Seyvim

Seyvim's Sanfathi interpretation, as drawn by user Grapeio.

**Seyvim** (pronounced SAY-vihm), usually referred to as the Summer Queen, is the Senlo Dei creation of a universal deity that embodies the summer, the passage of time, mortality, blood, bloodmagic, and mortal magic. She is usually considered the wife of the pantheon head Zoli, and one of the heads of the Ember Council. She is often credited with the invention of power and magic inherent blood, and for teaching mortals how to manipulate and use this power. Some also consider her the creator of diseases and disabilities, though Bestil usually takes the role of being the god of those two things.

## Description

### Appearance

Seyvim in her western depictions is usually pictured as a woman in her youth with exceptional physical beauty and extravagant fashion. In these depictions, she usually has a halo or aura of gold or red, and wears a long summer dress, encrusted and decorated with rubies and other warm-colored gemstones. From her head to her feet she's covered in golden jewellery, usually matched with similar gemstones. In the east, however, she assumes a much different appearance; usually pictured as a woman in her middle or old ages, and wears clothing more tattered and ruined than her western counterpart. In nearly all interpretations, though, Seyvim is pictured with her sword: Bolamea. In addition, she almost always wears sandals.

### Personality

Seyvim's personality is difficult to track. Similar to appearances, Seyvim's behavior is extremely different between her western and eastern interpretations. It is usually agreed, though, that Seyvim is exceptionally haughty and arrogant, bordering on narcissism, and will constantly mention her own actions and feats in order to gain favor from immortals and mortals alike. In the east, it's generally believed that Seyvim taught mortals only bloodmagic in order to take the credit as a teacher, while only training mortals in magics that are based around the mutilation of the mortal body.

## History

### Deity Inspirations

#### **Chao Vi**

Chao Vi was an old Pelgan minor deity who controlled the power in blood and the magic surrounding it. She is almost exactly the same as Seyvim's eastern aspects in terms of personality and appearance, and is often regarded as the deity most closely linked with Seyvim in the east.

#### **Deola**

Deola was one of the key deities found in the Dolvaris region, and was often interpreted as a kind, motherly goddess who decided to give various gifts to mortals, including the power of magic and the ability to create fire.

#### **Jaivonach**

Jaivonach was a major deity belonging to the Woanach of Greenvalley. She was considered the head deity of her pantheon and the creator of mortality and life cycles, which were inflicted upon the world as a boon.

#### Saivan

Often considered the main inspiration for Seyvim, the morally-gray goddess Saivan was one of the key deities of the Niroe, credited with starting the cycle of mortality as its known by infusing power and magic into blood, while also giving people limited lifespans, creating conflict that would be necessary for the ultimate re-creation of the universe.

#### **Tei-Raushi Seiva**

Tei-Raushi was the old Lyrian deity of fire, summer, and vengeance. Under his aspect of Seiva, he would harvest the blood of his followers in order to create curses for those who had wronged him.

## Mythology

### Creation of Lai Lioran

During the creation of Lai Lioran, Seyvim was one of the last beings created by Adina before the First Moot, likely as a barrier in order to stop romantic advances by Zoli, whom Adina viewed as lesser. In order to give inspiration to the new plane, Seyvim created the realm of Sivaram; a world that would follow a cycle of death and reconstruction by the bloodmage lords. Sivaram inspired seasons and magic on the material plane, though magic started as a power reserved for few. Of the First Races, Seyvim is usually credited with the creation of couatls.

### Mythic Wars

During the First Mythic War, Seyvim fought alongside Zoli against Zhav's coalition, though her reasons for aligning with Zoli are usually debated, as the two had not yet entered into a relationship. It's also unknown in what sense she fought, as reports are conflicted. During the following conflict, the appropriately-named Second Mythic War, Seyvim aligned to Zoli once more at the beginning of the war. In her battle with Kaeor and Miskir, Leumus' pet rabbit Moorglow was killed by an unknown offender, and the goddess decided to join in the conflict in support of Seyvim. During the intervening period of Zhav's rule, Seyvim is noted as being strangely absent and unmentioned, only appearing once more during the battle against Zhav and Zoli's resurrection. Seyvim was also absent for the Third Mythic War, but this is likely because she knew of the mortal's wounds, as she provided part of this information to Parsei.

### Seyvim Teaches Magic

Seyvim, as the credited inventor of bloodmagic and the goddess surrounding mortal magic and powers, once taught the mortals how to use bloodmagic in order for the mortals to better run their societies. It is said she taught these secrets to the Elven King Arainmies, after sneaking into his chambers to seduce him. There, she taught him that blood and the body can become a powerful battery and conduit for spells and rituals, before providing him with the Sangarelle: a catalogue of nearly every ritual surrounding blood and the body. Afterwards, she spoke to nearly every living creature in their dreams, informing them of age, time, and their ability to procreate, starting the mortal cycle on the material plane. King Arainmies, after Seyvim's seduction, grew obsessed with re-summoning her in order to learn more power, which ended up in his own self-immolation as he turned his blood into fire, causing a massive fire that burned much of the central forests in Lerania.

## Worshippers

Seyvim, having close associations with blood and magic, is often the patron deity of those who attribute their power to their heritage. Thus, she is often the goddess that nobility offer their sacrifices to, and the goddess that sorcerers and other blood-based magicians look to for guidance. Having associations with beauty and sex, as well, she is also a secondary deity followed by sex workers and prostitutes. Of course, though, she is also credited as the teacher and ultimate bloodmage, and those looking for magic in their blood (or someone else's) will turn to her.