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Moved to @shearwindmuses

This blog is staying up as an Archive

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¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Heard we were starting a girl gang. I too just got the coolkid jacket B]

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while you studied the blade i studied the forge so i could make you the very best blade in the world! love you baby

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i tried to do inktober and this is the only thing i did so far so…

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This took an embarrassingly long time lmao.

Source

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15 and 21 from the hard oc questions

15. Who do they hate the most?

Marlowe holds a lot of resentment towards a lot of people, but it’s hard to direct it at just one. Her greatest hatred is for the Empire, which is more of a faceless collective than a single person she can focus her anger on.

If she could know who was piloting the Reaper that fired on her family as they fled, they would certainly be right up there on the list.

She’s also got quite a bit of animosity for Fyrgeiss, owner of Amajina and Sons Mineral Concern for whom she was formerly employed as hardly more than a slave. She despises most of Ul’dah, but this particular grudge is more personal. The lack of wages and fair working conditions is what drove her to seek work in Limsa instead.

As much as she dislikes the Ul’dahns and to a lesser extent the Gridanians for their seeming refusal to help, her greatest hatred will always be for the Empire even if it can’t be directed at one person.

Anyone in the Imperial uniform is fair game.

21. What is something that causes them great anxiety?

Growing up, Marlowe lived in constant fear of being conscripted by the Empire. Both she and her sister did all they could to keep a low profile and hold their positions as general labourers instead of being made to serve in the army either against their own people or in a faraway land where they would likely never see their home again.

This fear persisted even in Eorzea, where she was ever wary of being made to serve the Immortal Flames when she was a refugee in Thanalan. Thankfully this fear came to pass without incident.

Nowadays her greatest fear is falling back into poverty. Marlowe’s finally moved forward in life and has a stable job with fair wages, and a real roof over her head that she has earned for herself. Her greatest fear is losing that, and being forced to live as a refugee without home again.

Though things are good, she still worries about losing what she has all the time. She’s been uprooted before, and knows that it can happen again easier than one would expect. She works harder than she has to and lives somewhat frugally due to this fear, constantly planning just in case.

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Rock Salt font, ironically enough.

Handwriting can tell you a lot about a person. Go here and reblog with your character’s handwriting style!

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Another screenshot dump, because I can ft. The Water Around Ala Gannha Is Actually Really Nice

still too lazy/inexperienced to edit in her scars oops.

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Reblog this if your muse is a survivor.

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13. Which of the 7 Deadly Sins best describes them?

Wrath.

Marlowe’s temper is something that has always been there, and something that has defined her to others in many respects.

Though she bit her tongue all her life growing up in Ala Gannha, the anger was always there. Patiently seething, patiently waiting to be released.

Still she bit her tongue in Thanalan as well when she slaved away in the mines. Only when she found others who felt like she did, did she finally feel free to let some of it out.

Were it not for Graceful Sapphire’s intervention, Marlowe would have likely been arrested during the Ul’dah riots after breaking several noses and provoking the Brass Blades.

The riots weren’t the first time she’s gotten into fights, though. She’s thrown a few punches in bars or other gatherings when folks look down on her and hers. She’s usually been the one to throw the first punch, too.

Though it’s started to abate recently, she earned herself the name “Ragehammer” in Limsa Lominsa during her forge apprenticeship. She’s quite easily irritated and people soon learned she doesn’t much like being bothered while she works. 

At least in smithing her anger has a productive outlet.

Hopefully she’ll find peace once she returns from the Gyr Abanian campaign, her anger has largely been a product of her environment.

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50 “Not so Nice” OC or FR Asks

List your OCs in the tags or link your lair so that people can ask you!

1. What is one word to shut them up?

2. What is the thing they feel the most guilty about?

3. What is the worst pain they’ve ever experienced?

4. Describe their worst nightmare.

5. List 3 fears; one “surface level” fear, one “repressed” fear, and one “deep dark” fear.

6. What is something that never fails to make them feel sick?

7. What feature (physical or otherwise) do they hate most about themselves?

8. Do they have anything that triggers them?

9. What is their greatest physical weakness?

10. What is their greatest mental weakness?

11. Do they have any vices?

12. Have they ever done something illegal? What was it?

13. Which of the 7 Deadly Sins best describes them?

14. Are they prone to outbursts (of violence, extreme emotion… exc… )?

15. Who do they hate the most?

16. Is there anyone who makes them feel inferior?

17. What sound always gives them a headache?

18. Is there a certain flavor that disgusts them?

19. Do they consider themselves ugly?

20. Do they consider themselves unloveable?

21. What is something that causes them great anxiety?

22. Do they have any mental illnesses?

23. Have they ever been assaulted/abused/raped?

24. Do they fear the possibility of being assaulted/abused/raped?

25. Have they ever been betrayed by someone they thought they could trust?

26. Have they ever been seriously injured?

27. How many times have they been in the hospital?

28. Is there a certain type of person that disgusts them?

29. Does what they cannot see scare them?

30. Have they ever been bullied?

31. Do they have self-confidence or self-image issues?

32. Do they have a bad relationship with their parents?

33. Have they ever been in a relationship that didn’t work out so well?

34. Have they ever self harmed?

35. If they could change one thing about themselves, what would it be?

36. Are they in control of their emotions, or are their emotions in control of them?

37. Have they ever had their freedom taken away?

38. Have they ever been imprisoned?

39. Have they ever been accused of something they didn’t do?

40. Do they often blame themselves for other people’s problems?

41. Do they get sick often?

42. Are they comfortable with where they are in life?

43. Do they wish that they could change their pasts?

44. What’s one thing they wish they could do more often, but can’t?

45. What is the emotion they most commonly experience?

46. Have they ever contemplated suicide?

47. Have they ever gone so far as to attempt suicide?

48. Is there anyone that they would willingly kill?

49. If [name] was put into ______ situation, they’d rather die than live to see it through.

50. Create your own!

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Every odd number

Here we go boiz

What does your character do by way of a hobby? Do they get a lot of “spare time” to pursue things they enjoy, or are they constantly busy with duties or chores? Is there a hobby they wish they could pick up, but can’t for some reason, and if so then what’s stopping them?1. When is your character’s nameday? Do they celebrate it? If so, how? Do they pay any heed to the god whose month they were born under? Do they have any happy memories of their namedays in years gone by?

Marlowe’s nameday is the 9th Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon. These days Marlowe typically only celebrates with a small indulgence like a nice dinner with her partner or her family and maybe a bottle of liquor. 

Namedays were never forgotten when she was growing up, but there was little room for much celebration in Garlean Ala Gannha. Her family was sure to spend time together, but money and resources were tight so not much happened beyond that. Sometimes her parents had enough extra money for small gifts which were very much cherished, but little else. 

Though born under Oschon’s month, most of Marlowe’s religious attention is directed at Rhalgr.

3. What is your character’s gender? How do they relate to the concept of gender? Do you have any worldbuilding headcanons about gender in Eorzea, and if so, how does your character fit into them? Did they ever receive boons or face problems over fitting into their expected gender role?

Female, though she pays little mind to it. Gender matters little when you’re living at the bottom of the societal ladder anyhow. Your role is to work, and your worth is how well you do it. 

Most folk would consider Marlowe more masculine, but she doesn’t care much to give it any thought. Her world is one of physical labor and her sex has not a damn thing to do with it. Worrying about how to present oneself is for people with less pressing preoccupations like putting food on the table and a roof over their heads.

The doors that slammed in her face had more to do with her heritage than her sex, and she knows that.

5. What race is your character? Do they have many friends of the same race? Do they face any prejudice from others over something to do with their race? How do they relate to the concept of “being [their race]”?

Highlander Hyur, Ala Mhigan born and raised. Prejudice has been a constant force in her life in both Garlean Ala Gannha and in Eorzea alike. In all of this nearly all of her friends have been fellow Ala Mhigans, as there has been little comfort to be found outside of that solidarity. 

Marlowe’s heard it all from “Dirty savage” to “Parasite” in terms of slurs and insults hurled at her for her race and position in society. Despite all of this, she tries to keep her held held high and remain proud of who she is, and believe in the resilience of her people.

7. Where on Hydaelyn did your character grow up? How do they think of the place they spent their childhood? If they still live there, then do they sometimes wish they could move elsewhere? If they don’t, then do they sometimes wish they could go back there?

Born and raised in Ala Gannha, Marlowe was very young when the Garleans assumed control and hardly remembers what life was like without their presence in the area. Marlowe and her family were forced to flee about 3 years before the Calamity struck Eorzea. 

Though there are times she wishes she could return, she’s now got roots in Eorzea with her partner and her work. Returning home without her mother wouldn’t feel right anyhow. As much as she loved the people of her village,the place now holds too many painful memories to find any peace in.

9. Where’s your character’s favourite place in all Eorzea? How often do they get to visit? Why is it their favourite? How about their least favourite - is there anywhere they’re a wanted fugitive, or simply refuse to tread foot?

Marlowe enjoys parts of Thanalan that are well away from Ul’dah. Areas like Drybone remind her of her home in some ways, and there is small comfort in that. 

She detests Ul’dah, and wants nothing more than to see it rot and burn. It’s a symbol of greed, ill gotten wealth, and she despises the rich ruling class there. Everything that glitters was built on the backs of workers like her for a mere pittance, and thinking about it makes her blood boil. None of the wealth and luxury there is deserved. She detests both the city and its people with a seething hatred.

It doesn’t help that she’s nearly been arrested for brawling and rioting there, as well.

11. Is your character affiliated with a Free Company? If so, which one, and why? What role do they play within it? If not, would they ever join one, or start one themself?

No. Marlowe is not an adventurer, and has no reason to join one of those companies. Instead, she works for Naldiq and Vymelli’s forges.

13. What does your character know about Primals? Have they ever had direct contact with any of their worshippers?

Marlowe knows enough to know that they are trouble. She and her family briefly stayed in Little Ala Mhigo in Southern Thanalan shortly after arriving in Eorzea but soon left due to the constant threat of being kidnapped by Ifrit’s Tempered or Flamefangs. 

15. Is your character proficient with any methods of attack (such as weapons or magic)? If so, which ones, and how did they learn to use them? Do they, or would they ever, own a “job stone”? If not, then is that by choice, or happenstance? Would they learn if circumstances changed?

Marlowe is proficient in hand to hand combat, and can fight bare handed or with relatively unobstrusive brass knuckles (if you handed her a big ol’ pair of Hora she would give you a weird look). 

Her uncle Kormac was her teacher growing up. He was a long standing member of the Resistance and believed it best that Marlowe and her sister knew how to defend themselves without any carried weapons–as those were forbidden in Garlean Ala Gannha.

Had things been less turbulent, Marlowe would still likely know her way around a fist fight simply due to the rough nature of her work and her volatile temper. Learning just would have been much less of a friendly affair.

17. What does your character do by way of a hobby? Do they get a lot of “spare time” to pursue things they enjoy, or are they constantly busy with duties or chores? Is there a hobby they wish they could pick up, but can’t for some reason, and if so then what’s stopping them?

Marlowe’s usually quite busy but has found herself with somewhat more free time since moving to La Noscea with Graceful Sapphire. With things less dire, she’s had more time to jut relax instead of take on extra work. 

Though it’s not so much of a hobby, Marlowe does like to fish.

The idea of gardening has always vaguely interested her, but most of the places she has lived have been too inhospitable for it. She’d likely just grow herself vegetables and herbs, anything she could find a practical use for.

19. Does your character have a romantic life? If so, why not - lack of opportunities, or lack of interest? If so, what’s it like? How do they think of their love(s), and how does the world view the partnership? Have they, or have they ever thought of, “settling down”? Why or why not?

Surprisingly enough, yes. Despite doing almost nothing but work since arriving in Eorzea, Marlowe was lucky enough to meet her current partner Graceful Sapphire while out on a delivery job. After delivering some ore to a smithy in Ul’dah they got talking and went on a few dates when time allowed. 

It’s been a few years since then and things are going well enough. They fight every so often, but it hasn’t been anything big enough to break them. Marlowe can be difficult to live with but they’ve adapted to each other and things are going steady. They have a house together in Moraby. 

Once they’re finished with the Gyr Abanian tour and return to Limsa, Marlowe has plans to propose. As she sees it, they’ve survived living with each other, and they’ve survived a war together, they may as well do the rest together too.

21. Has your character ever met any of the major lore characters, such as the Grand Company leaders, Ishgard’s elite, or the Scions of the Seventh Dawn? If so, in what circumstances, and did they find the meeting positive or negative? If not, are there any they would like to meet; and if so, what would they like to say to them?

Marlowe’s seen the Grand Company leaders in and around Castrum Oriens, but always from afar, so it’s not much of a meeting really.

If she could talk to any one of them, she would probably talk to Raubahn. His devotion to Ul’dah baffles her, and she’d love to try and understand why he cares for such a wretched place.

23. How does your character view death? Have they ever had to attend a funeral? If they were tasked with organising the funeral for someone, what manner of rites would they have performed? Do they believe in an afterlife? What about the Raise spell - do they believe it can be used, at all, or for the forces of good? Would they consent to being Raised themself?

Death is an inevitability, and it’s always waiting. Marlowe is no stranger to it. People died around her all the time. Whether it was growing up in Garlean Ala Gannha, living among the sickness ridden refugee camps, or working in the mines, there was always death. Despite this, she is far from numb to it. 

When her mother died, there was not time for a proper funeral and it still really bothers her. If she could do it again, Avery would have had a real service and a proper grave instead of an unmarked plot in the shadow of Baelsar’s Wall.

Marlowe doesn’t know much about magic, and likely wouldn’t trust something like a raising spell.

25. Is your character a Warrior of Light? If not, what do they think of the fabled Warriors? If so, what do they think of Hydaelyn?

No. Marlowe isn’t even a real adventurer. She’s heard plenty about the Warrior of Light, but thinks the stories are greatly embellished and in her own terms “a crock of dodo shite”. 

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FFXIV: ARR character asks

25 of them. I tried to make them as open as possible to as many character concepts as possible, but apologies if a few of them aren’t applicable to a given character!

When is your character’s nameday? Do they celebrate it? If so, how? Do they pay any heed to the god whose month they were born under? Do they have any happy memories of their namedays in years gone by?

What name does your character go by? How were they given this name - did they choose it themself, earn it through their deeds, get it from their parents, or something else? Do they still go by the same name they were born with? Why or why not? If they renamed themselves, did they change their nameday too?

What is your character’s gender? How do they relate to the concept of gender? Do you have any worldbuilding headcanons about gender in Eorzea, and if so, how does your character fit into them? Did they ever receive boons or face problems over fitting into their expected gender role?

How old is your character? Do they look their age? How do others react to them based on their age? Do they live up to those expectations, or not? Do they wish they were older or younger? Why or why not?

What race is your character? Do they have many friends of the same race? Do they face any prejudice from others over something to do with their race? How do they relate to the concept of “being [their race]”?

What clan is your character from (e.g. Keeper vs Seeker; Xaela vs Raen)? Do they follow the traditions of their clan, or have they struck out on their own? Do they face any prejudice over the clan or race they hail from? Does their clan affect the way they view themself at all?

Where on Hydaelyn did your character grow up? How do they think of the place they spent their childhood? If they still live there, then do they sometimes wish they could move elsewhere? If they don’t, then do they sometimes wish they could go back there?

Where in Eorzea does your character live? Did they grow up there? If not, why did they end up there - did they choose to move there, or were they forced?

Where’s your character’s favourite place in all Eorzea? How often do they get to visit? Why is it their favourite? How about their least favourite - is there anywhere they’re a wanted fugitive, or simply refuse to tread foot?

Is your character affiliated with a Grand Company? If so, which one, and why? What role do they play within it? And what do they think of the other Grand Companies? If not, then do they have any strong opinions about any of the Grand Companies?

Is your character affiliated with a Free Company? If so, which one, and why? What role do they play within it? If not, would they ever join one, or start one themself?

What does your character think of the Twelve? Do they pledge themselves to one of them, worship all of them equally, or not worship any of them at all? Why or why not? What do they think of the different gods?

What does your character know about Primals? Have they ever had direct contact with any of their worshippers?

What is your character’s dayjob? Are they “an adventurer”, or something else? How do they survive from day-to-day?

Is your character proficient with any methods of attack (such as weapons or magic)? If so, which ones, and how did they learn to use them? Do they, or would they ever, own a “job stone”? If not, then is that by choice, or happenstance? Would they learn if circumstances changed?

If your character was injured and needed help, who would they go to? Or would they try to deal with things themselves? Do they have many personal allies and friends in Eorzea, or do they try to stay independent?

What does your character do by way of a hobby? Do they get a lot of “spare time” to pursue things they enjoy, or are they constantly busy with duties or chores? Is there a hobby they wish they could pick up, but can’t for some reason, and if so then what’s stopping them?

What festivals of Eorzea does your character celebrate? Do they have a favourite? How do they go about spreading the festivities? Are there any they avoid - if so, why?

Does your character have a romantic life? If so, why not - lack of opportunities, or lack of interest? If so, what’s it like? How do they think of their love(s), and how does the world view the partnership? Have they, or have they ever thought of, “settling down”? Why or why not?

Does your character have any companions, such as a chocobo or a pet such as is found in the “minions” tab? If so, what are they like? If not, why not, and would they ever want to have one?

Has your character ever met any of the major lore characters, such as the Grand Company leaders, Ishgard’s elite, or the Scions of the Seventh Dawn? If so, in what circumstances, and did they find the meeting positive or negative? If not, are there any they would like to meet; and if so, what would they like to say to them?

Where was your character during the Calamity? Did anything happen to them as a result of the Calamity? If not, why not? If so, what’s the worst thing they lost? Do they feel they’ve recovered after the Calamity, or do they feel they’re still picking up the pieces? Do they believe that the Seventh Astral Era has truly begun?

How does your character view death? Have they ever had to attend a funeral? If they were tasked with organising the funeral for someone, what manner of rites would they have performed? Do they believe in an afterlife? What about the Raise spell - do they believe it can be used, at all, or for the forces of good? Would they consent to being Raised themself?

Has your character ever done something that’s considered illegal in any part of Eorzea? Were they ever caught - and if not, are they fearful of being so? Do they believe what they did was wrong? Do they feel guilty, or vindicated? If they haven’t, then what would it take for them to break the law? Do they consider themself “law-abiding”? Are they afraid of law enforcement, or have they simply not had an opportunity that would be worth breaking the law for yet?

Is your character a Warrior of Light? If not, what do they think of the fabled Warriors? If so, what do they think of Hydaelyn?

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it’s Wholesome Image Hour ft. a break that Marlowe will probably never actually take but we can pretend.

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In other news I’m still gay for Ala Mhigo.

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That Really Long Character Meme

Marlowe Ardiente

Appearance

Gender: Female Race: Hyur (Highlander) Height: 6′1 Eye Color: Dark brown Hair Color: Blonde. Scars: Major burn scars across her back, shoulders, and the back of her legs. Several gouge scars among the burns as well from explosion debris.

Other: Two gold eyebrow rings on each brow. Heavily freckled all over her body.

The Facts

Nameday: 9th Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon Occupation: Labourer (Former), Miner (Former), Blacksmith/Armorsmith Sexuality: Homosexual Romantic ID: Homoromantic Alignment: Neutral Good Criminal History: Rioting, Minor theft. Relationship: Partners with Graceful Sapphire Sweet on: Her gf.

Favourites

Favourite food: Aldgoat Chuck Favourite drink: Iced tea Favourite artist: N/A Favourite scent: Campfire, fresh morning air. Favourite person: Martel, her older sister.

Random

Ten facts about your muse:

Marlowe has minor tinnitus as a result of an explosion she was close to while fleeing Gyr Abania. She often has to ask people to repeat themselves if they talk too quickly, despite talking fast herself.

Despises Magitek Armors due to her own traumatic experience with them. She will not work on them, or make any parts for them.

Marlowe hoards food and tends to make stashes in strange places. She’s always worried about shortages and running out. She gets extremely defensive if asked about this habit.

On top of hoarding food, Marlowe tends to eat her meals very quickly and is often seen as having poor table manners as a result. Bringing this up will elicit a similar response to talking about her stashes--she gets very offended.

Prefers hammocks to beds after many years of sleeping in them on the road or in the various camps she lived in. 

Known for her good work ethic, Marlowe works very hard to maintain a good reputation in any workplace and rise above all the jeers at her heritage. Things have gotten much better since she left Thanalan.

Marlowe tends to be rather frugal and seldom indulges herself. It’s something she’s been slowly working on since rising out of poverty as a refugee.

Can speak in a mix of clicks and whistle code learned in her brief time with a splinter of the Resistance in the Fringes,

Surprisingly cleanly for one of her trade. Marlowe showers before anything else after she finishes her work for the day, and revels in feeling clean after years of grunt work in Gyr Abania and in the mines of Thanalan. She used to keep herself deliberately unkempt to attract less unwanted attention. Now that she no longer has to do that, she savours it.

Her handwriting is absolutely horrific.

Five Things

5 things they like

Warm weather

Airship and boat rides

Sleeping in

Cheap wine

Walking barefoot in sand

5 things they dislike

Wealthy people

Cold weather

Laziness

Bureaucrats

Ul’dah

5 good habits

Honesty

Good work ethic

Very cleanly

Timely with both her work and appointments

Smart with her money

5 bad habits

Tends to assume that others look down on her, getting offended very easily and taking an overly defensive attitude that makes her come off very standoffish.

Quick to anger, and with an absolutely vile temper. Infamous for getting into fistfights rather easily.

Judges people pretty harshly. Very terse with anyone she finds “uppity”, and makes a lot of assumptions when first meeting a person. Has a long list of biases, most of them poor.

Overworks herself even when she doesn’t need to. Always trying too hard to prove herself even after she already has.

Really holds grudges.

5 traits they gravitate towards

Honesty

Hard working

Humility

Compassion

Freedom

5 traits they avoid

Lazy

Selfish

Conceited

Flippant

Dishonest

5 fears

Losing what’s left of her family

Falling back into extreme poverty

The Empire

Being unable to work 

Ghosts/Phantoms/The undead

Kiri tagged me and it took me like 5 hours here it is boys.