Haien Okeya
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Haien Okeya (Pronunciation: Hi-yen Oh-kay-yuh), is an Auri botanist that hails from Ul'dah. He can frequently be found running a small stall in the markets of Ul'dah filled with freshly picked herbs, though he also fulfills custom and bulk orders on a regular basis. He's a very quiet man for the most part, preferring to keep his own counsel even amongst friends.
Standing at 7'2" tall, Haien is on the lean side for an Au Ra. As with most Raen, a pattern of lightly-colored scales can be found across much of his body. His natural resting expression is a stern one, frequently causing people who don't know him to believe that he is permanently angry. He tends to keep his blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail with his bangs loose, though due to his lack of concern for looking proper, one can frequently see stray wisps of hair sticking out from the rest. Though he has been convinced to start wearing real clothing, he still tends to wear lighter, looser outfits, usually in dark or neutral colours.
Haien is quiet and solemn most of the time, particularly in large groups. While in the theatre troupe, the leader was a man who spoke loudly and often without really saying anything at all, and it rubbed Haien the wrong way. He started speaking less and less, and found that he could learn more through being quiet and observing than by filling the air with meaningless chatter. His penchant for observation and focus proved particularly useful when part of the Conjurer's Guild, even if he lacked the natural gift to truly succeed. That said, he's not all silence all the time. He recognizes that, while he's quite content to sit in silence, most people aren't him. When in a 1-on-1 setting, he makes an effort to be as social as he can. He's not great at it, and often comes off as awkward, but he does try to avoid actively making people uncomfortable. Haien is not without personality, though some might be led to believe that since his emotions are often presented in a subtle manner. His friends have learned that a chuckle from him is the equivalent of a roaring, gut-splitting laugh from most any other man. A wink and a nudge is practically a proposition. A smile is the equivalent of an ear-to-ear grin. Those who can read body language well often find it more comfortable to spend time with Haien than those that do not. At one time, Haien exhibited very self-destructive behaviour, and had a tendency to blame himself for events in his life that weren't his own fault. Over the last year and a half, he's slowly recovered from this, and nowadays has a much more healthy mindset.
Haien was born under another name that he has long distanced himself from. His parents were refugees to Ala Mhigo, and lived in an impoverished farming town that was barely able to make ends meet. As a baby and on into his early childhood, resources were tight. There was never enough food to go around, and he was often hungry. His parents were clearly miserable -- as was a fair portion of his village. It wasn't a happy life, and everyone around him worked hard for very little results. He became fast friends with a Miqo'te girl named S'hozqha Batih who lived in his village, and the two were nearly inseparable. Then one day around Haien's fifth nameday, a theatre troupe came through on their travels. They put on show after show, and Haien had never seen the villagers happier. There was actual merriment on faces he had thought permanently scored with frown lines and weary eyes. It was inspiring, and it came as little wonder that when they left town the next day, S'hozqha went with them, leaving Haien little choice but to follow suit. The young Miqo’te girl quickly found her talent as actress, while Haien preferred to avoid the limelight and work as an extra. He learned to move props and set pieces around unseen, and quickly found he was quite good at it.
Almost twelve years later, the troupe found themselves in Eorzea, specifically in Gridania. Their stay there lasted several days, but once more S'hozqha decided a change was needed, and joined the Archer's Guild there. Never one to deny his friend anything, particularly given his budding crush on her, Haien stayed around as well, though he chose to join the Conjurer's Guild instead of picking up the bow. Sadly, Haien was far from gifted in the way of conjury. His patience and dedication brought him some minor results, but for the amount of work he put into it, he had very little to show in the way of progress. S'hozqha was the opposite. She took to archery like a fish to water, and soon found herself wanting for challenging targets. One day, she chanced to hear a rumour about monster in the Thousand Maws of Toto-Rak, and decided that a strong adventurer like herself was what was needed to put them down. She managed to convince Haien to join her, despite his protest and begging that she not try it, and they set off the next day. As he had feared, it went badly; worse even than he could possibly have imagined. They were surrounded and overwhelmed by monsters, and their only option was to flee. In the process, S'hozqha was seriously injured. The wound was far too severe for Haien to heal, but she was far too dear to him to just give up on. He poured all his energy into trying to heal her, and the last thing he saw was her faint, weary smile before he collapsed on top of her.
Some time later, he awoke atop her corpse. Distraught, he wandered aimlessly for days, wasting away. Eventually, he wound up in the desert sands nearly Ul'dah, where he finally collapsed from a mix of exhaustion, starvation, and dehydration. A wandering thief mistook him for dead and tried to check him for valuables, but panicked and ran away when he proved slightly more alive than they had hoped. Their surprised shriek drew an adventurer's attention, and they brought him to the Quicksand, where Momodi slowly nursed him back to health. The first time he regained consciousness, he seemed confused at first, but when his eyes fell on the sight of his conjurer's garb in the corner of his room, freshly cleaned and repaired, he fell apart. Despite his still weakened state, he started screaming, sobbing, and clawing at his skin, and Momodi had to call for him to be physically restrained before he could seriously hurt himself. The next time he came to, it was to a very guarded-looking Momodi, with none of his previous gear in sight. He was informed that he was found wandering in the desert, and (politely) questioned as to his name. It was here that he took the name Haien Okeya, chosen based on a minor character in the only story his mother had told him as a child. It was obvious he was lying and avoiding explaining where he had come from, but Momodi accepted it, presumably because she felt he wasn't doing so out of malice. Once he had fully recovered, he started helping her out by doing odd jobs around the Quicksand -- helping deliver goods, prepare food, clean rooms, or just about anything else she asked for, but there was a disconcerting lifelessness to him. One day, a party of adventurers came through the Quicksand, and Haien was tasked with helping nurse one of them back to health. The very next day, he came to Momodi and asked her permission to become an adventurer. Pleasantly surprised by his seemingly renewed interest in life, she agreed. She tried to start him off at the local Thaumaturgist's Guild, but he flat-out refused to walk in to a place of magic, as he claimed it was not for him. They tried the Pugilist's Guild, and he took to it well. He was fast and nimble, and while he may not have been the strongest hitter, his punches were powerful enough to count, and aimed well to bring down his opponents. Another benefit of Pugilist over Thaumaturgist in Haien's mind was that it meant he had to always be near his enemies, and if he came home with a few bruises and scrapes each day, it was merely expected of someone who had to get up close and personal with those trying to kill him. As the months went on, cuts and scrapes weren't enough for Haien. He started wearing lighter and lighter armor, frequently quoting the famous Pugilist Hamon Holyfist, who said that wearing less armor allowed them to move more freely. The true reason, of course, was not nearly so clean. Haien felt guilty over S'hozqha's death, and every injury or near death escape was what he felt he deserved. The more punishment, the better, in his eyes. Momodi watched as he continued down a path of self-destruction, unsure of what she could do. That is, she watched until the day Haien went out to take down a band of bandits single-handedly, without anything but the barest covering of armor. When he limped back victorious, but with three broken ribs, his tail dislocated, a deep gash on his forehead, and his right wrist shattered nearly beyond healing, she came up with an idea born as much out of desperation as anything else.
As soon as he had recovered, Momodi sent him to deliver a sealed letter from her to the Dutiful Sisters in Limsa Lominsa. Ever feeling in her debt, Haien obliged, and it was there that he met Jacke. He was instantly taken by the Hyur with the strange mannerisms, and when Jacke offered him a place in the Rogue's Guild (probably largely due to Momodi vouching for his natural fit), he could do nothing but accept. Over the next year, he learned the rogue's craft and helped them apprehend various breakers of the Code. All his childhood training in being unseen paid off, as he discovered he was exceptionally skilled in the art of stealth, despite his towering stature. It was during this time that he first met others of his kind. During his Rogue's training, he also trained under several Doman ninjas, learning their arts. Frequently he received questions from the more curious Au Ra -- who was this strange Raen with Eorzean mannerisms and customs, and what was his story? Haien learned quickly how to answer without answering, giving just enough substance to satisfy without revealing anything important. He spoke of how he had lived here as a child, grown up as a farmer, though his parents weren't part of the picture. To the family-oriented Domans, this often painted a picture of some familial tragedy -- a line of thinking Haien was not inclined to correct, as it often stopped the curiosity. Eventually, his time with the Guild was over. He had learned the tricks of their trade, but more importantly, helping keep the Code intact had provided a form of atonement for Haien. He returned to Ul'dah not a completely healed man, but certainly not the broken shell of an Au Ra that had left a year prior.
His time at the Sisters taught him much about herbs, both poisonous and medicinal, and he discovered he also had a knack for collecting them. Whereas many of the other rogues would grow bored doing what they considered a menial job, he enjoyed collecting the plants the Guild needed for its operations. When he came back to Ul'dah, he sought out tomes of knowledge on plant life, choosing to become a botanist. He still does normal adventurer work from time to time if there's a job that particularly interests him, but largely, he minds his own business and maintains a steady group of regular customers who frequently attest for the quality and fair prices he offers.
Recently, Haien's friend Teddy persuaded him to join the free company he was a part of, Lion Order. One day, a chance discussion about summoning led him further on the path of depression. According to Aetheria and Teddy, it was possible to overcome one's aetherial limits (at cost to one's own health and well-being), and to accomplish magical feats one normally couldn't. He excused himself quickly, but it left him shattered once more. Could he really have saved S'hozqha if he had just known a little bit more, or been a little bit stronger? Haien would never return to Lion Order after that day. Though he was welcomed with open arms and made a few friends, notably Aetheria Crescent, he never really felt like he fit in, and after that conversation, it would be some time before he faced even his closest friends again, never mind the free company he never truly felt he belonged in.
Thrust once more into a vicious cycle of regret, self-loathing, and self-destructive tendencies, he sought fights in various bars most nights. He hunted creatures far tougher than he could handle. He willingly ventured to the edges of Coerthas for herbs in little clothing, despite the temperature. He was a mess. One night at the Drowned Wench, he stumbled into Kahn'a Ohditra, and their conversation left him reeling and more impulsive than ever. Later that night, he picked a fight that went sour when the pirates pulled swords and firearms on him, and he barely managed to fight them off, leaving him with several broken ribs, bruises all across his entire body, a sprained tail, minor internal bleeding, and various other injuries and ailments. As he was recovering from the beating in a back-alley of Limsa, Kahn'a ran across him again, and the resulting conversation, combined with his injuries, gave him some much-needed perspective.
Several days later, after most of the worst of his wounds and bruising had healed, Haien was back to drinking again. This time, however, he encountered J'saato Tia, and in doing so, was distracted from his intentions to fight the night away. The two ventured to Camp Bronze Lake, J'saato for healing in the hot springs located there, and Haien for the healing herb Menphina's Locks which grew nearby. The two talked several times over the next few days, and eventually J'saato gave Haien some friendly advice. The two parted ways once J'saato had healed, with Haien headed back to the deserts of Thanalan to collect herbs as a pretense, when he truly just needed to be alone and think. Unfortunately for him, fate had other ideas in mind. While staying for several days in Camp Drybone, he ran into Tyo'to Kaatapoh, an irritating, gossip-loving, braggart, and was roped into a dagger-throwing contest to try and wipe the smirk off the Miqo'te's face. It quickly became apparent that the two were evenly matched, and Tyo'to brought Haien to see a merchant who was offered a grand reward for the return of his stolen goods. Haien begrudgingly accepted the quest -- he was glad to help, but reluctant to spend more time than absolutely necessary with the chatty Tyo'to. The two made it to the missing caravan after a few days' travel, only to discover it was a trap, with an encampment of slavers ambushing them. They managed to fight their way out and escape, but Tyo'to was gravely wounded. In an act of desperation, not wanting history to repeat itself, Haien brought Tyo'to to the edges of the South Shroud, where he called on the elements to save Tyo'to's life. To Haien's great surprise, it worked, and while Tyo'to was far from healthy, Haien had managed to heal him enough through Conjury that his knowledge of herbs and practical medicine could bring him the rest of the way back to health. They spent several days in the wilds while Tyo'to recovered, having several long conversations about their motivations, their pasts, and perhaps most importantly in the long run, why Tyo'to continued to adventure even at risk of death. By the time they parted, something inside Haien had begun to heal. It would be a long road, but it seemed possible he might be on his way to recovery.
Some months later, Haien had developed a habit of selling the various herbs and spices he had collected in a small, weekly market on the outskirts of the Black Shroud. Despite taking place in a town with more market-time visitors than actual residents, it was a surprisingly organized affair, and Haien found himself assigned to a particular booth in the market, rather than free to choose his own location. Fortunately for him, the man who ran the booth beside his was an old midlander who seemed similarly inclined toward silence, and so the two men quickly found each others' presences tolerable enough. In truth, Haien quickly came to like the old man, particularly considering, unlike many people of that age, he never sensed any judgment for his attire or his near silence. After several months of peaceful coexistance, though, the old man failed to show up one week, being replaced by a boisterous woman who seemed to think she would fall off the face of Eorzea should she ever stop talking. Eager to get rid of her, Haien approached the market's organizers and soon learned that the old man's name was Rothe Cooper, and that he'd failed to file the necessary paperwork that week, and that no one had heard from him since the week prior. Deciding that peace and quiet was well worth involving himself in the affairs of others without being asked, Haien made note of where Rothe's farm was located and decided to pay him a visit. As it turned out, Rothe's farm was suffering from rodent problems, and Rothe himself was no longer spry enough to solve the problem himself. Haien, on the other hand, proved quite capable of ending the pesky menaces' reign of terror on the Cooper farm, and for his trouble, was hired on as permanent help, since farming was getting more and more taxing on Rothe each day. Over the following months, Haien and Rothe slowly got to know each other, learning each others' histories as they toiled together on the Cooper farm. Though normally tight-lipped about his past, Haien slowly found himself opening up to the man more and more, sharing his story bit by bit as Rothe shared his. Without realizing it, Haien began to regard the man almost as a father, and for his part, Rothe quickly came to see Haien as the son he'd never had. With Rothe's guiding hand and wise advice, the wounds that had festered since S'hozqha's death truly began to heal. It was just as Haien was truly feeling better that old age caught up with Rothe fully, and the man fell deeply ill. Knowing his time had come, and that if Haien stayed, he would likely blame himself for his inability to keep him alive, Rothe gave Haien one final task; to track down his four daughters and provide them news of his passing, as well as what little material wealth he had for them. Haien tried to refuse, but Rothe's insistence won out, and so Haien said his farewells for the last time, setting out on a serach that would take him across Eorzea over the next six months. The first daughter, Arlette, was easy to find, as she was still living in the Black Shroud, on a farm with her husband and their children. Haien passed along the message and Rothe's package to her, urging her to try and see her old man one last time before the end, then set out to find the second daughter. The second daughter, Verona, was more difficult to find, and it took him over a month of searching to pick up her trail. He eventually caught up with her and her wife living on the outskirts of the Dravanian Forelands, working with the wild chocobos there. He stayed with them for a time as their guest, before following a lead he'd picked up on the third sister. After a great deal of hunting and searching, and many dead ends, Haien found Gwendolyn in Wineport, owner of a well-off vineyard. He didn't stay long, however, as she had recently heard from the youngest of Rothe's daughters, Elvina, who had claimed she was joining the Ala Mhigan resistance fighters under the enigmatic Griffin. By the time Haien managed to find Elvina, it was too late, and she had perished in the fight for Baelsar's Wall. Haien took it upon himself to provide a proper service for her, then returned with the news to the other three sisters, briefly all in one place at the Cooper farm. None of the three had any intentions of keeping the estate Rothe had left for them, as all had their own lives elsewhere, and eventually came to the decision to leave it to Haien, as he had clearly become one of the family by that time. Though he missed Rothe dearly, Haien was determined to make the most of the farm that was the old man's legacy, and quickly settled back into the farming life, making the most of the second chance at life that so few received. Gwendolyn stayed for some months, helping Haien learn the ins and outs of managing a farm, as well as, in her words, "bringing some civilization into [his] life." It was Gwendolyn that finally taught fully how to read, as well as impressed the need for real clothing on him -- and actually got that lesson to stick. By the time she'd left, the two had grown very close, each considering the other a true sibling.
These are mostly backstory-related relationships, be they blood-related family otherwise.
Listed here are the non-family PC characters that Haien has interacted with enough or in such a way for him to form a real opinion about them. Please don't take personal offense if your character isn't listed here, or how the interaction or relationship is described. It isn't that I dislike your character or our RP. I just tend to only add these as necessary for those who make a real impact on Haien, and descriptions are purely based upon in character experiences and opinions! Last Update... March 6th, 2016. * An asterisks denotes that Haien doesn't know the individual's true name.
◢ Common Rumors - Easily overheard. Use these freely!
◢ Uncommon Rumors - A little more difficult to hear. Use sparingly or ask first!
◢ Rare Rumors - Very rarely overheard. Please ask before using!
◢ Near-Impossible Rumors - You really need to know the right people for these, and we’d have to work something out in advance for a reason for you to know.
◢ Player Character Rumors - Feel free to add rumors of your own!
I fully admit to being bad at coming up with ideas. If you can think of something that's not on this list, please, by all means bring it to my attention and we can hammer out the specifics.
I am a mid-20’s man living with his cat in the mid-western United States on a sleep schedule that only some sort of crazed psychic would be able to predict. I enjoy music that's older than I am, food that's terrible for me, and games that are far nerdier than I can reliably claim to be. I have a fondness for bad puns, though I’m rarely witty enough to make them myself. My humour tends to be of the self-deprecating variety, though occasionally it’ll flip completely and I’ll joke about how totally amazing I am. Please do understand that I do not take either extreme seriously, and it’s just my (poor) sense of humour. I also tend to joke around in what I’ve been told is a flirty way, as I have a fairly blue sense of humour. Please know that no matter how many ♥s or winky faces I send you, it’s still just me messing around, and I am not looking for a romantic relationship. If this behavior (or anything else I do, really) makes you uncomfortable, please do let me know, and I’ll endeavor to cease immediately.
Overall, I'm pretty chill as far as guidelines go. It is very, very hard to offend me, so don’t worry too much about it. Still, for the sake of making sure everyone's on the same page here, let me make a few mentions in particular:
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