Ygva is a witch associated with the mountainside shrine near Ulmira’s Step, a supernatural entity whose power is drawn from the Umbra. This connection contributes to the stigma surrounding her magic. She possesses a Blessed Branch, essential for rekindling the town's pyre, a vital source of warmth and life for the settlement. Locals tend to avoid her due to her strange habits and the dangers inherent in seeking her out, as her magic is closely linked to the Umbra, which can have transformative effects on those who encounter it.
What the party learned of her origins at Ulmira’s Step: Ygva apprenticed under the older witch Oshel, and was long inseparable from Kelun — one of the old talking construct-statues from before the gods left, who had learned of the Amber Reach and of magic from the Celsians. She once lived down in the town before moving up to the ruined shrine. Curious about everything, she found her Blessed Branch on an earlier expedition into the titan’s ruins alongside the ribbit delver Tamros, carrying up the mountain whatever the two of them found. The pyre-keeper Sarru warns that Ygva always names a price, though never in coin: "I’ve never seen her take payment in money."
The party learned of Ygva while seeking guidance on rekindling the darkened pyre at Drosven’s Gate. A dwarven pyre-keeper named Sarru provided directions to Ygva's lair, warning of the physical and spiritual dangers on the path to the ruined shrine. The pilgrimage stairs leading to Ygva are damaged but still climbable, though caution is advised for those who linger too long in the Umbra-affected area, as they might return changed.
Ygva is a 7.5-foot witch known for her formidable presence and supernatural abilities. She wields a staff that enables her to manipulate celestial forces, creating cloud alignments and knotwork, and possesses the power to teleport while summoning misty entities for combat support. Ygva can hover over water, strategically controlling the battlefield through her overwhelming force. Recently, she has been linked to the divine pantheon, showcasing her significant knowledge and power over magical and natural forces.
Her introduction to the party involved a sudden teleportation that initiated an aggressive confrontation, during which she inflicted spiritual damage on her targets. She summoned five misty entities that attempted to attack the party but were ineffective. Ygva demonstrated her supernatural speed and tactical awareness by intercepting Blessed Branch thrown by Jamal, then teleporting to higher ground while holding them. She executed a precise moonbeam attack that struck Sylvie in The Heart. Following a coordinated explosive attack from Heyou and Draz that seriously injured her, Ygva responded by teleporting away with the unconscious Sylvie.
Ygva is tied to the Sacred Tree, which has been burned and regrown, reflecting her influence over its condition and the consequences of the party's actions. The stone figure Kelun compelled the party to seek out Ygva after they inadvertently destroyed the Sacred Tree, suggesting she may offer crucial answers regarding identity and purpose, particularly for Sylvie, who seeks clarity about her own nature and magical abilities. Kelun, in Mellon’s form, emphasized the necessity of confronting Ygva, indicating her potential role as a guiding figure or source of judgment.
In a private setting beside her fire, Ygva revealed cosmic truths to Sylvie, explaining that their reality had served as an "egg" for departing cosmic entities, which she described as monsters and horrors. Ygva presented a choice to Sylvie: surrender her Splendor domain magic for freedom or remain captive until Ygva's work was done. The conversation escalated when Draz interrupted with an arrow attack, leading Ygva to violently retaliate by ripping out Sylvie's heart and taking the Blessed Branch. This act significantly altered the party's mission and highlighted Ygva's motivations. The urgency of their mission is underscored by the party’s need to navigate the aftermath of their devastating encounter with the Guardian beast and the obliteration of the Sacred Tree. Ygva stands as a pivotal figure in resolving the party's challenges and understanding the broader cosmic forces at play.
Recently, Ygva has been associated with the moon rune, linked to witchcraft. The witch's camp, where magical items were discovered, is described as a setting of ordinary fire, lacking sacred qualities. Among the items found within a sealed box are a thin circlet, a layered necklace of glassy stones, and a large signet ring, all possessing magical properties. These artifacts suggest a noteworthy connection to Ygva and her influence. Sylvie recalls the moon rune and discusses the significance of the items in relation to the witch and the group's quests, expressing reluctance to seek Ygva due to fears of danger, reflecting on the destruction of the glowing tree amid a failed quest for "Blessed Branch."
Additionally, Ygva is known for her destructive rituals and essence-draining magic, having been expelled from the Celsian Athenaeum for practicing magic that conflicted with the tenets of the archivists. This reputation for manipulating dark powers sets her apart from other mages. The party planned to lure Ygva with a fake heart, although Sylvie expressed skepticism regarding this approach. Draz sought information from locals in Verrow's Span, but they were too overwhelmed by recent crises to provide guidance about her. Tamber, a former initiate of the Athenaeum, revealed insights into Ygva's background and the nature of her magic. The party faced various challenges, including ambushes by gremlins and natural hazards, while Draz’s tracking sense directed them toward Ygva’s location. They ultimately arrived in a cavern where they sensed her presence, indicating her proximity as they prepared for confrontation.
Ygva is a powerful witch known for her previous hostility toward the party. She rides a large winged lion named Valghast, a majestic creature of the World Below. The lion possesses large, powerful wings, allowing it to soar through the skies. Ygva commands this lion and is characterized by her authoritative presence and divine connection. She facilitates travel, using her abilities to navigate through rock and create direct paths to distant locations.
Upon her arrival, Ygva requests Sylvie's assistance to gather god-touched artifacts and light a colossal pyre to summon the gods. She assures the party they will not be harmed if they cooperate, a claim that Sylvie tests and finds partially truthful. Ygva expresses her vision for restoring the world through the return of the gods, revealing her loneliness and ambition, which is not shared by many.
During a mission under Grithmaar Deep, Ygva confirmed the party's intent to seek a great creature believed to be connected to the destruction of Jamal’s home. She accepted a trade of pinecone-like seeds from Heyou, agreeing to provide a Blessed Branch in exchange with the condition that a replacement would be needed if her cultivation failed. Ygva transported the party on her lion, first through a “hole in the sky” to a cavern ledge by a pool, and then near a waterfall, aiding their exit from the tunnels.
Ygva provided instructions for a cut-stair route to Tern’s Watch and assured the party that Valghast would remain at the site to assist them if needed. She indicated she would communicate with Sylvie through dreams, reinforcing her role as a guiding force. Ygva's presence and assistance were critical in ensuring the party's progress toward Grithmaar Deep and their overarching goals.
Recently, Ygva has become a distant, elusive mentor offering only selective assistance. When Sylvie reached out to her magically in a dream, Ygva's response unlocked in Sylvie the latent power to wield the spell Damnation. This is not a warlock-style patron bond. However, Ygva's relationship with the party involves limited support, as she indicated they were on their own despite providing this significant spell. In the latest session, Sylvie attempted to connect with Ygva in her dreams for aid while facing dangers in the caverns, but Ygva's refusal to offer further help suggests a complex dynamic in their relationship.
In Sylvie's dreams, Ygva appears in a furnished room overlooking flooded ruins, often conveying a sense of urgency and danger. In one vision, she looks past Sylvie and says, “Help me.” Additionally, two former associates of Ygva are seen scrying Sylvie's sleeping form, with one stating, “She will regret calling us back,” indicating that Ygva may have ties to past events that could impact Sylvie and her companions.
Recently, Ygva was found unconscious in a pitch-dark, all-metal chamber, later identified as a witch. Her body was subsequently used as a material component for the creation of two sapling treants, indicating a strong connection to magical forces. She is significant enough to be referred to as having brought new candidates for Ascension, specifically Heyou and Sylvie. During an audience with Dean Therion Calanthe, Heyou carried Ygva into the hall, concerned for her well-being. Sylvie attempted to heal Ygva, managing to restore some of her vitality. However, the situation deteriorated when Ash-begets-Tide, a fungal priest, used entropic magic on Ygva, leaving her vulnerable and near death. The transformation of her remains into sapling treants marks her as a pivotal figure in the unfolding events.
Ygva is associated with the concept of the "Runt God," characterized as too small and weak to ascend with the other gods. She serves as a figure of guidance, sought by Sylvie during moments of reflection and magical strain. Sylvie expressed a desire to connect with Ygva, noting that previous attempts were challenging. During a long rest, Sylvie dreamed of a sumptuous chamber where she was dressed by attendants and took a prominent seat at a long table, indicating a place of authority and counsel. Sylvie recognized this locale as within the Amber Reach to the west, suggesting Ygva's potential connection to this location. Sylvie planned to attempt teleportation to seek further guidance from Ygva.