Player Name:
Nicolas āNicoā Moretti
Appearance:
Nico is a slight young man standing at 5ā8ā, with a gentle, soft expression. He has short, wavy black hair, warm brown eyes, and a lightly tanned complexion. Nicoās facial features are soft and boyish, with a round face and smooth skin that gives him a youthful appearance.
He prefers casual clothes. Comfy sweaters, comfortable jeans, and sneakers. He is a fan of wearing colorful scarves, and pins. His reading glasses give him an intellectual appearance. Nico is often called cute or āadorableā by friends, though he shies away from those compliments.
Nationality:
Italian-American (New York City, USA)
Screen Name:
LeonHeart
World Ranking:
Ranked #3 in the world for Rift Warriors IX.
Age:
23
Personality:
Nico is kind-hearted, empathetic, and always ready to lend a hand in real life. Heās known for being the peacekeeper among his friends and is incredibly patient, always trying to make others feel comfortable. Outside of gaming, heās the friend who bakes cookies for his circle and volunteers at an animal shelter. His soft-spoken nature makes him easy to approach, and he tends to avoid conflict, preferring to maintain harmony in his relationships. However, this conflict avoidance sometimes leads him to bottle up his own emotions, putting othersā needs before his own, which can build up until it all spills out in an unexpected burst of frustration or sadness.
However, his personality shifts when it comes to gamingāhe becomes laser-focused and highly competitive, with a strategic mind that helped him get to number 3 in the world on Rift Warriors. No one would ever suspect that by looking at him. Nico is both respectful and ruthless in-game, valuing fair play but exploiting every advantage to win. This duality between his real-life gentleness and his competitive edge in gaming sometimes makes him question whether his passion for winning might push others away or make him seem less approachable.
Nico is also a perfectionist, often holding himself to impossibly high standards. He can be overly critical of his mistakes, especially when it comes to his gaming performance, and tends to replay matches in his head, analyzing every move. This self-criticism can sometimes cause him unnecessary stress, as he struggles with the fear of letting others down or not living up to his own expectations. Heās deeply loyal to his friends and family, but his desire to avoid disappointing them often leads him to take on more responsibility than he can handle.
Nico has a tendency to trust people easily, often seeing the best in others and giving them the benefit of the doubt. While this makes him well-liked and approachable, it also leaves him vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Despite this, he remains optimistic and resilient, always striving to see the good in the world and in people, even when things get tough.
Backstory:
Nico Moretti was born and raised in a neighborhood in New York City, in a close-knit, Italian-American family. Growing up, Nicoās household was always warm and full of love. His father, a hardworking man who ran a small family-owned bakery, was strict but loving, and his mother, a schoolteacher, nurtured Nicoās creativity. Though his family didnāt have much in terms of wealth, Nico never felt like he was missing out. He grew up with an abundance of love, even when things got tough financially. His close relationship with his family, particularly with his younger sister Sofia, has always been a source of strength for him.
Nicoās passion for gaming began at a young age. His older brother, Marco, was a tech-savvy kid who introduced Nico to video games when he was around seven years old. It started innocently enoughāclassic Nintendo games like Super Mario and Zelda were early favorites. But what really hooked Nico was the storytelling in RPGs, especially games like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts. He loved getting lost in the worlds and characters, finding comfort and escape in these fantastical places.
As Nico got older, his interest in video games expanded beyond just storytelling. He discovered competitive gaming during his high school years, when a friend invited him to play Super Smash Bros. at a local gaming meetup. Though he was initially shy, Nico found himself thriving in the competitive atmosphere. It turned out he was a natural. His patience and strategic thinking, traits that defined him in everyday life, translated well into competitive games.
A friend suggested they try Rift Warriors IX together, and Nico was immediately hooked by the combination of complex mechanics and strategic combat. It wasnāt long before he was playing competitively, spending hours practicing movesets and analyzing matchups. While other players gravitated toward flashy, aggressive characters, Nico found himself drawn to Leonidas Valens, the stoic and disciplined Greco-Roman warrior.
Nico had developed a reputation in the online community. He wasnāt loud or brash like some of the other top players; in fact, most people who met him in person were surprised by how soft-spoken and sweet he was compared to his in-game persona. Everything from his strategic approach, to the gameāhis ability to wait for the perfect moment to strike, and his near-flawless execution earned him a spot among the top five players worldwide.
When Rift Warriors X was announced with the news that only five copies would be released, Nico knew he had to be one of the top players. The fact that this could be the last Rift Warriors game, and the promise of secrets being revealed fueled his desire to win. Securing a place in the top five was one of the proudest moments of his life, but nothing could have prepared him for being pulled into The Rift itself upon starting the game.
Rift Warrior Character Sheet:
Rift Warrior Character:
Leonidas Valens (Greco-Roman Warrior)
Appearance:
Leonidas is an imposing figure, standing at 6ā3ā with a muscular build from lots of battles. He wears a mix of Greek and Roman armor. His chestplate is adorned with intricate designs. He wields a long spear and carries a round Greek shield. His helmet is a classic design with a red plume, giving him a regal and intimidating presence on the battlefield. He also wears a long red cape.
Debut:
Rift Warriors III: Ascension
Rift Warrior Backstory:
Leonidas Valens was born at the crossroads of Greek and Roman civilization. Raised in Sparta, he trained as a warrior from a young age, only to be captured and enslaved by the Roman Empire. Thrust into the brutal world of gladiatorial combat, Leonidas became an undefeated champion of the Colosseum. His victories earned him the favor of the gods and the adoration of the people, but also the jealousy of Roman senators.
On the night before his final battle in the arena, Leonidas was approached by a mysterious figure known as The Messenger. The Messenger offered him the ultimate challengeāto fight not just for his freedom, but for his very existence in The Rift, a dimension where warriors from across time and space were summoned. Leonidas, bound by honor and pride, accepted the challenge, unknowingly sealing his fate as one of the eternal champions in the Rift Wars.
Rift Warrior Powers:
Aegis of Ares:
Summons an indestructible shield of energy, modeled after the mythological shield of the god of war, Ares. It can absorb and deflect attacks and even empower Leonidasā strikes after successfully blocking.
Jupiterās Wrath:
Leonidas can call down bolts of lightning, channeling the power of the Roman god Jupiter. He can aim these lightning strikes at his enemies or imbue his weapons with electrical energy for a limited time.
Spartan Fury:
Leonidas enters a berserker state where his speed and strength are greatly enhanced. During this time, his attacks break through defenses, and his strikes can set enemies ablaze. This ability comes at the cost of lower defenses during the berserker state.
Other:
Likes: Nico enjoys baking for his friends, cozy indie games, and volunteering at an animal shelter.
Dislikes: Nico doesnāt like trash talk or disrespect in gaming, and heās not a fan of horror games.
Quirks: Nico wears a charm bracelet that his younger sister gave him for good luck during his gaming tournaments.
Heās gay!