Shay Character in The History and Future of Golarion | World Anvil

Shay

Female Nagaji Once Mortal Osiriani god - The Inevitable, Voice of Fate, God of Divination, Prophecy Astrology and Sorrow.

Shay joined Osirion in it's first decade, studying directly under the mortal Nethys for nearly four centuries before he ascended to become the God of Magic. She left Osirion with the rest of the ancient gods in Osirion's 1009th year.  

History

Early Life Before Nethys

Shay was born to the oracular tribe leader, Krida Asoske, of the Asoske tribe Nagaji of north eastern Osirion, country around the lands of present-day El-shelad. She was raised in a world that had only in the past few generations seen the first light of the sun since Earthfall Krida was an oracle in name, though not class as we know it today as she had no magic nor divine connection. Shay's father was Ascasu Asoske, First Hunter.  

Joining Osirion

Shay's first encounter with Nethys

Shay was eight when Nethys first visited her on the Scorpion Coast. Locals in the region knew of her mother Krida's oracular power, and Nethys was intrigued. Krida had foretold Nethy's arrival, though on inspection, Nethys found that her power was essentially false, though somewhat useful. Her fourtune telling style bone predictions were just always likely to be true, though she herself seemed to believe them. Her geological predictions seemed to be explainable via geological science and her health predictions seemed to be explainable via science also. Nethys argued with her, hoping to convince her that he was correct, but left having not shaken her resolve and belief in the methods of her ancestors.   Nethys left the Askoske tribe of the Scorpion Coast disappointed that he did not discover a true diviner, and that Krida was not able to see her own falsehood as he did.  

Shay visits Nethys I

After she reached maturity, Shay set to visit Nethys in Sothis. What he had said had left doubt in her mind through all of her lessons, and in her spare time she had started mapping and developing proofs that perhaps some of what he said was true. However, her experience of reading the bones couldn't be explained by these charts, the divinations were true, and couldn't be just casting events onto occurrences. Nethys wondered if this might be the case, but knew ultimately, with no magic there could be no legitimacy in divinations drawn throwing some objects onto the ground.
Nethys: If you wish to learn true divination, you must learn magic. Come here, to Sothis, and we will teach you.
Shay: It is my belief that the reading of the bones summarises all studies and in which all infinite combinations can solve all problems. Your inability to produce a formula or explanation is not proof against their divinations. I will not abandon our methods for your "magic".
Shay knew she could not leave her tribe, and thusly returned to the Scorpion Coast.  

Shay's visits Nethys II

Years later Shay returned again, having seen a divination indicating she should do so.
Nethys: You saw what you wanted to see in the bones. You wanted to return to learn magic, as you should. Though, I will not take you as an apprentice on the basis of a bone reading. If you're here, it's to study real magic, and you must leave this behind as it will hold you back.
Shay: The bones give you images and symbols to focus your vague intentions and transform them into action. Perhaps your will is the magic. This would mean, you are right, as the magic you say flows through us is in fact present in the reading of the bones. If you can create something in your heart and then act on it to make it happen, that is magic. Very simple, very straightforward—no verbal components, no somatic components, and no material components.
 

Nethys banishes the insistent Shay from the city

 
Easifuh: Shay, I know leaving your people behind can be tough, I've been there. However, What Nethys speaks of is true, real power. Tell me, will there be lightning today?
There wasn't a cloud in the sky, Shay looked at Easifuh, slightly confused.
Shay: No, there will not.
Easifuh stretched her hand out above her head, her robes started to bellow in a wind that was not there, her eyes grew a pearly blueish white, as she slightly hovered off of the ground she yelled out, and the sky obeyed. A storm cloud coalesced and manifested near instantaneously, quickly shooting down lightning and struck down directly at her.   Too quick for Shay to decide what to do, to try and dive to save Easifuh or to back off from the incoming lightning, the electricity struck Easifuh. The lightning did not harm her, instead, crackling around her and through her, she held her hands out before her as the lightning jumped between them, under her control.
Easifuh: Magic is the way, Shay. Give up your paganism, return with me to Sothis. You're talented, imagine what you could do with real Magic.
Easdifuh outstretched her hand, still crackling with lightning, for Shay to take it.
Shay: Your inability to comprehend something does not render it worthless. Just worthless to you.
 

Shay visits Nethys III

The next year, Shay returned once more, her methods of predicting the occurrence of weather foretold ruin for Osirion, however if Nethys wanted her knowledge, he would need to accept her. As is.  
Mafdet: I thought you were banished? Please stop wasting our time with your paganism and bones.
 
Nethys saw Shay's clenched fists, the narrowing of her eyes and slight frown, she came here with purpose and determination. He raised his hand as a signal to Mafdet, and spoke in a calm but confident voice,
 
Nethys: Perhaps you have finally decided to join us?
Nethys knew the instant she arrived, that this would be more significant than a simple accepting of Magic, though provided his offer a third time all the same.
 
Shay: Yes. My studies of the patterns and omens of the weather, they show me that ruin will come to Osirion. I will share what I know, and it is not too late to avoid ruin, and you will accept me as your student. As I am today.
 
Nethys: Oh? And what did your bones say would happen if you came here with this threat by omission?
 
Shay: You will do whatever is necessary to gain the information, and you will not value our old ways.
 
Nethys:Wisdom, intuition and being a good judge of character, are not divination. You used no materials, said no words of magic, and performed no somatics, it is not magic, it is not divination.
 
Shay: I did not profess to know magic, only to know the future. I am ready for what you wish to do to me, but then you will take me on as your student.
 
Nethys admired her resolve, and bravery. He knew she understood he could torture her, however, if she did not break and he tortured her to death, he would have no information and lost a student with talent and potential for greatness, and if he had her tortured and then stopped when she did not tell, that would not do either. It would only work if she would break. Knowing this, and having unwavering faith in her divinations, she would not break, as far as she is concerned, surviving and being accepted as a student was inevitable. He could not torture or otherwise extract from her for the information, he could not show her prophecy wrong by accepting her, and he could not pass up on a student with such talent, potential and resolve.
 
Nethys:You may stay.
 
  In time, Shay learnt of the magic of Divination, learning of numerous schools and techniques, and over the millenia she mastered all. She came to learn what divinations are true and false, and used all. None can avoid Shay's prophecies/*, though it remained an enigma when her divinations were magic and true, scientific and calculated, mysticism or post hoc attributions.   Shay is the Osiriani God of Fate, destiny, prophecy and inevitability.
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None can Ignore Shay
This saying is used to say 'None can ignore fate', 'Some things must be accepted as they are / can not be changed / can not be avoided'  
Do not set your heart upon seeking riches for there is no one who can ignore Shay, Do not set your thoughts on external matters: for every man there is his appointed time.
  • Instruction of Amenemope, Second Golden Age of Osirion.
  • Do not set your heart upon seeking riches, for there is no one who can ignore Shay, Some things must be accepted as they are, and you must accept that Qadira's arrival in Osirion is for the best.
  • Procolomation of Sultan Mazyar Azari, first Qadiran ruler of Osirion.

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