# Marlena
##### The Malestrom, Mistress of Curses
Marlena is the goddess of punishment, vengeance, curses, ill fortune, storms and death. She is the aspect of Artrya the represents her jealousy, wrath and fury. The blessings of Marlena (for they _are_ blessings. To say otherwise would be to incur her wrath) are fearsome things, dreaded by the Varyag, but seen as inevitable. They are just punishments for the sins of the day, and of the past. Sins of the one, of the many, of the living and the long dead. They are trials the Varyag must endure to remain strong and vigilant, and to remind them of the value of the blessings of Varda and Freji, for no storm lasts forever. Marlena's wrath is not reversed for the Varyag, of course. Marlena's true and unrestrained fury falls upon those who would dare harm the fated people.
# History
Marlena first came to the aid of the Yagmaran in the days of the great Cataclysm. It was her wind and thunder that kept the vile forces of **Amaguirre** at bay while Melrose and the Yagmaran people constructed the great fleet that would bear them to safety. This battle with Amanguirre and his host was difficult and costly, but eventually the Yagmaran escaped their peril, and pledged themselves to their protector and matron. As generations passed, the Varyag began to grow fickle and lapsed in their faith to Artrya. They turned their backs on Atryra in favor of the gods of the spriggin people, forgetting who have saved them from ruination and led them to the contentment and safety of the Era of Brotherhood. Artrya lashed out against the unfaithful, seeking to remind them of their promised devotion. This admonishment was repaid in curses and insults by many. Artrya would have further demonstrated her displeasure, but the Freji plead to allow them a chance at redemption. Human lives are short and their memories are shorter still. If the Varyag could demonstrate their worthiness, perhaps they could be given a reminder of their allegiance and a second chance to remain faithful to it. The trials and adventures of the prophet Jelmuro and the Children of Iriche did not satisfy Marlena, and she demanded the chance to exact a fitting punishment for the Varyag's betrayal. Jelmuro's journey was enough to satisfy Freji, and Varda was willing to postpone judgement to allow the Varyag a chance to show their contrition. With the **Articles of Covenant** in their possession, the fated people now had an everlasting reminder of their debt to Artrya. Marlena felt this was not enough, and wanted to bestow a more immediate reminder of the Varyag's obligation to Artrya. To that end, she set upon them the _Call to the Sea_, an enduring reminder that their safety and refuge was found in leaving the land, not settling there. Marlena would seek to do battle with **Amanguirre** once more, during the era of the Black Clan. Anastheyran and her Black Clan had sacrificed scores of Varyag in a foul ritual to reignite the Flame of Ruin. Many lives had been spared thanks to the efforts of Curosa and Shyvra, but many others lay burned to death within the husks of their ships. Marlena took an awful revenge upon the Black Clan. She laid waste to the lands of Sulima, ravaging it with wind and rain lighting, striking down five of the betrayers for every true Varyag lost. But Amanguirre, even newly reborn, was not without power. He came to the aid of the betrayers, and the pair clashed. Marlena might have been able to eradicate the Black Clan, but doing so would have risked her existance, and the covenant worked both ways. She was duty bound to return to her people. To keep and protect them for all time. So it was that the _Call of the Sea_ and the blessing of Artrya were taken from the Miryag.
# The Temple of the Covenant
Marlena has few temples dedicated to her, as she is an aspect of Artrya. Most who come to pay tribute to Marlena will do so in Temples of the Covenant. There are a few temples dedicated to Marlena, known as penance houses. These are more reminiscent of a dungeon than a church; featuring stocks, racks, and number of cells for the faithful to make use of. Worshippers concerned that Marlena is unhappy with them will come in and confess their sins and undertake punishment either of their own devising, or as prescribed by the clergy.
#### Taboo
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#### Clergy
While most of the clergy of Artrya promote the three aspects as a single divine entity, there are clerics that belong to the Priesthood of the Rueful Sacrament. This order hears the confessions and prescribes penance to those who would seek to prevent the wrath of Marlena from being visited upon their clan, their ship or their loved ones. These priests can be identified by their bright blue robes, and sometimes adorn their faces with blue paint or even tattoos. The Artryan church maintains a standing army, comprised of two wings sworn to never interfere with each other's work. One of these is the Stromfront, who are dedicated to the elimination of heresies against the covenant, and with avenging themselves on those who would do harm to the Varyag. This force is called the Stormfront, and they include a number of inquisitors and warpriests dedicate to Marlena.
# Other Worshipers and Faiths