Rhea the Merfolk

Rhea is a proud member of the Time Knights order of Paladins, who rather than worshiping a deity, vow to protect the timeline from all those who would threaten it. Rhea is a peculiar Merfolk with the blood of the Adaros flowing through her veins, which lead to her unique appearance. Her body has always been described as a battery of sorts for both positive and negative energy, both of which she can use as she so desires.

## History

As is always difficult for Rhea to explain, she was not born in the world of Babel...or any world for that matter. She was actually born on a demiplane where time flowed very differently compared to the rest of the world. Her mother is a powerful wizard who specialized in summoning, so throughout her youth, Rhea was rigorously taught magic and spent a lot of time around outsiders. She is very comfortable around those who do not call this plane of existence their home.

However, try as her mother did to expose her to magic, Rhea found that she did not have the knack for it. Unlike her mother, Rhea was born a bundle of energy, literally, who could channel untold destructive forces on a whim...but she had a very hard time controlling it or mastering the finesse and control required to be a wizard. And so, her mother began to teach her a different style of using her powers, channeling positive energy to heal and negative energy to destroy. Rhea has never fully understood where her powers came from, though she speculates that she may have gotten her positive energy from one mother, who was a Warpriest, and the negative energy from her other mother, who enjoys destroying armies with her destructive blasts. Either way, the ability to channel these kinds of powers was always traditionally linked to a diety, but since Rhea did not worship anyone during her youth, she was always quite unique.

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Growing up on a demiplane was always a unique experience. Rhea was taught by her mother, and though she had many visitors, her exposure to the outside world was very limited. Still, it was very clear that she was loved. The reason she was being raised in a timeless demiplane was never fully explained to her, though Rhea suspected it was because her mothers wanted to keep her safe and make sure she was ready when she entered the real world. Unfortunately, that never happened. To this day, Rhea does not know what precisely went wrong. Was it wild magic? A mistake in her mother's creation of her demiplane (unlikely though it was)? Or some malicious plot by someone who sought to do her family harm? Either way, the demiplane collapsed, and for the briefest of moments, Rhea found herself falling, the various planes passing her by on all sides. And then, just as she feared for her own sanity...it stopped, and she found herself in the world she now calls home, Babel.

## Time Knight

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As is generally the case with the Time Knights, Rhea did not find them...they found her. The entry of someone from a different timeline and demiplane did not go unnoticed, and shortly after wandering into the nearest town and finding that they did not recognize any of her currency, they found her. Some of the Time Knights were very polite. Others were rude, though Rhea always felt that was because of fear more than anything else. And she could hardly blame them. She was an anomaly. A paradox. She existed in their world, but shouldn't. The biggest question they had to answer, however, was what to do with her next.

When it became clear that Rhea's ability to channel both positive and destructive energies may have its uses. And so, she was offered the opportunity to prove herself and take part in rigorous training to become a Time Knight. Nothing was promised to her: if she failed the training, or did not live up to expectations, then it was unlikely she would be allowed to remain within the order. However, if she proved her worth, she would have access to their resources, in addition to friends and, more importantly, a purpose. With few other options, Rhea accepted their offer.

The oath of the Time Knights is centered around preventing anyone with evil intentions from tampering with the timeline, a cause that Rhea's own experiences caused her to believe in. Though she still seeks answers as to why she was here and if she would ever see her parents again, she continues to fight for what she believes in and try to make the world a better place.

And hopefully, pick up a few of those adorable slimes along the way.

## Oath of the Time Knights

Code of Conduct

"The time knight must be of any good alignment and instantly loses all class features except proficiencies, martial traditions, and combat talents if her alignment ever ceases to be good. Additionally, the time knight must do her best to slay or imprison any evil creature she encounters who possess the Time sphere or any of its talents, evil creatures that know time magic spells such as haste, slow, or time stop, or evil creatures with abilities that allow them to manipulate time.

The time knight can choose to accompany such a creature for a limited time in service to a greater good, but willingly allowing such a creature to go free causes the time knight to suffer the same effects as losing her good alignment until the time knight receives an atonement or brings the creature to justice."

As part of joining the Time Knight order, Rhea also carries around their holy symbol. Each Time Knight, upon entering the order, is given a silver pocket watch that they are expected to carry with them at all times. Rhea also keeps a letter she had gotten from her mother a long time ago. Though the note is not anything fancy, since it is the only artifact she has that her mother ever existed, it is her most prized possession.

## Fighting Style

Rhea specializes in channeling energy to heal, harm, or utterly destroy her enemies, and she is very good at it. Rhea can use her powers to blast enemies from a distance. More recently, Rhea has been practicing using her channeled energy in close quarters combat. A recent encounter with a swordswoman who tried to train her did not go well, and so she has decided to train in unarmed combat instead.

## Personality

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Upbeat, perky, energetic, and cheerful can all be used to describe Rhea. She is very outgoing and seems to be happy just to be alive. Unlike many Paladins, Rhea is more concerned with those who would specifically seek to tamper with the flow of time. As such, she is able to comfortably work with those other Paladins may be more intolerant of, at least, to a degree. Rhea can also be very flirtatious and a bit of a drunk. She sure does love her ale, even in the heat of battle!

## Relationships

Yuki - An adventurer Rhea has worked with several times. A bit arrogant, but he seems to know what he is doing, which is more than she can say for some. Also feels oddly familiar to her.

Hilda - An adventurer with a talking horse. Tried to teach her how to wield a sword. It did not go well.

Regnar - He makes it hard to channel energy sometimes, but he seems to do his job well on the battlefield.

## Striking the Behemoth (Downtime Event)

“This isn’t our concern White. What is happening in Behemoth is terrible...but this isn’t what we swore an oath to fight against. Time magic isn’t involved here.”

“Are you ordering me to stay Red?”

“If I was giving you an order, you wouldn’t need to ask that. But I am getting concerned White. You have been getting involved in a lot of affairs that do not concern the Time Knights.”

This was not the first such debate that Rhea, the White Time Knight, had with their leader Red. The Time Knights were sworn to protect the world from those who would use time magic for evil. But many of the events Rhea had involved herself in recently, including the events in the desert continent away from Babel...well, they had nothing to do with that oath that she swore to the cause. Rhea became involved because she felt that it was the right thing to do.

“What would you have me do Red? If one has power and things like this are going on...they have to do something. We can’t just stand on the sidelines in events that do not involve time magic. The Time Knights are a powerful force. We can do some real good in other areas.” Rhea said. The short merfolk was already in her white armor, built from a material from the future that only the Time Knights had access to. The metal reflected back the face of the red tiefling looking at her, his arms crossed. She and the Red Time knight had disagreed on many issues such as this, but the events in Behemoth...well, they were a step too far for Red.

“What if we need you-”

“But you don’t need me right now, that is the point! Since we dealt with Dingo, there has not been a major time-related emergency for quite a while. We are wasting our lives just sitting here waiting for another event like that to occur!” Rhea said.

“Resources are limited. If you are injured or harmed while we need you-”

“I know the Time Knights may need me. But nobody can heal a group as quickly as I can. If people are hurt, regardless of which side they are on, then I am going to help them!” Rhea said, growing a bit more frustrated. “And if you aren’t going to order me to stay, or heck, relieve me of my duties, then I have nothing more to say. I’m going either way Red!”

The tiefling shook his head. There was a fire in his eyes as he looked back at Rhea. Red had not been made the leader of the Time Knights because he was the strongest or the most intelligent. But he was the man on the team most equipped to make difficult decisions, regardless of their consequences. Rhea did not like putting him into a more challenging position, but at this point, she had no choice. Eventually, Red took a deep breath, calming himself slightly before he spoke.

“I’m not angry with you. I just put the squad first. You know that. I don’t want you to get hurt, or for anyone on our team to get hurt if you aren’t able to accompany us. I know you would never want that.” He sighed. “My point is Rhea that I am concerned that you have been overextending yourself. I admire your desire to help people...all people. Your altruism is a credit to the team. But...you can’t save everyone. And my fear Rhea is that, someday, somewhere, you are going to run into a foe that you cannot defeat alone. And with your new wife and everything...just stay safe, okay?”

Red’s words did not quite register for Rhea as she placed her helmet on her head, covering her face. She did not respond as she snapped her fingers, causing a portal to form between the Time Knight base and Behemoth. Though she was coming in as a neutral healer, there was no denying that she would be in danger on the battlefield.

Unfortunately, Red’s words were more prophetic than even he could have anticipated.

### The Flame in the Shadow

*As the White Time Knight, I was my team’s medic, healing wounds and providing support. Like all Time Knights, I was capable of fighting hand-to-hand, but it was far from a specialty of mine. However...when I returned to the Time Knights, there was an opening in their ranks that they had asked me to fill.*

*The Red Time Knight.*

*The Red Time Knight is the leader of the Time Knights, commanding the squad and bearing the responsibility of fighting impossible odds and getting their team out alive. Survive or die...they are the ones who bear responsibility. However, the Red Time Knight’s mantle also comes with considerable power: unrelenting flame that cannot be quenched. While there are countless individuals in the world who would use time magic for evil purposes, the visage of the Red Time Knight strikes fear into their hearts.*

*And so as I held the helmet of the red suit of armor in my arms, I came to a realization. My adopted sister, Gwen, had just informed me of what had happened to my mom, who she and the rest of the world now struggled to remember. But...I did. How could I forget? My mother...the Empress...the Demon Lord...the Shadow of the Sea. And I can’t keep avoiding confronting her. I sighed, exhausted, and dreading what was to come...but knowing that the course could not be changed.*

*I donned the helmet and got ready to fight my mom.*

Rhea stood in the center of Sirenea, right before the palace. As the centerpiece of the kingdom’s capital, the palace was a sight to behold, a testament to both the kingdom’s power and considerable wealth. Guards and statues covered the courtyard, and fish of all shapes and sizes swam by, intermingling with the servants. However, while it all appeared to be a normal aquatic kingdom on the surface, the reality was far darker...Ronda’s presence as a demon lord was a naturally corrupting presence, and many of the fish were native to the Abyss, not the oceans of Siacros.

Rhea took in a breath, wishing for a moment that she had been bold enough to confront this issue before. But everything changes when the ultimate evil you plan to confront is family. She was clad in her full armor, a red suit of metal that did not exist in this world...yet. It was forged by Time Dragons to protect the Time Knights from the harmful effects of chronal magic. Needless to say, as Rhea marched forward, she drew stares and attention, but all of the guards only watched and stared. They recognized Rhea, daughter of the Empress who once held the role herself, but they were not accustomed to seeing her armed.

However, as she made her way straight to the throne room, there was one being who was bold enough to confront her. Rhea soon found herself face-to-face with Crystal, her mother’s centaur companion and the gatekeeper to her throne room. Crystal was a massive and muscular being, with a gargantuan greatsword strapped across her back that she could wield with one hand. Yet despite these intimidating features, Crystal had a smiling, friendly face and long blond hair, and she was munching on a fruit of some kind. Rhea liked Crystal...but if she wanted to face her mother, she knew that she would have to deal with her summoned outsiders as well.

“Hey there Rhea, long time no see!” Crystal said in her usual perky and cheerful manner. She was perhaps the most charming Demon Rhea had ever met. However, Rhea did not smile back, looking her in the eyes.

“Hey Crystal. I’m here to see my mom.” She said, moving forward and trying to pass around Crystal, but the centaur held out her arm.

“Of course Rhe-Rhe! Your mom will be super happy to see you.” Crystal explained. “But...I’m going to have to ask you to remove your armor. Sorry, just a security poto...prot...thing.” She said, having a hard time making the right words. Crystal was not particularly smart, which made what Rhea had to do more difficult.

“I’m sorry Crystal, but I’m not going to remove my armor, but I still need to see my mother.” Rhea said, her tone serious. Crystal would scratch her chin.

“But...master said that people shouldn’t wear their armor in the throne room. So you can’t see her…” Crystal sighed, this whole exchange clearly confusing her. “Sorry Rhea, but you can’t go in.”

“Crystal...I would rather not have to fight you. Please, take this opportunity to just walk away.” Rhea said, though she already knew the answer. For something like this, Crystal didn’t have any way to say no, even if she wanted to.

“I...I don’t know what you mean Rhe-Rhe…” Crystal said, reaching for her sword.

“...I’m sorry. I’ll try to make it quick.” Rhea said, a blade of pure plasma, as white as the fires of the sun, forming in her hands.

An explosion rocked the palace. The doorway leading to the throne room was flung open, Crystal’s charred form being knocked inside, crashing against the floor. She tried to rise to her feet, but this time, she stayed down, her body slowly dissipating. She wasn’t dead, but her essence that clung to this form would now dissipate. [i]At least I didn’t have to kill her…[/i] Rhea thought to herself.

The throne room was dark, making it almost hard to see, were it not for the blade of light in her hands. She stepped forward. At the back of the room, on the throne, was her mother’s current form of choice, a towering three-headed hydra, one hand in her hands as she watched Rhea walk forward. If her mother was surprised, she didn’t show it. Shocking a divination wizard was almost impossible.

“You should be proud of her mom. Despite my hope of ending things quickly, Crystal held out for some time.” Rhea said. “I’m sorry Crystal…”

“Rhea, it’s been some time. I like the new armor.” Ronda said, standing up, her arms crossed behind her hands. Though the effect of being Hollow caused Ronda to be forgotten by most other individuals, the outsider she was fused with was not similarly cursed, and had become known as the Empress of Tidal. “The Red Time Knight...you earned that title.”

“Mom....” Rhea said. Despite envisioning this moment for some time, her throat seemed to clog as she hesitated to speak. “Mom, you know why I’m here.”

“I don’t know, but I do suspect…” The fused form of the hydra crossed her arms beneath her chest, all three heads staring down at Rhea. She wasn’t alone in the room, as several other beings were watching her from the shadows. “You think that I’ve gone too far.”

“No...no you went too far a long...long time ago. For a while, I bought into the same lies everyone else did. I think it was because I wanted to. I wanted to believe it. It was better than the alternative.” She explained. “That...I lost my mom a long time ago.”

“I’m still here Rhea.” The hydra took a step forward, extending a hand. “I’m right here.”

“That isn’t you!” Rhea shouted. “My mom wouldn’t become a demon lord! My mom wouldn’t be content being forgotten by the rest of the world! My mom...my mom would never put her daughters through what you’ve done. Forcing us to try to accept you even as the title of demon lord corrupted you right to your very core...only to watch on as those who depend on you struggle to even remember your face. And you don’t plan to do anything about that do you?”

“There is...power in being forgotten. For most of the world, I have a clean slate. It is something that even the fifth horsemen possessed. It is the sort of opportunity I can’t turn down.” The hydra said. “I don’t expect you to understand, but as Empress-”

“Stop hiding behind that! Your responsibilities...I knew a long time ago how many people depended on you. It doesn’t excuse what you’ve done! What you’ve done to yourself!” Rhea said. “You always said that you made your choice because of what happened to Almara...stop blaming us! Your family never asked for this! We...I never wanted this! I was happy with my mom, I never asked for her to change!”

“Rhea, I-”

“Before you say anything...please tell me it won’t be another lie. Just...just give me the truth for once.” Rhea said, pleading. “Why?”

The hydra seemed to hesitate, which was rare for her. She crossed her arms behind her back, the center head looking off in the distance. “I think...there was a time where what I said was true. But now...it’s about power. I like having it. And I’m very good at using it. And...I’m not sure when I’ll be satisfied.” She explained.

“Mom...I’m sorry I didn’t try to stop you a long time ago.” She said, drawing a second blade. Despite being underwater, nothing could douse the flames of the Red Time Knight, as her plasma weapons illuminated the dark room.

“...I won’t fight you Rhea.” The hydra said, tensing.

“You don’t have a choice!”

Rhea charged forward. As the Red Time Knight, her workout routine was incredibly intense, and she moved faster than she had ever moved before. However, the other beings in the room were watching her intently, and the second she moved, one of them sprang into action. Charlotte, a large blue woman with red hair, grabbed her out of midair, slamming her to the ground. She was her mother’s wrestler, and she had taken down many a foe on her own.

But the Red Time Knight was no ordinary adversary.

As she was about to strike the floor, flames suddenly billowed out of the ground, ash and lava spilling forth. Charlotte was forced to stop in her tracks, while Rhea sank into the lava, swimming through it as easily as she did water, before launching back out and carving into Charlotte with her blades. Her mother stood there, watching calmly. The hydra snapped her fingers, and more of her outsiders appeared. Roxanne, her mother’s first companion, Mako, her mother’s maid, and Izzy, the former Protean turned demon. Roxanne held her shield forward.

“Stop making me fight your outsiders mom! I’m not here for them! I’m here for you!” Rhea shouted.

“I’m not making you do anything my dear. You chose this fight, not me!” Her mother watched calmly, crossing her arms. The outsiders sprang forth, Roxanne slamming her shield to the ground to crush Rhea, who teleported away. She found herself suddenly stabbed in the back by Mako, who was very skilled at intercepting teleportations. And off to the side, Izzy leapt towards her, fangs and claws at the ready to rip her to shreds. When she was growing up, these companions were her friends, and they too had been corrupted by her mom.

“Forgive me…” She said, before Rhea’s body was surrounded by a tornado of flame, immediately causing her mother’s outsiders to vanish. She could feel her mother trying to suppress her magic, but nothing could stop her flames. And when the dust settled, the outsiders were gone, with the exception of Izzy whose charred body fell to the side.

“Does this feel good Rhea?” Her mom asked. Even as her companions fell, she knew that her mother was still plenty dangerous without them. “I’m impressed. Your powers have come a long way.” She said with a chuckle.

“There is no joy in this. I don’t want to fight your companions.” She said, standing at the ready.

“You and I could be a very powerful team. Picture it. With my intellect and resources, and your undying flame...who could stand against us? We could change the world however we choose.” Ronda said. Rhea remained silent, staring her mother down. “...Have it your way then.” She said, snapping her fingers, and a portal would open. What would appear was one of Ronda’s more recent companions, the Tarrasque. However, she was different from how Rhea remembered. Her hair seemed to be made of lava and her expression was one of fury.

“What did you do to Tarra…?” Rhea asked, knowing she did not want to know the answers.

“Her body has been merged with a sphere of annihilation. She is far more useful this way.” Ronda said. Rhea would snarl. Her mom would never have forced one of her servants to change like this. But...if Tarra entered through the portal, she had no idea what would happen to the palace or the people inside it. She had to act fast.

Rhea would roar, launching forward with impossible speed. Time would seem to stand still as she launched herself, colliding with her mother with all the force of a jet. In a fraction of a second, she opened a portal behind her mom, disrupting Ronda’s concentration and causing the portal with the Tarrasque to close. The two would fly through the portal, leaving the palace behind.

Ronda and Rhea would emerge on what appeared to be a beach that stretched on as far as the eye could see. Ronda’s hydra form looked around, taking in her surroundings before looking back at Rhea, who was crouched across from her.

“You brought me to a demiplane.” Ronda stated.

“If we’re gonna do this, I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.” Rhea said. Still, she now knew that her mother would be willing to destroy the palace via the Tarrasque if it meant defeating her daughter.

“I don’t want to do this Rhea…” Ronda said, uncrossing her arms.

“..I didn’t get a choice when you chose to become a demon lord, and you don’t get a choice now!”

Rhea once again launched herself faster than the eye could see, and as time froze around here, she would appear behind her mother, blades drawn. Her goal was to try and separate her mother from the hydra, as in a physical contest, she should be able to defeat her. However, just as she thought that she had an opening, the Hydra suddenly moved, ramming her massive fist right where Rhea’s head had been a fraction of a second ago. Even though she dodged, there was so much force behind the punch that Rhea was sent tumbling back, forced to take stock of the situation.

“You should know better than to think that would work on me.” Ronda said, entering a fighting stance as the three heads locked onto Rhea. The Time Knight had one more trick up her sleeve, but she knew that once she tried it, it was unlikely to work a second time. Rhea waited, letting her mother approach. Ronda let loose a powerful, but cautious punch, making sure she did not give Rhea any openings . Once more, time seemed to stop, but even as the Hydra began to move, keeping pace with her, this time as Rhea dodged to the side she cast a spell. Time sped back up, and the hydra seemed surprised that Rhea would choose to end the effect so quickly. However, as time resumed, there were two Rheas charging towards her, one from both sides, and when they met in the middle, the Time Knight slammed a sword of light through the hydra’s side.

Ronda’s form was disjunctioned, and in a flash of light, she and the hydra were separated. Lilo, her companion, fell to the side, her hulking body lifeless as Ronda was knocked to the side. Her mother’s red hair and tattoos glowed in the brightness of the demiplane, and as she got up, her eyes watched Rhea. A mixture of pride and fury filled her face. “Delayed metamagic. Clever.”

“I’ve learned to keep up with even you mom.” Rhea said, gasping for breath. This had taken a lot out of her. “See? You don’t need to protect me anymore.”

“Perhaps. But you are mistaken if you think I’ve gone all out.”

Ronda would open a bag at her side, and out would emerge Quip, her familiar, the formerly shy Squid who had been similarly transformed in a more demonic form. She would cast a spell, army across time, and dozens upon dozens of copies of the same familiar would appear. The familiars completely surrounded Rhea and her mother, and together, they began to chant as Ronda rose into the air. Rhea began to move to intervene, but her mother was ready, launching her spell with aid from the many quips.

It was like a meteor shower.

Ronda’s tattoos began to glow as she launched several balls of force, each one massive in size. It was awe inspiring, as the amount of magical power on display filled the sky of the demiplane. Rhea forced herself to move, unsure if even she could dodge this. She attempted to stop time, but found her spell countered. She should have figured that her mother would not allow her to use that a second time, as she negated the spell.

Rhea found herself desperately trying to dodge the attack. Using her teleportation and acrobatics, Rhea was able to dodge many of the balls of force, until the last one. Try as she might, as fast as she moved, she couldn’t dodge them all. Rhea tried to open a portal at the last moment before the force collided with her. Ronda watched on, thinking that this battle was over, when her daughter emerged on the other side. Rhea roared, blades of light in her hands, as Ronda held one last ball of force in her hands. Rhea’s helmet was cracked open, allowing Ronda to look her daughter in the eyes, and she saw both how hurt and how angry she was.

The two launched their attacks at the same moment. A blade of pure plasma cut deep into Ronda’s skull, as the ball of force blasted apart Rhea’s armor on her midsection. The many Quips vanished, and Rhea and Ronda fell to the ground. Both could feel the pain coursing through their bodies. As her vision began to fade, Rhea looked over at her mother who, despite the burns covering her face, seemed to be smiling.

“Well done…”

She said. Ronda was drying, but it was never that easy to take out a wizard. She snapped her fingers, and she would abuse time magic right in front of the Time Knight, turning back the clock and returning her body to the form it had been in just moments ago. Rhea’s body, meanwhile, disintegrated, as the visage of a phoenix appeared and a new Rhea emerged from the ashes. Both had landed a killing blow, and now both were still standing.

“I can do this all day Rhea…” Ronda said. “You’ve come a long way though-”

Rhea did not wait to respond. She began to swing her blades. Ronda would form barriers and cast spells, but everything she used was instantly dispelled by Rhea’s blades, one by one, as the Time Knight made her way through her defenses. In close quarters, without her allies, Ronda had never been more desperate. She tried to teleport, but Rhea saw it coming, aiming her blade at Ronda’s throat. The demon lord smirked, raising her hands in surrender.

“Go ahead. You’ve earned it.” Ronda said. “Better you than anyone else…”

Rhea’s face hardened as she stared down her blade at Ronda, and something broke within her. Despite the demonic corruption, despite the changed features...she saw her mother, and she remembered her holding her in her arms. Her eyes began to well up with tears. “Why mom...why won’t you stop…”

“...I don’t think there is any way for me to come back from what I’ve done Rhea.” Ronda said. “It was great seeing you in battle. You’ve come so far.” She said proudly. “My little girl...now the Red Time Knight.”

“Mom…”

“...It didn’t have to be you, you know…” Her mother whispered. “Rhea, with this much power...think of what we could do. We can shape this world however we choose.”

Rhea fell silent, her blade not moving.

“Think of it. You and I...we’re immortal. We can do whatever we choose for as long as we choose. Who can stop us? Think of the problems we can solve!” Ronda said. “We don’t have to fight. We can go back to how things were!”

Rhea sighed, shaking her head as she lowered the sword. Even now, her mother was trying to manipulate and lie to her. Rhea stabbed down, and a clone of Ronda that was emerging from the ground behind her was stabbed, instantly dissipating. One last trap from the Shadow of the Sea. Rhea shook her head.

“I came to kill my mom...but she was already gone a long time ago, wasn’t she?” Rhea asked. She sighed, shaking her head. “...You’re right, it didn’t have to be me. And I...I can’t do this.” Rhea would create a portal. “Don’t come after me.” She said, departing through the portal and leaving Ronda in the demiplane.

Alone.