Nikolai

Gabriel (Brother)

Charlotte and Elisabet (Sisters)

Saurugol (Uncle)

## Application Sheet

Nikolai was a pale gray male wolf with gray eyes, the second-born son of Faust and Ira, the leaders of Vale. His siblings were Gabriel, Charlotte, and Elisabet. Feeling out of place and envious of his brother, Nikolai left the Domain as a young adult. He was created and RP'd by Tazihound.

## Personality

* ***Academic and Imaginative.*** Nik is an academic wolf. His mind is constantly buzzing with unexplored ideas. He loves to learn about his world and is a natural improvisor. He's interested in unconventional and ambiguous things and has the patience and desire to figure out how things tick. Especially is his youth, Nik spends much of his time alone, exploring intriguing ideas and studying everything he can gets his paws on. Insects, birds and everything that flies is a particular interest of his. He's a dreamer, viewing the world through creative blinders.
* ***Anarchist.*** Overly critical of all he observes, Nikolai never fails to question the apparent laws around him. He disagrees with the heriarchy created by his parents, deeming it a dangerously flawed system. Rather, he believes in freedom and a lack of rank for all wolves. He craves the power to put an end to Vale's hierarchy. He is the voice of subordinate wolves, having identified with them all his life.
* ***Calculating and Engaging.*** Nik is capable of extreme cunning and will take calculated measures against others when he deems it necessary. He is especially talented at acquiring information. He has to make up for his physical weaknesses through the use of a sharp tongue and keen intelligence. He uses wit and intellect to overcome prejudice against him. He's rather well-spoken, especially for his age, and is very careful with his words.
* ***Self-Conscious and Jealous.*** Nik feels as if he's constantly on trial for being the Alpha's weak son. He fears that he will be persecuted for his lack of prowess in a pack where size and skill at arms are hugely respected. He tries not to allow it become a weakness and does his best to use his wits to an equal effect as any warrior wielding his muscle. Yet still, his shortcoming have made him a self-conscious wolf, controlled by emotions and heart over logic. He's governed a bit by what others think, and this definitely weighs on him growing up in Vale.
* ***Pacifist.*** Being generally weak, and much smaller than those in his family, Nikolai is a natural pacifist and does not like war, nor the fighting culture of Vale. His opinions and flaws are mitigated to some extent by his family's noble origins, but he's still viewed as a disappointment. After all, the runt was born to two, large, aristocratic warriors.
* ***Kind, Empathetic, and Easy-Going.*** Nikolai is a wolf capable of great empathy and genuine kindness, especially towards those he perceives as helpless to help themselves, or outcasts, like himself. He is always ready to stand up for the "little man". Nik retains a strong sense of humor, and likes to surround himself with like-minded, easy-going wolves. He has few close friends, but gets along well with others and always willing to collaborate. Often times he'll be the first to take the initiative in social situations, doing what he can to provide a warm common ground for the pack.
* ***Unstable.*** Nik can be quite moody, and will snap if pushed too far. Especially in his youth he can have a real snarky attitude. Usually he feels guilty about losing control of his emotions. This cycle can be exhausting for his friends and family to put up with, but he seems powerless to alter these flaws. Nik is constantly comparing himself to his family. His mother and father are brilliant warriors, while his siblings are strong, skillful and energetic pups. He feels he is different, and cannot keep up with the physical demands of his pack. Nik is especially jealous of his brother, Gabriel, as he is the largest of his siblings and heir to Vale.
* ***Patient and Gentle, but Lazy.*** Nik is unmotivated and rather lazy. He is quite the opposite of a typical Vale wolf, who is passionate and hard-working for their tasks. Instead, Nik likes to go with flow and indulge in slothful behavior like observing nature or going out for leisurely strolls with his friends. He doesn't like to make commitments, and would rather keep his options open. If at all possible, he will avoid strenuous work. He is a true procrastinator and can easily crack under pressure. His gentle nature, however, makes him a great listener. He is patient in his relationships and always willing to help his fellow wolf.

## Pre-Group History

Nikolai is the youngest son of Faust and Ira, the alphas of Vale. Driven from their home in Havir after a meteor decimated the pack, Faust and Ira along with the surviving Havirians traveled North to reclaim Vale. After a showdown between those loyal to the new queen, Faust was able to revive Vale and chase the corrupt ruling party from the lands. They did not escape unscathed, however. Alar delivered a powerful blow to Ira's stomach, inducing early labor. The parents think this could be responsible for Nikolai's small stature.

## Group History

Nikolai enjoyed an upbringing mixed with doting parental affection and strict discipline. As the alphas of Vale, Faust and Ira impressed on their children early on the value of their culture, heritage, and behavior. They had great expectations for their children from the beginning, particularly Gabriel, Nikolai's older brother.

Though their relationship started out as lovingly as any other siblings' relationship, as Nikolai grew older, he began to harbor feelings of bitterness and envy towards Gabriel, who was favored by their parents as heir apparent to the title of Astir of Vale. He envied Gabe's muscular frame and powerful movements - *why* couldn't he be like that?

His mother, Ira, tried to help foster Nikolai's other talents - hoping that her son could attune his intellect into serving the pack to the best of his abilities, perhaps as a Medic. But Nikolai was disinterested in taking *any* task as he grew up. He became an apprentice in the Highland Guard, however.

Despite having several relatives in Vale - the Havirian refugees, including his aunt, Nadina, cousins Alastor, Renae, and Arthur, and once-removed cousins via their great uncle Silvanus (Zinnia, Hera, Ambrose, and Hieronymus), he only ever really grew close to Alastor, who he considered a friend. He just couldn't form successful relationships outside of his siblings, and even that was strained by his attitude and self-consciousness.

Ultimately, Nikolai would leave Vale as a young adult. Having struggled with living in the shadow of his more successful siblings, and wrestling with painful feelings of inadequacy under his parents' legacy, he set off without so much as a goodbye, and hasn't been seen since. His parents and siblings believe him to still be alive, somewhere out there - hopefully, where he's found a place where he belongs.

## Trivia

* Nikolai and Ira were very close - Nik, being perceptive to her moods, was able to help carefully draw her back to the present, and up on her feet, when she started to sink into melancholy and sad moods.
* Tazihound and Lachtaube made several pieces of art featuring Nikolai and Robin, but none were confirmed as canon. *However*, it is possible that Nikolai may have met loner Robin at some point during his life in Vale.
* He never had an opportunity to meet his cousins via his uncle, Saurugol (Mohawk and Yuaei). They were extremely close in age, but Faust and Ira had no idea Tilika and her unborn pups survived the destruction of Havir.

## Quotes

* "Wait up! UGH. Why do we have to run everywhere." (as a pup, *Rise of the Vikings*)
* "*Just the second-born son, always in his brother's shadow. He's the strong one, the fast one; the one they all adore. Of course they like him more.*" (Nikolai's thoughts, *The Heir and the Spare*)

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* Tazihound's deviantART Gallery