Arella

Arella
Background information
First episode	"The Prophecy"
First comic	"Red Raven"
Voice	Virginia Madsen
Character information
Real name	Angela Roth
Species	Human
Affiliations	The Monks of Azarath
Goal	To protect her daughter from Trigon
Place of Origin	Gotham City
Residence	Azarath
Relatives	Trigon (ex-fiance) Raven (daughter)
Allies	Raven Azar Monks of Azarath
Powers and abilities	Sorceress Abilities

"You forever had the love of your people, Raven, even knowing what you would become and what that would bring... "

―Arella to her daughter, Raven

Arella Roth was a denizen of the extradimensional realm of Azarath and the mother of Raven.

Personality

Arella is a very peaceful, controlled, motherly woman, but also rather fatalistic like her daughter, mainly due to the part she had unwittingly played in Trigon's scheme.

Character history

"The Prophecy"

When the prophecy was about to come to pass, Raven desperately sought out Azarath for help, only to find the city at first apparently deserted. A white dove led Raven to her mother, who could offer neither help nor comfort since the prophecy was inevitable. Right afterwards, it was revealed that the sound state of Azarath had been in fact a cruel illusion: The city was destroyed and in flames, and its people, including Arella, had apparently perished. But after Raven defeated Trigon, she was restored along with Azarath. 

Powers and abilities

Arella seems to be able to wield some sorceress abilities, enough to leave a projection of herself and their realm for her daughter even after Trigon had devastated Azarath. It was then revealed that Azarath had already been destroyed, and that Arella may be dead. Although this is debatable, she must had given Raven her last words through a telepathic imprint of some sort. The true extent of her powers are unknown, though evidently they were unable to shield herself or Azarath from Trigon's own wrath.

Gallery

Appearances

Teen Titans

Season Four

• "The Prophecy" (Vision)

Teen Titans Go!

• "Red Raven"

Background information

In the DC comics, Arella, who was Angela Roth at this time, was born in Gotham City. She was a depressed, aimless teenager who fell in with occultists who goaded her to participate in a secret ceremony to appeal to Trigon, who was to manifest in the earth-plane. Although she knew Trigon was a demon by origin, she thought Trigon's human form was authentic. When she realized Trigon's true form, it was already too late. Trigon revealed himself and consummated her; this is how Raven was conceived. After that, Arella attempted to kill herself with sleeping pills in an abandoned alleyway. Instead of dying, however, she was taken to Azarath, located between all dimensions. It was there that she was taught pacifism and had her name changed to Arella.

Through this union, Arella gave birth to Raven and raised her in the peaceful realm of Azarath. Despite Arella's efforts, her daughter was bound to Trigon by a prophecy which entails the subjugation and destruction of all life. Arella forever gave Raven her love, even knowing what she was destined to become: a vessel for Trigon's evil.

Trivia

• Arella is the only mother of a Titan to officially appear in the series.
• In the original comics, Arella has three biological sons (Belial, Ruskoff, Suge).
  • Eventually, these sons would soon appear in Teen Titans GO!.
• Her primary attire of a cloak and hood (in her case, colored white) is similar to that of Queen Aleena, a character from the cartoon Sonic Underground. In addition, Raven addresses her as "Mother" the way Sonia would, and the episode and its following ones (the "The End" three-parter) concern a prophecy about one of the protagonists.
• In the 2011 relaunch of the comics, Arella's father is a fanatical priest who physically and emotionally abuses her and she eventually runs away from home to escape him when she is a teenager. It was at this time when the cult that worshiped Trigon lured her into their fold and eventually offered her to the demon as a bride.
• Her original incarnation from 1981 was abandoned as a baby and spent her early life as a ward of the state being bounced from foster home to foster home and joined Trigon's cult as a young woman.
• When Raven reunites with Arella, she calls out to her by her first name, which seems rather strange. It is highly unusual for children to call their parents by their first name, especially considering how Raven then calls her “Mother” for the rest of the scene. This may have been for the audience, however, as Arella is a somewhat obscure character and it is the first time her character is introduced in the series.