Nico Valerus
Appearance
As Nico himself would put it, he is a dashingly handsome individual capable of making any man or maiden swoon with a mere smoldering glance in their direction. Some may argue that he's clearly exaggerating, but it is true that the sky elf is traditionally handsome to most, and he has the sheer charisma to accompany it.
With white hair and pale blue skin, it's true that he's quite an exotic figure among most locales, even within the diverse city of Alliria. White tattoos cross over his skin as though it were a tapestry, circular and linear as it paints his skin. His dress is no less as ostentatious as he is, with it often being a colorful menagerie of jewelry and intricately woven cloaks, neither of which he should probably be able to afford.
Perhaps the oddest facet of his appearance, however, is the fabric Nico has draped across one of his eyes. Why does he have an eye covered, you may ask? Did he lose it in an epic battle of the fates, as he clashed against a powerful enemy for the good of Arethil? Was he hunting a wild beast in the Ixchel Wilds when it clawed his eye out? Or perhaps it was an accident when, through an improbably series of events, it was enchanted to constantly shoot out lasers when uncovered? Well, Nico changes the story to every person he meets, so it could frankly be any of that. He may very well have an eye underneath it, in fact.
With white hair and pale blue skin, it's true that he's quite an exotic figure among most locales, even within the diverse city of Alliria. White tattoos cross over his skin as though it were a tapestry, circular and linear as it paints his skin. His dress is no less as ostentatious as he is, with it often being a colorful menagerie of jewelry and intricately woven cloaks, neither of which he should probably be able to afford.
Perhaps the oddest facet of his appearance, however, is the fabric Nico has draped across one of his eyes. Why does he have an eye covered, you may ask? Did he lose it in an epic battle of the fates, as he clashed against a powerful enemy for the good of Arethil? Was he hunting a wild beast in the Ixchel Wilds when it clawed his eye out? Or perhaps it was an accident when, through an improbably series of events, it was enchanted to constantly shoot out lasers when uncovered? Well, Nico changes the story to every person he meets, so it could frankly be any of that. He may very well have an eye underneath it, in fact.
Skills and Abilities
What skills does he have? Well, Nico would prefer the question "What skills does he not have?"
Nico is an accomplished "bullshitter," or to put it in more typical terms—a con-artist. He can lie with the best of them, although he'd never admit it of course. To be more specific, he has an intimate knowledge of body language and facial cues. He utilizes this understanding to know when somebody's planning on deceiving him (yes, he realizes the irony) and to lie more accurately, mimicking them with ease. His sheer charisma is enough to push forward a lie that may very well have been caught had it come out of any other mouth. This makes him an expert at manipulation, although he mainly uses this to con people.
He's also a decent duelist, although he does typically lean on his words more so than his blade. What truly sets him apart is that he is an Empath. He can draw upon emotions, tapping into them in order to develop magical abilities that can aid him in various tasks. He isn't as skilled in this due to a lack of training, meaning he can't draw too much lest he ends up draining the victim dry - or worse, affect himself.
It should also be noted that Nico is also a skilled player of both the harp and lute, able to produce melodic and harmonious tunes with either instrument. Unfortunately, he is incapable of playing both at the same time, but he is trying. He also partakes in singing, which he insists has been described as "heavenly; grace incarnate; truly a gift from the gods."
Nico is an accomplished "bullshitter," or to put it in more typical terms—a con-artist. He can lie with the best of them, although he'd never admit it of course. To be more specific, he has an intimate knowledge of body language and facial cues. He utilizes this understanding to know when somebody's planning on deceiving him (yes, he realizes the irony) and to lie more accurately, mimicking them with ease. His sheer charisma is enough to push forward a lie that may very well have been caught had it come out of any other mouth. This makes him an expert at manipulation, although he mainly uses this to con people.
He's also a decent duelist, although he does typically lean on his words more so than his blade. What truly sets him apart is that he is an Empath. He can draw upon emotions, tapping into them in order to develop magical abilities that can aid him in various tasks. He isn't as skilled in this due to a lack of training, meaning he can't draw too much lest he ends up draining the victim dry - or worse, affect himself.
It should also be noted that Nico is also a skilled player of both the harp and lute, able to produce melodic and harmonious tunes with either instrument. Unfortunately, he is incapable of playing both at the same time, but he is trying. He also partakes in singing, which he insists has been described as "heavenly; grace incarnate; truly a gift from the gods."
Personality
If charm was in the shape of an incredibly handsome and dashing individual, it would be in the shape of Nico Valerus. Indeed, the elf is a figurehead of charisma, often sweet-talking and flirting in passing conversation. When he laughs, it's hard not to follow along in kind, and he's rarely without a smirk or grin on his face.
Of course, he is manipulative when he wishes, conning the gullible without any sign of regret. It's rare to see him being 'genuine,' aside from those he's particularly close with.
Of course, he is manipulative when he wishes, conning the gullible without any sign of regret. It's rare to see him being 'genuine,' aside from those he's particularly close with.
Biography & Lore
Born to a family of traders, Nico spent much of his childhood within the marketplace surrounded by merchants, con-artists, pickpockets, and bards alike. Couple that with a lack of surveillance and a particularly mischievous youngster, and you had a recipe for disaster. Or, as Nico would put it, greatness.
Indeed, the young rogue was raised more by the street folk than his family, who were often too caught up in coin and business to pay much of any mind to him. He was taught how to sing, how to play instruments and, yes, how to con people out of their money. He figured that, if his family were so insistent on becoming wealthy, he should help them!
Suffice it to say, they were not impressed. Well, not impressed isn't the right term. 'Furious' fit their reaction much better. Furious enough they kicked him out, leaving him stranded in the midst of the bustling city of Alliria to fend for himself. However, such a punishment did surprisingly little to halt his stride. In fact, he thrived within the city, at least to anyone who looked upon him. He frequented taverns, beating the drunk at games of chance (well, perhaps 'chance' was them being optimistic, it was far more weighted than that) and cons. In fact, it was then that he discovered his Empathy. No, not the sappy personality kind, the magic one. It started off subconsciously, with the furious turning mellow as Nico continued to take them for whatever they had. Then, it grew more powerful, spontaneously expressing itself in the odd ways that the arcane typically do.
Somewhere along the way, he picked up a deck of tarot cards, to which he had a wonderful idea. Why just con people in one way, when you can con them in multiple? It was a brilliant idea, and it was then the 'Oracle' charade began. He had to admit, it was surprisingly lucrative. As it turns out, if you give someone a vague enough fortune, they'd think it was actually true!
According to Nico, he'd say there were a couple of important details missing here. Like, say, the time he fought a dragon with nothing but a chair leg and a few pints, or the time he narrowly escaped capture by the dreadlords of Vel Anir after conning one. As you can imagine, only one happened. Maybe.
Indeed, the young rogue was raised more by the street folk than his family, who were often too caught up in coin and business to pay much of any mind to him. He was taught how to sing, how to play instruments and, yes, how to con people out of their money. He figured that, if his family were so insistent on becoming wealthy, he should help them!
Suffice it to say, they were not impressed. Well, not impressed isn't the right term. 'Furious' fit their reaction much better. Furious enough they kicked him out, leaving him stranded in the midst of the bustling city of Alliria to fend for himself. However, such a punishment did surprisingly little to halt his stride. In fact, he thrived within the city, at least to anyone who looked upon him. He frequented taverns, beating the drunk at games of chance (well, perhaps 'chance' was them being optimistic, it was far more weighted than that) and cons. In fact, it was then that he discovered his Empathy. No, not the sappy personality kind, the magic one. It started off subconsciously, with the furious turning mellow as Nico continued to take them for whatever they had. Then, it grew more powerful, spontaneously expressing itself in the odd ways that the arcane typically do.
Somewhere along the way, he picked up a deck of tarot cards, to which he had a wonderful idea. Why just con people in one way, when you can con them in multiple? It was a brilliant idea, and it was then the 'Oracle' charade began. He had to admit, it was surprisingly lucrative. As it turns out, if you give someone a vague enough fortune, they'd think it was actually true!
According to Nico, he'd say there were a couple of important details missing here. Like, say, the time he fought a dragon with nothing but a chair leg and a few pints, or the time he narrowly escaped capture by the dreadlords of Vel Anir after conning one. As you can imagine, only one happened. Maybe.
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