#others' ocs: qadim

[octafans-rp-hub]

@chaosandtoomuchideas 🏜

"No, being half starfolk does not me you can understand me." Qadim clarified, walking deeper into the Void like area they're in. "Only those who have broken out of the cycle can understand us. Those who no longer have a side in the Polarities." Qadim replied, limping over to a spear bigger than them, gazing at it. As if it held some kind of meaning.

It did.

As it held up it self up, the spear was piercing a body. A body that looked similar to Qadim.

Then the Neutral turned to Lorelei, "And what do you mean Star Ghosts? What do they look like?"

"Polarities?" Lorelei queried, a bit confused, "Are you saying that starfolks are... divided somehow?"

Lorelei flinched a bit when she noticed the spear. This place seems... dangerous, she should keep her guard up.

"Well, Star Ghosts, or just Specters, are these weird species that looks like practically animals, humans or simple shapes, made out of abstract shapes. They can either be white or black, with blue or orange eyes and accents... they don't cause much trouble unless they feel threatened, and we don't see them often around the towns."

"Plus... the ones in Starstinger Wastelands are a bit different to the ones elsewhere. The usually black and orange ones have much lighter colours with dark speckles, while the white and blue ones have a greyer colour with darker speckles as well. It varies bur that's the trend I've noticed with my brief encounters with them."

[fivebrights]

hello im that one ask anon from MQT page and I was wondering if you could tell me about the djinn? they seem so hecking cool I’m really curious about them and the design they have. if you’d like to share any headcanons you have for them it would be really neat to read!!

Hi anon! I’m really glad you came to talk to me, and I’m just as glad that I’ve finally been able to set aside the time for your ask (it came in just as I was gone for the better part of a week–sorry about that!).

So you want to know about the djinn. For this I think it’s best I direct you to the Guild Wars Nightfall Manuscripts for a quick rundown–it has an enlightening and succinct summary of Tyrian djinn, and nothing beats primary sources. 

My own summary is that Tyrian djinn are ethereal, elemental beings who tend to be quite aloof towards other races and world affairs-with some fascinating exceptions (such as the djinn who work at Sand Jackal Run). The city of Ahdashim in Northern Vabbi is the djinns’ home, loosely speaking: in it exists the central authoritative body for djinn, although many djinn live outside Ahdashim’s walls and - it seems - its laws. The djinn have a long, painful history of being enslaved by humans, and most djinn still wear (broken) shackles as a testament to this fact. Djinn enjoy both tests of wit and steel, and they are also known for being shapeshifters and protectors of both land and valuables.

As for headcanons, I have so many that I have a special channel in a friends’ server with its own table of contents (two dozen entries and counting, some of which are quite long). In sum, way too much to summarize in a single ask! Here’s a few topics you can ask me about (and I hope you will, because I can’t narrow this list down on my own!):

Djinn physiology (e.g. appearance, elemental abilities, the effects of ley poisoning and draconic corruption, etc).Djinn culture, society, and politicsDjinn history (djinn enslavement esp, although this category also includes locations of historical significance)Headcanons for individual djinn characters (incl. OCs).

I’ll also leave you a list of notable djinn:

1. Zommoros. Master of the Mystic Forge, Elonian exile, incorrigible gambler. He’s endearingly reckless and very much the idealist, and a force to be reckoned with in a fight…if you can prompt him to pick up a weapon. You meet him in the raid Mythwright Gambit–and I highly recommend you meet him.

2. Qadim. Collector of exotic specimens and unrepentant enabler of Zommoros’s terrible betting habits. He’s hinted at some fascinating lore, including claims of collecting creatures for his menagerie from places “beyond Tyria,” and implying in a recent journal entry that species long thought extinct, like the Seers and Colossus, are still in existence.

3. Ellutherius Wintergust. Palace of Aban resident, old soul. Has a soft spot for his former master, an unnamed prince from who-knows-how-long-ago. Ellutherius is a little addled, but he’s very sweet. If you take the time to talk to him, he’ll treat you to some riddles. 

4. Cardinal Adina and Cardinal Sabir. Two surviving leaders of Ahdashim before the Commander & co. gatecrash the city in the raid The Key of Ahdashim. Adina and Sabir are very much representatives of their respective elements, earth and air–Adina is tough and unwavering in conviction, a no-nonsense sort; Sabir is flighty and nervous and often seeks approval of those around him. 

5. Zohaqan, The Stormcaller. Extremely unusual in his ability to wield not only his native element water, but also earth and air. He eloped with his human lover, Nakis, to live out their days in The Sandswept Isles.

Other djinn I recommend meeting are Drojkor, Spirit Squall, owner of Many Good Dogs; Shazuul, jilted janitor of Vehtendi Academy; Yasmi, who delights in bloodsport between mortals; and Ziya the Radiant (and her old acquaintance Vemyen), pioneer of Brand resistance. 

That was a fair bit to start you off with - and I’m also not entirely sure what you know already; let me know if I need to further contextualize some of this, because it does assume some working knowledge of the expansion Path of Fire and Living World Season 4 - but I hope it interested and informed you, and I’d be happy to speak in depth on any of the topics I’ve listed above. Cheers! ✨

[octafans-rp-hub]

"Oh... I'm... sorry for your lost," Lorelei sighed, still thinking about the whole 'Starfolk' thing, "Hope they're all at peace."

Lorelei stared at the strange human for a moment, before turning around, "So... since you know a lot about starfolks... might reckon that you might have any knowledge on my origins. There are three types, right? So I'm guessing you might be able to tell which type of starfolk am I."

@chaosandtoomuchideas 🏜

"No, being half starfolk does not me you can understand me." Qadim clarified, walking deeper into the Void like area they're in. "Only those who have broken out of the cycle can understand us. Those who no longer have a side in the Polarities." Qadim replied, limping over to a spear bigger than them, gazing at it. As if it held some kind of meaning.

It did.

As it held up it self up, the spear was piercing a body. A body that looked similar to Qadim.

Then the Neutral turned to Lorelei, "And what do you mean Star Ghosts? What do they look like?"

"Polarities?" Lorelei queried, a bit confused, "Are you saying that starfolks are... divided somehow?"

Lorelei flinched a bit when she noticed the spear. This place seems... dangerous, she should keep her guard up.

"Well, Star Ghosts, or just Specters, are these weird species that looks like practically animals, humans or simple shapes, made out of abstract shapes. They can either be white or black, with blue or orange eyes and accents... they don't cause much trouble unless they feel threatened, and we don't see them often around the towns."

"Plus... the ones in Starstinger Wastelands are a bit different to the ones elsewhere. The usually black and orange ones have much lighter colours with dark speckles, while the white and blue ones have a greyer colour with darker speckles as well. It varies bur that's the trend I've noticed with my brief encounters with them."

[octafans-rp-hub]

Lorelei tried to take everything in, still too baffled at her own kind. They... can change species? That's weird, she never noticed the Star Ghosts doing anything of that sort.

"I'm not too sure. I mean, I'm definitely not a full starfolk... so I doubt the possibility of there being a sibling of sorts for me."

"Anyways, do you mind talking about your Siblings kids? They seem like the interesting type."

@chaosandtoomuchideas 🏜

"No, being half starfolk does not me you can understand me." Qadim clarified, walking deeper into the Void like area they're in. "Only those who have broken out of the cycle can understand us. Those who no longer have a side in the Polarities." Qadim replied, limping over to a spear bigger than them, gazing at it. As if it held some kind of meaning.

It did.

As it held up it self up, the spear was piercing a body. A body that looked similar to Qadim.

Then the Neutral turned to Lorelei, "And what do you mean Star Ghosts? What do they look like?"

"Polarities?" Lorelei queried, a bit confused, "Are you saying that starfolks are... divided somehow?"

Lorelei flinched a bit when she noticed the spear. This place seems... dangerous, she should keep her guard up.

"Well, Star Ghosts, or just Specters, are these weird species that looks like practically animals, humans or simple shapes, made out of abstract shapes. They can either be white or black, with blue or orange eyes and accents... they don't cause much trouble unless they feel threatened, and we don't see them often around the towns."

"Plus... the ones in Starstinger Wastelands are a bit different to the ones elsewhere. The usually black and orange ones have much lighter colours with dark speckles, while the white and blue ones have a greyer colour with darker speckles as well. It varies bur that's the trend I've noticed with my brief encounters with them."

[octafans-rp-hub]

"Oh... so I'm half starfolk?" Lorelei muttered, "And Star Ghosts are actually starfolks... interesting."

She fidgeted with her hat, before speaking, "Well, I never noticed any Star Ghosts trying to 'change their polarities,' whatever that is. Plus, do you mind telling me more about starfolks? I can try to figure out how much Star Ghosts differ from the usual ones."

@chaosandtoomuchideas 🏜

"No, being half starfolk does not me you can understand me." Qadim clarified, walking deeper into the Void like area they're in. "Only those who have broken out of the cycle can understand us. Those who no longer have a side in the Polarities." Qadim replied, limping over to a spear bigger than them, gazing at it. As if it held some kind of meaning.

It did.

As it held up it self up, the spear was piercing a body. A body that looked similar to Qadim.

Then the Neutral turned to Lorelei, "And what do you mean Star Ghosts? What do they look like?"

"Polarities?" Lorelei queried, a bit confused, "Are you saying that starfolks are... divided somehow?"

Lorelei flinched a bit when she noticed the spear. This place seems... dangerous, she should keep her guard up.

"Well, Star Ghosts, or just Specters, are these weird species that looks like practically animals, humans or simple shapes, made out of abstract shapes. They can either be white or black, with blue or orange eyes and accents... they don't cause much trouble unless they feel threatened, and we don't see them often around the towns."

"Plus... the ones in Starstinger Wastelands are a bit different to the ones elsewhere. The usually black and orange ones have much lighter colours with dark speckles, while the white and blue ones have a greyer colour with darker speckles as well. It varies bur that's the trend I've noticed with my brief encounters with them."