Overview
Tataru Taru is a Lalafell of the Dunesfolk clan and a central supporting character in Final Fantasy XIV. A member of both the Path of the Twelve and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, she serves as the organization's receptionist, secretary, and coinkeeper. Though she lacks combat ability, her resourcefulness, social intelligence, and growing talent as a seamstress and artisan make her indispensable to her companions. Cheerful and fiercely loyal, Tataru is widely regarded as the heart of the Scions.
History & Lore
Early Life and Background
Tataru was born into a family that had once known prosperity in Ul'dah, but financial ruin reduced them to poverty before she was old enough to remember better times. To help keep her household afloat, she took on an apprenticeship with a lapidary at the age of twelve, contributing what little she could earn to support her family.
It was through this work that she crossed paths with Minfilia Warde, who came to sell gems and ore. Minfilia recognized something exceptional in the young Lalafell and later extended an invitation for Tataru to manage the finances of the Path of the Twelve. Tataru accepted, motivated not only by the prospect of personal stability but by a genuine desire to be of service to others.
Service with the Path of the Twelve and Early Scions
When the adventurer known as the Warrior of Light first joined the Path of the Twelve, Tataru handled their registration and helped orient them within the organization. She served as a point of contact, providing guidance and information as the group pursued its goals.
After the Seventh Umbral Calamity, the Path of the Twelve merged with the Circle of Knowing to become the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Tataru's responsibilities expanded accordingly, blending secretarial work with financial oversight. During this period she also proved adept at cultivating relationships and identifying individuals blessed with the Echo, helping the Scions grow into a formidable alliance. When Garlean forces under Livia sas Junius attacked the Waking Sands and took several Scions captive, Tataru was among those held at Castrum Centri until the Warrior of Light secured their rescue.
Growth and Hardship Through the Calamity's Aftermath
Following the Scions' relocation to the Rising Stones in Revenant's Toll, Tataru threw herself into finding new ways to contribute. She briefly pursued careers as a miner, a songstress, and a street performer in hopes of supplementing the organization's funds, though none of these ventures took hold. Feeling increasingly inadequate compared to her more capable companions, she took a leave of absence to train as an Arcanist, only to discover that combat was far from her calling.
Rather than succumb to discouragement, she channeled her energy into crafting protective charms for her fellow Scions. This project kept her away from the ill-fated banquet in Ul'dah, during which most of the Scions were apparently killed or captured. She was among the few survivors, rescued by Yugiri Mistwalker from the treacherous Crystal Braves.
Ishgard, Othard, and Expanding Influence
Granted entry into Ishgard as a ward of House Fortemps, Tataru found work at the Forgotten Knight tavern, using it as a hub for gathering intelligence. When overzealous knights accused her and Alphinaud of heresy, the Warrior of Light cleared her name through trial by combat. Her information network proved vital during this period, most notably when her coordination with Pipin Tarupin led to the discovery of Y'shtola's whereabouts. She also demonstrated her growing skill as a seamstress by crafting new attire for Y'shtola upon her recovery, and later for Thancred and Alisaie as well.
When the Scions traveled to Othard to support the liberation of Doma, Tataru secured their passage to Kugane by leveraging sensitive information about Captain Carvallain's true identity. She remained at the Ruby Bazaar as the Scions' eyes and ears in the Far East. During this time she accompanied the Warrior of Light and Soroban into the dungeon known as Hells' Lid, and later witnessed the re-sealing of the rogue Auspice Koryu. Her efforts were rewarded when Genbu presented her with a substantial treasure haul to replenish the Scions' depleted coffers.
Supporting the Scions Across the Source and Beyond
As the Scions faced the threat of the Telophoroi and the looming Final Days, Tataru continued to operate from the Rising Stones and Sharlayan, coordinating logistics, managing finances, and outfitting her companions for each new challenge. She and Krile tracked down the reluctant Estinien and pressed him into service investigating the Empire's development of the Black Rose biological weapon. When the Scions returned from the First, she had already recreated their equipment from that realm, working from instructions provided by Feo Ul, and fashioned new gear for G'raha Tia as well.
She also oversaw the construction of the Bonanza, an airship built for the Scions' use, though she candidly admitted her attempts to pilot it had been less than triumphant. When the final confrontation with Meteion drew near, she outfitted the Warrior of Light from her newly opened boutique and saw the Scions off as they departed aboard the Ragnarok. She was the first to welcome them home after the Final Days were averted.
Personality and Relationships
Tataru is widely considered the most warmhearted member of the Scions, approaching every task with enthusiasm and an unfailing smile. Minfilia once observed that she has a reliable instinct for reading people, and this quality has served her well in building the Scions' network of allies. Despite her cheerful exterior, she is not without insecurity, frequently feeling overshadowed by companions with more obvious talents. Her repeated attempts to master new professions reflect a deep-seated desire to prove her worth, even when those attempts end in failure.
Beneath her gentle demeanor lies a pragmatic and occasionally ruthless streak. She has shown no hesitation in resorting to blackmail when the situation demands it, and Estinien himself remarked that she seemed to have been trained as a spy. She maintains a wary authority over figures like Hancock, whom she distrusts on principle. Her loyalty to the Scions is absolute, and she worries deeply about their safety whenever they are beyond her reach. After the Scions disbanded, she remained at the Rising Stones alone, transforming it into the base for a flourishing career as an artisan and clothier.
Abilities and Skills
Though Tataru trained as an Arcanist, her aptitude for combat is minimal at best. During a solo instanced encounter, her Carbuncle famously abandons her at the outset, leaving her to stumble through the fight while occasionally casting healing magic when her allies are in danger. Despite this, a later sidequest in Labyrinthos hints that she may possess untapped potential, as her Carbuncle demonstrated an ability to sustain itself on aether far beyond what should have been possible.
Her true talents lie in craftsmanship and administration. She is a skilled seamstress whose work has clothed nearly every member of the Scions at one point or another, and her financial acumen has kept the organization solvent through numerous crises. After the Final Days, these abilities formed the foundation of a successful independent business that extended from Eorzea to Ishgard, Kugane, and beyond.
