[u][b]Name:[/b][/u] Ran Hoshigane

[u][b]Gender:[/b][/u] Female

[u][b]Age:[/b][/u] 22

[u][b]Appearance:[/b][/u] [url=http://imgur.com/iwKbbAC]"Oho, ready for a bout?"[/url]

[u][b]Can Manipulate Qi/Ki?:[/b][/u] Yes.

[u][b]Specialization: (Only fill in if above is a 'yes')[/b][/u] Soulbinder

[u][b]Abilities (if any):[/b][/u] Ran is a practicioner of the "Flowing Sword Palm" school whose style is blend both swordsmanship and empty-handed strikes into one viable style- to be able to use the sword like a fist and the fist like a sword. In layman's terms, they're basically able to switch seamlessly between armed and unarmed combat in an instant to deal with the changing situation. As a result of such a style, their philosophy is to "bend as the reeds in the wind so as to not be broken like the rigid trees", where they strive to keep their opponents off-guard and parry their blows rather than outright block and use subtle actions, stances, and movements to chip away at their strength and position them into a disadvantageous spots. Considered to be a "soft" style, the Flowing Sword Palm school is inherently reactive and specializes in counterattacks that use the opponents own force against them much like aikido and tai chi. Movements of the sword and hand are smooth and flowing like water- wearing down and passing through obstacles. Using ki only serves to make the actions more fast and flexible while improving the power behind the blow, enough to shear through stone and lesser metals with sufficient momentum. Besides this style, Ran's sword has the soul of a yuki-onna dwelling in it that allows it to exude a freezing aura upon request that'll help hinder the enemy's movements by chilling objects upon impact with each successive strike only amplifying the effect.   

[u][b]Personality:[/b][/u] Ran as a person could be described as laid-back and open-minded. She simply enjoys life as is with a respectful exuberance, relishing new experiences and meetings. Calm and companionable, the ronin is one who is rather easy to get along with. Though she is mild, she does have a strong sense of morals while holding a pragmatic mindset during such situations. 

[u][b]History:[/b][/u] A wandering ronin that loves to explore the land, Ran had learned how to fight from her own glob-trotting journey. Taking bits and pieces from other styles here and there, she experimented and crafted the Flowing Sword Palm school from a variety of sources such as lessons and battles. Currently, she is continuing her journey to amass enough experience to create a stable foundation for her martial arts style and plans to settle down in the future to teach it to the common people to help give them a modicum of safety and pride.