Nyxander Hawkins, or Nyx, was born in the Southern Reaches, a land known for its harsh deserts, blistering sun, and vibrant shadows. Growing up in a modest family, Nyx learned how to navigate a world filled with danger and deception early on. His father was a seasoned merchant who often found himself at the mercy of ruthless bandits, and his mother was a skilled herbalist, teaching him the value of resourcefulness and the importance of survival in a harsh environment.
From a young age, Nyx loved the thrill of mischief. He often found himself in the company of local street urchins, honing his skills in stealth, agility, and close combat. He became adept at knife fighting, a talent later refined into an art form. However, as Nyx grew older, he also became entangled in the underbelly of his hometown, developing connections with less savory characters and local thieves. Although he enjoyed the thrill of thievery, he couldn’t tolerate unnecessary cruelty, so those who knew him considered him a kindhearted rogue.
However, trouble inevitably found him. When a local rival gang noticed Nyx’s growing prowess and reputation for being on the right side of morality, they sought to undermine him, leading to a series of dangerous confrontations. Recognizing that his entanglements put him—and those he cared about—in jeopardy, Nyx made the hard decision to leave the Southern Reaches. He yearned not only to escape the complications of his past but also to explore the wider world, driven by a thirst for adventure and the hope of a fresh start.
A thin half-smile creased Scaramon’s lips. “Come now. Shall we play games or get to the business at hand? If you will not enlighten them, then I will.”
Nyx fiddled with his knife, spinning it as he flexed his wrist. Whatever this codex was, it was something Nyx had learned about while infiltrating the Warders. As an agent of the guild, he had no obligation to share what he’d learned with anyone other than Heavyhammer. Zara, maybe. But certainly not me or the death priests. But based on Scaramon’s smug look, he already knew Nyx’s secret, so the thief had little choice but to tell us all what he knew.
“Very well,” Nyx said. “The priest speaks of the Codex of the Dragon.”
- THE ASSASSIN’S CODE
His journey led him to the bustling streets of Alchester, where he soon found himself drawn to Thjorn Targalas’ thieves’ guild. The guild represented more than just a lifestyle of crime. It offered a brotherhood of skilled individuals dedicated to the art of thievery and, occasionally, to the cause of justice. Nyx quickly proved himself as an asset to the guild, not only because of his exceptional knife-fighting skills but also his charismatic nature and strong moral compass. Within the guild, he gained respect, positioning himself as one of the most reliable thieves in the city and a good man to have at your back in a fight.
As Nyx continues to carve out his place within the thieves’ guild, balancing the thrill of his profession with the deeper desires for love and adventure, he remains a master thief who uses his skills not just for personal gain but also to protect those he cares about. The Southern Reaches may be behind him, but the lessons learned amid the desert sands accompany him as he forges his path, living by his own code of honor even in a life marked by shadows.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Nyx first appears in The Assassin's Code (Assassin Without a Name Book Three).
