The Drowned Court
Introduction
The Drowned Court is actually a pantheon, three godlike beings that are worshiped by those who respect and live by the sea. Smaller temples can be found in many port cities and fishing villages and are always facing the ocean.
Domain
The Drowned Court supposedly holds dominion over aspects of the ocean that deal with death, drowning and rough seas. A common saying among sailors is "They've gone to the drowned court" which denominates those who have been lost at sea, said to have gone to meet those who control their fates.
Aspects
The Buccaneer
One aspect of the drowned court is known as "The Buccaneer" an entity that embodies the pirates, smugglers, reavers and merchants of the seas. Anyone who makes money from the ocean appeals to the Buccaneer for safe journeys and profitable ventures. It is said that offering coins to the Buccaneer before a journey can ward off unfavourable situations with others on the seas.
The Buccaneer is often depicted as a skeletal figure with a singular gold tooth and a tricorne hat.
The Countess
The Countess symbolizes the fear of death, specifically in regards to the sea. A person who fears death at sea will often give an offering (usually of a small amount of blood) to the Countess in exchange for her protection at sea. People who do this believe that in exchange for a part of the fundamental part of their life force, the Countess will ward off any of the myriad of things that can cause death whilst at sea.
The Countess is depicted as a woman clad in a hooded crimson robe.
The Admiral
The Admiral of the drowned is an aloof figure, few people give offerings or worship the Admiral, as this aspect of the Drowned Court holds dominion over the souls of those lost at sea, worshiping or making offerings to this being is said to be unto inviting death upon oneself. No known depictions of the Admiral exist, but his symbol, that of a large whirlpool, can be found etched into the wood of various ships who have been found abandoned, a symbol placed there to let people know that a ship has been salvaged, with all hands lost.
Mythology
Academic research into the history and mythology of belief into the Drowned Court has taken place, the authoritative text on the subject was written by Arcanist Davim of the History department of the Irchester University, aptly named "Crossing the bar, a historical study of the Drowned Court"
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