Sophia Grave
 Sophia Grave
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| Gender | Female |
| Race | Hyur |
| Clan | Garlean |
| Citizenship | Garlemald |
| Age | 27 |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Occupation | Imperial Agent |
| Orientation | Heterosexual |
Contents
Basic Info
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Appearance & Personality
Sophia stands rather tall at 5'8" and weighs in at roughly 130 ponz. To many, Sophia may come off as the delicate lady and for good reason. She is pristinely kept with large, vibrantly blue eyes, a slender, yet toned build free of blemishes, scars, or imperfections of any kind, save for a small scar on her hip. Many consider her strikingly beautiful; however, that beauty stands in a curious, almost strange contrast to the rest of her, at least, to those with a discerning eye. Her apparel, for example, may suggest a more dangerous lifestyle than her pampered visage might suggest. Though decidedly civilian in appearance, Sophia’s clothes are often reinforced for combat and features several more alterations to that end.
Lying undoubtedly on the cerebral side of the scale, she is careful, deliberate, and rational. Sophia's mind naturally break down interaction and thoughts as if they were parts of a recipe: her choice of words, tone, proximity, touch, and facial expression are all calculated to express exactly what she wants them to. Rather than seem cold or machine-like, she uses this approach, alongside her looks, to effectively manipulate others and disguise herself.
In the rare instances of candid truth, she displays an odd, sometimes confusing duality. On one hand, Sophia has a strong sense of justice, and rarely acts for her own personal gain. She admires honesty and virtue in others, especially when such an individual succeeds in making real, beneficial changes for those around them. On the other hand, she hardly carries these traits herself and will even take advantage of said benevolence to further her agenda. She will lie, manipulate, and kill, and love every heart racing moment. She lives for the moment an enemy realizes they are beaten, or when a mark unwittingly divulges sensitive information. Though hardly promiscuous, she can't help but smile when a man or woman is wrapped around her finger.
This wheels back to her admiration for the truly good, which creates a sort of cycle of disdain over her actions and lifestyle tumbling against her guilty pleasure derived from those same actions. She genuinely wants to be the honest, virtuous person she admires, but her profession and a pervading sense of pessimism prevents her from seeing that as a viable option, not to mention it clashes with her addiction for proving her superiority. Her only option, she feels, is at least apply her nebulous skill set to a productive end.
History
Please be aware that due to the lack of lore available on the Empire, some assumptions are made in order to complete Sophia's background. They will be changed when suitable lore is released.
Sovea was born in the capital city of Garlemald as a member of the Gravitas line. Like the Empire itself, the Gravitas line owes its own rise to that of the then Legatus Solus van Galvus and magiteknology. Before Garlemald’s conversion to an empire, Sovea’s grandfather, Lucius sas Gravitas, was a Tribunis under Galvus in its small standing army. At the time, the Empire was no Empire at all; merely a small, border republic built on harsh land. The republic’s Senate ruled and held most of the country’s wealth and influence. When Galvus rose, Garlemald’s military rose with him. Further still, magiteknology allowed for more robust trade, via the republic’s new airships and its brand new export.
Opportunities in both magitek and military allowed for even common men to become something, and while Lucius was no common man, he took advantage all the same. During Garlemald’s initial expansion efforts, Lucius won several battles for the burgeoning Empire, earning him both fame and fortune. His son, Sebastos, continued to serve after his father’s retirement, working his best to garnish respect for his family. While they were indeed well respected for their military prowess, the Gravitas family held no standing in political circles. Seeking to change that, Sebastos set the stage for his children to become the Lords and Ladies needed to help his Radiance run the Empire. Thus, Sebastos natus Gravitas II was born in 1550, followed later by Sovea nata Gravitas in 1552.
Sovea’s childhood was strenuous, yet gratifying. Sebastos II had, by his point, cemented himself as a failure in his father’s eyes, given to indulgence and overall irresponsibility. Thusly, Sebastos I took even greater care in prepping Sovea for success, utilizing the best tutors available and implanting his own experiences in her. Fortunately, Sovea was nothing like her older brother, and was absolutely insatiable for knowledge. She embodied a Garlean ideal; beautiful, noble, clever, and ambitious; Sebastos I even considered the idea of marrying her into the throne. While the idea of Empress was certainly an alluring notion, attaining the throne through marriage was, to her, repulsive. She was no powerless ornament to be shown about at galas, after all. She’d be like her father, grandfather, or even Galvus himself.
At this point, Sovea began to push for enrollment at Garlemald’s military academy, against her father’s wishes. They bickered back and forth for years, but Sebastos I finally relented. Sovea was nearly fourteen at this time, an age widely considered too old to catch up in an Academy. Sebastos I figured she wouldn’t be able to catch up to her peers and would eventually quit, so he relented. Unfortunately for him, she not only caught up, but thrived, reaching top of her class in a few short cycles.
Before Sovea could truly cement herself in a military future, her father ended her enrollment. A now eighteen cycles old Sovea found herself at odds with her father and completely cut off from her desired future. Thus, she begrudgingly turns toward her father’s plan, and gains mentorship with a Senator’s supporting staff.
Sovea was initially at odds with her mentorship, which consisted mainly of administrative duties. Before long and through specific events, she learned that real, genuine secrets were not only closer than she thought, but were within reach. She did just that and suddenly, politics wasn't just trivial arguing between old men anymore. There was a fragile, invisible world there of plotting and secrecy that those same politicians both relied on and feared. It was a grand game of schemes, and naturally, Sovea jumped right in. After a few cycles, there came the point where Sovea's actions became too high profile and infamous to continue working any further. Just when the door closed on yet another opportunity, another opened when she was approached by the Frumentari.
- WIP
- WIP
Combat
While conflict is common in her line of work, Sophia will typically try to circumvent the need for outright combat, or at the very least, create or prepare an advantage. When necessary, however, she approaches it as if it were science, where every action, strategy, weapon, or defensive measure can be quantified and logically weighed against any other. Sophia employs several tools of various complexity to fight her battles as something of a Gadgeteer, but often begins with her bare hands. In this regard, she utilizes a more grounded form of pugilism which focuses on locking her opponent’s range of motion and preventing attacks or retaliation to allow her own. While this is an effective strategy against some, her bare hands can hardly penetrate armor, nor can she expect to overpower a stronger opponent. To address this shortcoming, Sophia uses several tools to throw off her foe and attack in various ways:
- *new* Gauntlets: While these seem to be ordinary, leather gauntlets with steel plating, they are actually coated in a substance that allows the user to easily create a shower of sparks by sliding both together. Not dangerous on its own; this gadget instead is used to detonate explosives, light fuses, or start fires.
- Wrist Wire: Gloves affixed with mechanism that manages a retractable length of Carbontwine, which is able to handle an admirable strain without snapping. Features a modular design which allows attachments on the end of the wire, such as a small blade, hook, magnet, or weight to allow use for more functions.
- *new* Flexible Det Cord: A slight redesign on her wrist wire; these gloves instead house a length of flexible detonating cord. While not nearly as strong as Carbontwine, this device has obvious, alternative uses.
- *new* Explosive Dust: A pouch of some kind of alchemical concoction. Lighter and more stable than Firesand, a cloud of this substance can hang in the air just long enough for Sophia to trigger to a variety of ends.
- Karambit Dagger: A small, crescent knife with a short blade not unlike a talon or claw, featuring a loop at the butt of the grip. Typically held with its blade at the bottom of the fist, it is well suited to ripping or tearing motions.
- Throwing Knives: A type of knife specifically designed and weighted to be thrown effectively.
- Magnetic Restraint: A device resembling a horseshoe tailored to bind an armored foe’s limb to their plate using a high-powered magnet. She typically carries two, which can lock together to act as a set of manacles.
- Auto Injector: A syringe built for ease of use and durability, typically used to deliver poison.
- Eorzean Flintlock Pistol: A large, double barreled firearm of Eorzean make. Slow to reload and less accurate, when Sophia carries this (if at all), it is merely for the sake of blending in while keeping a ranged option open.
- Garlean Magazine Pistol: A pocket-sized, Garlean-made pistol. Although more effective than Eorzean firearms, it is a rare option considering the technological gap between the Empire and the rest of Hydaelyn and makes for an easy red flag against her cover.
- Aldebaran: A magitek bit reverse engineered from an Allagan model, featuring a mounted cannon, an onboard stealth generator, and various computing functions. Again, as advanced technology, Aldebaran is rarely used or revealed, and instead is used more as an investigative tool or safety net.
Miscellaneous
Some of these rumors are untrue or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to add your own rumors under PC! ◢ Common Rumors (Easily overheard)
◢ Moderate Rumors (Moderately difficult to overhear)
◢ Rare Rumors (Very difficult or rarely overheard)
◢ PC Rumors (Rumors from the character's of other players)
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♥● Sebastian Grave: An airship pilot and Sophia's eternally irresponsible brother who seems to enter and exit her life as he pleases. Though she despises his lack of drive, she can't help but enjoy his visits. They alone know the other more than anyone else, and as a result can speak honestly and openly to each other. ● Dartanon Nobis: A knightly miqo'te whom Sophia loved and greatly admired. She initially rebuffed his advances and attempts to redeem her, knowing full well the likely result of such fraternization. Instead, they each had something to offer each other, and for a time, they worked well together. However, with both wholly dedicated to their clashing philosophies, they were forced to part ways as reluctant enemies. ● Brynhilde Wulf: Sophia has always been equal parts impressed by and curious of Brynhilde, who plays her cards close to her chest. Through recent and inevitable revelations, they've finally found each other open enemies. Last they met, they parted on neutral ground, hoping they'd never have to meet again. ● Flickering Ember: A rough, yet endearing Roegadyn. Though Sophia tends to keep her at a distance, the girl has a way of worming (read: smashing) her way past any emotional defenses. Without even meaning to, Ember serves to ground the ambitions of the Garlean, reminding her that there are always people stuck between the machinations of nations and Empires and that no decision should be made lightly. ● Hotaru Gin: A Doman refugee with whom Sebastian is involved. Though Sophia and Gin are no more than acquaintances, Sophia is aware that she is a positive force in Sebastian's life, and wishes them the best. They both seem share a mutual, unspoken agreement not to bring up each other's staunch nationalism, for Sebastian's sake. ♥● Zaius Rhal'seer: A massively built Miqo'te Monk who seems to be committed only to his own whims and freedoms. She despises his outlook, especially since he is powerful enough to make a difference. Yet, she finds herself considering the possibilities of such a lifestyle for herself whenever he's around. With knowledge of where her true loyalties lie and a distinct lack of judgement, he sets her at ease, despite his near fanatic addiction for bloodlust and combat. Or perhaps he just brings out that quality in her, she cannot honestly say. |
Character Inspirations & Notes
- -Author's Note: I have no issue with Sophia being seen as suspicious or untrustworthy (she is supposed to, to an extent), but please get in contact with me if a character of yours would like to learn of and/or act on the fact that she is a Garlean.
- -Sophia's playby is Lyndall Jarvis
- -Sophia was written with several inspirations in mind:
- -Final Fantasy XII - The Archadian Empire, Vayne Solidor & Larsa Solidor
- -Burn Notice - Michael Westen
- -Tropes - Naytheist, Hobbes was Right, Realpolitik, Femme Fatale, & Sociopath
- -Template by Bancroft Gairn
