User:Alleya

The only known portait of Alleluia "Alleya" Almain.

• Birth Name: Alleluia Almain IX, e'DeCron
• Place of Birth: Unknown
• Current residence: Nomadic. Claims allegiance with the Federation of Windurst.
  • Parents
  • Father: Sebastian DeCron. Deceased, KIA. Bastokan militiaman in the time of the Great War.
  • Mother: Alleluia Almain VIII. Deceased, murdered. Youngest daughter of Sinbad Chiron, shipping tycoon.

History

Little is known about Alleluia Almain, known across Vana'diel as simply "Alleya." A nomadic figure, she is notoriously difficult to track down and even more notorious for her refusal to answer questions about herself. That which is known is a quarter empirical, and three quarters myth. She is generally regarded as a master martial artist, both because of her participation earlier in life in several inter-nation martial arts competitions as well as eye-witness accounts of various battles. These accounts range from the absolute unquestionable, such as her one-on-one encounter with Gurfurlur the Menacing in the streets of Al Zhabi, to the outlandishly suspect, such as the widely popular tale of an alleged battle with fifteen Yagudo heroes at once. Records and accounts from earlier in her life also suggest that she has been known to wield large so called Great Katanas with formidable skill, but no such accounts have appeared for the last several years.

Though she keeps to herself and is rather difficult to track, it is quite difficult to actually miss her should she be near by. Those who have seen her or have been welcomed in her presence speak of incredibly striking features. Most notable is the consistent theme of extremely bright emerald colored eyes that seem to glow, as well as a general but greatly above-average physical beauty. Some scholars dismiss these awestruck accounts as exaggeration of people overawed by the presence of someone famous more than someone seemingly supernatural. However, several former skeptics have claimed to have met her and recanted their arguments.

Despite wildly popular and highly publicized claims of romantic and sexual relationships from various men and fiction writers across Vana'diel, Alleya is believed to have never had a close interpersonal relationship with anyone, and that she is now and has always been celibate. Not every contrary claim can thoroughly debunked by modern historians and Hero enthusiasts, so the stories remain popular and the validity wholly dependent on individual decision.

Despite her reclusive nature, Alleya has been known to take on pupils for tutelage in the field of martial arts. About a dozen accounts out of several hundred are considered to be credible and have provided a wealth of scholarly knowledge, as well as a wealth of further legend and myth centered around her various deeds and adventures. Those who have recounted their apprenticeship speak of several common themes, especially of unorthodox and seemingly random training methods, most expertly surmised by a former student in his memoirs:

[The training] appeared at first wholly disorganized; the crazed, meaningless errands of a madwoman... ...Each night, I would hear the creaking of my bones, the wailing of my burning muscles, the discord raging in my soul and the diluteness of my Chakra. And in this cacophony, I knew with all my being, was the sweet melody of success. Each day that lilting melody would become ever more clear, and as I heard more and more of that symphony, I knew that it was true harmony. The harmony I've written about page after page here, night after night. It is that harmony, that infinite stillness and calm that I saw in her face even when she was locked in fierce battle. It was the sound of the end of anger, the end of vengeance, of hatered, of war. It was what I had been looking for all this time. What I had been searching for that day I stepped outside of Bastok, more than revenge, more than power. Those were trifling things. The pain of my body was nothing--I had to go on.

While such things are a common theme in myth, few have ever disputed the validity of these accepted pupils. After all, their mastery of martial arts is apparent, and the style and manner of combat far too similar to Alleya's to be dismissed.

Legends

Several of the more popular stories and facts surrounding Alleya have been or can be easily confirmed, and some wild rumors are accepted as fact.

• The most easily confirmed claim is that Alleya is, in fact, a member of the highly selective Order of the Blue Gartr, a highly organized group said to be at least 40 strong of the most skilled and highly trained experts in combat, small military maneuvers, monster hunting, dungeon delving, history, lore, and general adventuring. Alleya's undeniable mastery of hand-to-hand combat and considerable geographical knowledge intrinsic with being a habitual wanderer leaves little room for doubt about her qualifications to join. Several more amiable and approachable members of the Order have also independently confirmed her membership and constant activity within the Order. It is said that the only known portrait of her was produced by an artistically inclined member, but the canvas bears no signature and the style is not recognized by art historians.

• Hundreds of eye-witnesses have confirmed the account of Alleya's battle with Gur Fur Lur the Menacing, an extremely powerful overgrown Troll, in the streets of Al Zhabi. With the Aht Urgan empire surrounded by beastmen hordes all vying for powerful artifacts within the capital, the streets often play host to invading armies, which are often spearheaded by powerful figures such as Gur Fur Lur. During such a siege, the forces defending Aht Urgan were greatly confused by the imposing troll's absence from the brunt of the assault. As the battle drew to a close and several hundred militiamen and volunteers chased the remaining Trolls back to the city walls, they came upon Gur Fur Lur battling a lone woman. Gur Fur Lur's injuries were considerable, and witnesses were shocked by the woman's ability to execute complicated throws and grappling maneuvers on the troll, who was easily four times her size. Gur Fur Lur was soundly defeated, although not killed. The woman identified herself as Alleya to General Rughadjeen and the descriptions recorded in the General's report match those given by other witnesses, as well as the much prized portrait.

• Several eyewitness accounts also place Alleya at key battles within the near-eastern empire as well as here at home. Though many of the stories are impossible to confirm, they purvey easily throughout song and oral histories, as well as making the basis for both benign fiction and outright hoaxes. Many of these stories become wrapped up in the lore surrounding the Order of the Blue Gartr and thus actually gain some validity through the sheer volume of confirmed history surrounding that organization, such as Alleya's presence at several battles against the Wyrm King Bahamut, as well as the well known Grand Wyrms such as Tiamat and Jormungand. Though more recent tales about the Order unlocking gates to ancient Zilart paradises are harder to confirm, tangible evidence in the form of powerful artifacts not easily explained or identified has been offered by the Order, much of which can be seen on Alleya herself.

All in all, popular modern myth will always surround powerful figures. Perhaps it is the stories we enjoy more than the fact of the matter--or maybe the stories really are true, which is a far more enticing proposition.