Vergadain
Encyclopedia
In many campaign setting
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Vergadain (VUR-guh-dain) 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 goods sold. Worshippers of the Merchant King are expected to exchange this coin for another at least once a month.
's article "The Dwarven Point of View," in Dragon
#58 (TSR, 1982). In Dragon #92 (December 1984), Gary Gygax
indicated this as one of the deities legal for the Greyhawk
setting. He also appeared in the original Unearthed Arcana
(1985).
Vergadain was first detailed as part of the dwarven pantheon in the Forgotten Realms
in Dwarves Deep
(1990). He was detailed in the book Monster Mythology
(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). Vergadain is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Vergadain role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
(2002). His priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine
(2004).
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.
and other spheres and worlds.
Not far from the gate-towns of Xaos and Glorium but closer to the infinite Spire at the center of the plane, Dwarven Mountain is a collection of subterranean realms, known as halls to the dwarves. Vergadain's realm is Strongale Hall. Strongale Hall is known far and wide for its gambling and drink; planar lore has it that those who gamble in Strongale Hall can put up anything they own as a stake, even intangible qualities such as their bravery, strength, shadows, or souls. The local beverages are strong, and the dwarven spirits who serve Vergadain are eager to profit from it.
Worshippers of the Merchant King meet in windowless rooms or underground, surrounded by torches, braziers, or other flames, and dance in slow, stately shiftings around the floor while wearing or displaying gold or other objects of great value. Every worshipper throws at least one gold piece into the flame as they dance; as the flame consumes the offerings utterly, the fire rarely dies away to reveal a map, clue, potion, or other omen or boon sent by Vergadain. Extremely rarely, Vergadain may send a weapon; most commonly, the boon will be a key that unlocks a box rightfully owned by a dwarf, but being kept from them for some reason. The dance ends when the flame shoots upwards, signifying the thanks and attention of the Laughing Dwarf. The priests then light candles or other lights and discuss business. Next are monetary transactions between the faithful, and finally the ranking cleric passes a hand through the flame, causing it to slowly diminish. The dwarves kiss a coin as a gesture of fairwell, and depart.
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...
, Vergadain (VUR-guh-dain) 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 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 goods sold. Worshippers of the Merchant King are expected to exchange this coin for another at least once a month.
Publication history
Vergadain was first detailed in Roger E. MooreRoger E. Moore
Roger E. Moore is a designer of role-playing games. He is best known for his long-running tenure as editor of Dragon magazine, and was the founding editor of Dungeon magazine.-Early life:...
's article "The Dwarven Point of View," in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#58 (TSR, 1982). In Dragon #92 (December 1984), Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
indicated this as one of the deities legal for the Greyhawk
Greyhawk
Greyhawk, also known as the World of Greyhawk, is a fictional world designed as a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
setting. He also appeared in the original Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana is the title shared by two hardback books published for different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1985).
Vergadain was first detailed as part of the dwarven pantheon 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 Dwarves Deep
Dwarves Deep
Dwarves Deep is an accessory for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1990). He was detailed in the book Monster Mythology
Monster 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). Vergadain is described as one of the good deities that celestials
Celestial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, celestials are a class of creatures and monsters known as outsiders who are of wholly good alignment....
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Vergadain 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). His priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine
Complete Divine
Complete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
(2004).
Description
Vergadain appears as a tall dwarf dressed in the brown and yellow garb of a merchant; often his clothes are tattered and dusty from his long travels. Underneath this, he wears armor and often carries musical instruments (Vergadain has a great singing voice and is said to be a great poet), disguises, and sacks of treasure protected with poisonous snakes and vermin. His boots contain concealed weapons such as knives or garrotes, or hidden places or both. His eyes sparkle enigmatically, and he smiles more than any other dwarven god.Relationships
In many campaign settingCampaign 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
Dugmaren Brightmantle
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Dugmaren Brightmantle is the dwarf deity of scholarship, discovery, and invention...
, 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.
Realm
Vergadain shares the Dwarven Mountain on the Outlands with Dugmaren and Dumathoin, but he spends little time there. Instead he wanders GreyspaceGreyspace
Greyspace is an accessory for the Spelljammer campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The book was written by Nigel Findley, and was published in 1992. Cover art is by Tom Baxa, with interior illustrations by David O...
and other spheres and worlds.
Not far from the gate-towns of Xaos and Glorium but closer to the infinite Spire at the center of the plane, Dwarven Mountain is a collection of subterranean realms, known as halls to the dwarves. Vergadain's realm is Strongale Hall. Strongale Hall is known far and wide for its gambling and drink; planar lore has it that those who gamble in Strongale Hall can put up anything they own as a stake, even intangible qualities such as their bravery, strength, shadows, or souls. The local beverages are strong, and the dwarven spirits who serve Vergadain are eager to profit from it.
Dogma
Wealth and good luck are the true blessings, particularly when they are brought by one's own zeal and enterprise. Worshippers of Vergadain are expected to work hard, strive to be clever and to seek the best bargains. They try to live life to the fullest, not just saving but also tithing and spending when appropriate in order to encourage more trade. While they owe respect to others, they have the responsibility to seek the best bargains and try to get the better deal for themselves, so as not to dishonor their deity.Clergy
Vergadain's priests dress in the finest golden chain mail and helmets. They favor rich, costly robes studded with gems and trimmed with furs. Gold and deep purple are the preferred colors. Their favored weapon is the longsword. They are expected to be wealthy. They seek to advance dwarven commerce and maintain their god's temples in high style.Rituals
Gold is sacrificed to Vergadain during the nights of Luna's full moon, during the Coin Festivals held in Vergadain's honor by placing them on an altar dedicated to the God of Wealth and Luck. This gold is then invested shrewdly by the clergy with the goal of supporting dwarven merchants, bailing them out of debt, or sometimes bribing officials of other races or cultures.Worshippers of the Merchant King meet in windowless rooms or underground, surrounded by torches, braziers, or other flames, and dance in slow, stately shiftings around the floor while wearing or displaying gold or other objects of great value. Every worshipper throws at least one gold piece into the flame as they dance; as the flame consumes the offerings utterly, the fire rarely dies away to reveal a map, clue, potion, or other omen or boon sent by Vergadain. Extremely rarely, Vergadain may send a weapon; most commonly, the boon will be a key that unlocks a box rightfully owned by a dwarf, but being kept from them for some reason. The dance ends when the flame shoots upwards, signifying the thanks and attention of the Laughing Dwarf. The priests then light candles or other lights and discuss business. Next are monetary transactions between the faithful, and finally the ranking cleric passes a hand through the flame, causing it to slowly diminish. The dwarves kiss a coin as a gesture of fairwell, and depart.
Holy days
Vergadain's holy days are known as coin festivals to the faithful and as trade moots to more cynical observers. They are held on the days before and after a full moon. This is a time of selling, as worshippers of Vergadain seek to earn as much wealth as they can before the religious rites begin.Additional reading
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online: http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"