Page 79 - Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes Deluxe
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THREE RULES OF CONDUCT
Our three rules come from the actions of Laduguer him- Duergar psychology, culture, and society are predicated
self, as he quested through the Nine Hells on his mission on three principles set down by their god Laduguer.
to bring glory to the duergar. Adherence to these precepts is now enforced by Ladugu-
First, the devils sought to turn his greed against him.
er's chief lieutenant, Deep Duerra.
They offered as much treasure as he could carry, thinking
that he would take too much and collapse in exhaustion.
OUR POCKETS ARE NEVER FULL
Instead, Laduguer used his cunning magic to twist his
The duergar are fueled in all their actions by two per-
pockets into bottomless pits, so that there was no limit to
the treasure he could carry. vasive feelings: ambition that never flags and greed that
Then, in their frustration at his stratagem, the devils fell can never be satisfied. Though they might scheme and
upon him with claw and blade. They didn't understand plot at great lengths to gain treasure or prestige, success
that with each treasure he claimed, L aduguer's will to win is never a cause for celebration. Each acquisition, once
grew stronger and stronger. With so much to fight for, he in hand, is like a meal that quickly loses its appeal, leav-
lashed out and broke the backs of Hell's legions. ing the duergar hungry for more. No matter how much
Finally, Asmodeus confronted Laduguer. The Lord of wealth or power they gain, it's never enough.
the Nine laughed, joked, and cajoled with all his guile, but
Laduguer remained grim and stoic, refusing to be affected OUR FIGHT ls NEVER DONE
even when the mightiest celestials might have admitted As duergar acquire treasure and prestige, they need
some grudging amusement at the devil's antics. Laduguer to become ever mightier to hold on to what they have.
was resolute because he wanted one final treasure: the
allegiance of Hell in the coming war against the mind When the duergar wage war on other races, they demon-
strate that the weak aren't fit to possess that which is
flayers. Asmodeus offered a world's worth of other temp-
tations, but L aduguer's countenance never changed. Even meant for the strong. And to the duergar, no creatures
when Asmodeus relented at last, Laduguer accepted the are more unworthy of holding wealth than dwarves.
arrangement as nothing less than his due and refused to When duergar have an opportunity to strike at dwarves.
display any reaction. especially in their strongholds, they fight with utmost vi-
Thus did Laduguer deliver the three rules that govern ciousness and cunning, matching the value of the spoils
our people. These principles liberated our people from the to be gained with the intensity of their onslaught.
illithids, and to this day they keep us strong.
- Felstak Goldgrief, Tyrant of Goethelskar OUR RESOLVE ls NEVER SHAKEN
Any show of weakness is a mortal sin among the du-
ergar, and that stricture extends to personal conduct
as well as to the workings of a duergar clan. Displays
CHAPTER 3 I DWARVES AND DUERGAR