4&11, horakhty luena & mazu!!
SairaThis is So late-- -but here it is!
Character Development Questions: Hard Mode
4. Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?
Horakhty: Honestly? Horakhty feels rather consistent for me. There’s a few events that I can think of that might influence some of their philosophy or way of thinking-- like Luena, Horakhty always kept a personal connection with most Mortals, and I think witnessing Esmarianda’s life fundamentally changed them as well. I think also, meeting Saira Najafi, 100% changed them fundamentally--- like.... I know they always radiated “Dad Energy,” but after meeting their wife, this beautiful Nonbinary Angelic 12 winged god is 1000000% Dad. I don’t think most people know this though???
Luena: Pretty much Esmarianda’s life. She’s witnessed her grow since birth, watching over her, stepping in place as her true mother, Malalia, Goddess of Freedom (her sister), was completely out of the picture. Esmarianda was destined to have a difficult life-- -which, Goddess of Fate and Gifts, clearly knew, but she always tried to "gift little things” to at least bring some joy. Honestly? The more I think about it, I think it’s just been working with Mortals personally compared to most Gods is what changed her fundamentally, and I think all the Gods know this. Luena, btw, radiates nervous energy because of it because she knows that the Gods, including herself, are not always great at giving what Mortals need.
Mazu: Witnessing the pain and anger in Murmur caused by the meddling of the Gods in their life, a Mortal’s life, and upon discovering several Truths. Not only because they saw how it lead Murmur to duel wield Gods as a Cleric, their Worshiper, but this was honestly Mazu’s first time witnessing the pain and consequences of interring with the lives of Mortals in ways that does not meet their needs. Mazu genuinely feels that they fell short in Murmur’s eyes, and believe it to be true. Being a Chaotic Neutral God of the Seas, of course, moral ambiguity, freedom, little restrictions, and so on won’t really change much-- but in terms of how to serve as a God, Mazu, for the first time, feels as though they failed completely. Will they admit this? Heck naw--- they’re too prideful (or, perhaps, they’re embarrassed and ashamed?), but their actions might change a little. I think only Luena and maybe Horakhty knows. I don’t know if this is spoilers or not? But Whatever.
In what situation was your character the most afraid they’ve ever been?
Horakhty: I honestly can’t think of many times for Horakhty. Maybe during the first war amongst the Gods during Esmarianda’s time. I also think, too, witnessing Jibril be named their Paladin and not having the control (at the time) to say, “No!” I also think Saira’s child-birthing process and death was also one of the major times they felt afraid and powerless.
Luena: Watching Esmarianda almost die at the age of 14, and honestly every battle after that. Luena is one of the younger Gods of Old, and was very protective, so she acknowledges that the Mortals are terrifying as the Gods can be. I think that’s just more afraid for someone else though than herself? She’s very rarely in a situation where she can be harmed for now, but it’s just witnessing things, like one does in a horror film.
Mazu: Nope. Not yet. Mazu is literally just sticking their middle fingers up and walks backwards into any chaotic forces like, “Yeah, this might as well be a thing” as of right now/ until a thing happens? So, yeah, Mazy’s just Mazu right now.