Umberlee

Umberlee

Umberlee (pronounced: /əmbɛrˈli/ uhm-ber-LEE), also referred to as The Bitch Queen and the Queen of the Depths, is the evil sea goddess in the Faerûnian pantheon. She is most often worshiped by sailors or people traveling by sea, out of fear of her destructive powers. She controls the harshness of the sea, while reveling in her own power and is not hesitant to drown people, if she so pleases. She is known as a particularly malicious, petty, and vain deity. Acting on her turbulent whims when making deals with mortals, she is quite greedy for power and hungry for the flattery of others.

History

The Queen of the Depths was responsible for the creation of weresharks within the Realms. Umberlee once had a relationship with Iakhovas, variously described as a megalodon, wereshark, or sharkwere. She even granted him immortality. However, their relationship fell apart, and she sought revenge on him.

Relationships

Deities

Umberlee is strongly opposed to Selûne, whose stars guide navigators at sea; Valkur, who guide travelers safely home; Sune, whose beauty makes her green with envy; and Chauntea for her dominion over land. Silvanus is technically Umberlee's superior, as the ruler of the dominion the Deep Wilds - within which she resides. However, Umberlee rarely, if ever, sees herself as Silvanus' servant.

Worshipers

Temples of Umberlee are few and far between, and the church is rather disorganized, universally hated throughout Faerûn, and perpetuated only out of fear. Umberlee's church rests on her chaotic nature, where disputes are ruled in favor of the strongest individual.

Places of Worship

There are shrines dedicated to Umberlee, predominantly located in port cities of Sea of Fallen Stars and in the Nelanther Isles. Travelers by sea are always sure to pay their tribute to the Bitch Queen, as the preaching of her clerics are built upon the terrible fate that will befall any who did not bring a sacrifice to Umberlee. Clerics are available at these temples who, for a price, will travel with sailors to ensure no harm was inflicted.
Apart from the region around the Sea of Fallen Stars and at Nelanther Isles, Umberlee has places of worship at many ports. Among these are a temple in Urmlaspyr, Sembia, a small shrine in city of Marsember in Cormyr, and another small shrine in Hillsfar, on the Moonsea. Others included:

• Water Queen's House – A temple in Baldur's Gate 
• Halls of the Sea-Born – A temple complex in Cimbar, Chessenta
• The Queenspire – A temple complex fronting the harbor in Waterdeep
• Priory of the Depths - A shrine complex north of Port Llast
• Brynnlaw - A small temple on the island of Brynnlaw
• Whitecap Hall - A temple of Umberlee in Westgate
• The Last Drop - A shrine in Mulmaster

Umberlee's Chosen

• The very old kraken wizard, Slarkrethel, is a Chosen of Umberlee. He is also the leader of the Kraken Society
• The undead pirate Evendur Highcastle

Non-human Worshipers

Umberlee has worshipers among krakens, sahuagin, and other evil sea creatures. A number of these are actually worshipers of Panzuriel, a deity with no power on Toril; Umberlee merely grants spells on his behalf. Weresharks are one of the few races that venerate Umberlee out of admiration, rather than fear.

Deities of Fury

Umberlee is a member of the Deities of Fury, a group that includes Auril and Malar and is led by the Storm Lord Talos. As Talos encroaches upon Umberlee's portfolio, and as both deities rule over storms, she has attempted to distract him with a romantic relationship.

Dogma

The sea is a savage place and those that travel it had best be willing to pay the price of challenging Umberlee's domain. All should know the bitch queen and fear her, for the wind and the wave can reach everywhere if sufficiently angered. Fair offerings bring fair winds to sea travelers, but those that do not pay their respects will find that the sea is as cold as Umberlee's heart. Spread the word of the might of Umberlee, and let no service be done in her name without a price. Make the folk fear the wind and wave unless a cleric of Umberlee is there to protect them. Slay those who ascribe sea and shore storms to Talos