Seeker of Hidden Truths
B'alith Tia | He/Him | Black Mage | Insufferable Nerd
Bio
Hailing from the deserts of southern Thanalan, this shy and bookish Miqo'te displayed a talent for magic from an early age–though not, it would seem, the ability to heal.At the age of 17 he was sent to study with the Thaumaturges' Guild, where he acquired a reputation for being a quick study with an even quicker temper. In the aftermath of the Calamity, frustrated and ashamed of his lack of the healer's gift, he redoubled his commitment to his studies, acquiring no small amount of skill in the art of alchemy in the process and eventually earning the right to take up the mantle of a black mage.His shyness around new people often comes across as cold and standoffish, but he can be coaxed out of his shell by the promise of a heated debate; age may have cooled his head, but his passion for magecraft burns as brightly as ever. Enquire about his work at your own risk, lest you be drawn into a lecture on the lost art of black magic.When not on assignment for the Scions, he can usually be found teaching at the Thaumaturges' Guild, at his apartment in the Lavender Beds, or picking fights with the scholars of Old Sharlayan.
Name: B'alith Tia
Race: Seeker of the Sun Miqo'te
Guardian deity: Nald'thal the Traders
Gender: Cis man
Pronouns: He/him
Sexuality: Bisexual, preference for men
Relationship style: Polyamorous
Age: mid-30's as of Endwalker patch 6.4
Nameday: 7th Sun of the 4th Astral Moon (approx. July 7th)
Canon Jobs: Black Mage, Alchemist
Alt Jobs: Machinist, White Mage, Weaver, LeatherworkerPersonality: shy, arrogant, fond of children, prone to rambling, thinks nerd-sniping is foreplayLikes: spicy food, reading, early mornings, fireworks, rigorous debateDislikes: keeping secrets, sweets, bad-faith arguments, talking about his feelingsOff-model character details:
- More densely freckled across his nose and cheeks; freckles on chest and shoulders, as well
- Tattoos: hand symbols from the ShB BLM set, Ley Lines symbol between his shoulders
- Both nipples are pierced
RP Hooks
Seeker of the Sun
B'alith is very close with his family, and visits home as often as he can. Meeting another member of his tribe out in the world, or a fellow desert-born Miqo'te in general, would likely make his day.
Forbidden Magics
Though attitudes about black magic have started to shift, black mages are still relatively rare. B'alith will never turn down the opportunity to talk shop with a fellow practitioner, and will always make time for mentoring novice thaumaturges.He is often defensive and prickly around unfamiliar healers, especially white mages, but will warm to them over time.
Warrior of Light... or Not
B'alith prefers to stay out of the spotlight when he can. Scenarios where is is not the WoL, or shares the role with others, are welcomed!He is canonically a Scion, and a senior member of the Thaumaturges' Guild. He may already be an established figure in either organization depending on how old your character is and where in the MSQ's timeline we are.
Not Looking for Exclusivity
B'alith is deeply and fundamentally baffled by the concept of monogamy. He has two regular partners, and takes a very casual attitude towards sex. His player, however, is much pickier–I am open to ERP, but not as a first interaction. "Fade to black" encounters between our characters are likely fine, assuming the chemistry's there and everyone involved is a consenting legal adult, but please ask first!
Writing
Series
Stories are listed here in chronological order. For publication order, see my AO3 page.
While each series has an overarching narrative, each individual piece can also be read as a standalone work.
The Light of Hope
G'raha Tia/Warrior of LightLearning Opportunities (A Realm Reborn) - Explicit
The Warrior of Light seeks a moment to clear his head before venturing into the Crystal Tower.A Fever That's So Hard to Bear (Shadowbringers) - Explicit
The Warrior of Darkness has found himself in a bit of a situation. The Crystal Exarch is more than happy to help him out of it.Let Your Troubles Wash Away (post-Shadowbringers) - Teen
On the restorative properties of hot water and a little time.In Vino Veritas (Endwalker) - Explicit
The eve of a momentous departure. A drunken confession holds up under the light of day.Private Lessons (post-Endwalker) - Explicit
The Warrior of Light is an obsessive nerd. G'raha Tia does not like being ignored.Pulling Me Back Into My Body (post-Endwalker) - Teen
G'raha Tia has trouble remembering who or where—or when—he is sometimes. With a little time and patience, and the grounding presence of a man he loves, he's learned how to find his way back.Sanctuary Seekers (post-Endwalker) - Explicit
Never one to be idle for long, the Warrior of Light makes the most of an opportunity to finally spend more than a few hours alone with one of his lovers.Games at the Gala (post-Endwalker) - Explicit
The Warrior of Light has never been one for lavish parties. G'raha Tia has some ideas about how to make them more tolerable.All's Fair in Love and Research (post-Endwalker) - Explicit
G'raha Tia is not afraid to play dirty when it comes to getting his beloved Warrior of Light's attention.
An Unexpected Journey
Zhai'a Nelhah/Warrior of LightBlack and White (Heavensward) - Explicit
A black mage and a Hearer put aside their differences long enough to share an evening of passion… mostly.A Little Patience (post-Heavensward) - Explicit
The Warrior of Light gets an extremely hands-on lesson in just how patient healers can be. Or, “local catboy fucks around, finds out”.I Can't Let it Go and I Can't Get Through (post-Heavensward) - Mature
In a rare moment of down time, the Warrior of Light ruminates on a complicated relationship and gets some unwanted (but very much needed) advice from a friend.Healer, Adjusting (post-Heavensward) - Teen
A missed encounter offers a pair of mages the opportunity for reflection instead.The Ravell'd Sleave of Care (Stormblood) - Mature
Sometimes you get a bit too focused on healing others and run yourself down too far, and the insufferable black mage who you are definitely not a little in love with has to patch you up instead.Sorrow's Silence, We Needn't Bear (Endwalker) - Teen
Sometimes it takes almost losing something precious in order to realize how precious it really was.Good Night, Good Morning (post-Endwalker) - Explicit
With the Final Days averted and his injuries mostly healed, the Warrior of Light turns his attention to his next challenge: remembering how to be loved.What wasn’t a possibility is present in our arms (post-Endwalker) - Teen
Hearer Zhai'a Nelhah has always been a very private man, but the time has finally come for him to open up about his relationship with the Warrior of Light. It does not go how he expects.No More Missed Opportunities (post-Endwalker) - Explicit
When one of your partners is a Hearer, and he knows you like the thrill of maybe getting caught, you learn all sorts of ways and places to pass the time while waiting for the ferry to Gridania.Gentle as Life, Strong as Love (post-Endwalker) - Explicit
A homecoming, a caretaking, and some decidedly non-regulation uses of white and black magic. For FFXIV Rarepair Week 2023.
To the Sun
A collection of vignettes that focus primarily around B'alith's relationships with his family, and with Seeker of the Sun culture in general.Suddenly I See
A young Miqo'te boy receives his first pair of glasses.A Mage of a Different Color
An adolescent B'alith struggles to come to terms with the ways in which he falls short of his own expectations.A Gift of Gold
In the days leading up to his impending departure from home, B'alith's sister bestows upon him a very important gift.Splash Landing
B'alith's youngest sister comes to visit him in Ul'dah. Hilarity ensues.Food for Thought
Eldest brother though he may be, B'alith gets absolutely no respect from his sisters when it comes to his taste in clothes (or men).The Weight of the Past
On Ul'dahn funeral traditions, and the duties of a thaumaturge.
Works Set in the MSQ
Assorted works for other OC/NPC pairings, and/or general works set at specific points in the MSQ.
Dance With Souls Afire (pre-A Realm Reborn) - Explicit, Warrior of Light/Original Male Character
Before he was the savior of Eorzea, the Warrior of Light was a simple thaumaturge, painfully shy and doing his best to learn the ways of love and relationships. Will a chance meeting with a handsome and flirtatious bookseller help him overcome his nerves? (longfic, work in progress)Do No Harm, but Take No Shit (A Realm Reborn) - Explicit, Scion Conjurer/Warrior of Light
The Warrior of Light is the archetypal stubborn black mage. The Scion conjurer tasked with keeping him alive has had just about enough of it.The War of the Magi (Heavensward) - Explicit, Scion Conjurer/Warrior of Light
The Warrior of Light has some less than flattering opinions about the apparent hypocrisy of conjurers, even—perhaps especially—while he's in bed with one.For Those We Have Lost (Heavensward) - Teen, Gen
In the wake of a devastating loss, the Warrior of Light unravels under the weight of his own grief.Turn a Blind Eye (Stormblood) - Explicit, Warrior of Light/Unnamed Partner
The Warrior of Light and one of his lovers have a little fun with blindfolds.The Man and the Myth (post-Endwalker) - Explicit, Deryk/Warrior of Light
On the eve of parting, two not-so-ordinary men find themselves not quite ready to say their goodbyes yet.Playing to Win (post-Endwalker) - Teen, Deryk/Warrior of Light
The Warrior of Light finds himself back in Eorzea for the winter holidays, just in time for his path to cross with another welcome visitor.
Other Works
Assorted works for NPC/NPC pairings, and/or works that are not set at any specific point in the larger story.FFXIV Write 2022
FFXIV Write 2023
A collection of shorts written for the FFXIV Write challenge, in various stages of polish. May have some overlap with later published work. Ratings/pairings vary; each work is tagged individually.Have a Little Faith - Explicit, Aymeric de Borel/Estinien Wyrmblood
Estinien has a praise kink. Aymeric is all too happy to indulge him.Raise Up Your Hands and Voices - Explicit, Lyse Hext/M'naago Rahz
M'naago Rahz had sworn to put duty before feelings, at least until her homeland was free. A warm summer morning, a routine workout, and an indomitably good-natured blonde Hyur have other ideas.Convince Me - Explicit, Lyse Hext/M'naago Rahz
Lyse is not a morning person. M'naago is very warm. Perhaps an agreement of some sort can be reached.The Spaces Between My Fingers - General, Krile Mayer Baldesion/Tataru Taru
In the darkest and most quiet of moments, when it feels as if there's no one left to be strong for, two weary souls find a measure of solace in each other.Man Meets Machine - Explicit, Tedalgrinche de Dzemael/Stephanivien de Haillenarte
Stephanivien de Haillenarte is determined to bring Ishgard into the modern age—one particularly stubborn House Dzemael knight, most of all. For FFXIV Rarepair Week 2023.Dressing Down - Explicit, Warrior of Light/Original Male Character
Adventurers often have a very hard time saying "no" when it comes to requests for their help, doubly so when it comes in the form of a mysteriously-worded letter from a handsome and very talented friend. A gift for Exarchic_Guillotine on AO3.