Kikanuti

Kikanuti was the goddess and principal deity of the Bhuka, a desert dwelling race of goblinoids

History
Kikanuti led the Bhuka people from the underground to the surface in an event called The Emergence. Before this, they would dwell underground in caves referred to as the Womb of Kikanuti, where she nurtured them until they were mature and ready to emerge to the world above, regarded as Kikanuti's Hearth.

Relationships
Kikanuti was the sworn enemy of Maglubiyet, who she saw as a slaver of his followers, keeping them beneath the earth and blind to the joys of life. Maglubiyet coveted Kikanuti's power over the fertility of the earth, and sought to take it for his own to expand his dominion.

Kikanuti had a cordial relationship with Haku, a Zakharan god known as the Master of the Desert Wind, who embodied aspects of the migration that has scattered the Bhuka across the wastes.

Worshippers
Kikanuti was principally worshiped by the Bhuka, and her religion was the glue that hold desert life together for the goblinoid people. Each Bhuka village was lead by a Grandmother, a powerful druid who both oversaw the village council and served as the village's link to Kikanuti by presiding over important village ceremonies. Each village also kept a relic of the Emergence, and when all of these relics were assembled properly, they formed a map to the Womb of Kikanuti, from which the Bhuka emerged.

Every Bhuka village contained a ceremonial pit, dug into a courtyard or sacred cave and covered with a lid made of painted animal hides. This pit, with walls inscribed with traditional symbols depicting The Emergence, was where a number of solemn rituals were held to recall back to the dark world below from which their people emerged. Outsiders were forbidden to enter these sacred pits.

The Bhuka believed Kikanuti guided them by sending her Spirit Children to dwell among them. These Spirit Children were represented by special spirit masks donned by clan elders during special festival dances. The spirits then possessed the elders and were honored through the offering of feast and prayer.

Lord of Tides
Lords of Tides were special spiritual leaders of the Bhuka who had a close connection with Kikanuti. This connection to her power allowed these Lords to better survive the harsh elements of the desert, as well as find water and resources for the clan.

A Lord of Tides was the spiritual center of the tribe, usually leading a group of shaman and held responsibility for seasonal ceremonies, weather magics and the initiation of new members of the clan. Though an important member of the clan, the Lord of Tides still answered to the Grandmother, who held final authority over the clan. Though usually of the Bhuka people, an outsider may be blessed and granted training to become a Lord of Tides, though this was a rare and singular honor.