Noctin lore stuff that I worked too hard on to not share:
Noctin Intro:
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Name: Noctin Miaoxi Lapis (Miaoxi is STC if I can find a good name. I do not remember why I picked Miaoxi)
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Background: The accidental son of two archons, born from a flower and a dance. Cursed by the Heavens to punish his parents for his sins, his true power is sealed away forever, unless he can break the curse.
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Parents: Barbatos/Morax (Less than a decade before the Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah)
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Curse explanation:
- Seals away:
- The ability to use both his natural elements at one time (Anemo/Geo); forces him to choose between one or the other.
- Most of his shapeshifting abilities: He's allowed to change his appearance in little ways (Hair color, facial structure, height, blemishes/freckles, muscle mass). He cannot change his eye color (Teal for when he's linked to Anemo and gold for Geo), and he cannot fully disguise his sharp canines or his pointed ears. He cannot access his dragon or windspirit forms, partially, wholly, or in combination. He cannot shift into a non-humanoid shape.
- He is occasionally inflicted with bouts of severe, debilitating pain and weakness. These fits can last from 5 minutes to a whole day.
- He is unable to directly tell close friends of his curse, for they will meet their end. (If they discover the secret on their own, they usually survive. Noctin doesn't know this)
- There is a secret safeguard, placed by a being not yet known (meaning I haven't found a good scapegoat but I am considering Nicole). A True Love's kiss, a simple and time-honored solution. (Noctin has dismissed this as a silly and juvenile option in the past, especially considering the Heavens bring an end to any he dares to consider a lover.)
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Weapon proficiencies: Polearm (main) and Bow (secondary)
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Current occupation: Currently resides in The Fortress of Meropide, serving as the Administrative Assistant/Bodyguard of the Duke.
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Age: Claims to be 26. Is closer to 526.
Noctin Info:
History and Background:
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Noctin grew up in the mountains of Liyue, close to Cloud Retainer and the other Adepti. He is well acquainted with Xiao and Ganyu, and considers them both mentors and family (Xiao he calls "brother" and Ganyu he refers to as a cousin). Noctin very occasionally made appearances through recent Liyuen history as an unnamed Adeptal general, sometimes serving close to Rex Lapis, and other times as a distant aid in times of trouble.
Noctin doesn't know Venti/Barbatos very well, as Morax did not tell Barbatos about their shared child until the day the Heavens cursed Noctin and threw him at Venti's feet. Additionally, Barbatos' long sleeps through history did not grant any more of a bond, and only in recent years has he been awake and trying to amend things with his son.
Noctin has spent the last two and a half centuries roaming Teyvat, looking for ways to break his curse, even going so far as to enroll in the Sumeru Akademiya more than once. He returned to Liyue for some time after having no breakthroughs, cementing himself as Zhongli's son, before leaving again shortly before the chaos of the Final Rite of Descension and Morax's "death". He traveled aimlessly for a few months, but found himself in Fontaine. He entered the Palais Mermonia in search of employment, and passed several tests administered by the Hydro Archon Furina and the Iudex Neuvillette. In the end, he was assigned to assist the Duke of Meropide down in the Fortress, as well as to serve as his protection should the circumstances arise.
Fun facts:
- Noctin is quick and precise with Administrative work. Multiple rounds at the akademiya, as well as assisting Morax in the past, have curated this skillset, which makes him Wriothesley's best asset when the paperwork gets dense.
- Noctin prefers long sleeved and covering clothes to hide his supernatual markings and curse seal.
- Noctin speaks smoothly, steadily, and doesn't use contractions (I use this as a literary device to help his dialogue stand out a bit when I write). There are exceptions: When he is surprised, angry, shocked, or otherwise off guard.
- Noctin considers Zibai his "Aunt" in a respectful way, until Venti reveals that she may truly be his aunt. Either way, he calls her Aunty Zibai any time he sees her
- Noctin takes time off every year for Lantern Rite, but typically stays in the mountains or in out of the way corners.
- Noctin avoids Traveler on purpose, knowing that Traveler can easily figure out his secrets, and as he is unaware of the loophole in his curse, worries for the Traveler's well-being should they discover the connections between Morax and Barbatos run deeper than anyone guessed.
- Noctin does have a deity persona in Mondstadt: a nameless, faceless, elegant young woman who aids the harvests and occasionally appears near Barbatos. For the most part, this deity is considered nothing but a myth, but Barbara holds the sacred texts and knows the truth. Like how Jean knows Venti is Barbatos, Barbara has guessed that Noctin is this mystery woman.
- While Noctin usually comes across as well-mannered, polite, and altogether unamused by chaos, he does show mischeivous tendencies when he's comfortable around someone. A dry, teasing remark, or a simple prank of moving something out of reach with a gust of Anemo, things passed off as "accidents" or totally truthful remarks.
- Noctin technically is classified as genderfluid, as that's something that changes with his shifting (obviously), but typically he prefers to present as male.
