Lyssa

From Guild Wars Wiki

Lyssa is the twin goddess of beauty and illusion. She is the patron goddess of Mesmers and Assassins. She is also associated with Energy, Chaos and the attributes of Energy Storage and Mysticism. She is greatly revered and celebrated in the Elonian region of Vabbi.

1 Inscription
2 Description
3 Festival of Lyss
4 Areas of interest
5 Lyssa statues
6 Trivia

[edit] Inscription

Inscription found on Lyssa's statue:

And it was, that a stranger came to the village of Wren seeking shelter and employment. Though young in years, her body was stooped and twisted, her flesh eaten by disease.

"Ye have the mark of plague upon ye," said the citizen named Gallrick. "Leave this place lest you sicken our people."

"I've lost my family and my home," cried the desperate woman. "Have you no heart?"

Yet each person, in turn, did look away.

Then from the crowd came a young woman, Sara. She looked upon the woman with pity. "If you need help," said Sara, "I will give it." And Sara did approach the gnarled, bent woman and did offer her a helping hand.

Then the sickened woman pulled from her body the robes of plague, revealing Herself to be the goddess Lyssa.

The people of Wren fell to their knees, begging Lyssa's mercy. But lifting Sara gently, saith She, "True beauty is measured not by appearance but by actions and deeds. Many have eyes, but few have seen. Of all here, you saw the beauty behind the illusion. And you alone shall be blessed with My gifts."

Scriptures of Lyssa: 45 BE

[edit] Description

Mural of Lyssa in Ascalon City

Mural of Lyssa in Gandara

The twin goddesses of beauty and illusion, Lyssa is the patron god of the Mesmer profession. Many a spellcaster has fallen under the charms of these two, making it easy for them to choose to specialize in the mesmeric arts. Lyssa is usually portrayed in her natural state—a pair of twin, intertwined goddesses, back to back, no illusions or glamours involved. There are stories of young men stopping to gaze longingly at statues of the beautiful goddesses, only to forget themselves and die of thirst while simply looking on.
–The Guild Wars Manuscripts

Twin goddesses of beauty and illusion forming a paradoxically singular entity, Lyssa is the patron god of the Mesmer profession in the northern Tyrian continent. In Cantha she also represents the incarnation of luck, both good and bad. Many Canthan Assassins revere Lyssa more for her intrinsic duality than her famous beauty and have been known to invoke her charms. Depictions of Lyssa in Canthan culture reflect the typical northern style: lithe twin figures of exquisite beauty entwined in an eternal dance.
–The Guild Wars Factions Manuscripts

The patron goddess of Mesmers wears many masks, appearing in myriad forms. Patrons of the arts effusively praise her particularly in the courts of wealthy Vabbi but some fear her as a temperamental goddess. Behind her beautiful façade, some say, she maintains a deep communion with chaos. Displays of art and culture please her, but her wrath is terrible to behold. Her followers use her magic for illusion, trickery, and deception, twisting the magic of others to suit their own goals. By her whims, her enemies are brutalized by despair and hopelessness, while her beautiful followers are elevated to heights of rapture.
Tyrian artists often portray Lyssa as two goddesses: twin figures of exquisite beauty entwined in an eternal dance. In Elona, the masks may change, and the dance may change, but Lyssa’s dual nature does not. She is beautiful to some and terrifying to others. A Dervish assuming the Form of Lyssa wears multiple masks, channeling blessings for mayhem and magic.

–Guild Wars Nightfall Manuscripts

[edit] Festival of Lyss

Dervish as an Avatar of Lyssa

The Festival of Lyss is an annual Vabbian celebration held on the Day of Lyss, to honor the goddess Lyssa, patroness of Vabbi, who, according to the lore, "shaped the land" and "molded the Vabbians in her own glorious image".

The celebration is held in the beautiful Garden of Seborhin and marks the social event of the season. The list of guests include the Princes of Vabbi, the noble elite of Vabbi and high-ranked invitees from the other provinces of Elona.

In the quest Rally The Princes players must obtain an invitation to the festival, and in the mission Tihark Orchard they attend it to convince the Princes to join the fight against Varesh.

[edit] Areas of interest

Lyssa's ice cave.
The Mirror of Lyss. In the shape of this area it's easy to see the influence of Lyssa.
The Font of Lyss is a holy site for the priests of Lyssa.

[edit] Lyssa statues

[edit] Appearance

The appearance of this statue depends on whether or not the world is currently blessed with the Favor of the Gods.

During favor it has a golden light around its base and it is lit with white light.
Without favor the statue is gray and covered in vines.

[edit] Locations

Lyssa's ice cave in Mineral Springs

Prophecies

Factions

Nightfall

[edit] Notes

Kneel at the tablet of the Statue of Lyssa and a Lyssa's Muse will appear. Dedicate an offering to one of its causes and you might get a special treat. Once an offering has been made you will receive a Blessing.

[edit] Trivia

In Greek mythology, Lyssa is a daughter of Nyx and Uranus. She is the goddess of rabies and mad rage.
Lyssa may be named after the two Lyssas from the fantasy movie Krull. In Krull, one Lyssa is a young princess that has lost her family while the other Lyssa is a two-faced witch.