#that merlwyb needed the arcanists i know. but they were there before already

[wine-dark-soup]

arcanists: we wield the most complex form of magic... arcanima. one must master arcane geometry to weave patterns that respect the flow of aether, which in turn will create powerful creature that can help you in combat. this is very dangerous and very powerful, it's not for the weak of mind

also arcanists: anyway we use that power to inspect ship crates lmao

[crystarium-cafe]

It started with a dream to see the world--

Her whole life had been confined to her family’s small farm, and the tiny town it sat just outside of. Life had been peaceful, if numbingly predictable, and she was a curious, adventurous child ill suited to such a life. So, the moment fortune had provided her with an opportunity to leave, to finally fulfill her dream to discover the world and the adventure it contained, she had hesitated only long enough to bid her beloved parents goodbye. 

It had been tough, leaving her whole world like that, but it had been worth it. She had travelled to the nearest major city, Limsa Lominsa, and joined their Adventurer’s Guild. For someone who had few skills relevant off of a farm, having such a wellspring of knowledge to tap into, access to room and board, as well as skilled mentors, was a gods send. It hadn’t taken her long to find work with the Arcanist guild, and having her emerald carbuncle as a constant travelling companion helped with the homesickness. 

But that was all she remembered.

Like everyone else, her memories of the events 5 years ago were fuzzy at best. Thinking back on the events of then was like trying to remember someone else’s memory of a memory. Yet for Tei, there was one major thing that separated her from everyone else: she had no memories of the last 5 years. Rather, one sunny day six months ago, she had found herself astride her trusty chocobo F'anwylyd, on the road that ran past the Floating City of Nym with no memory of how she’d gotten there, nor what had happened before she’d found herself alone in the middle of the road. Confused, she had made her way to Limsa, and the adventurer’s guild she’d hoped would give her answers.

It wasn’t until she’d made her way into the city that she’d realised just how odd things were. The sight of the bustling city filled her with a sense of relief she didn’t understand, and it quickly became apparent to her that her last clear memory, and the moment she found herself on the road outside Nym, were separated by years that didn’t exist for her. Adding to her confusion were the Yellowjackets who gave her confused double takes before dismissing her as yet another new adventurer; and how Baderon Tenfingers, the proprietor of the Drowning Wench and head of Limsa’s Adventurer’s Guild, seemed confused to see her. He swore she reminded him of someone, but after a moment of being unable to recall who, he’d shrugged and processed her application to the guild. A guild she would have sworn she already belonged to. A trip to the Arcanist’s Guild had the same result. Though this time it included impressing Thubyrgeim with how quickly she seemed to pick up the skills needed for an Archanist- a prodigy Thubyrgeim called her- but to Tei, it felt like remembering skills she’d already known.

At least her carbuncle seemed to recognise her.

Having decided keeping her misgivings (and apparent false memories, such as they were) to herself, Tei accepted the identity of a newcomer to the city, and tried to suss out what information she could without arousing suspision.

As she sat in her room in the Mizzenmast Inn a week later, Tei tried to recall her past. Try as she might, all she could remember was that she was from a farm in Lower La Noscea, and had left to become an adventurer. When that had happened, and what had happened after she’d left home, however, was fuzzy and unclear; and what happened after the Calamity didn’t exist at all. She knew she must have done well enough as an adventurer, if the speed at which she was advancing through the Arcanist’s Guild was any indication.

Everything felt like deja vu. From Baderon’s lessons on adventuring, to Thubyrgeim’s arcane teachings. The only constant was F'anwylyd.

She’d known the bird from when her father had brought the small chick home as a 10th nameday present for her, and the pair had been inseparable from the moment they’d laid eyes on each other. Tei had taken great pride in F'anwylyd’s training- teaching the young bird skills and abilities far beyond what a simple farm chocobo would need to know. Her parents had been amused, wondering what a farm bird would do with learning such tricks, but had indulged their only child.

“It teaches Teiuctzin discipline, anyway.” Her mother had commented once with a shrug and a smile to her husband.

At 20 she’d left home, never to see her parents again.

Six years and six months later, as she stood outside the remains of her childhood home, Tei learned just how personally the Calamity had affected her. The day was far too sunny for someone who’s life was crashing around her. Hope at having some anchor in her world shattered beyond salvaging. She was alone, with not a soul to call home. And as the sun’s cheerful rays danced through the leaves of the surviving trees, Tei felt something inside her break.

Thankfully Baderon hadn’t asked any questions upon her return to the Drowning Wench. He’d taken one look at her expression and broke open a bottle from his own personal store, and with a soft “it won’t fix anything, but it’ll help numb the pain,” left her to silently cry into her glass.

After that, Tei had thrown herself into adventuring life with a frenzy that bordered on obsession. If Baderon or Thubyrgeim voiced any concern over the sudden change in their charge’s behaviour, they fell on deaf ears. To Tei there was only work, and getting stronger. To an outside observer, Tei was dedicated to perfecting her craft- capable and eager to improve. But something vital had been lost that day in Lower La Noscea, and in its place stood an empty shell seaking to numb the pain not through drink, but through exhaustion.

To the outside world, the adventurer Tei was kind, polite, and ever willing to help. That she was on the quiet side was attributed to being the “strong silent type” or stoicism. None could see how the bright spark of her soul had dimmed, and was slowly fading away to a darkness that was not evil, but oblivion. None looked close enough to see the pain ever present in her eyes. 

Six months later found her on her way to Gridania and Ul’dah- Limsa’s special envoy chosen by the Admiral herself. 

Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn had heard of Tei’s astounding accomplishments: aiding the Marauder Alka Zolka in uncovering the lost secrets of Nymian military tactics; uncovering lost Nymian healing magics during their research and not only attuning to the Soul Crystal they had found, but bonding with the duel-aspected fairy within; and her part in thwarting a massive Sahagin and Serpent Reaver raid in Lower La Noscea. The Admiral wanted to host a banquet in Tei’s honour and had requested an audience.

The meeting had gone well, though it had been clear from the moment Tei and Merlwyb had met that the two suffered from the same sense of déja vu regarding the other. Though more used to it by now, encountering it in the Admiral wasn’t something Tei had ever expected to occur. Silently she could only wonder at what her life must have been like after she’d left home. All the same, having the Admiral’s pale eyes fixed on her in thoughtful contemplation was unnerving.

“Miss Yumi,” the Admiral began in her warm, deep voice, “I have heard a great many good things about you in your…” a look passed across her face too quickly for Tei to decipher, “short time with us.”

Tei simply nodded, and the Admiral continued. 

“As you may very well know, the 5 year anniversary for the Calamity is upon us.”

[aliras-eorzean-heroes]

Stepping into the shadows

Aribethe scrunched up her face as she tried to read the book she was given, before groaning. “Mistiva, I really don’t think I’m cut out to be an arcanist.”

“C’mon Ari, it’s not that hard, and you don’t flat out read the book.” Mistiva reached over and shut the book in her friend’s hand. “You feel what’s in the book, and use it to draw out the magic and aether to cast spells.”

“I don’t-” Aribeth cut herself off with a sigh, rubbing at her face. “I’ve been trying to figure this out for the past two hours, I think I need a break.”

“You have been working at this for a while,” Mistiva frowned, thinking. “You should take a break for a bit, maybe wander to the piers where the ferries are? I know I often go there to relax.”

“I think I will.” The older girl sighed, standing up as she attached the book to her belt. “I’ll see you tomorrow then Misti?”

“Yeap, I’ve got a task from my guildmaster, and I’ve got to get it done soon, so I’ll see you tomorrow.” Mistiva sighed, tying her hair back into a ponytail before springing to her feet and walking off in the direction of the gates.

Aribeth sighed, beginning to wander in the direction of the fishermen’s guild which was close to the docks her friend mentioned.

She made it there in good time, dusk descending upon the seaside city, and her eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to the doors she vaguely from being assigned an errand ages ago recalled belonged to the Dutiful Sisters of the Edelweiss.

Perhaps she could ask if she could borrow a room to relax in? After all she dealt with in Gridania before being sent as envoy of the Seedseer to Ul’dah and Limsa Lominsa and god knows what awaited her now, she needed some place quiet where no one was expecting grand things from her like when she fought that guy in a mask after he summoned something from the void.

She already was uneasy how the world crystal, or whatever spoke to her when she picked up that first crystal in that clearing, seemed to expect her to do world shattering things when she wasn’t even of this world to start with, she just wanted a place to escape all that and, be herself.

She found her feet carrying her across the piers to the doors, and the doorman, without a second thought. She turned her attention to the doorman when he turned to her and drawled.

“There’s naught behind these convent doors for a worldly type like you, missus.” He glanced at her briefly as he spoke. “We’re the Dutiful Sisters ‘o the Edelweiss, all pure an’ saintly, like. Now bugger off.”

“Sir, I just wish to ask if I could borrow a room to breathe in.” She inhaled and brought a hand to her head. “After the headache today was thanks to varying factors, I’ve no wish to linger out among the suffocating crowds. I won’t disturb anyone.”

The doorman turned to her fully, seeming about to turn her away when he paused, scrutinizing her before saying. “...Hang about. I thought ye was just some simple errand lass, but now I’ve had a proper look-Yer Aribethe, ain’t ye?” His tone was different now.

“Great my deeds are already known here-Yes, I am Aribethe Zelalin.” She sighed deeply, she hoped she wasn’t so well known but clearly at least this guy knew her.

“Heh, I knew it.” He grinned slightly, his tone a lot more genuine than it was before. “We like to snilch all the risin’ talent, an’ from what I hear, yer head an’ shoulders above the rest.”

She blinked, peering up at the doorman as she got the feeling that he wasn’t talking about becoming a sister of the Edelweiss as he continued. “If ye can handle yerself half as well as they say, ye might well be of use to us.”

“Pardon?” She felt the slight tickle of a laugh in her voice as she inquired. “What could a convent of sisters need my skills for?”

“Ah, forget all that “sisters o’ the Edelweiss” bollocks.” He chuckled. “That’s just a bit o’ fun to fob off the curious culls. We’re a guild o’ rogues, lass, an’ it’s mainly our marks as does the prayin’.”

Rogues? So they were a thing here, but hidden? She listened attentively as he continued. “Me an’  mine work in the shadows o’ Limsa, takin’ a keen edge to the rooks an’ cacklers what’ve earned ‘emselves a milling. We don’t tout for members, but every now an’ again, we might offer a promising young cove a place in the ranks.”

He made a motion in her direction. “If ye’ve a interest in joining us, tip us your daddles an’ we’ll put a hilt in each one, just like the gods intended.” Considering she had an idea of how being a rouge worked thanks to her mother unlike with the arcanist trade she couldn’t wrap her head around, she was more than interested with her desire to hide away in a room long forgotten.

“So what do ye say? Fancy learnin’ a new trade?” New trade? For the most part, hardly, but she nodded while stifling a grin before he continued. “Good to see yer keen. But I should probably warn ye on a few points afore ye dive in.”

She tilted her head and listened as he began to explain. “Where most guilds take pride in turnin' their members into the best bloody candlestick makers they can be, we only care about gettin' the job done. An' the job ain't pretty. Ye become one of us, an' ye'll soon be neck-deep in scum an' knife fights. So if yer lookin' to scamper across rooftops an' bilk dandies o' their blunt, ye'd best take up with a different crew.” He gave her a look then. “Think on that, an' come back if yer still keen.”

“Quite frankly my good sir, I’ve heard enough tales of rogues in stories to know that they aren’t like those who’d ‘scamper across the rooftops and bilk dandies of their blunt’ as you put it, so that’s far from what I was expecting to hear from you.” She crossed her arms. “And I’d be surprised if I wasn’t going to be neck deep in knife fights, considering if you’ve kept an eye on me that I’ve been in fights that go beyond neck deep.”

He grinned at her response, seemingly delighted. “I didn't scare you off. Bene! They told me ye was a mettlesome lass, an' so it's proved.” She snorted with a grin, making the Roegadyn chortle as he continued. “Ye'll need every onze o' that mettle soon enough. Now step inside an' have a prattle with Jacke. He's our Upright Man—the master o' the guild.”

“Alright.” She nodded and he unlocked the door before letting her walk inside, hearing the door click as it closed behind her. She definitely would’ve noticed this was no covenant if she was allowed entry before finding out what this place was, with the map with daggers in it on the far wall, the table with a map and a dagger in it, and the fact everyone around seemed to be wearing rogueish attire with daggers on their hips.

She noted the man who was examining the map on the table until she entered, looking up at her entrance with curious caution as he stood from leaning against it. His attire was mainly pale cream and green colors, green pants tied off at the knees with his pale cream top accented with green, a green bandana on his head, overtop short brown hair. His eyes were blue, and he was clearly curious as to who she was and how she got in.

“Pardon my unexpected entrance.” she gave him a curtsy, easy to do with the arcanist robe she currently had on, before approaching him. “I’m looking for a man named Jacke?”

He nodded, the cautious look somewhat fading as he gestured to himself. “Aye, I'm the one they call Jacke—though I'm surprised ye've heard o' me. Perhaps ye'd be good enough to tell me yer name...along with that o' the kindly cove as told ye mine?”

“I am Aribethe Mayla Zelalin, at your service.” She bowed at the waist then for a few moments before standing up, registering the recognition he had at her name as she continued while gesturing behind her. “The gentlemen with the key at the door let me in, though I forgot to get his name.”

“Ahhh! The famous Aribethe!” He grinned for a moment. “Ol' Lonny Left-patch let you in, did he?” At her nod he continued. “He can't throw a blade for shite, but that one eye don't miss naught when it comes to sizin' up a dimber mort for the stallin'.”

“Just one thing…” She tilted her head as he paused before asking. “You ain't a pirate, are ye?”

She couldn’t help it, she let out a laugh of pure amusement while shaking her head. “Ennope! You really think any respectable or decent pirate would be dressed up all fancy like this?” She joked while gesturing to her attire and he laughed.

“Ye’ve a fair point lass! Then, it's time ye was stalled to the rogue!” He grinned again, looking delighted. “Pull on yer best beater cases an' I'll swear ye in meself when yer ready.”

She returned the grin as he then continued. “Now, I could fill yer wattles with the storied history of our guild, but that's just whids an' wind. The most important thing—the only thing—we care about is gettin' the job done.” She nodded to show she was listening and he continued. “ Now, most folk, an' I'm assumin' yer among 'em, know that not long after Limsa's foundin', the city was overrun by a motley collection o' pirates an' thieves.”

He then shook his head. “But as wild as that lot were, it soon became clear that they'd all end up killin' each other if they didn't lay down a few rules—an unspoken code o' conduct, as it were.” He then raised a hand with his index finger up. “One, ye don't bite the purses o' yer fellow Lominsans; two,” He raised a second finger. “ye don't rook a crew out o' their spoils; an' three,” A third finger went up, his eyes darkening for a few moments. “ye don't trade culls like they was chattel.”

He then shrugged as he dropped his hand back to his side. “I'll admit the finer points o' the code are a mite murky, but most agree on those three, at least.”

“Now, ye might be thinkin' none o' that amounts to a sack o' dilberries now the Admiral's outlawed piracy, but in the back alleys an' black markets where Merlwyb's grip ain't so tight, the code's still alive an' well.” He grinned a little proudly at what he said next. “An' just as the law is enforced by the Yellowjackets, the code is regulated by us rogues.”

“We go where the shadows are darkest, an' hand out justice to them as break the code. Some rum-soaked cove steals goods from the wrong cull, an' we steal 'em back. That's the job, my natty lass. 'Course, we don't hop the twig when bladework's called for, neither.” He shrugged and gestured to his own set of daggers on his belt. “Ye'll see there's more to our daggerplay than just stickin' culls with the pointy end. We'll weaken a mark with poison, fade away an' strike in the darkmans—whatever it takes to get the work done.”

He tilted his head at her, asking now that he finished explaining. “Well, Aribethe? What do ye say to that? Got the guts to do a rogue's job?”

“I do believe I do.” She clearly shocked him with her immediate response and she grinned playfully. “I already told Lonny at the door my response, and that did not change with what you told me, if anything you just erased any doubt I might have had.”

He quickly returned her grin and his tone was clearly delighted. “All right, then! First off, we'll have to get yer kit sorted out. A rogue needs to be light on her dew beaters to stay on a mark's trail.” He then chuckled. “The job might have ye fightin' across a deck or weavin' through a mob, an' the last thing ye want is a bleedin' great battleaxe what hooks itself on every rope an' post.”

She giggled at the mental image and he continued. “That's why we stick to daggers—they let ye slip through the streets just as easily as they slip through a rook's ribs.”

He then reached back into a bag on his belt, rummaging around before pulling out two daggers and offering them to her. “Here, take these stabbers an' let's see how they look on ye.” She walked over and took them as he then added. “...Just don't get so excited with yer new toys that ye forget to dress for the role. Ye'd be surprised at how many colts come back to me in their bloody smallclothes…”

She snorted, bursting into a fit of giggles again. “Don’t worry Jacke, I’m not going to do that.” She pocketed the daggers as he sighed in relief and she then said. “I just need to go make a quick stop at the inn I’m staying at to get out of these clothes, they aren’t suited for moving about with as much speed as I’m pretty sure I need with the daggers.”

He nodded in agreement as she quickly made her way to the door, pausing to turn and wave cheerfully at him. “I’ll be right back!” He waved back, grinning at her excitement as she left.