An inquisitive, discerning pair of sea-green eyes sit amidst a scattering of pinprick freckles cast across the bridge of the man's faintly hawkish nose. Twin ears add a good foot to his height, crowning a face framed by shoulder-length, stylishly mussed rime-gray hair. The lingering kiss of a sword's blade cuts vertically across his right eye, and only serves to contrast his otherwise approachable demeanor.

While dressed for the occasions that call for such forethought, his default is to eschew formality for comfort. Initial impressions easily suggest a man fresh from the Studium, eager to cut his teeth on the world writ large, but lacking the bright-eyed idealism of his peers. On the contrary, the crease between his brows lead to a predisposed habit of introspection and musing; the callouses on his hands speak of a man unafraid of a bit of manual labor.

How does it feel to be your own deceiver?
Signals raised then lost to the aether.

» RACE: Veena Viera
» AGE: 22
» NAMEDAY: 11th Sun of the 4th Umbral Moon
» GENDER: He/him
» ORIENTATION: Heteroflexible / Demiromantic
» HEIGHT: 6 fulms, 2 ilms.
» WEIGHT: 186 onces
» RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Taken, Monogamous.
» OCCUPATION: General laborer, guard, researcher.
» PROFESSION: Student of History - Calamities; Archeology Minor Studies.

BIO

Rusk was born to Dalmascan refugees who petitioned for asylum following the rapid expansion of the Empire into neighboring Dalmasca. His father found work as a Gleaner, while his mother studied at the Studium and earned herself a role among those studying the nature of the Aetherial Sea. Sometime prior to the Calamity, Rusk was born. He grew up comfortable and, when he came of age, was encouraged to attend to the Studium. It took him many years to settle on a major, but he was inspired to research the origins of the Fifth Umbral Calamity after finding very little information regarding the event, which further led him to the field of Archeology as a minor. He graduated with middling grades shortly before the Seventh Umbral Calamity.

At the behest of his father, Rusk has decided to take up traveling to broaden his horizons after the dust from Carteneau had settled. He didn't want for work; many crews were eager to have such a well-adjusted man aboard after losing many of their own in the conflict, and he learned a great deal about sailing in exchange for a fair bit of hard labor. But his desires to learn eventually led him into the cold reaches of Coerthas, and Ishgard. It was here he struck up lasting friendships with many of the Firmament's tradesman. He guarded many of the vans that ran goods from the distant territories and learned the art of the sword from some of Ishgard's finest.
Presently, he has resumed his studies in earnest while working for B'ahari Tia, an old friend and merchant, running one of the many trade caravans running between Coerthas and Vylbrand.

» SKILLS: Sailing, Martial Combat, Aetheric Manipulation & Identification of Anomalies, Negotiation & Rhetoric, Violin & Piano.
» WEAPONS: Sword & Shield, a Light-infused claymore named Lazarus
» HOBBIES: Reading & Research, Theater, Triple Triad, Sparring, Exploration, Travel.
» RESIDENCE: Ishgard & Sharlayan
» CULTURAL HERITAGE: Sharlayan
» PATRON DIETY: Menphina
» CLASSES: GLD DRK

PERSONALITY

Cavalier, confident, and congenial, not to mention thoughtful, practical, and utterly pragmatic if the situation suits it. While he is quick to set to task, he always takes a moment to give due consideration toward the needs of others before giving voice to his thoughts, or plans. He is a well-spoken man and clearly enjoys engaging in conversation with like-minded individuals. A peculiar reticence can occasionally bubble to the surface, and his moods are wont to capitulate swiftly if irritated or angered.

How am I supposed to sing?
Don't know the melodies
But all the void behind my teeth

  • Sailing. Rusk has a keen interest in the sea, sailing, and navigation. Although he doesn't profess any advanced proficiency in it, he is keen to hear tales other sailors (or adjacent) has of their ocean-bound adventures!

  • Fifth Umbral Calamity. Knowledge of this event is limited and any hints, or leads he gains on any further tales of this event will be pursued to their ends.

  • Artifacts & Relics. The man will go digging in a field if he thinks there's something hidden underneath the loam.

  • Aetheric Studies. He possesses no true talent for the arcane, but it doesn't stop him from learning all he can about it. The manipulation of aether is utterly fascinating to him.

  • Culture. While he didn't minor in anthropology, he still adores hearing about other cultures, practices, and traditions.

  • Food. A foodie through and through. He'll try anything once! It's an easy way to strike up a conversation.

  • The Ishgard Restoration Project. A common face among the crowd following the Dragonsong War. He made many acquaintances in the trading & crafting community and was frequently recruited for some project or another.

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