| Domain: | Water, Oceans, and Sailors |
| Symbol: | A three-masted ship, held by a giant octopus, on a stormy sea |
| Deity Alignment: | Chaotic Neutral |
| Worshipers: | Any |
Jvelto appears as a robust, older man with weathered skin, a long dark beard (sometimes streaked with grey or white), and twinkling blue eyes. He is tall, large, and strong, with a large belly due to centuries of prolonged drinking. He often carries a trident, and is shown riding about in his dolphin-drawn chariot, usually accompanied by numerous scantily clad mermaids. He wears a variety of simple clothing in blue, white and sea green, which is usually covered by scale armor.
Though Jvelto does in fact have enemies, he is perhaps the most difficult of the deities for even the evil ones to dislike. Fun-loving, tolerant and famous for his booming laughter, Jvelto is always good company. He is quick to anger but just as quick to forgive and forget. The Oceanlord is not one to hold a grudge. He spends much of his time drinking, gambling and womanizing, and spares little thought for serious matters. Though accused by some of being unpredictable and unreliable, Jvelto is loyal to a fault, and never hesitates to come to the aid of a friend in need (even if he´s not sober).
Sailors, pirates, fisherman, and merchants make up the vast majority of Jvelto´s flock. However, all who live near or travel by water pay homage to the Lifegiver. As his clerics bless and purify drinking water, even those who live inland honor Jvelto. Also, Jvelto´s Day during the Festival of Estereal is perhaps the most popular holiday in Hurva.
Jvelto´s closest companion among the pantheon is Torodin, who joins him in raucous drinking and nymph-chasing binges on regular occassions. Jvelto also enjoys gambling with Remiére, and is said to be in love with Wajen, with whom he shares many children. Jvelto seems to get along with all of the deities most of the time, and fight with most of the deities some of the time. He is perfectly capable of punching a god who irritates him without regard to the consequences, and yet his usual patience makes him one of the few who can tolerate the company of Skah for any length of time.
Jvelto shares Torodin´s opinion that Estereal is too serious and Azkal doesn´t have enough fun. But unlike the Shadowlord, he prefers constant attempts to loosen them up rather than simply avoiding them.
Other than Torodin and a few drinking and gambling companions, Jvelto spends most of his time among the female deities, particularly the nubile and willing ones.
Though Jvelto always supports his allies when they are attacked by the evil deities, he never provokes conflict unless it is out of a desire to revenge and injured friend or ally. He doesn´t particularly like Athelstan or claim to understand Othniel, but he is content to leave them alone as long as they do the same for him. For Jvelto, conflict simply gets in the way of more important matters, like drinking and fornicating.
Although there were attempts in the past for merchants with shipping interests to send their youngest sons to the priesthood, the church of Jvelto tends to reject disciples it regards as too serious or practical. Though former sailors and fishermen do make up a small portion of the priesthood, most come from a variety of disparate backgrounds. The only requirement for a priest seems to be a sense of fun, and a willingness to boldly go wherever the Oceanlord send them. Many priests of Jvelto temporarily join ship´s crews, for which service their temple is handsomely rewarded. As such, they are revered by sailors, who regard them as protectors and helpers, in addition to good companions. Priests of Jvelto are generally well regarded by all the people of Hurva, especially those who run taverns.
Priests of Jvelto fall into three distinct sects, immediately obvious by the priest´s sobriquet Those with names beginning in "Jv" form the leaders, administrators, and future leaders of the church. Those with the letters "el" in the first or second syllable of their name are the inland priests who act as caretakers of freshwater bodies. Priests with names ending in "to" look after the sailors and fishermen of Hurva. Despite this organization, visitors to a temple of Jvelto are met with a noisy and seemingly chaotic atmosphere in which it is often difficult to tell the casual parties and celebrations from serious worship services. The priests who are available for those seeking blessings before a voyage often dole out libations along with their blessings, and comely female visitors are often met with additional offers. As temples of Jvelto are usually on or near a body of water, many of the rituals, including baptism, involve full submersion -- the faithful who do not know how to swim either learn quickly or must be rescued by vigilant priests.
Temples of Jvelto are usually on or near the water, and are normally constructed of marble and carved sandstone. In most temples, the foyer contains a ritual bath, and visitors are required to wash hands, face and feet in salt water in a giant clamshell basin. From there, supplicants have a ritual drink of ale from a fountain. About half of the ale in the fountain is from the temple's private stock and the rest is donated by the taverns in town. One aspect of all Jveltoan temples is a long, shallow reflecting pool in the sanctuary. If one has a concern too private or painful to share with the clerics directly, one can write an anonymous note to Jvelto and set it adrift in the pool on a boat with a tiny votive candle. Other aspects of temple decoration and form vary from temple to temple, as the faith is one that encourages variety in all things.
With a few exceptions, temples of Jvelto are haphazardly organized. Plans are often created over ale, and never come to fruition. Jveltoans live in the moment, and as such all worship times are flexible. Supplicants seeking to join in daily services are encouraged to check that day to see when the service will begin (although late comers are welcome). Priests are encouraged to be flexible, open-minded and ready to answer Jvelto´s call, and as such duties assigned are seldom rigid, and often not even clear. Priests of Jvelto are advised as follows:
Seek to serve Jvelto and the fellowship, but do not be blinded by personal ambition. Never forget the jovial nature of the Oceanlord - be mirthful always, for this is the main source of comfort for sailor and barkeep alike. Look after the school, and remember that without the sailors and common folk who come to us for blessings, we would have little purpose in these realms. Don´t be like the priests who are always serious and insist that their worshipers bow and scrape before them -- share a mug and a joke with those who work and travel upon the waters. Remember too, that we must work together with the priests of Jvelto´s brothers and sisters, and it is our calling to keep the others from being too stagnant.
Remember that Jvelto protects his disciples. Don´t be afraid to go overboard. Trust in the Lifegiver, and take chances. Danger is not to be feared -- it will either earn you great success, or a welcome place sharing ale with Jvelto´s Underwater Hall.
Smooth sailing to you. May you live to lift many a tankard, and kiss many a wench. May life bring you strong winds and ever-changing seas.
Some priests of Jvelto travel about the land blessing wells and tending to the faithful. A few always tend to the temple, and participation is required in various holy days (Since Jveltoans love a good party, the only ones their leaders have a hard time getting them to attend are the long and boring ceremonies led by the Esterealeans). Priests take turns reading and addressing concerns of the faithful, and many go out about the town and lands to visit their faithful followings -- priests of Jvelto realize that hardworking sailors and folk do not always have time to come to the temple, but that doesn´t lessen to their devotion to the Lifegiver. Priests are well known for being concerned for their school (who in fact feed them with donations of fish on a regular basis) , and during storms and hurricanes will actually round up the faithful and bring them into the temple for a long and raucous party (knowing that the inebriated are less likely to fear the storms).
Other than these flexible duties, priests have a great deal of time to use as they see fit. Regular reports to the leadership is not required, though such discussions happen often over a tankard or three. The priests spend a great deal of their time drinking, gambling, wenching and having fun. They are known to have a wide variety of friends from all walks of life, as their tolerant nature makes them easy to get along with (and confess to). Among their most common companions are sailors, barkeeps, attractive members of the opposite sex, fishermen, priests of Torodin, and adventurers.
Major temples to Jvelto are found in Istur, Palk, and Reggis. Large shrines are located in Geston, Tonn, and Dalwa. Numerous small shrines are scattered throughout the land, as Jvelto is a very popular deity among the folk of Hurva.
Priests of Jvelto tend to favor blue, sea green and white, and usually don these for holy days and temple services. However, the dress code does not exist as such, and priests wear a wide variety of styles and colors. It is not uncommon for priests to show up at services with clothing stained by ale and torn in a brawl, and no remark is made to the offender.
