Difference between revisions of "Arko Ren"
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− | <font style="color: #000; font-size:12px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Ascending even the highest elevated fields in Yanxia, bordering the sunlit steppes, a modest community of no more than | + | <font style="color: #000; font-size:12px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Ascending even the highest elevated fields in Yanxia, bordering the sunlit steppes, a modest community of no more than 90 individuals resided. The members chose to remain secluded in the rigid shelter of the mountains of Yanxia. Known by few as a tribe with origins spanning decades, traversed to by almost no one (given the harsh conditions and protective/reclusive nature of the community). <br> |
One such brave visitor happened to be a gawky anthropologist highborn of Ishgard with intentions of documenting their unique traditions and culture. Youthful and naïve, he found himself utterly captivated by the colorful rituals and art, throwing his life at their feet in mercy only to witness it. The leader of the community aggressively refused his request to document them, however, everyone has their price and this Ishgardian scholar had too much wealth for his own wellbeing. The Elezen, Ruvienne, was granted the opportunity to stay with the community in exchange for a hefty stipend which went towards funding the journey for and acquisition of livestock, and other goods not locally available. <br> | One such brave visitor happened to be a gawky anthropologist highborn of Ishgard with intentions of documenting their unique traditions and culture. Youthful and naïve, he found himself utterly captivated by the colorful rituals and art, throwing his life at their feet in mercy only to witness it. The leader of the community aggressively refused his request to document them, however, everyone has their price and this Ishgardian scholar had too much wealth for his own wellbeing. The Elezen, Ruvienne, was granted the opportunity to stay with the community in exchange for a hefty stipend which went towards funding the journey for and acquisition of livestock, and other goods not locally available. <br> | ||
− | Ruvienne remained with the mountain clan while working on his ethnography as applied to his own cultural theories. The clan prided themselves in their emphasis on spirituality and the arts. Similar to Domans, though not entirely equal, they believed spirits (neither good, nor evil) roamed the planet and manipulated life on it in accordance with their individual character traits and goals. To call upon specific spirits, ritual dances, songs, and shamanic ceremonies were | + | Ruvienne remained with the mountain clan while working on his ethnography as applied to his own cultural theories. The clan prided themselves in their emphasis on spirituality and the arts. Similar to Domans, though not entirely equal, they believed spirits (neither good, nor evil) roamed the planet and manipulated life on it in accordance with their individual character traits and goals. To call upon specific spirits, ritual dances, songs, and shamanic ceremonies were performed. <br> |
− | In particular, Ren, the leader’s youngest daughter, an elegant yet feisty midlander, found herself in the position of the highest-esteemed traditional dancer. Allegedly, shaman elders chose her as a protector, destined to keep the tribe from danger before she even left the womb. Following years of rigorous training in song and dance, she was called upon every morning to reign in protective spirits with her intricate dances and operatic melodies. | + | In particular, Ren (Arko's mother), the leader’s youngest daughter, an elegant yet feisty midlander, found herself in the position of the highest-esteemed traditional dancer. Allegedly, shaman elders chose her as a protector, destined to keep the tribe from danger before she even left the womb. Following years of rigorous training in song and dance, she was called upon every morning to reign in protective spirits with her intricate dances and operatic melodies. |
Perhaps she never truly summoned spirits, though she undoubtedly enchanted Ruvienne, not with her artistic talents, but with her intense and spirited personality. They spent most nights together, sharing stories and personal outlooks by a fire. What Ruvienne had intended to be a six month stay, stretched for three years, and the two had grown inseparable. | Perhaps she never truly summoned spirits, though she undoubtedly enchanted Ruvienne, not with her artistic talents, but with her intense and spirited personality. They spent most nights together, sharing stories and personal outlooks by a fire. What Ruvienne had intended to be a six month stay, stretched for three years, and the two had grown inseparable. | ||
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Overtime, Yanxia transformed into an impoverished and hostile environment. Overdue as it was, even the highest points of the region fell to corruption. Contentious individuals (unaffiliated to Garlemald, as the nation never scouted the area) sought to invade the community for personal gain. The tribes greatest fighters were falling to their aggressors and their numbers were rapidly dwindling. Paralleling their newfound hardships, Ren discovered she was carrying Ruvienne‘s child. Seen as a negative omen by many in the tribe, the leader had no choice but to cast Ruvienne out of the clan permanently. Ren herself wondered if their romantic union angered the spirits and afflicted her family. The hopelessly enamoured elezen pleaded with Ren to escape with him before the situation worsened. <br> | Overtime, Yanxia transformed into an impoverished and hostile environment. Overdue as it was, even the highest points of the region fell to corruption. Contentious individuals (unaffiliated to Garlemald, as the nation never scouted the area) sought to invade the community for personal gain. The tribes greatest fighters were falling to their aggressors and their numbers were rapidly dwindling. Paralleling their newfound hardships, Ren discovered she was carrying Ruvienne‘s child. Seen as a negative omen by many in the tribe, the leader had no choice but to cast Ruvienne out of the clan permanently. Ren herself wondered if their romantic union angered the spirits and afflicted her family. The hopelessly enamoured elezen pleaded with Ren to escape with him before the situation worsened. <br> | ||
− | Fiercely loyal to her family, Ren was appalled by his request and threatened to fight him off herself | + | Fiercely loyal to her family, Ren was appalled by his request and threatened to fight him off herself. With a heavy heart, he returned to Ishgard after years of estrangement. Not without sending a band of well paid mercenaries to block anyone from venturing up the mountain, however. Following his removal, the clan celebrated a new period of peace and appeasement of the spirits. |
<br>Before an assembly of delighted faces, Arko was born. According to the elders, her spirit was melded with the darkness of her father and the graciousness of her mother. A combination they considered favorable, despite their vilification of her father. As was customary of the group, Arko was raised by everyone in the tribe and given only a first name. She was taught the tribe’s traditional dances and beliefs. <br> | <br>Before an assembly of delighted faces, Arko was born. According to the elders, her spirit was melded with the darkness of her father and the graciousness of her mother. A combination they considered favorable, despite their vilification of her father. As was customary of the group, Arko was raised by everyone in the tribe and given only a first name. She was taught the tribe’s traditional dances and beliefs. <br> | ||
− | Prior to | + | Prior to sunrise, she was expected to perform dances beside her mother, Once the light peaked through the leaves, she was free to wander on her own. Shamanistic salves and poisons fascinated Arko. Occasionally, the shamans would indulge her curiosities and teach her how to utilize the resources around her. When the sun reached its brightest point, together with her peers, she was trained in combat. She preferred archery as she found power in mastering her environment and using distance and agility as her primary weapons. Soon after the moonlight traced the ground, she witnessed divine ceremonies performed by the elders. She relished in studying the elaborate attire, dedicated to each activity. |
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− | Sleepless but filled with the inspiration from the changes, however small, they were making around Kugane, Arko and Ren continued to perform every night. Eventually, it was brought to the attention of the head of their Hingan proprietors that Arko had come of age and there was some interest from patrons to wed her. Seizing the opportunity, the theater owners auctioned her off to the highest bidder. Arko | + | Sleepless but filled with the inspiration from the changes, however small, they were making around Kugane, Arko and Ren continued to perform every night. Eventually, it was brought to the attention of the head of their Hingan proprietors that Arko had come of age and there was some interest from patrons to wed her. Seizing the opportunity, the theater owners auctioned her off to the highest bidder. Arko was to be a fine exotic prize for an aged Bakufu official’s son. |
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− | <font style="color: #000; font-size:12px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Ren considered the auctioning off of her daughter to be her final moments playing along with the theater owner’s reprehensible behavior. She wore the most charming of grins and suggested she | + | <font style="color: #000; font-size:12px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Ren considered the auctioning off of her daughter to be her final moments playing along with the theater owner’s reprehensible behavior. She wore the most charming of grins and suggested she craft a wedding gown for the event. Ren had a long yellow gown made in the traditional form of her family. The dress was more functional than it was a heartfelt gesture. Inside the lining of the rope used as a belt, Arko found a paste which smelled of home. A fatal poison used to coat arrows which the shamans of her community would concoct to aid in their protection. Ren sharpened the gold points of her ceremonial headdress and coated them with the toxic paste the night before Arko was to be wed. Ren walked Arko through their plan and left her with words of encouragement emphasizing that one cannot fight for everyone, but for themselves and those they love and hold dear. If any words resonated with Arko most, it was those. |
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− | Those were his last words as Arko meekly jabbed a coated gold piece into his abdomen. She watched silently, almost cathartically, as he struggled to breathe. The act ushered in chaos. Ren and her vigilante group slaughtered the boy’s family and friends at the ceremony as Arko watched in horror, bemoaned by the murder of possible innocents. Arko and the collective fled to their teahouse refuge where they confined themselves, only leaving with their masks on. Rumors spread and a bounty was placed on Arko’s head, as many believed she executed the entire slaughter herself. She paid no mind to the allegations and continued to wander around Kugane with careless determination. Arko, irresponsibly not wearing her disguise, was picking up fabrics for a fashion project when a patrician recognized her and reported her to authorities. She was immediately detained and taken to a local court the following day. Ren appeared, maskless, and offered herself up as the sole malefactor in the murder. She riled up the jury with theatrical allegations of finding joy in the slaughter. Ren was immediately sentenced to death and | + | Those were his last words as Arko meekly jabbed a coated gold piece into his abdomen. She watched silently, almost cathartically, as he struggled to breathe. The act ushered in chaos. Ren and her vigilante group slaughtered the boy’s family and friends at the ceremony as Arko watched in horror, bemoaned by the murder of possible innocents. Arko and the collective fled to their teahouse refuge where they confined themselves, only leaving with their masks on. Rumors spread and a bounty was placed on Arko’s head, as many believed she executed the entire slaughter herself. She paid no mind to the allegations and continued to wander around Kugane with careless determination. Arko, irresponsibly not wearing her disguise, was picking up fabrics for a fashion project when a patrician recognized her and reported her to authorities. She was immediately detained and taken to a local court the following day. Ren appeared, maskless, and offered herself up as the sole malefactor in the murder. She riled up the jury with theatrical allegations of finding joy in the slaughter. Ren was immediately sentenced to death and dragged to a chamber for one night before her execution. |
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− | Ruthlessly, Arko convinced the guards to allow her to see her mother one last time. Ren was smiling and gave a quiet and eloquent speech of how well she lived and grew to fight for those in her heart. With an uncharacteristic jitter in her voice, she paused, handed Arko a lock of her hair, and proceeded to request that Arko find her father in Ishgard. She ordered her not to apologize on her behalf for she had no regrets, but to let him know she selfishly found herself dreaming of him as time passed. Arko was taken aback by her mother’s unexpected request but vowed to honor it. She was forcibly removed and received news that Ren | + | Ruthlessly, Arko convinced the guards to allow her to see her mother one last time. Ren was smiling and gave a quiet and eloquent speech of how well she lived and grew to fight for those in her heart. With an uncharacteristic jitter in her voice, she paused, handed Arko a lock of her hair, and proceeded to request that Arko find her father in Ishgard. She ordered her not to apologize on her behalf for she had no regrets, but to let him know she selfishly found herself dreaming of him as time passed. Arko was taken aback by her mother’s unexpected request but vowed to honor it. She was forcibly removed and received news that Ren passed later that night. Arko found unusual solace in her gesture of taking agency over her own life, even in the end. After several nights of internal restlessness, Arko found two affluent travelers who agreed to take her back with them to Ishgard. When asked of her profession, she proudly stated she was a foreign couturiere (though it had only been a personal hobby and she had no idea how to sew, only how to collect vintage clothing and repurpose them). She learned the word from her mother as she taught her some words of the Ishgardian dialect Ren had learned from Ruvienne. |
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− | The two happily married husbands who so graciously agreed to include her on their expensive journey to Ishgard, did so in exchange for Arko’s supposed fashion expertise. She was to style them for important balls and events as they wished to dawn foreign garments from their travels. Arko quietly revered the elezen men as she kept on her unaffected face throughout the trip. | + | The two happily married Elezen husbands who so graciously agreed to include her on their expensive journey to Ishgard, did so in exchange for Arko’s supposed fashion expertise. She was to style them for important balls and events as they wished to dawn foreign garments from their travels. Arko quietly revered the elezen men as she kept on her unaffected face throughout the trip. |
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− | <font style="color: #000; font-size:12px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Her first impression of Ishgard was that she found the city to be overwhelmingly bleak and hideous, though she kept her thoughts to herself and praised the city endlessly. Showing unrelenting kindness, the travelers excitedly toured Arko through their city. She asked pointed questions in hopes of finding her father to every soul she came into contact with. The travelers temporarily housed her at their estate and loved to hear tales from her unusual childhood. Arko did not fully trust them, but felt comfort in sharing such profound memories of hers without worry of ulterior motives or | + | <font style="color: #000; font-size:12px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Her first impression of Ishgard was that she found the city to be overwhelmingly bleak and hideous, though she kept her thoughts to herself and praised the city endlessly. Showing unrelenting kindness, the travelers excitedly toured Arko through their city. She asked pointed questions in hopes of finding her father to every soul she came into contact with. The travelers temporarily housed her at their estate and loved to hear tales from her unusual childhood. Arko did not fully trust them, but felt comfort in sharing such profound memories of hers without worry of ulterior motives or aggression from them. She relished in their touching stories of defending their city and of how they met and fell in love. |
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− | After several moons with them, and the search for her father proving fruitless, she began to attend high-class events with the couple, as their foreign guest and stylist. At long last, she was approached by a bedraggled Elezen who claimed he had received word from various individuals in his social circle that a young foreigner was searching for an anthropologist scholar who had several cultural theories published and specialized in minority groups in the East. Shocked, she recognized parts of herself in his sharp features. Only a few moments lingered before his sly facial expression grew heavy with bewilderment, as he pieced together who she may be. Unable to look her in the eyes, the Elezen gathered himself and implored her to follow him to his personal library. Upon entering, he mumbled to himself and tore books off the shelf, lodging them at the floor. Arko questioned what her mother ever saw in him, clearly unable to contain himself, yet maintaining an emotionless face. In his seemingly controlled panic, his voice raced of tales from her home in a time before she existed. She would have left right then as she is not fond of these wild displays of emotion, if not for her mother’s final request. Noting his ring, she impulsively asked about his wife. He explained, as if it were a remorseful confession, that he was married with two young children there but only out of a sense of duty. Flustered, he exclaimed that he only ever loved Ren and would have dropped everything and stayed with her if not for her request. Arko left her mother’s hair on his desk and rushed out, skipping over Ren’s elegant speech. | + | After several moons with them, and the search for her father proving fruitless, she began to attend high-class events with the couple, as their foreign guest and stylist. At long last, she was approached by a bedraggled Elezen who claimed he had received word from various individuals in his social circle that a young foreigner was searching for an anthropologist scholar who had several cultural theories published and specialized in minority groups in the Far East. Shocked, she recognized parts of herself in his sharp features. Only a few moments lingered before his sly facial expression grew heavy with bewilderment, as he pieced together who she may be. Unable to look her in the eyes, the Elezen gathered himself and implored her to follow him to his personal library. Upon entering, he mumbled to himself and tore books off the shelf, lodging them at the floor. Arko questioned what her mother ever saw in him, clearly unable to contain himself, yet maintaining an emotionless face. In his seemingly controlled panic, his voice raced of tales from her home in a time before she existed. She would have left right then as she is not fond of these wild displays of emotion, if not for her mother’s final request. Noting his ring, she impulsively asked about his wife. He explained, as if it were a remorseful confession, that he was married with two young children there but only out of a sense of duty. Flustered, he exclaimed that he only ever loved Ren and would have dropped everything and stayed with her if not for her request. Having come to the conclusion that her father is a passive coward, Arko left her mother’s hair on his desk and rushed out, skipping over Ren’s elegant speech. |
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− | + | Ruvienne proposed that she become his pupil of cultural studies, only so she could improve her sensitivities and understanding of self-expression through fashion and its connection to the psychosocial mind. A lengthy uncomfortable pause followed. He adroitly added, “I married for duty, bore children for legacy, but your mother perpetually held my heart. You were born of our love but I will do anything in my power to honor your wishes, even if doing so requires I hide my truths so you can own yours.” Though she felt she should have been moved by his words, she honestly was not but gladly took the offer. | |
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− | <font style="color: #000; font-size:12px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Arko chose to adopt her mother’s name, Ren, as her surname though it was customary to take on a father’s in her tribe. Ruvienne has since sent Arko on several field studies across | + | <font style="color: #000; font-size:12px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Arko eventually chose to adopt her mother’s name, Ren, as her surname though it was customary to take on a father’s name in her tribe. <br> |
+ | Ruvienne has since sent Arko on several field studies across Hydaelyn to document cultural phenomenon, while applying his holistic approach to record. Arko can be found at unique cultural events for purposes of study, jotting down notes occasionally questioning others. She styles clients under her created persona, Neige D’or. Arko's obsession with costume and disguise comes as a subconscious reply to her mother's downfall sprouting from Arko's inability to hide her own identity. Internally, she projects her fixation with disguise onto Neige as a persona and takes costume, even if just for performance or entertainment, seriously and with all her heart. | ||
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− | + | Arko reveres her paternal grandmother, Myrtane. Ruvienne timidly introduced Arko to his mother as his pupil though she crassly dismissed him and welcomed her granddaughter with warmth and sincerity she had never experienced elsewhere. Arko had also never met such a free-spirited and comical being. She and Myrtane would stay up late drinking fine wine and making jokes about Myrtane's late husbands/lovers, the poor fashion choices of people they knew, and theatre. Myrtane was a well known theatre performer of her time which inspired Arko to pick up storytelling through performance as a personal passion. Additionally, her grandmother gifts her rare ornamentation or fabrics upon every visit, including: dragonhide one of Myrtane's admirers left for her, her vintage burgundy hat from youth, precious stones, and more. Arko may never admit it, but much of her present-day personality is an internalized rehash of her grandmother's. No person has influenced and helped her grow more than her grandmother Myrtane. | |
− | Sporadically, she does feel inspired to utilize her skills in espionage and deception when she feels justice was not | + | <br> |
+ | Sporadically, she does feel inspired to utilize her skills in espionage and deception when she feels justice was not achieved. She is highly selective of the jobs she accepts, and will not move forward unless she is certain the individual she is defrauding is irredeemable in her eyes. For these assignments, she wears her late mother’s white mask and goes by various aliases depending on the client. | ||
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Revision as of 18:50, 29 December 2018
Arko Ren Vigilante Tragedienne About
While mostly resembling her mother both in appearance and cultural identity, Arko towers over her petite mother while preserving the delicate structure common in midlanders. She keeps her dark hair lengthy with the appearance of unkemptness; however, the disheveled look is entirely calculated to align with her desired aesthetic. She is fond of gold hues and, as is the tradition of her maternal family from the Yanxian highlands, her lightly freckled cheeks are adorned with faint gold tattoos. Although she exercises tirelessly and wishes it were otherwise, she has barely any noticeable muscle definition and comes off as frail, though she focuses most of her muscle training on her core and legs for agility. Scars & Markings: Having only just commenced her training in archery, along with her devotion to self-image, she has few, if any, noticeable scars. All acquired from her love of heights and overzealous acrobatics. Most are shallow and can be spotted painted along her thighs and ankles. She is hesitant to show these to others, though she admires those with scars, believing it indicates a sense of devotion to their cause and/or loved ones. Voice: Arko possesses her mother’s resonant sing-song voice but with a deeper, sharp flow in her intonation. She has a subtle regionally Yanxian accent and dialect, but hyper-corrects it when meeting new people. Once she grows comfortable, her accent becomes apparent and her tone livens up and shifts to being more spirited and expressive. Clothing: Her manner of dress is typically overstated and formal, but never apparently so. Every piece she wears means something to her and she spends a great deal of time and attention on her clothing. One will often catch her in deep reds or greenish-blues accompanied by golden accents. Customarily, she conceals a dagger under her clothing for personal protection, though, she isn't particularly adept in using it. Recently, she has been fortunate enough to travel to various cities across Hydaelyn and has adopted an extensive collection of fabrics and garments. Her wardrobe grows so rapidly, she is plagued by the paradox of storing such a considerable collection. She cannot find it in her heart to let go of any of her garments, leaving her guilty of hoarding apparel and accessories from her travels.
Accompaniment ¡Beware of upcoming wordiness!
Arko has amassed several skills as well as certain ineptitudes throughout her life (( ♠ Leave an ask here or in-game mail for requests)):
Under the moniker, Neige D'or, Arko utilizes a persona full of pageantry and brazen theatrics to guide those closer to their personal fashion enlightenment. She travels to a location of the client's choosing to listen to personal stories in order to withdraw the cornerstone of their essence and apply it to an ensemble best suited to them. She finds what she needs in the subtext of their tales, rather than the substance, using a technique she learned from her cultural psychology professor in Ishgard.
Recently, Arko picked up dancing again as a hobby and a way to clear her mind meditatively. She often practices in harsh weather conditions and rough environments to improve her self-discipline. Dance is sacred to her and she takes it seriously, sometimes teaching others if they are interested in training with her. She believes in order for it to be authentic, the dance must be truthful and empowering. Her training involves extensive self-reflection.
She is capable of utilizing special tonics that may bring out the truth in others (usually alcohol, but she never tells her clients this). Additionally, she attempts to create ritual balms akin to the ones the elders of her late family would make that had variable results. On occasion, the balms would place her target in a trance, throw them into a vivid dream/vision, or merely intoxicate them. ♠ She carries out such pursuits in complete secrecy and asks that her clients use a code name for themselves and for her. She meets in one of two obscure locations of her choice in either Ishgard or Kugane. Though, she is inclined to dramaturgy and selects scenic heights to conduct her business at the expense of security.
She had a dainty ornamented bow specially crafted for her by a dear friend which inspired her return to the field. She makes up for her physical ineptitude with her perception and discerning nature, though she is easily blindsided by those more experienced.
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