Osseric

Osseric was an Ascendant known as the Lord of the Sky. He was also known as Osserc [ō-SERK],Chat with Ian C Esslemont about Malazan - As pronounced by Ian C. Esslemont and Steven Erikson at 51:40 Osric [OZ-rick],Critical Conversations 01: House of Chains Chap 26 with Steven Erikson - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:38:05 Liossercal, and Brother Light. He was Champion (Knight) of High House Light, a Soletaken, and god of the Tiste Liosan. His Soletaken form was that of the Eleint, which possessed glittering scales of silver and goldMidnight Tides, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.232 and rivaled Anomander Rake and Orfantal in size. He was the son of Father Light and an unknown mother.
Osseric was tall, pale as snow with wavy, silver long hair which was streaked with gold, the appearance pure Liosan. His eyes were silver, "licked by gold". He wore plain grey leathers and a sword at his belt.House of Chains, Chapter 21, UK MMPB p.816 Alongside Ammanas, Cotillion, and Traveller, Osseric appeared tall, with blunt features and gold eyes. His lips were heavy and his smile revealed "prominent tusks at his lower jaw."Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 5
Osseric explained his godship in these terms: "The Liosan worship themselves ... I happen to be a convenient figurehead".House of Chains, Chapter 21, UK MMPB p.820 At one time, Osseric wrote or inspired the text of Osric's Visions, which the Liosan held sacred and consulted for wisdom.House of Chains, Chapter 16, US SFBC p.567
==In Gardens of the Moon==
Anomander Rake remarked to Baruk that 800 years earlier he had been visited by Icarium, Mappo, and Osseric. He and Osseric had quarreled, and almost come to blows but Caladan Brood had kept the peace.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 20, US HC p.405
==In Deadhouse Gates==
When the Malazan mage Kulp sensed a powerful presence within Kurald Emurlahn he searched his memory for Ascendants who bore that kind of power. He dismissed Osric as a possibility because he was reputed to have journeyed to a continent far in the south a century back.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.281
==In Memories of Ice==
Tool told Toc the Younger that once upon a time Anomander Rake, Osric, and Lady Envy had been wandering companions. There was a difference of opinion and Osric left.Memories of Ice, Chapter 5 
When Lady Envy responded to K'rul's summons, Osric was listed as being one of the few who knew the truth (that the warrens were in fact K'rul's lifeblood).Memories of Ice, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.272-277 
== In House of Chains==
It had been centuriesHouse of Chains, Chapter 26, US SFBC p.826 since Osric had walked amongst his people in Kurald Thyrllan. The Bonecaster, Monok Ochem, informed Seneschal Jorrude that Osric "numbered among the contestants in the other realms." But he could not return to the Tiste Liosans because he was lost.House of Chains, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.382
Osric's son, L'oric, conspired with his familiar to hide his father's disappearance from his own people. Without their god, Osric's seneschals would not be able to call upon their magic. So the familiar answered their prayers without the senechals' knowledge. This came to an abrupt end when T'lan Imass led by Monok Ochem sensed the deception. The undead warriors slew the familiar forcing L'oric to seek help from the Queen of Dreams.House of Chains, Chapter 12, US SFBC p.462/476-477House of Chains, Chapter 13, US SFBC p.487-491 
L'oric later found Osric living within a warren that appeared to be formed of Raraku's memory. He appeared in his Soletaken form, a towering white and gold Eleint to rescue his son from the Deragoth.House of Chains, Chapter 21, US TPB p.533-534 Osric had purposefully withdrawn to the warren after he and Anomander Rake had discovered Moon's Spawn. Osric was convinced the Skykeeps were inventions of the K'Chain Che'Malle, and the warren allowed him to observe them as they had once been.House of Chains, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.686-688 Once reunited, Osric admitted he could barely stand the company of his son, who reminded him much of L'oric's mother.House of Chains, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.689 He was unwilling to return to the same world as the Malazans, preferring to live his life in seclusion pursuing his own interests. He felt no responsibility for Kurald Thyrllan, believing it could take care of itself.House of Chains, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.686/692
Osric returned to save his son once again when L'oric was struck down and left to die by Korbolo Dom's assassins in the warren of the Whirlwind Goddess. He readied to take L'oric back to his keep to heal once they determined how to find their way out of the warren.House of Chains, Chapter 26, US SFBC p.823-826 
== In Midnight Tides==
Long before the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Scabandari and Silchas Ruin led an invasion of Tiste Edur and Tiste Andii into the Malazan world. Mael and Gothos observed Scabandari betray Ruin in the Tiste moment of triumph and Mael allied with Kilmandaros to bring down the rogue Edur. Gothos warned him to hurry as Ruin's brother, Anomander Rake, began to distantly awaken to the threat. Mael had anticipated Rake, mentioning that Osserc was already moving to stand in his path.Midnight Tides, Prologue, US SFBC p.24-25
In a vision, Udinaas witnessed a meeting between Osserc and his daughters, Menandore and Sukul Ankhadu, that took place shortly after Osserc's battle with Rake. Osserc's hair had been burned away by fire, his skin was cracked, red, and oozing, and his armour was battered and broken by the encounter. Although Rake had gotten the better of him, he claimed to have delayed Rake long enough for Scabandari to escape.Midnight Tides, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.230 
Osserc challenged his daughters to explain why they carried the unconscious body of Sheltatha Lore. From their conversation we learned that the creation of Soletaken Eleint involved Tiam mating with, amongst others, Osserc and that he regarded the Soletaken thus created as extended family.Midnight Tides, Chapter 7, UK MMPB p.277/278 When his daughters suggested that they meant to imprison Sheltatha in the same Azath House as Scabandari had buried Ruin, Osserc warned against it. He noted that Scabandari had already been destroyed by this world's gods.Midnight Tides, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.231Midnight Tides, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.117-118
Later, Udinaas and Feather Witch accidentally travelled to the Refugium where they met the Imass, Ulshun Pral, and the boy, Rud Elalle. Ulshan Pral spoke of a Hold the two Letherii had never heard of called Starvald Demelain, home of the pure dragons. He noted that a group of mixed bloods, which included Osserc, had closed the road to the Hold long ago.Midnight Tides, Chapter 15, US SFBC p.485
Menandore also recalled how Scabandari Bloodeye had imprisoned her father, Brother Light, on the distant moon.Midnight Tides, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.111
==In The Bonehunters==
In a discussion with Ampelas, Eloth, and Kalse — three Eleint imprisoned in the Shadow realm — Cotillion linked Osserc to the Tiste Liosan much as Anomander Rake was tied to the Tiste Andii and Olar Ethil to the T'lan Imass.The Bonehunters, Chapter 2, US SFBC p.78
Icarium and Mappo Runt discovered the crucified body of the Eleint, Sorrit, within the wreckage of a K'Chain Nah'ruk skykeep.The Bonehunters, Chapter 4, US SFBC p.162-167 Mappo noted that the Eleint was aspected to Serc and her death meant the source of Osserc's power was under assault. Her death left Osserc the sole ruler of that warren and if he were to die, Serc would have no ruler. Along with Fener's recent fall, Mappo saw this as evidence that the pantheon was under siege.The Bonehunters, Chapter 6, US SFBC p.231 
Scillara criticised L'oric for his obnoxious certainty and lack of humilty. L'oric's familiar, Greyfrog, called his master's attitude a legacy from his father.The Bonehunters, Chapter 14, US SFBC p.560
==In Reaper's Gale==
In the time when Kurald Emurlahn was dying and fragmenting, Anomandaris Purake waited for Kilmandaros at the rent leading from the Malazan world to Shadow. The Elder Goddess had just dispatched Scabandari Bloodeye after his betrayal of Rake's brother, Silchas Ruin. She asked Rake where Osserc was, having been told by Mael that Osserc planned to use the opportunity to pursue Rake. Rake only laughed at the idea of the "idiot" searching for him in the Malazan world before he and Kilmandaros returned through the rent to Shadow.Reaper's Gale, Prologue, US HC p.23-24
The Errant considered the viewpoints of various gods and ascendants towards rulership, power, and worship. While Rake denied his worshippers and concentrated his activities on specific, minor conflicts, Osserc again and again tried the opposite and failed. The Lord of the Sky saw Rake's very existence as "an unconscionable insult."Reaper's Gale, Chapter 15, US HC p.416-417
When Bruthen Trana found Kilmandaros and Knuckles residing in an Azath House at the bottom of the sea, the Elder Goddess bitterly recalled the betrayal of Anomander Rake that had once left her imprisoned there. Knuckles assured her that if she had not first attacked Rack in anticipation of his eventual betrayal, she would not have faced Rake's wrath. He argued the same was true of Osserc.Reaper's Gale, Chapter 20, US HC p.589
==In Toll the Hounds==
Anomander Rake gave Baruk a copy of Dillat's Dark and Light from his personal library. The archaic book described an incident in which Rake and "Osserick" had been allied against the evil tyrant "Draconnus", Slayer of Eleint. Rake had struck Draconnus unconscious and left Osserick to guard him. But when Rake returned, he found Osserick bloodied and Draconnus freed by Sister Spite's hand. Anomander vowed his alliance with Osserick would one day end and he would wage war on him and his kin. Spite and her sister, Envy, secretly watched this result of their manipulations and were pleased. Rake set out in pursuit of Draconnus, while Osserick sought vengeance against Spite. Crone found the account inaccurate, explaining that Osserc and Rake's alliance fell apart because of a growing mutual dislike in which Draconus was merely the death-blow. She found the book's description of Rake's vow against Osserc amusing. But she did scold Osserc for falling for Spite's womanly wiles.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 1, US SFBC p.51-54
The book also described war among the dragons when all the First Born (but one) had bowed their necks to K'rul. The children of the dragons, bereft of their inheritance, rose in battle to reject the First Born. Osserick and Rake had already tasted the blood of T'iam and others came to do the same. War raged upon all the Realms as long as the Gates of Starvald Demelain remained open. Under Osserick, Kurald Liosan was the first Realm to seal the portal between itself and the Realm of the dragons. He cleansed the world of all rivals--the Soletaken and the feral purebloods--and drove out the D'ivers. Osserick and Rake battled until Kilmandaros drove them apart.
Endest Silann was invited to meet with Anomander Rake in a room of pure darkness within the New Palace of Black Coral. The room drew the old castellan's thoughts to memories of ancient Kharkanas and the triumvirate of powers that arose there after Mother Dark embraced the Light. He named the brood of Osserc as one power, including Menandore in that number.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 14, US SFBC p.571-572
== In Dust of Dreams==
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==In The Crippled God==
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== In Night of Knives==
Tayschrenn responded to Agayla's claim that a single force had held back the Stormriders for a while but had perished, remarking "One against all this? There is no one. Osserc, perhaps---"Night of Knives, Chapter 5, US MMPB p.230
== In Return of the Crimson Guard==
In the Elder Age, the Child of Earth Denuth found an injured Liossercal at the site of a violent explosion. Denuth was soon horrified to realize that Liossercal had obtained his wounds in the act of destroying an Azath House. He considered taking advantage of the Soletaken Eleint's weakness to finish him off, but Liossercal sensed his intentions. Liossercal argued that "Draconus is a fool. His conclusions flawed. Rigidity is not the answer." Instead, Liossercal claimed his own actions at the Azath House were for "exploring alternatives." Denuth ordered him to leave, hurrying Liossercal on his way by noting that Draconus was approaching and he "brings his answer with him." Draconus soon arrived carrying what appeared to be an unfinished Dragnipur.Return of the Crimson Guard, Prologue, UK PB p.1-2
thumb|280x280px|Father Wind by [https://www.instagram.com/p/CcqgheiKwvW/ Shadaan]
For a time, Osseric appeared to be a prisoner of the warlock Shen at his fortress on Bael. Shen used the sleeping god like a battery, sapping his power to enhance his own. The Crimson Guard unknowingly awoke Osseric when they killed Shen to fulfill a contract. The Guard's High Mage and chief assassin Cowl attempted to kill Osseric as well and believed he had succeeded, but Osseric managed to transfer himself into the sword of the Guardsman Kyle. The sword had coincidentally just been inscribed by the Crimson Guard mage Smoky, with a token of the Spirit of the Wind.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 2 Osseric was not identified by name during that incident, and Kyle believed that this unnamed entity was Father Wind, a god worshiped by his people, the People of the Wind, on the subcontinent of Bael.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 2
While in possession of Tcharka, Kyle dreamed of a meeting between Anomandaris and Liossercal in Kurald Emurlahn. Liossercal had discovered a strange crystalline structure growing from the ground and was dismantling it in "research". Anomandaris questioned his methods as he labeled the entity a Shadow House and called it a child, something new and unformed. It was his "interpretation that this house is of Emurlahn and Emurlahn exists as proof of the accord between our Realms. Threaten one and you threaten all." Liossercal took his words to heart, and Anomandaris lightened the mood by discussing Resuthenal, a woman they both knew.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 3, US HC p.356-358
Osseric later released himself from the sword when Kyle and Traveller met with Shadowthrone and Cotillion in Shadowkeep. Kyle's sword was destroyed in the process so Osseric gave him one of his own.Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 5
== In Blood and Bone==
Osserc spoke briefly with Shadowthrone in the throne room of Shadowkeep.Blood and Bone, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.94-95 Some time after this meeting he was able to enter the Deadhouse in Malaz City, succeeding in his ambition of penetrating an Azath House.
Gothos was present in the house as well, and he and Osserc entered into a battle of patience.Blood and Bone, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.134-137 A Nacht Guardian of the Azath House later appeared in the house as well (acting as a servant), presumably placed there, along with Gothos, to aggravate Osserc.Blood and Bone, Chapter 4, UK MMPB p.244-247 Osserc began to recall memories from his past and realized that the Azath House wanted self-reflection from him. Shortly afterwards he witnessed Cowl's escape from his prison within the grounds surrounding the Azath House.Blood and Bone, Chapter 10, UK MMPB p.584-591 After much reflection, Osserc decided to leave the house, and when leaving he realized that the ritual then being performed by the Circle of Masters in Jacuruku was taking advantage of Thyrllan.Blood and Bone, Chapter 14, UK MMPB p.779-781 After the large blast which occurred when the ritual was interrupted, Osserc was found unconscious but alive by Sister Spite and L'oric, who returned him, still unconscious, to Thyrllan.Blood and Bone, Epilogue, UK MMPB p.831-838
== In Forge of Darkness==
Osserc sought to help Hunn Raal manipulate events in Kurald Galain to place his father, Vatha Urusander, on the throne. When his father informed him that he would not inherit command of Urusander's Legion, Osserc felt betrayed and abandoned him.Forge of Darkness, Chapter 12, UK HC p.350/353 As he left the Legion's headquarters in Neret Sorr he was challenged by Millick who was angered that Osserc had seduced his beloved Renarr. Osserc strangled the man with one hand.Forge of Darkness, Chapter 12, UK HC p.356
== In Fall of Light ==
Osserc was residing close to the Vitr sea with Ardata, who was noted to have recently saved his life. Osserc assisted Ardata in setting the bones of the Thel Akai, Kanyn Thrall, after Thrall was injured in a fight against two dragons, Telorast and Curdle. Telorast and Curdle attempted to seduce him, but Osserc stated he had taken a vow of celibacy. The dragons then suggested to Ardata that Osserc should be used to seal the gate that opened above the Vitr.
After seducing him, Telorast and Curdle (with Ardata's approval) prepared to sacrifice Osserc to seal the gate, but were interrupted by Scabandari, who retrieved Osserc and left.
==Family==
Osseric fathered High Mage L'oric with an unknown female companion. Menandore and Sukul Ankhadu were his ritual daughters with the goddess Tiam.Midnight Tides, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.230
==Notes and references==
Category:Ascendants
Category:Elder Gods
Category:Gods
Category:High House Light
Category:Males
Category:Soletaken Eleint
Category:Tiste Liosan
Category:Urusander's Legion
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