Dugmaren Brightmantle
Encyclopedia
In many campaign setting
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Dugmaren Brightmantle (DUHG-mah-ren BRITE-man-tuhl) is the dwarf
deity of scholarship, discovery, and invention. His symbol is an open book.
In many campaign setting
s, the dwarven pantheon of gods consists of the leader Moradin
, as well as Abbathor
, Berronar Truesilver
, Clanggedin Silverbeard
, Dugmaren Brightmantle, Dumathoin
, Muamman Duathal
, and Vergadain
. Other dwarven gods may be present in different campaign settings.
(1992), including details about his priesthood. His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
(1996). He received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms
in Demihuman Deities
(1998).
Dugmaren Brightmantle's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
(2002).
, his chaos split off from Moradin's stern lawful nature and nurtured by his mother Berronar
's indulgent nature. Forever involved with some wild scheme or another, his regular accomplices include Muamman Duathal
, Brandobaris
, Erevan Ilesere
, and Nebelun
.
Dugmaren has no true foes, aside from Ilsensine
, who seeks to hoard knowledge for himself, and Urdlen
, who hates everyone. Dugmaren does not enjoy the company of Abbathor
, Laduguer
, or the evil giant
and goblin
gods.
and Vergadain
. Dugmaren's realm there, Soot Hall, is crowded with workshops and libraries. Soot Hall's name is literal, as the caverns are covered with chalky black soot from millennia of laboring. The noise here is continuous with no break or respite. Soot Hall's best products are finely crafted hammers and breastplates - many magical in nature - that often end up on the gaming tables of Vergadain's halls.
Dugmaren often wanders to Arborea
, Elysium
, and Bytopia
.
who are scholars, inventors, engineers, or tinkers. Worshipers of Dugmaren gather knowledge for its own sake rather than for practical purposes. Those craftsmen who venerate Dugmaren do so because they want to create something truly new, while Moradin's worshipers work instead to perfect their art based on long tradition.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Dugmaren Brightmantle (DUHG-mah-ren BRITE-man-tuhl) is the dwarf
Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
deity of scholarship, discovery, and invention. His symbol is an open book.
In many campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
s, the dwarven pantheon of gods consists of the leader Moradin
Moradin
Moradin is the chief deity in the dwarven pantheon in the Dungeons & Dragons game and is a member of the default D&D pantheon. Moradin's domains are Creation, Earth, Good, Law, and Protection. His titles include Soul Forger, Dwarffather, the All-Father, and the Creator...
, as well as Abbathor
Abbathor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Abbathor is the dwarven deity of greed. His holy symbol is a jeweled dagger.-Publication history:...
, Berronar Truesilver
Berronar Truesilver
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Berronar Truesilver is the dwarf goddess of Safety, Truth, Home, and Healing.-Publication history:...
, Clanggedin Silverbeard
Clanggedin Silverbeard
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Clanggedin Silverbeard is the dwarf deity of battle. He is a member of the dwarven pantheon. He is called the Father of Battle, and his area of influence is war, especially as a way of life...
, Dugmaren Brightmantle, Dumathoin
Dumathoin
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Dumathoin is the patron of mountain dwarves, and the dwarf deity of mining and underground exploration. He is also the protector of the dwarven dead. His holy symbol is a cut, faceted gem inside of a mountain.-Publication...
, Muamman Duathal
Muamman Duathal
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Muamman Duathal is the dwarf deity of wanderers and expatriates. He is also the dwarven god of lightning, which he uses as an omen...
, and Vergadain
Vergadain
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Vergadain is the dwarf deity of Wealth and Luck. Vergadain's titles "the Trickster" and "the Laughing Dwarf" are not used by his worshippers. His holy symbol is a circular gold coin. These coins must be acquired in payment for...
. Other dwarven gods may be present in different campaign settings.
Publication history
Dugmaren Brightmantle was first detailed in the book Monster MythologyMonster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
(1992), including details about his priesthood. His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground is an accessory book for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, for the Planescape campaign setting.-Contents:This book contains information about deities' planar domains from 20 separate pantheons...
(1996). He received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
in Demihuman Deities
Demihuman Deities
Demihuman Deities is a Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition: Forgotten Realms campaign accessory, published by Wizards of the Coast. The book was designed by Eric L. Boyd...
(1998).
Dugmaren Brightmantle's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons is a campaign accessory for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons, for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.-Contents:...
(2002).
Description
Dugmaren appears as an elderly dwarf with sparkling blue eyes. He is slightly hunched over and he wears the bright blue cloak that is his namesake. He irritates his father by wandering away from his projects before he completes them or before he finds a use for the knowledge he has collected.Relationships
Dugmaren is said to be a son of MoradinMoradin
Moradin is the chief deity in the dwarven pantheon in the Dungeons & Dragons game and is a member of the default D&D pantheon. Moradin's domains are Creation, Earth, Good, Law, and Protection. His titles include Soul Forger, Dwarffather, the All-Father, and the Creator...
, his chaos split off from Moradin's stern lawful nature and nurtured by his mother Berronar
Berronar Truesilver
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Berronar Truesilver is the dwarf goddess of Safety, Truth, Home, and Healing.-Publication history:...
's indulgent nature. Forever involved with some wild scheme or another, his regular accomplices include Muamman Duathal
Muamman Duathal
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Muamman Duathal is the dwarf deity of wanderers and expatriates. He is also the dwarven god of lightning, which he uses as an omen...
, Brandobaris
Brandobaris
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Brandobaris is the halfling deity of Stealth, Thievery, Rogues, and Adventuring. His sacred animal is the mouse. His symbol is a halfling's footprint.-Publication history:Brandobaris was first detailed in Roger E...
, Erevan Ilesere
Erevan Ilesere
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Erevan Ilesere is the elven deity of Mischief, Change, Rogues and Changelings. Erevan is a fickle, utterly unpredictable god who can change his appearance at will. His symbol is a nova star with asymmetrical rays.-Publication history:Erevan Ilesere was...
, and Nebelun
Nebelun
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Nebelun is the gnome deity of inventions and good luck.Nebelun is, in fantasy literature, a fictional Gnome deity of invention and good luck...
.
Dugmaren has no true foes, aside from Ilsensine
Ilsensine
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Ilsensine is the patron deity of illithids . While not the creator of illithids, Ilsensine sees mind flayers as the entities most worthy of dominating the universe...
, who seeks to hoard knowledge for himself, and Urdlen
Urdlen
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Urdlen is the gnome deity of greed and blood.In many campaign settings, the gnome pantheon of gods consists of the leader Garl Glittergold, as well as Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Cloakshadow, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun, Segojan...
, who hates everyone. Dugmaren does not enjoy the company of Abbathor
Abbathor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Abbathor is the dwarven deity of greed. His holy symbol is a jeweled dagger.-Publication history:...
, Laduguer
Laduguer
In many campaign settings for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, Laduguer is the evil deity of the duergar, the Underdark-dwelling cousins of dwarves. He is a strict and unforgiving god. His holy symbol is a shield with a broken crossbow bolt motif.-Creative origins:Laduguer was...
, or the evil giant
Giant (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, giant is a type of creature, or "creature type." Giants are humanoid-shaped creatures of great strength and size.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
and goblin
Goblin (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, goblins are a very common and fairly weak race of evil humanoid monsters. Goblins and Kobolds are commonly non-human monsters that low-level player characters will face in combat. In D&D, goblins aren't smaller cousins of orcs, but are a part of...
gods.
Realm
Dugmaren shares the Dwarven Mountain on the Outlands with DumathoinDumathoin
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Dumathoin is the patron of mountain dwarves, and the dwarf deity of mining and underground exploration. He is also the protector of the dwarven dead. His holy symbol is a cut, faceted gem inside of a mountain.-Publication...
and Vergadain
Vergadain
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Vergadain is the dwarf deity of Wealth and Luck. Vergadain's titles "the Trickster" and "the Laughing Dwarf" are not used by his worshippers. His holy symbol is a circular gold coin. These coins must be acquired in payment for...
. Dugmaren's realm there, Soot Hall, is crowded with workshops and libraries. Soot Hall's name is literal, as the caverns are covered with chalky black soot from millennia of laboring. The noise here is continuous with no break or respite. Soot Hall's best products are finely crafted hammers and breastplates - many magical in nature - that often end up on the gaming tables of Vergadain's halls.
Dugmaren often wanders to Arborea
Arborea (Dungeons & Dragons)
In Dungeons & Dragons, fantasy role-playing game, Arborea or more fully, the Olympian Glades of Arborea, is a chaotic good-aligned plane of existence...
, Elysium
Elysium (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Elysium, or more fully, the Blessed Fields of Elysium, is a strongly good-aligned plane of existence...
, and Bytopia
Bytopia
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Bytopia, also known as the Twin Paradises or more fully, the Twin Paradises of Bytopia is a lawful good/neutral good aligned plane of existence...
.
Dogma
Dugmaren's followers are assured that knowledge lies out there waiting to be discovered. They are urged to travel, learn, broaden their minds and to teach young and old alike. They seek out forgotten lore and invent and experiment with new ideas. They seek to learn a little bit about everything rather than a lot about a little.Worshipers
Dugmaren is venerated by dwarves and some gnomesGnome (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are more tolerant of other races and of magic, and are skilled with illusions...
who are scholars, inventors, engineers, or tinkers. Worshipers of Dugmaren gather knowledge for its own sake rather than for practical purposes. Those craftsmen who venerate Dugmaren do so because they want to create something truly new, while Moradin's worshipers work instead to perfect their art based on long tradition.
Clergy
Dugmaren's clerics are scholars, teachers, and travelers. They prefer plain, white, homespun garments with vibrant sashes a handsbreadth in width. The High Old Ones of the faith wear simple silver circlets. They carry silver lockets resembling open books as holy symbols; small bits of lore are often kept inside. While adventuring, they favor light armor and weapons. Their favored weapon is the short sword. Novice clerics are called the Curious while full priests are known as Seekers of Truth and Mystery. In ascending order, the other rank titles used by Dugmarenite priests are: Questing Wanderer, Avid Fiddler, Philosophical Tinker, Seeking Scholar, Searching Sage, and Errant Philosopher. The highest and oldest among them are known as High Old Ones or High Savants. Specialty priests are known as xothor, which is a Dwarvish word meaning "those who seek knowledge."Temples
Dugmaren's temples are built both above and below ground; they are usually sprawling complexes filled with experiments in progress and mementos of the clerics' travels. At the center of each is a library. Altars are simple blocks of granite or some other hard stone, upon which sits an ever-burning candle.Additional reading
- Cook, David "Zeb"David Cook (game designer)David "Zeb" Cook is an American game designer best known for his work at TSR, Inc., where he was employed for over fifteen years.-Early life:...
Planescape Campaign SettingPlanescape Campaign SettingThe Planescape Campaign Setting was a boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The set was designed by David "Zeb" Cook and published in 1994, and introduced the Planescape setting.-Contents:...
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994. - Grubb, Jeff. A Player's Primer to the Outlands. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.