Raziel Devonshire *
| Raziel Devonshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Man of Mystery & Lore | |
| Duke of Mists | |
| Rule | 505 – 508 |
| Appointed | 21 October 505 |
| Predecessor | Duke Lazarus Karaganinas |
| Regency | 9 December 501 - 20 October 505 |
| Heir Apparent | Marquis Solomon Karaganinas |
| Background | |
| Marital Status | Widowed: Meredith Devonshire |
| Offspring | Adopted: Marquis Solomon Karaganinas Adopted: Baronet Nina Snicket |
| Full Name | Raziel Devonshire |
| Titles and Styles | Duke of Mists Formerly Duke Regent of Mists Formerly Baron of Dragon Lake, Mists |
| Ducal House | House Devonshire |
| Born | August 26 466 Dragon Lake, Mists |
| Occupation | Master illusionist Journeyman fire elementalist |
| Biographical Information | |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Eye Color | Right: Blue-Grey, Left: Amber |
| Hair | Black |
The Duke of Mists
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
One of the more prominently known and recognized Illusionists on the Isle, Raziel Devonshire came into his full heritage in his early twenties after the grisly demise of his parents. As Baron of Dragon Lake, Raziel was effective, passionate about his people and his studies and did his job well for more than ten years. The tedious nature of overseeing the Lordships, and interacting with his people slowed his studies, but despite that Raziel easily gained his mastery of the Illusion sphere and continues to work on achieving High Mage status within it, while also attending to gaining his Master status with the Elemental sphere of fire.
Currently, Raziel is mentoring one students in the Illusion Sphere, Lark Othermorn.
From Baron of Dragonlake to Duke Regent of Mists
Through a series of baronial alliances and clever plans, Raziel proved himself worthy to the Emperor and Mists as a worthy successor to then Duke Lazarus Karaganinas, who had fallen ill and was no longer able to maintain the necessary activity needed of a ducal figure within the empire. Raziel was appointed Duke Regent of Mists, and betrothed to Meredith Ravensford, sister to then Baron Moonshadow. Meredith had been set to wed Lazarus, and was with child by him; that child, later named Solomon, was deemed by the Keeper to be the Marquis of Mists. Raziel also adopted a daughter, Nina Snicket, at this time by last will of Vincente who was the Keeper's favorite cousin and had perished in defense of the Emperor.
Of Alliances, Demons and The Conjunction
It is rumored that Raziel keeps strange friends, powerful allies whom the Duke Regent has vested some measure of trust, and interest; one of those being Coroliss the Elf who can be seen occasionally on Gateway, and even more rarely on Mists if he has purpose there. It was Coroliss who gave a part of his own life-force to return Raziel to life, after Phineas Forester killed the Duke Regent with a poisoned throwing dagger under Vox's sway. Upon his new gift of life, Raziel took to studying the longbow, and the sword.
Shortly thereafter, Raziel led a contingent of Guardian Legionnaires, mages of multitudes of talents and spheres, Coroliss the Elf, and gained some alliance with a strange lizard-like people called the slee'mo'ray who showed up en masse to route a hundred head of lesser demons who were seeking to complete some demonic ritual to raise the Lord of the Abyss during the Conjunction. What exactly happened during the battle differs upon whom you might talk to, as stories grow bigger and bolder with each retelling or perspective, but one thing is certain; Raziel emerged from the battle with a shock of blue hair, slanted eyes, and pointed ears resembling very much in part that of Coroliss the elf.
The events on Gateway during the Conjunction proved to be the death of his wife, and Meredith Devonshire passed away in working for the people as the debris and fires overtook her. She has left Raziel to be the sole parental figure to both Nina and Solomon.
The Duke Regent's tenacity and passion against demonkind is well known, far and wide, and created some turmoil between he and the Council, increasing tensions between them as many view him as a man who shouldn't be in the position he is in. And, there is at least one instance of someone attempting to murder the Duke Regent after his as-of-yet unfulfilled plan to create an Order to police and hunt down and capture demon worshippers upon Mists. Despite leaving this to the side, tensions remain between some members of Council and the Duke Regent.
Raziel, along with Trahearn Conway, Sir Broderick Salazar, Squire Mathis Cardiff, and Mosha "Mouse" Kirkorin managed to kill Vox, the Abyssal Keeper, leader of the most dangerous demon worshipping cult perhaps in the history of Gateway. Vox had haunted and plagued the people of Gateway and Mists for years, and eluded capture or death. According to reliable testimony and substantiated rumor, Raziel managed to lodge an arrow right in the middle of Vox's forehead, splitting the Abyssal Keeper's mask in a shot much talked about by other archers at the time. It is rumored also that Raziel keeps this particular arrow along with Vox's mask, and sword in some room in his study that folk have not seen.
Necromancy Opposed
Shortly thereafter, Raziel opposed Phoebe Forester (his own Baroness Crescent Coast) and a previous Mogur, Azurios Erastothenes in their bid to see necromancy legalized by the Emperor and become a legitimate practiced sphere of magic. He, along with the Purists and a few others, appeared at debates and voiced their opinions upon the matter; unfortunately for Raziel his opposition was unsuccessful, and necromancy was, indeed, legitimized. There was rumored to be some fallout between Raziel and a few mages because of this.
However, in recent times, it seems that the Nex Ingredior, Azurios Erastothenes, have reconciled their differences - at least, upon the surface.
Coincedentally, it was shortly after this time that the Empress bestowed upon Raziel the full title of Duke of Mists, in Council before the people of Gateway for faithful services rendered to the Empire, no longer requiring that Raziel abstain the office of Duke Regent upon the Marquis' 16th birthday.
The Doomed Betrothal
Some time after the events of the Great Hunt, the Keeper announced the betrothal between Raziel and Addison Brandivere. There was quick opposition to this from the people of Mists, some who thought she was merely unfit to be Duchess, and others who swore never to bow to a girl who was raised by cultists. As Addison had once been ward of Vox, this betrothal was doomed before it began. It caused a great deal of political strife in Mists, and forced Raziel to reassess his political ventures and the way he handled day-to-day business with his vassals and commoners alike.
One of the most notable events of this period was the fact that the High Council intervened with the charge of the Marquis of Mists, Solomon and removed him from Raziel's care citing that the boy was potentially endangered by Addison's presence. It was not difficult to see that this infuriated Raziel to some degree; moreso when the Marquis' care was handed over to another man who the Duke had oft collided in the political and public mien with, Drake Ravensford.
During this time he made a public Oath to work more efficiently and willingly with the High Council of Mists, and held two open forums of questions and answers with all peoples, one upon Mists and one later just before the Double Eclipse that year in Gateway.
More recently, Raziel has had some surgical procedure to crop off the points of his ears, and he has taken to using Draughtian alchemial substances to dye the shock of blue hair on his head to black, no longer befitting the moniker of the 'Elfin Duke'. Exactly why he did this, or what this may mean for the future of himself, or Mists, is entirely uncertain.
Personality
Raziel is doggedly determined in every aspect of his life.
Few could discount the passion to which he attends every facet of his life. Be it problem that faces the Empire, of Mists, something in his personal life, or to do with one of his friends, the Duke's passion and determination cannot be underestimated. On occasion, this has gotten him into more than one particular problem. Yet, his passion transcends aiding others as well, and fixates itself into all manners of his personal life; he throws himself in, completely, to each new thing he finds worthy of his attention, and gives each his all.
There was a time when it was thought, rumored, that Duke Mists, then the Duke Regent of Mists, held to him a darker nature, and was prone to moods of anger befitting a berserking Guardian; yet, with the malice and caution of someone in control of their rage and for that, all the more dangerous. And while that danger still, on rare occasion, may be evoked, ever since the appearance of Coroliss upon Gateway, Raziel has made a noticeable transformation and oft spoken of, and acted in favor of 'The Light', and held to more Purist notions of right and wrong. This has led to increasing some tensions between himself, and the High Council as some of his ideas he wished to implement were a bit radical from the established norm.
One of Raziel's greatest strengths, and perhaps greatest weakness, is his love for the unknown. Riddles in the dark, left unopened and unturned are his pleasure and he will oft seek them out, regardless of the unknown peril that may lie in disturbing such ancient things. He argues that such lore is necessary to stave off the future assaults of demonkind against humanity, and to preserve what was once lost. This, too, has landed him in hot water on one or two occasions with the High Council.
Family Tree
Raziel is the only surviving heir of House Devonshire, whose emblem is that of a phoenix, rising from a torrent of fire and ash; a symbol that the Devonshires are not only the keepers of the eternal flame of Mists (the Barony of Dragon Lake and the Fang of Imperius) but remarking upon the perserverence of the family line and those that are born into that house. House Devonshire is a long-established house of renowned and famed Illusionists as well. Each firstborn male is taught, by his father, the secrets of intense and vivid illusions, an inheritance of secrets handed down from father-to-son since the inception of the House at the beginning of the Empire. The Devonshires have ruled Dragon Lake for the past four hundred years.
- Baron Saul Joseph Devonshire, deceased.
- Baroness Elena Victoria Devonshire, deceased.
Others
- Addison Brandivere: Once appointed as the Duke Mists' consort, Raziel was very fond and protective of the young woman of Mists. The two are no longer lovers.
- Kyrie Mezelien: The Lady of the Fang and Duke Mists have been noted to spend a significant amount of time together in the past. Not so much so, of late.
- Empress Mena: While there is fealty owed, some suggest the two are also friends, and rumors once abound of an affair between them. This rumor was later debunked.
- Coroliss: The resident Elf of Ikol and Raziel are close friends, and Raziel was even resurrected by Coroliss.
- Phoebe Forester: Despite the 'Ice Princess's' demeanor, it was Raziel who appointed Phoebe baroness of Crescent Coast, and the two are good friends, even with their differences.
- Phineas Forester: Rumored to be responsible for Raziel's death, the two are very adamant about their dislike for one another in public.
- Nina Snicket: Left to Raziel by his friend, Vincente Caprios, she is the darling toddler that has Raziel's heart. And everyone else's.
- Eremis: This strange man of Mists and Raziel seem to have some sort of alliance, or friendship. Eremis was with Coroliss during Raziel's rebirth to life.
If you want or need to establish a connection, please get ahold of me in game!
Timeline
- 01 August 507: Raziel gives a speech upon Mists, rallying the citizens of Mists to his banner. Many nobles and citizens of Mists who were on Gateway were unable to attend this event.
- 28 July 507: The Keeper announces the annullment of the betrothal between Raziel Devonshire & Duke Mists due to their own denouncements of the betrothal and pressure from the Isle from concerned nobleman and citizens.
- 02 June 507: The Imperial chamberlain announces Raziel's betrothal to Addison Brandivere, Lady Gryphon's Reach.
- 26 January 506: Raziel, Tezca Yupanqui, Lily Thatcher, and Lyolf Godfrey (Sheriff of Gateway) defeat a hag chimera who had threatened the lives of Khalani Paggion the Baroness of Ampohrae of Draught, Lily Thatcher, and Marion Browning.
- 21 October 505: Empress Mena Caprios declares Raziel as Duke Mists with his adopted son Solomon Karaganinas inheriting upon his death or retirement.
- 31 March 504: Leads a contingent of Mages, Guardian Legionaires, and slee'mo'ray against 100 head of lesser demons upon Mists during the Conjunction. Wife Meredith Ravensford Devonshire passes away in the fires that rampaged over Gateway.
- 20 October 503: Resurrected by the elf Coroliss.
- 14 October 503: Killed by Phineas Forester who was under the control of Vox.
- 9 December 501: Betrothed to Meredith Ravensford and assumes the Regency of Mists for Solomon Karaganinas.
Trivia
- Known to be a connoisseur of fine wines, and rare vintages.
- Known to be fond of pipes and tobacco therein, so much so that Nina is often comforted by the smell of pipe smoke.
- Rumored to have earned Lyolf Godfrey's respect for his wits and service to the Empire, a hard task for any mage.
- While taking no previous stance in the public eye previously, after Coroliss showed up, Raziel become a clear proponent of the Light.
- Was jailed for a few days during unproven (and later debunked) rumors that he and Empress Mena Caprios were having an illicit affair.
Playlist
- Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water : To His Friends & "Family"
- David Bowie: My Death : The Inevitable & the Reason Why Raziel Does What He Does
- Johnny Cash: Man In Black : Servant of the Light
- Third Day: Wire : Thoughts on the Risks Taken to Achieve All
- Oysterhead: Little Faces : To Nina & Solomon
- Led Zeppelin: The Battle of Evermore : Fighting the Forces of Darkness
=================================================================================================================================
The Duke of Mists, Raziel Devonshire
=================================================================================================================================
I'm A Roleplayer (And So Can You!): An OOC Perspective On How Anyone Can Create Stories & Affect Gameplay
It's come to my attention there are some people out there, in this game & in others that feel they are merely part of a story, rather than the story themselves. There are people who feel they can do little, if anything, to impact the game, or create a story from the mere actions of their characters. They feel that they are stuck, and inable to use their own creativity to make something meaningful of the game, the plot, the situation in which they find their character. I'm putting this section here to prove those people wrong.
While I wasn't here at the game's inception & launch, I arrived pretty early on in the game's lifespan. Then, Lazarus was the Duke of Mists. I applied for the position of the Baron of Dragon Lake & was given it. I played, perhaps for a little over a month, before I sort of lost interest in the game. I didn't see my character going anywhere. I didn't have a focus, I didn't have a reason to log on. I had a good character, certainly. I knew that. But, there was little enough for me to play off of. So, I just grew apathetic, and ceased logging in. Eventually, Raziel was @idlenuked.
A friend, the same friend who'd originally recruited me to play at Crossroads, somehow managed to talk me into coming back. I talked to staff, told them I wanted to give it a second go, and after a bit of chat, I got Raziel back, Barony & all. His story, his personality remained unchanged. I got pulled into a TP, where I was forced to realize some aspects of my character I just hadn't thought of before. Sure, I had an idea of who he was, but through the interactions with others, and the intensity of the situation they were presented with, he became just a bit more real to me.
Further on in the scheme of things, the Emperor pulled all the Barons into an IC meeting. Why, I'm still not certain; it may have just been to spark some RP, it may have had other purposes more insidious than I realized (or realize) or it could've been simply for Rourke to meet Barons he hadn't met before. Raziel sat back, interacted, and watched. He/I took note of things presented in the poses, what people were saying, inespecial about Mists. For, truth be told, Mists (then) was not the active hub of RP that it has grown to be. PCs were there, sure, but it was more haphazard RP, the population of the MUSH as a whole was about half that of what it has grown into being. I had a feel for Raziel's potential, but I wanted something else to bite into.
A chance meeting that happened between Lazarus, Drake (the then Baron of Moonshadow), and Raziel revealed what that would be. Lazarus stated in the scene that he felt someone was out to get him, make him look bad, and otherwise disparage him. Putting two & two together, Raziel realized that there was opportunity to be had. He knew that there was no one 'out to get' Lazarus, even if the Duke was considered uninvolved by a few parties. And I knew what I wanted to do. I just wasn't sure I could do it. So, ...
I ASKED.
Yep. That was the big secret, pretty much. I went to staff, and said: "Hey. I know this is a consent MUSH. And I'm willing to consent with anything that might happen to my character as a result. But, Raziel just realized there's a pie out there he can grab. What I need to know is, if I attempt to ursurp the current Duke, is that something that's going to be feasible? Is that something that would be permitted, without the consent of the Duke's knowledge?" And, after some staffly dilberation, the consensus was as long as I consented that if Raziel's plot blew up in his face 'Bad Things' could happen, then - yes.
And, I went about it. I had to construct my own ideas, my own avenues of persuit to remain out of the line of sight and discovery of my 'adversary' as it were, while managing to show the Imperial Court and the other Duchies that I/my character had the means, the drive, the potential, and the support in order to succeed at my desire. Through RP, I managed to lead the other Barons into following my example. Through RP, (and with staff playing the High Mage Council) I managed to show my intuitiveness and resourcefulness and dedication to earn the Council's support. Through RP, I approached a Duke &/or Duchess, though sometimes through third parties, in attempt to win their approval and support for my cause.
While I cannot exactly pinpoint a timetable on this, I believe that the entire effort took nearly two months worth of scenes, and RP, to come to full fruition and have Raziel appointed to become the Duke Regent of Mists. Two months. All staff did for me was RP the NPCs needed (The Council), and ask that I log everything in case I needed to prove or show them something that may come up. The rest, I initiated on my own, and my plot and plannings I kept to myself save the few I told about IC in order to glean support.
Since then, I've done other things that have shaped the game in one way, or another. My position makes it easier for me to do that, but the point of all of this haphazard writing is this: You can do anything. YOU can shape the game. YOU can transform it. Will every venture be successful? No. Certainly not. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you take the time, and plan well, your character can do amazing things. Ordinary citizens have become ennobled. Some get appointed Chamberlains to the most interesting of people and find out all kinds of things. Others merely get invited on trips that produce strange and unworldly results. And certainly, for the sake of the game's sanity & continuity, not every idea may be embraced or accepted - but what remains is this basic tenant, throughout.
YOU. Shape the game. You aren't just a character in a game. You are the game. Every pose can shape out how someone is going to react, or what they're going to do. Example? If Lazarus hadn't made that comment about 'someone being out to get him', I HIGHLY doubt that I'd be Duke Regent right now. You have, everyday, a chance to do something amazing with your character if you want to. To change the game's aspect, and become more involved, a linchpin of attention, the start - or the finish of some fantastic TinyPlot. Sure, we all need a starting point - so, ask! Don't be afraid to ask to get involved in things, or to jump into a TinyPlot that's been posted on one of the bboards, or to even create your own TinyPlot and submit it to staff for approval & then run it or be a part of it with someone else running it.
The only one on the game that is limiting yourself? Is you. Go out, have fun, and do something with yourself. The opportunity is there, and it's yours to take advantage of.
| Nobility of Mists | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Saul Devonshire |
Baron of Dragon Lake 488 - 8 December 501 |
Succeeded by Nina Snicket |
| Vacant Title retained by
Lazarus Karaganinas |
Duke Regent of Mists 9 December 501 - 20 October 505 with Meredith Ravensford-Devonshire (501 - 504) |
Regency ended |
| Preceded by Lazarus Karaganinas |
Duke of Mists 21 October 505 - Present |
Current holder Heir Apparent: Solomon Karaganinas |
