Alrrem

The Smoldering Ambition of Alrrem

Once feared as the embodiment of elemental fire's destructive glory, Alrrem now rules a diminishing faction clinging to past power. As the Fire Temple’s influence wanes, Alrrem becomes increasingly unstable—oscillating between bombastic pronouncements of fiery rebirth and paranoid threats against his allies. Yet beneath his fury burns a calculating mind determined to rebuild his dominion through blood, intimidation, and dark pacts.

Role in the Temple of Elemental Evil (579 CY)

Alrrem remains one of the original elemental prophets, but his faction's collapse after Emridy Meadows and the betrayal of his brother Ashrem haunt him. He is no longer the favored servant of Hedrack and must now compete with Belsornig and Romag for relevance.

His tactics have shifted:

• Sabotage, subversion, and deception now replace open warfare.
• Alliances with werewolves and trolls reflect desperation.
• Wat of the Waterside Hostel, a bartender secretly aligned with Alrrem, feeds him updates on Romag's Nulb operations.

He dreams of seizing command of the Greater Temple and establishing a new Temple of Flame where rivals like Belsornig are reduced to ash.

History and Background

Alrrem and his brother Ashrem was born and raised in Dyvers, where he served as a lesser priest of the Oeridian goddess Sotillion, seeking wealth and influence. His brother Ashrem, a priest of Wenta, served alongside him. The two siblings were lured into the Temple of Elemental Evil by Hedrack, who appealed to their ambition through opulence and indulgence. Both brothers found themselves initiated into the Temple—Alrrem to the Fire Temple and Ashrem to the Air Temple, their natural inclinations guiding their choices.

• Alrrem proved to be a natural leader within the Fire Temple, rising through the ranks quickly.
• However, his leadership faltered in the aftermath of The Battle of Emridy Meadows, where the forces of the Temple were decisively defeated.
• During the First Temple's fall, his faction led a disastrous offensive, leading to their decline in power.
• He betrayed his brother Ashrem, offering him as a sacrifice to the Elder Elemental God, an act that cemented his position but left him emotionally scarred.
• Alrrem’s faction never fully recovered, and now he struggles to regain dominance by manipulating rival factions.

The Betrayal of Ashrem

As the Fire Temple rose in prominence, Alrrem saw an opportunity to consolidate power. Fearful of his brother’s growing influence within the Air Temple, Alrrem conspired with his rivals and betrayed Ashrem, offering him as a sacrifice to the Elemental Nodes. However, unknown to Alrrem, Ashrem survived the ordeal, using his magic to heal his wounds and escape into the labyrinthine depths of the nodes.

Now trapped, Ashrem has become a vengeful figure lurking in the shadows, plotting against his brother and waiting for the moment to strike back. Though Alrrem publicly claims indifference, the knowledge of his brother’s survival gnaws at his mind, driving him to increasing paranoia.

Personality and Motivation

Alrrem is a desperate and ambitious leader, fully aware that his temple's power is waning. He is both cunning and reckless, willing to take great risks to restore the Fire Temple’s former glory.

• Manipulative Opportunist: Seeks alliances and exploits weaknesses among his rivals.
• Proud but Paranoid: The betrayal of his brother haunts him, fueling his suspicion of those around him.
• Desperate Gambler: Willing to bet everything to turn the tide in his favor.
• Loyal to Fire: Believes in the destructive purity of elemental fire and the inevitable dominance of his temple.
• Vengeful and Resentful: Holds grudges against those who have wronged him, especially the Water and Air Temples.

"Kneel to the flames, or burn in their wrath." - Alrrem

Presence and Influence in Nulb

Alrrem has no direct command post in Nulb, but maintains influence through:

• Wat (Bartender, 1. Waterside Hostel of Nulb): Alrrem’s hidden informant, reporting on Romag’s Earth Temple activity and Selentis's logistics.
• Bandit Cells: Several mercenaries and arsonists in Nulb are paid to spark tensions and cover Fire Temple missteps with chaos.
• Smuggling Networks: While Captains Tolub and Marad Vesrek favor Belsornig, Alrrem works to siphon off cargo and spark mutinies among river crews.

Alrrem seeks to ignite conflict between Madame Selentis and Romag to fracture Hedrack’s supply chain—and reclaim prestige for the Temple of Fire.

Role in Temple Politics

Alrrem, the embattled leader of the Fire Temple, is desperate to reclaim his faction's former glory. With fewer resources and declining influence, he relies on bluster, intimidation, and reckless ambition to assert himself. Alrrem considers himself the rightful ruler of the Temple of Elemental Evil, believing that fire’s destructive power is the only true path to dominance. He views the other elemental factions with disdain, considering them weak and misguided. Despite his bravado, he is pragmatic enough to understand the need for temporary alliances.

Relationships and Political Tensions

Supreme Commander Hedrack (Greater Temple Leader, Mouth of Iuz)

Public Stance: Resentful obedience

• Private Thoughts: Alrrem despises Hedrack, believing that his obsession with Iuz has corrupted the Temple’s original purpose. However, he outwardly swears loyalty, hoping to usurp him once the opportunity arises.
• Strategy: Alrrem feigns obedience while secretly working to gather enough strength to challenge Hedrack’s leadership. He constantly undermines the Greater Temple’s authority by stoking tensions between factions, hoping to turn them against Hedrack.

“Hedrack is blind to the Temple’s true purpose. Fire will purge his corruption soon enough.”

Canon Belsornig (High Priest of the Water Temple)

Public Stance: Open hostility and rivalry

• Private Thoughts: Belsornig's Alrrem’s greatest rival and the biggest obstacle to his ambitions. Alrrem sees the Water Temple’s influence as an insidious threat that must be eradicated.
• Strategy: Alrrem has launched multiple sabotage attempts against the Water Temple, seeking to weaken Belsornig’s forces and credibility. He openly antagonizes him in meetings and commands his minions to spread misinformation about Water Temple corruption.

“Belsornig is a worm, slithering through the cracks of this place. He will burn before I’m done.”

Romag (High Priest of the Earth Temple)

Public Stance: Scornful dismissal

• Private Thoughts: Alrrem views Romag as a slow and ponderous fool, too concerned with fortifications and patience to be a real threat. However, he secretly fears the Earth Temple’s steady growth.
• Strategy: Alrrem attempts to lure Romag into rash actions by provoking him through minor skirmishes and insults. He hopes to force the Earth Temple into conflict with the Water Temple, weakening both while Fire regains its power.

“Romag thinks his stones will last forever, but even the mightiest mountain can be reduced to ash.”

Kelno (High Priest of the Air Temple)

Public Stance: Contempt and condescension

• Private Thoughts: Alrrem sees Kelno as a spineless opportunist, incapable of real leadership. He does not consider the Air Temple a threat but remains wary of Kelno’s willingness to switch allegiances.
• Strategy: Alrrem uses Kelno as a pawn, feeding him false promises of alliances while secretly undermining him. He encourages Kelno’s paranoia, ensuring the Air Temple remains too weak to pose a challenge.

“Kelno’s ‘whispers of the wind’ are just empty noise waiting to be snuffed out by fire.”

Senshock (Temple Wizard and Advisor to Hedrack)

Public Stance: Tenuous cooperation

• Private Thoughts: Alrrem respects Senshock’s magical power but finds him insufferable and meddlesome. He believes the wizard’s loyalty to Hedrack makes him dangerous.
• Strategy: Alrrem works to keep Senshock occupied with petty intrigues and false leads, preventing him from focusing on the Fire Temple’s activities. He seeks ways to counter Senshock’s influence by recruiting his own spellcasters.

“Magic is fickle; fire is eternal.”

Commander Barkinar (Commander of the Greater Temple Troops)

Public Stance: Mutual distrust

• Private Thoughts: Alrrem sees Barkinar as a dangerous rival and a potential challenger to his position. Barkinar’s growing influence over the Temple’s military forces threatens Alrrem’s fragile grip on power.
• Strategy: Alrrem attempts to weaken Barkinar by undermining his relationships with other factions, particularly through bribing the mercenaries under his command. He seeks to turn the rank-and-file troops against Barkinar with promises of wealth and glory under the Fire Temple.

“Barkinar plays the long game, but he’ll find that my fire consumes everything in time.”

Feldrin (Commander of Temple Security)

Public Stance: Respectful cooperation

• Private Thoughts: Feldrin’s loyalty to Hedrack makes him a dangerous obstacle, but Alrrem respects his tactical mind and military discipline.
• Strategy: Alrrem treats Feldrin with respect and provides logistical support in an attempt to gain his trust. He hopes to one day sway Feldrin’s loyalty away from Hedrack and toward his own cause.

“Feldrin is a soldier. Soldiers follow power. One day, he will follow me.”

Falrinth (Temple Diviner and Occultist)

Public Stance: Disdainful amusement

• Private Thoughts: Alrrem considers Falrinth an eccentric fool obsessed with ancient mysteries. However, he fears the wizard’s divinations may expose his secret dealings.
• Strategy: Alrrem keeps his distance from Falrinth, ensuring his plans remain hidden. He occasionally supplies him with trinkets and false information to keep him distracted.

“Falrinth searches for answers in the dirt. Let him, while I shape the future in fire.”

Smigmal Redhand (Temple Assassin and Spy, Lover of Falrinth)

Public Stance: Distrustful neutrality

• Private Thoughts: Alrrem recognizes Smigmal as a dangerous wildcard who could shift alliances at any moment. He knows she is gathering intelligence on behalf of Falrinth and possibly others.
• Strategy: Alrrem keeps Smigmal at arm’s length, offering her occasional bribes and missions to keep her from turning against him. He is always wary of her presence and has contingency plans in place to eliminate her if necessary.

“Smigmal is a viper; useful, but you’d best not turn your back on her.”

Ashrem (Former Air Temple Leader)

Alrrem’s betrayal of his brother, leading to Ashrem’s sacrifice, haunts him to this day. A dark specter from Alrrem's past; though believed dead, his brother’s survival weighs heavily on his mind.

Current Strategy

• Sending ultimatums to the Earth Temple, offering rewards for their allegiance.
• Secretly colluding with mercenaries and bandits in Nulb to increase his forces.
• Planting false rumors to cause dissension within rival temples.

Prefect Alrrem wrtten message to High Priest Romag of the Earth temple

"Your rewards will be great if you bend your knee to Fire. Bring all of your forces here to me now, and swear fealty. If you fail to heed this advice..."

Notable Followers

• Varcus Pyrehand (Cleric 4): Fanatical fire-priest. Enforces purity through trial-by-flame.
• Gurzak Flamefist (Half-Orc Cleric/Fighter 3/3): Liaison to the bugbears. Keeps them in line through fire rituals.
• Rhaegor Flareborn (Fighter 5): Mercenary commander. Brutal, efficient, ambitious.
• Chief Kragnor Burnscar (Bugbear): Leader of the Fire Temple bugbears. Fiercely loyal to Alrrem.
• Zugren Firetooth (Bugbear): Reckless shock trooper, obsessed with setting things ablaze.

Warband Strength:

• 7 Bugbears
• Troll Chieftain and followers
• A small werewolf pack lurking in Temple shadows.

Alrrem's Men and Guards

Varcus Pyrehand: Human Curate (Level 4 Cleric)

A fanatical devotee of the Elder Elemental Eye, Varcus is a lean and gaunt man with piercing green eyes and a perpetual sneer. Once a minor priest in Dyvers, he was drawn to the Fire Temple by its promise of power and destruction. He believes fire purges weakness and follows Alrrem with unquestioning loyalty.

Gurzak Flamefist: Half-Orc Liaison (Cleric/Fighter, Level 3/3)

A hulking half-orc with scorched skin and ritual burn marks, Gurzak serves as the Fire Temple’s enforcer among its monstrous recruits. A brutal and pragmatic warrior, he commands respect from the bugbears through a mix of intimidation and cunning diplomacy. Gurzak’s loyalty to Alrrem is practical rather than ideological, and he seeks to advance his own position.

Captain Rhaegor Flareborn: Human Fighter (Commander, Level 5)

A charismatic but ruthless warrior, Rhaegor leads Alrrem's forces with brutal efficiency. Hailing from the mercenary ranks of Narwell, he values strength above all else and wields his sword +1 flametongue with skill and pride. He sees Alrrem as a means to his own ends, remaining loyal only so long as power flows his way.

Bugbear Guards (7)

• Chief Kragnor Burnscar – The battle-hardened leader of the bugbear guards, known for his cruelty and tactical cunning. He has an old burn scar across his chest, marking his loyalty to the Fire Temple.
• Ruk the Red-Eye – A scarred and superstitious bugbear with a blood-red painted eye, fiercely devoted to Alrrem.
• Mogrek Ashfang – A brutal warrior who believes fire brings enlightenment, known for his sadistic streak in battle.
• Vargus Cinderclaw – An ambitious and cunning bugbear who secretly hopes to take Kragnor’s place as chief.
• Torrik Flamehide – Large and imposing, covered in brands of the Fire Temple, unwavering in his devotion.
• Zugren Firetooth – The most reckless of the group, eager to prove himself in combat through reckless aggression.
• Brakka the Ember – A quiet and efficient killer, relying on stealth and ambush tactics to serve the Fire Temple.