Alright, understood! My apologies for the confusion. I'll go ahead and put her independent backstory here. It runs tangent to the MS, but there should be no conflicts and it does not include anything WoL-specific. (It's also a lot shorter.)
Backstory: Merisia grew up in a family of bandits in the many caverns of Thanalan, stealing to survive. However, over time Merisia became a bit of a treasure hunter while out scavenging and thieving with her siblings. This led to a few nasty mishaps, and Merisia ended up being essentially grounded on a frequent basis. During one of her solo outings, Merisia happened upon adventurer bound for Thanalan, returning from a trip to Limsa Lominsa with a hefty bounty in tow and chatting with his party about their recent successful excursion. Merisia found herself more than a little envious of such freedom and rich rewards. Soon, Merisia left home and took up thaumaturgy magic, opting to be an adventurer rather than a thief (though she was not opposed to picking a few pockets to make ends meet from time to time). She immediately made for Ul'dah, familiarizing herself with the city while picking several rich pockets and even carrying out a few small-scale robberies of her own.
Eventually, her hand was caught. Although Merisia feared her time was done and she would be imprisoned, the man instead gave her an offer. He introduced himself as Emereck, claimed to be a practiced gladiator and member of the Adventurer's Guild, much like Merisia. Although still wary of him, Merisia agreed to keep in touch, if anything as thanks for not turning her in. Over time, the two grew to be good acquaintances, and eventually close friends (though Merisia was reluctant to admit it, even when Emereck teased her about it).
Several months later, Emereck and Merisia ended up on a request to check the roads for a lost caravan. Upon arriving on the scene, the cart was wrecked, the cart's chocobos all but fled, the cargo either damaged or ablaze, and the survivors were trembling in fear. Just as Merisia began approaching one of them, a vision of the past flooded her vision, showing the caravan being attacked by imperial soldiers, several of the survivors setting off with precious little cargo on the chocobos that once drew the cart while the rest attempted to fight off the soldiers. As the vision ended, Merisia heard Emereck cry out that they needed to return to Ul'dah immediately.
Merisia spent the next few days silent, reluctant to speak to anyone other than Emereck about the incident. Emereck explained that the phenomenon she had experienced was something known as the Echo, an ability that allowed her to see into the past. Emerek continued to explain that he'd heard that several adventurers seemed to be picking up this ability, advised that Merisia join the Path of Twelve with him to learn more about the Echo. Merisia, however, refused Emereck's offer, claiming that she wanted to be left alone and had no desire to join any organization. Emereck reluctantly (but respectfully) agreed, but advised that she keep this ability a secret to avoid trouble. Merisia had no qualms with this.
Before long, Merisia returned to her adventuring, albeit much more cautious this time. Soon, the whispers of Imperial activity became too great to ignore, and word of an imminent war began to break out. Emereck suggested that he and Merisia assist the Grand Companies in the battle. However, Merisia refused once again, confident in her strength as a mage but not interested in fighting in a war that was out of her league. "I hate the Empire just as much as anyone else, Emereck, but I'm not an idiot."
Days came and passed, and one day Merisia found that she was unable to contact Emereck over her linkpearl. Worried, she made her way to his home, only to find it vacant and his usual battle gear missing along with him. Merisia made haste for Mor Dhona, where the war was said to take place, swearing under her breath that she would scold Emereck for running off into battle so recklessly. She soon joined the fight alongside other adventurers, but was unable to find Emereck amidst the chaos.
The battle took an unexpected turn when the red moon Dalamud above them burst into pieces, out of which sprung Bahamut. Soldiers of both sides of the conflict fled while Bahamut laid waste to the battlefield. Knowing better than to risk her life in vain and putting her faith in Emereck that he'd escape safely, Merisia made a run for it, praying to the Twelve that Emereck would make it out alive. The escape was narrowly made. Once the devastation was finally over, however, Merisia was still unable to contact Emereck.
For some time, Merisia retreated in solitude, relieved that the realm survived to see another day, but shocked at the turn of events in Mor Dhona and Emereck's constant radio silence. After finally recovering a few years later, Merisia began seeking a new way of life in a new realm. Fortunately for her, the Arcanist's Guild was not only open, but accepting members. Deciding that it was a perfect opportunity for a fresh start, she joined the guild, and quickly rose through the ranks to become a formidable arcanist. In hopes of finding some clues to Emereck's disappearance (thus burying her denial that he'd possibly died in the battle), Merisia resumed her previous travels as an adventurer and "treasure hunter", hoping that perhaps by returning to her previous lifestyle, she'd run into him again just as she had the first time.
Soon enough, her travels took her to Thanalan, where she searched for her family to see if they escaped the Calamity's destruction, only to find her home completely destroyed. When Merisia questioned the inhabitants of one of the nearby camps about this, she began hearing rumors of repeated kidnappings in the area by beastmen. Merisia, taking it upon herself to investigate these rumors, found herself on the receiving end of an Amalj'aa ambush. Though a skilled arcanist, Merisia was outmatched, and wound up kidnapped herself. While in the holding cave, she found herself with a few other victims, one of whom claimed to attempt escaping previously but to no avail. In questioning the other prisoner about his escape attempt, Merisia received a vision of the past once again, this time showing the victim's attempting to flee the holding cavern leading to a river, only to be caught not long after he made it outside. Before Merisia could rally any of the victims to follow her, the Amalj'aa began rounding up prisoners to bring to Ifrit. Realizing that there was no time left, Merisia managed a narrow escape and fled the Amalj'aa encampment though the river flowing into the cavern.
While running a few errands in Ul'dah several weeks later, Merisia found herself being followed by a Miqo'te archer named Seda'li, whom had observed her escaping from the Amalj'aa encampment some time ago and wished for an explanation. Merisia expressed reluctance and attempted to brush him off, but Seda'li's persistence eventually wore Merisia down, and she quietly informed him of her escape from the Amalj'aa and her vision with one of the other victims. Seda'li informed her that this was possibly due to the Echo, and he offered to bring her with him to the headquarters of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to learn more, as there were other members gifted with this ability.
Believing Seda'li's claims to be absurd, and bothered by the repeated mention of the Echo, Merisia refused, but did ask Seda'li if he knew anything about the Path of Twelve, another organization that had studied the Echo. Seda'li replied that it was roughly the same organization, albeit under a new name and in a new location. A glimmer of hope in sight, Merisia asked if Seda'li knew anyone named Emereck, and was relieved to know that he indeed was familiar with him...only to learn that Emereck was among the adventurers that had died in the Calamity.
For a time, Merisia remained silent on the offer to join the Scions, overcome with heartbreak that her only friend was lost to her forever. Perhaps had she listened to him, joined him sooner, aided him more, he would still be alive. She wouldn't be suffering this pain and none of this would have ever happened. Merisia resolved to never let such a thing happen again, not only in being more careful of not letting others come to harm, but also in not letting them too close.
Eventually, Merisia gave Seda'li a formal reply, in the form of several harsh words stating she refused to join, as she saw it infringing on her independence as an adventurer. Seda'li decided not to push the issue further, but offered to aid Merisia should she ever need his aid. Merisia reluctantly agreed, though she silently hoped she would not need it.
Seda'li ended up accompanying Merisia through various treasure hunting excursions through ruins and strongholds, and proved to be a formidable ally and slowly warmed up to Merisia as a friend (though she loathed to admit it). Though Merisia still did not wish to join the Scions, he told her what he knew of the Echo anyway. Merisia never directly thanked him for his aid until a successful hunt in Cutter's Cry. It was then that Merisia finally decided that perhaps she should join the Scions. Seda'li promised to meet her back at the Waking Sands once she was recovered from the excursion.
Upon arriving, however, Merisia learned that the Waking Sands had been attacked by imperial soldiers, with many Scions kidnapped and the rest inside killed. For those dead, a burial had recently taken place at the cathedral near Camp Horizon. Merisia hurried to the graveyard, and to her horror found one of the graves marked by Seda'li's broken bow. Angered and heartbroken again, Merisia swore vengeance against the empire. They had taken Emereck from her, they'd had a heavy hand in causing the Calamity, and apparently they wouldn't stop at murdering innocent people.
Revised Backstory
Backstory:
Merisia grew up in a family of bandits in the many caverns of Thanalan, stealing to survive. However, over time Merisia became a bit of a treasure hunter while out scavenging and thieving with her siblings. This led to a few nasty mishaps, and Merisia ended up being essentially grounded on a frequent basis. During one of her solo outings, Merisia happened upon adventurer bound for Thanalan, returning from a trip to Limsa Lominsa with a hefty bounty in tow and chatting with his party about their recent successful excursion. Merisia found herself more than a little envious of such freedom and rich rewards. Soon, Merisia left home and took up thaumaturgy magic, opting to be an adventurer rather than a thief (though she was not opposed to picking a few pockets to make ends meet from time to time). She immediately made for Ul'dah, familiarizing herself with the city while picking several rich pockets and even carrying out a few small-scale robberies of her own.
Eventually, her hand was caught. Although Merisia feared her time was done and she would be imprisoned, the man instead gave her an offer. He introduced himself as Emereck, claimed to be a practiced gladiator and member of the Adventurer's Guild, much like Merisia. Although still wary of him, Merisia agreed to keep in touch, if anything as thanks for not turning her in. Over time, the two grew to be good acquaintances, and eventually close friends (though Merisia was reluctant to admit it, even when Emereck teased her about it).
Several months later, Emereck and Merisia ended up on a request to check the roads for a lost caravan. Upon arriving on the scene, the cart was wrecked, the cart's chocobos all but fled, the cargo either damaged or ablaze, and the survivors were trembling in fear. Just as Merisia began approaching one of them, a vision of the past flooded her vision, showing the caravan being attacked by imperial soldiers, several of the survivors setting off with precious little cargo on the chocobos that once drew the cart while the rest attempted to fight off the soldiers. As the vision ended, Merisia heard Emereck cry out that they needed to return to Ul'dah immediately.
Merisia spent the next few days silent, reluctant to speak to anyone other than Emereck about the incident. Emereck explained that the phenomenon she had experienced was something known as the Echo, an ability that allowed her to see into the past. Emerek continued to explain that he'd heard that several adventurers seemed to be picking up this ability, advised that Merisia join the Path of Twelve with him to learn more about the Echo. Merisia, however, refused Emereck's offer, claiming that she wanted to be left alone and had no desire to join any organization. Emereck reluctantly (but respectfully) agreed, but advised that she keep this ability a secret to avoid trouble. Merisia had no qualms with this.
Before long, Merisia returned to her adventuring, albeit much more cautious this time. Soon, the whispers of Imperial activity became too great to ignore, and word of an imminent war began to break out. Emereck suggested that he and Merisia assist the Grand Companies in the battle. However, Merisia refused once again, confident in her strength as a mage but not interested in fighting in a war that was out of her league. "I hate the Empire just as much as anyone else, Emereck, but I'm not an idiot."
Days came and passed, and one day Merisia found that she was unable to contact Emereck over her linkpearl. Worried, she made her way to his home, only to find it vacant and his usual battle gear missing along with him. Merisia made haste for Mor Dhona, where the war was said to take place, swearing under her breath that she would scold Emereck for running off into battle so recklessly. She soon joined the fight alongside other adventurers, but was unable to find Emereck amidst the chaos.
The battle took an unexpected turn when the red moon Dalamud above them burst into pieces, out of which sprung Bahamut. Soldiers of both sides of the conflict fled while Bahamut laid waste to the battlefield. Knowing better than to risk her life in vain and putting her faith in Emereck that he'd escape safely, Merisia made a run for it, praying to the Twelve that Emereck would make it out alive. The escape was narrowly made. Once the devastation was finally over, however, Merisia was still unable to contact Emereck.
For some time, Merisia retreated in solitude, relieved that the realm survived to see another day, but shocked at the turn of events in Mor Dhona and Emereck's constant radio silence. After finally recovering a few years later, Merisia began seeking a new way of life in a new realm. Fortunately for her, the Arcanist's Guild was not only open, but accepting members. Deciding that it was a perfect opportunity for a fresh start, she joined the guild, and quickly rose through the ranks to become a formidable arcanist. In hopes of finding some clues to Emereck's disappearance (thus burying her denial that he'd possibly died in the battle), Merisia resumed her previous travels as an adventurer and "treasure hunter", hoping that perhaps by returning to her previous lifestyle, she'd run into him again just as she had the first time.
Soon enough, her travels took her to Thanalan, where she searched for her family to see if they escaped the Calamity's destruction, only to find her home completely destroyed. When Merisia questioned the inhabitants of one of the nearby camps about this, she began hearing rumors of repeated kidnappings in the area by beastmen. Merisia, taking it upon herself to investigate these rumors, found herself on the receiving end of an Amalj'aa ambush. Though a skilled arcanist, Merisia was outmatched, and wound up kidnapped herself. While in the holding cave, she found herself with a few other victims, one of whom claimed to attempt escaping previously but to no avail. In questioning the other prisoner about his escape attempt, Merisia received a vision of the past once again, this time showing the victim's attempting to flee the holding cavern leading to a river, only to be caught not long after he made it outside. Before Merisia could rally any of the victims to follow her, the Amalj'aa began rounding up prisoners to bring to Ifrit. Realizing that there was no time left, Merisia managed a narrow escape and fled the Amalj'aa encampment though the river flowing into the cavern.
While running a few errands in Ul'dah several weeks later, Merisia found herself being followed by a Miqo'te archer named Seda'li, whom had observed her escaping from the Amalj'aa encampment some time ago and wished for an explanation. Merisia expressed reluctance and attempted to brush him off, but Seda'li's persistence eventually wore Merisia down, and she quietly informed him of her escape from the Amalj'aa and her vision with one of the other victims. Seda'li informed her that this was possibly due to the Echo, and he offered to bring her with him to the headquarters of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to learn more, as there were other members gifted with this ability.
Believing Seda'li's claims to be absurd, and bothered by the repeated mention of the Echo, Merisia refused, but did ask Seda'li if he knew anything about the Path of Twelve, another organization that had studied the Echo. Seda'li replied that it was roughly the same organization, albeit under a new name and in a new location. A glimmer of hope in sight, Merisia asked if Seda'li knew anyone named Emereck, and was relieved to know that he indeed was familiar with him...only to learn that Emereck was among the adventurers that had died in the Calamity.
For a time, Merisia remained silent on the offer to join the Scions, overcome with heartbreak that her only friend was lost to her forever. Perhaps had she listened to him, joined him sooner, aided him more, he would still be alive. She wouldn't be suffering this pain and none of this would have ever happened. Merisia resolved to never let such a thing happen again, not only in being more careful of not letting others come to harm, but also in not letting them too close.
Eventually, Merisia gave Seda'li a formal reply, in the form of several harsh words stating she refused to join, as she saw it infringing on her independence as an adventurer. Seda'li decided not to push the issue further, but offered to aid Merisia should she ever need his aid. Merisia reluctantly agreed, though she silently hoped she would not need it.
Seda'li ended up accompanying Merisia through various treasure hunting excursions through ruins and strongholds, and proved to be a formidable ally and slowly warmed up to Merisia as a friend (though she loathed to admit it). Though Merisia still did not wish to join the Scions, he told her what he knew of the Echo anyway. Merisia never directly thanked him for his aid until a successful hunt in Cutter's Cry. It was then that Merisia finally decided that perhaps she should join the Scions. Seda'li promised to meet her back at the Waking Sands once she was recovered from the excursion.
Upon arriving, however, Merisia learned that the Waking Sands had been attacked by imperial soldiers, with many Scions kidnapped and the rest inside killed. For those dead, a burial had recently taken place at the cathedral near Camp Horizon. Merisia hurried to the graveyard, and to her horror found one of the graves marked by Seda'li's broken bow. Angered and heartbroken again, Merisia swore vengeance against the empire. They had taken Emereck from her, they'd had a heavy hand in causing the Calamity, and apparently they wouldn't stop at murdering innocent people.