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Aster Aethersong (Warrior of Light, Stealer of Pants, the Seventh Dawn) is the current shard of Azem on the Source. He is cheerful, always willing to lend a helping hand (often to his detriment), with a strong sense of wanderlust. Though not always the most outspoken, he isn't afraid to make jokes or quips, and has even been known to be a tad sarcastic on occasion. A jack-of-all-trades, whilst he has seemingly picked up every weaponskill, tradecraft, and gathering profession the realm over, his main love is white magic, and being able to wield it to both heal his allies and harm those who would hurt his friends.

Born to one of the Viera villages in the forests of the Skatay mountain range, which divides Dalmasca and Othard, his forest name was Petra. Upon reaching adolescence, like other male Viera, he left the village with an elder male who taught him how to survive amidst this more solitary lifestyle. From his mentor, he learned basic archery and lance-wielding, along with the beginnings of conjury. At this time, as is tradition, he took the same surname as his teacher: Monnawesfv (meaning ‘prism guardian’).

By the time he started reaching adulthood, however, he was growing increasingly frustrated at being confined to the forest. Even in childhood, he had developed a reputation for exploring where he shouldn’t, and it came as no surprise to those in his clan when he vanished from the woods one day, never to return.

Upon beginning his travels, he took up a city name, shedding his old life for this new one. He named himself after the aster flower: the first new bloom he encountered after beginning his journeys. For his surname, he was inspired by those he met in his travels; remarking at his use of conjury to heal them, one person claimed it seemed the aether sang through him. Aster, enamoured by this turn of phrase, incorporated it into his new name.

As he made his way westward, Aster began dabbling in a variety of pastimes new to him. This notably included the imbibing of excessive amounts of alcohol within taverns, to interesting results. Most notably, the time he rather drunkenly declared in a bar that he could take everyone there at once “in any way you want to try it!”

Eventually, by the time he was about 25, Aster’s travels led him to the city of Ul’dah, where he registered himself with the Adventurer’s Guild to earn gil while helping others.

His story from here primarily follows the main MSQ of Final Fantasy XIV.

Arriving at Camp Dragonhead to seek the Enterprise, Aster tentatively entered into a relationship with Haurchefant Greystone, unable to resist the flirtatious advances of the commander. (See: Relationships)

Following the successful resolution of events at The Praetorium, Aster began his exploration of the Crystal Tower alongside Cid and Garlond Ironworks. This was his first meeting with the Miqo’te known as G’raha Tia, with whom NOAH was founded. Aster initially found the man unbearably annoying, and wrote as such in his journal:

Whilst gathering aethersand for Rammbroes today, I had the misfortune of running into G’raha Tia. He is, quite possibly, the most unbearably smug Miqo’te I have ever met. Rammbroes bid I forgive his ‘eccentricities’… Unfortunately, it seems he will be joining our team for exploring the Crystal Tower. He even decided to name us NOAH after some Allagan mage – such a ridiculous name.

However, by the end of the adventure, G’raha had grown on the Viera, and he was noticeably upset when the man sealed himself away within the Tower:

We lost G’raha today.

After all we did, he decided to seal himself inside the Crystal Tower whilst he put it into deep sleep. ‘The future is where my destiny awaits’ he said. The idiot. The utter, foolish, idiot. Grandstanding to the last. Still, I do hope he succeeds in his dream, and that - whenever and wheresoever he awakens - the Tower becomes the beacon of hope he wishes it to be.

Just when I’d actually begun to like him.

A Realm Reborn Side-Content Considered Canon for Aster:

• The Binding Coils of Bahamut
• Relic Weapon (White Mage)
• Crafting & Gathering Unlocks (House of Splendors etc.)
• Big Fishing (including A Feast of Famine)
• Palace of the Dead (storyline to floor 100)
• Manderville Quests

Aster's Heavensward canon primarily follows the main MSQ.

Given their budding relationship, Aster was particularly devasted by Haurchefant's death following the events of the Vault. This was only compounded by the fact that he is primarily a practitioner of White Magic, and felt that if only he knew more - was more skilled - he could have saved the man.

Notable Quotes:

“Piss off, Kupo.”

Heavensward Side-Content Considered Canon for Aster:

• Shadows of Mhach raid series
• Alexander raid series
• Relic Weapon (White Mage)
• Crafting & Gathering Unlocks (Collectables etc.)
• Custom Deliveries: Zhloe Aliapoh
• Tribal Quests: Moogles (begrudgingly), Vanu Vanu, Vath
• Ishgardian Restoration/Firmament
• Manderville Quests

Aster's Stormblood canon primarily follows the main MSQ.

Stormblood Side-Content Considered Canon for Aster:

• Ivalice raid series
• Omega raid series
• The Forbidden Land: Eureka (Krile path)
• Eureka Relic Weapon (White Mage)
• Crafting & Gathering Unlocks (Collectables etc.)
• Custom Deliveries: M'naago, Kurenai, Adkiragh
• Tribal Quests: Namazu, Ananta, Kojin + Allied Quest
• Heaven on High
• Manderville Quests
• The Four Lords questline

Aster's Shadowbringers canon primarily follows the main MSQ.

At first he was very wary of Emet-Selch, but by the time he reached Amaurot a small seed of doubt had taken root. However, given the Ascian ultimately gave him no choice, Aster was forced to swallow it up and win.

He find the Viis of the First particularly fascinating. Rak'tika Greatwood in particular reminded him of his home, and gave him as sense of nostalgia. When he saw the Viis of Fanow begin to relax their relationship with outsiders, it gave him hope that perhaps one day the Viera of the Source might stop shunning those who leave their forests. During his first trip of Rak'tika, Aster was quite nervous when he discovered that the Greatwood was home to a Viis village, given he knew how rare males of his race are, and the likelihood of him therefore being propositioned directly infront of the Scions.

Following the events of patch 5.3, Aster periodically likes to head to the First to check up on the Crystarium (particularly Ryne and Gaia) and to ferry any messages or parcels between the two shards.

Notable Quotes:

“Uh… Kupo?”

“Yes, Mother…”

“Fate can be cruel, but a smile better suits a hero.”

“I think they're mad at me…”

“G'raha Tia, please don't do this!”

“You know I could!”

“It ends this day. One way or another, it ends.”

“'Tis good to see you awake, G'raha Tia.”

“Oh yeah, the corpse room. That's a thing.”

Shadowbringers Side-Content Considered Canon for Aster:

• Nier raid series
• Eden raid series
• Bozja
• Bozja Relic Weapon (White Mage)
• Crafting & Gathering Unlocks (Collectables etc.)
• Crystalline Mean crafting and gathering storyline
• Custom Deliveries: Kai-Shirr, Ehll-Tou, Charlemend
• Tribal Quests: Pixies, Qitari, Dwarves
• Skysteel Tools (Fisher)
• The Sorrow of Werlyt questline

Aster's Endwalker canon primarily follows the main MSQ. However, it does diverge briefly following Zodiark's defeat, where he finally confesses his feelings to G'raha Tia. (See: Relationships)

When he saw Emet-Selch again in Elpis, Aster had very mixed feelings, especially after the events of Seat of Sacrifice, learning more about Zodiark, and having spoken more with the spectre of Hythlodaeus on the First. He'd actually started to not mind the Ancient so much by the end of Endwalker, especially after he realised how much it must have hurt Emet-Selch to see him waltzing around as a shard of his best friend's soul.

Notable Quotes:

“We’ll find our way, Venat.”

“Have you tried Archon loaf? You can find it in all the shops.”

“Ragnarok, engage!”

“That, I cannot deny.”

Endwalker Side-Content Considered Canon for Aster:

• Myths of the Realm raid series
• Pandaemonium raid series
• Manderville Quests
• Manderville Relic Weapon (White Mage)
• Crafting & Gathering Unlocks (Collectables etc.)
• Studium crafting and gathering storyline
• Custom Deliveries: Ameliance, Anden, Margrat
• Tribal Quests: Omicrons, Lopporits, Matanga + Allied Quest
• Crystarium Relic Tool (Fisher)
• Island Sanctuary
• Eureka Orthos
• Tataru's Grand Endeavour
• All sidequests/optional quests in the Elpis area (prior to Myths of the Realm)

[TBD]

[TBD]

Since coming out of his shell over the course of his adventures, and developing a noticeably sarcastic side when it comes to some of his retorts, Aster has begun to enjoy poking Y'shtola's buttons. However, he typically regrets it each time, and is actually quite terrified of what she might do to him were he to press any harder.

[TBD]

Aster treats the twins like younger siblings, and is very protective of them. He's proud of how much they've grown and developed over their adventures, but still likes to lift them up on his arms or ruffle their hair. Alisaie just about lets him get away with it.

[TBD]

[TBD]

Aster is very protective of the girls, and considers them found family. After Thancred and Urianger, he's probably Ryne's most fatherly or big-brother figure. He's pretty sure they're dating, but doesn't want to say anything.

[TBD]

His first kiss, shortly after he left the forest, was in a random inn. He did not know the person’s name, and never saw them again.

When Aster arrived in Eorzea, he was still fairly new to being around so many other people, having had the isolated upbringing of a Viera male. As a result, he’d never actually been on a date. After his courage and renown grew with the events at the Praetorium, he accepted a few offers from admirers for dates, but nothing ever went further. The first one was just for drinks at the bar in Mor Dhona, but Aster got the feeling he was only been sought after as a conquest for clout, and so hastily excused himself and escaped.

His first true crush was Haurchefant, unable to resist the charm the Elezen piled on. His time with Haurchefant was not very formal: he was nervous and taking things very slow, which he ended up deeply regretting when things ended as they did at the Vault. He wished he’d been more open and honest with his feelings and not held back, which affected his future approach to relationships somewhat. Haurchefant taught him a lot in the bedroom though - Coerthas was cold and he couldn’t resist such a level of adoration.

Following the events of Shadowbringers, Aster had developed quite the crush on G’raha Tia. He was, however, afraid to take the next step, worrying that if it went wrong it would sour their friendship or disrupt the other archons.
At least one or two of the Scions didn’t fail to notice his pining looks at G'raha, or the way his eyes lit up whenever he entered the room. Or how he perked up whenever he got a chance to see the Miqo’te. As Thancred one day commented: “Seven hells, he’s obvious.”

After a lot of dancing around the topic, with the other Scions looking on in increasing exasperation, Aster finally confessed his feelings following Zodiark’s defeat. When G’raha knocked at his inn room door that night, he grabbed his hand as the man went to leave, pulling him back into the room and finally expressing his feelings.

“I want to share everything with you… my burdens, my joy… and myself.”

Overall, they have a fairly sweet relationship, with Aster indulging Raha’s love to research and Raha indulging Aster’s random exploration whims. Aster’s favourite spots to kiss G'raha are (in order): forehead, tip of his nose, tip of his ears. He likes giving soft, fairy-light kisses. His favourite feature of G'raha's is his eyes (especially given how significant they are to him), followed by his ears. He enjoys scritching behind G'raha's ears and adores how expressive they are, particularly in contrast to his own.

Whilst deep down he would prefer to be the little spoon, in their relationship Aster is definitely the big spoon. He’s determined to not let G'raha out of his sight ever again, and will hold onto him tightly from now on. Otherwise, he’s quite happy to nap in Raha’s lap. His favourite activities with his partner are exploring, telling him stories, listening to his tales, and just being near each other spending time together.

He adored seeing Raha in the coat he purchased for their first foray into Garlemald, and promptly borrowed it several times after since it smelt like him.

• His patron in the Twelve is Nald'thal.
• The memory he’d most like to forget is having to say goodbye to G’raha in Ultima Thule before he sacrificed himself at the Omicrons to forge a path forward.
• Whilst he’s technically attained the rank of Flame Captain in the Immortal Flames, he doesn’t associate too closely with any particular one of the Grand Companies.
• Aster’s greatest wish is to be with the one he loves and to see that person happy and excitable. He’ll go however far that takes, including to the edges of existence. And he’ll make it happen… just as soon as people stop pestering him enough for Aster to have time take G'raha on that storytelling trip of his adventures he promised him.

• He is a notably heavy sleeper; he’s out like a godsdamned light as soon as he falls asleep.
• Aster only has a few small scars from various battles and adventures, which aren’t very noticeable, and even he forgets they exist. The only obvious markings he has are his white freckles, which he is very fond of.
• In terms of styling, he hates doing things with his hair. He’s quite happy to leave it mostly as bed-head and maybe run a quick comb through it. But, he enjoys have the feather decoration and flower in his hair, so he does take extra time to make sure those are presentable. Aster’s hair is fairly soft and fluffy naturally, and regulates its own oils pretty well, so he never really has to worry about it too much otherwise.
• Physically, he is perfectly able-bodied. Mentally, he probably has ADHD, but given such conditions are not really known or researched on Etheirys (from what has been seen at present anyway) he couldn’t really say.
• Aster defaults to the fight response. Whilst he doesn’t tend to get scared, fear and similar emotions will drive him more to action than to freezing up or running away. The only exception to this is when the fear comes from a familiar person. Tataru, Ameliance, Rowena… Situations like that terrify him, but he finds himself just freezing up and nodding his way through those interactions.
• He has a pretty high pain tolerance; given he’s mainly a White Mage, he’s gotten pretty used to patching himself up along the road. This does have its downsides though… sometimes he has the tendency to deal with the pain and ignore an injury, when really he should have been doing something about it. This has led to him dragging himself back to the Rising Stones or the Annex on more than one occasion to beg a poor Lalafell for help…
• His most grievous injury was the internal damage suffered in his fight against Zenos in Ultima Thule, though he thankfully made a full recovery.
• Aster is… not the best at remembering to shower/bathe. Which is very ironic given that during Shadowbringers he told Alphinaud to “Hurry up and shower, stinky”.

• His sleep attire (when he gets to choose) is just underpants. His favourite pair are his Aurum Smalls.
• He wears his (Wayfarer’s) necklace at all times, usually under his regular clothes to keep it safe and close to his chest. He obtained it after the events of Shadowbringers, and keeps it with him as it reminds him of G’raha.
• Given he’s a White Mage mainly, Aster’s preferred weapon is his cane and white magic. He’s got a few canes he likes, but his favourite is his Edenmorn one. If magic isn’t an option he will, however, happily punch things.
• He’s very keen on thighboots.
• Aster has no qualms about having his image captured, either as a portrait or through some weird Allagan tech. While there are plenty of pictures circulating of him in dramatic battles (usually overly exaggerated in his mind) in books and publications such as the Harbour Herald or Mythril Eye, if asked to pose he can usually be found either standing with one hand on his hip, sitting with a smile, or adjusting his shirt sleeves.

• Aster is very much a ‘stand with one hand on his hip’ person, and always hunches forward while sitting. He’s generally able to sit/stand pretty still, though will sometimes fidget with his nails. Even though his clothes are pretty flowy and embroidered, they’re also pretty flexible and don’t restrict his movement too much, so he can pretty much idle around however he wants (he wouldn’t want to be in anything that limits him too much).
• Aster absolutely hates making big changes to himself, so once he’s found something he likes he sticks with it. His outfits have to be just right, and once he’s found attire he likes then that’s it; it’ll take a lot to make him change it, unless he’s the one initiating the change. That being said, his biggest change was his shift to his current favourite blue outfit. Prior to this, during the events leading up to and during Shadowbringers, he wore much mainly black.
• He used to be quite a flirt, but as Aster has aged he tends to restrict it more to joking with friends and teasing G'raha. Though if an adventure called for it he would very much be up for flirting etc. to try and obtain information. He also has a very dirty sense of humour.
• Aster is not allowed within 15 malms of a buffet. If someone says the words ‘free’ and ‘food’ in the same sentence, he's there.
• He doesn’t really have a way he wants to be seen by others – he just is. He’s Aster, and that’s all that matters as far as he’s concerned.
• Aster’s most self-destructive tendency is his completely inability to say no to people. If someone asks him for help or a favour he just can’t refuse. This will lead to him ultimately wearing himself out to the point of collapse… Especially since he took up crafting and gathering too.
• Aster’s speaking voice isn’t particularly loud, but it’s also not on the very quiet side either. He has no difficulty raising it when he needs to yell, but he’s also not the type to shout in anger. The scariest part can be how quiet and calm his voice is when he’s mad.
• He’s particularly prone to going “hmm”, complete with the same chin-tapping with hand on elbow that Y'shtola does - he’s found himself subconsciously picking up the habit. Most of the time he’s not even aware he’s sighing/humming/muttering aloud.
• He’s not generally the type to want to hurt someone maliciously, but if he really wanted to he’d absolutely go for the throat with whatever he knew their deepest inner pain was. But that would be a once-in-a-lifetime rarity event; it’s very unlike him.
• If he’s in a relationship then he is fiercely monogamous. If he’s not, he’s much more open to exploring other things.
• Aster can be a bit of a mixed bag: on the one hand, he likes to make teasing comments himself and tries to take things in his stride. On the other, if one knows the right buttons to push he flusters very easily. Those buttons include, but are not limited to: threats from Y'shtola, anything related to his romantic feelings, and anything involving the business dealings of Tataru, Ameliance, or Rowena.
• He calls it “controlled chaos” because it’s all over the place, but his brain knows where he’s left everything. Everyone else just calls it a mess.
• Aster has no qualms about clothes-stealing in relationships, and will happily poach gloves, jackets, shirts and anything else he fancies since it smells like his love.
• He is very much the type to waltz into a room and bust out the lamest pick-up line imaginable, even if it’s to the person he’s already dating. The cheesier the better.
• Aster is generally not a morning person, so he’ll still be asleep long after others have woken up. His sleep schedule is abysmal, and so he’s a huge fan of afternoon naps in the sun.
• He is the epitome of winging it; Aster goes wherever the wind blows, and just lets himself get swept away.
• Aster is not in the habit of keeping secrets or deceiving unless absolutely necessary.
• Whilst he's mostly accepted he'll never be able to return to the forest where he was born, he would still like to visit one day if times change. He secretly hopes that one of the Scions' adventures will take them there so he might have a reason to go back.
• He is an absolutely terrible teacher, and is useless at explaining how he knows stuff.

• Aster’s favourite colour used to be blue, but is now red.
• He won’t tell the Scions, or even G'raha, but he’s actual a fan of logic puzzles, puzzle books, and similar mysteries, and likes settling down with them in his room after a long day. And then promptly falling asleep. He also sometimes dabbles with weaving, drawing, sewing, and other crafts to wind down and de-stress.
• His favourite scents are lilies, sandalwood, and the smell of old forests.
• His favourite place to spend time is Old Sharlayan. His second favourite place is Ul’dah, near his house in the Goblet.
• His favourite drink is hot chocolate. He’s also partial to coffee.
• Aster prefers to be the one driving vehicles, and was a little peeved off he didn’t get to drive the vehicle back and forth in the Empty. When he’s driving, he’s a firm believer that he gets to pick the orchestrion roll too. After all, he has an orchestrion roll collecting problem, and spent the last of his savings on ‘Return to Oblivion’. However, the one exception is when he wants G'raha to sing. Then he’s quite happy to relax and listen to the dulcet melody of whatever G'raha chooses to give voice to.
• Aster loves being in nature, especially on the rare occasion he finds himself homesick for the forests he was born in. His favourite thing to do out there, however, when surrounded by breathtaking vistas and beautiful sights… is nap. The sounds of nature send him straight to sleep.
• When once asked about his favourite place to relax, he replied: “Hmm… At the moment I’m quite partial to Old Sharlayan. There’s a lovely spot near the Studium where one can sit at the base of a tree and bask in the afternoon sun. I’m quite partial to people-watching from there as the students scurry about. And half the time I find myself falling straight to sleep!”

• Aster's chocobo is named Kwee.
• Kwee's feathers are dyed blue to match Aster's favourite outfit.
• Aster tried to name his chocobo after the sound they make - 'kweh' - but got the spelling wrong on his registration form, and just ended up going with it.

The Ancient of whom he is a shard, the bearer of the black mask and seat of Azem, was named Helios. Out of all of Helios’ shards, Aster – being of the Source – is the closest in appearance to his ancient self. Helios was childhood friends with Hythlodaeus and Hades. As adults, they retained their friendship, and could often be found around the city of Amaurot as a trio of drinking buddies once their work was concluded for the day. Like his later shard, however, Helios would often be gripped with an insatiable curiosity and wanderlust, which often got him into trouble. He encountered Venat, whilst she still held the seat of Azem, during one of his many exploratory adventures. The two became good friends quickly, with Venat taking Helios under her wing to become the future Azem - a role he had always admired.

Aster is a second year in the Class of Light. He has a crush on G'raha Tia, who is also hopelessly crushing on him, but the two are both too nervous to actually ask the other out or confess. He keeps getting into trouble at school for ending up in fights with Class of Darkness students.

Aster wants to become a doctor one day to help heal people, and can sometimes be found at the nurse's office helping out or learning from them.

An Alternate Universe where, rather than fusing with Ardbert and overcoming Hades, Aster succumbed to the light transformation at the end of Emet-Selch's recreation of Amaurot, and became a sin eater: Forgiven Temerity.

As a sin eater, Aster's skin is pale and marble-like, criss-crossed with dark cracks seeping a faint golden glow. Two golden halos float above his head, akin to Forgiven Obscenity, and golden wings sprout from his back. His eyeballs are now pitch black, with glowing gold irises. His new form wears very little: a golden collar with dangling ornament, golden wristcuffs and rings, golden earrings, a golden laurel upon his head, a golden thong, and golden strapping lacing down his legs. He still wields a cane, but it is transformed to suit his new appearance.

[UNDER CONSTRUCTION]

[UNDER CONSTRUCTION]

Aster has 10 retainers in his employ which, for unknown reasons, he allocated retainer nicknames all beginning with the letter 'P'. Each, however, is their own person with a real name and origin:

Pom-Pom
Real Name: Jixi'to Rhufri
Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te; second son of the mother Jixi Rhufri. Playful, inquisitive, and likes to tease.
Botanist

Pokki
Real Name: Cillex Dechamberre
Duskwight Elezen
Enjoys reading and other intellectual pursuits. Aloof.
Botanist

Pandypoos
Real Name: Radibik Avesna
Helion Hrothgar
Warm, friendly, big brother vibes. Very protective of younger ones.
Miner

Pastel
Real Name: Styrnwyda Dornnfrynwyn
Sea Wolf Roegadyn; Star Willow, daughter of Thorn Friend
Bouncy, enthusiastic, big sister vibes.
White Mage

Proxio
Real Name: Bayar Mankhad
Xaela Au Ra; Mankhad - “A costal tribe which fights with blow-darts made from bones dipped in the poison of the pufferfish. So practiced with the pipes are the tribe, that they can disable a target from 200 paces.”
Serious, well-meaning, socially awkward.
Fisher

Pinki
Real Name: Moss (City Name) / Yurhee Rehw-Gilda (Forest Name)
Rava Viera; Moss was chosen as his city name as he simply liked it. Rehw-Gilda (“Sword” – worldly fire)
Reticent, slacks off, likes to drink.
Miner

Pipski
Real Name: Astrid Aethersong
Veena Viera; her Forest Name is unknown, even to herself - her current real name was derived from the name of the Warrior of Light, in admiration
Flirty, determined, cheerful.
Fisher

Patootie
Real Name: Lilimi Limi
Dunesfolk Lalafell
Friendly and teasing, but can be quick to anger.
Red Mage

Pomodoro
Real Name: Motokawa no Izayoi (Izayoi of the Motokawa family) 原皮の十六夜
Raen Au Ra; Motokawa 原皮 surname meaning 'origin skin' used by hunters and tanners of the merchant class - Izayoi 十六夜 feminine forename meaning '16th night' - Izayoi Motokawa in Eorzean naming order
Quiet, observant, patient.
Paladin

Pookey
Real Name: Cemi'zi Jaab
Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te; ninth son of the mother Cemi Jaab
Relaxed, calm, thoughtful, considerate, dutiful.
Black Mage

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