Ethelë Summer Aspect of Kemi, The First King of the Atani Ethelë is the living water that cools the throat and brings life to the wastes. He is the the son of Taurë and Cualúr, and brother to Duor. He is the bold adventurer, the wandering spirit, and the free thinker. He is a guide and mentor to those who would live their lives as he did, by following his own heart and finding his own way in a vast and mysterious world. Ethelë was the first born child of Cualúr and Taurë, and was seen as the first among the Atani. Taure bade Ethelë to be a teacher and leader to the Atani, a true king worthy to reign over their paradise for all of time. Cualur bad him to be a guardian and caretaker of the Atani, a leader worthy of the Atani's respect and love for all of time. Ethelë wanted to make his parents proud, and to exceed their expectations, but to do this, he needed to learn of the world around him. Taure and Cualur tried to teach him, but true understanding does not come from experiences related by songs or poetry. All the lessons his parents taught him was that there was a wider world to experience, and he wanted to see that world for himself. And so he did. Ethelë embarked on a great adventure to see the world at large, and to experience all that life had to offer. With the memory of those experiences, he would be a worthy leader to the Atani. Disappointed by their son's inattentive nature and unwillingness to simply accept their wisdom as given, Taure and Cualur bore a second child, a daughter whom they named Duor. While Taure and Cualur did their best to raise Duor and teach her as they had tried to teach Ethelë, it was clear that Ethelë, the elder child, was the favored one. For his part, Ethelë was somewhat resentful of Duor, and saw her as a manifestation of his parents having given up on their first child and started over. Despite each seeing eachother as the favorite child, Ethelë and Duor were loving siblings. The two had undertaken several adventures together and formed a deep and everlasting bond. When Ethelë learned that Duor had felled Galudur, he went to Duor to find out why she had done so. She explained about the lessons of Malrytil, and how she realized that she had been deceived after Galudur died. Ethelë vowed to guard his sister with his very life, even standing against Cualúr and Taurë, if need be. Duor begged him not to, unable to bear the idea of her brother and parents crossing swords for any reason, much less on her behalf. Besides, she had committed a grievous crime, and would not see her family or her people tainted by her sin. Convinced, he decided instead to stand apart from the issue. He would not raise arms against either his sister or his parents. Instead, he went to the Atani, and offered to lead them on the "great adventure of a the new age." Many followed, many more stayed. Ethelë settled his people in a new land, and led them for many turbulent years. He had become the king and leader that his parents had always wanted, and the guardian and mentor that his people needed. There was no challenge that he was not up to answering. There was not threat that he could not face. Eventually, though, Ethelë realized that for his people to truly thrive, they would need to learn to live for themselves and for eachother. He dearly missed his sister, and wanted to visit her. He knew she was trapped on the far side of the River Theralen and that if he went to join her, he too would be unable to return. The thought of an entirely new world to explore called to him, and he decided. Ethelë named his eldest son Emuran as the new king of the Erumë, and set off on his new journey. He swore to his people that he would always watch over them, and would give his wisdom to those who would seek it for themselves. Even as they learned to live on their own, they would never truly be without him. To ensure this, he opened his own wrists, and let the blood flow from his veins into the soil below. He told his people that the water of his body would forever be with them. He then departed for the world of the dead to be reunited with his sister. Holy Books & Codes Venlaudren Ethelë (The Journey of Ethelë) is an epic poem in three volumes that details the adventures of Ethelë as he journey all over the world. The first volume contains some passages taken from the Gemil Taurë and Vaethedi Cualúr that relate to the origins of the Ylvani, as well as some of the lessons that Taurë and Cualúr tried to impart upon their eldest son. However, most of these are contextualized to feature (and lionize) Ethelë's habit of questioning how he can believe what he is being told without experience the truth of it first hand. Vaethedi Cualúr is taken as a canonical text for those who worship the Helyanwë, while the almost any positive reference to Cualúr has been removed from the texts that the Vanima worship from. Dogma Ethelë is the first true king of the Atani, their patron and their guardian. While he vowed to always watch over his people, to be with them in their hour of greatest need, Ethelë instilled in his people the virtues of self-reliance and independence. Etheleen teachings center around the need to see the world as it truly is and adapt as necessary, to value wit and cunning over mere strength. Taboos Like other Ylvani, the Etheleen have a distaste for ferrous metal, and may will refuse to don metal armor or wear metallic jewelry. Among the Apacenye, it is taboo to mix salt and water, or to touch or consume such a mixture, since it was the mixing of these that allowed Emuran to hear the song of Olöréa, which lead to their enslavement by the aboleth. Most among the Apacenye will not go anywhere near the ocean, and some are even leery of places with a lot of fresh water such as wetlands, lakes or large rivers. The Apacenye also disdain telepathy, the use of mind-alerting magic, and all psionics. Those who display latent psionic power are unwelcome in the presence of Apacenye clans. Clan members who display this only power are either disfigured and banished or executed and their bodies burned so that the poisoned water of their body does not infect the earth. Vanima clans are not put off either by telepathy or salt water, as they revere the aboleth who held them in thrall. Temples and Shrines Etheleen temples are typically simple affairs, simple adobe, stone or brick buildings with utilitarian architecture and little in the way of adornment. There is a small font or pool of water at the center of the temple. In Erumë settlements, the Ethelë temple is built around the sole source of water. Nomadic clans will place their shrine at the edge of the oasis or watering hole where their camp settles. Divine Symbols & Sigils The clay bowl, three diverging lines. [Four inter-linked knots or arrows or other interlocking design. Each of the aspects has their own section of the symbol. Ethele's is the North] Tenets of Faith The mythology of Ethelë looks much different among different Ylvani peoples. Ylvani Aldarwa The Aldarwa see Ethelë as a metaphor for people who lack proper guidance and education on the value of community. While such people might mean well and not be directly antagonistic towards a community, if they are allowed to run free, they will often find themselves in trouble that they cannot get out of. Worse, they can (in their ignorance) cause harm to come to others. Cualur teaches Ethelë just as she teaches all her children, and even if they don't necessarily enjoy being taught, they will be better off for having learned the lesson before something bad happens. Ylvani Erume Ethelë is a heroic figure in all aspects of Erumë society. He was the first king, he taught the Erumë self-reliance and cunning, he watches over his people, guiding their steps and bestowing his grace upon those who are needful. Ethelë gave everything to his people, even the water of his own body. It was Ethelë's wisdom that the Vanima credit for bringing Emuran to Olöréa. They view Ethelë as the first prophet of Zzath’qualmu, bringing the chosen Ylvani before the aboleth, and setting them in their proper place before the star travelers. The Apacenye credit Ethelë with sending Lavanalla to deliver them from enslavement, and for slaying the starborn god Zzath’qualmu. Ylvani Yelin Taurec theology casts Ethelë as something of a cautionary figure. The elder son was not tainted by Malrytil, but he still lacked the moral fortitude to fulfill his duty at Taurë's side and through his inaction, he helped doom the Atani, bringing about the end of the Blessed Age. A number of stories within Gemil Taurë feature Ethelë questioning, ignoring or defying his father's lessons only to have some calamity befall the Atani people, requiring Taurë to come to the rescue, and Ethelë to finally learn his lesson. Half Ylvani Some Leithelenan half-Ylvani see Malrytil as a figure worthy of veneration, rather than score. To those he is a liberator, freeing magic from the greedy clutches of Galudur. Ethelë showed wisdom in defying his indoctrination at the hands of Taurë and Cualúr, but he lacked the wit or resolve to take to Malrytil's teachings. He did offer to defend Duor from the vengeance that Taurë and Ur-Rassë would unleash upon her, but Duor declined, asking him instead to take the Ylvani people away, and ensure that the gift of magic was not wrest back from their people. Other Worshipers and Faiths The Amangyran faithful of the Polimon Sultanate curse the name of Et Thelion, the patron fiend of thieves scavengers and grave robbers. Rynnistine theology teaches that the Erumë were raised from the depths of the sea by the archdemon Ma'ar Leyena to beplague the faithful of Amangyr. Et Thelion is one of seven fiends that rule Jal'himaar, the lightless world. Artryan lore includes stories of Elluero. The Miryag, especially the people of the Free Cities know of the stories of the wandering hero Etterelen, while the dwarves have stories of Yflellen the mercenary, and Gnomes tell stories of the brave warrior Athoka. Divine Goals & Aspirations Ethelë is a patron of the Erumë people, and as such does evangelize to those outside of the Ylvani. ----------- The Church of the Summer Prince Son of Taurë, Summer Aspect of Kemí Structure Life in the Vistanti Wastes is hard. Some tribes will band together to take on challenges to great for one to overcome alone, while others will choose to turn their swords against their fellow Ylvani and take what they need. No matter how vicious, bloodthirsty or underhanded a tribe may be, there is one group of people who will never fear for their lives: the Watercallers, the Priests and Clerics of Ethelë. The church of the Ethelë is not a structured organization, but a collection of customs and arrangements that are part of the shared Erumë identity. This is one of the few aspects of culture that transcends the divide between Vanima and Apacenye. Ethelë features into Leadership The Church of Ethelë does not have a formal leadership structure. Any who can call upon the power of Ethelë to create water is considered a Yélnar'al. While this typically translates to cleric, the literal translation is water caller. Yélnar'al enjoy freedom and authority that is recognized among all the Erumë tribes. Even the most bloodthirsty and sadistic Erumë would never consider shedding the blood of a Yélnar'al, and even the most recalcitrant clan leader would deny one access to his holding. Leadership among the Yélnar'al is more an issue of reputation and personal cachet than a system of titles or rank. Because they do not have a formal rank, it is only social pressure that generates authority among the faithful. Yélnar'als will occasionally have need of mundane aid and protection. After all, no Erumë would bare their swords to a Yélnar'al, but the Polimon, the Vaul, and the monsters of the Wastes cannot be expected to abide by those traditions. To that end, a watercaller will appoint a handful of Yélqawen, or water carriers to assist them in their journeys. The Yélqawen are permitted to accompany their watercaller wherever they go, but are never permitted to speak of their experiences while they do so. Local Structure Every tribe has wise ones, healers, and people knowledgeable in the rites and stories of the tribe's chosen faith. Those who have the power to call upon Ethelë to create water and are considered to be a Yélnar'al. These "water callers" enjoy a number of sacred rights and authorities that are universally accepted among the Erumeë A Yélnar'al is of all tribes, and may move freely among all tribes. No Erume would bar access to their holdings from a Yélnar'al. A Yélnar'al taps the water of Ethelë, and is the enemy of no Erumë. No Erume would harm or attack a Yélnar'al. A Yélnar'al sees the wisdom of Ethelë, and will impart that wisdom to any who would hear it. No Erume chief would refused an audience with a Yélnar'al. Suborginitions Hen-Raumo Denominations, Splinter Groups and Regional Variants Among the Ylvani Emuran & Olöréa Alignment: Chaotic Evil Common Domains: Music, Madness, The Apacenye After the destruction of the abolteth who had enslaved them, the Erumë rejoiced in their newfound freedom. These people dubbed themselves the freed people, the Apacenye. They chose to live within the Aica Emuran because it is there that Ethelë gave his blood to his people, and to simply abandon such a gift is unthinkable, even if there are greener lands available to them. Life in these wastes is harsh, and frought with danger. It requires hard choices and harder people, but those who remain faithful to Ethelë will be rewarded when he and his siter return from beyond the river Therelan, and the Ylvani are restored to their Atani origins. Lavanalla, the Helyanwë Ethelë forever watches over his people, and renders his blessing to those in need. And when Emuran, the first king of the Erumë foolishly lead his people into the clutches of the aboleth, Ethelë called out to all Ylvani kind to rescue his people. Taure ignored his call, stating his duty lay in his hunt for Malrytil. Cualur ignored his call, saying that she could not risk her people in the the depredations of hatred and war. The Ylvani people ignored his call, lacking the power or courage to face the alien horrors that lived beneath the waves. That is, until druid Lavanalla and her companion Coturen had heard the call. With the blessing of Cualur, Lavanalla silenced the foul song of Olöréa and broke the chains that held the Erumë under the oceans. She swept away the starspawned creatures away, and brought the Erumë back to the lands that Ethelë had blessed for them. She called up a great oasis within the scorched landscape, and in doing so declared that the lost Ylvani would never be subjected to slavery again, so long as they accepted the blessings of Cualur. Many of the freed people, awestruck by Lavanalla 's power and grace, began to worship her as the Helyanwë, the liberator sent and blessed by Erumë. They learned at her feet and spread her teachings (or their interpretations thereof) to all the Ylvani within the Aica Eruman, and even those who left the sacred lands. While Lavanalla herself discourages this behavior in the strongest possible terms, the faithful merely see this as a sign of her humility, and are not dissuaded. The Vanima After the destruction of the aboltheth who had enslaved them, the Erumë despaired for the loss of their patrons and masters. The people dubbed themselves the lost souls, the Vanima. Ethelë had given them the land, and had blessed the waters around the Aica Eruman. He had given them his son, Emuran, to lead them to their destiny. He had sent Olöréa to play for them the song of the starborn, the most beautiful music in all of creation. The the Erumë could not stop Lavanalla, and they had failed to uphold their glorious service, to defend their new gods and their paradise. For that, they must serve penance. Perhaps if they regather the lost tribes and sing together, they might be able to call back their gods. Perhaps Ethelë will return with them from beyond the River Therelen, and the music of the stars will be heard once more. Many of the Vanima also venerate Emuran, the first king of the Erume and prophet of the starborn, and Olöréa, the player of the mystic music of creation. Some even send their prayers to Zzath’qualmu, the murdered god of the starborn. Outside the Visanti Wastes ?????????????????? Divine Casters within the Church Cleric ??? Archivist ??? Druid ??? Inquisitor ??? Oracle / Favored Soul ??? Paladin / Champion ??? Ranger / Slayer ??? Shaman ??? Shugenja ??? Warpriest ???