Masiko Grimbell

Crystal (NA), MateusRace: Viera, touched by the elementalsFavored Jobs:
Sage and Black Mage; educated in most forms of healingFavored Professions:
Fisher, Alchemist, and GoldsmithPersonality:"Empathy and understanding for the world around us is the first step to gaining true knowledge. There is something to be learned from the smallest minnow and the tiniest insect. You just have to want to understand them first." - Dr. Masiko Grimbell speaking to his students on the first day of a class.In the classroom, Masiko is an excited and sagacious instructor, eager to share his passion for biology (particularly ichthyology) and the practice of healing magics. He aims to be approachable, but because he has a very low tolerance for disrespectful students, he can often comes across as strict.With strangers, Masiko is typically amiable but reserved. Despite being more than willing to jump into any fray to help someone, it often takes time for him to warm up and show his true colors. Amongst friends, he can be loud, boisterous, and sassy, often heard laughing. Getting to know him will reveal a colorful character to say the least.

Early Background:Born in Yyasulani of Xak Tural, Masiko had an innate fascination with the world around him. Having little fondness for the heat of his home, he spent his time near water whenever he could. He was fascinated by that unseen world, and grew into a young naturalist, determined to understand more of the natural worlds secrets. While his unique character made him a bit of a black sheep in the tribe, his family supported him – teaching him how to fish and use basic spells such as cure and blizzard. His passion ultimately drew him to tales of the lands across the sea, and eventually led him to board a boat bound for Eorzea.There, he landed in Limsa Lominsa, filled with excitement for new experiences and adventure. He traveled deeper into Eorzea, picking up odd jobs while offering his services as a fisherman and mage. Unfortunately, he had no idea that he'd landed at the worst time. Not long after arriving in Mor Dhona, the center of Eorzea, Garlemald invaded and attacked the city. With little to offer in defense against the magitek army, Masiko watched the dreadnaught Agrias fly on the city before being evacuated from Mor Dhona - only to end up lost in the Black Shroud following the ships destruction and the chaos that ensued.Masiko had read about the Black Shroud previously, and heard stories of the elementals wrath, but knew little else, becoming truly lost. He was ignorant of the ways of the wood and the expectations of the elementals. Despite his respectful nature for the woods, he did not practice nor know of the contract all who entered should respect, and thus began accumulating woodsin making campfires and navigating the maze of trees. The elementals growing mix of ire and interest in this strange new arrival to the woods led to them trying to claim him as a wildling - a beast enthralled to the service of the elementals.His luck finally turned when he was saved by a wood witch - a lone conjuror by the name of Vivienne. The mysterious Elezen was able to perform the requisite rituals to save Masiko from the control of the elementals, but she could not reverse the changes to his corporeal aether they had wrought. Now with horns and animalistic legs, the faun-like viera found himself indebted to the woman who saved his life. Of course, she would have none of it - Vivienne was as capricious as she was kind, and only begrudgingly allowed Masiko to stay with her.Over the next 10 years, she helped him develop his natural skill for magic while educating him on the ways of the land of Eorzea, and even began to see him as an adopted son of sorts. He learned that in the past, she had served as a Hearer for Gridania, but having had enough of the cities xenophobic internal squabbling, she chose to live the life of a hermit. They’d spent ages trying to find her, but somehow, the elementals seemed to shield her from the city’s view.

A Realm Reborn:Following the fall of Dalamud in 1572, Vivienne saw that it was time for Masiko to leave her nest and find his place in the world again. She had taught him enough conjury and astromancy to find an easy place amongst the city’s guild, so with a gruff push out the door, she sent him on his way. Despite her refusal to admit it, seeing him leave was one of the hardest things she had done in decades. Masiko still remembers her surprisingly solemn wave in the distance when he finally looked back, having feared her wrath if he turned too soon.As instructed, he joined the Conjurors guild in Gridania. His stay did not last long, however, as Masiko grew to wonder how just how much Vivienne’s presence kept the elementals in check…after leaving, he constantly felt watched in the Black Shroud. Despite his aptitude for conjury, his wilden nature generated a lot of interest amongst both the people and the elementals – becoming a concern for both the city and himself.Longing for the sight of the sea anyways, he decided it was in his best interests to leave for Limsa Lominsa, where he joined the Fisherman’s and Arcanist’s Guilds. It was here that he met his lifelong partner, and later husband, Vincent Grimbell. Diving offshore, Vincent bravely jumped overboard to try and rescue who he thought was drowning...in truth, Masiko was lost in a fit of excitement over recording a rare fish. In a comical moment of misunderstanding, the two were brought together. Masiko ended up healing Vincent’s wounds and found his place more and more as backup for the mercenaries’ endeavors around the city.Over time, Masiko’s scholarly interests expanded, and he applied to join the Studium in Sharlayan. There, he became an accomplished teacher and researcher - even becoming a proficient user of somanoutics and earning the title of sage – before finding himself disillusioned with the school’s policies, eventually returning to his position with the Fishermans Guild in Limsa Lominsa after graduating. Following the resolution of the End Days, he formally returned to Sharlayan and took up a position as an instructor – offering classes in biology and aetherology.He continues to maintain a free lifestyle - pursuing his scholarly interests, working with his guildmates, and now offering classes at the Studium. While he regularly writes to Vivienne and occasionally visits, he remains in Limsa and Sharlayan unless called upon by his friends. It has been ages since he visited home and even longer since he received a letter…lately he questions if it is time for a homecoming.

DuskWatch:During his travels, he and Vincent met and formed an unbreakable bond with Khiwi Mala - together forming the Free Company Duskwatch. The trio use their free company to explore ruins, seek riches, and serve the people where and when they can. Between healing Vincent’s wounds and saving his friend Khiwi from certain death when they jump headlong into danger, he often has his hands full, but gets plenty of practice using his magical skills. He favors somanoutics and thaumaturgy – a firm believer in a strong maim and mend battle strategy. Given his water loving inclinations, his spells often take on aspects of water and nature, looking like a mix of forceful gouts, healing mist, and savage frost. He prefers to serve as the company healer – but as both Vincent and Khiwi have seen – he has a wicked skill with thaumaturgy. It can make him quite the terror on the battlefield – both for his opponents and for Khiwi and Vincent to keep him safe.

His Husband - Vincent GrimbellMasiko and Vincent became eternally bonded on the 20th day of the 5th astral moon (September 20th). Having fallen fast for one another after their initial meeting, the two began traveling together as companions and mercenaries at first - Vincent often needing patching up after different assignments and oh so conveniently calling on Masiko's aid. Now they are an inseparable pair - a call for one will usually have the other not far behind.

Pets:Masiko is often accompanied by his closest partners Noare and Carpillius – a local Limsan seabird and giant crackclaw crab he befriended during his work with the Fishermans Guild. The bird serves as his constant companion in the field. Persnickety and mischievous, Noare often delights in stealing the goodies Khiwi so carefully tries to hid among the guilds backpacks while occasionally tormenting Vincent out of jealousy over Masiko’s attention. Despite his size, Carpillius is the much more even tempered of the two companions, serving as Masiko’s riding mount and friend, enjoying watching the sunset as much as traveling across the beach.