Alula is all I have. I can't lose her...
Calamus is one of two children residing in the ruins, the other being his younger sister, Alula.
Bio[]
In OneShot: World Machine Edition, Calamus's bio reads:
"A polite boy that leads a quiet life with his younger sister Alula in the ruins outside of town. He often has his hands full looking out for her and tends to worry when she's not around.
Calamus spends most of his time fishing and foraging around the ruins, and relies on his good friend Magpie to trade for any goods that can't be scavenged. Though they don't have much in the way of luxuries, Calamus has a small collection of books gifted by an old friend that he likes to study when he gets a chance. Judging by the amount of progress he's made however, those chances don't come very often."
Appearance[]
Calamus is a teen with tan skin, short, messy maroon hair resembling a bird's face (eyes and beak) casting a shadow over the top half of his face, and circular white eyes visible from the shadow. A single red feather sticks out from the back. He wears a long shirt with patterns similar to that of a poncho and bears the symbol of the Sun. Much like other Bird People, his arms are covered with feathers, his hands appear to be gloved, and he has bird legs.
Personality[]
Calamus is a kind, sensitive, and anxious boy, evidenced by his care and protectiveness over his sister. He felt mild shame when he didn't address Niko as the Messiah during their first encounter.
Background[]
Calamus's father, Rachis, was friends with the Author, but for an unknown reason became absent. Calamus, Alula, and their mother lived in the ruins for a time. When their mother passed away, Calamus took the responsibility to look after Alula.
For Solstice Day, Calamus received a book from the Author as a gift. He expresses that he wants to continue studying it, as he hasn't yet finished reading it.
Plot[]
Main Story[]
Calamus is looking for Alula in the Glen, unable to find her. He encounters Niko and asks them if they have seen her anywhere, and mentions that she has been missing for three days. Niko leaves and and frees Alula from a ruins room closed off by squares, then returns her to Calamus. Calamus thanks Niko and invites them to the siblings' home. At their home, Alula gives Niko the feather, which Calamus assures is what the siblings' father would have wanted.
Solstice Update[]
Niko encounters Calamus and Alula in the ruins, who are unable to enter their home due to the squares. Niko, trying to find another way to reach the gate leading to the Refuge, requests if the siblings could lead them to the passage to the burial grounds. Calamus is initially hesitant if the flooded passageway will be of any use, but agrees to lead Niko there. After Niko creates a boat using the strange journal, the three sail off to the burial grounds.
After spending some time at the burial grounds, Calamus and Alula notify Niko that the squares grew in quantity and destroyed the boat. Cedric, who happens to be at the burial grounds, offers to take the siblings to the Refuge via his flying machine after delivering Niko there first. This promise is unintentionally broken when Cedric's flying machine is taken over by squares as soon as Cedric and Niko reach the Refuge.
Trivia[]
- Calamus' name comes from the term "calamus" in zoology, which is the hollow, base portion of a feather.[1]
- According to Nightmargin, Calamus is a teenager.[2]