Cervin

Cervin shortly before disappearing

### Status

Missing, last sighting according to folklore sources, in 1373, in the Magpie Forest in Temeria

## Political Information

### Profession

Witcher
 Slave
Gladiator ( indirectly )

### Affiliation

School of the Bear
Hansa of Ebbing

### Alias(es)

Cervin "The Half-elf"
 Cervin of Caduch
Cervin "The Blue Bear"
Cervin "The White"
Cervin of Ebbing

## Relationships

### Father

Unknown
Jhaqo of Nazair ( father figure )

### Lover(s)

Camellia
Herna of Gemmeria
Runa
Nadine
Sayu ( since, 1353 )

### Other

Unknown apprentice ( possibly adopted son )

**Cervin**, also known as **Cervin "The Half-elf"**, **Cervin of Caduch**, **Cervin**, **Cervin "The Blue Bear"**, due to his atypical behavior compared to other members of his school, **Cervin "The White"**, because of the albino color of his hair, or **Cervin of Ebbing**, was a witcher from the School of the Bear, who became a semi-mythical figure in the folklore of Ebbing and its surroundings, thanks to his adventures with the so-called Hansa of Ebbing.

## Early life

### Birth

Cervin, was the son of Dirgelech and an elven woman, of Aen Woedde origin, named Ainsel who emigrated from Nilfgaard to Basilia in search of a better life. She was hired as a servant to this nobleman, and as the months went by, they fell in love and married. This was a rare occurrence on the island, which caused a lot of controversy and was one of the motivations for Dirgelech's attempt to seize power and finally, many years later, his success.

Because of this marriage, Basilia's council of nobles was about to banish him for committing what was known on the island as *"crimes against purity"*, motivated by the king of the time, who gave his approval to the idea.

Tensions grew as time went on, and this resulted in the then young Dirgelech taking up his personal army and attempting a coup d'état to become king and change these aberrant traditions. This was a failure and Dirgelech ended up in prison, until 1272, when he was released by a group of rebels, who appointed him leader and helped him to achieve his goal after 24 years behind bars.

But this success was only partial, for during her time in prison, Ainsel was attacked and harassed, which eventually led to her death by public execution, but not before leaving her newborn son drifting in a basket in the sea, hoping that the ocean would give him a quick death, lest he be killed or worse, tortured, by the islanders.

After Dirgelech learned of this once he became king, it is this that would lead him to want to commit public executions against the overthrown royal family as a form of revenge.

### Salvation

Perhaps because of the calmer waters near Basilia, perhaps because of the wind, perhaps because of the gods or perhaps because of Destiny, Cervin managed to survive *( Depending on the tale taken into account, more or less time )* and saved by the witcher of the School of the Bear, Jhaqo of Nazair, who was doing work at sea for the people of the islands when he found the baby. Adopting him and taking him with them to make him one of their own.

Historians speculate that if the school had not gone through its expulsion and subsequent recapture of its fortress, it is likely that the baby would have died in the ocean, due to the Bears' coldness and no strong need for new members.

## As a pupil at the School of the Bear

Apart from their physiological differences, Cervin stood out during his time at the Bear School for his general theoretical knowledge in different areas *(since, due to his sickly nature, he did not excel in the physical area for a long time)*.

### ( The complicated ) relationship with Jhaqo

The relationship with his teacher and, to some extent, adoptive father, had many features typical of Bears training. Coldness, hardness and aloofness which were accompanied by greater challenges, because the witcher, not wanting to give up, wanted to pull it off, despite his illnesses and his atypical nature for a Bear.

Which, due to Jhaqo's raising, led Jhaqo to unwittingly commit physical and psychological abuse against Cervin in an attempt to turn him into a good witcher who would overcome the low expectations that everyone, except Jhaqo and his mother figure, had of him.

### Situation with his colleagues during that time

The situation with his colleagues was not good. He was bullied because he was sick and half elf. Since, of Cervin's generation, the vast majority were human. This led to a certain misanthropy in him, which appeared from time to time and condemned him to a great loneliness, which was only alleviated when he met the Hansa of Ebbing. Still, his more sensitive nature made him more approachable than the average witcher's apprentice.

### Relationships with other witchers from ( and not ) his school

Due to his difficult childhood and his more sensitive nature than the other witchers of his school. Cervin tended to be more approachable and accessible. Still, he was someone who found it hard to trust people (especially after his relationship with Herna of Gemmeria) and had few lasting bonds (unlike many other bears), most notably his friendship with Ivo of Bellhaven and the Hansa of Ebbing.

Regarding other witchers, similar to his only friend at the school, he tended to avoid them and returned little to Haern Caduch. He respected witchers like Griffins and Wolves, hated Cats and Vipers and, according to popular songs, he even had confrontations with them for "ruining" his profession.

## First contract

It is not known which was his first contract as such. There are several different versions, according to the folklore of Ebbing, Toussaint and Gemmeria. But the most widely accepted version is that in his first job as a witcher, he confronted an exotic demon / genie known as Guayota which, depending on the source, is said to have come from Mukila or the Varuta Islands through trade and similar to a Dao, was able to manipulate the earth, in its case, to provoke volcanic activity. It is said that it was this creature that left a burn scar on one of his hands. And although there are records of earthquakes at that time, it has not been proven that they were caused by the being ***Cervin*** is said to have encountered early in his career.

## Impact of the Second Nilfgaardian War on his life ( 1268 )

This period is the most unknown of Cervin's history, mainly because of the scarcity of sources that are not myths. Unlike his childhood, which we have largely documented, due to Jhaqo's diaries and the Bear School archives.

It is known that he did not live the beginning of the war, but the end. For, unlike his other classmate with similar characteristics, did not graduate at the beginning of that year, but a little later. We also know for sure, his presence in Temeria, where he saved a village from being devoured by monsters, thanks to records *( We do not know for sure which ones, there are different versions of the story and in the invoice found, the name of the monsters are illegible )* **Although the most widely accepted theory is that they were Nilfgaardian soldiers from a special unit who were therianthropes.**

It is likely that the end of the war affected him to some extent and made him lonelier than he was, which would lead to somewhat complicated relationships in the future.

## Adventures before meeting the Hansa

### Camellia "The Bastard" ( 1268 )

The only thing that is known for sure is that she was the first woman the witcher was with. A half-Elf redhead prostitute from Kerack. According to legends, she was the direct descendant of the elves who inhabited the region. More specifically, from its leader, the same one who had the famous lighthouse built in its capital.

Due to the lack of sources, it is not possible to clarify what happened to the kingdom during the period from the 13th to the 16th century. Some say that the kingdom fell during the Third Nilfgaardian War and became part of Cidaris and eventually, the witcher got the former prostitute to become governor. If we listen to the more romantic legends of Ebbing. These say that Camellia eventually became queen with Cervin's help and that the kingdom became a prosperous place of coexistence between humans and non-humans.

What we do know for sure, however, is that this kingdom and its capital were destroyed in the mid-14th century during the Haaki Invasion. This meant that any reliable sources of information that might have been available to confirm certain facts were lost.

### Meeting Herna 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.

### An unusual alliance ( 1272 )

One of the most unknown legends of Cervin is the one that supposedly happened in 1272. It was compiled in the second volume of *Fairy Tales and Stories* almost miraculously, as it was popular only in a small village in Ebbing, and only with the elderly. Being used to convey to young people, the value of being pragmatic.

The story tells of a supposed alliance between Cervin and a witcher from the School of the Cat, known as Novikov. After both were hired by the same person to do the same job. But instead of competing, they decided to team up. For this work was supposed to be the beginning of a larger vampire conspiracy that plagued the region.

There are references to such a vampire conspiracy in other later Cervin stories, which even involved Brianna. But nothing, which makes reference to his alliance with the Cat. This leads us to suppose that perhaps there is no truth in this myth and that it was created to fill in the gaps around the legend of the vampire conspiracy that took place in the Nilfgaardian province.

### Trip 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.

### The Nazair Incident ( 1275 )

A fact, like many others, between truth and legend. For there are only records of how Saov and his allies were captured and escaped, but not how they did it.

This event took place in Nazair, during the period known as the Witch Hunts. According to the folklore of Ebbing, more specifically to the song "The Freedom of Souls", author unknown. Cervin is said to have freed a group of Scoia'tael, led by the elf Saov, which were to be burned. There are several versions of the song, with different endings to the story. The most popular one says that the "liberation" ended in a fire, which purified the capital of the Nilfgaardian province.

## Relationship with Herna of Gemmeria ( 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.

## Depression and suicide attempts

After his disastrous relationship with the sorceress. **Cervin**, he fell into a deep depression, caused by her toxic behaviors *(although other factors also played a role, such as his complicated past and the subjection to mutagens and some extra tests during his youth, which may have altered his mind a little)* in which, similar to others in his guild *( like Merten )*, he turned to alcoholism *( although, due to his mutant nature, he did not become addicted)* which led him to get into various problems, which only worsened his mental health, to the point that, as he did when he was 14 years old, he attempted suicide. One with an overdose of alcohol and the other with potion intoxication.

Both times being saved by Brianna and Runa. Who also helped him to get out of that dark period of his life. Thus reinforcing the friendship they both had.

## Meeting Runa ( 1271 )

It is not known for sure how and when the two met. But according to the most common version, which was composed by the bard known as Wurz the Blind. The two were supposedly in The Red Crow tavern in Lyria, when a group of bandits tried to rob it.

The witcher and a group of other clients defended the place, with Cervin being the one who killed most of the bandits, thanks to his reflexes and the fact that he was drunk. Among them was a young woman named Runa ( a Grigori in disguise, according to different theories ) Due to the protagonist's drunkenness, he was not able to talk to the young woman, but the two ended up exchanging looks and the bard says that at that moment, the mutual attraction was born.

## The Nilfgaardian Arena

After being sold into slavery. Cervin spent approximately one month in the combat arena in the capital of the empire. Fighting combats, in the name of the slave-owning family Aep Brelchlohn until the grand final, where he would team up with Brianna Vassermiller, recently acquired due to the betrayal of Zeus Burkhan Khaldun. Sorcerer of Haaki origin, related to the Great Khan, ex-partner of the sorceress, and cause of the Haaki Invasion of 1350.

In the arena, they fought in a spectacle that would combine not only fights against other gladiators, some of them very well known, but also naval battles, fights against monsters, and fights on difficult terrain (like water), all this with the help of some sorcerers who made it possible due to the technical difficulties. With so much spectacle, due to the fact that it was not only the final, but also the presence of important figures such as the emperor himself, Emhyr var Emreis. Finally winning the 100th annual Nilfgaard gladiatorial tournament, taking the title of champions and buying their freedom with the prizes awarded.

Two statues were to be built in their honour. But Cervin's statue was lost over time, and only Brianna's statue was found during excavations in 1850.

## Traveling with Brianna Vassermiller

It is known, that once they both got out of being gladiators, they traveled together for a while. And it was during that period that they began to assemble what would become known as the Hansa of Ebbing.

There are hardly any stories and legends from this period, but on the other hand, its more real impact can be ascertained. Since, during this same time in which both traveled together, events happened, such as the so-called "Purge of the Swamps". Which consisted of ending many problems of political corruption that plagued this region.

There are no records of who were the authors, who made those changes, which gave one of the Golden Ages that this territory of Nilfgaard had. But many speculate that it could have been these two semi-mythical figures in their beginnings as a group.

## Creating the Hansa of Ebbing

There are many versions of how this group, which would become part of people's collective mind, came into being. The only thing that the different tales agree on is the order in which their members joined.

The first ones being Brianna and Cervin. Followed by August a Higher Vampire, allegedly belonging to the Ammurun tribe although other versions, such as those of Gemmeria or Toussaint, give him a different origin, such as that he came from the Tdet. He was also duke, subordinate to the Vassermiller family with territories near the border with Maecht, dedicated to protecting it so that the small skirmishes that arose between this province of Metinna and Ebbing would not escalate. One of the most popular stories says that Brianna and Cervin met him during one of these skirmishes. While they were on their way to Tir Tochair to get the witcher a new steel sword, since the original one had been stolen. Shortly after, Aëte joined the group. After moving further into the interior of the province, and being ambushed by Aen Woedde that were being pursued by mercenaries hired by the corrupt elite of Ebbing to rob them of supposed mythical riches, such as the philosopher's stone, and being saved thanks to the fact that Brianna, knew the elf, since her teenage years.

Much later, from Tir Tochair. Some say on his own initiative, others say it was a contract offered by the leaders of one of the gnomic communes ( due to an alleged espionage and robbery by the dwarves of the Cianfanelli Clan ) who had hired a "monster", the group headed to Nazair more specifically, to its capital Nova Assengard ( city started to be built and founded a little further north of the old city that was destroyed during the conquest of Nilfgaard ) where they met the succubus known as Coshunee.

The three most popular versions say that he was causing a lot of trouble in the city, and that even before the anti-witcher edict was lifted, they let Cervin pass because of that. It is said, that he and August managed to convince her, and after that, she traveled with them and the other members. The other version is the one that relates everything to the supposed contract received in Tir Tochair and says that Coshunee was a spy sent by the dwarves with the intention of stealing the manufacturing methods of the gnomish swords to send them to Mahakam by order of the Cianfanelli and that the group caught her, but took pity on her and invited her to join. And the last one, the most used by the bards, is that of a supposed secret romance, which started between the witcher and her, which began in that city, after solving the problems he caused, and was supposedly only known to Brianna. With similar reasons to those of the second most known version. This version, however, has been discredited by most scholars of the myth, due to the popularity and presence of the character of Runa in other stories. Concluding that, it was something invented by the bards, just to give more drama to her death, due to the supposed evidence, of Bear's armor fabric, found in her tomb, during archaeological excavations.

The only thing that made scholars "take into account" this last version was that it explicitly mentions that Coshunee belonged to the subspecies of succubi with a more human appearance and not with the famous "goat's feet", just like succubi named Vara, which, in the end, turned out to be true.

The last to arrive was Elia Aep Bullogh a bard, of Ebbingian origin, who joined the group, in the year 1276, during their journey to Vinland. And being killed by Erzsébet Bathory the so-called "Red Duchess", becoming one of its latest victims. Her work was preserved, it is said, thanks to August, who sent copies of her compositions and lyrics to the Imperial Archives in Nilfgaard.

An accurate description of what it was like, was given by Putnam Pitch, during several of interviews he had after retiring as a teacher from the School of the Crane ( due to being one of the oldest known persons, only behind Adalwulf of Aedirn and some sorcerers ). Who met her in 1275, thus allowing songs as well known as The Eagle and the Cat (a ballad about the romance of Putnam and Tubiel) to be created.

Other notable works were The Blue Bears ( a song about Cervin ) which has served as one of the most reliable descriptions of the mutant. Followed by that of the poet Eurico de Jugo, also chronicler of Brianna's Sister's reign. All that glitters is not gold ( a ballad about Aëte ), and They won't move us (a children's song, about some kids who didn't want to get off a fishing boat in Ebbing) which became extremely popular, and for a long time, due to so many versions, it was considered anonymous.

Based on the ballads, some temporary members were Runa (although it is said that she was more attached to Cervin), Saov ( the rebel elf that Cervin met some time ago and with whom Brianna is said to have had an affair ), Svetlana ( a sorceress, who is said to have learned to wield the ability to stand between the world of the living and the dead. Although only a legend, there are records of her name, but not this ability) and on which, the histories that have lasted over time, do not agree, whether it was with the Hansa of Ebbing, only with Cervin or with both. And finally, Ekkeg, a rare Coral Troll turned into a slave, which the Hansa of Ebbing freed. Brought by Zangvebarian traders accompanied by his pet wombat to serve as cheap labor in the mines and a rarity to exhibit. The stories tell that everyone adopted him and took care of him, as if he were their little brother, until finally, he became a legendary trader, along with his exotic pet. Thus recovering the color of the corals he carried on his back. For many years, his existence was denied, until the bones of his pet were found in the ruins of Garden Tower, one of the known residences of the Scarlet Sorceress.

## Adventures with the Hansa

### The Red Duchess of Vinland ( 1276 )

The **Hansa of Ebbing**'s adventures were many. But none of them, were so famous as their encounter with the Red Duchess of Vinland. A Nosferatu vampire, who had hidden in the nobility, as the wife of one of the dukes of Vinland, and who had murdered many people.

There are three versions of what happened:

The first one says that the **Hansa of Ebbing** was hired by a group of nobles, who were being persecuted by the duchess, to save a young woman who she was going to be killed.

The second one says that they were hired by a group of villagers who were being persecuted by the duchess, and that they saved a young woman who she was going to turn into a vampire **( this is for sure, the false version, since, vampires are unable to convert others )**

The third one, is that they were hired by a group of villagers who were being persecuted by the duchess, and that they saved a young woman who she was going to be killed. But that this one was the bastard daughter of a nobleman and the only one who survived a massacre.

The three versions agree that after defeating the duchess and killing her, from that moment, they were considered heroes by the people of Vinland.

### The Ebbing Killer ( 1280 )

The Ebbing Killer is one of the least likely myths surrounding the Hansa to have occurred. It is said to have been a series of murders, which took place in the summer of that year. Which the Hansa of Ebbing investigated, due to the enormous number of deaths they left behind and accidentally led the group to travel to the distant land of Barsa. More specifically to Marad. There they discovered that the assassin had been sent by a group of rebels, with the intention of murdering nilfgaardian nobles who were summering in the province and thus weakening the power of the empire-occupied lands of Barsa and liberating them.

### The Malakian Curse ( 1285 )

Although there are records that there was, as such, an epidemic of people trapped in nightmares in Ebbing during those years. There are no records of how it was resolved.

Official sources say, by sorcerers sent by the emperor himself. But if we go to folklore, especially to myths and legends, the Hansa of Ebbing appears again, in another of its journeys. On this occasion, even crossing the sea, to reach the Far South. More specifically to the region of the Free Lands and in these, to the kingdom of Malaki.

According to this version of the story, we do have, as such, an origin of the curse. Since it would be a curse placed by the king of Malaki, after his daughter was raped by an Ebbinger mage during her studies in the Nilfgaardian Empire. Enraged, he cast a curse, that by such humiliation of his daughter, he would plunge the whole of Nilfgaard into an eternal nightmare from which they would never awaken. That, as if it were a disease, would spread.

Then, the Hansa of Ebbing, for their services to the empire, performed five years earlier, would be sent there. There, they would confront the king, who would force them to help them with different problems their nation had in exchange for lifting the curse.

This can be verified, with Malakis sources. Although there, only the stories of Brianna in political intrigues and Cervin, under the name of **Fík** ( like in Melukka ) together with August ( depending on the story ) dealing with monsters such as the curse one known as Zahhak, the Urmen and the huge Aidakhar have survived.

### Death of Coshunee ( 1296 )

It was the first step in the gradual disappearance of the group. Although they had been together for a long time, by the end of the 13th century, they had been separated for a few months. Solving different issues of a more personal nature, this caused the succubus of the group to be pursued by a witcher (it is believed to be from the School of the Viper, although others speak of the School of the Rat or the School of the Fox) and was killed after a contract that was placed on her. So by the time the group tried to reunite, it was too late for her.

This affected them badly, causing a split, and a longer separation. With Aëte and **Cervin** going on one side and Brianna and August on the other. Aëte trying to stop Cervin from avenging her friend, and Brianna doing the same with August, who, for the first time in a long time, was enraged. Eventually, Cervin would find the person responsible, and along with other stories, this is said to be where his bad relationship with the Cats and the Vipers came from. Although the identity of the witcher who murdered her friend, and his school of belonging, has never been proven.

### Wars of the Two Unicorns ( 1309 - 1318 )

Only as tavern stories, but it is said that **Cervin** was in Kaedwen during the conflict. Although, only exercising his work, and eliminating plagues of ghouls that occurred due to the high death rate of the conflict. Since, the null presence of witchers there, especially of the extinct School of the Wolf, made that, there were more opportunities in Kaedwen of work.

### Death of August ( 1311 )

In the year 1311, for unknown reasons, probably another Higher Vampire and as part of the vampire conflicts in Ebbing. August would be assassinated, this would cause the reduction of the Hansa of Ebbing to only three members, causing them to meet from time to time, but they were no longer as united as before.

Making the remnants of the Hansa of Ebbing move to live in the so-called Garden Tower, where Brianna remained there until the end of her days, dying shortly after the so-called The Great Demon Age in Ebbing. In some stories, it is said after committing suicide, falling prey to the control of Yrrhedes after her studies in Goetia and Chasm Magic failed. While others say that he died at the hands of his battle brother, **Cervin**. Who, after several years, returned to the Continent and found himself in that situation, confronting her and also dying with her.

### Mythical period ( 1311 - 1350 )

This period of Cervin is the one for which we have the least certainty about his activities. From this, stories arise, such as the supposed meeting with Nimue in the year 1373 which appears in Ebbing folklore only. Giving credits in other stories to Geralt of Rivia and in some regions, such as Nazair and Aedirn, to Adalwulf of Aedirn.

Other stories also place him solving the famous vampire conspiracy of Ebbing, a conflict in the shadows, between the Van Moorlehem and the Van Der Ermius vampire families for the control of the duchy of Neveugen after August's death. Essentially, for racist reasons, since a human like Brianna Vassermiller had taken control after inheriting the title of duchess and her responsibilities.

It is assumed that it was also during this period that the witcher met the sorceress Nadine, with whom he had a healthier relationship than with Herna. And according to many stories, they adopted a son, who would be trained to become another witcher of the School of the Bear.

And the craziest stories have him back traveling to Melukka, for different reasons.

## The Haaki Invasion ( 1350 )

Key event in the history of the Northern Kingdoms and the northern provinces of the Nilfgaardian Empire and its vassal states.

Unlike other witchers, who would eventually be considered as very important figures. Such as Putnam Pitch, founder of one of the firsts schools of witchers in the Western Continent and one of the last members of the extinct School of the Wolf, Adalwulf of Aedirn. Cervin's participation was less "popular" and more "modest". He participated, essentially because of what the songs say, because of The Hansa of Ebbing and his appreciation for the province.

During the first phases of the invasion, he was active on the Ebbian Front. Where he saved the lives of several soldiers. Later, with the advance of the invasion and the creation of the Northern United Front, he participated in several important battles as part of different cavalry divisions of the various governments that joined.

His most remarkable participations were in the cavalry division of Ebbing's army and in the army of Dol Blathanna. Which, according to several historians, would suggest that due to these actions, he was accepted among the elves and would later leave with them.

In battles, he is known to have been present in the initial defeats during the spring of 1350 and in the final battle at Mahakam. There are some legends that he may have met Adalwulf of Aedirn and Putnam Pitch, but probably, they are just that, legends.

## Marching with the elves ( 1353 )

When the Second Conjunction arrived. For unknown reasons *(although some historians speculate that it was a failure to adapt to changes in the world)*. Cervin decided to leave along with the large number of elves who also decided to leave The Continent in search of a new sphere in which to prosper.

Which, along with Aëte's departure as well, would eventually lead to what would become known as The Great Demon Age in Ebbing at the hands of Brianna Vassermiller.

## Alleged stories in Chinvat (1353 / 1 )

The stories that are known about Cervin in this new world are nothing more than legends and tales, whose veracity and how they reached the Continent are unknown. It is speculated, though, that they may have come to know each other in a similar way to the way the testimonies presented in the book Between Worlds were recorded. Probably through the discovery of a portal or the practice of Goetia.

These stories tell of how the witcher travelled the world, helping the elves to settle down, defeating monsters and all types of abominations born of the so-called *The Plague*. Along with the help of his lover, the Fallen Star known as Sayu till they found Marbas and defeated him, thus ending the source of *The Plague* and giving the elves the opportunity to prosper more easily and make their civilisation shine again.

## Personality

Cervin's personality shared some traits with his witcher counterparts from the Bear School. Essentially, their introversion and the fact that they were solitary. But at the same time, due to factors such as his childhood illnesses, the discrimination he suffered during his training, plus the fact that he did not fit the Bears' standards and some genetic factors, he was much more sensitive. He even cultivated an artistic vein, with the help of the Haern Caduch druids. Also, prior to his disastrous relationship with Herna, he was somewhat naive and innocent ( More in a childish sense, than in a chivalrous or noble one )

That naivety and innocence, would transform into cynicism and coldness for many years, but eventually he would leave that aside and become someone serious and pragmatic with a good heart, which he would leave excessively protected, so as not to suffer what he suffered with the sorceress ( All this transformation was due, in large part, to the influence of Brianna and the Hansa of Ebbing on him.)

## Physical appearance

This was key to his friendship with Ivo. Like him, he is an atypical Bear School witcher. He does not possess their average height and his body more robust. Instead, he has a standard size and a more athletic and agile body, closer to a witcher of the Wolf, Cat or Fox school. Yet, despite this, probably due to his genetics and mutagens, he possesses quite a lot of strength, being a little above the standard witcher strength.

His mutant eyes are purple, as are witchers like Coën, due to the illnesses he suffered as a child. His allergies, added to his respiratory problems, meant that, at the time of the change, they acquired such a peculiar pigment ( *Although it can also be theorised that his elven heritage had something to do with it*)

## Legacy

Although not a founder of a school of witchers as such. Cervin's work, especially his stories, which became popular with the passage of time and spread to other regions (although they were not as popular as in Ebbing) in addition to alleged writings he left before he disappeared. He inspired later generations of witchers from the School of the Bear and the School of the Lynx to found the School of the Serval. A school of witchers, which was dedicated to helping various explorers to map the known world, defending them. Specializing in obtaining strange mutations, which could defend them from unknown creatures and monsters.

## Alleged myths about Cervin

According to Ebbing folklore, Cervin is the supposed witcher who saved the sorceress Nimue from being killed by an Idr on her way to Aretuza, being mistaken by her as Geralt of Rivia.

Another myth is of the supposed apprentice he had, a supposedly adopted son, with the sorceress Nadine. But no records have been found at the Bear School to indicate his existence.

## Far future

In the distant future, Cervin and his friends were to be mentioned in the second volume of *Fairy Tales and Stories* which would continue the work of Flourens Delannoy, but this time collecting stories from later times and from the Nilfgaardian provinces.

For a long time, it was known as just another regional myth, until later archaeological work in the ducal palace of the region proved his existence.

## Personality

Cervin's personality, similar to that of many of his fellow Bear Witchers, could be initially described as stoic, cold, and detached. However, it's important to note that he didn't quite reach the level of cynicism often presented among his peers. This demeanor had its roots in his upbringing and training as a witcher in Haern Caduch and served as an emotional shield that he had developed since childhood. Not only was he physically more frail than the other Bear Adepts after the mutations due to not being a giant but of standard size, possibly due to his elven heritage (one of the many reasons, along with the typical bear training, that he suffered from bullying), but he was also highly sensitive. In this sense, he shared some traits with other fellow witchers from his school, like Ivo of Belhaven. The key difference was that Cervin wasn't as aggressive towards his peers during his training. Instead, he displayed a more peaceful and introverted nature, almost bordering on the autistic spectrum, despite the bullying he endured.

In many ways, his personality resembled that of a bear, characterized by a rugged exterior and a gentle interior. As a result of his upbringing, he lacked social skills, which often led to him getting into trouble. He was rough and uncouth, and his honesty was so unfiltered that it sometimes came across as brutal when he expressed his thoughts. While he was solitary, as most witchers tend to be, deep down, he longed for companionship. At times, due to the weight of his experiences, he even felt "tired of life."

Fortunately, Cervin found the companionship he yearned for in the few women who entered his life, drawn to him by a unique combination of his appearance and his, ironically, brutal honesty. He also found a sense of family in the Hansa of Ebbing, who became his close allies and confidants, offering him a sense of belonging and support.

Cormac played a special role in Cervin's life at Caduch. He was another witcher who trained alongside him and eventually became his friend. Following the fall of the fortress and its subsequent reoccupation, Cormac became the main reason why Cervin returned to it every winter. Their friendship was solidified during a defining moment when they saved each other during the Trial of the Mountains. Cormac was a "noble giant" who aspired to emulate the famous School of the Wolf witcher, Geralt of Rivia, a goal that other Bear Witchers mocked as foolish. Despite not fully understanding Cormac's aspiration, Cervin supported him wholeheartedly. This deep bond with Cormac provided Cervin with a significant source of humanity for a long time in his otherwise solitary and challenging life as a witcher until he created the Hansa of Ebbing with the sorceress Brianna Vassermiller.

## Notes

* There is a rare subspecies of bear, known as the Tibetan Blue Bear. Cervin's nickname *"The Blue Bear"* refers to them. Because Cervin's behaviour is so rare and different from the other witchers of his school.
* The monsters he faced in Melukka are, as is obvious, based on Hindu mythology.
* If you want to create a tale, for the section of tales that we have in the Wiki with Cervin, you can do it. As long as you respect his lore, there is no problem.