In reminiscing about central figures from moonlight folktales I heard in my childhood, I found myself drawing the Queen of the Coast, Mami Wata
The Queen of the Coast: Mami Wata
A serpent-woman spirit deity with power over water and the shore, Mami Wata is often a figure of mischief or seduction in the stories, depicting the lesson that while some spiritual entities may seem human or disguise themselves as close enough, their nature remains fundamentally at odds and they must be dealt with carefully. Encounters with Mami Wata are best avoided, especially by men with weak wills and lustful eyes, as being seduced by Mami Wata is a one-way trip to the depths.
Sometimes worshipped as a god, other times feared as a malevolent and vengeful entity, and often depicted wandering nearby land pretending to be human, one thing is clear, the Queen's domain is water, and all who enter without permission must do so only as necessary, be on their best behaviour, and leave quickly lest they catch her eye, or worse, her ire.
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