Severa Hart

### Family

Elras Sey'renn ✝ (Father), Sylene Tai'ri ✝ (Mother), Lancelot Hart ✝ (Adoptive Father), Khalia Va'renn Hart (Sister), Vane Sey'lai Hart (Brother)

### Race

Shapeshifter (lion)

Severa Ave'ri Hart, also known as "The Beast Knight" was the firstborn heir of shapeshifter Nei'khani tribe Chieftan, Elras Sey'renn, and the adoptive daughter to Lancelot Hart of the Bastian Royal Guard. She was responsible for training Sibir Tavaran and served as a Royal Knight before being appointed Grandmaster by King Aegis Tavaran.

During the night of the Aegis Tavaran's assassination in an event known as the Second Son's Coup, Severa aided in the escape of Princess Serena Tavaran, which would later spark rebellion and the beginning of Bastian Civil War. Formerly a Grandmaster of Bastia, she later became Captain of the rebel group The Cavaliers of Aegis. She is known for her swordsmanship and was a heroic figure prior to the civil war, but became infamous for killing Elan the Golden Spur and was perceived to be executed in the eyes of the Bastian populace.

## Appearance

Severa is lithe and athletic with a pale complexion and many scars earned during tourneys and times of war. The most notable scar is one that stretches from below her jawline up to the precipice of her left cheekbone, inflicted by Elan Albright during the Bastian Civil War. Her eyes are emerald and hair wild platinum that reaches her hip.

## Personality

Severa is best known for being a hardworking, resolute warrior. While she is fiercely loyal to those she cherishes and respects, she ultimately chooses what must be done for the greater good over her own wishes. She holds her moral code close to her heart and seeks justice for those who are wronged, knowing the price that must be paid. The most difficult thing for Severa to recover from is the betrayal of someone close. Trust is not easily earned from her, making it nearly impossible to regain if it's taken advantage of. Dishonesty and cowardice are also traits not well received by Severa.

Despite her stoic demeanor, Severa is kind hearted and more sensitive than she lets on. She is content to see her loved ones happy and safe, and will do anything for them to remain that way. Severa longs for a peaceful life and for those she cares for to live without fear.

## Biography

Severa was born in the northwest region of Bastia, the first child of three and the eldest daughter of the Chieftain, Elras Sey'renn. The "Ferall Nei'khan," or simply "Nei'khani" was known primarily for the abundance of carnivore/predator shifters, their physical prowess, and being one of the least nomadic groups of shapeshifters. Severa first took her animal form before she could even walk, and begun rigorous training as soon as she could wield a blade. She was still a child at the time of the Nei'khani Massacre, an event that eliminated nearly all of the Nei'khani shapeshifting tribe due to mass poaching.

Severa was able to escape with her mother, Slyene Tai'ri, and two younger siblings to the human city of Chalgrove. They took shelter in a room above a pub while her mom worked late nights to provide. Knowing almost none of the human tongue and already an outcast, it was difficult to find work in the city. They scraped by, but after half a year passed, Slyene fell ill and died, unable to afford or contact humans with medicinal knowledge.

The three shapeshifter children then lived on the streets, which resorted to stealing. Eventually, they were discovered. A worker caught Severa's sister by the arm as she snatched something off a table in the market. Before she could jump at the man to give her sister a chance, a knight stepped in. A royal knight from the castle by the name of Lancelot Hart. He spoke to the shopkeeper and settled the matter for them; soon realizing their situation, Lancelot took in Severa and her siblings as if his own. Severa would go on to aspire to be a knight like him. She stayed on the path of knighthood throughout adolescence, despite her use of tribal fighting techniques initially being criticized by her comrades and superiors, as well as there being underlying prejudiced towards her race.

After many years of training and servitude to the crown she proved her loyalty and strength to the King, and so, she was knighted. Beloved by both the royalty and the public, Severa was revered for her efforts in protecting the kingdom and her tourney accomplishments. As one of King Aegis' most trustworthy, Severa was later tasked with the training and protection of his children, and promoted to Grandmaster. She was also noted to be very close to another admirable knight of Bastia, Varrik Ze'ev.

During the Second Son’s Coup, Severa rescued Serena Tavaran from her attacker and fled Chalgrove. As the Captain of the Cavaliers of Aegis, she was soon wanted for treason once Sibir Tavaran ascended the throne, and later taken captive during the final battle of the Bastian Civil War. The King Sibir staged an execution for her crimes, but Severa remained alive in an isolated prison for several months before her disappearance.

## Powers and Abilities

As a shifter, Severa can change into her animal form, a lioness, at will:

* heightened senses (both forms)
* increased defense (animal form - pelt)
* steel-like claws/fangs (animal form)
* increased strength, speed, agility (both forms)
* focused shifting (only shifting specific body parts fully or partially)

She also possesses a spell book in her native tongue that has been partially destroyed, containing a spell to speak with animals and purify blood from poison, among other minor incantations.

## Weapons and Skills

#### **Weapons/Armor**

Severa wields two rapiers gifted to her by Lancelot Hart upon reaching knighthood, and is skilled in melee, hand to hand, and some ranged combat. She uses a mix of formal Bastian knight training and tribal shifter techniques, and is most proficient with axes or light blades, such as her rapiers, Ilstarian scimitars, or spears/javelin. She typically wears lightweight plate and leather armor for increased mobility, which has also been heavily enchanted to shift with her body.

#### **Skills**

* fluent in Nei'khani
* fluent in High and Low Bastian
* intermediate level of Språket
* sewing and basic leatherwork and embroidery
* apothecary
* military strategy
* hunting, tracking, climbing, spearfishing

## Miscellaneous

* Severa has a hatred of fire magic due to trauma associated with the Nei'khani Massacre.
* Her right ear is pierced and she wears a jade earring crafted from her mother's ring at all times.
* Severa enjoys teaching the children of the Steppe clans and is a mentor figure to Corrin Talvi.

FC artist: shilin