The Holy Dragon Empire (CS)

[Melon Kid]

You can format your CS how you like so long as it's readable!

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Name:

Age:

Gender:

Race: The listed races are the main ones, but you can use other races within reason - western fantasy races are barred for the most part

Occupation: If the character does not have some kind of trade, you can just put down 'adventurer' or something similar

Appearance: Optional if you add an image

Personality:

Skills: List combat abilities, fighting styles/schools, general skills - Qi / Sorcery / Divine Arts abilities go here as well, and while more than one can be used at the same time, don't expect to be an expert at any of them if you choose that route unless there's a good reason for it

Gear: Optional, any notable items or their travel gear you can place here

Bio: Optional, but encouraged

 

[Melon Kid]

Shichiro​

Name: Matou, Shichiro


Age: 25


Gender: Male


Race: Human


Occupation: Adventurer


Personality: I know him. That guy knows him. The regulars down at the Bronze Pipe? They know him. Everyone knows him. You don't know him? Well, you do now: The strongest swordsman in the world! With his right hand, he slayed a thousand demons with his trusty blade and with his left hand, he carried a harem of smokin' hot babes-- what's that? This sounds ridiculous? No, no, no, I assure you that the tales are all true. . . maybe with a sprinkle, a hint, of pizzazz to spice up the story a little, you know? Hey. Hey, where are you going? Hey, come on now I wasn't finis--

Skills & Gear

•  

Gear & Skills

• 
  
  Gear:
  
  • [Weapon] Maple: A curved, single-edged blade of impressive length. Its workmanship is of high-quality, but is otherwise ordinary.
  • [Gear] Golden Leaf Compass: An enchanted compass that always points towards the nearest hidden treasure.
  • [Gear] Grappling Hook: These things always come in handy when you least expect it!
  • [Gear] Smoke Bombs: This is probably his best investment.
  Skills:
  
  • [School] Falling Sloth: The best outcome of a fight. . . is to never fight at all. He's learned such great techniques as, using smoke bombs to cover his escape, pointing dramatically to distract the enemy, and should the enemy dare to clash with him directly - throw dirt in his eyes to get the upper hand.
  • [Chi] Wind Sprint: In short bursts, Shichiro can channel his inner power to dash like a madman. Great for running away!
  • [Skill] Swordplay: This incredibly sketchy man may have no pride, but his skill with the blade is no illusion. His claims may be a little outrageous, however. . .

 

[Kattzillaa]

➞✶ Bao Zhao »

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➞ BASIC INFO

Bao Zhao, or just Bao, is a 22-year-old human female who works as a geisha in the nation of Kaiesen. Her beauty allows her to thrive in this business and continue to make money as well as listen to the darker side of people's past. People tend to think that a geisha won't squeak but Bao is the opposite. Piss her off and she will retaliate.

Despite her surface appearance of a geisha, deep down she is a samurai that has been trained as such since a young age. Her skills have advanced so much that it has earned her a nickname among the common folk as The Black Cobra. Her strikes are fast and clean, no evidence is usually left behind. You can hire her... as a geisha or an assassin, although people don't know what she looks like they leave offerings at a shrine to ask for her murderous services.

Although a bounty lays yet to be claimed over her head for something she had no part in as a kid, no one can figure out what she looks like as it has been years since the false accusation in her home nation of Honjo was made. It doesn't mean it isn't there though... And of course, The Black Cobra.

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➞ ABILITIES

Bao generally wears a dagger disguised as a hairpiece in her hair in case any threat threatens her or her mother. Her weapon of choice is a katana as that is what she trained with. The katana her mentor gifted her before dying stays at home as bringing it out would raise suspicion. She holds no talent for the magical arts and simply uses her wit, skill, practice, and sword to defeat her foes.

She is very skillful at taking care of people and their wants as well as making tea. It's as if she has all the positive properties of tea memorized. Her knowledge even spans a bit to weapon care. Things like this tend to happen when you're left for dead.

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➞ BIOGRAPHY/PERSONALITY

Bao's life is not one to blink an eye at nor is it one many people could live. Once hearing it, it becomes quite clear why she's on the path she's on.

Although living in Kaiesen currently that is not where she was born. She was born in Honjo to two wealthy parents named Dai Zhao and Nuo Zhao. Her father was a famous blacksmith while her mother sold tea. At a young age she picked up a few of these skills but tea was more forced upon her than weapon making. Her childhood wasn't filled with dolls and toys like the other kids and she would even envy the children around her as they ran after each other. Instead, she was taught how to please men, how to give them what they wanted, she was taught how to be a geisha. The reason for this was simple... Her parents wished for their future generations to be as wealthy as themselves. If only they knew. After all, wealth does not come without its fair share of haters and rivals.

It was Bao's one day off of training. Her one break off from the ridiculous makeup and kimono dresses that constricted her poor body. Her one day to breath. A loud pounding at the door sounded. Everyone in the house assumed it was a customer or something along those lines but it was something so much worse. The guards of Honjo barked at their door that the Zhao family had murdered an aristocrat out of jealousy. It wasn't just one of them that did it... It was said that all three played their part in the murder. Her father opened the door to swords as he blocked them with his own his voice pleaded for Bao and her mother to flee, so they did.

God knows how they got out, maybe it was the help of loyal followers or maybe the gods blessed them. They ended up in Kaiesen with no money and nothing but the clothes on their backs. Several horrible and dirty days were spent there which made Bao wish that she could go back to her geisha's training... The days went on with no money but pretty soon a man, specifically a samurai, approached Bao asking if she would want to learn the way of a sword. Her mind was hesitant but there weren't many options left so she agreed and soon started her training. On top of this Bao returned to being a geisha in Kaiesen earning her a reputation and the money her now sick mother desperately needed. And so began the legend of The Black Cobra as well as Kaiesen's Beauty.

Personality wise she isn't lacking. Generally, annoyances are ignored on her part unless it's a paying customer. She can be extremely strict and direct as she has things to do and no time for games. Every single job is taken seriously on her part and done to the most perfection possible, so don't be surprised if you say she can't do something and she destroys you at it. Although she acts a lot wiser than her age... A true person birthed in Honjo can't resist a good challenge.

Coded by Adrian

 

[Quakernuts]

Name: Takahara "Nobu" Nobuhito

Age: 79

Gender: Male

Race: Tengu

Occupation: Wanderer

Appearance:

Human Form

Full Tengu Form

Personality Gear and Skills Biography

• 
  
  Personality: Nobu is a man of many conflicts, particularly concerning his inherent nature. A rage burns inside his chest that threatens to overwhelm his natural self, despite constant attempts to quell the beast inside. Talking to Nobu however, one would never grasp the struggle that he deals with daily. On the outside, he is calm and polite, almost regal in his tone in how he defers to people with respect. He can be viewed as an unnaturally calm person, seeming to never lose his cool despite repeated attempts by the less than cordial individual to goad him into a battle or other unsavory acts. He smiles, he chats with ease, and listens with interest. His curiosity of the world around him, mixed with his almost obsessive need to explore and see the world has created a being that seems to defy the very instincts that the Gods have willed upon him. To the stranger that talks with him, he's the ideal of a gentleman. Going out of his way to ensure everyone who interacts with the Tengu walks away with a glowing impression, should they be so inclined.
  
  The few people that know Nobu though, would argue that he wasn't always that way. That, underneath the smiles, laughs and polite dialogue is a man who can and will tap into his inner beast and unleash a fury that would rival the storms. Like a switch flipped, Nobu wills his nature into existence and embraces that side of him to his own benefit, only to regret having to use it later. He is, first and foremost, a fighter. Be it through words or blade, he will do what it takes to get to the other side and isn't above using what the Gods have cursed him with as a way to push forward. As a fully embraced Tengu, Nobu is still very much in control but in a way that better reflects his race. He's abrasive, curt, and while not outright threatening to those he doesn't deem a problem, he isn't exactly polite either. His Tengu Blood rises to the top and he revels in the battle and carnage that can come with it. For that brief moment, you're no longer dealing with Nobu, you're dealing with a warrior Tengu, and you had best come prepared.
  
  Through his travels, he has become wise and cultured, and isn't above sharing that wisdom with others. He especially understands people with struggles, and is sympathetic to those who share a plight similar to his. He doesn't consider himself a hero or otherwise a 'good man', but he would call himself an honest one. He comes by his money honestly, he speaks to others honestly, and he treats everyone around him with honesty. He works to make sure that his race doesn't define his being, and will go out of his way to ensure that you believe him when he makes that statement.
  
  
• 
  
  Skills:
  -Chi Mastery: Nobu has long ago achieved a level of mastery over Chi that, while never claiming to be the best, is undoubtedly impressive. With his Chi, Nobu can enhance most of his physical attributes, but the most impressive one is giving the illusion of being more human in appearance. Once learned, he focused on using it everyday until it became a subconscious act for him to keep it going. With it, he adopts a more human like body, with the exception of the wings. Keeping the wings present was a conscious choice by Nobu as a way of revealing who he was without overly alarming those around him.
  
  -Hunting and Tracking: Having grown up in Koriiyama, Nobu learned early how to care and feed himself as a matter of survival. As such, he's a fairly accomplished tracker and hunter, able to adapt this skill into hunting any manner of prey...including humans and other inhuman creatures.
  
  -Swordsmanship: A skill developed over the years as a matter of fact rather than dedication to the craft, Nobu has earned the right to say that he's 'fairly skilled with a sword'. His chosen weapon, a Nodachi, is larger and more unwieldy than a simple Katana, but fits well into his hands. He would never claim to be a master, but his mix of different learned styles plus his improvisational 'learn as you go' style has made him an unpredictable foe at best and an annoyance at worst.
  
  -Cooking: What's the point of tracking and hunting your prey if you can't properly cook it? Over the years, Nobu learned plenty of tricks and recipes to make his game taste better than simple meat over a fire.
  
  -Reading/Writing: Taken up initially as a way to calm his more angry inner beast, he found that he actually enjoyed many of the books and stories that he came across, eventually taking it upon himself to keep a record of his travels as he went about adventuring.
  
  -Sorcery Literacy: While either unable or unwilling to perform actual magic due to the inherent nature of taking life in order to produce power, Nobu eventually read several stories and books on the subject until he felt confident he could recognize the application of magic. Maybe not exactly the cause or purpose, but he learned the tell tale signs that magic was indeed taking place and placed it in his belt of knowledge.
  
  Gear:
  -Nodachi: A large katana-like weapon usually reserved for mounted warfare. The hilt and blade of the weapon are nothing overly spectacular to look at, aside from the craftsmanship used to create the weapon in the first place. Perfectly honed and respectable, the adoration of the weapon comes from the simplicity it portrays. Unlike other wielders of the Odachi, Nobu wears the weapon upside down on his back, the hilt placed near his hip and the tip of the blade sheathed near his head. This allows him to draw the weapon quickly, but results in a predictable 'hooked blade' movement as his first action almost 100% of the time. A Tengu's natural strength, mixed with his Chi mastery allows Nobu to, if need be, wield the massive blade comfortably in one hand.
  
  -Leather Armor: Nobu doesn't believe in heavier armor. Not only does it increase his weight to the point of not being able to fly easily, but it slows his movements on a battlefield. He would rather not get hit at all rather than suffer under sustained blows. The leather armor covers his chest and back, along with his upper arms. It all fits comfortably underneath his usual attire.
  
  -Side Bag: Almost everywhere Nobu goes, he carries with him a bag that has an assortment of items locked within. Books, writing utensils, spices for game, money, etc. He guards it well, and woe become anyone who would steal his books from him.
  
  -Sleeping Materials: In a separate bag, Nobu carries with him the essentials for sleeping out in the middle of nature. A small canvas tent, some blankets so he's not sleeping directly on the ground and a few trinkets from home whenever he's feeling nostalgic.
  
  
• 
  Bio: Takahara "Nobu" Nobuhito has been around for quite a long time, at least compared to the average human lifespan. According to his race though, he's still in his younger years, more comparable to a young adult or even a teen really, even if his personality would seemingly mimic someone of many years and experiences older.
  
  Born in the harsh province of Koriiyama, Nobu learned from a young age that the best way to survive was to simply be tougher than whatever was trying to kill you. His parents, or caretakers really since, as he understood it, his parents passed away when he was extremely young, taught him plenty to survive in the nomadic fashion of the Korii people. From hunting game, to making clothes, to preparing food to fighting others. His entire way of life was extremely simple, now that he looks back on it, but it was a good kind of simple. It was hard, but honest and he looks back on it fondly.
  
  Being a Tengu, even one to a tribe that mostly suppressed their base instincts, he learned early on the rage that came with what he was. Losing control on a number of occasions only to be beaten into an understanding state of mind by the stronger Tengu around him. There wasn't any revelation or horrible tragedy that forced Nobu to become 'better' than what he was, simply a look in a mirror and understanding that this was not who he wanted to be. So he continued living with his tribe for 20 years, learning everything he could to better the tribe and ultimately becoming one of the more celebrated hunters and adequate warriors. Yet, his desire to step foot out of the harsh conditions of the Koriiyama province was constant and unfulfilled. His parents never forbade him to go, so he told them and set his mind to seeing the rest of the world. His parents and friends, while saddened at the loss of someone they held dear and someone who helped the tribe tremendously, understood that if they didn't accept this course of action, he would just leave anyways.
  
  With the blessing of the elder and his family, he left to see the world. Through his travels he was met with many interesting people, learning to focus his Chi from various masters he met, along with his combat ability. More than once he was forced to showcase his abilities, often times to a deadly end. He never liked that part, viewing it as needless death even while a fraction of him laughed and reveled in it. For the better part of nearly sixty years, Nobu has cross the provinces, gathering stories and experiences from everyone and everything.
  
  He's seen the beautiful field of flowers of the Qinlan province, experienced the thrills and excitement of the Xanwu marketplaces, trained and battled with warriors from Honjo, spoke with and learned of secrets from Kaiesen, and marveled at the magic capacity of those heralding from the Llyolin province. To date, the only place he hasn't actually visited, aside from viewing from afar, would be Tiansheng. His reminder of the Mad Emperor sitting on the throne has him worried, not just for himself but the world at large. The world that he has seen and adored, a world he would love to see continue.
  
  At seventy nine years old, Nobu has outlived plenty of friends and acquaintances. His youthful appearance often times marred with memories of people he can no longer visit. He's adopted an optimistic view on people who leave an impression on him now, enjoying the moment and being happy that it happened, instead of sad that it can never happen again. His life has been filled with adventure, times both good and bad and he's seen his fair share of the worst that life can often be capable of, but each time he walks away never fearing the next encounter.
  

 

[Shindo]

Name
Ichiro Shindo

Age
41

Gender
Male

Race
Human

Occupation
Direct apprentice to the Kensei of Kaiesen

Personality

Professional and courteous to those he meets, Shindo genuinely cares about the welfare of others, and often dispenses wisdom, even when it is occasionally unwanted.

Skills & Gear

The main style that he employs is known as Inazuma Kirikuzusu-ryu (lit. "Lightning Cutting-style") a blindingly fast unarmored blade style that primarily combines Iaijutsu and fast, agile footwork as its base, combined with a mastery of Qi-infused movements and techniques.

Inazuma-ryu has, for centuries, been passed down from precisely one master to precisely one student, and for the past few generations, it has belonged to the Kensei, who, along with the title is expected to perform certain duties in service to the government. Namely, the highest levels of counter-espionage and peacekeeping.

As such, Shindo has trained in various techniques involving investigation, interrogation, and law enforcement. He is able to intuit the true intentions of those he talks to, as well as predict their future movements. Though Inazuma-ryu was originally designed for the battlefield, he has further refined it to be even more effective against criminals and assassins who strike from the shadows.

Though he carries Daito as a symbol of his office, he generally only wields a single blade.

Biography

Work in Progress

 

[fish-writer]

Ayumu, Kitsune Priest

Basic Info Skills and Gear Personality Biography Extra

• 
  Name: Saitou Ayumu
  
  Age: 262
  
  Gender: Male
  
  Race: Kitsune
  
  Occupation: Priest
  
  Appearance: In his human form, Ayumu sports the distinctive features of his race: soft, triangular kitsune ears, elongated canines, and kitsune tails. His fur, as well as his hair, are a downy silver that look almost white in cool light, and his two tails are tipped in black, the same colour as his nails. He has fine-boned features and long, dark lashes that outline his sunset orange eyes, and his pale skin is marked by the red tattoos of the Order of Amaterasu, the priesthood he belongs to. Ayumu stands at 5'10" with a slender, almost waifish frame. In his fox form, he retains his silvery-white fur and orange eyes, but his paws are dipped in black, like his tails. Ayumu also wears a traditional kitsune mask over half his face, When Ayumu is communing with the spirits or drawing on his sorcery, in either form, the black blazes into gold fire.
  
• 
  Weapons:

  • Claws and teeth: his primary weapons
  • Kunai, hidden in his sleeves
  • Katana, from the Order of Amaterasu.

  
  Gear:

  • Hikitsugomi mask, a talisman that ties a fox spirit, Hikitsugomi, to Ayumu.

  
  Strengths:

  • Fast
  • Agile
  • Flexible
  • Jumps exceptionally high
  • Hides well, even without using his talents

  
  Talents:

  • Divine Arts: Ayumu has been trained in the divine arts since he was a cub, having had a predilection for it even at a young age. He can commune with spirit, cleanse negative energy, and exorcise youkai.
  • Kitsune Abiltiies: Being a Kitsune, Ayumu has the ability to summon foxfire and minor illusions.
  • Sorcery: The priests who trained Ayumu suspect that he has some sort of innate talent for sorcery, but Ayumu has never been interested in attempting to figure it out.
• Ayumu likes to seem very calm and mature, a mysterious Kitsune priest. He has a patient smile always lingering on his lips and in his eyes, and he has a long fuse, not easily ruffled. He doesn't usually display large outbursts of emotion, whether that be anger, sadness, or joy, preferring to seem reserved, allowing himself soft laughter, slight frowns, and the occasional melancholy smile. Ayumu also prefers his human form. In his opinion, his silvery hair and priest clothes make him look quite distinguished, and he finds that he is shown a bit more respect than in his fox form. He also secretly enjoys showing only one tail and making people think he is some sort of beastfolk, rather than a Kitsune. That is to say, Ayumu is quite the secret prankster. As most Kitsune, he is mischievous and cunning, but he likes the idea of using his wit for good-- or, if not necessarily for "good", for personal enjoyment.
  
  Though it looks like nothing gets under his skin, Ayumu never forgets when he's been slighted. He is an excellent liar and pretender, and he will be friendly and docile until he decides to make his move. However, when it comes to confrontation, Ayumu would rather flee. He does not share his feelings, he doesn't participate in arguments, and he will only stand and fight if there is no other option. Some might call him a coward, but Ayumu thinks of himself as merely "smart."
  
  
• in progress
  
  Ayumu was born in Llyolin, but he knows nothing about how he came to be. He was abandoned as a cub to the Order of Amaterasu priests in Kaiesen, with only a note with his given name, his birthday, and his birthplace. Most Kitsune only join the priesthood when they have achieved advanced age and wisdom, so finding themselves caring for a Kitsune cub was a trial and a half. They were open and honest with him, answering his questions as best they could when he was growing up. He pretended he didn't care that his parents wanted him, and for the most part, had quite a great childhood with the priests. If he's honest with himself, the Order was possible the best place for him to end up, for Ayumu felt drawn to all things spiritual from quite an early age. He began training to be a priest of the Order as soon as he was able, learning meditation, the lore of spirits, the Order's rituals and codes. Despite his youthful penchant for wreaking havoc within the temple, during his studies he was the perfect student: attentive, intelligent, and respectful, and he had the natural affinity for communicating with spirits that is typical for Kitsune. He attained the priesthood when he was only 85, which is when he began learning the more secretive parts of the Order. They bonded him with the Hikitsugomi mask, introducing him to the fox spirit tied to it. They also gifted him with a sword of the Order and taught him the basics of their fighting style. They trained him thoroughly in the Divine Arts.
  
  When Ayumu turned 200 and grew his second tail, he gave in to the wanderlust he'd been suppressing and left the Order's temple in Kaiesen to travel the world. He's still an adolescent, by Kitsune standards, and has been achieving a healthy mix of good deeds and mostly harmless mischief.
  
• Art Credit: Claparo-Sans of deviantART

 

[Kattzillaa]

➞✶ Haruto 'Haru' Moriyama. »

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➞ BASIC INFO

Haruto Moriyama was born on land that is currently known as Qinlan about 950 years ago. One might say his life is a simple one except for the fact that he's lived for so long. Officially, Haru has no job that he does, he's not in need of one when people worship him as they do. Unofficially, however, he's a god. The people of Qinlan treat him as one without knowing he has a 'physical form' and isn't a god but rather a powerful Kitsune.

His shrine is simply made of stone with bright red lanterns and tasles. It's slightly hidden in the woods with a staircase and several arches leading up to it. This shrine has many rules to it as Haru loves to play dangerously and people think, when he plays, they've angered him.

Rule Number 1 - Never touch the shrine

Rule Number 2 - Always bring an offering of more than two things

Rule Number 3 - Don't wear yellow

Rule Number 4 - Blue things are the best

Rule Number 5 - Stay for more than five minutes

Rule Number 6 - Sacrifices

Rule Number 7 - Hair has to be shoulder length or below

Rule Number 8 - Don't blink too much

Rule Number 9 - Small dogs, No cats

Rule Number 10 - Always have David present(Encouraged that a dog is named David)

Rule Number 11 - If anything moves on its own accord, Run.

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➞ ABILITIES

Haruto is quite an old Kitsune so his powers span quite far. He usually uses them to trick people and scare them as that is his favorite past time. What makes him the most dangerous is he isn't afraid to take human lives and he isn't the easiest to stop... Many of the residents of Qinlan think a priest should bless the shrine so they won't be held hostage anymore. Those people usually disappear though...

He also has claws he can use in his Kitsune form as well as nine tails. Haru is about the size of a medium wolf but much faster and much for sly... It'd be in your best interest not to piss him off as with his loss of temper comes his powers.

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➞ BIOGRAPHY/PERSONALITY

Haruto was born and raised in Qinlan his whole life by his parents who were guardians of the Laoa. As a kid he was expected to do the same but, unfortunately, it never interested him. This was due mainly to the fact that his parents would often forget about him to do their jobs as guardian. It bred his short temper and mischievousness. All he's ever wanted was attention so once his parents were dead, he starts playing with the citizens of Qinlan, who soon thought a god was angry.
He's spent all of his life screwing around with people who are foolish enough to actually worship him. He's basically been living in his childhood for hundreds of years. All he wants is attention, give it to him.

Coded by Adrian

 

[RedArmyShogun]

Spoiler

Name: Kogasa Kurosawa - Age: 58 - Gender: Female - Race: Tengu-Human Hybrid.

Occupation: Journeyman protector, guards pilgrims on the roads to the various national temples from bandits or other such threats.​

Personality

A mixture of the Tengu and Mankind, Kogasa has elements of both races ingrained into her personality. Typically aloof and indifferent, Kurosawa has a bit of righteous sense of Duty about herself. While a bit Irritable she is highly martial in her dealings, harnessing the rage of her other half to smite the wicked or beasts stupid enough to attack the roadways she is on. Because of this it could be said she follows an almost religious based honor code that fits with her homeland of Qinlan.

Capable of being soft spoken and well mannered she can carry out an intelligent conversation if it's of interest to her, if it's not, she is rather terrible at hiding her emotions, but will wear a Tengu mask if angered or bored. Kogasa doesn't speak much of her family but seems to have a rather good opinion of them. Of what little she'll say, her mother seems to have been the Tengu and her Human father has passed away. In battle she differs from her fellow Tengu in that she doesn't care much for a "good fight". Being far more practical as she puts it, Kogasa prefers to simply kill the enemy quickly and violently. While she's shown no enjoyment of battle, she has shown no shying away either. If anything she's quick to enter into a fight and seems to love going after beings that seem central to the engagement she is currently in, baring something dangerous is in the way. It has been said however, those that see her without the mask in such a fight, have noticed the eyes reminiscent of a predator. A likely sign that she does not differ too much from her brethren, enjoying the fact of the kill, rather than the work towards it.

Curiously Kogasa in spite of her militarn nature has shown a few feminine qualities. Taking care of her skin and walking on Tengu Gata, purposely to keep up her posture, the woman is fairly cleaned and hates to be dirty, which as a melee fighter, has lead to a rather unorthodox fighting style of sorts. She is also good with children, able to show them a kind if not distant smile and normally doing small tasks for them. Which hints at the fact she may have younger siblings. In addition she is something of a.. duality.

While she will give direct and often honest responses, she is able and rather willing to lie. She is interested in some around her, writing little facts about them in a scroll while she observes from up high. At the same time she is rather secretive with her own likes and history. Her meals are often simple, yet she seems to enjoy sweets. Both an honest speaker, yet rare to give a straight answer.True to her homeland of Qinlan and of her bloodlines she seems to be a being of balance. Though while she guards the faithful, she herself seems to not be so religious.

Skills & Gear

[Gear]Golden Dragon Prayer Staff: A simple prayer staff at first glance with a spear head at the end, it should be noted that the weapon has been blessed by the local Qinlan's Thunder Spirit. When the Rod strikes a great evil, it can channel electricity into a foe. Otherwise it's a normal staff a traveling monk would have. Imbued with holy hellfire, it burns with it's electrical energy. In addition it can be used at a "lower setting" by Kogasa with some focus to smaller static charge to purify lesser threats or possessions.

[Gear]Blade of the North, Blade of the South: Well crafted Katana, she typically only uses the North in her right hand and the south in her left. Blue and Silver and Red and Gold respectfully. The swords can be used with her own Chi based combat style, but otherwise aren't too different from a normal blade, minus in quality and durability.

[Gear]Kogasa Battle Armor: Modified vestments that could be taken for daily wear with clerical items added to it, fitted chain mail and a stomach plate are hidden beneath the white chest fabric. A Tengu looking mask, Tengu Gata and other elements of female Tengu dress is incorporated into the design.

[Skill]Devine Art, Thunder Dragon Messenger: Kogasa has the blessing and training of her local temple and can call upon the powers she has learned. Using her staff as a medium she is able to carry out cleansing and can deal great damage to dark beings. She can to a lesser extent call upon the power into her own hands but the effect is much less. It's unknown if she lacks training or if it's her Tengu nature disrupting the technique.

[skill]Skilled Flyer: While not a full blooded Tengu, or maybe despite it, Kogasa is one of the most maneuverable and quickest flyers among the Tengu. This may owe in part as she has no means to call upon the Tengu's greater strength or it's transformed state. Either way, given the larger target it presents, Kogasa rarely uses this in battle, baring ambush or fighting another flight worthy foe. If anything in the later case she's shown to perform spirals, rolls and sudden movement changes that are alien to her partial kin. Curiously she has trouble carrying others in flight, hampering her maneuvering and speed.

[Skill] Shiten-no-ken-fū: Sword Style of the Four Heavens, or Sword of Death, is a self taught style that Kogasa has developed her own sword style, partly based on Nitōjutsu, or the two swords style. Making use of all the weapons at her disposal, quick swaps, airborne attacks where able and the quick exchange of weapons Kogasa calls upon pinpoint strikes, weapon throws and sudden swaps from one handed use to two to surgically strike a foe. If an enemy swordsman stops one blade or the staff, then another sword is sure to be coming from below or above. Highly aggressive in her fighting style, Kogasa is able to fortify chi into her body for quicker or harder strikes. The unorthodox nature of this style leaves it on part with Blade Master of more conventional studies. However, given this, Kogasa doesn't seem to value her weapons very much, though she is quick to retrieve them. Typically she does not use the staff unless something is about to warrant it, in place wielding both blades.

[Skill] Ambidextrous Learner: She has dominate control with both hands and will purposely mix what had she uses for a given task. She also knows how to read and write, keeping a journal of her adventures and thoughts on others. She is also good sketcher artist

[Skill]Observant Scout: With a combination of her abilities, Kogasa is a capable scout. Knowing how low to fly, what trees to stick to and how to record information as she goes about her day. She isn't much of a tracker however, given the nature of her work. She is better at looking for trouble than tracking it down.

Biography

"..I'm just a road guard that likes to fight.. what more do you want to know?"

While Kogasa is generally uncooperative unless she trusts someone, a few bits and facts from the tample, seers and little tidbits paints a more detailed picture. Her Mother is a Tnju name Ayase who came to fight for Qinlan's Freedom during the war with Xanwu, who curiously unlike many of her kind came to grow tired of conflict and to love of all things a human male. Her father, a man named Osamu was a teacher and statesman by trade, given family history that kept Ayase around, the man used his artistic talents to eventually woo her. Kogasa was the result of this union, and over the following years was joined by three other siblings, a sister and two brothers. While of a governmental family, the region that was watched over by her father was sparsely populated, rural and what resources they could collect in the form of taxes often went back into the local upkeep. Given this the standard of living and home it's self was fairly modest.

Given the rather large family and educational demands of her father, Kogasa would spend much of her early life sketching the local woodlands, flowers and to her mother's occasional anger, taking flight from the tops of evergreens. While she would play with and draw with her siblings she was never totally at peace with their living situation, as she watched her father grow so much older than they, and more so she than her mother. Taking up the sword during these years, Kogasa would help her mother patrol the roads in the region, before moving on to study under the temple. By the time of her "teens" Kogasa's father would be going from black hair to grey, then to white. Though she could not understand it, he died happily even as his wife had changed little, with all of his children and most of the community at his bedside.

Given her own questioning of just what they were, not wanting to burden the household with another mouth to feed, she left her mother with her father's responsibilities as she went to the temple. With a rough start, Kogasa had found herself unable to accept all of the teachings, finding more Chaos than order within herself and while she had been chosen to wield one of the temple relics, she did not have it in herself to be a Priestess or Monk. In place taking up the blade she would spend the next several years with sword and staff traveling the country side as she had before in search of answers.

In place she only found violence and took it upon herself to protect travelers on the roads across the nation. Improving her swordsmanship with trail by blood, or rather the wish to not be splattered with blood, the National Temples assigned her the position of Journeyman Protector, and blessed her to carry on her work. For the last seven years she has taken to this position, traveling by foot and wing across the land, slaying bandit and beast and even venturing beyond the nation in a few spots. While she still does not have her answers she has found a since of purpose.. Though a Destiny that is greater than she realizes may be right around the corner.

 

[MasterPastry]

Name: Saikyokage
Age: Said to have ruled over his clan for over a thousand years...
Gender: Male
Race: Unknown
Occupation: Ninja Master
Appearance: Optional if you add an image
Personality: Ruthless and determined. Tends to be reserved unless his buttons are pushed...and they are pushed quite easily.

Skills:​

• [School] Tsuyoi-Ryu Ninjutsu- An assassination school that covers various arts of combat and espionage. From striking a foe unseen to fighting head to head with a variety of weaponry, the Tsuyoi-Ryu Style is designed to deceive an opponent into making a mistake...and punishing them severely before they realize their misstep.​
• [Divine Arts] Demon Purification- Despite their foreboding appearance and monstrous reputation, the Tsuyoiryu have often been hired to cleanse and purify areas infested with evil spirits and Yokai. Blessing their weapons with holy incantations, they are able to banish foul spectres back from whence they spawned.​
• [Skill] Blanket of Fog- The Saikyokage can emit a dense fog from his armor, clouding his presence. It seems as if he can determine how wide a field it can cover. Only he can seem to be able to properly navigate through it.​
• [Ninpo] Floating Weapons Most often happens within the Blanket of Fog but the Saikyokage's katana can be seen floating above his shoulders as he wields his kusarigama.​

Gear:​

• Twin Katana​
• Kusarigama​
• Gliding Kite​
• Shuriken​
• Blowgun​
• Venom Darts​
• Puppeteering Strings​

Bio:
The Tsuyoi-Ryu ninja clan was among the most feared in the country. Over a thousand years old, they've seen lords rise and fall. Like demons, it was said, that they river the countryside from their hidden mountain fortress in Korriyama to do the bidding of any feudal lord wealthy enough to pay their steep fee and wise enough to ensure no one would knew who hired them. What these vast sums of money were ultimately used for and where it was all stored was unknown. Thinking the fearsome ninja clan a relic of the past, many a foolish adventurer or treasure hunter had attempted to breach the mountain in an attempt to find riches beyond their wildest imaginations, only to be greeted with death due to the harsher elements or fimd themselves lost...to be never heard from again.

The Tsuyoi-Ryu's work did not merely consist of assassinations for the wealthy and powerful...for much lower fees, they accepted money from peasants and those of lesser status to remove malignant Yokai and other similarly corrupt creatures. What was the reasonimg behind this accepted of possible benevolence? Rumor had it, that they took such jobs simply because the prescence of of such beings was bad for business. Though with as much blood as there was on their hands, some could not help but wonder if there was a deeper connection.

And at the head of it all...was the Saikyokage. While some thought it was a mere title...a frighteningly frequent rumor had persisted throughout the ages...that it was merely one man. His race unknown. The amount of bloodshed on his hands, unimaginable. He rarely went out on missions on his own, instead giving assignments for his troops to carry out. Whenever a dense fog forms around a town it is said the Saikyokage himself is walking amongst the populace, searching...hunting for his target.

Recently....an Imperial Force has done would none could do in a millenia...they found the Tsuyoi-Ryu fortress and stormed through, making off with a large box sealed heavily and lined with gold. Half of the ninjas lay dead, resting in a field of arrows and many others were wounded. Two nights after the Imperial army had left, a dense fog had covered the mountain in it's entirety...the Saiyokage had returned after a long voyage to find what he had presumably built for centuries in shambles.

A debt of blood was owed.
​

 

[Willow_]

Name: Onibi Haru
(Pronounced Wan - ibi)


Age: 22


Gender: Male...


Race: Oni


Occupation: Adventurer


Appearance:



At roughly 6 foot 2 however, when angry grows an few inches, his horns appearing and his hair turns into a crimson red colour
(Much heavier than his appearance reveals)


Personality: A loose light hearted young man, recently adventuring from his clan as there was no more fun to be had there. He seeks to find a new adventure and companions to get his blood pumping. However, as much as this boy smiles he has sensitive heart when it comes down to his own race and their injustices, he is quick to jump to violence. Might be a slight masochist.


Skills: Onibi hides his true form however, when releasing his human form (To just his horns and hair changing) gains a significant physical strength boost. This isn't his real form but, going any further than this doesn't give any benefits except making him a bigger target. He grows taller, limbs thicken and his skin darkens.

Since his true size is condensed into such a small form his strength is amplified with his shear weight, as he is approximately 6 tons (Does that sound reasonable?)

[Ogre Skin] - Is a ability created by channelling large amounts of Chi through his skin hardening it, it can stop blades and projectiles depending on the quality of equipment and amount of Chi used.

[Fast Healing] - By sending Chi to damaged areas hastens healing of external and internal injuries.

[Physical Enhancement] - The use of Chi can boost his strength even further, depending where it is focused can increase, strength, speed, stamina or sight to an extent. Focusing it all in on one spot could create an unstoppable attack however, would cause severe damage to the limb, even permanent loss.

[Ogres Roar] - Channelling Chi through his throat can create a shockwave of a roar.

[Ogres Breath] - Mixing Chi in his throat with his Oni spirit lets him breath fire.

Basic knife throwing skills

Gear: A small backpack with essentials and a pouch with an assortment of knives, screwdrivers and spare glasses.


Bio: Onibi comes from a secret Oni tribe hidden deep within Kaiesen. Keeping mostly to themselves as a way of self preservation they are not meant to leave the tribe. This is so that the location would be forever a secret. Onibi did not like this at all, he wanted to go outside and explore the world! He believed it was of no benefit to themselves to stay hidden from the world. But, at the age of 12 he could not leave. The rules stated one could only leave out of shear force or on special occasions such as medicine, resources etc. 10 years he waited and trained in secret. Practicing his Chi abilities and mastering his body to a certain extent was enough to beat the strongest Oni within the tribe. They were strong however, they were lovers of peace and had become dull in their years of complacency. So he leaves his small world to expand his horizons and to be involved in something bigger than himself... (Flash this out later, talk about his Dad etc)

 

[Karyra]

"Well, ain't that cute. Better hurry and buy something before I knock that smirk off your face. I've got better things to do."​

Name:
Eiju Jia Song
"Eiju" (Real Name)
"The Hero Merchant"

Age:
589 years old

Gender:
Female

Race:
Kitsune (Appears Human)

Occupation: Merchant/Adventurer

Appearance:
A basic human with basic merchant clothing. She wears pants and a short sleeve shirt when traveling or when adventuring. However, she tends to hold an umbrella and wears nicer clothing when acting as a merchant in town. Mostly unknown as to why, she carries a kitsune mask. Towns know her as human, and for good reason. Her illusions cover up her more fox-like features, and more importantly, her six tails.

She's a figure out of fairy tale and legend, a merchant who comes to towns when bad things are happening and for a price can solve nearly any problem. However, she's a being who will trade favors at a cost. If you fail to meet her price, then you will wish something worse happened. This is signaled by the change from human to full kitsune. She wears her mask and increases her beastial nature by illusion as well.

Bio:
Eiju was a kitsune on a mission to get all nine tails and study divine magic as best she could. A bit standoffish and sarcastic to a fault, Eiju's deeds in the world were selfish and only to gain the experience necessary to get more tails and more power. Eiju was not skilled in divine magic, and when she tried to use it to ward off attackers in a unbelievable run of bad luck, she nearly died. Bleeding out beside the road, a young girl named Jia Song came and rescued the foolish and cocksure Kitsune.

Jia Song was traveling with her master, and the two of them fixed up the grumpy loner. Eiju only had two tails at this time, and resentful of the fact that she had worked hard at studying divine magic, decided to travel with the two humans until she could figure out her block. After a few years of travel, Eiju warmed up to the humans enough to feel moderately comfortable with her reliance on them. She learned chi style arts, though she wasn't very good at that either. The movements alone would help protect her, though.

Soon enough, Jia decided to split off from her master to seek out the world beyond. Eiju decided to split up with the young human after seeing her master's concerned face. Telling herself it was because she was going the same way, the kitsune and Jia quickly were off. However, they were ambushed by bandits, and Jia was shot with an arrow so fast that Eiju could do nothing but watch her friend fall.

Reaching for any source of power, Eiju awakened her potential to sorcery. She rampaged, wiping out the bandits but nearly bleeding out from the recklessness of her attacks. Jia's spirit grew angry, despising the world that cause her and her friend such pain. Jia reached out to the new sorcerer and forged a contract partially out of desperation:

1) I want to see the world, and I wanted to become a merchant.

2) Seal your power and appearance as a kitsune inside a mask to prevent yourself from losing control.

3) I will control Eiju's energy and lend you my own.

4) Please fulfill my wish. I will tell you when you have done so, however this clause is secret from Eiju.

From that day forward, the two went forward, and Eiju took both her name and Jia's to go by.

Personality:
Eiju Jia Song is a skilled sorceress, calling upon the spirit of a yuān guǐ. A vengeful spirit. She takes the form of this spirit when walking among humans. The yuān guǐ is a girl who died on the road, who has the same appearance and name of Eiju's current 'incarnation'. Eiju maintains most of her own personality, despite the heavy reliance on Jia's spirit.

Eiju is a loner who prefers to sleep on beaches and far away from conflict and dealing with people. She likes studying Sorcery and furthering her own mastery of the art. Eiju is the one that enforces prices and making sure that she gets what she is owed. If it were up to her, Eiju wouldn't be bothering with this Hero Merchant nonsense. Her utter distaste for the whole business bleeds through quickly when a customer is petulant and her contract gets in the way.

Jia, however, wants to continue the merchant lifestyle and protect those who need protecting. Jia died in her early twenties, full of idealism and ideals to be realized. Ironically, because of this idealism, she stipulated that Eiju only use her magic when the mask is on. She thinks it creates this whole illusion of justice and fairness. Jia was a powerful Chi user for a human, having been once trained in them but deciding to walk away from the training later in life to pursue a simpler life. Jia frequently comments on things Eiju does, much of Eiju's annoyance. Until she feels that the world is safe again from those who would kill innocents, Jia refuses to rest, or that's what she told Eiju. Which is fine with Eiju, as Jia powers most of Eiju's sorcery.

Jia simply wants to help her friend achieve her goal of getting nine tails, and figures that means helping Eiju forge more real connections with people.

Eiju just wants to be left alone, however takes on her friend's appearance willingly. She wants her friend to have traveled the world in spite of her death.

Skills:
Grasping Death:
Some magic you don't have to touch your enemy, ever. That's not the case here. Jia's deep conection to... well being dead enables the sapping of life force along with access to skills with martial artes. Enhancing her blows with fire, Eiju's claws become deadlier weapons than most kitsunes'. Her bite is poison, and the further she pushes herself into bestial nature, the harder she hits. Jia keeps Eiju tethered to herself. The part of the contract that Jia upholds is to control the flow of energy and make sure that Eiju doesn't overreach herself and cause harm to her own body.

Eiju also uses some small fireballs that look similar to foxfire to attack further foes, as well as some enchanted kunai that explode after a time limit.

Master Transformer:
With six tails, one no doubt masters the illusion of at least looking human, and goes a step beyond. Eiju can transform herself into anything that is her size or smaller. Since Jia is in control of this power, she can catch Eiju off guard and transform her into something completely different than planned.

Gear:
Fox Mask:
As a requirement of the contract, most of Eiju's power is sealed in a fox mask attached at her hip. To access her Grasping Death magic, Eiju has to be wearing the mask, which allows her to assume her true form. The contract is destroyed and the negative benefits to doing so occur if the mask is destroyed. If anyone were to put the mask on, they could communicate with Jia the ghost. The mask has purple and red highlights.

Kunai with Runes:
They explode after a few seconds after being thrown. They're magic that activate when Eiju puts sorcery into them.

Travel Pack:
Has most of her merchandise inside. Strangely larger than it seems.

Spell Components:
Mainly locks of her own (and some other people's) hair tied up to burn as needed, this also contains some paper with runes, shiny objects ranging in size, and buttons. This fuels her magic, and also acts as a pouch for poached treasures from other people.

Camping Set:
Because Jia forces Eiju to travel a lot, it makes sense to have some travel supplies such as a kettle, a pan, a tent, and a sleeping roll.

 

[EmperorsChosen]

Name: Hitomi Tachibana

Age: 27

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Occupation: Shrine Caretaker

Appearance:

Spoiler

Personality: Ambitious, bloodthirsty, and arrogance. All words that once described Hitomi. Ever since "regaining" her sight, much of those traits have disappeared or lessened. Nowadays, she is a fairly social, kind and prolific woman, albeit with somewhat of a teasing and lackadaisical nature. As kindness was once shown to her in a time where it shouldn't have been by people of whom shouldn't have, she has become rather giving and outgoing in attempting to aid others, albeit with a possible harsh word or two.

While Hitomi has for the most part changed for the better, she still retains aspects of her former self since regaining confidence in her abilities. Notably she is one to give aid to others with or without being asked, but pairing it with some taunts, teasing and jesting. She can behave rather cockily and subtly mock those who earn her ire. As well a hint of her old bloodlust remains as well. While not maniacal and enjoying the specific act of killing, a good fight with a worthy opponent is something she doesn't often come across anymore.

As can be expected, Hitomi doesn't much care for the Tiansheng, however what can be described as spite solely belongs to the warrior that took her sight from her, rather than the faction itself.

Skills: Hitomi has acquired skillful manipulation of her chi, primarily focusing it into her enhanced senses, strengthening her situational awareness beyond that of others. Aside from that, rather than enhance her strength, she has been known to use her chi for sudden bursts of speed for attacking. She wields an unusually long ken sword, to which she uses in a rather strange way. Hitomi's style consists of rarely drawing her blade, keeping it sheathed throughout a fight and only drawing it when she seeks to strike, then sheathing it immediately again.

As for non combative skills, Hitomi is moderately competent with domestic duties such as cleaning, cooking, as well as basic medical care due to her time at the shrine.

Bio: Born in the heart of Honjo, Hitomi learned very quickly of the most valuable currency; power. As is common with people of Honjo, the young girl took to more aggressive teachings than peaceful. Rather than look to cook or heal, she chose the path that lead to overpowering her opposition. She wanted to be an adventurer, and not simply one of the common rabble that teeter on life and death, scraping by. No, she would be renowned for her skill, respected for her tenacity, and feared for her strength.

Hitomi left home soon as she was able and embarked on her journey. Animals? Mere prey. Bandits? Simple robbers were of little threat. Battles? Blood-pumping, but still she persevered—Until the day she took the wrong job.

Tiansheng had grown more powerful as the days went by, expanding as quick as the sun vanished and reappeared. It was thanks to this that there was so much work for people like herself, but the employment of mercenaries in the face of Tiansheng was often an act of desperation; they weren't known for defeat.

Hitomi had yet to truly experience failure or defeat, and she had heard of the Tiansheng. To her, it was simply the opportunity for a good fight and a boost to her ego. She learned very quickly how arrogance can punish you.

That day she lost her pride, confidence—and her sight.

Ashamed, broken, and left to die, Hitomi was discovered, still living somehow among the now-quiet battleground, by scavengers. It was humorous in a way that before she would have mocked such a "cowardly" life, yet it was those cowards that saved her and brought her to a shrine in Qinlan. The caretaker of that shrine was known to aid travelers who passed by. Typically it was directions, a short rest, trade or prayer. For her, she treated Hitomi's wounds and gave her residence "until her soul had healed". Nonsense, as she thought it was.

For a time she remained there, aiding the caretaker with what menial tasks she could manage. Each day frustrated her further as it affirmed another thing she had lost; her use. Without her sight she could accomplish nothing, aside from barely managing to stumble around the shrine without running into something.

The caretaker asked her how much longer she planned to whinge about what she had lost. This angered Hitomi; what could she do?

"Learn to see with what you have left," The caretaker told her.

More riddles, Hitomi thought. Though this one came with teachings, and through those teachings she learned that it wasn't a riddle. This woman, whoever she was, had exceptional manipulation of chi and passed on her own knowledge to Hitomi. Her rashness and lack of control led to an impediment in her manipulation. As time went on, she began to outgrow it.

As years passed, Hitomi had overtime come to see what the caretaker had meant. Her physical sight was gone, but in her learnings, she had gained a new way of seeing. Her sense of chi had grown incredibly acute, making her able to determine the position of life around her as well as what kind of life it was. Furthermore, she had learned to enhance her senses through the use of chi in order to fill in the other blanks. She could not interpret physical pictures of people, however she could sense where they were in relation to her, what they were doing; she could more or less "see" again.

However while she regained her sight, in a way, Hitomi did not embark on another journey. Rather, she remained at the shrine and aided as its caretaker and guardian. A woman who shows kindness to travelers like others had shown her, and less so for those with more sinister intent.

 

[Crow]

"Kon kon."​

Name:
Unnamed

Age:
13

Gender:
???

Race:
Kitsune

Occupation:
Adventurer; Diviner

Appearance:
The depicted fox is small enough to fit into a pipe, having a mere length of 10 centimetes.

Personality:
This fox is a helpful one, keen on offering aid to good-hearted ones. Mentally, it is not very advanced, being easily fooled, much like a dog. It loves attaching itself to others that help it or offer it food, rubbing themselves onto the skin and clothes, no different from a pet. To those who understands it tongue, it speaks with sophistication and respect, until a distraction happens, of course.

Skills:
As a fox with no tutilage from sapient races, this fox's main arsenal of combat is no different from the hunting of prey. Beginning to unleash its inner power, it is capable of a few kitsune-based racial abilities such as levitation, invisibility via illusion and brief teleportation to evade attacks. Has yet to utilise foxfire.

This fox draws sorcery-based power from the Pipe, channeling a fraction of the fox gods' abilities. Due to being new, the fox must first assume the state of the snow-furred 'Ogetsuhime Avatar' or the pitch black 'Daji Avatar' before assuming a single set of these abilities. These include:
Ogetsuhime's Blessing (Water-based arts that can be channeled directly or in the form of a small cloud of rain)
Ogetsuhime's Sorrow (Ice-based arts that can be channeled directly or in the form of a small cloud of hail)
Ogetsuhime Harvest (Grants control over plant life, allowing enhancement, combat, healing of allies and such. Considered an extension of Ogetsuhime's Blessing)
Daji Poison (Poison-based arts, channeled through fog or, if the user has them in some form, needle-like constructs. Its currently-low potency makes it temporary)
Daji Charm (The user inflicts an opponent with visions of the fox goddess Daji, causing them to be seduced and unable to attack)
Daji Hallucination (Creates illusions not from own abilities, but from a special poison that manipulates the five senses. Extension of Daji Poison.)

Via the Pipe, Divine Arts can be channeled, though this is more via interference and enhancement than personal learning. In addition to communicating with the slumbering goddesses, the Pipe can seal Kitsune, whether they be good or evil.

Gear:
The Pipe - a mystical bamboo pipe that is said to have access to the sealed realms of the fox gods. In the past, kitsune that served the fox deity pantheon, lead by Ogetsuhime and Daji, would use this legendary weapon to borrow the powers of these gods. Generally, warriors who have yet to be tainted by the greater world - unawakened kitsune who lack speech or humanoid form - will be chosen by the Pipe, but it will not leave the warrior until death comes. This realm is said to be home to many kitsune servants of the goddesses, but the fox can only call upon those weaker than it.

Bio:
The shrine that this fox calls home is an humanity-isolated shrine of an abandoned fox pantheon - Ogetsuhime, who blesses, and Daji, who punishes. The village that this shrine is in is long-abandoned, inhabited only by foxes drawn to it but are unsure why. While these foxes would eventually leave when they are closer to emerging into kitsune, this fox in particular chooses to stay.

Stumbling upon the deeper insides of the shrine, the fox would encounter a pipe while squeezing through the crevice of an otherwise impenetrable locked gate. Upon touching the pipe, it would get a mental message from the goddesses Ogetsuhime and Daji, telling it of a looming threat that they cannot directly handle due to their slumbering states and inability to manifest into the physical planes of Loao, and how they are stuck in their sealed realm. They soon chose it as their newfound avatar, entrusting and guiding it through journey towards fellow fated heroes.

This fox had little history, but the wheel of fortune guided it towards a story to be told.​

 

[Auntie Phaz]

Name: Murugan

Age: 36 (appears older)

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Occupation: Diviner

Appearance:

Personality: Certainly a product of his environment, Murugan is driven to look after his own survival at any cost. The way he presents himself outwardly is as a knowledgeable practitioner of divination arts that will offer his services to the right people for the right price. Secretly, much of this persona is merely a front to position himself wherever is most advantageous and to manipulate others to get what he wants. Murugan deeply understands how the future is ever changing and fickle in its affections, and so his own philosophy toward life and personal interactions is much the same. In his view, it is the perception of the present situation that ultimately guides what is expected from the future. His allegiances and motivations are thus shaped according to what he is able to not only foresee, but also subtly control to his own ends.

It is a cruel self-fulfilling prophecy in the end that his fluid disposition inevitably leaves him isolated and on guard once someone is no longer useful or else becomes a liability and must be abandoned. Truly trusting in others is possibly something he is no longer capable of or at least can no longer afford. Being seen for who he genuinely is is the most vulnerable state imaginable to Murugan, and so he must continually follow what is dictated to him by his prerogatives and self-interest despite the pain it may cause him or anyone else. That is just the price to be paid to survive when all is said and done.

Skills

[Divination]- A form of sorcery that is heavily ritualized and unique in form, Murugan's method of divining outcomes and appropriate courses of action is both extremely valuable and precarious. Bones of various creatures are the medium used, making it an exercise in spirit channeling that verges on necromancy. After anointing bones in blood and inscribing charges (either questions or particular topics) onto the surface, a heated metal rod is pressed into a bone to cause it to crack. During this process, the diviner enters a meditative state to become receptive to the messages of deceased humans or beings of other races of mortal or divine origin.
The meaning of the cracks in relation to the inscriptions is guided by the knowledge and impressions shared from the spirit or spirits invoked. The diviner's interpretation depends on their ability to understand and communicate with spirits during the ritual. The types of bones used in the ritual and the nature of the spirits channeled (weak vs. powerful, gracious or deceptive) also directly affect the accuracy of predictions. A diviner's skill therefore lies in knowing which voices to attune to and what information is most relevant to follow.

[Herbalism/Poison]- Somewhat complimentary to his bone divination is Murugan's knowledge of how to use other natural materials for healing or ill effects. He is familiar with how to utilize herbs and plants to treat injuries and sickness, as well as how to concoct poisons from the toxins of venomous animals. More than anything, these are useful skills for living in Honjo, where the threats to one's health and safety are ever present. Murugan knows the secrets of combining certain herbs, poisons, and other materials to use defensively by altering someone's physical condition or their chi.

Gear: Murugan keeps a bag with kindling, flint, and a metal rod to make fires for divination or general use. He also travels with a bone-cleaning/carving knife and usually at least one turtle plastron or deer shoulderblade to divine with at all times. Murugan has a small box containing crushed cinnabar and a miniature brush for making bone inscriptions. The cinnabar is also useful for mixing poisons. Lastly, Murugan carries a concealable blowgun and a set of darts created from small animal bones that can be coated in poison of various types. These poisons are most effective if delivered to unprotected vital points.

Bio: Murugan (his family name is unknown and kept as a closely guarded secret) was born into a small but closely knit clan of nomadic scavengers in Honjo. Like so many who call the arid nation home, their existence was harsh and defined by the constant struggle to eke out a life with what little they had to survive. Legends passed down from earlier generations told of a time that their fortunes were much different, however. Once, Murugan's ancestors had been rulers in lands distant from Honjo before they permanently migrated away from their original home. This was due to another piece of secret knowledge that was their legacy even in his time: the sorcerous art of divining the future from bones.

As diviners, Murugan's clan could communicate with spirits by making inscriptions on certain varieties of human, animal, or other creatures' bones and then applying extreme heat to the bones to form cracks. A diviner would then enter a lucid trance to channel the spirit of an ancestor or another entity to decipher the meaning of the cracks in the bones. Such divinations had led the clan to relocate to Honjo to escape eradication by their rivals, and their reputation as skilled diviners sustained them through the difficult transition to a new way of life in an unforgiving, but bone rich, environment.

Still, as time passed, the clan's divinations grew increasingly grim and they lost the means to independently acquire the vital resources that ensured their livelihood. Murugan came of age in the twilight of the clan's descent into ruin. Many of his clan had been sold into slavery or were else hopelessly indebted to brokers in the bone trade. While Murugan was one of the few remaining clan members to have fully learned the secrets of divination, this competitive edge only made him a target after his father was abducted and never seen again. He had successfully divined the locations of valuable and rare bones while keeping those resources under the clan's control for some time, but his loss left Murugan vulnerable to exploitation by greedy and treacherous outsiders.

As the bone traders made more and more frequent threats unless he deliver what they demanded, Murugan grew desperate to reverse his fate or at least escape from the dead end where he was trapped.He feared the next visit by the traders would end with him being taken as a slave or killed if he could not offer a promising lead. A growing desire for power and vengeance led him to invoke powers beyond the benevolent spirits and honored ancestors he had been instructed to consult for divination. The search for a radical solution to his troubles stirred the dead slumber of things that had not walked under the sun since time immemorial. Their dark whispers promised salvation if he would guarantee a feast of blood, flesh, and mortal bones. The ritual necessitated all the skill and materials at his limited disposal, and Murugan suspected that by the end it would claim his soul as well. There was little time left to prepare before the traders would arrive, and so with a twinge of shame at his betrayal of the honorable teachings of his father, Murugan relented to his rage in hopes that the hunger he had awakened would be satisfied.

Murugan was found wandering through the desolate wastes leagues outside his home settlement several days later by a caravan of bone merchants. He was delirious, wounded, and streaked with pale ash and caked gore. The caravan took him in and nursed him until he was coherent enough to identify himself. Murugan never truly explained what had happened on the fateful night the traders came to his clan's home. He did make it clear that he would need to travel with the caravan until he could find a new place to stay long term. The merchants did not question him further. There was a strange air about Murugan that left them uneasy, and though he was not hostile or threatening, they thought it best to take him to the nearest city and unburden themselves of him there for good.

As requested, the caravan transported him to a city where the bone market would afford him either a means to divine his new course in life or a master who would decide it for him. All that was for certain as they departed was that Murugan mirrored their suspicion and distrust, and that perhaps theirs was not the only gaze he was wary of lingering over his shoulder.

 

[Melon Kid]

NPCS​

Toh, the Fox Hunter

​

Skills & Gear

•  

Gear & Skills

• 
  Gear:
  
  • [Weapon] Kukri: This old blade has sliced off many kitsune tails in the past.
  • [Weapon] Hooked Rope Dart: For snagging his targets at a range and preventing them from escaping.
  • [Gear] Sealing Talisman: A successful attachment prevents the victim from using any kind of supernatural powers - attempting to remove it results in a powerful divine shock.
  Skills:
  
  • [School] Silent Heavens: An unarmed style that focuses on striking pressure points to prevent the enemy from using their chi until they are recovered.
  • [Chi] Iron Smoke: A special white smoke from his pipe disperses projectiles and magical attacks and causes severe coughing and nausea when inhaled.
  • [Chi] Earth Sense: Toh can sense even the slightest weight and movement in the surrounding earth using his chi.

 

[Crow]

"Let's begin, shall we?"

Name:
Hajime

Age:
12
~200(previous life before death)

Gender:
Female

Race:
Human

Occupation:
Farmer
Adventurer

Appearance:
Hajime, currently, is a mere 140 centimetres tall.
Unlike the above stated picture, she wears getas.

Personality:
Hajime is sweet-hearted and innocent, unexposed to the world's sins, or at least, that was Hajime before she turned ten. With the personality traits of an old grampy flooding into her, she began to have thoughts of evil. However, the morals of Hajime kept the sins of Owari in check, even as the two once-distinct halves began to merge.

Skills:
With Owari's memories and personality returning to Hajime, so did his skill.
Owari was a great practitioner of chi and martial arts, and this all transferred to Hajime. What didn't transfer, however, was bodily training that allowed him to perform great feats. Being self-trained for two years helped just a little, however.

As Owari, his chi was so powerful, he could convert his electrical synapses into thunderstorms and his body heat into great forest fires. At her current state however, it is but a simple stun akin to a bug zapper and a tip of a candle respectively.

Hajime has skill in improvising nearby items as weapons. A stick, a rock, you name it.

Hajime has skill in mixed martial arts that may even take decades for the modern man to learn. While she has moves from all kinds of styles, her primary school is the School of End and Beginning. This legendary style focuses on manipulating chi within the body, focusing chi from other parts of the body and concentrating it into one part, be it a palm, fist or finger, to enhance pressure and impact. Chi can be channeled into inanimate extensions such as weapons. It appears to be related to the School Silent Heavens, as similiar moves within it are utilised, where once chi is concentrated into the finger, pressure points are pressed, not to block their chi, but to temporarily paralyze opponents. One weakness, however, is that the areas with less chi become more vulnerable, but that becomes less of a problem if you are powerful by leagues or wield protection.

Gear:
Tyrant's Maw - A rake used for farming, and combat as well. A trusted, irreplaceable partner, so she calls it. Not even Owari's disbelief in the power of friendship can break their bonds.

Shadowbringer - Her sugegasa. TL Note: Sugegasa refers to an Asian conical hat used by farmers. While a mere accessory at first glance, with enough throwing force or speed, it can act as a razor sharp blade with its thin pressures and hard material.

Bio:
A long time ago, there lived a prince who sought out to be a great warrior, training under Master after Master. His name was Owari, and a fitting name it was, one might soon find. His father ruled Xanwu, and he was destined to as well. He obtained not only skill, but training of chi lead to greater strength. He did not believe he had enough, so he sought out the Kaguyan relics. Simply having one would grant him power that could exceed an oni in chi manipulation. While they were not comparable to the Six Artifacts of legend by themselves, it was said that a great warrior that wielded all five of them and years of training could match one who wielded one artifact. The power to par with one artifact was a step up to gaining it, and once he gained one artifact, he would work his way towards gaining them all. These five relics, according to legend, were brought to Laoa by rabbit beastfolk who claimed to be from the moon and called themselves 'Kaguyans'.

The Kaguyan relics all had a price - one had to go through the pain of sacrificing a part of their body to wield it, and that part of the body would go on to replace the spots of the relics that were acquired. The crystal orb within the jewel tree of the Hourai Forests substituted places with Owari's left eye. The Swallow Egg in the seas hatched into feathered legs that substituted Owari's amputated legs. The Stone Begging Bowl formed the shape of a right arm and substituted it. The Dragon Collar forcibly ripped his teeth and gums out to become them. Finally, the Robes of the Fire Rat King substituted his skin, though when it latched onto him, it was indistinguishable from his original skin.

The Kaguyan relics had granted him great power. Tainted by it, he saw his father as an incompetent buffoon who was pulling the country back, so he killed him and succeeded him. Thanks to his chi training, he was able to live longer than most humans, allowing him to rule much longer. A long line of events proceeded this, including him ruling Xanwu under an iron fist, and the Xanwu civil war that he saw as his 'first true trial towards godhood'.

Poetically, he was killed in this civil war, a civil war that previously divided Qinlan from Xanwu, and still does to this day. The Kaguyan relics that were latched onto him lost their power as he died, and his sacrificed organs, still in the place that the relics once stood, became the new Kaguyan relics, gaining power from the ones attached to Owari's body. Who killed him - that was a story for another time.

That was the end, an end that ended with premature failure, or was it?

A hundred years after Owari's death, a young girl is born in the villages of Qinlan. Her name was Hajime, and she was a farmer alongside her family. At the age of ten, Hajime would recall things that would etch into her memory. Her past life, the life that Owari lived. Owari's memories and personality flooded into Hajime's brain, coexisting with her current ones and slowly blending together. Now, the sweet-hearted, pure Hajime had the thoughts and traits of the cruel Owari, both sides battling it out in spirit.

It has been two years. It helps that Qinlan was a hub for all nations, so Hajime can hear updates from all over Laoa. Hajime has been plotting things. Word of the artifacts, the intentions to reacquire the Kaguyan relics and ultimately, kill the Emperor Ia the same way Ia killed the Holy Dragon and rule.

Unfortunately, with Hajime being part on the conscience, it will be much more difficult, a worthy trial on the path of becoming a god amongst men!

"Man, demon or god, they will all be under my domain. Everyone who rebels against me will be felled by my fists, and that alone is proof of my strength. If weapons are to be seen as trusted partners, then I will use but myself!" ​