Eotomolaque otherwise known as ‘People of Thunder’ is the native religion of the Epednar peoples of the Ynnic River Valley.
Mythology[]
Eotomolaque mythos posits that centuries ago, there were four great gods; who had shaped Halann, creating rivers, valleys, forests and everything else. They had created animals, plants and such great wonders, yet couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied with what they saw. A deep and gnawing loneliness which they couldn’t seem to satisfy with their conversations between each other.
Thus, the gods decided to create intelligent beings; elves, who were capable of sharing in their world and finally curing the aching loneliness in their heart. The only issue was that the gods all differed in their opinions of what to make their creations like.
Telashupi, the god of Water, coveted a proud, cultured people. Peoples who’s castles and buildings would stand taller than trees and glimmer brighter than gold. They wanted them to occupy grand cities, hold grand gala’s and be the very images of glory.
Dunimuhk, the goddess of fire, roared that they should be a charming, kind, caring and hospitable people, who’s kindness burned as bright as their fire. They wanted a people who dwelled in the shade of trees and welcomed all to share in their comfort.
Eteskawa, the goddess of earth, rumbled that they should be stern, hardy and fit to survive. Placed atop the highest and most desolate peaks so that those who were worthy would live, whilst those not would perish.
Finally the goddess of thunder, Tomkihkeli, decreed the others to be fools, limiting their creations' potentials. They said that the elves should be free to roam the prairie, relishing in absolute freedom and the joy inherent to that.
The debate between the gods lasted days, arguing fiercely, nearly to the point of fighting, before eventually all decided to force their own vision atop the others. The result was four similar, but inherently distinct elves.
From the desires of Tomkihkeli was born the Eotomolaque; the people of thunder.
From the stubbornness of Eteskawa was born the hardy Eotyr.
From the passion of Dunimuhk was born the kind Eotepen
And from Telashupi was born the proud and arrogant Eotupasu.
Undeniably these people proved too disparate and different to exist together, and soon after the first wars began to rumble and taint the once kind and pure world. These people fought for dominance of the earthly world; the Eotupasu and Eotomolaque in particular coming to despise each other, even as conflict also brewed in the heavens as the gods grew apart, each decrying each other as the cause for the suffering of the elves.
They eventually in a fit of rage declared the others to be foolish and wicked, and locked themselves away from one another, to sulk in their rage. This rage twisted at their hearts as their attempt to soothe their aching loneliness had only driven them further apart.
It did not take long for the gods' rage and wrath to metastasize from each other to the imperfect elves, which they came to blame for their isolation; viewing them as they did the mindless animals they had once made, some even regarding them as worse than them.
Thus the gods only spoke to their people to scream their rage and demands, as the people quivered and cowared and ran. They demanded increasingly impossible tributes and punished the people harshly, regardless of whether they offered anything or not. Their tyrannical wrath weighed heavy on the peoples.
The Eotupasu, who were used to the harsh and cruel commands of their lords, bore the floods and droughts sent by Telashupi, the lords drowning their misery in cheap liquor even as their peasants drowned in Telashupi’s endless tides.
The Eotyr, so used to the cruelty and torturous negligence of Eteskawa, barely even noticed her rage, simply bowing their head, and continuing to fight for every second of survival offered to them.
The Eotepen, so kind was their heart, and so forgiving was their soul, that they saw only to forgive and make peace with the burning hatred of Dunimuhk, who’s flames would forever burn at their souls.
However, the proud, free Eotomolaque were created for a world with no restraints, no limits or boundaries. The cruelties and harsh gales of Tomkihkeli were so anathema to them that they sooner would take up arms then see their freedoms ripped away. So quietly, when her attention was elsewhere, they plotted and planned. They gathered all their strength and when she next thundered down from the clouds to scream for tribute, the Eotomolaque struck.
With the hearts and minds of so many absolutely set upon freedom, not even the might of a goddess could stand up against them. Thus, after a legendary; day-long battle, Tomkihkeli fell, her power; now without a vessel descended upon the victors, granting them immense powers and creating the first Thunderbirds. Inspired by their success, the Eotepen and Eotyr saw fit to strike against their oppressors, and slew them too. The slaying of Eteskawa created the Poskawa whales, whilst the death of mighty Dunimuhk created the Dragons.
However, in spite of the successes of their brothers, the Eotupasu stubbornly continued to worship and praise Telashupi, granting them anything they desired and actively struggling against the efforts of the Eotomolaque to free them from his tyranny, even to the modern day.
Though many ages have come and passed since these ancient and mystical days, the descendants of these peoples are believed to continue to inhabit the world, their ancestors who had slain the gods looking over them as guardian spirits.
The Eotupasu would become the Ynnics, the Eotyr would become the Haraf’ne and the Chiunife, the Eotepen would become the Rzentur, and those who felt guilt for their killing of Dunimuhk became the Old Rzentur, and finally the Eotomolaque would become the Epednar. All other peoples of the world are considered the creations of minor gods.
Practices[]
The Eotomolaque faith is a unique and diverse religion, with many local practices and many syncretism's which have developed as Ynnsmen presence in the region became more common and with the faith already incorporating aspects from its other major surrounding beliefs, such as the Drozma Tur. This has led to a wide range of practices, with no one consistent set of practices.
Common to almost all of the followers of the Eotomolaque is the Thunder Dance; a gruelling and straining series of personal physical, spiritual and mental trials designed to push the practitioner to their limits and indeed, many do die attempting them; but those that do are venerated only slightly less than those who manage to survive, for the willingness to sacrifice themselves on behalf of the people is the entire point of the trial.
Some practitioners believed that the most righteous of missions was to liberate the last of the four elves from their evil deity- that being the Ynnics from Telashupi - and dedicate themselves to this mission. Ultimately this hasn’t proven terribly successful over time, as the various raids and incursions done over the years have only sparked rivalry and hatred between the two groups.
It was not uncommon for followers of the Eotomolaque to believe that the various creatures of the Ynn River Valley contained fragments of different aspects of the deceased gods personality and power.
Some recorded examples include:
The Owl Beast: This mighty creature contained the resilience and quiet mystery of Eteskawa.
The Whitetail Fox: The Whitetail fox was connected to Dunimuhk, and her long buried kindness and wit.
The Four-Horned Sheep: This creature was linked to Eteskawa with their sturdiness and quiet bearing of any hardship.
The Ynnea Pig: This common Ynnic pet was associated with Dunimuhk; and believed to be emblematic of her passion and will to survive.
Direwolves: The mighty form of a Direwolf was a feared sight by any elf, but to those who followed Eotomolaque they were also seen as proud and regal, noble creatures emblematic of the organized chaos which Tomkihkeli adored.
The Bison: Strong, wild and stubborn as any mountain, the Bison are seen as to embody the freedoms which Tomkihkeli promised to the Eotomolaque.
The above list is by no means exhaustive, and instead serves more to categorize and catalog a select few examples as to help better explain this particular religious belief. Some scholars draw comparisons between this practice and the Ynnic Zodiac. Especially as many of the same creatures are discussed and talked about, though the Ynnic Zodiac is more exclusive in it’s selection of creatures, whilst the comparative Eotomolaque practice is far more open with what creatures have been believed to carry aspects of the gods powers, and not all practitioners agree on what creature symbolizes what and by which god they are imbued by.