Erik Mynhier
 Eirikir "Erik" Mynhier
| |
 "A knight is made by that which he protects." | |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Hyur |
| Clan | Highlander |
| Citizenship | Ul'dah |
| Title | Sultansworn |
| Grand Company | The Immortal Flames |
| Command Unit | The Red Wings |
| Military Rank | Second Flame Lieutenant |
| Guardian | Halone, the Fury |
| Nameday | 30th Sun of the 4th Umbral Moon |
Contents
Updates
Some of Erik's story has been altered due to circumstances beyond my control.
General
Erik is a thirty-three year old Ala Mhigan refugee, now a citizen of Ul'dah, living there for seventeen years. Erik sought to repay his new home by becoming a soldier with the Immortal Flames. He served valiantly, he has been highly decorated for his participated in battles large and small, most notably at the battle of Castrum Novum. Earning the title of Sultansworn for his skills and service to Ul'dah, Erik serves his nation faithfully as a Paladin, to help the helpless ones who look up to him and to defend them to the end.
Appearance
Erik stands 6 fulms 6 ilms tall and is extremely muscular, weighing in at just under 260 ponzes. This is due in part to the extensive military training he received early in his life. He has moderately short hair and a closely shaved beard and mustache. His hair is dirty blonde, and his eyes are green.
Behavior
Though carefree in his younger days, Erik's service in the military has caused him to become more stoic in nature. He is calm, patient, and eager to aid others in need. Though his commission still stands with the Immortal Flames, he suffers internally from Survivor's Syndrome. This syndrome causes him to feel guilt for managing to survive the cataclysm while so many perished, a common affliction of many survivors. It is this above all else that drives him, not wishing to dishonor the dead by squandering his life away.
Combat
Erik's father was a Soldier and Dark Knight in Ala Mhigo before its conquest. He was trained by his father for the first few years of his life as is the custom for Highlanders. After being cast out and the subsequent death of his father, his training shifted to that of his mother who was a conjurer. Her training, which was intended to stifle his inner rage, lasted until he was 16. He moved to Ul'dah and found gil to be hard to find, so he began working as a mercenary to survive. In that time he realized he was more comfortable with combat then he was with healing so he resumed his martial training. He chose gladiator because several of the forms, despite using a shield as well, were similar to the two-handed techniques used by the Ravagers. His training, including his conjuring, was long but fruitful. All was instrumental to his selection by the Sultansworn to become a Paladin.
Relationships
Siha Xinkei
A wildly bright and energetic Keeper of the Moon, Siha is Erik's "adopted sister". They met in Limsa during his investigation into his wife's disappearance. He approached her due to files he had read indicating that she was a seer, one with the gift to see into a person's heart, as well as their past and future. When she used her gift on Erik she not only shed light on his search, but became privy to the events of his life and in the process formed a strong bond. He now sees her as his sister and wishes nothing more then to help her on her quest.
Roen Deneith
A young Paladin who's past before the Calamity is a mystery. Erik met her two years earlier when he happened upon her and the family she traveled with. Attacked by bandits, Erik managed to defeat them and save the family and Roen. Two years later they met again, but now she sought to become a Paladin and to have Erik as her trainer.
Montblanc
In his early days in the Immortal Flames, Erik was sent to Camp Drybone to search for a caravan of goldsmith who had been taken by bandits. The bandits had killed the goldsmiths and fled by the time the Flames had reached them. Though the caravan had been sacked burned, Erik found a badly damaged mamment in a pile of rubble. Erik painstakingly repaired the mamment over the course of a year. When he finished, the mamment became his loyalist friend. Given the name Montblanc, from a ancient tale of a boy who fell into a book, he seeks only to aid his friend and savior. Montblanc can always be found at Erik's side.
Ulrich Mynhier - (deceased)
Ulrich Mynhier was Erik's father,and one of the military elite of Ala Mhigo. Trained as a Ravager, a warrior that used a deadly combination of the user's lifeforce-aether and the bastard sword. Ravagers who were the elite guards of the tyrannical leader of Ala Mhigo were known as the Bloodsworn. Despite his master's short comings, Ulrich was an honorable man and fought bravely to his death at the fall of Ala Mhigo.
Heather Mynhier, of the House Fortemps - (deceased)
Erik's mother, Heather was the daughter of a hyur servant girl and the son of the head of the House of Fortemps, one of the four great Houses of Ishgard. As a crossbred person, she was met with endless hate and ridicule from Isguard society and even her family. A gifted healer and devout worshiper of Halone, she was forced to flee Ishgard when she fell in love with the young soldier that guarded the Ala Mhigan Embassy, Ulrich. She became pregnant, which enraged her family. After several attempts to harm the baby or outright kill her for the sake of the family's honor, Ulrich took her and fled into the night, bringing her to Ala Mhigo.
Tietra Mynhier - (deceased)
Erik's sister
History
Birth and the Fall of Ala Mhigo
Eirikir "Erik" Mynhier was born in the great city of Ala Mhigo in the year 1544. His father was Ulrich Mynhier, a Ravager and Palace Guard commander from Ala Mhigo with a decorated career in service. His mother was Heather (Fortemps) Mynhier, a Conjurer, formerly of the House of Fortemps. Hailing from Ishgard, Heather was also highly regarded in Ala Mhigo as a renowned educator.
In 1557, Erik witnessed firsthand the invasion and downfall of Ala Mhigo at the hands of the Garlean Empire. The empire advanced through the city's defenses with their tech. The first push came from the skies, airships filling the sky, firing upon the people below. Erik, his mother, and one-year old sister were in the palace that afternoon, visiting his father to bring him lunch. The joyful time was lost when the explosions came and the guard rushed in to tell Ulrich what was happening. He looked to Heather and spoke to her for a moment in private then touched the small stone around his neck, causing darkness to envelop him. He stood before them, a Dark Knight. He placed his armored hand on Erik's shoulder and spoke to him about his pride in him and the importance of honor, even in the darkness. He then lifted his little daughter Rislyn in the air, she laughed, unaware of what was happening. He kissed her forehead and handed her to Erik. Ulrich then took Heather in his arms and the two kissed as they wept, Ulrich's tears made of blood. He then placed on his helm, the very face of Rhalgr himself. He took his greatsword from its place near his desk, nodded to Heather and disappeared out the door. Heather wiped the tears away and steeled herself. She rummaged through Ulrich's desk, finding the book she had been instructed to find, an intelligence report. She then took her children and left herself.
As the family raced through the courtyard, many of the workers and servants of the palace joined them. Before they could reach the gates, Garlean mages repelled them from the low flying airships above and began to let loose fire upon the crowd. A commander emerged from them spouting orders. As was to be found in the report Heather had, his name was Darius van Doren. Doren had been tasked with securing the palace, something he reveled in. He knew the palace guard was led by a man whom he had faced before, a Dark Knight. He directed a mage to fire upon a woman and child that he recognized to be his enemy's bride. The explosion of flame threw Heather against a wall, casting Rislyn into a cart. All Erik knew was the mage had hit her, and that was all he needed to know as he rushed the wizard, a blunt stone in his hand. The mage was the first man Erik would ever kill, his skull crushed by the stone. Friends of Erik and his family pulled him off the dead man and helped Heather to her feet and dragged her and Erik away, as they screamed for the baby that had been lost. Doren had Rislyn's body retrieved, so that he could show Ulrich what he had done before killing him.
Regaining her focus, Heather pressed down the pain for another time. As the people ran, Garlean forces met them at every turn. As there were fewer and fewer surviving Ala Mhigans, Heather took command and led the fifty or so survivors with her through the city's aqueducts to a main drain outside the city. The journey was long and dangerous. They traveled through the mountains, avoiding scouting parties, making it finally to the Shroud. It did not end there, the spirits of the Shroud were not welcoming to the refugees and several were lost. Finally reaching Gridania, it was Heather that negotiated sanctuary for the survivors with the Stillglade Fane.
Time in Gridania
For Three years "Heather's Survivors", as the Ala Mhigan refugees were called, strived to build a life in the Shroud. Of the fifty that left Gyr Abania, only thirty-five made it to Gridania. The hardships they endured made them a close-knit community in Old Gridania. Heather became a teacher at Stillglade for small children, teaching conjuration to Erik also in that time. She also found work in aiding the Twin Adders with her healing.
While living there, Erik made a friend that would change his life. A young and reckless midlander lancer named Cian Highwind. In time Erik and Cian became inseparable. While Erik would come at things calmly and reserved, Cian would literally jump into trouble. Looking back, this was probably the happiest time in Erik's life. The happiness however would be short lived.
Moving On
At the end of three years, Erik found himself content to live a quiet life out in the Shroud as a miner. He had signed on to apprentice with a representative of Amajina & Sons living in the Shroud and had begun his trade when tragedy found him again. While part of a search party looking for a lost merchant, Heather and her group were attacked. Heather herself died of a poisoned arrow, unable to cure herself as the Garlean scouts who had found them made her last moments alive a testament of fear. When her body was found it was entombed in Stillglade for her kindness, skills, and leadership not only in the refugee community, but in Gridania as a whole. When found it was discovered that she had on herself two rings, made of unicorn horn, each engraved with a name of one of her children, and the sigel of the House Foretemps. The Garleans either did not notice the rings as the ravaged her, or did not care. Both were given to Erik, who wears the one bearing his name to this day.
Not just her son, but the whole of the Ala Mhigans of Gridania mourned their leader's passing. With her gone however, and the fact that many of the hardy people were uncomfortable with the quiet life in Gridania, many decided to leave for Ul'dah, seeking work as merchants or mercenaries. Driven by hate and mourning, Erik to considered this. His course of action was set when Cian prodded him on, stating that Erik needed a fresh start and that he would go with him.
Coming To Ul'dah
In 1560, at the age of sixteen, Erik arrived in Ul'dah hoping to start a new life, Cian in tow. The two friends spent the first night in the Hourglass, spending money in the big city. The following two weeks were spent in the streets. Erik had decided on the way to the city that he wanted to join the Immortal Flames. He remembered how his father use to tell him that he thought of the Flames as second only to Ala Mhigo's forces. This vote of confidence spurred him to throw himself entirely into this new home of his. Cian was unimpressed, but followed suit, more interested in the dry beds and hot meals.
For the first year Erik and Cian excelled in their training. They were soon to find themselves on missions throughout Thanalan. It was a golden time for them both, high adventure, food in their stomachs, and eachother. It was the grandest of times. They also met other friends, a gentle Ishgardian wildwood archer named Loria Haillenarte, a sea wolf pugilist called Iyrnfyst Junghblaetsyn, and a pair of dunesfolk mages, a thaumaturge woman named Raraku Raku and her boyfriend Mamaku Maku the conjurer, and a seeker craftswoman named D'zhumii Sato. Two years into the service of the Flames, Erik managed to gain authorization to form a free company in service to Ul'dah. The friends met in the Quicksand that night and made the decisions needed, and the Crimson Watch was formed.
The Crimson Watch
One year after the formation of the Crimson Watch, in the year 1562, their reputation could not have been higher. The young upstart unit of children had managed to tackle several missions thought to much for them, only to come out victorious. Even the upper ranks had began to take notice. It was a good time for the friends in arms.
The year had brought changes to the dynamics of the company. Erik had grown more jovial then he had ever been, being surrounded by friends had warmed his scarred heart. Loria and Iyrnfyst had become romantically involved, as had Cian and D'zhumii. Raraku and Mamaku had been married. These changes would prove their downfall as they were sent to the Battle of Castrum Novum.
The Seven Hells of War
A call had gone out to the nations of Eorzea. The Garlean Empire had gained a foothold, in Mor Dhora. The three Grand Companies came together as never before for the battle that was to come. Calling together every party, group, free company and adventurer that would come. With the call came a discussion among the Watch.
v Under Construction v
Years passed in the deserts of Thanalan as Erik and his best friend Cian, a Midlander lancer from Gridania, trained in their professions and took on as much work as they could find. Together with some of the friends they made along the way, they formed a Free Company called the Crimson Watch in 1562. This was in response to the call to arms by the city-states of Eorzea. They would soon enter the battle of Castrum Novum. The battle, though a success, held a heavy price. Though he had survived, his Company members were dead, except for Cian, and according to reports he had simply walked away from the battlefield with a dead look in his eyes. News had come through that despite the victory at Castrum Novum, Dalamud still approached. There would be one more attempt to save Eorzea, it would be known as the Battle of Carteneau.
A voice called him from his dreams the night before the battle. As Erik awoke he saw Cain, soaked in the blood of the dead soldiers around them. Erik tried to calm his friend but Cian would not hear of it and attacked him. As the great battle raged far in the distance, Cian struck with poor aim, missing Erik and falling into the path of Erik's sword. Caught in a moment of his friend's death Erik moved to the edge of the cliff where his squad had camped and saw far beyond him the Dragon King burst forth from Dalamud. From his vantage point he watched as the dragon launched his mighty MegaFlare. He waited for death, yet it still never came. The dragon moved on and an eerie peace settled over the decimated land.
Recent Events
Since the events of the Calamity, Erik's life has gone through many changes. Upon returning to Ul'dah with the other survivors of Carteneau, Erik's service was recognized and he was awarded the title of Sultansworn and given a position in the palace guard of the Sultana. He also married his longtime love Gummie Chalahko in a lovely service in Limsa Lominsa. And overall, his fortunes were bright.
Three years later, things turned sour. While on a mission for the Maelstrom, Gummie's ship was lost at sea. Thinking her lost, Erik has become convinced that she lives when he learned that a crew member on her ship, a roegadyn named Wolfbiter, had been found alive. The crewman reported that their ship had sunk for unknown reasons, possibly sabotage, but that there had been many survivors. This report was strange as there were no other know survivors, and for the fact that Wolfbiter soon vanished after recovering from his injuries.
In order to search for Wolfbiter, and his wife herself, Erik resigned his title as a Sultansworn, and his commission with the Immortal Flames in order to carry out his search. His journey took him all over Eorzea, but to no good. At the end of his fruitless search Erik found himself two years older, depressed, and sitting at a dirty table in the Wolf's Den. It was at this point that he considered ending his life, tired of seeing everyone he loves passing before him. The only thing that stopped him was a stranger who approached his table. His name was Ambric, a Captain of the Immortal Flames, and he carried a message from the Flame General himself.
With the fall of the Praetorium, and the retreat of the Empire, Eorzea seemed set toward a path of peace, but Raubahn is not a trusting man. The Empire would return, Ishgard required attention, dragons, primals, and threats withing the alliance and Ul'dah itself called for something new. An intelligence agency that would be the eyes and ears of the Sultana. And with his unique background along with devoted service, the General had chosen Erik to be it's commander. The command also came with an offer, the weight of the Flames behind his search for his wife. With such an offer, he could not refuse. Erik became the commander of the Red Wings, the new military intelligence unit of the Immortal Flames, and regained his former title of Sultansworn.
Religion
Within Eorzea many have faith in the Twelve, the gods of the land. And though most believe in these gods, it is a common practice for individuals to take one as a personal patron,. In the case of most Ala Mhigans, the patron of choice not only of the individual, but of the city-state itself was and is Rhalgr, the Destroyer.
In his youth, before the fall of Ala Mhigo, Erik's household revered two gods, the god of his father Rhalgr, and the goddess of his mother Halone. In his adult life however he not only follows the teachings of Halone, he is actively oppose to veneration of Rhalgr, especially by Ala Mhigans. He once commented to another Ala Mhigan during a heated conversation, "Why should I bend a knee to Rhalgr? Have we Ala Mhigans not had enough of him yet?" This statement stems from Erik's belief that Rhalgr's nature as the Destroyer may have played a role in the destruction and conquest of his homeland at the hands of the Garlean Empire.
It should also be noted that he has nothing but respect for Menphina, the Lover, the patron of his wife, even though she does not actively practice.
Trivia
- Erik's favorite meal is Trapper's Quiche with Chamomile Tea.
- Every year Erik travels to Gridania to pay his respects to those who have fallen.
- Erik has recently become interested in the movement to free Ala Mhigo.
- Erik requires glasses to read.
Theme Music
- ♪ To The Stars by Randy Edelman - Main Theme
- ♪ My Spirit Will Go On by Dragonforce - Battle Theme
- ♪ Vale Decem by Murray Gold - Hymn of Halone
- ♪ Colors by Crossfade - Ballad of the Paladin
- ♪ Forty-Six and Two by Tool - Dark Knight Anthem
- ♪ Defender by Manowar - Father's Letter
- ♪ You're Not Alone by Nobuo Uematsu (preformed by Erutan) - Mother's Lullaby
- ♪ Brother by Stone Sour - Erik's Memories
- ♪ If You Could Only See by Tonic - Gimmie's Theme
- ♪ The Fallen One by Hammerfall - Cian's Memory
- ♪ The Splendid Performance by Nobuo Uematsu - Jace's Song
- ♪ Sister by Koralee - Roen's Song
- ♪ Eversleeping by Xandria - Siha's Song
- ♪ Daring Sword by Motoi Sakuraba - Anelia's Fanfare
- ♪ Fire Woman by The Cult - Mitsutsu's Ballad
- ♪ Poet's Heart by Westlife - Poet's Song
