Crystal Exarch from Final Fantasy XIV

After receiving some money for Christmas, I've finally decided to start on a doll project I've been wishing for over a year... a custom doll of the Crystal Exarch from Final Fantasy XIV!

** This thread will contain spoilers for the Shadowbringers expansion of Final Fantasy XIV **

 

I'll be using this thread to record progress on the project!

So far, I'm planning to use a spare flesh-coloured DD3 female body with SS-bust, possibly DDH-07 or DD MOMO head with custom faceup, and I'm already in talks with some Taobao sellers for his wig, eyes, tail, ears, and outfit.

 

To-do list:

1. Find a face-up artist for his miqo'te markings and think of a way to achieve the crystal effect on his skin
2. Think of a way to achieve the crystal effect on his right arm and right hand. I may have to settle for making some type of glove out of shimmery blue fabric but I'm open to any and all suggestions!
3. Think of a way to achieve the crystal effect on his neck and/or just go with doing his archon neck tattoos
4. Find or create a 3D model to print for his staff

 

Here's the final look I hope to achieve:

Edited December 27, 2021 by Riesz

Omg, you're attempting something truly wild here! G'raha alone would be a challenge, but Crystal Exarch is a whole other ambitious ballgame. How exciting!

If you're interested in doing some hardcore modding, maybe you could mod a transparent resin arm (Resinsoul offers customs!) to fit on the DD frame somehow? I could also see the potential for replacing cut out pieces of the vinyl torso with UV resin too - maybe you could cut out the appropriate areas, make molds of the vinyl chips you cut out, and cast transparent resin versions that you could glue back onto the vinyl? (idk if that's even sturdy enough to be feasible I'm totally spitballing here)

I could also see getting a decent crystal effect with some of that holographic film I see people put on their art prints sometimes. Maybe you could glue some of that to the vinyl and paint over it!

1 hour ago, Oculae said:

I could also see getting a decent crystal effect with some of that holographic film I see people put on their art prints sometimes. Maybe you could glue some of that to the vinyl and paint over it!

Oh that's a great idea. I was actually just looking at different types of film bc I remembered seeing some crystalline window film. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K8HFCTH/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_AHP4VYGNTVNW30G2VMN9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Finding a sticky kind of thin holographic film would be awesome too though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093KT8JTG/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_JDSH0GQ7248MBFBJD4RQ?psc=1

Edited December 27, 2021 by Riesz

2 minutes ago, Riesz said:

Finding a sticky kind of thin holographic film would be awesome too though

I'll join in on the "spitballing" game, and toss an idea out there.

Possibly checking on a local automotive "Wrap" business might work, especially if they have any scraps from a recent wrap job they've done. 

Automotive Wraps are gaining in popularity, less expensive (mostly) than an actual paint job, and there's plenty of graphics that can be printed, besides just solid colors. 

The adhesive used on it though, I have no idea what it would do to the vinyl underneath it... 

So I actually do have some experience with sculpting in blender but I've never made anything for 3D printers.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2996049

I found this file and I'm gonna try playing around with it to see if I could make something close to a crystalline arm, then get it printed using clear blue filament

Edited December 27, 2021 by Riesz

Just a small update! I found a faceup artist through Etsy who said they'd be up for doing his faceup + crystal painting on his face, neck, and torso and I've ordered the head and torso through Volks to be shipped for painting. ♥ I'm still contemplating doing some 3D sculpted and printed crystal bits to add some dimension but I'm really excited about getting it done by a faceup artist too.

 

One of my favourite Taobao sellers also sent a message saying that they'd be able to do some custom miqo'te ears for him too! Now that they're able to make this shape of ear I gotta get some pink ones for my FFXIV character doll and some white ones for when Y'shtola arrives. 😄 I also get my cat tails from this shop and they do a wonderful job.

I also got an update from the Taobao seller making his outfit but it's gonna take til April for it to be finished since she's so busy. I guess I have a lot of time to get that crystal arm done!

----

Also Taobao was being slow yesterday and wouldn't load some of the product pages so I had to post thumbnails. It's back up today so here are a few bigger pictures of the outfit and wig.

The photography is bad but this shop does great work. I've ordered through her before and I'm always impressed with all the details!

 

This wig is missing the little ponytail braid in the back but I have some small hair pieces on clips from Leeke that I could use to make his braid, then just clip it underneath the back. I think that would be easier than trying to get a totally custom wig done, although I did consider the latter as well since a lot of Taobao shops offer custom wigs. This premade red and white wig is 58 yuan, whereas a custom wig would be 180 yuan. I think this one is probably good enough... 😄

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by Riesz

This is awesome! I want to do just a G’raha myself, but I need the outfit and ears…need ears for my character girl as well.  I do not know Taobao well though.

Your Taobao skills here probably put half the forum to shame. Wild to me that you're able to navigate and use it well enough to have sellers you're familiar with! My foreign butt can hardly even get through a proxy order from there, so I'm super jealous. 🤣

Still though, all this stuff looks excellent! I'm so excited to see him all put together. Especially with a faceup artist crystallizing him. How are they gonna pull THAT off? Exciting!!!

Oooooo this is very exciting~ 

Look who arrived in the mail! 😄 This is exciting but I also have another small update on the doll project!

 

I found a cosplay staff on Taobao that is 3D printed and I'm asking about sizing it down to 60cm from 180cm. Fingers crossed they're able to do it!

 

Also the Taobao seller making the ears has a listing up for it now, so I think others will be able to order through here as well. They do have a lot of other colours of fur but you'd have to message them about making customisations or add it in the order notes. Here's the link -- https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z09.2.0.0.3a142e8dok9cgo&id=665296340548&_u=t201dt9grc8b1b

They also do a wonderful job on doll-sized tails, as well as other types of ears. I was originally using some re-shaped rabbit ears from this shop as my miqo'te ears until I worked up the courage to ask them about the custom ears but I highly recommend them, the quality is great.

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Riesz

Oh wow what a fantastic small update! I am so happy for you!

Also that figure is so cool!! 🥰

I finally have some updates!

I received his wig and eyes from Taobao and some progress photos from the faceup artist.

 

Testing out the wig and eyes on another doll of mine with similar eye shape to the head I'm using for Raha

 

 

Also, here's a video from the artist showing the crystal effects!  I'm sooooo excited about him and the artist has done such an amazing job, I'm truly blown away.

https://www.instagram.com/stories/buittechanaesthetics/2764570352142264163/?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&utm_medium=share_sheet

 

 

~~~

Also unrelated to the doll project, if you play FFXIV on the Crystal data centre, my alt fc NOAH on Coeurl is putting on a Valentine event on Feb 15th and everyone is bringing their G'raha clones out to play music, give out gifts, and blow lots of kisses. If anyone is interested lmk!

Edited February 2, 2022 by Riesz

Oh wow the project is turning out great so far! I'm glad to see other FFXIV fans on here, I'm also making my own G'raha doll but of his 5.3 outfit and style! Really looking forward to seeing how your Exarch looks when he's done! 

Love this so much! I might try to come by your event. I think I have an alt on Coeurl but if not, I can try the new data center travel.  I think we used to be on the same data center (Primal) before things split. I am on Behemoth, FC Nekomimis FTW! 

I have some really exciting news!! I just received the head and torso from the faceup artist, yaaay! 🎊

That also brought back to my mind the realisation that I, uhh, don't have any masculine clothing for my dolls AT ALL since I love all the ultra cutesy, frilly stuff, so... sorry not sorry Raha (I don't think he hates it though) --

 

 

I think the artist did such an amazing job with him and I love how he looks!  I'm going to be writing up a review of the artist on the forums later because they definitely deserve more exposure and business!! 💗

In other news, his ears and tail are completed and I'm just waiting on them to arrive at the Taobao warehouse. Everything got slowed down a bit with Chinese New Year. It'll also be April-May until I get his Crystal Exarch outfit so I'm gonna be waiting a while still to see him fully assembled.

OH! I also did find a BJD-sized staff for him on Taobao and I've ordered that as well. 

 

The only piece that's left really is figuring out the crystal arm. I'll admit I haven't done much on it since I've actually been really busy since the start of the year but I'll try to think about it more. 😭 I may end up just settling with sewing a sleeve for him or something like that since I haven't been able to find a 3D printing facility near me plus I haven't had the time to work on the 3D model either... well, I'll try to figure it out eventually.

 

6 hours ago, Riesz said:

I have some really exciting news!! I just received the head and torso from the faceup artist, yaaay! 🎊

That also brought back to my mind the realisation that I, uhh, don't have any masculine clothing for my dolls AT ALL since I love all the ultra cutesy, frilly stuff, so... sorry not sorry Raha (I don't think he hates it though) --

 

 

I think the artist did such an amazing job with him and I love how he looks!  I'm going to be writing up a review of the artist on the forums later because they definitely deserve more exposure and business!! 💗

In other news, his ears and tail are completed and I'm just waiting on them to arrive at the Taobao warehouse. Everything got slowed down a bit with Chinese New Year. It'll also be April-May until I get his Crystal Exarch outfit so I'm gonna be waiting a while still to see him fully assembled.

OH! I also did find a BJD-sized staff for him on Taobao and I've ordered that as well. 

 

The only piece that's left really is figuring out the crystal arm. I'll admit I haven't done much on it since I've actually been really busy since the start of the year but I'll try to think about it more. 😭 I may end up just settling with sewing a sleeve for him or something like that since I haven't been able to find a 3D printing facility near me plus I haven't had the time to work on the 3D model either... well, I'll try to figure it out eventually.

 

Oh my gosh this is such an exciting update! I am so happy for you!

He's coming along! That faceup does look great. I'm sure he'll look awesome as the rest of his kit comes together, but for now he's an adorable battle maid! :V

ooooooh Raha🥰 Cutest and softest kitten  of all time!

He already look really nice! I can't wait to see him finished!

He looks so good! I need ears and tail for my Raha.

I just heard back from the seller and his staff is done already, wow! I can't wait to have it in-hand.

 

I've been thinking about trying some different eyes on him since, in general, I don't like the look of round, standard BJD eyes on anime dolls as much as oval anime-style eyes.  I did some digging around Taobao and decided to order these to try on him:

 

I'm also playing around with the idea of ordering another blank head and torso to get a Scion G'raha doll done and then I could just swap the heads onto the body depending on who I want, haha. I've already found a good wig for him and he could just use the ears and tail I have coming already. After all, one can never have too many catboys!

 

(gonna braid that mullet! LMAO)

 

Edited February 20, 2022 by Riesz

Omg I guess your G'raha went shopping on mog station! He's looking so cute!

Every time I see this thread pop up it makes me want my own G'raha a little more. Yours is precious!

My baby's ears, tail, anime cat eyes, Exarch staff, and outfit finally arrived from Taobao! Sorry for the bad picture quality, the weather is really grey today.

No Exarch is complete without his own Fat Cat plushie. ♥ I ordered these anime-style cat eyes on Taobao and I like them a lot better than the eyes I used before.

 

Here's a closeup of the staff. Also it's hard to see but I ordered some DIY wig pieces and made him a little braid in the back but it's just pinned for now until I sew it into his wig.

 

Full-length shot of the staff and the outfit I put together! I based this outfit loosely off the outfit he wore in the Ultima Thule cutscene. The staff is SO COOL and I'm really, really happy with it. His tail is super cute and fluffy as well - Catzoo did an amazing job as always on the ears and tails.

 

Here's my little miqo'te family! The pink-haired Momo is my moon cat Warrior of Light but I haven't had the courage yet to paint the face stripes on her cheeks 😄 and Anastasia in the back is modeling the white fuzzy ears and tail I ordered for Y'shtola.

 

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the shop making his Exarch outfit said that it will be finished around April 5th so I'm really excited! I hope to receive it and have him all put together in time for my birthday in May. This has been a pretty lengthy project but I'm super pumped that he's nearly all complete! ♥

Edited March 22, 2022 by Riesz

Here's a list of the shops I used to put him together.

Faceup: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKawaiiPhoenix

Ears & tail: https://rfang.taobao.com/

Wig: https://koneko.taobao.com/

First eyes: https://yymao.taobao.com/

Anime eyes: https://banpaia02.taobao.com/

Exarch outfit: https://shop60320742.taobao.com/

Exarch staff: https://shop128443980.taobao.com/

Casual outfit: https://ta-paradise.taobao.com/

Edited March 22, 2022 by Riesz