Beginnings [Aengus Backstory]

Beginnings + ARR: Ishgard-born, trained with the lance from a young age. Subdued and passive, very quiet, rarely spoke up or allowed self to have opinions. Never gave his all at anything, presumed to be lazy or just stupid by his peers. On the day of the Calamity (age 16 at the time), he was on a routine visit to Dragonhead with his father to make rounds and check in with officers. As they were heading out, the Calamity's impact waves caused an avalanche that separated Anastasius from his father and their squadron. He awoke half-frozen but miraculously alive, with no clue how many hours or even days had passed. Leaving his lance and pack behind, he managed to make it close to Fallgourd before passing out once more.

He came-to in Bentbranch, being tended to by a kind white mage and party who'd happened upon him while running for safety. After thanking them for their kindness and ensuring them he'd be alright on his own, Anastasius ventured off into the Shroud with enough supplies to camp for a few days. He set up in a hollowed-out tree that'd been struck down in the chaos, using the time to collect his thoughts. He had no idea if they'd presumed him dead and given up, or worse-- finally had a good excuse to get rid of a failure of an heir. Upon realizing such, he stumbled out into the woods to clear his head but was struck by a sudden vision of crystals and strange robed figures. Taking the strange occurrence as some sort of sign from Halone or another deity, Anastasius caught the next merchant cart to pass and began a new life in Gridania.

He changed his name to remain undetected and unsuspicious ("de Lageary" wasn't exactly subtle or common). Mother Miounne of The Roost was more than happy to offer room and board in exchange for another helping hand, even suggesting he pick up arms and train with the locals. Aengus Prionne dared not touch a lance again, instead opting for the bow. He was surprisingly apt, having been blessed with notable hand-eye coordination, and quickly rose through the ranks. He spent four years growing in Gridania, learning how to open up and befriending the people of the woodlands. He finally had the freedom to chase his dreams, his first purchase with his own money being a cherrywood lute lovingly nicknamed "Rosebud" after his beloved sister.

Aengus became a staple of festival entertainment, giddily obliging to sing and strum at any occasion from eternal bondings to Starlight Celebrations to younglings' birthdays. During these years he became acquainted with a young Viera mage named Margot, whose magical talents he'd heard countless tales of. The two did not hit it off at first, often getting into petty little arguments about not much at all, but eventually building up respect for one another. When the Scions asked the two of them for their partnership Aengus agreed without hesitation, thinking it to be the best way to protect his precious new home... and to find out more about the strange visions that had been plaguing him since the Calamity.

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HW: yadda yadda scions go kaput, idk when they first met ivan?? im assuming at the waking sands?? idk or we can make it smth funkier.
- while marge is prolly bonding with haurch, gus and alphie realize they have a lot in common and become little besties. its very wholesome
- when they actually get into ishgard gus is like "FUCK what if someone recognizes me i look too familiar" so he chops off his hair and bleaches it white (which he whines abt constantly bc he likes his lOnG fLoWy lOcKs)
- he hates estiniens guts but gets along fine with ysale, always siding with her bc he's a sucker for a love story
- damn this aymeric guy is kinda hot idk why tho haha im not gay..... unless.....
- idk im speedrunning this timeline. ill develop this or retcon stuff when i come up with better shit

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SB: i litcherally dont remember this expansion uhh. we all hate zenos pussy the end

we're gonna write abt SHB anyway so who cares BYEEEE