Yonago

Overview

Yonago is a fisherman who found and raised Rin after she was left on his doorstep as an infant by Orchid, a mantis Chimera.

Background

Yonago lives in a cabin with a thatched roof near the Katkera forests. He works as a fisherman with the assistance of Ukai, a domestic cormorant, and maintains fishponds where he stores his catch. Twice a week, he and Rin would load fish onto their yak and travel by barge to the floating city of Amorgand to sell at market.

Timeline

~375 AC - Finding Rin

One rainy evening, Yonago found Rin on his doorstep—a tiny infant barely a few days old, wrapped in vines and bluish foliage in a cocoon lined with moss. He saw the Chimera that brought her: a human-sized praying mantis with a rosy orchid-like hue. The mantis looked at him for a long time, as if to ensure he would take good care of the child. Yonago accepted this responsibility and raised Rin as his own daughter.

At least once a season throughout Rin’s childhood, Orchid would return to the edge of the forest to check on Rin’s well-being. Each time, Yonago would greet her with a nod before she disappeared back into the trees.

~388 AC - Revealing Rin’s Origins

One evening while Rin was gutting fish, Yonago revealed the truth about her origins. His expression was surprisingly serious as he explained that he was not her biological father and described how he had found her. Rin’s eyes welled up with tears at the revelation.

When Rin later set off alone to find Orchid in the forest, Yonago saw her leave without a word, knowing it was a quest she had to accomplish.

~389 AC - Supporting Rin’s Path

After Rin met with Turuun and learned about The Musubi and the Muna, Yonago sensed her turmoil. On the way back from Amorgand, he told her that nature and life had been generous to him—he had received a peaceful existence and a daughter he adored. He said that if nature gave, it was necessary to give back, and perhaps that was what Rin was meant to do.

When Rin decided to leave for the Katkera to bond with Orchid and become a Muna, Yonago took her in his arms and thanked her for what she had given him. He reassured her that he would remain her father no matter what, and she would always find her way home.

~389-391 AC - Correspondence

During Rin’s years of training with the Muna, Yonago sometimes replied to her letters with brief missives carried by the Talaria. Paper and ink were expensive, but he took the time to give her news.

~391 AC - Reunion

As Yonago was laying out his nets, he saw a frail figure raise its arm from the shore, accompanied by a massive insectoid form. Tears welled up in his eyes, for he would have recognized Rin among thousands. Even Ukai croaked and flapped his wings. Yonago abandoned his nets to sail eagerly to Rin, holding her tightly under the benevolent eye of the mantis.

That night, Rin told him about her initiation as a Muna and her connection to The Skein. She also revealed what Orchid had shown her: that she had come from beyond Asgartha’s borders, from a distant Oasis. Yonago understood what his daughter wanted to tell him and offered his blessing before she could ask. He held her again, happy for the time they would have before her departure for the Rediscovery Endeavor.

Relationships

• Rin: Adoptive daughter; found her as an infant and raised her; supported her path to become a Muna; blessed her departure for the Rediscovery Endeavor
• Orchid: Chimera who left Rin on Yonago’s doorstep; greeted her with a nod during seasonal visits throughout Rin’s childhood
• Ukai: Domestic cormorant who assists Yonago with fishing
• Turuun: Muna priestess Yonago introduced Rin to at the Amorgand temple