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Description
Associated PC: Kveta Aygul
Primary NPC
dates/age as of 1891

Name: Aleksi Khilkov

Age: 327 (born roughly May 3rd, 1125; entered Sybal Heim in 1590)

Physical Age: 27

Height: 6'1

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Green

Relationships:
- Kveta Aygul (Lover, main associated character)
- Andrei Khilkov (younger brother, NPC)

Faction: Disciple

Aleksi firmly believes he left his old life behind. He did so once, already, leaving his family's estate and going on his own before rejoining with his brother and coming to the City. What's done is done, and the past cannot be altered. Anyone who thinks so is a fool, and Aleksi has no patience for their sort. The only way is forward, and the City's barriers are clearly defined. What's the point in beating one's head against a brick wall? Furthermore, he has his own life and reputation within Sybal Heim. He is his own man, no family title or past shames to stick to him and dictate his actions. The way he sees it, Basileus gave him a great gift.

Occupation: Jeweler (Trinket Repairman/Maker)

Being born a noble, Aleksi was never a stranger to intricate finery. Jewelry, decorative pieces for clothing, armor, various household items, and so on; his mental catalogue grows ever larger as newer citizens bring more modern pieces with them. At night, he will often scavenge the City and its surrounding fields and forest to find lost trinkets, anything from earrings to pocket watches, all the way down to little bits and pieces, and take them back to his shop to work on in the daylight hours. If someone comes forward to claim a lost piece, and can prove it is theirs, he gives it back--with a small charge to cover any repairs he has made. If not, he simply refurbishes them and sells them amongst his original wares.

Aleksi takes great pride in his handiwork. He finds happiness in spending long hours using his hands, focusing, shutting out outside distractions, and entering his own strange brand of meditation. This, he feels, is his passion. In this case, passion certainly pays the bills.

Sybal Form: Green Man's Wake

Towering at an impressive 8-foot at his shoulder, Aleksi's sybal is both intimidating and powerful in presence. His elk-skull head, complete with velvety ears, is crowned by two mighty antlers made of tree branches, which will, depending on the season, sometimes sport leaves, blossoms, or even small fruits or nuts. The Wake's body is the color of rich, dark soil, where it is not covered in greenery. If one were to touch the bare spots on his body, they might find small specks of dirt or hints of moss on their hands afterwards, as he is not covered in usual skin or fur. The mane and ridge down his spine are not made of hair, but instead healthy vegetation consisting of various sorts of leaves--though moss is almost always present.

His build is a bizarre cross between that of a stag and a sighthound--the two animals found on his immediate family's crest. Long legs and a deep chest allow the Wake to reach great speeds when necessary, even if he does prefer to walk slowly. The bottom of his feet, which are neither strictly hooves or paws, look surprisingly dainty for a creature of his mass. Also, he sports a long, vine-like tail, which aids in his balance.

Sybal Power: Golden Frondescence

The Wake's power, in the simplest of terms, is the spontaneous growth of plantlife. However, what makes this sybal's power stand out from other plant-based individuals is that Aleksi's abilities are unconscious, emotionally-influenced, and literally golden. From the bare flesh on the undersides on his feet, and his skull, Aleksi can sprout gold vegetation wherever he touches. As he walks, this produces a distinct trail. Upon lifting his foot, the plants that have begun growing will immediately fade from gold to a natural green, as well as shrink or even wilt entirely depending on how fertile the surface is. For example, some moss and small sprouds or buds may remain on City streets, whereas the fields or forest may allow a plant to remain intact.

The sorts of plants the Wake produces are based off of his emotions. If one is familiar with the language of flowers, a common device especially amongst Victorian culture, they can easily read his mood based off of what is sprouting either under his touch, or on his very body. A sulking Wake may sprout mushrooms and lichen, whereas anger brings thorns, and joy could be a vibrant cluster of daisies. He has no control over what he grows, much to his own embarrassment.

If he is injured at night, Aleksi's blood will appear to be made of molten gold--the same glow as his plants. As with his plants, however, his blood will quickly turn red once it leaves the original source. This does come in handy for any medically-inclined sybals, should he need patching up; at least the wound will be easy to find.

Docile or Feral: Feral

As mentioned above, Aleksi's mood plays a crucial role in his sybal's power. During the nighttime hours, he feels much more freely and expresses himself much more openly than he would during the day. As such, during conversations with other sybals, flourishes of various plants will perk up beneath his feet and on his body in accordance to how his heart and head instinctly respond. This has led to a few embarrassing moments, and is partly why Aleksi tends to keep to himself on most nights.

His relationship with Kveta, however, has changed that--to a degree. His lack of control over his emotions at night makes it practically impossible to deny how much he cares for the woman. The Wake and the Sphinx can be spotted together several nights a week, the Wake sprouting roses wherever he goes at her side. If one is close enough, they might even catch him reciting some rather sentimental poems to his lady.

Personality:

+ Perfectionist, Trustworthy, Romantic (only with Kveta)
- Stubborn, Proud, Disorganized (he operates under 'organized chaos')
+/- Reserved, Intelligent, Quiet

Don't expect to become friends quickly with Aleksi. He can be civil and polite, but quickly grows impatient and bored with those who have little of value to say. Even his brother, Andrei, sometimes finds himself on Aleksi's short-tempered side. The man is a workaholic, and hates to be disturbed mid-task, with very, very limited exceptions. He is, however, very intelligent and well-read, and has great pride in how he handles his work and personal appearance under the public eye. The man's work desk and living space, however, are rather clustered and chaotic; Aleksi has some minor packrat tendencies.

A very important point on Aleksi: he is selectively mute. Due to events in his past that led to a great deal of shame, Aleksi put himself to a sort of vow of silence. This was broken when he was reunited with Andrei, but only with Andrei, until they both entered Sybal Heim. Even within the City, Aleksi often chooses not to speak to someone unless he either deems it necessary, or he feels they have 'earned' his opinions. If someone goes blabbering on about nonsense, or tries to chat him up without good reason, he will ignore them entirely. Expect a lot of interesting expressions or hand gestures, should he not feel up to talking.

History:

Born into the Russian noble Khilkov family, Aleksi was the second son born to his parents. The lands of the Zalesye, also known as the Opolye, served as the center for the growing nation of Kievan Rus' (aka, medieval Russia). With plentiful fields for the incoming waves of Slavic farmers, the Khilkov family held a wealthy and well-respected estate in the newly established Starodub-on-the-Klyazma, the most urbanized center at the time. In short, he was destined for a life of power and luxury.

Aleksi was one of the quieter children, but he was close with his parents and siblings. In total, there were five children in his immediate family: Vladmir, the first born, set to inherit their father's title; Svetlana, the oldest sister; Andrei, the third son born, born after Aleksi, and also his closest companion and confidant; and Elizaveta, the very youngest and, aside from Andrei, most energetic of the bunch. Aleksi spent most of his time either training to take his place as the eventual right-hand of his household, and bonding with his siblings. Despite loving them all dearly, Andrei was his favorite sibling.

And it was events dealing with Andrei that would eventually bring Aleksi's life as a Russian nobleman to a close.

There was rising pressure from the Mongols, seeking to invade Kievan Rus' from the east, and occasional skirmishes with the Ottoman Turks from the southwest. Aleksi's father and uncles had already managed to deter both forces upon multiple occasions, yet there were still flickers of conflict. To celebrate Aleksi's twenty-seventh birthday, a hunt was organized during what was deemed a moment of peace. Mongol spies had infiltrated the area, however, and made an attack. Aleksi took an arrow intended for his youngest brother, and in doing so nearly lost his left arm. The spies were dealt with swiftly, and there were no casualties, but Aleksi blamed himself for the incident, as he had taken charge of patrol duties just the day before, and had failed to see the signs of intruders. In the months after, though the wound in his arm healed, Aleksi forced himself into an oath of silence out of shame for nearly getting his brother killed, and putting several members of the family in danger. Six months after, Aleksi left the family, resigning his duties and title to a cousin he felt was far more qualified, and disappeared with little more than a long, regretful letter bidding his family farewell.

Two years passed, in which Aleksi spent his time roaming the nearby city-states and finding whatever simple labor he could. After all, as a noble, he had been trained for leadership and combat, but little else. It was during this time he took a brief, several-month-long apprenticeship under a metalsmith, watching the man work and slowly cultivating what would become his future occupation.

It was a long, lonely two years, until Andrei appeared out of thin air, and promised to travel wherever his brother went. The two brothers reuinted, as close as ever--though Aleksi has yet to truly confess just how deeply the incident with the Mongol spies frightened and scarred him--and eventually found themselves facing the Traveller's Wood. Side by side, they entered the City together, and have never once regretted that decision.

Additional Info:
- Aleksi is a Taurus.
- A narcoleptic insomniac. Aleksi will stay awake for ridiculous lengths of time, only to pass out whenever and wherever his body deems it necessary. It isn't uncommon to find him asleep at his work desk, with whatever project he is currently working on within arm's reach.
- He never had a long-term relationship with any woman until he met Kveta. He considers her his equal in every way.
- The flowers he sprouts specifically for Kveta are Turkish roses.
- He likes rainy nights. The water helps his plants.
- Voice claim is Armie Hammer's role as Ilya from "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." movie.
- Leading up to the Gala, he created a very special ring that he keeps hidden in a very secret spot in his home. He has no intentions of selling it. It's meant for only one woman, when the time is right, and he hopes beyond hope that she will say "yes" when he asks.
- He did already give Kveta a copy of his family's ring, the one bearing his crest, as a sign of his affections. He's greatly encouraged by the fact that she wears it daily.
- Sometimes acorns or pinecones will form on his antlers during the fall and winter months. They make a rather loud sound when they fall and bounce off of his head. He isn't fond of the noise nor the feeling.
- Boy likes shiny things. He's a bit of a magpie.

Description
Associated PC: Kveta Aygul
Primary NPC
dates/age as of 1891

Name: Aleksi Khilkov

Age: 327 (born roughly May 3rd, 1125; entered Sybal Heim in 1590)

Physical Age: 27

Height: 6'1

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Green

Relationships:
- Kveta Aygul (Lover, main associated character)
- Andrei Khilkov (younger brother, NPC)

Faction: Disciple

Aleksi firmly believes he left his old life behind. He did so once, already, leaving his family's estate and going on his own before rejoining with his brother and coming to the City. What's done is done, and the past cannot be altered. Anyone who thinks so is a fool, and Aleksi has no patience for their sort. The only way is forward, and the City's barriers are clearly defined. What's the point in beating one's head against a brick wall? Furthermore, he has his own life and reputation within Sybal Heim. He is his own man, no family title or past shames to stick to him and dictate his actions. The way he sees it, Basileus gave him a great gift.

Occupation: Jeweler (Trinket Repairman/Maker)

Being born a noble, Aleksi was never a stranger to intricate finery. Jewelry, decorative pieces for clothing, armor, various household items, and so on; his mental catalogue grows ever larger as newer citizens bring more modern pieces with them. At night, he will often scavenge the City and its surrounding fields and forest to find lost trinkets, anything from earrings to pocket watches, all the way down to little bits and pieces, and take them back to his shop to work on in the daylight hours. If someone comes forward to claim a lost piece, and can prove it is theirs, he gives it back--with a small charge to cover any repairs he has made. If not, he simply refurbishes them and sells them amongst his original wares.

Aleksi takes great pride in his handiwork. He finds happiness in spending long hours using his hands, focusing, shutting out outside distractions, and entering his own strange brand of meditation. This, he feels, is his passion. In this case, passion certainly pays the bills.

Sybal Form: Green Man's Wake

Towering at an impressive 8-foot at his shoulder, Aleksi's sybal is both intimidating and powerful in presence. His elk-skull head, complete with velvety ears, is crowned by two mighty antlers made of tree branches, which will, depending on the season, sometimes sport leaves, blossoms, or even small fruits or nuts. The Wake's body is the color of rich, dark soil, where it is not covered in greenery. If one were to touch the bare spots on his body, they might find small specks of dirt or hints of moss on their hands afterwards, as he is not covered in usual skin or fur. The mane and ridge down his spine are not made of hair, but instead healthy vegetation consisting of various sorts of leaves--though moss is almost always present.

His build is a bizarre cross between that of a stag and a sighthound--the two animals found on his immediate family's crest. Long legs and a deep chest allow the Wake to reach great speeds when necessary, even if he does prefer to walk slowly. The bottom of his feet, which are neither strictly hooves or paws, look surprisingly dainty for a creature of his mass. Also, he sports a long, vine-like tail, which aids in his balance.

Sybal Power: Golden Frondescence

The Wake's power, in the simplest of terms, is the spontaneous growth of plantlife. However, what makes this sybal's power stand out from other plant-based individuals is that Aleksi's abilities are unconscious, emotionally-influenced, and literally golden. From the bare flesh on the undersides on his feet, and his skull, Aleksi can sprout gold vegetation wherever he touches. As he walks, this produces a distinct trail. Upon lifting his foot, the plants that have begun growing will immediately fade from gold to a natural green, as well as shrink or even wilt entirely depending on how fertile the surface is. For example, some moss and small sprouds or buds may remain on City streets, whereas the fields or forest may allow a plant to remain intact.

The sorts of plants the Wake produces are based off of his emotions. If one is familiar with the language of flowers, a common device especially amongst Victorian culture, they can easily read his mood based off of what is sprouting either under his touch, or on his very body. A sulking Wake may sprout mushrooms and lichen, whereas anger brings thorns, and joy could be a vibrant cluster of daisies. He has no control over what he grows, much to his own embarrassment.

If he is injured at night, Aleksi's blood will appear to be made of molten gold--the same glow as his plants. As with his plants, however, his blood will quickly turn red once it leaves the original source. This does come in handy for any medically-inclined sybals, should he need patching up; at least the wound will be easy to find.

Docile or Feral: Feral

As mentioned above, Aleksi's mood plays a crucial role in his sybal's power. During the nighttime hours, he feels much more freely and expresses himself much more openly than he would during the day. As such, during conversations with other sybals, flourishes of various plants will perk up beneath his feet and on his body in accordance to how his heart and head instinctly respond. This has led to a few embarrassing moments, and is partly why Aleksi tends to keep to himself on most nights.

His relationship with Kveta, however, has changed that--to a degree. His lack of control over his emotions at night makes it practically impossible to deny how much he cares for the woman. The Wake and the Sphinx can be spotted together several nights a week, the Wake sprouting roses wherever he goes at her side. If one is close enough, they might even catch him reciting some rather sentimental poems to his lady.

Personality:

+ Perfectionist, Trustworthy, Romantic (only with Kveta)
- Stubborn, Proud, Disorganized (he operates under 'organized chaos')
+/- Reserved, Intelligent, Quiet

Don't expect to become friends quickly with Aleksi. He can be civil and polite, but quickly grows impatient and bored with those who have little of value to say. Even his brother, Andrei, sometimes finds himself on Aleksi's short-tempered side. The man is a workaholic, and hates to be disturbed mid-task, with very, very limited exceptions. He is, however, very intelligent and well-read, and has great pride in how he handles his work and personal appearance under the public eye. The man's work desk and living space, however, are rather clustered and chaotic; Aleksi has some minor packrat tendencies.

A very important point on Aleksi: he is selectively mute. Due to events in his past that led to a great deal of shame, Aleksi put himself to a sort of vow of silence. This was broken when he was reunited with Andrei, but only with Andrei, until they both entered Sybal Heim. Even within the City, Aleksi often chooses not to speak to someone unless he either deems it necessary, or he feels they have 'earned' his opinions. If someone goes blabbering on about nonsense, or tries to chat him up without good reason, he will ignore them entirely. Expect a lot of interesting expressions or hand gestures, should he not feel up to talking.

History:

Born into the Russian noble Khilkov family, Aleksi was the second son born to his parents. The lands of the Zalesye, also known as the Opolye, served as the center for the growing nation of Kievan Rus' (aka, medieval Russia). With plentiful fields for the incoming waves of Slavic farmers, the Khilkov family held a wealthy and well-respected estate in the newly established Starodub-on-the-Klyazma, the most urbanized center at the time. In short, he was destined for a life of power and luxury.

Aleksi was one of the quieter children, but he was close with his parents and siblings. In total, there were five children in his immediate family: Vladmir, the first born, set to inherit their father's title; Svetlana, the oldest sister; Andrei, the third son born, born after Aleksi, and also his closest companion and confidant; and Elizaveta, the very youngest and, aside from Andrei, most energetic of the bunch. Aleksi spent most of his time either training to take his place as the eventual right-hand of his household, and bonding with his siblings. Despite loving them all dearly, Andrei was his favorite sibling.

And it was events dealing with Andrei that would eventually bring Aleksi's life as a Russian nobleman to a close.

There was rising pressure from the Mongols, seeking to invade Kievan Rus' from the east, and occasional skirmishes with the Ottoman Turks from the southwest. Aleksi's father and uncles had already managed to deter both forces upon multiple occasions, yet there were still flickers of conflict. To celebrate Aleksi's twenty-seventh birthday, a hunt was organized during what was deemed a moment of peace. Mongol spies had infiltrated the area, however, and made an attack. Aleksi took an arrow intended for his youngest brother, and in doing so nearly lost his left arm. The spies were dealt with swiftly, and there were no casualties, but Aleksi blamed himself for the incident, as he had taken charge of patrol duties just the day before, and had failed to see the signs of intruders. In the months after, though the wound in his arm healed, Aleksi forced himself into an oath of silence out of shame for nearly getting his brother killed, and putting several members of the family in danger. Six months after, Aleksi left the family, resigning his duties and title to a cousin he felt was far more qualified, and disappeared with little more than a long, regretful letter bidding his family farewell.

Two years passed, in which Aleksi spent his time roaming the nearby city-states and finding whatever simple labor he could. After all, as a noble, he had been trained for leadership and combat, but little else. It was during this time he took a brief, several-month-long apprenticeship under a metalsmith, watching the man work and slowly cultivating what would become his future occupation.

It was a long, lonely two years, until Andrei appeared out of thin air, and promised to travel wherever his brother went. The two brothers reuinted, as close as ever--though Aleksi has yet to truly confess just how deeply the incident with the Mongol spies frightened and scarred him--and eventually found themselves facing the Traveller's Wood. Side by side, they entered the City together, and have never once regretted that decision.

Additional Info:
- Aleksi is a Taurus.
- A narcoleptic insomniac. Aleksi will stay awake for ridiculous lengths of time, only to pass out whenever and wherever his body deems it necessary. It isn't uncommon to find him asleep at his work desk, with whatever project he is currently working on within arm's reach.
- He never had a long-term relationship with any woman until he met Kveta. He considers her his equal in every way.
- The flowers he sprouts specifically for Kveta are Turkish roses.
- He likes rainy nights. The water helps his plants.
- Voice claim is Armie Hammer's role as Ilya from "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." movie.
- Leading up to the Gala, he created a very special ring that he keeps hidden in a very secret spot in his home. He has no intentions of selling it. It's meant for only one woman, when the time is right, and he hopes beyond hope that she will say "yes" when he asks.
- He did already give Kveta a copy of his family's ring, the one bearing his crest, as a sign of his affections. He's greatly encouraged by the fact that she wears it daily.
- Sometimes acorns or pinecones will form on his antlers during the fall and winter months. They make a rather loud sound when they fall and bounce off of his head. He isn't fond of the noise nor the feeling.
- Boy likes shiny things. He's a bit of a magpie.