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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!
"If I could fly I would never come back", you said
Straying gradually out of the village proper as Nova grew more confident on her wings, afternoon remained golden yet lost some of the blinding heat the further the sun journeyed westward. The tune of the forest changed. Birdsong and screeching insects mellowed into the drone of bees among wild roses and honeysuckle and the close air lingering beneath unmoving canopies was somehow electrifying. Magic was potent in these woods, near as tangible a thing as the sweat beading upon ones brow. The moment rooftops vanished out of sight it was anyone's guess if they were a stone's throw from the Sidhe Village - or halfway across the region, whisked away between one moment and the next.
As she coasted on wide wings through the labyrinth of trees, the albinistic gore crow kept her eyes on the ground below, only half paying attention to her smaller company. Joined by Shii, she was habitually screening the ground for aa Vi's Rose, scanning the terrain of mottled greens and sunkissed gold for that telltale flash of red. So far, nothing. But it was good practice to do several things at once, and she rather enjoyed this chance of spending time with Nova without also having her ears chafed raw.
When a rustle among the ground foliage sounded, her talons twitched with added interest. Breaking into a wide circle, she turned back around to see what it was. Something edible? Something shiny? With a river winding through the forest nearby, there was always a chance of running into glotters and their treasure hordes.
As flying enters into everyday life, the dreams of centuries become actualities.
She followed behind Maea as best she could, but it was hard when she still had to concentrate on the beat of her wings between getting distracted by random sights or sounds. The lower heat gave way to denser sunlight that peeked through the canopy, casting the colorful flowers into gilded shades and glistening petals. When her eyes would deviate from the path, Nova noticed that she would drift, her wings tilting just enough to take her off course towards the peculiarity. But then she'd spot the white corvid flying farther and farther ahead, spurring on her flight.
Her muscles were already starting to tire, but she was having so much fun flying and weaving through the trees that she didn't want to stop. Hopping to pause on the occasional branch, she did her best to keep up, all six wings working overtime to regain the altitude she'd lost in her most recent distraction.
One by one they take shape and become stepping-stones for other dreams.
07-16-2025, 01:44 PM (This post was last modified: 07-16-2025, 01:58 PM by Maea.)
"If I could fly I would never come back", you said
A broken pawprint eerily similar to a human hand led her to another, and one more, in a meandering trail towards the river. Intrigued now, Maaea waited for Nova to catch up before diving low so she could see what the gore crow had spotted. A croon from the pale bird sounded almost like 'Follow? Follow?' - leaving it up to the young hybrid to decide how much more she could take. Perhaps with a mission to distract their minds, the strain would be easier to bear, and grant a fine reward at the end of their excursion. Maea was torn between what she'd rather find. A decent sized meal, or something shiny to bring home? Some stash of jewelry dropped or forgotten by travelers on the water, swept up by glotters for safekeeping - now that she wouldn't mind in the slightest.
As flying enters into everyday life, the dreams of centuries become actualities.
Nova watched as something seemed to catch the white gore crow's attention, glancing down like she might be able to spot it, but the canopy and the shadows they cast made it difficult for her to see what it might have been amongst the vast undergrowth. Still, she followed without hesitation, letting out a little chirp of agreement before bouncing off her branch to float down.
Going down wasn't really a skill she'd practiced, but she did what she thought might work: flap slower. She let her wings snag the air current, only moving them to redirect or avoid something during her descent. It wasn't the most graceful means, but it seemed to work well enough. She didn't hit any trunks and her wings were mercifully cooperative, not even bumping into each other when she lost focus. She ultimately made it to the ground, only stumbling a little yet righting herself to see what Maea had discovered.
One by one they take shape and become stepping-stones for other dreams.
"If I could fly I would never come back", you said
Upon noticing that Nova remained a bit awkward in the air, the crow came back around and landed next to her on the ground. Strutting up to a pawprint left in the damp mulch, she pecked her beak at it, then looked off in the direction its originator must have traveled. They couldn't see it from here, but the rush of water was a sigh in the backdrop of chirping birds and droning insects. A sweet call to play on the erratic drafts above the water, and a promise of blissful reprieve from the stifling heat; one even the ancient wouldn't mind heeding.
Spreading her wings again, she leaped up and beat the wide wings to gain altitude. Keeping a pace that should allow Nova to keep up, she began to lead the way through winding trunks and branches - an aerial obstacle course that broke up the monotony of simply slugging from spots A and B.
Soon the light was changing around them, trees opening up to reveal a tributary of the Stonesong. A setting sun touched the current at an angle, sending glittering reflections along the windings so that it looked like molten silver. Kingfishers dove for fish in the shallows along the shore, and further upstream the fish leaped to gulp down gnats, their heavy bodies glistening as they splashed down below. It took her breath away; how golden the light was, how verdant and full of life her home showed itself to be. If this view was the only treasure they ended up finding today then she would still count herself fortunate.
As flying enters into everyday life, the dreams of centuries become actualities.
Shuffling her feet, Nova hopped closer to Maea. Her head tilted at the odd movements, watching the white crow peck at the pawprints to draw her attention there before looking off to the trees where they disappear. Non-verbal communication wasn't Nova's strong suit, but even she could understand that they were meant to follow the trail. She didn't understand why, but it was hard to ask without the bond, and she was more than willing to go on an adventure.
As Maea took off into the tress, Nova took a deep breath and launched herself from the ground, her wings beginning to move more naturally. The weaving and diving were still difficult, but she was able to keep up better than before, flitting and twisting through the trunks as they made their way towards the Stonesong, the golden stream of sunlight peeking through the leaves in the distance.
[FIN]
One by one they take shape and become stepping-stones for other dreams.
