Appearance

Physical Description

This miqo'te is average in build, neither muscular nor scrawny. Small-waisted and petite in comparison to most of the Tall races of Eorzea what she lacks in height she makes up for in presence.

Body Features

Upon first glance, the most notable feature about this miqo'te are the way her tapered ears go from a tawny brown matching her hair color to almost black at the tips.

Her hair is a tawny brown-blonde with brighter blonde highlights. It falls in artful curls around her cheeks and face, though it's mostly kept in a practical ponytail during her travels and in battle.

She has no visible scars or imperfections. If she has them, she hides them well with her clothing.

Facial Features

Bearing the tattooed markings of the Condor Tribe of Seeker of the Sun miqo'te, these markings make it clear that she is born of an off-shoot branch of the Condors, led by her father, Sitara Nunh.

Apparel & Accessories

Her clothing consists of good-quality woolens and leathers, practical for day-to-day battlefield work. Everything appears in good repair and well-tended, as if she takes pride in her Conjurer whites.

Special abilities

• A skilled Conjurer of many years, reinforced by her own drive to learn after the death of her mentor.

Mentality

Personal history

Early Years

Ta'lum was born to an off-shoot of the Condor Tribe, led by her father Sitara Nunh with her mother, T'ana, at his side.

She didn't get to enjoy much of her tribal childhood, however, given that she started to display magical aptitude at the tender age of five. It wasn't long after that a Hearer turned up at their encampment along with E-Sumi-Yan, the leader of the Conjurer's Guild. They told Ta'lum's parents that the Elementals had spoken, directing them to Ta'lum and her powers. It was time for her to go to the Conjurer's Guild for training.

Unwilling to argue with such powerful entities as the Conjurer's Guild and the Elementals, her parents relinquished their child into the Guild's care. In the Conjurer's Guild, Ta'lum was entrusted to a Wildwood Elezen named, Aramielle D'Avalon (NPC), that took her under her wing.

Aramielle was firm but fair as a teacher that always pushed Ta'lum to the limits of her potential before nudging her just that little bit extra to get the most out of her practices. Ta'lum developed into a determined and steadfast miqo'te, who always strove to do her utmost -- and then some.

The Battle of Carteneau

Ta'lum was only a fresh-faced apprentice of some fifteen summers at the Battle for Carteneau, but she attended her mentor, Aramielle, faithfully. The two of them performed battlefield triage and healing for soldiers, making their way through the carnage with a courage and determination that many came to admire.

However, as they made their way, they were ambushed by a small Garlean squadron armed with magitek weapons. In a desperate attempt to keep Ta'lum safe, Aramielle used the powers of Wind to lift and hurl the miqo'te back toward the Adder ranks. By the time Ta'lum recovered and returned to the last place she'd seen her mentor, Aramielle was dead.

In the aftermath of her death, Ta'lum did the only thing she knew how to do: she continued to help and to heal throughout the battle until Louisoix's last-ditch effort.

In order to honor her mentor, Ta'lum continued her training with the Conjurer's Guild and her work with the Order of the Twin Adders. Her grit and determination, her single-minded focus to push herself just that little bit farther as Aramielle had trained her, Ta'lum won herself much in the way of esteem and respect among the Adders.

She eventually earned her way to the rank of Lieutenant where she commands her own squadron of lancers and conjurers; a team that specializes in battlefield triage and rescue, following in the footsteps of Aramielle's work.

Second Battle of Carteneau

When the Towers were erected by the Garleans all over the world, Ta'lum was part of the confrontation to take them down, the battle she was part of once more taking place on the fields of Carteneau.

Half of her squadron was killed or seriously injured in the conflict, leading Ta'lum to question her leadership capabilities, her ability as a Conjurer, as well as wondering if the fields of Carteneau were cursed for her, she'd lost so many people she cared about there. During the conflict, Ta'lum exhausted her spells and then some, spinning out her own aether in an effort to keep those around her going. She eventually rendered herself unconscious and had to be carried from the field by the remnants of her squadron.

She was in recovering for well over a sennight and when she awoke she was informed that she was being an indefinite leave of absence given the tragedies she'd suffered. Without the Adders to dictate her life, Ta'lum finds herself cut adrift with no true direction for her future.

So she turns to the only place she can think of: Mother Miounne and the Adventurer's Guild of Gridania.

Education

• The Conjurer's Guild of Gridania. Ta'lum has been formally trained as a Hearer and Conjurer by the Conjurer's Guild. She's capable of wielding powerful healing and support spells.
  

Employment

• Currently an "adventurer" for the Adventurer's Guild of Gridania.
  


• Formerly an active Lieutenant for the Order of the Twin Adders. On medical leave of absence following the catastrophic loss of her squadron.
  

Failures & Embarrassments

• The loss of half of her squadron at the Second Battle of Carteneau. While it was no real fault of her own, she still considers it a personal failure.
  

Mental Trauma

• The loss of her mentor, Aramielle D'Avalon, was particularly traumatic for the miqo'te since she regarded the elezen as both teacher and surrogate parent. It has made Ta'lum particularly sensitive to people trying to single-handedly handle dangerous situations or staying behind to protect the others. "No man left behind," has become something of her hallmark among her squadron.
  


• The loss of half her squadron at the Second Battle of Carteneau has left Ta'lum questioning her own capabilities on multiple levels. It makes even mentioning Carteneau painful for her and she'll avoid the topic at all costs.
  

Personality

Motivation

Largely influenced by her mentor, Ta'lum is motivated by a moral compass that trends largely toward chaotic good. She believes in doing what's right, but sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to achieve it.

Likes & Dislikes

Likes (General)

• Pixieberry Tea with a touch of Sunshine


• Dishes that include scallops


• Comfortable beds

Likes (People)

• Confidence (but not Arrogance)


• Honesty and Integrity


• A sense of humor

Dislikes (General)

• Miqo'bobs


• Liquor/Potent Alcohol


• Rain/Storms

Dislikes (People)

• Low self-esteem/self-deprecation


• Indecisiveness


• Arrogance/Superiority Complexes

Hygiene

Ta'lum has no issue with getting dirty, having spent large chunks of her life on various battlefields across Eorzea. However, it's not how she prefers to live.

Usually clean and well-dressed, though in fairly common clothing of woolens and leathers, keen-nosed members of society might notice the scent of freesia that lingers about her.

Social

Birthplace

The Black Shroud

Current Residence

Lavender Beds, Gridania, The Black Shroud

Contacts & Relations

Current Squadron

• (NPC) Marcellais Elgar, Ishgardian Spearman
  


• (NPC) Markenin Elgar, Ishgardian Spearman
  


• (NPC) Runa Mayweather, Conjurer (medically discharged)
  


• (NPC) Bethanne Carter, Conjurer (deceased)
  


• (NPC) Liselle Laurent, Conjurer (deceased)
  


• (NPC) Corporal James Ross, Free Paladin
  


• (PC) Rheyl Veracus, Ala Mhigan Adventurer
  

Friends & Companions

• TBD
  

Honorary & Occupational Titles

• Lieutenant (Order of the Twin Adders)
  

Family Ties

• Daughter of Sitara Nunh, leader of his off-shoot of the Condor Tribe. Ta'lum bears the appropriate tribal markings denoting such.