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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!
Making his way through the village, Zavien rolled his shoulders, feeling sore after his bout with Hadama. The man could really fight so he'd come to find refreshments then head home to rest. His tired eyes scanned the unique building structures and Fae that freely roamed about them. Having never been to the Greatwood in general, he found everything extremely fascinating. The fact that the culture was flourishing despite the dangerous woods around them was evidence enough of its draw. He even spotted a few bold merchant tents along the main walkway, including what appeared to be a fortune teller.
His eyes followed curiously as she walked out her latest client, although his own attention was quickly caught by something behind her at the edge fo the tent. An inky black snake was making its way towards the woman. It lifted up, fangs dripping in preparation to strike after having waited so patiently in the bush. And the stranger seemed completely unaware. A stab of panic ran through him. Without a second thought, Zavien rushed forward, yelling, "Watch out!" Instincts kicked in and his sword was suddenly in his hand as he lunged. The Dragoon put himself between her and the snake, slashing out his blade to fling it away. However, the snake didn't go without a fight. A loud hiss followed its writhing figure as it was flung towards the tree line. Its twisting body coiled around to grant him a final hiss of frustration before retreating to find easier prey.
Zavien sighed, turning to make sure the woman was intact. "Are you okay? It didn't get you, did it?" His quick inspection showed no immediate injuries, even as he noticed his own hand begin to throb. He ignored it, green eyes intent on the fortune teller, making sure she wasn't harmed in any way.
The cry startled Alys as she bade farewell to a client, and she turned to see a man lunging towards her with a sword. She took a startled step back, crying out in surprise. She was currently defenseless, her three magics of little use against a surprise attack. She had to admit, this wasn't the way she'd thought she would go. She hoped Tal knew what he meant to her -
And then the stranger was flinging a black snake into the trees, and Alys's heart was in her throat as she realized that he wasn't after her, but rather trying to protect her from the snake. A breathless, gasping sort of laugh fell from her lips as she forced herself to relax. "I'm fine," she said, pressing a hand to her chest as she calmed down. Her eyes were drawn to the stranger's hand, and her brow furrowed in concern. "Are you?"
ALYS GLASSE
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Although the woman appeared shaken, Zavien was relieved to hear she didn't have any injuries. His lips tilted into a smile around his sigh. Sheathing his sword, he flinched again at the pain in his hand. He shook his head at her question, raising his hand to inspect it as he answered, "Oh. I'm sure it's nothing. The snake must have snagged me with its fangs." As he'd flung it through the sky.
Sure enough, upon inspection, he saw two red lines running over his knuckles. They weren't bleeding profusely, but the injury was enough to sting as he pressed the edge of his sleeve into it. With any luck, they wouldn't even leave a scar. Lifting his gaze to the woman again, he gave her a warm smile. "I'm just glad it didn't get you. Sorry about starling you though." The shout had seemed to jostle her more than the snake, making him feel slightly guilty.
The stranger smiled, and Alys returned it as she began to calm from the minor ordeal. She didn't miss the way her savior flinched, though, and her smile quickly turned into a frown. "I'm a healer," she informed him. "It would be silly to let even a small injury go untended, especially when it will only take me a moment to fix it." And something like a snake bite - even if the creature was venomous - would only take a trice for her to repair. Stepping toward the tent she'd been practicing in, she held open the flap. "Please, come in. It's the least I could do."
As for startling her, Alys waved away the apology as she ushered the man into the tent. "Oh, no, not at all! I appreciate your help. I would have been much more upset to have been bitten." Settling the stranger into a comfortable chair at the table she used for her readings - with cards still displayed from her last client - she held out a hand. "May I see the injury?"
ALYS GLASSE
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
There didn't seem to be any room for arguing with the woman, and Zavien had to smile at the genuine warmth she seemed to exude. His trusting nature made it easy to follow her into the tent. Chuckling, he shrugged his shoulders at her insistence. "I guess it'd be stupid to say no." Lena would certainly scold him for returning with an injury if there had been a kind soul willing to heal it. With that in mind, he took a seat, offering out his injured hand. Smiling politely, he added, "I'm Zavien, by the way."
The tent had been advertising fortune telling, so the tarot cards spread across the table before him weren't a surprise, even as they drew his attention. "Are cards your medium of choice?" He'd never had his fortune told, but it intrigued him. Zavien hadn't any idea what the future held, and he often found that exciting, the optimist in him astounded by the unlimited possibilities. Would he want to know, if given the choice?
Satisfied that the stranger was going to allow her to help, Alys relaxed as she began her examination. It wasn't a bad injury, but then, her concern had been more for any venom that might be present than the actual bite itself. "I'm Alys," she said, reaching for her magic and using it to check the wound. Fortunately, there was no venom to remove, and the matter of stitching the punctures together was simple enough. She was done in a matter of moments.
Pleased with herself and her healing abilities, which she used rather less than she'd have liked, she walked around the table to settle into her own chair. "They are," she replied. "Would you be interested in a reading?" She wouldn't have been surprised for Zavien to decline, though he seemed polite enough that he might accept purely to avoid being rude. "It would be my pleasure, after you rescued me, but of course I understand if you're busy."
ALYS GLASSE
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
One moment he was looking at a scratch across his knuckles, a light sting tingling up his arm, and the next, he just saw unmarred skin. Zavien blinked, astounded by the woman's magical abilities. He laughed lightly, stretching his fingers to feel for any lingering discomfort. When he felt none, the Dragoon gave her a bright smile. "Well, Alys, thank you for healing my hand. I can't even tell it was ever injured." Assuming that was the end of their exchange, he nearly rose from his seat, ready to politely part ways; but her question stopped him.
He initially hesitated, uncertain whether he wanted to know anything about his own future. Wouldn't that take away some of the fun? But when she presented it as a means of appreciation, Zavien couldn't find it in him to decline, smiling politely. "I have some time, and I'd love to see the process as long as you're offering." Curious as to the capabilities of tarot cards, his head tilted like a confused puppy despite the seriousness of his question. "Can they tell me anything about whether I'll overcome my current obstacle?" As much as he just wanted to come out and say 'the Void and the Family,' he had only just met this woman, and he had no idea where they had eyes or ears. It was probably best to be vague.
In truth, Alys had assumed that Zavien would simply go about his business, and she was pleasantly surprised when he remained in his seat, hesitantly accepting her offer. She smiled, pleased with her success, and began to prepare the table, pulling out the two decks she kept on herself most commonly and shuffling them briefly as they talked. "Tarot is a unique art," she told him as she worked. "Some fortune tellers will try and say they reveal the future, but to promise an explicit answer is a lie. The cards will probably not reveal a simple yes or no to your question; rather, they will provide guidance as to how you might overcome the obstacle of which you speak. The cards will provide the tools; you must still put in the work.
"Also," she added. "The future is not set in stone. Anyone who tells you different is, frankly, most likely looking for money rather than truth. But the future is comprised of a million little choices, and the difference of any one choice can drastically change what will happen." It was a rather long-winded way of warning Zavien to stay away from certain charlatans who would claim to read the future as though it were a book. "So... yes, they can tell you something about whether you'll overcome your current obstacle. What you do with that information, however, is up to you."
She showed him the two decks: one darker, and one lighter. "If you're still interested, select the deck that calls to you. Follow your instincts. If you're not, then no hard feelings. Tarot isn't for everyone, and that's okay."
ALYS GLASSE
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Zavien listened with rapt attention as Alys explained her craft. She obviously had an abundance of knowledge and passion for the subject, making him smile in shared enthusiasm. He didn't doubt a single word, nodding his head as he took mental notes about avoiding the wrong kind of fortune tellers (if he ever decided to visit one again). "I will keep that in mind. Thank you."
Although it was disappointing to hear that the cards wouldn't tell him everything, he didn't think it would be that easy to begin with. Plus, that would take all the fun out of living! That didn't mean he wasn't still curious to hear what Alys may see in the cards. Zavien gestured his head towards the lighter deck, smiling politely. "I'll pick that one, please." As he waited, he tried to manage his expectations, of which he had none. In the end, he concluded to let the magic reveal what it would.
Zavien picked the lighter deck, surprising Alys. It was rare that she made an incorrect assumption about the deck someone would pick, and it was always a pleasant change. With a smile, she tucked away the darker deck and picked up the lighter, shuffling it while concentrating on Zavien's unnamed obstacle. She went through a routine as natural as breathing: riffling, then shuffling overhand, then cutting the deck and setting it aside. When she drew the first card, she showed it to Zavien before placing it down.
"The Lovers," she said. The card depicted a pair of people beneath a vibrant sun. "It can mean romance, but in the context of your question, let's lean into its platonic meanings. There are choices ahead of you. Trials to overcome. You speak of some kind of obstacle, and this card suggests to me that there are multiple paths ahead of you, several ways that you might choose to face this obstacle."
ALYS GLASSE
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Perhaps it was the sunshine that constantly shone from within that drew him to the lighter deck, or maybe the hope for a brighter future. Whatever the reason, the decision was made, and Alys was already pulling the first card.
Having intentionally not asked about his love life, Zavien blushed profusely at the revealed title of the image before him. He was still new to the concept of having a 'girlfriend,' and he smiled sheepishly, trying to hide a cough of discomfort as he listened closely to the real meaning behind the card. Preferably something that didn't elicit suggestive images to his mind.
Zavien ran a hand over his cheek and beard to disguise the redness while he nodded along with her explanation. "I see. That's good to know." If there were 'multiple paths,' that must mean that there were multiple ways to defeat the Family. The only step now was to find their weakness. He wondered if the next card might reveal something in that regard.
Alys might have chuckled at Zavien's obvious discomfort if it wasn't for the fact that she'd had plenty of practice in disguising her reactions to others' feelings about their readings. After all, for her to be a professional, she had to be able to remain judgment-free and unbiased. As such, she simply waited while her client absorbed the information provided, seeing if there were any questions or comments before drawing the next card.
This one was less suggestive: the Wheel of Fortune. She revealed it to Zavien, showing a wheel with various runes, surrounded by a few figures floating amongst clouds. "The Wheel of Fortune," she said. "Fortune, success, luck. Everything has a beginning and an end, and the wheel always turns. You must trust in the flow of the universe. What goes up must come down. In relation to your obstacle, this would seem to imply that this too shall pass, but to be wary of relying too much on luck rather than your own wits and skills."
ALYS GLASSE
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Letting his focus adjust to the new card, he looked closely at the wheel of strange symbols. It sounded good enough, being the wheel of 'fortune' and all, but he made sure to listen closely to her words. Zavien had never been one to rely on 'luck,' and he wouldn't have let it get to his head, but it was good to be reminded to stay determined and on course.
One aspect he clung to was the idea that even if they failed in their attempts to stop the Void, the world would push through this season, pushing past the difficult time as it always did. Smiling, he nodded his head. "That's a great comfort. Thank you."
Alys nodded with a smile, allowing Zavien the time to consider the cards he'd received thus far. When he seemed to have finished processing, she drew the final card. Interestingly, it was another of the major arcana: the Devil. "The Devil," she said with a raised brow. "Obsession, addiction. With regards to your query, I would advise caution that overcoming your obstacle doesn't become an obsession. The outcome will be what it will be, as seen with the Wheel of Fortune. Obsessing to the detriment of other areas of your life will do you no favors."
It wasn't the most positive note to end on, but in Alys's experience, the cards never lied. "As a whole, I can see that whatever this obstacle is, it is important to you that you overcome it. I think that you either have or will soon find the tools to do so, but don't neglect the rest of your life to do it. Rest is important as well."
ALYS GLASSE
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
