Gender: Male
Mythbase: Dasagriva/Ravana (Hindu)
Link to a source on the mythbase:
Ramayana Reference
Ramayana Synopsis
Ravana
Ravana - 2
Ravana 3
Hinduism
Rakshasas
Rakshasas - 2
Rakshasas - 3
Link to Fa'e quest thread: Questie!
Appearance:
-Blue skin (Hex #84acf1 for the lightness/shade reference)
-Tiger markings on his face
-Nine circular markings across his shoulders, done in either black or red, symbolizing the nine other heads he had.
Powers:
Poison:
Ghytere's poison is a hemotoxin that is generally put on his claws. Ghytere can control when his claws are or are not poisonous and, to a degree, can control the potency of the hemotoxin itself. However, the potency can only be controlled by how deep he scratches with said claws. A minor cut will not cause much more than infection and severe pain. A deeper cut could do a whole hell of a lot more. Where said cuts are also greatly affect the danger of his poison. Generally, he always has the poison active on his nails because he's a paranoid little b*****d and he thinks anyone and everyone's out to get him (We blame voice #'s 5, 6 and 9.)
He can also use the poison in his blood to create potions with varying degrees of potency when mixed with other variables.
**Note: Hemotoxins, haemotoxins or hematotoxins are toxins that destroy red blood cells (that is, cause hemolysis), disrupt blood clotting, and/or cause organ degeneration and generalized tissue damage. The term hemotoxin is to some degree a misnomer since toxins that damage the blood also damage other tissues. An injury due to a hemotoxic agent is often very painful, and permanent damage, such as loss of an affected limb, is possible even with prompt treatment.
Weaponry:
One thing that was inherited from his past was the knowledge of weaponry. His knowledge is not as vast and is rather limited, but he instinctively knows how to at least hold a weapon correctly. In other words, he's not completely clueless around sharp pointy objects and won't cut his own hand off unless he's being particularly careless. Not that he can USE it correctly without practice. In fact, for an example, he ended up accidentally impaling Ali in the leg because he wasn't paying attention.
He has an aversion to any projectile weapon, however, as Rama used the Bramhastra (A missile/arrow type weapon) to kill him. Thus, he keeps to swords.
Paranoia:
Ghytere has the ability to infect individuals with a sense of paranoia, should he wish to. This is done through direct touch (skin-to-skin). This lasts for a period of five hours before fading away, leaving the victim tired, drained, and with a very bad headache. If the person is weak to begin with, they will likely not even remember that five hour period of time. If the person is strong enough, there may be times within that five hour period when the paranoia wanes, but the person must be strong willed enough to fight through it.
Personality:
The influence of the voices makes Ghytere angry and slightly insane. He’s highly possessive of anything he perceives as his - this includes people. He's become driven for power, both physical and mental. When he's actually forced out of his room, he begins an attempt to manipulate anyone and everyone around him. He sees this as the ultimate power.
Whenever he thinks he's betrayed, he becomes very inwardly angry, letting it fester and infect his ability to think. Eventually, it may explode - but for now, he keeps it stored away for further ammunition. On the other side of the coin, when he's denied something he wishes (which he's become certain he DESERVES just for being), he searches for outward things or people to inflict his anger on. He lacks in control, majorly, and has a problem thinking ahead for consequences of his actions. He's purely impulsive, for now.
After all, it's not HIS fault - it's the fault of everyone around him.
Note: Ghytere only speaks Mitanese and Amphrell at this point due to lack of Ali, the English speaker, being around, and the fact he's too stubborn to want to learn English anyway. That, or he REALLY doesn't care. Immersed into a place that speaks English, however, Ghytere should be forced to pick it up pretty quickly if someone’s willing to work with him.
He does have his redeeming qualities, thank god. The young man Ghytere is isn’t completely lost within the nine voices inside his head. There are moments of sanity when he can push through and Ukuna can block out the other voices. These points in time are hard to come by unless he’s given a reason to fight since it’s quite exhausting. Ghytere, as much as he’d like to think it, is not the strongest person mentally. I’m hoping that with some help he’ll be able to strengthen his mind and be able to block out the voices without being so exhausted and for longer periods of time. I also think some of his quests would involve attempting to rid him of some of the voices. They’ll never all be completely gone, but hey, one less is one less voice causing him to go insane.
Hobbies: Training, reading, brooding, writing (He has journals upon journals full of ramblings in Amphrell. It's funny to read considering sometimes he writes down his voice's interjections), tormenting Nicolai's servants, manipulating people/things, potion crafts (poisons), climbing trees, spying on things/people, intentionally getting people into trouble, causing trouble in general…
Weaknesses:
Projectile Weapons:
He's scared shitless of them. Not necessarily a physical weakness, but he tends to freeze up in the face of them.
The Curse:
The curse that was put on him to make it so he could never force himself on another woman is still intact. If he so much as attempts it, he won't DIE, per say (The curse has weakened a bit in his new life) but he will feel pain bad enough to make him pass out for a few weeks.
Humans:
Humans, mortals, what have you, can hurt him more than any magical being can. A blow by a non magic mortal will hurt him approximately 2x as much than anything else. approximately 2.5x as much if it's with a projectile weapon such as an arrow or a bolt from a cross bow
Cold:
Ghytere is used to growing up in a jungle climate. He does not like cold. He does not like dismal weather at all. He prefers the sun, lots of it, and lots and lots of plants. He gets listless and it slowly drives him insane because his VOICES get bored and listless. Cold is definitely not a good thing for the poor boy.
The Voices:
Having nine voices in your head is NOT a good thing. Especially when they're all fond of talking at once and trying to pull you in different directions. Ghytere's nearly always found with some kind of headache or pained expression. At least, until he's able to find some kind of way to shut them up or strengthen Ukuna to take control and shut them up for him.
Needless to say, Ghytere's concentration levels are not very good.
Ukuna: The only voice named. He was the head on Ravana that was an 'advisor' of sorts. Truthfully, the only one Ravana paid much attention to. He's the strongest voice in Ghytere's head and is the only one that can 'come out' and show himself. He's Ghytere's voice of reason and the one that (usually) keeps the other voices from overtaking him too badly.
Voice #2: The idiot. Really. He finds anything and everything funny and is almost constantly giggling about it.
Voice #3: Decidedly female and the only one in the bunch, the voice is higher-pitched and quite annoying. She's the giggle-girl to voice #2.
Voice #4: Sarcastic to a fault, the voice certainly does not know when to shut up. Is often rebuked by Ukuna for his harsh tongue.
Voice #5: Mullish and suspicious. Is constantly making comments along the lines of the best way to kill, maim, or otherwise disable otherwise unsuspecting people.
Voice #6: Always seems to go along with voice #5, adding in crazy and improbable things into the mix.
Voice #7: The Righteous voice. Always claiming that Ghytere should serve a penance for the tiniest things. Blatantly against homosexuality. Or sexuality. Or...Pretty much anything. He's often telling him he should douse himself in flames.
Voice #8: Something the equivalent of "drooling fangirl/boy", is constantly crushing/lusting after someone. Was likely the cause of all of Ravana's...ahem...conquests.
Voice #9: This voice constantly comes up with conspiracy theories, feeding off voices 5 and 6, but making it worse. When things get stressful, this is the voice that begins urging immediate action to eliminate the problem, always seeking the easiest and most direct solution. This voice is often the cause of Ghytere's panic attacks.
Strengths
Manipulation:
Ghytere is great at manipulating people and knowing just what to say to get them to do what he wants. It's not a magical ability, but one he honed well as a prince in Meiyestallia. It's not flawless, however. Nothing is.
Strength:
Ghytere is incredibly strong. Able to wield, hold up, crush, kick, what have you approximately 1.5x as much as a normal human being.
Heat Tolerance:
Meiyestallia is incredibly warm and tropical. Heat doesn't tend to bother Ghytere very much, at all. However, there are such things as too much heat and this is NOT a magical ability. It's simply what he's used to from home.
Leadership
Being a prince does involve some kind of leadership. Even being an outcast prince, Ghytere was required to be a leader to at least the locals. He has a keen sense of how to command and direct people. While Ravana was like that in his past life, and Ghytere had the small spark - it was the training of his father and grandfather that really brought it out and fine tuned it.
How does the characters personality, appearance and powers and your character relate back to your chosen mythos?:
Ghytere was the king of Rakshasa, a demon. He is depicted with blue skin, ten heads (Where the voices come in!), red eyes and black hair. Being the king of Rakshasa (Who are feline type demons) he gains their featured tiger stripes. Ref. The nine circular marks represent the nine other heads Ravana had in his past life.
Personality wise, Ravana was very power driven and greedy. He wanted everything he could get and if he didn’t get it, he either threw a shitfit or forced his way in some how to get it. He did not like being told he was in the wrong and was very, very arrogant. I used bits and pieces of this to create Ghytere but also put in things that stemmed from his culture he grew up with in his present life and the influence of the nine voices.
As for powers, Rakshasa are very poisonous (or at least their claws are), have the ability to possess people causing illness or insanity. For the weaponry, Ravana himself held the knowledge of all divine weaponry and had gained knowledge in battle over his long life. He was a very good weapon master and I thought it to be fitting.
History:
Past Life: CONDENSED SUMMARY FOLLOWS: (For more, please see quest thread!)
Dasagriva was born to Kaikesi, Princess of Asura and Vishrava, a Brahmin sage. When he was old enough, he studied under his father and mastered the holy books and the ways of Kshatriyas.
However, to Dasagriva, knowledge was not enough. He wanted to be more powerful. Following his training with his father, Dasagriva set off to perform a penance to the god Brahma for several thousand years, hoping for immortality. When Brahma refused, Dasagriva instead asked for near invincibility and invulnerability from gods and celestials, other demons, serpents and wild beasts. Humans, of course, could pose no threat to someone as great as he and he did not ask protection from them.
His request was granted and he was also granted two more boons: power by sorcery and knowledge of divine weapons.
With these new boons, Dasagriva conquered Lanka, taking it from his brother Kubera. Lanka flourished, Dasagriva maimed and fought getting more power, land, and women, and eventually he grew bored.
He went on a trip and was told under no uncertain terms by Nandi not to fly over Kailash, Lord Shiva’s home. Unwilling to go around, Dasagriva insulted Nandi (earning his first curse that pretty much said a monkey would bring him down or at least help) he lifted the mountain and moved it. Pissed off Shiva pinned him under it for 1000 years until Dasagriva (now named Ravana due to the squeal he let out during the entrapment) grovelled enough to get himself out of it. Ravana also got incrediblestrength and a giant powerful sword by the name of Chandrahas out of the whole ordeal.
Still greedy as ever, Ravana decided that it simply was not enough to have so much power and only one kingdom. He proceeded with his attempts to conquer humans, celestials, and other demons and eventually the entire netherworld. The netherworld, apparently, didn't interest him enough and he sent his son, Ahiravan, to be king.
He eventually became supreme overlord of all asuras in the three worlds, making an alliance with the Nivatakavachas and Kalakeyas (two clans he is unable to subdue). After conquering several kingdoms of the human world, he performed the suitable sacrifices and was crowned Emperor of pretty much everything.
Displeased with his brother's cruelty, Kubera did the unthinkable and scolded him for what he had done. This severely angered Ravana and in that anger, he turned to the heavens to defeat the gods, singling out his brother to humiliate. By doing this, Ravana gained complete command over the gods, celestials, and serpent races.
Unfortunately for Ravana, he had a severe weakness for women. He obtained a very large harem, mostly populated by women captured during his conquests. When a woman rejected his advances, Ravana would take them by force.
Ravana was very, very stupid, however, when he decided to advance upon a sage woman by the name of Vedavati. At the time of his advances, she was busy undergoing penance to become the wife of Lord Vishnu, a very important god.
Thus, the woman refused. It angered Ravana and, doing what he seemed to do best, the man took her by force. Angered, Vedavati prophesized that she would return to the mortal world and be the cause of Ravana's death. While she killed herself upon a pyre and let the flames consume herself, Ravana could only laugh. She was, after all, only a mortal.
But his arrogance would be his fatal flaw. Vedavati made true on her promise, being reborn as Sita who eventually became Rama, or the reborn Lord Vishnu's, wife.
The second fatal mistake was the molestation of the apsara (celestial dancing girl) Rambha, who turned out to be betrothed to Kubera's son. Ravana was enamored of her, and not even this plea deterred him. Kubera's son then cursed Ravana's heads to fall off, if ever he forced himself on any woman.
SKIPPING AHEAD A FEW YEARS:
Ravana, who eventually fell in either mad lust or mad love with Sita and had no idea that she was Vedavati, devised a plan to abduct her. He sent a magical golden deer which Sita desired. Rama, her husband and Lakshman, his friend, went off to hunt the deer, first drawing a protective circle around Sita and warning her she would be safe as long as she did not step outside the circle. As they went off, Ravana changed shape to appear as a holy man begging alms. The moment Sita stepped outside the circle to give him food, Ravana grabbed her and carried her off to his kingdom in Lanka.
Ravana carried Sita to his palace in Lanka, but he could not force her to be his wife (or force her to bed him due to the curse) so he put her in a grove and alternately sweet-talked her and threatened her in an attempt to get her to agree to marry him. Sita would not even look at him.
Eventually, Hanuman, the general of a monkey band, flew to Lanka to find Rama's beloved Sita. However, Ravana's men captured Hanuman, and Ravana ordered them to wrap Hanuman's tail in cloth and to set it on fire. With his tail burning, Hanuman hopped from house-top to house-top, setting Lanka afire. He then flew back to Rama to tell him where Sita was – much to Ravana's utter displeasure. Outsmarted by a monkey.
Rama, Lakshman and the monkey army worked to build a causeway from the tip of India to Lanka to cross over into the kingdom. A might battle ensued and Rama eventually killed several of Ravana's brothers and made his way to confront the ten-headed king.
Ravana was waiting. However, Ravana was still very, very arrogant and refused to take Rama seriously, at all. After all, human beings posed no threat to someone who had the power that he did. The idea of a human killing him was inconceivable and so, while Rama went about his task of trying to figure out how to conquer him, Ravana decided to flaunt his prowess and go on and on about how he was going to crush him like the pathetic bug he was.
His arrogance would be his end. While he was droning on about his prowess, Rama sent his final weapon the "Brahmasthra", hurtling towards Ravana's heart. Though Ravana had sought invincibility, and could replace his head or arms with another set, he had not thought of safeguarding his heart.
And thus, Ravana's reign of womanizing, terror, and general dickery was at an end. Or was it?
Why Reborn?:
In Hindi, neither “Heaven" nor "Hell" is permanent. They are believed to be temporary and heaven is not considered the ultimate goal. Divinity, which, other than the soul itself, is the only thing considered eternal. The goal of life is stated variously as the realization of one's union with God, attainment of the vision of God, attainment of perfect love of God, realization of the unity of all existence, perfect unselfishness, liberation from ignorance, attainment of perfect mental peace, or detachment from worldly desires. The goal is to have the direct experience of divinity, regardless of precisely how one may choose to define it. The experience of divinity is the only thing that can give one true peace and happiness, and salvation from suffering and ignorance. According to Hindu thought, one does not necessarily have to wait until death to attain salvation — it is possible to achieve it in this very life. Ravana's inability to see past his own desires and needs and his inability to see his own flaws would not allow him to experience divinity. In Hindu beliefs, Virtuous actions take the soul closer to the Supreme Divine and lead to a birth with higher consciousness. Evil actions hinder this recognition of the Supreme Divine, and the soul takes lower forms of worldly life – Reincarnation.
On Meiyestallia
Baby:
Ahahaha. Oh. God. Ghytere as a baby was the bane of Alijatra's existence (When he's at home, anyway). Attention? Always on him. The shiny jewels? His. Ali's ears? His as well and if Ali ever tried to tell him otherwise, Ali got to be screeched at.
Seriously, though. Ghytere was not liked by many. His blue skin instantly put a social stigma on him and the fact that he's not a Meiyesta instantly shunned him from most of the family. Not that a baby could understand it, but hey, he did pick up on feelings fairly well. It simply made him cranky.
Even when he demanded attention, he was likely not going to get it unless Alijatra's around (Which, honestly, wasn't too much because of all the crap Ali has to do. Not only is he the Prince of Meiyestallia, he's an Irikaran – something very important in Yyestalla.). Perhaps Ghytere screamed for attention because the only way he got it was if someone came over to shut him up. Otherwise, he was pretty much left alone in a crib most of the time with some servant grumbling about being unlucky. Poor thing. Fortunately enough for him, the voices in Ghytere's head, all nine of them, kept him from keeping the palace awake with his squalling.
When Alijatra WAS home, however, Ghytere was given lavish amounts of attention. Ali may not have easily accepted change but considering he was given a second chance with a child after his own daughter was killed for being a half breed, he was going to take it and be glad for it. In his own odd way, the half-dragon really did love the bugger – even if he'd never admit it. (Note: I never once said he was lavished with LOVE. Just attention. D: )
Toddler:
Walking and learning to talk are something that's very hard for a baby to do when little attention's paid to them. Fortunately (or unfortunately, if you're the palace staff), Ghytere was a very VERY determined little boy. A certain maid by the name of Khia took complete sympathy on him and every time she had the chance, she'd pick him up and cuddle him. When Ghytere showed signs of actually picking up words and more movement, Khia took the initiative to help him learn to walk.
The talking bit, Ghytere got down pretty quickly. Even though nobody but Khia verbally talked to him, the voices in his head certainly did. ((Note: The voices in his head are 'universal' they speak no written language and Ghy is the only one who can really understand them. To him, because it's all Ghy's ever known in this life, they speak in Mitanese. Or at least sound like they do))
The voices in his head by this point were doing a bit more than just whispering to soothe him. When Ghytere was frustrated with being unable to convey something, one of the voices, who Khia called "Ukuna" – or "Tongue", spoke for him. **Note: Ukuna is the only voice that will EVER be named. He's the more outspoken voice and who 'takes care' of Ghytere, so to say, when Ali or Khia isn't around. He is also the only one who will ever (as far as I know) Make a verbal announcement of himself.**
His first word was "okki" which, in Mitanese, is pretty. Yes, he was talking to Khia.
As a toddler, Ghytere became very, very attached to the maid Khia and thought of her as his mother. He was very, very affectionate to her and whenever he saw her, he would call out "Okki Mimopa" or "Pretty Smile" in Mitanese.
To anyone else, he was a very quiet and stoic babe – unwilling, or perhaps unable, to understand why they only took care of him when Khia was not around and only when he didn't stop bothering them for something he needed.
With Alijatra, however, the same little boy Khia saw. Happy, affectionate, and very VERY loud and grabby. After all, Ali was rarely around and his daddy was his – and nobody else's – for the time that he was.
At this stage, his quest for knowledge began. The exploration of the palace grounds was thorough and often times he got away from Khia in his quest to understand and know his surroundings. Driven by a need to actively know everything that was going around him, the palace staff quickly learned not to be talking about things that they would not want repeated as truly, while Ghytere didn't necessarily understand, he wasn't known to keep his mouth shut and not parrot what he heard, often unintentionally (Or intentionally? The world will never know!) getting them in trouble.
The only time Ghytere was ever allowed outside the palace and palace grounds was when Alijatra took the time out of his schedule to show him around.
Kid
By this time, Alijatra's world seemed to have calmed down. Perhaps the pissy dragon simply got tired of never being around his son and told the rest of the Irikarans to go screw themselves. Either way, he began making a bigger appearance in Ghytere's life.
Ghytere's social stigma was never quite removed - however, the locals, while they stared at his odd features, didn't say anything. After all, Ghytere was a prince.
Now that he could actually understand things, palace staff had to begin treating him like the royalty he was. Simply said? In Alijatra's absence, Ghytere became spoiled. Simply and utterly spoiled. It didn't help that the voices in his head had gotten louder, egging him on to do more and more things to get anyone and everyone in trouble in any way that he could.
Gone was the happy and affectionate boy, however. Faced with bits of his past, that he doesn't quite understand, Ghytere became a brooding a*****e - just like his father, surprisingly enough. What few friends he did have despite his position as the social outcast were treated with suspicion. They were, in his mind, plotting to attack him. It often caused the blue boy to have panic attacks. (Actually, this is voice #9 sending him into panic attacks.)
Conspiracy theories, fueled by several of the voices in his head, and not discouraged by Ukuna, found their way into Ghytere's mind and he wouldn't let them go. He went so far as to almost kill one of them when he accidentally snuck up on him during one of Ghytere's panic attacks.
Even Khia held a certain air of suspicion for Ghytere. Why would she be the only one to really talk to him or pay attention to him? She must have been a spy! Or someone plotting to kill him! He kept her closer than was probably healthy, keeping her locked in his room. Truth be told, Ghytere, as a child, was quite insane. She was his; she was not allowed to be anyone else's.
Alijatra didn't help much, either. Thinking Ghytere old enough to know the truth about his own past and the workings of Meiyestallia in general (and of course to warn him about his grandfather), Alijatra told him about his daughter and wife and how his father had ordered the entire village, including his daughter, killed. He even went so far (the stupid git) as to let him in on the fact that Ghytere wasn't his biological son and that his grandfather, Lou Arri, did not like him at all.
Even though he was a little resentful that his father told him such horrible things - after all, he was still just a child, he was thankful that his father did not shield him about important things. Things, that he soon realized, could cost him his life.
After learning he was in danger, Ghytere began spending more and more time away from the palace. Just as Ali came back into his life, Ghytere began pulling away. The jungles became his friend, darkening his light blue skin into a slightly darker color due to the hot, tropical sun and being outdoors so much. For the first time in his childhood, Ghytere was not judged and felt truly free. Or, as free as he could get with the voices in his head constantly hissing things in his ear.
Teen (Present)
Returning from a rather...unpleasant and jarring confrontation with parts of his past, Ghytere makes his way back to the palace, refusing to stay in the jungles. While the jungle is a good refuge, Ghytere is no longer interested in refuges. The voices in his head have grown stronger and more demanding - and Ukuna, his voice of reason, is being drowned out by the other eight inside his head.
Ghytere, now craving power along with the knowledge of the jungles, animals, and palace, requests an audience with his grandfather - the very man who would have killed him as an infant if given half the chance.
The audience is refused, sending Ghytere into a very VERY bad mood which causes several palace guards to find even so much as stepping in Ghytere's way during a mood is a bad idea. They ended up killed in various ways - though nobody was there to witness it. However, it's very messy and Ghytere becomes displeased in his inability to kill as cleanly as he used to be able to.
Now that Alijatra is back, seemingly for good, Ghytere requests to learn to fight. Pleased, Ali agrees and begins teaching him all he knows - eventually calling in several of the Irikarans to assist him. (These most likely being Nicolai, Kori, Rhaze or Kai. Kai as a last resort.)
Ghytere is fast to learn and pick up the techniques, but he does fail at concentration. The voices in his head distract him and he accidentally impales his father's leg on sword.
Displeased (understatement of the year), Alijatra declares that Ghytere does not have the capacity to keep his mind on battle and discontinues their lessons. This only serves to upset Ghytere and the voices, sending him into a rage which involves several locals losing their lives. Unfortunately, Ghytere's seen and Lou Arri is notified of his grandson's behavior.
Alijatra almost refuses to stand up for him, ashamed in his behavior. Still, it's his son and so he manages, somehow, to convince Lou Arri not to imprison or kill him.
Instead, they're (They being Ghytere since Ali CANNOT be exiled due to his royalty status) exiled from Meiyestallia and Alijatra turns to the one person who would likely understand - Nicolai, the Shadow Irikaran who lives in the dismal Akori.
They make their way to Akori (Otherwise known as the place of permanent November) and are put up by Nicolai. Used to the warm vibrancy of Meiyestallia, Ghytere becomes withdrawn in his anger. The cold, dismal atmosphere are something that he despises and he blames Alijatra for taking them there.
The longer he's there, the more he relies on the voices in his head to comfort him. By the time he's discovered by Conrad, he's slowly becoming more and more insane and has locked himself in his room, refusing to so much as come out.
After all, his own father has betrayed him.
Guardian:
Ref
Otherwise known as Alijatra, Asshat of the Irikarans and Prince of Meiyestallia (Okay, technically king but...He can't AGE to take the throne so he's also technically only prince)...And he who states the obvious in the most sarcastic manner available.
His history is long, and complicated and thus completely removed to save the poor judge’s sanity. You can find it in the quest thread if you’re really curious XD
Name: Alijatra Ritu Arri Kaa
Physical Age: 17
Actual Age: Too old to care anymore (Phoenix spirit.)
Personality: Venomous. Sarcastic. General asshat. Doesn't like people getting close to him (Kind of blames himself for, well, everything). He's the Wind phoenix and considers himself to be the weakest of the Irikarans. He also hates Nicolai. Or claims to hate Nicolai. Why? Nicolai emos. A lot.
Alijatra hates emo. Hypocrite, much? Yes. Yes indeed.
He's very honor-bound. Honor is one of the most important things to him, ranking even above pride. He will purposefully dent his pride if it means doing something he's bound by honor to do.
He's also very protective of what's his. He's the only Irikaran who has never died - and he'd LIKE to keep it that way - but he WILL die to protect someone he loves if he has to. (...Not that he'll stay dead for too long, but whatever...It's the thought that counts!)
You know, he won't admit it, but he's likely to make an a** of himself and make people think it was just a fortunate (for them) accident that he died instead.
He's not an easy one read, at least.
Very distant to Ghytere for the earlier ‘years’ but seems to have come around. Since arriving in Akori, Ali’s tried his best to try and get on with his son only to find that he’s blamed for his son’s exile. It’s not a very pleasant thing to feel. They don’t get along too well, obviously, but Ali DOES care in his own, weird little way. If he hadn’t cared, he wouldn’t have stayed in Akori with him during his exile.
World:
Yyestalla
MAP!
*Note* Ghytere will be living in Meiyestallia, though spends his later stage in Akori.
The Race/Culture
There are 11 races (not including sub-races) in Yyestalla. Ghytere's guardian, Alijatra, is Meiyestan.
A Meiyesta is a literal cross between a Miatallan (dragon) and a human, only with the addition of venomous fangs and no alternate form. The society that Meiyestas belong to is tightly knit, with a very strict honor code that can never be broken, on pain of death. The jungles make up their home, and as a result, they are very tribal and ritualistic, with a keen eye for remedies and local botany.
Meiyestallia is run by a monarchy, but heirs to the throne, rather than being chosen one over the other, are known to share the crown. (This is the system that is going on right now due to Ali being unable to age enough to take the throne and his father still being alive.)
Meiyestas are human in their aging, if maybe a little longer, and with less obvious signs as age progresses. However, child mortality is high due to the dangerous region in which they live.
Meiyestas are tall and well-endowed as far as muscular structure. Average height for an adult Meiyesta is from 6 to 7 feet.
Yyestallan Customs
~In Yyestalla, male (and some female) children are given an earring by their parents upon birth. This earring is fixed in place and can't be removed. The metal and style indicates hopes they have for their child.
Gold earrings signify wishes for wealth, in all ways wealth can be had. Wealth in friends, wealth in wisdom, etc.
Silver earrings signify health and longevity. A child that is born ill typically will receive a silver earring to ward off sickness.
Brass earrings are to bring luck and humor to a child's life. A child with a crying problem will usually receive a brass earring.
Platinum earrings are hard to come by except in royal families. They signify several things, including the hope that the child will someday become a powerful person. There's an undertone of health wishes in this metal as well.
Ghytere will be given a Platinum earring. His is quite ornate.. Earring ref here
~Kisses in Yyestalla mean very specific things depending on where they're placed. This tradition stems mostly from Meiyestallia.
A kiss on the lips is reserved for the married or those deeply in love.
A kiss on the cheek is mostly from sibling to sibling, male or female. It's common for siblings to kiss each other on the cheek until they're past their twenties.
A kiss on the hand is a gesture of respect rather than courtship. Royalty and higher-ups are used to receiving this as a gesture from a loyal vassal.
A kiss just above the heart is a sexual gesture, most often reserved for newlyweds.
A kiss on the forehead is the most powerful kind of kiss. The literal meaning to this kiss is "You are precious to me". It can go from lovers, mother or father to child, dear close friends, or even a king to his most loyal knight. This kiss accompanies many funerary rites and ceremonial occasions.
~~Other gestures
A hand placed on another person's cheek, fingertips facing the eyes, is taken to mean a deep sort of sympathy and compassion. The hand is placed where tears might fall, thus suggesting "I wish you wouldn't have to cry." This is one of the most sacred and precious gestures one can do and often times means “I would cry for you.”
~Flowers are also very important but their meanings are way too long and drawn out to place in this application and thus if you wish to learn more, please be directed to my quest thread! ^^
Writing samples:
One dark and stormy night a figure wrapped in a dark cloak approaches you. It is Airi, who has traveled from Gaia to find your Fa'e and take it back with her to Fa'e HQ. What is your Fae’s reaction to this and do they want to go with her? Also, what does the Guardian think about it, as he/she will now have to abandon their world to come with the Fa'e child? Feel free to NPC Airi or just describe interactions after Airi has left you two alone.
Ghytere sat at Nicolai’s table, breathing heavily and trying to calm himself down. It had been utter confusion inside his head with all nine voices, including Ukuna, making their displeasure known as his father translated the woman's words back to him. To be moved from the world he had known his entire life was not a safe thing to do, for anyone. The people here, while they did not accept him, at least knew enough about him not to provoke him. At least the people here had to respect him. After all, was he not a prince? The voices had, for the most part, been quelled (which rarely EVER happened) though several of them insisted on speaking and furthering his headache.
They’re out to get you, Ghytere, a voice hissed. Voice number nine, Ghytere assumed, considering he was coming up with conspiracy again, They want to draw you out of this place and string you up for the gulls to peck out your inn –
That is QUITE enough, Nine, came a far more commanding voice. Ukuna’s. It is not the time for thoughts of your wild conspiracies. While I agree it could definitely be a trap, it is for young master Ghytere to decide, not us. After all, he is the one at risk, nay us.
The blue skinned Fa’e cradled his aching head in his hands. Danger either place, wasn’t it? Wasn’t that what Ali had translated from the woman in the cloak? “It is dangerous either way, Ukuna!”
Not generally one for long, thought out plans of action, Ghytere was in way over his head. His initial reaction to the thought of a new place had been immediate pleasure at the thoughts of new people to attempt to control. After all, there was only so much one could do to the staff here in Nicolai’s home or to Nicolai himself without Alijatra throwing a shitfit at him for being an a*****e. He generally did not like consulting his voices for anything, but this was not something that he could do alone and he refused to go to his father. Ali did not want to leave, he knew that, but he knew his father would go if it was something Ghytere agreed was a good thing to do.
Danger either way, yes, Ukuna answered, only to be cut off by a giggly voice.
But oh, Ghytere, think of all the pretty women….
The voice was instantly silenced by six other voices mentally smacking it upside the head and hissing at it to shut up. Ghytere did not seem amused and simply ignored the voice which was always proposing some kind of lewd act. Could he never get a break?
“Damned either way,” the blue skinned Fa’e hissed, “Damned if I stay, to this life of permanent November, damned if I go, a possible trap and leaving behind all I know.”
Ukuna was suddenly drowned out by a menagerie of voices, pushing him to the side to get their own points across the moment they saw Ghytere weaken.
All the power you’ve gained.
All the memories you’ve made.
All that is yoursssss, Ghytere.
They want to see you crumble, to fall.
Bring you to your knees like they did so long ago.
They want all that is yours to take.
To see your head on a pike with your eyes glazed in fear…
“All that is mine,” Ghytere murmured in a trance, “Give up all that is mine? Like hell I’ll give up all I’ve worked for! You’re right. The bastards are out to get me! They want to make me fall like I did before! I will not fall again!”
“What make’s you so sure?” came a long, drawn out voice from the doorway. Alijatra stepped into the room and crossed his arms over his chest, giving his son a long, level look. However, Ghytere seemed to be too far gone. The crazy look in the Fa’e eyes was something that the Meiyesta had seen before.
It did not mean good things to come.
“They tell me,” Ghytere hissed, “They tell me and they don’t lie. They will try to get me, YOU are on their side!” He dove.
Alijatra had been expecting a movement of that nature and stepped to the side, watching his son glide through the door and fall flat on his face. A gentle tsk could be heard as he watched Ghytere skid. “First rule is to know your enemy’s next move, Ghytere. You’ve forgotten it already?”
Ghytere lay panting on the floor, the voices still hissing in his head and telling him to attack the enemy for ruining his pride and making him look like a fool. He pulled himself to his feet again and once more lunged, this time managing to tackle his father’s legs fast enough so he couldn’t move and pinned him with ferocity.
Alijatra fell with a loud thud, pain lancing through him from the contact with the stone floor. A wince before he took a breath and returned to the stoic nature that he had become known for. The calm face of the Meiyesta looked back at Ghytere, measuring his voice to not show the pain he was currently in, “You really are weak if you let them control you. I am disappointed.”
…Disappointed? Ghytere’s face blanked for a second as the word made it through and gave the voices pause long enough for Ukuna to break through.
Stop.
Ghytere eased off the smaller man beneath him and let out a shaky breath. Disappointed? His father was disappointed in him? Why was he disappointed? Did he not appreciate his power, his accomplishments? His ability to manipulate and control and…
“Ghytere, this is getting tiresome.” Ali’s tired voice came as he pushed himself up into a half sitting position, reclining on his arms. God that had hurt. “I’m assuming you’ve made some kind of decision whether or not we stay or go.”
He shook his head, trying to block out the voices which had started up again, screaming at him to kill the traitor and various other things that could not be repeated. It was another voice, however, driving into HIM that caused him to shift to his knees.
Weak! You're WEAK boy! Douse yourself in flames! You do not deserve to live!
The voices continued and, tormented, Ghytere curled into a small ball on the floor, clutching his head and whimpering. This was not the strong, arrogant son that Alijatra knew.
The cold was getting him. The solitude was as well and there would have to be change. As much as he did not want to leave, and though he wouldn’t admit it, he loved his son too much to see him taken over by the voices inside and the insanity that threatened him if he stayed here much longer. Akori was enough to drive HIM insane and he had had to live with Nicolai for upwards of six thousand years.
Or did it just seem that long? Nonetheless…He would have to contact that girl and let her know they were going, whether or not Ghytere approved or not.
“I'll contact this Airi immediately, Ghytere.” Alijatra said, his voice firm.
Weakling!
You will be the death of us all!
They want to grind you up for their evening meal!
They only want to take over you, Ghytere, listen to us! Kill him! He is one of them!
He cannot be trusted!
The voices continued to assault Ghytere as he watched his father exit the room through half clouded eyes. I have thoroughly disappointed him. I will show him, when we get there I will show him. I will show him that I am not a weak coward. He will see…
Ghytere’s own individual voice broke through the others for a single moment before he slipped into darkness to avoid the maddening feeling of his brain being torn apart.
Extra references:
Mitanese Primer
Amphrell Primer & Alphabet
*These are the languages that Ghytere speak. He only writes in Amphrell, however, and should he ever come to be his journal entries will likely be written in Amphrell (Jpg format on the bar system) and translated ooc for convenience*
