Ferrakus

Title	Lord Beneath, The Earthtremor
Portfolio	Mountains, mining, and caverns
Typical Worshipers	Earthbound races, miners, stonecrafters
Typical Worshiper Alignment	Neutral
Domains	Earth, Fire, Luck, Strength
Subdomains	Ash, Caves, Curse, Ferocity
Favored Weapon	Heavy Pick
Favored Animal(s)	Mole

Legends

There are many legends of the secretive, subterranean power known as Ferrakus. He is apparently of either dwarven or gnomish origin, though there are even human legends of Ferrakus based on deep cave engravings that predate the former races’ claims. Ferrakus is said to have emerged from the fires of the very first volcano when it erupted on a world that has long since died. The Lord Beneath opened his burning eyes, and looked at the infinite sky, the flammable forests and the azure seas beyond them. Seeing that there was no safe haven for him, he turned back earthward and descended once more. He left the mountaintop sundered, pouring forth lava as a message to the other gods: “Whatever you create, it can be destroyed. Whatever you raise, it can burn. Everything you fashion upon this world rests above my domain-marvels crafted on the thin, cold shell of a molten egg.” That message is central to all legends of Ferrakus-the idea that nothing lasts forever and that strength can overcome anything, if you strike the right place. This a practical lesson for gemcutters and stonemasons, but for a dangerous few it is a license for violence in the dark. These folk take the legend of Ferrakus to mean that the world should be burned and that all that is made should be unmade.

Church

There are two sects of Ferrakus’ church. The first is the most common: shrines and temples of solid rock where the wisdom of earth and fire lore is passed from priests to followers much like any other place of worship devoted to any other god. These shrines cater to crafters, artisans, and spelunkers. Most priests are skilled at caving and can serve ably as advisors and guides. The other sect of Ferrakus exists only in the shadows of a few cities and in the deep parts of the underworld. These holy sites are little more than a few old symbols carved into a stone wall and a single caretaker-priest. These Scoria Shrines cater to the god’s darker devoted and provide services more akin to a thieves’ or assassins’ guild. Despite their differing natures, there is a truce between the two sects. Worship of Ferrakus trumps whichever side of the cave a particular follower is on.

Spell Preparation Rituals

Priests of Ferrakus usually spend most of their time underground and rarely know what time it is in the sunlit world. As such, they innately feel when they can draw upon the power of their god each workday and prepare their prayers before bed. A full rest is part of their preparations, meaning a priest of Ferrakus that is interrupted while sleeping fails to regain their spells until they get at least six hours of restful sleep.

Religion Traits

The following religion traits may be chosen by worshipers of this deity.

Bane from Below

Benefit Whenever you flank a target, you gain a +1 trait bonus to damage. Priests with the sneak attack ability may also add this bonus damage to sneak attack damage as well.

Skill of the Unseen

Benefit Whenever you make a skill check to cut a gem, work stone or perform any action as described under the ability of stonecunning, you gain a +1 trait bonus to the roll. This bonus also applies if they are aiding another with such an activity.