The Emerald Book: Armakak

[_RoyalCrafter_ 3192]

The Emerald Book:

Armakak

Armakak forging a new coin with the help of other Brathmordkin.

[source]

 

“The light of Yemekar’s forge was not enough to illuminate the endless void. He did not wish for his creations to be shrouded in darkness and without direction. So he took a circular piece of gold and placed it in his forge. Cosmic winds powered the belows, and he heated the coin endlessly, until an inextinguishable golden flame wrapped around the gold. He reached out to retrieve the creation, and he placed it in the sky, where it continued to burn and shine endlessly. That burning gold was Armakak, his light served as a guide for the dwarves, and his gold brought prosperity and trade to them.”

-Religious archives

 

 

Armakak  The Coinmaster

Armakak is the Brathmordkin of Trade, Light and Fortune.  Traders and merchants often pray to Armakak for blessings on their trading. Armakak often rewards fair and honourable tradesmen. Due to the shape of the sun resembling a coin, many have considered the sun to be his realm, thus some also venerate the sun and its light in honour of Armakak. He is also the brother of Grimduguan, The Brathmordkin of Darkness and Greed. Despite seemingly being opposites these brothers work in tandem to help maintain the balance of the world, as well as helping grow the hoards of dwarves in different ways.

 

 

The Lessons of Wealth:

A set of beliefs and principles to aid the dwarven people in living by Armaka’s creed, to become better traders and to have light shine upon their souls. 

 

Urbar: This means Trade. To trade, barter and exchange goods is one of the best ways of honouring Armakak. Though, to Trade does not mean to extort. One must conduct themselves with typical dwarven honour when trading, to ensure both parties are happy with the trade and that no deception is involved. Reciprocity is key and to deceive for profit is antithetical to Urbar.

 

“A dwarf must trade in equivalencies, never take too much or give too little lest you fall down the path of unstoppable greed. Though remember, kindness must be payed in full, and so must malice.”

- Quote from Alaric Grimgold, Prophet of Dungrimm.

Aurok: This word means Gold. Gold is the ultimate tool for trade, and it can be viewed as a personification of Armakak. Thus its value is unquestionable and it must be respected when traded and smithed. In a broader sense, Aurok also refers to the sun and its light, for the gleaming warm rays of the sun resemble the shine of gold. The guiding light of gold and the sun should be used to explore and venture into the world. The light of gold is also symbolic of industry and fortune.

 

“Trade in it! Rejoice when gold passes through your fingers both ways. Do not seek to lustfully covet it, but seek to passively amass wealth. Gold that is traded away is never lost and can always be made back! If you are unsure, seek the light of the First Coin on your skin, and let its rays guide you.”

- Words from Gworic Mossborn, Priest of Ogradhad, Hefrumm Merchant.

 

Faevísindrum: A long word meaning Versatility. An aspiring dwarf must never rest on their laurels and always be prepared for any circumstance. Travelling merchants honouring Armakak, must not be yellow-bellied when a challenge comes across their way. They must be versatile, think of clever solutions and adapt to their situation. This lesson does not just apply to merchants, every dwarf should know how to make the best out of a bad situation and remain hopeful in any event.

 

“When life gives you grobsnopper, make medicine… and then sell it.”

- Rule 79 from the book ‘111 Rules to Dwarven Business’

 

Kronul’os: Kronul’os means Brotherhood. As mentioned above, Armakak and Grimduguan are brothers. Despite their seemingly opposing natures, domains and personalities, these two Brathmordkin still work in tandem to keep the balance of the world. The lesson of Kronul’os teaches us to respect, our families, kinsmen and other dwarves no matter how different they might seem to us. There can never be prosperity if there is resentment.

 

“Those who live in upon the mountains, those who dwell in the depths, and those who live in the forests all have different cultures and beliefs. But we all share the same blood. There should be no barriers among us to spread prosperity in Armakak’s name.”

 - Quote from a travelling dwarven merchant.

 

Post Scriptum:

Armakak’s most well-known aspect is without a doubt Trade. As many such dwarves honour Armakak through merchants. There is no issue with this, in fact, the act of trade is perhaps one of the most efficient ways to honour Armakak. Nevertheless, I felt the need to expand upon other facets of Armakak, for not all dwarves are endowed with skills of trade. Those who bask in the glory of the first coin, those who trade their labour for money, and those that are warmn and welcoming to all are worshippers of Armakak.

 

May it be noted that this is not clerical canon, but my personal views upon the Brathmordkin. The collections present in The Emerald Book are that of my own contemplations.

 

 

Sources:

Various Clerical Texts

The works of Norli Starbreaker

The beliefs of various Clans

111 Rules to Dwarven Business

Cosmological Studies of the realms of Baldin Frostbeard

The Dwarven Language Encyclopedia

 

Edited December 22, 2022 by VerminHunter
spelling mistakes