Based on south american native societies, run by a priesthood, worship the Great Serpent Oovi- antagonist of Tall Papa, constantly at war with Cradle
Il-Oovi sits in the north, containing sprawling marshes. It is bordered to the west by The Weld, which separates it from Cim-Khetar. To the south Jaeter Grove is its disputed border with Cradle which turns from forest to rainforest as it extends into Il-Oovi. To its east is an established border with Althum. The northern sea, Oov-Rasha- Birth of Oov- is an area of consistent storms which have only been getting worse as the years pass.
Worships the Sleeping Serpent/Great Serpent, Oovi, who can always be seen from the top of the jade pyramid at the center of the city; the people of Il-Oovi are allowed to travel to the top platform freely.
Oovi is a deity that predates all life, and comes from a time before the planes were truly separated. It is said that Oovi conquered this plane as a vassal to the water plane until a being from the plane of earth became trapped there. Oovi gave this earth creature known as Tall Papa a small kingdom to live and create on, but Tall Papa was not content to only have this area and began to throw stones at Oovi. For three thousand years, Oovi let the giant throw his stones- and even place objects in the sky, until one day the giant grew belligerent and grabbed Oovi by the tail to demand more. Oovi declined and attempted to flee until the giants head was more level, but the giants anger was too great and he began to spar with Oovi. the fight lasted one hundred years before Oovi delivered a mortal blow to the giant, who fell with his hand still stretched out trying to kill the Great Serpent. However, Oovi too was wounded and needed to rest. So it took to the sky and stretched out above its now reclaimed kingdom to sleep until its strength returns and it awakens to take all of its followers into the water plane where they can assimilate into the Grand Sea.
Il-Oovi means “Land of Oovi”, the climate is hot and wet and storms span the area. It ranges from rainforests to marshes and swamps, with the people of the land relying on the forests and creatures to protect them, while the heavy storms of the northern coast and lack of lighthouses protect them in the Oov-Rasha, the “Birth of Oov”, which is the sea to the north. As the undead cannot cross water, The Weld protects the people of Il-Oovi from the growing plague of Cim-Khetar- as far as they are aware.
While not completely organized, the society of Il-Oovi is that of priests led by a High Fane and their multiple Fanes below them. The names and faces, and even numbers, of the Fanes are not known, as they never leave the jade pyramid at the center of the city, the Oovidium. Each Fane has at least one Mouth that receives directions from Oovidium to give to the people of Il-Oovi.
Currently there are 12 Mouths that effectively lead the city, giving direct orders to citizens, guards, shopkeeps, etc. They are Hashir, Aeron, Talilat, Yoruji, Ituma, Slan, Retsu, Horin, Balthez, Simion, Galia, Falsin. They can give orders personally, or if it is more important/less secretive they will have people gather around the Oovidium and all deliver their message from there, with guards spreading the message out to those who did not gather.
The center of the “city” of Il-Oovi is the Oovidium, with the farms of the rich surrounding it, and regular housing and shops surrounding them in no particular order. Housing ranges from grand jade halls for the rich, to huts and treehouses for others. Most people in Il-Oovi live near the pyramid, as their devotion to Oovi is strong and dozens of citizens travel to the top platform daily.
While the High Fane and other Fanes lead the city, the rich farm owners have their own sway with the public, regularly taking in serfs to work the farms. Many gladly accept the position, as consistent food, housing, and protection are the benefits- as well as being closer to the Oovidium than they would otherwise be. In addition, if a serf feels mistreated they are allowed to challenge their benefactor- who will typically send their strongest hired hand in the stead- to a duel. If the serf wins, they may take control of the farm and wealth and decide the fate of their former benefactor. If the serf loses the duel, they are cast out into wilds.
The major races of Il-Oovi are human and yuan-ti humanoids, but lizardfolk and dragonborn also thrive here.
The Il-Oovi military consists of elite guards and common farmers trained to wield the jade weaponry Il-Oovi is known for. Most able-bodied citizens are happy to join the standing garrison, as that means they can serve Il-Oovi til death.
Worship. Cunning. Use the lands protection, and its gifts. Pick your battles carefully. Those with serpentine blood are most deserving of Oovi’s blessings.
Have always been warring, most recent peace treaty signed less than a year before.
Cim-Khetar:Former trade relationship, stopped hearing from them months ago and now with rumors of a plague, scouts watch The Weld daily.
Brekkon:While most hate the beastfolk, Il-Oovians do not have any ill-will towards them. However, as they are south of Cradle, there is not real relationship between the two and they rarely get word from Brekkon.
Biis:Citizens of Il-Oovi believe that the denizens of Biis are attempting to reach Oovi, and there is mixed sentiment about this. Some are happy that others would like to awaken the Great Serpent, while others think they are flying too close to the sun and that Oovi will awaken when it is ready and not a moment before.
Althum:Strong trade agreement, minor military assistance in the form of occasional naval patrols. Many fleeing from Il-Oovi due to the war have traveled with caravans or by ship along the Make-Way-Shore to Althum.
Essilada:Trade jade and various cattle to them for their various crystals. They send trade ships out to Il-Oovi but no Il-Oovian has been across the strait to visit Essilada.