Ilyas Novak
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Ilyas Novak (formerly Illianaro Corvus Liabella)
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| Gender | Male |
| Race | Hyur |
| Clan | Midlander |
| Citizenship | Limsa Lominsa |
| Place of Birth | Red Rooster Stead |
| Guardian | Oschon, the Wanderer |
| Nameday | 14th Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon (Age: 25) |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Occupation | Freelance Monster Hunter |
| Pronunciation | Ill-yiss Noh-vahk (Ill-ee-a-na-ro Lee-a-bell-ah) |
Contents
History
"We may enter this tavern as strangers, but after sharing song and drink we will part as friends." —Ilyas Novak
Ilyas Novak (born Illianaro Corvus Liabella) is the second son of Lionel and Jeanine Liabella (née Danford), and the younger brother of Lachlan Liabella.
When Illianaro was an eighteen-year-old hand at the farms of Red Rooster Stead, a powerful morbol appeared in nearby Lower La Noscea. The morbol charged toward Limsa Lominsa until Illianaro attacked the beast and distracted it. This first, unsuccessful attempt on the city was, unbeknownst to many, the beginning of a war that would come to the forefront years later. The consequence of Illianaro' efforts to stop the morbol was that he fell prey to its poison, the skin on his right arm becoming black and charred. When it became clear that the healers at the Red Rooster Stead could only halt the advance of the poison, but not remove it altogether, Illianaro decided to embark on a journey to Gridania, where Lachlan was learning the art of the lance, in the hopes that he might get help from the Conjurers' Guild or, if need be, the Elder Seedseer herself. The morning after the morbol's assault, he set sail for Vesper Bay from Limsa Lominsa.
Early on his nineteenth birthday, Illianaro landed at Vesper Bay, setting foot on the Eorzean mainland for the first time in his life. He met Hamon Holyfist while he was traveling through the parched landscape of Thanalan, and from him learned the basics of fist fighting. While in training, Illianaro quickly became best friends with an elezen duskwight named Tyrun Baalgam, and later tested to become a hunter for the Immortal Flames, barely failing the examination. He eventually left Ul'Dah when a relapse of the morbol's poison in his body pushed him to the brink of death. He then learned, from an adventurer and healer who was passing through the area, that the poison had begun advancing again at a rapid rate, and it would take multiple healers at once to remove it from his body. The next day, Illianaro reluctantly left the city-state, accompanied by Tyrun and a new friend and love interest, Ayla Byakurai, making way to Gridania at last.
While traveling through Thanalan and the Southern reaches of the Black Shroud, Illianaro and his friends saved a tavern - aptly named "The Tavern" - from a raiding party, later learning that this tavern served as a hub for various smuggling activities throughout the entirety of Eorzea. At the time Illianaro was disgusted by the Tavern's involvement in illegal activities, saying that "he should have left it to the mercy of the raiding party." However, the Tavern would later prove to be an important part of Illianaro' life, with him encountering it's many patrons during his travels. Soon after saving the Tavern, Illianaro, Ayla, and Tyrun arrived in Gridania, with Illianaro collapsing as they approached the Carline Canopy. While in his coma, Illianaro had a vision of burning fields and of a giant dragon laying waste to the countryside. He awoke, having missed his twentieth birthday, to find that the poison had been removed from his body, leaving just his scarred and pockmarked right arm, and a case of narcolepsy, as evidence that he had ever been ill.
After a tearful reunion with his brother, Lachlan Liabella informed Illianaro that their parents had both perished at the Battle of Carteneau. Ayla and Tyrun later returned from traveling the Black Shroud to help with recovery following the events at Carteneau. They explained to Illianaro everything that had happened, also revealing that they had begun a romantic relationship with one another.
After his recovery, Illianaro continued his training in martial arts, learning to work around his fainting episodes as well as practicing the art of the lance to help supplement his growing skill. He became unhappy with life in Gridania, still struggling to come to terms with the death of his parents and pained by watching his friends' romance become increasingly serious. He was present the night of their engagement, an announcement that broke his heart and began to form a rift between Illianaro and the other two.
As time went by and Illianaro spent more time doing odd jobs outside of Gridania, he began to learn more about the Tavern, his harsh stance on them softening some when he realized that the efforts of some of the smugglers there had saved the lives of countless "Orphans of Carteneau." On some occasions, he even performed music for those who were visiting the Tavern. Despite his initial hatred of the Tavern and its ilk, Illianaro found that his time there was an increasingly welcome distraction from his dissatisfaction with his life. Despite his building relationship with the group, he was able to resist the temptation to begin a life of piracy and smuggling, always drawing a line there.
Illianaro's life changed irrevocably the night he returned to Gridania to see the lancers' barracks burning. An impossibly powerful man in hulking, shining armor singlehandedly razed the city with a combination of potent magic and wild swings of a greatsword. Illianaro, along with many others, attempted in vain to fight off the beast, learning later that he was someone who had been able to "harness the power of a primal." When Illianaro was about to die at the armored warrior's hand, Lachlan stepped in and engaged the enemy in a fiery duel. The warrior toyed with the young lancer, pretending to be fighting on equal footing before suddenly overpowering him and gravely wounding Lachlan. Illianaro was forced to retreat from the scene, watching as the armored warrior took Lachlan's body and disappeared into the flames.
A week after the skirmish in Gridania, Tyrun and Ayla hosted their engagement celebration. Illianaro stayed long enough so as not to be anti-social, but soon left the party to return to his inn room. Ayla tried to convince him to come back out, but he told her that he was tired and would see her in the morning. After she left, Illianaro stood on the railing of his balcony and contemplated life and death. Deciding that his life was no longer worth the pain he felt all the time, he attempted to step off of the balcony; he was stopped by a fainting episode.
The following morning, Illianaro was greeted at his window by one of the smugglers, Denny Jirho, who had struck up a good friendship with him during the tavern visits. Denny reminded him that Lachlan was most likely not dead, as he had been taken away from the scene, and that smugglers don't just use their intricate networks to transport goods, but information as well. To prove this, Denny then told Illianaro - a free piece of information - that the armored warrior was part of a group called the Order of the Broken Bough. After this conversation, Illianaro accepted Denny's offer to help with a job and began using the smugglers' network to gain information on the armored warrior and Lachlan.
That day, Illianaro decided that he had truly died the night he attempted his suicide, and would now be reborn as Ilyas Novak, Hunter for Hire. Five years has passed since then.
Appearance
Height: 5 feet, 11 inches
Weight: 157 lbs
Complexion: Slightly tan
Hair: Sandy brown, tied back in a ponytail, with bangs that frame the face.
Eyes: Ruby red, almond shaped eyes.
Particular Traits: Scar that crosses over the left eye, as well as many scars covering his body and a disfigured right arm. Long, pointed nose and well defined cheek bones.
Voice: Deep, smooth voice. Warm and quiet. (Voice number 11)
Clothing Style: Ilyas has a lot of passion for classy, old school fashion. He wears a trilby (Holy Rainbow Hat), a jackcoat (Archaeoskin Jackcoat of Gathering), a black pair of Sailor Sea Brais, along with armored jackboots and gloves (Fistfighters' Gloves/Jackboots). As he likes to put it: "just because I fight doesn't mean I can't fight in style."
Laterality: Ambidextrous
Tastes
Hobbies
- Woodworking - it's something to do with his hands if he's feeling a particularly strong negative emotion
- Music - Ilyas has trained since he was very young to play the lyre, dulcimer, flute, and lute
- Reading - Ilyas is extremely well-read, and has used reading to educate himself on all manner of academic subjects
- Writing - Although he would flatly refuse to show it to anyone, Ilyas has written a massive amount of poetry and music. It is strongly hinted that he has documented his solo journeys over the past five years since Carteneau and hidden the documents away somewhere
Likes
- Lounging
- Adventuring
- Money - something he never cared about when he was Illianaro, but developed a strong passion for during his years as a smuggler
- A good, old fashioned beautiful view - He'll sit for hours and stare at a landscape
- Good Company, and Good Drink - Hells, he'll even take bad drink if the company is good enough
- Song and Dance
- Gambling
- Gladiator fights - Such as the ones so prevalent in Ul'Dah. He does not ever actively participate, however, since he would "be at an unfair advantage"
- Deep or Exciting Conversation
- Jokes and Quips
- Ayla Byakurai
- Tyrun Baalgam
Dislikes
- Garlemald
- Disloyalty - betrayal, even the perceived kind, will incur his wrath
- Overbearing or Nosy People
- Himself
- The Armored Warrior
- The Order of the Broken Bough
- Dull Conversation or Small Talk
- Silence
Favorites
- Color: Aquamarine.
- Food: Eft Steak, when it's made right.
- Drinks: Jasmine Mead.
- Scent: Petrichor (the smell after a summer rain).
- Place: Costa del Sol.
- Festival: Moonfire Faire.
Goals
- Find the Armored Warrior
- Destroy the Order of the Broken Bough
- Find out what really happened to Lachlan Liabella
- Become a master fighter and hunter
Religion
Ilyas believes in the deities, but cannot understand what they want from him or from the world.
Alignment
Ilyas wouldn't believe so, but he's a pretty okay guy.
Personality
Overview
On the surface, Ilyas is laid back and good-natured. He jokes freely and easily, with his niche being self-deprecating humor brought upon more than a little bit by how poorly he views himself. Initial interactions with him will usually be light-hearted, and he’s not about to sit down and tell you his life story. It’s not, as he would say, exciting enough to justify telling anyway. He is soft-spoken and gentle, generally determined to keep a low profile and not rock too many boats. He treads very cautiously in his friendships and his interactions, but when pushed hard enough he will stand up for what he thinks is right - and he will do so vehemently. He doesn’t view himself as particularly smart or skilled in combat, despite the fact that he is a master martial artist, so he focuses instead on being goofy and sociable. When it comes to interpersonal conflict, he has a short fuse and little patience, and it will become immediately clear. He is usually patient, but if you push his buttons you will regret it.
Ilyas prefers travel to settling. He has a small house in the Lavender Beds, to which he will retreat between jobs to read, sleep, and find some quiet solitude. To the chagrin of his FC-mates, he does not want to purchase housing within the company’s spacious estate. Some have speculated that “it’s almost like he’s afraid to call a place home.” One of the easiest ways to push Ilyas away is to press him on this particular subject.
Quirks
- Dry, self-deprecating sense of humor
- A laid back and goofy personality that belies his darker side, and his hidden martial and strategical prowess
- Cracks his knuckles often, much to Tyrun's distress
- Hums and whistles, even in the peak of battle
Flaws
- He has a deep running self-loathing that has crippled his ability to make lasting connections to others. If he fears he is getting to close, he will behave or speak in a certain way that puts distance
- Uses humor as a defense mechanism to keep things from getting too real
- Expects absolute perfection out of himself, while expecting nothing from other people. His refusal to rely on others has given him a bit of a reputation as a "friendly loner."
- All smiles on the outside, but intense rage suppressed deep within himself
- His time as a smuggler and hunter for hire has made him a bit greedy
Fears
- Failure. He feels he has had enough failure to last him a lifetime, but is afraid the gods won't see it that way.
- The Armored Warrior
- Strangers
- The Order of the Broken Bough
- Himself, and what he has become over the years
- What has Lachlan become? Is he even still alive?
Intelligence
Ilyas' goofy, clumsy, and light hearted actions hide a sharp intellect. He actually has a very strong tactical sixth sense, as well as an uncanny ability to understand and adapt to difficult situations. Frequently underestimated by those who do not know him or understand him, he once said, "I prefer it that way," indicating that he intentionally plays the fool as a tactic so potential enemies will let down their guard.
One of the easiest ways people - friend and foe alike - gain his respect is to see through his facade to the shrewd mind that hides underneath.
Abilities and Skills
- Music and Art: Ilyas feels that this is the area of his life in which he has complete mastery. It is the only thing that he is truly confident in, and he takes great pride in his musicianship.
- Hand-to-Hand Combat: Despite what he would have you believe, Ilyas is a master martial artist. First trained by Hamon Holyfist and later by Widargelt, both teachers observed his unusual talent with unarmed combat, and the ease with which he unlocked his chakras. He has, since beginning to learn under their tutelage, rapidly surpassed them in both strength and skill. However, he is not the kind of person to brag about this or even bring it up. Both of his teachers believe he is holding back his true potential because of the fact that he thinks so little of himself.
- Immense Physical Strength: Brought on by years of training and conditioning, Ilyas has become extremely powerful. With his bare hands he has successfully killed bears and dragons alike with little effort. During the battle on the Steps of Faith at Ishgard, he was witnessed killing a diresaur with one punch that shattered through scale and bone alike. Ilyas' body is raw, ropey muscle, but he keeps it well hidden under his clothes, even looking quite scrawny to many who meet him the first time.
- Chakra Control: After five years of training, Ilyas has learned how to unlock and carefully control his chakra. Through this, he is able to unleash even greater physical strength, as well as unleash powerful bursts from within his body. This is a skill that he just gained control over, but trained martial artists who have met him believe he will one day be far stronger.
Magic
- Through his readings, Ilyas has taught himself some aetheric manipulation, but his magic levels are low.
Crafting
- Woodworking - Ilyas learned woodworking in order to keep himself busy when he was feeling low. As the years went by, he became an excellent wood worker.
Family and Relationships
DISCLAIMER
All what is written here bears absolutely no OOC feelings, and may be subject to change as the story develops. If your name doesn't appear in this list, I have probably forgotten, or my character just doesn't remember you. Please do not use these information to affect you ICly or mess with my character's feelings. Use of OOC information will be flagged as god-moding and I will not react to it ICly if I feel this is what you're doing.
Relatives
Lionel Liabella: Ilyas' father, a hyur from Ala Mhigo who was notably burly, even by highlander terms. Despite his great bulk and fierce skill at swordplay, his true power lay in his mastery of magic. He was a master black mage, as well as an adept healer, who was working on developing magic for more defensive uses at the time of the Battle of Carteneau. He was disappointed to discover that Ilyas lacked the kind of talent for magic with which he had been blessed, and this colored their relationship. Although Ilyas could grasp the concepts of magic, he could not keep up when Lionel wanted his help with magic oriented work around the house and the farm. He was pleased to have a strong hand in his son's education, but there was always an air of disappointment in Ilyas during the boy's childhood. Ilyas always wanted to be a man worthy of his father's praise, and grew frustrated - especially during his teen years - when it seemed nothing he did was enough. He died in the Battle of Carteneau, having never resolved this unspoken conflict with his son.
Jeanine Liabella (née Danford): Ilyas' mother, and a midlander hyur who spent most of her young life on the island of Vylbrand. Her knowledge of the lands around Limsa Lominsa was unmatched, and her travels in the region contributed greatly to her great physical fortitude and skill as a warrior and fighter. When Ilyas was growing up, and showed himself to have a lot of talent for combat, she feared for him because it was "never the kind of life she had wanted for her little boy." She had always preferred a quiet, bookish, calm life for him, counter to his love of martial arts that began at a young age. She refused to officially teach him any kind of hand-to-hand combat, leaving him to be self taught until he would finally learn from Hamon Holyfist. Although there was not the same kind of conflict between Ilyas and Jeanine that there had been between Ilyas and Lionel, Jeanine successfully instilled in Ilyas a desire for peace and quiet, and made him rather less interested in "fighting for fighting's sake" as he grew older. She also died at Carteneau.
Both of Ilyas' parents would ultimately have a huge part in helping him form both his mellow and mild temperament, as well as giving him a strong sense of morality. His period as a smuggler, so deeply counter to everything his parents had taught him, has contributed to his sense of self worthlessness, as he struggles with a feeling that he has betrayed his parents' memories.
Lachlan Liabella: Ilyas' older brother and best friend. Lachlan had all of the talent where Ilyas did not. He was a quick study with magic and the lance, choosing to practice both rather than focus on one or the other. He was well liked by many who met him, and was popular with the ladies to boot. In every conceivable way, Lachlan was Ilyas' personal hero growing up, and Ilyas worshipped him with a steadfast refusal to see some of his elder brother's weaknesses and flaws. While Lachlan kept Ilyas from being targeted by local bullies, Ilyas did not fully understand that Lachlan himself was a bit of a bully around Red Rooster Stead. Due to all of his natural talents, Lachlan became rather spoiled since he was spared the chores on the farm so he could focus on his studies. Lachlan was more sinister than his younger brother, with a willingness to do what was necessary, including kill a person or ruin their life, to see that things, places, and people he cared about were protected.
Ilyas was devastated by Lachlan's departure, after a huge row with his parents, to study first in Ul'Dah and then in Gridania. His closest friend and confidant left without any fuss, leaving Ilyas exposed to the local bullies, and to his parents, for the first real time in his life. However, it was only when Lachlan left the Stead that Ilyas could learn to shine on his own. The younger brother refused to see that he had been held back by his own blind worship of his older brother, by his belief that he could never keep up with him. It was quickly discovered that Ilyas had the strength, stamina, and reflexes to be able to fight off most threats in his life, from bullies to La Noscean beasts that threatened the safety of the livestock and residents of Red Rooster Stead. He was every bit the quick study his brother had been, albeit in different aspects of his life. For the first time, he began to take pride in his work once he was no longer held in Lachlan's shadow.
Lachlan would continue to be a powerful force in Ilyas' life, providing words of encouragement when he was in Gridania and heartsick over Ayla Byakurai. He helped train his brother, and was shocked to find that Ilyas had far greater combat potential and tactical awareness than he had. He also served as a mentor and caretaker to Ilyas, despite his own grief, when the two of them discovered their parents' deaths. And at the end of it all, he was willing to sacrifice his life in order to protect Ilyas from the Armored Warrior.
It is unknown currently where Lachlan is, or whether or not he is alive. Ilyas' primary drive is finding out what happened to his last remaining tie to childhood.
Positive
Neutral
Negative
Affiliations
- Himself
- The Pathfinders (Loosely)
- Denny's crew
- The Tavern
- The Maelstrom
Music Themes
Do You Feel It? by Chaos Chaos. Loch Lomond - Old Scotish tune.
Rumors
Note: This section is editable by anyone. Just keep in mind that the rumors here may be both true or false.
History
Name and Lifestyle
Name Etimology
Nicknames
None yet.
