Serafina Ashburnum

There were stories of the Trials, yes, but she had seen the brightest young women return from the trials as mere fractions of themselves. Empty, cold, and desolate.
Serafina Ashburnum is the bastard daughter of Lady Jessalyn Ashburnum, once removed from Queen Mother Juliana De Barbarac and a Shitblood Islander blacksmith who remains unknown. 
== Biography ==
An unexpected surprise and reminder of the unfaithfulness of Lady Ashburnum to her husband, Serafina was born in Erillia, Araedia on the 17th of Amberhols, 376. To hide her affair, Lady Jessalyn claimed Serafina was their legitimate daughter and thus, she was raised among other Araedian highborns. Serafina was not loved by her mother, but had a good relationship with her father, often spending time at his side reading about her own interests - astronomy and alchemy primarily. Such times were scarce, however, as the frivalous demands of Araeidan society required her to spend more time drinking tea and discussing gossip with other girls.
At the age of 13, representatives of the Circle of Xolile visited her home in Erillia and told her that she was to participate in the Trials of Xolile, a common fate for many highborn Araedian girls. Serafina had no doubt this was a ploy of her mother to get rid of her daughter without bringing scorn upon their family, but she could not decline the order. After nearly a year with the Circle of Xolile and the Trials she was one of three survivors.
"A shiver rippled through her body as the howling wind rushed through the cool, dim, wet cave they had been led to only hours before. Wide, horrified eyes were scattered throughout the darkness, lit by the flicker of torches sparingly lined along the cave wall. A terrified squeak cracked through the silence as another scream reverberated through the cave. Serafina turned to find a young girl, who couldn’t be more than 10 years of age cowering in the corner, head buried between her knees. Had she been given the opportunity, Serafina would have moved to comfort the child. Instead, her arm was seized by a cloaked figure as the screams faded and she was led to the blood-stained wooden door through which dozens of girls had disappeared before her." 
Serafina's time at the trials drastically changed her, and she returned as a devout follower of Xolile after a divine experience with the Phoenix. With the blessing of the Circle, Serafina departed from the mountains of Araedia and traveled to Terresol to join the Abigreth Szar as a Vision, where she studied aspects of the world through the eyes of the Southern Pantheon for the next five years. After her study with Grand Wisdoms, she was promoted to Wisdom and sent to the outlying regions of Ibethiel and Terresol to serve as a teacher, religious advisor, and judge. However, Serafina chose to live among the people of the villages to develop a rapport with them unlike her colleagues, who preferred the luxury of quarters at the Szar compared to the living arrangements in the villages. Her methods paved the way for her promotion as her communities were rumored to have the strongest revitalisation in Southern Pantheon faith - though Serafina would attribute that to the blessing of the gods. At the age of 23, she was asked to return to the Abigreth in Sol to educate the new generation of Wisdoms. While teaching, Serafina resumed her own study of the world attempting to understand it through the eyes of Saris by talking with Seekers, Physics, and other scholars of the Southern Pantheon. Currently, she resides as the Magistrate for the Royal House of Terresol to further the work of the Southern Pantheon and uphold their ideas in the royal court.
For more information on this character, her past, and how she interacts with others refer to this document.
== Personality ==
Serafina is a quiet observer, though strongly opinionated and judgemental of the actions and beliefs of those around her. However, despite her personal beliefs, she exudes an accepting front, offering support and advice to any who ask. She is well-versed in the many gods of the Southern Pantheon, classifying herself as a devout worshipper of Saris (and inadvertently every other god and goddess as they are all facets of Saris) and Xolile. Even though she comes across charming, charismatic, and caring, Serafina does have an agenda, given to her by the gods, and is determined to fulfill her purpose.
If not fulfilling her duties as a Magistrate, she can be found in the Abigreth or royal libraries among scholars reading and asking questions of their subjects. It is not well known, but Serafina suffers from severe nightmares and often wakes up multiple times in the night in a cold sweat as memories from the Trials haunt her. 
== Appearance ==
Serafina is a slender woman with striking hazel-green eyes and long, softly curled, auburn hair (a gift from her Shitblood Islander father), which typically seen in an up-do held in place by an elaborately decorated pin while she studies. In her official occupation, she can be seen in variations of a mossy green linen or silk dress that hugs her figure in a complimentary, but not overly revealing manner. Her location in the Abrigreth or castle could be discerned if one were to follow the scent of eucalyptus and citrus often trailing behind her. 
A notable feature is the lace-like scars from her time in the trials that cover her entire body from the collarbone down to her ankles. This is a common feature among highborn Araedian girls who participate in the trials.
== Goals and Aspirations ==
Her primary goal is to learn the lesson Saris has for her and fulfill the will of the gods that was made known to her.
== Notable Quotes ==
"Do you doubt their divine hand?" 
"The will of the gods is full of hills and valleys, but who is to say one is more important than another?" 
"Fulfill your duties according to your position and the gods will bless you in this life and the next."
Category:Characters
Category:Religions
Category:Araedians
Category:Terresolians