The Tidebound
The Tidebound
Pilgrims of the Deep Queen, Bearers of the Ocean’s Will
The Tidebound are not mere mortals—they are sacred pilgrims, envoys, and instruments of Queen Thal’vanna’s divine consciousness. Chosen through dreamtide visions, bioluminescent omens, or sacred anointments within the coral cloisters of Azurlith, each Tidebound is a living extension of the Doctrine of the Drowned Throne and the metaphysical breath of the Oceanmind.
They are the currents given form, swept onto foreign shores to reclaim relics, purify corrupted waters, seal elemental breaches, and learn—for the Deep Queen desires understanding of what lies beyond her dominion.
The Pilgrimage of the Deep Queen
Old Tongue Name: Nyath’leth Valorym
("The Flow Toward Completion")
The Pilgrimage is one of the holiest rituals of the Drowned Throne. Each year, a few chosen Tidebound are sent to the surface world as divine pilgrims. This rite is both sacred mission and spiritual transformation.
Purposes of the Pilgrimage:
- Recover relics of Itharyx and drowned empires
- Purify corrupted waters, ruins, and tainted leylines
(once purified, these become metaphysically linked to the Oceanmind) - Encounter the Elements – Fire, sky, and earth must be understood for the ocean to remain in balance.
- Hunt Defilers – This includes:
- Aboleth cults
- Voidglass smugglers
- Pirate lords and surface kingdoms who pollute or defile the sea
- Observe and Report – The Queen thirsts for new truths. Tidebound often deliver visions, songs, or samples back to Azurlith.
Tidebound Transformation
Upon returning, many Tidebound pilgrims are marked—by fire scars, sky-blessings, crystal growths, or planar echoes. These are seen as divine evolutions, proof that the Pilgrimage has reshaped them.
Ritual & Tradition
Before departure, each Tidebound undergoes the Rite of the Last Current—a ceremony where they are immersed in a living whirlpool shaped by Thal’vanna’s will. Here, their soul is briefly submerged in the raw essence of the Oceanmind, forging an unbreakable tether to her voice, even beyond the sea.
They are then given three sacred tools:
- The Amulet of the Drowned Throne – A living relic containing a droplet of ever-moving water, holding the Queen’s Will of the Current. This amulet sustains the Tidebound’s spiritual connection to the sea and allows them to enter drift-communion (meditative connection to the Oceanmind) even when far from the depths.
- A Coral-etched Tidebone – A carved ritual blade, staff, or token etched with their Tidecalling. Used in sacrifice, storytelling, or as a magical focus.
- Veil-Kelp Vestments – Armor or garments grown from sacred kelp, capable of adjusting to atmospheric pressure and temperature, allowing limited terrestrial mobility while still marking them as divine pilgrims.
Privileges Among the Sea-Folk
Among the peoples of the Drowned Dominion, the Tidebound are treated with reverence and awe:
- Sanctified Passage – No gate, trench, or dome may bar their travel unless commanded directly by Thal’vanna.
- Echoed Hospitality – Protectorates of Azurlith are bound by oath to provide food, shelter, and spiritual communion to any Tidebound who arrives.
- Choral Mandate – Tidebound may command the Choirs of Aquavanthe—groups of ritual singers or harmonic casters—to amplify their decrees, heal the sick, or stir the sea itself.
Among land-dwellers, they are often misunderstood, seen as wandering prophets, mystics, or even spies of the ocean. But some coastal druids and elemental orders know better, offering them respect or ancient pacts of mutual protection.
- The Currents Will - Their Tidecallings are never questioned
Tidebound Rarity & Species
While the Tidebound are overwhelmingly triton, there have been rare instances of sea elves, water genasi, or even awakened deepkin being called.
Connection to the Oceanmind
Tidebound are living extensions of The Oceanmind —champions, emissaries, and seekers of truth. Drawn primarily from triton bloodlines, but occasionally from rare sea elves or genasi, they are marked at birth or chosen by Thal’vanna’s dreams.
Each wears an Amulet of the Drowned Throne, housing a droplet of ever-moving water—a spiritual fragment of the Oceanmind’s will. This amulet:
- Sustains their link to Thal’vanna, even far from the sea.
- Acts as a divine compass to sacred tasks.
- Allows telepathic connection to other Tidebound and Aquavanthe-aligned clergy.
-A Tidebound taking their first steps on land
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