Geschichte Schatten der Tiefe (Civ4 FFH)
The Octopus Overlord followers are worshiping Danalin, the Angel of Water, but in a strange, twisted way, as Danalin is asleep and the Octopus Overlords are the result of his Nightmares.
A long time ago Danalin lost hope. There was a race of people that were special to him, beings like elves but who breathed water as easily as air. They were beautiful and peaceful creatures, withdrawn from the world as Danalin has always been.
During the Age of Dragons Danalin was one of the most passive gods, he would freely enter creation and roam the seas, visit his creations and tend to the tides and storms and depths that were his providence. He didn't war frequently with other gods even in that violent time, and the other gods largely left him alone.
He held little opinion either way on the compact, but he agreed to it and withdrew from creation. It applied to others more than to him.
His people missed their lord, but as seperate as the oceans made the lands from each other, those beneath them are even more apart. And they made no attempt to change this. Eventually though, war came for them.
I dont remember what the threat was. But there was one man from that race who set out to find some help, who traveled the world while his people fought a losing war. Hoping to gather the support of another army or gain enough skill at magic to save his people.
He met the people of other gods in his travels, spoke with Cassiel and learned about the position the world is in. Fought beside the Umberguard of Kilmorph, fulfilled the prophecy of the Amurites and turned their desert home into a lush grassland.
In time he stood before a gate to Danalin's realm and had the option to allow Danalin into the world, to provide the power to save his people. But he also knew the cost of it, that the world would be returned to the godswar. So he closed the gate and died in his peoples last stand.
At that Danalin wept, his tears becoming silver drops that follow the moon through the night sky. Then he fell asleep, no longer caring about the state of creation.
Each god has a curator, or archangel. For Mammon that is Hastur. When Danalin fell asleep Mammon sent Hastur to gain access to him, to attempt to subjugate him. Even in slumber a god is not weak and Danalin isnt controlled by Hastur, but is effected by him.
The old religion that worshipped Danalin is gone, abandoned by its god. But during the Age of Rebirth a new religion began, dedicated to the seas. The prayers heard by Danalin and answered by his power are malformed and chaotic. This is still the power of the cool ocean depths and the endless waters, but Hastur has twisted it. It is not his to control, but he chases the dreams into dark places.
