Fiona Swift
 Fiona Swift
| |
 ... My arrows shall pierce the darkness that corrodes our land. My songs shall shield your spirits. Swift retribution shall come those whom threaten those whom I call friend ... | |
| Gender | Female |
| Race | Hyur |
| Clan | Midlander |
| Citizenship | Gridania |
| Age | 23 |
| Height | 5'3" |
| NamesDay | 28th Day of the 6th Astral Moon |
| Guardian | Nophica, the Matron |
Forever Under Construction
Contents
History
Family History
The Swiftarrow family name goes back as many as seven generations; Well renowned for their natural abilities with the use of various string based weaponry, especially the Short and Long Bow variants. Throughout the generations the Swiftarrow family has produced excellent arms for Eorzea and put on many entertaining displays of skill.
The family name also has ties to the Archer's Guild located in Gridania with almost all family members having been part of the guild. In recent years the family began to shorten their name down to simply 'Swift' for reasons unknown. Very little is known about the family outside of their involvement with the Archer's Guild, Entertainment and Production of various bows. Their secrecy within the guild, and close proximity to Garlean borders, has lead to some fairly wild rumors of involvement with The Garlean Empire; Some claims being as vicious as declaring the family Spies. None of these claims have ever been proven nor has evidence ever surfaced backing up any wild claim.
Maria & Jonathan
The parents of Fiona paths crossed during an Archery event where Maria boldly stepped forward from the crowd to challenge the Swift family, more specifically Jonathan. Her belief was that their skills were more an illusion created by magic, than real skill, a rumor that had been floating around once again. The contest ended in a draw and the young Jonathan Swiftarrow bitten by the love bug, while the Swiftarrow family was very impressed with the skill the young girl possessed. Maria, born and raised in Ul'dah, was soon signed up to be part of the Swiftarrow show and eventually would marry Jonathan.
The two lived happily in the northern forests of Gridania where the Swiftarrow family lived for many generations and eventually had two children, Cassius and Fiona; Both whom would take up the family name in their own way.
Cassius
Older brother to Fiona, Cassius was a natural with a bow and expert carpenter. He helped mentor his younger sister when their father was not around, and was also a part of the Adventurer's Guild. This was not well received by his parents, but Cassius was old enough to make his own decisions. He always had a craving to be an adventurer, so perhaps this was his calling.
When the Garlean Empire made it's move, Cassius signed up to assist the many adventurers in protecting Eorzea. As the war grew long, and Garlean began to enter Eorzea territory his parents were killed by a platoon of Empire solders. Cassius swore revenge on the Garlean Empire and signed up for military combat. He convinced Fiona to stay behind, since she was still young and inexperienced; War was much different than putting on various shows or hunting for food. Knowing his sister would be alone he always wrote home, and visited as often as he could. That all changed when the Battle of Carteneau took place. Cassius would take part in this conflict serving as middle infantry to repel Garlean's advancement into Eorzea, and fought along side many warriors.
With the summoning of Bahamut, Cassius' line was in direct fire from Bahamut's initial attack decimating the warriors and soldiers. Word eventually got back to Fiona that her brother's Bow and some of his armor was found amongst the dead. Though no body was ever found it was quite sadly, very easy to assume that her brother had been killed by Bahamut's initial attack as since the attack he has gone missing.
Fiona
The young daughter of Maria & Jonathan Swiftarrow, now last remaining Swiftarrow.
When in public she shortens the last name to Swift, something she recently began to do after finding out about the death of her brother. In terms of raw skill, Fiona was capable of besting everyone in the family including her older brother. While never lacking, her skills seemed to progress at a slower rate than her brother's; yet once she practiced enough and learned said skill or trick, she could have it mastered in but a matter of days. On some days she could even best her brother and parents in a friendly, family skill competition. Despite not having much of an urge to craft, Fiona still had a knack for it. She was a bit like her father, Jonathan, in that she seemed to understand all the different kinds of trades the world had to offer; And given enough time she could learn to master each.
The same could be said about her skill with weaponry. If given enough time to practice with a weapon she could learn to master it, although the Bow would always be her weapon of choice. This talent even extended into the areas of magic, something her father and brother lacked as did all prior Swiftarrow family members. There was magic however within the bloodline of her mother, which is probably where Fiona got her gift from.
When the death of her parents occurred, it had a big impact on Fiona. Her hatred for the Garlean Empire became personal, which only deepened when the loss of her brother reached her. The Empire took everything from her and upon hearing of Cassius' death her spirit was crushed. She did not feel the need to smile anymore, or put on shows for the public. Fiona just wished to be alone and by the month's end Fiona had abandoned the small home she shared with her Brother. It is said she moved deep into Gridania's forests, far to the east of the major city, only to be seen at rare occasions when she would be forced from the forests for specific supplies or exploring the deep woods.
The Garlean Empire Invasion
Throughout the years the Swiftwood family had rumors telling of their involvement with the Garlean Empire. The only real evidence ever found to back this up was with Jonathan's father, and the work-order he had placed for some crafting parts via a merchant whom was later found out to be a spy of Garlean. While there never was any involvement with the Garlean Empire, nor espionage, the rumors still haunted the family as if spread for malicious intent. The one spreading the rumors was never found and these rumors continued to haunt the family until it became the cause of their death.
With the rumors known to the Garlean Empire, upon marching into Eorzea territory a platoon of soldiers approached the Swiftwood homestead. If the rumors were in fact true perhaps they could gain valuable information from the family. If false, well....
Death of a Family
... And false these rumors were. The family would have nothing to do with the Garlean Empire. Upon seeing the soldiers in the distance, Jonathan sent Fiona to alert the authorities. When she returned with help it had been too late and the Garlean Soldiers already had fled the homestead which now was in flames. Jonathan and Maria were both found dead. Cassius was found soon after in the woods surrounding the homestead where he had been chased by two soldiers, which Cassius dispatched of. Fiona was traumatized by the loss of her parents and home, getting a taste first hand of what war and evil was like. It left her full of questions and with a growing hatred for Garlean.
The Dream
About 5 years passed since the loss of her family and the horrifying Battle of Carteneau. Fiona had slipped into seclusion, unsure of herself and the world that seemed to have fallen apart around her. One day however, she had a very strange dream. A crystal, with many strange people around her moving towards it and her own compulsion to approach the large glowing object. The dream was a blur from this point on with Fiona waking up in her small home within a secluded region of the forests in Gridania. A change had come over her; Suddenly it felt foolish to be alone, and there was an urge to go out and test her skills; Become an Adventurer. Why not? Her brother had been one and now she was old enough to handle the task. The Adventure's Guild her brother always talked about had a location in Gridania.
Upon picking up her bow she had a strange feeling overcome her. A realization that all the tricks and showcase abilities she knew were just that, they were for show. If one could pull off tricks for show, one could turn those tricks into a weapon. There was still much she had to learn about the bow it seemed. The Archer's Guild would have answers. It seems Gridania was going to give her the answers she suddenly needed.
Two days later she flagged down a passing merchant cart which was making it's way to Gridania. She would spend much of the trip pondering the past few years only to nod off and experience the same dream again. However this time a masked man would appear whom had a very dark presence about him. What a strange dream...
Personality
Fiona was once a cheerful and sweet girl. She was always chatty and tried to be the life of the party while making friends and others happy around her. Her personality drastically changed on that day her parents died, becoming more the quiet type that would gladly be part of a group but talk very little. She smiles from time to time as well, but with the apparent death of her brother there is very little left to make her happy. The world is a very big and scary place, which very quickly snuffed out the flames of those she loved and it shows.
Still, under the quiet look she often gives, there is a warm and cheerful person hiding inside hoping one day to have a reason to come out. To keep her mind occupied she often will be found crafting, or completing various tasks. Though her motives are not clear sometimes she might smile after completing certain tasks, other times seeming to fall into silence with a sad look.
After experiencing that strange dream, her personality began to shift back towards being sweet and cheerful. Though the process is gradual, Fiona is slowly beginning to come out of the shell she built for herself many years ago.
Training
- Notable training level as per respected Guild.
Class/Job
Archer(Lv. 19)
Crafting
- Botanist (Lv. 4)
- Carpenter (Lv. 5)
- Leatherworker (Lv. 6)
Adventure Journal
- Year 1577 of the Umbral Eras
- Year 1578 of the Umbral Eras
Miscellaneous
- Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mnX03n0mNw (Wanderer -by Blacksheep806)
Forever Under Construction
