#atlaki

[skydrifter]

these guys have saved the world from dragons and gods

[astralarias]

the difference between atlaki's tank hfb vs dps dragonhunter gear is so funny to me. that's a different man. in fact the second man is a fluffed up owl.

[heyitsmejona]

Heyyyy @astralarias​ ...

[thanks----take-a-look]

A sketch I did of my tiny firebrand with Atlaki (A very pretty boy belonging to @astralarias )

[likemesomesalads]

art trade with @astralarias​ for the amazing edits of Enfy and Nura. 

Atlaki eating a well-deserved cake.

[sunshinemage]

Atlaki for @astralarias

because he is baby u_u

[astralarias]

he fits so well with the sky here <3

[astralarias]

3 and 17 for atlaki? from the "edgy" ask game :))

Thank you!! And again sorry for the wait!

3. What is your OC’s fatal flaw? Are they aware of this flaw?

He's stubborn as hell with a very single-minded streak. Not saving everyone is never an option to him and he'd gladly burn every diplomatic bridge on Tyria if it means saving one more life. He doesn't care for pretty words when people are in danger, and will tell world leaders to go fuck themselves to their face because he knows they're wrong and they're hurting people, even in situations where talking things out might bring lasting peace. He is somewhat aware of this flaw, but mostly just...doesn't care. This is why Cassien is the one handling the diplomacy side of things.

What is the worst thing you have put your OC through story-wise?

Probably HoT's main storyline!! He had to kill not only Trahearne but a lot of soldiers who were too far gone to save or turned to the Dragon. People he knew and cared for during the Orr campaign. I always imagine the Jungle was a lot more gory/bloody than anet was allowed to show, more weird plant body horror, and that really stays with him even now.

[astralarias]

I've got a lover, a love like religion I'm such a fool for sacrifice

[astralarias]

he has two moods

[astralarias]

OKAY Cassien (+ Aikarico) arc time!! Very long post and vague SotO spoilers below!

The dragon cycle is over. Somehow, beyond all hope, everything is okay. They're alive - him, Atlaki, and Aikarico. They survived, and for the first time in his life, Cassien sees a future for them - a peaceful future.

And then Atlaki grows distant. His love for Cas doesn't dim, but his presence does. He spends more time away from everyone, just him and his griffon out in the endless wilds. He'd always looked tired, but the light of determination that once shone in his eyes is gone. Suddenly, Cassien can't reach him like he used to. And he understands; Atlaki has endured more than is fair. But he thought that with everything over, they could start to build a life for themselves. But Atlaki just seems lost, adrift from Cas and nothing he tries seems to help.

And then. Atlaki goes missing. Last seen in Gendarran fields - a group of shady strangers - and a portal? That's all he knows. Cassien, too, runs off on his own to try and figure out what the hell has happened. He gets as far as figuring out what the Kryptis are before Aikarico tracks him down, demanding she not be left out (she cares about him. She can't say that.) Together, they find out more about the Kryptis - including Nayos. Unaware of the Astral Ward, they assume Atlaki has gone to Nayos, kidnapped by the demons, and track down a rift to follow in his footsteps.

It all goes very, very badly.

They're swarmed within minutes, and although the two of them take down a considerable number, they're forced to retreat. They barely escape back through the portal before it closes, unscathed by some miracle - or so it seems.

That night, after making camp, Aikarico wakes to a knife at her throat, the small sylvari's face obscured by a cloud of hate and glowing eyes. She deftly restrains him, and eventually the demon's claim on him fades into the background; not gone, but resting, a promise of its return hanging over the both of them.

Cassien is angry. It all comes to the surface; how abandoned he felt when Atlaki withdrew, how he thought they could finally have peace only for Atlaki to seemingly reject it, to become miserable in the absence of war and death. Things he didn't even realize he felt come rushing up, and he can't stop. He cries and cries through the night, occasionally thrashing and cursing as the demon regains control, only to subside to sobs again. Aikarico holds him through the sleepless night until dawn breaks, laughing off the demon's threats and - very awkwardly - comforting him through the worst of it.

They wake to a stranger approaching their camp. A charr, wearing a tall pointed hat and robes. He's holding a strange relic, one that seems to be drawn to Cassien. He knows the both of them, but doesn't to bother introducing himself by name - only stating he's a member of the "Astral Ward", and usually they wouldn't do this, but they were aware of Cas and Aika's brief foray into Nayos, and of the unwanted passenger Cassien picked up. Considering they're both Atlaki's closest allies - Cassien even holding the title of Commander himself - Isgarren deemed it appropriate to reach out to them and get them up to speed, as well as hopefully cure Cas of his affliction.

Seeing no other choice, they both agree and are taken to the Wizard's Tower, where Cassien is exorcised and the demon killed. Atlaki has recently left with Peitha for Nayos - Aikarico is given the option to go after him, once Isgarren has explained things further, but she chooses to stay with Cassien as he recovers from his possession. Once they do catch up with Atlaki, they're going to have a very big, emotional reunion and a lot of communication between them.

[astralarias]

Just read about Aikarico - Now I'd love to hear more about Atlaki and Cassien ;V; Maybe,... how is their time together? Some special events?

(@wilsons-journey)

Of course!!

So, Atlaki is my main Commander and his story follows canon for the most part. Cassien is his co-Commander, taking care of the more diplomatic side of things whilst Atlaki is out fighting. They're also dating, and Cassien is ex-Nightmare Court! Since becoming Soundless blocks out the Dream, in my headcanon, it also blocks out Nightmare - so that's what he did! It was a long road to recovery but he's mostly there now. I'll put his story under the cut, because it's quite long, if you'd like more detail!

The two of them have been together through thick and thin at this point and trust each other with their lives. Atlaki is fiercely kind-hearted, passionate, kind-but-not-nice vibes, whilst Cassien is calm, realistic, with a sarcastic streak so subtle many people don't notice it at all. Together they balance each other out nicely, and are both able to be truly soft, truly themselves, around each other.

Cassien's story:

When Cassien first awoke, despite feeling so strongly the feelings of his fellow sylvari, he was very isolated because he just had no clue how to handle so much empathy. He never knew what emotions were actually his and it really effected him in a bad way.

A few weeks after Cassien's awakening, Atlaki returned to the Grove after the events of LWS3, and upon noticing this one lonely sapling he decided to try and strike up a friendship. They quickly became close, with Atlaki giving Cas a lot of tips and advice on how to manage his emotions. However, then PoF began and Atlaki had to return to Elona.

Cassien really spiraled again after that - two undercover Courtiers noticed this and got to work wearing him down to join them, not showing who they truly were but gaining his trust. The tipping point was when news reached the Grove that the Commander had been killed by Balthazar. Cassien just…couldn't handle this, and in a moment of complete despair that his first and only real friend was dead he agreed to join the Court.

Obviously Atlaki wasn't dead (permanently), but it took a while for this news to reach the Grove, along with news that he was visiting again. One night, Cassien heard two Courtiers gossiping about it. His first reaction was - well, Atlaki's going to hate me now, I can't bear him finding out what I've done, so I'll just end myself and be done with all of this. But he just couldn't bring himself to do it; so instead, he sneaked back into the Grove and tracked down Atlaki. He confessed to what had happened, and begged Atlaki to kill him.

Atlaki refused to do it, point-blank; aside from him caring for Cas, this was the first time he'd seen a Courtier express any desire to leave the Nightmare. He was intrigued, and if there was any chance he could bring back his friend he had to take it. He took Cassien back to Elona with him as LWS4 started up, and taught him to meditate to quiet his blind. Cassien became Soundless, blocking out not only the overwhelming Dream but Nightmare too.