Eldros
(a.k.a. The Stormfather)
Eldros manifests as a weathered figure of fluid appearance, his form shifting between that of a powerful older man and a more monstrous sea-creature hybrid depending on his mood. His skin ranges from deep blue-green to stormy gray, with patterns resembling ocean waves that seem to move across his surface. His hair and beard appear as constantly flowing water or storm clouds, occasionally crackling with lightning when his temper flares. His eyes shift color with his mood—from peaceful blue to tempestuous gray to raging hurricane white. In his more benevolent aspect, he carries a trident or oar; in his wrathful form, he wields lightning bolts. Most depictions show him partially clothed in garments that appear woven from sea foam, mist, or stormclouds, adorned with shells, pearls, and coral that change with artistic interpretations across different coastal regions.
Worship of Eldros centers around respect for the sea's power and gratitude for safe travels. His followers include sailors, fishermen, merchants, explorers, and weather-workers. Devotional practices include pouring drinking water into natural bodies of water before journeys, maintaining small shrines on vessels, and the ceremonial launching of tiny boats carrying offerings during festivals. Sailors often tattoo serpent symbols on their bodies to gain Eldros's protection, while travelers carry blue stones believed to calm waters and storms.
Temples to Eldros typically perch on cliffsides overlooking the sea or on small islands accessible only by boat. Their architecture incorporates wave motifs and uses hydraulic features that create dynamic sounds as water and wind move through the structures. Many contain pools that rise and fall with the tides through underground connections to the sea, serving as oracles that priests interpret. The main worship spaces often feature suspended ships' models, storm glasses, and complex instruments for weather prediction. During Eldrosan, coastal communities host ceremonies where they create and launch memorial ships for those lost at sea, accompanied by feasts and competitions celebrating maritime skills.
In inland regions, shrines to Eldros appear near bridges, wells, and crossroads to protect travelers. These smaller monuments typically feature serpent imagery and bowls where travelers can leave offerings of water, salt, or small carved boats. Merchant caravans often begin journeys with a brief ceremony at such shrines, pouring out water and asking for clear roads and favorable winds.
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