Vaughn Antain

The information on this page is mostly OOC knowledge, and contains spoilers. If you wish to be involved in any of his past, please message first. Thank you!

Vaughn Antain
"The trouble with resisting temptation is it may never come again."
Commission by Tiergan Vashir
Gender	Male (really, he is!)
Race	Elezen
Clan	Wildwood
Citizenship	Unaffiliated
Height/Weight	6 fulms 4 ilms/145 ponz
Nameday	1st Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon
Patron Diety	Llymlaen, the Navigator
Relationship Status	Taken
Server	Balmung

Character

Vaughn Antain is a short and willowy Wildwood Elezen, specialized in stealth, archery, and assassination. However, he is not prideful as most of his race is, and is rather content being in the background. His odd behavior has led to many strange reactions, most often being mistrust.

General

Full Name: Vaughn Auréle Antain
Nickname(s): Pretty Boy, Blondie
Race: Wildwood Elezen
Age: 35 (estimated)
Occupation(s): Companion, pirate, archer, bard

Appearance

Skin: fair with a slight golden lustre, smooth as porcelain
Hair: thick but silky, golden blonde in color
Eyes: vibrant green
Distinguishing Features: small tattoo on his right heel (a purple rose), small brand on his right hip (Blood Nymph pirate crew symbol), organic scarification on his left pec with that nipple pierced, usually dressed in fine silks

Behavior

Motivation: Helping those in need
Temperament: Mostly calm, but becomes angry when a friend is threatened
Fear(s): his own emotions, love
Negative Trait(s): appears closed off, neurotic, can be a bit too blunt
Sexuality: Pansexual

Combat

Ranged

Vaughn is a marksman of all disciplines. Since he was young, he has shown an affinity to throwing weapons, granting himself a set of silver daggers fashioned with the intricate emblem of the Desert Rose, the brothel in which he was raised. His precision with the thrown weapons was helpful in learning the bow when he was bought by a pirate. He has continued through the years to show a gift for archery, thrown weapons, and pistols.

Magic

With the aid of a wind crystal, Vaughn is able to manipulate its aether in a way he was unable to before. However, it is visibly taxing on him and often leaves him drained of energy and (sometimes) memory. The crystal itself depletes and tries to collect the nearest source of aether, which is usually Vaughn's own personal aether unless he draws the aether of another wind crystal into him to replenish the one inside.

Melee

Axes, swords, and fists are not in Vaughn's comfort zone. He has been training rigorously, however, to overcome this weakness. He is especially weary of axes, as is noted by his wincing and hesitations whenever he or another uses the viscous weapon around him.

Tendencies

Likes

• cooking
• gardening
• singing/playing his lap harp
• spending time with friends

Dislikes

• mean people
• the color grey

Hobbies/Talents

• Sings with a light tenor.
• Often plays on his lap harp, intricately carved mahogany in the shape of a dragonfly.
• Is a very talented artist, creating works with uncanny realism.

Relationships

Family

Father: Ambroise Antain (deceased)
Mother: Thalandria Velengrais (deceased)
Brother: Holiander Antain (half-brother, deceased)

Associations

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

♥♥●Jaques Guillaume: This Duskwight was once stand-offish towards Vaughn, but still seemed to tolerate him being around. As his lover, Vaughn has a deep admiration for Jaques, and offers the Duskwight his assistance freely. They are often seen together, though Vaughn does his best to keep his emotions in check for Jaques's benefit, as he understands the Duskwight's need for privacy.

♥♥●Captain Ateryu Mica von Kanton: (deceased) The pirate Captain bought Vaughn from the brothel for his own amusement. At first, it was handy having your own personal whore, but then the passion turned to abuse. Vaughn spent much of the plunder he stole from the Captain to pay for healers to undo the intensive scarring left by the lash and leather collar he was hung by as punishment for disobeying orders. Captain von Kanton was Vaughn's first obsessive love, placing him a god among men in his eyes. Though the Captain made him do the most horrific deeds, Vaughn loves him still.

Sasha Levvine

♥♥●Sasha Levvine: (deceased) The lively daughter of Madame Levvine was Vaughn's closest friend at the brothel they were raised, and inherited the establishment when her mother passed away. After many years apart, he sought her out to make amends for the deeds he had done while under Captain von Kanton's influence. He was offered a job in the Rose as a teacher for the young soon-to-be companions, but ultimately refused. This led to Sasha demanding he return, or face punishment.

♥●R'shesha Otharn: This young miqo'te was the first person in two years to walk up to Vaughn and talk to him. While he was extremely shy at first, R'shesha became someone he could confide in. He cares for her deeply, and feels for her as a sister.

♥●Nihka Mioni: Another miqo'te who was there when he met R'shesha. Though she didn't speak much to him at first, he took a liking to her, and now calls her one of his dearest friends and sister.

♥●An'nai Tir'Atha: This miqo'te and Vaughn had a near instant connection based on how they grew up, and views him as a brother. He envies and admires An'nai for his independent spirit, hoping to better himself on the miqo's example. Lately, the miqo has not been seen, and Vaughn worries for his well-being.

●Clouse Sydonis: While the hyur was kind at first, Vaughn distrusted him while under the influence of a corrupted aether crystal. However, he still likes the man, and considers him a friend.

●Jael Laksha: While this hyur is liked by Vaughn, and they seem to have pleasant conversations, he was not trusted. Now, the hyur has not been seen, and Vaughn wonders about his well-being.

♥●Ashe En'vale: Ashe...oh, Ashe. This charismatic hyur seems to be drawing Vaughn in deeper into his web of destruction. Whenever he's with the man, Vaughn becomes a puppet to his every whim. It is that realization Vaughn doesn't trust himself much around him, as his chaotic nature is reminiscent of Captain von Kanton. This had not gone unnoticed, and made Vaughn more paranoid around his friends.

♥●Chiane N'ardente: A strong-willed, beautiful Duskwight, Chiane caught the attention of Vaughn on several occasions. However, his affections for her "brother" Jaques deterred him from making any advances. Never mind the thought she would probably try to gut him. Still, he does hope for a friendship between them, and will go out of his way for Jaques's sake to be as courteous as possible toward her.

●Xiaoli Vorgan: An adorable miqo'te woman he met while trying to settle a dispute among her and her friend Orpheus, and Jaques. He wishes there could have been more time to bond with her over their common fondness of apple deserts, but those plans crumbled before they could start.

●Orpheus Arkouda: The other miqo'te he met during a dispute in Coerthas. He seems to get along better with Jaques, as Vaughn's shyness leaves little for them to talk about.

●Andralyn Thatcher: Lady Grace, as he knows her by, is a charismatic and undoubtedly cunning Madame of the brothel Heaven's Gate. He is weary of her sugar-coated words, a paranoia brought to him by his previous experiences with competing brothels, and does not take most of what she says as a whole truth. Still, she has said enough to pique his interest in trying to figure out what exactly she has planned. Which was probably part her plan all along...

♥●Devilish Sarracenia: This strong, confident, but ultimately abrasive Roegadyn is often seen around Ashe. At first, Vaughn didn't really care one way or another for her, but after learning of her "stalking" his love, and of her betrayal that was more of an assistance, he ended up not liking her very much.

Rumors

Current Event Rumors

• "Last I saw the Wildwood, he was in with some Duskwight. They had me put a wind crystal in the blonde's chest, but wouldn't let me keep him for a few moons to monitor him. Now I hear his memory is poor. Hmm, I tried to warn them..." --Ossuary mage
• "Yeah, he's been around. I remember his hair kept moving as if there was a breeze. Not much breeze in an enclosed space though." --Quicksand waitress
• "The whore was returned to the Desert Rose, so go ask there." --Burning Blades sergeant

PC Rumors

((Feel free to add your own below!))

• "Antain? Not much goin' on upstairs, not since th' Cap'n up 'n dis'peared." --Truder, former Blood Nymph pirate
• "You know, I could have sworn he was a woman, the way he carried himself, the way he dressed. Much, much too pretty for any man to be." --overheard from a hyur man
• "-uncontrollable laughter-" --Callistus, Stoneshaper of Ul'dah
• "He isn't like most other Wildwoods. Which is to say he's not an arrogant condescending ass." --Jaques Guillaume
• "Well, he didn't really make the best first impression on me, but I think he's fun! You can't deny his free spirit, or his passion for beauty." --Aya Foxheart
• "The man has the power to summon water and control minds. Dare say I never saw so many eyes glisten or so many lips smile, my own included, when I heard him play. It is no mere performance, either, for when he defended Sir Vashyr I felt the same emotion. I am honored to have met Lord Vaughn." --Jancis Milburga
• "Evangeline don't bring bombs into the house. Evangeline make sure your friends sign the Guestbook. Evangeline stop chasing around the other housemates. It's almost as if he thinks I'll listen. I must be losing my flair for anarchy." --Evangeline Primrose
• Tone is defensive and vaguely threatening. "What about him? Why are you asking?" --Jaques Guillaume

History/Timeline

Early Life

The Desert Rose

The Desert Rose, an underground brothel hidden in Ul'dah, boasts pleasures for any taste. It is a place of debauchery, unregulated by Thanalan law, and run by the ruthless business woman, Madame Tatyana Levvine. Though it is not often addressed, companions (also known illegitimately as "whores") are considered as and treated like slaves, and have their own hierarchy.

Every companion at the Rose bears the same rose-shaped tattoo on the heel of their right foot, but are one of four different colors based on status. Those with the black rose are those who were not born to the brothel and are there to work off a debt of some sort. They are not allowed to partake in any sexual activity while indebted, and the Madame usually turns them out as soon as the debt is paid, so as not to "blacken the pool" of desired companions.

Second in the hierarchy are those with a green rose. These are slaves born into the brothel but found lacking in either attractiveness or demeanor. These are the people seen distributing the others with tea, food, and whatever else is needed, and do not partake in any of the events.

A red rose determines those who were born in the brothel and used as companions. This is the most common mark in the Desert Rose.

Finally, at the top of the hierarchy, are those with a purple rose. These companions have been deemed worthy to mate and create children, and are the highest in value, therefore, the most expensive. There are very few of these companions, usually about eight males (one for every race and sub-type) and twenty-four females. However, numbers fluctuate depending on if the Madame deems a child of a mated pair to exceed her high standards of attractiveness, demeanor, and pliability.

Each mark of those born into the brothel are determined and inked when the child becomes of age to work at fifteen years old.

What It Was To Be Family

Vaughn was born the only child of Thalandria Velengrais and the first child of Ambroise Antain, two of the Wildwood resident companions picked to be parents based off certain qualities each had. He was then handed off to a wet nurse so his mother could get back to her shape and work again. Still, Thalandria would sneak in at night to care for her child, wanting to know what it felt like to be part of a normal family.

When Thalandria was caught feeding her child, Madame Levvine took her to the "dungeon" and punished her for her insolence. She was whipped and had her mammary sacks removed so the incident could not happen again. They were replaced with a soft, pliable substance to maintain the shape and softness of real breasts, but she would never again be able to feed a child. After all, she was not meant for caring for children; she just needed to make them.

Ambroise, on the other hand, was encouraged to be Vaughn's role model and teach him what it was to be a companion. The lessons started when Vaughn was two years old. He learned to do the basic duties such as cleaning, serving tea, and aesthetics. Between showing at an early age to have a knack for beautiful color and pattern combinations, and his pale and soft complexion, Vaughn earned the nickname "Marthette", or "Little Lady".

Even though Ambroise followed every rule and was considered to be the most well-behaved companion, he did have a small rebellious streak. When Vaughn was three years old, he became the older brother to Ambroise's and Cosette Nâdiya's son, Holiander. This one transgression, as Cosette bore a red mark, had Madame Levvine castrate Ambroise and remove the purple mark on his heel, replacing it with a green one.

After witnessing such an event, three-year-old Vaughn did what he could to keep himself out of trouble. He did whatever he was told to do as soon as he was told to do it. Ambroise still trained him and Holiander, as was his duty.

Unlike Vaughn, Holiander was rambunctious and payed little attention to what was expected of him. This didn't become apparent until the boys were ten and seven, respectively. It was around this time when Holiander started showing signs of illness, which Madame Levvine called "proof of ill-breeding".

Holiander

Vaughn did everything he could to keep his little brother out of the Madame's sights. Though it became easier when Holiander fell ill, it just made Vaughn even more worried for him. By the time he was nine, Holiander had a difficult time breathing. By ten, he couldn't walk.

The years seemed to degrade him more and more, until he was completely bedridden with constant fevers by the time he was fourteen. His skin and hair blanched to stark whiteness, and his usually bright aqua eyes were a pale shade of blue.

Holiander Antain

Vaughn, now seventeen, grew into a beautiful young man. In contrast to his half-brother, he had shining golden hair and brilliant green eyes. Though he had a fair complexion, it shone with a subtle golden glow. These qualities had Madame Levvine give him the purple mark, making him take the place of his once-beloved father.

However, he still couldn't leave Holiander to his fate. Vaughn resorted to stealing the jewelry in Madame Levvine's private quarters whenever he was invited back there for recreation. Any gift that he was given by a patron was just as quickly turned into the markets for gil. Even his best friend of the Rose, Madame Levvine's own daughter Sasha Levvine, helped with collecting valuables to sell during monthly trips to market. Everything Vaughn could save was spent on concoctions from the alchemists to try and heal Holiander.

For a while, it didn't seem to work. Holiander became delusional and saw those around him as demons trying to take his life. Except for Vaughn. He saw his older brother as the one guardian angel he could trust, and would only eat or drink if it came from Vaughn, or "Aulucien" ("Golden Light") as Holiander called him.

Holiander started to recover eight months into his treatments, as Vaughn became able to discern what his illness actually was. It took an additional two months after that before the fevers would subside and Holiander could think once again. Unable to remember his name, he started to call himself "Alaire". Vaughn corrected him on multiple occasions, but Holiander didn't like the way it sounded. Instead, to satisfy his brother, he decided to go by "Holi" as it sounded happier.

A Short Engagement

In order to bring gilflow to a mostly underground business, weekly trips into the markets were a necessity. Two companions, a male and a female, were sent with various pieces of jewelry, clothing, and other items unneeded in the brothel for trade. Each companion took with them one of the slaves with the black mark as a retainer.

Being the most beautiful male, Vaughn often made the trades. He insisted Holi should be his retainer, keeping him out of the brothel for as long as possible. It also gave him a chance to be just a person out with family, which made the brothers' bond even stronger. This arrangement went well for a few years, until Vaughn started noticing one of the other vendors.

Jerrah Garalad sold many varieties of fish her and her family caught in the small village of Crescent Cove. She had beautiful, sun-kissed brown skin and dyed parts of her dark hair red. What drew him to her the most were her brilliant blue eyes. They sparkled when she laughed, and she laughed often. She became his one glimmer of hope for a normal life, and they were soon engaged.

She promised Vaughn that he and Holi would never become someone else's property once they were married. Still, she was a poor woman and such an arrangement would take time. Soon after their engagement, however, Madame Levvine kept both Vaughn and Holi under lock and key, and told Jerrah Vaughn abandoned her. Since then, Madame Levvine had Vaughn take Sasha with him whenever he went into the markets to deter any more of his "nonsense".

Life as a Pirate

Captain von Kanton

A few months passed since Vaughn and Jerrah parted ways, and it was during a scheduled market day when he and Sasha were approached by Captain Ateryu Mica von Kanton. He stood a couple ilms taller than Vaughn, making him an intimidating hyur to say the least. His short dark hair, sharp brown eyes, and tanned sea-kissed skin only added to the allure Vaughn felt. He was dark and mysterious, yet frightening, and the Elezen had a hard time pretending to be disappointed when Ateryu bought him from the brothel to be his personal slave upon his ship, the Sea Nymph.

Captain Ateryu Mica von Kanton

Ateryu was a superstitious man, and having Vaughn aboard sated the crew's need to have a woman tend to their needs without having one, as they were "bad luck". In order to keep the Elezen in an amorous mood to be able to take the crew at their whim, Ateryu also stocked himself with aetheri, a highly addictive and expensive drug the Rose often used for the same purpose.

The Captain kept Vaughn on a tight leash, only allowing him to do or say things Ateryu allowed. He was not allowed to have a thought of his own, and the slightest hint of one caused Ateryu to beat it out of him until he was once again the submissive slave Ateryu purchased.

The First Year

It didn't take long for Vaughn to learn his place in Ateryu's crew. The first few months consisted of bending to the depravity of the crew, nothing much different than what he was already used to from the Rose.

By the seventh month, however, Ateryu became more possessive of his investment. He no longer allowed the crew to touch the Elezen, and outright killed those who even whispered his name. Vaughn spent most of his time locked in the Captain's quarters, expected to be ready whenever Ateryu wanted. Which was often.

Over the next few months, Ateryu started to talk to Vaughn. His tone softened around him, and he became more tender with him. Ateryu confessed love to him, branding him with the symbol of his crew on the inside of his left hip. However, around his crew, Ateryu still humiliated him with public lashings and strangulation, though he killed any of the crew who tried to join in on the "fun".

This was also the time when Ateryu charged Vaughn with a mission.

Introduction to Loss

The Captain was an arrogant man, and in his arrogance he believed he could control the primal Leviathan. To do this, he required a book that was in the possession of a Gridanian noblewoman. This noblewoman, Silveaux De'leann, married Holi shortly before Ateryu purchased Vaughn. So the solution was simple; Ateryu would send a message to the De'leann estate claiming Vaughn wished to see his brother at sea. Ateryu would then invade her estate, kill everyone inside and take her book, while Vaughn would kill Holi to prevent any risk of retribution.

Vaughn took the plan hard. While he didn't understand the reasoning behind summoning the primal, he understood killing the person he worked so hard to keep alive was unnecessary. He loved his brother, but he loved Ateryu and lived only to please him.

With gritted teeth, Vaughn did as his lover asked. He met with Holi on the Sea of Jade, sneaking aboard to take him quickly and to not have to look at the horrible deed. However, Holi turned to face him, pleaded against Ateryu's wishes, and offered Vaughn freedom through himself and his wife. When Vaughn reluctantly refused, Holi surrendered, writing a letter to his dear Silveaux with a lock of his hair enclosed in an envelope. After beheading his brother, Vaughn kept the letter and lock with him, praying for his brother's forgiveness.

Enough is Enough

Ten cycles passed with the Captain, every cycle seeming worse than the last. Vaughn was tortured, tormented, forced to watch his loved ones die (some by his own hand), and look on helplessly as the Captain murdered his way around Eorzea.

The time came when Vaughn finally mustered the courage to stand up for himself. The Captain was sleeping in his bed, exhausted from the day of village slaughter followed by his forceful ways with him. He slowly crawled out of their bed to the nightstand where Ateryu kept his rusty, dull dagger. After stifling his own tears, Vaughn plunged the dagger straight through his throat.

The event left him numb for months. He took the helm of the ship, pretending the Captain was just ill so as not to rouse suspicion. The crew believed him, or they just didn't care as long as they got their share of the plunder. When they made port eight months after the Captain passed, Vaughn sneaked away and hasn't looked back.

The Free Slave

One Step Forward, Three Steps Back

Over the next year, he took up formal archery training out of respect for his kin, training in Gridania and earning rank within the God's Bow. He took orders well, earning the respect of his comrades, but also regressing to his former self. He became a shell of what he tried to become, open to nothing but the commands of the General of the God's Bow.

During that same year, he visited his former home of Ul'dah. There, he learned of the poor folk that couldn't reclaim their homes near Vesper Bay relocated to Crescent Cove, Jerrah among them with a ten-year-old boy. Out of curiosity, he traveled to the Cove and met Richtor Garalad. He recognized instantly that the boy had Thalandria's bright blue eyes, and was his son.

Vaughn attempted to speak with Jerrah about his suspicions, but she pushed him away as quickly as she saw him. She recognized Vaughn as the reason she lost her family in Vesper Bay and refused to let him see Richtor. However, this did not deter him, and the two managed to meet and spend time together in the late hours and whenever Jerrah went to market to sell her wares. Vaughn taught Rictor to use the bow in the Gridanian style, as it was taught to him. The two grew close very quickly, but when Jerrah found out about them spending time together behind her back, she attacked Vaughn and warned him to never return.

Facets of Eorzea

Vaughn then left Thanalan and the Black Shroud behind, finding little joy in anything there. He made his way to Limsa Lominsa, and enlisted with the Maelstrom to use his skill as a Bowman against the pirates he once fought alongside. Again, he rose quickly in rank, blindly following orders with ability and precision. Still, it wasn't enough to keep him out of trouble there as well. Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn learned of Vaughn's affiliation with pirates and discharged him, though honorably as he did nothing against Limsa or her armada.

This was still enough to send Vaughn into another spiral of self-doubt and wandering. While sitting on the docks, watching the ships sail into the sunset, he was approached by three miqo'tes: R'shesha Otharn, Nihka Mioni, and R'khen Tia. They talked until the early morning hours, Vaughn making them smoked salmon right on the pier. After, R'shesha approached him about joining her in trying to convince her Free Company, the Facets of Eorzea, that the Garlean threat was right on their doorstep and they should be idle no longer.

Vaughn spoke with their then leader, Clouse Sydonis, who seemed to admire Vaughn's spirit and desire to help wherever it was needed. Clouse enlisted him in the Company, and Vaughn had a new home and purpose once again.

Corruption and Hope

The first mission Clouse sent Vaughn on was an ongoing investigation on Ashe En'vale, a chaotic and charismatic red-haired hyur. Along with fellow Facets Chiane N'ardente, Jael Laksha, and R'shesha, Vaughn tracked and conversed with Ashe, eventually "joining" his side so he could report information back to Clouse and the rest of the Facets. It backfired, and after getting another Facet involved, An'nai Tir'Atha, Vaughn was in a position he did not want to be in. Ashe imbedded a corrupted crystal into Vaughn's chest, allowing the Elezen access to a hidden power inside him. A power he could not easily control.

Vaughn with Jaques

The crystal opened his mind to blind hatred and rage, while also giving him the power to create fire from nothing. However, instead of being afraid, Vaughn took it as an opportunity to strengthen himself while he used the power to help others, with the intention of also using it against Ashe. A newfound boldness overtook the meek Wildwood, and he was finally able to tell fellow Facet Jaques Guillaume exactly how he felt about him. After a few more encounters, and actions that turned away brother-like An'nai, the two started dating.

It was then that Vaughn started to feel not quite himself. His body temperature continued to rise, though he never felt sick. He neither ate nor slept, and Jaques convinced Vaughn to give up the crystal, or lose himself to it. Vaughn agreed, and they went to Nihka for help, as she had been studying the corrupted crystals and knew best how to rid oneself of it's influence. After fighting through the ritual to not only keep the power but take in the countering aether, Vaughn was left weakened and nearly dead. However, both Jaques and Nihka watched over him until he was able to regain his strength and returned to being the shy, yet comfortable Elezen they knew and cared for.

A New Beginning

After a few moons, and a falling out with the Facets, Vaughn and Jaques became much closer, to the point where one will rarely go anywhere without the other. The loss of touch with the aether around him made Vaughn want to try with a non-corrupted crystal to harness the power once again. With a bit of convincing, Jaques agreed to allow Vaughn to receive a wind crystal in the corrupted crystal's place.

The adjustment took a toll on them both, but through a few techniques Jaques taught him through his monk training, Vaughn was able to contain the power and shield his crystal from taking in random (and his own) aether. Currently, he is able to use the crystal to enhance his other combat skills, as well as new skills Jaques is helping him train in.

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