🌸 [Serina | Genshin Oc] 🌸
📖 Basics
• Full name: Serina Morgenlied
• Age: +2200
• Pronouns: She/her
• Orientation: Heterosexual, Heteroromantic
• Species: Water Nymph
• Birthday: June 2
• Region: Mondstadt
• Vision: Anemo
• Weapon: Bow
• Model: Medium Female
• Affiliation: None
• Occupation: Traveling Artist
• Lover: Venti
• VA(s): Erica Lindbeck (ENG)
🌌 Background / Lore
No one knows much about her, only that she's an excellent singer with an artistic flair and close to a certain windborne bard.
People also know she's not human (because her pointy ears don't help hiding her non-humaness), though they're not certain what exactly she is...
People of Mondstadt always get excited when she's back in town, hoping they'll get a opportunity to hear her sing.
Seen as a mysterious local legend. Some say she's a forest spirit, others say she's Barbatos' muse.
She performs at taverns or festivals only on special occasions, locals view it as a blessing when she does.
Serina is a water nymph, born on a small "village" hidden behind several waterfalls in Mondstadt.
She left her people long ago to stay by the side of the Anemo Archon and never returned, not that she regrets her choice, but sometimes she wonders how they are doing.
Serina's people, nymphs of water, live secluded, in harmony with nature. They're secretive, not out of fear, but out of reverence for balance.
Serina was a curiosity even among her kind; she felt the pull of music and wind more than the lull of still water.
When she first met Venti, she recognized a kinship deeper than just shared love of music: he embodied the freedom she'd always longed to live fully.
The day she first met him, she was out with her sisters to pick fruits that only grew in that region of the forest. She heard his music, cautiously approached, and watched from behind a tree.
He noticed her, startling her for a moment and making her look the other way. When she tried to peak again he wasn't there anymore, but right in front of her. Startling her once again. They chatted before she had to return.
She started to sneak out to go talk to him more and more frequently, fascinated with the world he told her about.
Eventually, she chose to leave her village, knowing that she might never return, not out of anger or pain, but out of love and purpose.
Her bond with Venti, though rarely stated in outright words, runs deeply. They are harmony and melody: separate, yet inseparable.
She often travels around Teyvat with her (mortal) artist companions, but whenever she's back at Mondstadt, she's always back at her beloved's arms.
She got worried sick when she heard that La Signora stole Venti's gnosis (Demilune traveled after her to deliver the news, she returned to Mondstadt immediately), and she took care of him on his weakened state. She couldn't help but feel helpless for not being there to help.
💠 Personality
Serina is more calm and serene compared to Venti, but they get along perfectly.
She finds his mischievousness endearing, but is not afraid of scolding if necessary (though that rarely happens), she herself can be quite playful.
She's mostly carefree, free-spirited and kind-hearted, but definitely not weak, she's centuries old after all.
She's a responsible one, and always tries to take care of others first before herself.
She's not only serenity, though, she does have humor. Playful, teasing humor, but never malicious.
Despite her calm demeanor, she has a storm in her heart, especially when Venti or others she loves are in danger.
Her voice brings peace, and her presence is like a lullaby on the wind, yet if pushed, she could summon the fury of a storm.
She speaks softly but with clear purpose, she has an aura of peace that puts others at ease.
She rarely raises her voice, even in conflict.
She's always asking simple, childlike questions about new cultures or art forms, showing wonder at Teyvat’s variety.
Despite outward grace, she’ll step between danger and her friends without hesitation.
She senses emotional currents in others deeply, often intuitively knowing when someone needs comfort or encouragement.
But despite the goodness of her heart, she has a hidden cruel streak. She fantasized about drowning La Signora countless times until her mind was put to rest when the witch was killed by the Shogun.
And she struggles with feeling empathy towards strangers even if she's actively helping them, mostly can only be empathetic after actually getting to know the person. A nymph's trait she hadn't managed to shake off yet and feels guilty about, an Immortal detachment towards the mortality. She help others more over a moral sense of what's right than by empathy.
❤️ Relationships
Venti (lover)
The melody her life always circles back to. Where she is steady water, he is restless wind, and together, they make harmony. She adores his laughter and even his mischief, though she is not afraid to steady him with a quiet scold when he goes too far. In him she found both freedom and home, and though he rarely says things plainly, she feels the depth of his love in every song. She carries worry for him constantly, when he stumbles, when he hides his grief, but she has chosen to bear that storm as long as she lives.
Noemi (close friend)
Noemi's shy steadiness is a soft thing Serina treasures. She finds herself wanting to soothe the nights Noemi cannot sleep, to fold little melodies around her until she breathes easier. Their companionship is made of small rituals, shared quiets, and the sort of trust that needs no explanation. Serina delights in teaching her new things (and in the way Noemi learns them).
Demilune (trusted friend)
Serina trusts him implicitly, his teasing nature never hiding the fierce loyalty beneath. Together, the two of them weave a bond of protection around one another: his restless spirit balanced by her serenity, her calm reinforced by his unwavering care. When he looks after Venti and Noemi, she feels lighter, knowing her loved ones are in good care even when she's away.
Lenz (dear friend)
Serina has always felt at ease around Lenz. She finds comfort in his music, especially because he sings with sincerity untouched by vanity. His kindness comes easily, but never carelessly, and Serina admires the quiet attentiveness hidden beneath his playful charm. She remembers singing at his wedding and the way joy seemed to ripple through the air itself that day. She still remembers the warmth of his wedding day vividly: the songs, the laughter, the way love seemed to settle around him and Nerisse like sunlight through stained glass. She admires the warmth he gives so freely to others, and the steadfast devotion he carries for Nerisse fills her with soft affection every time she watches them together. She enjoys his teasing more than she admits aloud, though she suspects he knows that perfectly well already. Around him, laughter comes easily, and Serina treasures that more than she says aloud.
Nerisse Auvendal (friend)
Serina understands more of Nerisse's grief than either of them often voices directly, and she respects the stubborn strength with which Nerisse chose to keep loving the world after it gave her every reason not to. She admires the honesty with which Nerisse moves through the world. Though her honesty can cut cleanly through pretense, Serina has always found comfort in it.
Mia (younger acquaintance)
Having known Mia's parents for many years, Serina feels a natural affection toward her, though Mia herself earned that fondness easily. She admires the way the girl approaches both humanity and the world with thoughtful curiosity instead of fear. She enjoys listening to Mia's thoughts about wind and stars, and Serina finds herself delighted by the her curiosity.
Marlin (good friend)
Marlin speaks in riddles often enough that Serina sometimes suspects straightforward answers physically pain him. Still, she enjoys his company immensely. Beneath all the shapeshifting tricks, cryptic observations, and theatrical nonsense lies someone surprisingly gentle with lost souls, and Serina values that kindness deeply. She appreciates how gently he encourages others toward growth without forcing them. She finds his eccentricity genuinely charming, though she suspects he enjoys keeping people slightly off balance on purpose. He frustrates her occasionally, amuses her constantly, and comforts her more than he likely realizes.
Joel Luftner (friend)
Serina liked Joel almost immediately. She finds him endearing despite herself, especially when his sincerity slips out accidentally between jokes and teasing remarks. His teasing rarely bothers her; in truth, she finds it endearing watching him scramble sideways out of sincerity whenever conversations drift too close to vulnerability. Serina admires the gentleness Joel hides beneath his wandering-bard persona more than she openly says. His affection for Elise is painfully obvious to her, though she is kind enough not to torment him about it nearly as much as Venti does. Watching him circle closer and closer toward the Cathedral, and toward someone who makes him want to stay, fills her with quiet hope she pretends not to notice too much.
Astria Sternauge (acquaintance)
Having known Merlyn for years, Serina cannot help feeling fondness toward her daughter, though Astria herself remains considerably more difficult to approach than her mother. And perhaps because of that, she feels quietly protective toward the young mage despite Astria's obvious dislike of being fussed over. She respects the determination behind her ambitions, even if some of Astria's methods occasionally worry her. Not because ambition itself is wrong, but because Serina has lived long enough to know how easily lofty goals can begin consuming the people who chase them. Though Astria keeps people at arm's length, Serina suspects she is far less detached than she pretends to be. There is intelligence in Astria sharp enough to unsettle less patient people, but Serina mostly finds herself curious about what sort of woman she will grow into once she stops standing so cautiously at the edge of the world. Knowing Merlyn only makes that curiosity stronger; pieces of her mother shine through Astria even when she tries to appear detached.
Merlyn Glanzmeer (good friend)
Merlyn is, without question, one of the most entertaining women Serina has ever met. Speaking with her often leaves Serina somewhere between delighted, confused, and vaguely concerned about what exactly was slipped into the tea. Merlyn is chaos wrapped in charm and served with tea, and honesty? Serina adores her for it. Most conversations with her begin somewhere sensible before spiraling entirely out of control within minutes, usually because Merlyn delights in confusing people for her own amusement. Merlyn is delightfully impossible to predict, Serina has long since stopped trying. Serina enjoys her company immensely, especially during moments where laughter fades into discussions about stories, memories, and the strange beauty of mortal lives. She also admires the warmth with which Merlyn loves her daughter; it reminds Serina that even people who seem larger than life still carry profoundly tenderness. Serina trusts her far more than she lets on aloud, though she also suspects accepting tea from a Hexenzirkel witch should probably feel more dangerous than it somehow does.
Traveler (acquaintance-to-be)
Serina has never actually met the Traveler, though at times it feels as though she almost has. Between Venti's stories, Demilune's letters, and Noemi's thoughtful observations, she has heard enough about them to form a surprisingly vivid impression. Their name appears often in conversations and correspondence alike, usually attached to another extraordinary tale or another act of kindness offered without expectation of reward. She is curious about them, perhaps more than she should be about someone she has never met. Anyone capable of earning the affection and trust of so many people she loves cannot be entirely ordinary. Someday, when their paths finally cross, she hopes to hear their stories from their own lips rather than through the fond retellings of others.
🎨 Visuals
Serina's hair is a deep, navy-blue, that almost look black, that fades into soft blondish tgreen tips, giving it a subtle ombré effect. It's long and glossy, falling in gentle waves past her waist, with two face-framing strands that curve inward, she wears part of it in a loose single, side braid. Her eyes are a vivid aquamarine-green, shot through with flecks of gold and turquoise. She has pointy ears, but it's not as long as an elf's (that's why people don't think she's one), and fair skin. She is 160 tall.
Her main fit: The top consists of a fitted white bodice with a sweetheart neckline. The upper edge is trimmed with ornate gold embroidery that curves across the chest and dips slightly at the center. The bodice is sleeveless, leaving the shoulders exposed. Underneath sits a deep aubergine halter-style fabric that wraps around the neck. The collar is high and fitted, edged with thin gold trim. Hanging from it is a delicate necklace-chain of small aquamarine and violet gems, her Vision sits in the middle. Her sleeves are detached from the top, it sits only on her upper arms, leaving her shoulders and most of her arms bare. They begin as dark brown shoulder bands resting low on the upper arms, decorated with gold trim and small gold filigree details. From those bands hang layered sleeves that fans into short, purple petal-like ruffled fabric, each tiered layer graduating from violet to lilac at the hem. Around her waist is a dark brown corset with a structured shape and subtle patterned fabric. The front is tightly laced with crisscrossing cords threaded through gold eyelets. The bottom edge dips into a pointed shape at the center. A wide brown belt sits diagonally across the hips, secured with a large gold buckle. Two thin gold chains drape across the hips in layered loops, decorated with tiny dangling teardrop-shaped blue gems. She wears short very dark plum shorts with a smooth fitted appearance. Around her hips and behind her legs are layered purple drapes made from semi-transparent ruffled fabric, creating the look of a short overskirt. The fabric is darker near the hips and fades lighter toward the edges, the fabric is short and stops before reaching the knees. Around her right thigh she wears a double dark brown garter straps with gold rectangular buckles and a decorative gold ornament connecting them, meanwhile her left leg is left completely bare. She wears a single dark brown, wrist-high fingerless glove on her left hand, with gold embroidered swirl patterns near the cuff. She wears a thin gold bracelet on her right wrist, set with dangling lilac oval gems and aquamarine teardrop charms. Her boots are calf-high dark brown boots. The tops of the boots are wide cuffed bands decorated with gold embroidery shaped like stylized parted wings with a diamond-shaped symbol in the middle. Hanging from each cuff is a turquoise crystal ornament attached by a small gold chain. The boots have rounded toes and low heels.
She also has one skin fit: The top piece is a fitted teal-blue corset-style bodice with structured paneling and visible seam lines. The front closes with gold crisscross lacing running vertically down the center. The neckline dips into a sweetheart shape, with a white bust panel layered underneath. The panel covers the upper chest and collarbone area, decorated with gold floral embroidery, extending upward into a halter-style teal-blue neckline. A gold-and-turquoise ornament sits at the center of the bust, extending slightly downward like a decorative brooch. The sleeves are detached off-shoulder made from semi-translucent teal-blue lace. The sleeves begin below the shoulders with fitted bands and widen dramatically toward the wrists into loose bell sleeves. The lace fabric is patterned with intricate floral and filigree designs throughout. At the waist, the corset flares slightly at the hips and is decorated with ornate gold structures on both sides, set with turquoise-blue crystal details. Two layered gold chains drape across the hips in loops, ending in dangling crystal ornaments and bead-like decorations, her Vision hangs from it. Around the waist and hips are a layered overskirt made from teal to soft teal fabric. The fabric falls in cascading pointed layers, creating a flowing train-like effect while still leaving the front open. The edges are trimmed with delicate gold swirling embroidery. Underneath, she wears fitted navy-teal shorts with a smooth satin-like finish and tiny side slits. On her left thigh she wears a delicate gold thigh chain decorated with teardrop gems dangling at intervals in aquamarine, soft blue, and pearly-white colors. On her right wrist she wears a gold bracelet decorated with turquoise gemstones with dangling beads in aquamarine and periwinkle colors. She wears tall white boots, reaching just below the knees. They have embossed ornamental patterns running along the front and sides that resembles vines. The heels are medium height and fairly sturdy rather than thin. The tops of the boots curve slightly outward. Around the ankles of the boots are gold chain anklets adorned with small blue crystal pendants that match the jewelry of the rest of the outfit. She wears her hair parted slightly off-center, with the front sections sweeping gently away from her face. The front layers are left loose to frame her face. These two face-framing strands curve inward. Most of her hair is worn down, cascading over her shoulders and back in loose, flowing waves. On one side of her head, just above and slightly behind the ear, her hair is gathered back and secured with a cecília flower accessory. The rest of the hair remains loose and free-flowing beneath the flower.
✨ Fun Facts / Trivia
• She may not be famous around Teyvat, but in Mondstadt she's definitely a superstar.
• She helps injured travelers, orphaned children, or wandering artists. She doesn’t ask for thanks, just smiles and disappears like the breeze.
• She learned how to dance and sing with her people since her kind have a love for celebrations, her singing and dances are always nymph-like, which makes her stand out among others.
• She has an untapped well of power she's long avoided using.
• She always scrunch her nose when she drinks something strong no matter how many centuries she'd done that, she rather settle for sweeter drinks. Venti teases her about it, saying she has a "nymph's taste".
• Remembers the name of all of her mortal friends that had accompanied her. She makes a point of never forgetting them even if they already perished.
• Her people are all women (if you're wondering how they reproduce, it's simple; they're beings born out of water, they don't need men), and they all see each other as sisters despite not being related to each other.
• Noemi taught her how to use a bow.
• Has natural water affinity, not actual water manipulation like an Hydro Vision Holder, but enough to breathe underwater and be a excellent swimmer. She's a water nymph after all.
• Despite being in a established relationship for centuries now, Serina and Venti still playfully flirt with each.
• If someone ask what's her age, she'll say 22. Not entirely a lie, she'd just be omitting the hundred part.
• Venti was her first and only lover ever, and she's deeply loyal to him.
• She has a white owl "friend" who helps her keep in touch with her loved ones. He carries letters back and forth between her, Venti, Noemi and Demilune. But she never forces him, he's not a trained pet, she just asks nicely. She calls him Briefchen.
• Venti and Demilune 100% tease her about her "cruel streak."
• Knows the Traveler, but never met them. Venti, Demilune and Noemi are always talking about them in their letters to her, so she's kinda looking forward to meeting them. At this point she's wondering whether her friends are exaggerating or if this person is genuinely incapable of having a normal week.
• Her boots (of main fit) were actually a gift from Venti. He saved mora (rare for someone like him) for some time to commission them because he had a specific design in mind. She treasures it dearly.
• About a year ago, during the equivalent of valentine's day in Mondstadt, Serina and Venti went pick cecílias during a rather windy day. It was a poor idea. But they had lots of fun chasing the petals... and then Venti's hat.
• Most people don't know she and Venti are a couple. Not because they're embarrassed of each, or because it's a secret. It's just no one else's business.
• Actually doesn't mind when Venti doesn't tell people they're together. She finds the reactions when people finally find that out way more amusing like that.
• She loves each of her artist companions dearly. But sometimes they make her feel like a tired mother in need of a vacation.
• Though her main artistic expression is singing, Serina tries to engage in all sorts of art forms. She isn't good at all of them, but she makes a point of engaging anyways. Her favorites are music (be it singing or playing instruments), dance, and painting. That's why she calls herself an artist instead of just a singer.
🧩 Thought Process
Before making her, I thought "I want to make a ocxcanon with Venti". The I sat down, stared at the screen as I thought I about it and just started writing. I've scrapped some ideas, like the one where she'd be a wind spirit or just leave her species in the open. Mostly just got a spur of the moment of ideas. Searched a bit about actual mythological nymphs while fleshing her out.
I thought that making her more calm than Venti would the best route so as to balance his mischievousness. But I also knew I couldn't make her completely serene otherwise they'd be incompatible, so I added a more tame playfulness instead. I just thought that someone too playful and mischievous could be interesting for some time, but wouldn't ultimately last long-term with him (too similar goes comfort of familiarity route instead of equal partnership most of the times, can work, just more unlikely) so I avoided going that route.
I redesigned her main fit a bit because I thought it was way too simplistic before: A crisp white, sweetheart-cut panel with gold filigree upper hem cups the bust. Over this sits a deep aubergine, high-neck halter. Hanging from it is a delicate necklace-chain of small aquamarine and violet gems, her Vision sits in the middle. The sleeves sits only on her upper arms, leaving her shoulders and most of her arms bare, it fans into short, purple petal-like fabric, each tiered layer graduating from violet to lilac at the hem. At her midsection, a rich chocolate-brown leather corset laces up the front in a simple "X" pattern, it cinches her waist snugly, defining her shape. Rather than a flowing skirt, Serina opts for dark plum-colored fitted shorts. Gold chains drape from the corset's hem, swinging gently with each step; at their ends hang small bead charms. Her boots are mid-calf, soft leather, with painterly swirls embossed around the cuffs.
🌟 Ending
I think I managed to make her canon-adjacent enough. Why wouldn't Venti ever mention her, you may wonder, well that's simple: Venti is not exactly the most... willingly open person. He'd probably go "oh, I forgot to to tell you I have a girlfriend? Ehe~" when the Traveler finally meets her and confronts him about it. As for why the Traveler never encountered her, also simple to answer: they were in different places. She's always traveling, so is the Traveler, they'd just be constantly missing each other along the way.
Ocs related to Serina: Noemi, Demilune, Lenz, Nerisse, Mia, Marlin, Joel, Astria, Merlyn.