BACKGROUND (cont.): After this point, we enter the Stormblood (4.0) Questline:
Due to the ongoing conflicts and the attempt to liberate Ala Mhigo (the major plot point of the Stormblood expansion) Stephanivien has found himself swamped in the manufactory with commissions for both armaments and machinists, having even had to relinquish Joye off to "some far-flung deployment", so he asks that the WoL step in to help fill a request made by Hilda Ware to train new members of the city watch led by Hilda Ware, who was instrumental in bringing an end to the Dragonsong war and the establishment of the new, more egalitarian, bicameral parliamentary system being implemented as Ishgard's new method of governance.
Stephanivien is buried under orders for the main Ala Mhigan conflict as well as other demands, but still manages to find time to assist WoL and Hilda as they are investigating a theft and upcoming big ceremony protection as a part of the city watch: first in trying to identify the origins of a bullet utilized in the heist, and secondly to inspect the stolen item (a sacred ceremonial sword) for tampering by the supposed "thieves", as suspicions develop that someone is trying to disrupt the ceremony. He discovers that the sword has been altered to include a small bomb that he invented for training exercises for the Temple Knights intended to be remotely detonated. He crafts a device to trace back the location of the paired detonator. Then, on the day of the ceremony, works with Hilda, WoL, et. al. to discover the culprits who are trying to discredit the new commoner-staffed city watch and ruin the ceremony. Stephanivien further aids WoL, Hilda, and the watch in capturing the mastermind behind the disruption, which does much to secure the authority and reputation of the new Ishgard watch.
Which ends the Stormblood Questline.
Throughout 5.0 (Shadowbringers) and subsequent 5.X patches, Stephanivien continues his work overseeing the manufactory. He arranges with WoL to discover a problem plaguing Joye and Hilda, and—upon discovering that it is a lack of inspiration in developing new machinist techniques, works with WoL to try and secretly assist by attempting to inspire Hilda and Joye with a demonstration of the new techniques WoL developed. Their plan works, though the "secretly" aspect less so, as they are discovered by Joye and Hilda, who thank them both for the assistance. After this point he has shifted almost entirely to focusing on operation of the manufactory and new technological developments, while Joye takes the reins in instructing new machinists and running the guild in that respect.
He also makes a brief appearance in the Ishgardian Restoration questline, a monumental effort that is spearheaded by his youngest brother Francel. Stephanivien, and their remaining siblings Aurvael and Laniaitte come to visit Francel in the Firmament to both congratulate and commend him on his excellent work, as well as to volunteer each of their individual aide to Francel's efforts. Stephanivien himself makes to shift spending his time specifically on the newly opened "Featherfall" branch of the Manufactory to encourage and entice prospective buyers to visit the newly developed and restored areas of Ishgard to bring in much-needed funds for the restoration.
In the advent of Endwalker (6.0), Stephanivien is a part of the Ilsabard contingent, some of those selected among the Eorzean city states to enter Garlemald to the far north and take down a 'group' known as the Telephoroi who are threatening the entire planet with destruction. In Garlemald, He works with other engineers from different city-states and the locals to re-engineer and design extremely fuel-efficient ceruleum heaters to be used by the Garlean refugee population suffering under the destruction of their capital city and a sharp demand for energy, especially as Garleans are incapable of using alternative magical means. The Skysteel Manufactory as well as many other of the Warrior of Light's allies also assisted in the acquisition of materials to prepare the Ragnarok for its deep space trek to the far edge of the universe. Throughout the remaining patches and the current period, Stephanivien has continued work on meeting the demands of the manufactory including contributions to the ongoing work in Garlemald.
ABILITIES | POWERS: ( For reference/personal edification: a video of most his martial/fighting abilities here, and a list of the relevant abilities—only those below level 80—here, mostly because walking around with a giant automated robot seems... excessive. I'll detail them in a more practical sense below under "Job Abilities" )
General Knowledge and Expertise Stephanivien is first and foremost an engineer, and an extremely talented inventor. He has a good eye for potential, as well as the ability to scavenge other wreckage of machines and magitek for specific components to construct his new inventions, as well as the reverse-engineering and improvement of extant standard mechanical devices.
He is also well-studied in the field of aetherology, which is the study of the 'magical energy' known as aether inherently ambient in the world as well as stored within living beings, which has allowed him to develop a multitude of inventions based on utilizing of an individuals innate stores of aether. Foremost among these is the conversion of aether by aspecting it towards lightning to use functionally as electricity to power magitek as well as other technological abilities that augment firearms (and potentially summon ammunition from thin air) through the 'aetherotransformer'.
As the leader of the machinist guild, and inventor of the discipline, the man is also a solid crack shot.
Job Abilities The Machinist Job that Stephanivien has developed results in a special augmentation of firearm related abilities, as well as the control of small automated robots. I've included a list of the more unique abilities (that aren't just... fire bullets in increasingly fancy ways) and their descriptions below:
Heated Slug Shot - Fires an arc of 8 hovering bullets that hone in on a single target.
Heated Clean Shot - Summons two small hovering rounds that fire two sequential sets of flare-like blasts towards a single target
Gauss Round - Fires a sharply tapered, needle-like round towards a single target that splits into an electrically charged tripod for increased damage
Ricochet - Tosses a small dodecahedron towards a target and fires at it, causing a ball of lightning to discharge against the expanded pentagonal plates with a spherical radius of approximately 7.5 feet, focused on target and causing residual electric damage to anything within sphere (willing to have this radius drastically reduced)
Hypercharge - Aetherotransformer is deliberately overcharged with aether/energy causing it to spark and allowing for five instances each of two possible charged attacks, Heat Blast and Auto Crossbow:
Heat Blast - Shoots an large orb of plasma-like energy (presumably a super molten metal fireball?) at a single target
Auto Crossbow - Shoots out continuously fired arrows originating at a distance of up to twelve yards in a 12 yard cone shape (willing to have this size drastically reduced) to hit all targets within range
Rook Autoturret - Summons a small hovering auto-turret that fires plasma-like blasts at target, can be forced to detonate/self destruct for final burst of damage
Wildfire / Detonator - Fires a large orb-like contraption that explodes with slow-burning pitch that covers a target and increases damage received from attacks / Explosion of said contraption that forcibly ignites the remaining pitch (automatically occurs after ten seconds if not triggered earlier) that deals set damage to target.
Drill - Fires a large spinning bullet that "drills" into target, causing significant damage.
Flamethrower - Typical flamethrower at starting from point-blank range in a stationary position in a cone of 8 yards (cannot move while utilizing flamethrower)
Bioblaster - shoots out a 12 yard cone of toxic gas that causes slow poisoning damage that persists for 15 seconds
Air Anchor - A blast of sharp picks (like for mountaineering) attached to chains that anchor in the air around a target, encircling it within the chains to bind it, that then explode.
It's worth noting that all of these are possible regardless of the type of firearm actually equipped.
PERSONALITY: Stephanivien is, deeply, irrevocably kind. He believes firmly and steadfastly in the good of mankind, and is a strong advocate for development and change, constantly striving for the improvements of the future.
Stephanivien's whole motivation for the development of the Machinist war discipline is to grant the opportunity and ability for Ishgard's common man to be able to take up arms to protect their home, and grant them martial independence in a highly class-stratified nation who's entire focus is geared to a thousand-year active conflict that dominates all aspects of society. His opinions and actions towards the equal value of all people and the desire to elevate and enable the freedoms of his fellow Ishgardians—with his desire for the future encompassing a striving for social revolution as well as a technological one—has him considered quite radical by others, as well as occasionally naive, when he finds himself surprised that others do not value people as equally as he does. He is a man highly aware of the privilege granted to him by his societal position and committed to leveraging that privilege to elevate others so that equality may one day be achievable, while also remaining very conscious of the power that his position can inflict towards other people and works very hard not to pressure others against their wills. He does not hold grudges against those who have gone against him out of need or force from others who wield their power against him, even going so far as to offer a job and position to one of Tedalgrinche's lackeys who was strong-armed into participating in the hostage-holding of Joye's father, setting him up with the opportunity to become a machinist and a job in the manufactory to address his needs for employment. He is deeply invested in the progress and the successes of those he has reached out to, or assisted in some way, and completely lacks any sort of envy at the achievements of others, and is instead deeply excited and proud of their advancement, even beyond his own capabilities.
His kindness and belief that all are to be treated equally with dignity and respect has been shown to strongly shape those touched by him. Hilda Ware attributes Stephanivien's assistance with not only granting her "control over [her] fate", but also challenging her own biases. Another minor NPC speaks of how Stephanivien always "works to make the manufactory a place where commoners like me feel welcome." Rostnsthal contributes Stephanivien's granting him a job as an opportunity to learn from his many past mistakes. Stephanivien also works hard to encourage those who are not confident in themselves or feel undeserving of their responsibilities and the respect he gives them, like Joye. Even Tedalgrinche, who actively strove against Stephanivien and his works, as well as harming those that Stephanivien counts as dear to him, is changed by Stephanivien's decision to save and protect him. When Stephanivien merely asks Tedalgrinche's oath that he stop interfering in the opposition of his machinists and the operation of the manufactory as his requested 'boon', it deeply surprises Tedalgrinche, such to the extent that his dialogue is the following:
"...Is that all? No chests of coin? No promises of power? The workings of your mind are truly an enigma to me. But you shall have my word on this, nevertheless. Indeed, we shall discover the best means by which your fine machinists might contribute to Ishgard's defenses."
In multiple instances, through smaller changes such as gaining confidence to pursue one's desires and confidence in one's abilities to full heel-face turns, and the complete changing of one's opinions and stance, most every person that Stephanivien interacts with whose life he has reached out and touched in some way has resulted in that person's personal development for the better. Stephanivien is the kind of person who makes one a better person by just being around them, through his unstinting support and encouragement, and his personal humility towards the effects he has had on the people he has touched.
Small weaponsmithing toolkit including basics like pliers, tongs, scrap metal, smaller hammers and whetstones.
His trusty prospectometer*
NOTES: *So, in FFXIV, it's not actually clear what the prospectometer is, other than the fact that it is a device that Stephanivien carries around with him and utilizes often, and that it somehow actually knows/can predict things, such as detecting "potential" in individuals he has never met before, locating the general direction missing persons, etc.
Basically, it's an item of unclear limitations but always correct predictive powers to give a Watsonian excuse for Doylist commands present in quest steps (e. g. Go to X Region to track down NPC Y). I am equally happy to have him operate without it, but since he refers to it regularly in conversation throughout his questlines as well as just generic NPC text I figured I would be better off including it than not. Possibly could be something that could be used (with permissions) to detect if a character has some special power about them?
Also, again, huge huge thank you for the extension
IF ACCEPTED, WOULD YOU WANT A PLOT-LIGHT OR PLOT-HEAVY CUSTOM INTRO? Plot-heavy would be swell!
Stephanivien de Haillenarte | Final Fantasy XIV
After this point, we enter the Stormblood (4.0) Questline:
Due to the ongoing conflicts and the attempt to liberate Ala Mhigo (the major plot point of the Stormblood expansion) Stephanivien has found himself swamped in the manufactory with commissions for both armaments and machinists, having even had to relinquish Joye off to "some far-flung deployment", so he asks that the WoL step in to help fill a request made by Hilda Ware to train new members of the city watch led by Hilda Ware, who was instrumental in bringing an end to the Dragonsong war and the establishment of the new, more egalitarian, bicameral parliamentary system being implemented as Ishgard's new method of governance.
Stephanivien is buried under orders for the main Ala Mhigan conflict as well as other demands, but still manages to find time to assist WoL and Hilda as they are investigating a theft and upcoming big ceremony protection as a part of the city watch: first in trying to identify the origins of a bullet utilized in the heist, and secondly to inspect the stolen item (a sacred ceremonial sword) for tampering by the supposed "thieves", as suspicions develop that someone is trying to disrupt the ceremony. He discovers that the sword has been altered to include a small bomb that he invented for training exercises for the Temple Knights intended to be remotely detonated. He crafts a device to trace back the location of the paired detonator. Then, on the day of the ceremony, works with Hilda, WoL, et. al. to discover the culprits who are trying to discredit the new commoner-staffed city watch and ruin the ceremony. Stephanivien further aids WoL, Hilda, and the watch in capturing the mastermind behind the disruption, which does much to secure the authority and reputation of the new Ishgard watch.
Which ends the Stormblood Questline.
Throughout 5.0 (Shadowbringers) and subsequent 5.X patches, Stephanivien continues his work overseeing the manufactory. He arranges with WoL to discover a problem plaguing Joye and Hilda, and—upon discovering that it is a lack of inspiration in developing new machinist techniques, works with WoL to try and secretly assist by attempting to inspire Hilda and Joye with a demonstration of the new techniques WoL developed. Their plan works, though the "secretly" aspect less so, as they are discovered by Joye and Hilda, who thank them both for the assistance. After this point he has shifted almost entirely to focusing on operation of the manufactory and new technological developments, while Joye takes the reins in instructing new machinists and running the guild in that respect.
He also makes a brief appearance in the Ishgardian Restoration questline, a monumental effort that is spearheaded by his youngest brother Francel. Stephanivien, and their remaining siblings Aurvael and Laniaitte come to visit Francel in the Firmament to both congratulate and commend him on his excellent work, as well as to volunteer each of their individual aide to Francel's efforts. Stephanivien himself makes to shift spending his time specifically on the newly opened "Featherfall" branch of the Manufactory to encourage and entice prospective buyers to visit the newly developed and restored areas of Ishgard to bring in much-needed funds for the restoration.
In the advent of Endwalker (6.0), Stephanivien is a part of the Ilsabard contingent, some of those selected among the Eorzean city states to enter Garlemald to the far north and take down a 'group' known as the Telephoroi who are threatening the entire planet with destruction. In Garlemald, He works with other engineers from different city-states and the locals to re-engineer and design extremely fuel-efficient ceruleum heaters to be used by the Garlean refugee population suffering under the destruction of their capital city and a sharp demand for energy, especially as Garleans are incapable of using alternative magical means. The Skysteel Manufactory as well as many other of the Warrior of Light's allies also assisted in the acquisition of materials to prepare the Ragnarok for its deep space trek to the far edge of the universe. Throughout the remaining patches and the current period, Stephanivien has continued work on meeting the demands of the manufactory including contributions to the ongoing work in Garlemald.
ABILITIES | POWERS:
( For reference/personal edification: a video of most his martial/fighting abilities here, and a list of the relevant abilities—only those below level 80—here, mostly because walking around with a giant automated robot seems... excessive. I'll detail them in a more practical sense below under "Job Abilities" )
General Knowledge and Expertise
Stephanivien is first and foremost an engineer, and an extremely talented inventor. He has a good eye for potential, as well as the ability to scavenge other wreckage of machines and magitek for specific components to construct his new inventions, as well as the reverse-engineering and improvement of extant standard mechanical devices.
He is also well-studied in the field of aetherology, which is the study of the 'magical energy' known as aether inherently ambient in the world as well as stored within living beings, which has allowed him to develop a multitude of inventions based on utilizing of an individuals innate stores of aether. Foremost among these is the conversion of aether by aspecting it towards lightning to use functionally as electricity to power magitek as well as other technological abilities that augment firearms (and potentially summon ammunition from thin air) through the 'aetherotransformer'.
As the leader of the machinist guild, and inventor of the discipline, the man is also a solid crack shot.
Job Abilities
The Machinist Job that Stephanivien has developed results in a special augmentation of firearm related abilities, as well as the control of small automated robots. I've included a list of the more unique abilities (that aren't just... fire bullets in increasingly fancy ways) and their descriptions below:
It's worth noting that all of these are possible regardless of the type of firearm actually equipped.
PERSONALITY:
Stephanivien is, deeply, irrevocably kind. He believes firmly and steadfastly in the good of mankind, and is a strong advocate for development and change, constantly striving for the improvements of the future.
Stephanivien's whole motivation for the development of the Machinist war discipline is to grant the opportunity and ability for Ishgard's common man to be able to take up arms to protect their home, and grant them martial independence in a highly class-stratified nation who's entire focus is geared to a thousand-year active conflict that dominates all aspects of society. His opinions and actions towards the equal value of all people and the desire to elevate and enable the freedoms of his fellow Ishgardians—with his desire for the future encompassing a striving for social revolution as well as a technological one—has him considered quite radical by others, as well as occasionally naive, when he finds himself surprised that others do not value people as equally as he does. He is a man highly aware of the privilege granted to him by his societal position and committed to leveraging that privilege to elevate others so that equality may one day be achievable, while also remaining very conscious of the power that his position can inflict towards other people and works very hard not to pressure others against their wills. He does not hold grudges against those who have gone against him out of need or force from others who wield their power against him, even going so far as to offer a job and position to one of Tedalgrinche's lackeys who was strong-armed into participating in the hostage-holding of Joye's father, setting him up with the opportunity to become a machinist and a job in the manufactory to address his needs for employment. He is deeply invested in the progress and the successes of those he has reached out to, or assisted in some way, and completely lacks any sort of envy at the achievements of others, and is instead deeply excited and proud of their advancement, even beyond his own capabilities.
His kindness and belief that all are to be treated equally with dignity and respect has been shown to strongly shape those touched by him. Hilda Ware attributes Stephanivien's assistance with not only granting her "control over [her] fate", but also challenging her own biases. Another minor NPC speaks of how Stephanivien always "works to make the manufactory a place where commoners like me feel welcome." Rostnsthal contributes Stephanivien's granting him a job as an opportunity to learn from his many past mistakes. Stephanivien also works hard to encourage those who are not confident in themselves or feel undeserving of their responsibilities and the respect he gives them, like Joye. Even Tedalgrinche, who actively strove against Stephanivien and his works, as well as harming those that Stephanivien counts as dear to him, is changed by Stephanivien's decision to save and protect him. When Stephanivien merely asks Tedalgrinche's oath that he stop interfering in the opposition of his machinists and the operation of the manufactory as his requested 'boon', it deeply surprises Tedalgrinche, such to the extent that his dialogue is the following:
In multiple instances, through smaller changes such as gaining confidence to pursue one's desires and confidence in one's abilities to full heel-face turns, and the complete changing of one's opinions and stance, most every person that Stephanivien interacts with whose life he has reached out and touched in some way has resulted in that person's personal development for the better. Stephanivien is the kind of person who makes one a better person by just being around them, through his unstinting support and encouragement, and his personal humility towards the effects he has had on the people he has touched.
SAMPLE:
prose-style sample (cw for jury-rigged surgical debridement of a zombie(?) bite)
action bracket style tdm top-level with a couple threads going
Happy to provide an additional sample if needed!
INVENTORY:
NOTES:
*So, in FFXIV, it's not actually clear what the prospectometer is, other than the fact that it is a device that Stephanivien carries around with him and utilizes often, and that it somehow actually knows/can predict things, such as detecting "potential" in individuals he has never met before, locating the general direction missing persons, etc.
Basically, it's an item of unclear limitations but always correct predictive powers to give a Watsonian excuse for Doylist commands present in quest steps (e. g. Go to X Region to track down NPC Y). I am equally happy to have him operate without it, but since he refers to it regularly in conversation throughout his questlines as well as just generic NPC text I figured I would be better off including it than not. Possibly could be something that could be used (with permissions) to detect if a character has some special power about them?
Also, again, huge huge thank you for the extension
IF ACCEPTED, WOULD YOU WANT A PLOT-LIGHT OR PLOT-HEAVY CUSTOM INTRO?
Plot-heavy would be swell!