Ashka

"I am a Spellbinder. I can do whatever I want."

- Ashka

Ashka is the main antagonist of the Australian- Polish science- fiction television series Spellbinder and its sequel Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord.

She is portrayed by Australian actress Heather Mitchell.

Personality
Ashka is a ruthless, arrogant and cunning person. She is an excellent liar, being able to create lies on the spot.

Ashka is also skilled at blackmail. In Spellbinder, she blackmails Paul into making her gunpowder by endangering Riana and her family.

Ashka was also stubborn. When Paul (the protagonist of the first series) told Ashka that he was from another world, Ashka dismissed this claim as "ridiculous" and "impossible". Only after Paul showed Ashka his belongings did Ashka realize that Paul was telling the truth. When Gryvon revealed that the Old Spellbinders were responsible for the darkness, Ashka refused to believe this, despite Gryvon reading this from a book retrieved from the old Spellbinder's castle.

Ashka, also does not believe in superstition, which gives her an advantage in Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord. When John and Sun trick Sharak (the leader of the barbarians) into thinking that he killed Sun and that his ghost is now haunting the palace, Ashka was able to see through this prank.

Despite her ruthless nature, Ashka is shown to have a sense of humor. When Sharak accused her of being a spy for the Dragon Lord, Ashka told him "if I wanted to spy on you, I would've changed myself into a bird and dropped dung on your head while I was doing it.", much to the amusement of one of Sharak's warriors.

Early Life
Little is known about Ashka's early life. In Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord, Ashka told Kathy that she grew up without parents. Whether or not this is true is unknown.

Later on, Ashka became a Spellbinder. It is possible that she may have been an apprentice to another Spellbinder.

Spellbinder
Ashka first appeared in the marketplace. She told the crowd that the Marauders (a group of invaders) had tried to end their world (actually, a solar eclipse), and that, by casting a spell, she brought back the sun. Ashka was then talking to the Clayhill Summoner, who had encountered a Marauder (actually Paul, the protagonist of the first series), who stole his eyestone. (Where Am I?)

First Defeat
Due to her crimes, the Regents stripped Ashka of her position as a Spellbinder. Ashka (along with Gryvon, her apprentice and accomplice) was exiled to a labor camp.

Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord
TBA

Possessions
During her days as a Spellbinder, Ashka had several possessions.
 * Power suit- The power suit is the pinnacle of Spellbinder technology. It is powered by a set of power stones, which can be recharged in the castle complex. By rubbing the cuffs of the suit together, a Spellbinder can generate and discharge a power bolt (a ball of electricity). Ashka used the suit not just as a defensive weapon, but also to intimidate others. Ashka lost her suit in Paul's world, when Paul destroyed the suit with the hydraulic shovel of a garbage truck.
 * Eyestone- a two- way communication device, which functions similar to a walkie- talkie. Only the Regents, Spellbinders and village Summoners are allowed an eyestone.

Spellbinder
"(Ashka, Gryvon and the Summoner come out of their tent, and see the flying toy Zander (the native boy) made with Paul's help. Ashka sees the flying toy, and throws a powerbolt at it. The toy bursts into flames) Who made that? (Everyone looks at Zander, who runs off. Ashka throws a powerbolt at Zander, who falls over.) It is forbidden to build new things! (A guard marches towards Zander and holds him) This boy has broken the Spellbinder law. He must be punished! (to the guard holding Zander) Bring him to my tent."

- Ashka, before she punishes Zander, a native boy, for breaking the law.

"The Regents are fools. They have let the people lose respect in the Spellbinders."

- Ashka reveals her true opinion of the Regents to Paul (and the same speech which reveals her true nature to the Regents.)

"Tell me how to make gunpowder. (Paul: So, you want to use the gunpowder against the Regents. And then, you want to rule the Spellbinders.) Very perceptive."

- Ashka orders Paul to teach her how to make gunpowder. Paul, much to Ashka's surprise, correctly guesses Ashka's true intentions for the gunpowder.

"(At Clayhill, Ashka confronts Maran, Riana's mother.) Your husband is an enemy of the Spellbinders. (Maran: He is a good man.) Tell me where he is. (Maran says nothing.) Tell me or I will burn you cottage! (Maran: I don't know where he is, and I wouldn't tell you if I did!) (Ashka throws a powerbolt a Riana's cottage, setting the roof ablaze.) (Maran: No! (she hugs her children and bursts into tears.)) (to the villagers) This whole village shows disrespect to the Spellbinders. If Bron is not caught within the week, all of Clayhill will be burned to the ground!"

- Ashka burns Riana's family's cottage, after disovering they helped Paul escape.

"Now, tell me everything you know about Paul's world."

- Ashka to Riana after taking her hostage in a cave.

"(Correon: Ashka!) (Correon appears, wearing his powersuit) (Ashka shoves Riana out of the way, and generates a spark from her powersuit.) Out of my way, old man! I've already defeated you in combat before! (Correon: Only because you cheated.)"

- Ashka attempts to challenge Correon again. "So, these are the old Spellbinders? (Ashka laughs) They don't look so powerful now."

- Ashka sees the remains of the old Spellbinders, which she and Gryvon explore the ruins of the old Spellbinder's castle.

"(While in the old Spellbinder's castle, Gryvon finds a book, which he shows to Ashka) (Gryvon: It shows how to build power suits and flying ships.) I'll take this back to Paul's world. Their scientists will be able to improve these designs with their computers. When I come back, no one will be able to stand against me. I'll rule the Spellbinders!"

- Along with Gryvon, Ashka plans to return to Paul's world, where with the help of Paul's scientist father, she will build a new powersuit, which will help her rule the Spellbinders.

"You should have stayed in Clayhill, Riana!"

- Ashka and Gryvon trap Riana in the ruins of the old Spellbinder's castle, after she overhears their plans.

"Don't be a fool, Correon. The Spellbinders will lose their power."

- Ashka's last words to Correon, when he agrees to share the Spellbinder's knowledge with the people of their world.

Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord
"You'll never get past the guards on your own. (Kathy: Why should we trust a prisoner?) Because you have no choice... and because I believe you're from another world. (Kathy: You do?) It has happened before. A boy came to this world. He knew things no one else knew. The Regents wanted his knowledge, so they captured him and took him to the castle. He has never been seen again. (Kathy: Why would you want to help us?) My name is Ashka. I was a Spellbinder once. I tried to help the boy, but the Regents became very angry and made me a slave. They can be very cruel. If I help you escape this world, I want you to take me and my friend with you. (Guard: Ashka, get back to work! (to Gryvon) You too!) Will you take us? (Mek nods in agreement) Get ready, it won't be long."

- Ashka pleads with Mek and Kathy to help her and Gryon escape the labor camp.

"(After Aya surrenders, Ashka confronts Aya.)(Aya: I trusted you. And, you betrayed me.) Then you were a fool. You don't deserve to be the Dragon Lord. I will be a much better ruler."

- Ashka confronts Aya, after she surrenders.

"(After Sharak takes her powersuit, Ashka is imprisoned in a room along with Mek and Carl) You'll regret this, Sharak! (Mek: You brought him here! You're responsible for what has happened. Four hundred years of civilization- gone!) Stop your whining! (Carl walks towards Ashka)(Carl: You don't have your powersuit anymore, Ashka. (angrily) Where's my children?!) I don't know and I don't care! (Ashka walks to the other side of the room)"

- Ashka argues with Mek and Carl, after Sharak takes her powersuit and imprisons her with Mek and Carl.

"(Ashka is sulking in the room, where she is imprisoned. The door opens, and Kathy and Aya enter) What do you two want? (Aya: We need your help.) And if I give it? (Aya: Then I promise you safe passage from this world.) What do you need me to do? (Aya looks at Kathy) (Kathy: We want you to marry Sharak.) (Ashka is surprised by this.)"

- Kathy and Aya want Ashka to marry Sharak. "I'd rather marry your horse."

- Ashka to Sharak, after she reveals herself to Sharak, at the wedding.

Trivia

 * Several times in Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord, Ashka references the first series. The first time is when she pleads with Kathy and Mek to help her escape the labor camp.