Velisin is daydreaming

Origins

Ozaiah was born 10.200 years ago and grew up in a family of apothecaries. She was married to a respected doctor and had a son with him. Unfortunately a genetic disease slowly took away the boy’s ability to move until he was tied to his bed. His condition worsened still, and when neither deity (Asclepius, Goddess of Life, God of Death) answered her prayers, Ozaiah decided to end her son’s life personally. Before she could follow him into death, however, the old God of Death (Annih) intervened, recruiting her into his services.

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Bridging between the old and new God of Death

Blessed by the old God of Death, Ozaiah can perform one of his most vital duties: the separation of the soul from its body after death - in the rare case of an imperfect death. For as long as a God of Death exists, such is a very rare occurrence. After Annih’s disappearance, however, these cases grew in numbers and quickly became an insurmountable obstacle for Ozaiah. She wanders for two centuries searching her old master, before breaking down in front of Dura and Morgan. Seeking help she remains with the Arcane Council. Morgan promises to stabilize the system but can only do so after his death. Wanting to save his life, Ozaiah forces the divine powers granted to her into Morgan, who manages to overpower and usurp them - becoming the new God of Death. His fate being unknown to Ozaiah, she chooses death, hoping to be united with him in the afterlife. Once awakened as God of Death, Morgan does retrieve her soul and grant her a new divinely blessed body, partly made of his own flesh and blood. Thus, Ozaiah begins her servitude as psychopomp under the new God of Death and has done so ever since.

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Duties

Ozaiah travels across Esperia to reach and release suffering souls.

She also tends to the roots of the Tree of Life, making sure the process of the souls being absorbed there is smooth and without problems.

Souls sometimes have unfinished business and need personal closure before returning, which Ozaiah will offer support with.

Ozaiah helps to keep the darkness beneath the Tree of Life in check. It is seeping into the realm of the dead, capable of corrupting the Tree via its roots, and entering Esperia from the base of the Arcadian Rift.

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Goals/Motivations

Ozaiah cares deeply for the souls. She primarily wishes for every single soul to return to the Tree so it can feed it with its memories, be recorded for eternity and be reborn as a new life.

She also hopes to bring peace and understanding to the living so that death is not as feared as it is, despite the inevitable loss.

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Affinity Tales

Ozaiah still carries her tome of apothecary studies with her, well preserved with magic. Even though she doesn’t actively practice it anymore, she still knows every plant and herb of Esperia.

The birth of her second son was never planned or expected. Instead, Dura had her hand in it. Ozaiah was never able to forgive the Goddess for that transgression, despite loving the boy dearly and watching over his descendants even now.

Ozaiah once released the souls of a group of musicians. They begged for one last gig with one of their last living band members, which Ozaiah not only granted but also joined. It was an unforgettable evening for those present at the tavern.

Despite her close relationship with the Arcane Council, she never agreed to be a formal member. No title or records of her exist in the archives.

While she was alive, Ozaiah hardly ever put her staff out of her hands, even when asleep. So after becoming a psychopomp it took her centuries to get comfortable moving around without the staff in hand.

Ozaiah often travels Esperia with Morgan in human form. It is the only time she experiences human desires again. They do so to not forget - and appreciate - life, despite and because they rule over the realm of the dead.

Despite being a Necromancer, the sanctity of the soul is paramount. Ozaiah has never forced a soul to do her bidding. Nor has she ever created a  Graveborn. Failures of the past aside, she leaves the creation of Graveborn, when neccessary, in the hands of Morgan.

As an eternal divine being, Ozaiah has many followers. While only few people in Esperia pray to the God of Death, most of them know and hail Ozaiah as the gentle sheperd of the souls. Her name is regularly mentioned in prayers for the dead.

Due to her longevity, Ozaia remains distant but cordial to most mortals. She is closest to only a few select Graveborn, whom she would visit on occasion. She currently most often descends in Whiteridge.

Just like the God of Death, Ozaiah needs to rest for periods of time. In order to ensure constant watch over the Tree’s roots and the dead, Morgan and her have gently shifted cycles. Ozaiah prefers to lay down next to him towards the end of his rest, while he never wants to wake alone.

EXTRA: As humans, both Ozaiah and Morgan, enjoy the Day of the Dead most, a celebration for the departed unique to a very small part of Esperia. Blessed by the God of Death personally, souls of the departed may return for a single night. Despite the social aspect of the celebration, the two attend regularly (anonymously).

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Mystical House Interaction: VIPERIAN

Viperian: Oh, what an interesting moment... meeting the Mistress of Death herself. Ozaiah: Viperian. Viperian: What do you think? With your divine eyes, surely you must have taken notice of my pioneering research and its fascinating results. She was magnificent, wasn't she? Ozaiah: I care not for your research and your monster was nothing but torture of the soul. You have only earned my contempt. Viperian: Such cruel words, when Death is your domain. Ozaiah: Death and Torture are not the same thing. Death is impartial. Neither I, nor the God of Death, will ever end life with our own hands. This is the only reason you still exist, despite your unforgivable torture upon life. Viperian: Hahahaha. How weak. I always jested but I didn't think it to be true. So, Death hides behind his own power. Pitiful. Ozaiah: So intelligent, yet so blind. Our purpose is not yours to understand. All you need to know is that even your small, extended existence will end one day. And then, when your soul rests in my hands, I shall cast judgement upon you. Viperian: ... It will be yet another exciting experiment!

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Mystical House Interaction: PANDORA

Pandora: You are Ozaiah, are you not? I have heard your name in prayers of this world. Ozaiah: Yes. I tend to the souls of this world, guiding them back to the Tree of Life. But... not yours. You are not from this world, are you? Pandora: Indeed, I am not. Where I come from, nobody has cared for the dead - nor the living - and now nothing remains. Ozaiah: Souls are linked to their origin. Your home still exists, as without it, you would not sit with me here today. It may be broken, but as long as it strands, there is hope. Pandora: Thank you. Not every world has such a gentle Death. You even sing for your souls, I have heard, to ease their suffering. Even if I may not be under your care in death, would you honor me by sharing your voice with me in life? Ozaiah: ... yes. I am sure I can find some soothing notes for you. And perhaps, some souls of this world will join in, too. Music brings us together. Pandora: The young and old, the dead and the living... and even us from different worlds. How truly miraculous.

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Voice Lines

First Recruitement: “No soul may get lost, for I am their sheperd.”

Deployment: “Who must I guide...?”

Upgrade: “Rest always renews my powers.”

Ultimate: “Come, join the song of the dead.”

Victory: “It was inevitable.”

Defeat: “Hgn! ... you cannot escape death.”

Idle 1: “Huh? Another soul lost? ... I will go immediately.”

Idle 2: “I may not be able to guide you in death... but I can join your path in life for a while.”

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Skill Set

Death's Grip (Ultimate): Passive: Ozaiah turns into (and remains) in her divine form and moves to the edge of the battlefield. She is invincible for a short duration. Active: A skeleton hand grabs the rear-most enemy and immobilizes them. It will reduce their MAG/PHY DEF, prevent the unit from any healing and receiving shields. It remains active until the unit is defeated. Only one unit at a time can be targeted.

Spectral Support: Ozaiah summons a soul to fight on the battlefield. It has no health, but energy will be used for attacks and when being attacked. The soul retreats when all energy is depleted. Energy does not replenish. There can be up to 3 souls on the battle field at the same time.

Spectral Shield: Ozaiah summons a shield for the weakest ally, or herself. It will damage the enemies in a one-tile radius when shattering.

There should be an obligatory obvious joke where an unsuspecting Merlin walks by their door and hears their unintentionally suggestive dialogue, complete with Ravion moaning and the noises of the lotion being applied. Like:

"Nggh!…"

"Lie still! Stop squirming!"