Caminus

For Caminus, the act of creation is sacred, and anything less than one's best effort is considered an affront to the deity. Followers who produce subpar work without striving for improvement are seen as failing in their devotion.

Stealing another's work and passing it off as one's own is a grave sin in the eyes of Caminus. Originality and authenticity are highly valued, and plagiarism is considered a betrayal of these principles.

Wasting materials or resources that could have been used in crafting is frowned upon. Followers are encouraged to be mindful and efficient in their use of materials.

Using one's skills solely for excessive profit, especially at the expense of quality or ethical considerations, is considered taboo. Caminus values the integrity of the craft above all else.

Followers are expected to strive for mastery in their chosen craft, continually seeking to improve and innovate. This is seen as the highest form of worship.

Just as they have learned from others, followers are expected to pass on their skills to the next generation. Taking on an apprentice is considered a sacred duty.

Those who are not craftsmen themselves but are followers of Caminus are expected to patronize the arts, whether by commissioning works, purchasing art, or sponsoring artisans.

Artisans are encouraged to contribute to the construction and maintenance of Caminus's temples. This can be in the form of materials, crafted items, or direct labor.

A finely crafted leather apron, adorned with intricate patterns and designs that reflect the wearer's specific craft. The apron would have pockets for holding tools or materials, each pocket embroidered with a symbol representing a different aspect of craftsmanship.

A ceremonial hammer, often made of a precious metal like silver or gold, and inlaid with gemstones. This hammer is not used for actual work but is carried as a symbol of Caminus's divine influence over the forge and craftsmanship.

A cloak made from luxurious fabric, embroidered with threads of gold or silver to depict scenes of legendary craftsmanship or significant moments from the lore of Caminus. The cloak would be fastened with a brooch shaped like Caminus's holy symbol, the hammer.

A simple yet elegant circlet worn on the head, often made of a metal that holds significance in the wearer's craft. The circlet would feature a single gemstone at its center, symbolizing the spark of divine inspiration.

Fine leather gloves, reinforced with metal at the fingertips, allowing for intricate work while also serving as a form of protection. The gloves would be embroidered with runes or symbols that invoke the blessings of Caminus.

Sturdy, well-crafted boots designed to provide stability and comfort during long hours of work. The soles might contain a layer of soft material to minimize fatigue, and the exterior would feature decorative elements that align with the wearer's craft.

A wrist cuff made of leather or metal, featuring slots or loops for holding small tools or materials. The cuff serves both a practical and symbolic purpose, reminding the wearer of their dedication to their craft and their deity.

A small locket worn around the neck, containing a tiny relic or symbol associated with Caminus. This could be a miniature hammer, a shard of a famous artwork, or a snippet of a musical score, depending on the wearer's discipline.

A small, ceremonial palette made of precious materials, used to hold a variety of pigments during religious ceremonies dedicated to Caminus. Each color would symbolize a different aspect of the deity's domain.

A small, ornate lyre or other musical instrument, used in ceremonies to honor Caminus. The instrument would be crafted with the utmost skill, its music considered an offering to the god of craftsmanship.

Through this ceremonial attire, the followers of Caminus aim to embody the various aspects of their deity's influence over craftsmanship and artistry. The attire would be worn during special ceremonies, dedications, or significant moments in the life of an artisan, serving both as a tribute to Caminus and as a testament to the skill of the wearer.

Gamah, a dwarf of exceptional skill, labored for a decade to forge a hammer of unparalleled beauty. Upon its completion, he found himself questioning if such a masterpiece could serve a higher purpose. As he meditated on this thought, he fell into a deep slumber, his hammer resting beside him. In his dreams, Caminus himself appeared, guiding Gamah's hands as they crafted a second hammer, a twin to the first in every detail. Gamah dreamt of years spent in the divine forge, and when he awoke, days had passed in the waking world. His kin believed him lost to the dream realm, but to their astonishment, Gamah produced a second hammer, as magnificent as the first. He shared his divine dream, spreading the word of Caminus among artisans far and wide.

Atiel, an elven sculptor of great renown, chanced upon a temple of Caminus in her travels. Struck by the exquisite craftsmanship of the temple, she was approached by a cleric who asked her to describe what she saw. Impressed by her keen eye for detail, the cleric then asked what was missing. After careful consideration, Atiel replied, "a sculpture of your god."

Invited to create the missing piece, Atiel spent the next few years crafting a perfect statue of Caminus. At its dedication, Caminus himself inhabited the statue, thanking Atiel for her extraordinary work. Overwhelmed by this divine encounter, Atiel dedicated her life to replicating the statue in every temple she visited, leaving a legacy of a hundred divine statues.

Lesym, a humble halfling wood carver, was known for crafting toys of such quality that every child in his hamlet yearned for one on their birthday. His dedication to his craft allowed him to produce only a dozen toys each year. One day, a smith from the flock of Caminus arrived in town. Upon seeing one of Lesym's toys, he was astounded by the craftsmanship and sought out the carver.

Introducing Lesym to the faith of Caminus, the smith invited him to visit a temple. Impressed by the artistry of the temple, Lesym asked if he could contribute to it. The cleric, initially hesitant due to Lesym's background in toy-making, prayed for guidance and accepted Lesym's offer.

Lesym crafted a wooden border for the altar, intricately detailing the history of Caminus, the heroes of the faith, and the known sects, with a central sculpt of Caminus himself. Lesym then returned to his village to continue his toy-making, leaving a lasting contribution to the temple. His faith remained a mystery, but his work continues to be celebrated and replicated to this day.

The Fabrica is a sect dedicated to the art of smithing. Its members range from coppersmiths and goldsmiths to weaponsmiths and armor smiths. Recognizable by the addition of a smithy furnace beneath the hammer in their symbol, the Fabrica is the most prevalent sect within the faith of Caminus.

The Texentes Subtilia is a sect for those who work with fabrics and textiles. This includes weavers, tailors, seamstresses, and those who craft sails, rugs, and tapestries. Their symbol is distinguished by a bolt of fabric placed beneath the hammer.

The Lignum is a sect that encompasses all forms of woodworking, from carpentry and woodcraft to tinkering. Members of this sect are identified by the image of a tree situated beneath the hammer in their symbol.

The Speculo is a sect dedicated to the craft of glassworking. Its members include glass blowers, window makers, eyeglass crafters, and creators of cups and crystals. Their symbol features a glass cup positioned beneath the hammer.

The Sana is a sect focused on the arts of music and spoken word. Poets, bards, and creative writers, both in the composition and depiction of words, find a home in this sect. Their symbol is adorned with a musical note and a pen, placed beneath the hammer.

Numerous smaller sects exist within the faith of Caminus, each focusing on a specific craft. Some of these sects may only have a few dozen members. Each sect adds a representative item beneath the hammer in their holy symbol and seeks the blessing of a high-ranking cleric before altering their symbol.

These hammers are believed to be the ones that Gamah himself crafted and the one that materialized from his dream. Numerous replicas exist, and various temples assert that their set of hammers are the authentic ones. Despite the pleas of the clerics for Caminus to provide clarification, he seems content to let each temple believe they possess the original hammers. All of them are exquisite masterpieces.

Atiel crafted a total of 100 statues, but only 91 remain in temples today. The remaining nine were stolen by conquering forces and taken away. Six of these are known to exist in the treasure troves of kings across the world, who are unwilling to either display them or give them up. The clerics harbor a deep resentment towards these kings. The whereabouts of the remaining three are unknown. The temples that have lost these statues are willing to pay a king’s ransom for their return.

On the eve of significant and grand projects, Caminus sometimes bestows new blessed tools in the toolbox of the craftsman undertaking the project. These tools are clearly divine gifts as they are masterfully made, glow with a divine light, and provide aid to the craftsman. It is considered a high honor to receive these tools. After the project is completed, the tools lose their glow, but they remain with the craftsman. These tools are always passed down to their apprentices and become cherished family heirlooms.

On the last day of the year, the clergy gather to celebrate Caminus's blessings throughout the year. Any dedicated work of art may be submitted, for a small fee, to be considered the best of the best. Each category of work is represented. The clergy judge each work and then award winners. These winners are entitled to substantial cash prizes.

Once a work of art is completed, the clergy can come and dedicate it to Caminus. The clerics first inspect the item to ensure it is of the highest quality and workmanship. Once accepted as worthy of dedication, and the modest fee is paid, the clergy bless the item and dedicate it to Caminus.

This heretical sect believes that Caminus is not just the god of craftsmanship but also the god of raw, untapped potential. They argue that not all materials should be forged, carved, or crafted, as doing so limits their potential for becoming something else in the future. This belief directly contradicts the mainstream teaching that all materials should be used efficiently for crafting. The Unforged often hoard raw materials and are seen as wasteful by the orthodox followers of Caminus.

This heretical group argues that the act of creation is an end in itself and does not need to serve any higher purpose or deity. They believe that craftsmanship should be free from religious influence and that dedicating one's work to Caminus is unnecessary. This contradicts the mainstream belief that mastering a craft and dedicating it to Caminus is the highest form of worship.

This sect believes that Caminus favors those who achieve material success through their crafts, directly opposing the mainstream taboo against exploitation and excessive profit. They argue that accumulating wealth through craftsmanship is a sign of divine favor and should be celebrated, not frowned upon.

This secretive cult believes that Caminus himself is a flawed deity, much like a craftsman's early, imperfect works. They claim that by acknowledging and venerating these divine "flaws," they can achieve a deeper understanding and closeness to their god. This belief is considered blasphemous by mainstream followers, who see Caminus as the epitome of craftsmanship and skill.

Members of this cult believe that the true essence of Caminus resides in the molten core of the earth. They practice dangerous rituals involving the pouring of molten metal into sacred molds deep underground, believing that these offerings reach Caminus directly. These practices are considered highly unorthodox and hazardous, and the cult is generally shunned by mainstream followers.

This cult believes that Caminus has a grand design or "blueprint" for the world, and they seek to discover it through divination and the interpretation of sacred geometry. They often incorporate complex mathematical and geometric symbols into their crafts, believing that these symbols bring them closer to understanding Caminus's grand design. While not directly opposing mainstream beliefs, their focus on a "divine blueprint" is considered a distraction from the true essence of craftsmanship by orthodox followers.