Ok, so on the drive home, I had an idea that I really like that will play more on the supernatural aspects of her character. The idea is that her shrine was built to house a powerful oni (voidsent) that local legends say ravaged the area 1000 or so years ago. The creature had been sealed away in a box (or maybe an urn) by Ryoko's ancient ancestors then placed in a closed off area of the shrine which is dedicated to the local Kami. It was the job of the priests and priestess who came after to look after the seal and renew the wards.
When the Doman rebels attempted to drive out the Empire, a stray blast from a magitek armor or perhaps a rebel mage found its way into the shrine, breaking the seal on the voidsent thereby releasing it. In revenge for its imprisonment, it intended to wipe out all the descendants of those who sealed it away.
It managed to devour Ryoko's parents before they could respond. Ryoko's and her sister, Shizuka, fought the beast, but were no match. Using the last of her power, Shizuka managed to drive off the voidsent, who had not yet recovered from its imprisonment. Unfortunately, she was mortally wounded in the process and died in her sister's arms. Ryoko then swore to avenge her family and fulfill her duty by finding and either destroying or resealing the beast.
Shortly after, the Empire began its razing of Doma so Ryoko left with the other refugees for Eorzea. Since the voidsent was still in a weakened state, she believed it would posses a mortal host and travel there as well since Eorzea was said to be overflowing with spiritual power (aka aether).
I feel like this backstory would play to the strength of Ryoko's "mystical archer Miko" archetype and relieve some of the overdone Garlean hate. Of course, she still holds a great dislike for them, but not to the same level as before. So, what do you guys think?
When the Doman rebels attempted to drive out the Empire, a stray blast from a magitek armor or perhaps a rebel mage found its way into the shrine, breaking the seal on the voidsent thereby releasing it. In revenge for its imprisonment, it intended to wipe out all the descendants of those who sealed it away.
It managed to devour Ryoko's parents before they could respond. Ryoko's and her sister, Shizuka, fought the beast, but were no match. Using the last of her power, Shizuka managed to drive off the voidsent, who had not yet recovered from its imprisonment. Unfortunately, she was mortally wounded in the process and died in her sister's arms. Ryoko then swore to avenge her family and fulfill her duty by finding and either destroying or resealing the beast.
Shortly after, the Empire began its razing of Doma so Ryoko left with the other refugees for Eorzea. Since the voidsent was still in a weakened state, she believed it would posses a mortal host and travel there as well since Eorzea was said to be overflowing with spiritual power (aka aether).
I feel like this backstory would play to the strength of Ryoko's "mystical archer Miko" archetype and relieve some of the overdone Garlean hate. Of course, she still holds a great dislike for them, but not to the same level as before. So, what do you guys think?