Name: Davra Andraste
Species: Sapiens
Birthplace: Metis
Birthdate: 415 IE
Davra Andraste is a teenage resistance fighter and gifted technician from Amargosa. Known for her brilliance, bravery, and sense of justice, she becomes a pivotal figure in the human resistance against the Gelt occupation.
Early Life
Davra was born on Metis and raised on Bromdar. After the death of her mother, she was raised by her father, Samuel Andraste, who became a single parent. Her early exposure to space life and off-world cultures shaped her adaptability and sharpened her technical talents.
Main Events
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Gelt Invasion: Davra joins the resistance following the Gelt invasion of Amargosa. Her skills quickly elevate her importance within the movement.
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Maglev Defense: She helps repel Lucius Kray’s forces aboard a maglev train during the early resistance efforts.
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Journey to the Ban Ki-moon: Against orders, she joins JT Austin and Eric Yuwono on a mission to reach the downed Compact Navy vessel. They navigate occupied territory, evade Gelt patrols, and have mysterious encounters with possibly intelligent lycanths.
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Saving Trixie and Facing Section 11: During the mission, Davra saves a Gelt prisoner named “Trixie” from attempted sexual assault by a fellow soldier. Though her actions are morally justified, they technically violate military protocol, forcing Suicide to convene a tribunal that nearly results in a Section 11 execution. Davra is ultimately exiled from Suicide’s team as punishment.
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Suicide’s Counsel: In exile, Suicide speaks to Davra privately, showing a deep understanding of both Davra’s values and the burden of command. Though stern, Suicide’s words carry empathy, affirming Davra’s worth while acknowledging the cost of her defiance.
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Gelt Captivity: Later, Davra is captured and held for three weeks aboard the Gelt colony transport over Lansdorp. Her time in captivity leaves her traumatized but more resolute than ever. This ordeal further matures her and deepens her hatred for the occupation.
Relationships
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JT Austin: A close ally in the resistance. Davra and JT’s relationship is built on trust and mutual respect, tested during their defection from the Founders Mine and strengthened during missions.
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Eric Yuwono: A strong partnership rooted in complementary skill sets and a shared sense of purpose. Eric’s feelings for Davra are hinted at but not overtly explored, though their bond is solid.
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Suicide (Commander Cui Yun): Suicide acts as a commanding officer, mentor, and at times, a moral foil. Though Suicide exiles Davra for breaching protocol, she later offers candid counsel, acknowledging Davra’s idealism and growing leadership potential.
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Tyler Wat: Davra distrusts Wat due to his ties to the forced polygamy movement on Goshen and his morally gray decisions. She sees him as a necessary evil in the fight against Kray.
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Trixie: Davra saves Trixie from sexual assault, forming a bond of protection. Trixie’s trauma and Davra’s defense underscore her moral compass and the cost of standing up for others.
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Ellie Nardino & Connor Duffy: During the Ban Ki-moon mission, Davra develops a working rapport with Ellie and Duffy, especially in technical tasks like rigging explosives in the maglev tunnel.
Author’s Notes:
Davra’s name is a combination of “Davora,” a variant on the name of the female Israelite judge Deborah in the Book of Judges, and “Andraste,” a pre-Celtic war goddess. The idea was to make her a combination of wise leader and warrior.
Her father, and later lover and eventual husband Eric Yuwono, both called her “Dabby” in private. Eventually, the other The Children of Amargosa call her that when she’s stressed.
She was originally envisioned as the group nerd, but the role has since spread out between Connor Duffy, Ellie Nardino, and, to a lesser extent, Tishla.
In the novel Davra's Endeavour, JT Austin says tells Davra, while he and Mitsuko are looked at as the fierce fighters of the group, she is the one in the Children of Amargosa he looks up to.
Appearances: The Children of Amargosa, Second Wave