skin & bone

ha' tribe

To the far north of arid Gyr Abania that extended up towards the Xelphatol mountains was the Ha tribe. A culture based off of the strength and the boons of an elusive wind-manipulating creature known as the Hapaage or Hapagol. It was said to have the head of a heron and the body of a serpent and often found sailing the Abalathian skies with sharp, pointed fins that caught the currents. Whenever it would 'rest' in the mountains, the beast would blend in with scales as round and white as clouds.It is more often in flight than not and its mouth usually hangs ajar to collect stray floating seeds or birds. When actively hunting live prey, the beak will snap forth to skewer large creatures or to pluck smaller ones up whole. The body is difficult to attack while alert as it maneuvers the air and wind around it and swiftly whips itself to evade. If provoked, the omnivorous beast will eject its internal stomach muscles in a way to bludgeon its prey and attempt to swallow it whole. The internal lining is highly absorbent but physically tough, to be consumed by it would spell certain doom. The exterior, however, is delicate and sensitive to the changes in its surroundings with numerous nerve endings in its wings. The scales are soft, smooth and bulbous.Legends were told that the first of their tribe had been saved by the Hapaage by sheer coincidence. As the floods of the Sixth Umbral Calamity drowned the world, the beast came and swallowed the mothers and fathers of the soon-to-be Ha tribe. Two brave warriors rent the creature in two from the inside and from its belly came seeds and life from the skies where it had fed. It was with these seeds that their first crops were sewn in their new settlement.

umbral wind

"Because you— of your own volition, conscious or not— became stronger. An aberration. ... in the eyes of Old Shadow, those that draw strength not just of their own raw endeavour, but from those of their allies. Their friends. From loyalty. Embracing what it means to be mortal, not dominating your demons— but accepting them. ... you and I, Nio, are aberrations. Above Old Shadow. You, by origin. Me, by great effort. And that's why neither of us are going to fail.""We're too fucking tough."

Led by a shadow too large to be my own,
I found myself wondering
how much light I must eat to grow that huge.
Before I knew it, I was bloated.

astral levin

"We* know it to be true."* He shifted, hunching in his seat. "No matter how reprehensible or how ugly we can be, you still found kinship with these reprobates. You found strength in this den of wolves. And beneath all of the grime and grit, you found that you never deserved to be beneath anyone's thumb... even that old bear's. But They knew that your sort are fond of the climb--" His fingers walked up through the air, "-that you have never shied away from it.""Are you ready to reach the peak?"

Just as I was haunted,
I bestow a curse upon thee -
power granted to bend knees
and the weight of expectation.

umbral fire

She cracked the smallest of smiles as wisps of snuffed candlesmoke wove around the pair. The air reeked of magic even as the leylines dimmed. When he parted, the distant Seeker swallowed again as if to purge the memory of the █████████ and started to flex her fingers. There was so much more to feel in those scarred, calloused hands. Foreign warmth and weight felt through and through. From soul to flesh. From blood to bone."It is my magic you will inherit... My flame, my soul."

Lavender petals kiss and sear.
Flesh ignites.
Ashes fleck over fur.
An age of flame begins.

cloudscale

Coming soon.

We killed a god,
We buried her in her own domain.
We supped on her spirit,
Mouthful after mouthful.

anima

history

Coming eventually lmao.

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hooks

Cause & Effect — One doesn't spend over a decade rubbing elbows with those with Syndicate ties without making a few friends and enemies-- the latter is more likely. While working beneath the Syndicate umbrella, Nio has notoriously been a thorn in the side of the lawful and unlawful alike across Eorzea. Between surveilling, smuggling, planning and executing heists, and the odd ██████, she has had ample opportunity to be the crux of your scorn. Hells, she probably wouldn't even be sorry about it. Send a /tell about pre-established connections!Lootmaster — Retired but knowledgeable so long as you have something of equal or greater value to offer in kind. Nio is rife with secrets and tales of treasures and wares but she doesn't have enough arms to get a hold of them herself. Cut her a deal and she will be more than willing to spill the details. An old, rare whisper may divulge of a time that auracite once passed through her hands to the Dalmascan Resistance.A Grim Omen — Her steps are accompanied by the jingle of a round chain link from a worn shackle bound to her wrist. With no sign of a lock or a seam, and no chance of her letting anyone have a closer look at it, it could be easy to think that it was forged right around her. Those with underground connections may recognise it as a symbol of 'mentorship'. Those with aethersight may see something different.Risk & Opportunity — Nothing grabs her attention quite like gambling and nothing is more unsettling than... how often she wins bets. As a natural glutton for chance-based success, her ears will eagerly twitch at the mention of casinos, games or wagers. The bigger the risk, the brighter she glows.Growing Pains — After undergoing some changes, she is itching to spar with those who are comfortable with manipulating and defending against aether-empowered attacks. Those who accept her offer note that she appears to be struggling against the heat of her own blows and that others should be very much prepare to be burned.Path of Wind — Free and easy, Nio travels as if she has no care in the world but poor souls be damned should one inconvenience her in any way. Volatile and prone to violent outbursts, the tempestuous woman pulls no punches when she's in the thick of it. She strikes with savage strength and commits to crippling and crunching joints, unrelenting until unconscious. One really can only hope it blows over quickly unless they're just keen on having a no holds barred showdown. Either way, she won't be caught backing down from any challenge. May the winds be in your favour.For the Aethersensitive — Those without aethersense or aethersight may pick up on an anomaly or two about the Seeker but for those with such abilities may be able to perceive The Essence of Two, The Essence of a Yokai or Gates Opened. Send me a /tell if you wish to investigate further.

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ooc

gallery

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