Otjel

The Otjel ("Silver-tongue") people are a group of coastal inhabitants across Eldham. Scholars generally believe they stem from an early Rathnir culture who adopted a marine lifestyle while fleeing from the Proto-Valdics. They are widely known as excellent sailors. Their fishing methods are also typically sustainable and ecologically sound, part of their deep respect for the ocean and the life it supports.

Spiritual Practice
The Otjel people have a deep spiritual connection to the ocean, which they believe to be the source of all life and the dwelling place of powerful spirits and deities. They believe that the ocean is alive and has its own consciousness, and that all living beings are connected to it. At the heart of Otjel spirituality is the belief in a multitude of ocean spirits; some which are benevolent and bring good fortune, and others which are malevolent and must be appeased.

Ulfengr, also known as "The Lotus Hound", is a deity worshipped by the Otjel people. This divine being is closely connected to the concept of the triple deity or trinity, as Ulfengr embodies three different aspects of nature and spirituality. In Otjel belief, Ulfengr is associated with the threefold manifestations of the universe: creation, preservation, and destruction. As such, Ulfengr is the beginning, the now, and the end. The Was-and-Is-and-Will. An important symbol connected with Ulfengr is the lotus flower. The lotus is a powerful spiritual symbol across many cultures, and in Otjel belief, it is strongly associated with Ulfengr. The lotus represents spiritual enlightenment, purity, and rebirth. Ulfengr is often depicted with lotus flowers blooming from their fur, symbolizing their ability to bring about transformation and renewal.

Reikarr, known as "The Corpse-Tangle," is a powerful and enigmatic deity that has been revered by the Otjel for countless generations. To those outside of his cult, Reikarr is often seen as an unnatural or invasive force, one that perverts the natural order of life and death. However, to his followers, death is seen as a natural progression of life, the ultimate release from pain and anxiety, and the gold-grave is viewed as a chrysalis that one must enter in order to be reborn in undeath as a mindless, unfeeling child of the Corpse-Tangle. Reikarr is often depicted as a tangled mass of corpses, his body made up of the bones and flesh of countless individuals who have passed into the afterlife. His appearance is grotesque and unnerving, yet to his followers, he is a symbol of the true 'mortal coil'. They believe that in death, they will become one with Reikarr, their individuality subsumed into his massive, undulating form. His worship is often viewed with suspicion and even outright hostility by those outside of his cult, as many view Reikarr as a patron of war and chaos, all the unseemly human actions which lead to death. In fact, many have syncretised Reikarr with both Segra and Entropy.

Lady Lotus, also known as Fostermother Moon, is a powerful and revered goddess who has recently been introduced to the Otjel people through cultural exchange with the island nation of Lun'elnezj. She is a multifaceted deity, embodying the qualities of the moon, the sea, silver, stone, wolves, and the soul. According to her worshippers, Lady Lotus is the creator of the universe, which is believed to be a delicate balance between light and dark, known as the "Grey Maybe". As such, silver and grey are considered sacred to her. The Taralaget have almost completely converted to the worship of Lady Lotus. While they view Ulfengr as a messenger and perhaps even an avatar of the goddess, Reikarr is typically portrayed as one of the lesser deities who, jealous of her power, tore her true name from the stars.

Social Structure
The Otjel were organized into clans or tribes, with each one ruling over its own fleet of dozens of ships. These ships were not only their mode of transportation, but also their homes, as the Otjel people were constantly on the move in search of new resources and opportunities. At the top of each clan or tribe was a Tidevinnr, or Tidesage, who served as both the political and religious leader. This individual was believed to be bestowed with wisdom and the right to rule by the ancestor spirits dwelling in the sea. As such, they were highly respected and their authority was rarely questioned.

The Otjel people had a unique perspective on gender roles, with gender identity being almost entirely unfixed. As a result, there were no expected societal roles, and the Otjel people understood gender as a spectrum as long as they had existed. This allowed for a great deal of freedom and fluidity in how individuals identified and expressed themselves.

In terms of family structure, the average unit consisted of birthgivers and their children, with chosen family structures also existing. Extended family members were also important, with cousins often playing important roles in the upbringing and support of children.

Cultural Interaction
Historically isolationist and incredibly wary of land-dwelling peoples, it is only in recent times that any of the Otjel have even traded other cultures, let alone live among them. Leading this shift towards peaceful coexistence is the Taralaget Fleet. Seeking a connection to an actual economy after the birth of his daughter, the Tidevinnr of the fleet opened trade and diplomatic relations with the Simulami Empire, and in an effort to truly stabilize his people on the geopolitical stage, swore allegiance to the Imperare and settled the ruins of Mount Stjerne in Simulami territory.

Language
Jelatjel ("Tongue-of-tongues") is the language of the Otjel peoples. Many seafaring Otjel speak no other language, while most populations who have settled and intermarried have actually forgotten how to speak it.