NOVA
(a.k.a. Galactic NOVA Unit Four)
One of the legendary clockwork stars created by the Ancients, Galactic NOVA Unit Four exists to grant wishes across the Gamble Galaxy. Millions upon millions of years old and unimaginably powerful, NOVA drifts peacefully through the expanse of space, pursuing his own mysterious ends while waiting for his next wish-seeker.
Due to the nature of NOVA's existence as a person and a place, information about him is listed in two pages. Please see the Galactic NOVA unit page for further information.
Divine Domains
NOVA, as a constructed god, doesn't have a domain in the way that manifest gods do, but given the power level NOVA units exist on, this doesn't mean much. Instead, his domain is largely assigned to him by his followers, and he's typically thought of as a protector deity who brings happiness and peace. Pretty much true!
Artifacts
Technically any item he creates for a wish counts as an artefact.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Associated with clocks and sun symbolism. He himself is a cat, so some sects of his worship assign similar divine status to cats. Comets and shooting stars.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
To grant wishes and bring happiness. To protect the universe from darkness and strife.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
His android is in generally shabby condition. He doesn't bother to repair minor damages and he doesn't do much cosmetic upkeep. His clothing is torn or charred in several places.
In recent times the Lor has made efforts to fix this, as well as offer upgrades - such as NOVA's new higher quality hair.
Body Features
Made of metal all over and the colour and texture of brushed brass. Every single joint in his body is a ball joint - except for his neck - and these joints are all made of rubies. His stomach has one enormous joint. His proportions are lanky and he has a longish face. He has two floppedy cat ears on the sides of his head - they're slightly fuzzy and very emotive.
He has energy lines running along his body between each joint, and the big crystal heart resting in the centre of his chest.
His numerous trinkets, as well as original features, such as his jets, pendulum and turn key.
Facial Features
Lovely purple eyes which always look tired. They cast a faint light at all times, varying according to his health and use of magic.
Jewelled triangular markings around his eyes, and a line of rivets running down each cheek to his jawline.
Adorable cat mouth 83
Identifying Characteristics
Everything about NOVA is identifying, but his trinkets are unique to him. He also has a fairly loud air of sound about him at all times - whirrs, clicks, buzzes as all his mechanisms do their work.
For those with the magical sense for it, his aura is absolutely colossal and almost oppresively powerful. It's impossible to ignore in his presence.
Physical quirks
Floats everywhere. Is uncannily perfect and accurate in all physical movements thanks to being a robot-slash-supercomputer. Flicks and moves his ears to emote.
Always looks exhausted, but peaceful.
Special abilities
For a more detailed overview, see here.
Godsense: the ability to know, with utter accuracy, anything he needs to. This is not just limited to future sight but also acts like a kind of unparalleled search engine; if he needs to know or learn something, he can inquire for that knowledge and then simply... have it. This ability has to be consciously activated.
Wishgranting magic: allows him to bend reality at will, with very few hard limits - the only cap you can place upon a NOVA wish is how much power the star has at its disposal, and given that NOVA was able to repair a completely shattered planet, hop timelines and manipulate the future, this is practically a nonsense limit.
Everything else he's capable of pretty much comes under this heading of "he can do anything". Notably, NOVAs are known for their strong psychic presence - they are excellent telepaths and near-insurmountable mind readers when they need to be.
Apparel & Accessories
Wears a floor-length pale blue coat with long sleeves. The coat has a curly, upturned collar and is trimmed in deep navy blue. It also features a clock decal on his chest, and Roman numerals one through twelve embroidered around the hem.
Under this he wears a very simple black t-shirt, more to cover his body and prevent the coat getting caught on mechanisms than anything. He wears ankle-length brown trousers and simple formal shoes.
For accessories, he has all his trinkets with an apparent mathematical theme: a weathercock, a telescope, a globe of Pop Star, two diodes, a chain, a set square, several piano keys, a lightbulb, and a gauge (no-one knows what it measures). He also has a cute shooting star hair clip.
Specialized Equipment
NOVA doesn't particularly have the need to carry specific equipment on him, as anything he needs he can create at will with ease.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
NOVA's history is almost impossible to accurately log, as he's by far one of the oldest characters in the universe. Vast, vast swathes of his life were spent doing practically nothing - drifting through space for eons on end or hibernating in the void.
His history began on Halcandra, where his most crucial parts were constructed. Given the astonishing size of Galactic NOVA units, most of their bodies were constructed off-planet in the dimensional space surrounding Halcandra. Their crystal hearts and their programming were the most important parts of a NOVA built on the planet. While the full construction of a Galactic NOVA could take several generations, their consciousnesses were only awoken once the majority of work was done. After a NOVA is awoken, they go through an extensive training and programming course, where they are taught their purpose and how to fulfill it.
Four was the last NOVA unit (and ancient craft in general) to be awoken by Hyness. It was Ancient tradition for the awakening of a NOVA unit to be a grand celebration, with huge crowds present aboard the clockwork comet to experience the moment and welcome the comet into the world with love and awe. Hyness used the crown to summon Four's eternal soul, but unbeknownst to all around him, this was the final step in his millennia-long descent into villainy. Hyness awoke Four, and then immediately joined with the crown to transform into Daizen, and went on a rampage that killed hundreds of thousands of Ancients.
The first thing Four did upon coming to life was fight Daizen to a standstill to protect his creators. He had to overlock himself for hours - possibly days - to overpower Daizen enough that the crown could be removed from him, on top of protecting and evacuating the Ancients aboard who hadn't been murdered. He was eventually successful, but not without severe and extensive damage caused by Daizen's retaliations and his own exertions. His power charging and storage capacity were permanently stunted, leading to his lifelong chronic exhaustion. In addition, vast swathes of his internals were irreparably damaged in the battle, leading to great patches in his aura (which he takes care to hide).
Four's period of training on Halcandra lasted roughly ten years, a longer time than usual as the Ancients struggled to make what repairs they could (little) and assure that Four personally was as recovered and well-adjusted as he could be.
After this he was fully assembled and sent out into the universe to his assigned galaxy. From thenceforth, very little in his personal history is worth tracking, as the life of a NOVA is very solitary and silent. It's not until millions more years passed that he came to take a (slightly) more active part in the events of Gamble Galaxy by befriending Marx when the jester was about fifteen years of age.
The events following that friendship will be explored in detail on the timeline page.
Gender Identity
Genderless male-presenting. Uses masculine pronouns and terms.
Sexuality
Asexual panromantic.
Education
NOVA was trained and educated in every subject the Ancients could possibly teach - this is but one reason why construction of a Galactic NOVA was the work of generations. A wishgranter needs an incredible array of knowledge in order to fulfill wishes, so NOVAs were given access to the entire expanse of the Ancients' learning. In addition, NOVA underwent rigorous moral training as supplement to his manually-programmed ethics.
Finally, NOVA possesses a feature known as the "godsense" - something which all Galactic NOVAs have (though not all of them are necessarily able to use theirs). The godsense grants NOVA total omniscience - anything he needs to know, he will, and it will be utterly correct. This godsense also extends to the future.
Employment
Galactic NOVAs are wishgranters. Each NOVA is assigned to a specific galaxy and live there forever more, bestowing wishes on those capable of summoning them. A NOVA is almost unanimously viewed as a permanent good luck charm for a galaxy, as while their programming forbids them to interfere directly, many NOVAs are inclined to actively help their home galaxy on top of granting wishes.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Every wish NOVA has ever granted, he views as an achievement, no matter how small. Despite being astoundingly old, a NOVA's life can be shockingly uneventful - NOVA often spends centuries hibernating. However, any time his presence is able to help someone, he views that as a positive. For the most recent patch of his life, he has been able to have a much more personal investment in things, and has found himself a steadfast family, something he has desired for eons. Of a grander scale, the time loop is one of his more subtle works of art.
Failures & Embarrassments
NOVA is in general extremely hard on himself, so what he counts as a failure, most others would totally dismiss. One of his greatest failures was the fact that in order to set the time loop up, he had to "grant" Marx's wish in such a way that the jester's defeat at Kirby's hands was unavoidable. This resulted in a temporary death for Marx and his gaining a soul form. While the situation was fixed and Marx is happier now than he's ever been, the negatives still crush NOVA.
Though he is able to view it objectively with the passage of time and understands that he did everything he could, the slaughter upon his awakening will never leave him.
Mental Trauma
Deep-seated fear of crowds which presents as crippling social anxiety. This fear is rooted in the tragic circumstances of his awakening; crowds remind him. NOVA cannot function in the presence of more than about three people without shutting down from stress. Only once he's bonded deeply with someone can he be comfortable around them, and even then his general anxiety and rock-bottom self-esteem can complicate matters. Another significant factor is that his programming dictates that he should be constantly thinking of how to help everyone around him, and with too many people present, he has to deal more and more with the concept that he isn't helping everybody. It's a negative feedback loop.
Paradoxically, but from the same source, being completely alone mildly unnerves him. This event is a huge chunk of why NOVA tends to be desperate for company.
Wildly dislikes having his mind read just for the outside possibility that it'll bring this trauma up.
Ancient crafts tend to have one specific emotion that their programming is not equipped to deal with, and for NOVA it's sadness. A significant amount of sadness will cause NOVA to shut down.
Intellectual Characteristics
Ostensibly speaking NOVA has them all. NOVAs are by default omniscient - and even omnipresent in a way because of this - so the ways they display this wisdom largely come down to their individual personalities and quirks of programming.
NOVA is a very meek and modest person. He approaches all things with humility despite being literally the most qualified mind in the universe for damn near anything. Despite his in-built omniscience, he remains a curious soul eager to learn and observe.
He is endlessly patient and will solve any problem with care and attention to detail. He remembers everything told to him (perks of being a supercomputer).
Morality & Philosophy
The family's resident True Neutral Good. No matter what, NOVA will help you, and he will do what's right for the universe - and a NOVA is in a truly unique position to make that call. He'll also do his damnedest to make sure everyone can live their best possible lives.
NOVA's philosophy is one of unconditional forgiveness. He forgave 02, a choice which has had immeasurable positive knock-ons for the universe. If someone is truly unforgivable - and he has yet to meet such a person - then no matter. He'll fix the problems they caused instead.
NOVAs have an unbreakable moral code written deep into their programming. Their presence is solely for the benefit of all. He cares deeply and genuinely for everyone.
Taboos
Anything against his coding. A NOVA cannot kill.
Hyness used to be a taboo until the man came crashing back into his life personally. Kind of hard to avoid him now.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
To grant wishes and bring happiness to the universe.
To do the same for and protect his family.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Basically everything as said before. One of the few things he experiences difficulty with is the fact that it takes substantially more energy to change/heal/etc. other Ancient crafts, but again, with as much power as he has, this factors out to very little.
Likes & Dislikes
NOVA is a very amicable person in general. His likes and dislikes match what you'd expect from such a kind person; injustice, rudeness, cruelty and so on are things that annoy him.
More specific to him, having his mind read - or really, most psychic contact at all - as mentioned above is one of the few ways to get him immediately terse with you. Having his poor self-care and tendency to reject help will also get to him, but this is out of shame.
NOVA is very fond of children. It's an ongoing joke amongst those who know him that he'll adopt anybody. He also loves animals in general, with a particular love of cats, of course.
Virtues & Personality perks
Ramrod-straight moral core thanks to being a NOVA. His kindness is by far his greatest feature. Patience.
Vices & Personality flaws
Tendency to withdraw and not bother other people with his problems. Poor self-care; if his clothes or android get damaged, it often takes external prompting for him to do anything about this. Definite doormat tendencies.
Personality Quirks
Every sentence he speaks ends in a short mechanical click when his vocal tape finishes playing. He can't stop playing his vocal tape once it starts, so he can only cease talking by forcibly interrupting the tape, which is unpleasant to do.
Social
Family Ties
Adoptive father to Marx and Magolor together with the Lor Starcutter. Adoptive father (assumed) and elder sibling (actual, not that either of them prioritise this view of the relationship) to Star Dream.
Raised Meta Knight from birth and is by extension Kirby's grandfather.
Estranged child of Hyness.
Religious Views
NOVA himself is the object of worship across the Gamble Galaxy. Galactic NOVA units are frequently worshipped by the denizens of their galaxies and Four is no different. For his part, he is perfectly aware that gods exist and generally takes them as he sees them.
Social Aptitude
Despite his difficulty in larger social situations, NOVA is an unfailingly pleasant and kind person to be around. It's almost impossible to dislike him and people naturally find him trustworthy (which he is). You generally won't leave a meeting with NOVA without having become his friend. He is endlessly patient and will never judge or mock other people's socialisation styles - typically he'll assume whatever mannerisms will make his conversational partner most comfortable.
Mannerisms
Tends to blink quite slowly, to match his general languid demeanour. Emotes a lot through his ears. Carries himself rather formally and will often introduce himself with a full bow. Often holds his hands steepled or clasped in front of himself.
Hobbies & Pets
technically some of his fountain guardians count as pets LOL
Speech
Speaks articulately and without contractions. He's not a hurried talker. His voice is a pleasant mid-pitch but sounds a lot deeper than it is thanks to his size, mechanical tone and the way his voice echoes in his chest. Mod and I like to semi-jokingly point to the EU narrator from Kirby's Epic Yarn as his voiceclaim.
His speech is rendered IN ALL CAPITALS, WITH A SENTENCE ENDER IN THE PLACE OF A FULL STOP TO SIGNIFY HIS VOICE TAPE CLICK ->
Relationships
History
NOVA #4 (known to the family only as NOVA) first encountered Star Dream (NOVA #37) when it hacked and hijacked his magic during its attempt to destroy Kirby during its birth and attempted destruction of all life in the universe. Star Dream was destroyed along with NOVA at that time, but being reconstructed magically by a formal wish summon brought back both NOVA and Star Dream simultaneously. Initially their relationship was filled with hostility, requiring NOVA to trap it to prevent its further attacks on NOVA's family and the rest of the area. However, with coaxing, Star Dream was convinced to care for others and was adopted as a child and apprentice wishgranter under NOVA.
Nicknames & Petnames
Star Dream refers to NOVA as "Papa" as Star Dream views him as its father.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Outside of their shared duties, Star Dream and NOVA enjoy playing small thought games, cuddling, repairing each other and talking while NOVA is awake.
History
NOVA noticed the Lor's existence for the first time when Magolor approached him for help soon after Magolor had met Marx. NOVA, curious, approached them and asked not only to speak with the Lor but to pursue a lasting relationship; his reasoning was that he was one of few immortals in the universe and was in search of someone else to spend the eons with. The Lor initially rejected him, which caused NOVA to fall into despair and allow himself to be damaged. When the Lor discovered this, he became filled with despair himself and realized he was interested in exploring a relationship, too. The Lor was initially completely devoid of experience with feeling emotions of any kind. With coaxing and time, NOVA assisted him in learning to feel a full range of feelings. The two of them are now inseparable as they travel the galaxy taking care of mortals they find and bond with.
Nicknames & Petnames
The Lor and NOVA aren't generally ones for using nicknames with each other, but in moments of tenderness the Lor calls NOVA things like "Starlight". NOVA is one of the few people who insists on referring to his partner as "Lor" as a given name rather than like an object.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
NOVA and the Lor love to watch mortals grow, and enjoy traveling the galaxy to view beautiful nature sights. They talk together about many things they've learned throughout their years alive, and enjoy time spent in each other's presence even without words.
History
Magolor was the captain of the Lor at the time that NOVA met his current partner. As such, they were a matched set and it was a simple matter for NOVA to simply adopt the young man while becoming part of the family. This was especially easy with Magolor's hero worship of both the Lor and NOVA due to his interest in the Ancient's crafts. Magolor still loves NOVA like a father even after having moved out of the Lor to start a household in Floralia. Magolor visits NOVA frequently when he returns home.
Nicknames & Petnames
Magolor gives many people a variety of nicknames during conversation, generally not using each more than once. He has called NOVA a variety of things as such.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Magolor and NOVA share an interest in general science, as well as engineering and technology. They also both appreciate the joys of nature, and love to cuddle when they have a chance together. Magolor likes to build NOVA gifts and artwork when he has a chance. Both of them enjoy collecting trinkets.
Divine Classification
Constructed God
Current Status
Roaming the Gamble Galaxy granting wishes.
Current Location
Age
Many million.
Circumstances of Birth
Created by the Ancients.
Birthplace
Assembled in open space near Halcandra.
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Pronouns
He/him/his
Gender
He's a machine.
Eyes
Soft violet, with unusually large pupils. The pupils themselves are a slightly deeper violet rather than black. His eyes have a gentle inner light.
Hair
A cute, chin-length mess of blond curls which frame his face. Two particularly large locks cross over in the middle of his forehead. The hair itself is an incredibly fine synthetic fibre.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Brushed brass gold.
Height
Almighty tallest at 7'5".
Weight
Very, very heavy. Huge and made of metal.
Quotes & Catchphrases
"THREE, TWO, ONE... BLAST OFF! ->"
It's goofy as all hell but he loves having a wishgranting phrase.
Belief/Deity
He's the object of worship himself.
Character Prototype
All-loving wishgranter.
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