Title: god of the Sea and lord of All Waters
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral Good
God Appearance:
Ulmo maintains a youthful appearance at this time. 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, but in battle, he sports navy white and blue armor and shimmers silverly light. Wherever he goes, however, he holds his trident, his weapon of choice and the symbol of his authority.
Personality: Ulmo is a proud, but ultimately benevolent being. He demands proper respect for the Sea and all that dwells within it as well as a certain degree of honor from his followers. With those demands met, Ulmo is content to simply leave mortals to their own devices and watch them choose the direction of their own lives. He favors fishermen, merchants, treasure-seekers, privateers, and all who live their lives upon or near the Sea and respect it.
Ulmo has had a deep dislike for Mask for almost as long as both their existences. Ulmo is one of the eldest gods, coming into existence with the Sea's formation. Throughout the years they have known each other, Ulmo has regarded Mask as a young upstart with no respect for anything but the most underhanded tactics in the mortal underworld. Pirates following Mask have often raided the trade routes of his people, the Avuvians, causing their navies to hunt down pirates and smugglers to bring them to justice.
Ulmo can be be as temperamental as the Sea, particularly in his younger days. He does not suffer insult easily and only time and wisdom will teach him the wisdom necessary to restrain himself when challenged by others.
Opinion of mortals: "They can reach heights that not even the gods ever imagined or they could set the world aflame."
Relationship With Other Gods:
Allies: Ulmo feels a certain kinship with other deities and there are quite a few he respects: Nuri, Sargon, and Caelum to name a few, but the one whom he holds in the highest esteem and perhaps the only one he finds showing affection for is the goddess Niueis. Her kindness and often unlooked wisdom is a breath of fresh air for him when he is frustrated by his brethren or otherwise troubled. Espiri is like an annoying younger brother to him. He sees the god as an annoying little brat, but he is also protective of him and would be greatly angered if he was ever harmed by the more chaotic or evil gods.
Enemies: So far, the greatest of Ulmo's enemies amongst the gods would be Mask, the God of Corruption and Criminality. The two have always rubbed each other the wrong way and Ulmo takes great offense at Mask's followers troubling his own at Sea. It is because of the pirates that follow Mask that Ulmo made a deal with Ragon: the older deity would create sea creatures to protect the Sea as long as Ulmo makes it unconquerable by mortal humans with Ulmo refraining to intervene to save even his own followers once they are out of sight of land. Ragon kept his word and only the most clever or lucky among the mortal races can survive an encounter with these creatures. Ulmo may have his doubts about this deal, but he voices it to no one save perhaps one.
God’s Domain:
Upon 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 criminals. He will not be cruel to, say, a child that steals to survive, but he will mix mercy with justice. 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. He is also capable of a few minor tricks like light fires or drying someone's clothes.
Hero(es): Captain Aristo Grey
Rank/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 Medes
Rank/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 Porter
Rank/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 Agape
Rank/Reason: Distinguished Diplomat; no one can deceive her as long as she doesn't want to be deceived. She is also a skilled swordswoman.
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 Priam
Rank/Reason: Governess of Gela
Personality: Beautiful, seductive, charming, learned, cunning. These are all words associated with the Governess of Gela. Unlike other city-states, the proud city of Gela elects an executive authority independent of the Council and gives the office of Governor/Governess enormous power. For the last decade, Helena Priam has held office and managed the people and Council 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: Along the coasts of the Sea and upon islands.
Name of Kingdom/Empire: Avuvian Confederation
Capital: Atalantae- large metropolis; Center of the Sea Trade; northernmost city; 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:
Jukta- home of much of the Avuvian navy; has many shipyards and situated near a large forest; southernmost 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 a City Council ranging from four to twelve members with three-year terms that is headed by the Head Councilor, who is elected from among the the Councilors themselves. In addition to its own City Council, however, Atalantae hosts the Avuvian Council with four members, one from each city-state, that serve for four years. This is headed by the Avatar and/or a Head Councilor appointed by the Avatar. 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 and leading the Avuvian Council, the Avatar is in control of the military and naval forces, 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.
[People]
To what can the Avuvian people as a whole be likened as? 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. 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 also regard dumping of waste into the Sea when it can be prevented as an unspeakable carelessness. 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. Atlantae 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 envrionments, 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 prideful 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 it is no surprise that its ships are hardly ever attacked by the pirates under the employ of the Hecklown Workers' Union, something a bitter inhabitant of Jukta is known to complain about. Its Councilor in the Avuvian Council is known to take the opposite side of the Juktan Councilor.
Jukta- Jukta is known as the producer of the finest ships in the known world and the stereotype of respectful and honorable Avuvians. 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 Avuvian Council 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 or steam-powered machines, 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.
[History]
Other: Within the capital of Atlantae lies the greatest gift of Ulmo to his people. The Sea Orb upon the topmost tower of the Temple of Ulmo provides all Avuvian cities with protection from the Sea, though this does not extend to ships beyond sight of the cities.
