The Faith of Lunamene, the Moonmaiden
Overview
Lunamene is the Goddess of Desire, but not merely the physical or erotic kind. She is the goddess of all longing, the spark that stirs motion in the soul — the yearning for love, for power, for meaning, for truth. Her essence is captured in one word: Unfulfilled. For Lunamene believes that desire dies when fulfilled, and that true beauty lies in the ache, the longing, the unreachable dream. Her symbol is a crescent moon above a ripple of ocean waves, signifying the gravitational longing between sea and moon — always drawn together, never touching. Her domains include:- The Moon
- Tides and the Sea
- Desire and Longing
- Divination and Prophecy
- First Love & Purity of Heart
- Dreams and the Unattainable
- The Moonmaiden
- The Silver Veil
- She-Who-Longs
- The Goddess of Ache
- The Ocean’s Bride
Theology and Core Beliefs
Lunamene’s faithful are poets, dancers, star-gazers, sailors, unrequited lovers, wandering mystics, dreamers, and prophets. Her temples are often built near the sea or atop cliffs where one can look longingly toward the horizon. Others are found in forest clearings bathed in moonlight, hidden sanctuaries where quiet singing fills the air. The faith is gentle but strange. Some consider it melancholy, others see it as the most deeply human of all.Rituals And Practices
The Nocturne Hymnals
Singing is central to her worship. Every month, on the night of the new moon, her faithful gather to sing longing-filled hymns, often acapella, in round form, echoing the overlapping tides of desire. Songs are sometimes sung to lost lovers, unborn children, dreams that failed, or homes never seen.Moonwater Offerings
Moonwater — water left to rest under the light of the full moon — is believed to be touched by Lunamene’s essence. It is used in blessings, healing of emotional wounds, or to anoint prophetic tools.The Tides of Glass
Near beaches or rivers, followers inscribe their greatest desire onto a piece of sea-glass or moonstone, then cast it into the tide. It is said Lunamene reads each one and decides whether to preserve the ache or gently let it fade.The Silver Veil Vow
Taken by some clerics and oracles, this vow binds one to a life of celibacy or emotional detachment — keeping their most profound longing unfulfilled as a form of sacred fire. In exchange, they are granted visions, whispers of destiny, and deep intuitive insight.Night Vigils
Faithful sleep beneath open sky on certain moonlit nights, especially during celestial events. These rituals often induce lucid dreams or prophetic visions.The Moonwake Revel
Held on beaches under the first full moon of summer, this is a night of dancing, ocean-song, and the casting of phosphorescent offerings into the sea. Dancers wear flowing garments and body paint shaped like crescent moons and tide lines.The Ebbing Silence
A post-dance ritual. After a long night of dance and music, the faithful lay down on the sand in silence, listening to their heartbeats and the sound of the waves. It is said that in this moment, Lunamene may whisper directly into a seeker’s soul.Holy Days
Moon’s Embrace (Full Moon)A night of mystery, reflection, song, and wandering. Lanterns are floated on the sea and lakes, symbolizing unanswered prayers. The Cradle Tide (First Spring Tide)
A ritual of fertility, symbolic birth, and the longing to create. Lovers and artists celebrate new beginnings and fresh desires. The Waning Vigil (Winter Solstice)
A solemn rite for lost hopes, dead loves, or broken dreams. Participants gather in silence, writing their unfulfilled desires on strips of cloth, tying them to trees, letting them flutter in the cold wind.
The Sea and Lunamene
While the Moon is her most iconic dominion, the Sea is Lunamene’s eternal lover and counterpart — their yearning forms the very fabric of her divine story. To the faithful, the ocean is the aching heart of the world, forever reaching upward to embrace her but never quite succeeding. This unfulfilled desire defines the sacredness of tides.Sacred Sea Beliefs and Practices
"Let your steps be tides, and your limbs the moon. The sea dreams of the moon, and so do we."Tide-Prayers
During high tide, the faithful whisper their greatest desires into seashells or driftwood, tossing them into the surf. The returning tide is said to carry Lunamene’s subtle response, often through omens — unusual shells, wave shapes, or even the direction of seabirds.Saltwater Anointing
Moonwater and seawater are combined in rites of purification, especially for those seeking clarity in love or purpose. Anointing the brow and chest with this blend invites Lunamene’s guidance.Moonwhales and Selkisses
Mythical creatures tied to her power. Moonwhales are said to sing with voices that cause those who hear them to remember their deepest longing. Selkisses (silver-furred seals) are omens of a desire soon to be reborn.The Oceanic Pilgrimage
Some devotees journey across treacherous coastal paths, stopping at moon-carved sea caves and tide-washed altars. Each step is made in silence to meditate upon the one desire they must never let die.Dance in the Faith of Lunamene
Where song is prayer spoken aloud, dance is desire made manifest in the body. Dance is sacred, sensual, and sorrowful all at once — expressing what words cannot. It is practiced in many forms, often under moonlight or beside crashing waves.Forms of Sacred Dance
"We move so the ache may breathe. The Goddess dances only where the waves kiss stone."The Tidal Veil
Performed with flowing silver-blue silk veils to mimic waves and tides. Dancers move in slow spirals, mirroring the moon’s gravity and the rising pull of the ocean. Often performed during Moon’s Embrace.The Ache Unfolding
A solo dance done barefoot in shallow surf, where the dancer embodies a longing creature — reaching, pausing, retreating. The ending always leaves the dancer grasping at the air, never completing the motion.The Dreamer’s Spire
A dance of divination. Multiple dancers slowly orbit one another like celestial bodies, pausing to whisper secrets or touch foreheads. Oracles interpret the final pattern their steps form in the sand.The Pulse of Salt and Moonlight
A trance ritual, often accompanied by chimes, ocean drums, and soft singing. The dance begins soft and becomes more frantic — then fades back into stillness. It represents the cycle of hope, pursuit, exhaustion, and memory.Temples of Lunamene - Moonshrines and Tidehalls
Lunamene’s temples, known broadly as Moonshrines, are designed to reflect openness, light, and movement. Most are built with open ceilings to let in the moonlight, and many are situated on cliffs, coastlines, or beside tranquil lakes where tides or reflection can be observed.Architectural Features
Silverstone and Sea-glass are common materials; interior walls shimmer softly even in dim light. Moonpools (shallow circular basins) reflect the night sky and are used in divination rites. Liminal Doors exist in every temple — archways that lead nowhere, meant to symbolize the passage between desire and fulfillment, never to be crossed.Regional Variations
Coastal Temples include tide-ritual chambers and echo domes where waves can be heard at all times. Inland Temples emphasize celestial design, with mirrors and lenses that track moon phases and cast lunar patterns on the floor.Hierarchy of the Faithful
The clergy of Lunamene is known as The Veiled Heart — those who walk with yearning ever within them. They are not bound by strict rules, but by oaths of longing and purity of intent. Desire must never be extinguished, only honored. Most are women, and predominately virgin. They acquire the moon's blessing when the Ocean's Bride deems it right and they usually must abandon a long desired goal or a distant dream of their to join the clergy. Others willingly break the bonds of true love, dear family and most beloved friends so that they may experience true longing for the rest of their lives.High Oracle of the Crescent Throne
The supreme spiritual leader, often chosen by omen rather than lineage. Lives a life of elegant restraint — adorned but untouched, fulfilled in nothing, yet yearning for everything. Speaks in Moon Verses, poetic riddles used to guide the faithful without giving direct answers. Presides over The Great Moonwake, a once-a-decade rite when global tides and celestial alignments are believed to briefly allow vision of one's truest desire.Tidecallers
Senior priestesses and priests who oversee regional temples. Experts in tidal divination, star-mapping, and ritual songcraft. Their voices are trained to echo across water — their sermons are sung, not spoken. Novice acolytes are commonly called "Tidelings".Ebbmaidens / Ebbmen
Temple dancers and emotion-guides. Choreograph sacred dances and instruct the faithful in desire movement — ritual dance as devotion. Also serve as emotional counselors, helping petitioners understand the root of their desires and how to live with them unfulfilled.Moonbinders
Keepers of scrolls, lunar charts, and records of personal oaths. Responsible for interpreting signs, dreams, and moonlight refracted through water. Often assist nobles or seekers during periods of life transition (first love, departure, loss).The Touched
Lay members who have experienced visions or omens of Lunamene. May serve the temple in silent devotion, caring for the grounds, tending to pools, or weaving silver-thread veils. Often wander for years on “longings journeys” before returning to serve.Hierarchy’s Core Principles
- Desire must be preserved, not resolved.
- The Moon is a mirror to the soul — never still, never seized.
- Emotion is sacred: weep without shame, long without guilt.
- No oath of union may be made permanent; bonds must always breathe.
- All movement — of body, tide, or heart — is worship.
Temple Services and Communal Rites
Moonrise Convocations (monthly):Songs and dances performed at dusk as the moon rises. Petitioners whisper hopes into polished stones and leave them in temple gardens. Veilbinding Ceremonies:
Symbolic partnerships are celebrated by tying shared veils between lovers or companions. The veil is untied at dawn — the bond acknowledged, but not possessed. Oceanic Lament:
A mournful chant performed during funerals or loss, often accompanied by a processional dance. The departed are given back to the sea in word or ash.
Holy Relics of Lunamene
These relics are not powerful in a martial sense but in emotional, metaphysical, and spiritual influence. They evoke longing, vision, or inspiration — often affecting those near them in profound, sometimes destabilizing ways.The Shard of the Unkissed Moon
A translucent crescent-shaped gem that glows faintly under moonlight. Said to have been formed from a single tear shed by Lunamene when she first witnessed unrequited love. Grants the bearer dreams of their deepest but most unattainable desire — a gift and a curse.The Veil of Breathless Dances
A silken veil once worn by a legendary Ebbmaiden said to have danced for the Goddess herself. When worn during ritual dance, the dancer’s body glows with lunar shimmer, and onlookers are moved to weep with unnamed longing. Used in high ceremonies, but forbidden in mortal performance due to its overwhelming effect.Tidebone Mirror
A mirror framed with sea-polished bones and moon-forged silver. It shows not your reflection, but the face of someone you long to see — even if they are dead or never existed. Only High Oracles may use it safely. Prolonged gazing can lead to obsessive madness.Moon-Prophecies and Sacred Visions
The Moonbinders record cryptic celestial prophecies that arrive during rare alignments. These are known as Lunascensions and are events of great religious significance.The Song of the Fifth Tide
A repeating lunar pattern occurring every 27 years. It is said that a child born under the fifth tide of the cycle is marked by destiny — to either ascend as a vessel of Lunamene or to cast her from the heavens out of misplaced longing. Several oracles dispute its meaning, causing internal division.The Promise of the Vanished Sea
A prophecy claiming that, one day, the sea will recede entirely to reveal a "Path of Desire" across the ocean floor. This path will lead to a temple buried deep beneath the earth, containing a wish that should never be granted.The temple’s location is speculated, but never confirmed.The One Who Walks Without Shadow
A vision of a future priestess or priest whose desire is so pure it casts no shadow under moonlight. Said to be capable of rewriting the rites of Lunamene — for better or worse.Forbidden Interpretations & Heresies
Despite its beauty, the faith of Lunamene is not free of contradiction and division. There are sects and heresies considered dangerous or emotionally volatile.The Crimson Crescent Sect
Believe desire must not only remain unfulfilled, but be actively thwarted and punished. They preach asceticism and romantic sabotage, believing that love is a lie and desire a trap. Known for ritual self-denial and permanent symbolic binding of the eyes.The Sirens of Stillwater
A group of radical sea-priestesses who believe the ocean itself is Lunamene’s true form. They lure sailors to their deaths as “desire’s final mercy.” The Temple condemns them, but they hold power in isolated coastal regions.The Doctrine of Full Embrace
A quiet philosophical movement that proposes desire should be fulfilled once, at the moment of death — the final union between soul and want. Although the fulfillment of one's desire is allowed for casual worshippers it is prohibited for the clergy and remains a taboo amongst many. Unsurprisingly this heretic approach is popular among elderly faithful, but rejected by the orthodoxy for violating the principle of eternal longing.The Faith of Lunamene Among the Merfolk
Mythic Origin: The Liberation from the Deep
Before the time of coral thrones and silver temples, the Merfolk were thralls to the Aboleths — monstrous psionic overlords who ruled through domination of mind and memory. For centuries, the Merfolk lived submerged in alien servitude, their will fractured. Then came Lunamene — the Moonmaiden, the Untouched Flame of Desire. Drawn by the collective yearning for freedom that echoed like a tidal dirge through the deep, she descended. Not with armies or fire, but with dreams — whispers of rebellion planted within the minds of the most ancient Merfolk. When the chains broke, Lunamene wept into the sea. Each tear became a glowing pearl, from which rose the Eldest Kings and Queens of the Deep. She fractured her divine dominion and gifted the pieces to them, giving rise to the Houses of Desire.The Sacred Houses and Their Domains
Each House received a sliver of Lunamene’s divine will, reflected in their domain, responsibilities, and cultural practices. These Houses form the Spiritual and Noble Elite of Merfolk society.House Saltreef
— Dominion of the Sea Largest and most politically dominant of all Merfolk Houses. Kings of The Alliance, they govern vast underwater territories, reefs, trenches, and open waters. Their rule is both practical and sacred: they mediate oceanic currents, guard sacred kelp forests, and ensure equilibrium among sea life. The head of the House bears the Tide-Crown of Lunamene, which shimmers with moonlight even in the abyss. Priest-Kings are trained not only as rulers but as stewards of the sea's emotions — interpreting tides as omens.House Laexes
— Dominion of Dreams and the Unattainable Elusive and enigmatic, this house exists partially within the Dreaming Deep, a parallel ocean of thought and sleep where dreams drift like jellyfish. In their seat of power within The Vibrant Depths they maintain the Vault of Yearning, an ancient dream-core said to contain the collective longings of their people. Their clergy, known as Dreamspeakers, undergo trance-rituals to navigate dreams and advise rulers on omens of love, fear, or treason. House Laexes holds deep respect but also suspicion — many of their children are born dream-touched, marked with psychic gifts or madness.House Avenmora
— Dominion of First Love and Purity The smallest and most spiritually revered of the Four. They oversee rites of passage, bonding ceremonies, and the Moon-Kiss Rites performed during bioluminescent tides. Seen as keepers of innocence and memory, they ensure that desire remains sacred, not profane. The Heartscribes of Avenmora tattoo romantic prophecies onto their skin, believed to be revealed by Lunamene herself in moments of longing.House Silvershore
— Dominion of Divination and Prophecy Oracles and tidal astrologers. They interpret moonlight, bioluminescence, and celestial drift. They control the Moonspire Depths, a submerged temple mirrored exactly on the moon itself (in myth). It is said that anything spoken within echoes in Lunamene’s dreaming ear. Prophets of this House are moon-blind — their eyes silvered from constant exposure to sacred reflections. Their greatest relic, the Selenograph, is a mirrored orb that shows a possible future with each new moon.Cultural Effects on Merfolk Society
Desire as Sacred Force
Desire — for freedom, love, insight, and the sea — is not taboo but sanctified. Every emotion is a form of yearning, and every act of passion is a prayer to the Moonmaiden. Merfolk art, poetry, and music are drenched in longing, designed never to resolve fully. Unfinished ballads are a holy tradition, reflecting the ever-unfulfilled nature of desire.The Ritual of Reflection
Merfolk gather on moonlit waters or phosphorescent shallows to sing and dance upon the surface, using movement to send ripples upward toward Lunamene. The water mirrors their longing — an ephemeral communion.Inheritance and Nobility
Divine domains are hereditary, but not by blood — they are re-awakened in chosen scions during sacred rites of longing and reflection. This makes succession unpredictable and heavily tied to spiritual worthiness.Relationships with Other Faiths
Lumenor (Light and Purpose): Lumenor and Lunamene are siblings and often seen as complementary. Lumenor seeks to fulfill divine justice; Lunamene watches the ache of the pursuit. Their clergy commonly debate fate vs. freedom and often come into ideological disputes regarding the Fanatical approach of some of Lumenor's followers. Selvyra (Wilderness): Opposing but not hostile. Lunamene’s desire is introspective; Selvyra’s instinctual. They share an awe for the primal forces of nature, but differ in the value of control. Skyldar (Ambition): Kindred in desire, opposite in conclusion. Skyldar wants to seize and claim his desires; Lunamene to nurture and prolong them. Their followers sometimes form strange alliances.Mythology & Lore
The Moon and the Tide
Lunamene once fell in love with the Sea but could never touch it. She wept silver tears, creating the moonlight. The Sea, in turn, rises towards her forever, giving birth to tides. This tale is whispered by sailors and lovers alike. This myth holds truth, for when the Moonmaiden blessed the Kings and Queens of the Merfolk, she surrendered part of her symbol with them, ultimately ascending to the skies, never to return; ever yearning for her beloved sea.The Star in the Well
A young girl once wished to touch a fallen star. Guided by a dream from Lunamene, she wandered until she found it trapped in a deep well. She could never reached it, but every night, the star glowed brighter, reflecting in her eyes. After a while, the girl was able to navigate the dreams, seeking guidance from the Moonmaiden. She became the first Dreamspeaker.The Oracle Who Wept for the Future
A seer, cursed with the knowledge of all possible futures, begged Lunamene to take her sight. The goddess kissed her eyes and gave her instead the power to feel what others desired most — making her the most beloved and tragic oracle in history.Ethics
Desire is the Spark of the Soul
All sentient beings are born with longing. It is the first breath of the spirit, the divine whisper that says: reach. Whether it is the yearning for love, freedom, knowledge, power, or even peace — this spark is sacred. It gives shape to a life. “To want is to live. To chase is to sing. To love is to shine.”Fulfillment is Mortal; Longing is Divine
While mortals may strive and achieve, they are never meant to be satisfied. There will always be another desire, another dream. This is not a curse — it is a blessing. The horizon must remain out of reach so that the song may go on. The faithful embrace their longings not as flaws to be cured, but as companions on the road. “To hunger without shame, to yearn without guilt — this is purity.”The Moon Dances, But Never Lands
The moon and the sea are in love, and yet they never touch. Their eternal longing stirs the tides and guides the rhythms of life. So too must we learn to dance with what we seek, to let our longing guide us, shape us — not consume us. “Let your love shape you, not undo you.”The Ocean Remembers Every Ache
The sea carries all sorrow, joy, longing, and memory. That which is felt deeply is never lost, only transformed. Sorrow becomes song, and yearning becomes movement. Those who suffer loss or rejection are taught to sing it to the sea — it will hold it when they can no longer bear it. “Your ache is a tide. It will return bearing pearls.”Sing, Dance, and Reflect the Light
Song and dance are sacred acts — physical prayers of motion and sound. To sing is to name your desire aloud. To dance is to embody it. These acts are performed beneath moonlight, beside waves, or over mirrored floors that reflect one’s longing skyward. “When words fail, let the body speak.”The Clergy Carry the Unfulfilled Flame
Priests, Moonvessels, Oracles, and Seabound Acolytes are bound by oath to never complete their most sacred desire. They may pursue other joys, but must keep one core longing alive and unfulfilled as their tether to the goddess. Some choose never to consummate a love. Others withhold vengeance, knowledge, or homecoming. Their restraint is not denial — it is communion. “I burn, therefore She hears me.”Prophecy is Desire Echoed Forward
Divination is not mere foresight — it is the future shaped by present longing. When the faithful seek glimpses of fate, they are not told what will be, but what they most ache for, if they dare pursue it. “The stars do not speak. They respond.”Do Not Despise Those Who Fulfill
While the clergy abstain, the faithful may fulfill. The farmer may reap. The lovers may kiss. The soldier may win. These are not sins. Lunamene’s blessing does not demand eternal denial — only reverence for the chase itself, and compassion for those who still reach. “Your joy is a hymn; your ache is another.”Share the Ache, Never the Shame
Longing can be a lonely burden — but shame poisons it. Within temples, between believers, even among strangers under the same moon, desire should be shared with honesty and beauty. To name it aloud is to give it dignity. “Let no one long alone.”Desire Transforms, and So Must You
As the moon shifts phases, and the sea alters coasts, so too do our desires evolve. To cling to old wants without reflection is to stagnate. Followers are encouraged to periodically release outdated desires in ritual: Moonletting, a ceremony of letting go beneath the sea or stars. “What once burned may now light the path for others.”
May your longing never fade.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Demonym
Lunamites
Deities
Related Species
Tenets of the Faith
Etched into the temple stones, whispered under moonlight "To Desire is to Live."Longing is the soul’s first breath — sacred and unashamed. "Let Your Longing Sing."
Speak your longing in song, dance, or silence that listens. "Chase, but Do Not Cling."
The moon moves — so must you. Let desire shape you, not bind you. "Reflect the Light You Seek."
Be to others what you yearn for most. "No One Longs Alone."
Desire is a shared tide. Hold space for one another’s ache.
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