Red aether bleeds through the card.Where once it was scant, now blooms the shape of a rose stricken with a weapon. It beckons you with the taste of a power it seemingly holds.Do you listen?
The card takes your pound in aether. Ichor decorates its face, and now, its secrets are ready to be revealed. Command it thus, as you would see fit.Go on. It knows you itch for the hand behind this.You need only to whisper thy questions and it would be answered thus.
GENESIS
| birthname. | sarahiel monnawesfv |
| aliases. | nine heavens | too many to list |
| gender. | transmasc |
| sexuality. | homosexual | polyamorous |
| age. | 119 winters |
| nameday. | 8th sun, 6th astral moon | 7.11 |
| race. | viera | veena |
| profession. | blade for hire | information broker |
Promises, secrets, bounties, blood; as a member of Ul'dah's underworld, 'Nine Heavens' has adapted himself to the workings of a society whose shadows cast itself over the poor and downtrodden, while the rich become richer. He works closely with anyone he could get his hands on, collecting information and weaving intricate connections that, maybe, if one finds themself fortunate, could benefit from. Though the reasons for his work are a mystery but to himself, he is more than willing to swear his blade and influence to others... so as long as they have the coin and the 'drive' that Nine searches for.
EXODUS
WHO IS NINE HEAVENS? It is a question asked by many, yet none never seem to have an answer to. A proper one, at least. The name comes only in whispers, under the shadows of night, spoken in broken sentences too afraid to piece together their honest thoughts about the man in question.WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT NINE HEAVENS? Perhaps that is the better question to ask. Nobody would ever stop talking about the rumours, or even their own theories, but it seems even with the conflicting accounts, many can agree on certain things: in the fifteen years since the first mention of this identity, this conniving thief has already carved his own space between the rest of the Ul'dahn underworld's most feared, marked by the dagger that hides between the beguiling beauty of roses. Nobody, other than the truly brave or foolish, would dare look deeper past the man he claims to be.(Everyone is warned about what can happen if someone dared to - the next morning, they would either find themselves stripped of their clothes and their possessions, or perhaps missing a tongue and a finger. For Nine never entertains a question without due compensation.)... Perhaps rather than explore the history of Nine Heavens, it is better to tell a different story. Of an actual name bestowed to an actual person, not a mask worn or a status flaunted.
The following contains sensitive and dark elements such as war, death, human trafficking, prostitution and dubious sexual acts.Proceed at your own risk.
⸻ sarahiel,
and the once quiet life.
Before Nine, there was someone else. Born in Othard, and raised in Dalmasca, many only knew him as SARAHIEL MONNAWESFV. His parents left their ancestral home in the Skatay Range, lulled by the call of adventure, before their love for the road extended to each other, then took shape in their young. Despite never having the chance to step foot into the village he was meant to be, his parents made sure that he would never want for learning stories; their culture, their beliefs, their art were all passed down to him, and in so doing inspired the love of creation and all of Hydaelyn in young Sarahiel.Life for him then was a monotone rhythm, but he was content with where he was in life. He had no wants or dreams he wanted to act upon and simply decided that it was perhaps better to stay in his corner of the world and only live vicariously through those that past the city. But the GARLEAN OCCUPATION would not give him a choice.Eyes turned to the burning sky and heart set, he allowed Lente's Tears to cry out for him instead. Every battle would be a step closer to achieving his goal. It didn't matter to him what means he had to take to see it through.Espionage. Trickery. Murder. Deceit. Even the lives of other people.His anger blinded him to what was important, and in his desire to see the fall of the villains that have caused this, he forgot what he was meant to protect:THE PEOPLE. Sarahiel caused the loss of people with his own foolishness. Sacrificed in vain for a plan that he knew would never succeed, yet still he let his anger take the wheel and let him sail forward. What then was he to do now, knowing that he was no better than the Garleans that had done much the same to conquer their lands? What fate did he deserve for this? He thought that perhaps it would be better to throw him into the ocean and let the waves swallow him whole, then the gods will be the judge to see if it was enough.(The waters had other plans for him. His floating body hoisted from the waves and unto the safety of a ship, and brought to lands unknown. Somewhere along the way, the name Sarahiel was thrown into the wind, brought only farther by rumours whispered on the tongues of those brave enough to share the tale, or those too scared to know the mystery behind this man found at sea.)
⸻ NAMELESS,
and what lies ahead.
Following his sudden rescue and forced to live in Eorzea, the name Sarahiel was cast aside in favour of simply being a nameless beggar in the streets of Ul'dah. The guilt still laid heavy on his shoulders, but there was no point in thinking of death when faith had led him on a different path. His time was spent taking odd jobs that would take a helpless viera: physical labour, temporary retainership, or to sate the wanton needs of men. What offered him gil was what mattered.It wasn't long until he became associate with the (now fallen) WANDER & LUST, a house of pleasures disguised as a tavern for adventurers. It was there that he was dressed as their star; in chains carved from silver and head decorated in pearls. Upon his back was the image that symbolised their establishment - A DAGGER LAID AGAINST A ROSE, lying in wait for an opportunity to strike, or perhaps put to rest after finding pleasure. It is up to interpretation. But no one could deny that with this carved into his skin, the viera was a possession.Even without name, he was beloved by all for the beauty that hid underneath satin and lace. He found no shame in the work, nor did he deny the attention cast unto him. Perhaps he would've been content had he not happened upon a conversation that would change everything - to discover that the tavern desired to sell their courtesans against their will, going against the ethos that they built themselves upon.For the first time, he felt something new. BETRAYAL. Foreign. Terrifying. He didn't know what it was, but he acted upon it. The dagger was finally pulled from the rose, and cut its roots and let it bleed, never letting its evil take hold. There would be nothing left of those that bore their mark in conscious decision to follow its evil, and those that were trapped by its thorns can finally escape. But what did that leave the viera with no home to return to now? Wandering again, perhaps.Until―Somewhere, in a dimly lit corner of Pearl Lane, there was a hand. Outstretched to him. Scarred and hurt just like his. It came with words he never thought he would have the privilege to hear."Come. You deserve another chance." And then, pushed to his hand, the dagger that took the lives of many. And saved the lives of many more. A fact realised by those that found him once more in the shadows cast by the buildings that worshiped the rich and venerable of Ul'dah. "If you have faith, not even the nine hells and back nor the heavens above are far from your reach. So take it. Own it. Your fate."Not even the nine hells and back nor the heavens above stopped him.
⸻ NINE HEAVENS,
in blood you will be remembered.
Now, nestled in the darkest corners of Ul'dah are the remains of well-known monikers of great evil. Upon their skin is the dagger that finds its home in thorny roses, carved into their bodies the call of a ghost that haunts their last memory with the kiss of steel.
I WILL BE YOUR RETRIBUTION.MY NAME UPON THY DYING GASP:I AM NINE HEAVENS.That was the beginning.
LEVITICUS
WHAT KEEPS YOU HOOKED ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
✦. BLADE FOR HIRE — Nine offers his skills as a work for hire - be it theft, murder, or inventory transport. He does not just take any clients, however: all must fulfill his conditions, only known when pressed with the question: "What roots has the dagger cut?"✦. UNDERWORLD CONNECTIONS — Nine's connections as an informant is extensive. There are ears all over the city states that isn't just Ul'dah, and he would be willing to part with them for the right price.✦. EX-COURTESAN — At some point during his early life, Nine decided to sell his own body, and continues flaunting his body during his nights out, offering those whose gaze would linger on him with fulfilling their heart's desires.✦. DALMASCAN HERITAGE — To those that listen closely to his words, one can pick up the tiniest hint of an accent - one that he has yet to lose despite the century he has lived. Perhaps those brave of heart could dare ask him about this.✦. PAST CONNECTIONS — The man has had more than a century's worth of experiences, and even more people he has met in his life as a long-lived species. Did you perhaps meet him as Sarahiel, in Dalmasca? Or were you a patron of his in his time as a prostitute? The choices open are endless. Simply whisper his name and he may react according to your desired outcome.✦. AETHER — Those that are able to see past his flesh can notice that his aether is... unremarkable, but its glow is not so disimilar to the colour of the dawn, seen through the lens of broken glass, reflecting different angles and facades, keeping the surface of his nature a secret to those with the sense.
KNOWN OBSERVATIONS ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
✦. GLAMOURS — Whether you meet with 'Nine' or 'Tis' or whichever one of his other identities and aliases, one thing that some people well-versed in magicks might observe are the faint traces of glamours on his person. Powerful ones at that. Made specifically for secrecy that no normal person could notice.✦. GLOVED HANDS — No matter the occassion, Nine is always wearing gloves (and even clothes) that hide most of his skin.✦. MASKED MYSTERY — Not one person can confidently put a face to the name 'Nine Heavens'. All of his jobs are done under the secrecy of a mask, and if it can be helped, a proxy would stand in to do his dealings, never once mentioning his name or his location. He may even glamour himself to appear like a different person. Perhaps you may have already met Nine under a different guise and you may never have known.✦. VETERAN — His stance tells the story of a skilled fighter, wielding two daggers as his weapon of choice. Nine is brutal, calculating, and flows like the sands that sweep the deserts of Ivalice when he draws his blades. Most would be hard pressed when they make him their opponent, or enemy. Whether your intentions are to spar or to take his head, Nine will be a formidable foe of his own right.✦. SYMBOLISM AND ASSOCIATION — Despite his alias being Nine Heavens, he is often associated with a symbol of a dagger among roses. In recent times, medallions, tokens, and even cards with its image can be found on the bodies of people unfortunate enough to meet their demise, or in places that would soon be stolen from. Whether or not it has anything to do with Nine himself, who can say.
JUDGES
I. I have every right to turn down interactions that do not sit well with me. I do not condone bigotry or unkindness in any form, especially out of character.II. The thoughts and words of my characters do not reflect me. My character is not me, nor the other way around. Please respect that.III. Walk ups, tells and private musings are welcome. The hooks and rumours found in this profile is not an exhaustive list, and is open to more suggestions. Please do not be afraid to approach me with ideas of your own!IV. ERP is reserved for established chemistry and after prior discussion. I am more interested in developing connections and telling a story, unless I am in the mood for it.V. No maiming, killing, major mutilation or changes can be done to my character unless there has been prior discussion or an agreement. Furthermore, I will not act upon any choices as mentioned unless you have given me explicit permission.
VI. I will not participate in acts of non-consent, sexual assault or harming children. Nine is not that kind of character, nor do I feel comfortable with such things even in roleplay or writing. Do not cross these boundaries.VII. I am currently not looking for long-term plotting unless I am extremely invested in our story or requires multiple scenes to complete. I am quite busy irl and have very limited energy, so please respect my space and know that my availability may be limited.VIII. Please communicate if you have any issues, problems, ideas with me. I am a person that speaks a lot for consent, communications and openness especially with collaborative story-telling. If I cross any boundaries, or you simply don't enjoy the scene or even don't vibe with the energies of our characters / us OOC, please tell me! I won't take it personally as I value both mine and your comfort.IV. Mare is available for Nine and will only be shared to people I am close with or I have interacted with.
