From a dusty scroll in the library of Zamorra

The dwarven order of the Sunsworn is not unlike those of the legendary Paladins of old. Like them, the Sunsworn warrior-priests work to do good for their race, and indeed all the civilised races. And also like them, the Sunsworn are ecouraged to turn their backs on comfort and monetary rewards, focusing instead on what can be done for others. The Sunsworn priests leave behind the underworld where most dwarves live, and venture out into the world above, doing such deeds as are required.

Philosophy

The Sunsworn see the rightful place of the dwarves as being underground, but know that there are some evils that lurk in the land above. They believe that by placing themselves in the way of such evils, they preserve the dwarven way of life for those that they have left behind, even though they can no longer enjoy that way of life themselves. This kind of self-sacrifice is rare in all races, but more understandable in dwarves, as they tend to have a stronger sense of community than humans.

Choosing

Most of the Sunsworn priests come to the order from the clergy of Moradin, Him being the most martially inclined of the dwarven gods. The rest come from mixed sources - some may never have been in any other clergy before joining. The choice to join the Sunsworn is not made by divine inspiration in most cases, simply by realising the desire to do good, and the need to do so in the surface world where dwarves do not by nature belong.

Training

All Sunsworn priests learn to use the various weapons favoured by the dwarven race, and most are comfortable in heavy armour. They often find the laws of Zamorra quite difficult to work with, given the ancient prohibitions against such equipment. They are also often taught the languages of various surface dwelling tribal monsters, such as goblins or orcs. The main focus of their training, however, is on the priestly arts of healing and battle-magic.

Rites

Upon joining the order, the initiate undergoes two days and two nights of fasting, to focus the mind. Fasting is not uncommon in religious orders, but the dwarven fast tends to be longer than most (c.f. Waukeem's initiation ritual, and that of the priests of the Trinity, both of which last one night). This can be ascribed to the fact that dwarves like few things better than showing how hardy they are, and often try to go one step further just to prove that they can. At the dawn of the third day, the initiate leaves the temple of the Sunsworn, and steps into the light of the rising sun, and speaks the following prayer.

"Forgive me, my ancestors, for turning my back on you.
I do as I must.
No longer will I dwell in your hallowed halls.
The deep darkness shall not comfort me, nor the silence sooth my heart.
Into the light of the Sun I step, to face what evils may be found.
Harsh and unforgiving...
The Sun shines on us all!"

Many of the Sunsworn never return to the caves of their people again, except in death, to be buried there. Others view their exile as more of a practical matter, and if evil arises beneath the ground, then they will return there to fight it.

The Sunsworn make their daily prayers at midday, with head bowed but uncovered. On cloudy days, the ritual must still be performed, though it is considered a bad omen if there is not at least a glimpse of the sun.

In the writings of the Sunsworn, the word "sun" always has a capital S, being treated linguistically as the name of a god, even though they do not worship it as such. This has caused some confusion among scholars, some writers believing that the Sun was their god. For this reason, many have assumed that the Sunsworn are always allied with the priests of Lathander. The truth is, the Sunsworn may be allied with the priests of any of the goodly gods, as and when such alliances suit their purpose.

Relationships with other dwarves

Most dwarven institutions recognise the usefulness of the Sunsworn order, and will work with them when their goals coincide. However, dwarven society is very internally cohesive, and views with great suspicion a group that is devoted to leaving their homes, no matter how good the goal or purpose. Since they rarely return to dwarven society to raise children, they are seen in some ways to be running away from their responsibilities. The most extreme anti-Sunsworn views see them as childish, in a sense - abandoning their duty to future generations to chase around the world having adventures and seeking glory. An obscure song, "Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be Sunsworn", about a dwarven woman losing her only son to the Sunsworn order illustrates the sense of bewildered pride combined with loss that the Sunsworn inspire in those they leave behind.