Name: Shiro, "Not-a-Fox" and "Stupid Dog" by some people who want to provoke him.

Race: Ookami (Spirit Wolf)

Age: 135

Gender: Male

Appearance: He wears his brand in a choker around his neck.



Skills:

Hunter - A wolf spirit is tasked to keep malicious spirits at bay and punish evildoers. It is also expected to get their own sustenance. As such, Shiro is versed in the art of stalking, attacking and devouring all sorts of preys, be it beast, human or spirit. With keen senses, tracking skills, patience and stamina, he can keep at it for days or even weeks.

Perceptive- Shiro has a knack for noticing little details or when something or someone doesn't quite fit. He can read emotions and gestures rather proficiently.

Great Tengu Karate - Having superior senses and keen fighting instincs, Shiro found difficult to acquire and much less develop formal fighting training if he stuck to the human fighting styles. The wolf spirit sought the help of great supernatural battlemasters in order to refine his primal flurry of claws, tackles and bites, and the Great Tengu's techniques suited his supernatural swiftness and toughness. He can no longer just claw, but use fists, kicks and spear-hands to great effect, being able to punch through stone and even dent metal. He can throw opponents way bigger than him over his head, and lift boulders several times heavier than himself. He's gotten so ridiculously fast and tough he can fight human sword fighters with his bare claws toe-to-toe, and even put pressure on warlike spirits like Tengus or Onis.
Still, he is far from a master of such an art, and as such he will lose against most elder, combat ready monsters, or really skilled and resourceful humans.

Unyielding Spirit - A wolf goes down fighting, no matter how grim or tough are the circumstances. Shiro will keep getting up no matter how many times he's knocked down.

Powers:
Ookami Physiology - As a wolf spirit, Shiro is tougher, faster and has keener senses than humans do. He has keen sight in the dark, as well as much greater hearing and smell, matching that of dogs and wolves. He's also tougher than a lot of animal spirits aswell. And he can howl.

Trailmaster - Shiro can balance and climb even the most impractible surfaces, although for rougher surfaces he isn't very subtle about it.

Spiritual Barrier - In the dual role of slayer and protector, Shiro can deploy a barrier that will make other spirits reluctant to enter the vicinity, and even make it harder to land magical attacks in the specified location as long as he keeps his concentration. The barrier also alerts himself of the point of intrusion.

Power Slash - By concentrating his chi, or spiritual energy, Shiro can turn his otherwise short ranged claw attack in a blue energy burst that travels through a distance, shredding everything in his path. A technique that still requires refinement, it's rather slow, awkward, and can only be used as a claw attack. Best used as finisher.

Shiro has probably talent for more spiritual skills and sorceries, but he hasn't tapped that yet.

Weapons/Equipment: Claws,bite and body - Shiro's entire body is as hard as a rock given the training he's been through. His claws match the sharpness and durability of steel, and his bite can even tear off armor and snap blades in two.

Bio: Shiro was born as the runt of the litter. Since from a young age, his environment drove in him the need and resolved to work steadfast and the importance of strength, for his very survival was at stake. Shiro grew detached and distant with the world as his strenght grew, and the problems he once found to even exist, lessened. But he never forgot what it meant to be helpless and weak.

He spent most of his youth in the woods, hunting malicious spirits and nourishment, and punishing the once and there evildoer that was unlucky to start trouble in his hunting grounds. He grew arrogant and conceited, and thought for a time his strenght protected him against everything. Until some fox spirits, whom he had a cordial relationship as fellow signs of fortune for a town until that point, tricked him into attacking some livestock with illusions.

He was nearly killed by a bunch of humans with pitchforks, and left for dead. An ignoble end for such a fair beast. But then someone took pity on him.

A Great Tengu, who lived in the mountain, and couldn't help but laugh at the poor bastard's luck. Knowing full well the downfalls of pride (as Tengu are very prideful), he gave him a lecture, before patching Shiro up and fleeing the place, his deed of the day done.

Shiro's eyes opened. He needed to learn more. He was just a little ignorant wolf in the wide world, and that grand, majestic spiritual being seemed a good source to learn more. So, he set out in a journey towards the mountain where that Great Tengu dwelt, determined to become his disciple. The journey wasn't easy. After being lost and duped a second time by foxes, a third time by a nekomata, and a fourth time by a tanuki who felt like it, he managed to reach and climb a high mountain where his would be master was.

The crow spirit was at first reluctant, but after showing his courage and determination (Shiro kept being kicked down the mountain only for him to crawl back up, much to the Tengu's annoyance) he accepted his plea of help, and the wolf spirit submitted himself to rigorous training.

After some time, the Tengu esteemed that Shiro needed to see the wide world to hone his skills even further (or was actually tired with the charade, who knows), so the strenghtened ookami climbed down the mountain. It was then when he was caught in a crossfire between fox spirits and the human organization known as Yasuratgiha.

Initially at odds with the humans, taking the side of the youkai (even if they were dastardly foxes) he fought tenaciously and managed to stall them for a time, until further peeking revealed the foxes had been the ones to start the mischief. Dragging them along to the humans, he apologized, and he was offered a chance to join the organization.

They had ballsy ideals, so he thought he would give it a shot. He would see different people and hone his skills. And so he became part of the family. He is mostly a no-nonsense individual, who appreciates discipline and courage, and despises tricksters (specially shapeshifters, and SPECIALLY SPECIALLY foxes. His wolf side also reacts to cats, funnily enough). He hasn't gotten a hang of human etiquette fully, so he can come sometimes as brusque and bloodthirsty, and of course, he has yet to understand the concept of covering his torso.

Name: Seonu, Jin Yeong

Race: Jade Rabbit / Sansin. Takes after the rabbit side far more.

Age: 83

Gender: Male

Appearance: 3'6" tall and thin with tanned skin and gold eyes, Jin does not cut an impressive figure. His black hair, that would reach to his ankles if it wasn't in a topknot, is one of his greatest assets and he hides it constantly under his paeraengi. It tickles his ears otherwise. He typically wears a blue jeondok and gray dongdari with his paeraengi. His face is extraordinarily handsome except for his eyes which resemble those of a tiger far too closely for most to find pleasant. His talisman is actually a thin black headband that usually hides beneath the concealment of his paeraengi. However, his ears are not quite so subtle. His human ears are normal enough. His black rabbit ears emerge out from under his paeraengi at the back like a pair of black shade flaps and extend down to just past his shoulder blades.

Spirit Forms:
Jade Rabbit's Descendant Form. In this form he can use his mortar and pestle but not his spear.



Mountain Hare Form. Small and compact, extraordinarily fast and nimble, this form allows him both subtlety and speed of travel. But, he cannot use either his spear or his mortar and pestle in this form.



Skills:

Capable with his spear but far from a master, Jin Yeong is not a warrior. Mostly fluent in defensive fighting and quite willing to use ignoble fighting techniques to gain distance, time, create an opening, or shamelessly flee, he has limited value in combat. It is the Mortar and Pestle magic of his mother's line that makes him a true asset of the guild.

He has learned a number of miscellaneous skills over the decades. He can cook, but not very well. He can clean, but he tends to do too much. He has also taken up ink painting and has some skill but while his work is lovely, it still shows some signs of the amateur. He keeps the completed ones locked away.

His calligraphy and style are masterful and he takes a meticulous delight in paperwork and orderly spaces wielding the brush with loving care and the broom and rag with zeal.

Powers:
Stamina of the Moon: Moonlight restores his stamina. He can run full rabbit scamper so long as the moon shines on him. He also can't grow tired or sleepy in moonlit areas.

Rhythm of Healing: Using Mortar and Pestle, pounds any medicinal or herbal substance into what medicine is desired. ((Medicines that raise the dead or grant immortality are beyond his power. Only the head of the family can make those.))

Rhythm of Sustenance: Using Mortar and Pestle, pounds any edible substance into however much staple food is needed. ((Greater variety can be attained by practicing but he hasn't practiced.))

Weapons/Equipment:

Mortar and Pestle (magical/summoned): Used for the powers from his mother's side.

Spear of Heaven's Lake (Artifact, gift from his father the Sansin of Baekdu): Can bring a sudden freeze to a large area and freeze those wounded by its blade from the inside out, very quickly. The area freeze only affects inanimate objects, covering them in ice and making them both slippery and resistant to burning.

Bio:

Born the son of an intense love between Hye Won, a daughter of the Jade Rabbit who makes the medicine of immortality for the gods and Jong Hyeon, the hidden Sansin of Baekdu Mountain, Jin Yeong holds a rather uncommon status. He is a full blooded god but, due to his parents' elopement, lacks any of the authority or prestige that that inheritance would normally provide. Because of the intensity of their love, his parents disregarded the prohibitions against the line of the Jade Rabbit wedding the gods of earth and secretly wed without any blessings or ceremonies. The Jade Rabbit was displeased by his daughter's disrespect but his duties kept him with the moon, unable to intervene in spite of his irritation and worry. Disregard for the prohibitions can invite terrible punishments.

Some little time passed and Hye Won came to be with child. She and her beloved husband expected the reputation of her pedigree to hold true and for the birth to produce numerous offspring with little effort. However, the pregnancy drained her and she fell gravely ill. When the time for labor came, the process was far more difficult than either had anticipated and only one small child emerged. This was seen as a sign that the universe was punishing them for their disrespect of the Jade Rabbit and propriety. The little boy was named Jin Yeong, due to the rarity of a single birth to a rabbit mother. His black coloring was also unusual. However, this rarity only added to the pressure of disapproval that weighed on his parents. It was especially difficult because it took nearly eleven years for Hye Won to finally recover. All these rare misfortunes were attributed to the improper union.

But, in the end, Hye Won's recovery and her subsequent healthy pregnancy, which produced four daughters, were seen as proof that the couple had paid the price for their injudicious behavior. Thenceforth they suffered no grave misfortunes, much to the relief of their families. Yet, things were not all well with their rapidly growing family. Their firstborn son had the patient rage of his father and the timidity of his mother. With this combination of traits his company grew rapidly unpalatable to either Jong Hyeon or the Jade Rabbit as he aged.

With the disapproval of both his father and grandfather, Jin Yeong strove to learn and grow as quickly as possible, studying intensely in order to minimize the strain that his presence caused. Then he waited for the proper time, leaving home as soon as was permitted, to make his way in the world on his own. Only the gifts that were given to him by his parents when he came of age accompanied him when he left the mountain. On his bed, he left a letter giving gratitude and respect to each member of his family for the many things they had taught him and giving them credit for all of his limited achievements, as it was only due to his family's dutiful aid that he achieved anything at all.

At the time of his departure, he had twenty-three sisters and eighteen brothers and his parents were well and strong.

As a Jade Rabbit, he lacks much of a fighting spirit and prefers to either avoid conflict or settle it peacefully if at all possible. As a descendant of the Sansin of Baekdu Mountain, he is fearless when angered and patient in revenge. He is also mildly Confucian in his thinking and insists on following certain formalities in his dealings with others. It is this combination of traits that led him to the guild of his own volition.

The prospect of applying social pressure to diminish the conflict between humans and the other beings of the world was too tempting a prospect. With so little expected of him by any of his family or their acquaintances, he was free to choose his own goals and methods without reference to any other person or power but his own principles.

Due to his specific array of talents and limited powers, most of his missions for the guild have involved message carrying, medicine, food, or deftly handling the intricate subtleties of the paperwork and bureaucracy. In fact, he may be the only person in the guild who actually enjoys having a desk of paperwork to come back to.

Name: Ryuki, “Mount Oroi's Crimson Ape” and “Vermillion Guardian”
Race: Simian Oni
Age: 84
Gender: Male

Appearance: In his human guise, Ryuki is 5’11” and 183 lbs. His skin is slightly tanned, hair a dull red, and eyes a bright green. It’s hard to tell with the length of his hair, but a pair of small horns are present on his forehead. His regular attire is rather strange in this land, and shaped by what he remembers from vague tales he heard quite some time ago. His talisman is the pair of glasses that also seem to manifest whenever he assumes a human form. The one thing he does have to carry around are his weapons which are an one-edged sword about the size of an odachi and an axe meant to be wielded in one hand.

As a Spirit, Ryuki is far more intimidating sight. Usually he plants his hands on the ground and as a result his posture is hunched over. Even then he’s just shy of 7’, and when he stands straight up he’s about 8’3 or so. At just over 375 lbs. he’s literally just muscle and bone. His skin’s texture is described as rocky, while the white fur is likened to silken metal.

His horns are more unusual than impressive. Incredibly thin, they curve up and outward from Ryuki’s forehead for just over a foot. While touchable at the base, the tips of his horns glow almost white hot and will quickly incinerate those without protection. Thankfully the heat seems very much contained and doesn’t seem to transfer unless another organism touches them.

Skills
Drinker & Brewer: Holds his liquor like it’s nobody’s business and also a fairly competent brewer. His homemade stuff tends to be rather weak, for an oni at the least, and focuses more on the taste. Call him a juice maker though and he’ll bring out the batches that are basically poison for regular humans.

Green Thumbs: To that end, he’s also a got a fairly good green thumb in either of his forms. The mountain sides of Oroi yielded quite the variety of fruit while he made his home there, and he’s cultivated similar fruit fields around the guild.

Tranquility: A rather unbefitting skill of the supposedly boisterous race of Oni, but Ryuki is very skilled in the art of meditation. So much that he can actually enter into a trance where it can become hard to tell if he’s still alive as his breathing and heart rate slow to almost imperceptible levels.

Sinister Glasses: Somehow Ryuki has the developed a method that causes his glasses to gleam at the slightest adjustment. It doesn’t actually have much use, but looks rather nifty. Might frighten or unnerve those not used to it.

Powers
Oni Physiology: Exactly what it says on the tin. Even in his human guise, Ryuki is physically superior to mortals and effectively untouched by age or sickness. In his Spirit form, the disparity in physical traits is only magnified further and the rest of his supernatural abilities become available for use.

The World’s Flow: What allowed Ryuki to gain the title of Vermillion Guardian, it is the ability to immerse one’s self in their surrounding environments. To read the various flows of energy in the natural world around him and notice others that move through it. From his home atop Mount Oroi, he watched over and protected those that flocked to the area for the safety he offered against malevolent spirits. At the same time, in this state Ryuki seems to fade into his surroundings. It becomes incredibly difficult to focus on him despite his appearance, and supernatural methods are almost certain to outright fail.

Internal Forge: A blessing of fire that burns bright within Ryuki. While it doesn’t manifest as the ability to manipulate flames, he is able to manipulate his internal body temperature to dangerous levels. Darker shades of red indicate hotter temperatures, and he can increase it to such a degree that even metal will melt if touched for too long. Other effects include a heightened body temperature, the ability to ignore intense heat or cold, being the best portable heater before they’re even a thing, and other stuff of that manner.

Weapons/Equipment
Sword: A weird hybrid of katana and odachi that’s about halfway in length compared to the two styles. The blade is also considerably heavier, but doesn’t prove too problematic for Ryuki to use.

Axe: Normally carried at the back of his waist. Designed to withstand use even in his Spirit form like his sword, but otherwise nothing unusual about it.

Bio: Childhood wasn’t really a thing for Ryuki. He sort of just materialized one day atop Mount Oroi with a vague understanding of the world he had been born into. In a fashion most un-oni-like, he sat down to try and puzzle things out rather than obey the instinctual urges. His awareness expanded and for how long he stayed like that, the Spirit could not be certain.

Eventually the ceaseless dance between lights and shadows beneath him, along with his own urges, spurred him to descend. Naturally when his first appearance at the village inspired quite a bit of terror and panic, and that whetted his appetite just fine. The piss poor performance of the town guards though, exhausted as they were by attacks from other Spirits killed the mood though and left him rather disappointed.

In a fortunate turn of events for the surrounding settlements, another Spirit also decided to try their luck with that village that night. For a moment it seemed he was content to leave the villagers to their fate, but then it clicked. If the humans could not put up a fight, then maybe this creature would instead. It wasn’t his intention to protect them merely a side-effect of his desire for a challenge, but the humans did not question their savior, even if it was only through coincidence. A celebration was held in his honor, and though confused, he quickly learnt that the cuisine of humans might very well be better than the cooks themselves. Maybe. He didn’t really know since he had never ate a human before.

Suffice to say, but news spread quickly and soon enough the humans from around the mountain regularly made the trek up for his aid. It wasn’t a bad arrangement, and for a few years he simply lazed about in that manner. Eventually he decided to take a more proactive role and began to experiment with the abilities he had. His awareness slowly expanded until he sensed other Spirits and sought them out before they could attack the human settlements. The requests for aid became less and less common as he prevented attacks in the first place, and soon they simply arrived with offerings and to spend time.

His attention turned to other pursuits when Mount Oroi was established as his territory with only the occasional challenge. The mountainside forest became lush with various fruits, and it was rumored that the smell of liquor and spirits infused the very earth where Ryuki lived. It was also somehow agreed on by the various villages that benefited from his protection that his name was to be Ryuki. He doesn’t quite remember how it came to be, but did accept it.

All in all things were good, and then one day members from Yatsuragiha came for him. It was actually fairly touching that the village guards barred them from his home. While he could not say he tired of his self-appointed task, the chance to see more of the world did interest Ryuki. He had never assumed a human guise in all his life, and the talisman provided proved quite helpful. He bid the various village heads farewell, ensured he would come back to check on them, and departed with the guild’s members.