Appearance

Physical Description

For an Arcanist, he is shockingly well-built and flexible - a fact that's almost certainly due to his past as an assassin and rogue of House Alas'thil. Small lilac scars run along his body as evidence of those dark times. Underneath his shirt, two larger scars mark his flesh. One rests over his heart, a mark of his stupidity, and the other running from his right shoulder to the centre of his chest.
 
On the inside of his left wrist, a tattoo of a spiraling blue-white comet curls its way up his arm, the tail of the comet curling up his arm. Similar comets swirl in delicate, brilliant spirals across his shoulders. Strange patterns decorate his back, all markings from his goddess - the Lady of Death, Pharasma. As a Champion, such marks are his fate for the use of his powers.
 
Aniks has golden eyes, which are extremely rare among the drow - they are more frequently a feature of elves or a blessing from an outsider in years long past. His face is angular but his cheekbones are not as pronounced as most drows are; despite this, he is relatively attractive. His body temperature is noticeably lower than most others - a feature he shares with Cyne, though the source of their afflictions differ as Aniks's is part of his Championship.
 
He can generally be identified by his eyes, his snow-white hair, his bartending clothes, and the silver longsword that hangs at his side.

Physical quirks

Aniks has a habit of cracking his knuckles with his thumb while speaking - something that annoys his wife to no end. When he's bartending, he often cleans glasses once or twice more than they should be.

Apparel & Accessories

Aniks' clothes are by necessity practical. While you could often find him in something befitting a barkeep. He is more likely to be in casual clothing with a traveling backpack that has a black mask hanging from it and always tends to wear worn traveling boots. His clothes are almost always of dark colours. Most notably, he has recently added an item to his travelling repertoire: a cloak made of woven shadows, the only article of clothing Aniks has successfully taken back from his wife on many occasions and a rare gift from Nivinle Alas'thil and Emperor Aneirin 'Cyne' of Aletheia.

Specialized Equipment

Despite not having his family's affinity for shadow magic, shadows have always been his friend. His training as a child assassin, gifted him with a lack of empathy when killing, as well as a good handle on any weapon he can pick up. With training, he had gained an understanding of his arcane magic, though he still is not sure if it's entirely his power.
 
He also has a pretty good understanding of how to run a business, as well as make a damn good mixed drink.

Special abilities

Arcane magic, Connection to " ", Powers of Deaths Champion,

Mentality

Personal history

so what if his past is dark? mine is worse.

— Celuriel

 

Early Life

There was nothing special about his birth, to Aniks's knowledge. He was slightly higher in status due to his mother’s nobility, for she was Matron of House Alas'thil, but nothing stood out as particularly special about him. As the second child to Vasindra Alas’thil and her personal guard Alaran, Aniks grew up under the strict teaching of House Alas’thil. While he was of nobility, the nobles of his House were not just expected to exceed: they were expected to excel. Children went on missions to assassinate and suffered brutal trials; many were lead to their deaths. That was what life was like for Aniks growing up - he was a child assassin who excelled in the art of killing, instilling a great deal of pride in his house and proving his worth.
 
Due to their closeness in age, Aniks was often trained alongside his elder sister Nivinle. Even as a child, he showed her great respect as they trained at eachother's sides; this respect has not diminished. When Nivinle proved that she had inherited the family's gift for shadow magics, their mother, Vasindra, turned her into her personal assassin. Shortly after, their father Alaran escaped House Alas’thil. It was not an easy escape: he both failed to rescue his children and lost his arm in the process.
 
With him cast aside, their mother took another consort. Eventually, two more half-siblings were born: Vasestra and Rikzyr. Aniks remained distant from them, either busy on missions for house Alas’thil or seeking the secret to Nivinle’s shadow magic through research. The close skills they had shared now seemed like a chasm now that his elder sister had magic, and she no longer trained so closely with him.
 
The child’s first taste of true failure ended in his enslavement. His younger half-siblings requested his aid with their mission, and he'd agreed. It should have been a simple assassination. Whilst he succeeded in beheading the target, the drow was caught: betrayed by his own siblings, who in their cruelty had informed the target's House ahead of time.
 
Aniks spent the better part of a decade in the dungeons of Castle Umbra. Festering an intense hatred for his siblings and their betrayal kept him going on through some of the darker days, of which there were many. Through some research, a drow noble had learned exactly who was in their dungeon. With no small amount of manipulation and enchantment by Eilistra Umbra, kept Aniks as her own personal assassin loyal only to her. Intent on using him to become the Matron of her house. That eventually backfired after Aniks broke free, slipping a knife into her heart and escaping to the surface.
 

Freedom and Claire

Aniks spent some time wondering about Northern Aletheia, working as a mercenary guard traveling with caravans or ales or goods. Despite being late into his eighth decade of life nearing his ninth, people tended to stay away from him. Shockingly he had learned a fair bit about bars and taverns from this. After many winters and moons, to his people was now considered an Adult. It had been around this time on the surface that he had run into an adventuring group. They had captured him, thinking he was an ‘Evil Drow’.
 
The group had left him practically on the verge of letting him die from hypothermia, save for one. A human by the name of Claire Therwell she had cut ties to the group and released Aniks. The duo traveled Alethia for a little while before Aniks revealed who he was and where he came from. Before Aniks shorted his name to Niks, so Claire had something to call him. The two survived some near-death experiences in their travels. The longer they were together Aniks felt odd, he’d come across a new feeling, we, of course, know this as love. The urge to be with protecting and care for somebody else, to put their need before your own. He learned in a somewhat scary moment that he valued her life more than his when he took a rather massive scarring greatsword which almost killed him but definitely would have killed her. For a Drow, love is merely a tool and is looked down upon as a sign of weakness. They could have been right, this love had got him killed. He almost discarded this feeling, how could he love a human? He eventually decided that living on the surface wouldn’t be that terrible. That was of course after he woke up in the arms of Claire.
 
A couple of months later Aniks had done a slightly human tradition, he bought a ring and asked her to marry him. It was one of the few times Claire or anybody had ever seen this Drow turn almost entirely purple. The two of them settled down, and before long had a child. A small Half-drow boy they named Alain Therwel. Aniks felt happy, he’d almost forgotten about his rage towards his family. In fact, he’d honestly say that this time period in his life had been the most relaxed he’d ever been, they even had another child on the way a couple of years after their first. They would never see their second, there was a terrible winter. Claire and Alain got terribly sick. Aniks took care of them the best he could. He went to find clerics and medication. The clerics turned him down or never followed up. He, of course, knew this was because he was a drow, and despite the desperation of his voice they still couldn’t trust him. Any medication he was able to get his hands on helped numb their pain, but in the end, he spent the last couple of days after the new year taking care of them. Forcing a smile and making sure they were comfortable, praying that they would be all right. Hoping that their sickness would pass. Those prayers seemed to go unanswered. They passed in what he hoped was peaceful in the night.
 
Aniks wrapped their bodies, cut down enough trees, and lit the funeral pyres. Aniks spent one last light in their house, a house he called home! He never slept that night. He barely checked outside and never really looked at the pyres, only enough to check if they were gone yet. He still can’t remember that night all too well, nor would he want to. Aniks awoke from his numbness, took his late wife's blade, made the bed one final time, and locked the door.
 

The Adventure Begins

Aniks for a decade spent time being a bartender an empty job but it kept his mind off of his worries. Eventually running across a group of adventurers that were looking for a decent meal during their travels and tried to hire him. Reluctantly he joined them, he wasn’t too fond of the company in this town. He’d feed these adventurers and move on to the next city. Aniks refused to give them his name, they kept calling him “Drowbie or Barkeep.” Odd nicknames but Aniks could care less. The group traveled stopping a group of would-be Bandits, 15-year-olds at best who tried to rob them. It was no contest. This group also came across another, two women with several different vats of alcohol. The strongest one, Elven Ale was paradoxical in nature. Elves make wine and Dwarves make Ale this drink just didn’t make sense. Take a drink something happened to Aniks, he found it hard to remember. He remembers seeing that adventuring party in different Bars serving them but not much else. Till the city of Ilendras where he joined them as a permanent member of their traveling company. Not knowing of the doors he'd open, he now walks a path filled with Gods, Champions, and Adventures and has very little choice in the matter.

Education

Drow Nobility early in life, anything from the Surface that is new information about it. Recently a large amount of information has just been but inside his head, several languages included. While he was studying the Boneyard he learned a lot about Psychopomps, Souls, and other things regarding his Goddess.

Employment

Owner of a Bar, which is basically run by all of his drow friends when he's not there. As well as himself? People still think he's working at the bar when on the other side of the world.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Removal of his former champion mark, Spoken to Death on several occasions in person. Raising a family, moving on from his anger issues regarding his family.

Failures & Embarrassments

Not able to save his wife and child, His Former Champion Mark, Elven Ale. Having to explain to Celu how he got his new champion tattoo, having to speak with Pharasma after dying.

Mental Trauma

Death of his Wife and Children. Watching Celu being dragged to hell. Black Marble. The last person he judged.

Morality & Philosophy

In regards to mortals Good and Evil are relative, anybody can do acts of good and acts of evil. Aniks knows he's not a good person but he at least tries to not be Evil. In combat, he does generally have a lack of empathy for people especially when he's going for the kill. His early life kind of numbed the idea that killing is a terrible thing.

person.sexuality

Straight

person.gender_identity

Male

Taboos

Basically Lichs, and anything to do with his younger siblings. Still had zero tolerance for Half Drow racism.

Known Languages

Elven, Undercommon, Common, DSL, Abyssal, Draconic, Infernal, Celestial, Aklo, Sylvan, Aquan, Auran, Ignan, Terran, Gnome, Halfing, Giant, Orc, Dwarven, Aboleth, Necril.

Personality

Motivation

Currently, Aniks's motivations are based on the protection of his wife Celuriel. As the drow knows Ludrissiel will one day come for them. Aniks has slowly started acquiring allies, favors, and powerful magical items to help defend Celu. Another thing to motivates the drow is he wants to help the Inheritor and her Champion as he feels personally responsible for what has befallen them. Whether that is truly his fault or not, he still feels responsible.

Quotes & Catchphrases

• "I don't believe in gods."


• "You're smart, figure it out."

Savvies & Ineptitudes

When it comes to understanding a subject he does relatively well as if interested Aniks has a curious mind. Asking questions, though they might not always be the correct ones. For example, when talking Jinne, a samsaran who follows The Way. He quickly understood the basics of how the Dreamers wished to access True Magic and guessed how it would be channeled. However, he has a terrible habit of keeping secrets as that both helps and hinders him. Aniks has been trying to take things slowly, as running ahead on ideas has resulted in issues. The drow as been learning to see and ask for all the angles, as he doesn't want to create an issue out of his ignorance to a situation again.

Likes & Dislikes

Aniks has a deep love for his wife, Celuriel Aliforn and without question, this extends quickly to their adoptive draconic daughter Avariel when she finally hatched. He enjoys showing Celu new activities, and feeding her new food, reading to her in the dark when she can no longer see. Every second he has spent with his daughter is precious. He especially enjoys when the wyrmling drags him off to show her hoard and how proud she is of her new shiny thing. Given how Aniks grew up, he has an appreciation for blades, even taking to making a few of his own. Reading and writing also fill Aniks time when he's relaxing.
 
Aniks has gained an intense dislike of Ludrissiel, as she is responsible for a majority of Celuriel's trauma. His younger siblings but at least he considers them tolerable. Has a bar that he wants to burn down, and generally doesn't speak to Whisperbreath anymore. He also dislikes being backed into a corner or being placed under mind effect effects such as love potions or unnatural lust spells.

Virtues & Personality perks

Patience, pragmatic, stubborn, extremely caring to those he likes, and an understanding that evil and good are slightly relative when it comes to normal people. Hence why he can work with his sibling. He also is able to cook and is a polyglot. So translations or a breeze.

Vices & Personality flaws

Aniks has an extremely short fuse if you know the buttons to press. Has a terrible habit of keep secrets. Loyal, and has died because of it. Suffer from memory loss not cause by Celuriel's time as a vetala. A terrible work relationship with The Steward of Skien the herald of Pharasma which results in their swords clashing more times than he wishes to count.

Personality Quirks

When speaking to himself, it's constantly in Undercommon. Has always been a rough sleeper, especially if he sleeps alone. Being with Celuriel, and formerly Clarie, lets him sleep soundly through the night. Sleeps with knives under pillows.

Hygiene

Not afraid of getting bloody and dirty, but like being fresh and clean. His keeps things clean but with the number of people around his bars, he is in a constant state of cleaning especially when his party is around. He honestly doesn't mind cleaning it helps him clear his mind.

Social

Birthplace

Vaermyrhel

Current Residence

A small house in a mountain side in Ironfall.

Contacts & Relations

The Lost Ones: While not around when the group originally formed, Aniks had been around long before they were gifted their name, and was there the night they had been claimed as champions. Spending far too much time as their barkeep, he has seen all manners of things from these adventurers. Often covering them with blankets on many a drunken night and had grown close to many of them. Aniks considers the Lost Ones to be like an extended family of sorts. While he enjoys the company of some, there are others in this close group that he has little trust in. Still, he stuck around long enough to know he is not escaping them any time soon. He has gained some other allies while traveling with them which is helpful.
 
House Alas'thil: Born a noble to House Alas'thil he has remained in decent if not good standing with the house after his return. While he lived under its rule, House Alas'thil was not the most powerful house in Vaermyrhel, however, due to his homecoming and other circumstances that changed. Now with a Champion as their matron House Alas'thil becoming the ruling House in Vaermythel and the neighboring areas of the Underdark. While technically a Lord of the House, this was more of a reminder by his sister he was still of Alas'thil blood. Aniks does not normally deal with the House and all of the politics as he had issued on the surface that takes priority over Underdark Politics. He has shown an interest in helping his House, whether it be in minor or major ways.
 
Eagle's Shadow: New to the shadowy organization the Eagle's Shadows, he is not a very active member of the group. As he was sworn into the group as secrets had to be kept. He has yet to speak about his membership to said organization, even to other members of the lost ones. Who some share the same membership.

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Former Champion of Andirifkhu, Champion of Pharasma, Sir Aniks Alas'thil, Lord Aniks Alas'thil

Wealth & Financial state

Aniks is moderately well off, as he does have a large amount of coin coming in from his adventures. Still, he often saves his wealth in order to accomplish other goals such as the creation of magical items and weapons he would think are useful. The drow also owns a bar, though the funds earned from that are kept separate from his gold acquired from his other lifestyle. That money is often placed back into the bar, and for finding trade deals to increase the variety of drinks in the bar.

Family Ties

His connection to his drow side of the family is the more complex side of his family ties, often giving him a headache when it comes to the younger siblings. His only sister that shares his blood in full is the current Matron of his house. She is older by five years and Nivinle and Aniks have an understanding to not mettle in each other's affairs. Aniks still hold Nivinle in high regard and trusts her and values her opinions of the matter they have discussed. Even going as far as to warn her of issues that may cause her and their house problems in the future. The younger siblings are a thorn in his side, they do not share the same father and have betrayed him in the past. He tolerates Vasestra and Rikzyr but only just. They are more useful alive than dead, and he found he had lost interest in revenge. The two are far closer than they should be if they were to attempt to flirt with Celu again. He would have one less brother in the world, as Vasestra is more useful to House Alas'thil. Then there is the last child or the first technical. As Aniks has recently discovered an older sister to Nivinle and him, related to them by their father. Daeris a rather powerful draconic Sorcerer who has a shockingly good heart. While they have few interactions, thanks to the fey sending the Lost Ones forward in time for a short while, Aniks has made the effort to write to her. The two have shown in their few interactions a decent sibling relationship forming.
 
Before he met the Lost Ones, Aniks met a human by the name of Claire Therwel. While Aniks didn't originally think much of her, as her adventuring group had kidnapped him for basically being a drow on the surface. As clearly he was up to no good. While traveling and chained up she had expressed genuine concern for him to make sure he wasn't freezing or starving. Eventually, tell the group she would be leaving with him, as what they had done wasn't right. The two traveled together for some time, Aniks eventually opening up to her and finding her company enjoyable. Eventually becoming a couple, then later married after Aniks died saving Claire's life. It was only after finding out she was pregnant the two stopped adventuring and they settled down. Alain Therwel was soon brought into their life, raising him as best they could as new parents. It wasn't too long after their first, their second child was on the way. Aniks never got to meet them as one winter together, Claire and Alain feel sick. While he had tried to help them, find clerics or medicines to help. It was all in vain. They were taken from him early into that following year. It would be sometime later before a note from Claire had landed in his lap, written from her from the afterlife. This leads to some closure for him and tells him the name of his daughter he never met Emily.
 
For the past couple of years, Aniks has grown close to an elf named Celuriel. While traveling with the Lost Ones, Aniks found a Vetala Vampire. While not initially trusting her, Aniks grows close to the sheltered Vampire and explains the world to her. As she had been living in a tower for the past nine hundred years. While he was conflicted about his feeling toward her, Aniks had grown fond of her. The two become rather protective of each other. This inevitably leads to the two of them becoming partners. Aniks helped her regain her mortality the two have had a healthy relationship, even discussing starting a family after an incident from Aniks. Recently Aniks had proposed to Celuriel and during a small break where the Lost Ones were left to their own devices arranged a small wedding. The two had also had their surnames changed to Aliforn, a combination of two words from Elven and Undercommon which roughly translate to Dreamcatcher.
 
Currently, the couple is learning how to raise the newest member of their family Avariel. A hyperactive Dream/Nightmare Dragon who is only a handful of weeks old. Avariel is their adopted daughter.
 
Aniks was adopted by Atropos, daughter of Pharasma. Aniks still doesn't know how to feel about being adopted but he likes Atropos.
 
Aniks's biological family tree can be seen below.
 

Religious Views

While a former worshiper of the Demon Lord Andirifkhu, that was rather early in his life. However, faith in any divine was quickly removed after a series of events in his life. Prompting the comment later in life "I don't believe in gods" which was said in front of an Angel, under the moon god Groetus, while in the Realm of Boneyard which is ruled by Pharasma. Aniks acknowledges gods exist to say otherwise is beyond insane, it would more accurate to say he does not put faith in the gods.
 
As Aniks is the Champion of Pharasma, he naturally refers to her as his Goddess. Despite the fact he is not an active member of her Faith, his time in the Boneyard has left him with a large education from midwifery to the judgment of souls. The champion has a healthy respect for the goddess and trusts her more than he does other divine figures. Knowing at some point he will heavily rely on her power to help him in the future. Still, the nature of the Goddess of Death is not something he'll truly ever understand. Aniks has also been adopted as a younger brother by Pharasma's youngest daughter Atropos. He is unsure if this will change anything.
 
Aniks also feel some personal responsibility for actions he's taken that majority affected another religion and is attempting to help in his own way.

Social Aptitude

Aniks was of course born to nobility, so speaking formerly is not difficult for him. His House has never been one for flowery language and is rather blunt in conversation when not gathering or trying to hide information. However, speaking formerly is not something he does when he is around the Lost Ones or while he is being a barkeep.

Hobbies & Pets

Aniks has a handful of pets, the first was an older cat by the name of Thrasymachus. A lazy and mischievous cat that often walks on top of the many books shelves Aniks and Celu own or pushing down glasses left on top of counters and tables. Promethea was one of the few times wild magic gifted him something good. An orange chicken that lays spicy eggs had appeared near Aniks during one of his adventures, Kraia his friend and Druid awoken the chicken. She is a bubbly chicken who follows around his heels while working around in the bar, but has ventured off on her own little adventures from time to time. During which she has met and befriended a baby cow she has named Promoothea. They are best friends. While unnamed, Celu has a fluffy white cat that Aniks also takes care of that is constantly laying on top or near her while she is home. The two are hardly apart from each other while home.
 
As for hobbies, Aniks has taken up writing in more than just his journaling of his adventures. While nothing major he does find himself writing other short fiction stories, as once his adventures with the lost one are complete he wishes to retell the story. So the short stories will help with that eventually. Aniks also has taken up reading, as his house is filled with plenty of books, many of which Aniks and Celu have spent collecting. They often read together, but Aniks does enjoy reading to Celu when it becomes too dark for her to continue reading, as he has no trouble reading. Recently Aniks has started to enjoy smithing weapons, as he and his elder sister Nivinle have forged two blades of Umbrite. A metal that has the strange property of absorbing light, which is helpful for those who seek to stay in the shadows like the two siblings.

Speech

Aniks is fluent in several languages, though often thinks and speaks in three in his more used ones, Common, Undercommon, and Elven. While speaking in common he often uses a more informal speech, but can speak in a more formal way if he wishes. Undercommon and Elven are where it's easy for him to speak formally as he was raised in those two languages. Going back to Undercommon when angered, and curses in Undercommon are often under his breath. The Drow is a polyglot from learning languages, however, a vast majority of the Aniks's languages were just 'known' to him after a run-in with a shard. He can speak these new languages as well as his more fluent ones.