Taikoero
(Translated from Kahi: Reader of the Tides)
Spiritual Leader of the Kahi Tribes
May the Tides of your Struggle carry forth your Family.Faith
Description
To the Kahi people of Motunakahi, the ocean represents many things. The islands she reveals offer a home, the bounty of her waves grants them survival, and her terrible wrath promises destruction. That is why despite the many tribes that live among the islands each having their own ideals and cultures, all show respect and reverence to the Taikoero, the Reader of the Tides. By interpreting the signs of Waigagoora, the Taikoero serves as a spiritual guide and advisor to each tribe's leader, serving not one tribe but all Kahi people. The Taikoero can come from any tribe, but upon receiving the blessing of their goddes they become part of the Atua; a small tribe composed entirely of devotees to the Serpent god and, by extension, to the Taikoero.Career
Qualifications
Each tribe of the Kahi hopes that the next Taikoero will be chosen from among them, and shaman work to try and deepen their connection to Waigagoora in the hope that they will be chosen to travel to the isle of Kainia to visit the Infinite Tide. While anyone can be accepted by the Atua and attempt the trial, those with a strong sense of faith and family have a higher success rate, and it is these qualities that is encouraged among aspirants.
Career Progression
The role of Taikoero is a life-long assignment, but reaches people at varying times in their life. When their end draws near, the current Taikoero visits each tribe and awaits a vision of who might become their successor and, upon finding suitable candidates, brings them home to undergo training for their first Reading of the Tides. Should a candidate succeed the trial, they will be awarded the title of Taikoero and receive training from the current one until their passing.
Other Benefits
The Atua tribe lives upon the isle of Kainia and is devoted solely to upholding the belief structure of the Kahi tribes. While their land is worked to support themselves, the Kahi tribes frequently send gifts of food, tools, and volunteers to aid the Atua tribe and the Taikoero's continued livelihoods. While some among the tribes do this in an effort to curry favor, the Taikoero and Atua hold enough respect among Kahi culture that these acts are usually good-natured in intent.
Perception
Purpose
- Receives visions and interprets the will of Waigagoora
- Delivering healing care to those in need
- Leads all tribes in times of strife/war
- Oversees disputes between tribes
- Spiritual advisor to chieftains
Social Status
The Taikoero is seen as both the spiritual leader of all Kahi tribes, providing guidance and safety through times of struggle or conflict, and as a servant of the people, with the responsibility of Kahi survival on their shoulders. The Taikoero holds the authority to advise, and sometimes direct, the chieftains of each tribe, but is also expected to serve as a healer of the sick and mediator in times of conflict.
Operations
Tools
For as long as there have been Taikoero, they have held the Tide's Tooth, a scepter of gnarled wood with the name of each Taiko carved into it and adorned with stones plucked from the shores of the Infinite Tide. While the Tooth has become a symbol of the Taiko's authority, it also aids them when performing their rites or casting magic, acting as the focus for their power.
Provided Services
- Healing of sickness and physical ailments
- Spiritual guidance
- Communication with the deceased
- Predicting the future
Alternative Names
Taiko, Reader of the Tides (Common translation)
Reading the Tides
The mark of who is worthy to become Taikoero begins with testing the ability to read the tides and make safe, accurate predictions of the future. Beyond all other obligations the Taikoero possesses, it is this ability that earns them the blessing of Waigagoora and respect of the Kahi tribes. What might seem as simple divinations to outsiders, to the Kahi tribes this sacred ability is the backbone of their culture, and when the Taikoero speaks, every chieftain listens. Those who disregard their words quickly find themselves replaced, often by one of their own tribe with more spiritual devotion than personal ambition. Once fully set up the Taikoero can perform the ritual almost anywhere they have access to ocean water, even if it has been removed from the ocean such as in a well or fountain within a temple or their home. However, a prospective Taikoero must perform the ritual for the first time on Kainia, the island home of the Atua tribe. There, the Atua lead them to the heart of the island to a large natural basin filled with saltwater, yet entirely landlocked within the island. Despite the geological improbability, the Infinite Tide flows fiercely in a circular pattern, spiraling ever downwards and never ceasing. Here, the aspiring Taikoero must delve into the whirlpool, surrendering to the Infinite Tide and the care of Waigagoora. Those found worthy by the great serpent receive a vision of their future and are returned to the shore, bearing her blessing and power and assuming the role of Taikoero immediately. If no vision is received or worse, the aspirant is lost to the spiraling depths, it is seen as a refusal by the goddess and the search for the new Taikoero continues.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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