Emera was one of the first characters I’d thought up, before I even knew I wanted to put pen to paper. Inspired by the album art for the song “Cleric Girl” by Sisyfuss, my mind crafted the religious young woman who led with her heart before her fists.

When it comes to faith, some see it as a duty, a way of life, or a set of rules to follow. That may work for the paladins, but Emera has a different view. Her faith leads her to do the good thing, regardless of rules or codes. No book is going to tell her she can’t help someone, human or not.

She has the power to heal, a fantastic gift from Coston. But for Emera, it’s not enough. She wants to stop the pain first, not just be around to heal after. But her gift forces her to take the backseat and heal after the pain had already been done. Her time with Claymore changes her, molds her into someone with initiative. Someone who take action.

Her father is a tinkerer, an odd man who creates contraptions and machines. She lost her mother when she was young, whom had given her the knowledge and love of Coston. An unlikely pairing, sure, but they loved one another so much. From that love they had their child, Emera. Her bright, emerald green eyes helping them pick the name.

While my books certainly have a lot to say about churches and religion, it’s never the faith that people have that’s wrong. It’s the men who twist that faith, use it for power, that ruin the church. Emera was made to show that shining bright can lead you from any darkness.