Kihel is a character in Final Fantasy XVI. She is an orphan who wanders central Valisthea, selling potions and other medicines to people in need.
History[]
Kihel was born in the year 866, to a family in the Republic of Dhalmekia. She has at least one sibling.[1]
In the year 873, she moved to live with her grandmother after her parents were killed in a war between the Republic of Dhalmekia and the Iron Kingdom.[1]
In the year 878, she made for the refugee town of Kostnice after her grandmother passed away due to old age, getting separated from her sibling(s) along the way.[1] While there she happened upon Clive Rosfield and Jill Warrick on a mission to free Bearers. She offered them her wares, but was rejected by Jill.
After the destruction of Drake's Breath, she was seen on the Crystal Road, helping refugees fleeing to the Crystalline Dominion.[1] She happened across Joshua Rosfield and Jote, and upon witnessing Joshua's coughing fit, rushed to offer him a tonic, but was rejected by him.
After the destruction of Drake's Fang, she was seen at the camp of the Holy Order of the Knights Dragoon, situated north of the Crystalline Dominion. She offered a passing soldier her wares, who then harshly rebuked and threatened her.
During the coup on Twinside, she was seen looking on in horror as Bahamut took to the skies to wreak havoc on the inner city.
After the destruction of Twinside, she happened across Dion Lesage, who was collapsed on the street, and took him back to her house in the slums to nurse him back to health.
Upon Dion's awakening, she rushed to offer him a cup of fresh water from a well, which he accepted in silence. As they watched the lanterns floating down the river, she told him a story her grandmother had told her: that the lanterns guide lost spirits to their proper place. She told him that she had sent a lantern out for her grandmother when she passed away. She told Dion that her own poultices mended his hurts, and while he was apologizing for not having payment, reassured him that she could not leave him lying on the ground. As Dion thanked her for her aid and prepared to leave, she asked him if he promises to come back and visit.
Becoming a person whom Dion owed his life to, he sent Terence to find and provide for her.
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
Kihel has wavy, shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes. She wears a simple white tunic and a green shawl, and carries a brown leather satchel which she keeps her medicines in.
Personality[]
Kihel is meek and shy, but persistent and kind-hearted. She offers to mend people's wounds without asking for anything in return. She persists in selling medicines in crowded streets where people are rude and ignore her. Despite her young age, she is independent and subsists on her own work.
Behind the scenes[]
Kihel explains the water lanterns' purpose to Dion, implying he—being from Sanbreque and following a different religion—may be unaware of the tradition: to guide the souls of the departed to their "proper place". In Japan, Tōrō nagashi is a ceremony in which participants float paper lanterns down a river, traditionally performed on the final evening of the Bon Festival in the belief it will help guide the souls of the departed to the spirit world.