Oal-Mer

The guiding god

During the Ancient Era, the kukai prophet Oal heard a voice "shining with the might of a thousand suns". First he thought it was the voice of the northern mountain, Alikamui. But it was actually a deity, the first one to ever speak to a Kukai , the one to guide them through their darkest time.
Years after the pakai conflict ended, the kukai migrated south, following the last prophecy passed down by a dying Oal. They went deep into the jungle until they found The sacred lake. There, the new god of the kukai would appear for the very first time, adopting the appearance of the deceased prophet and introducing itself with the name "Oal-Mer".
A new path was set towards peace and harmony, and the new followers of Oal-Mer would build the first village in their god's name, Oalmer.
During the early days of the Pre-Classical Era, Oal-Mer lived among the kukai, embodied as the old prophet. Once the kukai culture set its roots, the god decided to "leave" the world. Following this event came a highly misunderstood prophecy, which most of the kukai interpreted as "the return of Oal-Mer". Truth is, however, that their god never left them, but rather ascended to a higher plane of existence.
Not too long after the classical era started, the kukai witnessed the arrival of a newly formed god, a former human from planet Earth. This character was Hon, who would be considered by the kukai as the new embodiment of their god. Although Hon knew that he was no reincarnation of their god, he found his own destiny among the kukai. As a result, Hon assumed his position as "the new" Oal-Mer, eventually having two children with the legendary champion, Onira.
The kukai people later realized that Oal-Mer was no longer just a deity, but the very essence of their destiny. Even though the god they once knew was no longer there, its spirit would search the universe for a new being to take its place. As a result, Hon became Oal-Mer, and so would become his younger son, Yak. Hon's daughter, Rrebeka, would also reach the god status but only after traveling back to planet Earth. Some kukai consider her as one embodiment of Oal-Mer, but others say she was a "god meant for the humans, not the kukai".
The "god bloodline" has remained the same this far, with Yak being the current embodiment of Oal-Mer and his daughter, Beka, as a possible next embodiment.

Divine Domains

Oal-Mer is considered by the Kukai as a god of wisdom and protection. It is also known as a guide which preserves peace and harmony. Although power is a natural trait for any deity, the kukai give a higher value to the physical presence of their god, because this represents how much it cares for its people.
Oal-Mer does not act like a ruler but rather as a watcher, a keeper of the natural order of Pakali-Pakamuut, which greatly favors the kukai and their culture.

Holy Books & Codes

KUKAI TUESHALIK
This is a compilation of texts written by different Nur and Nurikai during the Provincial Era. It encompasses all relevant myths and stories of the kukai history, starting with the ancient era. This book could be considered "the bible" of the kukai, as it emphasizes on their chosen path and the guidance of Oal-Mer.
The original purpose of the Kukai Tueshalik was to make a convention regarding old myths and stories from the kukai culture, mostly to avoid any misinterpretations that could originate from oral tradition. Ironically, even though the book is considered sacred and a pillar of early kukai education, it is common for the Nur to focus on different aspects of it while teaching, instead of following any kind of "protocols".

Divine Symbols & Sigils

PAIKO MUTIKAI
The head of a paiko mutikai (axolotl) is usually drawn or carved on religious items, specially the ones used by the Nur and the Nurikai. This sacred animal symbolizes one of the signs given by Oal-Mer to the kukai in order to find a new place to live. Full-body representations of the Paiko Mutikai can be seen on some books and handcrafted items, although it's not as common or iconic as the head in a front-view perspective.

MEDITATING MAN
Sometimes, Oal-Mer can be represented by the silhouette of a meditating male person, floating above the water at the Sacred Lake. This is not a very common symbol and it's usually only drawn by Rramuri, or used as reference by the Lar during acting performances.
EMBODIMENT OF OAL-MER
Since the first arrival of the deity, Oal-Mer has been present in physical form; first using the body of the prohpet Oal and later on as Hon and his children. Although most of the time the current embodiment stays at the Sacred Lake, it is not so rare to see it roaming the villages or attending religious events.

Tenets of Faith

"... I am beyond life, but not beyond the universe, for I am its will and my will is yours. Oal-Mer is my name to all the kukai, for you are my resolve as I shall be yours." -The kukai god, Kukai Tueshalik.-
"A kukai who walks to Oalmer, not only reaches the village but also our god." -The kukai god, Kukai Tueshalik.-
"By will of the universe we exist, by our own will we live. And by will of Oal-Mer, we are kukai." -Kukai prayer-

Holidays

THE HOLY WEEK
This holiday celebrates Oal-Mer's arrival. For a whole week, starting on day 17 of Iga pupaili, the Kukai make preparations for a great ritual that is carried out in the last day of the same week. This is known as the "day of Oal-Mer". Celebrations begin at early morning and may last the whole night, with activities such as collective praying, dancing, feasting, speeches from the Nur or Nurikai and, of course, a tournament of combat rituals.
Ever since Hon's arrival, the embodiment of Oal-Mer actually attends the celebration at a different village every year. As a result, some kukai (mostly from the Mer profession) travel to the "hosting" village and stay there during the holy week.

Divine Goals & Aspirations

Oal-Mer serves as a guide and protector of the kukai. It prevents other species from contacting or finding the kukai and their world, unless somehow proven worthy. Besides that, the only role for the current embodiment of the deity is to stay in Kukai Amut as a symbol faith and as inspiration to preserve harmony and tradition. An embodiment of Oal-Mer usually spends its time meditating or "training" at The sacred lake in order to achieve a true god status.

The embodiment of Oal-Mer may be represented as a man meditating at the sacred lake.

Divine Classification

God {lawful good}

Realm

Kukai Amut

Church/Cult

Followers of Oal-Mer