#FFXIV Writing

[thewordkeep-ffxiv]

MACHINIST

Deft fingers, stained with the daily courses of nature, sifted through the trimmed leather, tightly woven cotton, embroidered silk, and crafted steel adorning the body claimed by the Wood, this intruder now a gift to the moss, leaves, and vines of a beautiful, savage world. Outwardly, the deceased Garlean soldier had nothing in common with the forest dweller of frayed hemp wrappings around calloused hands, roughened leather encasing a lean, scarred body, and battle-beaten metal that protected head, limbs, and heart.

Nothing went to waste under the laws of nature as the Child of the Wood took the offerings of fabric to be used for cleaning, of leather to be fashioned for tools, and of armor to be re-purposed to shelter or to hold sustenance. The remaining body would be given to the Wood, to nourish it, life reclaimed by the mystery and majesty of the Green Word.

But the gun would be left behind, untouched, an abomination to nature's harmony, ceruleum devilry forever locked in its prison of metal piping, never to be used again.

The Viera yanked his arrow from the body, a well of congealing blood spilling over the wound where a heart once beat. He would use everything else, but never the gun.

~~

Those same deft fingers, stained with the daily living of lower-rung society, creased tightly woven fabric against his skin, adjusted embroidered silk around his neck, shifted the finely cured leather that protected and adorned his lean, scarred body. He stood in a world of metal now, and beyond this room was a forest of stone, of glass, of steel, and life hard won by grit and perseverance, an existence that demanded a sacrifice of the soul. He adjusted the harness strap holding his rifle, ceruleum devilry trapped in metal piping that would honor his intention. He no longer thrived in a cycle of rebirth but existed in a path of survival, vengeance soothing the ache of where his heart beat.

This Child of the Wood had become lost, but by fire or by vine he would be found again.

[mimble-sparklepudding]

The Etheirycrumb OCs Revisited.

A is for Amon, with charisma in spades, B is for Banri, and his collection of blades, C is for Clara, who’s often confused, D is for Damien, with shadow infused, E is for Estelle, who’s hard to outplay, F is for Feldspar, with his legs on display, G is for Gigi, the safety inspector, H is for Hwyl, the glamour collector, I is for Iris, genteel and refined, J is for Jess, who knows her own mind, K is for Kai, in a tender romance, L is for Lejo, who really can dance, M is for Mizuki, with her tricky upbringing, N is for Nate, and his magical singing, O is for Osric, both wolfish and brooding, P is for Podolly, and the warmth she’s exuding, Q is for Q'ruhka, setting sail through the sky, R is for Rowan, who at first seems quite shy, S is for Saeed, who vowed to resist, T is for Tsukia, a brave altruist, U is for U’lohi, the spreader of joy, V is for Valentin, that flirtatious boy, W is for Wolfram, and his undisclosed bond, X is for Xynal, drawing power from beyond, Y is for Yume, with an un-charming prince, Z is for Zuzunzo, and the skill he'll evince.

By Blake Primping-Muddles.

(With further apologies to Edward Gorey)

A couple of years ago I wrote a very silly poem, in the style of Edward Gorey's The Gashlycrumb Tinies, in order to celebrate some of the wonderful FFXIV blogs and OCs on Tumblr. You can find the original here. Recently I thought it might be fun to revisit the idea and celebrate some more of my favourite OCs...

Hopefully nobody minds me borrowing their characters for further silly purposes! And apologies to the many wonderful OCs I had to leave out - there are an awful lot of characters starting with M and S etc.

How many characters did you recognise? Why not follow their respective blogs and find out more about their stories!

Amon @spotofmummery

Banri @aoife-asturmaux

Clara @confusedau-ra

Damien @damienward-ffxiv

Estelle @viiioca

Feldspar @loldragoon-ffxiv

Gigi @gigifujijifu

Hywl @hywl

Iris @irisopranta

Jess @sasslett

Kai @kaitontenchu

Lejo @naejlas-axe

Mizuki @pumpkinmagekupo

Nate @calico-heart

Osric @osric-giroux-ffxiv

Podolly @roxinova

Q'ruhka @placesyoucallhome

Rowan @tallbluelady

Saeed @stalwart-spirit

Tsukia @tsukiakurotori

U’lohi @humblemooncat

Valentin @cadrenebula

Wolfram @xiv-wolfram

Xynal @qxynalvaleroyantb

Yume @firelightmuse

Zuzunzo @zuzunzo

[iron-sparrow]

death is not the end

When storm clouds gather around and heavy rains descend Just remember that death is not the end ⸺ ♫

As Gulool Ja Ja lay dying, his flesh withering, his milky eyes shift their focus to find the champion ⸺ his champion, his Yein of Iron ⸺ knelt in the corner of his vision.

"I see... a sparrow," he rumbles weakly, the corners of his mouth raising half an ilm in a valiant effort to smile. He can hear his children's weeping still, despite his efforts to assuage their sorrow.

Yein returns his smile, as he knew they would. Bare palms normally protected by leather and metal touch his lips, brushing over skin and teeth. It touches him in a way he had come to love.

"We might be too large in size," he muses, "to become one of your little birds..."

A wet sound leaves Yein's scarred lips, letting the dying sovereign glimpse their pointed teeth.

"Maybe you will return as a very large bird," they offer, "with two heads." Despite their forced mirth, their fingers are trembling as they caress him.

"Perhaps," Gulool Ja Ja heaves in agreement. He attempts to see them more clearly, hoping to commit their shape to his final memory. A quivering smile shifts his wrinkled lips against their touch.

"I cannot wait... to introduce you to him. My brother..."

"Me too, dawnlight," the elezen says. As Gulool Ja Ja's eyes drift shut, they mirror his expression and curl forward to press their scarred cheek against the skin between his eyes.

Nearby, Wuk Lamat is screaming one last time for her papa.

For the tree of life is growing where the spirit never dies ⸺ ♫

[foamofthe-sea]

Found some questions rummaging through the xiv tags while I wait for this social event to start so send a number and I'll answer it? Feel free to reblog and do the same.

1. Where were they during the Calamity? 

2. How did they acquire their Echo? 

3. Does their Echo function like it does in the MSQ? Or is there a twist to it? 

4. Do they have a canon mount or minion? What's its name(s)? 

5. Where are they from? What was their childhood like?

6. How did they deal with the massacre on the Waking Sands?  

7. How did they deal with Haurchefant's death? 

8. How did they feel about the liberation of Ala Mhigo? Do they feel it could have been handled differently? Where they at all bothered by how they were involved? 

9. How do they feel about Zenos? 

10. How do they feel about their relationship with Hydaelyn? Midgarsormr?

11. Were they more sympathetic to the dragons, Ishgardians, neither or both? 

12. How has their job affected whatever headcanon version is of the MSQ if any? 

13. Are they close with any of the other Scions? Who do they get along with the best? 

14. Of the Scions, who are they most worried for? 

15. Is your WoL promiscuous? Celibate? Or just waiting for the right person? 

16. What does your WoL do to relax? What sorts of distractions do they seek? Do they foster any bad habits as a result?

17. Who is their favorite Alliance leader? Who do they get along with the best out of them? 

18. Does your WoL fully embrace their role as the WoL or do they try to remain humble? 

19. What do they think of the Heaven's Ward? 

20. Of all the places they've been to, which is their favorite? Do they like to go back there? 

21. Are there any raid storylines (Ivalice, Coil of Bahamut, Werlyt, etc.) you consider to be canon for your WoL? Which ones don't you consider canon? 

22. Do you  have a unique tale for their job class or is it pretty much like what it is in the game?

23. Are there any side quest storylines that you're particularly fond of or think of as being canon to your WoL's experiences? 

24. Does your WoL have any phobias? 

25. Do they have any habits or rituals that they do to soothe themselves? I.e. Playing with their hair, chewing their lip, fidgeting, etc. 

26. Do they suffer any traumas from any of their adventures? How do you foresee this affecting them going forward? 

27. How did the events of Shadowbringers impact them? 

28. Were they suspicious or open to Emet-Selch's presence when he first appeared? 

29. Did your WoL suspect anything was amiss with Urianger or the Crystal Exarch? Did they feel betrayed? Upset? When the truth finally emerged? 

30. What was their highest point in Shadowbringers? Their lowest? What caused it? 

31. What were their first impressions of Hien? 

32. Did they trust Asahi right away? Why or why not? 

33. How did they feel about what happened with Yotsuyu? Did they feel like she was justified in her actions?

34. Would you say your WoL is fundamentally a good person? Or are they a bad person that's been persuaded to do the right things? 

35. How do they feel about the fact that they've killed a lot of people and/or things?

[shroudkeeper]

Not the warmth of the sun, nor the perfumed spring air, could quell the ache that began budding in my chest, taking bloom, the longer I stared at them. I did not recognize the armor of this warrior being one that belonged to her clan, nor had I spied him before in Kugane during business with her father. Broad. Tall. Armored. ..and handsome considering how her lady reacts to just glancing in his direction. Such things wouldn't cause much stir within me, except there was his hand pressed upon the fabric on the hakama, ever so gently. A part of me wanted to approach, to casually spark conversation, to probe, yet I could not bring myself to take another step forward as I felt my stomach twist with doubts.

[fair-fae]

FFxivWrite24 Entry #6: Halcyon

FFxivWrite 2024 Prompt #6: Halcyon It was a lazy summer day like any other in the Black Shroud, humid heat hanging heavy in the air outside the Covington manor, a marvel of tall, white marble and manicured gardens that stood in stark contrast to the wild woods surrounding it, either a bastion or a blight of mankind among the expanse of nature. Faye rested upon a bench outside her home, a half-emptied and forgotten cup of tea sat surely now cold beside her as she focused on her embroidery–or tried to, anyway. It was a quiet afternoon, only the birdsongs and the ambient buzzing of insects breaking the silence. That was, until Zularti had found a long, skinny stick and decided to pretend it was a spear. He paced around the garden, thrusting the stick this way and that, adding in sound effects and striking occasionally at a nearby tree, fighting off invisible foes. Faye did her best to tune him out, quite accustomed to his antics by now, and kept her focus on her needlework and the piece of fabric in her hands. Suddenly, however, her attention was stolen away as the boy suddenly exclaimed. “Guhhh! I’m so boooored!” He easily snapped the stick over his knee, tossing the two halves aside and wiping away the sweat that matted his dark auburn hair to his brow before he dramatically collapsed onto the grass. Faye heaved a sigh, giving up on her task and setting her embroidery hoop aside. “You could try doing something useful for once,” she offered helpfully. “You could try shutting up for once,” he muttered in a mockery of her own tone, squinting up at the sun bearing down on him from the cloudless sky. Perhaps she should have appreciated those days more, when life was simple and everything was peaceful, when all the horrors of the world were far away things that happened to other people and there was no cause for pain or want. But the truth was, she was bored, too.

[umbralaether]

FFXIV WRITE 2024

Day 4: reticent

Erenville was a man of few words.

He preferred being straightforward— saying what you mean, when you mean it, all feelings aside. Feelings were messy, a distraction from your work so he hid them deep within and moved forward. It had worked just fine for him for years.

Then he met Eisha, the warrior of light who's very gaze could pierce through the walls he'd put up. Perhaps it was the healer in her, the way she could pinpoint an injury with focused precision. He hadn't anticipated the scale of her empathy, and his reticent nature began to unwind itself when in her presence.

He had been… unkind, when she came to him in Living Memory. She'd had that look of worry on her face ever since they'd arrived in Yyasulani, and the deeper they dug into this wound, the more horror he'd had to choke down.

His home was gone.

His mother was gone.

Everything he knew was gone.

Erenville, I—

Don't say it, Eisha. Just go.

Curt, barked out words were the only thing he could think of that would keep her away and still she hesitated before returning to the others. He knew as soon as she walked away that being alone was not what he wanted after all.

Now, sitting on the deck of his cabin alone, he ached. A hollow kind, deep inside.

Rain sprinkling from the storming clouds above began to pick up fervor when he heard a voice from behind.

"You'll catch a cold sitting in the rain like that," Eisha says. He turns his head to see her standing a few fulms behind him, arms crossed.

"That is an old myth, one mothers say to their children to keep them inside." He's certain his own mother had said as much, at least once.

"I like to call it 'your local healer's recommendation' but you might be on to something." She makes her way over to sit next to him, close but not quite touching.

They sit in silence for a moment, before eventually she speaks again, "You're not okay. This is know, and yet I stayed away because you told me to."

He stays silent, thinking and not thinking. He had gone to the celebrations, paid his visits where he needed to. She came to his door every night, and he sent her away each time.

"I think you deal with everything by yourself because you've had to, and then you didn't know how not to."

He stops breathing for a second, caught off guard at how easily she reads him. He looks over to her, her soft aqua eyes an ocean of concern.

"I want to be there for you, Erenville. I care about you, and I'm not going anywhere."

She reaches for him, and before he can stop himself he falls into her embrace— letting himself come undone. He clings to her as the tears fall, and she runs her fingers through his wet hair as the sobs wrack his body. She hugs him tightly until he has nothing left to cry, empty but no longer aching.

He pulls away just a bit, "Thank you, Eisha. Words cannot express—" He's interrupted by a violent shiver, their clothes now fully soaked through from the rain.

"Shall we go inside, get dried off?" She asks, lacing her fingers with his own.

He nods, and they make their way inside. While she rummages through the cabinets for towels, he comes to a simple conclusion.

Everything hurt less, when she was around.

[somehumandrawing]

Chapter 5 - Stamp

Hey look a Moogle!

This cleaned up pretty ok given I only spent like three hours on it!

@dissociated-and-tired I will draw your WoL eventually! I promise!

[paintedscales]

AuRaugust 2024 :: Day Twenty-Five :: Myth

"Something weighs heavy on your mind..." It was an observation and to the point from G'raha as he and Nomin paused on their way to the exit of the Omphalos. Deryk simply continued on, the baby opo-opo that imprinted onto him sticking close to his heels. Instead of answering right away, Nomin turned her gaze upon the lit up beacons of the Twelve, her eyes darting between each one, and her memories going back to each of her encounters and shared words with those that the Eorzeans worshiped.

"... It's just..." Nomin began in response, her mind going to Menphina and the words the Lover imparted to her. "I don't know how I am to react if..."

Nomin's words trailed off, her mouth curving into a frown.

G'raha turned his gaze upon Nomin, his ears flattening slightly. There was much he learned about Nomin through what she told him, and...the memories of knowing her from a time long forgotten. Reaching out, he placed a hand upon her shoulder, just as she had done for he and others before to show that someone was there.

"You worry about should you come face to face with the deities that preside over the Steppe..." G'raha said. There was no questioning intonation to his words.

"... After a time, it gets hard not to question your own Gods when it feels like they've shunned you. When the Twelve have treated me so kindly, and when I think of how much disdain and anger I have toward Azim and Nhaama...what would it ever come to should we ever meet?"

Though Deryk continued his way, he was ever perceptive to their discussion. A small, knowing smile, hidden from the other two, spread over his lips. Perhaps time would answer Nomin's question. But he believed in the words of his now departed love; she would have known best, after all, in the affairs of all matters of the heart. If she believed Nhaama loved Nomin in her own way, then he, too, would believe it.

And...since Nomin bested Them with the help of those she considered trustworthy and strong enough, he was sure that she would find a way to overcome whatever fears or trepidation she had when the time came.

[primamchorus]

"And...these islands you say you come from..." his voice was gentle, patient, though was a window into the him that sought to learn. "What was it like there and would you ever like to go back?"

"I'd love to go back," she sighed longingly. "My family still lives there, and after...after everything with the Final Days, it should be my first priority to go back. But..."

She shook her head.

"But...to answer your question... It's balmy on good days, the warm sands perfect to walk on as the sounds of the ocean break upon the shore, a backdrop to the seabirds that fly overhead, or nest around. Wild fruits grow all around, the islands offering its incredible and sweet bounty to our people." She smiled, a distant, though warm look in her eyes. "And the people...oh, how they all come together -- be it times of sadness, times of mirth, or simply just...times."

He chuckled lightly. "And what does that mean?"

"It means your cousins, siblings, aunts, uncles, and friends coming over whenever they feel like it!" she giggled. Calming, she only offered a last amused scoff before going on, "But it's always just...that... Family, community. Sometimes it drives you wild, but at the same time? They're always there, sticking their necks out for you -- for each other."

"Do you miss it?"

"Sometimes."

[ungrateful-cyborg-moved]

You're busy? Don't have a Viera or a Lala or a Miqo'te but want to participate in a challenge anyway? We've got the perfect one for you over Etheirys: a chill challenge with 7 prompts to fill over 2 months, and a few spare ones in case you're not inspired by the full list!

And if you come on the forum directly to participate, you'll even get comments on your art. Isn't that nice?

[thewordkeep-ffxiv]

Smile

My heart surges as I look at you--the enticing lines of your body and that smoldering smile--and the water does nothing to cool my desire for you. I anticipate your touch-- fingers loosening my hair and threading through it, breath hot against my neck, your murmured words of need an aphrodisiac to the senses. My body remembers the way you grip me--possessive and greedy--the way you pull my hair as your teeth press against the pulse of my neck, your heat, your friction, against me, in me, as all reason melts away to the sensation of you. Yearning.

I hope your thoughts mirror mine, your desires mingle with mine like a driven kiss, all tongue and haste. I hope my body, lean and pliant as I wait for you in the water, is what you still crave. I hope I carry myself in ways that you miss, I hope my expression is enough to entice you to my embrace. I hope, when you are near me, it is within the frame of longing and that you relish the time we spend together.

Like you used to.

Someday, I'll be worthy of you again, I'll be enough for you, and you'll feel pride to have me, like you used to. So I wait and I fish for a reaction from you as I smile, hiding my breaking heart.

[mimble-sparklepudding]

1. Steer.

On a road trip with a stern Oronir,

I was attempting to switch into first gear,

When he caused sudden drama,

Claiming he'd seen his Nhaama,

Which made it quite tricky to steer...

FFXIVwrite2024 Silliness begins...

[sea-wolf-coast-to-coast]

Prompt #1: Envoy

Submit your entry here: https://forms.gle/ixGUFKnYqKLz64Cw5

#FFxivWrite2023 is underway – a daily writing challenge presented to the Final Fantasy XIV writing community for the month of September. You can join any time throughout the challenge with any prompt number! Entries can be written on any online writing platform (tumblr, Archive of our Own, Google Docs, etc.). Submit the link and be sure that I have reading access. Reminder: The 24-hour deadline does not go into effect until September 8th at 12:00 pm PDT. More about single word prompts here Check you entries here in the Public Spreadsheet

Rules & Info || Prompt List || #FFxivWrite2023 || kofi

[shroudkeeper]

Across the numerous monitors in his safehouse, a waterfall of code flickers to life and brings light into this dark entryway. Floating digital maps suddenly appear along the walls, each marking a different location, a sighting of her, a crime she has committed.

A detective's simple abode it appeared to be, a place where only the droning sound of electronics welcomes him, a place where he could continue his work uninterrupted.

With each step further, tangled wires are seen strewn about, all heading into the deep dive tub illuminated by the lavender glow of an overhead light; the pulsating energy radiates in the air as he approaches.

He discards the leather duster, folding it over his chair, one he would have slumped into after an evening of work only to torment himself with more of the same. Not tonight, he refused to spend it like any other evening: alone.

❝ Computer, generate model K.I.K.Y.O -- ..execute program. ❞

Surveillance, along with his personal experience of being in close proximity to the suspect, allowed him to create the code that would make him a perfect replica. He could have used this program to benefit him with work, but instead, it served him differently.

The hologram was a simple code programmed to imitate her movements, grace, and sultry smile. There was an obvious thrill that came with chasing the real thing, this creation was to merely fill the gaps of longing left after their game concluded, that is.. until the next time she would haunt him.

❛ Welcome home, detective. Were you off chasing shadows, again? You must be exhausted from the game. ❜

He let out a deep sigh and nearly emptied his lungs; it wasn't clear if it was from exasperation that even a hologram managed to tease him like her, or it was actually from that same exhaustion she spoke of. Whatever it was, the recording of her voice was a taunt, pulling at his desires to the point that he reached out to her, expecting to feel her soft skin, the warmth of her fingertips, the brush of her lips.

One could only fathom how the real Kikyo felt.

[mist-touchedxiv]

Chapter 1

A warm wind blew across the plain, a welcome touch in the desert of Thanalan. However, it didn't provide any relief to the Hyur man who was being harassed by a group of bandits.

A solid kick to his stomach caused him to gasp as the wind was driven from his lungs.

"Ye gotta lotta nerve taking a drink from OUR well, scum," purred the cruel Mi'qote woman perched on the stone lip of the well in question. The rag tag group of intimidating men and women growled in agreement. A couple of bandits roughly picked up the man by each arm, one forcefully raised his chin so he could look the leader in the eyes.

"P-please..." the man wheezed weakly as the hot dry air began to fill his lungs again. "Th-this... well is the closest.... water source.... f-for my village... We don't have much-"

One of the bandits started to dramatically boo-hoo, a poor mummer's farce of the man's dilemma.

"Oy! I keep telling ye, ye need to do comedy," squawked another bandits delightedly, the others roared with laughter in agreement.

The bandit leader lazily stretched and crossed her legs on her perch. "Just consider us members of the community who are guarding the well. We have to make our vittles too. How about... 10,000 gil a moon? We'll also take other goods and sundries if you can't afford the coin."

"Th-that's impossible," sputtered the Hyur man. "We're only a small mining town! W-we can't meet that deman-" Stars exploded across the man's vision as the Mi'qote leader slapped him across the face.

As the pain and stars receded, the Hyur numbly noticed something strange behind the bandits. The sound of a loud slurp startled the leader who hopped with incredible alacrity off the well wall with a hiss. Somehow a tall man dressed in blue Doman clothing in a large straw hat had managed to approach the group unseen in the open wasteland. The assembled group couldn't help but stare nonplussed as the stranger took another deep slurp of the cool water from the well. Next to him, a thin long package wrapped in canvas rested against the well.

For a moment, a stunned silence filled the air, punctuated only by the breeze and the squeaking of the windmill that drew the life-giving water in the well. And the stranger's noisy drinking.

"O-oy! Who the hells is this git," barked the wannabe mummer, breaking the silence after a long beat. The gang's attention was now on the newcomer and they were feeling very tense.

The stranger wiped ran his thumb along his stubbly beard as he let out a satisfied sigh. He nudged up the hat and considered them with bright blue eyes. "Just thirsty," came the reply, his voice pleasant with an accent unfamiliar in Eorzea.

"You gotta pay a toll to use OUR well," growled a scarred Elezen. "Ye would do well not to end up like this unfortunate scum." He lashed out with his foot at the man they'd been bullying but found naught but air as he had crawled away during the silence.

The stranger in blue paid them no heed as he filled up a water skin calmly. A particularly rough looking Hrothgar stomped over to him. "Ye got dust in your ears," he roared as he reached a huge hand over to grab the stranger's hat. "I'll fi-" There was a sharp crack as the stranger suddenly lashed out with inhuman speed and drove the end of the wrapped package into the throat of the Hrothgar who let out a coughing mew as he fell over, his hand taking the hat with him to reveal a mane of black hair with azure streaks and two long leoprine ears. The wrapping fell from the package to reveal what appeared to be a Garlean gunblade sheathed, but the blade was slightly shorter and appeared to be missing the barrel.

"Hells... it's a Viera male..." breathed the gang leader as the rarity of such a pretty creature registered with her. He had to be worth something. A lot of somethings. Possibly more than their water scheme. To their credit, the rest of the gang seemed to have already come to the same realization and drew their weapons and began to surround the blue stranger.

The Viera put his hand on the hilt of his blade, readying himself. "Trust me... it's not worth it," he said quietly, sensing their intentions. "Walk away." The leader let out a harsh cackle as she nocked an arrow on her bow.

"Got ye dead to rights, now be a good pretty bunny and come with us," she purred, aiming to pin his foot. Didn't want to damage the goods too much.

The wind blew.

The wind mill creaked.

The villains brandished their weapons with unspoken threats of violence.

Crystalline blue eyes regarded their surroundings.

Suddenly, the wind died and the Mi'qote let the arrow loose.

Her aim was true, but the target was gone. In a flash of steel, the man had seemed to dance his way through the ring of bandits with the grace and power of a surging river. The Mi'qote blinked surprised, suddenly spinning around to find the Viera behind her.

She snarled "I got ye no-" She suddenly realized that her bow was no longer stringed, having been cut during the mad dance of the swordsman. With a definitive click as he fully sheathed his blade again, the ground shook slightly as the whole gang crumpled to the dirt. They were still breathing but were not having a good time.

Time seemed to standstill for eternity. Then the wind blew again and brought them back to the present.

".... Go," ordered the Viera and the gang complied, disappearing in a cloud of dust.