Yarra is a character in Horizon Forbidden West.
History[]
Yarra has been Commander of Desert Clan for some time, noted by Marshal Fashav as rigid and rules the clan with cold steel.[1] She also has a pet vulture named Meat.
Horizon Forbidden West[]
When the Wound in the Sand stopped refilling, threatening the existence of the entire clan as it was their sole water supply, Yarra hid the Wound's depletion from all but her most trusted allies, believing that such knowledge could otherwise be used to challenge her command. She placed guards around the well to conceal its state and enforced strict water rationing, claiming that the Wound was merely refilling more slowly than normal. In the meantime, she sent out squads to look for alternate water sources in order to buy time to repair the Wound. Unfortunately, all nearby sources of water were contaminated, and the clan became increasingly impatient and began to protest. Arrowhand's leader Drakka, was of particular concern to Yarra as she knew Drakka desired command of the clan.[2]
Chaplain Jetakka, one of the few entrusted with the Wound's secret, eventually recruited the outlander Aloy to help fix the Wound. Yarra was initially dubious of Aloy's capacity to help, especially since Aloy had worked previously with Drakka. Nevertheless, she led her to the Wound. Yarra's doubt turned to awe when Aloy brought the two of them to the Wound's source, and then fury when she found the body of Drakka's subordinate, Ukktah, nearby, and his spear in the source's pump. Yarra immediately concluded that Drakka had ordered the Wound sabotaged, deliberately creating a crisis he could use to challenge her command, despite Aloy pointing out such a plan was unlikely. After helping Aloy fix the pump, and returned to the capital to make sure the Wound was fixed.[3]
Around the same time Yarra returned, Drakka arrived in Scalding Spear, and discovered that the Wound was empty (although it was slowly refilling). Yarra promptly had him arrested for interfering with the Wound, and had him brought to her quarters. The resulting confrontation escalated quickly: Yarra accused him of deliberately sabotaging the Wound and refused to accept his alibi; in response, Drakka decried her decision to cover-up the crisis and challenged her for command of the clan. Yarra readily accepted, and prepared for battle.[3]
Yarra and Drakka brought their squads with them to the Gate of the Vanquished, ready to fight to the death in a combat ritual. Knowing that the challenge would most likely lead to a civil war within the clan, Jetakka once again enlisted Aloy's help in hopes of stopping the fight. Neither Yarra nor Drakka were willing to stand down, forcing Aloy to side with one of them in the challenge.
As Aloy and Jetakka sided with Yarra, they successfully defeated Drakka and his soldiers, with Yarra executing him with her spear. Her command intact, Yarra promised Aloy that Arrowhand would still receive their water rations, and thanked her for helping both her and the Desert Clan in a time of crisis.
While Drakka was no longer a threat to her position, Yarra had to deal with continued infighting within the Desert Clan. Soon after, she had to put down another upstart who protested her refusal to side with Regalla. The following day, Meat brought her a cord from a children's training sword, alerting Yarra that a child had gone missing.
While search parties failed to find anything, Yarra was aided once again by Aloy, who was able to pinpoint the location where the cord was found and find the child's trail from there. As they searched, Yarra confided in Aloy about her frustrations towards what felt like endless bloodshed, to which Aloy asked if there were other ways to handle it. The two eventually found the child in ancient wreckage, and were ambushed by a Thunderjaw, and later on, a Stormbird.
After making sure the child was safe, Yarra thanked Aloy for her help, admitting her relief at finally being able to save a life and promising to think about what Aloy said. Once she caught her breath, Yarra returned safely with the child to Scalding Spear.As Aloy sided with Drakka, she pointed out how Yarra lied about the Wound in the sand to her people, asking if her saying that the clan's survival was all the matter was a lie too. As she suggested that Drakka have a go at command to avoid the bloodshed, Yarra angrily refused. As Aloy and Jetakka sided with Drakka, Yarra and her soldiers fought against them. Ultimately failing to win, Yarra was executed by Drakka.
Personality[]
Yarra is a strict and severe woman, ruling her clan with an iron fist and iron will. She treats dissent with suspicion, viewing it as a potential threat to her authority, often causing her to assume the worst. Her wary attitude is partly a product of her position and the pressures that come with it, causing her to focus on maintaining control to a possibly improper degree.
Despite her faults, Yarra ultimately acts in what she believes is the best interest of the clan. She will gladly pay back any favors she is owed, and is a capable leader.
Associated quests[]
- The Wound in the Sand
- The Gate of the Vanquished
- Burden of Command (determinant)
Trivia[]
- Yarra and Drakka are the only characters in Forbidden West whose fate is chosen by Aloy, both in the same quest.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Scalding Spear (datapoint)
- ↑ Dialogue with Yarra during The Wound in the Sand.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Wound in the Sand