One x One Final Fantasy: Stealing Dreams Cast

[Lucyfer]

The Index of Characters:

• Jaina Yue
• Abelle Larkins
• Kallyn Valerin
• Aisling Vann
• Brecht Troy

• Kess Malachor
• Rigel Larkins
• "The Griever Family"
• Gerald Trivs, auctioneer.

 

[Lucyfer]

Name: Jaina Yue
Occupation/Role: Echo, The Dreamer
Age: 23

Appearance: Jaina stands at 5’2”, with fair skin speckled with freckles. While certainly not a waif, as her curves suggest, she’s also about as soft as her curves and not about to win any speed or strength competitions. She has fiery red hair that falls to the middle of her back in wavy curls that are often a mess first thing in the morning, and golden eyes.

She tends to wear dresses or robes, and usually has a hooded cloak for travel. She has a small vanity with her nails, since they seem like something controllable – unlike her hair – and she keeps them slightly long and painted.

Abilities:

• Dreaming – or as others call it, summoning. Currently she shares the dream of Shiva.
• Echo: A rare talent, as yet uncertain, to bring life to a New Dream that will then be shared. Many think they have this talent, but few prove capable. All shared dreams start with a Dreamer.
• Hypnosis: The ability to put people to sleep, or to lure them into a state of agreeability where they will answer questions, or remember things they are unable to remember.
• Ice Magic: Due to the bond she shares with Shiva, she has a small talent to manipulate ice magic, however this is only when Shiva is summoned. She is still attempting to learn to cast without Shiva bolstering her.
• Dagger-throwing: some summoners use rods, some use staffs, she uses daggers.
• Juggling and Balancing Tricks: Most of her throwing skills came from playing with crystal balls, and she’s capable of rolling orbs over her arms, juggling them, catching them, and other such things.
• Meditative Trance: Dreamwalking, a sort of waking-sleep, that is how she focuses to achieve visions and dreams (could be used in limit break if we want to consider putting those into play – if so I’ll make a separate section and flesh it out).
• Astral Language – can speak, read, and write it.

Notable Items:

• Crystal Ball – focusing tool for summoning.
• A set of eight throwing knives used when needed.
• Gil. 80k gil because she pooled the resources of Rem to help achieve a New Dream.

Items:

• 3 Potions
• 2 Ethers
• 1 Tent and sleeping bag.

Bio:

Formerly just Jaina, she obtained the surname “Yue” after she bonded with Shiva, which was a small surprise to those who thought she would be Agni and summon Ifrit first, given her fiery appearance and her father bonding with Ifrit first.

Jaina grew up in a hidden village called Rem, protected by magical deterrents from outsiders, as the world had “moved on” and dreamed no more, and so no longer liked Dreamers. They were persecuted, or so she was told, by blind faith in false idols that could not be seen. Unlike their idols – their protectors – their Astrals, as they called the creatures that came at their call.

Jaina was brought up with the teachings of the Dreamers, and how they dreamt into reality the Astrals, and much of the world. The world before dreams was a terrible place, but Dreamers could see more – Dreamers brought the green grass, and the snow. Some people, some outsiders, have the ability, but know it not. Inventors, engineers, artists – all have a touch of the Dream, but they cannot call for the Astrals without learning how to Share the Dream.

The Dream is in all.

“But what about nightmares?” a young Jaina would sometimes ask, and the elders would go quiet.

Every dream is a nightmare, she was told, eventually. And every nightmare is a dream. It is about perspective. Snow is beautiful, but snow is also deadly to crops and plants. When one knows this, one can better understand how it works. The Elders speak of a Perfect World as a Dream…and as a Nightmare, for every Utopia is a Dystopia.

Dream and Reality are two sides that should never come together, but that does not mean they cannot inspire each other – for without Dreamers, there would be no Dream. They need each other.

Jaina isn’t truly old enough to be deep in the philosophy of it, though she’s puzzled through plenty of it on her own, and learned how to dream…and how to Dream. How to share in the Collective Dream, and call forth those which are dreamt, those which are created and owe all to the Dreamers – the Astrals.

It was Shiva who came to her, beautiful and destructive snow, and though Jaina should have bonded with one or two more, she has not. Instead, she has tried to learn from Shiva, to take magic and power from Shiva, and this has caused many to look upon her differently, for she is learning from a dream, and actually succeeding.

And then she began to Dream. Dark wings and powerful energy float in her head, and a name on the tip of her tongue – a force that she can’t deny, that wants to be born. It took a while of talking and convincing, but the Elders have determined that Jaina – blessed name of a portal – may indeed capable of breathing life into a Dream. They have termed her an ‘Echo’, one who can speak the Astral into life, and sent her on her way to obtain what she believes she needs to do this:

A Dragonscale – an artifact not of this world, for no dragon ever originated on this planet.

 

[Lucyfer]

Name: Abelle Larkins

Occupation/Role: The Bard, Thief/Martial Artist

Age: 26

Appearance: Abelle Larkins stands at 6’1”, with dark skin that is marked by multiple tattoos. At first glance, they seem to be just white lines, but on closer inspection, they are actually tattoos of the constellations – notably, those his father named gun models after. He has dark brown hair that he’s grown out and keeps in well-maintained dreadlocks, usually pulled back in a ponytail. His eyes are a lighter brown, and his build is a lithe, strong athletic form, clearly flexible.

His attire is usually a mix of his lifestyles – there’s usually some flow or drapery to it to imply the wealth he once held, but he no longer keeps as covered up, liking to show off his tattoos, and have plenty of mobility. Of course, he’ll dress for the occasion; he wouldn’t show up in a half-jacket and slit pants to an auction house symphony!

Abilities:

• “Swan Style” Martial Arts – a fluid and graceful form that almost looks like dancing. It focuses one more towards quick and precise strikes, open-palm and heel strikes, rather than fists.
• Chi Manipulation: An internal art with many possible talents – the ones known will be detailed.
• Bolster Defenses: By slowing the flow of chi through their body, physical strikes (not magical) do less damage, as they do not “ripple” out through the body as quickly and their momentum is stilled.
• Happy Feet: A rushing of the chi through the body in a fashion that both warms the body and hastens it, the practitioner is able to move agilely. Cannot do Happy Feet and Bolster Defenses at the same time.
• Harpist, Lyrist: Capable of playing both the harp and the lyre beautifully.
• Dancer: Outside of martial arts, Abelle knows many forms of dance, and had intended to be a professional dancer once upon a time.
• Pickpocket: Dexterous and long fingers tend to help him pick pockets rather well.

Notable Items:

• A white lyre, a golden harp, are personal loves that he brings along.
• Caravan, and 4 chocobos that pull it, so he can actually bring along his instruments, and his crew, as he moves about. The chocobos are called: Eris, Discordia, Bellona, and Enyo.

Items:

• 5 Potions

Bio:

Abelle Larkins was born and raised in Rosalle Aus, not the capital of the realm but the place where many nobles, aristocrats, and the wealthy went to vacation. His parents were new-money, and looked down upon for it, so they continued to work tirelessly to keep their status up. They came into their wealth through the usual ways – a lot of luck, and a bit of hard work. Abelle’s father was the inventor of the gun, after his mother stumbled upon an idea while making fireworks.

The weapon never interested Abelle much, but the wealth that came with its development gave him opportunities, and he wanted to pursue music. His parents funded it, and he pursued it all the way into his 19th year of life.

That was when things changed.

The owner of the Malachor corporation, Kess Malachor, claimed that Abelle’s father, Rigel, stole the idea of guns from him and he demanded that Rigel sell the business to him or he would “see consequences”. Rigel ignored him, only to find himself dragged to court for theft, with trumped up charges and false blueprints for guns shown.

Of course, Kess paid off the courts anyways, or so Abelle believes, and Rigel was sued for all that he had, and had to give over his business.

Abelle, meanwhile, was looked upon with mistrust from that moment on. No one wished to collaborate with him on dance, or music, for fear he’d steal routines or songs, and everyone saw him as scum now that his wealth was gone on top of that.

Embittered, Abelle has left the professional life behind. For a couple of years, he lived as an angry young adult. He rebelled, he even half-believed that his father had lied and stolen the designs, and so he acted out. His tattoos are from that phase, constellation lines running over him in white lines, but in the end, he knew the truth: they were new money, they were a threat, and they were dealt with early because they weren’t savvy enough to prevent it.

So, he’s decided that he is going to make Malachor pay, and he’ll bring down that entire family, just as his own was brought down. He’s been delayed, however, as he figures out how to go about that by learning the ropes of thieves. His skill as a professional instrumentalist has been useful in getting people into places, as once he’s in the fancy place, he can start arranging things a little to make it easier, and he’s also a good pickpocket, so he can usually steal a key or something and hide it for the actual thief to pick up.

Most of his money ends up going back to his family so they can support themselves after what happened, as they try to make ends meet.

He’s currently working with a thief to steal a particular item from an auction. He’s gotten himself set as the harpist for the event, and is hoping that this job ends up netting him the gil, and reputation, he needs to go after Malachor with a decent crew.

 

[Lucyfer]

Name: Kallyn Valerian
Occupation/Role: “His Eminence”, the Vox Populi
Age: 39

Appearance: Kallyn stands at 6’3”, with an imposing broad build, and rather obvious muscles – despite being a politician and scholar, it’s apparent he finds time to devote to his physique. His hair is black and falls to his shoulders in soft waves. His eyes are a light gray-blue color, that have left plenty questioning why isn’t married yet – his devotion to his projects has more or less consumed him. He has lightly tanned skin most of the time, though at times if pales when he spends too long in the library.

He tends to wear coats or shirts with high, open collars, and highly embroidered clothing – usually the embroidery is actually woven enchantments of protection, but most people don’t recognize it for what it is, and so it seems just fashion.

Abilities:

• Smooth Talker, Charismatic – he’s turned this into an art, and makes people believe him for a living.
• Well-Educated. He’s studied in universities in the arts of Politics, Philosophy, Religion, and History, most of all – and through this he’s determined to make changes for the world.
• Gunslinger. A new weapon in the world, but he’s grown fond of it. Keeps a six-shooter on him.
• Fencing. Learned the so-called noble art of wielding a rapier.
• Alchemy and Enchantment. Capable of blending magic with items. Is not a spellcaster in the traditional, spontaneous sense, but he has learned rituals and sigils with which to combine things or enchant them. He uses this skill to also mask the fact he’s good with herbology and poisoncraft.

Notable Items:

• Cetus, revolver; enchanted so that all bullets will do holy damage along with physical damage.
• Lethe’s Tear, the name bestowed upon his silvery-white rapier, which is similarly of a holy bend.
• Numerous stones and plants for use in rituals.

Items: (he’s not a party member at present so I’m not going to track these things right now – he’s not in play)

Bio:

Kallyn Valerian was born not to peasants, but to the working class all the same. It was a prerequisite to be a “Vox Populi” – the aristocracy is barred from that position, but they are accustomed to using it, and bribing it, so that the individual that holds the position never gives them much trouble.

Kallyn has one younger brother, two sisters, and one mother – his father died in a petty civil war that ended, before his sister was born.

Kallyn still attended school, his mother insisted on it. He had the mind for it, and she shouldered the burdens of their financial situation – and his schooling – with few complaints. A saint, in his eyes, and an insight into the problem plaguing the world. His mother received a pithy stipend for his father’s service, but it was never enough.

Thankfully, Kallyn was smart enough to learn how to talk people into supporting him – and to make good on his promises. He was given grants and scholarships for the university, and went on to become a doctor of philosophy and religion – knowledge he used not to pursue deep thinking (he did, of course) but to engage people in logic debates and to follow trails of old beliefs to what he suspected was the truths hidden in the myths.

In particular, of the Dreamers, a heretical group that tended to live outside of proper governance, hiding their presence in the world. They claimed that what was seen in the world was mere ripples, echoes, of what could be, of the Perfect World. He was able to meet a Dreamer. He was able to see them summon a beast right before his eyes, and he spoke with them as a scholar, but it sparked in him a desire to do the same.

To pull that Perfect World here, to live in that Perfect World.

He’s gone on, experimenting with things, and learning much of myths and legends and old religions, and he’s had some luck in finding “tears of the veil” and thin areas in the world where things sometimes bleed into his world. It has encouraged him further, and so, when he heard about the auction, and what would be on sale, he decided it was necessary.

He tapped a thief that had been caught, and made her a deal that he knew wouldn’t be refused….

 

[moonbeams]

Aisling Vann

Age: 24
Occupation/Role: Thief

Abilities:

Knife Fighting: Need to know how to stab people!

Pickpocket

• Sticky fingers make for light pockets.

Lock Picking

• What thief can't pick a lock?

Shadow (AKA Dark) Magic

1. Sphere of Shadows: A small, but potent, sphere of darkness meant to distract and blind enemies. AOE.
2. Conjure Shadows: "Summons" shadows; harmless, but utilized to misdirect pursuers and guards.

Thieves' Cant

• A secret language used by thieves', beggars, and hustlers of various kinds.

Notable Items:

1. Lucky Black Jacket: Aisling swears it lucky; having saved her ass on multiple occasions, apparently.
2. E-Reader: Girl likes to read, what can I say?
3. Set of Daggers: Good for stabbing.

General Items:

1. Potions x2
2. Thieves' Tools
   1. A small file, a set of lock picks, a small mirror mounted on a metal handle, narrow-bladed scissors, pliers.

Playlist:
Moodboard:

Biography:

So, It Starts Pretty Cliche.​

A little baby girl named Lily, swathed in a soft blanket at the doorsteps of an orphanage on a quiet, snowy night. They can't really take in another mouth to feed-- especially someone as needy as a baby-- but they can't really refuse.

Lily has a voracious appetite for food and books-- neither at which at the orphanage she can truly get enough of. One day, she finds a dusty book in the attic-- The Voice in the Dream-- and is enthralled by its cheeky protagonist: an orphan named Aisling, setting off to find her fortune after a childhood of dreams speaking to her.

Her birth parents named her Lily, but who are they to decide that when they dumped her? She likes Aisling "much, much, much better," she declares to her caretakers and stubbornly refuses to answer to any other name.

The First Time She Steals Something​

It's generally acknowledged that this happened because she was hungry and was hanging around with the wrong crowd. It's a pretty common theme, truth be told.

But, she gets caught red-handed stealing a package of bagels. It's an ordeal-- especially over a bunch of bagels.

"Please, Aisling, don't steal again. You got so much of your life ahead of you. Promise me?" The Director of the Orphanage pleads of her.

"I won't, I promise." Aisling lies. She doesn't like lying to the Director; she's always been so wonderful, caring, nice and giving.

So, Aisling comes up with a plan: Don't get caught.

And she doesn't for a very long time.

The Night She Left​

As Aisling gets older, it gets harder to keep all the kids fed and clothed at the orphanage. With her 18th birthday coming closer, she decides it's better to leave early. She doesn't have much to her name when she leaves: a lucky black jacket, an old e-reader the Director gifted her, and a hundred gil.

She's not really prepared to leave-- both emotionally and financially, but she doesn't wish to burden the Orphanage any longer.

Running With The Big Boys Now​

Between small-time "jobs", living with boys she's only known for a short time, several near grievous-injury-or-near-death situations, Aisling likes to think she's handling being on her own sort-of okay. She's not dead so that must mean she's doing well, right?

She doesn't want to admit that her almost-vagabond like life wears her down.

Then, a big break. Somewhere along the way, her reputation had started to proceed her and she found herself in contact with a new group known as the Griever Family, looking to hire herfor a job.

And she does so damn well on it, they decide to take her under their wing.

Though she was making a name for herself in the underground world of crime, she never forgot the Orphanage. Whenever she could, she would leave large sums of money gained from her jobs for them...

The Part Where She's Betrayed​

Aisling doesn't like to toot her own horn, but she's pretty damn proud of how far she's gotten in the Griever Family since joining only a few months previously. They took her onto a job at a risk, and she returned that favor by saving their asses on their first big heist.

Under the tutelage of the right-hand man, she starts learning shadow magic which only elevates her skillset as a thief.

Emboldened by the success of their first heist, the Family plans for more. Each heist is grander than the last... as well as more violent. After hesitating to injure an innocent civilian on a heist, she feels lucky when the right-hand man only gives her a ""Stern Talking"" about needing to do what's best for the Griever Family.

She decides it's time to part ways with the Family.

Aisling doesn't realize the punishment had yet to come.

When the last job of robbing a casino went awry, Aisling is the last to flee the scene when a burning, piercing pain rips through her abdomen. As she crumbles to the ground in indescribable pain, it doesn't take her very long to realize where the shot came from.

"Sorry, Girly," The voice above her says. "Nothin' personal, just followin' orders."

Aisling is speechless; mostly due to pain. As the crew flees- leaving her bleeding out on the floor of the Casino- memories of the Orphanage and the kind, loving Director coming flooding back to her before she blacks out...

One Last Job...​

While recovering from a bullet wound that almost killed her, and the sting of betrayal, she is pulled into the office of His Eminence, the Vox Populi, of all people just days before her court appearance for her sentence.

He gave her an offer she couldn't refuse: steal the Dragonscale and her sentence would be cleared.

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[moonbeams]

Brecht Troy

Age: 23
Occupation/Role: Bodyguard / Dream Warden

Appearance: Brecht stands a little under six feet; with slightly messy, black hair and golden eyes. As expected of one who has been training for years, Brecht is physically fit with a more lean, athlete's build. He has a proper posture and carries himself with pride as a Warden.

Nowadays, his usual attire is akin to Auron's outfit.

Abilities:

Sword Fighting

Holy/Light Magic: Granted to him by his bond with Alexander.

1. Shield of Faith: A person or creature of Brecht's choice is protected by a soft, but powerful, hard light for a short duration.
2. Daylight: A sphere of blinding light, utilized to blind enemies and eliminate darkness. AOE.
3. Blinding Smite: Near blinding holy light emanates from Brecht's weapon. Imbued with the holy power, his melee attacks deal Holy damage.
4. Radiant Wave: Brecht strikes the ground with his weapon and divine energy ripples from him in great waves, dealing Holy damage.

Notable Items:

Veil's Edge: A Mythril blade passed down through Brecht's family; previously wielded by his grandfather.

General Items:

• 2 Potions
• 2 Ethers
• 1 Explorer's Kit:
  1. Backpack
  2. a Bedroll
  3. a Mess kit
  4. a Tinderbox
  5. 10 days of Rations
  6. a Canteen

Biography:

Since he was a small child, Brecht was filled with awe and wonder over the stories his grandfather would tell him about his travels and adventures as a Warden.

Little Brecht would happily settle onto the floor in front of his grandfather, eager to hear a new story… or even an old one. His favorite ones were about traveling Munudus; especially stories about the metropolis known as Luxerna.

One day, Brecht told his grandfather, he’d be a Warden, too! He’ll get to travel and fight monsters, too!

His grandfather would gently chide him, explaining that there was a lot he had to learn

It wasn’t easy outside of Rem for them; the world beyond their village feared them, their power, and their idols. They were even persecuted, which confused Brecht. Why would Mundus fear them?

However, while the world outside Rem feared them a Warden was compassionate and willing to protect them all the same.

Dreams were nightmares, and nightmares were dreams.

Of course, Brecht didn’t understand but his grandfather told him he would in time.

Taking the Oath of the Warden

It was just as expected when Brecht bonded with Alexander; just like his Grandfather did many years ago.

So aptly named after the light that smites Terrors, it was no surprise that Brecht would become a Warden himself.

“It is an honor,” they told him, “And a privilege to protect both Lucidia and Mundus, to dedicate yourself to maintaining the veil between the two planes.

You must remain steadfast against Terrors, for they are cunning and relentless.

You must stay true to your Oath; never trust or be swayed by those who seek to gain from Lucidia and wish to break the delicate balance.

Above all else, you are the Shield and the Light of all life.”

Brecht swore to the Oath with no hesitation.

The Mission

Though he excelled at his Warden training, Brecht never bonded with another Astral. As he reached (young) adulthood, his teacher was concerned; as most bonded with at least two Astrals at this point in life.

Still, Brecht had bonded with Alexander; one so rarely seen among the ranks of Dream Wardens.

So, he was the perfect choice as the bodyguard Jaina needed to leave Rem, and retrieve the Dragonscale. Not only did the Elders wish to protect the Echo, they wanted to ensure their lofty investment of 80k gil was safeguarded on the way to Luxerna. Even more so; Jaina only bonded with one Astral as well.

It is Brecht’s first time leaving Rem, but perhaps it will prove to be what he needed to bond with another Astral...

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