Livia

Livia

Race

Human

Profession

Necromancer

Rank

Legendary

Location

Inner Sanctorium
(The Wizard's Tower)

Organization

Shining Blade
Astral Ward

Image(s)

Wayfinder Livia.

“

The time has come. You ready to fulfill a prophecy?

— Livia

Livia is an old and powerful human necromancer who served as the third Master Exemplar of the Shining Blade. Like the rest of the Shining Blade, Livia has a narrow-minded devotion to the continuation of Queen Salma's bloodline, no matter the means.

Having used the Scepter of Orr to prolong her life, Livia continues to zealously serve the Krytan throne to this day under the alias of Exemplar Kerida. She is one of two modern Wayfinders in the Astral Ward.

Biography

Guild Wars

Livia was reportedly born in 1064 AE, and first came to prominence in 1078 AE. A royalist who was said to be willing to risk everything for peace, she had dedicated her life to the liberation of Kryta from its White Mantle puppet rulers during the Krytan Civil War. To this end, she sought a weapon of power that would bring an ultimate end to the war that tore apart her homeland. She approached the renowned asuran golemancer Gadd with an offer to help him research the Bloodstones in exchange for asuran technology, but she eventually left his employ due to ethical objections. Before doing so, she learned both about necromancy and the Scepter of Orr.

After leaving Gadd, Livia played an instrumental role in the defeat of the Great Destroyer, champion of the Elder Dragon Primordus, alongside various heroes, and stated her intention to go to the then-sunken city of Arah to seek the Scepter of Orr. What happened after is not clear, but it is known she wielded the Scepter's power, for a time.

A year later, Livia used her credentials with the asura to convince the exiled golemancer Zinn and the eccentric Blimm to develop a golem that could help defeat the White Mantle's mursaat masters. Using energies extracted from a dead Seer, they were able to defend Lion's Arch from the brunt of the mursaat magic, and the royalist forces were victorious. With Queen Salma restored to power, the Master Exemplar of the Shining Blade, Bartholos, left to command the newly-formed Seraph in 1088 AE, and Livia was promoted as the new Master Exemplar. No longer needed as a rebel group, the Shining Blade was appointed as the royal guard of all future kings and queens of Kryta.

Interim years

As Master Exemplar, Livia created the Oath of Confidence, a magical rite that prevented those who undertook it from revealing the secrets of the Shining Blade under penalty of death. She bound this ritual to The Shining Blade, a magical artifact of Seer origins. Being fully dedicated to the cause of ending the last mursaat, Livia never married or had children. She eventually stepped down and was succeeded as Master Exemplar by Laurelai. Livia retreated into seclusion in the Shining Blade headquarters where she lived out her life and was reported to have died in 1157 AE, at the age of 93.

Sea of Sorrows

However, in 1256 AE, after the Rising of Orr, Livia showed up alive and well as the personal bodyguard to Prince Edair of Kryta, and held the rank of Exemplar within the Shining Blade. She was aboard the Balthazar's Trident which was attacked by Dead Ships, and used her magic to prevent Risen attackers from coming aboard.

Livia claimed to have studied much of Orrian magic after acquiring the Scepter of Orr, and had retained her youthful appearance. How she had managed such a feat was not known—some tales said she had sold her soul to become an immortal lich, and others claimed that Livia had sacrificed prisoners in the dungeons of Divinity's Reach and used their blood to give herself eternal youth and beauty. She became the subject matter of hundreds of legends, usually told around Mad King's Day, when children were trying to scare one another with spooky tales.

Living World Season 1

In 1326 AE, Livia was still working for the Shining Blade as an Exemplar, this time under the alias of Kerida, and spent her time alternating between visiting Divinity's Reach and searching for the missing aspects of Lazarus, the last mursaat. She had formed a bond with Countess Anise, the present Master Exemplar, in what was referred to as a mother-daughter relationship, and she became one of the few people Anise truly respected. While having a small respite from dealing with Scarlet Briar, the Pact Commander visited Logan Thackeray's office to regroup with allies, one of them being Exemplar Kerida who, however, at this point still remained anonymous.

Living World Season 3

In 1326 AE, after contact with Kerida was lost while she was tracking down the Eye of Janthir and one of Lazarus's aspects into a White Mantle hideout, Anise sent the Pact Commander to assist her. The Commander saved Kerida from a trap, and the pair begrudgingly worked together as they navigated the hideout. They defeated Justiciar Araya and the last remnants of the White Mantle before seizing a sword which held one of Lazarus's aspects, although the Eye of Janthir fled from their grasp.

After returning to Divinity's Reach, Kerida witnessed an exchange between Anise and the Commander and was shocked by Anise's decision to initiate the Commander into the Shining Blade's inner circle so they could reveal their plans without risking breaking the Oath of Confidence. However, she calmed down and went along with it, witnessing the Commander's initiation and even offering the Commander advice during the more dangerous parts of the ritual that involved combat.

After the Commander had been sworn in and had been told what Anise and Kerida were up to, the hunt for the Eye of Janthir commenced as it would lead them to the final aspect of Lazarus and, hopefully, to the rogue god Balthazar whom the Commander wanted to catch. While the Commander headed for Siren's Landing, Kerida traveled to other potential locations the Eye might have fled to, including Ember Bay where she witnessed the rampage of a Sloth Queen.

Once the Commander had tracked the Eye of Janthir to Abaddon's Reliquary where Balthazar had hidden the final aspect in, Kerida joined the Commander's side. The pair braved many traps of the reliquary and reached the innermost sanctum only to discover that Balthazar had already left, although the Eye and the final aspect were still present. Seizing the opportunity and being anxious to reach the end of her lengthy quest, Kerida performed a ritual with the other aspects she had brought along to revive Lazarus in order to kill the last mursaat once and for all so he could never threaten her beloved Kryta again. During the ensuing battle, Lazarus recognized Kerida for who she really was, and the Commander was taken aback by the surprising reveal of Livia.

Despite a lengthy struggle, the pair nearly lost when Lazarus briefly gained an upper hand on Livia and intended to end her for good. However, the Commander successfully intervened and struck the final blow with the Shining Blade, saving Livia and defeating the distracted Lazarus. After showing the Commander a vision of Balthazar heading for the Crystal Desert, the Eye of Janthir faded, confirming the death of the last mursaat.

Livia and the Commander briefly exchanged words, and Livia wearily revealed how the Scepter of Orr had kept her alive for centuries so she could finish her mission. With the last mursaat truly gone, she could finally slow down but not before urging the Commander to go save Tyria from Balthazar's wrath.

Living World Season 4

Livia, disguised as Exemplar Kerida, was seen defending various locations in Queensdale from Awakened attackers along with other members of the Shining Blade in 1330 AE.

Secrets of the Obscure

While reclaiming entry into the Wizard's Tower which was under siege by the Kryptis invaders in 1336 AE, the Pact Commander crossed paths with Livia once again. She revealed that she had only reclaimed the Scepter of Orr with the wizard lord Isgarren's help, and had been working with the Astral Ward for many years since. For her service, Livia had been deemed a Wayfinder, an Astral Ward title which was also extended to the Commander. She also revealed that she had known about Mabon, a benevolent mursaat wizard, since joining the Ward and had ultimately come to view him as a redeemed figure rather than a villain like the rest of his kind.

After securing the Wizard's Tower, the Astral Ward moved on to their floating base of Amnytas in the clouds to reclaim the bastions that were under attack and to prevent further damage to the World Spire. The Commander helped Livia collect relics in the Bastion of the Obscure, transport them to the Bastion of Knowledge, and defeat powerful Kryptis trying to seize the relics. Livia also participated in closing rifts leading to the Kryptis' home realm of Nayos, and summoned the Guardian of the Obscure to help fend off the great Kryptis Nourys, the Eyes of the Abyss, which was trying to damage the World Spire. After Nourys had been banished back to Nayos, Livia appeared atop the World Spire along with other high-ranking Astral Ward to congratulate the Commander for a job well done.

Locations

Horn of Maguuma

• The Wizard's Tower
  • Inner Sanctorium
    • The Reliquary

Kryta

• Queensdale (during event, as Exemplar Kerida)
  • Queen's Forest
    • Hunting Lodge

Story involvement

Living World Season 1

• Episode 3: Clockwork Chaos
  • Picking Up the Pieces (as Shining Blade)

Living World Season 3

• Episode 6: One Path Ends
  • "Where's Balthazar?" (as Shining Blade Exemplar)
  • Shining Blade Secrets (as Exemplar Kerida)
  • On Orrian Shores (as Exemplar Kerida, voice only)
  • The Last Chance

Secrets of the Obscure story

• Act 2
  • Tower of Secrets

Janthir Wilds story

• Act 1
  • Strangers among Lands

Event involvement

[Group Event] Defeat the invading Awakened (30)

[Group Event] Assist in summoning the Guardian of the Obscure (80)

Defeat the anomalous tentacle and close the rift (80)

[Group Event] Collect relics for Livia, and keep the Kryptis from stealing too many (80)

[Group Event] Help Livia escort the relics by shooting at Kryptis from the magic platforms (80)

[Group Event] Defeat the avatar before it steals the relics (80)

Combat abilities

Behavior

• Livia's skills mimic a build from the original Guild Wars.

Effects

•  Wielding the Shining Blade — While she holds The Shining Blade.
•  Health Regeneration

Skills

•   Life Siphon - Siphon health from your foe. Healing effectiveness increases if you are bleeding. Damage increases if your foe is bleeding.
• Barbed Signet - Drains life from a targeted foe.
•   Cry of Frustration - Shatter. Destroy all your clones, confusing nearby foes. The shatter effect also occurs at your location.
• Fragility - Applies  Fragility to enemies.
• Health Regeneration - Applies Health Regeneration to allies.
•   Order of the Vampire - Enchantment: attacks steal health.

Dialogue

Queensdale

During event

Don't get distracted, hero—the undead are prowling near here.

Not for long.

After event

Good day, Commander. I was out for a stroll and just happened upon this pitched battle. I've heard Joko holds grudges a long time—perhaps you two should discuss this in person? (If completed One Path Ends)

Such slipshod creations. For a centuries-old sorceror, Palawa Joko hasn't learned many new tricks. (otherwise)

Is Divinity's Reach secured from attack?

The Shining Blade is prepared for many scenarios, especially attacks from within. But these attacks are simple displays of power to provoke fear.

Soon enough, Palawa Joko's going to remember what fear feels like.

You're one to talk about old grudges. (If completed One Path Ends)

Age hasn't granted him wisdom. It's time he learned the value of peace. (otherwise)

The Wizard's Tower

Acclimating?

With the Kryptis no longer a threat, I'm surprised you're still here. (after completing Sovereign of Nayos)

Not for long—things are getting a bit dull here. And I'm hearing...rumblings in the north. Perhaps we'll cross paths somewhere in the wilderness, hm?

Let me ask something else.

Can't wait.

Well enough. Did I hear someone mention the Scepter of Orr?

Oh, that. You did. Just down the hall, actually, but I wouldn't get too close.

Why not?

The Kryptis invasion has it...stirring. The ward are just terrified of it. A little silly, really. They hear strange, spectral whispers all the time!

I didn't realize you surrendered it to the Astral Ward.

Watch yourself, "surrender" is a strong word. Isgarren didn't give me much of a choice, once he knew where I kept it. That was a hell of a lecture... But it is safer here. For me, and for everyone else.

That's good to hear.

So, about that Shadowstone I so painstakingly reforged...

Oh, that. The Astral Ward was keeping a close eye on you during that entire debacle, Wayfinder. You came pretty close to putting your hand into a cookie jar that bites. Hard.

Did you now?

A Shadowstone of that size, while volatile, is nowhere near the strength needed to be a true threat. But even then, nobody should drop it anywhere. Especially into volcanoes.

What even is a "Shadowstone"?

Shadowstones are magical conduits created by the Seers, Isgarren used the biggest one he could muster to power the World Spire—and that's why it's so important we keep it out of Kryptis control.

I have another question...

We'll do everything we can to prevent from that happening.

Noted.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Gallery

• 

  Livia posing as Exemplar Kerida.

• 

  Concept art by Kekai Kotaki for Guild Wars.

Notes

Lore discrepancy:

Although Livia's birth year is implied by a Shining Blade document to be 1064 AE, this would make her improbably young during the events of Guild Wars. This suggests that Livia was born significantly earlier than the document implies, intentionally or otherwise.

• Livia seeking out the Scepter of Orr in Arah was one of several "hooks" that developers placed in Ogden's Benediction without necessarily knowing how they were going to be used. This event was not mentioned at all throughout Guild Wars Beyond (suggesting it may actually have taken place after the Krytan Civil War, rather than immediately after the defeat of the Great Destroyer as suggested in the Eye of the North epilogue).
• When asked about what happened to Livia and the Scepter of Orr, continuity designer Ree Soesbee stated that she "couldn't answer that question" and that it was important that she couldn't answer it.
• Her rank changes from Legendary to Veteran during the Defeat the invading Awakened event.

Trivia

• Livia is voiced by Courtenay Taylor.
• A Pact airship, the Lady Livia, is named after her.
• Some of the rumors about Livia's unnatural longevity are reminiscent of those told about Báthory Erzsébet.
• In the novel Sea of Sorrows, Livia is described as having "White-streaked hair".
• Livia's current alias is Kerida. In Spanish, the word for "dear" (an endearment Livia likes to use) is "querida".
• Her combat abilities were intended to be a "fun call-back to GW1".
• Livia wields the focus King's Remembrance, and the sword Vengeance.

See also

The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Livia.

Associated items

• Mini Astral Ward Livia
• Mini Livia