Oak Zoulieu
Biographical Information
Birthplace Dravanian Hinterlands, Sharlayan Colony
Current Home Old Sharlayan, or wherever the wind takes them
Age 38 in ARR
** Nameday** 17th Sun of the 2nd Astral Moon
Affiliation Scions of the Seventh Dawn
Role Warrior of Light
Classes Known ACN, LNC
Jobs Known WAR, SCH, DRG, VPR, SMN
Crafters Known ALC, CUL, BOT

Physical Description
Race Rava Viera
Gender nonbinary
Hair dark blue with a splash of color (usually pink)
Eyes purple
Height 6'2“
Build Type slightly muscular

OOC Information
Player nonbinaryurianger
Voice Claim None

2025/01/29 18:15 · nonbinaryurianger · 0 Comments

General

Oak is a Rava Viera and the Warrior of Light. They are the studious type, calm and not prone to acting on impulse. They did not expect to be an adventurer, but they came to accept it as their role for at least the next few years.

History

Pre-MSQ

Oak grew up in the Sharlayan colony in the Dravanian Hinterlands and received the standard Sharlayan-diasporic education. They had a part-time courier route as a teen to earn some coin; their parents agreed to it only on the condition that they have some martial weapons training if they were going to be traversing the Hinterlands on their own, so they picked up the lance. As they got older and graduated from basic schooling, they decided to specialize in arcanima. They had always assumed when they were young that they'd apply to the Studium when they grew up, but as they got older and that became more of a possibility, they decided to wait. They had their whole life ahead of them, and while they might not admit it out loud, the idea was actually a little daunting, since they had never even been to the motherland.

They were 23 when the Garleans started to encroach and the colony was abandoned, and they decided to stay behind. They were a follower of Louisoixan philosophy and the idea of just leaving the place to its fate and sequestering away from the rest of the world left a bad taste in their mouth. They were able to continue their studies for a while, but eventually they decided to head to Limsa to join the Arcanists' Guild.

Pre-Endwalker

Their adventure proceeded largely according to canon. Though it was a surprise to be called on by Hydaelyn, they took their role as the Warrior of Light in stride: they had been selected for a job and blessed with abilities that made them singularly qualified to carry it out, and so they would do it, because people were relying on them—how could they refuse?

Endwalker

After the events at the end of the universe, Oak was deeply shaken by the revelation that their colleagues seemed to view them not as an equal, but more as an abstract savior figure, almost godlike. They had always seen themself as simply one of the Scions—everyone had their unique role, and they had believed that theirs was no greater or lesser than anyone else's. Learning that they were unique in this assumption led to something of a breakdown. Their physical wounds took some time to heal, but their emotional wounds kept them abed for even longer.

It was Y'shtola who recognized that something was wrong and effectively trapped them into talking about it. Once it was off their chest, they were able to start healing, with the support of their fellow “former” Scions. Around the same time, Thancred, recognizing that they were having trouble with emotional regulation (specifically, that they were holding things in too much), borrowed a soul crystal from one Curious Gorge and introduced them to the way of the Warrior, encouraging them to let off some steam once in a while.

Still, despite their progress, to be put on such a pedestal is not something one truly forgets. They took an extended hiatus from serious adventuring that lasted a few years.

During said hiatus, Y'shtola began inviting them out for miscellaneous tasks, ostensibly to keep them busy and socialized during a difficult time. Over time, the excursions took on a more personal note, and eventually the two entered into a romantic relationship.

Oak also took this opportunity to go back to school, enrolling in the Studium. It was a difficult transition at first, but they managed to complete their schooling and even complete an Archon's thesis in summoning, earning themself a mark. Towards the end of their studies, when their schedule became more up to their choosing, they tentatively took up adventuring again, dealing with matters on the Thirteenth.

Dawntrail

Also goes largely according to canon. Word apparently reached Tural that the Warrior of Light was adventuring again, and when they were asked by a bright-eyed Hrothgar to help her win the throne of her homeland, they hesitantly agreed. It turned into a fruitful mentorship, in which Wuk Lamat reminded them somewhat of themself when they were first starting their adventures.

Relationships

Y'shtola Rhul: partner

Trivia

* Oak is an accomplished chef, making their time in Old Sharlayan much easier to bear.

* "To the Edge": A fic about how Oak copes with their slump after 6.0
* "Halcyon": A short fic for 2024's FFXIVWrite about a silly interaction between Oak and Y'shtola sometime before 5.4