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Necalli — Description

Note: This character is deceased, but his info will remain up for reference purposes.

Name: Necalli

Age: 602 upon death in 1892

Physical Age: 54

Height: 5’5”

Hair: Black, greying

Eyes: Dark Brown

Faction/Occupation: Former Doxa Minister

Sybal Form: The Tecuani Grimalkin

True to his upbringing, Necalli’s Sybal is a powerful beast best suited to war and combat. Standing at approximately seven feet tall, he is not the largest Sybal in the city, but he is still a creature of respectable size. He resembles something like a monstrous feline combined with traits reminiscent of a bull. With considerable strength, endurance, and a remarkably high threshold for pain, Necalli has no fear of battle and will fight for his own with a vicious ferocity. Though his current position is of a more diplomatic nature, meaning he has had to adjust his behavior somewhat to accommodate the more “civil” lifestyle.

Though he walks upright typically, Necalli moves quicker on all fours and will revert to this manner of movement when speed is required. In fact, the upright manner of his Sybal is a change from his early days in the city. Initially, his Sybal was more feline in build, and he was only really suited to moving on all fours. But as he adapted to the city and overcame his own personal struggles, his Sybal gradually became more humanoid. Other citizens will even tell newcomers that Necalli’s current face as a Sybal is nowhere near as frightful as it was when he first arrived, and that on the whole Necalli’s appearance and demeanor have become considerably gentler. Though, given that he is still known for his gruff, intense personality, this is difficult for some greenhorns to believe.

Sybal Power: Stone blades

In Sybal form, Necalli’s hands, feet, and the end of his tail are all composed of a flexible, yet rock-like material, which he can manipulate the shape and size of. More specifically, this is used to transform any of these appendages into large, obsidian-like blades. And the durable, stone composition means these natural weapons double as effective shields against enemy attacks. Each of these blades can be extended to about 5 feet at maximum, but he can extend and retract them to any length within this limit at will. And his tendency to rapidly alter them while fighting makes his attacks wild and difficult to predict. He also does not seem hindered by the weight of these appendages and is able to wield them as though they weighed little more than a feather.   As such, he is able to fight with rapid, pinpoint precision; a hurricane of powerful claws and blades. And though he takes great pride in his skills as a warrior, he knows better than to try and kill an opponent. But that does not mean he is afraid to inflict great physical pain upon his enemies, and there are a few unlucky Insurgents who have lost a limb or two on the edge of his blades over the years. However, his occupation does not necessarily call for the amount of conflict that Necalli prefers, and his power is of little use in domestic situations. But to keep his skills sharp, Necalli trains each day, spars regularly with other citizens, and enjoys participating in Arena combat, both in human and Sybal form.

Docile or Feral: Reformed Docile.

Though Necalli is a docile Sybal these days, this was not the case when he first entered Sybal Heim. Riddled with shame and self-loathing, Necalli was feral upon reaching the city, prone to attacking other citizens when they did anything to remind him of his own sense of shame. After the first instance of his attacking another citizen, Necalli was taken to Kardia.   Luckily for him, Constables were able to intercede before he managed to kill the other person, meaning he was granted some leniency. He served a short sentence there and was then essentially placed on parole, having to spend the nights under close supervision, and being assigned a ministry psychiatrist to try and help him work out the problems causing his feral nature. It took a long while, but eventually, with the aid of others, Necalli was able to overcome his self-destructive habits and feelings and made the shift to a Docile citizen. This does not mean he isn’t still a bit on the aggressive side, but he is able to control his reactions now, and is no longer subject to the wild mood swings of his previously feral nature.

Personality: Necalli is a soldier through and through. He is stern, unyielding, brave, and unafraid of the opinions of others. Necalli runs his organization with military precision and only the highest of expectations. He has no tolerance for laziness or ignorance pertaining to work, meaning his staff is expected to give their utmost at any task assigned to them. However, though he is stern, Necalli is not lacking in compassion. He treats his staff well and he understands when extenuating circumstances arise. He is not a cruel leader by any means, and his workers are typically quite fond of him in some sense or another. Necalli has a way of bringing out the best in people, even when they think themselves incapable of rising to the situation. He believes everyone has their own form of strength, and he is exceptionally good at helping others to cultivate this. But his rough nature means many people often think he’s just being mean or expecting too much of them. At least until they progress enough to realize his actions are all intended to aid them. And, if one takes the time to get to know him, Necalli can actually be quite a good natured, even boisterous man in the right situations.

However, he is typically a man of few words, preferring to let his actions speak for him. Though, when he does speak, Necalli is quite skilled at rallying those around him. A skill picked up in his days as a captain, no doubt. He can be hard in his speech and does not usually sugar coat his opinions or ideas, but after speaking with him most people tend to find themselves motivated to improve themselves in some way so that they might impress him more on their next meeting. To receive praise from Necalli is a rather precious thing, but he will always give it when earned. He has a great respect for other people in general, but he does not approve of people “wasting” their time and lives when he sees ways that they could be bettering themselves or those around them. His personality renders him well equipped to lead and care for others, but more in the way a dog protects a flock of sheep. He can seem harsh and even imposing, but in the end he will do whatever is necessary to defend his own.
He is a man of relatively simple needs and taste, and does not waste much time on frivolity or grandeur. Though his wife, Chenzira, is quite the opposite, having a love of more “decorative” things and events intended purely for fun. And he accommodates her greatly in this matter. As such, many of the Doxa events and more artistic structures are actually suggested by her most of the time, as she claims Necalli to be too plain and utilitarian in his ideas. And as Necalli isn’t too concerned with these types of matters, he often consults Chenzira as a district event planner.

History: A proud Nahua man, Necalli was born in 1290 in the Valley of Mexico. It was a tumultuous time in the Valley’s history, with many smaller states warring for control of the area, which would shortly lead to the formation of the great Mexica Empire. Necalli was a commoner who quickly rose through the military ranks and became a noble. He was considered a beast of the battlefield, and in his day it was said that no mortal man could kill him. The number of enemy soldiers he bested dwarfed his fellows, and his godly sacrifice brought him great prestige and respect. His skills in battle were so revered and sought after that it eventually managed to boost him to the rank of Ocēlōmeh. In times of war, he valiantly defended his home and people, and in times of peace, he served in the city guard, eventually becoming a captain with his own band of warriors to command. Necalli and his warriors were practically legendary among his own people and with their warring neighbors. Many foes would turn tail and flee just at the sight of he and his men from their reputation alone. For Necalli held his men to the highest of standards, training them until they were near perfect warriors, with the power and skill to match their namesake beast.

     But in time, even the greatest warriors begin to weary of battle, and Necalli was no exception. Though most men married young, he had never taken a wife, dedicating his whole self instead to his service as a soldier. But as he aged he began to imagine what a more peaceful life might hold. One where there was someone to return to after a battle. Someone to spend his latter years with. And though he knew it was rare for one as old as himself to have children, a small part of him hoped for this as well.
     Being the renowned warrior he was, Necalli had always had many admirers, but none that ever truly captured his attention. And after much searching, he began to worry that he would never find a woman truly after his own heart. At least until he met a peculiar woman named Meztli. Of the many women he had met, Meztli was the only one who did not seem impressed by his great status or heroic deeds. It did not anger Necalli to be treated as such, but rather perplexed the warrior, and piqued his curiosity. He’d never been met with such a lack of glamor before, and he wanted to know just what about this woman’s life was so much more interesting that it made him seem a paltry thing. Though it proved difficult to learn about this woman as she turned him away at every corner. But Necalli did not give up. And though she met him with annoyance at first, in time, the man’s persistence began to wear on her. Instead of meeting him with scowls and shooing gestures, she began to return his approaches with little smiles and laughs, though even then she still would not let him too close.
   And then one day Necalli at least learned her reason for being so distant. She had married once before, several years prior, to a strong warrior, not unlike himself. And for 12 years they had lived happily, though she never managed to bear any children. It saddened the couple not to be able to raise a family of their own, but they had each other, and it was enough. But there were always battles to fight, and her husband had eventually been captured and killed by an enemy tribe. And when she looked at Necalli, all of that pain and loss just crawled back to the surface. She feared that even if she did allow herself to care for him, that it was only a matter of time before he succumbed to some injury or wound or was taken captive as well. And then, in a move that surprised both of them, Necalli swore that if she would marry him, he would leave his days as a soldier behind. He had already served beyond the measure expected, and it was perfectly feasible for him to retire. He was well established and would easily be able to provide for the both of them given the status he had earned over the years. It surprised Metzli to say the least, but she accepted his offer. And at forty-three years old, Necalli was married; an age already considered quite venerable by his people, especially considering his profession. And true to his word, Necalli retired from military service, instead becoming an instructor for younger warriors. And for eight years they were happy together.
     But then something happened neither of them expected. Against all odds, Metzli became pregnant, and though she was a good six years younger than her husband, she was well past the usual bearing age. And though they were both excited at the prospect of a child, it was worrisome. They were unsure if Metzli would be able to safely bear the baby, or if the strain would be too hard on her body. And even if she did manage it safely, there was still the matter of she and her husband being quite old by normal reckoning. Even with prime conditions, neither expected to live long enough to see their child through to maturity, and they worried about how to prepare for this inevitable outcome. But despite their worries, neither could deny that the idea of a child brought great joy into their lives. Necalli set to work preparing all they would need for the infant, and their friends began to refer to the child as a miraculous thing, given the rarity of the circumstances.
     But a miracle was not in line for Necalli. Seven months into her pregnancy something went wrong. Metzli went into early labor and the child, a little girl, was stillborn. And unable to stem her bleeding, the woman shortly followed the route of her daughter. It happened so quickly that Necalli could barely grasp what had happened. One minute life had been fine, and mere hours later he had lost both his wife and the child he had never even come to know. The blow was devastating, and for a long while, Necalli was lost of purpose. He did not know what to do with his life anymore, but to simply sit and dwell on the grief and loss was more than he could bear. And so, in time, Necalli returned to the only other life he had known- that of a soldier. Though he was an older man, his prowess in battle had not lessened with age, and other soldiers knew it. They accepted him gladly back into their ranks, though with measured care, knowing the circumstances that had brought him back to their midst.
     He was a different man then, having lost much of the lighter aspects of his personality. He was grim and humorless, and no longer partook in the celebrations of victory, nor the comforts his status granted him. He simply fought as though to pass the time- to occupy his mind so that he would not have to dwell on his losses. But even then, he could not entirely shield himself from the darker thoughts that crept into his mind when he was alone. In time, Necalli found himself wishing that he had never left this warrior’s life in the first place. He felt as though it had been foolish to expect that one such as himself could have found peace anywhere else. He viewed himself as a failure, both as a husband, and as a father for not having been able to protect his family. And he began to think himself foolish for ever having thought he could have had such a life. In his eyes, his uses were few and suited only to the blood and death of a battlefield. Killing was all he was truly good at, and even when he tried to avoid it, death followed him like a shadow. And he hated himself for it.
     For three years he continued to fight, becoming a bitter, calloused soul. And though he fought just as ferociously as ever, he did not fight for honor or victory. Instead, he fought to die; to pass the time until either old age or the blade of a foe claimed his life. But he would not simply allow himself to be killed, fearing that he risked any hope of reward in the next life if he did so. Namely, he held on to some hope that he might be reunited with his family if he at least managed himself an honorable death. And in those days, he was more a terror on the battlefield than he had ever been. With nothing to lose and no concern for personal prestige, Necalli was a ruthless warrior, channeling his anger and self-loathing into his blade. Both allies and enemies began to refer to him as a devil of war, with a lust for blood strong enough to match even the hungriest god.
     But in time, even devils falter, and Necalli could not endure forever. In the midst of battle he was, at long last, gravely wounded by a younger, more agile warrior. The customs of battle dictated at that point that Necalli either be taken captive, to be sacrificed by the victorious soldier, or to continue the fight until his death. But something happened he did not expect then. Necalli had never been wounded so severely in battle, and it shocked him in a way. Though he had known death was inevitable at some point, he somehow had always assumed it would be age that did him in. War was the one thing he felt superior in. A battle was the one thing he felt he still had control over… He was not supposed to lose. And at that point, instinct kicked in, and he fled.
   Almost immedietly the weight of his choice set upon him as he ran through the forest, the wound in his side gradually slowing his pace as it steadily drained his energy.   He had fled. This had been his one chance for an honorable, warrior’s death, and he had fled. He had chosen the most cowardly, taboo path that a soldier might take, and the weight of his response crushed him. He could not have the manner of death he thought suitable. He could not return home, for fear of the retribution of his fellows. Any status and prestige he had held would be stripped from him for his cowardice, and if they did not kill him, then at the very least he would be cast out. And despite that, he knew that this injury would claim his life without treatment, but he could not return to his city to seek it. He was to die alone in the forest; a coward and a failure at everything he had ever tried to achieve in his life. His only hope now was that he would die before any of his kinsman found him, so that he would not have to see the looks on their faces as they passed their judgments.
     But this did not happen. As he walked, Necalli was overcome with a strange desire to keep struggling forward. His injuries left him vulnerable and growing weaker with each passing minute, but something drove him forward. Almost as though something were waiting for him just a little farther into the wilderness. He did not understand the feeling, but it seemed important to him. As though reaching this unknown goal might somehow aid his plight. He hardly noticed as the trees around him began to change in appearance to a strange looking woods. But what he did notice was that as he walked, the pain and fatigue of his injuries seemed to lessen.   Gradually it faded until he looked down to find that despite the blood on his skin, the wounds had miraculously closed and his strength returned. And it frightened him. He did not understand what was happening, but he proceeded forward, wary of any strange or even magic foe that might approach him. Needless to say, when he reached the forest’s edge and found Theo waiting there he did not meet the tall man cordially.   Thinking him to be a strange enemy soldier, Necalli attacked Theo fiercely, but was surprised to find that the young man managed to keep out of harm’s way, asking Necalli to calm down and listen to him. Though everything about Theo from his strange clothes to his peculiar hair was alien, he spoke Nahuatl as if he were one of Necalli’s own kin, and it gave the warrior pause enough to let Theo try and explain himself.
     Of course Necalli thought him a mad man when he spoke of monsters and immortal beings. Only the gods dealt with things of that nature. But then, he could not deny that somehow his injuries had been miraculously healed, and out of sheer curiosity, and a lack of anywhere else to go, he tentatively followed Theo into the city.   For an old soldier, Sybal Heim was overwhelming. Filled with things he did not understand and strange people, the likes of which he had never seen. It was more than he could stand at first, and he grew angry with both Theo and the so-called “minister” that he had been taken to meet. And when the night fell, his Sybal transformation all but set the man into sheer terror. It took several aids to subdue him that first night, but eventually they managed to calm him down somewhat. And after a week or so, Necalli began to understand that this transformation was to be a typical occurrence. He tried his best to adjust to life in the city, but it was difficult for him. He had not wanted this- a new life in some strange town where nobody knew his shame. He had wanted death- solace from his waiting and the chance to see his family once more. And it burned him to be trapped in this place, lost and naive to its peculiar ways and people. He had never thought himself as unintelligent, but compared to these strange folk he was little more than a child, despite the fact that many of them had faces less than half his age.   They treated him as though he was a boy again, and it aggravated the man. And then, one night he snapped. They had told him of the feral and docile natures of the citizens at night, and at first had classified Necalli as a docile Sybal. But that night he found that their classification was ill conceived. While speaking to an “older” citizen, Necalli had grown increasingly embarrassed at his own lack of understanding and knowledge. And the other man had laughed at him, finding his ignorance quaint and funny.
     Inferiority. He felt it again and again in this place, and it was one time too many. Necalli snapped and attacked the man, with only a thought to prove that he was not some weak, laughable thing to be tossed aside. Not necessarily even to prove it to others, but more to prove to himself that he was still strong. He would have killed the man had the Constables not stepped in and subdued him, knocking him out and dragging him off to Kardia.
     Though he does not speak of what went on during his stay in the manor, when Necalli was released he seemed to have found a new purpose in life. Whatever occurred there seemed to renew his interest in living and he wished sincerely to try and better himself and overcome his darker nature. And he cooperated well with the workers assigned to him, eventually managing to work out his personal issues and overcome his feral tendencies. And especially surprising to the man, he actually managed to find companionship with one of the ministry workers assigned to him. Chenzira was on of the citizens often assigned to cases such as Necalli, given that her Sybal power made her ideal of calming and subduing aggressive opponents. And though they did become friends while assigned to one another, it wasn’t until after Necalli completed his reformation process that the two began to court. Having lost his previous wife and child, it was difficult for Necalli at first, but in time he came to care deeply for Chenzira and the two were married. It was then that Necalli truly began to enjoy life in Sybal Heim. And for many long years he was content with a simple lifestyle. Though, to his surprise, Basileus had bigger plans for the man, eventually inviting him to the post of Minister at the age of 105, when the previous Doxa leader sought to retire. Though he was unsure of himself at first, Necalli decided to accept the position, and eventually assumed the role of Minister.   He has since thrived in the position, and has greatly enjoyed his time of service.
     Necalli has served as a bulwark against insurgents for centuries, protecting both the people, and Basileus, who he gives credit to for helping him to overcome the shadows of his past. And under his watchful eye, Doxa has flourished into a beautiful and highly efficient district. However, like his predecessor, Necalli has decided that after 496 years as Minister, it is time to step down. He enjoys his post as minister, but he’s reached a point where he desires a quieter lifestyle. One without the constant preoccupation of tending to an entire district’s worth of people. He wishes now to find a simpler work that will allow him to spend more time with his wife and friends, as the Ministerial position has always left him with relatively little time for these facets of his life. He will stay on as an advisor to Sila for some time, but he is training her to be a replacement, not an aid. Though, given their rather familial bond, it’s likely that Sila will continue to consult him for advice even after she has officially assumed the position as Minister.

Additional Info:

-       Necalli has been in the city long enough to where he has adapted more to the mix of culture and style. Though he still holds true to some of his cultural traditions, he has grown fond of the variety found in Sybal Heim and welcomes the mixing of many cultures and beliefs. As such, Doxa is a rather varied district in what may be found there. Though the Ministerial Estates and general flavor of many public places are still predominately Central American in design as a result of his leadership.

    -       Necalli is actually a little embarrassed by the placement of his Minister’s Mark and does not like having to show it to people while in human form. But given that he already has several tattoos, it was one of the only places where the mark could be placed without interfering with his other brandings and still be decently visible, according to Basileus. Though Chenzira often jokes that it’s simply there because Necalli’s fur is so soft as a Sybal that even Basileus couldn’t resist petting his stomach.

    -       Along that line, Chenzira often refers to her husband as “Kitten” given his feline appearance as a Sybal. Though he gets rather indignant when she calls him this in public, Necalli doesn’t seem to mind it too much in private.

    -       Necalli is a strong willed man who bends to the whims of only a select number of people. One of which is most definitely his wife. When it comes to Chenzira, Necalli is a complete push over, and it is rather funny to see them together at night, as Necalli really does become something more akin to a big kitten or teddy bear as opposed to his usual imposing personality. Though they have their disputes, such as any couple, Necalli and Chenzira have long since outgrown the more trivial conflicts of their youth. Having been together for so long, they are incredibly comfortable with one another and have attained a balance in their relationship that can only be achieved with many long years of trial and error.

    -       Necalli is highly protective of Chenzira, which while this is a little obnoxious to her at times, it is well meaning and usually harmless. And given that her Sybal form is far more delicate than his, he always keeps an eye out for her safety at night. Though it’s rare that she actually really needs his aid, Chenzira often lets Necalli do things for her simply to make him happy. However, given his wife’s rather… eccentric nature, there are those who will crack jokes about her from time to time. And if these jokes are made within his earshot, you can be assured that Necalli will be giving the joker a good punch. Usually in the face. Which, while painful enough in human form, is made infinitely worse by the stone quality of his fists as a Sybal.

    -       Necalli and the Disciple leader, Darshil are close friends, having initially bonded over an interest in combat. They are actually regular sparring partners, though it is difficult to say who is the superior fighter as when asked they both tend to claim that the other is better. Though Necalli is actually quite a bit younger, Darshil treats the minister as his elder in nearly every way and has a great respect for the man.

    -       Though they did not initially meet on the best of terms, after his visit to Kardia, Necalli got along much better with Theo. These days he has a great respect for Theo and the two are very good friends. Though Necalli is always trying to convince Theo to participate in a tag-team fight in the arena with him, to which Theo always politely refuses. But Necalli keeps trying, swearing that one day or another he’ll convince the other man to give it a try. And he occasionally tries to trick Theo into participating by sneaking application forms into his regular paperwork. One time he actually did manage to get Theo to sign the form without really realizing it, which led to a rather humorous and boyish chase through Doxa of Theo attempting to retrieve the offending contract.

    -       When Basileus first told him who his replacement would be, Necalli actually thought it was a joke. Sila was too young he thought to really understand the city, and her highly energetic, almost sporadic personality he did not think was well suited to the position. However, after getting to know her (and a stern rebuke from Basileus for doubting his choice) he has come to realize that Sila is more suited to the post than he originally thought.

    -       Though she often tries his patience, Necalli is actually very fond of Sila, and even considers the girl almost like a daughter. Especially given that his wife took and immediate liking to Sila and now the two are now close friends. As such, Necalli lets many things slide in her behavior that he would not tolerate in any of his other workers. She is also one of the only people who can get him to really relax and have a little fun. However, he has been known to simply lift Sila up over his head and hold in the air until she agrees to calm down and focus more. And given her large size as a Sybal, this can actually look quite comedic at times.

    -       Though he does not get truly angry with her, Necalli does not appreciate the fact that Sila often refers to him as “Old Man.”

    -       He is a little sensitive about his height, and will get rather flustered if it is brought up. And though he won’t admit it, he’s quite glad that his apprentice is young as it means she is still shorter than him. However, given that his wife is taller than him, Necalli has had to bite his tongue and just accept that he is a bit smaller than he might have liked

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