RPC Library - User contributions [en]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-12-09T22:13:43Z

C'kayah Polaali:

File:C'kayahHeirophant.png

2016-12-09T22:12:50Z

C'kayah Polaali:

C'kayah Polaali

2016-12-09T22:07:39Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Other Relationships */

C'kayah Polaali

2016-12-09T21:59:04Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Family */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual relocation to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet only one (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Polaali]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

::* "Oh yes, my dear brother. Yes, he's a fun one..." she begins to trail off. "Kayah is a good man, and a brother as well. If it wasn't for him, I would be rotting in the streets." - [[C'anmaia Polaali]]

::* "Oh and one more thing. If anyone breaks his heart, they can expect to meet my fists. And if they're lucky... my fangs too." - [[C'anmaia Polaali]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her slave while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated alongside his sister with the shadowy organization The Black Coeurl.

==Character Addenda==
===OOC Notes===
''Character Inspirations:''
::*Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
::*The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
::*Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
===IC Connections===
''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
::*Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
::*Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
::*Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-12-01T20:49:36Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* C'kayah, Investor */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual relocation to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Polaali]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

::* "Oh yes, my dear brother. Yes, he's a fun one..." she begins to trail off. "Kayah is a good man, and a brother as well. If it wasn't for him, I would be rotting in the streets." - [[C'anmaia Polaali]]

::* "Oh and one more thing. If anyone breaks his heart, they can expect to meet my fists. And if they're lucky... my fangs too." - [[C'anmaia Polaali]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her slave while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated alongside his sister with the shadowy organization The Black Coeurl.

==Character Addenda==
===OOC Notes===
''Character Inspirations:''
::*Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
::*The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
::*Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
===IC Connections===
''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
::*Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
::*Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
::*Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-08-14T18:52:11Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Family */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual relocation to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Polaali]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

::* "Oh yes, my dear brother. Yes, he's a fun one..." she begins to trail off. "Kayah is a good man, and a brother as well. If it wasn't for him, I would be rotting in the streets." - [[C'anmaia Polaali]]

::* "Oh and one more thing. If anyone breaks his heart, they can expect to meet my fists. And if they're lucky... my fangs too." - [[C'anmaia Polaali]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her slave while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization [[http://nymeiasweb.enjin.com/ Nymeia's Web]].

==Character Addenda==
===OOC Notes===
''Character Inspirations:''
::*Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
::*The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
::*Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
===IC Connections===
''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
::*Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
::*Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
::*Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Aliapoh

2016-06-22T00:31:41Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Character */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Aliapoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 30
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

[[File:Setoh_Musician.png|right|thumbnail]]

=== General ===

'''Setoh Aliapoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. He dislikes spending much time in any city-state, instead traveling in the pursuit of his interests. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark hair and eyes that he frequently colors. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

Restless and easily bored, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

<blockquote>
"Ask the right questions. You wanna know how I beat 'em? The question isn't how'd I win. The question is, why'd they lose?"
</blockquote>

=== General ===

Setoh is highly skilled and versatile in both armed and unarmed combat, and delights in battle. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. Setoh is also a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation, and will use these abilities during combat. He is able to withstand excessive amounts of pain for extended amounts of time, particularly when properly motivated. He dislikes armor, and does not use it.

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"What can you say about Setoh? He is a fully-embraced fiend."
</blockquote>

At first glance, Setoh is something of a paradox. He is intelligent and well educated, with a curious mind and a willingness to put great effort into learning. At the same time, he lives for the moment and will often abandon perfectly sound plans, spurred by brief moments of boredom.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Battle
::*Clever conversation
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless
::*Wanton destruction
::*Those who make claims above their station

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*Setoh is an avid reader and will happily spend days pouring over interesting books.
::*He is a gourmet and an excellent cook.

== Relationships ==

<blockquote>
"Now we just let them come to a simmering boil, then remove to a low flame."
</blockquote>

{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'kayah Polaali]]:''' An Ul'dahn criminal that Setoh has done work for in the past.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholi Polaali]]:''' The former Vice Matron of the Morbolvine clan, Setoh spent six months as her contracted right hand, and maintains an odd friendship with the woman.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Savo Kesslivang]]:''' This emaciated, flea-ridden, hygiene-impaired street Miqo'te sometimes sells information to him. He won't admit it to anyone, but he has something of a soft spot for the girl.
::{{rel_redheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Venus Greyrider]]:''' A former Ul'dahn courtesan turned torturer, the pair developed an unlikely friendship that grew into the first romance either had experienced.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"This should be a kick."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"Setoh? Hm. Well there's a lot to him... Though I know he's '''very'''... durable." - '''[[Venus Greyrider]]'''

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

Setoh was born Seri'to Viqqoh to the Strixclaw clan in the deep Shroud. A bright an inquisitive child, his first fifteen years saw Seri'to climbing (literally) all over the Strixclaw manor, frequently getting in trouble with the Matron of the clan. On his sixteenth birthday, the growing tug of the outside world drew him away from the opressive house and into the Shroud at large. A skilled Moonkeeper hunter could often find work at that time, especially if he was willing to overlook the details of the job, and Seri'to took to this life readily. Over time his willingness to do anything required, combined with his abilities, led him into darker and more lucrative work.

As the Garlean threat grew in the Shroud, the conjurers of Gridania began to accept large numbers of new pupils. Seeing the benefit of this, Seri'to studied with them for a number of years, developing a solid foundation of conjury which he used to compliment his existing skills.

=== 1572/0-Present ===

The Strixclaw clan was decimated during the Calamity, with their much reduced numbers retreating into the depths of the forest. At the same time, Seri'to began to make a name for himself in the underworld of Gridania and Ul'dah. An unexpected protective impulse caused him to change the name he used to Setoh Aliapoh, to prevent any enemies he made from tracing a line from him to the Strixclaws.

While he continues to work professionally for others, he has begun to dabble with the idea of buying and selling information and acquiring the sort of wealth that his patrons typically display. Only time will tell if his nature will allow him to focus on this for long.

==Character Addenda==
===OOC Notes===
''Character Inspirations:''
::*Spike (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
::*Ningauble (from Fritz Leiber)
===IC Connections===
''Your character might know Setoh from:''
::*The Underworld- Setoh has done quite a bit of mercenary work. Lately, most of it has been fairly specialized work in the aftermath of a crime gone wrong. Perhaps you have hired him, or perhaps you know someone who's encountered him?
::*Information- Setoh has lately begun to parlay his extensive network of contacts into a small business buying and selling secrets. Perhaps you have bought secrets from him in the past, or perhaps he's sold secrets that have wronged you?

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Aliapoh

2016-06-22T00:30:01Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Character */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Aliapoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 30
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

[[File:Setoh_Musician.png]]

=== General ===

'''Setoh Aliapoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. He dislikes spending much time in any city-state, instead traveling in the pursuit of his interests. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark hair and eyes that he frequently colors. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

Restless and easily bored, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

<blockquote>
"Ask the right questions. You wanna know how I beat 'em? The question isn't how'd I win. The question is, why'd they lose?"
</blockquote>

=== General ===

Setoh is highly skilled and versatile in both armed and unarmed combat, and delights in battle. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. Setoh is also a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation, and will use these abilities during combat. He is able to withstand excessive amounts of pain for extended amounts of time, particularly when properly motivated. He dislikes armor, and does not use it.

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"What can you say about Setoh? He is a fully-embraced fiend."
</blockquote>

At first glance, Setoh is something of a paradox. He is intelligent and well educated, with a curious mind and a willingness to put great effort into learning. At the same time, he lives for the moment and will often abandon perfectly sound plans, spurred by brief moments of boredom.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Battle
::*Clever conversation
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless
::*Wanton destruction
::*Those who make claims above their station

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*Setoh is an avid reader and will happily spend days pouring over interesting books.
::*He is a gourmet and an excellent cook.

== Relationships ==

<blockquote>
"Now we just let them come to a simmering boil, then remove to a low flame."
</blockquote>

{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'kayah Polaali]]:''' An Ul'dahn criminal that Setoh has done work for in the past.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholi Polaali]]:''' The former Vice Matron of the Morbolvine clan, Setoh spent six months as her contracted right hand, and maintains an odd friendship with the woman.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Savo Kesslivang]]:''' This emaciated, flea-ridden, hygiene-impaired street Miqo'te sometimes sells information to him. He won't admit it to anyone, but he has something of a soft spot for the girl.
::{{rel_redheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Venus Greyrider]]:''' A former Ul'dahn courtesan turned torturer, the pair developed an unlikely friendship that grew into the first romance either had experienced.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"This should be a kick."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"Setoh? Hm. Well there's a lot to him... Though I know he's '''very'''... durable." - '''[[Venus Greyrider]]'''

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

Setoh was born Seri'to Viqqoh to the Strixclaw clan in the deep Shroud. A bright an inquisitive child, his first fifteen years saw Seri'to climbing (literally) all over the Strixclaw manor, frequently getting in trouble with the Matron of the clan. On his sixteenth birthday, the growing tug of the outside world drew him away from the opressive house and into the Shroud at large. A skilled Moonkeeper hunter could often find work at that time, especially if he was willing to overlook the details of the job, and Seri'to took to this life readily. Over time his willingness to do anything required, combined with his abilities, led him into darker and more lucrative work.

As the Garlean threat grew in the Shroud, the conjurers of Gridania began to accept large numbers of new pupils. Seeing the benefit of this, Seri'to studied with them for a number of years, developing a solid foundation of conjury which he used to compliment his existing skills.

=== 1572/0-Present ===

The Strixclaw clan was decimated during the Calamity, with their much reduced numbers retreating into the depths of the forest. At the same time, Seri'to began to make a name for himself in the underworld of Gridania and Ul'dah. An unexpected protective impulse caused him to change the name he used to Setoh Aliapoh, to prevent any enemies he made from tracing a line from him to the Strixclaws.

While he continues to work professionally for others, he has begun to dabble with the idea of buying and selling information and acquiring the sort of wealth that his patrons typically display. Only time will tell if his nature will allow him to focus on this for long.

==Character Addenda==
===OOC Notes===
''Character Inspirations:''
::*Spike (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
::*Ningauble (from Fritz Leiber)
===IC Connections===
''Your character might know Setoh from:''
::*The Underworld- Setoh has done quite a bit of mercenary work. Lately, most of it has been fairly specialized work in the aftermath of a crime gone wrong. Perhaps you have hired him, or perhaps you know someone who's encountered him?
::*Information- Setoh has lately begun to parlay his extensive network of contacts into a small business buying and selling secrets. Perhaps you have bought secrets from him in the past, or perhaps he's sold secrets that have wronged you?

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

File:Setoh Musician.png

2016-06-22T00:28:35Z

C'kayah Polaali:

Setoh Aliapoh

2016-06-22T00:26:41Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Character Addenda */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Aliapoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 30
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Aliapoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. He dislikes spending much time in any city-state, instead traveling in the pursuit of his interests. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark hair and eyes that he frequently colors. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

Restless and easily bored, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

<blockquote>
"Ask the right questions. You wanna know how I beat 'em? The question isn't how'd I win. The question is, why'd they lose?"
</blockquote>

=== General ===

Setoh is highly skilled and versatile in both armed and unarmed combat, and delights in battle. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. Setoh is also a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation, and will use these abilities during combat. He is able to withstand excessive amounts of pain for extended amounts of time, particularly when properly motivated. He dislikes armor, and does not use it.

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"What can you say about Setoh? He is a fully-embraced fiend."
</blockquote>

At first glance, Setoh is something of a paradox. He is intelligent and well educated, with a curious mind and a willingness to put great effort into learning. At the same time, he lives for the moment and will often abandon perfectly sound plans, spurred by brief moments of boredom.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Battle
::*Clever conversation
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless
::*Wanton destruction
::*Those who make claims above their station

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*Setoh is an avid reader and will happily spend days pouring over interesting books.
::*He is a gourmet and an excellent cook.

== Relationships ==

<blockquote>
"Now we just let them come to a simmering boil, then remove to a low flame."
</blockquote>

{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'kayah Polaali]]:''' An Ul'dahn criminal that Setoh has done work for in the past.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholi Polaali]]:''' The former Vice Matron of the Morbolvine clan, Setoh spent six months as her contracted right hand, and maintains an odd friendship with the woman.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Savo Kesslivang]]:''' This emaciated, flea-ridden, hygiene-impaired street Miqo'te sometimes sells information to him. He won't admit it to anyone, but he has something of a soft spot for the girl.
::{{rel_redheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Venus Greyrider]]:''' A former Ul'dahn courtesan turned torturer, the pair developed an unlikely friendship that grew into the first romance either had experienced.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"This should be a kick."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"Setoh? Hm. Well there's a lot to him... Though I know he's '''very'''... durable." - '''[[Venus Greyrider]]'''

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

Setoh was born Seri'to Viqqoh to the Strixclaw clan in the deep Shroud. A bright an inquisitive child, his first fifteen years saw Seri'to climbing (literally) all over the Strixclaw manor, frequently getting in trouble with the Matron of the clan. On his sixteenth birthday, the growing tug of the outside world drew him away from the opressive house and into the Shroud at large. A skilled Moonkeeper hunter could often find work at that time, especially if he was willing to overlook the details of the job, and Seri'to took to this life readily. Over time his willingness to do anything required, combined with his abilities, led him into darker and more lucrative work.

As the Garlean threat grew in the Shroud, the conjurers of Gridania began to accept large numbers of new pupils. Seeing the benefit of this, Seri'to studied with them for a number of years, developing a solid foundation of conjury which he used to compliment his existing skills.

=== 1572/0-Present ===

The Strixclaw clan was decimated during the Calamity, with their much reduced numbers retreating into the depths of the forest. At the same time, Seri'to began to make a name for himself in the underworld of Gridania and Ul'dah. An unexpected protective impulse caused him to change the name he used to Setoh Aliapoh, to prevent any enemies he made from tracing a line from him to the Strixclaws.

While he continues to work professionally for others, he has begun to dabble with the idea of buying and selling information and acquiring the sort of wealth that his patrons typically display. Only time will tell if his nature will allow him to focus on this for long.

==Character Addenda==
===OOC Notes===
''Character Inspirations:''
::*Spike (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
::*Ningauble (from Fritz Leiber)
===IC Connections===
''Your character might know Setoh from:''
::*The Underworld- Setoh has done quite a bit of mercenary work. Lately, most of it has been fairly specialized work in the aftermath of a crime gone wrong. Perhaps you have hired him, or perhaps you know someone who's encountered him?
::*Information- Setoh has lately begun to parlay his extensive network of contacts into a small business buying and selling secrets. Perhaps you have bought secrets from him in the past, or perhaps he's sold secrets that have wronged you?

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-06-22T00:25:19Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Character Addenda */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual relocation to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Xin]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her slave while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization [[http://nymeiasweb.enjin.com/ Nymeia's Web]].

==Character Addenda==
===OOC Notes===
''Character Inspirations:''
::*Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
::*The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
::*Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
===IC Connections===
''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
::*Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
::*Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
::*Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-06-22T00:22:42Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* C'kayah, Investor */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual relocation to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Xin]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her slave while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization [[http://nymeiasweb.enjin.com/ Nymeia's Web]].

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-06-22T00:21:42Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* 1565-1572 The carefree life */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual relocation to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Xin]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her slave while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization Nymeia's Web.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-06-22T00:20:45Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual relocation to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Xin]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization Nymeia's Web.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-06-22T00:16:29Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Behavior */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual relocation to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Xin]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization Nymeia's Web.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-06-22T00:15:47Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Other Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual retirement to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Xin]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization Nymeia's Web.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-06-22T00:14:24Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Family */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual retirement to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Xin]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization Nymeia's Web.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2016-06-22T00:14:05Z

C'kayah Polaali: Welcome back, C'kayah

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual retirement to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
{{rel_complicated_legend}}

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like {{rel_greendot}}, {{rel_greydot}}, and {{rel_reddot}}:

{{rel_pinkheart}} implies {{rel_blackheart}} 
{{rel_redheart}} implies both {{rel_pinkheart}} and {{rel_blackheart}}
{{rel_purpleheart}} doesn't really imply anything at all. It's complicated...''

=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_greydot}} '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' A cousin from within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power. Mholi has since fled the Morbolvine clan, and taken refuge with C'kayah in Nymeia's Web.
::{{rel?greendot}} '''[[C'anmaia Xin]]:''' C'kayah recently ran across his sister, who had also left the tribe to come to Ul'dah. The pair have since become inseparable, a small but strong kernel of family within Nymeia's Web. C'anmaia shares C'kayah's social, inquisitive nature and flirts heavily with many people, including her brother.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_greydot}} '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::{{rel_blackheart}}{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::{{rel_greydot}} '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::{{rel_greendot}}{{rel_reddot}} '''[[Vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::{{rel_greendot}} '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud.

=== Retirement ===
With the passage of time, he has grown to realize that he has - at least for the present - given his enemies the slip. Leaving the shroud, he has retired to La Noscea to enjoy life.

=== C'kayah, Investor ===
Finding himself with more money than he knew what to do with, and growing tired of "sitting on a beach earning twenty percent", C'kayah has recently resurfaced, associated with the shadowy organization Nymeia's Web.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Crime - C'kayah's association with various crime organizations has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-09-10T00:25:26Z

C'kayah Polaali: Redirected page to Setoh Aliapoh

#REDIRECT [[Setoh Aliapoh]]

Setoh Aliapoh

2015-09-10T00:24:34Z

C'kayah Polaali: Created page with "{{Ic}} {{Ooc info}} {{Infobox-character | name = Setoh Aliapoh | image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png | imagewidth = 250 | caption = | title = | gender = Male | citizenship = None | rac..."

C'kayah Polaali

2015-09-01T18:58:50Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* 1572/0-Present Calamity */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual retirement to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::● '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who he was close to for a while. Their relationship was complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly valued her judgement, and made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship grew from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither shared the details of their relationship with strangers. With Kenthy's return to her tribe and C'kayah's departure from Tylwyth Narah, it is clear that whatever they had is now past. For his part, C'kayah does not speak of it.
::● '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' Another cousin within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae duskseeker|Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man until his eventual disappearance.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::●● '''[[R'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah is immediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love. When her enemies closed in on her, he offered her sanctuary within Tylwyth Narah. This proved to be the beginning of the end for them, however. She since departed with no explanation and he has not seen her since.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

::* "Eh heh heeeh, Ay know 'em, Cee, ay mean. Mysterious type of fella. De aire about heem ees one of,...Mm danger? Dangerous ees also a good descriptive word." - [[Memith Ganajai]]
== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy escape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. With Kenthy's disappearance, he shouldered the full load of leading the organization, leading to a breakdown of Thompsonesque proportions. Fleeing Thanalan with his significant wealth, pursued by the plots of an enemy he took into his ranks, he has gone into hiding in the Shroud

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-09-01T18:33:21Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Other Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual retirement to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::● '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who he was close to for a while. Their relationship was complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly valued her judgement, and made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship grew from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither shared the details of their relationship with strangers. With Kenthy's return to her tribe and C'kayah's departure from Tylwyth Narah, it is clear that whatever they had is now past. For his part, C'kayah does not speak of it.
::● '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Mholii Polaali]]:''' Another cousin within the Morbolvine clan. When [[Miah Polaali]] was supposedly killed, young Mholii stepped in as Matriarch of the clan and came to C'kayah for help. He agreed to advise her as she developed her base of power.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae duskseeker|Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man until his eventual disappearance.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::●● '''[[R'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah is immediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Over time they have grown more distant until, with Roswyn's disappearance, he has moved on.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love. When her enemies closed in on her, he offered her sanctuary within Tylwyth Narah. This proved to be the beginning of the end for them, however. She since departed with no explanation and he has not seen her since.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

::* "Eh heh heeeh, Ay know 'em, Cee, ay mean. Mysterious type of fella. De aire about heem ees one of,...Mm danger? Dangerous ees also a good descriptive word." - [[Memith Ganajai]]
== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-09-01T18:24:46Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Behavior */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence could be felt throughout Thanalan before his eventual retirement to the Shroud.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Ohditra]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Ohditra on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::● '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae duskseeker|Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::● '''[[Neveah Molkot]]:''' A young Keeper woman whom C'kayah befriended recently. While he had originally considered recruiting her into Tylwyth Narah, their relationship has moved away from that organization. Her disappearance plunged him into depression for a time, but he has since come to terms with the fact that she simply wished to be gone.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::●● '''[[R'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah is immediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love. When her enemies closed in on her, he offered her sanctuary within Tylwyth Narah. This proved to be the beginning of the end for them, however. She since departed with no explanation and he has not seen her since.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ain't seen nor heard from him since that Redgrave business. Not sure I want to, either. Like as naught, anythin' I hear is somethin' I'll be needin' t'deal with. I've enough on my plate already without addin' Kayah to the mix." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

::* "Eh heh heeeh, Ay know 'em, Cee, ay mean. Mysterious type of fella. De aire about heem ees one of,...Mm danger? Dangerous ees also a good descriptive word." - [[Memith Ganajai]]
== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-07-03T00:31:42Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Other Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::● '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae duskseeker|Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::● '''[[Neveah Molkot]]:''' A young Keeper woman whom C'kayah befriended recently. While he had originally considered recruiting her into Tylwyth Narah, their relationship has moved away from that organization. Her disappearance plunged him into depression for a time, but he has since come to terms with the fact that she simply wished to be gone.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::●● '''[[R'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah is immediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love. When her enemies closed in on her, he offered her sanctuary within Tylwyth Narah. This proved to be the beginning of the end for them, however. She since departed with no explanation and he has not seen her since.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-07-03T00:29:16Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* 1572/0-Present Calamity */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::● '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae duskseeker|Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::● '''[[Neveah Molkot]]:''' A young Keeper woman whom C'kayah befriended recently. While he had originally considered recruiting her into Tylwyth Narah, their relationship has moved away from that organization. Her disappearance plunged him into depression for a time, but he has since come to terms with the fact that she simply wished to be gone.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::●● '''[[R'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah is immediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love. When her enemies closed in on her, he offered her sanctuary within Tylwyth Narah. This proved to be the beginning of the end for them, however. She since departed with no explanation and he has not seen her since.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-06-23T23:49:34Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Former Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship has sometimes been rocky, but they have gradually developed an enduring respect for one another that proved to be the foundation of a solid friendship.
::● '''[[Kytauna Dusksong]]:''' The Lady Dusk to him, he has developed a strange connection to this powerful Duskwight mage. While they are sometimes seen conferring together, the exact nature of their alliance remains a mystery. Those close to him recognize that he views his relationship with her as particularly important.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[L'lani Tyata]]:''' C'kayah recruited L'lani into Tylwyth Narah, and developed a strong friendship with the woman. She has since become both personally important to him as well as powerful within Tylwyth Narah. She currently leads the Guiding Hand Trade Concern.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae duskseeker|Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::● '''[[Neveah Molkot]]:''' A young Keeper woman whom C'kayah befriended recently. While he had originally considered recruiting her into Tylwyth Narah, their relationship has moved away from that organization. Her disappearance plunged him into depression for a time, but he has since come to terms with the fact that she simply wished to be gone.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::●● '''[[R'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, they have over time become solid allies.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah is immediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love. When her enemies closed in on her, he offered her sanctuary within Tylwyth Narah. This proved to be the beginning of the end for them, however. She since departed with no explanation and he has not seen her since.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

::* "C. Were I to lead a business myself, I would choose to take after his example. He has my respect; something I do not easily give out." - [['Lynx'|Lynx]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. Rumors have surfaced recently that he has abandoned both the GHTC and Tylwyth Narah, but whatever the truth of that is he will not say.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-05-02T15:34:29Z

C'kayah Polaali: Happy birthday

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 31
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship. Since the dissolution of the Morbolvine clan, they have made overtures towards one another through emissaries, leaving the state of their relationship fuzzy.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::●● '''[[L'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, it has so far avoided falling into open hostility.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae duskseeker|Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::♥● '''[[Neveah Molkot]]:''' A young Keeper woman whom C'kayah befriended recently. While he had originally considered recruiting her into Tylwyth Narah, their relationship has moved away from that organization. They don't see a great deal of one another, but they both value the time they have together tremendously.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::♥● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they have continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. Rumors have surfaced recently that he has abandoned both the GHTC and Tylwyth Narah, but whatever the truth of that is he will not say.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Akira Dhavha

2015-04-13T18:10:05Z

C'kayah Polaali:

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}
{{Infobox-character
| name = Akira Dhavha
| image = Akira.jpg
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = The Wraith
| gender = Female
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 26
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 0 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Sporadic times - Around often!
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Akira Dhavha''' is a very cold and isolated sun seeker. She is incredibly scarred, from head to foot. Though she doesn't exactly wear clothing that covers a lot of flesh, her scars are always on display for the world to see. Even though she has a very cold and icy exterior, she doesn't seem to care that she so evidently shows the stories of her past. They are there, and she has no interest in hiding them from the world.

The woman is for all intents and purposes a mercenary. She does contracts, hunt marks, and protection detail when the money pays well enough.

What the wider public doesn't know, is that she is an incredibly well trained assassin.

=== Appearance ===

The diminutive redhead is beautiful. Even her scars don't take away from her short and lithe figure. The woman holds herself gracefully, and moves much like a dancer would. All fluid movements and grace. There is no true arrogance to her stance, almost a laziness that comes from true time and patience, as well as knowledge of how her body works. Within moments the woman could have a blade to your throat, and by the way she seemed relaxed - you would not have expected to see it coming. Her flesh is sunkissed, matching her amber eyes beautifully. The woman generally chooses to wear tight fitting clothing, and generally not much of it. Easier to be seen as a house cat than the killer underneath.

=== Behavior ===

Akira has no true social skills. From a young age she decided that people were simply a means to an end, and the best way for her truly to survive was to simply go on without feeling. Because of this, she has earned herself the .. rather self proclaimed title of 'Ice Bitch Queen.', though it seems that she is slowly thawing. She doesn't have the social grace of those who have spent a lot of time interacting with others. She is quick to anger, and will more quickly go to that than any other emotion. If there is a situation which she doesn't know how to handle, she will flick the switch and either just go completely cold, or start growling and snarling. When approached she is likely to either ignore you, or force herself to be polite, depending on the company she is with.

== Combat ==

<blockquote>
"If you remember fighting me, then I doubt it was me..."
</blockquote>

=== General ===

At a very young age, Akira had to learn how to protect herself and her baby sister. Quite quickly it turned from a means of simply protection, to survival, to a need. A bloodl-lust that slowly stripped away the humanity of the woman until she became nothing more than a blade to anyone who paid her enough money. She has no magical affinities, and prefers to get up close and personal. She has been trained in the art of being a quiet and deadly killer. Taking her time and using patience in order to get done what she needs to do, with a concentration and flow that is both beautiful and deadly.

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"I don't need to think... I need to survive."
</blockquote>

The redheaded suncat has more of a love for combat than she does for other people. She is more likely to be seen training or at a bar quietly drinking coffee than anything else. She is naturally reclusive, and prefers solitude to large groups.

=== Likes ===

::*Coffee
::*Silence
::*Respectful people
::*Cold

=== Dislikes ===

::*Sunlight
::*Feeling powerless
::*Most females - simpering pussbags.
::*Arrogance

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

Akira is trained in most herbal remedies and healing techniques, as well as being trained in different forms of self defence, and breathing exercises. Though she doesn't show it, the woman has a wide range of knowledge of poisons, and is very adept at producing anti toxins for different kinds, though she cannot make the poisons themselves. She is incredibly well trained in combat, and this is her main talent.

== Relationships ==

<blockquote>
"... Relationships? I don't need them. They don't need me."
</blockquote>

<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== The Loved ===
♥ [[W'sano Bajihri]] - Even though they have not known each other more than a month, Akira has never met someone who could get behind her defenses. In her long years, she has spent most of them alone, or surrounded by people that walked away the second that she put up her walls or snarled at them. The moment she approached the redheaded keeper, things were different. When she had walked right up to him, getting right in his face for laughing at her, he hadn't stood down. He watched her with a quiet stillness that stopped her dead in her tracks.

She had seen something in his eyes, that she had only seen in a mirror, and he had told her to lash out. To break her mirror, to kill the reflection. She couldn't do it, she couldn't bring herself to hurt him at all. Since then, she has found herself more often in his company than out of it, and has slowly let him worm his way closer into her heart.

● [[Elyse Dhavha]] - Akira's little sister is the second most important thing to her in the world. The much weaker and more naive woman always keeps the huntress on her toes, trying desperately to keep her safe. Though their relationship is often rocky because of the way that they both choose to live their lives, there is nothing that Akira will not do for the little kitten.

=== The Tolerated ===

=== The Abhorred ===

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"... I'm meant to care what people say?"
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== Childhood ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Extra==
::*Theme songs
::*Voice claim - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qjkwovZweI Akira's Voice]
== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-04-08T01:25:52Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Other Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship. Since the dissolution of the Morbolvine clan, they have made overtures towards one another through emissaries, leaving the state of their relationship fuzzy.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::●● '''[[L'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, it has so far avoided falling into open hostility.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae duskseeker|Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::♥● '''[[Neveah Molkot]]:''' A young Keeper woman whom C'kayah befriended recently. While he had originally considered recruiting her into Tylwyth Narah, their relationship has moved away from that organization. They don't see a great deal of one another, but they both value the time they have together tremendously.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::♥● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they have continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. Rumors have surfaced recently that he has abandoned both the GHTC and Tylwyth Narah, but whatever the truth of that is he will not say.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-04-07T20:11:01Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Other Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship. Since the dissolution of the Morbolvine clan, they have made overtures towards one another through emissaries, leaving the state of their relationship fuzzy.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::●● '''[[L'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, it has so far avoided falling into open hostility.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::♥● '''[[Neveah Molkot]]:''' A young Keeper woman whom C'kayah befriended recently. While he had originally considered recruiting her into Tylwyth Narah, their relationship has moved away from that organization. They don't see a great deal of one another, but they both value the time they have together tremendously.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::♥● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they have continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. Rumors have surfaced recently that he has abandoned both the GHTC and Tylwyth Narah, but whatever the truth of that is he will not say.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-04-07T20:06:24Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* 1572/0-Present Calamity */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship. Since the dissolution of the Morbolvine clan, they have made overtures towards one another through emissaries, leaving the state of their relationship fuzzy.
::●● '''[[L'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, it has so far avoided falling into open hostility.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::♥● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they have continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continued to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head. Rumors have surfaced recently that he has abandoned both the GHTC and Tylwyth Narah, but whatever the truth of that is he will not say.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

File:Setoh Viqqoh.png

2015-04-06T17:33:32Z

C'kayah Polaali: C'kayah Polaali uploaded a new version of "File:Setoh Viqqoh.png"

Aya Foxheart

2015-04-03T19:28:54Z

C'kayah Polaali: Undo revision 82698 by C'kayah Polaali (talk)

{{Infobox-character
| name = Aya Foxheart
| image = Aya 004.png
| imagewidth = 350
| caption =
| gender = Female
| citizenship = Ala Mhigo (Formerly), Ishgard (Refugee)
| race = Hyur
| clan = Totally Blonde!
| stat_1 = Nicknames
| stat_1_value = Foxy
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = Early 20's
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5' 10"
| stat_4 = Measurements
| stat_4_value = Just Kidding!
| stat_5 = Occupation
| stat_5_value = Barmaid, Dancer, Model, and (former) Mercenary
| stat_6 = Employment
| stat_6_value = The Quicksand
}}

'''<center>~A Dancer Pretending to be a Lancer~ '''
or 
'''~Adventures in Lancing and Looking Good~</center>'''

<hr/>
Note about Use in Forum RP:
Anyone who knows Aya is welcome
to use her for Forum RP taking place
in the Quick Sand to serve, or add
general color
- no need to ask for my permission!

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Character</div> ==
[[File:Aya_003.png|300px|right]]
=== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px; background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">General</div> ===
This tall, blonde Hyur woman moves gracefully, displaying bright, energetic blue eyes, and warm, happy smile - everyone's favorite bountifully chested barmaid!

=== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;">Appearance</div> ===

Long blonde locks fall freely over the shoulders of this Hyur woman, bearing a somewhat unkempt waviness that threatens at times to become a curl. Bright blue eyes are the highlight of a warm smile framed by typically rose-red lips. She is short and slender for a Highland Hyur, but by the standards of Midlanders would be considered tall, with a curvaceous figure. Finding herself somewhere between fit and athletic, her body is finely honed for dancing, and is only secondarily adapted to the rigors of combat - especially as she is no longer a sellsword by trade.

Aya is usually seen wearing at least light makeup, and is rarely found without lip gloss and eye makeup. She loves jewelry and sports seven piercings on each ear (four upper, and three lower), usually wearing larger earrings on the lower-most piercing, and then matching studs in the remaining (frequently changed to match her outfit, and sometimes her mood). She usually wears necklaces, bracelets, and several rings, as well as navel jewelry that she prefers to have visible whenever possible.

She prefers outfits chosen for form instead of function, frequently wearing heeled shoes and boots, skirts instead of leggings, and armor that give priority to flattering her figure rather than protecting her. When she was a mercenary her commanders were at times able to get her to wear practical armor when preparing for situations where combat was expected, but it was a struggle to convince her to wear proper uniform at other times.

=== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Disposition</div> ===

Aya typically wears her personality on her sleeve. She is outgoing, social, with a clear orientation toward fun and pleasure. She has a significant caring and soft-hearted streak, that sometimes conflicts with her better sense, and often speaks before she thinks(sometimes leading to unexpected shyness). She generally prefers to avoid hard work, has expensive tastes for comfort and baubles, and will almost always take the easiest route to Gil when offered. Nonetheless, she has become significantly more responsible since fleeing Ishgard and encountering the difficulties of the real world shorn from the protective layer of her family, and can usually be counted on if it really matters.

Preferring shopping, relaxing, and most especially partying to hard work, these tendencies will almost always become obvious to even the most ambivalent observer.

=== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Background</div> ===
[[File:Aya_portrait.png|left|thumb|Aya as a Barmaid in Ul'dah]]

[http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=7871 Some stories from Aya's background]

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Ala Mhigan Refugee</div> ====
Born the youngest of three children into an upper class Ala Mhigan family steeped in a long warrior tradition, Aya was born into what should have been a life of relative luxury. All hope of such fortune was washed away among the flood of refugees fleeing the Kingdom ahead of the Imperial conquest. Living as refugees the family moved from city to city in a vain effort to call in old favors to find permanent settlement. After being turned away from every hope, including an extended stay near Limsa Lominsa, Aya's father finally made the decision he had been so loath to consider in the past: to call upon distant relatives who had settled as sellswords in Ishgard several generations in the past, the black sheep of the once prominent and proper family.

Unaware of their fortune to gain entrance to the city shortly before the gates were sealed to the outside world, their long lost relatives welcomed the family with the grudging acceptance of blood relatives. Unable to leave their past behind, Aya's parents adopted only the minimal necessary trappings of Ishgardian society. Refusing to abandon his pretensions her father quickly became a burden, followed by the eldest son intent upon claiming the trappings of an inheritance that had evaporated before his eyes. Loyal to a fault Aya's mother served her husband's every interest, pressing the children to accept his desires and command as they became ever less realistic. The two younger children grew closer to one another, as both proved more capable of adapting to their new social status.

The younger of Aya's brothers chose to become an apprentice weapon smith, planning to open his own shop and provide support for his parents, and if possible to repay the relatives to whom the entire family owes their survival. Aya meanwhile was drawn toward less productive, but equally rebellious endeavors. Despite their poverty, Aya's parents set her on the path to be schooled as a proper Lady befitting her station. Of the arts and manners she studied as a child, her favorite quickly became dancing. As an adolescent she embraced a social circle that skirted the edges of "acceptable" society, preferring the fun, excitement, attention, and notoriety to be found in the world of taverns, and underground clubs. Finding that she could earn gil as a dancer and entertainer Aya completely abandoned her ties to the social circles her parents still clung to in their vaingloriousness.

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Flight, Gridania, and the Hungry Wolf</div> ====
[[File:Aya_stretch.jpg|left|thumb|Credit: Jack Swift]]
Facing increasing pressure from her parents, and feeling a general alienation toward the accepted culture of Ishgard, Aya made the life-changing decision to escape from the city. Once in the outside world she made her way to Gridania with a purse that rapidly grew bare. She managed to find employment at the Roost as a barmaid, where she was able to rent a room on a long-term basis. With an eye on greater prizes (and a blindness to the risks) she embraced the opportunity to find work as a sellsword with a Free Company she had come to know through work, thus Aya came to the Hungry Wolf.

Although she had mislead the Company on her experience and capability, Aya proved a quick study, albeit it a tentative combatant. Over the course of her several months long employment by the Hungry Wolf, she took part in a small number of actual combat operations, while generally avoiding dangerous assignments. Focused primarily on patrol and sentry work, she finished her time with the Company overseeing patrols that covered the Gridania to Coerthas road, stationed at Fallgourd Float. The work was mild, and she supplemented decreasing pay by entertaining at the local inn. As the company floundered financially, the remaining members were released from their employment.

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Ul'dah: The Quick Sand</div> ====
Floating about without work, Aya returned to Gridania where she lived at the Roost, trying to make up her mind about what to do next, until expelled for failing to pay for her room. Desperate to find work again, and deciding it better to not further pursue her career as a mercenary, she decided to return to her previous employment, that of a barmaid. Deciding it unlikely that the Roost would turn around and offer her work so soon after the messy issue of her eviction, she opted to try a new city. Intimidated by Limsa's pirate culture, Aya opted to instead test the oppressive heat and culture of Ul'dah.

Momodi, the matron of the Quick Sand, the busiest drinking hole in the city of Ul'dah, and a hub of activity adventurous, legitimate, and illicit, saw potential in the young woman (perhaps believing that the tall blonde from the north might bring in business with her exotic looks) and quickly offered her a position as a barmaid. Along with a pittance of pay, she was provided with a small room (in the least desirable part of the building), board at discount, and the opportunity to keep any tips she would earn.

Aya's primary responsibility is tending to patrons sitting at the Quick Sand's tables, but she also sometimes assists customers at the bar itself, and can pour and mix some drinks to make things easier on Momodi. She's also been quick to help with the Quick Sand's menu, adding a variety of mixed fruit drinks (which she has come to consider something of a specialty), a variety of dishes, and nearly tripling the volume of Gridanian Mead sold with her frequent recommendation of the import.

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Combat</div> ==
<spoiler>
Although she is no longer a sell sword, Aya's training and experience with the Hungry Wolf remains a crucial aspect of who she is. Regardless of her desire to avoid any violent situation, she remains rather better prepared for it than she would admit.

Aya's formal training in military skills has been as a Lancer. Accepting early lessons from the Wood Wailers, and later trained by the Hungry Wolf, she is naturally well-suited to the weapon. Physically fit and athletic she is able to utilize the leverage-advantage of the weapon to a great extent, while maintaining distance from her opponent. Although tentative to enter combat, once engaged she fights with a raw tenacity and viciousness that the Hungry Wolf seek to instill in all of their fighters. She would rather avoid danger if at all possible, but if forced she will kill or be killed. Quick and graceful she relies on rapid and precise movements en lieu of brute force, utilizing surprise and distraction to create opportunities to exploit with the goal of inflicting debilitating injuries. To utilize her impressive leg strength she makes frequent use of kicking and jumping attacks, often in conjunction with the lance to create difficult to defend sequences of strikes. Most experienced soldiers would still consider her an amateur, but one still capable of being a sometimes surprising threat in hand-to-hand combat.

She is familiar with archery, which was one of her childhood hobbies, one which she has rediscovered in the Shroud which prizes skill with the bow and arrow, and offers much to teach the interested amateur.

She has been trained in standard Hungry Wolf military tactics which included basic forestry, and long-range small-group coordination. Stealth, ambush, and surprise-attack training has formed a major portion of her education in tactics. Her recent promotion has made her technically responsible for small squad command within the Company, she has never commanded units in the field and is likely unprepared.</spoiler>

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Social</div> ==
I welcome anyone who wishes to edit this section of Aya's wiki if she knows your character, or if you have heard (or spread) any rumors or information about her!

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Rumors</div> ====
:*"Have you heard that girl speak? She's not from here, that's for sure."
:*"She always seems to be looking for a few more gil. Sometimes I just wonder what she'd do for it, but I don't think she could hurt a fly."
:*"Someone told me she used to work as a sellsword, out in the Shroud. Said he saw her guardin' a bridge or somethin' out there. Can't be true though. Her? No way."
:*"She's called 'Foxheart', but I don't think that's her real name."
:*"The kind of woman who could ruin a man. If he were lucky."

PC Rumors:
:*"She's a wonderful woman who's easily underestimated by those who focus only on the way she looks. I think that she likes it that way. There's a lot going on underneath the surface, though." - [[C'kayah Tia]]
:*"Heard she's a fun gal. She's that type for men who like to see a smile and just have fun, carefree. Exactly my type, I'd say, and I haven't even met the gal." - [[Oscare Iono]]
:*"Momodi knows what she's about, far as hirin's concerned. Aya sees all, hears all, remembers all... friend to all. A blessin' on the 'sand... and on Ul'dah. She's here to stay, 'less she wants t'leave of her own free will. We insist." - [[Osric Melkire]]
:*"Ah, Aya.. Quite the attractive one she is. She does good work and I reward her greatly for it. She can be quite useful in other lines of work. as well."- [[Zaiaku Kurai]]
:*She's friendly and kind, and in a genuine sort of way. A rare sort of individual in Ul'dah to be sure."- [[Askier Mergrey]]
:*"There are very few people who will not only take a request for the worst drink they have in stride, but actually make good on it. Miss Foxheart is a rare treasure - if a bit dangerous to the liver." - [[Verad Bellveil]]
:*"Miss Aya? I have yet to see her wear a frown. She is a rare jewel in this city. Woe be to anyone who wrongs her, for the entire Adventurer's guild would hunt them down." - [[Coatleque Crofte]]
:*"Great if you're looking for a quick smile." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]
:*"I once saw her turn down a man who all but confessed to her, and do so in a most genteel fashion. She was so practiced that I can only imagine how often she must break a man's hopes!" - [[Verad Bellveil]]
:*"Kind beyond words. There's a touch of the Divine in that girl." - [[Warren Castille]]
:*"Aya? When I am feeling a little low I just head to the Quicksand to see her. She's got a smile that just makes you feel a little better about the world." - [[T'shina Vashka]]
:*"Sadly we don't get much time to talk these days. We're both rather busy but she always tries to spare me a few moments if and when she can." -[[Lilithium Altair]]
:*"Heard her name twice, saw her once. She's got enough connections to make me doubt that she's a mere barmaid. Aye, there is no way that's all there is to her." - [[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]
:*"She's so pretty, too pretty to be wasting her life away as a barmaid in the Quicksand of all places if you ask me. Of course, I'm sure there's much more to her than that. Things are rarely what they seem to be." - [[Aerostein Epitaph]]
;*"Aya's a little too soft to ever feel at home in Ul'dah, hopefully she hardens up before she becomes the City's latest victim." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]
:*"T'shina Vashka introduced me to Aya a few weeks ago. My first thought was what could a woman so enchanting be doing working as a place rough like that? Nevertheless this is a sweet lady, and rather mysterious, as if there is more behind that smile she gives to the world. I look forward to getting to know her more." - [[Chika Ito]]
:*"A truly kind woman. I still do not know everything about her, but she seems to be the example of innocence. However, she is also a survivor. She fits her surname well." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]
:*"It had been awhile since I have been back in the Quicksand, I do not remember it being so friendly. But Miss Aya made me welcome, and brightened the place notably. She even made sweet water sound ''better'' and that was already my favorite drink!" - [[Roen Deneith]]
:*"I heard she was voted 'Sexiest Female in Ul'dah' at the Piquant Pumpkin. Someone's got a good eye..." - [[C'kayah Tia]]
:*"She is everything I can't abide in women; bubbly, blond, busty and flirtatious--but make no mistake, she will always have a job at Crooked Tarot's Emporium if she ever needs or wants it." - [[Crooked Tarot]]
:*"Oh-- yes. She joined me- me for a swim at- at one of the- the wards in The Mist. I- I had a wonderful time. How could I- I not? She is- is such wonderful company." - [[D'lyhhia Lhuil]]
:*"I can't say I know her, but she seems to be skilled at knowing the perfect drink to serve when asked to surprise a person." - [[Talyn Shadowmoon]]
:*"Oh? Is that her name? Yeah, I seen her around in th'Quicksand. Prettiest barmaid you'll ever see in all Eorzea, that one! Wouldn't go messin' wit' one o'Momodi's gals, though." - [[Berrod Armstrong]]
:*"Aya? Well...I have to say she helped me a lot of the time. I feel like I owe her my life and everything. I wish she was my sister..." - [[Arala Makeo]]
:*"Y'mean that cute thing down at th'Quicksand? Yeah, I've seen 'er. Fun t'joke around with an' does 'er job damn well. She's pretty playful an' knows how t'work men from th'looks'f it--prolly a behemoth in th'sheets." - [[Val Nunh]]
:*"Miss Aya is...well she's adorable really! She's so energetic and kind, it's kind of hard not to gravitate to her and feel like you can just talk to her. Even if you've never met. I can imagine that she's really fun to get to know, and I'd like to someday!" - [[Siha Xinkei]]
:*"Ah, the lovely miss that works at the Quicksand?" *Xydane smiles* - [[Xydane Vale]]
:*"Either her tips are more than we think or she stole the heart of Redolent Rose like she did the rest of us saps. I'm banking on the latter..." - [[Robert Colt]]
:*"You know...all right, yea'. It was me playin' drums usin' the bloody table, and this Elezen 'arpist. She danced while us two played 'long...I mean, I just wanted to see 'er dance 'cause...you know. But godsdamn, the three of us got somethin' good goin' on there" - [[Kale Aideron]]
:*"Aya is one of the reasons I return to the Quicksand. Were she not there, I doubt I would visit as frequently." - [[Franz Renatus]]
:*"Miss Aya seems a good person. Even after our misunderstanding, she was still kind enough to talk to me a second time. And she has exquisite taste in jewelry!" - [[Vaughn Antain]]
:*"Lady Aya has this warm knowing smile; so happy to see her when I visit. Ah, I simply could never trouble her, the Quicksand is always so busy regardless of how she denies such." - [[Jancis Milburga]]
:*"Aya opened up to me like few ever do. I am honored, and will bear what I know with discretion. All I will say is that I have much more respect for her now." -[[Kiht Jakkya]]
:*"Oh. Yeah, we've met. Chipper woman. She's a good dancer, if you can talk her into it." - [[Jaques Guillaume]]

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;font-size:14px;background:#FFE4E1;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Opportunity for Employment</div> ====

Aya's primary work is at the Quick Sand, but she remains ever on the lookout for other opportunities for employment to supplement her income. While no longer interested in mercenary work, she would still consider a wide variety of opportunities (especially if the gil were good).
*Entertaining
*Modelling
*Barmaiding/Bartending an event (though she would probably rather attend!)
*She might consider any other non-violent opportunities that come her way!

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Tendencies</div> ==
==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Mannerisms</div> ====
Note: These are characteristic behaviors that Aya always displays, even when not indicated directly through emotes.
* Although she was recently a sell sword, she betrays no hint of this in appearance or manner.
* Her body language is graceful and feminine.
* She speaks with an Ishgardian accent
* When dealing with someone who she believes is from the Ishgardian Houses, her manner will be considerably less friendly than usual
* At times hints of a sharp intellect can be found behind all of the bright, silly, cluelessness

<table width="100%">
<tr>
<td width="25%" style="vertical-align: top;"><div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Likes</div>
:*Fun
:*Meeting New People
:*Fashion
:*The Sun (and the Beach!)
:*Sleep
:*Attention
:*Fancy Gifts
:*Exercise (the right kinds at least!)
</td>
<td width="25%" style="vertical-align: top;"><div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px; background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Dislikes</div>
:*Hard Work
:*Responsibility
:*Expectations
:*Commitment
:*Violence, Fighting, and Aggression
:*'Typical' Ishgardians
:*Haughtiness, and Hubris
:*Hard Work
</td>
<td width="25%" style="vertical-align: top;"><div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px; background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Hobbies/Talents</div>
:*Dancing
:*Smiling
:*Gossiping
:*Looking Good!
</td>
<td width="25%" style="vertical-align: top;"><div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px; background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Quotes</div>
:*"Hiiiiiii!"
:**blink* *blink* "What...?
:*"To the beach!"
:*"Could you I get you anything?" with a smile!
:*"Who... me?"
:*"Peanuts!"
:*"Treat everyone nicely; you never know who you'll be stripping for later!"
</td></tr></table>

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Inspiration</div> ==
*Appearance: [http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/010/1/a/bdi_joan_of_arc__3_aacc_exc__l_e_300__d__mcteigue_by_sinhalite-d5r1iji.jpg BDI's Joan of Arc]
*Appearance and Personality: [http://shotgunshuffle.com/ Ellie from Shotgun Shuffle]
[http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg536/ayaxandra/ellie.png Aya's Shotgun Shuffle Twin]
*Personality: Marilyn Monroe as "The Girl" in the Seven Year Itch
*Music: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogqGrE6lcaE "Alive" by Omnia]
*Voice: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dF3VUFDmiU Thalia Meninger (Tuesday Weld)]

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Gallery</div> ==
==Everyone's Aya==
[[File:Aya_pose.png|310px]] [[File:Aya_002.png|400px]] [[File:Aya_005.png|444px]] 

==Aya Working==
[[File:Aya_Quicksand_01.png|500px]] [[File:Aya_008.png|570px]]

==Fun!==
[[File:Aya_collage.png|452px]] [[File:Aya_cheer.png|700px]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-04-03T19:28:34Z

C'kayah Polaali: Undo revision 82699 by C'kayah Polaali (talk)

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship. Since the dissolution of the Morbolvine clan, they have made overtures towards one another through emissaries, leaving the state of their relationship fuzzy.
::●● '''[[L'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, it has so far avoided falling into open hostility.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::♥● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they have continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"I have known him for a long time. No matter what anyone says, I still consider him a friend. I know there is a heart in there, somewhere. He just hides it well." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other and to the success of Tylwyth Narah.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continues to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-04-02T21:34:08Z

C'kayah Polaali:

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship. Since the dissolution of the Morbolvine clan, they have made overtures towards one another through emissaries, leaving the state of their relationship fuzzy.
::●● '''[[L'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, it has so far avoided falling into open hostility.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::♥● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they have continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"He is a mystery, to be certain. But I have seen the way he cares for people he loves, and that speaks volumes of the man he is inside. That is enough for me." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

::* "Kitten? I love it when he yowls. And for some reason, its quite frequently around him" her cheeks puff up. "But he is entertaining to play with." - [[Hotaru Gin]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other and to the success of Tylwyth Narah.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continues to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Aya Foxheart

2015-04-02T21:33:30Z

C'kayah Polaali: Removed obsolete rumors

{{Infobox-character
| name = Aya Foxheart
| image = Aya 004.png
| imagewidth = 350
| caption =
| gender = Female
| citizenship = Ala Mhigo (Formerly), Ishgard (Refugee)
| race = Hyur
| clan = Totally Blonde!
| stat_1 = Nicknames
| stat_1_value = Foxy
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = Early 20's
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5' 10"
| stat_4 = Measurements
| stat_4_value = Just Kidding!
| stat_5 = Occupation
| stat_5_value = Barmaid, Dancer, Model, and (former) Mercenary
| stat_6 = Employment
| stat_6_value = The Quicksand
}}

'''<center>~A Dancer Pretending to be a Lancer~ '''
or 
'''~Adventures in Lancing and Looking Good~</center>'''

<hr/>
Note about Use in Forum RP:
Anyone who knows Aya is welcome
to use her for Forum RP taking place
in the Quick Sand to serve, or add
general color
- no need to ask for my permission!

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Character</div> ==
[[File:Aya_003.png|300px|right]]
=== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px; background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">General</div> ===
This tall, blonde Hyur woman moves gracefully, displaying bright, energetic blue eyes, and warm, happy smile - everyone's favorite bountifully chested barmaid!

=== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;">Appearance</div> ===

Long blonde locks fall freely over the shoulders of this Hyur woman, bearing a somewhat unkempt waviness that threatens at times to become a curl. Bright blue eyes are the highlight of a warm smile framed by typically rose-red lips. She is short and slender for a Highland Hyur, but by the standards of Midlanders would be considered tall, with a curvaceous figure. Finding herself somewhere between fit and athletic, her body is finely honed for dancing, and is only secondarily adapted to the rigors of combat - especially as she is no longer a sellsword by trade.

Aya is usually seen wearing at least light makeup, and is rarely found without lip gloss and eye makeup. She loves jewelry and sports seven piercings on each ear (four upper, and three lower), usually wearing larger earrings on the lower-most piercing, and then matching studs in the remaining (frequently changed to match her outfit, and sometimes her mood). She usually wears necklaces, bracelets, and several rings, as well as navel jewelry that she prefers to have visible whenever possible.

She prefers outfits chosen for form instead of function, frequently wearing heeled shoes and boots, skirts instead of leggings, and armor that give priority to flattering her figure rather than protecting her. When she was a mercenary her commanders were at times able to get her to wear practical armor when preparing for situations where combat was expected, but it was a struggle to convince her to wear proper uniform at other times.

=== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Disposition</div> ===

Aya typically wears her personality on her sleeve. She is outgoing, social, with a clear orientation toward fun and pleasure. She has a significant caring and soft-hearted streak, that sometimes conflicts with her better sense, and often speaks before she thinks(sometimes leading to unexpected shyness). She generally prefers to avoid hard work, has expensive tastes for comfort and baubles, and will almost always take the easiest route to Gil when offered. Nonetheless, she has become significantly more responsible since fleeing Ishgard and encountering the difficulties of the real world shorn from the protective layer of her family, and can usually be counted on if it really matters.

Preferring shopping, relaxing, and most especially partying to hard work, these tendencies will almost always become obvious to even the most ambivalent observer.

=== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Background</div> ===
[[File:Aya_portrait.png|left|thumb|Aya as a Barmaid in Ul'dah]]

[http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=7871 Some stories from Aya's background]

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Ala Mhigan Refugee</div> ====
Born the youngest of three children into an upper class Ala Mhigan family steeped in a long warrior tradition, Aya was born into what should have been a life of relative luxury. All hope of such fortune was washed away among the flood of refugees fleeing the Kingdom ahead of the Imperial conquest. Living as refugees the family moved from city to city in a vain effort to call in old favors to find permanent settlement. After being turned away from every hope, including an extended stay near Limsa Lominsa, Aya's father finally made the decision he had been so loath to consider in the past: to call upon distant relatives who had settled as sellswords in Ishgard several generations in the past, the black sheep of the once prominent and proper family.

Unaware of their fortune to gain entrance to the city shortly before the gates were sealed to the outside world, their long lost relatives welcomed the family with the grudging acceptance of blood relatives. Unable to leave their past behind, Aya's parents adopted only the minimal necessary trappings of Ishgardian society. Refusing to abandon his pretensions her father quickly became a burden, followed by the eldest son intent upon claiming the trappings of an inheritance that had evaporated before his eyes. Loyal to a fault Aya's mother served her husband's every interest, pressing the children to accept his desires and command as they became ever less realistic. The two younger children grew closer to one another, as both proved more capable of adapting to their new social status.

The younger of Aya's brothers chose to become an apprentice weapon smith, planning to open his own shop and provide support for his parents, and if possible to repay the relatives to whom the entire family owes their survival. Aya meanwhile was drawn toward less productive, but equally rebellious endeavors. Despite their poverty, Aya's parents set her on the path to be schooled as a proper Lady befitting her station. Of the arts and manners she studied as a child, her favorite quickly became dancing. As an adolescent she embraced a social circle that skirted the edges of "acceptable" society, preferring the fun, excitement, attention, and notoriety to be found in the world of taverns, and underground clubs. Finding that she could earn gil as a dancer and entertainer Aya completely abandoned her ties to the social circles her parents still clung to in their vaingloriousness.

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Flight, Gridania, and the Hungry Wolf</div> ====
[[File:Aya_stretch.jpg|left|thumb|Credit: Jack Swift]]
Facing increasing pressure from her parents, and feeling a general alienation toward the accepted culture of Ishgard, Aya made the life-changing decision to escape from the city. Once in the outside world she made her way to Gridania with a purse that rapidly grew bare. She managed to find employment at the Roost as a barmaid, where she was able to rent a room on a long-term basis. With an eye on greater prizes (and a blindness to the risks) she embraced the opportunity to find work as a sellsword with a Free Company she had come to know through work, thus Aya came to the Hungry Wolf.

Although she had mislead the Company on her experience and capability, Aya proved a quick study, albeit it a tentative combatant. Over the course of her several months long employment by the Hungry Wolf, she took part in a small number of actual combat operations, while generally avoiding dangerous assignments. Focused primarily on patrol and sentry work, she finished her time with the Company overseeing patrols that covered the Gridania to Coerthas road, stationed at Fallgourd Float. The work was mild, and she supplemented decreasing pay by entertaining at the local inn. As the company floundered financially, the remaining members were released from their employment.

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Ul'dah: The Quick Sand</div> ====
Floating about without work, Aya returned to Gridania where she lived at the Roost, trying to make up her mind about what to do next, until expelled for failing to pay for her room. Desperate to find work again, and deciding it better to not further pursue her career as a mercenary, she decided to return to her previous employment, that of a barmaid. Deciding it unlikely that the Roost would turn around and offer her work so soon after the messy issue of her eviction, she opted to try a new city. Intimidated by Limsa's pirate culture, Aya opted to instead test the oppressive heat and culture of Ul'dah.

Momodi, the matron of the Quick Sand, the busiest drinking hole in the city of Ul'dah, and a hub of activity adventurous, legitimate, and illicit, saw potential in the young woman (perhaps believing that the tall blonde from the north might bring in business with her exotic looks) and quickly offered her a position as a barmaid. Along with a pittance of pay, she was provided with a small room (in the least desirable part of the building), board at discount, and the opportunity to keep any tips she would earn.

Aya's primary responsibility is tending to patrons sitting at the Quick Sand's tables, but she also sometimes assists customers at the bar itself, and can pour and mix some drinks to make things easier on Momodi. She's also been quick to help with the Quick Sand's menu, adding a variety of mixed fruit drinks (which she has come to consider something of a specialty), a variety of dishes, and nearly tripling the volume of Gridanian Mead sold with her frequent recommendation of the import.

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Combat</div> ==
<spoiler>
Although she is no longer a sell sword, Aya's training and experience with the Hungry Wolf remains a crucial aspect of who she is. Regardless of her desire to avoid any violent situation, she remains rather better prepared for it than she would admit.

Aya's formal training in military skills has been as a Lancer. Accepting early lessons from the Wood Wailers, and later trained by the Hungry Wolf, she is naturally well-suited to the weapon. Physically fit and athletic she is able to utilize the leverage-advantage of the weapon to a great extent, while maintaining distance from her opponent. Although tentative to enter combat, once engaged she fights with a raw tenacity and viciousness that the Hungry Wolf seek to instill in all of their fighters. She would rather avoid danger if at all possible, but if forced she will kill or be killed. Quick and graceful she relies on rapid and precise movements en lieu of brute force, utilizing surprise and distraction to create opportunities to exploit with the goal of inflicting debilitating injuries. To utilize her impressive leg strength she makes frequent use of kicking and jumping attacks, often in conjunction with the lance to create difficult to defend sequences of strikes. Most experienced soldiers would still consider her an amateur, but one still capable of being a sometimes surprising threat in hand-to-hand combat.

She is familiar with archery, which was one of her childhood hobbies, one which she has rediscovered in the Shroud which prizes skill with the bow and arrow, and offers much to teach the interested amateur.

She has been trained in standard Hungry Wolf military tactics which included basic forestry, and long-range small-group coordination. Stealth, ambush, and surprise-attack training has formed a major portion of her education in tactics. Her recent promotion has made her technically responsible for small squad command within the Company, she has never commanded units in the field and is likely unprepared.</spoiler>

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Social</div> ==
I welcome anyone who wishes to edit this section of Aya's wiki if she knows your character, or if you have heard (or spread) any rumors or information about her!

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Rumors</div> ====
:*"Have you heard that girl speak? She's not from here, that's for sure."
:*"She always seems to be looking for a few more gil. Sometimes I just wonder what she'd do for it, but I don't think she could hurt a fly."
:*"Someone told me she used to work as a sellsword, out in the Shroud. Said he saw her guardin' a bridge or somethin' out there. Can't be true though. Her? No way."
:*"She's called 'Foxheart', but I don't think that's her real name."
:*"The kind of woman who could ruin a man. If he were lucky."

PC Rumors:
:*"Heard she's a fun gal. She's that type for men who like to see a smile and just have fun, carefree. Exactly my type, I'd say, and I haven't even met the gal." - [[Oscare Iono]]
:*"Momodi knows what she's about, far as hirin's concerned. Aya sees all, hears all, remembers all... friend to all. A blessin' on the 'sand... and on Ul'dah. She's here to stay, 'less she wants t'leave of her own free will. We insist." - [[Osric Melkire]]
:*"Ah, Aya.. Quite the attractive one she is. She does good work and I reward her greatly for it. She can be quite useful in other lines of work. as well."- [[Zaiaku Kurai]]
:*She's friendly and kind, and in a genuine sort of way. A rare sort of individual in Ul'dah to be sure."- [[Askier Mergrey]]
:*"There are very few people who will not only take a request for the worst drink they have in stride, but actually make good on it. Miss Foxheart is a rare treasure - if a bit dangerous to the liver." - [[Verad Bellveil]]
:*"Miss Aya? I have yet to see her wear a frown. She is a rare jewel in this city. Woe be to anyone who wrongs her, for the entire Adventurer's guild would hunt them down." - [[Coatleque Crofte]]
:*"Great if you're looking for a quick smile." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]
:*"I once saw her turn down a man who all but confessed to her, and do so in a most genteel fashion. She was so practiced that I can only imagine how often she must break a man's hopes!" - [[Verad Bellveil]]
:*"Kind beyond words. There's a touch of the Divine in that girl." - [[Warren Castille]]
:*"Aya? When I am feeling a little low I just head to the Quicksand to see her. She's got a smile that just makes you feel a little better about the world." - [[T'shina Vashka]]
:*"Sadly we don't get much time to talk these days. We're both rather busy but she always tries to spare me a few moments if and when she can." -[[Lilithium Altair]]
:*"Heard her name twice, saw her once. She's got enough connections to make me doubt that she's a mere barmaid. Aye, there is no way that's all there is to her." - [[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]
:*"She's so pretty, too pretty to be wasting her life away as a barmaid in the Quicksand of all places if you ask me. Of course, I'm sure there's much more to her than that. Things are rarely what they seem to be." - [[Aerostein Epitaph]]
;*"Aya's a little too soft to ever feel at home in Ul'dah, hopefully she hardens up before she becomes the City's latest victim." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]
:*"T'shina Vashka introduced me to Aya a few weeks ago. My first thought was what could a woman so enchanting be doing working as a place rough like that? Nevertheless this is a sweet lady, and rather mysterious, as if there is more behind that smile she gives to the world. I look forward to getting to know her more." - [[Chika Ito]]
:*"A truly kind woman. I still do not know everything about her, but she seems to be the example of innocence. However, she is also a survivor. She fits her surname well." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]
:*"It had been awhile since I have been back in the Quicksand, I do not remember it being so friendly. But Miss Aya made me welcome, and brightened the place notably. She even made sweet water sound ''better'' and that was already my favorite drink!" - [[Roen Deneith]]
:*"She is everything I can't abide in women; bubbly, blond, busty and flirtatious--but make no mistake, she will always have a job at Crooked Tarot's Emporium if she ever needs or wants it." - [[Crooked Tarot]]
:*"Oh-- yes. She joined me- me for a swim at- at one of the- the wards in The Mist. I- I had a wonderful time. How could I- I not? She is- is such wonderful company." - [[D'lyhhia Lhuil]]
:*"I can't say I know her, but she seems to be skilled at knowing the perfect drink to serve when asked to surprise a person." - [[Talyn Shadowmoon]]
:*"Oh? Is that her name? Yeah, I seen her around in th'Quicksand. Prettiest barmaid you'll ever see in all Eorzea, that one! Wouldn't go messin' wit' one o'Momodi's gals, though." - [[Berrod Armstrong]]
:*"Aya? Well...I have to say she helped me a lot of the time. I feel like I owe her my life and everything. I wish she was my sister..." - [[Arala Makeo]]
:*"Y'mean that cute thing down at th'Quicksand? Yeah, I've seen 'er. Fun t'joke around with an' does 'er job damn well. She's pretty playful an' knows how t'work men from th'looks'f it--prolly a behemoth in th'sheets." - [[Val Nunh]]
:*"Miss Aya is...well she's adorable really! She's so energetic and kind, it's kind of hard not to gravitate to her and feel like you can just talk to her. Even if you've never met. I can imagine that she's really fun to get to know, and I'd like to someday!" - [[Siha Xinkei]]
:*"Ah, the lovely miss that works at the Quicksand?" *Xydane smiles* - [[Xydane Vale]]
:*"Either her tips are more than we think or she stole the heart of Redolent Rose like she did the rest of us saps. I'm banking on the latter..." - [[Robert Colt]]
:*"You know...all right, yea'. It was me playin' drums usin' the bloody table, and this Elezen 'arpist. She danced while us two played 'long...I mean, I just wanted to see 'er dance 'cause...you know. But godsdamn, the three of us got somethin' good goin' on there" - [[Kale Aideron]]
:*"Aya is one of the reasons I return to the Quicksand. Were she not there, I doubt I would visit as frequently." - [[Franz Renatus]]
:*"Miss Aya seems a good person. Even after our misunderstanding, she was still kind enough to talk to me a second time. And she has exquisite taste in jewelry!" - [[Vaughn Antain]]
:*"Lady Aya has this warm knowing smile; so happy to see her when I visit. Ah, I simply could never trouble her, the Quicksand is always so busy regardless of how she denies such." - [[Jancis Milburga]]
:*"Aya opened up to me like few ever do. I am honored, and will bear what I know with discretion. All I will say is that I have much more respect for her now." -[[Kiht Jakkya]]
:*"Oh. Yeah, we've met. Chipper woman. She's a good dancer, if you can talk her into it." - [[Jaques Guillaume]]

==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;font-size:14px;background:#FFE4E1;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Opportunity for Employment</div> ====

Aya's primary work is at the Quick Sand, but she remains ever on the lookout for other opportunities for employment to supplement her income. While no longer interested in mercenary work, she would still consider a wide variety of opportunities (especially if the gil were good).
*Entertaining
*Modelling
*Barmaiding/Bartending an event (though she would probably rather attend!)
*She might consider any other non-violent opportunities that come her way!

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Tendencies</div> ==
==== <div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Mannerisms</div> ====
Note: These are characteristic behaviors that Aya always displays, even when not indicated directly through emotes.
* Although she was recently a sell sword, she betrays no hint of this in appearance or manner.
* Her body language is graceful and feminine.
* She speaks with an Ishgardian accent
* When dealing with someone who she believes is from the Ishgardian Houses, her manner will be considerably less friendly than usual
* At times hints of a sharp intellect can be found behind all of the bright, silly, cluelessness

<table width="100%">
<tr>
<td width="25%" style="vertical-align: top;"><div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px;background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Likes</div>
:*Fun
:*Meeting New People
:*Fashion
:*The Sun (and the Beach!)
:*Sleep
:*Attention
:*Fancy Gifts
:*Exercise (the right kinds at least!)
</td>
<td width="25%" style="vertical-align: top;"><div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px; background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Dislikes</div>
:*Hard Work
:*Responsibility
:*Expectations
:*Commitment
:*Violence, Fighting, and Aggression
:*'Typical' Ishgardians
:*Haughtiness, and Hubris
:*Hard Work
</td>
<td width="25%" style="vertical-align: top;"><div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px; background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Hobbies/Talents</div>
:*Dancing
:*Smiling
:*Gossiping
:*Looking Good!
</td>
<td width="25%" style="vertical-align: top;"><div style="padding:10px 0px 15px 30px; background:#FFE4E1;font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;">Quotes</div>
:*"Hiiiiiii!"
:**blink* *blink* "What...?
:*"To the beach!"
:*"Could you I get you anything?" with a smile!
:*"Who... me?"
:*"Peanuts!"
:*"Treat everyone nicely; you never know who you'll be stripping for later!"
</td></tr></table>

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Inspiration</div> ==
*Appearance: [http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/010/1/a/bdi_joan_of_arc__3_aacc_exc__l_e_300__d__mcteigue_by_sinhalite-d5r1iji.jpg BDI's Joan of Arc]
*Appearance and Personality: [http://shotgunshuffle.com/ Ellie from Shotgun Shuffle]
[http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg536/ayaxandra/ellie.png Aya's Shotgun Shuffle Twin]
*Personality: Marilyn Monroe as "The Girl" in the Seven Year Itch
*Music: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogqGrE6lcaE "Alive" by Omnia]
*Voice: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dF3VUFDmiU Thalia Meninger (Tuesday Weld)]

== <div style="padding:10px 15px; background:#FFC0CB;font-size:18px;color:#000000;">Gallery</div> ==
==Everyone's Aya==
[[File:Aya_pose.png|310px]] [[File:Aya_002.png|400px]] [[File:Aya_005.png|444px]] 

==Aya Working==
[[File:Aya_Quicksand_01.png|500px]] [[File:Aya_008.png|570px]]

==Fun!==
[[File:Aya_collage.png|452px]] [[File:Aya_cheer.png|700px]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-03-18T22:37:44Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Other Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. For a time he had taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again, but time has dulled that habit and he counts her as simply another in a long line of old enemies.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kahn'a Od'hilkas]]:''' C'kayah first encountered this Flame soldier when he worked to defeat the terrorist [[Askier Mergrey]]. Since then he has crossed paths with Od'hilkas on more than one occasion. His natural distrust of any in a military position is tempered with a grudging respect for the Flame Private's abilities.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. Over time their relationship has grown from friendship to partnership, finally blossoming into love. While those close to them have seen the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship. Since the dissolution of the Morbolvine clan, they have made overtures towards one another through emissaries, leaving the state of their relationship fuzzy.
::●● '''[[L'vi Lyrre]]:''' This beautiful Seeker arrived at his doorstep one day, demonstrating both a cryptic interest in remaining close to him along with a disturbing familiarity with his business. Hewing to the principle of keeping enemies close, he hired her for a time as a maid. During this time they met in private many times with L'vi alternately claiming a desire to help him and hinting that she had been paid to destroy him. While their relationship has never been anything but rocky, it has so far avoided falling into open hostility.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper until she finally disappeared into hiding.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to a period of renewed hostility between them, finally resolved diplomatically into an uneasy, cool truce.
::♥● '''[[Misae Duskseeker]]:''' A recently freed slave that C'kayah met one evening in the Quicksand. They immediately struck up a charged conversation, and have frequently been seen in each other's company since then.
::● '''[[Nero Lazarov]]:''' An Ul'dahn revolutionary turned Limsan pirate, Lazarov's selective targeting of Monetarist shipping made C'kayah's overland trade routes between Limsa and Ul'dah extremely profitable. While he initially contacted the pirate merely to encourage him to continue his activities, the recent ham-handed handling of a Sultansworn investigation into their connection by [[Coatleque Crofte]], along with an impassioned plea from his friend [[Roen Deneith]], has pushed C'kayah further into the camp of supporting the man.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man that has only gradually cooled over time.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roen Deneith]]:''' A disgraced former Sultansworn, C'kayah has known the Hyur for some time. Initially meeting her at the same time as [[Siha Xinkei]] when she was an apprentice, his respect for the woman has grown as he watched her struggle with the choices that first her heritage and later her heart presented her. When asked about her, he says that he owes her, yet he never says ''why''.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::♥● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker. Despite the efforts of a number of people to keep them apart, they have continued to spend time with one another, developing a strong and unconventional love.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"He is a mystery, to be certain. But I have seen the way he cares for people he loves, and that speaks volumes of the man he is inside. That is enough for me." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"We're on friendly enough terms and help one another with business ventures should it arise. Though the Twelve keep tossing us in each other's paths, and it's made things...interesting." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

::* "Good f'a drink an' some gossip. I ain' gonna' say I was always keen on 'im, bu' I rather like 'im, now. Sweet fella', so far... Probably a good ally t' 'ave, I'd think, ha?" - [[Meyla Sarka]]

::* "The one with a whispering wander to his steps. I know him and more important, his reputation." - Aure

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other and to the success of Tylwyth Narah.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continues to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-01-24T04:17:02Z

C'kayah Polaali:

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Viqqoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 29
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Viqqoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. Very much a loner, he dislikes spending much time in any city-state. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark eyes, and white hair. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

A restless loner, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

<blockquote>
"Ask the right questions. You wanna know how I beat 'em? The question isn't how'd I win. The question is, why'd they lose?"
</blockquote>

=== General ===

Setoh is highly skilled and versatile in both armed and unarmed combat, and delights in battle. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. Setoh is also a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation, and will use these abilities during combat. He is able to withstand excessive amounts of pain for extended amounts of time, particularly when properly motivated. He dislikes armor, and does not use it.

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"What can you say about Setoh? He is a fully-embraced fiend."
</blockquote>

At first glance, Setoh is something of a paradox. He is intelligent and well educated, with a curious mind and a willingness to put great effort into learning. At the same time, he lives for the moment and will often abandon perfectly sound plans, spurred by brief moments of boredom.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Battle
::*Clever conversation
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless
::*Wanton destruction
::*Those who make claims above their station

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*Setoh is an avid reader and will happily spend days pouring over interesting books.
::*He is a gourmet and an excellent cook.

== Relationships ==

<blockquote>
"Now we just let them come to a simmering boil, then remove to a low flame."
</blockquote>

<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

::● '''[[C'kayah Polaali]]:''' An Ul'dahn criminal that Setoh has done work for in the past.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Their personalities...did not mesh. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"This should be a kick."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Character Addenda==

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-01-23T19:10:25Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Dislikes */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Viqqoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 29
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Viqqoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. Very much a loner, he dislikes spending much time in any city-state. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark eyes, and white hair. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

A restless loner, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Setoh is highly skilled and versatile in both armed and unarmed combat, and delights in battle. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. Setoh is also a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation, and will use these abilities during combat. He is able to withstand excessive amounts of pain for extended amounts of time, particularly when properly motivated. He dislikes armor, and does not use it.

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"What can you say about Setoh? He is a fully-embraced fiend."
</blockquote>

At first glance, Setoh is something of a paradox. He is intelligent and well educated, with a curious mind and a willingness to put great effort into learning. At the same time, he lives for the moment and will often abandon perfectly sound plans, spurred by brief moments of boredom.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Battle
::*Clever conversation
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless
::*Wanton destruction
::*Those who make claims above their station

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*Setoh is an avid reader and will happily spend days pouring over interesting books.
::*He is a gourmet and an excellent cook.

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

::● '''[[C'kayah Polaali]]:''' An Ul'dahn criminal that Setoh has done work for in the past.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Their personalities...did not mesh. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.

== Rumors ==

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Character Addenda==

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-01-23T01:24:24Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Combat */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Viqqoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 29
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Viqqoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. Very much a loner, he dislikes spending much time in any city-state. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark eyes, and white hair. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

A restless loner, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Setoh is highly skilled and versatile in both armed and unarmed combat, and delights in battle. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. Setoh is also a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation, and will use these abilities during combat. He is able to withstand excessive amounts of pain for extended amounts of time, particularly when properly motivated. He dislikes armor, and does not use it.

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"What can you say about Setoh? He is a fully-embraced fiend."
</blockquote>

At first glance, Setoh is something of a paradox. He is intelligent and well educated, with a curious mind and a willingness to put great effort into learning. At the same time, he lives for the moment and will often abandon perfectly sound plans, spurred by brief moments of boredom.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Battle
::*Clever conversation
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless
::*Wanton destruction
::*Poseurs

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*Setoh is an avid reader and will happily spend days pouring over interesting books.
::*He is a gourmet and an excellent cook.

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

::● '''[[C'kayah Polaali]]:''' An Ul'dahn criminal that Setoh has done work for in the past.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Their personalities...did not mesh. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.

== Rumors ==

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Character Addenda==

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-01-23T01:18:00Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Tendencies */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Viqqoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 29
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Viqqoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. Very much a loner, he dislikes spending much time in any city-state. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark eyes, and white hair. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

A restless loner, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Setoh is a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. He is, however, extremely wary and fights in an intelligent manner, aiming to maximize his chances. His peculiar relationship with pain, coupled with his conjury, leads him to discount injuries that aren't crippling or lethal.

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"What can you say about Setoh? He is a fully-embraced fiend."
</blockquote>

At first glance, Setoh is something of a paradox. He is intelligent and well educated, with a curious mind and a willingness to put great effort into learning. At the same time, he lives for the moment and will often abandon perfectly sound plans, spurred by brief moments of boredom.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Battle
::*Clever conversation
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless
::*Wanton destruction
::*Poseurs

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*Setoh is an avid reader and will happily spend days pouring over interesting books.
::*He is a gourmet and an excellent cook.

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

::● '''[[C'kayah Polaali]]:''' An Ul'dahn criminal that Setoh has done work for in the past.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Their personalities...did not mesh. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.

== Rumors ==

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Character Addenda==

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-01-23T01:04:22Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Viqqoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 29
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Viqqoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. Very much a loner, he dislikes spending much time in any city-state. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark eyes, and white hair. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

A restless loner, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Setoh is a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. He is, however, extremely wary and fights in an intelligent manner, aiming to maximize his chances. His peculiar relationship with pain, coupled with his conjury, leads him to discount injuries that aren't crippling or lethal.

== Tendencies ==

A natural student with a passion for knowledge and a seeming utter lack of empathy, Setoh is a consummate professional.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Destruction
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Pain - both giving and receiving
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*

=== Other ===

::*

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

::● '''[[C'kayah Polaali]]:''' An Ul'dahn criminal that Setoh has done work for in the past.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Their personalities...did not mesh. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A Limsan criminal that Setoh was hired to assist. Both Liana and Suri annoyed the Keeper, prompting him to cancel the contract and return the money he was paid.

== Rumors ==

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Character Addenda==

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-01-22T18:17:36Z

C'kayah Polaali:

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Viqqoh
| image = Setoh_Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 29
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Viqqoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. Very much a loner, he dislikes spending much time in any city-state. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark eyes, and white hair. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

A restless loner, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Setoh is a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. He is, however, extremely wary and fights in an intelligent manner, aiming to maximize his chances. His peculiar relationship with pain, coupled with his conjury, leads him to discount injuries that aren't crippling or lethal.

== Tendencies ==

A natural student with a passion for knowledge and a seeming utter lack of empathy, Setoh is a consummate professional.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Destruction
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Pain - both giving and receiving
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*

=== Other ===

::*

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

== Rumors ==

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Character Addenda==

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

File:Setoh Viqqoh.png

2015-01-22T18:16:32Z

C'kayah Polaali:

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-01-22T18:16:14Z

C'kayah Polaali:

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Viqqoh
| image = Setoh Viqqoh.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 29
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Viqqoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. Very much a loner, he dislikes spending much time in any city-state. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark eyes, and white hair. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

A restless loner, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Setoh is a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. He is, however, extremely wary and fights in an intelligent manner, aiming to maximize his chances. His peculiar relationship with pain, coupled with his conjury, leads him to discount injuries that aren't crippling or lethal.

== Tendencies ==

A natural student with a passion for knowledge and a seeming utter lack of empathy, Setoh is a consummate professional.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Destruction
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Pain - both giving and receiving
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*

=== Other ===

::*

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

== Rumors ==

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Character Addenda==

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

Setoh Viqqoh

2015-01-22T01:57:37Z

C'kayah Polaali: Created page with "{{Ic}} {{Ooc info}} {{Infobox-character | name = Setoh Viqqoh | image = | imagewidth = 250 | caption = | title = | gender = Male | citizenship = None | race = Miqo'te | cla..."

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = Setoh Viqqoh
| image =
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title =
| gender = Male
| citizenship = None
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Keeper of the Moon
| stat_1 = Age
| stat_1_value = 29
| stat_2 = Height
| stat_2_value = 5 fulm 7 ilm
| stat_3 = Server
| stat_3_value = Balmung
| stat_4 = In game
| stat_4_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''Setoh Viqqoh''' is a wandering Moonkeeper who splits his time between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. Very much a loner, he dislikes spending much time in any city-state. While Setoh could be seen as a largely selfish individual, he has a capacity for extreme acts of selflessness and loyalty to people he truly loves and cares for. Intelligent, skilled, and willing to do nearly anything for money, Setoh is the consummate professional villain.

'''Note: Setoh does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

Tall (for a Miqo'te) and lean, with dark skin, dark eyes, and white hair. He moves gracefully, with little wasted energy. He tends to dress plainly but well, in high quality clothing that leaves few impressions behind.

=== Behavior ===

A restless loner, Setoh prefers to spend his time pursuing the whims of his curiosity. His zeal to learn has resulted in his situation improving from the days of his youth, as simple jobs for unskilled muscle gave way to more specialized contracts requiring his ''particular'' touch. Despite the pleasure he takes in his work, however, he has recently begun to chafe against the life of a contracted hireling, wishing to amass the sort of wealth his patrons exhibit.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Setoh is a skilled conjurer, adept at aethyric manipulation. While he is skilled with a bow, he prefers the pleasures of close combat. He is, however, extremely wary and fights in an intelligent manner, aiming to maximize his chances. His peculiar relationship with pain, coupled with his conjury, leads him to discount injuries that aren't crippling or lethal.

== Tendencies ==

A natural student with a passion for knowledge and a seeming utter lack of empathy, Setoh is a consummate professional.

=== Likes ===

::*Knowledge
::*Destruction
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Pain - both giving and receiving
::*Powerful women

=== Dislikes ===

::*Boredom
::*Feeling powerless

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*

=== Other ===

::*

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

=== Other Relationships ===

== Rumors ==

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Some rumor." - '''Someone'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1550-1572 Early life ===

=== 1572/0-Present ===

==Character Addenda==

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-01-22T00:43:18Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::● '''[[Alyeis Daimeiris]]:''' A mysterious Keeper with an extralegal background who has been seen in his company from time to time. Considering both of their pasts, there is some speculation that they may be working together towards nefarious ends.
::● '''[[Ari'za Tyanu]]:''' A young Seeker who C'kayah took on as a member of Tylwyth Narah and a student in the darker aspects of criminal activities, their relationship immediately grew complicated when she discovered she was with child. Her rough past left her with little ability to trust others, but C'kayah's willingness to commit to aiding the woman led to a fragile trust between her and him. While the two are attracted to one another, though her views of Seeker relationships prevent them from acting on this. After the birth of her twin daughters, he found himself spending a great deal of time with the children until the appearance of an old enemy of hers convinced her that the safest course of action for her and her children would be to go into hiding.
::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. He has taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again.
::● '''[[Erik Mynhier]]:''' C'kayah met Erik through Siha, who the big Hyur adopted as a sister. Erik is everything C'kayah is not: tall, noble and virtuous. Despite all of that, C'kayah found himself enjoying the big Hyur's company, possibly due to Erik's loyalty towards Siha. As time passed, however, he began to be aware that all was not well with the Hyur. A strong sense of duty compounded by a devotion to dying a heroic death made him wary, distancing himself from the man. His fears proved well-founded when Erik was killed in what, to C'kayah, were completely avoidable circumstances. After heroic measures by Siha, he was returned to life. Since his death and return, however, he has heard rumors of troubling behavior.
::● '''[[Friederike Visconti]]:''' A Miqo'te bartender from the Laughing Lady, his friendship with the woman has grown from their early acquaintance to it's current solid form. When the Lady folded, he brought her into Tylwyth Narah to act as an assistant to Kenthy.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kanaria Galanodel]]:''' Osric Melkire's Hyur lover. C'kayah helped her to save Askier Mergrey during his ill-fated attempt to attack Ul'dah under pressure from the Garleans. As a reward, she brought him news that Osric had been tasked with C'kayah's death. Rationally he doesn't blame her for the dissolution of his tribe, but feelings often do not have a basis in rationality.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. While those close to them have seen hints of the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to what seems to be unreconcilable hostility between them.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man for that.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[Torken Queb]]:''' A tall Hyur sellsword who C'kayah has hired in the past for jobs. Forceful and direct almost to a fault, Torken has proved valuable in situations where discretion isn't called for.
::● '''[[V'lanya Mei]]:''' A beautiful and witty Keeper that C'kayah struck up a conversation with. Her wit reminds him of Roswyn, though her nature is far darker.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"He is a mystery, to be certain. But I have seen the way he cares for people he loves, and that speaks volumes of the man he is inside. That is enough for me." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one. I like him! Not sure if I still would if I had something to my name, though..." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"Stop trying to get answers about him out of me. He keeps to himself and his organization, and both are things I never got to know as well as I would have liked." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other and to the success of Tylwyth Narah.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continues to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-01-22T00:39:13Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* 1572/0-Present Calamity */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::● '''[[Alyeis Daimeiris]]:''' A mysterious Keeper with an extralegal background who has been seen in his company from time to time. Considering both of their pasts, there is some speculation that they may be working together towards nefarious ends.
::● '''[[Ari'za Tyanu]]:''' A young Seeker who C'kayah took on as a member of Tylwyth Narah and a student in the darker aspects of criminal activities, their relationship immediately grew complicated when she discovered she was with child. Her rough past left her with little ability to trust others, but C'kayah's willingness to commit to aiding the woman led to a fragile trust between her and him. While the two are attracted to one another, though her views of Seeker relationships prevent them from acting on this. After the birth of her twin daughters, he found himself spending a great deal of time with the children until the appearance of an old enemy of hers convinced her that the safest course of action for her and her children would be to go into hiding.
::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. He has taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again.
::● '''[[Erik Mynhier]]:''' C'kayah met Erik through Siha, who the big Hyur adopted as a sister. Erik is everything C'kayah is not: tall, noble and virtuous. Despite all of that, C'kayah found himself enjoying the big Hyur's company, possibly due to Erik's loyalty towards Siha. As time passed, however, he began to be aware that all was not well with the Hyur. A strong sense of duty compounded by a devotion to dying a heroic death made him wary, distancing himself from the man. His fears proved well-founded when Erik was killed in what, to C'kayah, were completely avoidable circumstances. After heroic measures by Siha, he was returned to life. Since his death and return, however, he has heard rumors of troubling behavior.
::● '''[[Friederike Visconti]]:''' A Miqo'te bartender from the Laughing Lady, his friendship with the woman has grown from their early acquaintance to it's current solid form. When the Lady folded, he brought her into Tylwyth Narah to act as an assistant to Kenthy.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kanaria Galanodel]]:''' Osric Melkire's Hyur lover. C'kayah helped her to save Askier Mergrey during his ill-fated attempt to attack Ul'dah under pressure from the Garleans. As a reward, she brought him news that Osric had been tasked with C'kayah's death. Rationally he doesn't blame her for the dissolution of his tribe, but feelings often do not have a basis in rationality.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. While those close to them have seen hints of the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to what seems to be unreconcilable hostility between them.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man for that.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[Torken Queb]]:''' A tall Hyur sellsword who C'kayah has hired in the past for jobs. Forceful and direct almost to a fault, Torken has proved valuable in situations where discretion isn't called for.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"He is a mystery, to be certain. But I have seen the way he cares for people he loves, and that speaks volumes of the man he is inside. That is enough for me." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one. I like him! Not sure if I still would if I had something to my name, though..." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"Stop trying to get answers about him out of me. He keeps to himself and his organization, and both are things I never got to know as well as I would have liked." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time before shattering, the pair parting for reasons neither are willing to discuss. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other and to the success of Tylwyth Narah.

As Tylwyth Narah grew, the ruins of his relationship with Natalie led to an uneasy alliance between him and a number of renegade Sultansworn. Tasked with helping their attempts at leashing [[Osric Melkire]] and the Red Wings, he was given an extremely valuable Syndicate charter to establish a business in Thanalan. This led to the creation of the Guiding Hand Trade Consortium, an import/export trade concern which deals primarily in compact valuables. As the GHTC grew in wealth, he seemingly abandoned his criminal pursuits in favor of legitimate business, something he loudly maintains is true. Despite this, Tylwyth Narah continues to grow with C'kayah and Kenthy at the head.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-01-22T00:30:09Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Relationships */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::● '''[[Alyeis Daimeiris]]:''' A mysterious Keeper with an extralegal background who has been seen in his company from time to time. Considering both of their pasts, there is some speculation that they may be working together towards nefarious ends.
::● '''[[Ari'za Tyanu]]:''' A young Seeker who C'kayah took on as a member of Tylwyth Narah and a student in the darker aspects of criminal activities, their relationship immediately grew complicated when she discovered she was with child. Her rough past left her with little ability to trust others, but C'kayah's willingness to commit to aiding the woman led to a fragile trust between her and him. While the two are attracted to one another, though her views of Seeker relationships prevent them from acting on this. After the birth of her twin daughters, he found himself spending a great deal of time with the children until the appearance of an old enemy of hers convinced her that the safest course of action for her and her children would be to go into hiding.
::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. He has taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again.
::● '''[[Erik Mynhier]]:''' C'kayah met Erik through Siha, who the big Hyur adopted as a sister. Erik is everything C'kayah is not: tall, noble and virtuous. Despite all of that, C'kayah found himself enjoying the big Hyur's company, possibly due to Erik's loyalty towards Siha. As time passed, however, he began to be aware that all was not well with the Hyur. A strong sense of duty compounded by a devotion to dying a heroic death made him wary, distancing himself from the man. His fears proved well-founded when Erik was killed in what, to C'kayah, were completely avoidable circumstances. After heroic measures by Siha, he was returned to life. Since his death and return, however, he has heard rumors of troubling behavior.
::● '''[[Friederike Visconti]]:''' A Miqo'te bartender from the Laughing Lady, his friendship with the woman has grown from their early acquaintance to it's current solid form. When the Lady folded, he brought her into Tylwyth Narah to act as an assistant to Kenthy.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kanaria Galanodel]]:''' Osric Melkire's Hyur lover. C'kayah helped her to save Askier Mergrey during his ill-fated attempt to attack Ul'dah under pressure from the Garleans. As a reward, she brought him news that Osric had been tasked with C'kayah's death. Rationally he doesn't blame her for the dissolution of his tribe, but feelings often do not have a basis in rationality.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. While those close to them have seen hints of the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to what seems to be unreconcilable hostility between them.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man for that.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[Torken Queb]]:''' A tall Hyur sellsword who C'kayah has hired in the past for jobs. Forceful and direct almost to a fault, Torken has proved valuable in situations where discretion isn't called for.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"He is a mystery, to be certain. But I have seen the way he cares for people he loves, and that speaks volumes of the man he is inside. That is enough for me." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one. I like him! Not sure if I still would if I had something to my name, though..." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"Stop trying to get answers about him out of me. He keeps to himself and his organization, and both are things I never got to know as well as I would have liked." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other and to the success of Tylwyth Narah.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]

C'kayah Polaali

2015-01-22T00:26:01Z

C'kayah Polaali: /* Tendencies */

{{Ic}}
{{Ooc info}}

{{Infobox-character
| name = C'kayah Polaali
| image = CKayah Tia.png
| imagewidth = 250
| caption =
| title = Débrouillard
| gender = Male
| citizenship = Ul'dah
| race = Miqo'te
| clan = Seeker of the Sun
| stat_1 = Tribe
| stat_1_value = Coeurl tribe of the Sagolii
| stat_2 = Age
| stat_2_value = 30
| stat_3 = Height
| stat_3_value = 5 fulm 6 ilm
| stat_4 = Also known as
| stat_4_value = [[C'kayah Tia]]
| stat_5 = Server
| stat_5_value = Balmung
| stat_6 = In game
| stat_6_value = Most days from 8-12 PM Pacific
}}

== Character ==

=== General ===

'''C'kayah Polaali''' (''Ka-kai-yah Poh-lah-lee'') - aka '''C'kayah Tia''' (''Ka-kai-yah Tea-ah'') - is an active, vigorous Seeker of the Sun living in the city-state of Ul'dah. Urbanized, compared to many of the Coeurl tribe, he typifies the sort of energetic Seeker who leaves to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]] and decides that it's pretty nice out there. While he grew up in a traditional Coeurl Sunseeker sept, he has recently adopted his maternal grandmother's surname of Polaali. Very distinctly not a hero, he walks that grey area between mere decadence and villainy.

'''Note: C'kayah does not have the Echo, nor is a part of the Scions. He has no information on anything relating to the events portrayed in the game.'''

=== Appearance ===

<blockquote>
"I am tall for a Miqo'te, and I have always been blessed with swift feet and an athletic build. My coarse brown hair is unruly, like my father's. I used to keep it braided, but I spend the time now to keep it styled. My eyebrows, which are fine, I get from my mother, as I do my eyes. I have fangs, a legacy from my maternal grandmother, a Keeper of the Moon. While I do not dress like a tribal Couerl - I am too fond of stylish urban Miqo'te fashion - my mannerisms sometimes give away my affiliations."
</blockquote>

[[File:C-finalOriginalsmallest.jpg]]

=== Behavior ===

Despite his tribal background, C'kayah has adapted to civilized society like a fish to water. He is curious, energetic, and adventurous, with the sort of overweening fondness for the trappings of civilization that sometimes develops in civilized barbarians. While he likes to portray himself as a the same carefree Miqo that he's always been, living through the Calamity has affected him, making him more aware that ignoring a threat does not make that threat go away. He doesn't tell anyone, but the last five years have seen him apply himself to study (of healing, of history, and of politics) with a diligence that is quite unlike him. This wider understanding, paired with his natural charisma, has led him to develop an organized crime cartel whose influence is beginning to be felt throughout Thanalan.

== Combat ==

=== General ===

Originally trained in his tribe as a hunter, he has continued to hone his skills, becoming an accomplished tracker and archer. While he picked up the sword during the Calamity, he considered himself only knowledgable enough to get himself into trouble. Since his disastrous encounter with Thunder, he's applied himself to the study of swordsmanship with an uncharacteristic drive. His overall philosophy of combat is that it is best to engage an enemy in a way that he knows they have been defeated before they are even aware that they are in combat.

<blockquote>
"If I am in a fair fight, then I have done something terribly, terribly wrong."
</blockquote>

== Tendencies ==

<blockquote>
"Likes/Dislikes: I like to roam, and I like to return. I like good food, fine wine, witty conversation with intelligent people, beautiful women (oh? Did you think that a Tia, by not breeding, has no knowledge of women?), and comfortable living. I like subtle and thought-provoking poetry and philosophy. Dislikes? I am not fond of Elezen, or at least those Elezen who maintain that the rest of us are merely invaders in their world. I dislike limitations. I dislike foolish behavior, maudlin sentimentality and boredom. Most of all, though, I like power and I dislike an empty purse."
</blockquote>

=== Likes ===

::*Power
::*Wealth
::*Clever conversation
::*Beautiful women
::*Religious iconography
::*Fine food and strong drink

=== Dislikes ===

::*Garleans (he blames them very specifically for S'aitei's death)
::*Boorish people (a category into which he lumps any Roegadyn he meets)
::*Hypocrites

=== Hobbies/Talents ===

::*His main talent is his ability to inspire others
::*He's a pretty decent hunter with good tracking skills
::*He's applied himself to the study of the sword and has developed some ability with it
::*He's becoming quite a good healer and a conjurer adept
::*He's a good singer
::*He's a surprisingly good cook

=== Other ===

::*He is a connoisseur of good wines and strong drink, though he dislikes beers and ales
::*He has a weakness for beautiful women and is easily swayed and manipulated by them

== Relationships ==
<center> ♥ Mated    ♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire   ● Friendly    ● Neutral    ● Hostile</center> 

''I've seen the various ♥ icons handled differently. Here, they are a heirarchy, much like ●, ●, and ●:

♥ implies ♥ 
♥ implies both ♥ and ♥''
=== Family ===

<blockquote>
"My parents are C'xin Nunh and C'issapa Oya. My father is very conservative, holding to the "eternal ways of of Coeurl Tribe". My mother... is something of a free spirit. They said that she has Keeper blood in her, which I suppose means that I have it as well. My own wandering feet I have certainly inherited from her. Other relatives? You know how it is in a Seeker tribe, especially one such as the Coeurls. I have many relatives, many siblings by my father, yet none (that I know of) by my mother. Some I got along with very well, and we exchange letters to this day, though I have not seen any of my siblings since I left to Hunt the World, twelve years ago."
</blockquote>

::● '''C'xin Nunh:''' C'kayah's father. C'xin is extremely conservative, and expects C'kayah to uphold the traditions of the tribe. Often distant with his children, C'xin nevertheless takes an active interest in their lives.
::● '''C'issapa Oya:''' C'kayah's mother. C'issapa is an extremely free-spirited and free-thinking woman whose sharp canines and large eyes betray a mixed ancestry. C'issapa reveres Menphina, and it is from her that C'kayah developed his own devotion to the diety. C'kayah and C'issapa have always been extremely close.
::●● '''The rest:''' As is common with Seeker tribes, C'kayah has many brothers and sisters.

=== Other Relationships ===

<blockquote>
"I suppose my natural disposition is to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness."
</blockquote>

::● '''[[Alyeis Daimeiris]]:''' A mysterious Keeper with an extralegal background who has been seen in his company from time to time. Considering both of their pasts, there is some speculation that they may be working together towards nefarious ends.
::● '''[[Ari'za Tyanu]]:''' A young Seeker who C'kayah took on as a member of Tylwyth Narah and a student in the darker aspects of criminal activities, their relationship immediately grew complicated when she discovered she was with child. Her rough past left her with little ability to trust others, but C'kayah's willingness to commit to aiding the woman led to a fragile trust between her and him. While the two are attracted to one another, though her views of Seeker relationships prevent them from acting on this. After the birth of her twin daughters, he found himself spending a great deal of time with the children until the appearance of an old enemy of hers convinced her that the safest course of action for her and her children would be to go into hiding.
::♥● '''[[Aya Foxheart]]:''' C'kayah met this attractive Hyur when he passed through Fallgourd Float. The two immediately bonded over drink and flirty conversation. They saw little of one another for some months after that, until she relocated to Ul'dah and began to work in the Quicksand as a barmaid, when they renewed their friendship. They share similar outlooks, both having rejected the future their childhood was preparing them for in favor of living their lives as they want to. While it is clear that both are attracted to each other, he values her primarily as a friend and will do anything to help her, should she be in need.
::● '''[[Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn]]:''' A Roegadyn bandit going by the street name of Thunder and leader of a gang who viciously attacked C'kayah outside the Royal Ball in Ul'dah. While C'kayah originally orchestrated a manhunt for the bandit, her elusiveness has led him to abandon the search. He has taken to wearing a sword in case the bandit strikes again.
::● '''[[Erik Mynhier]]:''' C'kayah met Erik through Siha, who the big Hyur adopted as a sister. Erik is everything C'kayah is not: tall, noble and virtuous. Despite all of that, C'kayah found himself enjoying the big Hyur's company, possibly due to Erik's loyalty towards Siha. As time passed, however, he began to be aware that all was not well with the Hyur. A strong sense of duty compounded by a devotion to dying a heroic death made him wary, distancing himself from the man. His fears proved well-founded when Erik was killed in what, to C'kayah, were completely avoidable circumstances. After heroic measures by Siha, he was returned to life. Since his death and return, however, he has heard rumors of troubling behavior.
::● '''[[Friederike Visconti]]:''' A Miqo'te bartender from the Laughing Lady, his friendship with the woman has grown from their early acquaintance to it's current solid form. When the Lady folded, he brought her into Tylwyth Narah to act as an assistant to Kenthy.
::● '''[[Kage Kiryuu]]:''' C'kayah met this Lalafell while trying to reverse the effects of Natalie's tempering. The pair bonded over their shared interest in helping her, and have since become fast friends. Kage's ascension to the ranks of the Sultansworn pleased him, though lately he's begun to wonder if the realities of the position are good for the Lalafell's innocent spirit. Kage made up the fourth member of the Cat tribe before it's dissolution. Kage and Natalie's creation of a new tribe with Kage as Nunh mere days after the dissolution of the Cat tribe has soured C'kayah's feelings for the Lalafell, moreso after Kage's mysterious transformation into a Miqo'te. However, a recent meeting between the two has somehow convinced C'kayah to act as a mentor to Kage, helping the man come to terms with his new identity. The transformation proved temporary, however, and with his return to Lalafellin form, Kage has disappeared.
::● '''[[Kanaria Galanodel]]:''' Osric Melkire's Hyur lover. C'kayah helped her to save Askier Mergrey during his ill-fated attempt to attack Ul'dah under pressure from the Garleans. As a reward, she brought him news that Osric had been tasked with C'kayah's death. Rationally he doesn't blame her for the dissolution of his tribe, but feelings often do not have a basis in rationality.
::♥● '''[[L'kenthi Rarahn]]:''' A Sunseeker with a mysterious past who C'kayah has been seen conversing with lately. Their relationship is complex, with Kenthy's acidic nature hiding sincere feelings for her. For his part, C'kayah highly values her judgement, and has made her his lieutenant within Tylwyth Narah. While those close to them have seen hints of the deeper feelings that run between them, neither share the details of their relationship with strangers.
::● '''[[Kiht Jakkya]]:''' Vice Matriarch to the Morbolvine clan and associate of an underworld figure C'kayah has dealt with in the past. Their relationship is colored by suspicion and doubt. While they recently overcame their past antagonism, bonding over shared regard for the clan, it was not long before renewed conflict soured their relationship.
::● '''[[Liana Blu]]:''' C'kayah met Liana as she was burying the remnants of a Roegadyn that had attacked Suri. Moved by his concern for Suri, she was convinced to let him help them to escape Ul'dahn justice. Thal to Suri's Nald, C'kayah has nothing but admiration for her. He once harbored hopes of something more, but she rebuked him. After Suri's departure, they briefly pursued an odd relationship - not friends, not lovers, but something else. As the months have gone on, he's seen Liana less and less. After her near-mortal injury and rebirth, he renewed his friendship with the Keeper.
::●'''[[Lilithium Altair]]:''' An alchemist to whom he supplied contraband materials, something sparked between C'kayah and this Hyur. When they met, both were nursing freshly broken hearts, and they tried to balance their mutual attraction with some degree of caution, circling one another like a pair of gladiators in the moment before the attack. They soon both admitted that their attraction was real, and began to spend a great deal of time together, developing a complex and unconventional open relationship which consumed them for a time.
::● '''[[Natalie Mcbeef]]:''' A dedicated Sultansworn Paladin who subjected him to an in-depth investigation. Over the course of it, the pair were surprised at the feelings they developed for each other. Despite the misgivings of their friends and associates, the pair decided to pursue a relationship that blossomed into an extremely strong partnership. Over the months they grew closer, eventually attempting to create an urban Miqo'te tribe in Ul'dah. This ended with a vicious fight seemingly caused by the strain of trying to deal with two different groups that wanted C'kayah dead. The news that she formed a new tribe, with Kage Kiryuu as Nunh mere days afterwards has transformed his love for her into a burning hate that has only gradually subsided. Her sudden death has left him extremely conflicted when it comes to her.
::● '''[[Miah Polaali]]:''' Matriarch of the Morbolvine clan. A distant relative of C'kayah's, he has dealt with the Morbolvines for years as a smuggler. Recently renewing his relationship with the clan, he discovered their old Matriarch dead and Miah in her place. He's aware of Miah's driving ambition to turns the clan into something more: a Power in the underworld. While he is interested in helping them take this place, he has repeatedly run afoul of the mercurial Keeper and doubts her ability to achieve her ambitions. Recent events have led to what seems to be unreconcilable hostility between them.
::●● '''[[Osric Melkire]]:''' A usually-mased Immortal Flame with whom C'kayah worked to stop Askier Mergrey's plans for detonating a ceruleum bomb in Ul'dah. While the two are sometimes antagonistic, it is clear that C'kayah holds a grudging respect for the man, considering him a beacon of honorable behavior in an otherwise unrecoverably corrupt organization. At the same time, Osric's staged hunt of C'kayah was a catalyst for the dissolution of his tribe, and he still holds an active dislike for the man for that.
::● '''[[Rinh'li Nelhah]]:''' Another Morbolvine and associate of Dennthota's, the hostility of this Keeper to C'kayah isimmediately clear to any who see them together. For his part, C'kayah delights in baiting the stuttering, angry man.
::● '''[[Rinh'sae Nelhah]]:''' Brother to Rinh'li, Rinh'sae and C'kayah have gradually warmed up to one another. Rinh'sae has done work for him, and his competent and loyal nature have sparked a strong regard for the Keeper in C'kayah.
::● '''[[Roswyn Valhuri]]:''' A young Keeper woman who C'kayah's known for years, though they only re-established contact with one another within the past year. For a time, their feelings for one another were all-consuming and clear to anyone who saw them together. The violence of their attraction threw them together and spun them apart until at last C'kayah began to avoid her, though he continued to watch after her from afar. After his first encounters with Lolorito's assassins, he contacted her for aid and found that she'd changed radically from the ambitious girl he'd known into a smart, capable woman. He was surprised at this change, but more surprised that their feelings for one another remained just as strong, though tempered by his belief that neither could be what the other desired. Despite this, his feelings for her continued to grow, until one disastrous night soon after the dissolution of the Cat tribe. Her simultaneous revelation that she had become the mate of another and her insistence on his presence in her life - in his mind as a sort of Tia - left him shattered and for a time he refused to see her. They have since attempted to reconcile, but fate seems to desire to keep the pair apart. After an emergency pulled him away from her, she broke off contact with him. He's since realized that their relationship is healthy for neither of them, and has resigned himself to not seeing her. Distance has allowed his feelings to settle, and he returned to his old practice of keeping an eye on her from the shadows, ready to use his resources to ensure her safety.
::● '''[[Siha Xinkei]]:''' A scrappy little Keeper girl who was rejected by her family, Siha has managed to touch a genuine spot of compassion in his decadent heart. News of Erik's illness shocked her, causing her to dedicate herself to finding some way to save her brother. After his death and rebirth, she pulled away, spending more and more time in the pursuit of dark studies with cruel associates for a time before recently coming back into his life. He discovered that the innocent girl he knew is now a capable and intelligent woman. Her confession of her feelings for him left him thoughtful for the future for a time, though she vanished again soon after that, leaving him wondering where she is and what she's doing.
::● '''[[User:S'rahvi Khai|S'rahvi Khai]]:''' An extremely attractive Seeker C'kayah met through Natalie. While their relationship was originally based on mutual attraction, they've since become close friends. Rahvi's abilities as an alchemist have proved very valuable to C'kayah.
::● '''[[Shifu Karambit]]:''' An intense Keeper woman, new to Ul'dah, who had been seen in Natalie and C'kayah's company quite a bit before his departure from their tribe.
::● '''[[Surilian Blu]]:''' A young Keeper who's somehow managed to kindle extremely strong (and completely unexpected) feelings in him. A characteristically ham-handed declaration of those feelings drove her away, much to his despair. His attempts to patch things up in the aftermath failed miserably, as neither Miqo'te were able to overcome their awkward inability to really communicate. As the months have passed, his feelings for her have not declined. Recently, following an attack by the bandit Thunder, C'kayah learned that Suri risked her life in an attempt to exact vengeance, suffering capture and torture at the hands of the bandit, though he also learned that Suri had worked briefly with her, promising to deliver C'kayah to Thunder in exchange for the death of Natalie - a deal Suri broke within minutes. The pair have since admitted their feelings for one another, though in the typically dysfunctional manner they exhibit with one another. Suri's decision to become [[Artorias Mason|Artorias Mason's]] mate spurred a resolve in him to stand by her and support her relationship with the Hyur. His love for her remains, but he tries to keep it buried inside. Recent events led them to fight, and he no longer sees her.
::● '''[[Tana Firesong]]:''' C'kayah encountered this odd Miqo'te lancer when she attacked him for his supposed crimes against the general public. Escaping with the help of Natalie, the pair eventually worked past their differences and became friends. While guarding him, she earned the ire of the Morbolvines after a duel went bad, resulting in her departure to the mountains. Despite this, he continues to defend her and hopes that she is well.
::● '''[[Torken Queb]]:''' A tall Hyur sellsword who C'kayah has hired in the past for jobs. Forceful and direct almost to a fault, Torken has proved valuable in situations where discretion isn't called for.

== Rumors ==

<blockquote>
"You may have heard that I am a smuggler, though I do not care for that term. Some have called me a thief, but I must point out that those who slander me with such terms have never been able to prove their accusations in court."
</blockquote>

=== Common Rumors (Easily Overheard) ===

::*"Him? He's a lush. Spends all his time drinking and feasting and wenching." - '''Ul'dahn wine-seller'''
::*"Do you know the word ''débrouillard''? No? Pity. I think it applies in his case." - '''Gridanian dye-maker'''
::*"He's grown wealthy over the past year. One can't help but see the clear signs of Syndicate patronage." - '''Ul'dahn importer'''
::*"He's an easy mark for a beautiful woman. Just look at the name he's taken!" - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== Moderate Rumors (Uncommonly Overheard) ===

::*"He's a fantastic cook. That's all I'll say on the matter." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''
::*"An easy mark. I took him for every gil he had." - '''Lominsan courtesan-thief'''
::*"One of these days I'm going to catch him red-handed!" - '''Ul'dahn Sultansword'''
::*"He bought a rare book of hymns to Nald'Thal for a sum that paid my rent for nearly a season." - '''Ul'dahn bookseller'''

=== Rare Rumors (Very Difficult to Discover) ===

::*"He's always taking things from place to place. From the way he handles some of them, they're not just spices and coffee..." - '''Gridanian courtesan'''
::*"Once when we were in our cups, he called himself the beloved of [[Nald'thal, the Trader|Thal]]. Told me stories of being killed and coming back. Ridiculous, of course, but I think he honestly believes them." - '''Limsan smuggler'''
::*"He has unusual tastes, especially when it comes to receiving pain. He's very charming..." - '''Ul'dahn courtesan'''

=== PC Rumors (Feel Free to Add IC Rumors) ===

::*"He is a mystery, to be certain. But I have seen the way he cares for people he loves, and that speaks volumes of the man he is inside. That is enough for me." - [[Roen Deneith]]

::*"He's far more than his feather headed playboy image let's on. Of all the would be vipers slithering in Ul'dah's shadows, Kayah is far and away the most dangerous... next to me of course." - [[Torken Queb]]

::*"I can appreciate a good liar when I see one. I like him! Not sure if I still would if I had something to my name, though..." - [[Chokho Viqqoh]]

::*"I hurt him in ignorance and he took at as deliberate. I'm not sure if we'll ever even manage to be friends once more." - [[Natalie Mcbeef]]

::*"Ever found y'self wantin' to prove your worth to some scum? Because I hadn't... haven't. I haven't." - [[Osric Melkire]]

::*"I have seen that male at his strongest, and I have seen him at his weakest. Yet, I still understand him less than anyone I know. Only time will tell if he is friend or foe." - [[Kiht Jakkya]]

::*"To me, there is no mystery to Kayah. He seeks to conquer on his own terms. Contrary to what he has others believe, he knows not of true love because he doesn't understand compromise. He isn't evil, but if he were I think we both know how dangerous those aforementioned combination of traits would make him." - [[Roswyn Valhuri]]

::*"Bastard's got all the personality of a goobbue's left asscheek but none of the charm." - [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]]

::*"Stop trying to get answers about him out of me. He keeps to himself and his organization, and both are things I never got to know as well as I would have liked." -[[Lilithium Altair]]

::*"C'kayah? He's the kind of guy you just can't figure out. You think you know him, but you always find out something new when you least expect it." --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"Wait - wait! C'kayah Who?" --[[Aya Foxheart]]

::*"C'kayah...I'd rather not talk about him. I don't even really know him..." - [[Siha Xinkei]]

::*"The lord I have seen twice that I know of; Thaliak only knows how many actual times. He did go beyond any favor or payment to help me and did tell me it was for love. Dare say that rings true above any written law. I cannot show enough gratitude for that heart." - [[Jancis Milburga]]

::* "C'kayah.. think that's the one I talked to about rentin' a room.. Nice guy.. not t' bad t' look at either but don't tell him I said that. " - [[L'lani Tyata]]

::* "He's positively charming, and exudes a certain aura that I should imagine that most women cannot pull away from. From what I know, not a bad word could be said of his nature." - [[V'lanya Mei]]

== History/Timeline ==

=== 1548-1565 Childhood/adolescence ===

C'kayah was born into a sept of the Coeurl Tribe in the deserts around Ul'dah, C'kayah (like many Seekers) both loved the security of his enormous extended family and chafed at the restrictions imposed by them. Coeurl tribe children typically join a ''ton'' at adolescence, leaning to fill an adult's role with the tribe. With his love of wandering, he chose the Hunter's ton, learning the skills of tracking and shooting and enjoying the freedom that tramping through the wilderness provided. On his seventeenth name-day, he left his sept to [[Coeurl Tribe|Hunt the World]], a Coeurl "travelling ritual".

=== 1565-1572 The carefree life ===

Initially upon leaving his tribe, Ul'dah drew him in, as it draws in so many. When he first arrived he had no money, so life was hard for him. His skills were ill-suited toward gaining a living within the city, so he found himself earning his way through mercenary work, caravan-guarding and the like. Along the way he developed his rudimentary Couerl medical talents, becoming a decent frontier medic. Ul'dah is a decadent place, and he took to this decadence wholeheartedly, especially after attracting the notice of A'rela Nereh, a wealthy silver merchant. Twice his age and a notorious consumer of attractive young Miqo'te, he briefly became her lover while she, in turn, taught him to appreciate the comforts of civilization as well as the importance of connections, though he did not appreciate ''that'' lesson until years later. Back on his own when her attentions wandered, he began to supplement his income by smuggling and theft and soon grew wealthy enough to enjoy life in Ul'dah. All good things must come to an end, however, and he was chased out of that city in his eighteenth year.

Over the next few years, he made his way across the world, spending most of his time around Limsa Lominsa and Gridania. Like Ul'dah, these places combined plentiful opportunities for acquiring money with a wealth of pleasures on which to spend it. By this time he had developed a grab bag of competencies, allowing him to get by while avoiding the tedium of a full-time occupation: smuggling, petty theft (though never more than his victims could afford), fixing (in the sense of ''arranging'' matters), and even the occasional legitimate job. In Gridania he met his first real love, a young thief who called herself S'aitei Koei - an obvious pseudonym. Another Ul'dan refuge, S'aitei was an escaped slave with the lash scars on her back to prove the cruelty of that institution to him. Settling in the Shroud, they made the forest their home, living from the proceeds of C'kayah's smuggling. Their intense and unconventional affair lasted nearly three years, consuming them until they could no longer sustain it, like coal burned to ash. They remained close friends afterwards, and much of his apparent arrested adolescence and inveterate womanizing could be considered his heart yearning to return to those three devastating years.

=== 1572/0-Present Calamity ===

C'kayah did not take the Garlean threat seriously at first, considering such politics to be inconsequential to him. As the clouds of war gathered, however, he began to see how he may be affected. Like many around Gridania, he learned to handle a sword in anticipation of a Garlean invasion of the city proper, though he moved to the city when the Gridanians set out for Cartaneau.

Like all who survived the Calamity, the devastation wrought by Bahamut and the red moon shocked him, giving him the full measure of the Garlean threat. He awaited the end with the other Gridanians, and when it did not come, he lent his aid as a medic to the streams of refugees and survivors. The event opened his eyes to the larger concerns of the world.

S'aitei disappeared during this time, and he presumes she died in the calamity. He nurtures a slow-burning hatred of the Garleans as a result of her loss.

In the aftermath of the Calamity, he gradually returned to his old ways. Smuggling and ''fixing'', in his mind, were good ways to both help those who lacked what they needed while also giving him the money he desired. He has recently managed to placate the Ul'dahn Syndicate and was allowed to return to that city, where he began to give up his wandering life. Gathering a number of talented criminals, he began to contract out their services as the Nald'Thal's Hand Social Club. Once the Club reached a significant size and level of power, he left it in the hands of his old lieutenant, a Seeker woman named [[Emelie Annel]], to pursue other opportunities. The Club operated for a time out of [http://laughinglady.enjin.com/| The Laughing Lady], a tavern known for its underworld ties, before shutting down recently.

His time at the head of the NHSC opened his eyes to the larger political landscape of the Ul'dahn underworld, and he went from observing it to trying to manipulate it. In the time since his departure from the NHSC, he has concentrated on building ties with ever more criminal organizations. Students of the Ul'dahn underworld sometimes speculate that he's engaged in a long-term manipulation of the underworld, with the ultimate goal of placing him on the Syndicate.

With his mate [[Natalie Mcbeef]], he created the [[Cat Tribe]], an urban Miqo'te tribe roughly based off of [[Coeurl Tribe]] customs. [[Kage Kiryuu]] and [[Shifu Karambit]] were more recent additions. However, recent allegations that he was behind an attack on the family home of [[Lolorito]], the head of the East Aldenard Trading Company and member of the Syndicate, have led him to leave his tribe and mates, fleeing Ul'dah. The added strain of a second party seeking his life sparked a vicious fight that resulted in his abandonment by both Natalie and Kage, leaving him alone to face his foes.

Following his tribe's betrayal, he began to focus on restoring his network of underworld contacts and engineering a return to power, all while under pressure from Lolorito's assassins and bounty hunters. He immediately faced an additional complication when the rogue Flame [[Osric Melkire]] fingered him for an assassination attempt. He managed to turn this to his advantage, staging his own death to remove the threat from Lolorito and let him figure a permanent solution to the problem. This came in the form of a shadowy deal with a little-known Shroud-based underworld figure, who somehow managed to convince the Syndicate figure that C'kayah wasn't behind the attack. At the same time, his relationship with [[Roswyn Valhuri]] changed for the worse, leaving him shattered and easy prey for a clan of Keepers, the [[http://morbolvines.enjin.com/ Morbolvine Clan]], who were associated with the bandit Thunder. Their unfamiliarity with keeping prisoners led to his easy scape

It was about this time that he encountered [[Kenthy Pennyfeather]], an acidic and abrasive Sunseeker. The two developed an unlikely friendship, leading to their work in the Sea Wolf crime syndicate [[http://tylwyth-narah.enjin.com/ Tylwyth Narah]]. Soon after this he sold alchemical reagents to [[Lilithium Altair]], a charismatic Hyur. He was immediately attracted to her, and pursued her aggressively. Nursing a freshly broken heart herself, she held him at arms length, though their mutual attraction prevented her from turning him away completely. Over time the pair grew close, finally admitting their love together and falling into a complex relationship which consumed them for some time. At the same time, his relationship with Kenthy grew more and more solid, and the pair are now quite devoted to each other and to the success of Tylwyth Narah.

==Character Addenda==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''OOC Notes'''
! scope="col" width="750px" | '''IC Connections'''
|- valign="top"
| <dl>
<dt>''Character Soundtrack'':
<dd>- ((None at this time))
</dl>
<dl>
<dt>''Character Inspirations'':
<dd>- Giacomo Casanova, an adventurer in many senses of the word.
<dd>- The Grey Mouser (from Fritz Leiber)
<dd>- Elim Garek (from Star Trek DS9), mainly in his love of clever conversation
|| <dl>
<dt>''Your character might know C'kayah from:''
<dd>- Smuggling- C'kayah has done quite a bit of this, mainly between Gridania/The Shroud and Limsa Lominsa/La Noscea. Perhaps you needed something that he was able to acquire for you. Perhaps you stole something that he was able to fence for you.
<dd>- Romance- C'kayah is a notorious flirt and womanizer. Perhaps you had a fling with him in the past. Perhaps a friend or relative did. Perhaps you are angry with him as a result?
</dl>
<dd>- Tylwyth Narah - C'kayah's association with the Sea Wolf crime organization has made him some unlikely allies and enemies. Perhaps you are one of them?
</dl>
|}

== Annotations ==

This Template was created by [[Deirdre Ta'ea]]