JOSEPHINE GALLIER
Caged Bird
Like any other low-born Ishgardian orphan, Josephine did not have an easy life. She was taken from a poor house at a young age and indebted to a wealthy lord before she was even out of adolescence. Icy resentment settled in her heart, and even her most cherished things, like music and dance, no longer brought joy. Seasons passed, and the war ended. Josephine had been a loyal retainer for her lord the entire time. Recently, however, something inside her snapped, and her secret life began.
Overview
Basics
Name: Josephine Gallier
Age: Late 20s
Nameday: 11th Sun of the 2nd Umbral Moon (4/10)
Race: Elezen, Wildwood
Height: 5 fulms, 11 ilms
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Marital Status: Single
Birthplace: The Brume, Ishgard
Current Residence: Goblet, Ul'dah
Occupation: Vigilante
Guardian: Halone, the Fury
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Appearance
Josephine was a gangling and awkward girl when she was young. She was adventurous, free-spirited and tomboyish, despite her harsh upbringing. Now a grown woman, some of that remains in her more boyish figure and flat-chest. She is on the short side for an Elezen woman. Her hair is naturally ginger, but recent events have led her to dye it a deep blue. Her cheeks, shoulders and arms are covered in a thick dusting of freckles. Melancholy and bitter olive eyes highlight the change in her outlook since she was a child. Her fingers are long and delicate; the hands of a pianist.
Personality
As cold and unforgiving as the Brume, Josephine was quick to withdraw into herself after cycles of her dreams being torn from her. She was once a bright and optimistic girl, with dreams of seeing the world, adventure and of music. But now there is nothing but a forced, proper attitude fitting of someone in the servitude of a lord. While normally able to keep herself trained back, Josephine has a quick temper that sometimes slips out despite her best efforts. She is no-nonsense and perhaps a bit too high-strung.
Josephine’s true passion lies with music, most specifically the piano. Even as a child she’d listen in from the window ledges of Ishgardian parties, and thanks to an exceptional gift of memory and prowess for the art, could recall the notes. She was educated by the house that took her in their service, and has good business sense as well. Josephine excels at numbers, critical thinking, and even has a knack for mechanics.
Hooks
Below is a list of hooks that might help us facilitate an IC reason for meeting. These are just suggestions, and most common ways to get involved with this character. Have another idea or way to hook in some roleplay? Feel free to let me know.
Ishgardian: Josephine grew up in the Brume. She worked for a minor noble house as a personal retainer, so it is possible she has brushed shoulders with all types. Business owner or merchant that has ties in Ishgard? Nobles that she may have waited on before?
Musician: It is possible those in Ishgard might have heard her struggling to make a name for herself as a pianist in the past. Before the political chaos of late in Ishgard, it was impossible for a low-born to do much of anything. She’s since given up the dream, however, but she still can appreciate a fellow musician or music in general.
Ul'dahn Resident: Josephine was working in Ul'dah on business in the name of her lord. More recently, she has abandoned such ties, but still keeps a small, run-down apartment in the Goblet. It is possible merchants in the city once had dealings with her, or citizens could see her out and about in the markets.
Vigilante: Josephine, tired of the corruption coin and class bring, has donned a mask and a secret identity. Some may have heard the recent tale of a woman known only as The Swallow, who takes from the rich to ease the sufferings of the poor. She has done well to keep her identity hidden, however, and does not openly talk of what she does. A fellow thief? Or perhaps a member of law enforcement?
Relationships
Note-worthy NPCs
Gaspard de Marchand: The lord who took Josephine off the streets as a ward of his home. While he did have her educated and she was decently cared for until she was of age, Josephine was also worked hard and lacked freedom. Deep down, part of her despises the man, as even with the new political change in Ishgard, he never loosened his hold on her. Since fleeing his service, it is likely Gaspard sees her as a criminal.
Emry(?): A young boy from her past that has become nothing more than a distant memory. Josephine does remember him fondly, when she thinks back to him, however. He brought out the side of her she misses now. But part of her also cannot forgive him for leaving and never contacting her again. She still keeps a silver brooch of a bird that he gave her when they were children. It is her most valued possession.
Player Characters
Emerlain Moreau: A man she met by chance in a crowded Ul'dahn bar while she was on business. The man claimed to be an artist and had asked to sketch her portrait, to which she reluctantly agreed. Emerlain found her again wandering the streets and led her to the merchant she was meant to meet with. Josephine finds his lackadaisical attitude a bit grating, but there's also something strangely familiar about him she's yet to put a finger on. He also seems to have a secret much like her own.
OOC Information
Hey, I'm Hithren, and I've been doing this RP thing for about fifteen years, about four of them being in FFXIV. Below is some stuff you might want to know about me before engaging to make it easier on the both of us.
Disclaimer
As a general disclaimer: I suffer from major anxiety. If I do not answer or engage with you right away, please do not be offended. Sometimes I freeze up, or get discouraged.
I do not engage in ERP unless it is with close friends who I have gotten to know OOCly, and my characters have formed bonds with ICly. If you're looking for someone to satisfy such things, I'm likely not the roleplay partner for you. Don't get me wrong, I love ships and romance, but I do prefer organic development above all else.
I am not a multi-verse/AU roleplayer.
I prefer my roleplay to be lore-compliant ( within reason, we all bend a bit here and there), story/plot-driven, and mature-themed.
Accessibility
I am located in the PDT/PST timezone. At the moment I have a fluctuating schedule, so I prefer setting things up in advance rather than walk-ups. My main cast of characters are located on the Balmung server, and I do have some alts on Mateus and Goblin. I am more than happy to accommodate others via the World Visit system, however.
I predominantly roleplay in-game, and prefer this method over all others. I am open to Discord RP if that is the only way we can work something out, but I will warn in advance, I do tend to be slow to reply.
Tumblr
I am quite active on tumblr, and keep a few roleplay and FFXIV related blogs. If you want to get in contact with me, messaging me there is a good place to start.
@hithren: My main blog for OOC posts, character art, asks, and general FFXIV shenanigans.
@a-memory-of: IC blog for all characters, and roleplay logs. (Currently on hiatus.)
I am also fairly active on Discord, but I don't like people adding me out of the blue. If you've found me via tumblr, or in game, introduce yourself! And then I'll be more than happy to share my Discord handle.
Other Characters
You can find my complete roster of characters on my character selection carrd.