Altered Lore

Saskia Averina

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Saskia Averina (The Eugenist)

Overview

Saskia Averina is a member of The Perjurers, known by the codename “Eugenist.” She currently inhabits the host known as “Saskia Averina,” with previous hosts including Parisa, Eugénie, Rojin, and Hayley (all now dead). She operates under cover as a Muna Naturalist specializing in species interactions and symbiosis. Saskia hosts multiple parasitic organisms including Aetheroplasma katkera in her cerebrospinal fluid and Manazoa hekekii that digest Mana, and secretes pheromones as an instinctive biological reflex. These protozoa allow her to sense the idea of a being before it physically presents itself.

Physical Appearance

Saskia’s current host has pale porcelain skin with an opaline quality, a cascade of milky white hair, and piercing hypnotic pink eyes. She blinks rarely, and small bells dangle from her ears that jingle when her head tilts. She wears green and yellow linen garments with wide flared sleeves concealing stacks of bracelets, cords, and colorful wooden torques, with a Namkha Knot around her waist.

Timeline

391 AC - Visit to Baba Yaga’s Isba

Lindiwe arrived at Baba Yaga’s isba at Gora Grove to find Saskia already seated in an armchair drinking tea while the witch prepared borscht. Saskia beckoned Lindiwe to sit and offered sugar-crusted pryaniki. The isba interior featured lace doilies, dried flowers, and neatly arranged kitchen utensils. According to Lindiwe’s account, she perceived danger from Saskia’s presence beneath the surface pleasantries.

392 AC - Meeting with Sylas

Saskia visited Sylas’s workshop to coordinate The Perjurers’ infiltration of the Expeditionary Corps. She noted Kelsang would remain at The Monolith while the “prodigal child’s” location remained unknown, and that other Perjurers would oversee things in Asgartha while she and Sylas joined the Corps. She questioned whether Sylas’s efforts to keep Asgarthans from venturing out lacked vigor, noting nearly a century of inaction since Amahle Kalu’s betrayal. Sylas assured her the trap was set for the Rediscovery Endeavor. Saskia revealed finding a target in Yzmir domain more interesting than the night bird, but Sylas claimed this female target as his own and warned Saskia to stay away.

393 AC - Arctic/Taiga Expedition Attack

Saskia participated in an arctic/taiga expedition during winter with a team of 6 members: at least 2 Muna Alterers (including Saskia), additional Alterers, and 3 Bravos swordsmen. While one Alterer was away hunting, the camp was attacked. Upon return, the Alterer found the campfire extinguished with cold ashes, tent surfaces frozen solid and rigid, and evidence of attack: claw marks, shredded ground, slashed tent fabric. The camp was completely abandoned with no personnel present—all members either fled or taken.

January 29, 393 AC - Field Journal Documentation at Storvhit

Following the arctic expedition attack, Saskia continued work as Muna Naturalist at Storhvit. She authored a field journal entry documenting endemic arctic wildlife and ecological observations.

Saskia documented the phenomenon she termed “Winter Folk”—arctic fauna exhibiting pseudo-societal consciousness with interspecies social hierarchy. She observed that in human presence, certain predators defend what would typically be prey against intrusions, describing this behavior as mirroring the Asgarthan societal pact. Polar bears and snowy owls naturally assume roles as protectors, while penguins and pinnipeds cooperate to assist one another.

Saskia documented three specific species: Magpengs (magpie-penguin hybrids that ransack camps for shiny objects), Ice Shrimp (flying shrimp with Aerolith veins enabling flight), and Hakupopo (small sentient beings mingling with snowflakes). She theorized endemic wildlife either migrated following “idea of winter” like Tumult Nomads, or were confined to edges of the globe.

March 19, 393 AC - Mana Moths Discovery at Cerulean Hollow

A Yzmir mage exploring Cerulean Hollow discovered swarms of ethereal Mana Moths, inviting Saskia and scholars to study the non-corporeal creatures. Saskia observed a symbiotic relationship: Belisenki absorb Mana from moths to anchor the cold concept while offering protection. She noted Hakupopo prey on caterpillars, while Storhvit fauna feeding on abandoned chrysalides absorb pheromones making Belisenki perceive them as moths deserving protection. Saskia proposed humans consuming cocoons could evade Belisenki vigilance or gain guardianship, reporting the theory to high command for testing. She documented the lifecycle: dying adult moths explosively merge creating physical eggs, caterpillars weave ice cocoons using ambient cold, metamorphosis sheds physical shell becoming conceptual entities.

393 AC - Mana Moths Research at Greenhouse

Saskia conducted detailed Mana Moths research at a greenhouse facility in the arctic section, collaborating with Moyo Chibuye on exobiological study of endemic species. She worked in a cottage within the greenhouse’s boreal biome, arranging chrysalides on branches and observing the hatching process under glass domes. When Akesha Adhikari visited delivering a plant specimen, Saskia demonstrated moth hatching and explained moths as creatures of pure idea. She shared her broader research focus on species interactions including symbiosis, parasitism, mutualism, commensalism, competition, and predation.

March 26, 393 AC - Remanence Cure Research Collaboration

Saskia spent significant time discussing potential cure research with Akesha Adhikari during the Storhvit expedition. Akesha Adhikari wrote to Kumari Adhikari mentioning Saskia might help find a cure for Remanence affliction. The collaboration combined Saskia’s expertise in species interactions and symbiosis with Akesha Adhikari’s Horomancy and Eidomancy knowledge.

393 AC - Remanence Leech Development

Saskia developed experimental leeches capable of draining Remanence effects before symptoms fully manifest, providing vials of the treatment to Akesha Adhikari for field use.

~393 AC - Scolding and Comforting Rin

Saskia scolded Rin for carelessly summoning Persephone in frozen taiga without respect for Storhvit ecosystem, calling it a “rookie mistake” that disrupted balance Hakupopo and Winter Folk depended on, then wrapped arms around Rin’s shoulders when she became tearful about missing her father.

393 AC - Vivarium Supervision at The Screed

At The Screed outpost, Saskia jointly supervised The Vivarium with Moyo Chibuye, an artificial habitat within the Nilam Spires where teams of entomologists raised swarms of Mana Moths. The habitat was crafted from Nilam bark and branches.

393 AC - Nilam Larva Study and Cure Research

Saskia sat with Akesha Adhikari on a terrace at The Screed during a BLISS! concert, discussing research developments. Researchers had found a still-living larva curled dormant inside The Nilam’s bark, now grown from fist-size to medium dog after being raised in a laboratory where Saskia was called in to study it. Saskia told Akesha she may have found a lead to help heal Kumari’s condition, promising to share more once the theory was confirmed.

393 AC - Sap Safety Research and Sylas Meeting

Saskia was tasked with delivering a definitive report on Sap safety, studying its impact on organisms by examining blood samples from individuals who had consumed or inhaled the substance. Her analysis revealed concerning effects visible in the blood that represented a complication for The Perjurers’ plans. During her meeting with Sylas, Saskia confirmed that Akesha Adhikari was her current Perjurer assignment—information Sylas did not possess. Saskia claimed credit for the Storhvit and Belisenki outcomes, noting that consuming a Moth chrysalis had become essential practice for traversing or settling in Caer Nilam. Saskia stated she considered Sylas “something like an older brother,” citing his mentorship at the Cebir and his offer of the Storhvit as a testing ground.

October 15, 393 AC - Greenhouse Appointment

Admiral Temera Singh documented her intention to appoint Saskia to lead The Ouroboros’ Greenhouse, citing her accomplishments in Caer Nilam and during the Turmoil crossing.

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