UURTAI

Mephorash Azmat

Data Center: Crystal ・ Home World: Balmung

• Basics
• Biography
• Skills
• Visuals
• Hooks
• OOC

BASICS

Name: Mephorash Azmat
Race: Auri Xaela
Gender: Male (He/Him)
Age: 29
Nameday: 12th Sun, 3rd Astral Moon, 1549 7AE
Patron: Azim and Nhaama
Languages: Common, Auri, basic Qestiri sign language

Height: 7 Fulm, 1 Ilm
Weight: 330 Ponze
Physique: Muscular, swimmer's build
Hair: Silver
Eyes: Turquoise
Limbal Rings: White
Skin: Brown
Posture: Straight-backed, chin raised
Scars: Riddled beneath the neck, face conspicuously spotless
Laterality: Ambidextrous, left-leaning
Voice: Low and gravelly
Distinguishing Features: Sharp canines, feathered hair ornaments, often blindfolded

Birthplace: Ul'dah
Residence: The Crown of Dahlias
Occupation: Adventurer, Freelance Mercenary, Free Brigadier
Class: Dark Knight, Gunbreaker, Samurai
Alignment: Chaotic Good

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BACKGROUND

A descendant of the Azmat — a minor Xaela tribe that migrated to Eorzea during the Garlean annexing of Othard. Like countless before them, his forebears entreated sanctuary in the prosperity of Ul'dah, only to find themselves consigned to ramshackle refugee camps beyond the city's walls. It was in such squalor that Mephorash was born and raised.

Having never encountered a child of the Azim Steppe, numerous citizens and refugees regarded the tribe with initial suspicion. Yet the Steppe taught the Azmat elders to fear worse than guarded stares. Relentless in seeking work where it was found — as labourers, gladiators and sellswords — the elders amassed a network of sympathetic contacts and a trove of gil over several moons. It was with these resources that the tribe opened Nhaama's Crown, a boutique selling traditional garments and jewelry in the Sapphire Avenue Exchange. True to the Ul'dahn virtues of hard work and daring, good fortune would see their business flourish, and thus did the Azmat tribe earn a modicum of comfort in their new home.

Yet having been born in the midst of ruthless social inequality, Mephorash saw injustice where his kinsmen saw opportunity. Even as the Azmat won acceptance among the people, countless times he asked himself whether his tribe would have fared better if they had taken their chances in Othard. Though the Auri understood that his elders persevered in the best interests of the tribe, his earliest memories were of discovering the misfortunes that they sought to hide from his young eyes. That their survival would require the suffering of abuse and commodification of themselves and their culture sickened him. How was this different from the indignities of Garlean conscription, he wondered? Was this the life that he and his descendants would live?

His misgivings would see him drawn to tales of Ishgardian Dark Knights and their crusade for the oppressed. Accosting merchants and travelers from Coerthas come to rest at the Quicksand, a young Mephorash pieced together an imitation of their swordplay based on accounts and hearsay. Enamoured by their defiance and resolving to determine his own fate as they did, the Auri struck out on his twelfth summer to hone his skills in nomadic service. Yet despite his best efforts, he knew not the means to replicate the forbidden arts of his paragons, leaving him to curse his weakness and lash out with excessive wrath in attempts to prove himself strong. Looking back, perhaps it was the regretful actions of his youth that gave spark to the darkness within.

Only when he had carved a path from Thanalan and Gridania to Coerthas did he find the methods for which he strove. From a caravan that he had helped to defend from Dravanians emerged a wizened Hyur, who confessed to Mephorash that he was a Dark Knight — intrigued by the Auri's uncanny bladework and the anger in his eyes as he fought, the elder chose to observe where he would have otherwise acted. No sooner had the offer of guidance been given that it was accepted, and the pair traveled Eorzea to forge Mephorash into the object of his adoration.

Mephorash learned much of the arts and deeds of his predecessors over the moons to follow. Unfortunately, such exertion in his master's advanced age had rendered him weak, and upon his request the pair returned to Coerthas when the lessons were at their end. It was on the Hyur's deathbed that he confided in the Auri — the journey was inheritance for one and penance for the other. He spoke at length of a Temple Knight that participated in the culling of Au Ra refugees and the heinous acts he had committed therein. Disgusted with what he had done, he renounced the Holy See and set upon the path of the Dark Knight in an attempt to right his wrongs. Many years later did the knight, now a decrepit old man, find his hope in a precocious Auri youth.

The next morning, Mephorash laid his master to rest on the highland cliffs and left with his Soul Crystal in hand. Aimless in the face of attaining what he sought, the Auri spent the following years wandering. He served as a freelancer in Alliance military operations, traversed the Azim Steppe manyfold and otherwise sought challenge wheresoever it lurked. In truth, he spent the next decade going through the motions, spurred by the thought that he might one day encounter an insurmountable wall and spend his day in the sun dashing himself against it.

Events would run contrary, however, as a chance encounter in Ul'dah sees him brought into the fold of various Free Companies. Doing away with self-imposed solitude and subjected to rapid introspection in the moons to follow, he finds himself in his current station — as a founding member of an esoteric organization known as the Scarlet Hand.

PERSONALITY

Mephorash takes great pains to conduct himself in a manner befitting of his discipline. Woefully aware of the danger that unchecked emotions can pose, he endeavours to remain introspective and relies upon rational thought when making decisions. That being said, he is desperate to prove himself — even at times during which he is the sole judge — and is prone to lapses of rash or otherwise ostentatious behaviour. A firm believer that an unjust world does not necessitate unjust people, Mephorash attempts to treat those around him with compassion, fairness and respect. This is particularly true when friends and loved ones are involved, irrespective of whether his attention is wanted or needed. Still, he is far from ingenuous, and those that he deems undeserving will find nothing of the sort.

Unlike his elders, Mephorash is Eorzean in almost all respects and acts as one would — he is milder in speech and mannerisms than most Xaela born of the Steppe, though with a familiar stubborn streak. Nonetheless, he holds great reverence towards his heritage and makes pilgrimages to the Steppe whenever circumstances allow, such that he might partake in the ancestral lifestyle and all it entails. It was on the first of such visits that he weathered Bardam's Mettle and proved himself a warrior of the Steppe, earning the acceptance of some tribes and the tolerance of others for honouring his forefathers.

AZMAT TRIBE

Prior to settling in Ul'dah, the Azmat made their ancestral home in the Nhaama Desert. The tribe originated from members of the Adarkim, who chose to broke away from the tiresome cycle of survival through sheer numbers and mediocrity. Amassing a reputation as warriors in their own right, a great clash with their Dotharli neighbours culled their numbers epochs ago, forcing them to reluctantly rethink their way of life. Its members since shed their martial culture and took to artisinal work — in exchange for necessities and sundries, the Azmat accepted "orders" from other tribes until the 17th day of the moon, upon which they migrated between oases whilst hunting and foraging for materials. The rest of the moon would be spent fashioning the collected fibers, hides and gemstones into garments, accessories and tapestries. Smoke signals were raised on the first sunrise of the next moon to alert patrons to the location of their commissions. Such was the quality of their crafts that the desert tribes continued to patronize the Azmat long after the founding of Reunion and until their exodus to Eorzea. It was the perpetuation of these customs that drove Mephorash's elders to set up their business in Ul'dah.

At present, the Azmat tribe is composed of three families — Mephorash is the youngest child of the largest family, as well as its only son. He has three elder sisters that jointly manage Nhaama's Crown and its dealings, having inherited these duties from their elders. Subject to their wills since childhood, he finds himself unable to refuse them in most matters, taxing as it may be on his patience. In turn, the memory of having cared for him whilst the elders toiled in Ul'dah prompts them to treat him as a large infant, regardless of how much he proves himself otherwise. Mephorash is the first Steppe warrior to hail from the Azmat since their decimation at the hands of the Dotharl.

None among the tribe are fully aware of his opinions regarding their current lifestyle.

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SWORDSMANSHIP

The cornerstone of Mephorash's repertoire. Gifted with the handling of swords, he trained in his teenage years to conceive an emulation of traditional Ishgardian bladework. Having achieved true mastery of this discipline under the guidance of his aged master, the Auri has since adopted techniques of personal interest from various schools and cultures over the course of his travels. Hence, while rooted in Ishgardian teachings, his style of swordplay has gained a touch of unorthodox flair.

His dabbling in foreign styles has forged a working competence with a wide variety of blades and their associated disciplines. Among them include the katanas of the Hingan Samurai, as well as the rapiers of the Gyr Abanian Red Mages. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mephorash is most comfortable with a greatsword in his hands. He wields what some might consider hulking slabs with considerable ease and force, owed to much time spent in battle and the surpassing constitution of the Xaela.

More recently, he has taken to experimenting with gunblades in his downtime. While he has grown proficient in their use, his attempts to incorporate them into the Dark Knights' techniques have met with varied success.

DARK ARTS

The forbidden sorceries for which the Dark Knights are notorious. Drawing upon the latent darkness that resides within the soul, Mephorash manipulates his aether using repressed emotions and impulses as the catalyst. Though many denounce the Dark Arts as a medium for hatred and vengeance, Mephorash has been made to understand in painstaking detail that the magic is most potent when driven by self-acceptance and compassion for others. He is capable of constructing barriers and suffusing his attacks with umbral energies, among other feats — oftentimes invoked with thoughts of lashing out on behalf of those that cannot, affirming his strength against his foes and measuring up to the torches he bears.

SIDEARMS

While a swordsman at his core, Mephorash recognizes that when circumstances wrench his blade from his hands and force his back against the wall, his choices are either to adapt or die. For this reason, Mephorash has taken to familiarizing himself with a range of sidearms. Imitating those among him more suited to working in the shadows, he has picked up a fondness for throwing daggers — perhaps an expression of his tendency to hurl greatswords as makeshift javelins. Mephorash is able to land throws with passing accuracy, despite requiring more in the way of finesse than caricatured brawn.

Learning to wield gunblades has also granted him skills that transfer well into the handling of firearms. Preferring handgonnes and pistols for their applications in surprise attacks, Mephorash exhibits a considerable knack for speed drawing and point shooting... for someone that has never set foot in the Skysteel Manufactory, of course.

FREELANCER

Mephorash is a noted Freelancer for the Eorzean Alliance, having participated in sanctioned operations such as Operation Archon and the Battle of Ghimlyt Dark. Due to his Ul'dahn citizenship, he most often represents the Free Brigade of the Immortal Flames when taking to the field. As a general rule, Mephorash assumes the role of a vanguard, leveraging sheer force and rapid dominance to demolish opposing Warmachina and Magitek installations in rapid succession — cutting a swathe for those that follow in the most visceral terms. Despite facing his share of admonishment for insubordination and borderline AWOL behaviour, his contributions and extensive understanding of military stratagems have opened a number of convenient doors with the Flames, namely in the form of access to classified documentation and seized contraband.

RED MAGIC

A minor footnote on his involvement with Gyr Abanian rapiers, rather than anything truly substantial. Having never studied in the arts of Thaumaturgy or Conjury, Mephorash's aptitude pales in comparison to his fencing prowess. These shortcomings are made only worse by lacking possession of the appropriate Soul Crystal, which renders him a rather poor excuse for a Red Mage. Noteworthy is the disruption caused by the presence of his Darkside, which runs contrary to the requisite balance between black and white that is fundamental to the discipline. When attempting to cast spells of the Umbral elements — water, earth, lightning — the effect is amplified to the point of volatility. In contrast, spells that lean towards the Astral find their effectiveness diminished in Mephorash's hands.

THE ECHO

What some interpret as the Mothercrystal's gift to her chosen. Recipients of the Echo are able to transcend barriers of the soul through unspecified means. This is demonstrated in such manner as deriving meaning from unlearned languages or peering into foreign memories. While each occurrence of the Echo is distinct in strength and function, every bearer obtains an unexplained resistance to Tempering at the hands of Primals.

Mephorash manifested the Echo in the moons preceding Dalamud's descent upon the Battle of Carteneau. His Echo grants a form of inherent Aethersight — the shape, colour and aspect of aether are made apparent to him. This vision circumvents physical obstacles, allowing him to perceive aether beyond walls and barriers across a limited distance.

Despite these benefits, his Aethersight does not mingle with his mundane sense of sight. Its usage requires the obstruction of his eyes, rendering him blind to everything except aether while it is active. Thus, he blindfolds himself whilst using the Echo and has learned to compensate with the greater spatial awareness that an Auri's horns afford.

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CONNECTIONS

♡ romantic love | ♥ sexual desire | ✧ platonic love | ✔ business
★ friend | ◎ rival | ● enemy | ○ conflicted

Nuada Ajit:
♡♥○
A perpetual dance between hunter and prey, now set aside under unusual circumstances. While reluctant to confess that attraction was a factor in the decision to spare Nuada's life, she and Mephorash have since agreed to explore a romantic relationship together. As enamoured as he is, he struggles to strike a balance between affection and restraint in their dealings. Woefully aware of their mutual inexperience and unsure of her exact feelings towards him, he has settled on warming her to the notion of accepting him as a confidant, for now.

Eiai Airi:
✧★
A curious little woman with a towering secret. His first point of contact with the Collective, Eiai has since become one of his dearest friends. Mephorash regularly lends horn and sword alike to her problems, exhibiting a level of tolerance that he spares for few else. He treats her like a younger sister, oftentimes backing her when no one else will. More recently, he has elected her as his direct aide within the Scarlet Hand, while assisting in funding the rearing of her growing brood — serving as a fumbling uncle of sorts.

V'hizu Nunh:
★◎
Asteria of the Veiled. Their standing with one another seems to change with each passing sun. While sympathetic to his issues and understanding that they run deeper than he realizes, this has not stopped Mephorash from losing patience with a perceived lack of receptiveness. Their mutual transition into the Accord and his separation from Eiai seem to have done much to improve his demeanor — even so, he knows well enough to brace himself for eventual complications. For now, Mephorash views Hizu as a close friend and colleague.

Kataani Hawkeye:
✧★○
Andromeda of the Accord. Once lovers, Mephorash has since lost tolerance for the consequences that moons of mistakes of wrought. Despite putting their relationship behind him, he continues to regard her as a close friend and respected superior — going so far as to risk his life to participate in the execution of her mother. That being said, he is wary towards the repercussions of their parting, especially with respect to the company she now keeps.

Lucille Levenson:
○
A turbulent and dynamic woman, to an excessive degree. While he has since learned to look beyond Lucille's Garlean heritage, what he has observed beneath the surface has done little to improve his opinion of her. Prone to reckless decisions and burying herself in perceived failures, Mephorash laments the wasted potential of someone that once held the station of rem. Regardless, he persists in his attempts to rally her and maintains a measure of respect for her as a colleague.

Nah Nh'yah:
★○
A variable on two legs. Once seen as a misguided and naive young man in desperate need of guidance, Mephorash is no longer sure how best to approach Nah. The Seeker has recently found himself at the center of trouble to a frustrating degree, both within and without the Accord — culminating in a troubling attempt to take his own life. Mephorash assumes that this is due to a lack of adequate instruction or supervision, and has since volunteered to assist with Nah's training where Hizu cannot.

Maiya Maillah:
★
Former co-leader of the Collective's Visionaries. An individual held in high regard, once thought dead — Maiya has since resurfaced through circumstances that Mephorash is content not to know. He fully believes that Maiya's invitation to him in the Quicksand moons ago was what set him on his current path. Without it, he would still be an aimless wanderer, whether of the star or the Lifestream.

Toshikatsu Dotharl:
✔★
A strangely jovial Dotharl that runs contrary to everything he expects from the tribe, and of Xaela as a whole. Conversation has revealed that under Toshikatsu's veneer of flippancy, the two agree on several topics of contention. Glad that he holds no malice towards the Accord, Mephorash hopes that the Dotharl can serve as a point of contact between himself and the Collective.

Jebei Dotharl:
○
Co-leader of the Collective. Mephorash sometimes finds Jebei confusing — he appears to teeter between rigid taskmaster and bold comedian, oftentimes in the same conversation. Still, it is clear that he prioritizes the Collective's welfare above all else. Recent developments have left him unsure of how best to address his former superior. While Jebei appears to maintain a positive opinion of Mephorash, the same cannot be said for his peers.

Sa'ran Dotharl:
★○
Co-leader of the Collective. While Sa'ran was just a Prefect when they met, she has always held her current station as far as he is concerned. Though close in age, he has taken to viewing her as an older sister, equal parts forbearing and formidable in her treatment of him and others. He has seen how the actions of he and his peers have affected her, and feels a measure of guilt for betraying her trust. While he is eager to make amends, he is uncertain of whether it is his place to try.

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VISUALS

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HOOKS

This is not an exhaustive list — do feel free to approach Mephorash with anything that comes to mind.

RUMOURS

COMMON

"Azmat? Don't they run a boutique at the Sapphire Avenue Exchange? I hear it just might be popular enough to buy them a seat on the syndicate."

"I often spied him sneaking into the Quicksand as a lad, pestering any Elezen he saw for stories about Dark Knights or some such nonsense. Momodi never did have the heart to run him out."

"How in the hells does he get around with that blindfold on? Did he poke holes in it?"

"Watched the man damn near cleave a monster in half with that bleedin' sword of his. Whatever they're feeding those Xaela, it ain't right."

UNCOMMON

"I see him bickering with the merchants at Reunion every moon or so. He always seems to make big purchases, regardless. Is he piss poor at bartering or does he just not care?"

"Those spells he casts appear foul, to say the least. Small wonder the Ossuary hasn't shackled him for consorting with Voidsent."

"I catch him at the Hall of Flames every now and then. He's been throwing his weight around for gil since Operation Archon, apparently. Seems to march to the beat of his own drum, though, by the way the officers tell him off."

"Happened to catch him taking a verbal pummeling from a trio of Xaela women in Ul'dah. Not a single word spoken back, either. He just turned and plodded off with his tail between his legs, once all was said and done. Wonder what that was about?"

RARE

"I recall having compiled reports on a string of murders and maimings over an epoch ago. They cut a protracted path through Thanalan and Gridania before concentrating in Coerthas, and according to scattered eyewitnesses, they were committed by a lanky boy sporting horns and white hair... some manner of roving Voidsent in warped flesh, perhaps. Whatever the transgressor might be, these incidents came to an abrupt and unceremonious halt, one sun... yet I have not since heard of the Grand Companies or Clan Centurio putting such a fiend down."

"There's a grave up in the Coerthas Highlands. Its headstone is blank, but it's surprisingly well-maintained. Now I know why — a Xaela in black armour has been tending to it. Whoever rests there must mean much to him."

"Saw him angry, once. Really angry. Slighted by a Brass Blade. Felt as though I'd gone and truly drowned at the bottom of Nophica's Wells, just looking at him. Strange, though, being that there was hardly any water in sight... granted, I'd have rather drowned than have that wrathful gaze turned upon me."_

"He appears to know far more about the inner workings of Ul'dah than he lets on. He doesn't flaunt his awareness in brazen terms — only a fool would — but spend enough time in his good graces and the hints become apparent. The accuracy with which he estimates the dealings of the city's conglomerates and congregations is uncanny, and he never seems to cross the path of a Blade or Sultansworn unless he wishes it. It all seems beyond the purview of a mere Free Brigadier, even Ul'dahn-born... one wonders how the man comes across such information."

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Thank you for taking the time to read this far!

Feel free to get my attention with a /tell!

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