Shota
From Sword of Truth Wiki
| |
| Shota | |
|---|---|
| Physical description | |
| Species |
Human |
| Gender |
Female |
| Hair color |
Auburn |
| Eye color |
Brown |
| Chronological and political information | |
| Affiliation | |
Shota was a powerful witch woman, living in the Agaden Reach. She had an extremely beautiful palace situated there and the surrounding forest was infested with vicious creatures and almost living vines, possibly created by Shota. Her name was known throughout the Midlands, and feared, as it was said that even wizards feared the wrath of Shota.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early Life
Not much was known about the early life of Shota. She remarked at one point that her mother lived through an age where male Confessors were allowed to live and cause chaos. Shota showed fear about possibly reliving such an age.
At one point, the former Seeker of Truth, Samuel, came to the Agaden Reach to live with Shota. As all Seeker's did, except those able to turn the blade of the Sword of Truth White, Samuel had fallen victim to the curse that destroyed his body and mind. Though he begged Shota to lift the spell, even she proved unable to do so, and as such simply bewitched Samuel into becoming her faithful companion. First Wizard Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander later came to the Reach to retrieve the Sword of Truth from Samuel.
[edit] Fighting Rahl
When Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell needed answers on how to defeat Darken Rahl, they decided to head into Agaden Reach and speak with Shota. Richard, who was new to the world of magic and the New World in general, did not know the dangers that going into the Reach, but Kahlan did. On their way into the Reach, Kahlan was kidnapped and taken to Shota herself.
When Richard made it to Shota, he instead found his mother. He realized that it was a trick, that it was actually Shota. Shota reverted back. Testing Richard, Shota had the image of Zedd appear and throw Wizard's Fire at Shota. Throwing himself in front of the fire, using the Sword of Truth as protection, Richard "saved" Shota and passed her test. She revealed Kahlan, who was currently tied up and covered in snakes.
After helping Richard and letting Kahlan go, Shota told Richard never to return to the Reach, else she would kill him.
[edit] Tear in the Veil
[edit] Imperial Order War
[edit] The Plague
When Nadine Brighton started out searching for Richard after he came up missing from Westland, she found herself in Agaden Reach and before Shota. Shota, once again using her visions, sent Nadine to Aydindril, where Richard was currently staying. Shota told Nadine that she was to marry Richard, which made Nadine a very happy woman. Due to his devotion to Kahlan, this also made Richard very angry. It would not be until later that Shota was actually only trying to be nice in picking someone who he once may have cared about. Shota was not the one who decided that Richard would need to wed someone other than Kahlan in order to get in to the Temple of the Winds.
[edit] The Chainfire Effect
Richard Rahl returns to Agaden Reach during the events of the book Chainfire. Richard's motivations for seeking out Shota once more is in the hope that she will be able to assist him in finding Kahlan. When Richard arrives at Shota's palace, she appears in the guise of Nicci. Shota then proceeds to explain to Richard of what she knows about the Blood Beast. Nearing the end of the encounter with Shota, Richard strikes a bargain with her: in exchange for the Sword of Truth, Shota would give Richard what information she had that could be useful in "finding the truth". Richard accepts, and Shota responds with one word: Chainfire. After Shota turns, walking back to her palace, a thought strikes her to give Richard slightly more information. Shota tells Richard that; "what you seek is long buried", and "you must find the place of bones in the Deep Nothing" as well to "beware the viper with four heads". However, this was all Shota knew, and therefore she could not tell Richard anything more.
[edit] Personality and traits
Though she could appear in different forms using illusion, Shota's true self was very beautiful. She had thick auburn hair and full lush lips. Her eyes were the shape of almonds, brown in color and they flickered with a keen intelligence. She had a desirable figure that was often displayed in a wispy gray dress. Shota had seemingly flawless skin and the attractiveness she displayed heighten the power of her bewitchments, that she like all witches, was often unaware that she was casting. Shota always had long lacquered fingernails.
Among people which she meant no harm, Shota usually appeared in the guise of their mother; according to her, this was an act of kindness, for them to relive a memory that was beautiful and comes without a price. This can be seen from the numerous times she had appeared to Richard in the guise of his mother, as well as her appearing to Chase and Rachel in the same way, although in the latter cases it may have been to more easily gain their trust.
She also appeared to Six as her mother, for reasons far less benign.
Shota's name was known throughout the Midlands and was feared. Shota's reputation was so infamous that even wizards feared to enter her domain.
When it came to her visions Shota often demanded that Richard heed them and sometimes presumed their meaning. However every one of Shota's foretellings have come to be, though often in a much less direct form than she had believed they would.
[edit] Powers and Abilities
Shota, being a witch-woman has a very rare form of the gift. In addition to some general powers, she is able to change her appearance, and indeed often chose to appear to people as their mothers. Shota also would bewitch people simply by being near them, and if she chose could focus this ability to make it stronger. Witch-women also have an intrinsic ability to see the ebb and flow of time, which could be viewed as a simple form of prophecy. Most often however, these foretold events would not unfold the way one would expect. Zedd often said that a witch-woman never told you something you wanted to hear without telling you something you didn't. This ability to see the ebb and flow of time made fighting witch women incredibly difficult because they would be aware of your attacks before you were. Thus, witch-women would simply deny you an anchoring point for your spell which would most often reflect it back in on you.
[edit] Behind the Scenes
- Shota was introduced to Legend of the Seeker in the episode Identity. She was portrayed by actress Danielle Cormack. She later reprised the role for the episodes Cursed and Reckoning.
- In Legend of the Seeker Shota has been referred to as both a sorceress and a witch woman, despite the fact that a witch and a sorceress are vastly different.
[edit] Appearances
[edit] Books
- Wizard's First Rule (First appearance)
- Stone of Tears
- Temple of the Winds
- Chainfire
- Phantom
- Confessor
