Sapphyre Nilshikha

"Hey guys! Right here is my best friend-- So watch out!"

- Saf, said when she's with any friend



Saphyr Nilshikha (commonly spelled "Sapphyre," despite different pronounciation) is the assigned leader of Team SYRA and has transfered to Beacon Academy from Signal. She wields a standard bow-sword weapon and serves as an all-around fighter in battle for her team.

Appearance
Physically, Sapphyre is an average tan-skinned girl with dark brown eyes and long matching hair. Other girls don’t consider her tall or short and neither fat or skinny-- in fact, in comparison to her other team members, she is in the middle in height and weight. If anything besides the word “normal,” she might pass for “petite.” Her brown hair, which is rather long and somewhat unkempt for a huntress, had a small braid only seen from the back.

Despite her average looks, her attire, at least, her battle attire, was extremely personalized with variations of blue and gems resembling sapphires-- the skirt itself is loaded with oval-shaped gemstones. Her top technically has no sleeves, as blue frills only extend as far as her shoulders. The v-neck of the top is black, which is the other main color of her outfit; it is adorned with diamond-shaped sapphires. There’s also a blue collar behind the v-neck, which has a gold necklace running around it, but strangely with no pendant. Her gold earrings and bracelets (on her arms) are without much complexity.

On her back, attached to her corset, is her leather quiver, which has golden studs near the top rim. Overall her back is rather plain, but pained on the quiver is Sapphyre’s blue emblem. As an archer, she also wears matching gloves that extend to her elbow; the blue tape meant to secure it often gets too tight, so she normally lets the slack stay loose. Her black, knee-high boots have false sapphire-like plates as knee guards, while the rest of her legs are padded with gold plating.

Saf's voice is frequently loud, energetic and without accent. She also is capable of high-pitched singing yet rarely shrieks.

Personality
Beyond her role as the leader of  Team SYRA, Saf is known to be a cheerful teenager who constantly finds herself brightening up friends and even strangers. However she may do the cheering up even when the situation doesn’t call for it or warns against it, getting her into misunderstandings. She is often said to have an appearance and the heart of a young girl, and for that reason is not seen as mature. Though she doesn’t practice perfect manners for child of a private business, she remains respectful to most. She also has a reputation of keeping her promises-- the most known of them being not eating meat.

For close friends she has been seen as a sister with the intuition of one. If others can understand that she is well-intentioned, they can then see her as extremely loyal and honest. On the academic side of things, her teachers and tutors may praise her attitude towards peers, but criticize her pessimism and laziness with schoolwork.

Saf’s most i dentifiable trait is her clumsiness, more with her gestures and speech rather than her two feet. For one, she has been accused of calling too many people her "best friends." She is e asily fooled and is branded gullible by her classmates, despite her proud smile and loud voice. Plus, due to her constant effort to keep others happy, she has come off as "false" to most.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Her personal family life comes first in many occasions, explaining her various absences, especially from the lives of her teammates. For this reason, any sadness Saf feels (which is surprisingly more frequent than many would expect) is normally kept bottled up inside until situations lead her to break down. She deals with guilt very poorly, being very harsh on herself, and will be the first to apologize in many situations.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Although she is dressed as a hunter, she refuses to kill even the smallest things if she can help it. Her attitude in battle is not generally enthusiastic, especially if she is fending for herself in the wild. When it comes to her own problems, she keeps to herself-- if the problem is mutual, like schoolwork, she will complain quite frequently.

Weapon
<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sapphyre’s weapon, the only one on her team that doesn't have duality, is titled “Tygreazul,” simply meaning “blue tiger.” Its weapon acronym is SABR (Sword Adapting Bow Render), which can help describe how the weapon is able to shift between longbow and long-sword forms. Another note to include is that Saf often has several types of arrows, (some that can catch on fire or conduct electricity etc. based on the type of dust that she had inserted behind the arrowhead) and often reuses them, even going out of her way in the heat of battle to fetch them. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The two halves of the longbow can be folded above and bent down (like a slap-band, it takes a bit of work to bend back, which why why Saf usually hits them on something first) to be parallel to the blade; when in sword form, the barrel near the hilt will open to create an extension to the round, circle-like blades. The hilt will also extend in this form. Finally a saber is formed: the tip of the blade being the tips of the bows, the main section of the blade being the edges of the long circular appendage, the blade closest to the handle is made from the opening of the barrel, the handle being the handle, and the hilt being a pointed blue gemstone.

<span id="docs-internal-guid-c7408e79-4c0a-c4ca-88d5-e0f44f7e32fe" style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">It's easier/faster to switch to the bow form, all there needs to be done is to press the extended hilt back in, causing the bow's halves to snap back into shape (it's supposed to imitate a tiger bite?). The drawstring is automatically set in this phase change, unlike the reverse, where Sapphyre has to untie it before folding the bow down.

Abilities and Stats
<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Although she has no elemental or magical backing with her weapon, other than various arrows that have fire or electric dust in them, she must rely on her accuracy, which others say is as sharp as her advice. With her semblance of multiplicity, which occasionally splits her arrows into halves and thirds (and potentially more) during launch or in mid-air, she is able to hit multiple targets at once. Saf and others call it the <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">“Luck of the Draw,” because it appears the arrows have split by pure luck.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">In terms of use, the semblance affects only her arrows, it is unknown if it can affect artillery, as Saf refused to use guns despite their effectiveness-- at any time after an arrow is launched, it may break in half straight down the shaft and arrowhead, creating parallel arrows. Note that the arrows are weaker and easier to break in this state, which is why Saf can't reuse arrows that have split. Dust that has been placed within the arrowhead may not always affect both/all of the arrows, but will be present in at least one.

In order for this ability to activate, Saf must first visualize the split arrow, which is also a process where her aura can be invested into it. Concentrating on the arrow, and not so much its destination, makes this semblance inconvenient to do quickly in battle. When in effect, witnesses can see ghosts of the arrow appear before it actually splits. Depending on how well the user can focus, the arrow will split earlier. This semblance costs Saf a considerable amount of energy which is why it may happen only once or twice in one fight.

Tripling and quadrupling takes extreme effort and energy--- it is also very rare, since those options are usually situation-based and will weaken the original arrow considerably.

Sapphyre also considers unintentional ricocheting luck (when it's really her arrow splitting off after a hit) which is why others warn her about relying on such luck; they realize that her use of aura is rather limited and unrefined, as this ability is rarely used, and mostly "cooperates" during the heat of battle, when her focus is indicative. <p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Saf’s style is heavily dependent on the element of surprise, which could either be using the environment or relying on her semblance. She is a well-rounded close-combat and far-range fighter, but is not a master in either. She doesn’t know any form of hand-to-hand combat, and is practically a goner without her weapon, though she may improvise with her surroundings if that case is to arise.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Another note is that she cannot swim, and thus avoids water-based environments.

Backstory
<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Saphyr, Saf's original name from her family, is a local citizen to the City of Vale, which makes her the seemingly most boring individual of her team, since the three other members originate elsewhere. Despite being born and raised in the same city, but initially on the outskirts, all of her life, Saf’s family is more than just the regular business-owning type.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Her family specializes in “chiseling,” which is the process of imbuing weapons, not ammunition, with elemental dust, which is both valuable (being a rare and expensive service) and dangerous (can cause explosions if improperly done). Chiseling includes processes of condensing dust and then inserting it into the build of weapons, which allows long term reuse of elemental dust, with the drawback of extremely weaker effects. For example, Sapphyre's arrowheads, some of which she chiseled and didn't simply fill with raw dust powder, can produce small electrical shocks and fires that will weaken if she reuses the arrowheads. The family works with sword and daggers as well, but their services are unheard of to the general public.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">With parents determined to keep their methods a secret, Saf found that her home life was filled with expectations and consequences. She also grew up in an extremely traditionalist family as the second of three children, which had a hierarchy that placed her elder sister and younger brother above her needs---leading to a rough childhood. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"> Her sister excelled in academia, learning how to further engineer and combine weapons with dust, delighting the parents, who then turned against Saphyr, who'd rather sneak out and toy with common bows and swords in the nearby forest.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Although all three children were rather sheltered, the least freedom was granted to Saf since she was the only child who clearly had no interest in partaking in the weapon-enhancing process. Saf barely even comprehended the business and the weight of it for Hunters and military, she just wanted to meet people and go on some sort of adventure...she believes her brother, Gajri, who sometimes played with her in the edges of the forest, had similar feelings. One incident was when they encountered an Ursa, with Gajri sustaining an injury on his arm on the escape. Their parents were horrified that the arm was temporarily disabled, and prevented Saphyr, who was scarred with guilt, from future excursions.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">In her teens she was given a compromise: her parents would agree to send her to Signal with the promise that their daughter, along with Gajri, start learning how to chisel and eventually take up the business. The daughter undoubtedly agreed, even though she knew they only meant to trick her--- they would never allow her into the higher grades of Hunter school. In her years at Signal Academy, Sapphyre (a name her peers developed) customized a simple bow-based weapon that does not use dust in dedication to her eagerness to stay separate from her family business. Eventually, with her brother seemingly repeating the elder sister's success in school, Saf accepted her fate to inherit the chiseling business, and began imbuing her arrowheads with elemental dust. Meanwhile, she grew the reputation of a cheerleader among her peers, but her absence record left the administration perplexed. With increasingly stubborn parents, Saf soon found herself running a part of the business and failing to pass the knowledge off to Gajri, who suddenly claimed to want to study medicine rather than weapons.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Although her marks were high enough for entrance to Beacon, her father’s partnership with the Schnee and other higher-up companies appeared to have sealed Sapphyre’s fate as the heir to her family’s trade. However, on one eventful day after she confronted a group of dust-robbers who took a friend hostage, her name came to the attention of both the mafia and Beacon. Seeing as this teen intervened successfully yet is doomed to not graduate as a Huntress, Ozpin negotiated with the teen’s father, who realized that his daughter may soon have a target on her back from this event as well as the White Fang’s attempts to destroy Schnee affiliates.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Before graduating Signal, Saf found herself the ticket to enter Beacon; while she can attend the school, she must also return home occasionally to help finish some chiseling jobs for the clients, who are increasing in number and...intentions.

Relationships

 * Teammates
 * <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Although Yulon is strongly oriented towards professionalism and business, Sapphyre is the only other teammate that is capable of talking to her on a personal level. They often come at an impasse due to their opposing family views--- even their meeting at the initiation was extremely awkward, but for some reason their personalities resonate, as they seem to be able to scheme strategies together. Even so, Saf must resist wanting to be too optimistic in order to not annoy Yulon-- after all, they are also training to become business partners.
 * <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Saf admires Ragla’s tastes in art, as well as her mature composure. They get along when the matter at hand is not serious, but in dire situations, Ragla’s down-to-earth logic clashes with Saf’s idealistic pep talks. Ragla is often found teasing Saf on her clumsiness and other trivial issues, but they do not fare as well in combat.
 * <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#d9d9d9;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Amy is said to be Saf’s best friend, simply because they talk and walk so much together. The two share their secrets and can cause chaos together. They share a mutual distaste family life and weapons, but Sapphyre’s willingness to cope is what drives Amy away. Also, Saf’s moderate tastes and values can sometimes fail to please Amy’s radical ideas. In battle, it appears Amy is constantly convincing the other of the newest crazy ideas.


 * Classmates
 * Sapphyre, despite going to the same school as Ruby, never found herself interacting with the scythe-wielder, as Ruby seems too fond of weapons than classmates, which discouraged Saf.
 * Yang Xiao Long recognizes Sapphyre more so than her younger sister, and vice versa. Yang also knows Saf for her reputation as a cheerleader, but the two remain acquaintances, even after all their years in the same class at Signal.
 * Saf also met Beryllius ("Barrel"), the future leader of Team BERL, while moving into Beacon. She is thankful for his strong encouragement when she feels intimidated. (Chapter 2)
 * Townsfolk
 * On the night (Chapter 1) Saf ran into a mob of dust thieves run by Sparx, a grunt of Torchwick's, Saf met Huang, a young boy that was coerced into thievery, and Paprika, the Faunus girl that was kept hostage; although they have not met again since, Saf expects that she'd see them in Vale again soon enough.

Trivia

 * Her name is actually pronounced "Saf-fir Nil-shi-ka." In her family, the first name is spelled as "Saphyr."Proliferation.png
 * The original spelling, Saphyr, is a variant of a group of many names such as "Saphir," "Sapir," and "Saphire," having origins in English, German, and Hebrew cultures. The Hebrew word "Sapir," means a sapphire jewel or a precious stone.
 * The surname is a Hindi name meaning "top of the blue mountain."
 * This character was based on one of the four friends of BloodyRosalia. This real-life person received the Ruby slap-band that Bloody won from Rooster Teeth's Movie Poster Contest.
 * The theme is based on the existence of Sapphire Mountains, Montana, USA.
 * The emblem represents Proliferation, a process that can be used to describe both minerals and Sapphyre's Semblance.
 * The name of the Chiseling business the Nilshikhas run remains unknown to the public.
 * Her younger brother's name, Gajri ("gah-dree"), is based off of the word "gajr," which means "carrot" in Hindi.
 * Sapphyre has been alluded Robin Hood, a master archer and swordsman:
 * Saf's childhood was spent sneaking out to forests to play bow and arrow-- Hood's men lived in the Sherwood Forest.
 * Although she herself had no streak of thievery, in Chapter One Sapphyre instead dealt with Huang, who was trying to steal the dust she needed for her family's business.
 * Robin was originally spelt "Robyn," similar to how Sapphire has been changed to Sapphyre.
 * The Adventures of Robin Hood, an old British TV series running in the 1950s, was produced by Sapphire Films, Ltd.

Fanfiction and Other Links

 * Trailer Fanfiction
 * Team SYRA Fanfiction
 * Original Site on DeviantArt