Illyria is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Angel. The character is portrayed by Amy Acker. In the fictional world of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, a vampire is a demon of a species which inhabits and animates a human corpse. ... Not to be confused with Pity, Sympathy, or Compassion. ... Amy Acker at the Serenity premiere, 2005 Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976) is an American actress. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... Alice, a fictional character based on a real character from the work of Lewis Carroll. ... Joss Hill Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon[3] on June 23, 1964 in New York) is an American writer, director, executive producer, and creator of the well-known television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly. ... A television program is the content of television broadcasting. ... Angel is a spin-off of the American television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. ... Amy Acker at the Serenity premiere, 2005 Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976) is an American actress. ...

Biography

Character history

Illyria is one of the legendary Old Ones, an original pure demon from the Primordium Age who ruled territory that included modern-day California. She was one of the most feared of all the Old Ones and ruled from her citadel, Vahla ha'nesh, which corresponds to modern-day Los Angeles. However, Illyria was defeated and murdered by her many rivals. In the Buffyverse, the Old Ones are the extremely powerful, pure-breed demons that once dominated Earth before humankind appeared. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ...

Illyria in her true from, standing before her demon army.
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As depicted in an illustration of a statue of her in Vahla ha'nesh, Illyria was a sight to behold in her original form. If one assumes that the statue is life-size, she would be at least five times taller than an average human. Illyria had five tentacles on either side of her torso that she uses like arms, which are flexible and ambulatory to the point that she can clutch and operate weapons with them. She has two claw-like feet that allow her to perch, much like an eagle. The rest of Illyria's form is obscured by armor, but its humanoid shape suggests that her head and torso are in much the same configuration as a human's. Illyria was loved and feared as few of the Old Ones were, so much so that she still had followers and acolytes in the modern day - arguably millions of years after her reign. Her features as an Old One resemble much the ones of Lovecraft's Spawn of Chthulhu. Image File history File links Illyria_original. ... Image File history File links Illyria_original. ... Genera Several, see below. ... The term humanoid refers to any being whose body structure resembles that of a human. ... H. P. Lovecraft Howard Phillips Lovecraft (August 20, 1890–March 15, 1937) was an American author of fantasy and horror fiction, noted for giving horror stories a science fiction framework. ... Cthulhu Cthulhu (other spellings: Kutulu, Qthulu, Ktulu, Cthulu, Kthulhut, Kulhu, Thu Thu, Tulu,[1] and many others) is a fictional being created by horror author H. P. Lovecraft. ...

When the Old Ones lost their claim over this world, Illyria's corpse was placed in a stone sarcophagus, her powers were drained and placed in jewels embedded on her coffin. Her sarcophagus was placed in a mystical graveyard known as the Deeper Well along with the coffins of other Old Ones. A warrior of good and his army were assigned to guard the Deeper Well to prevent anyone from extracting one of the coffins, as the Old Ones are capable of resurrection. In the 20th century, the Keeper of the Deeper Well was Drogyn the Battlebrand. Stone sarcophagus of Pharaoh Merenptah Detail of a stone sarcophagus in the Istanbul Archeological Museum showing a hunting scene Anthropoid sarcophagus discovered at Cádiz A sarcophagus is a stone container for a coffin or body. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Drogyn, the Battlebrand, is a fictional character in Season 5 of the television show Angel. ...

Before falling, Illyria planned her resurrection. She hid her temple in a different time plane, rendering it completely intangible, until she could return to open the gateway and enter it. Illyria's army was placed there as well, waiting to be raised once again by its leader. However, sometime in the passing centuries, the army was destroyed, leaving only dust in its place.

Los Angeles

As preordained, Illyria's sarcophagus is teleported to the general area of Los Angeles, but due to continental shifting, it ends up outside of the United States of America. Somehow, it is delivered to U.S. soil, but is held up in Customs on its way to Wolfram & Hart. Dr. Sparrow manipulates Charles Gunn into releasing the sarcophagus in exchange for fixing his brain enhancements. Knox, Illyria's self-fashioned Qwa'ha Xahn (High Priest) and the mastermind behind her resurrection, has the sarcophagus delivered to Fred Burkle at Wolfram & Hart's science lab. Curiosity draws Fred to the sarcophagus, and when she touches one of the coffin's embedded crystals, Illyria's essence is released into Fred's body. Illyria's spirit acts as an infection that liquefies Fred's organs, hardens her skin, and allegedly consumes her soul. After hours of agony, and despite Angel and Spike traveling to Illyria's former prison in an attempt to find a way to draw her out of Fred, Fred's body is completely taken over by Illyria, who also absorbs her memories (which she later likens to "sparks"). Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Spoiler warning: Wolfram and Hart is an international and inter-dimensional fictional law firm in the television series Angel, its principal human faces being Holland Manners, Lilah Morgan, and Lindsey McDonald. ... Charles Gunn (born 1978 in Los Angeles, California) is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Garry Campbell for the cult television program, Angel. ... Spoiler warning: Knox (last name unknown) first appeared in the final episode of the fourth season on the series Angel and was a scientist at the law-firm Wolfram and Hart. ... Winifred Fred Burkle is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Shawn Ryan for the cult television series, Angel. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Angel (born 1727 in Galway, Ireland) is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt for the television programs, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ... Spike (aka William The Bloody) is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ...

With the aid of Knox, Illyria attempts to bring about the destruction of humankind by resurrecting her ancient army. Despite the best efforts of Angel, Spike, and Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, she manages to fight off all three of them and open the portal to where her army is waiting, but soon she discovers that it was destroyed long ago. Lost and without purpose, Illyria agrees to learn how to adjust to the modern world with Wesley's help, who is drawn to the ancient being that now occupies the body of his love. She spends her nights with the oft-drunk Wesley and her days wandering the corridors of Wolfram & Hart. Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Douglas Petrie for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ...

When Wesley mentions to her that Gunn is trapped in a Wolfram & Hart-imposed pseudo-Hell, Illyria opens a portal and rescues Gunn without hesitation, later noting the great debt that the group owes to her. In the process of finding Gunn, she destroys eleven torture units, two troop carriers, an ice cream truck, eight "beautifully maintained" lawns, and "rendered useless" dozens of Wolfram & Hart employees according to Marcus Hamilton. At this point, her pastimes include talking to plants and training with Spike—or, more accurately, beating him up while he tries to ask her how she feels when he hits her and record the details on a clipboard ("I have been hitting the half-breed. He makes noise," she notes). Although she criticizes Spike's adaptability (declaring adaptation to be a compromise), Illyria enjoys beating him up; at one point, she expresses her desire to keep him as a pet. “The Inferno” redirects here. ... Marcus Hamilton is a recurring character on the final season of the TV series Angel. ...

Eventually, Illyria's power becomes extremely unstable. To others, the Old One appears to be going mad. In truth, Illyria is being thrown out of linear progression of the timeline, altering her perspective as her power seeks a way to escape its shell. Initially, she kills Spike, Wesley, Lorne, and Angel in a confrontation, interpreting their actions as an attempt to kill her, but, during her time jumps, she drags an earlier version of Angel into the present, revealing what just took place before she detonates, potentially causing enough destruction to wipe out the continent. Fortunately, the explosion sends Angel backwards in time to shortly before Illyria killed the others, allowing Angel to use his new foreknowledge of their deaths to save his friends and calm Illyria down. Before Illyria can detonate again, Wesley uses a Mutari generator to extract a large portion of her power, effectively ending the threat. Krevlornswath Lorne Of The Deathwok Clan (born in Pylea), also known as The Host, is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the cult television program, Angel. ...

As a result of the Mutari generator, Illyria is stripped of much of her super-strength, as well as her abilities to alter time and talk to plants. She grows bitter and withdrawn after the loss of her powers, which she considers a significant defeat. Her primary emotional connection is with Wesley, who continues to help her adjust to the world. After recognizing Wesley's feelings for the "shell" (Fred), Illyria wishes to explore her relationship with Wesley in a more sexual or romantic direction; however, he rejects any possibility of accepting her in Fred's form. She also develops a connection with Spike, who can relate to her newfound situation and treats her with acceptance and dignity, communicating easily with her and helping her venture into the world.

Illyria is brutally beaten and humiliated by Marcus Hamilton, which fuels the Old One's extreme anger and motivates her to join the final battle against the Senior Partners. In the Angel series finale, "Not Fade Away," Illyria, Spike, Wesley, Gunn, Lorne, Lindsey McDonald, and Angel each fight separate groups of demons from the Circle of the Black Thorn. After killing her demon victims, promising to "make trophies from their spines," Illyria seeks out Wesley and finds him dying. Perceiving his imminent death, she comforts Wesley in Fred's form. Grieving for him uncontrollably, Illyria violently dispatches his murderer, Cyvus Vail, by shattering his head with a single punch, an action that does not begin to assuage her grief and leaves her with a strong desire to "do more violence." Her wish is granted when the Senior Partners send their army against the gang; Illyria joins Angel, Gunn, and Spike in the final battle against the Senior Partners. Marcus Hamilton is a recurring character on the final season of the TV series Angel. ... The Senior Partners are fictional characters in the television series Angel. ... Angel is a spin-off of the American television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. ... List of Angel episodes Not Fade Away is the 22nd episode of season 5, and the final episode of the series, of the television show Angel. ... Lindsey McDonald was a fictional character on the WB Network television series Angel. ... The Circle of the Black Thorn is a fictional secret society in the television show, Angel. ... Cyvus Vail is a demon in the television series Angel and is portrayed by Dennis Christopher. ...

According to rumors about a possible spin-off, mentioned by Joss Whedon and Amy Acker, Illyria survived the final battle against the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart. However, despite this, her current status is unknown. Joss Hill Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon[3] on June 23, 1964 in New York) is an American writer, director, executive producer, and creator of the well-known television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly. ... Amy Acker at the Serenity premiere, 2005 Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976) is an American actress. ...

Powers and abilities

The full scope of Illyria's power is unknown. When Illyria takes over her new "shell," Illyria possesses tremendous physical strength. Spike likens a blow from Illyria to being hit by a Mack truck. Her strength, reflexes, and agility make her a formidable hand-to-hand combatant. Illyria uses an ancient fighting style that Spike compares to Tae Kwon Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Although Spike's adaptability gives him an occasional advantage, Illyria dominates their sparring sessions. Her skin is a hardened shell, providing her body with a heavy armor capable of withstanding blows from forged weapons, such as swords or axes. Spike (aka William The Bloody) is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ... Mack Trucks is one of the worlds leading truck-manufacturing companies. ... Taekwondo (also, Tae Kwon Do, Taekwon-Do, or Tae Kwon-Do) is a martial art and combat sport originating in Korea. ... Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position from which to force an attacker to submit. ...

Illyria altering the flow of time.
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Illyria is aided in combat by her ability to selectively alter time, which allows her to easily dodge both attacks and bullets; she can accomplish a goal and leave an area before her opponent even realizes she has moved. She can also open interdimensional portals. In the episode "Underneath," Wesley comments on her not needing to sleep. Image File history File links Illyria1. ... Image File history File links Illyria1. ... Underneath is episode 17 of season 5 in the television show Angel. ... Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Douglas Petrie for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ...

Illyria can alter her physical appearance on a basic level, and she is capable of recreating Fred's persona accurately enough to fool Fred's parents. She tells Knox that she can take any form she chooses. Illyria has empathic abilities that allow her to perceive the emotional states of others. She was, for instance, capable of sensing Connor's lust for her, Wesley's frustration with Angel as well as his grief over Fred's death. Illyria communicates with flora, often spending hours at a time communing with a plant. She is also capable of distinguishing humans (or "primitives"), from demons, vampires, and other half-breeds. Illyria also retains the insights from her experiences as an Old One, which enable her to effectively analyze the power dynamics, personal motivations, and emotions that influence those around her. She is stronger then Spike and Angel combined (having proven at one point to be able to withstand them both simulteneously). Winifred Fred Burkle is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Shawn Ryan for the cult television series, Angel. ... Spoiler warning: Knox (last name unknown) first appeared in the final episode of the fourth season on the series Angel and was a scientist at the law-firm Wolfram and Hart. ... Not to be confused with Pity, Sympathy, or Compassion. ... Connor, also known as Gay butterfly Angel, Steven Franklin Thomas Fart and Connor Ratface, is a fictional character created by I like man for the television series Angel. ... Angel (born 1727 in Galway, Ireland) is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt for the television programs, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ... Simplified schematic of an islands flora - all its plant species, highlighted in boxes. ... In the fictional world of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, a vampire is a demon of a species which inhabits and animates a human corpse. ... In the Buffyverse, the Old Ones are the extremely powerful, pure-breed demons that once dominated Earth before humankind appeared. ...

Powers diminished

After being drained by the Mutari generator, Illyria's abilities are significantly diminished. Her physical strength is decreased (although retaining a high level of strength, well above that of most demons and vampire), and she no longer has the ability to alter time, open portals, or commune with plants. Wesley perceives that Illyria is no longer as durable as she once was (cf. "The Girl in Question"), and she is later beaten unconscious by Marcus Hamilton in the episode "Power Play." Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Douglas Petrie for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ... The Girl in Question is episode 20 of season 5 in the television show Angel. ... Marcus Hamilton is a recurring character on the final season of the TV series Angel. ... Power Play is an episode in series number of the television series Angel. ...

Even so, Illyria is still a formidable opponent in battle, and successfully kills several members of the Circle of the Black Thorn with minimal difficulty. She retains her ability to morph her physical appearance. The Circle of the Black Thorn is a fictional secret society in the television show, Angel. ...

Relationships

• Spike — After her resurrection, Illyria shares an emerging bond with Spike. Each is on a path from demon to hero, and they share a love of violence. Their sparring sessions are mutually satisfactory; Spike hones his fighting techniques and Illyria is able to regularly inflict pain and dominate in combat. She, at one point, expresses a desire to keep Spike as a pet. After Illyria's powers are diminished, Spike helps her regain confidence and venture into the world again. Their relationship remains non-romantic, but develops into mutual respect. Actor James Marsters believed that if the show had continued, Illyria and Spike would have had some sort of intimate relationship (this was revealed by Amy Acker in the DVD audio commentary for the episode "A Hole in the World").
• Wesley Wyndam-Pryce — Though their "relationship" was not a true romantic relationship, the undertones of attraction were mostly based on Fred and Wesley's relationship, Wesley wanting to be around the one part of his deceased love, and Illyria being influenced by Fred's memories. Illyria shed tears for Wesley when he died at the hands of Cyvus Vail (although she was disguised as Fred at the moment), and took vengeance by putting her fist through Vail's face. The rapid development of "Fred-like" emotions inside Illyria escalates to the point of uncontrollable grief, which she can only withstand by channeling it into rage in the last scene.

Spike (aka William The Bloody) is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ... James Wesley Marsters (born August 20, 1962) is an American actor and musician, best known for playing the popular platinum-blond character Spike, an English of a vampire, in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff series Angel. ... Amy Acker at the Serenity premiere, 2005 Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976) is an American actress. ... Size comparison: A 12 cm Sony DVD+RW and a 19 cm Dixon Ticonderoga pencil. ... On a DVD (or laserdisc), an audio commentary is a bonus track consisting of a lecture or comments by one or more speakers, who talk about the movie as it progresses. ... A Hole in the World is episode 15 of season 5 in the television show Angel. ... Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Douglas Petrie for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ... Cyvus Vail is a demon in the television series Angel and is portrayed by Dennis Christopher. ...

Appearances

Canonical appearances

Angel

Illyria was a regular towards the end of the Angel's fifth season in 2004, first appearing in the episode "A Hole in the World," replacing Fred. Technically, since she is played by the same actress as Fred, it could be said that she was credited as a regular from her first appearance, but the first instance of the opening sequence showing Amy Acker specifically as Illyria and not Fred is in the episode "Underneath." Illyria appears in 8 episodes in total.

Angel is a spin-off of the American television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. ... Angel is a spin-off of the American television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. ... A Hole in the World is episode 15 of season 5 in the television show Angel. ... Winifred Fred Burkle is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Shawn Ryan for the cult television series, Angel. ... Amy Acker at the Serenity premiere, 2005 Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976) is an American actress. ... Underneath is episode 17 of season 5 in the television show Angel. ...

Non-Canonical appearances

Illyria has also appeared in Angel expanded universe material such as comics, most notably her own one-shot comic Illyria: Spotlight in 2006. Expanded Universe material (e. ... // Introduction Dark Horse published 2 Angel comic series. ...

Nicknames

Illyria is referred to as "Little Shiva", "Babe the Blue Ox", and "Blue Meanie" by Spike. While in a drunken and irritable state, Wesley calls her a "Smurf". Both Smurfs and the Hindu god Shiva have blue skin. In the final episode "Not Fade Away" Gunn refers to her as "Blue Thunder." Shiva (also spelled Siva; Sanskrit ) is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. ... The mythical companion of Paul Bunyan, Babe measured 42 axe handles and a plug of chewing tobacco between his horns. ... Blue Meanie can refer to: Blue Meanies, fictional music-hating creatures who invade Pepperland in the movie Yellow Submarine Blue Meanies, fictional cat-like creatures in Katherine Applegates book series, Remnants. ... Spike (aka William The Bloody) is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ... Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Douglas Petrie for the cult television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. ... This article is about the Cartoon characters. ... A Hindu ( , Devanagari: हिन्दु), as per modern definition, is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, and the religious, philosophical and cultural system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ...