The Encircled

The Encircled is an anonymous woman who stood against the Manthasir in the rebellion of 8757. His story has become a popular symbol of religious freedom and rebellion against the Manthasir.

The Legend

The Encircled was one of the Manthasir's soldiers. In the late 8700s, tensions were rising between the Manthasir and the people, as they enforced the worship of Mantha more than ever before. Guards and the Chosen were stationed everywhere, publicly slaughtering citizens, breaching privacy, and publicly attacking the people they had even the slightest suspicion of.
During this time, a small group of those who worshipped gods other than Mantha, attacked a temple in their district. Though they were brutally executed, this event sparked a flame that began protests, peaceful and violent, all over Lihiri. In one of these, a peaceful group of protesters had been surrounded by the Manthasir's guards. Unarmed, they could do nothing against them, but one of the guards began to attack not the protestors, but the soldiers that were attacking her. 
The woman was quickly slain, but many members of the crowd that watched cast spells to resurrect her, over and over again, so she could complete her assistance. These spells produced magical circles that surrounded her, thus the name of the Legend. She was then used time and time again to represent the undying hatred and fear the Manthasir stirred in the people.