Fraa Osa

Fraa Osa is a senior Valer—described as the "First Among Equals"—from the Ringing Vale (Math). After being Evoked, he and roughly two dozen Valers moved through Mahsht and prepared to continue toward Tredegarh. In Old Mahsht, Osa directed a rapid intervention when a mob targeted an avout in a public square.

Appearance and Traits

• Seen as a shaven-headed man in a red T-shirt (issued at Voco via a local ark), moving with exceptional balance—at one point perching one-legged atop an expanded sphere to shield a prone avout.
• Speaks sparingly and with calm precision; he prefers concise historical shorthand to convey plans.
• Describes using a "nerve pressure technique" that seems to hurt a lot but does no lasting damage, emphasizing control and restraint.
• Appears to be in his fifth decade.
• Offers succinct counsel in moments of uncertainty, emphasizing disciplined action even when the full plan is not revealed.

Roles and Actions

• Evocation and route: Osa states that the Valers were Evoked the previous day, consulted a globe, and selected Mahsht as the efficient route toward Tredegarh. Local supporters provided transport. In the streets he was recognized by Magister Sark, who alerted the Valers that a lone avout was being hunted.
• Emergence and rescue: Osa identified the unfolding street crisis as an "emergence" (a Vale-lore moment when action must be taken without time to devise or brief a detailed plan). He shielded the targeted avout with a sphere, then led a coordinated maneuver—feigned retreat, flanking elements, and rapid disarms—designed to disorient and scatter the attackers while minimizing injury.
• Post-incident: When constables arrived, the Valers adopted composed, meditative postures and cooperated while Osa spoke with authorities and allies. He later accepted a stack of letters to bear to avout at Tredegarh.
• Confirmed delivery: Later, Ala states that Osa personally handed her one of those letters from Erasmas.
• Tredegarh evacuation and cell assignment: During the organized evacuation, Osa is seated with a small departing cell alongside other Valers and Edharians. He and the Vale cohort pay formal respects to Fraa Jad. When Lio boards and begins working the aisle, even Osa bows more deeply to him, signaling Lio's role as the cell leader.
• Preparations at Elkhazg: With the Valer cohort and the Edharian cell, Osa participates in equipment familiarization and training on individual suits and launch hardware. He remarks on the fine, mostly mechanical workmanship of the suit manipulators ("simple, yet very complex") and notes the sophistication of the new suits compared to those used on earlier flights. Addressing the group, he urges them to proceed despite not knowing the entire plan, to manage humiliation and uncertainty, and to focus on the tasks at hand.

Relationships

• Ringing Vale (Math): Osa is the First Among Equals of the Valers and speaks for the cohort traveling under Evocation.
• Erasmas: He and his cohort intervened to protect Erasmas from a Gheeth mob in Old Mahsht; afterward Osa returned to speak with him, explained the Valers' actions, and agreed to convey letters to multiple recipients at Tredegarh.
• Magister Sark: According to Osa, Sark is known to the Valers and has attended their Aperts. In Mahsht he recognized them and helped by both alerting them to the crisis and arranging onward transport.
• Tredegarh and the Convox: Osa indicates the Valers are bound for Tredegarh, currently functioning as a Convox receiving Evoked avout. He treats delivery of letters there as part of their southbound departure.
• Fraa Jad and Jesry: On hearing that a Millenarian Thousander had sent Erasmas, Osa urged him to finish the task; he also reacts with amused recognition to the name "Jesry," calling him "famous."
• Ala: Reported recipient of a letter that Osa delivered on behalf of Erasmas.

Current Status

Present at Elkhazg during the dispersal and preparation phase following the departure from Tredegarh, training alongside Valers and Edharians with mission equipment and suits prior to departure. Immediate destination and subsequent movements are not publicly specified.