Blindness in Eorzea

[FancySharkette]

I want to try something new. I have an idea for a blind Au'ra Archer.

I usually play lalafells, so I have no idea the lore behind Au'ra or how to go about

making a good 'blind' character.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

[Ashe]

My character is half blind...just be aware that fighting will be difficult for them and as an archer....that may not make sense...

Also, don't go down the path of the useless blind character everyone needs to take care of...that gets old fast (as it did with someone in my company...well, a former member).

Aether sight is an option but it will also slowly kill your character as it works.

BUT THERE ARE BLIND CHARACTERS!

Like....

 

Heavensward Y'shtola

 

So it is possible >>

[FancySharkette]

My character is half blind...just be aware that fighting will be difficult for them and as an archer....that may not make sense...

Also, don't go down the path of the useless blind character everyone needs to take care of...that gets old fast (as it did with someone in my company...well, a former member).

Aether sight is an option but it will also slowly kill your character as it works.

BUT THERE ARE BLIND CHARACTERS!

Like....

 

Heavensward Y'shtola

 

 

So it is possible >>

I was thinking that as a hunter, she would have honed her hearing to act as her ears. Plus eventually get a dog pet or somesuch to lead or help her hunt. Absolutely no helplessness.

[Lucius Ignatius]

Currently my character has been stricken with temporary blindness via a curse. It can be fun, but I echo Ashe's sentiments. My character had been using aethersight to try and counter it, but someone notified him of the taxes it can take on his body, so he doesnt use it unless he must.

 

It can be fun to use a staff as a walking stick/prodder. Often I use it to make a little comedic relief by accidently resting it on someones tail or 'poking' in places innapropriately due to my characters inexperience in blindness. I've also seen a technique used by blind persons who 'click' their tongues in a way that its kind of like... Im uncertain how to describe it, but its sorta how bats can tell where to go in daylight or in general darkness; the clicking gives off soundwaves or somsuch that allows the person to sort of 'see' the object by bouncing the soundwaves... I might be wrong on some of this; but it could potentially be an interesting route for a blind character. I would look up this stuff on the clicking, but my phone is being weird atm x.x

[FancySharkette]

Currently my character has been stricken with temporary blindness via a curse. It can be fun, but I echo Ashe's sentiments. My character had been using aethersight to try and counter it, but someone notified him of the taxes it can take on his body, so he doesnt use it unless he must.

 

It can be fun to use a staff as a walking stick/prodder. Often I use it to make a little comedic relief by accidently resting it on someones tail or 'poking' in places innapropriately due to my characters inexperience in blindness. I've also seen a technique used by blind persons who 'click' their tongues in a way that its kind of like... Im uncertain how to describe it, but its sorta how bats can tell where to go in daylight or in general darkness; the clicking gives off soundwaves or somsuch that allows the person to sort of 'see' the object by bouncing the soundwaves... I might be wrong on some of this; but it could potentially be an interesting route for a blind character. I would look up this stuff on the clicking, but my phone is being weird atm x.x

I quite like this idea. I'm going to do a bit more research since my character has to age 3 days before I can move it, but thank you for your in'sight'.

[Sounsyy]

I want to try something new. I have an idea for a blind Au'ra Archer.

I usually play lalafells, so I have no idea the lore behind Au'ra or how to go about

making a good 'blind' character.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

Hey Sharkette, I've compiled known Race Lore and there are some links and quotes on Au Ra there.

 

Another possible route you could play up with your Auri Archer is their "enhanced hearing and spatial recognition" granted by their horns. Your Au Ra might not truly need to use echolocation, as their horns could potentially pick up these vibrations in sound waves on their own.

 

Aethersight is also an option, but as it was already brought up, the exchange drains your aether, slowly killing you. There's also the concern of where your character would learn to do this, as our only example is by a powerful Sharlayan sage.

 

There's a few other blind characters in the setting, including a former member of the Company of Heroes.

[FancySharkette]

I want to try something new. I have an idea for a blind Au'ra Archer.

I usually play lalafells, so I have no idea the lore behind Au'ra or how to go about

making a good 'blind' character.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

Hey Sharkette, I've compiled known Race Lore and there are some links and quotes on Au Ra there.

 

Another possible route you could play up with your Auri Archer is their "enhanced hearing and spatial recognition" granted by their horns. Your Au Ra might not truly need to use echolocation,  as their horns could potentially pick up these vibrations in sound waves on their own.

 

Aethersight is also an option, but as it was already brought up, the exchange drains your aether, slowly killing you. There's also the concern of where your character would learn to do this, as our only example is by a powerful Sharlayan sage.

 

There's a few other blind characters in the setting, including a former member of the Company of Heroes.

Ohh I didnt even think of the horns! You're the best!

[desmond28]

Echolocation would be a feasible option and is more a common practice than one might think IRL. It is why you'll see some folks tapping their cane in front of them. It aids in echolocation.

[Klynzahr]

Funny coincidence, I am also about to embark on a journey with my first blind character. My suggestion for a character who has been blind all their life, would be to make them self sufficient while still giving them realistic limits. For example navigating the forest with echolocation or the aid of a guide animal would be really cool, but shooting a bow by ear would realistically be very difficult........ deer don't sound all that different from a merchant riding by on a chocobo for example.

 

If it were me, I would probably place the emphasis on trapping and fishing for her work, possibly using a bow to finish off prey at close range? It might also be cool to level lancer on her, since the lance could play double duty as a cane and close range weapon.

 

Since my character has lost her sight due to illness, she will probably be quite helpless for the first few months. However one thing that I really enjoy is showing the journey of a character who has their life derailed and needs to begin from scratch. I plan to have her slowly improve and learn new skills, until she's fully independent again.

 

8-)

 

(Also leveling conjurer gives you access to some really cool canes)

[Caspar]

You could have the character assisted by others. In one work I read, a blind dart thrower hurled poison darts with pinpoint accuracy at a target given by codewords that insinuate coordinates.

 

Maybe she trained a falcon or bird or something to cry out in a certain pattern based on where the target is standing from its own position? That is an awfully exotic solution though. Just having a spotter to rp with could help make it easy.

[Miriamele]

Hello! My character, Arietty Moonfall, is blind from birth. I have several ways I play her so hopefully some of my ideas help and if you want you can RP with me to see how she does things.

 

 

1. Echo location. This is mentioned in here but Ari had some speacial boots, a tail ring and earrings made to help her see. She only uses these in cities or areas with a large amount of people.

 

2. Aether. My character is 'allergic' to aether and if she uses a large amount or is near a large amount she gets headaches so again she only uses it if needed.

 

3. Arietty is an engineer of sorts and so she helped developed a pair of goggles that help use Aether to see. This falls into number 2 about Aether but at a slower rate.

 

4. She has a very good memory. She counts stairs, learns the layout of the room and remembers it to help her get around.

 

In summary, she has many options to use to help her see but she relies on nothing but her own self to get around. I've been told I play a blind character very well and don't focus interactions on her being sightless but on how she deals with being sightless. Good luck, I found it very fun to play a blind character.