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person:dlyss [2023/11/22 10:02] – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation shyriathperson:dlyss [2024/01/25 10:13] (current) – shyriath
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 ====== Dlyss ====== ====== Dlyss ======
-<blockquote>...some of [[culture:ethnicity:ghyezramsi:|you]] have made known your disagreement. I understand. What I claim is not that the [[takma:|Unchosen]] are incapable of sympathy or help for us; indeed, I myself have experienced both. But the nature of the problem remains: whatever the inclinations of individuals, the Unchosen, //as a group//, fear us and mistrust us, and they do the same to any among them who question this state of affairs. To undo this mistrust would take a thousand [[concept:timekeeping#cycle|cycles]], for all of which we would be at risk... no. The [[culture:mythology:imperial_religion:siathar:|gods]] have made the future for our use. If we are to live long enough to reach for it, then the Unchosen must be removed as an obstacle, though I say it in sadness.+<blockquote>...some of [[ethnicity:ghyezramsi:|you]] have made known your disagreement. I understand. What I claim is not that the [[takma:|Unchosen]] are incapable of sympathy or help for us; indeed, I myself have experienced both. But the nature of the problem remains: whatever the inclinations of individuals, the Unchosen, //as a group//, fear us and mistrust us, and they do the same to any among them who question this state of affairs. To undo this mistrust would take a thousand [[concept:timekeeping#cycle|cycles]], for all of which we would be at risk... no. The [[mythology:imperial_religion:siathar:|gods]] have made the future for our use. If we are to live long enough to reach for it, then the Unchosen must be removed as an obstacle, though I say it in sadness.
  
 <cite>Dlyss' First Sermon</cite></blockquote> <cite>Dlyss' First Sermon</cite></blockquote>
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   * **Nicknames or aliases:** Dlyss daughter of [[person:Ybess]] (birth name); the [[chosen:magic:span|Oracle]] (epithet); Telyth ([[person:Zadireth]]'s pet name)   * **Nicknames or aliases:** Dlyss daughter of [[person:Ybess]] (birth name); the [[chosen:magic:span|Oracle]] (epithet); Telyth ([[person:Zadireth]]'s pet name)
   * **Date of birth:** 78 Cloud 21:15   * **Date of birth:** 78 Cloud 21:15
-  * **Place of birth:** [[avishraa:community:Kassi]], the [[avishraa:geography:velestrin]]+  * **Place of birth:** [[geopolitical:Kassi]], the [[geography:sekhaa:region:Velestrin]]
  
 ==== Gender and sexuality ==== ==== Gender and sexuality ====
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   * **Species:** [[takma:|Takma]] ([[Chosen:]])   * **Species:** [[takma:|Takma]] ([[Chosen:]])
   * **Race:** [[takma:#Variations|Highland]]   * **Race:** [[takma:#Variations|Highland]]
-  * **Ethnic origin:** [[culture:ethnicity:Velestric]] +  * **Ethnic origin:** [[ethnicity:Velestric:]] 
-  * **Current ethnic identification:** [[culture:ethnicity:Ghyezramsi:]]+  * **Current ethnic identification:** [[ethnicity:Ghyezramsi:]]
   * **Native language:** [[language:Velestric:]]   * **Native language:** [[language:Velestric:]]
   * **Other languages spoken:** [[language:imperial:start#Contemporary Imperial]], [[language:Ghyezramsi]]   * **Other languages spoken:** [[language:imperial:start#Contemporary Imperial]], [[language:Ghyezramsi]]
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 ==== Apparel and accessories ==== ==== Apparel and accessories ====
-Dlyss habitually wears a rough, fleecy white robe, which she is rarely seen without, and resembles the garb of an [[culture:mythology:imperial_religion:|Imperial priestess]], though it is also provides warmth in the sometimes chilly weather of the highlands. She is even more rarely without her [[item:marriage-chain|marriage-chain]]: around her neck is a thin silver chain with three charms attached to it, one for each husband.+Dlyss habitually wears a rough, fleecy white robe, which she is rarely seen without, and resembles the garb of an [[mythology:imperial_religion:|Imperial priestess]], though it is also provides warmth in the sometimes chilly weather of the highlands. She is even more rarely without her [[item:marriage-chain|marriage-chain]]: around her neck is a thin silver chain with three charms attached to it, one for each husband.
  
 ===== Mentality ===== ===== Mentality =====
 ==== Motivation ==== ==== Motivation ====
-Dlyss is driven by the aim of the dominance of the [[Chosen:]] over [[Avishraa:]], and the extermination of all other [[takma:|takmar]], though it is unclear whether either the [[xtauh:]] and the [[orghysh:]] are similarly targets of her mistrust. All of her actions are, ultimately, devoted toward these intertwined ends, which she believes are the will and intention of the gods.+Dlyss is driven by the aim of the dominance of the [[Chosen:]] over [[universe:mikurmiya:avishraa]], and the extermination of all other [[takma:|takmar]], though it is unclear whether either the [[xtauh:]] and the [[orghysh:]] are similarly targets of her mistrust. All of her actions are, ultimately, devoted toward these intertwined ends, which she believes are the will and intention of the gods.
  
 ==== Virtues, vices, and flaws ==== ==== Virtues, vices, and flaws ====
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 Having superior knowledge of the future, and what she feels is a superior knowledge of the will of the gods, Dlyss long ago came to the conclusion that she is best placed to direct the Chosen to their destiny individually or as a group; others are acting on imperfect information, flawed reasoning, or both, and their opinions and needs are secondary even when they are reasonable. As a result, she has strong autocratic impulses and has no qualms about issuing orders to those who she is able to have obey them. She prefers willing cooperation and understanding, but will resort to deception, fear, or violence as the situation requires. Having superior knowledge of the future, and what she feels is a superior knowledge of the will of the gods, Dlyss long ago came to the conclusion that she is best placed to direct the Chosen to their destiny individually or as a group; others are acting on imperfect information, flawed reasoning, or both, and their opinions and needs are secondary even when they are reasonable. As a result, she has strong autocratic impulses and has no qualms about issuing orders to those who she is able to have obey them. She prefers willing cooperation and understanding, but will resort to deception, fear, or violence as the situation requires.
  
-Her ability to see various futures does not free her of her own biases in choosing which ones are desirable. Peace with the Unchosen takmar is a dream of many Chosen of the [[avishraa:community:Citadel:]], but Dlyss has done much to minimize the possibility of it, to the extent of deliberately underestimating its likelihood as a future.+Her ability to see various futures does not free her of her own biases in choosing which ones are desirable. Peace with the Unchosen takmar is a dream of many Chosen of the [[geopolitical:Citadel:]], but Dlyss has done much to minimize the possibility of it, to the extent of deliberately underestimating its likelihood as a future.
  
 ==== Intellectual characteristics ==== ==== Intellectual characteristics ====
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 ==== Morality and philosophy ==== ==== Morality and philosophy ====
-The twin pillars of Dlyss' worldview are religion - specifically her own interpretation of the [[culture:mythology:Imperial religion:]] - and the manifest destiny of the Chosen. She believes that the [[culture:mythology:imperial_religion:siathar:|gods]] have created the Chosen to inherit the world over their nonmagical brethren, and that it is the duty of the Chosen to accept that mantle.+The twin pillars of Dlyss' worldview are religion - specifically her own interpretation of the [[mythology:imperial_religion:]] - and the manifest destiny of the Chosen. She believes that the [[mythology:imperial_religion:siathar:|gods]] have created the Chosen to inherit the world over their nonmagical brethren, and that it is the duty of the Chosen to accept that mantle.
  
 She has argued that this requires the Chosen to act both toward each other and toward the Unchosen. In the former case, it is incumbent upon them to pull together and support one another against a hostile world and a hostile species; this is the stated motivation behind Dlyss' charitable work and sponsorship of the 'rescue missions' sent out into the world to bring back Chosen to the Citadel. In the latter, she argues that - ultimately - peaceful coexistence with the Unchosen is neither possible nor desirable. In the end, the Chosen must either sweep them away or be swept away by them, and while it is not yet possible to do the one, preventing the other must be the short-term priority. She has argued that this requires the Chosen to act both toward each other and toward the Unchosen. In the former case, it is incumbent upon them to pull together and support one another against a hostile world and a hostile species; this is the stated motivation behind Dlyss' charitable work and sponsorship of the 'rescue missions' sent out into the world to bring back Chosen to the Citadel. In the latter, she argues that - ultimately - peaceful coexistence with the Unchosen is neither possible nor desirable. In the end, the Chosen must either sweep them away or be swept away by them, and while it is not yet possible to do the one, preventing the other must be the short-term priority.
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 ==== Religious views ==== ==== Religious views ====
-Dlyss espouses, and indeed preaches, a [[culture:mythology:imperial_religion:citadel_church|form]] of the [[culture:mythology:imperial_religion:|Imperial religion]] that is not organizationally affiliated with that elsewhere on the continent, and would be considered rather heterodox. Firstly, and rather unsurprisingly, she teaches that the gods not only do not disapprove of the Chosen, but were responsible for their creation and made them to be the heralds of Their will: an improvement on, and replacement of, the takmar who had been Their first children.+Dlyss espouses, and indeed preaches, a [[mythology:imperial_religion:citadel_church|form]] of the [[mythology:imperial_religion:|Imperial religion]] that is not organizationally affiliated with that elsewhere on the continent, and would be considered rather heterodox. Firstly, and rather unsurprisingly, she teaches that the gods not only do not disapprove of the Chosen, but were responsible for their creation and made them to be the heralds of Their will: an improvement on, and replacement of, the takmar who had been Their first children.
  
-Secondly, she emphasizes that the [[culture:mythology:imperial_religion:Lamnar:]], the inscrutable gods of nature and cosmic forces, should be revered and worshiped just as the Siathar are. Clearly, many aspects of the Chosen - their powers in Lamna domains, their division between Srian and Kaean - echo the Lamnar, who must therefore have played a role in their creation and should be honored for it.+Secondly, she emphasizes that the [[mythology:imperial_religion:lamnar:]], the inscrutable gods of nature and cosmic forces, should be revered and worshiped just as the Siathar are. Clearly, many aspects of the Chosen - their powers in Lamna domains, their division between Srian and Kaean - echo the Lamnar, who must therefore have played a role in their creation and should be honored for it.
  
-As there are too many gods altogether to worship them all efficiently, she has chosen as her patrons, and holds a special reverence for, the Diarchs, [[culture:mythology:imperial_religion:lamnar:Seluurin]] and [[culture:mythology:imperial_religion:lamnar:Khezri]]. Regardless, she invokes other gods frequently during her speeches, and often pauses for a moment of respect when passing by temples or idols.+As there are too many gods altogether to worship them all efficiently, she has chosen as her patrons, and holds a special reverence for, the Diarchs, [[mythology:imperial_religion:lamnar:seluurin]] and [[mythology:imperial_religion:lamnar:khezri]]. Regardless, she invokes other gods frequently during her speeches, and often pauses for a moment of respect when passing by temples or idols.
  
 While she will reprimand impiety, she does not, oddly enough, seem to consider following a different faith to be a sign of impiety in itself - so long as it has some god or gods governing it. When asked about this, she will tend to reply that "the gods wear many guises". While she will reprimand impiety, she does not, oddly enough, seem to consider following a different faith to be a sign of impiety in itself - so long as it has some god or gods governing it. When asked about this, she will tend to reply that "the gods wear many guises".
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 ==== Occupation ==== ==== Occupation ====
-She was an unemployed mendicant for much of her life, but since arriving at the Citadel has made her living as a sort of consultant, hiring herself out to various individuals to advise them on the consequences of various courses of action. For some time now she has been paid by the [[avishraa:community:citadel:council|Citadel Council]] to act as an adviser on matters of state, and regularly attends their meetings, though she is not herself a councilor nor eligible to vote.+She was an unemployed mendicant for much of her life, but since arriving at the Citadel has made her living as a sort of consultant, hiring herself out to various individuals to advise them on the consequences of various courses of action. For some time now she has been paid by the [[geopolitical:citadel:council|Citadel Council]] to act as an adviser on matters of state, and regularly attends their meetings, though she is not herself a councilor nor eligible to vote.
  
 ==== Wealth and possessions ==== ==== Wealth and possessions ====
-Dlyss is quite wealthy, and lives in a tastefully but expensively decorated mansion. The chambers are in the Inner Court, the desirable subterranean quarter of [[avishraa:community:citadel:Oldstone]]; the mansion is on the Third Level, and therefore not quite as prestigious as the monumental compounds on the First Level, but it marks her as among the Citadel's elite. In order to maintain and protect the property, she retains a number of guards and staff.+Dlyss is quite wealthy, and lives in a tastefully but expensively decorated mansion. The chambers are in the Inner Court, the desirable subterranean quarter of [[geopolitical:citadel:Oldstone]]; the mansion is on the Third Level, and therefore not quite as prestigious as the monumental compounds on the First Level, but it marks her as among the Citadel's elite. In order to maintain and protect the property, she retains a number of guards and staff.
  
 She also owns a number of other properties, particularly in and around Oldstone but found throughout the territory of the Citadel. Currently, much of her income comes from the tenants on these properties, though some of them are devoted to low- or no-cost housing for incoming Chosen refugees. She also owns a number of other properties, particularly in and around Oldstone but found throughout the territory of the Citadel. Currently, much of her income comes from the tenants on these properties, though some of them are devoted to low- or no-cost housing for incoming Chosen refugees.
  
 ===== Personal history ===== ===== Personal history =====
-Dlyss hatched in 78 Cloud in [[avishraa:community:Kassi]], a lakeside village in the [[avishraa:geography:velestrin]], a thickly wooded and lake-dotted plateau in the highlands abutting the [[avishraa:geography:sekhaa:region:spine_of_sirdanth]]. Her mother, [[person:Ybess]], was the village priestess; her only father was [[person:Gurass]], a trapper.+Dlyss hatched in 78 Cloud in [[geopolitical:Kassi]], a lakeside village in the [[geography:sekhaa:region:Velestrin]], a thickly wooded and lake-dotted plateau in the highlands abutting the [[geography:sekhaa:region:Spine of Sirdanth]]. Her mother, [[person:Ybess]], was the village priestess; her only father was [[person:Gurass]], a trapper.
  
 From an early age, she had had [[chosen:magic:span|dreams of things that had yet to pass]] - some mundane, some wonderful, some terrible. Her parents paid no heed until Dlyss began to experience visions while awake. Increasingly, she foresaw events surrounding herself and those close to her, and some of them began to come true. As she neared her first cycle of age, she began to be able to direct her inner vision where she willed, to see the distant past and countless futures, each containing its share of horrors. From an early age, she had had [[chosen:magic:span|dreams of things that had yet to pass]] - some mundane, some wonderful, some terrible. Her parents paid no heed until Dlyss began to experience visions while awake. Increasingly, she foresaw events surrounding herself and those close to her, and some of them began to come true. As she neared her first cycle of age, she began to be able to direct her inner vision where she willed, to see the distant past and countless futures, each containing its share of horrors.
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 Dlyss spent much of her formative years wandering the highlands, using prescience to find food, safe places to rest, and sympathetic assistance. She learned to disdain the latter for its inconstancy in the future, for there were far too many timelines in which, fearing for their own lives, her hosts would betray her to those who would have her executed. As she grew into adolescence and became more self-sufficient, she increasingly avoided normal takmar, feeling that they could not truly be trusted. Dlyss spent much of her formative years wandering the highlands, using prescience to find food, safe places to rest, and sympathetic assistance. She learned to disdain the latter for its inconstancy in the future, for there were far too many timelines in which, fearing for their own lives, her hosts would betray her to those who would have her executed. As she grew into adolescence and became more self-sufficient, she increasingly avoided normal takmar, feeling that they could not truly be trusted.
  
-In the paths of the future she saw a destination, a [[avishraa:community:citadel:]] where others like her had already made their home and she could be safe, but she felt that something must be done before she arrived there. The something proved to be a meeting with [[person:Zadireth]], a young Chosen and thief with a quick tongue, a charming demeanor, and a spectacular lack of morals. Dlyss saw, in being paired with him, a great opening of opportunities, and obtained his cooperation with the promise of wealth and importance.+In the paths of the future she saw a destination, a [[geopolitical:citadel:]] where others like her had already made their home and she could be safe, but she felt that something must be done before she arrived there. The something proved to be a meeting with [[person:Zadireth]], a young Chosen and thief with a quick tongue, a charming demeanor, and a spectacular lack of morals. Dlyss saw, in being paired with him, a great opening of opportunities, and obtained his cooperation with the promise of wealth and importance.
  
 Whether they could be said to have developed feelings for one another in the usual sense is open for debate. But it was clear that they found each other very useful, and, in an intellectual sense, were appreciative of each other. Zadireth's questions about her abilities pushed her to explore the limits of what she could do, and she learned much from him about the motivation and manipulation of people; while he profited greatly from her visions regarding himself. Whether they could be said to have developed feelings for one another in the usual sense is open for debate. But it was clear that they found each other very useful, and, in an intellectual sense, were appreciative of each other. Zadireth's questions about her abilities pushed her to explore the limits of what she could do, and she learned much from him about the motivation and manipulation of people; while he profited greatly from her visions regarding himself.
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 When the pair arrived in the Citadel, they raised a stir. Oracles, those who could see through time and space, were astonishingly rare, and Dlyss, buoyed by Zadireth's ability to grab attention for her, brought a message of a future in which the Chosen would be pitted against other takmar, after which - should they be victorious - they would replace their nonmagical forbears, as intended by the gods. For those who were not content with the thought of forever cowering in some hidden refuge, the message was potent. When the pair arrived in the Citadel, they raised a stir. Oracles, those who could see through time and space, were astonishingly rare, and Dlyss, buoyed by Zadireth's ability to grab attention for her, brought a message of a future in which the Chosen would be pitted against other takmar, after which - should they be victorious - they would replace their nonmagical forbears, as intended by the gods. For those who were not content with the thought of forever cowering in some hidden refuge, the message was potent.
  
-Dlyss became wealthy providing glimpses of the future to those who paid her, and soon became a source of advice for the [[avishraa:community:citadel:council|Citadel Council]] itself. Already viewed almost as a prophet, she and Zadireth built an ever-increasing [[culture:organization:hzataalar|following]] through a combination of public sermons and charitable works, particularly on behalf of those who, like them, had fled from the outside world.+Dlyss became wealthy providing glimpses of the future to those who paid her, and soon became a source of advice for the [[geopolitical:citadel:council|Citadel Council]] itself. Already viewed almost as a prophet, she and Zadireth built an ever-increasing [[organization:hzataalar|following]] through a combination of public sermons and charitable works, particularly on behalf of those who, like them, had fled from the outside world.
  
 Dlyss is now a major political player in her own right. Her strident calls for Chosen unity and greatness appeal to many, and her public munificence seems to her supporters to be her own attempt to support this goal. The other powers that be have become increasingly wary of her and her motivations, unsure what she intends to do in the name of her crusade. Dlyss is now a major political player in her own right. Her strident calls for Chosen unity and greatness appeal to many, and her public munificence seems to her supporters to be her own attempt to support this goal. The other powers that be have become increasingly wary of her and her motivations, unsure what she intends to do in the name of her crusade.
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 ===== Relationships ===== ===== Relationships =====
 ==== Family ==== ==== Family ====
-Dlyss' parents are [[person:Ybess]], a village priestess in the [[avishraa:geography:velestrin]], and [[person:Gurass]], a trapper. She has not seen either of them since she was very young and, since they are Unchosen, has no interest in speaking with them.+Dlyss' parents are [[person:Ybess]], a village priestess in the [[geography:sekhaa:region:Velestrin]], and [[person:Gurass]], a trapper. She has not seen either of them since she was very young and, since they are Unchosen, has no interest in speaking with them.
  
 She has three husbands: [[person:Zadireth]], [[person:Hejroth]], and [[person:Keihaf]]. While she is cordial with all of them, she appears to exhibit a slightly more close and comfortable attitude around Zadireth. She has three husbands: [[person:Zadireth]], [[person:Hejroth]], and [[person:Keihaf]]. While she is cordial with all of them, she appears to exhibit a slightly more close and comfortable attitude around Zadireth.
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 Among the staff in Dlyss' employ are [[person:Rashath]], possibly the most favored among her [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footman|footmen]]; [[chosen:magic:semblance|illusionist]] and [[concept:glyphic_teleportation|Writer]] [[person:Enneth]]; and, more recently, the biomancer [[person:Einriss]]. Though often demanding of those who serve her, she attempts nonetheless to reward loyal and efficient service with fair payment and a civil attitude. Among the staff in Dlyss' employ are [[person:Rashath]], possibly the most favored among her [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footman|footmen]]; [[chosen:magic:semblance|illusionist]] and [[concept:glyphic_teleportation|Writer]] [[person:Enneth]]; and, more recently, the biomancer [[person:Einriss]]. Though often demanding of those who serve her, she attempts nonetheless to reward loyal and efficient service with fair payment and a civil attitude.
  
-The demogogue [[person:Mortoth]], by contrast, receives no easily measured benefit from his association with Dlyss, but is a far more fervent follower. Effectively the spokesman for the [[culture:organization:hzataalar|Friends of the Future]], he represents the 'grassroots' support for the Oracle's teachings within the Citadel. Dlyss regards him highly as a loyal supporter, and they confer often.+The demogogue [[person:Mortoth]], by contrast, receives no easily measured benefit from his association with Dlyss, but is a far more fervent follower. Effectively the spokesman for the [[organization:hzataalar|Friends of the Future]], he represents the 'grassroots' support for the Oracle's teachings within the Citadel. Dlyss regards him highly as a loyal supporter, and they confer often.
  
 One of her more adversarial relationships is with [[person:Jorith]], a member of the Citadel Council. Jorith is openly skeptical of Dlyss' motivations and her continued accumulation of wealth and power, and Dlyss finds her constant questioning and attempts at oversight to be a hinderance to her mission. One of her more adversarial relationships is with [[person:Jorith]], a member of the Citadel Council. Jorith is openly skeptical of Dlyss' motivations and her continued accumulation of wealth and power, and Dlyss finds her constant questioning and attempts at oversight to be a hinderance to her mission.
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 Dlyss' only //official// affiliation of note is her work as a consultant and adviser for the Council, which entitles her to participate - though not vote - in Council sessions. Though her influence is often felt, there is a sizable minority that seeks to curb it: out of jealously, political opposition, or simple mistrust of her motives. Dlyss' only //official// affiliation of note is her work as a consultant and adviser for the Council, which entitles her to participate - though not vote - in Council sessions. Though her influence is often felt, there is a sizable minority that seeks to curb it: out of jealously, political opposition, or simple mistrust of her motives.
  
-Though she has no formal ties with the organization known as the [[culture:organization:hzataalar|Friends of the Future]], they are nonetheless closely associated, the Friends having been formed on the explicit basis of adhering to Dlyss' teachings and publicizing her predictions. Much of her charitable work is carried out with their assistance, and they are inclined both to follow her suggestions and encourage others - with varying degrees of insistence - to do the same.+Though she has no formal ties with the organization known as the [[organization:hzataalar|Friends of the Future]], they are nonetheless closely associated, the Friends having been formed on the explicit basis of adhering to Dlyss' teachings and publicizing her predictions. Much of her charitable work is carried out with their assistance, and they are inclined both to follow her suggestions and encourage others - with varying degrees of insistence - to do the same.
  
 ===== Inspirations ===== ===== Inspirations =====
person/dlyss.1700665367.txt.gz · Last modified: by shyriath