#gold attribute

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Shining Nikki 4th Anniversary!

Hello, Shining Designers! The 4th anniversary of the game is coming up, and the game devs did not disappoint with the livestream. Our anni hell is...

Whale's Fall: Flowers Bloom

I saw the announcement last year for the CN/TW anniversary livestream, and I was amazed by how beautiful the suits are! So much detail in each dress, and who would've guessed they'd make an entire outfit based on a dying whale?

The story is an emotional one. It takes place right after Vol. 3, Ch. 5, when you and Nikki return to the Ark to find everything...strangely silent.

(Fun Fact: If you go to the main page for Vol. 3, Ch. 5 right now, there's an icon for Flowers Bloom, but when you tap on the icon, it brings up the story for Sin Flower instead. It will probably update when the hell event officially comes.)

We also received three Redeem Codes! Make sure you use them soon. The first code, CHERISHEDMEMORIES, gives you:

-1000 pink gems

-777 stamina

-1,000,000 gold

-10 World Flower (the hell currency)

-20 Fantasy Tickets

-50 Refresh Cards

-12 UR Concept Shards

-100 SSR Concept Shards

-20 Memory Track

The second code is WHALESFALL, and it gives you:

-1000 pink gems

-250 stamina

-1,000,000 gold

-5 World Flower

-20 Fantasy Tickets

-50 Refresh Cards

-380 R Memory Keys

-128 SR Memory Keys

-10 SSR Concept Shards

And our last redeem code is FLOWERSBLOOM, which gives you:

-1000 pink gems

-250 stamina

-1,000,000 gold

(And in case you missed it on their other social media platforms, we have 4 extra Redeem Codes. Each of these gives an extra 100 pink gems and 500,000 gold)

-GEMS4U

-3KISSES

-BORN2SHINE

-1ANDONLY

The hosts also shared some fun stats from the past year:

-Stylists have greeted Nikki in the morning 3,559,882 times and in the evening 2,391,244 times.

-Stylists have bought Nikki 7,273,585 movie tickets, which is about 19,927 movies per day. (What movie do you think is her favorite?)

-Stylists introduced 131,898,138 outfits to Nikki's Closet at Home.

(And then an animated ad for Momo Jeans.)

-The top UR suits last year were:

--Gilded Shackles - Yisu (Time Corridor season 5)

--Windrest Woods - Aloysius (free anniversary suit)

--A Boat in Smoky Rain (collab)

-The top SSR suits last year were:

--Glorious Heart - Ophelia (New Chapter of the Glory event)

--Sparkling Dream - Dodora (free Rookie Road suit)

--Twinkle Twinkle - Leonid (first suit)

-The top makeup pieces last year were:

--Rose Liquid Balm (R rarity, lipstick)

--Spoiled Bunny (UR rarity, adornment - cheeks)

--Honeyed Brew (SSR rarity, reflection)

-Stylists have posted 295,873 stylings to the main menu.

-The most popular interactive scenes were:

--Crystal Stairway

--Twinkling Rhythms

--Parade Time

And then, the grand showcase of the anniversary suits:

-Vast Blossom - Nikki

--Attribute: Pink/Sweet

--Rarity: UR (special)

--Awakened Suit: Cradle Era

-Whales Toward Sea - Aeon and Marina

--Attribute: Gold/Elegant

--Rarity: UR

--Awakened Suit: Cosmic Melody

(You might have seen Older Marina before, as the designer for the top-up suit Broken & Chainsaw. It's her only Sexy attribute suit, because now she's an adult. Her "growth spurt" actually comes from the anniversary event.)

There were three lucky draws for those who watched the livestream.

-Lucky Draw #1: WHALESANDFLOWERS

--Rewards: 20 winners receive 1200 pink gems

-Lucky Draw #2: SHININGDRESS

--Rewards: 1 of 5 new IRL dresses from Shining Nikki

-Lucky Draw #3: BESTNIKKI

--Rewards: 3 winners receive 3600 pink gems

And like last year, Paper got two real-life designers to make pieces for Shining Nikki's anniversary. The first is Angie Wu, a jewelry artist who made a breathtaking opal necklace inspired by Nikki's blooming dress.

You want to know the best part? This is the grand prize for the Ocean Reverie fanart contest! Only one lucky person can claim this necklace, so get your creative energies flowing now.

The second designer is Valentine Moon, and she spent countless hours sewing and crafting a cosplay version of Nikki's flower dress!

The voice actors for Nikki and Momo, Emma Ballantine and Emma Tate respectively, share their anniversary wishes, and then we get a new single to end the livestream!

A lot of amazing things to look forward to! I hope you have a wonderful anniversary, Shining Designers!

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Nikki: Peachy Dream

Designer's Reflection: Peachy Dream

Obtained: anniversary welfare

Rarity: SSR

Attribute: Gold/Elegant

Awakened Suit: Peachy Moonstrike

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Fragrant Letter

Chapter 2 - Heartfelt Prayer

Chapter 3 - Spring Awakening

Chapter 4 - Eternal Moment

Story - summarized

Nikki gets a letter in the mail asking to be a volunteer for a lantern-making group at Deer Park in Cloudcrest. It marks the anniversary of when you two met, and you all agree to go.

Also inside the letter were some peach blossoms, so she gets the idea to make that the theme for this year's anniversary. At Deer Park, she leads everyone in gathering and crushing peach blossoms for dye for the lanterns. Yexiao and Helz happen to be passing by, and they decide to join the activity, with everyone writing their wishes on paper strips and attaching them to the lanterns.

It goes so well that the staff at Deer Park ask if Nikki and you would like to help them at their booth in Zither River. You both share good food, warm memories, and a night of fireworks as you release your lanterns along the river.

Connections

-Cloudcrest is the first Cloud town we visit in Shining Nikki, in Vol. 1, Ch. 4. She met Qin Yi for the first time and almost lost Joy to his schemes for Leonid's Manuscript.

-Deer Park is where little Qin Yi and Luming (first as a deer) meet and comfort each other, as shown in the Wishes on the Cloud event. They huddled together in the freezing winter and shared fruits that were hard to peel.

-The first time we visit Zither River in the game is during the Zither River Night event, where we go with Loen to watch the fireworks, and he shares memories of encountering a magic fox.

-As Nikki listens to the singer at Zither River, she remembers meeting Aphrodia at a tavern and learning about one of her past "lives" in Cloud, during Reedpipes of Old. Aphrodia decided that she would try being a singer in Cloud, and she met a cute songwriter in Reedpipe Song.

Fun Facts

-This is the first Cloud-inspired anniversary dress for Shining Nikki.

-In the Wishes on the Cloud event, Yexiao's Thousand Dreams suit is inspired by peach blossoms, too. No story connection, but it's interesting that the two peach blossom suits have stories in Cloudcrest.

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Fidel: Iris Dream

Designer's Reflection: Iris Dream

Obtained: workshop for Vol. 2 Ch. 9

Rarity: SR

Attribute: Gold/Elegant

Awakened Suit: Iris Love

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Dignified Work

Chapter 2 - Napping Queen

Chapter 3 - My Invitation Letter

Story - summarized

The budget for the upcoming Cicial Idol contest heavily favors Mercury Era. Fidel brings up this issue to the other officers at the Ministry of Finance, but no one listens to him. Of course, the Minister of Finance himself was selected from Mercury's men, so everything the minister does is biased.

Fidel worries how this will affect Ninir, but to stop him from pestering the ministry further, the Minister of Finance sends Fidel to a tea party at the royal palace in his place. He's not surprised to find that none of the senior officers have come to the tea party; instead, they sent underlings like Fidel.

Everyone leaves when the Queen takes forever to appear. Fidel shuffles through the gardens - he hears a young woman singing. He recognizes the song: it's from Starheaven.

The Queen had been relaxing in the garden, humming to herself. She's impressed that he recognized the song. He surprises her further by claiming the "power of beauty" belongs to Ninir, and that it is important that everyone from the different ministries should know Ninir culture.

The next day, the Queen sends a letter to Fidel, inviting her to another tea party at the palace, and also promoting him to Minister of Culture. He accepts without hesitation.

Connections

-Fidel isn't the first person to be seduced by Lilith's looks and charms. In Voice of Desire, most of the officials fawned over her - even though she is sixteen years old and much younger than any of them. That didn't stop her, though, from tempting the old men to her advantage.

-In the garden, Fidel notes that Lilith's beauty is "too good to be true." She made a deal with Nightbane after the sabotaged Starheaven Swan pageant to become the most beautiful person in the world to earn everyone's love.

-The "stars shining in Lilith's eyes" also appeared in her Reflection Abyss of Stars, when she met Nolan, a violinist who played for her until he wasted away to death. He was smitten by the "starlight in her eyes" and was obsessed with composing the best song for Lilith.

-Mercury started infiltrating the Ninir government after the earthquake from the Angel/Demon hell event. Once the Goddess of Desire was defeated, he decided to ensure his own power the same way he did in Pigeon when his sister was crowned in Elves' Elegy: placing his own men in positions of power to sway politics to favor Mercury's businesses.

Fun Facts

-Fidel's name comes from the word "fidelity," which means "loyalty."

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Envoy of Elegant: Wenren Dian

The next Envoy that we meet in the game is none other than the Mountain Hermit himself, Wenren Dian.

His Attribute is Elegant, and is represented by the color gold. His style is most influenced by Cloud.

Whether enjoying a cup of tea or indulging in a history book, elegance is found in quiet moments of peace or meditation. Wenren himself is drawn to civilization, how humans create structure and legacy. Some people, like Jiang Xitong, regard civilization as something of the past to preserve and respect, but culture is more than just tradition. It's a living part of society, and it changes and grows as we learn more about the world.

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Modric: Spring Chant

Designer's Reflection: Spring Chant

Obtained: top-up for Valentine's Concerto event

Rarity: SR

Attribute: Gold/Elegant

Awakened Suit: Graceful Music

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Opera Invitation

Chapter 2 - Dressing Etiquette

Chapter 3 - Intoxicated Slumber

Story - summarized

For all his hard work on the Valentine Music Festival, Modric is gifted two tickets to the opera by Queen Ophelia. And it's for one of his favorites, too.

The downside is, his theater buddy is Yeeso.

First, the Justiciar arrives late, and worse, he's wearing a hoodie and jeans. Modric's parents taught him to respect all forms of art with the way he dresses, so he is astounded that Yeeso thought this form of attire is okay.

Yeeso doesn't even like musicals, but he wants to spend time with Modric. Unfortunately, once the two are inside, Yeeso falls asleep immediately during the opera. Modric still focuses on the heart-wrenching plot of a family trying to undo a curse on them all. The melodies are beautiful, the story is gripping... the moment is ruined. By Yeeso's snoring.

After the musical, Yeeso wakes up and still wants to hang out with Modric, who is so fed up that he just wants to go home. The next morning, he receives a box from Yeeso containing a rare record that Modric has been searching for. Yeeso also writes a note saying that he felt bad he ruined the experience for Modric, and to "please accept this token of apology."

Modric never wants to spend the day with him again... but he can accept this apology, and the rare gift.

Connections

-Modric mentions in the Index that he should invite Nikki as a guest next time. While she's never watched an opera, she's been in a concert (Before the Dawn) and theater plays (Flower and Jenny, Green Pastoral), so she probably would love giving another form of stage productions a chance.

-This isn't the first time Yeeso has gotten in trouble with someone over video games. In Iced Coke, he stole an in-game power up from Corleone during a tournament, and when the two met in person for training, Corleone beat up Yeeso.

-Yeeso finds opera boring, but he still takes the stage in Randy's Accordion, where he stars as a musician longing to play his own music to his heart's content. He was actually recommended by Modric to perform as Randy, so this may be his way of reconciling with Yeeso.

Fun Facts

-This is the first (and probably only time) Modric and Yeeso hang out alone.

-Yeeso wants nothing to do with his noble family or his title, but he likes using that privilege to get things to go his way.

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Nikki: Cloud Sparrows

Designer's Reflection: Cloud Sparrows

Obtained: Memory Stairway

Rarity: SR

Attribute:

Awakened Suit: Pavilion Sparrows

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Swallows Between Beams

Chapter 2 - Travel on a Boat

Chapter 3 - Return with Spring

Story - summarized

While sketching at her desk, Nikki spots a couple of swallows flying outside. The birds chirp and soar, coming back to their birthplace for the spring. It reminds Nikki of another springtime that was made special by the swallows.

It was her first time volunteering for the Cultural Festival. Her job was to take photos of the guests and guide them around the town. A lady and a little child asked Nikki to be their tour guide... but as they rode the boat along the river, Nikki noticed that the lady didn't need any help pointing out the landmarks.

One of the last stops was at a market. One of the crafters was a paper cutter, and he quickly made a red swallow for the child. The mother gazed nostalgically at the paper bird. But Nikki never got the chance to ask more.

Finally, she made it home. As she told her family about her first day volunteering, she spotted the Cultural Festival being featured in the news on TV - and the lady was the first one they interviewed! She had grown up in that town, and she came back to show her child where the mom grew up.

Connections

-Another Reflection that takes place in spring and involves a homecoming is Yexiao's Spring Forest. Back when she lived in the village of Banyan, she met a boy named Fei, and they would paint together under the banyan tree. Years later, after the village was destroyed, Fei spots Yexiao painting in a greenhouse in the city.

Fun Facts

-Despite this Reflection being titled "Cloud Sparrows," the story is actually about swallows. The two birds differ in appearance, diet, and location. You can learn more here.

-Swallows aren't the only animal to return to their birthplace. Salmon, sea turtles, and puffins are examples of other animals that partake in natal homing.

-It's interesting that the mother got the red paper swallow at the festival, since red is traditionally associated with luck and the New Year in China.

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Celina: Moonlight Vow

Designer's Reflection: Moonlight Vow

Obtained: Dream Reflection hell event

Rarity: UR

Attribute: Gold/Elegant

Awakened Suit: Twilight Promise

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Morning Dew Blues

Chapter 2 - White Moon of the Night

Chapter 3 - Wedding in a Dream

Chapter 4 - Bloodied Golden Key

Chapter 5 - Shadow of the Witch

Story - summarized

On a gloomy morning, the baron of the forest approaches Celina and proposes to her. She doesn't understand why he would want to marry a commoner like her, but she accepts. Now, instead of a social outcast, she is on her way to the castle to prepare for her wedding.

But everything seems gloomy, dusty, and dark. If the baron has been living here, why does it seem empty and uncared for? To add to the mystery, the baron has a set of golden keys, but only one of them is forbidden to Celina. He demands that she stay away from the door at the end of the hallway.

Soon, Celina settles in, making the most of her time here. She adores the smell of blue roses, and she admires the golden decor. Finally, she falls asleep, dreaming of a beautiful, happy wedding.

A witch appears, turning it into a nightmare. No one knows where she came from or why she is here, but Celina wakes up frightened. Even worse, she had been sleepwalking and ended up right in front of the forbidden door, key in hand. Reluctantly, she opens the door.

Inside the room stand a bunch of mirrors. One of them shows Celina a vision of her mother being tortured and killed by the townsfolk. They cried out that her mother was a witch, that she deserved this.

The baron sneaks up behind Celina, interrupting the vision. He's about to attack her - the Night Witch bursts from the dark mirror. She defeats the baron, and poor Celina is trapped in an enchanted sleep. Hopefully, when she awakes, she can save her poor fiancé.

Connections

-Celina is Cersei's ancestor. We don't know how many generations back, but at the end of the Dream Reflection hell event, Cersei reveals that the two of them are family.

-During the hell event, we find out that Celina and the Night Witch are the same person. This Reflection is about Celina trying to fit in and repress any desires or "quirks" she has, while the Night Witch's side of the story shows her true thoughts and feelings.

Fun Facts

-Celina's story is partly inspired by the folktale Bluebeard, where the bride-to-be unlocks the one door she's forbidden from and discovers the horrible secret of Lord Bluebeard.

-When Celina dreams of her wedding, this is the song she imagines playing: Mendelssohn's Wedding March.

-In the mirror, Celina has a vision of her mother's death. Unfortunately, witch burnings were common in European and colonial American settings. It didn't matter if the person accused of being a witch was actually kind or helped around the village - any accusation of magic was enough to sentence you to torture or death.

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Aphrodia: Reedpipe Song

Designer's Reflection: Reedpipe Song

Obtained: Reedpipes of Old event

Rarity: SSR

Attribute: Gold/Elegant

Awakened Suit: River Chant

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Overture

Chapter 2 - Sonata

Chapter 3 - Rondo

Chapter 4 - Echoes

Story - summarized

For her newest reincarnation, Aphrodia wants to be a singer in Cloud. She gets a job as a tavern singer, and she has an amazing voice - except she improvises too much, ignoring the original song.

But the audience loves her anyway, from her exquisite voice to her unmatched beauty. One member of the audience, a young composer, bumps into her after one of her shows, and he tells her that while her voice is good and the love songs are good, she is still off-tune.

Aphrodia doesn't care. She just wants to sing about love. So, the composer spends a week crafting a song just for her. When she goes to sing, she doesn't improvise at all; she loves the song as it is.

The composer tries to confess his feelings, but Aphrodia is oblivious. So, he just lurks in the shadows as she sings.

Thirty years later, Aphrodia comes back to the tavern. The old keeper is still there, and her dress she wore performing that love song is still there. And to her surprise, the composer is there as well! She is happy to see him, even if his memory was failing. But she was able to get another song that he wrote, and this time, she is acutely aware of how much this man loved her.

Connections

-Aphrodia is the Goddess of Love, and Nikki and friends first meet her at Wintermount during the Wedding Day hell event.

-This isn't the only story of unrequited love. Ashley had a crush on the boy Joseph in Meteoric Oath, but once he saw her face, he ditched her.

Fun Facts

-Three of the chapter titles (Overture, Sonata, Rondo) are names of different types of songs.

-Aphrodia is based on the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, Sex, and Beauty.