#kiana plays wayfarer

[galpalaven]

tell us about your wayfarer ocs 🔫. pls 💛

thank u anon lmfao

So, because I always have to be dramatic, let us begin with the fact that there are two Wayfarers in my canon. We have Keziah Briadis, my high-approval Aeran Wayfarer, and Saoirse Cathair, the low-approval snark machine I originally ran to just play the fun flirty and/or annoying options and who I ended up loving in the universe way more than I thought I would so she ended up staying.

Keziah and Saoirse are both half-melusine, though they come from very different backgrounds.

Keziah is a Child of the Seas, and had a relatively happy childhood before her parents were killed by pirates and she was left in the hands of her extended family. They were not kind to her, and she was often either forgotten about or actively abused depending on the person watching her that day and their mood. When Cenric came knocking, her family were all too eager to be rid of her.

Saoirse is a Child of the Fields, and though her childhood was calm and happy, she did grow up poor compared to Keziah. She was loved by her parents, and could have lived a happy life had her parents not decided that the Wayfarers would be better for her--and, though they were loathe to admit, they would be able to live much more company with one less mouth to feed. The parting was hard for baby Saoirse, who didn't really understand why she needed to leave and, though her parents tried to write to her after she left, she grew bitter over time, and eventually cut contact entirely.

Keziah was trained by Amali Sero after they saw something special in her, and Saoirse was trained by Brissa Varyn alongside of Aeran Kellis.

Saoirse and Aeran definitely had a sibling rivalry going during their youth, and Saoirse often still feels the Cain Instinct towards the man. Saoirse and Keziah also have a sibling-like bond, and Saoirse is very protective of Keziah.

Spoilers for Wayfarer Episode 1 below

Rona - Beginning of the Day

The day our story begins, Keziah and Aeran have both headed to the Docks early that morning to ask around for the Crimson Count's missing chalice. The two of them had split up there to cover more ground while looking for information, while Saoirse had woken up a little late and decided to take her time, strolling through town and listening idly to passing conversations. Saoirse is the one that encounters Luthais, the little street urchin who tries to swipe her purse to lure her to Rat Alley at the instructions of Two-Fingers Kane. She takes a shine to him, as he reminds her a lot of her when she was a kid. Gives him her cloak as they chat on the way to the alley. The fight with Kane is short, and she escapes up the tree, to where Keziah and Aeran are apparently waiting, though she is concerned about the fire that is left to ravage the alley because of Kane. Keziah shares this concern, and after a two to one vote (Keziah elbows Aeran while Saoirse smacks him on the back of the head when he says that the fire is someone else's problem lmao) they head for Deadwood. Keziah noticed the ship in the harbour, but became too concerned about Saoirse's lateness to investigate it further.

Deadwood - The Guild

They begin their "investigation" with the Guild to make sure that the fire in Rat Alley is taken care of before it gets out of hand, Aeran dragging his feet the whole way. While all three of them enter the Guild, Aeran ends up dipping out early while Saoirse is talking to Aegineta, and Keziah follows after him in concern. They have a chat about the history of their weapons while Saoirse is in the Guild. Saoirse returns with information to follow up on regarding Flotsam Grove and the Ebony Marquis, who has apparently been missing for a while now. With this knowledge under their belts, they head to The Cove to investigate the dodgy antique salesman Aeran got information on from the Docks. They are also accosted by Malsara after this, but refuse to hear her out.

The Cove

The Cove has been one of Saoirse's favorite places in Rona since they arrived, though they have had very little money to spend at any of the shops. She likes window shopping, and had built up a rapport with some of the shop owners that had kept their little trio supplied when times got rough. They don't end up learning much from Drakehand, though Keziah takes over to try for a more subtle approach compared to Aeran and Saoirse. She finds out a few more leads from him and they go on their merry ways, Saoirse nabbing his weird haunted baby doll idol on the way out. When her friends give her a Look, she just grins and says, "Souvenir." After that, they decide to stop by the shops (Saoirse manages to haggle for the Grappling Hook from the blacksmith), before heading to the South Isle to investigate the Viridian Lady--and follow up on whatever the hell Two-Fingers Kane thought he was doing.

The South Isle

The dreary day continues as they head towards the southern part of the city. By the time they reach the Viridian Lady's gate, both Keziah and Saoirse have no intention of doing anything more extravagant than just knocking on the door and asking to talk to her because fuck working harder when you can just ask politely. Aeran hates this plan and decides to take the grappling hook and climb up the cliffs, to which both girls just look at him blankly like, "Okay? Suit yourself? Don't die." He just rolled his eyes at both of them, clearly convinced he was going to figure it out well and truly before they did. "...think he's gonna fall off the cliff?" "Saoirse." "What? It's an honest questio--OW! Kez!" They are both laughing when the guard finally shows up at the gate, Saoirse having wrapped Keziah in a 'punishment hug' as she calls it. Saoirse takes the lead here, all smiles and confidence, shoulders back, hands in her pockets--the picture of arrogant ease that has made her a master of maneuvering the pitfalls of Rona in the past six months. After speaking with Hera, they all head down to meet the Lady (Aeran included after he crashed through the open window into Hera's office). It goes--fine? Anselma finds Saoirse amusing, though she gets the feeling its more in the way one might find a particularly ugly puppy amusing rather than anything good. They leave with no real leads other than another mention of the Ebony Marquis disappearing in the Grove, as well as a counter-offer from Hera for the chalice. Aeran doesn't know, but both Keziah and Saoirse are interested in the counter-offer rather than following through and giving the cup to the Count. From the South Isle, they finally head back up towards Edgewater to investigate the final set of rumors regarding a missing courier of the Count's.

Edgewater

Their last stop of their day to follow up on leads is the most uneventful. They speak with Madam Grey about Fisher, then with Fisher's sister to find out that he had indeed been transporting things for the Count, and that he was killed by Greendrifts from the Grove (allegedly). After this, the three discuss what they've learned through their investigation. The ultimate conclusion they come to is that there is the most evidence pointing towards Flotsam Grove, and they begrudgingly drag themselves through the muck to hopefully find this stupid cup in time to book the next ship out of here.

Flotsam Grove - The Chalice of Offering

Saoirse is the most unimpressed with the Grove once they really start getting into the swamp, groaning about the bugs and the humidity as they walk. A fog has settled onto the marsh as they approach, making it just that much worse to deal with as they hack their way through the trees and undergrowth. Aeran takes the lead with his elf eyes, both Keziah and Saoirse too done with all of this to put up any kind of argument. When they find the waterway leading into the Grove, the only one willing to actually get in the water to make this whole thing go faster is Saoirse, though Keziah tries to talk her out of it, because she rarely thinks splitting up is a good idea and she has a bad feeling in her gut tonight. Saoirse just shrugs her off, diving into the Grove to scout out for potential leads. This goes smoothly for a bit, until Keziah and Aeran are dragged into the centre of the town and Saoirse realizes that they've gone and got themselves captured. She enlists the help of Luthais, who she'd befriended at the Alley earlier that day and he takes her to where his mother is speaking with Keziah and Aeran. Though Aeran and Saoirse were both trained by Varyn, it's obvious that Saoirse picked up Varyn's silvertongue to a much higher degree than Aeran because, though she is obviously getting on Marea's last nerve, she manages to get the cup from her without a fight. Chalice in hand, they head out of the Grove--though not before Luthais can make a pathetic plea to Saoirse to take him with her. She feels awful, but she bends down and gives him--not a Crown, but a small, round coin of some kind. Tells him it's her lucky coin, that it was one of the only things she still had from when she was a child. One of her family members had given it to her before they'd died, before she'd been taken to join the Order. "Is it really lucky?" A shrug. "Dunno. Probably not real magic since I've been the one handling it for years, but... it got me out of Arsenia. Got me somewhere better. Hold onto it, work hard, and maybe it'll get you out of here someday, too." "...you really can't take me with you?" "'Fraid not, kiddo. Our work is way too dangerous to bring you along right now. But--you know, if you grow up big and strong, who knows? We might run into each other again." He's not really happy with that explanation, but he does close his fingers around the coin, holding it to his chest. He doesn't look at her as he whispers a quiet, dejected, "Okay." Saoirse nudges his chin with her fingers. "Chin up, Tough Guy. If I had to bet on any of these people to get out of Rona by their own hard work, it'd be you. Now, go back to your Ma. She's gonna need your help keeping this place running in the mean time." He nods, offering her one last shaky smile, before the Wayfarers continue on their way. The second she's turned away, Saoirse's face falls as she heaves a slow, deep breath. "I hate this city."

Flotsam Grove - Deal or No Deal

This is where things begin to fall apart. Saoirse is walking, considering the Chalice in her bag, when she says, "We're going to the South Isle next." Aeran rounds on her, obviously pissed, and Keziah sighs as he starts, "Saoirse, we are not--" "The Count's crazy and who knows what the hell he wants to do with this thing. At least with Hera it might do something good." "Since when is making some random fucking noble live forever something good?" Saoirse laughs. "Since when is that worse than whatever the fuck a gang leader with delusions of grandeur wants with something that can grant immortality?" Aeran growls under his breath, turning to Keziah who flinches at the look on his face, looking away from both of them as he gestures wildly at Saoirse. "Ziah, tell her she's being stupid." Keziah looks at him cautiously, and then over at Saoirse, and then-- "HAH! She agrees with me!" "What? She didn't say anything!" "Yeah, 'cuz you're acting like a lunatic." "I'm not--" "Aeran..." Both of them stop talking the second Keziah says something, looking over to find her standing with her arms crossed, gnawing at her lower lip. She shifts her weight anxiously, looking for the right words as recognition dawns on Aeran's face. He groans. Saoirse laughs. "Two to one, man. Majority rules." "Fine. If we die, though, I'm blaming you, Cici." "Oh, I think I can live with that."

The Count's Villa - Dead Man's Gamble

They are, of course, immediately accosted by mercenaries the second they exit the marsh that surrounds the Grove. Rhodarth of the Corsida Brightblades has come to escort them back to the Count's villa, apparently anticipating that they might try to run off with it. Aeran gives Saoirse a Look, to which Saoirse just calmly smiles back at him, and his stomach drops because he knows that look and he knows what's about to happen. It's not a surprise when Saoirse opens her mouth and informs Rho that they did not, in fact, find the chalice, making some quip about impossible timelines when Rho laughs in surprise. Aeran shares an apprehensive look with Keziah when they all start to walk, though she just shoots him a small smile, letting her fingers curl loosely around his when their arms brush for just a moment before pulling away again. It's enough to relax him just a bit as they get closer to the Villa--at least enough that he's willing to sit back and trust that Saoirse can get them out of this alive. Saoirse's silvertongue does them fairly well, as she smoothly lies to the Count about the chalice that is definitely sitting in her pack as they speak. He even seems vaguely impressed by her sheer nerve as she stares him down as he threatens her. For a moment, it almost seems like they're going to get out of this--until the Count asks for their permanent service. Saoirse, for what it's worth, has no outward reaction to this aside from a thoughtful tilt of her head. Her face is a perfectly trained mask of indifference, maybe a little curiosity--that was the one thing she'd gotten from Varyn's training that Aeran never had. The ability to play a part so well that even her closest allies wouldn't be able to tell when she's lying. It, in the end, doesn't matter. The Count deems them apparently useless when Saoirse asks that he either let her companions work with them or let them go. She's not worth the trouble - and he promptly dumps them into a trap door below their feet, sending them tumbling into some kind of pond or lake below the floor. And, of course, sets his pet basilisk on them. Rhodarth, to all of their surprises, helps them fight the thing. Unfortunately, Keziah manages to get herself bit at some point, and, though they manage to kill the thing together, she's not doing very well where she takes shelter on the nearby stairs. She's doing even worse when the Count strides down the stairs, sneering at her as he steps around her. He has no interest in fighting them further--apparently defeating his creature was enough to win them their freedom. Rhodarth, however, is still bound by a blood oath--and when he decides to try and kill the Count on the hope that it's been broken, it's not like any of them can stand around and watch him die. Keziah, injured as she is, makes an attempt to stab the Count from behind--but he hears her coming, and rounds on her. His sword goes through the upper part of her chest, coming out of her shoulder. She drops a moment later, out cold, and Saoirse curses under her breath as she rushes in. The Count sneers, moving to sidestep so that he can watch her cry over her friend. Unfortunately for him, that is exactly what she wanted him to do, eyes on Keziah until the very last moment, when she reaches out and wraps her arm around his neck, shoving his head down roughly to meet the sharp end of her blade which cuts through his neck with a sickening crunch. The Count is dead. Keziah is still not moving.

The Dareia - From the Frying Pan...

...and into the fire. Zenaida Anaxas and her little gang are a welcome sight, for once, as Aeran clutches a bleeding Keziah to his chest. There isn't much argument to be found from either Wayfarer. Rhodarth says his goodbyes quickly, still alive, and the rest of them head for Zenaida's ship. For a moment, they feel that they're maybe finally out of their run of bad luck, before they realize that they have a line of Aeda ready to open fire on them approaching the docks. Saoirse groans, rubbing her bloody hands on her face, before shoving Aeran towards the door to below deck, with a sharp command to stabilize Keziah until Saoirse can look after her properly. Saoirse is the one that steps in with the Viridian Lady, offering her the chalice in exchange for their safe departure from Rona. She thanks whatever gods may be listening that the power of love is enough to save their hides tonight, as the Lady lets them go without a fight. Zenaida starts to say something, but Saoirse is already rushing towards where Aeran had gone. Pardon, Your Grace, but my friend is bleeding out. It's a long few hours as Saoirse and one of the mages--Malsara, she said her name was?--work to bandage Keziah. The basilisk venom, though not as fatal to a Wayfarer as it would be to someone else, had still done a number on her. There was nothing to be done for it except to manage her fever and keep it from climbing too much, stopping the bleeding where they can until her body can properly clot again. By the time they've finally stabilized her, Saoirse is covered in blood and sweat, sticky all over and aching. When she steps out of the room, she finds Aeran sat on a crate nearby, rising to his feet with worry. She smiles at him, gestures to the door and says he can go in if he wants. Keziah will be okay with rest. He lets out a breath loud enough that its possible he'd been holding his breath that whole time, before a shadow passes over his face, and his jaw clenches. "You should go see what Her Majesty wants. I'm sure it's nothing good." "You haven't talked to her." "Did you want me to talk to her?" "I... well, no." "Right." Which... was fair. It's a good thing he doesn't go with Saoirse to talk to Zenaida, probably. Saoirse likes to be quite sweet with nobility to get the best possible deal out of them, whether or not she means most of it, and the ease with which she agrees to the whole thing is... well, he'd have been pissed. And he's already pissed at her as it is, so he didn't need any fuel for that fire. He is, as expected, annoyed when she eventually tells him the deal, though 9,000 Crowns is nothing to sneeze at and it's enough that he just sighs and mumbles something about hoping Keziah takes it okay. Which she does. When she wakes up a few days later, she's okay with it. She trusts Saoirse, and if Aeran seems okay with it as well, then it's probably fine. As long as they're out of Rona. She's equally as relieved when she finds out that Saoirse was the main person who fixed her up, though the random mage who helped doesn't make her feel gREAT. Everything feels topsy turvy, and she's so tired, but at least they are all still together. She and Aeran nearly kiss on the boat, before being interrupted. It's... it's a lot. Everything is a lot. And now they're heading for the Arathian Empire to steal an Astrial. At least they're together, is the opinion she eventually settles on, leaning into Aeran's side on the deck. Saoirse leans on the rail next to them, shooting Keziah a smirk that makes Keziah blush, but they say nothing. Now, the waiting game begins.

Velantis awaits.

[galpalaven]

thinkin about saoirse and [redacted] someday, when they're still doing their casual hook up thing but its getting less casual and theyre both realizing they have feelings. one night she's in their bed and it's different tonight for some reason--their touches linger, they kiss her a little longer, a little softer, and then

"are you mine, wayfarer?"

the yes is out of her mouth before she can even think about it

another yes comes later, when they wrap their arms around her waist before she can slip out of bed and murmur a quiet "stay?" into the hollow beneath her ear

[galpalaven]

ajsfkdlsjf???? i restarted wayfarer with a different character and sahara has just completely bypassed episode 1 i think?? ma'am??

[galpalaven]

aeran my guy pissing off my OCs is not a good idea

[galpalaven]

Played low approval Aeran on Saoirse’s run of Wayfarer and let me just say that boy is lucky that he is still breathing fjdkdjd like. Sir??? Sir

[galpalaven]

saoirse in wayfarer be like -gets attached to random npc that is not going to ever show up again probably-

[galpalaven]

wayfarer patch came out and saoirse has decided this time that shes going to give aeran what for ksldfj they have already fought twice and we are not even off of the boat yet

[galpalaven]

bro the map in wayfarer?? is so fucking cool??

[galpalaven]

OKAY WELL UHHH LMAO

[galpalaven]

i keep pissing aeran off jfkdlsfjs

[galpalaven]

im laughing i keep fucking getting the little "aeran didn't like that" notification on the side of my screen