Difference between revisions of "Dilaf"

|books=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]

Very little is known about Dilaf's early life. He had an early ardor for [[Shu Dereth]], as evidenced by his early acceptance into Dakhor monastery. By the time he was 10ten, Dilaf had entered the monastery. Rather than pursue the priesthood, Dilaf elected to continue in the monastery, becoming one of the dedicated Dakhor monks.

By the time he reached middle age, Dilaf had risen to the rank of Gragdetgragdet, the head of the monastery. Dilaf's intensity was only amplified by his elevation, and he began putting plans in place for the destruction of Elantris. An essential part of his plans involved his insertion in a long running undercover operation. It was also during this period that Dilaf gained the bone structure that allowed him to cancel out the Elantrian use of [[AonDor]], a transformation that cost the lives of many Dakhor monks.

Shortly after Hrathen left Dakhor monastery, Dilaf underwent a painful physical change to appear to be of Arelene descent. It appears that this transformation also changed the aging process, as the rest of his life (he would live to be nearly 70 years old), Dilaf appeared physically quite young. Immediately after arriving in Arelon, Dilaf set about integrating himself into Arelene culture. At first, it seemed that everything was going according to his plans. Then, quite contrary to his plansunexpectedly, Dilaf fell in love.

Very little is known about Seala, Dilaf's wife. The confusion behind her originDilaf is further compoundedunhinged by the facttime thathe ourreveals only sourcemost of informationit, regardingso herwhat is Dilaf himselfknown, long after he was driven mad by hatred of the Elantrians. It is safe to assume, however, that she was Fjordell, given Dilaf's intense animosity towards outsiderssuspect. Dilaf was over 50 when they met, and no one was as surprised as he was when he fell in love. He was left even more surprised when she returned his love, despite his physical 'deformity' of looking like an Arelene.

Unfortunately, Dilaf's happiness was not to last. His wifeSeala became sick with a debilitating and terminal disease. The power that Dilaf had trusted for so long, the power of a monk ofbut Dakhor, had no ability tocannot heal. In desperation, Dilaf turned to his enemies, the Elantrians, in a reckless bid to saveheal the life of the woman he lovedSeala. Unfortunately, through an innocent mistake, the glyph that should have healed her instead performed a partial transformation, not unlike the [[Reod]], leaving her in pain and unable to die. Dilaf, however, believed that this tragic accident was a malicious attack, and began nursing a hatred that would ultimately drive him insane.{{book ref|elantris|60}} He retreated to the outlying city of [[RainNaen]], and began his infiltration in earnest, taking the role of an Arelene who had converted to Shu Dereth.{{book ref|elantris|3}}

Wyrn had two agents operating in Kae in preparation for [[Fjorden]]'s invasion of Arelon. Hrathen he sent three months prior to the invasion with orders to warn Arelon of their impending doom, an instruction Hrathen misunderstood as a commission to convert the nation. Dilaf on the other hand, worked secretly for years towards Wyrn's true goal: The genocide of all Arelenes, and eventually all people of [[Aonic|Aonic]] descent]]. This was a goal Dilaf strongly supported, as the extinction of the Aonic bloodline would bring with it the end of the Elantrians.{{book ref|elantris|59}} When he heard of the construction of a Derethi chapel in Kae, he traveled there with his converts from Naen; upon his arrival, the arteth Fjon was impressed with his diligence and purported to appoint him an arteth, though arteths lack the authority to name other arteths.

Shortly afterbefore the culmination of this plan, Wyrn sent a gyorn named [[Hrathen's]] arrivalas ina Kaedecoy heto sworedistract Dilaf,anyone who wasmight masqueradingoppose Dilaf.{{book ref|elantris|58}} Dilaf introduced himself to Hrathen in his role as ana Areleneteacher and impressed him with his religious zeal and knowledge of Shu-Dereth. Hrathen then properly appointed Dilaf to the rank of arteth, and swore him as his [[odiv]]., though as Dilaf keptwas upsecretly thea barestgragdet, pretensethose ofpromotions servingwere Hrathenactually without force.{{book ref|elantris|3}} Despite their bond, neverDilaf speakingand againstHrathen's himrelationship butquickly frequentlybecame undermininghostile himas andHrathen grew increasingly concerned prioritizingabout Dilaf's ownhatred goalsof Elantris. overIn the tasksfollowing settwo tomonths, himthe bytwo plotted against each other. While Hrathen tried to convert Arelon, Dilaf prepared his invasion. When the last of Hrathen's plans fell to shamblesfailed and an Elantrian [[Raoden]] was crowned king, Dilaf stalked to the docks to beginbegan the invasion. Hrathen followed him there and Dilaf, revealedrevealing himself as the gragdet of Dakhor Monastery,. and the twistedHis warrior-monks ofbegan Dakhorthe pouredinvasion intoby Kaerevealing tothey'd been beginsmuggled into the slaughtercountry. When Hrathen realized Dilaf's superior rank, he acquiesced to Dilaf's control.{{book ref|elantris|58}}

Dilaf captured Raoden, used him as bait to capture [[Sarene]], then stabbed him,Raoden and took Hrathen and Sarene along with several of the Dakhor monks to Teod via human-sacrifice-fueled teleportation. The remaining Derethi warriors in Arelon rounded up all surviving Elantrians and Arelenes into Elantris to kill them. In [[Teod]], Dilaf prepared to kill Sarene in front of her unsuspecting father, King [[Eventeo|King Eventeo]], when Hrathen, his basic beliefs overpowering his strict training, leapt to defend her and attacked Dilaf. Hrathen broke Dilaf's nose, and Hrathen and Sarene fled. Dilaf ordered the Dakhor monks to search for Hrathen and Sarene. HrathenThe wastwo stabbed by a Rathbore assassin that had been sent bygot Wyrnseparated, and Sarene was cornered by monks on Teod's docks.{{book ref|elantris|62}}

Raoden, followed by a host of newly-healed Elantrians, appeared on the docks using AonDor-powered teleportation, and the Elantrians engaged the monks as Raoden and Sarene ducked down an alley. Dilaf followed them and prepared gleefullytried to kill them when an adrenaline-fueled, dying Hrathen re-appeared. andHe revealed his Dakhor-powered heritage as he overpoweredstrength, and killed Dilaf before succumbing to his own wounds.{{book ref|elantris|62}}