Irina

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Irina (伊蕾娜)
Alias(es)	Miss Irina; Lady Irina
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Castle Morne; Xia Tong's traveling party
Occupation/Role	Blind daughter of Lord Edgar of Castle Morne; guide to Castle Morne
Status	Alive; traveling with Xia Tong toward and within Castle Morne 50
First Appearance	Chapter 17: “Bridge of Sacrifice”

Background

Irina was born blind after her mother died in childbirth. Lord Edgar, her father and Castle Morne’s lord, refused to treat her as an ill omen; he used his position to give her a careful education, comfortable upbringing, and protection. Her blindness nevertheless left her prone to insecurity. 47

When Castle Morne’s servants and Misbegotten rebelled, Irina escaped south under the protection of guards. Stranded near the Bridge of Sacrifice, hungry and terrified, she asked Xia Tong to carry a letter urging Edgar to abandon the castle. Xia Tong initially refused to enter the dangerous fortress, then chose to escort Irina to safety and eventually deliver the letter himself. 18

Irina travels with Xia Tong and Torrent across the Weeping Peninsula. Although unable to fight, she gradually becomes a vital source of local knowledge, including Castle Morne’s routes and the Golem Guardian’s vulnerable ankles. 19 48 50

Appearance

Irina is a young blind noblewoman with dark-gold, slightly curled hair and clouded, unfocused eyes. Following her escape from Castle Morne, her clothes and appearance are heavily worn by travel and hardship. 17 18

• Long dress with an exotic style. 17
• Dark-gold hair that falls over her shoulders. 18
• Pale complexion and faintly trembling shoulders when first encountered. 18
• Mud-stained dress, dried blood on her chest, and plain cloth shoes with worn-through soles. 18

Personality

Irina is humble, polite, and sincerely grateful for even small acts of care. Despite being the daughter of a castle lord, she does not cling to status; hunger, flight, and isolation leave her deeply appreciative of Xia Tong’s food, shelter, and protection. 18 39

She is frequently troubled by guilt over her inability to fight or directly assist Xia Tong. His repeated reassurance helps her recognize that her knowledge and survival are valuable to the group. 19 48

Though frightened, Irina can be resolute when confronted with cruelty. She openly defies the Frenzied Flame envoy even while he threatens her life and claims that Xia Tong has died. 45

Abilities & Skills

Heightened Hearing

Years of blindness have made Irina exceptionally sensitive to sound and nearby movement.

• Detects the envoy’s presence despite his use of Assassin’s Approach and sound-suppressing magic. 44
• Warns Melina of an attack from behind, allowing Melina to raise a barrier in time. 44
• Can follow battles from a distance and identify the sounds of combat. 19 36
• Her sensitivity makes Howl of Shabriri especially painful and dangerous; Melina places her in a protective coma to preserve her sanity. 46

Knowledge of Castle Morne

Irina retains detailed knowledge of the home where she lived for more than a decade.

• Identifies the Golem Guardian and tells Xia Tong that its ankles are its weakness. 48
• Guides Xia Tong’s group through Castle Morne’s corridors and identifies a warehouse leading toward the upper levels. 50
• Remembers that a treasured family sword is concealed behind a portrait in the warehouse. 50

Noble Education

Edgar ensured that Irina received a refined upbringing despite her blindness.

• Maintains strong etiquette, objecting to Xia Tong leading Torrent while she rides ahead of him. 20
• Recognizes and comments on the seasoning of Xia Tong’s homemade dried venison. 18

Relationships

• Xia Tong — Her benefactor, escort, and protector. Irina entrusts him with her letter to Edgar and comes to rely on his protection; he repeatedly insists that her knowledge and safety are important to the group. 18 19 48
• Edgar — Her father and the lord of Castle Morne. He devoted himself to her upbringing and remains desperate to know whether she survived the rebellion. 18 47
• Melina — A trusted companion whom Irina calls “Sister Melina.” Melina protects her during the Demi-Human attack and the envoy’s assassination attempt. 36 44
• Lhutel the Headless — Assigned by Xia Tong as Irina’s bodyguard during the approach to and infiltration of Castle Morne. 45 49
• Moen — A wandering merchant who watches over her during Xia Tong’s battle with the Night’s Cavalry. His mistaken question about whether Xia Tong is her husband embarrasses her. 22

Story Role / Major Arcs

Escape from Castle Morne

Irina is found alone beside the Bridge of Sacrifice after fleeing Castle Morne’s rebellion. She gives Xia Tong a letter for Edgar and becomes his responsibility after he resolves to prevent the tragic fate he remembers for her. 17 18

Journey Across the Weeping Peninsula

While traveling with Xia Tong, she remains outside direct combat but contributes through observation, hearing, and familiarity with the region. She survives poison from the Miranda Flower field after Melina purifies her at Pilgrimage Church. 19 38 39

Target of the Frenzied Flame Envoy

While Xia Tong explores Tombsward Catacombs, an envoy attacks Irina at Pilgrimage Church. The envoy claims her death beneath Marika’s statue is necessary for “Lady Hyetta” to descend and admits to inciting Castle Morne’s rebellion. Irina’s hearing exposes his hidden attack, and Melina, Lhutel, Xia Tong, and the Spirit Ashes save her. 44 45 46

Return to Castle Morne

Irina accompanies Xia Tong to Castle Morne after the envoy’s defeat. Her knowledge of the Golem Guardian’s weakness enables Xia Tong and Lhutel to destroy it, and her memory of the castle helps the group infiltrate its upper levels while avoiding the Misbegotten horde. 48 49 50