SERRA COUSLAND

DOSSIER.

BIOGRAPHY.

Serra Cousland was born as the second child to Teyrn Bryce Cousland and his wife, Eleanor Cousland at Highever Castle in late 9.12 Dragon. At the time of her birth, Ferelden was still rebuilding after the liberation of the country from its Orelsian invaders. Her elder brother, Fergus, was intended to be the next teyrn after their father and as such was under pressure to live up to his near legendary parents. Being the younger child, Serra didn't feel nearly the same pressure as her elder brother but she was still expected to conduct herself as befitted her station and her family.

From a young age, Serra was considered a very tomboyish girl, wanting to train and ride and hunt with her brother and father instead of doing more "ladylike" activities with her mother. The Teryna didn't want her daughter to take up any weapons training because she wanted her to live a peaceful life but Serra was undettered. Against her mother's wishes she would frequently sneak out to the practise yard and stables when she should have been in lessons. Eventually, after one too many arguments about learning the sword like her brother, her mother finally relented and taught Serra archery instead. Under Eleanor's tutelage, Serra became proficent with a bow and regularly claimed to be the best shot in Highever.

At age fourteen, Serra was betrothed to marry Jasper Trevelyan from the Free Marches. The other teenager came to Highever so the two could get to know each other before they were wed. The two did not get along unlike her brother and his betrothed and often sniped and argued with each other. The engagement ended when the two got into a physical fight after Serra caught him flirting with a maid. Jasper left Highever with a broken nose and no more was said about marriage.

In 9.27 Dragon, Serra was given a mabari puppy which she named Beric. The dog quickly became her best friend after her elder brother and she trained the dog to be a war dog so he could fight alongside her if needed.

In 9.30 Dragon, there were reports of large numbers of darkspawn in the Kocari Wilds. King Cailan Theirin rallied his army and marched south to deal with the threat. Fergus was intended to lead Highever's forces to Ostagar but Serra was barred from joining him and instead left behind to maintain Highever with her mother. The night after Fergus left with the army, Arl Rendon Howe led a surprise attack on Castle Cousland. Oriana and Orren, her sister-in-law and nephew, were killed in the inital attack but Serra with Beric survived and managed to find her mother. The two were able to fight their way through the castle for a while before discovering her dying father. Urged by her parents, knowing they would die, she escaped the castle with a Grey Warden named Duncan. He had agreed to help her escape if she joined the Grey Wardens and she had accepted but secretly vowed revenge on Howe.

STORIES.