Szere

Perhaps the most popular play in Therarask, it is required to be performed for any formal celebration of San Futas. Long before the calendar was instated, the God of Pleasure and Hedonism had yet to include Devotion in their domain... until one mortal changed the God of Debauchery's entire eternity. It is a tale of romance, drama, light-hearted fun, and heart-wrenching tragedy.

A Performance of Szere

The opening of Szere is perhaps both unexpected and expected. Did you think you had seen debauchery? Wrong. Did you think you had seen hedonism? Wrong again. The opening hits hard with a ramping overture right as the curtains raise to reveal a luxurious pleasure house scene with many of the individuals partaking in quite scandalous acts. Therarask – played by a lithe elven man in this production – is hardly dressed with an arrangement of golden trinkets arranged on chains on his form.


Per tradition with older plays, Therarask walks amidst this party, simultaneously in control yet mildly intoxicated as they speak to figures of Gods and Goddesses that emerge from the scene as they address them – Varoona, Ragna, Lark, and–


A woman stumbles forth. Unlike the rest of the ensemble, she is dressed in a shoddy gown. Her arrival and vastly different attire disrupts the entire party and the stage falls eerily silent. After a heavy pause, Therarask approaches - flamboyant and dramatic as always – and the woman blatantly declares herself the other half of Therarask. Despite the boldness, her delivery is clumsy and she seems incredibly flustered – becoming even more so when the "harem" laughs at her. Therarask dismisses her promptly, preferring to get back to their evelries. She glances back as she leaves.

"I know exactly what you are. And, dearest, I have no interest. Why would I choose you over all of this?"

The next segment of the performance sees the woman repeatedly attempt to appeal to Therarask, devoted no matter how many times Therarask turns her away. The end of the first act is perhaps the most embarrassing dismissal of her. The lighting choices clearly indicate that, in this moment, Therarask is meant to be viewed as a bully, perhaps even as a villain.

At the start of the second act, Therarask is dramatically reclining amidst their court. Multiple members approach them to ask what they plan to do about this annoying woman who disturbs their parties and ruins their fun. Therarask assures them that they will handle it and departs for the island. They find the woman and elect to initial observe her as she interacts with people on the island. It is clear that time has passed. She is no longer young, but middle-aged. She appears to have never married... fully devoted to being Therarask's other half. She has taken to tending to the destitute on the island. On a whim – as they tend to make most of their decisions – they decided to test the woman.

They first take the form of an attractive middle-aged man and attempts to seduce her. She politely refuses. This form of assault continues for a weeks time. Each time, she politely refuses all suitors Therarask masquerades as. Eventually, Therarask finds her doing laundry in the river. Still in disguise, they ask her why she continues to decline. Therarask is taken aback that the reason for her refusal... is them. Despite everything they had done, she remained devoted.


The woman suddenly coughs, wiping a bit of blood from the corner of her mouth. She waves off the concern, telling the stranger that he ought not waste any more time on a dying woman. Therarask does as she says and leaves. Pacing their jungle, Therarask laments: how could this woman remain so devoted and true? How had a mortal managed to leave such a painful mark? To weasel their way past the illusions of pleasure and force... morals back to the surface?

In the end, the woman lays on her deathbed, breathing shallow. The community she cared for is the only family she has... until Therarask clears the room, appearing to her once more in the guise of a simple man. When alone, they shed the disguise, taking on their godly form in a display of magic. She smiles softly at them, reaching out a hand.

"They warned me. Told me I should forget the Oracle's words... For why would you choose one woman? It is not in your nature."
"But I am... I am happy you are here with me... now."

The God of Pleasure holds her as she fades, the last breath leaving her lungs. 

"Although I have failed you now, I shall not fail you again. This, I swear... For just as you waited for me... I shall wait for you."

The final scene sees a return to the lavish and scandalous party amidst a luxurious pleasure house. There is a slightly somber overture as Therarask no longer partakes, but simply watches and observes. Like before, the party is interrupted, by a man this time. Shy, he fumbles in front of Therarask. The God grins, the somber overture lifts. The God of Devotion spreads their arms wide in welcome.

"There you are... You've returned to me... Szere."

Date of Setting

Before Years as Recorded

Related Locations

• Therarask, the Jungle Paradise

Related People

• Therarask