Nightwind is a 7-foot-tall horse-like warrior. His fur is grey, his eyes a piercing icy blue. He wears armor crafted from the scales of some other-dimensional dragon creature; it is light in weight but provides good protection. The armor is midnight blue save for those pieces not made up of scales – the boots, belt, knee guards, and bladed elbow guards, as well as some trim. These are made of a sort of other-dimensional gold, far stronger than Earth gold. His mane and tail are not made of hair, but of dark energy – black at its center with fringes of blue. He can extend and manipulate this energy as he wishes; usually it looks like hair blowing in the wind. He has large wings that appear to be those of a bat, which he usually keeps partially folded behind him.

Nightwind hails from another dimension or realm, one where the days are divided into "cold night" and "colder, darker, nightier night". He was captain of the guard in his village, a position he struggled to achieve over the course of his life. He was a largely antisocial fellow, but well-respected for his skill and dedication to his work.

Then his realm was invaded by the forces of another that sought to colonize his. Nightwind fought valiantly, but inevitably fell to the attacking force's vast and disciplined armies. He was taken as a prisoner of war and brought back to the home dimension of the invaders, where he was eventually handpicked by their dark overlord as a personal slave.

He was vehemently resistant at first... but in time, their dark ruler broke him like a trainer breaks a wild stallion. Not with black magic or hexes - practical, but oh so unsatisfying - but with pure physical torment and mental manipulation. But he did not stay a ruined wretch forever - his lord had other plans for him.

The little kindnesses his master would occassionally show him shined like a beacon of light through the torment – like love and caring. The overlord encouraged Nightwind to think of himself not just as a slave, or after rising in rank, a soldier or general. He was given a special power that fulfilled one of his desires – in his case, a desire to be stronger in order to better serve his ruler. He was encouraged to feel special, to feel as if he were Master's favorite, Master's pet, Master's love. And that sick, twisted love is what made him fiercely loyal and defensive. And kept him that way.

Today, Nightwind is one of the highest-ranking members of his master's army; overseeing invasions like the one that robbed him of his home. When not scouting or in battle, he is often kept within his master's palace - close enough to be used, as he always longs to be.

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Lines by Iudicium

Coloring/Character by me