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Character of the Season
Frail in body but dangerously quick of mind, Nikandr is the sort of character who proves that curiosity can be just as perilous as any weapon. A necromancer, inventor, and problem-solver with more ambition than self-preservation, Niki approaches the world like a puzzle box begging to be opened, even when what’s inside has teeth. Blunt, dry-witted, fiercely independent, and carrying a history best left partially buried, he has a knack for making even failure feel fascinating. Whether he’s raising the dead, moving across Caido to King's End, or experiencing a hangover for the first time, Nikandr brings a wonderfully strange spark to Caido, and we can’t wait to see what trouble his brilliant mind wanders into next.
Congratulations, Niki!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
The darkness had been driven back by the light once more and warmth was returning to Caido. The cool winds of Deepfrost were giving way to the damp storms of Flowerbirth and the Oerwoud was bursting with even more life than usual as fresh profusion of growth sprang forth from the fecund jungle.
Hadama had seen to Torchline first, ensuring nothing had slipped through the divine barriers to trouble his people below or above the waves before turning his gaze outward. Last year the Oerwoud had suffered over LongNight, and as Torchline's nearest neighbor he had come to ensure that it had not happened again under cover of the darkest week.
He moved through the trees on bare feet, his steps silent in the loam and moss and trickling streams that wended through the wood as he took note of the Void presence that had expanded since his last visit. He did not attack it. Not yet. Instead he paced along the path to the shrine, climbing over roots and eventually scaling the broad branches of the great tree that housed it. The shrine's structure looked undamaged. Untainted by unholy violet. And the peace of it remained as a balm to a weary soul with no evidence of decay or corruption. He could not say how relieved he was to find it so, and he bowed deeply to the altar within.
He was no devotee of the wild gods, but he respected them and he paid his respects where they were due as he offered a silent prayer of gratitude for the resiliency of Caido's creatures who persisted in spite of the Void, and their resiliency in holding it at bay.
...look into a wolf's eyes. You'll never be the same again.
Sah needed advice and the twins had insisted that he seek out Hadama when he mentioned that he wished to speak to the man soon. Each and every day, the Wild Thunder marveled at Soleil and Luka's strength and independence. It was only with incalculable reassurances, leaving the wolves behind to guard, and the knowledge that he could teleport, that Sah agreed. As luck would have it, a hunter had recently spotted the Demi-god and was able to give the Wild Thunder a place to start his search.
Upon reaching the Oerwoud, the hybrid spotted the shrine to Rae and Frey. After a moment's hesitation, he approached the shrine, perking up when he spotted the very man he sought for. Not wishing to disturb Hadama, Sah joined in the prayer. Bowing his head slightly, he silently thanked the nature deities for restoring the Oerwoud after the void had been cleansed. He also thanked Rae yet again for their assistance in the quest in the Greatwood.
With his piece said, Sah opened his eyes and turned to see if Hadama had finished. If not, he'd move to quietly wait outside for the man.
Even in the constant cacophony of life that filled the Oerwoud Hadama sensed the approach of another to the shrine. It was an unexpected presence but one he knew well, and so he did not move from his prayers until he had finished. In the end he lit a cone of incense on a plate of volcanic glass. The floral scent was dizzyingly strong as the smoke curled up within the little shrine, and with a final nod to the altar he stepped out to join the Halovian hunter amidst the bursting foliage of Flowerbirth in Caido's most untamed wilderness.
"Sah," he rumbled in welcome, a genuine warmth in his eyes as he looked his friend over. "What brings you here?" A strange place to find the man, and Hadama had not thought to find anyone else walking the jungle so soon after LongNight.
Before he could ask more a soft hiss drifted from nearby, and a faint chill lent a clamminess to the humid air. A black-and-purple Void Viper slithered through the shadows, twining around a terrified squirrel that struggled in vain against the embrace of the serpent. Emerald eyes focused on the sight and his jaw tightened, but Hadama rested a gently restraining hand on Sah's shoulder as he studied the interaction without attempting to stop it.
Void Vipers (Common): Once inquisitive Hanging Snakes, touched by the void, transform into Void Vipers. Their slender bodies now bear patterns that seem to absorb light, making them almost imperceptible in the shadowy depths of the woods. Instead of curiously exploring, they now slither with a purpose, seeking to entwine themselves around unsuspecting wanderers and imbuing them with a void-touched presence.
...look into a wolf's eyes. You'll never be the same again.
Sah managed a small smile, "You, actually. I need your advice on something if you have the time." Gods, he hoped that the man did. The hybrid needed all of the help that he could get in the coming days.
The hiss had his head snapping over to spot the infected creature, a snarl curling his lips. The hand on his shoulder was surprising but Sah relented to the quiet order, a small hum of confusion entering the bond. He wasn't sure why Hadama would want to stop him from slaying the creature, but his trust in the Demi-god silenced any possible complaints.
Even so, it felt wrong to simply stand by and watch. He hated the idea of allowing any void creature to become stronger, much less thrive.
"I do." He did not spend words on further assurances. Sah was a friend and if Torchline was not in crisis then Hadama would always have time to listen to him. Whether he would have advice or it would be of any use was a question for later, but he would at least hear the hunter out.
Or he would have, if they had not been interrupted by a Void creature. Hadama watched it with narrow eyes, tension in his fingers before he pulled Sah gently away so that they could walk away from the shrine's grounds. Away from the sight of the dying squirrel. "I am unsure this is the right choice," he admitted. "But Frey seems... less concerned about the Void than the other gods. And I do not feel right killing a creature within their shrine. Even one of the Void's creations." For Dygra, or Safrin, or even Ludo? Yes. He would have cleansed the Void from any of their shrines without a second thought. But from what little he understood of Frey, the dual god had a more... unusual approach to the invaders.
Only once they had lost the sights and sounds of the struggle in the general raucous song of the jungle did he slow and turn back to Sah with a curious tilt to his head. "How may I help?"
...look into a wolf's eyes. You'll never be the same again.
Sah considered Dama's explanation, and he was inclined to agree. "Frey does seem to prefer neutrality. Rae too in some ways." It was fascinating. He would have thought that the gods of nature would be the most up in arms over the void infection but instead they seemed to be waiting and watching. The hunter wasn't one of their followers so he couldn't possibly parse out their motives.
The conversation shifted back to his request and the emotions of the past few days slammed into the Wild Thunder. He couldn't fully suppress the grief and anger that swirled in the bond and their quiet presence echoed in his words. "Halo's current quest hit a snag. Elizabeth and I had to steal an infected creature from Stormbreak and Dahlia didn't take too kindly to it. I informed her that I didn't have the authority to hand the animal back but she took my letter as too 'disrespectful', even after the animal was returned."
Sah took a shaky breath, voice cracking, "She kidnapped and tortured my son before dropping him off at my front door." He swallowed harshly, "I don't know what to do. I can't not fight the void. We'll never be safe again if the Family takes over. But I'm terrified that doing so will cost me my family." How could he fight to protect his family when doing so put a target on their back?
Hadama inclined his head in agreement of Sah's assessment, though it sat no better with the demigod than the abandoned. He could offer no insight into the motives of the gods of nature, or any gods but his own starlit goddess. And even then he could not claim to truly understand what drove a divine heart and mind to the decisions she made for an entire world and all the stars beyond it.
Thankfully the Flowerbirth chorus of the Oerwoud was downright cacophonous, and it was difficult enough to hear each other. The struggle behind them was quickly lost as they traveled back into the wild green labyrinth of massive trees and slithering vines. Sah's emotions, too, soon eclipsed that hapless occurrence at the shrine, and Hadama paused to turn and face the Wild Thunder. There was concern in emerald eyes as he looked down at the top of the younger man's head, and the tale that unfolded was a nightmare to hear.
It must have been far worse to experience.
He reached out to close his hand over Sah's shoulder, squeezing gently to offer silent comfort in the face of such a disproportionate response on the part of Stormbreak's current ruler. "If I thought they would accept sanctuary within the Underwater City, I would offer it. It is offered regardless," he added, his deep voice quiet and gentle as his words carried as much through the Attuned bond as well as through the humid air so that he did not have to shout over the sounds of the jungle. "The Family do not seem... equipped... to pass there as they can among humans." At least so far there had been no evidence of aquatic shifts or mer forms that he knew of.
But it was still no guarantee. And if the children were the ones most at risk from Sah's actions...
...look into a wolf's eyes. You'll never be the same again.
A flicker of gratitude echoed in the bond at Hadama's words. "Thank you. You're right that they'll probably say no, but I'll let them know." The Demi-god's support was more appreciated than Sah could articulate, and it only solidified that he'd made the right choice in tracking the man down.
At the question, the Wild Thunder let out a heavy sigh, "We moved actually. The very next morning. It doesn't make them any safer, but I didn't want them to have to sleep in a home that had been invaded. We've spoken a little bit about it, but I don't want to push until they're more settled." Even in the swirling storm of emotions that Sah held tightly down so as not to overwhelm the bond, pride was present. "They're incredible and they surprise me every day. I have a feeling that they'll understand why I have to fight, even if they hate it."
Sah hummed, mind whirling through possible paths, "I'm not sure how to know when they're ready for that conversation though. Luka especially." His pup had been through hell and the last thing the hybrid wanted was to send him spiraling into dark memories.
He did not know Luka, but Soleil would only tolerate the wonder and strangeness of the Underwater City for so long before growing bored and wanting to return to the surface. She was not a child and Hadama would not keep her beneath the sea against her will even if he could. But perhaps the son was more in need of a place to recover and would accept. If so, he would be given a manta crystal and rooms within the palace, though there was little that Hadama could do about the difficulties communicating with someone who did not have access to the Attuned bond.
He inclined his head in understanding of the short move, but they both knew it would do little good. Dahlia had found Sah's home the first time and would likely do so again. Perhaps had done so already. But the Wild Thunder's words brought a curious tilt to the Tidebreaker's head as he considered. "Will you continue to fight if they ask you not to?" A question he had to ask, not knowing how Luka might react - especially now, when the fresh trauma might make the boy less understanding. He paused and then gave a slight shake of his head. "I do not think the Void will wait for him to heal. But you forget, perhaps, that they are not children anymore. For all that they will always be yours." He squeezed Sah's shoulder again and then released him, looking into the jungle with lines of weariness around his eyes. "I will not ask you to put them at risk by fighting with us, Sah. But we are running out of time. And... things have begun to move quickly."
03-23-2025, 12:01 PM (This post was last modified: 03-23-2025, 12:01 PM by Sah.)
...look into a wolf's eyes. You'll never be the same again.
Sah clenched his jaw, the grief in the bond sharpening, turning sour with sadness. "I have to. At least in some shape or form. They'll never be safe if the Family takes over and I'd rather they hate me than...Than lose them." The hybrid shook his head, "I just don't know where Dahlia's line is so to speak." How far could he push before she targeted his family again?
The Wild Thunder was reluctant to admit it, but Hadama was right. His pups were adults. "I know and I would never dare step in the way of their independence." Sah ran a hand through his hair, "I'm planning to go to Safrin as for her assistance in keeping them safe. Maybe to give them some way to contact me directly wherever they are or some other means. I just want us to have some kind of contingency plan." The hybrid had never wished to be a Demi-god before but at this moment, he desired nothing more than for his children to be able to channel him if they needed to.
As Hadama released him, Sah's brow furrowed even as he nodded. "Not fighting alongside you all was never an option." He didn't fully understand how Ronin and Remi had made that choice. Did they think that stepping back would truly stop the Family from coming for their children later? Sah didn't believe it.
Dahlia's lines may not have been known, but Hadama inclined his head in solemn acknowledgment that Sah knew his own. The Wild Thunder's resolution was a welcome balm in the face of so much other uncertainty, but the reminder of how much he had to lose tempered the Tidebreaker's relief. It was not fair to ask Sah to place himself in more danger when he might not be the one to pay the price of resistance.
"Perhaps an item to teleport to you in an emergency?" he suggested slowly, trying to think of ways that might mitigate their risk somewhat. "Mmh. Or if they channel me, I could teleport them away from danger. One, at least." And the strangeness of that offer - to think that he could be channeled - was enough to break the grim solemnity of the moment for him. He was unsure how he felt about this new possibility, but he would not put it beyond Soleil, at least, to channel him once she realized she could do so.
As they parted, emerald eyes softened and he inclined his head deeply to his friend in gratitude for his steadfast loyalty. "Thank you, Sah. I will try to reach Noah. And complete my tasks for Safrin. But once we have a flower... I will call on you." Although the first flower was already spoken for, and he would not risk Sah on that task. Not until he had seen the dangers of Starfall with his own eyes. And not before the other man had time to see to his own family, first.
...look into a wolf's eyes. You'll never be the same again.
Sah hummed, "That was something that I was considering too. Either teleporting them to me or vice-versa." If they were in the middle of a fight, the Wild Thunder would of course want to ensure their safety. But he didn't want to force his kids to abandon their allies. Hadama's second offer of assistance softened the hybrid, and a surge of warmth filled the bond, "Thank you. I truly appreciate how willing you are to help."
The Wild Thunder nodded, "Sounds good. I'll be ready and waiting." He'd take the brief time he had to secure his family and make preparations. But when Hadama called, Sah would brace himself and head to Starfall.
