Temple of the Sea God: The Umideshi

Monastery: Temple of the Sea God
Element: Water
Orientation: Neutral
Resident Classes: Monk, Votary (Susanowo), Reverend, Clerk, Sea Shepherd, Sifu, Kensai, Bushi
Location: Susie Island, of the coast of the Kingdom of the Snake
Founder: The Blue Stranger
Affiliations/Alliances: The Umideshi maintain communications and exchange students with the Cangdishitu and Hoteideshi. They are not under the patronage or command of any secular power and maintain a small but loyal and formidable fleet of Sea Shepherds to protect their island from raiders and the Snake King, who considers the island part of his domain.

Culture

The Umideshi order was established within a proto-Pinwa society and continues to bear more resemblance to the religious communities in the Empire of the Carp than to any mainland monasteries.

History

After the collapse of the Great Whale Alliance, which had maintained order among the islands east of Shoulun, half the inhabited islands turned predatory toward the other half and island life became synonymous with terror. The Isle of Susie, a few miles from the mainland, was blessed with a visit from the Blue Stranger, who chose its population for their devoutness and their respect for the sea. The Stranger enveloped the island in a storm for a year, while it remained calm on the island itself in the eye of the storm. During this time, he taught the islanders how to build superior naval vessels and how to fight on their decks. A temple and training centre was established and a program was established to train island defenders, naval warriors, and monks to command on behalf of the gods. The waters around the island became known as "the sea serpent" for it was like they were encircled by a protector who could devour any menacing forces. Over several years any coastline within range of the temple's Sea Shepherds was rendered safe from piracy. A mainland kingdom that had given up on coastal trade due to piracy reached out to Susie Island and invited it to join with the mainland and command its navy in the name of the king. The islanders agreed to this on the condition that the king's heir be raised in the temple. This was granted and when the heir was installed on the throne, he submitted the crown to the authority of the Umideshi and declared his realm the Serene Kingdom of the Snake.
In the 14th century, missionaries from Baghadeesh toured Shoulun. In most places they went, they were welcomed by the monasteries but generally shunned by other members of society. In the Snake Kingdom it was the opposite. The missionaries were politely greeted, scriptures were exchanged, and martial arts were demonstrated, but compared to other O13 monasteries, the visitors left very little mark. On the other hand, the 21st Serene Snake King was very curious about occult matters, including foreign religions, and devoured every story the missionaries had to share and any literature they left behind. However, he was an arrogant man and felt his own interpretation of scriptures was as good as anyone else's. This led to the development of perverted forms of Indric ritual and that led to the summoning of demons and soon the royal line mingled with unholy otherworlders and the Yuan-Ti were born. When the first monstrosity appeared in the form of the 23rd heir, which had a snake's lower body, there was a sharp divide among the Umideshi about whether to accept the heir or have it killed. The supporters of recognizing the legitimacy of semi-demonic offspring took the baby prince to the mainland and went to serve directly under the king. The other half of the monks remained on the island, ceased involvement with the royal succession, and declared Susie Island independent and sovereign. The monks who sided with the demon child continued to legitimate the succession, and the "Serene" title was kept until neighbouring serene kingdoms had collapsed in the face of the rising Empire of the Dragon.

Education

Common Script: Showee
Common Tongue: Pinwa
Liturgical Script: Indri, Elvish
Liturgical Tongue: Modron, Nereid
Other Languages Taught: Showa, Zoron
Sage Topics: Calligraphy, Physics, Metaphysics, Theology, Religious Rites, Geology, Astronomy, Mathematics, Geometry, Geography, Nautical Science

Martial Arts: Wethand, Water Temple Style, Fanziquan, Liuehbafa, Tantui, Shequan, Mermare Chivalry, Adimurai, Old Neijing, Qigong, Meihuaquan, Olden Kicking, Yawara Tii, Buck'N'Cut, Wing Chun, Naginatajutsu, Bojutsu, Hanbojutsu, Tojutsu, Sojutsu, Nunchaku Do, Hojojutsu
Elemental Mastery: Water, Light, Spirit, Air, Wood
Weapons: Lajatang, Spear, Spear-Mace, Awl Pike, Trident, Flying Fork, Net, Liu Jin Tang Fork, Dagger, Hand Axe, Dao, Snake and Crescent Spear, Fauchard-Fork, Spetum, Naginata, Bill, Bill-Guisarme, Bill Hook, Quarterstaff, Bo, Jian, Trident Dagger, Light Crossbow, Javelin, Light Lance, Shield, Kukri, Parang, Chain, Rope Dart, Eku, Sai, Tonfa, Kama, Nunchaku, Longstaff, Da Mo Cane, Sang Kauw, Five Tip Spear, Wind and Fire Wheels, Bastons, Dandao, Dadao, Partisan, Chain Whip, Meteor Hammer, Three-Piece Rod, Butterfly Swords, Dirk, Rondel, Cutlass, Shortsword, Smallsword, Falchion, Broadsword, Rapier, Harpoon, Grappling Hook, Musket, Blunderbuss, Boarding Axe, Spike, Scimitar
Apprenticeships: Martialist, Purist, Scholar, Naturalist
Classes Trained: Monk, Reverend, Votary, Sohei, Clerk, Fighter, Bushi, Kensai, Samurai, Mariner, Sea Shepherd, Scholastic Sage

Mythology & Lore

The following deities are revered at the Temple of the Sea God:
Susanowo, god of the sea
Amaterasu, goddess of the sun
Benzaiten, goddess of time and flowing water
Futen, god of wind
Jurojin, god of the south star and longevity
Kuraokami, goddess of rain and darkness
Marishi, goddess of the north star and light
Raiden, god of thunder
Ryujin, protector of sailors
Tsukiyomi, god of the moon

Founding Date

12,000 AB