Ydwin

 is a female Glamfellen cipher / rogue, and a recruitable sidekick in. She works side by side with Flaune Elette of the Vailian Trading Company as an animancer.

Background
Ydwin was born and raised among a remote pale elf tribe of the White that Wends, where she witnessed cruelties of both kith and nature. She chose to leave when she grew disillusioned with the leadership of the tribal elders and the religious worship of the coming End Times, which seem to be running about ten thousand years late. She focused on unraveling the mysteries of Eora the hard way: Through natural sciences.

Ydwin chose to relocate to the Vailian Republics due to their progressive attitude towards animancy. She greatly enjoys their grand libraries, which she considers to be the republics "true treasures". She left in part due to the tensions between The Dyrwood and the Republics that were caused by the events in, and also needed better access to luminous adra for her studies.

As well as being an animancer she is also a talented seamstress, finding that the two practices have more in common than one might think. She enjoys adopting pieces of culture from other nations and has a near perfect Vailian accent.

Animancy
After decades of study, Ydwin has became an expert in the metaphysics of Eora and is a skilled practitioner of animancy.

As an apprentice, she focused on discrediting animancy phrenological studies and the idea that some kith are more desirable soul vessels than others. She then became interested in theoretical ideas, before taking an interest in the study of parapsychological inertia - or "the tendency for some souls to gravitate towards familiar locals or engage in behaviors exhibited from past lives." Following that, she moved on to meta-mortality - or "the scientific study of souls over lifetimes and the cycle of reincarnation."

She holds a deep interest in the Watcher's abilities and the hunt for Eothas, which she believes "may be one of the defining events of the age". Apart from doing her own experiments she has a keen interest in unlocking the secrets of luminous adra and its ability to store souls. Following the Watcher out to sea is a good way to ensure that can happen.

Soul
Shortly after her recruitment, the Watcher can discover exactly how intense her focus on animancy is: Ydwin performed a successful experiment and removed her soul from the Wheel - becoming, effectively, a fampyr. She keeps herself sustained on the souls of animals.

Relationships

 * As a sidekick she does not have any direct reputations with other companions. However, several party members will remark on her fampyr state.
 * Upon recruitment with Aloth in the party, he interjects when the Watcher asks about Ydwin's method for sustaining herself, saying "it had better not involve consuming us". Ydwin will reply, "I assure you, sir, that I will be admitting no part of you into my mouth. Ever."

Trivia

 * According to Modwyr, Ydwin sings "Wending epics" when she thinks no one is listening, which Modwyr thinks would almost be nice, except Ydwin apparently has a "terrible singing voice".
 * A fan favorite, Ydwin would have been a fully-featured companion if the highest funding level was reached during the Fig crowdfunding campaign. Although it failed, Ydwin was provided with new interactivity and expanded role in the and  expansions.

Behind the scenes

 * Ydwin was written by Alex Scokel.
 * She is voiced by actress Ashley Johnson who also voices the narrator for the game.