Micco

## Who are the Micco?

The Micco are an ancient civilization that existed an unknown number of millennia previous. It was theorized by Felix and Holly in Book Nine that they might have been alive around 4000 years ago. [Chapter 163].They were a very magically powerful society, known in particular for their strong Rune magic. They were cosmically aligned with Chaos and Creation.

The first time that Ink Illness appeared, it was by their genius that the Ink Machine was built in order to cure the illness. Later on, they also helped dismantle the machine and hide the parts inside temples fraught with traps.

Nowadays much of the Micco's history is fraught with mystery and very little is known by modern society about what they were like and what happened to them.

## Known History

### Early Life

They were an extremely magic-oriented society and had a lot of connections to nature in their magic. Their technology had surpassed that of the modern day, with the capability to create incredible magic that allowed them to do things such as breathe underwater and fly. The Micco lived in various wonderous magical city states. One was said to fly through the sky, another built in the depths of the ocean and one was even rumoured to have been built in the center of a volcano (Ch 274). The most notable city, and the only one whose name we currently know, is Hy-Brasil (Ch 271). The foundation of their cities was built with runes that are reputed to have been more powerful than the ones used today (Ch 87). They even had the magical capability to make living stone guardians for their cities (Ch 274). Each of these cities seems to have been ruled by its own royal family, the heads of wish would meet together to discuss and craft plans on how to handle matters that affected the entire Micco race (Ch 216).

The Micco had a knowledge of the soul and, according to Holly, even soul doctors. In a book Mickey read while invisible, he noted, "They were very knowledgeable, inventing pulley systems, ancient machinery, aqueducts, and a number of other things that would be forgotten for hundreds of years with the loss of their race, especially their magic system that, even today, was still mostly unknown." (Ch 87).

### Notable Events

#### Ink Illness

A little over four thousand years ago, before the War, the world was ravaged by Ink Illness. The Micco of course were not spared from this and thus they joined forces with the Demons, Angels and Dishes in to create a cure for this terrible disease which turned out to be the Ink Machine. Of the four races involved the Micco contributed the most to the Ink Machine as they created not only the machine itself but also two of the Parts, The Doll and The Cog (Ch 186). The creation of these parts seems to have been done, or at least headed, by a team of four powerful Micco - Lukahd, Ventis, Amish and Macchia (Ch 304).

#### The Angel-Demon War

Knowledge of their role in the angel demon war is vague. However, they played a huge role in the start of the Angel-Demon war, as it was the murder of one of their people that sparked the beginning of the war. In Mar's interview with Black Hat, the demon admitted that while some of the Micco fought on the side of the Angels, some fought on the side of the Demons (Ch 109).

In particular Lukahd and Ventis were the two most prominent Micco warriors involved in the War, though they fought on opposite sides. Both were involved not only in the actual fighting of the War but also in strategy planning for their respective sides, working to counteract each others strategies. Lukahd, who became known as the Lady of Despair during the War, eventually became infamous for her viscous strategies and cruel experimentation on captives. In contrast her sister often worked to free hostages and prisoners of War from the Demon's side (Ch 221).

After the Demons were confined to Hell the Micco also attended and participated in the Angel trials of captured enemies, acting as witnesses for the events they were present for. It was at one of these trials, the trial of Lukahd, where the Micco were cursed by Lukahd along with the Angels and Dishes. Lukahd's curse was, "From this day forward, the three great nations will suffer as the demons suffer. With each passing generation, your blood will grow weaker, hunted for your talents, abused for your eccentricities, your people shall fade until your nations are but a pale memory and your grandchildren’s grandchildren’s grandchildren live to see the last of your race die out in bitter agony.” (Ch 221).

### Extinction

Following the war, the Ink Machine apparently found its way to the greatest Micco city that survived the war. While there some type of accident occurred, later referred to as "The Micco Tragedy", which not only destroyed the city but also pushed the Micco to the brink of extinction. To this day the spot where the city once stood is still a barren desert, now known as the Seven Sands Desert (Ch 186).

It was following this incident that it was decided that the Ink Machine was too dangerous to remain whole and, finding that it could not be destroyed, it was disassembled and its parts hidden away in magical temples (Ch 186). One of the surviving Micco, Yen Sid, was specifically responsible for the handling of The Doll and The Cog (Ch 199).

## Known Micco

### General Darvin Vicerion

General Vicerion was a Micco general back before the time of the Angel-Demon War. He was the one responsible for calling the four races together to create the Ink Machine (Ch 216). One night the General walked in on what appeared to be the Devil (though the actual identity of this individual is up for debate) attempting to take the Ink Machine for himself. General Vicerion fought to protect the machine and, while he died in this fight, he managed to curse his opponent as his final act to prevent them from ever being able to use the Ink Machine themselves. His death was the inciting incident for the Angel-Demon War (Ch 217).

Vicerion was a large man with long dark hair that he often seemed to keep tied back. He also had two large antelope horns on his head. Seeing as he was a General Vicerion was almost always armed with a runed sword (Ch 216). He also wore a ring on his finger that would glow purple when using magic (Ch 217). General Vicerion was also adept at strategizing, a skill which he passed along to his two children (Ch 221).

The General was a strong warrior who was a very tough opponent to defeat in battle. His sword was able to send white magic rays at his enemy as he slashed with it. He was also able to call purple cosmic lightning down upon his enemies. Like many Micco the General was also well versed in rune magic and would use it in battle as needed (Ch 217).

### Lukahd Vicerion

Lukahd was the older daughter of General Vicerion and a master of "magic of the soul". She was one of the individuals called on to help build the Ink Machine (Ch 216). Before the War Lukahd apparently spent much time in the Demon courts. She was also almost never seen without the Demon Metztli by her side. Following the death of her father Lukahd fought on the Demon's side during the War as she believed The Devil was not her father's true killer (Ch 217). While with the Demons Lukahd not only fought in battles but also performed inhumane experiments on captive/prisoners of war. She also assisted in creating strategies for the Demon forces, a skill which she learned from her father (Ch 221). In modern day, most people only know her by the title she earned during the war, the Lady of Despair, and believe she was a Demon instead of a Micco (Ch 271). See character page for more details.

### Ventis Vicerion

Ventis was the younger daughter of General Vicerion and a master of "magic of the body". She was one of the Micco who assisted in the creation of the Ink Machine. She also seemed to have spent a lot of time with the Angels prior to the War, becoming a "champion" though the exact meaning of that title is currently unknown (Ch 216) Ventis actually rushed into the room only moments after her father's death, catching "The Devil" in the act. It is thus not surprising that during the War Ventis sided with Angels (Ch 217) During the War not only did Ventis fight on the front lines but she also assisted in the formation of battle strategies using knowledge she had learned from her father (Ch 221). Ventis's many battles were legendary as she defeated several powerful foes. Even after the War the tales of her adventures were heavily chronicled by the Angels (Ch 246). In fact, in the modern day many believe Ventis to actually be an Angel instead of a Micco (Ch 270). Additionally, she worked to recover hostages and prisoners of war, freeing many people from awful conditions over the course of the War. It is also mentioned that Ventis acted as a physician on occasion (Ch 221). See character page for more details.

### Amish

Amish was one of the brightest artisans of the Micco people and considered a genius in his time (Ch 216). History remembers him as a famous inventor, master of the mind (Ch 304) and, allegedly, the first zany (Ch 250), Despite his reputation for trouble among the races, particularly the Dishes, his genius was called upon to help all of the individual race's magic work together during the creation of the Ink Machine (Ch 217). It was in his personal forge that the Cog was created and the Doll was formed (Ch 304). Amish also seemed to be the one who handled much of the physical creation of the Ink Machine, as well as being the one to integrate the various parts into the machine (Ch 216). During the War Amish removed himself from the conflict, refusing to fight for either side (Ch 217). See character page for more details.

### Macchia Nera

Macchia was a Micco genius said to be rivalled only by Amish (Ch 216). He was part of the core team that crafted both the Ink Machine and the Micco parts (The Doll and the Cog) and even seems to be referred to as the team's leader. He is also credited as being a “Master of all magics.” (Ch 304).

By MIcco standards Macchia was quite plain in appearance. He was a bearded man who didn't seem to have any of the rune tattoos many other Miccos had on their bodies, although they could have been hidden under the long hooded robes he seemed to wear most of the time (Ch 216).

### Yen Sid

Yen Sid, or Grand Sorcerer Yen Sid as was his official title, Was one of the few Micco who survived "The Micco Tragedy" created by the Ink Machine. He was the representative of the Micco who helped in the dismantling of the Ink Machine, taking custody of The Doll and The Cog during this time. While it is currently unknown what he did before the dismantling of the Ink Machine Chalice does call him an "old friend" meaning that he had some times with the Dish community. Perhaps due to the "The Micco Tragedy" or the War Yen Sid did not like the Ink Machine and believed it was for the best of the machine to be dismantled and forgotten by the world (Ch 199).

Holly described him as, "the most talented, intelligent, powerful wizard in history since the Micco people." He is depicted as a thoughtful character, having created the Runes of Peace murals in order to attract peace and repel darkness for the students of the university. Holly also theorized that he was able to create the murals because he had an energy manipulation talent of some sort (Ch 21). It is currently unknown how Yen Sid was able to found Yen Sid University one or two hundred years ago (Inky Extra's Ch 109) when it was shown that he was alive 3500 years ago as well and by all accounts should have already been dead. Especially since 3500 years ago he already had the appearance of an old man (Ch 199). However the average lifespan of a Micco is also still currently unknown so it is possible that this was normal for their people.

During the Inky Extras interview with Black Hat in Chapter 109, he stated that during his life, Yen Sid worked with the angels and that most of Yen Sid's greatest discoveries and inventions are locked up to this day. He also hinted that the angels know more about the man but aren't willing to share. Hat's theory is that Yen Sid might have been involved in the extinction of the Micco race.

As stated preciously 3500 years ago Yen Sid already had the appearance of an old man. He was described as a tall man with a long beard and a severe face. He also wore long, thick robes (Ch 199).

At one point, a statue of Yen Sid existed on campus, but it was destroyed after Nightmare Night. His name now serves as an expletive.

## Physical Appearance

Micco people differed greatly in appearance from individual to individual. Some had things such as animal horns or tails while others were mainly human in appearance. Many Micco people also had runes tattooed on their bodies, which allowed them to use magic wherever they were at a moment's notice. It also seemed to be common for them to have crystals that would glow purple or red when they used magic somewhere on their body, such as having it as an earring (Ch 216).

## Trivia and Notes

### Trivia

* The name 'Micco' is an anagram for the word Comic. This was a nod to the traditional cartoon style that originally came from comic strips and later were made into animation as cartoons.
* Apparently, the wizard Merlin was also a Micco (Ch 238)

### Notes

* You would think they’d have more on Micco since these were the creators of the oh-so-important Ink Machine, but for all that research by Wilson, Felix, Holly, and a number of others it’s still sad they hardly have a clue. Maybe they should ask someone that was actually there to see it. Maybe then they could get some answers.