The Gargantua

In the Oryuh Archipelago, water has a very particular signification. From one island to the other, traditions may vary, but on every one of them water has a special place in the religions’ and the societies’ fundations. Water is the symbol of life, joy, fertility, connections and trade. But of all the entities of water that holds importance, the Ocean is the only one upon which everyone agrees, in a manner if speaking. The Ocean surrounding the Archipel is called Gargantaqua, meaning giant of the water, and is revered in one way or another everywhere. The Ocean is part of the lands, the life and the landscape of every civilisation and therefore has grown to a statute of great importance. But ita capacity to be unruly and dangerous has elevated at the rank of divinity or Force not be trifled with.
The Ocean is a resource and a way to communicate between islands, creating the Archipelago in itself. But many are the ones who lost their lives there, trying to navigate the dangerous waters. And therefore, the Ocean is considered a force that shouldn’t be messed with. Everybody knows that. And every culture respects that part.
The cult to Gargantaqua is the often the most followed and usually the most violent across the lands and here are a few examples:

on the Janist Island, people are given half a water bottle and went into the desert to survive on their own. The toughest and the more resistant—meaning the ones who survive the ordeal—are dedicated to the adoration of the God, because resisting the lack of water is a proof of greatness. The ones who give up were usually shun by their villages. The others … well, there are dead.

on the Pellagi Island, children are trained from a young age to brave the Oceans on hard days. Many die in this trial but it is supposed to toughen up the species.

on the Ornate Island, young men try to brave a Toughato Dragon—one of the most dangerous—with only what they can carry of water. Very few survive this, but they are considered heroes of their tribes.

Thankfully, there are some cults than don’t involve death or injuries, but not many.

Type

Ocean