Post by Minuit on Jun 26, 2010 21:40:28 GMT 10
Emelan Character Profile
by PeroxidePirate
Character Profile: Niko
Full name: Niklaren Goldeye
Also known as: Niko
Profession: Mage
Age: early 50s (at his first appearance)
Appears in: the four Circle of Magic books and Shatterglass
Height: 5'10”
Build: lean
Hair: black streaked with gray, long, often worn tied back
Facial hair: mustache
Eyes: black
Abilities & Background: Niko is a very powerful mage, best known as a Truthsayer and a Seer. He is skilled at finding hidden things, and he is sometimes able to see the past, or to scry for present and possible future events taking place elsewhere. He is university educated, having studied at Lightsbridge; he is now a member of the Lightsbridge Council of Mages. In addition to being well-versed in academic magic, Niko is knowledgeable about ambient magic and works closely with the dedicates at Winding Circle Temple.
Strengths: Niko's strengths include his sense of perspective, his ability as a teacher, and his appreciation of the talents of others. The sense of perspective is appropriate to the fact that his magic deals with seeing things. In complicated situations, he is often the one to remind his students (and others) of what's really important. This is one of many things he successfully teaches to Tris and her friends. He also teaches them to control their power and see magic, as well as acting in a parental role when they are young. Though famous for his magical ability, Niko also cares less about acclaim than about doing what needs to be done – usually solving a problem of some kind. He readily works with mages and non-mages of any status, appreciating each contribution.
Weaknesses: Niko's weaknesses include vanity and a tendency to expect too much of people. The vanity is most obvious regarding his clothes: they are frequently described as “impeccable,” and if there are two ways of doing something, he will choose the way that isn't going to mess up his clothing. Niko also expects great things of others. Sometimes this benefits everyone, as when he expects Tris to contain her power, and she does. Other times, though, he expects his students to behave like adults before they are ready to do so, or he expects other mages know their limits when they don't.
Other information: As the person who located Briar, Sandry and Daja, and the first one to see the magic in Tris, Niko is the indirect reason the Circle of Magic exists. He has the interesting ability to walk in many worlds: he is at home among nobles, academic mages, or temple dedicates. He has powerful, sometimes lucrative, talents. Although he lives well, in a material sense, he does so with a clear moral consciousness. Niklaren Goldeye is living proof that power doesn't have to corrupt.
)
