–Slight story spoliers–

Originally from a small island southwest of Limsa Lominsa, populated almost entirely by Hyurs. It is a small stop over for sailors heading lands to the far West. Aside from providing services and foodstuffs to these sailors for their trips, the island also produced rather outstanding Arcanists, the most exceptional being born what the islanders called "The Carbuncle's Eye", where one of the person's eye is red like a Carbuncle ruby.

Those that were skilled in Arcanistry were able to hire themselves out to ship crews to help with navigation. Most would take the opportunity as a way to visit different lands, and come back home with way more coin then they would've earned fishing or farming on the island.

Raide was one of those born with a Carbuncle's Eye. During his youth, he took to Arcanistry with zeal, mostly due to finding the island highly boring. He'd often sneak down to the taverns and listen to sailor's stories. Once he became of age, he'd leave the island at the first opportunity and visit these amazing lands, himself. Of particular interest was Eorzea. Toward the end of the Sixth Astral Era, he heard stories of gods coming to life, and evil Empire, and the brave adventurers that faced them.

His parents, simple fisherfolk, supported him as much as they could, using their extra money to pay for his studies.

Once Dalamud fell in Eorzea, the ocean became chaotic, and for a long time, sailors stopped coming to the island. Coming of age during that time, Raide decided to become an assistant to the local blacksmith, while continuing his Arcanist studies. He found the work enjoyable, if not exactly what he wanted to do in life.

After nearly five years, ships starting coming in with decent frequency again. Apparently, while devastated by the moon falling, Eorzea was starting to pick up the pieces. One particular piece of information greatly interested Raide, the opening of a dedicated Arcanist Guild in Limsa Lominsa. He hired himself out to a ship heading there the first chance he got. During the trip, he had a strange dream…

Arriving to Eorzea, he found that the easiest way to make money to pay for his immediate expenses was to sign up with the Adventurer's Guild. Once his finances were secure, he went right to the Arcanist Guild. Apparently Nymeria had bigger plans for him, as during challenging fight, he came across a strange crystal, and his life got a lot more interesting.

Upon learning all he could from the Arcanist Guild, he took up an opportunity to learn the forgotten ways of Summoners and Scholars. While able to master both, he found he had more aptitude for summoning then tactics, and focused his studies on that.

Since arriving in Eorzea, he found out that what was uncommon on his island was practically non-existent in Eorzea. He became rather self-conscious about his eye, and generally covers it up with glasses or masks.

When asked to join a Grand Company, he quickly joined the Maelstrom not only due to feel like he owed something to the Arcanist guild there, but also due to respecting Admiral Merlwyb. He jokes about Gridania being a bunch of tree huggers, but he actually respects the way the way they live their life (though he could do without their xenophobia). He has less kind words for Ul'dah, seeing it corrupted by soulless merchants, and even of its philosophy. There is some good in it, but figures it's going to take a major upheaval to be able to root out all the bad.

Upon exploring the Crystal Tower, he found out the origins of the Carbuncle's Eye. It turns out that it's due to those on the island having the blood of Allagan royalty. However, the blood is far, far thinner then G'raha's, basically having next to no power, other then bestowing a higher affinity for Arcanist arts, and the red eye.
Doga and Unei theorized that it may have been some lordling that was exiled for some reason or another to the island early in the reign of Allag.

When not in the middle of some sort of life and death struggle with gods, empires, or immortals, Raide brushes up on his crafting skill, which he excels at. At times, too much so, with his "Raide Duku's Arms and Dressery" branded items sometimes being more in demand then his summoning skills.

He's also taken the time to be proficient in about every martial and magical art offered for learning, and has mastered the White Mage's art, and working on mastering those of the Paladin (mostly due to wanting more insight on making weaponry by knowing how to use them).

He joined up with the Free Company called The Seventh Circle, upon hearing their exploits, and finding their philosophy agreeable to him. It also makes him feel a little less self-conscious about his eye when the leader of the Free Company has one, himself, though for different reasons.

Raide tends to be quiet around other folks, though more talkative around friends. He jokingly boasts about his skill in both his summoning and crafting, but in reality is constantly judging himself, and pushing to improve himself if he feels like he's falling short of others.