FFXIV Lorecrafting: Desastr

Lorecrafting completely within the bounds of FFXIV - researched and only created with care.

NOTE: The images in this carrd are NOT official representation of FFXIV, nor of the characters as presented in the game. These are merely visual representations of how these species should look in an 'in character' setting.

Note: Modified picture, not representative of playable models in FFXIV.

'Gloomhaven' Ashkin

Pureblood Garleans can't manipulate aether without a drastic change (either aid of a voidsent, or being granted the Resonant.)Unless, of course, they become...Something else.

'Gloomhaven Ashkin': Summary

A cold wind blows as the angels cry... the living will descend and the DEAD WILL RISE.💀 Exceptional strength, speed, & senses, typical of most other Ashkin.
💀Do NOT decay/rot if they maintain their bodies by eating flesh. This is how they heal/restore themselves as well.
💀 Given the lack of decay, their organs are functional. Lack of aetheric + flesh source, however, for too long would cause damage.
💀 Take 3 months - a year to gain access to their FULL souls. Their shattered souls partially ascended to the lifestream. During this time, they rely upon their necromancer for guidance & aether. They act both heavily exhausted and as if they are totally drunk.
💀 Totally random as to whether they retain any of, some of, or all of their memories.
💀Can sense where their necromancer + other Ashkin linked to their necromancer is at all time due to an aetheric link. Consequently, they can sense when someone linked to them is being attacked.
💀 'Bloodflow' is pure aether and glowing blue in color, similar to Specters. Their default scent, to those who have a strong sense of smell, would be similar to cereleum.
💀 Their eyes 'glow like the full moon', typically.
💀They are highly susceptible to fire, and therefore would (typically) fear too much of it.
💀 0 ability to maintain their body temperature, not that it bothers them. As a consequence, they're either freezing to the touch or the temperature of the room they're in.
💀 Capable of resisting necromancer commands with full soul - however, would be at a disadvantage against enemy necromancers, who could take temporary control.
💀 Experience bouts of fear, anger and grief at an elevated level than in life.
💀Can go through extreme damage, however would need the necromancer to re-ressurect them for things like decapitation (within a 3 hour window of the 'killing blow'). Would need to restore themselves with flesh consumption after extreme wounds.
💀 Can go at least 3 days without rest or sleep and as a consequence can be terrifying persistence hunters.

'Gloomhaven Ashkin': Origin

The Resonant experiment was quite the subject among Garleans, and while a small few received notable aetheric manipulation as Pureblood Garleans, and something anagolous to the Echo, there would be many unwilling Garleans with the faulty Resonant.That was to be the fate of one Garlean Scientist, who gained the impressive ability to pull the strings of a recently deceased soul back from the lifestream by identifying said soul's inability to move on.In doing so, she became a Necromancer. Unfortunately, any surge of power or damage results in 'worst-case-scenario' prophecy, plaguing her mind and causing irreparable mental damage.The scientist rose her very own 'found family' with her odd powers. She spotted souls clinging to their bodies and decided via compulsion she would raise them from the dead.Not that she quite knew what she was doing at the time, but, well... she learned fast.(Story time?!)That said - the scientist requires a voidsent partner to stabilize her aether/magic use, otherwise she would burn out and destroy herself.

"Let me tell you a story...

One of our favorites here. I bet it will help you feel a bit better about the Mistress. The civil war in Garlemald… Morana had yet to really have an idea on how to handle her powers. She witnesses the violent death of a Garlean Commander. She doesn’t know his name. She had recently escaped confinement in the chaos of things, after all. But, recalling she has access to very strange powers, she peers toward the strings of aether clinging to his body. He is not ready to leave. So… she calls back part of his soul. It will pour into his body until whole again. Morana didn’t really know -why- she did it.But … she felt her work was done.
So, she tried to scurry off into her little hidey hole.Except… he followed her, this commander. Because his aether was now attached by aether-link, you see. She became his mistress, after all - if brought back, we technically are compelled to follow her, until our souls are whole and she lets us make our own decision to leave or stay. Anyway, she didn’t know she’d be followed.So she settled into a very small abandoned building she managed to scavenge ceruleum heaters to in order to survive while the war raged.She started settling in for the night… when a shadow fell upon her.Did someone follow her?…Yes.Glowing eyes pale as the moon fixed on this Garlean woman.
Slowly, she turned to look at the entrance of the building. Standing there, looming, was a very tall, heavily-muscled Garlean zombie, splattered with blood given the violent way he died. He moved closer and closer to Morana.Step … step… step…Step… step… step…Morana was terrified. She realized he was the Ashkin she raised! Perhaps out to seek revenge?!At first, she glared. That glare-thing she does is actually natural, her other fear response kicks in after it. She tried, but her Ashkin kept his stare locked on hers. Something you should know about Morana - her eye contact is forced. She’s trained herself to do it for longer than her glare would otherwise hold. So, she broke it first, unnerved, and then her deeper fear response settled in. She shuddered, let out a cry of terror, and bolted. All around the building did she run.What happened?Well, her Ashkin followed. Of course. In confusion.Because why was his necromancer running from him?...So we have a powerful necromancer running from her own zombie. All around. And her zombie being utterly confused. Eventually, he had her unintentionally cornered. She yelled out, asking what he wanted. He tilted his head. He had no answer. He did not want anything. So, he remained silent. Morana yelled, ‘Who are you?’ That, he knew the answer to.Sort of.‘I do not know,’ he said in an echoey, gravelly, tone.She tried snapping at her zombie to go away. This confused him - but, wanting to obey, he took a few steps back. Morana did not specify a distance.Morana, thinking he was doing this on purpose and waiting to strike, stumbled back until hitting a wobbly display stand. Something fell and shattered, sending glass into her hand and causing her to scream. The Ashkin began to move closer again.Step…step…step…Terrified, Morana snapped at him again to leave her alone. She kept a terrified glare on him as he kneeled down.Was this it? Would this be how she died?No. Her Ashkin grabbed her wrist and gently pulled the shard of glass out of her hand. His gaze still locked on her. He said to her in a matter-of-fact tone, ‘No. You are wounded. You need aid. I will help you.’ Already defying her orders! Not that she knew it at the time that she even could control her Ashkin, mind you.But even then, when the soul wasn’t whole, she did not take the reins and send him off by a true, magical command. The Ashkin sat next to her, unsure of his purpose, but knowing she needed help. Morana was that angry kitten, theoretically hissing, spitting, and scratching. She glared at her zombie and tried to scoot away, but he moved closer.She shoved at him, clenched her jaw, clenched her fists… he did not budge, He then said, in a matter-of-fact tone, ‘You need a blanket’. He did go away after saying that. But only for ten minutes. Then, he returned with a blanket for her. It took Morana a while to calm down around Ced. But he got through to her and never left.Eventually. He became her brother.”

Noah: "She was absolutely terrified of Finn when raising him too, because right from the grave he was… well. Finn. Her glare was improved by then, so it took her longer to turn and try to run from him. When she did, Finn took that as a game, because when we’re risen, we act similarly to drunkards, and Finn gets even more bubbly than now when inebriated. He tackled her down and said:‘Hello ma’am! Did you just bring me back?! I didn’t know that was possible, but here I am! I have many questions. Hm… why do you smell very edible?’… suffice to say Finn was fed very quickly following that question.”

Finn: "Heh! ...I didn't mean to scare her that much... it was an honest question!"

'Gloomhaven Ashkin':
Create a Zombie

The crafted lore here is free to use if you're interested! However, the link to any of the characters mentioned here would be nonexistent, as that is a closed plotline.That said - you'd need your own necromancer & reason for them having gained a 'faulty resonant'. To balance things out, a voidsent partner is strongly suggested as to stabilize the aether/magic.Here's some key points to keep in mind:💀 Technically speaking, you don't need to be a Garlean at all or have the Resonant to implement this magic/origin into your story. Just a necromancer & your zombies.
💀 This lore would be similar to "Death Knights" from World of Warcraft. (TLDR: If maintained by the necromancer/themselves, they don't rot and maintain much of their original personality. They can be puppets, however, if the necromancer is evil/cruel. Zombies are capable of breaking free of their necromancer due to care put into restoring their souls entirely.)
💀You require flesh consumption both to not rot and to heal. However, you can consume non-Spoken flesh and be healed all the same. Whether or not your zombie has specific tastes is up to you.Plot ideas:
* You broke free from your necromancer and are on the run/in fear that they will try to take control again, maintaining yourself with a large amount of flesh consumption as opposed to absorbing power from said necromancer.
* Your necromancer is kind and you are a 'found family' with them + your fellows.
* You have no idea what happened to your necromancer, nor how you got here, but are on the search + at least know how to take care of yourself and avoid being obvious to the rest of the world, as Ashkin are 'taboo'. (try to blend in!)
* You left your necromancer on agreeable terms and are trying to lead your own life...er, undeath... in peace.

Note: Modified picture, not representative of playable models in FFXIV.

Khímaira lamia

The Allagans were successful in their late 'golden age' regarding chimera, and fellow Allagans/conqured peoples were not spared their experimentation.Some chimera still survive today, including those of a bloodsucking Spoken variety. Meet the Chimeral Vampires, anomalies breaking away from typical 'myth & legend' surrounding vampires in general.

Chimeral Vampires: General Summary

🦈 Gains 50% nutrition from blood. More power from Spoken, however can sustain just fine on Beastkin/other non-spoken entities. They remain carniverous, meaning the other 50% of their diet requires meat.
🦈The mixture of hemoglobin and hemocyanin in their blood results in a purple color + this rare blood being very valuable in alchemy.
🦈Levin + Water aspected species
🦈Enhanced senses, greatly enhanced speed (especially swimming), mild increased strength as compared to other Spoken.
🦈"True Form" (Spoken/FFXIV race selection) is land-based, but can transform into one of three wavekin forms.
🦈Most live in an isolated but advanced society, having intense caution to the outside world and frightening people away from them (think of the Bermuda triangle and vanishings due to that.)
🦈Will often get confused with Siren.
🦈Semi-ageless.
🦈Vampirates AHOY!

Chimeral Vampires: Origin

When the Allagan Empire managed to imprison the eikons of the Meracydians, a branch-group of scientists fascinated in chimeral beings1 and aetherical mixing set off to further their goals. Intrigued by the prospect of aetherical mixing, much like many people of their time, this group of Allagans, known as the “Neo-Trident Coalition” (NTC), wanted to create a chimera fierce on land and sea.They selected the primary element for this being to be lightning (levin). Their ultimate goal for this creature was to be a Spoken chimera.Eikons gave Allagans a hell of a time, but they could also be useful. The Neo-Trident Coalition researched rumours regarding a levin-aspected eikon revered by an isolated tribe of Miqo’te in the depths of the forests. The tales of ‘the electric lake’ led them to a ‘statue’ in the center of a body of water.This statue was of a two-headed crocodile, rumoured to be called ‘Sobek’. Indeed, glowing threads of levin-aspected aether flowed around this ‘statue’, which was a brilliant blue with branches of lightning going throughout what looked like stone for skin. The Allagans planned to harvest the aether here, possibly take pieces of the statue, when… it began to move.It was indeed an Eikon, and the struggle was great, but eventually they managed to capture the thing and bring it back to the lab. It took a lot of power to contain it, and so, they sought out to capture some of the Miqo’te from that tribe for aid in keeping it detained. There is little information of their fates during this time, but the rumours from the paperwork that survived to modern times have tidbits of grisly treatment.Now it was time for the secondary element - water. The goal was to find a lesser eikon rumored to be fed power by an isolated seaside tribe. This eikon was a primordial version of Leviathan, as the legend of the great serpent persisted for eons.After a significant struggle, the tribe was entirely exterminated, their texts looted and their summoned eikon detained. The remaining members of the Miqo’te tribe from Sobek’s capture proved too much of a hassle, so this route was much simpler. Plus, by this time, the Coalition had more funding & tech for a series of successful experiments.Now, it was time for the experiments to begin. The NTC were perfectionists. This species needed to be PERFECT. So… 994 unwilling victims perished to intense experimentation (blend of the aether and many elements of various monsters) until they came upon the first stable experiment, which then needed to be refined further.The scientific name of this species was known to be: Khímaira lamia, given the interesting side-effect that came with this Chimera’s existence…. The necessity of blood-drinking.

Chimeral Vampires: Complex Breakdown

For a total in-depth look at the lore behind these vampires, you can look here.A large group of these peoples will be on an island in the Cieldalaes called "Majoid Island". Their societal standards are here. HOWEVER: That society is a closed plotline, therefore while your origin point may be there, you would have left/been exiled from the society, as folks not involved in the plot written by OP wouldn't be here! This is being shared as reference material for those who want to deep dive their backstory.You don't technically need to read it to create one! The next section, or 'create a vampire', can be your guide otherwise.

Chimeral Vampires: Create

For the most part, this is open lore; however, your current home cannot be where the majority of these vampires are (Majoid Island) as they are isolationist + the plotline isn't super open (though you can contact Desastr on Discord for inquiry.)Here's some key points to help you!🦈You require 50% of your diet to be blood, the other being meat. Spoken gives you the most power.
🦈 You have natural siren-like abilities to lure others in for feeding.
🦈 You do not need to kill to feed.
🦈 You are slightly stronger than most. You are much faster than most. Your senses are enhanced.
🦈You'd likely have exceptional swimming skills.
🦈You'd have double fangs.
🦈 You bleed violet. Your blood is rare, so you'd want to enchant yourself hidden from others, including other vampire species, most likely.
🦈Your origin can be Majoid Island, but you would no longer be welcome there/be able to go there. You could have left due to exile or disagreeing with the isolationist lifestyle.
🦈 Your aquatic form is one of three creatures: Phuabo, Sea Serpent, OR Tatsunoko
🦈Various glowing tattoos or designs (similar to Au Ra Limbal rings for culture/customs) are favored by these people
🦈Be sure to look at the Complex Breakdown for more biological knowledge.Plot ideas:
* You are on the run from hunters/voidsent other vampire species trying to get at your rare blood.
* You are a recent exile/have recently left Majoid Island and are adapting to the world.
* You are an adventurer and have been born to an isolated chimera-vampire family with no knowledge of Majoid Island, but may be trying to find more about yourself.(Feel free to contact Desastr on discord for questions on Majoid Island and its general plot.)

Chimeral Vampires: Known

Note that this isn't 'public record' so much as people who would like to be mentioned on this page. It therefore would also not be a comprehensive list.

Apollo - Player: TheRealDesastr; Profile WIP

Contact Desastr on Discord to be added to this list!

Art Credit for OC of OP here

Alchemical Vampires

Borne via alchemical experiments of a voidsent (succubus), this species exhibits many traits of the mythological bloodsuckers brought to life.They are biology-based void-touched of aetheric and bacterial modification.

Art Credit for OC of OP @/RivenHarlow on Twitter

Alchemical Vampires: General Summary

🦇 Voidsent-based vampire via aetheric + DNA corruption
🦇 Turned via ritual or potion drank by parent prior to birth
🦇Symbiotic relationship with gut bacteria requires a blood-based diet
🦇DNA & Aetheric manipulation results in succubus-like traits + blade-like dentition

Succubus art credit here

Alchemical Vampires: Species Origin

A voidsent scientist wished to create her very own 'void-touched', an idea inspired by the sight of blood-drinking bats. She therefore got to work.Quote from her scientific paper:
"The experiment commenced with a goal to create a voidsent species connected to the scientist itself. The objective, by the scientist’s promise, was not malicious toward organic life within the Source. The predatory species in the Source like vampire bats and similar are fascinating, and the goal was to create a humanoid species of the same nature. Aether vampires are essentially what voidtouched are, however, the goal was to avoid this given the chance of connection to the Thirteenth, a miserable hellscape few should be subject to. No, this species should have a connection strictly to the Source, with little chance of ever being forced to the Thirteenth. The Source shall remain their home."A potion was perfected before being tested on Steppe Xaela under the guise of a 'strength potion'. Children born of those who imbibed it were turned into the first Alchemical vampires.The next set of trials was conducted by the scientist herself from subjects she more closely selected.There is an unknown number of Alchemical Vampires on the Star at this time.Fun fact: This crafted lore was gone over by
Synodic Scribe in this video.

Alchemical Vampires: Complex Breakdown

View the IC scientific report here. It gives the lore in bulk as opposed to bite-sized pieces of this carrd. This is the original lore document for the Alchemical Vampires. Of note, there is a lot of biology jargon in this paper.You don't technically need to read it to create one! The next section, or 'create a vampire', can be your guide otherwise.

Art of my OC Goliath by Plouvoir on Flight Rising.

Alchemical Vampires: Create a Vampire

This is open lore, so if you like it, you are more than welcome to create a vampire.Here are key points you should know:
🦇 You require blood of Spoken for nutrition, but do not need to kill to feed.
🦇 Regular food will provide energy, but only eating food and not blood is the equivalent of a hypercarnivore eating just grass. You will deteriorate rapidly.
🦇 The void corruption will cause some anomalies (player choice). This includes wings, horns to ears (Auri), & succubus tails.
🦇 Alchemicals have natural blade-like teeth (all of them sharp) + claws.
🦇 Any eye color, but jet-black and blood red are the most common. A common trait among alchemicals is black sclera.
🦇 Some Auri have noted their scales turning a deep crimson.
🦇 Any race can be born this way should their parents have drank the potion. This is the more common way of being turned than the 'ritual'.
🦇 There would be no recent turnings, however explaining it away with a freak accident is acceptable if the 'born this way' or 'turned several years ago' route does not work. That would need heavy lorecrafting, but is possible.
🦇 Your body has supernatural regeneration, especially for your teeth.
🦇 You have enhanced strength, speed, and senses, much like the vampires of legend - but you CAN be killed by normal means.
🦇 You've stopped aging.
🦇 If you were turned via ritual, you do not remember either that process or who turned you.
🦇 If you go without blood for too long, you're prone to frenzy, which cases you to enter a deranged, rabies-like state where you try to attack anyone you see until you get the blood you need.

Plot Ideas

* You are on the search for others similar to you, given you were born...strange.
* Something very odd happened several years ago that you can't quite remember, but it caused an extreme change in diet. You're on the search for what went on.
* You're struggling through the complexities of life as a bloodsucker.
* You're a constant target of monster hunters given your unique regeneration.

Alchemical Vampires: Known Vampires

Note that this isn't 'public record' so much as people who would like to be mentioned on this page. It therefore would also not be a comprehensive list.

Winter Eve: Player - TheRealDesastr. Profile link: WIP

Spring Dawn: Player - TheRealDesastr. Profile link: WIP

Contact Desastr on Discord if you wish to be mentioned on this list.