Astrid de Valentione

Astrid de Valentione is a non-playable character in Final Fantasy XIV. She is a recurring character in the seasonal event Valentione's Day. Astrid belongs to the latest generation of House Valentione's emissaries and is Lisette de Valentione's cousin, who Astrid considers as an older sister.
==History==
Astrid is a member of House Valentione, a noble family of Ishgard who visit the city states of Eorzea to celebrate the romantic holiday of Valentione's Day. Every year her cousin, Lisette de Valentione, traveled to either Limsa Lominsa or Gridania, putting herself in charge of delivering treats, matching couples, and ensuring everyone felt cherished by someone around them. Astrid has also begun her own ventures into spreading cheer and love throughout Eorzea, assisting her older sister during the seasonal event. 
===Valentione's Day 2018===
Lisette and her crew collaborated with Sanctum of the Twelve to offer a new matchmaking experience. She asked the Warrior of Light to help trainee Astrid set up an affinity test. The moogles in charge of setting up the site were discouraged by the test and abandoned the work. Astrid became determined to correct the issues raised and make the test suitable for public scrutiny. Hortefense intruded on the conversation and suggested asking a moogle for advice. Although reluctant to accept help, Astrid listened to the advice and set off to meet with Kuplu Kumu, the leader of the Sanctum choir. Kuplu Kumu confessed that he anticipated a problem with the affinity test. While Astrid had tried to bring tangibility to love, love was anything but tangible. Astrid understood that what her test needed was a dose of fun. 
Thanks to Kuplu Kumu's contribution, the affinity test had been raised to acceptable standards of fun. The three moogles returned and completed their work on the spot. Satisfied with the results, Astrid declared the ceremony ready to be opened to the public. Lisette was happy to hear that all was going well. When Astrid returned with the news of the ceremony's positive reception, Lisette took the opportunity to declare her internship closed.
===Valentione's Day 2019===
Astrid, now assuming her role as emissary of House Valentione, believed that the Valentione Ceremony should include love of all persuasions: romantic, familial, and platonic. She asked the Warrior of Light to distribute handwritten invitations throughout Gridania to those who needed the affectionate embrace of the festival. After the task, Astrid witnessed an ugly argument between Taggy and Lisie, two friends who failed the affinity test. Astrid asked the Warrior of Light to chase Lisie while she tried to persuade Taggy to save their friendship before leaving for Ul'dah.
The two friends returned to the amphitheater to apologize. Astrid suggested they try the test again but not before first observing how someone else completed it. After a brief and open discussion, the two friends realized they were approaching the upcoming breakup with different mindsets, which affected their affinity scores. Astrid was thrilled to see their friendship reforged and thanked the Warrior of Light for their help.
===Valentione's Day 2020===
Lisette entrusted the duties of emissary to Astrid. However, upon learning of the decision, Bert and Rodrigault were offended, believing that Lisette chose the inexperienced Astrid because she was her sister, and that one of them would be better suited for the task. Lady Lisette proposed a contest to decide who would be that year's emissary: the three would listen to the plight of a Gridanian and each would offer their advice, and after a vote, and the most insightful and inspired of the three would be declared the winner. After speaking with the anonymous Gridanian, Astrid, Bert, and Rodrigault confidently conveyed to the Warrior of Light the advice they planned to offer the man. Astrid said that because the man occupied a position of importance and influence, it was probably not easy for him to find what he was looking for in his workplace. Astrid proposed he expand his horizons and begin his search for his love among his customers, those who know him well enough to appreciate his strong character.
After the votes were counted, Lisette announced that Astrid was chosen to give the advice. Astrid met with the heretofore masked client, who revealed himself to be Guildmaster Ywain Deepwell of the Lancers' Guild. Although somewhat skeptical, he accepted her suggestion, and the two headed to the Leatherworks' Guild, where Ywain was to deliver a shipment of animal skins. After their arrival, Ywain confessed his love to Guildmaster Geva Storke. While Geva did not seem to appreciate the situation, the naturalist Marcette Manne, who was spying on the collection of rare animal skins in Ywain's possession, swiftly volunteered him to be her newest research assistant, whisking him off to parts unknown without so much as a second thought.
Astrid returned to deliver a report to Lisette who carefully pondered the day's events. Although not entirely convinced at first, after reconsidering the matter for herself, she declared Astrid's trial successful. Astrid rejoiced, and with her sister's blessing, the newly crowned emissary of love stepped confidently into her hard-earned position as mistress of ceremonies for this year's Valentione's Day.
===Valentione's & Little Ladies' Day 2021===
When the Warrior of Light met with Lisette and Astrid, a moogle named Kupka Kupp appeared. Kupka Kupp delivered a letter from his dear friend Elyne to the Warrior of Light and asked for help to encourage Elyne to follow her dream. While observing the Agelyss River in middle La Noscea, Astrid suggested a painting of the sea might help bring Elyne out of her melancholy. Kupka offered his artistic talents and suggested the exotic scent of the region's flowers would add another stimulating element to Elyne's gift. Using pigments prepared by Astrid, the moogle completed the painting and asked them to return with him to Gridania to deliver the gift. Although momentarily excited by the thoughtful gift, Elyne reverted to despondency when pressed to explain her recent lack of enthusiasm. After hearing the inspiring words of the Warrior of Light, Elyne improved her outlook.
Kupka Kupp remembered that he still had love letters to deliver to the Songbirds in Ul'dah. Elyne asked the Warrior of Light to accompany her and Kupka Kupp. Astrid seized the opportunity of the Valentione's Day and Little Ladies' Day celebrations happening concurrently and brought to royal seneschal a missive from Lisette proposing to hold a joint event. Elyne suggested that the Songbirds wear Valentione costumes, a proposal that was enthusiastically received by all involved. Astrid returned to Gridania to make the necessary arrangements. Once back in Ul'dah, Astrid helped the Songbirds put on their new costumes. Upon returning to Gridania, the party reported to Lisette, and Elyne thanked everyone effusively for making her dreams come true. Astrid and Kupka were grateful for the experience, learning that there was more to being an emissary than anyone imagined. Pleased with her pupil's growth, Lisette reassured everyone that Valentione's Day was far from over.
===Valentione's Day 2022===
Due to the postmoogles being overwhelmed with deliveries on Valentione's Day, to help Kupka Kupp a novice messenger named Pukty Piko was brought in who, unfortunately, was ignorant in the ways of the heart. To rectify the situation, Lisette recruited the Warrior of Light and Astrid to help this hopeless moogle. The two accompanied Pukty Piko and her fellow chocobo as she made her rounds, while Astrid and the Warrior of Light instructed her on the myriad meanings of love. After completing the deliveries, Pukty Piko began to understand love a little better. When they returned to report their progress to Kupka Kupp, the moogle was pleased with Pukty Piko's learning.
Kupka Kupp revealed that while making his deliveries, a young Elezen woman named Aloyse begged him to rescind a letter she had posted moments ago but fled before Kupka Kupp could guide her. Kupka Kupp asked them to help him resolve the situation. While Astrid and Kupka Kupp searched the Greatloam Growery, the Warrior of Light and Pukty Piko found Aloyse at the Nophica's Altar. After everyone returned to Mih Khetto's Amphitheatre, Aloyse explained that Ezolmile, an Ishgardian nobleman, had asked for her hand in marriage. Although she was delighted at the prospect of such a happy life with her beloved, she worried that she was not a noble. With her heart heavy with doubt, she retrieved her letter, which contained her acceptance, before it could be sent. Pukty Piko, now understanding the romantic nature better, insisted that she not give up so easily. Aloyse rewrote her message and Kupka Kupp and Pukty Piko set off to deliver it, leaving Aloyse waiting for her beloved's reply.
Anxious, Aloyse headed to where Ezolmile was. Aloyse spied Ezolmile reading the letter and writing a reply. Aloyse returned to Mih Khetto's Amphitheater in all haste to ensure she was present when Kupka Kupp and Pukty Piko returne. In the letter, Ezolmile wrote that nothing could come between them and marital bliss. Ezolmile appeared on the scene and the two left to discuss their future in a more private setting. Pukty Piko was so moved by the sight of the happy couple that her pom-pom turned into the shape of a heart, and she became a full-fledged emissary of ardor and affection.
===Valentione's Day 2023===
Astrid begged Lisette to take the event off and enjoy the festivities herself with her beloved. After much consideration Lisette left the management of the event to Astrid. Once Astrid officially become the event's emissary, she asked the Warrior of Light to accompany new recruit Emilie across Gridania to announce the celebration in her place. While inviting the Gridanians, Emilie confessed her uneasiness about her attire. She revealed that although hesitant, Astrid put on a dress to perform in her sister's place; Emilie felt it was her duty to contrast with Astrid's attire and put on a suit, but she would rather wear something more "adorable and handsome". After encouraging her to share her true feelings with Astrid, the Warrior of Light separated for a while to let Emilie organize her thoughts.
Upon returning to Mih Khetto's Amphitheater, they learned that Astrid was also forcing herself to wear the dress as Lisette's successor. Emilie took the chance to admit her own discomfort, and asked Astrid to consider that love for one's natural preferences was as worthy a love as any other. Astrid was encouraged and decided to put on a suit. Exchanging outfits, Astrid and Emilie continued to facilitate the Valentione's Day celebrations with confidence.
===Valentione's Day 2024===
In need of help, Astrid asked the Warrior of Light to check on Emilie, who was preparing a surprise for the festivities. Astrid thanked them for helping Emilie, who was now ready to reveal her surprise. As she performed the so-called "love heart", explaining that she hoped this expression of affection would inspire others to act on their feelings, Astrid wanted the Warrior of Light to join Emilie in demonstrating it to the townspeople. With perfect timing, Lisette de Valentione entered the stage, eager to help.
After inspiring the Gridanians, they returned to Astrid in the Mih Khetto's Amphitheater. While the Warrior of Light and Emilie shared their experiences with Astrid, Lisette claimed to have seen Hortefense meeting a lover in secret. Although she doubted this claim, Astrid encouraged Lisette to be brave and confront her fiancé so that she could discover the truth about the matter. Finding courage in the symbol of the heart, Lisette left in a rage to show Hortefense the error of her supposed ways. Worried about her sister, Astrid asked the Warrior of Light and Emilie to follow Lisette to the Carline Canopy. With the misunderstanding resolved, Astrid thanked for supporting her sister and expressed her joy that Emilie's tender expression had aroused interest in the heart, the symbol of the festival.
==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
===Personality===
==Behind the scenes==
On Valentione's Day 2020, players chose among three candidates to decide who would be the emissary of the year. Each candidate had a different continuation of the story and the event would be themed with their color: red for Astrid, yellow for Bert, and blue for Rodrigault. For the voting, the player had the option to choose one of the quests , , or , once the player chose one the others became unavailable. The result was calculated separately for each world, so each world would be colored with the color of its respective winner. Unexpectedly, Astrid received an overwhelming number of votes and won in all worlds. Thus the blue and yellow themed versions of the event, as well as the quests and respectively, were never seen in-game.Final Fantasy XIV Developers' Blog - Blue and Yellow, Blue and Yellow, Blue and Yellow
==Gallery==
Astrid from Final Fantasy XIV 2023.png|Astrid during the Valentione's Day 2023.
==Citations==
Category:Characters in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Elezen