"But it is not sensible to call them evil. Evil is a word which humans have made to describe what hurts them. It has no meaning in the greater world, which lies beyond and outside our own."
- —Semjaza to Orfeo the Minstrel[2a]
Semjaza discussing with Orfeo the Minstrel.[2a]
Chief advisor and confidante to Duke Marsilio diAvila, Semjaza is an elderly sorcerer who makes no effort to hide his monstrous nature, tolerated though he is for his usefulness.[1a]
History[]
Though unclear, it may be that Semjaza possessed Morella d'Arlette while in bed with Orfeo, her eyes having become very similar to his own. A Chaos spell of Slaanesh causes such an effect, where the host's eyes become those of the possessor.[1a]
Appearance[]
Compared to the norms of Estalia, the colour of Semjaza's flesh suggests far more red than one would expect of a man of such dark hue. His dark red eyes, which gape so wide at all times that a rim of bloodshot white is always visible about the iris. His nose is thin, the nostrils reduced to tiny slits, and his mouth is perpetually crooked. What's more, there is an aura to him -- a radiance given off by some unearthly inner fire. When he breathes, it gives the odour of a graveyard. One of his hands is claw-like and nearly black, his fingers like snakeskin to the touch, and just as warm.[1a]
As the Duke of Zaragoz's advisor, Semjaza, is in a very powerful position. Semjaza has achieved this status through the power he personally wields, rather than political maneuvering. He is less concerned about losing his status than other politicants of Zaragoz. Semjaza is, above all, a realist.[2a]
The priest of Solkan, Arcangelo, struck by a spell casted by Semjaza. The blast shattered Archangelo's staff into a dozen pieces, hurling the shards to the four corners of the room.[2a]
While he dabbles in the black arts and has made numerous pacts with Chaos, one couldn't call him corrupt. Indeed, this 6ft 2in corpse-like man could even be described as charming. He is rational, well-educated, and explains his philosophy calmly and simply.[2a]
Semjaza believes that change is the natural order of things, and that stagnation leads to oblivion. As the greatest force for change is Chaos, it's natural that Semjaza's allegiances lie there. However, Semjaza maintains that his reason for worshiping Chaos is a desire to retain power when circumstances change, not out of any dislike for his fellow man.[2a]
While Semjaza will acknowledge he worships Chaos if asked directly, he isn't open in his beliefs and usually appears as nothing more than a slighly eccentric, if a little unnerving, wizard.[2a]
Contrary to other foppish courtier, Semjaza does not care for dancing.[1b]
Family[]
Semjaza once had both a brother and a sister, long ago, back when he had a different name and a different face.[1c] The name took by his brother was that of Alkadi Nasreen, Caliph of Arjijil.[1d]