Rieya

Rieya
Rieya, from Ultima VII Part Two
Species:	human
Appearances
Ultima VII Part Two Location: Serpent's Fang

Rieya is a mysterious and condescending agent of the Guardian, encountered near the Serpent's Fang garrison in Ultima VII Part Two: The Silver Seed. She and her fellow monks attempt to prevent the Avatar from restoring the Tree of Balance.

Description

Some time prior to the Avatar arrival in Serpent's Fang, Rieya and her associates Drusilla and Solaria journeyed to the nearby area, where they hoped to await a hero they deemed to be the "pawn of prophecy." While the Order-affiliated forces stationed at the keep were markedly wary of them, they allowed the three women to remain following the establishment of a treaty, which permitted the three sorceresses to stay in the vicinity of Serpent's Fang so long as they repelled any interlopers from the nearby, monster-filled caverns.

The Avatar could meet Rieya near the entrance to the Abandoned Outpost to the east of the garrison, where the enigmatic woman would offer her assistance to the hero in navigating the nearby area. Although Rieya initially appeared to ally with the Avatar's goals, her snappish and condescending attitude revealed her disdain for the hero's ignorance of the Dark Monks’ true mission. She was similarly free in voicing her contempt for the Ophidians, mocking their religious conflicts and cynically explaining how the Champions of Balance had engaged in the persecution of those Serpent Islanders holding non-Ophidian beliefs. Like her companions, she would indicate that her personal allegiance was with an entity known as "The Guide," mentioning that there were philosophies worth considering that rejected the pursuit of Balance and nihilistically suggesting that the world she inhabited was not worth saving.

Rieya's assistance to the Avatar is hard to interpret correctly, but it does give a clue as to how to deactivate one of the traps in the nearby outpost. Later, when the hero managed to gain possession of the Silver Seed, Rieya appeared along with her sister monks and attempted to stop the Avatar from planting it. At this juncture, Solaria would accidentally reveal that the "Guide" with whom the three women were allied was none other than the Guardian, who wished to prevent the restoration of the Tree of Balance. Following this revelation, Rieya and her fellows attempted to kill the Avatar, and the hero would be forced to slay them or to retrieve from their possession by other means; a set of keys they had somehow obtained, which unlocked the doors securing the entrance to the nearby vale where the Tree was to be planted.

Lore

“

Occasionally I overhear conversations between the warriors here in Seriss. They often mention the names of three sorceresses, members of the Dark Monks — Rieya, Solaria and Drusilla. From the information available to me at this point, I must assume that these monks have great power. They are not fond of the Order Forces; they believe in their own distinct prophecies. These monks speak some drivel about destroying the “Pawn of Prophecy.” They believe their victim will arrive here through the powers of the Amulet of Balance. I don’t know what to make of all their prattle. I don’t think they are talking about our hero, the Champion of Balance. If he ever arrives here, I will give him the magic Key Ring as I have been ordered by thee, Calithiss, revered Order Hierophant. The three monks haven’t caused the keep any trouble so far; therefore, I shall allow them to remain in this area. Although I don’t trust them under any circumstances, a treaty has been signed — they may each stay at the entrance of a different dungeon, as long as they repulse any interlopers seeking that route into Seriss. I haven’t been here long enough to know them well, but I plan on gathering more material for my next report to thee. – from The Silver Seed Play Guide (Ultima VII Part Two: The Silver Seed)

Trivia

• Rieya, Drusilla, Solaria, and Draxinar are the only known individuals from the Ophidian age to hold non-Ophidian beliefs (4 out of 10 named characters).
• Rieya's puzzle hint is: 'Press first the middle button and then the top button. Press the south button last and thou shalt be free.' While 'top' might suggest 'north,' Rieya's words refer to the vertical position of the buttons. Thus, the crucial part of her advice is to press the south button last. Furthermore, the north button's activation of the puzzle, indicated by purple sparks, makes her hint both accurate and useful.