Noerin Dekatt

"'Oh, surely you've heard of me! I am known by many names - The Pearl of the Pearls, The Golden Wind, The Azure Erudite (...) ! But 'tis all me, the wizard and scholar Noerin, hailed from Elva, studied in Magistris and endeavoured in Ber Luno! Now, what is your name, my beautiful peeress?' ~ Noerin's introduction to Gladys"Anax Noerin Dekatt is an exiled Elven noble, independent arch-mage with expertise over magical lore, former research partner of Shade of Annihilation and core member of The Brotherhood of The Nameless. He is also, alongside Gladys, the writer of the 'Void Crisis Testimonial'.

During the events surrounding the Void Crisis, he decided to put his theoretical knowledge to the test by venturing into the wilds in search for completing his research on the Void and Shadows of the Horizon, as well as extend his magical powers. However, during the Auresian War, he rose to be an antagonistic figure, suspected to have spearheaded the assassination attempt against Lady Teena Iskaar and to be working in conjunction with the newly reformed Black Fingers.

Appearance
Noerin has an exceptionally short and scrawny statue. He has bright azure-blue eyes, light blonde shoulder-length hair and fair skin. His face is oval and smooth, giving him a noble, yet feminine look. Noerin usually wears gaudy robes and long scarfs, all in bright complimentary colours. He enjoys wearing a rapier on his waist, insisting that "it gives off an aura of class and chivalry", despite being a rather poor fencer. He carries a sack on his person containing scrolls, books, diaries and various other magical components. He also carries around a golden Dwarven pocket watch, something he is seemingly quite proud of owning.

Personality and traits
Noerin is a bombastic, charismatic and overly-dramatic person, with tendencies to boast and mock. He appears to enjoy hearing his voice and seemingly holds a high opinion of himself and his work, but he is also shown to express admiration and moderation toward people he respects. Quick to throw a joke, he is always witty and outspoken, to the point of annoyance. However, he is also shown to be a quick thinker and sober advisor, always concocting plans to forward his personal goals first and the goals of the party second. Noerin is empathetic and generally good-natured, even if naive and overly idealistic.

He has a weak spot for beautiful women, always quick to try and impress them through his own idea of chivalry. This trait is later revealed to be related to a childhood trauma and the untimely death of his strong-willed mother.

Noerin also upholds a strong libertarian moral code, dictating that each person must strive to become powerful by their own accord and rejects the idea of relying on other people's power or influence. That is what sometimes put him at odds with Dustin, whose live was dedicated on serving the gods.

During his adventures with the Brotherhood, he was shown to have started developing a more down-to-earth world view and to behave more altruistically. In the "Magistris" Arc, Noerin was shown to have a severe inferiority complex in regards to his twin brother Talimor and to been crushed by the blame for their mother's death. Noerin also admitted on projecting confidence in order to hide his actual insecure nature.

Powers and abilities
Noerin is not a very apt fighter. He was little in the way of strength and dexterity, but compensates with his sharp mind and diverse set of utility spells.

Spell alteration
As a wizard, Noerin has a lot of magical knowledge. He enjoys studying different spells and their effects, as well as their very structure. Through his intense studying he became able to create and modify spells to his heart's content by subverting their core structure.

Mastery over lore
His knowledge is as vast and diverse as the contents of an encyclopedia. History and arcana are his specialities.

Linguistic genius
Noerin is fluent in 5 languages and is currently studying the ethereal wishers of Abyss, as seen produces by creatures such as the Approachers and the Amorphous Pursuers.

Observant eye
Noerin has grown extremely perceptive of magical interferences and is able to notice when something is odd with a place, object or person.

A.I.D.A.
Noerin had an automaton that he had made himself under his command. It helped him gather data on his enemies.

Early life
Noerin was born into the Dekatt clan - an old family from Elva with generations of members within the governing body of the Green Pearls. However, the birth of him and his brother struck the final nail in the already withering clan's coffin by leading to the death of Dekatt's head - Lady Twyndel Dekatt - leaving the wedded into the family father in charge. The man was a person of gentle nature and weak will, so he quickly went mad with grief over the loss of his beloved wife.The two twins were left to grow alone, with only the cold guidance of the clan's acquittances, each looking only to forward their own ambition. This period, instead of tightening the bond between the two brothers, estranged Noerin and Talimor, each blaming the other for their mutual suffering.

In only one thing the two brothers found a common language - magic. Both desired to learn it, in order to make their lives more enjoyable. Noerin was more interested in the very weave of magic that exists around the world. He desired to become a most renowned scholar, one everyone would respect and acknowledge.

After the arranged wedding of his brother for Arnys Morell, Talimor gathered enough influence to expel Noerin from Elva, the Green Pearls and even the Droplets, out of sheer spite. For that reason, Noerin sought refuge in the Rune lands where he got acquainted with the Dwarven culture and understanding of magic. He wasn't very technically apt, at least for the Dwarves' standards, but did manage to understand their craft well enough in order to create a working version of his A.I.D.A automaton. After spending half a decade in Ber Luno and its surrounding area, he decided to go south to Magistris and study the Union method of using magic for the next few years.

It was during the first half of the year 2004 that Noerin acquainted himself with the necromancer Shade of Annihilation. His studies on the Void were fascinating for the Elven wizard, making him quick to suggest a joint study on the matter, with Shade of Annihilation remaining the lead researcher. There he first got in contact with the black-horned-one Ytril and form something of a professional camaraderie with the peculiar creature.

Year and a half later, on one faithful night, while Noerin was tasked with the rather mundane task of gathering samples from a particular undead creature, he and Ytril came across Gladys and Dustin, which lead to the beginning of their journey.

"Into the Night" Arc
Making it back to the teleportation circle the party was at first alerted by Dlob about a possible informant in Hillgrove named Johnnyn Kart. At the circle itself a man claiming to be Dlob appeared soon after Noerin contacted him. Instantly suspicious of him, Dustin, supported by Gladys, set upon him rending questions about his supposed authenticity. Noerin was skeptical that the person he had just telepathically contacted wouldn't be the same that was standing before them and dismissed their weariness. However, Dustin's questions seemed to point at the fact that this Dlob was in fact a fake. After Gladys defeated the wizard imitator, the party interrogated him, and as they realized their current plan was compromised and noticing eavesdropping spell attached to their captive, they tried to deceive him and the supposed people looking by suggesting to go North toward the Rune lands. The party left, but not before Noerin could cease the spellbook of the wizard. Noerin and Dustin wanted to dispose of their captive, even if reluctantly, weary that he could be send against them again and for the fact that he was a strong magician Ythril seemed to be indifferent of the man's fate. However, Gladys was strongly against taking the man's life and thus he was set free. They eventually made their way in a roundabout fashion to Tadjnik ,posing as an elven trader with his wife and entourage. Noerin promptly taking up the alias Talimor Goldstone, after thinking of the most annoying name he knew, and putting on his usual presentable attire.

Reaching Tadjnik and being greeted well than favouring, the group stopped at the local tavern to restock. Gladys, in her weariness, used her senses to uncover void presence in the vicinity. For the party's unpleasant surprise, she sense malicious presence. The party attempted to flee on the back of Noerin who turned into a giant eagle, only to be chased down by the Amorphous Pursuers - demons that could switch between liquid, gaseous and solid forms. After an extremely harsh battle with the demons, during which Noerin and Ythril were posses by the Void creatures, Dustin and Silentstep defeated the creatures and made their escape from Tadjnik.

Along the way, Dustin insisted on creating a zone of truth and questioned Noerin and Ythril, the two party members he had doubts about, about their alignment with the Void and Lord Iskaar. After proving innocent, Dustin and Gladys prompted them into giving the Blood Oath of the Brotherhood and become true members. After the whole procedure, Dustin seemed to have become a lot less suspecting of Noerin and Ythril.

Quickly travelling, the party finally managed to reach Dustwood, their first destination in the Union and supposed home of an old friend of Dustin's, Lord Deron. Noerin wished to acquire the components necessary for writing down the spells of the wizard they had defeated and be able to cast teleportation magic, a much needed spell for the party in their task to travel all across the Union, as quickly as possible, but Dustin insisted on visiting his friend first. After going directly to his manor, the party was greeted by its friendly staff and met Lord Deron, who was currently interrogated by a pair of High Even nobles. Noerin, unaware of the fact, courteously greeted the lady of the pair, a beautiful black haired woman. The elven pair looked suspicious of the group before leaving. Lord Deron informed the party that the pair was looking for people with the same characteristics as those of the group and Gladys in particular and on an unrelated note, requested the aid of the group in dealing with a rival of his in exchange for money and location codes for the teleportation spell.

Leaving the manor, the suspicious elven pair was waiting for the party outside. Noerin, as well as the others, were extremely weary of the elves, agreed to follow them, being assured that they were greeted as allies. Reaching their secured spot in the local tavern, the party was greeted by a few other elves of similar background and explained that the government of Elva wished to cooperate with the Nameless Brotherhood in their efforts against Lord Iskaar. The party agreed and a vague partnership was formed. Noerin was given scrolls for locational pinpointing in case the party needed assistance.

Upon asking about their leader-agent in Magistris, the elves were reluctant to tell and asked everyone but Noerin to leave since they weren't sure in giving government secrets to non-Elva citizens, even though Noerin himself wasn't really classified as one. However, when alone, the group of elves confronted Noerin, calling him "Talimor" and asking him why he wasn't in Magistris. Noerin tried to calmly explain the current situation by telling the elves that he hit his head while horseriding when travelling from Magistris and must have gotten some of his memories twisted. The elves, half convinced, agreed to let him do as he decides and tasked him with monitoring the party just in case they go rogue. The rest of the brotherhood didn't hear a word of their conversation.

"Magistris" Arc
Upon arriving in Magistris, Noerin was quick to assume the role of the group's guide. He was, after all, well-versed in the layout of the grand city, having lived in it for years. The group settled down in "The Black Rose" tavern, the proprietor of which was an acquittance of Noerin's. After getting comfortable, Noerin was eager to show his appreciation for Gladys, as well as his understanding of mechanics, by constructing her a prosthetic arm. He did use the barely needed assistance of Shade of Annihilation and Ytril to put it all together. Beside all basic motor functions needed, the three were able to implement a hook-shot mechanism, making this arm, arguably, more practical than her natural one.

On the very next day, Noerin decided to go around the wizardly district of Magistris in search of more information on Talimor and his cronies. For the boy's genuine surprise, Teena Iskaar acted out of her usual gloomy self and apologized to him for her behaviour, asking him out for a drink later. Noerin was understandably flustered, happy to accept both.

Regardless, Noerin had business to attend to, first and foremost. He went to his old buddy Grevant in the University of Defensive Magic. He asked him if he had seen, well, him, in the past couple of days. As odd the question might've sounded, Noerin wasn't going to spill the beans of his brother's existence willy-nilly. After spending some time with his friend, he went out to continue his search, which eventually led him right into one of the Elven spies - the ginger-haired Spionin, drinking in a pub. He decided to listen in on his conversation with the soon-to-appear Lharliel - another elven spy. Noerin thus discovered that their "Boss" was meeting an informer in a metal foundry in the city outskirts.

Making his way to the abandoned building, polymorphing into a crow to avoid suspicion, he managed to hide in a wooden container inside the storage part of the foundry. He then listened in to the conversation between his brother and some man working for Lord Gornik. Talimor, seemingly discovering the presence of Noerin, pointed out to him and, surprisingly, one other person, that he knew were hiding. Noerin saw the Dwarven automaton his brother was controlling grab the innocent man, making him jump out of his cover. However, the machine killed the man instantly, leaving the two brothers facing each other once again after decades.The other person, Gladys as it turned out, also showed herself to confront the two.

Despite being told by both Noerin and Talimor to leave, Gladys stayed to fight. After a short but vicious battle the two were captured by the Elven spies. They were then interrogated about Lord Iskaar and later sedated.

Sometime after many hours, Noerin was awoken by Teena Iskaar in a damp and dark sewer somewhere under Magistris, with a battle raging on around him - it seemed his allies, alongside Grevant, had tracked down the Elves and were currently engaging in combat with them. He prepared his spells, though refusing to fight with his brother, instead focusing on his automaton. Talimor had seemingly been betrayed by Spionin and Lhariel, thus leading to the current situation. During the fight, Talimor became vehemently enraged and started berating Noerin for both being weaker and for being the sole reason he had not received any love during his life. Noerin was hurt, unsure if his brother's words were the truth or not. He was reminded of their tragic childhood, for which he still blamed himself. Talimor ordered his automaton to kill everyone present but himself, concentrating his wrath onto his brother, downing him and several others with a chained lighting spell.

At the end of the skirmish, Talimor allegedly pulled the unconscious Noerin into his arms, threatening to kill them both, as only thus he would be set free. He was, however, dispatched by Teena. After that, the group headed back for the city, Noerin carrying his brother's burned corpse in silence. He grieved for the loss, despite everything, yet felt both of them could just not exist in peace at the same time - one had to die for the other to be happy. And while not happy, Noerin felt he was the better man for not killing his brother when he had the chance during the fight. He decided to honour him, something Talimor never would've done in exchange, by bringing his remains to Elva, to his wife and father, and burring him in the family crypt.

The party fixed themselves up and Gladys volunteered to accompany Noerin when he used teleportation to reach Elva, offering her genuine sympathy to his plight, bringing him some joy. However, Talimor's wife - Arnys - was devastated by the loss of her betrothed, cursing Noerin and wishing for his death. His father was non the wiser, confusing Noerin for his brother, who seemingly kept contact with him all these years.

Later, Dlob, who had went out of the city for a few days to retrieve the artefact of Gurumush that he had hidden before, came back to Magistris, along with Grevant who decided to assist the Brotherhood further, seeing as their goals matched. Ytril also said that after his integration into the Magistris' Cartographers' Guild he had discovered that some large structure was being built in one of the city's plazas. After additional snooping, it was discovered that the Great Lords of the Union would be holding a festival in honour of the Union's traditions in half a week's time. Iskaar was to be heavily involved, and as rumours went - even the main organizer. As response to this, the Brotherhood began working to infiltrate the festival in order to curtail any shady activity Iskaar was to undertake, fearing a human sacrifice to the Shadows. After locating the main actors in the play that was about to occur, Noerin had the brilliant idea to try and abduct some of them, namely the child actor for Iskra, genuinely fearing for the kid's safety. He, alongside Dustin, took her in and acquired a copy of the play's text - the story of Iskra's sacrifice to give fire to humanity. The child was then promised a vacation in Elvan for two days by Noerin, calling in Spionin for a favour on that. Noerin, proud of his actor skills, asked to be on the stage but after learning the only roles they could secure were the ones of Iskra and the 2-meter-tall Obsids, relented, choosing to act as a waiter. Gladys would take the role of Iskra, altering her appearance to look like the little girl, while Dustin and Ytril would both play the role of one Obsid. Meanwhile, Opinor, Dlob and Teena would infiltrate Lord Iskaar's castle and try and retrieve the Void portal (the one Noerin and Dlob worked on for years) that had been stolen from Harvest Keep. During this time, the group also met some woman called Shia, who apologized profusely for her betrayal and sought to make herself up back into the organization, yet was rejected by Gladys and Dustin. She still expressed a desire to help, and said she would assist them even if not able to rejoin.

Soon, the day of the festival dawned and Noerin, who had made a copy of a servant's attire, was successfully let into the festival's ground and allocated near the stage, where the royalties resided. At the end of the play, during which no real suspicious activity transcended, Lord Iskaar began a long and passionate speech about how the Union had grown weak and how he would restore it with the help of the Shadows. Noerin began a heated debate with him as Iskaar ordered the arrest of Shartt Gornik - the head of one of the Great Houses, as Dustin also rushed offstage to rescue him while Iskaar was busy with Noerin making a scene. During the culmination of the debate, Gladys, seemingly from back stage, dragged in some Void creature that she and Ytril were fighting with, casuing panic. Iskaar, while also accusing the Elven government of its meddling did resuce Gladys, using Glaurum's artifact to destroy the demon, and also offered Gladys the opportunity to come with him. She denied and with Noerin and Ytril escaped the scene by the skin of their teeth.

Shortly after, they reunited with Dustin who had rescued Lord Gornik and made it to the Elven hideout. Unfortunately, it seemed that Dlob had been killed by some creature of Iskaar's while in his manor and only through Noerin's timely intervention in inserting the artifact of Gurumush into him was he saved. After this, the group split into two parts, with the Elves, Opinor and the now alive Dlob teleporting to Knifepoint, while Dustin, Gladys, Noerin, Ytril, Teena and Stillen were to head to Dustwood. While escaping, the party was intercepted by Lord Iskaar himself, alongside some Amorphous Pursuers. He proved too much of a match for any of the Brotherhood's memebers and they barely elapsed him with the help of Noerin's eagle form, after Iskaar dropped multiple large stones onto them. After escaping Magistris the group teleported to the Dustwood.

After the events of the campaign
After burying his deceased comrades, Noerin was quick to repay all the money he had borrowed from Gladys, Dustin (indirectly) and others from what he had acquired for his efforts. He went to the Green Pearls once more (swearing after which never to do so again) to return his brother's spellbook to his widow, which he had taken from his corpse to claim his knowledge, as well as to give Spionin's remains to his family. Noerin also secretly donated part of his money to the caretakers of his father in Elva, feeling pity for the old elf.

Leaving his past resolved, he decided to continue the work of his late partner and friend Dlob, as he used his new ties to the Union's military to summon help with the removal of bandits and drifters from Harvest Keep, restarting the old research facility while improving upon it with his own work and knowledge. Noerin remained there and devoted to studying the Void and Shadows of the Horizon, permanently adopting the title "The Azure Mage", alongside his newly acquired apprentices. He remained a close friend of Gladys, Opinor and Teena, helping them however he could.

Deep down, he remained engulfed with guilt for the loss of his friend Dustin, as well as the earlier death of his brother Talimor, blaming himself directly for their demise. He was also extremely disturbed by the insignificance of his and his comrade's actions in the grand scheme of things, fearing that someone like Iskaar could rise to power once again.

"Sea of Bones" Arc
Noerin was mentioned by Gladys during her meeting with the Maiden of Thorns' crew in Gaaraa Rost as the main reason for her presence in Auresia. Apparently, he was the main suspect of Lady Teena Iskaar's attempted murder by a survived member of the Crimson Wings due to the presence of a False God's artifact within her. He was suspected of working together with the new Black Fingers (or an offshoot of the old organization) and related to the conspiracy about the reasons for the war between Auresia and the Union.