C'tahj Ayah'zi

༺☾☼☽༻

"Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained"

Race: Sun+Moon Miqo'te
Birthplace: Central Shroud
Age: Mid 30's by SHB
Gender: Cis Male
Sexual Orientation: Pansexual
Spoken Languages: Common/Huntspeak
Height: 6ft
Eye color: Amber
Hair Color: Dark Brown/Tan
Body Type: Lean / Althetic
Notable Features: Forehead Tribal Mark
Scars: Broken Collarbone
Nameday: 20th Sun of the 6th Umbral Moon (Dec/21st)
Profession: Hunter for Hire / Dancer
Voiceclaim: Jim Pirri
DC/World: Crystal / Coeurl
Updated : Oct 13th 2022

Character Theme Song:
Chrono Cross: Time's Scar

○ Background ○

Born and raised in the Central Shroud East of Bentbranch, C'tahj was raised by his Seeker Father and 2 Keeper Mothers. In his Tribe, he grew up alongside 8 older brothers and 1 younger sister.With so many older brothers vying for the role of Lead Hunter, competition was rife among them, always testing to see who could slay the biggest game and claim the title.One night, he goes out on his own with the intent on taking down and bringing home the biggest mark by dawn to prove his worth, and only after many failed attempts, heads home dispirited and empty-handed.While making the journey home, he overhears adventurers warning one another to exercise caution when venturing near Naked Rock.He races back to his village, only to find the settlement destroyed. The remnants of a hard-fought battle between his Clan and a Terrible Beast were all that remained.With no family and no home to return to, he adopts the life of a traveling hunter, and treks across Eorzea searching for purpose, connections, and the Beast responsible for the fall of his Tribe.

○ Personality ○

Positive TraitsNegative Traits
Ambitious, Outgoing, Curious, Optimistic, Idealistic, Compassionate, Open-mindedSelf-critical, Spiteful, Reckless, Impulsive, Stubborn, Gullible
LikesDislikes
Travelling, New Experiences, Campfire Cooking, Hard Liquor, Cannabis, Affectionate encounters, Dancing, Honeybuns, Life stories,Staying in one place too long, Arrogance, Theives, Bitter Food, Smugness, Needlessly Cruel People, Poor Hygeine, "No animals allowed"

Adventurous and ever the thrillseeker, C'tahj has learned that life is far too fleeting to pass up on the offer to seize every new and exciting opportunity.While Tahj may try to calculate his next move with the efficacy of a cunning Hunter, he tendsto have a bit of difficulty toeing the line between thinking clearly on his next move, or acting impulsively when in the face of a novel experience, the latter often taking precedent. Alas, nothing ventured, nothing gained.People are an experience and while he may embark on solo ventures and travel alone, C'tahj intends to make contact wherever he finds himself whether it be for business or pleasure. Friends both platonic and romantic can expect to be cherished deeply should they make a connection with him.Warm and welcoming is what friends can expect should they fall into his line of sight, followed by his peculiar greeting methods reserved for those closest to him.

While willing to give the benefit of the doubt, an unlucky few may expect cold indifference or perhaps an arrowshaft between the eyes if provoked. Such is reserved for those who have crossed him one too many times, or who are out for his blood.Due to his competitive upbringing, C'tahj tends to act out of spite if he is challenged or doubted, and will go to great lengths to prove his naysayers wrong.Beneath his outgoing and lighthearted disposition, C'tahj hides the greif and fears that go hand in hand with inheriting the title of Sole Survior. His fear of returning to the star with nothing to show for his time upon it, and the grief that fuels his drive to avenge those he's lost as he seeks out his ultimate quarry keeps him from lingering in one place for too long.As a result, and despite the relationships he may form along the way, it'll never be long before he is on the road again with every intent to make his mark upon the world and avenge his loved ones, lest he and his story be forgotten to the whims of time.

○ Hooks ○

Split the Reward
You'll find Tahj frequenting the hunt board for some of the highest ranking marks out there. He's unlikely to outright relinquish the prize if your set on taking it for yourself, but perhaps a compromise and a collaboration are in order.
Employer in tow
If you need something done, you may have to do it yourself. But perhaps in order to do so, you just need an extra pair of hands to help with the heavy lifting, and someone who can hang your six if the environment is particularly hostile.
Simple pleasures
Behind a billowing plume of smoke obscures a weary hunter looking to recline and relax at a tavern, inn or venue. Join him for a round or two, or partake with one of his most treasured vices. Talk of your triumphs of today and your dreams of tomorrow, a second hand experience never goes unappreciated.
City State Softstepper
When the hunting is scarce, Tahj is likely to be found showcasing his dancing skills in the city states, or will be advertising himself for the local entertainment venues. Perhaps you have caught a glimpse of him in the city states or on nearby marketboards and are willing to offer him your patronage.
A night under the stars
You've stumbled upon the hunter's temporary encampment and your between destinations. A safe spot to rest for the evening is all your looking for and various topics of conversation ties you over into morning, or perhaps you have arrived with a more malicious intent.

○ Relationships ○

Characters listed below belong to me unless stated otherwise

RivalfamiliarFriendFWBLover
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Rhel Himura
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

When traveling to Kugane, Tahj found himself the furthest away from home than he'd ever been. In a foreign land, with no concept of local law or where to hunt for himself, had it not been for Rhel, Tahj would have surely starved had he been left to his own devices when dining in Kugane.Having never used foreign eating utensils in his life, but determined to learn, Tahj found himself struggling when a silent albeit observant twin-tailed Vierako'te took notice, a gentle hand choosing to guide him in more ways than just a proper grip.Together they traversed throughout Kugane, Yanxia and Doma, eventually finding themselves at the hidden borders of Rhel's homeland, an ever-shifting spirit world teetering on the edge of the void where curses and a voidsent touched population thrive.Rhel belongs to @DancinNekomata

Sammy
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♡

Widely regarded as a nuisance to the most well off merchants, Tahj was ordered to track him down and turn him into local authorities to answer for his petty crimes. What Tahj found however couldn't have been further from the widespread allegations. A man with the biggest heart and a mountainous physique to match, Tahj was quick to disregard the rumors and embrace this fearsome fighter as an ally and a good friend.However, there lies a devastating truth that would shatter the foundations of the friendship between the two.To this day, Tahj remains oblivious that his dear friend is the same Feral Beast responsible for destroying the village he once called home.Sammy Belongs to @bunboisammyAdditional Relationship info

Khuja'a Akhabilah
♥ ♥ ♥ ♡ ♡

Appearing seemingly out of nowhere as if an answer to a prayer, Khuja'a serves as a Father Figure to Tahj, readily available to offer his aid in times of need.This mysteriously wealthy Keeper always seems to have something C'tahj requires to help him on his Travels, be it his fatherly advise, maps, Magick imbued Trinkets, or arcane knowledge.Although far older than he claims to be, Khuja'a can always be conviently found living his best life at Clubs, Taverns and Venues, likely chatting with his favorite Barkeep and Venue Owner, A'veroh.

A'veroh Tia, AKA: Avery Vereaux
♥ ♥ ♡ ♡ ♡

An old Proprietor that owns several entertainment venues throughout Eorzea, Thavnair and the Far East.Although a man who takes great Pride and Care in both his establishments and staff members, Avery has no qualms selling Vices and Escapism to his target audience in exchange for his Lavish lifestyle.C'tahj knows him well as both Khuja's closest confidante, but also the man more than willing to offer him temporary employment as a Dancer when the hunting becomes sparse.Very few know of his past save for those gifted with Arcane Magicks or the Echo. i.e Khuja'a, his favorite and most loyal Patron.The two are seldom seen without the other.

○ Ancient Ties ○

Handlers of the ancient Aurora Tribe dwelled on the unsundered Star before the summoning of Hydaelyn and Zodiark. These commendable Beastmasters were originally tasked with overseeing the Ethereal Beasts that stemmed from the creation magicks of the Amaurotines.When Hydaelyn was summoned, she created the Aurora Tribe as the answer to Zodiarks disciples. The Beastmasters took it upon themselves to help manage the potentially dangerous powers these creatures possessed, and eventually, a Spirit Bond was formed. This Bond granted them the ability to summon the Beasts of Hydaelyn in their Primal forms should the need arise.Being a direct threat to Zodiark and his thralls, the unsundered Acsians feared that The Aurora would inevitably wipe them out, and so Emet-Selch worked to sever their ties to Her.With the Tribe now under Ascian influence, they turned the Beasts on their former Handlers and were ordered to exterminate them, fearing that they would attempt to summon their Primal forms and destroy Zodiark and His following.After their star became sundered, the Aurora had been unleashed countless times across the 13 shards in an attempt to exterminate their former handlers. The last member of the Aurora Tribe, Shyel (Sammy), was inevitably set upon the settlement belonging to C'tahj Ayah'zi, who's Tribe lived as the recent generation of Beastmaster Descendents.Having been absent during the attack, C'tahj became the sole survivor of the Black Shroud C Tribe. He carried on and eventually met Sammy in his unassuming form.With Shyel being the last remaining member of the Aurora Tribe, incapable of controlling his powers thanks to Ascian involvement, and C'tahj, a shard of the Beastmasters once responsible for overseeing the Aurora, the two have yet to discover their dormant powers to call upon Shyel's Primal form and lay waste to Zodiark and his disciples.

○ The Black Shroud C Tribe ○

The Origin of the Shroud Sept C Tribe began with Tahj's father who was a failed contestant against the Nunh of a Thanalanian C tribe. It was a close call, so instead of revoking his place within their Tribe and casting him out entirely, told him to expand their territory with only his Hawk and Chocobo to his name.

While scouting the Black Shroud, he was ambushed by the same two Keeper Women that would eventually capture his heart and see him father 9 sons and 1 daughter.

Once they became an established settlement, they welcomed peaceful passerbys in need of rest or care. At the height of their rein, they became renowned from being both skilled hunters, and for their diligent care of the weary and downtrodden until they could find their feet. Some never left. And those who came with ill intent seldom lived to tell the tale.

The main members of the C Tribe made their living predominantly through hunting and selling off their meat to local butchers and tools crafted from the bones of their kill. Their blades and arrowheads becoming a commodity to the local hunters looking for quality crafted weapons

Flanked by the main members of the Tribe were their faithful avian companions, hunting hawks and Draught sized Black Chocobos bred to keep to a time honored tradition of gifting their young hunters when they came of age, so that they may embark on solo Hunts

While some tried to offer a sizeable amount of Gil, the selling or trading of their avian hunting companions was non negotiable, and anyone caught trying to raid their rookery were not only met with an arrowshaft between the eyes, but had their carcasses fed to their birds

Another recognizable feature of the main members of the C Tribe were their distinguishing forehead tattoos, a tradition Tahj's father brought from the original C tribe bestowed upon the young hunters when they came of age.

The sons of the tribe never strayed too far from their settlement and saw to the well-being and prosperity of their extended families with each of the sons contributing by either hunting game, gathering textiles or crafting their prize earning tools of the trades.

Having been born from the union of both Sun and Moon, the parents saw that certain traditions from both of their clans remain intact. Despite the number of sons, their tribe remained that of a Matriarchal dominated society, the sons raised to favor the word of women in power

On the other hand, the naming of their children had a mix of both Sun and Moon naming conventions, the C prefix preceding their given name, their last names consisting of their mothers forename followed by the suffice indicating the order of their birth between the two Mothers.

When the single solitary Daughter of their Tribe was born, it was grounds for a celebration across the settlement, the future Matriarch of their Tribe had finally come after over a decade and 9 sons.

The brothers had been raised to help rear their younger siblings and so when C'thala finally came around, she had 9 older brothers to answer to her every whim or need, and under the guidance of her brothers, quickly rose in proficiency with a bow and arrow despite her young age.

Tahj, having been the youngest for so long, was the one who doted upon her the most, though given his track record of being a subpar Hunter among his Brothers, taught her everything he knew and strived to achieve, and quickly found his younger sister out perform him at every turn

She exhibited all of the qualities of a remarkable Hunter, and many looked forward to day the young girl would inherit their settlement as Head Matriarch. Alas, Ascian meddling would see a premature end to the short lived prosperity of the Black Shroud C Tribe.

Struggling to establish himself as a useful member of their Hunting groups, Tahj went out of his way one wintery night intending to prove himself worthy of their Tribe's prestigious title, but returned to a wasted settlement, inheriting the title of "sole survivor"

It was that night that the Settlement Tahj had called home his entire life had been decimated by a terrible Beast, a Monster possessed by the Ascians to eradicate descendants of The Ancient Beast Masters, fearful that they would awaken to their dormant powers and command the weapons of Hydaelyn once again.

○ Family Tree ○

The Parents

C'tuhlu Tia
Deep in the South of the Sagolii Desert, a hard fought battle for the title of Nunh came to an end. C'tuhlu Tia anticipated exhile after his defeat, but due to his admirable tenacity in battle, instead of being cast out, he was given a second chance to remain a member of the C Tribe by agreeing to expand upon their territory. Thus began his journey to the Black Shroud.
Ayah and Zana
The two lovers that would later become the mothers of his children had been tracking his every move since he'd crossed the boarders of Thanalan. By the time he finally found himself settling on the hillside of their seemingly abandoned settlement in the Shroud, Ayah (left) and Zana (right) were closing in on their new found interest. Upon his capture, it did not take long for C'tuhlu to divulge the reasoning behind his arrival, and the two offered him an ultimatum to guarantee his survival under the Canopy; tag along, or risk being swallowed whole by the creatures of the Shroud.

The Siblings

C'verith Ayah'a
C'verith Ayah'a, first born son of the Shroud C Tribe. He was the first to have pride in taking care of all that followed instilled in him at a young age. And in true Big Brother fasion, loved and doted upon all his younger siblings.
C'lirah Zana'to
C'lirah Zana'to, 2nd born Son of the C Tribe, and while not exactly confident in helping raise younger siblings, would try his best regardless and celebrate the little successes of teaching them something new.
C'zaroh Ayah'li
C'zaroh Ayah'li, 3rd born son of the C Tribe, and appointed Avian Tamer. His love of Birds of all sorts led him to taking up the role at a young age and spent his life dedicated to raising both the Tribes Chocobos and Hunting Hawks
C'tanah Zana'sae
C'tanah Zana'sae, 4th born son to the C Tribe, and loveable troublemaker. Troublesome in the sense that he would often times reward the birds for no other reason than them being in his line of sight instead of hunting for it themselves.
C'ajin Ayah'ra
C'ajin Ayah'ra, 5ft born son to the C Tribe. While he preferred the solitude that often accompained gathering on his own, he could never escape the hungry gaze of his faithful bird.
C'marah Zana'ir
C'marah Zana'ir, 6th born son to the C Tribe. Whatever the others hunted or gathered, C'marah was able to turn it into something divine. Even Travelers passing by were willing to pay a pretty gil in exchange for his hearty culinary skills.
C'iishun Ayah'wo
C'iishun Ayah'wo, 7th born son of the C Tribe. This fearsome gatherer would fight tooth and nail if it meant proving himself. Forgoing the Bow and Arrow in favor of a hatchet and axe, he works hard to supply the tribe with all their woodworking and tactile needs
C'xela Zana'ya
C'xela Zana'ya, 8th born son to the C Tribe and current Lead Hunter. His Tracking and tactical skills caught the attention of both his Father and Eldest who commended his abilities. But with such a prestigious title often came butting heads with his brothers over the role
C'tahj Ayah'zi & C'thala Zana'tan
C'tahj Ayah'zi, 9th born and youngest son of the C Tribe, and C'thala Zana'tan, 10th born and the C Tribes only daughter and future Matriarch. Tahj was overjoyed when his little sister was born, and vowed to help raise and protect her with his life.