Nicholai

Nicholai De Brabant (I)
The Eldest Akhkharu Sorcerer of the Kindred Member, TFC Explorer's Society
Created	Before Birth Records Were Kept
Status	Active
Race	Elf (Kindred)
Hometown	Sanguinna
Classes	Warrior Mage Thief
Last Seen	fading into the mists
Followed	Khore Bliss (x2) DarkClaw
Partner	(prior) DarkClaw
Children	Chyld: Venom

Mud Contributions:

• Nicholai is acknowledged and respected as the Eldest of the mortal Kindred yet remaining within the world.

Current Description:

Before you stands a sorcerer clad in black.  His age indiscernible at a glance, 
his Elven frame appears strong and youthful but a cold, expressionless face and 
piercing blue eyes hint at a wealth of wisdom lost in an eternity of darkness 
and pain.  His pale complexion contrasts the few Moorish teak strands of hair 
that stray from under his dark hood and fangs are barely noticeable behind 
closed lips, rarely breaking to smile.  About him flows a cape of pure darkness, 
once a symbol of the Ordinus Nosferatu, a mark of the kindred, now a relic of 
an ancient time and a warning to this realm that he is perhaps the eldest,
the last remaining of the original kindred to walk among them, and should be 
feared and respected as such.  Close to his heart and hidden from view he keeps 
a token of love given to him by a little girl as a reminder of what is most 
important in this life, and that perhaps there is hope in the darkness. 
Nicholai has a special twinkle in his eye.
Nicholai is in perfect health.

Halloween Costume Contest, 2013

Behold, the noble bullfighter, here for your amusement.
Pay no attention to the fangs.
Nicholai has a special twinkle in his eye.
Nicholai is in perfect health.

Nicholai is using:
<worn around neck>  a glittering necklace of pewter and glass gems
<worn on body>      a nobleman's costume of moth-eaten velvet
<worn on head>      a crown of foil and glass gems
<worn on feet>      a single filthy black leather knee high boot
<wielded>           a tin sword with rounded, dull edges
<held>              a crimson and black bullfighter's cape
<worn with pride>   a soft brown sparrow feather
<worn with pride>   the Ebon Sigil Odegra

Prior Desc, date unknown

Before you stands a Sorcerer clad in black. Around his neck hangs a pentagram softly shedding a red aura. Chills run up your spine as you meet the gaze of his sapphire blue eyes shining with intelligence and a hint of insanity. The fresh blood on his lips contrasts his pale complexion, while the fangs barely showing through his evil grin warns you to stay away.
Nicholai has a special twinkle in his eye.
Nicholai is in perfect health.

WHO Lists:

Elf [ Ma:21 Wa:20 Th:18 ] Nicholai... Kindred    **DarkClaw**                   <Date Unknown>
Elf [ Ma:24 Wa:20 Th:18 ] Nicholai has Combee's life  *DarkClaw*                05/22/1998
Elf [ Ma:24 Wa:20 Th:18 ] Nicholai..Curiosus catellus occiderus  *DarkClaw* IST 05/27/1998
Elf [ Wa:30 Ma:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai is here                                      09/26/2003
Elf [ Wa:30 Ma:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai is here                                      03/07/2004
Elf [ Wa:30 Ma:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai De'Brabant - Arcane Kindred of the Coven     03/14/2004
Elf [ Wa:30 Ma:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai the Ancient Kindred Ebrithil (Neutral)       07/17/2010
Elf [ Wa:30 Ma:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai is awakening from the darkness               02/10/2011
Elf [ Wa:30 Ma:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai is the ghost that hides in the night.        03/10/2011
Elf [ Wa:30 Ma:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai-Ancient Kindred Shadow                       06/09/2011
Elf [ Wa:30 Ma:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai- Lost Ancient Kindred Shadow                 06/27/2012
Elf [    Great Swami    ] Nicholai- Lost Ancient Kindred Shadow                 01/14/2014
Elf [   Extra-Magicky   ] Nicholai- Lost Ancient Kindred Shadow                 09/12/2014
Elf [ Ma:30 Wa:30 Th:30 ] Nicholai - 'Vintage' Lost Kindred Shadow              01/26/2015
Elf [ Wa:30 Th:30 Ma:30 ] Nicholai has lost his mind                            03/15/2015

Character History:

In his mortal life Nicholas De Brabant stumbled upon the realm of The Final Challenge as a young Elf learning the ways of Magick. Lacking in strength he struggled his way on sheer will and intellect. In his travels, he encountered a stunning yet dark and mysterious woman. She introduced herself as DarkClaw and flashed a fanged grin. Enchanted by this dangerous beauty, he followed her to her lord, the Master vampire Khore. He embraced the Darkness and its power and was welcomed into the Kindred Vampyric. In his new existence as Nosferatu, calling himself Nicholai and choosing the title Akhkharu (Sumerian for Vampire), he has strived to gain in strength and knowledge of Magick. To know all, to be all, with the Darkness his home, the Blood his life, and the Kin his strength, he has come a long way, but still has far to go...

Basically a loner, Nicholai tends to shy away from public view. He holds no contempt for others who would leave him or his Kin be. If you should find him in your area, chances are he is not hunting you, unless you have given him reason. He values friendship greatly, and would risk his life for his kin or close friends. His loyalty surpasses even his heart, but he does take betrayal seriously. Within the Kindred, Nicholai is closest to Combee, perhaps the Kindred who understands Nicholai the most. His closest friend amongst mortals is Corri, her free spirit and undying youth intrigues him.

Nicholai's Solitude

(Writing Contest entry, January 16th, 2014. "Capture a specific moment, place, or person of this world." )

The wind howls as it sweeps past the western wall of the keep, turned away with stubborn indifference by stone laid ages ago. Once a testament to the strength and hope of the people, now a relic weathered by the tests of time in a land wrought with decay and misery. Do not seek me within those cold towers, you will not find me there. Despite my callous and stoic demeanor I prefer a different kind of solitude high up in the branches of an ancient tree, an oasis of life amidst a world seething with death. It just feels more like home as I remember it, if my memory is to be trusted, having spend many a day in my youth amongst the branches of Loth-Llorien. From here I forget the passing of time as the sun rises and sets, lost in my own thoughts. The townsfolk below carry on, almost trance-like, with their mundane lives from birth unto death. It all seems so pointless yet they persist seemingly unaware of their fate. It is of no matter to me, I cheated death in return for this permanent existence, and in that choice I remain. Feelings like hope, joy, and love seem so distant like the faded words in a child’s diary long forgotten on dusty shelf. Where they ever real? Or just the delusions of youth? As I glance at the initials carved long ago in the wood I am reminded of the love once shared here, something that has kept this place untouched by the blight and is perhaps a source of hope. It is in fact a pleasant tree. A slight smile barely parts my lips as I recall the first mention of it, an amusing and innocent misunderstanding of pleasantry that became truer with the time she spent here. I scan the branches for any sign of her, perhaps a petal I may have missed, a memento of hope, or a grain of sand having voyaged by boot from the far off desert. What was it that caused her to seek me out? Questions at first an annoyance, bringing me out of my conscious slumber like a waking limb, thrusting me into a story not of my own making, but one in which I would play a role. Now it is her absence I find frustrating, though I would not admit it, I miss the to-a-fault politeness, the almost questions, and the way a simple greeting becomes an epic tale in true bard fashion. When she had asked if I craved her blood I told her I did not. That may have partly been a lie, while it did not taste like almonds to me, there was a sweetness, an alluring innocence and purity that in my younger years would have stirred the fiery passion within my still heart and I do not deny that the thought to indulge it had crossed my mind. But there was something else, an inner strength and power, a potential yet untapped for this desert rose. A potential far greater left to grow, nurtured, guided. Perhaps I will end up corrupting her, or she corrupting me. The future holds more secrets than can be wrung out of the present, and time has always been on my side. So for now I remain here in my solitude, lost in my own thoughts and waiting for the page to turn. Perhaps there is no hope, save for the few who seek its light, but even they ultimately succumb to the darkness.

---

12/30/2014

Theros gossips (in common), 'I'm working on being more <echo> serious </echo>, so Nicholai will like me'.
Zappa gossips (in common), 'hehe'.
Theros gossips (in common), 'oops, my echo tags were stripped from that'.
Nicholai gossips (in elven), ':)'.
Cordir gossips, 'the Eldest sits in a tree and feeds people corpses to cats and trains puddings ... he might not be so solemn as you think'.
Theros gossips (in common), 'Well... he has a good poker face anyway'.
Nicholai gossips (in elven), 'I'm seriously not that serious'.
Theros gossips (in common), 'er, what?! nvmd'.

Trivia:

The Tao of Nicholai

Nicholai is the source and subject of the "Tao of Nicholai," an album of images created and maintained by Cordir on her page.

(original source of info: http://www.angelfire.com/pa/Nicholai/bio.html) Nicknames: Nich, Nichy

Height: 5' 10.

Weight: 155 lbs.

Eyes: Sapphire blue, sometimes red depending on his mood.

Hair: mostly black, with hints of reddish brown.

Aura: Red.

Grin: Evil and fanged.

Likes: Evil ideas, Elven equipment, poetry, wine, sharp swords, magick, and of course the ladies.

Dislikes: Those who hunt evils for being evil, anyone who attacks Kindred, anyone who attacks Corri, idiots, self-righteous idiots, self-righteous preachy idiots.

Strengths: Intelligent clever and crafty, a Hopeless Romantic.

Weaknesses: Moody, often immature, a Hopeless Romantic.

Known for: Being invisible, depressing titles, X-files titles.

Trivia: Has been called an Elven Elitist for collecting Elven equipment, Studies the effects of leveling in his spare time (A theoretical levelist).

Favorite item: The Cape of the Ordinus Nosferatu.

Favorite area: Sanguinna.

Current Level: 50

Beliefs: If you leave me be I will leave you be. Never restrict yourself with superficial virtues. Be proud of who you are. The truth is more powerful than a lie. Do not discriminate upon race or aura, only stupidity and actions. Always show respect. Never mistreat a lady.

Nicholai Noir

[ 6] Crunch: * Nicholai Noir *
Sun Jan 25 11:51:57 2015
To: all
I wanted to give me Goddess, DarkClaw a gud wine. So Baron Marel's son
and a few workerz teach me how to make it. Why Nich, you may ask?
Well, he is Vintage. But most important, he is Elf. Duh!

Ingredienz:
5 dropz Nicholai blood; red grapez; grape stomper; wine yeast; egg

Directionz:
Scream HELP! over Ftell or other public channel. Wait for a Nicholai
to run to you. Feign distress in a very dark mine shaft. When he lookz
for a large alien mutant zombie rat you swear is after you, grab his hand
and stab his elfy pinky by accident. I know - not an elf toez, but itll do.
Squeez blood dropz into vial, then RUN away superOgurfast, before he
*** ANNIHILATES *** you. Shout, Sorry! Hide out in the Void for a bit,
just in case. Next, pick grapez in Vineyard (eatz worker, or 2, for energy).
Squish grapez (and a grape stomper for extra Oomph) into vat and add yeast.
Add Nich dropz. When wine is dark red, pour in barrel, and let sit a few munthz.
Siphon goo and gunk floating on top. So much work, take a break in Fens mud
puddle. After wine "rests" for munth, add egg white to absorb tannin (what
ever that is). Pour wine into bottlz and cork em. Cheerzzz! 

Servz: Kindred Goddess , plus 1 or 2 Kindred guest. OR 1 drunk Ogre chef.
Optional serving suggestion: 3 inebriated dwarf or 4 DUI gnomz.
Bonus pointz for: 7 FUI Aaraz (Everyone knowz drunk birdy crash into tree
and window. Free entertainment and ogurlishus snack drool). 

From Special Edition of Crunch's Culinary Creationz: Bubblin' n Boilin' Beveragez
Bone Appetite!

Nicholai's group: (1998):

[20 Cl:] Mystil            269/ 269 hp  194/ 194 mana  207/ 207 mv 194322 xp
[ 5 Ma:] Lauren            124/ 124 hp  105/ 105 mana  186/ 186 mv  24628 xp
[11 Sh:] Lena              152/ 152 hp  140/ 140 mana  165/ 165 mv  64785 xp
[ 1 Or:] Palmer            359/ 359 hp   98/  98 mana  251/ 251 mv   4011 xp
[24 Wa:] Nicholai          407/ 407 hp  267/ 267 mana  483/ 483 mv 399384 xp
[ 7 Wa:] Brian             211/ 211 hp  136/ 136 mana  271/ 271 mv  56978 xp
[ 5 Wa:] DarkClaw          458/ 458 hp  209/ 209 mana  236/ 236 mv  37235 xp

Quotables:

01/20/2014:

Nicholai ftells, 'can we put up an invisible dog fence outside our temple?'.

(DarkClaw)

02/03/2014:

Nicholai says (in elven), 'the pudding eats the daisy or it gets the hose again.'.

(Cordir)

09/11/14:

You ftell, 'But as far as the other magics go...there's weak, moderate, powerful, potent, and artifact.'. You ftell, 'Did I miss any, Nich?'. Nicholai ftells, 'that is all of them, except for "Nicholai"'. You ftell, 'Hehe'. Nicholai ftells, 'I am extra magicky'. You ftell, 'You're the most magical of all.'.

(DarkClaw)

Restrings

mist-shrouded robes of black elven chain

<worn on body>      (Powerful magic) mist-shrouded robes of black elven chain 
Long Description: These robes of enchanted black elven chain were a gift from Chyld to Sire.

Look Chain:
Enchanted to shift from potent solidity to mist, mirroring its wearer, these 
sorcerous robes are made of the highest quality elven chain. Each link is an
ebon-black, protecting the wearer from being revealed by the reflection of a
light upon the metal. Supple and fluid, this robe was made by a master smith,
for it flows like fabric but protects like the finest armor. Each link has a
serpentine scale-like shape, hinting at the sinuous grace and strength of an
ancient dragon.

Look Mist:
Cool mist shrouds the hem of this garment, flicking outward in sinuous tongues
of gray vapor, erasing every footprint and trace of passage by he that dons it. 
Faint shapes appear here and there within the mist, winged and ethereal, their
whispering voices bringing word of the speaking of a Name.

a tiny daisy protected within a glass band

Worn: <worn on finger>    (Artifact magic) a tiny daisy protected within a glass band
Long Description:  A band of glass encloses and protects a tiny daisy from ever fading.
 
Look Band Glass:
Sand struck by lightning creates a unique form of glass - whether the 
bolts are called down by storm or by song, the end result is the same. 
Gathered and brought to the mage-smiths of Kharad-Delving, melted and
reformed, it has been shaped into a ring that protects and encloses a
tiny daisy.  The design of the band has a childlike simplicity to it: 
no fancy bezels or ornate gems. On the inside curve of the glass ring, 
words have been carved in in flowing desert script: 

.        "Moments of joy and hope last as long as you let them." 

Look Daisy:
It was an impulsive gesture to reach out and connect with one she admires that 
prompted Samiyah to pick this tiny daisy.  Its humble simplicity looked out of 
place in the pale hand of the Eldest when it was given but its message was one
that was heartfelt: Hope need not fade. Bright moments of joy are not lessened
by time, if the heart and soul are open to them. Now, that same bloom has been
given a home within a frame of glass to preserve its message for always.
 
Look Flower Hope:
Studying the daisy, you see a ghostly reflection of it within the glass. Or 
perhaps it is not a reflection, but a captured ghost of a flower given at a
time when both the one giving and the one receiving needed a reminder: Hope
exists, no matter how dark the night. 

Look Storm Song  
A crystal clear vision appears into your mind, sweeping across your senses
like a desert wind. Samiyah stands upon the soft desert dunes of her home,
a thundering sky above her. Hands raised high, she sings to the storm: the
answer is a series of three lightning bolts raining down from the heavens,
as electric blue as the eyes of the one for whom she is crafting a gift.

Look Keywords: 
Object Keywords: daisy flower glass band
Restring Keywords: Band Glass | Daisy | Flower Hope | Storm Song | Keywords

Crafted as part of the Nicholai Project, in deep respect for the Eldest,
Nicholai, from one proud to name him friend.

flowing umanori hakama of ebon Yochlol silk

Long Description: These wide-legged silk pants would allow complete freedom of movement.

Look umanori hakama silk
The fabric of these hakama is thick and luxurious: a heavy black silk that is 
pleasingly soft to the touch yet oddly resistant to puncture or tear. Crafted
from the rarest fabric - Yochlol silk, only obtainable by the Goddess Cordir,
when She scolds the demon in spider form sufficiently to obtain its weaving -
the wearer would have full freedom of movement. They are cut generously, with
no restrictive seams that would prevent one from, say, kicking an opponent in
the head, or climbing a tree at a near sprint. All while looking ridiculously
fashionable, at the same time.

Look Yochlol
As your fingers slide over the silk fabric, an odd image slips into your mind,
as smoothly as your skin glides over the garment in your hands.  The Weaver, a
singularly determined expression on Her face, squares off against an enormous,
crimson-aura'd spider-creature.  Her voice is calm but it contains steel: "You
WILL do as I say. I ask it rarely - Only for those worthy."  The demon glares,
shifting angrily, its clawed forelegs dragging along the marbled floor. But it
cannot refuse - and so it begins to spin.  "You would remember this one - more
than once, he came down into the depths of your city, and fought you, alone in
the dark. The Eldest." At this, the spider-demon hisses, remembering, mantling
in anger, and then grudging respect. The Thread spins on...

the Sephirot of the Eldest

long description: Glowing symbols hover in the air, each individual, each a part of a collective.

Look Sephirot:
Seemingly flowing out of the intensely powerful aura of the sorcerer before you,
a series of glowing symbols appear. They seamlessly shift, one into the other, a
whole in truth, yet each unique and independent, as if distinct notes in a chord
or leaves on a tree. Glimmering, pulsing in time to a heart long since still, an
incantation wrought by a will that is ageless and eternal and ancient - they are,
because he wishes them to be. 

Look Will
A sense of wordless rage, thirst and anger washes over you, centuries old, ancient
before entire continents rose from the Maelmordian Sea. Emotion such as this could
scorch earth to bare stone -- and yet, it is held in check, this Kindred blaze, by 
a schooled, disciplined will, stronger than iron, tempered by millenia of practice.
It is this focus that created and maintains the Sephirot.

(Sneaky) split-toe black spidersilk tabi

Long Description: Even devoid of feet to animate them, these spidersilk tabi look positively sneaky.

Look Tabi:
Heavy, matte black spidersilk - yes, that terribly rare Yochlol kind, and boy is
she cranky about it - has been used to craft tabi that exude sneakiness.  From a
hue the color of midnight that seems to absorb light around it, to the soft sole
that would not give away so much of a whisper of sound at the wearer's step, the
essence of this footwear is cat-like stealth. With a split toe that would permit
the wearer to practically sprint up a tree trunk or balance deftly atop the wire
passages above Harpers, these tabi are made for one who is active and must move,
in silence, through dangerous places.

Look Catlike hair:
A single clear pawprint on the upper calf area of the left boot, and a scattering
of hairs clinging to the silk, mark these tabi as owned by one who is owned by an
interesting array of felines. 

Look Yochlol:
A clear, vibratingly angry image wavers in your mind's eye, of the Yochlol, that
ancient and horrific demon in spider form, being commanded by the Lady Weaver. A
slash of its forelimb in Her direction indicates the creature's overwhelming ire
at a second request in a single moon's span. Yet, the Lady will not be refused - 
though the creature seems to relent some small amount when she hears to whom her
labors will be gifted.

Personal Timeline:

01/17/2004: Nicholai joins the Ash Moon Coven.
06/03/2012: Nicholai joins The Lost Ones.
12/22/2014: Nicholai saves a grievously injured Venom, making him Kindred. This is the first time in all of his centuries that Nicholai has created another vampire.
02/20/2014: Nicholai is presented with a gift by Samiyah - a daisy protected in a band of glass. (See restring above)
09/01/2014: Nicholai has the opportunity to battle Lanae, and defeats her 8 minutes, 49 seconds: Nicholai vs Lanae.
10/31/2014: Nicholai discovers The Te'nayu'ka and is inducted into the TFC Explorer's Society
02/14/2015: During the 2015 Valentine's Day Quest created by Tynian, Samiyah bears witnesses to an epic fight: The Eldest vs Clark Kent
02/16/2015: Nicholai takes second place in the Valentine's Day Quest.
03/16/2015: Nicholai takes second place in the two weeks plus long President's Day Quest.

Player Information: