[center][h2] The Mer Saga - Leviane and the Ao [/h2][/center]

The remaining essence of the ocean god hurtled towards its greatest creation at the Monarch of All’s will. As it crossed between heaven and sky, it coagulated into a pearl of the deepest and purest blue. While travelling, it managed to capture a stray wind and accidentally trap it within itself. The water below accepted it greedily, pulling it further down into the depths. 

Within its forms, the last remnants of divine power toiled and roiled. Its new mundane shape was simply unfit to hold it. A large crack ripped open from it. As if to mend itself, its latent power seeped into the opening. Interacting with the salty water, the energy turned to seafoam. 

The ocean desperately grasped its final prize, treating it with its usual kindness, it tossed to and fro as the waves ebbed and flowed. The foam began to shake from it, expelling the stolen wind into a portion of the foam, influencing it in some invisible and intangible ways. Eventually, the foam itself began to shake off and spread around the orb. Only a small nigh invisible piece remained. 

The last inspiration of divinity drained from the orb, forgoing its deep blue to become an opaque white. The color washed from it and into the foam, transforming it into some greater. The most stubborn of the foam drank deepest of the divine blue, and when it properly formed they held the pearl closely. 

The change started peacefully, the newly formed sapients having visions of their creator, Ao-Yurin. They instinctively understood them as a force of nature, beyond mortal concerns of age or gender. They bore witness as a dry and dead planet was given life by their waters. 

However, this peace did not last. The vision turned to Ao-Yurin becoming weak and weary. They understood that their strength was leaving them, but they could not comprehend the truth of the situation. Perhaps some small few gleaned the truth, that their patron god had died before they were ever born, but fewer still would be able to accept it. 

Worse still, several of the group began to try to expel something from their mouths. As if some noxious agent had been caught within their stomach. Eventually, the wheezing stopped however the foreign material remained deeply seeded within them. 

The Pearl-Keeper, Levinane, looked around at their brethren. Beautiful serpentine figures with majestic tail-fins, adorned in skins ranging from the green to greenish blue. Their hands bearing elegant fingers connected by webbing. Life-sustaining gills ran down their neck and tail. Many of the gathered had additional fins on their head and or back. All their eyes had captured and preserved the true color of the pearl. 

And as Levinane looked upon their people, they looked upon them. None questioned the divinity of the pearl, damaged and battered as it were. They instinctively understood its significance, and the significance of being the one trusted to carry it. Confused by the visions which beseeched their creation, they looked upon the Pearl-Keeper for guidance. 

Levinane peered into the pearl, turning it so that its unsightly crack was facing towards the ocean’s bottom. In the pearl, they saw their reflection. Taking a moment to compose themselves, they spoke in the language of the deep, suited for communicating within water instead of air. 

“All the water in the world -- The Mer -- is ours, entrusted to us by the great and mighty Ao-Yurin!” 

She said, turning the orb so that she could where it was damaged before quickly hiding it from her sight again, she continued, “So great their creation, they must rest now. The world is not yet safe for us. We must find a hide-away so that we can flourish and praise the Lord of the Mer. May our songs bid them fair sleep. For we are the great spawn of the God of the Mer, we are the Ao.” 

[hider= Story Summary] Ao’s corpse turns into a pearl that falls into the ocean. Carrying some last bit of divine power, it creates the Ao, and promotes one to champion, Leviane, the Pearl-Keeper. The pearl is cracked and currently powerless, but it is still an important Ao religious symbol. Being born with visions of their god, Ao-Yurin, and their weakening, the Ao look to the Pearl-Keeper for guidance and she states that the Mer, all water on Galbar, is rightful theres and they need to hide-away while Ao-Yurin is sleeping because her creation was so great. [/hider] 

[hider= Vigor Summary]
[i] Vigor provided generously from the water god’s corpse [/i]
[i] Rest in Peace Ao-Yurin [/i]

Created the Ao : Covered in greenish blue scales, gills located on their neck, webbed hands. Occasionally has head or dorsal fins. Can only breathe water, but can hold their breath for hours. Has a mermaid tail with additional gills, always has bright solid blue eyes. 

Imbued Ao with the ability to produce a Merfolk Subspecies, this subspecies will be the focus of a later post. 

Hero-ified an Ao, Leviane, the Pearl Keeper. 

 [/hider] 

[hider= Spirit Summary] 
Leviane, Pearl-Keeper: 2 
Starting 0, +2 for Post 
[/hider]