Marlowe holds a lot of resentment towards a lot of people, but it’s hard to direct it at just one. Her greatest hatred is for the Empire, which is more of a faceless collective than a single person she can focus her anger on.
If she could know who was piloting the Reaper that fired on her family as they fled, they would certainly be right up there on the list.
She’s also got quite a bit of animosity for Fyrgeiss, owner of Amajina and Sons Mineral Concern for whom she was formerly employed as hardly more than a slave. She despises most of Ul’dah, but this particular grudge is more personal. The lack of wages and fair working conditions is what drove her to seek work in Limsa instead.
As much as she dislikes the Ul’dahns and to a lesser extent the Gridanians for their seeming refusal to help, her greatest hatred will always be for the Empire even if it can’t be directed at one person.
Anyone in the Imperial uniform is fair game.
21. What is something that causes them great anxiety?
Growing up, Marlowe lived in constant fear of being conscripted by the Empire. Both she and her sister did all they could to keep a low profile and hold their positions as general labourers instead of being made to serve in the army either against their own people or in a faraway land where they would likely never see their home again.
This fear persisted even in Eorzea, where she was ever wary of being made to serve the Immortal Flames when she was a refugee in Thanalan. Thankfully this fear came to pass without incident.
Nowadays her greatest fear is falling back into poverty. Marlowe’s finally moved forward in life and has a stable job with fair wages, and a real roof over her head that she has earned for herself. Her greatest fear is losing that, and being forced to live as a refugee without home again.
Though things are good, she still worries about losing what she has all the time. She’s been uprooted before, and knows that it can happen again easier than one would expect. She works harder than she has to and lives somewhat frugally due to this fear, constantly planning just in case.
What does your character do by way of a hobby? Do they get a lot of “spare time” to pursue things they enjoy, or are they constantly busy with duties or chores? Is there a hobby they wish they could pick up, but can’t for some reason, and if so then what’s stopping them?1. When is your character’s nameday? Do they celebrate it? If so, how? Do they pay any heed to the god whose month they were born under? Do they have any happy memories of their namedays in years gone by?
Marlowe’s nameday is the 9th Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon. These days Marlowe typically only celebrates with a small indulgence like a nice dinner with her partner or her family and maybe a bottle of liquor.
Namedays were never forgotten when she was growing up, but there was little room for much celebration in Garlean Ala Gannha. Her family was sure to spend time together, but money and resources were tight so not much happened beyond that. Sometimes her parents had enough extra money for small gifts which were very much cherished, but little else.
Though born under Oschon’s month, most of Marlowe’s religious attention is directed at Rhalgr.
3. What is your character’s gender? How do they relate to the concept of gender? Do you have any worldbuilding headcanons about gender in Eorzea, and if so, how does your character fit into them? Did they ever receive boons or face problems over fitting into their expected gender role?
Female, though she pays little mind to it. Gender matters little when you’re living at the bottom of the societal ladder anyhow. Your role is to work, and your worth is how well you do it.
Most folk would consider Marlowe more masculine, but she doesn’t care much to give it any thought. Her world is one of physical labor and her sex has not a damn thing to do with it. Worrying about how to present oneself is for people with less pressing preoccupations like putting food on the table and a roof over their heads.
The doors that slammed in her face had more to do with her heritage than her sex, and she knows that.
5. What race is your character? Do they have many friends of the same race? Do they face any prejudice from others over something to do with their race? How do they relate to the concept of “being [their race]”?
Highlander Hyur, Ala Mhigan born and raised. Prejudice has been a constant force in her life in both Garlean Ala Gannha and in Eorzea alike. In all of this nearly all of her friends have been fellow Ala Mhigans, as there has been little comfort to be found outside of that solidarity.
Marlowe’s heard it all from “Dirty savage” to “Parasite” in terms of slurs and insults hurled at her for her race and position in society. Despite all of this, she tries to keep her held held high and remain proud of who she is, and believe in the resilience of her people.
7. Where on Hydaelyn did your character grow up? How do they think of the place they spent their childhood? If they still live there, then do they sometimes wish they could move elsewhere? If they don’t, then do they sometimes wish they could go back there?
Born and raised in Ala Gannha, Marlowe was very young when the Garleans assumed control and hardly remembers what life was like without their presence in the area. Marlowe and her family were forced to flee about 3 years before the Calamity struck Eorzea.
Though there are times she wishes she could return, she’s now got roots in Eorzea with her partner and her work. Returning home without her mother wouldn’t feel right anyhow. As much as she loved the people of her village,the place now holds too many painful memories to find any peace in.
9. Where’s your character’s favourite place in all Eorzea? How often do they get to visit? Why is it their favourite? How about their least favourite - is there anywhere they’re a wanted fugitive, or simply refuse to tread foot?
Marlowe enjoys parts of Thanalan that are well away from Ul’dah. Areas like Drybone remind her of her home in some ways, and there is small comfort in that.
She detests Ul’dah, and wants nothing more than to see it rot and burn. It’s a symbol of greed, ill gotten wealth, and she despises the rich ruling class there. Everything that glitters was built on the backs of workers like her for a mere pittance, and thinking about it makes her blood boil. None of the wealth and luxury there is deserved. She detests both the city and its people with a seething hatred.
It doesn’t help that she’s nearly been arrested for brawling and rioting there, as well.
11. Is your character affiliated with a Free Company? If so, which one, and why? What role do they play within it? If not, would they ever join one, or start one themself?
No. Marlowe is not an adventurer, and has no reason to join one of those companies. Instead, she works for Naldiq and Vymelli’s forges.
13. What does your character know about Primals? Have they ever had direct contact with any of their worshippers?
Marlowe knows enough to know that they are trouble. She and her family briefly stayed in Little Ala Mhigo in Southern Thanalan shortly after arriving in Eorzea but soon left due to the constant threat of being kidnapped by Ifrit’s Tempered or Flamefangs.
15. Is your character proficient with any methods of attack (such as weapons or magic)? If so, which ones, and how did they learn to use them? Do they, or would they ever, own a “job stone”? If not, then is that by choice, or happenstance? Would they learn if circumstances changed?
Marlowe is proficient in hand to hand combat, and can fight bare handed or with relatively unobstrusive brass knuckles (if you handed her a big ol’ pair of Hora she would give you a weird look).
Her uncle Kormac was her teacher growing up. He was a long standing member of the Resistance and believed it best that Marlowe and her sister knew how to defend themselves without any carried weapons–as those were forbidden in Garlean Ala Gannha.
Had things been less turbulent, Marlowe would still likely know her way around a fist fight simply due to the rough nature of her work and her volatile temper. Learning just would have been much less of a friendly affair.
17. What does your character do by way of a hobby? Do they get a lot of “spare time” to pursue things they enjoy, or are they constantly busy with duties or chores? Is there a hobby they wish they could pick up, but can’t for some reason, and if so then what’s stopping them?
Marlowe’s usually quite busy but has found herself with somewhat more free time since moving to La Noscea with Graceful Sapphire. With things less dire, she’s had more time to jut relax instead of take on extra work.
Though it’s not so much of a hobby, Marlowe does like to fish.
The idea of gardening has always vaguely interested her, but most of the places she has lived have been too inhospitable for it. She’d likely just grow herself vegetables and herbs, anything she could find a practical use for.
19. Does your character have a romantic life? If so, why not - lack of opportunities, or lack of interest? If so, what’s it like? How do they think of their love(s), and how does the world view the partnership? Have they, or have they ever thought of, “settling down”? Why or why not?
Surprisingly enough, yes. Despite doing almost nothing but work since arriving in Eorzea, Marlowe was lucky enough to meet her current partner Graceful Sapphire while out on a delivery job. After delivering some ore to a smithy in Ul’dah they got talking and went on a few dates when time allowed.
It’s been a few years since then and things are going well enough. They fight every so often, but it hasn’t been anything big enough to break them. Marlowe can be difficult to live with but they’ve adapted to each other and things are going steady. They have a house together in Moraby.
Once they’re finished with the Gyr Abanian tour and return to Limsa, Marlowe has plans to propose. As she sees it, they’ve survived living with each other, and they’ve survived a war together, they may as well do the rest together too.
21. Has your character ever met any of the major lore characters, such as the Grand Company leaders, Ishgard’s elite, or the Scions of the Seventh Dawn? If so, in what circumstances, and did they find the meeting positive or negative? If not, are there any they would like to meet; and if so, what would they like to say to them?
Marlowe’s seen the Grand Company leaders in and around Castrum Oriens, but always from afar, so it’s not much of a meeting really.
If she could talk to any one of them, she would probably talk to Raubahn. His devotion to Ul’dah baffles her, and she’d love to try and understand why he cares for such a wretched place.
23. How does your character view death? Have they ever had to attend a funeral? If they were tasked with organising the funeral for someone, what manner of rites would they have performed? Do they believe in an afterlife? What about the Raise spell - do they believe it can be used, at all, or for the forces of good? Would they consent to being Raised themself?
Death is an inevitability, and it’s always waiting. Marlowe is no stranger to it. People died around her all the time. Whether it was growing up in Garlean Ala Gannha, living among the sickness ridden refugee camps, or working in the mines, there was always death. Despite this, she is far from numb to it.
When her mother died, there was not time for a proper funeral and it still really bothers her. If she could do it again, Avery would have had a real service and a proper grave instead of an unmarked plot in the shadow of Baelsar’s Wall.
Marlowe doesn’t know much about magic, and likely wouldn’t trust something like a raising spell.
25. Is your character a Warrior of Light? If not, what do they think of the fabled Warriors? If so, what do they think of Hydaelyn?
No. Marlowe isn’t even a real adventurer. She’s heard plenty about the Warrior of Light, but thinks the stories are greatly embellished and in her own terms “a crock of dodo shite”.
If it is not too late cane you do the "Get to know My Character" ask meme of Marlowe. If so thank you!
Gosh, that was so long ago, but I’m a slut for talking about Marlowe, so yes of course!
01. Full name: Marlowe Jones02. Best friend: Bo Reyes, Squiby Jones03. Sexuality: hoo buddy…04. Favorite color: Pink~05. Relationship status: Single and always available06. Ideal mate: N/A07. Turn-ons: big (chubby/muscular/tall, he likes his lovers big)08. Favorite food: Daddy Miles’ brownie supreme sundaes ( @traveling-squids I’m so sorry, but also not)09. Crushes: N/A10. Favorite music: He likes all music11. Biggest fear: Getting stabbed again12. Biggest fantasy: He’s already achieved his biggest fantasy, life’s just kinda boring for him now…13. Bad habits: He smokes and drinks a lot and sleeps around. He also used to get into some really bad fights 14. Biggest regret: Not finding out what kind of people his moms were.15. Best kept secrets: Where he came from, the origin of most of his scars, his children16. Last thought: “why the fuck am I so insistent on working here, I have enough money to last me the rest of my life.” -gets a text from Bo- “…oh right, he likes it when i bring home the leftover pastries…”17. Worst romantic experience: So one time he got stabbed on a date–18. Biggest insecurity: The scars on his face19. Weapon of choice: Charger20. Role Model: Himself
Lili and Lolo are identical twins that are both exceptionally strong, but Lili’s a healthy kind of buff where he has an equal fat:muscle ratio. Lolo’s the sort of unhealthy “body builder” muscle type. He’s like that because he doesn’t eat or drink enough (Compared to his brother who eats like a damn horse)
Marlowe still has a lot of friends that call him Tic. He complains about it a lot, but actually likes it because the nickname reminds him of “happier times” when he knew what he was doing with his life
Barry hasn’t had a serious boyfriend in almost 8 years. He keeps up the appearance of a hardcore, edgy tattoo artist , but he secretly just wants to find a good partner he can spend his life with
