Arestei Laskaris

Decorum.

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ The Rules, Boundaries & More.

The Do's

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Respect is key.

The Don'ts

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Do not dare.

DON'T INTERACT

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Begone with you.

THE WRITER

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Saibraeus.

Memoir.

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ White Snake of Ul'dah.

A MERCHANT'S LEDGER

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Money doesn't lie, but it doesn't always tell the truth.

  LOREM IPSUM DOLOR   sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer vitae porta leo. Proin vitae nulla magna. Praesent tincidunt vel quam eget porttitor. Nullam nec justo eu mi hendrerit scelerisque at placerat felis. Aenean orci orci, sollicitudin eget tortor quis, posuere consequat enim. Sed tristique sodales ipsum, eu venenatis lorem tempus quis. Curabitur id mauris vitae leo euismod hendrerit. Integer placerat tincidunt ipsum et fringilla. Etiam at libero leo. Curabitur mollis id risus et vulputate.Vestibulum vitae augue ullamcorper, lobortis lectus sollicitudin, scelerisque quam. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Integer tempus elit eu mauris pretium vulputate. Duis pretium tellus ac ex dapibus iaculis. Phasellus eget sagittis sem. Donec a mattis risus. Curabitur et finibus urna. Quisque et luctus elit. Phasellus pretium sit amet nunc sed ornare. Proin nec velit eros. Aenean iaculis dapibus metus, quis euismod diam ultrices id.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus vitae mauris pellentesque, pulvinar metus vel, auctor felis. Nunc venenatis massa et sem sodales congue. Nulla non efficitur tortor. Suspendisse ultricies arcu nulla, eu lacinia lacus malesuada ac. Integer ut lorem sodales ex convallis bibendum eu suscipit dolor. Vivamus vel neque gravida libero molestie sagittis quis at magna.Praesent laoreet vestibulum nibh, non ultrices magna cursus sed. Quisque sodales pulvinar dui, dapibus fringilla mi cursus porta. Donec ac vehicula risus. Sed condimentum libero sed lorem pellentesque tempor. Donec placerat nisi odio, commodo tristique magna blandit nec. Duis vestibulum rhoncus turpis, eget venenatis nunc interdum a. Donec tristique et orci et placerat. Nam placerat ac enim ut dapibus. Quisque sollicitudin sed lorem eget finibus. Ut hendrerit, nibh a mattis sagittis, elit justo aliquam orci, porta maximus mauris odio nec orci. Nullam sed enim vel leo dapibus semper lobortis sit amet urna. Suspendisse lobortis non lacus ac imperdiet. Aliquam vitae lorem dapibus, rhoncus felis non, placerat nisl. Suspendisse felis lorem, varius vitae lorem in, maximus tempus ligula. Aliquam lobortis, odio vitae malesuada posuere, leo enim tempor augue, ut cursus erat nulla a orci.Vivamus a libero rhoncus, maximus neque at, maximus magna. Donec pharetra, dolor et faucibus commodo, lorem elit pulvinar lorem, sit amet maximus neque tortor ornare mi. Mauris quis mattis metus. Nullam ullamcorper vel dui eleifend lacinia. Ut erat ligula, aliquet ut lacinia a, finibus vitae ante. Pellentesque risus risus, laoreet quis fringilla ac, rutrum ac orci. Vivamus a sodales justo.Praesent eget justo finibus, hendrerit lorem ornare, molestie odio. Mauris vel risus sed nisi mollis efficitur. Vivamus facilisis massa non nibh ullamcorper laoreet. Mauris non viverra nunc. Sed eleifend placerat ex quis ullamcorper. Aliquam tempus laoreet nisl. Curabitur iaculis semper augue sit amet lobortis. Suspendisse nunc ex, ornare sed nulla mattis, placerat auctor turpis. Duis mollis lacinia nunc, in gravida libero rutrum eu. Maecenas vitae fermentum augue. Maecenas nec sollicitudin arcu, fermentum tincidunt neque.

BUSINESS RECORDS

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Always watching, always calculating.

Dossier.

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Business is all in the details.

Arestei Laskaris

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Core information.

  At first glance   this Veena exudes luxury and elegance, combined with a frigid aloofness that makes it difficult to approach him. He rather prefers it this way, for he guards his fortune zealously and is prone to bouts of insecurity. Having clawed his way up from nothing, his unpleasant arrogance comes from a firm belief in meritocracy.
Granted, to those who he can stand to gain from, he is all cordial warmth and accommodating smiles; such is the two faced snake that he is.

Gold Endeavors

♱‧₊˚ Laskaris Trading Company ⸺ Laskaris & Co.

  Laskaris Trading Company   is Arestei's original claim to fame, founded in Ul'dah but eventually expanding to the rest of Eorzea and beyond. Originally selling only rare fabric woven by a certain Keeper tribe, it has since expanded to carry everything from exotic spices to cursed artifacts.
Of course, the company is still best known for the fine cloth they carry, as well as fashion lines made from such material.  Laskaris & Co.   is a subsidiary of Laskaris Trading Company. It's a pet project of Arestei's when he began to take goldsmithing more seriously, and comprises of exclusive one-of-a-kind jewelry lines that rotate by season. He has since largely retired this venture, making the label more coveted still by collectors. On rare occasions and highly depending on the client, he will work on commission.

All told, Arestei's ability is not pure vanity. He can work enchantments into his pieces, and he quite likes a challenge.

Personality

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Always read the fine print.

  Cordial and polite   on the surface, ruthless and shrewd in private practice. He will absolutely stab you in the back for a quick buck... Unless you've somehow wormed your way into his heart, in which case he'll say he'll stab you for a single gil. Cold, calm, and collected are his trademark dispositions, and you'll rarely find him flustered or incensed. A well practised flatterer when he needs to be, or simply an experienced social chameleon. Regardless, unless it has to do with commission deadlines, never trust what he says.

Likes

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Jewelry is your best friend.

  "I love my darling the most."   It is through near debilitating emotional trials that Arestei has learned to love a man more than his materialistic endeavours, and yet even then he would rather not have to choose either. Thankfully, Calix offers both.

Dislikes

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Do not let gold tarnish.

  "Hmm... No."   Capitalism does not thrive on anything less than the bottom line, and Arestei has both accepted and elevated this horrific truth. Blinded still by greed and fear, he cares very little for the happiness of others, nor those he cannot exploit.

Hobbies

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ To sit on gil, means success.

  What does   a merchant love more than gil itself? Very little, except in Arestei's case perhaps the misery of others. He is a little contradictory however, as he likes to involve himself in matchmaking just as much as he likes ruination.

TIMELESS VISAGE

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Kind eyes & cunning smiles.

  Perfect poise   and immaculate presentation are vital for this finicky Veena. He spends quite a lot of time fussing over his looks, and with that effort comes an aura of timeless elegance infused with unshakable confidence. Slender to the point of androgyny, he's not the tallest in any room he enters, but his is a quiet demand for attention beneath piercing split hetero-chromatic gaze and sly smiles.
It often feels as though Arestei is quietly laughing at a joke only he understands, even when he's feigning sympathy.

Proficiencies

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ The durability of gold.

STRENGTHS

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ The purities of gold.

  Even snakes   have their charms. Arestei's happen to be his ability to get things done. He is dogged in pursuit of his goals once he decides on them, and he has the resources and brilliance to match. As such, he is a formidable opponent that very few wish to cross if they can help it.Surprisingly wise, Ares also happens to foster some manner of prudence.

WEAKNESSES

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ The corrosion of gold.

  Where to begin?   Ares is nothing if not full of weaknesses. Though he's made commendable growth since his younger days, insecurity still tends to plague him here and there, as does the fear derived from the possiblity of ineptitude. He is self-centred, brought about by the experiences of his youth, and in turn has isolated himself to a chamber of yes-men that can only tell him he's done no wrong.

FLAWS

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ The alloying of gold.

  Since the   dawn of time, the elite thrive on gossip and silver-tongued politics. Arestei has learned to adapt a bit too well to this environment, and one will find him unconsciously abrasive when he's not actively policing his own language.He also tends to be a bit emotional, and can be driven to both good and bad goals purely by reflexive impulse.

Whispers.

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Temptations from the uncanny.

Whisper 001

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ All That You Need.

  Arestei is   a capitalist above all else. If you need it, he will procure and sell it. Shady fantasias? Somnus? Absurdly expensive jewelry? Offer the gil and you've got yourself a deal.

Whisper 002

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Patron of the Arts.

  Arestei enjoys   lavishing artisans with gil as much as he enjoys counting the mountain of it in his vault. If you're a bard or some manner of crafter with needlessly high standards for your own craft, expect to catch the viera's interest. Yes...This also includes bartenders, dancers, and any profession of the entertainment or service kind.

Whisper 003

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ The Fates.

  Similar to   the previous, but Arestei is the superstitious sort. Oracles that offer fortune telling of any sort will usually receive a visit or two from him.

Whisper 004

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Mercenaries and Sellswords.

  He's always   looking to hire two or three... or a legion. Arestei himself isn't much of a combatant, and trade routes do tend to be overrun with pirates. Sigh.
Beyond that, he also enjoys sponsoring (read: coercing) some poor sap into the coliseum so he can take his bets.

Whisper 005

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ The Warder, Scholar, and Merchant.

  Arestei is much   older than he appears, and he's lived in three different places during his time on this star. His early childhood was spent in the woods with his tribe, as most vieras are, while his late childhood including early adolescence was spent in Old Sharlayan. Of recent years, his time is mostly spent in Ul'dah or Gridania if he's not travelling for work, but if your character has roots in any of these places perhaps we can hash out a connection.

Whisper 006

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ 2 Bit Villain.

  Jokingly referred to   as fantasy Nestle, Arestei did not rise to his position by keeping his hands clean. Though he never outright killed or maimed anyone himself, he's had plenty of hand in ruining many, many lives in his capitalistic ventures, from taking over heritage land to tearing down family legacy businesses. Those who need a villain in their story are welcome to connect with him, especially those who would like to explore the dynamics of turbulent reconciliation and question the right to forgiveness.

Bonds.

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Business thrives off connections.

Calix Laskaris

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Eternally Bonded. Trophy husband.

  One would hope   that justice comes for those aligned with malice, but alas, fate did not see it that way. While one wished Calix to be Arestei's balance as moral compass, this mad Sharlayan scientist wins the Veena's heart precisely because he's not.
Having saved Arestei in the goldsmith's youth, this Rava swore his eternal oath under vows to kill Arestei if it's the last thing he did. How romantic.

Rane Telvir

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Son(Dubious).

  "Do you have a favourite son?"  
"It's you... And by a lot."
Arestei makes no attempt to hide his favouritism, for Rane is his sharpest blade. If he needs anything done without a shadow of a doubt, it's this Telvir that he calls for.

Though not related by blood, given the age disparity and a wayward joke, Ares has rather warmed up to the idea.

Vel Telvir

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Son (REALLY Dubious).

  "Do you have a favourite son?"   __
"I love all my children equally... I guess."
Arestei has complicated feelings towards this one, but since the two come in a package, it's difficult for him to monopolize Rane alone. Still, he recognizes Vel's wit and resourcefulness, and thus tolerates his presence.
At times he acts as Vel's mentor, preparing him for the cutthroat world of social politics.

Sino'a Njaka

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Business Partner.

  Arestei's trusted partner   since he could remember. It was from the quality of Sino'a's wares that Arestei was able to make his first fortune, and as such Ares will always show the weaver due respect.

Though the goldsmith conducts himself with a measure of indifference towards this Keeper, secretly he views him as family, for Sino'a has truly been his greatest fortune.

K'azir Cadenza

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Business Partner.

  Though this Seeker   abhors Arestei and his rich ilk, he's not so stupid as to reject the goldsmith's offer on forming a partnership and opening his own apothecary. As such, he is now in Arestei's debt and acts as the main chirurgeon of the Midnight Wardens.
Of course, sensible work hours are rather nonexistent in Arestei's dictionary, and K'azir often suffers personal house calls at the goldsmith's leisure.

Chizuki Ciani

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Business Partner.

  Theirs is a symbiotic   relationship built purely on mutual gain. The half Hyur had need of specially enchanted jewelry, and Arestei was resourceful enough to deliver for the generous sum offered. Thus began a decade long relationship of convenience.
All said, Arestei finds Ciani's idealism to be fascinating, and at times he switches between helper and hinderer just to see if anything might break this Ishgardian exile.

Oryn Svalinn

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Knight.

  It was a difficult journey   breaking this loyal knight from his master, but eventually Arestei came out on top. With Oryn and his partner both indebted to him, Arestei has commanded their lineage to serve him for the foreseeable future, securing the prowess of this master swordsman.

Since then, Oryn works as commander of Arestei's personal free company venture, the Midnight Wardens.

Acel Svalinn

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ 'Maid'.

  Arestei abhors this child,   for he sees too much of himself and his past in Acel. Unfortunately, that also meant that the goldsmith could not leave this angry Ishgardian alone, and after a long journey of wearing down the blonde's pride, Arestei has managed to strongarm Acel into his service.

Of course, Ares's aid does not come free. Reducing Acel to a lowly maid for the free company, both Svalinns are put to work to make up for the time he'd spent upon them.

Haldar

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ 'Servant'.

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Full Name

♱‧₊˚ ⸺ Relationship.

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Gallery.

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Treasures worth every gil.

Laskaris & Co.

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ All that glitters can be made into gold.

Coveted jewelry

♱‧₊˚ ⸻ Custom tailored for you & yours... for a heavy price.

  LASKARIS & CO.   may not be as prominent as Eshtaime's Aesthetics, but make no mistake: the pieces created by the jeweler Arestei are no less coveted for their craftsmanship, if not even more so for their rarity.With fame mainly achieved among Ul'dah's elite, Arestei doesn't seem keen to expand star wide in the way his competitor has. Given the success of his trading conglomerate, he's able to accept commissions according to his own whims, and it's not uncommon to hear the goldsmith call prices to the tune of several million gil.If the price doesn't faze you, then feel free to leave a request. Each piece is custom tailored to the client's exact specifications, and despite Arestei's.... abrasive artistic personality, he does take great pride in his work.

(OOC: Arestei's jewelry come with an in-game item as well as an art design drawn by Arestei's player. Prices in real gil, please see the form for more information.)

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