Ich'sae arrives to Limsa Lominsa via boat, but immediately takes a chocobo carriage to Ul'dah, where the Thaumaturge guild awaits. He does not awaken to his Echo during this journey.

Having taken some odd jobs, Ich'sae accidentally torches a giant tortoise while hunting some marmots. His adventure likely would have ended there if a Miqo'te woman hadn't swooped in to save him. After the overall embarrassing incident, the woman introduces herself as Venchiss. Both being newly-minted adventurers, the two become fast friends, with Venchiss' kind disposition and habit of well-doing serving as a balance for Ich'sae's broodier and more coin-minded motivations.

As Ich'sae and Venchiss begin establishing their reputation, they have several run-ins with a strange Miqo'te woman who seems to value only coin and mischief, and who would do anything from meddle in their affairs to assist them in a fit of whimsy. They come to know this woman as "Vas" - nothing more, nothing less.

Taking the job in Sastasha leads Ich'sae and Venchiss to another encounter with Vas - this time, and through a series of quick decisions mostly on Venchiss' part, they end up rescuing Vas from the beasts within the dungeon and cooperating with her the rest of the way. She seems to warm to the pair greatly after that, and not long after, their duo becomes trio - much to the untrusting Ich'sae's chagrin.

Ich'sae unlocks the secrets of the Black Mage and receives its soulstone. Knowing no other practice and believing himself incapable of otherwise, he thus begins training in its use.

Ich'sae, alongside Venchiss and Vas, joins the Scions. It's at this time that Ich'sae awakens to his Echo - something that disturbs him, as he has been content mostly to follow Venchiss up until this point, and the implication of heavier responsibility sits ill on his shoulders.

Scion work brings another Miqo'te into his circle: another Seeker of the Sun, and a male one at that. The man's name is N'an, and though he is perfectly kind and works beautifully with his girls, Ich'sae finds his prejudices towards male Seekers irreconcilable, and he does not extend more than cool cordiality towards the newest member of the team.

Various other adventurers come together beneath the banner of the Scions; in response, Venchiss founds a Free Company with her most trusted circle of friends, so that they are free to operate towards goals that may not necessarily fall under the Scions' purview.

Ich'sae eventually comes to accept the burden of his Echo as well as being a Warrior of Light. He participates in the assault on the Praetorium and helps to lay Gaius and the Ultima Weapon low.

Ich'sae does not support the Crystal Braves, but nor does he offer counsel to Alphinaud. He has some disdain for the little lord, and so chooses to wash his hands of the project, participating little in its conception or development. He does, however, end up working on several assignments with a viera Brave named Elidi. While their relationship is somewhat tense from the outset due to Ich'sae's mistrust, they prove to work surprisingly well together. Ich'sae comes to respect Elidi as an individual despite his continued distaste for the Braves as an institution.

Ich'sae, Elidi, and a host of others assist G'raha Tia with investigating the Crystal Tower. Believing that any warning would be spurned by Elidi due to their strictly professional relationship, Ich'sae watches helplessly as Elidi and G'raha grow closer, knowing that only heartbreak awaits those who get involved with male Seekers of the Sun. He is unsurprised when G'raha seals himself within the tower, leaving her behind - and for the first time, laments keeping his distance, for he doesn't feel close enough to Elidi to offer her comfort and shared experiences.

The events of the Bloody Banquet occur. Ich'sae is not present for Nanamo's poisoning; instead, he is led away alongside Alphinaud and captured by Braves. In a stroke of luck, Elidi is among their group of captors and swiftly betrays the turncoats, helping Ich'sae and Alphinaud to escape - though unable to join them. Ich'sae takes Alphinaud at her insistence and flees to the sewers, whereupon they join the remaining Scion host and escape towards Ishgard.

Ich'sae arrives to Ishgard with the other Scions. He is offered a room at the Fortemps Manor, but surrenders it to another in their party, feeling more comfortable staying at the Forgotten Knight.

Being familiar with the discrimination towards Keepers in Gridania, Ich'sae is not so shaken by the Ishgardians' general unfriendliness to outsiders. He drives himself hard towards helping the Scions gain a foothold in Ishgard, and more importantly its people, through a breadth of adventurer work. He participates off and on in MSQ during this time, mostly helping Alphinaud, towards whom he feels a mixture of sympathy and ire for the Braves incident.

While working in Ishgard, Ich'sae happens across a corpse in the Brume. This sets in motion the early Dark Knight quests, which Ich'sae struggles against for the span of base Heavensward story, and will not advance again for some time.

Another discipline Ich'sae learns of is astromancy - a type of healing magic he's never heard of - that uses the power of the stars rather than white magicks. Ich'sae, who has always been poor at conjury but yearned for the ability to follow in his healer mother's footsteps, leaps at the chance to learn it. He picks it up quickly, and, finding delight in the theology and practice, carries Astrologian as his main job throughout Heavensward.

Haurchefant is slain before Ich'sae's eyes. Like Alphinaud, Ich'sae attempts to channel his newfound healing abilities towards resuscitating the young lord, but instead learns the harsh duality of being a healer: not all can be saved. Feeling despondent and shaken, Ich'sae turns once again to the DRK questline, and upon concluding the lv60 story finds some closure in his identity. Coming to terms with the healer's burden and his own anger, Ich'sae once again picks up the mantle of AST.

Ich'sae's wariness kept him from growing closer to anyone other than Venchiss during ARR... but surviving the Bloody Banquet has changed things. Ich'sae opens up to his companions during the events of Heavensward; he has tasted betrayal, has seen who has stuck with them to the other side, and has no more room for doubt as to his trusted allies. In particular - and begrudgingly - Ich'sae finds himself growing closer to both N'an and Alphinaud, whom he has stubbornly dismissed in the past, but now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with as fellow disciples in the heavy task of healing.

Ich'sae has severe doubts that Estinien can be saved from his fate, but he has grown fond of Alphinaud and cannot bear to say so. Despite his misgivings, Ich'sae agrees to try and save the Azure Dragoon - for Alphinaud's sake, if nothing else.

During the battle against Nidhogg upon the Steps of Faith, the terrible wyrm lands a killing blow upon Ich'sae - that is, until it's blocked by N'an throwing himself in front of the attack. Impaled and bleeding, N'an begins fading away in Ich'sae's arms... until Ich'sae invokes a breaking of his limits, and turns back the time on N'an's very wounds. N'an is carried off of the battlefield by allies, and Ich'sae, embittered and enraged, takes up his Dark Knight mantle to finish the job N'an started.

As N'an recovers from his traumatic injuries, Ich'sae is plagued by both the instabilities of his overspent DRK soulstone and the realization that breaking his Astrologian limits has cut him off from the stars entirely, rendering him incapable of helping with Ishgard's restoration. Mere days after the battle, he visits Haurchefant's grave to seek counsel from the dead... only to be accosted by the still-living, when N'an comes up behind him, having left his bed in search of Ich'sae. They convene at Camp Dragonhead, where Ich'sae redresses N'an's wounds. Here N'an confesses his attraction to Ich'sae and his desire to get to know him better - as friends, and perhaps otherwise. Ich'sae, mired in doubt and exhaustion, bids N'an wait for his answer; happily, N'an agrees.

Under the continued duress of Eorzea's political shifting, the bouts of psychosis brought forth from Ich'sae's unstable Dark Knight soulstone do not quell. Thus he is advised to sit out the events of MSQ following Nidhogg's defeat, and instead is invited by N'an's parents to join them at their home in Gridania, where they are taking N'an to finish recovering. Frustrated and a little directionless, Ich'sae accepts.

During his time at N'an's childhood home - which, being in the Twelvsewood, is coincidentally quite familiar to his own - Ich'sae helps with taking care of N'an, steadily improving his own stability in the process. He grows closer to N'an over the course of these few weeks, finally seeing a man filled with kindness, dedication to his family, and affection towards him. Although Ich'sae isn't quite able to untangle his prejudices fully, he gains a deep appreciation towards N'an as a companion both in retrospect and in the present. As N'an's convalescence draws to a close, Ich'sae resurfaces the topic of N'an's confession - and returns it. The pair share a kiss, and become a couple.

Fully recovered from the Dragonsong War, Ich'sae and N'an return to Ishgard to announce their coupling to their friends and assist with the nation's restoration. Ich'sae turns his attention towards the Firmament, where he utilizes his knowledge as an herbalist's son, and soon begins to study alchemy.

Ich'sae consults Y'shtola for insight on his troubles with his DRK soulstone. He learns that it will never be completely stable, by nature of its acquisition. Y'shtola also informs Ich'sae that his body's natural aetherical balance is tipped towards Umbral, explaining his lifelong difficulties with harnessing white magic - but acting as a DRK has caused him a further influx of dark aether. She doesn't find it enough to be worrisome, but advises Ich'sae to expend his surplus whenever possible. The best solution would be to cease his use of the soul crystal, but Ich'sae finds it (and Fray) an irreplacable part of his identity and makes the decision to continue using it. Y'shotla disapproves, but they come to a compromise: she teaches Ich'sae Aethersight, with firm instructions to use it only for the purposes of monitoring his own aether, and not for everyday use as she does.

At Rhalgr's Reach, the Warriors of Light taste overwhelming defeat for the first time at the hands of Zenos yae Galvus. This enormous loss awakens something in Ich'sae, who is perturbed by the Garlean prince's command to grow stronger. More disturbing still is the desire to comply - and the sense that Zenos knew it, upon meeting his gaze.

For the first time since accomplishing his dreams of becoming a healer, Ich'sae finds a craving for the battlefield in his veins. Frustrated by what feels like backsliding, Ich'sae soon runs across a man named X'rhun Tia who offers to train him in the ways of the Red Mage. It turns out to be exactly what he needs: a way to keep his umbral aether in check, train in his use of white magic, and slake his resurfaced desire for combat. Ich'sae takes to the discipline with ferocious dedication, and carries RDM as one of his main jobs throughout Stormblood.

When the Scions make the decision to venture to Kugane, Ich'sae is delighted to serve as a tour guide to his companions for the harbor city which he visited so many times in his youth. Unfortunately, he neglects to stop Alphinaud from purchasing an overpriced katana - an oversight that Tataru scolds him for almost as harshly as she does the young lord himself.

Unexpectedly, Ich'sae runs into an old ally while exploring Kugane: Elidi Vesta, former Brave, now wandering the land. Ich'sae wastes no time in providing her with much-needed closure and relief by recounting the events following the Bloody Banquet. With their differing factions no longer creating tension between them (and thanks to Ich'sae maturing significantly over Heavensward), the pair reconnect marvelously. They soon come to regard each other as dear friends and confidants, and Ich'sae extends an invitation towards Elidi to formally join his Free Company.

Ich'sae is among those to receive the Kojin's Blessing, and is capable of swimming... but despises getting wet. He never participates in underwater segments of MSQ unless absolutely necessary.

Zenos yae Galvus has returned to Doma. Yugiri hatches an ill-conceived plan to assassinate him, and Ich'sae, willfully pushing aside his better judgment, lends his sword to her cause. They are joined by Vas, who has her own reasons for setting herself against the prince, and the small strike team sets out to ambush Zenos. While they are able to put up a decent fight this time, still Zenos overpowers them, and Ich'sae is left once again with a burning dissatisfaction in his breast. Angered by a second loss and deeply disturbed by his increasing bloodlust, Ich'sae develops a nearly debilitating hatred for the Garlean prince - and what he brings out in Ich'sae.

N'an is perplexed by the downward shift in Ich'sae's mood. An argument rises between them wherein Ich'sae is cornered into admitting that he feels a connection with Zenos' words and is disgusted with himself for it. While tensions are running high, N'an confesses his love for Ich'sae. Ich'sae finds it difficult to reciprocate with words, but he seeks comfort in N'an's embrace, and they spend their first night together.

Ich'sae assists with the trials of Bardam's Mettle but does not undertake it as a challenger. Thus, he does not receive a Yol nor is he later named Khagan.

When Doma Castle collapses, Ich'sae uses his aethersight to help Soroban look for signs of Gosetsu's corpse. When they find no trace of remains whatsoever from Gosetsu or Yotsuyu, Ich'sae has doubts as to their demise. He keeps them to himself, however, with no real evidence and no reason to distract Hien from his duties; confiding instead to some in his FC.

The Warriors of Light lay Zenos low. Ich'sae feels a deep disappointment with the way things play out; he sought closure through killing the man, not another primal. However, Ich'sae is full aware that his personal demons take a far back seat to the bigger picture, and so settles for the relief of being able to move on from this uncomfortable chapter.

By happenstance, Ich'sae encounters a samurai master seeking pupils. Though Ich'sae is resistant at first due to his association of katana-wielding with Zenos, the master insists that he has great potential, and he comes to admit a feeling of being to drawn to the art. Eventually Ich'sae concedes and allows himself to be trained. He finds a deep and almost immediate kinship with the blade that far surpasses any other discipline he's practiced thus far.

Gosetsu reappears with "Tsuyu" in tow. Ich'sae is suspicious of the latter's apparent amnesia at first, but not for long; knowing such hatred as that harbored by Yotsuyu is not so easily covered by a farce. His distrust of Asahi, who appears shortly thereafter, is not so easily unseated. Ich'sae keeps him at arm's length but in sight right up until the reveal that the man was a devoted follower of Zenos, at which point his disgust and hatred matches Asahi's own towards them.

Ich'sae helps to lay Tsukiyomi low. He takes no joy in the act, but seeing Yotsuyu's final act of skewering her fiendish brother brings him a fleeing sense of satisfaction and peace that he almost feels ashamed of.

A mysterious voice from beyond the rift begins assaulting the Scions, begging for their help, and yet sending them one by one into comatose states. The first to fall prey to this malady are Thancred and N'an - dear friend and beloved. This, partnered with the news that Zenos has been sighted alive, sends Ich'sae into a shock that leaves him nigh inconsolable.

Ich'sae's DRK soul crystal, bearing the brunt of his emotional turmoil, cracks. Thus relapsed into worsened bouts of aether-induced psychosis, Ich'sae removes himself from the events of MSQ for some time and instead goes through the events of the lv 60-70 DRK quests. He gains some sorely needed perspective through them - enough to pull himself together for the task ahead. But as Scions continue to fall, Ich'sae rejoins the main host so as to keep his loved ones as close as possible. His every resting moment is spent at N'an's bedside, helping to care for him and all others comatose.

Ich'sae joins the front lines of Gyr Abania alongside Vas and Venchiss. After fighting through the horrors of the warzone, they see him in the flesh: Zenos. It is only the fragility of their positions that keeps Ich'sae's head cool as the Warriors of Light cross blades with the revived Garlean prince. And yet, just as they gain the advantage, the skull-splitting call from beyond the rift rings through his ears - and the last thing he sees before falling into unconsciousness is Estinien heaving a limp Venchiss in his arms.

Awakening on the outskirts of Amh Araeng, Ich'sae finds himself shivering beneath the eaves of a market stall. Vas lies unconscious next to him, in similar lack of dress, and a Kobold approaches to offer him drink. Confused, ill, and worried, Ich'sae weakly fights off his perceived captor until Alisae appears right on their doorstep. Ich'sae is so shocked by her miraculous recovery that he takes in her explanation with uncharacteristic acceptance - learning of the First, of their displaced souls, of the Exarch, and of everyone's whereabouts.

Ich'sae takes some time to process the situation as he and Vas recover their strength. The end result leaves him relieved, anxious to see his comatose friends - of which he supposes he is one, now - and sorely looking forward to an audience with this so-called Exarch to give him a piece of his mind. He also worries deeply for Venchiss, whom they appeared to have left alone on the Source, but holds faith that his glimpse of Estinien ushering her to safety was not hallucinated, and that she is recovering safely somewhere.

Ich'sae decides that his first order of business is making his way to the Crystarium to seek out his loved ones and potentially take the Exarch's head. As he's crossing the very pavilion to the Crystal Tower's doors, Ich'sae spots a crowd gathered 'round a dancer with striking red hair. He freezes in place upon recognizing the dancer as his lost beloved - N'an, whom he has seen only comatose upon a bed for days, standing tall in front of him. Ich'sae pushes through the crowd, calling out his beloved's name, and the two collapse into an embrace that shakes Ich'sae to his core. In a flux of joy and grief, Ich'sae speaks his love for N'an.

With some of the Scion host reuinted, those present discuss their situation and take comfort in one another's company. Ich'sae learns that N'an has taken up dancing as a combat class to offset some aetherical issues he's having in the First. For the first time to someone other than Y'shtola, Ich'sae confides his own troubles with his aether from the Dark Knight's influence, but proposes his theory that his oversaturation of dark aether might prove a boon in this world. They agree to do nothing beyond their limits until the Exarch successfully brings Venchiss to the First - as Ich'sae arrived with his belongings intact, the Exarch seems to be nearing perfection of the ritual, and they will simply have to have faith that he will not separate her soul from her body as he did theirs. Which means, regrettably, that Ich'sae cannot take the Exarch's head. Yet.

Though temporarily waylaid by reunions, Ich'sae finally gets the chance to meet the Exarch. His initial abrasiveness towards the man is fully meant, but difficult to keep up when the Exarch expresses nothing but joy, relief, and sorrow in the face of Ich'sae's anger. Finally, Ich'sae is forced to accept that the Exarch's reasons are noble - and while he harbors an intense grudge not so easily extinguished, Ich'sae cannot turn a blind eye to the realm's suffering nor the greater threat to the Source itself. Thus he pledges his aid - but makes it clear to the Exarch that he follows no one except Venchiss.

For a time, Ich'sae assists with guard duty outside the Crystarium as he situates himself to the world. During one attack, he suffers a blow from a Sin Eater grievous enough to turn the hardiest of men - and yet he does not even fall ill. After being quickly restored to perfect health by a simple healing spell, Ich'sae takes his discovery to his companions and the Exarch. The curse of his DRK soul crystal has indeed transformed into an invaluable resistance in this world - but the Exarch still requires the presence of a soul properly summoned to the First for his machinations to bear fruit. Thus, they must still wait to formulate any actionable plan.

The Scions unanimously decide to scatter across the continent and work towards separate goals as they wait for Venchiss' arrival. Ich'sae is loathe to be separated from his companions so soon after reuniting, but sees the wisdom in the plan. He finds himself most suited to Amh Araeng, where he can assist Alisae with guarding convoys, due to his high levels of Light resistance protecting him from the many Sin Eater attacks suffered there. Thus does he part ways with his loved ones and leaves to do his part.

Venchiss finally arrives to the First. Ich'sae returns to the Crystarium alongside Alisaie and the events of Shadowbringers are put into motion.

True to their discovery, Ich'sae's resistance to Light-aspected aether allows him to take significant beatings by sin eaters without suffering a transformation. He thus takes up a role unprecedented since his encounter with Nidhogg: tank and protector of the group. DRK is a heavy toll on his mental acuity, but the offset aether from the sin eaters actually helps to keep him balanced.

Ich'sae can only skim so much off the top, however, and his friends still grow more and more ill with every Lightwarden vanquished whose aether showers over their bodies. Venchiss and Nimki in particular grow so aether-sick near the end of things that Ich'sae resolves to leave his companions and face Emet-Selch alone - a folly which they catch onto and do not allow.

As they face the final battle together, Warriors of Light all grasp the axe offered by Ardbert and hurl it as one into Hades' heart. Elidi is finally reunited with G'raha, and the group begins the arduous journey of returning to the Source.

N'an asks for Ich'sae's hand in marriage. Ich'sae says yes. They hold no ceremony, opting simply to exchange vows and sign papers beneath the eyes of the Twelve near N'an's childhood home. They enjoy a short visit to N'an's parents before returning to work, their wedding bereft of any pomp or circumstance. (They would later be bullied by friends and family into throwing an all-out ceremony for their anniversary.)

tba.

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