Onias Lysander (GW2)
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Onias Lysander
Note: The canonical characters from the MMORPG Guild Wars 2 belong to ArenaNet, along with all other associated questlines, map locations, and lore. Onias was written in to fit alongside said events, but his overreaching storyline, interactions with NPC's, and his involvement in the world are wholly fictional & written by yours truly.
Onias Lysander
- Name: Onias Lysander
- Also Known As:Lysander Montague, Lysander Gallrick
- DOB/Age: 1300 AE (Approximate)/ 25 as of 'Defending Shaemoor'
- Gender: Male
- Height: Haha, short.
- Profession: Mesmer, build undefined.
Warnings (If Applicable!)
- SPOILER WARNING! Oni's profile directly references the history and lore of several branches of the Human Personal Story, as well as the overarching plot following the battle against Zhaitan (Levels 1-80) throughout this page. Read at your own discretion!
Design Notes- More of the same. Warnings (If Applicable!)
- You guessed it.
Overview
Onias Lysander is a noble currently residing in Divinity's Reach. After connecting his parents' murder to the forces of the White Mantle, he returned to his home in order to track down the roots of their influence.
In his capacity as the Hero of Shaemoor, Lysander intends to uncover the full scale of the Mantle's influence throughout Kryta, prevent their uprising against the Queen, and ensure that they're punished for their crimes to the fullest extent of the law. In his capacity as a noble and a Mesmer, he plans to target the Mantle's most affluent delegates, con them out of their money, information, and connections, and discover who was responsible for his parents' murder - and the end of his childhood.
Early Life
The way his mother told his story, Lysander's name was a blessing. It represented his connection to the goddess Lyssa- one of the Six Gods worshipped by humanity. She was a patron of art, beauty, and creation- and his parents considered him the most beautiful thing they'd created, so the name had been chosen for him long before the day he was born.
They promised he would grow into Lyssa's benevolent gifts, with their guidance as both parents and professors- and join them, one day, in mentoring others through the Four Schools's teachings.
They lied.
Orphaned by an unknown enemy, Lysander entered his eighth year facing the world with none of the guidance and all of the celebrity that his parents' murder granted. He was told little about the circumstances of their death, and somehow even less about their lives outside Kourna College, where they taught part-time. His inheritance comprised of Elena and Serafino Montague's estate near the College's grounds, held in trust until he turned 18, an endless pile of books detailing the history, philosophy, and various applications of the Mesmer profession, and a long line of anonymous donors stepping forward to resolve his family's outstanding accounts.
Before Lysander could even begin to comprehend the fact that his parents weren't coming back, their funeral was arranged, his education was settled under the discretion of a tutor, and he was housed with a noble couple and their obnoxious son, Faren, for the time being. When the prospective regent to the estate, and Lysander's new guardian responded to the Seraph's summons, the situation was considered settled. All affairs were in order, tied up in a bow. Except, of course, the answers about his parents Lysander was waiting for.
When his aunt, Katerine Gallrick, was finally contacted through the efforts of the Order of Whispers, his world came into focus for the first time since his parents had been killed. While she prepared to travel to Divinity's Reach to finalize the details of the estate, the two maintained a correspondence with the assistance of his parents' contacts. Fellow teachers, former students, even members of the Seraph- offered little explanation as to how, or even why they'd pass along Lysander's messages, but he was always met by Katerine's responses nonetheless. She offered him counsel on the basics of his own magic, encouraging him to develop his abilities as a way to honor his mother. And when he asked about his extended family beyond the limits of of Kryta, he learned they shared his profession too. She even included messages from them- and an amulet from his grandfather, Onias, all the way from the Domain of Vabbi.
It was more than Lysander could've hoped for- an opportunity to discover his parents' history, an education in the Four Schools of the Mesmer profession by the finest teachers, and the chance to forget, at least for a time, his parents' violent fate. When Katerine finally arrived, he felt as though he had a future. He waited in the foyer of Faren's family home, promising himself that he'd become everything his new family asked him to be- and more, if he could. He wouldn't be like Faren or his friends, whining or complaning, going out o their way to cause trouble for those around them. He'd remain intent on his studies, figure a way to improve his abilities, and become a scholar like his parents were. He could honor them with the Mesmer he'd become. By the time she walked in, Lysander's future had become a flawless construct in his head. Her expectations of a student, his parents' wishes, even his grandfather's offer to pass on a series of ancient Mesmer tomes, should he work hard enough- was a fully-formed image in the young Gallrick's mind.
Which made it all the more painful when she looked at him directly into his eyes, and flinched like she'd been slapped. In the months after, many would speculate as to the reason Katerine Gallrick moved to appoint Lord Faren's parents as regents to the Montague Estate, rather than fulfilling her dutty to take Lysander in. She'd thoroughly covered her tracks, disappearing somewhere beyond even the Whispers' capability to find. Perhaps there'd been additional debts, some theorized. The estate had become evidence in a plot against the crown, others suggested. Only Lysander himself knew the truth. Somehow, it had been him.
The mystery of the whole affair saw the young Montague become a hotly debated topic among the nobles of Divinity's Reach. As a result, he and his regents were invited to any number of social gatherings- each more exorbitant than the last. It didn't take many for Lysander to become aware of his peculiar effect on people. Faren, on one hand, was a young, troublesome son of a lord- admired for his unearned confidence, tolerated for his parentage, then dismissed and left to his own devices when he winked at the wrong noble's daughter. Lysander, on the other hand, was an intrigue surpassing any faux pas, inadequate costume, or strange behavior.
Interactions started with people's condolences, naturally. They often had questions about his aunt, or if they were brave- the mystery of his parents' death. As the conversation evolved from there, he'd find himself sitting at tables with guests of honor, being introduced to politicians and nobles, being taught the basics of philosophy and history and combat through the most unexpected of teachers. Belonging, Lysander learned, was not a matter of luck or birth, but of understanding who people needed him to be. By some miracle, everyone saw something in him that they wanted- a way to feel better about themselves, for example. After all, it was their generosity that allowed an orphan to take part in their intellectual conversations. And then, once the novelty of that wore off, he'd become the next best thing- an advisor, a fellow solider, an old friend from a faded photograph. After years of waiting, perhaps this was the blessing that Lyssa promised, a mercy after everything he endured. While it lasted, he decided, he would use it.
Month by month, Lysander navigated politics through fragments of the conversations he was now privy to. Patience resulted in understanding- news of unrest between the Seraph and the Ministry brought prediction as to why he'd never gotten answers about his parents' deaths. Rumors of organizations like the White Mantle made sense of tense exchanges about potential uprisings against the new Queen. And the knowledge of a third military faction, the secretive Shining Blade, gave him an answer as to who could overrule the decisions made by the Seraph and the Ministry about information withheld in ongoing cases. If the Seraph truly didn't know (or couldn't tell) him the facts of the matter, he'd simply have to seek out a higher institution.
The only flaw in is plan was, unfortunately, himself. The gift he'd been granted clearly wasn't meant to last. Sometimes, he could get away with his questioning for a few hours, or a few days. But the novelty of his conversation always wore off. No matter how well he anticipated needs, altered interactions, or pressed for answers, there was always a limit. If he wasn't careful, people would become suspicious, closed off, immune to his talents. One way or another, he would be left to watch as the people around him ceased to see him through a rose-colored lens, and realized what he'd been all along: an illusion of grandeur.
Eventually, Lysander was forced to return to his studies for new tactics to consider. His lack of answers had shifted once endless patience to a relentless fury that turned his presence disconcerting during celebrations. His tutor, Allyn, offered him a collection of tomes she believed would offer him the guidance he needed. Among them, he found his return to the teachings of Lyssa. As he'd read in the past, she symbolized beauty and creativity, she was the inspiration behind great works and the evolution of culture. To his mother, she'd been an endless source of inspiration of her profession, the very lifeblood of her abilities. Lysander knew all this. But in the books, Lyssa was far more. She was Ilya and Lyss, not only beauty and creativity- but the forces of chaos and wrath incarnate.
And his abilities, he discovered, were the natural progression of the two.
Mesmers, as Allyn told him, were masters of the mind far beyond illusion. They could create clones and enact glamours, but that was the only the beginning of what they could accomplish, with enough guidance. Some could create physically realized deadly blades using their mind's power. Others could influence the passage of time. Most fascinating of all, Lysander discovered, there were a select few who could utilize a genuine form of mind control against their enemies.
Most notorious as assassins and thieves, these Mesmers were capable of appearing to their targets as a person they most desired to see. In this guise, they'd simply ask for whatever they desired- information, items, harm- and their target would comply. Then, they could simply disappear into the crowds, without ever having touched the victim they left behind- and any witnesses in their wake, including the target themselves, would report the same thing every time. They'd seen an advisor, a fellow soldier, or an old friend from a faded photograph, had they made the mistake of looking into the Mesmer's eyes.
Needless to say, Lysander became far more keen on his parents' old textbooks after that.
The way his mother told his story, Lysander's name was a blessing. It represented his connection to the goddess Lyssa- one of the Six Gods worshipped by humanity. She was a patron of art, beauty, and creation- and his parents considered him the most beautiful thing they'd created, so the name had been chosen for him long before the day he was born.
They promised he would grow into Lyssa's benevolent gifts, with their guidance as both parents and professors- and join them, one day, in mentoring others through the Four Schools's teachings.
They lied.
Orphaned by an unknown enemy, Lysander entered his eighth year facing the world with none of the guidance and all of the celebrity that his parents' murder granted. He was told little about the circumstances of their death, and somehow even less about their lives outside Kourna College, where they taught part-time. His inheritance comprised of Elena and Serafino Montague's estate near the College's grounds, held in trust until he turned 18, an endless pile of books detailing the history, philosophy, and various applications of the Mesmer profession, and a long line of anonymous donors stepping forward to resolve his family's outstanding accounts.
Before Lysander could even begin to comprehend the fact that his parents weren't coming back, their funeral was arranged, his education was settled under the discretion of a tutor, and he was housed with a noble couple and their obnoxious son, Faren, for the time being. When the prospective regent to the estate, and Lysander's new guardian responded to the Seraph's summons, the situation was considered settled. All affairs were in order, tied up in a bow. Except, of course, the answers about his parents Lysander was waiting for.
When his aunt, Katerine Gallrick, was finally contacted through the efforts of the Order of Whispers, his world came into focus for the first time since his parents had been killed. While she prepared to travel to Divinity's Reach to finalize the details of the estate, the two maintained a correspondence with the assistance of his parents' contacts. Fellow teachers, former students, even members of the Seraph- offered little explanation as to how, or even why they'd pass along Lysander's messages, but he was always met by Katerine's responses nonetheless. She offered him counsel on the basics of his own magic, encouraging him to develop his abilities as a way to honor his mother. And when he asked about his extended family beyond the limits of of Kryta, he learned they shared his profession too. She even included messages from them- and an amulet from his grandfather, Onias, all the way from the Domain of Vabbi.
It was more than Lysander could've hoped for- an opportunity to discover his parents' history, an education in the Four Schools of the Mesmer profession by the finest teachers, and the chance to forget, at least for a time, his parents' violent fate. When Katerine finally arrived, he felt as though he had a future. He waited in the foyer of Faren's family home, promising himself that he'd become everything his new family asked him to be- and more, if he could. He wouldn't be like Faren or his friends, whining or complaning, going out o their way to cause trouble for those around them. He'd remain intent on his studies, figure a way to improve his abilities, and become a scholar like his parents were. He could honor them with the Mesmer he'd become. By the time she walked in, Lysander's future had become a flawless construct in his head. Her expectations of a student, his parents' wishes, even his grandfather's offer to pass on a series of ancient Mesmer tomes, should he work hard enough- was a fully-formed image in the young Gallrick's mind.
Which made it all the more painful when she looked at him directly into his eyes, and flinched like she'd been slapped. In the months after, many would speculate as to the reason Katerine Gallrick moved to appoint Lord Faren's parents as regents to the Montague Estate, rather than fulfilling her dutty to take Lysander in. She'd thoroughly covered her tracks, disappearing somewhere beyond even the Whispers' capability to find. Perhaps there'd been additional debts, some theorized. The estate had become evidence in a plot against the crown, others suggested. Only Lysander himself knew the truth. Somehow, it had been him.
The mystery of the whole affair saw the young Montague become a hotly debated topic among the nobles of Divinity's Reach. As a result, he and his regents were invited to any number of social gatherings- each more exorbitant than the last. It didn't take many for Lysander to become aware of his peculiar effect on people. Faren, on one hand, was a young, troublesome son of a lord- admired for his unearned confidence, tolerated for his parentage, then dismissed and left to his own devices when he winked at the wrong noble's daughter. Lysander, on the other hand, was an intrigue surpassing any faux pas, inadequate costume, or strange behavior.
Interactions started with people's condolences, naturally. They often had questions about his aunt, or if they were brave- the mystery of his parents' death. As the conversation evolved from there, he'd find himself sitting at tables with guests of honor, being introduced to politicians and nobles, being taught the basics of philosophy and history and combat through the most unexpected of teachers. Belonging, Lysander learned, was not a matter of luck or birth, but of understanding who people needed him to be. By some miracle, everyone saw something in him that they wanted- a way to feel better about themselves, for example. After all, it was their generosity that allowed an orphan to take part in their intellectual conversations. And then, once the novelty of that wore off, he'd become the next best thing- an advisor, a fellow solider, an old friend from a faded photograph. After years of waiting, perhaps this was the blessing that Lyssa promised, a mercy after everything he endured. While it lasted, he decided, he would use it.
Month by month, Lysander navigated politics through fragments of the conversations he was now privy to. Patience resulted in understanding- news of unrest between the Seraph and the Ministry brought prediction as to why he'd never gotten answers about his parents' deaths. Rumors of organizations like the White Mantle made sense of tense exchanges about potential uprisings against the new Queen. And the knowledge of a third military faction, the secretive Shining Blade, gave him an answer as to who could overrule the decisions made by the Seraph and the Ministry about information withheld in ongoing cases. If the Seraph truly didn't know (or couldn't tell) him the facts of the matter, he'd simply have to seek out a higher institution.
The only flaw in is plan was, unfortunately, himself. The gift he'd been granted clearly wasn't meant to last. Sometimes, he could get away with his questioning for a few hours, or a few days. But the novelty of his conversation always wore off. No matter how well he anticipated needs, altered interactions, or pressed for answers, there was always a limit. If he wasn't careful, people would become suspicious, closed off, immune to his talents. One way or another, he would be left to watch as the people around him ceased to see him through a rose-colored lens, and realized what he'd been all along: an illusion of grandeur.
Eventually, Lysander was forced to return to his studies for new tactics to consider. His lack of answers had shifted once endless patience to a relentless fury that turned his presence disconcerting during celebrations. His tutor, Allyn, offered him a collection of tomes she believed would offer him the guidance he needed. Among them, he found his return to the teachings of Lyssa. As he'd read in the past, she symbolized beauty and creativity, she was the inspiration behind great works and the evolution of culture. To his mother, she'd been an endless source of inspiration of her profession, the very lifeblood of her abilities. Lysander knew all this. But in the books, Lyssa was far more. She was Ilya and Lyss, not only beauty and creativity- but the forces of chaos and wrath incarnate.
And his abilities, he discovered, were the natural progression of the two.
Mesmers, as Allyn told him, were masters of the mind far beyond illusion. They could create clones and enact glamours, but that was the only the beginning of what they could accomplish, with enough guidance. Some could create physically realized deadly blades using their mind's power. Others could influence the passage of time. Most fascinating of all, Lysander discovered, there were a select few who could utilize a genuine form of mind control against their enemies.
Most notorious as assassins and thieves, these Mesmers were capable of appearing to their targets as a person they most desired to see. In this guise, they'd simply ask for whatever they desired- information, items, harm- and their target would comply. Then, they could simply disappear into the crowds, without ever having touched the victim they left behind- and any witnesses in their wake, including the target themselves, would report the same thing every time. They'd seen an advisor, a fellow soldier, or an old friend from a faded photograph, had they made the mistake of looking into the Mesmer's eyes.
Needless to say, Lysander became far more keen on his parents' old textbooks after that.
Physical AttributesLysander's human, around an average height (6'0"), and has magenta eyes. His hair, a slightly paler shade of pink, is often tied into a bun or ponytail, save for some fringe around his face. When he does not want his abilities to influence others (which is most of the time), he wears a pair of glasses similar to the Inventor's Sunglasses, along with a pair of gloves to prevent physical touch.
He'd be most likely to either wear the Researcher's Cultural Armor, the Light Illustrious Armor, or the Perfected Envoy (I laugh here, since that's.. unlikely in-game.) In a more modern AU, he'd tend toward suits (high-cut waist, short jacket) in formal occasions, and hawaiian shirts with slacks everywhere else. Either way, without his powers, he's always a bit disheveled- which he finds endlessly infuriating. This is added to by the fact that he avoids mirrors, since he can only see who he wants to be- and he's scared to discover who that is, from day to day.
In the case he's actively using his powers, and has looked someone directly in their eyes- he appears as whoever they'd most like to see in that very moment. The only visible difference would be his eyes, which remain a subtle magenta.
Personality Lysander's foppish, elegant, and unendingly opinionated. He's heard a great deal of commentary on his unfiltered personality (see: cynical, shallow, self-absorbed), but he prefers to call himself more of an acquired taste. Despite his obvious preference to be dramatic 24/7, a considerable amount of his energy is spent holding back the full extent of his emotions. (He's screaming on the inside.)
He's got a perpetual case of Main Character Syndrome, insomuch as he believes that he's managed to invoke the Six Gods' wrath, and is a constant victim of their whims. But with this attention, he also considers himself a protagonist fighting against the forces of fate, and believes he can overcome their powers in time with those of his own. His heroism is a wavering sense when he's done something morally questionable, but his mentor and benefactor, Allyn, is always there to remind him of the truth. Things MUST end to his advantage, or else they're not well and truly done.
Beliefs
As a result of his upbringing, Lysander is deeply superstitious. He believes strongly in the Six Gods, specifically in the idea that incurring their wrath and incurring their blessings are very similar things. Especially when it becomes to the god Lyssa, he believes it's better to not to be noticed by them, let alone invoke them by name, at all.
Skillsl.
He'd be most likely to either wear the Researcher's Cultural Armor, the Light Illustrious Armor, or the Perfected Envoy (I laugh here, since that's.. unlikely in-game.) In a more modern AU, he'd tend toward suits (high-cut waist, short jacket) in formal occasions, and hawaiian shirts with slacks everywhere else. Either way, without his powers, he's always a bit disheveled- which he finds endlessly infuriating. This is added to by the fact that he avoids mirrors, since he can only see who he wants to be- and he's scared to discover who that is, from day to day.
In the case he's actively using his powers, and has looked someone directly in their eyes- he appears as whoever they'd most like to see in that very moment. The only visible difference would be his eyes, which remain a subtle magenta.
Personality Lysander's foppish, elegant, and unendingly opinionated. He's heard a great deal of commentary on his unfiltered personality (see: cynical, shallow, self-absorbed), but he prefers to call himself more of an acquired taste. Despite his obvious preference to be dramatic 24/7, a considerable amount of his energy is spent holding back the full extent of his emotions. (He's screaming on the inside.)
He's got a perpetual case of Main Character Syndrome, insomuch as he believes that he's managed to invoke the Six Gods' wrath, and is a constant victim of their whims. But with this attention, he also considers himself a protagonist fighting against the forces of fate, and believes he can overcome their powers in time with those of his own. His heroism is a wavering sense when he's done something morally questionable, but his mentor and benefactor, Allyn, is always there to remind him of the truth. Things MUST end to his advantage, or else they're not well and truly done.
Beliefs
As a result of his upbringing, Lysander is deeply superstitious. He believes strongly in the Six Gods, specifically in the idea that incurring their wrath and incurring their blessings are very similar things. Especially when it becomes to the god Lyssa, he believes it's better to not to be noticed by them, let alone invoke them by name, at all.
Skillsl.
Elena and Serafino Montague
At the turn of the century, The Montagues comprised of newlyweds Elena, a professor of mesmer magic, and Serafino, a noble, and benefactor to the College of Kourna. Throughout the length of their illustrious tenure, they educated countless classes in the history of the Four Schools, encouraged their students to seek out constructive applications for their magic, and helped track, infiltrate, and destroy cells of White Mantle cultists for the last King of Kryta during their time off. Despite numerous offers to give up their day job to pursue their extracurricular interests full-time as official assets of the Shining Blade, and just as many to work full-time as instructors, they chose to keep the status quo, in the hopes to give their unborn child a normal life under the protections the College and the King had to offer.
Unfortunately, their plans were not to be- and they survived only seven years after Lysander's birth, when their past fighting the White Mantle finally caught up to them. After their cover was discovered, they fled to a safehouse, hoping to hold out until their message brought backup from Divinity's reach, but the Shining Blade did not arrive in time to save their lives.
Allyn Allyn is a mesmer, and a former trainer to aspiring illusionists.
More links
Wow, you have more than one friend? Weird flex, but okay.
(Person or Organization of Interest #3) Even more links
Now you're just showing off.
Unfortunately, their plans were not to be- and they survived only seven years after Lysander's birth, when their past fighting the White Mantle finally caught up to them. After their cover was discovered, they fled to a safehouse, hoping to hold out until their message brought backup from Divinity's reach, but the Shining Blade did not arrive in time to save their lives.
Allyn Allyn is a mesmer, and a former trainer to aspiring illusionists.
More links
Wow, you have more than one friend? Weird flex, but okay.
(Person or Organization of Interest #3) Even more links
Now you're just showing off.
(I honestly have zero idea whether or not this is going to work correctly when it comes to adding a photo, but that's a later problem for me to deal with.) (HA IT WORKS) Due to his beliefs (see 'characteristics and personality, above) on invoking the goddess Lyssa's attention, negative or positive, Lysander rarely speaks his own last name. To anyone he cares about, or at the very least thinks positively of- he insists that they call him 'Onias'.
His character is based on the songs 'No Problems' by ONICKS and Eleanor Rigby (specifically, the version covered by Cody Fry).
His name means 'merciful liberator', relating to his status as a con artist- but there are plenty of other connections to be made, I'm sure.
What weird shit are you going to terrorize people with this time???
His character is based on the songs 'No Problems' by ONICKS and Eleanor Rigby (specifically, the version covered by Cody Fry).
His name means 'merciful liberator', relating to his status as a con artist- but there are plenty of other connections to be made, I'm sure.
What weird shit are you going to terrorize people with this time???
Oh hey, you made it to the bottom of the page! You either scrolled through this really fast, or read way too much lore to get to this point. Either way, thanks for taking the time to look at my characters! Have a lovely day!
