Shepherd to the Stars

Ashai Arulaq

_{Penned by Alex (she/her)}
_{Crystal > Mateus}
_{MSQ Status: 7.4 Complete}
_{Last Carrd Edit: 02/20/2026}
_{Edit Notes: Added link to The Guiding Star, a small cafe venue (wip)}
_{(this carrd is best viewed on pc)}

BASICS:
Name: Ashai Arulaq
Birthday: 25th Sun of the Third Umbral Moon (6/24)
Star Sign: Cancer
Voice Claim: Harry Hadden-Paton (DA:I British Male Inquisitor)
Theme: "Trials" - Starset
Sexuality: Homoromantic, HomosexualBACKGROUND:
Job: White Mage, Astrologian (Samurai, Dancer)
Hobbies: Traveling, Journaling, Sketching/Artwork
Reputation: Known well among the Conjurer's and Astrologian's Guilds as a mentor. Also well known among the Weaver's, Culinarian's, and Goldsmiths' Guilds.
Family: Qaara of the Echoes (older brother), Tolun Kagon (Father, deceased), Ibakha Kahkol (Mother, deceased).
Birthplace: The Azim Steppe. Grew up in the Buduga tribe, was later adopted into the Arulaq tribe.
Current Residence: Lavender Beds; Ward 8 Plot 18; Mateus

PHYSICAL:
Age: 23 (ARR) - 28 (DT)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180lbs
Hair: Pale White, Straight, Reaches down to mid-back. Occasionally put into a bun or pony tail.
Eyes: White, with dark grey sclera.
Details: Notably shorter than the average male Au'Ra. Often wears heeled boots.PSYCHOLOGICAL:
Moral Alignment: Neutral Good
Positive Traits: Compassionate, Nurturing, Loyal, Creative
Neutral Traits: Soft-spoken, Intuitive, Reserved
Negative Traits: Moody, Blunt, Socially Awkward
Likes: Sunsets, running, sketching, writing, savory and salty foods, fruit-based drinks.
Dislikes: Magitek, Black Mages, rainy days, aggressive people
Fears / Phobias: Absolute darkness, Claustrophobia

HOOKS:
Ashai is no stranger to the Azim Steppe and its inhabitants, having spent much of his early life among the Buduga and Oronir by proxy. He does not look upon his past with them fondly, however. Only the Arulaq, a tribe thought lost for the last 200 years, have Ashai's utmost respect. Any other Xaela are regarded with hesitance and wariness.During his early years in Eorzea, Ashai spent a lot of time in Gridania to learn the way of the Conjurers and expand his talents as a healer. So in tune with the elements was he, that he rose above his peers with an uncanny swiftness. Ashai is now well known among the guild as a mentor to those who are new to the art.As an omnicrafter, Ashai often has a high demand for supplies. Hunting specific monsters for their hides or other ingredients is something he often requires help with, and so he may be in the market for hiring a hunter of the best talent. Alternatively, as a healer, he may need someone to take on the frontlines for him.

LORE:
For the most part, Ashai's origin is a foggy mystery. He knows only what his older brother Qaara told him as a child: They were born into the Kahkol tribe, one of the many Xaela tribes of the Steppe, except theirs was composed of exiles and refugees from various other broken tribes. Their mother had been born and raised among the Kahkol. Their father, Tolun, was among the Kagon, those who travel and hunt only at night, found wounded and lost after a hunt gone wrong by their mother, Ibakha.Feeling like he owed her a life-debt, Tolun chose to remain among the Kahkol while continuing to abide by his birth-tribe's customs. Over time, he and Ibakha grew closer, and eventually had their two sons: Qaara and Ashai.Not long after Ashai was born, Kahkol Illoh was attacked by the Buduga tribe. Both children were kidnapped, and their parents did not survive the attack. Life in the Buduga tribe was different for each of the brothers. Qaara took well to their warrior ways, learning the art of combat from a young age. Ashai on the other hand, was smaller and weaker than his peers. What he lacked in physical strength, he made up for in wisdom and his innate magical abilities, but despite this, he was still shunned by many around his age, barring a handful of tribesmen and his brother.When Ashai was around 14 summers old, he and Qaara were chosen to attend a hunting party through the mountains that formed the border of the Steppe. Reluctantly, Ashai agreed to go, despite having a bad feeling about the whole excursion.While they were out, an argument broke out between Qaara and one of the other members of the Buduga. The argument escalated quickly into a fight, and that fight led suddenly to an avalanche of ice and snow. In the chaos, the brothers were separated.Ashai was later found by a mysterious elder, who pulled him out of the deep snow and brought him to a hidden camp within the mountains, where the previously-thought-lost Arulaq tribe called home. There, he was nursed back to health, and under the Elder's mentoring, Ashai was able to flourish and develop his magical abilities.On his 21st summer, Ashai decided that he wanted to use his abilities to help others, as the Arulaq had helped him; and to search for his older brother, whom he felt in his heart had survived the avalanche that fateful day.Now, Ashai travels the realm, searching for his brother and for new adventures around every corner. Such is the way of an adventurer, after all.

SHIPS:
;There's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be. (Ashai x Narin, @azure-seadragon)
Ship Theme: Bryan Adams - "Here I am"Narin and Ashai grew up together after having both been kidnapped into the Buduga Tribe. Where most of their peers often shunned Ashai for being smaller and weaker than the rest of the men, Narin treated him with respect, and while they harbored vastly different personalities, they became fast childhood friends.It was the year before Ashai's disappearance that he began to form a teen crush on his best friend, though he never had the chance to act on it. Later, the two of them reunited as adults when Ashai returned to the Steppe in time for the Naadam, and while he didn't exactly participate, he did cheer on those who did - namely Narin (even though he was sure the buduga wouldn't win.) When Ashai eventually left the Steppe, Narin decided to travel with him, loathe to lose his friend a second time.It wasn't long, however, when Ashai felt his affection for the man rise again. He realized quickly that it had never faded, and instead only grew stronger the more time they spent together. It was during a visit to Kugane that Ashai confessed his feelings, and the two have been inseperable since.

SHIPS CONT.
;A Dance of the Moon and Stars, to our Song of the Night. (Ashai x Shunbai)It was a chance encounter in Ul'dah that Ashai met the Xaela hunter, Shunbai. In need of a hunter's services, they began their journey as partners in business. As time presses on, however, who's to say that their relationship remains strictly professional?

SHIPS CONT.
;You guide me in, to safety and silence. (Ashai x Enkh, @midnightmagicks)
Ship Theme: Sleep Token - "Telomeres"Ashai could never have known that a brief meeting in the forests of the Shroud would lead to this. Only when he was properly introduced to the Qestir man by Shunbai did he learn the silent stranger's name. His calmness and gentle demeanor was an irresistible lure. One that Ashai had no complaints in having been reeled in...