Belsornig

The Flood Beneath the Stone

Canon Belsornig is the cold, cunning master of the Water Temple and the elemental prophet of the Crushing Wave. While the other elemental factions clash in brute shows of strength or zealous fanaticism, Belsornig plots from the shadows, building a logistical empire through spies, pirates, slavers, and bribed informants. His power flows silently but unstoppably, like a rising flood beneath the foundations of the Temple of Elemental Evil.

Personality and Philosophy

• Coldly Charismatic: His voice is calm, his eyes piercing. Few realize they are drowning until it’s too late.
• Strategic Opportunist: Belsornig doesn’t just plan moves—he engineers outcomes three steps in advance.
• Elemental Vision: He believes water will wash away the rot of civilization, and he is its chosen herald.

“The others build on stone and ash. I build on tide and time. Let them fall—I will remain.”

Influence in the Temple (579 CY)

Belsornig has elevated the Water Temple’s influence to a level rivaling even Hedrack’s Greater Temple by establishing control over:

• Nulb's river trade and smuggling rings via Captain Tolub and Wat.
• Slave logistics through Captain Marad Vesrek and the brothel liaison Lorveth Thrask.
• Espionage across factions, planting misinformation to destabilize Alrrem and Kelno.
• A cultic network that functions both within the Temple and throughout the lower Velverdyva.

He operates with a feigned loyalty to Hedrack but is secretly preparing to seize control—either of the Temple itself or a splinter sect of the most loyal and profitable elements.

“The water bends for no one, but it can break any stone.”

Background

Born in Hardby, near the Woolly Bay, Belsornig was drawn to the Temple of Elemental Evil after years of political maneuvering in his homeland. He saw in the Water Temple a chance to wield true power and establish himself as a dominant force. He quickly rose through the ranks by exploiting rival factions and eliminating threats within the Temple.

• Rise to Power: His knack for building alliances and exploiting weaknesses quickly propelled him through the ranks. He gained favor with the Greater Temple leadership by delivering key victories in their covert operations, solidifying his position as head of the Water Temple.
• Philosophy: Belsornig believes the world must be reshaped through destruction and cleansing floods, a vision aligned with his patron elemental powers.
• Secretly orchestrated attacks on the Air Temple to further destabilize Kelno's rule.

“Only through destruction can the errors of this world be mended. The coming flood shall wash away all who are unworthy.” - Canon Belsornig

Influence in the Temple (579 CY)

Belsornig has elevated the Water Temple’s influence to a level rivaling even Hedrack’s Greater Temple by establishing control over:

• Leadership: As the Prophet of the Water Temple, Belsornig commands a significant faction within the Temple of Elemental Evil. His charisma and cunning make him a dangerous rival to the other elemental factions.
• Nulb's river trade and smuggling rings via Captain Tolub and Wat.
• Slave logistics through Captain Marad Vesrek and the brothel liaison Lorveth Thrask.
• Espionage across factions, planting misinformation to destabilize Alrrem and Kelno.
• A cultic network that functions both within the Temple and throughout the lower Velverdyva.

He operates with a feigned loyalty to Hedrack but is secretly preparing to seize control—either of the Temple itself or a splinter sect of the most loyal and profitable elements.

“My rivals drown in their own hubris—I merely expedite the process.” - Belsornig

Control in Nulb

Belsornig’s most dangerous influence lies in his subtle domination of Nulb:

• Wat (1. Waterside Hostel of Nulb): Secret informant providing information on rival cult activity, adventurers, and Madame Selentis’s movements.
• Captain Tolub (Iron Dagger): Trusted pirate captain who transports Water Temple cargo and personnel. Loyal to Belsornig more than the Temple.
• Captain Marad Vesrek (Crimson Trader): Delivers slaves and captives via river routes. Though not a cultist, he's highly profitable.
• Boatman’s Brothel (Lorveth Thrask): Source of fresh “recruits” and blackmail material. Belsornig manipulates the brothel from the shadows.
• Subverts Temple Supply Chains: Belsornig quietly reroutes goods and captives meant for the Greater Temple or the Earth Temple, strengthening his position.

Relationships

Belsornig maintains a facade of loyalty to the Greater Temple but secretly plots to usurp its leadership, believing that the power of elemental water is the key to dominance. He views his rivals within the Temple as obstacles to be manipulated or removed and uses his extensive network of agents to further his ambitions. His alliances are based solely on pragmatism, and he will betray anyone if it serves his interests.

Relationship Chart: Canon Belsornig (579 CY)

Hedrack (Supreme Commander of the Greater Temple)

Public Stance: Feigned loyalty

• Private Thoughts: Sees Hedrack as an overindulgent ruler whose distractions leave the Temple vulnerable to internal coups.
• Strategy: Belsornig remains outwardly deferential, presenting himself as a loyal supporter of the Greater Temple’s goals. In truth, he works behind the scenes to weaken Hedrack’s influence, seeking to eventually replace him as supreme leader. He uses agents within the Greater Temple to sow discord and ensure that Hedrack remains distracted by indulgences and external threats.

“Hedrack sits atop this Temple like a fat frog on a lily pad. Sooner or later, the pond will dry up.”

Romag (High Priest of the Earth Temple)

Public Stance: Pretends to consider an alliance

• Private Thoughts: Views Romag as a narrow-minded zealot who lacks the vision to wield true power.
• Strategy: Belsornig manipulates Romag by offering false promises of alliance against Kelno and Alrrem while simultaneously ensuring the Earth Temple remains too weak to act independently. He uses Romag's desire for stability to stall any real threat from the Earth Temple while keeping him reliant on Water Temple resources.

“Romag is like the stones he worships—slow, dull, and easily eroded with the right pressure.”

Kelno (High Priest of the Air Temple)

Public Stance: Dominating pressure and threats

• Private Thoughts: Considers Kelno weak and easily manipulated; views him as a tool to be used against Alrrem.
• Strategy: Belsornig enjoys intimidating Kelno, using both political maneuvering and military pressure to keep the Air Temple subservient. He encourages Kelno’s paranoia by planting false information about threats from Alrrem while also bribing his bugbear guards to consider defection. Belsornig sees Kelno’s failure to maintain influence as proof of his inferiority.

“Kelno is a gust of wind—bluster and noise, but with no lasting impact.”

Alrrem (High Priest of the Fire Temple)

Public Stance: Open hostility and political undermining

• Private Thoughts: Views Alrrem as his most dangerous rival and actively seeks to destroy him.
• Strategy: Belsornig works tirelessly to subvert Alrrem’s remaining forces, spreading dissent among his troops and funding spies to report on his every move. He has been working to turn Alrrem’s own bugbear mercenaries against him with promises of greater wealth and fewer risks. If given the opportunity, Belsornig will not hesitate to expose Alrrem’s weaknesses to Hedrack to hasten his downfall.

“Fire consumes quickly, but water always wins in the end.”

Senshock (Lord Wizard of the Greater Temple)

Public Stance: Polite but distant cooperation

• Private Thoughts: Recognizes Senshock’s value but distrusts him deeply.
• Strategy: Belsornig carefully avoids confrontation with Senshock, instead seeking to use the wizard's desire for power against him. He provides false leads and misinformation to keep Senshock focused on other targets while securing his own interests within the Temple. Belsornig knows that Senshock’s loyalty is to power alone, and should the opportunity arise, he would gladly strike a deal with the wizard if it served his purposes.

“Senshock is useful, but one never trusts a mage who smiles too much.”

Falrinth (Temple Diviner and Occultist)

Public Stance: Cordial but dismissive

• Private Thoughts: Considers Falrinth a madman of little consequence.
• Strategy: Belsornig largely ignores Falrinth, viewing him as obsessed with arcane mysteries that have little bearing on Temple politics. However, he keeps an eye on Falrinth’s discoveries, recognizing that the wizard’s obsession with forbidden knowledge could eventually produce something valuable—or dangerous.

“Fools who peer into the void often end up falling into it.”

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

Public Stance: Cautious neutrality

• Private Thoughts: Views Smigmal Redhand as an unpredictable threat and potential asset.
• Strategy: Belsornig regards Smigmal with a mix of wariness and intrigue. As Falrinth’s lover, she holds influence over the Temple’s enigmatic diviner, making her a valuable pawn in his schemes. Belsornig has approached Smigmal with offers of wealth and power in an attempt to turn her against her lover, subtly feeding her doubts about Falrinth’s true loyalty. However, he remains cautious, knowing that she is a deadly assassin with her own agendas.

“Smigmal is like a viper—beautiful, deadly, and always seeking the perfect moment to strike.”

Commander Barkinar (Temple Troops Commander)

Public Stance: A necessary ally

• Private Thoughts: Sees Barkinar as a dangerous yet pragmatic soldier who can be swayed.
• Strategy: Belsornig keeps Barkinar close, offering tactical resources and logistical support in exchange for loyalty. He understands that Barkinar ultimately serves whoever offers the greatest advantage, and Belsornig intends to ensure that he is always the most appealing option.

“Soldiers follow gold and strength—both of which I have in abundance.”

Commander Feldrin (Sub-Level Security Chief)

Public Stance: Contemptuous but professional

• Private Thoughts: Considers Feldrin a threat, given his deep loyalty to Hedrack.
• Strategy: Belsornig takes care to avoid open conflict with Feldrin, recognizing that the security chief’s vigilance could prove problematic. Instead, he ensures his agents remain out of Feldrin’s sight while quietly working to undermine his position through carefully planted accusations and rumors.

“Watchdogs eventually tire, and when they do, the wolves move in.”

“The adventurers? Fools playing in waters too deep for their understanding.”

Temple Operations

Clerics of the Water Temple

Belsornig's under-priests are devout and disciplined, embodying the patience and persistence of water itself. These clerics serve as his primary enforcers within the temple, conducting rituals, overseeing the temple’s operations, and acting as a first line of defense against intruders or rival factions. Each under-priest wears cowled green robes with a gold circle on the front and back, symbolizing the eternal cycle of water. Beneath their robes, they wear plate mail armor for protection, and they wield hammers in combat as a symbol of their crushing faith.

Under-Priests (2)

Each of Belsornig's under-priests has been handpicked for their unwavering loyalty and combat prowess.

Expanded Activities and Contacts

Belsornig's reach extends beyond the Temple, with numerous agents stationed in Nulb who provide intelligence and resources.

• Wat (Bartender of the Waterside Hostel): Acts as Belsornig's key informant, feeding him crucial information about adventurers, rival factions, and potential recruits. This is a base of operations for his informants.
• Captain Tolub and Lieutenant Grud Squinteye (The Iron Dagger): These smugglers ensure a steady supply of goods and personnel, making sure the Water Temple remains well-funded and supplied. Belsornig uses this bustling hub of pirate and mercenary activity to negotiate deals, gather intelligence, and meet with key figures.
• Adventurers: Belsornig is pragmatic and willing to bargain for survival. He offers information about the Greater Temple or his rivals to secure his safety, and might even betray his allies if it guarantees his continued influence.
• Boatman's Brothel: Here, Belsornig liaises with Lorveth “The Broker” Thrask to secure prisoners, slaves, and strong recruits for the Water Temple’s operations.
• Arvik Tidecaller & Eronis Wavebinder: Trusted under-priests who manage ritual offerings and sacrificial ceremonies.
• Nulb Dockhands & Smugglers: Several are secretly on Belsornig’s payroll.
• Double Agents: Many do not know they serve the Water Temple, preserving plausible deniability.
• Tactics: Uses bribes, divine illusions, blackmail, and magical disguises to manipulate contacts.

“Nulb’s chaos is but a ripple in the coming storm.” - Belsornig

Key Contacts

Captain Tolub

• Role: Tolub is a brutal and ambitious pirate leader who controls much of the river trade along the Velverdyva River and Imeryd's Run.
• Relationship with Belsornig: As a high-ranking member of the Cult of the Crushing Wave, Tolub is one of Belsornig’s most valuable allies. He frequently transports supplies, wealth, and personnel for the Water Temple.
• Motivations: While Tolub isn’t a true believer in the cult’s doctrine, he uses his alliance with Belsornig to enrich himself and solidify his influence over the waterways.
• Meetings: Tolub prefers to meet Belsornig at neutral locations like the Boatman’s Tavern, where negotiations and deals can be conducted discreetly.

Captain Marad Vesrek of The Crimson Trader

• Role: Vesrek is a slaver operating out of the Wild Coast, running the mobile prison ship Crimson Trader that navigates the Selintan River, the Nyr Dyv, and the Velverdyva River.
• Relationship with Belsornig: Vesrek supplies the Water Temple and its allied factions with slaves, captives, and other “cargo,” delivering them to locations like the Iron Lash in Nulb.
• Motivations: Vesrek’s focus is profit, and he has no qualms about dealing with the Temple or its sinister operations as long as it ensures a steady flow of gold.

Recruitment and Logistics

Belsornig’s influence in Nulb and beyond relies on a steady stream of recruits, wealth, and captives to sustain the Water Temple’s power. To achieve this, he employs a layered network of agents and collaborators, each playing a role in the larger scheme.

Recruitment Networks

Temple agents scout for potential recruits, particularly among pirates, brigands, and desperate mercenaries.

• The Iron Lash serves as a proving ground for the strongest captives, who may be conscripted into the Temple’s ranks after surviving brutal gladiatorial trials.
• Belsornig often uses promises of wealth, power, or vengeance to lure individuals into the cult.

Transportation Operations

• Captain Marad Vesrek ensures the seamless transport of captives from far-flung regions to Nulb, minimizing interference from outside forces.
• Captain Tolub provides critical river transportation for supplies and Temple agents, ensuring the Temple’s operations remain uninterrupted.

Allocation of Captives

• Boatmans Brothel: Attractive captives are forced into servitude at Nulb’s brothel under grim conditions.
• Temple Offerings: The weakest or most expendable captives are sacrificed to the elemental forces or used to create undead minions for the Temple.

Belsornig’s Manipulative Tactics

• Undermining the Air Temple: Belsornig actively works to subvert the Air Temple’s leadership by sowing discord among its humanoid followers. He secretly uses Alrrem of the Fire Temple to pressure Kelno, the Air Prophet.
• Exploiting Rivals: Belsornig is adept at using his agents to destabilize the other elemental factions. His promises of wealth and power often lead gullible rivals into traps.
• Double Agents: Many of Belsornig’s agents work indirectly, meaning they operate without knowing who they ultimately serve. This layered approach ensures his schemes remain concealed even from those within the Temple.

Adventure Hooks

• Spy Game: Adventurers uncover Wat’s connection to the Water Temple, leading to a deadly game of cat and mouse with Belsornig’s agents.
• Sabotage: The Air Temple hires the party to sabotage the Water Temple’s operations, provoking a violent conflict between the factions.
• Final Showdown: Belsornig becomes aware of the adventurers’ growing influence and orchestrates an ambush, forcing a dramatic confrontation within the Water Temple’s flooded halls.
• Intercept the Cargo: The adventurers hear rumors of the Crimson Trader and must stop the ship before it delivers a shipment of captives to Nulb.
• Infiltrate the Boatman's Brothel: A missing noble’s heir is discovered to be a prisoner in the brothel, and the adventurers must stage a daring rescue while avoiding Belsornig’s agents.
• Expose the Network: Wat, the barman at the Waterside Hostel, is overheard discussing Temple activities, leading the party to uncover Belsornig’s recruitment operations in Nulb.

Conclusion

Belsornig’s influence and network of collaborators make him a dangerous and dynamic foe, whose machinations touch every corner of the region. For Dungeon Masters, he provides a central antagonist whose cunning and reach ensure that no adventurer’s path will remain untouched by the shadow of the Water Temple.