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== The Unfathomable Nereids: Unveiling the Mysteries of Niima's Daughters ==
===Introduction===

Within the annals of maritime lore, few entities captivate the imagination as profoundly as the Nereids, the fabled daughters of the sea goddess Niima.  Across time and tide, these elusive beings have woven themselves into the tapestry of seafaring tales and mythological legends, their presence an ever-present puzzle that beckons scholars and seekers alike to unravel their secrets.  In this thesis, we embark on a quest to delve deep into the essence of the Nereids, drawing upon the rich tapestry of their lore to shed light on their origins, nature, and significance.

Ploto, once a free-spirited wanderer of the seas, tragically met her demise at the hands of the sinister Lesser Spirit Ghezresh, succumbing to his dark machinations within the treacherous waters of the Bay of Anguillids.  Her story, taking place sometime during the rise and fall of House Ashrim, serves as a haunting reminder of the perils that lurk beneath the surface of the ocean, where ancient spirits and primordial forces hold sway.

Conversely, Galaytea, proclaimed as the youngest scion of Niima's lineage, defies the conventional boundaries imposed upon her kind, traversing the vast expanses of the seas with an unfettered freedom that belies her divine heritage.  Cast into turmoil by the malevolent minions of Ghezresh, she was shattered into ten fragmented entities, each bearing the weight of physical afflictions and fractured memories.  Only through a serendipitous convergence on the accursed shores of Caligos did Galaytea reunite her fractured essence, emerging from the crucible of adversity as a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.

Descriptions of Galaytea abound, ranging from ethereal beauty to haunting otherworldliness, yet all attest to the indelible mark she leaves upon those who encounter her presence.  Her connection to Charl, revered as her grandfather, hints at deeper familial ties and a lineage steeped in divine ancestry, casting a veil of mystery over her true nature and purpose.

Beyond these encounters, the Daughters of Niima remain veiled in shadow, their existence obscured by the passage of time and the shifting tides of myth and legend.  Yet, beneath the surface, certain truths emerge: the title of Nereid carries with it the weight of divine lineage, while the plural form hints at a sisterhood bound by both kinship and shared destiny, their tales intertwined with the ebb and flow of the eternal sea.

In the pages that follow, we embark on an odyssey of discovery, navigating the labyrinthine depths of Nereid lore to unlock the secrets that lie hidden beneath the surface.  Through meticulous analysis and introspection, we seek to illuminate the essence of these mysterious beings and unravel the timeless truths they hold within their watery realm.

How many Nereids are there, and what is the extent of their divine lineage?   The exact number of Nereids, the self-proclaimed Daughters of Niima, remains shrouded in mystery, with accounts varying across different sources and mythological traditions.   While some tales speak of a vast sisterhood spanning the breadth of the world's oceans, others suggest a more limited number, each bound to a specific domain or realm within the watery expanse.  The plural form of "Nereid" implies the existence of multiple entities, yet the precise count eludes definitive confirmation.

However, what remains consistent across the lore is the divine lineage shared by them, with each tracing their origins back to Niima, the patroness of water, sailors, and sea life.  As daughters of a revered deity, the Nereids embody the essence of the sea itself, their existence intertwined with the ever-changing tides and currents that shape the maritime world.  While the exact number may remain elusive, their divine heritage serves as a testament to their significance within the pantheon of maritime mythology.

===Echoes of Myth and Mystery===

In the hushed whispers of coastal villages and the windswept isles that dot the seas, there lingers a tale as ancient as the rolling waves themselves.  It speaks of a time when the azure waters bore witness to a clash of titans, a war that forever altered the course of history.  At the heart of this legend lies some talk of the Nereids, whose fate became entwined with the tragic downfall of House Ashrim.

As the Sea Elf War raged across the tumultuous seas, the Nereids, drawn by the call of compassion, sought to aid the embattled denizens of Ta'Ashrim.   Whether moved by divine duty or mortal empathy, they ventured forth to stem the tide of darkness that threatened to engulf the islands.  Yet, in their noble endeavor, they unwittingly incurred the wrath of the Faendryl, their divine essence twisted and corrupted by the sorceries of their foes.

In the wake of the conflict, whispers began to spread among the coastal communities, tales of haunting melodies that echoed across the waves, luring sailors to their doom.  Some claimed these ethereal voices belonged to the cursed remnants of the Nereids, their once-glorious forms now twisted and contorted by the weight of the curse placed upon them.  Cast adrift upon the winds of fate, they became the modern-day Sirens, harbingers of misfortune whose mournful songs served as a deadly call to the unwary.

Yet, amidst the shadows of myth and the mists of time, the truth remains elusive, obscured by layers of legend and lore.  Could it be that the Sirens are indeed the modern-day descendants of the Nereids, cursed for offering aid to House Ashrim?   Or are they simply figments of imagination, born from the primal fears that lurk within the mortal heart?

As scholars and seekers alike delve into the depths of maritime legend, the mystery of the Nereids and their connection to the Sirens continues to tantalize and intrigue.  Perhaps, buried within the annals of coastal mythology lies the key to unlocking the truth behind these enigmatic beings, shedding light on a tale as old as the seas themselves.

===The Myth of the Apurlota Tree===
In the Jeweled City of Behizet, nestled along the shores of the Southron Coast, there stands a majestic tree unlike any other:  the Apurlota Tree.  This ancient arboreal wonder is steeped in myth and legend, its roots entwined in the city's early history.

According to local lore, long before nomads, Faendryl, and Dhe'nar settled to create the bustling seaport, small clans would gather at the shores of Behizet annually to pay homage to the sea.  It was during these gatherings that the enigmatic figure of Apurlota first made her appearance.  Described as a young woman "coming from the sea and having its depths reflected in her skin and eyes," Apurlota was said to answer the prayers of the clans by providing them with a bountiful feast of arame, kelp, and fluke.
As the years passed, Apurlota's interactions with the mortals of Behizet grew more intimate.  She learned of their lives, their dreams, and their desires, and in return, she shared with them treasures lost to the depths of the sea:  sea glass, coral, and mother-of-pearl fashioned into delicate trinkets tied with strands of seagrass.

However, the greed of mortals knows no bounds, and soon they began to demand more from Apurlota.  They sought to exploit her kindness and generosity for their own gain, oblivious to the consequences of their actions.  It was then that an elderly woman, consumed by envy and desire, approached Apurlota with a cunning proposition.

The elderly woman offered to grant Apurlota the ability to walk on land in exchange for the water of her ocean-born body.  Naive and trusting, Apurlota agreed, unaware of the elder's true intentions.  Under the shelter of a drakewood tree, the elder performed her dark magic, siphoning water from Apurlota's body in small increments at first, but soon taking more than the agreed upon terms.

As the essence of Apurlota was drained away, she withered and perished beneath the gnarled branches of the drakewood tree.  Yet, in a final twist of fate, the ancient tree came to life when her tears of sorrow touched its roots.  It lashed out, using the final bits of magic within the nereid's form, and its branches skewered the greedy witch.  Before the magic faded from its arboreal form, the tree drew Apurlota's spirit into its very core, sealing her away from the touch of mortals for all time.

To this day, the Apurlota Tree stands as a testament to the tragedy that befell the ocean-born maiden.  Its blossoms, a vibrant shade of blue with ultramarine hearts, serve as a poignant reminder of Apurlota's fate and the dangers of greed and betrayal.  There is a custom in Behizet to use the blossoms as a ward against betrayal, while another custom says that it should be gifted to a bride so that her betrothed will always be faithful.

=== The Myth of the Siren's Comb ===
Embedded within various myths surrounding Nereids lies a recurring motif:  the significance of their mother-of-pearl haircombs.  Across these narratives, these combs serve as pivotal instruments, granting them a variety of abilities that range from powers of seduction, the ability to speak with aquatic life, and some even suggest they aid in navigation. Tales speak of the combs' origin, attributing to them a mystical essence that binds the Nereids to their watery domain.  Whether as symbols of their innate power or as literal sources of their strength, the importance of these artifacts reverberates through various lore amid a wide variety of cultures.

One such myth is that of Purlaia, a creature of ethereal beauty whose tale weaves through the depths of the boundless sea.  With hair as dark as the starless night and skin aglow with the hues of the ocean's depths, she was a vision to behold.  Both graceful and kind, Purlaia's curiosity knew no bounds, particularly when it came to the world of men and the ships that sailed upon the waves.  Among these vessels, one held her fascination above all others -- a ship helmed by a captain whose exploits were quickly making him a legend in his own time.

From her watery domain, Purlaia would watch him as he prowled the decks of his ship, his presence commanding, his gaze piercing, and his demeanor fierce. She was drawn to his every movement, his every command, as he navigated the turbulent waters with an air of unmatched determination.

It was amidst the edges of the Western Sea that she would finally make herself known to him.

One foggy night, as the tendrils of mist obscured the moon's gentle glow and the light of the stars, a Krolvin carrack came upon the vessel unawares.  From the shadows of the fog, the raider's vessel emerged like a specter of doom, its intent clear and passengers' blades hungry for blood.  The raiders were swift and merciless, unleashing volley upon volley of cannon fire at the unaware ship. 

In the chaos that ensued, Purlaia emerged from the depths, her heart heavy with dread as she beheld the carnage unfolding before her.  The clash of steel echoed across the water, mingling with the anguished cries of the doomed crew as they fought desperately for their lives.  Yet, against the might of the raiders, they stood little chance, their ship soon engulfed in a maelstrom of violence and despair.  When the raiders discovered that there was nothing aboard of value, they quickly scuttled the ship and returned to their own vessel.

Fearful of what might happen to her precious captain, Purlaia spent the night searching the depths and the wreckage for him.  It was only as the first light of dawn danced across the waves that she came upon him.  Battered and bruised, he barely clung to life.  She took care of his wounds as best she could out on the ocean but knew he would need the aid of land to live.  And so she carefully took him to shore.  They arrived four days after the attack in a nearby seaport.  Purlaia did her best to conceal what she was and ventured as far on land as she could so that she was always within sight of him.

Their bond deepened as she briefly gave up the ocean to nurse him back to health.   Eventually, they would return to the sea on a new vessel of his own design and she would reveal what she was to him.  Days at sea turned to months, months to years and the two were inseparable.  Though she could never venture far on land, he loved the sea as much as she did and found little need to return to land.  

Yet, beneath the surface of their love lay a shadow of uncertainty, for Purlaia was a creature of the ocean and it quickly became evident that she was immortal, while the captain was but a mere mortal man bound by the passage of time.

Here the various legends diverge subtly.  Some speak of a gift exchanged between Purlaia and the captain; a pair of mother-of-pearl haircombs, imbued with the essence of her very being.  Yet, other tales whisper of a betrayal and treachery, casting doubt upon the true nature of their bond.

What is known is that the captain came to possess Purlaia's combs, their mystical properties binding her to him inextricably.  Unable to bear the thought of living without her, he ensnared her in a web of enchantment, or a curse if you will, ensuring that she could never stray far from his side without suffering unbearable agony.  Gone were her days of swimming along his painted vessel, instead she was bound to its decks.  Gone was her ability to sing to the dolphins and converse with the whales, instead she was left voiceless.  She was trapped and bound to a man obsessed with finding a way to extend his life, so that he might sail the seas with his love for all eternity.

As time passed and the waves bore witness to countless voyages, the fate of Purlaia and her captain faded into legend, their story a haunting reminder of the complexities of love and the sacrifices made in its name.  Here and there, old gaffers in various seaports from far off Ta'Loenthra to northern waters of Moonsedge, whisper of a spectral pirate ship that they once saw in the wane hours of middle watch.   They speak of a forlorn woman gazing outward from the bowsprit, a mad captain at the helm as it drifts aimlessly through the mist-shrouded waters.

=== Red Skies in Morning ===
The maritime proverb "Red Skies at Morning, Sailors Warning; Red Skies at Night, Sailors Delight" has been a steadfast guide for seafarers throughout the ages, offering invaluable wisdom in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.  Yet, its origins have remained shrouded in mystery, relegated to the realm of folklore and superstition.  However, a recent discovery within the hallowed halls of the Library of Biblia on the Isle of Ornath has shed new light on the origins of this age-old adage.

According to an ancient handwritten text dating back to the Age of Chaos, the Paradis once dwelled on the southwestern coast of the continent before embarking on their cross-country trek through the Southron Wastes.  The village they stayed at was on the edges of what would later be called Feywrot Mire.  It was during their time among the coastal communities that they encountered the peculiar phenomenon of mana storms, fierce tempests that swept in from the southern seas, wreaking havoc upon unsuspecting vessels.  In that day and age, these storms were far more common and far more unpredictable, causing waterspouts and cyclones to spontaneously spring to life without warning.

Among the tales preserved within the ancient manuscript is the account of Mergin Stouteyes, a halfling sailor who purportedly had numerous encounters with a mysterious sea woman amidst the tumultuous storms.  Despite skepticism from his peers, Mergin's tales spoke of being rescued by the sea woman on multiple occasions.  Indeed, each time a storm struck and a vessel he was on was pummeled into oblivion, villagers would find him first among the survivors and washed up further on land than any others.

Intrigued by the prospect of sea-dwelling beings, Mergin became determined to seek out the sea woman, eagerly joining every seafaring expedition in the hopes of encountering her once more.  His persistence paid off when, during a tumultuous storm, he found himself swept overboard and into the embrace of the cold waters and eventually the arms of the sea woman once again.

To Mergin's astonishment, the sea woman possessed the ability to speak, engaging him in conversation and imparting wisdom born from her deep connection to the sea.  She revealed to him the plight of her kind, forced to rescue stranded land dwellers and then the need to contend with the debris left behind by their wrecked vessels.  In an earnest plea for safety and awareness, she implored Mergin to heed the warning signs of impending storms.  To her shock, the young halfling admitted that he couldn't see the signs and she told him she might be able to make a deal with the air to fix that.  As such, she asked that he meet her the following evening in this very spot and cautioned him not to go out on the seas that day.

As dawn broke and the skies turned red, Mergin remembered to not go out on the ocean.  By noon, cries were going out that other vessels had been hurt and that survivors were starting to show up on the beaches.  Confounded by her foresight, Mergin helped with the survivors and then, as evening approached, implored his family to go with him to see the sea woman.  He arrived at the secluded alcove only to find a cryptic message inscribed upon the sand:

My sisters and I have made a deal with the air elementals, sacrificing our haircombs to ensure your safety.  Our sacrifice will be worth it for both you and the ocean floor if you remember this rhyme.

Red Skies at Morning, Sailors Warning.

Red Skies at Night, Sailors Delight.

Thus, the proverb was borne.  Mergin left the coast, along with his family, not long after and no further reports can be found of sea women in this area for many centuries.  One can easily surmise that the sea woman was a Nereid, though which one is hard to say as no name was ever given or shared.

=== Kezmon Isle ===

Two tales rise from the west coast surrounding Nereids and Kezmon Isle.  While one tale surfaced well before the Isle's fated disappearance, the other has been whispered of for centuries by the elderly of the seaport in Ubl in the aftermath of its loss.

==== Tale of the Sea's Whisperer ====
There is a legend told among sailors out of Ubl, who claim the tale was passed to them from ancestors that lived on Kezmon Isle, of the Sea's Whisperer, a mysterious entity said to dwell within the depths of the ocean.  For centuries, sailors traversing the surrounding seas viewed the Sea's Whisperer as a benevolent force, offering guidance and aid in times of need. With a voice as soothing as the lapping of the waves and eyes that reflected the wisdom of the ages, she was hailed as a guardian angel of the sea.  Though no direct link has ever been made to label her as a Nereid, there is compelling evidence in her story that suggests she is.

Her story remained the same for many years but sometime in the latter half of the 47th century, whispers began to spread among sailors of a change in the Sea's Whisperer.  No longer content with offering her aid freely, she began to bargain with those who sought her counsel, demanding payment in exchange for her guidance.  Some attributed this shift in behavior to the changing tides of the ocean or the capricious nature of the sea itself, but others whispered of darker forces at play.

Rumors circulated of a sea hag who had stolen the Sea Whisperer's haircomb, causing the Sea's Whisperer to be bound to the hag's will.  With the comb in her possession, the sea hag purportedly exerted control over the Sea's Whisperer, twisting her once-kindhearted nature into one of manipulation and deceit.  Sailors whispered of treacherous deals struck with the Sea's Whisperer, their fates entwined with the whims of a creature no longer guided by benevolence, but by self-interest.

Yet, as the centuries wore on and the legend of the Sea's Whisperer grew ever more ominous, a cataclysmic event shook the very foundations of maritime lore.  The disappearance of Kezmon Isle in a massive storm sent shockwaves through the maritime community, its loss a grim reminder of the perilous nature of the sea and the fickleness of deities.  And with the fall of Kezmon Isle, all activity by the Sea's Whisperer ceased, as if she — and perhaps the hag controlling her — had fallen with the island, leaving behind only whispers of a time when the sea was ruled by kindness rather than coercion.

==== Fall of Kezmon Isle ====
The disappearance of Kezmon Isle in a massive storm in 4873 has long been shrouded in mystery and speculation.  While some attribute the event to natural causes or geological phenomena, others have proposed a more supernatural explanation, invoking the Nereids as the source of its fall.

According to this theory, the Nereids, as guardians of the ocean's depths, may have played a role in the fate of Kezmon Isle.  Undisputedly, the Nereids collectively call Charl their grandfather, and some theorized that he gifts his favored granddaughters with the power to call upon the storms in their hour of need.  Some coastal towns that undergo heavy storms believe that the Nereids are punishing them.  They believe that the Nereids have intervened to protect their watery domain, unleashing their elemental fury upon those who dared to challenge their authority.

In the case of Kezmon Isle, it is theorized that the island's maritime trade and shipbuilding activities may have incurred the wrath of the Nereids, who viewed such endeavors as a threat to the delicate balance of the ocean's ecosystem. Fearing the consequences of unchecked human intervention, the Nereids may have conjured a tempest of unprecedented ferocity, engulfing Kezmon Isle in a maelstrom of wind and wave.

Alternatively, some speculate that the disappearance of Kezmon Isle may have been the result of a more intricate and insidious plan orchestrated by the Nereids themselves.  Legends speak of ancient curses and prophetic warnings associated with the Nereids, their enigmatic nature making them both revered and feared by mortals.  It is possible that the loss of Kezmon Isle was foretold in the prophecies of Inar'ru, a curse invoked by the Nereids as punishment for the transgressions of mortals.

Whatever the true cause may be, the involvement of the Nereids in the disappearance of Kezmon Isle remains a tantalizing mystery, a testament to the enduring power and influence of these enigmatic beings of the sea.  As sailors continue to navigate the vast expanse of the ocean, their thoughts are haunted by the legends of the Nereids, whose whispers echo across the waves, reminding them of the perilous depths that lie beneath the surface of the sea.  It's worth noting that most from Ubl, influenced by the stories and theories they grow up learning from a young age, are deeply distrusting of any Nereids or tales that suggest they could be benevolent entities.

== OOC Information/Notes ==
* Created by GM Thandiwe, on October 7, 2024

[[category: Races and Cultures]]
[[category: Humans]]
[[category: Elves]]
[[category: Halflings]]
[[category: Dark elves]]