Difference between revisions of "Zha'li Vael"
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| − | Youngest son and last child of the tribe matriarch, Zha'li's childhood was spent around fire pits and lore. His mother's tribe, tight knit and smaller than many Keeper tribes, had always taken pride in the telling of stories. Devoted to ensuring knowledge was passed faithfully along the generations, all members made it a point to gather from their solo hunts or wanderings to meet under the full moon. From simple children's cautionary tales to great legends claimed to come from the time before the migration, Zha'li's youth was filled with the words of his people. | + | Youngest son and last child of the tribe matriarch, Zha'li's childhood was spent around fire pits and lore. His mother's tribe, tight knit and smaller than many Keeper tribes, had always taken pride in the telling of stories. Devoted to ensuring knowledge was passed faithfully along the generations, all members made it a point to gather from their solo hunts or wanderings to meet under the full moon. From simple children's cautionary tales and hunting stories to great legends claimed to come from the time before the migration, Zha'li's youth was filled with the words of his people. |
It was much later, when he'd grown enough to take on his own solitary night hunts, that a new thread was introduced to his fate. The sound of a great commotion had driven off much of what he'd planned to hunt that night, and upon closer inspection Zha'li was rather shocked to come upon a thrashing chocobo. Always rather fond of the birds (well, to put it very lightly), the impulsive youth rushed over to assist it. It was an unwelcome surprise to discover that the chocobo was not alone, and that the commotion caused was in an attempt to free its Hyur companion from a hunter's trap. | It was much later, when he'd grown enough to take on his own solitary night hunts, that a new thread was introduced to his fate. The sound of a great commotion had driven off much of what he'd planned to hunt that night, and upon closer inspection Zha'li was rather shocked to come upon a thrashing chocobo. Always rather fond of the birds (well, to put it very lightly), the impulsive youth rushed over to assist it. It was an unwelcome surprise to discover that the chocobo was not alone, and that the commotion caused was in an attempt to free its Hyur companion from a hunter's trap. | ||
Revision as of 02:06, 28 June 2013
| Zha'li Vael | |
| |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Miqo'te |
| Clan | Keeper of the Moon |
| Citizenship | Unaffiliated |
Basic Info
Zha'li is tall for his race, though you will find others taller. He's reached the early years of adulthood, though is still unseasoned in many ways.
Like many in his tribe his hair, ears, and tail are deep black. Teal color highlights through his hair, a deeper shade than one of his eyes. His other eye, mismatched, leans more to a pale green.
History
He'd thought the commotion came from a wounded chocobo, frantic to escape the trap of some idiotic hunter. When a young and yet untested Zha'li rushed forward to free the creature, what he found instead was a story. A story on the tongue of a wandering Hyur who would nudge his life in a direction he hadn't expected...
Youngest son and last child of the tribe matriarch, Zha'li's childhood was spent around fire pits and lore. His mother's tribe, tight knit and smaller than many Keeper tribes, had always taken pride in the telling of stories. Devoted to ensuring knowledge was passed faithfully along the generations, all members made it a point to gather from their solo hunts or wanderings to meet under the full moon. From simple children's cautionary tales and hunting stories to great legends claimed to come from the time before the migration, Zha'li's youth was filled with the words of his people.
It was much later, when he'd grown enough to take on his own solitary night hunts, that a new thread was introduced to his fate. The sound of a great commotion had driven off much of what he'd planned to hunt that night, and upon closer inspection Zha'li was rather shocked to come upon a thrashing chocobo. Always rather fond of the birds (well, to put it very lightly), the impulsive youth rushed over to assist it. It was an unwelcome surprise to discover that the chocobo was not alone, and that the commotion caused was in an attempt to free its Hyur companion from a hunter's trap.
He helped the Hyur out... for the chocobo's sake.
The encounter didn't end there, however, the Hyur thanking Zha'li profusely for his help while also requesting aide and a place to rest while he healed. When the young Miqo'te asked just what the Hyur planned to offer in exchange, a wry smile hit the man's lips. "I'll pay you with a story," was his simple response. Reluctant and disinterested at first, one wild story became two, and one night became weeks. Without effort the Hyur had charmed the young Miqo'te, and many nights Zha'li should have spent hunting were spent instead curled up against the chocobo's flank, listening and laughing to the impossible seeming tales that spewed from the man's lips.
Zha'li was honestly sad when the other finally chose to move on. With a challenge to Zha'li to come find him some day with stories he could share (or facts to disprove any of the tales the young Miqo'te had insisted had to be false), Hyur and chocobo stepped out of his life, if not his head. Many years passed where Zha'li immersed himself in his tribe's ways again, but when the Calamity came he was given the push he needed to get traveling.
Personality
Seeming relatively easy going compared to the brooding stereotype of the Keepers of the Moon, Zha'li is amiable to most conversation. He isn't exactly comfortable with large crowds or intimate discussions with those of other races, but he won't shy away from them either. Having learned to pull upon the jovial storytelling ways of the traveling Hyur, he can hide and bluff away his insecurities when he needs to. He's no no rowdy braggart, and he'll likely never seek the spotlight in a crowd, but he'll pretend at comfort and ease rather than retreat to solitude.
Zha'li prefers to support and heal others over violence or conflict, many times willing to play the fool if i'll preserve the peace. It is custom in Zha'li's tribe for all of the young to learn the basics of healing, with those showing promise encouraged to pursue the role of healer at the feet of their shaman. All in the tribe were born to the hunt, but not all can embrace the power of the world around them to mend. It was very early that Zha'li exhibited a proficiency for the healing arts, his keen ear and open mind leading him to study with the tribe's shaman. He was never officially named as an apprentice or successor, for both the shaman and Zha'li's mother noted early on that the young Miqo'te's eyes drifted ever so slightly beyond their territory.
He's never quite caught the knack for telling them, but he enjoys a good joke, and misses the horrible jokes of the travelling Hyur. Easy humor and an appreciation for telling stories (true or not) is a wonderful way to gain a smile from Zha'li. That, or talking about chocobo. Nothing makes Zha'li perk up quite like talking about his favorite yellow companions.
Affiliations
The 'traveling Hyur' and his amazing chocobo ((NPCs currently))
Goals
Zha'li would likely give up adventuring altogether if he could devote his life to the raising of chocobo. While there is of course a large part of him that will likely always wish to roam and hunt and experience new lands (and hear new tales), the thought of centering his life around the birds is alluring. Besides, traveling with a chocobo is better than alone, should the need to travel truly grip him.
It goes without saying as well that Zha'li hopes to find his Hyurian friend again. He keeps an ear and eye out for him always, eager to swap stories.
Quirks
Zha'li has taken to emulating the man that planted the notion traveling beyond his tribe's territory, occasionally telling tales that are fanciful and rather far from the truth. Never maliciously, of course, yet more often than not it leads to others assuming he's rather uneducated about the world.
The stories of his tribe are never shared, no matter how small, at the request of his mother.
