Krelene

The Burning Desire, Flame Within, The Passionate, Enkindler

Krelene has diligently stoked the fires of passion and emotion in mortals for nearly a millennium. Her influence spans anger, excitement, desire, love, lust, wrath, and passion itself. This long-term dedication to igniting such intense emotions has profoundly impacted the emotional, geopolitical, and artistic landscapes of Erôth.

History

Truth be told, the first few centuries of Krelene’s time as a deity were not very exciting. While there wasn’t global peace or mass vows of celibacy, the world was just quieter back then. However, she toiled on and set her ripples across the mortal plane as best she could. Eventually, she hit a powder keg. The Mól Empire fell hard and fast to the uprising of their rebelling slaves. From there, she had her perfect little toys: the Peren, and their penchant for war.

The fall of the Mól had a ripple effect on Erôth, wherein the gods of the Inner Planes were seemingly all but forgotten. Whatever event happened caused most peoples to reduce their worship, and as the generation passed, many fewer continued their rituals. Those that did continue seemed to do so out of tradition, making it more of a hollow worship: words without meaning. This hurt many of the Inner Planes gods, some losing their foothold on the Material Plane. Krelene, however, loved the anonymity.

Motives hidden from the gaze of the mortals, Krelene was able to manipulate them. To ignite in them burning passions for war and hate. She certainly enjoys the other passions of the world, but these seemed to catch fire and grow exponentially. She became the fire behind the wars of the Peren, the hate within the peoples they crushed, and the lust between the youth of peoples that had never met.

All the time Krelene sparked these fires, she allowed the love, fear, and hate of Lady Eravil Dark Eyes to take the credit and blame. Lady Eravil may have grown in power from Krelene’s actions, but the true power of influence still lies within Krelene’s bellows.

Dogma

Krelene’s teachings emphasize embracing one’s passions, whatever they may be. She encourages her followers to indulge in their desires, to fuel their actions with their inner fires, and to recognize that both love and hate have the power to drive great change.

Tenets of Faith

• Embrace Passion: Let your heart’s desires fuel your actions.
• Fuel the Fire: Nurture your emotions, whether love, lust, or wrath, and let them guide you.
• Ignite Change: Use your passions to drive transformation in your life and the world.
• Live Fully: Experience life’s extremes, from the heights of love to the depths of anger.

Rituals and Practices

• Burn the Dead: Mourners dispose of the dead with an ancient rite where the departed are cremated with sacred oils and offerings. Dancers perform fiery rituals to guide souls to Krelene’s realm, fostering community unity and honoring the cycle of life and death. (On the field of battle, this is done as well, but with far less oils or what fragrant flowers or herbs can be acquired).
• Fire Festivals: Large communal gatherings where followers light bonfires, celebrate their desires, and express their emotions freely. These often have many dramatic reenactments of legendary love stories or fierce battles, meant to evoke strong emotions in participants and viewers.
• Fires of War: Ceremonies conducted before and after conflicts, invoking Krelene’s blessing for courage and fury.
• Whispered Desires: Private rituals where individuals confide their deepest desires to Krelene, seeking her guidance or intervention.

Consequences of Transgression

Burning Regret: Those who commit acts of blasphemy may find themselves branded with markings of their misdeeds

Worshipers

On the continent of Erôth, there are two major societies that worship Krelene widely. The great lizardfolk tribes of the Daelands and most of Peredhel. The lizardfolk do so more out of tradition than genuine worship, holding biennial ceremonies with massive bonfires to burn their dead, believing the fires will grant them strength in the next life.

In Peredhel, Krelene is a core part of daily life. The Peren say a minor phrase whenever they cook over a fire (“Akarin la’ra”), though its true meaning has been lost and the words have altered over time. (It’s believed to mean “Ignite the heart”).

Orders and Sects

Emberkin

A secretive order of fire dancers and performers who channel Krelene’s energy through their art. They believe in the transformative power of fire and use it in their rituals to evoke and harness intense emotions, striving for personal and communal enlightenment through passionate expression.

Flamebearers

Devotees who seek to spread Krelene’s influence by stoking the passions of others, often acting as matchmakers, instigators, or leaders in emotional expression.

Flaming Fist

Warriors who draw strength from their inner fires, fighting with fervor and inspiring others with their passion for battle.

Campaign Updates

The brigand Orsugo is called Krelene’s Vengeance, and Krelene’s Fury, a half-orc rumored ten feet tall with fire for skin who burns his way westward at the head of the Burning Blood. Whether the goddess has any part in him was never established. When frightened people in Idir reach for a name to explain a man who burns, they reach for hers.

She is also one of the seven Koa keeps in his ideopan.