Illyana Otama

Illyana Otama is a weaver in the town of Byssal Sound.

Arrival to Byssal Sound

The few alive to remember say they don't know where she came from. Most agree that the first time anyone saw her was when she was a little girl sitting on the beach, staring out into the ocean.

I just remember it was the winter. She was in a tattered skirt sitting on the sand out there. I think everyone was staring out their windows thinking the same thing - "Where is this child's mother?" And I'm ashamed to say we all probably wait longer than we should have, thinking someone would be the first to go out and check on her. But we were all just transfixed by her. It was freezing, you understand? Surely this little girl would get tired of sitting in the cold and look for shelter. So we waited like a bunch of dullards.
I think it was Old Man Gullen who finally came out and got her. I remember as he walked over he kept looking up at all our houses, knowing that we'd all watching and did nothing. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who blushed with shame.
Anyway that's how she got here. It's so strange I don't much remember how she even survived here. I know I saw her working for all kinds of folks throughout the town. Doing odd jobs for scallop stew. But I couldn't tell you how she got to where she is today. Hard work I guess.
-Anonymous

The Byssal Sound Weaver

Otama eventually made a career as a weaver, and her fabric work was noted for its quality and precision. Her shop doors remained open to the public and many have claimed to walked in just to watch her work. When she started to request the byssus, or beards, from mollusks like the Big Sounder  folks weren't sure what to make of it. They were surprised to discover she'd developed a method creating a fabric from the byssus filaments. This Byssus Weave was renowned for being light weight and warm. Over time this fabric has become a material of spiritual importance to certain members of the Byssal Sound community, and Illyana Otama is revered as a sort of secret guru.
Those who "follow" her believe her Byssus Weaves have hidden messages that explain the realities of existence and direct them to commit certain acts. These actions are sometimes contradictory to the wishes of the Structuralist church, which is the ruling religion in the territory. For these individuals, Illyana Otama is leading them into a new spirituality, even though Otama has never clearly proselytized any sort of religious philosophy or ideology.

Age

Unknown