# Nephala
> Why...are they all frightened by darkness? It holds many wonders within. All that lies in shadows that lives is only me. *-- Nephala* A strider of the eternal night. Wherever they roam, shadows follow. Through the dark, Nephala sees life in a curious light but wishes to know where she fits in it. The incident in the Bifrost Terminal halts her journey of discovery. She hopes to venture into the abyss and gain her freedom once more.
Table of Contents 1. [Backstory](#bkmrk-backstory) 2. [Personality](#bkmrk-personality) 3. [Abilities](#bkmrk-abilities-1) 4. [Skills & Stats](#bkmrk-strengths) 5. [Usage Notes](#bkmrk--8) 6. [Gallery](#bkmrk-gallery-1) 7. [Author's Notes](#bkmrk-author%27s-notes)
### Backstory --- In a time long forgotten, there existed a realm of darkness. Life's expansion made it shrink further and further, collapsing what belonged there into nothingness. Gaining insight to what world lives in the unknown, an entity ripped apart its essence to forge a new creation. Gifting this essence a hollow form was the only way for it to survive with a body, but it was still imperfect. Rewarded with a bejeweled collar, the being of darkness was guaranteed form and being without oblivion. Outside the reach of the realm, the fading entity sent their first and last creation to the living world. The creation arose from nothingness and gazed at the incomprehensible wonders around her. Her thoughts slowly forged together to recognize her own name: ***Nephala**.* Nephala is overwhelmed by the newfound place she finds herself. All these confusing things for her; life, color, skies, emotions. She folds into herself, summoning darkness to hide. She enjoys the solitude as it gives her a familiar sensation of belonging. Slowly, she crawls out of her void to understand why these new elements confuse her so. In time, Nephala gazes in awe for what the living world can provide, in person or from the shadows. She spends her time as a silent observer and traveler of the night. The few people who happen to see her in the dead of night do not approach her with the same curiosity. Words are spoken to her when she is recognized; Wraith, Specter, Monster, Ghost, Hollow. This just leaves Nephala empty with her purpose; why does she exist and only someone like her when everything else is vastly different. What makes those around her be the way they are. Stuck with this question for a long while, Nephala hopes travels would be the key to this riddle. She remains aimless with her direction until one day when she overhears interesting news. A derelict terminal sits atop the mountain. The locals tell stories about its dangers but few words stand out to Nephala. Words that echo familiar emotions; spirits, ghosts, darkness, emptiness. All spoken with a tinge of fear and uncertainty. However, the shadow doesn't share the same sentiment. Nephala believes that this 'Bifrost Terminal' could lead her to knowing more of not just about the unknown, but herself. Taking a step into the cold, dark night, Nephala makes her way up the mountain and towards a new frontier...
##### **Nephala** Envoy of Darkness
![Nephala.jpg](https://thraelosverse-octs.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/nephala.jpg)
**Aliases/Nickname(s)** Neph, Hollow One, Dark Wraith (attributed by scared viewers)
##### Profile
**Race** Shadow Being, Humanoid
**Pronouns | Gender | Sex | Sexuality** She/Her | Cis | Female | Panromantic/Asexual
**Age** ~ 400 years
**Weight | Height | Build** 108 lbs | 5ft 6 | Slim/Average
**Hair | Eye | Skin Color** None | Purple | Black
**Distinguishing Features** ✦ Cuffed collar with a purple gem ✦ Faded cape comprised of shadows ✦ Face shrouded in darkness, piercing purple eyes
**Job/Vocation** Explorer
**Hobbies** ✦ Finding that out herself!
##### Creator
[Undead](https://archive.thraelosverse.com/books/players-and-player-characters/page/undead)
### Personality --- Nephala holds an unusual interest with things around her, big or small. She speaks without a filter, which could result in unintended bluntness on her observations. When a situation is dire, she will affirm it as a casual view since she does not gauge traditional dangers the same way. All that matters is the goal that is presented to her or others. Despite that, she expresses herself with eagerness to anything new in front of her. She does have distain for the blatantly negative actions done in front of her (i.e: killing, mockery). Nephala is rarely dissuaded from her passions. Acts of pains and the unknown are prices to pay for the further progression of a goal. Her support for others is not done with altruism, rather done as an action she can do. It matters not how the person looks or even if they are human, Nephala sees them in the same optimistic view.
Likes - Darkness - Learning - Long walks/traveling - Cold
Dislikes - Bright Lights - Blood - Fire - Halt of 'knowing'
### Abilities --- #### ✦ Shadow Manipulation Nephala was made in tuned with the darkness as long as she could remember. She grown familiar with how it feels and what it is capable of. With a raise of her hand, nearby shadows can be moved from their initial point. It reacts with similar texture to water, moving smoothly and capable of crashing into other thing with some weight. Nephala can temporarily solidify shadows in her hand in the form of objects, limited by her imagination. Conjured shadows and shadow items can be dissipated by a strong enough light source. Asides from a defensive use, Nephala can maneuver through the darkness with ease. She 'dives' into them, from as large as an unlit room to as small as someone's shadow. The area she arrives in a domain filled with darkness, consisted as a dense body of water that is hard to maneuver for other beings. The distance is limited by how far the shadow stretches before being broken or cut off by light. Nephala is capable of being in the depths for only 30 minutes, but other beings that are dragged down stay for an immensely shorter time. Otherwise, the sensation faced is drowning in darkness. #### ✦ Levitation Nephala's biology grants her to hover above the ground by her own will. She can control the height of elevation up to 10 ft. Maintaining the ascension is up to personal stamina, akin to running. Similarly, Nephala can slow down her falling from great heights with the same energy. #### ✦ Eye of the Void Nephala wears a metal collar adorned with a bright purple gem, bestowed by the last entity of the Void. It acts as a personal conductor of darkness for her to utilize. In the event where natural shadows are scarce, the 'Eye' can generate a dark source of power for Nephala to utilize. By default, the gem releases its magic in the shape of a cloak. Similarly to her natural control of shadows, Nephala can shape it into effective tools like a barrier or enlarged hands. The construct strength is more refined and powerful compared to natural shadows, having a heavier weight and chilling grasp. The power of the gem is not solely a boost to Nephala. In reality, it acts as a stopgap for her internal darkness. When the gem cracks, the stored power spills out and supercharges Nephala's shadows. The shadows react wildly and do not act by Nephala's choices. The gem can regenerate, but it requires Nephala to not expel more shadows, including entering the darkness itself. Nephala never willingly takes the collar off. Despite the look, it does not cause her discomfort. Looking closer to it, you can faintly hear whispers... ### Skills & Stats --- Nephala's skills are reliant on the presence of darkness, either naturally conjured or from the Eye. She doesn't have personal history with combat or physical efforts. However, her experience in seeing them be done by others through her time makes her visually understand basics. Her body can still feel sensations, but they rarely hinder her. Heat and chills won't cause her pain like a bright light would.
Weapons Shadows can be molded to physical weaponry. Shape limited to imagination, strength akin to magical output.
#### ✦ General Stats
**✦ Strengths** **✧ Weaknesses**
- High magical endurance - Non-human biology - Sneaks easily with shadows - Strong mental fortitude - Absorbs information quickly - Fearless - Magic has high ceiling to grow - Little/No physical prowess - Light/Holy Magic - Breaking the Gem causes uncontrolled output - Lost in curiosity - Naivety - Magic has high ceiling to grow
##### ✦ Imperative Strengths Magical specialist, easy to evade dangers, hard to intimidate ##### **✧** Imperative Weaknesses Not adept in physical skills, high aversion to light, easy to manipulate ##### ✦ Psychological Stats ✦
**Charisma****✦✦✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧✧**Kindness****✦✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
**Patience****✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧**Intelligence****✦✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
**Confidence****✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧**Perception****✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧✧
**Discipline****✦✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧✧✧**Psych stamina****✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧
**Courage****✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧**Caution****✦**✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
**Honesty****✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦****Loyalty****✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧✧
**Maturity****✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧✧**Creativity****✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧
**Cleanliness****✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧**Work ethic****✦✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
##### ✧ Physical Stats ✧
**Physical Strength**
**✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
**Speed**
**✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧
**Magical Strength**
**✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**
**Constitution**
**✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧
**Physical Defense**
**✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧✧✧
**Dexterity**
**✦✦**✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
**Magical Defense**
**✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧
**Stamina**
**✦✦✦✦✦✦✦**✧✧✧
### Usage Notes --- You are welcome to use Nephala in whatever your story may require, as well as appearances (credits welcomed). Please DM me on Discord for further clarification and notification (@undead\_artisan). ### Gallery --- ![NephRef.png](https://thraelosverse-octs.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/nephref.png) Nephala Reference
![shadow_storm.png](https://thraelosverse-octs.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/shadow-storm.png) ![VoidEye.png](https://thraelosverse-octs.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/voideye.png)
*Display of the shadows' will* Creations of the Eye.
### Author's Notes --- ✦ \[Notes from the page author\]