Gratus Stormbearer

For the character Gratus Stormbearer: https://wiki.ffxiv-roleplayers.com/pages/Gratus_Stormbearer a continuation of http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=8105&highlight=Gratus and http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=10630&highlight=Gratus **** A tall, well tanned and muscular highlander mounted the stairs of the Vylbrand academy, his weary eyes scanning the first room he stepped into. He knew it well, the forge room of the school had been his domain for awhile now. Every day staff and students would pile arms, armor and anything else that needed a Smith's touch in one of his barrels, and every few days, he'd stop in to repair what he was able. The school didn't pay him for his time, or at least, he always refused when they would try. This was about something more for him, about helping to make sure these students didn't meet a bad end. There was no class he could teach, no 'wise words' from a washed out old Sultansworn that would be worth anything to them, so this was how he helped. A glance in the barrels brought a frown to his otherwise exhausted expression. One of the items was a great-sword he recognized from hanging in the hall. It wasn't uncommon for students to damage the decor by accident, but this time, there was blood on the edge of the blade. Perhaps it cut some poor kid when it fell. It was probably nothing. He nods to himself and sets about his task, taking the nicked blade to the grindstone. A little water poured over the stone to minimize sparks and he was off to work, sharpening and straightening the once damaged blade. When he was finished, he carried it to a treatment table along the wall, pouring a healthy dose of Gyshal oil over the blade and polishing it slowly till it shined. Gratus continued his work in the same way with the rest of the damaged items, each one receiving the love and care that he dedicated to any item that fell into his hands. Hours later, tired and sore, the old knight found his way back to his room, laying down to close his eyes in a bid to get as much rest as he could, though it never seemed enough. **** Blue eyes snapped open and glanced around. It was time. The dark of night filled the entire room, but that didn't seem to bother him. He was used to the darkness now. The powerful frame of a large man rose from bed, quiet but quick in his movements. Let the old knight sleep. That broken fool has little use where we are going. No, there was no use bringing along a knight who refused to kill tonight. The City of Ul'dah was a den of rats and snakes, and tonight called for men who wouldn't hesitate to cut them down. The entire city seemed to be crying out for help, every night, some poor innocent was made to suffer from the wrong doings of those who put money and power before people. The highlander opened the bottom drawer on his dressed and pulled out a mask made of ashe and painted black. He slips it on and reaches up to take the sword off the dresser. His hand stops. Pure white sheathe and hilt sit there, just beyond his fingers, waiting to be taken and used again, yet he couldn't seem to force himself to grab it. No, Not that one. Even I can't break an oath that strong. Besides, that is a sword of justice. Heh. Justice. As if the dead care about justice. The dead don't need such noble concepts as Justice. The dead only crave one thing. Vengeance. He cracks open the door and spots the familiar great-sword hanging on the wall and takes it up in both hands. 'You and me again, it seems.' The door starts to close behind him, just enough light shining into the old smith's room to show the empty bed left behind. **** Gratus jerks awake with the sound of the morning bells, groaning to himself as always. He just could not seem to get ahead, no matter how much he slept the day always came to early. Still, obligations called, and the old smith dragged himself up and out to his forge room. His eyes spot a bent and nicked great-sword in one of his barrels, his brow arching at the sight, 'How the hell are you dinged up again?'

If you ever meet Gratus Stormbearer or Alekse Sevantai feel free, i dont mind at all! https://wiki.ffxiv-roleplayers.com/pages/Gratus_Stormbearer https://wiki.ffxiv-roleplayers.com/pages/Alekse_Sevantai

The character Gratus is extremely somber and rather taciturn. He could use someone who would excite things around him and maybe stir him from his quiet little corner of the world. Feel free to cause a problem in his smithy any time! Read about him below.

Sounds like a lot of fun. Gratus isn't much of a talker, but he's a great listener. Any time your in Ul'dah feel free to bump into him.

Awesome! I'm glad to see so much interest. Any time you see Gratus Stormbearer on, you can almost guarantee to find me there!

Talk around Uld'ah of late occasionally mentions a new shop right on the Steps of Nald. Located at 11xy8, "Truestrike Smithy" claims to have a skilled hand and a keen eye for all your blacksmith needs. Each sale at the shop donates a portion of its profits to a Dalamud survivors fund. Patrons are encouraged to stop in and see about any of their metal smithing needs with the cities newest vendor. http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=10630

In my efforts to find a FC and roleplay connections for Gratus, i've decided to walk a new path and open an IC smithy right on the streets of Nald! You can find me at 11x y8 any time you see Gratus Stormbearer on. Come by for IC repairs, fittings, measurements or new suits. Stop by just to chat or stay for hours. Would love to have this spot become well known as an IC establishment. http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=10630

The sound of love. That is all the highland could use to come close to the sound of his hammer ringing back on steel. To him, it was love. Pure, simple and true. Other men toiled at a hard days work, and went for a pint afterwards to relax. Some went home to a wife or lover. He went to his hammer, which meant being a blacksmith was doubly lucky for him! There was no confusion or chaos in the sound of steel. No drama, no strife. If he hit the metal just right, it was only music. And if he hit it wrong? Well, harmony was only a second strike away, and what had been broken was easily fixed. It was so much different from his old life, a life where his mistakes could, and in truth, had, cost lives. All that faded away now, with another strike of his hammer against the white-hot metal, memories of the past would fade away on the dim ring. He was putting it off of course. Today was the day. His days of working on contracts for the Merchants were slowing down, and he needed a new source of funds if he wanted to keep the fire lit. Today was the day he opened his shop to the world. Still, as a recluse, dealing with people was rather foreign these days, and he seized on any excuse to put it off. A shoe for a stable. A pot for a chef. Even a sword for a young adventurer. Whatever would give him a few more moments of the sound of love without the hustle and hassle of people. Time, and creditors, wait for no man, however. Soon enough he could not continue to put it off, and so with great reluctance, he finally opened the front doors and hung the sign. "Truestrike Smithy now open for business. 11xy8 Steps of Nald, Uldah. A portion of all sales go to victims of Dalamud." OOC In my efforts to find a FC and roleplay connections for Gratus, i've decided to walk a new path and open an IC smithy right on the streets of Nald! You can find me at 11x y8 any time you see Gratus Stormbearer on. Come by for IC repairs, fittings, measurements or new suits. Stop by just to chat or stay for hours. Would love to have this spot become well known as an IC establishment.

I'm having no luck meeting people, apparently. I dont know if the character is just unappealing, or i'm looking in the wrong areas, or wrong times, or what. I tend to hang out in the quicksand, and if you see me on at any point and would like to chat, please feel free to do so. Is there somewhere else people meet up now?

I'll definitely look into those two FC's, and keep on the look out for all of you. Still plenty of spots for friends, allies, lovers and enemies. In particular, anyone who wants to say they had a family member in his company ((A family member who's now deceased...)) would add a nice dramatic note to his every day interactions. His story is that the men he was leading at Dal's fall all died under his leadership, so having one of their surviving relatives around would really add to the story.

My dear Faye, we've met a few times and chatted a bit in the old days. I also used to be part of the RPC Skype group. I remember you and HoD, used to love the parties you guys held.

Hello Everyone. Gratus has returned to FFXIV, and will be staying for a very long time. I'm looking to rebuild my Sultansworn's storyline and hopefully meet new people on him. I'm looking for the following. A) A FC based on law and order, preferably Uld based. B) A group of friends that could help 'rebuild' the shaken faith of the character. C) A plotline that might force him to pick up his sword again someday. D) Possible Romantic interest. Gratus can be found https://wiki.ffxiv-roleplayers.com/pages/Gratus_Stormbearer His old story ((Which stopped suddenly without warning. Can be scrapped or restarted)) http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=8212 Message me here or in game and let me know what you'd like to set up!

Still not having much luck running into Rp. Not really sure what i'm doing wrong, or if maybe my stories just aren't interesting enough. Feel free to check out my profiles and let me know what you think. My Sultansworn paladin http://wiki.ffxiv-roleplayers.com/pages/Gratus_Stormbearer And my researching Blackmage. http://wiki.ffxiv-roleplayers.com/pages/Alekse_Sevantai

A beautiful metallic note rings across the plaza, joining others still hanging in the the air. Like clockwork the next one joins them, a measured beat, as if someone were conducting an orchestra inside the tiny shop on the corner. The sounds of a smith hard at work filled the morning as Gratus raised his hammer and brought it down again and again. Shaping the metal gave him purpose. It gave him peace. In metalwork he could drowned out his own thoughts and fears, letting the song of his craft take over and clear his mind. An angled blow would curve the metal ever so slightly, and that in itself would produce a slightly different tone then an overhead swing. The tap of his hammer could correct a minor dent and produce a longer, higher pitched note. The breath of the bellows and the hiss of hot steel cooling in the troth would add percussion and character to the music, and all together the sounds would carry him away from his troubles. At least that is how it normally went. Today, however, didn't seem like normal. So much had changed in his peaceful, simple life, and in such a short period of time. Jhinn's sister had returned. He found out the man had been missing for years, and he never knew it. That still stung deep inside. Once more someone under his command suffered because of his failures. Yet another member of his company, perhaps the last one still living, might pass from this life without his aide. And where was Gratus when he was needed? Beating metal at the forge. Crafting weapons and armor for greater men then himself. Men who could charge into the heat of battle and come out the other side unscathed. Men who could bring their soldiers home alive. Who was he kidding, Jhinn was safer if Gratus just stayed in the forge. Let Alexander save him, at least then the Highlander wouldn't be responsible for his death. That thought caused a growl of fury, and without thought, his hammer came down once more. Far to much power was in that blow. Heated metal was malleable, but brittle. It needed just the right touch to be shaped and molded, and his rage had exceeded that need. The blade he was forging snapped in half, hot metal falling to the floor of the shop where it smoldered and smoked in the dirt. He sent the hammer skidding across the anvil with a cry of frustration. Here lay the proof of his efforts. The fruits of his endeavor, a husk of a sword, broken and useless. Was this Jhinn's fate as well?

Greetings friends, I'm looking to flesh out my characters background by adding people in. Mainly i'm looking for people interested in Rping someone who was related to a now passed on member of the Sultansworn. There are multiple roles available and it need not be a major part of your characters life, so no need to re-write or retcon anything. Also looking for IC friends, romantic interests, Free Company, patrons for a blacksmith/armorsmith ect. Feel free to read over the profile link in my signature and see if your character might fit the story somehow. I'd love to hear from you. Gratus Stormbearer Retired Sultansworn http://wiki.ffxiv-roleplayers.com/pages/Gratus_Stormbearer