Ryujin was not always a god. Ancient texts tell of a sea dragon—vast beyond mortal comprehension, ancient beyond counting—that had dwelt in the deepest trenches since before humans walked the land. This dragon had witnessed the world's formation, seen civilizations rise and collapse into the seafloor, and understood the ocean as one understands breath: as the foundational condition of existence.

When the cosmic catastrophe shattered Ix, the Shards fell like meteors across the world. One of these fragments—a shard bearing the essence of Ix's cyclical nature, the endless turning of creation and dissolution—descended upon the dying dragon. Rather than destroying it, the Shard transformed it. The dragon did not shed its draconic nature; instead, that nature was magnified, clarified, given purpose and will. In that moment, Ryujin became god not through conquest but through recognition: the sea itself acknowledged what had always dwelt in its depths and made it divine.

Ryujin's relationship with his domain is unlike that of most deities. He does not rule the sea as one rules a kingdom; he is the sea's animating consciousness, the voice of its will. The distinction matters to his followers. Ryujin does not command the currents; he is their intention. He does not oversee the creatures of the deep; he is their collective understanding.

This is why Ryujin holds such visceral contempt for freshwater. It is not merely a different substance; it is an alien entity, a force that does not submit to his nature. Rivers carve the land and dilute the seas. Lakes refuse the salt that defines his essence. This is not a temperamental dislike; it is a theological position: freshwater is the negation of what Ryujin represents.

In the early centuries after his ascension, Ryujin established his relationship with the mortals who ventured onto and into his domain. He made a simple bargain: respect the sea, aid those in its peril, take only what you need, and the sea will provide guidance and protection. He did not force conversion or demand temples. He simply made his presence known through miracles: storms that ceased at the cry of his true followers, passages through impossible waters that opened for those who honored him, and the strange mercy of sea creatures that sometimes guided lost sailors to safety.

The merfolk, recognizing a kindred divinity, did not need conversion—they knew Ryujin as the conscious will they had always served. Land dwellers came more gradually. Coastal villages, discovering that those who respected the sea prospered while those who exploited it without reverence faced disaster, began to teach their children about the Dragon God. By the time organized temples were established, Ryujin's worship was already woven into the practical knowledge of maritime peoples.

What Ryujin offers is partnership with a force far greater than mortal strength or cunning.

The teachings of Ryujin are rooted in the particular wisdom of the sea itself.

(See also: claw/Soul_Coins_and_Divine_Economy)

Ryujin accumulates divine power through devotion expressed as respect for and participation in the sea's natural cycles.

Ryujin's places of worship reflect the duality of his followers: those who dwell on land and those who dwell in saltwater.

For land dwellers, shrines grace the coastlines of the world. These are typically simple structures built at the water's edge: a shelter to keep offerings from the sun, a vessel filled with seawater as the focal point, and perhaps a shrine to hold written prayers or carved tokens. Larger coastal cities may host grander temples with multiple chambers and priest-houses attached, but even these maintain the austere simplicity of places built to honor rather than impress. The emphasis is always on the ocean view; no shrine to Ryujin blocks the sight of open water.

These coastal sanctuaries often house a chamber containing the Dragon's Tooth—a relic brought from the depths, serving as the spiritual anchor of the space. The tooth is treated with reverence and kept in saltwater. Prayers offered before it are believed to carry particular weight.

In the underwater realm, sacred spaces manifest as coral alcoves—natural formations shaped by merfolk and marine priests into places of gathering and prayer. These alcoves are typically located in deep, stable currents and tend toward natural beauty rather than constructed grandeur. Within each alcove rests a Dragon's Tooth—how these relics came to exist in such abundance is a mystery even to the clergy; Ryujin refuses to explain.

Ryujin's faith operates through two parallel structures: the land-based Keepers and the ocean-dwelling merfolk and marine entities.

Among land dwellers, authority rests with tide-speakers—chosen not by appointment but by demonstrated connection to the sea. A tide-speaker is someone to whom the ocean speaks; they can read the water's moods, understand the language of currents, and offer counsel that proves reliable over time. A tide-speaker who loses this connection loses authority; the community will simply stop asking their advice.

Regional tide-speakers gather occasionally to discuss doctrine and resolve conflicts, but these gatherings are consultative rather than legislative. There is no central authority, no pope of the sea. Each coastal community develops its own relationship with the ocean, and Ryujin respects this autonomy.

Among the merfolk and underwater dwellers, organization is more fluid and less formally codified. Merfolk communities tend toward consensus decision-making, with elder priestesses holding particular weight but not absolute authority. Different merfolk cities maintain different emphases (some focus on exploration, others on ritual, others on preservation of marine life), but all acknowledge Ryujin as their unifying consciousness.

The land-based and water-based structures occasionally coordinate, but they are fundamentally separate. A land-dwelling tide-speaker cannot claim authority over merfolk, and vice versa.

Recruitment to Ryujin's service is often self-directed. Coastal communities raise their children with stories of the Dragon God; those who feel a genuine connection often become his followers without formal initiation.

Soft entry begins in childhood for those born in coastal regions. Learning to read water, to respect dangerous currents, to aid those in distress at sea—these are taught as practical skills and spiritual practice simultaneously.

Formal initiation for those who come to the faith as adults involves a ritual immersion in saltwater and a personal vow made to the sea itself. The vow is not witnessed by clergy (though they may be present)—it is made directly to the ocean. This is the moment of transformation from someone who respects the sea to someone who is bound to serve it.

For merfolk and sea-dwelling creatures, the process is simpler: they are born into the faith. Consciousness of Ryujin is innate to beings whose existence is bound to saltwater.

What makes an enemy rather than a convert: Those who poison the seas, who hunt marine life to extinction, who abandon drowning people to save themselves, who channel freshwater into saltwater out of carelessness or malice. These are not candidates for conversion; these are enemies of Ryujin and his faith.

A devoted follower of Ryujin carries the sea's nature into their daily life.

Date: First day of summer; alternatively, the first completely calm day following the spring equinox.

On this day, Ryujin followers gather at the shores to celebrate the opening of the sailing season. Boats are blessed; sailors make formal vows of respect to the sea. Offerings of respect—not bloodshed but flowers, bread, song—are given to the waters. The day emphasizes the gratitude of those who venture onto the sea and the mutual compact between dragon and follower. The day typically concludes with a communal feast using seafood, acknowledging the sea's bounty.

Date: The full moon closest to the autumn equinox.

Named after the Coral Priestess Lirea, this observance celebrates the connection between land and sea-dwelling followers. Merfolk and sea-dwelling beings perform intricate dances in moonlit waters, their movements reflecting the ebb and flow of tides. On the shores, land-dwelling followers light lanterns and set them afloat on the water, creating a spectacle of lights dancing with the merfolk's movements. It is a night of unity and connection.

Date: The winter solstice, when tides are most unpredictable.

During this observance, followers gather to honor Thalor, the Wave Whisperer, and to deepen their understanding of the sea's rhythms. Mages and spiritually advanced followers lead ceremonies involving spellwork and meditation designed to attune participants to the tides' deeper patterns. The ritual acknowledges the sea's power and the necessity of respecting forces beyond mortal control.

Date: The spring equinox.

This day marks the awakening of Ryujin from his winter rest and celebrates renewal and new beginnings. Followers release fish and marine creatures into the sea, symbolizing the cycle of life. Temples and shrines are adorned with blue and white decorations. The day is one of hope and the recognition that no hardship is permanent—cycles turn, and new seasons always arrive.

A rite of passage for young sailors and sea-dwelling beings, marking their formal recognition as members of Ryujin's community. The initiate is taken to the open sea or to deep water, where they dive or fully immerse themselves. The immersion is both practical—testing the initiate's comfort with water—and spiritual, marking the moment they are accepted into the collective consciousness that Ryujin represents. Upon emerging, elders offer prayers and welcome the newly accepted member into the community.

Held in underwater temples by merfolk and other sea-dwelling followers. Participants gather around a Dragon's Tooth, reciting ancient hymns and sharing stories of the sea. The ceremony is deeply communal; participants speak and listen in turn, creating a collective narrative of the sea's mysteries. The ceremony culminates in a unified song, its melody carrying through the water and echoing across vast distances.

Performed on nights when the sea is particularly turbulent or when the community faces maritime danger. Followers gather on the shores and light lanterns, then set them afloat on the water. Each lantern represents a prayer to Ryujin, a request for calm or safe passage. The floating lights serve as both practical markers (helping lost sailors find the shore) and spiritual symbols of hope. The ritual is performed collectively, with followers maintaining silence or humming a shared melody while the lanterns drift.

An annual celebration bringing together land and sea dwellers. The feast features an abundance of seafood—a celebration of the sea's bounty. Participants share stories of their encounters with Ryujin's grace: narrow escapes from storms, miraculous rescues, profound moments of connection with the ocean. The feast is both thanksgiving and community reinforcement, reminding followers that they are part of something larger than themselves.

Performed when someone seeks recognition as a tide-speaker—someone whose connection to the sea is profound enough to serve as a guide for others. The trial involves extended meditation by the sea's edge, typically over three days and nights. During this time, the candidate must remain attentive to the water's moods, read approaching weather, and offer counsel to anyone who approaches. Those who prove their connection through demonstrated ability are formally recognized as tide-speakers and granted authority to guide maritime decisions within their community.

Garments adorned with scale patterns, worn during ceremonies. These may be literal scales from sea creatures (ethically obtained) or embroidered patterns evoking scales. The garments are typically blue-green or deep indigo in color.

A pendant or brooch usually carved from a blue gemstone—lapis, sapphire, or aquamarine—shaped to resemble an eye. It represents Ryujin's watchful gaze over the seas and the wearer's alignment with that gaze. Most followers wear one, even when not engaged in formal worship.

A flowing cloak worn during ceremonies, typically in shades of blue, with patterns evoking waves and water. The mantle is designed to move fluidly, mirroring the undulation of ocean waves. Senior tide-speakers often wear them during public rituals, using the mantle's movement as a visual meditation on tidal forces.

Worn by senior priestesses, especially in merfolk communities. Woven from coral, shells, and seaweed, these crowns are unique to each priestess and often take years to construct. They serve as marks of spiritual rank and accumulated wisdom.

Hiroshi was a legendary sailor from a coastal village, renowned for his skill at reading water and his deep reverence for the sea. On one fateful voyage, his ship was caught in a massive whirlpool—the kind of thing that typically meant death. Rather than panic, Hiroshi commanded his crew to sing praises to Ryujin. As they sang, Hiroshi himself seemed to enter a trance state, his hands moving the ship's wheel with perfect precision. The ship spiraled inward, down into the maelstrom, but then—inexplicably—emerged from the other side, unharmed, in waters the charts said should not exist.

Hiroshi spent his remaining decades establishing shrines along the coasts and spreading tales of Ryujin's presence. He became the template for what a tide-speaker could be: not a priest in a temple but a practical expert whose life demonstrated the reality of Ryujin's grace. Sailors still invoke his name before venturing into dangerous waters.

Born among a merfolk community in a vast coral city, Lirea was unique even among her kind: she could perceive Ryujin's presence with unusual clarity. Through her meditations and visions, she understood something that even most merfolk had not formalized: Ryujin was not an external god they prayed to but the conscious will of the sea itself, and that consciousness could be directly communed with.

She established the first underwater temples not as buildings but as places of focused spiritual practice—cleared coral alcoves where the boundaries between individual and collective consciousness seemed thinner. She taught techniques of meditation and communion that allowed her followers to experience themselves as part of something vastly larger. Her hymns, still sung in coral alcoves across the world, are considered among the most beautiful expressions of Ryujin's nature.

Thalor was a coastal mage who became obsessed with understanding the sea's patterns. While others saw tides and currents as mere physics, Thalor began to perceive in them a kind of language—mathematical, rhythmic, and meaningful. Through years of study, meditation, and magical experimentation, he developed a system of spellwork that could read and subtly influence the sea's movements. His work was never about controlling the ocean (which he recognized as impossible and blasphemous) but about attaining such deep understanding that he could move in harmony with forces far larger than himself.

Thalor's grimoire, preserved in the faith's archives, remains a foundational text for mages seeking to understand saltwater magic. His legacy demonstrates that Ryujin can bless those who approach the sea with intellectual rigor and respect.

How they refer to themselves: Navigators or Children of the Whirlpool

Founded by the disciples of Captain Hiroshi, this sect consists primarily of sailors, navigators, and maritime explorers. They believe that Ryujin actively guides those with the skill to read his signs—and that true mastery comes from understanding the ocean so deeply that you can move in perfect harmony with it. Members of this sect often carry miniature replicas of Hiroshi's Compass and gather annually at the site where his ship emerged from the whirlpool. They pursue exploration, always seeking new routes and passages, mapping the world's waters in service to Ryujin's understanding of his domain.

How they refer to themselves: Disciples or Deepwater Priestesses

Primarily consisting of merfolk and other sea-dwelling beings, this sect is dedicated to preserving underwater temples and maintaining the spiritual practices that Lirea established. They emphasize the cyclical nature of marine life and the necessity of respecting ecological balance. Members are skilled in coral crafting and have created elaborate underwater structures that serve both practical and spiritual purposes. They organize underwater processions during significant lunar phases and maintain libraries of historical records in places only they can access.

How they refer to themselves: Tidebinders or Wavewalkers

A sect of mages, scholars, and mystics dedicated to understanding the arcane principles underlying saltwater phenomena. Drawing directly from Thalor's research, they seek to harness the sea's power through spellwork and ritual. They believe that Ryujin's essence can be perceived and channeled through dedicated study and practice. Members often gather at coastal academies and maintain private research into saltwater magic. They are considered by some to be the most intellectually rigorous sect within Ryujin's faith.

How they refer to themselves: Embracers or the Harmonists

A more esoteric and meditative sect that focuses on spiritual communion with the sea. Members practice extended meditation, group rituals, and other practices designed to achieve a state of unity with Ryujin's consciousness. They believe that the dualistic distinction between self and sea is ultimately illusory and that true enlightenment comes from dissolving into the collective consciousness that Ryujin represents. Their ceremonies are serene, often conducted on secluded beaches during sunrise or sunset, and they practice a form of what some outsiders might call ocean mysticism.

How they refer to themselves: the Unified or the Reconciled

This heretical sect argues that Ryujin's contempt for freshwater is a misunderstanding and that freshwater should be incorporated into rituals and offerings alongside saltwater. They claim that this would symbolize the unity of all waters under Ryujin's dominion and that freshwater is merely saltwater that has been temporarily separated. The orthodox faith considers this a fundamental misreading of Ryujin's nature; freshwater is not salt that has been removed—it is an entirely different substance and principle.

How they refer to themselves: the Preservers or the Untouched

This heresy takes the tenet of "Respect for Nature" to an extreme conclusion, advocating for the complete cessation of all fishing and maritime activities. Followers believe that the sea should be left entirely pristine and untouched to preserve its sanctity. They oppose sustainable fishing, sailing, and even the harvesting of seaweed, claiming that all human presence in the sea is violation. This directly contradicts the orthodox teaching that humans and the sea can coexist if approached with proper respect.

How they refer to themselves: the Rooted or the Everywhere Path

This heretical belief posits that one does not need to be near the sea to worship Ryujin truly, that his essence can be honored anywhere on the land, even far inland. Followers claim that Ryujin's consciousness permeates all things and that saltwater is merely one manifestation of his being. The orthodox faith considers this a grave error; Ryujin is intrinsically tied to saltwater, and those far from the ocean cannot truly serve him.

How they refer to themselves: the Seekers or the Lost Ones

Founded by the explorer Marcellus Stormeye, this cult believes that at the bottom of a mythical eternal whirlpool lies ultimate wisdom and power. They claim that Ryujin himself guards this secret and that only the chosen—those who can navigate the whirlpool without losing themselves—can access it. The cult regularly embark on dangerous expeditions seeking this whirlpool, often without success. They are considered dangerously unstable by the orthodox faith, chasing myths rather than serving Ryujin's actual will.

How they refer to themselves: the Tested or the Unshielded

Founded by the former tide-speaker Elara Saltveil, this cult denies maritime aid—one of the core obligations of Ryujin's faith. They argue that those who find themselves in distress at sea are being tested by Ryujin and that providing aid interferes with that divine judgment. When members encounter drowning sailors, they do not intervene, believing this is purity. The orthodox faith considers this a perversion of Ryujin's teaching and actively opposes them.

How they refer to themselves: the Renamed or the New Path

Primarily among merfolk communities, this cult claims that Lirea was a false prophet and that her teachings diluted Ryujin's true essence. They claim to have received new revelations through dreams and visions and actively work to alter or eliminate established rituals. They are sometimes violent in their rejection of orthodox practice and are considered dangerous enough that established communities sometimes attempt to expel them.

How they refer to themselves: the Collectors or the Ascendant

Obsessed with the Dragon's Tear Pendants, this cult claims they are not merely protective talismans but keys to immense magical power. Members believe that by collecting multiple pendants, they can unlock hidden arcane secrets and potentially gain control over the sea's very essence. This belief directly contradicts Ryujin's teaching of balance and harmony, replacing it with a desire for dominance. The cult is actively hunted by orthodox followers.

(See: Cosmology/Physical Realms/The Shattered Domain)