Pelna Khara serves as a Kingsglaive, an elite force under King Regis Lucis Caelum of Lucis. He sports unkempt black hair, dark brown eyes, facial hair, and light brown skin, typically clad in the unit's standard black uniform with a leather chestplate during missions. Intelligent and perceptive, his defining trait is unwavering loyalty to his comrade Nyx Ulric and King Regis. This loyalty drives him to fulfill his duty despite personal danger and the demoralizing xenophobia directed at immigrant Glaives like him by some Insomnia citizens during downtime.

In combat against Niflheim, Pelna acts protectively toward fellow Glaives, sometimes impulsively aiding them even when it increases risk. He uses humor to defuse tension, joking about refugee pay or teasing Nyx over gate duties, though discussions of discrimination sour his mood. He feels a strong debt to Nyx for repeated rescues, insisting he owes him "a lot" and urging him to survive for those waiting at home. His technical skills prove vital, assisting Nyx in tracking coordinates, pinpointing a hidden Niflheim fleet 20 miles south of Insomnia, and locating Princess Lunafreya's cell on an imperial airship.

When Nyx bypasses the chain of command to mobilize the Kingsglaive against invasion, Pelna questions the lack of Captain Drautos's orders but ultimately trusts Nyx's judgment, successfully rallying the troops. During Lunafreya's rescue, he follows team directives precisely, though he struggles with unstable magic in high-stress moments—a vulnerability linked to non-royal users accessing the king's power. After neutralizing guards, he locates and frees the Princess, confirming her safety with professional relief and lightheartedness ("For me? Aw, you shouldn’t have"). Moments later, while reporting her status, he is abruptly killed by the daemon Ultros, his body collapsing mid-sentence. His death underscores the conflict's abrupt brutality and the sacrifice of the Glaives for Lucis.