Artorius Thunderheart

warrior of whatever, in dire need of nap

About

born on the 13th sun of the 2nd astral moon, under the gaze of the keeper; around 38 years old at the start of ARR
he/him, transmasc, bisexual & polyamorous
wildwood elezen, born in thanalan, moved to ishgard, moved to doma, stood in gridania until adventure called
married & widowed thrice, once father of two children
full time azure dragoon, sometimes deals with his trauma as a dark knight

currently wishing for the company of the lord commander & his fellow azure dragoon

backstory

Born to a small farming family in Thanalan as one of a pair of identical twin daughters. Twin sister, Amalia, defected to Garlemald when they were barely fifteen and family decided that they needed someone to succeed the family who was more capable and not a quiet and despondent child. Married off to a syndicate hopeful merchant, he disappeared under unsavory circumstances and left no gil behind.

Was soon married off to a visiting lowborn Ishgardian noble who offered to pay a very high bridal price in exchange for him being whisked away to Ishgard. Relatively happy, the couple were, in that they understood that they felt nothing for one another but created a comforting home nevertheless. This did not last, after accusations of heresy and an execution, was he alone again. All of his husband's gil and property were left to him in spite of the circumstances of his death, but he elected to instead run to the far east to start a new life by stowing away on the earliest ship and subsequently waking up in a shipping container of botanist equipment being hit with a broom by his future wife.

For a time he lived in Doma and married his rude awakening, a hyuran named Kanna, so she could continue her botanical pursuits without suitors harrying her every moment of the day. Together they had a pair of twins, a hyur boy named Ryan and an elezen girl named Seraphina. The family all fled once issues in Doma began to come to a head, before settling down at the edge of the Black Shroud; peace did not last long whence the Calamity began to ravage the land and they were all separated. He has not found a trace of them since, and has taken up a name and way to present himself that is all his own, opting to become an adventurer in New Gridania.

While he still holds love for his family, he cannot bring himself to do much more than look for them--that part of his life is over now and he has zero desire to return to it.

Relationships

FAMILY

Amalia rae Noctalis: Identical twin sister, left when they were barely fifteen and defect to Garlemald because she thought that she might as well join the oppressors rather than be at their mercy. She gave her brother one parting gift, the scars on his face that have never managed to fade or heal properly. Commander stationed in Garlemald, she focuses on training the more...stubborn recruits who needs be broken. She does not feel much more than anger or pleasure from battle. She and Artorius have never gotten along, with the man always being passive in silent compared to her more fiery personality. If he met her on the battlefield, he would be more scared of her than Zenos could ever hope.

Kanna, of the bitter pill: Artorius' ex-wife. An incredible apothecary from Doma, she's incredibly curt and rude in spite of always having the best of intentions. She's never felt anything more than friendly affection for her life partner, their marriage was just useful in that she would be left alone by suitors from the Azim Steppe and Kugane. She has always wished her partner would try and do things that were not only what was asked of him, but also rarely ever took the time to say anything nice herself. Artorius, however, loved her very much. She made a nice home with two lovely children, and did not expect him to do more than what was needed. He misses simpler times.

Ryan, of the stinging shot & Seraphina, the sanguine blade: His twin children with Kanna. Ryan was a sickly boy who made up for his weak body by training with the bow until he could hit targets from malms away. Witty and sarcastic, under better circumstances he has always wanted to send the boy to get proper schooling and make something amazing of himself. Sera, however, was full of energy and wanted nothing more than to fight for a living despite her lanky elezen figure. Constantly fighting with the other children with nothing but her bare fists and a smile, Artorius constantly had to make peace with the other parents of their village lest there be a civil war on his hands. They were in their teens when the calamity struck and...Artorius misses them. He sees them in the Leveilleur twins and his heart aches. Maybe if he was a better parent, if he was a little smarter, if, if, if...

SCIONS

Alphinaud Leveilleur: At first, Artorius thought of him a bit annoying, but good intentioned little boy. Many trials have shown him growing into the capable man he will one day be, sometimes he wishes he could dote upon the lad. He is so young, he should be able to enjoy it...

Alisaie Leveilleur: He warmed to the more fiery of the twins much quicker than her brother, simply because she was far more to the point, compared to her brother. When they spent so much time together away liberating Doma and the events leading to the Ghimlyt Dark, they grew unusually close out of fear.

Artorius is somewhat overprotective of the twins, because they remind him too much of his assumed long gone children. He tries his best to dote on them without being too overbearing, but they make it so difficult being so independent.

Thancred Waters: Probably one of the few people who he could have ever considered opening up to about his past within the original scions. He understands the feeling of loss all too well, twice over. They are friends, often drinking together in lieu of dealing with what weighs heavy on their hearts. Very early on, they spent a rather passionate night together, but it seems like neither of them want to discuss it...

Ryne: Very much like a daughter to him, albeit he knows Thancred holds the honors. She got very excited and mentioned that they matched when her appearance changed, and he was inconsolable about it for a bit.

ISHGARDIANS

Haurchefant Greystone: The first person to actually feel like a friend to Artorius in all of his work. Such kindness felt so foreign, and it being so freely given was beyond him. When all was lost to him once again, who extended a hand? Made a new home in the frozen highlands of Dragonheart? Who warmed his heart and body when no one else would bother? He fell very hard for Haurchefant, but only realized it too little too late and never got to say it to him. A part of him will always belong to Ser Greystone, regardless of his current relationships.

Estinien Wyrmblood: Such a strange relationship the Azure Dragoons share. It was not until he was bound for Ishgard, that he wanted to do anything more than knock some sense into the man. He came off as arrogant and foolish, and their scuffles within the Stone Vigil left him angry; yet upon meeting him once again prior to the Steps of Faith, he began to feel a kinship that quickly turned to something deeper he did not feel comfortable naming at the time. There's a certain calm that overcomes him in Estinien's presence, for he knows few people who are more capable than himself in a battle; there are no dangers at his side, and even should one appear it is not long for this world. He loves him, truly, but Estinien is consumed by wanderlust and is rarely seen by either of his lovers. How he wishes he was also at his bedside when he roused from slumber, safe in Ishgard...

Aymeric de Borel: Ah, Aymeric. None other knows Artorius' heart and mind better, despite their shared lover. The Lord Commander and he became extremely close in the months between the end of the Archbishop and Estinien's return, both of them opening up about past hurts and traumas; gentle touches and even gentler words truly made Artorius fall for the man. They share letters and gifts from afar across the length of the campaigns to liberate both Ala Mhigo and Doma, but Artorius longs for when he can spend months at a time, waking up next to him, begging for a couple more minutes of rest...

IN GAME NAME: Artorius Thunderheart
DATA CENTER & SERVER: Crystal, Zalera
FREE COMPANY: None, atm.
GRAND COMPANY: Maelstrom
SYSTEM: PS4 & controller, for now

Feel free to add me as a friend, just DM me or pop a tell to let me know who ya are from twitter & stuff.

mod stuff

ryan, but you can call me artorius too
he/him, transmasc, bi
part time worker in library adult ed, full time fucking disaster
i also write sometimes, but i promise it's nothing special

Contact

you can find me on twitter & ao3 in the links below!

AO3
TWITTER