Izkaph

Lady Izkaph (Ishk'af, Ishk'afarr) is a recurring character in Azarian Stories. She made her debut in Sleight of Hand where she served as a supporting character to the protagonist, Aznor. Izkaph is a gentle-looking grey female Azara, and she is the current Queen of Zercuta. Despite her high status, she is presented as a kind, humble individual, although several rumors question her selfless personality. Lady Izkaph is well known for her unusual benevolence toward humans, and for her love of nature, books, stars, and baby animals.

Izkaph is one of the most iconic characters in Azarian Stories, and is often used as a mascot for the series in promotional art or spin-off stories.

Physical appearance
In Sleight of Hand, Lady Izkaph is described as tall, slender and gracious-looking, with rounded and soft features. She has a rough muzzle with a pointed chin, and very fluffy cheeks. Her ears feature several earrings and are shredded at the tips. Her fur is grey in color, darker on the upper half of her body and lighter on the lower half. She has a diamond-shaped patch of light fur in the middle of her forehead, and a pair of round, glossy, expressive blue eyes.

In the illustrations, she is seen wearing rather simple clothes despite her status: a waist-cloth held in place by a black leather belt, a golden collar with colorful beads entwined in it and the white cape that is typical of her rank.

Lady Izkaph has a large scar running along her left shoulder and forearm, and a smaller one right above her left eye.

Sleight of Hand
Izkaph's presence is mentioned from the very first chapters of the book, although she is only formally introduced in Chapter 8 - Izkaph. She is first seen in her castle in Azca, reading a chapter of The Chronicles of Sizir, although she immediately leaves it in order to receive Aznor, Urbeth, Iraz, Zaruth and Mizir on the matter of Razer's return. She is immediately shown to feel sympathy for dejected Aznor, telling Urbeth to untie his hands and ordering her servant Rothwer to prepare some kuryar for him. After assessing the seriousness of the situation, Izkaph sends Zaruth to the city of Vezbor, and Mizir to Feryataz in order to protect the humans living there. Moments later, she informs Urbeth that Aznor will be harbored in his house. The silver Azara attempts to protest, but the Queen is unmovable.

Lady Izkaph is seen again in Chapter 16 - Urbeth, where she learns that Razer has exterminated the human population in both Vezbor and Feryataz, and that Iraz has retrieved the remains of Aznor's deceased brother, Yatur. She then comforts Urbeth for being insecure about keeping Aznor in his house, as this is causing his wife Iza to turn violent due to her deep-rooted hate toward humans. Izkaph later instructs Urbeth and Iraz to go to the Forest of Azca to look for Razer's dens.

She appears again briefly in Chapter 17 - Decision, and is seen climbing down the stairs and heading toward the stables.

She is seen once more in Chapter 19 - Decut, while she tries to reason with Iza about keeping Aznor. The black Azara puts up quite a fight, but the Queen humbly bows before her and begs of her, which softens Iza up. Izkaph then informs Iza that Razer has returned, triggering a strange reaction in the black Azara, who reluctantly accepts to keep Aznor until the Azaroth is captured.

Lady Izkaph appears shortly in Chapter 25 - Chase, where she comforts Iza after she is injured, and reassures her about the fate of her pups.