Tala'li Dakelh

Tala'li Dakelh

All that Glitters

IntroductionAppearancePersonalityHistoryRelationshipsRumorsVisualsOOC

BASIC INFORMATION

■ Birth Name: Tala'li Dakelh ■ Race and Clan: Miqo'te, Keeper of the Moon ■ Birthplace Gridania ■ Gender: Male ■ Nameday: 1st Sun of the 6th Umbral Moon ■ Age: 23

■ Occupation: Traveling Performer ■ Marital Status: Kinda dating. ■ Sexuality: Homosexual ■ Height: 5 fulms 3 ilms ■ Weight: 125 ponze ■ Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

PREFACE

TALA'LI DAKELH is a young and flamboyant city-born Keeper of the Moon. Currently traveling Eorzea as a performer in a make-shift wagon, Tala'li has little to tie him to any one place and that seems to be the way he prefers it Having a love for fancy things and a taste for all things material, he quite often sells his company to others for additional income or a meal and a place to sleep for the night. Tala'li is quite aware he's attractive, and feels no shame in using that to his full advantage to make his way in the world.

RP HOOKS

AFFILIATIONS
■ Traveling Performer: Tala'li's main source of income has become his street performances as a fire dancer. While he usually keeps it to the streets, he had been known to perform at venues if the pay is good.

■ Courtesan of a Sort: While he's by no means a trained or "official" courtesan, Tala'li quite often supplements his income by selling himself for a night or two between the sheets. He doesn't really see any shame in it, and usually doesn't discriminate with potential clients, but does prefer the company of other men.

■ City-born Keeper: Born and raised on a farm in Gridania, Tala'li is fairly well known back home. His family is actually quite known for their orchards and rolanberry preserves.

LOCATIONS
■ Gridania: Being that Tala'li was born in the city, he still often frequents it to visit family or stay with them when gil has been scarce. He rather hates doing it, being that he's so independent, but he actually does like his rather large brood of siblings, deep down. He's often found frequenting the bar while there.

■ Ul'dah: This city has become one of Tala'li's major haunts. Being that it is easy to travel to and from the Shroud by his wagon, when he is not in Gridania, he's likely here. The hustle and bustle of the market streets make for easy ways to get a crowd going during one of his performances. And there's usually never a shortage of people with coin to spare for an itch they need to scratch in bed.

APPEARANCE

FIRST IMPRESSION
Tala'li is a small and slender Miqo'te male with a slightly effeminate form. While he is lithe and flexible, he is not without slight definition from dancing or his younger years tending the fields. Tala'li has a deep, ashen color to his skin not unlike the color of creamed coffee. His face is delicate and round. Tala'li has a slight upturn to an angular nose, and thick, full lips. His eyes are angular as well, narrowed and tilted up. His hair is kept short, but tidy, with a slight curl. It is natural a pale cream color, nearly white in some light.

SCARS & MARKINGS
Ever prideful of his appearance, Tala'li tends to avoid things that will scar or mar his skin in any way. But he does have markings across areas of his body akin to spots, or dark freckles. They span across his upper back and shoulders, and along his lower back and hip, with a slight dusting of them across his cheeks. The tips of his ears also have a bit darker patches of fur, resembling the same spots.

GARMENTS
Tala'li has fairly expensive tastes but not often the wallet to support it. Much of his clothing were gifts or things he has modified himself over the years. With a preference for things that obviously accent his body, Tala'li varies from flowing and loose fabrics to form-fitting clothing and mixing the two for performances. He likes gold jewelry and the jingling sound they make as he moves.

PERSONALITY

DEMEANOR
Tala'li has often been described as extremely vain and always having something to say. He enjoys compliments, thrives on attention and unashamedly enjoys a good time between the sheets as well. With a somewhat skewed view of the world, Tala'li feels it is useless to learn to fight or take up a trade when there will always be people willing to pay for a night of company. In private, Tala'li is actually quite affectionate and can be quite a bit calmer than he is in a more public environment, but it takes him a while to open up to this way to people.

QUIRKS
There is no denying Tala'li believes he is the Twelves' gift to the realm. He's beyond vain, to the point he might even talk to himself in front of a reflective surface. Almost any conversation will probably take a lewd or suggestive turn if he has his way, but he's easily distracted by talking about himself. He also has a habit of calling people "honey" as a pet name.

INTELLIGENCE
Tala'li is actually quite a bit more intelligent than people give him credit for at first glance. While he did not have a formal education, his mother made sure all her children could read and write, as well as have many other skills to survive on their own. Tala'li loves the arts. In addition to his dancing, Tala'li also can play several instruments, draw fairly realistically and loves to paint.

HISTORY

EARLY LIFE
Tala'li had a relatively simple childhood. He was born the middle child of a large city-born Keeper family in Gridania. His parents were both farmers, owning a good-sized piece of land where they became rather well-known for their imported rolanberries and the preserves they made from it. Much of his childhood was spent tending the fields with his siblings, or more often than not skipping out on his chores to play with other city kids. Tala'li was known for being a rascal of sorts, and was brought home by Wailers on more than one occasion for being disruptive.

His mother gave each of her children what education she could. She taught them to read and write, often during long study sessions after a day in the field. Tala'li, of course, hated such things back then, but he finds himself grateful for it now when most those he associates with are illiterate. Being the middle child had both its perks and its downsides. He was often ignored in favor of those younger than him, or simple lost in the accomplishments of those older. But it was what allowed him to wander away so often.

Tala'li discovered his attractions fairly young as well. He might have been influenced by a romance novel or two, but he had a poor habit of naming himself the wife of several of other Gridanian boys his age. More often than not, they lasted for a day, maybe two, before he was on to the next, holding hands and hanging off them even if they didn't want it. When he was nearly twelve, Tala'li walked in on two young Wood Wailer men cavorting with each other...intimately. Needless to say, Tala'li was a changed person. Thankfully, his parents seemed fairly supportive and have remained so.

HEADING OUT
Life on the farm was not for Tala'li. He learned that pretty fast. He watched a few of his older siblings pursue other things. A sister that got a job at the Roost as a chef, a brother that was bookish enough to get published. He grew restless, and already decided he was leaving by the time he was sixteen. His parents obviously worried for him, unsure how he would make a living. But they let him go, reminding him he always had a place back on the farm.

And so Tala'li took one of the family chocobos, Peaches, and set off to find something to ease his restless mind. It was by chance that a passerby caught him swaying in a dance that he realized he could make gil off such a thing. The traveler spoke of Ul'dah and it's glorious dancers, and Tala'li was convinced it was the place for him.

Ul'dah, he learned, was not as free-flowing with coin as he thought. But he worked hard. And soon he had a fairly good reputation as a street performer. Each performance lent him more gil to buy more extravagant costumes, and more elaborate props. Tala'li was hooked. It was only about a moon after his initial arrival into the city that he was first propositioned. At first, Tala'li was a little clueless. But he soon realized that this was almost more lucrative than dancing had been. He sold himself to whoever would offer, and was just as hooked on that as performing.

A DANGEROUS GAME
Over a cycle later, Tala'li had found himself in a fairly good place. He was independent enough that he did not need to return home as often if he was hungry, and if he was cold, he knew how to find someone's bed. He had saved enough to buy an old wagon that Peaches could pull, furnishing the inside as a mobile home of sorts while he performed. Tala'li often got gifts of jewelry or clothes from admirers, but thought little of it. But the kind of life he was living was one that was tempting fate.

The first time Tala'li was drugged and taken advantage of, he learned that lesson. He also learned that his pretty face could earn him as much trouble as it did coin. He still has nightmares regarding these incidents, but has now learned what and who to avoid in most cases.

Not long after that first cycle, Tala'li met Cashel.

OBSESSION
Cashel was a prodigal son of an accomplished thaumaturge in the Ossuary. A good five summers older than Tala'li, he had a way with words and came across as rather dashing. Tala'li found himself a little too attracted. Up until that point, he had never really felt anything for people he took to bed. It was simply just a way to make money. But Cashel was different. The man spoiled him, showed off his magical prowess, and after a time, told him loved him.

But as time wore on, Tala'li realized something was not right. Cashel grew angry each time he performed, threatened him if he so much as looked at someone else, even in a playful manner. Finding himself in a downward spiral of an obsessed and possessive lover, Tala'li tried to end things. But Cashel did not stop there. Everything grew worse, physical. Tala'li found himself caught under sleeping spells and violated to where he couldn't stand. There were times he feared for his life.

His family did not really question it when he returned, or rather, escaped to Gridania for two summers. And Tala'li almost stayed permanently. But shaking himself off, and vowing to never make such mistakes as that again, he returned to what he enjoyed. There are times he swears he sees the mage in the crowd again, but he has not made himself known in several cycles.

RECENT HISTORY

Currently, Tala'li is still living on the road. While he spends most of his time traveling back and forth from Thanalan to the Shroud, he's made a few trips as far west as Vylbrand, testing the waters for his performances there. More recently, he found himself intrigued by a jumpy little Seeker named Z'ohji Tia, and they have become a haphazard pair traveling on his airship. Tala'li really isn't sure why he enjoys his company so much, especially since all his advances have been blatantly refused. But it is interesting if anything, and Tala'li lives for interesting.

RELATIONSHIPS

KEY ICON LEGEND
Positive Standing Neutral Standing Negative Standing
Significant Other Romantic Attraction Platonic Care Sexual Desire Trusted
Wary Family Deceased NPC

Of those from home... Tala Dakelh Tala'li really loves his mother, though he puts on a front that he'd much rather be independent. She is a woman of few words, and is usually calm, collected, and level-headed. Johka'to Nhakela His father, in Tala'li's own words, is an oaf. The man is far more outspoken than his wife, likes physical contact more than words, and as easy-going as a Miqo'te can get. It is actually his family's land the farm resides on, but he more than happily handed over the household to Tala, like most Keeper men. Lani Dakelh Tala'li's oldest sister, Lani, no longer resides on the farm, but is married with kits of her own. She works as a chef in the Roost and Tala'li has bribed a few free meals from her before. She is ten cycles older than Tala'li. Tala'a Dakelh His eldest brother has taken the mantle of tending the farm with his parents. While there's no official naming of it, it is expected he'll fully take over the business once his parents are ready to live a simpler life. He is nine cycles older than Tala'li Tuhla Dakelh Tuhla is actually one of Tala'li's favorite siblings. She loves to gossip and will more than happily fawn over cute men with him. She is six cycles older than Tala'li. Juno Dakelh Juno is a quiet girl that doesn't say much. The most like their mother, she also chose to stay on the farm to help and she seems to enjoy that. She is four cycles older than Tala'li. Tala'to Dakelh Tala'to was always the sibling with his nose in a book. He has several adventure novels published now, and lives in his own apartment in the Lavender Beds. Tala'li is still trying to convince him to write a dirty novel starring him. He is two cycles older than Tala'li. Zhali Dakelh One of Tala'li's twin siblings. She and her sister Sahbi are nearly identical and fairly inseparable. Like Tala'li, they have a bit of a rambunctious streak to them and like to play pranks. She is five cycles younger than Tala'li. Sahbi Dakelh One of Tala'li's twin siblings. She and her sister Zhali are nearly identical and fairly inseparable. Like Tala'li, they have a bit of a rambunctious streak to them and like to play pranks. She is five cycles younger than Tala'li. Ihtu Dakelh The tomboy of the brood, Ihtu will probably pick a fight with just about anyone. And she is fiercely defensive over all of her siblings, even the older ones that can take care of themselves. She is ten cycles younger than Tala'li. Reh Dakelh Reh is a princess, or at least she thinks she is. She loves everything and anything pink and likes to watch Tala'li draw. She is fifteen cycles younger than Tala'li. Tala'sae Dakelh The baby of the family, and who Tala swears is the last. He was the last little blessing, and is a fairly well behaved little baby, for the most part. He is only a year old, making him twenty-two cycles younger than Tala'li.

Of those loved... ... ... Of those known... Cashel Vidal Tala'li's one and only previous boyfriend. The man grew obsessive and violent fairly soon into their relationship, leaving Tala'li traumatized and unable to accept any form of such companionship again. He is fairly certain he is still stalking him, but Cashel has thankfully not made his appearance known. Z'ohji Tia A blushing and adorably stuttering little Seeker that Tala'li met in a Gridanian bar. The two have been traveling together for some time, and Tala'li finally convinced the shy thing to take him to bed. It has been a while since Tala'li has allowed himself this close to someone in such a short time, and he's quite afraid Z'ohji actually means it when he says he loves him. But he tries not to dwell on that too much. Of those met... J'takra Tia A fiery Seeker that Tala'li met after one of his performances in Ul'dah. The other wasted little time in asking Tala'li back to the room he shared with his fiance, Oyuu Dataq. The other bought him room service, and they may or may not have gone well into the night having fun in bed. Although it was just for one night, Tala'li rather liked him. He's been thinking of going back and paying him a visit. Nahdu'a Rastahn A clan-born Keeper met along with two twins, Rhako'a and Rhako'to, that had just left their clan. Tala'li might have thought him cute at one point, but the dirty thing nearly broke his nose, so he lost all interest. Oyuu Dataq Oyuu was a rather attractive Au Ra that Tala'li met alongside of J'takra, who was introduced as the Seeker's "girlfriend." He later found out he was actually his fiance, but the the three of them did enjoy a night together. He even earned a nice sum of gil out of it, after winning a bet. He'd like to see him again, as well. Rhako'a Sahri A clan-born Keeper Tala'li met along with his twin and their friend. While he can definitely say he had quite a bit of fun teasing him and his brother, he couldn't help but notice how protective he was over the both of them. He still would like to get him and his twin in bed, though. Rhako'to Sahri A clan-born Keeper Tala'li met along with his twin and their friend. He was far too easy to get riled up, and it was a shame he did not get to teach him anything hands-on. But he still fondly thinks of him with his twin on either side of him. Shane Ma'iitsoh A cute little thing he wouldn't mind getting to know better. He met him while returning to the Order house in search of J'takra.

RUMORS

Some of these rumors are untrue, speculation, or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to add your own rumors under the Player Character category!

NPC . ◢ Common Rumors - Easily overheard. Use these freely! ■ "The Dakelhs? Yeah, I know 'em. Good people, good food. Just don't ask me to remember which is which. " -Gridanian Merchant ■ "Tali? He's usually on a tab here, but at least he's good about paying up. I don't ask where he gets the money, most times. I'm too afraid he'll actually tell me." -Roost Barkeep ■ "That Keeper is something else in bed, let me tell you." -Ul'dahn Man ■ "Ugh, yes. That one is so bad for business. And he is so full of himself!" -Ul'dahn Dancer ◢ Uncommon Rumors - A little more difficult to hear. Use sparingly or ask first! ■ "He is actually a wonderful painter. I'm not sure why he does not choose to make a living off that instead of... those activities." -Disgusted Gridanian ■ "I saw him... perform once. It was...indecent. But then I came home to him in bed with my husband! Absolutely appalling!" -Merchant Wife ■ "Just another slut from the street, no doubt. Pretty face and nothing else." -Bitter Ul'dahn Citizen ◢ Rare Rumors - Very rarely overheard. Please ask before using! ■ "Heard he was mixed up in some Ossuary business. Not sure what, but that's not business I want." -Ul'dahn Gossip

PC . ◢ Player Character Rumors - Feel free to add rumors of your own! ■ "Add rumor here." -Name

VISUALS

ART

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  Art by me

SCREENSHOTS

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  Edited Screenshot by me

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  Edited Screenshot by me

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  Gif by me

OOC

Other Available Characters: Kazha'a Anhsari, Ellere Valahan and Arshtat Ejinn
Retired Characters: Nahdu'a Rastahn
FFXIV Art and RP Blog: Tumblr

About Me as a Roleplayer:
- I am located on the west coast, so I am in the PDT/PST time zone.
- I am a full-time graduate student, so my schedule varies, but I’m usually available any time in the afternoon/evenings and on weekends unless I have class or a large assignment.
- I like RP with plot and substance, long build-ups and deep story.
- I don't mind Discord RP due to scheduling differences, but also open to in-game RP if that is your preferred method.
- I am open to pre-established or old relationships (old friends, enemies, clients etc).
- I am open to mature or darker themes.
- I lean to things being lore-friendly and compliant, though open to have fun within reason as well.
- Love interests are great.
- Antagonists or enemies are just as great.
- So are friends.

CREDIT

■ Overall design adapted from D'lyhhia Lhuil & Oyuu Dataq's profiles.

■ Headers from Bancroft Gairn's template.

■ Coded up by Ruran Vas!