Goddess, Arnapkapfaaluk (Inuit)

“Inuit Sea Goddess Arnapkapfaaluk: From Forbidden Love to Diverse Offspring” 

Arnapkapfaaluk is a powerful sea goddess worshiped by the Inuit people of North America. Known as the Sky Mother and the Birthgiver, Arnapkapfaaluk holds a position similar to Sedna, the goddess of the sea and marine animals. However, while Sedna is seen as a provider and nurturer, Arnapkapfaaluk is feared and respected.

• Pantheon: North American Pantheon
• Deity Title: The Sky Mother, The Birthgiver, The Bringer of Maize
• Deity Symbol: A symbol of a woman with a large sea mammal in one hand and a harpoon in the other.
• Home Plane: Elemental Plane of Water
• Deity Level: Intermediate deity
• Alignment: Neutral Evil
• Aliases: Big bad woman
• Superior: None
• Traditional Allies: Akhlut
• Traditional Foes: Sedna
• Divine Artifact: A harpoon made from a narwhal tusk that is said to increase the success of hunting trips.
• Servants: None
• Servitor Creatures: Akhlut
• Sacred Animal: Sea mammals such as seals and whales.
• Manifestations: A sudden change in sea conditions, a large wave, the call of a sea mammal.
• Signs of Favor: A successful hunting trip, finding a rare sea mammal, unexpected wealth related to fishing or hunting.
• Worshipers: Hunters, fishermen, those seeking wealth from the sea.
• Cleric Alignments: Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil, Lawful Evil
• Specialty Priests: Hunters, fishermen
• Holy Days: The first day of the hunting season, the first day of the fishing season.
• Domains: Hunting, Fishing, Wealth, Water
• Favored Weapon: Harpoon
• Favored Class: Ranger
• Favored Race: Inuit
• Duties of the Priesthood: To assist hunters and fishermen on their trips, to teach the importance of respecting the animals of the sea, to bring wealth through hunting and fishing.
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: Coastal communities, sacred hunting and fishing grounds.
• Benefits: Increased success in hunting and fishing trips, protection from sea monsters, wealth and prosperity related to hunting and fishing.

Arnapkapfaaluk, known as the “big bad woman,” stands as a formidable sea goddess within the Inuit pantheon. Her power transcends mere reverence; it invokes both awe and trepidation among those who sail the icy waters of Canada’s Coronation Gulf area.

Who Is Arnapkapfaaluk?

• Sea Goddess: Arnapkapfaaluk holds dominion over the Arctic seas, the marine creatures, and the hidden currents. Her essence is woven into the frost-kissed waves.
• Fear and Respect: Unlike Sedna, the benevolent provider, Arnapkapfaaluk inspires fear in hunters. She is not to be trifled with.
• Resource Keeper: She controls the seals, walruses, and other marine mammals. Yet, she can withhold them if taboos are broken or disrespect shown.
• Complexity: Arnapkapfaaluk embodies both creation and withholding—the delicate balance between life and death beneath the frozen waves.

Purpose and Role

• Resource Guardian: Arnapkapfaaluk’s purpose lies in safeguarding the sea’s resources. She grants success to those who honor her, withholding bounty from the reckless.
• Wealth and Peril: Signs of her favor include successful hunts, rare sea mammals, and unexpected wealth. Yet, she can also unleash sea monsters upon the unwary.
• Holy Days: The first day of hunting and fishing seasons marks her influence. Rituals appease her, ensuring fruitful expeditions.
• Inuit Connection: Arnapkapfaaluk’s worshipers include hunters, fishermen, and those seeking protection. Her priesthood mediates disputes and acts as stewards of the sea.

Depiction

• Intimidating Beauty: Her regal bearing commands respect. Despite her fearsome aura, there’s a haunting beauty—an allure that draws sailors and shamans alike.
• Blue Skin: Her deep-blue skin mirrors the ocean’s depths. It whispers of forgotten shipwrecks and drowned sailors.
• Harpoon: Her favored weapon, a narwhal tusk harpoon, symbolizes both hunting prowess and the delicate balance of life and death.

Arnapkapfaaluk, the enigma of the Arctic seas, weaves fate with frost and fury. To behold her is to glimpse eternity—an eternity of storms, secrets, and the ceaseless rhythm of the tides. 

Arnapkapfaaluk, Frost Weaver of the Arctic

Large celestial (deity), neutral

Armor Class 25 (natural armor)
Hit Points 800 (40d20 + 400)
Speed 60 ft., swim 60 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
30 (+10)	24 (+7)	30 (+10)	24 (+7)	30 (+10)	28 (+9)

Saving Throws Str +18, Dex +15, Con +18, Int +15, Wis +20, Cha +17
Skills Perception +20, Stealth +15
Damage Resistances cold
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 30
Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.

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

Frost Mastery: Arnapkapfaaluk’s presence chills the air. Creatures within 60 feet of her have disadvantage on saving throws against cold damage.

Domain Abilities:

• Cold Mastery: Arnapkapfaaluk’s mastery over frost extends beyond mortal comprehension. She can manipulate ice and snow effortlessly.
  • Icy Step: She can move across icy surfaces without slipping or leaving tracks.
  • Frozen Aura: Creatures starting their turn within 30 feet of Arnapkapfaaluk take 18 (4d8) cold damage unless they succeed on a DC 24 Constitution saving throw.
• Fishing Blessing: Arnapkapfaaluk can breathe underwater indefinitely and has advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks related to swimming. She can communicate telepathically with aquatic creatures within 120 feet.
• Wealth’s Bounty: Arnapkapfaaluk can create food and water at will, providing sustenance for herself and others. Once per day, she can cast the spell Fabricate without expending a spell slot, shaping raw materials into valuable items.
• Water’s Embrace: Arnapkapfaaluk can cast the spell Control Water at will, manipulating water currents, creating whirlpools, or parting bodies of water. She can also freeze water surfaces, creating treacherous ice floes.

Spells: Arnapkapfaaluk can cast the following spells at will, without expending spell slots:

• 1st Level: Create or Destroy Water, Ice Knife
• 2nd Level: Gust of Wind, Hold Person
• 3rd Level: Sleet Storm, Water Walk
• 4th Level: Control Water, Ice Storm
• 5th Level: Cone of Cold, Insect Plague

Actions:

• Frostweave (Recharge 5–6): Arnapkapfaaluk weaves frost into existence, shaping it into a powerful attack.
  • Ranged Spell Attack: +18 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 36 (4d12 + 10) cold damage. The target must succeed on a DC 24 Constitution saving throw or be restrained by icy bonds until the end of its next turn.
• Glacial Breath (Recharge 6): Arnapkapfaaluk exhales a blast of freezing air in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw, taking 72 (16d8) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.
• Harpoon Strike: Arnapkapfaaluk hurls her divine narwhal tusk harpoon at a target.
  • Ranged Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 48 (6d12 + 10) piercing damage. On a successful hit, the target is also grappled (escape DC 24). While grappled, the target takes 18 (4d8) cold damage at the start of each of its turns.

Lair Actions:

• On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Arnapkapfaaluk takes a lair action. She can use one of the following options:
  • Freezing Currents: Arnapkapfaaluk manipulates the water around her. All water surfaces within 120 feet become difficult terrain until the end of her next turn.
  • Icy Mirage: Arnapkapfaaluk creates illusory icebergs and fog. All creatures within 60 feet must make a DC 24 Wisdom saving throw or become blinded until the end of their next turn.
  • Chilling Aura: Arnapkapfaaluk’s presence intensifies. All creatures within 30 feet take 18 (4d8) cold damage unless they succeed on a DC 24 Constitution saving throw.

Regional Effects:

• The region within 1 mile of her lair is affected by her frosty influence:
  • Frozen Seas: Water surfaces freeze, creating ice floes and treacherous terrain. Creatures moving across the ice must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
  • Whale Songs: The haunting songs of distant whales echo through the air, granting advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks related to sea creatures.
  • Wealth of the Tides: Fishing and hunting yields are doubled within the region. Fishermen and hunters find their catches more abundant and valuable.

Divine Artifact:

• Narwhal Tusk Harpoon: Arnapkapfaaluk wields a divine harpoon made from a narwhal tusk. This harpoon can pierce any material, bypassing resistances and immunities. When thrown, it returns to her hand instantly.

Relationships:

• Sedna: Arnapkapfaaluk and Sedna share a complex relationship. Sedna’s dominion over aquatic animals sometimes clashes with Arnapkapfaaluk’s frosty influence.
• Nanuq (Polar Bear): Nanuq serves as Arnapkapfaaluk’s loyal guardian, defending her icy domain.

Challenge Rating (CR): Arnapkapfaaluk’s formidable powers and mastery over frost, water, and Arctic creatures warrant a Challenge Rating (CR) of 34. She is a force to be reckoned with, capable of shaping the very elements to her will.