Ludivine Goultard

Ludivine Goultard
Gender	Female
Race	Elezen
Clan	Duskwight
Citizenship	Former Ul'dahn citizen
Age	28
Marital Status	Single
Occupation	Head Maid
Height/Weight	6'2" / 184 lbs
Orientation	Pansexual
Relatives	Severin (Father) Amandine (Mother)

Ludivine Goultard (pronounced /ˈLud-iv-een Gool-tard/) (15th Sun of the 5th Umbral Moon (November 15)) is a Duskwight from the mountainous region west of La Noscea. During her teens she traveled east, reaching La Noscea and Limsa Lominsa. Not long after, she made her way to Ul'dah, trying to scrape together what living she could from the life of a refugee. What happened once she managed to get inside the city walls, was...

(Anything you read in her timeline is spoiler alert, so don't scroll down if you'd rather find out for yourself.)

Basic Info

LIKES ■ Triple Triad ■ Being of service ■ People who don't mince words ■ Cleanliness

DISLIKES ■ Alcohol ■ Death ■ Close-minded people ■ Amalj'aa

OTHER ■ Alignment: Lawful Good ■ Previous jobs: Barmaid; Recruiter; Farmer; Gatherer. ■ Favourite animal/pet: Small birds ■ Favourite Drink: Hot Chocolate ■ Personal hero: Raubahn

Appearance & Personality

Rarely seen without a slouched posture and lazily-dressed appearance, Ludivine believes in function before fashion. Feeling no need to impress, she wears what's best for the climate she's working in, and rarely changes out of it. Without the coin to support herself not only does she sleep on the streets, but she also has little opportunity to buy new clothes. With her current life she has come to terms with her appearance and lack of good clothing, and doesn't show any disdain to how she looks. Her most common outfit is an open-chested shirt, baggy pants, long gloves and simple, sturdy boots.

> Since joining the Free Wing company, Ludivine has begun to take a deeper interest in fashion. She is willing to dress formally and has started getting familiar with wearing dresses. Her new home means that she no longer sleeps on the streets of Ul'dah, and her general hygiene has improved considerably.

Ludivine acts how she needs to fit in, coming across as friendly and shy, maybe teasing and joking if she knows the person well enough. Always passive and nervous-looking, she manages to make many friends without effort, willing to listen and lend a shoulder to people's troubles. Her speech is relaxed and free, heavily changed from the prideful and gently flowing speech she once had. She is incredibly quick of mind, able to figure out peoples' dispositions and troubles just by studying them for a moment. On top of this, she can read and write due to her upbringing, though the skill rarely comes in handy in her selection of jobs of manual labour.

> After her traumatic parting with her lover - Cassandra Lachance - Ludivine has cast away her persona of the bumbling Duskwight. She now speaks in a far more refined and gentle manner, though her voice is still slightly grating at times. She struggles to find humor and teasing part of her life, but is slowly beginning to find a place for herself once more in people's hearts. The Elezen believes she needs to strip away any illusions people had of her, before taking her own time to understand and connect with them again on a close level.

Biography

Childhood (1550-1564)

Ludivine is born to her mother (Amandine) and father (Severin) in the mountains far west of La Noscea. Her parents are respected within the Duskwight community in the mountains as brave fighters, veterans of several skirmishes with other communities and in defense of their home, and their daughter grows up with great idolization for her parents, training to become as strong as they are. While growing up she had a fascination with birds, quietly watching the small and less predatory species as they made nests in the mountains. Though she loved much of her mountain life, it was often harsh and cold, but she remained friendly and amiable to those few others she spent her youth with. Ludivine had her sights set far from home, something which would cause a slight rift between her and her parents as she grew older, but once she was of age - at only thirteen - she left the mountains and made a year-long journey to Thanalan.

The journey gave little difficulty to Ludivine, who survived in the wilds with basic hunting and tracking skills. She also carried a modest amount of gil on her, which allowed her some respite at towns and villages between the mountains and Thanalan, though she rarely spent any more than she needed. Though she became lonely at times, she remained light of heart, and made steady pace at all times, adapting to the different terrain easily. She reached the gates of Ul'dah shortly after a full year.

1564-1566

In spite of her efforts, Ludivine was declined entry into the city. Even before the Calamity Duskwight were looked down on, and her age and appearance did little to persuade the city guards to allow her entry. Undeterred though, she made the desert her home for the next two years, living with refugees and other outcasts as she slowly built up her sword skills and wealth.

Under the blistering sun, Ludivine became a strong warrior, even at the age of sixteen. Her determination would gain her the notice of the Brass Blades and Immortal Flames, whom she fought alongside on occasion in protecting the land. With their interest and the small fortune Ludivine managed to accrue, she was finally permitted entry into the city, and left her temporary home of the desert behind her.

1566 - 1570

Ludivine took the opportunity to win further favour with the Immortal Flames by acting as an inner-city messenger for a short while, and through building up connections with a few officers, was happy to be sworn into oath when the chance came. Starting at the lowest rank (as all new recruits did), her duties were simple and often involved nothing more than tending to disturbances reported by paranoid merchants.

Over four years she grew in rank and reputation, though she still had a youthful naivety that meant she was rarely taken seriously by her peers. To compound this, the severe racism that plagued her meant that superiors were often unwilling to promote her, even if they had personal sympathy. In four years of hard service she achieved what most would do in two.

1570 - 1572

Though it took a long time, Ludivine was eventually trusted to lead her own group of recruits - on the front line defenses at Southern Thanalan. This was given for her to both escape the prejudice of the city and for her to use her strength somewhere in need of dire assistance, a small gift from a kindly commanding officer in the ranks. She took what little belongings she had from the city and essentially disappeared from most records, settling into routine patrols and watches around Little Ala Mhigo.

The humidity and driving force of the sun were nothing new to Ludivine, who embraced the opportunity to prove her worth again, this time to the locals of Little Ala Mhigo. The refugees there were far more receptive than the city-dwellers and Immortal Flame comrades-in-arms, and for once Ludivine felt content in her position, becoming lax and far less eager to earn promotions and move on to bigger and better things. She remained in defense of the settlement for just over two years, before the fateful patrol that would take everything from her.

1572 - 1575

While Ludivine became more and more cheerful and happy with her leadership responsibilities, her swordplay grew in strength and versatility, often saving Little Ala Mhigo by an ilm from Amalj'aa raids. While this won the hearts of the settlers, it earned her discontent and spite from her recruits, and infamy within the Amalj'aa ranks. Both came to a head when her patrol was ambushed on the outskirts of Zanar'ak.

Ludivine fought valiantly, drawing every onze of her strength to fight, but she was weighed back by defending recruits and the seemingly endless numbers of Amalj'aa determined to bring her low. As the fight drew to its close, only Ludivine and two recruits were left. Faced with the possibility of death or tempering, Ludivine's two subordinates turned against her, restraining her in her fatigue and shouting surrender and bargaining pleas. While loathe to leave any survivors, the leader of the Amalj'aa faction took great joy at the chance to take Ludivine for himself. Allowing the two men to escape, the Amalj'aa warleader restrained Ludivine and raped her against the sands, taking her innocence without a moment's hesitation. After thoroughly defiling her, the Amalj'aa retreated to their homelands with Ludivine, chaining and caging her for their own use.

She remained defiant for the first year, but the physical and psychological abuse slowly eroded her mind. Hallucinations became more frequent, and the brief times she was conscious she was forced into slavery or beatings for the Amalj'aa's pleasure. The whole of the second year was a mix of dreams and madness, Ludivine barely aware of the world around her. In spite of her maltreatment, she was given enough food and sustenance to live, but barely more than that. The Amalj'aa had no plans to surrender their prize.

The third year brought a new clarity to Ludivine. She awoke from the fogged mind a new person, all life and joy taken from her. She began plotting, studying everything about every Amalj'aa, every war-beast and every routine she could. In a mix of lies and deception she twisted a confusion between several high-ranking Amalj'aa who wanted her for themselves. In the chaos that followed, she slipped her bonds and escaped into the wilds. Though pursued, she evaded all Amalj'aa on her trail - their war-beasts unable to track her as her smell was so poisoned by Amalj'aa scents and other hideous fluids, and made her way back to Little Ala Mhigo, where she was taken in and given protection and cleaned enough to make her seem Elezen again. Staying no longer than she needed, she took leave of the settlement and aimed for Ul'dah. She felt no purpose in life any more, though she knew a reckoning was nigh.

1575 - Present (Pre-Free Wing company)

Shambling forward from the settlement of Little Ala Mhigo as soon as she woke from passing out in the locals' care, Ludivine pointed herself towards Ul'dah and started walking. The Duskwight didn't last very long on the meager amount of food and water that was guided into her unconscious body, and tumbled down one of the steep cliffs on the road to the city-state as her feet lost their grip. Landing at the bottom in a broken and bloody mess, she clawed her way towards the outline of Ul'dah in the distance; voices whispered to her as she pulled herself along by a single hand, promises of strength and the power to push aside anything that got in her way - she croaked out in a voice that hadn't spoken for years. "Yes."

Ludivine didn't know what she had agreed to, or where her new power had come from, but she was able to walk again, and felt a strange surge in her step. As she climbed the steep bush-land and pulled her way up by trees and weeds that grew along the cliff face, her anger and hatred built more and more, fueled by something stronger now. At the top, Ludivine could see the city-state once more in clear view, only taking her eyes off the shape to bend double and catch her breath. In that time, despite her being stationary and clear to anyone who would've been approaching, she was knocked aside by a merchant riding a chocobo carriage towards Ul'dah. The Highlander berated her for blocking the path, and for being a Duskwight, and several other things that Ludivine didn't hear. Her head thumping and cut from being knocked down, after all the effort of falling and climbing back up again, she snapped. Thinking only of tearing every part of the merchant apart, the Elezen was surprised to find she was actually capable of it - strange chains and daggers materializing from nothing but her will. She felt happy: happy at this power, and the bloody mess she made of the man and his chocobos. The chains faded as soon as she was tired of ripping at the dead flesh, and she turned towards the city-state again, almost giggling with anticipation.

"Patience, patience." She told herself. She knew she would never find the men who betrayed her if she were to wage a war against the city-state. They would flee, like everyone else, and she would never see them again. She needed information, and to be sure - sure of where they were, and sure of how to make them feel the most pain. Ludivine approached the gates of Ul'dah, just like how she had as a teenager. She tried to communicate, but her voice was still broken and dry, unable to remember the way to make words - she was quickly turned away by the guard, taking her for just another savage outlander. The Elezen turned away, realising there was much she needed to learn (speech being one of the things) and remembered the way she had earned passage in the past. The Duskwight took on the most dangerous work, and began to learn that praying on the wealthy and innocent was just as quick as taking jobs from them. She killed whatever held money, crossed her, attacked her, and as the days continued, anything that went near her. The haunted depths of Cutters Cry proved just enough to provide the gil and treasure she needed to buy entry into Ul'dah - her killings around the tunnels adding to the whispers of danger that smallfolk passed around. The Elezen's brutal attacks were thought of as nothing more than the acts of the beasts that dwelled within.

The streets of Ul'dah were as the Duskwight remembered them: rife with corruption and abuse of power, only this time Ludivine could see them clearly, no longer blinded by the naivety of her youth. She lost the proud and graceful speech she had once called her own, taking on rough, lazy mannerisms and colloquialisms. As she thought more and more, she began to hate her younger self, despise the fact she was once such an idealistic brat; the Elezen started to believe more and more that she had just faked her optimism all those years ago to avoid feeling the pain of being hated. Whether that was true, or Ludivine's mind was so twisted by self-loathing, nobody else could say.

She never slept, though she often faked it. The Duskwight would kill any time her anger hit boiling point, and at this stage it was so far developed that even the most innocent of encounters would drive her into a fury. Even though she had changed drastically, she retained the intelligence of her younger days, and quickly recovered her forgotten skills of reading and writing, as well as an understanding of contemporary arts and politics. She was able to recognise when she could kill and not get caught, and when she needed to suck up the punishment to avoid detection - though this often led to her creating elaborate schemes to hurt her victims in mental attacks instead of physical. Though she learned that she enjoyed the killing, she never killed to pass the time (or for gil), instead working to further her connections within the city-state so that she might gain access to records of high society that might lead her to the people she hunted. She made so-called friends, betrayed them when she needed, took random jobs, killed anyone that did anything to make her angry, and always lived in the alleyways and streets, ever prowling.

(... Backstory RP currently in progress, will update as it continues.)

Miscellaneous

RUMORS Some of these rumors are untrue or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to add your own rumors under PC! ◢ Common Rumors (Easily overheard) ■ "Who? That Duskwight? Yeah, did some jobs for me, almost forgot about her for a sec'." -- Busy farmer ■ "Aye, showed up on time, did her job an' left, barely a word out of 'er." -- Ul'dahn peddler ◢ Moderate Rumors (Moderately difficult to overhear) ■ "Never liked 'aving her in the city, scum Duskwight can't even find work most nights." -- Irritable Brass Blade ■ "Kept coming to the gates for the better part of two years before anyone would let her in, lookin' like a rag doll. Dunno where she got the gil to earn her way inside." -- Ul'dahn gate guard ◢ Rare Rumors (Very difficult or rarely overheard) ■ "You seen those eyes? She looked at me once an' I ain't ever felt so 'fraid for myself in ever. Was like I felt nothin' could save me or my fambly, and all she did was look at me!" -- A stall owner ◢ PC Rumors (Rumors from the character's of other players) ■ "I love her. I always will. I just hope she knows it." - Cassandra Lachance ■ "She's a more informal employee. Seems like one of those under the scorn many Duskwrights, and she came under Cassandra's word so I'm more then happy to give her a chance." - Lilithium Altair ■ "Ludivine is survivor, I'll say that for her. Deep down, her heart is gold. She just needs to let it shine a little brighter so more people can see it." - Vasque Desmarais ■ "She comes to the host club too see me, every once in a while, and I'm always honoured by her visits. I consider her a very good friend-- she is sweet and caring, honest and forthright." - Flora Valerian ■ "She's...been nothing but kind, and open to me. She makes me feel more welcome than I have in a very...very long time. I enjoy talking with her. I hope we can be friends." - Jessika Saphir ■ "Lu? I like her! She's tall and quiet and grey, kinda like an elongated Tea! I hope she'll be allright, she's been through a lot lately!" - Xivrez'to Ithaka ■

RELATIONS ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Platonic Love     ● Good Standing     ● Poor Standing ● Cassandra Lachance - The woman of her heart; there is little Ludivine would not do for Cassandra. Their lonely pasts, and damaged lives, coupled with an early love of drinking and company, led to the two being nigh inseparable. Since Ludivine's past has come to light, the two are unsure as to whether anything can be salvaged. ● Ennara Calian - Cassandra's former lover. The two had an unexpected meeting when Ludivine was caught in the same bed as Cassandra, and Ennara held a slight temper against Ludivine for it. Not long after, the two came to terms, and Cassandra and Ludivine were willing to let Ennara into their lives as a lover. The Duskwight is now closely in love with Ennara, their three-way relationship blossoming despite Ennara's busy time-keeping. When Ludivine's past was revealed, Ennara stood strong by Ludivine's side, convincing her that here were those who still loved her. After Ennara was badly injured, and Ludivine came to terms with her own personality, the two have broken off their relationship. ● Vasque Desmarais - Vasque is someone Ludivine trusts completely, a confident and very close friend. The two have shared similar experiences in the past, and Vasque's relationship with her lover reminds Ludivine of her own with Cassandra. The flame of passion burned between them for a while, before it became clear to the two that it was affecting Cassandra, and so the pair agreed that their love would remain away from physical approach. Ever since then, Vasque has always been there for Ludivine when she needed someone - the Hyur proving to be a stubborn and firm ally in the darkest of times. ● Sayuri Gahaku - An Auri woman not short of Ludivine's age, and in a similar situation to the Elezen. Sayuri's struggles with finding work, and the discrimination that bites at her heels gives a lot of room for empathy from Ludivine, and the two take pleasure in both having someone to discuss their problems with. Their friendship still has a long way to go, and Ludivine is more than a little concerned about Sayuri's infatuation with Aeron Volkova, something which Ludivine fears may not be in Sayu's best interest. ● Z'thara Dhen - Z'thara was one of the first 'Jackals' Ludivine met in her home at the J&H company. Always seeming reserved and content to stay out of the spotlight, Ludivine nonetheless took an interest in the Miqo'te's life, and kept a careful eye on the woman. When it was revealed Thara was undercover to betray the company when the opportunity presented itself, Ludivine stayed firm at Thara's side, hoping to persuade the woman of the same truths she herself had come to accept since giving up her life of violence. Their friendship is still new, but Ludivine hopes that Thara will be willing to open up a little more over time. ● Jessika Saphir - Ludivine spotted this Duskwight seeming lost at a party. She and Cassandra took an interest in the poor woman, and invited her to socialize with their circle of friends. Since then, the two Elezen have grown closer, but there is still much Ludivine isn't sure of about her. ● Kurt Steel - A strange young man met when Ludivine was speaking with others, Kurt has shown a propensity for being in the right place at the right time, or the wrong place at the wrong time. The two always have news to share, and help each other when the time arises. Other than their chance meetings, however, the two know little about each other, and are rarely seen together. ● Flora Valerian - Flora and Ludivine met when the Elezen took part in the Host Club social event, hosted by Flora's free company. Despite the professional nature of their first meeting, Ludivine took an immediate shine to Flora - the young Highlander reminding the Elezen of her time spend protecting the people of Little Ala Mhigo. Ludivine sees Flora as something of a little sister, or a daughter, though the Duskwight would probably never admit to such. She loves to tease Flora, but deep down wants the best for the Hyur, and visits her to make sure she is doing her best in life. ● Arcian Martell - A Highlander of few words, Arcian and Ludivine make an unlikely pair of friends, but the two seem to enjoy the brief words shared between them. As Brave Horizon's lover, Arcian, Brave and Ludivine are often seen together; Ludivine does her best to compete with the pair's flirtatious nature. ● Lulula Lulu - Ludivine was invited to this Lalafell's naming-day out of the blue, the two having met by chance around Ul'dah. After spending a friendly time at Lulula's company house, the two thought to stay in contact, but never seemed to come across each other again for a long time. Though the two are not in contact, Ludivine still bumps into the Lalafell and her lover now and then, and they share pleasant conversation. ● Nyagi Yhistarok - A tomboyish Miqo'te, Nyagi and Ludivine proved steadfast drinking buddies since the moment they met. For a time, the two would always be seen in each other's company, however since Ludivine was attacked in Ul'dah the two have not seen each other again. Though Ludivine misses her old friend, she is sure that Nyagi is doing well for herself. Ludivine's attempts to curb her drinking habits, and her general displeasure for Ul'dah means the two may not chance upon each other any more. ● Gwannes Oskwell - Ludivine finds it hard to put her finger on this man - someone whose personality and sense of humour might be so far out there that Ludivine has trouble keeping up at times. To anyone listening in, the conversations and meetings shared between the two are garbled nonsense and drunken ramblings, but in spite of this the two seem to be on good terms. Ludivine looks out for Gwannes on the rare times they meet, and the Elezen was present at the man's ceremony of eternal bonding. Fondly called 'bucket-head', the two still meet from time to time. ● Alexander Beaudonet - Alexander, someone Ludivine met only briefly, but the Elezen pair seemed to click and they shared a drink and a walk. Though Ludivine desires to meet the man again, Alexander has always seemed out of reach. Whatever there might have been between them, chances are it may not happen - Alexander's absence troubling Ludivine slightly. ● Seiko Mamushi - A doman girl full of spirit, Ludivine and Seiko keep watch of each other. Though Ludivine knows little of the Hyur (and most probably likewise for Seiko), the Elezen finds the girl to be a good friend, and good company. After being invited to Seiko's ceremony of eternal bonding, the two seem to have grown closer, though they rarely meet by chance. Despite Seiko's questionable lifestyle choices, the two have a deep friendship, and Ludivine cares for the girl. ● Brave Horizon - One of Ludivine's closest friends, Brave has proven to be just the person to keep Ludivine's spirits high. Having met by chance when the two drank some questionable potions, the pair have seemed to have only gotten closer as time goes on - Brave providing a strong intellectual force for Ludivine, and someone who can be trusted in dire situations. Considering their first meeting was during an oil wrestling match, the two have held some fierce sexual tension for each other, but understand the importance of boundaries. When Ludivine's past was revealed, Brave didn't shirk away from comforting the Elezen, and their friendship has held steady even through the roughest of times. ● Edda Vincents - The young girl with an attitude, Ludivine and Edda matched wits in a scathing way when the two met through mutual friends. Ludivine considers the girl mostly harmless, but since their first meeting it was clear the two would never see eye to eye. The two rarely meet, and the conversation shared between them - if any - is full of cold threats. ● Flynt Reddard - An obnoxious man Ludivine met while she was tending to some girls that were living on the streets of Ul'dah. Despite the Elezen's attempts to ignore the Hyur, Flynt made the impression of being someone who simply could not shut up. At the very least, he was memorable, though Ludivine seems glad she has not crossed paths with him since.

Gallery

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  Cassandra kissing Ludivine.

Footnotes

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