Seneschal

The Steward of the Seas

Seneschal is the goddess of water and the sea. She is said to act as steward of the oceans, making sure that the ecosystem remains balanced. The common tale of Seneschal’s ascension sacrifice was that she gave up the ability to stand on land. Should she attempt to, her feet would burn and blister as though she stood on hot coals. It is believed that she doesn’t take much interest in the business of other gods and sticks to her own business. From sailors' stories, one could gather that Seneschal likes to whisper to people while taking the form of jellyfish. Her humanoid form glows incandescent in the water and has solid white eyes. Sailors that see her claim that when she appeared, they could breathe the water as a fish does, and that she guided them back to shore. Churches and shrines devoted to Seneschal are often built on or around ponds, using water as their central theme. They are careful to not disturb the natural ecosystem of these ponds or they would invite Seneschal's wrath.

Divine Domains

Water and the Ocean

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Seneschal is denoted with symbols of waves, droplets of water, and various sea creatures (most commonly jellyfish). In statues and depictions of her, she is depicted as a naked young woman with long hair that falls all around her like a jellyfishes tentacles.

Tenets of Faith

Churches to Seneschal are often built with access to water. This may take the form of a church on stilts above a lake, or a river that runs right through a church. Prayers to Seneschal are given while wading in said water, barefoot. Often fish swim through the waters, and the actions of the fish are used to interpret Seneschal's will.

Holidays

Dance of the Jellyfish, held on what is usually the hottest day of the summer. This is a festival celebrated by those who live in Carcasonne. The hottest day of the summer is usually marked with the annual migration of large amounts of jellyfish as they head south down the archipelago. As such, festivals will be held on this day to celebrate and watch the migration. The festivities usually include a feast in the coastal cities and towns, and then gathering on the beach and piers to watch the bioluminescent jellyfish float by. The feast usually involves the consumption of large amounts of seafood, and it is considered taboo on this day to waste any of it. The festival doubles as a chance to watch the jellyfish migration and a chance to thank Seneschal for granting a bountiful harvest of fish and allowing the fishing boats to sail on her waters. After the feast, as the sun begins to set, everyone will walk to the beach together to watch the Dance of the Jellyfish. Decorations for the festival usually involve large paper lantern, styled to look like glowing jellyfish. Women that attend the festival will sometimes dress to look like mermaids, as mermaids are considered to be daughters of Seneschal. The appearance of an entire coastline lit up with little lights in the water from the jellyfish is how the Starbound Archipelago received its name.