Kren, the Sly

A shadowy fox
Kren is one of the five Amaranthine associated with the Humblefolk races of the Humblewood setting for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. The closest thing to an evil god in the Amaranthine pantheon, Kren is the spirit of slyness and predation, two concepts that the largely docile humblefolk and birdfolk races aren't innately connected to. Only her followers the vulpins truly share a kinship with her. She is most frequently depicted in stories as a villain, and even when she isn't an antagonist, her motives are rarely laudable. Still, one can learn from Kren, for her stories often demonstrate how hubris can be exploited, how heroes can be laid low, and how there is no weapon so deadly as flattery.
It is from Kren that the vulpines learned to walk the line between savagery and sophistication, as well as how and when each should be used. Other humblefolk races learn the value of cunning from her, showing that no creature is so wise or mighty that they cannot be taken advantage of.
Stories of her origin are often vague and contradictory. A popular vulpin myth tells that Kren came from a time before life existed on Everden. That she was an ancient force, ready to feast on a world full of new and fresh meat, who simply awoke when the Dawnmother and Nightfather set creation in motion. Others believe she was the first vulpin, who ascended from an ordinary fox. As the story goes, Kren tricked the Dawnmother into allowing her to watch over the Amaranthine’s two divine feathers. Kren ate a single feather and became the Amaranthine of guile. This is why the Dawnmother only carries one feather in her beak.
Kren isn’t worshiped in the same way as other Amaranthine. Rather, Kren is invoked in stories to teach the dangers of vainglory. Many outlaws keep shrines to her patronage. These individuals include thieves, smugglers, and purveyors of black market goods. Priests of Kren use her stories to teach others how to be crafty and cunning, but also to be cautious of the wiles of others. There are those, however, who invoke Kren for dark rites and rituals to gain power for themselves. Kren is always ready to make bargains with such supplicants, but all who do are fated to be devoured by her when their lives finally come to an end.


Kren is depicted as a massive, ferocious-looking and savage vixen, whose form is usually obscured by shadows, with only her teeth and eyes standing out by glinting as they catch the light.


Portfolio: Predation, Guile, Savagery, Cunning, Flattery
Domain: Trickery
Worshippers: Vulpin, Outlaws, Thieves, Smugglers, Black Marketeers, Warlocks
Favoured Weapon: Unknown


Guile is the greatest weapon at your disposal. Hone it, use it, and your fangs will always find their mark.