Nykios was created by Astra when the need to wage war against the Dark Ones became apparent.

Depictions of Nykios show him as an armored humanoid of immense size. Most envisioned him as the idealized form expected of mortal warriors.

Since his creation, Nykios was quick to become independent of Astra. He took nine apprentices and extensively taught them how to wield swords and other weapons. These nine would create their own schools to teach their own students. What they taught is considered to be the basis for all swordsmanship across Arethil.

In addition, Nykios experimented with teaching mages sword fighting and warriors magic. The result was the creation of Arethil’s first battle mages and paladins. Celestialist paladins will normally take Nykios as their god while Celestialist battle mages invoke Nykios to cast body strengthening magic.

Nykios chose to stay involved in wars across Arethil – especially if the war involved heretics or non-believers.

During the Noxomarchy, Nykios lead his army on a campaign across Arethil. At the conclusion of the war, he left with the rest of the Cosmic Pantheon. Those from his army are said to have attempted to conquer the world after the departure of the gods.

Since the departure of the gods, Nykios has had a Voice almost always present. Sometimes, multiple people may claim to be the Voice of Nykios. According to Celestialism canon though, Nykios made determining the true Voice easy:


Nykios normally gives his favor to swordsmen, especially those such as battle mages and paladins, generals, and other participants of war.