N O N - P L A Y E R C H A R A C T E R S
Quranai Malqir ( ♥ ⚯ 🌟 ) - Once Hated Mother
|
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
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
|
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
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
|
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
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
|
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
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
|
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Coming soon.
|
Sigilinde Bladeknuckle ( ⚖ ) - Teacher of Umbral Blades
|
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Coming soon.
|
|
P L A Y E R C H A R A C T E R S
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
One day Yul will stop getting into trouble.
|
|
|
Ndha annoys Sokhani, but she's also pretty cool.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
I was going to say, "The Hand that Guides the Road, with a cane," but that was too long of a title.
|
|
|
She wears a hat that makes it impossible to see her IC glasses on her character model.
|
|
|
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.
There is the more tense situation of wishing to teach Gyeil as well. There seems to be a hang up Sokhani cannot quite understand with Gyeil's living position with her budding place with a Malqir tribe. However, after being called a teacher by the woman she wishes to teach, Sokhani has begun to feel as if she can finally impart more knowledge to one who may need it.
|
|
