chubs291

[chubs291]

What More Could a Man Ask For?

To preface, this is a little story I've been working on for a bit and it's been taking a good bit of time. So I've decided to release it chapter by chapter over the next couple months to give me some more time to work on it. Feedback is appreciated, and I hope you enjoy!

What More Could a Man Ask for?

Alaric Vance sat upon the front porch of his homey cabin, a cup of piping hot tea sat in a muscled and scarred hand. The sun had recently risen and Alaric always enjoyed to greet the sun as it came to the start of a new day, his wife was more of a late sleeper but he did enjoy the serenity and isolation out here, this early in the morning. The chill of the night still lay upon everything out there and Alaric wore a light coat to stave off said chill. “Today will be a wondrous day indeed,” Alaric muttered to himself, which he quickly followed with a sip from his drink. He was not wrong at all, his son Efren had finally arrived the night before. Alaric was ecstatic to finally be able to speak with his son after, what had it been around five summers? Efren left for Ishgard five years before to study the arts of Astrology though Alaric himself was unsure if he had planned to study the simple Ishgardian methods or the more complex Sharlyan methods . . . Simply another question for him to ask his beloved son when the rest of the family had woken up he supposed. 

As he finished another sip from his tea a new thought entered his mind. “The entire family. . .” Alaric muttered solemnly, whilst it had been five summers since he had seen his son it had been around eight since he saw his daughter, though it felt like just yesterday she was shaking her sword and shield in the air, a look of pure adulation and joy upon her face when he and his wife had finally given her permission to go to Ul'dah and become a gladiator. It had taken Alaric many years after to shake the feeling in his gut that he had made a mistake, though that was due to biases on his own part that he was hesitant to think about on such a pleasant morning. For now he simply needed to appreciate what he had, his wife and son were both here, and his daughter was most certainly off making a name for herself, battling all kinds of evil creatures and saving the star or whatever it was that adventurers did nowadays. 

Alaric took in the scenery, the greenery of the twelveswood seeming extra vibrant this morning. And once more as he had done so many times he would bring his cup up to his lips before a loud shout and what sounded like the steps of a chocobo would sound out across the woods, “HELP HELP, IF ANY OF YE BE AWAKE I NEED YOUR HELP!” Alaric looked down the opening in the trees which lead to the main road and could see what seemed to be an elezen, perhaps a duskwight, though it was impossible to tell from this distance racing down the slightly beaten down grass atop a chocobo with some form of baggage on the back of it. 

“Ay, I be Alaric Vance, owner of this household, what seems to be the issue and at this hour of the morning at that!” The old man shouted, straining his lungs so that the duskwight could hear as he approached. The duskwight stopped short of barreling into the front porch itself before he was able to bring the chocobo to rear.

“I think it best that you see for yourself sir, if Vance do really be your family name.” The elezen explained in a somber expression before motioning towards what Alaric had initially observed from a distance as being some form of luggage or bag however now Alaric could clearly see that it was a person, and upon getting up and looking even slightly closer the cup Alaric had been holding would drop to the ground and shatter.

 His mind began to race with thoughts, practically none of them rational or sound in nature, however the one prevailing thought in his mind escaped his very lips, “Why?” is all the man muttered before pulling the body of his own daughter off of the man’s mount. For but a moment the entire world stood still and Alaric’s eyes lay glued to the plated chest of his comatose daughter, his Illma. What was in all actuality a few seconds felt like minutes as he waited with bated breath. Finally he released a sigh that was truly a mixture of relief, sorrow, happiness, and frustration all bundled into one as he saw the chestplate rise slowly and fall just as slow. His eyes shot towards the duskwight, with Alaric still cradling his daughter’s fully armored body much to the duskwight’s surprise. “How did this happen! Where did you find her and how long has she been like this?!” Alaric practically shouted at the man as he now looked down at his daughter’s face. Her eyes were simply closed, and a stillness lay on her face as if she were simply asleep but Alaric knew something was immediately off, both by the shortness of breath and sheer urgency of the elezen.

The Elezen responded dejectedly, “Her adventuring party had brought her in, they were investigating a dungeon which had supposed monster activity and all went well! They cleared the place out and left, but as soon as they had taken their first steps out of the dungeon and into the light she collapsed. She’s been like this for about a day in total, they’ve been able to get some food and water into her though it took some effort.” The Elezen rang his hands together nervously, “But we assumed that your family would be best equipped to try and find a cure to whatever it is that is afflicting her. Your wife is a doctor and white mage is she not?” The elezen asked, a hint of hope entering his voice.

Alaric nodded simply, “Yes, and I am an apothecary, twelve permitting we shall find a way to save Illma.” Alaric knew he had to hope and pray to any god that would listen that he could help his daughter. 

[chubs291]

and with your help it can rack up 700k notes on tumblr in 2024

no tumblr this doesnt need tags im releasing it into the wild as god intended

[chubs291]

Overcomplicating a Simple Thing

The warrior Mammoth Mitch, the Maelstrom captain Ryssrael Bloedornwyn, and the merchant Boey Wildread stood in front of an ancient stone door. They had journeyed into some ruins that they found in the dense forest of Yak T’el but they were separated from the rest of their group in the ensuing trip. The ruins seemed to be a maze of sorts and that is where they got separated, some odd manner of trap door had split the two Roegadyns and the Au Ra from the rest of the party. 

Now the two warriors and scholar stood in front of this ancient door, obviously housing some form of treasure if one had to guess. On one wall of the door sat one appeared to be a wall painting of an old Mamool Ja’n prayer ritual, the painting was very detailed to the point that the two could even tell the time of day of the ritual. It had entailed a myriad of different materials however the most important seemed to be a hammer, one of the many meteors dotting the lands of Yak T’el, and a raised dais to open it on. Through context clues one could tell that breaking these meteors opened seemed to be a sort of good omen, maybe it would bring luck. 

On the opposite side of the room was this large statue of some sort, in front of it sat a raised pedestal. The two Roegadyns and Au Ra stared at the room and of course the first thing attempted was when Mammoth walked up to the door and tried to open it. Of course it didn’t budge at all. “Nah nah nah, you’re doing it all wrong Mitch!” The captain walked up to the door and also shoved it, the door still not budging at all. To this the more analytical Au Ra stepped up, observing the statue. 

“Well we probably have to do something with this statue honestly, it seems to be movable, perhaps we have to recreate the ritual to proceed?” However Boey’s musings fell on deaf ears as he heard some arguing from behind him.

“No you did it wrong too, that ain’t how you push!” Mammoth replied, shoving the door again and it still not budging.

“Oh come on, who taught ye how to push? Yer nan?!” Ryss exclaimed before also shoving the door again. 

“Guys come on, clearly the door isn’t gonna just open from forcing it, you know the saying, two heads are better than one. . . or three in this case I suppose huh?”

“By the twelve Boey you’re a genius!” Mitch shouted, to which the Au Ra simply nodded at the compliment, before Mammoth looked at Ryss, “Ok on three alright!” The captain nodded in recognition. 

“Wait wait, what are you guys doing!?” Boey asked before turning to stare at the two who currently had a very determined look on their faces.

“Alright one, two. . . and three!” And both of the Roegadyns threw their massive bodies into the door, there was an odd sound, like a pulley or chain straining under a large weight. After about a moment the two Roegadyns staggered forward through the door, almost falling on both of their faces. 

“Oh you’ve gotta be kidding me, of course that bloody worked. . .” Boey was less than pleased with the result, but of course he couldn’t complain about the results. He shook his head and followed after his two companions.

[chubs291]

A Bad Dream Prompt #25 Perpetuity

Mammoth Mitch leaned against the balcony of the Drowning Wench, his view directed outwards to the open sea. A sense of nostalgia always came back to him whenever he looked out onto the open sea, of far simpler days, working with his uncle and the rest of the lads. It had been nearly seven years since his uncle passed and he quit being a pirate but he always still missed it. Mammoth’s reminiscing was quickly cut off by a hollering of his name, as if on que Mitch saw an old and familiar face. “Holy hells is that you Swaine?” Mitch asked, stepping away from the balcony, looking at his old quartermaster. Swaine was an aging Miqo’te who never really associated with any particular clan, from appearances he was a seeker of the sun but just like the rest of the crew he never really fit in there. 

“I’m just as shocked as you friend, what are you doing here anyways? Shouldn’t you be off saving the star or whatever in the seven hells it is that you do. . .” Swaine took the spot next to Mitch on the balcony. 

Mitch waved the comment off, “Yeah yeah, I decided to take a wee break and no spot better than the Drowning Wench aye? Our old spot to celebrate our hauls. . .” Mammoth sighed, he wasn’t meaning to go on a trip down memory lane but what choice did he have now.

“So anyways you're still doing that adventuring gig or whatever yeah?” Swaine asked, leaning against the balcony, looking into the tavern. “I’ve settled down meself, got a wife who’s expecting, I still work of course. Salvaging jobs mostly but it’s good clean work.” Swaine explained taking a sip from a flagon in his hand.

“Yep, and I don’t got no plans on stopping either!” Mitch said simply, but to this Swaine gave him an odd glance.

“Honestly, I think you could use a job change, you know? I mean you’ve saved the star like four times now, you’ve done more than enough for these people. You should settle down soon Mitch.” 

“I’m being honest here, I’m not sure I could settle down now, not knowing what I can do to help people you know?” 

“Yeah but eventually you gotta stop, you can’t go gallivanting around the realm in perpetuity you know. Eventually you gotta put the axe down and build a life. Have you even spoken to your mother yet?”

That hit the roegadyn deeper than most blades could have, “Hey Swaine, what are you saying?” Mitch asked defensively, “I’m taking my time, like I said I’m a warrior of light I don’t have time for stuff like that, not right now at least. . .” 

“What I’m saying is that everyone grieved Captain Ulfnar, but afterwards we settled down, we all almost died and realized that we should take things slow. . . but you, you went harder! Eventually it’ll catch up with you and you’ll end up just like the captain, he didn’t know when to quit either!” The miqo’te shouted, now facing Mammoth and stepping closer. 

“Hey just leave me be! It’s my life ain’t it? So I get to choose how I live it, and Uncle Ulfnar too! He chose to give his life for us, and you all just quit! I picked myself back up and fought those garlean dogs until they were done!” An anger was building in the Roegadyn, but not like any he had seen before. His battle rage was pure anger, targeted at his opponents, but this was different. This anger was ugly, it made him scared, what this anger made him think. 

“Oh sure it is until you end up getting someone else killed! At some point you gotta grow up Mitch, you can’t fight forever you know that! You’re gonna get old and washed up and it’ll get you or someone close to you killed if you don’t stop soon!” 

Mitch’s mind was currently racing as to why his friend was acting like this but honestly it simply scared him, Swaine’s words were not without merit and that fact terrified the Roegadyn deeply. So much so that the normally courageous and steadfast warrior took a step back away from his past comrade. Just as he took that step he found himself sailing over the balcony and towards the water and the rocks that dotted the bottom of the tower that they found themselves upon.

Mammoth awoke with a gasp, drenched in a cold sweat. Where was he? What was that? Oh right, he was in the inn in Tural. Mammoth threw himself out of bed and began to get ready for the day. That had just been a bad dream, nothing more. But still as the Roegadyn got dressed the words of his old comrade still rang through his head, and it made a shudder run through his body. 

[chubs291]

Shades of the Past, Present, and Future Prompt #21 Shade

This is an au where there are multiple warriors of light, nothing else to say besides that.

Alaric sat, a deep and tired sigh coming from his lips. He had been sent out to the Sangolli desert to hunt down this rare monster, this thing’s saliva was said to have healing properties and so Alaric rushed out here to try and find it. But it had been nearly an hour and the old man was exhausted, so he sat. He managed to find some respite from the battering sun in the shade of an old structure previously buried in the sand. He pulled free his water skin and had a drink and as he did so he began to think. This structure that he know simply used as protection from the sun was once a great building of sorts probably from some great civilization now long gone. Probably Allagans statistically speaking though it could be any old group who once called this place home.

It made Alaric wonder just how long until someone was using the remains of the Gold Saucer perhaps as shade from blistering heat. That den of avarice and waste, it honestly pissed him off just by principle alone. It was just so much and for no good reason though Alaric was not its target audience evidently so what did he know? 

A light chuckle escaped his lips as his mind continued to move in this direction. The city states were great and powerful but there had been several occasions where their destruction was nearly assured, had it not been for those warriors of light. They were. . . interesting, tales told of their great deeds but now they’re off galavanting about on another continent, not all too interested with the safety of their home. Though with travel being what it is, Alaric mused, perhaps they can do a little exploring. Alaric let out another laugh, he was an adventurer, technically if the realm came to harm once more it would be his job to help out, that would be something wouldn’t it? This wrinkly old black mage standing strong and defiant against the forces of evil, yeah sure. Alaric took another swig from his waterskin before looking off to the side and almost choking on his water. 

The creature was probably around forty feet away, it had just surfaced by the sand still falling off it’s body, Alaric looked up to see that the sun had begun to set though it was still hot as Ifrit’s bathhouse. Well now that he had spotted the creature, that meant Alaric’s break was over. He had time to think about him being some “hero” later, he had work to do.

[chubs291]

The Snake and the Beast Prompt #20 Duel

Wanted to get some more practice writing combat, these are both two OC's, one mine and the other a friend's.

The two warriors clashed, the steel of the two weapons ringing out across the battlefield. One man armored and towering warrior, obviously a roegadyn from stature and build alone. A massive axe rested firmly in his hands as he backed off a step after that past clash. His face was unreadable however as a knight’s helm completely covered his features. His armor was unmarked and unremarkable however that was to be the point. It was a masked duel, two powerful combatants from different sides of the realm brought together to fight one another. And this was just one of many. The other combatant was a viper, quick and precise with their movements to always keep just barely out of the warrior’s reach before rushing back in to land a few blows. He wore garb fitting that of a viper, quick and nimble in design. A mixture of genuine clothing and armor formed the viper’s garb whilst a mask covered his face. Though it was easy to see that he was an Au Ra by both the two horns coming from out of the sides of the mask and the tail, swishing around rapidly to keep up with the vipers movements. 

That exchange had proven near deadly for the viper as it had nearly given the warrior enough time to actually get his hands on him. But thankfully the viper managed to disengage just in time. The warrior lunged forward swinging his axe out but all it caught was thin air. The viper was quick, too quick for the warrior to handle but he had a solution. If you can’t hit your target, just aim for everywhere. The warrior brought his axe high above his head before slamming it directly into the ground causing the ground to quack and the area around him to crack and lift up, the force of the blow catching the viper in a dodge and causing them to lose balance, falling to the ground. The warrior brought his axe in a low sweep to attempt to chop at the viper however he found one sword in the axe’s path and another darting for his chest. 

A heavy gauntlet gripped the blade, a grim smile on the roegadyn’s face behind the visor. The runes on the gauntlet protected him partially however he still felt the magical blade cutting through his armor and slicing up his hand. The warrior did not particularly care. The warrior had to move his hand from his axe to catch the blade and so the viper sent the warrior’s axe directly out of his hand. Normally this would be horrible for the warrior but for once, he had a plan. With a heave he lifted the viper up by his own blade, the viper refusing to let go of one of the two weapons which allowed him to fight the way he did. For most parties being launched into the air would be disorienting and staggering, but for the viper who’s reflexes were as quick as a blink, it wasn’t much to worry about. The viper lashed out in a blisteringly fast assault, his other blade arcing out from the side aimed directly for the warrior’s throat, however the warrior enacted his own plan at the same time. As the viper’s blade flew up to slice at the warrior’s throat, the warrior’s gauntleted hand grasped at the throat of the viper and in one swift motion both parties let loose their death blows. 

The blade chopped into the warrior’s throat and the viper’s body was slammed directly into the ground. If this had been a real fight, a true duel out on the battlefield, the viper’s throat would be crushed, and the warrior would find it hard to move without a head. However this was simply a duel nothing more, and thankfully their weapons and armor were both designed to protect each individual from particularly fatal blows. However, finishing blows had still been landed and so the battle was declared a draw. A cacophony of boos and cheers resounded out from the crowd, some exhilarated from the fight that they had just witnessed, others confused by the outcome, and some utterly fuming due to their coffers now being significantly light after a particularly hefty bet on one of the two fighters.

[chubs291]

Da Plan

Five men stood around a table, all of their views pointed towards one large sheet of paper, what seemed to be a map. The roegadyn at the head of the table, a captain’s hat upon his head, nodded and looked towards his compatriots, “The bank is right here, there are three entrances here, here, and here.” The captain explained simply, “Mammoth, you’re to make a distraction, I know you’re tough enough to start a good fight yeah?” Ulfnar asked his nephew, to which a wide smile formed on the marauder’s face.

“You know it uncle, if there’s anyone on this here ship who can get into a good ol’ fashioned scrap it’s Mammoth Mitch! Imma guessing this is to distract those guards at the front yeah?” The young roegadyn asked rhetorically. 

“You guessed right yeah, but I’m needing this to be a real big on Mammoth. Four-no maybe five combatants total, really get the whole guard involved you understand? Next up is Emmanfaulin, You’re to set yourself up on the rooftop over here and provide us covering fire on our escape but that’s not all, there’s this nasty alarm on the wall, you’re to shoot it out with whatever you prefer, powder or arrow will get the job done.” The elezen made no comment as he simply nodded, making sure to note exactly which rooftop it is.

“That just leaves me, Pip, and Swaine,” Ulfnar said rubbing his chin before turning his view towards the hyur who was his trusted quartermaster, and the lalafell who had a knack for grifting things that most others would struggle with. “Swaine, you and me will go through the front, normally they require id checks but thanks to Mammoth they’ll be distracted breaking up the fight. Pip you sneak in through this window here and make your way to the back of the bank.” At this the lalafell got a slightly nervous expression across his face.

“You’re to say I’m going in alone boss?” Pip asked, which was a relatively fair question all things considered. He was a good thief but he wasn’t perfect, if something went wrong then he would have few escape options.

“Nah nah nah I wouldn’t do that to ya Pip, that’s what me and Swaine are for, we’re to provide back up if it gets messy at all. All you gotta do is sneak on back there and snatch that gem right out from under their noses! By the time the guards break up the fight they won’t even be able to notice that the gem was taken, a right genius plan if you ask me!” The captain said, a look of pride upon his face at his crafting of this plan. “Mammoth you back out of the fight after a bit and meet up with us down the third street from the bank, there Rodrey will be waiting for us there with our transport to get us away from there and back to the ship. By the time those Garlean dogs notice it’s gone I’ll be ringin’ up our buyer!” A sneer formed on the captain’s face, the plan was great in his honest opinion. Not too complicated, but not too simple either, makes it so everyone gets out safe besides Mammoth who might get a few bumps or bruises but he’s keen for it. Always has been. Now all they needed to do was put the plan into action and the crew would be rich.

[chubs291]

Prompt #16 Third-Rate A one sided duel

wanted to try something a little lighter for Alaric, enjoyed it a good bit enjoy

Alaric stepped into the open arena, stretching out his back and arms, ready for what he thought would be a fight. The black mage had found himself rather strapped for cash as of late and so decided that it would be beneficial to join this advertised tournament that he saw, some Doman nobility was holding it more for his amusement than anything but the payout would be grand. 

Now it was the final fight, Alaric versus this red mage, the fights beforehand hadn’t been much to deal with. Most of the brawlers he was able to simply chip away at from a distance whilst the ranged foes found their assaults warded by walls of ice, which proved very effective. 

He had yet to fight a fellow caster though so he was actually quite excited to see how this one would turn out. He was in for quite a surprise. 

On the opposite side of the arena an au ra male walked out, the red garb of a red mage proudly on display and acting just as much of an eyesore as it always does. Alaric shook his head slightly as he drew his staff. However before he could even begin to cast his first spell the au ra lifted both hands into the air. “NOW YOU JUST WAIT A MINUTE MAGE!” The Raen shouted, “I am Harukim Naeuri! And you are a disgrace to anyone who calls themselves a mage!” The au ra began to approach but he never drew his weapons, the most aggressive thing he did was an accusational finger jabbed directly towards the old man. “I know of you, oh I do Alaric Vance!” Harukim’s face was red with anger. . . for some reason. 

“Now what have I even done to you boy?” Alaric asked but before he could get another word in the Au Ra once again spoke up. 

“Oh no no no you shall not disgrace this fine crowd with your horrid dribble!” The crowd was currently just mummering to each other, mainly confused on why the two fighters had begun to have an argument. “I know of you, I’ve heard your tale! And I know for a fact that you are a second-rate mage and a third-rate adventurer! You lack the echo, you’re an old man, hells you just began adventuring not but a month ago! What makes you think that you can waltz about like you are just as good as the rest of us! What gives you the right?” 

Alaric began to open his mouth, to make some form of rebuttal but once more it was cut off.

“I spent years upon years perfecting my craft, to become the best at what I do! To be a red mage is to have a perfect and delicate balance of both white and black magic, your body and spirit must be in perfect equilibrium! But you! You learned black magic from a blind witch off the side of the road I heard! Your job stone is one you made yourself, and out of quite poor materials if I recall correctly. You, Alaric Vance, are a joke and an embarrassment to all who call themself a black mage and I feel personally insulted just by being half associated with the profession!” The au ra had a proud look on his face, as if he had so thoroughly destroyed Alaric with his insults. The only thing that the old hyur had noticed was that Harukim had moved rather close to him. Damn shame that was, damn shame. With one solid right the au ra had been sent sprawling to the ground, note this was not some technique, this was no pugilist art, this was just a full force punch powered by the strength that being an outdoorsman for nigh on thirty years gives a man. Harukim did not even know what hit him as he fell to the ground, his hat floating down onto his chest not but a few seconds after. 

This would definitely have to be one of Alaric’s strangest fights that he had ever experienced, certainly was satisfying though.

[chubs291]

Prompt #13 Butte The Painter

There tell a tale of a painter, sat upon a hill 

Just north of a small village in Shaaloani,

The painter was alone, secluded, and in his isolation he did paint 

Of any and everything in view, of buttes far off in the distance, to small animals come to investigate this peaceful man

The people who knew of him never saw him sleep, they knew not where he went when he was not on that hill

The conversations had with that painter were often calm and quaint, nothing more, nothing less

The painter would share a pot of tea with any who wished to give him the time of day and he would tell stories

Of great tales of adventure, or of mystical miracles that they had never seen before

He had simply been a painter, that was until one day when a gang of bandits walked onto the village

Oh the village itself was guarded but they were not needed, for before the bandits could even step foot onto the village’s land 

A torrent of fire and ice barred their path, the painter had turned out to have been a mage all along,

The bandits were routed quickly but the painter never returned, he simply moved on from there

Yet stories are still told, that if you find a painter upon your hill, have a conversation with him, enjoy his company.

For if bandits come to attack you and your friends, the painter will come to your aid, and the bandits will have no relief from the fire, flame, nor thunder

[chubs291]

Prompt #11 Surrogate An Undeserved gift

Ulfnar sat in his captain’s chair, listlessly combing through some stolen trade routes and schedules to try and set up their next Garlean haul. He had set off this work for long enough and the deadline for them picking a new bounty was closing fast, the gil was running out. Ulfnar shook his head and reached for the bottle of rum, finding it completely empty, not a drop left in it, only further adding to the captain’s doldrums. 

His head snapped up as he heard two loud bangs at his door. Stehlen, the boy was about 13 by now. . . what could he want with Ulfnar? Then it hit him, today was father’s day. 

“Ay Cap’n! You know what day it is today, yeah?” The roegadyn joyfully walked into the room, a small basket(well for a roegadyn) lay in his arms. “It’s uh Father’s day! And I thought I might as well get you something, I had a bit of spending money left over anyways!” The young lad sat the basket down in front of him. 

A light scowl appeared on Ulfnar’s face, “Like I said last time boy, I ain’t your dah and I don’t need no gifts from ya!” The captain told the young boy, “Your dad is off over in Sharlayan, maybe mail it to him or something huh?” 

Stehlen however refused to back down, taking a step forward. “Nah, he isn’t my dad, a dad raises you, teaches you what’s right and wrong, what to do and not to do, how to win a good brawl, stuff like that! That dusty old bookeater in Sharlayan taught me nothing! But you, you taught me a whole buncha stuff! So that makes you me dad! Or well uh my surgergate dad!” The young roegadyn explained, completing butchering the pronunciation to the point that it took Ulfnar a moment to actually realize what he said.

“Wait, do you mean surrogate?” A sigh escaped Ulfnar’s lips, “I guess you ain’t too far off huh?” The captain shook his head, “Fine then lad, what did you get me?” His hands slowly opened up the small basket, a small string tying the cover in place. “Well I’ll be. . .”

It was a fine pistol, designed with the utmost care and precision. It had a beautiful engraving on it and on top of that it had golden plates built into the handle and on parts of the barrel. Immediately something seemed very off, “Stehlen, where’d you get this fine piece of equipment? You said you bought it with your spending money, yeah?” Ulfnar said slowly in a tone that very clearly told his boy that he knew what he did. 

“Oh oh of course I did yeah! No clue what else you could be implying with something like that?” The boy said with a nervous laugh following, which was then accented by a mess of hollering and yelling outside on the deck of the ship. The boy quickly turned around, the color draining from his blue skin making him seem even paler than usual.

“Well I do gotta thank you for the gift boy, it’s a fine pistol, but now your uncle’s gotta go beat up the guy you grifted it from alright? So he doesn’t beat you to a bloody pulp, I’ll probably do something along those lines when I get back though.” And with that Ulfnar picked up his saber and stepped out of the captain’s quarters. And Stehlen couldn't tell if he was joking or not. 

[chubs291]

I have an absolutely (lovely) deranged friend who has been playing through FF14 aetheryte-less. In the beginning, since one of our friends pestered her to grab her aetherytes, out of spite she made the decision she will go through the entirety of the game WITHOUT AETHERYTES. She's in Shadowbringers now. She doesn't even have the teleportation menu UNLOCKED. She takes public transport wherever possible. If that's not an option, she walks. There are quests that have you attune to aetherytes, but these haven't unlocked the teleportation menu for her. When she dies, she spawns back in Uldah which is a huge bother, but because her spite is more important to her than her time, she will LITERALLY WALK TO A DIFFERENT WORLD INSTEAD OF JUST UNLOCKING THE TELEPORTATION FEATURE.

[chubs291]

Prompt #10 Hold Steady, Hold Stable

This takes place in an au where there are multiple warriors of light, mammoth being one of them. Enjoy.

Today was shaping up to be a fine day for Mammoth Mitch just until about half an hour ago. It had been a beautiful day in Norvrandt, not too hot or too cold with the perfect breeze. Mammoth had been lounging in a cafe chair, enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate on his day off. After taking down not one but two wardens the rest of the warriors of light had deemed a break needed and Mammoth was happy to agree. The rest of them decided to go and check out some parts of the First that they had yet to explore, some babbling about ancient ruins or whatever, it didn’t really excite Mammoth all too much so he deemed to stay behind and simply enjoy the nice day. 

That was of course, until Mammoth spotted a scout sprinting towards the Crystal tower. “Oi, lad! What seems to be the problem?” The roegadyn said in an inquisitive shout, he lifted himself from his chair and finished his hot chocolate in one quaff. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something . . .” 

“Sir sir! Sin eaters! A whole bloody horde of them marching towards the Crystarium! I have to tell the Exarch right away!” The scout had a look of sheer dread and panic in his eyes that told Mammoth that the boy wasn’t just seeing things or had an overactive imagination. 

Mammoth did not even bother responding, he simply nodded to the boy and sprinted off towards his inn room, where his armor and axe were. Most would have thoughts of panic, or fear, or just genuine concern, not Mammoth Mitch. Mammoth didn’t have time to have any thoughts like that, he was a warrior! He was the wall that stood in the way of any dangers that threatened those he cared for, and if that meant holding off an entire army of sin eaters, then so be it. 

Mammoth burst into the Pendants, not even bothering to acknowledge the secretary. He strided up the stairs and into his room, quickly arming himself with his plate armor and helm. The armor was not in the best condition but he did not have time to fix it, it would simply have to suck it up and hold strong. Mammoth snatched his axe from its spot, leaning against the wall. As he hefted it onto his back a voice came in through his linkpearl, the familiar voice of the Exarch. 

“I contacted the others,” The exarch explained in a simple and serious tone, “They will arrive in around half an hour, you have to hold them off until then.” The exarch’s voice had a hint of despair in it that Mammoth did indeed notice, but once again he had no time to despair. 

“Consider it done, they won’t break me down!” Mammoth explained, cracking his knuckles and neck. “Those sin eaters, don’t stand a chance in the hells!” Mammoth shouted, knowing that by now the Exarch had gone to his own preparations, not listening. This was more so to hype himself up. Were there thoughts in his head screaming for him to take cover, to hide, to run like hell? Oh of course, but Mammoth learned to ignore such thoughts, he had no time for them. 

Mammoth stepped out onto the bridge facing out from the Crystarium, in the distance he could already see them. The disgusting and twisted forms of the sin eaters slowly shambling forwards towards one of the First’s last bastions against the tide of these vile beasts. Mammoth pulled his axe from his back with a smile forming across his face. “COME ON YOU LIGHT DRENCHED BEASTS! I’VE ENOUGH FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YE, YOU JUST NEED TO STEP UP AND I’LL GIVE YOU YOUR FILL!” The Warrior banged his axe against his chest three times before stepping forward, to this point he was about halfway across the bridge and the first of the sin eaters had stepped onto the bridge.

This was it, no time for any slip-ups, Mammoth had to hold out for half an hour until his allies arrived. A few thoughts screamed in his head, about how that was too long, he was just one man, there were so many of them! The warrior let those thoughts fester for but a second before they were removed from his head and replaced by a stalwart resolution. He was a wall, a stable bastion that these damnable creatures would crash against over and over again, unrelenting in their assault, but he would not waver for the warrior had no other option but to stand strong against this horde. As the sea of white crashed against the stalwart warrior, only one thought remained in his head. Hold Steady, Hold Stable.

[chubs291]

Prompt # 9, Lend an ear A Captain's Confiding

The Lucerne rocked back and forth as Ulfnar sat in his captain’s chair, a look of dismay upon his face as he stared at a set of maps and charts depicting their current course. However the captain’s thoughts were not currently on their bearing or objective but on his nephew, Mammoth. As if on cue a trio of knocks tapped off of his door and by the general gentleness of it it was easy to tell that it was Emmanfaulin, his first-mate. “Captain, if I may you’ve been in here for the past hour. . . you outta step outside to eat some food or at least see the sun.” The elezen sharpshooter explained, “The crew’s also a wee bit worried about you, you’ve been holding yourself up in here quite a bit now, you’re less personable.” 

Ulfnar stood up simply shaking his head, “I’m worried about the boy Emmanfaulin. . .”

“You mean Mammoth? What for Captain? The boy’s sturdy as an ox and can fight as well as any of us!” The elezen had a thought that the captain was referring to something a tad bit deeper than just Mammoth in a fight but he wanted Ulfnar to say it out loud if it was the case. 

“Of course he’s a fighting machine but honestly that’s partially what I’m concerned about. The boy got left by his mom and I scooped him up and made a scoundrel out of him! Boy’s only job in life was either to lift something heavy or run a garlean through on his axe, and honestly that sort of concerns me. You know the boy can be a little slow at times and I wonder if this is going to affect him negatively you know? I’d rather not have the boy turn into a psycho you know?” Ulfnar explained letting out a nervous laugh as he looked down at the planks which he stood on, though it was something weird to think about it was something he definitely had to take into consideration. 

Emmanfaulin placed a hand on his shoulder, “Listen Captain, you did the boy a favor, he needed something to distract him from all of that business anyways. . . But I do see your point aye, but I mean the job of a sailor is one of discipline you know?” The elezen explained walking across the room and picking up the bottle of rum, “Also the kid’s stronger than you think,” Emmanfaulin would tap his forehead before taking a swig from the rum, “Kid’s got a hell of a will you gotta admit, he won’t let something like this shake him or mess him up.” Emmanfaulin explained, his voice staying rather monotone and simple as he continued to explain his thoughts to the captain. It appeared to have a genuine effect on him as Ulfnar eased up a tad.

“Aye you’ve got a point there yeah, kid’s tougher than the lot of us if we just measured in sheer stubbornness, and he doesn’t seem too rattled by any of this as well.” Ulfnar looked at the door, “Supposin’ I outta meet with the crew now huh? Was starting to enjoy my little slice of isolation over here but I’ve got a job to do.” Ulfnar nodded to himself, “Thanks for lending an ear to my qualms by the by.” Ulfnar said simply before walking out the door. 

Emmanfaulin simply chuckled to himself, “Well that be my job sir, and I make sure to do it well enough.”

[chubs291]

Prompt #7 Morsel Home-Cooking

Alaric sat around a campfire, several other adventurers sharing that same warmth with him. This was it, his first real dungeon crawl as an adventurer and though his legs ached from the travel to the dungeon, here they now sat, once they slept the night and were well rested they would journey into that cavern and clear out whatever was making its nest there. Though that all didn’t really matter right now to Alaric as he was more focused on his meal. It was a stew of sorts, with a mixture of hunted game that Alaric had collected on the way alongside some spices that he procured whilst in Ul’Dah. Alaric had it currently roasting over the fire, stirring it every now and again with a spoon. He looked across from him at the other highlander, a gunbreaker of sorts, she had been crunching down on some crackers by the looks of it. A light laugh came from Alaric, “Those can’t be too tasty I’d imagine, they seem kinda dry. . .” Alaric stated simply, accenting his point with another stir of the stew. 

“Well old timer I’ll have you know that these crackers were made by the big wigs over in Sharlayan, a grown adult can stay fed off of just them for weeks! This is the best ration you can get on the streets!” The woman proudly said before once again biting down on it, “sure it’s a little dry but in terms of efficiency these have your stuff beat!” 

“Well efficiency can only bring you so far you know, a good meal is supposed to make you feel good! Here, have just a wee morsel and tell me if something that’s efficient can trump a meal that fills your gut and brings you a bit of joy alongside it!” Alaric reached into the stew with a smaller spoon now, making sure that the spoon caught a bit of meat with the broth as well before passing it off to the stubborn gunbreaker. As she took but a taste from it a look of both frustration and thinly veiled happiness crossed her face, going back and forth between the two before she would reach to her belt, pulling off the sack of crackers that she had been reaching from. She would then hold it in the palm of her hands before tossing it off out of the light of the fire. 

“Yeah yours was uh- yours was better I must admit. . .” The highlander had a look of frustration on her face at being proven wrong, “So can you pass me a bowl please?”  

[chubs291]

Prompt #6 Halcyon The Good Old Days

The rush of feet and clash of blades, the telltale signs of a duel occurring. The two combatants traded blows back and forth, their blades clashing against one another over and over, neither participant faltering one bit!

Until one of them, a young boy, tripped over a rock and scraped his knee. The boy would drop his clearly wooden sword to the dirt and let out a shrill cry, with a woman rushing up to help up the small child, who could only be no older than seven. 

The other participant, a young girl, raised her wooden sword high into the air in victory. It appeared as though she was the same age as the boy. At this a man, evidently her father, approached the young girl. “Hey Illma you have to play nicer with your brother remember?” The father, known as Alaric explained to his daughter before looking over his shoulder in a feigned attempt to see if his wife and son were still in ear shot before whispering, “You're tougher than him you know?” And in response Illma let out a prideful giggle. “Now go say sorry to your brother before Mom talks my ear off yeah?” Alaric patted her on the back and she simply nodded before running over to Alaric’s wife and son. 

Alaric took no time to actually hear what was being said, he was far too busy just looking at his family. Istrie, his beloved wife, Efren, his son who took more and more after his mother each day, and Illma who instead took after him with her determination and adventurous spirit. Upon noticing that Alaric had been just staring at them Illma smiled at her father, and he smiled back. 

This memory played through Alaric’s mind as he stared down at his daughter's motionless body in bed, in some odd and cursed form of a comma. Her eyes were open, she was awake but she couldn't move nor could she speak. Illma just sat there, staring forward. As this old memory of Halcyon days, now long past, played through the old man’s mind, he had to hold himself back from breaking down upon the very floor that he now stood up on. But he could not lose hope, for he would cure this damnable affliction, whatever it was, and see that determined smile once more. 

[chubs291]

Prompt #5 Stamps A Sea o' Stamps

The hustle and bustle of the Limsa market streets was alive and electric as always, Chimchim stood at his stand as he had done so every day for the past few months. He sold glue, tape, anything that uh stuck, as his slogan put it, if it sticks its in stock. Chimchim was humming to himself an old tune that his mother taught him when a young roegadyn boy hurriedly ran up to his stand.

“Oi Chimchim, I need another stamp!” The young boy asked, with a letter held gingerly in his hand, this young boy was Stehlen Riesig. Chimchim thought that he was Ulfnar’s boy but apparently there was a whole lot of drama going on in that family, better to not think about. 

“Yeah yeah I gotcha kid, same as before yeah?” Chimchim reached down into a drawer and pulled out a stamp with a chocobo on it, “This is, what the fourth time this week you came down here? Two gil by the way.” Chimchim reminded the young boy, to stop him from just grabbing the stamp and running, the boy had forgotten to pay a couple times but he meant well so Chimchim didn’t hold it against him. 

Stehlen slapped a pair of gil on the table before grabbing the stamp, looking it over a few times for, as he once put it before, quality assurance, “Yep, I just got so much to tell mum you know? Uncle said in a few years I could go on the boat with him and everything! I’ll be a swashbuckler fighting against those darned Garleans!” The boy must’ve been no more than eleven years old by his appearance, at this age roegadyns haven’t become giant mountains of meat just yet and still had a few years of being at a reasonable stature. Of course Chimchim hardly noticed the difference, most things were taller than him so he stopped taking note. 

Chimchim looked down at the young roegadyn, “And has she, uh, ever written back? The delivery moogle’s right over there and I haven’t seen you get anything in months.” Chimchim said as the boy became slightly downtrodden.

“Well. . . no she hasn’t but she’s just real busy over in Sharlayan that's all! There’s probably a bunch of mercenary work over there so she probably doesn’t have time to write back but I know she sees em! Paid the delivery moogle five gil just to watch for a roegadyn woman that looked like me and he said she did grab it, she’s probably just really busy!” Stehlen sounded oddly defensive now, seemingly refuting against his own mind before he quickly shook the thought off and scampered away towards the moogle.

Chimchim leaned on his elbow, “I sure hope that kid gets a response soon, poor little guy’s too good for what his mom did to him.” The lalafell simply shook his head and went back to watching the crowd go by. 

The next week came and went and that young roegadyn boy never returned for stamps again. 

[chubs291]

Prompt #4 Reticent From Captain to Crewmate

Two roegadyns sat a table upon a ship, the contents upon it rocking back and forth with the waves itself. One of them, Mammoth Mitch, was the nephew of the other, Ulfnar. He had been placed in his care after Mammoth’s mother had left to go to Sharlayan with her husband and due to some complications and a very selfish decision, Mammoth was left behind. “So I heard from some of the crew you’ve been uh mopey lately, is that right Mammoth?” Ulfnar asked to make sure to use the name that the rest of the crew had been calling him lately, Mammoth wasn’t the hugest fan of his birth name and he preferred his crew given name far more. 

“Yeah I’ve just been thinking about mom lately, makes me real mad you know but there ain’t nothing I can do about it now!” The young roegadyn explained, his voice strife with frustration and anger. “She’s off in Sharlayan you know?” 

“Hey if I was in your shoes I would be mad at her too but you have to realize she did what she thought was right and even if it wasn’t, she’s family. Us Sea Wolves are a proud people, we don’t like to admit when we’re wrong but I know for a fact that your mother is sitting in Sharlayan just beating herself up about what she did to you! And once again, she’s family. You gotta accept that fact, and you gotta accept that it means that no matter what she does you can’t stay mad at her forever.” Ulfnar explained plainly, sipping from a mug in his hand. Mammoth nodded with what he said, taking what he said and thinking about it long and hard. 

“Yeah I get what you’re saying! Thanks for the talk uncle, it uh really helped me out!” Mammoth said with a look of slight reserved happiness over his face. He would quickly turn and walk out of the room, to further think about what his uncle had said. 

This now left Ulfnar alone with his thoughts, “Gah why’d you have to do that sis!?” Ulfnar grumbled to himself, completely ignoring what he previously said he was furious with his sister. How selfish of her to just leave her kid here! Sure she did the bare minimum of contacting him so that he knew Mammoth was alone but seriously? She angered him to no end and if he never saw her again he would be quite happy. “You should heed your own damned words Ulfnar, bad example for the kid.” He continued to mutter to himself as he took another drink, he never thought of himself as a reticent type, but if it meant that he could make Mammoth a bit happier then he’d bottle up whatever he had to.