Nikolai Wolfhelm

Nikolai is a player character from the Grand Academy campaign.
Nikolai is a Cambion, part human, part demon, and a warlock of Keldai. He is a student of the Grand Academy of New Haven, primarily studying Forbidden Magic.
== Physical Description ==
Nikolai stands at 8 feet tall. His transformation and physical training means he is extremely muscular. Despite his size, his body shape and proportions are mostly human except for somewhat broader shoulders and hips which make room for his inhuman muscle mass. His skin is a maroon shade of red, commonly found amongst Hirokiri demons. He has numerous demonic features including two black horns protruding from his forehead, a spade tipped tail, claws and sharpened teeth. His eyes are orange but begin to glow when angered.
He has darkened ginger hair which is kept short and a short beard of stubble that goes along his entire jawline and cheeks. He is covered by full body tribal Hirokiri tattoos which extend across his arms and legs. He also has a few scars left from Keldai's trial by combat. 
== Personality ==
When not under the mental effects of his pact Nikolai is a very laid back and friendly. He understands that his appearance may frighten people and accepts if people decide to keep their distance. He isn't very intelligent and lacks finer social skills due to his upbringing. He has a tendency to go along with other people and join in their activities, either to hang out or to offer assistance. He is generally supportive and positive of the people he grows close to, although he can be stubborn and won't back down in dangerous matters. 
Nikolai is constantly fighting against an threat of blind rage. He had minor anger issues before he forged a pact with Kel'dai but the pact has amplified all feelings of anger. Nikolai is driven by a desire to become more powerful so he can protect those he cares about. He can be very proud and takes debts seriously. To this day his persistence in developing his pact is due to a debt he believes he owes to the Hirokiri tribe whom saved his life as a child. He believes in second chances but has great animosity towards those who would take advantage of that or those who show no remorse for their actions. 
When angered greatly Nikolai may fall into a state of blind rage and attack ruthlessly without mercy. During these fits of rage he may do things he usually wouldn't such as attacking surrendering enemies. He always fears that he will end up hurting those he wishes to protect in an outburst and has done numerous things he regrets during such outbursts. Despite his condition, he refuses to allow his pact to distance him from others and continues to keep a positive outlook,
== Background ==
Nikolai is an only child and was born in 2069 in The Kingdom of Whytehold. His mother died of complications after birth and he was raised by his father for a year before being left in the care of his aunt, his only other living relative. His father frequently lead expeditions into Izir and Hirokir which meant he was not around for most of Nikolai's childhood.
Nikolai's aunt died when he was 9 and he moved back in with his Dad but would often be left at home alone for weeks. His Dad paid for the house and left some funds while Nikolai did odd jobs around town for day to day necessities. Nikolai got by but didn't like returning to an empty house so often and at this point he began rigorously training himself physically hoping to join his Dad on expeditions. 
His father promised him that he would be there for his twelfth birthday however he was called away to help with an Hirokir expedition a week before the day. Nikolai decided to stow away in one of the expeditions storage carriages. He revealed himself on his birthday after they had crossed over into Hirokir and demanded his father spend the day with him. After a fight the expedition was called off for them to take Nikolai back to Whytehold.
On the way back the expedition was attacked by a group of bandits. His father hid him away in the carriage but shortly sustained fatal wounds in combat afterwards. Nikolai charged out at this point to attack the bandits when the essence of Keldai was drawn to the battle. Everyone there was then thrown into a blind rage after which Nikolai stood as the lone survivor. At this moment Keldai forcefully forged a pact with Nikolai for his victory.
After regaining consciousness Nikolai buried the expedition crew and his father and began searching for a way back home. With all the maps and navigation equipment destroyed in the battle he had no bearings and got lost. An encounter will a poisonous frog left him poisoned and delirious and eventually he collapsed. He was found by a passing Hirokiri shaman who took him back to his village. Sensing his connection to Keldai he was taken in and treated.
Nikolai spent the next few years living in the tribe. He was taught the language, how to hunt and received warrior combat training. The elder shaman explained the nature of his pact with Keldai as well as the dangers it brings but also encouraged Nikolai to accept it as they believe his growth would serve as an offering to ward away demons. Despite their reasons they still accepted Nikolai as one of them and he found in them a new family he lacked so far.
The effects of the pact were minor at first but overtime grew in intensity and presence. Nikolai would periodically receive "gifts" from Keldai that furthered his Cambion metamorphosis as well as gradual changes. As his violent outbursts became more common he was given occult tattoos to strengthen his will. At age 17 Nikolai began to see ghosts and would have frequent nightmares. He later learned that the pact was awakening necromantic powers within him.
At age 19 Nikolai decided to return to Tyrrus and journey to the Grand Academy in hopes of better understanding his powers, growing stronger and to help get control over the increasingly overbearing presence of Keldai.
== Skills and Abilities ==
=== Pact with Kel'dai ===
Nikolai has had a bond forcefully forged with him by Kel'dai. This pact forms a link between him and the demonlord, granting him numerous abilities and forming a telepathic link between the two. The pact also allows Kel'dai to influence Nikolai both passively and through direct interaction.
==== Demon Body ====
The pact has been forged into Nikolai's very body causing an extreme demonic metamorphosis. The height of his form can be both a boon and a bane in equal measure. His body is able to reach physical levels of strength beyond the limits of typical humans. Additionally it is sturdier than usual granting him additional vigour.
==== Necromancy ====
Kel'dai's ties to the spirit realm allows Nikolai to tap into necromantic powers via their link. This allows him numerous abilities such as the ability to see spirits of the dead and demons. His sensitivity to spirits is likely tied to his proximity to Kel'dai's influence, with sensitivity rising when agitated/angered. He can additionally steal the life force of enemies to sustain his own vigour. Finally he is able to conjure spectral chains to grab and incapacitate targets as well as pulling himself to more grounded terrain.
==== Beserking Rage ====
Kel'dai's influence saddles Nikolai with a terrible rage which is both a boon to physical performance and a dangerous detriment to both self-preservation and reason. Nikolai can fall into such a state by either failing to supress feelings of anger or by willingly giving into them. While enraged his strength increases further beyond its limits allowing incredible feats of strength and making his physical attacks much more potent. Additionally the rage blocks out feelings of pain and instinctual preservation allowing him to continue unimpeded by severe injuries. Unfortunately such reckless and blind rage means that he will endanger his own life continuing to fight and may even turn on his allies. Nikolai's will is his only means of snapping out of such a rage.
==== Blood Tithe ====
Nikolai can offer the life force of slain foes or his own to receive power in return. This can restore his energy reserves, bolster his vigour or provide temporarily catharsis from mental strain.
==== Channelling ====
Nikolai can call upon the essence of Kel'dai to empower himself allowing him to significantly bolster his vigour, push his magic beyond it's limits and even temporarily maintain consciousness beyond his physical limits. While very potent, doing so comes with significant risks as willingly allowing Kel'dai in guarantees a surge of rage and is extremely straining on his psyche. Excessive use of this ability would drive Nikolai to madness.
==== Living Vessel ====
???
=== Personal Skills ===
Nikolai is a well trained warrior and has experience in wielding martial weaponry . His preferred and most proficient weapon is a scythe which he has mastered the art of keeping his foes in his area of engagement utilising the curved blade, which compliments his height advantage. While his demonic form allows for him to reach beyond human limits it still required a rigorous training regiment to get to such a point and requires equally rigorous maintenance.
While the pact threatens Nikolai with rage and he has been known to fall into blind rages he still possesses a strong will. Spending time in Hirokir he learned much about the local wilderness and the dangers of the jungle. The dangers of the Hirokiri lands drove him to study the field in depth. Additionally he studied the Tyrranian wilderness to stay safe when navigating rural routes or around settlements that might have been adverse to his affliction. Additionally he is bilingual, speaking both Tyrannian and Hirokiri. 
== Time at the Academy ==
=== Enrolling at the Academy ===
Nikolai walked across jungles and through the Tryannean wilderness to make his way to New Haven, taking caution to avoid major paths especially around the Whyteholdian territories. He was apprehended by guards upon approach to the city but was able to get access to the academy without major incident. Entering the academy for the first time most of the students avoided him with two notable exceptions, the first being Alastar Reinvich whom he noticed wasn't avoiding him. The second was Celestia Dawnbow who's ditsy personality and energetic approach confused him. Despite his lack of academic knowledge he was able to get an acceptable grade in the written exam. During his practical exam he revealed the identity of his patron to the alarm of most of the examiners the interest of Magister Scythe. During the exam he demonstrated his superhuman strength and rudimentary death magic. He managed to pass the exam but still had the issue of paying tuition however, he was approached by Darius Valuruian and was offered a scholarship on the condition that he attends his "Magical Understanding" course. His funding secured Nikolai prepared for his time at the academy, and found himself sharing accommodations with Alastar.
Category:Player Character
Category:The Grand Academy