• Dressed in rage.

Seraphine was born deep within the winding cave systems that spiderweb beneath the tranquil forest city of Gridania. The caves were a refuge and a home for her early years, a place where the outside world felt distant and the mysteries of the earth whispered through every stone. Raised alongside her siblings by their humble parents—keepers of a small, secluded homestead within the caves—Seraphine’s childhood was simple and sheltered. She learned to respect the land, the flora and fauna, and the subtle magics that flowed through the forest’s heart.Yet, from an early age, Seraphine harbored an unquenchable curiosity that the caves could no longer satisfy. When she came of age, she left behind the safety of Gridania’s underbelly and traveled to Ul’dah, a city of wealth, politics, and endless opportunity. There, she enrolled with the Thaumaturge’s Guild, eager to harness the arcane arts beyond the modest teachings available in the forest. Her studies were rigorous, but her determination unwavering—she knew power was the key to controlling her own fate.It was in Ul’dah’s glittering bazaars and grand halls that Seraphine met Edwin Baker, a young Hyur gentleman whose charm and wealth made him stand out even in a city as lavish as Ul’dah. Edwin was instantly captivated by Seraphine’s intellect, grace, and quiet strength. Their courtship was swift and intense—a whirlwind of candlelit dinners, whispered promises beneath the stars, and dreams of a future built together. Though cautious at first, Seraphine allowed herself to believe in happiness again. After completing her studies, she accepted Edwin’s proposal, and they were married in a ceremony befitting their combined status—elegant, yet intimate.However, their joy was cruelly short-lived. Just months into their marriage, tragedy shattered Seraphine’s world. A band of ruthless thieves, seeking to capitalize on Edwin’s wealth and influence, broke into their home in the dead of night. In the ensuing chaos, Edwin was slain, and Seraphine was left gravely wounded and betrayed. Some whispered of a darker truth behind the attack—questions whispered in shadowed corners about who truly struck the fatal blow. But the local guards, called to the scene, found her barely clinging to life, the once-grand estate stained with the scars of violence.In the wake of this horror, Seraphine inherited everything: the sprawling mansion, Edwin’s considerable fortune, and the management of his lucrative relic business—a network that extended far beyond Ul’dah’s walls to the distant lands of Hingashi and Othard. Thrust into a world of commerce and politics she had never sought, Seraphine adapted quickly, transforming grief into steely resolve. She learned the intricacies of trade negotiations, the dangers of rival factions, and the subtle manipulations of noble society. Today, she remains the undisputed head of the Baker estate, commanding respect and a certain wary admiration from allies and adversaries alike.Yet, as the years passed, Seraphine’s thirst for knowledge and power grew beyond the limits of the Thaumaturge’s Guild teachings. She found herself haunted by the memory of helplessness—the night of the attack, when she could do nothing to save the man she loved. That helplessness bred a hunger for greater strength.Her gaze turned toward her family—her brother, a seasoned adventurer who had journeyed across Eorzea and beyond, collecting odd trinkets and magical artifacts along the way. Among his treasures lay a Black Mage soulstone, an artifact of tremendous arcane potential. Though she knew taking it would mean betraying his trust, Seraphine reasoned that such power was too vital to ignore. If wielded correctly, it could be the key to avenging her past and securing her future.Now, armed with determination and a stolen artifact pulsing with dark power, Seraphine’s path is uncertain. Will she embrace the shadow within and become the master of her own fate—or will the lure of power consume her entirely?