The Dai - The Hands of God

The Dai are an enigma within the Varati society. Little is known about them except that they are special agents of Khalid Atar. Unlike the large and shadowy Ministry of Intelligence, however, there are said only to be a few of the Dai. Some believe the Dai to be assassins, while others think they are simply spies, and still others believe them to be a secret society of mages who practice a lost brand of magic. The truth about them remains a mystery.

While no one but the God-King knows specifically who the Dai are, all members of the Dai carry a stone disc that gives them power and privilege like few others. Upon presenting this disc, the bearer is immediately and unconditionally entitled to whatever he or she may desire. In essence, the bearer of the disc speaks on behalf of Khalid Atar himself in all things, and is expected to receive immediate and complete cooperation for whatever they may need. All members of the Varati society must comply with the orders of the bearer of the disc with few notable exceptions: the Nayaka of the Agni-Haidar, the Khaliph of the Atarvani, the Visir, and another Dai -- these individuals may choose to disobey or disregard an order given by a Dai presenting the disc, if they truly believe that the orders given them are contrary to the desires of Khalid Atar or the well-being of the kingdom. They must weigh the situation very carefully, however: simply ignoring or disregarding the wishes of a Dai without good reason is punished most harshly by Khalid Atar.

The Dai carry both tremendous power and a tremendous burden of responsibility. Presenting the 'disc of the Dai' is done in only the most extreme cases, and always with good reason, for Khalid is not known for his leniency when power is abused. However, on the same note, the God-King does not tolerate disobedience of his Dai except by the select few and then only for the best of reasons.

There have been only two known cases of the wishes of a Dai being disputed. In the first case, the Visir of the kingdom disobeyed the orders of a shudra who presented the disc of the Dai. When he was unable to explain his reasons for disobeying to to Khalid Atar, the Visir was publicly dismembered by the Agni-Haidar in front of the palace of Ushas-Gah.

In the second instance, a kshatri who presented the disc of the Dai was publicly executed in the same manner as the Visir for attempting to force the Nayaka of the Agni-Haidar to obey an order that was contrary to the well-being of the kingdom.

All encounters with the Dai must be immediately reported to the God-King; this decree is known throughout the kingdom, and even the youngest of children are taught this proclamation of the Amir-al. Any member of society who knowingly has contact with a Dai cannot speak of it to any other, save the God-King himself. Their duty is to explain in detail to Khalid Atar the entire set of circumstances in which they met the Dai, and what occurred. Obviously, the God-King keeps close tabs on any use of the stone discs.

The stone discs that the Dai bear are crafted out of the same unknown, black stone from which Khalid Atar's own blades were forged. This stone, along with several of the unique gems that decorate the disc, are locked away in the heart of Masada itself, and protected by both the Agni-Haidar and the soldiers of Clan Khalida, making it virtually impossible to counterfeit these special discs. In addition, it is said that no shaper can work the unbreakable stone, and only the fires of the God-King can cut it from the hidden mine in which it resides.

As the decree concerning the Dai is known to all in the kingdom, so is the likeness of the disc: almost all members of the kingdom, whether they be the lowest of naraki to the grandest of kshatri, have seen a likeness of the disc at some point in their lives. Usually, the Atarvani or an Imakhu will show a painting of the disc and explain its significance during the course of their teaching or training.

Only three members of the Dai have ever been known or acknowledged publicly. The first was Suchin Veris, the kshatri warrior who presented the disc of the Dai for improper reasons to Duman Yashas, Nayaka of the Agni-Haidar, and was put to death for his abuse of power.

The second was Rashid Munta, a mongrel shudra, whose orders were disobeyed by Siraj Khalida, Visir of the kingdom. Siraj Khalida was subsequently executed in a gruesome manner for his mistake.

The third is the renowned Vinita, the only member of the Dai whose identity was never secret. This Empyrean darkling, on the orders of Khalid Atar, wore the disc of the Dai around her neck as medallion proclaiming her power, status, and authority.

All other members of the Dai have served their liege in total anonymity and died without ever being publicly acknowledged; they are forgotten heroes whose deeds are known only by one: their own God and King.

While most things concerning the Dai remain a mystery to all, their hand can be seen, albeit in subtle ways. Warlords have fallen, Clans have been destroyed, and Jihads have been waged by the manipulations and influence of the Dai. It is said that the Dai have infiltrated all the races and centers of power within the known world, and that they pull the strings in the shadows on the orders of Atar. How much of this is true is one of the biggest mysteries of the Varati.