Kreiig; The Warmonger

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"Born of the corruption of Kane, Kreiig would be the firstborn of a creature filled with the cruelty of demons, the cleverness of a human, and the obedience of a child. Chaos, War, and Conquest would be his calling. All hail the Commander of the Merciless."

— Warpriest Mogak

About

Kreiig; The Warmonger, Commander of the Merciless, The Divine Warlord of the Orcs.   Soaked in chaos and strength, Kreiig is a constant call to war. Ever hungry for the blood of battle, the taste of victory, and the call of glory, those who follow the Commander of the Merciless continuously strive for his favor through violence.   The Divine Warlord of the Orcs, Kreiig is worshipped as the father of combat to his children and followers. Pushing ever onwards to fulfill the eternal promise to his creator Kane, Kreiig demands the flesh of his own clans to be sacrificed upon the pyre of battle. A glorious death is all that one can hope for as a devout of the Warmonger.  

Description

Massive in size, Kreiig stands near twice the height of an average human. The hue of green mottled with long stained markings of blood and ink across his skin. Leather and furs expose his scarred chest, his blade ever in his grasp or across his back.   The image of his brute strength and impressive stature can be found carved onto shields, painted on cloaks, or sculpted into statues. His face, rarely shown, is usually covered by a tribal mask of wood and clay. An accepted belief that he would wear it in his mortal years to hide his intent and burn his unnatural black and emerald eyes into the gaze of his enemies.  

Origin Story

Crowned Commander and King of the once human nation of Livok, Kreiig's ambition knew no bounds. Inhospitable lands, a landlocked region, and near starvation would press his armies into a war that they could not win. Unruly tactics and ferocity their only saving grace, the nation of Livok would stand near in tatters as their king cried out for mercy from their creator.   It was Kane who answered their cry. The God of Darkness offered freedom through strength and domination. His only ask; that once the lands were theirs, Kreiig's army would serve him in war. Promising the blood of his kingdom to serve until the last of their sons have passed, the army of Livok would be blessed by the Destroyer himself.   Twisted with the feral strength of beasts and imbued with an unnatural resilience, the armies of Livok would conquer the lands around them. As the last man fell and glory was granted to Livok, the very same army would disappear and be pressed into service against the invading armies of the Amaiyan.   Kreiig, grateful for the glory of war, would lead his changed people deep into the forest to destroy the enemies of their savior. Years of blood and bone would press the Amaiyan back, burning the forest as they went. For their success, Kane would bless them once more. With fertility and growth, the generations would come quickly to join their fathers in combat against the dwindling elves. It would seem glory was within their grasp.   Near eternal in his age by his father's blessings, Kreiig would soon find himself tangled in battle with the prolific Huntress of the Amaiyan. As their battle raged on, the blood of their blessed forms would soak into the ground. Blow after blow they were evenly matched. With one last strike, Naravaiya would fall to the Executioner. But such glory was not without payment of his own blood. The last dying breath from the Divine Warlord was a prayer of thanks to Kane for the glory of war. Such faith was rewarded as the Destroyer would reach out and ascend Kreiig to stand forever by his side.  

Relationships

Merciless and demanding, Kreiig is a god not worshipped lightly. Though he has gifted many of champions with weapons, abilities, and even trophies for their success; it is always hard won. Favoring the ruthless, Kreiig's presence is believed to linger in every chieftain or commander that begins to succeed through brutal methods. To see Kreiig roaming amongst his people is rare, as he hides in plain sight and is said to rise up and slaughter those seen as too weak to be a part of his bloodline.   When it comes to his relationship with the other Divine, there is a perpetual tension. Even with Dhorim, whom he shares a kindred with, he struggles to accept the order and what he sees as cowardice of the Demari. He is closest with Kane, The Bride, and is said to even work with The Twins of Fortune from time to time. His closest relationship is marked in the third age when, after centuries, Kreiig finally took a consort. Letova; The Ruthless. The first chieftain to unite all of the tribes of Orcs against their enemies, he offered her a place by his side upon her glorious death.  

Religion

Dogma

"There is glory in the brutality of death."
"Stay the blade from the young and fertile, so the challenge of blood shall continue."
"Cull the weak, bolster the worthy."
 

Clergy

Warlords, Conquerers, Warriors, and those faithful in the principles of Kreiig follow his creed into glorious death. A WarPriest of Kreiig rarely acts within the confines of a typical priest. Equipped with the knowledge of war and strategy, they lead a life of battle and victory. The expectation of Kreiig's clergy to be the most vicious and exceptional amongst his warriors makes them some of the most dangerous in combat.   The life of a WarPriest of Kreiig is filled with travel and conquest. Most Chieftains or Warlords tend to see themselves as a priest of Kreiig after multiple victories. This tradition has carried on for so long that most priests are now required to have served in some leadership capacity in combat before being seen as a valid speaker for the Divine Warlord.  

Temples

Large immovable buildings built for the worship of Kreiig is rare. Due to the fact that most of his followers are tribal in nature and mobile in lifestyle, it is more common for a traveling shrine to be erected for use. The few and far between structures built in his glory are usually upon a historical battleground or within the more war heavy nation's capital cities.   The shrines and temples to Kreiig are not the most inviting to those outside of the Orcish blooded. While it will offer some refuge to the weary traveler or adventurer, it is usually at the cost of a duel or the contribution of a trophy from a former battle. Scars and stories are also accepted as passage to stay within the safety of the shrine for a night.   Due to the nature of Kreiig and what he asks of his followers, the shrines and temples always double as a training ground for warriors and strategists. There is also almost always the presence of slaves being put to work or death about the holy locations to please Commander of the Merciless with their conquests.  

Worship

The proper offerings to Kreiig are trophies, slaves, blood, and tales of triumph over an enemy. Worship is done by offering prayers to the God before and after a battle. Though there are rituals that exist within certain tribes, they are vastly different due to the regional history of their heroes and the influence those stories have on their local worship.   Living a life of conquest, combat, and war is the best way to honor ones devotion to Kreiig. No matter how old or young, believers are expected to seek a glorious death to guarantee the ascent of their souls to be reborn as one of Kreiig's worthy in the next life. Demanding duels, beginning conquests, and winning battles are also another way to offer day to day worship to the Warmonger.