Child of the Tides.
"Sing, O Muse, of the folly of Andromeda."
Disclaimer
An original character based on Leviathan the Lost of Final Fantasy XVI. Beloved by Ems/Alysha. Mun and muse both of age - all pronouns can be used interchangeably.Portrayal and lore are based on an alternate timeline for The Rising Tide. Please be mindful of spoilers as writer has finished the main story + all available DLC.All art posted is either drawn by or has been commissioned by mun. Under no circumstances can they be used for any other purpose. See alt text for credits.
General
Profile
Name: Julius VargraveHome: Oriflamme, The HideawayOccupation: Dominant of Leviathan, Heir to House VargraveEthnicity: Sanbrequois/Ashen Mote of WaterAge: 21 (First Timeskip) 26 (Second Timeskip)Gender: Male (He/Him)Height: 5’6”, 170cmHair Colour: White-blondeEye Colour: Grey-blueOrientation: Homosexual
main ref l second timeskip
loungewear | first timeskip | casual
Personality
Poised. Perfect. At first glance, Julius is the very picture of aristocracy. Seemingly embodying every desirable trait one might desire in a gentleman of well-breeding — And to an extent, all of this true. By the grace of his mother’s interventions, it is she who is to receive the acclaim for this manner being no façade. And of Julius' lasting sympathy to the Bearers' plight. (Much to the chagrin of his Father.)A kind soul at heart. Charming, intellectual, selfless, and well-mannered; Julius is a mediator, a source of tranquillity. Never the type to say a word without meaning, for every opportunity counts in regards to another’s opinion of him. And another’s opinion, in high society, is crucial; If Julius did not learn this the moment he could form thought, then his Father would truly have been left wanting in an heir.In the face of impossibility, Julius always knows what to say. And somehow, always knows how to get what he wants, no matter how long a bargain might take to be struck, no matter how difficult a person may be — Years of navigating aristocracy, and all other walks of life that crossed paths with his family’s business, have trained him to be only the very best in handling a situation. Mostly.Of course, Julius is not without his limits. And, when plagued by personal doubts and various other factors, will inevitably crumble hard. He is prone to unravelling completely and being nigh inconsolable when the right buttons are pushed. And can succumb to violent and frustrated outbursts — taking after his Father or worse, the Eikon of Water.He loathes this side of himself.
Backstory
Bloodlines
Born the first and only child of the late Lord Vargrave of Sanbreque, Julius was raised amidst a secretive political faction opposing the holy word of Great Greagor.
Once an offshoot of the Circle of Malius, bastardised of its initial worship of Ultima, this fellowship believe of an alternate telling of Sanbreque's history. Denouncing the worship (and presence) of the goddess and her 'false' reign over king and country.Spearheaded by House Vargrave, the Brotherhood secretly opposed the church's reign. Gaining an eventual foothold in the high courts, they and their followers would sow the seeds of dissent against the Holy Knights. Engaging in political subterfuge, sabotage, and terrorism in an ongoing effort to shake the Imperial rule - Trodding upon all that might attempt to stop them, and caring little for those that are broken under the wheel. Noble or Bearer born.Disillusioned by ideas of grandeur and power, what was once a faction opposed to the oppression of others dissolved into something far less noble. And it has all but taken root within each head of House Vargrave, whom now eye far loftier motives of self-preservation — Something they promise to many others willing to spill blood for their cause.
In the year 350, following the fall of Drake's Horn, the Motes of Water were sent scrambling. With a majority fleeing to the perceived safety of Sanbreque and others remaining in Ash. Seeking refuge in Waloeder settlements or perishing in the process.
A faction of Julius’ maternal relatives were one such group, whom held fast to their ancestral home for a number of years, before also seeking asylum in Storm when the unrest between Beastmen and Royalists worsened.Julius' mother and her immediate relatives, unaware of and unable to contact the settlement within Mysidia, integrated into Sanbrequois society when faced with the threat of religious persecution. Joining hands with House Vargrave by way of a political marriage.
An alliance was peddled for what remained of a foreign wealth, and a dominant bloodline, exchanged for protection from the Inquisitors of the Greagorian Church.This union would result in the birth of a single son.
Cont.
Enjoying a relatively comfortable, yet strained upbringing in the capital of Oriflamme, Julius was born the product of a loveless marriage between the Lord Vargrave and his new bride. With whose subsequent 'disappearance' in the boy's youth would greatly affect him in the years to come. By the age of 12, Julius was at the mercy of an unloving Father and the unforgiving whims of high society. Both of whom he was desperate to please.In the years following, much of his education revolved heavily around the teachings of politics and the influencing of impressionable souls. His Father ardent on grooming his successor to utmost perfection, to continue what work still remained. Without the will nor confidence to protest, Julius would play a silent observer (and eventually, participant) in the cruelties established by the militia; Amidst the courts and balls of Sanbrequois society, he too would find a way to stay afloat. Earning him some manner of renown and respect from peers, albeit, those always kept at arm's length.
The birth of Waljas and his subsequent imprisonment would briefly halt the reincarnation cycle for the long-undiscovered Eikon of Water, beginning again only in thanks to Ultima’s interventions towards the start of the game: An abdication of one dormant dominant to another would be enforced, ensuring a Leviathan could be provided for god's vessel.
Julius, a distant relative by way of his Mother’s origins, would unknowingly take up this mantle in the child's place.At the age of one and twenty, an argument on his Father's indifference towards the lives of their opposition, as well as the hypocrisy of their organisation ensued. Furious at this indignation, the man would choose to punish his son. Holding him underwater till he might right his perceived wrongs, thus resulting in the awakening of Leviathan.
This meddling on Ultima's behalf would cause massive amounts of destruction, the deaths of a number of followers and the eventual slaying of Julius' Father in the name of 'self defence'. Leaving the boy distraught and confused — and primed to cross paths with an investigating Cid and Clive.To this day, Julius remains haunted by these deaths — For he knows not whether the killings to have been justified or an act of pleasure.
Trivia
Julius primarily uses dual daggers as his weapon of choice, primarily utilising the rogue/ninja animations featured in FF14, and in FF16's outerworld enemies; As a party member, he will automatically rid the player of debuffs (poison, paralysis, etc.) should they fail to dodge out of the affecting aoe and fall below 50% health. Thereby making use of Leviathan's waters to 'cleanse' a person of their ailments.
By real world standards, he is mixed European on his Father's side, and East Asian on his Mother's; Much of the woman's origins and circumstances prior to her disappearance remain a topic of interest amidst Sanbrequois aristocracy. With many agreeing on her wedding to the late Lord Vargrave having been one of convenience/to take advantage of her foreign wealth—Which is not at all far from the truth.
A distant relative of Waljas and Shula, with whom he feels strongly for both—Julius juggles with regret and relief for having been given the mantle of Leviathan in Waljas’ place. They and the settlement within Mysidia stand as a unique opportunity to learn of a culture that Julius was once denied, and thus has he taken to its inhabitants quickly; The lightness of his hair and the ring of bright blue around his pupils are both traits attributed to this particular ancestry.
Raised with the belief that the Greagorian Church is a falsehood, he has grown accustomed to navigating under its watch. And possesses appropriate knowledge of the religion as a means to blend in with Sanbrequois society. Julius' outlook of deities is, unsurprisingly, bleak. A notion he is reminded of constantly, following the events of the game.
Prior to his awakening, Julius was petrified of deep bodies of water and the concept of drowning. Which was briefly solidified following the altercation with his Father — As Leviathan's Dominant however, this fear is quickly surpassed, though the memory of it continues to weigh heavy.
Serves as the second Hideaway's first line of defence upon the open waters, routinely ensuring its secrecy by way of monitoring any who draw too near; He also assists in the cleaning and filtering of blighted water alongside Mid's invention.
Connections
The Ties That Bind
Listed in no particular order or priority.
Romantic ships are designated into separate verses.
Ships
Clive Rosfield
penned by OFIFRITS
Firstborn son of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, Dominant of Ifrit—Julius first met the man in passing upon his arrival at Northreach, and later, following Leviathan’s awakening. The subsequent chaos would end in Julius’ subduing, and his eventual inception into the Hideaway. Julius, alongside many others, worked tirelessly to ensure the careful planning of Clive’s ideals. And thus, they became inseparable.What feelings that might have culminated between them in this time, found in brief moments of peace, would eventually result in the two becoming an item. Clive is, much to Julius’ amusement, undeniably smitten. And Julius cannot quite bring himself to tease at this fact for long; When the dust settles and Valisthea has no need for hooded heroes, Julius often dreams of settling down with him in Rosaria, proper. Taking his name, and starting a family they both deserve.They have but recently welcomed their firstborn—A daughter, Adeline.
Barnabas Tharmr
penned by wardenofash
Warden of Ash and King of Waloed, Dominant of Odin—Julius and Barnabas first crossed blades upon the seas separating Storm and Ash, resulting in Leviathan’s defeat at the hands of Odin. Bitter, and in search of answers, Julius would request a visit to Waloed under the initial guise of righting wrongs. And would be received as a guest for some few months.Be it as the result of their eikonic influences, or by physical attraction alone, days spent high with tension would result in the two sharing a bed. An event that still confuses Julius to this day, whom reasons that he might have been able to take the man’s life in the middle of their enjoyment; Julius finds Barnabas fascinating, but terribly difficult to communicate with. He, begrudgingly, has come to the realisation that they possess much in common. Even if Barnabas is unwilling to admit so.They 'meet' with each other far more regularly than is considered proper, now.
Ravus nox Fleuret
penned by MagitekClaws
Firstborn son of the Oracles of Tenebrae, High Commander of the Holy Empire of Sanbreque—Having met serving under the banner of the new emperor, Julius and Ravus’ meeting was a strained one. Due in part to the newly appointed commander’s task of accompanying him on his progress to Waloed. Julius, none too pleased with his royally designated minder, would reluctantly accept this addition to an otherwise personal excursion.When such company proved otherwise less begrudging than expected, a respect between the two formed—Further spurred on by several expeditions into the ruins beneath Mikkelburg, and ultimately resulting in a heartfelt confession penned by Ravus’ hand. Upon the conclusion of their progress in Ash, it is noted by many that the two returned to the Holy Empire more amicably than when they had left it.They are the royal court’s worst kept secret amidst soldier and spy, alike.
Clive Rosfield (wip)
penned by ofwyvernfire
Firstborn son of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, Dominant of Ifrit
Allies
Belios Einarsdóttir
penned by WYRMSHEART
Dominant of Shinryu, Eikon of Vengeance—In taking a page from his own saviours’ books, Julius’ encounter with this hidden dominant was one made with a helping hand. Safety, he knew, would be few and far between in the territories of Sanbreque. And what few numbers that had been amassed within the Hideaway’s abode would make for far better company than Imperial contingents.As guide, mentor and companion, Julius has found the keeping of Belios under his wing a pleasant outcome from their otherwise (shared) circumstances—He regards the dominant fondly, and is not one to mince words nor silence his concerns when the other’s erratic behaviour makes itself known. No matter how frequently it tends to rear its head.
Joshua Rosfield (wip)
penned by PH0ENlXFLAME
Secondborn son of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, Dominant of the Phoenix—Julius and Joshua are kindred spirits and, as a result, close confidants; Two men with as many similarities in their upbringings as there are differences.Much of their time spent together laments the fact that they had not met sooner; When they were younger, sweeter, and the world far less cruel.
Cidolfus Telamon (wip)
penned by LEVlNWARDEN
Former Lord Commander of the Kingdom of Waloed, Leader of the Hideaway, Dominant of Ramuh—Julius (who is but one of many) owes much and more to Cid's timely interventions: Namely, the events immediately following his awakening as Leviathan. Cid's uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time has afforded Julius a second home and a second chance at life—And another witty tongue to trade words with. Meaningful or otherwise.
Dion Lesage (wip)
penned by wyvernstails
Crown Prince of the Holy Empire of Sanbreque, Leader of the Holy Order of the Knights Dragoon, Dominant of Bahamut—Julius and Dion, both, are prime products of the Imperial Court and its cutthroat progeny; Ever their fathers' sons.
Enemies
Entry 1
penned by -
This is where public enemy number 1 goes
Entry 2
penned by -
This is where public enemy number 2 goes