Altered Lore

Saskia Averina

8 min read

Saskia Averina (The Eugenist)

Overview

Saskia Averina is a body-hopping parasite called “Eugenist” by fellow conspirators, member of The Perjurers ancient conspiracy. She currently inhabits the host body 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.

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.

Through Irises, parasites are visible moving on and beneath her opaline skin: translucent venomous slugs, multicolored leeches, and invasive crustaceans. A brightly colored snail emerges from her sleeve. She exudes a heady fragrance.

Perjurer Conspiracy Activities

Saskia is called “Eugenist” by fellow Perjurers including Sylas. By 392 AC, she asked Sylas whether she should still call him “Qaasin,” noting her previous host bodies are long dead.

During Kraken operations created by Sylas, Saskia carried out experiments unhindered. There was an “incident with the Strix” where Sylas failed to deliver something promised, though he later atoned.

In 392 AC, Saskia visited Sylas’s workshop to discuss infiltration plans. She indicated the “day of reckoning” was approaching and they needed to infiltrate the Expeditionary Corps. She revealed finding a “far more interesting specimen” in Yzmir domain than the night bird—Sylas claimed this female target as his own and warned Saskia to stay away.

Saskia compared their infiltration strategy to a “tick on dog,” embracing parasitic nature. She noted Kelsang would remain at The Monolith while the “prodigal child’s” location remained unknown. Other Perjurers would oversee things in Asgartha while she and Sylas joined the Corps. She questioned whether Sylas’s recent attempts to keep Asgarthans from venturing out lacked vigor, noting nearly a century of nothing since Amahle Kalu’s betrayal. Sylas assured her the trap was set for the Rediscovery Endeavor.

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. Despite the rustic charm of lace doilies, dried flowers, and neatly arranged kitchen utensils, Lindiwe sensed danger emanating 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, discussing conspiracy plans and targets.

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. No bodies were found.

January 29, 393 AC - Field Journal Documentation at Storvhit

Following the arctic expedition attack, Saskia continued work as Muna Naturalist at Storvhit. 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, suggesting an unspoken agreement mirroring 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 like ants tending aphids. She noted Hakupopo prey on caterpillars, while Storvhit 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 Storvhit 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 Storvhit ecosystem, calling it a “rookie mistake” that disrupted balance Hakupopo and Winter Folk depended on, then gently 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 secluded terrace at The Screed during BLISS concert, discussing research developments. Revealed researchers found still-living larva curled dormant inside The Nilam’s bark, now grown from fist-size to medium dog after being raised in laboratory where Saskia was called in to study it. Described larva as beautiful, delicate, and careful. Told Akesha she may have found lead to help heal Kumari’s condition, promising to share more once theory confirmed to avoid raising false hope.

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