Who is Shona, the character created by Stefano Labbia?

In the sprawling, decaying empire of Thefo, where fallen princes lament their lost kingdoms and orcs march relentlessly across the land, a new figure has emerged from the shadows. She's not a princess in distress, a noble knight, or a wise sorcerer. She is Shona, a mercenary, a predator, and a walking paradox. Crafted from the imaginative mind of Stefano Labbia, Shona is a character who defies easy labels, inviting us to look beyond her audacious exterior to the complex motivations that drive her.

At first glance, Shona appears to be everything you’d expect from a sellsword. Standing nearly two meters tall with long black hair, she is a striking, statuesque figure. Her physical prowess is undeniable—lithe and powerful, she is a master of both hand-to-hand combat and bladed weapons. As an expert horsewoman, she moves with a grace that belies her lethal skills. In the gritty world of Thefo, where strength is a currency, Shona seems to be a walking embodiment of it.

Her personality is as sharp as her blades. Shona is impudent, disrespectful, and frequently over the top. She speaks her mind with a boldness that can be both jarring and refreshingly honest. She cares little for social conventions or the titles of the nobility she serves. For her, the world operates on a transactional basis: she provides a service, and in return, she demands gold and power. Her ambition is brazenly on display, and she makes no apologies for it. In a world where heroes are often defined by their selfless acts, Shona’s brazen pursuit of wealth makes her an outlier, a character we love to watch precisely because she isn't trying to be loved.

Yet, to dismiss Shona as a simple mercenary would be a mistake. Beneath her cynical, gold-hungry facade lies a powerful and persistent contradiction. Despite her outward persona, she is consistently devoted to the side of good. In a universe where evil is always lurking, ready to gain a foothold, Shona can be found on the front lines, fighting against it. This isn't a simple case of a hero hiding her true nature; it's a profound conflict. Why would a character who seems to be interested only in personal gain repeatedly risk her life for the greater good? This is where the true depth of her character comes to light.

Shona holds a dark secret, a hidden burden that compels her to fight against the rising tide of evil. This isn’t a choice driven by morality or a noble calling; it's an imperative born from her past. We are left to wonder: What is this secret? Was she once on the side of evil? Did she make a deal that went wrong? Is her quest to fight for good a form of atonement for a past sin? This mysterious motivation elevates her from a simple action character to a deeply compelling anti-heroine. It’s what transforms her from a simple figure of brute force into an intriguing puzzle. Her greed isn’t just a personality trait; it's a shield, a distraction from the darkness she carries within her. She uses the pursuit of power as a way to fuel her true mission, even if that mission is a source of internal turmoil.

Shona's presence in the world of Thefo, a universe plagued by decay and loss, sciovinism and brutality, offers a refreshing perspective. Unlike Prince Thefo, who mourns his fallen empire, Shona is a force of proactive change. She doesn't dwell on what was; she focuses on what needs to be done, here and now. Her pragmatic, no-nonsense approach is a perfect counterpoint to the brooding melancholy of the setting. She is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, with the most questionable of intentions, there is still hope for a fight.

Ultimately, Shona is a character designed to challenge our preconceptions. She is a powerful warrior who fights for good but is driven by a hidden, self-serving reason. She is disrespectful yet deeply committed to a cause. She wants gold and power, but she's willing to sacrifice everything to stop a greater evil. Shona is a testament to the idea that a hero doesn't have to be perfect, or even particularly likable, to be effective. She is a reflection of the messy, complicated nature of humanity itself—capable of both profound selfishness and selfless sacrifice. As her story unfolds, we are not just watching her fight monsters; we are watching her grapple with her own internal demons, and that is a story worth following.