W'pondahl Amih
| W'Pondahl Amih | |
 Azeyma illuminate my path, show me the correct way. | |
| Gender | Female |
| Race | Mi'qote |
| Clan | Seekers of the Sun |
| Citizenship | None |
| Age | 19 - 21 (Approximated) |
| Nameday | 20th Sun of the 5th Astral Moon (Again, approximated) |
| Guardian | Azeyma, the Warden |
| Height/Weight | 5 fulms 3 ilms / 111 ponzes (Estimated) |
| Occupation | House staff with the Kindred / Squire of Vyncent Fields |
| Alignment | Lawful Good |
Pondahl Amih, a Seeker of the Sun born to one of the Wolf tribe septs in the outer regions of La Noscea. Small, young and as physically unimposing as they come, she is never-the-less a determined woman possessed of great spirit, heart, and determination to balance this out.. Since forsaking the little she had, and the less she had to look forward to under the rule of her sept, the lightly tanned Miqo'te has worked hard to abandon the butchered language of her home, and wrap herself instead in an air of polite sophistication more befitting her Goddess, Azeyma with mixed success. But, with her strength of will, and that determination to better herself and prove that anyone, no matter how humble or downtrodden their origins, can reach for Azeyma's sun and walk proudly in Her light.
Contents
Character
General
Full name/title: W'pondahl Amih - (Pond-arl Ah-mee) - Although born with the tribal prefix of the Wolf, Pond has taken to dropping the title not just amongst her few friends and family, but entirely. It is extraordinarily rare to encounter the Seeker referring to herself by her full name since departing La Noscea.
Nicknames:
Pond: An unimaginative abbreviation of the Seekers full name, Pond has no doubt taken to it for the calming image it presents in her mind: that of a still, calm surface body of water. Also, (and not that she'd ever admit to such) to her ears it sounds cute, and oft leaves her wanting to break into a fit of giggles depending on the situation.
Amy: A very rarely used term, playing on the sound of her sires title, Amih. Pond despises such a moniker and does her utmost to push people towards using the name 'Pond'.
Current residence: Renting a private room inside the Kindred headquarters
Relationship Status: Single
Sexuality: Homosexual
Religion: Devout belief in Azeyma
Appearance
Height: 5 fulms, 3 ilms. Approximately, at least. Shorter than the average of her kind, much to her annoyance.
Weight: 115 ponzes. While underweight, Pond has managed to gain a few pounds since taking employ with the Kindred. Coupled with the routine daily exercises and training, and she's almost back to a healthy weight.
Body: Pond's physique is, to her annoyance, rather less than intimidating. At best, it could be said that she has the physique of a runner should she need to be described in brief. A very feminine runner however, with a slight bone structure and a small amount of whip-like muscle, Pond is not a Miqo built to carry heavy burdens atop her sloping, narrow shoulders. Of note, her arms emphasise the whip-like quality of her musculature, being lengthy and slender, and demonstrating a higher level of dexterity than raw power.
Sat betwixt those feminine, sloping shoulders rests a lengthy neck not quite slender enough to rival that of her arms (But not far off!), and leading down into a chest that, exudes a... grace, that when paired with her waist and hips forms a classical hourglass figure that merges beautifully with the slight swell of buttocks that compliment the slight form of the Seeker perfectly. Currently, this figure is accentuated by the Miqo's poor diet, the hint of her ribs clearly showing through beneath a fair, if not overly generous bust.
In her regular choice of loose-fitting clothing, little of this is clearly visible however, but no amount of loose clothing can hide the way that Pond moves. Generations of hunters and huntress' have given the Seeker powerful legs, and this, coupled with the attempt at an elegant sway that Pond has adopted with some success, lend the Seekers steps a surety. A confidence, in fact. Behind her, as the Seeker silently pads along, her tail sways about behind her sinuously, keeping time with each step of its own accord.
While stationary however, the Miqo tends to revert to an introverted posture - her arms crossing about her midriff or chest defensively, albeit with a hip out-thrust to one side, her tail curled in towards whichever leg she currently favours. When sat, Pond is more likely to be seen curling her legs up beneath her tightly, or pulling her knees up to her chin so she can wrap her arms about her shins.
Complexion: Years living outside have given Pond a perpetually tanned appearance, with a light sprinkling of freckles across her cheeks, nose, and the back and tops of her shoulders. By some small miracle, despite growing up in the La Noscea region, Pond has managed to avoid the worst of any wind damage, her skin maintaining a youthful flush, an enviable softness to the young woman's supple flesh that hints at some level of care undertaken by the Seeker.
For the most part free of any scarring, Pond has, never-the-less had the misfortune of some manner of encounter that has left her with a small, near-perfectly diagonal thin line marring her right cheek. Thankfully, with the Seekers preferred markings, the majority of this line remains disguised, with her paints working well to disguise the blemish.
In addition to the four wide, triangular markings on her face, she has lately had her ears pierced, although the chiming, belled earrings she routinely wore have disappeared of late.
Face: Aside from the sole scar marring her features, Pond's face ticks all the correct boxes to be classified as a 'classical' beauty - cheekbones sat high atop slightly rounded cheeks, both accentuating and framing delicate features while her large, if oddly coloured eyes are angled -just- so to compliment a slender bridge and narrow, subtle nose. Delicate to the point where the Seeker's face borders upon being labelled fragile.
Pond's naturally expressive facial features often enhance whatever conversation the Miqo'te currently holds, upturned almond-esque eyes set beneath naturally thickened, black lashes batting or widening as the the conversation dictates (Oft accompanied by a flicker of ear, gesture of hand, or swish of her tail depending on her excitement and interest) while shapely, full lips, themselves framing a small mouth, purse, press or flash perfectly preserved teeth for her conversational partners as the Seeker is swept along in the wake of the subject. All of this set atop, as was mentioned prior, a slender length of smooth, lightly tanned skin that comprises Pond's neck.
As an aside, it is worth noting that currently Pond uses no artificial techniques or methods such as rouge or inks. If her cheeks are flushed, then blood is merely rushing to her face. If her eyes are framed by shadow, then the Seeker is no doubt tired (And certainly not looking her best), and her lips retain their natural colour, a darker shade of pink encircled by the tanned, but still lighter flesh of her face.
Hair/Ears: When left to hang loose, Pond is possessed of really very pretty locks, a natural volume to make even the loudest Roegadyn blush, and with more curl than many Coeurl. As it is however, she recognises that long, loose hair is a hindrance when coupled with a helmet, and the enthusiastic, excited movements that come with combat and as such, has elected to have the majority of her locks simply locked off - quite possibly by her own blade should any be lucky enough to see Pond wit her hair literally down.
To the touch, Pond's hair retains a silky level of smoothness, soft and altogether quite comfortable to rest against no doubt, and this level of softness extends to the downy fur coating her expressive, dancing ears too - the short fur warm to the touch, even in colder climes. The colour of Pond's hair is, at present, entirely natural, her mousy brown blending seamlessly with the matching colour of the Miqo'te's fur, and complimenting well the pale pink that rests beneath.
Fashion: Pond is rather a fan of the colour white, with the occasional choice of pale yellow or deep, brilliant red. As it happens, since being gifted with a plain, lengthy skirt she's become somewhat enamoured with the look, and is often seen in the light, floating garments. Occasionally a shorter variety creeps into her wardrobe, and tends to be favoured along with baggy breeches when hunting about Thanalan for the various paying guilds. Often, she'll be wearing a single Azeyma's rose somewhere about her person. It -seems- to be the same rose each time, and thus likely enchanted or alchemically preserved.
Behavior
Voice: Long before departing La Noscea, afore encountering her first examples of the outside world and being exposed to the more elegant example of the Elezen tongue that led to her practicing and pondering a new approach to her old language, Pond's voice was that of the bird - a higher-pitched, sing-song lilt to her sentences, with the standard La Noscean practice of horribly mauling common words, clipping and shortening nearly everything in a manner that would make a pirate proud.
Since that first encounter however, Pond has spent moons poring over what she recalled, of what little she had read, and -all- that she imagined in the dead of night while dreaming of more peaceful times and lands, and the Pond that speaks today approaches the language with a slower, more thoughtful tongue. Her words are carefully measured, her voice level and calm and for the most part, the Miqo'te that people hear is one worlds apart from both her own past, and the more commonly accepted stereotype of the common cat-folk clans.
For all this hard work changing the very core of her speech patterns however, should she ever be caught unawares, worried, panicked, or in some way shape or form distressed (Or, in the complete opposite direction, exposed to a situation where Pond feels relaxed and at-ease enough about trusted company to let her guard down somewhat), then the Seeker has a habit of reverting to a more kitten-ish manner of purring out her "r"s.
Demeanour: A quiet woman for the most part, Pond tries her utmost to seperate herself from how Miqo'te tend to be percieved, the Seeker actively forcing down many of the remaining playful instincts that survived her upbringing while around strangers, crowds, or even those she's familiar with while in public, instead having become a quieter, more introspective individual. While about in public, in social gatherings and the like, Pond's ears remains constantly alert, flitting from conversation to conversation and presenting the image of a nervous, easily excitable young Miqo'te. Which... is not far from the truth oft times.
About small crowds, the Seeker tends to be very sensitive to the moods and shifts in the conversation and those about her, picking up quickly on inflection and emphasis, open and closed stances, and adapts as best she can to mirror the general mood. As mentioned above, it takes little to fluster the Miqo'te however, and reduce her either a closed-off silent mood, or a defensive stance - unexpected contact in particular being enough to send the normally reserved young thing into a panicked state, and thus she remains as she appears, distant but polite.
Intelligence: While Pond wasn't blessed with a more formal education during her youth, the Seeker was gifted with a quick mind, able to absorb many facts and theories readily, almost greedily in fact, and store them away for later contemplation, mulling, and elaborating upon until understood fully.
Self-taught, Pond still struggles with certain aspects of books but, with regular practice reading quite literally just about anything, from books to posters and notices, through to signposts and gateway notices, Pond has been able to claw her way to literacy. Which is ideal, as the information sponge that forms the Seekers mind positively devours everything that she reads
An upshot to Pond's ultimate lack of real childhood is the wealth of knowledge the Seeker has about the wilds, La Noscea in particular - able to read the weather with a practiced eye and nose, Pond is a Miqo'te that knows when to take shelter before a storm hits, and can additionally tell which creatures roam the land she currently resides in by seeking out trails, fresher scents, and to a small degree, is able to examine the 'leavings' many creatures leave behind to identify a carnivore or herbivore.
Religion: Raised in an environment where the Twelve received only the most cursory of nods from time to time, Pond's devout belief in Azeyma is self-wrought. The perpetual cloud casting a gloom over her life took on symbolic meaning to the young Keeper, and clouds ultimately always give way to the brilliant, warming light of the Sun, Azeyma's symbol. The significance wasn't lost on her, and so Azeyma would routinely receive uttered prayers and thanks from the despairing Miqo'te.
Emotions/Romance: For the most part, Pond is a Miqo'te that wears her heart on her sleeve. Ears, eyes, and tail all conspire to betray just what the Seeker is feeling at any point in time to those versed in reading body language, much to her routine annoyance. This is, however, lessening. Recent events have led to her becoming more conscious of the movements of her ear, even if it's often after the fact, and thus too late to still their motion.
In all, she is really rather unschooled in the art of controlling her emotions - easy to wound or hurt with a choice word or comment, she is also equally easy to please to the point where she'll be smiling for the rest of the sun after an offhand compliment or flattery.
Romantically, Pond is still blindly fumbling her way through what is expected, and what is 'proper'. Wearing her heart on her sleeve as she does, it tends to be fairly easy to judge whether something sits well with the Seeker, even if she stumbles over the words that would clearly state such. Recent events with her significant other, Mimiru Miru, have led to several steps forward however, and her fear of contact, while still very clear and present in regards to most others, has lessened to a degree with the Lalafell who has laied claim to her heart so that she is often seen holding hands when in her company. Exposure, patience and trust evidently work wonders about Pond. In addition to this, she has begun working with the leader of the Kindred, Sastra Mortier, to overcome this fear with conscious thought and calming breathing techniques. The combined results seem to be doing much for her ability to not run screaming from people!
Combat
Sword
((Details being finalised!))
Sword & Shield
((Details being finalised!))
Bow
((Details being finalised!))
Unarmed
((Details being finalised!))
Tendencies
Likes
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Dislikes
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Hobbies/Talents
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Other
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Relationships
♥ Romantic Interest ♥ Platonic Love ★ Trusted ● Good Standing ● Neutral Standing ● Poor Standing ● Wary ● Feared
Family
●● W'Amih Nuhn - (Father): While it is indeed considered rare for a Nuhn to also lead a sept, often times the task falling to a more qualified Tia, Amih Nuhn has dominated every male and female that calls his sept their home. Aging, the grey-haired Seeker still maintains absolute authority by way of his incredible martial skills - the Nuhn's fists hit like hammers, swing like whips, and age hasn't slowed him down one jot. Alas, while the passing of time may mellow some folk, Amih has merely grown more bitter, violent, and untrusting as time goes on. The females of the Sept are controlled closely, a 'trusted' few who have been suitably cowed through physical and emotional abuse are entrusted with bows to go forth and hunt for the sept while the rest see to more routine daily work in the shadow of their Nuhn and his outbursts, while the Tia menfolk aid with ensuring the sept remains safe from smaller incursions from Marmots and the like, along with maintenance on the tools available.
Amih's method for keeping the sept in line has also proven to be most effective in keeping himself in a position of power, violence. Through overbearing power and technique, Amih Nuhn has beaten every Tia to dare challenge him for the position of Sept leader and, rather than exile them after their defeat, the grizzled old cat instead keeps them on and cowed through routine application of beatings and other acts. Of the womenfolk, those deemed most suitable by the Nuhn for providing strong and capable offspring are chosen to continue the population of the Sept, while the others are denied any form of intimate relation with the Tia's for fear of one finding the confidence to challenge Amih for the title of Sept Nuhn. Not that they would have much chance of success.
However, given how long Amih has maintained the position of Nuhn, jealously guarding the post and his chosen women, something of a dilemma looms on the horizon for the sept - Amih Nuhn has already sired two generations of Wolf Seekers, and now that Pond's generation are of age, a third generation of Amihs children are now in the works, and thus we reach Pond's relationship with her Nuhn, father and grandfather. Chosen as a suitable childbearer by Amih, after near two decades with treatment ranging from neglect to physical abuse that have all but decimated her ability to trust most folk beyond a distant but polite friendship, and destroyed any potential to every trust one who claims the title of Nuhn, Pond fled. Amih's reaction to her departure is unknown, the mistreated and terrified Seeker fleeing in the night before anything could occur from her selection.
●● W'Nyral Amih - (Mother): Pond has no strong feelings for her mother, neither like nor dislike for the woman who has had little to do with her, even as they live in the same sept, in the same small hamlet. If pushed to give an opinion, Pond would no doubt express disappointment in a parent that repeatedly proved herself unable to raise a hand in the defense of any of her offspring.
● W'Tehn Tia - (Half-brother): One of Pond's many, many half-kin, who she believed until recently to have been, for lack of a more fitting word, executed by their old Nuhn for daring to run away from the Sept. Still unsure what to make of the rogue Miqo'te, and initially shocked into insensibility, she is never-the-less aware that outside of the sept, family means something entirely different, and has taken his best interests to heart, whether he wishes it or not.
Close to the heart (Friends and such)
♥★ Mimiru Miru: A Lalafell that Pond only met, by chance, one morning within the Kindred home, who introduced herself as the girlfriend of Nunupu Nupu. After their first meeting, it appears that Nupu admitted to an indiscretion of sorts, and the two parted. The next meeting between Pond and Miru led to Pond's politeness and warmth being mistaken for flirting, and much apologising and blushing ensued. As it happens, Miru was partially correct, but not even Pond herself knew she found the little Lalafell attractive. Several meetings later and very enjoyable conversations, and Pond finally admitted that perhaps she could find it in herself to act upon growing feelings and date her own gender, after a very painful admittal that she had yet to meet a male of any species that appealed to her as anything more than a friend. Since such a time, the two have been taking things slow, but still steady, and their relationship has blossomed in much the same way as Pond's feelings for the brave young Lalafell have - greatly, and into something beautiful.
♥★ Bexy Amalaryssia: While Pond has little choice in her blood relations and as such has many siblings, she does have a say in whom she chooses to view as a sister. While it is still early days, Pond see's much in the Seeker that she admires, is of a mind to view Bexy as something of an adopted elder sister. The strength of her devotion to the Seeker has already led to her sacrificing much, and likely yet more to come as recent actions catch up with all involved in the intrigue with Bexy and her blood sister, Zarya Amalaryssia
●★ Vyncent Fields: Time has softened the Seeker's feelings towards the knight for whom she serves as Page, and this, coupled with a small number of demonstrations that the Hyur can, in fact, be a Hyur and not just a lump of iron wielding a blade has worked wonders for earning a small degree of trust. Elder brother material if ever there was such! Previously, Pond was accepted as his page but events have led to her taking sides, and sacrifing much, including her position with Vyncent.
♥★ Sastra Mortier: The head of the Kindred, and the first face that met Pond as she entered their home for the first time. As the most authoritative figure Pond new of, it was Sastra whom she chose to open her heart to and confide the abbreviated version of her upbringing to, as much so that Sastra is aware of anything waiting in the wings to bite as it was for her own sanity. Also, looks good with Wolf ears. Even moreso, however, in faux-cat ears and a tail. As the person to first introduce Pond to the lengthier, more elegant skirts, and to the breathing technique she's becoming so dependent upon, Pond feels she owes Sastra much, and there is a healthy amount of trust there for the Highlander.
● Anstarra Silverain: The circumstances of their meeting are, to say the leat, odd. Anstarra's retainer, Allistair, appeared to be on a mission to acquire contacts that might favour and further his employers cause, and for some reason unknown to Pond, someone pointed Allistair to her. A meeting was arranged, and Pond has entered into an agreement, her word was given, to serve the aspiring noble in her goals while developing herself as a person at the same time. Given that her speech, mannerisms and baring exuded graced and all pointed to someone ready to take their place amidst the upper echelons, it was only natural that Pond was to leave their first and second meetings impressed, a little overwhelmed, but greatly in favour of the elegantly spoken Miqo'te.
● Rei Wakeflame: A Keeper that Pond has met on many occasions, and through exposure and the occasional passing conversation, has come to accept as a friend.
Acquaintances
Rumors
Common Rumors
- "One'ah Amih's offspring, aye? Poor lass, ain't surprised t' learn she fled." - Drowing Wench patron
- "Spot the girl around Ul'dah from time to time. Always wearing that same outfit, and all. You'd think she'd spare the gil to get a change. Always clean, though!" - Quicksand patron
- "Ever seen her confused? Ears start flittin' about in different directions. Bleedin' odd, but... endearin'?" - A passing Flames officer
- "Would seem she's become rather taken with that little pink-mopped Lalafell." - Passing Hyur
Moderate Rumors
- "Pond? That little twig of a cat? Ha! Aye, I you should have seen it. Some big burly merchant flags her down, trying to flog something or other. Might have been a skirt or some equally girly shite, but he lays his hand on her arm, yeah? I'm still not sure who looked more distressed, the cat as she fled on the verge of tears, or the Hyur kneeling on the ground, -ALSO- on the verge of tears, after she planted her knee square in his crotch!" - Unnamed Street Vendor, Steps of Nald
- "Oh aye? Yeah, seen her around. Tends to appear in the damndest places each morning, with that Lala lass." - Various guards and sentries throughout Eorzea
Rare Rumors
- "Ever watched her eyes when she's talking to her kith? Girl keeps on snatching glances at me ears. Couldn't seem to stop herself, every few minutes they'd flit up, or when she thought I weren't watching." - Unknown Miqo'te, travelling dance troupe
- "Got dragged off t' some cave out in Thanalan with that Sastra lass, lookin' wide-eyed an' bleedin' petrified. Came out lookin' jus' as wide-eyed, an' kinda dazed, she did." - Travelling merchant passing through Highbridge
PC Rumors
- "Oh, the delightful, and well spoken Seeker, such as myself. I am fond of her, yes. We share many, many interests. I do hope we speak again soon, for there is much i wish to talk with her about..." - Bexy Amalaryssia
History
Born of a tyrant Nuhn and weak-willed huntress in the outskirts of La Noscea approximately thirteen to fifteen years afore the Calamity, Pond's upbringing is something that she has yet to speak of to a single soul beyond her prayers and wishes to the Twelve. With many siblings, the best that the Seeker can claim is that she rarely caught the attention of her sire, and so neglect was the more frequent of her companions throughout her youth, with the abuse that came to be the norm in her septs' hamlet a second. Rather than building a bond between the victims, the culture of fear merely hampered any close feelings of unity between the growing brothers and sisters'.
Timeline
N.b. The dates given are estimations, and may be a summer greater or lesser due to the uncertainty Ponds birth year.
0 Summers - W'Pondahl Amih is born along with a sister to W'Amih Nuhn and W'Nyral Amih in a small hamlet found in the outer regions of La Noscea.
7 Summers - Lessons in using a needle and thread to repair clothing begin.
9 Summers - Due to necessity, Pond begins learning how to clean and stitch wounds in addition to repairing clothing.
11 Summers - Introduced to the bow for the first time, she learns how to effectively nock, draw and shoot using a shortbow and blunted arrows. Also begins to learn how to cook.
12 Summers - Progressing to a hunting bow, Pond joins her first hunting party, having been deemed as suitably beaten by the sept Nuhn. Has her first encounter with the outside world, an adventuring party of two Highlanders (one of each gender) carrying axes, a Gridanian Elezen hearing sword and shield, and a Lalafell Thaumaturge seeking trade.
15 Summers - Pond has the misfortune of overstretching a rain-drenched bowstring within sight of W'Amih Nuhn, snapping it cleanly in two. Acquires her sole lasting scar on her right cheek.
15 Summers - The Calamity occurs. Pond's home, along with rest of the hamlet, is destroyed.
16 Summers - The tribe resettles even further North of La Noscea.
18 Summers - Pond's birth sister is chosen by Amih Nuhn as one of 'his'.
19 Summers - Pond is chosen by Amih Nuhn as one of his chosen to carry child, and flees the hamlet with barely a gil to her name and the only the clothes on her back to call her worldly possession. Happens upon the home of the Kindred in Ul'dah. At a later date, joins the Kindred in a more official capacity, and begins tutelage under the eye of Vyncent Fields
Annotations
The majority of the credit for the template/layout goes to Sigyn Shieldbreaker.
Credit for many of the content ideas goes to Sigyn Shieldbreaker and Bexy Amalaryssia.
Current physical descriptions are correct at the time of writing, but may well be outdated by the time the character has been met.
