Birrexi of Poviss

“*I'll volunteer, its always nice to meet new people.*”
―Birrexi to Keldar about the training exchange

Birrexi Portrait

**Birrexi of Poviss**,or simply **Birrexi**, was a well-known Witcher of the realms around Kovir and Povis, a known School of the Griffin Master Witcheress and participated in the Witcher Training Initiative between the schools by sword training at the School of the Fox. She was an active Witcheress before and following the Second Conjunction of Spheres.

## Biography

### Early life (1160 - 1164)

**Birrexi** was promised to the School of the Griffin Grandmaster Erland of Larvik as payment for completing a contract exterminating a Vendigo in the mountains by a wealthy Melukkan merchant who had settled in Kovir, more specifically, Birrexi's grandfather. Being his granddaughter, a third generation Melukkan descendant. She was taken to the Griffin Witcher's keep of Kaer Seren at the age of four.

### Training in Kaer Seren (1164-1174)

Her training over the next 10 years at **Kaer Seren** occurred normally, though she injured herself while training on the pendulum. She feel from the posts and broke several bones on the rocks below. When she healed, she was a little stiffer than before.

### Mutations

The age at which **Birrexi** underwent mutations was 10.

**Birrexi**, was not subjected to extra experiments during her initial trials. She was marked as having passable mutations and allowed to proceed in his conversion.

### Trials

**Birrexi** survived all the trials. Although in the most dangerous trials, she had a standard recovery time like the others.

#### The Choice

**Birrexi** was subjected to the Choice, eating the herbs and mushrooms alongside her training, her reaction to the experience was noted as being within the norm of expectations.

#### Trial of the Grasses

**Birrexi** passed The Trial of the Grasses without a problem. While her training was fairly standard, her memories bolstered her during the seven days in which she took the Trial of the Grasses. The lower amount of certain components during the test resulted in her eyes not getting the characteristic amber color, but a gray color (with feline pupils) instead.

#### Trial of the Dreams

After her trial, she underwent the Trial of the Dreams to mutate her eyes. She showed no issue with the procedure. Though when she got his cat's eyes, they developed her same previous color, a normal common brown but not the characteristic amber color of most Witchers which made her stick out among her fellow trainees as the most likely to blend in with humans.

#### Trial of the Pendulum

A trial that was performed shortly after the Trial of the Dreams. Less dangerous than the previous ones. Rescued from the School of the Cat by Matlena during her romance with Zamir. The trial helps to further improve reflexes and speed. Due to its low danger. Survivors of the Trial of the Grasses passed it easily.

#### Trial of Remembrance

Upon completing the Trial of the Mountains **Birrexi** would continue to be trained in legendary alchemical arts of ages yet past. The minds of Griffin Witcher Trainees who turned out stronger than the others, would be sent deep into the library of Kaer y Seren to delve deep into different knowledges. This would result in them using potions, bombs, and oils more effectively than even the strongest Witchers.

#### Trial of Forest Eyes

Executed in a different way between the griffins due to the climatic conditions of Kovir but maintaining its same essence.

#### Trial of the Stone Wall

Trial performed so that the Witchers of the School of the Griffin were able to resist more strong potions like Tawny Owl or Thunderbolt. The Trial of the Stone Wall was a test of strength, endurance, toxic resistance and brute force. Unlike other Witcher trials and their respected schools scattered across The Continent, the Trial of the Stone Wall focuses on heavy potion usage and pure strength to overcome difficult obstacles and monsters.

1. The first step taken in the trail is to acquire the ingredients for a potion called "Full Moon" the potion ingredients consist of Dwarven Spirit, Wolf's Bane and Dark Essence. The test would force the trainee into using brute force/intimidation or in the case of School of the Griffin trainees charisma to acquire Dwarven Spirit from merchants or store owners seeing as how no currency would be given upon start of the trial, secondly the ingredient known as Wolf's Bane would be also acquired by delving into hazardous caves and scouting the tunnels for the particular herb. This would also test the Witchers ability to escape narrow paths and traverse rough ground, this helped more than realized as Witchers would traverse hostile monster lairs. The final ingredient needed would be Dark Essence, the Witcher would need to scour elven ruins to find and eliminate Nightwraiths for the ingredient. The first test would push the limits of the Witcher, showing the trainees that their profession and life wouldn't be so cut and dry.
2. After acquiring the ingredients, one would first need to brew these together to create the elixir known as Full Moon. When brewed and consumed, Full Moon gave the Witcher trainee a higher tolerance to damage. It also gave the user increased health and physically improved the strength and mass of the Witcher trainee, after being consumed the Witcher trainee would fistfight guest fighters invited by the School unlike the School of the Bear who would literally fistfight a bear. The trainee would fight their fighter unarmed and with no protection whatsoever, other than the potion that they had consumed. After defeating the fighter, the trainee would be given back their gear and would have to take on a contract to finally cement their place amongst the cat-eyed monster hunters.
3. For the final test of the trial, the Witcher trainees would need to find a moderately challenging monster contract to cement their place in their Witcher guild. Upon completion of the previous test, another Witcher would pass the trainee a list of optional targets to hunt and slay. This would set the trainee on a path to becoming fully fledged Witcher, the monster list would contain two difficult monsters that needed to be slain, also the trainee would need to take a trophy from the monster corpse to pass the trial. The first monster was a Wyvern, Wyverns are great flying reptiles with snake like necks and long tails that end in a venomous trident. Swooping down from the sky, they easily snatch their prey and carry it off to their nest. And they do not much care if it is a sheep or a man. The other monster would be the water hag, like the drowners and swamp bints with whom they often share hunting grounds, well near shallow streams, rivers, and wetlands. Though bulky, they are excellent swimmers. They can even swim through thick mud with astonishing agility, surfacing beside their victims to attack them with their sickle-shaped claws. After eliminating one of these and recovering the trophy, the Witcher trainee would bring it back to the School of the Griffin and be given an uncharged school medallion, a new silver sword and the appropriately ranked Griffin armor.

#### The Trial of the Contract

The last trial before graduation. This consisted basically of making a first contract and returning with the dead monster to the fortress.

### Graduation (1200)

March 1200. **Birexxi** graduated with full honors. Thus she officially became a Witcher of the School of the Griffin. And in that same month, she would leave the school along with her other fellow graduates to start her first year in The Path.

### Hunted by a Katakan (1205)

Not long into her monster hunting career **Birrexi** got the tables turned on her turning her from hunter to hunted for a stressful night by a intelligent Katakan. Using advanced signs and tactics she finally overcame the beast by daybreak.

### Witcher Tournament ( 1210s - 1220s )

The Griffin Witchers attended the tournament

 TBA.

### First Northern War (1262 - 1263)

**Birrexi** was following The Path in Kovir moving from contract to contract, when word of Cintra's fall reached her. She started to worry about now far north Nilfgaard would eventually push if they succeeded. She fell back to Kaer Seren and along with the others reinforced the keep with magic to both cloak and protect the school from detection and harm.

## Friends

### Witchers

#### School of the Fox

##### Adalwulf of Aedirn

Grandmaster at the School of the Fox, the two became friends over the years wintering at Burov Mylne.

#### School of the Griffin

##### Coën

Foster brother during her time with the Griffins.

##### Erland of Larvik

Founder and original grandmaster of the School of the Griffin. Erland served as Birexxi's foster father during her time with the Griffins, **Birexxi** believes that **Erland** is still alive.

##### Jalast

Foster brother during her time with the Griffins, friends and drinking buddies during his tenure at the School of the Fox

##### Jerome Moreau

Foster brother during her time with the Griffins.

##### Kemro of Cintra

Foster brother during her time with the Griffins, **Birexxi** went with him and **Zivor** when they went to integrate into the School of the Fox.

#### Matlena

Foster sister during her time with the Griffins, taught her the Griffin signiture sword style, the Viroledan Naev'de Feaine Glaeddyv or more commonly known as the Nine Sun Sword.

##### Putnam Pitch

A younger foster nephew and trainee during her time with the Griffins, Birrexi trained Putnam in the use of Signs and to regulate his Source abilities.

##### Rayburn of Kovir

Foster brother during her time with the Griffins.

##### Ryvlyn of Sanzode

Foster brother during her time with the Griffins.

##### Zivor of Redania

Foster brother during her time with the Griffins, Birexxi went with him and **Kemro** when they went to integrate into the **School of the Fox**.

## Known enemies

* Witch Hunters
* Bandits
* Church of the Eternal Fire
* Fallen Knights
* Haaki Invaders

## Personality and traits

“*Come let us be friends, share a drink with me.*”
―Birrexi to a stranger on the road to Kovir
Characterized by her strangely positive attitude for a Witcher. She came across as a loving and friendly person. Trusting and assertive. Powerful and a bit pompous in her confidence. she was well mannered and cost-effective with her coin. Rebellious against injustice and devoted to the Witcher cause. Her eyes shone with alert intelligence and a optimistic vigor for life. More often than not she was mistaken for a human and not discriminated against. **Birexxi** is liked by both her fellow Witchers at the School of the Fox as well as her charges.

Standing 5' 4" tall, this brown skinned woman has a charming feel about her. She has a triangular face with a rounded jaw, a big nose, full lips, and her brown eyes are wide. She has short, straight, black hair which is worn as a short bob. She has a thin neck, slanted shoulders, short arms and slender hands, a short torso, wide hips, spindly legs, and small feet.

## Religious beliefs

**Birrexi**, because of her education in the knightly values shows respect to the Lady of the Lake, and the five chivalric virtues.

## Abilities

* Swordsmanship Master: **Birrexi** is actually a master swordswoman in the **Viroledan Naev'de Feaine Glaeddyv**, or as its more commonly called 'the Nine Sun Swords' sword style, the Witcheress Matlena trained her.
* Expert Hand to Hand Combatant: Like other Witchers, Birrexi learned to protect herself without her swords, able to defeat multiple armed opponents while being unarmed. Her enhanced strength and knowledge of both humanoid and monster anatomy allows Birrexi a better chance unarmed than most people able to shatter humanoid bones and use monstrous momentum against large monsters to throw them to the ground.
* Crossbowmanship: While it wasn't a weapon she was originally trained in, Birrexi adapted to the use of crossbows to hunt monsters. She used her enhanced senses to make highly accurate shots like at a distance or in pitch darkness.
* Witcher genetic mutations: Before even entering adolescence, Witchers apprentices were subjected to painful and potentially lethal mutative procedures with the goal of reshaping their bodies. The result of these mutations, when successful, were strength and speed far exceeding that of a normal human, capable of matching those creatures which preyed upon humanoids.
	+ Sterility
	+ Witchers possess a disease resistance that borders on absolute immunity. This tremendous resistance to disease (which functions in most cases as complete immunity) and a boosted immune system, allowing them to consume large quantities of potions that could prove easily deadly if consumed even in small amounts by a normal man.
	+ Enhanced Condition- Witchers possess a enhanced human condition and mind brought about by training and mutations which results in exceptionally enhanced strength, speed, reflexes, and endurance, far beyond any normal or well-trained human, that allows them to swiftly end fights with minimal effort, and perform physical feats non-witchers couldn't hope to match.
		- Enhanced Human Endurance- Witchers have also been shown to shrug off hits that would normally render normal men unconscious. Additionally, they have been known to survive the strikes of powerful monsters such as giants, or other beings possessing herculean strength, that would otherwise kill others with a single blow.
		- Enhanced Human Senses- A Witcher's entire sensory system has been overall enhanced, trained and refined to an inhuman degree.
			* Enhanced Hearing- Witchers can hear with amazing clarity, distance, and even frequencies outside the normal range. Used with the Supirre Sign Witchers can pick up every single sound, can decipher layer upon layer of differing sounds/conversations, locate the source of noise or pick up a sound from a mile away in a busy city.
			* Enhanced Smell- Witcher are trained to detect specific persons, creatures, monsters, objects, substances or even places, locate their origin, and track targets with nothing but their nose. A Witcher can identify the species of animal from the scent of their blood alone.
			* Enhanced Vision- Witchers can see with amazing clarity/detail, distance, or color. Witcher possess cat-like eyes that grant very acute night-vision - Witchers can constrict their pupils to see in blinding light or open them to see in near pitch darkness. This night-vision can be further enhanced with the cat potion, but in general, it is good enough by itself to not require further enhancement.
				+ Night Vision- Using the Cat potion, Witchers eyes change to allow Witchers to see in pitch blackness.
	+ Enhanced Human Strength- A witcher's physical skills alone are sufficient to defeat most monsters single-handedly if combined with extensive training and proper weaponry, whereas regular men could only hope to accomplish this in large groups. Its generally thought that a witcher is 10x physically stronger than a normal man.
		- Enhanced Running/Sprinting- Due to an extensive pre-mutation exercise program and later the mutations of the Witcher Trials, Witchers are able to run faster than normal humans beyond what can be emulated via natural training and with little to no maintaining.
		- Enhanced Stamina-

* Regenerative Healing Factor: Level 2- Witchers usually have quick(er) recovery from injuries. While not instant healing a witcher's healing time is highly unusual taking a fraction of the time to heal as well as surviving more deadly wounds possible. For example when slashed in the neck by a Striga's talons the famed witcher Geralt of Rivia it only took him a few days to heal before he was back on The Path.
	+ Minor to moderate wounds such as small cuts, bruises, and burns usually take a few seconds to fully heal, with more severe injuries like lost limbs, internal organs, and damaged nerves and cells taking minutes or hours to heal.
	+ Demi-Immortality- A Witcher's cellular senescence is drastically reduced, if not completely halted. It is unknown if a witcher has semi-immortality or a life extension as no known witcher has died of natural causes but witchers have incredibly long lifespans and prolonged youth. While each witcher is different, a witcher's known life expectancy is varied as they usually died in battle.
* Witchers' possess the ability to receive mutagenic materials from monsters and process it into their being through witcher decoctions. This allows a Witcher to take on traits and the improved conditions of the monster, this is a incredibly dangerous process so a witcher can only handle one or two decoctions at a time, as a inbred safety precaution if a witcher already has two decoctions in their system and takes a third one, the oldest decoction's effects are overwritten.
	+ Monster & Beast Physiology: By consuming witcher concoctions, a witcher is able to take on traits of the decoction's donor.

* Magic
	+ Signs- Witchers have the ability to perform simple yet incredibly versatile simple magic in the form of signs. They also develop a sixth sense that allows them to "feel" things around them, be it items of importance or people's immediate intentions. This explains their uncanny ability to track and hunt people and monsters.
		- Air Signs
			* **Aard**: **Aard** is a simple magical sign that draws from the Plane of Air or the Astral Plane (Research has so far been inconclusive about the type of Chaos particularly) that is used by witchers. The **Aard** sign is a simple magical sign used by witchers that directs a blast of telekinetic energy to stagger opponents, leaving them open for a subsequent attack. **Aard** can also blow out any existing fires, blast open poorly secured doors, or punch through cracked or damaged walls.
			* Aard Alternate Form- **Sweep**: Aard's alternate form turns it into a bubble of telekinetic energy that focuses around the witcher and expands outward with destructive force.
			* **Vintyr** is the antithesis of the Igni sign, rapidly cooling or even freezing anything the witcher touches while using the sign or in the cold wave radius.
			* Vintyr Alternate Form- Icy Squall: Vintyr's alternate form shoots a sustained stream of cold air and ice, rapidly freezing whatever it hits.
		- Fire Signs
			* **Igni**: The Igni sign is a simple magical signs that draws from the Plane of Fire that is used by witchers and causes a burst of fire that can repel and ignite opponents, as well as start fires.
			* Igni Alternate Form- **Firestream**: Igni's alternate form turns the burst of fire into a sustained stream of sparks and flames.
			* **Volun** is used to shoot bolts of plasma/lightning from the witcher's fingertips, it is an effective scare tactic tool when dealing with peasant mobs. And is an effective weapon against armored enemies.
			* Volun Alternate Form- Chain Lightning: Volun's alternate form is able to shoot a sustained bolt of lightning controlled by the witcher that can jump from enemy to enemy, the more skilled the witcher the more targets it can hit.
		- Earth Signs
			* **Quen**: The Quen sign is a simple magical sign used by witchers that draws from the Plane of Earh to form a protective field around the caster. Quen's basic ability is to cover a witcher in a basic shield that absorbs a limited amount of damage.
			* Quen Alternate Form- **Active Shield**: Quen's alternate form creates a bubble of protective energy to form around the witcher it is stronger than the original form but is more draining on the witcher and requires them to remain in place.
			* **Vorg** is similar to the Quen spell but is more specialized as it creates a barrier that the witcher can walk away from. Useful for blocking narrow passages or creating choke points to deal with group combat easier.
			* Vorg Alternate Form- Boundary: Vorg's alternate form forms a glowing line or boundary where the witcher points after casting the hand sign then tracing the line, the boundary has an effect like Aard that telekinetic throws anything that comes into contact with it that the witcher deems hostile.
		- Spirit Element Signs
			* **Yrden**: The Yrden sign is a simple magical sign used by witchers that draws from the Astral Plane to form a circular, magical trap. The trap triggers a certain number of times when traversed by a foe, causing knock back, damage, and a chance of inflicting ailments on its targets Most foes that wander into the ring are significantly slowed, though some monsters are unaffected by it. Yrden is one of the witchers best tools for controlling multiple enemies in melee range. It's also particularly valuable for witchers when up against Noonwraiths and Nightwraiths, who remain incorporeal most of the time unless caught within a Yrden circle.
			* Yrden Alternate Form- **Magic Trap**: Yrden's alternate form creates a stationary glyph of magical energy that strikes at and slows down hostile forces within a certain radius, as well as destroys and projectiles that happen to pass through that radius. Multiple Magic Traps can be placed down at once by experienced Witchers.
			* **Hatri** (Hate-reflecting sign): Hatri is a telempathic sign which reflects the opponent's hate, bloodlust and hunger back to its source, making the monster afraid.
			* **Heliotrope**: **Heliotrop** or **Heliotrope** is a magical sign used by Witchers. It is made by crossing one's wrists, as well as interlocking ones pinkies and works as a buffer against physical attacks, combat magic and impacts with walls, ground etc. Contrary to Quen, which is active until broken or dispelled, the Heliotrop is active only for a moment and cushions from a single powerful attack or damage.
			* **Somne** is a simple magical sign used by Witchers. It is used to put the target to sleep, and may possibly also leave them open to some form of suggestion.
			* **Shadi** is used to temporarily turn its caster intangible, the user can specify whether they fall through the ground as well, allowing for better mobility and the ability to avoid being trapped or barricaded against ones will.
			* Shadi Alternate Form- Invisibility: Shadi's alternate form is able to cloak a Witcher in a field of light refractive magic rendering the Witcher temporary invisible to human sight. It does not negate scent, sound, or any of the other senses.
		- Water Signs
			* **Axii**: The Axii sign is a simple magical sign used by Witchers that draws power from the Plane of Water that can charm an opponent's mind to stun them, temporarily eliminating them from combat. However, the stun effect disappears after seven seconds or when the target receives harmed. This sign can be used by Witchers to calm their mounts or on people to gain information or benefits. This sign can usually only affect one person at a time and its effects are visible to other people in the vicinity.
				+ Brainwashing/Compulsion
			* Axii Alternate Form- **Puppet**: Axii's alternate sign forces an enemy to temporarily become an ally and fight on your side during a conflict for a short time as well as boosting their physical abilities for the duration of the conversion.
				+ Mind Domination
			* **Moahk** is capable of magically creating water, or shooting a wave of water at a target. A good preparation sign to use before Volun. Witchers can use this sign in survival scenarios like in the desert to conjure water.
			* Moahk Alternate Form- Torrent: Moahk's alternate form blasts a forceful torrent of water from the witcher's hand, the pressure can be adjusted by focusing more magic through the Sign. It can be used as a peasant mob deterrant, to put out fires or with enough skill and magic poured into it to cut through objects.
* Alchemy: A brewing process for making potions, oils, decoctions, etc of the witcher trade.
	+ Witcher Potions- Using alchemy **Birexxi** is able to brew potions which have calculated effects on Witchers but are toxic to most other mortals.
		- TBD
	+ Witcher Decoctions- Using alchemy **Birexxi** is a able to brew decoctions which are a stronger type of Witcher potion often using monster parts as ingredients, and have stronger effects. Only a few decoctions at a time can be used at once as they are much stronger than conventional Witcher potions.
		- TBD
	+ Weapon Oils- Using the alchemical process and using dog or bear fat as a base **Birexxi** is able to brew oils to coat his swords in to deal more damage to certain types of beings and creatures.
		- TBD
	+ Bomb Recipes- Through alchemy **Birexxi** was able to make bombs with different effects.

## Equipment

* Witcher's Griffin Medallion: **Birrexi's** Griffin-head Witcher medallion.
* Griffin School Armor: Striking a balance between protection and flexibility, the armor crafted for Witchers of the Griffin School was reflective of its teachings. Constructed around a thigh-length padded golden-dyed gambeson overlaid with studded leather, the few steel splints used to reinforce its sleeves were shaped and imbued with runes which intensified the power of the wearer's signs, well-suited to the Griffin School's emphasis on the Signs.
	+ Bandolier: A heavy leather belt slung over Birrexi's shoulder, it held potion vials and held the sheath for Birrexi's current equipped sword.
* Meteorite steel sword: **Birrexi's** Steel Sword. A surprisingly light and tough meteorite metal sword with a multi-colored sheen.
* Hand crossbow: A small 'pistol' style crossbow that can be fired one-handed and easily reloaded. A similar model was used by School of the Crane Witchers during their first years in the Western Continent.
	+ Bolt quiver: A quiver of crossbow bolts of various types that **Birrexi** uses to hunt monsters and the occasional human.
* Bomb pouch: A pouch which **Birrexi** keeps her supply of bombs in.
* **Birrexi's** horse: was equipped with cavalry saddle and military saddlebags. When not in use on the Path **Birrexi** kept her other sword and most of her gear in it's saddlebags
	+ The Striga (Mastercrafted): **Birrexi's** silver sword.
	+ Journal : Like any other witcher, **Birrexi** keeps a journal. Where she goes pointing out important facts and other things, like confrontations with monsters, etc.. A part of the journal is also a bestiary where **Birrexi** further develops her research into the creatures she faces. In addition to drawing them.
	+ Silver chain : Used to combat and bind monsters such as strigas, and werewolves.
	+ Map of the Northen Kingdoms and the Nilfgaardian Empire.
	+ Alchemy Set: A kit containing numerous bottles, and other brewing equipment for use in alchemy.

## Witcher Achievements

* Beasts Slain:
	+ N/A
* Cursed Ones Slain/Curses broken:
	+ N/A
* Draconids Slain:
	+ N/A

* Elementa Slain:
	+ N/A
* Humans/Non-humans Slain:
	+ N/A

* Hybrids Slain:
	+ N/A

* Insectoids Slain:
	+ N/A

* Necrophages Slain:
	+ N/A
* Ogroids Slain:
	+ N/A

* Relicts Slain:
	+ N/A

* Specters Slain:
	+ N/A

* Vampires Slain:
	+ (x1) {1205-**Hunted by a Katakan**}

## Trivia

* The Trial of the Pendulum is inspired by this post in The Witcher Amino.
* The Trial of Rememberance is inspired by this post in The Witcher Amino.
* The Trial of the Stone Wall is inspired by this post in The Witcher Amino.
* The Trial of the Contract is inspired by this post in The Witcher Amino.

## Notes

* Birrexi is a pure fanon creation as such there is no official proof of her existence in the Witcher works outside the fanon community.