Vario Grotto Creche

Written by Pookas Kreations

The name means "grotto of protected birth". It is a secretive and protected cave system in use by the seafolk of Oceania. It is in Tir fo Thuin, and only the council of women knows its location. The waveriders and other guards only know they are guarding a cave but not the reason.

This is an extensive cave system, and is actually a self-sustaining community. It has rooms for everything they need. They even grow and catch their own food. It can only be entered from underwater. It includes, living quarters, dry caves, water caves, those that are half and half, kitchens, schools, infirmity, etc. The dry caves have air shafts to the surface. Some of the caves are actually underneath the holy island and near the capital Aquana.

The creche is just that, it is a protected place for the birth and raising of the young of the seafolk. Some are even born out of the water, not being able to breathe water until they are older. These need to learn to breathe and swim underwater in a protected zone.

Part of the caves is under the dome of the holy island: Tapu Tierra Moe Lula Pele (Holy crown of the sleeping volcano), this is where the air vents come to the surface. Even though the caves are so deep, they are warm because of the volcanic vents, the air vents clear the air continually so it doesn't become poisoned. These hot vents have even created sauna rooms that are used for healing.

This is a sacred place to the water goddess. She has many names including Nantosuelt, Danu, Anahita, and others; most just call her mother of waters. She oversees all waters, creation (including fire/earth for island creation), water creatures, healing, birth/fertility. When she senses someone's nearness to birth, a messenger is sent to guide them to the nearest creche-usually a sea turtle, seahorse, seal, or dolphin., but occasionally a whale.

Alternative Name(s)

Daughters of Danu

Type

Cave System

Location under

Oceania

Owning Organization

Circle of Women

Related Traditions

• Aquatic Elf Rite of Passage