From Changeling Venue

"Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved."

~Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

Seeming	Darkling Mirrorskin
Court	Autumn Court ••••
Freehold	Sanitarium of Wayward Dreams
Player	Ron Edens

Contents 1 Overview 2 Character Information 2.1 Known History 2.2 Motley 2.3 Allies 2.4 Associates 2.5 Enemies 2.6 Character Inspirations 2.7 Soundtrack 2.8 Quotes 2.9 Rumors

Overview

Alias(es): The Director, Nick Franklin

Real Name: Franklin Nicholas

Age: Appears to be in his late 30's

Concept: Horror Movie/Dream Maker

Entitlement: None

Radio Free Fae: http://thirteenthhour.podbean.com/

Physical description: While sturdy in stature, Nycto always seems to be lurking. His skin is as white as a corpse, and his eyes are dark pits. When people speak with him, he always seems to lower himself below eye level, and his hands are always moving. When in a group, he is always looking out the doors and windows, always making sure there is an escape route.

Relevant Mechanics:

• Fame 1 (A few of his films are cult favorites, but the Fetch taking the credit looks much older.)
• Court Goodwill, Moon: 2

Character Information

Known History

Basic Timeline:

• 1950: Born
• 1971: Married, graduates college
• 1973: First film is released, Time of Blood

• 1976: Begins to get dream about his next movie Queen of the Nine Lashes
• 1979: During the film's opening, the real Queen uses the darkness to come to our world, and snatch humans, including Franklin. She set's fire to the theater when she leaves, killing most of the survivors. After the fire is over, Franklin is found clutching the only print of the movie.
• 1980: The real life horror of the fire helps make the movie a cult hit. When, six months later, a brother and sister vanish while watching the movie, the film's cult status grows. Franklin uses the films cult status to make more and more films, becoming a semi-famous director. During the same relative time, in Arcadia, The Queen strips Franklin of his identity. She then uses his fertile mind to come up with new ways to torture her subjects who displease her.
• 1985: Franklin leaves his wife and child, marries a young starlet. Many of the movies he makes seem to have moments that reflect the torture that the real Franklin is undergoing, and inflicting on others.

• 1990's: Franklin's movies gain less and less attention from the fans. All but the most hard core fans abandon him, including his new wife. Trying to make ends meet, Franklin becomes an eyesore at horror cons. Time is moving much slower for his twin, who has only aged a few years.
• 2000: Franklin, now calling himself Nycto Feraz, escapes along with many under the Durance of the Queen. Repenting for his past, he is the first to brave the darkness of the Hedge to help his new allies. He quickly joins the Autumn Court under the tutilage of Pawn. Within months, he tracks down his Fetch. He stalks him for months, to odd effect. While the Fetch is afraid, he is also inspired, and writes a new script about a man hunted by his own ghost. While Nycto hates his Fetch, he hold off on killing him out of pride... he wants to see his name in lights as well.
• 2000: (Late) Nycto traveled to Maleperduys, to see if the Red Nettle Revolt was related to the Lady. While Nycto determined that there was no connection, he meets his new instrutor in Dreamcraft, Valentine.
• 2001: In the early part of the year, Nycto reunites with Rowan, a childhood freind. Once he returns to Fresno, Nycto begins to experiment with DreamCrafting, something he will fiddle with over the next few years. He also begins to take longer walks in the Hedge, often alone.
• 2003: Becomes obsessed with the works of Cordelia Marrow and seeks her out. When he finds out she is courtless, he trips over himself to recruit her.
• 2005: At the urging of his Motley, Nycto begins to make short films again. He finds his Fetch is again somehow stealing his ideas.
• 2006: Nycto vanishes while searching for goblin fruit in the hedge. After 3 days, he returns again, filty, and clutching an old, beat up lamp. When asked what happened, all he will say is, "I saw the light."
• February 14, 2007- Nycto makes a delivery to Rowan
• October, 2007-Nycto begins to broadcast "The 13th Hour" to a wider audience. he also attends the Fallen Fair, where he gives a speech concerning the dreams of the dead.
• Thanksgivng, 2007- Nycto meets his newest student, Travor.
• December, 2007- Nycto Hands over the seat of power to his Motley Mate, Belladonna Black

Current Activities: Nycto embraces fear of all kinds. His own study of Contracts of Autumn has taught him how to use fear like a stiletto. He is becoming a skilled Dream Crafter, and a decent Hedge Guide.

Seeking Contacts

• People in the Film Industry
• DreamWeavers
• Any Autumn Court
• Fellow Hedge Walkers

Merit Details: Contacts in Film Industry, Books

Background: An aspiring young director, Frank Nicholas had a hopeful future ahead of him. Specializing in the growing Horror Movie genre, Frank had already started to make a name for himself.

When Frank began to have dreams of a beautiful, and monstrous monster who would kidnap people when they strayed into the darkness, he used it as inspiration for his next movie. Calling it, “The Queen of Nine Lashes,” the film as anticipated to be his break out movie.

What Frank didn’t know, was that the real queen, the The Lady of Fog and Dust, has poisoned his dreams, and tricked him into making the film. During the film’s first showing, she came off the screen to grab Frank, as well as a few others, and set the building on fire. Among the dead, his childhood best friend, Kevin Thompson.

Frank begged to go home, but She refused, telling him that he owed her for making his name well known. She then told him that she had a few more things to teach him about fear… and the lessons began.

Nycto can not remember much of his Durance, and he does not want to. The torture he endured, and the torture he knows he inflicted keep him awake at night. He knows he was made into the Lady’s boogieman. He would scare the other slaves into servitude, and punish them for failure. While he hates to admit it… he knows that he actually enjoyed it when he was at her side.

When the Lady was injured in a hunting party, Nycto was more than happy to punish the filthy little Wizened that dared to fail his beloved queen. But as he began the torture, the little leather worker said one thing, “I forgive you.”

The words only stunned the Nycto for a moment. A familiar sound, but he could not remember what they meant. They troubled him, but he could not remember why. He tried to forget, but it was too late. The man in him, long since forgotten, started to creep back. He started to remember that he was not always a Monster. He remembered his family.

Nycto only became aware of the queens fall when it was too late to stop it. Hiding in the shadows as the fight waged on. Torn between his new memories, and his love for his Lady, Nycto would not take a side.

Soon the battle turned against the Lady, as she sent the few loyal to die for her, she headed for the secret door she could use to escape. At that same moment, Nycto saw the little Wizened he had just torn asunder a few feet away… and he knew he had to make a choice.

After a moment’s hesitation, Nycto emerged from the shadows to stand before the Lady. Enraged, she struck him once in the face, shattering the bones in his face. But Nycto’s goal was achieved. Her former slaves put her to task for her sins.

When the killing was done, the slaves looked to escape. Only Arthur came to check on Nycto, who now no longer looked like a monster at all, but more like a man. The others protested, saying he was as bad as the Queen herself. Arthur rejected all objections, and lifted the man up himself.

Upon his return, Nycto has worked hard to live up to Arthur’s kindness. He was the first to brave returning to the Hedge, and the first to emerge with Goblin Fruits. He tries to keep the others aware of their Fears, without succumbing to them. Over the years, however, he has grown colder and colder, and increasingly frightening.

When he returned, he found his Fetch had continued his rise to fame, using the disaster of the “Queen” to make a name for himself. He had even left his wife behind for a cute young girl. Many of his films, to Nycto’s horror, had moments that he half remembered from his time in Arcadia. When Nycto returned, however, the Fetch stopped making movies, claiming he has lost the inspiration.

Nycto had wanted to kill him, but could not bring himself to take another life, even if it is a false one. Instead, he left it alone, to start a new life.

Lately, Nycto has been looking to express his creative juices again. Experimenting with dream weaving, he has showed a great deal of skill when it comes to Nightmares. Meantime… his Fetch has announced a new movie is in the works.

Motley

• Belladonna Black -The two are motley mates and associates in the Freehold of Wayward Dreams but are often seen socializing together.

• Sometimes is seen around others

Allies

• The Exalted Guild of the Fae-Touched Artisans - Nycto is a Artisan in the guild.
• DJs of Radio Free Fae ~ Nycto always supports the arts.
• Augustus Cawthorne - A neighbor of Nycto's, he accompanies him on his trips to the Hedge.
• Julio Caesar Ramierez - The only member of the Spring Court who Nycto seems to really like.
• Cordelia Marrow - If the stories are true, Nycto was such a fan of her works that he tracked her down, and forced her to join the Fallen Court. Either way, she became his student for a time.
• Cosmo - Nycto knows nothing about hockey, but is still a fan of this Fetch Killers work.
• Malic Stitch - Friend and Fan
• Ignacio Itztli - Formally a Fellow Autumn Courtier in Fresno. Ignacio often tends to his mortal business or fae affairs else where, but the two of them have been known to be a wicked scare, and even worse when hunting together.
• Finly Cole - A fellow refugee from the lady of Fog and Dust. Though they make an odd pair, Finly can often be found trying to drag this quiet darkling out into the social scene.
• Uriel de Lenormand - They both bow to the throne of fear, but each in their own way.
• Ras - Fan and fellow filmmaker.
• Rowan - He stays at the 'Haven' whenever he can. Seems to know her on some deeper level.
• Pawn - Pawn introduced Nycto to the Autumn Court. They study different paths, but they always end up in the same place.
• Valentine - Nycto's teacher in the art of Dreamcraft.
• Lance Drake - Lance saved Nycto's life a few years ago, earning the Darkling's gratitude.
• Nothing - Nycto seems drawn to this dark soul, like a moth is to a candle.
• Harlequin - Nycto is often seen spending long nights with this dark clown.
• Jim Darque - In some ways, they are diffrent, but in others, they are very, very much alike.
• Dr. Somnus - Nycto looks up to, and respects him for his work in Dreams and Nightmares. Not so much his taste in women...

Associates

• Nathaniel Fellows - They met through a common friend. While not close, they both respect each other.
• Guillermo - This Ogre tends not to trust Nycto, for good reason.
• Mei - Friend of a Fiend.

Enemies

Character Inspirations

• Pierrot le Fou - Cowboy Bebop
• Grima wormtongue - Lord of the Rings
• Alfred Hitchcock
• Terence Fisher
• Fantômas
• Erik - The Phantom of the Opera

Soundtrack

• "The Curse of Millhaven" - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
• "Black Wings" - Tom Waits
• "Goin Out West" - Tom Waits
• "Roads" -Portishead
• "The Boogie Monster" -Gnarls Barkley
• "Somthing I can Never Have" -Nine Inch Nails (or Flyleaf)
• "Zero" - Smashing Pumpkins
• "Hurt" - Johnny Cash version

Quotes

• "Such art is rarely seen these days, especially in a field such as his."- Ras
• "What a sweet taste of glamour... one that makes you shiver... well worth that fine jacket he parades around in... one taste of that sweet fear." Ozwald Savile
• "I tell you, Nycto fucken cracks me up... On one hand it's a riot to watch them shiver and scream, I could smell that sweet stench across the room... On the other hand, them running away is bad for business. But what are you going to do."Ignacio Itztli
• "Great guy! I can't say enough about his films. I have been priveliged to work with him as buisnessman and on a personal level." - Malic Stitch
• "He is a dark fellow, that goes without saying, but in his fear there are lessons he tries to teach. While I disagree with his methods, his heart's in the right place." - Finly Cole
• "He is one of few Autumn Changeling's that I've seen that learned to use Fear like a scalpel instead of a bludgeon. While bludgeoning fear into the heart and mind of a person may work, only a true master learns to strike with pin point accuracy. Paralyzing the soul and freezing the blood. He is one of the few I truly respect because of that." ~ Nathaniel Fellows
• "I am really looking forward to seeing more of his work, it is not often I see a piece, I would put aside for my personal collection." - Vicky Sage
• "Nycto's work is something else. I wouldn't quite call it a genius, but I do have a copy of every available print. It still manages to creep people out" Stephen Daedalus
• "Dear Nycto, friend and comrade, I adore him. He is an architect who is always working to build or improve, a visionary perhaps. And, as we all know, visionaries are the best gossip hounds, they see all."-Belladonna Black
• "Even before we were Taken, Nycto gave me nightmares. Still, he's the closest I have to a brother these days... a very creative, very scary, older brother, I guess, but still." - MotherRowan
• Understanding Fear is understanding the most primal instinct of all sentient life. So say the Lectures of Nycto. This Wisdom has saved my life. Mentor, pupil, ally; of these Nycto is all. -Pawn
• ...some nights I see him in my reflection - even now. -Nothing
• "I love his radio show, something in his voice touches me...deep down..inside..." - Harlequin
• "Nice guy. I just wish he didn't come off freaky, like he knows where I live and sleep." - Max McCoy/ DJ Static
• "There is always something about a cat who can dress for all season with just a smile." - Jimmy Quick
• "Nycto? Inspired. To tell you anything else would be cheating, and I'd much rather watch you discover it on your own." - Cordelia Marrow
• "True, hockey stick is not scary, but let Cosmo show Nycto what can be done with hockey stick... with sharpened edge." - Cosmo
• "He is an inspired amateur, capable of producing compelling visuals, but whose overall style lacks definition. While blood is acceptable and even necessary at times as a storytelling element, a true master of horror must understand what the blood represents." - Joseph Collins, Fangoria Magazine, 2005
• Ah, but I've heard of him... listened to his words. Interesting individual... amusing at times. ~Abel
• "I do like the pretty pictures he takes. They capture time in a different way than I would. Plus they're fucking scary!" - Romeo Tempus
• "We don't seem like two that would get along too well. He's taken nightmares and made them an art. I haven't had a dream that I liked to remember in a while... my hopes are his talents can change that." - Tume de Soto
• "Little did I know, that when I stumbled upon him in the Hedge, he would be the most frightening and rewarding find of the day. I only hope that in time I may call him friend." - The Navigator

Rumors

• Nycto is petrified of himself. Ever see him face a mirror?
• If he is ever successfully hugged, he will burst into flame. Try to hug him some time and watch his reaction.
• Nycto is a member of a secret society where he takes part in strange plays and bloody sacrafices. Rumors of everything from snuff films to child porn have been heard.
• It has been murmered by people in certain circles, that Nycto still serves his former mistress, in exchange for protections on an offspring of his he refuses to see.
• Nycto makes horror films as a release from action in real life.
• He is really into S&M, don't let him tie you up, you will spend the rest of your nights huddled in a corner wishing for sleep.
• Once upon a time, he put his soul in a little black box to keep it safe and locked it up tight. Unfortunately, he lost the key.