Abilities: Zivis is an elementalist, which means she has control of the four elements and another (not quite element) called Arcane. (This video here is a good demonstration of her main abilities. This starts with scepter—skills 1 - 3—dagger as a secondary (4 & 5) starts here. Descriptions here.) However, since she is mostly attuned to water, that is the skillset she'll most likely be using while in Verens, it's based around healing as well as offensive moves. The majority of the time she wields a scepter and dagger (weapon combination she'll be coming with), though she is versed in all elementalist weapons aside from the Tempest based warhorn. Her secondary element preference is earth. If necessary I can provide her full build and explain the trait-tree.
As a Sylvari, she has an inherent night time glow (pink) that occurs from dusk until dawn and fades in and out, however her blood itself is like yellow sap and she sheds pollen when she moves. The inside of her mouth glows as do the pads of her hands and feet! As a plant-based people, Sylvari are able to communicate with most plant life and direct them as needed such as re-creating a bridge across a gap or directing seed turrets to grow quickly in the field of battle. As such she's also able to grow her own clothes should she need to though it's a slower process, as would be regrowing a limb if necessary however it takes such a long time that needing to regrow a limb is an undesired necessity. (So no wanted limb loss for her!) Zivis has obviously not extended this "healing" ability of her people nor that of her elementalist state to try and fix her vocal cords, signifying that she's content with them as they are. And her abilities with plant manipulation is stronger with those that reside in/on the surface of bodies of water.
Zivis has completely changed her colors once before, something she's not likely to do while in game but it possibly can happen under duress. Here is her former appearance and this is what she looks like today, this ability is again, one wholly unique to the Sylvari people. Those Sylvari that turned—or gave in—to Mordremoth changed their colors to reflect the dragon's own designs. Sylvari eat and drink just like any other race would, the sunlight only rejuvenates them. Heat and cold don't seem to bother her race and she's stronger against cold temperatures being in the water all the time.
Sylvari also share something called the Dream, a way that they're all connected to one another, sharing stories and things that they learn to those yet Unawoken. They continue to share this connection with other sylvari and the Pale Tree after they Awake but it is often weaker than while within the Dream. Zivis, however, drifted away from the Dream and the connections she once had to it, becoming what the Sylvari call Soundless. Their presence in the Dream is barely there, if at all, but it's not turning against the principles of the Dream like Nightmare Courtiers. Their minds are quiet, without the "chatter" of connection to other Dreamers, a state which most achieve with daily meditation and Zivis does with "drowning" herself in the waters.
She is also a very strong swimmer though she does tend to stay out of the ocean's stronger currents, it wouldn't be at all unusual for to take off in what one would call a "Leeroy Jenkins" jump into a rocky water base and come out relatively unscathed. For pretty much living in the water since the day she Awoke, Zivis is very familiar with the currents and riptides and any kind of water based "movement" you could think of. The more dangerous ones, again, she tends to avoid but that doesn't mean she's not familiar with how to deal with them, she just chooses to err on the side of caution. Zivis is a plant-based Sylvari as opposed to a bark-based and while it still gives her limbs a bit more rigidity than normal human skin and bone, her body is much like trying to break a plant of the same thickness, very hard to do but not impossible.
During Living Story 2 it's discovered that the main reason Zhaitan cannot corrupt Sylvari into Risen is that they are another dragon's minions. A dragon that has begun to awaken due to Scarlet's tampering with Leyline magic, a dragon named Mordremoth. He (most of the dragons are referred to as he, the only exception is a non-elder dragon named Glint) in turn summons all those Sylvari that would listen to him and turn towards him, away from the Dream or the Court, and serve him instead. After his death, it is widely assumed by the player-base that any Sylvari previously caught up in this is freed but left somewhat unstable or insane.
Alignment: I feel that Aiada would be an appropriate Arehtei for Zivis. She has an overwhelming appreciation for sealife and any life really. She’ll do what she can to keep others safe, even...if sometimes they’re a misunderstood enemy…? *coughKraitcough* Any kind of envy she feels is more towards anyone’s ability to live so easily on land.
Other: She'll be coming with her scepter/dagger combo, the clothes on her back, her underwater air-filtration device, and glittering wings backpiece.
⌈ SAMPLE SECTION ⌉
Remember that we ask for samples that show 1) core character portrayal and 2) some use of emotions, such as environmental effect. You can also use the same sample source for both, just make sure to directly link or quote the emotion portion. We highly encourage using the Test Drive, and you can use prompts from the Test Drives, Intro Logs, and the Task board if you need them. Refer to the main application page for links and more suggestions.
I will say that with these samples, Zivis shows a large amount of growth in how she trusts. This was done with the intent of the character having been in the game for a while and initial shock has worn off. I'll be doing something more original to her personality in the emotion sample.
Emotion Sample:
She'd been in Verens—or more accurately, Lake Niras—for over a month, yet she still hadn't been able to find her way. The disconnection from the Dream, while already weak on Tyria, was completely broken here. The time she'd usually spent at home deep in the waters trying to distance herself from the Dream had first been filled with exploring the lake and contributing rivers. With all the free time she had now...well, it only took her two weeks. This last one had been rather long, the thrill of a new area had worn off and she found herself...missing her friends. Even though they'd never really stayed together all the time, she knew she could at least contact them.
The water around her grew colder the longer she pined for her friends or at least some kind of contact! There were nice people here, that she would agree with, but at the same time? They weren't people that would understand her, not without a million questions. Oh, how she took for granted living in Caledon Forest, surrounded by her own kind and the only questions asked were "why are you always in the water?" The area around her grew darker now was well, not that Zivis paid any mind to it, the cold or the darkness; though more and more of the native sea life took care to avoid her.
That she noticed, the water going colder still, turning it into a icy slush. Her arms and legs move more sluggishly in the water, her constant motion to keep herself steady in the water bringing her attention to the difficulties in keeping afloat.
This was...new.
After the initial shock, the forceful swim back and quick glance around to look for a possible enemy? She finds not a single lifeform around her, at least not one with malicious intent. The slushy water in front of her was darker than everything else around it and was slowly sinking down into the deeper waters without her keeping it stable. Curious now, more than startled, Zivis follows the clump of semi-frozen water. At least until she gets distracted by the disappearing shimmer of a rather large fish tail.
The Sylvari pulls up short, glancing down the mouth of one of the rivers that feeds into the lake. Head tilted to the side, she swims towards the opening, ignoring the slush that's slowly dissolving below her. Zivis wishes not for the first time that she had her trident with her as she reflexively reaches for it. A stream of bubbles slip out of her mask as it vents her earlier frustrations and she shakes her head, using the annoyance to fuel her swimming. The mouth of the river was lighter than the waters she was currently in, but still deep enough that it allowed for hefty vessels to navigate them. She passed under a few of those boats in pursuit of the large fin she'd spotted earlier.
She shivers as the temperature further in gets warmer, the difference becoming more noticeable in the brighter waters. Shadows from trees and shapes above start playing tricks on her eyes and once or twice she finds herself darting after what she thought was the large fish only it turns out to be a sail of a sunken vessel. The second one seems...newer than the other and she squints at it, noting the lack of growth of any sea moss or fishes using it as shelter. Hands on the railing she drums her fingers, wondering if it was worth swimming into the open hatch to see what was inside. Perhaps something to identify the owners so they could pull it out if it wasn't an intentional sinking.
But even as she goes for the hatch, something large darts out of it, the whirlwind of its speed knocking her to the side. The surprise of it all sends bubbles bursting all around her in the water, tinged with a bit of heat at the annoyance that went with it. Zivis righted herself and looked around once again, this time for the fish, only to once again be left with nothing at all to be seen. Beneath her mask she frowns, the water around her turning rosy with determination. This fish would not be able to escape her that easily, it could bet its fin on that!
Questions: Zivis is mute vocally and I'd like for her to stay that way, so if we could do no healing! ♥
Re: Zivis | Guild Wars 2 (MMO OC)
As a Sylvari, she has an inherent night time glow (pink) that occurs from dusk until dawn and fades in and out, however her blood itself is like yellow sap and she sheds pollen when she moves. The inside of her mouth glows as do the pads of her hands and feet! As a plant-based people, Sylvari are able to communicate with most plant life and direct them as needed such as re-creating a bridge across a gap or directing seed turrets to grow quickly in the field of battle. As such she's also able to grow her own clothes should she need to though it's a slower process, as would be regrowing a limb if necessary however it takes such a long time that needing to regrow a limb is an undesired necessity. (So no wanted limb loss for her!) Zivis has obviously not extended this "healing" ability of her people nor that of her elementalist state to try and fix her vocal cords, signifying that she's content with them as they are. And her abilities with plant manipulation is stronger with those that reside in/on the surface of bodies of water.
Zivis has completely changed her colors once before, something she's not likely to do while in game but it possibly can happen under duress. Here is her former appearance and this is what she looks like today, this ability is again, one wholly unique to the Sylvari people. Those Sylvari that turned—or gave in—to Mordremoth changed their colors to reflect the dragon's own designs. Sylvari eat and drink just like any other race would, the sunlight only rejuvenates them. Heat and cold don't seem to bother her race and she's stronger against cold temperatures being in the water all the time.
Sylvari also share something called the Dream, a way that they're all connected to one another, sharing stories and things that they learn to those yet Unawoken. They continue to share this connection with other sylvari and the Pale Tree after they Awake but it is often weaker than while within the Dream. Zivis, however, drifted away from the Dream and the connections she once had to it, becoming what the Sylvari call Soundless. Their presence in the Dream is barely there, if at all, but it's not turning against the principles of the Dream like Nightmare Courtiers. Their minds are quiet, without the "chatter" of connection to other Dreamers, a state which most achieve with daily meditation and Zivis does with "drowning" herself in the waters.
She is also a very strong swimmer though she does tend to stay out of the ocean's stronger currents, it wouldn't be at all unusual for to take off in what one would call a "Leeroy Jenkins" jump into a rocky water base and come out relatively unscathed. For pretty much living in the water since the day she Awoke, Zivis is very familiar with the currents and riptides and any kind of water based "movement" you could think of. The more dangerous ones, again, she tends to avoid but that doesn't mean she's not familiar with how to deal with them, she just chooses to err on the side of caution. Zivis is a plant-based Sylvari as opposed to a bark-based and while it still gives her limbs a bit more rigidity than normal human skin and bone, her body is much like trying to break a plant of the same thickness, very hard to do but not impossible.
During Living Story 2 it's discovered that the main reason Zhaitan cannot corrupt Sylvari into Risen is that they are another dragon's minions. A dragon that has begun to awaken due to Scarlet's tampering with Leyline magic, a dragon named Mordremoth. He (most of the dragons are referred to as he, the only exception is a non-elder dragon named Glint) in turn summons all those Sylvari that would listen to him and turn towards him, away from the Dream or the Court, and serve him instead. After his death, it is widely assumed by the player-base that any Sylvari previously caught up in this is freed but left somewhat unstable or insane.
Alignment: I feel that Aiada would be an appropriate Arehtei for Zivis. She has an overwhelming appreciation for sealife and any life really. She’ll do what she can to keep others safe, even...if sometimes they’re a misunderstood enemy…? *coughKraitcough* Any kind of envy she feels is more towards anyone’s ability to live so easily on land.
Other: She'll be coming with her scepter/dagger combo, the clothes on her back, her underwater air-filtration device, and glittering wings backpiece.
Remember that we ask for samples that show 1) core character portrayal and 2) some use of emotions, such as environmental effect. You can also use the same sample source for both, just make sure to directly link or quote the emotion portion. We highly encourage using the Test Drive, and you can use prompts from the Test Drives, Intro Logs, and the Task board if you need them. Refer to the main application page for links and more suggestions.
General Sample:
test drive link
test drive link with soushi
test drive link with peter/starlord
I will say that with these samples, Zivis shows a large amount of growth in how she trusts. This was done with the intent of the character having been in the game for a while and initial shock has worn off. I'll be doing something more original to her personality in the emotion sample.
Emotion Sample:
She'd been in Verens—or more accurately, Lake Niras—for over a month, yet she still hadn't been able to find her way. The disconnection from the Dream, while already weak on Tyria, was completely broken here. The time she'd usually spent at home deep in the waters trying to distance herself from the Dream had first been filled with exploring the lake and contributing rivers. With all the free time she had now...well, it only took her two weeks. This last one had been rather long, the thrill of a new area had worn off and she found herself...missing her friends. Even though they'd never really stayed together all the time, she knew she could at least contact them.
The water around her grew colder the longer she pined for her friends or at least some kind of contact! There were nice people here, that she would agree with, but at the same time? They weren't people that would understand her, not without a million questions. Oh, how she took for granted living in Caledon Forest, surrounded by her own kind and the only questions asked were "why are you always in the water?" The area around her grew darker now was well, not that Zivis paid any mind to it, the cold or the darkness; though more and more of the native sea life took care to avoid her.
That she noticed, the water going colder still, turning it into a icy slush. Her arms and legs move more sluggishly in the water, her constant motion to keep herself steady in the water bringing her attention to the difficulties in keeping afloat.
This was...new.
After the initial shock, the forceful swim back and quick glance around to look for a possible enemy? She finds not a single lifeform around her, at least not one with malicious intent. The slushy water in front of her was darker than everything else around it and was slowly sinking down into the deeper waters without her keeping it stable. Curious now, more than startled, Zivis follows the clump of semi-frozen water. At least until she gets distracted by the disappearing shimmer of a rather large fish tail.
The Sylvari pulls up short, glancing down the mouth of one of the rivers that feeds into the lake. Head tilted to the side, she swims towards the opening, ignoring the slush that's slowly dissolving below her. Zivis wishes not for the first time that she had her trident with her as she reflexively reaches for it. A stream of bubbles slip out of her mask as it vents her earlier frustrations and she shakes her head, using the annoyance to fuel her swimming. The mouth of the river was lighter than the waters she was currently in, but still deep enough that it allowed for hefty vessels to navigate them. She passed under a few of those boats in pursuit of the large fin she'd spotted earlier.
She shivers as the temperature further in gets warmer, the difference becoming more noticeable in the brighter waters. Shadows from trees and shapes above start playing tricks on her eyes and once or twice she finds herself darting after what she thought was the large fish only it turns out to be a sail of a sunken vessel. The second one seems...newer than the other and she squints at it, noting the lack of growth of any sea moss or fishes using it as shelter. Hands on the railing she drums her fingers, wondering if it was worth swimming into the open hatch to see what was inside. Perhaps something to identify the owners so they could pull it out if it wasn't an intentional sinking.
But even as she goes for the hatch, something large darts out of it, the whirlwind of its speed knocking her to the side. The surprise of it all sends bubbles bursting all around her in the water, tinged with a bit of heat at the annoyance that went with it. Zivis righted herself and looked around once again, this time for the fish, only to once again be left with nothing at all to be seen. Beneath her mask she frowns, the water around her turning rosy with determination. This fish would not be able to escape her that easily, it could bet its fin on that!
Questions: Zivis is mute vocally and I'd like for her to stay that way, so if we could do no healing! ♥