Suko'to Nbolo
Contents
Character
This mysterious Keeper of the Moon is a cultivation of strange occurrences and tradition. Despite everything that's happened thus far, he firmly believes most of his self is shaped by his life as a hunter and a warrior. However, as time wears on, he ventures further and further from the time of his birthplace as he takes hold of a new life among the civilized folk of Eorzea.
Life Among the Sands
Suko'to (SOO koh toh) once belonged to the proud Clan Nbolo of the southernmost reaches of Sagoli Desert, headed by his mother and matron, Suko Nbolo. Naturally, Suko'to is the second of her sons, and he was always in competition with his older brother, Suko'a. They were both great hunters and even greater warriors, spurring each other on to push their limits. Naturally, this caused Suko'to to take on an often reckless behavior, having little trouble risking his life in order to stand on equal footing with Suko'a...and often this resulting in him getting many lectures and punishments from their mother. As the second son, however, Suko'to was not allowed to take a mate nor breed for the clan. That responsibility had been left to the first son. He often played it off that it was a load off his shoulders, but deep down he was envious of his older brother.
The Purge
Things were normal among their clan for years until the day everything changed. Suko'to was off hunting as usual until he sensed a strange current on the wind. Unnerved, he felt urged to return to his village just in time for the first battle cries as his clan began facing off against a raiding party of Amalj'aa. However, little did they know, this was no average raid party, but rather a purge. The Amalj'aa sent the entire might of their people against the small clan, whom they'd been contending with for some time for hunting ground. Clan Nbolo fought bravely and tenaciously, as accredited of the Keepers of the Moon, but, alas, all was for naught, and the clan was annihilated. Suko'to joined the fighting with his brother, and, together, they were a force to be reckoned with, having been unbeaten in their dual-fighting style. In the end, they fought until they had no more energy left. In a last act of kindness, an odd thing for a Keeper amidst the heat of battle, Suko'a distracted the enemy as he bid Suko'to to retreat. Stubborn as always, even then, Suko'to stood by his brother - and was awarded with an Amalj'aan scimitar being run through Suko'to's midsection.
Here, as Suko'to lay dying in the sand as his village began to burn to the ground all around him, his story would end.
Or so he thought...
The Moonshadow
Many strange phenomena occurred from this point in Suko'to's life and onward. The first of them, his miraculous survival of the Purge. He had somehow lived, and unscathed to boot. Upon inspection, it seemed the mortal wound dealt his midsection wasn't even there, as though it never happened in the first place. Then there was the fact he was still in the middle of the desert, having been there for only Twelve know how long. And then he realized he was unfamiliar with the very desert in which he now awoke. After traveling for many suns in a futile attempt to find traces of his, by then erased, clan, he gave up his search and began to head North to where he'd heard of other settlements, the first among them being the Forgotten Springs of the 'U' Tribe. Having had tenuous relations with them to begin with, he didn't stay long before he would continue North to the "Jewel of the Desert", Ul'dah. Along the way, he attempted to gather information of the whereabouts of any other suvivors, but, alas, he found nothing except an unsettling rumor of a Purge...
...that happened approximately seven years ago.
Tired and confused, Suko'to finally reached the City-State of Ul'dah, where he continued to gather information. Nothing, however, could've prepared him for the answers he would find. At first, as he began to observe the goings-ons of the Quicksand - a tavern that served as a popular hangout for adventurers, but also served as Ul'dah's Adventurers' Guild - he found nothing, until, little by little, a select few people began to come to him, claiming recognition. One of them, a woman named Lhasya, even called him "Moonshadow". The more who claimed him friend, or acquiantance, the more he began to realize (and worry) that perhaps the rumor of his Clan were true. With a new search in mind, Suko'to began to seek the out the reason for these strange occurrences, as well as the orgination of this "Moonshadow".
Appearance
Standing at a meager height of five fulms and four ilms (though still a substantial stature for a Miqo'te), Suko'to's is a frame of lean and perfectly trained and built muscle, his ashen skin serving as a mere canvas for the perfection underneath. However, that canvas is anything but perfect, riddled with various battle scars, though, nothing seemingly mortal. Two groupings of these scars are most defined among the rest. The most noticeable of them, or perhaps not with his silvery bangs hanging over them, is a pair of cross-shaped scars over his forehead - clearly the precision marks of a finely crafted blade. The other is less noticeable unless one would catch him without shirt. A mess of thick lines run up and down his back. The inconsistent surface of them seems to suggest these were made by lashings from a barbed cat-of-nine-tails. His countenance is calm, but dark, usually wearing a gloomy or serious expression, bearing a pair of black tattoos as normal for a Keeper who believes they give them power under the light of the moon. Standing in stark contrast to his dark features, however, are his pale silver eyes that, in the darkness, glow like a pair of twin moons. Topping it all off is a mane of silver and black hair that grows wildly and unkempt, often falling into his alabaster gaze.
Behavior
As expected of your average Keeper among civilized life, Suko'to is often quiet and a people watcher when he spends his time among others in the Quicksand, or any other public place. He often has a serious expression on his face, which has earned the nickname "grumpy pants" from the few adventurers who have managed to hold a conversation with him. Most times, he's reserved and indifferent at best; though, one could easily tell he constantly has a lot on his mind. In the company of another Keeper, however, he seems somewhat different. While still quiet and reserved, he appears to be much more open and friendly, perhaps even smiling every now and then, which seems to suggest that perhaps he tends to trust his own kind over others. However, with a little insistence, anyone might find a friend in him, even if it takes longer to earn his trust. Suko'to tends to dress appropriately to best accent his dark, gloomy, and grumpy nature with dark clothing, despite the heat of Ul'dah's sun. Over the years, he seems to have grown used to it, though still dressing somewhat moderately in vests and other light, breathable clothing.
Combat
The Way of the Fist. Suko'to's first, and, until recently, primary form of combat is the open-handed style one might see as similar to that of the monks of Ala Mhigo. In fact, it might be possible the style may have leaked further South over the years and adapted by the Nbolo Clan. However, in Suko'to, it differs, adding a sense of savagery in his attacks using a lethal form of the Eagle Claw. Furthermore, his experience as a fighter among his clan has made him more limber and flexible, allowing him to squirm through most defenses and stay low to the ground. Grappling can ensue in closer-quarters combat.
The Art of Shadow. Suko'to's new preferred form of combat derives from an art known to the Doman peoples as Kage no Geijutsu, or, Shadow Arts - a technique using the shadows as both a weapon and deception, often employed in ninjutsu. In this style, he uses a pair of twin daggers or knives, employing the shadows to confuse and surprise his enemies as he closes in for hand-to-hand combat.
Tendencies
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Relationships
- ♥ Romantic Interest ♥ Sexual Desire ♥ Platonic Love ● Good Standing ● Neutral Standing ● Poor Standing
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- ■ "Sure, I see him in here all the time. He's respectful of my rules here, and he mostly keeps to himself." - Momodi
- ■ "Who? The guy in all black? Yeah, I see 'im here sometimes. I wouldn't mess with 'im though. Looks dangerous." - Random Adventurer
- ■ "That guy? Oh yeah, he's in here a lot. Likes to people watch. Kinda creepy if you ask me." - Quicksand Barmaid
- ■ "Him? I used to see him in here many moons ago, but he stopped coming for awhile. He seems different somehow." - Seasoned Adventurer
- ■ "I've met him once or twice before, but he doesn't seem to remember me, so I just leave him be." - Random Aventurer
- ■ "Oh yeah, the guy in all black. I caught a glimpse of him bathing in a stream out in Central Thanalan near my farm. Got a good look at his back. Wonder what all those scars are about." - Thanalan Farmhand
- ■ "Suko'to? Yeah, I've heard of him. Saw him in a squabble with an Elezen a long time ago here in the Quicksand, protecting a blue-haired Keeper, probably his girlfriend or somethin'. Anyway, the pointy-eared guy and his henchman was ganging up on him somethin' harsh, and, when Suko'to lashed out, threatened to level the whole place. Yeah, that's when I got the twelve out! One thing I will say, Suko'to had that Elezen by the balls, he did." - Random Bystander
- ■ "... Well, everyone always thinks he's so mysterious. But, we're good... friends, and I don't think so. He's very sweet, and maybe kind of a little silly, actually. Don't tell him I said that though!" - Oko Kaprei
- ■ "Rumor." - NAME
- ■ "Rumor." - NAME
OOC Information
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Footnotes
Theme Song: - Daijiru, City of the Burning Sands - Xenogears Original Soundtrack
Alignment: Lawful Neutral