Sometimes Usumu weeps, and the skies darken and the rains pour. Sometimes she smiles, and the clouds part. Sometimes she laughs, and the ground trembles and shakes. Her moods are mercurial, her temperament unpredictable. Our lives are shaped by her whims, by her great forces that surround us.—Excerpt from writings by an unknown Meklovian author
Usumu (pronounced ooh-SOO-moo) is the goddess of nature, weather, air, and water.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Respect the natural world
- Anathema
- Cause pollution, destroy natural ecosystems, waste natural resources
Description
Usumu is the goddess of the natural world, a deity of the earth, seas, and skies. She is carried by the winds and the waves to every corner of Kishar. Her influence is almost inescapable. And yet, the ongoing events of the world do not interest her much, even as she indirectly shapes them - the processes of nature will continue much like they always have, with or without her firsthand involvement. Disregard for nature or destruction of its often fragile systems, however, invariably stirs her most devout followers to action.
Even more so than with other greater deities, stories about Usumu's origin are contradictory. In some, she was the architect of the natural world during the moments of creation, while in others she was born from the ground itself itself in order to bring an otherwise static world to life. Regardless, none doubt her primacy over her the natural world since.
Followers
The natural world has no inherent motivations or causes, and therefore Usumu accepts followers of any alignment. All those that find a connection to nature are welcomed by Usumu. Druids often follow her, as do sailors, farmers, hunters, and others whose livelihoods are inextricably tied to the earth, air, or water.
Many nature spirits, themselves sometimes worshiped as lesser divines, pay deference to Usumu as well, seeing her as a powerful matriarch.
Church structure
Usumu has no church. Her followers usually prefer secluded locations for their temples and shrines. Remote places away from major settlements work best, but a refuge in a park can work if there are no other options.
Holy text
Usumu has no singular holy text. Devotees of the goddess of nature often leave inscriptions to Usumu on standing stones or dead trees, though never in places where doing so would harm a plant or animal.
Relations
Followers of Usumu have generally neutral relations with the faiths of other deities. The natural world cares little about those that believe in other divines, a stance mirrored by Usumu's faithful. Some, however, oppose the Hellean and Chaskan aspects of Hasamel, owing in large part to how the god's religion encourages the destruction of natural places in the name of development. Nyxras is widely seen negatively as well, due to her tenets of constant consumption and excess.
Depiction
Usumu is almost always characterized as highly capricious, a figure to be simultaneously respected and feared. Some cultures, many in Brightmarch for example, consider Usumu to be fundamentally benevolent but prone to outbursts, while others, like in Rothurland, think of her as generally antagonistic yet not evil. She is variously depicted as a giant figure made of stone or air, often emerging from a cloud bank or mountainside.
Variations by pantheon
| Pantheon | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aserdian | Eltanin | In the Aserdian pantheon, Eltanin is connected to mortals who would seek to impose their role over an unwilling populace. |
| Chaskan | Tarhunz | In the Chaskan pantheon, Tarhunz is seen as a ruthless ruler, never content with what he already has. |
| Hellean | Zarex | In the Hellean pantheon, Zarex is widely seen as a divine wildcard, a backstabber who will quickly turn on his allies for his own benefit. |
| Khapeshan | Sutekh | In the Khapeshan pantheon, Sutekh's role in fighting Apep is heavily emphasized, representing the importance of uniting under strong leadership for a common goal. His aspect as a god of deserts is also particularly important in the Khapeshan pantheon. |
| Laurentian | Gautaz | In the Laurentian pantheon, Gautaz is viewed as a god who does what needs to be done, no matter how unsavory the task. Cultures following the Laurentian pantheon often warn against relying on Gautaz, as he will inevitably betray any trust. |
| Dwarven | Ranven | In the Dwarven pantheon, Ranven is viewed as an outcast biding his time on the margins without involvement with the other deities, waiting for an opportunity to usurp the legitimate ruler. |
| Elven | Thevrumines | In the Elven pantheon, Thevrumines is seen more neutrally as an iron-fisted ruler who protects those under him, at least to Redemptionists. To Wild Ones, he represents the ambitious drive of their old society, and is therefore more evil. |
| Orcish | Orzakh | In the Orcish pantheon, Orzakh is seen as more of a neutral figure, one who assists his ruler while preparing to eventually take the role himself. |