Rivaer Pelderain

CRIMSON EXPLORER

Friendly and approachable to the point of appearing as a simpleton, and somewhat shy at times. He is pleasant and considerate for others, though reserved and mostly places his actual emotions in body language over words, as he's not good with expressing emotion verbally. Words are not his strong point, which is why he normally keeps silent. When he speaks he does so with a straightforward manner, which can come off as blunt, and sometimes needs to clarify on what he means. Though he prefers not to start conversations, he will always respond with gestures if he's interested.

Speaking shows more of his personality: softspoken, reserved. Though he's open-minded, his interest in other races may seem a little creepy since he's only ever known Midlander Hyur and by proxy Seeker of the Sun Miqo'te. He occasionally asks questions that seem prying; for this reason he doesn't like to ask people about themselves in fear that he sounds prejudiced.

Buried beneath his pleasant exterior is a veritable amount of negative emotion he has repressed from his upbringing, as he feels expressing such emotion is not 'proper' for a Pelderain. As a result he is a brutal fighter if allowed to let loose; he is capable of holding himself back in but opponents he has encountered generally deeply regret invoking his full strength. In addition, he seeks a good fight - he cares not for winning or losing, but the challenge and opportunity to constructively vent his repressed emotions.

Despite appearing like a simpleton, he is far from it - he reads body language and can be tactful to get what he wants, a result of his upbringing in a family known to mediate. He is not as good as his eldest brother when it comes to negotiation, but it's enough to get him by in the world.

H I S T O R Y

He claims no mystery surrounds him, even for progeny of a vast Elezen family scattered about Eorzea. His branch of the Pelderains are straightforward - an upper class family in their surrounding areas, they are skilled in diplomacy and combat to deal with political matters abound, and train their children from young to do the same. Notability is gained by one's level of skill in such matters, and thus emphasis on good education and culture is a major impression. Rivaer was meant to do the same, but what set him apart from his siblings was that his personality seemed unsuited for mediation early on.

Not that he was treated any different for it. Their parents saw to it that he had a good education regardless, and when he chose pugilism as his first martial training no one batted an eyelid despite the distance from the Elezen and its origins. While no intellectual prodigy, he was a diligent student, even if it meant sometimes coming home with bloodied and grazed knuckles from training by himself.

Though he was no short of love and care from everyone in his family, Rivaer saw no place for him in the diplomacy-centred negotiations that his family were involved with. His parents suggested travelling into Eorzea proper: Silvaire was training to be a paladin, Mianne answering a plea for help for the Twelveswood and Domitien called upon to aid research in ancient Nym, Amdapor and Mhach war strategies. Rivaer took up the idea and headed for Ul'dah.

As he'll tell you, he's no special adventurer. Not even the scar on his cheek is "of any significance". But then was then and now is now - perhaps there will be more to his tale.

FAMILY BACKGROUND

The Pelderains are a vast elezen family whose origins are so distant that all they can tell you is that they're from Eorzea like every other elezen. Like a great tree, different branches of Pelderains have spread out of the years into various fields of trade and craft, and even maybe a distant relative or two doing crime. Some of these branches have lost contact with the others, being further out in other continents or even at sea for years. Never assume a Pelderain would personally know another Pelderain or even acknowledge them unless they explicitly say so.

Rivaer's branch of family lives in a large town along the border between the Black Shroud and Coerthas. The town is large enough to have a council, and upon this council sits the head of the Pelderain family there. Which means that technically, Rivaer is something like an upper-class citizen, even if he doesn't act like it.

This branch of the Pelderains are usually well-educated (though not to the extent of their Ishgardian cousins), and enjoy a bit of culture such as music. As they attribute their own branch origins to spokesmen and bodyguards, they are also deeply passionate about speechcraft and martial skill alike to prevent conflict. They believe their first line of defence lies in the power of words, but should words fail and battle come to pass, there's no excuse to skimp on some fighting knowledge as well.

This branch of Pelderains believes in training their children when young in both diplomacy and battle, letting them pick a combat style at a young age without discrimination from known fields of battle, and then sending out their children to experience the world. What their children choose to do is up to them, and the parents usually rely on their offspring's sense of pride in upholding the family name. If not, then the family lets them go on their path; if they do so, they eventually return to the family to teach the next generation. As such, they tend to have at least 3-4 children per generation, sometimes going up to 5-6 to ensure that the family still has someone carrying it on regardless of what happens to others.

The family is known to be fairly caring and providing, if sometimes overbearing, and largely accepting of usually controversial matters such as interracial relationships. If anything, these Wildwood elezen actually have a pleasant, if slightly tense, relationship with the Duskwight living in their town, and believe in racial equality. Whether the Duskwight actually share their opinions is a different matter, but not one for this section.

Further elaboration can be gained from Rivaer discussing his family in-game.

L I K E S

■ Cooking. Will go great lengths to get fresh ingredients for his dishes. He's no connoisseur, but will more than willingly cook for his friends and family, and his meals are always focused around having a good time.

■ Botany and gardening. Takes great delight in watching plants grow as he carefully nurtures and tends to them. A member of the Botanists' Guild in Gridania, he regularly goes out to inspect the flora of various areas of Eorzea and bring back samples for further examination or testing, or at least to sell the best ingredients.

■ Fashion. Rivaer genuinely enjoys looking good and has a surprisingly discerning eye for combinations of various outfits that accentuate his own aesthetics. He does not offer this sense to others, feeling that it's purely based on personal preferences, but for him? Looking good is part and parcel of being a good fighter.

■ The sea. The sparkling blue waters and calming sound of the waves that greeted Rivaer when he arrived in Limsa enchanted the forest-dweller. He is generally found hanging around Limsa Lominsa and the Mist, looking out at the sea and wondering what lies beyond the lands he calls home.

D I S L I K E S

■ Fishing. He will swear up and down by the Twelve that it's the most boring thing in the world to do - and he enjoys watching plants grow.

■ Overprotectiveness. Rivaer considers himself highly independent and dislikes when people try to protect him. He is more than capable of defending himself and values his freedom of choice.

■ His speech impediment. It tires him to talk too much, he speaks slowly and whenever he speaks it sounds like a mess to him. He expends great effort to recall the appropriate words and thus forgets to phrase them, leading to misunderstandings. He also hates that he's possibly wasting someone's time because he can't speak fast enough.

Q U I R K S

■ Speech pauses. Tends to pause for a very long time thinking of the right words, and in fact pauses very often at odd parts while speaking. Often repeats words he's said just to remind himself that he said it.

■ Hearing. Rivaer tilts his head while listening to others, and to any abrupt sound.

■ Lack of questions for others. He personally feels asking about other people is 'too intrusive', but he ends up not asking anything at all while others ask of him. It makes him look disinterested in others.

■ Sensitive ears. He absolutely hates anyone other than him touching his ears. He's described other people's touch on his ears as something that makes him deeply uncomfortable and ill for some reason. Touching them without asking is enough to earn a dislocated jaw or broken limb free of service.

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

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.}

N P C

Silvaire "Sil" Pelderain ( ♥ ) ( NPC ) - Eldest Brother
Silvaire, the oldest sibling, the ace of the four Pelderains. Despite his skill in diplomacy and combat alike, he's a down-to-earth, humble man who tries to keep his family together over long distances. Kind and noble to all, and looks out for his family like a big brother does. Is a free paladin.

Mianne "Mia" Pelderain ( ♥ ) ( NPC ) - Younger Sister
A conjurer who works in the Black Shroud with the Padjali to help heal the forest. She inspired Rivaer to take up conjuring as well, especially with how she offers healing to those in need. She's not necessarily good with people and is more friends with animals and trees. Comes off as distant and dismissive of material issues.

Domitien "Dom" Pelderain ( ♥ ) ( NPC ) - Youngest Brother
The Pelderains' highly-skilled summoner and military tactician is cultured and considered the most educated of the Pelderains, but it comes with a side serving of superiority over others. He looks down on a lack of education/culture for whatever reason, and generally while genuinely altruistic comes off as having no filter with regards to his opinions. Everyone still treats him as family though, and perhaps Dom is secretly grateful, being the only child of a different mother.

Jannellaux Aubrenaud ( ♦ ) ( NPC ) - Ex
Two years spent together, ended when Rivaer made the decision to leave his hometown and Jannellaux did not want to spend so long of a time with him away, nor worry about him. Amiable break up with some tension from a penultimate heated argument.

Name Goes Here ( Status Icons Go Here ) ( NPC ) - Title Given By Character Goes Here
Text, text, text, text.

P C

K'naji Tia ( ♦ ) - Monkbro hobo kitty
Monkbros. After Hamon Holyfist enlists Riv's help to give this hobo cat from South Thanalan a headstart in money-centric Ul'dah, their relationship went from guide to mentor-student to friends. Though K'naji will happily spar with Rivaer, he'd never want to get into a real fight with the seasoned monk-elf.

H'aylio Rhu ( ♦ ) - Tropical Bard
An adventuring Seeker from Raincatcher Gully who caught sight of Rivaer's natural elezen skills in archery and playing music for the valiant in Gridania. Inspired by his skill she takes up bard as well. Possibly now runs around behind him being her jiggy Bard self.

Masisi Masi ( ♦ ) - no idea what she's doing
Only the Twelve knows how he managed to pick up a country lalafell girl who has her own agenda and talks to strangers.

Rikuso Tsunai ( ♥ ) - Lover
While it started as physical attraction (on Rivaer's side) the relationship has grown into something beyond looks. It's mutual. Currently acting as bodyguard as well as companion to the xaela's first visit to Azim Steppe.

C O M B A T

M O N K

May you walk in crimson.

Unconventional describes Rivaer's choice in combat - he walks the path of the Fist of Rhalgr. But it's a little more complicated than that.

The elezen isn't spiritual at all, and actually prefers a less destructive path than Rhalgr's followers practised. His training began from a senior pugilist who had moved on from the Coliseum of Ul'dah hired by his parents when he voiced his interest in the subject. Though his training was extensive, he was given a name to train under - Hamon Holyfist - when the pugilist deemed Rivaer skilled enough to move on. For this reason, Rivaer chose to travel to Ul'dah from his hometown when it was time to embark on his journey out.

Rivaer trained well under Hamon, but was always driven to better himself - stronger, faster, more endurance, more precision. Hamon, sensing that the elezen would never be satisfied with being merely a pugilist, suggested to him the way of the monk during a friendly drinking session and Rivaer took him up on the deal. He met many who proclaimed themselves monks, but left him wanting with nothing but morsels of a greater feast. At the chance to travel to Gyr Abania after Ala Mhigo had been liberated, he leapt at it without hesitation and soon enough arrived at the Temple of the Fist.

By that time however, Rivaer discovered he already had a fighting style that suited his physique and preferred stances. Still, he took the inspiration from the Temple and began to study the Coeurlfist style, though his monk style is definitely still his own. In recognition for his studies despite not being Ala Mhigan, he was awarded the Ala Mhigan Striking clothes, and for his efforts in pacifism a pair of antiquated sudarshana chakras now protect his hands and arms.

Rivaer does not subscribe to the destruction of Rhalgr, preferring meditation over constantly fighting to manipulate his chakra. His dedication to it has allowed him to have all seven open already, though at any given time he will use a number lower than that since he considers all open seven to be overkill. Because of his long limbs and tendency to concentrate negative emotions through his precision, he is a fairly brutal fighter - and knows it, thusly imposing his own internal fetters to prevent himself from going too far.

His fighting style mixes Muay Thai and boxing; he focuses on precision striking and long reach over grappling.
He is a Light sect monk.

B R D

*yells incoherently*
Rivaer will be upfront about this - he doesn't sing. He already has a problem with words. He can hum but no one hums loudly during a battle. Still, that doesn't mean he will not try to make an effort, but to perform to the standard of the bards of yore - at least, his yore - would not happen given his shortcomings with the spoken word.

The music he plays back epic songs of larger-than-life heroes of old that were popular in his hometown. Though those heroes may be unknown to the rest of Eorzea, he's more concerned with using the spirit of their stories as a rally for his companions.

Wanderer's Minuet: Sky Dance (Pyre OST)
Mage's Ballad: Knights of the Sea (Pyre OST)
Army's Paeon: Thrash Pack (Pyre OST)
Foe Requiem: Path to Glory (Pyre OST)

W A R

I got this.
Rivaer took up the way of the warrior at his brother's suggestion, as a way to express his repressed emotions constructively and thus not becoming depressed. He only fights with an axe alongside his brother, as his hometown would disapprove further of such a barbaric fighting style. But there's something about being a warrior that makes him feel truly free.

He prefers to keep his eyes hidden. Freedom to act as he pleases comes with a certain glint in his eye that suggests he enjoys the cleaving of flesh a bit too much; to remind himself that loved ones would fear him if they saw that glint, his visor remains lowered.

N O N - C O M B A T

B O T A N I S T

Botany was something he picked up to fill in the times he wasn't hired, but he fell in love with it shortly after. The principles practised by the Botanists' Guild were something he could get behind, and being a shepherd for the flora of Eorzea resonated with him. Since the Guild needed botanists to repair the damage from the Calamity, he was only too happy to oblige.

He has travelled through Coerthas, La Noscea, the Black Shroud and Thanalan to work on plants and harvest for selling, strictly abiding by Gridania's rules of conserving enough for the next generation to harvest. Due to the liberation of Ala Mhigo he has begun taking trips into Gyr Abania, although they have not been very many. He hopes one day to work on the flora of Othard when he has time.

A R T

Everything created here unless stated otherwise is drawn by me. Art I did not create will have links back to the original artist.

Giraffe & Friends 1.0

Artist: Kishi-san

Context: Group pic

Giraffe & Friends 2.0

Artist: Kishi-san

Context: Group pic

Giraffe & Friends 3.0

Artist: Yours truly.

Context: Updated group picture of friends noted in Relationships.