#Soon to be home of the New Allagan Empire

[spotofmummery]

Welcome to Planet Syrcus!

Wherein all Amon could say when he discovered it was...

"BUBBLES!"

[graha-exarch]

Welcome, my dear friend

Today, I worked diligently to become settled within the Source once more. How strange it was to be faced with sights both familiar and wholly dreamlike. Everything looks exactly as I recall from centuries ago - long before I had cast aside the name of G’raha Tia and become what I must.

The Warrior of Light, my ever so earnest friend, was kind enough to secure residence for me within an adventurer’s guild. Well, perhaps ‘adventuer’ is not the correct term. A mercenary guild, they called it.

Therefore, I set to work creating my study.

Of the greatest importance were the tomes in my collection. Pieces recovered from the depths of the Crystal Tower dating back to the Allagan Empire of my forefathers. Scrolls detailing the history of Hydaelyn... and, from the library deep within the Tempest, the clash with Zodiarc. There are others, two. My own, personal memoirs. Letters I received while serving the first. Transcriptions of what transpired on the Source following the release of Black Rose. Count Fortempts telling of the Dragonsong War... so many others that I could scarecely hope to count them all.

Rather, that was what I considered to be the most pressing task. But my dear friend insisted that they create a sleeping area for me. “You’ve been cooped in Crystal for so long,” they told me with a wry smile. “Trust me. You’ll like this.”

And like it, I do.

With that daunting task accomplished for the moment, I set up a desk so that I may continue to write correspondence to my allies... no. My friends on the First. I also created a loft space with some additional books. These were gifts from the Warrior of Light themself and consist of storybooks. They said they hoped I would enjoy them. How truly, truly thoughtful.

Thinking of my friend, I built a small kitchen area and set out sandwiches and tea. I do hope they come for a visit soon.

What remains here are relics of the Crystal Tower and Allagan technology that I may draw upon to restore my strength while I remain here on the Source. The Throne of Xande. A healing module. A replica of the plans to build the Tower. How strange it is that these items become essential for my survival.

And, finally, because I cannot set my portal to the true Ocular in this house, I happened upon another solution.

“Remember us,” he said. “Remember that we once lived.”

And I shall.

My gaze is naturally drawn to the remanents of the Ancient Ones and I cannot help but smile. They gave their lives so that the future would live on, just as those in my past sacrificed all they knew to rewrite the history that should have never been.

I will not forget.

BZZT

“Ah? Hello? Forgive me, my friend, I am still getting used to wearing this Linkpearl... Have I slept yet? Well... I was simply musing and lost track of-… I promise! I promise I will. Right away!”

Really. Checking up on me like a child when I am far, far their senior... Oh, but how happy it does make me to hear their voice.

I suppose I ought to turn in. I thank you for listening to the ramblings of an old man. It has been some many years since I moved homes and this is all very new. I hope you will come and visit me.

I would love nothing more than to journey with you.

[ffxivimagines]

FFXIVWrite 2019 | Prompt 27: Poor Unfortunate Souls

FFXIV Write 2019 | Prompt #27: Palaver | Rating: T

Warnings for: SHB spoilers, very possibly OOC emet, vague body horror (very vaguely creepy mer designs), Emet/WoL, general Emet-Selch related psychology

((If anyone would like continuations or to yell about the detailed designs I have for this, feel free to message or send an ask!))

Emet-Selch knows himself to be a rather generous individual. He has a gift, the power to spin countries into being, and uses it to help others. He charges a price, of course. Any self-respecting witch would do the same. The lawfulness of his contracts is known, each of them fulfilled to the last letter. He is fair with his terms. An eye for better hearing, a name for the ability to shapeshift, a voice for legs. That kind of thing. 

He has seen many an unexpected customer wander into his city, but the champion of Hydaelyn? He’s positively tickled. He flicks some poor, unfortunate specter aside and dismisses them without thought. It wouldn’t do for him to welcome such a prestigious traitor with his home in such disarray.

He does not hurry to greet them, but it is a very near thing. He covers his lack of regular nonchalance with a quick summoning. “Lahabrea.”

His fellow Amaurotine slithers out from Zodiark-knows-where and grins, rows of teeth peeking out from betwixt his lips at the expression. He doesn’t mind how his scales scrape against the walls (and Emet-Selch buffs those! He aims for authenticity since exile and he would suffer no immature immortals ruining it!) when he slithers forward to rest against the smooth surface of some nameless, faceless statue. “What is it?”

“They are here,” Emet-Selch replies, “and wish for a deal. Do not interfere.”

“Your Pers─”

“They are not deserving of that name,” he hisses. “Begone with you and take Elidibus with you. Sentimental fools, the lot of you.” Lahabrea shrugs and swims his way down the halls, cutting out via a window with a powerful flick of his tail. For a snake, he is so very prone to fits of unadulterated affection. Even more so toward Emet-Selch’s ex-intended. 

What a pair they’ve become; an exiled architect and an ostracized sentry of the state. He only wishes he had the person who forced this upon him stuck at his side. They could suffer together through the eons while the world completes its sundered death throes. Him and his actualized lover. 

The one coming to see him, only a handful of times Rejoined, cannot compare. 

They speak to him with hesitance and confidence bundled into one and glance all too openly at his many fins and stiletto-like claws. He can see the tremor in their gossamer aether where it ebbs and surges against his own. It’s too gentle, to intimate of them to let it loose in that way, but they do not seem to notice how they instinctively reach out toward him. Searching. Seeking. 

He will not allow them any of him. They are wholly undeserving of even so much as a fraction of his devotion.

He draws his aether back inside and allows it to burn hot inside his core. It would not be the first time he has spat out boiling water or allowed himself to flare brilliantly. His photophores light as if in warning, a low glow lighting his face eerily when he answers their query for his assistance. “What is it you desire that Hydaelyn has not yet given you? Beauty? A lack of chronic pain? Your true memories?”

“Mortality,” they respond, following after him and struggling against the current he creates. Ah, they’re so small like this. A truly pitiful being. “I know you can grant it to me, Hades.”

He frowns and looks down at them, snagging a long line of octopus eggs as they pass through one of the many caves among his domain and drapes it about his neck and robes as if playing at mortal fashions. There is not a bit of care in his voice when he warns, “Now, that’s a dangerous wish. Are you so keen to squander what little favor Hydaelyn has given you that you would forsake your fate for a Spoken princeling?”

They flush from their cheeks down to their chest, even their fins flicking about in agitation at his guess. “Yes,” they confirm. “What will it cost?”

“Well, only your heart,” Emet-Selch says, “which is a small price to pay, really. I am an exceedingly reasonable man.” He snaps and unfurls the length of a shimmering, golden contract before them. “All I need is your signature right here─” he instructs, tracing a line with one taloned finger “─on this contract and I can begin.”

“A heart, only?”

“Your heart, yes,” he clarifies. “Given willingly. You’ll have it back the moment the contract terms are completed.” He hands them the contract and they read through it. He can all but hear their brain attempting to process Amaurotine language and chooses to play the part of lawyer to break it down section by section. By the end, he’s tired and dead set on keeping them within his grasp (which is to say, within the Tempest. All those on land are far from his reach unless he is in the mood for a masquerade). It’s a shame they aren’t quite what he can trust with his beloved’s memories quite yet. Maybe one or two more Rejoinings and they would have been a passable vessel for such knowledge. In the meantime he asks, “Do you accept?”

They flounder before accepting and signing with a flash of aether from the tips of their fingers. “Three days. You’ll give me back my heart in three days.”

“As soon as the contract is fulfilled, yes,” he agrees. “Now, be grateful. I’m giving you a chance at mortality like your dearest little… what is its name again?”

“G’raha.”

“Like your G’raha,” Emet-Selch continues. “I do believe you’ll find it lacking, but never let it be said that I am not, at least, kind.” He sorts through a great number of materials, tossing potables and herbs into a cauldron of sorts, and pays no mind to the worryingly acidic taint to the water that is a result. Hydaelyn’s champion simply sets their jaw and watches him brew them the curse fit to steal their heart and grant them such a handicap as true mortality. They can already bleed. What else could they wish for? Death? A want to grow old? Wrinkles are passé among that society as much as they are among Amaurotines.

He reaches toward them and they press their hands to their chest when their heart jumps. He would have it as collateral at the least. It’s a foolish endeavor, their want to court and live with that Allagan prince (nevermind how Emet-Selch had allowed his family such a thing as the schematics for that empire) but he does not break his word. He’d hold their heart until the contract is fulfilled one way or another. 

If they manage to have their love reciprocated, he will give them back their heart and watch the Allagans crumble just to bring them despair. If they fail, well… he can keep all of them. It’s a win-win situation when either outcome will have them come crawling back to him like the imitation immortal they are. 

He pulls, rending their vital aether from their chest and watching their magic short circuit at the loss. They could die without, but that is none of his concern. It wouldn’t break the terms and he would still have what he wanted. With something like their heart, he could find the remaining pieces of them and slot them all together by force. The vessel may have perished, but he is not above making them a new one (a better one, the one that matched him in size and prowess). 

He inhales, consuming what they’ve given, and the cauldron fizzles, aether settling down into a stable curse. “Come here, little one, and let me grant your wish.”

They do and he watches them change. What blasphemy it is to discard their semi-blessed form for something so wretched as legs and a need for air. Their fins run ragged, thin membrane melting into the waters while bones merge and shift, until the thing before him is some combination of man and immortal. 

They struggle, a hand already wrapped about their throat for need of oxygen, and he allows them a breath of it in a current to sweep them off to the nearest beach. He settles down and watches, day by day, as they struggle against the growing stagnant aether in their body, limbs leeching of all color and veins turning golden. He watches them press closely to that princeling and kiss him, believing it to be a solution to their need for love, but he simply stares at them and asks if he knows them. 

They had dragged him from the depths and imbued his soul with their own aether and he does not know them? Emet-Selch laughs to himself. How frail mortal minds are to be manipulated by a lack of that same life-giving aether. Only someone like his Persephone could doom themself so thoroughly. 

He watches them transform back and rises from the waters to collect them. “Have you had enough fun, little fool?”

They quake at the reality that they’ve failed, but their heart rushing back into their body is more of a concern when it sets recognition filtering through their princeling’s eyes. He reaches for them, attempting to take them back and to give them the love he holds, but Emet-Selch simply snaps. 

They vanish from the land and the Allagan empire falls the very next turn of the century, a newborn immortal nestled among the halls of a necropolis oblivious to that which they’ve left behind. “Dearest Hades, have I been gone all that long?”

“Only a few millennia, nothing much. Elidibus has missed you.” He offers a hand when he asks, “Would you like to visit him?”

They smile, happy and oblivious, and take his hand.

Askbox | Ask Rules | Commissions | FFXIVWrite 2019 Fills

[adventuresnek]

[LFRP] Shas’shil Onfrai - Mateus

Latest Update: July 10th, 2019

THE BASICS ––– –

Name: Shas’shil Onfrai

Age: 23

Birthday: 4th Sun of the 6th Umbral Moon

Race: Xaela Au Ra

Gender: Female

Sexuality:  Homosexual

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE ––– –

Hair: Lavender, straight, and often left wild as the wind.

Eyes: Violet, with seafoam green limbal rings.  

Height: 5′11″

Build: Living the life of a wanderer has given Shasha a fairly athletic form. Her arms and legs are slender, yet muscular, and her stomach is flat with only a subtle hourglass shape.

Distinguishing Marks: Three slim claw marks separate her right eyebrow into four segments. A shallow cut across her cheek.

Common Appearance: Shasha’s features can be described as fair with an twinkle of innocence in her eyes and ambition! Almost always wearing a smile painted pink,she keeps her scales polished and free of dirt, her skin smooth and hydrated, and her teeth sparkling white! Despite her adventuring nature, she maintains a presentable image and presses her cloths before and after every journey. She prides herself on looking fashionable with long leather boots, slim fitting jackets, and skirts to match her free lifestyle.

PERSONAL ––– –

Profession: Adventurer (Former Airship Mechanic Apprentice)

Hobbies: Tinkering, weaving, and cooking!

Languages: Hyur Common

Residence: Dravanian Forelands

Birthplace: Azim Steppe

Clan: Qetir

Religion: None

Fears: Growing old without seeing the world

RELATIONSHIPS ––– -

Spouse: None

Children: None

Parents: Vortrois Onfrai (Adopted Father), Qestir Merchants of No Importance (True Parents)

Siblings: Two Sisters, One Brother

Other Relatives: Kashin Onfrai (Adopted Brother)

Pets: Scraps the Pup

TRAITS ––– -

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Excitable

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between /  Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Sneky Hooks — — — -

Technophile Despite her traditional upbringing in the Steppes, this Xaela has an almost obsessive fascination with Magitek. She spent some time learning basic engineering and mechanical repair during her apprenticeship under an Airship technician. The presence of the Garlean Empire and the ancient technology unearthed over the years has only strengthened her love of machines and the opportunities they can offer the world if placed in the right hands. She’s often seen tinkering with some strange device, making mild adjustments to her pistol, or working on restoring parts to a Garlean Reaper she had discovered in her travels, one she keeps hidden until the day she can fully restore its functionality.

Unbound Spirit At Shasha’s core, she is a free spirit yearning for adventure. She seeks to explore the deepest chasms of the earth to unlock their secrets, but her true calling is to soar the skies above and even dreams of the stars beyond! She enjoys learning of the difficult culture they inhabit the world, and doesn’t aspire to traditional, quiet lifestyle or her people. She dares to commit the sin of speech if it means a life unchained by the society that raised her.

Liar Truthful in nature, the brand she carries is one of shame in the eyes of her people. Born to the Qestir Tribe of the Azure Steppes, the name she introduces herself with is but two lies she tells, and every word after is a further deception to her people. Speaking of her tribe seems to be a bit of a sore subject, as she’s still conflicted despite her confidence in her path.

Eorzean Loyalty Though she is born in the Far East, Shasha’s loyalties lie more in Eorzea, specifically Ul’dah and Ishgard. After being disowned by her parents, she was adopted by a traveling, elderly Dravanian man who raised her as his own daughter. He taught her all manner of trade skills, Eorzean history and cultures, and of magic. She grew to love him as a father, and soon came to call Eorzea her new home. She spends much of her time exploring or performing odd jobs. Her free time is spent on her hobbies, learning new skills, repairing and caring for her father’s hold cottage in Dravania, or seeking new social experiences while visiting Ul’dah. She can also be seen exploring Thanalan, scavenging old battlegrounds and abandoned Garlean sights for Magitek, or searching the lands for Allagan technology and artifacts.

Onfrai Estate Built on the edges of the Goblet, the Onfrai Estate stands as a testament to Shasha’s determination and hardwork over the past few years (and the inheritance of her late foster father). Within the unassuming dwelling lies the heart of her operations, her basement workshop, filled to the brim with books, magitek devices, and other various engineering goodies that might tickle the fancy of tinkers and technicians alike. The pungent odor of whirling, well oiled gears fills the workshop, seeping out from the chimney above. To many, a fowl odor, but to Shasha, it’s the smell of progress! Outside the estate one might find the an astroscope looming over the fence, tilted high towards the sky with a twirling shard of Aetheryte transmitting the images it captures to the database below. Across from the scope is Shasha’s current project, the mobile workshop. She aims to outfit Beastman scraps and vehicles into a means to take her work on the road. Beyond the slapdash auto-carriage is a roaring furnace used to refine scraps and salvage the Xaela finds along her journeys. Those who live on the outskirts of the Goblet may have the misfortune of being her neighbor, and the issues that might come of it. Despite the possible disturbances, the estate is always welcoming new clients, guests, and employers, but be sure to check with her retainer outside before attempting to enter, else you might be tackled by the gaurd dog inside. (Goblet Ward 6, Plot 39 Mateus)

The Mun — — �� -

I am a strange woman, outspoken and often blunt. I am new to FFXIV as for May of 2019, but I’ve been rping on WoW since the Burning Crusade. I am pretty jaded towards most subject matter, so I don’t shy away from mature or adult themes. (No matter how graphic). IC and OOC will always be separate l, and I have no intentions of judging you for how you rp your character unless it’s purposely meant to hurt others. For the most part, I try to be friendly, bubbly, and talkative, for I love conversation, especially things to challenge my mind! Erp is alright, but story and character development are key to me. I love dark themes and even horror! Here’s a little bit of what I’m looking for in terms of RP:

Story driven, worldly, and long term.

Para is fine, I’m adaptable!

Politics, exploration, drama, tragedy, comedy, romance is alright but it never should be the focus, slice of life is also okay, but again, shouldn’t be the only thing that’s offered.

Heavy fantasy, dark, mature, horror, and risk of character death is all perfectly fine. An immersive story is what I crave most.

My time is EST, but I do stay up relatively late.

Contact Info - - -

Feel free to send a tell to me on Shas’shil Onfrai (Mateus)

Tumblr messages are always welcome, I don’t bite, I’m a Boa after all, not a viper!

I do have Discord, but I prefer to get to know someone before I give out my contact info.

[historicrystalis]

Headcanons; G’raha Tia

Since we might as well get the most spoilerific things out of the way, first, we’ll talk about G’raha Tia.

G’raha was born into a small clan of Miqo’te, the G tribe (or a subset of the G tribe, really, a small pocket of them), who made their home in a section of the Twelveswood. As mentioned, the eye he was born with --- by the time he came around only one in every generation had it --- made him shunned by his fellows in his age group and those above, save for his father; his father had the Eye as well; once shunned, he was now the Nunh like his father before him, and he knew all the stories passed down from father to son in the tribe, and passed them on to G’raha himself, knowing he would need them. 

Unlike his father and so on, G’raha wasn’t content to simply keep the history of his tribe and the Allagan Eye safe, to become Nunh and pass it on to whichever of his kids had the Eye. He wanted to know. He wanted to know how, and why, and who, and all the answers the stories never gave. He broke his fast on all the books he could get his little hands on, learning as much as he could of Allag, and reading stories of heroes and faerie tales in the hopes that maybe one of them would tie back to his bloodline and his legacy.

Obsessed with legends and heroes and history, the 13 year old boy set off on his own to try and learn what he could, try and discover his past and his legacy. Even if this was a terrible idea, beacuse he didn’t even know how to fight, since his father only taught him his tribe’s histories and stories, too busy and not thinking he’d need anything else, and his mother was distant at best --- all he had was a pack of sandwiches and storybooks and not much else.

He ended up making his winding, wandering way all the way through Coerthas, before ending up running afoul of a few nasty beasties in the Forelands. The hunters there picked him up, and found a bright and excited child, eager to learn and with a font of knowledge of all sort of odd things, wanting to know as much as he could of the world. They taught him to use a bow and he stayed with them for a few months, but as soon as he learned of Sharlayan, he took right off to the city of learning, knowing that it was there his destiny lay, there he’d learn what he wanted.

He found his way into the care of Louisoix Leveilleur after that, and then into the care of Urianger Augurelt, who along with his childhood friend Moenbryda was in charge of the young pack of Archons-to-be that included Thancred Waters, Y’shtola Rhul, Papalymo Totolymo, and ‘Yda’ Hext. He arrived not long after Thancred himself had, and though the two young boys --- the orphan wharf rat from Limsa and the scruffy bookworm from the Shroud --- didn’t get on at first (there were a great many biting snarling scuffles), they became close as brothers. The Archons were his family, and he loved them, and loved his new home--- the first place he ever felt like he belonged, like people cared about him. He had ever felt his father had only cared about his son for the Eye, as the inheritor of his legacy, and not as a son, but here he felt like he was loved for G’raha.

He studied intensively, learning all he could and more of the Allagan empire, and though he was never able to uncover the secrets of the Eye, he learned all there was to know and then some of the empire from which it came. He too was granted the Archon marks when he earned them and came of age, and therefore along with the others his aging was halted forever; he was thrilled by this, as it would afford him the chance to have all the time in the world to find out his truth, his story, and record history as he had realized was his passion: to be the one to write the faerie tales and histories of heroes like those he so adored reading. Oh, his true dream was to be one of those heroes, or at least a part of their story, but failing that he would watch and observe and record it all in memory and on paper, for those who walked after to use to light their way, like the stories he’d read lit his.

When the Exodus happened, G’raha did not stay in Eorzea with the other Archons; instead, he traveled to join Galuf and Krile and the other Scholars of Baldesion to continue his own studies, though he kept in touch with Thancred via letters at times. He remained with them for fifteen years, studying and traveling.

When the Sons of Saint Coinach contacted the Scholars about the just unearthed Crystal Tower, G’raha nearly knocked several people over rushing to demand they send him, excited beyond measure. Of course they did, and he went out to meet Rammbroes, a senior Archon who led the Sons in Mor Dhona. He went to work studying the tower and helping with finding a way in....and then they met the Warrior of Light, sent along to help, and the rest --- to put it ironically --- is history.

And then the young man, his blood awoken, of the Royal line of Allag thanks to his ancestor, Desch, and the blood of Salina, the last princess, takes to the tower to sleep, and guard it until the future, where it will again become a beacon of hope. He hopes, anyway; and he hopes the Warrior’s deeds will be there in legend to greet him, a new star to join those that light his way forward.

[mystisnykoto]

The Outsiders - Chapter 02

Illumination Information

Iris stepped toward the door, watching as people dressed similar to her and Ruri walked about as if nothing was strange. The lines of their suits all seemed to glow various colors, some even with a pulsing rainbow shimmer to them. Iris looked around to see what looked like small pixels falling as rain from the sky above, as they turned to a static ripple with a metallic ping when hitting the ground. Many walked with umbrella with them to hide under, while many others did not, and seemed to run through the weather. Ruri stepped up behind Iris, looking around to the people outside, hiding herself behind her wife.

“I-is it safe out there?” Ruri asked as she looked to all the people walking around. “I-it's like we're all naked in here...” Ruri sheepishly spoke, poking only her eyes out from behind Iris' shoulder.

“It looks safe enough, and I don't think we'll need to worry too much about how we look,” started Iris as she motioned to the other people. “Everyone seems to wear the same outfit, we should be fine.” Iris stepped forward, reaching out a hand to guide Ruri outside. “Nothing to be scared of honey, no one will worry about your outfit.” Ruri looked to Iris' glowing hand, as she nodded slowly and gripping tightly. Her tail hung low and curled around Iris' leg, scared and nervous about her new surroundings. “I wonder... is there some place we can go to ask about missing people?”

“M-maybe a police st-station?” Ruri replied, looking at a number of people standing in booths on the sides of the street. “Is this, s-some sort of marketplace?” Ruri looked to a nearby vendor, holding his hand up in the air while reciting the same phrase in an emotionless voice.

“Network security is important to you and your loved ones, transmit data here for more information.”

“Submit your data here for daily funny jokes, oldest on the network since... error...” spoke another vendor, as his face seemed to distort and scrambled as he spoke out error, and then repeating.

“This place... they don't seem to sell any sort of actual goods...” started Iris as she passed another set of booths. “They just trade information.” A sound groaned out from behind Iris as she looked over to Ruri, an uncomfortable grin crossing her face as she clung tight.

“Ca-can you find one with something to eat... I was waiting for you to be home before eating dinner...” Ruri groaned as she scanned across the other vendors.

“I'll look around for something... let's ask this person,” spoke Iris as she stepped up to a booth with a pink haired girl behind the counter. “E-excuse me miss,” started Iris as the woman quickly spoke out her standard phrase.

“Welcome to Frans's Fashion, highest fashion for any need. Transmit your data for more information...” the pink-haired girl spoke.

“H-hi, umm... we would love to see your clothes, but do you know some place we can get something to eat?” Iris asked, as she waited for the girl's response.

“Welcome to Fran's Fashion...” she started to repeat as Iris waited for her to finish.

“Ye-yes, but do you know where we can eat something around here?”

“Transmit your data...” spoke the girl again, motioning to a plate with a glowing hand print on it. Iris looked to the place and then back to the girl, her look softening, with a hint of worry behind it. “Transmit.... your data...”

“O-okay...” spoke Iris as she slowly placed her hand to the panel, feeling a small buzz and shock travel through her. She recoiled her hand, as the girl smiled back.

“Thank you for your data, please standby...” spoke the girl as a series of beeping noises sounded, and a second person appeared next to all of the clerks in each of the booths. Iris and Ruri looked around, startled by what had just happened as a pair of hands gripped Iris' shoulders. “Nooo! Why did you do that! You're pink! You should kno-” she tried to get out before all of the original clerks vanished in a flash of light, as residual pixels fluttered in the air.

“We're... pink?” asked Ruri as she looked over her hands, admiring the glowing pink lines. “What does that have to do with trying to get some help?” Ruri looked up at Iris, clutching tighter as a group of walked down the street towards Ruri and Iris.

“Good delicious data, even better when it's dumb and not secured,” spoke the first man leading the group. “And have a lot of it in there, I will get my hands on it...” spoke the man as he pulled a glowing knife from his cloak. “No one will miss you...” Iris shifted, pushing Ruri behind her. Iris' eyes narrowed, as she took count of the crowd of five before her. All the while, the shop clerks continued to recite their store phrases, as a doorway ripped open in the air behind Ruri. The pink-haired girl leaned out, holding her hand towards Ruir and Iris.

“In here, now!” she shouted as Ruri looked up to Iris, nodding together as the dashed through the doorway behind the mysterious girl.

                                                                                                          “What... is this place?” asked Iris, as she and Ruri followed behind the girl. They traveled down a mostly empty street, save for the few random people sitting in alleys, their own suit weakly glowing pink, some of them with distortions and artifact scattering on their faces.

“You must be really new data to not know that much,” spoke the girl. “It's The Net, all of the different systems from the Allagan empire all link together and talk. We share data and information, and... well this is it.” Iris groaned, letting the girl know of her displeasure. “What's the matter? It's not my fault you don't know how to manage your data properly!”

“You TOLD me to do it!” Iris shouted back angrily. “You said the give you my data and you would help us!”

“That? That was just the script that I have to run for work, geez you two really need better Operators.” Ruri moaned loudly, rubbing her belly again as the trio neared an open door, with white light spilling out from it. The pink-haired girl sighed as they approached, turning to look over to Ruri and Iris. “Look, I saw your data, I know that you're barely a few revos old. But you already getting into trouble with putting your data out there, and doing it on an unsecured connection no less...” The girl paused before the open door, looking Iris in the eyes. “We'll go talk to my uncle, he should be able to help make sense of this better than I can.”

“That's good, because none of this is making any sense to me...” spoke Ruri as she rubbed her stomach. Iris spoke softly to Ruri, trying to help assure her that things would be getting better.

“What's wrong with her, she got a virus or something?” asked the girl.

“Noooo, I'm hungry!” Ruri whined. “Are you sure we can't stop somewhere for at least a small snack?”

“We'll stop some place soon sweetheart, they should have something around here, I hope,” replied Iris, looking over to the girl.

“Hungry? I... what's that?” the girl asked, as Iris gave her a dumbfounded look.

                                                                                                               “Come in, come in little Hanna! It has been far too long!” spoke an elderly man coming to the door. “Are these your friends? So good to see you with new friends!” the man spoke as he motioned for Iris and Ruri to step forward. “Come here, let me...” stalled the old man, as he looked over the pair.

“Best be careful around that green girl, I think she has a virus or something,” spoke Hanna as she swiped her hair back from her eyes.

“No, child... this is something else entirely... Come in, quickly, and lock the door.” The man moved with a seriousness and quickened pace not seen previously, as he checked over the different entrances and windows. “Tell me Hanna, what do you know of the fable The Outsiders?” The girl shrugged looking over to her uncle and back to the Valeths.

“I dunno, they come from the world beyond, act funny and strange, and they can do whatever they want,” Hanna scratched her head glancing between Ruri and Iris. “Are you trying to tell me, that these two dummies are Outsiders? Uncle, they don't even know how to secure their connections, and you mean to think they will break the script?” Hanna grabbed a small cube from a bowl on a table, quickly popping it in her mouth as Ruri's ears perked up at the sight of the girl eating. Hanna's suit lines rippled a bright blue, as Ruri's eyes locked on the cubes.

“Hang on, what?” Iris spoke up, shaking her head. “We're just trying to find a friend, and something to eat. We aren't here for starting a revolution.”

“So, you did come from the other world?” asked Hanna, as she crept closer to the pair. “From the non-digital place?” Ruri looked over to Hanna, and to the bowl of glowing cubes on the table. Hanna bounced in close to Iris, looking over every angle she could of the hyur. “What is it like over there? Do they have revo-cubes there? What about puppies? Do you have puppies out there? What abou--” she rambled as her uncles cut her off.

“Later, child. First, this is important for both of you,” spoke the man as he pointed a cautionary finger towards Iris as he reached over with his other hand to slap Ruri's hands. Ruri dropped the cube from her hand, barely an inch away from her mouth. “Don't. Eat. Anything!”

“Oww hey!” Ruri protested. “It's just a snack, and I'm starving!”

“If you want to go home, you won't touch it!” the man snapped back. Ruri slumped to the floor as Iris stepped over and sat next to her. “Two, don't do anything that would make some of this world's data become mixed with your own. And three, don't spend too long in here. Spending more than two days in here at a time will cause enough background corruption to you data that your terminal won't recognize your data as you.”

“Meaning...?” asked Iris, biting her lip as she was afraid of the answer she was about to hear.

“Meaning you won't be going home if you don't follow these rules,” the man spoke sternly, looking to Ruri and the cube sitting on the floor a few inches in front of her.

“How do you know of all this?” asked Iris, flicking the cube away from Ruri, as the miqo'te let out a soft whimper. The man sighed, looking to Hanna before looking back to Iris.

“I used to be an Outsider, like you, and I have trapped myself here...”

(Previous Chapter)          (Next Chapter)

Huge thanks to my friend Hanna for helping with screenshots and being just awesome

[for-gold-and-glory]

WEEKLY EVENTS SEP 24TH - SEPT 30TH

Here are some events G&G Members will be involved in during the week. Or just events that I think are really cool and you should definitely go to. If you’re interested in joining these events show up or send a message to Aegir Hlerson or Lirilith Maellan. Or join our discord: https://discord.gg/dCRSWTx

Monday - The Grand Tilt of Coerthas - Jousting Tournament - 8:00pm EST - Camp Dragonhead Monday - Magus Sisters Pt 4 - @ 9:00pm EST - the Crystal Tower Wednesday:  Tempo Rubato Lounge - @ 9:30pm EST -  Mist Ward 7, Plot 15 Thursday: G&G Weekly: Yol Only Live Once Epilogue - @  8:00pm EST - Reunion, Azim Steppe Friday: Ala Mhigan Market  @ 9:00pm EST - The Ala Mhigan Quarter, the Lochs Saturday:  Musical Festival Hydaelyn’s Harmony @ 8:00pm EST - Vesper Bay, Western Thanalan Sunday: Garlean Weekly: Cetra Finale @ 8pm EST, Castrum Aquilonis

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Monday - The Grand Tilt of Coerthas - Jousting Tournament - 8:00pm EST - Camp Dragonhead http://tuftananke.tumblr.com/post/175483077178/housedebayle-the-grand-tilt-of-coerthas - Presented by the venerable House De'bayle and hosted by Ser Basile Feurieux, and their Knights in Camp Dragonhead, the Grand Tilt proves to be a glorious event involving all manners of Ishgardian culture. Lords, Ladies, Squires, and Men-at-Arms all flock to the tilt in order to win glory for one’s heraldry, acquire the favor of a Lady or Lord, to witness illustrious spectacle beyond belief, or to practice mounted combat in a vicious trial by fire Status: Open RP, please check link for rules! Type: Tournament GM: House de’Bayle

Monday - Magus Sisters Pt 4 - @ 9:00pm EST - the Crystal Tower After their strange shared dreams, many were able to put forth hypothesis about the mystery behind these singing women. The questions take our heroes back to the place this all started. The Eight Winds, Garleans, and Iron Claws band together once more to send a team back to the ruins in Mor Dhona to search for answers. Of course, these ruins are no longer sealed off, and any security protocols left over in the Allagan systems could be deactivated or malfunctioning after the damage from the explosion. No doubt this mission, while critical, will be dangerous. Status: Limited Slots, check Garlean discord for more information Type: Action/Adventure/Dungeon GM: Ironclaws, the Purge Wednesday:  Tempo Rubato Lounge - @ 9:30pm EST -  Mist Ward 7, Plot 15 Lounge Music! Status: Open RP Type: Performance GM: The Palazzo Aldenard Thursday: G&G Weekly: Yol Only Live Once Epilogue - @  8:00pm EST - Reunion, Azim Steppe - The adventurers return from Bardam’s Mettle successful and it’s time to return home to Thanalan. But there are a few things to settle before they set off.  Status: Open to new adventurers Type: Action/Adventure GM: Aegir Hlerson Friday: Ala Mhigan Market  @ 9:00pm EST - The Ala Mhigan Quarter, the Lochs The Ala Mhigan Market night (coming soon to a Lochs near you!) is a monthly market in the Ala Mhigan Quarter as part of our “post-enslavement-to-the-Garlean-Empire” economic revitalization effort! Check out our uniquely Mhigan wares (and some “exotic” goods as well)! Meander through the scenic, sandstone buildings of the Capitol’s youngest district! Haggle with bazaar members! Consume locally made brews! Try to outflex our impressive security! Get recruited into the Resistance at an informational booth! Everything you love about real markets, all from the comfort of your chair, your home, where you don’t have to spend “real” money or talk to “real” people! What’s not to love? Status: Open RP, come join us! Type: Market GM: Aegir Hlerson, Martin Adler Saturday:  Musical Festival Hydaelyn’s Harmony @ 8:00pm EST - Vesper Bay, Western Thanalan A musical festival featuring numerous stalls and games, and performers singing about their place of origin with original lyrics. Status: Open RP, come join us! Type: Performance GM: Romeo Riveria, probably Sunday: Garlean Weekly: Cetra Finale @ 8pm EST, Castrum Aquilonis fustuarium.tumblr.com - One final visit into the mysterious Allagan City has the imperials racing to save Centurio Khaine and solve the mystery of Sunnivah once and for all. But could it be too late for Talon? And are they strong enough to take on this final threat? Status: Open to members of the Purge, accepting new members! Type: Action/Adventure GM: Talon Khaine

[skyskip]

Kipnapped: Part 3

I, uh, may have gone a bit overboard.

For someone like me, a month and a half without having the chance to tinker with something is absolutely mind-numbing. Finally getting my hands on some materials to build with helped my find some peace of mind. That said, I may have been a little...overexcited at the prospect of building something new. My plans changed from a simple lockpick, to explosive charges, to, well...something akin to a mammet assistant. What I ended up coming up with was...well...

...Yeah.

For what it’s worth, my ‘mammet’ did a fantastic job of drawing attention once it burst through the door and rolled down into the main part of the Olkund camp. With this distraction I was able to quickly find the chest containing my belongings, but I wasn’t quick enough to grab everything since the Au Ra quickly stormed my cell. All I could get for sure was my grandfather’s soulstone that he had as a samurai, so I pocketed it and bolted for the exit.

I realized perhaps a bit too late that the Olkund camp was on such a high mountaintop overlooking the steppes. Without having the time to plan out a more thorough escape, I had to quickly throw myself down some of the more angular, jagged rocks and use them as makeshift slides to outrun the Au Ra tailing me. Fortunately their immense height worked to my advantage- I was quickly lost underfoot and was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Not out of the mountains yet, Kip. Can’t slow down until your feet touch grass again. That’s what I told myself as I spent the entire night running for my life through the broken spires of stone.

I stumbled upon a scattered path by the time day rose over the steppes. I was beyond exhausted, having expended all my pent up energy from rotting over a month in a cell in one burst of nonstop action. My feet could barely carry me any further, but I knew I wasn’t truly safe. Not yet.

By noon I had come across an impressively sized cave. I wouldn’t have thought much of it if not for the bizarre purple obelisk-like structures that poked out from the walls. I had never seen such a thing before, so my curiosity got the better of me. 

To my surprise, the scenery only perplexed me more! What was this thing!? Magitek? Some remnants of the Allagan Empire? Perhaps even a creation of the Au Ra people themselves? My mind was racing with questions...and before long it was racing with dread. Something about these obelisks...the fuzziness in my head returned, and I could barely walk straight. I decided it would be wise to leave, lest I pass out and end up an easy target for my pursuers.

Sunset marked the end of the day’s journey, as I was fortunate enough to come across a stream at the foot of the mountains. I cared little about exploring the seemingly ancient ruins that surrounded me, nor did I care much for the giant castle in the center of the valley at the moment. This was the first time I had seen water in a long, long time. Fortunately no one passed by as I shoved my head in it, as they might have assumed I was attempting to drown myself.

The clouds grew angry once the sun fell below the horizon, and the sky opened up to release a cleansing rain upon the land. For the first time in almost two months...I was happy.

I must not linger here long, I know that in my heart. I will need to figure out a way to survive in this land until I can find a way back to Eorzea. But for now...I am content with this.

I’ll be home soon...

[rjhet]

“Overdue”

Oh where to begin here…About ten years ago, Ah was part of a mercenary company along with a real good friend of mine named Pieraux Cobolt. When our leaders left, we inherited the company an’ tried our best ta help the weak an’ the downtrodden…buh tha’ costs more money than it earns usually. Our band left us, and soon it was just the two of us with a dwindlin’ supply of funds. One job up in Ishgard had us track down a rogue magi an’ turn him into the authorities along with any illegal books the feller might have. We took care of the magi, but when it came to the books…some of them offered us some much needed power. We were young and stupid back then, and decided to keep one book each. The books detailed rituals tha’ would unlock dark powers within’ us both. We made a pact; if either of us turned evil, we’d off the other then ourselves. Ne’er came to tha’ luckily. Ah became wha’ Ishgardians call a Dark Knight, an’ Pieraux became a Black Mage. Word ta the wise…don’ e’er do this. The ritual really messed up mah head, an’ Pieraux got teleported ta another dimension. Ah wouldn’t hear from him fer many long years; when he figured out how ta use linkpearls interdimensionally. We both kept our books, and Ah would scour mine e’er few years ta see if there was anything else Ah could learn from it. About a month ago…the book had a new word scratched into the inner back cover, “Overdue”.

Ah called fer mah new company’s aid. The two tha’ answered where Kheni Lanbatal (left), and Rhen Rockbreaker (right). Pieraux was able ta manifest a ghostly image of himself through mah pearl ta overhear mah cry fer help. While Kheni chided me a bit on usin’ forbidden tomes (Ah deserved it), they agreed ta help Pieraux an’ Ah out. So off we went ta return the books back ta where they came from.

((OOC note: This is an adventure I DMed for my group. I will be doing many more of these over time.)) Mah book gave coordinates ta a place called the Great Gubal Library. We gathered just outside ta plan our approach. Ah figured we could either try ta sneak in through a backdoor, or jus’ go through the front door. Mah team is apparently a bunch’a firecrackers an’ decided ta go right in through the front.

Once inside, Pieraux was able to manifest in our world temporarily. Ah however got sucked inside the library as a cloud of aether! One of tha’ librarians began ta turn me inta a book while Ah watched mah companions progress from afar.

Bless Kheni’s heart, she was spooked well bah this place. Pieraux and Rhen had ta help guide her along. She proved invaluable though. Her magics helped her pinpoint mah location, and guided the group through the early parts of this venture.

Not knowin’ how bad of a pickle Ah was in, the group took their time explorin’ a bit. Pieraux even browsed the books a bit, buh only found a book detailin’ the royal lineage of the Allagan Empire. He wasn’t interested.

Part way in, they found an odd receptionist. A tiny little dragon called a Book Wyrm explained a bit more about the library. Apparently ya can barrow anythin’ from here, buh it costs years off a mortal’s life. It doesn’t hafta be yer own though, an’ apparently the debt fer late fees goes ta whoever the new owner of the book is. Tha’ uhh…would explain mah predicament. Rhen wanted ta get violent, buh Pieraux kept the peace. Apparently browsin’ wasn’t a crime, so they were allowed ta explore without trouble. They were directed onward ta’ the forbidden tome section where Ah lay trapped.

While Ah was waitin’ on them ta arrive, Ah tried mah best ta free mahself buh mah Ahriman captor had mah aether sealed tight. Slowly he converted mah aether into ink an’ began ta write me inta a book! Ah grew weaker with each new word written.

Finally mah crew arrived! Pieraux tried tha’ diplomatic approach, buh ta no avail. Rhen wasn’t gonna give it any longer than one attempt before he went in fists swingin’! The Ahriman was tough, buh with their combined efforts they managed ta subdue him! Kheni’s magic kept them from gettin’ too badly hurt, an’ Rhen managed ta finish mah captor off with a limit break he called, “Spiced Pumpkin Blast!”

Ah was released from mah paper prison; weakened bah unharmed. Pieraux an’ Ah both returned our books an’ we all left the library. Pieraux returned ta his own dimension, an’ the rest of us returned to our home at the Ruby Wing fer some much needed R&R!

[ayyymeric]

I’ve been mulling over making this post specifically for Numei for a while, but I figured I may as well and see what I can find!

So, without further ado!

Looking for RP connections!! Can do IG or Discord RP!

Bit of info on Numei:

Name: Nergui Ejinn, though goes by Numei Ito Age: 19 Race: Xaela, Au Ra Location: Kugane Job: Armorer and Blacksmith/Weaponsmith, technology expert, blade for hire Alignment/Personality: Neutral Evil/Numei is extremely brash and abrasive, quite blunt. They get frustrated easily while speaking Eorzean as that is not their first language and will often switch to Hingan when put out enough. Looking for: Friendships (as much as someone can be a friend with them), rivalry, IC customers, what have you. 

I am not looking for any sort of romantic connections for Numei as they are in a very happy, surprisingly stable relationship.

Bit of backstory: Numei hails from Othard; born to a small faction of Ejinn, Numei was separated from her parents by the age of three due to a raid on her tribe. Slavers stole the child away and she was happened upon by a man named Minato Ito and his assistant Khan Qestir. Minato, broken-hearted by seeing such a small child being sold into slavery and feared for what could happen to her, bought Numei’s freedom and took the child in and raised her as his own family. With money being little issue, Minato hired the finest tutors for Numei the moment she demanded showed a gift for quick learning. By the age of fifteen, Numei was already well versed around a forge and had been crafting weapons for her father’s comrades in the Doman Resistance. Listening to her father’s tales and passion for a freed Doma, it soon too became Numei’s dream to help the cause in any way she could. Under another demand, Minato trained Numei in the art of swords of any type whereas Khan silently instructed her in the ways of hand-to-hand combat, as well as archery on ground and horseback as they would in the Steppe she could only read of in books. With some of the resistance moving towards Eorzea to make their plea for help, Khan had arrived first to the country’s shores and Minato and Numei were to join the Au Ra soon. However, along the way the pair’s ship was raided by Garleans. The Imperials were searching for something -- though Numei knew not what. The pair put up a fight as best as they could, though in the end Minato ultimately lost his life before Numei’s eyes. The girl attempted to put up a fight, though she was soon subdued and tossed into the sea left for dead. Surviving on her own, wounded and feral for some time, Numei was eventually captured by Eorzean pirates and dragged to Horizon’s Edge where Khan eventually found her. Over time, Numei made her fortune in Ul’dah with her skills at the forge and was content enough to live out her days in the desert city as far away from the Doman Resistance as possible. Eventually, Numei had taken on a student seeking to learn her craft -- a much, much older man by the name of Arelian Atiyeh. Over time the pair realized their affection for one another and came together, the idea making Numei even more content to stay put. Though through Arelian’s ideas and bidding, Numei has found herself back overseas, home once more in Kugane. Now with her father’s ideals lit anew in her heart, Numei seeks vengeance against the Empire that brought about her father’s death.

More important info below, put under a read more for MSQ spoilers: 

Important bits to know: Numei will craft anything for the right amount of money. They do not care what it is, where you got the materials from, what you plan on using it for. Pay them, they make it. No idea is too large. Numei’s Ejinn tribe have extremely sharp, shark-like teeth that shed often and larger, fatter and longer tails. Numei also has an Allagan parasite fixed into their skull that has been flipping switches on them since it got inside of them. This parasite is enabling Numei to have new abilities, changing their shape (IE they have been turned into a man, an oni, a fox-like creature, etc) and has transformed their left eye. This eye is two irises against a black scelera. This eye enables Numei to see aether in the way a heat camera sees heat. They often keep this eye closed or cover it with an eye patch or cloth. Numei’s parasite actually makes them MASSIVE SPOILER HERE LOOK AWAY IF YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED THE MSQ a Resonant, of which I had the idea for before the MSQ confirmed it’s existence SPOILER OVER CARRY ON. This bit of information is not noticeable on the surface and can only be revealed through more interaction with Numei.