Niko Holzbauer

**SPOILER ALERT!**
The following article contains significant story events that may indicate or reveal key plot details. Proceed with caution and read at your own risk!

"*Y'know, bro. I was wonderin' how our journey would be. But damn, it's hard not to think about what happened back at the village before when I was...*"
—**Niko** when Veit cuts him off

## Personal Status

### Relatives

* Jörg Holzbauer (grandfather)
* Greta Holzbauer (grandmother)
* Unnamed parents†
* Veit Holzbauer (older brother)

### Allies

* Hamza
* Zahra
* Wei Jiahao
* Qiangli

### Occupation

Farm boy
Villager
Adventurer

## Classification

### Weight

TBA

**Nikodemus "Niko" Holzbauer** is the deuteragonist of the *Zoolaria* graphic novel series. He is the younger brother of Veit Holzbauer and is a member of the Protectors of Zoolaria, a group of adventurers dedicated to protecting the land of Zoolaria from evil forces. Niko is sometimes seen as a co-leader of the group due to his leadership skills and strategic thinking. Unlike his brother, Niko is unable to cast magic. However, he is a skilled rogue who wields dual daggers and is proficient with ranged weapons such as a pistol.

He refers to himself as the "One-Eyed Rogue" due to the eye patch he wears over his left eye.

## History

Niko's childhood was spent on the Holzbauer Ranch in Erntedorf, where he worked alongside his father and older brother Veit, tending to the crops and vineyard. Their grandparents' bakery shop, renowned for its mouthwatering honey rolls, added a touch of sweetness to their lives. However, tragedy struck when their parents mysteriously vanished, leaving Niko and Veit in the care of their loving grandparents.

During the fateful harvest festival, Niko's life took a devastating turn when he became the target of a brutal attack. Shot in the left eye by a mysterious assailant, he endured immense pain and trauma. Despite the physical and emotional scars, Niko's determination for justice burned brightly within him. With Veit serving as his unwavering mentor and protector, and their loyal pet, Klein, by their side, Niko embarked on a journey to seek revenge against those who had caused them so much suffering.

As Niko grew older, his resilience and strength shone through. He trained diligently with a pistol, honing his skills as a great sharpshooter, while also finding solace in the camaraderie of fellow adventurers who shared his quest for justice. His youthful spirit brought levity and laughter to their perilous adventures, reminding them all of the importance of hope and resilience in the face of darkness. With each step forward, Niko truly embodied the spirit of a valiant hero, determined to protect his family, uncover the truth behind their parents' disappearance, and bring about a brighter future for Erntedorf and Zoolaria as a whole.

## Characteristics

### Personality

Niko acts very rebellious, impulsive, mischievous, and thrill-seeking and is always ready when something comes his way. He is always on the lookout for excitement and adventure, often leading him into trouble. He can be unmannerly and lacks a filter when it comes to his foul language and behavior. He is known for his gassy demeanor, much like his brother Veit. Despite his rough exterior, Niko has a soft spot for the people who he trusts. He is also surprisingly creative and smart when it comes to alchemy.

## Powers/Abilities

TBA

* TBA

## Trivia

* Niko, his brother Veit, and their family speak in a Southern/country or farmer accent.
* Of the Muris, Niko is a Eurasian harvest mouse, a type of small rodent native to Europe and Asia.
* TBA

### Etymology

* Niko's name means "victory of the people" in German. "Holz" is the German word for "wood," and "bauer" means "farmer." So, Holzbauer can be interpreted as "wood farmer" or "woodland farmer."
* TBA

### General References

* It is interesting to note that the creator of the Zoolaria, who is a gamer, played ''*The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*'' as a thief and became greatly skilled with alchemy. This experience influenced the character of Niko Holzbauer, who shares a similar talent for creating potions and poisons that are reminiscent of the alchemy skill used by thieves in the game.
* TBA