Rira (character)
| Rira | |
|---|---|
| Abilities | Awakener |
| Profession | Slumlord |
| Nationality | Idrian |
| Homeworld | Nalthis |
Rira was an Idrian slumlord who lived in T'Telir on Nalthis during the reign of the God-king Susebron.[1]
History
“My father carried me down here from the highlands, Princess. He died working the Edgli fields. I’ve pulled myself up by the pain of my scraped, bleeding hands. I worked very hard to make things better for your people.”
Rira's father brought him to Hallandren when Rira was very young.[1] His father died working in the dye fields, harvesting the Tears of Edgli. Eventually Rira became part of the Idrian underworld and gained enough power and influence to become considered to be a slumlord. He bought Breath and ran some prostitution operations.
When Vahr attempted to start a rebellion among the dye workers, Rira helped to finance the rebellion, and lost a lot of money when Vahr was captured.[1] Rira was the boss of Thame, who encouraged Vivenna to meet Rira and speak to the Idrians living in T'Telir.[2] When Vivenna met with Rira, as well as Ashu and Paxen, he claimed to be honored to meet her and was curious about what Vivenna had been doing in T'Telir.[1]
However, Rira's interests in an Idrian rebellion were not as pure as Vivenna had hoped.[1] He wanted a promise of Fafen's hand in marriage in order to gain his support for the rebellion. He believed that war between Hallandren and Idris was inevitable. When Vivenna showed disgust for Rira and the others, he claimed that he took care of the Idrians better than Vivenna could do.
Appearance & Personality
“But even patriots should earn rewards. Right?”
—Rira[1]
Rira was at least of the First Heightening and possibly of the Third Heightening.[1] He was a handsome man, but dressed sloppily, but in a relaxed way.
Rira was a very wealthy self-indulgent man.[1] However, he genuinely felt that he did right by the Idrian people. He claimed to have kept them fed, even if it involved illegal or immoral actions. Rira honestly believed that he did more for the Idrians than Vivenna or Idris itself would. Rira was interested in a potential Idrian uprising in Hallandren, but only so far as it helped further his interests. Rira believed himself a patriot, but also thought patriots deserved rewards for their service, which disgusted Vivenna.
Rira was still strong in his faith in Austre, chiding Vivenna for ignoring the Five Visions by judging him.[1] He always wore a small Austrin charm of obedience, inscribed with the names of his parents under his shirt.