Kestrael Grymstahlwyn

Kestrael Grymstahlwyn
Gender	Female
Race	Roegadyn
Clan	Sea Wolf
Citizenship	Limsa Lominsa
Age	19
Marital Status	Single
Occupation	Aspiring fighter and smith
Height	7 fulms 1 ilm
Patron Deity	Llymaen
Relatives	Father: Grymstahl Doenberksyn Mother: Snoeblyss Blanwilfwyn Brother: Thosinfalk Grymstahlsyn

Basic Info

• Nicknames: Doe, Biggs
• Nameday: 21st Sun of the 5th Umbral Moon
• Sexuality: Undefined at present
• Hair: Long, ginger
• Eyes: Bright green that can become stormy when upset
• Skin: Pale, sea foam
• Clothing: Prefers long pants and shirts when in public for the most part. Dresses for comfort and coverage with some exceptions.

LIKES ■ Drinking ■ Animals ■ Sailing ■ Cooking

DISLIKES ■ Ale ■ Judgmental people ■ Being told what to do ■ Short beds

OTHER ■ Alignment: Neutral Good ■ Vice(s): Pride and Gluttony (she likes her food rich and her drink hard!) ■ Favorite Foods: Salmon Meuniere and Black Truffle Risotto ■ Favorite Drinks: Whiskey, Rum or Ul'dahn Coffee with Cream ■ Favorite Color: Midnight Blue

Appearance & Personality

It is hard to miss or mistake Kestrael in a crowd. She stands head and shoulders above most, including many of the females of her own race. Her body has been shaped by the axe and the forge, most apparent in her well defined arms and shoulders. More striking than her size is her coloring. Pale skin the color of sea foam is accentuated by ginger hair and bright green eyes. A heart shaped face and generous mouth help to soften what could otherwise be an imposing appearance.

Kestrael is nothing if not easy going. She prefers a laid back approach to most aspects of her life. Despite her sometimes rough exterior she is kind and tries to be considerate of all she meets. There isn't a pretentious bone in her body but the Twelve help anyone who hurts or threatens those she holds dear. While generally not quick to anger she has a fury that can burn white hot when kindled and a protective streak to match.

Being that she is still rather young and only just setting out into the world on her own she can be naive and is given to rash behavior. Patience is a virtue wasted on youth and she has none to spare.

Biography

Birth and Early Childhood

The babe was small, concernedly so considering the early arrival; at least two weeks if not more. It was not surprising given the difficult pregnancy that nearly saw the loss of both mother and child. The birth itself was no easier and as the midwife cleansed the infant in the blessed waters of Llymaen she couldn't help but wonder if the Navigator wouldn't soon be taking the babe to her own bosom.

"You've a daughter at last, my friend."

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Kestrael was born the second child and only daughter of a privateer-turned-armorer and a tavern girl. Shortly after their union (significantly fewer moons than such things commonly required) they were blessed with a son they named Thosinfalk. While the birth was welcome and joyous, doubly so for being a son, it had been hard on the young mother. Their shared dream of a large brood was dashed when the healer warned that further births would be dangerous to mother and child.

Disappointed but finding solace in their son they focused on the little family they had created. He was a strong, healthy lad who filled their days with mischief and laughter.

Years passed, the boy grew and so did the mother who yearned for another babe to hold in her arms now that her little boy thought himself too old for such affections. She felt stronger than she had and with the worried support of her ever devoted husband they again tried for a child.

Three more years would pass, bringing with them sorrow and loss. At last, with nearly all hope gone, the woman cried out to Llymaen, begging her favor and offering any boon within her grasp to have the babe she longed for.

It was not long before she found herself deathly ill, as if a-sail upon turbulent seas. The Navigator had heard her plea, reminding her daily for eight long moons of their bargain.

When at last the child was born she was a tiny thing, not the hale and spirited bundle her brother had been. Her skin was as pale as the foam upon storm tossed waves; another reminder of from whence she came. A shock of light chestnut hair sat above bright green eyes, keenly aware for one so young.

Life in Limsa Lominsa suited the family well. They lived comfortably near Fisherman's Bottom where Thosinfalk would often take his sister to show off to the little girls his own age, being seven years her senior. The children were inseparable which suited their parents. When not on the docks they would be found at the forge with their father or helping their mother in the tavern kitchens where she helped to make ends meet. Despite the inevitable ups and downs, Kestrael would always look back on her childhood fondly.

((OOC: There was no direct intervention by the divine, only a mother's faith.))

The Calamity

It was the longest day of her life; as if time had no meaning until that moment. She stood on the dock with her mother and the other citizens unfit to serve on the battlefield; waiting apprehensively for words they hoped never to hear. With each disembarkment the girl's heart clenched anxiously tighter.

In spite of the fear, or perhaps the product of the very same, something else began to take root in her chest; the first tender green shoots of resolve poked forth from the fertile ground of despair. Never again would she be left on the shore to nurse hope and dread in equal measure. She would take her place beside her brothers and sisters in arms and see as many of them home as she could.

Let Nadl'thal slack His eternal thirst on less salty blood.

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The War had always been a shadow in the background of her life and like a shadow she never gave it much thought. Her adolescent mind turned instead to trivial matters of youth: boys, amusement and instant gratification.

While she helped her father produce the implements of battle her thoughts rarely strayed to the friends and neighbors who would be putting their very lives in her hands. Instead, she dreamt of life outside of Limsa. Many nights were spent whispering with Thosinfalk about pirates and adventure. One day they would have their own ship, he promised, and be the scourage of the Garleans.

When the Admiral put out the call for all able bodies to aid the Maelstrom and Eorzean alliance at Carteneau her brother and father, to the chagrin of mother and daughter, answered without hesitation. While her mother worried about the bloody realities of war, Kestrael merely sulked that Thosinfalk got to go while she had to stay in Limsa. In her fourteen year old mind life was not fair.

It wasn't until the destruction wrought by Bahamut was seen from the Mizzenmast, sending panic through the streets of Limsa Lominsa*, that the full weight of what was occurring in Mor Dhona was felt by the girl. What would happen if the Alliance failed? Would her family return safely to them? How would she and her mother carry on if they did not? Many restless nights followed, comforted only by the fact that the skies had finally quieted.

The day the ships were due to return with the survivors was the longest of her life. She watched as other families were informed of their losses and with each hour that slipped by her anxiety grew. Only after the sun had set and the last of the ships made berth did her fears prove fruitless. Making their way slowly down the gangplank she could see her brother helping to support their father, his steps were shuffling and unbalanced. It wasn't until she rushed to meet them did she hear the tell tale thunk. Her father escaped with his life but paid a price. Still, even if he were maimed, he was alive and home, and as far as she was concerned it made him all the more impressive.

As the weeks passed and Limsa and her neighbors began the long road to recovery life in the familial home grew tense. Grymstahl had always been a proud man and the fact that he now needed assistance as he grew accustomed to his wooden appendage made him cantankerous. Making matters worse was a 21 year old Thosinfalk who took to stalking the house like a caged animal when he wasn't out doing the Twelve knew what. At last it all came to a head.

Despite their mother's vehement disapproval her brother had signed up with a ship of privateers commissioned by the Maelstrom to hunt down and lay waste or claim to any Garlean vessels in Limsa waters. Their father remained silent on the subject when his wife was present but Kestrael knew he supported his son. Sailing was in their blood and had Snoeblyss not refused marriage unless he gave up his life on the sea he would still be riding the waves.

Kestrael was again envious of her older brother but now being fully aware of the dangers he would face she was also silently terrified. The night before his departure she begged him to take her along. She would serve as a cabin boy or a galley cook if need be. He refused, as gently as possible, which was met with a typhoon sized tantrum. Anger gave way to tears and she spent the better part of the night curled up on his bunk as he tried to ease her worries as best he could. When the morning dawned she saw him off at the docks, puffy eyed and distraught.

In his absence she took on more of the workload at the forge for her father, trying to drown her worries in the clanging of steel. When that no longer eased her heart she took to training with the Marauder's Guild. Her mother disapproved, certain it would lead Kestrael down the same path as her brother but for once her father put his foot down, supporting the endeavor.

((*This is based on the best of my knowledge regarding the Battle of Carteneau))

Miscellaneous

Religion

Kestrael is a faithful believer of the twelve. Llymaen is her patron deity and she pays homage to her daily but not to the exclusion of the other eleven and Hydaelyn. She enjoys learning about the deities and can recite the stories that are often told to children by the clergy. It is not uncommon to find her in the Anchor Yard, her preferred spot in Limsa, meditating or praying and she is just as apt to seek out shrines and alters dedicated to the other gods and goddesses when she has need to make a specific petition.

Quirks

• Wears a small charm around her neck that contains sea water blessed by a priestess of Llymaen.

Known Haunts

You might have run into or otherwise know Kestrael from:

• The Drowning Wench
• Naldiq & Vymelli's

Associations

• Aeon

RUMORS Some of these rumors are untrue or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to add your own rumors under PC! ◢ Common Rumors (Easily overheard) ■ ■ ■ ◢ Moderate Rumors (Moderately difficult to overhear) ■ ■ ■ ◢ Rare Rumors (Very difficult or rarely overheard) ■ ■ ■ ◢ PC Rumors (Rumors from the character's of other players) ■ ■ ■ ■

RELATIONS ♥ Romantic Interest ♥ Platonic Love ● Good Standing ● Poor Standing ● Ququiki Quki : The Lalafell is odd, to say the least, but sweet and endearing in a feisty "I will burn your face off" sort of way. Kestrael is fond of her and may be a bit over protective. ● Shashato Shato : This acquaintance was made when in Ul'dah when the Lalafell scholar needed able bodies for an "easy job" that turned out to mean "walking into the jaws of the Garleans and fighting off a Vanguard". She played a big part in a recent development in Kestrael's life and though she may complain about "bloody Lalafell witch magicks" there isn't anything she wouldn't do for Shato. ● Flickering Ember : Another Roegadyn who Kestrael hasn't had a chance to get to know fully but would like to. She was also present for the recent event in Kestrael's life. ● Kaladin Ashensong : A Highlander man who, by some quirk of Fate, was asked to join Kestrael, Shashato and Flickering Ember on a recent outing. Unbeknownst to any of them he shared their affliction. As he was heralded into this new life at the same time she was she feels a bond with the man, whether it is reciprocated or known is unclear.

Gallery

WiP

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  Portrait

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  Kestrael astride Styrmbaern the Delicious

Footnotes

I welcome walk up role play and am more than happy to be a support character in other people's storylines. Please pm me on the RPC forum (Kestrael) if you would like to set something special up.

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