Serwa is the second daughter of Kellhus and Esmenet, and Grandmistress of the only school for sorceresses in Eärwa, the Swayal Sisterhood. Widely thought to be the most powerful witch in the world, she is one of only three sorcerers capable of performing Metagnostic cants such as the Cant of Translocation. Serwa was born in Carythusal. At the age of three, it was discovered that she possessed the Gift of the Few and was sent to Iothiah to be raised among the Swayal witches. She suffers the same nightmares experienced by Mandate Schoolmen of the Apocalypse as witnessed through Seswatha's eyes.