Proxima Bisenoire

Proxima Bisenoire
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Gender	Female
Race	Elezen
Clan	Duskwight
Citizenship	The Holy See of Ishgard
Age	27
Marital Status	Single
Occupation	Customs Officer
Height/Weight	6 fulm 1 ilm
Family	Undecime Aubriques (mother, deceased) Renardault Bisenoire (father) Sondaine Bisenoire (sister)

Proxima Bisenoire was born in The Holy See of Ishgard. She served as an astrologian at the Observatorium in Coerthas for three summers after The Calamity before retiring from her position to study arcanima. Though presently she works for Melvaan's Gate as a customs officer at Aleport and Limsa Lominsa, she considers herself first and foremost an astrologian and second an arcanist.

Basic Information

Likes ■ Ishgard, Halone ■ Lominsan Cuisine ■ Intellectual pursuits ■ Helping others (will deny) ■ Creating solutions ■ Observing Carbuncles ■ Fine clothes ■ Being left alone

Dislikes ■ Dravanians ■ Sailors and Merchants ■ Feeling helpless ■ Being unproductive ■ Unnecessarily chatty or loud people ■ Wasting time ■ Hot Weather ■ Working at Aleport ■ Gridanian Elezens

Traits & Flaws ■ Presents herself as distant and impersonal ■ Hubris (the reason for her current plight) ■ Fiercely dedicated (mostly to Ishgard) ■ Empathic (which she considers a flaw and hindrance to her completing her duty to Ishgard) ■ Still holds some prejudiced views despite living in Vylbrand for two summers

Skills ■ Navigation by reading the stars ■ Observation and critical thinking to a fault. ■ Arcanima ■ Ishgardian Astrology

Appearance & Personality

She stands under the average height, but still manages to stick out in an average Lominsan crowd, save of course for other Elezen and Roegadyn. She lacks physical strength and is not the least bit muscular, owing her slim, lanky stature to years of purely academic pursuits and genetics. Though Proxima's ashen, grey skin reflects her paternal Duskwight ancestry, she has no personal attachments to their culture and history, simply identifying herself as Ishgardian. She had also inherited her father's rose-colored eyes, framed by dark lashes, giving her a seemingly piercing gaze. She has dark blue hair that she keeps short to accommodate the warmer winds of La Noscea. Proxima has two identifying marks– a mole under her lips and a scar on her face. On the left side of her face, under her eye, is the scar. It was the result of an incident involving a smuggler trying to escape routine inspection. Her manner of dress is what gives her away as a foreigner, always presenting herself formally. Even despite the heat, she frequently wears long dark-colored robes, often with golden embroidery, and pairs them with dark leather boots when she works on the docks.

Efficient and focused in work, Proxima spends little time in the company of others. This, combined with her cold and aloof responses, has won her very few friends over the course of her stay in Limsa Lominsa. Although she speaks in a courteous manner, and is never outright cruel, others who might want to approach her are discouraged as she keeps her distance from others and largely prefers finishing tasks and researching in her free time. She is difficult to converse with, being civil to the point of impersonal. Insistent efforts have been met with a roll of the eyes and an abrupt exit. Discussions about aether and the stars, however, will surely keep her engaged. She is an admirer of hard work and noble causes, and though sparingly, compliments others on their accomplishments. She tends to be impatient with and is put off by enthusiastic people, which, much to her chagrin, Limsa Lominsa has no shortage of. During her life in Ishgard however, Proxima was notably less withdrawn. Though she was largely solemn and reserved, she took pride in working in the name of The Holy See and amongst others who did the same. Despite her exterior, she does extend aid to others willingly on occasion, but does not act without visible, sufficient cause. This stems from her work as a customs officer, being the recipient of all sorts of honeyed words to circumvent an impending inspection.

Biography

Early Life

Proxima was the secondborn child to Undecime Aubriques, a knight of House Durendaire and her husband, Renardault Bisenoire, a second-generation Ishgardian and half Duskwight. Though not of noble birth, Proxima was raised in a relatively well-off household, owing to her maternal family's long history in serving the High Houses. The Bisenoires lived on the edge of The Pillars, just shy a few fulms of a generous view of the Jeweled Crozier. The desire to uphold Ishgard's honor seemed to run in the family, with Renardault working as an external auditor for lesser houses, and with Undecime helping man even the most distant of outposts in case of a Dravanian attack. Her elder sister Sondaine resolved to become an inquisitor, after one of her childhood friends was taken by his fleeing heretic parents. Proxima was influenced by her elder sister and mother’s efforts against Dravanians at bay, but was not adept at either field of inquisition or knighthood.

Time at the Athanaeum Astrologicum

Renardault noted his daughter's inclination for books and stars from an early age, and, with some suggestions of his own astrologian acquaintances, encouraged her to study at the Athenaeum Astrologicum. Though many concepts pertained to the heavens and the position of the stars, she was a quick learner. She found purpose in reading the heavens to prevent disasters from befalling her city. Knowing her work is utterly vital in minimizing casualties, Proxima toiled to serve at the Observatorium. She finds a kindred spirit in Guillarmine, a highborn knight stationed at Dzemael Manor, across the athenaeum, and eventually starts a relationship with her.

Her initial sense of fulfillment however, began to wane, when she'd realized that she longed to offer more than a means of defense. Astromancy, though seemingly promising, was out of the question, given her only encounter had been with the Viscount de Durendaire. She shares the opinion of many astrologians that Sharlayan Astrology should benefit Ishgard very little and that it is a reckless pursuit.

The Calamity

At the onset of The Calamity, Proxima had yet to be stationed at the Observatorium despite having completed her studies as a novitiate. The consistent, abysmal weather that befell Coerthas made it nigh impossible for any reading of the stars, and delayed most of Ishgard's affairs. Slowly, a sizeable amount of Ishgardians had begun to retreat and abandon their posts from the impossible weather, save for those at Undecime's station at the Dusk Vigil. They still attempted to man the stronghold against all odds in case of impending attacks by the Dravanian Horde. Over time it grew apparent that all was lost and the soldiers had laid down their lives for their duty. Proxima's resolve wavered even more. There were countless brave men and women took arms for The Holy See, and yet none of their deaths were prevented by astrology. And in the endless, unforgiving blizzards, reading the stars would never be as easy as it once was. The inevitable passiveness that astrologians were doomed to in that situation did nothing to quell Proxima's concerns. Despite encouragement from Guillarmine and reassurances that the tragedy was no fault of hers,tThe loss of her mother caused Proxima to throw herself further into her studies, doubting her place and contribution, but persevered in hopes of preventing tragedies of a similar caliber. She spends the next three years working quietly at the Observatorium.

Arcanima

Proxima became acquainted with a Lominsan arcanist searching for leads on a smuggling ring in Coerthas. The two exchange their views on their respective practices and almost immediately Proxima is intrigued by the principles of arcanima and its use against the Dravanian Horde. Believing she could find the answer at the Arcanist Guild, she began to muse with the idea of resigning from her post at the Observatorium, and seeks Guillarmine's counsel and approval. Unfortunately, the idea of separation and allowing the Observatorium to lose an astrologian in tumultuous times was not received well, and became a source of disagreement for the couple. Guillarmine tried to dissuade such a drastic and unsure path, understanding that the decision was a culmination of Proxima's grief and frustration over time. Upon further reflection however, and determined that a more effective means of combating any future invasions was to be found, Proxima remained adamant and ultimately accepted that leaving meant parting ways with Guillarmine.

Sacrificing the comforts and life she'd known, she set out despite the disapproval of her peers (who had called it folly unlike the Viscount's own). She arrives in Limsa Lominsa confident in her desire to contribute to both academic field and Ishgard. Though she had grasped the basics from the arcanist at Coerthas, arcanima proved to be far more complex than she'd anticipated. She spends the next two years simply attempting to master the most foundational concepts and spells, and in present day confidently identifies herself an arcanist. She is far from truly mastering arcanima, however, and has no major contributions to the study. Though her work earns her enough coin to return to Ishgard, she'd remained in Vylbrand simply out of pride. Though her studies had allowed her devastating potential against the Horde, she has yet to find a way to extend this ability to be used by other Ishgardians.

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) ■ "She seems the stuck up sort, lookin' down on people discreetly tryin' to make a livin'. *snort* A tattletale, if you will." -- Merchant caught smuggling. ■ "Bisenoire? Lass works hard, but pays no mind to folks 'round 'er. If aught has 'er attention, it's a tome." -- Senior Customs Officer at Melvaan's Gate ■ "Yeah... she's... not much of a talker. Not much of a listener either." -- Sailor at Aleport ■ "Ishgardian through and through, that one. Hardly surprising, considering her family. Odd that she left at all." -- Instructor at the Athenaeum ◢ Moderate Rumors (Moderately difficult to overhear) ■ "Oh, her! Yeah, she comes by every week. Real polite. Pastry fish, every time. Seems real busy, though. Doesn't stick around to chat. Always rushing off." -- Culinarian at Hawker's Alley ■ "Promising critical mind. Worked well when she was here. Next thing I knew, I hear she couldn't stand working here. Can you believe that? The nerve..." -- Astrologian at the Observatorium ■ "I hear she ran off after breaking the heart of some lesser noble's daughter." -- Forgotten Knight patron ◢ Rare Rumors (Very difficult or rarely overheard) ■ "Not as good an arcanist as you'd think. Been nary a twelvemoon since she'd first successfully summoned a Topaz Carbuncle, and she'd been here two summers. Imagine! Two summers and a Topaz Carbuncle!" -- Lominsan Arcanist ■ "The Calamity changed her. At least, that's what Fauvlair usually says. I don't really know Ms. Bisenoire." -- House Dzemael Knight ◢ PC Rumors (Rumors from the character's of other players) ■ "I engaged with the arcanist once by the Moraby docks. Tied with a situation not to her wills, but as she had taken it to her hands, the lady certainly dedicated her full efforts. And within preference, if I recall, she would rather be addressed straight by name..." - Ruadh Trystine

Relations ♥ Sexual Desire ♥ Romantic Interest ♥ Platonic Love ● Good Standing ● Neutral ● Poor Standing ● Ruadh Trystine : He approached Proxima and expressed concern over sailors' rumors about The Isles of Umbra during a brief conversation. She doesn't share his concerns but offered to aid him, should he find proof of the disturbances. She hasn't heard from him since, and assumes he'd resumed sightseeing.

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Footnotes