Shupram

In ages past, the spirit Shupram's island was present year round. It was just off the coast of Kayumna, a dev coastal city that Shupram was affectionate towards. He allowed everyone of Kayumna descent to visit his magical island, but to make sure it was never over crowded, visitors were only allowed to visit for a total of seven days out of the year. Some Kayumna devs spread their seven days over the year, and others used it as a chance to go on a week long pilgrimage. In those times there were always boats going back and forth between the island and Kayumna. Shupram visited often as well. He would either run across the water, or take passage with one of the boats going back and forth. Because this brown skinned spirit was twice the height of most people, Kayumna built larger boats in the hopes of having the honor of giving passage to their patron spirit. Shupram was a happy spirit back then. There are stories of him playfully dancing on the boats, even the smaller ones that he almost capsized. His smile was so vibrant then that it shone passed his chest length beard.

But when the world became dangerous, Shupram answered the call.

Violence due to corruption was breaking out throughout the dev kingdoms. Shupram expected Kayumna to remain noble in the face of this growing evil. He wanted his people protected, but also to be protectors of righteous ideals. His people needed to become stronger in body, mind, and soul, but as a spirit he had limited knowledge on how human bodies worked. He made an arrangement with seven special devs of Kayumna. He entered each of their bodies in turn, spending seven weeks in each of them. Each of the seven had body types that varied from the other, and by experiencing them and absorbing their knowledge, Shupram discovered a means to evolve his devs of Kayumna for the challenges of the new world. He and seven masters developed Kaloepari, a discipline of the mind body and soul. Kaloepari was integrated into Kayumna culture. From fighting off invaders, to harvesting crops, to dance, music, entertainment, and magic. Kaloepari was part of everything. Many practitioners who left Kayumna over the generation became peace makers in other dev kingdoms. Shupram, Kayumna, and Kaloepari became a known as a holy trinity against evil, which was when evil took notice of their new adversary. The vile spirit Sharkolen, a being some say was a founding reason for much of the evil happening, made his way to Kayumna. The spirit seduced weak willed Kayumnians by making them familiars. These traitors brought back secrets and treasures for their new master. They obeyed him and subverted the Kaloepari code of ethics through the power Sharkolen had given them. Ultimately, they arranged to all visit the island together to bring Sharkolen with them so that the evil spirit could ambush Shupram. Shupram was ready and angry. A ferocious spirit battled ensued that ravaged across the islands, killing many caught in the storm of battling energy. Shupram was unable to outright defeat Sharkolen, and so encased his self around the vile spirit. They merged into an entity in flux with the balance of control in Shupram's favor. With Sharkolen trapped within him, Shupram knew immediately of all those who betrayed him. They were fleeing from the island, and so Shupram went out into the water and destroyed the traitors boats and crushed their bodies.

But Shupram's rage gave Sharkolen a brief opening.

The vile one twisted the energy within his familiars. And so in death by the combined being of Shupram and Sharkolen, they became immortal creatures of the sea, restricted to the space between the island and coastal city. Because of how they died, they would destroy every boat they could reach, and use it's pieces to kill the passengers. Or worse, beat the passengers into submission so that their only chance to survive was to become one of them by drowning. Those who swam in this area without a boat could not be killed by the mer-creatures, but the mer- creatures would attempt to convince them to let themselves drown and become immortal that way.

When Shupram returned to his island after this ordeal, the island disappeared.

Years passed without anyone hearing from Shupram or Sharkolen. Kayumna mourned, but continued to honor their heroic spirit through their practice of Kaloepari. Then one day the priests of Shupram's temple in Kayumna received word. For their continued practice of Kaloepari without him, Shupram would resume his relationship with his people. But because of his constant inner battle to keep Sharkolen contained, traditions had to change. His island would appear for one day every year. On that day, Shupram would visit the temple and grant a boon to each citizen that adhered to the Kaloepari code.

Kayumna rejoiced when the island reappeared and their spirit visited them again.

But this was no longer the Spirit they knew. He was much more serene now, as if there was no trace left of his earlier playfulness. After he fulfilled his boons, he announced a new tradition.He would choose a champion warrior amongst them every thirty five years. He would train this champion exclusively for seven years on his island while it was hidden from the world. That person would return as the Samithra, a warrior unlike any other whose responsibilities would equal the blessed training they received. The only catch was that because Shupram would not have the strength to protect anyone else after granting boons, that chosen warrior would have to swim to the island on their own, and resist the temptations of the mer-creatures. Fortunately Shupram always chose well, and everyone one he has since chosen has been able conquer this feat. They then return to the main land after seven years on the island, and spread righteousness throughout the land.