backstory Vyne was born in Gridania, deep in the heart of the Twelveswood. Raised in a small, close-knit village where reverence for nature was paramount, she was taught from a young age to respect the elements and nurture the earth. Her parents were simple folk—her mother a healer, her father a woodworker—instilling in her a love for the natural world and the belief that the land itself was a living entity deserving of care. It was no surprise that she felt drawn to Nophica, the Matron, whose ideals of fertility, growth, and protection of the earth resonated deeply with her.
As a young woman, Vyne apprenticed under a Gridanian botanist, mastering the arts of cultivation, plant identification, and herbal medicine. It was during these early years that she met Eryndel, a fellow botanist and her first love. Eryndel was a free-spirited woman, with laughter in her voice and sunlight in her eyes. She was older than Vyne and had traveled beyond the Twelveswood, bringing back tales of faraway lands and exotic flora. They met while working on a project to restore the health of the Twelveswood’s flora after a harsh drought, their shared love for the earth blossoming into something far deeper.
Eryndel introduced Vyne to a wider world beyond the comforting shade of Gridania’s trees. Together, they ventured into the wilds, collecting rare herbs, studying ancient forests, and cultivating a bond that grew as naturally as the plants they tended. They lived in a small cottage just outside of the city, hidden away in a secluded grove. It was a home they built together, a sanctuary where they could retreat from the world and focus on their love of botany and each other.
Their love was simple, free of the complications of society. Eryndel’s adventurous spirit balanced Vyne’s calm, steady nature, and they dreamed of one day traveling the world together, seeking out every rare bloom and medicinal herb that Eorzea had to offer. Vyne could never have imagined a life without Eryndel by her side, but fate had other plans.
When the Calamity struck, it came like a storm of fire and fury, reshaping the world in its wake. The couple had retreated to their garden the night the sky split open, watching in horror as Dalamud descended. Their peaceful home was caught in the chaos that followed. A violent tremor tore through the ground, and in the ensuing destruction, Eryndel was killed. The pain of losing her love was unbearable for Vyne, who found herself standing amidst the shattered remnants of their life together.
With nowhere else to go, Vyne left the cottage behind, unable to bear the memories that clung to every stone and flower. She wandered aimlessly, seeking refuge in her work, her only remaining solace. For years, she lived in isolation, moving from place to place, gathering herbs and aiding those in need, but never staying long enough to form new bonds. The wound of Eryndel’s loss remained fresh in her heart, and she feared she would never feel whole again.
It was only after time had softened the sharp edges of her grief that Vyne found herself in the Crystarium, where her path crossed with Captain Lyna. At first, Vyne thought nothing of their interactions—just another soldier in need of her herbs. But as their paths continued to cross, something stirred within Vyne that she had thought long buried. The more she came to know Lyna, the more she realized that her heart was not as irreparably broken as she had believed.
Though her first love will always remain a treasured memory, Vyne has found new purpose and love in the quiet strength of Lyna, who helped her see that life can bloom again, even after the darkest of winters.
Vyne’s first encounters with Captain Lyna were professional, born out of necessity rather than choice. As the Crystarium often faced danger, especially with the constant threat of sin eaters, Vyne’s knowledge of healing herbs became invaluable to the city’s defense efforts. Lyna would visit Vyne’s small herb shop within the Crystarium, where she would stock up on salves and potions for her soldiers. Their conversations were brief at first, consisting mostly of business. Lyna was always efficient, focused, and somewhat distant, her mind always on the safety of the people she led.
Yet, there was something about Lyna that intrigued Vyne. Beneath the captain’s steely exterior, Vyne sensed a depth of feeling—a quiet, protective strength not unlike the nurturing essence of the Matron Nophica herself. Lyna’s stoicism reminded Vyne of the unyielding forests that withstood storms, and over time, that strength became a source of comfort.
Gradually, their conversations moved beyond herbs and potions. Lyna began lingering in Vyne’s shop after her duties, speaking of her concerns, her experiences, and her struggles with the burdens of leadership. Vyne, a careful and empathetic listener, found herself drawn to Lyna’s vulnerability, though it was rarely displayed. Lyna, in turn, was struck by Vyne’s quiet wisdom and the calm presence she offered, much like the restorative nature of the plants she worked with.
Their connection deepened as Lyna sought Vyne out not just for her expertise, but for her companionship. They would often meet in the Crystarium gardens, where Vyne would speak of the different herbs and their meanings. These moments were peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding them, and it was in this shared sanctuary that Vyne began to open her heart again. She found herself captivated by Lyna’s strength, not just in battle, but in her resolve to protect those she cared for.
It wasn’t until a particular moment of crisis that their relationship shifted. A major battle had left Lyna’s forces depleted and in need of urgent healing, and Vyne worked tirelessly to provide aid. When Lyna herself was wounded in the fray, she stubbornly refused to rest, insisting that her duty was to her people. Vyne, however, confronted her in a rare moment of assertiveness, refusing to let Lyna continue without caring for herself.
In that charged exchange, something between them broke free. Lyna, so used to being the protector, found herself being cared for, not as a captain, but as a person—something she hadn’t felt in years. Vyne’s gentle insistence and her unwavering concern touched Lyna in a way she had long kept hidden. That night, as Vyne tended to Lyna’s wounds, the walls between them fell, and they shared a quiet understanding of one another’s scars—both emotional and physical.
From that point on, their relationship blossomed into something more intimate. Lyna would visit Vyne not just in her shop but at her small home within the Crystarium. They would spend quiet evenings together, talking about their pasts, their hopes, and their fears. Vyne spoke of Eryndel for the first time, sharing her grief and the love she had lost. Lyna listened with care, offering comfort without judgment. In turn, Vyne learned of Lyna’s own struggles—her isolation as a leader, and the weight of responsibility that often left her feeling alone despite being surrounded by people.
Their love grew slowly but surely, built on mutual respect and a shared understanding of loss and resilience. Lyna found peace in Vyne’s presence, a reprieve from the constant battles she fought, while Vyne discovered that her heart was capable of love again. In Lyna, she found a new beginning—someone who not only understood her grief but helped her see that life could still bloom after the harshest of winters.
Their relationship was not without challenges, as Lyna’s duties often took her away for long stretches of time. But in every reunion, they grew closer, knowing that their love was rooted in something deeper than just the moments they spent together. For Vyne, loving Lyna meant tending to a new garden—a partnership that, much like the plants she cared for, required patience, trust, and nurturing to grow.
