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Iolytus Nikolaos ("Niko") Casymed was born on Hellas, to the best of his knowledge the oldest child and only son of Ianessa and Basilius Casymed. Niko's childhood was pleasant enough, with much fishing, but relatively lacking in technology until he reached seventh grade, and received a scholarship to attend a private school in Hellas City that focused on, of all things, science and other technology. Upon his graduation, very near the top of his class despite the fact that he was prone to skipping certain subjects, he leapt at the chance to get off Hellas for further study on the nearby planet Evinast, on a military scholarship--the "modern-day" equivalent of the ROTC. He graduated with honors in chemistry, his chosen subject, though not highest honors--he decided that lower grades and a little bit of social life was not that bad a tradeoff. When graduates were given the option of Alliance service, Niko saw another opportunity to change venue. He was given a few alternatives as to his post-graduation job, but those related to chemistry tended to conflict with his ethics, so off he was sent to Linnae, a name he found decidedly odd considering his distaste for binomial nomenclature, and a security officer position there.
Hellas is a planet colonized by people primarily from the Terran region known as Greece. Immigration is strictly regulated so that at least 60% of the population is of Greek origin. Hellas is divided into two sections, the technologically advanced mainurb and the traditional, technology-shunning exurb. Originally, the two groups were evenly distributed, with a section between them of roughly neutral ground. In recent years, however, the people of the mainurb have been pushing to increase technology planet-wide. They managed to bring technology to the schools of the exurb, and it is theorized that the entire planet will be of the mainurb's technology level within two generations, because of the exurb youth's desire for this to happen. This theory is not appreciated by the more traditional of the exurb-dwellers, but the conflict has remained relatively amicable, thus far.
Niko is from the exurb, specifically from a small town known as Mathraki. It's near water and trees and mountains, and he didn't know how beautiful it was until he left it.
Of his siblings, only Niko has left Hellas. The oldest of his sisters, Nacippe, is married with two young children, twins Sochos and Syntyche. Aspasia, the next sister, looks like she may follow him to the Rest of the World, though, as she is studying galactic politics at the Hellenic University. Zosima, next in line chronologically, is a gifted pianist, and is studying that art. Kelosia, the last of the siblings, aspires to be a mathematician, poor girl. His father is a fisherman, and his mother is a skilled weaver of tapestries. Both of them, thankfully, are much in favor of their children following their own desires as far as careers are concerned, even if they'd prefer that their flock stay close to home. Niko's grandmother, known as Gigia, is most definitely the matriarch of the family. She has very firm opinions on what her family should do, but is also exceptionally warm-hearted.
His education at Hellas City was vastly eye-opening for Niko: yes, ladies and gentlemen, there was a world outside of fishing and net-mending and everything else that was done in his village. Niko soaked up knowledge like water, though he developed a decided distaste for the biological sciences. ("What do you mean, binomial nomenclature? Why not make it more systematic... like organic chemistry?") He also detested some forms of ancient literature, especially philosophy, and recommended Descartes as a cure for insomnia. Chemistry suited him quite well, however, as did computer-related classes, history, and some political theory. From childhood, Niko had made bone-breaking into an art form, but the opportunities for such increased exponentially with the increased technology level of his surroundings. It didn't help that he took up hang-gliding. Ouch. He also had a certain wild streak, which led him to make comments that generally led to more breaking of bones. During his six years of study there, he found a fondness for chemistry (as stated), a hole-in-the-wall restaurant named Cypri's, wherein really good food can be purchased for relatively low prices, if one helps with dishes. He also made several close friends, one of whom, Elasia Ianthyl Iakovu, also went to Evinast for tertiary education.
His tertiary education on Evinast was as relatively enlightening as his secondary school experience. The military training gave him the discipline necessary to calm his wildness somewhat, though he could write a dissertation on the -food-. No decent gyros anywhere, and souvlaki? Don't even think about getting any of -that-. Hmph. He did, however, find a bar he liked, name of Callahan's. His Hellenic name was considered too tough on the tongue, so he was dubbed "Hugh" (shorthand for 'Hey, you') during his first-year orientation. Days spent between military exercises and studying chemistry, he didn't have all that much of a social life, and so opted for fewer, close friends. (Those friends, with two exceptions, called him Nick, rather than Hugh, and he learned to introduce himself as Nick Casey when the situation wasn't official, to save himself explanations.) One of those exceptions was the aforementioned Ela, who provided a reassuring presence of home in the relatively cosmopolitan Evinast. Another, Eleni Evaristus, was two years behind Niko and Ela. And, just as a side note, Niko does have friends who are not women whose names start with E.
Though he originally saw joining the military as a way to afford more schooling while getting away from Hellas, Niko grew to respect the way of life, and became quite dedicated to the organization in which he served. The military has given him commendable self-discipline, and, in fact, Niko has basically swerved to the opposite end of the spectrum than his former attitude. He's generally a careful sort, when it comes to words and actions, but when he does lose his temper, he is not to be reckoned with. Family is very important to him; there is very little he would not do for a family member. Friends rate a close second. And when he gives his heart, it's for keeps.
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