#but im 90% sure that you shouldn't be hearing your favorite character's voice in your head 24/7

[dunaldoodles]

Some Ardent facts bc I love them and no one can stop me from talking about them! Put under a read more bc ik its a lot.

They're unusually large for a Vessel! Even as a hatchling, they were pretty big. Accelerated growth via power feeding and Soul infusions just made them even bigger. Shadow is a little jealous of this.

Despite their lanky appearance, they hit like a runaway freight train. Even with the injuries they've sustained, they're a force to be reckoned with!

They're nearly entirely blind. They can see blurred smears of color and light and movement, but rely on a modified version of World Sense to get around.

They also use it to sense Soul, and follow Hornet's safety lines and shortcuts throughout the kingdom to get places they normally can't.

They have several prosthetics! Their left arm was originally designed and paid for by Hornet, and later upgraded by the Pale King. It's made of Pale Steel, and had an attachment point at an artificial shoulder for cleaning and to keep them from bleeding Void when its removed.

They also have mechanical wings! Three of them, moved by Void, with the leading edge made of steel, bones made of steel rods, and webbing made of Hornet's silk. One of their original wings had to have a brace outfitted for it and the gossamer cut and replaced with silk. They're strong enough for short flights, but Ardent mostly uses them for emoting and boosted jumps.

Their left leg is corrected with a brace made of steel alloy, leather, and high-grade spidersilk. It's built more for comfort and correction than anything more, and while it allows them to walk normally, they still have to be careful, since the ruined leg is still weak.

They used to be left-handed, but after Firefly burned off their arm, they were forced to be right-handed until Hornet could get them the prosthetic. Now they're ambidextrous!

The injuries they have mean they almost constantly leak Void from somewhere, whether it be from their tail, a re-opened wound, or the cracks in their face. This also means they're one of the few adult Vessels who's physically required to eat on a regular basis to keep their Void content up.

Their low Void content also means that reproducing is particularly dangerous. A lot of Void is needed to make an egg, and in the three times they've done it, they've nearly died each time and struggled for months to recover. Both Tiso and Hornet have banned them from breeding.

Their nail doubles as a cane at their insistence. Mostly because they refused to use the one Hornet got for them. Its still somewhere in their nest, covered in tooth marks from their spawn.

They actually do have a bedroom in the house they share with Hornet, Tiso, Shadow, and Nyrffrin in Dirtmouth. They do not use it. Instead, they decided to build their nest under the stairs. Whenever Tiso doesn't feel like cuddling an ice block, he uses their bedroom.

Lover of all things shiny! They have a hoard under their nest full of random bits of metal, smooth stone, and precious gems that they've collected since being freed! Definitely inherited that from PK.

They really aren't the sharpest nail in the forge, and get confused very easily. Also very trusting of just about anyone. This is both a blessing and a curse.

Now that they're allowed to be a person, they've set about exploring and trying everything new they physically can, from trying new foods to exploring new places and trying new experiences! They'll do just about anything once!

They're extremely opinionated at times, and more stubborn than a stag. Once they've made up their mind on something they deem important, you will NOT be changing their mind.

That being said, they're very food motivated, and more than willing to concede on most things if you offer them a good enough meal. There's some things that not even their favorite snacks will be enough, though.

Very kindhearted and compassionate. They're the sole reason Firefly is actually still alive, and the sole reason she's willing to try to be a better person. She won't admit this, but they are her best friend.

The basis for their personality was actually my boy! He's an old man now, but still a beloved member of my family. When he goes, Ardent will be his memory. :)