Candide Waters Timeline

Born out of wedlock to a brume woman and a nobleman of high renown, Candide was quickly discarded when the noble wanted nothing to do with him and his mother realized that she couldn't use her new baby to climb Ishgard's perilous social ladder. He was found quiet in the streets in a bucket, and was brought in by the church and quickly handed off to one of Ishgard's many orphanages.

Like most children that ended up in Ishgard's many orphanages, Candide was left vying for the attention of his many caretakers as he was bustled from house to house as the tides changed. He did have one constant, however, the holy woman who found him all those years ago would always come around on Starlight to offer him gifts and bring him back to her home for a month or so. It is here that he learned how to read and write, and never wanted to part with her when she had to return to her duties with the church as the festive season ended.

To divert resources to the ongoing war against the Hoarde, the Ishgardian church pulls away its funding for those who are less fortunate. When the orphanage Candide is a part of finally collapses underneath the weight of the houses above, it is not set to be rebuilt. No longer having the resources to care for the children, they are released into the Brume to fend for themselves. Candide takes it upon himself to lead a small group of them and provide, though eventually they do fracture underneath Candide's green leadership.

He does not see them, nor the kindly holy woman who would visit him on Starlight again.

Quickly finding his footing along with the bottom of the bottom, he joins a small time gang peddling drugs and other odds and ends. They operate roughly for a year before they're busted by the Temple Knights, though they let Candide go due to his age and his willingness to throw his compatriots under the bus.

As the only one who knows where the goods are, he quickly rises to the top of the fractured gang and takes the reigns. Using his knowledge and ability to read to advance the gang to better and more lucrative heights, he gains begrudging respect from his peers.

A few years of being on the top is enough to breed a little resentment, leading to a scrap between Candide and one of his underlings as to who should be in charge. The brawl turned deadly with Candide coming out on top, and those that supported the attempted usurper were gathered to toss the body over the side of the city. With a new layer of respectful fear coming from his men, Candide learns quickly to sleep with a knife by his bed.