Annalise

Forester

—sea-veined arcanist.
antiquarian & occultist.

• i. about
• ii. appearance
• iii. abilities
• iv. hooks
• v. bonds
• vi. galleries
• vii. writer

A

bout

i about annalise;

❖ Then; Raised in Vylbrand by the Captain of a crew of pirates and an occultist 'uncle,' it's no wonder how young Annalise developed a fascination with trinkets and treasures. She's always been a studious bookworm with her nose buried in history and story books alike. Whenever her mother would return from a voyage, she'd make a little game of having Annalise put her research to work in identifying the origins and backgrounds of her more interesting finds. Alas, when she lost her mother to the sea, she found herself missing that little game, and decided to dedicate herself to the historical field as an Antiquarian with the support of her now estranged 'uncle' who is actually her true father.

❖ Now; While Annalise now provides her expertise as an antiquarian to a multitude of sources, she searches for the location of her father, and also dabbles in a spot of adventuring out in the field alongside her companions. She hopes one day she'll make a discovery that'll land her name in the history books. Perhaps she'll inspire another young woman like herself to take a leap into the historical field! Rumour has it that she's also dealing with a most curious curse; one that seems to worsen the older that she becomes. The sea calls to her, just as it did her dearly departed mother, in a macabre siren call. Her passions and lifestyle keep her busy enough, but such things have a way of catching up to somebody and can only be ignored for so long.

A

esthetics

A

ppearance

i first glances;

❖ An owlish stare peers up at you from beneath a set of round-framed, magnified spectacles, while a lopsided and gap-toothed grin regards you with a mousy, timid warmth. Her full, bushy eyebrows raise in curiosity!
❖ The woman adorns herself in simple, yet elegant clothing. It is well-made, practical, and fits her curvaceous form perfectly; accentuating her feminine figure in tandem with the thigh-length boots, stockings or socks that play up her thick, toneless thighs.
❖ She favours earthy, neutral tones, and that of mustard-yellow or ocean blue as a highlight colour. It is perfectly complimentary toward her chestnut brown hair, and glittering amber eyes.
❖ Annalise accessorizes herself in heirloom trinkets, such as rings with Vylbrand pearls set within a gilded grasp. She keeps her fingernails clean and varnished dark red - a similar hue to that which she paints her plump lips with.
❖ Most noticable of all, however, is the fact the woman smells strongly of fresh vanilla. So much so that it brinks on overpowering at times.

H

ooks

❖ buried antiquities

Annalise's main source of income is the selling, evaluation, and maintenance of antiques and relics both! These things don't simply fall into ones lap, however. She's a woman with many contacts, and attends auctions, goes on delves and adventures, pulls up sunken plunder, and pulls strings to obtain these treasures for display and profit. She'd never admit it but some of these are pirate's booty she's fencing off for her companions. If you share in her career, you've certainly heard of her at least.

Annalise has an inherent connection to the ocean herself. Her spellcasting only further emphasises such a bond, loathe as she is to put it all on display in front of others. Those with an aether sense may notice a distinctly cold feeling emanating from the mousy antiquarian, along with strange warmth pulsing from the grimoire she keeps secured to her hip - as if there's a constant exchange afoot between her and the book. A curious contrast, but one that is unremarkable unless you've the sense for it. She searches for somebody curse-inclined to make sense of her peculiar situation.

❖ blessed
& cursed

❖ blades for hire

Her work takes her all over the map; and even further still into what's hardly been documented. If there's a ruin, dig site, or lead in your stomping ground, and you're a protector for hire, Anna would love to speak with you. She employs those who are good company atop it all; preferring the 'no questions asked' sorts with delightful senses of humour, no hesitation to protect her, and the patience to stand around all day whilst she documents her findings in a dusty cave.

She's a La Nocean by nationality; proudly so. She lives there, and hopes to pass there when she's old and sagged. If you're a local or frequent traveller, you may have seen her in your respective circle. She causes ripples among scholars, academics, arcanists, seafarers and Maelstrom elite themselves. She's been seen frequenting dinners, galas, libraries, cafes and the shipyards as well. Rumour has it the bespectacled woman keeps the company of Vylbrand pirates, and is under their protection - both personally and in her business. Apparently she's even blood related to some infamous, uncouth figures.

❖ home is where...

❖ seafarers

It's not just pirates she lends her arcane talents to - it's normal seafarers and the Maelstrom, as well! She enchants their sails with spells to help them move with the wind, and casts protective wards upon the ship's hulls to protect them from cannon fire and harsh rocky or coral reefs. She can whisper to the sea, and shape the waves to move with the vessel and guide them to their destination a touch faster, too. Such magic is costly on Annalise, however, and so she offers it sparingly. So far, no one has noticed her association with Vylbrand unsavouries and she hopes to keep it that way.

Something wicked follows our beloved antiquarian around like a dark cloud. Strange silhouettes seem to swim in the water nearby when she's aboard a vessel, and tentacles creep along the shoreline in her direction when she takes her eyes off the sea. Her dreams are positively haunted, ears are full of barely-there whispers, and there's a perpetual figure looming in the corner of her bespectacled gaze. It's a wonder how she still has her sanity. There's more to the arcanist than meets the eye, and sometimes that lopsided smile of hers is positively artificial. Ignoring ones curses holds no longevity, and oh how it creeps and grows.

❖ those who lay beneath

A

bilities

❖ grimoire A brown, leather bound grimoire with all manner of arcane sigils, geometries, equations, texts, and more drawn with aetherically conductive ink - its pages densely packed within its bindings. Across its cover are gilded diamond-shaped motifs which glow when the book itself is in use. Annalise has been seen whispering to the book on occasion, indicating that perhaps it may be capable of some manner of speech, though no one truly knows.
❖ heirloom pistol A small, brass pistol that belonged to her late mother. She uses it as a last resort, or for self-defence in a life threatening situation. She fancies herself quite the crack shot.

while annalise has a colourful compendium of spells she's able to cast from her tome, here are a few examples of the ones she most commonly applies in the field.

adloquium Drawing aether through her grimoire, Annalise pictures the aetherical geometries upon its pages, and makes them manifest around her target for protection and mitigation.silence A circular dome that can suppress any and all sounds of those caught within it.bind Temporary magical bindings summoned through an incantation read aloud from her grimoire. Requires line of sight, and no obfuscations. Those of a hardier physical build may be able to simply flex their way free.expedient Another verbal incantation from her occult grimoire. A momentary enhancement to the ability of the receiver; speed, reflex, potency, hardiness and more.physick A small-scale healing spell. Mostly used for small injuries and cuts, or stabilizing somebody who is in a critical situation until they can be brought to a chirurgeon proper. She can use the geometries in her tome to create an aetherical suture of sorts.biolysis A spell cast to break down the aetherical structure of the target through damage over time, rendering them temporarily weakened.force A simple knock-back spell used to create a little more distance between herself and an assailant while also damaging them. She's also applied its uses to busting down doors, and other crafty things.communion & summoning [Redacted.]

B

onds

♡ esmond forester husband, adventuring partner || —playlist

The dashing young hero that is Esmond Forester has left a lifelong impression on Annalise. As uncertain as the future can be sometimes, she faces all of her incoming tasks and troubles comforted by the fact she has such a loyal lover in her life. She shares in everything with the man and not only has found a life partner, but an adventuring partner and best friend, as well. There is nobody she trusts or adores more than the swordsman, and wouldn't have it any other way. They've recently tied the knot, and are enjoying married life.

☆ ayane kawanami same-spirited friend, 'emotional-support redhead'

As Annalise's most closest companion, Ayane may as well be her sister from another walk of life. They agree on much, and share in their ideals, interests, tastes and even clothing! She holds the small Au Ra close to her heart and is comfortable enough with her to be vulnerable around her. One day, Annalise hopes to be able to see Ayane's home in the Far East alongside her, and indulge in genuine Eastern treats, tea and fashions. Perhaps it's time to tell her that Turnip isn't actually cat.

☆ rokuyo mizutani loud admirer, 'madame mizutani'

Madame Mizutani is a woman that leaves Annalise practically star-struck after every interaction she has with her. There is no better example of a woman who has thrived through hardship than Rokuyo Mizutani, and for that, she has captured Annalise's respect, and adoration wholeheartedly. Annalise is excited to learn more about her, and has a dreams of one day writing a book using Rokuyo's likeness, and parts of her life story, for the protagonist. It's plain to see that Annalise finds a maternal figure in the ruby-eyed Doman.

☆ elizabeth ainsworth fearless protector, dear friend

Elizabeth is a woman who Annalise seems to have naturally gravitated towards. She appreciates how genuine she is, and admires her strength and beauty, both! She hopes to uplift the pugilist in any way that she can as she pursues even greater things. Not only that, but the Hyur quite literally saved her life on a mission in The Black Shroud! For that, she owes her more than mere words can say, and hopes her actions will do the job for her... Anna naturally finds herself staring at the woman's musculature, though would avert her gaze hastily if caught! Somebody has an admirer!

☆ helisent ehrgeiz 'large and in charge', guardswoman

The bulwark of a Highlander has quick found herself to be one of Annalise's favoured blades for hire. She employs her whenever she's exploring and adventuring through Thanalan's ruins, wastes, dunes and wilderness and finds her skill and prowess to be entirely unmatched by the other locals! Helisent is pleasant, and Anna finds herself developing a fondness for her that does brink upon unprofessional at times; exchanging jokes and playful banter, both.

☆ karavash ordos '...of the bottomless stomach'

Karavash is a mystery of a man who Annalise hopes to peel apart and get to know better. She finds herself no short of being positively intrigued by him whenever she has the pleasure of being around him, and finds amusement in their shared fondness of delicious meals. In danger, she's most comfortable at the Xaela's side. What a gifted warrior...

♡ captain corentin malveauxbiological father, tormentor of dreams

A wretched seafarer who Annalise first knew as her uncle. It doesn't take the brightest bulb, however, to notice that there's a little more to their relationship than they let on. He is in fact her father, not her uncle. She knows now, after living in blissful - yet embarrassing - ignorance about the fact. He's well aware, and has funded Annalise's education and lifestyle from the shadows. She can often be seen boarding his ship 'The Salamander' when she's in Limsa Lominsa, though almost always departs the occultist's vessel a little paler at the cheeks.

♡ captain maeve wickton lost at sea, mother

The axe-wielding pirate queen Maeve had quite a reputation that most involved with a sailor's lifestyle both feared and respected. Alas, as resilient as the woman was, the same couldn't be said for her ship 'The Dirge'. It sunk to the bottom of the ocean, though nobody quite knows what the cause of it was. Alas, Annalise spent her early teenage years mourning the loss of her beloved mother - her best friend - and finding her place in the world without such a figurehead's presence. Perhaps there's more to her apparent demise than meets the eye.

♡ turnip forester arcane familiar, devourer of biscuits

Annalise found Turnip whilst traveling with a caravan of explorers that were curiously poking around in The Sea of Clouds. She left that trip with a little more than she bargained for, and now has her hands full with this cheeky critter that she affectionately named after her favourite root vegetable. Turnip has grown a fondness towards Annalise's lover, and uses his cuteness to his advantage in securing treats from the Hyuran swordsman. Anna maintains that he is a malformed cat, though her companions are well aware that he is, in fact, a paissa and not a feline.

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allery

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lone

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ogether

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thers

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