@Aeolian
OMG ❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️ FABULOUS!! Neon gives me serious Miquella/Saint Trina-vibes from Elden Ring.

<Snipped quote by Mirandae>

Thanks! I've heard of Elden Ring, but I didn't play it so I have no idea who those characters why. Lol Why do u say they're similar?

<Snipped quote by Aeolian>

Well, Miquella is a very beautiful boy-god that has a sort of alter ego named Saint Trina, which is a sleep/dream god :P

Here is my submission:

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_{P R E S E N C E}

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Nia follows the Path of Eitrú, a belief in the primordial origins of the cosmos. It is a faith of Nibelheim that holds the Dominant aspects of nature are given form, manifesting in the world through the Regalia. While the original faith is shrouded in tradition and mysticism, Nia is an Ardent of the New Path movement, a modern reimagining of the faith designed for a more global audience. Her role is to guide individuals on their spiritual journeys toward enlightenment. The New Path focuses on helping people detach from materialistic and worldly concerns that interfere with their faith, allowing them to seek greater clarity and favour with the Dominants.

When Nia is spiritually guiding others, she exudes a calm, serene, and confident presence, rooted in true belief. Her practice invites participants to bare themselves to Eitrú, making use of spacious natural surroundings and refuges as settings for her teachings. Through guided meditation, mindfulness, and control of body and mind, she leads individuals toward deep interconnectedness with the cosmos.

Nia is profoundly devout and conveys her message through a gentle touch that permeates every interaction. This presence is especially felt when others open themselves to her guidance. When addressing larger audiences, her passion and zeal become more evident, as she proselytizes with fervour to bring others into the fold.

In her personal life, when not acting in an official capacity, Nia is warm, approachable, and easy-going, offering support and friendship to those around her. While she does not force her spiritual beliefs on others, she will not tolerate mockery or ridicule of her faith.

Those who come to know her true self will discover someone not immediately recognizable—someone who embodies ancient wisdom, as if ordained by a higher authority, perhaps one of the Regalia themselves. She seems to possess an intimate knowledge of Bahamut's avatar, Nyx, the figure behind the resurgence of the old ways of Eitrú.

_{C H R O N I C L E}

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Nia was raised in the rustic peaks of Nibelheim, living a traditional pastoral life amidst the cycles of the mist. Although her parents allowed her some limited time on the net, she found herself more captivated by the traditional tales told during the misty seasons. These stories felt more real and immersive. The Ardents told the best tales—legends of ancient heroes battling monsters, cautionary fables, and the deep connection between nature and the divine. Like most who grew up hearing these stories, Nia dreamed big, her mind filled with wild imaginings as she watched over the flocks, contemplating the various forms the Dominants could take.

Her first real encounter with the outside world came when a film crew arrived nearby to shoot a new series, A Game of Regalia. The urbanites who descended upon her village brought with them actors from across the globe, dressed in rich costumes and adorned with intricate makeup and oversized props. They portrayed the Regalia of ancient times. Nia, like many her age, would watch the filming whenever she had the chance, learning more about the world beyond Nibelheim. When she spoke with the Ardents about it, they dismissed the theatre as sacrilege. Still, she and other local children were allowed to play small background roles, earning a place on the big screen.

As filming progressed, the crew ventured deeper into one of the more remote areas of Nibelheim, drawn by its foreboding and atmospheric landscape. Despite the Ardents’ warnings of monsters and ancient dangers, the crew ignored them and pressed on. One day, the mist descended so thickly that visibility dropped to almost nothing. The crew sought shelter in their vehicles and tents, waiting for the mist to pass. Unfortunately, Nia was left outside, lost in the fog as she tried to find her way back. Primal sounds echoed through the mist—creatures, monsters of the unknown. Frightened, Nia curled up against a rock, trying to make herself as small as possible. As she whispered to herself, "I am nothing," a low, guttural sound of a large lizard resonated above her. Frozen in place, she waited in terror until the creature snorted and moved away. The next morning, the mist retreated, and the spooked film crew hurriedly packed up and left. Nia rejoined them, but she was forever changed by the experience.

Following this encounter, Nia became deeply drawn to the spiritual aspects of her religion. It was as though she had an epiphany during that night in the mist. She began to wonder about the deeper meaning of life, its purpose, and spent more time at local shrines reflecting on her experience.

A Game of Regalia was a major success, and those who had participated were invited to the capital, Nythavon, for a celebratory event. Nia and her parents attended in person, and she was awestruck by the grandeur of the capital city. Nythavon was a beacon of light, bustling with people and filled with towering buildings that stretched toward the sky—a stark contrast to her quiet village life.

Despite the luxury and splendour around her, Nia felt a strange emptiness. The city felt like it lacked a soul. The Ardents of the old ways had been replaced by new religious movements, ones that seemed mass-produced and commercialised for profit. The Regalia were treated as celebrities, not prophets, and religion had become a tool for control and a justification for behaviour that would otherwise be considered immoral. Rather than feeling awestruck, Nia became disillusioned by what she saw.

The innocence of a girl can only take her so far. Nia realized that the world was far bigger than she had ever imagined, and she felt a growing sense of nothingness, a void, and a crisis of faith. She began to question the fundamentals and tenets of what she knew, feeling a desire to rise above the superficiality she had witnessed. In her search for answers, she attracted the attention of others who guided her to a new way of thinking. When all is stripped away, what remains? What is more tangible than the truth?

During this period of introspection, Nia was introduced to the cult of Bahamut, the Dominant of the Void. Her yearning for a deeper understanding of the cosmos led her to explore the primordial beginnings—before time, before light. She came to realize that reality is shaped by the forms it takes, and it is in the silence between those forms that we truly appreciate them. This epiphany brought her spiritual enlightenment and a profound connection to the Void. As she delved deeper into the teachings of Bahamut, she adopted a new name: Nyx.

Nyx had found her true calling: to become an Ardent and dedicate her life to the service of the divine. She aspired not only to embody the teachings of Bahamut, but also to inspire a renewal of faith in others through her actions and ideals.

Returning to the mists where her transformation began, Nyx sought to confront the experience that had shaped her. This time, instead of hiding behind a rock, she stood in the open, arms spread wide with conviction. As the familiar sounds and cries of the unknown creatures surrounded her, she remained silent except for the words, "I am nothing." Once again, the guttural sound of the giant lizard approached, but this time she was ready. At that moment, she embraced the primordial majesty of Bahamut and was ordained as the Regalia of the Void.

With her newfound understanding and purpose, Nyx set out to modernize the path of Eitrú. While the religion remained obscure and often misunderstood, she aimed to bring new meaning to its teachings and find others who shared her spiritual strength and conviction. She sought to guide them toward the truth, so they too could ascend as she intended to.

Now an adult, Nyx moved to the capital, Nythavon, to continue her great mission. Harnessing the strength of the Regalia, she pursued a higher, divine purpose—to bring enlightenment to a world in need of spiritual renewal.

_{H O M E}

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Nia hails from Nibelheim, an ancient land in the far west, renowned for its untouched natural beauty, with foreboding, mist-shrouded mountains, deep valleys, and fjords that cut far inland. Defined by rugged terrain and a harsh climate, Nibelheim fosters a deep sense of isolation and resilience among its people.

In ancient times, Nibelheim's villages were formed by scattered clans nestled among the peaks, connected only by narrow, treacherous paths. Harsh winters often isolated these communities, reinforcing solidarity of the clans, as ancient warriors battled over scarce resources for survival. At points in history, when the population outgrew the land's capacity, the people foraged beyond the borders into more fertile territories, gaining a reputation for raiding and settling in foreign lands during these periods of migration.

Nibelheim's culture is rich with oral tradition and history, where bards played a crucial role in communication and entertainment between the isolated settlements, receiving privileged status. These storytellers spread tales of a formidable people—heroes who fought ancient monsters, embarked on great adventures, and celebrated the mysticism of nature. These tales followed during the migrations, spreading a legacy of these ancient people.

As the world advanced and nations began to form, Nibelheim region drew interest for its wealth of natural ores and mining potential. In response to incursions by other nations, Nibelheim's clans united into a single nation for mutual defence. The land's natural borders made it highly defensible, allowing the people to repel invaders. Mining became central to the economy, and the new capital city of Nythavon leveraged these resources to establish trade with the world and bring wealth to the nation.

Despite the nation’s growth, the people of Nibelheim remained rooted in the old ways, following the path of Eitrú. This belief system holds that a primordial force, or god, originated in the wilds of Nibelheim and birthed the pantheon of Dominants. The faith is polytheistic, with no particular Dominant being favoured; instead, all are praised equally part of a greater whole. Ardents, the name for spiritual intermediaries, serve as more than religious leaders—they are philosophers, advisors, storytellers, and keepers of knowledge. They believe in a cycle of rebirth and a deep connection to nature, with the Dominants representing different aspects of natural forces and philosophy. Some believe that through spiritual enlightenment, one can break this cycle and ascend to something greater.

Nibelheim is steeped in mysticism and unspoilt beauty, and as the nation transitioned into the modern era, with advancements in communication technology, Nythavon experienced a cultural renaissance. The once-industrial hub was revitalized into a cosmopolitan metropolis, becoming a modern centre for creative industries that attracted filmmakers, artists, and digital creators. The tales and landscapes of this mysterious land have become popular entertainment for global audiences. This cultural shift has led to a divide within the nation, between the rural communities adhering to the old ways and the urban centres embracing a new creative direction.

Even in the current age, large parts of Nibelheim remain unspoilt by civilization. These wild, untamed regions are shrouded in mystery, with ongoing tales of missing people, monsters, and strange disappearances in the mists. Ghost towns dot the borders of this primal region in the south, serving as a warning to those who seek to intrude upon these ancient lands—places that, to this day, still inspire dread, awe, and terror.

The language of Nibelheim resembles a blend of Gaelic and Norse, with dialects that reflect the speaker’s upbringing. The tongue spoken in Nythavon is more Gaelic in character, with a melodic quality and a heavy emphasis on vowels and softer sounds, giving it a whispering, flowing cadence. This musicality stems from the culture of storytelling and song, and perceived as pleasant to a global audience. The traditional Nibelheim language found in rural areas is more Norse in character, with sharp consonants and a staccato rhythm that reflects the isolated, rugged nature of the people and their land.

_{T R I V I A}

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Likes

Quiet Contemplation: Nia enjoys spending time in quiet, isolated places where she can meditate and connect with the spiritual energies of the cosmos. She often does this through yoga-like postures and exercises.
Astronomy: Nia loves stargazing, being captivated by the vastness of the heavens. She is constantly humbled by how small and insignificant we are compared to the infinite scale of the universe.
Natural Experiences: Nia appreciates the sensory presence of nature, such as the pattering of rain on a window, the scent of a burning log, and the earthy teas and rustic foods of Nibelheim.
Storytelling: Nia has always found meaning in stories and tales, and appreciated the deeper meaning of the experience.

Dislikes

Artificiality: Nia has an aversion to anything overly artificial, including synthetic scents or processed food. This extends to insincere behaviour and hypocrisy in those around her.
Materialism: Nia believes that many have lost touch with the spiritual and are overly focused on material goods and wealth, neglecting what is truly important. She is disenchanted by the celebrity culture surrounding the Dominants.
Crowded and Noisy Environments: Nia finds it difficult to maintain her composure in loud, crowded, or overly artificial environments, and struggles with prolonged superficial conversations.

Trivia

Puzzles: Nia loves puzzles, such as sudoku, especially those where information is hidden or revealed through the blanks.
Music: She has a preference for instrumental music and often uses instruments such as gongs to create a serene, meditative atmosphere that resonates with her surroundings.
Tattoo: Nia has a small, discreet tattoo of a black star on her left ankle. The meaning of this may be unclear.

_{S O C I A L}

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To be developed during interactions with other characters.

<Snipped quote by Silly>

She's beautiful. I know she's a spiritual leader, but she gives off femme fatale who uses dark magic and summons creatures to fight for her vibes. Dark Priestess vibes, like Selene from the X-men LOL

<Snipped quote by Aeolian>

Admittedly, I did have some inspirations, for example: Shadowheart from Baldur's Gate 3. So Dark Priestess vibes is not far from some of my ideas!

I'm doing link banners at the top of the character tab, so it's probably better to do it a few players at a time than everyone after Sunday. What your character does in that link banner will be a surprise, but I'll keep it consistent with the character.

<Snipped quote by Mirandae>

I do like these a lot. Though this is my intrepretatioms of them.

Neon is like "oh, it is you again?" in that demure look.
Akuma and Laura are like "Yeah!" and really happy go lucky. Accadia pride!
Cassiel is like "This is my practice makes perfect portrait sculptured casual look"
Matthias has that really intense stare as if a star in an action movie.
Lisabeth has a polite smile with bemusement as she just saw you doing something dumb.
Yrkhala is that goth on school portrait day.
Nyx looks like she is contemplating the best way to devour your soul.