#i hear a song i gpose to the song

[coccineum-vocatorem]

We can't withstand forever The flame will set us free As long as we're together We dance in the ashen rain Stand side by side no matter How long the road may be And when we're burned, forever We'll dance in the ashen rain

[reap-the-game]

Yo ho, yo ho, the seas forever roll Yo ho, yo ho, the winds forever blow Long after I've met Davy Jones 'Till I'm naught but skull and bones, yo ho

[abstinencesupreme]

Can you compete? Now is your time Run when you hear that whistle blow Are you on my team or stuck on the sidelines Waiting for someone to tell you to go? 'Cause training season's over

-Training Season, Dua Lipa

sorry for jumpscaring my beloved mutuals 🤭 this is obviously quite a bit different than what I usually gpose but I've had this song stuck in my brain for days and couldn't stop thinking about doing a shot like this. and now you will all suffer with me.

[starres-stuff]

Yesterday I watched something that had been part of my XIV life for three years fall apart. There was a mixed well of emotions that bubbled and boiled inside of me the good, the bad and the downright ugly. It was hard to watch this as the people inside of this place were there when Covid hit, many prayed for me when I was hospitalized last year and almost lost my life. It wasn't always the best, it wasn't always the nicest but it was a huge part of my life something I didn't actually consider until I watched it all fall apart.

Change comes and change goes. Memories are ghosts that haunt the mind. In the end it was people who brought it there not because they were tired, not because they were burnt out but because they were malicious and cruel.

One thing that stuns me is how easy it is to forget there are people on the other side of the screen. No you can't see them, you can't drive on by for a visit most of the time but these are real people. They are people who touch your life with their stories ic and ooc. They are people who are there when your life goes to hell and who are there to celebrate with you when things go great. They are as real as that person you can reach out and touch. To those of us who are empaths and energy workers we even learn that the spirit can transcend the physical form and far away is only as far as you make it.

We laugh with these internet friends, we cry with them. We stay up all night even though we have a busy morning to make sure they are okay. We think about them when a song comes on the radio or when we think of two of ocs and their ship. We love these people in many different ways and many different seasons.

But yet.. so many treat these internet friends like they aren't important, like they are disposal, like it is okay to toss them aside or okay to hurt them because "they aren't real" the thing is they have a heart beat just like you and somewhere they are sitting in the dark wondering what they did wrong.

The XIV community can be hell to navigate and I don't just mean the RPers, the Modders or even the Raiders. I mean the whole thing. Every day I see someone calling out someone else or someone pulling screenshots out of their ass to use in some narrative they concocted.

Stop..

For five minutes just stop look at the people who have touched your life in game. Those people who send you messages every day to see how you are feeling or compliment you on your latest gpose. Those people who eagerly wait to rp with you again or want to hear about your stories for your ocs. See those people? Their avatars on your screens or in your pictures. Those are real people sitting in a chair somewhere in the world wanting to make friends and be accepted so life feels just a little bit better.

It's okay to love them you know, or admit that you need them in your life. What's not okay is treating them like garbage to the point that they have been treated so poorly they quit the game all together and never plan to return.

Betrayal is not okay. Weaponizing something someone tells you in confidence is not okay. I don't care if it is offline or online. It is not okay to use people's life stories to hurt others especially when you called them friend for so long.

Today I am sad. I don't like change. I don't like when the friend that has been there for years suddenly leaves my life to start another path and I certainly hate lack of closure for it leaves a hole to fester inside the mind and the heart that is never filled no matter how hard you try. Today that place I knew for so long is in shambles. People have left, I have left.

Please just be a little kinder to those internet people around you. It doesn't matter how far apart we are when we look out the window we see the same sun, the same moon and the same stars. We are all people in the same place. Distance means nothing but hope does. These are real lives and real people. Be a little softer, a little kinder and a little gentler.

[miqomonkly]

14 Associations for I'lyanna Zahn

(GPOSE screenie placeholder text lul)

1. Animal: Tiger - Lyanna is strong and fierce in combat, but she is a soft and tender soul inside. When she isn't beating the snot out of monsters or pompous nutcases, she will care for those she loves, like a mother tiger does her young.

2. Color: Orange - Aside from being the color of her primary glamour, Lyanna is warm and friendly, always trying to be a comfort and solace for her friends and loved ones.

3. Song: Don't Get In My Way by Zack Hemsey - Every time I hear it, I imagine Lyanna going through her Monk training regimen ala Rocky or Creed. It just feels so raw and epic.

4. Number: 2 - The best things in Lyanna's life have always come in pairs; two parents she misses dearly, her and her twin, two worlds she defends, and so on.

5. Day or Night: Day - Typical for a Seeker of the Sun, but Lyanna does prefer to do her work in the daytime. She also values her beauty sleep!

6. Plant: Black Daisy - Got the cordage with this flower a while back, and ever since then, if I can't find a headpiece that works, I use that for Lyanna's glam. In lore, I like to think she keeps it as a reminder of her own innocence, as well as that of others, lost over the last few years.

7. Smell: Orange Creme - A rather specific scent; it's one she hasn't smelled in a while, as the only thing that could ever capture the memory of it were her mother's sweet rolls...

8. Gemstone: Amethyst and Obsidian - Amythest reminds me of her eyes, which is, in my mind, her most distinguishing feature.

More a semiprecious stone, obsidian is tied to her Monk Soul Crystal; it isn't the standard shape and color/material. Lyanna's crystal is made of obsidian, with the Monk job symbol glowing deep within its core. Obsidian is considered to be a "deep healing" stone, and for much of Lyanna's story, healing from the pain of that which she has lost is most important.

9. Season: Spring - Lyanna enjoys the vibrancy of spring and summer both, but her botanist side is overjoyed by the growth and renewal that comes in spring.

10. Place: Camp Drybone - The closest thing I'lyanna has to a "home town." Before the Calamity, before it was a "camp," Drybone was the place where she and her twin sister were born. With that connection, it is also the place where she made her memorial for her parents.

Combined with all those from the sacking of the Waking Sands she had to bury there... This place holds a greater piece of her heart than she cares to admit.

11. Food: Lentils and Chestnut Soup - One of my more spontaneous ideas, the ingredients in the soup could be easily found along the path her father's caravan would travel. As such, it would make for a perfect "childhood meal" on the road that she would remember quite fondly!

12. Astrological Sign: The Bole - This holds a deeper meaning to Lyanna than its standard astrological meaning. It represents a promise between sisters; to always be by each others' side through thick and thin. To this day, she holds onto that promise; not only to keep herself going... but the one time she attempted a card reading held a particularly curious message for her...

13. Element(s): Fire, Thunder, and Water - Fire is her wrath, turned upon enemies who fight for greed, hate, dominance, or oppression.

Thunder, her connection to her patron deity, Byregot, and his master, Rhalgr. To create and destroy, only as is necessary.

Water represents her sorrow and grief; the two emotions threatening to swallow her up whenever she falls. She fights these daily, pushing past the tides of despair to give hope to those who need it most... even if she is the one who needs it most of all.

14. Drink: Herbal Tea - Another small comfort on the road, various herbs and spices were often collected and brewed to ease a number of ailments. Her favorite is chamomile and the relaxing potency it offers.

This was so much fun to do. It's a nice feeling when you can just get into writing and lose yourself as you ponder about your character and their story!

Shoutout to @chadhunkler for tagging me for this. They always find the fun ones 😉

To continue this trend, I would like to nominate @alannah-corvaine, @starladyquasar, @iridescentvale, @sharlayandropout, and any and all else who wishes to give this a try! Be sure to @ me so i can see what you come up with too! ❤️

[dragoon-mid-jump]

FFXIV Swap: Valentione's Edition!

For my swap gift for @inkedinfantasy, I put together a playlist based on their WoLGraha ship and the content they've made for it!

And below the cut, brief analyses on how I connected the music I chose to your content on Rowan and G'raha's relationship! I had a lot of fun meditating on and rotating them around in my head in conjugation with the music, trying to find songs that also matched the tunes of the ones your own playlist already had, and adding some of my own adjacent tastes! And I apologize it's late and thank you so much for your patience!

Guardian (Lindsey Sterling): The first direction I went after listening to the music you had already given me was instrumentals. The lighthearted violin tune of this track resonated most with your WoLGraha Week post for Adventure with Rowan and G'raha on a boat looking forward to their next destination, as well as the Prince/Knight AU Gpose! I also felt it fit with your XIVWrite post for Bolt, where it's just their CT relationship as they fended off hippogryffs at Saint Coinach's Find, before all the Shadowbringers drama and angst.

Something Wild (Lindsey Sterling, Andrew McManon): This one is actually on my own WoLGraha playlist, so I thought I would share a piece of my own perspective with you! Another one that resonated with Adventure, and I personally found this song more G'raha-leaning in both tune and lyrics, especially invoking wanting to go on an adventure, yet not letting the more tragic and dramatic events of the MSQ getting you down.

Waiting For Love (Avicii): This one popped into my head both tune-wise and lyrically while I was reading your XIVWrite entry for Veracity, how G'raha would keep log of his time since he was awoken from the Crystal Tower in the 8th Umbral Calamity timeline, especially when he starts to write about Rowan, and tie that in with how much faith G'raha has in the WoL. This follows along with the song's lyrics of going day-by-day, then month-by-month and further on waiting for a loved one to come back to you.

Broken Arrows (Avicii): Now this one, it came to me while reading Onerous, with the wound-tending. Lyrically, I think it can fit them in both directions in Shadowbringers, as the song sings of two people seeing each other's flaws and persevering even still, not giving up hope in the circumstance they find themselves in. In the case of Onerous, I think it fits the Exarch and Rowan seeing each other wounded, that veneer of being a pillar of strength being cracked. There is also the side of having the Exarch return to the Source and becoming G'raha again, no longer having to hide under a hood and an air of mystery.

Five Bells (CoCo and the Butterfields): Another song about wanting to go on an adventure with someone that I found while music-surfing, and I found it resonated with the Gpose and the fic you made of Rowan and G'raha going on a boat-ride date in Sharlayan's canals. The tune I think would also fit in playing in the background of your "Comfort" Gpose from WoLGraha Week.

Knowledge Never Sleeps (Masayoshi Soken): We all know this one, it's one of the overworld themes in the Crystarium! I felt it appropriate to have at least one track from the OST in the playlist. Why this one specifically is because this one is the one with the lyrics. The Crystarium was built to be a bastion against the Sin Eaters and Light Corruption, and the lyrics are the Exarch's call to "stand tall" against that adversity, but can also be read as encouragement towards the WoL having so much on his shoulders.

Time (Bernth): Guitar piece I found while looking around my more instrumental artists. This one, I can hear playing in the backgrounds of...actually, nearly all of your more serious/somber or lower energy content! It's a short, but moving track whose tune and rhythm can either be playing as G'raha is documenting the 8th Calamity and thinking of Rowan, the Exarch and him conversing with the weight of Shadowbringers upon their shoulders, or Rowan and G'raha just quietly vibing.

Where No One Goes (Cloudjumper, Moa Antonia): Very much an upbeat piece found while surfing that resonates with your Adventure Gpose and as the story moves forward into Dawntrail and Tural!

Airflow (Bernth): This instrumental, I found fit the most with your Prince/Knight AU Gpose, what with the setting being at the top of the Crystal Tower's open-air throne room; something you could hear playing in the background during such a scene.

When Can I See You Again? (Owl City): Okay, now this one, I found to be very much the time between 6.0 and 6.1 when the Scions all go their separate ways while also aligning with the more upbeat songs you already had. I also found it relevant to G'raha exiting the main part of the post-patches very early on and moved to being present in the Alliance Raid.

Anniversary (Autoheart): Found this one while music surfing. Definitely more on the "WoLGraha vibes" side. The tune is pretty bouncy like your other songs. Most of the song's lyrics highlight how G'raha is always looking towards the WoL as a companion, guiding light, inspiration, and partner.

[vasheden]

People I want to get to know better

tagged by @elliewiltarwyn! Thank you!

Last Song Listened To: Ratatat — Seventeen Years

Currently Watching: It’s just anime. I do intend to watch the Fallout show, but I haven’t started it. Currently watching Dungeon Meshi weekly and working through Jujutsu Kaisen and a Gundam Wing rewatch with my wife.

Sweet/Savory/Spicy?: Sweet and spicy, preferably together. Dark chocolate with chilis is my favorite.

Relationship Status: Married, poly.

Current Obsession: Still FFXIV mostly. I’m just really enjoying gposing and being able to get the ideas in my head out. Doing a Magnus Archives relisten and remembering how much I like it, so I’ve also been seeking out similar things. Need to play Book of Hours more.

Leaving this an open tag for anyone who wants to gush about their current obsessions. I’d love to hear about them!

[thewordkeep-ffxiv]

Last song: "Liquid Diamonds" by Tori Amos. There's a sultry vibe to this song that I needed for a recent gpose, but the song itself is not sultry at all. The power of tone!

Currently reading: Bridgerton Book 1. I love the Netflix series, and a friend loaned me the first two books. It has been taking me forever to read through them, though--gposing keeps me away.

Currently watching: The latest season of Alone on Netflix. Many of my characters, such as Leif, are the survivalist type, so I love watching shows like this one to gain footnotes on that type of lifestyle and way of thinking. Anything for more immersive writing!

Current obsession: FFXIV, specifically Leif, despite the trials and tribulations of being in the fandom.

Thanks so much for the tag, @aces-and-kings!

Tagging the following (if you haven't been tagged already!):

@under-the-blood-moonlight

@elodi-rhunvelt @hear-feel-think

@ravendas-xiv

@ranmaru-011

@rhelxiv

@fangffxiv

@ashesorarom

@h3lenn1s

@phoebe-of-ivalice

[pervasivethrenody]

A VERY SPECIAL THANKSGIFTING EPISODE (WHERE APPLICABLE)

Happy Turkeyday, for all who celebrate! I hope everyone else has a great day as well.

Thanks for all the likes/reblogs/well-wishes. The fatigue is gone, and while the leg is still repairing itself, I am feeling much much better. As evidenced by the sudden gpose crime spree that lasted hours. And hours and hours. 😂

Behold, outtakes from the current project. I set them down and they just started necking. What do you do, stop them? Hell no.

Let them be happy.

I'm putting in a readmore because I feel like a spammer x3 (though I hear it doesn't work on mobile?)

The mood here is a spillover from an abandoned story project, with an elated Thancred and an anxious Uri.

Because he worries, a lot.

Even when he ought to be celebrating.

He has everything he wanted...

...but one day, one way or another, it will be taken from him.

Again.

But of course, Thancred doesn't let him rattle around inside his head for long.

One reason they're so good for each other.

Among many others.

When they're together they can forget about the problems waiting outside the door...if only for an all-too-fleeting time.

Everything in life, good or ill, is for a time only.

"So don't waste it."

(Bonus: After I'd been working like 45 minutes on making this dress look right, the game froze. I was all OH NONONO and snapped this shot before Dalamud cratered ((what an appropriately named addon)). Serves me right for not saving early and often) 💀

(Edit: Crisis averted!! They can go back to necking :3)

(AFTER I SPENT UNGODLY TIME OF MY LIFE ON FIXING IT WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME)

(No regrets. :3)

(Oh, as a bonus, I'm going to make you cry over this song too. You'll thank me, probably)

[tallbluelady]

To Obtain a Bird's Eye

2.1k. In an oroborus relationship with these gposes.

Rowan felt the hairs on the back of her neck prick up and slowed her pace behind the twins. They were more than ready to explore the higher portion of Kholusia and had started running ahead in a sort of youthful race. She was easy enough to spot even from a distance, so she wasn't worried that they would lose her.

"Didn't you already say your piece at the base of the elevator?" Rowan asked before Emet-Selch stepped out of the wispy portal entirely.

"Well, I thought of aught else to say. Besides that, I wanted to share the view." He motioned to the cliff edge and started to make his way over there.

Rowan turned and watched where the twins were heading. There was a settlement someway off - obviously they would make their way there. Besides that, she should take advantage of Emet-Selch's chatty mood. While she wasn't much of a conversationalist herself, surely there would be something useful to be gleaned from this conversation.

"So, what is it you want, Emet-Selch?" Rowan asked as she approached the cliff's edge.

"What, I can't have a conversation with a co-conspirator?" He turned up to her and gave that strangely sincere smile. "Good will has to be earned on both sides, and I do believe I've earned a conversation's worth. And it's not like you'll be missed for the moment - there's a minor Sin Eater for those precocious children to deal with. Easily slain, but not something to be ignored. So let's chat."

She turned to go help them, but the Ascian shook his head and tsked.

"If aught goes awry, then I shall be the first to aid them, I promise you." He put his hand on his heart. "They're perfectly safe, and more importantly for our conversation, perfectly occupied."

Rowan glared at him but sat down anyways. He had his legs dangling over the cliff edge, as if it were only a few fulms high. She sat with her legs tucked under her.

"Ah, but to obtain a bird's eye is to turn a blizzard to a breeze!" He gestured grandly to the land below them. He frowned when Rowan had no reaction. "Really, you don't recognize that?"

Rowan shrugged and shook her head. "I'll keep it in mind the next time I try to write a song though."

"I wouldn't have pegged you as a bard, I must admit. But you do have such a lovely voice. And such lovely aim, too."

Rowan gave a small hum in reply. It felt... well, she wasn't really wont to accept compliments from most people, so it wasn't really any stranger to hear such things come from a sworn enemy, actually. She said so to Emet-Selch, trying to see why he was being so liberal with his compliments.

"For as far flung as your deeds are, and all the good you have done... my, my, it seems you have completely over corrected. Much like this light blasted shard."

"Does it... hurt you to be here?" Rowan asked. "I must admit that it stings my eyes if I stare up at that veil of light that covers the sky."

"Much like you, tis only a mild inconvenience to be here. Mild, but noticeable. And worthy of my complaint."

"Well, I don't see you do too much to deal with it. So what's the point of complaining?"

"Tis an art in unto itself, Warrior of Light."

"Darkness," Rowan corrected.

"You seem so ready to take that title."

"It's what the people need me to be." She shrugged.

Emet-Selch gave her a look of... pity? Twas a soft sort of disappointment that made Rowan far more uncomfortable than his compliments on her voice.

"Why should I care about the exact words? It's their way of complimenting me. I'm their bringer of night. It's a title, not my name. It's not like they've suddenly started to call me the wrong plant like 'Mint' or something." She felt herself rambling. Anything to get rid of that look.

If anything, her words imbued more pain to his eyes. Why -?

There was a crash in the direction of the elevator. They must have gotten the thing back down to the lower part of Kholusia and had a hard time settling the moving platform. That's all Rowan could guess. By the time she turned back to say aught to Emet-Selch, he had vanished. Whether it was back to the Void or just some form of invisibility, she had no clue. So she dusted herself off and turned to find her comrades. She hoped she hadn't doomed them.

*   *   *   *

Rowan was surprised at the volume of things that got done while she escorted the Exarch around Kholusia. She focused on the amount of people swarming the place, bringing a large Talos to life rather than how G'raha Tia seemed so intent on keeping his secret.

I'm sure he has his reasons... but with his cousin here on the First... and that story...

"What needs to be done?" she asked Dulia.

"Everything seems to be in order, at least according to my lovely Chai." Dulia beamed. "As you're the one going to storm the mountain, I insist that you take a rest."

"Oh, I've been much more tired when I've faced worse before." Rowan waved her hand dismissively.

There was a special glint in Dulia's eyes after she heard that. "Is that true? Then mayhap I'll have to have a few stern words with your comrades about your work conditions..."

Rowan gulped. It was one thing she took the punishment, but another to have others take it in her stead. "Where should I sit?"

With that said, Dulia's look turned back to her regular sweet self and she guided Rowan to a spare wagon. She was given an apple, and a pat on the hand before Dulia left to "go find the others who were to ascend the mountain". Rowan scanned across the way, finding various Scions handing out supplies or otherwise just delegating to others, which apparently was restful enough to avoid Dulia's ire. Somewhere along the way, Ryne had found some wildflowers and was passing them out to those in rest. It seemed she had inherited that same sort of spirit from Minfilia, or only girls with that sort of spark within them could hold the ability to become the Oracle of Light.

"Urianger, you're supposed to be resting!" the young woman scowled up to him.

"Idle hands are oft not restful hands, my dear," he said, still moving boxes.

"Then keep Rowan company. She looks awfully lonely over there." She handed him a few flowers. "You can hold these for her. Then your hands won't be idle."

Rowan turned just as Urianger turned towards her. She guessed he probably saw her watching based on his reaction. "I do suppose keeping the Warrior of Darkness from exhausting herself doth be a worthy cause..."

"It is!"

Rowan took a deep breath and tried to remain calm as Urianger approached her. She was feeling rather shy again. Which was patently ridiculous, she had been around him before. He was one of the few people she had been most comfortable around! Mayhap all the light aether was affecting her...

"May I take this seat beside thee?" he asked.

"You're always welcome to, Urianger," she answered, "I'm starting to think that question is a game."

He smiled as he sat and handed Rowan a bunch of flowers from Ryne. "A gift from our Oracle of Light. Any sterner, and I fear she'd become a warden ready to carry out punishments for our transgressions."

Rowan gave a chuckle and started twirling the stem. "This reminds me of the flowers my father would tuck into my hair when he'd come home. I wonder if it came by Rak'tika or if the kind of flower on the Source came to Gridania by La Noscea."

Urianger turned the remaining flowers in his hand and considered them. "That, I know not. This particular bloom isn't known for any medicinal purposes, so my knowledge of its attributes are sorely lacking. That it is beautiful I can plainly see. Though I would like to test how it amplifies the beauty of others, if thou wilt permit me."

Rowan gave him a confused look before she realized that he wanted to put the flower in her hair, like how her father would.

"Oh... aye. You can go ahead." She tucked some of her hair behind her ear shyly. She was feeling a little giddy at the type of attention he was giving.

Gentle fingers tucked in the stem into her hair, and trailed whisper soft down her jaw. Rowan had to swallow to keep her heart from leaping from her throat.

Yet Urianger looked slightly vexed. "How strange..."

"What is?" Rowan asked.

"The bloom, while beautiful in of itself, doth very little to improve thine appearance. A man of lesser learning would surmiseth that the flower hath no effect on its environs."

"But you are not a man of lesser learning, oh wise Archon." Rowan tapped his tattooed cheek. She could figure where he was going with this, but waited for the pay off.

Urianger smiled, and averted his eyes from her hand. Rowan could swear that a hint of blush was rising to his cheeks. "Indeed. Ahem. So it only standeth to reason that the effects of the flower must needs be correlated to the environs it effecteth. A grassy knoll, for example, must stand to benefit tremendously from the bloom. But a visage so full of grace and beauty as thine can only standeth to gain little."

She smiled shyly to the ground. "I have to thank your apt reading, ser. What would Ryne think if she was told her flowers brought not one speck of beauty to the world?"

"Oh, perish the thought. Very few can beareth the kind of beauty thou bringest."

Rowan hummed a happy note and let the conversation drop. Had it been any other person making a pass at her, they'd be worried at her silence. They'd assume something was wrong with her and they'd try to fill the quiet space with concern.

Urianger, instead, moved closer. He leaned in such a way that if she really wanted to, she could lean against him.

And she found that she really did want to.

So she let herself.

He didn't wrap his arm around her, though Rowan would have welcomed the gesture. But this was a real, tangible connection and it was enough for her at the moment. She rested her cheek on his shoulder and enjoyed the simple contact between them.

"You're keeping your promise," she said.

"What promise in particular, pray tell? I fear I may be making more promises than I can keep track of."

"That we'd have more moments like we did in Rak'tika. I don't know if I could have gotten so far without you."

It was then his turn to let the conversation lull as he gave a similar hum to Rowan's. She let him think and watched the chaos of hundreds of hands working towards a common goal. Something seemed to want to warn her about his current silence, of his talk of promises. But she felt as though they were both traversing thin ice here. And the silence felt more stable than the stones around them.

* * * *

It almost made him retch to see her being treated so... tenderly. Emet-Selch had to vanish into the Void for a moment to compose himself.

That the Warrior of Light - or Darkness, now - looked like her... past incarnations had some features of her. It was either that they were tall women, green haired, or silver eyed. A few of them - surprisingly mostly the men - walked with the same grace that had drawn his eye since they were young. But this one. Twas almost her splitting image if she weren't blue of all things. She even had that same shy smile.

And the use of her name! Sure, it was clipped at the end... But it was the same botanical that had vexed him for ages. Certainly, she didn't know who she truly was. How could she?

She wasn't even close to her power, her prowess. That Rowan girl could barely cast magic without some sort of crutch. Whether it was having to have a battle high or that... paltry, frankly ridiculous excuse for a wizard paw at her. How dare he -

No.

No.

Emet-Selch drew a shaky breath. Then another. He would not let himself fall to jealousy over that malformed creature that wore her face. Not again. Never again. He had a duty. If she could hold the Light back, then maybe, maybe, she would be enough to...

He didn't deign to finish that thought. He left it hanging, tantalizingly close. His breathing finally steadied enough to return to the wretched light bathed shard. At the very least, those Scions seemed to know how to put up a good show. And if it was up against his pet Vauthry... he might even be entertained for a moment.

[humblemooncat]

#MiqoMarch - Day 3, Family

In lieu of a more well-done gpose since I was entranced by MSQ today, and likely will be tomorrow as well (I'm nearing the end of Endwalker proper!), I wanted to at least share my write-ups for Ki'to's family from the big relations post I'm slowly writing up. As well as a couple of shots I got of the retainers I made to visualize his older siblings, Ki'a and Khomi.

All family write-ups will be under the read more! And maybe I'll try to do some extra gpose stuff in the morning before I pick MSQ back up for the day.

Mother Ki Vashai; A talented, Ishgardian-trained goldsmith. A trade she picked up whilst in Ishgard's walls to pick up/trade for supplies only available in the city. She made a tidy sum with her skill, and it's said that one can even now see her pieces adorning some of the nobility of Ishgard. (It's my lil headcanon that she made the earring & cuff that Aymeric now wears) She was the one who crafted for her 5 children an earring to symbolize their faith and devotion to Menphina. A gift she bestowed upon each after their first pilgrimage to Her shrine.

Father Nhev'ra Desaali; A fisherman by trade, though formerly a bard. An accident which left him blind in one eye and clouded vision in the other left him with little choice but to lay down his bow. Nowadays he uses his way with words and song to keep the clan's history alive, as well as delighting the younglings with tales of heroes of eld. In fact, it was tales of his far-flung adventures that sparked little Ki'to's wish to see the world. The first map he was ever given came from his father, and he treasures it to this day; its edges well-loved and its margins now filled with dates of visits.

Siblings Ki'a Vashai; A headstrong man, and far more reckless than his younger brother, if you could believe it. He makes his way these days as a Dragoon, lending his lance wheresoever it might be needed. This occasionally lands him under his brother's supervision, much to his chagrin. The two have a playful sibling rivalry between them and one can often see Alisaie go to get a snack when Ki'a walks into the Rising Stones as whatever will unfold when those two are together is sure to be amusing.

Khomi Vashai; One could swear she and Y'shtola were cut from the same cloth until she's thrust into battle; with a greataxe in hand and a foul mouth that would make a pirate blush, her demeanor is like night and day. These days she wanders Eorzea, her feet carrying her where the winds lead, helping out those she can along the way. Most recently one could have seen her among the front lines at The Ghimlyt Dark, as well as endearing herself to the Dotharl on a trek through Garlemald.

Ki'li Vashai; One of Ki'to's younger twin brothers. A Botanist by trade, and loved by the elementals. As the twins were born mute, unable to use their vocal cords due to a deformation, they took up trades after a while that they knew would allow them to be comfortable in silence. Though he may not be a padjal, the elementals seem to be the only ones who could speak with Ki'li freely. Seeing as they speak through emotion, it was easy as breathing for him. Perhaps they wished to offer him some way to share his thoughts.

Ki'sae Vashai; Ki'li's twin, and a talented fisherman like his father. One can often find him either on shore with a pole in his hands, or floating in the water, seemingly one of the most relaxing places to him. If you listen closely on moonlit nights, you can hear the pitter patter of feet towards the lake as Ki'sae goes to commune with Menphina in his own way. Both of the twins turned out to be very gentle souls, unlike their loud, brash older siblings. A welcome change for their parents, I'm sure.

[the-littlest-kojin]

I posted 980 times in 2022

That's 460 more posts than 2021!

367 posts created (37%)

613 posts reblogged (63%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@the-littlest-kojin

@scholarlostintime

@meepsthemiqo

@lizzy-of-the-dotharl-tribe

@primalvessel

I tagged 979 of my posts in 2022

#ffxiv - 938 posts

#shio shinju - 225 posts

#ffxiv writing - 217 posts

#ffxiv screenshots - 216 posts

#ooc - 181 posts

#not mine - 132 posts

#ffxiv roleplay - 116 posts

#the almighty reblog - 110 posts

#ffxiv art - 100 posts

#conroy rayne - 97 posts

Longest Tag: 114 characters

#character discussion is one of my favourite things to engage in but my views very rarely line up with the majority

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I'm aware that time zones mean that it is likely that most people are not around right now, but I'm craving to hear about all of your ships, HCs, and OCs. Tell me about your nonsense, ffxiv community!

52 notes - Posted June 19, 2022

#4

Placing the purchased plaque on the door of her studio, Amisgalgüi fiddles with it for a few moments to make sure it is straight. She can't read it herself, but she trusts the seller that it says what she requires - "Amis Qalli Songwriting Services".

Satisfied that the plaque is straight and affixed firmly, the petite Xaela moves into the studio, the room soundproofed and the back half of it full of instruments. Moving over to the desk, she places down a smaller sign, this one listing her rates - rates that the signmaker nearly choked upon seeing, but Amis knows the value of her musical skill.

Finally, she takes a stack of parchments, all marked with a map of Radz-at-Han and marked with the Qalli emblem at her shop, and sets out the door, harp in hand, intending to hand them out to anybody who asks her questions about her music, as well as leave a stack at the nearby inn.

Maybe with these accoutrements, she will get some more customers in - she always does love getting colourful and unique customers, all wanting their own styles of music, and she can write them all.

((This is an open RP I'm putting up! If anybody wants to have a mute Qalli write them music, please feel free to respond! She is mute and illiterate, but she's quite clever and she wants to write your songs!))

74 notes - Posted May 27, 2022

#3

So I'd like to take some time out of people's days to mark an NPC who is very important to the story.

An NPC who aids you. An NPC who is from another culture and another people, true, but chooses to spend their time and effort and thoughts on helping you. Because they think you're doing the right thing.

An NPC who, when push comes to shove and villains attack, tries to help. They are no match for the might of these villains, I can't help but imagine that they know this. But even so, they give their life to keep the attack of that armoured figure at bay. Sadly, in the arms of the Warrior of Light, this NPC breathes their last, having given everything they had, even their life, for your cause.

Everybody please, hold your hat in your hand and pay your respects for Noraxia, the first NPC to die in your arms in the MSQ.

Sadly, Noraxia's death has gone unmourned by the story and community both, since. So I felt that I'd do my part to draw attention to the tragic, horrible death of this lovely, kind, self-sacrificing person.

Remember Noraxia. She died in our arms.

Screen taken by the always amazing @snow-covered-moon. Thank you for taking this lovely screen of the death we should all remember forever.

92 notes - Posted June 3, 2022

#2

Tumblr mutuals, strangers, scoundrels, Warriors of Light, villains, gpose addicts, RPers, friends, Domans, countrymen:

I desire to know, what is one headcanon about an OC of yours that you want to talk about, but there's never the good opportunity to?

I'll start:

Amis is asexual and aromantic.

Please RB with your own!

187 notes - Posted May 26, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Sometimes, I'll be struck with a random lore thought.

So, uh.

As was revealed in Endwalker.

The Moon was artificial.

Does this mean that the Ancients didn't have tides?

Does Emet-Selch stare out at the ocean and wax philosophical about the fact that back in the GOOD OLD DAYS the ocean was just STILL and FLAT?

Were there any moments where their plans were thrown off because of the tides?

Mitron specifically specialised in aquatic life. Was he thrown off by these "ocean currents" moving things around more than he was used to?

213 notes - Posted May 30, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[windup-dragoon]

So who is going to be Kiri’s princess and sing ‘Whole New World’ with her? :> 

[naaaaams]

Have you heard it in the darkness, when the Steppe is fast asleep? A haunting song that yet calls all steeds to it like moths to a flame. Those who dare to wake and look might catch just a glimpse of the songbird gleaming under the moonlight-- a Xaela clad in pearl white scales and deep green robes, atop a bay horse. A Goro who dares not venture into the sun lest their skin burn but instead makes the night their domain.

And yet their song is more piercing than their appearance, an ancient melody that strikes fear into the hearts of all who listen. But be not frightened, child, for it is simply their duty to their tribe. Doomed to live the life of a nightwalker, between the veil of dawn and dusk, to never feel the warmth of Azim’s embrace.

When you hear their call, return to your slumber. They are but the notes of a lonely song, forlorn and yearning.

[thevoilinauttheory]

Day 28: Favorite Expansion

[ Both Maximiloix and Lothaire have been through a lot since I started playing. But because Maximiloix was my main (not my first character), I decided to choose him for this screenshot.

My favorite expansion is hard - I have mixed views on each one.

ARR was, at the time I was playing, so very good. I enjoyed it a lot, and I had my sister to play with me. I mean, looking back at it now, just... hoo boy, it’s come a long way. Unfortunately, it’s no where near being my top expac(?) - it wasn’t all that memorable, and only was when I went back to play through it again.

Heavensward... oh my god, Heavensward. If I could go back in time and do it all over again, I would. I wouldn’t even change anything, I’d just... go back. I miss it, a lot. The story was fantastic, I couldn’t believe it. I had a major part of it spoiled to me on accident (re: the Vault), but I still... god, I loved it. Everything about it. The music, the scenery, the battles and settings. I cry if I think about it too much. That third picture was a recreation of a picture that had been my background on my computer for years. I made so many friends, I had such a good and not as stressful life. Everything was perfect back then. It’s such a good nostalgia. If I could have all of that again, I would give anything for it.

Then Stormblood came along. The expansion was... fine, I guess. I guess the thing that really made it worse was... I was forced to move out of my house on literally two days notice. I didn’t have internet... and all of my friends had finished the expansion before I could even touch it. It felt so lonely. Sure, there were it’s good moments - I enjoyed the scenery a lot (though the music theme got a bit repetitive), and the story wasn’t that bad (they did my girl Lyse dirty with her lack of involvement and poor character building - she was my favorite Scion before, what happened??). Post-MSQ was fantastic! (Stormblood was my sister’s favorite before Shadowbringers - like, we’re talking I have a picture of the tissues she used when she cried at the end of Doma Castle; that end to that dungeon killed her, so much so that she had to drop the game for a few days. But then it got better, don’t worry lol - I loved hearing her go through the story, how excited she was for the expansion that let me down.)

Shadowbringers... I don’t even know where to start with this one. It’s just. This expansion was the one where I bought three people the game because I wanted them to play to that part so badly. The music? Fantastic. The scenery? Amazing. The story???? Absolutely pure fucking gold. My life surrounding the expansion wasn’t memorable. Not enough for a nostalgia factor for irl, like Heavensward. No, I’m going to miss this expansion for everything it stood for. The First felt like home, and I’m going to miss it. I really hope we go back at some point during the story. I already miss it, and Endwalker hasn’t even come out yet.

So. The breakdown is this: If I’m choosing my favorite on nostalgia, from best to worst? HW, ShB, ARR, SB If I’m choosing my favorite on story, best to worst? ShB, HW, SB, ARR If I’m choosing my favorite on music, best to worst? HW, ShB, SB, ARR (Now, even though “To the Edge” took the lead in my favorite XIV song ahead of “Freefall” - which is what it was up until then... HW still had the best music overall to me.)

Under the cut is a screenshot and a small story about my time in Heavensward.

[ We’re missing a person in this recreation. She doesn’t have a tumblr, and I haven’t spoken to her in years. But Zeyta was just as much a friend to me as any other. I don’t think I could have recreated her properly. So here’s a shout out to all of my friends through HW, the best expac of my life: Shango, Amarice, Reila, Akuma, Zeyta, Zuno, and yes, even Crystal. Without them, without the ups and downs, I don’t think I would have played XIV much longer. They’ve been really good to me.

After I finished such a bright and relaxing screenshot, something that almost brought me to tears taking because of how perfect the colors were compared to the original (which I don’t have, unfortunately, because my desktop is down for the moment)... I left /gpose to this:

Maximiloix, my main, my most precious character, alone in a much darker setting. This did make me cry. Because I can never reach for this moment again, I can never have what I had back then. And that contrast really sums up how I feel currently. 

I want to tag @amarice-sovald​ - to hopefully get her attention after years of never saying anything, years of falling away, and years of silence. I want her, if she sees this, to show all of those people this message. How much they still all mean to me after so long. I do think about them constantly, and I do think about how it could’ve been better. ]

[whenarrowssing]

So a little story about these icons

Since these were made before HW came out and therefore WELL before /gpose and it’s battle actions update, the process by which I made these was a big. pain. in the ass.

Played songs over and over, moving the camera to different angles. Saved the video to my PS4 hard drive because trying to time screenshots that didn’t look like ass was hard (even despite the fact that this was when the songs had 3 second casts). Transfer to computer. Let photoshop load the video frames into hundreds of layers. Pretend I don’t hear my then-ancient laptop groaning. Let photoshop then process those layers into separate image files. Keep pretending I don’t hear my laptop groaning. Look at each and every one of the hundreds of images and pick out the frames that look the nicest. Crop.

This process took me HOURS (largely because the processing time but yeah).

And thanks to /gpose, I just took a handful of BETTER harp screenshots in a fraction of the time.

Progress is amazing :’D