Sokhani Uulzkhir

SOKHANI I Am The Earthen Serpent VITAL INFORMATION ❂ PRONUNCIATION... So-kha-nee. ❂ NICKNAMES... Sokha, Khani, Crank-y, Slowka. ❂ RACE... Xaela. ❂ GENDER... Female. ❂ AGE... Twenty-seven. ❂ ORIENTATION... Pansexual, Polyamorus. ❂ MARITAL STATUS... In relationships. OTHER STATISTICS ❂ NATIONALITY... Othard, the Steppes of Azim. ❂ TRIBE... Bears no tribal affiliation. ❂ RESIDENCE... Ul'dah. ❂ OCCUPATION... Martial Arts Instructor. ❂ HEIGHT & WEIGHT... 5 fulms, 6 ilms, 155 ponze. ❂ ALIGNMENT... Chaotic Good. ❂ VOICE... Example coming soon!

[edit] Character History Interactions Rumors Roleplay Hooks Miscellaneous APPEARANCE Sokhani's sleeve tattoo. Sokhani is a tall, at least for an Auri woman, fighting sort. Her eyes are naturally slanted into a harsh glare and her lips thin. She gives off the appearance of an eternal scowl or harbors a heavy case of the grumpies with her already angular facial construction. Her chin, especially, leads a dagger-like point, and the warpaint she carefully applies every sun does not make her uncompromising look any softer. Her hair always remains perfectly straight and thick with a grayish coloration. What sorcery keeps it this way Sokhani could never say. It would seem a hue of green managed to make its way into a few segments of her hair as well, but she would refute this claim! It's all genetics, as they say. The woman's attire changes from casual closed shirts and shorts to heavy leathers and training gear, but she is never without a earthy brown hue to her clothing. She favors the color along with golds and oranges. She is most often seen in training raiment with short to no sleeves and a secretive facial halfmask. The reason oft given for the mask is, mayhaps, already guessed. Her left eye is in a state of disrepair, and so she hides its likeliness away. Her arms are often covered by either weighted forearm gauntlets, or brown strappings that contain earth aspected crystals. Sometimes she can be seen with two extravagant, gold laced jamadhars. She keeps these weapons polished and clean. Etched upon her eye is unmistakable pride in her gauntlets, crystals, or jamadhars-- should one question her about any of course. While her right arm bears no remarkable feature other than her pronounced, heavy muscle definition, the left can be seen covered entirely with a tattoo that, at first glance, may appear the same as her natural scales. This tattoo covers her arm from shoulder to wrist and it is described by Sokhani as a marking of her mastery. The mastery displayed can seen throughout her body, if it is ever laid bare. Her shoulders, upper arms, and forearms are all especially chiseled from constant use of weighted jamadhars and her newly acquired gauntlets. Her upper back and abdominal muscles showcase the same sort of build, though she still carries a slender trunk due to her racial distinction. Even with these developments, her body manages to remain compact and properly proportioned. Her training focuses entirely on keeping her upper body balanced with her lower and to keep muscles from interfering with what speed she has gained. The Au Ra also suffers from increased scale growth. Her face, while heavily covered in the armor, is not too unusual. Her hands do, however, end up with scales that run past her knuckles and used to give her difficulty in making full fists. Several stray scales have also found themselves upon the flats of her digits, giving her hands an extremely rugged, talon-like look. The scales are not just for show either. Each scale on her arms, legs, and tail is formed of multiple teeth-like protrusions that flow upward. While trailing fingers from her wrist to shoulder, calf to ankle, or tail base to end will be met with no issue, doing so in reverse is quite dangerous. Most who do this will lose flesh within the first pass. The scales besides these carry a rather gritty texture, mostly harmless with the exception of a possible burning sensation should one rub against them, though they flow in much the same way otherwise. While Sokhani has taken to salving and moisturizing her toothed scales, it still leads to the Au Ra covering herself up as much as possible- giving her a feather light touch with friends and intimate ones in her life. DEMEANOR By contrast to Sokhani's fierce appearance, her personality is quite soft-spoken and calculated. Due to difficulties in her younger summers, Sokhani speaks little and thinks more than acts. Her thinking may appear aloof and insensitive, but she's constantly considering her involvement and what it may bring. In most cases, she will consider herself a non-issue and will view her participation as unrequired. In group settings, Sokhani will carefully extract herself from the main conversation, or will take a backseat by force. When she sees friends within any predominant social establishment, like the Quicksand, she will approach only if they are alone or has their explicit permission to say hello. In some cases she will visit tribal gatherings, but her conversational prowess suffers the same issues as already spoken of. Speaking with Sokhani is also fraught with difficulty. She may be short of sentence regardless of if she speaks in her accented, occasionally stammering Eorzean, or in native Malqir-Xaelic tongue. It is not unusual for her to admit she has no further conversation to grant due to her lack of confidence. She will shy away from conversations she inherently will disagree with, and this is more due to her not wanting a negative impression. Debates with her may come the more friendly one becomes, and thankfully Sokhani is quick to call others friends. Progress usually occurs, but only for those who are patient and understanding. Once past all of her hang ups, Sokhani is a very spiritual and opinionated individual. She has a strict way of seeing life, strength, weakness, and emotional progress. While she's open to debate with many of her close friends and carefully considers their view points, she is quite rooted in her ways. Due to a life of mental abuse and oppression, she has a hard time viewing weakness in one's body. She was once weak and unable to walk for half a malm, and so she believes most anyone can follow in her footsteps. Life is sacred to her, and even those who may be of opposing merit are still granted respect. The only individuals not seen with respect are murderers, hounds (this is described by her as those who blindly follow another's belief), and those who hurt weakened individuals. Deeper still, Sokhani has affection for those who practice martial arts of any degree. She does use this as an excuse to preach now and then, however. She views her body as a tool, and idealizes the perfect purpose for its use. Those who train their bodies to be weapons for a self-proclaimed greater good will quickly fall into debate with her. To Sokhani, a tool can grant life or death, but a weapon can only perform the latter. She believes that those who treat life with respect and ending it with great reluctance are the strongest individuals on this star. H I S T O R Y READER BEWARE Each story read here is full of information that can be used against this character in what is known as meta-gaming. If any of this information is found used without consent, or learned without IC reasonings, it will resort in me cutting all IC and OOC contact from you. Please understand this is a mere history of this character and for the enjoyment, or dislike of those who wish to peruse. A Girl Born in Beast's Flesh Coming eventually. The Heart Full of Venom Coming eventually. Upon the Last Vestige of Hope Coming eventually. Within a Moonlit Eye Coming eventually. Star-crossed Wishes In Sokhani's feverish haste to heal Kharanai's wounded arm, she began to turn to more and more faces and more and more friends. Mulling over ideas with Kimiko and U'ami lead her to seek advice from the Ossuary in Ul'dah. While nothing could be said to her during her visit to the Order of Nald'thal, she did get the hints that what she sought for was not within the powers that Thaumaturges or Conjurers could grant. With that left one last order she could turn to. With more advice from Kimiko and U'ami on those of the Arcanist's Guild, Sokhani left with the pair for Limsa Lominsa. A Book That Speaks in Hands, Scrawls, and of No Characters in the Land Upon her arrival to Limsa Lominsa, Sokhani, Kimiko, and U'ami were quickly met by Isranne and her student, Ayse. Taking part in the festivities of Valentione's Day, or sun, as Sokhani called it, the group exchanged words, and cleaned U'ami's hair to a brilliant shine. It was after their fun that Sokhani began to peruse the areas of Limsa Lominsa for information. While her tongue was inexperienced still with Eorzean, Isranne headed her off and helped her along in the negotiations. Once the two stepped into the Arcanist's Guild and braved the line of import goods and suspicious freight, they were granted the time to speak with the receptionist. After a lengthy burst of information from Sokhani, her words were properly summarized by Isranne. What Sokhani sought was no mere Arcanist's tome, but something that could provide succor or turn back time itself. While not quite explained in such a way at the time, it became clear to Sokhani that these terms were what she required. To bring back the hands of time, or to go beyond what the Elementals would allow. With a simple tip to check the darker dealings of Limsa Lominsa, the receptionist bid the two farewell. Isranne, a member of the Midnight Pearl and quite known in the dealings of piracy, privateering, and barely legal sales, lead Sokhani to several outlets. One common theme was amongst them all: several tomes had been taken, or were missing from their manifests. Some were "found" books of Arcanist scrawlings. Others were more interesting tomes of theory and magnificence. Without much idea of where to next seek, they overheard the rumblings of a hawkish Hyur. He was robbed by a band of hooligans, he said. The markings he ranted over to a friend, or maybe someone who would simply listen to him, gave Isranne enough information to seal their destination. With their first search target located, a cove entered by few men of similar colors and marks, yet never left by them the same, Sokhani awaited Isranne in the Drowning Wench. During her idle time, U'ami and Kimiko joined in with her treasure hunt. Kimiko, with a desire to trounce pirates, and U'ami, with a burning passion to seek treasure, were all roaring to go before Isranne could scarce say a word. Sokhani had but one simple, but iron-clad rule for their venture: no Spoken were to be felled. It was not too long until their gear was secured, and their travel set into motion. Standing upon the entrance to the cove where all entered, but never returned, they ventured into become part of the norm. Inside of the cove, various unearthly lights, Vilekin, and Wavekin were there to greet them. With no true idea as to what they were seeking, they aimlessly proceeded through the cove of salt, sea, and mystery. U'ami, as expected by Sokhani, flit herself from all corners of the cove. Danger fell to her several times, yet not a hair was harmed. The diligence of Sokhani and Isranne was profound in the protection of the young Seeker. As they continued on and on, they finally found signs of Spoken life. The pirates were settled, and amongst their dwellings were several of the missing books they sought. Each tome, worn by brine, was largely useless to Sokhani's endeavor. It wasn't until they finally happened upon the leader of the trope that they noticed he was hiding something. The man ran to escape their fists and wrath, a satchel under his arm as he went. Though, he could only run so far until Sokhani, Isranne, Kimiko, and U'ami would catch him. In desperation, he fled to his ship to set sail, though as his feet chanced upon the dock, he was met with a life-ending surprise. A sahagin, one of great, ornate necklaces and plates, found the Hyur at his weakest point. A clutchfather wishing to ensure his place, or to impress the Indigo Matriarch of his deeds, tore the man limb from limb in order to gain the satchel. Not willing to waste his kill, the twisted beastman quickly swallowed what he could, and the satchel all the same. A short battle ensued as the small group rushed to the bloody sahagin. Sokhani, loath to break her promise for the chance of saving her sister, could do no fatal damage to the beastman. It was Isranne who landed the final blow and tore the satchel from the being's stomach. After a healthy wretch, Isranne opened the covering and presented to Sokhani a ominous, black tome. Bound in what feels of leather, yet not quite leather at the same time, Sokhani immediately felt as if she found a missing part of herself. After leaving the cove, and officially learning where its exit truly was, Sokhani opened the tome before her three companions. The characters were, to Sokhani, written in such a way that she felt as if she'd inked them herself. The text seemed almost of her own tongue's written script, yet just off and out of order enough to be illegible; all agreed they needed to figure out what else they could do. Parting ways after a last bout of fun, Sokhani left Limsa Lominsa to seek a clue with Kimiko and U'ami. Isranne agreed to look for some means to decipher the tome from her station upon their parting words. At Sokhani's training location, the western lands of Thanalan, she poured over the book one last time. Adalhaid, seeking the Auri woman, was given a look at the book as well. With Adalhaid's eyes, and due to Adalhaid's unique gift, all she could see was a chaotic tapestry of lines, swirls, and blots. No characters could be made out, and even one page appeared blank. Sokhani and Adalhaid were made to realize the book simply did not want to be read. It was protecting itself from all ways of figuring its contents out, or it was a malicious curse that was waiting to be freed. Sokhani, still feeling the text to be part of herself, believes the former. A Whispered Word to the North Several weeks passed since the discovery of the strange black tome, and Sokhani had no better idea as to what to do to read it. While Kimiko, U'ami, and Sokhani asked about Ul'dah's standard dwellings about ciphers, Isranne ventured back to Ishgard due to ongoing proceedings. It was there that Isranne spoke with one who may know of such a book. A man who's name was withdrawn whispered but one phrase: "'Twas once a clue of such a thing within the northern most vigil of Coerthas." While the information bore little more information than assumed knowledge, Isranne ventured a guess that the vigil in question was within the central reaches of Coerthas. The Steel Vigil met all the description of location. The only other that could be known of as the Dusk Vigil, yet with such a place recently investigated it would be hard to find anything of use. The man who's words were so quiet in helpful clue would also not still speak of such a thing, would he? [SO-KHA-NI] The One Who Chases the Stars After Sokhani's collective failure, growth, and acceptance from her altered aether, she attempted greatly to grow accustomed to what she now was. Able to dissect her own future, the paths it could provide her, the past that took her down these roads, and even how others may react to her choices, all were known to her in thousands upon millions of possibilities. Each choice changed her immediate future, and it was obvious she was quickly overwhelmed. Sokhani began to mistrust her memory, uncertain if it was her own or another Sokhani who may have made a different choice. Even worse was the inability to make physical contact without making an aetherial bond before long. The compounding issues grew too great, and the woman resolved to once again seek the black tome out. While it had vanished from her sight previously, she could still feel its presence northward. Twinkling fragments of what she could only imagine as aether continued to call to her, as if to beckon her towards a future she would need. After having her scales tended to by Yamabuki, Sokhani announced her intention to Qunbish. While the two never seem to see eye to eye on the matter, and this was no exception, it was eventually agreed that he would be present for her journey. Much time passed, and the vibrations continued to make themselves known to Sokhani. Each step she took was beginning to lead her to a future she could not manipulate. After an explosive spar with Adalhaid, she finally began to understand the nature of this unknown pathway, yet not what it could truly be. It was a door to a choice, yet she would never know what would await her. Sokhani, after making several excuses and delays due to fear of uncertain destiny, was still able to travel towards the central reaches of Coerthas. Adalhaid, Kharanai, Gyeil, and Srah traveled with her on foot, which certainly surprised her. She had expected the latter two to make their travel by other means, mayhaps mounted or through aetherial teleportation. Qunbish, on the other hand, was to meet with them the next sun with his own hunting party. The traveling group's place of rest was the Observatorium, and after a rather heated competition between Adalhaid and Sokhani over ale stew, all but Srah ended up passed out drunk. While Sokhani would never admit to it openly, these antics calmed her and granted her the rest she needed for the next sun. Waking up, performing her rituals to avoid a lasting headache, and limbering herself up for a long scout, Sokhani, Srah, and Kharanai departed the Observatorium in search of the beckoning feeling. Whilst they managed to find the location, they simply could not locate the path towards the aether's call. Sokhani and Srah gave up rather quickly due to a lack of key for an invisible doorway, though Kharanai remained out as if to find further possibility. It was after this Sokhani and the rest were lead to Qunbish's camp, granted some relief, Adalhaid food, and others some disagreements. Once Kharanai had returned from her scouting, and teased for the length of the endeavor, they all set out to find the doorway once again. Northward they traveled. Past Dragonhead's fortification, and towards the ruined Steel Vigils, they were to next head east towards further ruin. As Sokhani grew nearer to the location, she froze with fear. One further step forward and she'd be locked into a future without a foreseen end. Dragging her heels for a moment, Sokhani found the resolve to still chase this unknown fate. They came upon a derelict flight of stairs, though atop it was a door of Ishgardian make. Srah and Qunbish, able to see and sense aether, could feel its unnatural nature. Sokhani could feel the song of a future she did not know, and stepped through the doorway. As the rest of the group came, so too did the feeling of lingering, primal aether. Belief and fractured leylines was allowing this place to exist, though it was hard to say how it could be so in the first place. Maybe it was Sokhani's own absolute belief that this scene could ever unfold. Inside of the doorway was their original destination: the hallways of the ruined vigil that was unnamed to them. Yet, it was not ruined any longer, as if it were trapped hundreds of years in the past. At the end of their hall was once further door, and Sokhani opened it for all to meet someone she knew very well. Entering a small study, Sokhani was welcomed by an aged, yet somehow young, Elezen man by the name of Otreaux de Romeaux. His form was of moderate height for his race, his shoulder-length hair growing white strands was kept pulled backward. For as warm as he appeared, his true visage was that of an aetherial remnant. Wasting no time in his introduction, Otreaux, or the time's shade of the man, explained to Sokhani what all of this was. She now stood in a hallway he had created with his number of ten scholars, and he lived within the past to change the present. His time spent attempting had failed him, and he left behind the blackened tome for another to find. Sokhani's resulting answers here provoked profound thought within the aetherial man, and then elation. He was finally able to ascertain that the Sokhani before him was the one who chased stars, rather than a star who watched others walk. It was then that Sokhani desired to hold the tome once more, to learn what she needed and to grow more familiar with herself. Her desire to master herself rather than change it brought the end of the primal hallways, and the lingering will within them. Otreaux gingerly placed the tome to Sokhani's hands, bidding her farewell with familiarity that made the Auri monk vulnerable. In these parting moments, Sokhani felt as if she held a part of herself long lost, and spoke with a friend who had kept a dear promise to her. In their final words, Sokhani finally stepped past the uncertain future. “Every serpent must shed its skin and move onward. Each Sokhani has had a different ‘mantra’ as it were. ... What is the true Sokhani’s? Many have stated it, yet I wish to hear the one -you- provide.” “I am the Earthen Serpent... I will never stop moving forward." “That you are, and that you will.” With that, the long lost bond was lost to the wind of aether. The man's body turned to amber scales and drifted off to nothingness. The book Sokhani held, once titled 'The Halls of Althyk, a Study of the Twelve,' was now titled, 'Those Who Chase the Stars.' It was not too long after the tome fell to scales as well, adding itself to Sokhani's aether as if it were never meant to be parted from it. An Earthen Serpent woke within the monk's chest, its eyes sharp, yet its gluttony sated. Sokhani's mind knew the methods to control her own nature now, as if she were meant to have always known it. The tome truly was Sokhani, and she had been made whole. No longer tethering to those she would touch, and no longer observing others make choices in her own fate driven world, Sokhani walked her own pathway of stars, leading those who followed alongside her rather than behind. And, yet, even with her happy resolution, a voice called out to her to create one final blockade. A deep voice, that of a brooding, yet worn man of large body. "That's a good look." The voice spoke in Xaelic tongue, though all could understand it. As soon as it appeared, it was gone as if it were never present to begin with. Khudus' voice had congratulated Sokhani's mastery of soul, even if he should be dead. Another mystery to be solved, yet not just yet. Sokhani's starlit pathway walks another direction, though all paths meet in the middle. All paths meet Khudus once again, though she knows not when. All paths will find the departed, as much as she does not wish to. "Every serpent must shed its scales and move onward, and I will never stop moving forward." Eyes now close, and the sun finally comes to an end. All paths are taken by the one who chases stars, fully of her own will and merit. A Cry for Help, and So She Must Listen "Every serpent must shed its scales and move onward, and I will never stop movin--" A star suddenly screams, tears rolling down a woman's face as if she couldn't stand it. "Seeking power, I killed my little sister..." It cries out, the wailing mantra of another who was Sokhani, and yet very much not her. This voice would never cease its call. Its first begging cry for help hit Sokhani as if a bullet fired from a Garlean musket, its shot fired as soon as Sokhani was about to rest a hand upon her new student's shoulder. Gyeil, a new inductee to the Breaking Fist, was unfortunately subjected to a viper's bite in mind just as the call went out. Training Gyeil amidst the screaming cries of agony of another present was done, but Sokhani's mind did feel its wear. Nights were filled with frights, her mind unable to avoid watching the star that had killed her only sister. How had it come to this? What happened? Sokhani had begun to poor over the knowledge Otreaux gave her, and soon did she locate the answer. She was a probability that was based on "zero", but the inclusion of the timeless book made it into "one." No other Sokhani within any timeline could receive this change. What if another Sokhani needed this as well? What is possible with alternate presents when one is a being above normal probability? Does she use her knowledge to leave well enough alone, or will the sting finally get to her? It was here that the next journey did begin. The First Step After Gyeil's first moon of training had been completed, and much preparation and fretting, Sokhani had begun to speak to those she could trust. Specifically looking for those who knew of ways to resolve such strange, aetherial questions, Sokhani thought of two others: Azazelle, an Astrologian of great merit, and Cirina of the Malqir tribe. Sokhani chose the latter, though not without great reason. She'd known Cirina for a great period of time, and her trust for the woman was absolute. Now there was only the case of how and when to assist the crying star. Sokhani's efforts soon bore fruit as she began to rummage through her banks of knowledge. There were theories brewing in Sokhani's mind, and mayhaps she could use these to properly insert herself through to another present. The issue would be altering this present's probability to allow her to appear in it, and so then the question of how began yet again. Cirina proposed a solid idea: to write the book a second time entirely from the memories she had of its contents. Due to the book becoming her very nature, she was capable of recreating its words, though she'd have to purchase the leather binding, the pages, and glue for it all. While the tome did not need to be exactly the same, it did need to appear foreign enough to demand interest. With Sokhani's attention to detail, even if it was unneeded, she faithfully recreated the tome and once again visits Cirina within her yurt. The two had conjured up a plan to utilize a significant amount of earth crystals to supplement Sokhani's ability to view her own timelines. With enough aether, the Earthen Serpent might be capable of doing far more than just observing stars, she might be capable of placing items or interacting with the scenery. While there was delay in arriving at this point due to an issue with Cirina's health, they did come to it with only seconds to spare. Should the two of them have been any later, they would have seen the end of a pathway. The Sokhani who had killed her sister was soon to jump from a cliff to pay for her crime, but instead, Sokhani and Cirina within the proper timeline had used the power of aether born of crystals to send her a message. The book of blackened leather and Ishgardian paper was sent through to another present, though with no small amount of effort and weariness from the two who did so. The wailing Sokhani plucked the book from the rocks she was to fall from, and she set about reading it. While Sokhani herself hadn't been observing the star, this one did everything it could to study what the pages contained. She learned of the ways to twist time backward, just as Sokhani in this present tried to do, and using the theory of rearranging a timeline did she continue forward on the path to ruin. This controlled danger could at least be interfered with, and this plan was what the entire foundation of helping the woman was built upon. --To Be Continued-- One Thousand Lives of Pain Event coming soon! I N T E R A C T I O N S 💘 Romance  💗 Strong Favor (individual colors per character)  ♥ Platonic Love  ⚯ Family  👻 Deceased  ⚖ Student  🌟 Positive  ● Neutral  ✖ Negative  N O N - P L A Y E R   C H A R A C T E R S Quranai Malqir ( ♥ ⚯ 🌟 ) - Once Hated Mother A wordy, elegant weaver, Sokhani's mother used to be a difficult subject for her to stomach. Due to her inherent weakness at birth, Quranai attempted to shelter her daughter from the harsh treatment she was preordained to receive. While she was able to love her daughter for three summers, she had to give up and follow the law of the Usrgal Alkha. "The weak and deformed must be left to prove their strength, or left to rot in the soil." No matter how dedicated Quranai was to the tribe, treating her daughter like a monster was difficult. It caused her great turmoil and she shed many tears. She began to paint her face as a persona to wear when dealing with Sokhani. Though Quranai did guide Sokhani's growth in subtle, fleeting ways, she did more damage to her daughter than good. She focused entirely upon Kharanai when teaching Kharaqiq, and repaired Kharanai's quilts or few feather stuffed toys. When Sokhani slept, however, Quranai did weave and stitch any damage her eldest daughter did to her only mole doll, and her only quilt. In these careful, quiet ways, Quranai could still act like the mother she wished to be. It was in this time that Kharanai became her only hope. With a strong enough younger, she could oust the Chieftain of the Ursgal Alkha and abolish the ruling on Sokhani. These plans would be dashed to pieces once Sokhani left the tribe with her very own savior. While Kharanai did play her part in finally balancing a wounded, spiritually bleeding Sokhani, Quranai would never see it. After losing both of her daughters to her clan's short-sighted adherence to archaic practices, Quranai became disillusioned. It's unknown if Quranai is still alive with her husband, but it is very possible the two departed as their daughters did. In recent developments, Sokhani has learned all about what her mother once did for her. The quilt that she thought was repaired by her own hand was, in fact, her mother's. The songs she barely remembered, but found great peace within, were sung to her while she slept. Subtle weavings came unraveled, but for this time it was for the best. Sokhani absolutely loves her mother now, and dearly wishes for her to still live. Tabagu Malqir ( ♥ ⚯ 🌟 ) - Father of Few Words Tabagu, a fisherman, hunter, and survivalist, is Sokhani's father. He speaks rarely, and when he does it is usually one sentence at most. By contrast to his wife, who speaks much for insignificant things, Tabagu speaks little for great things. He was once an Ejinn who traveled alongside the Ursgal Alkha, and was chosen by Quranai for his outstanding wit, his surprising kindness, and progressive mindset. As his strengths were demonstrated, he was fully brought into the Ursgal Alkha as a Malqir in mind and body. To leave one's tribe for another was not an issue for him as Quranai was his sole happiness. Once Sokhani was born, Tabagu was the first to realize her issues. He kept them hidden for two summers before Quranai could no longer bear hiding her daughter. Tabagu upheld his defense of teaching his "weak" daughter his trades. She was taught in how to survive and to fish, but not in the ways of a huntress. No matter his defiance on the subject, the clan would not allow her to learn such a respected trade. To that end, Tabagu sent word to an old friend of his, a Tumet by the name of Khudus. Khudus was to train Sokhani in the ways of strength, just as Tabagu and Khudus developed multiple ways to hone their bodies. Tabagu's plan for Sokhani was to see her strong enough to push through her trying times and see the clan for what it was in his own mind: a group of weak willed sorts who follow the law to its letter, not to its heart. Each night Tabagu attacked the tribe from within by promoting a different look at what strength was, and what weakness could be labeled as. For all Tabagu did, it was all unknown to Sokhani until quite recently. Now that Sokhani knows just how much her father tried to raise her, she has grown to love her father as a compassionate man, and not one of unfeeling stone. It's unknown if Tabagu has survived his ordeals in the Ursgal Alkha, or the Steppes of Azim, but Sokhani believes he still walks freely. She hopes that she will meet with him and show him how strong she has become. Kulhan Malqir ( 👻 ) - The Stream's Orphan Upon one of Sokhani's first troubling nights as an eight summmer old child, she ran out from her family's ger. She traveled a malm or so up stream until finding a naked Xaela girl, alone just as she was. This orphan was adopted into the Ursgal Alkha as a Malqir, though her true origins were unknown. With no skin tone that any of the neighboring Ejinn could identify, Kulhan was instead taught the ways of the collective clan. She was not outcast as Sokhani was, but her associations with Sokhani did cause her some mild discomforts. The age difference between the two women, which was mayhaps three summers at the most, did not hamper their development. Sokhani, weak and frail in body, was given motivation by Kulhan to work harder and build her muscular fortitude. Kulhan would never meet with Sokhani unless Sokhani forced herself up the tallest hill or incline nearest to the clan's settlement. At the top of these slopes, Kulhan and Sokhani watched the clouds, told stories to each other, and grew as close as sisters would. Kulhan essentially replaced Kharanai as a sibling in these periods of Sokhani's life. Once Sokhani was beginning to mature and see greater growth of her physical form, she saw Kulhan as something other than a sibling. Sparks of intimacy were blooming in her heart, and she began to confide a great many things in her truest friend. She shared why she was constantly seeking strength, and how she was perceived by her mother and father. This finally edged the last piece of the puzzle into place for Kulhan, and she set out to inform the Chieftain of what she knew of Sokhani. Her goal was to ultimately end Sokhani's constant abuse and blame. Kulhan's life came to an end the very same sun she was to bring Sokhani's issues to the Chieftain. While Sokhani once told that she killed Kulhan to keep her body's issues a secret to all, Sokhani instead cost Kulhan her life by pure accidental means. Due to the distinct nature of Khudus' martial art and Sokhani's latent strength, a simple hug that was once weak gripped in earlier summers became a death inducing squeeze. Sokhani broke Kulhan's spine and neck in what was once fun and games. Sokhani's trauma over the event was severe, and she could barely handle the realization she ended her first love's life. She only came to grips with her fault in recent suns, but it is still hard on her to know what she has done. Khudus Malqir ( 👻 ) - Teacher and Friend Khudus was Sokhani's first true mentor. He came to the Ursgal Alkha as a Tumet, but with an art unlike what many had seen. Khudus was Tabagu's fissure in the Ursgal Alkha's society, as Khudus was outside Malqiric norms and customs. Things he feigned misunderstanding of, while punished for them quickly, allowed Sokhani comforts or freedoms. The abilities he taught were only shared with a specific few, and, of course, Sokhani was among his chosen few. Kharanai was also taken under Khudus' wing. The two sisters were both tattooed by their teacher and are, possibly, the only two remaining with this particular design and meaning. Khudus was the one who orchestrated Sokhani being absolved over the death of Kulhan as he hide it through deception. He instructed Sokhani to forget she ever hurt Kulhan and to bring a dead, or living, Dotharl to blame on the incident. While deeply harmful to the weak Au Ra's mind, it was a better option than having her put to death over a mistake he should have prevented in turn. He still instructed Sokhani regardless of her living a lie, and never once forced her to deal with the realization of her new found strength. Khudus fell in battle against the Garleans while the Malqir migrated to another camp. The rebellion at Doma had spread some pockets of Garlean influence outward near, and into the steppes. While the arts of destruction proved to fell some, guns and magitek atrocities ultimately claimed his life. Even so, this catastrophe was blamed upon Sokhani's weakness as all other things were. It was Khudus' fall that drove Sokhani to strike one of the Chieftain's sons and vanish the very same night. Even so, it is hard for Sokhani to see her great friend and teacher as deceased. She occasionally sees him watching her from her dreams, or from her periods of meditation. She sometimes hears his voice speak to her, and his ways of goading her into moving forward, should she feel her will faltering or failing. "Is that it for you? Are you going to throw up and drown in your own shame? Why give up when you've had much worse done to you? Why is this time any different? Get up." Eadric Hrunting ( ⚖ ) - Teacher of Astral Fists Coming soon. Sigilinde Bladeknuckle ( ⚖ ) - Teacher of Umbral Blades Coming soon. P L A Y E R   C H A R A C T E R S Kharanai Malqir ( 💗 ♥ ⚯ 🌟 ) - From Farthest to Closest Kharanai is Sokhani's biological sister, and the closest woman to Sokhani by far. The two shared distance, and possibly one-sided hatred on Sokhani's end until Sokhani left the Malqir Tribe. Kharanai came along with her, even though Sokhani wished the worst for her sister. Over the year and a half they spent alone as vagabonds, and later, eluding Garlean influence, they grew closer and closer. Sokhani and Kharanai might act a little too reliant on each other's affection, but at the very least they act their age once necessary. Over a few moons of Eorzean life, Sokhani and Kharanai began to seek training above their own mastery. Under the advice of Adalhaid, they moved their temporary residence to Mor Dhona and met with the trainers of Astral Fists and Umbral Blades. Eadric and Sigilinde were instructors on the same level of Khudus, and the sisters took well to the duo's teachings. Yet, upon the cusp of their final lesson, Kharanai was robbed of her right arm's use. Growing even closer to her sister in this vulnerable time, Sokhani and Kharanai began to sleep while cradling each other's wounds with the palms of their hands. Sokhani's new vow was clear then: to bring Kharanai's arm back to her. To make Kharanai feel like she was herself again. She will go to any length to do this, even if it hurts. Sokhani has taken Kharanai's likeliness into a tattoo of a lapis flame. Mingling with her scales of mastery, and feeding along fiery wisps that trail towards her heart, Kharanai is one of the embers that drives strength into Sokhani's soul. Of course, without Kharanai's own hand, the mark would have no connection. In this line of thought, Sokhani granted her sister the honor of adding the color herself. Adalhaid Rask ( 💘 💗 🌟 ⚖ ) - Beloved Behemoth Adalhaid, or Ada as Sokhani simply calls her, is Sokhani's first friend since her journey to Ul'dah. Met while Adalhaid was set to guard an entrance way for gil, the two sparred after speaking over styles and arts. There was no victor decided, and the two were ever reluctant to say they had a direct advantage. Sokhani has been directly taught the power behind Adalhaid's fists, both with and without her Chakra unleashed. In doing so, Sokhani proceeded to unlock her first Chakra and begin training in Mor Dhona. Before Sokhani's training in the ways of the Fists of Rhalgr began, the two began to understand the feelings they felt for one another. They have since begun a relationship, vowing to stay together no matter how complicated it may end up becoming. Sokhani has taken Adalhaid's likeliness into a tattoo of a crimson flame. Just over her heart, it powers all of the fiery wisps that trail towards her arms. Adalhaid's ember may very well be what drives Sokhani's heart to be strong and powerful. Of course, without Adalhaid's own hand, the mark would have no connection. In this line of thought, Sokhani granted the Highlander the honor of adding the color herself. Yamabuki Oshinokoji ( 💘 💗 🌟 ) - The Paper Doll Raen seem to have a track record of impressing Sokhani, as is the case with Yamabuki Oshinokoji. Reservation, modesty, and other staples of Doman cultural behavior are quick to irritate Sokhani, and Yamabuki was quickly stereotyped as a paper doll of whitescales. Meeting Yamabuki through Qunbish may have assisted in breaching Sokhani's dislike of the Raen's cultural mannerisms, and while Sokhani doesn't often admit her follies, she would openly say she misread Yamabuki's personality. Speaking with Yamabuki holds the odd quality of speaking into a brighter mirror. The woman is nearly a reflection of herself, though burnt white with the Dawn Father's unwanted radiance. The two have a past quite similar, and both were hurt severely by fictitious frailty. What does separate them is how they grew into different roles, how they coped with their pains, and their obvious physical contrasts. Sokhani's mind has come to find Yamabuki beautiful. Since her more open mindset has finally come to bear, Sokhani has taken Yamabuki's hand as a lover, and as one much loved. Yamabuki also holds a salve to tend to Sokhani's dangerously sharp and gritty scales. This would have gained some favor all on its own should nothing above have occurred. Kimiko Mototsuka ( 💗 🌟 ) - Green and White Kimoko, the first Raen Sokhani ever granted an audience with and also the very first Raen she did not call, "Whitescales." Sokhani shares a respect for the woman due to her departure from the Raen stereotype she'd grown to dislike so heavily. A drinking partner at the least, and a great friend at the most, Kimiko is never greeted with distaste or distrust. Far be it, Kimiko holds a unique spot in Sokhani's circle, one that would be hard to fill by any other. It's also hard to poke and cover other people's foreheads or faces without repercussion, something Sokhani does to Kimiko often enough. After regaining her heart and learning of the friends she loves and holds dear, Sokhani asked Kimiko to do something she'd never allowed any other aside from Khudus to do: to ink her body. Sokhani desired fires along her chest, her arms, and her back. After the wispy red laced with her dusky blue skin, Sokhani wished for Kimiko to lay her own emerald green into an ember. Kimiko's fire now sits amongst yellow and blue, just as Sokhani wished it to. U'ami Rahz ( 💗 🌟 ) - Lessons Learned and Shared Coming soon! Isranne Valreux ( 💗 🌟 ⚖ ) - A Fleeting Blur Isranne, the bard and dragoon who once met with Sokhani with a song, is a dear friend. The two have spoken on and off several times, and Sokhani has even begun to find the Wildwood Elezen rather attractive. Isranne was the woman who helped Sokhani find the black tome of Althyk, as well as the clue towards its cipher. Her desire for the woman was once cut off by monogamous marriage, but since times have changed, so too have their proximities. While they share a special sort of relationship now as teacher and student, Sokhani tries her hardest to ensure Isranne is happy and content. The Ishgardian Dragoon who knew song should be afforded only the best in the world, especially after her trials during the finale of the Dragonsong War. While Isranne has technically passed the first test of the Tasrakh Nudarga, she has yet to demonstrate her power to Sokhani. Once this has been done, and surely it will be, Isranne will be gifted the first inking of her training. More ink on the already tattooed Elezen is no harm, in Sokhani's mind. Gyeil Malqir ( 🌟 ⚖ ) - Fiery Gale Gyeil is one of the Malqir of whom Sokhani was introduced to in the Quicksand. She, in truth, has forgotten how their original introduction went, but her rusty memory did not hamper positive development. Since their first impression, which to Sokhani's recollection wasn't the best of things, she has learned that Gyeil is one to drink, and one of martial prowess. Over a few suns of sharing brandy, the two have sparred in a camp and have spoken to their natural combat knowledge. Sokhani has since begun to teach Gyeil in the ways of the Tasrakh Nudarga, the Breaking Fist martial style, as well as the art of unlocking chakra gates. While Sokhani is no master of chakra herself, her natural hold over her own may help Gyeil grow in the ways she wishes. Time will tell, and hopefully time will move Gyeil forth towards the mastery she wishes for. Ndha Viqqoh ( 🌟 ) - White as Smoke Ndha annoys Sokhani, but she's also pretty cool. Sanrai Bayaqud ( 🌟 ) - Star Gazer Definitely coming soon, not never. Qunbish Malqir ( 🌟 ) - An Old Road There is no truly easy way to start with Sokhani's single most rocky relationship named Qunbish. Upon their first meeting, Sokhani found the Malqir leader to be unworthy of her respect, and entirely worthy of her disdain. She spat upon the ground in his presence, and she left their possible relations tattered and with a burnt bridge. Yet, somehow, the wood was still held by some manner of sorcery, and she once again met with the Khan in her alleyway. This meeting brought them together as acquaintances, and then friends. Sokhani slowly began to see Qunbish in two separate lights: one of a wayward father, and the other as a close friend. No matter which case she sees Qunbish in, there is probably to be a disagreement, a fight, and then an apology. Of greater concern is Sokhani's flip flopping nature of wishing to live with his clan, or stray away. Her moods change every sun, much to Qunbish's possible frustration. Srah Bajhiri ( 🌟 ) - Blindsight Eyes Definitely at some period this will be here. Yunegen Malqir ( 🌟 ) - The Guiding Hand I was going to say, "The Hand that Guides the Road, with a cane," but that was too long of a title. Cirina Malqir ( 🌟 ) - Of Silver Arcanima She wears a hat that makes it impossible to see her IC glasses on her character model. Yul Dotharl ( 🌟 ) - The Red Wolf One day Yul will stop getting into trouble. R U M O R S N O N - P L A Y E R   C H A R A C T E R S Some of these rumors are untrue, speculation, or are greatly exaggerated. Common Rumors - Easily overheard. Use these freely! ■ "Sokhani? You mean the Auri girl who sits outside the Quicksand in the alley? Shady. Only word I have for her." — Adventurer. ■ "I seen 'er out in the rain. She jus' stares up at it r'summat like that. Gets them leathers all soggy. Blissful 'spression on 'er face, though." — Quicksand Goer. ■ "Sokhani the Plate Fist? Horrible title, I'm sorry. I know it doesn't work. She wears these gauntlets everywhere though, so I felt it was suitable..." — Pugilist Guild Initiate. Uncommon Rumors - A little more difficult to hear. Use sparingly or ask first! ■ "I think I've seen a woman matching that description before. She usually heads out to Western Thanalan's regions and always returns in two to three bells time. Sometimes four." — Brass Blade Guardsman. ■ "I've overheard Sokhani talking over drinks about her combat style. Says she can't help but kill? That's an outright lie because I used to spar with her all the time..." — Pugilist Guild Initiate. ■ "That girl can't hold her liquor for shite. Drinks like four tall glasses of strawberry brandy and then flops about like a cooked noodle. Also chucks her bucket." — Quicksand Patron. Rare Rumors - Very rarely overheard. Please ask before using! ■ "There was a new dune formation out 'n the Sagolii, and the space 'tween the hills was made of glass. Sand covered it up n' a storm, o'course, but only two people were 'round here the sun just before. Mayhaps they killed a big ol' bomb r'somethin'. Aye, a blue Auri woman n' a bronze Highlander gal." — Brass Blade Guardsman ■ "Oh hoh, hoh hoh! Oh that woman always so blue and out in the alley so dark? You'd never expect how rosy she actually is! I watched her tuck her lips right into another Highlander's. Not only was it interracial, but it was between the same genders! Ah, first hand I have seen the progression of our times." — A Rather Nosy Lalafell Merchant P L A Y E R   C H A R A C T E R S Feel free to add your own rumors to this section. Player Character Rumors -Some of these are more rare than others! ☄ R O L E P L A Y   H O O K S The points below are a few ideas that could bring characters together for RP situations. Have other ideas? Potential rumor mill plots? Shoot me a tell! I'm not an evil dark lord hell bent on destroying you. That's just a hobby anyway. Early Suns and the Malqir Tribe ❂ Are you of the Malqir tribe who never wished to be displaced? Do you know of Sokhani's past with the tribe? Are you one of the respected members of the tribe who could never grow past her disrespect? Instant conflict, instant hatred. Who needs friends when good enemies can lead to intense RP situations! ❂ Perhaps you know of Sokhani's secrets all ready and never told any other. How you learned these secrets, through her mother's rage or otherwise, is up to you. This would give Sokhani an ally, or perhaps even some closure to her days in the Malqir Tribe. ❂ Are you trained in the same style of martial arts as Sokhani, perhaps by the same practitioner her sister and she learned from? Perhaps you recall her dedication to the art, or even scorn her for her applications of it! Vagabond Life and Escape From Othard ❂ Sokhani and her sister, Kharanai, escaped by boat to Eorzea with several others. One could have met her there and recall her for her fiery temper towards a teasing sister. ❂ Garleans are Sokhani's most hated individuals, and she has fought with a few before on her way to Eorzea. Perhaps a Garlean would still be looking for her either for a scar caused, items stolen, or for a simple revenge plot! ❂ As with other Xaela who might have been ousted by Dotharl or Garlean influence, perhaps you've seen her fight, sneak about, or even trade in her vagabond life. Present Time ❂ Sokhani is often in the alleyway leading to the Quicksand in rain or pounding sun. ❂ Are you racist, sexist, or generally hate her type? It's not a bad thing to have Sokhani in an unpleasant situation from time to time! ❂ Do you train that the Pugilists Guild? Sokhani often visits to speak with others and spar. ❂ Have you seen Sokhani training down in the valley of Western Thanalan? She is often there for over three bells a sun. ❂ Sokhani can't hold her alcohol well, but she certainly does love to drink. Drinking buddies are never turned away! Nabbed from Tsaganarii Dhoro, love you. Template was adapted from Bancroft Gairn, Xheja Rajhera, Unnamed Mercenary, D'lyhhia Lhuil and Glioca Sargonnai. M U S I C Sokhani's Main Theme: Ori and the Blind Forest - Climbing the Ginso Tree Sokhani's Secondary Theme: Ori and the Blind Forest - Thornfelt Swamp (feat. Tom Boyd) Sokhani's Third Theme: Slow Music for Fast Times - Sagrada Familia (composed by Robert Rich) Sokhani, the Earthen Serpent: Ori and the Blind Forest - The Waters Cleansed Meditation or Calm: Hydra - Huma Huma Kharanai's Song to Sokhani: Mai Hime - Ensei ~Omou Kokoro~ Sokhani and Kharanai's Song and Battle Theme: Mai Hime - Mezame The Stance of Snake Venom, the Mogoi Khor: Monster Hunter Frontier G9 - Berserk Laviente (ラヴィエンテ猛狂期) Final Phase The Art of Breaking, the Tasrakh Nudarga: Vindictus - Meer The Woman Who Chases the Future, and Those Who Follow: Hammock - Before You Float Away into Nothing S C R E E N S H O T S