application ➢ etraya

[inimicitia]

⏵ player information
name and pronouns: ell (they/them)
age: 34
contact: brutallyamish (plurk), brutallyamish (discord), PM

⏵ character information
name: Gladiolus Amicitia
canon: Final Fantasy XV
age: 23
canon point: Chapter 8 + Episode: Gladio DLC (pre-Altissia)
history: wiki
abilities:
SURVIVAL

While it started out as more of a hobby, Gladio is quite good at pretty much anything outdoorsy; he's able to figure out where he is using a map, compass, or the movement of the sun or stars, he's got a vast working knowledge of what is edible and what is poisonous, he knows how to purify water and make it safe to drink, and he is pretty good at building shelters and fires. Over the years, too, he'd taken up hunting, tracking, and scavenging. His love of camping started out really as a way to just get away from the city and the expectations of home, and it turned into an invaluable skill that helped himself and his friends on their roadtrip.

SHIELD OF THE KING

Gladio was the inheritor of his family's binding oath to the kings of Lucis, and as such, from a young age, he was trained to be the next king's Shield, like his father trained to be Regis'. Swearing into the Crownsguard when he was thirteen years old, upon taking up the mantle of Shield, he was also bound to Noctis and granted use of the Armiger, which allows him access to basic magic (including being able to store and withdraw items). His preferred weapons are greatswords, which he is strong enough to wield one handed, and shields, which he can also use to create shockwaves of energy. Gladio has four primary techniques on top of his regular sword and shield work, which include: Dawnhammer, which is a lunge with the greatsword that is open to follow up, but the force used means that it can miss more agile enemies; Royal Guard, which shields Noctis from damage, and can also deal some damage to enemies before guarding; Cyclone, which creates a shockwave with the shield by striking the ground, and is open to follow up where he launches Noctis into battle; and Impulse, his strongest technique, that deals a large amount of damage in 2 waves in a large radius around him.

personality: Seemingly outgoing and flirtatious, Gladio uses his years of navigating social circles and royalty to be able to talk to anyone about anything. He's incredibly knowledgable and well-read, something most people wouldn't assume just from looking at him, and he possesses a genuine curiosity for that fuels his love of reading. Gladio has no big dreams to become anything other than what he was meant to be, but he enjoys being able to have intelligent conversations with people. Of his friend group, he is the most extroverted, ready and willing to use his ability to chat others up for information when needed. That being said, he doesn't actually make friends easily, as his priority is always his duty and friendships take time and work that he is unable to commit to, regardless of whether he wants to or not.

Though his exterior is tough, Gladio has a fragile heart. All his life, he has kept most of the world at arm's length but he possesses a kind and gentle soul, and he truly just wants to do right by the people he lets past his guard. It is rare for him to lower his defenses enough to allow someone to sneak past them because he is, at his core, afraid to be hurt and to hurt others. Knowing that he is, for all points and purposes, bound to the role of Shield made it difficult for him to really open up never mind let someone in, because it was always inevitable that they would have to be second. At the same time, he is deeply loving and protective with his sister and with Noctis, once the prince managed to weasel his way in, and with Ignis, who he has known almost all of his life. Prompto is the newest addition to the group, and while Gladio is still finding where, exactly, he fits in, he cares for him as well.

Despite sharing his name with a type of short sword, Gladio is actually named for the sword lily — a tall, stately flower, like his sister is named for the iris. The gladiolus symbolizes endurance, integrity, strength (specifically of character), and faithfulness. As a child, Gladio was sensitive about the fact he was tied to something as seemingly delicate as a flower when he was born to be a Shield, but as he grew and matured, he came to understand that there was more to life than strength and the ability to fight. Gladio learned how to endure, especially in the face of impossible or seemingly hopeless odds, and how to be a source of strength for those around him, especially those he loves. His loyalty, once earned, is unbreakable, and he bonds deeply with those he ultimately lets into his life.

Gladio's life have always been a series of closed doors, ones that he was never allowed to hold the keys to, ones that only opened when others determined he was ready, be that his father, Cor, Gilgamesh, even his friends. It was always waiting, standing at the door, progressing only when he was deemed strong enough, capable enough, and never when he was desperate to escape the room he was trapped in, or eager to start a new chapter, or afraid to keep going. There was never any consideration for what he wanted out of life, and every little thing that he managed to grasp in his hands, he clutched close and never let go. All of his pleasures feel like guilty pleasures, even his reading, or his love of instant noodles, and Gladio is afraid to want anything simply because he was never allowed to. The one real kindness anyone can give him is the ability to decide for himself and open the door when he's ready to do it.
samples: TDM toplevel (there are 11 different threads on there), thread with Noct

Comments

inventory

[inimicitia]

ARRIVAL INVENTORY:
The Genji Blade, the Aegis Shield, a few sets of clothing, a set of camping gear (tent, cooler, supplies to make a fire, camping stove + gas, folding chairs, air mattress, blankets), compass, survival knife tucked into his boot, an entire four book romantasy series, smart phone, and a pair of glasses.

IN GAME REQUEST INVENTORY
Motorcycle

LOCATIONS (requested or received):
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