Marquis Nigel Black (a.k.a. The Unseen)
Species
Ethnicity
Age
Class
of House Minx
Status
the King's Shadows
Division
Affiliations
King's Shadows
Ten Houses
Minx
Azowyr's Movement
Able to walk on, step on, swim through or move using dark enough shadows regardless of gravity or lack of physical surfaces. Shadows can act as a solid foothold for them. They can also breifly turn their body into shadow, travel along exiting shadows and reform elsewhere, even fitting through the tiniest of cracks. However, they can be injured or even killed by bright lights in this state and are capable of being restrained using shadow magic, shadows solid to their touch.
Azowyr's Skin
Can produce shadows from their skin and expand this effect around themselves into different shapes and they can alter the way light and shadow interacts with their skin. With practice, they can learn to become invisible, gathering and snuffing out light which touches them and would ordinarily bounce off of them. Alternately, they allow the light to pass through them or simply cloak themselves in shadow in an already dark environment. However, shadow magic can physically touch and even restrain them.
Nigel Black is one of the five key members of the King's Shadows, possessing the title of the Unseen. This is primarily because of his racial magic which allows him to become invisible but Nigel is also skilled in espionage and assassination. Unknown to the rest of their organization, Nigel is one of the last true Shadows of the original organization which served Zalikar directly. He comes from a long and devoted line of dark servants seeking their master's revival, his family's service stretching back to before the Downfall of the Erlithmanil.
Nigel is a man who doesn't stick out and he is often overlooked, much to his advantage. He is quiet and reserved, a man of few words. He is also quite stern and deadpan, rarely dropping his facade. He is one to stay out of the spotlight and work in the shadows, perceptive and disciplined. This is part of what has made him such a successful spy and assassin for the kingdom. He often takes care of the kingdom's dirty work, especially for King Ambrose Syltharis and his organization of dark casters. Because of his unquestioning service to the kingdom, high position within court and membership as a prime Shadow, King Ambrose holds no suspicion towards Nigel and considers him one of his greater assets. Yet Nigel's loyalty will always belong to Zalikar, a heavy burden of more than sixty thousand years of service placed upon his shoulders.
Upon learning of the King's search for the girl chosen by Zalikar's familiar, Duff, Nigel summons Zalikar seeking his guidance. He enters a hidden chamber deep beneath the castle built and enchanted by his ancestors for contacting their master despite the loss of his body. After revealing a mysterious tattoo and claiming he has bound himself "into subjugation", Zalikar gifts him with an enchanted earing which allows Zalikar to speak directly into his ear. Zalikar directs Nigel using Irkath's near omniscience, feeding his servant with task after mysterious task in preparation for his grand scheme.
Upon learning of the King's search for the girl chosen by Zalikar's familiar, Duff, Nigel summons Zalikar seeking his guidance. He enters a hidden chamber deep beneath the castle built and enchanted by his ancestors for contacting their master despite the loss of his body. After revealing a mysterious tattoo and claiming he has bound himself "into subjugation", Zalikar gifts him with an enchanted earing which allows Zalikar to speak directly into his ear. Zalikar directs Nigel using Irkath's near omniscience, feeding his servant with task after mysterious task in preparation for his grand scheme.
Appearance
Nigel is tall and spidery in appearance. He is long limbed, narrow in features and build and not particularly athletic. He has a fair complexion and dark blue eyes. His hair is fine, long and well kept, inky black in hue. Long and narrow face with a light complexion, dark blue eyes and long black hair. He is not particularly expressive. He dresses in dark, muted colors and doesn't particularly stand out. Still, he is rather wealthy and prefers quality clothing despite their simple appearance. He always carries concealed daggers. Nigel's magic form is fairly simple, charcoal patterns smearing and swirling all across his body, especially along his hands and legs.
Gender
He/Him
Eyes
Hair
Height
Personality
Nigel is reserved, contemplative, deadpan, taciturn, dignified and poised. He has his own subtle sense of humor and is good at biting his tongue, not easily perturbed or provoked. He is still rather empathetic to those around him but doesn't allow this interfere with his duty. He can be cold and calculated as well but is very proud of his lineage. He cares deeply for his family, this perhaps being the one part of his life he can't fully compartmentalize.
Background
Nigel is one of the last original members of the King's Shadows before the Kingdom of Accia dragged the organization out of the shadows and made it their own. This organization was once Zalikar's personal cult and hidden hand, based beneath the castle. They served him directly and were intensely loyal. So loyal that when their master lost his physical body in the Downfall of the Erlithmanil, they built enchanted gates to his planes which allows his aspects to step into this chamber and converge so that they could still communicate with him and enact his will. Their ultimate goal is his revival. The original secrecy of this organization is how they have endured for so long. But time and the perversion of their organization has dwindled their numbers.
Aside from his ties to Zalikar and the shadows, Nigel is a Marquis of House Minx of the Ten Houses. His family originates from the Tenebrous Chain but are also one of the oldest noble families to call Accia home. He was offered the position of General of the Special Division but turned it down, not particularly keen on such a demanding role of leadership. He prefers to work in the background.
Motivation
Nigel is loyal to Zalikar, having taken an oath to serve the Dark King without question. He hopes to induct his daughter after her service as well. He has particular distaste for the perversion of the King's Shadows under Ghislaine Webb's influence but often doesn't vocalize this. As a true Shadow, Nigel has a general idea of the importance of Zalikar's pact with Azryth and it's vital role in the balance of Emynea. He understands the true purpose but not the exact details.
Family
Nigel has only one daughter, Aisling Black, but he and his wife are trying to have more children. Nigel is quite proud of Aisling and remains hopeful she will survive service and follow in his footsteps. He only plans to induct her officially as a true Shadow after service. She still has some knowledge and loyalty to this cause but isn't nearly as committed, still a teenager.
Comments