HAERUND's STORY... so FAR

Haerund Ahldmannsyn worked, as most Sea Wolves do, with his father and older brother aboard their fishing vessel around the islands of the Aerslaent. While he was an adept fishmonger, Haerund tended to gravitate towards other interests as a child, sometimes at the chagrin of his father. As he got older, he developed expertise in making and mending just about anything he could get his hands on - fishing nets, anchors, boat hulls, fishing rods and even clothing.He earned a reputation amongst his village for hand-carving exquisite fishing lures that were as beautiful as they were effective. Over time, he turned into quite the capable furniture maker and blacksmith using salvaged materials from old boats and driftwood. He was also known to whistle tunes of his own making and even dance a little while working away on deck or in the makeshift workshop he cobbled together behind his family home. Some folks thought him odd, but Haerund didn't care.When he turned nineteen, his father, Ahldanka, brought him along on a trip to the island of Vylbrand as a gift. Arriving in Limsa Lominsa, the young Roegadyn could scarcely believe his own senses as they took in the sights, sounds, and smells of the massive city-state. While his father conducted his business with the Fishermens' Guild, Haerund toured every single square ilm of the city, visiting the various guilds, perusing the markets, eating exotic foods, and watching bards and dancers entertain the populace around the plaza.Though sea salt coarsed through his veins, he knew then and there that Limsa Lominsa was where he belonged. On the return voyage home, he devised his grand plan - work hard, earn enough money through his various side jobs, and leave for Limsa to make a new home and name for himself. Through blood, sweat, tears, and more than a handful of tense moments with his father, Haerund succeeded and left the Aerslaent the day after his twenty-first nameday.Over the first two years, Haerund toiled away, slowly building his new life in Vylbrand. He was able to make a decent living selling furniture and jewelry in the markets of Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah, and his reputation of making fine fishing lures followed him and led to a full list of commissioned work for members of the Fishermans' Guild. He honed his skills, becoming adept at just about every type of blue-collar work one could.In the evenings, he'd often stroll through the Lominsan plaza, taking in the performances of the bards and dancers that would often set up shop outside Hawker's Alley. While taking in a performance one evening, he noticed a young lad running through the area, crying out about the opening of a performance hall and inviting all to attend. Curious, he followed the directions to a festive-looking house in Mist, went inside, and had his world changed.He was shy and curious at first, mostly remaining a wallflower, as a bevy of beautiful performers of all persuasions marched across the stage over the course of the evening. They sang. They danced. They told bawdy jokes. Some were amusing. Others were provocative. Something in him stirred. He returned the following week and the week after that. Before too long, he was becoming what the staff referred to as a regular.One night, after Haerund had partaken of perhaps a bit too much ale during the evening's performances, a bard troupe made their way on stage and began to play a tune that spoke to something deep with the Roegadyn. He got and began to dance amongst the patrons, starting out in the somewhat clunky way he would in his workshop while whistling, but eventually settling into a fluid, almost mesmerizing motion.He didn't notice the other patrons giving him space. He didn't see them stop and start to watch. He didn't even notice the bard troupe punching up the song mid-tune to egg him on. He was lost in the moment... until the music stopped, and he suddenly became very aware. He left abruptly, unclear as to how to resolve the feelings of exhilaration and embarrassment competing with one another in his mind.He didn't dare show up the following week, instead burying himself in his commissioned work and gathering. A few days later, one of the venue staff managed to track him down in his stall. They talked. It turned out that Haerund's little impromptu show had caught the eyes of patrons and staff alike. He was made an offer - come back and dance again, this time as an employee.Were they serious? Was it that good? It was just a silly, drunken dance. Nothing as graceful or poetic or seductive as what he had witnessed. But... it was a chance to do something he had thought about often since he first stepped foot on Vylbrand.

After much hemming and hawing, not to mention a healthy dose of liquid courage along the way, Haerund finally gathered up the intestinal fortitude to make his way back to the venue and take them up on their offer. He had been told to come dressed for the job... whatever that meant. Thankfully, his sewing skills and eye for detail were there to save him. Considering the many outfits he had seen performers wear in the past, he had come up with something he thought would fit the bill.Changing backstage was nerve-wracking. Waiting in the wings was doubly so. He didn't even notice when he was announced - partly because he was too focused on his anxiety and partly because... who was Harry Oldman?The same staff member that had come to his stall that day and talked him into coming back was now introducing him on stage. He winked at... Harry... and motioned for him to come center stage as the bard troupe at the back began to play. Haerund did so sheepishly until a roar of applause slammed into him as his imposing figure stepped out from behind the curtain. The audience was... thrilled to see him? The cheers and whistles and catcalls filled his ears and his heart. He found that each step closer to his mark was lighter and springier.When he finally made it and the spotlight at the back of the room hit him, Haerund Ahldmannsyn had left the building. Harry Oldman had arrived.Life remained that way for quite a while. Harry, as he now preferred to be called, was a simple crafter by day and an entertainer extraordinaire by night. The nightlife of Eorzea pulled him in hard and he let it take him full force. Dancing, music, and passions of the flesh. Harry enjoyed them all, determined to live life to its fullest. Eventually, however, all stories come to an end and this particular chapter in Harry's life was no different. But... that's a tale for another time.Since then, Harry's life and interests have changed slightly. He's dabbled in work at other venues, but came to enjoy the freedom that comes along with simply being a patron more. The longing to perform and socialize has never left and, now, he's started his own venue building on his love of performance, community, and skill sets: Steamworks Brewery. He's also now found himself in a relationship for the first time in this left and he's eager to follow this particular path and see where it goes.

WAIT... HAERUND?

Harry Oldman is a stage name and a play on his last name which roughly translates to old man in common tongue. It was given to him by a dear old friend made at the first venue, a house of burlesque, that he worked at not long after coming to Limsa Lominsa. Something about being "... an old soul in a young, built-like-a-brick-shithouse body."Suffice to say, the name stuck and he, being the consummate lover of bad puns and double entendre, adopted it and has used it in place of his given name ever since. You may hear him refer to himself as Harold in a self-deprecating tone on rare occasions, especially when upset with himself about something.

PERSONALITY

Harry is a gentle giant. He loves to have fun, whether that means making it himself or joining in with others. He strives to be kind and caring. He'll offer a shoulder to lean on, an ear to chew on, a gunblade when necessary, and if you need something to ride on, his c... considerably strong shoulders.He's a natural flirt and often can't help himself. Professionally, when acting as a courtesan or host, he carries himself with bravado and talks a big game (and backs it up). When off the clock, though, he's a little more reserved. A little.He loves bad puns and wordplay and will sneak in a double entendre as often as he thinks he can get away with. However, he can be equally serious when the situation calls for it. He's also fiercely protective of those he cares about and will often run in swinging, sometimes at the risk of making things worse, to protect them.

Stats

character hooks

ALL THE WORLD IS A STAGE... — Harry fell in love with the idea of performing on stage when he first witnessed the bards and street performers dotted around Limsa Lominsa. He has worked as a host, dancer, and courtesan over the years and has some stories to tell... if you're brave enough to listen.DON'T LOOK BACK... — Harry has one sore spot in his past - a job (and home) lost because of some very unfortunate circumstances and one very unreasonable Duskwight. He's moved on... mostly... and wouldn't be the Roegadyn he is today without going through it all. However, if you see him studying someone working at a venue, he may just be wistfully thinking of days gone by. He'll talk about it if you coax it out of him sweetly.VENUE HOPPER... — When not lending his skills as an adventurer or master artisan, Harry loves to visit the many varied venues Eorzea has to offer. While he might not openly admit he has a favorite type, bathhouses and gamba halls are among his favorites. If you know of a place where one can lose their shirt (or more, figuratively or literally), all you have to do is say the word.

CONVERSATIONALIST... — Harry loves to talk and listen. If he's not already engaged in a lively discussion with someone, should you meet, striking up a conversation is hardly the worst thing you could do with him.LIFE'S A BEACH... Harry may not spend his days on the open water fishing anymore, but that doesn't mean he's adverse to the ocean. If there's a beach nearby with sun and sand, you'll find it incredibly easy to lead him there. Good luck with dragging him away from it, though.HANDY WITH HIS TOOL... — Harry's creative yearnings go beyond being on stage. He loves to gather and build for himself and others and will happily discuss tricks of the trades with you. Just don't be surprised if you end up with a piece of furniture by the time he's done.WHO'S A GOOD GUARD DOG... Harry is almost always a gentle giant. Almost being the key word. He can quickly flip from dancing to pounding someone's face into the pavement, especially if that someone is being problematic or threatening towards the people he cares about. Fiercely (over)protective to a fault, he'll be right there by your side.

OOC INFORMATION

Howdy! I'm the guy behind Harry Oldman. Well, okay, not literally behind him. He's a top, so...Anyway, while I have been a roleplayer for many years, I have typically relegated my RP to sitting around a table while throwing dice with friends. I started playing Final Fantasy 14 in early 2023. Yes, theoretically, I'm still a baby, but I lost my sprout a while ago and am current in content (through Dawntrail), dammit, so leave me alone.When I started playing the game with friends, we played it like any other MMORPG. I was a former World of Warcraft player, so I had always been more focused on game play and stats and really didn't care much for storylines and definitely never even thought about roleplaying in one.When my friends ditched me to move on to greener pastures as we got to Heavensward - because FFXIV wasn't MMORPG-y enough for them, I guess - I almost gave up on the game myself. However, I stumbled into the more social side of Eorzea quite by accident and let me tell ya... it's been all downhill from there.I started roleplaying, working in venues, and engaging in more... criminal and degenerate activities. The deeper down the rabbit hole I've fallen, the faster I want to keep falling. I've shared in Harry's ups and downs and trials and tribulations, and I've helped him lay more pipe than the Limsa Lominsa Plumbers' Union.What can I say? I'm an easy guy to entertain and please.When I'm not whisking Harry to and fro about The Source and beyond (spoilers!), I'm a chemist by education, so I like to tinker in the lab the way Harry tinkers in his workshop. He and I are alike in that we both love to create as I love to write, 3D print, and cook.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Taken by Freya T., Club Miqo

Outside Harry's shirogane residence

outside harry's mist beach bathhouse

deputy mayor harry oldman, huckleberry saloon

the semen demon, club purrlesque's angels & demons night

Harry the bull, club purrlesque's Buckin' broncos night

pan, the satyr, club purrlesque's midsummer's night event

pwe referee harry, club purrlesque's hustlemania 2023

felt cute before the shift, shinku tatsu

a beary happy pride month

New 'do, steamworks brewery & Barhouse

brewing up the latest batch of bottoms up ale, steamworks brewery