Eluvaru

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"Eluvaru swims" Eluvaran Priestess proverb.

Eluvaru, also known as the carp of time, is the cheif deity of all Orta and appears in variations in writings by all sentient races. He represents endurance against chaos and legitimate peaceful protetest. He is general thought of as the first of the Gods to be created before the departure of the four. Eluvaru is also considered the defender of the Human empire. Eluvaru is one of the Planar Paragons.

Places of Worship
Being the major deity of Orta, temples devoted to Eluvaru range from very simple to extremely lavish and complex. The only thing all temples have in common is that they are all built beside a stream or river with a tributary (either natural or fabricated) flowing through the temple.

Devotion and Blessings
Whilst children are allowed to attend services they are not considered devoted to Eluvaru until they are considered mature (Humans and half-elves must be at least thirteen years old, Dwarf Gnome and Dwarvling at least twenty, and Elves at least twenty five). At this age they go through a ceremony were they must ford the tributary which runs through the temple, stopping at the middle and moving their hands through the water. It is consered a great omen if they can catch a fish during this action.

There are two festivals, one furing spring and one during summer devoted to Eluvaru. Each is ten days long, and worshippers share food wine and festivities. Marriages, often take place during these festivals.

Fishing is a common practice of Eluvaru worshippers, but these fish must be caught with a rob and line, the use of nets or trawling is strictly forbidden. Elveday is considered the day of week devoted to Eluvaru and strict worshippers only eat fish and drink water for the whole day.

Blessings are served by the priests of Eluvaru using the water of the ford of their temple, blessing those at the temple by standing in the water and splashing the water onto those that wish to blessed. If a blessing is needed away from the temple, the priest may collect water in a canteen, he must take a drink from the water to ensure it is fresh (if water has been kept so long that it has been allowed to stagnate it isn't useable), he must then pour the water into his hand and sprinkle it over the those he wishes to bless.