The Life and Times
of R. Somnalune

Please note that this NPC version of Raphail diverges a lot from the one portrayed in my fanfiction. His overall behavior and backstory are similar, but he hasn't had to grow and change as much without the constant burdens and joys of being a WOL. What will he become with others? Only time will tell.

The Basics


Name

Born Raph'ir Sahra; became Raphail Hughes by adoption. "Raphail Somnalune" is his professional stage name, and he prefers to use it exclusively outside of legal documents. Very close friends and lovers may occasionally earn the use of his birth name. "Raph" is a common nickname that he has accepted from others, even though it was technically the name of his mother.

Age

Approximately 30 summers.

Race

Miqo'te Keeper of the Moon.

Gender

Cisgender male.

Sexuality

Straight so far, though he is the curious and adventurous sort and appreciates beauty in all forms. The right person of any gender identity could catch his eye someday, and doing so would be an unexpected but welcome surprise. He is somewhat demisexual as well, preferring partners he knows, trusts, and respects over random strangers whenever possible.
It is worth noting that the WOL version of Raphail is comfortably bisexual as of post-Heavensward, so there's precedent for going in this direction. Aymeric was his first male partner (at Aymeric's suggestion) but he always carried a torch for G'raha (despite mistaking it for a deep friendship until much later.) The two eventually married and couldn't be happier.

Romance

Counter to the expectations laid out for males in Keeper society, he has always had a strong preference for committed, monogamous relationships and hopes to settle down someday. However, marriage is not an urgent goal, and he will not hesitate to explore new experiences, chance encounters, and/or single nights of pleasure in the meantime.

Marital Status

Single and available, but secretly holding out for "the one."

Server

Jenova, Aether DC. Willing to wander/travel anywhere else as needed. Please be aware that due to existing friends, family, an active FC officer role, and personal housing on Jenova, full transfer to another server/DC is not possible at this time.

Physical


Hair

Dark violet purple (it’s natural!) with dark golden highlights. He prefers it shoulder length or shorter and aims for the right sort of adventuring bedhead in general, but longer styles are possible if he's too busy to take the time for a haircut.

Eyes

Mid-range blue, deep and intense. During unguarded moments, they are often sad and distant, but otherwise he tends to fake happiness or silliness for the sake of those around him. Sometimes it isn't even a lie. Extended eye contact is difficult for him unless he's performing (or anything relying on performance skills, like lying or flirting.)

Height

Five fulms, seven ilms. Despite this being an average to tall height for a Miqo'te male, he has always been a little embarrassed by it. especially around taller races.

Build

In general, lean, lanky and athletic. Broad shoulders, slender waist and hips, toned belly, flat arse. Long, expressive tail. Almost too thin since he tends to keep a stricter diet than most by choice and forgets to eat when he’s busy. He keeps himself in shape, but tends to prioritize training that focuses on agility, form, style, and intellect rather than pure strength.

Distinguishing Features

Dark patterned markings at the outer corner of each eye, and deep purple line markings on the lower half of each cheek near his jaw. His canines are extra sharp and an ilm longer than most. All are typical for a Miqo’te Keeper, but may stand out among other races.

Accessories

Glasses are a common fashion choice, not a visual aid. Fishing rods, frying pans, or sewing needles are typical. At home, a cup of black coffee, a quill, and a book are never far.

Weapons

Collecting simple, elegant rapiers such as the Talekeeper or the Belah'dian degen is a hobby. He knows how to use them with moderate skill, but he prefers to rely on his silver tongue or quick wits to avoid fighting. Most often his rapiers get used in stage performances.

Clothing

Long military coats, fitted jackets, tunics with tight leggings or pants, and tall boots that prioritize easy movement are best. Popped collars are a favorite, though he gets his hair stuck in them if it is on the longer side. He is comfortable and natural in highborn attire due to his upbringing, and has a good eye for both style and quality after years of sewing his own stage costumes. Classic styles work best on casual date nights and weekends. Boxer briefs beneath.

Fashion Nopes

Long robes, most hats, beefy shoulder pads, and heavy armor with thick plates and pauldrons. He hates shields with a passion and will use one only if failure to do so is guaranteed to kill him.

Showing Skin

Growing up with a huge family has left him unfazed by most casual nudity, his own and others'. While this is generally fine, it is common for him to walk around shirtless or remove a soiled shirt on the spot without realizing how much attention he is attracting from friends, lovers, and total strangers in the street. (More than that and he will probably think twice, though.)

Personal


Profession

Once a stage hand for a semi-famous traveling entertainment show, he rose up the ranks and landed a spot as their star stage magician. The show and most of its additional cast did not survive the 7th Umbral Calamity, but he has continued performing on his own terms as a solo act since then. Due to this loss, he takes the role very seriously and aims to provide an escape and a safe haven for those in need. His acts are equal parts misdirection and spectacle, requiring dance and acting skills in addition to a wide knowledge of magic effects and glamours.

Beneath the Mask

His journey from shy, bumbling stage hand to star magician happened over the course of an otherwise lonely and traumatic early life. Among many of the things he learned on the stage was how to cope with his raw emotions by applying the performing arts to his real life. Making people happy is a constant wish -- but it is also a successful way to hide his own lingering insecurities from anyone that might hold his painful past and the scars it left against him.

Hobbies

Reading, stargazing, games, adventures, cooking, sewing, and good sex. He is talented enough as a culinarian and weaver to make a simple living if the stage ever gets old.

Languages

Eorzean. Some Sharlayan. Just enough Hingan to mix metaphors in hilarious ways.

Residence

His private estate in the Goblet (Jenova; Ward 22, Plot 25) is his pride and joy. He inherited his late adopted father’s estate as well, but he hires someone to handle affairs there. It is simultaneously "home" and yet a constant reminder of how far he has come since living there.

Birthplace

An oceanfront cave in the middle of nowhere. He was too young to be aware of the world outside his cave when it was destroyed in a massive storm, claiming the lives of his mother and seven siblings. Even if he could somehow find it again, the pain of revisiting it would be too great.

Patron Deity

Menphina, the Lover. While he is not particularly devout when it comes to the Twelve, Menphina serves as a familiar and comforting symbol of his family, his oft-wild and insatiable sexuality, and his deep love of the night sky and stars.

Zodiac Sign

Cancer.

Tarot Card

1/The Magician.

Nameday

32nd Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon (June 30th.)

Relationships


Significant Other

None at this time, though he is commonly linked with various people for short-term flings. Intelligent, clever, quick-witted and kind people with a passion for making the world a better place are always the first to catch his attention. Could that be you?

Children

None that he knows of... but he's warmed enough beds that he likely sired a few without knowing. Keeper males do not often remain in the lives of their children anyway, but other cultures may view this level of willful ignorance differently. Having kids with intention and a stable partner is a deep wish, but not an urgent goal (similar to marriage.) Adoption would be welcome too.

Parents

Raph Sahra (Keeper mother, deceased) and an unknown Keeper father that did not stay in his life after conception. After his mother's death, he spent years in an orphanage before being adopted by Master Caspar Hughes, a well-respected and eccentric Hyuran scholar. Hughes perished in the Seventh Umbral Calamity, leaving Raphail as the only heir to his modest fortune and estate.

Siblings

The youngest child and only survivor of eight. His five older brothers (H’allaz, Raph’to, Raph’li, A’vohl, A’kaja) and two older sisters (Pahla, A’seril) by different fathers were his everything.

Other Relatives

None. He considers his closest friends to be family of sorts, but keeping his birth name alive and rebuilding the family he lost is one of the most important things he wants to do with his life.

Traits

Extroverted | In Between | IntrovertedDisorganized | In Between | OrganizedClosed Minded | In Between | Open MindedCalm | In Between | AnxiousDisagreeable | In Between | AgreeableCautious | In Between | RecklessPatient | In Between | ImpatientOutspoken | In Between | ReservedLeader | In Between | FollowerEmpathetic | In Between | ApatheticOptimistic | In Between | PessimisticTraditional | In Between | ModernHard-working | In Between | LazyCultured | In Between | UnculturedLoyal | In Between | DisloyalFaithful | In Between | Unfaithful

Vices


Smoking

He would be the type to pick up smoking as a nervous habit, if not for the simple fact that his nose is too sensitive to tolerate the smell of cigarette smoke, especially in crowded places.

Drug Use

Never. He is too cautious about what goes into his body to consider it for recreational use. If something in his life is bad enough to demand an escape, he will turn to alcohol or sex first.

Alcohol

A drink or two in private with people he likes is always welcome, but he doesn't trust himself to get more than tipsy when in the presence of others. However, if left alone during difficult times or on days that remind him of his many losses, he will get blackout drunk without intervention. He hates himself for what he knows is an unhealthy and shameful weakness, but has no better coping methods when all the pretending and lying and focusing on work are not enough.

Alcohol Tolerance

Somewhat low due to his lean body and careful diet. When tipsy, he is less reserved and more childish. When drunk, his natural ability to read the room and respond accordingly falls apart, exposing more of his vulnerable side than he is comfortable showing. Embarrassment, shame, and depression follow. He can be masochistic at best and sadistic at worst during these times. Any threats he makes will be believable, but he would sooner harm himself than others.

NSFW

These details are for explicit play only. Use your best judgement before reading.


Below the Belt

Despite a serious case of projected BDE while performing or dealing with fans, the reality is more in line with the ordinary guy he perceives himself to be. Half an ilm bigger than average in length; average girth, uncut. Minimal body hair growth, but can pull off a mean five-o'-clock shadow.

Top/Bottom

Vocally neither. He finds the entire concept limiting, given how much pleasure is possible from both giving and receiving. He tends to take control for the sake of pleasing others by default, but special and trusted lovers will get the chance to turn the tables and take advantage of his vulnerable side. While he is not particularly submissive outside of this arrangement, it is not rare to see him consent to an eager and forward partner's wishes just for the novelty.

In the Bedroom

Overall, he is a dedicated, passionate, playful, and romantic lover even during one-night stands or brief encounters. Making sure his lover feels special, beautiful, and cared for is always at the front of his mind. However, not all lovers enjoy this sort of intensive attention, and he is able and willing to get drawn into raw, artless encounters if he knows they are welcome. Being wanted by others excites him, fills his need to be useful, and provides an ever-novel challenge.

Kinks

Rope isn't only for stage tricks. Who could know this better than a professional magician? His attention to form and artistry make him an excellent fit as a rope top for light to moderate bondage scenes. (Lots of room for exploring the reverse too, given his complex around self-control.) Public sex or exhibitionism are not necessarily preferred but welcome.

Limits

Violent or extreme pain play does not sit well with him, either real or feigned. Age play is also off the table due to some lingering trauma from his childhood. Particularly adventurous kinks may be considered, but he will take some convincing if it happens at all. Sex with multiple partners is not a dealbreaker, but he prefers encounters with one person at a time. If partnered long-term, he will still notice other attractions and/or flirt, but cheating is not something he will agree to.
Be aware that I do not have an interest in exploring non-con as a general rule. Please seek out a different writer/RP partner for these kinds of scenes. I would also prefer to avoid NSFW scenes involving Lalafells. It's frustrating because I firmly believe their in-game representation makes very clear that they are not underage children -- but I also want to avoid unnecessary drama from outside sources and/or players that do not respect that difference.

Hooks

These suggestions apply to both in-game and out-of-game RP opportunities, and are here to give you an idea of what stories and approaches best suit Raphail. If these do not work for you, by all means contact me anyway and we can chat. I am willing to consider other ideas and alts as needed. RP has a lot of different flavors, and I want to be sure that both of us are on the same page before we start playing.

Icebreakers

Trying to get Raphail's attention or start a story? Consider the following options:

  • Most (not all) Eorzeans are familiar with Raphail's performances, even those that have never seen them. Consider approaching him as a fan, a curious bystander, or even a critic.

  • When not performing, practicing, or greeting fans, Raphail spends most of his free time reading, cooking, taking care of his personal residence, and drinking at popular establishments. Consider approaching him during one of these moments if you prefer to get to know the "real" Raphail.

  • Even as an NPC, Raphail is a kind-hearted soul that will go above and beyond to help anyone in need, no matter how small the task -- even if it gets him in over his head. Consider asking him for help or a favor.

  • Raphail has an established, generally positive reputation as a ladies' man. Aside from the obvious opportunity for explicit scenes, consider approaches that work with that (invitations to brothels, former lovers, scandalized strangers -- even claims of potential parentage would be interesting!)

  • On hard days, Raphail is known to take a seat in the far back of a nearby tavern and drink himself into oblivion in silence. Depending on how many drinks he has had, approaching him during these times is a mistake... but a brave friend might be just what he needs. (I will double check if you try this approach due to the potential for hurt feelings and trauma, especially if you are hoping for an explicit scene. Raphail will not be his usual kind-hearted self. Kick his ass physically or verbally if you want vulnerability or emotional depth; otherwise you will get disassociative and grudging obedience.)

Restrictions

These concepts typically do not work well for Raphail without extra consideration.

  • Combat-heavy adventures. While Raphail is skilled with rapiers, he prefers to maintain a comfortable, battle-free life unless lives are at stake or evil plots are afoot. Bloody battlefields, war zones, or other violent settings long-term would break him in ways that require deviation from what is provided here.

  • Stories with no focus on depth. Raphail is a complex character that is not easy to get to know in full right out of the box. There's no need to work with every detail provided here or focus exclusively on his history, but he is more than just a warm body and I'd like to keep it that way.