Thalasyr

Kena'an    People of Kena'an      Thalasyr

O, Thalasyr, fair daughters fair,
we trust our fates into your care.
O, Thalasyr, with memories deep,
guide our course through oceans steep.
O, Thalasyr, in depths unseen,
keep us safe where dark tides lean.

— "Tribute to the Thalasyr", Unknown

Origins: Daughters of the Effervescent Wave

Often mistaken for spirits or ghosts, the Thalasyr are, in fact, aquatic ethereal beings- a species created from the will of Idril, the god of balance, in his aspect of the Effervescent Wave. Legend says the first of the Thalasyr maidens were Miraela, Alsala, and Thalassa.

"Miraela, Thalassa and Alsala" by Imagica via Midjourney

Miraela, the maiden of calm waters, embodies serenity and peace. She is the gentle lullaby of the ocean, soothing sailors and guiding them safely through still seas.

Alsala, the maiden of tempestuous tides, represents the ocean's fury. She can summon fierce currents, serving as punisher of those who disrespect the sea.

Thalassa, the maiden of the ebb and flow, symbolizes the rhythmic cycles of the ocean. She ensures the balance between tranquility and chaos is upheld.

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Together, these three sisters became the guardians of the sea and the keepers of memories lost within its depths. From them sprang the Thalasyr, who protect both the physical and mystical realms connected with the ocean. The Thalasyr move like currents- ever fluid and unpredictable, yet in complete harmony with the natural balance of the sea. Their actions are guided by an instinctive obligation to maintain this equilibrium, allowing them to act as both healers and guides, as well as avengers and judges.

Appearance

Thalasyr are translucent and fluid in form, appearing in shades of green and blue that blend with the sea around them. Their bodies seem to flow like water, slender and elongated, with an almost skeletal grace that gives them an otherworldly beauty. Their skin shimmers faintly, appearing bioluminescent under the moonlight, and their hair streams behind them like tendrils of seaweed. Their large, glowing eyes reflect a timeless memory, making their gaze mesmerizing and, to some, unsettling. While they usually maintain their elusive forms, Thalasyr are known to merge with currents or sink into the waves, disappearing entirely from sight to travel great distances in mere moments.

Hive Mind

While the Thalasyr possess individual thought, they share a remarkable form of hive mind that revolves around memory. Every shipwreck, lost life, ancient artifact, and treasure beneath the sea's surface becomes a part of their collective consciousness. This unique bond is believed to be the ocean's way of preserving its history, ensuring that the stories of the past remain alive within its depths. Across Kena'an, historians known as Thalassographers dedicate their lives to researching the Thalasyr, seeking to uncover their ancient wisdom and the forgotten secrets of the sea. However, this pursuit is fraught with danger, as the Thalasyr fiercely protect their watery domain and the tales it holds.

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Beyond their hive mind, the Thalasyr are renowned for other mystical abilities that further cement their title as the "Keepers of Memory." These powers are intrinsically tied to the ocean’s vast and ever-changing history, enabling the Thalasyr to manipulate and access the myriad memories lost in the depths.

1. Recollection Stones: Thalasyr have the ability to create Recollection Stones- small, polished stones imbued with the memories they have gathered. Occasionally, Thalasyr wander shipwreck sites, leaving these stones as mementos of their reverence for the sea’s past. Anyone who holds a Recollection Stone can experience flashes of the memory stored within it; fragments of long-forgotten battles, the voices of lost sailors, or glimpses of sunken treasures. These stones are rare but highly treasured, especially among pirates, for they sometimes reveal hidden wrecks or long-lost wealth.
2. Echoes of the Past: Thalasyr can summon Echoes, spectral reenactments of significant events. These ghostly apparitions materialize around places of great importance, such as shipwrecks or submerged ruins. Thalasyr use these Echoes in various ways; either to caution sailors by displaying scenes of past disasters as warnings or to frighten and doom those who dare approach, sinking ships in their wake.
3. Memory Sharing: Though the Thalasyr are generally silent and elusive, they possess the ability to directly share their memories with those they deem worthy. By locking eyes with an individual, a Thalasyr can transfer a memory, allowing the recipient to experience an event from the past as if they had lived it themselves. Pirates often seek this rare gift, hoping for guidance or to learn secrets from the deep. Likewise, Thalassographers are eager to receive lost knowledge, but few are found worthy. The Thalasyr are highly selective about who they trust with the ocean’s sacred memories.

Protectors of Marine Life

The Thalasyr are deeply connected to the migratory patterns and habits of marine creatures. Like flowing currents, they serve as invisible guides for schools of fish, migratory whales, and even the smallest plankton. Thalasyr are known to watch over the ocean’s life cycles, adjusting their currents and presence to maintain a balance in the ecosystem. Their guidance is seen as sacred, and disruptions to these patterns are taken as grave offenses by the Thalasyr, who act against those who overfish or pollute waters.

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1. Currents of Passage: Thalasyr can create hidden underwater channels, that help marine animals on their migrations. These currents are invisible to human eyes but can be felt as steady paths that allow animals to travel with minimal resistance. These pathways sometimes intersect with ship routes, offering smoother sailing for those who earn the Thalasyr’s favor.
2. Marine Call: The Thalasyr can summon and communicate with marine life through subtle vibrations. When they detect a disturbance, they can call upon nearby sea creatures to gather. Some sailors report seeing large schools of fish or even dolphins suddenly appear, heralding a Thalasyr’s arrival or presence.
3. Tide’s Whisper: During storms or violent disturbances, the Thalasyr can calm certain sections of the ocean to protect vulnerable species. Known as the Tide’s Whisper, this power allows them to create tranquil zones, pockets of calm that provide safe refuge for animals. Pirates fortunate enough to find such areas sometimes claim it’s an unexpected blessing from the Thalasyr.

Legends and Encounters

Stories of Thalasyr encounters range from blessings to curses. Some sailors recount seeing faint lights in the depths during storms, which they claim were Thalasyr guiding them to safety. Others tell darker tales of vengeful spirits appearing in the water, pulling down ships that desecrate sacred waters or disturb a shipwreck’s resting place.

Pirates and sailors alike hold the Thalasyr in both awe and fear. The Thalasyr’s presence near shipwrecks has led to the tradition of the Tides' Oath, where sailors honor them by casting offerings into the sea before a voyage. Pirates are particularly respectful of this custom, recognizing that offending a Thalasyr could spell disaster. Legends tell of entire ships vanishing into the depths after failing to respect the Thalasyr’s territory.

Geographic Distribution

• Oceara

Recollection Stone by Imagica via MidJourney

Tides' Oath by Imagica via MidJourney