What If Your Character's Backstory Didn't Happen?

[Sounsyy]

Prompt!

 

So I really just had the urge today to write an extremely happy version of Sounsyy. But really the only way that that was going to happen was if a lot of things in her backstory just didn't happen. So that inspired this prompt!

 

Write a story or just describe how your character would be different if something in their backstory just didn't happen to them. What if there was no calamity? What if their parents hadn't died tragically? What if they hadn't drank that bottle of Fantasia? Anything! Take some event that you think really shaped your character's story or personality and take it out of your character's life and tell us how it changes things!

 

 

 

I spoilered mine below cuz I wrote a bit about what if Ala Mhigo never fell to the Garleans, which really changes everything. No calamity, no refugees in Ul'dah, no fighting, no adventurers. Sounsyy would've grown up in Ala Mhigo, she would've never left to see the rest of Eorzea. Her first lover wouldn't have perished trying to retake Ala Mhigo. She'd have never found her calling on the sea. She'd have never risen above a common soldier. Never would've been a gladiator. Never would've been hurt - physically or emotionally. She'd be a completely different person, a happy person. Talkative, jubilant, motherly.

 

The Year 1577 of the Sixth Astral Era.

 

 

A crisp, autumn wind blew through the young boy's hair as he played in the yard. He was a young Miqo'te of only seven cycles with large, green eyes. His curious gaze darted through the fallen leaves after a pillbug which had eluded his grasp. The boy had been left to his own devices after his father had gone in to start supper. So he played out in the yard like usual as he waited for his mother to return home.

 

No sooner did the boy discover the pillbug's escape route then his mother came around the fence and upon seeing him face first in the leaves, she fell into a fit of giggling. "Mirke," she chided. His ears perked and he abandoned his hunt to run to his mother gleefully.

 

"Oh! Tch! You're a mess!" But the boy didn't seem to mind.

 

They entered the small home together, Sounsyy's hand gently leading him on in front of her. "Go get cleaned up for dinner!" she called after the boy as he darted off. The Highlander in the kitchen just shook his head in amusement. Sounsyy went to him and leaned forward against his back.

 

"Welcome home, sweet," he said. The man was easily a foot taller than his wife, which was originally how Sounsyy's display of affection had developed in lieu of a mid-waist embrace like a child might to their parent. So she had taken to just leaning against him or pressing her face into his arm when she wanted his attention.

 

"Mmm, Nathaniel, what're you cooking tonight?"

"Fish," he replied. He was always this short-spoken. Sounsyy didn't seem to mind. She spoke enough for the both of them. But tonight he continued speaking while he added more salt to his skillet, "What news from the Front?"

"There's talk that Garlemald razed Doma in the East to set an example for the other Othardian rebels," she said plainly. Her tone was serious, but her jovial expression had not yet given way, "Refugees will surely be coming to Eorzea in the coming weeks."

 

Nathaniel busied himself with the last of the meal's preparations, though he was clearly upset by the news. "It seems a poor time to have a celebration when there's a big storm on the horizon."

 

Sounsyy smiled at him and dug her nose into the back of his shirt. "On the contrary," she said, "I think it's the perfect time. Once Garlemald ends their war of succession it will be us again who stand in their way. Our people need a strong pillar. The Order sees this."

"Will the other nations not help us?"

"Not likely. The Elezen of Gridania cannot see beyond their own borders and care not for without. Ul'dah revels in its blood money, their goods bought cheap from the fallen nations their ceruleum helps Garlemald destroy. Limsa is little better. There's even talk that the Sharlayans will abandon the city to return north. We are likely alone in this, but we are strong. I am not worried."

 

Nathaniel turned and kissed the top of his wife's head. "I hope Mirke grows to be as strong and brave as his mother."

"And as sweet and caring as his father," she added, standing on the tips of her toes to kiss him back. "Though I do hope he's braver than me," she says after she breaks away from his lips. She smiles at him and goes to set her table. Nathaniel looks fondly after her, before returning to the meal, taking the hot skillet from off the fire and placing it elsewhere to cool.

 

"Speaking of ceremonies," he says after a while, "Mirke has been asking if he can walk with you in the coronation parade tomorrow."

 

As if on queue, the young boy bounded into the kitchen. "Can I? Can I?!" Sounsyy laughed and flicked one of his ears playfully. "Maybe," she said, "I will have to ask my captain, Miss J'moldva. If she says it's alright." The boy beamed and cheered as if she had answered in the affirmative. To quell his exuberance, Nathaniel came around with the boy's dinner and told him to sit at the table and let his mother rest.

 

After the meal was done, Sounsyy washed up while Nathaniel entertained the boy's slew of new queries about kings and coronations and the like. Even as night fell, he was too excited to sleep so Sounsyy put him to bed, rolled him up in the blankets, and sat on him for good measure to keep the little lugworm still.

 

"How come you get to be in the parade? Did you ask to be in it?" he asked through fits of giggles.

"Because I'm in the Corpse Brigade, child. We're the King's guard. Now, bed, or I'm going to sit on you again!"

"What happened to the last king? Did you not protect him?"

"He died a long time ago, when I was almost your age."

"How did he die?"

 

Sounsyy sighed, sitting on his bundled form again, which only resulted in more fits of giggles. So she unrolled him from his bundle and adjusted the sheets over him. She looked at the boy, seeing so much of his father in him. She smiled, seeing maybe even a little bit of her father in him as well, the man after which he was named. "If I tell you the story will you go to bed?" she asked. He nodded with a very serious expression.

 

"Well," Sounsyy began, "a long time ago, there was a mad king..."

"Why was he mad?"

"No one knows. Some say he was always mad. Others say it was all a Garlean scheme. But the mad king ruled Ala Mhigo alone, without heir, and he thought that his people were trying to take his power from him. 'This is my throne!'" Sounsyy said in a mock male voice. Mirke giggled. "Well, he got so mad, the people thought his power should be taken from him. The Mad King had started taking innocent people from their homes and hurting them. He forced them to say that the Order wanted him gone. He was going to do something really terrible to the Order and the people who thought he was mad. But before he could, the guards got sick of his evil ways and let the prisoners go. And they ran and warned the Order. Suddenly everyone knew what he had done and they did take his power and gave it to the Order. And the Order of the Fists of Rhalgr has led Ala Mhigo ever since. Until they could find a new, good king. And tomorrow, you get to watch that new, good king get his crown."

 

Mirke had already begun nodding off, clearly disinterested in the politics of his nation's history. Sounsyy snorted quietly and kissed his forehead, leaving him alone to sleep. She returned to the main room to find Nathaniel fast asleep upon the couch. Sounsyy smirked - like father like son.

 

She awoke early the next morning. Nathaniel was in bed beside her, though she didn't remember him coming to bed the night before. She pulled away from his grasp, dressed in the early morning haze, and left without a word. By the time she returned to the house, Nathaniel and Mirke were both up, eating their breakfast. She bent over and kissed the top of Mirke's head as she passed, whispering in his ear, "I've got a surprise for you later." He looked excited, but Sounsyy put a finger to her lips to silence him. The boy attempted to muffle his excitement.

 

 

"Are you excited for the parade?" Sounsyy asked her son as they walked hand in hand down the market ward of Ala Mhigo. Mirke nodded, but seemed upset about something. "Grandma and Grandpa will be there. If you want I bet even your father will let you sit on his shoulders."

 

She looked at Nathaniel teasingly. He said nothing, but squeezed his wife's other hand in response. Sounsyy had changed into a ceremonial suit of armor after breakfast. Her chest, arms, and feet clad in brilliant shining plate armor, decorated with gold leaf. A long, rich purple tunic was visible beneath her armor, the cloth falling loosely over her knees. She wore a matching sash across her torso, a golden broach in the shape of a gryphon pinning it in place to her armor. She rarely dressed so well, and was enjoying the outfit. Even Mirke had ogled at in wonder when she first displayed it.

 

She led the pair into a shop just off the main road of the markets. Sounsyy was greeted by an Elezen woman and her husband who owned the shop. Sounsyy gave her a close hug and beamed at her.

 

"I was wondering if you'd stop in today," the Elezen said, "And Master Mirke, you've gotten so big since the last time your mother brought you down this way."

"Hi, Lady Cambre," Mirke said sheepishly. Sounsyy laughed softly. "Cambre, you and your husband will have to come for dinner soon. I'll invite Sophie too - have you heard from my sister lately?"

"I haven't, though I expect she's busy with the baby."

 

Sounsyy nodded, before changing the subject. "Anyroad, thank you for volunteering to help keep an eye on him while the Parade's coming around." Cambre smiled and said it wasn't a problem. Sounsyy kissed her husband and headed out the door and hurried back up the Ward. Mirke continued looking upset until Cambre's husband offered him sweets and showed him around the shop while they waited for the parade to begin.

 

When the cheering began outside a bell later, the four hurried out the front to the main road and lined the streets with the other Ala Mhigans. Mirke peered out into the street and caught sight of the procession. Musicians and dancers flanked by mounted lancers filed down the street. Mirke stared, wide-eyed in awe at their stature. Then finally came the new King in a white chocobo-drawn carriage. On all sides were the members of the Corpse Brigade in their purple and gold regalia. Captain Milleuda at the head of the column. Mirke scanned the procession as the Brigade passed. He cheered as he picked Sounsyy out of the crowd. She gave him a small wave then beckoned for him to join her as she passed. Mirke looked to his father but Nathaniel simply smiled and nudged his son forward. So the boy ran out to his mother's side. Sounsyy took his small hand in hers and with spear held high in the other, led her son along in the procession.

 

Though she knew troubled times lay ahead, today she would celebrate and, if only for a day, she could forget about the Garleans to the far far north. Today she and her son were happy.

 

 

 

[ChewableMorphine]

If Flynt did not marry Garlean, he'd grow up to be just another country bumpkin in Marr's Pass. Now that'd mean Flynt, in XIV terms, would of never existed. What a shame.

[C'kayah Polaali]

C'kayah grew up in a sept of the Coeurl tribe. There's a coming-of-age ritual called "Hunting the World" where young adults go out and see things, then return to the tribe. C'kayah went to Ul'dah, and never returned.

 

If C'kayah hadn't been so taken with Ul'dah when he arrived there, he wouldn't have become A'rela Nereh's latest "cabana boy". He wouldn't have been subjected to certain thaumaturgical processes as part of suiting her tastes. He wouldn't have turned to crime after she tired of him and discarded him. He wouldn't have started smuggling, he wouldn't have met S'aitei or Natalie or Lili or Kenthy. He wouldn't have started his own crime organizations.

 

He would have likely gone back home and either tried to challenge for Nunh, or he'd be a hunter. A very different C'kayah.

 

[Placeholder for the story - I'm sick and drugged, so I missed that part ]

[K'nahli]

This is an absolutely amazing question to be asking. You have me in serious awe with trying to imagine the cases for my own characters.

 

I can't think out mine properly right now but I will soon, hopefully.

[Darien Cadell]

I kind of know what she'd be like, because the worst things that happened to her to make her so angry and hateful happened very recently. Before that, she was relatively happy-go-lucky, calm and friendly, despite losing family in the Calamity like everyone else. I can almost picture what she'd be like if that also hadn't happened to her, painfully cheerful tourist-type, wanting to make happy memories everywhere she went. As it is, she's a complete mess, but it's such a recent development that I actually had the opportunity to play her sweet, calm self before that side of her got shredded, making her the solitary, sullen rain cloud she is today.

[Aya]

 

9YEyuRlSieg

 

The echo of drums reverberated throughout the valley.  The sounding of horns followed.  The wind beat steadily against the exposed hilltop. 

 

The crow banner flew triumphantly from the natural rampart.   Beneath it stood the steely-eyed shield maiden.  Statuesque and powerful, long blonde locks fell over her shoulders, some in tight intricate braids.  Her eyes were intense, ready, and passionate. 

 

"Ready Men!" shouted the hail voice of a man from further down the hill. He moved back and forth behind the ranks of armed men with a steady, confident pace.  "Remember.  We have not yet been defeated."  He was the consummate Highland warrior.  Rugged and tall.  His blonde beard fell thick, long braids strands were wrapped with banded reminders of past victory, and death.  Girded with steel armor, a helmet firm upon his head.  His voice carried the confidence of a victor, and the grit of a veteran.  He was young, but grizzled for his age. He had been raised for this, bred for this: the scion of generations of warriors.  He would not be the one to fall.

 

"Your father, faced worse!" came the cry of a veteran in the ranks.

 

"Far worse!" bellowed the commander.  "He faced the worst Garlemald had to offer.  And he won!  What now do we have to fear?  Some of you were with him!  The Conquerors of Garlemald!" he raised his sword arm, a rallying cheer filled the air. 

 

"Conquerors of Garlemald!" came the repeated cry, "Hold steady.  Fear not.  Courage will carry the day!"

 

Further up the hill, beneath the billowing banner a truly massive highlander spoke to the shield maiden.  "Do you think Kael's right?" he asked.

 

"Of course." came the confident reply, followed soon by a wry smile.  "Besides, dearest Osvald.  What do we have to lose?"

 

 

"We ride upon the wings of Valkyrie!"  Exclaimed Kael to yet more cheers.  "And yet what's more, one joins us here today!  Do not forget who is at your side, conquerors of Garlemald!  And we shall be victorious!"

 

The sound of drums drew closer--and ever more ominous.  "Stand your ground!  Men of Tharin.  Stand. Your.  Ground."

 

The opposing army advanced up the hill step by step.  Their drums beat loud.  Their horns blared. 

 

The crow would answer.

 

 

The shield-maiden raised her sword-arm, flashing the steel blade against the dull morning sky.  She directed her eyes upward over her shoulder.  The long victorious banner flew vigorously in the wind.

 

"No fear." she said, just loudly enough for her brother.  "Show no fear.  We will have them this day."

 

Her sword arm lowered part-way, directed toward the oncoming army.  Her voice sung high and clear, a paean breaking through the beat of drums.

 

"Over hills, and over meadows: see the crow fly, fear her shadow."

 

Kael's men rose, shields readied, blade and spear drawn.

 

"Over woods, and over mountains, searching for a war."

 

The drums slowed.

 

"Her wings embrace each strife and battle,

where swords they clash, and chariots rattle."

 

Replaced by the sound of arms beating against shields, House Tharin would not be outdone.

 

"Seeking out the one whose time has come to take the blade."

 

Her sword arm fell, the mass of men rushed forward downward with the force of gravity fully at their backs.  The cry of war went out.  Shield walls collided. Blades rent flesh, spilled blood, ended life. Rhalgar supped.

 

The shield maiden advanced with a slow determination down the hill, following the advancing forces and accompanied by her body-guard brother.

 

As the center's clashed, the opposing line gave way then sturdied.  The flanks did vicious battle, neither slipping.

 

The weight of men recoiled, spear and blade chopped and slashed.  Kael pushed.  The line drove hard and merciless. 

 

The shield maiden advanced with watchful eye.  She spied for weakness.  She scanned the line left to right, and again, watching with patience until she had identified her spot.  Two taps upon Osvald's shoulder.  She readied her shield, checked her sword.  Osvald moved without hesitation, and she followed.  They pierced the melee, sliding effortlessly through their own soldiers.  They pushed, eyes set upon the prize.  Osvald barreled low, the Shield Maiden's blade stung true again and again.  The line rent.  The halves recoiled.  Kael's men spilled through the breach, the flanks gave.

 

That afternoon the crows feast once more beneath victorious banner. 

 

[Caspar]

I'd love to do this, and yet it'd be so telling to really get into the details of it. A great question, but I can't answer, not fully, not without spoilers.

 

I'll start with the event at sea that left her an orphan. Without going into too much detail, since it's fairly obvious that happened to her from my wiki, she'd have been raised differently; which is to say, raised at all before her 'training from hell.'

 

I think that Virara would be a very quiet, demure sort of girl with a taste for study and a severe lack of self-confidence. Entirely different than the way she is now. She also would not have acquired the characteristic of unnatural physical strength for various reasons, as the conditions necessary to bring out that aspect would never have occurred. Her cultural identity would be different as well. It isn't likely she'd ever learn to fight. I think she might end up dragged into a decent standard of living for various reasons. It'd be overall a highly different sort of existence.

 

I can't say much about what would have happened other than it is not necessarily a better life, or a worse one.

[Gaspard]

There's a plethora of things that happened that would've seen Constantine.. end up very differently if they hadn't taken place. Depending how far you rewind, and 'un-screw' certain scenarios, He may've been a morally astude, fair and very 'for the people' kind of person. Probably someone in a medium level management position with his employees best at mind.

 

Your general 'Local Hero' type of vybe. The guy you could go to if you had problems, needed something fixed, or needed a contact here and there to help you out. And he would've never fostered greater allures of power, success or anything akin to it either. Just a regular, 'good guy' type of person.

[Liandri]

If V'lanya had never got exiled from her tribe, she'd have likely been sent to the Thaumaturge's Guild in Ul'dah to harness her aether. Either that, or she'd have been taught by an elder in the tribe. Even then, if she wasn't taught correct aether manipulation, she'd have likely been killed.

 

Fast-forwarding a few moons, if she -did- still get exiled, and failed in summoning her voidsent companion, she'd be killed - again. I'd actually love to write that into a small story, but alas, it involves characters that are not my own, and I don't feel comfortable writing for them.

 

Most of her story is just her escaping death after death. I put her into too many situations that are just sadistic on my part.

[Gegenji]

I think the biggest change in Chachan's backstory would come if his brother never learned of Arcanimina. He wouldn't have gotten interested in Nymian Scholars, nor an interest in peddling information over the weapons and armor of his family. Which means he never would've had the argument that had him leave their home in a huff.

 

With his brother still there, Chachan would've continued to live the spoiled life of the youngest. He wouldn't have become nearly as good a smith as he did since there wouldn't have been that pressure to replace his missing brother. His dreams of fancy would be tempered by wanting to stay and help his brother.

 

In the end, Gogon would've likely taken over the shop and used his intelligence to really corner the arms market - really making Gegenji a household name around Doma. Chachan would've been at his side, bumbling around and helping where he could in his own good-natured way.

 

However, being well-known for making weapons would be... troublesome. With the razing, Garlemald would likely hit the Gegenji household as a priority target to seize the stockpile of armaments there (which they kinda did in my headcanon already). This could end in a couple ways, but two stand out to me:

 

1.) The family escapes and they band together in Mor Dhona, seeking to rebuild their family business (as Chachan's father is doing now).

 

2.) This twist of fate is enough that the family doesn't escape, and fall with their hometown, ending a bloodline of smiths forever.

 

Alternately, one of them survives and is left a hollow shell of a person after the shock and horror at seeing their family killed in front of them.

 

... That got pretty dark pretty quickly, huh?

[Alothia]

Alothia was involved in some pretty self-serving crimes when she was younger. She managed to change when someone that she was fairly close to ended up getting hurt.

 

If that hadn't had happened, Alothia would probably be a very different person.

 

Instead of having run Corvus Cinis, she would have continued to run her little gang of criminals in the back alleys of Ul'dah. Chances are that she would have gotten caught in her own game at least once, and become mentally and physically scarred from the ordeal, or have ended up dead on some side street.  The latter would probably have been the better of those options. All in all, Aly can be pretty scary when faced with a situation that induces stress, her reactions becoming sporadic and unpredictable, especially with her magic. People would have ended up dead, and by her own hand.

 

My guess is that eventually she would have been caught and given up to judgement at the hands of the people in charge. Yay jail or execution~!

[Eva]

This is fun to think about because along the threads of Eva's past are a lot of pivot-points where her journey could have taken substantially different turns.

 

Had she not lost her fiancé in an accident she might have eloped when he returned and be living out her life peacefully with her soul mate, however she would likely never have known motherhood, never learned any sort of combat experience or developed her aetherial abilities.

 

Had she grown complacent in her first company she would likely have gone on to more Ul'dahn aspirations and never joined the Guard where she learned to fight. She would likely have lived out her days as a seamstress, designer, or clothing merchant.

 

Had she not met Oskar, she might never have found her capacity for serving as an advisor, never have cultivated the seeds of leadership ability, and Everwatch as something of a [1.0] mercenary company probably would not have succeeded very well without her soft touch to compliment his rather harsh methods of running things. She also I don't think would have found true love again, and it's hard to say whether or not she would have gotten pregnant and given birth to her twin babies.

 

Had she not heeded an omen from a strange dream at the time of the Calamity, she would have remained in what she considered an underground safehold rather than returning to the surface, and likely been crushed to death or drowned like everyone else that was there.

 

And there's easily a half dozen more of these sort of pivotal moments that have defined the character throughout the years. I think it's fair to say she could have lived a happier and less tragic life, however it probably wouldn't have been as interesting and certainly wouldn't have allowed her to become the woman that she is today.

[Kurt S.]

If my phone had more juice in it, this would be lengthier.

 

Well if the changes involve their backstories... 

 

Well Ramona may be the only one of my characters adventuring Eorzea. Of course Ramona herself would probably be an antagonist on wanted posters everywhere. Because no one suffers a homicidal black mage with a permanent grin on her face as she drains your aether and the aether of everyone you love. Alternatively she could also be dead in the Wanderer's Palace or the whole 'I murdered my FC'(server transfer) doesn't happen.

 

Vari wouldn't have a boyfriend on account of him either being the corpse buried under the sagolii sands or Tia in a nomadic offshoot of the U tribe.

 

Nako wouldn't have errand boy because he'd probably be a brewer in Wineport or a pirate like what his mother want for him. Of course he might end up having an errand girl too... Until of course some shit happens that erases Kat.

[Enzo]

My character Xefjord Kiromeda borrows his back story from when I roleplayed with him on Gilgamesh. But with a few critical differences in his history. On Gilgamesh, his sister died when he was young as well as his mother. This ultimately is where the Balmung and Gilgamesh timelines split, as in the Balmung timeline his sister and mother are never assasinated and his younger sister shelters him and bears the responsibility of being the heir of the company so Xefjord does not have to. Xefjord ends up becoming very reclusive and poor at socialization when he has his sister to do everything for him. His timeline on Gilgamesh was overall more scarred, and tragic from the stress of his sisters death. His father goes crazy and has experiments done on Xefjord as a child to ensure that he will survive and can continue the company. And Xefjord is forced to become very charismatic and try to deal with being the heir to the company. But in the end for both timelines Xefjord attains a thirst for knowledge which can not be quenched so he steals information from Garlemald and runs. In the Gilgamesh timeline he is alone in Limsa. Constantly living under the stress of Garlemald trying to assassinate him. In the Balmung timeline he is adopted into a group who protects him. Although the stress took a greater toll on the more sheltered Xefjord of the Balmung timeline. So I am not really theorizing when it comes to alternate histories for my character. I have played two histories for him and it is very interesting to see how he differs and is similar to his old iteration on Gilgamesh :3

[Obisi]

Ok Souns...you know I always try to stay out of your RPC/Blamung life as much as I can but I just have to say right now I am so proud of you and I don't care how mad you get.  This is awesome as is every single thing you write.  I'm not sure about this Sounsyy (little different and TOTALLY not you) but holy crap its sooooo good, and mom loved it to.

 

I hope that everyone here knows how amazingly talented you are and enjoys your writing, your story telling ability, your lore knowledge and your game, as much as you know I always do.  When I read your stuff I just brim over in pride to know someone so talented and be able to call you my friend.  

 

I'm glad your creative juices are flowing this week, don't stop!!!!

(Now you can start yelling at me, I guess)

 

Prompt!

 

So I really just had the urge today to write an extremely happy version of Sounsyy. But really the only way that that was going to happen was if a lot of things in her backstory just didn't happen. So that inspired this prompt!

 

Write a story or just describe how your character would be different if something in their backstory just didn't happen to them. What if there was no calamity? What if their parents hadn't died tragically? What if they hadn't drank that bottle of Fantasia? Anything! Take some event that you think really shaped your character's story or personality and take it out of your character's life and tell us how it changes things!

 

 

 

I spoilered mine below cuz I wrote a bit about what if Ala Mhigo never fell to the Garleans, which really changes everything. No calamity, no refugees in Ul'dah, no fighting, no adventurers. Sounsyy would've grown up in Ala Mhigo, she would've never left to see the rest of Eorzea. Her first lover wouldn't have perished trying to retake Ala Mhigo. She'd have never found her calling on the sea. She'd have never risen above a common soldier. Never would've been a gladiator. Never would've been hurt - physically or emotionally. She'd be a completely different person, a happy person. Talkative, jubilant, motherly.

 

The Year 1577 of the Sixth Astral Era.

 

 

A crisp, autumn wind blew through the young boy's hair as he played in the yard. He was a young Miqo'te of only seven cycles with large, green eyes. His curious gaze darted through the fallen leaves after a pillbug which had eluded his grasp. The boy had been left to his own devices after his father had gone in to start supper. So he played out in the yard like usual as he waited for his mother to return home.

 

No sooner did the boy discover the pillbug's escape route then his mother came around the fence and upon seeing him face first in the leaves, she fell into a fit of giggling. "Mirke," she chided. His ears perked and he abandoned his hunt to run to his mother gleefully.

 

"Oh! Tch! You're a mess!" But the boy didn't seem to mind.

 

They entered the small home together, Sounsyy's hand gently leading him on in front of her. "Go get cleaned up for dinner!" she called after the boy as he darted off. The Highlander in the kitchen just shook his head in amusement. Sounsyy went to him and leaned forward against his back.

 

"Welcome home, sweet," he said. The man was easily a foot taller than his wife, which was originally how Sounsyy's display of affection had developed in lieu of a mid-waist embrace like  a child might to their parent. So she had taken to just leaning against him or pressing her face into his arm when she wanted his attention.

 

"Mmm, Nathaniel, what're you cooking tonight?"

"Fish," he replied. He was always this short-spoken. Sounsyy didn't seem to mind. She spoke enough for the both of them. But tonight he continued speaking while he added more salt to his skillet, "What news from the Front?"

"There's talk that Garlemald razed Doma in the East to set an example for the other Othardian rebels," she said plainly. Her tone was serious, but her jovial expression had not yet given way, "Refugees will surely be coming to Eorzea in the coming weeks."

 

Nathaniel busied himself with the last of the meal's preparations, though he was clearly upset by the news. "It seems a poor time to have a celebration when there's a big storm on the horizon."

 

Sounsyy smiled at him and dug her nose into the back of his shirt. "On the contrary," she said, "I think it's the perfect time. Once Garlemald ends their war of succession it will be us again who stand in their way. Our people need a strong pillar. The Order sees this."

"Will the other nations not help us?"

"Not likely. The Elezen of Gridania cannot see beyond their own borders and care not for without. Ul'dah revels in its blood money, their goods bought cheap from the fallen nations their ceruleum helps Garlemald destroy. Limsa is little better. There's even talk that the Sharlayans will abandon the city to return north. We are likely alone in this, but we are strong. I am not worried."

 

Nathaniel turned and kissed the top of his wife's head. "I hope Mirke grows to be as strong and brave as his mother."

"And as sweet and caring as his father," she added, standing on the tips of her toes to kiss him back. "Though I do hope he's braver than me," she says after she breaks away from his lips. She smiles at him and goes to set her table. Nathaniel looks fondly after her, before returning to the meal, taking the hot skillet from off the fire and placing it elsewhere to cool.

 

"Speaking of ceremonies," he says after a while, "Mirke has been asking if he can walk with you in the coronation parade tomorrow."

 

As if on queue, the young boy bounded into the kitchen. "Can I? Can I?!" Sounsyy laughed and flicked one of his ears playfully. "Maybe," she said, "I will have to ask my captain, Miss J'moldva. If she says it's alright." The boy beamed and cheered as if she had answered in the affirmative. To quell his exuberance, Nathaniel came around with the boy's dinner and told him to sit at the table and let his mother rest.

 

After the meal was done, Sounsyy washed up while Nathaniel entertained the boy's slew of new queries about kings and coronations and the like. Even as night fell, he was too excited to sleep so Sounsyy put him to bed, rolled him up in the blankets, and sat on him for good measure to keep the little lugworm still.

 

"How come you get to be in the parade? Did you ask to be in it?" he asked through fits of giggles.

"Because I'm in the Corpse Brigade, child. We're the King's guard. Now, bed, or I'm going to sit on you again!"

"What happened to the last king? Did you not protect him?"

"He died a long time ago, when I was almost your age."

"How did he die?"

 

Sounsyy sighed, sitting on his bundled form again, which only resulted in more fits of giggles. So she unrolled him from his bundle and adjusted the sheets over him. She looked at the boy, seeing so much of his father in him. She smiled, seeing maybe even a little bit of her father in him as well, the man after which he was named. "If I tell you the story will you go to bed?" she asked. He nodded with a very serious expression.

 

"Well," Sounsyy began, "a long time ago, there was a mad king..."

"Why was he mad?"

"No one knows. Some say he was always mad. Others say it was all a Garlean scheme. But the mad king ruled Ala Mhigo alone, without heir, and he thought that his people were trying to take his power from him. 'This is my throne!'" Sounsyy said in a mock male voice. Mirke giggled. "Well, he got so mad, the people thought his power should be taken from him. The Mad King had started taking innocent people from their homes and hurting them. He forced them to say that the Order wanted him gone. He was going to do something really terrible to the Order and the people who thought he was mad. But before he could, the guards got sick of his evil ways and let the prisoners go. And they ran and warned the Order. Suddenly everyone knew what he had done and they did take his power and gave it to the Order. And the Order of the Fists of Rhalgr has led Ala Mhigo ever since. Until they could find a new, good king. And tomorrow, you get to watch that new, good king get his crown."

 

Mirke had already begun nodding off, clearly disinterested in the politics of his nation's history. Sounsyy snorted quietly and kissed his forehead, leaving him alone to sleep. She returned to the main room to find Nathaniel fast asleep upon the couch. Sounsyy smirked - like father like son.

 

She awoke early the next morning. Nathaniel was in bed beside her, though she didn't remember him coming to bed the night before. She pulled away from his grasp, dressed in the early morning haze, and left without a word. By the time she returned to the house, Nathaniel and Mirke were both up, eating their breakfast. She bent over and kissed the top of Mirke's head as she passed, whispering in his ear, "I've got a surprise for you later." He looked excited, but Sounsyy put a finger to her lips to silence him. The boy attempted to muffle his excitement.

 

 

"Are you excited for the parade?" Sounsyy asked her son as they walked hand in hand down the market ward of Ala Mhigo. Mirke nodded, but seemed upset about something. "Grandma and Grandpa will be there. If you want I bet even your father will let you sit on his shoulders."

 

She looked at Nathaniel teasingly. He said nothing, but squeezed his wife's other hand in response. Sounsyy had changed into a ceremonial suit of armor after breakfast. Her chest, arms, and feet clad in brilliant shining plate armor, decorated with gold leaf. A long, rich purple tunic was visible beneath her armor, the cloth falling loosely over her knees. She wore a matching sash across her torso, a golden broach in the shape of a gryphon pinning it in place to her armor. She rarely dressed so well, and was enjoying the outfit. Even Mirke had ogled at in wonder when she first displayed it.

 

She led the pair into a shop just off the main road of the markets. Sounsyy was greeted by an Elezen woman and her husband who owned the shop. Sounsyy gave her a close hug and beamed at her.

 

"I was wondering if you'd stop in today," the Elezen said, "And Master Mirke, you've gotten so big since the last time your mother brought you down this way."

"Hi, Lady Ceirtette," Mirke said sheepishly. Sounsyy laughed softly. "Ceirtette, you and your husband will have to come for dinner soon. I'll invite Sophie too - have you heard from my sister lately?"

"I haven't, though I expect she's busy with the baby."

 

Sounsyy nodded, before changing the subject. "Anyroad, thank you for volunteering to help keep an eye on him while the Parade's coming around." Ceirtette smiled and said it wasn't a problem. Sounsyy kissed her husband and headed out the door and hurried back up the Ward. Mirke continued looking upset until Ceirtette's husband offered him sweets and showed him around the shop while they waited for the parade to begin.

 

When the cheering began outside a bell later, the four hurried out the front to the main road and lined the streets with the other Ala Mhigans. Mirke peered out into the street and caught sight of the procession. Musicians and dancers flanked by mounted lancers filed down the street. Mirke stared, wide-eyed in awe at their stature. Then finally came the new King in a white chocobo-drawn carriage. On all sides were the members of the Corpse Brigade in their purple and gold regalia. Captain Milleuda at the head of the column. Mirke scanned the procession as the Brigade passed. He cheered as he picked Sounsyy out of the crowd. She gave him a small wave then beckoned for him to join her as she passed. Mirke looked to his father but Nathaniel simply smiled and nudged his son forward. So the boy ran out to his mother's side. Sounsyy took his small hand in hers and with spear held high in the other, led her son along in the procession.

 

Though she knew troubled times lay ahead, today she would celebrate and, if only for a day, she could forget about the Garleans to the far far north. Today she and her son were happy.

 

 

 

[cuideag]

Jajara probably would have ended up the leader of one of her mother clan's sister clans. By now she might have had a child or two, but she probably would have kept up her training so she can still pull her weight as a warrior of the clan. Might have popped by Ul'dah now and again for trade in what might have been seen as a rather progressive move to push her clan's influence beyond the limit of the desert.

 

Delial, in another life, might have ended up fighting for the Resistance. She would have joined her brothers and father in fighting against the Garlean menace. Rather than destroy cells she might have started her own, and might have fled to Little Ala Mhigo and the other city states to rally people to the cause.

[Duskwright]

Oh god.. if something in my characters backstory didn't happen..

 

Rhyllona & V'arimbeh would never have made it to Eorzea. V'arimbeh would be married and in love with a different man and Rhyllona would've never taken up Bounty-hunting as a past time.

 

Tajih would still be a woman, have her memories and still have a loving family.

 

I wonder how much would change.. I'm pretty sure Tajih would be miserable and the other two would be happier.

[Spethah]

If Ira's mother didn't do the abandon shmandon, things would of been massively different. I actually consider this moment of "go to the apple market while I run off and onto this ship and middle finger you while I sail off" to be a critical piece in Ira's timeline.

 

Ira wouldn't of been a criminal and thus would never had earned the title "Couerlcutter". She wouldn't have over half the scars she has now, most being from Limsan brawling and chasing after dangerous beasts for gil. Her mother and father would of left together to avoid the Garlean invasion rather than just her mother running off with Ira because she was lured in by a pirate gang on the borders of Gyr Abania. Because of the family being together, Ira would of learned the Wind Cutter's art faaaaar earlier and actually still have a mentor today. Would her personality change? Nope. She'd still have her easy going, women-complimenting and suddenly leaving nature. 

 

But at least she wouldn't be learning a near gone art through a very worn soul crystal and has to work out and re-develop half of the things she would of learned from her father if they didn't split and never fought to the death over 20 years later.

[Leanne]

Leanne's backstory is actually a very nice, happy one! No tragic past, no life-changing events that would modify her personality or world view (nope, not even the calamity!). Her parents lives still, happily in their home at Gridania, she has the job of her dreams which is being an adventurer and even though she went through emotional hardships the last moons, she's now recovered, ready to kick ass! (As hinted by my signature).

 

Which such thing in mind, what I noticed is, few or next to none events would've shaped Leanne differently from what she is now: She's a product of herself and her ever growing, powerful wanderlust. If we take out that wanderlust of hers, what would happen is, she'd turn into one of Gods Quiver, or even a person of respect within the Adders for her skill in archery and ranged weaponry in general, helping her beloved land with any threats that could ever appear.

[Nebbs]

Well, as Nebula's RP in game started as the young fresh faced archer becoming a bard but then had seen her go through through time travel, alternate realities and body swapping, memory loss, raped by an evil version of her mate.., I did my first ever IC marriage and IC pregnancy and giving birth. Yea I know I look back and boggle that it sounds absurd but at the time it seemed to fit and I went along with things and enjoyed it as it was done very well indeed!

 

So I have been thinking what her life would have been like without the crazy stuff and I think I would not be too adverse to remaking her as the young fresh faced bard/healer stepping out into the world. And maybe the new classes offer that opportunity.

 

Originally I felt she would be a travelling bard living a rough life, and this time I think I would give her a happier background and life.

[Magellan]

Claire was abandoned as a child in the church outside of Drybone. (I actually have never figured out why). In the end, she was adopted by a hyur woman, a baker, which helped form Claire into a very energetic, passionate, artisanal woman, with zero interest in fighting.

 

If, on the other hand, her tribe had not ditched her, and she had grown up a traditional Seeker, I think she would've had the same level of energy and enthusiasm, but been much more a swashbuckling type. Maybe a bandit, or a robin hood-esque figure; a winsome outlaw who fought hard for the little people.

 

Fun to think about.

[Cliodhna Eoghan]

if clio hadn't had gone through what she did as a child...i'm not sure if it would make her happier than she is now. given all it's dark times and rough patches, she's finally feeling more okay with how things are. i know one thing if she had a different childhood, she would have probably been pressured to take over her father's trading business but still having a strong pull to go out and explore on her own. or even have more of a faith based outlook in life compared to her current views.chances are she probably wouldn't have gotten to know erik given the age difference.

[Merri]

If Merri never lost his arm in his youth and had his magitek prosthesis grafted on, I imagine he would have lost the major catalyst for his drive in pursuing magitek engineering. He'd be an entirely different character. Might not have even left Garlemald when he did, and likely wouldn't have found his other passion for adventuring. The two things that most define who he is as a character would simply not exist.

[Roen]

I was reminded the other day (by Sounsyy's shameless plug no less) that I had written this up loooooong time ago for this prompt but never actually posted it!

 

I thought about what would be the earliest defining moment in Roen's history, and it would have to be her Garlean mother dying when she was young. So what if her father never became involved in a project that took him away from home and her mother was never recruited by the Ala Mhigans and lived?

 

Roen would have had a nurturing mother throughout her formative years, she likely would have felt no need to rescue anyone and thereby never taking up the sword and shield. She would have been a lot less tomboyish and would have never tried to sneak into the Battle of Carteneau to impress her negligent father. Would she have never come to Eorzea...? Well...

 

 

 

Four years ago.

 

Roen closed her eyes and concentrated, her hands hovering over a small rock. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she sat still with her legs crossed on giant tree stump, a stubborn and unmoved rock as her only company. She focused her thoughts as well as her breathing, even as she willed the energy of the elements around her to bend to her will--

 

“That rock looks perfectly content where it’s at,” came a whisper that tickled her left cheek. She felt a hand sliding around her waist. “I don’t think it is going to move for you, Roen. No matter how much you want it to.”

 

Roen lifted her hands, peeking at the rock that still sat in front of her. “Grrrr!” she growled, falling back into the man who had snuck himself to a seat behind her, her arms flopping outward for dramatic effect. She wrinkled her nose at the rock, then gave the man a glance over her shoulder. “I think Miss Rae is mistaken. I do not have any aether reserve. I cannot channel this thing called conjury.”

 

“The fact that you are even trying to practice an art that belongs to the foreign primitives,” the young man said with a tsk, and shook his head at her. “You know your father would not approve.” His long blonde forelocks fell in front of his scolding hazel eyes.

 

“Do not chide me, Julian!” Roen spun in her seat, poking the man in the chest twice. “Who was the one that snuck out Miss Rae’s files on conjury in the first place!”

 

Julian laughed even as he winced. “Hey, hey! No tickling!” He held up his hands in protest. “I only did that because you were curious! And well…” He scratched his head with a sheepish grin. “It was better than you getting personal lessons from Miss Rae.”

 

“She is not that bad.” Roen narrowed her eyes at him. But she could not deny what they both knew: Raelisanne Banurein was a strange and aloof woman. Ever since she had arrived years ago from Ishgard, all mystery and swirling silver hair, she had been an intermittent fixture in her family’s life, working closely with her father. And while Miss Rae's demeanor was polite and ever proper, the woman’s violet eyes always seemed, at best, completely devoid of emotion... and at worst, exceedingly cold.

 

Julian snorted. “Well I am glad it is not her approval I need to get.” His hand took hers as he offered her a broad smile. “I’m sure I can win your mother over. Your father…?”

 

All pretense of reprimand melted away as Roen matched his smile. Color rose to her cheeks. “I am certain he would approve as well. Especially if you wait for mother to return from Ala Mhigo.” She dipped her head slightly, suddenly feeling bashful. “They both know how I feel…” she trailed off, clearing her throat.

 

“But has he forgotten or forgiven me for sneaking you out of that ball? After all, you were supposed to be presented to all sorts of wealthy, handsome fellows.” He feigned a grand gesture with a wave of his hand, but his voice did not quite succeed in suggesting any kind of remorse. His lips were curled in a roguish grin. She loved that grin. “Or that we then went on a chocobo race, in the rain, and… ruined your dress?”

 

Roen shrugged, her modesty dismissed in favor of the delightful memory. “Oh but you said I would not be able to ride as well in that dress.” She flashed him a victorious smile. “As I recall, I proved you wrong!”

 

Julian smiled, his gaze upon her turning tender. “You did.” Their eyes met and held each other for a long moment, before he quickly leaned in for a stolen kiss. He immediately leaned back and cleared his throat, eyes looking about the forest as if critters were spying on them.

 

Roen looked around as well, but it was more of an effort to suppress a smile that she felt was growing far too big for her face. “Well, hopefully when you announce your intentions to my father, we do not have to sneak out and--”

 

“Miss Luraes! Miss Luraes!” The shout rang through the woods, quickly followed by the rustling of leaves and bushes behind them. They both hastily pulled back from each other, Julian sliding off the wooden stump to stand back up and Roen absently straightening her braided hair and her riding coat. Soon a man burst forth from the woodline, and Roen recognized him as one of the guards from their home. He wore an expression that bode ill tidings.

 

“Miss Luraes! You need to come quick.” His words were urgent, his eyes wide with distress.

 

“What is it, Thomas?” Roen rose to her feet, alarm tensing her muscles.

 

“It is your mother.” Thomas said, his voice and eyes lowering with sorrow. “There’s been an accident.”

 

 

 

Almost two years ago.

 

“You have grown, duckling.”

 

Roen eyed the dark-skinned Highlander woman with wary eyes then nodded. When had she seen Delial Grimsong last? Perhaps it was her tenth nameday. She had not laid eyes upon the woman in many years. But her proud and regal poise lingered in her memory.

 

“Miss Rae said that you had a lead on the Resistance,” she said quietly as she looked about their surroundings. Their voice echoed in the cave just above the Blackbrush station, but their vantage point allowed them to see that no one else was within earshot inside the cave.

 

“A bit eager, aren’t we?” The Highlander canted her head, and her pale eye narrowed. “You have only been in Eorzea but a moon. Just because Banurein has sent you my way does not mean you hold any authority. I’ve known you since you were a suckling babe at your mother’s teat.” She paused when she spied the quick frown that creased Roen’s brows. “Mm, my apologies. I heard of your mother’s passing.”

 

“That is why I am here, Miss Delial. Eorzea is where they are stealing the ceruleum from for their explosives, to bring across the border.” Roen’s voice was firm and determined. “We need to stop them here. At the source.” She tried not to think about her grief-stricken father, or the tearful farewell she bid to Julian. But she could not let her mother’s death be without… some kind of purpose. My mother will have a legacy. Even though a part of her knew that her mother would have never wanted her to infiltrate the land she had always been curious about, and plot against the people who she had never thought would be her enemy.

 

But it was the Ala Mhigan Resistance and their violence that had resulted in her mother’s death, so Roen had come to Eorzea--to this place called Thanalan--to root out and eliminate one of their sects.

 

“So.” She trained her gaze on the Highlander. “What do I need to know?”

 

“Let us start with the names of our targets then, duckling.” Delial curled a cold smile. “Greyarm. Wolfsong. Stomchilde. Get to know them, before we drive daggers into their misguided little hearts.”

 

[Asmodean]

For Asmodean only two events comes to mind that could truly change him from what he is now but one of the events would more then likely have lead to him having been hung along with his father.  He was more or less placed into a coma for a number of years after the calamity which is when his father was killed so he had never been put in that coma odds are he would be dead or have a bounty on his head.

 

The other possible event that would change the man entirely is if his mother never died from the "wasting rot"  sickness she came down with early in his life. In fact Asmodean would most likely using his mother fencing sword and dagger style in place of the ax he uses currently. He probable be a more open person then quiet loner he is currently is now as well. He... just would be the Asmo I have now.