Lady Magic Myth in Vyril | World Anvil

Lady Magic

"I carry with me a very real hatred for the creatures of Vyril. The elves, the humans. All the mortal parasites that crawl on this plane. If I cannot be rid of them in this life, then I give myself to Phrixus so that I may do so through an immortal one."
- Vatrena'khav, Lady Magic

Resurrected Hero : Lady Magic

Though there is only one god in the Dameskan Pantheon, there are heroes of legend that serve Phrixus. They are resurrected from time to time, reborn on Vyril as avatars. Each of them embody a different aspect of the SunLord.

Lady Magic is an elegant Dameskan woman who is tapped into the currents of Vyril's magic. She is the conduit through which the Dameskans are born with magical talent and the one they have long studied after to hone their skills. She was consumed by Phrixus upon his ascension to godhood but she retains an extension of herself and who she used to be in servitude.

Historical Basis

Vatrena'khav was the last of a dying race. The Sihr were genie-like creatures of pure magic, hunted down and harvested for magics their bones, blood, and even sinew could produce. Phrixus sought to use Vatrena'khav's hatred against his own people's enemies, directing her and shielding those that followed him from her magical fury. When Phrixus invariably ascended, Vatrena'khav willingly allowed herself to be consumed. This way, a part of her people - through her - would be preserved through the immortality of the Phrixus and the Dameskan people.

Spread

Vartrena'khav was well known to the Dameskans before her ascension with Phrixus, but she became a hero and legend once she did. Before, she'd been a creature of retribution, fighting alongside them. Once merged with Phrixus, though, she became one of them. A beacon of magic, a teacher, a leader.

Her name is frequently blurred in the legends and she's more formally known as Lady Magic. When reborn, she frequently retains the new name given to her but adopts the title once she recalls who and what she is. Thus, the name Vatrena'khav itself is recorded in old, historical records. Only the most studious of Dameskans will recall or know of it.

Most, if not all, know of Lady Magic.

Cultural Reception

The Lady Magic is revered as the source of the Dameskan's magic. She is a hero through which many magical tales are told. Of battle and conquest, of fighting alongside Phrixus himself to push back the tide of enemies to help establish what part of Yandelar they have now.

Most of the stories are roughly true, with a fair bit of embellishment. Vatrena'khav did fight alongside Phrixus when he was mortal and she did teach his people how to better utilize Vyril's magic. She became a force to be feared and respected during the early establishment of Yandelar. Once Phrixus ascended and she lost her autonomy, she became more of a teacher and guiding force.

Much of Vatrena'khav's rage and sorrow were lost when she was consumed in the Ascension. Phrixus had no use for such parts of her and, instead, kept only what he thought useful. Her intelligence, skill, and desire to protect her people. Which were now all the Dameskans - changed from mere human into their own subspecies.

When the Lady Magic is resurrected, it is always to a noble family that is already well versed in magic. She grows faster than any normal Dameskan and knows, from a very early age, who she is and who she will become. There is no questioning one who has announced themselves as one of the Resurrected Heroes, and the Lady Magic is no exception.

Given the nature of the Dameskan ability to read surface thoughts, pretenders to the title are few and far between. They don't last long, if they do exist, and any that are discovered are cleansed in fire.

In Art

Though Lady Magic's appearance varies every rebirth, there are key features that always remain the same and are depicted in paintings, murals, and recountings in stories. She always has long, at least waist length brown hair with brown-amber eyes. More elaborate paintings and tapestries have her decorated in red and gold, the colors of Damesk. While very prevalent in books, paintings, and tapestries, there are not many statues of her. Any that are made are usually small, delicate things of guilded rose gold that decorate libraries or wealthy studies.

Lady Magic is always portrayed as an adult woman in her prime, even though she has gone through all growth stages - from babe to dying of old age.
Amaterasu by Feig-Art
 

Other Resurrected Heroes



Cover image: Sky Clouds by Gerd Altmann

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