Hatatch, also known as the Steady Earth, is a major god of Hazeron, and the god of the earth. His domains are earth, rock, ore, and contemplation. His symbol is commonly depicted as a series of circles set inside each other, over and over again. It is said that he is good friends with Fectovarano, allowing Fecto's rivers to run through his land.
Description
Appearance
Hatatch is generally known to speak through monoliths of earth or rock, usually towering over the creature he is addressing. Those that live in fear of the god will often take precautions to avoid naturally formed pillars and large rocks, though there have been a few accounts of Hatatch manifesting through man-made structures and even mountains. In legends, Hatatch is often described to have manifested as a large humanoid made of compacted dirt and stone, able to change his size by altering the dirt around him. In ancient accounts of his battles with Jylurm, he would craft thick stone armor around his form to protect it from erosion by the violent sea.
Personality
Hatatch is known to be slow-speaking and contemplative.
Belief and Systems
Hatatch is a neutral good god. In the era of Iron and Chains, perhaps as a result of Jylurm's relative inactivity, Hatatch has been very passive, and doesn't seem to pursue any specific goals. In the past, Hatatch's goal has been the protection of the land from the sea and the creatures of Jylurm, as well as the nurturing of land-dwelling animals.
Hatatch has a number of teachings regarding ideal ways to live and the proper way to respect the earth and its life. Many dwarves at least consider these teachings to be honorable, if they don't follow them themselves.
Pacts
Hatatch offers powerful earth-based magics to those that follow him. Followers should be calm, thoughtful, and approach all matters with careful consideration.
Devotees
Hatatch tends not to meddle too much in mortal affairs beyond occasionally answering prayers, and therefore doesn't have many regular followers outside of dwarves, who seek his blessings when carving out mountains. Dwarves that aren't devoted to Hatatch usually know of his teachings, which are often respected even outside of a religious capacity.
There is a large religious following known as the Stonespeakers that vigilantly watch over the borders of the land and sea, acting as the eyes and ears of Hatatch. While the majority occupy temples placed at shorelines, some choose to settle near civilizations in order to spread the teachings of Hatatch.
Commandments
- Respect the earth that holds and supports you
- Think deeply before risking action
- Become the stone that supports others
Legends
Teachings of Hatatch
The Teachings of Hatatch is a large set of 131 tenets to live your life by. Some tenets are short, while others are long, specific descriptions. Some are even short stories. The memorization, recitation, and interpretation of these tenets is a focus of many of those who worship Hatatch, especially the Stonespeakers.
History
In 989 IaC, Hatatch reached out to the Cursebusters after they cleared the temple of Dancing Rock from the influence of the Green Hand, speaking to them through a stone monolith. He awarded the group with small boons of his favor, except for Lambchop, as Hatatch disapproved of his use of the hammer Dustmaker.