OOC: Information Post

[umbralshadows]

Koko Himaa

of the Stalwart Sword

The Insatiable · The Final Witness · The Shadow · Lady Creator · Temptress of Fate · Dark Driver · Z · Knight of House Fortemps

BASICS

NAME: Koko Himaa
AGE: 29
DATE OF BIRTH: 11th Sun of the 2nd Umbral Moon (4/11) in the year 1548 of the Sixth Astral Era
MARITAL STATUS: Widowed
SEXUALITY: Pansexual

OCCUPATION: Adventurer, Scion of the Seventh Dawn, 2nd Lieutenant of the Immortal Flames
BIRTHPLACE: Azim Steppe
CURRENT RESIDENCE: The Goblet, Ward 3 subdivision, Plot 57
PARENTS: Khulan (deceased)
SIBLINGS: Cotan (twin)
CHILDREN: Nasaang (son, 4)

TIMELINE

1548 6 A.E. Koko was born the younger twin.
1549 6 A.E. The small family flee the Steppe after an attack that nearly resulted in her father's kidnapping. (1)
1551 6 A.E. The Himaa's migrate to Gyr Abania. (3)
1552 6 A.E. The Himaa's migrate to Coerthas as refugees. (3)
Cotan and Koko are orphaned. (4)
1568 6 A.E. Koko begins to suffer from "aether sickness." (20)
1572 6 A.E. Dalamud falls. (24)
A Realm Reborn
+ Main Scenario
+ Grand Company (Immortal Flames)
+ Thaumaturge
+ Black Mage
+ Primals
+ Beast Tribe
+ Bahamut
+ Crystal Tower
Heavensward
+ Main Scenario
+ Dark Knight
+ Warring Triad
+Beast Tribe
+ Alexander
+ Shadows of Mhach

OOC INFO

NAME: Twi
AGE: 24
AIM: twilitpath
CONTACT: twilitfall
TIME ZONE: EST

BACKSTORY

Koko was born the younger of two twin girls to her parents [name] and Khulan of the Himaa tribe. They were happy infants, and were well-loved by their elders. However, while her father was out hunting - he was found and nearly kidnapped by members of the Buguda tribe. Narrowly escaping by fleeing to Doma in the south, [name] soon sent word through a Raen merchant to his wife. Khulan, heartbroken, bid her own sister and the rest of the tribe farewell - taking her two young children with her.

Fate was not kind to the young family. Two years later, the family was forced to flee Doma as refugees as the Garleans subjugated their new home - and again when they conquered Ala Mhigo. The Elementals refusing the couple - but perfectly accepting of the two young children - the family left together for Coerthas. Alas, it was not meant to be; even though the four had first come to Eorzea seeking freedom and a better life than what could be had in Garlean-controlled lands, Eorzea did not deem them worthy. Koko and Cotan's parents slaughtered like many Auri refugees before them as they neared Coerthan soil. Injured and left to die, her twin fought to carry her unconscious form towards a light in the distance. Yet as they grew closer, Cotan's energy was spent and they both fell onto the grassy highlands. There, they were found by a young elezen thaumaturge. Cotanwas, at first, apprehensive, but they helped to give her parents a proper burial and tended to her and Cotan's wounds. The twins survived, but as Koko's wounds were great, they sought further treatment from the conjurers in Gridania, hoping the Elementals would be kind once more.

Without a tribe to care for her and all seeming lost, the elezen took the young Auri children in and taught them the ways of Western thaumaturgy so that she might have a chance to defend herself from a people who would rather see this "half-dragon" dead. Unbeknownst to Koko at the time however, her adoptive mother was a heretic - a defector of the Ishgardian Orthodox Church, and a lover of dragons. Thus when they were discovered many summers later in the Forelands, their adoptive mother was cut down, and Koko forced to flee to the Twelveswood with her twin sister (and later to Ul'dah).

She took a fantasia, hoping to disguise herself, and transformed into an elezen at first. Only after the visions start did she, fearing that the magicks were waning, take another--transforming into a hyur.

IN-CANON HISTORY

A Realm Reborn - Main Scenario

Koko's tale begins like so many others in her world in the aftermath of the Seventh Umbral Calamity - a lone traveler from a distant land, riding a carriage through the desert sands of Thanalan as she and her fellow passengers headed toward the city-state of Ul'dah. She was on a mission to obtain power and make a name for herself, and that was what she would tell the bored merchant aboard the same passenger carriage. The same merchant who would later rescue her in her hour of need. She would register herself with the Ul'dahn branch of the Adventurers' guild, do an odd job here and there, accidentally finding herself in the midst of conspiracies and power plays in the city known for turning sand into gold. When she was not working to save a possessed brother of the thaumaturge guild's leaders with her own black magic, at least. (See below)

For Koko was a fledgling thaumaturge when she first came to the city state, black scales hidden by her glamours in an attempt to blend in with those who would mistake the young auri warrioress for that of a dragon - that history may not repeat itself. Yet for all her attempts to blend in, Sister Fate had another plan in mind for the follower of Brother Time. She always seemed to be around when trouble began to brew. It was during one of these times where she briefly met and fought alongside a hyur named Thancred - saving a missing "noblewoman" from voidsent (demons); running into him more than once after that, too, during her adventures as she found herself saving a refugee-turned-merchant (who had earned the scorn of the richest man of the Syndicate), and later finding the source of the aetheric balances and voidsent that had begun plaguing the land: a masked figure known as an Ascian, who used the greed of both Brass Blade and thug alike to his own ends of chaos and strife. Her actions for the betterment of the realm had led her to be recognized by Sultana Nanamo Ul Namo (the very "noblewoman" she had saved) and General Raubahn Aldynn themselves, who invited her to a celebratory banquet as the guest of honor.

During this banquet, Raubahn noticed the Light radiating off the young mother and adventurer. Revealing that she had suffered the classic symptoms of aether sickness, and had a peculiar vision of the Crystal, the war hero of Ala Mhigo told her of brave souls who held a similar power that she was just awakening to; brave souls who were not native to Eorzea either, yet they had helped to reinstate the three Grand Companies and their alliance, before leading the charge against the Garlean invasion force at Cartineau. These brave souls that had been lost to them were known as the Warriors of Light, and the power she shared with them was known as the Echo: the ability to cross the boundaries of the soul.

Yet as the word was spoken, Koko lost consciousness from the sheer, overwhelming might of the memories of the Battle of Cartineau. It would be days later that she awoke in her room at the inn, Momodi teasing her lightly about her overworking herself before informing her that the General wished to speak with her when she had recovered. Curious, Koko set out straightaway to the Hall of Flames. It was there that she learned of the plan for a memorial service for those who had fallen at Cartineau five years prior, and Raubahn asked her to send a message to the other leaders of the Eorzean Alliance as his personal envoy. She agreed without second thought, and departed at once for Limsa Lominsa and Gridania via airship at his behest; later returning to each city-state after her role as envoy was completed, meeting likeminded souls and fellow sibling adventurers as she traversed the dungeons at the behest of the adventurers' guild.

That was, until she returned to Ul'dah and came across a refugee being threatened by a merchant who could only think with his pants and coinpurse. With no one else standing up for the poor mother, she stood between her and the three bodyguards with an arrow cocked and aimed for their knees. Seeing how innocent the woman was of the supposed theft the merchant "claimed" she'd committed, Koko stood firm until the man ran off. She had, after all, seen the young mother purchasing what was supposedly stolen meat via the Echo - and not just her, for Thancred also sided with the woman from the shadows.

The self-proclaimed "bard" approached her soon after the crowd dispersed and she'd seen the young mother safely off, inviting her to join him at the headquarters of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Curious and more than interested, Koko sought them out, soon learning through conversation with them all that she was not alone among those still with them who possessed the Echo. Their leader, Minfilia, also possessed the same power. Deciding to join their little family, she came to know all of them - Thancred especially through working on a mission together to uncover the cause of the recent abductions and missing crystal shipments in Camp Drybone. They soon learned it was the Amalj'aa, who were gathering crystals and souls for tempering to summon and sustain their primal Ifrit's physical form. Together they catch Ungust (the crooked merchant from before) and began planning with the Immortal Flames to spring a trap on the beastmen--

Only for Koko and the group of soldiers to realize they had a traitor in their midst. Also that Sleep spells suck when used on you.

When she came to, she found herself and her companions in Zan'rak - holy land to the Amalj'aa, being prepared to be sacrificed to the primal Ifrit. One of the soldiers found an exit, telling her to swim through the channel and get help while they still could. She complied, returning with three others who possessed the power of the Echo, just in time for the Amalj'aa to lead them before the Lord of the Inferno. Luckily karma was a thing, for the treacherous Flame and Ungust the Unjust Merchant were also sacrificed as well-

Only Koko and the three she sought help were unclaimed by the primal’s tempering flames.

Dubbed the godless blessed, the four prepared steel and magicks and, working together, slew Ifrit. In Ifrit's wake, she found another crystal - one that joined with the first she'd gathered. Angered to see their god laid low by an unbeliever, the Amalj'aa attempted to strike her down where she stood - only for her to be saved by Thancred arriving fashionably late. Not that she minded any, despite his feeling that he failed her. They returned to Vesper Bay separately, meeting again as they discussed the mission's success with Minfilia. Yet there was a heaviness in the air around them, and only Thancred would say exactly why.

All those soldiers who went with her to Ifrit's inferno would have to be put to death, so that they may be released from Ifrit's hold on their souls.

Something in her stiffened, but she continued to train (see below). More than sufficiently weirded out, she decided to brush it aside for now and continue on to the next mission - becoming a mediator between the Gridanians and the Sylvan refugees in Little Solace. The "touched ones" as the refugees put it, had summoned the primal Ramuh, and it was her duty to make sure that their alliance between the races and beast tribe would still be honored. After some initial resistance, she proved to these ones that this dancing one was most helpful unlike some walking ones. She even went into Toto-rak to save their elder from the fiends inside it!

Yet it was not only fiends within the thousand maws, for a masked man named Lahabrea made his appearance as well. Announcing his ambitions, he sicced a superpowered diremite at her and her friends. Koko slew it, but could not help but be troubled by his words. Lahabrea made it clear that they wanted her dead, so that they could instigate the “tale of the Crystal’s demise”...

As she pondered this, the Sylph elder freed himself, informing her that the masked devil meant to feed him to the diremite they'd slain. Koko then escorted elder one out safely so that they may reconvene back in Little Solace. There they spoke of the alliance they made with the Gridanians. Assured they would keep it, she was asked to witness for herself how the ones touched by their god Ramuh would not attack unless provoked or their land was trespassed. Affirming this with her own eyes, she assured the leaders of the forest nation once more before returning to Vesper Bay - only for a sudden screech to fill the halls of the Solar while she was telling Minfilia the details.

Apparently the eylph elder thought it a good idea to send Noraxia, a Sylvan representative, to the Scions, and she'd accidentally startled Tataru at her arrival. There was no rest for the weary or startled lalafells, however - for now there was another Primal that had been summoned, and one that everyone in the room had dreaded the possibility of.

The Kobolds had summoned Titan, Lord of Crags.

Unfortunately for them, the only ones known to have ever defeated Titan were a group of mercenaries called the Company of Heroes. I say unfortunately, because mercenaries are not ones who keep good records of their battles (for obvious reasons). Thus with little information to go on, most of them were sent to gather as much as they could and piece together everything they could come up with. Though with the others not knowing much of the Lominisan ways, Thancred suggested that she depart with Y'shtola (who was the Scions' representative in La Noscea) at once to see if they could find anyone who once worked with this mercenary group. Both parties agreeing, Koko left with her to meet with the Maelstrom Command. Yet in her briefing, she was surprised to find that Merlwyb herself had decided to meet her in person to debrief her of the situation.

Big surprise: some of the pirates had begun to set up camp on the sacred Kobold lands of O'Ghomorro and broke the peace treaty between the Lominisans and the beastmen tribes due to murdering their kindred in cold blood for said land. The Kobolds, like many other beast tribes, aren't the sort to take this kind of shitty treatment and thus summoned Titan in self-defense and to gain vengeance on those who killed their own.

Obviously not wanting to sacrifice the lives of those innocent (of this particular act of piracy), the Scions took up the task to try and find where and how they might slay them. Though to their surprise, someone who claimed to be a part of the Company was only malms away. Bidding the Admiral goodbye for now, the pair headed off to see this so-called "hero."

Who they found? Was a weakling of a farmboy who couldn't even slay a lamb, let alone a primal made completely of the hardest rocks known to man. Having been set on one wild goose chase, he was at least kind enough to say where the real captain was - on the shores of Costa del Sol, working as a security guard. Relieved to finally know where the real one was, they departed for the beach resort immediately-

Only for Koko to be sent on yet another fucking main scenario sidequest-athon to gather materials needed for the "feast" they were setting up for some adventurer and scholar of note. This was much to the detest of both Scions, but she complied with the good Captain Wheiskaet's orders. Arguing the point further would only delay their chance to defeat Tidus Titan.

Little did she know at the time that they were testing her as per their former company's traditions.

First, she would travel to Camp Tranquil to meet with Landenel, who tested her courage via poaching an adamantoise egg from it's mother's grasp. Second, to the sands of Thanalan's Forgotten Springs to befriend and imprrress the U tribe's Nuhn (breeding male), U'lodh Nuhn with her ruthlessness - first by slaying beasts, and then beastmen. Third, they tested her cunning by sending her to Brayflox's Longstop, where she was asked to defeat the dragon that had begun to torment the gobbieflock that had taken up residence... and was rewarded with gobbiecheese. With the most smelly of cheeses in her possession, she was sent to her final test: a test of kindness and generosity. They sent her to retrieve a bottle of wine from Shamani Lohmani in the La Noscean settlement of Wineport- where Shamani had spend his days since being rendered blind by his encounter with Titan.

Proving herself a compassionate soul and saving the settlement with her discovery of a Bacchus grapevine, she returned to Costa del Sol with the look of a woman who had been to the seventh hell and back - only to find out the ingredients were fetched for a banquet to be held in her honor. More than one table was flipped that day, but not before They all celebrated as though she had already vanquished Titan, for she had passed all of their tests with flying colors. Soon, she would be known not only as the slayer of Ifrit, but Titan's Bane as well, with a little help from one more former member of the Company.

However this fame that would come at a price. For as the high of success waned, the shadows waxed full. When she returned to the Waking Sands, it was not to a celebration, but the scene of slaughter. Corpses of countless Scions, including several Students of Baldesion and several Garlean soldiers, littered the darkened floors as she stood there in shock. Hearing movement still in the Solar, she rushed through the doors to find Noraxia dying before the Antecedent's desk. In her final breaths, the sylvan emissary passed on the message for her to seek shelter at the Church of Saint Andama Landama, before dying in her arms. Grief-stricken, she teleported out of the headquarters, raising her hood and losing grasp upon her glamours as she fled to the church.

The wild roses are dead, father, and I know not what to do.

Much time was spent in the church after that, busying herself with small jobs around the lichyard and helping a man called Marques while she was not holding her small child close to her breast. She prayed for justice, helped to bury the fallen, and helped to show her appreciation for Father Iliud's assistance. Ultimately, however, grief has to be put aside - and she was forced to when a young Alphinaud stepped foot inside the church, revealing Marques to be an amnesiac Cid nan Garlond and that the Ixal had summoned Garuda. With little time to spare, she'd forgone her glamours for the sake of speed, traveling with the pair to Ishgard in efforts to find Cid's lost airship (and hopefully jog the man's memory along the way).

Ishgard was as hospitable as she recalled. That is, not at all. Especially to one who looked Dravanian. Yet she worked on the people, slowly earning the trust of all in the Central Highlands - all save one man who sought to thwart their efforts every way they turned. That man, was an impostor of Inquisitor Guilliame - a man who had killed the real inquisitor, and led untold numbers of innocent Ishgardians to their deaths. Needless to say, he burned from the inside out before they entered the Stone Vigil to retrieve the Enterprise. Only to be interrupted, again, by Lahabrea, who thought it a good idea to twist a dragon's rage and send it upon her. Koko dispatched it, and they set off for Gridania to repair the airship. This led to yet another wild goose chase as she sought a way to circumvent the barrier around the Howling Eye - Garuda's stronghold. Far too many teleports and one defeated siren later, they manage to do the thing and defeat Garuda. And get Cid's memory back, too!

Garuda though, was not going down without one last struggle. Even with her Crystal taken from her, she sought to feast upon the combined aether of Titan and Ifrit as well. Though she was not the diner, but the dinner for Garlemald's latest requisition: the Ultima Weapon. Under Gaius van Baelsar's command, the Allagan weapon consumed the three primals as the Scions fled. They would need to find their comrades and quickly, and thus returned to Vesper Bay.

Thankfully, Y'shtola and Yda had still been out at the time of the raid on the Waking Sands, and together they returned to Coerthas to seek any leads on the mission Scions' location. They find Biggs and Wedge first, the engineers having escaped the Garleans before they could be taken to Garlemald proper and likely executed for their leader's treachery. Traveling to Mor Dhona, the Scions then set about saving those still in Castrum Centri. They would disguise themselves as imperial soldiers returning from a scouting trip on a stolen magitek armor, find the key to the tower the others were held in, and free them from their chains. Oddly enough it went smoothly until they had to make their presence known (how they didn't think a Xaelan soldier wasn't odd is a mystery as the bulk of the foreign invasion force are literally everything else). And even then, they managed to just barely escape unharmed...

Except for the fact that Lahabrea is a dick and possessed Thancred. News at elephant.

Reeling from this discovery, they sought a way to destroy the Ultima Weapon and free their friend. Assuaging the fears of the Eorzean Alliance, they all worked together to come up with a means of which they could utterly annihilate the foreign invaders. Luckily they had a one-woman-army in their midst, as they sent her to lead the foreign levy to slay the leaders of the VIIth Imperial Legion and destroy the Ultima Weapon. Something Koko succeeded at, too - despite letting Nero tol Scaeva escape. In one fell swoop, she avenged her fallen comrades and saved Thancred and the realm, becoming known as a Warrior of Light of the present day in her own regard.

In the days to come, Koko would become known far and wide for the slaying of Good King Moggle Mog XII, Leviathan, Ramuh, and defeating Shiva. For being an advocate of the refugees and helping oversee a blossoming company known as the Crystal Braves (even recruiting some of it's members!). However, fame comes at a cost, and pride cometh before the fall.

In the dealings with Shiva, the Scions became close allies with the leader of the Temple Knights - Ser Aymeric de Borel of Ishgard. He and his second-in-command asked that in exchange for continued supplies, they watch over the Keeper of the Lake. When the Dragon Star waxed full, Koko and her friends were sent to the wreckage of the Agrius and the Lord of Wyrms' corpse to see if it had in fact been Midgardsormr who roared from beyond the grave...

Funny thing about that; Midgardsormr hadn't, but he rose to join the Chorus. Realizing that Koko was not only gifted by Hydaelyn, but chosen, he decided to test her resolve - what she would do without her Mother's Blessing of Light. He sealed her Blessing with the Dragon's Claw, consenting to a binding covenant. He would watch over her, listen, and wait.

The Ascians grew bold upon the realization that she no longer held the Blessing, Nabriales in particular dealing a mortal blow upon Urianger's childhood friend Moenbryda and kidnapping Minfilia so as to steal the deus ex machina broken relic of Louisioux's legacy - the staff Tupsimati. Koko kicked his teeth in without the Blessing, saving Minfilia and used the staff in an effort to forge the Blade of Light that had once saved Thancred to utterly destroy the Ascian. However it wasn't until Moenbryda sacrificed what remained of her life force that the blade was forged completely, both disappearing to the Lifestream.

A life for a death. Yet it was not the only bargain to be struck, as war did not give time for grief. The Scions were called upon again to defend Ishgard from the Dravanian Horde, for while Midgardsormr hadn't been the one, it had been his son Nidhogg - the son who sang of vengeance for a thousand years. The Scions agreed to send Koko, her comrades and the Crystal Braves, and sought the assistance of the Eorzean Alliance. For if Ishgard fell, Garlemald would surely press the advantage and lay claim to their lands - leaving the north undefended against their might. With only a token force from each of the other city-states save Ul'dah, they somehow succeeded in repelling the assault on the Steps of Faith. There was even to be a banquet held in the Scions' honor in Ul'dah after.

... Obviously this was not meant to go well, after the wonderful warning flags of Tataru working to obtain a specific gem that was used in talismans for those sent abroad that they may return home safely - or the fact that their youngest Brave, Wilred, was found dead by Urth's Fount with no traces of self-defensive wounds. Koko would be called for a private audience with Nanamo Ul Namo, that the Sultana could inform her of her plans to abdicate the throne and dissolve the Syndicate that she may give Raubahn a steadying hand, only to watch in horror as her friend and confidant drank from a poisoned chalice and collapsed onto the floor. Accused of treason, regicide and witchcraft, she and the Scions were to be taken into custody.

Raubahn was not having any of that shite. Grieving and enraged, he sliced their accuser and the actual treacherous snake in two, losing his left arm in the process. Bleeding out, he still held off Ilberd so that the others may escape to clear their names.

But it was not meant to be. The numbers against them were too great, and Yda and Papalymo were the first to stay back, that they might buy time for the others. Thancred and Y'shtola were next, as they urged Koko and Minfilia onward. Minfilia, however, heard Hydaelyn's voice, and ran back to the others' side - but not before pleading for her friend to escape alone. Fighting back tears, Koko fled through the secret passage - only to be greeted by Alphinaud and Pipin Tarupin - Marshal of the Immortal Flames and Raubahn's adopted son. The three were then rescued by the very merchant that Koko had spoken with at the beginning of her journey, just in time to escape the mob of soldiers who were seeking to capture them once more. Pipin however, would not leave his father to his fate, and stayed behind after seeing the two Scions to Blackbrush, where Cid sequestered them to Camp Dragonhead. There Koko and Alphinaud would be reunited with Tataru and Haurchefant, their biggest supporter in Ishgard, and find asylum within Ishgard proper as wards of House Fortemps. (To be continued below.)

A Realm Reborn - Thaumaturge and Black Mage

As mentioned previously, Koko started as a fledgling thaumaturge in Ul’dah, and as such, she signed up at the city-state’s Thaumaturge’s Guild. Within the hallowed halls of those who work as priests and clergy of the twin-deity Nald’thal, she studied her craft with zeal under the tutelage of five brother guild leaders who had once acted as shield for the Sultana five years prior. Under their tutelage, she learned much and more of survival as a super squishy glass canon, utilizing a balance of her own energies to incinerate and smite her enemies - sometimes even freeze them to balance it out! However, she also taught them the importance of bravery when faced with their possessed sibling. Their youngest brother had become ensorcelled during one of her trials to destroy Mormo’s urn - by the selfsame voidsent - and had begun killing mages for their high levels of mana. In a plan that nearly cost the life of the eldest, she and the four fought and defeated Mormo - who had relinquished their hold on the youngest after taking of the eldest’s mana. A poultice that the youngest had created saved his older brother, and all was fine and dandy!

...Until they returned to the Sacrarium, and the secretary pulled Koko aside. She was concerned as a convict who had claimed to hear the voice of Thal himself had begun to speak of Koko’s name in his cell, and that she would be gifted a relic long since thought a myth by the Order. Sent to Eastern Thanalan to investigate, Koko closed a tear in the veil between her world and the Void - an act that prompted an Amalj’aan mage to grant her a singular stone and send her on her way. Confronted once more upon returning to the Sacrarium by the very same released convict named Ququruka, she found that the stone - the fabled Gem of Shattoto on her person once more, and led to follow the man and his apprentice as a fellow “mage of the black.” With them, she would learn more of the ways of the Black Mage, harnessing the powers of destruction and tempering them to her will. She also befriended three other black mages - all of them beastmen who were later revealed to be descendants of Ququruka’s friends, who had helped the lalafell unlock the secrets of the lost art of black magic as a young lad. The four would later confront him about it, and learn the horrid truth of his crimes - that in changing one single line in an enchantment, he had accidentally transfigured their ancestors into a voidal abomination. With the three’s souls now at peace upon the voidsent’s demise and the void portals’ sealing, Ququruka passed on the final artifact piece of the black mage’s traditional garb… and breathed his last.

The Grand Companies - The Immortal Flames
Serve… Save… Slave… Slay…

During the main scenario (soon after the defeat of Ifrit), Koko was forced to choose between the three Grand Companies: Limsa Lominsa’s Maelstrom, Gridiania’s Order of the Twin Adder, and Ul’dah’s Immortal Flames. Koko chose the third grand company, starting out as a private. Though before being sworn in, she had already undergone her first mission - answering a distress call and saving Biggs and Wedge; two engineers of Garlond Ironworks. She would rise rapidly through the ranks due to her martial prowess and charisma - and due to her aide in clearing Dzemael Darkhold of voidsent and the Aurum Vale of it’s Marlboro problem, was granted the title of Second Flame Lieutenant. After clearing her name of the false charges placed upon her and the Scions, she was chosen as a leader for an elite force within the Adventurer Battallions, earning the highest ranking available: First Flame Lieutenant.

Chronicles of a New Era - The Primal Threat
They come to entreat her judgement...

Alas, the primal threat was never one to disappear after the first summoning resulted in their gods defeated and returned to the Lifestream. The beast tribes summoned Ifrit, Garuda, and Titan not once - but twice more. Each rendition grew far more terrible in strength and thirst for aether, the lifeblood of the land. Each rendition met its end at the hands of Koko and her comrades. Though in so doing, they uncovered that it was indeed the Ascians who were kindling the flames of the followers’ fears, revealing that the bones of their followers could produce stronger versions of their gods.

This was not left solely to the Amalj’aa, the Kobolds, nor the Ixal - all beast tribes would come to summon a second, extreme version of their gods in their desperation. And each time, Koko and her allies were called upon to return them to the Land.

Chronicles of a New Era - The Binding Coils
To the ends of the world… and back again…

Not long after the defeat of Titan’s second summoning, Urianger approached Koko with a request of aid from another of their own. Saying no more than she would recognize them when she saw them, he sent her to Wineport. There, she met Alisaie Leveilleur, Alphinaud’s twin sister. Alisaie had taken to studying the Calamity whilst the rest of the Scions had dealt with the hand the Empire had given them. Believing that the shard of Dalamud that had impacted the area to the east - now Garlean-controlled - had left behind Allagan technology said Garleans sought to exploit and reverse engineer, she was left with little recourse than to seek the aid of the vaunted Warrior of Light. Agreeing, the two, accompanied by seven of Koko’s most trusted allies, braved the depths - coming upon a long-held secret; not only had Bahamut survived the Calamity - his form regenerating more and more by the day - but that Louisoix, Alisaie’s grandfather, still lived within the binding coils.

Seeking both the truth and a way to put an end to Bahamut’s reign of terror, they would enter the subterranean coils twice more. In the second coil, they came across a figure what called herself “Nael Deus Darnus” - the shade of Nael van Darnus, who five years prior had been the head of the Meteor Project alongside Cid’s father, which lead to the Seventh Umbral Calamity. Deus Darnus warned them, that should they continue, she would personally put an end to their meddling. Four turns later, she kept her promise. Alisaie revealing her true face with a single Ruin spell, Nael transfigured herself into a half-dragon, half-woman hybrid and crossed blades with the Warrior of Light. And after several failed raid parties the wall was conquered HOORAY In a battle that can only be described as “harrowing”, Koko emerged victorious. Nael - or rather, Nael’s sister, Eula - briefly regained her senses; upon hearing that Alisaie was Louisoix’s granddaughter, Eula cautioned her to steel herself… lest she become a lost, broken child like she had…

Eula did not last much longer, for with a single lance of light, she was struck down and returned to the Lifestream. The attacker revealed himself as none other than Louisoix himself, who had been enthralled to Bahamut as well. With Alisaie moved to tears at this “shade’s” state, they left the coils in order to prepare for another foray. This time proved more difficult, having to rely upon Alphinaud and the retainers he had placed within the ranks of the Immortal Flames to secure an entry point. Unhappy with this arrangement, Alisaie agreed to let him accompany them. There they came across the methods used by the long-deceased Allagans to keep Bahamut’s form intact and imprisoned: hundreds of dragons (most likely of his and Tiamat’s own broods), in eternal stasis as they cried for retribution and freedom. Fighting their way through, they finally came across Louisoix once more. After a long circular argument about the justice of their cause verses the cause of Bahamut’s children, Alphinaud pointed out how Louisoix spoke as though he had transcended mortal limits himself. Louisoix acknowledged this, transforming into the Phoenix - an ancient symbol of rebirth - right before their eyes. Forced to realize that it wasn’t just a shade, but their beloved grandfather, Alisaie begged for the Warrior of Light to slay him. Koko did so, and in his last moments, Louisoix was able to share with them the truth of the Calamity - and create for them a path to the final interment hulk.

For there was one last hurdle: Bahamut himself. Finally united in purpose, the twins created a barrier to protect themselves as they sent Koko and her comrades forth to face Bahamut Prime. In a coordinated effort, they succeeded after countless wipes and resets and all of the interment hulks shut down. As the aether composing Bahamut’s form returned to the Land and his tormented children finally received a peace long since deprived them, the group agreed: none could know of what transpired below. Not because they wished to keep the truth from them, but because they feared that man would summon a shade of their grandfather as the Phoenix should they learn of the truth they had for so long forgotten. Alisaie would travel alone for a time, but not before paying her respects with Koko for the lives lost to Allagan cruelty...

Chronicles of a New Era - The Crystal Tower
One foot… in front of the other… over and over again…

A Realm Reborn Stories - Allied Beast Tribes
She smiles. She nods. And she remains silent…

Heavensward - Main Scenario (Interlude)
But she too has a voice…

Finally obtaining entry into Ishgard proper took a couple weeks, but soon the remnants of the Scions - weary and battered - took their first steps across the Steps of Faith and into the city-state. Greeted by a manservant of House Fortemps, they became acquainted with Haurchefant’s family and the city. Though in her lone wanderings, Koko came across a peculiar story… A tale of a knight who fought like a man possessed, before being felled by two others in a trial by combat. Curiosity piqued, she went to the Brume to see for herself...

Heavensward - A Dark Knight Rises
I will be heard.

Safe and assured, the three then worked on gaining the trust of the High Houses and people of Ishgard proper - though not before Koko accidentally stumbled upon the remains of a man who had died at the hands of the Temple Knights.

’Is this it? Is this all that awaits? No. No more. Enough. Open your eyes. Do you see? Do you see?’

The woman introduced herself as Fray, and taught Koko the ways of the Dark Knight - protectors of those who would otherwise be unheard by the masses; those who were wronged by those otherwise untouchable by the laws of the land. She learned to listen to her inner voice - her Darkside - and to wield a sword larger than she is with ease. Yet with every step taken, she and “Fray” became only more and more agitated by those who begged her for help, only to spit in their face or offer nothing but their humblest thanks in return. They longed to be free of the shackles of complacent servitude…

Things came to a head when Koko was approached by two knights from Whitebrim Front, asking for her assistance with a giant problem. After which she was accused with speaking with a corpse, and told that she may have to surrender her weapon…

’Surrender our weapon? After what happened in Ul’dah? They must be mad.’

Fray was not all that “she” had seemed. Forcing Koko to acknowledge her - what they had done - and call her by her real name, she revealed herself to be not “Fray”, but Koko’s Esteem. Every thing she denied about herself - her weariness, her rage, her agony, her inner darkness. Forced to reconcile this and her hidden desires as her Esteem threatened the safety of all those in Whitebrim Front she had befriended, Koko overcame and reabsorbed her Esteem and Anguish both.

Though the Temple Knights had not been unaware of this, and lured the weakened knight to the outskirts, where they meant to kill her - and likely would have, had another dark knight not stumbled upon the plan and saved her. He too was a Xaela of another tribe who had come to Eorzea to escape the Empire's expansion, and introducing himself as Sidurgu, bade she follow him back to Ishgard. It was there that he informed her of the price of mercy, and that he had slayed the knights who had tried to kill her. In exchange, she told him what had happened, and how she came to wield her own darkness as well. Knowing nothing of how to truly be a dark knight save the skills taught her by her Esteem, Sid took her under his wing when she agreed to help take care of his charge, Rielle. The three would come to learn the truth of why Rielle was hunted down by her own mother, and Sidurgu would learn the true strength of the dark knight as Koko learned what it would be she would fight for once more.

Her answer… was her cherished friends.

Heavensward - Main Scenario

Friends that, while she dealt with her own mental breakdown, young lordlings getting in over their heads, and another young lord sending her to her doom (and living, having confronted Ysayle, summoner of Shiva once more of her sins), had been accused of heresy and were to face judgement. Koko fought alongside Alphinaud in a Trial by Combat, succeeding against their accusers - two knights of the Heavens' Ward, elite warriors handpicked by the Archbishop himself to serve as his bodyguards. Koko was later called by Archbishop Thordan VII to personally apologize for his knight's false accusations... and informed her that the Ascians had visited him personally and gifted him with the knowledge of summoning.

They would not have much time to think this over, as they finally found Raubahn - and learned that Ilberd and his co conspirators planned on slaying the man. Left with no further options, they sprung the trap with the aide of the Domans and rescued their ally. Assured that he would find respite in the Waking Sands with Urianger and the others, Koko and Alphinaud returned to Ishgard. The astrologians warned that Nidhogg was planning to assault the city once more- and if he did, the city would not survive. Thus they came up with a desperate plan to seek out Nidhogg's broodbrother Hraesvalgr with Ysayle's aide. Estinien, the Azure Dragoon, accompanied them in order to buy more time for his country as he carried one of Nidhogg's stolen eyes (and you thought this shit was weird already; I know I did). Thus began the Family Roadtrip From Hell - and just as Koko'd begun to break the seals on her Crystals of Light, too!

Their travels first took them to the Dravanian Forelands, where they sought the aide of Vidofnir, daughter of Hraesvalgr, to reach the summit of Sohm Al. But because of the Gnath summoning their god, she could not - as her attention was focused solely on the defense of Anyx Trine, her brood's home. Thus Ysayle and Koko, after learning what they could of Ravana, went to face this primal as they were the only ones in the party immune to its influence. Ysayle tried to 1 vs 1 on his front lawn as Shiva and failed. Koko succeeded with the help of her comrades. Returning to the rest of the party, the four resumed - slaying Tioman, Nidhogg's right-hand, at the summit of Sohm Al. Unfortunately they found their way barred once more by hiding moogles, and had to seek the help of Kuplo Kopp and the Kan E Senna, the Elder Seedseer of Gridania to gain their trust. Ysayle was taken by their adorableness, and Estinien sided with 90% of the fandom loathed the furballs with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.

Heavensward Stories - Allied Beast Tribes

Chronicles of a New Era - The Warring Triad

Chronicles of a New Era - Alexander

Chronicles of a New Era - The Shadow of Mhach

PERSONALITY

Coin-starved and curious to a fault, Koko would follow a rabbit's trail to see the outcomes of something that seems inconsequential. This curiosity has led her into more crazy twists and turns then she'd readily admit, especially after meeting Hildibrand Manderville and his family.
Yet unlike much of her friends, Koko is rather stoic and reserved. When facing a conflict she is careful and pragmatic in most situations, oftentimes simply observing from the shadows she wields. However this goes out the window when she comes to know others and danger is posed to them. She would go to the ends of the earth for a stranger's errand, but for friends and comrades she would move mountains. The good of the whole is important, but the sum of the group she trusts to know of her gifts and knowledge of eternity (ie: the Echo) is equally so. If one harms her friends, she will do her utmost to learn them a lesson. Yet should one fall by another's hand, she will hunt down their murderer and deal the steel justice herself (as Ser Zephirin learned the hard way).
Koko is a lover of her fellow mortal kind, yet no love is shared between her and the Ishgardian masses that would slaughter others in the droves for even vaguely resembling an enemy. The loss of much of her tribe did not help these feelings any. Though as is made apparent in her accepting to be taught in the ways of the dark knight, a part of her is... tired of being the errand girl everyone wanted her to be with little to no rest in between errands. Of being their warrior... their blade of light, and wanting to be free from the responsibility that came with the fame of slaying gods and being a thorn in the side of the Garlean Empire. Yet she keeps fighting on for the ones she cherishes with her head held high, even if it means casting aside the light embrace the darkness within in order to do so.
She will always fight for her friends, and it's that hope for a better tomorrow with them that keeps her moving one foot in front of another.

APPEARANCE

do you not see the pics up above i mean dayum why do all adventurers have to be so good looking and have a case of dat arse even the lalafells but we don't talk about subligar butt eeeeew

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