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The Pig-Headed... and everything else... God
(About the Diety!)

Name: Kamapua’a
Origin: Hawai'i
Domain: God of the rains, waterfalls, and the fertile parts of the islands, as well as a protective spirit of the wild pigs.

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The Legend of Kamapua'a:

Kamapua’a was born to a goddess and an influential chieftan, but his father thought his mother had been unfaithful and denied the boy as his son, naming him Kamapua’a, or hog-child. The boy grew up to be extremely handsome, smart, and strong, with a fiery temperament, and god-like skills, being able to change appearance and create duplicate illusions of himself.

However, he was hated by his father, whose scorn and mockery hurt Kamapua’a, making him grow angry and bitter. He left his home to strike out on his own, gathering up other young men to form a raiding band that would plunder his father’s lands. Kamapua’a became fierce and menacing, tattooing himself, and eventually murdered his father. When he returned home, his mother did not recognize the frightening man as her son, and he went away in grief, giving himself to raiding, seducing, and taking the form of a hog to frighten others.

It was then that the boat carrying Pele, destined to marry one of the chieftans of the island. Enchanted by her beauty, he asked her to love him and be his wife, but she was disgusted by his appearance and turned him away with insults. Angry, Kamapua’a tried to take her by force, and the two struggled, rain and water against fire.

After the struggle, Pele submitted. Kamapua’a’s anger vanished as he embraced her, and while they lay as lovers, he became again beautiful, intelligent, and strong. But the change frightened Pele, who pushed him away afterwards. “Not again,” she whispered. “Leave me alone. I came here to be queen, but you are more powerful than I. Stay away. Take the lush green valleys of Hilo, Hamakua, and Kohala. Keep them wet and fertile. I’ll stay here in Ka’u and Kona and balance your rain with the fire of the sun.”

And so she cast him away. Kamapua’a would rule from Kohala, protecting the pigs and roaming the waterfalls.

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Personality:

Kamapua'a is hot-headed and impulsive, but there's a lot of cunning and intelligence in his actions as well, stemming from his practice as a hunter. He's charismatic, having led a gang of rogue men during his time of exile from his father's house, and incredibly strong. Yet he is prone to rashness as well, and selfish, as demonstrated in his attempt to take Pele as his wife. He saw her, he wanted her, so he decided he'd take her, nevermind how she felt or the fact that she was already promised to someone else!

Appearance:

His outer appearance is as varied as his dualistic natures. Once, he was a handsome, tall hunter, the best of all his village, exuding intelligence and strength. Hate twisted him, and the form his most often appears in his that of a wild-looking man, all covered with black tattoos that make him look as much man as beast. His black hair and the black fur pelt he wears upon his back give him the appearance of his name-sake, a wild pig-man. And lastly, if he so chooses, or when the rage is upon him, Kamapua'a takes the form of an eight-eyed pig, hooves and all.

Other things of note:

He still holds a torch for Pele. She was the first one to give him real love, and despite her ousting after their intimacy, he still feels something for her. It's more of a love-hate relationship, though, as he also feels betrayed by her actions.

It's like the struggle of balance between the two. She burns and destroys while he fertilizes and grows, her providing the material for him to create new life, yet also destroying what he has made. And when the two do meet, it's like an eruption. The bit of liquid water that touches the magma vein flash-vaporizes, and the volcano blasts open with the pressure.

Such is their relationship.