Gratus Stormbearer

Gohei: You're the man from yesterday! So, do you believe too that a sword is for protecting people?
Kenshin: No. I believe that a sword is a weapon, and Kendo is a technique for killing. Ms. Kaoru believes that I cannot kill a man... (smiles) I just love her naive impression of me! I wish that it's the truth, but I'm afraid it isn't. - Himora Kenshin

Gratus Stormbearer
Gender	Male
Race	Hyur
Clan	Highlander
Citizenship	Ul'Dah

Basic Info

Full Name : Gratus Stormbearer

Aliases : None

Namesday : 25th Sun, 4th Umbral Moon, year 1550

Age : 28

Marital Status : Single

Current Residence : Ul'Dah.

Occupation : Metal smith

Appearance

Complexion : Tan Hair Color : Black Eyes Color : Light blue Height : 6'6" Weight : 250 ponze. Voice : Masculine, with a hint of authority or command. Clothing Style : Casual Armor : Heavy, though he hasn't been seen wearing it in some time. Preferred Weapon(s) : Sword and shield, though he hasn't been seen with them in some time.

Behavior

Alignment : Lawful Good (LG) Motivations : None. He's lacked real motivation for some time. Disposition : Reserved and quiet. Outlook : Practical Intelligence : Is fairly logically minded, and a decent strategist Religion/Philosophy : Halone, The Fury.

Sexuality : Heterosexual Strengths : Loyal, Brave, Unyielding Flaws : Dwells on past mistakes and lets memories hold him back. Fears: Repeating past mistakes, losing close friends. Misc. Quirks : Though somber and solitary, he still seems quick to defend others without thought.

Interests

Likes ■ Working at a forge ■ Creating quality peices ■ A good drink ■ An interesting tale ■ A good meal

Dislikes ■ Rude/Obnoxious people ■ Those who take advantage of the innocent ■ Commanders who undervalue their men. ■ Less then quality workmanship. ■ Speaking about his past.

Skills/Talent ■ Highly skilled with a blade ■ Athletic and muscular ■ Skilled in all forms of Metal Smithing ■ Experienced Troop Commander ■ Moderate talents in white magic

Hobbies ■ Skilled Blacksmith ■ Skilled Armorsmith ■ Skilled Goldsmith ■ Skilled Miner ■ Skilled Fisher

Favorites ■ Favorite Food/Drink: Steak, Red Wine ■ Favorite Scent: Ocean breeze ■ Favorite Color: Silver ■ Favorite Place: Horizon ■ Favorite Fesitval: None

History

Origins

Gratus was born to Arin and Eric Stormbearer on the 25th Sun, 4th Umbral Moon, year 1550. At a healthy 10 ponze already, the couple knew their boy would grow to be rather tall someday. Eric, a member of the Sultansworn and Arin, a lesser nobles daughter, worked hard to give Gratus the kind of upbringing that would make them proud.

At a young age, Eric began to train Gratus in swordplay. His skills sharpened quickly, so that by the time he reached his eighteenth birthday his talent with a blade was unquestionable. His father's eyes filled with pride when he would talk of his son and how he would soon become a Sultansworn, following in his father's footsteps.

That, however, was not Gratus's plan. Guarding a silly highborn fool, standing around doing nothing all day, the thought of that life, left him bored and disinterested. It was the stories he was hearing that had his attention. Clashes between pirates and Sahagin, companies of adventurers raising steel against Titan and Leviathan. Against his families wishes, Gratus set out to be an adventurer.

Before Dalamud's Fall

It was only a year or so afterwards that the Lambs of Dalamud began their foul work. They thought the scent of fresh blood would attract the spirit in the moon lower, enticing it to purge the land. To aid their plan, they began to lure adventurers to their death, sometimes with false cries of family members in peril. One follower in particular, however, decided that real captives would add to the blood and put him above the others in the eyes of his savior.

On one of his trips through Ul'Dah, Gratus learned that it was his own family that had been taken by this madman, and that many adventurers had already been lured to their deaths trying to free them. His rage knew no limit, both for the cultist and himself, for if he had stayed and become Sultansworn as his parents wished, he might have been there to protect them.

Gratus began his own investigation into his parents disappearance. After a few weeks, and much of his adventuring coin, the trail finally led him to the culprits lair. The tricks and traps of the cultist that had flailed so many others seemed to be shed like water off his plate-mail, that ever building fury directing him deeper and deeper into the cave. The Thaumaturge quickly became fearful of the expression on the young man's face, even as he hurled spell after spell.

Gratus, using the shield of his father, was able to survive the worst of the flames, driving towards the mage who now swore he faced a demon. Once they were only a few fulam apart, the boy raised his sword, bringing it down just as the mage released another spell. The collision of steel and magic erupting in a small area sent both men flying. When Gratus awoke, the mage was gone. The cave contained the remains of adventurers sacrificed to Dalamud in a blood ritual, and among the fallen, his family.

Determined to honor his father, and right his past mistakes, Gratus took up his sword, joining the Sultansworn.

After Dalamud's Fall

Dalamud's Fall... all of the Eorzean Alliance lined up against the Vllth legion in a battle to end them all. The Alliance needed to hold Mor Dhona as a grounds for the ritual to stop Dalamud's descent. Among the companies of soldiers, adventurers and mercenaries, stood the Sultansworn. Those not currently guarding the Sultana were folded into the ranks of the great host on that field, as no man could be spared from such an important mission. With them was Gratus. The lad had done well among the Sultansworn, rising in rank until he commanded a small contingent of his own men. His unit had functioned well together so far, showing a strength and courage that made the young man proud to lead them.

The battle raged back and forth, and though the Alliance at times seemed to win, the Vllth legion would push back and retake ground. Even as they fought, the moon cracked over head, spewing fire and debris across the field of battle, but still the alliance did not back. Not until the mighty Bahamut broke free of his prison and began a rain of flame and destruction.

Given the order to fall back, Gratus let his code clash with his orders. Instead of ordering his men into a retreat, he moved them to help cover the escape of the adventurers and mercenaries. His men held well, fighting off legion of Vllth soldiers even as fire and rock slammed down around them. But even men as brave as these can't hold forever. The chaos was taking its toll, and one by one his men started to fall. What happened next, no one really knows, only that a blinding light covered the battlefield, and when Gratus awoke, he was alone.

He returned to Ul'Dah, finding that none of his men had yet done so. He held out hope for some time, but soon enough he started to accept the truth. They were gone, he had led them to their deaths. The young man renounced his rank and hung up his sword, swearing to never drawl it again.

Recent History

Since then, Gratus has lived as a Metalsmith. Skilled with Armor, Weapons and even softer metals and jewelry. He strives to work hard in his craft, and produce only quality goods. He's determined that in his crafting, he will never make a mistake that might lead to another death, and so countless items that would be perfectly serviceable find themselves on the scrap-pile after a single glance of his overly critical eyes.

PLOT INFORMATION

Gratus' need to protect others and keep people safe, as well as his belief system and moral code, will not let him idly watch while others are in trouble. In the old days, when other Sultansworn patrolled Uld'ah, he could relax, knowing people were protected. But having not seen any of the old protectors; Ser Crofte, Ser Sadowynn or any others in some time; Gratus does not rest well at all. In truth, each night that he lays down to sleep, his body rises again a short time later, donning the armor and sword he swore to never lift again, and beginning to patrol the streets of the desert city, all without the former Sworn knowing it.

Character Relations

Family

■ Father: Eric Stormbearer (Deceased)

■ Mother: Arin Stormbearer (Deceased)

■ Wife: None

■ Child: None

Relationships ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire    ♥ Platonic Love      ● Good Standing     ● Neutral Standing    ● Poor Standing    ! Recent Standing Change ♥  : ♥  : ●  : ●  :

Rumors Some of these rumors are untrue or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to message me rumors you've heard! ◢ Common Rumors (Easily overheard) ■ Gratus used to be a member of the Sultansworn ■ He often throws out his own creations that don't meet his standards of quality. ◢ Moderate Rumors (Moderately difficult to overhear) ■He was the only survivor of his detail. ■He has spent hours destroying and remaking the same piece until it fits his standards ◢ Rare Rumors (Very difficult or rarely overheard) ■ He spends the anniversary of his parents death at their grave-site. ■ He can rarely be heard whispering names to himself when faced with a tough choice ◢ PC Rumors (Rumors from the character's of other players) ■ ■

Affiliations

The Immortal Flames (Flame Sergeant)

Gallery

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Annotations

Character Comparisons: Final Fantasy Characters: Auron (X), Snow (XIII), Adelbert Steiner (IX);

Other Similar Characters: Himora Kenshin (Samurai X), Syaoran (Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles)

Theme Song: Disturbed - Indestructible. Nickleback - This means War. Creed- Freedom Fighter.

TV Tropes: Regretful Soldier

Template credit goes to Arianne Beaudonet, visit her wiki for further credits