Astin

Astin is a non-player character in Final Fantasy XIV. He is a moneylender who appeared during seasonal event The Rising.
==History==
===Early life===
Astin grew up alongside J'bhen Tia on the streets of Ul'dah. When J'bhen Tia decided to become an artist, Astin used his business talent to get J'bhen the gil he needed to pursue his career. Astin felt that if J'bhen tried to make a living at it, he would lose the essence of what makes his pieces so special and would have to pander to the tastes of wealthy clients. Astin decided he would earn enough for both of them, so that J'bhen would be free to pursue his dreams. But over the years, making a profit became an obsession for Astin. And over time the two grew apart.
Once when J'bhen Tia desperately needed Gil, Astin hired J'bhen to transport some art pieces. However, J'bhen dropped a box containing some valuable stained glass. But instead of swearing or worrying about the money, Astin's reaction was whether J'bhen had cut himself on any of the shards. This made J'bhen believe that Astin was still the child he had known.
===The Rising 2020===
The centerpiece of the Rising festivities was a stained glass artwork by J'bhen Tia. J'bhen chose to depict one of the pivotal moments in Ul'dahn history before the Calamity in which Nanamo Ul Namo addressed the rebellious masses, imploring them to put aside their grievances and instead cooperate for the greater good. To accompany the art piece, a Wandering Minstrel was to perform a recital to commemorate the event, and J'bhen Tia enlisted the help of the Warrior of Light to distribute flyers.
Once meeting with J'bhen Tia, Astin was involved in an argument with a local merchant, and J'bhen Tia tried to smooth the situation over. The artist explains that disputes like these are precisely why he chose the subject for his stained glass art, Astin being an excellent example of someone whose compassionate side is overshadowed by his obsession with making a profit.
With the event about to begin, J'bhen Tia asked Warrior of Light to persuade Astin to attend. Their relationship has been somewhat troubled lately, and J'bhen feels the invitation would be better received if delivered by a third party. Astin said he was fully aware of the exhibition, but decided not to attend. As he is an infamous moneylender, he was concerned that J'bhen Tia's reputation would be damaged if their association became public knowledge. However, he said he would consider accepting the invitation.
The art exhibition and accompanying music, courtesy of the wandering minstrel, are met with resounding applause, and many in the crowd were deeply moved by the message of goodwill towards their fellow man. Astin, who decided to attend, found the tale of the Sultana's Seven particularly relevant to his current situation. He chose to give up the life of a moneylender to return to work as an art dealer and offered to find buyers for J'bhen Tia's stained glass windows. J'bhen Tia was happy for Astin and offers the Warrior of Light his heartfelt thanks for rescuing not only the exhibition but also their friendship. He then mentions that the Wandering Minstrel is looking for the Warrior of Light. The Wandering Minstrel expresses his gratitude for Warrior of Light the Rising's participation that year and offers a song as a reward.
===The Rising 2022===
With Astin's help, J'bhen Tia continued working on his craft. For the Rising that year, Astin organized this street exhibition for J'bhen Tia to display his panel The Sultana's Seven.
==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
===Personality===
==Gallery==
The Rising from FFXIV 2023 artwork.png|Astin and J'bhen Tia in The Rising 2023 artwork.
==Citations==
Category:Characters in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Hyur