The Blade of Rhalgr

The Storm Priestess

Shay Bladewander

<The Professional Problem Solver - The Mad Monk of Ala Mhigo - Sect of Shadow>

Overview: Description

  • 6'4

  • One eye is tattooed black

  • Blonde mullet of power

  • Doesn't like shoes

  • Rhomphaia

Overview: Bio

  • Age: 43

  • Birthplace: Ala Mhigo

  • Nameday: 23rd sun of the Fourth Umbral moon

  • Patron Deity: Rhalgr, the Destroyer

  • Residence: - Solace -

Overview: Personality

  • Chaotic Good

  • Recovering Alcoholic

  • Preachy, but with good intentions

  • The walking definition of a Savage

  • Secretly depressed and afflicted with PTSD

  • Would much rather hear about other people's problems than speak about her own.

Body Modification

  • Sprawling tribal tattoos cover the right half of her torso, calves and arms

  • A simple, dark purple rune of a crashing meteor sits on her left breast

  • White tapering streaks run under her eyes, dotted with four white spots

  • Has four white dots tattooed across her right brow

  • Her left eye is tattooed black

  • Her Lateral incisors have been removed

  • Her canines and her premolars have been filed to be sharper

  • Her incisors have also been filed, though to a lesser extent

  • Both ears are pierced

  • Her tongue appears to have been split right down the middle, about a full ilm and then some back.

  • Eyebrows are cut short and thin

  • While she has several minor scars, a few stick out as self inflicted. Namely two pierce points on either side of her neck and a gouge across her solar plexus

Fun facts!

  • She is incredibly superstitious, and as such is extremely weary around Gridanians, and the Shroud.

  • Lalafells skeeve her out.

  • She can read! But not terribly well and easily stumbles over words.

  • She cannot read Chronometers at all, and generally tells time by the position of the sun.

  • Her accent takes inspiration from several cultural sources, blending harsh consonants and rolled vowels with an ebb and flow tempo.

  • Her birth name is: Eldar Arslan

Even for one who stood out, as a Highlander that embodied the ways of old. She managed to blend herself into the crowd fairly well.At a simple glance, she appeared rather plain. Her clothes didn't seem to be overly fancy, though at closer inspection one would be able to see the various intricacies that adorned her gear.

Shay could be seen in a variety of outfits depending on her current situation, though the most striking of which would be her traditional sect Cyclas.Dark blue, aether channeling fabrics, decorated with plates of silvery metal, topped with ornate Coeurl pauldrons. Vicious looking armblades stuck out of the Monk's vambraces. Wrapped around her wrist was a set of dark, wooden mala beads.Equally suited for sharing the good word of Rhalgr and sending those to personally meet him, when Shay stood before her gathering crowds, she often wore her sect's colors with pride! Even if it drew the ire of some of the other monks that hailed from the new order, or those scant survivors from the Sect of Light.

It almost looks like a Far Eastern blade, though the prominent edge is on the inner curve of the weapon, while a broader, cleaving edge is sharpened into the outer curved spine of the blade. The blade length measures around around four and a half fulm from guard to point with an extra fulm or so of grip.

To the simple minded, or the uninformed, the sword looked like a Katana. Though to the educated it was a Tachi, a longer blade with a more defined curve and traditionally different mountings on the blade. The weapon seemed to be around four fulm, three ilm in over all length.The weapon looked very well maintained, having a variety of mountings on it that make it less of a traditional Tachi and a bit more customized.The Tsuka of her blade doesn't bear the notable upward curve of a traditional tachi. It is still there, just no where near as steep.The Tsuka-ito of her weapon is done in a hineri maki style with white cotton.The Fuchi, habaki, kaeshizuno and kashira all appear to be plain and sparsely decorated.The Saya also looked fairly plain, being made of a shiny, black material with bronzed Koiguchi, Kojiri, and Kurikata.Along the sides of the blade's saya one can spot three different inlets for a pair of Wari-bashi, kogatana and Kōgai.

Ala Mhigan Oud
An instrument of her homeland, the lute like piece bears thirteen strings across its tan body. When played, it takes on either a sound of the desert homeland that Shay came from, or a more nautical sound that she picked up while sailing the seas and skies.Simple panpipes
This piece of wood looked incredibly unassuming. One corner was drilled out to hold a rope lanyard so it could be attached to her body or placed in her pouches. It was nothing more than a rounded block of wood that had holes drilled into one end at varying depths and then was packed with wax. By far it looked incredibly primitive, even though when played it could display a surprising array of tones based on the user's breath

Uh oh! It looks like you took a wrong turn. Don't you know it is rude to spy on a person while they're changing?

Still trying to sneak a peak, huh? Well, you are clever enough. But you'd still better turn back now, before you get caught.

I confirm that I am of legal age for sexual content

Made it this far, huh? Oh well, you had better look fast before Shay catches you. You wouldn't want her to turn that blade on you!

As you stare from your hiding place, you see the Monk's naked form. The full extent of her tribal tattoo's that cover the right part of her torso and stretch down to her wrist. You see her tan, muscular body as it sways through her evening routine. As she turns around, you can spot her near flat, washboard breasts, each dark nipple capped with a simple bar pierced through. Her left breast adorned with a purple rune of a crashing meteor, the sigil of Rhalgr the Destroyer. Your eyes travel down lower, across her chiseled abs. Down, down until you spot something that was not likely expected. Eleven ilms of dark flesh dangling between her legs.Uh oh! She's seen you! The monk doesn't look too pleased with your spying... How'd she get that sword in her hand so fast? RUN!

Shay wasn’t one to speak much of her childhood, except to say that the only feelings she had towards her family were not overly pleasant ones. Either leaving her parents, or being cast out to the streets at a relatively young age, she was like so many other of her fellow Abanian youth, raised by the streets. Petty crimes, banditry, gangs and violence. Eventually, she'd find herself in the Sali Monastery and fueled by the tales of the old days, the times of Ala Mhigo’s strength The young Ala Mhigan was at the forefront of a rebellious counter culture rooted in nationalism and want for the old traditions. Down to the point where Shay, and many of her peers went about the rather grotesque rituals of scarring themselves, ripping out and filing down their teeth, and perhaps the most apparent tradition of shaving their eyebrows off. Shay taking this perhaps a step or two further and opting to tattoo the sclera of one of her eyes to be blacked out, giving her an even more unsettling appearance.Venturing rather far off from the citystate proper and into the distant regions of Gyr Abania, Shay fell in with a group called Al Qabda; the Fist, lead by an elder of the Sect of Shadow and veteran of the Autumn war. He was the epitome of an era she idealized and revered as the peak martial strength and show of Ala Mhigan supremacy. An exiled remnant of the Fist of Rhalgr, one that took her and her companions in, trained them, told them the tales of the old days, stories of the war, reinforced the fables of Ala Mhigo’s glory days.When the old monk passed on, Shay mourned him, not only as a mentor, but as a father. The only one in their mind who ever showed any form of acceptance. The old sod didn’t even get to see the invasion of Garlemald and the swift capture of Ala Mhigo as one of its new provinces... Nor the rise of another group from Al Qabda's ashes. The Rhalgr Brotherhood. From deep in the mountains between the Black Shroud and Gyr Abania, Shay waged her resistance, harassing Garlean patrols with a ferocity that had not been seen in the better part of a century. Night attacks, filled with whooping and hollering, deathly shrieks as she and her gang descended upon camps, razing them and disappearing back into the desert mountains. Quite a few years of hit and run attacks before the group would find themselves decimated at a trap. A seemingly easy target that drew her raiders in, only to be slaughtered or captured. Some time following her captivity Shay was able to free herself from her Garlean captors, disappearing off into the inhospitable terrain of Gyr Abania where she eventually made her way through the treacherous mountains she called home and through the even more hostile Black Shroud.She spent quite a few years wandering Eorzea, selling her skills as a fighter for both entertainment and guard duties, barely able to scrape by. Though that soon changed when she happened upon an elderly, seemingly aloof Doman. Hashi Surayama. Their relationship at first, was rocky, with the Ala Mhigan having tried to rob him for his coin and supplies. Though to her surprise, he was more than capable of fending off her savage and relentless attacks using a strange, far eastern blade. Even with the attempt on his life for petty scraps, Hashi opted to not only spare the Highlander’s life, but to share his food with her while he traveled. It wasn’t long from there that the two became traveling companions, working together on various contracts to hunt down bandits, protect farms and the like. Even going as far as to teach Shay how to wield such a blade, though she opted to take up a double-edged Rhomphaia over a proper katana.Traveling together for nearly two decades, Hashi finally met his end when the duo traveled back to Gyr Abania, rejoining the resistance there. With his death at Garlean hands, Shay traveled away from Gyr Abania to the Far East to help with the Doman uprising, seeking to avenge the death of her friend by freeing his homeland.Now that both Doma and her homeland is free, the Ala Mhigan returned to Solace, seeking to rebuild it back in the mountains. Opening the small temple up for any who seek to learn and study the way of the fist, just as the old veteran once had. Though she also keeps a small shrine to her doman friend with his old armor and sword.

  • Extremely skilled in sword fighting and blade play

  • Proficient in Hand to hand combat

  • Aether manifests through the aspect of lightning.

  • Can speak the Ala Mhigan dialect as fluently as common

  • Speaks Doman and Hingashi well enough to competently communicate

  • Learned how to play pan pipes and the Lute to pass the time while aboard ships and in port

  • Is a competent cook. Especially in regards to dishes from the Orient and traditional Gyr Abanian cuisine

Translated from an old Ala Mhigan dialect to Eorzean Common for your reading pleasure.

The Brothers:For homeland! (ready!)In the fringes, at the source of the river Velodyna,
We the brothers, stood to defend our homes.There stand Mhigan next to the Mhigan, we're all brothers,
You won't take Gyr Abania while we are living!Loose your fists, fury and blade!(3)
Throw spears, chase them through the spring!!Step forward, arms ready, let all of us sing the song:
"For homeland, brothers, for freedom we are fighting"Listen you, gang of Imperial volunteer & traitors,
We will take revenge upon you even in Garlemald!Rhalgr's justice will get you, everyone knows that.
Fighters from the Lochs will judge you!Listen now to the message of Ala Gannha:
"You will not get in Gyr Abania, as you did before!"Hey dear brothers of the Resistance,
Ala Mhigo won't ever forget you!

The Resistance March:Oi Gyr Abania o cradle of freedom,
Every house holds one flag
The Resistance suits you well,
for homeland blood will spillBoys of the Loch are fighting from Velodyna to the mountains of the Spine, (x2)
For this land my mother bore me
For the purple and white flag
I'm a soldier in the Resistance, I will bring my Nation freedomGeneration after generation in these lands, I'm ancient as Gyr Abania itself (x2)
No I will not abandon my land! Not even an ilm!
Oh mother you're saying 'goodbye' to a soldierBecause here I'm since time immemorial, for Ala Mhigo I'll give my breath (x2)If you belong to the fist, you are Mhigan
We shall protect every ilm of our landBecause here I'm since time immemorial, for Ala Mhigo I'll give my breath(x2)Oi Gyr Abania o cradle of freedom,
Every house holds one flag
The Resistance suits you well,
for homeland blood will spillBoys of the Loch are fighting from Velodyna to the mountains of the Spine, (x2)
For this land my mother bore me
For the purple and white flag
I'm a soldier in the Resistance, I will bring my Nation freedomGeneration after generation in these lands, I'm ancient as Gyr Abania itself (x2)
No I will not abandon my land! Not even an ilm!
Oh mother you're saying 'goodbye' to a soldierBecause here I'm since time immemorial, for Ala Mhigo I'll give my breath (x2)If you belong to the fist, you are Mhigan
We shall protect every ilm of our landBecause here I'm since time immemorial, for Ala Mhigo I'll give my breath(x2)For Ala Mhigo!
For Ala Mhigo!
For Ala Mhigo I’ll give my breath!

Remembrance of the War:My dad is a war criminal (2x)
You can try condemning him (2x)
But no one has the balls to arrest him (2x)My dad used to conquer the Shroud (2x)
You can try condemning him (2x)
But no one has the balls to arrest him (2x)My old man is dangerous, really! (2x)
You can try condemning him (2x)
But no one has the balls to arrest him (2x)

Glory for Ala Mhigo:Arise brave sons,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Defend the freedom of your fatherland,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Come to the rebellion while praying to Rhalgr,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Give us strength o’Destroyer,
Glory for Ala MhigoOrder and unity we will strengthen,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Testify that Rhalgr is strength and the fist is right,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Increasing our faith in the fist,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Give us strength o’Destroyer,
Glory for Ala MhigoRise up to defend our freedom,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Fight against the King of Ruin,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Our lands shall be cleansed of Theodoric's Tyranny,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Give us strength, o’Destoyer,
Glory for Ala MhigoHeroes of the land will be honored, Glory for Ala Mhigo
Their names will be on our flags of freedom, Glory for Ala Mhigo
May Rhalgr grant them guidance, Glory for Ala Mhigo
Give us strength, o’Destroyer,
Glory for Ala MhigoShouts of "Freedom or Death", Glory for Ala Mhigo
Echoes today in the mountains, Glory for Ala Mhigo
Stand up brave boys, Glory for Ala Mhigo
We must cleanse our fatherland,
Glory for Ala MhigoOur hearts are filled with courage,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
We will not surrender to anyone,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
We fear of nothing,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Give us strength, o’Destroyer,
Glory for Ala MhigoBeautifying nature, empowering hearts,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
We will rebuild our cities,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
We will walk the way of the fist,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Rise up! Brave and honorable boys,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
We will walk the way of the fist,
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Rise up! Brave and honorable boys,
Glory for Ala MhigoGlory for Ala Mhigo
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Glory for Ala Mhigo
Glory for Ala Mhigo

Hello Sister:Hello sister, my dear, how are you?
Autumn has probably swept the way home already?
The stars are falling over the Shroud in the rays of dawn
Just don't tell mom that I'm in Gridania
The stars are falling over the Shroud in the rays of dawn
Just don't tell mom that I'm in GridaniaIt's Water's day now, and it pours harder, along with the war
Smells like sweat here, boys sleep here, there was a hard battle
I made a bet with my friend Otelin, that he will be back
Just don't tell mom that I'm in Gridania
I made a bet with my friend Otelin, that he will be back
Just don't tell mom that I'm in GridaniaI send my big hello to my sister
Tell them to keep writing, it was a long time since last letter from home
And if they ask what I write to you about, well, just lie
Just don't tell mom that I'm in Gridania
And if they ask what I write to you about, well, just lie
Just don't tell mom that I'm in GridaniaHello sister, my dear, how are you
Autumn has probably swept the way home already?
The stars are falling over the Shroud in the rays of dawn
Just don't tell mom that I'm in Gridania
The stars are falling over the Shroud in the rays of dawn
Just don't tell mom that I'm in GridaniaJust don't tell mom that I'm in Gridania
Just don't tell mom that I'm in Gridania

Hey GriffinHey, there somewhere on the Velodyna,
A young Monk mounted a steed,
Tenderly he bids farewell to his girl
And even more tenderly to Ala Mhigo.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My little mourning dove.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My mourning...
Ring, ring ring.Plenty of girls in the world
But most in Gyr Abania
There my heart shall remain
Next to my beloved girl.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My little mourning dove.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My mourning...
Ring, ring ring.Sorrow, sorrow for my girl
For the brown Gyr Abania
Sorrow, sorrow, heart is crying
I will never see her again.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My little mourning dove.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My mourning...
Ring, ring ring.Ale, ale, give me ale
And when I die bury me
In the great Ala Mhigo
Next to my beloved girl.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My little mourning dove.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My mourning...
Ring, ring ring.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My little mourning dove.Hey, hey, hey Griffin.
Skirting mountains, desert and valleys
Ring, ring, ring little bell.
My mourning...
Ring, ring ring.

Desert Flower:Oh, desert flower
Why have you bloomed so early?
Oh, desert flower
Why have you bloomed so early?You blossomed too early,
What happened, my flower?,
Why have you hung your head?
You blossomed too early,
What happened, my flower?,
Why have you hung your head?My dear is gone
He died far away from me
My dear is gone
He died far away from me
My dear is gone
He died far away from meFor the highest mountains
For the deepest river
For the highest mountains
For the deepest river
For the highest mountains
For the deepest riverHe will not come back to me
Nor after two or three years ...
He will not come back to me
Nor after two or three years ...Oh, desert flower
Why have you bloomed so early?
Oh, desert flower
Why have you bloomed so early?

Asta:
A Monk stood on the mountain. He prayed to
For freedom, for the people, he bowed low.Asta, oh Asta, don't be afraid of me
I won't touch you, don't worry.
Asta, oh Asta, don't be afraid of me
I won't touch you, don't worry.And the Monk also asked for justice for the people,
If there is justice on earth, there will also be freedom.
For friends, the Monk prayed, that in a foreign land,
Greed and pride would be avoided.So that their fathers, wives and children would wait for
Those who seek Mother Justice all over the world.
For the people, the Monk asked for blessings,
That peaceful villages would have bread and salt.Asta, oh Asta, don't be afraid of me
I won't touch you, don't worry.
Asta, oh Asta, don't be afraid of me
I won't touch you, don't worry.So that blood would not be shed on his father's threshold,
So that falsehoods would not live there, he prayed to Rhalgr.
Thus, that Monk prayed for his native land,
That neither grief, nor tears would touch it.Asta, oh Asta, don't be afraid of me
I won't touch you, don't worry.
Asta, oh Asta, don't be afraid of me
I won't touch you, don't worry.A Monk stood on the mountain. He prayed to Rhalgr
For freedom, for the people, he bowed low.

The Vibelist

RP Hooks

  • Grew up in Gyr Abania-Ala Mhigo: You might have seen her around!

  • In need of a Sermon? Come and ask her to share the good word of Rhalgr.

  • Eorzea's most affordable Ala Mhigan: Do you need a professional soldier? Maybe a bodyguard. You might be able to purchase her services.

  • Veterans of War's past: Perhaps you fought alongside (or against) Shay during a contracted operation or in the liberation of Doma and Ala Mhigo

Here's a quick list of OOC facts:

  • Timezone: Pacific Standard (GMT -8)

  • Availability: I work two jobs and thus I am around at erratic times. Usually in the early morning hours.

  • All RP okay: Though if your intention is to specifically get lewd with Shay, let me know first.

  • IC ≠ OOC: Shay can be rather abrasive, coarse and mature in nature. Try not to take it personally. If something makes you uncomfortable then let me know.

  • Lore: I do my best to stay with in FFXIV's lore and expect my partners to do the same. Though we aren't perfect and some mistakes will be made. If you have any constructive criticism feel free to let me know. Conversely if you have any questions about Lore, or if you aren't sure about something feel free to ask me and I will try to help you figure it out to the best of my ability!

Want to see some of my other characters? Click here!

Like what you saw? Want to leave feedback? Maybe you want to RP? Or maybe you just want to let me know that you've visited! Regardless, leave a message down below for my viewing pleasure!

Join the Fist of Rhalgr discord today!

Q. What is the Fist of Rhalgr?
A. It is an Ala Mhigan focused discord server!Q. Do I have to RP an Ala Mhigan to join?
A. Nah, but the server is focused around all things Ala Mhigan and Monk!Q. Is it all ages?
A. No. We'd much rather you be 18+ if you join.Q. I'm new to lore, can I still join?
A. Absolutely! We welcome anyone regardless of experience, and are more than happy to help out newer players with what ever lore questions they have.

Al Qabda, literally 'The Fist' in an archaic dialect of Gyr Abania was a group of monks underneath the Sect of Shadow, who opposed the Fist of Rhalgr joining the Royal Family as advisors. Many of its elders, having fought in the Autumn War, believed that such a union would lead to the collapse of both their order, and of Ala Mhigo.Though, rather than abstaining from politics, those of Al Qabda held the rather extreme belief that Ala Mhigo and her territories should be led by the Fist in a strict and devout theocracy, as to prevent the failures of the Royal family from further spreading.With the Purge under King Theodoric, much of the fringe sect secluded themselves in the mountains, far away from the on goings of the Mad King's treachery and their own sins. Focusing on their own growth and training to strive ever closer to reaching martial perfection and ultimately stepping forward once more to claim Ala Mhigo from its corrupt rulers.To this day, few if any remain of Al Qabda, and their old monastery sits inhabited by ghosts, its lone master, and of course the dreaded Shatterspleen.

A dreaded bull griffin that makes its roost atop Solace. For those that seek venture up to the isolated monastery, they had best beware the creature's hungering gaze.

Elia Greyashe

The first student. Elia is Shay's most senior and premiere of pupils and a close friend.

Mikosi Shai

The Starcrossed Lover Despite Shay's undeniable Ala Mhigan spirit, and Mikosi's deep and dangerous connection with the Black Shroud. Mikosi has quickly become someone that Shay values quite highly, and is considered a close friend, lover and confidant.

Astrid Briarheart

The Huntress Astrid found her way to one of Shay's sermons and eventually sought to become one of her students. By far Shay's most experienced student, Astrid's mother was of the Sect of Light and passed her knowledge onto her daughter so that the way of the Fist might not be forgotten.

Piper Posey

Pipsqueak! Shay's youngest student, but also perhaps her most intelligent. What Piper lacks in physical ability, she makes up for with razor sharp cunning! Ever the quick learner, Piper has proven herself more than capable of understanding rather complex topics with minimal effort.

Atreus Creed

The Equal. Atreus was the first person in recent memory to rival Shay at her peak, everytime they met it was said that mountains would shake.

Ni

Little Feather A shy, curious woman who found herself drawn to Shay after hearing those honeyed words. After spending some time at Solace, Nizrath, or "Lil Feather" as Shay calls her has become quite the welcome sight.

Auriana Warren

Minty Yet another one of Shay's students, coming from the fighting circuits of Ul'dah and striking a rather fierce rivalry with Elia over who they thought was Shay's favorite. The Championship boxer started training in the Fist of Rhalgr with the goals of becoming a better fighter.

For some untold amount of time, following the dissolution of
the Rhalgr Brotherhood, Shay found herself once more on the wrong side of good. Be it through coercion, the promise of freedom, or just the offer of coin and a comfortable life. The Ala Mhigan once more turned against her own; this time she worked under the Garlean Occupation, alongside the Fourteenth imperial legion.Focused on hunting down and slaying any remaining Fists that like her survived the purge. Shay slaughtered and put down any who studied the old texts, those that hid and trained in secret.Eventually she came across one Monk from the Sect of Light, one who equaled her strength. It was from this vicious fight to the death that Shay unlocked her fourteenth chakra and made her escape from Gyr Abania, and the Garlean occupation.