hammerfast. He swore to Gruumsh to destroy the place and loot its treasures. Tarrak died in the assault, along with many other fanatical worshipers o fGruumsh. In Gruumsh's Single, baleful eye, Ham­merfast became a monument to his worshipers' ferocity.

With two competing deities laying claim to Ham­merfast only a compromise could avert a second war. Moradin and Gruumsh argued and threatened each other through intermediaries, until at last they reached an accord. Gruumsh had no use for the town, but he saw the chance to create a stark reminder of his cham­pion's victory. He demanded that the dwarves set aside part of the town for his priests.

Moradin agreed, but as a condition of his assent insisted on a strict set of rules that both parties must follow. Gruumsh gained his show of defiance, and Moradin ensured that his followers would be safe from Gruumsh's treachery. The rules set forth were simple but inflexible:


 * Worshipers of Gruumsh are not to be attacked or detained within the town as long as they do not commit acts of violence against Hammerfast's residents.


 * Any priest of Gruumsh in the town must aid in its defense ifit comes under attack.


 * The ghosts that dwell in Hammerfast are to be left alone, as long as they do not attack the living.


 * The temples of Moradin and Gruumsh are sacred ground. Ifeither is attacked by the other, the gods will intervene.

The punishment for violating the compact varies. If a priest of Gruumsh is injured or detained, the dwarves must turn over a priest of Moradin for torture and execution at Gruumsh's temple. Any priest of Gruumsh that violates the compact is struck blind and exiled to certain death in the wilderness. The town guard enforces the law regarding the ghosts: Any attack on the undead is treated as an assault on a living citizen.