Jaques Guillaume

Jaques Guillaume
'Recovering alcoholic'
Gender	Male
Race	Elezen
Clan	Duskwight
Citizenship	Unaffiliated
Age	38
Nameday	Twenty-first Sun of the Third Umbral Moon.
Patron Diety	Byregot, the Builder
Residence	In hiding
Relationship Status	Taken

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Character

Art by Tiergan Vashir.

This guarded, scowling, and often intimidating looking Duskwight tends to keep to himself. Those observing him may notice how he seems to always move with purpose and carries himself with confidence and balance. Whatever he is wearing will typically be in good repair, although obviously well used.

General

Server: Balmung

Full Name: Jaques Guillaume

Name & Aliases: Jaques, Tabby, Tabby-elf (which he hates), Jack (usually as an insult or those who are after or know about the bounty.)

Pronunciation (listen to the french version): [1]

Birthplace: - The Clan Marécage caverns are located in southern Coerthas. In the mountains just north of the Yafaem Saltmoor.

Voice: Deep, mature, masculine.

Appearance

Scarification banner down right side.

Jaques is on the tall and heavy side for an elezen, standing at about 6 fulms 10 ilms and roughly coming in at 240 ponz. Although he is in no way fat. In fact he's more on the well-muscled side for his kind. Instead of the typical grey and ashen skin tones of other Duskwights his is dark brown. His face is is rectangular with a thin, sharp, slightly down-turned nose, fuller lips, and a stern and pronounced brow over narrow, almond shaped bright amber eyes. He has a old scar that runs diagonally down away from his nose on his left cheek and has a fading black tribal like tattoo around his eyes that seems to only accentuate the guarded and impassive scowl that he typically wears. His thick and unruly black hair is kept braided back away from his face at pretty much all times and the thick, full beard is kept trimmed and well groomed. His ears are of slightly longer length than average and upturn slightly at the tips. The lobes are pierced and he usually wears a pair of black dangling claws fashioned into earrings. At his neck he wears a black bone and stone necklace and is otherwise unadorned with such accessories.

Jaques's clothing tends to run on the more practical and simple side rather than anything flashing and flamboyant and seems to prefer more muted and natural colour tones. He's most often seen in leathers of some variety with a pair of metal claws strapped to a heavily pouched belt. He always has a hunting knife strapped to his right boot. He sometimes is seen wearing dark plate armour and sporting a large axe strapped to his back. He is almost always seen carrying a much abused and patched pack.

His layered scarring gives away his life as a melee fighter. If one can see his legs and arms they'd see several minor scars on his knuckles, forearms, shins and knees. All of them of varying ages. He does has a few body scars. Claw rakes run parallel to the spine over his shoulder blades. There is a scar from what was probably a fairly major wound on his right side just above his pelvic bone, going from front to back. Also on his right side, starting just below the armpit and ending just above the old scar is some very fresh scarrification. A tribal-esque banner. On his left side and peck he has a fairly major but fully healed burn scar. He also has a tattoo on his left bicep. A simple thin complete black band. The bottom of the band is lined with red and has a break on the outside of the arm with red orb in the center of the break.

Behavior

Motivations: Helping those in need, especially those he calls friend. Building a new life for himself and for his love.

Disposition: Quiet, cold, distrustful and stand-offish to those he first meets. However he does tend to remain polite. Protective and friendly to those he knows and calls friend.

He tends to keep to himself most times or is sometimes seen associating in smaller groups of people. He tends to be a planner, not liking to go into situations and confrontations blind. His emotions tend to be hidden behind his stern and impassive scowl. He does seem to actively avoid going into places that serve alcoholic beverages. With the only exception being the Bismarck where he occasionally works as as a fill in chef. It takes a bit to rile him but once his temper is lost he does tend to loose it violently. He can be quite opinionated on some things and doesn't have much of an issue sharing them once you can get him talking. However ask something too personal without being trusted and he'll clam right back up again.

Once he does start to open up more of his personality shines through. Such as his dry and sometimes sarcastic sense of humor and his protective nature. He is always seeming to want to know how those he cares about has been and how their fairing. If they're having troubles he usually will offer his assistance freely. Sometimes his protective nature can border on the obsessive and will practically force his assistance or protections on someone, whether it's fully wanted or not. He also tends to live more for others than for himself.

Tendencies

Likes

• Working and being active.
• Training.
• When he finally understands something about overland culture.
• Being drunk.

Dislikes

• Money.
• Wildwoods/Wood Wailers
• Being drunk.
• Slavers. A lot.

Strengths

• Excellent at close quarters hand-to-hand combat.
• Fairly good shot with a bow.
• Good at picking out edible plants vs. unedible ones.
• Tracking
• Hunting

Weaknesses

• Bias against Wood Wailers and by extension the Wildwoods for continually "escorting" him out of towns and to the very outskirts of the Shroud for "poaching" and begging in the small settlements and towns around Gridania.
• Alcohol. He tries to avoid alcohol as he doesn't know moderation. Once he starts he usually doesn't stop until his body makes him.
• Is very bad at judging item/service values and is bad with his money.
• Can be very ignorant of the workings of overland society.
• Has nightmares and doesn't sleep well unless he takes a sip of a potion Polkah taught him to make. And even then he can only take it if he knows he'll have a safe roof over his head for the next few hours.
• Very non magical. Can do some limited aetheric manipulations through his training as a monk. But they are his personal aether he's learned to manipulate. His also very non-sensitive to aetheric fluctuations and levels of where ever he is.

Hobbies/Talents

• A really good cook.
• Fishing.
• Gambling.

You might know him from...

When he was a wandering drunkard from the outskirts of the Shroud in the 3 years prior to game launch. Perhaps you gambled with him, gave him a handout or had a drunken brawl with him. Or perhaps you taunted him and scorned him. Or simply tried your best to ignore him.

Recently, you might have seen him in Ul'dah or Limsa. He seems to have cleaned himself up and has not been begging or drunk as far as anyone has seen.

Very recently you might know him from the Ul'dahn 150k gil bounty that had been placed on his head. The description matches Jaques but the name on the bounty has him listed as "Jack." Wanted dead or alive for harboring the fugitive Vaughn Antain, who has a bounty of 850k gil and wanted alive. These bounties are no longer active.

He is now the owner of The Desert Rose. Those from Ul'dah might have heard of the place at one time or another as a very expensive brothel located in the seedier section of Ul'dah. Current rumor is that the brothel is no longer accepting patrons although the reasons are a little vague and open for speculation.

Rumors

Current Event Rumors

• "Backstabbing bastard if you ask me. Which you are. He turned in that whore fugitive he was 'harboring'. Even took a job at the brothel the Desert Rose, which is where he returned the whore to. Then again, maybe the whore Antain deserved it. Should'a seen the list he's wanted for. If even half of 'em were able to be proven he'd be put weaponless into a deathmatch in the pits for a bit of bloodsport." --Immortal Flames clerk
• "He's runnin' a brothel now. His business partner, Callistus, was doin' some dark magic in the basement and vanished. Vivifan had to do a cleansing. Came back mighty pissed off about the whole thing too. Something about Leviathan." --Ossuary Thaurmaturge
• "Desert Rose? Aye, I know of the place. Expensive whores there so I aint never been. Not much traffic goin' in or out of it lately though." --Refugee in Ul'dah
• "He's been bringin' in instructors? What whores need with learning their history I don't know." --Talk over a job offer poster for the Desert Rose

Common Rumors

• "Jaques? Yeah, I've seen him around. Often with some Twelves damned Green. What's that about?" -Prejudiced Duskwight
• "I've seen him walking around with weapons. claws and sometimes a big ol' axe. But I've never seen him use them. Is he any good?" -Limsian adventurer
• "He was working to be a full-time chef at the Bismarck. But he hasn't been around much lately and it's a shame, he made the -best- steaks." -Bismarck regular
• "Quiet. Doesn't stick around or talk much. But he always brings the catch in on time and to order." -Fisherman's guild attendant

Moderate Rumors

• "He used to drink like a fish. Seems he's cleaned up nicely in the last few moons." -Heard around the Shroud.
• "Jaques... Jaques... Ah. The Duskwight. He's a poaching bastard. Did you know he's got a fairly long criminal record here in Gridania? Stay away from him if you want to stay out of trouble here." - Wood Wailer
• "I saw him being quite affectionate towards a couple of different young miqo'te girls. Dirty old man." -Disapproving hyur woman
• "Jaques has taken a number of jobs from us that he's completed on time and efficiently. He usually takes jobs that involve a rampaging beast or doing various forms of pest control. He's a respected member of the Grand Company." - Maelstrom attendant

Rare Rumors

• "There is this male Duskwight that sometimes gets a room here. Jock? Jack? Something like that. Anyway, he -always- shares it with this Wildwood that I thought was a woman at first, until he changed into his swim trunks. Anyroad, I had to go tell them to keep it down the last time they were here. If you know what I mean. It was so embarrassing!" gossiping Bronze Lake attendant.
• "

Player Character Rumors (Add anything you'd like, true or untrue, just keep it IC!)

• "He likes to keep that Green of his close. I'm not sure if it's true feelings or just as some keep their possessions." -Callistus, Stoneshaper of Ul'dah
• "He's modest, but he's quite the teacher. I mean, I didn't even know what the terms 'Grey' or 'Green' meant outside the Rose until he explained it to me!" -Vaughn Antain
• "Tall, dark, and... he is a lot less brooding than he looks!" -Aya Foxheart
• "Nicer than he looks, else he wouldn't have let me live at the Phoenix Rose. Never seen him angry though, and hope I never do so." -Evangeline Primrose
• "Eh? Yeah, I met th'guy. S'nice an' everythin' an' 'e wasn't tryin' t'hit on m'Princess. Makes him pretty much a badass in my book." -Val Nunh
• "He is a quiet one, but worthy of every onze of my respect. His mission is one to which I shall happily lend my aid." -Ciel Wulfe
• "A friend, yes. A good one, as well. He is a captain in a way, guiding many people. Has never led me astray or given me pause to doubt." -Jancis Milburga
• "He's not nearly as scary as he seems. He's actually really nice." -Lyria Stormdancer
• "Jaques? He's a great man who deserves all the respect one can give. But, Gods help you if you get on his bad side. I'm very fortunate to be working for him and to also be under his protection." Angora Khilo
• "He is have place. Home with slave-people. They are safe from bad people. It is Rose. Another Rose. He live there and feed the people. They need more food. He remember me after long time. Good remember. I go Rose place to school. He is not teacher but he help teach me. It is because he is there. He make me think about....Volcano." - Flickering Ember

Relationships

Family

His living blood family is completely inaccessible to him due to his exile and over the last few months collected those he now considers family. He has recently discovered he has a cousin though marriage walking about in the overworld as well.

Enemies

Slavers; Any who threaten those he holds dear;

Player Character Standing

♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire    ♥ Platonic Love     ● Good Standing    ● Neutral Standing    ● Poor Standing

♥♥● Vaughn Antain - He is very often seen with this Wildwood, his lover. He tries to keep their relationship downplayed while out in public and around strangers. But he is, in fact, quite in love with this man. Much to the amusement of a few of their friends.

♥●Nihka Mioni - The quiet yet surprisingly outgoing Keeper is nearly a daughter to him. He worries over her like he'd worry over his own.

♥●R'Shesha Otharn - This Seeker is also practically a daughter. Providing comfort and a fatherly figure to the girl when she's down.

♥●Chiane N'ardente - Another Duskwight that has ended up being his confidant in many things. He trusts and respects Chiane immensely and views her as a sister.

♥●Talon Kane - This hyur he has many mixed feelings about. Headstrong, reckless and an ass. As well as devoted, caring, and selfless. He once viewed him as a brother of sorts. However he hasn't seen the man in some time and that may be changing given recent events and information.

♥●Orpheus Arkouda - This often sarcastic pink-haired fighter has earned Jaques respect. Even if at their meeting they nearly came to blows over a misunderstanding. He views the Keeper as a brother of sorts.

♥●Red Crow - He hasn't seen this beautiful Roegadyn warrior in some time. Strong, witty and caring he sort of had a crush on her for a while. But due to his own mental state at the time and the Roegadyn Burning Mountian, he never acted on the feeling. She is also one of the reasons he decided to start down the warrior path.

♥●Devilish Sarracenia - This Roegadyn mercenary is similar to Red Crow in some ways. Strong and witty. However she doesn't seem nearly as caring. Dangerous even. He's not fully sure what to think of the woman.

●Clouse Sydonis - He met this hyur under somewhat unusual circumstances when the man activated a dead linkshell that connected him and several others together through a suddenly active pearl. He thinks Clouse is crazy and reckless. But ultimately kind and honest. So he has a fair amount of respect for the man, even if he hasn't seen him much lately.

●Xiaoli Vorgan - A Seeker woman he met at the same time as Orpheus and turned out to be Orpheus's close friend. Jaques threatened the two of them on their first meeting... and he still feels bad about it. Especially after learning the woman's phobia of male Elezens.

●Jajara Jara - He first met Jajara by accidentally walking in on her and Orpheus getting into bed together. Which is how he found out about their relationship. And is still a point that Orpheus likes to tease him on. He's met the woman a few times since and holds her in respect.

●An'nai Tir'Atha - He got quite close to Jaques but had a bit of a falling out together. He still thinks highly of the young man and hopes he's doing well and has finally found a place to belong.

●Nari'il Rynik - A Keeper woman he's met a couple of times through R'shesha and Nihka. He doesn't know much about the woman and to him seems a bit too hot-headed.

●Remioux Beauvais - A Duskwight mercenary. Jaques recently learned that this man was related to his late wife, making him the only true family he's had contact with in years. Although he's still not certain how much he trusts this man.

●Burning Mountain - An older Roegadyn mage. The man seems honest and helpful. And got along well with Red Crow.

●Matillias Goldhammer - A strange hyur paladin. He's not sure what to think of the man other than he needs to loosen up a bit. Although the uptight paladin was good for a laugh.

●Kestya Nolan - A paladin woman he's run into on occasion. He thinks she's nice enough but doesn't know her well enough to really trust her or consider her friend.

●Ashe En'Vale - An enemy. This reckless, self-serving, chaotic, warmongering hyur is absolutely despised by Jaques.

Affiliations

WIP

Personal history

After exile

Jaques had a fairly steep learning curve and a fair amount of culture shock since his exile. He did his best at first, scavenging off the land around the outskirts of the Shroud and never even set foot into a settlement. But then the first winter hit. He had no where to supply and stock provisions and he had to enter the outlying settlements else he starve or freeze to death. He'd scavenge from rubbish heaps for leftover scraps to eat and soon learned the art of begging for handouts. It was that first winter that he stared his decent into alcoholism. For the next three years he became little more than the areas wandering homeless drunkard. His life revolved on either being completely sloshed, or figuring out how to become that way.

A chance encounter with a Miqo'te named Polkah, the first person since the exile to really help. Gave him the nudge he needed to get him on a better path for himself. That story can be found here: [2]

Clan Marécage information

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General information

• The Clan Marécage caverns are located in southern Coerthas. In the mountains just north of the Yafaem Saltmoor.
• The caverns were discovered by a group of 12 extended families. The Guillaume were one of those families that makes up their clan.
• The community is highly insular, communal, and are a fairly self sufficient hunter/gatherer society.
• They have no monetary system.
• The caverns are not just rough cut walls. Stoneshapers (sculptors) are highly prized for their artistry. Patterns and gems have been carved and inset into the walls, columns and passages. The floors are polished smooth. Sculptures representing Byregot are common.
• Just over a malm away there is another cave structure that this tribe actively mines for gems and other earth commodities.
• The clan has been and remains to be fairly successful due to the community's continued sweat blood and tears.
• For religion they acknowledge the Twelve. But they have strong leanings to Byregot, the Builder. They have rituals and such they perform before excavating a new area in order to ensure a safe excavation and divining where to dig. They also have a few religious holidays in his honor.
• Those charged with defense of the caverns and any activity outside the caverns are called Guardians.
• Cave structure and development. Originally the caves where three large connected caverns. With hard labor (and explosives...) over the centuries they have added additional large caverns as well as smaller branches leading to private living quarters. The living quarters are pretty much just for that. They are fairly small spaces and used for sleeping/intimacy/privacy. When a couple newly wed, they will take up a spare living quarter. If none are available then one would have to be hollowed out. Of the original three caverns: The first cavern, the one leading to above ground, is the smallest of the caverns. It is used primarily as a staging and receiving area. Goods that are brought in are processed here. DWs heading out of the caverns use this area to equip, supply and prepare. The second cavern is the largest. This is where games/the arena/festivals/the school/general socializing can be found and is held. Most of the living quarter branches start off from this cavern. The third cavern, still fairly large in size, is the community mess hall. Most of the storage and mushroom crop passages lead off from this cavern. The clan created a fourth cavern deeper than the original three. This one is where the council members convene and work. The only passage from that cavern is the one linking it to the third.
• During one of their early living quarter expansions, they blasted into a small crevice that extended deeper down into the earth. Right into an underground river. This is where the community's fresh water is now supplied from. When things shifted during the calamity, the crevice apparently deepened and the clan had to rework their mechanical pump to reach their fresh water supply.
• At the time of Jaques exile there were ~350 individuals that called the caverns their home.
• Up until very recently there had been no conjuration available in the caverns and so they used more traditional medicines and alchemy.

Politics/laws

• The 12 families elect one head to represent them on the council.
• The council is responsible for directing and looking out for the best interests of the community as a whole. The clan has notices that 12 families coincides with The Twelve. It is considered a good omen. But it isn't like each seat represents one of The Twelve or anything like that.

<spoiler>

• In lean years the council takes direct control on rationing and distributing goods.
• Under the council, prominent family members tend to look after and police their own families.

Laws:

• One must provide for the community in some capacity.
• One will never take the life of another.
• One will not take more than their share. Especially at the expense of others.
• Two child per married couple. (This was established at the founding of the clan to help create a stable, predictable population growth. By this point it's tradition and not much push to change the law.)

Growing up in the clan

There is a school set up in the main cavern that serves as a place for children to learn about a variety of subjects. They start schooling at about the age of 5. The elders are usually tasked with teaching the younger generations.

A child isn't restricted to a job their parents adhere to. Instead, as part of their schooling, they are tested for a variety of aptitudes and are nudged to fully explore and discover those strengths. A child who shows remarkable physical prowess and skills at combat will usually become the guardians and hunters. One that shows a lot of abstract thought and looks/plans on things as a whole would probably be groomed as a family head, if not a potential council member.

Combat learning (whether physical or magical) was just as manditory to learn as reading, writing, and plant lore.

Punishment

The individual accused will stand before the council. The council will review their crime and then a majority vote will take place on the level of punishment.

Ostracism- The lowest tier of punishment. Most common punishment. The individual will be ostracized from the group for an initial period of 3-7 days with a third party community member being assigned to monitor the individual. They will still be allowed to live amongst the community and their caverns will still provide a roof over their heads. But that will be the extent of that the community will help the convicted individual. They will not get to partake in the communal meals and services.

If the individual didn't simply leave the tribe or die, (both rare) then the individual would be presented back in front of the council for further judgement. The person who had been assigned to monitor the convicted will report their findings of how the convicted performed. If they attempted to make amends with the community (Still providing some service for the community even though they were getting nothing in return for example.) then the individual would be welcomed back into the community. If the convicted didn't try to make amends or deliberately decided to continue to cause issues inside the community, then the council would re-review the individual's punishment. It could be extended if they saw some hope. Or the punishment could escalate.

Banishment- The middle tier of punishment. Fairly rare punishment. But was known to happen. The individual will have demonstrated that they could not and/or would not assimilate into the community and work for the community betterment. This individual is given a small window of time to supply and say farewells. Then they must leave the clan. They were allowed to visit and share on major holidays, if they wished, to check up on any loved ones they left behind.

Exiled- The top and final tier of punishment. Reserved for those who actively and intentionally caused some harm to the community. Very rare punishment. The individual, upon sentencing, is immediately cast out with only the Items on their person. Their names are stricken from record as the individual is kicked out of even their family. In the eyes of the clan: The exiled have the duskwight race. But he/she may no longer BE a duskwight. The individual is (obviously) never allowed back to the caverns.

Additional notes:

Usually if the crime isn't large enough to make it to the council, the family heads will punish their own. Sometimes with lesser ostracism but could include everything from a stern talking to, to a public humiliation, or to a caning.

Infanticide, while uncommon, is practiced within reason. Its one of the grim allowances they've made to relieve some of the restriction on a couple only being able to have two children. For instance: because neither gender is viewed more desirable than another, killing an infant based solely on gender is hugely taboo. Couples have been banished for it. But if the babe has a major physical deformity or very apparent diminished mental capacity at or shortly after birth? Then it is generally considered a kindness to help those babes pass on rather than have them not be able to fit within and be unable to contribute to the society.

Outside interactions/contacts

Common expeditions out of the caverns.

• To head down to the saltmoors for fishing, hunting, and gathering.
• To head to the mine.

Scheduled expeditions out of the caverns.

• To convene with a couple neighboring clans for joint holidays/customs/and trade.
• Once a year, after the majority of the trading with the neighboring clans had concluded, and towards the end of the harvest season for the surface dwellers. The clan puts together a caravan of the seasons surplus goods and gems make the many malm journey eastwards. There they meet up with a predominately hyur settlement where they trade for things like grains, textiles, and other resources and luxuries they can't get themselves.

Pictures

From the clan:

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Jaques's sister, Vedelle.

Jaques's late wife, Enie.

Jaques's youngest daughter, Yvette.

Jaques's elder daughter, Lydie.

Jaques and his two daughters.

WIP

Others

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Polkah:

Annotations

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