Kage Kiryuu

Kage Kiryuu
Gender	Male
Race	Miqo'te
Clan	Seeker
Citizenship	Ul'dah
Age	24
Height	5' 2.7"
Server	Balmung
Time Zone	Pacific (GMT-8 Standard, GMT-7 Daylight Savings)
In Game	Mon-Thurs 4pm-10pm Friday 8pm to latenight. Saturday 9am-Late night. Sunday 9am-10pm

Character

General

Kage was once a Dunesfolk Lalafell whose family have lived in the Thanalan for many, many years. He was traveling through Thanalan, The Clutch area, when he spied something that festered a strange feeling within him. He was driven and inspired by the events he saw. He saw Papashan and other Sultansworn come to the aid of another. It became the driving force within him to train to be a paladin and to eventually become Sultansworn. This led to him meeting with the Sultansworn, Natalie, as well as others that she knew. Recent events has caused him to realize that the politics of the job and those of Ul'dah might be something that he's not yet prepared for. However, with his family he is determined to see things through, especially for them. It is unknown to Kage how he became a Miqo'te Sunseeker. He had finished his patrol in his new occupation as a Brass Blades and was using the aethernet when next he knew it was bells later and he was naked in his new form in Crescent's Cove near Horizon.

Appearance

While Kage was once the shortest of adult male Dunesfolk Lalafell, he is now the shortest of adult male Sunseeker Miqo'te. He has blue hair with highlights of a red shade and a long blue fluffy tail.

Behavior

Once he's comfortable and willing to open up, Kage will be happy to give people as good as he takes it. He's shy, soft-spoken, reserved and mild-mannered but also playfulwhen with friends. He cares very much for those he becomes friends with. As such, he does not take well to being insulted for seeing whether his friends are in danger or being harassed. Only his self-restraint keeps him from lashing out at someone physically or violently for doing so. He's very forceful when he feels like his friends need to be defended from physical or personal attack. He does not easily make friends by himself, usually making friends from friends. He can be found sitting on the rail in Quicksand, outside of Quicksand by Ruby Road, or sitting at a table in the Airship landing. Kage finds it very hard to lie to people to their faces and usually would prefer not to unless for a good reason. Thus, he hates it when people lie to him. He has a lot of anxieties about himself, but he's started to grow stronger as his training progresses. He believes in his friends and is generally too "goody two shoes". He wouldn't enforce this belief unto others, especially his friends, unless he thought that the trouble for them is too much or if it puts them into danger. He doesn't like it when his friends get hurt, being upset that they would not ask him for help or for him to cover their backs. He does not have a rigid sense of judgment only a subjective right or wrong on how people are affected.

Likes

• Ul'dah
• Any beverage at the Quicksand
• Becoming friends

Dislikes

• Killing or hurting others (mentally or physically)
• Not being able to initiate making new friends
• Friends going off without him to watch their backs
• Deep seas or oceans, he has never learned to swim properly

Hobbies/Talents

• Sitting on the rail in Quicksand

While at one point he was proficient in aetheric manipulation, with Kage's transformation he has been unable to use it without burning himself or otherwise injuring himself.

Relationships

Family

Kage's mother's side of the family had a heavy focus in thaumaturgy and a few tomes ready for study on some black magicks. Kage's father comes from a family who specialized in goldsmithing. His father does quite well in goldsmithing so that Kage and his family were never in want. Kage has two siblings, an older brother and a younger sister. His brother continues the family's goldsmithing business while his sister has turned to alchemy.

Friends

Kage has made a variety of friends in the city of Ul'dah. Many of them seem to be Miqo'te but he has made friends with Roen Deneith, a Midlander Hyur. He's gotten to know many of them through Natalie Mcbeef or through being in the Quicksand.

Natalie Mcbeef: Kage had only heard of the Miqo'te Sultansworn until he decided to send her a missive that changed his life. While previously he had only ever entertained the thought of being a Paladin and then Sultansworn after seeing Papashan, Natalie gave him the advice and courage to move forward. He has since become one of Natalie's apprentices of sorts, having her mentor him. He's grown to expect things from Natalie that others would find to be the unexpected. A good way to describe part of their relationship is that she always finds ways to help Kage grow in either character or experience. Something that, in the specific moment, Kage does not always find helpful. He views Natalie as many things: mentor, friend, and family. He will throw his support for her in anything she does. He loves her and is desperate to make sure nothing befalls her while his back may be turned.

Roen Deneith: Kage first met Roen right after he approached Natalie about Paladins and Sultansworn. She was introduced to him as a Paladin in-training. Natalie nominated Roen to mentor Kage of sorts. At first, the two did not seem to know how it would work but throughout each individuals' training, Kage realized that Roen would be a good friend. He thinks her very worthy of the Sultansworn title, believing that she deserves it more than he does even. He now sees Roen as part of his family and he would do everything and anything he could for her. He is stubbornly and fiercely protective of Roen. Unfortunately Natalie's actions have caused a rift, one that may never be repaired. Roen's ties to them both as well as Ul'dah have hopefully been cut so that she will never have to be tainted by the beast that is the Jewel in the Desert.

Alexaria Whiteraven: Shortly after his first meeting with Natalie about becoming a Paladin and trying to join the Sultansworn, Kage met Alexaria. Kage calls her Alex and considers her a true and kind friend. At the time in which he met Alex, Kage was at a loss in how to proceed with his training. He didn't know if he had the courage or skill to continue. However, Alex gave him some of the best advice he could have ever asked for. Kage enjoys the time he spends with Alex and will usually take the time to speak with her if he does not have any duties. He was able to tell her of his transformation into a Miqo'te, something with which she took without faze.

Chokho Viqqoh: Kage first met this female Miqo'te through his friend Salem Nunh. At first he did not know what to make of her but he's found that she has a very large and kind heart. Through constant interactions with her, Kage has come to trust her greatly. He enjoys teasing her, though he does think a lot of her jokes are bad. He's never really learned of songs or their lyrics, so a lot of the time when she tries to sing he doesn't get it. After recent talks, Kage has no doubt whatsoever of Chokho. He deeply appreciates all her help and hopes that she stays safe.

C'kayah Tia: Through his constant interactions with Natalie, Kage interacted with the male Miqo'te often. He had found a brotherly kinship with Kayah, a good friend and he completely supported Natalie's relationship with him. He had thrown his lot in with him, and was overjoyed when he was brought into their tribe. With the argument that took place, seeming to have driven Kayah away, Kage at first believed it was an abandonment. After speaking with Natalie, Kage hopes to see Kayah return to the family once more. He misses him. In the case should C'kayah need it and Kage found out, Kage would be there as soon as the Twelve allowed it. For now, Kage is keeping himself more than a tail's length away. The family that C'kayah left needs Kage more than ever it seemed. C'kayah was the one who helped kick Kage into accepting, at least mostly, his change in life.

U'tano Kazhe: While not sure how he felt about U, he quickly became very fond of the female Miqo'te. He first met her at a beach party in the Mist that was held after a series of stressful and danger-filled events involving his friends Natalie Mcbeef and Marrow Ochi, as well as Salem Nunh's own problem. U had been invited, meeting Kage at the party. At his second meeting with U, Kage interacted with her directly and was quite annoyed and non-plussed at her manhandling of him by holding him in the air and running around. He quickly found that he did not mind U's making an airship of him, being quite fond of her and her actions. He has not seen U for a long time, especially since his change.

Rurutani Sasatani: Kage first met Ruru at the Quicksand and quickly became the other Lalafell's friend. After some conversations, Kage decided that Rurutani could be left with a better sense of purpose and duty if he joined the Sultansworn. Plus, Kage believed that Rurutani would make a fine addition to the Sultansworn ranks. As such, Kage tried to nudge his friend into applying to be one. Kage found out that he was to mentor Rurutani. Their relationship was strained after recent events where an attempt to silence Kage ended with Rurutani losing an eye and Kage being temporarily taken out of active battle readiness, having his arm snapped and his head slammed into the ground. Kage believed that Ruru losing his eye was Kage's fault and as such felt he could not bear seeing Ruru looking upon him with blame and hate. Instead, he almost lost his friend until Roen's stern but caring words caused Kage to realize that he had to make it right. The two have grown far apart, such that it seems all bonds have been broken.

Roswyn Valhuri: Kage did not actually meet this kind Keeper until after he had recovered from his injuries. When an attempt was made on Kage's life, this Keeper was the one that answered his call over a linkpearl as he fell unconscious while Ruru lay dazed from the blow to his eye. Roswyn did not have the conjury abilities to act as their healer, but she was able to revive Kage's consciousness. Kage then found her in Quicksand and was finally able to thank her after his injuries had been healed and he had recovered. While something seems off that makes Kage cautious, he finds her to be likeable. She seems to understand that he's been under great pressure to things he finds distasteful but in the end he is resolved to do. She took his physical change quite well.

Enemies

Kage is generally easy to get along with and so far has not had the need nor the want to make enemies. However, he has started to have a bit of a dislike for those with lances. He's had quite a few unsavory meetings with those who wield those weapons.

Rumors

Common Rumors

• "He's that Lalafell always surrounded by a bunch of Miqo'te here in Ul'dah." - Ul'dahn citizen
• "I always see him sitting on the rail here." - Quicksand patron
• "I've seen him getting shoulder rides on Miqo'te. Strange."

Moderate Rumors

• "He's always following that Miqo'te Sultansworn, Natalie, right?"

Rare Rumors

• "I thought he was just a swordsman, but I've seen him running 'round in mage's outfits."
• "Don't see him taking on too many jobs, but he's always been in here drinking ale or just lounging on that rail."

Player Character Rumors

((Feel free to add))

• "There's not many people I talk to so little, and trust so much. Kage is polite, kind, and always a pleasure." -- Chokho Viqqoh
• "One thing I never doubt about Kage is his loyalty to those he cares about. Despite his kind nature, I suspect he will go to any lengths for his friends." -- Roen Deneith
• "You'd never know it by looking at him, but when the chips are down, there is no one better to have at your side" -- Natalie Mcbeef
• "It's amazing how this lalafell can mix complete brilliance and complete stupidity all in one cute body...When I see him all I think is well isn't he Brillidity. AYE! Thats it..I'm just going to call him Brilty for short." -- Surilian Blu
• "I thought I knew him, but I was a fool like so many others. The best you could say about him is that he dances to someone else's tune." -- C'kayah Tia
• "No one knows exactly what Kage Kiryuu is capable of. I hope to one day find out." -- Alexaria Whiteraven
• "Turns out I was wrong about him. Gods know why, seems a decent enough fellow." -- Osric Melkire
• "A real Sultansworn! Just like Roen! That's gotta take somethin', I reckon, protectin' the city raised by yer kin. Real admirable, that. Real admirable." -- Jajara Jara
• "A fine friend. Someone I can trust with my life. If only he'd take better care of himself..." -- Frhanz'ir Kirche
• "I...I don't know anymore. I guess it was kinda fun to attack him at first..." --Unnamed Mercenary
• "Somewhere in there is still the sweet Kage I know." --Aya Foxheart
• "Kage who? Why does his name keep popping up whenever Natalie is mentioned?" -- Askier Mergrey
• "There's still hope there. I can see it, I think we all can see it. I think he's a respectable young sir, only acting out heroism in the most antagonistic matter." -- Oscare Iono

History/Timeline (Spoilers)

His mother raised Kage to be the heir of sorts of her family line since his oldest brother was and continues to be his better at shaping the fine and malleable metals that Kage was only average at best at. He ruined the gold metals and others. Kage has a fairly decent amount of control over the large amount of aether he has so his mother put him on that path. It was not a fulfilling life prospect and so a few years after the Calamity Kage found his life changing.

Traveling through the Thanalan, The Clutch area, Kage observed an incident in which several Sultansworn came to the aid of a fellow. They were led by a Lalafell. Kage wasn't sure about how things came to be but he soon felt something in himself that wanted change. He wanted to do something with his life and not just follow the flow his family had set for him. Leaving against the protests of his mother, Kage packed his things and left for Ul'dah. He hid his aetherial disposition unless the very odd jobs that he took required them, and only if no one would be the wiser. He asked for help and advice, receiving it from those he'd made contact with.

His aetherial proficiency came to surface when his friends showed that they might be in trouble. In a small confrontation between Marrow and a few others, he tried to use his magic to get Marrow and others out of the incident. It then became useful when dealing with a friend's, Salem Nunh's, crisis.

Kage had since started to wind down and relax, focusing on his training to be better at using a sword and shield. He recently undertook the Sultansworn Trials alongside Roen. Erik Mynhier administered the Trial of Faith to Kage first. While lounging in the Quicksand and speaking with Natalie, he was surprised by the Trial of Courage Natalie decided to administer to him. He and Roen took the Trial of Loyalty together under Anelia Sadowyn. They left not knowing whether they passed or failed. After watching Roen's own Trial of Courage, Kage learned of his failing the Trial of Loyalty. Upon re-trial of the Trial of Loyality with his friend Lambert Arkwright, they were told by Anelia that Kage and Lambert passed.

In between the Trials, Kage heard Natalie call for assistance from those harassing her and Kayah. He went to support her only to be insulted and offended by one of the masked, hooded, or helmed lancers.

Kage and Roen were sworn and mere days later the Royal Ball of Ul'dah was had. During that time Kage met and befriended another Lalafell named Rurutani Sasatani, quickly becoming close. After a small mission to look into the lancers from before to see if they meant Ul'dah or Ul'dahn citizens harm, Kage suggested that Ruru apply to become a Sultansworn recruit. It was thus then that Kage became Ruru's mentor. Kage was able to accompany Dennthota Ahtahrmwyn at the ball for a short while, enjoying her company outside having sparred with her. He had to leave for some small time to guard the Sultana as she met with audiences but soon after Kage was relieved of his duties. When he found Denn once more she quickly told him she had to leave. Kage left the ball and returned shortly after, noticing that Natalie was not there anymore. Afterwards Natalie returned to the ball and let slip that both Natalie and Denn had had a tryst together. Distraught, Kage told his friends over the pearl that he would be somewhere else. His friends followed him, worried, but he ran away to the Airship bar that he liked to frequent to be alone. There he found someone who he had met awhile before, a female Keeper named Suri. He knew Suri to be acquainted with or thought to be friends of Natalie and Kayah. Knowing of the complicated relationship he did not tell Suri why he was upset when she tried to ask. After a few drinks, Kage swore to put this behind him as he was friends and family with Natalie and Kayah first. While he believed there was more to Denn than just a fighter, he would rather see his relationship with Natalie ok. He left the bar and his hat and headed to the ball. He found Natalie and Kayah arguing and he paused. He walked towards the Alchemists' Guild but knew he would rather repair this. He walked back to try and talk to them only for them to leave angry and hurt. Having felt as if he was the cause for his friends, Kage broke down crying where they once stood as he heard Natalie break her pearl. After awhile, deciding that he would return to drinking he headed to the Alchemist's Guild's Aetheryte shard only to find a scene that would hit him to the core. Kayah lay on the floor, beaten and bloodied with his head caved in slightly. The attackers were hooded, masked or helmed but he could tell that at least two were Roegadyn female and one was a Miqo'te female pugilist. With one last knife stab into Kayah's back the leader called her group to leave. Only with help from Natalie's friends in the Night Blades did Kayah's fate not turn to the worst imaginable. Kage returned to the airship bar for his hat as well as to tell Suri about Kayah. There he found out that for a moment Suri was involved and it related to her being able to take out Natalie. Enraged, Suri left to deal with the one she only knew of as a tall purple haired female Roegadyn.

Left to himself, Kage tried to do all he could to find information about this Roegadyn and her band. Soon afterwards he found Suri, who he found out was beaten and tortured for telling Kage any information about the Roegadyn and a perceived betrayal on the Roegadyn's part. Kage learned that he best lay low as Suri had been told to silence him. She obviously was not there to do so but to make sure that Kage lived. Roen, dealing with her own troubles still, found him after receiving word from Natalie. Knowing that Roen had much on her plate, Kage did not tell her the extent of what he was going through and only told her some things. She left him be, trusting him to confide in her. While trying to lay low, Kage failed and was attacked in Pearl Lane just outside of the Quicksand by a female pugilist Miqo'te. In the process, Kage received a head injury and a snapped arm while his friend Ruru took a blow meant to kill Kage to his eye. Denn showed up and took them both to be healed after Roswyn revived Kage to consciousness.

It was at this time Kage retreated into himself, in a world of self-pity and self-despair. Feeling as if he had failed Ruru and that the other Lalafell would hate him, Kage did not actively seek out the other. Natalie soon returned and it was then Kage almost gave up on his life. He had faltered, for a bit, and it had nearly broke him and his oaths. It was then that things with Roen's plight came to light as well and she also lectured Kage, making him realize that though he was burdened he did fail his friend Ruru. He had left him alone. Kage tracked him down in La Noscea and the two had words. All was said and done, their bonds renewed, hopefully for the stronger. Returning to Ul'dah, Natalie tasked Kage with the tracking of one Highlander female who Roen had informed them of. Delial Grimsong. After seeing her speaking with Chokho outside of Quicksand, making a deal, Kage hoped to make his own deal with her to ensure Roen's deal would come out well while dealing with anyone who might serve to deal Ul'dah harm. However, a masked female Roegadyn started to spread inflammatory remarks, defaming Kage in the public. She even called him out in front of the whole Quicksand while he was there, insulting him by calling him a traitor. He and Natalie let her be, deciding that she was just deranged. With Ruru's skills and reconnaissance after Kage mentioned having seen her outside of Quicksand speaking with Chokho and making a deal, Natalie and Kage interrogated Delial over her interests in Ul'dah. Kage was clearly uncomfortable, knowing what this might do for Roen's deal. Soon afterwards he would find out that it soured things for them all.

Having reaffirmed his place with Natalie, Kayah, and another in an urban tribe of sorts, Kage was taken from behind as he stood on the railing in Quicksand as per his usual. A blade held to his back, the masked Roegadyn from before told him if he cooperated nothing would happen. Some of Kage's friends were present and noticed that something was amiss, most especially the Free Paladin Nazeru Auronas. A chase out to the steps ended with Kage being wounded. Nazeru got him back into Ul'dah, where quick aid was applied. Ser Anelia Sadowyn answered a call for help where she took Kage to a clinic once Natalie saw that Kage would be safe in her hands. While being tended to by Ser Anelia, a call over one of his linkpearls alerted Kage in his weary state that they had been able to track down the Roegadyn. When he expressed his desire to help, his loved ones told him his only job was to rest. Resigned, he stayed still at the clinic but he encouraged Ser Anelia that perhaps lending her medical aid would be a boon. It was a complete surprise to him when she decided to take him with her. He had only had time to tell Denn who had called him worried that he didn't know where he was but that he was headed to Camp Drybone, where he found himself in the middle of a chaotic field of battle. Right until he was hastily barreled over, being taken up into the arms of a heavily armed, axe-wielding Roegadyn. It was a stand-off as Natalie held the attempted kidnapping Roegadyn and the new Roegadyn held Kage with an axe to his throat. In the end, Natalie took the one to be interrogated, Kage was thrown away as the Axe-wielding one teleported away. Soon after Kage was forced by his loved ones to rest, having been forced to ingest a tea that knocked him out for a bit so that his breathing would get better. Later, Kage learned who exactly these two Roegadyn were.

Most Recent Events

Kayah and Natalie had had some arguments, resulting in Kayah leaving. Kage found him at the Sanctum of the Twelve, in an effort to find out the cause of this rift. Not seeing how he could get Kayah from permanently leaving Kage slowly made his way back home, and finding a baby opo-opo. Making it back to Ul'dah and feeling as if his life was breaking apart, Kage never made it back to the place that was considered his home. Despondently, he sat outside of the Quicksand, unmoving until Natalie came to him to set him right. The tribe was together again until a series of incidents tore them apart once more. An attack on Lolorito's house was blamed on C'kayah Tia. Breaking a promise to Kage, he left without a word. Kage knew that Kayah was innocent but was upset that he had left. Kage was sent on a mission to La Noscea, rumors abound of Kayah being sighted there. Kage met Suri, bringing her business and bad news. He however was quite glad to see her happy and seemingly engaged. Soon, Kayah and Natalie spoke together, bringing Kage into the conversation that broke it apart. Kayah had plans as his head was now wanted by two forces. While Kage was simply concerned and wanted to offer his aid, Kayah insisted that Natalie should speak to Osric with Kage or not at all. Natalie left, leaving Kage and Kayah to talk. Kayah perceived this as abandonment and the tribe was no more.

Meeting with Natalie in Limsa Lominsa, they found Roen with her brother. After finding out that Roen would be returning to the city once more, Kage and Natalie spoke. It was then that Kage found out exactly what was happening. Kayah had left and Kage blamed the Flame. He had left his pearls behind and the tribe was in danger of being broken apart once more. Natalie said that the tribe needed a leader, the one that protected the tribe and kept it safe to grow together, the nunh. In a moment of desperation and resolve, Kage told Natalie that he would take it. He would become the one to keep the tribe together and protected, so that all the ones he loved would have a place. She agreed.

In Ul'dah once more having had a fruitless search for C'kayah Tia, Kage resumed his work until he dug into it. He was dead. In disbelief, Kage drank his sorrows away at the Quicksand but his friends told him that they doubted Kayah could be dead. Kage resolved to find the Flame and when he did he found out that Kayah was alive. And yet, he had not returned. He had not spoken to them at all. Kage told Osric that the Flame should try to keep out of his business and his life and parted ways. Speaking one night in the Quicksand speaking with Aya, Kage was pushed over by an armored axe-wielder. Kage insisted that the man follow him outside of the Quicksand where the man took a swing at him with his axe. Kage blocked the blow, as onlookers came out and he called for them to not interfere. Kage tried to force the man out of the gates when he grabbed Kage and teleported them to Eastern Thanalan. There Kage realized that the man was the same Garlean mercenary that he had fought with during the Mergrey bomb incident. A Garlean experiment caused strange aetheric events that Kage could not even resort to his magicks of old to fight against. Kage was able to deal a blow to the Mercenary before an axe swing threw Kage onto this back. The mercenary grew bored and left, leaving Kage to head back to Ul'dah and heal.

After soothing Aya's concerns and a quick heal for the most serious of sores, Kage walked out of the quicksand into Pearl lane only to happen onto Kayah. In an angry exchange of words, Natalie came upon them as well. It ended with C'kayah leaving and Kage in despair over his relationship with C'kayah Tia. It looked like it was not going to be the same ever again. While in his heart Kage hopes that he can see Kayah once more, he has more pressing issues such as keeping his family together and happy.

In time, Natalie and Kage's concealment of what they knew of Roen's dealings caught up to the three. A hand with connections in the Syndicate looking to get their focus off had them disgraced and they were transferred to the Brass Blades. Kage soon realized that this had something to do with Roen and had resolved to do anything and everything he could so that she would not have that attention come to light.

After one morning patrol, Kage had been heading home via the Aetheryte in the plaza. As he was in the process of using it he was, unbeknownst to him, knocked out by the Garlean mercenary once more. Bells later he woke up in Crescent Cove almost naked and in a different form. Under some force and guidance by some such as C'kayah, he grew to accept some of the new changes to him. Soon after he had to prove to the Brass Blades as he was ordered to retrieve gil from the Quicksand while Monetarist or Brass Blade spies watched him. Momodi was not there and alas Aya was the one Kage had to pursue. This led to Aya fleeing and Kage could not follow. He ended his report truthfully up to that point and then lied to the Brass Blades about how he came up with more gil than was ordered to retrieve.

Kage found out that a deal Natalie made with Jameson Taeros included giving them Gharen Wolfsong, Roen's brother. For this Natalie was going to get Roen's freedom and amnesty, no fear of being hanged as a Garlean spy. But in order to give Gharen to Jameson, Natalie had Askier Mergrey kidnap and take Roen away until Natalie received the documents for Roen's freedom. Instead, Roen and Askier came under torture by Crim, an offensive Roegadyn that Kage had had the displeasure of meeting and working with twice before he found out Crim's role in Roen's disappearance. A team of Natalie, Kage and Osric Melkire got Gharen out of his imprisonment and later a large group went to find Roen and Askier. In the end, Natalie cut Roen free, free of any duty to Ul'dah... and free of any ties to Natalie herself. Kage retrieved Roen's items and gave them to Melkire, asking him to deliver the bundle to its owner, Roen. Unknown to many, it held Kage's goodbye to Roen: a white feathered beret.

Recent conversations have made him very wary and anxious. Kage is desperate, hell bent on making sure that Natalie does not die. By her own hands or Melkire's. Or Jameson Taeros's.

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