Paramours

Overview

Paramours are legendary soulmates within Lyra belief. According to persistent legend, they are capable, by their mere presence, of neutralizing the harmful effects of The Ignescence by absorbing a portion of this inner fire, or feeding it in return.

The Legend

The legend states that Paramours allow Lyra creative abilities to be fully expressed, without any restriction. That is why many Lyra embark on a quest for their other half.

The story of Nittaya Vorona and Acantha Shah, also known as the Paramours of Seki, popularized the legend of the Paramours among the Lyra Clans. This fable is one that many Alterers of the Lyra Faction still firmly believe in.

Historical Examples

Two known instances of Paramours have been recorded:

Niavhe and Kaibara

Nearly two centuries before the Paramours of Seki, Niavhe and Kaibara experienced a soul bond. The Muna claim their ancestors felt a surge at the moment of their union through The Skein.

Nittaya Vorona and Acantha Shah

When Nittaya Vorona, a Lyra dancer, and Acantha Shah, an Ordis archaeologist, first met at the Lapidarium in Seki, the world around them seemed to shimmer and ripple. A spark spread through the gallery, striking all the ancient relics, causing ethereal silhouettes to wander the hallways as stored artifacts expressed the ideas imbued within them.

The young women felt as if their souls had become intertwined. Their very being resonated near each other. They didn’t know each other, yet they felt they always had. This meeting felt more like a reunion, as violent as a collision, a head-on crash. They seemed to sense each other magically, instinctively knowing what emotions were running through the other’s mind.

The Muna claim their ancestors felt a surge at the moment of their union, perhaps akin to the union that had bonded Niavhe and Kaibara nearly two centuries prior. The Skein had lit up, carrying the echo of their love to the far reaches of Asgartha.

Their tragic fate led to the creation of The Viper-Tree, a Tumult singularity in Seki.

Context: The Ignescence

The Ignescence, the Lyra’s gift of Alteration, is an inner fire that burns with incredible intensity. Born from the purest inspiration, this flame that inhabits them and takes root in the depths of their soul is like a spark of The Tumult that continues to grow throughout their lives.

Expressing this inner fire is natural for them and an integral part of their being. But it is also a matter of survival. If they cannot release it through their Alteration, their flesh begins to char, their skin flakes into pale ashes, as if they were slowly being consumed. Conversely, pouring out too much of their fire can leave them empty and drained, prone to lethargy and depression.

The presence of a Paramour would solve this dilemma by providing balance to the Lyra’s inner fire.