FFXIV Roleplay Character Crystal - BalmungThis carrd/character may deal with NSFW/triggering themes. This is your only warning.Carrd Last Updated May 1st '24 - Happy Nameday, Harper Delacroix!

Heart

Heart

Biography.

Well, I'm perfection when it comes to first impressions
Well, I romanticize, and then I get to stressing

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.

name. Harper Josephine delacroix.
age. 27.
race. Half-midlander hyur/Half-wildwood elezen.
birthday. 1st Sun of the 3th Astral Moon (May 1st).
gender. Female.
pronouns. She/her.
sexuality. Flexible.
languages spoken. Common/Eorzean; old ishgardian; some thavnarian.

"Is there anybody going to listen to my story
All about the girl who came to stay?
She's the kind of girl
You want so much, it makes you sorry
Still you don't regret a single day"

height. 5'8".
hair color. A rich dark brunette with occasional red highlights.
eye color. crimson.
skin tone. Tanned and freckled.
notable features. A patchwork of numerous tattoos adorn her body, many symbolizing meaningful aspects of her life experience, worldview, and personality. A number of solid gold piercings; ears, nipples and navel.

miscellaneous details. Harper is never unarmed, though it might seem as such. She's known to either carry a gold-plated revolver or a straight razor she's named Bitchcutter. She almost always has her trademark sunglasses and a heart-shaped locket made of solid gold.

job occupation. Accountant-for-hire (for those who can afford her); Employee @ Shady's; member of the Undercity.
place of origin. Labyrinthos, Old Sharlayan.
home. The Goblet, Costa del Sol
affiliation. The Undercity, The Scholarly House Delacroix
marital status. Available.

d&d alignment. Neutral evil.
likes. Money, reading, strange magic, physical fitness, her sisters and their families; brandy, upper drugs, moko smoke, designer clothing, gold jewelry, roses of any color (but especially red), song and dance; clubbing; attractive people.
dislikes. moralists, the cold, most lalafells, disrespect to her or her friends and family, ~~most criticism~~, silence.

personality. Harper is greedy, narcissistic, drug-addled, and fueled by her own hedonism. Some may call her quiet or seemingly detached, but she prefers to observe as she forms her opinions, picking her spots to offer her insights. She seems fast to be friendly, but slow to really trust anyone fully. There is often as sense that she is guarded, behind her confident demeanor. She uses her wits and education to get ahead in life. She often employs her rhetorical skills to solve problems but isn't above getting physical when the need or desire arises.Many believe she is a nice person, this is a misconception. The fact is that she has mastered the art of reading most people and gives them a version of herself that she thinks will get her what she's after. This isn't always the case, as she can be quite sincere to the few people she actually cares about. The trick is that she makes most folks feel like she cares about them, so it's hard to tell the difference.

Stats	Rating
Health	★★★★★★★★☆☆
Strength	★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Tenacity	★★★★★★★★☆☆
Stamina	★★★★★★★★☆☆
Intelligence	★★★★★★★★☆☆
Dexterity	★★★★★★★★★★
Perception	★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Creativity	★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Charisma	★★★★★★★★★☆
Social Skills	★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Empathy	★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆
Confidence	★★★★★★★☆☆☆

headcanon one. Harper has developed a reputation as a reliable earner for Shadecross Inc. From money laundering to drug sales, she has made and saved the organization a lot of coin in her brief time working for her brother-in-law Nikklaus Shadecross.
headcanon two. While Harper no longer lives primarily at Shady's, she is there every day to take care of the people who do. Providing them with the support they require, both emotionally and materially, as well as making sure they're all paid for the work they do.
headcanon three. To say that Harper lives her life on her own terms would be an understatement. What others would call vices and addictions; she would call a good time. And to Harper, nothing matters more than having fun when she can find it. Nothing's off the table, and she never seems to get her fill. Sex, drugs, booze, gambling, and spending the coin she earns however the fuck she wants.
headcanon four. One of Harper's most unexpected and valued relationships is the one she is developing with her sister Pamina. What started for Harper as a respectfully distant appreciation has turned into warm gratitude for the Spellslinger. From sage advice, financial assistance, and imparting magical instruction, Pamina has made herself available for Harper in ways that many might not suspect.

Origin.

Born to one of the more noteable and influential families in Old Sharlayan, Harper was the only child of a union between a renown elezen botantist and a roguish hyur gleaner. During her early life, she spent most of her time down in Labyrinthos and remained mostly oblivious to the goings on of Sharlayan life above. Her father would periodically return and regale young Harper with tales of his many far-flung journeys in the service of the Forum. When he was away, her mother saw to her education and development. All seemed well, almost idyllic.
That was, until her father stopped returning. Everything seemed to change. Her mother grew detached and uninterested in her daughter, eventually sending the young half-blood to the surface to live with Harper's maternal grandparents and her extended family, the Scholarly House Delacroix. Life became difficult for Harper, despite being exposed to the status and wealth of her mother's family, she really wasn't allowed to benefit from either. The family matriarch, Josephine Delacroix looked at her granddaughter and only saw the Thavnairian Gleaner who had ruined her daughter's reputation. Harper bore the brunt of what Josephine called the family shame.
Turn after turn passed, the cruelty unabated. Even when it became clear that the girl had an affinity for mathematics and an innate skill in the family tradition of casting magicks. It only got worse the day Harper killed her grandfather while in the midst of training in the healing arts. Life became an unbearable torment, and Old Sharlayan became a cage Harper could not escape. Her mother was no help, now completely focused on her work and not at all with the treatment of her child.
Finally, Harper had had enough. A friendly voice in her ear had told her about the wider world, and Harper wanted to see for herself. With his guidance, she'd planned for the time she might be able to bribe the gleaners for passage on an out-bound ship to anywhere else on the star. For nearly a decade she had been forced to use her skills and training in accounting to embezzle coin from the forum for the benefit of her family. What they couldn't have known was that she had begun skimming a gil here and there, and finally had enough to escape. She boarded a ship, it's destination La Noscea. It was the end of one life and the start of another. One she couldn't have imagined.

Heart

Present.

Once Harper arrived in La Noscea, she didn't stay there very long. Far too close to the arcanist guild, where member of her mother's family occasional came to lecture. She needed to find a place they wouldn't spot her. So she traveled across to Thanalan, quickly finding herself on the streets of Ul'dah. And as if by fate, into a life of crime that had her in direct contact with a side of her family she had no idea existed. The girl had lost everything she knew to find everything she ever wanted.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves, dear reader. We're not quite ready for the big reveal just yet. It started on Pearl Lane, in the heart of Ul'dah. A seedy place, a dangerous place, its king a man named Nikklaus Shadecross. He spotted Harper, as he had with many others, and invited her to his establishment. A fightclub by the name of Shady's. At first, Harper was like many who were curious about the criminal undercity, thrilled by the things she saw, the people she met. But unlike most, she drew the genuine interest of the man himself. Over time, Harper and Nikk became friends, with Mister Shadecorss becoming a mentor of a sort. He wouldn't be the last Shadecross that Harper found mentorship under.
Nikklaus gave sage advice to Harper as the half-breed ventured into the business world in her own right. She had found success as an personal accountant for the affluent in Ul'dah's Goblet district. Made connections, and planned to open her own club, Hedonique. A place where the morality of the outside world was to be left at the door, so that guests could experience the sort of hedonism that few rarely get to taste. Harper bet everything on the venture, and when it failed, it nearly broke her spirit and left her broke. It was at that time that she had been contacted about the death of the family matriarch, Josephine. She was compelled to return home for the funeral. She felt like everything she had tried to do to escape Sharlayan had been a failure.
Fear not friend, the story is far from over. For when she returned to Ul'dah, once again her friend Nikklaus spotted her on Pearl Lane. And this time, he had a job offer for her. To be the bookkeeper for his club, something she was overqualified for, but it was a start to her redemption. The path wasn't an easy one. There were obstacles most cunty in her way, but Harper endured. Eventually, her role was expanded to help her friend launder his vast criminal fortune, and again when he tapped her to be his right-hand and part of his inner council.
During this period, Harper had started to become close to the woman she would eventually discover was her half-sister, Nikklaus' remarkable wife, Pamina. Missus Shadecross took her older sister under her wing, training Harper in ways the Delacroix scholars never could have. And in the process, became a powerful caster in her own right.
When the revelation came, that the two were related by way of their traveling father, it almost seemed to make perfect sense to Harper. Pamina wasn't the only surprise her father had left her, as Harper soon found herself getting letters from another half-sister who hailed from the east, Iriseli. Through their correspondence, the two found they had much in common. Their bonds growing quicker than they had with her mentor Pamina. But just as strong in their own ways.
And while she no longer hold the position of Nikklaus' second, she's still a valuable asset to his Undercity, and a source of counsel when she feels it's needed. Her story has really just begun, and she is in a much better place now than when she first arrived, despite the setbacks.

Abilities.

Levin Magic There's nothing quite like the feeling of electricity coursing through you. The smell of burning ozone, the flash of light so bright it could blind and so hot it could cauterize the flesh around its destination even as it blasts holes through it. To harness this power, to unleash it, is a gift Harper possesses real skill in.
Elemental Magic Harper also has the ability to harness other elemental forces, thanks to her training. Though some come much easier than others.
Barrier Magic Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. Harper's ability to cast powerful barriers was honed under the instruction of her sister Pamina, a real trial by fire that put the pupil to the test. She passed. Having boundless aether comes in handy in a pinch.

Pysical Combat.

Revolvers While Harper rarely needs to employ them, she happens to be a crack shot with near-impeccable aim and a steady trigger finger. Her two gold plated pieces, Ebony and Ivory, are almost always nearby.
Bitchcutter Sometimes you're just too close to pull a piece or cast a spell safely. That's when Harper's straight razor comes in handy. It's diamond-sharp and easy to whip out when an attitude adjustment is called for.
Hand-to-hand Working at a fightclub comes with certain expectations. The ability to knock folks around as needed is one of these. Harper practices her technique as part of her fitness regimen. Care to test her?

Strengths & Weaknesses.

STRENGTHS	WEAKNESSES
Intelligent	Greedy
Quick-witted	Selfish
Deliberative	Impulsive
Passionate	Insecure
Pragmatic	Hedonic
Well-Mannered (situational)	Needy
Fun!	Catty
Loyal	Petty

Skiills.

Mathematics There's something about math that clicks in Harper's mind. She has always had a knack for numbers and how to manipulate them to her advantage with skill.
Diplomacy Whether it be as peacemaker or dealmaker, Harper has a skill with rhetoric that has come in handy in her career and in her life in general. Thoughtful in her arguments, she has the ability to use logic and reason to her advantage. Paying attention has its benefits.
Sex She'd rarely brag about it, but as they say, practice makes perfect. That doesn't mean she'll lay down for just anyone. She has standards and she tends to stick to them, more often than not. Mistakes have been made... Hush!
Dancing Trained under one of the best instructors in the realm, and blessed with natural rhythm and dexterity, Harper's ability to dance is known well among her friends and those who have seen her at the club.

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Heart

hooks.

Nothing is new, I've seen her here before
Ooh, she's sitting with you but her eyes are on the door

Strangers in a Strange Land The rumors is that Harper is the woman to see, if you're looking to relocate to or from Eorzea and need official looking documents that pass the sniff test. Some say she can help people start new lives, regardless of their past, or even their nature. Criminals, escaped slaves, voidsent, nightkin, mutants, and other such undesirables might find a pathway to a new start, but it may come at a high cost.
The Girl's Good With Numbers Harper studied at Sharlayan's vaunted Studium, with her focus on Forensic Accounting. The detail-oriented woman is always open to offers to look over the books of other businesses and give her financial advice. Some suspect she maybe be someone who is skilled at laundering the gil, though no real proof of that exists.
Questionable Morals Harper doesn't allow conventional moral norms guide her in any way, instead plotting her life by her own personal code. 'Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law' seems to be the rule of the day for this vice-heavy girl. Whether it be sex, drugs, or crime, little seems to be off the table.

Try Me.

Oh daddy dear, you know you're still number one
But girls, they wanna have fun...

Blinded By The Light For those who are either sensitive to aether, or have full-on Aethersight, Harper seems to hold an abundance of the life essence. So much that it seems to radiate from her as if she were cup that runneth over. Those who are in need of aether may find themselves drawn to her, and soothed by her, regardless of whether they know or understand why or not. Those looking for explanations may go away disappointed in the lack of answers, as she rarely ever speaks of it with those unknown to her.
It Should Be A Crime! Harper's associations and work for her brother-in-law have led many to suspect that the Sharlayan is not only a criminal, but part of a larger organized crime family. Between dealing drugs, cleaning illicit coin, forging necessary documents, and her connection to Nikklaus Shadecross, the evidence seems to point in that direction. Harper doesn't often talk about her less than legal work, and if she does it's vague at best. Only close friends and co-workers tend to know the truth of her dealings.
Your Own Ideas Go for it!

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Heart

Relationships.

Slow down you crazy child, you're so ambitious for a juvenile
But if you're so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?

You got your demons, you got desires
Well, I got a few of my own...

Nikklaus Shadecross
The Ringmaster

More than just her employer, more than just her mentor, Harper looks at this wonderfully imperfect man as an older brother of a sort, a protector, and a dear friend. There is little she wouldn't do to earn and hold his respect.

Brother-in-law/Employer

Xyphris Shadecross
The Shadow

Harper's counterpart in crime, Xyphris was tasked to do the things Harper couldn't. To get his hands dirty so Harper could keep her conscience clean. At this, he excels. He's a friend, a moko buddy, and the shadow standing watch to keep her safe.

In-law/Friend/co-worker

Eris Shadecross
the chameleon

one could ask if anyone really knows the real Eris Shadecross. The Eris Harper met and got to know was bright, bubbly, inquisitive, and fun. At a time in Harper's life where she simply needed fun, there was an Eris for the occasion.

In-law/Friend/Co-worker

Pamina Shadecross
The Spellslinger

Harper and Pamina are sisters by way of their father Aslan. Harper has had no greater benefactor, sharing her wealth and her knowledge with her fellow half-elezen. A coworker, a mentor, and a friend, Harper finds Pamina remarkable.

sister/co-worker

Iriseli Mieret-moor
The Spider Lily

Harper and Iriseli are sisters by way of their father Aslan. Among her siblings, Iri seems to share Harper's sense of fun the most. It is far from the only thing the two have in common, which has led to them becoming very close.

sister

Aiden Ras'vanae
The Troublemaker

Before Harper made her trek to the south, she felt trapped on the island of her birth. Things felt hopeless, until she met a man who told her of the larger world and the potential she could realize if she'd only take the first steps and seize it. His name was Aiden, and his motives were his own. But Harper considers few people closer.

Close Friend/Mentor

Terran Rieneport
The farmboy

Everyone else would suggest to Harper that this farmboy was just an average normal sort of guy. But Harper has never looked at Terran that way. For the kindness he has shown her, she will love the man for as long as she lives. Even if life pulled them in different directions.

Close friend

tristan solianteaux
the captain

they met when both of their lives were at a crossroads. on paper, the two could hardly be more different. and yet, harper quickly recognized his pain and his pleasure, having seen its like in her own life experiences.

Friend/Co-worker

lenore atoel
the witch of the wood

Of all of Harper's friends, Lenore might be the one she relates to the most. Harper also sees Lenore as an example to aspire to. The viera's 'take no shit' attitude is something that Harper respects and enjoys greatly.

Friend/Co-worker

Marie Delacroix
Mother

Harper's mother, a woman who lost her will to parent when she was left to do it on her own. Her career came first, always.

Aslan Calidon
Father

Harper's father, and the bright spot of her early years. A man who could do no wrong in Harper's eyes, even if he walked away from her.

Arken Rennatta
The Problem Solver

Arken was a friend Harper made through Terran, but he's become a part of Harper's life in his own right. Harper sees the Highlander as a man who can be relied upon and occasionally confided in. Steady and logical, but still good for a laugh.

Friend/Co-worker

seda dhen
The entertainer

she found a kindred spirit the night they met. he knows the value of hard work and the importance of playing just as hard. living his life boldly and on his own terms has been an example harper has taken to heart and tried to follow.

Friend/Business Partner

acalan pech
Brother

Harper's brother by way of their father Aslan. Not much is known about Acalan.

Zhafira Pech
Sister

Harper's Sister by way of their father Aslan. Not much is known about Zhafira.

Every time they were sure they had you caught
You were quicker than they thought...

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Heart

Guidelines.

I've learned how not to miss the age of tenderness
That I am so lucky to have seen once

OOC I am Cerulean. 40+ She/Her. I'm a mature happily committed woman (not looking for RL love, so don't bother,) who has been role playing for a long time, and online in MMO's for about twelve years or so, about four of them in this game. I'm on west coast time, in the states, but I work from home, and it allows me to be available for RP a lot. It's my favorite hobby, by far, and so it's what I do the most. Mostly in the evening, often all night long.
I'm looking for more long-term RP, as opposed to one-offs, but I will do both. I'm looking for dark and mature themes that help develop Harper as a character. Despite Harper's very sex-positive attitudes and bouts of impulsiveness, this is not an ERP-centric character, and I am picky about the characters I have her engage with sexually. That being said, I'm not against the notion, it just has to feel right for Harper.
I'd like to thank you for reading Harper's carrd. I primarily roleplay on either Balmung or Mateus but are willing to world visit for RP on other servers. I'm a mature adult woman, and prefer that the players I engage with also be adults, 21+ please.
Finally, I'm a HUGE believer in the IC/OOC boundary, and insist on maintaining that separation, both while IC and OOC. Please limit your bleed to the very minimum. Also, if you're a bigot OOCly, whether it be focused on race, nationality, sexuality, gender, disability or anything else, I'm not going to suffer you long, so save us both the trouble and either don't engage with me, or hide it so good I never even catch a whiff.