'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild' (English (UK): [ˈdalə])

"Life begets death, my child; so I would bid you live fully, lest death find you full of regret. Love, laugh, fight, fly far and wide. Nourish yourself, and nourish the land. That is my decree. Now wander, let the wind hasten your feet."

Created by Tybris (Me)

'Keeper of The Wild' Dalla (a.k.a. Wild-Tender)

A maternal guardian, a fearsome and tempestuous fury, a beauteous tender, patron of the woodland elves, and a wounded widow. These are all fitting descriptions for 'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'.
Much like the rest of her kin, Dalla was once a 'Servitor' sworn to the whims of a maker who fell prey to the trappings of tyranny. Upon their ascension, they were charged with nourishing and preserving nature and the delicate balance that permit it to flourish. It is a duty they have upheld through discontent and defiance, failure and fury, revolution and rebirth. When the dust settled following the usurpation of 'The Demiurge', Dalla would be at the forefront of the world's restoration, seeding life both old and new once more. In this new world, they saw a beauty that could only stem from its wilder nature. Something which never could have blossomed beneath the stringent order of its former creator.
In the centuries that followed, Dalla would give rise to both the 'Giants' and the 'Elves'. They would preside over the wilds of the world, nourishing it with motherly care, and striking out against those who would defile it, or the cycle of life itself, with a furious passion.
When duty called for them, they would venture forth from their glade, charging across golden fields and verdant forests to meet it without hesitation. Those who dared to taint the cycle would find enemies in the wild; from those faithful to Dalla, through to her staunch allies in the elements and the sun and moon alike. Even the land itself would not avail them once her loyal agents spurred its wrath. Should the circumstances prove dire enough, Dalla herself would take the field, clad in wood and pelts as tough as steel, her red hair lashing in the wind with an untamed ire. She, like the wild, was something to fear.
Yet despite such, Dalla is an 'Ascended' who is much beloved by many across the world. Between their love and staunch support for 'Arshan-Nuwair', their unyielding care for those worthy of it, and the great boons she provides to those who seek her succor, the 'Keeper of The Wild' has enamored the hearts and minds of countless souls, even when the discontent of mortals towards their makers turned from discontent into hatred.
Perhaps that is why her fate is so tragic; for now they lie gravely wounded within their once radiant fields, their lover slain, and their state worsening with the passing of every season. She is forced to watch as the world they adore falls to ruin, and whilst their heart bleeds for it; they can do little but wither in the face of reality, terrified of the fate that will befall them should they perish.
A fate that stands as an affront to everything they uphold...

Divine Domains

Nature, The Seasons, Life, Love, Sex, Fertility, Fury, Freedom, Druidism, The Harvest, Restoration, and Rebirth. They are also attributed in some measure to the elements, death, the sun, and the moon.

Artifacts

"Bone Charms": These are common artifacts found among those faithful to the Keeper of The Wild and are often imbued with a variety of blessings based on the animal they are taken from. The skull of a hawk may offer keener eyesight to its bearer, the tooth of a wolf may enhance one's ferocity in combat, the skull of a deer may render one more virile; and so on. It is said that these blessings use the last vestiges of the fallen, binding these remnants of power to the bones. These remnants must be willingly given in order for these boons to take hold. Druids are known to carry specific charms associated with the beasts they take the shape of. It is believed that these items improve the clarity through which they realize these transformations. For druids, these charms are often taken from animals they have laid to rest personally; and as such, they hold great sentimental and faithful value to them. This is also true of those who hunt in the name of 'Berach, Dubhslán and Fiachna'. These artefacts appear in association with both Dalla and 'The Mirthless Hunters'.
"Summer Scythes and Summer Sickles": These are another fairly commonplace artifact attributed to Dalla. Often held by wealthy farmers, these tools are inscribed with hallowed, sun-hued runes that embolden any plant they tend upon; ensuring a plentiful harvest from them. The process by which these implements are created is somewhat complex, however; and they can only be made during summer solstices by Druids loyal to Dalla. This leads to a relative scarcity in their numbers. Their boons are not indefinite, however, and as the months wear on the radiance that exudes from their runes will begin to fade. During the summer solstice, the blades must be bathed in the blood of sacrificed animals and left to dry in the sun for a full day. The vital essence will quench the thirst of the blessing and renew its potency for a full year. If these conditions are not met, the tools will lose their blessings and be left mundane. This has ruined the year of many an ill-organized or unfaithful farmer.
"Nesting Seeds": These rare seeds, said to have fallen from the boughs of the towering tree in which Dalla lives, are coveted highly by itinerant members of her faithful flock. Whilst superficially unremarkable save for a singular rune carved upon their surface, these seeds are capable of creating a "nest" for even the most imposing of individuals. Capable of growing in any environment; the seed can be planted, and once bestowed with a nourishing offering; it will rapidly grow into a spacious shelter capable of housing the wielder and several associates. Luminous flowers will provide comfort to those within, and the "nest" will remain until the owner ushers it back into its seed, where it will remain inert until another offering is made to it.
"Horns of Plenty": Few in number; these blessed artifacts are capable of feeding numerous individuals in even the most barren landscapes. Hewn from the severed horns of great rams and inscribed with divine runes by none other than Dalla herself; these legendary artifacts bestow the owner with a seemingly unending supply of natural food; from raw meat to nutritious roots vegetables and berries, all of which can be easily cooked should one be so inclined. This benefaction is not without a trial, however. The horn is wreathed in wildflowers that, though resilient to matters of temperature, must have their thirst quench lest they wilt. These flowers will never bloom again, and should the last one wither, the horn's properties will fade; leaving the bearer with nothing. The only way to have the properties returned to the horn is to have Dalla ensnare it once more, and she is not so easily convinced of such things.
"Ironwood Greatspears": Fabled weapons made from supernaturally sturdy ironwood. These greatspears are often bestowed to warriors of renown who have pledged themselves to Dalla and her cause. They are incredibly durable, yet surprisingly light in the hand, and are capable of delivering death with a precision unmatched by most conventional armaments. Atop these already formidable qualities, each greatspear is individually empowered by runic carvings, imparting seasonal boons to the wielder. Spears marked with spring's blessings will embolden the strength of their bearers, spears carrying summer's blessings will be able to ignite their tips and set their foes ablaze, spears carrying autumn's blessings will bestow their bearers with an uncanny keenness in their strikes, allowing them to fell their foes with greater efficiency, and those blessed by winter will prove nigh impervious to the wear of battle and impart a portion of this resilience to their wielders, numbing them to the rigors of combat. Those who wield such armaments are not to be trifled with.
"The Raiment of The Unyielding": Considered to be truly mythical in its nature, and hewn for a legendary champion of Dalla whose name has since been lost to time, this armor renders the wearer indomitable in the face of their foes. Crafted from blessed iron, the wood from the sturdiest ironwood trees, and trophies taken from the most formidable of beasts, the raiment was made by Dalla herself; and carries a mote of her exceptional power within it. Not only is the armor nigh-unbreakable, but it is also almost weightless, allowing for unparalleled agility when compared to equivalents such as half-plate. Furthermore, runic markings are carved across the surface of the raiment, imparting a variety of seasonal boons in a similar vein to those of the Ironroot Greatspears. The spring blessings improve the strength of the wearer, the summer blessings allow them to exude an aura of flame, the autumnal blessings keen their senses when facing their foes, allowing them to mete out and avoid death in greater measures, and the winter blessings numb the worst of their exertions and the pain their wounds may inflict, allowing them to fight on for longer (though this is is not always beneficial.) To counterbalance this, and to further empower the wearer; the raiment is also capable of rejuvenating and mending the wounds of the wearer slowly, so long as there is a source of vital essence to feed the armor, be it the land around them, or the blood of their enemies. Some may argue that this could be construed as contradictory with the balance Dalla's faithful strive to uphold, but it is the belief of those ardently loyal to Her cause that the wearer of the raiment will perform deeds so great that they act as a counter-weight to the armor's effects, should they prove necessary. In the end, the cycle is upheld. So long as it is, the means matter little.

Holy Books & Codes

The faiths that surround Dalla are steeped in stories and hear-say. Legends and myths are told by those who saw them in the flesh, only for them to be passed down from generation to generation. In such a way, aspects of the faith are purely born from word of mouth, lacking any particular text or code to house them. This is not the rule for every aspect of the faith, however. The greatest collection of teachings, wisdom, and tales surrounding or imparted by Dalla can be found in the poetic edda she herself started. Over time, it has been added to by both mortals and 'Ascended' hands; and these tales then disseminate among the masses through the word of travelers, druids, and other agents loyal to Dalla, ensuring new generations come to venerate this age-old legacy and the insight it offers.
Copies of the edda have been made, and most communities will have some among them. These are often safeguarded well due to their sacred nature. One's best bet at learning the wisdom of Dalla is either through heeding the tales her fervent followers tell or finding a copy of the edda to study yourself.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The traditional symbols and sigils associated with Dalla are as follows:
-Two trees, one above, and one below are intertwined in their roots and surrounded by a great ring. This symbol is often translated into religious brooches and clasps worn by the faithful.
-Bone charms inscribed with blessed runes.
-Acorn necklaces threaded with leather cord.
-Weapons and armor inscribed with the Twin Trees symbol.
-Busts and statues of Dalla raising a seed upwards.
-A great tree blooming with golden apples.

Tenets of Faith

Dalla has been known to offer no shortage of wisdom to her followers, though aspects of it have been diluted through the countless retellings it has endured. Despite such, between the edda and the evident patterns and morals present in the stories the faithful recount, there are some core principles and beliefs which have endured the test of time and the probing of skeptics alike. Many of these guiding principles exalt the preservation of the balance, the fulfillment of the self, the pursuit of freedom, and the moral duty to defend the cycle and that which is dear to you. The most important tenets can be found below. These include:
-"To the best of your abilities, strive to uphold the balance."
-"Live with the land, not against it."
-"Life begets death, and death begets life. Remember this, and respect this truth."
-"Strive to live a full life, lest your twilight is mired in regrets."
-"To raise a child is a sacred affair."
-"To love is a blessing. Let yourself be nourished by it."
-"Our tales will be written into the land and the hearts of the faithful who walk upon it if you tell them."
-"Defend that which is dear to you with all that you can bring to bear."
-"Your fury is a wellspring of power. Wield it with care, and your foes will tremble before you."
-"Suffer not the whims of the defiler. See them undone, and root out any who would bring wickedness upon the cycle."
-"The undead are an abhorrence that must be expunged. Those who partake in their creation or control deserve no shred of mercy, and their bodies are unfit for the earth. They will be burned to ash and naught more."

Holidays

There are many holidays and celebrations dedicated to Dalla and that which she stands for, and the specifics of each can vary considerably. Below you will find some of the most widely known occasions dedicated to her. These include:
-"The Ploughman's Pledge": A festival held at the first sign of spring in a new year. Most communities dedicated to Dalla, or with a significant population that reveres her will partake in this festivity. The start of a new year is a time of great uncertainty, and this is recognized within this festival. Stories and guiding principles are told around communal hearths. The ale flows freely and long into the night, accompanied by dancing and other revelries. The women of the community are commended and partake in reverent acts of faith towards Dalla. Come morning, those who tend to the land prepare it for seeding. This will also include ritual animal sacrifices so as to nourish the earth and ensure a bountiful harvest later in the year. It is said that these sacrifices also empower those who seek to avail the injured of their wounds or aid the sick with their conditions. The festival concludes with a communal moot where leaders and officials declare what is to come for those that follow them. Following such, many druids who are traditionally itinerant will venture out from their communities to brave the wilds. Most will only return at the 'Fallfeast'. Those who survived after leaving their communities following the 'Barren Boughs Festival' will return during this time. Many children conceived during festivals that lead up to summer will often be born during this period. This is considered a great occurrence, and a blessing for those who have them.
-"The Festival of Dawn's Glory": Held on the eve of summer, this festival is dedicated to the arrival of summer, fertility, and the protection of flora and fauna alike. Large pyres are built and ignited in respect to the sun, and the bond between Dalla and Arshan. Stories will be told around these pyres, accompanied by what food and drink the community can spare for such occasions, whilst others dance around great poles wreathed in flowers. Rituals are held to protect and encourage growth among the land, the populace, and their livestock. Many of Dalla's divine servants will also make appearances to communities during this time, so as to assist them in their efforts if they have been suitably dedicated. It is not unknown for these entities to take lovers among the population, and whisk them off for frivolous tristes. Some say the dances held during this event intensify the effects of the rituals cast during the festivities. Many communities also believe in honoring the fertility-oriented aspects of the festival through physical, and liberal displays of their devotion. This often results in many newborn souls by the time of 'The Ploughman's Pledge'. 'Dawn's Glory' is a time of optimism and revelry by all accounts.
-"The Fallfeast": is a celebration held during the harvest season and is a time of both revelry and preparation for the coming winter. The hearths of the community are stoked with wood to feast upon and the harvest is brought in. Much of it will be stored in preparation for winter, but a measure will be set aside for the festivities. Brewers are particularly fond of this festival, as their patronage is often at its highest during this time. Some of that which is set aside is sacrificed in dedication and honor to Dalla; the rest is used to fill the bellies of the populace over three days and three nights of celebration. Many itinerant druids return at the start of the Fall feast in order to help bring in the harvest and savor the celebrations. Thereafter; many communities redouble their efforts to prepare for the winter, shoring up their defenses and emboldening their stockpiles whilst there is still time for such. Individuals who are with child will also turn to those who cannot bear them within their communities, either because of age or other reasonings, and will seek their aid in the last few months of their pregnancy, and the delivery of their infant. It is the choice of those requested as to whether they will offer such aid, but they are treated with utmost respect should they choose to bestow it. It is not something for everyone, and they are not considered lesser should they refuse the burden.
-"The Barren Boughs Festival": is first and foremost a time of remembrance. This is a celebration that is held during winter and is named after the barren trees that frame many of the communities that partake in it. Beneath gloomy skies and among frigid winds; the hearths are lit and the community will come together to remember the fallen, heed their stories, and bury the honored dead if they have not received a ceremony of their own already. Those who are not long for this world are treated with utmost respect during this time and are permitted some liberties so that they may fulfill some of their lingering desires before their thread reaches its end. Servants of death will frequent these villages, to claim the spirits of those who have passed on; but they do not tarry as Dalla's servants are wont to do. These entities are treated with the same reverence as Dalla's own aides. When the fallen have been commended to their rest; the community will come together for a smaller, but no less sincere celebration, often within the great hall of their settlement. They will drink and feast and dance together, before consigning themselves to rest. For many, they will remain within their territory until spring returns; but for some young souls eager to prove their worth and find themselves, they will venture out into the wilds in the wake of this festival. They will then strive to survive until spring, and become hardened for it. Those who return are met with a hero's welcome.
-"The Slayer's Revelry": is a celebration held on the eve of conflict, spanning over two days and two nights. When the fury of the faithful is suitably stoked, they will amass among their largest settlements to drink, revel, and heed the word of those who will lead the charge. During this time, the indignities the enemy has wrought upon the faithful will be made plain, and the due penance clarified. Sometimes this is relatively "minor", but seldom is such a celebration held without due, and severe cause. Following these declarations, the revelry will begin in earnest. Warriors will pit themselves against one another in tests of mettle whilst the wise folk impart insight through the tales of the past. Then comes the feasting, the dancing, and for many, liberal displays of passion to embolden their fighting spirits and allow them to make peace with what may come. These festivities will run on into the early hours of the day. Once the populace has rested, rituals of warding and power will be cast, and the warriors of the faith will don their trinkets and warpaint. Sacrifices are made in the hopes of ensuring the success of their mission, then there is the second night of feasting and passion. At first light; the war host will leave in search of their foe. Captive enemy forces from conflicts past or present may be sacrificed instead of animals if the foe they face has caused particularly grievous wounds to the faithful or the cycle. This is usually but the first act of cruel retribution to be meted out against foes who have earned such fury.

Divine Goals & Aspirations

To safeguard the wild and the delicate cycle of life and death that allows it to flourish, to tend upon the world and mend its wounds, to bring low those who would defile the balance and the natural world that stems from it, to teach their mortal flock to respect the land, and to guide them on a path of fulfillment, freedom, and fury as required.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Dalla is possessive of a powerful frame, though some hints of softness contentedly linger upon her. Her physique speaks of both a mother and a warrior, garnering the appeal of many. She was considerably taller than most of the middling races of the world, standing at just a few inches shorter than her lover Arshan once did. Dalla's body is marked by numerous scars, each a reminder of some tribulation she endured or a trial she had overcome in the name of the balance. She does not regard them as blemishes. Despite such, she experienced much of her life devoid of major affliction or infirmity; and as such was able to attend to their duties without impediment. From the perspective of a human, Dalla would appear as a sturdy but feminine elven figure in the prime of their life. Were they human, one could hazard a guess at saying they appeared to be in their mid to late twenties.
Alas, following their grievous injuries at the hand of 'The Grand Host', Dalla has been rendered in a dire state, debilitated and withering under the weight of her wounds.

Body Features

In their native, humanoid form, Dalla stood at an impressive eight feet and two inches. She has fair skin that sometimes shows faint shades of green when exposed to prolonged measures of sunlight. Her frame is powerful, but such strength is veiled in part by a measure of softness. Broad shoulders frame a broad chest, and sturdy arms lead to worker's hands. The marks of toil are something she bears with pride. The remainder of her form is no less impressive. Strong legs lead to wide hips, lending credence to the notion that she looks like both a mother and a warrior all at once. Her body hair matches the hue of their wild, red locks. Numerous scars line her frame, each a reminder of a trial overcome, or a tribulation endured. She bears them with dignity and finds no distaste in them. Given the admiration they receive from the masses, they seem to agree with this assessment. Much of Dalla's body is also covered in intricate designs akin to tattoos. Whether they are purely decorative or hold some sentimental value, depends on the marking in question. It should be noted that Dalla is decidedly feminine in appearance, and she embraces such with open arms.

Facial Features

Dalla has a firm, but feminine visage. It evokes beauty as much as tenacity and is no less capable of displaying a wrathful fury when circumstances demand it. Their face is framed by long locks of wild red hair, often accentuated with braids. Amber eyes, sit on either side of a strong nose and are topped by full brows. Her lips are shapely, and are often adorned with darkened paints or hues, should it take her fancy. In times of contention, she has been known to don a variety of war paints, crafted from natural reagents. These serve only to intensify the warrior-like aspects of her being.
As the seasons shift, so too do aspects of Dalla's appearance. Perhaps the most obvious of these differences is the manifestation of new life in her hair. Vines will bud amidst her locks during spring, bloom during summer, wilt during autumn, and fade entirely during winter, only to emerge again as the spring comes again. Other aspects of her being are affected by the changing of the seasons, though they are less physically obvious than this example.

Identifying Characteristics

Dalla's most identifying features are her eyes, her hair and its seasonal changes, and the various tattoo-like designs that rest upon the canvas of her body.

Physical quirks

Dalla's quirks and mannerisms exude a sense of wild confidence. She is simultaneously assured enough in herself to be still or sharp, whilst also reveling in free-er motion when circumstances provide the opportunity. Many have noted that Dalla seems to share certain mannerisms with some animals. When she is alerted, her motions become almost hawk-like, whilst when she is tired, she adopts a lethargy almost befitting of a bear and so on. When ireful, her physicality matches that of a challenged boar, or a vengeful lioness, yet when she is joyful, she prances will all the spring of a gazelle to her step.
This variety in quirks and mannerisms leads to a multitude of opinions regarding Dalla. Some admire her open-hearted nature, others are easily intimidated by her wrathful gait, others come to be endeared by her mirthful prancing, and so on. Nonetheless, it is clear to say that Dalla seldom hides how she is feeling. Her disposition is worn on her sleeve, physically speaking.
Following her wounding, however, many of her quirks no longer appear, and those that do are far less apparent. Their condition has sapped much of their strength, and by extension, their capacity to act as they once did.

Special abilities

'The Ascended' possess immense measures of power and magical capability, and Dalla is no exception to this. By virtue of their talents, natural disposition, and the station they have presided over for eons; Dalla's power lies in nature, life, and its wild potential. They are capable of nurturing and affecting nature in ways few others could hope to match, nourishing the world and the cycle through their actions. Though much of their wisdom is steeped in the land and living things, they also possess an intimate understanding of death, courtesy of a 'Mirthless Hunter'. It is through this insight that they are able to champion life itself, imparting their benevolence to those worthy of it, and striking down those who would defile the natural way of things with brutal efficacy. She is capable of evoking great bounties, divine acts of rejuvenation, and calamitous displays of wrath in equal measure.
Curiously, the efficacy of certain aspects of Dalla's abilities shift based on the season. During spring and summer, her life-giving powers are empowered. During the autumn and winter, Dalla's capacity for wrath and tenacity is emboldened, so that she might feed death with greater efficacy. This appears to also be true of mortals who steep themselves in natural magics.
Alas, following her injuries, her ability to wield her otherwise formidable powers has been severely diminished.

Apparel & Accessories

Dalla favors attire that reflected the wilds she presided over. Her preference is to wear attire that was comprised of leather, cloth, cotton, silk, and other products of the wild. The land's flora often features in aspects of her apparel. She is known to only incorporate metal into her attire in the form of gifts, accessories, and equipment. Whilst she appreciated such things, especially when bestowed upon her, she finds little need to clad herself in such unless absolutely necessary. The land already provides all she needs, after all. Furthermore, Dalla refuses to wear alloys, as she considers them unnatural.
Commonly, Dalla adorns herself in attire befitting of the season. In the colder months, she is known to wear dresses embroidered with golden thread and vines that bud and bloom into wildflowers as warmth returns to the land. These would often be accompanied by the pelts of beasts who had died a good death, and jewelry hewn from gold and silver, often worn in homage to the keepers of the sun and moon respectively. During warmer months, this kind of attire is traded out for lighter tunics or bindings accompanying free-flowing dresses or loose legwear. Dalla has also been known to frequent the wild places of the world devoid of all attire, though this is usually during the late spring and summer months.
When conflict rears its head, she dons armor hewn from scale, leather, and toughened hide. Vines are traded for thorns, and the flowers that bloom upon her speak only of fury. Blessed pelts clad her person capable of enduring conflict with the same efficacy as even the toughest of metals. A great cloak of falcon's feathers rests atop her shoulders, bound by a golden chain bestowed to her by Arshan. Her visage would be accentuated with warpaint, and framed by a winged circlet with amber sitting in its sockets. With armaments in hand, she proves to be an imposing presence to behold on the battlefield, and matters stand only to grow direr should she assume more bestial forms...

Specialized Equipment

Like many of her fellow 'Ascended', Dalla employs a variety of tools and implements in order to fulfill their aims. Some of their most commonly used equipment can be found below. These include:
-'The Spring-Stave': Known to be the focus for Dalla's natural powers, this great staff of ironwood, crowned with primordial amber, is one among her first creations following the slaughter of the first 'Giants'. Its end is pointed, and makes for a capable spear should circumstances demand it. With this potent creation in hand, Dalla has bid life to blossom in the most difficult of places, renewed life where it stood to falter, ensured bountiful harvests, and created no shortage of mulch to feed the world out of those who oppose the cycle.
-'Summer's Sickle': A sickle hewn from iron, and blessed with the power of the wild and the sun alike. Golden runes are etched into its metallic surface, and it is commonly used in the harvesting of reagents that Dalla wishes to use. Synonymous with the harvest, sickles are commonplace among the followers of Dalla, be they tools or weapons, or both. It is said that there is no plant that can endure this sickle's bite, and any plant that is harvested by it will take twice as long to decay for they are suffused with life-giving essence upon the blow being struck.
-'The Sword of Autumn': Whilst Dalla presides over life, she is all too aware of the delicate balance between it, and death. The cycle requires both aspects in order to flourish, for each nourishes the other, and thus this blade is brought to bear upon those who would endanger this delicate balance. It is said to have been given to Dalla as a gift by a 'Mirthless Hunter' so that she might better defend life, and in so doing, nourish its grim counterpart. This blade, hewn of iron as pale as the grave, framed by hallowed bone, has served Dalla in innumerable battles. Its edge is keened, and it appears to be possessive of an unnatural accuracy. Glancing blows become crippling, and crippling blows become lethal. This blade is also particularly effective against the abominable undead, as they are considered an abhorrent defiling of the cycle by the weapon's maker, and its wielder.
-'Winter's Bulwark': A mighty round shield carved out of ironwood and frozen metal, reinforced with all manner of divine protections. Its surface is littered with runes that impart Dalla with blessings of fortitude, tenacity, and resolve, aspects that many require if they are to endure the bitter chill of the frigid season that gives it its namesake. It is a weathered thing, the test of time written across its surface, and yet it endures, just as its bearer does. It is also said that Dalla is capable of conjuring great snowstorms by evoking the shield's power. She will remain unphased by the blizzards she unleashes, though the same cannot be said for those who stand against her. The attrition wrought by such frigid tempests have turned the tide of many a battle she has partaken in.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Dalla's history is defined by care and creation, beauty and bloodshed, love and loss. She has endured losses few of their kin could hope to understand and has withstood all the suffering that bloodshed and upheaval could foist upon them. She has partaken in the usurpation of a truly divine force and seen the world plunged into chaos, only for it to rise again. Dalla has seen the glory of mortal life, born witness to the greatness they could achieve, and felt firsthand the cruelty they can inflict. Hers is a story that spans millennia, intertwined with the tales of both 'The Demiurge' and many of her fellow 'Ascended'. Thus to best understand Dalla's history, it is wise to start at the beginning.
Dalla's origins were little different than that of their fellow 'Ascended'. They began life as a 'Servitor', born into a stoic, but caring community sworn to the will of 'The Demiurge'. Bestowed the name 'Gaia', Dalla was raised among a community that was dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance of the world and its infant ecosystems, alongside the creation and propagation of new life in accordance with 'The Great Work'. Gaia's early life was defined by the education their elders provided, and their close proximity to myriad forms of flora and fauna, all crafted within the strict confines of the master's design. She was of the world as it was, the duty of 'Servitors', and granted insight into all the necessary skills they would require to perform the tasks her community was charged with. Often, Gaia would spend their free time roaming the vast groves and gardens her fellow 'Servitors' supervised. She grew to adore these places and began to deeply respect both plants and animals alike, much to the commendation of her guiding figures.
Upon reaching adulthood, Gaia wasted no time investing in their work. They applied themselves with a passion seldom seen among 'Servitors', attending to their tasks with commendable diligence. For a time, they were content to create all manner of flora and fauna that sat contentedly within the parameters of 'The Great Work', and such things blossomed across the world. They took great pride in their achievements and did their utmost to uplift the work of their fellow peers, sometimes to their gratitude, other times to their annoyance. Regardless of their dispositions, the results were no less impressive. Just as they had in their youth, Gaia would often frequent the gardens and groves that she and her peers tended, forming bonds of friendship with the land and its denizens. Her heart sang for them, and in their company, she found a profound sense of contentment.
But such things were not to last.
For nature to flourish, a delicate balance had to be maintained, a balance jeopardized by the unstable nature of the infant world the 'Servitors' worked upon. The servants of 'The Demiurge' were tenacious, but the stringent regulations they were bound by often constrained their ability to generate solutions for the problems they faced. Furthermore, where one group succeeded, another was at risk of failing or being undermined by the success of their peers. Few sectors of 'The Great Work' were as affected by this as those who presided over nature. They had to contend with numerous external influences; from the influence of the stellar flame to the primal elemental forces and ought else besides. Life was known for finding a way, but the instability of the world would prove too much for many.
Gaia was among the most diligent of nature's tenders, and yet her heart grew somber as the years wound on. Though the groves and gardens retained some measure of stability, they had lost their luster over the years; and the lands beyond them invited tragedy more often than not. She had witnessed countless occasions in which her creations, or that of her kinsmen, had begun to bloom only for that progress to be overturned by an external force. A great gale, the earth splitting in twain, a volcanic eruption or a great flood, and so on. With each passing setback, her burdens grew heavier, but her resolve hardened. Elemental forces were not the only problem she contended with, however. Maintaining the balance between flora and fauna was difficult enough with the above in mind. The fact that large swathes of the world went without the sun's light only exacerbated matters. Life struggled, direly so, but Gaia would not be so easily defeated.
Tirelessly, she worked with her peerage to create new solutions to the problem; creating new life and adapting that which already existed in the hopes that it would be better suited to endure the rigors of the world as it was. Alas, the constraints of 'The Great Work' impeded this process, and for every victory they achieved, they would suffer thrice the number of setbacks or defeats. Even so, Gaia worked, even when many of her peers began to lose heart. She persisted until all their conventional avenues were exhausted. For many around her, a dour acceptance seeped into their being. If the problem could not yet be solved, they would simply have to wait until 'The Great Work' had advanced enough to better facilitate their designs, come what may. Gaia did not share in this sentiment, however.
For her, to simply consign herself to inaction whilst the creations she had come to cherish withered or perished was unacceptable. To her mind, there had to be another way, the 'Servitors' simply needed to explore a wider measure of possibilities. Few shared in her disposition, however, instead cautioning her on how such a path could lead her into conflict with 'The Great Work'. Concern bubbled amidst her peerage, for to them, such dispositions were unprecedented, but Gaia would not be deterred. A passion, unlike anything she had felt before burned within her chest, spurring her onwards with relentless determination. Heeding her heart, she withdrew into one of the great groves her peers tended and began her labour.
As time wound on, the advancements of her peers grew increasingly negligible. Much of what they contributed amounted to little more than theory-crafting and debate astride failed experiments. Those who governed the environmental factors that Gaia contended with still undid one another with each advancement, and the problem of the sun still went without a meaningful solution. Gaia's work, however, bore fruit. Her research and experimentation yielded flora and fauna capable of surviving the harsh environment of the world. She gave rise to creatures that could endure scorching heats, plants that could withstand surging winds, insects capable of burrowing deep within the earth to avoid the worst of tumultuous fury, birds who could fly high above the tempestuous seas, and much more besides. These successes emboldened her efforts; for it was not enough for them to merely survive. She would have her creations thrive even in this chaotic land.
Her determination was commendable, but it did not go unnoticed. These anomalous specimens were swiftly noted by her peerage. Some were permitted to roam, others retrieved for study or because they began to out-compete their competition. It soon became apparent to Gaia's fellow servitors that these creations strayed beyond what 'The Great Work' would permit. They adapted too quickly and advanced too tenaciously. Efforts were made to curtail their growth, and others once close to Gaia even approached her to see her work ceased lest 'The Demiurge' detect and find such intransigence unacceptable. Few knew how to truly address the matter, however, for such rebellious ingenuity was nigh unprecedented, and Gaia would not be deterred from their chosen path.
To their mind, the grievances of she and her fellow 'Servitors' stemmed from the state of the world; and the lack of communication between the various collectives that served 'The Great Work'. By all accounts; 'The Demiurge' should have been the one to bring unity and cohesion to the 'Servitors', but their eye was turned elsewhere. Thus; despite the protestations of their closer peerage, Gaia took it upon herself to reach out to wizened guides and aspiring souls among several different 'Servitor' collectives. She implored them to meet with her so that they might discuss a better path they could walk together instead of stumbling along their own, individual routes, regardless of whether or not they came into conflict with each other.
Many refused, or did not even respond; yet to her surprise, there were some who shared in her desires. Others whose passions had given rise to ambitions greater than what was expected of them. Unbeknownst to Gaia at the time, these individuals would become some of her most staunch supporters; even if they had discrepancies with each other more often than not. Gaia bid them meet with her on the outskirts of the great grove she watched over, and they obliged. In due course, she would become acquainted with various individuals hailing from collectives that looked over all the primal elemental forces. Whilst she had hoped others would have heeded the call; this was nothing to balk at. Together, this gathering discussed much, from the way of the world as it was, to potential solutions to the problems they all faced. Disagreements were common in the early stages of their moot; but such things were soon put to rest by Dalla, who managed to assuage the concerns of the present parties and began to foster the foundations for cooperative efforts.
By the end of their discussions, they had considered several potential solutions to the present plights of the world, and though they were far from ideal, they would suffice all the same. A sense of excitement captured the hearts and minds of these inventive spirits, and together they agreed to broach their plans for stabilizing the world to 'The Demiurge'. Surely they would forgive their transgressions and circumvention of proper doctrine if the results were as evident as they appeared to be. Gathering themselves, they made ready to venture forth from the outskirts and towards 'The Heart of The World'. If they were swift, they could attend to matters before their absences were truly noticed; or so they thought...
For just as they were about to leave, a host of 'Servitors' from Dalla's collective emerged from the grove, and at their head was 'The Demiurge' themselves.
They had observed this discord in secret, desiring to know the extent of the anomalous behavior present in these 'Servitors'. This was not the first case of individuals straying from the order of things, and it would not be the last. Gaia and her newfound peers presented themselves and bent the knee towards their divine patron; some expecting punishment, others worse, yet 'The Demiurge' sought a different path. 'Twould be a falsehood to say that their nature, and actions, did not concern them; but in these wayward souls, they saw more than the potential for jeopardy they posed. They saw potential, and therein, opportunity. They bid Gaia explain the solutions she and her associates had come up with, and she did with all due dedication. The vistas and ideas she painted with her words surprised 'The Demiurge', for in them they saw the means to advance their legacy in new and unprecedented ways. Truly, they stood impressed. When the time for judgment came, Gaia's maker did not offer fury or scorn; but instead proposed that she and those who aided her continued on their path to 'The Heart of The World', so that they could meet them there once more. It was an invitation to the citadel of 'The Demiurge'. Something none of them would refuse.
So Dalla, like many of her soon-to-be kinsmen, ventured forth across the infant world and into its 'Heart'. The citadel from which 'The Demiurge' presided over 'The Great work'. There, they were met by several other 'Servitors', and more would join from all walks of life before matters were brought to a head. Amongst this number were the individuals who would go on to become 'Hazuki', 'Arshan', and 'Vulca', all of which would become treasured individuals to Gaia. Nestled in a vast and regal chamber; Gaia sought to converse with those she could, managing to garner a few stray greetings here and there before 'The Demiurge' appeared to those they had gathered. They sat upon their throne. The 'Servitors' knelt before their maker, awaiting their will.
It was here that 'The Demiurge' confessed their frustrations, and offered their bargain. They explained that try as they might, the world lacked heart. Where success was found, it was grand, yes, but it felt forever lacking. Much was in order, and yet satisfaction was nowhere to be found. Atop this, there was a myriad of challenges and emergent issues the world faced. The delicate balance of 'The Great Work' stood imperiled, and they could not hope to attend to every issue before it grew beyond their control, even with the 'Servitors' to aid them. Such lamentations brought them to this moment, for these deviant 'Servitors', clad in ingenuity, and individuality could prove the key to the salvation of 'The Great Work'. Together, they could bring stability to the world and achieve far more than 'The Demiurge' could hope to achieve alone. In so doing; the legacy of their maker could be assured. That was motive enough to dissuade the fearful musings that plagued their mind when regarding those they had summoned. Thus; in exchange for a promise of their renewed loyalty to their maker and their vision, 'Gaia', and those gathered, would be granted an unprecedented gift.
To each of them, 'The Demiurge' would bequeath a measure of their divine spark. A wealth of strength so vast they would become deific in their own right. They would be given the right to take new names befitting of their station, bestowed command over those they once worked aside if they did not hold it already, the means to shift their form if they so desired, and far more besides. All this was to be theirs if they accepted and adhered to the pledge; and accept it, they did.
Thus did Gaia cast off the yolk of their former name, and embraced one of her own liking: Dalla. It was a decision born of instinct and impulse, and one she did not regret. She changed her form to better suit how her new identity made her feel, and swiftly set about business. She consulted with her former associates; who had now been given governance over the primal elemental forces, and in time would come to overhear the musings of 'Arshan' and 'Hazuki' regarding a solution to the sun's searing heat, and freezing absence. They called it the moon. The musings these two had seemed to create solutions for the world that were unprecedented and served to inform much of the deliberation and planning Dalla would lead with those who presided over the elements. Dalla would become fast friends with 'Arshan' and another 'Ascended' by the name of 'Vulca', whose ingenuity and craftsmanship would be vital to the success of many of their fellows' plans.
Dalla gathered her associates, and they swiftly resolved to renew their efforts and enact their adapted plans once the sun and moon had come to be. They would join their peers in the official declaration of their stations, partook in the revelry that followed, and then prepared for what was to come. Whilst 'Arshan', 'Hazuki' and 'Vulca' applied themselves to their monumental task, Dalla and her allies continued to refine and improve upon the designs they had for the world. There was talk of vast seas, mountains that pierced the clouds, isles that sat upon the sky, and flames that were stoked even in the deepest places of the world. Dalla sought to create landscapes and vistas that would endear even the most stoic of souls, and her associates had much to offer in such regards. Deserts, taigas, vast forests and sprawling plains, mesas and scrubland, coral reefs, and molten flats. These were but a few of the concepts they would bring to bear. They would bring balance to the world, and then they would make from it things so wondrous even the heart of their maker would be stirred.
The majesty of the sun and moon, following their completion, served only to spur them onwards. It was proof that they could achieve the unprecedented, and usher in an age of advancement unparalleled in all history. In the wake of their kinsmen's successes, they set to work with unremitting diligence, carving out the world they believed their maker sought. This was an arduous process, one that took centuries; but as the work proceeded; 'The Demiurge' could only approve. Their work was commendable, but it was just the beginning. The satisfaction they felt served only to galvanize further efforts. In time, their fellow 'Ascended' began to achieve feats of a similar scale to that of Dalla, 'Arshan' and 'Hazuki'. Through the variety of perspectives they offered and pursuits they undertook, the world found its 'soul'. Even the most stoic or envious of 'Servitors' could not deny it. As 'The Demiurge' sat upon their throne, overseeing all that had come to pass, a smile graced their lips. This marked a new chapter in 'The Great Work', an age of great advancement, and through the efforts of their aides, the assurance of their legacy.
Alas, such greatness was not destined to last.
For a time, all was as it should have been. 'The Ascended' achieved things the likes of which the world had yet to see, and much to the satisfaction of 'The Demiurge', it was achieved contently within the confines of their vision for the world. Friendships blossomed among 'The Ascended', and in due course, ought else besides. Dalla maintained close relationships with those who presided over the elements; particularly one named 'Nymia', who she considered among her dearest friends, and engaged in the occasional triste with during the early decades of their work. She also conversed regularly with 'Arshan-Nuwair' and sometimes 'Hazuki'. These two granted Dalla insight and entertainment, and they would often talk at length about their achievements and what would come next. In time, her friendship would blossom into a shared affection with 'Arshan'. Their bond was considered to be one of the strongest among all 'The Ascended'. Dalla also found herself fond of 'Vulca' and shared in their pioneering spirit. 'Vulca' created much that served to expedite and improve the creative processes of Dalla, and they respected them ardently for it. Dalla would work tirelessly to accentuate and advance 'The Great Work'. The contentment she felt in her achievements did not deter her from seeking further successes, and enduring greater frustrations.
For 'The Ascended' were ambitious souls, and where ambitious lies, contention was sure to follow. As time wound on, the inventions and designs crafted by 'The Ascended' grew increasingly varied and ever more ambitious. Concern began to flit among the mind of their maker; for it seemed some were beginning to stray from the order of things as they should be. It was a natural bi-product of their ever-evolving individuality. At first, they were content to allow these 'flirtations' with the way of things, hoping that perhaps in so doing, they would find their contentment, and return to a measure of normalcy. The reality was far from this, however. Where one took an inch, another took more, and before long 'The Demiurge' found themselves stepping in to guide, or otherwise chide their aides for their contributions which rapidly began to stray from acceptable limits. Politeness was traded for frustration, discontent, and eventually, fury. Neither side stood to gain, and the more rebellious souls among 'The Ascended' did not take kindly to this scorn. Dalla and Vulca were among those who had grown discontented, they felt unfairly curtailed by the agreement they had once found liberating.
They could not deny the joy their successes had brought them. The flora and fauna they and their 'Servitors' had given rise to warmed her heart, and the variety of creations they had made was truly impressive, but this was not without ever-increasing constraints and dissatisfaction from 'The Demiurge'. Dalla had swiftly become something of a free spirit and found the limitations imposed by their maker to be nothing short of stifling. Often, she would be found in her grove, staring wistfully at the creatures of her own creation; watching as they lived out their lives free of restraint. She envied them, and that sat ill with her. Sometimes she would strive to distract herself from these feelings by delving deeper into their work, but they found themselves growing increasingly frustrated by the results. It was as though they lacked something, but it was something she could not quite put her finger on. At first, she presumed this festering disposition to be a product of the increasing contention between her and her patron; and whilst that played a part of it, the reality was something steeped in ambition, and instinct.
The truth came from rather mundane circumstances.
One day, as Dalla was tending to one of the numerous lands beneath her care; she happened upon 'Vulca' as they tested some new invention they had crafted. The intricacies of their design was lost on her; but she could respect their seemingly unending resolve to experiment. Their drive never seemed to wane. It impressed Dalla; but it also left her deflated on behalf of her own state. They discussed at length about all manner of topics; but eventually matters turned towards her own dissatisfaction. She lamented the feelings of constraint that nestled within her heart, she explained her discontent with 'The Demiurge', divulged her fading fire towards her own creations, and Vulca, to the best of their abilities, sought to comfort them. At the height of their confession; Dalla realized something profound. She desired to create life above all else. This much was known. But she desired to create life that was akin to her, or the 'Servitors'. Beings of thought, and feeling, and consciousness; something which would never be condoned by the stringent vision 'The Demiurge' held for the world, at least not as it was now.
She did not know what to expect following her admittance. She had always known that 'Vulca' pined for the approval of their patron more than most. Perhaps that was why it was so shocking when they proposed they design something worthy of her desires that they could present to 'The Demiurge', and perhaps convince them that it would not jeopardise 'The Great Work' as they seemed to think it would. Dalla was stunned; and though the road that lay before them lay fraught with the potential for danger and disappointment, they could not bring themselves to turn away from it. It lifted her heart to know that 'Vulca' would aid them, and perhaps, should this matter find success; they could finally reconcile their differences with the overbearing 'Demiurge'.
So it was that Dalla and 'Vulca' set about this business, something which would come to be seen as an act of defiance against 'The Demiurge'. Tirelessly, they worked to design and refine their concepts; narrowing down the scope of their imagination until they found that which they saw to be both fitting, and within the range of their present abilities. In secret, they sought to test the strength of their musings, only to be met with disappointment time and again. The flesh was so often willing; but the soul...? 'Twas capable of little more than what the animals of the time were. The results of their efforts lacked true sentience, as they so desired. Every effort was an exercise in disappointment; and they could not be so bold as to make regular attempts, lest they risk their work being detected. To say that these failures were frustrating would have been something of an understatement, but they would not be deterred, demoralizing though it was. They poured themselves into this work whenever they could, and between this and their official duties, they managed to avoid much of the emergent squabbling between siblings. Spared from such distractions, one would have though their diligence would have been rewarded with success...
But time and again, their attempts were met disappointment. No matter what they tried; they could not achieve more than lumbering beasts, and concealing such things was becoming increasingly difficult. Frustration bled into desperation, for as it stood, the chance of their work being realized was... negligible. Yet, despite their circumstances; hope had not entirely fled their cause. After one night of particularly deflating results, Dalla had retreated to her grove to do away with her sorrows as best she could, but Vulca deigned to follow her. They caught her in a fit of weeping, and consoled her to the best of their abilities. Words and gentle touches could do little, however. She sought a solution; and Vulca could think of only one who could yet provide it. 'The King among The Stars'. Another 'Ascended' who presided over the celestial bodies above, and the acquisition and recording of knowledge and advancements in 'The Great Work'. If any had the answers they sought, it would be them. To contact them about such things would be a dire gambit; but Dalla would not be assuaged. The path had been opened; and she would walk it.
Thus, at dusk on the following night, they made their way forth to 'The Stellar Court', seeking out its overseer. There, they found them conversing with a 'Mirthless Hunter', another 'Ascended' Dalla was familiar with. One how presided over death, and by all accounts, her counter-part in the balance. Dalla dared not to intrude; and whatever discourse the pair shared in, it was brief. The 'Hunter' left, and in their wake, Dalla and 'Vulca' strode forth to speak with the one they sought. The keeper of knowledge was a quiet soul; reserved in their nature, speaking only when necessary. Such things remained even after Dalla and 'Vulca' were ushered into one of their domain's most private areas. There they confessed their intentions, the frustrations of their failings, and the desperation that had brough them here. The keeper of knowledge heeded them well; and at first seemed content only to caution them on the dangers of their path, and of confessing it to others, much to Dalla's annoyance, but then they confessed to having the knowledge they sought. Something that was hidden in the deepest reaches of their domain, for they were not supposed to possess it.
For 'The King among The Stars' shared in Dalla's dissatisfaction towards 'The Demiurge', albeit for reasons of their own. That they had resorted to the theft of knowledge spoke volumes as to the state of their loyalties. They offered what Dalla and Vulca sought under the condition that they were allowed to partake in the creative process surrounding this... race that they sought to breathe life into. Furthermore, they wished to be there when they presented the design towards 'The Demiurge'. They claimed they wished to confirm a theory of sorts. Whether or not they shared in their peers' desire to garner the approval of 'The Demiurge' was debatable, but what they did desire was for the vision of another to be realized without the oppressive curtailing of a singular mind. Such was not liable to permit the greatest advancements, nor the widest acquisition of knowledge and understanding. Regardless of their wants, their terms were absolute. If Dalla and 'Vulca' wished to find success in their efforts, they would accept their terms.
So they did, albeit with some measure of trepidation, and the three ventured into the deepest, darkest recesses of the keeper's domain. There, they retrieved what they sought, consigned to a tome so mundane it would be easy to overlook. With such forbidden power at their grasp, this rebellious triumvirate deigned to delay the advancement of their work for a time, so as not to draw suspicion, but in due course they would meet again to apply this newfound knowledge...
And this time, they found success.
Their creation was tall, broad, and crude looking thing; hewn from the land as much as flesh. Runic markings were carved into the stone-like armour of its being, whilst its glowing, amber eyes blazed with the fires of consciousness. Heavy, powerful limbs brought them forward to meet their makers, where they sat, and sought an explanation for how they had come to be. Once which was given in the hushed tones of a secret triumph. Teary-eyed, Dalla embraced her kinsmen and then the creature they had created; both to their confusion, and contentment. This individual was named 'En'. The first one. The first 'Giant'. The three would spend the night 'En', enraptured by the company of their latest, and sentient creation.
For a small while after this, they would begin to test 'En', to see what they were truly capable of. When chance provided them the opportunity, they would impart tools and crafting goods and all sorts to 'En', just to see what they would take a liking to. Curiously, they fashioned themselves as equal parts scholar and artist; something which entertained all three 'Ascended'. Eventually, assured of the competency of their craft despite the simplistic nature of the being, they instructed 'En' to remain where they were, for the sake of their safety, and withdrew to their respective domains. There they arranged a time to seek audience with 'The Demiurge', and when all was prepared, they had little to do but to wait. 'The King of The Stars' had made it clear that they should be careful of who they inform of this business; and Dalla and 'Vulca' had been diligent in such a regard. Now, however, there was such levity in her heart that she could not help but to want to share it with her lover.
So it was that on the eve of their audience with 'The Demiurge' that Dalla went with 'Vulca' to seek 'Arshan'. It was their hope that their dearest lover would find joy in hearing of their success, or at the very least tolerate that it had brought her some much needed closure. After all; they had all strayed from the ordained path in order to reach the lofty heights that they had. Why would this be any different? Such idealism could not be further from the truth, however. Their meeting, though initially warm, soon soured as Dalla confessed their successes. Disagreements and concern soon turned into open arguments and disputes, and no matter what 'Arshan' said, Dalla would not be swayed. They would proceed on this path come what may. Eventually, deeply hurt by the exchange, Dalla took her leave with 'Vulca', leaving a sorrowful 'Arshan' to contemplate what had come to pass.
When the morrow came, 'Dalla' and 'Vulca' met with 'The King among The Stars' and arrived at their audience with their maker. Together, they declared their intentions to 'The Demiurge'. They showed the evidence of their design, and what it could instil in 'The Great Work'. They omitted the existence of 'En', but nonetheless made their case as fervently as they could. Alas, they were soundly rebuked, and their maker offered them little but grave words and ire for their blatant disregard for the pledge they had sworn and adhered to since the beginning. Despondent, the three left 'The Heart of The World' and returned to their individual domains; though this would not be the last wound this issue would draw upon the ties that bound, fraying as they were.
Whilst the rest of the world enjoyed a tentative, and uneasy peace following this rebuttal; the rebellious triumvirate did not. Not by any means. The keeper of knowledge had their theory confirmed, and with it, their dispositions towards their maker were further despoiled, 'Vulca' retreated to their own domain, sorrowful and frustrated at the continued lack of approval 'The Demiurge' provided them and Dalla returned to her grove; incensed by this turn of events. Upset festered into anger, and anger into bold fury. She had not come this far to be denied by them again. She had not given all she had to this world only for her craft to be curtailed so assuredly. 'En' had left a profound mark upon her person, one she could not shake, one that stoked the fires of defiance. A fire she would bear to whatever bitter end it brought her to.
Once more, she contacted 'Vulca', and made plain her intentions. She would continue the work they had begun with 'En', and give life to yet more of the 'Giants'. She would make for the furthest reaches of the world, where few if any would think to look, and there they would begin again in earnest. Those she trusted among her 'Servitors' would be left to preside over matters, come what may. A part of her had not expected 'Vulca' to agree; for she felt they would be too lost to the sorrows of recent events, but it pleased all the same when they appeared to be of like mind. Even so; their absconding would have to be hidden, and there was one who saw a great many things indeed. 'Hazuki'. They would have to be persuaded to turn a blind eye to matters.
Thus, one fateful night, as 'Hazuki' watched over the world from high above, he was approached by Dalla and 'Vulca'. Amidst the shadow of darkened skies did they confess their intention. To defy 'The Demiurge' and give life to a race of their own; the first 'Giants'. Again, 'En' was omitted from these discussions. It did not take long for 'Hazuki' to discern that they were resolved in their path and that naught he could say would stay them from it. He knew of the fury that awaited the two of them should their actions be discovered, but he saw in their hearts an innocent desire. The desire to nourish the world they presided over with new life, and to prove to their maker that such beings could exist without detriment to their work. As such; no matter how he tried to resolve himself, 'Hazuki' found he could only concede to their intentions.
He would not partake of their quiet rebellion; but he would warn them to cover their tracks, for their absence would soon be noted. He would strive to keep their secret to the best of his abilities in the hopes that it would buy them time enough to fulfil their designs. Perhaps then they might have achieved enough to sway the mind of 'The Demiurge', he hoped.
Dalla and 'Vulca' left, and they took 'En' with them; taking the quietest routes to the furthest reaches of the world where they might apply themselves in peace. Wielding the knowledge gifted to them by 'The King among The Stars', they would give rise to new 'Giants', and together they cultivated a small but innocent community of which 'En' was a part of. They would nourish and guide this fledgling flock to the best of their abilities, encountering all manner of new insights and challenges to overcome, but most importantly, they granted the 'Giants' the freedom they were never given. What they did with such liberty astounded them; and for the first time in a long, long while, Dalla and 'Vulca' found contentment. In their hearts, a part of them truly believed that despite their fraying attachments they could change the mind of 'The Demiurge' through their work.
But such was not to be.
The two of them were as diligent as they could be in concealing their work, but no matter the measures these rebellious souls put into place to veil their treachery, their efficacy would prove insufficient. Before long, the 'Servitors' grew anxious at the absence of their masters. Rumours began to circulate among the followers of Dalla and 'Vulca' that they had left to attend to business in the far reaches of the world, though they had given little detail as to when they expected to return. These rumours reached 'Arshan', who in turn came to question his brother on the matter, hoping that he might know more about this sudden, and suspicious turn of events. He explained that word had already reached the ear of 'The Demiurge', and they were incensed at this unexplained absence, fearing intransigence. 'Hazuki' was initially evasive, but their deflection could not long withstand the persistence of their brother. They confessed the intentions of their wayward kinsmen, in all their grand, and defiant nature. He sought the forgiveness of their brother; for it was a betrayal of a kind, to have withheld this vital information for as long as he had, but he could not have been sure it would not have reached 'The Demiurge' and endangered those they both cared for. 'Hazuki' had become jaded by their maker's behaviour, but that distrust was not meant for 'Arshan', however pragmatic it was to apply it upon him.
Fortunately, though scorned, 'Arshan' was willing to set aside his differences with his brother. He knew that the defiance of his lover and close friend would bring about a fury in 'The Demiurge' that they could not hope to restrain. There was no time for them to quarrel now. The margin for action was slim, but if they arrived quickly enough, perhaps they could circumvent tragedy. Anxious though they were, the two brothers resolved to try and left the keeping of the sun and moon in the hands of their 'Servitors'. Together they made haste towards the far reaches in search of Dalla and 'Vulca'. Unbeknownst to them, however, 'The Demiurge' had already marched forth with the intent of quelling this act of insurgency.
Dalla and 'Vulca' were nonethewiser of the danger that approached them, and what precautions they had made proved woefully insufficient in deterring 'The Demiurge'. The arrival of their maker was punctuated with demands for explanations and subservience; with little care given to the 'Giants' who trembled in the presence of this divine being. Try as they might, nothing they could say would deter their maker from his chosen path. When 'Vulca' questioned why they cared so much for the matter, 'The Demiurge' flew into a rage; brandishing their great blade, and cleaving into the 'Giants' around them. Panicked by this raw display of hatred; the two 'Ascended' begged the 'Giants' to flee; but there was little they could do to stop 'The Demiurge' alone. Their actions merely delayed the inevitable, and they could not yet bring themselves to raise a hand against their maker. Moment by moment, 'Giant' by 'Giant', the slaughter grew more atrocious, until Dalla and 'Vulca' were pushed back to the very edges of their "domain", frantically attempting to protect 'En'.
Swift though they were; Hazuki and Arshan were unable to reach their kinsmen before 'The Demiurge' and curtail the butchery that had come to pass. 'Arshan' and 'Hazuki' were forced to tread through the remnants of the slaughter, bearing witness to the last of the 'First Giants' as they were cut down by 'The Demiurge'. Something within them began to fray; witnessing such wanton carnage, and the massacre of living spirits not unlike the 'Servitors'. The seeds of doubt, long since planted, began to fester within their minds; for if their maker could usher in such devastation upon these poor souls, innocent in all fashions save for the sin of being made into being, then what would befall them should the ire of their "parent" not be sated by the end of this culling?
By the time they reached their wayward kinsmen, it was already too late to spare the last of the 'Giants'. 'En'. 'The Demiurge' stood before their wayward "children", eyes a-flame with vindictive fury, demanding that 'Vulca' stand aside, that they might cut down the last of the wretched abominations he had spawned; whilst the diminutive 'Ascended' sobbed and begged their "parent" to cease in their crusade and let them live. Tensions only grew, and the two brothers soon joined in the protests; because they were the first to see what was doomed to follow if 'The Demiurge' did not see reason. Alas... their maker refused the prospect of mercy and brought their blade towards the 'Giant', and 'Vulca' therein. 'Hazuki' tried to intervene, but 'The Demiurge' was too quick. The blade cut deep into 'Vulca', who fell to the ground. A second slash brought low the last of the 'Giants'. The pledge 'The Demiurge' swore to 'Arshan' was broken, and in that moment, the brothers' bonds of loyalty shattered in kind. One of their maker's most loyal "children" finally turned their back on them. 'Hazuki' and 'Arshan' surged forth, laying their hands upon 'The Demiurge' as they forced him back from their wounded kinsmen.
Guilt-ridden and outraged; their maker blustered and spewed vitriol towards their chosen, decrying their ascendance as a mistake, and that they were unworthy of the freedoms offered. Not a word of sincere apology left them as they withdrew, their "children" left to nurse the wounded' Vulca'. Hazuki was overwhelmed by disgust, and 'Vulca' was lost to despondence. Arshan was overcome with a righteous anger, and Dalla was plunged into the depths of grief. That she had lost so much, and one so dear to her could be harmed by the one who call themselves a "parent" to them? It incensed her; boiled the blood and set the heart a-pace like a tiger on the hunt. Something in her that day snapped; for she vowed that never again would she, or those under her charge endure such malice again without a retribution so furious it will chill the spines of even the most resilient souls. 'The Demiurge' would hurt as she had hurt. They would bleed as 'Vulca' had. They would taste of her fury and know the wrath of the wild's unfettered hate.
They would demand retribution, and they would have it no matter the cost.
Dalla was the first to turn their back upon 'The Demiurge'. The figure that ruled over their work was ill-deserving of their throne. The blood of one dear to them had been shed by one who had sworn a covenant never to do so. It evoked a fury in her that would not be quelled by any amount of words or diplomacy, and she would have them know the price for their contemptible actions. Alongside her kinsmen, she took to spreading the tale of 'Vulca's' wounding to her fellow 'Ascended'. Though they had shared in their squabbles throughout the centuries, the notion that their own "parent" would broker such scorn towards them was nothing short of galvanizing. One by one, they cast off the shackles of their former loyalties, working in secret to prepare for their day of reckoning, slowly becoming a unified, hidden front against their former leader. In the shadows they plotted their revolution, preparing for the day of usurpation. Even 'Hazuki', one who exonerated truth, could not deny the necessity of this shadow-play. 'Dalla' found those who presided over the elements all too eager to side with her when the truth came to the fore. The ties that bound them together had not been forgotten, and the outrage they felt after hearing what had come to pass was... evident. 'The King among The Stars' recognized this as the best path forward, and a 'Mirthless Hunter' pledged themselves to 'Dalla', for their paths were entwined no matter what came from this. Eventually, after much preparation; 'The Ascended' stood ready. Their maker was unfit to sit upon their throne, so they would see them cast from it.
Meanwhile, 'The Demiurge' found their guilt subsiding, and they beseeched 'The Ascended' to gather in 'The Heart of The World', so that they might reconcile this bloody mess in a fashion that suited their designs. They knew well enough the damage their wrath had caused, but perhaps their "children" would yet listen. Perhaps this matter could be salvaged. Yet not a single member of 'The Ascended' heeded their call. Not one. This was the second, grievous act of defiance. Enraged, 'The Demiurge' demanded their return, casting their voice to the highest heavens, that it might boom across the world no matter where his "children" lay.
They were met with silence.
So it was that 'The Demiurge' committed 'Servitors', the former flesh and blood of 'The Ascended', to retrieve their wayward "children". If they would not come willingly, then they would be brought before them by force. By the will of their maker, these 'Servitors' marched forth, scouring the world in search of their former leaders. Once they were crafters, menders, pathfinders, and so much more. Now they stood as the martial arm of their maker. In time, they would find 'The Ascended', for they had deigned to hide no longer. Not a single 'Servitor' returned; for they were either slain or routed and driven into hiding. 'Dalla' was among those who meted out such fates; making a clear example of those she brought low. She would have 'The Demiurge' know of the fate that would befall them for their malice.
Thus, through this bloody act, the reckoning of 'The Ascended' began; in all its wickedness.
What followed was nothing short of apocalyptic. 'The Ascended' brought their full might to bear, reinforced by arms and armaments the likes of which the world had never seen. 'The Demiurge' sent forth the 'Servitors' to restrain or otherwise remove their rogue aides, but to little avail. The world was brought to ruin, the great order overturned in a bloody expression of vengeance and outrage. The seas boiled, the sun cast down its fury upon the land, and the earth cracked and splintered. All that once was saw itself undone. The 'Servitors' were all but wiped from the face of the world whilst 'The Demiurge' retreated within its 'Heart', leaving their creations to perish in their stead. Such did little save to buy time, time with which they forged their contingency. 'The Sigil'. A great, cosmic truth that could not be undone by the likes of these usurpers, whose wickedness 'The Demiurge' now saw in themselves. For how could they have come to know such cruelty, if it did not fester within they who made them what they were?
Dalla astride her closest companions, was at the head of the vanguard, astride their kinsmen, when the time came to confront 'The Demiurge' directly. Heedless to the demands of their maker for them to leave, having caused ruin enough, they brought their blade to bear upon their maker. A great battle ensued, and many of 'The Ascended' were injured; but in the end, they would prove the victors. Some called for 'The Demiurge' to be slain, to be done with this matter once and for all, but this was not to be their fate. Rather, after the suggestion of 'Vulca', it was decided that they would be stripped of their powers, imprisoned using their own tools, and forced to reside deep within 'The Heart'. They would be lost and forgotten, whilst those who cast them from their throne went on to redefine their legacy as they saw fit. A poetic end, so they surmised.
Though she would have much preferred to see 'The Demiurge' slain for their malice; she could not deny the satisfaction 'Vulca's' suggestion gave her. Begrudgingly, she accepted the judgment of her peerage, and partook in what followed. 'The Demiurge' was stripped of their strength and bound by shackles hewn into life by the very tools of creation they had once commanded. Rancour and vitriol poured from their lips; decrying their "children" as false idols, who will know their fate when they too lay 'spurned' by those they loved, and that this will not be the end for all would be as it once was, in time. 'The Ascended' cared not for their maker's blustering, however true it would prove to be. They locked them away in the deepest reaches of 'The Heart of The World' and saw to it that they would never be found again.
So it was that 'The Demiurge' was cast from their throne, and Dalla's part in their downfall came to an end.
When 'The Ascended' emerged from their maker's citadel, they saw the world aflame. It had been brought to the very brink by their fury. Such desolate vistas brought a wounded 'Hazuki' to his knees. How high the cost of their rebellion had been. 'Nymia' soon came to console him, but neither of them could deny the ruin they and their kinsmen had brought about. It was among the world's darkest hours, and hope was all but extinguished. But such was not to last. Carried by 'Arshan', a wounded 'Vulca' seized the attention of their peers and declared that their duty to this world was unfinished; but they would no longer be constrained by the bindings of 'The Demiurge'. This world was theirs now, and they would see it restored as they saw fit. Beholding such a sight, 'The Ascended' found their resolve and pledged to remake it in accordance with their desires, and never to repeat the mistakes of their benefactor. When their strength returned to them, they would begin post-haste. Each would play their part in a painstaking process of trial and error, a process that took millennia to complete. Dalla was galvanized by this speech, and would position herself astride 'Vulca' at the forefront of this newfound duty. She would work tirelessly for as as long as it would take. That was her pledge. In time, through no small amount of toil and tears, their efforts would be rewarded, and the world as it was prior to the emergence of 'The Spurned' would come to be. Verdant, wild, and untamed; presided over by 'The Ascended'. They would usher in their own children, the mortal races, and together brought rise to an age of splendour. Dalla would look over the 'Giants' and the 'Elves' with a zeal that could only be described as maternal. She had lost her creations once. She would not do so again.
To see this age lasting, and fearing the nature of either a singular ruler as they had once known, or a world with no figures to guide its flocks, Dalla would be among those who sought to establish a council of 'Ascended', such that they could govern together, and ensure greater collaboration and companionship between peers. The majority accepted, though there were some who took a lonesome path, and others who rejected this notion, preferring the comfort of more select company that might serve their own machinations better. Their choice was accepted, and the infant council was formed after much deliberation. Together, they ensured this age of splendour was maintained, due in no small part to Dalla's capacity for mediation and assertion where necessary.
As time wound on, however, fresh anxieties began to form. Just as they had deposed their maker, what if their own children would come to do the same? If they believed it possible, surely there would be those with ambition enough to try? There were those like 'Hazuki' who did not subscribe to these ideals, preferring instead to offer truth steeped in guidance, but it was clear that they would be outvoted by the council they had helped create. Others, like Dalla, believed it was a kindness to the races they created and the best means to ensure the stability of the world they were remaking. She was part of the process that gave rise to a grand, and vast deception. Distasteful though it was, history was re-written to portray 'The Demiurge' as a tyrannical presence 'The Ascended' overthrew, omitting the times of joy and satisfaction that had once been known to them. It was decreed that their deific strength made them untouchable to all but those who shared in their power. Their potency was unmatched. The world was remade to undo what this tyrant had wrought, and they would preside over their new domain. A lie steeped in truth, and it would be instilled into many of the religions that came to be formed. Through this, however, it would plant the first seed of their undoing.
The age of splendour carried on for centuries, and all who came to be in this time knew its glory and its riches. But like even the most sturdy times of contentment, it must invariably fade into dispassion.
The ambitions of 'Ascended' individuals began to transcend their former trappings, and their inexperience as leaders began to reap its toll. The mortal races and the nations they founded would find reason enough to look upon each other with disdain as often as with love. The same could be said of their makers. Conflict and cruelty were doomed to follow. Debates began to run rife throughout the council as to how they might best preside over their flocks. These would be exercises measured in decades, seeking answers to questions far beyond the simplicity of a singular answer. During these times, the mortals found their voices unheard. When calamity struck, they would be left to fend for themselves more and more often. When war broke out, they found their deities granting their boons, or interceding, less and less often. Mortals and 'Ascended' alike clashed with their own, be it on the battlefield, in the shadows, or in the chambers of debate. Dalla was no stranger to these conflicts, and found herself embroiled in them more often than not. She was a furious combatant, and stood ardently by her ideals and those of 'Arshan' for the most part, though many of the clashes she was a part of grew to be bloody and embittering. Though 'Arshan' strove to comfort Dalla in their times of need; their fury was not always able to be quelled. The wounds she wrought upon her foes were grave; and there were those who would come to resent her for them.
Many considered this to be a time of great darkness, but worse still would follow. As the centuries wound on and the divine debates grew more vitriolic, their capacity to attend their flocks dwindled severely. The mortal races grew uneasy. As time marched, however, unease turned into fear, fear turned into upset, upset into despondence, and despondence into hatred.
Dalla strove to maintain a balance between attending to their mortal flock and contending with their fellow ascended. Such proved to be a near-impossible task, however. In spite of all their efforts, dissatisfaction mounted on every side. More and more members abandoned the council in favour of their own ambitions, whilst more and more mortals began to look upon their makers with scorn. Dalla and their followers found themselves thrust into ever more frequent conflicts, which did little but aggravate matters. Centuries would pass, with little sign of improvement whilst the contempt of mortals grew. History appeared poised to repeat itself, and repeat itself it did.
The mortal races formed what was known as 'The Grand Host'.
With it, they marched upon the gods, deep into 'The Heart of The World', heralded by one who declared that they had seen through the lies of the divine and endured their attempts at removal. They would have the truth, or they would have blood. Dalla was not blind to the danger this host possessed; and as such, they dedicated themselves to bringing order among a fractured council so they might placate their flocks before it was too late. They gave all they could, and they were not alone in such efforts; but in the end, there were those among their kind who were far too set in their ways to change now. No amount of passion, empathy, or ire, would change that; and Dalla had earned more than her share of detractors. Tempers flared among those within and without the council, and before long; 'The Ascended' came to blows, kinsmen turning on kinsmen in a bitter show of wickedness.
When 'The Grand Host' arrived, the lie was bared to them. The proof was found in the bloodied forms of the divines and the venomous words that had fallen from their lips during the host's descent. Whilst some would strive to spare their divine makers and seek answers away from the carnage, all too many were overtaken with outrage. In their fury, they descended upon their wounded makers, and slew all they could, wounding many whom they could not. Some of 'The Ascended' managed to abscond, but they were few and far between, soon driven into hiding by that which followed.
Dalla was among those who survived, but not at great and terrible cost. She took up arms against 'The Grand Host' and for with a fury that could only be considered animalistic. She battled to the bone to spare those she could; but her wounds mounted... and in the end, she was overpowered. It was only through the actions of 'Arshan' that those who remained loyal to her could spare her from a terrible fate. As she was ushered forth; ailing from grievous wounds, they were powerless but to watch as their beloved fell, astride several other 'Ascended', only to rise again as twisted echoes of their former selves. 'The Spurned'. It broke her heart to witness such.
Her followers carried her forth to safety and treated her wounds as best they could before beginning the long and arduous journey back to 'The Eternal Grove'. There, Dalla has remained ever since, slowly withering away from her wounds despite the efforts of her most potent menders. Her frustration and grief have left her tempestuous and sullen, and what little comfort she can find in the world is but fleeting.
Her fate, unless the course is corrected, will be an ignoble one. A tragedy for one who exonerates life so ardently...
But whilst they yet live; perhaps those 'Forsaken' may weave a better thread for her.

Gender Identity

Dalla identifies as a female individual. Her pronouns are She/Her/Hers, and she takes great pride in her powerful femininity.

Sexuality

Dalla is Pansexual. She is attracted to individuals regardless of gender. To her mind, the merits and deeds of an individual matter far more as far as desirability is concerned.

Education

Much like the rest of 'The Ascended', Dalla received a comprehensive education in multiple areas of interest from their fellow 'Servitors' and 'The Demiurge' themselves. As a result, they were fully proficient in the use of advanced technology the 'Servitors' made use of, and the powers bestowed upon them by their maker. Dalla holds a natural affinity for nature and many of their abilities, both positive and negative, reflect such. They have spent a great deal of time honing themselves and their craft in such regard. Had they the strength to, they would surely continue this trend even now. As a result, there are few, if any who could claim to have as wide, and precise a knowledge of nature and the natural world as Dalla.
That is not to say they have not benefitted from the insight of their peers, however. Dalla was well-liked by many of their fellow 'Ascended', and she would often exchange knowledge between them. In so doing, they would form strong bonds between those who presided over the primal elements, Arshan, Hazuki, Vulca, and they who tend to the dead. These relationships would yield great insight for all who involved themselves, and all involved parties benefitted from them in their own way.

Employment

Just like many of their fellow 'Ascended', Dalla has held a variety of positions as circumstance or desire demanded. The first of such roles was that of a 'Servitor', sworn in service to their maker's will. Dalla performed their tasks both efficiently and passionately, doing their part to advance 'The Great Work' as best they could. As with the rest of their kin, she eventually garnered the eye of 'The Demiurge'. In so doing, Dalla was offered the opportunity to rise high above their present station and preside over great constructs and forces fundamental to stability and continuation of 'The Great Work'. She accepted this offering, pledging her loyalty to her master once more, and becoming one of 'The Ascended'.
From this newfound position, Dalla would preside over nature and the nurturing of life across the world. She flourished in this role, giving rise to all manners of life, yet in time she would find her ambition growing and with it her dissatisfaction. She cared deeply for the 'Servitors' placed beneath her command, but such would not stay her hand when the time of rebellion came to be.
Following the slaughter of the first 'Giants', Dalla would be among those who rebelled against their tyrannical parent. The wounds they had wrought in flesh and spirit would not be abided, and Dalla, full of wrath, brought the full might of the wilds she had so carefully tended to bear against her enemies. Besides her lover, 'Arshan', Dalla would be among those who ventured into the very 'Heart of The World' to confront their maker directly. They emerged only once their victory was assured.
When the time came to restore what was lost in their conflict, Dalla would pioneer the world's reformation. She worked tirelessly alongside her peers to ensure the world was rejuvenated and remade as they sought it to be. Compromises were made, naturally, but many could respect Dalla's core intentions, and as a result, by the time the work was done Dalla could look upon it with nothing short of pride. She also joined the council of 'Ascended' and aided Arshan in its foundation, believing it to be the best way in which 'The Ascended' could preside over their flocks without unduly encroaching upon one another.
As the millennia wound on, Dalla would find herself becoming admired by countless individuals. Faiths and religions were developed around her, particularly amidst the wood-folk and the 'Giants'. Many of her followers strove to aid their divine patron in whatever fashion they could, from living amicably with the land to ousting those who would defile it. Dalla strove to serve her faithful followers well no matter what was foist upon her, be it conflict, her duties, or ought else besides. Her efforts were admirable but ultimately insufficient, as was the case for many of 'The Ascended'. Now, in the wake of centuries of discontent and a fateful slaughter, she lays within 'The Eternal Forest'; direly wounded.
Her circumstances have yet to change since the cruelty of mortals was unleashed upon them.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Dalla has led a life marked by a multitude of achievements and accomplishments.
-Maintaining and presiding over the wilds, and the delicate cycle that permits them to flourish.
-Creating countless species of flora and fauna, some of which persist even to this day.
-Creating the first 'Giants' alongside 'Vulca', and seeing them remade following the usurpation of 'The Demiurge'.
-Playing a part in the usurpation of 'The Demiurge'.
-Creating the first 'Elves', and watching over them ever since they first set foot upon the remade world.
-Rooting out countless defilers of the cycle.
-Guiding their flock to full lives, instilling in them the virtues of freedom, beauty, love, unity and fury.
-Standing astride the faithful in times of crisis, even to her own detriment.
-Aiding their fellow 'Ascended' in retelling the fall of 'The Demiurge' in such a way that it secured their seats among and above their mortal flocks. Dalla believed this was the best course of action to ensure the stability of the world going forward.
-The creation of 'The Eternal Grove'.
-Maintaining ties with fellow survivors following 'The Fall of The Old Makers'.
-Surviving 'The Fall of The Old Makers'.

Failures & Embarrassments

Though few would deny the greatness of her achievements; Dalla's story also features its fair share of failures and setbacks; some far more severe than others. These include:
-Damaging their relationship with 'Arshan', something that was only truly able to recover due to the wrath of 'The Demiurge'.
-Failing to reconcile with 'The Demiurge'. Not that they cared to by the end.
-Failing to prevent the injury of 'Vulca' and the death of 'En' at the hands of 'The Demiurge'.
-Failing to prevent the massacre of the first 'Giants'.
-Becoming embroiled in disputes and conflicts with her own kind.
-Engaging in warfare with former peers.
-Being unable to maintain relations between the council of 'Ascended' and the mortals they presided over. Had she done so, perhaps 'The Grand Host' would have never come to be.
-Being unable to spare 'Arshan' from his fate.
-Surviving 'The Fall of The Old Makers', and bearing the guilt that such imparts.
-Being unable to recover from their wounds, and continuing to ail from them to this day.

Mental Trauma

To say that Dalla has lived a life without trauma would be a blatant falsehood. She has endured much; more than most 'Ascended', and it has framed her perception of reality to no small degree. Loss has wrought terrible wounds within her psyche. It has rendered her most protective of those she holds dear; and the fury that is stoked at their injury cannot be understated. It has led her to great triumphs, and grave acts of wrath in equal measure. The fear of losing those she loves has plagued her mind ever since the death of 'En', and it has festered within her and intensified as the ages have come and gone. The lose of 'Arshan' has merely compounded this fact, doubly so now that she is too injured to take the field astride her faithful agents, and is all too aware of the fate that would befall her should she perish.
Another, pressing trauma that afflicts her mind is her loathing towards her present state. The wounds she received by the hand of 'The Grand Host' and some of the first 'Spurned' were dire; and have yet to heal to this day. Neither flesh nor mind has recovered since, and her inability to do much of what she once could weighs upon her heavily, often resulting in her followers and servants bearing the brunt of her displeasure. This trauma will still linger for centuries to come; even if by some miracle she is healed.
That is, of course, should she remain to see the years ahead...

Intellectual Characteristics

Dalla is a shrewd, exploratory, passionate and empathetic individual; and her intellectual characteristics reflect such. She is always eager to hear the tales of explorers and adventurers, seeking what new insights their travels may have offered; and she too makes the most of any opportunity to stretch her legs and find new things to sate her curiosity. In such a fashion, she is certainly more world-wise than other 'Ascended', and she is possessive of a keen intellect to supplement such. She is by no means 'The King among The Stars', but her mind should not be understated.
Her greatest strengths, however, lie in her capacity to understand others; be they mortal or beast, on an almost instinctual level. This measure of empathy has served her well in many cases, and her emotional intellect rivals that of 'Arshan'. She is quicker to note things that others would forgo, particularly when it is born of reaction, or animalistic impulse. This has allowed her to avoid many situations which would have otherwise proven damning.
That being said, one's instincts can be used against them, as can their emotions; and Dalla has been made a victim of such on more than on occasion. She has garnered her come-uppance in enough of such events for it to be considered a dangerous gambit to manipulate her in such a fashion, however.

Morality & Philosophy

Dalla's morality, whilst generally considered benevolent due to her association with life as a primal force, should not be mistaken for the lofty virtues one such as 'Arshan' might uphold. She is a primal being, and her ideology reflects such. To live a life of freedom and fulfilment, living with the land; and for it in some respects, loving ardently, and fighting for that which you hold dear with a fury that borders upon the animalistic. These are some of the ideals she upholds with fervour. She exonerates those who can understand and abide by these ideals, and her attitude towards those who can't ranges from ambivalence, to pity, to contempt. Other, more "civilised" societies may consider the ideology of Dalla to be primitive, or even barbaric. Dalla cares little for their point of view. She knows well enough that her way of life has yielded results, and contentment among many. That is enough for her, and should they come knocking upon her door, she will sure to greet them with the "kindness" they have shown her.
Alas; even if one rebuked all of the above, she and her followers would not hold you to the same degree of contempt as they do those who defile the cycle. Those who do are worthy of neither pity, nor mercy as far as Dalla is concerned. Her followers, at least those truly loyal to the path, share in the same sentiment.

Taboos

Dalla disdained much that many of the stereotypically "benevolent" 'Ascended' did. She held distaste towards disloyalty, cowardice, insolence and undue cruelty. The latter is tinged with a measure of irony given the lengths she is prepared to go to achieve her vengeance on those who have wronged her severely enough. These examples, of course, were to be expected to some degree. Beyond these, however, Dalla was known to hold those who spurned or mistreated their loved ones with an ireful hatred. She held no measure of pity towards these kinds of individuals. Furthermore, those whose hearts knew only apathy would be quick to find her disdain upon them. This is no doubt a factor for why she loathes 'The Black March' so fervently.
Those who exploit the land and take from it more than they should require will also swiftly earn Dalla's displeasure. Such action goes against one of her most fundamental principles. To this end, she is also distrustful of those who make alloys of metals; for they consider it to be an insult to the earth's natural bounty.
Nonetheless, all the above pales before one singular taboo that is entirely unforgivable to Dalla. Those who defile the cycle of life and death will find themselves hounded by her servants and faithful worshippers. These individuals, abhorrent as they are, deserve neither pity nor mercy; neither do their creations. Undeath, in any form, and those who dabble in the arts that bring it into being must be ripped out from this world, root and all, wherever they are found.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Dalla had many motivations prior to the rise of 'The Spurned'. Many of them have been curtailed or otherwise laid to waste by the malice of their tainted siblings. Those that remain are somewhat plainer. They are as follows:
-To survive her wounds, lest she becomes one of the loathsome 'Spurned'.
-To make peace with the death of their lover 'Arshan', and find the resolve to stand against their twisted remnants should it come to it.
-To safeguard the wilds and all that which she once diligently tended.
-To mend the fraying bond between herself and her following.
-To find the strength to defend her flock, to the bitter end, if necessary.
-To see 'The Spurned' undone, abominable as they are.
-To ensure their followers hold true to their purpose; now more than ever.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Dalla possesses numerous proficiencies that she can utilize to her advantage when circumstances demand it. From her potency and determination in battle to her patience and resolve to care for those deserving of such, to her capacity as a mediator among mortals and gods alike, to her understanding and ability to wield nature as she sees fit, and much more besides; Dalla is, by all accounts, most fit for her station. What they may have lacked as an individual, they made up for through their strengths and their collaboration with other 'Ascended' better suited to that which she struggled with.
For all their strengths, however, Dalla is not without her share of ineptitudes. Some of the more notable examples can be found below.
Firstly, whilst Dalla is a proficient crafter with non-metallic, natural materials; she is inept in matters of metallurgy. Much of her attire and equipment are formed from substitutes well within her area of expertise, and that which is not was most likely made for her by another. Additionally, Dalla holds little desire to learn the art of smithing beyond the use of base metals. She considers many of the techniques used in more advanced smithing to be an insult to the world's natural bounty.
Furthermore, Dalla's comprehension of jewel craft is rudimentary at best. Is a talent best understood by another of their fellow 'Ascended', one who presides over primal earth, and their creations. Whilst she is capable of creating comparatively crude trinkets and making the most of raw cut gems, she is by no means an artisan of this particular craft. Their staff is something of an outlier in this regard, however. There is a primal quality to it that cannot be denied.
Another of Dalla's ineptitudes lies ironically in the realm of death. Whilst she shares an intimate understanding of its workings, it is not her domain to influence, but that of a 'Mirthless Hunter'. To that end, all she can truly do to influence the other side of the cycle is to ensure that life begets death, so that death may usher in new life. Fortunately, Dalla maintains an amiable enough relationship with their counterpart, so their lack of influence here is not as dire as it might otherwise be.
Finally, Dalla holds no major skill with great weapons. To her mind, she would sooner assume the form of a great beast than wield such an implement. It is almost unnecessary as far as she is concerned. That being said, for all the primal versatility her animalistic forms offer, she cannot dispute the bite such weapons can bring to bear.

Likes & Dislikes

Dalla is known to approve of the following:
-Passion.
-Poetry.
-Love.
-Untamed lands.
-Nature.
-Animals.
-Combat.
-Roaming freely.
-Tender acts of kindness.
-Sex.
-Storytelling.
-Arshan.
-Swimming.
Dalla holds little love for the following:
-Over-aggressive industry.
-Unnecessary constraint.
-Those who lack the stomach to defend what is dear to them.
-'The Grand Host'.
-'The Demiurge'.
-'The Spurned'.
-'The Black March'.
-'Arshan-Nuwair, The Pale Conqueror'.
-Callousness.
-Undead.
-Demonic entities/aberrant creatures.
-The defiling of the natural cycle.
-Their present state.

Virtues & Personality perks

Dalla's virtues stem from her capacity for love, her free-spirited passion, and her fury. Few among 'The Ascended' could claim to feel as deeply as Dalla does. Throughout her life, she has come to love many in a plethora of ways, and those who have known her love have known an ardent carer. Her passions have inspired many, and she has channeled them towards the betterment of herself and others on many occasions. Those who garner her benefaction will find a formidable and charismatic ally in Dalla.
She strives for freedom, both for herself and others, and uses such to the benefit of her following and those worthy of her attention who are outside of such. Dalla is understanding that such freedom takes many forms, and she does not discriminate between them. The satisfaction of a humble farmer who has made peace with their lot in life is no less important than a vagrant hero and the fulfillment they find in acts of virtue.
Those who earn her disdain will find themselves pit against the wrath of nature itself; brokering no half-measures in their undoing. She is a ferocious and relentless warrior who will fight against that which threatens what she holds dear with a tenacity that can only be described as wild.
If all else were to prove false, one aspect of her being will always remain: In all things, be they good or ill, Dalla strives to live fully. This sentiment plays a great part in their aggravation towards their present, ailing state.

Vices & Personality flaws

Whilst Dalla's virtues are commendable, and her passion has given rise to many benevolent acts, she is not without flaws, and that same ardency has undermined her on more than one occasion. Dalla's fervor, once stoked, is difficult to calm without her achieving what she discerns as a 'just' measure of retribution, rightly or wrongly. Once sufficiently provoked; Dalla has been considered to be almost blind to reason, and often in the throes of her passion, more than just her quarries suffer. Despite how beloved Dalla was, there are those who to this day resent her for the wounds her wrath has inflicted upon them or those they cherish. In recent years, Dalla's wounded state has only intensified this aspect of her being. Her frustration towards her state and those who inflicted it upon her has boiled over and harmed those who still tend to her on more than one occasion.
Blind passion is not exclusively reserved for negative contexts either when concerning Dalla. She has been known to permit the affectations of her heart to galvanize her views and actions from time to time, even if such stands against what is logical, or just. This is especially prevalent when regarding those she regards fondly. Love, regardless of its nature, can be just as enthralling as hatred. Dalla knows this better than most, and to her credit, she has taken pains to improve upon this facet of her being.
Though it would be false to consider Dalla to have indulged in simple joys to the point of major excess, she certainly enjoyed her fair share of such things until her wounding. As the contempt of mortals grew towards 'The Ascended'; so too did her inclination towards such things. What had once been an exercise in pleasure soon became an increasingly preferable means to cope with the mounting stress of their position. She has not been conquered by these desires, however. Not yet, at any rate. Following their wounding, their capacity to indulge in many of these activities has either been removed or severely limited, much to her aggravation.
Lastly, as is evident, Dalla is an 'Ascended' governed by their heart and their instincts. This makes her a potent presence in many situations, and in just as many regards she could be considered unpredictable. But for those who know how to exploit such things, Dalla can be goaded into circumstances that disadvantage her more easily than others, providing one learns enough of what makes her tick, of course. That all being said; should Dalla catch such opposition off-guard... the consequences will be suitably dire.

Personality Quirks

Dalla, prior to their wounding, was generally considered a lively sort. Their personality reflected such, and they strive to make the most out of every passing moment as a result. Seldom was Dalla to be found idle, save for when she has made a point to relax. Wastefulness has never sat well with her.
When relaxing, however, Dalla has been known to dearly enjoy poetry, song, and dance. Dalla is also known to enjoy good humor. She takes great pleasure in hearing the stories of others, particularly those of travelers or adventuring sorts. Her own deeds, and that of her following, are often recorded through poetic verse. When creating her own poetry, her feelings are made evident in her writings. Even if they are not made evident, Dalla's work will always speak volumes as to her state of being at the time of its creation. She finds the act to be cathartic.
When Dalla is in high spirits, she will be far more vocal and elaborative in discussions. When she finds her heart laden with sadness, she will notably 'droop' in her physicality and demeanor. When ireful, Dalla is blunt, direct, and unremitting in her choice of words and motions.
Dalla is aware of her own appeal and has no qualms making the most of it, either for herself or others. When suitably interested in a partner, she is known to take on a far more sultry disposition; and she wields such most effectively.

Hygiene

Despite the nature of her duties, Dalla regards her hygiene as a matter of importance. Whilst she has no qualms with the grime and dirt that comes from her various tasks and mandates; she still strives to remain as clean as she might. She often bathes in babbling brooks and when visiting Arshan, would frequent often frequent bath-houses with them. She was also known to meet with Nymia when bathing in natural water sources, and the two would converse like old friends. These meetings have become far rarer since the 'The Spurned' have risen.
With all the above said, Dalla finds no shame in being regarded whilst bearing the marks of her duty. It is a natural result of such activities.

Social

Reign

Dalla is "blessed" with a reign that has yet to end; something which cannot be said for many of their fellow 'Ascended'. Whether it will persist remains to be seen, though their ailing state of being offers little assurance in such regards. Her rule spans millennia and is well storied, but it is but a shadow of its former glory now. To many mortals; Dalla is regarded to be as much a leader as she is a guide. Whilst she certainly preferred to let her mortal flock roam without significant influence on her part, she was not above assuming leadership directly, should matters demand it. There have been recounts of the furious retribution of those faithful to her against defilers of the wild, and how the vanguard of their wrath was helmed by Dalla herself, in one form or another. Her capacity to strike a relatively healthy balance between passive guidance and active intervention, alongside her willingness to mingle amidst mortals, has led to her being well-loved by her followers; something which has not waned half as much as it has for other 'Ascended' following the rise of 'The Spurned'.
Dalla was also able to maintain relatively amicable relations with many of her fellow 'Ascended', particularly with those who sat among 'The Council'. Together with those she stood beside, she has overcome countless trials and achieved things that are nothing short of mythical. These legendary events punctuate her reign, and often serve to show the strength of her bonds with 'Ascended' and 'Mortal' alike. Bonds she strove to maintain through numerous tribulations, for the most part.
Even now, following the butchering of 'The Ascended' at the hands of 'The Grand Host', she still tries to reach out to the survivors she holds close to her being. This has been met with varying measures of success. There are those like Nymia who still strive to retain contact with Dalla; then there are those like Hazuki who have become entirely reclusive. Others, like Vulca and Arshan, have joined the ranks of 'The Spurned', and are therefore lost to her.
Despite the largely benevolent nature of the above; Dalla's reign is not without its darker aspects. She has created much worthy of commendation, but she has also partaken in no small amount of dire actions against those who stand against her. There are those, mortal and 'Ascended' alike who do not share in her worldview, and hold little love for the 'Wild-Tender'. Conflicts have often arisen between Dalla, her following, and her detractors, many of which were pre-emptively caused by the 'Keeper of The Wild'. Whilst in some cases, these events could be considered righteous to some, it was all too common for the damage wrought in such clashes to reap a heavy toll upon those who did not ask, nor care for the confrontation. Sometimes Dalla would attempt to salve these wounds, other times she did not. For many, however, the blows struck upon them were too deep for recompense alone to mend their hurts. On occasion, amidst the most bitter conflicts, the collateral damage has been so severe that even the faithful have second-guessed the righteousness of their mission. Even so, few truly forsake their faith when the choice is laid at their feet.
They say even now, as her reign lies perilously in the balance, one of her oldest, and most bitter rivals still plots her downfall. Worse still is the fact that this rival is not one of 'The Spurned'. Yet.

Contacts & Relations

Dalla is one of the more sociable 'Ascended', and managed to create and maintain a large circle of friends, lovers, contacts, and associations prior to 'The Fall of The Old Makers'. She found companions in both her fellow 'Ascended' and the mortal races, from the most valorous of divines to the most humble of farmers. To some degree, it mattered little to Dalla where one came from. She put far greater stock in their deeds and ideals.
Many of the strongest bonds Dalla had with others left their influence upon her. Two of the most influential were her bonds with her lover, Arshan, and the 'Ascended' they called Vulca. The former presided over the sun, and Dalla found great mirth and comfort in their presence. He was a loyal and compassionate individual, who would come to the aid of Dalla on numerous occasions. Vulca, an inventive soul, holds a special place in the heart of Dalla; and was bestowed with an intense, though platonic bond following their choice to defy 'The Demiurge' and create the first 'Giants'. The two endured much for their defiance; and stood by one another until the bitter end. A bitter end that robbed Dalla of both these souls, and twisted them into abhorrent echoes of their former selves.
Other 'Ascended' were regarded fondly by Dalla; such as 'Hazuki' who protected the secret of her absconding from 'The Demiurge' and their agents, or 'Nymia', one of the 'Ascended' who presides over the primal elements. They are close confidant of Dalla even now. Those who governed over the elements often found themselves as friends to Dalla; as did a 'Mirthless Hunter', though their bond is far more solemn than some of the others.
Dalla has also had many favorable relations with mortals of all stripes. She cherishes them for what they are and enjoys the present to the best of her abilities. Dalla, more than most, understands the finite nature of the mortal races, and as such indulges in the moment with less reservation than some of her peers. Her understanding of life and death is so intimate that many of her fellow 'Ascended' have come to her seeking wisdom or comfort when death came for their favored mortals. Her words have been a salve to many a wounded heart as a result.
Alas, many of the bonds Dalla maintained were severed in 'The Fall of The Old Makers' and the subsequent rise of 'The Spurned'. Whilst she tries to maintain the few that remain; her ailing state and the tumultuous nature of the world has made it difficult at the best of times.

Family Ties

Much like the rest of 'The Ascended', Dalla would come to consider their kinsmen as a form of found family, with 'The Demiurge' acting as their parental figure prior to their usurpation. Their blood family was long dead by the time 'The Demiurge' fell, a common reality to 'The Ascended'. In such a way, they have no "true" familial ties left. As for their found family? Many of them have since perished and risen again as 'The Spurned', much to the despondence of Dalla. Twisted as they are, these malevolent remnants of former friends and lovers can be considered family no longer; not that they would care for such bonds as they are now. Thus Dalla, akin to the rest who survived the massacre purpetrated by 'The Grand Host', is almost entirely devoid of familial ties. She strives to maintain the few attachments she has left, but such has not been easy.

Religious Views

Dalla, like the rest of 'The Ascended', knew of the existence of the Divine Spark, the comfort mortals found in a higher power, and the virtue of tenets and guidance in how one leads their life. She strives to lead a life informed by the principles she holds in high regard, such that she could be a fitting example for those who follow in her footsteps. With all that in mind, Dalla certainly understands the value of religion to those who partake in it, especially as she is the centerpiece of certain faiths, but she herself is not religious. She is beholden to no higher power. Not any more.

Social Aptitude

Dalla is a particularly outgoing and confident individual. Many, including herself, consider her to be socially proficient, capable of navigating discussions and relations with relative ease as well as being able to command the space if necessary. Her passionate and encouraging nature endears the hearts and minds of many, and she has been able to hold her own in trying situations on more than one occasion. 
This being said, Dalla's passion, whilst one of her greatest strengths is also one of her greatest weaknesses, particularly in a social context. Whilst she has the resilence to not be too easily goaded, once she is; Dalla has been known to become very set in her ways and stubborn to alternatives. When scorned, she has a singular mind that is difficult to escape from, and considerably easier to manipulate and predict.

Mannerisms

Dalla's mannerisms and motions are free-flowing and often display her confidence and open-hearted disposition. Usually, Dalla is a lively individual. She moves with purpose and with a spring in her step. In conversation, she will make liberal use of gestures to accentuate what it is she is discussing or to get her point across. The higher her spirits, the more eager her gestures become. Despite such, she never loses the sense of precision and poise that clings to her being; much like an animal that is prepared to act even when at rest.
When comforting others, or leaning into her more maternal aspects; Dalla has known to adapt her mannerisms so that they are presented with the softness of silk. Her motions become far more gentle and deliberate; so that she might soothe the hearts of those she tends upon more effectively. She seldom makes sudden movements whilst acting in such a way.
Should Dalla become burdened by sorrowful sentiment; she will become more lumbering and brooding in her gait, her motions will lack the levity they would otherwise hold, and she herself will become more reclusive; seeking comfort in those closest to her as opposed to the masses.
If her ire is sufficiently stoked, however; Dalla's mannerisms will shift dramatically. Her speech will become clipped and callous, or she will unleash it in furious roars. Her motions will become wilder and more tempestuous; akin to the gait of a bristled bear. She will not be above looming over others to intimidate them, and her posture will shift to be more animalistic and aggressive.
Lastly, when Dalla has taken a particular interest in someone in a more intimate context, she will adjust her mannerisms accordingly. She is well aware of her wiles, and has no qualms accentuating it through her motions, tone of voice, and gestures. A part of them takes pleasure in goading their mark into action, though she is just as likely to seize the initiative should it so please her.

Hobbies & Pets

Just like the rest of 'The Ascended', Dalla has numerous duties that she must attend upon; many of which consume a considerable amount of her time. That being said, when chance permits her the opportunity for respite, she seizes it with both hands. She has multiple hobbies and activities she prefers to partake in. Some of the more prevalent examples can be found below:
Though perhaps the most humble of her interests, Dalla often spends a portion of her free time simply roaming the wilds, either in her humanoid form or in the shape of an animal. It is a habit she has maintained since her time as a 'Servitor', and it is one she has no desire to quell. She finds great comfort and satisfaction in simply walking and drinking in the world she presides over. Sometimes, Arshan would accompany her for these walks, and that would make them all the better. Despite her injuries, she still strives to indulge this fancy where possible; though it is tinged with a measure of ennui now that Arshan has risen as one of 'The Spurned'.
Another of her hobbies is gardening and botany. Tending to the wilds brings her the same joy as roaming among them. There are several groves across the world said to have been grown and curated specifically by Dalla, and their beauty is unmatched as a result. Even now, in her ailing state, when she finds the strength, she will attend to the flora of 'The Eternal Grove'. When she cannot, she will have her agents exact her will, requesting that they inform her of any new developments found during their activities.
Though her present state impairs her from enjoying this activity; Dalla also found great pleasure in combat. She would often spar against her greatest champions or even her fellow 'Ascended' to test their mettle and her own. It appealed to her in an almost bestial sense. Her inability to engage in it as she once did has been nothing if not frustrating for her.
In addition to the above; Dalla held a deep fondness for poetry, and would often compose her experiences, thoughts, and feelings into ballads and poems. Much of her history, guidance and insight can be found in these poems; so much so in fact that much of her faith base their ideology on the wisdom found in them.
Lastly, when they had the strength for it, Dalla would often engage in song and dance and other simpler pleasures to satisfy herself. She finds no shortage of fulfillment in such things, albeit for differing reasons more often than not.
As far as pets are concerned; Dalla plays host to numerous animals, caring for them with a diligence that is almost unmatched among 'The Ascended'. That being said, she has three companions that she considers to be her staunchest allies: 
The first is a great eagle named Frihed. Where Dalla roams, Frihed is sure to be found, acting as her eyes where hers will not suffice. 
Second, and the most mischievous of the bunch, is a squirrel by the name of Nar, known for their pranks and jests. 
Lastly, is a colossal, armored bear, said to have been saved by her when she roamed deep within the frigid northlands of the world. Their name is Skjold, and they have protected their keeper ever since their recovery. Each of these beasts possesses a potent blessing, rendering them exceptionally long-lived and potent in their respective fields. Even now, Skjold defends Dalla, watching over her as she rests.

Speech

For the most part, Dalla's voice is rich and warm-toned. She is a mezzo-soprano, and there is a faint husk to her voice more often than not. Many have claimed her voice has a motherly quality to it, but just as many would claim it holds the traits of a warrior's. Often, their voice reflects their feelings and their physicality. One can easily tell how she is feeling through the way in which she speaks. She can go from being as soft as silk to as harsh as a storm as the heart demands.

Relationships

'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

Lover (Vital)

Towards 'Arshan-Nuwair, Warden of The Dawn'

5

5

Honest

---

'Arshan-Nuwair, Warden of The Dawn'

Lover (Vital)

Towards 'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

5

5

Honest

---

'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

Close friend (Important)

Towards 'Hazuki, Night's Sentinel'

4

4

Honest

---

'Hazuki, Night's Sentinel'

Close friend (Important)

Towards 'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

3

3

Honest

---

'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

Child (Vital)

Towards 'The Demiurge'

-5

-5

Subversive

---

'The Demiurge'

Parent (Vital)

Towards 'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

-5

-5

Honest

---

'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

Former lover (Vital)

Towards 'Arshan-Nuwair, Warden of The Dawn'

-4

-3

Honest

---

'Arshan-Nuwair, Warden of The Dawn'

Former lover (Important)

Towards 'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

-5

-5

Dishonest

---

'Nymia, the Tidemaiden'

Close Companion (Important)

Towards 'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

5

5

Honest

---

'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

Close Companion (Vital)

Towards 'Nymia, the Tidemaiden'

5

5

Honest

---

'Berach, Dubhslán, and Fiachna; The Mirthless Hunters.'

Dear friends (Vital)

Towards 'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

5

5

Frank

---

'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'

Dear friend (Vital)

Towards 'Berach, Dubhslán, and Fiachna; The Mirthless Hunters.'

5

5

Honest

---

Wealth & Financial state

As one of 'The Ascended', Dalla has little need for wealth as the mortal races would describe it. Though indeed, by such metrics, she could be considered rich by virtue of mortal benefaction; Dalla defined their wealth through more abstract and emotional factors. The contentment of their followers, the balance of the wilds, the security of her domain, the strength of her bonds with peers and lovers, their own state of being, and so on. By keeping such in good steading, she could consider herself wealthy in heart and soul, something she holds in high regard. In her prime, Dalla was a rich individual indeed.
This is not to say she is ignorant of why mortals covet more conventional wealth. One of her most common acts of benefaction was to ensure a full harvest where she could after all.
In the present day, however; Dalla is certainly poorer in all regards. The lands of her flock ail, and so does she, with neither showing promise for meaningful improvement as of yet.

Divine Classification

'Ascended'

Alignment

Lawful Neutral.

Current Status

Ailing from their wounds.

Species

'The Ascended'

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Though like many of their fellow 'Ascended', Dalla has been bestowed with many titles throughout their life, the two most prevalent are as follows:
-'Keeper of The Wild'.
-'Wild-Tender'.
Both titles hold major significance to them, though the title of 'Wild-Tender' is something of a colloquialism or shortening of the 'Keeper of The Wild'. Both options are widely used in relation to Dalla; though you would be far more likely to hear her referred to by the former than the latter in casual conversation. She is also quite often referred to by name alone.

Age

Immortal, appears to be in her prime.

Date of Birth

'The Grand Ascension'.

Date of Death

N/A.

Circumstances of Birth

Born as a 'Servitor', bestowed power immeasurable by 'The Demiurge', granting them their true 'birth' as a deific entity.

Circumstances of Death

N/A.

Birthplace

'The Old World'.

Place of Death

N/A.

Spouses

'Arshan-Nuwair, Warden of The Dawn' (Lover)

Siblings

'The Demiurge' (Parent)

Current Residence

'The Eternal Forest'

Pronouns

She/Her/Hers

Gender

Female.

Eyes

Open, and hued in amber.

Hair

Long, wild and red hued.

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

White, healthy skin, sometimes slightly hued in green when they have been in direct sunlight for a prolonged period.

Height

7ft10 in her humanoid form.

Quotes & Catchphrases

Dalla has said much which has captured the hearts and minds of many, faithful or otherwise. Some of her more renowned quotes can be found below, such as:
-"Every soul has their season, little one."
-"Nourish the wilds, and in turn, they will nourish you."
-"Life begets death, and death begets life."
-"Let your heart know love, for it will offer all the warmth of summer in your darkest hours."
-"Cherish those who your heart sings for. Fulfill one another, and you will know affection's bounty."
-"You will insult the earth no longer, wretch."
-"Their end feeds the cycle."
-"Find beauty in the flesh and the spirit. Do not be afraid to sate your desires among those who wish to be sated."
And perhaps most importantly:
-"Take comfort in this, my child. This world welcomes those who have treated her well, no matter how tumultuous she may seem. Even if all the facets of mortal creation cast you out, the wind will greet you like an old friend; the rains will mask your sorrow, and the earth will mark your passing and welcome you into her keeping when the time is right. Until then, roam the with eagle's freedom, fight with the lion's heart, and love with the deer's passion. Live a full life, without regret, and know that the worthy are never truly alone."

Known Languages

As one of 'The Ascended', Dalla is capable of heeding, understanding, and speaking all known languages.

Ruled Locations

• 'Evig Doiren, The Eternal Grove'

Character Prototype

Freyja, Ceriwiden, Lagertha, and Katheryn Winnick.