[Judeo/Christian - Tzohar] Shai Adi ~ by Aki

[Aki Ana]

Name: Shai Adi

Meaning: A Gift of Jewels (Hebrew)

Myth: Based on the Tzohar, a stone filled with divine light, gifted by the Almighty to serve the righteous

Origin: Judeo/Christian

Appearance: Middle Eastern complexion and pale hair, illuminated by a tall collar of five luminous shards connected by intricate golden wires

Personality: Gracefully submissive...it is in his nature to serve

Weaknesses: Commands by the righteous cannot be refused. Shai is incapable of invoking or controlling his own power, once released

Abilities: Upon invocation, Shai releases some of the divine light he still holds. The effect of this radiance depends on the command, and may include illumination, purification, or visions.

Goal: Shai was created as a tool, not as a child. He is incapable of sin or redemption, and thus has no way to return to the light of the Almighty. In addition to serving the righteous, Shai also seeks the salvation of the wicked in hopes of returning to the embrace of Heaven  

[Aki Ana]

Of all the blessings bestowed upon man by the Almighty, one shines brighter than any other. A colorless stone was filled with the last vestige of primordial light salvaged from the ruin of the First Day, and this stone was called the Tzohar. It was offered unto man as a gift, to serve the righteous as man ventured forth through the world on the path to heaven.

Those that were righteous, the Tzohar served truly. Those who proved weak, it tested, and those who succumbed to sin, the Tzohar abandoned. A purpose had blossomed, beyond the original commandment to serve. Like those it labored for, the vessel of divine light longed to return to the warmth of heaven…yet as each of the righteous ascended, the Tzohar was left behind to attend to a new generation.

The day the Tzohar was shattered ended this cycle of directionless servitude. When the stones of the temple housing the Tzohar crumbled, the jewel was shattered…light escaping toward the nothingness of entropy. It was more than the need to fulfill the wish of the Almighty that allowed a soul to form in that very moment. It was the true will of the Tzohar, and its wish to return to heaven’s embrace, though such a thing had never been promised.

Even as the soul within the Tzohar manifested, it was scattered amid the shards. For many centuries it rested, until the voices of men could once more be heard.

~

The babe that was found among the ruins was a mystery…bound to the luminescent shards it was nestled in by a collar of golden strands. The child was named by the wise men, Shai Adi. A Gift of Jewels. It was easily discovered that the stricture from the Almighty bound Shai still, and even in flesh he was compelled to obey the righteous.

Those of the temple restrained him just as easily as the facets of the colorless stone, the most revered among them simply asking Shai to stay as a guest. This he did, and patiently….until a demand from a holy man, in name only, failed to compel him.

His stay ended the day he was struck, for failing to manifest a miracle when the eldest in the Temple so requested. It was not the failure that condemned him, however, but the divine and brilliant light that manifested at the absent request of a youth visiting the Temple for his studies. In the minds of those gathered, such a slight surely could not have been a reflection of righteousness, and therefore the contempt fell upon Shai.

As in the past, Shai did not argue. He simply left.

Suddenly free, Shai left the temple behind in search of a soul truly worthy. One whose salvation would be so great, Shai himself might share in the overflowing grace.  

[Aki Ana]

“When the world was first created, God filled the world with a sacred light, known as the "primordial light." It came into being when God said, "Let there be light" (Gen.1:3). It was not the light of the sun, for that did not come into being until the fourth day, when God created the sun and the moon and the stars. It was a miraculous light by which it was possible for Adam to see from one end of the world to the other. And what was the source of that light? Some say that God wrapped Himself in a tallis of light, while others say that it was cast from the robe of the Shekhinah.

When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, the first thing they lost was that precious light. Without it, the world seemed dark to them, for the sun shone like a candle in comparison. But God preserved one small part of that precious light inside a glowing stone…” (…more)
~

~
“An account of the Tzohar, a luminous stone that is actually the last bit of the primordial light of creation. […]It's said that when Adam sinned, God withdrew the gem from the world, hiding it away. Some commentaries claim that the angel Raziel then gave the tzohar to Adam after the Fall, and Adam passed it on to his children. Another version says that a compassionate God wanted to hold out hope to Adam and Eve and so encased some of that primordial light in a white crystal and gave it to them as a source of comfort. […]The radiant stone eventually found its way onto Noah's ark, where it illuminated the ark during the darkest days of the flood. Noah proved himself less than righteous, however, and the stone fell into the floodwaters, lodging in an underwater cave. When the waters finally receded, the cave emerged in an Egyptian valley. This was the same cave that the infant Abraham was brought to, and so the stone passed into the hands of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Joseph. It's believed that Joseph used the stone to divine the future and interpret dreams. […]The Tzohar continued to change hands, disappearing for centuries and then miraculously reappearing to the righteous. […]The Tzohar had powers beyond its steady, almost celestial illumination. A stone of divination and wisdom, it showered blessings on whomever possessed it, and those who actually experienced its golden light knew what it was to be in the presence of the Divine…” (…more)
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“…A luminous gemstone holding the primordial light of creation. Those who possessed it not only had illumination, but access to the secrets of the Torah and all its powers. God created it, but then hid it away for the sole use of the righteous. The angel Raziel gave it to Adam after the Fall. Adam gave to his children. Noah used it to illumine the Ark (Gen. 6:16). Abraham possessed this stone, and used it heal all who came to him. According to one legend, he returned to heaven and hung it on the sun. But other traditions track its continued use by the righteous of each generation. Joseph used it for his dream interpretations. Moses recovered it from the Bone of Joseph and placed it in the Tabernacle…” (…more)  

[Aki Ana]

Summary~
Shai Adi, the reincarnation of the Tzohar, is an unusually composed young man. Being free of both sin and judgment is a peculiar state of being, especially when coupled with the years of passive crystalline memory. The Tzohar received a single commandment from the Almighty: "Serve the Righteous." Though he has been reborn, these words still drive him, often putting Shai in a gracefully submissive role when dealing with peers.

Upon first look, the most striking features Shai possesses are his luminous eyes and the array of five bright shards that hang in a corona behind his head. With closer interaction, his presence is just as memorable. Being near Shai gives one the distinct feeling of being in the presence of something comfortingly sterile, without the weight and friction that surrounds most souls.

Appearance~ In most cultures, a medium height and a dark complexion would be anything but remarkable. With luminous eyes and pale, almost colorless hair, the mundane illusion is shattered. His garb is loose and simply decorated, in the tradition of holy men.

The five shards that rise behind him are fragments of the Tzhoar, and are connected to Shai by thin golden wires. With a few baubles and an occasional twist, the wires anchor in a delicate and binding collar around his neck. The light from these crystals cannot be muted, making Shai incapable of experiencing true darkness. His hair is as pale and clear as fine spun glass, and often echoes the pinks and golds of the shattered Tzohar's light. Should the light from the shards ever fade, Shai would be revealed as a rather angular young middle eastern man...with an imperfect nose, a narrow face, and an expressive mouth.  

[Aki Ana]

Shai's current experience outside the temple is limited. Though he is capable of the full range of emotions a soul should possess, he has seen little of it demonstrated. He retains some memory of his past, but for many long centuries the Tzohar was simply a tool...serving a single purpose, and having no true perspective with which to cement experience. His clearest memories surround the defining points of his souls formation and growth, periods of choice and will.

Still bound by the strictures that the Almighty designed him to uphold, Shai accepts his fate of servitude with grace and patience. The revenant of the Tzohar does not consider himself lower than others, simply distinct. He knows this to be a truth, since he possessed some measure of sentience even as his soul was forming.

The soul of Tzohar was not formed by the will of the Almighty. The soul is the blessing and burden of Man, a title neither the Tzohar or Shai Adi has ever carried. The soul of the Tzohar developed in response to the commandment laid upon it, and its need to fulfill those strictures in whatever way possible. To serve the righteous means the righteous must both identified and placated, something a mere stone cannot accomplish. Sentience, and eventually free will, developed out of necessity, and a new soul was created in a limbo outside the traditional system. This means the Tzohar is incapable of sin, since it is not in possession of a soul of the Almighty's order...and also incapable of redemption.

Aside from the strictures he is bound by, Shai strives to return to the embrace of his creator. The sun is a pale and comfortless thing, he wishes for the warmth and light of heaven to surround him once again. Since he is incapable of sin or redemption, death promises little. Throughout the years of the Tzohar's travels, it aided generations of righteous men...none of it enough to earn the stone reprieve. Serving the righteous is enough to satisfy the Almighty, but not enough to grant Shai his ascension.

Therefore, Shai has set a secondary goal for himself, in addition to his strictures. Perhaps in guiding the wicked unto redemption, their salvation will be glorious enough to share in. To overcome sin, however, once must understand it...which puts Shai in a unique position. Since his soul is not part of the all encompassing system of salvation and damnation, Shai is free test his theory and seek a soul truly in need of redemption.  

[Aki Ana]

Strictures~

~ Shai is compelled to obey the request of a soul in good standing. Though this compulsion may be resisted, it is not usually in his nature to try. A soul in good standing is defined by the measure of sin one carries, the willingness to be free of that burden, and the true intent of the mind behind the heart.

~ Shai cannot refuse a command by the righteous. Unless they have fallen, most celestial agents and characters with divine origin are considered righteous. The truly innocent or pure of heart may also invoke his obedience.

~ The powers of the Tzohar cannot be awakened by any other than the righteous...not even by Shai himself. He is incapable of wielding the divine light within him, even in self defense. The only manifestation of power that serves him is Immaculate Form, detailed below.

Influence~

~ Telling Glance: The eyes, as they say, are the windows to the soul. Shai can tell the standing of a soul with a few minutes of interaction or study, judging by the resonation of his shards. This is an invisible process, integral to his work, and cannot be ascertained by others. ((More powerful souls, or 'non-traditional' souls (such as some Fa'e), could present Shai with some difficulty. In RP, it will be the choice of the character's player whether or not they will allow Shai to discern their standing!))

~ Immaculate Form: The Tzohar was little more than a vessel for divine light, and a tool to be used by those worthy. The light resides within him still, spilling forth if his skin is broken. Even as the bound shards of the Tzohar are reknitting with his growth, all injuries will eventually mend...except those caused by the righteous. Those marks Shai is bound to carry, and only through said agents can he truly suffer.

~ Invocation of the Tzohar: Awakening the powers of divine light takes the command of the truly righteous, and Shai is powerless to resist. The blessings that may manifest depend on the will of the Exalted in command...and may include a vivification of any ability mentioned in the histories of the Tzohar. Limited spiritual purification or healing, portent dreams or visions, enhancement of existing divine powers, and an aura of divine illumination and radiance encompass the most likely possibilities.

Shai himself has speculated that extremes may also possible if the shards of the Tzohar ever fully re-knit...extremes such as an order for divine resurrection, or a command to smite the wicked. Shai is also aware that such extremes would most likely damage the vessel containing the power called forth....in this case, the vessel being him. Such damage, from a intrinsically holy source, would be irrevocable.  

[Aki Ana]

Sketches, art, ref materials, and writing/comments are very appreciated! I will be commenting on each piece, to identify aspects that I believe fit Shai's concept particularly well.

~
Sketches by Potato Lord:
(File sizes 75-100k. Work safe.)
Full [x]
Headshot [x]
Colored:

Comments: I adore PL's art, and he captured this version of Shai wonderfully! The facial features and twined golden collar in the headshot are particularly fitting. I believe Potato mentioned the outfit in the full body shot was inspired by a form of middle eastern garb, and fits Shai perfectly.
~  

[Aki Ana]

Path~ Though Shai is outside the cycle of failure and redemption, he knows the workings of the system to be truth. Sin and virtue both exist, and both play an integral role in his path to ascension.

While the heavenly virtues are largely understood and practiced by him, Shai Adi has very little grasp of cardinal sins and failings. In his experience, the first offense warranted his departure, so the depth of such attractions is unknown. To combat something, however, it must be understood.

Bestowing true virtue, and exploring inexcusable sin...these are the first steps Shai must undertake before he selects a wicked soul for grooming. His belief that salvation of a wicked soul will lead to his own salvation as well is unshakable, and even a descent into the darkest lessons will not deter him. Shai is determined to understand and overcome.

Progression~ Though the history of the Tzohar, and Shai Adi himself, is long...much of it is blank. Time spent waiting, protracted as a stone and fleetingly as a boy, has left him with massive gaps in experience. His structure and personality will mature as he experiences the rush of life as a Fa'e, though his submissive nature and immaculate focus will never truly change.

Physically, Shai will continue to grow as any man would. As the influence of the world around him settles, inconsequential things such as his manner of dress and the cut of his hair may alter. The growth of the Tzohar, however, will be more evident.

When he was found below the Temple, amid the ruin of ancient foundation stones, Shai was surrounded by the tiny shards of his former incarnation. These shards were connected by little more than light, and hung or drifted in disorder as he moved, like so many sluggish fireflies.

As he aged, the shards began to reknit...those remaining growing brighter and more distinct. The strands of light connecting them hardened into gold cast lines, fanning in a semblance of order. Now, only five shards remain, and the wires have become more intricate....as has the collar that binds stone and Fa'e. Eventually, Shai speculates that the five will become three, and the three will become one. When the Tzohar is complete once again, a choice will have to be made.  

[Aki Ana]

Credit to Ogre for section idea!

Popular/Modern References~

Few of these references served before Shai's concept was complete...but some similarities or connections may help make his concept more familiar. Each reference has an aspect that reminds me of Shai Adi in some way, more will be added as they are found.

~ The One Ring: The history of the Tzohar, changing hands as it progresses through masters and abandoning those that fail it, is reminiscent of the One Ring from Lord of the Rings. This correlation is not a coincidence, many say that Tolkien pulled in part from the myth of the Tzohar when writing of the Ring.

~ Constantine: In the movie Constantine, the title character tries to 'buy' his way into heaven by battling the forces of darkness. Shai is attempting something similar in his struggle to potentially share salvation with a fallen soul he hopes to redeem. However, aside from obvious character/personality differences, Shai is not damned as Constantine is. If Shai and the remnants of the Tzohar were to be destroyed, his soul would dissolve as the Light from the gem dispersed forever.

~ Ella Enchanted: Shai cannot refuse the command of the righteous, nor is he inclined to dismiss the request of a pure soul. The character of Ella from Ella Enchanted was under a similar restriction, though hers was an unfortunate curse that applied to ANY command. Shai's compulsion to obey even righteous souls may be resisted if the command would damage the status of the one issuing the order.

~ I Robot: The overall theme in the movie I Robot dealt with the social and moral issues of an inanimate object 'developing' a consciousness and soul. Shai's story is similar, since the Tzohar was created to be a tool, and nothing more. This may lead many to view Shai as artificial or inferior, though he certainly holds a different view. Some similar themes can be seen in the movie AI, though both comparisons hold mechanical considerations that do not apply to the concept of the Tzohar.

~ Missionaries: Shai's quest to find a truly damned soul, and potentially help it reclaim salvation has 'missionary' connotations...though he cares more about the result rather than the method. In a way, he holds an aspect similar to those nice people that knock on your door at 6am, and offer you advice though you certainly didn't ask for it. <3  

[Aki Ana]

Critique info~
There are a few aspects of Shai's design that I'd like to address! The first is an issue of sensitivity. Since the Tzohar is pulled from a legend that some people may feel is history rather than myth, it can be difficult to maintain truth in the face of fiction. Rather than being factually based on the Tzohar, I would like his concept to be considered 'inspired by.'

Second is his physical appearance. I can already see the 'omg long hair and sparkles' wince. The glow simply can't be helped, it's a necessary and unique part of his myth. The longer hair, however, is based upon the time period and other well known figures of that Era. Seriously, it fits. However, this (like his garb) is subject to change once Shai is settled into the 'modern' world. Also, as always, I'm more interested in seeing Anya's potential interpretation and illustration of the character than holding to any prefab design. [As per helpful comments, Shai's hair should only a few inches below his shoulders, as pictured! What we consider 'long hair'...usually past mid back...wouldn't have factored into his self image]

Third is the nature of Shai's personality. His command of 'serve the righteous' and original creation status as a tool combine to inevitably leave him with a gracious and subservient manner. This is not to be confused with any sexual or ego related allusions. Shai is not feminine, fawning, nor self-depreciating. His personality, if given a chance to display itself through RP, is more akin to a butler...though the atypical aloof nature that comparison conjures is tempered by patience and a certain detachment.

So, I would appreciate any critique to take these factors into consideration! This is not my usual type of character by a long shot, and many aspects of Shai's design and personality are simply and clearly derived by the story of the Tzohar and regional connotations. I do not intend to follow any stereotype, or fulfill any preconceived rolls.

Flexibility~
Almost all aspects of Shai's physical design are flexible. Hair style, garb, expression, and adornment are of course the choices of the artist, whether it is official art or fan art! ((In the event of a major gender imbalance within the shop, I would be willing to consider re-working Shai's concept as female, though it would result in some additional significant character changes.))

The traits I see as integral to Shai's character are:

Skin tone: Unless it is due to the transparency of flesh, and Shai's inner light, Shai should not be depicted as pale. His geographical origin and 'residual self image' (shameless Matrix reference) should allow for a richer tone

Shards: The remaining shards of the Tzohar should be connected to Shai in some way. ((The number of shards is not particularly important....I'd imagined 13 shards as a baby, 11 as a toddler, 9 as a child, 7 as a pre-teen, and 5 in his current stage. As he ages, the 5 will re-knit into 3 as a youth, and finally 1 as an adult. Once the Tzohar is whole, it should correspond with Shai's eventual choice of paths.)) I have the shards connecting via golden wires, which combine into a twined collar around Shai's neck. The collar is symbolic of his obvious servitude, though the attachments can be redesigned and anchor where ever the artist decides.

Glow: The point of the Tzohar is the fact that it is a vessel of divine light. This characteristic should carry on to Shai, and manifest as the glow around each of the shards, and the luminous quality of his pale eyes. I've speculated that any breach of Shai's skin may release some measure of radience...through his eyes, mouth, hair follicles (accounting for the pale/clear hair) and wounds.

~

Aside from a darker skin tone, attached shards, and a luminous quality to eyes and shards, the rest is open to artistic interpretation! Of course, I can be flexible with these qualities as well, but it would require some slight redesign or plot alignment.  

[Aki Ana]

Critique Credits:
~Initial concept informally approved as original by Sosiqui
~Thanks to Ogre for lovely chat sessions and profile inspiration/ideas!

Art Credits:
~Shai sketches thus far are copyright to Potato Lord, edited for scale and border by Aki
~Banners by Aki

Web Refs:
http://www.newsbackup.com/about116465.html
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/t/tzohar.html
http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/rrGemstones4.html

Links:

[url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=5989243&page=1] [img]http://www.wasabineko.com/aki/shai/banners/shards.jpg[/img][/url]

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