<Zeraphine Batahlia is a 26-year-old woman of striking beauty and intelligence. Born in the nation of
Alliria, she was raised in the House of Batahlia, a powerful noble family known in the Reach for their expertise in military prowess and trade. Despite her privileged upbringing, Zeraphine always felt a sense of restlessness, as if her true purpose lay elsewhere.
At the age of 20, Zeraphine married Marcellus Romanevik, a wealthy merchant prince who shared her thirst for power and ambition. As his advisor, Zeraphine proved to be a valuable asset to the House of Romanevik, using her cunning and strategic mind from the shadows to expand their wealth and influence.
However, their success was short-lived. Zeraphine's husband was murdered by Markus Glorphain and Zera's rising empire was torn asunder. Driven by a thirst for revenge, Zeraphine has dedicated herself to hunting down Markus and reclaiming what was once hers.
Despite her fiery spirit and ruthless ambition, Zeraphine remains a mystery to many. She moves through the shadows, carefully weaving her web of intrigue and manipulating those around her to achieve her goals. Her enemies fear the rumors of her dark magic, but refuse to speak of it, and her allies respect her for her strategic brilliance and unwavering determination.
She was raised as an only child in a strict and demanding household, under the watchful eye of her father Uryon, a powerful military leader in the Reach. From a young age, she was drilled under the mentality of a soldier, trained to never show weakness or indulge in the simple pleasures of childhood. Her father believed that the best way to prepare his daughter for a life of power and influence was to mold her into a formidable warrior. He surrounded her with only the very best military minds, who taught her tactics, strategy, and the art of war. Zeraphine quickly became one of her father's most trusted advisors, using her knowledge of warfare to secure victories for the House of Batahlia on the battlefield. Despite her success, she always felt a sense of unease, as if she was meant for something greater. This feeling only grew stronger when she discovered her talent for dark magic, a skill that her father had long kept hidden from her. With her newfound power, she used her cunning and strategic mind to help her father expand their empire. Though her childhood was far from normal, Zeraphine did not regret the path her father had set her on. She knew that the skills she had acquired would serve her well in the years to come, as she sought to reclaim what was once hers and avenge her husband's death.
Her vision for a better world was shaped by that strict upbringing.. He also instilled in her the importance of discipline, strength, and the utter rejection of weakness. However, this had a profound impact on Zeraphine's moral code as an adult. Her father's harsh teachings left her with a skewed view of justice and a belief that the ends always justify the means. She learned to see the world in black and white, with little room for compromise or mercy. Despite her good intentions, Zeraphine's methods for achieving her goals can often be extreme and brutal. It left her with a zero-tolerance approach to those she perceives as threats to her vision of a better world. Her actions are driven by a desire to protect the innocent, but her methods found to be often heavy-handed and leave little room for nuance or
empathy. As a result, Zeraphine can be seen as a paradox. She is driven by a deeply hidden sense of compassion and a desire to help those in need, but her methods are often harsh and unforgiving. Her strict upbringing has left her with a skewed sense of morality that can sometimes lead her down a dangerous path. However, at her core, Zeraphine remains a woman of great conviction. Despite the flaws in her moral code, she is unwavering in her commitment to her vision of a better world, and she will stop at nothing to see it realized.
Overall, Zeraphine is depicted as a complex character with two sides to herself. On the surface, she presents herself as a poised and charismatic leader with good intentions for the people of Alliria. However, her past has left her with a manipulative and cunning nature, with powers centered in her ability to manipulate dark magic, and nightmares, as well as fear itself. She keeps her true intentions and ambition under wraps through a front she presents to the masses, but this double life can be a source of stress and inner turmoil for her. Her political marriage to
Merchant Councilor Quintus Vexion presents both opportunities and challenges for her as she seeks to further her own interests and maintain control. Zeraphine's alliance with Quintus comes with more benefits than just political power and prestige. One of the most valuable assets that Zeraphine brings to the table is her control over a handful of mines that produce a rare and magical ore that is similar to another kind of rock that fell from the heavens. Now scarce to find. Thankfully, this ore is a good impersonation of the other. Which means this ore is also used to create armor that is harder than steel and incredibly beautiful, although not quite as ornate or high quality as the ore from Quintus' dried mines. In addition to the mines, Zeraphine also brings with her The Scarlet Legion, an elite small army that is well-known and respected throughout the land. This army is highly trained and disciplined, with a strict code of conduct and a reputation for being the best of the best. They are easily recognizable by their distinctive red sashes, which are placed over their eyes upon their death and they are burned in a pyre. With The Scarlet Legion at her disposal, Zeraphine is a powerful ally to have, and Quintus is aware of this fact.
Although she is aware of Quintus' warm and charming demeanor, she remains wary of his true motives. Zeraphine recognizes that behind his façade, he struggles with his own inner demons and keeps much of himself a secret. However, her experience and understanding of the art of deception and manipulation allow her to keep a close eye on Quintus and his actions. Despite her distrust, Zeraphine has developed a soft spot for Quintus, admiring his dedication to the prosperity of Alliria and his commitment to his own family's interests. She also recognizes that his burden of hearing the voices of the Helm of the Star Made Armor make his life more complicated than he lets on. In private moments, Zeraphine can't help but be drawn to Quintus' quiet strength and resilience, and finds herself drawn to his gentle air and warm smile.
Despite her reputation, Zera has a soft spot for romance novels. This love of
literature serves as a reminder of the more vulnerable and romantic side of her personality that has been suppressed by her strict upbringing and her dark powers. She is also a voracious reader, with a love of knowledge that extends far beyond the pages of romance novels. She has spent years studying history, politics, and magic, and she is a true intellectual. Her love of books and knowledge serves as a constant reminder of her insatiable curiosity and her desire to understand the world around her. This love of literature and knowledge also feeds into Zeraphine's desire for a better world. She believes that education and understanding are key components of a better society, and she is always seeking new ways to expand her own knowledge and understanding of the world.
Finally, she has a deep passion for horses. She is often seen riding her prized stallion, Galleo, and is known to have a special bond with all of the horses in her stables. This love for horses is seen as a glimpse into her softer nature, a reminder that beneath her tough exterior and ambition, there is a more gentle and caring person. Her love for horses serves as a symbol of her potential for kindness and compassion, and is often seen as a contrast to the cold and calculating person she presents to the world. >
