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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 guards required only a little work to slide into place on the tangs and snug up against the blades, and Hadama considered his answer as he finished their shaping and then set to work buffing the cast metal to a high polish. "Without magic? Pressure. And friction." He nodded towards the back of the forge where several ingots of various raw metals sat waiting for future commissions. "Some metals can be shaped without heat that way." Creating complex shapes from pounding the metal between two casting dies, or simple hammering to produce the shape desired. "With magic... is a trade secret of seasmithing," His emerald eyes twinkled as he set the mystery aside along with seating the polished guards.
He reached for the box of carved handles ready to be applied and then paused. After more thought he rose and went to the back to a much smaller box before carefully selecting two matched pairs of red stone rather than wood. Returning to the work bench, they were swiftly riveted into place along the tangs of the blades. "Mmh. It is the best port in Caido," he agreed, eyes sparkling anew at the smile on Thalassa's face. "Is there anything more to add to them?"
As he spoke he lifted the blades to the light to examine them before nodding to himself in satisfaction. He stepped over to a small grinding wheel and sat down, beginning to work the pedal with one large foot as he put the final edge on the matched weapons while the Captain made her final requests.
She tried to imagine what the seaforging process would look like, picturing a lot of swinging hammers and shimmering magic. It might be interesting to sneak a peek one day, but she understood keeping secrets. After all, Thal wasn't very open with her own knowledge. "Fair enough." Her understanding eyes met his in a humorous twinkle.
"I'm sure you're unbiased." An amused laugh followed his statement and she shook her head lightly. Thal couldn't blame him. Everyone seemed to have their own motivation for boasting their homelands. And she had claimed Torchline to be her favorite.
Hadama finished what he was doing and presented the weapons to her. Stepping forward, Thal looked at the stunning red stones set into the hilts, raising her eyebrows in surprise. Each curve and edge had a wonderful danger to them. She couldn't deny that he knew how to make a good set of daggers. "Honestly? I can't think of any way to improve them. You've done a beautiful job." Thal didn't give compliments often, but she sincerely appreciated his willingness to assist her and a soft smile accompanied it. When he resumed the process, she returned to her perch, waiting with patience for him to deem them finished.
Her understanding was appreciated, especially since the secrets of his family's trade were not to be shared so lightly, even with someone who's company he had grown to quietly enjoy. Thalassa was a rogue to be sure, but a charming one, and he had seen glimpses of the hidden heart of gold tucked safely behind her gruff, mysterious exterior.
"Indeed," he agreed with solemn gravity to the question of bias - or the lack thereof. But his eyes were bright in his stoic face, revealing laughter at her jest if she knew where to look.
He could not stand straighter, but there was an air of quiet pleasure at her compliments and he inclined his head to her in a shallow bow of gratitude for her words. The final steps were to grind the edges on the blades, to make them sharply functional just like their owner, and then to wipe them down with a polishing cloth until they gleamed.
The new pair of daggers were presented to the Ancient with the satisfaction of a craftsman who had done his job well and knew it. "Good luck," he rumbled to the Captain, quiet sincerity in his voice. "I would like to see them once they are finished. Perhaps we can spar again," he suggested, a twinkle of humor returning to emerald eyes at the reminder of their last fight, when he had been striving to improve his armor.
The light humor between the two had Thal reluctant to see the end of their meeting, but alas, the purpose for her visit had come to an end. Hadama's quiet pride in his work had her smiling secretly as he finished the final steps. The grinding of the blades into their razor thin edges was like a buzz of anticipation in her chest until he finally let the polish run down their glistening sides, a prophesy for the blood to come, and offered them to her.
Thal took the beautiful creations into her hands and nodded respectfully. "Thank you, friend." The last word was a whisper that escaped on an air of nonchalance that she didn't feel. Giving him a sharp grin to match the dangerous blades, she said, "It would be my pleasure." In her mind, she made sure to seek out the Mer King once the daggers were complete in order to let him see the fruits of his labor, even if they didn't spar at that moment. With a mischievous smile, she pulled her hood back over her head and turned away from Hadama. Not quite ready to sheath the blades, she let them hang in her hands at her side as she stepped out of the forge and back into the bustling streets of Haulani.
