[Dragaera] Orca Reconsideration 1

[Sean Whalen]

  Learning of Sethra's disguise surprised Vlad, but her ability to disguise herself did not.  He only questioned her ability to conceal being undead, not how she changed her appearance/size/etc.  By itself, this probably indicates that he already knew how such a change could be made, or how Sethra in particular would be able to do so (possibly with intricate magic or unique abilities).

  There are several facts from earlier books that give ideas about possible ways she could have done this:

1.   Sorcerous spell.  She is said to be able to turn Dzur who attack her into animals, which might be a type of magic that could also (with variation) turn one person into another, or a new
 one who never existed
 before.  This type of
 spell is never
 mentioned in the books (for
 example, Vlad knew he needed
 an illusion to take on the appearance of Mellar's bodyguard, which would, unfortunately for his needs, only last for a few moments, and never mentioned a long-lasting shapechange), but it has been mentioned that Sethra's skill is greater than almost all others (for example, she could teleport people and objects away and across dimensions at a time before such things were common), so it could be possible that the spell is too intricate to be done safely by most (that is, turning an enemy into a jhereg might have a chance of damaging or changing the mind of the victim, or be permanent without a complete magic record of his prior form (which don't matter in a spell on an enemy, but would make using it on the wizard's allies or own body difficult at best)).  Still, this is mostly speculation, and unlikely.

2.  Complex long-lasting illusion.  Since Daymar, possibly the best we know of, could only keep a good enough illusion to make Vlad take on the appearance of Mellar's
 bodyguard, and fool those nearby who knew him well, only last for a few moments it seems very unlikely (and Vlad, at least, wouldn't assume this).  There's no specific evidence that Kiera isn't of the size and shape she appears to be.  Very unlikely.

3.  In _Taltos_, Kragar says Sethra is a shape-shifter.  The specifics and implications of this are never discussed in the books, nor is it said if this is a unique ability, whether sorcerous or of unknown type, or the result of one of her other powers (such as being a vampire, being a wizard, or some other unknown being).  I consider this a unique or unusual ability and the most likely answer.

  What evidence supports this?  Going back to the real-world origins of Dragaera, it has been said that Adrian Morgan created Piara in part to tell a variation of the Arthur story (presumably medieval literary versions and later ones based on them) with Zivra ( >> Zerika) as a female Arthur who obtained a sword
 (Nightslayer) and reclaimed the Orb (analogous to a crown), and thus the Empire.  This likely means Sethra was a female version of Merlin.  The implications of this are vast.

  What known evidence supports Sethra as a female
version of Merlin?  The parallels include the obvious (greatest wizard, great age, supports King/Empress), as well as giving a magic sword (Nightslayer to Zivra in the Piara version, Blackwand to Morrolan in the Dragaera version (along with his visions that recall the Lady of the Lake (Excalibur was given to Arthur by her or Merlin in different versions))), using magic and manipulation of events to cause/allow the birth of Zerika, giving her magical aid and knowledge as she began her quest, returning from the afterlife (returning from the Paths of the Dead as an undead), and having a history including legends with many different versions (being a hero, an evil sorceress, etc.).  Most importantly (for this discussion), Merlin was a shape-shifter who often used his power to go out in disguise (in the form of a peasant, etc.).

  These parallels suggest that other parallels might exist.  That is, we can use what is said of Merlin to learn what has not yet been said of Sethra.  Therefore, I suggest that Sethra is the
 daughter of a demon.  This could
 explain her great age (in the millennia before she became undead) since Aliera in _500 Years After_ is said to appear much younger than 500, and there was speculation as to the work of a goddess (implied to be Verra, while there is no major difference between a god and demon), as well as her talent at magic, her possible and probable unique abilities (demons are also said to be shape-shifters), and perhaps her appearance/house (speculative, but Aliera looks odd for a dragon (blonde hair, changeable eyes, short) and is accepted into the House without a Dragonlord (or known?) mother, suggesting that her Dragon genes are unchanged or that those from Verra's parentage or genetic engineering do not disqualify her or that divine ancestry allows entry into any House (or into some that have other ways besides birth to enter).  This raises the possibility that Sethra is part Dzur but her ancestry qualifies her anyway (assuming the same type of restrictions
 applied before the creation of the
 Empire), or even that her Dzur features are from the demon (the demon could have looked Dragaeran, like the Necromancer, or even have been born a Dzur and been elevated to demonhood (similar to Sethra being offered godhood by another god, and the teaching of new gods by the old is mentioned in other books)).

  The list of shape-shifters we know of includes gods, demons, were-beasts in the Paths of the Dead, and Sethra Lavode.  This suggests that one way (possibly the only known) to shape-shift is to be from the Paths of the Dead (or one of the types of being that lives there).  This might be related to the ability to be in many places at once, etc.  Divine abilities can be passed on (including being able to leave the Paths), though they all might not be active without being "taught" godhood, or only usable in certain places (such as Devera being able to be in other places and times while unborn in the Paths), so I suggest Sethra's
 power is of similar origin.