signed, n.q.

Navrys Quilarain.    [ _{aether ; siren / balmung.} ]   —   may i be the one
to rip the shackles clean away / and lead you to a place
where loneliness is tackled with a kiss?
    written by  a spectral bat  (any prns, 30+)   

• ESSENTIALS
• STORIES
• CONNECTIONS
• PLOT HOOKS
• WRITER
• RETURN

[ khei - rour - gi - a ]

(n.)  lit. hand-work ; the butchering art

about the writer

  hello!   If you're reading this, you likely know me somewhere on the internet under one of various bat-themed noms de plume. I've spent the better part of two decades wedded to the pen and, later, the keyboard, using writing and roleplaying to explore different facets of human experience. For as long as I've been able to set words down, storytelling has been my go-to creative pastime, no matter the medium. When I'm not enjoying creating stories together with others over text, I'm more than likely doing it around the proverbial tabletop, with the help of a handful of dice.

on content warnings

 There's very little subject matter  I shy away from as a writer. I'm comfortable with, and thrive in, exploring most dark and taboo subjects, including (and especially) where they intersect with the erotic. In the unlikely event that something comes up with which I am personally uncomfortable, I will let you know. As a matter of course, I prefer not to see warnings ahead of material shared with me. On the other hand,  I will generally err on the safe side at first until I'm better acquainted with you, and typically default to offering warnings of my own for what may generally be deemed uncomfortable subjects. I'm aware that general warnings  don't account for everything, and that what arouses our old pains doesn't always look like an aversion to things like gore or noncon. If there are specific things (no matter how seemingly inconsequential) you would like to avoid, please tell me and I will accommodate you. You need never go into any detail beyond telling me what to avoid.

RULES FOR INTERACTING

writing themes

GIVEN NAME   [ redacted ]
KNOWN AS   Navrys Quilarain
ANSWERS TO   Navrys, Master Quilarain, Sir
OCCUPATIONS   chirurgeon ; alchemist ; Hearer
AGE   [ unknown ]
ORIGINS   Black Shroud
RESIDENCE   Ishgard
GENDER & PRONOUNS   cis male ; he/him
ORIENTATION   bisexual ; demiromantic ; non-mono
AFFILIATIONS   House Vauntelaire ; Stillglade Fane (on poor terms) 

A MAN OF RAKISH CHARMS   silver of eye and tongue alike, Navrys has spent the better part of his practising years weaving his way deep into the fabric of Ishgardian society — high and low. His is a name heavy with rumour even upon the tongues of those who may claim to know him; yet in their imaginings one might hope to find as much substance as in asking the man himself, and be equally disappointed.

MORE OF RUMOUR   than verified fact surrounds this man who, in a remarkably brief span of years, positioned himself among Ishgard's preeminent chirurgeons, making himself virtually indispensable despite whispers surrounding his allegiance. It is said that in his ascent through the bloody stones of the Holy See he amassed wealth comparable to a baronet’s, and faint whispers tell of coffers flung open behind closed doors to receive of his mastery with the knife — or other, more esoteric exchanges made to win his ear.

HIS ENDEAVOURS KEEP HIM CLOSE   at the edges of highborn society, yet the years he has spent on their periphery have seen him spurn offers of patronage from all but one. On the brink of collapse after the frost of calamity nearly wiped out its Coerthan medicinal gardens, House Vauntelaire saw the opportunity for renewal in his skills, and he a unique chance at new research in the use of their remaining facilities. The House itself has undergone dramatic change since the decease and disappearance of many of its leadership, leaving a single, sickly young Lady its sole heir under the stewardship of her aunt.

WHY SUCH A MAN   might choose to maintain such tenuous ties is unclear; as with all else not generally known (or supposed) about him, he has declined to elucidate. Interest surrounding his origins, his connections, and the matter of what affairs he tends behind closed doors all seem to slide from his back, if they fall short of entertaining him.

PRECIOUS LITTLE KNOWLEDGE EXISTS   that can be said to be true with any certainty, and not raise the flicker of doubt in an attending gaze. No city-born Ishgardian alive will deceive themselves that a man of his like could be their countryman by birth; yet to observe him from afar little of his speech and comportment would betray his roots in the Twelveswood. It is only by making his acquaintance oneself that it is possible to discern those habits and proclivities that distinguish him from his fellows, ill hidden as they are by the veneer of cultivated manners.

"Navrys Quilarain is skilled man whose professional talents have graced the wards of my husband’s estate for quite some time. We are quite fortunate that he is in our employ, and there is no one else I would trust more when it comes to matters of physical health. And, no — despite what rumors persist, the only times I have flit to his chambers in the dark of night were to share a glass of wine and a quiet conversation, and naught else, thank you very much. Good day." —  Morracia de Vauntelaire. 
"He hasn't slighted me at all. Why do you ask? . . . Antagonistic? Me? Heh. Not for the reasons you're thinking, sweetheart. He loves me at my worst." —   Liito Darzi.

"He may be an Ishgardian Hearer, but I can't begrudge him a skilled set of hands." —   Avenrhi Zanthella.

"Please don't make me talk about him." —  Ollie Viridi. 

"He's fascinating. Like a rose — beautiful. Painful. And piercing in ways that have very specific purpose." —  Sébastien Lupercalia. 

"Ever the ephemeral mystery — one many have longed to solve that stays tantalizingly out of reach. Ever a gentleman with a smile smooth and sharp in equal measure, he cloaks his conversations in silver and honey, ever pleased to leave his partners wanting more in ways they'd not consider in polite company. In short, a sharp-dressed fiend of the highest order — and a dear friend." —  Renardine Colbernoux. 

"He's pleasant enough, for a dentist. Excellent taste in attire." —  Ian Fletchner. 

"Well, by my account, the man is aggravatingly dismissive, exhaustingly smug, and, perhaps worst of all, regrettably decent." —   Pascaleret Auberlaint.

"A man with a cunning and precise hand upon his scalpel. Were his affiliations as clean, and his tongue as direct." —   Théodule Molisouix. 

"Master Brother always takes care of me!" —   Nik-O-Monoa. 

“Navrys is quite smart and knowledgeable about flowers and chirurgeon-types of things. An excellent teacher, too! And not just for academic discussions on aesthetics. Quite talented at ponderous and circuitous conversations, though! Half the time I don’t understand what he means, but I think that’s because he’s Ishgardian. Oh, and he has a nice smile! Especially when he thinks no one is looking at him.” —  Villanelle Moon. 

"Wheresoever he goes there can be no peace. He is sure to be the ruin of this House." —   Gièvaix d'Envers.

a serpent in the spider's web.

MOONS SPENT OVERSEAS IN THE LANDS FAR WEST  at long last came to their conclusion with his return to familiar shores bearing the fruits of his endeavours. Those bequeathed to another's more delicate hands found new purpose in the chirurgeon's theatre, and thereafter found recompense in company and service. The mind and body of a healer must, after all, be of sound condition if one is to weather coming plague — and match step with the dance of the spidery hands attendant upon him.

[ main storyline ]

seeds buried in memory.

LONG YEARS SINCE CALAMITY STRUCK  have seen the ruin and unsteady rebirth of a House once renowned. In those quiet days secrets once kept silent in the roots of its gardens were released to the frigid winds of the highlands, carrying with them the ghosts of a legacy nourished in blood. Yet the same frozen soil holds still the seeds of renewal, and so it is that the House's chirurgeon joins his lady upon her venture to bring peace to the unquiet dead left behind.

[ side plot ]

by stars and seafoam.

WHETHER BY CHANCE OR BY THE AUSPICES  of smiling stars, circumstances brought together an unlikely pair whose worlds might never have crossed, if not for one's whim and another's persistence. Seemingly little united them but a common birthplace and adopted home — until one tryst became another, then, followed by others, truths buried and undiscovered came unveiled between them, so that time and tide saw them entwined. At the root of that flower yet lie more secrets to bear — secrets whose fragile truths beg only the most delicate of hands.

[ side plot ]

sweet enemy, bitter saviour.

AN ILL-FATED ENDEAVOUR AT NEW ACQUAINTANCE  once made enemies of men who should otherwise be colleagues, feeding one fuel for old resentments and inspiring quiet contempt in the other. Fate, however, is capricious. A man determined to cling to his hate soon found himsef forced by circumstance to seek his salvation in those hands he should least want laid upon him, and the chirurgeon, quietly pleased at this turn of events, obliged him, though at no small price. In taking certain deadly specimens as his due, he believes he may find answers to mysteries that yet plague medicine.

[ side plot ]

  WALKELIN ARAIGNEUT    —  carrd
[ Attendant ]   Apothecary, perfumer, master of whispers. — At surface, a colleague and acquaintance ; beneath, the true nature of this connection is unclear.

  VELITAS NOIRTEREL    —  carrd
[ Lover ]   Lounge host and accomplished astrologian. — Guardian in matters of the heart and other personal affairs. Master of his affections.

  THÉODULE MOLISOUIX    —  carrd
[ Colleague ]   Midwife, chirurgeon, protector of a flock. — Bitter rival, philosophical opponent ; and once, unforgivably, his surgeon.

  MORRACIA VAUNTELAIRE    —  carrd
[ Patron ]   Viscountess and former inquisitor. — Under a contract for research and House medical care ; acts as counsel and companion to her ladyship.

  RENARDINE COLBERNOUX    —  info pending
[ Friend ]   Romance novelist, hostelier. — Hunting partner and confidant ; fond subject of teasing.

  LIITO DARZI    —  carrd
[ Paramour ]   Midwife, apothecary, former lounge host.
 — Professionally, a colleague and referent ; personally, master of her thornier passions.

  KARILAN BLACK    —  carrd
[ Acquaintance ]   Social host, baroness. — A checkered history owing to disagreements on the handling of those in one's protection.

  NIK-O-MONOA    —  carrd
[ Living saint ]   Coerthas' first Frostseer. — Steadfast ally and protector. Looks to see her lead Coerthas to a new dawn, one day.

  DJOLE LAPINIRA    —  carrd
[ Contractor ]   Artisan and leatherworker. — Frequenter of her services for commission and repair of tools and leather goods. Acting physician.

  HOUSE VAUNTELAIRE    —  info
[ Patron House ]    Contracted for medical services & research using House facilities.  THE PELAGIO    —  info
[ Social lounge ]    Frequent patron ; known menace among staff.  DOE & STAG    —  info
[ Gentlemen's lounge ]    Frequent patron ; acquainted with the proprietor.  CARBUNCLE CREATIONS    —  info
[ Apothecary & midwifery ]    Affiliate & referent through acquaintance with its owner.

[ a saint's grace ]

            [ healers ; patients ; ishgardian ]
Tucked away in Ishgard's rebuilt streets sits a humble healing practise, whose doors, it is said, are open to all at a fair fee.

Though it may be recognised by the likeness of St Mocianne upon its sign and seal, local tongues will talk of it by way of 'the saints' grace', as if all the Twelve's blessed smiled on its establishment.

[ house physic ]

           [ nobility ; servants of nobility ]
After having established himself as indispensable across the layers of Ishgardian society, it may seem curious that he has since aligned himself with a minor House on the cusp of collapse.

Yet its fortunes have waxed, not dwindled, since this alliance was formed, and those with a propensity for gossip may notice in him a friendliness with the viscountess that somewhat exceeds professional courtesy.

[ hearer in exile ]

            [ gridanians ; hearers ; clergy ]
Years spent in Ishgard during the War have taught this outsider well the art of appearing a pious man of the Fury where he pleases.

Yet those who remember the state of the Stillglade Fane after the Calamity may recall his presence there — and also recall his unshakable faith in the elementals, before his abrupt departure. What might have led such a devout man so far from home, he does not seem inclined to tell.

[ well-travelled ]

        [ travellers ; merchants ; scholars ]
Though evidently content to be settled in Ishgard, a faded glimmer of the adventuring spirit lingers in the frequency with which this man finds himself drawn to nearly all corners of the map.

Those restless sorts whose travels lead them to cross his path may well recognise him from their journeys; some may find him amenable to offering an ear, or advice — if they have no bones to pick with him.

[ strange charity ]

   [ brume-dwellers ; ears to the ground ]
'By the Saints' grace' is it said that a chirurgeon lives in Ishgard who will set a fair fee for his services, even to those who might otherwise never afford them.

Yet his offices wear all the signs of a man well compensated, and not a word escapes them of the coin — or aught else — that buys his care. Even to particularly clever eyes, the sole clue is the occasional appearance of poorly-clad youth at his door, offering services or, sometimes, delivering letters.

[ sordid origins ]

           [ ishgardian ; nobility ; gossip ]
In truth it is hardly secret, though it is certainly hushed: in some circles a different reputation than that of the good-natured healer precedes his name, and not without reason. On these lips one could be persuaded to believe he climbed up from the Brume's rubble upon a ladder of secret trysts, bought in coin and sweat.

If this much can be believed, one must wonder what else might serve him in trade, when gil is wanting.

[ tabula rasa ]

           [ curious ears ; detective work ]
For all the interest his name inspires when it comes up in conversation, precious little of even the most ordinary facts of his life reveals itself after closer examination.

Under what circumstances did such a man find his way to Ishgard? By whose charity — or by what clandestine arrangement — does he remain? What family carries his name? Absent the truth from his own tongue, conjecture flows as freely as wine.

[ not adding up ]

               [ clever eyes ; inquisition ]
A chirurgeon of this gentleman's calibre may well have earned a measure of the luxury he seems to possess, even despite his persistent acts of charity.

Yet such a simple attempt at explanation leaves much to be desired — much as he might like society to bury the memory of his earliest days in the city. If the quietest whispers tell it true, more than mere honest endeavours may have led him to his present position.