Altruoix Douleuraine

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Basic Info

Used Name: Altruoix
Full Name: Valtruoix Douleuraine
Age: Early 30s
Race: Duskwight Elezen
Height: 6'8"
Weight: around 200ish lbs
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Pan
5.3 canon-divergentNotable appearance info:
Consistent scarring across hands/knuckles; one large curved scar along left side, from hip to armpit; one puncture scar to the right abdomen several in. in length. Always carries at least one small ledger on his person, strapped to hip or ass.
(Post Mt. Gulg shenanigans/extremely poor life choices) Arms and legs have spiraling gold scars, approx 1/2in wide, wrist to shoulder/ankle to hip. Upon any major aetheric expenditure 2 to 6 pairs of wings manifest largest about an armspan and a half in length and reducing in size until about slightly smaller than armspan - not large enough to be of any use besides scaring the populace and being unwieldy as fuck. Eyes change from blue to gold. Fangies.Personality:
Altruoix is helpful to a fault, though quietly resentful of any duties he finds to be “busy work”. He's deeply worried about ending up like his family/a “villain” and as a result has a guilt complex that is bordering on most definitely pathological. He worries constantly about whether he is making the right choices and often will make decisions by calculated chance of success, sometimes quite rashly (ie he will in the heat of the moment do a thing if it has "acceptable" odds even with injury or loss as long as the overall outcome is a net positive).
He downplays his successes/accomplishments and broods heavily over failures, real or perceived. Highly sensitive, he is easily distressed and provoked into anxiety to the point he will tantrum/melt down in times of extreme emotion. When he is on the job he may unconsciously disassociate to prevent this. Very afraid of rejection.
He can come off as stiff or rude but cares deeply about those around him, especially if they are younger/children. He is much more personable and warm towards those he has a chance to connect with but will still keep them at somewhat of a distance regardless. He comes off as (and is) bright, well-read, and well-spoken, if a bit on the vulgar side. His humor tends towards dry/sarcastic and self-deprecating.
He smokes and drinks. ProbablyDefinitely a functional alcoholic.Thematic Elements:

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Story

The eldest child of a crime lord, Altruoix was expected to take up his father's mantle and lead his family's illicit empire when he came of age. He excelled both academically and practically - his inquisitiveness and natural skill with numbers saw him taking charge of the family's bookkeeping while learning proficiency with swords and daggers for the more unsavory acts required to run a criminal enterprise. As he further matured, however, so did his strong sense of morality and justice - something that clashed tremendously with the cruelty of his livelihood. He struggled to reconcile love for family with the violence he was forced to enact in their name daily unti, overcome with guilt and fearing for his future, he fled the cave compound they lived in and disappeared into the wilds.Forsaking his name, Altruoix scraped by in Gridania through his late teens and into his early 20s. Casting aside blades for ranged weaponry, he eked out a living as an adventurer and accountant, taking what little work came to him as a duskwight in the forest city until he had enough coin to travel to Limsa Lominsa.In Limsa - free of stifling racial prejudices - Altruoix was able to pursue more academic work as he found plenty of bookkeeping to be done. It wasn't long until he fell in with the Arcanist's guild, putting his skills to work weaving arcane geometries with a focus on heavily theoretical techniques and research. By the time of the Garlean invasion proper he was working with the guild in a near full-time capacity, supporting the war effort through his studies.Bahamut's return awakened Altruoix's Echo, and he spent the months following the calamity struggling to both control and understand the gift. Within the next few years as he gained mastery he was approached by the Path of the Twelve, then the Scions of the Seventh Dawn in the hopes he would aid them in their fight against the primals.
Initially Altruoix rebuffed them - he had little desire to return to battle. But as time progressed and the realm rebuilt he could not escape that creeping obligation. In the end, he acquiesced to aid the Scions, and took the road once more back to Gridania, set on his path to become the Warrior of Light.

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Relationships

Altruoix and the Scions:
Altruoix cares for the Scions deeply, and wishes that he could be honest with them regarding his feelings and his past. They know very little about him as he offers very little.
He is extremely protective of the younger members, and tries to be both role model and shield - though Alphinaud may give the poor man an aneurysm with his terrible opinions one of these days.Post 5.3: No one but G'raha Tia knows what truly occurred with Elidibus in the Crystal Tower - nor do they know that Emet-Selch lives. There will be a reckoning for this, surely - but not yet.Endwalker: The Final Days forces Altruoix closer to the Scions. He reveals his past, his relationships, and asks for their understanding and forgiveness. All completely unnecessary - the Scions ever did care for him - but the cloud of doubt has dissipated. Forward, together.Altruoix and Haurchefant:
Haurchefant and Altruoix were heavily romantically involved - to the point Altruoix opened up to him completely, fully expecting to be rejected. For his part Haurchefant only loved him all the more for the admission, reassuring Altruoix he was a true hero and not the monster he feared. Haurchefant was shelter from himself, a voice of unconditional acceptance and boundless joy.
His death undid it all, leaving Altruoix wracked with yet more guilt and convinced that his presence only led to sorrow. He resolved to never place the burden of his true self's knowledge on anyone else, and it's hard to say for certain how much his heart has healed since, if at all.Endwalker: Altruoix reunites with the memory of Haurchefant in the Aitascope. They both are able to come to some resolutions and comfort with each of their fates. Ever supportive, Haurchefant is delighted to know Altruoix was able to continue to learn and love past his death and is able to move on after helping Altruoix through the aetherial sea.Altruoix and Emet-Selch:
If only he had been able to contain the light. If only he had been able to remember. Altruoix's relationship with Emet-Selch is filled with regrets and what-ifs between two damaged men seeking what solace they could with each other. What started as a tryst spiraled into something Altruoix could not name with a familiarity he could not place.
Though he disapproved of Emet-Selch's choices, he understood them and desperately wishes their inevitable conflict could have had another outcome. Grasping at what fragments of memory he's unearthed since Altruoix wanders the phantom Amaurot, gathering what books he can and slowly translating them in the hopes he might fulfill Hades's final wish.
But Emet-Selch did not lie. He said he was immortal - was he misinformed?
Perhaps there can be more to their story, in defiance of false gods and fate.Post-5.3: Altruoix is relieved Emet-Selch survived, but extremely upset that not only was he kept in the dark about that survival, but then used to help free Elidibus despite the risk to both of them.
It was a worthwhile risk, he knows. But still, it's the principle of the thing.Endwalker: Emet-Selch returns to the Lifestream on the source to be with Hythlodaeus. Joined also by Elidibus, he has decided to watch and wait for Altruoix so that they may all reincarnate together.Altruoix and Elidibus:
He will not kill another colleague-- another friend. When push comes to shove Altruoix will save the Emissary or die trying.Post-5.3: With the help of Emet-Selch, a fragment of Azem, and G'raha Tia, Altruoix fully separates Elidibus from Zodiark in the Seat of Sacrifice. As the Emissary leaves with Emet-Selch to coalesce, no one is quite sure what the future has in store.
He and Azem were friends, once - perched upon the precipice of something more.
Altruoix - a different man, a different life - holds out his hand. Elidibus takes it. They jump.
See also: 5.3 canon divergence hc ficEndwalker: Elidibus uses his regained strength to open the way to Elpis, then joins Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus in the Lifestream. He appears in Ultima Thule alongside them. They watch and wait together for the day they may finally reunite and reincarnate along with Altruoix.Altruoix and Hythlodaeus:
Altruoix is still working out his feelings for Hythlodaeus, as he is oft reminded of Haurchefant when in his company. Just like Haurchefant, he is drawn to the man. Old habits die hard.
Together with Hades, he is eager to rediscover another old flame.Endwalker: Hythlodaeus resides in the Lifestream with Emet-Selch and Elidibus, waiting for the day they all may properly reunite in their next life together.(That does not stop, of course, Altruoix from visiting through the Aitascope).

Comprehensive Romance Timeline

ARR: Altruoix meets Haurchefant. The two strike up a friendship that becomes more. By the time of the Ul’dah banquet they are exchanging love letters.
Altruoix meets Elidibus, which sparks curiosity and animosity in equal measure.HW: Altruoix continues his relationship with Haurchefant up until the end. Haurchefant’s death devastates him.SB: No romantic entanglements.ShB: Altruoix meets Emet-Selch. They strike up a relationship that is at the start purely sexual. They end up falling hard for each other. Altruoix takes Emet-Selch’s betrayal particularly badly, even though he sees it coming. It is with a heavy, bitter heart that he defeats him in the Tempest.5.2: Altruoix meets with Elidibus at night in the Crystarium. They share an echo flashback. It is clear to Altruoix that he must save Elidibus, at any cost. He will not consign him to the same fate as Emet-Selch.5.3: Altruoix, with the help of G’raha Tia, defeats Elidibus at the top of the Crystal Tower and in the process frees him completely from Zodiark. Emet-Selch reveals he has survived and retrieves Altruoix from the Rift during the fight. Emet-Selch and Elidibus retreat to Amaurot to coalesce, where Altruoix is able to visit them.6.0: After Zodiark’s death: Emet-Selch returns to the Lifestream on the Source to seek out Hythlodaeus.
After the Final Days incident in Radz-At-Han: Elidibus helps open the way to Elpis with his regained strength. Duty completed, he also returns to the Lifestream on the Source.
In the Aitascope: Altruoix reunites with the memory of Haurchefant. They both are able to come to some resolutions and comfort with each of their fates.
In Ultima Thule: Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus, and Elidibus appear in the Elpis Field. They all return to the Lifestream together, to wait for Altruoix before reincarnation.Post-6.0: Altruoix, using the Aitascope, is able to visit Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus, and Elidibus as desired.