Matt was born in the far southern continent of Meracydia, offered as a newborn baby by his parents to the Dragon-worshipping Empire's super soldier programme in exchange for financial security. The various serums and aetherial enhancements he was subjected to gave his body an unnatural strength and durability, paired with unparalleled regenerative abilities, though he was abducted shortly after by two unscrupulous researchers who were looking to flee to Eorzea and sell the Miqo'te away on the black market as a super-slave. On their way to an underground La Noscean auction, their carriage was attacked by barbarians and all the convoy members were slain, save for the Miqo'te infant, which the chieftain pried from the wooden debris.
The barbarian tribe then adopted him as one of their own, teaching him how to pillage and get stronger, and to live free, following the whims of his heart. When his nineteenth summer approached, his adoptive father and chieftain challenged him to a duel to the death, claiming that tradition demanded the strongest lead the rest: most members had noticed how unnaturally strong the young Miqo'te was, always charging headfirst during their raids, and his rise ultimately weakened the old barbarian's leadership. The duel went exactly how the tribesmen had expected: the old chieftain simply could not overcome the younger warrior's unnatural regeneration, and after he was forced to deal the fatal blow, instead of taking his place, Matt chose to leave the tribe and roam Eorzea.
He made some coin with mercenary, bodyguard and gladiator work in his travels around the world (enough to purchase a plot of land in Shirogane, at that), but still retains some bad habits from his crude education, such as taking what he wants or stripping on a whim in public despite some of his wealthier clients' best efforts at hammering etiquette into the stubborn lad. His wandering often brings him back to Limsa Lominsa, where he gladly indulges the city boys' fantasies of getting taken by a wild man, to the point of knowing every timid waiter at the Bismarck intimately.
