Matsya

Matsya is a Matanga resident of Thavnair. He plays a supporting role in the Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker story and is the Warrior of Light's companion in Aloalo Island.
==History==
Matsya met the Warrior of Light in Yedlihmad as the latter was learning about the current state of affairs in Thavnair. He initially wanted to meet with Khalzal, but the Au Ra businessman was busy with a potential client. The Warrior of Light approached Matsya to learn more about his situation and help him sell the fish he caught. Matsya, grateful for the Warriors efforts, discussed how the mysterious tower suddenly appeared and disrupted the Thavnarian way of life. He left Yedlihmad to return to his village, but was assaulted by tempered Garlean soldiers. The Warrior of Light, Thancred, Estinien, and Urianger saved the Matanga and escorted him back to the village. There, Matsya and the other villagers taught the travelers the Thavnarian religious beliefs, including the deities they worshipped. Matsya gave the travelers directions to the Great Work.
During the second coming of the Final Days, after the Satrap convened the residents of Radz-at-Han for a meeting, Matsya rushed to meet with Ahewan, with urgent news that Palaka's Stand had been rendered inaccessible due to the number of monsters blocking the path. This caused a worried grandmother to give in to despair and transform, which snowballed into a monster outbreak within Radz-at-Han. Having recognized Matsya, Thancred instructed Matsya to lead the Warrior of Light, Alphinaud, and Alisaie to Palaka's Stand to help.
The four got to Palaka's Stand, finding Matsya's friend Qeresaf mortally wounded on a nearby pathway, and Matsya helped comfort Qeresaf in his final moments. Returning to Palaka's Stand for the time being, Matsya helped keep the villagers calm by reminding them of their religious teachings on what life is. The four resumed the search for Mehvan, and found her and her infant child being chased by a beast of the Final Days. They could not save Mehvan, and her infant was near death. Matsya was forced to bring the infant back to Palaka's Stand while the Warrior of Light, Alphinaud, and Alisaie held back the beasts. Matsya and the infant nearly turned themselves and were face-to-face with a beast, and were saved in the nick of time by Estinien and Vrtra. They returned to Palaka's Stand, where Matsya promised to help raise the orphaned infant.
After the Final Days had been averted, Estinien and the Warrior of Light asked Matsya to help get a boat for their expedition into Alzadaal's Legacy.
At some point, Matsya met a mysterious, talking bird named Kalika, who hailed from Aloalo Island. Kalika, seeking out people to help restore the island's aetheric balance, dubbed Matsya as the hero to save the island, much to the Matanga's chagrin. Matsya denied being qualified to be the hero, and instead called the Warrior of Light for aid. Kalika insisted that Matsya accompany the Warrior of Light on the expeditions. Through repeated visits to the island, Matsya and the Warrior of Light learned more about the people who once lived there. Matsya, in search of a never-before-seen fish to impress the alchemist Nidhana, caught a golden fish from the heart of the island. After his childhood friend and alchemist Pausan analyzed the fish, they learned it had miraculous medicinal qualities; eating the fish will cure one of all illnesses and make one immune to them for the remainder of their life. Matsya decided that instead of impressing Nidhana, he would feed the fish to Qeresaf and Mehvan's infant child to help her live a healthy life.
==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
Matsya is a Matanga, a bipedal, sentient, elephant tribe. Similar to other male Matangas, Matsya does not wear a shirt. He wears white trousers, but uses a blue and yellow sash to secure it rather than the red and green belt his fellows use.
===Personality===
Matsya is a timid Matanga. He is initially insecure in his abilities to interact with others; however, after watching and learning from the Warrior of Light selling fish, he learned to be more confident. Despite his timidness, Matsya has a strong sense of responsibility and attempted to rush Mehvan's infant child back to her village despite Matsya's fear. Matsya has a deep sense of compassion for his friends, mourning their deaths and doing everything he can to make sure the orphan child has a good life even if it means sacrificing a chance to pursue his own wants. Matsya is spiritual and, contrary to what he thinks, is articulate in teaching others about Thavnarian religious beliefs and using the teachings to calm people.
Category:Characters in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Matanga