Chronicles
Full Background Lore
(Optional to read)
Prologue 1
Early Childhood
Kasu'mi was born as a little miqo't to a loving family in a small town around the outskirts of Doma. She was born healthy and her family, while simple farmers, weren't very well off. However when she entered this world, a dark force was being summoned nearby. By a twisted turn of fate from this ritual, a fire elemental found it's way to the newborn miqo's body. Binding irrevocably to her. The ritualists perished as a result of this accident, leaving a gateway partially open and the land at the mercy of the elementals. Without balance of the fire elemental, the land was ravaged.The fire elemental within Kasu'mi stayed dormant for the most part, but on her 3td birthday, it awoke. Kasu'mi and her family was completely unaware of this entity, but there were subtle signs there. Kasu'mi's body temperature was quite a bit higher, and when excited her eyes would emit a glow. Fairly unusual, but nothing too strange.One day shortly after her 5th birthday, the small miqo's family had a very heated disagreement, mother and father and eldest child arguing very loudly about the state of things. Concerns about food, elementals, tensions became high, war on the horizon, conscription. Kasu'mi not understanding this, she tried to help, but ended up making things worse. She quickly became overwhelmed, "Stop it, please don't fight! I'm ok with eating less, please!" She said before the eldest struck her in anger, rendering her unconscious. She collapsed to the floor as they argued. Within moments her eyes glowed, and the environment around her burst into flames. A few moments later she would partly return to consciousness, seeing the flames around her would overwhelm her and scare her even more.Pretty soon the house erupts violently into flames, sending burning wood into the rest of the village. Panic, fire, screaming, shouting, utter chaos befell the village. With Kasu'mi at the epicenter. Another fiery explosion, later, the village would be no more. At the center, a poor miqo girl, no more than 5 years old would be the sole survivor of this tragedy.Kasu'mi's next memory is hearing armored footsteps and screaming, too weak to move she laid there naked, accepting her fate. But fate had different ideas. A member of another village, one that was conscripted saw the solitary girl. He picked her up and brought elected to be her guardian. Raising her as if she was his own. Food would still be scarce, and the adoptive father's other children would take from her portion on a regular basis. This lack of nourishment, coupled with her "unusual gift" would stunt her growth, leaving her to be significantly shorter, the runt of the litter.A few years later, the adoptive father had an accident losing his hand. This brought chaos again to this family as he could not fulfill his job. Kasu'mi already a black sheep would receive all the blame from her adoptive, abusive siblings. At the ripe age of 7 it happened again, she would try to diffuse the argument over the state of their lives ever since she was brought to their home. She would try to apologize and offer to be less of a burden by getting a job. She should have stayed quiet, the man that adopted her ordered her to stop talking. She refused, which only made things worse. His hand went back, and with the full brunt of his anger, he struck her, sending her flying into a wall. Stunned, emotional, and crying, she became overwhelmed. Her eyes would glow and the house would burst into flame. Within an instant, the house and surrounding houses would detonate. Fires would ravage the rest of the village, at the center of it lay a small, terrified miqo girl, sobbing silently curled up in a ball. The explosion she caused put out the fires in her immediate vicinity.Yet again, she would accept her fate. Unwanted, uncared for, hungry, she would lay there and patiently wait for fate to take her. But, fate had a different idea in mind. A boy, a few years older, would hear her sobs and come investigate. He would see a young 7 year old girl, with glowing markings on her crying in the middle of the devastation. "Hey, are you ok?" He would ask as he removes the blanket he had on and covers her naked girl with it. "Let's get you away from here? Ok?" She would nod as he whisked her away from this place.The two travelled together, him helping her at every turn, feeding her, clothing her, and attempting to raise her. He isn't a father or a sibling, nor knows how to be. But being on his own for a few years, he knew how to take care of himself. And she clearly could not as young as she was. The two formed an odd bond, only the twelve could know why.
Prologue 2
Younge Adult Years
The boy and the girl would grow together, him teaching her how to fend for herself and being self sufficient as best as he could. But they were kids, what do they know how to raise another. His misdeeds became her misdeeds, his breaking and entering, her breaking and entering. They would steal sustenance when they could, but making sure to only take the bare minimum they would need to survive. They know it's wrong, but it's survival that they had on their minds. They would roam together, helping others here and there for food and coin. Sometimes they would just sit and observe the people of Kugane and Doma. Watching how the families act, watching the children play.They try to weave tales based on what they've seen and apply the tales to strangers. But one thing is for certain, people are complicated. They say one thing, do another. They act out, they get away with it. Punishment comes and goes with little reason. Words are no more than stories, right and wrong are sort of up in the air. Kasu'mi and the boy did manage well enough, but the sense of right and wrong, manners, they escaped them both.Later in the years when she was 15, he would be of working age. He volunteered to work and would leave her alone for most of the day. Returning to their hideout in the woods with food, and books. They would work together to learn how to read. It was a simple life, but to her, this was the best thing she's experienced in her short life. Books, tasty food made by professionals, learning something new. She would eagerly await his return and the new book he would bring to her whenever he came home. She would study during the day, and practice her studies. She became adept at using tools. Learning how to build structures, how to sew, and how to hunt. The books he brought were mostly useful and utilitarian. But every year he would bring her at least one story of fable book as a birthday gift.She would be drawn to the fairy tales and would read them so much, the pages and bindings would fall apart. Sooner than later, she would hunt and forage on her own, making sure that a hot meal, a relatively clean abode, and a smile welcomed him. Soon she felt she needed to do more, she would go out and attempt to find work, but she was not prepared to deal with the people.She grew well under the boy's care, her features would start to come in, looking very attractive at her age. This had it's perks, but without a mother to teach the girl and warn her about men, this proved a problem very soon. The boy, now a man, would start to work longer and longer hours. She has found a job, a simple one she could make a few gil with so she understood why he started staying out later. Still, she would make every effort to greet him with a hot meal, a clean abode and a welcoming smile, no matter how tired she was.One day, she returned home early, and it seems someone followed her, she was too enamored and excited to give him a gift of a beautiful necklace that she was saving up to get him. Once she was home, this unsavory person would look around, making sure she was completely alone. His intention was to take her away. A young, impressionable, attractive miqo girl with no family to speak of would fetch a decent sum of gil in certain markets. The man coerced her to let her guard down and come with him promising her a job which pays triple her current earnings. While she doesn't understand this fully, she has seen that more gil tends to get better foods, trinkets and clothing.They wouldn't get too far until the man grabbed her, a sharp pain across her head would render her unconscious. The next thing she would wake up to would be the voice of the one she grew up with. A concerned tone rolling off his words and his gentle touch. She opened her eyes to a gruesome sight. The bad man bloody and broken, the one that she grew up with, bruised and bloody. He would help her up and take her home, it seems that the blood was not his own. They walked in concerned silence until they arrived home. They made sure no one else was following them and that they were safe before speaking to each other. The night was meant to be happy, but became solemn.She would shortly receive a lecture from him on the dangers of men. The hope was that she would become less naive. The lesson received, to a degree. With the physical changes of her body growing into womanhood, her body also exhibited a much more elevated temperature. The markings that were very feint as a child became more defined, and slightly brighter with each year. This meant only one thing to him, he would need to be more cautious and he would need to do better to teach and protect her.
Act 1
What it is to burn...
Kas at this point, barely out of early adolescence would start to attend the thaumaturge guild in an attempt to understand the power she has, and hopefully be able to defend herself. She wasn't strong physically or tall. He also encouraged it because he knew what she did in the past and was starting to realize what is bound within her.She would go and learn the ways of magic for a time. Slowly learning to cast spells with little sucess. When they got home, she would show him what she learned. Him learning by proxy some magic of his own.Once the teachers thought she was ready, she would spar with other student. The first few matches would end unfavorably. She would go home and he would console her. Make her feel better, get her to understand it's ok to lose as long as she did better. Unfortunately she could only cast the most basic tricks and fire based spells.One day during a spar, a student did something he should not have. She was hurt, she called to the fires, and unleashed a burst of energy enough to mortally wound multiple students, and injure the teacher. Nothing as catastrophic as before but a painful reminder of her early years, the trauma and aftermath. She kept her wits about her as best as she could, and ran.She ran for a long time, so long that she found herself alone in a strange area. She would cry and let her frustration go in this empty space. The fires would destroy anything nearby until she lost consciousness. An unknown amount of time has passed. As always he found her, picked her up. And he took her back home to safety.Together they would try to find ways to help her control the power she has but it was not easy. He made her a promise that he will return, and he went to search for a way to help her and understand to the power. Days became weeks, but she knew he would be back. She held him to his word, why would he abandon her now?
ACT 2
Strength of body...
As time went on, she would go and people watch. One day she was approached by a monk, they would speak and she became interested in the lifestyle. Simple, and full of self reflection. Understanding of body, mind and soul.She would heed the trainings, and fully commit. As the days went on, Kasu'mi became stronger, more in tune with herself, more, understanding of the world. She would learn well, and become more physically powerful than her small frame would lead people to believe. More than likely harnessing the power of her fire in order to endow her with physical strength.As promised, he returned to visit her often. They would talk about their days, about their adventures and everything in between. She would search for peace, and control. He would search for ways to help her, to understand her hidden power, the purpose would be unknown to all but him.When the teachers have taught her all they could she would leave on good terms. But the life of a monk is not very lucrative. She would mostly rely on hunting, she would sleep in the open forests and in trees. She survived and was able to sustain herself, but she was never good at cooking and spices were expensive. She would take an odd job of escorting a caravan here and there to save up money for a drink and a meal at taverns. But something was missing. Something more refined, something. That flows.She would tell him this when they met. The mood was light, and jovial, he missed her. One day while they were traveling together, they would come across a bar playing interesting music. A moment of spontaneity, she would sit him down and dance. She would move as if she was slowly sparring with a shadow. She didn't know any better, but one of the meditations that she learned from the monks happened to line up with the music.She felt the music, and the most important person in her life seemed almost hypnotized by her and the music. She saw this, the look in his eyes while she danced made her feel very alive, little did she know that the feeling she felt was a precursor to something more. She enjoyed the attention, she enjoyed how he looked at her.
Act 3
What it is to flow like water...
As Kasu'mi wandered the lands, her odd jobs here and there of guarding a caravan, she has found herself in a tropical setting. The foods the people, the songs spoke to her. On her exploration she would venture out and see what there is to be seen, looking for something shiny to collect. What she came across was something completely different. There were people moving like water, would pop like fire, and would be smooth as a breeze in their movements. She stopped and sat for a little, observing these people.Dancers, captivating, graceful, smooth. She watched as they performed, and was captivated. She remembered how he looked at her when she danced for him that night. She would get caught in that memory for a moment, zoning out and smiling to herself. Someone came over from the group to approach her, and invited her to come closer to the group. She was given a spot to sit and food. They didn't want payment, or anything, just her presence was enough. She watched the dancers gracefully step and move on the stage.Soon the show was over, but she would not move, she would just sit there, stunned by their gracefulness understanding how he felt that one night to a degree. One of the dancers approached her to see if she's ok. They spoke and Kas' interest was made clear. The dancer agreed to help teach Kasu'mi the art of dancing. She listened well, she learned quickly thanks to her monk training. She was enjoying herself and was asked to join the group and travel with them as additional protection.Many lessons and shows later she would feel confident in trying it herself. The next time he visited her, she would show him what she learned. During one of the shows that he joined to watch with her, she would make her move. They sat further away from the performers and crowd. The music still very audible to them despite their distance from the show. She stood up and pulled his gaze to her as she started to dance to the music. Within moments he would smile at her and again she would melt into his gaze. The world evaporated around them as she would step and twirl, spin and glide. Even when the music stopped, she would continue to entertain him with her graceful movements. There was an undeniable feeling between the two that night.
Act 4
Naive performance, curse of beauty...
***SENSITIVE CONTENT. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED***
A few days later, one of the guests at the concert approached her and planted the idea of her dancing at his establishment, she would be compensated with money, lodging and food. She didn't see anything wrong with this so she agreed. On the date mentioned, she entered the establishment and was greeted by another woman who brought her an outfit to wear. Not particularly overjoyed by the bits of cloth and ribbons that are meant to clothe her, she begrudgingly accepted it and put it on. The place seemed to be of a respectable nature.The show began and she did her best. The music and her movements were captivating, the crowd drank every last drop of her performance, and likely the ale. As the night went on she danced and danced, making her way around the establishment to make sure the guests are happy. Most were very receptive and respectful but not all.A few guests made passes at her, some comments bringing her honor into question considering her appearance. The night started great, but over time it became a lot less composed. Offers were made to her by a few patrons to have her dance longer at their table or even on it. She didn't see any issue with it at the time so she would agree.One particular table seemed to have a number of merchants, who seemed to have wanted much more of her attention than most, she would return to that group a couple of times, and that's where things should have stopped. This table became more belligerent, they would motion to her to come closer so they can touch her curves, pull her outfit. She would decline but they would not take no for an answer.One of the members of the group decided to offer her money for a private dance, which she refused. She's on the clock for the venue after all. But he would not back off. He grabbed her and groped her, his friends joined in. She called for help only to realize there was only a handful of people left, all of them asleep at the table. Where was the guard for the event? The owner? At the bottom of a tankard.One of the serving girls tried to come to her aid but she was grabbed by another guest. As they tried to tear the clothing off of both them, Kasu'mi's powers, which have been quiet, re-emerged. Her eyes would glow, her markings did so too. Her body would heat up. The rowdy guests didn't stop their behavior, they just made rude comments. Soon the establishment would burst into flames around her and explode.At the epicenter lay Kasu'mi, barely anything left to cover her other than rubble and ash. Motionless she began to cry. Minutes pass, as she recollects what happened until a familiar voice spoke to her. It was him, her man. Gently she would pick her up, and cover her with his coat. He picked her up and took her somewhere safe, concern for her safety at the top of his mind. She explained what happened and he would get very upset, but once he heard of what happened to the belligerent guests he would calm down. "Good, no one may touch you like that without permission. They deserve their fate, the venue staff as well for failing their duty." She clung to him tightly apologizing for what happened. He reassured her that none of this is her fault.
Act 5
Promises...
As they grew older with each passing year, they both would change and evolve. Being together most of their lives, they had a special bond. Even when they would be apart doing whatever it is that they do, they would always come back to each other.They both learned new skills and would share their experience with each other to a deep level. They had saved up enough money to go to a very nice venue. The night took a more romantic turn than either of them anticipated. They've always been at each other's side in a sense, and they cared very deeply for each other, but in recent years the bond has gotten stronger.They both grew to be very physically fit, strong and attractive. Neither of them would deny this of each other. They knew how the other felt most of the time, and would be so in sync that they could finish each other's thoughts.The server at the venue came by to take their order, Kasu'mi would guess what he wanted and he nodded. He would guess what she wanted and she nodded. The server was mildly surprised and smiled at them. "Wow, you two are such an in-tune couple, how long have you been together?" Kas would respond in a jovial manner, smiling at him and he would nod. The server smiled and went to put their order in. Kasu'mi got up to freshen up and walked by the server, "It'll be a few more moments, by the way, I have to say, your husband is absolutely gorgeous. Make sure to hold on to him or I'll try to take him away." She server said jokingly and giggled. Kas would smile and nod "I plan to." She would respond as she continues forward.She freshens up her makeup and checks her dress and then returns to the table. But the effect of the comment has yet to sink in. "Husband." She said as she sat down, that is when it hit her. Over the course of the meal an odd tone could be heard on her lips as she talked. They never considered what they are together as they got older. After the delicious meal they headed to an inn room. Sleep was on the agenda, but a discussion between the two manifested instead.That night, everything changed, they promised themselves to each other and decided to become wedded.
Act 6
Life as she knew it...
Over the coming years, they grew their knowledge and skill and grew to love each other. He would visit her, but she would not know where to find him. It's almost as if he follows her. This never troubled her, because he was always there when she needed him. Like a promise never broken.Kasu'mi would continue her exploration, her constant attraction to shiny things that draw her attention. One day she found herself in a strange land. She found some derelict structures that didn't quite look right. Strange machinery everywhere, bodies that are mechanical, but nothing that she has seen before. She was interested, very interested. She found some weapons that look like pistols but she wasn't sure what to do with them, not fully. She stashed them for later, maybe they can be of use.As she explored deeper the mysteries and sights would continue to intrigue her. Pretty soon she arrived at some odd looking terminal. Like Allagan or Garlean but different. Different colors, different letters and writing. She finds a notebook that she peruses, it seems to be instructions to do something on the terminal. She shrugged and followed what she could make out to satiate her curiosity.At first, nothing happened but a thought crept up in her mind. "Maybe it needs more power?" She used some of her aether to channel power into the terminal. That was a mistake. A sudden explosion of energy engulfed the facility. The machines came to life for a moment and would subsequently explode. Kas knew this far too well, she did something bad. She grabbed the notebook and something that looked like a modified tomestone and turned to run. The facility buzzing with bad sounds and alarms, pulsating energy and something that goes unnoticed during the panic.As she runs for dear life, clinging to her loot, she sees what could be an exit. Oh how wrong she was. She hopped into the dark doorway, which slammed shut behind her. She finds herself trapped in a small room would begin to glow an ominous purple. The walls erupted into shapes. Symbols pass through Kas's body. "I hope that's all this does but I need to get out of here!" She begins to hit the door, it is ineffective. More symbols pass through her body. And she begins to form an idea "The weapon! Maybe it can blast through the doors?" She removes the weapon, from where she stored it, taps at it and primes it, she pulls the trigger and shoots the door. The blast did nothing to it, but the energy that emitted from the device has caused a reaction in the chamber. The symbols pass through her faster, more erratic.She has no choice, she knows what she must do. She begins to channel the fire within her, her eyes and markings begin to glow, but control is not lost. The chamber seems to feed off of her energy and the walls and symbols move faster and faster, more erratically. Instead of the feeling of release, she feels something reverberate. She drops to cover her head as thoughts, ideas, schematics penetrate her mind. Before long, she loses consciousness.She awakes many hours later in dire pain, body and mind. The door now open, the lab now quiet. She attempts to stand but her limbs don't feel correct, she stumbles and ends up crawling out. She begs for help, but no one can hear her. She struggles to make it out among the debris and detritus of the ruined facility. "Is this where I die?" She asks the atmosphere which ignores her. The world begins to go dark for her again, she calls out his name before it all goes pitch black. "I do not accept my fate, please come for me." She says as she fades away,
Act 7
Lies of appearance, the cost of prejudice...
It's been a while since Kasu'mi has ventured out into the wild. She is still attempting to get used to her new body. As she looks in the mirror, she sees the same eyes and fanged teeth that she's always grown up with. One orange, one Ice blue, pupils like a cat's. But her tail and ears have been replaced to that of a Kitsune. The first time she came near Kugane in this state she was chased out as if she was a demon.She can't go back to her home without a disguise. As she sat and contemplated her new reality, she had the first of very many thoughts appear. A schematic, a design. She begins to scribble in her notebook. Very quickly there's a lot of information going through her mind, how things work, how they work, how it can be improved. For many moments as she draws she focuses and shuts the world out around her.She looked at the odd tomestone she found in that lab and begins to visualize the motions she must take, as well as flashes of incorrect motions. She grabs some tools, the weapon she picked up, and some glamour prisms. She begins her work, unsure what she's doing, but knowing it's something that will make her appear more acceptable to others.After some time and frustration she drops the tools and gazes at the device she just worked on. She pokes at the screen and it comes alive, after some trial and error she was able to get the new modification to function. Somehow this device can detect what she's wanting to do and with a confirmation, her appearance shimmers. "That's odd, what did that do?" She asks, looking herself over. To her, nothing changed. She thinks it's broken but pockets it anyway. She is famished, and could use some tea, maybe that kind viera woman could help her out in her time of want.She begins to put on her cloak and goes to search for her, making sure she is completely covered up as to not draw attention. She stumbles as she walks dropping her notebook, but she is unaware as the crowds seem louder than she's used to.A kindly viera calls her attention to it. He rushes over to pick it up to return it to her. As he gets closer, he reaches out to receive it and thank the man. As she takes a step back she trods on the cloak, ripping it away from her head. Being in Shirogane she prepared for everyone to look at her and chase her out but it never happened. in fact the viera male that returned the book blushed, complemented her on her hair style and smiled.Another pleasant interaction with a food vendor later, she came to see what the device she made did. She looks just like a regular viera! Interested in the reflection the polished mirror gave her, she looked and examined herself. Eyes are the same, teeth are the same, she's still short, but she looks like a normal viera.When she gets back to her apartment, she examines herself and plays with the device, attempting to learn it, she then realizes that she can change outfits, hair colors and her race to some degree. Fascinated by this, she clings to it at all times. Wondering what else she can make it do.
Act 8
[Insert Title]
Coming soon