Lady's Grace, cutters!

 

This is the sequel to "The Eternal Boundary":

The story is based on the Planescape campaign I'm running with my role-playing group since 2011 to the present day. More information can be found in What is this about?

 

Before we get to the first chapter of “The Deva Spark”, let's take a quick look at the two most important characters who are new in this part. Rhys, an NPC from the Planescape setting, and Morânia, one of my oldest OCs.

 

Rhys was raised in the Lower Ward of Sigil by her human mother Biana and never knew who her father was. Biana was a secretive woman, but thoroughly honest. But when she died, fifteen-year-old Rhys had to fight for her survival on her own – and she didn't always do it legally. At the same time, however, she became interested in the Transcendent Order, whose philosophical leaning towards decisiveness as well as physical talents appealed to her. She had not planned on ever becoming more than a simple namer. But after she joined the faction, she found herself increasingly drawn to its philosophy and soon spent all of her time in the Great Gymnasium. As she honed her body in unarmed combat and brought her mind into harmony with the multiverse, she turned her back on her criminal past and became a Cipher by conviction. Few in Sigil know more about the darker days that lie behind her.

In addition to her gray skin, pointed ears and red eyes, the more striking features of Rhys tiefling heritage are horse legs with hooves from the knees down, and a long, flexible tail. The factol wears her thick black hair very long, falling well below her thighs, and is usually dressed in simple, monastic robes, such as a hakama and a loose blouse in black or dark blue. At times she can also be seen in more elegant clothing, but only on special occasions. Rhys possesses a dark beauty that has attracted many a suitor. Nevertheless, she is not known to have ever given her heart away.

The charismatic factol is always calm, controlled and at peace with herself. Rhys is apparently on the verge of achieving perfect harmony with the multiverse. Each of her movements is the perfect action for the perfect moment. For a factol, she doesn't talk much outside of important mediation talks, but seems to observe and study what is happening around her. But when she does speak, one is well-advised to listen carefully, as her words often contain much wisdom. In her enigmatic way, Rhys can inspire both confidence and intimidation. Both can be advantageous for a mediator. She specializes in unarmed combat, but can also cast powerful magic.

Morânia of Wolkenfels is a bal'aasi, which is rare even in the planes. This is because she combines the heritage of an angel and a fiend. While her father Akatriel is the son of a deva and an elf, her mother Samineta is the daughter of a succubus and a human. This makes Morânia one-quarter human, one-quarter elven, one-quarter celestial and one-quarter demon. She was born on the Upper Planes, in the realm of the sun god Lathander. However, her parents were often in Sigil, so Morânia grew up in equal parts in Elysium and in the City of Doors. She has a half-sister named Raralia, her mother's daughter from an earlier relationship with a cambion. As a young woman, Morânia was called to become a paladin of the Morninglord, whom she has since followed with unwavering loyalty. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Transcendent Order in Sigil. During a stay in the Hive, she and her sister met and befriended the tiefling Naghûl. He quickly developed romantic feelings for Raralia, but it should not be a lasting romance. Together with other companions, Morânia, Raralia and Naghûl had many adventures in the planes until their path led them to an island called Terra Equilibrium on Toril. There Morânia found more and more common ground with Naghûl, the two fell in love and eventually married. Although Morânia temporarily presided over a religious order on the island and even held the title of countess, she was ultimately drawn back to Sigil permanently.

On the outside, Morânia's alabaster skin, golden blonde hair and two white feathered wings betray her descent from a deva. Her demonic heritage, on the other hand, is evident in her two curved horns, sharp fangs and pointed black fingernails. The bal'aasi is about six feet tall and athletically built and wears silver-gold armor in battle. Otherwise, the preferred colors of her clothing are white and gold.

Like all paladins of the Morninglord, Morânia has an open, life-affirming and optimistic character. She is very interested in different religions and the history of the planes and finds much joy in art, culture and music. As a Cipher, she strives for temperance and inner balance – usually with success. Morânia believes in the power of good and that every living being can find salvation.