Wymard Stout

Wymard Stout
"Ha ha ha!"
Gender	Male
Race	Hyur
Clan	Highlander
Citizenship	Ul'dah
Place of Birth	Ala Mhigo
Age	30
Sexuality	Heterosexual
Height	6 fulms 7 ilms
Devout of	Nald'thal, the Traders

Born into low nobility within Ala Mhigo itself, Wymard enjoyed relative peace and prosperity during the earliest reaches of his life. At the behest of his sire he was introduced to the art of swordplay at a rather young age so that he might one day be squired off to one of the higher, status-bearing knights in service to Theoderic, monarch and King of the entirety of Gyr Abania.

For nearly six months during his eighth year he would serve as such a squire, either utterly ignorant to the slaughter his monarch enacted upon the Fist of Rhalgr. Wymard himself was present at the site of their massacre, though he himself witnessed very little of it; being a young boy as he was, his knight had relegated him--just as many young Highlander squires had been--to service and supply duty. Having been indoctrinated by this point by his own family, those sycophants and afraid-for-their-lives, as well as the knight he'd been serving thusfar, Wymard would at this time view their merciless expulsion as justified.

Eventually, however, he would begin to see the truth of things, inspired in no small part by the fear that he himself or his loved ones might be the next to be beheaded. Fortunately, his family was not well off enough to present any meaningful claim to the throne and so they were spared an unjustified death, while others were not quite so lucky. Guided primarily by his knight, he would take part in the revolt that would see an end to Theoderic's reign though mainly as a bystander.

Appearance

Sun-baked skin and a full, styled beard are the first immediately evident features this unmistakably Highlander man portray--that is, provided his head is not covered by some manner of helmet. Whether it be the product of physical labor or a bit of luck (in the realm of having been born with such a capacity) he is possessive of a large physical frame and a fairly impressive height to compliment such. As is common of most gladiatorial prospects, it goes without saying that he has his fair share of scars; there are none adorning his broad, expressive profile it would seem, however. His eyes are black and his head bald, the latter a byproduct of a deliberate shave, one might glean if they were to catch him without a helm and a few days after such.

In short, he is physically (and often times unintentionally) imposing. Built as something of a workhorse with two legs, those large hands of his worn by labor and battle both.

Eyes	Hair	Skin	Body Type	Voice	Clothing	Notable Features
Dark, black	What hair?	Sun-tanned	Imposing, broad, towering	Deep, booming, unrestrained	He is often adorned with hardened leathers, a light spattering of armour. His fashion sense is atrocious, though he does have some casual wear when the occasion calls for such.	A full, though trimmed beard. Well taken-care-of teeth, as shown with an almost alarming frequency.

Combat

Martial pursuits have been a pursuit of Wymard's for nearly the entirety of his life. As such is the case, he has trained in a fair array of weaponry though he does favor sword-and-shield these days. With a childhood that had been fairly full of conflict and its fair share of humbling experiences, he is not very quick to anger despite being possessive of the potential to resolve most conflict, as is appropriate, with brute force.

When doing battle with his preferred set of weaponry, opponents might realize Wymard employs a rather frustrating, almost passive approach to one-on-one combat. The majority of his offensive pursuits are borne from a successful defense as a result. Large as he is, it would not be unreasonable to compare him to (in such a situation) some manner of a large, unmovable stone. A typically jovial man outside of combat, one might also note the grim seriousness he is often wont to display in terms of his own expression--his eyes are almost always upon his opponents, or in their general direction at the very least.

If it is at all possible, Wymard will attempt to spare someone he does fight with, provided it is not overtly obvious this person is not some sort of over arching danger to those he places some degree of important upon.

Behavior and Personality

Even the smallest interaction with Wymard might reveal to the vaguely astute his propensity for the outgoing. Whether it be an encouraging slap to the back or a similarly encouraging bout of laughter on his own part, he tries actively--which could be grating for more reserved types--to befriend those it is he is unfamiliar with as well as to engage earnestly those that he is.

Wymard actively portrays a seemingly impenetrable wall of joviality. Insults of the direct or subtle variety are rarely if ever taken personally, though the latter may be knowingly ignored in favor of pursuing lighter conversational matter.

Be that as it may, the large Highlander fellow is not shy in the realm of speaking out for those he believes have been unjustly wronged; depending upon the perceived infraction, he might even go to great lengths--with great cost to himself, even--to see to it that they are provided with the support that is necessary to see them better off, even if the wronged in question might attempt to refuse.

Stubborn but not entirely incapable of adaptation and learning, Wymard adheres to a personal code that is likely viewed positively by many. That is to say, he values one's personal freedom above all else. In no small part shaped by his own past, he has come to realize that this alone is oftentimes the primary catalyst that determines one's ability to live happily. Hints of slavery or servitude are likely to be scoffed at quite loudly by the Highlander.

Quite possibly the furthest thing from a fatalist, Wymard believes that, despite the evidence that there may be divine power at work, that every sentient man and woman has it within themselves to walk their own path and to forge their own fate. He is imbued with an inherent fire and unquenchable thirst for life, inspired no doubt by past experiences and his own heritage.

His status and position within Ala Mhigo as a boy are a great source of shame for Wymard, as might become readily apparent to one he might share such a detail with. The unabashed brutality and despotism of his late monarch could be easily identified thereafter as the primary source of principles held by the Highlander at present.

Occupation, Skills, and Pastimes

First and foremost, Wymard Stout serves at present as a Chief Flame Sergeant within the Immortal Flames. Lauded--sometimes derisively--by his superiors, his advancement throughout the ranks of the Flames themselves was something hastily enacted for a slew of reasons. Outspoken and charismatic, he has the potential to move lesser men and women that might have that latent fire burning within their hearts. The earliest reaches of his service saw the brunt of his self sacrifice and this is in part also one of the primary reasons for his fairly swiftly administered promotions.

In his mind, he serves the people of Ul'dah with his service to the Immortal Flames; he believes that all that he does is for them and so that trend of self sacrifice continues to this day. Without hesitation--and much to the dismay of the men and women who serve underneath him--he will volunteer his troop for patrols and duty within areas of severe contention and when that is not a possibility, within areas that are readily avoided for reasons of harsh weather or otherwise.

In his spare time--which is to say there is not very much of it--he offers himself as security for the contracting service and free company Eclipsis. He has refused pay for such a service, insisting that the paycheck afforded to him by the Flames is more than enough to see him through life.

The man himself has very few hobbies as a result of this tenacious work routine though that is not to say he would not be interested in picking up a few as time permits. He's a quick learner to say the least, imbued with a curiousity for all things that has the potential to frustrate more reserved, shy individuals.

Likes: Work! Laughter! Drinking! (anything, really) Honesty! Simplicity for the sake of ensuring a better, more efficient life! Outgoing individuals! Learning!

Dislikes: Those weak of spirit Those without any palpable goals or desires Overt brutality or displays of superiority in casual settings Not being taken seriously (though that's his own fault, really) Disobedience in a military setting Complainers, whiners, melancholy folk

Skills: An inherent and undeniable reservoir of stamina Ye olde sword-and-board Hand-to-hand combat (though no where near refined) Rudimentary first aid Forced inspiration

Fears: Failure in the general sense Being perceived as lazy Acting in a selfish way His ancestry being common knowledge--there is a great deal of guilt associated with this

Relationships

Family

His family is not readily discussed for a great slew of reasons, though among them are that he's forgotten a great deal, given his last interaction with any semblance of family took place twenty-two years in the past. Any details concerning his family would have to be pried at in character, though the occasional thing might slip free if the situation calls for such.

Player Character Relationships

As Wymard is a fairly new character, it will take some time to fill this area out. Apologies!

Rumors

Common Rumors

• Stout's always in here with his subordinates after work, drinking the night away. Always loud, but nice enough.
• Proud as he is to serve the Immortal Flames, it doesn't seem he has a proper uniform.
• He tips well! It's a wonder he has the gil to eat day-by-day.

Moderate Rumors

• Why is he always unarmed in Ul'dah? Must think he's above getting into a fight. Sounds pretty cocky to me!
• Loud as he is, he does at least seem to possess the capability to shut up and listen attentively.
• He might have a drinking problem; he takes to booze like a fish takes to water. Don't think I've ever seen him blackout drunk, though--weird.

Rare Rumors

• Looked a little different when he was a kid, but I'm pretty sure that bastard robbed my caravan in and about Southern Thanalan.
• No small wonder he never has any gil; he's been shipping it all away to the Ala Mhigan Resistance.
• Wonder why he is so adamant about avoiding conflict. Could be he's just afraid of a fight, hah!

Player Character Rumors

As Wymard is a fairly new character, it will take some time to fill this area out. Apologies! Feel free to add whatever you'd like.

■ "It's plain to see that Wymard is a man who appreciates joy. You'd think that's a simple thing, but you'd be surprised." - Chokho Viqqoh

History

Childhood

Wymard Stout was--or is--the only son of low Ala Mhigan nobility, their house founded upon overseeing the export of desired goods from the highlands themselves as dictated by the (perhaps not so mad at the time) monarch. Effectively crippled by his own escapades as a young man, Wymard's father begrudgingly settled upon this method of making a living so as to ensure he was not perceived as useless by society and more importantly his wife. His afflictions caused him a great degree of bitterness, however, much to the dismay of young Wymard and his mother.

His mother was comparably kind and encouraging, though she had little say in the matter of his eventual squiring. At first, Wymard protested as any child might, effectively being sent off as he was to unfamiliar reaches to essentially serve as some knight's apprentice at the age of eight. Wymard took to his new role in life rather well, however, and he would eventually bear no ill will toward his harsh father; this turn events was no doubt inspired by the forced patriotism that festered within the upper reaches of Ala Mhigan society, whether that be borne from fear or genuine belief. His own knight was a shrewd man and was careful not to share his own true beliefs in regards to his steadily maddening monarch so as to spare Wymard accidentally speaking out where others might hear.

Despite having been present at the destruction of the monks of Ala Mhigo, Wymard himself fully believed that he'd been doing the right thing in the realm of his own participation. It wasn't until shortly before the noble revolt that eventually resulted in their monarch's death that he would be told the truth of things by his knight; it took some convincing but eventually Wymard would produce a vague understanding of just what it is they've been doing, or even worse, what they'd been allowing to happen. Imbued with this knowledge, his knight sent him away to meet with his parents for the first time in six months.

It did not take them long to decide their legacy should be sent away, as their homeland had become visibly unstable. Wymard was thusly among one of the first wave of migrants; his parents elected to stay, while he was headed for what would eventually become known as Little Ala Mhigo.

Adolescence

Nine years old as he was, Wymard was, understandably, still rather impressionable. The people of that little settlement that would soon become swollen with migrants were kind enough to him, though the gil his father had paid helped to ensure that. He was a kind, if not somewhat shy boy, consumed by the fear of not quite knowing what it is he should be doing and worry for his family. Homesickness was, of course, also a concern. He was given a chance to prove his worth within Little Ala Mhigo by way of accompanying local hunters to haul the meat their kills would provide back to camp; this is how he would carry on for several years, eschewing traditional education and learning instead for the labor that would shape his body, overseen by the harsh desert sun.

By the age of fifteen, his work ethic had been shaped but the monotony of the work itself caused unrest within young Wymard. By this point, Little Ala Mhigo had more than its fair share of refugees, especially those in and about his own age bracket. With the loss of his family and homeland having festered--though suppressed as it was--it did not take very much convincing by a local orphan troupe to enlist his muscle, which by this point had been rather well cultivated. They made a living by way of caravan robbery, something Wymard himself eventually came to believe was wholly justified. He was wrong, of course, and the citizenry of Little Ala Mhigo would eventually succeed in the realm of ousting the band of troublemakers he'd been involved with. Those who had not died in their disguised robberies were exiled without a care, sent off to wander the desert.

Wymard trekked northwest with some of his remaining allies, though they would eventually part ways. As a testament to the savagery he'd employed during his adolescence, his preferred weapon was a sort of unwieldy stone claymore with more chips and grooves than anything else. Upon the many stops he'd eventually make en route to Ul'dah, he would get into his fair share of fights, though he did, fortunately, manage to avoid doing so with law enforcement. Ul'dah was his choice because he believed it far enough away from Little Ala Mhigo to find work and in order to accomplish such, he would shave his hair and begin to grow facial hair in earnest.

Much to his dismay, however, upon arriving at the Gate of the Sultana he was turned away as many refugees were during the time. Furious and hopeless (and with a shred of that teenage angst, of course) he lashed out at the guard that'd rather rudely told him to get lost. Injured, but not quite dead, the guard in question hailed his compatriots and Wymard was promptly thrown in jail. Facing a fairly long sentence, Wymard was overcome with an even greater degree of hopelessness; he was given a chance, however, to make a living within Ul'dah in a way he hadn't quite expected. Approached by a gladitorial promoter within the dungeons of Ul'dah, he was presented with the opportunity to fight within the pits in lieu of jail time. With a hefty amount of gil essentially offered as a bribe and with the understanding that Wymard sign on for fifteen years as an entertainer within the city's pits he would then begin his career as a pit fighter.

In 1560, such a career began. Wymard was primarily featured within special show matches, his promoter locating exceedingly large beasts with which he might do battle with. During these bouts, he was advised by such a promoter to take dangerous risks that typically involved "accidentally" losing hold of his sword so as to have to resort to a more direct, hands-on encounter with the beasts in question. On more than a few occasions he was forced to choke the life out of these creatures; this prompted the local citizenry to refer to him as "the Beast", as an homage to his own size as well as the nature of his fights.

Throughout the course of his career and despite the substantial happenings within the realm on the whole, Wymard would continue this course of entertainment; it was an exceedingly humbling experience for him and he believed that his matches were a fine form of distraction and inspiration for those that bought into them, so to speak. It is here that he would develop a genuine interest in inspiring happiness in others; gradually and steadily would he shirk the mantle of selfishness that had dictated the route of his life prior. He had few friends as a result of becoming consumed by the desire to entertain in this way.

The most recent Calamity's transpiring, however, brought an abrupt end to his contract as the pressing need for soldiers within the Immortal Flames became apparent. Having grown exceedingly fond of Ul'dah's people, Wymard gladly enlisted when he was presented with the opportunity to do so. This was a method of further redemption for the man; it is during his fervent service that he would further cultivate the expressive bits of his kind personality, always cognizant of his past infractions and crimes to drive him toward a steady path of benevolence.

Present

Chief Flame Sergeant Wymard Stout now oversees the command of ten other soldiers and is overly fond of working them to the bone, though with good intent. Furthermore, he has begun to branch out as his own subordinates have become increasingly independent in performing their duties, allowing for him to pursue an actual hobby--acting as a Shield within the free company Eclipsis. This one was chosen in particular due to its ties with the Immortal Flames as he'd have it no other way.

His propensity toward work has left him with few friends, though this is something that he is also actively attempting to remedy.

Character Connections

These are individuals that might be aware of Wymard in character:

• Anyone that lived within Ala Mhigo 14-20 years ago.
• Anyone that may have been involved in banditry in that region.
• Anyone that serves within the Immortal Flames.
• Those who frequent the Quicksand have likely heard him attempting to sing badly and drunkenly.
• One of the many unfortunate souls he has meandered up to in order to talk at.
• Anyone that might have followed his career as a pit fighter, whether it be a fan, fellow gladiator or otherwise.

Annotations

I stole the layout of Roswyn Valhuri. fite me irl 1v1

This includes anyone else she might have drawn inspiration for her own template from, of course.

Thanks!