Eilear

[eye-lair]

Basic Information

• Name: Eilear
• Domain: Islands, Solitude
• Title: The Island Keeper, Envoy of Islands
• Alignment: True Neutral
• Symbol: An island surrounded by waves
• Primary Worship Area: Dragon Teeth Islands,

Physical Description

• Appearance:

Eilear manifests the serene beauty and rugged isolation of island landscapes. His towering presence is sculpted from the very elements of remote isles—his body mimics the contours of rocky cliffs and undulating sandy shores. His skin resembles the smooth, weathered stone found along cliff faces, cool and textured, interspersed with patches of fine sand that shift subtly with his movements. Embedded within this unique skin are small shells and bits of colorful sea glass, remnants of the ocean’s gifts, which sparkle under the sunlight.

Eilear’s eyes are deep and captivating, mirroring the rich, mysterious blues of the ocean’s depths. They reflect a calm understanding and the hidden strength of the sea, capable of stillness and storm alike. His hair is an amalgam of seaweed and driftwood, long and flowing, constantly swaying with the rhythm of an unseen tide. This tangled mane carries the scent of salt and brine, and it rustles with the sound of the sea.

• Height: 450m
• Weight: Unknown
• Distinguishing Features: His most notable features are his smooth stone-like skin, ocean-colored eyes, and his hair made of seaweed and driftwood. His form, composed of rocky cliffs and sandy shores, symbolizes the solitude and serenity of the islands he embodies.

Personality

• Traits: Solitary, contemplative, patient
• Strengths: Possesses immense strength, like all of Talam’s sons. Additional, one of few elementals capable of navigating both the realms of sea and stone.
• Weaknesses: His reclusive nature isolates him from the broader concerns of the other gods and their realms, leading to a limited understanding of the greater dynamics at play in Staterum.
• Goals and Motivations: Eilear is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between land and sea. His primary divine aim is to act as a mediator between Ooscie’s watery domain and Talam’s earthen territories, ensuring that the boundaries are respected and preserved. Beyond his custodial duties, he strives to ensure that the islands serve as refuges for those in need.

Relationships

Family:

• Talam: Father. Eilear’s relationship with Talam is one of respect, but it is marked by distance, both emotional and in terms of their domains.
• Siar, Kair, Niphar, Thear, & Agra: Siblings. Eilear’s interactions with his siblings are similarly characterized by a sense of isolation. He does not engage in conflicts or deep alliances with them, preferring instead to remain apart.

Rivals/Enemies:

• Poraal Oir: As the god who commands the storms and winds, Poraal Oir often disrupts the serene and isolated realms that Eilear oversees. The powerful storms that Poraal Oir brings can wreak havoc on the tranquil islands under Eilear’s protection, undermining the peace and stability Eilear strives to maintain.

Attitude towards Mortals: Eilear maintains a stance of reserved detachment from most mortal affairs, however, beneath his aloof exterior lies a guardian spirit inclined towards acts of quiet benevolence, particularly towards those in peril on the seas.

Mythology and Worship

• Creation Myth:

The genesis of Eilear is anchored in on of the many legendary conflicts that occurred between Talam and Gaoth Oir, back when the Primordials still worked to dominate Staterum. In an epic struggle for supremacy, Gaoth Oir, wielding his mastery over the winds, summoned a colossal tornado, the likes of which had never been witnessed before or since. This ferocious whirlwind tore Talam from his earthly dominion and cast him adrift over Ooscie’s vast ocean, far from any solid ground where he might have an advantage.

Amidst this tumultuous battle, as Talam struggled against the overwhelming might of the air, removed from his source of power founded in rock and earth, Ooscie intervened in the battle. With a surge of her powerful currents, she whisked Talam away to safety on a solitary island, a speck of land amid her expansive domain. This island, which would later come to be known as Eilear Island, became Talam’s sanctuary in the storm, a place he could ground his mighty power. Exhausted from summoning the tornado, and sensing the shift in the battles balance, Goath Oir was forced to retreat from this battle.

Grateful for Ooscie’s aid and recognising the strategic importance of such sanctuaries, Talam resolved to create a guardian who would serve as a bridge between their elemental realms. From the rocky cliffs and sandy shores of the tiny island, he sculpted Eilear. Infusing him with the essence of solitude and the tranquility of isolated places, Talam tasked Eilear with the stewardship of all islands. Eilear now stands as a symbol of the delicate balance between the steadfast earth and the relentless ocean. More than this he serves as an enduring testament to Talam’s gratitude towards Ooscie, embodying the harmonious union and mutual respect that fortify the bonds between these unlikely allies.

• Major Cults and Religious Practices: Religious worship of Eilear is largely limited to the Dragon Teeth Islands.
• Festivals: The Festival of the Ocean’s Embrace is a biannual festival held during the period of king tides, which symbolizes the mingling of Eilear’s realms—the sea and the land. This festival takes place on the shores of the Dragon Teeth Islands and other coastal regions where Eilear is venerated. The event is marked by a grand feast that showcases the bounty of both the earth and the sea.
• Clergy and Temples: Temples dedicated to Eilear are rare and uniquely situated. They are often found embedded in coastal cliffs or on small, isolated islands that are difficult to access. The vast majority are located scattered across the Dragon Teeth Islands, but a few can be found on remote coastal sites across Staterum. The majority of worshippers are either sea dwarves, or lizardfolk.

Significant Historical Impact

Major Plot Points in World History:

• During the Age of Darkness (AoD), the seas turned treacherous with the emergence of immense beasts from the realm of Excess. Eilear, typically a solitary and passive deity, took an unprecedented active stance during this time. He fiercely protected these areas from the encroaching dangers, allowing the Dragon Teeth Islands to become a sanctuary amid the turmoil. While other parts of Staterum succumbed to the darkness and the monstrous invasions from the sea, Eilear’s realm remained largely unscathed. Artifacts:
• The Body of Eilaer is a revered artifact of extraordinary power, believed to encapsulate the essence of Eilear himself. This mystical object holds the power to manifest a temporary island from the depths of any body of water. The island conjured by this artifact is always appears the same, a paradisiacal haven, lush with vegetation, abundant in fresh water, and teeming with food sources. It emerges seamlessly from the water, forming a perfect sanctuary for weary travelers or desperate sailors. However, the island’s beauty and resources are fleeting; it vanishes just as mysteriously as it appears after two days, sinking back into the watery depths from which it came. Over the ages, numerous legends have woven themselves around the Body of Eilear. It is often equated with the mythical treasure island described in pirate lore, notably in tales of Captain Roger. According to these stories, it is here on this elusive island that Roger concealed his vast treasures, in one piece.

Quotes

N/A

Background

Tribe Eilearian Harpies

For the Harpies of the Eilearian Tribe, Eilear is an anomaly within the pantheon, a god whose actions transcend the typical animosity harbored by their kind against the terrestrial gods. Eilear’s benevolent guardianship of the Dragon Teeth Islands has earned him an esteemed place in their lore. They view him not just as a protector but as a savior of their skies and seas. The Harpies recount tales of Eilear’s fierce battles to safeguard their homeland from the encroaching chaos of the seas during the Age of Darkness. His vigilance and strength are celebrated in their songs and stories, portraying him as a steadfast guardian whose watchful presence ensures the safety and freedom of their island realms.

Sea Dwarves

The Sea Dwarves regard Eilear not merely as a god of islands and shores but as the progeny of Cazium, symbolizing the intrinsic link between the terrestrial and the aquatic, the stone and the tide. In their legends, Eilear is seen as the manifestation of the Dwarves’ rightful dominion over all realms of nature, including the vast and mysterious oceans. This belief underscores a foundational aspect of their worldview—that the mastery over rock and wave is not only their heritage but their destiny. Eilear, in their eyes, is a testament to their ancestors’ prowess and a divine confirmation of their claims over the natural world. To the Sea Dwarves, Eilear’s existence validates their ancient lore, which proclaims their kind as sovereigns not just of the undermountain but of the undersea.