Kumugwe (Qaniqilak)

Kumugwe (also known as Qaniqilak) is the deity of the undersea world in the Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuxalk culture. He is depicted as having attributes of sea creatures, such as rounded fish eyes, gills, fins, and octopus-like suction cups. He is master of seals and his house under the sea is guarded by octopi. He has the power to see the future, heal the sick, and bestow powers on those he favors. Masks of Kumugwe often depict him as having a sea creature-like appearance.

• Deity Title: Copper-Maker
• Deity Symbol: Octopus
• Home Plane: Elemental Plane of Water
• Deity Level: Unknown
• Alignment: Neutral
• Aliases: Kumugwe, Wealthy One, Qaniqilak (spirit of the summer fishing season)
• Superior: Unknown
• Traditional Allies: Sea creatures such as loons, seals, sea lions, octopi, orcas, and sculpins, Tlakwakilayokwa (Copper Maker’s wife), Kominaga
• Traditional Foes: Thunderbird (Tseiqami, spirit of the Winter Dance season)
• Divine Artifact: Unknown
• Servants: Cecaelia
• Servitor Creatures:Octopi, sea creatures (loons, seals, sea lions, orcas, sculpins, Devilfish)
• Sacred Animal: Seals, sea lions
• Manifestations: Rising and ebbing of the tides, sea creature attributes
• Signs of Favor: Unknown
• Worshipers: Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuxalk people, Cecaelia
• Cleric Alignments: Neutral /Chaotic Neutral
• Specialty Priests: Unknown
• Holy Days: Unknown
• Portfolio: Undersea world, riches, tides, future, healing, bestowing powers Domains: Water, Wealth, Healing
• Favored Weapon: Spear
• Favored Class: Unknown
• Favored Race: Cecaelia
• Duties of the Priesthood: Worship, protect and spread the teachings of Copper-Maker, preserve and use the gifts given by Copper-Maker, possibly seeking out heroes to send on quests to Copper-Maker’s abode
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: Undersea abode of Copper-Maker
• Favored Race: Cecaelia
• Benefits: Riches, spirit magic, teachings of the ways of the sea, gifts of blankets, coppers, songs, masks, and regalia, potentially enhanced healing and future-seeing abilities, power granted by Copper-Maker.

Kumugwe (also known as Qaniqilak) is depicted as a powerful god of the undersea world. He has a house under the sea filled with riches and is the master of seals and sea lions. He is sometimes portrayed in the form of an octopus and is said to be so large that when he rises to the surface of the sea, his head appears as an island.

Masks of Kumugwe often show him with sea creature attributes such as round fish eyes, rows of gills at the corners of his mouth, fins encircling his head, suction cups of an octopus, and fish and aquatic birds that frame or sit upon his head. He is depicted with a fearsome presence, yet also with a wise and knowledgeable demeanor.

In his octopus form, Kumugwe has many arms, each with suction cups, symbolizing his power and ability to grasp and hold. His fins are sometimes depicted as the wings of a bird, representing his ability to soar and traverse both the sea and air.

Overall, Kumugwe is a fascinating and intricate deity with both intimidating and awe-inspiring physical attributes, embodying the mystery and power of the sea and the creatures that inhabit it.

Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuxalk god of the undersea world. He has a house under the sea filled with riches, and his name means “wealthy one”. He is sometimes identified as one and the same as Qaniqilak, the spirit of the summer fishing season, and is then regarded as the adversary of Tseiqami, the spirit of the Winter Dance season, otherwise known as Thunderbird.

He is master of the seals, and the posts and beams of his house are living sea lions. Sometimes he appears on the surface of the sea, but his head is so big that it looks like an island. He is responsible for the rising and ebbing of the tides, as well as the riches these tides deposit on beaches, and those claimed by the vagueries of sea weather, both material and human lives. One terrific story recounts how he eats human eyes as if they were crab apples. Kumugwe has the power to see into the future, heal the sick and injured, and bestow powers on those whom he favors.

Many heros went on quests to reach his undersea abode; those who made it were rewarded with riches and spirit magic. His world is guarded by the Octopus (Use Kraken Stats). Sometimes Kumugwe himself is conceived of in octopus form. Kumugwe would teach the hero who entered his abode the ways of the sea, and give him gifts of blankets, coppers, songs, masks, and regalia. These items of mystical regalia are called Tlugwe (or Tlokwe) in Kwak’wala.

One of Kumugwe’s epithets is “Copper Maker.” He has a wife named Tlakwakilayokwa, which means “Born to Be Copper Maker’s Woman.” She is also sometimes named Kominaga.

Masks of Kumugwe often show him with sea creature attributes, such as rounded fish eyes, and rows of gills at the corners of his mouth, not to mention fins encircling his head, the suction cups of an octopus, fish and aquatic birds which frame or sit upon his head. His most important totemic animals are loons, seals, sea lions, octopi, orcas, and sculpins.

Kumugwe, God of the Sea and Underwater Life

Medium humanoid (god), chaotic neutral

Armor Class: 25 (natural armor, bracers of defense)

Hit Points: 450 (30d8 + 300)

Speed: 40 ft., swim 90 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	WIS	INT	CHA
28 (+9)	26 (+8)	30 (+10)	24 (+7)	22 (+6)	28 (+9)

Skills: Athletics +18, Perception +14

Senses: passive Perception 24, blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft.

Languages: all languages

Divine Spellcasting: Kumugwe can cast any spell from the domains of Nature, Tempest, and Trickery, without the need for material components.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day): If Kumugwe fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Amphibious: Kumugwe can breathe air and water.

Water Form: Kumugwe can transform into a whirlpool, becoming an object and gaining resistance to all damage. While in this form, he can move through water as if it were difficult terrain.

Actions:

Multiattack: Kumugwe makes three trident attacks.

Trident: Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (3d12 + 9) piercing damage.

Wave Blast: Kumugwe unleashes a blast of water in a 120 ft. cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 25 Strength saving throw, taking 66 (12d10) bludgeoning damage and being knocked prone on a failed save, or half as much damage and not being knocked prone on a successful one.

Legendary Actions:

Kumugwe can take 3 legendary actions per turn, choosing from the options below:

• Attack: Kumugwe makes one trident attack.
• Water Form (Costs 2 Actions): Kumugwe transforms into a whirlpool.
• Call of the Depths (Costs 3 Actions): Kumugwe unleashes a deafening call, summoning 1d4 krakens to fight alongside him for 1 hour.

Equipment: trident, bracers of defense

Divine Artifact: Crown of the Tides – This magical crown allows the wearer to control the currents and tides of the ocean, as well as to communicate telepathically with all sea creatures.

Challenge Rating: 28 (120,000 XP)

Lair Actions:

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Kumugwe can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

• A powerful current swirls through the area, forcing all creatures to make a DC 25 Strength saving throw or be pushed 60 ft. in a random direction.
• The sea creatures in the area become frenzied, granting them advantage on all attack rolls until the end of Kumugwe’s next turn.
• The area becomes wreathed in a thick fog, obscuring all vision beyond 10 ft. until the end of Kumugwe’s next turn.

Regional Effects:

The region within 6 miles of Kumugwe’s lair is subject to the following effects:

• Water Breathing: Creatures that enter the area gain the ability to breathe underwater for 24 hours.
• Sea Creatures: The area is teeming with sea life, and aquatic creatures are more common than usual. Additionally, Kumugwe can communicate telepathically with all sea creatures within this area.
• Stormy Seas: The weather in the area is often turbulent, with sudden storms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. The sea is also more treacherous, and navigation checks are made with disadvantage.
• Underwater Visibility: The water in the area is exceptionally clear, and visibility underwater is increased to 120 feet. However, this also means that creatures and objects are more easily seen by others.
• Tidal Shifts: The tides in the area are affected by Kumugwe’s presence, and can rise or fall by as much as 10 feet. This can create powerful currents and dangerous undertows, making swimming and sailing more challenging.

Note: These effects only apply while Kumugwe is alive and active in the area. If Kumugwe is slain or departs the region, the effects gradually fade over the course of several days.