ASP 𓆘

Name: V'aspar Tia
Business Alias: Asp
Age: 48
Pronouns: He/him
Height: 5'7"
Build: Lean; strength entirely in the upper body and arms
Distinguishing Features: Notable face scarring, particularly over right eye; long, willowy tail; complex and painstakingly inked sigils (one on each hand) that branch down onto his fingers; wears a number of rings on both hands, featuring mostly black stones; never seen without his slender, black walking stick, the handle carved to look like a snake's head; walks with a very pronounced limpOccupation: An alchemist who specializes in magical ink. Arcanist of repute with MAGPIE, an organization dedicated to the procurement of unusual, antique, dangerous, and/or illegal items for paying clients.
Birthplace: Wellwick Wood
Current Residence: Ul'dahBasic Personality (+): Disciplined, hardworking, enterprising, methodical, patient, well-spoken and unfailingly polite (most days)
Basic Personality (-): Dry as the deserts of Southern Thanalan, pessimistic, grudge-bearing, hypocritical, deceptive, proud
Personality Type: ENTJ - The CommanderLikes: Intellectual challenge, keeping busy, quality work, shiny rocks
Dislikes: Condescension, flakiness, invasions of his privacy; being underpaid
Playlist: ♫

Nunh of the V Tribe

Even as a child, V’aspar was a miqo’te kit with his eyes on the horizon, always on the hunt for something more than he had. Born on the larger side, and with a demanding and unyielding personality, he was known for pushing boundaries with little regard for authority that could not properly bring him to heel. One of the few people he did heed was his mother, V’aquila, though she saw little reason to correct his behaviour when it was directed towards his fellow tia. In an effort to keep some semblance of peace while he was still young, she took him with her everywhere, and V’aspar followed her and his eldest sister V’acasta like a little shadow.It was in this manner that he was set down a slightly different path than the other tia of his tribe, for his mother was a people person, choosing negotiations and barter over hunting, and she brought all her kits along with her to learn the tricks of the trade. Of all his siblings, V’aspar was one of the few who took to it like a fish to water, using what innate skills he possessed in the realm of the arcane to broaden what his mother could offer potential employers, and helping to bring in more gil in the process. Under her tutelage he learned how to interact with people from all walks of life, and how to get the most out of them when it came time to do business. The work tempered him more thoroughly than any of the tussles he had with other aspiring nunh’s his age and older, shaping V’aspar into a businessman worthy of trading with his mother’s partners.When he turned nineteen summers, he’d saved enough of his earnings to apprentice under the city’s local alchemist, enchanted by the possibilities that there were more formulas to life than those of the arcane, and he split his time between his studies and the work his mother and sister had for him. Though he had become practiced in the art of dealing with people, it was here that he truly thrived, as bold here as he had been with his peers back at the heart of the tribe. V’aspar was never afraid to push the limits, to try and discover more, and dabbled extensively in techniques that borderlined on the forbidden. Everything and anything could be attempted by those brave and cunning enough to do so.Though he had a quick mind and a silver tongue, V’aspar ultimately earned his nunh title at the age of twenty-eight the traditional way (read: by force), establishing his own territory and expanding V lands in the process. With his family’s trading partners, specialization in alchemy, and aptitude with the arcane, it was no surprise to his tribemates that for the next three years, his territory flourished under his precise and exacting hand.

* Accident and Recovery*

To this day, it still remains unclear whether the accident was an accident or of a more malicious nature. Regardless, the outcome was still the same: at the age of thirty-two, V’aspar lost the entirety of his alchemical lab in an explosion and was trapped beneath the resulting rubble for hours before he could be retrieved. Though he survived the ordeal, it was not without repercussions. In the days that followed, the healers were only able to save one of his crushed legs, forced to amputate the other before it caused him further harm. Once he was stable enough, he was moved to Ul’dah in order to better facilitate his recovery.V’aspar remembered little about his early recovery period, kept only semi-lucid while healers coaxed his body back to some semblance of health. When he was allowed (and able) to stay awake for longer periods he devoted himself to his reading, quizzing his sister and his mother on the status of their shared business ventures whenever they had time to visit him. He spent nearly a whole year in the infirmary, mentally and physically preparing himself for his inevitable return to the tribe, but for the first time in his life, the odds were not in his favour.When he spoke of going home, his mother became cagey, instead insisting that he devote his energy to getting better and reading what he could. His sister also avoided the topic entirely, wanting instead to know his opinions of the new products she and her huntresses had managed to procure. In the end, V’acasta was the first to break, finally confessing that the V tribe’s nunh had given V’aspar’s territory and harem to another, declaring him unfit to hold the title by default. To say that V’aspar was devastated would be an enormous understatement.In the weeks that followed his revelation, V’aspar tried every method available to him to petition his nunh, but his efforts were ultimately in vain. Bitter and resigned, he reluctantly accepted a position as an alchemist with one of his mother’s clients, withdrawing from his tribe and the rest of his family.

A Chance Meeting and a New Employment Opportunity

Working as an alchemist’s assistant was good money, but ultimately lacking in entertainment, and though V’aspar went to work, the job did little more than pay his bills and give him time to stew. Miserable and unpleasant to be around, he spent his days holed up at his workstation until it was too dark to see by candlelight, conversing with no one but his mother and his sister when they had time to visit him.Despite his attitude, however, the quality of the magical inks he produced attracted one repeat customer in particular, a Viera who called themself Krait. Krait was doggedly persistent when it came to getting V’aspar’s attention, making a point to visit him whenever they were in town and loitering in V’aspar’s workshop until they were removed. In the beginning, V’aspar would not have called it a friendship even if threatened with bodily harm, but Krait grew on him (like a mold or a fungus, he might have said), and in time he came to greatly appreciate the Viera’s presence.It was during one of those visits that Krait brought to him their first “problem case”: a cursed ring that they’d managed to secure from its burial place but were unable to lift. Grateful for all that Krait had done to improve his life – willingly or not – V’aspar drew out the necessary sigils for them to successfully break, or at least dampen, the effects of the curse. It was here that his arcane training became even more useful, and after his first set of sigils proved to be effective, Krait was all too happy to use his services for any snag they happened upon down the road. V’aspar – though he audibly complained – secretly relished the challenge of trying to figure out what magic he would need to assist his friend.After he had provided his assistance in a particularly difficult case, the broker offered him a collection of waterlogged tomes instead of payment, indicating that they were of no use to them but that V’aspar ought to find something incredibly valuable in them if he could make heads or tails of the contents. Suitably intrigued, V’aspar poured his free time into restoring the texts, an idea beginning to form the more he toiled. From these tomes, and a substantial amount of trial and error, V’aspar was able to craft for himself a prosthetic leg made from the heart of an earth elemental, binding it to his will with an aetherchain. Though it did not make up for many things in his life, it gave V’aspar a new sense of purpose and a fresh outlook on his prospects for the future.He sought out Krait, both incredibly grateful for their assistance as well as intrigued by their apparent line of work that would grant them access to such things. Luckily, V’aspar did not have to search for long, as the broker had been watching over his progress with the tomes, and was waiting with an invitation to join the Viera's organization. The organization in question turned out to be MAGPIE, a group toeing the line between the legal and the profane, satisfying the endless desires of individuals across the world who had the gil to pay for it. V’aspar all but leapt at the chance to do something different, and joined the ranks as a broker.

V 'aquila

“Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.”

Asp's mother, and one of, if not the biggest influence in his life growing up. Though a mere huntress by birth, Aquila was never content with simply accepting her lot in life, and always fought for more. She trained all of her children in the art of business, and funded several of her children's apprenticeships in the trades or more magical arts. During his childhood, Asp and his mother were very close; however, After his accident and subsequent dismissal from his position, the two very quickly grew apart. He has not seen her in many years.

mother - estranged

V 'acasta

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to see if I could learn what it had to teach, and if not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived at all."

The closest of Asp's siblings in age, and one of the few that he got along with. Sharp-tongued and a free spirit, Acasta was the perfect foil to Asp in the realm of business, and the two worked well together under their mother's strict tutelage. After his accident, Acasta set him up with his initial alchemist's position, wanting him to find some measure of peace despite his unwillingness to return home. Despite this, however, his temper was enough to drive a wedge between them, and after several fights, she no longer visits him at his office. They have not spoken since.

sister - estranged

V 'engal

"He who allows his day to pass by without practicing generosity and enjoying life's pleasures is like a blacksmith's bellows: he breathes but does not live."

One of the six core members of Asp's ex-harem. A long-time lover of the earth and all things that came from it, Engal and Asp initially bonded over their mutual appreciation of gemstones (albeit for different purposes), but only grew closer when they discovered their similar work ethic and sense of humour. Though her lack of interest in the hunt made her something of an outcast within the main clan, her skills were a welcome addition to Asp's harem, and she willingly joined him when the offer was extended. Engal had two children with Asp before his accident, and they have not been in contact since.

ex-harem member - estranged

V 'naros

*“If you see me in a fight with a bear, pray for the bear.” *

One of the six core members of Asp's ex-harem. A large and physically aggressive Seeker, Naros struggled to find a place amongst his fellow tia, always on his guard and not one to take anything lying down. His reputation for violence preceded him, marking him as a "troublesome older tia", but Asp's even-handedness (and prowess in combat) slowly wore Naros down. Once he warmed up to his new nunh, Asp could not have asked for a more stalwart ally or a more faithful friend. Though Naros was the one to eventually free Asp from the rubble, they have not spoken since the accident.

ex-harem member - estranged

V 'zhifa

“Sometimes the moon is light and sometimes it's in shadow, but you should always remember it's the same moon.”

One of the six core members of Asp's ex-harem. Were it not for her unusual garb, Zhifa could very easily fade into the background, an intensely private and softly-spoken individual. Her words are preciously guarded commodities, but all learned quickly to listen whenever she chose to give them voice. Around her family, she is comfortable enough to reveal her passion for all things magic, as well as her own sly, knowing brand of humour. Despite her quiet nature, she always seems to get what she wants, sometimes without even outright asking for it. Much like with Engal, the three children that Asp had with Zhifa have not seen him since the accident.

ex-harem member - estranged

V 'Inaesh

"You are mistaking value for worth, I think."

One of the six core members of Asp's ex-harem. The first of two core members who grew up alongside Asp and later happily left the main clan to join his offshoot. Inaesh was always a miqo'te who marched to the beat of her own drum, yet despite her social faux pas she was always a good-natured individual with a bright mind and a keen eye for detail. In Asp, she found someone who didn't take offense to her blunt manner of speaking, and someone who let her do tasks as she pleased (so long as she got them done). Inaesh and Asp have one daughter, born after his accident.

ex-harem member - estranged

V 'odran

“Ninety percent of true love is acute, ear-burning embarrassment.”

One of the six core members of Asp's ex-harem. Odran (better known as "Odie") was the second of the core members who grew up alongside Asp and ultimately joined his harem when he was given permission to start his own. His decision to leave the main clan came as a surprise to no one; Odie had been Asp's little shadow from when the two were children, a shy and easily startled young boy. While he may not have a head for business or the nerve for hunting, he seems to have a knack for keeping the peace, and was always the voice of reason and compassion in the harem.

ex-harem member - estranged

V 'taghir

"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men."

One of the six core members of Asp's ex-harem. Aloof and unmoveable, Taghir's request to join Asp's harem came as something of a surprise, given their unfamiliarity, but the tia made himself quite comfortable in amongst the other misfits that the nunh seemed to have collected. Though difficult to read, he is a miqo'te who knows his own mind and is not afraid to demand what he desires, a trait that doesn't exactly keep him out of trouble. Taghir is responsible for teaching Asp how to tattoo, as well as providing his body as a free canvas for him to practice on. He is the only member of Asp's ex-harem to wear a traditional collar, despite the looks he receives for doing so.

ex-harem member - estranged

KRAIT

"Engage people with what they expect; it settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate."

Asp's introduction to MAGPIE and his mentor while he was still getting his feet wet. His relationship with Krait is... complicated, to say the least, but he has an immense amount of respect for the viera's abilities, both in the social setting and when it comes to dealing with dangerous items. He doesn't see much of them these days, given that Krait has given up their old "territory" in favour of sniffing out new recruits, but the pair stays in contact to continue their business relationship. An ally, in the loosest sense of the word, but one that comes with a heavy price tag should Asp ever need to call upon them.

colleague - ally

CASCABEL

“Everybody you fight is not your enemy and everybody who helps you is not your friend.”

Cascabel's more heavy-handed approach with both clients and request objects is well-known amongst the snake-named agents, and it has certainly earned her a very particular sort of reputation amongst clientelle. Nonetheless, even Asp would not deny her exceptional physical prowess, nor her command of magical arts beyond his scope. Though they seldom meet in person, Cascabel is one of the few MAGPIE agents who does not appear to have an agenda, and Asp respects her veracity, blunt though it may be. He would trust her to have his back in all work-related matters, but little else.

colleague - ally

TAIPAN

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same gods who have endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect have intended us to forgo their use."

Hailing from the Far East, Taipan covers the entirety of the MAGPIE networks operating out of Kugane proper, and has been enmeshed in the underworld there for more than two decades. A familiar face at any social gathering, and with his fingers in seemingly every pie, not much goes on in the Far East that escapes the Raen's notice. Their closeness in age is one of the only reason Taipan seems to even deign to give Asp the time of day, and though initially rocky, their relationship improved significantly once Asp proved he was not going to be a deadweight in the organization.

colleague - ally

KIKU UMEHARA

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.”

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partner - trusted

AGATBRYDA RIVERWYN

"We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be."

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ally - dependable

E'LITHAS TAMSIN

“There is no other way of guarding oneself from flatterers except letting men understand that to tell you the truth does not offend you.”

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companion - trusted

TASYA GRUSHASCH

“A prince who wants to keep his authority must learn how not to be good, and use that knowledge, or refrain from using it, as necessity requires.”

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business partner - intrigued

AZAR JAZAERI

“A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”

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ally - dependable

CHABBI TUSADAY

"One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best."

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business partner - intrigued

This Ain't a Scene [common]: Due to the nature of those MAGPIE does business with, Asp and other agents like him are frequent "guests" at everything from high society social functions to shadowy cult meetings in unlit basements. Asp personally has had to do his fair share of schmoozing to keep the clientele happy, and cuts a memorable enough figure with his cane and his limp to be a familiar face to those who move in the same circles.

A Friend of a Friend [common]: Individuals involved with information networks and questionable dealings have likely crossed paths with Asp or with other MAGPIE agents. Asp in particular is always unfailingly polite and handsomely pays any individual who produces reliable information regarding the whereabouts of items of interest. He has a personal interest in special stones and alchemical ingredients, and lovers of such items will find that his door is always open.

Broker of Antiquities [uncommon]: If you've something unusual, antique, dangerous and/or illegal to sell, chances are MAGPIE has a buyer for it. In his quest to satisfy the sometimes ridiculous and ill-advised desires of MAGPIE's clients, Asp has made a variety of acquaintances and business partners. From sellswords to gleaners, if you're willing to sell your skills, he is willing to buy them, if it means getting the item he so desires.

Specialist in Arcane Ink [uncommon]: In order to make a little gil on the side when brokering isn't quite paying the bills, Asp creates and sells enchanted inks in their raw form and used in a variety of arcane sigils. For the right price, he has even tattooed these sigils into living flesh, like those he has on his hands. Magical tattoos come with a hefty price tag, though, and all the associated risks.

Healer-Mandated Downtime [rare]: Individuals who specialize in healing may have met him during his post-accident recovery period and the rebuilding of his leg if they were working in Ul'dah during that time period. Ask about this one first, as it would require more extensive pre-planning than the others.

WILL ROLEPLAY
mature and dark themes, lore-bending within reason, use of dice rolls for RP combat or otherwise, graphic violence, murder of NPCs, miscellaneous criminal underworld activities

WILL NOT ROLEPLAY
noncon or sexual assault, godmoding, permadeth, permanent disgurement without it being previously discussed, extended scenes with lore-breaking characters