Meraeldi Religion/Otinwi Pantheon

There is no true structure for the worship of the Otinwi. Rather, there is merely the known attributes and beliefs centered around each god. In addition, there exist wayshrines and temples devoted to each god, with several major temples in prominent cities. These are overseen by priests, but they have no true overarching rule.

There exist several major myths within the meraeldi faiths. While variations exists, the creation myth generally follows that the world of Telarith was born from a primoradial ocean, when the powerful Elder Ones emerged from the heavens. They raised forth land and continents, but eventually warred with each other. In time, the Elder Ones fell one by one, until the Titans, a faction of Elder Ones, stood triumphant above all else. The Titans then gave birth to the Otinwi, or Great Ones, who became the ruling gods of the world.    Further myths center around the period of the First Fel Uprising, known to the merfolk as the Malla Maluuor, or the First Darkness. This was when the Otinwi fought amongst themselves, with the death of the Goddess-Queen Lyllratami.    Following this, the individual myths and stories diversify as the Meraeldi spread across the planet. However, they still all feature the same gods and some similar heroes. One of the most well known of these heroes is Thamuniosa LenArrekenon, who fought in the Great Darkness.

The modern worship and religion of the Meraeldi dates back thousands of years. When the original aqui were formed they served under the Guardian Leisraen. Following the First Fel Uprising the aqui spilt apart and developed into the modern mer races. The merfolk eventually formed their own tribes, kingdoms, and societies, and began worship of several major gods in a rapidly developing pantheon. w

The different divines of the Otinwi religion handle different matters and represent major aspects of merfolk life. They understand the universe itself as a vast ocean, full of differing cords and currents of fate, and that the fabric of reality, like water itself, is moldable and changeable, and can be altered. The gods are those who can do the most change of this.

The Otinwi

The Otinwi Pantheon itself consists of seven members. These gods are in fact the original and powerful Guardians, extremely powerful beings of ages past, who have warped over thousands of years into powerful gods and goddess the merfolk worship.

Yynmawi (Yikt'Al)

A weather goddess of storm, wrath, and war, Yynmawi, also known as the Four-Armed is one of the more popular gods, as her control over the weather is a big factor in merfolk life. She has a large temple in the city of Dunnosh. Her priests are often known to go into battle in her name, regardless of who's fighting, honoring "the Lady of Blades with split blood"

Isyrana (Ishra)

Isyrana is a nature goddess, and considered the younger sister of Lasratami. In many myth she is portrayed as naïve but also loving and caring, and is one of the most prayed to and revered of all the Otinwi. She is worshiped as a life giver who ensures that the algae and plant matter of the ocean blooms and blossoms, the goddess of nature, plants, and the undersea forests. A large open Garden Temple is famed across the ocean for being open and overgrown by lush flora.

Sajlenar (Sa'judthus)

The Betrayer, the King of the Green Flame, Sajlenar is despised and only cursed upon, a god of evil, corruption, and treachery. In the mythology of the merfolk, he betrayed and nearly killed his sister, Yynmawi, and was imprisoned beneath the Great Trench. His rage is unending, and as he struggles against his chains the trench shakes and stirs, spewing forth fowl smoke and fire, and causing quakes and rumblings. He curses the world and causes misfortune and misery.

Lyll'Al (Tysh'Al)

A mysterious being, the god Lyll'Al is said to wander the deep trenches of the ocean, carrying a heavy chain and weight behind him. It is said in ancient myths that when Sajlenar attacked and nearly killed his brother, Lyll'Al did nothing. In punishment, he was forced to carry a burden, until the time that his penance will be earned. Many merfolk have often gone on travels to find him, and it is said that the Deep Giant will bless heroes who find him. He is often worshiped or his name invoked by those who seek redemption.

Dyssma (Don'eli)

One of the less known and worshiped of the Otinwi, Dyssma is the goddess of night, darkness, and often sorrow. She was said to have been the lover and aid of Sajlenar, but survived by hiding in the darkness and shadows of the oceans. She is still worshiped, mostly by the adventurous, for the domain of mystery and the unknown is hers. Dyssma has few priests, and open worship of her is generally taboo and discouraged. Despite this, she is accepted as the black sheep of the Otinwi, and the mysterious and infamous Priest of the Black Scales worship her.

Lasratami (Leisraen)

Known to the Meraeldi as Lasratami, she is the Goddess-Queen of the Otinwi, and the queen of the oceans, and the leader of the Otinwi. She was killed by Sajlenar, and the merfolk mourn her loss even to this day. She is said to survive on as a spirt, watching over her children of the sea and working indirectly to aid them. As a sea goddess she is widely worshipped, with several prominent cities and temples worshipping her, and being the patron deity of the race. Lasratami is the goddess of seas, oceans, and all water in general, as well as motherhood, protection, and love. It is generally believed that eventually, one day, Lasratami will return to save the oceans and lead the merfolk into a new golden age.

Monoran (Ioran)

Mistress of Lighting, the Wrathful Lady, and the goddess of storms and lighting. Monoran is the wife to Yynmawi, and the elder sister of Lasratami. Portrayed as a hot-headed warrior, Monoran has a stormy relationship with her husband and often takes on mortal lovers to spite him. Many of her priests are female solo warriors who channel the power of lightning, a devastating ability to wield underwater. She is also worshiped as a goddess of love, beauty, and courage.

Priests exist for every major god within the Otinwi Pantheon (barring Sajlenar), and the exact appointment and training of these priests varies. The servants of Isyrana, for example, can consists of practically anyone, and spend most of their time in the open corals or kelp jungles, growing and expanding the underwater foliage.    Generally, priests are male, or virgin females, and the different genders are kept separate and have different roles. Local temples are built as places where other may come to offer tribute or worship the gods, and most priests and priestess have specific and unique clothing to distinguish them.

The priests of the divine are often able to channel great magical powers, magical in nature, and so the priests are often referred to as "faith mages"