Zeboim, the Sea Queen
Introduction
In the world of Dragonlance, where gods shape the destinies of mortals, Zeboim reigns over the unpredictable, merciless forces of the sea and storm. Known as the Sea Queen, the Tempest’s Fury, and the Lady of the Deep, she is the divine embodiment of chaos, power, and relentless destruction.
As one of the Gods of Evil, Zeboim does not seek conquest like Takhisis or vengeance like Sargonnas. Instead, she thrives in instability and destruction, reveling in the fear of sailors, the rage of tempests, and the cruel, uncaring vastness of the ocean. She is as fickle as the tide, bringing calm waters one day and furious storms the next, worshiped by those who seek her favor—or fear her wrath.
Origins and Role Among the Gods
Zeboim, born from the High God’s creation, embodies the wild, untamed nature of Krynn’s seas. While gods like Habbakuk seek harmony with the ocean, Zeboim claims it as her domain of chaos and destruction. She views the sea as hers alone, and those who sail upon it owe her their respect, their fear, and sometimes, their lives.
Unlike gods who seek order or morality, Zeboim follows her own whims. She is a god of impulsiveness and raw emotion, lashing out in anger one moment and offering unexpected mercy the next. Even her most devoted followers cannot predict her moods, for she is as changeable as the waves.
Domains and Influence
Zeboim is the goddess of:
- The Sea and Storms – Controlling the waters and the chaos within them.
- Destruction and Fury – Bringing ruin through hurricanes, shipwrecks, and tidal waves.
- Greed and Impulse – Encouraging selfish desires and reckless ambition.
- Chaos and Unpredictability – Acting without pattern or reason, following only her whims.
Her influence is strongest among sailors, pirates, storm sorcerers, and those who fear the sea’s rage.
Zeboim’s Followers and Their Ways
Zeboim’s worshipers do not serve her out of love, but out of fear and necessity. To anger the Storm Mistress is to risk a watery grave, an endless tempest, or worse—the curse of eternal drowning.
Her followers include:
- Sailors and Fishermen – Those who beg her for calm waters and safe passage.
- Pirates and Smugglers – Those who embrace the chaos of the sea.
- Storm Sorcerers and Elementalists – Those who wield the fury of the ocean in her name.
- Warlords and Tyrants – Those who, like Zeboim, rule through force and fear.
Many do not worship Zeboim willingly—they sacrifice to her, fearing what will happen if they do not.
Symbols and Worship
Zeboim is often depicted as a fierce, green-skinned woman with flowing seaweed hair, her eyes flashing like lightning, her body wreathed in storm clouds. Sometimes, she appears as a massive serpent or kraken, rising from the depths to claim ships that defy her.
Her sacred symbols include:
- A crashing wave – Representing the fury of the ocean.
- A trident wreathed in lightning – A symbol of her dominion over sea and storm.
- A coiled serpent – Signifying her cunning and unpredictable nature.
Temples to Zeboim are rare, but shrines are often built along coastlines, where sailors leave offerings in hopes of mercy. Even the most devout followers never trust her fully, for her favor is as fleeting as the tide.
Worship and Rituals
Zeboim’s worship is rooted in appeasement, sacrifice, and fear. Her followers do not pray for blessings—they pray that she does not notice them at all.
Key rituals include:
- The Tide Offering – A tradition where sailors throw coins, jewels, or even live animals into the sea before a voyage, hoping to buy Zeboim’s favor.
- The Drowning Ritual – A dark ceremony where a follower is cast into the ocean, either as a test of faith or a sacrifice to the goddess.
- The Storm’s Mercy – A desperate plea for survival, where those caught in her tempests promise lifelong servitude if she spares them.
Zeboim demands loyalty, but not trust, for she is cruel even to those who serve her.
Allies and Rivals Among the Gods
As a God of Evil, Zeboim often works alongside:
- Takhisis, the Queen of Darkness, though she resents being commanded.
- Sargonnas, whom she shares a fiery passion and rivalry with, sometimes as an ally, sometimes as an enemy.
- Hiddukel, whose greed and deception amuse her.
However, she despises:
- Habbakuk, god of nature and the sea’s harmony, whom she sees as a weak fool.
- Mishakal, goddess of healing, who opposes the suffering Zeboim spreads.
- Majere, god of wisdom, whose patience infuriates her.
Zeboim’s true allegiance is only to herself—even her allies know that she could turn against them on a whim.
Zeboim in Legends and Stories
The Doomed Fleet
One of the most famous tales of Zeboim tells of a mighty armada that set sail without offering her tribute. As the fleet crossed the sea, a single, green-skinned woman appeared on the deck of the lead ship.
She smiled—and then the sky turned black, the winds screamed, and the ocean rose in fury. By dawn, nothing remained but shattered wood and drowned corpses. From that day on, no sailor dared set sail without paying their due.
The Betrayal of the Pirate King
Another story speaks of a pirate king who once swore his undying loyalty to Zeboim. She granted him calm waters, countless riches, and victory in every battle—until the day he claimed he no longer needed her.
On the night of his greatest triumph, his ship was dragged beneath the waves, and his soul was cursed to wander the depths forever, unable to die, unable to escape. Even today, sailors claim to hear his ghostly cries on stormy nights.