Nioroa is a Wolfblood. Wolfbloods have actually co-existed with humans for centuries and their existence have been kept a secret, but due to the stunt the magics pulled in 2000, their covers have pretty much been blown. There are very few around whose identities are not known to people who have their eyes on them, namely PILOT and ARROW people. Given that most have had no violent past, most have been left alone. However, they are only left alone if they live in a community and abide by the rules the 'tame' Wolfbloods have set for themselves. Such as, any Wolfblood caught outside on a full moon, is subject to imprisonment at least, and in a worst case scenario, death.

Nioroa is a genetic mystery, as far as Wolfbloods go. He's been able to keep his existence a secret, able to pass for a wolf-dog hybrid that wanders the streets early on. Whereas other Wolfbloods don't have their first change until they are a teenager, Nioroa was born while in wolf form. He was unable to change into his human form until he was, in human years, fifteen years old.

There are abilities that all Wolfbloods possess, but not all choose to use. Those that have lived a tame life do not use Eolas, which is what the wild ones refer to as 'connecting with nature.' Simply by touching a hand (or paw) to the ground and focusing, they can see everything within a five-mile radius. The downside to this particular ability is that, if used in a populated area, that have pylons or other electrical towers, is that it'll more likely than not incapacitate the Wolfblood attempting to use Eolas. At the very least, it causes crippling headaches; most who have tried this, are too worried about the pain that they forget to tap out of nature, and end up passing out due to the extreme pain. Another one that is a more recent discovery, is the ability to assert dominance over other canines, and in essence, making them do whatever the 'Alpha' tells them to. This particular ability is forbidden among the 'tame' Wolfbloods who do know of it, though not all heed its status. Other natural abilities include inhuman speed, strenght, hearing, and sense of smell. Even when not in wolf form, or near a full moon, a Wolfblood can easily outrun pursuers, can smell unfriendlies a mile away, and can outmuscle pretty much everyone.

Wolfbloods also have the ability to regenerate injuries, to an extent. Any injuries sustained while in human form, will be healed upon changing into wolf form on a full moon. However, this does not apply to injuries while sustained in wolf form at any time. Those injuries carry over to human form, and sometimes worsen upon changing; injuries are best left treated in wolf form if that's the form they were obtained in.

As with normal wolves, there are designated 'territories' for each 'pack.' If a stranger is caught wandering into another known territory, they will be given a warning. If caught a second time, they will be attacked, unless given permission prior.

As with any animal, Wolfbloods do have weaknesses. All Wolfbloods have a fear of fire, and will sometimes 'wolf out' if exposed to flames for a long period of time. There are also certain smells that will attract a Wolfblood, and if close enough, will cause them to 'wolf out' as well. It depends on the age and self-restraint abilities of the individual. An older Wolfblood whose been exposed to certain smells for short periods of time over the course of say, a few decades, will not react to smells the same way an inexperienced Wolfblood would when coming into contact with that smell for the first time.

A genetic mystery at the very least, Nio was born as a wolf, unable to turn into his human form until he reached fifteen years of age in human age. He was raised in the wild by his mother, and as such, enjoys being outdoors and in his wolf form more than anything.

Nioroa did not grow up educated in the usual ways. Being unable to turn into a human, he had to rely on his mother for teaching him, and that was a stretch, considering she'd had minimal schooling herself. However, she made it no secret that she thought he was a genius. He was able to remember things she'd only mentioned once, a few weeks ago. He would make accurate deductions based on minimal information, and was eager to learn. Despite not having any hands, he was able to scratch into the dirt with his nails words and letters, and for a wolf, his mother said, he had pretty good 'paw writing.'

He never knew his dad; his mother said he would come visit eventually, but it never happened. His mother claimed it was likely due to the witch hunt for supernaturals; if he left all of a sudden, it would raise suspicion. Due to this, Nioroa never knew what it was like to have a fatherly figure in his life, though his mom, the time she was around, did shower him with affection and would teach him things that a father would have. She put up with his rough housing, taught him to hunt, about eventually choosing a mate, and so on.

As happy as Nioroa was, considering the circumstances, it wasn't meant to last. After hunters had caught wind of a couple of wolves in the wild, they turned form the hunters to the hunted. A close call caused both of them to act rashly and not pay attention to their surroundings, desperate to get away, and eventually running into a mother bear with two cubs. They were able to fend her off and escape, but Nioroa suffered an injury that would last a lifetime. He'd got his left flank raked by the claws, deep enough to cause damage to the muscles and ligaments. He wasn't completely lame afterwards, but he did walk with a limp.

His mother left on what she called an 'errand' -- to try and find more Wolfbloods to help out with his situation, as at the time, he was still unable to turn into a human. She told him that if she wasn't back within to weeks, to head south and east until he found a place called Ashmill. Two weeks passed, and then three weeks. Those three weeks turned into three months, and no word from his mother. Thus began the long journey to the place his mother had mentioned, Ashmill.

Along the way, Nioroa had his fair share of mishaps and run-ins. He attempted to keep a low profile, but even traveling in the backwoods, there wasn't exactly a good way to travel in some areas. He cut through some smaller towns, scaring some of the locals and raising some suspicion. A few times, he actually helped some civilians out. And not in the 'Let me get that door for you' sort of way, either. It was when a life was in danger, and it also helped him learn some of the technologies of the modern day world. Being naive, he wound up getting himself hurt pretty badly, but luckily for him, a veterinarian, who also happened to be a Wolfblood, was able to help him out. Puzzled at his predicament, she helped him finish his journey to Ashmill. With an old leg injury and a scarred right shoulder, as well as other various scars that include bite marks of various sizes, as well as scars that look like old stab or slash wounds from sharp objects, he isn't exactly what you'd call friendly-looking. However, due to the high population of PILOT in Ashmill, he's become much more skittish than he had been prior, afraid to show himself to the public. He's unsure if he's a target or not, or if PILOT even knows who or what he is.

Since his arrival in around 2017,  Nioroa has kept to the shadows, usually maintaining his wolf form and sticking to the outskirts of the town. He hasn't found a way to 'blend in' with the supernaturals yet, seeing as he has no living relatives or family that he knows of, and was never taught the ways of a human. He also never learned his full name. His mother always called him Nioroa, or Ro; another reason he tends to stray away from interacting with humans as a human. Being asked his last name put him in a few predicaments in the past, and he'd rather avoid it now.

Tightening the drawstrings on the bag, Cas laid out the towel to welcome him when he was finished with swimming, whether it be only a few seconds, or a few minutes. He wasn't planning on staying out in the ocean for too long. Cas threw off his tank top, and it landed in a heap next to his bag. Inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, he made his way toward the water, taking careful, deliberate steps. There were enough noises here to allow for him not to click his tongue to 'see' what was around. His first step into the foamy sea water sent a shiver up his spine, and a smile found its way to his face. He paused mid-step for a bit, enjoying the force of the water as it flowed over his exposed skin. Then, without hesitation, he strode through the water quickly, until it was deep enough to go under.

The feeling was truly amazing. He felt like he was in a completely different world, and he wasn't even that far out. He had no idea how to swim, but judging from how it was described, it didn't sound too hard. Thankfully for him, it came naturally. He kicked with his back legs and pulled himself forward with his arms, rhythmically. It wasn't long before he realized he hadn't been breathing--but then came to the realization he didn't have to breathe. This frightened him a little, but he attributed it to his affinity with water. He wanted to put it to the test.

Underneath the waves, deep in the water, Cas found out that not only could he hear better, but there was always something making a noise, causing echoes throughout the water, painting a clear picture for him, or, as close to a clear picture as he's ever got. Surrounded by water, able to 'see' better than on land, he was sad he'd not attempted this sooner.
[[ taken from part of a post by me @ FF ]]