Rinda'li Shalo

Mateus

Black Coeurl || Hunter || Witchguard

"Sometimes, to stand before the darkest of evils, one must be possesseth of an equally dark soul."

- Vismaruth of Amdapor, 5th Umbral Era

Basic Information
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Physical Information
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Documentation
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"You'd stay away from that one if you had the sense Nophica gave a mushroom. He's as mean as he looks, and twice as violent."

- 1st Serpent Lieutenant Arkhos Sternblade of the Twin Adders

Physical Appearance

Though only a few winters over twenty years of age, the Miqo'te's relative youth is beguiled by persistent dark circles ringing his pale, cold gaze. With his dark mane of hair unkempt and garb oft frayed and tattered, the Keeper oft come across as haggard, a quality he does little to compensate for. His adornments are sparse; a black and white pendant depicting a pair of entwined Coeurls, fanged earrings in his ears, and a cowrie shell trinket woven into his hair. He smells strongly of wood smoke, wet moss, rich loam, and pine needles, frequently overshadowed by the metallic tang of blood.

The Keeper's features settle naturally into an unfriendly scowl, adding to the Witchguard's predatory manner. When speaking, the male's unpleasantly coarse voice comes out in a husky rasp, as though unaccustomed to long use. Beneath the furs and leathers, black tattoos like tongues of ebon flame decorate a physique of hewn granite and lean like a hunting cat, as do a myriad of unseemly scars, none of which entirely conceals a history of hunger and abuse etched into his dusk-tinged flesh.

Gallery

"Friend? No... wouldn't consider myself his friend. Doubt he's got any, let alone the interest in making 'em, if you don't consider that whiskery beast of his. Still, won't find a soul alive who'd risk more for the smallfolk in this forest."

- Buscarron, of Buscarron's Druthers

Personality

Rinda'li can be charitably depicted as straightforward and curt, though a more accurate description would be brooding, abrasive, hostile, and distant. Extremely mistrustful of strangers, wary to the point of paranoia, short of patience when dealing with people, and quick to find offense in even the most innocuous statements, the Keeper rarely makes a good first impression (and even more rarely makes the effort to do so).

Despite a callus and cold demeanor, the Miqo'te possesses a fierce, if often flawed, sense of right and wrong, as well as surprising sympathy for those unable to help or defend themselves (and a deep, abiding hatred of those who'd take advantage of such folk). He does not expect nor accept gratitude graciously, yet always takes care to pay his debts. Exceedingly slow to warm to others, Rinda'li nonetheless is a peculiarly selfless companion to have.

Purpose

Rinda'li's upbringing was one of hunger, neglect, and violence, laying the foundations for the man he grew to be, hunting down poachers, slavers, and worse beneath the boughs of the Black Shroud and exploring the ancient ruins of Amdapor and Gelmorra. Though his earlier years brought him through a myriad of adventures, some grand, most less-so, it wasn't until he came into the service of a renowned witch that his true talents came to light.

For reasons only partially-understood even by himself, the dour Keeper has since taken it upon himself to confront the fouler evils that plague Eorzea (and sometimes beyond), be it the ordinary cruelty of opportunistic slavers, abominations born of dire sorceries and bloodied magics, or demons lurking in the dark, forgotten places of the world. Motivated not by treasure or fame, nor power or influence, the Keeper seems driven by nothing more than finding a suitable horror to vent the hatred simmering in his veins upon, frequently at the cost of his own well-being. Or, perhaps, because of it.

Illiterate and far from educated, Rinda'li nonetheless has garnered an impressive working knowledge of the occult, dark magics, and exotic rituals, powers that he is not shy to sully his own soul with if it means taking down a greater threat.

"Oh? Are you lost on your journey? No matter; today's strays are tomorrow's champions. It only demonstrates the makings of a hero."

- Unknown

Hooks

Out of Character