Lamei

Lamei is the deity of water and the ocean, but her portfolio extends even beyond that, to encompass disease, things forgotten, and things restless. As such, the goddess is a widespread one, a somewhat unsurprising turn considering the immeasurable size of her domain. Her worshippers are many, ranging from fishermen, people who live on the coast, to pirates, admirals, or sea-faring folk. There are some who fear her most of all the gods, considering the terror her endless domains can often encompass, and considering the immensity of the creatures which call said domain home, but Lamei has always proven good at separating her world from the world of the dry land. For many of her most ardent worshippers, however, joining the deity in the waters is the ultimate goal, and many will choose to end their lives at sea in their older age in an effort to meet the one they’ve served for their entire lives.

### The Seasnake

The first of Lamei’s manifestation is likely the most terrifying to the typical layman: the Seasnake, who has control over the aspects of oceans, depths and monsters. The Seasnake looks like a writhing mass of tentacles, whose features are entirely hidden beneath the waves. It is this aspect that is said to have birthed all the other monstrous creatures of the depths, such as the krakens or dragon turtles. This manifestation is only ever worshiped under the guise of appeasement, from sailors hoping to avoid the gaze of these monstrous beasts. Some followers of the Seasnake claim she birthed not only the monsters of the depths themselves, but all monsters who walk the earth as well. However, since so much of Lamei’s portfolio revolves around water and the sea, such a thing is highly unlikely.

### The Wet Hag

The second of Lamei’s manifestations is the Wet Hag, represented as a hunched woman, skin sagging and bloated in places, with the eyes of a fish and sporting webbed hands and toes. The Hag holds dominion over the aspects of diseases, plagues, and restlessness. Similarly to the Seasnake, worship of the Hag is done with the hope of appeasement. Typically, a sailor will pray to the Hag before a long voyage, hoping to avoid diseases that might affect their crew. As such, worship of the Hag is often concurrent with worship of the Seasnake. Worshipers of these aspects are known as Plaguebearers, and they serve an important role on sailing vessels. They help with all tasks on a ship, from the most menial to the most important, but they become massively important in the instance of a disease. If their magic is unable to stem the flow of a shipborne plague, they will undergo a unique ritual that allows them to take the disease into themselves. Then, they will take a boat and swim out of the ship’s range, dying before the disease can take anyone else. This act of ‘losing the sickness to the sea’ is so widespread that even pirate vessels will employ plaguebearers, forcing these priests to take on a very non-political stance.

### The Lady of the Shining Pearl

Third is the Lady of Shining Pearl, one of Lamei’s manifestation that is more benevolent than her others. The Lady is represented as a radiant mermaid, her hair made of verdant green algae, wearing a necklace of diamond pearls. This manifestation is representative of the ocean’s relationship to the moon, and it holds dominion over the aspects of the tides and the moon. Worshipers of the Lady are known as Giftbearers, and they often act as emissaries and diplomats to foreign lands. Those that don’t act in this manner might also be wedding officiants or romantic councillors.

### The Coral Queen

Lastly is the Coral Queen, the most neutral of Lamei’s manifestations. The Coral Queen has dominion over water, seas, rivers, lakes, and all bodies of water, alongside ruins, and their prevalent histories. The Coral Queen is represented as a woman with skin made of water, a simple coral crown laid upon her brow. Worshippers of the Coral Queen are known as Mindbearers, and they are counsellors and helpers in everyday life. Those willing to repent from sinful or deplorable behavior will confess to a Mindbearer, typically near a body of water, who will then aid that person in moving on, or in finding atonement.

Mindbearers, Plaguebearers, and Giftbearers all belong to an international religious organization known as the Sopping Reliquary. Wholly dedicated to the worship of Lamei, the Sopping Reliquary’s headquarters can be found in the city of Byzzanith, on the continent of Maz’Aena. Worshippers of Lamei will typically travel from miles away to visit the Drowning Halls of the Sunken Citadel.