Kelno

The Paranoid Survivor

Kelno, Prophet of the Cult of the Howling Hatred, stands as the last vestige of a once-proud sect now in decay. Ambitious but diminished, cunning yet cornered, he survives through misdirection, manipulation, and whispers in the wind. His priests are gone, his treasury depleted—but Kelno plays a longer game than the others. He sees the Temple's infighting not as doom, but as opportunity.

Master of the Air Temple

Kelno is a wiry man in his late forties with sharp, hawk-like features and piercing blue eyes that reflect both intelligence and paranoia. His dark, thinning hair is always meticulously combed back, and he wears chain mail beneath flowing gray robes adorned with swirling air motifs. His demeanor is cold and calculating, his every word chosen with precision to further his hidden goals. He is rarely seen without his enchanted cloak of protection and his prized mace +1, which he wields with deadly efficiency.

Background

Born in Narwell, a city known for its cunning thieves and ambitious bandits, Kelno grew up learning the value of alliances and betrayal. Drawn to the worship of the Elder Elemental Eye through whispered promises of power, he abandoned his previous faith in the Suel deity Norebo, god of luck and thieves, and joined the Temple's resurgence to seek his fortune.

• Joined the Earth Temple initially but sought greater influence by shifting to the Air Temple, believing it to be the most strategic element.
• Quickly rose through the ranks by undermining rivals and leveraging his connections in the Wild Coast to supply the Temple with mercenaries.
• After the deaths of his apprentices at the hands of the Fire and Water Temples, Kelno has turned his focus to vengeance and survival, employing bugbears and gnolls as his personal enforcers.

"The winds of fate shift constantly; only fools stand against the storm." - Kelno

Personality

Kelno is arrogant and fanatical, seeing himself as the true voice of Elemental Evil. He views the Elder Elemental God as an invisible storm, whispering chaos and destruction to those who will listen. Despite his confidence, he struggles with his diminishing influence and constant setbacks caused by rival factions. Kelno is a bitter, self-serving manipulator who thrives in the treacherous environment of the Temple. He has an intense hatred for both the Fire and Water Temples, blaming them for his setbacks, and is willing to bargain with anyone to see them suffer. Despite his outward loyalty to the Elder Elemental Eye, Kelno's true devotion lies with himself, and he constantly searches for ways to turn situations to his advantage.

• Cunning Opportunist: Seeks power through manipulation and subterfuge rather than brute force.
• Paranoid Survivor: Constantly watches for betrayal and plots his own preemptive strikes.
• Strategic Thinker: Views every encounter as a potential avenue for influence or profit. Believes controlling the skies will bring ultimate power.
• Vindictive and Ruthless: Never forgets a slight and will exact revenge when the time is right.

"I care not for their blind faith—I seek power, and I will have it."

Role in the Temple

Kelno holds sway over the remaining forces of the Air Temple, maintaining his position by hiring and bribing mercenaries, primarily bugbears and gnolls. His chamber is a grim reflection of his dwindling resources—his personal wealth drained in his pursuit of vengeance and power. Despite this, Kelno remains a force to be reckoned with, using deception and alliances to stay relevant.

• Recruitment: Maintains contacts in Narwell and Nulb to bring in additional forces to the Temple.
• Weather Manipulation: Seeks to control local weather patterns to demoralize enemies and sow chaos.
• Espionage: Coordinates with Nulb-based smugglers, using them as eyes and ears.
• Colludes with disaffected bugbears, promising better pay and easier duties to defect from Water Temple service.
• Survival Tactics: Avoids direct confrontation, relying on trickery and escape routes such as concealed passages.
• Political Maneuvering: Secretly undermines Belsornig and Alrrem, fueling dissent between their forces.

Political Relationships

Kelno navigates the Temple's volatile politics with skill, balancing alliances and rivalries with a keen sense of self-preservation.

Allies and Rivals:

• Hedrack (Supreme Commander): Pretends loyalty but secretly despises his rule and longs to usurp his influence.
• Belsornig (Water Temple Leader): His greatest rival, and Kelno dreams of using his dagger of venom against him.
• Alrrem (Fire Temple Leader): A hated adversary whom Kelno blames for his losses.
• Romag (Earth Temple Leader): Considers him an easy pawn to manipulate in his schemes.
• Smigmal Redhand (Assassin Leader): A dangerous figure whom Kelno seeks to employ for clandestine operations.

"If I must deal with devils to see Alrrem fall, so be it." -Kelno

Connections in Nulb

Kelno lacks a formal presence in Nulb but maintains indirect influence through:

• Runty, a goblin courier who smuggles messages between Nulb and Kelno’s chamber.
• Tolub’s pirate crew, whom Kelno has attempted to bribe to abandon Belsornig—so far unsuccessfully.
• Rumored spy in the 4. Boatman’s Brothel, feeding him gossip on Madame Selentis’s prisoner network.
• Opportunistic bugbears loyal to coin, willing to defect from Water to Air under Kelno’s influence.

Relationship Chart: Prefect Kelno (579 CY)

Kelno’s Chamber (Room 225)

Kelno’s grim chamber reflects his desperate position, with its sparse furnishings and a locked chest trapped with a poison needle. His remaining funds are meager, holding only a few gold pieces and silver coins. Hidden escape passages allow him to flee when threatened, and he often uses his darkness spell to make his escape.

Motivations and Goals

Cult of the Howling Hatred (Air Temple)

Kelno and his followers believe the Elder Elemental God manifests as an invisible storm, whispering secrets of chaos and devastation. Their faith is rooted in the belief that the air element holds the ultimate power to erode civilization over time.

• Belief: The Elder Elemental God manifests as an invisible storm, bringing whispers of chaos and the power to sweep away civilization.
• Goal: Focuses on controlling the skies, manipulating weather, and summoning devastating winds to erode their enemies' morale.
• Avenge his fallen apprentices by orchestrating the downfall of the Fire and Water Temples.
• Rebuild his power by securing more mercenaries and bribing key figures.
• Gain greater influence within the Temple, positioning himself as a contender for power.
• Escape if needed, having multiple plans to flee should the Temple fall.

Political Maneuvering & Survival Strategy

Kelno avoids direct confrontation with other prophets and instead nurtures insurgency from within:

• Promised defection of bugbears loyal to Water Temple if Belsornig succeeds in recruiting trolls.
• Keeps tunnel escape routes and potions ready, should a direct assault come.
• Feeds misinformation to Earth and Fire cultists through planted rumors.
• Focuses on recruitment from Narwell and Wild Coast, avoiding Temple politics whenever possible.

Goals and Ambitions

1. Survive the Temple’s collapse and re-emerge stronger.
2. Recruit disaffected humanoids from other factions.
3. Outmaneuver Belsornig and Alrrem by sowing chaos between them.
4. Gain leverage with Hedrack by uncovering treachery or exposing Falrinth.
5. Usurp the Greater Temple’s spiritual leadership under the banner of Air.

Adventure Hooks

• “The Defection Gambit” – PCs learn of Kelno’s plan to steal Belsornig’s bugbear troops. Who will they support—or will they disrupt both?
• “Murmurs in the Wind” – A strange whispering wind haunts the temple’s corridors. Kelno has unleashed a minor air elemental—without Hedrack’s permission.
• “Bargain with the Breeze” – Kelno contacts the PCs to strike a deal: eliminate a rival in exchange for forbidden elemental knowledge.
• “The Venom and the Dagger” – Kelno’s prized dagger of venom is stolen. The thief? A traitorous bugbear with connections to the Crimson Trader.

Conclusion

High Priest Kelno is a desperate yet dangerous figure within the Temple of Elemental Evil. Though his power has waned, his cunning and ambition remain as potent as ever. Whether he regains his influence or meets an ignoble end is a matter of fate—and cunning.