Another chibi Ancient! 🥹🖤 I've been really loving these, and this one was no exception! I loved his color palette and description from my patron, and it was fun and relaxing to draw 🥹 Thank you so much again! 🖤
Members of the Chorus, a troupe of Amaroutine performers of arts who craft wondrous tales of many kinds to entertain their fellow ancients, all with the support of Convocation member Altima.
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Calliope
Daughter of the chief archivist of Anamnesis Anyder, Apollo, and an as of yet not publicly known mother (though many, including members of the Convocation, suspect the former holder of the Seat of Azem, Venat, due to her closeness with Apollo). Name in the official ledger is recorded as Eos.
Associated Job: Muse (WHM/BRD, add ORT as Tank option if custom Jobs are up)
Calliope is a spirited and outgoing orator of heroic epics with an unusually high proficiency in creation magics, though most of it is "squandered" on conjuring special effects and props and "shades" as additional actors for her plays. Being one of two founders of the Chorus alongside the dancer Terpsichore, she is a well-known and respected figure among Amaurot's theater-going scene. She's especially loved for her willingness to give improvised performances on the street, taking suggestions from the crowd to weave thrilling tales of chivalry and villainy using her magicks, her melodious voice, and her ever-present lyre. She took her stage name in honour of the original Calliope, one of the forefathers of the art of minstreling (and surprisingly, wandering) who has long since taken the great wander back to the star.
Though she may be flamboyant and flippant on first glance, she feels the pains of others deeply, and will wear herself thin trying to bear everyone's burdens, sometimes to the point of great harm. She has often been found far from home, exhausted and encumbered by the various favours and tasks she's taken upon herself to do (sometimes without the people in question even asking her to do them!), and there's been many times when she's been rushed back to Amaurot in a state of poor health from overexerting herself, giving her father and loved ones many a headache (and the occasional heart attack). Because of her trusting and curious nature, she is very easy to convince to do things, and so often her fellows must persuade her not to fall for the unsavoury requests of others.
She is especially close with the current Azem, and they see each other as siblings (due in no small part to Apollo's unofficial adoption of the current Azem and Venat's tutelage of Azem). Azem brings home many stories of the places and people he travels to, which Calliope incorporates into her plays. Being so close to two members of the Convocation already (Azem and Altima) and being supposedly the daughter of a former member, she is also treated fondly by many of the Convocation, even if she seems a little dim or even volatile by comparison from the outset. It is no secret that she is deeply fond of her student and fellow Chorus muse Melpemone, and when she is not occupied with duties, she can often be seen accompanying the dour outsider.
In the sundered world, you may recognize a shard of her in the current form of one of Ishgard's Knight Commanders and Scion of the Seventh Dawn, Lucient Daureville.
Melpemone
Parentage unknown. Outsider to Amaurot, brought in by the current Azem during one of his trips as part of his duties, was said to be wandering on their lonesome far from their homeplace, though for what reason, Azem will not say. Name on the official ledger is recorded as Astraeus, though it should be noted this was only recorded as such at the request of Eos and chief archivist Apollo.
Associated Job: Soulscryer (DRK/SCH/SAM, replace SCH with JDG if custom Jobs are up)
Melpemone is a quiet and often solitary muse, finding their peace in watching the lives of others and reading texts about the Amaurotine way of life and philosophies of other lands. Though their domain is in the art of tragedies, do not let this fool you into thinking they are permanently pessimistic and morose. In the company of those they trust, they truly blossom; engaging in fierce yet diplomatic debates on topics ranging from art to culture to sciences, happily going along with the Chorus' plans for even grander performances, and even prodding the likes of Altima herself in a thoroughly gadflyish manner. Though theatergoers in the seemingly utopian Amaurot were wary of their tragic plays, following a performance which received the accolades of Convocation member Emet-Selch, most audiences have warmed up to the newcomer's creative spark.
In their homeland, they were known as Shamash, scion of the sun and the youngest judge in a pantheon that presided over the justice system of their land, using creation magics to perform recreations of crimes to aid in judgment. Being one of the uncommon number of ancients blessed with soulsight, they were especially astute in their judgments and balanced both mercy and punishment when it came to matters of the law. However, following a certain controversial judgment and series of civil unrests leading to widespread ruin of their homeland, they either left out of disgust at the injustice and sin or were banished from their homeland as a scapegoat (rumours go back and forth on it, and Melpemone themselves won't confirm anything). When they were brought into Amaurot and taken in by Apollo, they adopted a new identity to have a fresh start.
Melpemone isn't the type to be cordial, however they are on very good terms with all of their fellow Chorus muses and with Azem and Apollo. They have somewhat of a petty rivalry with Hades due to them both being considered for the Seat of Emet-Selch, but up until the Final Days, they too were on friendly terms. Melpemone's most beloved is Calliope, however, especially given the fact that she was the one who helped them acclimatize to Amaroutine life (even being the one to offer the pseudonym of "Astraeus" to them, citing their bright golden eyes against their dark features reminding her of a starry night) and invited them to become a member of the Chorus. They are fiercely protective of her, and if they are not busy with more pressing matters, they will seek out her company and cling to her like a shadow to its person. Out of the many plays and poems they've written, a little over half of them are dedicated to their "radiant one". Some say they got the confidence to make such fervent declarations due to the advice of Convocation member Mitron, who they have somewhat of an odd mentor-student relationship with, at least in the realms of love.
In the sundered world, you may recognize a shard of them in the current form of the ever present shade and archetypal Dark Knight, Fray Myste.
Rumours abound regarding the nature of their bond, most assuming them to be romantically involved, some even going further by saying they have committed a taboo by mixing their souls not unlike what Convocation member Lahabrea did with the late Athena.
Whatever the case, the two are as inseparable as light and shadow, the sun and its dawn. One cannot have a heroic tale without a touch of tragedy.
