(cw: fantasy racism, ableism.) 

Zhenya was seized from her Dalish parents as an infant, falling into the hands of Nevarran guards. Due to her limited eyesight, a small group of Mortalitasi bought her in secret, believing she would make an ideal pawn to smuggle past the eyes of the Mourn Watch. 

She was kept as a servant in the household of the Mortalitasi Emil and Vera Strelkov. They weren't able to officially adopt her, only speaking behind closed doors. The human couple sensed her potential. Emil tutored her in magic (including necromancy).

At seven, Zhenya began training as a spy/smuggler. She snuck into several Mortalitasi meetings, including the Mourn Watch. Over the next ten years, Emil's group became more demanding. She eavesdropped and maimed others' servants at night, and labored during the day.   

Zhenya quickly realized she was at a fatal disadvantage compared to her enemies due to her vision. Emil made her verbally promise to learn blood magic, though he didn't think she was capable of it. (She did.) 

At fifteen, she went into the cellar to find the body of a young boy, a new servant of the house crushed by a barrel. Distressed, she tried to use necromancy. Then blood magic. Then weaved both together. For a fleeting moment, the boy seemed alive: but he was inhabited by a Spirit of Purpose, who took interest in her. She offered an alliance, and Zhenya accepted. 

In her late-twenties, Emil and Vera promised everything. But when Vera discovered Eufenja actually learned blood magic, Emil admonished her and withdrew. 

The next day, the Emil's group issued a suicide mission: kill Rook, a Mourn Watcher with a target on her back.

Eufenja killed Rook and took on her identity. She inflicted critical damage to herself with blood magic so it appeared "Rook" was attacked by a blood mage. When she woke, it was in the arms of the Mourn Watch. 

Eufenja thought she was near freedom, until she was informed Rook was in contact with a man named Varric... And as "Rook", she was destined to meet him. 

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*For RP purposes, Rook!Zhenya is written as if she's already disclosed her true identity to the Veilguard* 

If Zhenya interacts with another Rook, she will be in an AU where she killed a different mourn-watcher, Ely, and imitates her instead. Her identity is revealed shortly after she is recruited. (Unless plotted out differently.)  

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Abilities: Zhenya is adept in necromancy and blood magic. She pushes the limits of both by experimenting with flesh constructs; though the exact process is still ongoing. She can summon three for aid in battle. 

She keeps a companion named Devotion, a Spirit of Purpose who rips himself into wisps to inhabit Zhenya's constructs. When the construct dies, a wisp is left behind. Zhenya must pick the wisp up in battle to summon another (within a cooldown period). 

She's a decent healer with blood magic, and fills the role begrudgingly.

• "Well. Zhenya could've helped with my master's thesis." — Frey.

• "She's a delight, but I can't say a grudge would end past death." — Merry.