#dewlala dewla

[mimble-sparklepudding]

Dewlala Dewla

A genuine and honourable pragmatist, Dewlala Dewla walks the precarious and narrow path between the Monetarists and the Royalists. Despite her neutrality, she supports the sultanate, and has largely remained above the Syndicate's infighting. Dewlala's foremost concern as a leader on the Syndicate is the welfare of the nation. Thus, when the Syndicate's enmity grows too great, she has been known to act as a mediator, which is proven when she puts down the clash between Rauhban and Lolorito for the betterment of the nation.

In honour of @ubejamjar's nameday, here is my favourite underappreciated female NPC. Annoyingly she isn't present in-game, outside of cutscenes, although she really ought to be in the Arrzaneth Ossuary in Ul'dah, in her capacity as Prioress of the Milvaneth Sacrarium.

She is my favourite underappreciated female NPC for various reasons. I like her characterisation as a pragmatic and moderate figure - but still one who plays a pivotal role in the story. She's never seen to be deceitful or false, but still manages to play the political game as shrewdly as Lolorito (and considerably better than Teledji), with her focus being on ensuring stability and order for Ul'dah. She's not necessarily a "good" character, in contrast to someone like Nanamo or Pipin, but she's not as avaricious or ruthless as her fellow Syndicate members, such as Lolorito or Teledji.

She votes against Ul'dah assisting the Doman refugees in A Realm Reborn, not because she is prejudiced against them, but because she judges that further refugees risks further destablising Ul'dah and increasing social tensions. She isn't cruel, but she's not sentimental either. She makes a striking contrast to other characters who are motivated by strong emotions, or abstract principles - plus I like that she is an older, female, Lalafell who is not presented as in any way a comic figure.

I wish she played more of a role in the story after Heavensward, even if only in a couple of sidequests. And it would be nice if she was present in-game so I could have taken a screenshot with her and Mimble.

I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind @ubejamjar, but I did my best! :)

[paparitoffxiv]

Finally got around to drawing Dewlala. Thinking early on about other characters that Lolorito and Papashan would interact with and, given Lolorito’s position (an asshole with a ton of money and power, probably surrounded by ass kissers daily), I thought that Dewlala could be a good fit for a “friend”.

More thoughts under the cut.

Though if you would ask either of them they would NEVER call each other that. Colleagues or co-workers, AT BEST! But the fact is that they are two (I believe) pretty smart people in positions of power who don’t have many other people in the same situation who they can just relax and shoot the shit with.

And given that they probably also have pretty different ideologies and opinions on everything (a capitalist and a nun, I mean cmon), they would also be able to have engaging conversations with and even, maybe, have some pretty personal talks that they wouldn’t be able to have with anyone else (under threat of death to each other if any of it is used against them).

I like that Lolorito would have someone who can call his shit out on him when needed. And someone with whom he can be allowed to show more than just a veneer of smugness and pride.

They wouldn’t exactly be nice to each other; in private, he would call her hag and she would call him a dick fart and they would bicker and talk shit about the rest of the Syndicate over a drink and pastries until they were tired of each other’s faces and then do it again next Tuesday.

He probably donates to the Order. She probably gives it straight to ala mhigo refugees to fuck with him.

He makes fun of her taste in hats; she makes fun of his taste in men. You know, friends!

And of course, from the scene where Lolorito comes clean with Raubahn about the whole Nanamo plot, beforehand Dewlala was nagging his ear off to get it done once she figured things out and so HELP HER she will drag him by the ear if she has to!

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

wip-- truce

Dewlala leaned back in her chair.  Her fingers itched to snatch up the spell-foci in front of her—a gift, all but handmade by the Warrior of Light herself, all but peerless among the realms for her spellcrafting--  Instead, the high priestess of Nald’thal throttled her greed, and eyed Riven closely.  She could refuse of course, and demand that Riven leave her presence.  After all, nigh on a decade to settle grudges?  She was well within her rights, and so Riven knew this too.  But then the sultana and others would possibly get involved.  Especially since Nanamo had made no secret of her inviting Riven to a private tea.  The grapevine was in overdrive, had the sultana been able to settle the mighty resentment the Warrior of Light held towards the Monetarists?  Although it was very entertaining to watch Lolorito bend over backwards to appease the brunette’s wrath…

Godbert said he’d been able to talk to her.  And of Riven, Godbert had nothing but the highest praise.  And if this was her way of settling the business from that accursed night…  The lalafell sighed.

“You had every right to be angry.”  She admitted.  Riven’s eyes widened in shock.  “In that, you were correct.  Ultimately one of your friends died as a result of that night.  I would have had a hard time choking down my anger in that situation, even for it being for the good of the realm.  But you understand why, do you not?”

“I didn’t fully at the time, but I do now.”  Riven replied.  “I would ask your forgiveness and understanding, I was wrapped up in my own…naivete as well.”  Dewlala chucked.  She leaned forward to pick up the spell-foci, repressing the urge to squeal in delight.  The stone felt happy beneath her fingers, and oh the intricacy of the metalwork upon it, waiting for fresh spells to be laid into it—

“We were all young at some point.”  She said.  “Young and naïve.”  With the gift of hindsight, Dewlala could only shake her head at the idealistic young woman she’d once been.  It had only been wits and good advice that had kept her from making many bad mistakes at the start of her political career within the city.  And Riven…well.  Teledji and Lolorito’s machinations had drawn first blood and broken her, but Ishgard had reforged her.  A predator sat in the seat facing Dewlala, one who knew now how the upper echelons of society—any society worked—and used that knowledge to her advantage.   With a wry smile, Dewlala eyed Riven’s clothing.  The Warrior was dressed in a very modest set of robes, richly embroidered and dyed in the metallic sky blue that many were beginning to consider her signature color.  Dewlala recognized that it was the work of an up-and-coming seamstress in the U’ldan fashion world. Riven’s hair was still cut short, but it was tastefully arrayed with jeweled hairclips.  Tasteful gold drops in the shape of roses were in her ears, and the rings on her fingers were small and understated.  All possibly made in the city, and given Riven’s tendency to promote those who made her clothing and accessories…

Perhaps a little thick, but then it’s been ten years.  Better for a little overkill than none at all.  And given the situation, perhaps the whole thing was fitting.  Not only was Riven apologizing to Dewlala, but she was making a restitution to Nald’thal.  The crafters who made her garments and jewelry were more than likely staggering now under the weight of the orders that were being flung at them—and in turn, they would come to Nald’thal’s temple to give thanks and make offerings.

Dewlala had to admit, she was impressed.