#hohoka hoka

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 5: Stamp

I've always loved the description for the sealed envelope furnishing: "While the contents are a mystery, whoever reads this letter is certain to regret it for the rest of their days."

The door leading to the other rooms in the small, Gridanian house opened. Out walked Hohoka, her eyes moved about the quiet main room as she headed towards the reading nook. It was rare for the main room to be this still since her free company grew beyond her few friends and their friends. Now there were soldiers and sailors from the organizations Quill and Kiyomi built in the last couple years. Their numbers grew almost every day it seemed, and Hohoka often found herself wondering if they shouldn't move to a bigger house. Perhaps that was why she wasn't terribly surprised to see a sealed envelope sitting on the small book table. Pretty sure that wasn't there earlier today, Hohoka examined it. Other than the red wax seal stamped upon the opening, the envelope was pristine: no receiver and no sender writ on its front. There was no shortage of mail going in and out of the Free Company house, but Hohoka knew no mail moogle would be able to send this no matter how good. "Ciceroix," Hohoka addressed the manservant she hired to tend the place, "Did you see anyone leave this letter?" The older Elezen peeked around the corner from tending to the rose trellis along the stairs, "I did not, my lady. I assumed it was one of the others."

The more Hohoka learned about the letter, the less she wanted to open it - regardless of what her curiousity wanted. Surely, nothing good could come out of a random, unaddressed envelope sitting solemnly and alone on her table.

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Ooh yes! I will gladly talk about my character's Ancients! All the other's ancients are under Keep Reading!

Hohoka's Ancient - Eos (Azem)

Eos was created by Hyperion and Thelia. She was an experiment gone awry - an attempt at an Elemental attuned to all the elements. In the process, an errant soul was caught and created a young child - their soul inextricably bound to all the elements. The first 13 years of her life were spent in a room, being analyzed and tested. It wasn't until her guilt-ridden mother beseeched Venat, Azem at the time, to save the living creation she had come to think of as her own daughter. The moment Eos laid her eyes on the beautiful world around she fell in love. Because of her love for the world (and in order to hide her secret and protect her), Venat announced Eos as her successor when the time came. As a result of her upbringing, Eos has a severe distaste for creation magics and how creations are treated. She is amazingly strong physically and magically despite the fact that she refuses to create. She could be equal to Hades in strength if she didn't deny that part of herself - which is fun when a certain 'familiar' shows up in Elpis. Emet-Selch and Hyth tell themselves that she's a familiar for Azem but they know she's not. They just can't think of anything else that would make even the slightest bit of sense. Funny enough, I had the idea for Eos being a creation with a soul before Pandaemonium and Athena showed up in story. For some reason, my brain focused on Urianger's one line in ARR that WOL's aether is strange when creating ideas for Eos. That quest line only made it better though: Athena is creepily interested in what answers Eos' existence could hold for her. And Eos is disgusted by her. Man, this is going on a long time and I still have others to talk about!

Kiyomi Umihou - Actaea

Actaea was a researcher at the Metabaseos Thalassai, studying creations destined for the seas. Though she loved the water, research wasn't her passion, and she could often be found slacking, daydreaming, or both. One day her daydreaming got away from her as did the creation she was supposed to be monitoring in the wild. Azem snapped her out of her dreams and helped her find the escaped creation. Afterward, they got to talking about what she was thinking so hard about: the beautiful waters that she could only truly catch glimpses of in her busy life. Azem offered her a spot as a Word of Azem

Aluette Verbena - Ianthe

Ianthe was a newly appointed researcher under Emmerololth's branch of medicine and healing. She had wanted to help people but found that her role was all paperwork. After all, what good is a healer in a world which had nearly eradicated disease? Her dreams of helping all life across the star looked to be fated to falter. But then she met Iphis, a wounded adventurer, and they talked of his travels to far corners of the world. Then, a week or two later, a wounded Azem came to her. As they got to talking, Azem mentioned how much she would love a healer on the road. Ianthe gladly joined her

Quill Verbena - Iphis

Iphis was the child of two curators from Anamnesis Anyder and grew up surrounded by the knowledge of the world. It was here he learned the joys of writing his own experiences, his parents keeping a little shelf of everything he had written and explored. Through these writings and always looking for more to write about, Iphis became an adventurer. Even though his parents hoped he would follow in their steps, they knew he wouldn't be happy stuck in the archives. His journeys awoke to his true nature and also met Azem.

Aisbryda Wyznbyrtwyn - Chione

Chione was a warrior, a master with a sword - though she would never claim so. She was offered a spot under Pasharot, but she refused on the grounds of wanting to be free from such burdens. She did not desire to be a paragon of discipline and order, instead preferring to help whomever she should come across in need of a sword. Chione happened to meet the newly appointed Azem, Eos, doing battle with a frenzied creation made stronger by magic. Though Eos was strong, she relied far too much on magic to take the beast down. This mistake on Eos' part made the beast strong enough that it took the two of them to cut it down.

Faine Beltarois - Kallisto

To most ancients, Kallisto was selfish and hedonistic. She just enjoyed life to the fullest, indulging in whatever passions might happen to light her heart at the time. This often meant wearing anything except her drab - but socially appropriate- robe and looking for ways to accessorize and change up her outfit. Azem was the first person to compliment her fashion sense instead of finding it uncouth.

Odinvel Urselmert - Brontes

Brontes was a gentle giant, even among ancients. He loved making music in tandem with the environment that surrounded him. Some found it intriguing, some found it annoying, but very few could truely piece together what his music meant. Azem, who happened to hear his song while coming out from a Convocation meeting, happened to be one of the ones who understood. They bonded over their shared understanding and he decided to journey with her.

Albi Halibi - Herodotus

Herodotus was a very well educated, older gentleman. He shone in debate, but he found himself fascinated by the idea of who came before them. He would seek to answer this question by traveling the world over for any sign of ancient civilization. It was on one of those endeavors that he came across Azem. They journeyed together for a while, where he quickly learned that she did not debate well. So he took the opportunity to teach her.

To all of you who have an Azem/Ancient design for your WoL/FFXIV OC: I wish you a very can I see them and tell me their names/lore.

[caeriusverse]

~~~~Meet my current character!~~~~

Name: Farah Oronir Age: 20 Pronouns: She/Her | They/Them Race: Au ra - Xaela Guardian: Azeyma, the Warden Birthday: 28th Sun of the 1st Astral Moon Classes: PLD/MCH/DNC/RPR Current Main: RPR Warrior of Light/WoL: @1shepherd7wanderers Hohoka Hoka Relationship Status: ARR - Single, Post-HW - Taken

Backstory (so far, will be amended as she develops): When Farah was 20, she was given the truth of her origins.

She was adopted, well, partially. Her father wasn’t her father, but he knew. Poor girl was confused, until she meet some of her blood older sisters and her older brother, Magnai.

Farah took on the Oronir last name for her travels, hoping that if she got into trouble, they wouldn’t find her family, alas, regardless of the name change, Imperial forces found them unbeknownst to her.

Her biological father slept with her mother and, when push came to shove, she left the tribe and found another who would accept her and her child.

During her pregnancy, she fell in love and he promised to love and raise the baby like his own. And so he did, and so he does.

Not long after Farah left to pursue a life of her own, her father left to go to Radz-at-Han to bring in more money for the family.

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 26: zip

Dawntrail location spoilers!

Just in case, putting it under Keep Reading

Hohoka combed through the clothing selection of Section Nine with an artisan's eye. If they were going to try and blend in here, where better to start? Though she hadn't intended on the overpowering amount of color before her now. The bright, almost iridescent materials were unlike anything she had seen across the star.

Her gaze landed on a red and black jacket, an understated piece amongst an overwhelming splash of color. She took it off the rack, looking it over. It seemed comfortable yet snug, but Hohoka had never seen so many zippers on a jacket before! Her small hands unzipped the jacket carefully and shrugged it on. She couldn't deny it fit well and, by her hum, she made no attempt to hide it. This would work. She zipped the jacket up and went to buy it.

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Lalapril Day 1: arrival

Hohoka walked through the passenger gate at Vesper Bay, her first steps on Eorzean soil. The tans of buildings at the small port town felt rather muted compared to the colorful Thavnairian villages she called home, but it was not without charm. Not to mention the majestic city on the hill she spied on the ship's way in. How she longed to see her father's home up close. She just had to find her a way there.

"Hey there, lass!" a male voice called out. The Lalafellin lady glanced over to a grizzled man with a blonde beard that popped against his black turban and tunic. The man's green eyes locked with Hohoka's yellow eyes and curved with his pleasant smile.

She gestured to herself, surprised and confused that anyone would call to her, "Me?" She cautiously stepped over to the man.

"Yeah, you look like one of those adventurer types, am I right?" He had an air of well-meaning honesty that she couldn't help but trust as she nodded. "Fancy a ride to the shinin' city then?"

Hohoka thought for a minute before reaching for her coin purse, "How much?"

"Just giving an old man some company on his way in," he laughed.

"Well," she hesitated, "okay."

"Climb on in! We'll be ready to leave soon." The small woman hopped on the carriage, and, much to her surprise, a white-haired, twinning couple already sat within. Quietly, she took a seat and waited.

True to his word, it wasn't too long before they were on their way. Hohoka admired the scenery as the carriage drove on past ruins, a bustling town, an all-but-abandoned mine, a bridge above a ravine she barely felt safe enough to peek over. As she looked up towards the towering city before them, the world suddenly spun and faded out; a dusk-like realm faded back in. A gentle woman's voice called to her, "Hear... Feel... Think..."

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Hohoka Hoka is part lore accurate, part me getting irritated that all the lore accurate names I wanted were taken. So I grabbed my Japanese grammar textbook off my bookshelf and started inputting nice sounding, two syllable grammar points. HOKA, meaning other, won and here we are

Kiyomi Umihou was SUPPOSED to be a self insert originally named Citrasi after my normal gaming tag (Citrus). Then she became her own person lol Kiyomi is a type of Japanese orange and Umihou (lit. Sea treasure) because she really enjoys open water.

Aluette Verbena, I honestly don't remember where Aluette came from. But Verbena was because I wanted her last name to be a plant

Qih'tan Mujuuk is a lore accurate moon cat boi name. He is the tenth son (the 'tan' part) his mom, Qih Mujuuk, had. Quill, Qih'tan's name after he transitions to a bun boi is accurate to his personal lore and it sounds cute! Aluette came up with the name for him because he loves to write basically. He drops his last name after changing into a bun until he marries Aluette after Heavensward, becoming Quill Verbena (apparently taking your wife's last name is accurate for moon cats too so bonus )

Aisbryda Wyznbyrtwyn is a fun lore accurate Seawolf name. I spent a good couple hours making her name with the Roe dictionary in front of me. It translates to "ice bride white axe daughter". I have considered her picking up the Hellsguard tradition while living in Ul'dah and just going by Ice Bride.

Faine Beltarois is a French elezen sounding name. Originally, Faine was supposed to be a Hellsguard named Dancing Fern. But at some point she became Elezen. Faine is the name of one of my characters from something else (Fern is now a nickname). And Beltarois is a twist on an existing Elezen last name "Beltardois" (and totally not because I spelled the name wrong)

Odinvel Urselmert is another Elezen sounding name. Odinvel is a twist on Octavel and this twist was on purpose this time because his village saw him as Odin reborn. Urselmert is a canon Elezen last name.

Albi Halibi is a lore accurate name but with some fun thrown in. I don't remember the exact name I based it on, but it came across my screen at work and I decided it was perfect, so I tweaked it a little to line up with Lalafel naming and Albi Halbi was born!

WoL QotD: What made you choose your WoL's name? Does it have any important meaning or did it just sound nice?

Follow up: Is it lore accurate? If it isn't, why not?

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 19: taken / wolkrileweek: pictomancy

I wanted to write something for WolKrileWeek, and this worked out! The prompt isn't today's prompt for wolkrileweek, but I didn't want to write the depressing idea I had for taken family.

The story takes place on the ship to Tural at some point during their long voyage.

"To take to something"

Hohoka strolled along the ship deck, the early morning sun on her face. If someone asked how long they had been on his ship, the small woman wasn't sure she would be able to answer. The trip to Tural was proving to be the longest yet.

As she neared the bow, Hohoka noticed she wasn't without friends up here. She jogged up to Krile, who looked to be enjoying the ocean - or had severely zoned out. The paintbrush on her back and palette on her hip still fascinated Hohoka. It was the weapon of choice for pictomancy, and Krile seemed to have taken to the art very well.

"Good morning, Krile."

"Oh," the other woman looked over, pleasant surprise writ in her blue eyes, "Good morning, Hohoka."

Hohoka hummed quietly and joined her in staring at the sea for a little while. Then, she turned to Krile, "Would you be willing to show me some pictomancy?"

"What?" her friend giggled, "Of course! Though, perhaps once we are off the ship?"

Hohoka smiled, "I look forward to it."

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 13: Butte

Dawntrail spoilers! Just gonna take the funny word and make it sad.

Pretty big spoilers so I'm gonna put it under Keep Reading

The first steps inside the dome were shocking, and it was more than the lightning that fell throughout the sky. Yyasulani was a wasteland - there was no better way to put it. The trees were dead, the hardiest of grasses looked to be barely holding on, train tracks rusted and rotted. It was as if the earth itself was in pain from this strange affliction. Hohoka took a deep breath, then she and the rest of their group continued down the dusty path.

As they walked, Hohoka couldn't help wondering what this place looked like before the dome. Were the buttes as gray as they were now or were they covered in dry grass? What was it like to see this land bathed in the sunlight? How did the people live? All questions she wasn't sure she'd learn the answer to anymore. Not without help at least...

Hohoka's gaze turned up to the Viera man beside her once they stopped at what was supposedly Yyasulani Station. His eyes shook, his hands trembled, and his mouth contorted with worry and uncertainty.

"How can this be...?" His voice was so small and quiet that she almost didn't catch those words.

"We'll figure this out, together," Hohoka smiled kindly. His green eyes locked with her yellow eyes and almost seemed to relax if only a little. Hohoka had questions, but they could wait until her friend could find his footing in this storm.

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 3: Tempest

"a tempest in a teapot" - great anger or excitement about a trivial matter. Or, in this case, someone who gets great anger about trivial matters Also, Lominsan dialect is hard to write :|

Hohoka, Qih'tan, and Aluette stepped out from the lift and into the Drowning Wench, a lively bar some might call the heart of Limsa. It was at least the heart of the local Adventurer’s Guild and, according to a soldier in Gridania, very much in need of help. The three of them walked up to the proprietor, Baderon, together. The older Hyur man regarded them kindly, "Three fresh faces, eh? What can I get ye?" Hohoka smiled and shook her head, "We are actually here to help with a problem?" "Ah, 'eard as I've got a job fer a capable 'venturer, ye say? Well, yer bloody right!"

It didn't take long for them to get the run down on the situation from Baderon and a Commodore Reyner. As the Commodore walked away, Baderon called their attention back to him. "Before ye 'ead out, yer group lookin' like it needs someone who can take a punch or five an' keep ye safe out there, am I right?" "Well," Qih'tan rubbed the back of his head, "You aren't wrong." "Might I recommend the lass with 'air like a Lomisan orange?" He pointed behind them, and their gaze followed to a horned woman with her back against the far wall and a drink her hand. Her sun-like eyes were dark and cold, and the air around her seemed to ward off strangers. "Name's Kiyomi. She's a bit o' a tempest in a teapot -if ye catch me drift- but she's good people, great with an axe too. Hells, she saved us not too long ago." It seemed he couldn't get enough words in about this stranger - perhaps a conversation he's had a few too many times trying to help her. Hohoka smiled and nodded, "I think she'll be a great addition." Baderon grinned from ear-to-ear, "Glad to 'ear it!"

The barkeep didn't waste a moment, calling out to the other woman. Kiyomi came out of her stare and started towards the bar, "What is it? More wild animals?" "Got a group 'ere wantin' to welcome you!" His smile had yet to fade from his face, "About to go 'elp with our pirate problem down Satasha way." "Truely?" Something between hope and disbelief resounded in her voice as she faced them. "I ain't the nicest, but I'll keep you safe. I swear it on my own life." "Please, there's no need to swear on your life." the Viera healer smiled, "I'm Aluette. It's nice to meet you, Kiyomi." Qih'tan and Hohoka followed with their own introductions. Kiyomi simply nodded, "Let's get going. I'll lead the way to the Fisherman's Guild." And off she went, leaving the rest to catch up with her.

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Hohoka summons her longtime friends (and my 7 other OCs) when using Azem's crystal. They all have their own lives, but they're always happy to help. Kiyomi, Quill, and Aluette have also marked a second-in-command just in case. After the first time with Elidibus, Hohoka makes sure to linkpearl her friends that they might get summoned shortly.

When using Azem's stone to summon help in fights, are there some adventurers in particular your WoL is likely to summon? Any NPCS?

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 2: Horizon

Hohoka watched the sun rise over the horizon, rays already shining through the fog. No matter the weather, she loved a quiet sunrise - even if she couldn't actually see the sun. There was peace to be found so early in the morning. And now that the latest thread of fate finished weaving it's mark into her, it was all the more relaxing. No one could know what the future will bring, but at this moment this is all that mattered.

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 26- last

Endwalker spoilers!

Hohoka stood amongst the ruins of an abandoned world at the edge of the universe, the last of the Scions. Yet she was not alone: she never truely is. And despite the weight of despair pushing down upon her, she walked on. Who else would take the bridge of light Alisaie and Alphinaud made with their sacrifice? Who else would greet the specters that looked to be waiting for her?

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 21 - grave

Shadowbringers spoilers! Best expac to use grave as in serious

Hohoka slowly opened her eyes, half of the ceiling of her room in the Pendants above her. The other half of her sight was a white haze: the light. The events at Mount Gulg came back to her all at once. The fight with Innocence, the light absorbing into her body, Emet-Selch's scalding words, G'raha. She had to save G'raha.

Slowly, oh so slowly she sat up in bed. Her whole body complained about every move she made. Hohoka was no stranger to pain, but the nagging, agonizing aches in her soul were enough for her to think twice about standing up. Then she saw Ardbert and he saw her.

"Ah, finally," he gave a small smile.

"I wish I could ask if that was a dream, but the light in my eye says otherwise," Hohoka forced herself to carefully get down from bed, "What happened?"

As Ardbert recounted what she missed while unconscious, Hohoka prepared to face the mirror. She already knew she wasn't going to like what she saw. Yet she stood in front of it. Her left eye was covered in black fabric, reminiscent of Thancred after his time in the wilds. The tips of her hair, which had been red her entire life, bleached white. The only saving grace was the rest of her hair remained blonde - if no one noticed the tell of corruption, she would count herself lucky. Finally, she carefully pulled back the fabric from her eyes and tensed. Like the tips of her hair, her eye was bleached white. Unlike her hair, it glowed faintly. She really was half way to a monster.

"You're going to like this even less," Ardbert pointed towards the window, "but you still need to see it."

She took a deep breath and forced herself to the shuttered window. He was right. She did not want to see this, but she needed to. She needed to. With a push, the shutters opened to a sky of light. As if nothing she did mattered. No, it mattered. Because now she was the one causing the light.

"I thought it would be bad," Hohoka laughed pitifully, "I never thought it would be so grave."

She wasn't half way to a Lightwarden: she was one.

[1shepherd7wanderers]

For Hohoka, a hot drink will always make her smile. She doesn't care if it's hot outside or not, give her a hot cup of pretty much anything and she is happy.

Kiyomi is happiest out on the water. Not even in a boat, just her and herself floating on open waters.

Quill is happy with a quill in his hands, writing about anything. It's always been a way he relaxes and let's off steam. (And of course Aluette makes him happy )

Aluette finds great joy in flowers. She'll often find time to literally stop and smell the roses, especially when she's stressed. (Quill makes her happy too )

Faine is always happy with a superb glass of wine or gorgeous clothing or beautiful flowers. Both? All?? Absolutely makes her day (unless she spills said wine on said clothing - that's not so great)

Aisbryda simply loves snow. Existing in snow always makes her happy whether she's watching it fall, stepping in it, or playing with it. Snow reminds her of her childhood

Albi loves reading about anything, but books on history always put him in a good mood. Just to sit and read is a perfect happy lazy day for him. Exploring the ruins themselves is even better but all too often there are things there that want to kill him and he doesn't enjoy that as much

Odinvel always enjoys playing music, but Farah, his fiance, makes him so happy. Just knowing she's with him can make him feel like the happiest man alive

Depression is hitting today, so to put it in it's place!

my WoLQotD is simple:

Tell me something that will never fail to put a smile on your WoLs face. Tell me what makes them the most happy, no matter how trivial!

The last WoLQotD got quite the circulation, so let's see if we can make some positive vibes get that same reach!

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 11: Once Bitten Twice Shy

Hohoka sat alone at Baderon's bar in the midnight hours. She regarded the cup of watered down but warm ale on the bar in front of her and the man who served her, Baderon himself. Sometimes she wondered if Baderon and his ilk ever slept. It was hard to sleep herself, especially in light of recent events with Ga Bu, a small kobold child. Hohoka found herself grateful that the proprietors never seemed to sleep, hopeful a drink would ease her down for some rest.

Though as she stared down at the beverage before her, her thoughts drifted to other misfortunes.

"Ye 'aven't laid a finger on yer drink, lass." Baderon commented, throwing a towel over his shoulder, "All alright?"

"As alright as I can be." Hohoka gave an apologetic smile, "I think maybe I need a walk more than a drink." She slid some gil on the bartop, a few more than the drink was worth, and headed along.

Her thoughts walked with her as she started towards the Tempest Gate. Warm drinks used to be so comforting. Chai from her nanny in Thavnair, Momodi's mulled tea, cups of many different drinks with friends, G'raha's heartwarming yet under spiced attempt at Masala chai, glasses of warm wine with Nanamo. The Sultana Nanamo. In her mind's eye, Hohoka saw her fall over presumably dead after a glass of wine that they had often shared. The aftermath cut her deeper than a spear's full hilt.

But there was Haurchefant's hot chocolate, Gibrillont's spiced mead and cider, the House Fortempt's brew of Ishagardian tea. Then there was the warm drink of Coerthan tea from- she never got her name. The woman who tainted a warm cup of trust at Falcon's Nest.

Hohoka understood her anger, she honestly did. Yet the scar had been burned on her own heart, and it still ached. As she sat on the stone edging of Tempest Gate, she thought on her lunch with Aymeric. The way she stiffened at the sight of tea brewed by his manservant. The look that must have been in her eyes for Aymeric to know immediately what had occurred. Never again could she truly trust a drink.

[1shepherd7wanderers]

Day 9: Fair

What is fair? What is justice? Hohoka glared up at the Tribunal that held her friends, pondering these questions. Life certainly hadn't been fair to her in months: framed for the murder of a friend and now two more friends faced heresy charges in the Holy See. What bullshit! After everything they have done for Ishgard, still they would have the gall to question their alliances.

In the middle of her scalding mental rebuke, Hohoka heard a man talk to himself.

"After witnessing a spectacle like that, everyday life seems rather dull in comparison." Hohoka faced the man, a noble she guessed by his clothes. Curiousity got her to ask him about what he meant, and he was more than happy, though a little nervous, to fill her in on one of the most recent trials by combat. The man had lost, stabbed through, but not without putting up a good fight. A valiant effort she could admire and where she might soon be.

So Hohoka found herself standing in the Brume above a body cloaked in armor. She took a moment to pay her respects. Knowing the dark side of Ishgardian justice, Hohoka doubted he was actually the villain. In a moment outside of her thoughts, she noticed a small stone discarded on the cobble. Her hand reached out. A heavy feeling washed over her and a voice spoke from within. And she blacked out.