Avishraa Reloaded

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====== Hunor ======
**Hunor the Waterlifter** is one of the [[mythology:imperial_religion:siathar:#the_children|Children]], and the patron deity of a rather specialized profession.

In the forests of the [[geography:sekhaa:region:cerulean_tangle]], the original heartland of the [[mythology:imperial_religion:]], water is plentiful; where the land is flat, it can be easily diverted from rivers through ditches, and where it is steep, it can be captured from rain, which is plentiful, or rain-fed streams. In the deserts of the [[geography:sekhaa:region:brightness]], however, matters are more complicated. Settlements near a river on flat land may still divert water through ditches, but not as far before it evaporates; and where the topography is even slightly uncooperative, simple ditches will not do, and rain cannot be relied upon. For this reason, [[takma:]] settlement in the Brightness is sparse and highly concentrated around rivers; but there are always newcomers seeking room, and the best land has already been taken.

Therefore the occupation of waterlifter is an important one for those not living directly on the river. For rests at a stretch, these folk stride on treadmills in the heat of the desert sun and in the chill of the desert night, powering the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes'_screw|screwpumps]] that move water up and away from its natural courses. Their work is physically demanding, spiritually draining, and mentally unstimulating, and it is Hunor they turn to to get them through their turns on the treadmills. He has become an important god in the last twenty cycles or so, in keeping with the fortunes of His flock; for as more settlers set up in the desert, more waterlifters are needed to supply them. The members of the group have therefore become not only numerous, but aware of their own effect on society; simply by ceasing to work, they can hold entire villages hostage.

The earliest settlers of this period found waterlifting to be a menial job, and therefore it tended to fall on unattached males, who were most in need for a ways to earn their keep. These began forming bands of waterlifters for mutual support. Over time, these have grown into widespread networks with some resemblance to Earthly trade unions or guilds. Though the work does not require skilled labor and, in theory, any physically fit takma could be a waterlifter, the harshness of the conditions means that there must be multiple waterlifters to each pump - at least three is best - to take turns while the others rest. This means that, in a sparsely populated environment, waterlifters make up a relatively large percentage of the labor force, and if they so choose are in a position to enforce their control of the water supply.

{{tag>wip}}