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modestpurposeUser Name/Nick: Fiona
User DW:hardtostarboard
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hardtostarboard, DM
Other Characters Currently In-Game: Cain (Alexei) -reargunner & R - keephersafe
Character Name: Hythlodaeus
Series: Final Fantasy XIV
Age: Indeterminate, but Hythlodaeus is a grown adult from a functionally immortal race that only dies when they decide it’s time to die. He appears to be in his late 20s/early 30s.
From When?: Post-6.0 (Endwalker), following the pre-Final Days cutscene.
Warden Justification: Hythlodaeus spent the majority of his life making himself useful as a “support character” to his closest friends, using his intellect, patience, good humour, and anything else he might have had at his disposal to ensure that their dreams could come true in the fullest way possible.
Though at the point of his death he seemed willing enough to finally go to the aetherial sea, there was a hint of hesitation in him that was not shared by his friend Emet-Selch and an implication that he would have liked to have stayed around for longer. The Admiral may well have seized upon that small desire to not move on quite yet, and brought Hythlodaeus to the Barge so that his helpful nature might be put to further use in assisting a lost soul or two.
While a little rattled at being pulled so abruptly away from what he had assumed would be a final rest, Hythlodaeus would have needed very little nudging in order to take the ‘bait’, so to speak… even if that means being separated from his friends for a little bit longer. The idea of being able to do more for them even after death would be something he wouldn't be able to pass up.
Item: A keyring in the shape of a cute shark. No one will understand why this is funny except him, alas.
Abilities/Powers:
Soul sight: Hythlodaeus is particularly strong in this. It allows him to see the unique colour of souls of any being that possesses one, and to be able to locate them over great distances. It may also allow him to identify certain problems that may be affecting someone's life force or their magic, if they have it. This would not be utilised without permission.
Aether manipulation (creation magic): Though poor in this skill by his own admittance, he can utilise it if he has something to draw aether from to begin with by means of reversion (recycling the aether from something that already exists). Given his limited skill in this area when he cannot use reversion to assist in it, he is unlikely to use it to any particular extreme, only using it to make small items where he deems it to be convenient to do so.
Magic: Ancients were able to utilise powerful versions of spells, for example ‘True Cure’ and ‘True Tornado’ as well as potent resurrection magicks. Despite claiming to be somewhat useless in a fight this is really only in comparison to other Ancients (and partly Hythlodaeus downplaying his own ability). In comparison to most ‘normal’ people his magical ability could be devastating if applied in full. Like Lahabrea, he is also capable of teleportation using something akin to portals (he will be unable to use this ability to enter locked cabins, unauthorised areas, or to leave the Barge).
"The Echo": Something which encompasses several skills. As well as allowing Hythlodaeus to understand all spoken and written language, it also allows for the ability to sense the past through the imprints left by other's memories or the ambient aether of a location. This is something that would only be used with permission.
Archery: Hythlodaeus is an expert archer (in spite of his protests against this) and can combine this skill with magical spells to devastating effect.
Wardening Strategies and Philosophies: In terms of the Barge as an entity (as well as the Admiral himself), Hythlodaeus would be interested in how everything holds together and have a certain sense of wonder about it all, particularly when it comes to Floods/etc. It’s not a kind of magic/power that he’s familiar with and he’ll probably be somewhat nosey about how it all operates. There’s the potential there for him to lose the bigger picture of how these events can cause harm to people in his interest, since the minds of people who live for hundreds of years (potentially!) do work a little differently to people with a more finite life span.
He will first approach his given role with curiosity and will reach out to each inmate that he is temporarily paired with in order to try to get an idea of what they might be expecting out of their time on the Barge and how they anticipate their path moving forward, as well as how he may be able to connect to them on a personal level if they would wish it. With a permanent inmate, he will be open to listening to their views and concerns and be kind but determined in a potentially infuriatingly dogged way when it comes to their welfare, emotional or otherwise. He would not be aiming to rush or push an inmate to graduate but rather trying to find out what their personal goals are and how can help them to be achieved (within reason, since he can’t simply magic somebody off the Barge entirely).
Hythlodaeus would be best fit with an inmate who does actively want to graduate on some level, or at least is open to not shutting him out. He isn’t above being sassy and spicy towards those who give him attitude and he’s accustomed to working with difficult, stubborn, and colourful personalities, but if someone is determined to stonewall him forever there’s not really much he can do about that! As such he wouldn’t be a good match for somebody who was going to permanently, aggressively reject the idea of being helped in any way.
Notable strength for him as a warden would be, first and foremost, his desire to help those that he cares for or who fall under his care. While in life he was someone who had a tendency towards laziness and avoiding work if he could help it, when the need arose he was always somebody who would step up to the plate and give his all. He would fiercely defend any inmate put under his care (even temporarily) should they need it and be there to assist them any time they ask.
In terms of weakness, there is the point of his tending towards avoiding work. He will not be very keen on the idea of having authority in terms of exerting it over others and would likely find doing so to be slightly uncomfortable (though he would do it if it became necessary), and that could definitely be exploited as a weak point by somebody who managed to get under his skin. They’d have to work hard to do it though, since Hythlodaeus is a fairly unflappable person for the most part.
Deal: Though his first consideration might have been for the restoration of his home as he knew it he would quickly move on from that, believing it to be too much to ask. Hythlodaeus would like those that he knew who suffered as a result of the Sundering and what came after to find peace if they were unable to do so, and to move on into the aetherial sea free of guilt.
History: Though the gift of soul sight was not rare among the ancients, Hythlodaeus was one of the few born with a great strength in it, and as such was sought out to be recruited into Amaurot's Convocation of Fourteen for the seat of "Emet-Selch". However, lacking any other skills that would make use of this talent, Hythlodaeus turned it down in favor of his childhood friend Hades, a powerful mage who was known for his strength in aether manipulation and whose soul sight nearly matched his. While he would not serve on the Convocation, Hythlodaeus was named Chief of the Bureau of the Architect, the leader of the organization responsible for approving new concepts for creatures and other magical constructs to be released into the world. He was friends with the ancient who held the seat of Azem, whom he secretly sometimes aided during their travels throughout the world of Etheirys. When Etheirys was besieged by the Final Days, Hythlodaeus was among those who sacrificed themselves to summon Zodiark, a primal that would halt the calamity.
When the Warrior of Darkness confirmed their entry into the recreation of Amaurot to confront Emet-Selch, the Lightwardens assaulted them by the Light stored inside the Warrior. The pain subsided when a replica of Hythlodaeus asked the Warrior if he could sit next to them, distracting them from the pain.
The Hythlodaeus shade knew he was not real, theorizing that Emet-Selch had made a mistake while creating him, while revealing what he knew of the Final Days. His soul sight allowing him to see Ardbert, the Warrior of Light's counterpart on the First. He revealed that both were fragments of Azem, calling the latter his "new old friend" before taking his leave.
When the Warrior of Darkness returned to Amaurot to rescue Y'shtola Rhul from Elidibus and discovered the Convocation members' memory crystals, Hythlodaeus awaited by Emet-Selch's stone. He implored the Warrior to keep the stones. While he passed no judgment on their battle with Elidibus, he wished for the Warrior to live so that they might keep their promise to remember Amaurot. He offered the Warrior Azem's memory stone, which Emet-Selch had secretly created, uncertain if he was doing it of his free will or not.
The real Hythlodaeus appeared on the moon along with the spirits of those sacrificed to create Zodiark. He recognized the Warrior of Light as Azem reborn and offered his aid to keep the other shades at bay. When Zodiark was destroyed, Hythlodaeus's soul returned to the star.
Unbeknownst to Hythlodaeus, when he was alive, he and Emet-Selch had encountered the Warrior of Light during a visit to Elpis to learn more about its chief overseer, Hermes. Hythlodaeus recognized the Warrior's aether, despite it being thin from being sent back in time, and encouraged Emet-Selch to use his aether to construct a physical form for them. In the course of their interactions with Hermes, the group met up with Venat and pursued Hermes through Ktisis Hyperboreia, where they witnessed Meteion succumb to despair and declare her annihilation of Etheirys. Hermes invoked the power of Kairos to alter the memories of all present, as a test for mankind to find the will to live and avert this demise. Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch helped Venat and the Warrior escape before the memory reconfiguration system activated, and although they could not recall the events of their time in Elpis, Hythlodaeus was hopeful that they would regain their lost memories when they returned to the star.
In Ultima Thule, the Warrior of Light used Azem's crystal to summon the spirits of Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch to help them convince Meteion that hope yet remained. Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch used their creation magicks to conjure a field of Elpis flowers, a bloom that changed color in response to feelings; the flowers' presence and color served as proof to her that despair no longer ruled on the dead star. As they faded away, Hythlodaeus hoped that the three of them—himself, Emet-Selch, and the Warrior/Azem—would be reunited in another life.
Sample Network Entry: TDM sample 1 & 4WD sample 2 (I have had some difficulty with getting anything lengthy going but if more is needed I have some other 4WD threads dotted about!)
Sample RP: TDM sample 1 & TDM sample 2
User DW:
hardtostarboardE-mail/Plurk/Discord/PM to a character journal/alternate method of contact:
Other Characters Currently In-Game: Cain (Alexei) -
reargunner & R - keephersafeCharacter Name: Hythlodaeus
Series: Final Fantasy XIV
Age: Indeterminate, but Hythlodaeus is a grown adult from a functionally immortal race that only dies when they decide it’s time to die. He appears to be in his late 20s/early 30s.
From When?: Post-6.0 (Endwalker), following the pre-Final Days cutscene.
Warden Justification: Hythlodaeus spent the majority of his life making himself useful as a “support character” to his closest friends, using his intellect, patience, good humour, and anything else he might have had at his disposal to ensure that their dreams could come true in the fullest way possible.
Though at the point of his death he seemed willing enough to finally go to the aetherial sea, there was a hint of hesitation in him that was not shared by his friend Emet-Selch and an implication that he would have liked to have stayed around for longer. The Admiral may well have seized upon that small desire to not move on quite yet, and brought Hythlodaeus to the Barge so that his helpful nature might be put to further use in assisting a lost soul or two.
While a little rattled at being pulled so abruptly away from what he had assumed would be a final rest, Hythlodaeus would have needed very little nudging in order to take the ‘bait’, so to speak… even if that means being separated from his friends for a little bit longer. The idea of being able to do more for them even after death would be something he wouldn't be able to pass up.
Item: A keyring in the shape of a cute shark. No one will understand why this is funny except him, alas.
Abilities/Powers:
Soul sight: Hythlodaeus is particularly strong in this. It allows him to see the unique colour of souls of any being that possesses one, and to be able to locate them over great distances. It may also allow him to identify certain problems that may be affecting someone's life force or their magic, if they have it. This would not be utilised without permission.
Aether manipulation (creation magic): Though poor in this skill by his own admittance, he can utilise it if he has something to draw aether from to begin with by means of reversion (recycling the aether from something that already exists). Given his limited skill in this area when he cannot use reversion to assist in it, he is unlikely to use it to any particular extreme, only using it to make small items where he deems it to be convenient to do so.
Magic: Ancients were able to utilise powerful versions of spells, for example ‘True Cure’ and ‘True Tornado’ as well as potent resurrection magicks. Despite claiming to be somewhat useless in a fight this is really only in comparison to other Ancients (and partly Hythlodaeus downplaying his own ability). In comparison to most ‘normal’ people his magical ability could be devastating if applied in full. Like Lahabrea, he is also capable of teleportation using something akin to portals (he will be unable to use this ability to enter locked cabins, unauthorised areas, or to leave the Barge).
"The Echo": Something which encompasses several skills. As well as allowing Hythlodaeus to understand all spoken and written language, it also allows for the ability to sense the past through the imprints left by other's memories or the ambient aether of a location. This is something that would only be used with permission.
Archery: Hythlodaeus is an expert archer (in spite of his protests against this) and can combine this skill with magical spells to devastating effect.
Wardening Strategies and Philosophies: In terms of the Barge as an entity (as well as the Admiral himself), Hythlodaeus would be interested in how everything holds together and have a certain sense of wonder about it all, particularly when it comes to Floods/etc. It’s not a kind of magic/power that he’s familiar with and he’ll probably be somewhat nosey about how it all operates. There’s the potential there for him to lose the bigger picture of how these events can cause harm to people in his interest, since the minds of people who live for hundreds of years (potentially!) do work a little differently to people with a more finite life span.
He will first approach his given role with curiosity and will reach out to each inmate that he is temporarily paired with in order to try to get an idea of what they might be expecting out of their time on the Barge and how they anticipate their path moving forward, as well as how he may be able to connect to them on a personal level if they would wish it. With a permanent inmate, he will be open to listening to their views and concerns and be kind but determined in a potentially infuriatingly dogged way when it comes to their welfare, emotional or otherwise. He would not be aiming to rush or push an inmate to graduate but rather trying to find out what their personal goals are and how can help them to be achieved (within reason, since he can’t simply magic somebody off the Barge entirely).
Hythlodaeus would be best fit with an inmate who does actively want to graduate on some level, or at least is open to not shutting him out. He isn’t above being sassy and spicy towards those who give him attitude and he’s accustomed to working with difficult, stubborn, and colourful personalities, but if someone is determined to stonewall him forever there’s not really much he can do about that! As such he wouldn’t be a good match for somebody who was going to permanently, aggressively reject the idea of being helped in any way.
Notable strength for him as a warden would be, first and foremost, his desire to help those that he cares for or who fall under his care. While in life he was someone who had a tendency towards laziness and avoiding work if he could help it, when the need arose he was always somebody who would step up to the plate and give his all. He would fiercely defend any inmate put under his care (even temporarily) should they need it and be there to assist them any time they ask.
In terms of weakness, there is the point of his tending towards avoiding work. He will not be very keen on the idea of having authority in terms of exerting it over others and would likely find doing so to be slightly uncomfortable (though he would do it if it became necessary), and that could definitely be exploited as a weak point by somebody who managed to get under his skin. They’d have to work hard to do it though, since Hythlodaeus is a fairly unflappable person for the most part.
Deal: Though his first consideration might have been for the restoration of his home as he knew it he would quickly move on from that, believing it to be too much to ask. Hythlodaeus would like those that he knew who suffered as a result of the Sundering and what came after to find peace if they were unable to do so, and to move on into the aetherial sea free of guilt.
History: Though the gift of soul sight was not rare among the ancients, Hythlodaeus was one of the few born with a great strength in it, and as such was sought out to be recruited into Amaurot's Convocation of Fourteen for the seat of "Emet-Selch". However, lacking any other skills that would make use of this talent, Hythlodaeus turned it down in favor of his childhood friend Hades, a powerful mage who was known for his strength in aether manipulation and whose soul sight nearly matched his. While he would not serve on the Convocation, Hythlodaeus was named Chief of the Bureau of the Architect, the leader of the organization responsible for approving new concepts for creatures and other magical constructs to be released into the world. He was friends with the ancient who held the seat of Azem, whom he secretly sometimes aided during their travels throughout the world of Etheirys. When Etheirys was besieged by the Final Days, Hythlodaeus was among those who sacrificed themselves to summon Zodiark, a primal that would halt the calamity.
When the Warrior of Darkness confirmed their entry into the recreation of Amaurot to confront Emet-Selch, the Lightwardens assaulted them by the Light stored inside the Warrior. The pain subsided when a replica of Hythlodaeus asked the Warrior if he could sit next to them, distracting them from the pain.
The Hythlodaeus shade knew he was not real, theorizing that Emet-Selch had made a mistake while creating him, while revealing what he knew of the Final Days. His soul sight allowing him to see Ardbert, the Warrior of Light's counterpart on the First. He revealed that both were fragments of Azem, calling the latter his "new old friend" before taking his leave.
When the Warrior of Darkness returned to Amaurot to rescue Y'shtola Rhul from Elidibus and discovered the Convocation members' memory crystals, Hythlodaeus awaited by Emet-Selch's stone. He implored the Warrior to keep the stones. While he passed no judgment on their battle with Elidibus, he wished for the Warrior to live so that they might keep their promise to remember Amaurot. He offered the Warrior Azem's memory stone, which Emet-Selch had secretly created, uncertain if he was doing it of his free will or not.
The real Hythlodaeus appeared on the moon along with the spirits of those sacrificed to create Zodiark. He recognized the Warrior of Light as Azem reborn and offered his aid to keep the other shades at bay. When Zodiark was destroyed, Hythlodaeus's soul returned to the star.
Unbeknownst to Hythlodaeus, when he was alive, he and Emet-Selch had encountered the Warrior of Light during a visit to Elpis to learn more about its chief overseer, Hermes. Hythlodaeus recognized the Warrior's aether, despite it being thin from being sent back in time, and encouraged Emet-Selch to use his aether to construct a physical form for them. In the course of their interactions with Hermes, the group met up with Venat and pursued Hermes through Ktisis Hyperboreia, where they witnessed Meteion succumb to despair and declare her annihilation of Etheirys. Hermes invoked the power of Kairos to alter the memories of all present, as a test for mankind to find the will to live and avert this demise. Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch helped Venat and the Warrior escape before the memory reconfiguration system activated, and although they could not recall the events of their time in Elpis, Hythlodaeus was hopeful that they would regain their lost memories when they returned to the star.
In Ultima Thule, the Warrior of Light used Azem's crystal to summon the spirits of Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch to help them convince Meteion that hope yet remained. Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch used their creation magicks to conjure a field of Elpis flowers, a bloom that changed color in response to feelings; the flowers' presence and color served as proof to her that despair no longer ruled on the dead star. As they faded away, Hythlodaeus hoped that the three of them—himself, Emet-Selch, and the Warrior/Azem—would be reunited in another life.
Sample Network Entry: TDM sample 1 & 4WD sample 2 (I have had some difficulty with getting anything lengthy going but if more is needed I have some other 4WD threads dotted about!)
Sample RP: TDM sample 1 & TDM sample 2
