#FFXIV NPC Ask Prompts

[fjotla-vithir]

Nero! For the ask game.

OooohohohoHOOOOO I’ve been waiting for youuuuuuuuuu

This is some deep lore that I’ve never actually touched base on so I’m gonna put it under a lil read more banner.

Fjölla started off thinking mostly what everyone else thought of Nero in ARR: selfish, thinks WAY too highly of himself, big baby, and just overall a narcissist boob. He was very happy to whoop on Nero’s ass on CID’s behalf.

And then Nero got involved with the Crystal Tower. Fjölla’s opinion didn’t change much at first, but the more he hung around the taller, blonder Garlean, the more he grew on our Vieran friend.

It wasn’t until well into the Omega problem that things started to get physical. Over time, Fjölla became drawn to that self-centered personality, wanting to know just how fucked up the man could really get. And Nero wasn’t an idiot; he saw right through Fjölla. And their secret relationship began. First it was stealing away in the dead of night, but then the visits became more frequent when the duo realized that Fjölla liked pain. Fjölla is very much a top and likes being in control, but when it came to Nero, he wanted to be abused. Fjölla isn’t sure where or when that desire started, but once Nero caught on, everything escalated from there. And fast. Soon after, Cid and the Scions figured out what was going on and implored Fjölla to break things off. They’re efforts increased significantly once visible signs of the abuse started to show up, and there was once even a time when Cid had to get involved when Fjölla almost lost his life trying to test the limits of his tolerance.

Needless to say, Fjölla’s thoughts on Nero are currently very … conflicted. The past they share is one he wanted, but was very much not accepted by those who cared about him. After meeting his bonded, Försjaár and solidifying their feelings for each other in a Ceremony, Fjölla cut off all contact with Nero.

But you know what they say. Old habits die hard …

[thefreelanceangel]

🍫: Where does your OC go to think?

Meli used to hate traveling. Every time she received that call to return to the Waking Sands, she wanted to know why she couldn't just get the damn information via linkpearl.

Now, years later, she's so accustomed to traveling that having her special "down time" location be over a world away doesn't give her a moment's pause.

For Meli, her room in the Pendants, located in the Crystarium on the First, is the best possible place to think.

No one really bothers her there. She's been able to add a few bits of furnishings particular to her own tastes. The view from the window soothes her when she's upset. And... there are a couple of very particular, very precious memories located in that room.

Whenever Meli needs time to herself--and she can spare a few days, rather than just a couple of hours--she returns to the First and (after checking in with her "lovely branch") heads to the Pendants to lock the door on the world.

[gatheredfates]

WELCOME TO SEAFLOOR'S FFXIV ALL SAINTS WAKE GPOSE CHALLENGE!

The purpose of this challenge is simple: it's a fun excuse to do some Halloween-inspired GPOSES that will hopefully expand peoples' creativity, confidence and connections in the community! Be frightful, be fun, be quirky and esoteric!

Please use the tag #seafloor saints wake if you participate and consider joining our community!

FAQ

Is it mandatory to complete every prompt? Not in the slightest! Do as many or as few as you like; double up on prompts or do sixteen MAGIC SPELLS for all I mind! This is about you guys having fun. The challenge exists for people who like that kind of thing, but the prompts are meant to be fun and accessible.

Is the use of mods/shades/tools okay? Yes, of course! Whilst there'll be bonus kudos points if you structure a costume or scene using in game items/means, there's no penalty for going beyond it.

What about NSFW (gore, sexual or otherwise)? Use common sense and appropriate tags as necessary, especially for common fears and phobias. I obviously cannot control what Tumblr sees as being too much, but the general rules for SEAFLOOR apply where possible. Additionally, the prompts don't have to be scary or sexual at all! If you want to pose your OC as a Disney Princess seven times in a row, you can absolutely do that.

Where do I post works? Hopefully your Tumblr blog, silly, but you can also reblog them to the SEAFLOOR Tumblr Community or join us on Discord! If someone posts their work in either of those spaces, consider reacting with a piece of candy! 🍬 It's a fun, easy affirmation if you're not to sure how to tell them you like their work otherwise.

I've got no one to pose with for the couple's cosplay! NPC's are fine, or you can reach out and ask if anyone else participating in the challenge is willing to lend their oc. Always consent check the content/pose first before posting it publicly, but you can use this as an excuse to pose with people you might not have before.

Is there a prize? SEAFLOOR Discord members get a fancy, cosmetic role! Otherwise, no. Maybe I'll make up some candy and distribute it around Halloween, or we can all dress up and get together closer to the date. I'll keep you posted!

Anything else? If I think of it, I'll post it here!

[ainyan]

FFXIV Write 2024 - Day 1: Steer

“Good mornin’, Miss Miurani!” She turned at the call, smiling to see the small girl perched atop a slowly ambling rroneek steer.

“Why, Ryne, what on Etheirys are you doing up there?” she called back, setting one fist on her hip as she studied the pair. Her eyes slid towards the man striding alongside them, one hand resting lazily upon the beast’s side just below Ryne’s leg. Beneath the broad-brimmed hat he wore, his golden eyes sparkled lazily at her as he lifted a hand in greeting. “Sheriff Waters.”

The curve of his lips deepened slightly at the hint of censure in her tone. “Miss Miurani,” he returned, slow and drawling. “Don’t you look a sight this morning?”

The compliment was ignored, as always, and she shook her head at him, sunlight flashing off the silver wires wound about her backswept horns. “Is it safe for her to be up there, Sheriff?” she asked severely, and scowled at him when his grin only widened. “Sheriff Waters…”

“I’ve asked you to call me Thancred,” he interrupted her, and she huffed at him and tapped her foot on the ground, dust puffing up about her lavender slipper.

“Sheriff,” she said severely, and he shook his head at her in mock admonishment. “You are hopeless. How you ever convinced anyone to give you authority…” Trailing off, she closed her eyes and battled for calm. “Ryne, come down now. It’s time for class.”

Ryne sighed, then turned and inched her way off the steer, sliding down his shoulder into Thancred’s waiting arms. “Thank you, papa,” she told him, and he leaned down as she went up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

Ruffling her hair, Thancred gave her a little shove towards the steps leading up to the school. She darted up, pausing to bob a greeting to the schoolmistress before heading past her and into the school. She remained upon the stoop, her gaze on the still-grinning Sheriff. “You’re a good father,” she began, pausing when he shoved his hat back and stared at her. “You’re a good father,” she repeated, “but a terrible man.”

“Why, Miss Kal’istae,” he murmured, “I do believe that is the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”

She couldn’t stop her lips from tugging upwards. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Those golden eyes glittered at her. “Too late.” He might have said more, but beneath his hand the steer grunted and began to shift. “Ah - yes. If you’ll excuse me, Miss Miurani, I need to get this gentleman back to his owner. I found him grazing on Ryne’s roses this morning.” Despite his words, he stood there a moment longer, gazing up at her.

She stared back a moment longer, then inclined her head. “Good day… Thancred.”

His smile was slow and satisfied, and he tipped his hat to her. “Good day, Miss Kal’istae,” he murmured, before tapping the beast on the shoulder and gently steering him around back onto the street and on the way to their final destination.

She watched him go, absently rubbing at her throat for a moment before sighing softly and turning to enter the schoolhouse and call the children within to order. 

FFXIV Write 2024 (Daily Prompt List)

Day 1 - Steer

OC: Kal'istae Miurani

NPCs: Thancred Waters, Ryne Waters

AU: Stars over Western Waters

[sundered-souls]

FFXIV Vanilla #3 — NPC

"You want me to... babysit researchers? - Guide and protect. E-Sumi-Yan has been asking for you specifically. He'll give you all the details you need for your mission. - Oh. Well, if E-Sumi-Yan himself has asked for me then, I suppose I should go pay him a visit... - That would be wise. - Right. Understood. Thank you, Mother Miounne. - You're most welcome!"

This happens about two years before the MSQ starts*, and the researchers aren't the Scions. They're characters of mine I've mentioned before tasked with exploring the West Shroud to know in which state it is exactly and if it's possible to heal it.

This is true in both her RP verse and my WoL verse, the main difference being that in the WoL verse, at least one of these researchers ends up being one of the steadfast adventurers that helps Aïcha and her in future fights.

*might change as I'm planning my fic and the timeline of the MSQ for my WoL verse, but it should be something around that time frame

[Vanilla GPOSE prompt list]

[autumnslance]

NPC ask: Vrtra!

OK so, remember: I wrote up Aeryn's surprise backstory thanks to FFXIV Write prompts, with a one off in one year, and then the next having the original version of the whole Avengret saga, like 2 months before Endwalker came out. Eventually it all came together in Bearing Sins of the Past, where I added the coda "with any luck, Aeryn wouldn’t have to think about dragons again for a while" because when EW DID hit and I got to Thavnair I helpless laughed, because this woman just cannot get away from dragons for anything.

My own fault for starting playing this game in HW, and then putting a bit of Coerthan in my WoL, I suppose.

Actual answer below cuz I rambled a bit on this one, and added in brief answers for the FC's FF16 AU and my other OCs.

To say Aeryn was shocked to learn of Vrtra and his role in her nation's history is mild; she spent a good few nights thinking back to her mother's stories and the teachings of Thavnair's history and how they see dragons, versus that of Coerthas and what she'd learned of and experienced in the Dragonsong War. It was a decent distraction for a while.

Bit of nervousness too, I mean, how do you look your secret ruler in the eye and say "yes, I'm the one who killed your brother"? Even if his dad and another brother helped. Awkward. Which is also true when around Tiamat and Azdaja, but hey.

But Vrtra is also so different from his siblings; he spends more time with mortals than with other dragons, and so understands them in ways his siblings do not. He has more in common, perhaps, with the late Ratatoskr than the others; Aeryn thinks she'd be pleased by and proud of what her youngest brother has accomplished with Thavnair.

And so Vrtra isn't just another Great Wyrm of the First Brood, and not only the Satrap of Radz-at-Han (publicly, finally), but also...a friend. He's warm, and personable, and understands and uses mortal humor. Not always perfectly; there's still an alienness to him that can seem reserved or even standoffish, and some things he still doesn't understand. But he takes it all in stride and with good intention, and assuming the same from others. He's kind, and caring, and she cannot think of a better defender and leader for her homeland.

And it certainly makes sense as to how such consistency and coordination exists in Thavnair's growth and policies, leading to a fairly happy and prosperous land and people.

Still, Aeryn mostly actually behaves when adventuring with Vrtra, in whatever form. A mostly proper young Thavnairian lady, that her grandmothers would find no fault with while in the presence of the Satrap. Vrtra thought the Scion stories of her being a reckless gremlin in combat were exaggerations...until the Isle of Haam and getting to the aetherfont with Thancred in the party. She really couldn't help herself, it's part of how their relationship works. But she did maybe pouty face puppy dog eye Varshahn to please not mention her behavior to her family at all ever. And again, given he understands mortals, well...even Vrtra doesn't dare cross a pair of Thavnairain grannies!

In the FF16-inspired AU, where Aeryn and Zaine are Dominants of Asura and Daivaidipa, Vrtra was the one who had to wrangle them when they first primed as children on returning to Thavnair. He took the little family in, the Striker siblings (and their mother) becoming wards of the Satrap. Vrtra used his child simulacrums, then adolescent, as they grew, acting as a brother as much as a mentor and guardian. In that AU the bond is much more familial, with the closeness of years and shared secrets and power between them.

Back on Main, Dark Autumn and C'oretta like Vrtra well enough, though Dark is far more comfortable with his Varshahn persona. C'oretta has pestered the alchemists about how the simulacra are made and work cuz it's fascinating. Iyna....just isn't sure at all how to handle actual dragons, especially First Brood, so remains quiet and aloof to cover her awkward, when she has to interact. She also much prefers interacting with Varshahn, but can't quite ever forget what he really is. Still, like the others, she remains polite and to the job, mostly for Aeryn's sake.

[missazurerose]

FFXIV Write 2024 - Day 12

Quarry

It was small but she wasn't expecting a mansion by any means. A bedroom, wash room and a kitchen with a small seating area.  The actual smithy was in another small building at the back of the property. Perfectly fine for one man. 

“I regret there is not much extra space but-”

She shook her head. “I have slept in a quarry to protect a claim with just Sabriel to lay my head on. I asked for a dry place to sleep and this fits the bill just fine.” 

Hey look, this prompt comes with a gpose. I've been kicking around the idea of an NPC AU for a hot minute and this was the perfect chance to get it out of my head. I actually did some other gposes for it a while back but when I went to find them for this, I realized I made them both blacksmiths and that's now how the story shook out. So this was done in a mad dash but here it is. Also I get over involved in my AUs. My fake marriage AU definitely got out of hand. This is another one that might get cleaned up an expanded into something that actually makes it to AO3. I could have easily kept going with this one. I really might. I love making AUs and trying to fit as much of Eorzea as I can into a slightly different world

[duskwightdancer]

FFXIV Write 2023 Prompt 18: Fish Out of Water

Switching it up and writing about some npcs! Artoirel learns how to shoot a gun.

Stephanivien/Artoirel. Rated: T. Minor EW spoilers.

Artoirel was a knight, he was familiar with combat. He'd fought dragons and Garleans and blasphemies alike. His sword was a familiar weight in his hand, practically an extension of himself.

But this wasn't a sword in his hand and he couldn't use it as if it were an extension of himself. 

"Relax your stance, you're not bracing for physical combat like you would as a paladin, this is a ranged weapon, dear. And you'll want to hold it like this," Stephanivien said, his calloused hands moving Artoirel's fingers along the base of the gun.

Artoirel just let out a deep breath and tried to relax while trying to still keep himself steady enough for the apparent recoil from the gun, whatever that meant. "What do I do with my other hand?" He asked, glancing up at Stephanivien and ignoring the butterflies in his stomach when he saw the man's wide grin.

"You can just keep it at your side. Relax,” he said again, right into Artoirel’s ear, making him shiver. 

“I can’t relax,” he said, closing his eyes. “I… I’m completely out of my element with this.” 

Stephanivien just chuckled, sending sparks down Artoirel’s spine. “Think of yourself less as a fish out of water and more as… a bird learning to fly,” he said, his breath warm against Artoirel’s ear. “Now, open your eyes, take a deep breath, and pull the trigger.”

Artoirel let out a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes, staring at the target ahead of him. “Like this?” he asked, doing his best to relax. 

Stephanivien’s hand rested on his own, adjusting his aim. “There.”

Artoirel nodded once and took a deep breath, looking down the barrel of the gun at the target before him. “Alright,” he said softly, and didn’t hesitate a moment longer before he pulled the trigger. 

[cappitek]

4, 9, and 25 for the artist ask game!

Uwaa, thanks for the ask - was mostly reblogging for others and didn't expect a prompt! 4. Fav character/subject that's a bitch to draw? FFXIV characters (NPCs or other OCs/WoLs) - love them to bits and the designs are amazing but... drawing hard.... My hope is that I'll get comfortable enough with the design style that it won't be such a trouble for much longer! 9. What are your file name conventions? I have a super strict convention, typically it is... YYYY-MM-DD_[project/file name]_[current state] I save off _sketch, _lines, _flats/colours, _shade, and depending on the level of work _effects as well!

25. Something your art has been compared to that you were NOT inspired by? It could just be because I style experiment very regularly, but I've never had my art compared to any one thing in particular~

I'm gonna be cheeky and shoutout that my latest shading experimentation has been inspired by @retrojoopiter - their gradient + cel shading combo is simply delicious so I've been playing around with that style a bit more.

[endlesscrimson89]

FFXIV Write2023, Prompt 14: Clear.

[Companion piece to 10th entry, "Shock"]

Adam's goal became clear the moment he woke up in Senri’s body. Or - to be precise - the moment he realized that this whole isekai nonsense was apparently a thing that somehow happened to him. 

Not that he especially minded, though, as the last thing he remembered was getting hit by a car - so as devoted atheist, waking up inside the game was definitely preferable to the non-existance. Or finding out that hell was also a thing. 

No, instead whatever gods were up there, had to be laughing their asses off at his stumbling when he spent a good few hours getting used to having a tail and swearing at the idea of making his avatar Miqo’te. 

Though, he quite quickly figured that his avatar - Senri - didn’t exactly looked like he did on his screen, mind you. Nope, gawking at his reflection in the shallow pond he found soon after waking up, he figured that whatever god shoved his soul into this body had to trying to make up for some sort of complex... or something. 

Only thing that agreed, was the colors - with the fucking switch somehow apparently accounting for the mods he used to make Senri’s hair ventablack and his eyes paler than the character creator's screen allowed... because why the fuck not, right? 

Only saving grace was the fact that now he was VERY happy that he didn’t think to make his avatar a chick... because if he got shoved into a girl's body instead? God, but that would be awkward!

So, yeah, Adam woke up in a middle of a fucking desert, his body covered in a VERY familiar looking starter gear and with no clue where to go or what to do. He stumbled for a while - obviously - and his first encounter with a monster ended badly. 

Fucking cactuars were no joke, enough said. 

But even getting stung to death had an upside, he figured when he opened his eyes again at the bottom of a massive, spinning crystal, because apparently the Respawn was also a thing and somehow his body was attuned in Ul’dah. Though it didn't take him long to figure that Ul’dah also didn't look anything like it did in game. 

...and NPC's weren't as nice, either. 

Whatever cosmic joker thought it was a good idea to make him look as he did, had to be rolling over in laughter with the amount of chicks that wanted a piece of him now. He figured that perhaps if he wasn’t gay, it would be fun but those bitches in Ul’dah...? Well, had a fucking issue taking no for an answer. 

Figures, right?

Dodging them while trying to get a hang of things was definitely a pain and when he finally understood that somehow he landed in FFXIV before the whole Dalamut crash... Yeah, his goal was fucking clear like crystal. 

Mainly: get the fuck out of Eorzea before Bahamut turns it into toast. 

Hey, he didn’t sign up for this and whatever happens with the WoLs in this battle he liked the cinematic trailer of... he figured he might preferably skip. 

So, he took a gig at Colliseum for a few months, picked up a Gladiator class and rolled with it - still dodging horny ladies - until he got enough Gil to get the fuck out of the dodge. 

When it came to picking a direction, it was also clear like a day. Adam figured that all things considered, and if was counting right - if the sense of time was existing in this screwed up universe - the dude he had the biggest crush on for years now should be like... available right now. He had no clue how old was his own body, especially having no real idea how the aging of Miqo’te worked - but looking in the mirror his reflection looked rather on the young side. Too fucking pretty for his liking, but yeah... young. Twenty, perhaps? Well, as far as he could say - without making himself look suspicious by asking others - he looked like a young adult... with cat-like additions. 

The day he parked his ass on the ship heading to Old Sharlayan he breathed with relief, gleefully waving a 'bye-bye' toward the harbor of Limsa Lominsa until it became a tiny dot on the horizon. Have fun burning, for all he cared - not very much appreciating the experience so far. Bless Yoshi.P for sending those horny bitches into oblivion! Maybe after revamp it's going to become a more LGBT+ friendly space... or however the fuck this whole thing worked, because Adam still had no real idea. 

Hey, using magic was pretty cool, and all - even if it didn't take him long to figure he quite sucked at it. Briefly taking a gander at Taumaturgy taught him quickly that he was better off as Gladiator... well, Paladin now. 

And, fuck, at least he could heal himself with it, because dying...? Still hurt like a bitch!

Not to mention this whole respawning thing boggled his mortal mind. He tried not to think about that too deeply... again busy dodging the horniness of Eorzean 'ladies' on a fucking uncomfortable sea voyage across the sea. What in game looked uncomfortable - that idea of the fucking big 'below deck' shared by all passengers in the opening of Endwalker, proved to be a blessing in disguise. With someone always being up and about, those bitches couldn't do more than leer... and fuck, but they did - constantly. 

Three weeks later, he nearly jumped off the ramp as soon as it hit the murmur of the harbor and downright sprinted toward the registration before any other goddamn 'lady' could 'offer' her company during his stay in city of scholars. 

Thankfully his faked papers held the scrutiny of the officials (making him sent a silent thanks toward the guild of rogues in Limsa, no matter how fucking expensive those were). Another thanks he sent for Gulaf Baldesion, who apparently had a good idea (for Adam, that is) to sit his ass in Isle of Val and stay put. He figured as much from the game, and the rogues were pretty damn surprised why he needed a fake letter from the guy, but with enough Gil apparently there were no things quite impossible... So, hey, it almost made him nostalgic with similarity to Earth. 

...not quite, but almost. 

Registration done, all his measly belongings thrown over his shoulder, Adam headed toward the higher level of the city and the crystal of the Aetheryte. For obvious reasons, attuning was kind of a necessity, least he got unlucky and landed right back in Eorzea. 

That done and armed into a fake latter from Baldesion naming him a 'bodyguard' for the man's young protégé, he headed to Baldesion Annex, quite hoping that the counter letter going out of Limsa to the man reached him by now. Just in case, he preffered to have all his bases covered. 

For the guy, Senri Tia, the Warrior of Light, offered his protection to the last known descendant of royal family of Allagan Empire. He had no clue if Baldesion knew what was the Eye of the Allag or why G'raha was dumped on him - if he suspected that he probably didn't know, if he left the guy to rot in Sharlayan. Maybe him knowing it would change the dude's attitude... but he hardly gave a fuck as long as he was allowed his goal. 

Frankly, he was a fucking simp for G'raha and he wasn't ashamed of that. And if the universe chose to dump his miserable soul into this particular world, there was no way he would miss the opportunity to meet his idol. 

...even if G'raha, when he finally saw him, looked pretty young. Well... far younger than Adam calculated or was comfortable with, to be frank.

Still fucking cute, though! 

Learning that his intended target just a few weeks ago passed sixteen namesday, however, put a damp on his plans of getting in the redhead’s pants... so to say. All stares and blushing on his part aside... Adam figured that considering how his body looked like, wasn't that surprising - or fair - to boggle the cutie's mind. 

Decided to stay at his side as his friend, he settled into the quiet life among the Students of Baldesion seamlessly... mostly. Well, once most of Old Sharlayan's citizens figured that from now picking on his mismatched-eyed charge was a big fucking no-no, they didn't have that many issues. Here at least the idea of homosexuality wasn't that alien, so after the news spread that he wasn’t interested in girls, he was down to only dodging horny guys... still a bummer, but hey, he would take a win over nothing! 

A few broken jaws later, at least they got the clue and left him alone, so other than newcomers to the city Adam - or Senri, as he was increasingly used to - was downright toasty by the time news hit of... well, Eorzea taking one for the team. Not that he was surprised, every night going out to look at the ever-closer Dalamut... but he still made sure to pretend a proper shock. 

By that day, he and Raha were more than friends for over a year, but the news had him sitting down and doing some serious soul-searching and calculations. 

From his by then foggy memory of the game, he knew that in five years someone here would get a bright idea of investigating the Crystal Tower and drag his lover’s sexy behind into this whole... thing. 

And he had no clue if there would be another WoL for Scions to recruit. One to face van Belsar and all that mess beforehand. 

Admittedly, Adam didn't consider himself to be super smart person. He had no clue why did he end up in this world, no god spoken to him to make things clear or whatever, so he was simply getting by best he could. He kept his head low, took care of Raha and would be happy to continue to do so... but his conscience was eating on him, to be honest. 

And Raha, being the observant little shit, finally demanded answers as to why 'Senri' was so bummed out all of the sudden. Spending over three years constantly together, including a year as lovers, made the little tease know just all the right ways to finally make him confess... and as much as Adam enjoyed the process, he was pretty relived to come clean. 

Stumped, too, because Raha wasn’t as surprised as he should be. Well, until...

"You talk in your sleep, babe," the redhead announced with a potent roll of his mismatched eyes and he, honestly, never loved him more than in that moment. "So... when do we go?"

And so it was settled that they're going back to Eorzea... together. Meaning, he was going back because for Raha it would be a first, obviously. 

Not having a clear idea of the timeline, they picked a year after the news of Minifilia Warde establishing the Scions of the Seventh Dawn reached the Old Sharlayan. 

Raha was twenty-one and Senri still had no clue how old he was, exactly. He still looked young, so they figured that he - his body - wasn't that much older than his redhead... They both pointedly ignored the fact that he didn’t seem to age a day - physically - since reaching the city of scholars. He also didn't happen to die in the meantime, so Adam knew that his lover was taking his story about 'respawning' with grain of salt. He VERY vehemently refused when Adam proposed to prove it to him, so...yeah. 

Figuring that by taking Raha along he was already messing up the story, they settled into the idea of improving what Senri still remembered of how it was supposed to play out. 

Another miserable, three-weeks-long sea voyage later, they landed on Eorzean soil... and, actually, they found that they didn’t need to bother in the first place. 

Staking out Thancred - alone, after accidentally spotting the tall Scion in Ul’dah, where they decided to take residence for time being - while hidden from sight via stealth, Senri witnessed the moment a young, fresh-faced adventurer came to 'Lilira's' rescue near the Sultanatree. Swiftly joined by Thancred he was tailing, he decided against stepping in, instead watching and considering the development. Then listened in on ensuing conversation. 

The adventurer, cute and enthusiastic Keeper named Nell, an arcanist as much as he could tell by watching her fight, seemed like an ill pick for the WoL, being a tiny, whiff of a girl with long, silver hair. But watching her and her mannerisms from his peculiar perspective, something else became clear in Adam's mind. 

She was a player, like him. No, not exactly like him, but the way she moved, gestured and didn't say a damn thing while the others appeared to hear something... He figured that she was an avatar, with some noob behind the steer in the real world. Or the other world. 

His world. 

And another clear thing: by the joke of the universe or something, Adam had become a NPC - who already messed up someone's playthrough. Self-aware NPC who wasn't complaint to the rules of the universe he was shoved in, apparently. Or, perhaps he was really dead and all of this was some sort of complex afterlife... 

Well, he didn’t really care either way, leaving them to head back to Ul’dah and to share the development with his lover. Figuring that Raha would have a better idea how to proceed, he however couldn't resist the thought toward this 'player' behind the veil. 

Hope you enjoy the ride, pal... Because he wasn’t nearly close to being done with making a mess of things. 

[fjotla-vithir]

for the NPC ask game how about Fjölla's thoughts on Ysayle?

OooooohohoHOOOO he did NOT like her at all.

Long story short:

Fjölla: there’s nothing heroic or romantic about impersonating someone’s murdered one true love, draconic or otherwise.

[bard-of-light]

“You’ll always be safe with me.”

Nanamo still felt ill at ease being so close to the Monaterists after all they have wrought upon the city and herself. Beside her stood Akoko Ako, a close friend of the Warrior of Light, Mehna. While Akoko was usually a mischievous troubkemaker, she seemed to calm down around the Sultana. The Black Mage had her arms crossed as she stared down Lord Lolorito who seemed to not acknowledge her presence.

"Is there aught you require of us, Your Grace," he asked with a calm voice.

She slowly shook her head. "Nay, I do believe we have finished our business for the day. You are all dismissed."

The Monaterists stood and bowed to the Sultana before exiting. Nanamo felt herself finally relax before she stood up from her chair.

"If you are retiring for the night, I will take my leave, Your Grace," Akoko said with a bow before turning to leave. To her surprise, a hand in hers stopped her in her tracks.

"Forgive my boldness but I do not wish to be alone. Stay?"

Akoko's violet eyes widened before she nodded. "Of course, Your Grace."

The Sultana smiled before leading her bodyguard to her private chambers, much to the surprise of Akoko.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," she offered before crawling onto her bed.

Akoko gulped softly before sitting in the chair beside the bed. It was clear that something troubled the Sultana.

"Pray forgive me. I did not feel safe being alone," Nanamo said softly.

The Black Mage let a small smile grace her features before placing a hand upon Nanamo's. "You'll always be safe with me, Your Grace," she promised.

Hearing that vow made Nanamo's heart swell as her own smile matched Akoko's. She knew she was truly safe once more.

[starrysnowdrop]

Oh no Sea, you have asked for me to gush about my favorite topic in the world… I warn you and everyone seeing this, I can be long winded, but I’ll try to be brief so bear with me for a bit. First, here’s some gposes to satisfy the eyes:

Next, I’ll put the rest of my answer under a cut. You’re welcome to all who hate scrolling. 😉

Alright, onto actually answering your question. Ahem…

Hali is actually not my first WoL OC, even though she is my main and pretty much my only WoL OC right now. Before Hali was created, I had an Auri Hingan Samurai woman named Yume, and because of how I had written her, as a very stoic, no nonsense warrior through and through, I had a hard time shipping her with anyone. Over the years I tried shipping her with Cid, G’raha, and I briefly thought of Artoirel, but before any of them, my first choice of an NPC ship was Aymeric.

It took me quite a while to realize that a huge part of me wanting to ship Yume with Aymeric as a first choice was a very personal one. Aymeric was the first character in FFXIV that I completely fell for. He is so special to me, and that made me try to ship my only WoL at the time with him. But as you can see, that ultimately didn’t work out.

It didn’t work out because Yume and Aymeric didn’t vibe well with each other. I had realized that Aymeric is much too polite and respectful of decorum to break Yume out of her shell to make a deeper connection than just comrades that respect one another, and I didn’t think Yume was the kind of person that Aymeric would come to love either, as she would likely remind him of the many Ishgardian nobles that he was around all the time. So an NPC ship with Aymeric was discarded, and though I personally was very saddened by that, I thought it was the right decision for both characters.

After a few years, as I kept getting frustrated with the ships I was trying to write for Yume, I decided to make another WoL OC that would be different from Yume in every way. She would end up being much more of a self insert than I expected, but nonetheless I fell in love with the pink haired, happy go lucky Lalafellin woman who would become Hali.

As I got Hali through the base ARR and into the ARR patches, I didn’t have any intention on trying to ship her Aymeric and to try a WoL x NPC ship with him a second time, as I even had a brief idea to ship her with Krile later on.

But everything changed once Hali met Aymeric in 2.4, the lead up to Heavensward. I saw them in the cutscenes together, and as ridiculous of a height difference they had, I still couldn’t help but giggle squeal whenever they were together. I couldn’t help myself. I just had to try to ship Hali with Aymeric.

So I decided to try to write a few prompts with them together and see how their dynamic was. And it was even better than I had expected. Not only was I highly impressed and kept getting inspired to write more, but I got a ton of positive feedback from so many people telling me that they loved Hali and Aymeric together.

And I guess that was that. I never looked back since. They are my everything (well fandom wise of course); they make me so damn happy. Just looking at them makes me smile and wanting to write and gpose more. I can’t get enough of them. I don’t know if I could ever write a ship better than Hali x Aymeric. And I don’t even want to try either.

I still can’t fully comprehend how a pink haired, bubbly, sunshine of a lalafellin woman and a noble, brave, and charismatic Ishgardian knight could be such a beautiful and dynamic couple that would not only bring me endless joy but also keep inspiring me far more than anything else I’ve ever written. It is utterly beyond my comprehension, but somehow it works. And I am forever grateful that I just followed my heart and wrote what I wanted and not for anyone else’s approval but my own.

I somehow hope this inspired someone out there to not be afraid and just go for the ship they want to write for. Trust me, it’s worth it.

💖

Another random WoLQotD/OC question

I thought I'd ask this while I worked on my other questions. :)

If you're a WoL x NPC shipper, what drew you to that ship and why? What makes that ship the pinnacle for you and your oc? Is it that you love the canon character you write them with, you find their dynamic interesting or something in between?

If you're not a WoL x NPC shipper, but you have a ship with another person, how did that come about? What makes that ship fulfilling for you? Has the ship impacted your relationship with that other person? Feel free to gush, I wanna hear it!

Oh, and pictures are a must (if you have them).

[ainyan]

FFXIV Write - Day 2: Horizon

Thancred leaned against the forward railing of The Seventh Dawn, his body lightly pressed against Kal’istae’s back. She, too, clung to the railing, her feet planted on the bottom rail while she held on to the top. The ship’s rail, built to provide safety for Elezen and Roegadyn sailors, was almost too high for the Hyuran Captain to lean on comfortably, much less the fulm-shorter Au Ra. So he held her in place, keeping her steady so she could gaze out towards the west and the lowering sun.

For safety, of course.

If Kal’istae took any exception to his precaution, she did not show it; her face was lifted into the breeze created by their slow passage westward, midnight strands flitting about her face and horns as she inhaled deeply of the salty sea air. “What did you want to show me?” she asked curiously as she scanned the horizon but saw nothing but the wavering surface of the sea and the reddening disk sinking below it.

“Patience,” he murmured, trying to ignore the way the hints of lavender and starflower that scented the breeze made his pulse quicken. 

Her laugh was soft and low and mingled with the crash of the water against the bow of the ship. “Have you not figured out yet, Captain Waters, that patience is not my strong suit?” But she did not push the matter further, content to gaze out over the water and enjoy the warmth of him against her spine.

It was a start.

“Watch,” he whispered against her horn as the last of the sun sank below the horizon. Against her back, he tensed, and she could feel his arms tighten about her, fingers gripping the railing in anticipation. In response, she clung to the damp wood and stared intently at that single point of red before it winked out.

One heartbeat.

Two.

A dull flash of emerald green erupted from the point where the sun had disappeared, briefly illuminating the sky. In the center of that burst of light stood the outline of a great ship, hulking and monstrous and lit from within by that same ghostly foxfire. Kal’istae gasped and jerked backwards into Thancred’s chest, and his arm slid around her waist, holding her close as they watched the spectacle.

It hung in the air for a handful of heartbeats, then the green faded, stealing with it the silhouette of the ship, and all that was left behind was the deepening twilight, the first of the stars, and the afterimage burning in their eyes.

“Was that the Agrius?” she asked, her voice soft and reverent.

“Aye,” Thancred murmured, not loosening his hold on her; instead, he filled his lungs with the scents of her lavender and starflowers and told himself it was only to settle a stomach made raw by the sight of that accursed ship. “Which ship it is depends on where you are, but here in the straits between Limsa and Ul’dah, it’s usually one of those lost during the Battle of Bahamut. Though this is the first time I’ve seen the Agrius.”

She was silent for a long moment. Then, “Thank you,” she said softly. “Whatever ship it was notwithstanding, that was an amazing thing to witness.”

He was silent for an equally long moment. “You’re welcome.” Suddenly self-conscious, he stepped back, reaching out to help her down before shoving his hands into the pockets of his loose breeches. “I should go make sure we’re still on course,” he said suddenly.

She gazed up at him. “Where are we going?”

His gaze trailed past her, towards the ocean beyond. “Ultimately, Limsa Lominsa. I hope to pick up the trail of the Garleans there. But first? I’ve a stop to make.”

“Where?” she repeated.

His single eye remained cast out to sea. “I’ve business to see to in Horizon.”

FFXIV Write 2024 (Daily Prompt List)

Day 2 - Horizon

OC: Kal'istae Miurani

NPC: Thancred Waters

AU: The Scions of the Seventh Sea

[stardancereivor]

O : ODE. does your muse have a way with words?

“I am not normally a woman of words, usually actions. And aside from that I am perhaps more.. poetic in my native tongue than in Common, as there are certain things about having to translate where things get lost in translation, yes? My love language is in interactions less than it is in language, but I must do something right or I would get no success at all. I try to speak truthfully, though an embellishment here and there to amplify that which is already true is acceptable, I think. It is hard for me to judge where I have a way with words, but I have been told that things I have said have been good to hear.”

[autumnslance]

You get two: ⭐ for Bearing Sins of the Past while it's still fresh in your mind; and a fresh ⭐star⭐ for something you've been dying to talk about, well, here is the invitation to do so and a venue to boot! (@driftward)

Reblog this if you want readers to come into your ask box and ask for the “director’s commentary” on a particular story, section of a story, or set of lines.  Or, send in a ⭐star⭐  to have the author select a section they’ve been dying to talk about!

Who's the menace now, coming in here with 2 requests? But sure.

Also: this prompt was sent by my beta reader for the named fic, so they have seen the major parts of the revision in full!

Bearing Sins of the Past is something I have plonked at for the last 2+ years between other writing projects; sometimes editing and rewriting things there could help shake dust loose when another story had me stymied. But with Endwalker, This Home Wrested Forth for the DRKzine, and life in general, it just took awhile.

Part of that were some scenes I felt I wanted to add, and going back and forth on whether or not I wanted to keep the single sex scene in the Ao3 posted work. In the end, though it's not actually Aeryn's conception (I specifically made the timeline not match up even during the 24 hour prompts), I felt the scene did show not only some effects drinking Avengret's blood had on Corran, but how he felt about his wife, aspects of their relationship, and their conscious decision to have another child--without Corran knowing or thinking about the effect of his choices on said child.

Adding in a scouting scene with Heustienne took much longer to sort out, and it's still obviously a bridge chapter, but it gives her a little more time in the story when so much else is focused around Alberic and Corran, or from Estinien's POV. The scene with Tarresson and Gullinbursti from FFXIV Write is gone, but replaced with a new chapter after Aeryn learns the truth, one I'd already had half-written back during the 2021 challenge, actually, but found no room for in those prompts. I also wanted to keep Emelia's voice in there; Corran tends to put her on a pedestal in his POV chapters. Her chapter is heavily shuffled around, as it has to do with memories and what triggers them (and the later vignettes from Thavnair are gone).

I spent a good chunk of time moving sections of text around, recombining chapters; some were obvious, others were not. Some things shuffled around to many places before settling where they belong.

Also sorry, FCmates, but in interests of fairness and a tad less confusion, the cameos are gone. I may still tweak the climactic scene, actually, and remove my other OCs and stick to NPCs entirely. Haven't decided and I have time yet; I just posted chapter 1 yesterday and that's chapter 15, after all.

I really don't stop iterating and editing until I actually post. After that, it's generally just minor typo and wording fixes.

==

And I am making Biot send me separate prompts cuz there's always more to yell about but this is long enough!