Ser Ivainne Lafayette
"I do not yield."
Name: Ser Ivainne Lafayette
Nickname(s): Ivy
Age: 34 Years Old
Date of Birth: 7th Sun of the 1st Astral Moon
Birthplace: Ishgard
Residence: The GobletRace: Elezen
Gender: Male
Height: 6 Fulm 4 Ilms
Weight: 170 Ponze
Body Type: Trim, WillowyOccupation: Smith, Mercenary (Former Dragoon and Semi-Retired Knight)
Notable Skills/Hobbies: Various Weapons Training, Blacksmith/Armourer, Musically Inclined, Fledgling Dark Knight, Wearing All Black in Thanalan
Alignment: Lawful NeutralRelationship Status: Engaged
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual
Common Knowledge
Those who called Ishgard home during the final decades of the Dragonsong War would likely know Ser Ivainne as a familiar sight, if not by reputation. He would be considered highborn, though his immediate family's ties to the weakened House Haillenarte are so distant that he never had much contact with the upper echelons of Ishgardian nobility. Instead, much of his early life was spent in the church, as his family was filled with clergy and inquisitors. For a time it was expected that he might himself join the Halonic priesthood, but Ivainne decided to take a more hands on approach in his devotion to Halone and her fair city. He became a knight, and then trained as a dragoon, and he took up arms against the Dravanian horde.By the grace of his goddess, he survived to see the war's end, though some still whisper that he almost fell prey to the inquisitors. While he seemed to most to be the same bright, idealistic man he'd always been, a faint melancholy seemed to hang about him like a fog. Ser Ivainne began traveling further and further from Ishgard's walls, though he always returns home after a time. Though he seems incapable of lingering in the city for very long, it seems equally impossible for him to sever ties completely.
Full Backstory
For much of his adulthood, Ser Ivainne balanced two lives on a knife's edge. To the public, he was the respectable heir of a pious family who was serving his city in a war against an unyielding enemy. Behind closed doors, however, he was an aspiring musician and loving husband to a fellow knight by the name of Ser Linaire. The two dreamed of a time when they could be at peace and rebuild, but each man went about pursuing those dreams in a different way: as Ser Ivainne tried to simply fight his way through the war with as few casualties as possible, Ser Linaire was drawn to the words of Lady Iceheart and her heretics. He was discovered by the inquisition before he could truly join their numbers, and Ser Ivainne was dragged to the Tribunal to be questioned. While their marriage wasn't widely know, it was no secret that the two were very close, and it was assumed that the heresy of one would have corrupted the other.It's hard to say what saved Ser Ivainne's life. Some would argue it was the good will earned through his years of devotion to the city's cause as a knight and a dragoon. Others pointed to his devout family, and to those within the inquisition itself who could have defended his character. Still others claimed it was Ser Linaire's death that spared him, for when thrown from the Witchdrop, his inability to save himself proved that while perhaps not innocent, he was not as far gone as the inquisitors suspected. Regardless, Ser Ivainne was freed, though he was irreparably wounded by what had happened to himself and to his beloved. When the war ended, he no longer felt as rigid a sense of duty to his city or her people, and he began to wander. His black armour is his version of mourning attire not just for Ser Linaire, but for all those who died needlessly in the Dragonsong War.
At a Glance
Ser Ivainne's diminutive size (for an elezen) and delicate form caused some to doubt the young knight's potential, but he quickly proved his capabilities as a quick and efficient lancer who could fell dragons with lethally accurate strikes. Despite his viciousness on the battlefield, Ser Ivainne is endlessly gentle and patient with those around him. Some might find his stilted manner of speech and rigid posture offputting at first, and assume him to be guarded and overly formal, but those Ivainne is more comfortable around get a glimpse of a very warm and friendly man who's simply very far out of his natural element.Though the epicene beauty of his features is hard to miss, Ser Ivianne seems either apathetic or unaware, and puts little effort into his outward appearance beyond tying his white hair into a messy knot to keep it tucked beneath helmets, and a faint blue stain worn on his lips. He's almost always clad in black or greys, whether it's the imposing armour he wears on the field, simple tunics, or the few pieces of finery he's kept. On rare occasions he dresses the part of a Higborn Ishgardian, but this seems to be more for the benefit of his doting fiance. In recent moons, he's started wearing an ornate patch over his left eye, and a fresh scar spans the length of his face diagonally.He previously favoured the lance, though he's not opposed to the use of a sword and shield, but has more recently taken a liking to greatswords.
Secrets
- The fact that Ser Ivainne was married at all is not typically a known fact in Ishgard. That his husband was executed for heresy only further complicates things.
- Behind his outward devotion lurks a resentment of Halone that has tempted Ivainne with apostasy on more than one occasion. It's led to a painful and seemingly endless cycle of doubt, repentance, and religious fervor.
- A handful of the knights Ivainne was closest to during the war went on to become Dark Knights. Given their unofficial exile from Ishgard and his own brush with accusations of heresy, he strives to avoid contact with them or mention what became of them in mixed company. When pressed about the fate of his dear friends who survived the war, he simply replies that they went elsewhere.
Rumours
Temple Knight - "Ser Ivainne might not be the sharpest spear the dragoons had, but he's loyal. It's damn near shameful that anyone doubted that."Halonic Inquisitor - "All I have to say is that he's a very, very lucky man."Ishgardian Barkeep - "Between you, me, and the lamppost, I think the war cost Ser Ivainne a lot more than he lets on. I wouldn't be surprise if he left this city for good someday, but he keeps coming back."Halonic Priest - "Ser Ivainne is always a welcome sight in the temple. He spent a good deal of his youth in the choir, you know. His piety is commendable, and his voice is always cherished during the evening hymns. I can't say I ever approved of him spending so much time with that Ser Linaire, but what we lost in a devoted priest and talented inquisitor we gained in a fierce knight and Dragoon."
Preferences
Level of RP: Heavy, lore compliant, IC when RP Tag is active.
Style: Short paragraph and dialogue, character exploration focused.
Themes: Any allowed, permanent injury should be discussed beforehand.
RP Events: Participant.
RP Association: Sentinels of Sand FC
OOC Info
Frequency: Evenings when possible, contact if a scene is wanted.
Time Zone: EST
Server: Mateus
Additional Info
Walk ups welcome, feel free to give me a poke if I don't notice.
Discord RP available to regular RP partners and FC members.