Thalia Borlaaq

Thalia Borlaaq
"The moment you stop smiling is the moment you lose." (( photo credit to http://nefariousronin.tumblr.com/ ))
Thalia Borlaaq, Anastasia, Thalia Ittetsu
Gender	Female
Race	Xaelan (Hyurian)
Clan	Baidur Borlaaq
Citizenship	Unaffiliated
Age	22
Height	4 fulms, 8 ilms
Weight	93 ponze
Server	Balmung

Appearance

Thalia is a short, somewhat-built Xaelan girl. Her sandy blonde hair is often brushed over one shoulder, or pulled into a ponytail. She is generally seen wearing light armoring or basic clothing with long sleeves, never really anything too eye-popping however. Beneath her clothing, running up her right arm and along her shoulder and torso is a Xaelan-style tribal tattoo, something she often does not show. Running from one end of her stomach to the other is a scar, mostly healed but still noticable. Thalia's ocean blue eyes are accented with cyan limbal rings, and her face is dotted with freckles... as are other parts of her body. Overall though, there is something about her facial structure that doesn't necessarily seem like that of other Xaela.

History

Thalia Ittetsu was born to a Doman father, and a Lominsan mother. Alongside herself, they also had a son named Rynn, who was just a few years older than her. Thalia and her family travelled throughout the lands as a part of a caravan, which wished to learn and experience as much of the world as they could. During the time of Thalia's childhood, most of that time was spent in Othard. Because of this, she experienced much of Doman and Xaelan culture, and it influenced much of her upbringing. Rynn would have even gone so far as to say that her first language was Doman, and she spoke with a noticable accent. She always found some way to fit into the places they went.

Whereas her brother was more interested in the literature, legends, and more scholastic aspects of the cultures they visited, Thalia was much more fascinated by the various types of fighting and athletics that were employed throughout Othard. While she was never able to use the ninjustu mudras for which Doman warriors are so well known, she was quite skilled in fighting by the time she was a teenager. When she was of fifteen winters, about one year before the Calamity ravaged Eorzea, Rynn had turned to the age of adulthood, and decided to start a life of his own. He left his family and departed for Eorzea to start his own adventures. Neither sibling knew it would be the last time they would see eachother.

Soon after this, the caravan stopped in a small Doman fishing village. While they were there, all hell broke loose. Garlean forces assaulted the settlement, and they had every intention of razing the town with everyone beneath it. The Domans' measly number of skilled defenders were quickly dispatched by the legionairres. Thalia did whatever she could to help, but though experienced for her age, she too was no match for the Imperials. Rather than kill the young half-blood, they took her and her parents prisoner. The commanding officer of the forces saw something in her: an incredible proficiency and potential for such a young Hyurian, and a young mind. Weak, impressionable, and easy to break. Her parents were put to death before her eyes, before she was shipped off to the nearest Castrum. There, she was subjected to rigourous torture and mental despairity until her willpower finally snapped.

Thalia was then brainwashed, stripped of her identity. She was renamed- or rebranded, rather, as Anastasia, an assassin pawn for Garlemald. While the Calamity tore Eorzea apart, Anastasia was assigned throughout Othard, following orders and eliminating whoever she was commanded. All of this was done blindly and efficiently. Isolated as she was, there was never reason for her to raise questions. "For the Emperor" was the only thing she knew. At age twenty-one, nearly seven years after the Calamity, Anastasia was given a different assignment. One in Eorzea. She was told to assist a Lieutenant Shioh, who was on the hunt for a Garlean deserter. The man, once known as Telcada and now as Ryu, was Thalia's mark. It was her job to befriend him and those close to him, then lead them into a trap for Shioh to deal with them. Soon, everything was set. When the time had come, all Anastasia had to do was direct Ryu's friends just a few hundred yalms in the right direction.

Eveything would have gone according to Shioh's plan, except Anastasia had met and talked with Ryu not long beforehand. Her intentions were to gain information about him and earn his trust. Their discussion instead prevented he and his loved ones' deaths- unbeknownst to him. It was because of what Ryu told her that she began to doubt what little she knew. The man's situation had not been unlike her own. He told her about his realiziation of his own brainwashing, and his eventual secession from the Garleans when he discovered it. Anastasia realized that many of the questions Ryu had asked himself prior to his realization, she could not answer herself. She didn't know her lineage, her childhood, she didn't know who she was. She knew only to serve.

These questions still plagued her mind when the time came for her to follow Lieutenant Shioh's orders, and complete her mission. rather than lead her targets into the trap, she warned them of it and told them to escape in the opposite direction. Shioh was furious. He attacked her, and after a short battle, had won. A cut from one end of her stomach to the other claimed Shioh's victory. Had her harness and armor not been so tight, he'd have disemboweled her. Laying there on the ground, ilms from immediate death and slowly bleeding out, Shioh mocked her with her true name. Leaving for her dead, all hope seemed lost for her... until, she was found by Esva Kagon, Ryu's partner and witch of Nhama.

The Kagon's magic was enough to prevent her from inevitable death, but she would still need physical treatment. Though Thalia had saved their lives, Ryu and Esva did not yet trust the new-minded girl completely. She understood their reasoning, and agreed to whatever terms were given her. Esva entrusted her care and overwatching to a small group of Xaela, comprised of Kha, Hotgo, and Borlaaq. During her time with them, the Auri welcomed her with open arms and met her with great kindness. She fit right in with them, and after she had been nursed back to health, decided to stay with them. While Thalia grew close with all of them, she formed an especially strong bond with the two Borlaaq, Kharijin and Khotalya. They all treated her with great affection, even though she was not of their kind. The Xaela considered Thalia one of their own, and that bond between herself and the Borlaaq quickly grew into a relationship. The three of them felt as though she was destined to be with them, "born in the wrong body," they called it.

Issues, however, plagued the Borlaaqs. At a young age, Khotalya had been possessed by the malevolent spirit of a Xaelan warrior. Throughout the woman's years, she had been able to control it, though with less and less effectiveness as the ghost grew stronger. By now, it was strong enough to control Khotayla keep her awake for days, or bring her great pain if she ever let her mind open. It needed to be removed from her body. Calling upon Esva to help them, the Borlaaqs set out to rid their clan-sister of the demon through the means of a ritual. As the spirit was banished from Khota's body, it desparately searched for a new host. Seeing Thalia, a young girl with a mind devoid of any memories tying her to herself, it realized she would be an easy target. Upon taking to her body however, it realized that she was not the abiding soul to which it was used. For generations the wraith had embedded itself into Xaelans, but the Hyurian's body was foreign to her. It twisted and changed her body.

She awoke with black scales across her skin. A tail had grown and linked to her spine, and horns took the place of her ears. Though the blood in her veins still ran with that of a Hyurian's, her body had become that of a Xaela's. While the change would have been traumatizing to others, the Borlaaq quite honestly welcomed the change. To any of them her new body was the one she was meant to have. They considered it the only one she ever had, Thalia Borlaaq had always been a Xaela, always meant to be with her clan-sisters. Thalia Ittetsu lived only in memory, but as far as Thalia was concerned, she had never lived the life of the half-blooded young girl. To this day, she refuses to admit that she ever existed as anyone but Thalia Borlaaq, of the Baidur.

In the next coming months, Thalia would have the evil spirit removed from her body once and for all, preventing the phantom from ever again causing problems for the Borlaaqs. Around this time, however, Khotalya left her sisters without hardly a warning. It greatly distressed the two of them, but it led to them forming even closer ties. On top of all this, the Garleans were still hunting for Thalia. Her sprouting of Xaelan features had helped her evade them, but it did not last forever. The special strike team they sent eventually found her, and they continued to show up whenever they found the chance to attack. Once, however, the Garlean's plans worked. Thalia was caught offguard and without Kharijin around to help her. They took her prisoner, beating her and torturing her. The Garleans subjected the girl to intense pain, and the event caused her to suffer intense psychological damage. They tried to brainwash her once more, but before the damage could be done Thalia was rescued by Kharijin, who had the help of a Garlean officer with unknown motives. The damage though, had been done.

Thalia was stricken with night terrors every moon, and would have a complete breakdown if Kharijin was not with her. Though her worsening mental disability was a trial for the both of them, their relationship was strenghtened through it. Kharijin, who used to insist that should she ever attend a wedding ceremony, she would certainly burst into flames, was no less beaming as radiantly as Thalia was when the two wed to eachother, publically displaying the eternal bond that they shared. Even after the ceremony however, Thalia's mind was still ravaged by hallucinations and nightmares. Kharijin suggested a series of rigorous trials that were used by her clan to test and train only their greatest of warriors. Though the feats would not be easy for her, they would help the younger Borlaaq train her resolve and mental fortitude. The challenges were tough, but she overcame them in time. With ever trial she completed, she was given part of a tattoo, which was applied to her piece by piece. By the time she had finished, the warrior's mark was completed, the tattoo running from her right hand, up her arm, and across her shoulder and down as far as her waist. While she had completed the training, she still sees and hears the dreadful conjurations. Now, however, she finds it much easier to ignore and overcome her fears instead of succumbing to them.

Thalia currently serves as a guard for the Evenstar Institute. Her proficiency in combat and wide array of weaponry with which she is skilled provided a well-suited role with the company. Rather than let her abilities go to waste on the occasional sparring match, or defending some Ul'dahn crime lord, she instead protects the Institute and it's dorms, as well as defending students and researchers when they embard on expeditions.

Personality

Thalia's personality is a bit unpredictable, as she is still quite mentally unstable. Generally, especially around Kharijin, she is just fine. Very cheerful and bubbly with her friends, though somewhat shy to strangers, perferring to let others do the talking. When she is not in the presence of Kharijin or isn't with her friends or companions however, she is incredibly nervous and constantly in fear. If someone starts following her or calls out to her, she will often break out into a sprint to get away, not trusting anyone she doesn't immediately recognize.

Lovers/closest friends

Those with whom she is most comfortable around, often sharing a relationship or close bond with them:

• Kharijin Borlaaq:
• Reiji Nightforde:
• Maia Kasmut:

Important People

Those who she feels complacent around, knowing on a personal level or calling a friend.

• Aslund Kha:
• Maken Roashk:
• Rhaga Urumet:
• Arianna Rhiki:
• N'lomiko Yhisa:
• Popoimo Tatoimo:
• Nomuquan Gerel:
• As'terryn Hyun:
• Chaxix Faewalker:
• Deitrala Kastner:
• Ai Towano:
• Briah Xiglina:
• Ashus Callaway:

Gallery

Screenshots

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  Anastasia/Thalia when she was still a Hyurian

Art

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  Thalia, Kharijin, and Reiji (art credit to imdsound.tumblr.com)

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  (art credit to beveryartistic.com)

Characteristics

• Age: 22
  • Nameday: 1st Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon
• Gender: Female
  • Sexuality: Bisexual
• Alignment: Chaotic Good
• Height: 4 fulms, 8 ilms
• Weight: 93 ponze
• Hair: Sandy blonde
• Eyes: Deep blue with cyan limbal rings
• Skin: Pale caucasian
• Clothing: Not usually showy, often long sleeves or light armor plating

Areas of Expertise

• Martial: Thalia is extremely skilled in fighting of many types, open-fisted, knives, swords, or bows, she is comfortable with all. She does not however, possess the ability to use any sort of magic aside from aetheryte teleportation.
• Crafting: Nothing to speak of.
• Other: No Xaela mates better than a Borlaaq.

Strengths

• Very proficient in fighting, especially unarmed or knife combat.
• Incredibly agile and quick on her feet.
• Is able to hide and disappear with ease.
• Very kind. When she isn't having a mental breakdown, she's always trying to help someone or cheer the mood up.
• She very rarely will give up in a fight.

Weaknesses

• Lives in constant fear
• Can barely function without the presence of someone she knows
• Very little skill with magic
• Often does not speak her mind
• Can be too quick to attack before thinking

Rumours

• "She's a sweet girl. Be sweet to her, or I'll cut of parts off you that you are fond of." -Kharijin Borlaaq
• "She's a bit quiet but I wouldn't ah...get on her bad side...sweet though!" -Reiji Nightforde
• "I may be the tallest Au'ra, but even her with her short height, kinda....intimidates me." -Aslund Kha
• "Thalia's a really good friend of mine and she's really pretty. Oh, she's also really smart too! We have a lot in common and I didn't even know it!" -Maia Kasmut

OOC Rumors

• "I heard a rumor that Thalia didn't max the boob slider." -Ari Kagon
• "EIGHT SWORDZ." -Selsix Crepuscule

OOC

Her "warrior tattoo" is obviously not the design of the Arachne shirts, they're just the best representation.

Used FreelanceWizard's template, with some personal editing.