Iona
Former Queen of Skye
Iona ruled Skye through fear, invoking its history of invasion to justify her control. Denied the succession, she seized power violently and let the court blame rebels for her family’s deaths. Her private diary recalls torturing her father. Her resentment of Haeos for refusing to choose her as Champion of Energy extends that entitlement from royal authority to divine power.
Her adopted family is central to the way she secures obedience. She turns children into soldiers, spies and experimental subjects by making their need for belonging serve her rule. She burns Indradeep’s village before adopting him, buys Iseul and has her family killed while letting her believe she was rescued, and kidnaps Illaria. Even her favorite daughter is expendable when love conflicts with ambition. Iseul’s offer of Skye’s surrender and a life together is answered with a stabbing as Iona continues toward godhood.
Her rise as the Cold Thunder Avatar also depends on exploiting another person’s attachment. With Abel’s help, she threatens Gaheris’s soul until Haeos surrenders his title and power. She holds that stolen position until her defeat.
Sources
AQW Wiki: Queen Iona · Iona’s diary · Castle Gaheris confrontation