Bakura Mistmourn

Bakura the Dark Knight
Duskwight cult survivor. Scholar and swordsman. Avenger of the downtrodden.

Early life

Bakura comes from an oppressively isolationist Duskwight Elezen community. A hermetic order of mages and lorekeepers, supposedly developing the ultimate magic and the ultimate philosophy. The echo of the caves, and a focus on study, meant that silence was key to a harmonious existence underground. He came to loathe silence. But his outbursts resulted in beatings. He learned to keep his head in a book, letting its words fill him. But despite all the tomes of his clan's libraries, he was left with questions.

Contact with outsiders was forbidden, but Bakura had snuck out from time to time, and beyond the watch of the compound's sentries. It was there he once met a traveling merchant, and he had a million questions. The merchant humored him, and told him of his trade and of the places he had been. He even gifted Bakura a novel, a popular travelogue of an adventurer out of Limsa Lominsa, whose dalliances in piracy and adventures in the Far East now filled Bakura's head.

His mother's untimely death steeled his conviction to escape from his home. She was not like the rest in his clan, she was warm, interested in people, and somehow loved Bakura's father, despite his coldness. While he wouldn't allow public displays of affection, he seemed eager to spend time with his wife. Bakura later realized that his mother had come from outside the clan, and was actually a Wildwood daughter of Gridania.

When he told his mother what he had learned from the merchant, her heart raced. She explained that she came from a place called Gridania, where Duskwight elves were treated with disdain and mistrust. They were viewed as thieves, betrayers, immoral at their core. She told Bakura that she never agreed with that, and sought to find truth beyond her upbringing.

That was when she met Bakura's father. He was one of the few among his clan trusted with expeditions and dealings with the outside world. He kept his secrets well, and would not betray his order. It was not love at first sight by any means. Bakura's father was stern and businesslike, but his mother noticed something in him, that he was not simply a selfish man, but an idealist. He didn't believe in charity, but he believed in helping others grow stronger.

Bakura's father, at the same time, recognized her interest...

the record from here becomes frantic notes
- but it oculd never work
- but dad made it work because he was a boss and could say shit
- dad had the authority to do something like that
- but people still judged him
- dad brings mom into the clan
- she's treated like shit but still loves him
- he's scrutinized and has to become an outwardly worse person
- they have a son
- dad cannot erase his son's lineage
- people treat bakura like shit
- bakura never understands why
- mom knows she can't be too nice to bakura because if he notices the difference between her values and his clan's values he will cause an uproar and maybe get all of them killed
- dad wants to use magic to ultimately uplift everyone in the black shroud, but can't exactly let on that he cares about people
- mom is murdered (dies under mysterious circumstances) one day
- bakura gets one night of honesty with his dad before he has to leave
- dad has to go full racist and say the most hurtful things he's ever said about his late wife and his son, so that he can maintain his position
- bakura is homeless now, the only person who comforted him is gone forever, and he can never speak to his father again.

His father, while strict and commanding, had a firm belief that his efforts would create a better life for all, not just the advancement of his people, his clan. They realized- (the passage ends abruptly)

Bakura the Scholar

In Limsa Lominsa

The cacophony at first distressed Bakura, but when he realized there was no punishment coming for all the noise being made, he was moved to tears. "Speak up, boy, what's the matter?" said his companion, and that question was like dynamite. In one common utterance, someone had both bid Bakura to *speak up*, and *asked* him about *his* feelings.

In time, Bakura finally felt able to concentrate and relax. The constant noise of the dockworkers, the hawkers, the travelers, the tavern patrons, and underlying it all the pounding of the waves, it all filled the empty space in his brain that used to be filled with terror and anxiety.

de? (and then?)

- Bakura comes from a place of lots of darkness and lots of magic. He realizes there's os much more to the world tho
- He reads bardic tales like he reads spelltomes
- He is inspired by all that he reads

Bakura the Red Mage

Classes

- limsa scholar, rogue
- Scholar, naturally, since he does come from a magical and studious upbringing. Delving the secrets of a "lost" reclusive magical civilization brings him sone sense of control over his own past. The Scholars of Nym used their magic cooperatively with martial fighters, as opposed to being arrogant and power-hungry.
- Rogue, because as much as he disliked being quiet, he's good at it. If he can use that to make things better, he will. He's also acutely aware that he's fulfilling Duskwight stereotypes.
- (Ninja also leverages his magical prowess, but that's a later story)
- ishgard dark knight, astro, machinist,
- Dark Knight is the beginning of him as a force of vengeance. All this darkness and frustration at authority, leveraged with the savage edge of a greatsword.
- Astrology is something his clan would never have been able to practice, so settled in deep caves and dark forests. They believed themselves masters of their destiny, and would not permit something as crass as fortune telling by random chance. Spreading this knowledge for the good of all, to help those suffering, right up his alley.
- Machines fascinate him, especially in mass production. Utilitarian goods to serve the needs of the many, guns to let the oppressed rise up. Magic is too unevenly distributed to bring equality, and even the time to study warfare, martial or magical, is a privilege. Technology can give power to the powerless, as long as the technological leaders make sure it gets into their hands.
- Ala Mhigan red magic.
- Reflects his martial prowess and his omniglot magical talent.
- gunbreaker, its magic plus machines.

He'd love to be a fucking Necromancer. Not afraid to rebel against the laws of nature and cast off the shackles of mortality.
Bakura the Astrologian (comm gift :)
Inspiration meme