Gazul - Lord of the Underearth
The Lord of the Underearth is typically revered during observances of remembrance for the fallen in combat and those who have died a peaceful death.
A lesser Ancestor God, Gazul is the protector of the dead. Even in the time of the Ancestor Gods, Gazul pondered long on the mortality of his race. Reflective in nature, Gazul established the Dwarf tradition of venerating their ancestors, whether living or dead. He also uncovered the signature runes for himself and his sibling gods: Grungni, Valaya, and Grimnir. These “signature runes” gave the Ancestor Gods and their followers power to overcome their most depraved enemies.
A gloomy Dwarf, Gazul has jet black hair and beard with streaks of grey, especially at the temples and the corners of his mouth. He is normally shown wearing armour of black iron under a black cloak, and carrying the great runesword Zharrvengryn (“Flaming Vengeance”).
A lesser Ancestor God, Gazul is the protector of the dead. Even in the time of the Ancestor Gods, Gazul pondered long on the mortality of his race. Reflective in nature, Gazul established the Dwarf tradition of venerating their ancestors, whether living or dead. He also uncovered the signature runes for himself and his sibling gods: Grungni, Valaya, and Grimnir. These “signature runes” gave the Ancestor Gods and their followers power to overcome their most depraved enemies.
A gloomy Dwarf, Gazul has jet black hair and beard with streaks of grey, especially at the temples and the corners of his mouth. He is normally shown wearing armour of black iron under a black cloak, and carrying the great runesword Zharrvengryn (“Flaming Vengeance”).
Symbols
Gazul’s main symbol is a stylised cave entrance, which represents the entry to the Underearth where the spirits of the ancestors reside. A secondary symbol the flame, used mostly by the
Dwarf witch-hunters of the Order of Shadow Hunters, an offshoot of his cult.
Priests of Gazul dress in black with red trim and wear Gazul’s rune embroidered on the right breast. Witch-hunters wear dark-coloured armour underneath black cloaks.
Dwarf witch-hunters of the Order of Shadow Hunters, an offshoot of his cult.
Priests of Gazul dress in black with red trim and wear Gazul’s rune embroidered on the right breast. Witch-hunters wear dark-coloured armour underneath black cloaks.
Strictures
All initiates, priests, and witch-hunters of Gazul must abide by the following strictures:
1. Always oppose all defilers of the dead, especially Necromancers.
2. Never refuse to perform burial rites for any that perish.
3. Never enter or disturb a place of burial that has been blessed.
1. Always oppose all defilers of the dead, especially Necromancers.
2. Never refuse to perform burial rites for any that perish.
3. Never enter or disturb a place of burial that has been blessed.
Holy Sites
Every Dwarfhold has a temple to Gazul. They are always underground, adjacent to the hold's burial vaults. Ogre-sized statues of Gazul guard the entrance to the temple and the vaults. A small altar stands in the middle of the temple, where those honouring the dead can likewise honour Gazul.
Shrines to Gazul are located in smaller Dwarf settlements, near their burial-places; the residents, rather than the priesthood, maintain these shrines.
Shrines to Gazul are located in smaller Dwarf settlements, near their burial-places; the residents, rather than the priesthood, maintain these shrines.
Sub-cults
The Order of Shadow Hunters (Mhornarkuli) were formed to fight against the forces of the
Raving Undead brought into the world by the corruption of Nagash. Led by selected priests of Gazul, chapters of the Shadow Hunters can be found in all Dwarfholds, especially those located nearest to the Badlands and the Imperial province of Sylvania.
The Order of Shadow Hunters also played an important role in the Vampire Wars of the 21st and 22nd century Empire, fighting against the various armies of the von Carsteins alongside the
Mórrian Orders of the Raven and Black Guards.
Within the Order of Shadow Hunters are the Black Spears (Kolwutrazi): Dwarfs that are trained
as Exorcists (Sigmar’s Heirs, page 123). In some situations, a Black Spear can be found among a company of Shadow Hunters.
Black Spears are equipped in the same manner as other Shadow Hunters, thus making it more difficult to distinguish these specialists at first glance.
In recent years, the Shadow Hunters have been given the charge of locating the burial chambers of long forgotten or fallen Dwarf settlements in the Worlds Edge Mountains. Their task is to
exhume the dead and re-inter the remains with their funereal possessions within the tombs beneath
the nearest standing Dwarfhold. Should any such burial site be desecrated, the Shadow Hunters
are to secretly seek out the guilty and, forcibly if need be, bring them to face Dwarf justice.
Raving Undead brought into the world by the corruption of Nagash. Led by selected priests of Gazul, chapters of the Shadow Hunters can be found in all Dwarfholds, especially those located nearest to the Badlands and the Imperial province of Sylvania.
The Order of Shadow Hunters also played an important role in the Vampire Wars of the 21st and 22nd century Empire, fighting against the various armies of the von Carsteins alongside the
Mórrian Orders of the Raven and Black Guards.
Within the Order of Shadow Hunters are the Black Spears (Kolwutrazi): Dwarfs that are trained
as Exorcists (Sigmar’s Heirs, page 123). In some situations, a Black Spear can be found among a company of Shadow Hunters.
Black Spears are equipped in the same manner as other Shadow Hunters, thus making it more difficult to distinguish these specialists at first glance.
In recent years, the Shadow Hunters have been given the charge of locating the burial chambers of long forgotten or fallen Dwarf settlements in the Worlds Edge Mountains. Their task is to
exhume the dead and re-inter the remains with their funereal possessions within the tombs beneath
the nearest standing Dwarfhold. Should any such burial site be desecrated, the Shadow Hunters
are to secretly seek out the guilty and, forcibly if need be, bring them to face Dwarf justice.
Holy Days
There are no holy days dedicated to Gazul. Observances to the Ancestor God
occur during the burial rites for deceased Dwarfs, and whenever Dwarfs meet to
honour their dead.
occur during the burial rites for deceased Dwarfs, and whenever Dwarfs meet to
honour their dead.