Bellum (Total War)

Bellum is the name given to a powerful Druthulidi that waged war against the Golden Goddesses and later the Oshus Empire and Lokomo. It is the primary villain of the Great Sea campaign.

Etymology
The meaning of Bellum's name is lost to time, though some believe it originates from a language as ancient as the Goddesses' Firstborn. It is possibly a word from the Parella language, which is largely unknown.

Characteristics
Bellum usually appears as a mass of black tentacles that shroud its larger form. Bellum often appears quite massive and is considered the largest Druthulidi on record next to Majora. Bellum is the only Druthulidi that has never been assigned a gender or adopted one itself, even by its own followers.

Personality
Bellum's behavior is more animalistic compared to other notable Druthulidi. It often accomplishes its tasks in very crude and unrefined manners, preferring the most direct and brutal method possible. Despite its preferred approach, Bellum is capable of of underhanded and devious acts, often catching its enemies completely by surprise. Also despite its brutality, patience is considered its primary trait. Its patience is so infamous that it managed to avoid the attention of both the Goddesses and Majora.

Powers and Abilities
Bellum is very fond of possession, and will often simply latch unto its victims and control them while they are still aware of themselves rather than a full bodily possession. Bellum has also created smaller incarnations of itself and given them some semblance of intelligence called Bellumites. Though Bellum is capable of moving on land like other Druthulidi, it prefers to remain entirely underwater. Bellum's massive size also makes it a powerful force in a physical fight. Bellum also had the knowledge to create portals to other worlds it had previously conquered, and it is believed that several exist in the ocean depths.

History


Pre Hyrule
Bellum arrived on Hyrule around the time of most Druthulidi, creeping into the primordial oceans that had only barely formed. There it waited and observed its brethren fight, gaining followers from the primitive ocean life and occasionally sending out smaller armies to antagonize and sabotage other Druthulidi. Unlike other Druthulidi, Bellum was content to wait countless centuries for the oceans to rise, at which point it would have a considerable territory and resource advantage over the other Druthulidi who almost entirely based their operations on land. It also began creating portals to other worlds it had conquered on the ocean floor so that it could reinforce itself. Its patience payed off as many Druthulidi were destroyed by the Goddesses, though it was left unharmed in the ocean depths because of its obscurity.

Ancient Era
During the ancient era, Bellum summoned the Parella and River Zora through portals from other worlds and instigated a confict between three advanced civilizations: the Lokomo, Oshus Empire, and the Cobble Kingdom. It provided all three sides with military and economic aid, until both the Lokomo and Oshus Empire rejected any further help. The Cobble Kingdom took full advantage of Bellum's aid and dominated most of the land and sea north of Hyrule. Eventually all three empires were destroyed by King Oshus when he unleashed his automated Phantom Army. Many of the Parella were killed and the River Zora quickly retreated to the south and eventually made their way to Hyrule. Bellum retreated to the ocean depths and entered a deep sleep while more Parella armies on other worlds prepared themselves.

The Realm of Twilight
When the Parella attempt to come through one of Bellum's portals again, many of them end up in the Realm of Twilight. It is discovered that one of Bellum's portals had washed up on land and ended up in the Gerudo Desert after many centuries, and when the Gerudo Warlords and Kingdom of Hyrule activated the portal to banish the Dark Interlopers it interfered with the Parella's arrival. The Parella negotiate a truce and temporary alliance with the Twili, offering to open portals into Hyrule and aid in conquering the land. In truth the Parella only wish to enter Hyrule so that they could return to the seas and find their master Bellum. After their initial aid in attacking and destroying the Zora Dominion, the Parella retreat into the Shrine of Jabu where they begin work to locate Bellum.

The Return of Sulkaris
The Parella operation to find Bellum is uncovered by Laruto and Princess Ruto shortly after Sulkaris' return to Hyrule. There they expose the Parella constructing portals for Bellum within the shrine, as well as conducting countless cross breedings between imprisoned Zora and other creatures such as Octoroks. The armies of Lanayru Province march upon the Shrine and destroy much of the Parella's infrastructure, forcing them to retreat into the rivers and Hyrule. They eventually make their way north and into the Great Sea with the help of the River Zora.

The Great Sea Colonization
With the Parella returned and armies of River Zora at its disposal, Bellum is awakened by its followers and once again rises to the surface of the Great Sea. It is surprised to find that the sea level rose after Majora had pulled a moon to Hyrule, and takes full advantage of the flooding. Bellum is quick to secure the remnants of the three ancient empires, even finding ways to control the Ocean King's Phantom knights. Bellum's takeover is halted when both Hylian and Moblin colonization efforts arrive to the islands of the Great Sea and begin warring with each other. Bellum is caught in the crossfire and eventually brought into the conflict.