Niko Aris's History
Niko Aris is a human planeswalker from Meletis, Theros. Their signature magic is using mirror-like magical shards for direct attack, trapping foes, or hiding friends. They are also a gifted athlete with javelin and are known for defying fate and destiny. On Kaldheim, they are called bear-rider, ice-foot, Valkyrie-puncher, and Steelhair.
Niko was born and raised on Theros. Early in their life, an oracle saw their athletic future, destined to become undefeated and highly skilled. They trained as a javelin-thrower for years, but eventually began to question their destiny, and instead sought to become a hero like those of the stories and songs they had always heard. After purposefully losing a contest, they realized that they could take control of their fate.
During the events of the Theros Beyond Death, the ancient goddess of destiny Klothys returned from the Underworld, on a mission to reweave fate and enforce it by ensuring that people obey their prescribed future. The most notable agent she sent out was Calix, whose goal was to prevent Elspeth from leaving the Underworld, however many others were sent out after various individuals, Niko being one such target. Niko's defiance of fate, losing the contest, had set them too far off the desired path, but during this confrontation, Niko's spark ignited and they left the plane.
Niko’s first planeswalk took them to Kaldheim on the realm of Bretagard where they were joined by a band of Kannah led by Fynn the Snakehunter. The group was on an urgent mission to discover the secrets of their leader’s troubling visions. Niko was quickly accepted and mentored by Kjell, a Kannah mystic. Under a truce as dictated by faith, they traveled to Jutmaw so that Fynn could consult with Orhaft Stoneback, an Omenseeker Vedrune. While the clan leaders talked, warriors from both sides were goaded into conflict by Birgi (the god of boasting) to show Niko the nature of their ways. Niko attempted to stop the fighting, but a pair of Valkyries arrived as heralds of approaching death. To prevent this, Niko successfully trapped one of them and sought help from the clan leaders. While Fynn quelled the fighting, Orhaft explained that Niko had been seen as a dark omen. Omenpaths, portals between realms, were occurring with a greater frequency which indicated an approaching Doomskar. Niko offered to travel to Starnheim to seek answers and provide a warning. With their approval, Niko set out on the Omenseeker ship guided by Orhaft and the imprisoned Valkyrie.
Niko arrived in Starnheim and crossed the Yetta Docks above the black lake of Valkmir. They entered the Hall of the Valkyries and briefly joined the celebrated heroes partaking in the eternal feast. Niko then made their way to the gathered Valkyries and attempted to warn them of Fynn the Snakehunter’s visions and the approaching destruction brought by Koma, the Cosmos Serpent. As the Valkyries considered Niko’s warning, the threat of multiple Doomskars appeared in the sky above just before Koma breached the realm. With the Valkyries uncertain of what to do, Niko took charge and helped them to drive Koma back through the Omenpath it had entered. Niko left the light of Starnheim behind and bravely fell through the portal in pursuit, joined by the Valkyries in the battle ahead.
Following Koma from Starnheim, Niko and the Valkyries ended up in Bretagard where they helped face the invading hordes. There, Niko saved Kaya and was saved in turn by Kaya. After the great battle, Kaya discovered that Niko was a Theros planeswalker and told them that they needed to have a conversation.
