Izumi Kuuroneko
The Viper Beneath the Moonlight
“Sometimes I wonder if I’m still fighting for the same reasons…
or if I just forgot how to stop.”
Herstory
A Viera of quiet step and quieter sorrow, Izumi Kuuroneko is the Warrior of Light known not only for her unmatched skill in battle, but for the shadows that trail behind her. Born in the reclusive depths of the Golmore Jungle, she rejected tradition in pursuit of freedom and knowledge, her curiosity propelling her into the heart of Eorzea.She began her path as a ninja in the streets and alleys of Limsa Lominsa, honing the art of stealth and steel with natural grace. Her cheerful spirit and willingness to aid others quickly earned her recognition among the Scions of the Seventh Dawn—though none foresaw how her journey would reshape the star itself.Through the fires of war and the loss of dear companions, Izumi evolved. She cast off her earlier path to become a reaper, embracing the darkness within to combat greater shadows without. Now, she bears the fangs of a viper—blades that strike swift and true, wielded with honed precision born from both discipline and pain.A tireless warrior, Izumi has stood at the heart of every great battle from Carteneau to Ultima Thule. Yet while her deeds are legendary, it is her humanity that endures. Marked by the loss of Haurchefant Greystone and tempered by the bonds she shares with Aymeric de Borel and G'raha Tia, she fights not out of duty, but for the memory of what was—and the fragile hope of what might yet be.Now, Izumi Kuuroneko is no longer the wide-eyed girl who left the jungle. She has killed gods, mourned legends, and walked through the very end of time. She still helps people—but her smile is rarer, her eyes more watchful. She smokes under the moonlight in quiet places, remembering those she’s lost, and wondering if her fight is truly over.But if you ask G’raha, or Aymeric, or the Scions who still call her friend—they will say this:“Izumi is still kind. She’s just tired of pretending she isn’t hurting.”And when the next shadow rises, she will lift her blades once more.Not because she wants to……but because no one else can.
Inventory
| Item | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| A Worn Tin Cigarette Case | Scratched and dented from years of travel, this old case holds her hand-rolled cigarettes and a slim flint lighter engraved with a crescent moon. | Her chosen vice and occasional source of calm. The act of lighting one is as much ritual as relief—something steady in a world of chaos. |
| Shizuka’s Talon Ring | A small loop of woven leather with one of her hawk’s shed talons bound to it, often clipped to her belt or tucked in a side pouch. | A bonding token and symbol of her hawk’s loyalty. She touches it absentmindedly when thinking or scouting alone. |
| Haurchefant’s Cracked Knight-Piece Pendant | A small, broken chess piece pendant made of silver, once part of a full set gifted by Haurchefant during their time in Ishgard. | The piece was cracked during the battle where he fell. She’s kept it close ever since, a quiet weight and personal relic of loss. |
| A Tattered Map of Eorzea | Marked, folded, and fading, this hand-drawn map has been with her since her early adventuring days. Ink circles and dagger marks dot major locations. | A reminder of where she started—and the places she still wishes to see, if the fighting ever ends. |
| Reaper Soul Crystal, Faded with Use | No longer active, but carried all the same. This dull, once-glowing soul crystal is wrapped in cloth and kept near the bottom of her bag. | She doesn’t speak of it, but she keeps it out of respect—for the power that once protected her, and the cost that came with it. |
| A Folded Letter from G’raha Tia | The parchment is well-handled but never creased beyond repair. Written in G’raha’s neat hand, it’s sealed with a pressed crimson petal. | She’s never said what’s written in it—and likely never will. But when days grow darkest, she re-reads it quietly, away from others. |
Relationships
Ada’thgar Atsumino
(Romantic Partner)
Race: Hyur (Midlander)Occupation: Mercenary and Jack of all TradesStatus: DatingSummary:
At first glance, Izumi Kuuroneko and Ada’thgar Atsumino could not seem more different. One is a shadow-carved warrior with a sharp tongue and wary eyes; the other, a wandering ranger who greets the world with tired smiles and sly remarks. But beneath the surface lies a quiet rhythm that only they understand—a bond not formed by words, but by being there when it mattered most.They met by chance—cornered and outnumbered during an ill-fated joint mission through the South Shroud. Both were professionals, focused, unflinching. But as plans unraveled and the night grew longer, it wasn’t just blades that held their line—it was a shared instinct to protect the other, even without ever agreeing to do so. They never spoke of it. They simply endured together.In the weeks that followed, fate continued to intertwine their paths. Shared contracts, overlapping objectives, mutual silence over drinks in forgotten inns. Their dynamic was not one of grand gestures, but of consistency—a rare thing in either of their lives.Izumi, long guarded by grief and the scars of war, found in Ada a presence that never pushed or pried. Ada didn’t ask about the Reaper crystal buried deep in Izumi’s bag, or why her hands sometimes trembled after battle. She just lit a second cigarette, leaned beside her, and stayed.For Ada, who had spent much of her life drifting from place to place, becoming whatever the situation demanded, Izumi was a constant. Fierce, unrelenting, real. She never had to pretend with her. Izumi didn’t need fixing, didn’t need Ada to be anything other than herself—and that freedom became something Ada couldn’t let go of.Izumi’s Thoughts: “She doesn’t try to fix me. Just walks beside me. That’s all I ever needed.”
Kikuri Shiratori
(Close Friend with Hidden Depths)
Summary:
Kikuri first crossed Izumi’s path during a celebration in Kugane, spinning through the crowd with unmatched grace and a mischievous glint in her eye. Bright, flirtatious, and unafraid of speaking her mind, Kikuri seemed like the polar opposite of Izumi—yet something about her felt deeply familiar.Beneath her colorful silks and infectious laughter lies a sharp mind and something darker—an aura that flickers between warmth and unsettling insight. Kikuri has whispered things she shouldn’t know, smiled just a bit too calmly in the face of death, and read fates best left unspoken.Izumi is wary of that side of her—but she respects Kikuri’s choices and trusts her without question. Their friendship is one of playful banter, unspoken watchfulness, and unwavering support.Izumi’s Thoughts: “She dances like a flame—beautiful, unpredictable, and dangerous if you look too long. But she’s never burned me.”
G’raha Tia
(Closest Companion)
Role: Friend, anchor, confidantSummary:
G’raha is the light Izumi never asked for but desperately needed. His idealism often clashes with her cynicism, yet their bond is unwavering. She trusts him in ways she struggles to express—even if she sometimes pushes him away out of fear he’ll see too much.Izumi’s Thoughts: “If I ever forget why I fight… he reminds me.”
Aymeric de Borel
(Emotional Constant)
Role: Trusted ally and unspoken confidantSummary:
Aymeric’s unwavering sense of duty and gentle empathy offer Izumi a rare place of calm. She respects him not just for his leadership, but for the quiet strength he hides behind diplomacy. Their bond was forged in fire—through bloodied snow and Haurchefant’s loss.Izumi’s Thoughts: “He sees too much. I think he knows I can’t say thank you.”
Haurchefant Greystone
(Fallen Comrade, Eternal Flame)
Role: Source of deep inspiration and lasting griefSummary:
Izumi often credits Haurchefant with teaching her how to believe in people—even when the world doesn’t deserve it. His death carved a wound in her she’s never truly healed from. She carries a token of him always.Izumi’s Thoughts: “He died smiling. I never quite learned how to smile like that again.”
Shizuka (Animal Companion)
Species: Hunting Hawk (Stormwhite)Summary:
More than a mere hawk, Shizuka is Izumi’s silent shadow. She obeys none but Izumi and watches over her with sharp eyes and sharper instinct. In her most vulnerable moments, Izumi often speaks to Shizuka—knowing the hawk will never repeat what she hears.Izumi’s Thoughts: “She doesn’t need words. She just knows.”
Scions of the Seventh Dawn
(Comrades & War-Forged Allies)
Relationship: Complicated but loyalSummary:
Though she no longer holds the same bright-eyed admiration for the Scions as she once did, Izumi remains fiercely loyal to the cause. She shares a mutual respect with the likes of Thancred (for his rogue past) and Y’shtola (for her wit and strength), though she keeps emotional distance.
