Weighing in at an entire ninety-five ponzes and standing at a great four fulms, nine ilms, Amha Maraksh is an incredibly small girl, but one whose outward appearance is so pricklish it acts as a natural defense mechanism against others. Her black and gray hair is prone to changes in style, but is most often seen pulled into a braid. Her eyes are green, but dual toned. Upon her chin, next to the right corner of her lip, is one mole, which she prides herself upon. Her skin is a pallid sort of gray tone, which she often accents with purple clothing.
Scars & Markings: Besides the mole on her chin, and a smattering of freckles, Amha is entirely unblemished across her body. Her father has seen to it that she is immaculate in body.
Voice: Her voice comes across as strong, and often unwavering. She is, relatively, an unemotional individual with no problems communicating what she needs to get across. Her voice is a bit deep for a woman.
Clothing: Amha wears primarily purple and black, with the occasional splash of red. She prefers simple, flowing cloth, to tight leather, but she will often wear boots and gloves of the stuff. Her attire is mostly modest, though she is not beyond showing more of herself should her mood call for it.
---
Personality wise, Amha is.. almost devoid of one. Whilst being raised, she was taught to be primarily unfeeling, and only express herself around her father. This does not mean she does not feel, but is best suited to hiding the way that she does. Her feelings are often compartmentalized, and left to fester, because that is where she was taught they belonged, out of prying eyes. This can often offset people to her, and make them avoid her, something which she hates, and can often make matters worse. She can also be incredibly rude without necessarily meaning to be, or entirely meaning to be. It depends on the day.
Likes
She likes to be alone when reading, or when busy with a new discovery. Otherwise, she actually very much dislikes being alone, but does not mention this to anyone.
Amha adores thunderstorms, and the sound of raindrops upon the roof. In times of great stress or anxiety, she loves to listen to thunder, and sometimes stand in rain, to ease her suffering.
Airships. Amha likes the feeling of being free, though she won't admit this to anyone, and airships give her this luxury, high off the ground away from everything that crashes down on her otherwise.
Bittersweet chocolates, and hot milk. Hot chocolate is a favorite drink of hers, one of the few things her mother ever did for her on a positive spectrum; her favorite is, yes, to use bittersweet dark chocolate and heavy, hot milk, to make a drink that both soothes and vitalizes her.
Plants. Now that she has had time away from her father, she has began to study not only thaumaturgy, but alchemy as well, as it proves an asset to her work at times, as well as a source of income. She grows many plants in her home for it, and adores to be surrounded by them. At times, when she feels exceptionally lonely, she will talk to them.
Laughing at others. This is a bit of a mean one, but Amha can be mean. Sometimes, when she is feeling at her worst, she will resort to making fun of others in order to make herself feel better, their misfortune making her feel as though her own is not so bad. It's a bad habit she needs to break.
Dislikes
Her mother and father. While her mother is dead, the memory of her serves to embitter the girl, and she dislikes any instance of her being brought up. She hates her father deeply, yet knows he is truly the only person who will ever accept her, at the same time. She does her best to avoid any and all conversation or situation involving the topic of parents.
Being talked down to. It's one of the worst, and will have you sincerely wishing you hadn't. She is, for the most part, patient if only because it is easiest, but if one continues to do it, she will not hesitate to bite back, either with words, or her own teeth.
Being threatened. While she will remain calm if threatened, she will remember it, and she will act upon it as though it were a declaration of war. The woman is training to become a Black Mage, she is not afraid of you. But she will make you afraid of her.
The deep sea. It's just terrifying to her, that's all. You never know what's under the surface. Don't ever bring her on a boat.
Fears
Being imprisoned by her father. She fears he will take her and never let her go every day of her life.
Sometimes, being yelled at can trigger her awfully. She does her best to keep this under wraps, but sometimes, it happens.
Never being able to reach her goals.
Trivia
Favorite Food: Forest Miq'abob
Favorite Drink: Apple Cider
Favorite Color: Purple
PROLOGUE
Before she was born, her father, Petla’a, became acquainted with a cult, a group whose entities of choice promised great power to those who fulfilled their contracts, and gave them what they desired. Lifeforce, in its most basic essence, in the form of fear and despair and doubt and pain. They feed on it, and become all the stronger for it. And so, he fell deep into the throes of this cult, held in by the promises these beings whispered, so much so that he could never think of anything else.
Finally, he had his chance to ask for whatever he wanted, to make a contract with one of the Bargainers. They promised him, told him that could he produce a child they deemed worthy to give to them, body and soul, he would be given strength untold. How he relished the opportunity. Soon, a wife was found, a woman named Khie who was strong in her convictions, but proved so easily swayed by the promise of power. Her strong beliefs became stronger, so much so that her clouded judgement from the cult became more like a steel wall, impenetrable to all sense. Much like Petla’a.
They first had two daughters, named Quiy and Ptya. Both were denied by their false gods, the Bargainers, and were told that they were not right. That they must continue, until they make the right one. The girls were discarded, cared for minimally, but left alone to their own devices for if they were not the ones, what would be the point of grooming them?
Finally, there was Amha. She was born on a rainy afternoon, with two fearful sisters who knew of their parent’s plans and a father with a glint of evil in his eyes watching. He would hold her up, and listen to her heartbeat, and in the back of his mind he could hear the voices of the Bargainers whispering that this, this was the one. She would be perfect.
CHAPTER ONE
Thusly, Amha became the tribute, the icon. The body that one day would be given to the false gods for her parent’s gain. They told her she was oh, so special, that she was going to be their ticket to greatness. For a time, these words soothed her, they made her feel important. How she felt, to be the destined child, the one her sisters could never be. Her father was who she was with the most, his hand perpetually on her shoulder to keep her near. He would set her in his lap, and stroke her hair and kiss her cheeks, telling her that she was so important to him. Little hands would clutch his shirt and feel at ease, as he told her that she must never love anything other than him, because everyone else will take her from him, and then he’ll never get his true wish. And she’d say, “Of course, daddy,” so mechanically that her sisters would be pained.
Ptya and Quiy knew this was wrong. They had grown up around it, but in the midst of the chosen daughter being born, they were left behind, let to do as they pleased because they were not the ones to be groomed. Luckily, they were not jealous, or resentful, but instead… concerned. One day, they would lose their sister to a being they could not see. And family was family, even if Amha was being raised unfeeling, so any time their parents were not around, the sisters would sit down with her and teach her humanity, teach her to feel and think and be. It would prove hard, yet somewhat rewarding. With them, she would smile, and show herself to be alive. However, as soon as mother and father were around, she would revert, straight faced and obedient, a machine.
Amha became very much so a machine, a child who never showed more emotion than minor twitches of the expression save for int he presence of her sisters, and was very much a source of unease for her community. She was not much of a presence in it, beyond tailing along behind her sisters during the brief times they had apart from their family, to the point they would gossip ceaselessly about her, even doing so in hushed whispers when she was in the very same room as them. She never quite paid heed, though. Her parent's desires were more important.
CHAPTER TWO
At eight years old, Amha was given her first cudgel, and was put through thaumaturgy training by a group of experienced thaumaturges in their cult. It was relatively informal training, but she picked it up quickly, and was regarded almost as a prodigy. But of course she was, she was the tribute! It made natural sense that she was the best, the brightest. Over time, however, this fawning over her faded into expectancy and disinterest, even jealousy. She no longer felt special, despite the fact that her parents treated her as such. At ten, what was once unyielding adoration for them had morphed into a lingering dislike. While still almost mechanical, following their orders, Amha grew more bold and broke out of what was expected of her more often, much to her parent's chagrin. They began to punish her, to lock her away from her sisters and keep her from all but themselves.
Then, the Calamity came, and rained down meteors and despair. In the chaos, her mother would be killed, along with her two sisters, her two saving graces in this world. She was devastated and broken, and promised herself that for sake of her sister's, she would continue to grow and become more in life. Even if she was weak now, she would break free one day.
During this time, Amha would begin to sense ripples in the aether around her, tears in the plane opening to let slip a small head-sized ahriman, who had a voice inside her head that told her he was there to help her. He had been watching her since she was born, he was her Golden Eye (a signal of greatness, of a contract, in the cult her father borne her into.) At first, he told her he had been there to ensure the survival and growth of his true master's tribute; but then, as he watched her from afar, he grew to care for her. She named him Bead, a simple name which he allowed, though it was nothing like his given name. The two became friends, and no one ever knew of him but for her, and she liked it that way. Now with her sisters gone, she needed it.
He proved to be a good friend, and helped her feel more than what her father would allow. Bead knew it could get in him trouble one day, but did it nonetheless, for his fondness for the girl had grown too great.
At the same time, Petla'a became unstable, desperate for anything he could clutch onto now that he no longer had the support of his wife. She became his replacement, not in a sexual way, but she was his only pillar to life left; not even the cult gave him the same fulfillment. He would hold her close, and tell her that she couldn't ever leave him until it was time to give her away. That only then would he ever feel full and whole again. He would tell her if she ever tried to leave, he would kill her. It filled her with fear for years, and she stayed put, all but locked in her home with a man who planned on ending her life one day. She had all but abandoned her dream of getting away from him, until she was seventeen, after years of practicing her thaumaturgy in secret.
CHAPTER THREE
Upon her seventeenth year, Amha had vowed to become a black mage. Thaumaturgy had become her escape over the years, helped her clear her head and find the humanity within her black heart, and she promised herself that could she find a way to become a black mage, then she could find a way to escape the fate put before her, the bleak end at the end of the line. Bead, whose name stayed the same over the years, figured it a strong enough conviction, and encouraged her.
This was when she finally became violent with her father, using her magic to keep him at bay whilst she escaped the home and ventured out into the world she only remembered bits of from when she was small. He allowed her to leave, because since the death of his wife, he had grown frail and weak; he had to be patient if he ever wanted to get what he had made her for. But, he stalks her relentlessly, following in her shadow, showing up when she least desires it.
Currently, Amha resides in Gridania with a group known as the Ravens. They are her source for many black market items she finds that may accelerate her cause, and has grown to enjoy (to a degree) their company. So far, her father has not shown his face here, but she will not rule out the possibility of him finding her.
Color Key
♥ In A Relationship: Name is romantically involved with this character.
♥ Romantic Attraction: Name is romantically interested in this character.
♥ Sexual Attraction Name is physically interested in this character.
♥ Platonic Love/Family: Name considers this person family.
♦ Friend: Name considers this person her friend.
♦ Friendly Acquaintance: Name considers this person mostly friendly, or as an ally.
● Good Standing: Name has no specific feelings about this character, however they left a good impression.
● Neutral: Name has no specific feelings about this character.
● Bad Standing: Name has no specific feelings about this character, however they left a bad impression.
♠ Dislike: Name doesn't consider this person a friend, and will talk if needed, but try to avoid them.
♠ Hate: Name consider this person an annoyance, and will try to avoid them. Conflict can happen.
♠ Fear: Name is terrified by this character, and will try to avoid them at all cost.
♠ Rivalry: Name consider this person a rival, and will try to initiate conflict every time she gets to meet them.
♥ Family Member: This character is related by blood to Name.
✔ Business: This character is either an Name's employer, employee, or coworker.
✖ Deceased: This character has passed away.
?Hidden Feelings/Unknown: This character has one of all the color keys above, but Name isn't fully aware of it yet.
NPC
Petla'a Maraksh( ♠ ♠ ♥ )( NPC ) - Father
As the title states, this is her father. She hates him more than she has ever hated anything else, and yet she runs to him for validation and love. He is all she has left in this world, even if he does plan to give her to a dark power one day. She never wants that to happen, but also... wants to feel loved. It's a very unhealthy relationship.
Khie Maraksh( ♠ ♥ ✖ )( NPC ) - Mother
Amha's deceased mother, whom she hates but to a slightly lesser degree than her father. She, though entirely kept hold on by the cultist's views, did love her children to some extent. While her positive memories are few and far between, and she still hates her, she does miss her from time to time.
Ptya Maraksh( ♥ ✖ )( NPC ) - Oldest Sister
Amha's oldest sister, who was the first to begin teaching her to feel. On the worst nights, she and Quiy would hold her close under the sheets and pretend there wasn't evil outside their bedroom door. She was taken from Amha during the Calamity.
Quiy Maraksh( ♥ ✖ )( NPC ) - Older Sister
Amha's second oldest sister, who looked out for her, and kept her safe during their explorations of the outdoors. Amha hadn't gotten to go on them often, but sometimes, she would, and it would be Quiy who carried her tired sister back home when she grew too exhausted to continue. She was taken from Amha during the Calamity.
Bead( ♥ )( NPC ) - Best Friend?
An Ahriman of small stature who acts as Amha's guardian. He is of unknown age, and it isn't quite sure to her why he has decided to follow Amha's plight rather than his true master's. In reality, it's because he has grown to care for her, and perhaps views himself as a father figure to her, having been there since the day she was born. He can go in and out of the Eorzean plane of reality, both on command and on his own. He only makes his presence known to Amha, unless she feels truly safe and trusting with the person she is with.
Amha met Shark by chance, by being an eavesdropping stranger. They hadn't much of a conversation at first, not until he awoke on a table with his guts hanging out of his body while she helped to hold him down. Not the best of meetings. She was not the one to open him up, but she considers herself partially at fault, and feels pretty guilty for it. While being as vague as possible, she is trying to help him, which he seems to be cautiously accepting.
Met on the same night as Shark, Amha finds Vioric'a vaguely deplorable, and hates the haughty air he puts on deeply. But, he also proves as interesting as he does repulsive. She isn't sure exactly why she dislikes him, but she has decided to make an effort to possibly get to know him, if only because he may prove the key to furthering her goal.
Some of these rumors are untrue, speculation, or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to add your own rumors under the Player Character category!
NPC
.
◢ Common Rumors - Easily overheard. Use these freely!
■ "That girl's pretty fuckin' weird, if y'ask me. And creepy. All she does is stare at ya..." - A traveler on the roads.
■ "Yeah, she's learning alchemy, I think. Made me a poultice for me back when I asked. Reasonably priced, and it worked!" - An unseasonably energetic elderly woman.
◢ Uncommon Rumors -A little more difficult to hear. Use sparingly or ask first!
■ "She used to follow around these two girls, who were always trying to get her to smile. Wonder if it ever worked? Though, I haven't seen 'em since the Calamity. Poor kids." - A Wood Wailer."
■ "Heard she's from a weird family. One of them cult ones. Her dad's a freak, I think. Didn't hear it from me, though. I heard she's a deadly one, what with them potions and that staff of hers." - A disgruntled Gridanian.
◢ Rare Rumors -Very rarely overheard. Please ask before using!
■ "Saw her in the alley back there, makin' a trade with someone not so legitimate. Gave her a book, probably something on the occult. Somethin' tells me she's summonin' something nasty." - A deliveryman in Ul'dah.
■ "I hate her. She acts like she's so high and mighty, just because she was chosen. If you ask me, I ought've been the one. Hope she gets what's coming to her." - A shady cultist.
PC
.
◢ Player Character Rumors -Feel free to add rumors of your own!
■ I will play mature content and themes (violence, sexuality, drug / alcohol use) as long as they're logical in a plot-driven encounter. Coarse and excessive language. Temporary injury and incapacitation. Temporary imprisonment. Most walk-up encounters.
■ Ask about long-term and/or permanent injury and disfigurement. Long-term captivity or imprisonment.
■ I won't play permanent character death or rape plots.
Disclaimer
■ If an aspect of RP makes you uncomfortable in a scene we're playing, please send me a /tell, letting me know. Communication is very important, more important than potentially keeping immersion.
Links Out
Links that lead off the wiki, but are technically relevant to the character.
