Religions & Deities

Internal Schisms:
Despite its deep roots, Engrenism is far from monolithic. In recent generations, internal rifts have grown—most notably with the rise of the Engrenist Zealots. Led by the formidable Archdruid Eohgan, this radical sect seeks to purify the faith and assert spiritual authority over Melona’s rulers. Their fervor often brings them into direct conflict with the more moderate clergy and the Melonian crown, whose leaders must navigate a delicate balance between tradition and progress.

Cultural Pressures:
Beyond Melona’s borders, Engrenism faces persistent challenges from Vulsrian Odirinists. As Odirinist influence spreads, Melonian communities along the frontier grapple with cultural assimilation, syncretism, and the fear of losing ancestral rites. These tensions spark debates over identity, belonging, and the true path of devotion—fueling both creative exchange and bitter dispute.

External Threats and Environmental Strife:
The Melonian reverence for land and sea stands in stark contrast to the practices of their Roustan neighbors from Roustachia. For years, Roustan dredging fleets have haunted the coastal borders, harvesting minerals and leaving devastated ocean ecosystems in their wake. The scars of their industry run deep—disrupting sacred breeding grounds, silencing ancient kelp forests, and endangering species revered in Engrenist lore.
This relentless exploitation has become a rallying cry for the Engrenist Zealots, who view the Roustans’ actions as sacrilege against Allornon and the natural order. Tensions flare along the coast, with Zealot-led protests, clandestine acts of sabotage, and impassioned pleas to the Melonian crown for decisive action. For many Melonians, the Roustan disregard for nature is not simply a political affront, but a spiritual wound—one that threatens the very soul of their homeland.

The Emerald Coast: Sacred Ground and Wounded Memory:

The Emerald Coast, a stretch of Melonian shoreline famed for its black sands, glittering emerald dust, and crystalline springs, has long been a symbol of natural beauty and spiritual significance. Its fertile waters and mineral-rich beaches once sustained generations of Melonian fishermen and druids, who tended the land with reverence and ritual.
A century ago, this sanctuary was shattered. Roustan raiders, driven by greed for the coast’s hidden wealth, swept in from Roustachia—massacring a peaceful fishing settlement and slaying a revered druid whose memory is still honored in Engrenist rites. Though the village has since been rebuilt, the trauma endures: Roustan dredgers still haunt the horizon, their ships a grim reminder of past violence and ongoing threat.
In the aftermath, the Vulsrian Army—answering Melona’s desperate call—drove back the invaders and established a garrison along the Emerald Coast. Their presence brought a fragile sense of security, but at a steep price: in exchange for protection, the Vulsrians claim 65% of the region’s harvests, leaving many Melonians in hardship.
This uneasy alliance fuels deep divisions. The Engrenist Zealots, already embittered by foreign desecration, now denounce the Vulsrians as oppressors—naming them enemies alongside the Roustans. Yet the Melonian crown, wary of renewed Roustan aggression, permits the Vulsrian garrison to remain, prioritizing survival over pride. In the shadow of the Emerald Coast’s emerald sands, faith, politics, and memory entwine—each tide bringing fresh questions of loyalty, justice, and the true cost of peace.