Taya Tycheek

Pathologic 2=

Taya Tycheek (Тая Тычик) is the daughter of the Termitary's former Father Superior and is its current leader.

Description
"A steppe girl, daughter to the Termitary janitor. An energetic and restive child. At the Termitary, the Abattoir workers felt as if they were a composite being with many heads—or, more precisely, many hands, as hands were valued a lot more than heads in that little world. The butchers adore Taya, treating her like a talisman and a keeper of the Kin, a holy child. For now, this is only a part she’s acting—but the confidence with which she does it makes it clear that one day, she’ll move easily from this play-acting to actual power."

- From the game's design documents

Living in the Termitary with her father and the Kin, Taya is one of the youngest Bound. She is one of the children on Isidor Burakh's List, which causes the Haruspex to seek her out.

Background
As the daughter of "Father Superior", Taya Tycheek gained the title "Mother Superior". The title is used by both the Kin who adore her and the Town's children who call the title "cool as heck". According to one of the Town's children, the idea was one presented to them by Capella. Taya used to reside in the Polyhedron among the other children, but has since left.

Haruspex Route
"My path was called… something or another. I forget. Had something… something to do with bulls."

Though mentioned early on as part of Isidor's List, Taya cannot be reached by the Haruspex right away as the Termitary has been locked under the Olgimskys' orders. She can be first seen during the Door Dream in the early days, and first spoken to during the Termitary Dream, in which she expresses her wish to leave the Termitary and directs the Haruspex to the abandoned village if he has advanced enough in his search for a cure for the Plague.

He is able to meet her in person after the Inquisition arrives, where he learns that in the wake of her father's death, she is the new leader of the Termitary Kin. Though he can offer to take her away to safety, she refuses to be separated from the others and says she will only leave when they all can.

This is only possible if the Haruspex can mend the schism in the Kin. Once that is done, Taya and the Kin will move to Shekhen, where they can be found for the rest of the story's duration.

On Day 10, she will be infected by the Plague along with all the other children of the List.

In the Diurnal Ending, she can be found near the Termitary along with Notkin, Aspity, and Oyun. Unlike the latter two, she seems at ease with the Haruspex's decision, and if spoken to is found to be contemplating new laws to guide the Kin with.

In the Nocturnal ending, she is found sitting on the Polyhedron next to Grace and the Changeling, and reveals that she is to be Mistress of Bulls.

Spoken Dialogue

 * → See Mother Superior/Spoken Dialogue

Animation Video
Pathologic=

Taya Tycheek (Тая Тычик) is the daughter of the Termitary's former Father Superior and is now its current leader.

Description
Since early childhood, Taya grew up surrounded by people with a vague idea of individualism. The Steppe people that raised her would always speak in impersonal terms when describing actions, creating an atmosphere where no singular person was emphasized. There is a strong sense of unity inside of the building, with the Termitary itself described as being akin to a "multi-headed organism". Because of this, while Taya is the "queen insect" at the head of the Order, she still thinks of the residents as one big family.

While very young, she displays natural charisma and leadership. Other children, Worms, and Butchers all flock around her to complete her every whim.

Character Concept
"Appearance: A little child with tiny hands and legs. Her head seems disproportionately huge because of her thick curly hair. Her face gets narrow near her chin like a triangular. Covered by her luscious hair, there are big shiny blue eyes with small irises. Taya smiles subtly, with the edges of her upper teeth slightly visible. Her nose is straight and the eyes are set close to her nose bridge.

Pose: Carried by two large men, dangling her feet.

Personality: From her early childhood Mother Superior (her real name being Taya Tycheek) was raised among people who had a very loose concept of individuality. Instead of the word “I” those people would use impersonal constructions, such as “the path was traveled”, “the water is drunk better”, “the Kin speak with the Earth”. In the Termitary people feel like a many-headed, or rather many-handed — as hands have more value than head in this world of theirs — creature made of all the Abattoir workers. The Butchers worship Taya, carry her in their arms and treat her as their periapt and the keeper of the Kin. In the Polyhedron Taya assumed the same role of a holy child, regarded with reverence not out of duty but because caring for such a charming creature brings joy. The kids eagerly picked up Taya’s games because Mother Superior possessed the forbidden knowledge of the things far away from the Polyhedron. The Bull Project was off limits for children and the Abattoir seemed like something out of inferno. In the Polyhedron kids often played "The Bulls” and Mother Superior was their small queen irrevocably. Her best friend, champion and protector (Notkin would take this role usually) would play as her father or the Foreman of the Abattoir, the head of the butchers. After her father’s death, Taya willingly returned to the Termitary to support the orphaned dwellers."

- From original Pathologic character concepts 

Background
When her father was alive, she lived in the Polyhedron with many other children. Taya enjoyed great prestige among them, because she could explain things about the Termitary and the Abattoir that other children were not allowed to know. She held much power even at a young age. For example, she was able to oust Notkin from the tower after the two had a disagreement. However, after her father's death, the five-year-old Taya voluntarily left the Polyhedron to become Mother Superior.

Her old house is located in the Knots Quarter, above the park. Taya left in a hurry and accidentally left her beloved stuffed bull doll behind in the house, which the Bachelor may later retrieve.

Future
"My path was called 'Mother of the Bulls'. If Kin's been left alive, I’d rule it in my dad’s place."

- Day 12

Following the "Termite Ending", Capella states that Taya will become one of the rulers of the town. She remains Mother Superior, continuing to control the Order's day-to-day life, with the Haruspex as the Elder.

Her associated color will become "malachite-black".

Portrait Quotes
"She's very young, almost a baby... her game in the Polyhedron was generally the same; she also assumed the role of a divine child that was worshiped and looked after not out of duty, but simply because taking care of someone that lovely brings you satisfaction and joy." "The children happily picked her game up because Mother had a lot of information about the Kin—the world that's always been poles apart from the Polyhedron..."

- Capella's takes on her

Spoken Dialogue

 * → See Mother Superior/Spoken Dialogue