Severine Volkova
The Tempest
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"And yet she was sharp as always, armor firmly in place,
a woman who moved through the world with precision and grace, and little time for mercy."
– Leigh Bardugo
S E V E R I N E
Feminine | "Stern" | French
L U C R E Z I A
Feminine | "Wealth" | Latin
V O L K O V A
Masculine/feminine | "Wolf" | Russian
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CORE TRAITS
⎨NAME⎬
Her full name is Severine Lucrezia Volkova.
⎨ALIAS(ES)⎬
Sev is considered a fairly suitable nickname for those closest to her and once, a Drüskelle officer mockingly nicknamed her Little Raven.
⎨AGE⎬
She is 25 years old.
January 1st which makes her a Capricorn.
⎨NATIONALITY⎬
She is of Ravkan descent, born in Arkesk near the Fjerdan border.
⎨RESIDENCE⎬
She currently resides at The Little Palace in Os Alta, Ravka, alongside her fellow Grisha soldiers.
⎨OCCUPATION⎬
She is a valued Grisha general of the King's Second Army.
⎨BUILD⎬
She is gracefully built with long, slender limbs and elegant movements.
⎨COMPLEXION⎬
Her skin is alabaster-toned, without the slightest hint of either birthmarks or freckles.
⎨HEIGHT⎬
She measures 165 centimetres, but acts like she is much taller.
⎨EYES]⎬
She has heterochromia, meaning her eye colour varies depending on the light. The range goes all the way from light blue through green into hazel.
⎨HAIR⎬
Her hair is a dark shade of brown, borderline black. It falls all the way to her mid back in glossy waves.
⎨TRADEMARKS⎬
Her remarkable eyes as well as four long scars stretching from her scapulars all the way down to the small of her back. A witches mark.
⎨QUIRKS⎬
She raises her chin in a defiant way whenever she is feeling either threatened or scared.
⎨SEXUALITY⎬
She considers herself to be heterosexual, but is far too busy to consider partnership.
⎨STRENGTHS⎬
She is strong-willed, takes no bullshit from anybody, follows orders well, speaks her mind.
⎨WEAKNESSES⎬
Will never admit weakness or defeat, massive trust issues, does not ask for help, loneliness, has trouble sleeping and is often haunted by vivid dreams.
⎨LIKES⎬
Wild thunderstorms, riding on horseback, early mornings, snow under feet, having her way.
⎨DISLIKES⎬
Prejudice, traveling far from home, having her time wasted, hungry eyes, people kissing up to their superiors (her).
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BACKGROUND
"She is a thunderstorm wrapped in beautiful flesh,
looking to be felt and understood in a world that loves sunny days."
– J.m. Storm
L I T T L E xR A V E N
SHE WEARS HER TROUBLED PAST
LIKE SCARS
Severine Lucrezia Volkova is the daughter of Leonid Volkov, a humble merchant, and his wife, Darya Volkova, a seamstress and a Grisha Etherealki. She grew up in Arkesk near the Ravkan border to Fjerda, surrounded by kind, honest people and blissfully unaware of the enemy lurking just beyond the mountain peaks to the north. Her father used to tell her stories as a little girl: Of the Zemeni to the west with their sunburnt skin and endless fields of bright orange jurda-blossoms. Of the Kerch, living proudly on their small island surrounded by treasure, like self-declared kings and queens. Of the Fjerdans to the north and the Shu to the south, both proud and dangerous people with a gift for acts of war. Those were the stories that kept her up at night. But when he told her of Ravka, a country of wonder and miracles, her heart seemed to leap in her chest. Her eyes twinkled at the thought of the Little Palace in Os Alta, home of the magnificent Grisha, and she begged him to tell her of the time he was saved from drowning by a beautiful Squaller. 'Your mother was a blessing sent from the heavens,' he explained, stroking her raven hair. But even Darya could not have parted the waters, like she had done to save her husband, without faith. He made Severine promise to pray to her saints every night, because they were the ones who kept their family safe and healthy, and she did.
"Life had broken much of her, but she was there still,
persisting in the shards of her pieces."
– Atticus
The day she stopped believing was the day the Fjerdans marched on Arkesk, and she lost everything. It was the beginning of winter, and the season's first snow lay like fresh powder over the entire town like a glistening veil. The day had begun like any other; a family breakfast followed by Darya and her daughter accompanying Leonid on his way to work, Severine hoping to be treated to a hot bun from the market on the way back. They had just said their goodbyes and turned around to head home when they heard it: Wolves howling in the distance. Before they knew it, the Drüskelle descended upon them. Strong, brusque men, heavily armored and with little concern for the Ravkan's desperate pleas for mercy. No one was spared. Severine remembers being yanked away by her mother as buildings collapsed and windows shattered all around them. Misery was everywhere she looked. People were screaming, crying, running for their lives, and so was she. She cried out for her father, desperate to know he was safe, but her mother hushed her and clutched her hand even tighter. They hid in the old mill, Darya seeing to her daughter's safety before concerning herself with her own, but by the time she managed to tug Severine away, the isenwolf had sniffed them out. At the time Severine did not understand why her mother refrained from using her Grisha powers. She could have easily snatched the air from the lungs of the Drüskelle that found them, probably his wolf too, but Darya simply stood and took a long, good look at the man, who was about to take her life. Her back was straight, her chin raised in a defiant way, an image of poise. She looked beautiful, and there was no fear in her bright blue eyes. 'The saints will receive me,' she said, just before the arrow pierced her heart and she fell to the ground. Severine screamed. As the soldier dragged her out from her hiding place and into the crumbled streets of her home town, more frightened than she had ever been, a thought hit her: That her mother had kept her gift a secret to protect her from those, who feared their kind. She had been warned, that the Fjerdans did not understand nor accept the nature of the Small Science, and that they had come to fear the Grisha because of it, believing their powers to be witchcraft. By giving her life, Darya had managed to conceal the powers crackling in her veins and in Severine's too. They did not know what she was.
She thought the soldiers might kill her too, right then and there, but what they did was much worse. Severine kicked and screamed helplessly, as two men held her down whilst a third ripped her dress open and made four long cuts along her spine with his jagged knife. 'So we'll have something to remember you by, if you turn out to be a drüsje like the rest of them. Pray to your saints that you're not, little raven, or you and I will meet again.' His voice was cold and yet it held a cruel amusement to it. Like her pain was something that gave him joy, which was echoed in the laughter of his comrades. The soldier, whom she would later learn had been the commander, leaned in closely then, brushed a raven curl from her cheek and whispered: 'Such pretty eyes. Pity you were born on this side of the border.' She did't have it in her so say something in return, in fact, she could barely move. They left her in the streets, bleeding and alone, with the first winter snow falling steadily, as if nothing had happened, soon covering the horror that had meant the end of Arkesk and the end of the world as she knew it.
"I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible.
And when I leave, you will finally understand why storms are named after people."
– Unknown
A dark part of her wishes she had died that morning, joined her parents in the world beyond this one. But fate had other plans for her. She was found hours later by a group of Grisha patrols, who had seen the smoke in the distance and came riding to their bannermen's aid. But by the time they arrived, the few who had survived the Fjerdan attack, had either passed away from their injuries or fled town. Everyone but Severine. It was a miracle that they even noticed her little figure in the snow, but a heartrender heard her faint pulse, and clumsily tended to her wounds once she had been retrieved. They took her to Os Alta to give her testimony to the King and his council, and once they discovered she was Grisha, they allowed her to stay at the Little Palace. She kept her head down, barely spoke and only picked at her food for weeks after her arrival, a young girl with the solemnity of a soldier or an old woman. At the age of seven she had witnessed more horrors than a seasoned Grisha soldier ever would. Even so, it quickly became clear to her educators, that she showed a remarkable aptitude for manipulating winds and generating storms.
She grew less silent in time, her confidence evolving alongside her powers, who turned out to be as magnificent and ill-tempered as she was beneath the carefully crafted layers of magisterial composure. By the time she was 20 years old, she was called upon by the King and asked to lead her fellow Grisha into battle as the youngest general Ravka had ever seen, and she has spent every day since proudly serving her country. She trusts few and enjoys the company of fewer still, which in time has earned her a reputation as 'General Volkova, the ruthless' or 'General Volkova, the untouchable.' People may look at her in admiration, lust for her dark hair and stormy blue eyes, but everyone from Fjerda to Shu Han knows not to speak to her unless spoken to. Not unless one dares to anger the Stormwitch, whose particular gifs are reserved for a certain Fjerdan commander, who did just that many years ago.
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CORE TRAITS
"She was both love and storms of pain.
All heartbeats and hurricanes."
– Shakieb Orgunwall
❧ F I E R C E
adj. | fierce | ˈfirs
1. Violently hostile or aggressive in temperament, 2. Furiously active or determined, 3. Wild or menacing in appearance, 4. Given to fighting or killing; pugnacious, 5. Informal; having or expressing bold confidence or style.❧ G R A C E F U L
adj. | grace· ful | ˈgrās-fəl
1. Displaying grace in form or action; pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, or movement, 2. Ease and suppleness of movement or bearing, 3. A pleasing appearance or effect; acharmingor attractive trait or characteristic.
❧ M A G I S T E R I A L
adj. | mag· is· te· ri· al | ˌma-jə-ˈstir-ē-əl
1. Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a master or teacher; authoritative, 2. Marked by an overbearingly dignified or assured manner or aspect, 3. Of, relating to, or required for a master's degree.❧ S A R D O N I C
adj. | sar· don· ic | sär-ˈdä-nik
1. Disdainfully or skeptically humorous; derisively mocking, 2. Having the character of sarcasm, 3. Given to the use of sarcasm; caustic [Marked by impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation) sarcasm.]
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PERSONALITY TYPE
"Young she was and yet not so. The braids of her dark hair were touched by no frost, her white arms and clear face were flawless and smooth, and the light of stars was in her bright eyes, grey as a cloudless night; yet queenly she looked, and thought and knowledge were in her glance, as of one who has known many things that the years bring."
– J.R.R. Tolkien
T H Ex E X E C U T I V E
Extroverted· Observant· Thinking· Judging
Executives are representatives of tradition and order, utilising their understanding of what is right, wrong and socially acceptable to bring families and communities together. Embracing the values of honesty, dedication and dignity, people with the Executive personality type are valued for their clear advice and guidance, and they happily lead the way on difficult paths. Taking pride in bringing people together, Executives often take on roles as community organizers, working hard to bring everyone together in celebration of cherished local events, or in defense of the traditional values that hold families and communities together.
Strong believers in the rule of law and authority that must be earned, Executive personalities lead by example, demonstrating dedication and purposeful honesty, and an utter rejection of laziness and cheating, especially in work. If anyone declares hard, manual work to be an excellent way to build character, it is Executives.
Executives are aware of their surroundings and live in a world of clear, verifiable facts – the surety of their knowledge means that even against heavy resistance, they stick to their principles and push an unclouded vision of what is and is not acceptable. Their opinions aren't just empty talk either, as Executives are more than willing to dive into the most challenging projects, improving action plans and sorting details along the way, making even the most complicated tasks seem easy and approachable.
However, Executives do not work alone, and they expect their reliability and work ethic to be reciprocated – people with this personality type meet their promises, and if partners or subordinates jeopardize them through incompetence or laziness, or worse still, dishonesty, they do not hesitate to show their wrath. This can earn them a reputation for inflexibility, a trait shared by all Sentinel personalities, but it is not because Executives are arbitrarily stubborn, but rather because they truly believe that these values are what make society work.
The main challenge for Executives is to recognize that not everyone follows the same path or contributes in the same way. A true leader recognizes the strength of the individual, as well as that of the group, and helps bring those individuals' ideas to the table. That way, Executives really do have all the facts, and are able to lead the charge in directions that work for everyone.
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STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
"Quote."
– X
⎨S T R E N G T H S⎬
Dedicated ❧ Seeing things to completion borders on an ethical obligation for Executives. Tasks aren't simply abandoned because they have become difficult or boring – people with the Executive personality type take them up when they are the right thing to do, and they will be finished so long as they remain the right thing to do.
Strong-willed ❧ A strong will makes this dedication possible, and Executives do not give up their beliefs because of simple opposition. Executives defend their ideas and principles relentlessly, and must be proven clearly and conclusively wrong for their stance to budge.
Direct and honest ❧ Executives trust facts far more than abstract ideas or opinions. Straightforward statements and information are king, and Executive personalities return the honesty (whether it is wanted or not).
Loyal, patient and reliable ❧ Executives work to exemplify truthfulness and reliability, considering stability and security very important. When Executives say they intend to do something, they keep their word, making them very responsible members of their families, companies and communities.
Enjoy creating order ❧ Chaos makes things unpredictable, and unpredictable things cannot be trusted when they are needed most – with this in mind, Executives strive to create order and security in their environments by establishing rules, structures and clear roles.
Excellent organizers ❧ This commitment to truth and clear standards makes Executives capable and confident leaders. People with this personality type have no problem distributing tasks and responsibilities to others fairly and objectively, making them excellent administrators.
⎨W E A K N E S S E S⎬
Inflexible and stubborn ❧ The problem with being so fixated on what works is that Executives too often dismiss what might work better. Everything is opinion until proven, and Executive personalities are reluctant to trust an opinion long enough for it to have that chance.
Judgmental ❧ Executives have strong convictions about what is right, wrong, and socially acceptable. Executives' compulsion to create order often extends to all things and everyone, ignoring the possibility that there are two right ways to get things done. Executives do not hesitate to let these 'deviants' know what they think, considering it their duty to set things right.
Overly focused on social status ❧ Executives take pride in the respect of their friends, subordinates and community and while difficult to admit, are very concerned with public opinion. Executives (especially Turbulent ones) can get so caught up in meeting others' expectations that they fail to address their own needs.
Difficulty expressing emotion ❧ This is all evidence of Executives' greatest weaknesses: Expressing emotions and feeling empathy. People with the Executive personality type get so caught up in the facts and most effective methods that they forget to think of what makes others happy, or of their sensitivity. A detour can be breathtakingly beautiful, a joy for the family, but Executives may only see the consequence of arriving at their destination an hour late, hurting their loved ones by rejecting the notion too harshly.
Uncomfortable with unconventional situations ❧ Executives are strong adherents to tradition and when suddenly forced to try unvetted solutions, they become uncomfortable and stressed. New ideas suggest that their methods weren’t good enough, and abandoning what has always worked before in favor of something that may yet fail risks their image of reliability.
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ASTROLOGY
C A P R I C O R N
December 22 – January 19
Capricorn is the tenth astrological sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of Capricornus. The constellation is located in an area of sky called the Sea or the Water, consisting of many water-related signs such as Aquarius, Pisces and Eridanus. It is the smallest constellation in the zodiac and second faintest after Cancer. Its name is Latin for 'horned goat' or 'goat horn' and is commonly represented in the form of a sea-goat; a mythical creature that is half goat, half fish.
S A T U R N
Saturn is associated with focus, precision, nobility, ethics, civility and purpose, but also with limitations, restrictions, boundaries, anxiety, tests, practicality and reality.
Greek deity: Cronus.E A R T H
Each sign is associated with one of four classical elements. Capricorn's element is Earth, associated with practicality, caution and material world. Earth signs are also considered to be negative or introverted female signs.S E A - G O A T
Capricorns are thought to be loners at heart, with introverted characters. They are thought to move through life, achieving succes slowly, but surely. A large measure of strength of character is also associated with Capricorn.
"Never mistake her silence for weakness.
Remember that sometimes the air stills, before the onset of a hurricane."
– Nikita Gill
Responsible· Carries grudges· Powerful· Disciplined· Well-mannered· Unforgiving· Polished· Devoted· Fierce· Condescending· Secretly a romantic.
She is delightfully chaotic, a splendid adventure. Ruled by the driven and persistent mountain goat, she is wilful and determined. Her energy is loyal, structured and honest. 'Her walk is like a shot of whiskey. Neat and strong and full of purpose. And so many underestimate her punch.' She has value far grater than just her looks. She is strong as hell, spectacularly created, and her captivating energy draws people to her.
This woman might not be overconfident, extrovert or bold, but she is polished and her style is sharp and individual, much like herself. She can be traditional, organised, and responsible, serious and hardworking. This woman neither falls in love at first sight nor wastes time on mindless flirtations. She will be on hand with guidance and advice should you ever need it, devoted to those who have made the grade from outside to her inner circle. This woman will often go great lengths for her friendships. She has a heart made from gold. Ruled by Saturn, she is fierce, strong and full of fire. Not even she could hold herself back because her passions burn brighter than her fears. She reminds us that even the darkest of nights will fade, and the sun will rise again. Her beauty is in her eyes, and her truth is reflected in her soul.
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POWERS & ABILITIES
E T H E R E A L K I
SQUALLER
"She was a storm, but not the kind you run from.
The kind you chase."
– R.h. Sin
All matter in the world can be broken down to the same essential parts. Grisha have the ability to manipulate matter at this fundamental level, giving the appearance of magic to what is actually a precise, deliberate science that abides by physical laws, as must anything else in nature. Ravkan children are tested at a young age and taken to the Little Palace to live, train and serve if they have an affinity for the Small Science. Depending on their affinities they are divided into one of three orders: Corporalki – the Order of the Living and the Dead, Etherealki – the Order of Summoners, and Materialki – the Order of Fabrikators.
The Small Science is predicated on the notion that matter cannot be created, only manipulated or changed. But Grisha of great power and skill can push the limits of science by attempting merzost, a Ravkan word meaning both abomination and magic. Merzost is the power of creation, of life over death; a corruption of 'the making at the heart of the world.' It requires the sacrifice of something essential from the person attempting it, and consequently the act of performing merzost drains vitality from the person. The power can be unwieldy in the extreme, and is likely to produce unexpected or unintended results to a devastating degree.
|ETHEREALKI|Etherealki, or the Order of Summoners (loosely referred to as Summoners), are Grisha whose power lie in the manipulation of different natural elements. This Order is divided into Squallers, who can manipulate air pressure, Inferni controlling fire and Tidemakers ruling over the element of water. They all reside in the Little Palace in Os Alta, Ravka, where they train to serve their kingdom as a part of the King's Second Army.
Unlike the Corporalki and Materialki, who prefers working alone, the Etherealki typically train in pairs; Inferni tend to stick to their own kind and usually work with other Inferni, while Squallers and Tidemakers train together as their elements go hand in hand and coorporate well.
The Etherealki wear blue keftas to mark their status as summoners; the Inferni have red embroidered at the cuffs, Tidemakers blue and Squallers wear silver detailing so they can tell each other apart.
|MANIPULATE AIR PRESSURE|Squallers are able to manipulate air pressure in order to hurl objects or people through the air in combat. Since air cannot be seen by conventional methods, neither can the attacks and derivatives formed by/from it, making it an invisible and versatile weapon that is very difficult to block and dodge.
|ACOUSTIC ANOMALIES|Severine can create, shape and manipulate sound, a periodic disturbance of a medium (air, ground, water, etc) that radiates outward linearly in the form of a pressure wave. The effect these waves upon the ear is perceived as sound. With her abilities, she can mimic, intensify, hush, and distort, as well warp, strengthen, echo, speed up, and slow down sound, using it as a powerful physical force and high-speed movement. This allows sound to travel farther and more distinctly, or masks sound altogether.
|THUNDERSTORM GENERATION|Another branch of Severine's squaller-powers is the ability to summon, shape and manipulate thunderclouds in order to generate powerful and dangerous thunderstorms. It takes no small effort on her part, but an important offensive asset is her ability to summon lightning and force it by will to hit certain areas and/or targets. At the Little Palace, however, the squaller trainees are not allowed to hone this particular skill due to its unpredictable nature and the safety risks tied to it.
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