Overview
Svanhild is the leader of Vintergard, a close ally of Skarnheim, and a temporal, ice, and runic mage from Valrindor. Her scent-based magic lets her detect magic, lies, hostility, fear, shard wielders, darkness, unusual beings, and individual trails. The Varnhallow timerift chain takes her into the past, where she lives as Sylvia and becomes Queen Sylvia the First of Skarnheim.
Appearance and Bearing
Svanhild has blond hair, green eyes, and the bearing of a practical fighter. She studies people closely, often scenting the air before judging whether they are honest or hostile. In battle she carries a spear, and at her formal installation as Skarnheim's first ruler she wears a gray robe with silver trim while still keeping the posture of a warrior.
Vintergard and Rimvold Councils
Svanhild leads Vintergard from Kaldspire and works through Skarnheim's northern alliance with Sigurd, Halgarr, and Thorik. When Eira, Silas, and Lythariel pass through Vintergard, Svanhild directs them toward Thundermarch by way of Skarnheim.
In Rimvold's councils, Svanhild quietly distinguishes lies from true statements for Sigurd, picks out shard wielders, evaluates strange beings such as Lythariel, and tracks Eira by scent. During the Shaper Attack on Rimvold, Sigurd places her at the head of the vanguard while he holds the front line.
Magic and Skills
Svanhild combines temporal blinking, temporal bubbles, ice spear combat, freezing magic, runic magic, and diplomatic judgment. She uses scent-based detection in councils, investigations, searches, and oath-taking, and the Order of Thalion Zenith relies on it to expose hidden motives and enforce secrecy.
Varnhallow and Skarnheim's Founding
Svanhild is among the people taken through the Varnhallow timerift chain. After the displaced group reaches Rimvold and Skarnheim in the past, Skarnheim is her homeland, and she swears allegiance to Thalion Zenith. She prepares armies, negotiates Haverloch's backing, travels with Rhyzmar on a long mission into Uriandel's territory, and takes up the Order's work as oath keeper, verifier, diplomat, trainer, and field combatant.
Over time, Svanhild takes the public name Sylvia. Thalion installs her as Queen Sylvia the First of Skarnheim, at least outside the Order. As Sylvia, she trains Helena, fights in the Fall of Malverand, keeps Haverloch's diplomatic ties intact, and later guides Skarnheim from Rimvold while the Order fades from public view.
Relationships
- Sigurd, Halgarr, and Thorik are Svanhild's closest northern allies during the Varnhallow incursions, darkness threats, and Zharrek's shaper offensive near Rimvold.
- Thalion Zenith becomes her sworn leader after the Varnhallow timerift chain carries her into Skarnheim's past, and she works through his hidden Order of Thalion Zenith.
- Benedict, Ignatius, Isandriel, Rhyzmar, Zero, Ivan, Kren, Vianna, and Virel serve beside her after the Varnhallow timerift chain and during the Fall of Malverand.
- As Sylvia, she is pregnant when Thalion leaves Rimvold with the skyship fleet for Qarezh, and Zero speaks of becoming father to the next prince or princess of Skarnheim.