Lucas Rajan
"Off he set for Ul'dah, his dreams carried upon his back along with a stout chest he was determined to fill with riches lest it bear his own lifeless corpse home." - Ul'dahn folk tale
someone has to strike a pose and bear the weight of well-tailored clothes
The Merchant
Raised on the streets of Ul'dah, Lucas Rajan fell in easily with youthful pickpockets and adventurous ne'er-do-wells. But it was only a matter of time until he grew to look up to an assortment of merchants, guild artisans and confidence artists — and become a player in their trials and tribulations.When he became a young man he set off into the world to ply his skills as a trader, search out alchemical discoveries and, in honor of an inspiring ancestor, learn to become a lancer. Over many years he saved coin and rare artifacts.Though he fought in Operation Archon, his journeys eventually led him to discover a calling with the Ala Mhigan resistance. He set aside his desire to learn the lance in order to focus on smuggling goods to freedom fighters before ultimately working in logistics when The Eorzean Alliance began its own march against Garlemald.Following the war, Lucas returned to Ul'dah with an assortment of rare goods he had discovered along his journeys and used them to start his own trade empire.After years of growth, Lucas now has a reputation in Ul'dahn society as a gentleman rogue who has a taste for good liquor and winning the hearts of pretty women. To his fellow Monetarists, he seems mostly harmless, and a decent ally who enjoys promoting the arts, Ul'dahn culture, and grabbing the spotlight by hosting public events.It is well known he leans upon his charm, beauty and grace to make friends and land deals.He is known to love the people who work for him, and dedicate funds and resources to guarding their communities.He has recently aroused suspicions once again that he may in fact be a Royalist. Announcing he plans to transition his business empire, Aetherscale Enterprises, to a worker-owned cooperative is a concerning development.
dark and familiar and deep as the sea
The Desert Wolf
Born to monetarist wealth in Ul'dah, Lucas Rajan — if that's who he really is — betrayed his family and threw in with violent Royalist revolutionaries. He used his charm and beauty to manipulate and hurt, extracting power for the cause however he could. After mastering alchemy, skullduggery and subterfuge, he was murdered by his mentor.A new man, he set out on his own to travel the world as a merchant, refine his alchemical prowess with new techniques and hone himself into an honorable lancer the likes of his ancestor.He became a drifter, passing from one cause to another, lost for purpose until Ala Mhigan rebels showed him his abandoned, misbegotten skills could do more good than his dreams.By another name, he became known as an assassin, a black operations specialist and a liberator of slaves. By the time he returned to his homeland of Ul'dah, his hands were caked in the blood of Garleans and he hungered for the power to make the changes he wanted at home by his own will.He built a trade empire by exchanging the riches, artifacts and favors he'd picked up during his travels, and used it as a front for pro-Eorzean, anti-Garlean espionage and counterintelligence operations.There is a trail of death left by his hand and the hands of those he commands in Ul'dah. Aetherscale Enterprises is not shy about laying low any who would threaten the safety and prosperity of Lucas' people with mobster-like brutality. That includes cold death for business rivals who believe the upstart organization can be taken advantage of.Lucas aggressively guards what is his, and that includes the neighborhoods where his employees live and work. Skills meant for war are turned to doing what must be done to help create a new Ul'dah.
The basics
Age: ???
Gender: Male
Race: Midlander
Nationality: Ul'dah
Height: 5'11
Weight: 180 pounds
Orientation: ???
Occupation: Merchant
At a glance: Beautiful
Build: That of a dancer and a climber
Personality: Gregarious and warm
Attributes
| Power | C |
| Athletics | A |
| Precision | A |
| Reflexes | B |
| Health | C |
| Fortitude | C |
| Tactics | B |
| Analytics | A |
| Academics | C |
| Social Intelligence | A |
| Inspiration | C |
| Deception | S |
Characterization
• Warm and encouraging
• Playful
• Charming
• Doting
• Cunning
• Protective and Possessive
• Deceptive
• Calculating
• Strong-willed
• Hypocritical
• Secretive
• Paternal
• Cold-blooded
• Hates Garlean technology
• Loves Ul'dah, dance, alchemy and parkour
• Conflicted
Motivations
Liberty: All souls deserve autonomy and freedom. Slavery is an abomination. This belief fuels my anti-slavery actions to this day and informs my hatred of illicit substances.Revolutionary: Ishgard and Ala Mhigo have shown the way. Garlemald has fallen. It's now or never.Ul'dahn Hegemony: With Garlemald defeated, everyone will be grasping for power. Ul'dah must assure its ascendancy with alliances and power.Ul'dahn betterment: Ul'dah's culture, history and arts are worthy of praise and must be nurtured in order to flourish.Ala Mhigan partnership: Ul'dah and Ala Mhigo once seized their individual powers through mutual gain. Such a partnership is essential again.My people: The people who serve me, who work at my businesses, and whose labor and friendship has supported me deserve my supreme loyalty. I will do anything to protect them and see their communities flourish.Dismantle Garlemald: The old empire, all those who would see it return, all of its old systems, and any who would make themselves warlords with its misbegotten power must be turned to ash.Business and trade: Business and trade make the world turn. We either fill our coffer with every action or step closer to our grave. I'm always looking for opportunity.Power: Dreams are naught but dreams without the power to make them reality. I will seize all the power I can find.
Art credit: Amtepra
Demons
The Coffer and Coffin: Lucas believes life is best lived on the edge between life and death. If you are not pushing for more, you are creeping toward your end. This belief empowers him to live hard, gamble hard (and cheat to win), but can run him ragged.Unsettled: Despite commonly finding himself in the company of employees, allies, friends and lovers, Lucas often experiences bouts of inexplicable, extreme loneliness.Haunted: The things Lucas saw in the Dragonsong and Ala Mhigo haunt him from time to time. He describes the sensation as "floaty."Guilt: Lucas regularly combats the guilt of the evils he committed in his youth, as well as the belief that he is directly responsible for never properly bonding with his brother, and directly responsible for the death of his brother.Cold rage: Extreme anger often crawls through Lucas, cold and bitter, like ice crawling through cracked glass. He is not one to lash out.Unsatisfied: Nothing will ever be enough. Nothing will ever make it right. And if it does, who am I then?Power and luxury: Am I doing all of this for a cause or for my vanity? *“If you want to find out what a man is to the bottom, give him power. Any man can stand adversity — only a great man can stand prosperity." - Robert Ingersoll. *
IC
Nanamo Ul Namo: Recent years have, in Lucas' eyes, proven this leader not to be a naive incrementalist. She has bent political power in her favor since Ala Mhigo and made it clear during the End Times. Furthermore, Lucas is convinced she performed something like Kriegstanz, or something even more divine, during the Seventh Umbral Calamity.Asbjorn Stonefist: Iona Falconsoul's father. She gave Lucas Rajan a place in the Ala Mhigan revolution. This changed his life forever.The Moth Tilda Oake: Lucas admired her power and determination as a leader during the revolution, and she inspired in him an indomitable mentality. He now counts her as one of his closest confidants, and feels they share a deep, mutual indignation at the darkness in the world.Lucas Laveldon: A myth and legend to Lucas. Lucas takes his name from this mercenary commander and lancer who fought in the earliest days of Ul'dah. (He's based on FFXI Lucas shhh)???: This operative taught Lucas dancing, pugilism and alchemy in his youth.P'ashara and R'adevh: Lucas knew these two seekers at different, critical points in his life. Because of them he holds Azeyma and her tenants in esteem in balance to Nald and Thal.Cyriak of Harbor Avenue: This recently defeated villain had beliefs and ideas so similar to Lucas' that they forced him to re-examine himself.
Major Influences
OOC
The Medici Family
The Scarlet Pimpernel (but not pro-nobility)
Virginia Hall, Stering Hayden, Cary Grant
Michael Westen
Leverage
The Count of Monte Cristo
Maurice Leblanc's Arsène Lupin"I never would have dreamt of depriving you of your moment of triumph. Alas, a moment was all I could spare."
— The Scarlet Pimpernel
Alchemy
Lucas gets up to all sorts of madness in his laboratory, but he makes sure to keep certain items in particular on hand whenever he can. He also has been known to brew up emergency potions with his handheld alembic and whatever is handy, often damaging his hand and arm in the process.
Infusions
Whether you need an extra boost of strength, speed or mental acuity, Lucas tends to have infusions ready to temporarily boost your body's aether. He most frequently carries strength for himself and a usual suspect (SANGRID) who favors the infusion.
Potions and ethers
Sometimes there is no time for a proper healer. And sometimes a proper healer needs to restore their aether. Lucas comes prepared.
Warding potions
In order to withstand elemental forces, Lucas has been known to produce warding potions. He most frequently carries earth (for desert storms) and ice (for the cold north). Fire comes up a lot, too. Go figure.
Alkahests
For when you need to dissolve elemental bonds in a (probably really unsafe) hurry.
Alchemist fire and alchemist lightning
Fire for burning and lightning for stunning in a convenient marble. These are useful tools for survival and playing support.
Gear
Tools
Lucas maintains a variety of tools. Many of these can't always be hidden away at all times, but some can when appropriate. Others are stowed as close as possible.
Some of these tools are technically alchemy, but not as flashy.
Glamour prisms and makeup
You never know when you need to hide a weapon or tool, change your outfit, or change your appearance.
Thieves' tools
Not much to say here. But the mirror for checking corners comes in handy far more than you'd think.
Alchemist's shades
Lucas has no talent for magic, sensing magic or detecting magic. These lenses can sometimes help in a pinch.
Glittersand
Apply to suspected glamour and find the truth. Handy.
Holsters and bandoliers
These are not for carrying guns and grenades, but for carrying all manner of potions, sometimes hidden, sometimes not.
Insurance
Spine drops, echo drops, alchemical antidotes, etc. Better not to go without.
Whiskey flask
Ul'dahn is the best. There's no denying it.
Spice bottle
Important when visiting lands or friends who don't know how to properly spice food. Friends would tell you that Lucas destroys food with too much spice. They're wrong!
Climbing gloves
Lucas loves climbing the walls, buildings, domes and spires of Ul'dah. It's not only a good way to stay in shape, but a good skill for avoiding death.
Weapons
Lucas is no warrior or armsman, but he knows his way around a thing or two, and with no few tricks up his sleeve he can make good work of the right weapons.
Throwing knives
Lucas has tons of these, and plenty are usually hidden on his person with sleight of hand, or sometimes with glamours. Don't be fooled, he throws these knives straight and with aether behind them.
Enfeebling knives
In Ala Mhigo, Lucas favored the creation of enfeebling bolts, but these days he tends to favor knives. These alchemically-enhanced weapons can be made to silence, poison, blind, paralyze or simply erode magical defenses.
Goldsmithed Crossbow
This springy little device can snap into the shape of a crossbow. It's useful for when you need to hit something far away, and with goldsmithing magic it has a decent velocity. But it's a pretty niche device.
Polearms
Lucas never carries a polearm, but if he's at home one is never too far away. He's rusty as hell, and this isn't the best choice for him in most situations. But he's in shape and they're good for maintaining distance.
Cane
Some blue magic makes for good potions. Lucas needs to store them somewhere.
Politics
Including past campaigns and ongoing events.
Ul'dah
Rumors have long swirled around Lucas regarding his political leanings. He has long been considered a Monetarist, but one who is perhaps inappropriately doting upon his employees. But every now and then, his actions make others suspect he may be a Royalist. Most recently, the announcement that Aetherscale Enterprises would become an employee-owned cooperative has sounded this alarm louder than ever.Most recent campaign was: The St. Bodenolf Free Regiment
The Night Market [Note: Open for RP any time; events forthcoming]
The Moonlit Oasis [Note: Open for RP any time; events forthcoming!]
The Wellwick Mine
Fifth Moon Rival - AE and Fifth Moon had a bloody exchange for power on Ul'dah's streets.
The Paragon Tournament
Ala Mhigo
Lucas holds Ala Mhigo in high esteem, even going out of his way to display a painting of the city at equal height with Ul'dah during a tournament he hosted. The time he spent in the nation fighting for its freedom is well known, and many of his oldest contacts are Ala Mhigans. Lucas is public and vocal about his support for Ala Mhigo, and his desire for close relations between it and Ul'dah into the future. There are dozens of rumors about business, flings, rivalries and gods know what else between he and an Ala Mhigan mercenary commander known as The Moth.The White Owl - A cult tried to seize ancient Ala Mhigan treasures.
The Yorn Consortium - AE had to get scrappy with an Ul'dahn consortium trying to take advantage of Ala Mhigo's reconstruction.
Lies Beneath
Ishgard
Lucas' activity in Isghard these past few years has been part of the reason Monetarists wonder about him. He's frequently thrown support to Ishgardian reconstruction projects, and even helmed the F.R.I. as it ventured into the lowlands and started a new lumbering operation, which it handed over to Ishgardians. Just about every time Lucas does business in Ishgard, or lends aid, or makes friends, it just so happens to be with contacts associated with The House of Commons. Surely just a coincidence — those types are more interested in foreigners, right?Caravan to the Hinterlands [Campaign status: complete]
Into The Lowlands There was a business opportunity in helping Ishgard's reconstruction, and aiding The Commons, by rebuilding a lumbering operation.
Gridania
Lucas has a long history of polite static with Gridania. He's never gotten along well with the theocracy, but before the End Times he did go out of his way to show his good will to it for some reason. Alchemy is rumored to have been part of the motivation. There are a few stories about him smuggling in the area years ago that may or may not be true. Those very much in the know may be aware his primary intelligence contracting is administered through The Twin Adders, so maybe it's all a little more complicated. There have recently been rumors he is pursuing a "Gridanian princess."
Limsa Lominsa
Lucas' thoughts on Limsa Lominsa are not well known or often spoken of. Now and then he complains nothing was ever done about those pirates kidnapping a member of the dynasty so many years ago. He is known to frequently offer work to a member of the Sanguine Sirens. He pays his taxes at Maelvaan's Gate when appropriate.
Malikah Lancer
A lovely Ul'dahn socialite known for her interest in Kugane's night life and black markets. Some say she's dead. Others say it's all part of a scheme to move money internationally. Every now and then someone claims she sold them poison.
Saffron
A smuggler who brought goods from The Shroud through old Gelmorran tunnels to Ala Mhigan rebels in Gyr Abania. He picked up a bit about fighting voidsent to do the job and had to make friends with a rough, crminal crowd. But he is most known as a slave liberator and a pro-Eorzean spy who spent as much time behind enemy lines as he could.
Identities
Trettin McDowl
A pretty boy known for breaking hearts in Ul'dahn high society several years ago. All in all, he was a terrible man who took advantage of others and left many feeling confused and manipulated. A few who run in con artist circles know the name but say he's dead.
The Golden Eye
First known for selling goods in the Coerthan lowlands, The Golden Eye was later rumored to be an ally of the dragon cultists. Later, The Golden Eye popped up in The Brume during the Dragonsong, and was known to distribute potions there. Rumor says he tangled with inquisitors once or twice, and he's technically a dragonslayer if explosions count.
Lucas Rajan
An absolute nobody who lifted himself up from the streets by traveling the world as a merchant and building up his resources and wealth. He returned to Ul'dah after the war in Ala Mhigo to create his own business empire. Is there more than meets the eye to this pretty boy cassanova than meets the eye?
Evrick Bloody Nygaard
A friendly Limsan miner known for traveling about the world in search of rare materials. He carries with him a guild handbook to make sure other miners are always following guild protocol. You can't slack on these things! Every now and then he's seen in Limsa Lominsa, Revenant's Toll and Northern Thanalan, sometimes Doma on on guild business.
OOC
21+ pleaseI Prefer in-game RP, but some Discord is OK.In game as Lucas Rajan. On Discord as MithrilDM#6221.Most themes are OK so long as nothing creepy is going on OOC. I'm the final judge of that. Please clear anything more intense than PG-13.Lucas is a gentleman rogue in order to further his goals. If you're looking for true romance, it's probably not going to happen.Not interested in characters who sell drugs.I'll make my boundaries clear, please do the same.Get out of here with any transphobic, homophobic or racist shit.
Seeking
The following are just a bunch of suggestions. If you saw something elsewhere on the profile that gave you an RP idea, chances are I'm game. That's why it's there! I bet there are also RP ideas I haven't thought of that I'd like!Looking for:
• Characters who love Ul'dah.
• Characters who do not love Ul'dah, but are stuck there anyway.
• Artists and artisans in need of a patron.
• Dancers, courtesans and performers. Lucas is especially interested in meeting vocalists with an interest in opera.
• Armspersons in need of work.
• Spies in need of work.
• Laborers looking for work.
• Soldiers.
• Fellow Royalists or, heck, some Monetarists!