Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

Been coming up with Nightfarer concepts based on Tarnished OCs with friends

Big question was; how does one make a nightfarer out of a tarnished who was already how nightfarers compare to tarnished from the outset?

Not sure if I succeeded, but the result at least feels true to character

[A mock up of a Nightfarer's codex page for an Elden Ring OC]

A rogue in leather armour and a mask, with their hair tied back and a sword at their hip.
They have a curled feathery tail with leather pouches, knives, and clay pots strapped to the side.

Text on the image reads:

A wandering rogue that uses a vast collection of items and eclectic skills to escape danger and help those in need. Their propensity to disappear as quickly and quietly as they arrived has earned them the moniker “Padfoot.”

An agile generalist who not only makes effective use of nearly all weapons, but can suppliment them with unique benefits while two-handing, charging an attack, or dodging.

Preference: Straight Swords

Passive Ability:
Spirit Sprint

Traverse silently with great speed and agility.

Footsteps create no sound. Surge sprint costs less stamina and allows for the use of unique attacks and contextual movement options, such as a double jump.

Character Skill:
Aspect of the Crucible: Fine Feather Tail

Manifest supple tail and fine wings to attack and
enhance movement even further.

The effect of this skill is contextual, and is altered when used in conjunction with specific actions, or if followed by additional inputs.

Ultimate Art:
Smithscript Arsenal

Conjure forth a suite of items and enhance the effects of all nearby consumables and weapons.

Hold to spawn items and weapons in exchange for spending more of the Ultimate Art gauge to activate.
Use empowered items and weapon skills that drain
Ultimate Art gauge based on equipment held.
Activate again to resume normal item use early.

Attributes:

HP: B
FP: C
Stamina: A
Strength: C
Dexterity: B
Intelligence: B
Faith: B
Arcane: A

September 4, 2025 at 11:20 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

September 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

Sorry Ranni, but you've got to admit, maybe this approach isn't quite as slick as you thought it was

6/??
#EldenRing

Panel 1: We see a close up of Padfoot's eyes narrowing in suspicion as Ranni continues.
"The talk, I surmise, is of thee. Thou'rt possessed of the power to call forth a spectral steed, no?"

Panel 2: Padfoot folds their arms, unimpressed, and retorts.
"Well, I doubt you just wandered aimlessly into the countryside to bother whoever you found there, based on a whim and hearsay. Be honest. How long have you been watching us?"

Panel 3: Ranni's expression of cool indifference gives way to a flicker of frustration.
"Quite the stubborn one, aren't we?"
"I prefer 'pragmatically candid.'" Padfoot interjects.

June 12, 2025 at 9:44 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

It might have been a while since Padfoot was last in the Lands Between, but that doesn't mean they're completely lost...

There's something about this visitor that isn't adding up.

5/??

Panel 1-5: "I am the witch Renna." Ranni continues, but Padfoot is only half paying attention, their focus shifting to take in the details of this visitor: Her doll's body, the headwear of a heretic witch, her manner of speech, and her wolf-fur cloak.
"It is a pleasure to meet thee ...?" Ranni pauses, waiting for a response.

Panel 6: Padfoot lowers their hammer and concedes to answer. "Padfoot."
"...Padfoot." Ranni repeats, satisfied.

Panel 7: Ranni looks down at Padfoot from beneath the brim of her hat. "Now. I'd heard tell of a Tarnished hurtling about with a spectral steed."

June 12, 2025 at 9:28 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

Finally managed to escape the grip of NightReign long enough to continue this a little more

4/??
#EldenRing

Panel 1: Ranni surveys the scene with apparent indifference and says "My... Thou'rt a wild one indeed."

Panel 2: Padfoot responds with furrowed brows, smithing hammer pointed at Ranni.
"I'm in the middle of nowhere and just got woken up by a stranger in the dead of night. I'd say I'm being pretty civil all things considered."

Panel 3: From above in the church's ruined arches, we see Padfoot warily approach, hammer still raised, as Ranni replies.
"Perhaps thine mistrust is to be expected. Allow me to begin again."

June 12, 2025 at 9:07 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

Padfoots deciding if they should take the fight seriously or start doing bits

May 28, 2025 at 8:29 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

#NightReign is almost here and it's so strange to me how many aspects of it seem to line up with Padfoot's fanon/vibes that I remixed across the souls games and #EldenRing up until now.

So if the final boss looks like a confrontation with their dark reflection I'm gonna go absolutely feral.

Alloyed Padfoot, the Tarnished, stood in green and brown leather, and light metal armour.
In their right hand they hold a longsword wrapped in dull purple velvet. In their left, the hold a misericorde and have a crossbow mounted on their wrist.
A crown of short horns frames their head, and their eyes are stained with violet nectar.
Two sets of wings and a long tail protrude from their back. One set of wing are like an enormous dragonfly's, and the other are black owl's wings that protect them like elytra. The tail is serpentine, but covered in thick feathers making it look like a squirrels.
A black cloak hangs off one shoulder and slowly fades into invisibility, partially obscuring some of these animal features.
Nestled between the wings, Ranni sits side-sadle.
One pair of her arms rest over Padfoot's shoulders, the other holds the Darkmoon Greatsword tucked to one side.
Her long, tangled hair fans out behind her, and her spirit form is glowing pale blue.
They are both surrounded by motes of blue and coppery light that shine out against a dark, nighttime sky.

May 28, 2025 at 7:40 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

I'm sure this will go well...

3/??

Panel 1: Ranni's voice can be heard saying "Tarnished."

Panel 2: Padfoot starts awake where they had been sleeping against the anvil in the Church of Elleh, and reaches behind them for the closest weapon available.

Panel 3: Padfoot twirls a blacksmiths hammer and swings around, ready to defend themselves from their mysterious interloper.
Ranni continues. "May I have a word?"

Panel 4: Padfoot, now standing, points the hammer at Ranni, who is perched some distance away on the ruins of the broken church wall. They both watch eachother in silence.

May 26, 2025 at 8:57 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

...This was not the night they would reach it.

2/??

Panel 1: Padfoot whirls around to look up through the treetops as a great gust of wind parts the golden canopy. A dark moon hangs silently in the air above them.

May 26, 2025 at 8:45 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

Night after night, Padfoot's dreams took the same turn; a rolling velvet fog, and the sweet scent of nectar.
The scenery was always different, but the path never changed.
Eerily familiar views, warped by lifetimes of absence, that pointed toward a destination they did not know...

1/??
#EldenRing

1/??

Panel 1: Pale pink light shines through a dense birch forest. Pink mist drifts through the air.

Panel 2: Padfoot looks about with faint curiosity as a gentle breeze blows golden leaves past them.

Panel 3: Padfoot looks up through a gap in the golden forest canopy. A streak of starlight can be seen suspended in the night sky. It points in the direction they are travelling.

Panel 4: Padfoot's attention is caught by a distant voice on the wind that whispers "Tarnished..."

May 26, 2025 at 8:39 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

I couldnt get this to play in the original post so
Waterfowl Dance-Off goes here

May 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

3 years of Elden Ring, QRT with your art

I really need to work on my sketch backlog
because this isnt even a dent in it
and you wouldn't think the majority of it was Ranni or Melina just from looking at these

Padfoot with a large feather serpent tail

Padfoot talking to St Trina on their shoulder

Padfoot talking to Blaidd with a tiny St Trina on their head

May 8, 2025 at 8:49 AM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

me at my prospective players like:

Padfoot the Tarnished stares ominously over Ranni's shoulder as she pulls her hat over her ears to avoid listening to them.

Padfoot: Even your social avoidence provides information through which i can infer the depths of your soul

Ranni: Nooooo

April 28, 2025 at 8:31 AM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

Padfoot with a little St Trina on their head
Blaidd looks confused and exasperated

Padfoot: There's a lady in my head who calls me studmuffin
Blaidd: please leave me alone

April 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM

caffeinatedArtificer

@caffeinatedarti.bsky.social

I wanted to make Sleep work from the moment I started my first #EldenRing run
So I like to imagine that the moment Padfoot returned, St Trina immediately detected Gender-Fuckery and decided to bring them on side
Possibly even enabling their first encounter with Ranni... for reasons...