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[wewillwewill]

Player Information

Name: Maruah
Age: 44
Contact details: Discord- Everyworker#8128 Dreamwidth- wewillwewill
Other characters: None!

Character Information

Name: Elidibus
Canon: Final Fantasy XIV
Canon Point: Patch 5.3 Defeat
OU/AU/CRAU/OC: OU
Age: Unknown, at minimum over ten thousand years. (Immortal)

World Information: Final Fantasy XIV Online covers a man world known as 'Hydaelyn' or 'The Source' and a total of thirteen other worlds, one of which is currently lost to the (the game's concept of) void. Useful links about information revolving around this world and its history related to this character can be found in these links:

FFXIV World and Lore
Hydaelyn (the Source)
Hydaelyn and Zodiark
Ascians

Some of this will be covered in Elidibus's article as well but there is a lot of information due to the character's role in the game world's very very long history.

Personal History: Please read here. here.

Personality:

Once, Elidibus was a cheerful and enthusiastic young man, keen on his task as Emissary to the Convocation. Even as the world began to burn in Calamity, he worked toward a solution, carefully weighing all choices for the best outcome to save their world.

The Elidibus of today is far different from those ancient times. After sacrificing himself and becoming the Heart of Zodiark, then returning as a Primal fragmented from that same heart, he gradually became a more somber being. Still driven to work with the Convocation to bring about reconciliation with his people but the memories of the young man he once was slowly faded. Unlike his contemporaries, Emet-Selch and Lahabrea, he no longer remembers who he once was or to whom or why he made promises. As a Primal and an Ascian, he had become his title, Elidibus. And deep inside, he feels that if he lost even this, what reason would there be for his existence?

In the beginning, his growing amnesia caused him a great deal of private distress. It was easy to spot. A name he should have known, gone. A half uttered sentence, trailing away as he realized he wasn't sure what had prompted him to speak in such a way. For the sake of those he thought of as his family and for his duty, he took pains to mask the ailment and feigned indifference though, in turn, it increased the melancholy. To be fair, they had all changed, by the events of the Calamity, the sacrifice of half the population, and being bound to the will of their new god. But it was still bitter-sweet for Elidibus.

Eventually, Elidibus became more driven by his task than weighed down by the loss. He focused instead on his work and purpose. Notes taken were abandoned and later forgotten completely. The world continued to turn.... then shattered in the final conflict between Zodiark and Hydaelyn. Elidibus' purpose was cemented in the goal of restoring the 'one true god' and, later, quietly ensuring light and dark remained balanced, even if it meant working against his fellow Ascians from time to time.

For his goals and purpose, Elidibus can easily be polite and diplomatic. As an Ascian he might see the shards of life on the worlds he visits as no more than fragments of a being that should be whole. In spite of or perhaps because of his lacking memories, he holds disdain for mortals' inability to keep anything straight or repeating the same tired stories and calamities over and over again. Yet, there have been examples of ones he has taken interest in, in light of their actions, malformed pieces they may be, to do everything in their power to protect their world. That hope.... it calls to him naturally. Whether or not he recognizes it.

But he does not dismiss the usefulness of civil discourse as a means to make them more effective pawns to whatever plans are in play. The gift of speech, half-truths and manipulation are his regular tools. To convince pawns to look favorably on the Ascian's plans and cause, or simply to move them to action, convinced of a 'greater good'. A memorable example is convincing the Warriors of Light from another world to literally abandon their lives and travel to the Source- the primary world of FFXIV- and fight his battles for him.

Elidibus is very meticulous and driven by attention to detail. This careful approach may frustrate his allies, but the results can't be denied. Rarely has Elidibus been wholly -wrong-. Even when plans don't go his way, he's been known to gain something from the venture.

While the memories may be gone- at best very fragmented- there still remains an instinct. He blames himself for the events which led to Lahabrea's and Emet-Selch's deaths. His regard for his fellow unsundered was high. Forgotten memories lend a positive spin to his interactions, albeit subconsciously. But they were also, damning though it may sound, solid anchors. 'Whole' people, like him, who showed him what they were working toward. Lahabrea's mental decay over the Eons distressed him on several levels. Subconsciously, yes. The thought of losing one of his real 'anchors', absolutely. But seeing the potential loss of someone who was whole to some mental ailment was against everything being worked for, by Elidibus. He still admired Emet-Selch. Far more mildly than ages past, a quiet sort of observation of the Convocation member's skills. But a testament to the strength of his regard, when considering this is one of his few original 'memories' having any conscious context. He was intensely disappointed to hear Emet-Selch 'erred' so greatly as to put faith in a mortal's ability to remember them. He could not understand.

Of the Sundered Ascians, they were better than the shattered fragments of mortal Despite a calm penchant to move with or against the plans of his fellow Ascians while seeking to keep balance, he does have attachments, even regrets, for all he might not realize why. Their awakening, their growth as worlds merged, their very existence a testament and truth for what they were working for. What was working! Each loss was a pang. Some faint, others... (Igeyorhm. Was she... important?) stronger.

Elidibus' goals are at the heart, the revival of the 'one true god', Zodiark and restoration of the ancient people as whole beings. To keep balance and to bring about reconciliation. It was the uncommonly long discord between his people that brought him to emerge from Zodiark's heart to act in his role as Emissary. He swore, though he does not remember to whom, that he would continue in his duty regardless of what he faced, until everyone was restored and peace was renewed. With him, he carried and sought to portray hope. A hope so strong that he would able to call upon the various Warriors of Light- an existence seemingly antithetical to the Ascians- and invoke and embody the first Warrior of Light as a Primal.

So powerful is his drive toward his duty, it was sheer conviction that had him continue, though he had placed himself in a circumstance where he was alone. Emet-Selch and Lahabrea were gone. Many of the Sundered were gone or sealed. The others.... he feared losing them, too. He is determined to fulfill his duty to the end, whatever doubts are cast. Whatever might be... truthfully said about his fight. For those lost and those still yet to be saved, he would remain as a beacon of hope and see the duty to its end.

Hydaelyn. Symbol of the rift between his people. It is difficult to put into words what Elidibus' feels. In the past, he might have recognized, at least objectively, that Hydaelyn was an answer. But the Elidibus who emerged from Zodiark sees the antithesis to Zodiark as a stain upon his failing to bring his people to an accord. Even when these memories faded, the intensity of emotions invoked by Hydaelyn's existence remained strong within him. Anger is what he would call it. Despair and even self-hatred might be said deep, deep inside where not even he could hear. It was a symbol he would have to face and constantly overcome in pursuit of his goals. Every weakness he could find in Her defenses, or those of Her servants, he exploited.

The Warrior of Light. The one of the present day, from the Source. In times past Elidibus has cultivated those who would become Warriors of Light. Has even BEEN them from time to time, as he moved pieces to keep the balance maintained or subtly steer the endgame toward his preferred outcome. He recognizes the value of them... of this recent person who fate seems to revolve around. Disdain is most often expressed to those who surround the Warrior of Light and yet he seems to be willing to take... time. To pause and explain or simply converse. Out of all the quiet frustrations he experiences, perhaps it's most prominent when he sees the Warrior of Light doing everything in their power to unravel his work. And as matters were nearing their finale on the First, Elidibus was feeling an increasing sense of something almost like... desperation?

Elidibus draws his power from hope and determination. Hope is his fuel, determination his very existence. So long as he lives, hope for a better future, any future at all for the Ascians and their lost brethren, lives on. If he ends, everything ends.

On a final note, Elidibus, as with the other twelve members of the Convocation of Fourteen who created the Primal, Zodiark, is as 'tempered' as they. 'Tempering' occurs because those who summon such beings into creation are exposed to the aether are compelled to serve the being's will. While the Ancients affected kept their mind and sense of reason they are no less loyal. He is far from a mindless thrall but at the same time he is drawn and compelled to actions which are seen to serve Zodiark's best interests and Will.


Key themes: Symbol of Hope - My heart's sole desire is a world free of sorrow!


Pain of Loss - This is the theme of loss and sacrifice that many heroes and martyrs must bear for the salvation of others.



Main Motivation: Saving the World. Even though Elidibus's experience of his own and fellow Convocation memories on the eve of his defeat has given him a laundry basket full of memories on his past- both of his own and his contemporaries' perspectives- has left him wondering if they truly were on the correct course all this time, this has not changed the fundamental desire to save the world, restore Zodiark to his full glory and bring salvation to his people through their rebirth.

He can, has, and will act to preserve a world's balance even if it means going against his own brethren to do so, having learned all too well the lesson of what happens if a world becomes completely enshrouded in Darkness or Light. And while the salvation of his people may seem like the least of his priorities (Sundered souls who were ascended as Ascians would be easily replaced with another reflection if the cost of recovery was deemed too great.), it was at least partially about the relevance of restoring the sundered worlds themselves and reviving Lord Zodiark as this would have been required to bring back the Ancient race in their whole, Unsundered state.

Skills:

Ancient: As a member of the Ascians, Elidibus enjoys certain perks: he is functionally unkillable, ageless and utterly immortal. He can possess people (but not players, OOC consent), taking over their bodies permanently and redesigning them how he pleases. This also applies to corpses. Without a mortal body, only those with supernatural senses can detect him, but without magic still can't interact with him. He is intangible and invisible.

Echo: The ability modern Eorzeans call the Echo is a fraction of the ability all Ancients possessed. Elidibus should be presumed capable of all known iterations of the Echo in FFXIV canon, but with conscious control and no discomfort. He is not omnipotent despite the variety of uses the Echo has shown. It can also be used to bridge communication gaps even without the train's aids. (Though no doubt there are other reasons to keep the SCA close).

Mental Immunities: Elidibus is completely immune to mental manipulation and control and possession. He is not immune to mental damage. Attacks may still cause him harm.

Aethersight: The ability to see magic and life in all its forms and is often described with traits such as 'vibrancy' and 'density'. While he is not on par with the clarity Emet-Selch possesses, time and experience has made him no slouch.

Creation Magic: He can create literally anything he can imagine assuming he has enough aether (and time) to do it. Train limitations; he can't create living animals or people, and is size capped.

Primal: Elidibus is a Primal; a powerful entity summoned into existence through the prayers and worship of other. These beings are essentially a type of god in FFXIV canon. In a so-far unique sense in game's canon, Elidibus had 'summoned himself' ("Reconciliation. Elidibus. I was needed. I withdrew myself from Zodiark. For them.") back into existence to serve as a guide for his people. As another unique-seeming trait, Elidibus does not appear to temper those around him with his aether. It is possible that this is because he is already one of Zodiark's nor does he appear to need to sustain himself by absorbing the surrounding aether as modern-day Primals require.

Warrior of Light: Can assume the appearance of FFXIV's first Warrior of Light (another of his identities through the ages). Comes with armor, sword and shield and is excellent for battles.

Fighting: Elidibus has shown himself to be an extremely competent fighter in a wide variety of styles. When he steps to the stage he can not only wield magic, but also physical weapons and the skills that go with them. As an observer he can also provide a tactical insight. The rest boils down to many thousands of years of experience.

Magic: Elidibus is an ancient sorcerer, capable of wielding just about every spell his world has to offer. He specializes in teleportation, dark-element spells and light-element spells. He is a master at these.


Misc Skills: Elidibus has music talent. His preference and talent lies in organs, harpsicords and piano. He has a vast selection of knowledge gained from millennia of experience and has served as a mentor and guide. His ability to teach others would be strong. As an Emissary he is a skilled diplomat and wordsmith. His talent to manipulate through lies, truths or something in-between is second to none in his canon. Even in ancient times he was recognized for his ability to provide the best solution for any given problem and be rarely in error.



Item: Convocation Stone (Elidibus)

Sample: I have been participating in the May TDM here. Please let me know if this is not enough for an acceptable sample!

Notes: Hi! I am still relatively new to Dreamwidth style RP as I just started in January of this year. So there are many common-sense values and terms I'm not always familiar with or still have a struggle remembering. Please forgive me if I misstep! I'm happy to learn.