Author's Note: This is the story of Hunfrid Silentstone as I RP him in Final Fantasy 14. Yes, the whole thing is going to be derived from actual RP events, while in-character, in a MMO. All events are subject to (reasonable) adjustments. All other player characters are subject to the permissions of their players.
Updates: Dec. 21, 2013, Minor adjustments in Ch1 for better flow, removed flyer for The Lighthouse at the end of the chapter. Posted Ch. 2
Dec. 27, 2013, Posted Chapter 3
Jan. 2, 2014, Posted Chapter 4

Three years ago.
The air was getting gradually hotter and more arid as the caravan neared the border of Ul'dah's territory. Hunfrid welcomed the change. Even though the air still felt foreign in his lungs, the heat reminded him of the stifling, dry hot air of the northern reaches of the Abalathian's Spine. Though he ached to return to his parents and older sister, he had no choice but to leave and earn enough to help them get by.
Hunfrid never wanted to be a bodyguard like his brother when he had left long ago. Hunfrid wanted to cook. But that dream was short lived in Gridania. He could never get the recipes quite right. So he was stuck with odd jobs to get by, sending what little he could back home.

The midlander man sitting next to Hunfrid looked up at him, "How in blazes do ye stand this heat?"
Hunfrid chuckled, "We grow up near hell's gates. To say it's as hot as the sun is an understatement." The hyur frowned and shrugged, wiping sweat from his face.

Ul'dah slowly appeared as the caravans approached Scorpions Crossing. The desert heat hid all but the highest roofs. That was as far as the caravans went, leaving passengers to walk or rent a chocobo the rest of the way.
Hunfrid was fine with that. He wanted to enjoy the stiffling heat and glaring sun as much as he could. The walk would only take until dusk, so it wasnt like he needed to hurry.

"Excuse me, sir!" A voice squeaked. Hunfrid looked down to a lalafell woman, and she continued, "You look like a nice, tough guy that could escort me and my wagon to Ul'dah. I can pay you, and put in a good word at the Inn!"
Hunfrid smiled, "Of course. But dont you have a chocobo to pull your wagon?" The exasperated expression answered his question. "Allow me, then?"

As Hunfrid pulled the small wagon, the lalafell rested on her cargo. She introduced herself, and talked and talked while Hunfrid was content in seeing all the different shrubs and cactuses. Though he barely broke a sweat, Hunfrid's mind wandered back home.
Hunfrid and his brother wrestled on the barren, black earth again, their exposed torsoes, arms and faces covered in dry dirt. Their mother would chastise them for getting their pants dirty again, but that was secondary to the fun they had. Hunfrid always lost to his brother's shear size, even though he was stronger than most his size. Why he didnt seem to be growing much was a mystery, barely standing over seven feet. But some Roegadyn didnt stop growing until their early twenties, so Hunfrid still had a few more years.

Hunfrid shook his head, dismissing the next memories of his brother's departure. Rarafu peered at him and asked, "If you're not Lohengarde, then where are you from?"
Hunfrid stopped and looked back at her, wondering what he missed. "I am sorry, I am a Lohengarde."
"Well, why'd you shake your head when I first asked?"

"That's far enough," a deep voice commanded. A Sea Wolf, two midlanders and a duskwight approached. Hunfrid turned to them while the other roegadyn continued, "Give us your cargo, or we will force it from you!" They each held a sword, except for the elezan that readied a bow.
The lalafell squirmed in fright, imploring Hunfrid to do something. The Sea Wolf had a solid foot and a half to Hunfrid, and though the hyurs looked hesitant, the elezan seemed to have a very good shot the way she held her bow.

Hunfrid sighed, "But I am unarmed, miss." Rarafu clenched her fists and stared angrily at Hunfrid as the Sea Wolf demanded more urgently, "Your valuables! Now!"
"This is coming out of your pay," Rarafu harrumphed. The Sea Wolf shoved one of the midlanders to the wagon, barking the order to start grabbing things.

"Enough!" A hyur barked as a troop of five armed and armoured soldiers marched to them. "We're taking you in!"
The Sea Wolf hesitated as the midlander froze, half reaching for a satchel. The roegadyn barked, "Retreat!" They ran, the soldiers giving chase.

"What was that all about!" Rarafu scowled and threw her arms down. "Let's just go, Hunfrid! I dont want to stick around." Hunfrid gladly obliged, picking up his pace.
By the time they approached the gate, Hunfrid was sweating. Rarafu thanked him for the ride, handing him the payment and promise to put in the good word at the Quicksand inn. She had followed through with her promise, and Hunfrid was pleasantly surprised with the welcome reception. Though the bed was harder than expected, Hunfrid slept well after supping on a chunk of bread and a glass of milk.

Hunfrid wandered the streets early the next day, taking in all the sites and sounds. A vendor was selling fresh hammer beak sausage and cactus water, and Hunfrid could not pass up. The small meal easily bested the half stale bread from last night.
The coliseum was big. The seats were vacant except for a handful of onlookers while a hyur and a lalafel battled below. Neither seemed bent on victory, but rather to be only practicing. One onlooker pumped his arms, barking cheers and priase as the two practiced.

A young hyur stood next to Hunfrid, admiring the tactics and footwork before looking up at the larger man. "Your face is new. First time here?" Hunfrid nods and the hyur continues, "The Gladiator's Guild is always looking for fresh meat to join their ranks."
Hunfrid frowns, "I cant wield a sword to save my life." The hyur laughs boisterously, slapping the large man's arm.

"A roegadyn with your muscles wont need a sword!" The hyur doubles over, laughing.
Hunfrid lowers his gaze and sheepishly makes his way around the ring. Just as he is passing a set of doors, they burst open, a large Sea Wolf stumbling out with a strained growl. As an outraged curse followed the roegadyn, he rammed hard into the surprised Hunfrid. Hunfrid felt his leg hit the raised floor, tumbling over the curve and into the ring below.

The Sea Wolf was knocked out when they hit the sandy floor, and the two gladiators had to help get him off Hunfrid. "What in the seven hells was that about?" The hyur stared at the unconscious roegadyn. Another hyur yelled from above as she leaned over, "Boys, throw that arrogant hulk out!"
"Up you go, Lohengarde," the hyur offered a hand. Hunfrid grasped the hand, though still used his own strength to rise. "Mind helping us get this one outta here?"

Hunfrid helped drag the Sea Wolf several doors away from the coliseum. The gladiators were grateful, offering decently payed work and a cot after they found out Hunfrid wasnt very good with any weapon they had.
It was good work, moving supplies and boxes that were too heavy for most of Eorzea's races, setting up practice rings and outfitting training dummies.