Rikinosuke Endouji
The Crimson Monk and Ardent Sun of the East
A man born from two separate lands
Rikinosuke wasn’t born in Eorzea. Rather, he came from the Far East, specifically in the isolated city state of Kugane in Hingashi. Turns out that the Highlander is born from a mixed breed of a Hingan woman and Ala Mhigan man. Unfortunately, his mother had passed away after his birth. At a young age, Rikinosuke took up melee from his dad and was skilled in both physical fighting as well as fighting with a spear. His father shared about the life he’s had before coming to the Far East. He hopes that one day he can show Rikinosuke that life as well. 5 years ago, his father left Hingashi to head to Eorzea to help with the Calamity, but wasn't heard from again. Having some hope that he would still be alive, Rikinosuke was determined to go to the unknown land. After getting some well-earned advice from foreigners (one in particular being from a blue haired Hyur he bonded with) and raising money for his journey, he eventually made his way to Eorzea to find his missing father.
Profile
Gender: Male
Age: 28 (A Realm Reborn - Stormblood), 29 (Shadowbringers, Endwalker)
Height / Weight: 6 fulms, 5.5 ilms / 231 ponze
Hair color: Platinum Blonde
Eye color: Amber
Namedate: Born on the 6th Astral Moon 20th Sun
Patron Deity: Rhalgr, the Destroyer
Race: Hyur (Highlander)
Alignment: True Neutral
Orientation: Homosexual
Relationship Status: dating Selenio
Birthplace: Kugane
Nationality: Hingan, Ala Mhigan
Affiliation: Scions of the Seventh Dawn, Immortal Flames & Ala Mhigan Resistance (both temporarily)
Profession: Adventurer, Hunter, Craftsman
Main Jobs: Warrior Monk (dual-class of Monk & Dragoon), Warrior
Personality
Rikinosuke is a man who initially looks gruff and intimidating, but is really laid back when one gets to know him. He is quite honest; sometimes a little too much to the point where he doesn’t mince his words regardless of who. He's somewhat cynical and would usually keep people at distance until he’s more certain and comfortable around them. As an adventurer, he enjoys his life free to explore the world. Of course, he’s not ignorant to the harsh realities of it either, he’d rather go the pragmatic route and not involve himself with things that don’t concern him. However with good reason, Rikinosuke will devote himself to the cause of another if he believes they’re good for it.
Over the course of his time in Eorzea, he’s become more caring and considerate of others. He values his friendship with both the Scions and especially Selenio. While he struggles slightly with expressing his deeper feelings, he makes up for it through kind gestures instead. Despite Rikinosuke being emotionally reserved, he can have his moments when he’s had outbursts or hits people, but usually in a light, comedic setting. However, his anger isn't one to be taken lightly. Especially when someone were to trigger by harming or threatening someone truly dear to him, Selenio being the prime example
Likes: Fighting and exercising, traveling, Griffins, Oriental aesthetics, drinking (particularly Kotokaze's junmaishu)
Dislikes: lack of freedom, mood killers, liars, dealing with stubborn children, placing emphasis on his origins, handouts
5 fun facts about Rikinosuke
Rikinosuke is oddly skilled at crafting despite not having any initial training in it. He's pretty versatile; trying all the crafting classes and making money on the side for it. He wants to make a house for himself and Selenio someday.
CAN NOT be trusted around a sword! He's uncannily clumsy and cause utter havoc when using a sword-based class (PLD, DRK, RDM, or SAM)
Managed to combine the Monk and Dragoon classes by Shadowbringers and can easily shift between either one when fighting.
Has a pet True Griffin named Kumo (meaning "cloud" in Hingan). Due to his avid love for griffins, Rikinosuke was really determined to taming one, only to have his first couple attempts to fall in failure and frustrated tears.
His most distinctive trait is his big ol' eyebrows! Rikinosuke has kept them unshaven when in contrast to tradition for male Highlanders to do so. (He never knew that was a thing in Eorzea)
Relationships
Alderik Redsteele & Tsubaki Endouji
Relationship: Father (deceased), Mother (deceased)
Adelrik is an Ala Mhigan man who left Gyr Abania in secrecy sometime before its fall to Garlemald. He got caught up along the way west to Eorzea and got lost in the Far East. His voyage landed him in Hingashi, where he met Rikinosuke's mother, Tsubaki. Tsubaki was willing to help the foreigner and live his life in Kugane. The two ended up falling in love and later having Rikinosuke. Unfortunately, Tsubaki passed away after her son's birth, leaving Adelrik to take care of him. In her honor, he gave Rikinosuke her family name and the birth name they were considering along the way.
For the most part, Rikinosuke’s relationship with his father was more or less okay. Aside from some tough love, Adelrik made sure that his son was happy and healthy. He did of course asked his father of Ala Mhigo and why he left. He learned of the history from his father’s perspective and wonders if he’d ever visit that place or even see it free one day.
The truth behind Adelrik's departure and Rikinosuke's name gets explained further. Turns out that Adelrik did leave Gyr Abania, but reason being he saw no difference in helping the Resistance against the Mad King and left. He later felt guilt of leaving his brethren when he heard that Ala Mhigo had fallen to Garlemald. When he had Rikinosuke, he deliberately gave his son his wife's maiden name and a Hingan name to avoid anyone connecting the dots of his origins in the future. Turns out Adelrik was alive after the Calamity, but was suffering from a sickness that was slowly killing him. The man nonetheless had followed Rikinosuke's journey from afar. Once his son reached Gyr Abania, he left him one last message that was found in the Lochs explaining everything that happened before passing away.
Selenio Silbermann
Relationship: Best Friend, now Lover
The two met 5 years ago after the Calamity in Eorzea. Selenio arrived to Kugane and stayed for a couple day to learn about the Far Eastern land of Hingashi. When Selenio came to the Shiokaze Hostelry. Kotokaze insisted that Rikinosuke help Selenio with a tour of the city. While initially he felt unmotivated in doing it, Selenio insisted that he’d pay him handsomely for it. Reluctant to turn the offer down, Rikinosuke shows him around. Selenio talks about his travels throughout the world as well as his steady progress in both his art and mage skills while getting past his own ordeal. Somehow Rikinosuke felt inspired by Selenio’s story that he even reconsidered going to Eorzea. After bidding goodbye to Selenio and keeping in touch as pen pals.
Over the time they reunited in Eorzea, Rikinosuke got to learn more of Selenio better, going on adventures and helping him on his quests. Even before learning of his friend's identity as the Warrior of Light, he still treated him like a regular person; giving him hell and making sure that he rests even when he feels like he doesn't need it. Despite their seemingly clashing personalities, the two get along and support each other through their hardships. Of course, there has been times when the monk acts more like his bodyguard rather than friend, and for reasoning being because of guilt for not being there for him when it was dire. In the later events occurring in Stormblood, their relationship began to get closer than friends. After the liberation of Ala Mhigo, the two confess their love for each other and began dating.
Raubahn Aldynn
Relationship: Good Friend, Mentor, Father figure
Aside from Selenio, Raubahn was the only who Rikinosuke genuinely trusted when he first arrived to Eorzea. After accidently helping Ul'dah countless times, the monk was in the good grace of the Sultana and General. He reconsiders the offer of joining the Flames for the time being under the condition that he was given more info on Eorzea in whole. The General can agree that Rikinosuke was initially a handful, stating he was "a man who's main talents were sarcasm and his fists".
To everyone's surprise, Rikinosuke had stated he looks up to Raubahn; having the qualities that he lacks or at least hasn't reached yet. He sees a little of a father figure in the General as well, even taking his advice and orders with respect. In a softer note, Raubahn has been one to first-hand witnessed Rikinosuke's secret goofier side; noticing the monk's novel amazement in griffins, his friendly yet childish outbursts with Pipin when they're off duty, and unfortunately, his inability to properly wield a sword-like weapon without causing damage. After learning of Adelrik's demise and legacy, Rikinosuke didnt say anything to anyone except the General; consoling the monk when he started to break into tears.
Kotokaze
Relationship: Good friend and former employer
Kotokaze is a good friend of his father's. Kotokaze was willing to take care of Rikinosuke in Adelrik's absence to help in the crisis going on in Eorzea. The two have a brother sister relationship; the monk sometimes acting up and being a bit rowdy at times, and Kotokaze keeping him in check both in behavior and physically. She was the one who gave a him a job in the Shiokaze Hostelry and had him help Selenio when he first arrived to Kugane 5 years ago.
Estinien Varlineau
Relationship: Friendly rival
Rikinosuke's initial meeting with Estinien was rocky. Considering the Azure Dragoon was not thrilled at the fact that Rikinosuke was a mere adventurer learning the job, Rikinosuke did feel rather annoyed. They tried to at least see eye to eye after Rikinosuke helped Estinien from not losing control once he secured Nidhogg's eye. Although through the first half of Heavensward Rikinosuke was noticeably absent from Ishgard and Dravania, the monk made it up to him by joining forces with him in Azys Lla and saving his life again after Nidhogg possessed him. After Estinien gives up his title, so does Rikinosuke, stating the Azure Dragoon title should be given to one whose heart if for the people of Ishgard.
The two have shown to have lots of common ground; their initial cynical and rough personalities and being very strong in the ways of the Dragoon (Estinien's is more Coerthan style, while Rikinosuke's is more Ala Mhigan). While being rivals, the two are pretty chummy with each other; sharing stories of their travels with each other, learning of each other's cultures in depth, and sparring together when times allow it. It was later learned that it was Rikinosuke who entrusted Estinien in going to the Ghimlyt Dark beforehand so he can help Selenio in the event something were to happen to him.
Arenvald Lentinus
Relationship: good friend
When Rikinosuke joined the Scions, he got along with Arenvald the most considering they share common ground being both Echo users and half Ala-Mhigan. While they may not be related, the two look awfully close for it. During the Stormblood chapters and onwards, Rikinosuke became a big brother figure for Arenvald; teaching him the ropes on how to fight against Primals with his echo, helping him with his relationship with Fordola, and giving him motivational support when he got injured in Post- Shadowbringers.
Fist of the Destroyer
Starting from learning from his father to joining the Pugilist’s Guild in Ul’dah, Rikinosuke is well known for his prowess in the ways of the Fist. In addition to using his fists for assisting the Warrior of Light with protecting the realm, he’s also one to be challenged by other of the same discipline. Sometimes even give pointers for those who want to rekindle the previously forgotten teachings of Rhalgr’s Fist.
Crimson Sunrise
Rikinosuke’s other half hails from Kugane. Having been born and raised in the Far East, he’s got a better idea about the land as well as the culture. If you’re traveling or just curious of his maternal homeland, Rikinosuke is your man. Also he’s got some knowledge to share regarding the Ruby Sea as well
Ala Mhigo's Lost Son
He wasn't originally welcome by the natives due to not understanding the struggle of his brethren and his mixed culture. However, after being a grand participant in liberating Ala Mhigo and helping with the Restoration afterwards, he was viewed on more favorably by the people; even some showing him the culture he's been recently been introduced to.
Hello hello! Thanks for reading! I’m Soraba, a 26 year old working an everyday job while pursuing my true passions in graphic design and writing.
On the side, I’m also into playing video games, but mainly FFXIV. In terms of availability, I’m usually on the game around the evening to late night hours, weekday or weekend. I’m always up for reading and sharing stories of their OCs and WoLs, so don’t be afraid to shoot me your ideas! I can do regular RPs, Mature or ERPs (I've got an F-list too, ask me) and ideally hope that it can be LTs too. If you’d like to discuss more in person, please DM me on Tumblr, on Discord (Soraba #3838) , or online in FFXIV (Crystal DC, Coeurl server)
Now keep in mind, while it does say that Rikinosuke is in a relationship, it's just with my other OC, Selenio. Since I can't play as both my characters in game simultaneously, just go the idea that he is single.
Also please be at least 18+ when you contact me. Thanks! 👍