#the Sharlayan and the Garlean

[astarmaux]

Draw over Barbie meme featuring Saedre Astarmaux and Arcuris Rilanox. The characters belong to myself and my boyfriend of our FFXIV OCs. Saedre, the Sharlayan Scholar and Arcuris, the Garlean Bad Boy.

Arcuris belongs to @voidtekarc!

[seaseren]

Ok I said "we infected Alphinaud with the wanderlust" but he already had it. Hos grandfather infected him. His own ambitions infected him. I don't think there was ever a future for Alphinaud where he just stays in Sharlayan.

[withheartsaligned]

"ah, the newfound hero of the bozjan resistance... you really think you can take on the reaper of the IVth imperial legion?"

[voidsentprinces]

We regret to inform; The Grand Eorzean Alliance, the Eastern United Front, the Sharlayan Council, Satrap of Thavnair, Garlean Remnants, as well as the Students of Baldesion, the Heads of Resolve and Reason. That the Warrior of Light cannot presently attend the current overarching calamity that is threatening the face of Etheirys, for the seventeenth time, this morning. Because their bed is warm and they are easily seduced by the eepy.

[anneapocalypse]

On wards and the Waking Sands.

Edited to add: Please look at this version of the post, as there's some additional context I neglected to include in the original post.

I can't say whether this was intended, but there's something very interesting, and somewhat heartbreaking, about looking at the Garlean attack on the Waking Sands in light of certain plot points in the Warring Triad storyline.

In the latter, Urianger takes great pains to ward the containment bays on Azys Lla specifically so that the Garleans sniffing around the isles can't get into them and take control of the primals contained within. So certain is he that his wards are impassable by Garlean invaders that when they get past them regardless, he figures out pretty quickly that someone else must have taken them down, and that that someone is Unukalhai.

I wove the ward in accordance with the most closely guarded teachings of the archmages of Sharlayan. Naught was left to chance. Naught.

It's not surprising to me that Urianger, an Archon and arcanist, would have knowledge of such things. What is notable is that there were seemingly no such wards upon the Waking Sands when Livia sas Junius marched through its doors in ARR, slaughtering most of the Scions present and taking Minfilia and several others--those others including two Archons and talented mages--captive.

The Garlean attack has always stood out to me as highlighting the weaknesses in the Scions' operations in ARR. Far from mentioning any magical wards, Minfilia's shock is that Livia knew where to look for them at all. Clearly, the Scions believed their headquarters to be a far better-kept secret than it actually was, and this is well before the defeat of the Ultima Weapon thrusts them into the public eye. (In fact, after playing through this myself for the first time, every time I was called back to the Waking Sands thereafter I kept shouting at my screen, "NO! That location is compromised!" 😂)

It speaks to how the Scions had been operating before and during ARR, I think, that they really seemed to have believed secrecy alone would protect them.

And I can't help thinking of how this particular mistake must have haunted Urianger, in particular. After the bloody banquet, it's noted that he has cast a glamour over the Waking Sands to make it appear abandoned--a spell which Tataru says he has been preparing since the Garlean attack.

Though he rarely speaks of it, I think there's no doubt the attack affected him. I've written before of how I think this incident contributes to Urianger's subsequent downward spiral, considering that prior to the attack we see him socializing with many of the Scions who are later killed by Livia's troops. In light of the magicks he later employs specifically against the Garleans, I cannot help but think he probably holds himself responsible for failing to protect his friends and colleagues, one of many regrets that drive his later actions.

[mist-touchedxiv]

What's In Your OC's Bag?

Just for fun/character details, here are some things that Loksen keeps on his person as he adventures.

Feel free to list some of your OCs'!

Hyotan gourd: Usually carries some nice sake when he can get it or water. The sake is usually infused with Aether to aid in recovery and also ignite to great effect

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Survival knife: A Wood-warder's best friend. From hunting to crafting to shoveling to building, it's as precious to Loksen as a limb. A gift from his father.

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Loksen's Bow: A Wood-warder's weapon. Tweaked and perfected and sometimes rebuilt over the years by Loksen. His praeternatural skill with it has earned the respect and admiration of the Gods' Quiver and Woodwailers of Gridania. From hunting to combat, it has been a vital part of his life for as long as he can remember.

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Straw Hat: Keeps his head dry in the rain and the sun out of his eyes. Has small slits for his long leoporine ears.

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Small ceruleum cartridges: Cartridges about the size of an adult's thumb with refined ceruleum. Used to power the modified quickdraw scabbard he utilizes for his blade. Something like the above photo, but with glowing blue piping.

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Hand fishing rod: A small fishing rod and assorted bait. Growing up amongst the waterways of the Skatay Range, Loksen is an avid fisherman and likes to be prepared for when the opportunity arises to do some angling. For sport, for survival, for gil, he's always ready.

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Garlean gunblade: A strange blade for a samurai, Loksen sometimes keeps it wrapped in a large cloth when he's not on a job that requires his sword skills to avoid unwanted attention. From the numerous folks with an understandable grudge against Garlemald who would mistaken the wanderer for an enemy and would want to strike first, ask questions later to Garleans who would be outright disgusted and enraged that an Eorzean savage would have possession of such an honored Imperial weapon. The gunblade has been modified to be suitable for use as a samurai weapon.

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Book of Viera romance poetry: An object that would be of great interest to Sharlayan literary scholars that offers insight into the romantic lives of the notoriously secretive Viera, as those who have left the Green Word tend to embrace the culture of their new homes. Loksen found this among the refuse of the Ossuary, a find that was overlooked due the largely unfamiliar Viera written language. Despite a bit of an aversion to more academic pursuits, Loksen has a great love for the familiar poetry of his people, which ranges from the sentimental beauty of longing to the titillating erotica that has warmed him on lonely, cold nights.

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Kiseru pipe: A nasty habit, but the fragrant smoke helps to dull his extremely strong sense of smell when necessary. Plus, it's nice after a good meal or sex.

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@amalthea-felsblood @thefreelanceangel @chadhunkler @umari-xiv @upatreewithoutaharness @rinakagane @selnyam @roguestly @lal-ffxiv @vasheden @astrology-bf @dasulqui @duskmother

Whetstones

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What's in your bag?

[uldahstreetrat]

Im trying to take note of real world influences in XIV for some projects going forward, like languages used in areas (French names in Ishgard, Roman terms in Garlemald) or like in aesthetics I suppose (like Radz-at-han in particular reminds me of Istanbul), and I'd like to hear others' thoughts about those kinds of influences that they've noticed

(little more context on things im working on under the cut)

right now this has a lot to do with things like stamps lmao I have in fact gotten kinda into stamp collecting now and I'd like to design some for XIV areas based on similar irl counterpart countries? like regular stamps and stuff like a sort of Garlean version of US postal war savings stamps? so having irl countries to reference for stamp styles would be helpful to like figure that stuff out

and honestly all of this is just part of making a physical copy of Q'ihnn's journal more complicated than it needs to be but never let it be said that I dont have a love of unnecessarily dense world building

plus by having a list of reference countries I can also build out other kinds of like, souvenirs? in the journal from the places visited across msq - a lot of things I see people keep in journals, especially travel ones, are stuff like wrappers or other packaging, pieces of maps, receipts (that's its own rabbit hole ive gone down), ticket stubs, and other various little paper things along with photos and drawings (which are much easier to manage in comparison)

cause a lot of this shit doesnt extensively exist within the game often beyond a mention in a stray line of dialogue or two so there's advantages to having irl cultural and historical reference to make something that feels real - plus im often off in lala fantasy land in my head because im stuck at home a lot, im not exactly well traveled, so im sure its easy for me to miss especially like language use in certain areas (I didnt even notice how French Ishgardian names were until someone else made a joke about it, it just doesnt occur to me)

like some of these influences are fairly obvious, right, like Doma and Kugane being Japanese inspired and Greek influence around Sharlayan (which the Greek/Roman dichotomy that Sharlayan and Garlemald have going on is its own whole thing I could go into btw they're so similar yet different in such interesting ways) - but places like Ul'dah?? not a clue. Ala Mhigo? no idea. The Crystarium and Eulmore in the first??? oh I'd put my head through a wall trying to thing of a real world counterpart for reference

granted now having said that someone is going to point out something obvious that I just entirely missed some way or another lmao but like that's why im asking, right? anyway if you have nerd ass thoughts too just hit me up

[unionizedwizard]

going through endwalker MSQ on my 2d character and there's something crazy going on about corvos like

-> garleans claim to be originally from corvos (that they call locus amoenus. which is a whole thing that would deserve its own 10000 words essay but anyway) before they got "kicked out" by "the corvosi" (?). to this day they still dream of "going back" and the infamous radio song/national anthem is a reference to this project (even though corvos is currently under imperial rule...?)

-> g'raha is from corvos. his tribe has been living there for centuries after the fall of the allagan empire, in order to protect the allagan ruins and artefacts from being used by a new aggressive imperialist nation (hence the allagan eye), and was sent to sharlayan as a safety measure when garlemald invaded corvos (within his lifetime)

-> according to a researcher in meryall agronomics, labyrinthos was modelled on corvos, because its unique, favorable and varied climate was deemed ideal for experimentating on different biomes and growing/creating new types of plants (also it's clearly supposed to be italy (and rome). g'raha italian-coded confirmed)

-> according to g'raha himself (and very obviously), the crystarium and its various locally-grown crops/greenhouses meant to breed and safeguard new strains of plants (necessary endeavor for survival in a post-apocalyptic world) was directly inspired from sharlayan, including labyrinthos

-> while this was, as far as i know, not directly confirmed in canon, i'm pretty sure we can assume that labyrinthos was modelled on elpis (aka the original locus amoenus) thanks to hydaelyn's intervention & her orders to the loporrits

conclusion: ???? everyone is weirdly obsessed with the mysterious and secretive fantasy italy to the point it's literally haunting the narrativeTM and a major reason for the plot to keep moving. and so i'm pretty sure we'll have a corvos-themed expansion soon enough

[myreia]

wip wednesday on thursday

tagged by @anneapocalypse, thank you! 💕 tagging @quad-weave @galadae @roguelioness @lilbittymonster @sirotras @tsunael ����✨

More of this pre-UT fight. *sigh*

Aureia grits her teeth as he turns a corner, leading the way up the hill to the Baldesion Annex. It wasn’t that long ago that she made this climb for the first time, one snowy night when he was eager to show her the sights…

“Thancred, please! Wait—”

“You’ve done more than enough explaining—”

She pushes up the hill, calves burning from the effort, and dives ahead of him. “Please,” she whispers frantically, standing in his way. “Please. I don’t want to fight about this—”

His jaw clenches. “Nor do I—”

“Then why are we?”

Thancred stills, his hands thrust deep in his pockets, and he looks away—out over the hill, following the river to the bay. Snow swirls about him  as the glow of a nearby lantern filters gently through his hair, outlining his profile in a hazy gold. If she didn’t know him as well as she does, she would say he looks at peace, as if taking this moment to reflect on himself this night before everything changes.

But she knows that look and it is the furthest thing from contemplative.

“Perhaps you know the answer to that,” he says at last, his voice hollow. “It seems all we ever do now is fight.”

She lowers her gaze, eyes trained on the ground at his feet, and wraps her arms tight around herself. Guilt wrings deep in her heart, twisting over and over and over again until it is an impossible knot that cannot be undone. This is her fault. It’s always her fault. Every argument they have had, every quarrel that has raised its ugly head… The secrets she kept from him when she took up a Reaper’s armament, the way she morphed into an unrecognizable version of herself on the ice-crusted fields of Garlemald, how she nearly ended their marriage after Zenos stole her body—it’s always her actions and her words that are at the source of their grief.

Actions and words that come from a battered and bruised soul, breaking beneath the weight of a world’s burdens.

Maybe she is not strong enough to deserve him.

Maybe she never has been.

“You were the one who asked me to speak,” Aureia whispers to the howl of the wind.

Thancred bows his head. “Aye. That I did.”

“Why ask if you could not bear to hear the answer?”

He fall silent and looks away, unable to meet her gaze.

They’ve always been a mismatched pair. The rogue and the black mage. The Sharlayan archon and the Garlean solider. The faithful and the faithless. Different backgrounds, different philosophies, different points of view. Different lives. Even within their marriage, they’ve been incompatible. Adventurers, wandering independently from one another, with separate goals. Him, the lover who loves through touch and physical intimacy. Her, whose desires bloom late and often go forgotten in favour of other pastimes.

They should not be together. They do not fit perfectly, like old souls calling to one another from the echoes of past lives. And yet here they are, bound together by shared trust. An unspoken promise that has grown over a past decade of joy and grief, triumph and strife, to prove one certain truth: they are better together than they are alone. And if that unshakeable faith ever erodes…

She blinks, terror rising like bile in her throat. She can’t lose him—not like this. Never like this.

Maybe you should have just kept your mouth shut and kept on smiling like everyone expects you to.

The thought is savage. Whether the anger is at herself or him or their friends or every last damn person on this star praising Hydaelyn’s name, she doesn’t know.

“Because it is—” Thancred cuts off and exhales a long breath, attempting to cool the sudden flare of anger. He runs a hand over his mouth and jaw, stalling for time as he musters his words, as if he is straining against an idea that cannot be. “Because the very things you are questioning… I do not know if I can stand with you while you do so.”

“Why? What do you want me to think?”

“I don’t know—”

“Then think of something. Tell me—”

“I don’t know!” He raises his head, staring up the incline to meet her gaze. Even he cannot hide the fear and pain behind the dark look in his eyes. He is as terrified as she is. “By the gods, Aureia, think whatever you wish—save this. Anything but this. I am begging you—”

“Why?! Of all the gods, primals, spirits or whatever you want to call them, why believe in her?”

“Why don’t you?”

[astarmaux]

If anyone can help see you through this, then let it be me. ...let it be me.

@voidtekarc

[eidingate]

Roevember Day 15: Pride

Excerpt from a letter to a little sister: I admit it: in the darker nights, when we huddled beneath the tiniest outcropping while rain puddled at our feet, when our days and nights were shaken by Garlean explosions just out of view, when we lived off cold meals because a campfire would have risked the attention of a passing patrol, I imagined this place. I pictured our parents gathering up the whole crew and boarding a ship, and in the dawn's light we'd open our eyes to see the shining white city of Old Sharlayan opening up to us like an oyster shell. Our grandparents would welcome fatyr back and give us a place in their grand home. They'd send us to the Studium to study history and magic and machinery, and everyone would marvel at the things we knew, the languages we spoke, the places we had seen, and every day there would be hot food and dry socks and not a soldier's uniform in sight.  They nearly turned me away at the gates. They saw the weapon on my hip and their opinion of me was calcified before I'd even opened my mouth. I recognized the word forming in their heads, the word that they are too polite to speak aloud, the same word spat at us by Garlean lips: barbarian.  An unexpected familiarity in a place I once dreamed of calling home.  It would be so trivially easy to paint them a prettier picture. I am proud to call more than one former Sharlayan family, and I know their speech and mannerisms so well that the Forum itself would mistake me for one born and raised here. I could hide my blades behind gentle smiles and meticulous manners. I have done it so many times before.  I find I have little taste for it this time. If my presence brings discomfort to their pleasant days, all the better.

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

XVI AU background (work in progress)

(in a nutshell)

I realized I never put up a basic background for the XVI AU, so I'm remedying that! Please note things are subject to change!

Ancient Era:

Men have the ability to transform into alternate forms. When the Sundering takes place, these forms are severed from their creators and linger in the Lifestream. Eventually they start making their way back to the shards of their creators.

Age of Allag

An unknown primal manifests in a young girl. Both are taken up by Xande’s scientists, and soon there is a new addition to the Allagan scientific horror roster: Dominants and the forms they can assume, which would become known as Eikons. A massive eugenics program is soon underway, 'seeding' many Allagan citizens are with the aetheric potential for their descendants to become Dominants. In desperation, the Warring Triad begins to adopt the practice of manifesting in a chosen summoner, but they eventually are defeated, captured, and imprisoned by Xande.

Fourth Umbral Era to Sixth Astral Era

Slowly the population of Dominants and their Eikons increases, to the point where Dominants can now be utilized as a kingdom’s primary defense. In some nations, Dominants are revered and honored. In others they are feared and hunted. The city-states of Eorzea very slowly begin to fall into the latter category.

1550’s

In the year 1522, the leader of the Republic of Garlemald, Solus Galvus, declares himself emperor and issues an imperial decree commanding the death of all Dominants and Eikons on the star, deeming them a dangerous threat.

Imperial spies infiltrate Sharlayan, and influence a faction of the Forum into creating a laboratory known as Site Sixteen. The Dominant bloodline of Thaliak is kidnapped and is killed off as a result of the Garleans starting to study ways to fight back against Eikons. Thaliak’s Eikonic shard is forced to flee to a new aether-strong bloodline…and chooses the Leveilleur family. With the death of his original line, all work in Site Sixteen comes to a standstill.

Limsa Lominsa, Ul’dah, and Gridana, in addition to enforcing laws against Dominants and Eikons, soon find themselves entrenched in warfare between themselves and the elemental tribes.

In Hingashi, the Mitsurugi Clan begins rounding up and imprisoning Dominants, both in their own nation and in Doma. By the time the Empire conquers Doma, all but one Dominant/Eikon pair have been captured by the Mitsurugis. Four powerful auspices take refuge in the Ruby Sea, and successfully hide themselves from the Mitsurugis and Ascian meddling.

Almost every single Dominant/Eikon bloodline in Ilsabard is presumed to have been wiped out as the Empire advances.

seventh umbral calamity happens.

The Scions of the Seventh Dawn are formed, both to protect the realm from Garlean invasion, and to act as champions for those the Empire would persecute. In a notable departure from the Eorzean city states themselves, the Scions extend this protection to Dominants, providing them with safety and sanctuary. This stance is further legitimized by the presence of the Dominant of Hydaelyn, Minfila Warde.

[sebille]

Everytime I'm reminded of how Zenos showed up in sharlayan I'm just like

Did he waltz into limsa lominsa and no one stopped him???? Did NO ONE see the giant schyte-wielding Garlean and thought

Huh

That's .... something.

[voidsentprinces]

Reminder: A Realm Reborn wasn't particularly about us. It was about the Eorzean Factions, it was about the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and their interactions with and thwarting Gaius and the XIVth Legion. We were just a useful champion slowly growing to fame but not truly a Warrior of Light until literally the prelude to the Castrum raiding mission.

The Parting of Glass wasn't about us either. It was, once again, about the world. And how it had begun changing after Gaius's fall and the brief period of peace away from Garlemald's Shadow. About Alphinaud beginning his arc of growth with hubris and the creation the Crystal Braves and what it might of looked like IF the Scion's good nature was lent to anyone and everyone. And thus opening itself up to the very corruption Minfilia feared to move away from the Waking Sands and to the Rising Stones in the first place.

Heavensward isn't about us. It is about Alphinaud's continue growth, learning of Ishgard's past and history. Hubris, arrogance and narrow viewing lead Alphinaud to steps of the Foundation, it has lead Estinien astray and made Ysayle believe she is a messiah incarnate. And through the journey, each of them grow as they learn the terrible truth about the Dragonsong War. Estinien in particular has his eyes opened and no longer simply seeks revenge on Nidhogg but to get to the bottom of it all. So no other shepherd's son has to live as he has. Ysayle learns she is a shade and a faux Shiva not truly Hraesvelgr's beloved or even in the same category as her. She learns swallow such delusions and embrace what Saint Shiva stood for in its entirety. Which means leaning to lay the road for peace between Ishgard and the Dragons and opening a path to this by sacrificing herself for those she loved so dearly. Alphinaud learns from all of this and more and is humbled by the duty of a knight, the fervor of a dragoon, the sacrifice of a saint, and the courage of his companions and of Sharlayan's arrogance from Master Matoya. To put others before himself and allow others to support him when he falls.

The Far Edge of Fate isn't about us. It was about how Ishgard carries on after Thordan and the Heavens Ward are shown to be the monsters they are. How the remnants of the church, the knights of Ishgard, and the civilian population react to the realization with rejection. How facing off against Nidhogg possessing Estinien, the Warriors of Darkness, and the machinations of Ilberd force Eorzea and Ishgard to look inward and know truly where they should go from there. To ignore the easier road and take the higher path no matter the strife and hardship it provides them. Because when they reach the otherside they would be better for it. Finding that courage, after five years of procrastinating and hemming and hawing, the Eorzean Alliance finally begin to mobilize to free Ala Mhigo from Garlemald and perhaps take on the Empire itself.

Stormblood isn't about us. It is about Doma and Ala Mhigo fighting for the survival of their people and cultures. Facing the parts of their society that were spurned and used as tools of hatred against their principles. That provided the necessary cracks required for Garlemald to break them down and oppress them in the first place. And how reforging under those values and those long histories of violence can make a new path and come to terms to over throw the tyrants who fed on their weakened states and make a strong unity still.

A Requiem of Heroes wasn't about us, it was about the world facing down the barrel of war with Garlemald. And uncovering its origins, its founding father was an Ascian. How Varis is forced to face down the lie as Elidibus wears the skin of his son and the great grandfather he and other Garleans were taught was a walking god in all but name was a sham and a daemon bent on causing more pain and suffering than mankind ever deserved. How the effigies of hate and pain choose to use their fervor to help their people instead of turning against them once more. How every person can change and be given a second chance. How that second chance is what that person requires or if they are pushed the wrong direction, can caused tragedy to unfold. And lastly, it is about our companions, slowly. One by one. Being dragged to the unknown. The story slowly taking away the players on the stage until finally...

Shadowbringers was about us. It was about how we were instrumental to the world so much that it lost nearly all hope in another timeline. How a group of your fondest friends began and how your comrade's furthest decendents acting on the hope of your legend and stories. To provide a plan of action and lead to happier world. How even when everything seems lost and gone and your purpose seems to turned everything around you into twisted monstrosities. That you can bring the night and wait in comfort for a dawn to bring better days. And the tenacity of your aid providing a world on the brink, the love, the compassion, the understanding, the strength, and the will to stand up to a flood of destruction and spit fate in the eye. Even it costs them everything, they keep fighting until they can see a brighter tomorrow.

Death unto Dawn was about what the tomorrow brings. How it could be another fight but to find what is WORTH fighting for. The memories of those you fight and lived amongst, old studies and things of the past being made to provide the answer to the future, making right wrongs even against those you had wronged unfairly, and to gather together and keep each other safe. You are not alone out here. There are those who will help you along to a brighter future.

Endwalker was about you and yours. About how everyone reacts to an uncertain future in different manners. How some would make ready to flee at the approaching storm, while others would fight, and others might even push you further to the edge. But even when all is lost, call upon the memory of happier times to light the way with hearts aligned shining brilliantly against despair and finding your place amongst those memories.

Growing Light was about us teaching another to hear, feel, and think and experience the world seemingly gone. That everything needn't be give or take. It can be a charitable, warmer place if we make it. It can be kinder and even in the face of unrelenting and undying destruction. Hope will spit out a tooth and stand up once more.

I say all of this because, I've seen people mad that Dawntrail is leaning hard about being about Wuk Lamat and others. To which I say so what if Dawntrail is about Wuk Lamat and Koana? So what if its not about us? We've had four story lines about us. Now we must impart what we've learned to the future as they face similar and sometimes overwhelming odds. To stand tall against the onslaught and make their own choices, their own way to bring a smile to all they hold dear. How family needn't be blood related, they can just be a group who sit down at the table at the end of the day. And speak, laugh, cry, and love. Unto this trail to dawn we shall light way for the future of our world and everything this new dawn brings is worth it.

[hazelkjt]

OC Introductory Post

Hello, and thank you for stopping by my blog! I'm Hazel and this is my main character for everything FFXIV related, from raiding to rp'ing. My pronouns are he/him, I'm an early 20's college student still trying to figure out what to do with my life, but I'm getting there!

I had mentioned this before but I'll reiterate it here: this blog was originally just for my main FFXIV OC, Hazel Kha, but because trying to manage multiple blogs was pushing me away from doing anything with these character I'm consolidating this one to have all of my OCs on it rather than just one. Those old blogs will remain up to keep the content from disappearing but I will not be utilizing them anymore. I'm sorry if you followed me here exclusively for the Hazel stuff, she will still be the main focus of most of my posts here but there will be others posted up here and there.

I'm situated on Zalera (Crystal) and spend most of my time either raiding or taking GPose shots, but regardless I look forward to seeing everyone's creativity here on the Tumbles.

Anyways, onto the intro bits to them all below the Read More

Hazel Kha

Age: 25

Race: Xaela Au Ra

Height: 6'4"/193cm

Nameday: 25th Sun of the First Umbral Moon (February 22nd)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Sexuality: Bisexual

Ships: Hazero (Hazel x Zero) / Emmazel (Hazel & Emmanellain)

A young hunter and warrior of the Kha tribe, Hazel is a proud daughter of the Azim Steppe who has always longed to see more, to do more. Through her mother's collection of foreign books and literature she came to daydream and wonder of the lands beyond the Steppe. Her desire for adventure high a fever pitch when coming into possession of a wandering samurai's soul crystal, and all the memories and knowledge it contained. She would hold on to the stone dearly for years, until one fateful day she had a chance encounter of a lifetime and through it found her way across the waters to Eorzea. After arriving she found herself under the employment of the Sharlayan scholar Nolanel Corbeaux, working as both research assistant and hired hand to help defend against threats. Not long after Hazel finds herself under the tutelage of Lia Amelune of Ishgard, retired Dragoon and head of her own noble house. Extremely curious and adventurous by nature, Hazel's love of the unknown is matched only by her competitiveness. Idealistic and prideful, Hazel takes to each new day with excitement and wonder in her eye.

Claire Ashe (Claire Bas Syndris)

Age: 29

Race: Garlean

Height: 6'2"/188cm

Nameday: 17th Sun of the Third Astral Moon (May 17th)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Sexuality: Lesbian

Ships: Cla’naago (Claire x M’naago)

A pureblooded Garlean who spent most of her childhood and teenage years living in Ala Mhigo under Garlean occupation. She grew up befriending many of the Ala Mhigan children there without her parents knowing. After her two closest friends were beaten to death in the streets, Claire revoked her family name and fled the city, no longer disillusioned by the Garlean propaganda she was fed her entire life. She traveled to Ul'dah and came into contact with the Lemures, where she was then trained by Drusilla as a Reaper. With her training and pact with the Voidsent Sidian, Claire aided in the revolution to liberate Ala Mhigo from Garlean control. She now works aboard the merchant ship The Enduring Deeds as a deckhand and the ship's main cook. She wears a bandana at all times to hide her third eye, paranoid over the general consensus most people have of Garleans. She puts up a cold and harsh exterior, which as of this point might not be as much of an act anymore, but underneath is a truly kind soul afraid of being hurt and hurting others just from existing.

Derrinall Evramont

Age: 33 (physically)

Race: Duskwight Elezen (also Ashkin/Undead)

Height: 6'7"/200.6cm

Nameday: 9th Sun of the First Astral Moon (January 9th)

Gender: Male (He/Him)

Sexuality: Pansexual

Derrinall Evramont originally lived during the final years of Gelmorra. His family were that of knights, dedicated to serving the people, though unfortunately his life was not lost in service of this oath. Sickness claimed him a few years before the total fall of Gelmorra, his soul adrift yet still holding strong to his memory and sense of self for centuries...that is, until he was brought back to the star for reasons he did not know. When he awoke again he wandered the ruins of the crypt he was buried in, eventually stumbling upon two he would learn to be kindred spirits, in a way. The two strangers helped him to recover even as he kept his personal information close to his chest, eventually pointing him to work and housing in Ishgard. He found work under Lia Amelune, both as house servant and a member of the House's ranks of knights. Derrinall's previous experience as a knight of Gelmorra saw him quickly rise through the ranks to become Captain, a title he holds with pride and only the occasional harassment of the Lady he serves.

E'venna Zekiel

Age: 22

Race: Seeker of the Sun Miqo'te

Height: 5'4"/162cm

Nameday: 3rd Sun of the Sixth Astral Moon (November 3rd)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Sexuality: Straight

E'venna Zekiel is the eldest daughter of five children. After her father was tempered by Ifrit and subsequently killed, she took it upon herself to help her mother care for her younger siblings, specifically her triplet younger sisters. It wasn't an easy road to get where she and her family are now, especially in a place such as Ul'dah. E'venna began her "career" in back alley fights, as she had always been scrappy in a brawl. After getting into an impromptu fight outside the Pugilist's Guild she was offered membership, and upon joining took it upon herself to partake in Coliseum matches. The shine of her golden hair is matched only by her bright smile and optimistic personality. Combined with her unorthodox and playful fighting style in matches and soon E'venna had earned her the nickname "The Dancing Coeurl" from dedicated fans of her's. Her tournament winnings are a major boon to the family, with it they are able to put the three youngest through a formal education. Her family members almost all strongly disapprove of E'venna's line of work she can't imagine herself doing anything but. She's found her place, and that's in the ring.

Exploding Goldfish

Age: 36

Race: Hellsguard Roegadyn

Height: 7'2"/218cm

Nameday: 30th Sun of the Third Umbral Moon (June 28th)

Gender: Male (He/Him)

Sexuality: AroAce

Exploding Goldfish, simply known as "Fish" by most everyone, was born to a family of miners in Uldah. Throughout his life he was surrounded by heavy machinery, sparking a lifelong love of machines and inventing. His youth was spent learning everything he could about technology. His studies eventually paid off and he scored the job of his dreams working as part of Garlond Ironworks...for a while. An accident during a project cost Fish partial vision in his left eye and his position in the company. Scarred and humiliated, he drifted for months before finally finding secure work and pay at Wolves' Den Pier. Fish spent his time maintaining the machines used in "Rival Wings" competitions, and when he wasn't working on repairs he was drowning his self-pity in alcohol. It wasn't all for nothing, however. While at Wolves' Den, Fish chanced upon meeting a scrawny Viera living under the pier; Qara Wen. It took some coaxing but eventually Fish was able to befriend him, and over time that friendship evolved into brotherhood. And so when Fish was recruited to join the merchant ship The Enduring Deeds, his one request was that Qara be welcomed aboard as well.

Perseverance "Percy" Kha

Age: 10

Race: Midlander Hyur

Height: 4'0"/122cm

Nameday: 31st Sun of the Second Astral Moon (March 30th)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

A certain time, and a certain place...where a certain young spark was chosen to light the way. It is in this reality that a young girl lost everything. Her family was killed, and even her memory of them were taken from her. She was rescued from the same fate as her mother and father by the Warrior of Light, Hazel Kha. With no one else left alive to raise the child Hazel became Percy's guardian, and slowly accepted her place as the child's new mother figure. Hazel has been slowly acclimating the young girl to her new life, hoping to be able to deliver the childhood she deserves. Perseverance has grown to love reading, a pastime brought about by Hazel's own love of literature. Thanks to her favorite genre being heroic fantasy and also viewing her new mother as a larger than life hero, Percy has become fascinated with the idea of being a hero herself once she grows older. She is soft spoken, quiet, and quite blunt when she does speak, but Percy does have a good heart. What the future holds for her only time will tell, but thanks to the love of her new family, Perseverance's future is shining bright.

Lanwa Carmine

Age: 19

Race: Hhetsarro Miqo’te

Height: 5'0"/152.5cm

Nameday: 2nd Sun of the Sixth Umbral Moon (December 2nd)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Sexuality: Polyamorous Pansexual

Growing up in the lap of luxury, Lanwa had always just wanted excitement in her life. Her childhood was one of privilege and excess, but it wasn’t ever enough to satisfy her. Quite the rebellious child growing up, Lanwa joined a street gang when she was 15. There she caused a commotion for the people around, but it wasn’t quite what she felt she wanted in life. Eventually this led to her leaving the gang and taking a chance as an Air-Wheeler Racer, joining the pro circuit at only 17 summers old. Lanwa quickly became a top contender in the races, earning the nickname “The Crimson Chaser” thanks to her red bike and racing suit. Prideful, competitive, and narcissistic, Lanwa relishes in her newfound fame and fans, alongside the thrill the life-threatening races provide her. But even after finding where she wished to go in her life, there remains a slight sense of something still missing in her life…something she can’t quite explain…

[mist-touchedxiv]

Garlean Brand

On the back of Loksen's neck, hidden by his hair, is a large scar from a branding he received while imprisoned by Garlean forces.

Initially, they sought to conscript him into fighting for the empire as Wood-warders are renowned warriors. However, during the first battle he was forced to fight in, he killed his CO and tried to escape.

In lieu of a field execution, Loksen was given a brutal brand to denote that he was dangerous and an escape risk and tossed into a labor camp. The idea was that he'd be subjected to a horrible, painful death by infection from the brand, and his rotting corpse would serve as an example to other prisoners to stay in line.

Due to providence, the group he was tossed in with had a pair of Sharlayan scholars who were knowledgeable of medicine and healing arts. Intrigued by the brand, they nursed him back to health and taught him the Eorzean language.

The Brand

It looks like a cross between the Garlean icon and the Brand of Sacrifice from Berserk (VERY original, I know lol)