Occupation: Scholar, Alchemist, Vigilante and Information Broker
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Standing at 4’11’’, it’s difficult to see Zaya as imposing, but somehow she makes do. Her skin is almost abnormally pale, though not in the eyes of other Au Ra, and decorated with obsidian scales. Her face is nearly always kept carefully blank, or with very muted smiles/frowns. Her eyes (which used to both be blue) are perpetually scanning the area. She's often very still, with perfect posture. While small in stature, she still has toned muscles due to the dedicated physical activity and exercises required for her line of work.
Scars & Markings: Many small lined scars periodically across her body, one long, deep cut scar over her left eye (too precise to be accidental). Intricate tribal tattoos cover each arm and up her shoulders.
Voice: Quiet but clear, preferring to avoid abbreviations or patterns of ‘lazy speech’ (Nothing as opposed to nothin’, etc.) The only time an accent is heard is when she’s acting undercover for an assignment or, alternatively, excessively angry. While in character or embarrassed, she also is forced into a stutter, something she despises.
Clothing: Wears loose but form fitting clothing. Absolutely hates heavy armor due to how it limits her movements (she utilizes her superior speed and dexterity as opposed to brute force and physical fortitude.)
Zaya grew up on the Steppe as the daughter to an alpha hunter in the Ejinn tribe, taught to first read Doman script by a tribe elder. When able to sneak moments alone, she hid herself and indulged in fantasy, reading about storybook heroes and villains, always with the key figure, a shining beacon of hope, that saved those in peril. She wanted nothing more than to be that hero.
When offered the chance to flee the Steppe and pursue this dream, it was hardly a question. As such she was dedicated to a life secluded from others, only brought out from her studies to pursue missions of great import. She was rigid, almost obsessive in her passion for knowledge and self improvement, spurred on by a dedicated mentor. What followed was a life of learning, comradery, friendship and even love. She shouldn't have been surprised it was all in vain, but was caught off guard due to her blind optimism. She was too naive, too trusting.
After the experiences she's had and the subsequent betrayal that put all of her past actions in a darker context, she believes herself to be irredeemable, and therefore has dedicated her life to seeking revenge. She's desperately trying to become ruthless and uncaring; She's done terrible things in the past, and will continue to do them to get what she wants. In spite of this, Zaya is undeniably still a good person, and it shows in everything she does one way or another. She can't shake her own nature just yet, try as she might.
Zaya is quiet and bit hopeless in the social regard, but she's also cynical and cunning. She's constantly looking to learn and trade secrets, under the key belief that knowledge is power. Said knowledge allows her to offer advice beyond her years to those who seek it, as she is virtually a well of information. She's clinical, resourceful, and a workaholic, often pushing beyond her own limits, and rarely resting if not forced. This also extends into easy self loathing and doubt.
Despite believing her path is clear, she's more lost and scared than ever. She's currently trying to figure out who she is as a person now that she no longer is following in her mentor's footsteps. Her personality is going to be shaped by the influences she accepts. Once one secures her trust and friendship, all of this being said, her loyalty is unwavering, and Zaya would prove to be a valuable ally.
Rainy/Stormy weather; Zaya finds a sense of calm in the rain, whether it be whilst she's walking outside, or reading a book and listening to raindrops tap against her window.
Books; Literature has always played a key role in Zaya's life, and as her collection and translatable languages grows, so too does her passion. She adores learning secrets written from ages past, the smell of parchment, and, though more recently her reading has been purely academic, escaping to another world.
Revenge; The only thing that keeps her living and moving is her desire for revenge. It's a constant thirst that underlies every decision.
Power; Zaya is striving for personal improvement to achieve her goals and control her own fate. She despises the person she used to be and will do most anything to avoid being 'weak' once more.
Zaya is a secret glutton for praise, despite not being quite sure how to accept it. After being kept away from society for so long, only let out to assist on missions, it's nice to be appreciated for once.
Some god damn peace and quiet.
Dislikes
Large crowds, both due to the noise and her paranoia.
Deserts, including but not limited to the heat, the empty, dry landscape, and how often terrible things happen in Ul’Dah.
Gluttony. As someone who eats very little, is makes her a bit sick to watch others eat large quantities of food, especially due to the consistency of Eorzean dishes. An exception is made periodically for pastries.
Cockiness. Typically those who believe they know everything are those who know the least, not to mention it’s a headache to listen to.
Mentions of her size. It still gets under her skin whether she likes it or not.
Fears
Mental Deviation. It is no secret what the Void can do to one's body and mind. After what happened to her mentor and closest friend, Zaya is afraid she’ll completely lose herself down the path she’s treading. She wants to keep some semblance of morality while at the same time knowing there is no length she wouldn’t go to achieve what she believes she's meant to.
Permanent damage. She’s very risky when using her magic or adapting new techniques to enhance her abilities both in and out of combat, even going so far as to intentionally ‘blind’ herself in one eye in order to follow a hunch (rumors on Y’shtola’s aether sight). Were she ever to be injured to the point of being unable to pursue her goals, it would ruin her.
Attachment. Zaya has been betrayed by the person she held closest, and it has left a scar on her, mentally and physically. She truly believes everyone is either using her or not completely genuine, and doesn’t want to be hurt again.
Trivia
Favorite Food: Pastries, the fluffier the better. Currently strawberry shortcake.
Favorite Drink: Herbal tea and red wine.
Favorite Color: Aqua. "It's a fun word to say, isn't it? Aqua?"
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, or worse, 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.
"Everything you've done, everything you've made me do and believe. All of it you will pay for. Only when you are slain by my hands can I finally rest."
Zaya's mentor, best friend, lover, and, eventually, enemy. When Sequoia betrayed their teammates and expected Zaya to follow her, she instead became the only thing left for Zaya to live for. Revenge, for her wasted life, and for their friends. Zaya hates her, a feeling of revulsion unrivaled by anything else in her being, however feels without Sequoia there she's worthless. She works herself dead to change this. When they last met, Zaya had been unable to fight back fully, caught up in the old feelings she had. Their souls, after all, are connected. As Sequoia said, they were destined to meet.
Sequoia herself is intelligent and manipulative, and has stated on many occasions that Zaya would come back to her in the end. She's yet to be proven right or wrong.
"You wanted me to live up to a mantle that was never mine to take. You did not love me as I was, nor I you. I'm sorry to have disappointed you."
Zaya's birth mother, or Eej. A well respected warrior of the Ejinn, and one who expected Zaya to take after her legacy. She drilled into Zaya that strength was the only measure of worth that mattered, a lesson Zaya inwardly rejected and opposed.
Zaya was glad to be rid of her, but still carried many lessons she had passed on, including the value of scars, physical reminders of times a warrior has cheated death. As such, Zaya does not fully heal herself, and only does so after time, to feel the pain and remember what she learned.
"Yours was a string of unfortunate fate. You did not deserve the hardships brought upon you, brother. I hope you can find peace."
Zaya's twin brother, abandoned at a young age due to illness and found by a Buduga scout. Deemed irrelevant by their mother, the Buduga chose to wield Mönkh as a weapon, fueling his anger. Zaya defeated him the night before she left the Steppe, during the Nadaam. Despite wanting to spare him, considering him a victim of fate, he forced her to kill him in order to save her own life. It was the last straw that set everything into motion./div>
"Miss Squish, I do wish you'd learn to take better care of yourself. You've so much potential, if only you would seize it."
A young Lalafel whom Zaya met while temporarily employed with a group of Privateers. Lulu instantly took a liking to her, and despite her best efforts Zaya became charmed as well by her optimism. Lulu considers Zaya to be a big sister, something the Xaela doesn't completely agree with. Despite this, she will protect the girl, and considers her one of her only friends. With Squish's other adopted sister having returned, Zaya has left Squish's life all but completely; She sees herself as not only unnecessary, but as a negative influence and potential danger.
"I'm certain you will learn to regret placing your faith in me."
A companion made in the most unlikely of places, despite the distance Zaya tries to keep from most people, for Jehanne she has made an unwitting exception. Zaya vowed to assist the Ishgardian with taming and controlling her soul stone, and through this pursuit has learned many things about Jehanne's past, personality, loves and fears, and in it formed a strong bond of friendship despite their many, many differences. Zaya considers Jehanne to be her closest friend, for the moment.
"I did not save your life expecting anything in return, but if you are unable to be swayed? Well. I will do my best to ensure your safety."
A younger Xaela from the Steppe who is currently staying with Zaya. Zaya had saved Gan's life, earning her Gan's loyalty in the form of a 'life debt.' This is a notion Zaya has made clear is unnecessary, and that Gan owes her no such thing, but the Gesi is obstinate and dedicated. After trying and failing to shake her off, Zaya has resigned herself to making Gan's stay as painless as possible.
"The enemies we have made share shocking similarities. If I cannot yet slay my own demons, helping you slay yours is the next best thing."
The former King of Spades, whom Zaya met under the employ of the Black Card Society. While initially she sought to assist A'sana to deal with the underlying tension between her and the then King of Diamonds, Zaya found herself sympathizing more than intended. Their histories, though handled in very different ways, have many common strands. When Zaya was finally forced away from the Society, A'sana was there to reassure her and offer aid. She isn't sure quite what to make of A'sana's more negative habits, nor how far they run, but inexplicably trusts her. Zaya cares for A'sana, and wishes to assist her in ridding herself of the man haunting her nightmares. Perhaps, in turn, A'sana will help her.
"I trusted you. We were going to change the Society together, weren't we? For the cause? No, of course not. It was always meant to turn out like this."
When Zaya joined the Society was Veicette, the King of Diamonds, who recruited her. Veicette named Zaya her Knight, and promised to be a loyal friend when Zaya had none. And Zaya, despite all of her past issues, believed her. Veicette, she had come to find, had anger issues, trust issues, a stubborn nature even Zaya at times found pressing. But she was to be the Elezen's adviser, and took her duty very seriously, sticking with her as long as she could, coming back when Veicette begged her at the front door of her decoy house when she was made leader. Bringing their old leader back, whom threatened her coworkers with exile or physical punishment, was what broke that trust. Zaya was told to leave the Society, and she did so willingly. She's furious with Veicette, and wants to hate her for everything she's done to herself, A'sana, and others, but has to work over that bond they once shared.
"Your company is, for lack of a better word, tolerable, but if you call me Runt one more time my last words to you will be a eulogy."
One of the mercenaries Zaya hired to assist in her monitoring of Sequoia. Zaya is well aware of Juliana's heritage, but judges an individual by their own merits, Garlean or no. While her snarkiness is a mixture of endearing and downright irritating, so far they work well in each other's presence, and Zaya is protective of the ones in her care. Especially ones who cost so much coin.
"You didn't love her, regardless of what you think. But I have no doubt you are in pain. I'm not the best at providing e-emotional support, but you have my attention, if only you would ask of it."
Though they are not as close as she has led Atmus and others to believe, Zaya does take responsibility for him, feeling guilty for her actions while under the care of his Privateers. They were good people, and she had used them. Now that she is no longer with them, and with Atmus's emotional state in turmoil, Zaya wants to aid him to rectify her past mistakes, and may perhaps be able to befriend him for real this time, though that remains to be seen.
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
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◢ Common Rumors - Easily overheard. Use these freely!
■ "Oh, she's a pleasant one! She's so quiet, except when offering to help clean up. A doll, she is!" - Innkeeper
■ "What about her? Keeps to herself most of the time. Don't cause no trouble." - Wood Wailer
■ "Oof, real rich talker, that one. It's like speaking to a walking encyclopedia. Pass!" - Gridanian Drunkard
◢ Uncommon Rumors -A little more difficult to hear. Use sparingly or ask first!
■ "The scale-kin? Heard she goes researching those old rocks 'n artifacts. She'll do some good for you too, if you have the coin." - Vaguely Racist Twin Adder Soldier
■ "She's always lookin' around with those shifty eyes-- That shifty eye, I mean. Think she has two? Think she has a real nasty scar? That's hot." - Trader
■ "Strikes me as the type to be holding all sorts of secrets. She's real shady, you know? No matter how nice she acts. Creeps me out." - Wandering Adventurer
◢ Rare Rumors -Very rarely overheard. Please ask before using!
■ "She's less innocent than she let's on. I've seen her dealing with some of the Black Market vendors, always asking for obscure ingredients. People she talks to? No one good wants anything to do with them." - Shady Character
■ "I saw her take her blindfold off, swear I did! Her eye, it's all ... white. I was behind a wall but- but I know she was looking at me! It's not just an injury- What if she's a witch?!" - Concerned Gridanian Citizen
■ "Come to think of it, didn't she used to roam around with that Elezen woman? One with the red hair, real confident? Maybe I'm thinking of someone else." - Sharlyan Scholar
PC
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◢ Player Character Rumors -Feel free to add rumors of your own!
■ "I'm quite sure she's always a few cups in ..." Shikinami Hiryu
■ 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.
