Nivon would find a little box left outside his door. Inside would be a small necklace handmade from rope, spelling out in Daedric runes the word "Stories". Next to it would be a small note: "Never forget your favorite adventures. -D.N."
Nivon looks at the note for a minute or two, then folds it back up and puts it in his coat pocket. He takes the necklace out, swings it around his index finger a couple times absentmindedly, wrapping it twice over his left wrist.
When he gets home, he unfolds the letter and flattens it onto his dinner table. He leans over from his stool and kisses the initials gently.
16. What does your character do for a living? How do they see their profession? What do they like about it? Dislike?
He’s a spellbook merchant, mostly writing up and selling common spells. He knows it’s a pretty easy job, but he tries to deny that, both to himself and others, saying it’s difficult. He likes how flexible it is, and how he can do the writing part, at least, at home. He dislikes having to talk people into buying spellbooks in the Markarth streets (much more difficult than Morrowind, because people actively resent magic in Skyrim).
His side gig is storytelling. There’s not a single thing he dislikes about it.
17. Did they travel? Where? Why? When?
He’s been to Morrowind, Skyrim, and Cyrodiil, living in the first two. He’s only passed through Cyrodiil once in 4E 7, but he spent a significant time them in Nibenay. maybe he eventually also goes to high rock eee
18. What did they find abroad, and what did they remember?
He loves little trinkets, so he tried to buy something at independent stores in each city he visited.
He mostly remembers the interesting people he meets and the weird experiences he has rather than historical/important landmarks he goes to (which he tries not to visit anyway because they bore him).
19. What were your character’s deepest disillusions? In life? What are they now?
Nivon gets let down a lot when he gets used to things, so it’s hard to distinguish that from actual disillusionment. He wanted to open a stand so much, and saved every spare septim, but a few days after he got it it seemed more like a chore. That just happens.
20. What were the most deeply impressive political or social, national or international, events that they experienced?
The Nerevarine prophecy and the Red Year, mostly. The Nerevarine raided his family’s home, so they had to pack up and go, which personally affected him. However, the Red Year impacted him in that he had solidarity with other Dunmer he came into contact with, so after the shock wore off, it became more of a topic of conversation.
21. What are your character’s manners like? What is their type of hero? Whom do they hate?
Manners aren’t something he’s great or skilled at. He prefers to act naturally than be conscious of everything he does and work to change his mannerisms, etc.
His favorite type of hero is the “charming scoundrel.” When he tries to sound heroic, this is the type he emulates.
He most hates stuck-up and pretentious people, people who are restrained, and people who are incredibly productive. Some of these are more of a resent than a hate.
22. Who are their friends? Lovers? ‘Type’ or ‘ideal’ partner?
He’s friends with the other patrons of the inn he frequents and the guy who sells bread in the mornings next to him. He also likes having mutual friends.
He doesn’t have too much of a type for romantic partners, at least physically; he’s willing to try any partner who he likes at first or who shows interest in him. He was always encouraged by his parents to date Telvanni, even after he came out, since his family has a history of marrying into them.
23. What do they want from a partner? What do they think and feel of sex?
He wants someone who will steadily stay in his life. Emotional and sexual closeness isn’t top on the list for him, it’s really just having someone to fall back on, someone who likes him a lot and is willing to keep him in his life. He’s also more interested in actual relationships than flings or one-night-stands. Sex is something he definitely wants from a relationship, but not the only thing. In his opinion, love definitely has to involve good sex, but if it’s only that, it doesn’t mean anything anymore.
24. What social groups and activities does your character attend? What role do they like to play? What role do they actually play, usually?
Not too many. He’s not exactly what you’d call social. A good evening for him is walking somewhere alone. He does like drinking at one of the inns in Markarth, but he prefers to do it alone. People see him as a brother, or a son, or a cousin, but he doesn’t like roles.
25. What are their hobbies and interests?
Writing, storytelling, exploring weird backwoods, sitting in his house drinking hard cider? Nothing ambitious.
26. What does your character’s home look like? Personal taste? Clothing? Hair? Appearance?
The part of his home that belongs to him is incredibly messy. His clothes aren’t hung up properly and his bed isn’t made. It’s definitely a contrast to everyone else’s spaces in the home. He wears tight jackets, mostly, with a belt and reinforced pants. His hair is reddish-brown and slightly past shoulder-length, with the edges singed and asymmetrical.
Shoulder To Shoulder Around The Fire - Rogue Valley
The Engine Driver - The Decemberists
Spark - Violents
Moodboard (I made this a while ago but it still stands):
Outfits:
top bottom outerwear shoes accessory accessory 2
Quotes:
1 2
Written Aesthetic:
breathing painfully at high elevation but still being able to appreciate the crisp smell, waking up and realizing that this is the reality you live in, eating the last bite of food you’ll have for a while and knowing it, dust, leaving behind all you know.
