Därra I

Üüstra Därra I Äxənish of Ozäxa-Lavüdh

Därra I is fascinating for the simple fact that she isn't. She's one of the founders of this domain, and she's revered alongside her first wife, and yet. Who among us can name a single thing that she definitively did, not Saxavis, not Chörri - Därra?

— Ozäxa-Lavüdhayo scholar

Därra I, rarely referred to as Därra IV of Ozäxa, was one of the first diarchs of Ozäxa-Lavüdh alongside her first wife, Saxavis I. She was integral to the formation of the union, and her long reign was largely peaceful.

History

Därra was the eldest child of the monarchs of Ozäxa, and the first heir to that domain to never know life without an omnipresent imperial threat along their southern borders. Given how Ozäxa tried to navigate the situation, its assumed that Därra was raised to not provoke the anger of the empire, in contrast her future wife. She would accompany her parents to a few diplomatic meetings with Urisoril officials after 29 Conquest, and apparently made favourable impressions upon diplomats with her quiet demeanour and knowledge of the Nyikkishong language.
The niceties of her family failed to prevent the empire from barring Ozäxayo ships from accessing the sea via the River Tsädh. In a degree of desperation Ozäxa turned to its long-time rival Lavüdh for aid, hoping that the two of them could convince the empire to reverse the decision. When this failed, and it became apparent that the empire was hoping to goad the rivals into war, efforts began to unite them more strongly. As unity talks circled with no sign of resolution, the heiress of Lavüdh, Saxavis, conspired with Därra that the two should marry and reign jointly. This agreed, the two were wed in 34 Conquest, on their wedding day forming the new joint royal domain of Ozäxa-Lavüdh.
While their new unity failed to convince the empire, it did shore the new domain against the losses from its sea trade, as they were able to share their resources and overland trade profits. In her role as diarch, Därra seemed to largely focus on the domestic, helping to soothe the divisions between the two former-countries to form a more united identity.
Many of the events of Därra's early reign are attributed to Saxavis, such as any flares in tension along the southern border or any important alliances forged up river. Some has suggested Därra's role was larger than the visible, though the loss of Saxavis' private diaries at some point has made this difficult to know for certain.
One of her more well known decisions was made as the plague ravaged Ozäxa-Lavüdh, going so far as to claim the lives of her wife, her wife's consort, step-daughter, and consort. Rather than vanishing into mourning, Därra became more visible, personally going to the homes of many afflicted to deliver medicine, healers, and well wishes. The fact she never contracted the plague during this time is considered by some to be a miracle, presumably a boon granted by the Divinity of Balance, of whom Därra was a well known follower.
In addition to her help during the plague, she also cemented a now-core tradition for Ozäxa-Lavüdhayo diarchs, by marrying her wife's successor, Chörri I. This was largely ceremonial, as all diarch marriages have been presumed to be ever since, as a method of ensuring the two bloodlines remain united. When Chörri died in 16 Plague, Därra abstained from marrying the rather young Saxavis II until 22 Plague, which was when the latter became a ruler in her own right rather than ruling through protectors or regents.

Legacy

There is little consensus when it comes to how important Därra is to the history of Ozäxa-Lavüdh. The most common idea is that she was a good and inoffensive diarch, overshadowed by the more colourful and inventive diarchs she was married to. Her decision to marry Chörri I officially is often cited as one of her most influential decisions, though debates have occurred as to whether it was even Därra's idea, or a deathbed wish from Saxavis.
Regardless of her importance as a historical figure, she and Saxavis I have ascended to something of a saint status for the foundation of Ozäxa-Lavüdh and its peace and stability throughout their reigns. As a pair the two have often been symbolically linked to the Divinity of Balance, who is themself made of two aspects - the Divinities of Structure and Change. In that pair, Därra is always associated with Structure, due to her stable influence throughout her long reign.

Diarch of Ozäxa-Lavüdh

Reigned
34 Conquest - 25 Plague

Sovereign Partners

Saxavis I (34 Conquest - 3 Plague)
Chörri I (3 Plague - 16 Plague)
Saxavis II (22 Plague - 25 Plague)

Successor

Aiyü-üchla I

Life

12 Conquest - 25 Plague (77 Years)

Consort

Vaiken Lauzosh (40 Conquest - 3 Plague)

Species

Human

Ethnicity

Tsädhayo

Marriage

The marrying of the diarchs of Ozäxa-Lavüdh, regardless of age, was cemented as a tradition upon Därra's marriage to Chörri I in late 3 Plague. With only a few exceptions, such marriages are considered purely ceremonial and symbolic, with the majority of diarchs taking consorts who act for all intents and purposes as their primary partners.
Ironically, this was not remotely the case for the marriage that started it all, though it was assumed it was for many years. Fragments of Därra's diary were recovered from her shared tomb with Saxavis in 2 Collision suggest that Saxavis' proposal had been preceded by months of courtship that went unseen by the public, and that the idea of marrying to unite their countries had not been seriously considered by either of them for most of that time. Rather, the two had hit it off famously during an attempt by their parents to strengthen their alliance, and remained incredibly close until Saxavis' death.
Whose idea it was for Därra to marry Saxavis' daughter Chörri isn't clear. Most attribute it to Saxavis, given that she is credited with the diarchy in the first place. Därra's diary suggests that she mentioned it to Saxavis first, but the many missing pages make it possible that this was a reference to a conversation that has since been lost.

Gothic Angel by darksouls1