BeraBryn Syngwintsyn
Healer & Chef
About Bera
Seawolf Roegadyn (He/Him)
Age: Early 30s
Height: 7'2"
Occupation: Chef, Healer, Adventurer
Quick Profile: A chef and healer you can find travelling around, frequently settled in Limsa Lominsa or Idyllshire. Despite his big roe frame he's as soft as they come and a bit shy, but can take charge on the battlefield and kitchen so you'd never notice until you meet him elsewhere. He's got a heart of gold he wears on his sleeve, but catch him in the right mood and you might find he has an appreciation for some of the spicier things life has to offer.
WoL Backstory
Pre-ARR
Gridanian Beginnings, Limsan Living
It's a gil-a-dozen story. Young and orphaned, Bera grew up in Gridania not quite fitting in, but a talent for conjury was a saving grace. Eager to learn under E-Sumi-Yan, he dedicated himself to learning everything he could, and helping all he could, picking up botany and helping the adventurers guild as well.He never did quite fit in as a young roe in Gridania, and one day he woke to a calling, guiding him to a Sylph being attacked by drunk Wood Wailers, and before he knew it, Ramuh had appeared, lightning igniting the trees around him. He tried to protect the sylph around him as he looked up the the falling fire and cinders, and his life changed forever.He doesn't know what it's called, but he hides he has the Echo as long as he can.He would eventually be blamed for the event, and the elemental's plea that Bera leaves Gridania to find his future is taken as a reason to kick him out. He gathers his things and starts a new life in Limsa, assisted by Mother Miounne with an early adventurers license, and eventually becomes an official Retainer, voyaging all over Eorzea from the edges of the Shroud to Coerthas for a master he no longer remembers. As everyone did in the wake of Carteneau.He begins to find his place in Limsa after the fall. Talent as a healer bringing him ample opportunity in adventure and with the Maelstrom, and he relishes the opportunity to learn more magic of any field, his thirst to learn more healing and magic not gone when he can no longer learn conjury from Gridania.He takes a job bartending when not on adventures, helping Baderon at the Drowning Wench. He's strong enough to handle the rowdiest of the adventurers, although the most frustrating visitor is a Miqo'te named Y'shtola who orders tea Bera stocks specifically for her, and always seems to see right through him.And eventually his cooking catches the eye of Lyngsath, and he finds his way to the Bismark. He cooks for the Sultana, and even makes a friend of her, and a something of her Flame General.It feels like everything fell into place. Except when a Goblin comes to town whispering a warning to speak to the Amalj'aa quickly. And the weight of the echo bears him to act.
A REALM REBORN
Echo and Obligation
Bera tries to be friendly to all. That includes those commonly called beastmen, which leads him to the warning of a summoning from Ifrit. He knows whatever power he has protects him from tempering. He might be the only one who can save people if something goes wrong. So he looks into it, even if he doesn't want to fight at all. But he arrives as the summoning starts and sees a lone hero fighting, untempered. And he just has to help. He can't let them fight or die alone. He's afraid. He can't say he's not.It's the first of many times Meteor has dragged him into a fight, and a start of a long friendship.He meets the Scions, and doesn't join them. Unwilling to fight more, and wanting nothing more to return to his life as a chef, small adventures in between. He does make friends with some, Yda excitable and friendly. Minfilia, who finally gives a name to the ability he's had all these years. The young Arenvald, and many others.Despite his misgivings, he's still there for him when Meteor needs to fight Titan. And when he discovers the Waking Sands empty, believing them all dead or gone. He makes plans to tackle Garuda by himself, knowing Meteor would be throwing himself at it. It's a fear stepping into Gridania again, and more then that, hearing the elementals once again.Yet even then they welcome his return, soft and welcoming. He's guided to the White Mages in preparation, and finds himself donning their robes, magic coming to him as familiar as his conjury. When he meets Meteor once again, Cid and Alphinaud in tow, he's ecstatic to know they're alive, and knows he won't be fighting alone.And everything that follows is scary. The Ultima Weapon is imminent. He finds himself in his Maelstrom dress, fighting and commanding a war instead of a kitchen. Rubbing shoulders with Raubahn and the other leaders. And eventually the day is won.And Alisaie comes knocking for a favor.
Crystal Fears
Bera wants nothing more but return to his kitchen, or perhaps the small home he's slowly been building in Idyllshire. Or catering for Nanamo's tea parties with Merlwyb and Kan-E-Senna, catching a glimse of Raubahn while he's there.Or a vacation to Kugane. Visiting just once meant he could just teleport there whenever he wanted, as blessed with anima as he was.But first came Alisaie. Determined to leave, with Bera or not, to investigate the ruins of Carteneau. Investigate the truth of the battle five years ago. She doesn't want to tell Alphinaud or Meteor. She wants to discover it herself. So Bera looks after her, trailing behind as they fight monster and machine.Alphinaud and Meteor are occupied with the Crystal Braves and Scion business, so in between trips to Idyllshire to help build a home away from home, and planning his trip to Kugane, he finds himself fighting again.Of course, it's a matter of time before they find out, even if Bera still tries to make himself available when Meteor needs him. But eventually, Bahamut falls and Bera takes the first opportunity to leave for Kugane before anyone can stop him with another world ending issue.He takes in the sights, collects rare ingredients and recipes. Runs into Confederates and has fun paying their tithe as he explores, even reaching the step and having a lovely time with Hyur named Shun. He attunes to aetherytes on the way so the long ship there is a one time situation, and it's just a tiring warp back home.But home has changed while he was gone. He finds himself desperatly protecting a young Wilred, hiding him in his house in Idyllshire. Failing to protect Moenbryda from the ascians, feeling like a failure. And one night, as he spots Alisaie practising her budding Red Mage talents, they're attacked by Crystal Braves, and Bera finds himself in a panic. A sultana, a friend slain. Raubahn inprisoned. And the scions gone once again.He finds himself searching the one place he knows the Braves wouldn't be able to search.
HEAVENSWARD
Warmth in the Cold
It doesn't take Bera long to find them again. He checks in first in Idyllshire where he left Alisaie to heal. But it doesn't take him long to start his search in earnest in Ishgard.And when Tataru works at the Forgotten Knight where anyone would start their search, it takes Bera little time to find them all again. And with the Scions missing, Bera puts his life aside for the moment to assist, joining Meteor in more of his expeditions. Arguing with Estinien and siding with Ysayle about dragons.But more then that, he finds himself a quiet confidante of Raubahn after the moment he's rescued. Trust comes slowly to the Flame General, but Bera is a steady rock to assist him and keep him going.And not just the Flame General. Unable to heal Haurchefant's wounds at the Vault, he find himself a pillar for the Warrior of Light himself. A voice of reason and a promise to take his side when his soul screams its innermost passions to him. His voice when the world weighs too heavy on his shoulders.He continues until the Heavens' Ward - until Thordan is stopped. And he returns to a life in Idyllshire, exploring Dravania for ingredients and setting up a small restaurant. Assisting with the orphanage, Menphina's Arms. He hopes it's the last of world saving adventures and wars he has to step into. He's not built for leading men, fighting battles. And fighting Garlemand and trying to mediate peace between Dragons and Men instead of war is draining as well.If he is to help the world, he wants it to be from dishes that warm hearts, and offering a bed and a place to call home.And one day exploring Tailfeather. He meets a travelling mercenary who triggers a powerful echo vision. It's a world of plants and animals he's never seen, a feeling of trust to a creature the mercenary sees as family.They sleep together that night.He fights Arbert the next day.Life goes on with the Warriors of Darkness at the back of his mind, the Grand Melee and the threat of Nidhogg more immediate concerns. In the wake of the Grand Melee, he finds himself closer to Raubahn then before. A love they can't quite put words on, but something open as they go about their lives as adventurer and leader.He's roped into adventures with Leofard, a pirate with all the charm in the world and a desire for freedom that rivals how much he wants to keep Bera to himself at times.The Warriors return, and Bera wishes with all his heart their world goes to normal, that Arbert can one day find peace.And eventually, the calling of the Griffon. He reunites with Yda and Papalymo in a moment that seems too short until Baelsar's Wall. He never wanted to be involved in a war again and he found himself on a battlefield wishing that things could have been different for Ilberd and Ala Mhigo, if only for Raubahn's sake. Wishing there was another option as he drags Meteor away from Papalymo's sacrifice.He doesn't want to be a soldier anymore.
STORMBLOOD
Breaking Points
He makes it clear that he doesn't want to fight. But he can't stop himself from worrying about Meteor, about Raubahn. About wanting to help the young Lyse and Arenvald discover their home. So he finds himself in Rhalgr's Reach, assisting Krile and Y'shtola healing soldiers. It's ironically, exactly why he finds himself on the battlefield again, facing death and Zenos yae Galvus, buying time for someone, anyone to arrive. Conjury allows him to create a literal stone wall to stop Fordola's troops from chasing down any of the injured, and puts his all into defense again Zenos.And it's not Zenos that is scariest. It's the feeling of aether surging inside him. The desperate pleas and wishes of the escaping Ala Mhigans, praying for Rhalgr to save them, some seeing Bera as a last hope and savior. The feeling is not unlike what he saw Ysayle go through with Shiva. He resists the feeling, and when he finally begins to falter, Meteor finally arrives.The next day, Bera checks everyone over early in the morning. Meteor and Y'shtola's injuries. A letter for Raubahn. Krile catches him as he tries to leave, but understands. She checks over Bera's own injuries and makes him promise to check in.Kugane seems far away as possible, and he wants nothing more but to rest and not worry about fighting. Take in a show. Relax in a hot spring.Something that isn't, hypothetically, running into Gosetsu having trouble with the Sekiseigumi, and certainly not a few weeks into his vacation, finding Meteor, Lyse and Alisaie and the war he tried to leave behind catching up with him.He helps, guides them through to the Ruby Sea, dealing with a primal in all but name with the kami Susano, the echos of Garlemand by Yotsuyu, and makes his way to the Steppe, and discovers his one night stand and friendship with Shun was actually Lord Hien.It's an empty feeling as Doma Castle falls. Wishing as always Yotsuyu was dealt a better hand in her childhood, that Gosetsu was able to live to see his people freed. It steels his resolve to finish the battle in Ala Mhigo, knowing despite his wishes, fighting is how he can help the most.He's surprised upon his return how many Ala Mhigans celebrate him for his actions at Rhalgr's Reach - previously able to hide under the shadow of Meteor's reputation, but he now carries his own. It's another primal with Lakshmi, another castrum, another death with Conrad. All he can do is wish for the end and be there for Lyse, to continue and fight. And eventually, he stands with Raubahn, hand-in-hand as an anthem is sung in Ala Mhigo and purple flags fly high once again.It's peace once again, until he's called upon to investigate Tsuyu.He understands the fear as he investigates, but more then that, he understands the sadness in Tsuyu's eyes. A child that knows everything is wrong, that everyone pretends wouldn't understand. He watches out for her along with Gosetsu, despairs at her fate as he lears all that happened in her childhood, and seeing Tsukuyomi's last gasp, once again wishes her a peaceful rest.He finally gets the chance to return home after that. Back to the days spent in Idyllshire. He avoids returning to battle, to war rooms, to planning sessions with the Alliance Leaders. He starts trying to write a cookbook, recipes from around the world he's learned about and gathered.Words of the scions falling unconscious call him back. Investigating with Krile and finding nothing at all. And it's a twist of fate that causes him to dissapear, body and soul.
SHADOWBRINGERS
Trust and TruthHe wakes in Lakeland, no one expecting him. Perhaps if he wasn't teleporting when the call came, his body would have remained like the rest of the scions, but he was there body and soul.But stepping into the Crystarium, he found himself a pile of questions about the Exarch, and no one to trust. And most damning, he finds a cookbook in the library shelves. A book that he wrote and hadn't had the time to finish, yet the copy he saw was complete.It's two years before Meteor would arrive, and Winden gets to work researching. The scions, he learns, have apparently thrown their lot in with the Exarch, so he doesn't approach them.So he put the name Bera aside, and donned a mask.The mercenary Winden was born.Before Bera learns the way of the world, he finds himself healing people on the road who were attacked by Lightwardens and left for dead. In trying to heal them, he absorbs the light into himself, and rumors of a masked healer begin. He's more careful after that, but he never had the ability to stop himself from helping when he could. And each time, he takes in a little more light.He's not used to being so alone again, and he almost believes he's imagining it when he sees Ardbert the first time. But he's there, despondant and depressed. He wants nothing to hug him and make things better, but fixing an entire world with out the Scions, without Meteor, seems impossible for Bera. Despite that, he grows close and enjoys his company, as dry and curt he can be at times.KnightfallHis talents do catch the eye of Cyella at the bar, and she points him towards Granson and Giott. Learning that the Virtues were Ardbert's companions he can't say no to assisting on their quests where he can.And that eventually leads him to the fields of Il Mheg, and he makes a deal with Feo Ul. He and his companions gain entry safe passage through Il Mheg and secrecy from the Exarch under the condition that he investigates the weakening barrier keeping Titania locked in the castle. And they find Diakosyne, find Branden.And he hears him, echoing in his soul. It's a matching passion, the way he watches over Meteor, staff in hand to mend his pain, always there to heal him, to be there so he doesn't fight by himself. Remind him he's not alone. Branden was a shield to Ardbert, watching his back as Ardbert would watch his. Playing and fighting together. It was dedication to someone they loved."Watch over them," the voice echoed in his soul, tired and resting, and as the Virtue fell, he felt a warmth inside him, an odd feeling of returning home.It's far from the last surprise he finds in Il Mheg, when he meets Seto. He calls him Branden at first before Bera introduces himself. He had seen him once before in an Echo vision the first time he met Ardbert, but seeing him so big, and speaking to him was a surprise. Ardbert insisted that he didn't speak about him, so he spoke instead about his time on the First, about letting Branden finally rest. A commitment to let Ardbert and his friends rest once more.By the end of it, he's made contact with the Fuath, the Amaro and the Nu Mou, and has everything he needs to investigate the castle with Granson and Giott. He's not expecting to fight Titania, and he pushes the two back when he falls, absorbing all the light to stop either of them from facing the realities of becoming a Lightwarden, and revealing his secrets to them about his abilities.And night falls in Il Mheg, a year before Meteor would arrive on the First.Ascian and ScionsIt's a long and scary explanation he makes to Granson, Giott, and the new Titania and friend, Feo Ul. He talks about everything he knows, his identity from the Source. What he remembers of the Crystal Tower, what he knows of the Scions. Why he thinks he hasn't transformed, and why he knows the Exarch is waiting for Meteor.It a long, quiet, tense night. And while it means less to Bera, to the others, a fantastical story that seems unbelievable seems much more believable when the the light that's existed for a hundred years has faded.So they make a deal. Feo Ul glamours the sky to look like the primordial light to outsiders, and agrees to keep Bera a secret from the Exarch. Granson and Giott volunteer to keep an eye out when at the Crystarium, keep apprised about the scions and Exarch, and whether any other visitors from the Source appear.And Bera as Winden continues to act as a mercenary, investigate the Exarch and work on the next Cardinal Virtue with Giott in Kholusia, looking into Eulmore at the same time.It's surprisingly successful, except for the fact a glamour can't fool Emet Selch.He approaches Bera in private, well aware of who he is, what he's done on the Source. It took Emet Selch a while to notice Bera had arrived on the First, as hidden as he was, and ignored him along with the other scions once he did. Kept an eye open sure, but never payed too close attention to the man.Until he plunged Il Mheg into night.And clever too, the fae dancing to his tune and clamouring the sky, Crystarium and Eulmore both oblivious to the change.So Emet Selch watched as he spoke, the surprising density of his soul and the way he handled the light a surprise. He might not be Azem, but as he told the roe, he would be keeping an eye on him.So Bera continued, a tad more careful as he worked, curious about why Emet Selch seemed so content with observing. No big movements or plans just continuing to travel and investigate the world.One day, however, Granson gave news about the twins arriving at the Crystarium, and while he's avoided the scions thus far, he couldn't resist checking up on them. Not when the last time he saw Alphinaud he was off on a Garlean ship, and the last time he saw Alisaie she was already suffering under the weight of the disappearing scions.So on his next visit to Kholusia, he stays a bit for mercenary work, watches Alphinaud conduct his own research. To his surprise, Alphinaud has already hear of the mercenary Winden and asked for his assistance, and he helped, dispatching monsters and sin eaters as Alphinaud continued to research the region. He departed eventually once Alphinaud's work died down, eventually needing to research at the Crystarium, and 'Winden' continued to Ahm Areng.Alisaie was a bit more troubled, throwing herself into monsters with a fervor. And when she seemed overwhelmed by monsters, Bera couldn't help but jumping in. And unlike Alphinaud, Alisaie knows Bera pretty well, especially when Bera can't quite hide the worry and relief on his face, even when behind a mask.
ENDWALKER
You're Not Alone