White Water Crew

The White Water Crew worships the Lord of Waves through Vesra, the Protecting; second daughter of the Sea Lord. They worship and protect rivers

Structure

Many fishermen and travelers on the river pay homage to the Lord of Waves, but only the best riverboat captains are members of the White Water Crew. Upon becoming a member of the Crew, the rank of Waveling is bestowed. River Wavelings simply understand the nature of the river and are dedicated to its betterment. Upon advancing, the Waveling becomes a River Priest. River Priests are responsible for large stretches – upwards of 50 miles – of rivers. When the member becomes a Drowned Man, he is submerged in water until dead, then given the Kiss of Life by another Drowned Man; should the Lord of Waves allow it the member returns having had their lungs filled with the Lord’s blessing. After becoming a Drowned Man, the member may become a Quickener. There are few Quickeners, as they protect the entire river, and there are only so many rivers in Terusha. There are even fewer Riverrunners as they oversee multiple rivers in a nation or wherever they decide the borders are.

Divine Origins

Shortly after the Nomani settled the Archipelago, they began worshipping a creature they named Lord of the Waves. They believed the spirit of each of his sons inhabited an island in the Archipelago. They believed the Lord had protected them on their journey, and would continue to protect them.
In the Dream Fields, creatures known as the Deep Ones would boil out of the sea and raid Gnoll settlements and Zan forts. These hated creatures tried to destroy any port or fishing vessel in the Rocky Sea. Those in the Sea began praying to someone, anyone, to help and they were answered by a creature claiming to be God of the Oceans.
Across Terusha’s rivers, those using the river as trade routes, began seeing an old man in the rushing waters keeping them moving and away from predators. Various lakes of Terusha, began seeing a strong man standing on the shore near the best fishing pools.
As travelers spread across the land, they began to realize that this same entity had appeared across the world. Various churches and sects were merged into three distinct churches – each one dedicated to one of the Lord of Waves’ three daughters.

Tenets of Faith

The White Water Crew holds the Journey to be a sacred and joyful experience. Rivers are the greatest symbol of the journey. The belief in community is present as respect for the cleanliness and shared use of the river are vital to those near it. The Crew believes that life ebbs and flows, and one must change with it, or be swept away. Harmony is sought among the ever-changing rivers.
Progression is also a core belief of the Crew. They believe in moving forward in life and never dwelling on the past or present for too long.

Ethics

The Crew will and must always aid travelers in need. The Crew tends to be adrenaline junkies and charge into situations without looking. They are also known to run off if things become too difficult. They have an intense hatred the Deep Ones, though its more abstract as Deep Ones rarely venture far upstream. The most egregious sin against the White Water Crew is the pollution of the river.

Worship

The Crew has a small ceremony before embarking across the river. This is to honor the Lord of Waves and ask his protection.

Priesthood

There is very little to distinguish priests, though some may carry the White Water Crew patch.

Granted Divine Powers

The White Water Crew takes the Water Domain and the Water Whip ritual.

Sects

Each major river has a White Water Crew presence, and each has a slightly different take on the standard worship.

What a Rush

Associated Fighting Order:
Order of the Trident

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Deities

• Lady of Waves - Redo

Common Sayings:

• What a ship is... is freedom.
• Death to the Deep Ones
• What a Rush
• Any Port in a Storm
• Few Know What Lies Below
• Water is Life

Colors: Blue and White