UlmoGod Name: Ulmo
Title: God of the Sea
Gender: Predominantly Male
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
God Appearance:Ulmo typically takes the form of a divine figure at the peak of strength and beauty. He is a towering figure that reaches 7"1 and has a perfectly sculpted body, as though the waves themselves formed him from the side of a cliff. His long black hair reaches behind his back, glowing silver or blue as the rest of his body does. When he sweeps into the room, the smell of salt air follows him, calling to mind the sea. Casually, he dresses in long robes of varying shades of blue, black, green, silver, and white to represent the different colors of the sea, but in battle, he sports white and blue armor which shimmers a silverly light. Wherever he goes, however, he holds his trident, his weapon of choice and the symbol of his authority. In addition to this form, Ulmo may take the form of a youth, older man, and a sea creature, both mundane and legendary.
Personality:As one of the oldest Young Gods, Ulmo came into this world as the manifestation of Pandeum's oceans. From this comes a fierce pride and a turbulent personality. He is untamed and unbowed and it should come to no surprise that he quickly rebelled against the Archaic Gods in the face of what he declared to be thralldom. He became one of the leaders of the Great Rebellion. Battle after battle was filled with the tumult of the sea and ecstatic laughter or howls of rage as sea storms erupted to signal his presence. As befitting his station, Ulmo was more like a force of nature than a single being.
However, it would be wrong to suggest that Ulmo is a chaotic or inherently violent being. As soon as he was satisfied that his freedom and sovereignty would be respected, he supported the Divine Treaty. Since then, he has maintained at the very least respectful relations with his fellow deities. Ulmo's moods change like that of the sea. Sometimes he is in a calm, contemplative mood. At other times, he is playful full of mirth. At other times, however, he is dangerous as he feels the fierce excitement of the sea in a storm or wrathful when he is offended. Throughout all this, however, Ulmo has a personal code or law that he sets for himself and his followers. He is friendly and benevolent to those who give himself and the Sea what he deems to be proper respect but can become annoyed or wrathful at disrespect or injury. At times, he will come to the assistance to mariners who behave with proper piety and valour or will curse mortals who have committed high crimes against his domain or the gods.
Like many gods, Ulmo has a great attachment to his followers and desires them to live well and be prosperous. The Sea will always be on their side in war and is prepared to smite those who would harm his followers or the creatures of the sea without reason or provocation. Ulmo
Opinion of mortals: "We long for beings like ourselves. Mortals are like us and yet they are very different. As long as they honor the Sea, they will find an ally in me, but lo to those who would make me their enemy."
God’s Domain: The Isles of the BlessedUpon entering Ulmo's domain, it seems to be a dismal place. At first, it appears to be an endless ocean with mist as far as the eye can see. When there isn't mist, great storms toss and churn the waters as though the waves themselves were eager to bring you down into their depths. This is purely the realm's defenses to keep out hostile gods or to redirect mortals that stumble upon it by accident. Further in, you find a calm ocean with crystal blue waters, vast coral reefs, and a chain of tropical islands with every kind of fruit and pleasant vegetation anyone can imagine. Upon the islands themselves live the deceased followers of Ulmo in great cities made of white stone and marble along with majestic boats and ships of all sizes. Just beneath the sea lie many a benign sea creature from great Sea Serpents to cheerful Mermaids.
Avatar Name: Caspian
Avatar Appearance: Personality:Caspian is a solemn and kind soul. He takes his duties as the Avatar very seriously and does not intend to let disaster catch him by surprise. He is a relatively peaceful person, but is stern when dealing with his enemies. He will not be cruel to, say, a child that steals to survive, but he will mix mercy with justice with the goal of protecting his people from destruction or corruption. He cares for his people as much as if not more than Ulmo himself does and would be willing to die for them if necessary.
Magic Abilities: Besides the swordsmanship skills he has had several lifetimes to practice, Sebastian is a skilled sorcerer, specializing in Sea Magic. He can control waves, conjure up winds, form whirlpools, and even call upon a storm, though the latter leaves him exhausted. As an Avatar, he is amongst the most powerful beings in the mortal world and, as an immortal, his strength, power, and tactics improve with age.
((May add more heroes in the future))Hero(es): Captain Aristo GreyRank/Reason: Aristo is a skilled Sea Captain and entrepreneur. He knows how to inspire and rally his men and sail through even the most dangerous storms. He is, perhaps, one of the most skilled swordsman on the Seas and combines luck, audacity, and skill with his education at the Academy of Icharus.
Personality: A charming Sea Captain, Captain Aristo Grey is a smooth talker, ladies' man, and professional treasure hunter. Some say he is foolhardy, others a genius, and still others, mad and perhaps he is all those things and more. Regardless, Aristo Grey walks a dangerous line in his line of work, sailing where many would dare not. He honors both Ulmo and Mask simultaneously and isn't afraid to simply take what does not belong to him. Half-pirate, half-merchant, Captain Aristo Grey is both dangerous and unpredictable.
Hero(es): Alexius MedesRank/Reason: An inventor of high repute; has studied both at the Academy of Icharus and among other inventors from around the world
Personality: Boastful and slightly arrogant, Alexius is the premiere inventor and technological expert within the Avuvian Confederation. His inventions are typically that of ancient inventions in Ancient Rome and Greece in our world. He is known to work with the fervor and be in contact with other inventors within the known world. Otherwise, he works within his own workshop in the Academy of Icharus.
Hero(es): Admiral Leah PorterRank/Reason: Admiral of the Avuvian Fleet, Leah Porter is a strategic and naval genius whose very name is known to cause pirates to shake with superstitious fear and anger.
Personality: An outsider and member of an unknown feline-like race, Admiral Leah Porter is a fierce and intelligent young lady. She is the first to show you that she is not just a pretty face with a tongue as sharp as her blade. Fiercely loyal and courageous, Leah feels most at home in Junta and has utter disdain for corruption and those who prey upon the weak. In addition, she seems to hide a dark secret from her past.
Hero(es): Themis AgapeRank/Reason: A distinguished diplomat and powerful magi, no one can deceive her as long as she doesn't want to be deceived. She is also a skilled swordswoman and sorcerer.
Personality: Kind and patient, Themis sees the good in all people, even if it's just a tiny spark. Themis can weather boring trade agreements and negotiations with ease and is well-versed in every type of trickery, not that she needs it. A gifted mage, she sacrificed her sight to be able to literally "see" the very essence and intentions. Themis does not use this ability to pry, however. Rather than snooping, she prefers to enjoy the beauty of life in her home city, Icharus.
Hero(es): Helena PriamRank/Reason: Procurator of Gela
Personality: Beautiful, seductive, charming, learned, cunning. These are all words associated with the Procurator/Governess of Gela. Unlike other city-states, the proud city of Gela elects an executive authority independent of the Ekklesia and gives the office of Procurator enormous power. For the last decade, Helena Priam has held office and managed the people and Ekklesia alike with clever ploys hidden beneath a sweet smile. Though she has captured the heart of hundreds of men, Helena remains unmarried and her own person. Proud and unyielding, she values the traditions of Gela and its notion of Avuvian dominance.
Terrain Preference: Seacoasts and Islands
Name of Kingdom/Empire: Avuvian Confederation
Capital: Atalantae- large metropolis; Center of the Sea Trade; located in the center of Avuvian territory; contains a natural harbors and is nearby a mountain rich in stone excellent for building structures; has farmland outside the walls:
Major Cities: Icharus- medium-sized city; known for art, beauty, and technological progress; home of the Academy of Icharus; contains much farmland outside the city walls:
Gela -home of the finest silks and entertainment; contains large theatres, amphitheaters for chariot and horse races, and a Coliseum; death matches are "officially" outlawed; has a beautiful countryside outside its walls and bountiful farmland; Northernmost city and the most cultured:
Jukta- home of much of the Avuvian navy; has many shipyards and situated near a large forest; northernmost city:
Society: [Politics]
The Avuvians are organized in, at the moment, four distinct city-states bound together in a firm league of friendship. Each city-state is ruled by an
Ekklesia or Council consisting of twelve members with three-year terms, who is elected from among the the Councilors themselves. In addition to its own Ekklesia, however, Atalantae hosts the
Akros Ekklesia with four members, one from each city-state, who serve for four years in addition to non-voting representatives from the colonies. This Ekklesia is headed by a
Sýmvoulos or Head Councilor who is either appointed by the Avatar or elected by the Akros Ekklesia with both the Councilors and Colony Representatives participating under and equal vote. In addition, each city has its own court system for enforcing the law and trying criminals in their courts with a Central Court in Atalantae for matters that concern the people as a whole or when there is a conflict of interest within the local courts. The Central Court has 12 members that serve until death or resignation. If there is a tie in the Central Court, the Avatar casts the deciding vote. In addition to this, the Avatar is in control of the military and naval forces, may overrule any Council, holds the position of the Head of State and Chief Diplomat, and may pass a law of his own volition unless it is vetoed by three of the four Avuvian Council members or challenged by the Central Court. This power, for all intents and purposes, allows the Avatar to act as a king, but the Avatar rarely does so. However, the Avatar's word holds great weight and his advise is often considered if not implemented when he chooses to speak.
Voting is considered a privilege with aristocrats or rich merchants most often achieving political power. A certain amount of money or land as well as citizenship is required for voting rights.
[People]
With the firm belief that their civilization is the greatest human civilization that ever was, the Avuvians as a whole are a proud and noble people. At their best, they are humble but assertive traders, mariners, and warriors that strive for what is right and honorable. At their worst, they can be domineering and greedy with superiority complexes, seeing other peoples as little more than unenlightened barbarians. All Avuvians revere the Sea and their patron deity, Ulmo. Thus, even the worst sort of Avuvian knows to pay the Sea God proper respect or lose his favor. They do worship other gods, but Ulmo remains their patron They also regard dumping of waste into the Sea when it can be prevented as an unspeakable carelessness. Their cities usually have high walls of white stone and great harbors. Their navy is the best in the known world crewed by valiant sailors and defended by disciplined mariners who most often fight in a strong phalanx/shield wall formation. Although the Avuvians can all be describes as thus, certain cities are famous for certain types of people.
Atalantae- Although all Avuvian cities are hubs for trade and commerce, Atalantae is the largest and by the far the most famous cities for trade in the known world. Here, goods from the hottest desert in the East are sold alongside strange robes worn in the West. The smell of smoked fish and exotic spices and perfumes combined with a huge crowd of different races, creeds, and languages can easily dizzy a newcomer until he is lost in this labyrinth of stone. Merchant and Naval ships abound in its natural harbor. Atalantae also ships much of the stone needed for construction in the other Avuvian city-states and their colonies.
Icharus- Famous for its Academy, Icharus is seen as a center of Avuvian learning, technological breakthroughs and new inventions. Icharus is known be home to engineers, philosophers, and scholars with a cheerful work ethic and natural curiosity about the world. Unlike more competitive environments, these engineers and scholars are not driven by fierce competition. On the contrary, academics are usually quite friendly to one another and can discuss levers and pulleys for hours with one another. The technologies produced here are comparable to the best technologies other nations have to offer. The Academy does not just produce worldly scholars and engineers, however. The studies of Philosophy and Magic at the Academy of Icharus are quite popular and debates are well-known to echo through its halls.
Gela- Where Icharus is renowned for the study of Avuvian knowledge, lore, and philosophy, Gela is one of the most extravagant of all Avuvian cities. There is nothing within the civilized world that cannot be brought at Gela. Its Coliseum can seat over two thirds of the entire city as well as foreign dignitaries, exotic wildlife, guards, criminals, and gladiators. Gela is the only Avuvian city to allow Trial by Combat. The people in Gela are known to be the most proud of the Avuvians and consider Gela to be the center of the civilized world. Gela's laws can also be a bit more lax than other Avuvian cities' laws and smuggling is less frowned upon. Gela is also less democratic than other city-states. Power rests mostly in the city's
Procurator or Governor with nobility eying the office covetously.
Jukta- Jukta is known as the producer of the finest ships in the known world and the stereotype of a proud but noble Avuvian. A stately Avuvian city near a vast forest, the shipyards of Jukta are vast and produce many of the ships in the Avuvian navy. Juktans are known to value the rule of law highly and each person takes their person duty seriously. Corruption is the lowest here of all the Avuvian city-states and one would be a fool to try to breach its defenses which consist of high walls and a well-defended harbor. Many people in this city volunteer for the city guard, Avuvian Army, or the great Avuvian Navy. Juktans get along the least with their Gelan countrymen and their representative on the Akros Ekklesia is known to take the opposite side of the Gelan Councilor.
[Economy]
The Avuvian Confederation has, perhaps, the strongest economy in the known world. Its cities placed upon a strategic place upon the continent and its colonies upon many islands near or on trade routes, the Confederation thrives on trade. Most trade routes by Sea are used by Avuvians and protected by their navy as well. Their markets are some of the most varied in the known world. The Avuvians are known to export art such as sculptures, paintings, and tapestries, as well as marble, stone, finished goods like weapons, hand-cranked technology, furniture, and, of course, the best boats and ships in existence. Some of their best products are maps and atlases of the Sea and the lands accessible through it, some islands only known to the Avuvians themselves. If a captain is to sail into dangerous or unfamiliar waters, then his or her best bet would be to use an Avuvian map.
Gold and silver often changes hands in the busy markets in the Avuvian Confederation. Thus currencies that are known to be reliable are accepted, but foreign traders should note that smuggling and illicit goods are strictly forbidden.
Other: