Iona
The Scholar Iona Rielah (a.k.a. The Owl, The Scholar, io.na)
Iona, also known as The Scholar or most popularly io.na is one of the oldest surviving Elder Aspects and maintains domain over knowledge, education and learning. Iona is the second most commonly referenced Aspect throughout the entire confederacy second only to Kaida and is known across both Pægor and Kiqueo as one of the few Aspects of the world to physically appear consistently during several of Beaumont's educational holidays. Iona is also often regarded as one of the most giving Aspects of the world due to Her gift to all of Beaumont: io.na, the world's largest and most comprehensive search engine, available in every country and translated to every known language. io.na remains free and up-to-date with over 15,000 monthly volunteers and the Aspect Herself ensuring accuracy and completeness of all information contained and is renowned for being free of bias even by Beaumont's most powerful and influential forces.
In addition to Her search engine, Iona is one of Beaumont's most established publishing companies providing educational texts for children all the way through college-level graduate schools, all free of charge. During the festivals of Ephoros and Curriculus, Iona can often be found traveling throughout hundreds of cities simultaneously, further affirming Her divine origin. These festivals in particular are widely celebrated by students who seize the opportunity to request desired texts and ask some of the world's unanswered questions, many of which are answered with insightful clues that frequently lead to groundbreaking discoveries. Outside of holidays Her avatar, The Owl, is recognized worldwide as the mark of knowledge and truth; dozens of countries and hundreds of states have declared owls as protected species carrying lofty consequences and prison sentences for the harm or death of one. Iona also maintains all of the primary and secondary schools on both Pægor and Kiqueo, the latter required to maintain tiered tuition rates per the Aspect's requirement to ensure no knowledge, education or training is out-of-reach due to financial status.
Divine Domains
Knowledge
Education
Literature
Communication
Education
Literature
Communication
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Iona's symbol consists of a book with two wings, a double-feathered quill and a gilded swirl of ink floating above the pages
Holidays
Curriculus
Ephoros
Galrune
Ephoros
Galrune
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Iona is unmistakably Avariel with long owl-like wings emerging from between Her shoulder blades and can be seen flying like Keepers of the second iteration. Her body is slender and has a similar height and bone structure of more common Elves although Her appearance is more consistent with Elves in their third or fourth century of age. Iona is always found barefoot and Her attire never changes which is consistent with most of The Aspects who have depictions of a physical form and those who have descended to walk on Beaumont's land.
Mental characteristics
Intellectual Characteristics
The Owl is renowned for being open, honest and transparent in Her transfer of knowledge. Early confederacy texts portray a stark contrast to this attitude with many suggesting Her Vox Ultima hoarded texts and writings in candlelit cloisters, locked behind primitive iron gate and key. When asked directly about Her past, Iona has never denied any claims suggesting past behaviors but conversations quickly turn to learning from past mistakes to better oneself.
During her times of descending She is always dressed immaculately and speaks in highly fluent languages, preferring calm and eloquent speech patterns over erratic, slang or simplified speech. While She has never made claims to be omniscient, scholars, professors and even Vox Ultima have never recorded a question She has been unable to answer.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Iona's conquest to share knowledge has driven countless generations of Beaus to seek higher education which is attributed for the third iteration's monumental successes. With the introduction of io.na and her Vox Ultima's public traveling library and digitalizing techniques, any and all writings, scriptures, fiction or non-fiction, instructions, and texts find permanence and accessibility throughout Beaumont. Prior to io.na, The Owl has been known to restore lost texts, especially those of significant cultural importance.
Social
Family Ties
Iona is not known to have any family, deceased, surviving or otherwise
Speech
Iona speaks in calm, low tones with minimal variance in pitch and light inflections. Her greetings are always personal to the individual and her farewells antiquated. She does not respond to profanity or aggression, instead choosing to smile and remain true to Her calling.
Divine Classification
God
Species
Honorary & Occupational Titles
The Scholar, Mother of Knowledge, The First Keeper
Age
8000+ years
Children
Pronouns
She/Her
Sex
Female
Presentation
Dresses in flowing royal purple dress, very formal
Eyes
Wide gray-blue with big pupils
Hair
Matured black with antiquated elven braids, always well-kept
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale skin similar to an elf, feathered wings like a barn owl. Unmistakably the same race as The Keepers
Height
6' - 7' when descended
Quotes & Catchphrases
Knowledge in Truth