Temple of the Grapes of Wrath

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Holy Symbol

Patron

The patron of this temple is secretly a fallen angel, an Erinyes named Serinthia who often appears almost angelic, making it easier for her to masquerade as a benevolent or divine figure. Erinyes are known for their beauty and warrior skills but also for their cunning and ability to manipulate. They often serve as tempters and deceivers, which would fit the role of a deity being worshipped under false pretenses. Serinthia is an archdevil.

Location and Architecture: Set in a stark contrast to Saint Ronald’s temple, this temple is built in a robust and imposing style, with walls adorned with bas-reliefs of vine motifs and scenes of historic battles and revolts. It resembles a fortress and is located in a vineyard, symbolizing growth and resilience. The main hall is dimly lit, with a central altar made of twisted vine wood.

Beliefs and Practices: This temple worships the natural forces of growth, decay, and rebirth. The Grapes of Wrath represent nature’s inevitable victory over the constructs of civilization, including the decay of moral and societal decay. Their practices include rites of passage that symbolize dying and being reborn stronger. They also hold annual harvest festivals, which have dual themes of celebration and mourning.

Cultural Impact: The followers of the Grapes of Wrath are often seen as zealots, deeply respected and slightly feared for their unyielding nature. They are fierce protectors of natural landscapes and often clash with expansionist interests. Their influence is most strongly felt during the harvest season, where the boundaries between celebration and conflict can blur.

Serinthia’s Motivations for Manipulation

Influence and Power: The devil could be using the Temple as a means to expand her influence in the material world, gathering followers and sowing the seeds of her power through what appears to be a religious movement. This influence could serve as a foothold for larger infernal plans, such as an eventual invasion or domination.

Harvesting Souls: By masquerading as a divine figure, the devil could be leading her followers to commit acts that damn their souls, thereby increasing her collection of souls to bolster her status in Hell or use as currency in infernal dealings.

Testing Loyalties and Strategies: For a devil, particularly an archdevil, mortal realms can serve as a testing ground for strategies that could be employed in the infernal hierarchy. Manipulating a temple could be part of a larger experiment in control and subversion.

Narrative Development

Revelation and Conflict: The moment of revelation when the followers discover their patron’s true nature could be a pivotal plot point in your game, leading to internal conflict within the temple or a crisis of faith among the followers.

Quests and Missions: Players might be tasked with uncovering the truth about the temple’s patron, dealing with the moral and ethical implications of their discoveries, or even confronting the devil herself in a dramatic climax.

Alliance and Redemption: There could be elements of the temple or its doctrine that are genuinely good, leading to complex alliances where players must decide whether to reform the temple, save redeemable followers, or dismantle it entirely.

Mistress Lyria Thorne

High Priestess of the Temple of the Grapes of Wrath

Charismatic and shrewd, Lyria is known for her fiery sermons and political savvy. She represents the religious sector and is influential among the city’s populace, using her position to advocate for the less fortunate. She has no idea that what her Patron truly is.

• Suggested Race: Elf
  • Reasoning: Elves have a deep connection to spiritual and natural elements, suitable for a high priestess of a temple.
• Class: Cleric (Tempest or War Domain)
  • Reasoning: As a priestess with a fiery and passionate demeanor, she fits well as a Cleric with a focus on more aggressive, proactive domains like Tempest or War.

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