Though he is not the Warrior of Light, Shiitake's story is closely tied to the plot of Final Fantasy XIV and so, it will be expanded upon as I progress through the story.

Prologue

Growing up, Shiitake's life was that of an average Viera. As a kit, he could often be found at his mother's heels helping her out in her duties as caretaker to the village youth. He took pride in being able to do his part for his people in the village and looked forward to doing so when he was of age. Unfortunately, that wouldn't be the reality for him as a male Viera.

When he reached the appropriate age, he was taken from his mother's side to be trained for hunting and protecting the village for the rest of his life, only to return to the village when it was time to mate and produce children. It would be a simple life, though a little dangerous. Shiitake found the idea to be...incredibly boring.

When it was time for Shiitake to leave the village, he knew there was something more out there for him. Each day he would trek a little further from home, inching towards the edge of the forest that shrouded it. Roughly three months since his departure, Shiitake braved his way through the last of the trees and left his home for good.

Unfortunately, the first faces that Shiitake came to find after leaving weren't friendly ones. He found himself outnumbered by a group of pirates. His skills with a bow were no match for the brute strength of ruffians and he was knocked unconscious before he could even knock an arrow.

Shiitake spent the better half of a year as a prisoner to the pirates before the crew was taken out by the Rogues' Guild under the leadership of Jack Swallow. When all the rescued prisoners were returned to their homes, it became apparent to Jacke that Shiitake had no place to return to and offered him a home with guild. Shiitake gratefully accepted and swore his life to the rogues and Jacke.

Under the guidance of Jacke and his crew, Shiitake was taught to wield daggers and trained in espionage. Alongside V'kebbe and Perimu, Shiitake became one of Jacke's right hands. He grew to see the rogues as his family and fought to protect each and every one.

One night, Jacke pulled Shiitake aside to speak with him privately. He explained that an old friend had reached out to him and was in need of skilled blades for his cause, but Jacke had too much responsibility with the guild to leave on such short notice nor could he guarantee that the time away from Limsa Lominsa would be short. Shiitake reminded Jacke of the day he and the rogues rescued him, pointing out that he would gladly do anything to assist Jacke, and by extension, he would do anything for Jacke's friend.

And so, Shiitake was sent from the guild with letter from Jacke to addressed to a man by the name of Thancred Waters, unbeknownst to him that his journey would lead him to become one of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.

Final Fantasty XIV Spoilers appear beyond this point!

A Realm Reborn

Shiitake went on to Ul'dah to deliver the letter from Jacke to Thancred directly. By request of Jacke, Shiitake was taken under Thancred's wing as an apprentice in both swordsmanship and other forms of fighting. Since the pair had a shared hobby of seducing others and took pride in their looks, it was assumed that they would get on great... That was quite the opposite, however.

Despite Thancred being a respected friend and ally to Jacke, Shiitake didn't intend to pay him the same kindness unless he earned it. The beginnings of their relationship as student and mentor were rocky at best and the two were often at eachother's throats. Shiitake comes to respect the man after his own mistake on a mission lands him in the middle of an ambush and Thancred readily runs to his aid, though it meant losing sight the thief they were tracking.

During the course of his studies under the hyur, Shiitake meets the other Scions as well as the newly recruited Aldaros Kravensire, a Miqo'te with a heart of gold and possessing the Echo. Being the newest members of the group, Shiitake and Aldaros quickly found comfort in eachother's company and became fast friends. Seeing how well the two got along, Minfilia brought forth the suggestion that Shiitake become retainer to the Miqo'te as soon as he was finished with studies under Thancred.

With the new goal of Shiitake's training being to become the sworn sword to the Warrior of Light, his apprenticeship expanded beyond Thancred's teachings as he was allowed to assist Aldaros with his own assignments and spent some time training under Y'shtola, Papalymo, and Yda. Through their lessons and his previous experience with the rogues, Shiitake was able to prove himself as a skilled and trusted ally, but his lack of blessing meant he was unable to provide much assistance in the face of Primals.

Determined to be of help, Shiitake dove into his training headfirst. When he wasn't at Aldaros's or Thancred's side, he could be found on the training grounds or sparring with local adventurers.

Through the course of his adventures alongside the Warrior of Light and fellow Scions, Shiitake began to feel a sense of belonging among those around him, though they originally felt worlds apart. When time had come that both the Ultima weapon and Lahabrea were fell by Aldaros's hand, all seemed that there was good tidings on the rise for the Scions...until the Sultana was poisoned and the Scions framed for the crime. There was little time before the entirety of the Immortal Flames descended upon the group, leaving them hastened to flee.

During the duration of their escape, the Scions began to fall behind one by one to ensure that the Warrior of Light is able to make it out to safety. Shiitake is among one of the last to stay behind, bidding his hero hold on to a possession of and leaving him with just a few words: "See you on the other side, Aldaros." Crumbling rocks and mortar of the passage fell to separate the pair before Aldaros could do so much as protest, leaving him and Minfilia to continue on their own.

Holding to the belief that his charge would be safe, Shiitake continued to fight off forces of attackers wave after wave. Overwhelmed, exhausted, and surrounded, he believed himself to be at the end of his rope. A blazing bright light encompassed him before he could come to accept his downfall, the feeling of it almost suffocating as if everything fell upon him at once and then, suddenly, there was nothing to feel.

When his senses returned to him, he felt the heat of the sun and the sand clinging to his skin. With the bitter taste of salt on his lips and the sound of crashing waves, it was apparent to Shiitake that he wasn't in Ul'dah anymore--let alone Thanalan. His bleary gaze took in everything around him only to confirm his suspicions: he was totally and utterly alone.

Heavensward

Shiitake found himself disoriented and alone following Y'shtola's spell that sent him and the other Scions out of Ul'dah. Desperate to make his way back to the others, Shiitake searched for the nearest settlement to make a plan for finding his friends. He was able to find out he ended up in La Noscea and quickly made for the Rogues' guild in Limsa Lominsa. Upon arriving there, Jacke caught him up to speed on everything they were aware of and tipped him off to a rumor that the Warrior of Light was bound for Ishgard. Shiitake took the rumor and ran with it, doing his best to avoid anyone who might be looking for him as he headed for Coerthas in hopes a friend could grant him safe passage to Ishgard. Everything was going to plan until he was stopped by a tall, Vieran Flame Captain by the name of Aegir Irique.

Given orders to hunt down any of the Scions, Aegir didn't hesitate to engage in combat with Shiitake. It was plain for Shiitake to see that he was outmatched by Aegir and he suffered a wound during their fight. When Aegir had him pinned to the ground under his foot and poised to strike, the captain stopped short of delivering a fatal blow and simply stepped back to allow for Shiitake to escape. Not sticking around to question Aegir's change of heart, Shiitake clambered to his feet and made a run for it. He traveled until he met with Haurchefant in Coerthas who granted him passage to Ishgard and allowed him to reunite with Aldaros, Tataru, and Alphinaud. The quartet was taken in under the care of House Fortemps, and while Shiitake longed for a bit of time to lick his wounds and mourn the lost, Aldaros was quick to offer aid to those in Ishgard; as expected of him, Shiitake followed close behind his companion through every endeavor.

Shiitake struggled with his focus during their work in Ishgard, worrying that the four of them were the only remaining scions left alive following their exodus paired with the added self-doubt in his abilities following his skirmish with the Flame Captain. Due to his more unusually withdrawn demeanor during this time, he tended to fade into the background during most of the pair's exploits, doing what he was able to assist Aldaros and watching the Warrior of Light's growing recognition throughout the region.

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With the Dragonsong War reaching a close and the Warriors of Darkness returned to their world; Shiitake, Aldaros, and the other scions are given a brief, but much needed, respite. Shiitake bids his friends a farewell to return to Limsa Lominsa for his time of rest, visiting Jacke and his family of rogues as well as taking some time to catch up with Elianne at the Drowning Wench. During his time in the citystate, Shiitake's sense of belonging becomes skewed as he finds himself longing to return to his life in the underbelly of Limsa Lominsa and the inner conflict has him entertaining the idea of leaving the Scions of the Seventh Dawn in favor of staying behind with the rogues and Jacke.

Before he can come to a decision, unrest arises in Little Ala Mhigo and talk of an impendending revolution calls Shiitake back to his Warrior of Light's side and into action for the good of Eorzea once more.

Stormblood

Tsuyu deserved better.

Shadowbringers

Ardbert deserved better.

Endwalker

I deserved better.

• Shiitake hasn't returned to his home village since his departure; he is presumed to be dead by his family which consists of his mother and three younger siblings.
• He and the other prisoners were branded with tattoos on their necks displaying a number to identify them when selling them; Shiitake's number is 777. He tries to keep it covered at all times.
• Known as "Lucky Foot" around the Rogues' Guild.
• After joining the Scions, Shiitake picked up the sword in addition to his bow and daggers; he is not skilled in casting, however.
• Shiitake often takes more risks than he should and is very familiar with the healers of the Scions.
• He has Alpha-Gal Syndrome (Red Meat Allergy) and is a vegetarian as a result.
• His chocobo's name is Portobella and Shiitake lovingly calls her "Mi Bella".