Herna of Gemmeria

Herna of Gemmeria ( Art by Nicoleta Crivitchi / @siccada\_art )

### Deathplace

The Pit of the Scarlet Sorceress ( formerly known as Davor´s Abyss ), Mahakam,  Northern Kingdoms

## Political Information

### Affiliation

Imperial Magic Academy
 Nilfgaardian Empire
Haaki Empire ( sub-faction of the Golden Horde )

### Alias(es)

Herna Madalik Aep Glyhm
 Melukka's Viper
 Die Vrou Van Suide ( by Nilfgaardians
 Herna of Kharkiv
Ungrateful bitch ( by Cervin)
 The crazy exotic ( by Brianna Vassermiller )
 The girl more retouched than the halls of Asgard ( allegedly said by Runa )

### Nationality

Gemmerian ( half -melukkan / half - nilfgaardian )

## Relationships

### Lover(s)

A long list of male and female lovers ( rumored )
Cervin

**Herna**, **Herna Madalik Aep Glyhm**, **Herna of Kharkiv** or **Herna of Gemmeria** also nicknamed in the imperial provinces and the Northern Kingdoms as **Melukka's Viper** and known to the **Nilfgaardians** as **Die Vrou Van Suide** *(approximate translation: The Woman of the South)* was a half-Nilfgaardian, half-Melukkan sorceress born in Kharkiv, Gemmeria. Historical figure and legend, it is said that he was key in the formation of the Hansa of Ebbing due to the relationship she had with the witcher known as Cervin. She was also instrumental in the Haaki expansion during their invasion of 1350, as one of several mercenary mages hired by the Haaki Empire to lead their battles. Something that would eventually cost her, her life.

## Biography

### Early life

Daughter of a Melukkan merchant named Mohun Madalik and a painter named Nenlina Aep Glyhm (of presumed Nilfgaardian origin, moved to the court of the vassal king of Gemmeria for work)

Older sister, she stood out as one of the brightest students at the Imperial Magic Academy. Specializing in illusory magic and polyformism (the latter, due to her admiration for the sorceress and "saint" Philippa Eilhart ) graduating at the age of 18 with full honors.

Like many sorceresses, her past is shrouded in mystery, rumors and legends. Most of what is known was told by the sorceress herself and then recounted by Cervin (plus a few people who got to know her in some depth, such as Brianna Vassermiller).

Her family situation is unknown. It is known or intuited, some brushstrokes of a possible unstructured family where she was hardly cared for and was more focused on her younger sister (mainly because she was born with deformities and according to some people, she had a difficult character). According to Cervin "worse than that of an angry kikimore".

Her arrival at the Imperial Magic Academy is not known exactly. But it is believed to have been shortly after she left the Imperial Conservatory of Music, where she is recorded to have been. Nor is much known about how she behaved there. Mostly rumors, it is speculated that she may have been harassed by her classmates (of both sexes) as well as some teachers who did not see in her potential.

It is also said that during her teen years (mainly, after her magic surgery) she stood out for her promiscuity both with companions and with female companions. But this is just another rumor that has not been proven and was created to discredit her.

What is known, however, is that unlike others in her profession, she had "surgery" more than once. After graduation, she traveled around The Continent as an itinerant sorceress until she settled for a while in Toussaint.

It is also said that she lived through the height of the Witch Hunts and suffered an attempt of sexual abuse by some members of the Church of the Eternal Fire.

In addition to witnessing live the death of her idol. Which, left sequels and made her character even more complicated than it already was.

### Meeting Brianna of Vassermiller in the Imperial Magic Academy ( 1265 - 1269 )

Because of her talent, despite being from different years, Herna, as a child prodigy, was granted the honor of being advanced a few grades, which allowed her to meet The Scarlet Sorceress, despite being a few years apart. Gaining her trust and closeness, though not friendship. Offering her the forbidden texts, which years later would cause her to meet Cervin and the rest of her found family.

### Ebbing confederation insurrection ( 1265 )

News of the insurrection eventually reached Brianna's ears. And it hit her hard, because of the loss of her grandfather, who had participated in it. Added to the pro-imperial atmosphere of the academy. This caused him to suffer from bullying for a while. Herna of Gemmeria took advantage of this time to get close to her and try to corrupt her, so that she could gain access to the top echelons of power in Ebbing, replacing her to carry out a coup d'état. Something that would not happen, but would serve to inspire the mixed sorceress to aspire to more.

This rapprochement between the two sorceresses, though not friends, did cause them to become relatively close figures, writing to each other and keeping in touch through a megascope for a time. This would, ironically, have a positive influence on Brianna in the long run.

Shortly thereafter, once Brianna and Herna had graduated, they would remain in contact, with Herna even badmouthing about Cervin to the sorceress as with many other people did. Something Brianna would know firsthand, once she met the witcher in the arena.

### Meeting Cervin at the Summer festivities in Toussaint ( 1269 )

It is unknown why Cervin was in Toussaint, although the most accepted theory is that like other witchers, such as the White Wolf, Cervin passed through the valley because of the presence of regular work. Especially, dealing with creatures like basilisks in wine cellars. And perhaps, fleeing also from the Northern Kingdoms, because of the devastation caused by the war.

According to all the songs. Their first contact was when the sorceress was giving a show of illusory magic. as part of the festivities organized by the duchess, Anna Henrietta.

### Incident at Gemmeria´s Court ( 1271 )

Unlike in Ebbing, Cervin did not have a good image. This was reflected in the stories about him that survived his disappearance, which contrasted with those of the neighboring province. It is believed that this is due to his relationship with Herna and an incident that occurred in 1271, in which Cervin, tried to see the sorceress, due to the fact that they had a relationship, which could be considered at a distance.

The details of the incident are unknown, essentially due to the existence of many versions of the story (most of them negative for the witcher) with the exception of those told in Ebbing. Some speak of a possible infidelity of the sorceress, others that she was groped by Goetia, others that Cervin went mad with love, when the sorceress did not. And that turned into something unhealthy.

What is certain is that there is no consensus, nor a clear history. What makes this part of the myth of the nicknamed Blue Bear, one of the most divisive in his history.

### Trip of Cervin to Melukka to see Herna ( 1274 )

Proven by secondary sources. Like letters between Brianna Vassermiller and Herna herself, where reference is made to a witcher, in addition to documents, at the Imperial Magic Academy, that refer to the mage's subsequent attempted coup in Skellige. It is known that the witcher, traveled in that year, to the south, more specifically to the region of Melukka.

With the intention of seeing her, and even helping his beloved to the supposed negotiations he was having with important merchants, to obtain cheaper materials for Nilfgaard, since his economy suffered, with the expenses generated during the Third Northern War.

This is as far as the almost true information goes. The rest are different myths and legends, which complement the coup d'état that took place a year later, in addition to narrating the abuse that the sorceress committed against the mutant. Being its final touch, what happened in the islands.

Some folkloric stories also stand out here, which narrate the Bear's contracts against different creatures of the area, of legendary origin, such as : The battle of the river against the skolex, the confrontation in the ruins against the ajakava, the alleged encounter with the grigori known as Bhramari, his famous duel against a vitra dragon and his salvation of the race known as byangomas.

## Relationship with Cervin and attempted coup d'état in Skellige ( 1270 - 1275 )

The relationship with the sorceress was, as in many other cases throughout history, toxic. Particularly noteworthy is her manipulation, gaslighting and emotional abuse. And emotional dependency on Cervin's part. It was a stormy relationship, with many comings and goings, fights and arguments that always ended in nothing, and meant that either the relationship did not progress or it improved.

A cycle of narcissistic abuse that did not end until Cervin was sold as a future gladiator to the nilfgaardians for crimes he did not commit. By being used as a scapegoat for the attempted coup d'état that the sorceress attempted in Skellige in 1275.

According to Ebbing legends, the two met in Toussaint in the summer of 1269. While she was giving a show of illusory magic. After the show, the witcher invited her for a drink. Which ended in a night of passionate sex.

From that moment on, the sorceress stayed in Toussaint for a few months. At the end of which she returned to her life in the court of Gemmeria. And the relationship which officially started in January of 1270, became long distance.

The sorceress was a very ambitious woman. Who saw in Cervin the perfect tool to achieve her goals. She was also a very manipulative person, who knew how to take advantage of Cervin's emotional dependency.

As mentioned earlier , the relationship was full of fights, and arguments. Which ended in many breakups and reconciliations. However, the relationship lasted for five years. Until the final breakup of 1275.

The sorceress always manipulated Cervin, and she always used him for her purposes. She lied to him about her feelings, and she only used him for her sexual needs, and she made him believe that he was the only one who could make her happy. She always made Cervin believe that he was the one who was in the wrong, and she always made him believe that he was the one who needed to change.

The sorceress was a very toxic person, who always made Cervin's life a living hell. The final straw that led to the end of the relationship was the sorceress's attempted coup d'état in Skellige. The sorceress had been planning the coup for months, and she used Cervin as a scapegoat to avoid arrest, which, it worked out. While Cervin, accused of the coup that he did not commit, was arrested and sold to the Nilfgaardians as a slave. The sorceress never admitted her mistakes, and she always blamed Cervin for everything. She never accepted responsibility for her actions, and she never showed any remorse for the pain and suffering that she caused Cervin. The sorceress was a very cruel and heartless person, who never deserved Cervin's love and affection.

The relationship with the sorceress was the most toxic relationship Cervin has ever had. And it's also the relationship that has caused him the most pain.

## Far future

### Participation in the Haaki Invasion ( 1350 )

After what happened in Skellige, Herna disappeared for a long time, and there was no news of her, except very vague and confusing rumors. The most plausible ones indicate that she went to the Far East, more specifically to Haakland. Where she became a mercenary sorceress in the service of the Great Khan, as well as an advisor. Being the remarkable conquests of Zerrikania and Vineta made possible thanks to her strategies. This would earn her a place in the Golden Horde very close to the Great Khan, even more than that of some of the locals.

### Death

The facts surrounding her death are not entirely clear. It is known that it was most likely at the hands of Cervin, who pretending to help Brianna to get closer to Zeus Burkhan Khaldun encountered the sorceress as an obstacle (although that left Zeus free for Brianna) the witcher had to take care of her. It is said that it was a fairly even battle, so much so that eventually Herna herself had to try again to use her manipulation techniques on the witcher. And here, two versions are derived, the one that says that during this manipulation, Cervin kicked her and threw her into the abyss. The second one, which talks about how Herna was about to manipulate him, Runa saw this, jumped into the abyss to transform herself into her biggest possible snake version, distracting her and making Cervin kick her and fall. And the last one, which combines both versions, and also adds that she did not fall into the abyss, but was eaten by Runa.

## Trivia

* Herna was very close to her father, so she took her father's culture as a differentiating element.
* Inspired by various ethnicities and cultures of India, as well as the artist Doja Cat.