Yes, most of my writing will likely always revolve around some sort of angst & sorrow. No, I don't think Zhyk will ever get "better." Not in RP, not in a WoLverse. I do think he can find some sense of equilibrium in personal writing at least, though.

—"I'm glad I met you." 190 words. Attempted six sentence. Grief/mourning. There's a grave in Coerthas marked only by cairn and rusted blade... and the footprints of a man who still so fiercely loves that which he cannot have. ellipsus.com/read/77d6ZsT... • #stygwrites • #zhyklore • #starcrossed •

It's the end of the month, but I'm stealing prompts from a February prompt list to chip away at some writing (that I said I was gonna do at the start of the month oops) 😤 SO HERE WE GO

Money, to start, but "Home" is a strong word and Zhyk hasn't felt a connection to it in a long time. He has a small, dingy apartment in Ul'dah (recently rented), except he sees it more as a storage space or an inn room with extra amenities & constant availability.

Think I need to find some simple prompt lists & attempt to gather the spoons to write. It's frustrating being unable to produce anything creative lately & that it feels like any spark comes from collaborative efforts, but not having access to them.

Slightly improved mood but could be because the weekend is coming... Wish I could go back a decade and kind of find more joy in writing only for myself again.

I feel I'm more skilled in writing, but every now and then my screenshots are pretty good! A lot of my posts are about my miqo'te, Zhyk, but I also like to talk about my Au Ra, Vachir.

Stressful raid night yesterday on top of general Issues irl makes me dread raid tonight. 🫠

Still thinking about Zhyk picking up Temur's greatsword or at least maybe a replica of it... or perhaps a sword forged new with designs from it 💭 I personally really like the look of the tropaios guillotine, so I'd love to have that as the one Zhyk uses for his greatsword 🥰

And if he is to carry the burden of memory, how better to serve it than with blade beloved? • #gpose • #gposers • #glamour •

I think it'd be more a tragedy & not so much a plan. Psychotic break into voidsent controlled protagonist, written from a viewpoint where people wouldn't realize until the big bad shows up that "holy shit it's the WoL" (Would work better as a type of sequel thing set in the future tbh.)⤵️

Zhyk is specifically from the South Shroud as a whole! His clan would settle for a time before moving as needed, whether that be because of Wailers, danger from the elementals, or changes in flora & fauna. They mostly dwelled in the tree boughs, which is why Zhyk often climbs and perches places!

When I first made Zhyk, it was kind of against rp standards to have a character with a voidsent. Let's just say Reaper was such a justification (even though I still run my lore a little differently).

If you're using AI to write essays, eulogies, a text to your wife, I do think less of you as a person. Ceding your mental and creative abilities to a machine is an embarrassing thing and people should be ashamed to admit doing it in public.

Hey. Tell people when they do good job. When you like the stuff they make. When you like the characters they’ve created. The stories they’ve told. Nobody hears it as often as you think bc everyone thinks everyone hears it all the time. Trust. They don’t. Tell. Them.

A black-footed cat! They're the smallest cat in Africa and one of the most deadly (60% successful hunt rate to 20% from big cats). Small, but fierce? Big appetite? Great hunter? Can also look extremely adorable? Yeah that's Zhyk.

None of my OCs are written explicitly to be the WoL! I HC stuff for Zhyk when I'm playing MSQ, but that's about it. Otherwise, they're all everyday people... just some with extraordinary circumstances around them. Zhyk is a sellsword, Vachir is a bodyguard. Others are adventurers or shopkeeps ⤵️

Physical touch, however fleeting, for Zhyk. Also acts of service done without expecting anything in return. He's a lot softer, his edges sanded down, when he's showing affection. Smiling more, attempting to tease—just this awkward young man trying to reconnect to a world he cut off. For Vachir, ⤵️

rebirth ☄ #ff7 ✧ #art

For Zhyk it's a mix of promise and obligation. He continues in Temur's memory, but he also continues because if he stops he's unsure the extent of danger that his voidsent will pose. His pact is one beyond death, something that I'd like to have him actively work to circumvent at some point! ⤵️

I feel I'm more skilled in writing, but every now and then my screenshots are pretty good! A lot of my posts are about my miqo'te, Zhyk, but I also like to talk about my Au Ra, Vachir.

I think if I ported Zhyk into d&d, he'd either be a hexblade warlock or an eldritch knight. 💭 I have a hard time figuring out how the classes work exactly, though. He has martial skill, but also fire based magic in canon. He's not made of paper like some of the casters in d&d from what I've seen.

Don't be afraid to experiment with character personality. Not all of them need to be agreeable or relatable.

And if he is to carry the burden of memory, how better to serve it than with blade beloved? • #gpose • #gposers • #glamour •

Vachir's parents are of the Iriq, two women known as Erhi & Qara (though Vachir calls Erhi 'mother' and Qara 'auntie' as he didn't grasp the relationship fully before he ran away). His *birth* parents are of the Borlaaq and Qerel, with an Olkund grandparent on his mother's side (hence his height).

Zhyk can lift an average amount, though he's been known to carry weights beyond his capabilities at the risk of hurting himself in the process. It involves Erys and aether and basically pushing Zhyk past his mortal limit—something done only in times of distress or dire need... or if Erys is greedy.⤵️

I haven't put up any real RP links on my account so far, but I'm kind of cheesed to have the little RP hub thing up & to have my carrds linked therein for each OC. It's like, yeah part of me is a little burned on RP, but also part of me still wishes to have it work out

Zhyk's is quiet, breathy, more an exhale between his teeth without sound (often mistaken for a breath). Usually there's a crooked, wry smile or a cocky smirk accompanying it. If he *really* laughs, it's a strained wheeze. The sound tries to pitch, but cuts off—his throat was injured years ago. ⤵️

Saw people sharing this rphub thing, so finally sat down and sorted some of it out for Zhyk! rph.sh/3507 #rp #roleplay #xivrp

Zhyk covers up ASAP! He's very particular about who sees him in what state of undress as he has a lot of body issues he has yet to work out. He'll probably shy away from conversation about it and try to pretend it didn't happen, getting flustered and upset if he's pushed on the topic. #zhyklore ⤵️

✧ A Brief Rest ✧ (with @katsulily.bsky.social) • #gposers • #gpose • #firestorm •

Once upon a time, Zhyk's eyes were both a striking amethyst color rather than the heterochromia he has today! (There's actually a lore reason behind it, yes 😶‍🌫️).

I hate how much this is me lol

If they're civil, then he will be too. However, he has a general dislike for nobility as someone who's lived in an impoverished community & knows exactly the treatment they receive. (This is despite also living for a time in a noble family of Ishgard & seeing the good in them.) It's complicated! ⤵️

No. But also 1.) He doesn't really cook other than game he's hunted and 2.) I don't think he's really had rice [outside of perhaps a very small handful of people that made it for him as part of other dishes]. If he made it himself I think he'd burn it 😅

🐯🔞

Sharing this in case you didn't already boycott the game for any of the other incredibly good reasons they've given in the past

Can say i understand m12s through part 2 rep 1, huzzah! For all the time we've not raided due to irl scheduling, i think that's pretty good! 🎉

🐯🌸

And add this trash to the blocklist as well: bsky.app/profile/jayv... Leave no ground for such garbage in gpose/ffxiv community.

Can we normalize just saying the names of people doing shitty things in the community in our vague posts so they’re not vague posts? If we’re gonna commit to public scorn, just go all the way with it so everyone’s in the loop. (THIS IS ABOUT FLORIDBLADE USING AI FOR GPOSES)

chúc mừng năm mới 🧧🍊 #art #ffxiv #darjeeling🌻

got to m12s p2 on the last pull tonight. not bad prog for the week but i am SO SLEEPY 🛌

Gridania for Zhyk, but the lore I created had him grow up in a Keeper clan in the Black Shroud itself (South Shroud in particular). He has an antagonistic relationship with the Wailers and in general holds complicated feelings toward the city-state due to their policies. He tries to keep to a low ⤵️

While neither of my OCs can play an instrument, I do think Zhyk could pick up one (strings maybe). He'd learn best through watching someone else and mimicking their movements, as his Echo is all about mimicry. Vachir wishes he could play the morin khuur the way his brother could ⤵️

Whatever's available tbh! On his own during work he's got dried rations & he'll resupply come morning as needed. At someone's home, he'll raid the cupboards & icebox for leftovers (or whatever piques his interest). He likely goes for meats, fruits, and bread. Sometimes sweeter treats if found!

Sadly cannot seem to complete reclears without someone murdering me. RIP my decent rotation 😔

After my latest run where I salvaged a near wipe due to someone luring & running through the party with several instant KO mobs (floor 90+), I'd say either the sole survivor or the guy prepared to 1v1 multiple extremely dangerous enemies. ⤵️