The Ancient and Enlightened Society of the Battering Wave

The Ancient and Enlightened Society of the Battering Wave was a secretive organization in the harbor city Port Skaug. The society kept an extremely low profile and its very existence in Port Skaug was vehemently denied in polite company due to the hatred most felt toward their patron goddess, Umberlee. Still, a tiny shrine in an alleyway near the docks always seemed to fill with trinkets and coins (especially during stormy weather), only to be emptied under cover of darkness by her devotees. The Ancient and Enlightened Society of the Battering Wave sought to remind the citizens of Port Skaug of the cruelty of Umberlee and the risks of traveling through her domain.

Rituals

Prior to a voyage, sailors often left small tokens on Umberlee's altar in an alleyway near the Port Skaug wharves in hopes for calm waters. The most common tributes were flowers, candles, coins, and candy. Such tributes were also often paid by merchants who transported their trade cargo by sea. When no other was present, the clergy of Umberlee removed the offerings from the shrines, washing the altars with sea water and kelp to symbolize the goddess claiming her tithe.

Leadership

While the existence of the cult is an open secret to those around Port Skaug's docks, the identity of the leader is known only to Skaug's most influential citizens.