The Umikaze, The Rite of Divine Apeasement
In Kerine, there are two great Lua who claim vast tracts of territory. Elaren, Lua of Bays, Calm Waters, Mollusks, Gifts, and Parents, aids the people that reside along the Bay of Blessings by soothing the waves from the Trackless Sea that enter the bay and nourish life that blooms within its calm waters. Irelia, Lua of Seas, Rapids, Fish, Chaos, and Children, sister of Elaren, pushes the people of the bay towards riches and bountiful harvests when she isn't causing turmoil upon the seas. These two siblings claim dominion of most waterways and bodies of water within and around Kerine (insofar as they are aware), and thus end up in contact with many people across Kerine. Because of this, the whole of Kerine knows of the deep rivalry between these two siblings.
The Rite of Divine Appeasement, colloquially known as the Umikaze, is a (typically) successful attempt at quelling the squabble between the two siblings for the betterment of the mortals that perform the ritual. The ritual involves the creation and offering of sacred mixtures that are tailored for the deity in need of appeasement. For Elaren, the mixture is a shimmering, sea foam green liquid known as Pa'Pili. For Irelia, the mixture is a shimmering, deep cerulean liquid known as Saph'ili. Only the priests of Kradence know how to create these mixtures, a recipe kept secret to ensure that the general populace does not throw the power balance of these sibling Lua off balance.
Once the offerings are concocted, the priests will travel about Kerine gathering information on those who have interacted with the bickering Lua. Since their squabbles occur in year-long bouts, the priests have ample opportunity to travel to all corners of Kerine in order to gather information. As the year goes on, the fighting intensifies, and as a result causes difficulty in harvesting crops and livestock from the bay as well as reduced yields. The priests are generally respected during their journey, despite whatever faction they interact with, as their duties are known to greatly benefit food production and goods manufacturing. Once the priests return from their long journey, they congregate to discern what the current fighting is about, who appears to be 'winning' and, as a result, who must be appeased. Due to their nature, Irelia historically has needed to be appeased more. The ritual concludes with the priests providing their offering into the bay to the appropriate Lua, and if their choice was correct, reap the resulting blessings. If Elaren is appeased, mollusks and crustaceans bloom throughout the bay, increasing yields of seafood, chitin, and pearls for the people of the bay. If Irelia is appeased, schools of migrating fish pour into the bay as fierce winds drive sailor expeditiously along Kerine's coast towards their desired destinations, as well as occasionally driving ships into one another.
Origin of the Rite
The rite's origins lie directly with recorded tales of both Elaren's and Irelia's origins. It was said that the waters of Kerine were once barren sterile pools of stagnation. The liquid was akin to poison before a dark storm took hold above the desolate lands. Then, as the clouds roared across Kerine's skies, drops of rain fell like cannonballs upon her surface. The rain fell so hard that it dug deep into a mountain, carving out dirt and stone until one sapphire was uncovered. This sapphire, knocked free by the torrential downpour, tumbled down the mountain until it fell into a nearby river. As the sapphire was carried down the river, eventually spilling into the bay, life sprang forth from the facets of the jewel as it eventually found its home resting at the bottom of the Bay of Blessings and splitting in two. Some stories say that the sapphire broke in two before it reached the bay, others say a herculean crab pinched it in two, or that the a raindrop split the gem in half. However it happened, as the two halves of the gem came to rest at the bottom of the bay, one was consumed by a roaming sea snail, while the other half was eaten by a barracuda. Days later, the sea snail began to change shape and eventually took the humanoid form that would soon be called Elaren, while Irelia formed from the barracuda.
The two knew they were two halves of the same whole. Wherever Elaren stepped, mollusks bloomed and crustaceans emerged from the sands and the waters calmed. Where Irelia flowed, fish swam to attend her and waters riled. Though, that did not bring them closer together, but rather caused them to covet the others' power and domain. Elaren thought he could better control Irelia's waters and subjects, hoping that she would come to realize his belief as truth. Irelia believed Elaren's power belonged to her by right, as she reigns over the vast waters of the seas, for what is a stream to the ocean. Thus, the two bickered on who was more important, ideals of power, and who bore more of the original being. As mortals began to find themselves spreading across Kerine, these two began to argue on how to interact and deal with them. Elaren was gentle, listening to mortal struggle and need, offering what he could given an appropriate offering. Irelia was fierce, boasting demands on mortal kind with those able to satisfy her needs and wants be granted with bountiful gifts. While Elaren refused to involve himself in mortal conflicts, Irelia reveled in the drama and turmoil that came from mortal affairs. As one would expect, the two would continue to fight over these differing values for years to come.
Over time, the arguing grew more intense, and the two Lua stopped traveling the waters in and around Kerine. Food sourced from the waters grew scarce, and people that relied on these sources began to die off. It wasn't until an elder from the beaches of the bay known as Vanthra Nocht listened in on the Lua arguing. The elder knew the fighting needed to end in order the Lua to return the waters to normal, so she crafted a drink made of seaweed that feels of velvet and fish scales that shimmered in the moonlight. As the brew fermented, the elder poured the carafe into the bay, drawing the attention of the Lua back into the bay. As they drank deep the brew, the two forgot their argument, and for a brief moment reveled in one another's company. The bay bloomed with life, and the Lua ascended from the waters to thank the elder and her people for such a gift. As the night grew to a close, the elder Vanthra Nocht reflected on the Lua and her people in joy, and concern...
Elaren brimmed with joy and grace, stepping in two 'neath the stars aside the fire.
He stepped in four with mothers and fathers, gently lifting their hands above their heads while he laughed.
"Protect your delight and mirthful laughter, lest sorrowful rains cleave joy in two.
Yet, I see two halves in each of you."
The Lua giggled before releasing them, setting them forth into the night.
Irelia howled as clouds roiled, slapping her thighs as children cheer.
As the rainfall came, mud prevailed, and the Lua cackled as their clothes were soiled.
The children giggled, the parents shouted,
And the Lua traded glances.
The two approached one another, not speaking a word.
Eyes tinged with irritation from the other, they began to step back into the bay.
A mother knows, as I have seen.
Those two will bicker forevermore.
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