P R E S E N C E
Nia follows the Path of Eitrú, a belief in the primordial origins of the cosmos. It is a faith of Nibelheim that holds the Dominant aspects of nature are given form, manifesting in the world through the Regalia. While the original faith is shrouded in tradition and mysticism, Nia is an Ardent of the New Path movement, a modern reimagining of the faith designed for a more global audience. Her role is to guide individuals on their spiritual journeys toward enlightenment. The New Path focuses on helping people detach from materialistic and worldly concerns that interfere with their faith, allowing them to seek greater clarity and favour with the Dominants.
When Nia is spiritually guiding others, she exudes a calm, serene, and confident presence, rooted in true belief. Her practice invites participants to bare themselves to Eitrú, making use of spacious natural surroundings and refuges as settings for her teachings. Through guided meditation, mindfulness, and control of body and mind, she leads individuals toward deep interconnectedness with the cosmos.
Nia is profoundly devout and conveys her message through a gentle touch that permeates every interaction. This presence is especially felt when others open themselves to her guidance. When addressing larger audiences, her passion and zeal become more evident, as she proselytizes with fervour to bring others into the fold.
In her personal life, when not acting in an official capacity, Nia is warm, approachable, and easy-going, offering support and friendship to those around her. While she does not force her spiritual beliefs on others, she will not tolerate mockery or ridicule of her faith.
Those who come to know her true self will discover someone not immediately recognizable—someone who embodies ancient wisdom, as if ordained by a higher authority, perhaps one of the Regalia themselves. She seems to possess an intimate knowledge of Bahamut's avatar, Nyx, the figure behind the resurgence of the old ways of Eitrú.C H R O N I C L E
Nia was raised in the rustic peaks of Nibelheim, living a traditional pastoral life amidst the cycles of the mist. Although her parents allowed her some limited time on the net, she found herself more captivated by the traditional tales told during the misty seasons. These stories felt more real and immersive. The Ardents told the best tales—legends of ancient heroes battling monsters, cautionary fables, and the deep connection between nature and the divine. Like most who grew up hearing these stories, Nia dreamed big, her mind filled with wild imaginings as she watched over the flocks, contemplating the various forms the Dominants could take.
Her first real encounter with the outside world came when a film crew arrived nearby to shoot a new series, A Game of Regalia. The urbanites who descended upon her village brought with them actors from across the globe, dressed in rich costumes and adorned with intricate makeup and oversized props. They portrayed the Regalia of ancient times. Nia, like many her age, would watch the filming whenever she had the chance, learning more about the world beyond Nibelheim. When she spoke with the Ardents about it, they dismissed the theatre as sacrilege. Still, she and other local children were allowed to play small background roles, earning a place on the big screen.
As filming progressed, the crew ventured deeper into one of the more remote areas of Nibelheim, drawn by its foreboding and atmospheric landscape. Despite the Ardents’ warnings of monsters and ancient dangers, the crew ignored them and pressed on. One day, the mist descended so thickly that visibility dropped to almost nothing. The crew sought shelter in their vehicles and tents, waiting for the mist to pass. Unfortunately, Nia was left outside, lost in the fog as she tried to find her way back. Primal sounds echoed through the mist—creatures, monsters of the unknown. Frightened, Nia curled up against a rock, trying to make herself as small as possible. As she whispered to herself, "I am nothing," a low, guttural sound of a large lizard resonated above her. Frozen in place, she waited in terror until the creature snorted and moved away. The next morning, the mist retreated, and the spooked film crew hurriedly packed up and left. Nia rejoined them, but she was forever changed by the experience.
Following this encounter, Nia became deeply drawn to the spiritual aspects of her religion. It was as though she had an epiphany during that night in the mist. She began to wonder about the deeper meaning of life, its purpose, and spent more time at local shrines reflecting on her experience.
A Game of Regalia was a major success, and those who had participated were invited to the capital, Nythavon, for a celebratory event. Nia and her parents attended in person, and she was awestruck by the grandeur of the capital city. Nythavon was a beacon of light, bustling with people and filled with towering buildings that stretched toward the sky—a stark contrast to her quiet village life.
Despite the luxury and splendour around her, Nia felt a strange emptiness. The city felt like it lacked a soul. The Ardents of the old ways had been replaced by new religious movements, ones that seemed mass-produced and commercialised for profit. The Regalia were treated as celebrities, not prophets, and religion had become a tool for control and a justification for behaviour that would otherwise be considered immoral. Rather than feeling awestruck, Nia became disillusioned by what she saw.
The innocence of a girl can only take her so far. Nia realized that the world was far bigger than she had ever imagined, and she felt a growing sense of nothingness, a void, and a crisis of faith. She began to question the fundamentals and tenets of what she knew, feeling a desire to rise above the superficiality she had witnessed. In her search for answers, she attracted the attention of others who guided her to a new way of thinking. When all is stripped away, what remains? What is more tangible than the truth?
During this period of introspection, Nia was introduced to the cult of Bahamut, the Dominant of the Void. Her yearning for a deeper understanding of the cosmos led her to explore the primordial beginnings—before time, before light. She came to realize that reality is shaped by the forms it takes, and it is in the silence between those forms that we truly appreciate them. This epiphany brought her spiritual enlightenment and a profound connection to the Void. As she delved deeper into the teachings of Bahamut, she adopted a new name: Nyx.
Nyx had found her true calling: to become an Ardent and dedicate her life to the service of the divine. She aspired not only to embody the teachings of Bahamut, but also to inspire a renewal of faith in others through her actions and ideals.
Returning to the mists where her transformation began, Nyx sought to confront the experience that had shaped her. This time, instead of hiding behind a rock, she stood in the open, arms spread wide with conviction. As the familiar sounds and cries of the unknown creatures surrounded her, she remained silent except for the words, "I am nothing." Once again, the guttural sound of the giant lizard approached, but this time she was ready. At that moment, she embraced the primordial majesty of Bahamut and was ordained as the Regalia of the Void.
With her newfound understanding and purpose, Nyx set out to modernize the path of Eitrú. While the religion remained obscure and often misunderstood, she aimed to bring new meaning to its teachings and find others who shared her spiritual strength and conviction. She sought to guide them toward the truth, so they too could ascend as she intended to.
Now an adult, Nyx moved to the capital, Nythavon, to continue her great mission. Harnessing the strength of the Regalia, she pursued a higher, divine purpose—to bring enlightenment to a world in need of spiritual renewal.H O M E
Nia hails from Nibelheim, an ancient land in the far west, renowned for its untouched natural beauty, with foreboding, mist-shrouded mountains, deep valleys, and fjords that cut far inland. Defined by rugged terrain and a harsh climate, Nibelheim fosters a deep sense of isolation and resilience among its people.
In ancient times, Nibelheim's villages were formed by scattered clans nestled among the peaks, connected only by narrow, treacherous paths. Harsh winters often isolated these communities, reinforcing solidarity of the clans, as ancient warriors battled over scarce resources for survival. At points in history, when the population outgrew the land's capacity, the people foraged beyond the borders into more fertile territories, gaining a reputation for raiding and settling in foreign lands during these periods of migration.
Nibelheim's culture is rich with oral tradition and history, where bards played a crucial role in communication and entertainment between the isolated settlements, receiving privileged status. These storytellers spread tales of a formidable people—heroes who fought ancient monsters, embarked on great adventures, and celebrated the mysticism of nature. These tales followed during the migrations, spreading a legacy of these ancient people.
As the world advanced and nations began to form, Nibelheim region drew interest for its wealth of natural ores and mining potential. In response to incursions by other nations, Nibelheim's clans united into a single nation for mutual defence. The land's natural borders made it highly defensible, allowing the people to repel invaders. Mining became central to the economy, and the new capital city of Nythavon leveraged these resources to establish trade with the world and bring wealth to the nation.
Despite the nation’s growth, the people of Nibelheim remained rooted in the old ways, following the path of Eitrú. This belief system holds that a primordial force, or god, originated in the wilds of Nibelheim and birthed the pantheon of Dominants. The faith is polytheistic, with no particular Dominant being favoured; instead, all are praised equally part of a greater whole. Ardents, the name for spiritual intermediaries, serve as more than religious leaders—they are philosophers, advisors, storytellers, and keepers of knowledge. They believe in a cycle of rebirth and a deep connection to nature, with the Dominants representing different aspects of natural forces and philosophy. Some believe that through spiritual enlightenment, one can break this cycle and ascend to something greater.
Nibelheim is steeped in mysticism and unspoilt beauty, and as the nation transitioned into the modern era, with advancements in communication technology, Nythavon experienced a cultural renaissance. The once-industrial hub was revitalized into a cosmopolitan metropolis, becoming a modern centre for creative industries that attracted filmmakers, artists, and digital creators. The tales and landscapes of this mysterious land have become popular entertainment for global audiences. This cultural shift has led to a divide within the nation, between the rural communities adhering to the old ways and the urban centres embracing a new creative direction.
Even in the current age, large parts of Nibelheim remain unspoilt by civilization. These wild, untamed regions are shrouded in mystery, with ongoing tales of missing people, monsters, and strange disappearances in the mists. Ghost towns dot the borders of this primal region in the south, serving as a warning to those who seek to intrude upon these ancient lands—places that, to this day, still inspire dread, awe, and terror.
The language of Nibelheim resembles a blend of Gaelic and Norse, with dialects that reflect the speaker’s upbringing. The tongue spoken in Nythavon is more Gaelic in character, with a melodic quality and a heavy emphasis on vowels and softer sounds, giving it a whispering, flowing cadence. This musicality stems from the culture of storytelling and song, and perceived as pleasant to a global audience. The traditional Nibelheim language found in rural areas is more Norse in character, with sharp consonants and a staccato rhythm that reflects the isolated, rugged nature of the people and their land.T R I V I A
Likes
Meditation: Nia enjoys spending time in quiet, isolated places where she can meditate and connect with the spiritual energies of the cosmos. She often combines this with yoga-like postures and exercises that help her harmonize her mind and body with the Void.
Astronomy: Stargazing is one of Nia's greatest passions. The infinite vastness of the heavens humbles her, reminding her of the smallness of individual existence compared to the scale of the universe. She often contemplates how the constellations reflect the Dominants’ influence.
Natural Experiences: Nia finds profound peace in the presence of nature. She cherishes sensory details like the patter of rain on a window, the scent of burning wood, the taste of earthy teas, and the rustic foods of Nibelheim. Long walks through mist-shrouded forests help her feel grounded and attuned to the cycles of the natural world.
Storytelling: Deeply rooted in the oral traditions of her homeland, Nia finds great meaning in stories and folklore. She appreciates the transformative power of stories and believes they carry deeper truths about the world, the divine, and the human spirit.
Theology: As an Ardent, Nia delights in discussing the nature of the divine. She especially enjoys engaging with others who are open to exploring spiritual matters. Conversations about faith, Dominants, and the mysteries of existence are some of her most cherished moments.
Dislikes
Artificiality: Nia has a deep aversion to artificial things, whether they are synthetic scents, processed foods, or materialistic obsessions. She believes society has lost its way, focusing too much on superficial goods and wealth, and straying from spiritual truths. She especially despises the celebrity culture that surrounds the Dominants as it detracts from the divine.
Overstimulating Environments: Nia struggles in loud, overly stimulating environments. Crowds, bright lights, and repetitive noise are deeply unsettling for her, causing her to feel disconnected from her spiritual core. She avoids places where she can't find a sense of calm and balance.
Social Incongruence: Nia cannot tolerate hypocrisy or insincerity. She dislikes people who say one thing and do another, particularly when it involves moral or spiritual matters. Such behaviour undermines the purity of one's path.
Mint Ice Cream: Despite her love for nature, Nia has an unusual dislike for mint-flavoured ice cream. Perhaps it is the overuse of it in toothpaste, it is just unnatural to her taste buds, and ruins an otherwise delicious treat.
Hot Weather: Nia finds extreme heat to be almost unbearable. Accustomed to the cooler, misty environment of Nibelheim, she struggles in warm climates and feels drained and sluggish when she can’t escape the oppressive heat.
Trivia
Puzzles: Nia loves mental challenges, especially puzzles like sudoku, where meaning emerges from absence. For her, these games reflect the nature of the Void—how the blanks and gaps in the world reveal deeper truths.
Music: Nia prefers instrumental and folk music, often played on traditional instruments like the hurdy-gurdy, harp, bagpipes, and gongs. These sounds connect her to her roots and evoke the mysticism of her homeland.
Tattoo: She has a small, discreet tattoo of a black star on her left ankle. Its meaning is known only to a few—it is a mark to guide her footsteps on the Path of Eitrú.
Minimalist Living: Despite having access to modern comforts, Nia leads a minimalist lifestyle. She values simplicity in her possessions, believing that material clutter distracts from spiritual clarity.
Summoner of Monsters: Whispers abound in Nibelheim about Bahamut's connection to the monsters lurking in the mists. Some say that as the Regalia of the Void, Nyx has the power to summon and control these ancient beasts, leading them to do her bidding.
S O C I A L
To be developed during interactions with other characters. 
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