Kurell
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
roleplaying game, Kurell is the Oeridian
god of Jealousy, Revenge, and Thievery. His holy symbol is a grasping hand holding a broken coin, fingers pointed upwards.
(1983), by Gary Gygax
.
Kurell was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign. Kurell was featured in the article series on the Oeridian Lesser Gods in Dragon
#263 (1999).
Kurell's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
(2000).
. He also sometimes takes the form of a large, black wolf with eyes of an equally vivid green. In his true form, which he does not deliberately reveal to anyone, he is a small, unattractive, slightly overweight man.
, but he rejected her in order to pursue her sister, Sotillion
, which earned him the displeasure of both goddesses, as well as Sotillion's husband, Zilchus
, who is also Kurell's brother.
Kurell is allied with Joramy
, Ralishaz
, Syrul
, Erythnul
, Xan Yae
, and Trithereon
. Kurell is terribly jealous of Olidammara
and Norebo
, who are more popular among rogues than he is. Kurell is an enemy of Allitur
, Dalt
, Nerull
, Rudd
, Saint Cuthbert
, Pholtus
and Heironeous
. He is listed as both the enemy and ally of Xan Yae and Syrul.
is called the House of Locks, and his domain in Pandesmos
is called House of the Bitter Hand.
, in Old Aerdy East, and among the Rovers of the Barrens. The power of Kurell's church has grown in the Hold of the Sea Princes since that land's capture by the Scarlet Brotherhood. A group of Kurell-worshippers called the Spurned Circle controlled the Wreckers, the thieves' guild in Scant, before they were overthrown by Rakehell Chert (a worshiper of Olidammara
). Pockets of Kurell worship can be found in most major cities with significant Oeridian influence. Cells of Kurell's followers can be found in many thieves' guilds, collectively known as the Legion of the Bitter Hand. Both Rookroost and Stoink feature priests of Kurell who claim to lead the Legion.
Prayers to Kurell are offered nightly, and usually involve thoughts of vengeance.
Ceremonial garb for priests of Kurell involves a golden half-mask and a plain cloak lined with precious furs inside and decorated with small tokens important only to those from which they were stolen. Adventuring garb usually includes leather armor that has been dyed a dark red to symbolize Kurell's rage for vengeance.
The Black Wolf's Lair, a foreboding cave complex in the Burneal Forest (hex I5-68, Darlene map
), is considered a holy place by the followers of Kurell.
In the North Kingdom city of Atirr, a small chapel to Kurell is within the College of Endings and Beginnings, the city's assassin's guild, where the assassins of the order pray for success on their missions.
A temple of Kurell is in Rookroost, where the Bitter Hand receives worship from guildmaster Elara Mornstar and the majority of the thieves guild there. All clerics wishing to be initiated into the Rookroost Thieves Guild must be ordained in the church of Kurell.
Kurell's most prominent temple is the Vault of the Hidden Horde, in the catacombs beneath the city of Kalstrand, the newly proclaimed capitol of the United Kingdom of Ahlissa where the populace worships the Oeridian pantheon almost exclusively and where organized thievery is rampant. Arch-Avenger Vensch Estende secretly presides over all three rival thieves´ guilds active in Kalstrand and dreams of the day when Overking Xavener dances to his whim as well.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
roleplaying game, Kurell is the Oeridian
Oeridians
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Oeridians are a race of humans living in the Flanaess...
god of Jealousy, Revenge, and Thievery. His holy symbol is a grasping hand holding a broken coin, fingers pointed upwards.
Publication history
Kurell was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game SettingWorld of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
The World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting and the World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting are two closely related publications from TSR, Inc. that detail the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
(1983), by Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
.
Kurell was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
From the Ashes (Dungeons & Dragons)
From the Ashes is a supplement for Dungeons & Dragonss World of Greyhawk campaign setting. It was published in 1992 by TSR as a boxed set of materials...
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign. Kurell was featured in the article series on the Oeridian Lesser Gods in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#263 (1999).
Kurell's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Despite the title, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is not exclusive to the Living Greyhawk Campaign...
(2000).
Description
Kurell manifests as a tall, handsome, virile Oeridian man with bright green eyes and olive skinOlive skin
Olive skin describes a skin color range of some indigenous individuals who are from the Mediterranean and some other parts of Europe, Middle East and regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia and Central Asia. It may often be skin type 3 and 4 on the Fitzpatrick scale. However, this scale measures...
. He also sometimes takes the form of a large, black wolf with eyes of an equally vivid green. In his true form, which he does not deliberately reveal to anyone, he is a small, unattractive, slightly overweight man.
Relationships
Kurell was once pursued by AtroaAtroa
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Atroa is the Oeridian goddess of Spring, East Wind, and Renewal...
, but he rejected her in order to pursue her sister, Sotillion
Sotillion
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Sotillion is the Oeridian goddess of Summer, the South Wind, Ease, and Comfort...
, which earned him the displeasure of both goddesses, as well as Sotillion's husband, Zilchus
Zilchus
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Zilchus is the Oeridian god of Power, Prestige, Money, Business, and Influence...
, who is also Kurell's brother.
Kurell is allied with Joramy
Joramy
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Joramy is the goddess of Fire, Volcanoes, Wrath, Anger, and Quarrels...
, Ralishaz
Ralishaz
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Ralishaz is the god of Chance, Ill Luck, Misfortune, and Insanity...
, Syrul
Syrul
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Syrul is the Suel goddess of Lies, Deceit, Treachery, and False Promises...
, Erythnul
Erythnul
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Erythnul is the Oeridian god of hate, envy, malice, panic, ugliness, and slaughter. He is known as the Many, and is worshipped by many gnoll,...
, Xan Yae
Xan Yae
Xan Yae is a fictional goddess from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting, Xan Yae is the goddess of Twilight, Shadows, Stealth, and Mental Power worshiped by some of the Baklunish people who inhabit the fictional lands of Flanaess and Oerik....
, and Trithereon
Trithereon
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Trithereon is the god of Individuality, Liberty, Retribution, and Self-Defense...
. Kurell is terribly jealous of Olidammara
Olidammara
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Olidammara is the god of Music, Revels, Wine, Rogues, Humor, and Tricks. He is often called the Laughing Rogue.Olidammara is one of the more...
and Norebo
Norebo
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Norebo is the Suel god of Luck, Gambling, and Risks. His symbol is a pair of eight-sided dice.-Publication history:...
, who are more popular among rogues than he is. Kurell is an enemy of Allitur
Allitur
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Allitur is the Flan god of Ethics and Propriety...
, Dalt
DALT
N,N-Diallyltryptamine is a psychedelic drug of the tryptamine class. Alexander Shulgin reports that DALT is active at 42 mg orally, producing a +1 on the Shulgin scale, and being back to baseline by 4 hours. It is said to have a similar potency to DMT, being active at doses of approximately 40-100...
, Nerull
Nerull
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, as well as in the game's default pantheon of deities, Nerull is the Flan god of death, darkness, murder, and the underworld. He is known as the Reaper, the Foe of All Good, the Hater of Life, and the Bringer of...
, Rudd
Rudd (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Rudd is the Oeridian goddess of Chance, Good Luck, and Skill. As the Great Gambler, she knows every card game invented. Rudd avoids completely cerebral games like Dragonchess, finding them too easy...
, Saint Cuthbert
Saint Cuthbert (Dungeons & Dragons)
In some versions of the Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying game, Saint Cuthbert of the Cudgel is the combative deity of Wisdom, Dedication, and Zeal...
, Pholtus
Pholtus
In the fictional campaign setting of Greyhawk used for the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Pholtus was one of the first gods created by Gary Gygax as he and Dave Arneson developed the game of Dungeons & Dragons...
and Heironeous
Heironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
. He is listed as both the enemy and ally of Xan Yae and Syrul.
Realm
Kurell's realm in LimboLimbo (Dungeons & Dragons)
In Dungeons and Dragons, fantasy role-playing game, Limbo or more fully, the Ever-Changing Chaos of Limbo, is a chaotic neutral-aligned plane of existence...
is called the House of Locks, and his domain in Pandesmos
Pandemonium (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the standard cosmology of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Pandemonium is the Outer plane where Chaotic Evil and Chaotic Neutral petitioners are sent after death. Pandemonium is a large, complex cavern that never ends. Compounding this problem, howling winds drive most of its...
is called House of the Bitter Hand.
Dogma
Kurell teaches his worshippers to take what is rightfully theirs and to seize all their desires. Many believe that retribution for wrongs is more likely to be done correctly if they do it themselves.Worshipers
Kurell's worship is prominent in the Bandit Kingdoms, among the Wolf NomadsWolf Nomads
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Wolf Nomads, properly known as the Wegwiur, is a political state of the Flanaess. The name also applies to the tribes of nomadic horsemen who dwell within these lands.-History:The Wolf Nomads are descended...
, in Old Aerdy East, and among the Rovers of the Barrens. The power of Kurell's church has grown in the Hold of the Sea Princes since that land's capture by the Scarlet Brotherhood. A group of Kurell-worshippers called the Spurned Circle controlled the Wreckers, the thieves' guild in Scant, before they were overthrown by Rakehell Chert (a worshiper of Olidammara
Olidammara
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Olidammara is the god of Music, Revels, Wine, Rogues, Humor, and Tricks. He is often called the Laughing Rogue.Olidammara is one of the more...
). Pockets of Kurell worship can be found in most major cities with significant Oeridian influence. Cells of Kurell's followers can be found in many thieves' guilds, collectively known as the Legion of the Bitter Hand. Both Rookroost and Stoink feature priests of Kurell who claim to lead the Legion.
Prayers to Kurell are offered nightly, and usually involve thoughts of vengeance.
Clergy
Clerics of Kurell tend to be self-centered, teaching by example rather than by doctrine. They seldom proselytize unless they see some immediate benefit to themselves. Many make a living as thieves or travel in search of wealth. Some clerics of Kurell are also assassins; these individuals are highly paid and frequently used by the church itself. Clerics of Kurell are, perhaps oddly, generally trustworthy if no ill is done to them, as they do not wish to earn any vengeance upon themselves.Ceremonial garb for priests of Kurell involves a golden half-mask and a plain cloak lined with precious furs inside and decorated with small tokens important only to those from which they were stolen. Adventuring garb usually includes leather armor that has been dyed a dark red to symbolize Kurell's rage for vengeance.
Temples
Most of the Bitter Hand's temples are little more than simple shrines or small chapels.The Black Wolf's Lair, a foreboding cave complex in the Burneal Forest (hex I5-68, Darlene map
World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
The World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting and the World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting are two closely related publications from TSR, Inc. that detail the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
), is considered a holy place by the followers of Kurell.
In the North Kingdom city of Atirr, a small chapel to Kurell is within the College of Endings and Beginnings, the city's assassin's guild, where the assassins of the order pray for success on their missions.
A temple of Kurell is in Rookroost, where the Bitter Hand receives worship from guildmaster Elara Mornstar and the majority of the thieves guild there. All clerics wishing to be initiated into the Rookroost Thieves Guild must be ordained in the church of Kurell.
Kurell's most prominent temple is the Vault of the Hidden Horde, in the catacombs beneath the city of Kalstrand, the newly proclaimed capitol of the United Kingdom of Ahlissa where the populace worships the Oeridian pantheon almost exclusively and where organized thievery is rampant. Arch-Avenger Vensch Estende secretly presides over all three rival thieves´ guilds active in Kalstrand and dreams of the day when Overking Xavener dances to his whim as well.
Holy days
- The Winter SolsticeWinter solsticeWinter solstice may refer to:* Winter solstice, astronomical event* Winter Solstice , former band* Winter Solstice: North , seasonal songs* Winter Solstice , 2005 American film...
, the longest night of the year. - Kurell's Night, the 11th of GoodmonthGreyhawk CalendarThe Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
, when both Luna and Celene are new. - The Blood Moon Festival, when the coup against the Horned SocietyHorned SocietyIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Horned Society is a secret society devoted to evil and Devil worship...
was seen as one of the most dramatic acts of vengeance ever undertaken, excepting only the Rain of Colorless Fire.
Additional reading
- Boyd, Eric. "Powers That Be: Kurell". PolyhedronPolyhedron (magazine)Polyhedron was a magazine which started out as the official publication of the RPGA . Publication began in the year 1981, and the target audience was players of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game...
#132. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998. - Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- Findley, Nigel, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss, and Robert J. KuntzRobert J. KuntzRobert J. Kuntz is a game designer and author of role-playing game publications. He is most famous for his contributions to various Dungeons & Dragons-related materials.-Works:...
. Fate of IstusFate of IstusFate of Istusis a multipart adventure for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, taking place in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting. The module is designed for characters of any class or level, and was published as an in-game vehicle to explain the transition from the game's first to second...
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. - Kerrigan, Stuart, and the Onnwal Design Team. "Playing Pieces: Heroes of Onnwal." DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
Magazine #299. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002.