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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!
Noah hadn’t had time to tell Deimos he was going to Starfall once Hadama’s request reached him. He had to move quickly when called, and he did. But now he was back to report. Not finding the Warden in his office, Noah assumed he was either training or out on the tundra, and sent word through one of the guards. He knew that if Deimos didn’t have time to meet, he wouldn’t. But he hoped he would—so he waited, patient, at the springs where he’d told the guard he would be.
Noah had seen his share of wonders, but this—this was unmistakably hers. The water shimmered with starlight, each ripple catching a piece of the night sky, as if Safrin herself had cupped her hands and poured the stars into the earth. Steam curled around him like a blessing, warm against his skin, gentle as breath. He stepped closer, reverent, knowing she had made this place—but that the Halovians had worked for it. Tenacious as they always were, swift in their tasks.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
The Barracks had been a cacophony of movement, sound, blades and incantations, streamlined into notions of adherence and discipline. A favorite pastime, amidst all the other responsibilities chiseled across his shoulders, and something he would’ve painstakingly carved into his schedule for the day, had he not received a message about an hour into the spars and skirmishes. A guard stalked his way in, passing the Warden a note. With a heavy sigh, Deimos peeled it open, read the words scrawled, and pocketed it – beginning to make his exit with a few waves of his hand, nods, and notions of encouragement, heading back out into the sprawl of snow.
Noah’s message hadn’t indicated anything in particular, but his mind was already conjuring potentials and possibilities. The trepidation stirring in his chest was something residual – a certain semblance of dread that always stuck directly against his ribcage – for the Forsaken hadn’t granted him good news in quite some time.
Threading his way over to the newest hot springs, aptly named Safrin’s Mirror, his brow arched at the demigod’s presence – clearly something wasn’t wholly dreadful, if he was taking the time to soak in the heat. “Noah,” he rumbled thereafter, head tilting as a long breath sorted its way through his lungs. “What did you need?”
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
Noah rose as soon as he saw Deimos approach, shoulders easing with quiet relief. He hadn’t realized how tightly he’d been holding himself until now—even in the warmth of the springs, back home in Halo. He let ease fill the attuned bond between them, though there was a pulsing urgency beneath each heartbeat. No injuries, no losses, no grim reports to deliver. Just facts, clean and steady.
There was no use in waiting, he got straight to the point. “Glad you came,” he said, voice low but certain, meeting Deimos’s eyes. “Sah and I went with Hadama and Jack to Starfall, to plant a rose.” The tension in his chest eased more. "It was not easy, but we all made it out alive and the rose locked in another area of the island." He rolled his shoulders some, jaw feathering a bit. "We were able to kill one of their titans, a giant spider that shot webs that blocked off magic." He never wanted to feel that again, and even now giving the details of it made the hair on the nape of his neck prickle. "The mirewyrm, however, we were unable to kill. We maybe could have, but there wasn't enough time. We had to made -- I had to make -- the decision to plant the rose before the tunnels we were in collapsed in on us in totality."
"Sah saved us from that, singlehandedly." He said, of the once-wolf's efforts. It was Sah's mastery over his earth magic that kept his life and Jack's from ending, and Hadama and Noah waiting beneath the rubble for a rescue.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
Still wholly uncertain about the Forsaken as a whole, his brow arched, head tilting as he listened. He’d known Hadama, Sah, and Noah had been intending to go on a gardening sojourn towards Starfall, but having received no word of ‘when’, his eyes might have widened slightly, before narrowing back down into their focused and piercing gaze. Jack being the fourth member also contained some multitude of bewilderment, but perhaps the Captain had intended to utilize Safrin’s token. “That is good to know. Glad you all made it out.” One more level down – however –
News of the wyrm sent his jaw clenching, but he loosened the air stifling through his lungs out in a long, slow breath. “That monster was difficult when we attempted it the first time. Was there anything that lured it to you?” He could only recall the picking of the void clusters, and then the serpent at the beginning – otherwise they’d never had another opportunity to destroy it. He’d never doubted Sah’s capabilities either, so the information passed on from one to the other had done a service, at least. He wrinkled his nose at nothing in particular though, save for the imminent frustration and future pain. “We will have two to fight again.” Which also gave him reason to contemplate who would be next on the team frame.
Considering how much more to share, his stare rested along the springs, then opted to coincide with the Attuned bond, rather than have anyone else overhear. I have two roses in my possession. One from Liam, one from Elizabeth. Amhran should have one coming in Leafchange, which should get us enough to place within Starfall, and head towards whatever lurked there. Water, next, from the notes he’d received from Koa.
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
This was a way Noah knew to forge new bonds of trust -- to share and give what he could, all of it. He could only do that -- do things that were trustworthy, and trust those around him.
Noah tilted his head some, a sigh escaping through his nose at the same frustration. When Deimos retreated to the attuned bond, Noah followed suit. When we killed the spider, it came back and swallowed it up. I have an idea, but it might be crazy. He said, eyes lifting from Safrin's pools to the warden. I think if we captured smaller void creatures from these parts of Caido, and took them to the island, we could use them as bait. He wasn't sure how it would work, or if it would get them killed, but he had to share his idea. Perhaps the Sword or others could help forge it into something plausible. We hit it hard, and could have brought it down had we had something to lure it back to us with. Sah tried with some food he had, but it didn't care about that. We had to plant the rose and get out of there, or we wouldn't have made it with the way the wyrm could attack us from within the tunnel walls.
He nodded slowly at the information of flowers, clicking his tongue on the back of his teeth. Sohalia, I know, was questing for one from Vi. I intend to find out her purpose for it.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
Deimos stood amidst the grounds, silent as he pondered and calculated the circumstances of carrying void creatures around. We certainly have plenty to choose from as he glanced towards the Tundra, but with the meaning that they wouldn’t have to seek permission from Dahlia or ramble through Stormbreak, plucking at things and inevitably causing more drama. Would they have to be alive? Could the mirewyrm simply appreciate a carcass? We may need to find a way to trap it, inevitably. We cannot have it continue to escape through the rock. Where it was faster, swifter, than his, and many others, magic could contain or bombard.
Knowing it didn’t care about normal food, but larger, perhaps more threatening aspects, was good information, and he struck that of his list of potentials swarming about his mind. Though his brows furrowed at the Sohalia quest. With enough flowers at their disposal for upcoming treks and trips, Deimos wasn’t certain why hers mattered so much to the Forsaken – they’d, after all, used some before to cleanse the Greatwood, and cure others of infection. He wasn’t certain if Noah was trying to control her narrative and purpose, or merely snag at information; hopeful it was the latter, since he trusted the Luminary to do what was best – as innocent as she might’ve been. Maybe she intends to cure someone. He didn’t know all of those remaining infested – only if names were dropped during a broadcast.
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
Thank the gods for that alone, in regards to the void flora and fauna, that they would not have to pluck it from Stormbreak. The corner of Noah’s mouth pulled in thought, a slight shake. I think it would have to be alive and we kill it there for the wyrm. Trapping it would be ideal…I wonder if we could get a tool that could hold it down. Like a rope embed with gravity. Maybe you or Sah could craft it and then we could take it to Vi. I haven’t spoken with him yet this year.. He trailed off slightly, the words diminishing as the thoughts continued to swirl in his head, brows knitting together in the deep thought and strategy of it.
That’s my hope. Then we would know another who is afflicted. I don’t know her very well, but I’m afraid she would try to go to the island. I just want to make sure she has a plan. He said, eyes softening some. He really only knew Sohalia from her efforts in Stormbreak, and their more recent encounter in the Greatwood, but he was confident of this: she was young, and had a big heart, and wanted to help.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
Deimos arched a brow at the notions of a rope embedded with gravity – mostly because he had multitudes of other things to do, and one more task landing upon his shoulders, when Noah still had to go see Vi, could probably be solved with something far more feasible. Perhaps you can ask Vi when you see him? His head tilted, uncertain of the parameters and length of time in between. Unless the Forsaken had other things to do – required of him by the Old God. Have you been lately? It might’ve been a good notion for the demi to return to the one who’d granted him multitudes – a reminder of their courses, or even more information gathered to the forefront for future excursions.
As for the subject of Sohalia, the Sword snorted, eyes flickering back to the ground and shaking his head. Having known the Luminary in multitudes of situations, no, he couldn’t see her trying to rampage towards Starfall all by her lonesome. Especially after her altercations already with the Family, and various other void creatures, reminded of how he’d found her in Halo last. I doubt she would try that. Nor did Noah have jurisdiction, nor control, over someone else’s rose that they’d carefully cultivated and earned.
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
The Forsaken didn’t expect Deimos to have all the answers, nor did he need Deimos to take anything off his shoulders. He did want to strategize, to talk. Not to bury Deimos in responsibilities that weren’t his. His jaw feathered. Noah hadn’t seen Vi in quite some time. It had felt too heavy for too long, but he was beyond that now. He shook his head, indicating as such. I am, soon. He said in regards to Vi. To seeing his patron.
Then I am less concerned. It was…you know, you’ve been there. It was dangerous. Knowing she was getting a rose but not knowing what it was for just had me worried for her. He had no intentions of lording jurisdiction or control over her — that’s not who Noah was, even if others chose not to see that. Even if others chose only to believe their own narrative that they’d written of him.
He knew who he was. He was someone who cared, who wanted to help. Always had been, always would be.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
He nodded at the implications of Noah going to see Vi soon – perhaps he would receive better tidings, inklings of what else to do, perhaps an amplification of weaponry or defenses, in all these daunting parameters. With his own impending return to Starfall on the horizon, anything that could be done to prepare for future endeavors seemed the most necessary. Good. The sooner, the better, for probably multitudes of them.
Sohalia was less of a concern for him than Noah – but then again, the Sword’s priorities had always been extended towards his own Halovians first, and then outwards when and where he could. Understandable. Have you thought about going for a rose too? If either by rambling through the Greatwood, or asking Vi himself. The opportunity for another – and other means and measures, wasn’t to be overlooked.
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
I’ve visited the Greatwood a lot, but I haven’t found one yet. He sighed, eyes moving from the warden to the water, then to the sky as his head tilted back. It was still bright even with a haze of clouds, the Longheat kiss of sunlight still working its way through. I should head back there after I touch base with my kids. Maybe he could even gather water and earth from the Eyes of Vi for when he visited his patron, as it seemed that in others’ recent quests he had asked for that specifically, more than once.
Noah rolled his shoulders again. Hadama told me that Remi and Ronin are no longer able to participate in direct assault against our enemies. That there are certain “hostages”. Noah speculated it was their children, their loved ones. He knew there was nothing else that the two held in higher regard and wouldn’t do anything for — they were the greatest good in their minds. Noah understood, too. He could never sacrifice his children. He would burn the world he tried to protect for them.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
Noah’s circumstances were similar to others he’d heard, including himself, but his priorities had never been the Greatwood – and instead preserving Halo, and Caido at large, so the frequency hadn’t been so prevalent on his end. Fortune favored those who tried though, so there was something to be said for those who continued striving. So he nodded at the agreements – the Forsaken had his own responsibilities as well – but it was something else to try while others made their way towards Starfall.
The conversation moving to Remi and Ronin caused an arch to his brow, but he otherwise glanced back to the springs, aware of the circumstances. I know. It was a formidable consequence, and one he didn’t envy. It also took them almost wholly off the board. If they want to remain informed, however, I will do so. But they’d have to make up their minds on their own about their participation. Deimos wouldn’t be the one to beg and plead for their involvements and contribution, when their childrens’ livelihoods were on the line. Especially after Flora’s ventures.
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
Noah didn’t totally blame them—he couldn’t. But he wished it were different. Noah knew he couldn’t walk away—not from this war, not from the line he’d drawn in the dirt with his own blood. The void—the Family—didn’t care who was tired, who was grieving, who had already given enough. It would keep coming, and they had to hold the line. Maybe it would cost him—his body, his peace, whatever he hadn’t already spent. Even broken, he could still stand.
And standing had to be enough.
Nodding firmly to the warden, Noah turned and stepped towards him. ”I’d like to continue to help in the fight. I’m more than willing to go on the next excursion.” Noah said, offering his hand to Deimos to shake before he turned to depart. He took a few steps before blinking out of sight, teleporting home to his children.
