Cobalt
Talu'shpya
Shshuye
"Where you come from is gone, where you thought you were going to never was there, and where you are is no good unless you can get away from it."
(This character profile may contain spoilers
for Dawntrail MSQ through 7.3)
Info
Details
Name: Cobalt Talu'shpya Shshuye
Age: At least 200 years old
Height: 5 fulms, 10 ilms (179 cm)
Race: Shetona
Origin: Yyasulani, Xak Tural (Inland Northwest region)
Current Residence: Hhusatahwi, Shaaloani, Xak Tural
Profession: Criminal defense attorney. Formerly worked for the Kingdom of Alexandria as a fiend hunter in the Thunderyards of Heritage Found.
Gender: Male
Orientation: Bisexual
Relationship: Partnered to Yolli De Tepoztli
Family: Numerous children who live in Yyasulani, Shaaloani, and Tuliyollal. So many grandchildren that he himself probably doesn't know an accurate number.
Description
Cobalt has a rather unassuming yet confident presence. He stands at a modest height and has a lean build. He has brown eyes with near-permanent dark circles underneath, a timeworn complexion that shows him to be middle-aged, a crooked nose from multiple breaks, a typically dour expression, and a careful deliberation in the way he carries himself.He wears a regulator at all times, even after many Alexandrians have given up use of theirs. Cobalt's arms and hands are covered in scarring that branches like a levinbolt. The rest of his torso, arms, legs, and even up to his neck, bear a multitude of scars. Some of these speak of gruesome injuries that would almost certainly cause death. But it's not as if many people know what a healed fatal wound looks like, anyways.He often wears a dress shirt, vest, and a selection from his incredible collection of cravats, and keeps a small pistol on his person at all times. Cobalt has made more frequent use of his old electrope twinblades lately, ending up on jobs that aren't so different from his former profession as hunter.Though recently he's been treated with a "cure" to levinsickness, years of overexposure to levin-aspected aether and severe injury don't heal so easily. Even if his condition is much improved, Cobalt still lives with a multitude of chronic symptoms, which he goes to great lengths to conceal.
Personality
Irritable, workaholic, plain-spoken and guarded in equal measure, ambitious, protective, and tenacious. Often Cobalt is disastrously self-destructive, volatile, impulsive, and rude. Almost always seen with a cigarette in his mouth, and if he's not working, he's probably drinking. Superstitious, but usually right about it. Despises authority while almost constantly playing power games. A much more affectionate and generous side of the man can be seen when it comes to his family.Though he's often openly, almost proudly, driven by avarice and spite, Cobalt is fiercely and sincerely loyal to the very few people he counts as close friends (though he'd probably rather eat glass than admit they're his friends). He has a notable soft spot when it comes to young adults, though the more he points out that they're acting foolish, the more they seem to look up to him.
Gallery
RP Hooks
Rumors & Prompts
For potential clients: So you're in a situation you never thought you'd find yourself in, and you need an advocate at your side. Whether accused of a crime, in need of a contract or strongly-worded letter to be written up, an impartial professional to settle your civil dispute before it goes to court, a consultation to ask what you should do next, or potentially dubious methods to tie up loose ends or make something disappear, Cobalt's name is widely known throughout Tural and Alexandria as the man to call. As long you've got pel, soul cells, or something else of value to trade, Cobalt will represent you.
For law enforcement: Grateful clients aren't the only ones aware of Cobalt's notorious practice -- the Landsguard and Dustwatch have both had an eye on the man since they were first formed. Some gladly accept pel to look the other way, some don't even bother to try pinning him down, and some are determined to root out the corruption he enables and put him behind bars for good. In the last thirty years, he's ended up in the sights of Alexandrian law enforcement for both (alleged) petty offenses and (alleged) felonies.
For Turali locals: The man has been rather ubiquitous across Xak Tural for what most races is several generations. Rumors of underhanded dealings or legendary bar scuffles, even in Tuliyollal and beyond, often feature the name Talu'shpya somewhere in the telling. He's been practicing law and buying land for nearly as long as Tural itself has been a nation, and you could've easily encountered him anywhere along the way. Nowadays the old Shetona keeps an office in Hhusatahwi, and in a small town, it's well known he seems to spend his free time either drinking at the saloon or working in his garden and apiary. Professionally speaking, he seems to be just as much of a menace as ever.
For Alexandrian locals: Never a permanent resident in Everkeep itself, Cobalt has deep ties in the Outskirts community, where the majority of his children and grandchildren still live. After an impressive, brutal career of about fifteen years as a hunter, his involuntary retirement sent him back to studying law. It wasn't long before Cobalt was involved in the seedy underbelly of the Alexandrian black market, whether representing a client or purchasing "off-label prescriptions" to treat his levinsickness. He's also permanently banned from most drinking establishments on Everkeep Level Four for (alleged) acts of malicious mischief.
OOC
About
I’m a 30+ year old busy adult that works full time. RP is my fun hobby, let's keep it fun!
I prefer in-game RP over Discord, and need to set aside time for RP in advance (generally weekdays after 5pm PST and anytime on weekends).
This character is on Crystal DC (Malboro) but I'm willing to travel elsewhere.
I don't wish to interact with anyone who uses or supports the use of generative AI content. This is a creative hobby. Why are you using an environmentally destructive and wasteful tool that steals the work of actual artists and writers to create a shitty picture of your OC? Miss me with all of that.
Writing partners must be 21+ OOC, due to the high potential for mature subjects in RP.
What I find acceptable will vary by situation and by my faith in the intentions of my writing partner. If I find something uncomfortable, I will tell you. Please do the same for me.
I reserve the right to remove my character from any interactions that don’t align with my RP values, and encourage any of my potential writing partners to do the same. You respect my time and energy, I respect yours, we’re cool. I want RP to be a mutually satisfying writing collaboration, and a vehicle to propel each others’ characters forward in fulfilling directions.
Respectful representation and cultural sensitivity is very important to me. While Turali cultures draw obvious inspiration from real-life Indigenous/Latino/Hispanic cultures across the Americas, they are not direct equivalents, nor are they meant to be vehicles for racism and stereotypes.
Looking For
Travel & adventure. I love a good action scene, whether it includes combat or not.
Emotional nuance & a good sense of humor. I like to have both angst and comedy in my RP (even better when it's possible to artfully combine the two).
Lore flexibility and reasonable headcanons/homebrews that color in the vague outlines of existing FFXIV canon are great, but I prefer to avoid extreme fanon concepts.
Close platonic friendships of all kinds. I especially enjoy RPing with characters that have a strong contrast or even a clash in personality/interests.
Pre-existing character connections are very welcome with a bit of discussion.
Dark or violent themes and antagonistic dynamics are welcome, please ask first.
Art by @jxmey.bsky.social
