Sarrum Gilgamesh
 Sarrum Gilgamesh
| |
| |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Hyur |
| Clan | Midlander |
| Citizenship | Ul'dah |
Information
General
Given Name: Gilgamesh
Aliases: Sarrum Gilgamesh
Nickname: Gil or G'kun
Nameday: 1st Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon of the year 1552
Guardian Deity: Oschon, the Wanderer
Age: 25
Place of Birth: Garlemald
Current Residence: Ul'dah
Grand Company Allegiance: The Immortal Flames
Marital Status: Single
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Religion: Follows only Oschon and himself.
Laterality: Right-handed
Motto: Everything you have belongs to me!
Appearance
Height: 2 yalm
Weight: 150 ponze
Build: A long lean build with muscles hard as rocks.
Hair: Golden blonde hair which is usually allowed to fall naturally. Sometimes spikes it or pushes it back so his hair is not in his eyes.
Eyes: Red, the color of blood
Complexion: Pale
Scars: None
Tattoos: None
Personality
Childhood
While growing up he was a kind and thoughtful boy, but was rejected by others because he was being raised by a Lalafell. After the death of his mother he was continually rejected by society for being an orphan. All he could think about was revenge and obtaining the means for revenge. In his eyes it was treasure, treasure would give him the means to sly Nidhogg. Because of this he spent more and more time alone rejecting others like they rejected him. He began looking down on the other orphaned children because they could not provide for themselves. As time went on he saw them as nothing more than mongrels, waiting for others to save them instead of saving themselves. As he grew up this ideology led him to believe even the wealthy and privileged were beneath him. They were given what they had by their parents, why should he respect them? As time went on he became arrogant and selfish never thinking of others.
Adulthood
Gilgamesh is a hard worker but takes the time to enjoy himself, mastering every treasure and every pleasure. With conviction to treat good and evil equally, he has no need for other ideologies and ways of life when the absolute basis is "himself." He follows a simple way of life, acquiring worthy treasures and guarding them. He exterminates those that stand in the way of his enjoyment without exception. All living beings are “something that is about to die” or “something that will one day die.” He is extremely arrogant and selfish, believing himself hand picked by Oschon. He can only acknowledge the authority of those he respects, which is not something that happens often. He considers all those around him as inferior, a collection of mongrels, and loathes any individual who would try to be on the same level as him. Gilgamesh has a natural disposition to collect items for his treasury, which leads to his desire to collect all the treasures of the world.The act of collecting is something that has never brought him true joy due to essentially being on the same level as breathing to him, but he still persists at it nonetheless. The only thing he believes will bring him true joy is glory on the battlefield and the death of Nidhogg. He is prone to underestimating his opponents and views combat as a game of amusement. His gigantic ego prevents him from acknowledging his opponent as a real threat and he does not battle them seriously.
After Enkidu
After meeting Enkidu he did not change very much. He still regraded others as inferior and not on the same level as him. For some reason he does not see Enkidu as such, but a strange creature worthy of his attention and love. He acknowledges Enkidu as his only friend, past or future. While spending time with Enkidu he began to see others as people and not just mongrels. Even so he still sees others as beneath him, and hardly socializes with anyone else but Enkidu.He does begin to acknowledge others authority, or until they lose his respect. As he spends time with Enkidu he continues to change into a kinder person, gentler person. Even if the only person that can see it is Enkidu himself.
Traits
Speech
He is very well spoken do to his education. He usually speaks in a carefree, arrogant tone which usually causes fights. He almost always speaks down to people expect for a few excepts such as Enkidu.
Quirks
Laughs at inappropriate times, ie. when something is not funny, when someone says something he thinks is stupid or after he thinks he said something profound.
Education and Intelligence
Education: Was taught how to read, write, smithing, and about History by his mother til her death when he was five years old. His education continued by Laribu until the age of twelve.
Intelligence: Gilgamesh is very intelligent but his arrogance almost always get the better of him. He is also able to so many things others can not which makes him a great strategist on and off the battlefield. He is very good at telling if someone is telling the truth or not.
Other
Likes/Dislikes
Likes: treasure, power, gold, wine, cute things, Lalafell, cats, Enkidu, himself
Dislikes: snakes, dragons, ugly things, Reogadyn, Garlean Empire, incompetence, teamwork
Favorites
Color: Red
Metal: Gold
Jewel: Ruby
Flower: Red Rose
Animal/Monster: Coeurl
Food: Marmot Steak
Drink: Red Wine
Hobbies
Drinking
Gambling
Fighting
Collecting Treasure
Counting Money
Talents
Cooking
Singing
Goals
To collect all the treasures this world has to offer.
Kill Nidhogg.
Find a wife.
Gain glory on the battlefield.
Defeat the Garlean Empire.
Become a King of Heroes that will be talked about til the end of time.
Relationships
Family
Arturia- Gilgamesh's birth mother and leader of the Free Company EPIC. A short blonde Hy, Midlander with green eyes and a muscular build. Was a good swordsman and an ever greater gambler. Had a weakness for anything cute. She died in childbirth...
Rimat Ninun- Gilgamesh's "mother" and best friend of Arturia. A former Sultansworn, Paladin, and also a Dunesfolk Lalafell. She had a very good education growing up and is hinted she maybe from a noble family. Left Ul'dah and became the second in command of EPIC. Raised Gilgamesh until her death in 1557...
Father- Unknown, possibly one of the 300 members of EPIC.
Friend
Rykin Enkidu- One and only friend of Gilgamesh. They met in the Black Shroud while Gilgamesh was fishing for lunch. A curious and playful cat that takes nothing seriously. He has a great affinity for magic but does not have a problem with front line combat. He is usually seen in the back as Gilgamesh's support. He hopes to influence Gilgamesh to be a kinder person.
Acquaintances
Tubal-Cain- Taught him blacksmithing and took him as his apprentice when he was 18 years old. Respects him greatly as being a friend of his mothers.
Eeda Wulf-
Enemies
Nidhogg- Blames him for the death of his mother.
Garlean Empire- As the enemy his mother spoke about, it has become his enemy as well.
Mongrels
- Anyone that would steal his treasure from him. This includes treasure he has not yet obtained.
- Those that believe they are on Gilgamesh's level.
Timeline
1552
- Born in Garlemald
1557
- Learns the truth of his birth mother.
- Rimat Ninun "mother" dies after the awakening of Nidhogg causes an earthquake, killing her.
- Garlean Empire destroys Ala Mhigo.
- Laribu appears in Ishgard, and begins to teach the orphaned children history.
- Nidhogg slumbers again.
1562
- Laribu begins to tutor Gilgamesh in being an archer and about the world.
1564
- Laribu disappears leaving his bow to Gilgamesh.
1570
- Meets Tubal Cain and becomes his apprentice.
- Gilgamesh takes the name Sarrum Gilgamesh.
1572
- Grand Companies are reformed and adventures are called to help combat the Garlean Empire.
- Battle of Carteneau, Garlean Empire is pushed back and the heroes of the battle are lost to the RIFT.
1577
- Call to arms rings again to fight against the Garlean Empire.
- Gilgamesh sets out for Gridania on his way to Ul'dah.
- Meets Enkidu in the Black Shroud and they become unlikely friends.
- Gilgamesh and Enkidu join The Free Company EDEN.
The EPIC of Gilgamesh
Chapter 1: Who Am I?
My name is Sarrum Gilgamesh and I was born in Garlemald, the Capital of the Garlean Empire on the 1st Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon under Oschon in the year 1552. I am a Hyur Midlander 2 yalm tall and weighing 150 ponze. I have long lean muscles which are as hard as rocks with pale white skin. I keep my hair is blonde and short, I usually allow to fall naturally but I am known to spike it or push it back off my face to show my dark red eyes. I have been told all of my life that I am beautiful face but my eyes are those with no love in them. Only three people have ever thought my eyes were beautiful which are my mother, the woman that gave birth to me and ... Haha I will explain that one later.
The woman who raised me had black hair that she always tied up with a blue ribbon with gray blue glossy eyes, the color that made you feel uneasy, as if she was looking into your very soul. Her skin was the color of the desert, which made it look as if it should be rough but in reality was smooth to the touch. She had the distinct pear shape as all Lalafell’s do, but seemed more solid than the the other member’s of her race. She also wore a small gemstone on her forehead as many Dunesfolk, to represent her zodiacal sign which was the color of blood. She was a kind woman that loved me unconditionally even tho I was not of her blood thought her only as my mother.
We lived in Ishgard, in a small house off the side of mother’s armor and weapon shop. Mother could make or repair any weapon and armor anyone brought into the smith. I was picked on by the other child for having a “fake” mother or so they called her. I never saw her as a fake, I never saw her race as a factor, she was my mother. So I spent most of my time with mother in the shop learning how to make and use everything that was there. At night she would teach me how to cook which I hated doing. She used to tell me every night in a stern voice, “I will not be here forever and I would be a failure of a mother if I sent you out into the world unable to make yourself something to eat!” this always resulted in my standard grumble of, “Yes mother.”. She would then smile and begin to explain how and where to obtain the ingredients in the wild in case I couldn’t afford them, as well as what food to pair them with for the best meal. If the ingredients had healing properties she would explain those and what to pair it with to make medicine. After the meal was prepared she would always say, “You are a good boy Gilgamesh you are going to do great things just like she said.” and kiss me on the side of me forehead. I used to question who “she” was but mother would just smile and ignore me and eat her dinner. I eventually figured out she was talking about my birth mother. On my fifth birthday we were eating dinner and mother said to me, “Gilgamesh you are a smart boy and I know you know I am not your mother. I think you are old enough for me to explain things to you. Because if something happens to me I do not want you to spend you life not knowing where you come from.”. I tried to keep the excitement off my face and nodded.
She gave a heavy sigh and her face turned to one of a torture victim. After a few moments slammed on the small wooden table so hard the food and the plates lifted off the surface close to 2 iim which startled me. She then announced, “I know! Where all great stories start, the beginning! I am a Dunesfolk Lalafell!”, she seemed so pleased with herself as if she had finally admitted her deepest darkest secret. I tried to keep a straight face as I looked at her. I sat there for a moment and gave a stern nod while trying to keep myself from peeing from laugher that was being bottled up. This must have pleased her because she cleared her throat and smiled and said, “My name is Rimat Ninun and I was born in the City-State of Ul’dah to mmm ahhh lets say rather important parents. I had a very good education growing up, that is why I was able to give you a formal Hyur education Gilgamesh. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have been able to teach you to read and write.”. As she said this statement I could not help but think she was trying to tell me that her race were a stupid lot. She then said, “I was taught the sword and shield as a child and in my twenties I was allowed to join the Sultan-sworn and eventually was able to join the most elite unit called Paladins; those that protect the Ul’dahn royal family.” I could not help myself to say, ”wow” and she gave a big smile. She gave a sigh and continued, “But then I got bored of it all and decided to resign from my service and go and see the world to find my own Eden. My parents were not happy at all and they disowned me. Since they were mmm ahhh yeah they were just loyal is all! So they thought I was being disloyal. I packed up a small bag, some gil and my chocobo Lugalbanda and headed to Gridania. I was staying at Carline Canopy for a time and met your mother. Her name was Arturia and she was a Hyur Midlander like you Gilgamesh. She was quite short for her race at only 5 fulm even and maybe weighted 93 ponze. With blonde hair and piercing green eyes she was always the most beautiful woman in the room. She like myself was a swordman wanting to see the world, looking for Eden. She was also the greatest gambler I had even seen! She always cleaned me out of all my gil when we played. The first night we met she one this ribbon from me!”, she pointed at the ribbon that was in her hair and began to laugh so hard tears began to flow.
I sat quietly and stared until she stopped and she said, “Sorry I was just remembering how she had a large amount of mana as well as a great affinity for both white and black magic but she refused to ever use it! Even when we were in trouble... I used to yell at her to just cure us and she would always state, “It is not the way of a King.”. She would say it with such confidence that it made you think that she might actually be some King from another land. It always made me laugh when she said it, which never seemed to even phase her. We barley survived so many situations because of her stubbornness! She was a strong, confident, serious, stubborn woman. Think of a statue and that was Arturia! To be honest she was the prefect embodiment of a Paladin, unlike me... She always ate way to much for size, I was always surprised she wasn’t at least 200 ponze! Her best weakeness was she would melt just like ice over an open flame for anything cute... Anyway we formed a Free Company and named it EPIC with Arturia as it’s leader and I as her second in command. Artuia named the FC that because I would always say, “This is going to be EPIC!” even if we just needed some money to eat. We set off and eventually ended up in Garlemald. There were always jobs and money to be made, Arturia and I both thought this must be our Eden. The FC became rather large with about 300 members, we even bought a house for us and our members. One night I won a card game, one of the members bet a home and business he inherited after his father’s death. His name was Cú Chulainn and he was a terrible gambler, Arturia and I would always clean him out... Then she would clean me out... Luckily for me she was not playing that night! Cú Chulainn was one of our best warriors, a tall Hyur, Midlander that used a red spear. Even tho he was one of our best I will admit he was a little odd, always going on how he was the embodiment of the Goddess Halone’s spears. I took my leave of the FC to see the new plot of land. I was planning on leaving Garlemald because there was talk that the Garlean Empire was going to try and invade Eorzea. I realized that this must not be my Eden because how could it, if it invaded my homeland. Arturia on the other hand wanted glory on the battlefield and did not care where she got it. So when I won the land I was prepared to say goodbye if it was suitable. I returned to Garlemald four months later to tell Arturia in person that I would be leaving the company but she was pregnant with you Gilgamesh. She did not want to talk about it so I never asked any details. So I can not tell you who your father was or how they met each other.” she paused as if waiting for me to speak.
I sat at the table running my fingers along the wood trying to process all the information that was just told to me. I looked into the eyes of my mother and rattled off every question that was in my mind to her, “Then what happened? What happened to Arturia? Why isn’t she here with us? Did she not want me? Is she in still in Garlemald?”. The Lalafell looked as if she was going to cry, which is something I have never seen her do. She then pushed back on her stool and patted her lap. I walked over and sat on it and wrapped my arms around her neck. She gave me a hug and said, “Of course she wanted you, she loved you. But sometimes a woman’s body... things go wrong. I was in the room when she gave birth to you, I never saw someone’s eyes filled with so much love. She looked at me and said, “Rimat he is prefect, have you seen anything so prefect? And his eyes they remind me of battle, they are so beautiful, he is going to do some great things don’t you think? Gilgamesh, yes that will be your name it is strong name, a name worthy of a king”. She was right about it all, especially your eyes.”. She gave me a kiss on the side of the head and continued, “She removed ribbon in her hair, the one from that card game so long ago and put it in my hand. Then she asked me one last favor, fo me to take you somewhere safe, somewhere away from the Garlean Empire. She wanted me to raise you right, into a good, strong man because she couldn’t. She could feel herself dying. It happens sometimes when a woman gives birth... so I took you here. To the land I had won in that card game and it has been my Eden ever since. I hope you do not hate me or your mother and that you understand why our life is the way it is.”. I pulled back and I could see that her face was in pain and I said, “No matter what YOU are my mother. It doesn’t matter what happened in the past you are my mother and I could never hate you for telling me the truth.”. She smiled and kissed me on the forehand then told me to wash up for bed. I walked to the door and I looked back and I could see her stretching her legs. I then over heard her mumble, “That boy is getting to heavy!” which made me smile. The pained look on her face wasn’t cause she was sad or scared but because I was crushing her while I sat on her lap.
Chapter 2: Growth comes from death?
A few months after she told me everything she sent me to the market to pick up milk and salt. It was a sunny day without a cloud in the sky. Since it was so nice I decided before I went to the market to walk around. As I was walking and looking at all the merchandise in the shops it happened...The ground shook and there was a large roar that echoed through the streets. Building collapsed all around, all I could do is hold onto a near by wall and hope that it did not fall. It shook for what felt like hours until it stopped as suddenly as it had happened. I got to my feet slowly and began to walk dazzled to the market. I soon heard the screams and saw people digging through the rubble looking for people. I finally snapped out of it and turned around and ran as fast as I could back home. I turned the corner and it was in ruin. I stopped and stared not sure what to do. After a few moments I walked around the building to the entrance and there I saw her pinned. She was laying on her stomach with the rubble on top of her. I walked slowly toward her and called out, “Mother?” her eyes slowly opened and looked up at me. She smiled while blood dipped from her mouth and said, “Are you okay? Let me see you.” and I layed down next to her so that she only had to look to the side to see my face. She rubbed my face and said, “Gilgamesh you need to be strong now, I am not going to be able to take care of you any longer. You need to go out to the back to the big rock. Under it is some money and a sword for you. It will not be enough to last forever but it should be enough to get you to Ul’dah. Go to the coliseum and ask for Mylla, they will know where to find her. She is an old friend of mine when you find her tell her you are the son of Rimat Ninun. She will take care of you... Now go get the money and the sword.” I began to cry and hugged her. I said, “I am not going, I am not leaving you!” I stood up as fast as I could and tried to remove the rubble on top of her. My small body could not lift the heavy stone and lumber from on top of my mother’s body. She tugged on my pants and whispered, “You are a solitary boy my Gilgamesh, but you will find someone who will look out for you one day. You will know them because they will be you, they will balance your personality perfectly, as if they were your second self. Just as your mother was mine. When you find them your Eden will be close behind.”, her hand went limp and I knew she was gone. I took the blue ribbon from my mother’s hair, I fell to my knees and cried on the rubble.
I am not sure how long I laid there but I was eventually picked up by a soldier and taken to a small camp for those who lost there homes. There I found out that the dragon Nidhogg awakened in Dravania after 100 years of sleep. The awakening caused the earth to shake and the buildings to crumble... Nidhogg was the one responsible for killing my mother. The days turned into weeks and I mostly kept to myself thinking of nothing but revenge and reflecting on this place called “Eden”. When my mother spoke of Eden I never really understood what it ment. I regretted that I never have asked her what that had ment. As time went on only a few children remained and the soldiers kicked everyone out of the camp. I took to the street like the other children but I had one thing they did not, I knew how to survive. I went to the big rock like my mother told me and took only the sword so I could protect myself. I took out my mother’s ribbon from my pocket and tied it to the sword. I left the money where it was and covered it with earth. It was safer there than anywhere else. I was able to move some rubble from the our home, about a 1x2 yalm section so I could sleep there. My mother taught me about plants so I spent my days looking for herbs and crystals to sell. I never made much but it was enough to at least eat.
Shortly after Nidhogg awakened my mothers suspicion of the Garlean Empire invading Eorzea came true. They had defeated there biggest threat, Ala Mhigo which lead the City-States to form an alliance together in hopes to combat Garlean Forces. Soon after there was an influx of refugees from Ala Mhigo living in Ishgard. One day he appeared on the streets an old worn Duskwight with a bow on his back who could only walk with his long walking stick. He had a long white beard and piercing blue eyes that reminded me of my mother’s. He spent his days walking up and down the streets looking for orphans and giving them bread to eat. He then would sit when he got tired and would start telling stories even if there was no one there listening. After a while children started to gather to listen to what he had to say. After about a week I began to sit in the back or lean on a wall and listen to his stories. He told us about the rise and fall of the Allagan Empire, about ancient languages, about how The Twelve drowned the world in a cleansing deluge, saying "Behold the power of pure water!" which destroyed much of Eorzea, as well as how the Elezen ruled Eorzea and about their conflicts with the Hyur. He never told us his name but the child began calling him Laribu which ment old in one of my many languages he told us about.
After a few months many children began having ideas that he must be Utnapishtim who built a boat and survived the flood in the Sixth Umbra Era. However, even to this day am convinced he was the god Oschon the Wander, ruler of the mountains and god of vagrants. I believe this because he is almost always depicted as a carefree ranger wielding a bow of yew and his symbol is the walking stick. He was also the companion of Halone who is guardian deity of Ishgard. Laribu matched the description so well it had to be him. One day someone asked how he knows about history, he replied, “Well children that is easy I read it in a book of course! I am a traveling Archer and Scholar and have traveled all over Eorzea learning as much as I can before my death. Animals die and plants eat decomposing bodies for nutrients. It is the circle of life if the old do not die the young will not grow.”.
Chapter 3: Sarrum?
One day when I was around ten years old I was searching Coerthas, out side of the city for plants to sell. Laribu was standing on a hill trying to balance without his staff. I watched him for a while and he made his way to a rock and sat down. He pulled out his bow, steadied it, and fired. I watched as the arrow soared through the sky then hitting and killing a ornery karakul ewe.Laribu looked over to me and yelled, “Gilgamesh do me a favor and go get that fleece!’. I was stunned, never once had I told the old man what my name was, nor could I believe any of the other children would either since I did not speak with them. The man yelled out again, “Gilgamesh do not make a old man get up and walk all that way!”. I nodded and ran to where the karakul lay, removed the fleece and ran to where Laribu sat. I handed him the fleece and began to walk away when I heard him say, “Would you like to try?”. I turned around and said, “Only if you answer one question.”. The old man stared at me for a while debating if he should agree to my request. “What would you like to know my son?”, he replayed. “How do you know my name!?”, I demanded. The old man began to laugh and said, “Call it a gift. Once you get to a certain age you can tell the name of someone just by looking at them.”. I clenched my teeth while looking at the old man and he began to laugh again. “You know I heard the other orphan’s call you Sarrum, meaning king... Do you know why that is Gilgamesh?”, he said in an inquisitive voice? “I do not know why the other children call me king. A king is someone who will make any sacrifice to ensure his countries prosperity. A just rule, with just laws... those are the duties of a king. I don’t do any of these things I just look out for myself and try to better my life.”, I stated with confidence. Laribu laughed and said, “So the king is slave to what is right? If you were king you should be feeding and clothing the other children?”. I nodded and said, “That is acceptable, a king is a martyr to their ideals and to their country.”.
He patted the side of the rock, it reminded me of my mother right before she would scold me. He stretched and said, “A proud and noble figure certainly. But who can truly admire the martyr’s path? Who dreams of such an ending? The dream of king you speak of is a curse. A king... A king must be greedier than any other. He must laugh more loudly and rage for longer. He must exemplify the extreme of all things, good and evil. That is why his retainers envy and adore him. And why the flames of aspiration to be as the king is, can burn within his people. He who is worthy of all heroes envy and who leads their way is the king! They see how well off you are, how strong, they want to know and have what you do and that is why you are truly King of the Orphans. I just wonder what will you be king of when you are older?”. I sat there and watched the grass move in the wind for a while then looked at the old man and remarked, “With this body alone I shall defy both heaven and earth and become a king of the battlefield. I will kill the dragon that caused my mothers death and collect all the treasures this world has to offer. Any who would take that treasure for themselves is naught but a thief and shall be granted judgment. I will be the King of Heroes, all other heroes past, present, and future will envy over my triumphs.”. The old man nodded and stated, “Then you will need to learn all the disciplines of war if you are going to be such a hero. And I shall help you by teaching you the bow!”. I learned later that day the Battle of Silvertear Skies in Mor Dhona had taken place. In which, Midgardsormr, a dragon king, had died, but not before destroying the Garlean Empire’s massive airship, Agrius. I wondered if that is why Laribu was questioning me about kingship. For the next two years I would meet with Laribu at that rock and he would teach me about the bow and about combat. On my twelfth birthday I awoke and there next to me was a bow. An old weathered bow made of yew... I never saw the old man again...
When I was eighteen I was looking for a blacksmith in town that could sharpen my sword. It was old when I was five and now it was even older and dull. I came to a small shop and asked the smith if he could sharpen my sword. He was a large Highlander who had moved to Ishgard after the fall of Ala Mhigo. His skin, hair, and eyes were as dark as the coal that heated the furnaces. He said he had time and we began to talk. While we spoke I told him my mother was an armor and blacksmith before she passed and he asked me her name. When I told him her name was Rimat Ninun I thought that he was going to faint. He explained that he was apart of EPIC in his youth and that she had taught him the principles of blacksmithing. I think he then realized I was not a Lalafell because he had an even bigger shocked look on his face. I told him she is not my birth mother but raised me since birth. He smiled and said, “Then you must be Arturia’s, you have her hair and old grumpy Rimat wouldn’t just raise anyone’s child!” he laughed and said, “You will work for me then. I can not let you stay on the street, you will be my apprentice. You will stay in the store room as long as you like but don’t think you can lack because I knew your mother! By the way what is your name son?”. I paused for a moment and thought what I should tell him. I did not have a last name nor did I know Arturia’s, should I ask or should I give him mothers? Then it hit me I knew what my name was, a name fit for a king. I reached out my hand and said, “Sir, my name is Sarrum Gilgamesh but you can call me Gil!”.
Chapter 4: This is going to be Epic!
During my time with Tubal Cain he treated me as a son. At night we would go to his small house off his shop. It was very similar to the style of my old house but a few yalms smaller. I would cook dinner for us every night then retire to my small room in side the shop. It was only a fulm or so bigger than the small space I had been living all these years. But this one at least did not plague me with fear that it would collapse if it rained. I did notice tho during the time with Tubal that what ever he touched would be covered in a thick layer of coal dust... including me. I began to wonder if his skin was really that dark or was it just years of caked on coal. I never was able to find a definitive answer.
When I was 20 there was talk that the Grand Companies of Ul’dah, Gridania, and Limsa Lominsa were looking for adventures to join there ranks to fight against the Garlean Empire. I decided it was time to go out adventuring as mother and Arturia did in their youth, because after all I was their son. By the time I was able to muster the resources the Battle of Carteneau had already taken place. The Garlean Empire was pushed back and the heroes of the battle disappeared. It would be five years before adventures would be called upon again to take up arms to defend their homeland. When the call was raised again I did not waste anytime, I was not going to miss my chance for glory a second time. On the 8th Sun of the 8th Umbral Moon of the year 1577 I said my goodbye to Tubal Cain like man, over an ale and a hand shake. I proceeded to the big rock and dug up the 300gil my mother had stored there for an emergency. I went to the local chocobo stables and rented a chocobo porter for 30gil to take me to Gridania.
My first stop was Carline Canopy the same place that mother and Arturia had met. When I got there I discovered it was now the local Adventuring Guild. While talking to everyone at the Canopy it turned out back in the day it was a hot spot for youths to stop at and rest while on their travels. When Adventuring Guilds started to be formed it was natural that there home base in Gridania would be at Carline Canopy. I spent the next few weeks learning as much as I could about the different guilds in the City-States. I decided to save my money and not buy a chocobo porter to Ul’dah but instead buy some needed supplies then walk. It was the consensus of the people in Carline Canopy that it would only take a day walk to get there. At sunset on the 27th Sun of the 8th Umbral Moon I packed some bread, bought a map, bait and a fishing pole from a shop. I then made my way toward the entrance to the Black Shroud and headed to my new home of Ul’dah. As I walked I thought about all my plans for when I arrived in Ul’dah... I would join the gladiator’s guild, buy a small home, pledge my loyalty to Ul’dah and the Immortal Flames, raise my own chocobo named Bucephalus and find good Free Company to join. Around noon I came to a small stream and decided to eat lunch and rest. I made a small fire and I then took out the fishing pole I had bought, fitted it with a worm and began to fish. While waiting for a nibble I ate some of the bread I bought in the morning. As the sun shined I layed back while holding the rod and closed my eyes. It could not have been more than twenty minutes when I felt as if something was close to my face. I thought for a few seconds it must be an insect but it lingered. As I opened my eyes I saw two blue gray cat eyes staring 3 iim from mine... just staring. I froze and I heard a voice, “Wow! I was sitting here wondering what color your eyes would be but I never expected them to be red! They look like rubies, so pretty I just want to...” I cut the person off mid sentence by rolling on my side and smacking him as hard as I could with my fishing pole breaking it. It sent him rolling to his left and into a tree. I jumped to my feet and stared at the fellow who had scared me. It was a Keeper of the Sun Miquo’te with light gray green fur and a bushy tail. His hair was long in the back tied with a blue ribbon. Short braids shaped his almost snow white face. His outfit was similar to mine in color and fashion but instead of a sword he had a wand at his belt. He sat up against the tree and held the right side of his face with a look of a scold child.
All of a sudden his eyes widened and he jumped forward 3 yalm grabbing the fish that flopped there and bit into it. He bit into the creature as it was still moving and I realized when I hit him there must have been a fish on the line. I screamed, “Hey that fish is mine!” he stop and looked at the fish that had finally stopped moving then looked at me and said, “You want some?”. I said nothing and turned around and sat back down by the fire. Moments later the Miquo’te sat down to my left and pulled out a piece of bread, broke it in half and put it in my lap. I began to eat it when the questions started. “Where are you going?”, he asked with a child like tone of voice. I cleared my throat and said, “Ul’dah.”. He then asked, “Why? What is there? I knew this was going to take a while so I laid on my back and closed my eyes. I explained that I was on my way to Ul’dah to join the gladiator’s guild. He of course asked, “Why!?”, another dozen times which ended up me admitting that I wanted to become strong and kill Nidhogg for killing my mother. That I wanted to become a King of Heroes, battle against the Garlean Empire, and collecting all the treasures this world had to offer. After all his “why” questions were answered stood up and said, “Shall we get going?”. I opened my eyes and looked up at him and asked, “We?’. He laughed and said, “You are silly. What is you name?” I stood, stomped out the fire and said, “It is rude to ask someone’s name without giving yours first.”. He bowed and said, “You are right that was rude of me indeed. My name is Rykin Enkidu but call me Enki.”. We stared at each other for a moment, I put my hands in my pockets while turning around. I began to walk away and yelled over my shoulder, “Sarrum Gilgamesh, Gil is fine.”. As soon as I finish I could hear him running until he was walking next to me. I would glance at him from time to time and all he did was smile, a stupid goofy smile. That is when I noticed that the blue ribbon in his hair was my mothers. I lunged for it but the Miquo’te was to fast and dodged. I yelled, “That is mine!” but the cat just laughed and said, “You dropped it! Anyway I need it for my hair. Do you need it for your hair? I do not think you it is way to short!”. I was in no mood to play and knowing this cat I knew I did not have an reason that would make him just give it back. “It is on loan, it is still mine do you understand?”, I grumbled giving him a stern look. He jumped back a yalm and nodded.
After hours of walking we arrived in Thanaland. As it was about to sunset we reached a cliff and he yelled, “Do you see it do you see it? It is Ul’dah!”. He sounded so much like a child I could not help but laugh. He looked at me and smiled, “Finally I get to hear your laugh.”, he said. He opened his arms wide as if to hug the whole city and said, “Listen here Ul’dah, Enkidu and Gilgamesh are coming for you!”. As I heard this my eye began to twitch and began an internal debate if I should throw the cat off the cliff then I heard him say, “You know this is going to be Epic!”. And the story of my mother flooded back to me about her always telling Arturia it was going to be epic while they were out adventuring. As I stood there looking at the city I could see my mother standing there and it was as if her face was telling me, “You are a solitary boy my Gilgamesh, but you will find someone who will look out for you one day. You will know them because they will be you, they will balance your personality perfectly, as if they were your second self. Just as your mother was mine.” I realized then this was the person she was talking about and I couldn’t help but smile. I put my arm around the crazy cat I had just met and said, “I think you are right Enki, this is going to be Epic.”.
Chapter 5: My EDEN?
“There’s not a word yet, for old friends that just met.”
-Jim Hensen
