[OOC] Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

[Shin Ghost Note]

Malik.Jakane
26 | Malik Wyatt Jakane Jr. | He/Him "I am Malik... of the soaring wind! Of the raging sea!"	Description: Malik Wyatt Jakane Jr, a theatrical and flamboyant, embodies the spirit of Miami, Florida. As the only child of the enigmatic Shayton, Malik grew up largely unaware of the lengths his father went to provide for him. Shayton’s distant presence meant he appeared only for significant events in Malik’s life, creating a void in their relationship that would profoundly affect Malik’s development. Despite this, Malik's innate charm and sociability allowed him to flourish in his vibrant surroundings. Surrounded by friends and the excitement of summer activities, he nurtured dreams of becoming an actor, longing to grace the world stage. However, as Malik turned eighteen, a pivotal moment arrived when Shayton felt compelled to reveal his hidden life to his son. This revelation pushed Malik even further away, deepening their estrangement. During this emotional upheaval, Malik experienced his Kindling Event, a moment he chose to keep secret from his father. Upon graduating high school, Malik embarked on a journey to forge his identity. He enrolled at Miami University, pursuing a degree in Computer Science as a safety net. However, his true passion lay in acting. After numerous applications, his determination paid off when he gained admission to the prestigious St. Portwell School of Acting. Since then, Malik has dedicated himself to the craft, working tirelessly to achieve his dreams. An outgoing individual, Malik thrived in various social circles, often frequenting his favorite restaurant, owned by the parents of Pearl Cho, a girl who moonlit as a nature-based superhero, the Winter Maiden. Their brief romance opened Malik’s eyes to magic, a concept he found both incredible and strangely familiar, for he, too, possessed magical abilities. This connection led him to join the Greenwood Coven, where he served as the Knight Storm, the sole male member during his tenure. Amid a conflict against Emily, Malik devised a clever plan to enhance his acting skills by posing as a spy for the Greenwood Coven. With Ruby’s approval, he donned the disguise of a ruthless thug, meticulously gathering information to relay back to the GReenwood Coven. Yet, the role did not suit him; Malik felt out of place and miserable on 8th Street, yearning for the simpler times of hanging out with Greenwood. As a second-generation African immigrant, Malik carries the rich cultural heritage of his parents—his father hails from Liberia, and his mother from Nigeria. However, he identifies as an American, embracing his parents' cultures while carving out his own identity. Standing six feet three inches, Malik is lean and athletic, having dedicated years to maintaining a healthy physique; after all, he is determined not to become a stereotypical “fat actor.” While he projects a tough exterior and a scowl on 8th Street, those close to him know that a massive softie lies beneath this façade. Little does he know that his father, Shayton, is currently in St. Portwell, and Malik would remain blissfully unaware of this fact. Abstraction: Adept - Red Lux. Channeler: A Wind Chime made by his mother. Aeromancy: The first spell Malik devised showcases his innate connection to the winds and reflects his peaceful, free-spirited nature. With Aeromancy, Malik can summon powerful gusts of wind that range from gentle breezes to fierce tornadoes. This spell aligns beautifully with the Aeromancy of the Spring and Fall Maidens, allowing him to synchronize with them. Malik can control the direction and intensity of the winds, enabling him to push back opponents or clear obstacles. One of the most impressive aspects of this spell is his ability to ride the wind, granting him temporary flight. Although Malik has temporarily retired the full use of this spell to maintain his cover as an 8th Street member, he still utilizes the flight aspect. Storm-Cloud: During his time as the Knight Storm, Malik developed the Storm Cloud, a powerful spell that allows him to summon a telepathically-controlled storm cloud. This cloud serves as a conduit for various weather phenomena, allowing him to manipulate the environment around him dramatically. Malik can create multiple weather effects, from torrential rain and blinding snow to crackling lightning and thick fog. The storm cloud can be guided and controlled mentally, allowing Malik to focus on other tasks or engage in combat while still directing the weather effects. While Malik refrains from using this spell to maintain his cover as a member of 8th Street, the potential for its use remains a potent asset should he ever need to draw upon it. Ionimancy: Malik can control and manipulate plasma, the fourth state of matter, or generate it at will. This potent spell enables him to shape burning plasma into various forms, such as whips of searing energy, protective plasma shields, or high-velocity projectiles that can sear through anything in their path. Unlike traditional fire, plasma is superheated and highly energized, allowing Malik to adjust its intensity, creating brilliant bursts of light and heat that can blind and burn opponents. His mastery of Ionimancy enhances his combat capabilities and enables him to showcase spectacular and dynamic displays of power that leave onlookers in awe. Celestial Barrage: Celestial Barrage is a specialized subspell of Ionimancy, designed for his role as an undercover spy for 8th Street. This spell allows him to conjure miniature stars that mirror the twinkling lights of a night sky. He can shoot these miniature stars from his hands, each infused with intense heat capable of igniting flammable materials or burning his enemies upon contact. They dissipate upon striking an object, making them temporary but dangerous. While he can control the initial trajectory of the stars, Malik can also subtly adjust their path mid-flight, allowing for unpredictable strikes akin to the infamous Hellzone Grenade.
Akira.Shinjo
31 | Shinjo Akira | She/Her "Yūkōno Toki is a tool, a weapon, and my duty as a Spirit Warden."	Description: Callsign: Epoch. Akira Shinjo is a dedicated Spirit Warden operating under Task Force Ø, Japan's counterpart to the PRA. Although not an official member of the PRA, she serves as a vital link between the two organizations in their shared battle against the supernatural. The Spirit Wardens, formerly known as the Yokai Extermination Brigade during World War II, carry a contentious legacy marred by war crimes. This history weighs heavily on Akira, whose grandfather was a Brigade member. The complex legacy of her family fuels her unwavering resolve to protect her homeland and rectify past mistakes. As part of a unique “Foreign Exchange” program, Akira has been sent to the PRA to assist with the escalating crisis posed by the Stygian Snake, an Apparition that has historically wreaked havoc in Japan. Growing up in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Akira was raised on tales of spirits and yokai told by her grandmother, a revered Shinto priestess. This upbringing instilled in her a deep respect for the supernatural from a young age. However, the shadow of her grandfather's involvement in the infamous Yokai Extermination Brigade loomed large over her childhood. One fateful evening, as she walked home, a Yokai emerged and attempted to consume her. In a moment of desperation, as panic ensued, Akira underwent her Kindling Event. Just when all seemed lost, a member of the Spirit Wardens intervened and saved her. In that moment of desperation, Akira underwent her Kindling Event, awakening her latent Black Lux. This pivotal moment not only solidified her path as a Spirit Warden but also ignited a fierce commitment to confront and corral the spirits that roamed between worlds. After the harrowing encounter with the Yokai, Akira’s life took a pivotal turn. In the aftermath, her grandmother entrusted her with Yūkōno Toki, an ancient blade revered in their family line of Oni-Kariudo (Demon Hunters). This incredible gift connected Akira to her lineage, allowing her to protect her community with a tool imbued with history and purpose. Motivated by her newfound purpose, she joined the Spirit Wardens, a decision that would shape her destiny. Embracing her role within Task Force Ø, Akira trained rigorously, honing her skills and deepening her understanding of the supernatural realm. With each mission, she grew more adept at wielding her Black Lux alongside Yūkōno Toki, embodying her family's values and the ethos of the Spirit Wardens. As she ventured into the depths of Japan’s haunted corners, confronting malevolent spirits and aberrations, she carried the weight of her family's legacy, determined to honor her ancestors and protect those who could not defend themselves. With her stoic demeanor and unwavering dedication to duty, Akira embodies the essence of a Spirit Warden. She operates under the belief that her family's history and the burdens of the past are what drive her to succeed. Her keen focus on completing missions often overshadows her personal feelings, making her a woman of few words. However, one topic stirs her passion: Yūkōno Toki, her family heirloom and an ancient Ōdachi. Akira despises being trivialized as a mere anime cosplayer for wielding the sword; to her, it symbolizes her heritage, power, and resolve. Those who mock her attachment to the blade, like Meifeng, learn quickly that she is not to be underestimated. She passionately articulates the importance of Yūkōno Toki and its significance in her lineage, emphasizing that it is far more than a mere weapon. Akira views her role with the Spirit Wardens as a personal honor and a sacred duty to her family and country. The mission to locate and confront the Stygian Snake, a historical terror that has haunted Japan for centuries, has become her obsession. She is resolved to face this darkness, even at the cost of her life. With every spirit she binds, Akira feels she is stepping closer to reclaiming her father's honor and bringing closure to a tumultuous past. Her training has sharpened her skills, allowing her to move with precision and strength despite her short stature of five feet two inches. Her toned legs, honed from years of sprinting and leaping, propel her through the urban landscape as she confronts the forces of evil. Abstraction: Adept - Black Lux. Channeler: Yūkōno Toki Truth of the Conclusion: Akira harnesses Truth of the Conclusion to facilitate the sealing of an Apparition with greater ease and precision than traditional methods. To cast this spell, she begins by drawing intricate sigils on the ground, each symbol reflecting her unwavering belief in the binding power of her heritage and training. This heightened conviction amplifies the effectiveness of the seal, making it far more potent than standard techniques. Once the symbols are in place, she places a small object, such as a talisman or stone, at the center of the sigils. The final and most dangerous step involves confronting the Apparition, where she must weaken it through a battle of wills, leveraging her mastery over Black Lux to exert influence over the spirit. Unlike regular sealing, which often relies solely on basic symbols, Truth of the Conclusion incorporates Akira’s emotional strength and personal commitment to her lineage, elevating the sealing’s power. When the Apparition is finally weakened, the sigils glow with a radiant light, pulling the spirit into the object and rendering it dormant with greater security. This spell ensures that the captured Apparition remains stable within its confines, minimizing the risk of accidental release. Bonds of Summoning: With Bonds of Summoning, Akira gains the ability to release an Apparition from its seal, allowing her to command and utilize its powers for a limited time. To invoke this spell, she must first channel her Black Lux, establishing a connection with the sealed spirit. This process requires her to recite an incantation that resonates with the Apparition, evoking memories of its inherent desires and forging a temporary bond. Once the spirit is drawn from its dormant state, Akira can issue commands, guiding the Apparition to aid her in battle or perform specific tasks. However, her control over the spirit is contingent upon maintaining her focus and will; any sign of doubt could weaken the bond, risking the Apparition breaking free from her control. Additionally, while Akira can place the Apparition back into its original seal or transfer it to a new one, doing so requires precise timing and intent. If the Apparition senses an opportunity to escape during the transition, it may attempt to break free. The potential for backlash underscores the risk of wielding this spell, as losing control could lead to the Apparition unleashing its full power against her. Promise of the Sinner: Promise of the Sinner allows Akira to engage in pacts or deals with Apparitions, tapping into their desires or regrets to broker an agreement that benefits both parties. To initiate this spell, she must first create a sacred space, often involving a ritualistic drawing of symbols that signify mutual respect and understanding. Akira then offers a token of goodwill, such as a personal item, as a form of currency in the negotiation. This token symbolizes her sincerity and commitment to the pact, establishing a foundation of trust. During this exchange, she draws upon her understanding of the Apparition's history and motivations, appealing to their emotions to develop a connection. These pacts usually involve the Apparition completing a task for Akira, allowing her to tap into its abilities or insights to overcome a specific challenge. However, this exchange has drawbacks; the Apparition may request a favor in return, which could involve future services, a piece of Akira's essence, or the promise of something more personal, like a memory or experience. The pact's success relies heavily on her ability to demonstrate sincerity and respect for the Apparition, as any hint of manipulation could lead to the deal's failure or even backlash. Additionally, if the terms of the agreement are not fulfilled, Akira risks incurring the Apparition's wrath, potentially leading to disastrous consequences for both her and those she seeks to protect. Shadow's Grasp: Akira invokes the power of her Black Lux to summon ethereal hands formed from shadows that reach out toward a targeted Apparition. As these hands close in, they latch onto the spirit, draining its strength and vitality. The grip of the Shadow's Grasp is not merely physical; it penetrates the essence of the Apparition, sapping its Abstraction and diminishing its defenses. With each passing moment, the Apparition's power wanes, leaving it vulnerable and weakened, making it easier for Akira to confront or seal it. This spell requires significant concentration, as Akira must maintain her focus to keep the shadows intact while channeling her Black Lux. Veil of Awareness: With the Veil of Awareness, Akira taps into the surrounding energies to detect nearby Apparitions, honing in on their presence through her Black Lux. To cast this spell, she must first find a quiet space and become completely still, allowing her to center her mind and attune her senses to the subtle magical fluctuations in the air. As she focuses, her aura expands outward, creating a field that resonates with the unique signatures of Apparitions. This heightened perception allows her to sense their locations and emotional states, helping her gauge their intentions. Warding: Warding allows Akira to create a protective shield that prevents Apparitions from bypassing. To invoke this spell, she must draw a large sigil on the ground, surrounded by intricate designs that symbolize containment and protection. Once the barrier is established, a dark, swirling mist encircles her area, forming an invisible boundary that Apparitions cannot cross. Within this barrier, Akira can move freely, but any attempt by a spirit to enter is met with resistance. However, maintaining the barrier requires continuous channeling of her Black Lux, and any lapse in focus could weaken the shield, allowing a determined Apparition to slip through.
Flora.Benard
31 | Flora Sydney Benard | She/Her "I was just trying to have a sister! I didn't deserve this!"	Description: Flora was born and raised in the coastal suburbs of St. Portwell, where life always seemed picturesque on the surface. She spent her childhood playing with friends and cousins, reveling in the carefree days of youth. But Flora always felt invisible in the shadow of her older sister, Geneva. Geneva was everything Flora wished she could be: tall, beautiful, confident, and adored by everyone. Geneva was the star, while Flora, in her own words, had been “sixteen, clumsy, and shy for over fifteen years now.” She struggled to step out of the role of the awkward younger sister, and despite her accomplishments, they were overlooked in favor of Geneva's brilliance. While Geneva went on to college, Flora's life took a different path. She remained in St. Portwell, stuck in a dead-end job as a receptionist at an accounting firm. Her days were filled with mundane tasks and the discomfort of dodging her boss's inappropriate offers for promotions. Meanwhile, she lived vicariously through her sister's glamorous social media posts, watching Geneva travel, succeed, and thrive in a life that seemed entirely out of reach. This quiet, relentless envy and the loneliness of living in her sister’s shadow gnawed at Flora. Everything changed when Geneva got a new boyfriend. At first, it seemed normal, just another part of Geneva's perfect life. But gradually, Flora began to notice the shift. Geneva's once lighthearted posts turned darker, filled with strange, cryptic messages that Flora didn't understand. Soon, these dog whistles became blatant propaganda. But the real shock came when Geneva finally began treating Flora like a sister, giving her the attention she had longed for her entire life. Flora didn't realize that this newfound sisterly bond came with a price. Geneva's boyfriend was more than just a toxic influence; he was a high-ranking member of Das Sonnenrad, a Neo-Nazi cult led by the charismatic and brutal Kaiser Draeger. He had wormed his way into Geneva's life, slowly twisting her worldview to match the violent, authoritarian dogma of the cult. Using his Abstraction, he discovered that Geneva (and, by extension, Flora) had latent Adept lineage, and he forced Geneva to undergo a Kindling Event to awaken her powers. As one of Draeger's Chosen, Geneva's next task was to recruit Flora, using the bond they had never shared as the bait. Flora knew something was wrong. She saw it in the harsh rhetoric, the hate-filled dogma, and the chilling shift in her sister. But after years of feeling ignored, discarded, and second-best, Flora couldn’t resist the intoxicating rush of finally being seen. So when Geneva handed her the Aegis Piercer and invited her into the ranks of Das Sonnenrad, Flora accepted. In those early days, the approval from Geneva was all Flora needed to blind her to the horrifying reality of what she was becoming. Her Kindling Event was swift and brutal, forcing her into the world of magic, where her latent powers were dragged to the surface. Armed with this artifact and Lux, Flora became a foot soldier for the cult, enforcing their violent agenda on the streets of St. Portwell. She killed for them, men, women, and children, driven by the desperate need to hold onto her sister’s approval and the sense of belonging she had never known. Each kill brought a twisted sense of satisfaction, a brief high as she basked in the acknowledgment that had always eluded her. But eventually, the high wore off. Flora began to realize the true horror of what she had become. She had allowed herself to be manipulated and used as a tool for a fascist regime, all in the name of seeking approval from a sister who had only ever cared about herself. Flora’s guilt was overwhelming, a gnawing presence that consumed her every waking moment. She had betrayed everything she once stood for and believed in for a sense of validation at the cost of countless lives. She wanted to kill Geneva to put an end to the sister who had dragged her into this nightmare. But Flora knew the truth: Das Sonnenrad didn’t tolerate traitors. Deserters were hunted and made examples of, and Flora wasn’t ready to die. So she played the part, pretending to remain loyal while secretly looking for a way out. That opportunity came when Kaiser Draeger’s enemies started closing in, systematically dismantling the cult’s strongholds. Flora seized the moment and reached out to Emily G. Reed, leader of the 8th Street Coven. Flora became an informant, revealing the locations of the cult’s remaining strongholds and, most crucially, the whereabouts of Kaiser Draeger himself. During the final battle, she tried one last time to reach Geneva to pull her back from the brink, but it was too late. Geneva was too far gone, thoroughly indoctrinated, and willing to die for the cult. Flora watched helplessly as Geneva was killed, her soul claimed by the Specter Knight, and realized that her sister was lost to her forever. After the fall of Das Sonnenrad, Flora found herself a marked woman. The remnants of the cult wanted her dead for betraying them. Desperate, she turned to the PRA’s new Regional Commander, Meifeng Liao, for protection. But Meifeng had no sympathy for Flora’s pleas. In her eyes, Flora was just another Nazi, deserving of whatever fate came her way. With nowhere else to turn, Flora sought refuge with 8th Street. Emily G. Reed and her Coven loathed Flora for what she had done, for the blood on her hands, but they saw her value. Flora’s knowledge of Das Sonnenrad, her Lux, and her skills with the Aegis Piercer made her too valuable to discard. So they took her in, though she was far from welcome. Now, Flora lives as a pariah within the Coven, hated by those around her, despised for her past, but kept alive because of her strategic worth. She serves as their reluctant foot soldier, a punching bag for their anger, carrying the weight of her guilt with every step she takes. The guilt Flora bears is crushing. She is haunted by the faces of those she killed, the lives she ruined, and the knowledge that she allowed herself to be used for such monstrous purposes. Her sister’s betrayal is a scar that will never fully heal, and Flora struggles every day with the knowledge that she is complicit in the horrors of Das Sonnenrad. Though she seeks redemption, she knows that forgiveness, either from others or from herself, may never come. And deep down, Flora isn’t sure she deserves it. Flora is an average-height Caucasian woman who is skinny with a face full of freckles and reddish-brown hair. Abstraction: Adept - Purple Lux. Channeler: A Locket with a Childhood Photo of Her and Geneva. Slipstream: This spell allows Flora to momentarily step out of sync with the present timeline, giving her a brief burst of hyper-speed. While under the effect of Slipstream, Flora perceives time as moving slower around her, allowing her to react with enhanced reflexes and speed, dodging attacks or covering large distances in the blink of an eye. However, using this spell comes at a cost. Every time she steps into the Slipstream, Flora experiences distorted flashes of her past, particularly the lives she’s taken under the cult’s influence. These haunting images blur into her perception, making each use emotionally taxing. Echo-Trap: Echo-Trap manipulates time around a small area, creating a temporal loop that repeats the events occurring in that space for a few seconds. Flora often uses this spell defensively, trapping enemies in a cycle of repetitive movements, disorienting them, and giving her time to escape or strike. However, this ability has a darker layer: Flora can also use it as a cruel reminder of her past, forcing an enemy to relive a single moment repeatedly. Phantom-Step: Phantom Step allows Flora to change her position instantly, leaving behind an illusory afterimage for a few seconds. The illusion mimics her last actions, confusing enemies into attacking her false self while she repositions. Rewind: Rewind allows Flora to reverse her timeline for a few seconds, undoing any physical damage or bad decisions made in that time frame. It’s a spell of second chances, one Flora desperately craves, allowing her to undo mistakes she makes in battle or escape injuries that would have otherwise been fatal. However, using Rewind doesn’t heal her emotionally. Each reversal brings with it the reminder that, despite the ability to undo immediate physical harm, she cannot undo the more significant mistakes of her life. Trance: Trace allows Flora to step into the past momentarily and observe events as they occurred within the last hour. She becomes an intangible observer, able to see but not interact with people or objects. This is useful for tracking enemies or gathering information, but it’s an emotionally fraught ability. Flora sometimes sees echoes of her past actions or tragic moments from her time in Das Sonnenrad.

[Estylwen]

"Jin” Zhu

”Jin”.Zhu

48 | “Jin” Zhu | He/him

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”I need a smoke..."

Description:

The defacto patriarch of the Zhu family in the absence of Lancy's father. He is involved in his own illegal gambling ring, underground fighting ring, and prostitution ring. He mainly resides in the China Town side of St. Portwell, and so has never had territory disputes with the House of Cards.

He and Lancy do not get along. It's rumored Lancy actually went to the House of Cards to get protection from him, but all parties will deny this.

He often has his sons, Lancy's cousins, work with him in his illegal businesses. On occasion, he and his sons have been known to help the House of Cards for a fee.

He works on a secret project in his free time.

Abstraction: Celestial Dragons, Gold Lux, Lapel Pin as a Channeler

The Zhu Dynasty lives within Jin as a mentalscape of dragons. Some of varying designs, shapes, and effects. They live and breathe in Jin's mind. He is able to think of new creations at a whim, and add them to the dynasty. However, dragons that have more thought put into them over years are more solid, with greater power.

Some of the toughest dragons Jin has conjured and summoned are part of the Falling Petal branch, the oldest branch. These dragons are typically the size of a four-story building, have hardened scales and magical resistance, and breathe one type of element. Jin can summon less of these before becoming tired.

Jin's midrange and weaker dragons are from the Lotus branch, the newer branch. They range between a few feet to about the size of a one-story building. Their scales are not as hard, and don't have magical resistance. They typically breathe fire. Jin can summon more of these without getting tired out.

”Zi” Zhu

”Zi”.Zhu

21 | “Zi” Zhu | He/him

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"Everything will be consumed in the stars..."

Description:

Zi is the younger brother to “Kai”, known for his cool demeanor and lack of fear towards Lux users. It's rare for Lux users to participate in the illegal wrestling ring his father Jin hosts, but when they do, Zi often has to chase them out and subdue them. It's purely a mundane fighting ring after all. But Zi does relish the looks on a Lux user's face when their powers seem to get swallowed up.

Poor Lux users in St. Portwell, as it's a paranormal hub, have been looking for ways to make a quick buck. Due to this, Zi has proposed a strictly Lux fighting ring. However, his father hasn't moved on the idea yet. Too much risk with those paranormal cops. But Zi is hopeful, if only to have an excuse to participate in it himself and thrash all the participants.

He's spared against some of the men in the House of Cards, mainly Alexander, and holds a special respect for them. He regards Lancy with an icy demeanor. She, of course, has inferior blood in her. If it wasn't for the House protecting her, he'd wrap her up in his father's secret project as well.

Unlike his father, Zi inherited his Lux through his mother, who was an orange adept. His prized possession is his Star Siphon, a BLANK that releases magical gold spores when in use. These spores hover in place, absorbing the Lux of any adept that attempts to release Lux too close.

Abstraction: Core Negative, Orange and Gold Lux, Channeler is a pair of silver fangs implanted on his canine teeth.

Zi has his own Zhu Dynasty, similar to his father. Though, different from the military base of his elder brother, and different to his father's bastion of dragons, Zi instead has his own Underworld, filled with Hades-like denizens. He has a ferryman that can travel across the ‘river Styx’, a network of fourth dimensional pathways that connect all over Shimmer. It should be noted that these pathways are contained in Shimmer, and do not bleed into other dimensions.

Some of Zi's most notable denizens include skeleton warriors, will-o-wisp ghosts, and grim reapers. The crown precipice of his creations would be the undead king, standing at ten feet and able to hurtle elements. They are also resistant to magical and physical attacks.

What makes these denizens unique is that they are very much not living, tying in to Zi's Core Negative, where there is a pronounced ‘absence’. Due to their undead status, killing them by normal conventions does not work. They have to be entirely obliterated, and in the case of the ghosts, obliterated by magic, in order to be defeated.

Zi also specializes in the creation of artifacts that ‘take.’ This can be the taking of anything. He could create an artifact that takes away pain, or takes away happiness, power and strength.

Due to this specialization, he can make artifacts faster than his brother Kai. He can use any object and fill it with intent, usually opting for objects that can be easily held.

It usually takes a few hours to a few days for him to make an artifact. He typically separates himself from social contact, as even the slightest disruption can break the flow of layering Lux and imbuing an object. If he smiles while channeling his Lux, you can see his canine teeth implants glowing.

"Kai” Zhu

"Kai”.Zhu

24 | “Kai” Zhu | He/him

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"If it doesn't make us money, skip it."

Description:

”Kai” is the oldest son of Jin, and often sends Zi on gopher errands for him exclusively because he is the younger sibling. He can often be found managing the business side of Jin's illegal fighting rings if he's not acting as muscle.

Due to having more of a management role, he is often seen flitting around Jin and his secret project, ensuring goods from it are allocated correctly. His sword, the Indigo Feather, was actually made possible through this secret project through the use of an off-dimensional ore, iodoite.

He always has an eye on Lancy, despite Jin's urging to leave her be. Due to Lancy's blood being inferior, Kai thinks she should be included in the secret project as well, but her connection to the House of Cards makes her untouchable.

He tolerates the House of Cards, and will work for them. But he prefers his father's businesses.

He is blessed by both his father and mother, inheriting a mix of gold and orange lux. He is often seen wearing a mix of concealed pistols and two swords, one mundane, the other an artifact.

Abstraction: Midnight Soldiers, Midnight Arms - Orange and Gold Lux, Channeller is a Wire Necklace

The Midnight Soldiers
Kai has his own miniature Zhu Dynasty, Similar to his father's, but he prefers to call it his own personal military base. The foot soldiers are about four feet high and made entirely of black shadows. The lieutenants are six feet tall, while the captains are eight feet tall. There is one general, who is two stories tall. The difference between the general and the rest of the soldiers is his glassy black skin, making him resistant to magic.

Depending on the height of the soldiers, Kai can summon more or less. The smaller they are, the more that can be summoned. The larger, the less that can be summoned.

The Midnight Arms

Each soldier is equipped with arms when they are summoned. Arms can be summoned on their own as well. Kai has a few favorites he defaults to for each soldier, as well as for himself.

Foot soldiers are often equipped with pistols, made entirely of darkness, but function similarly to mundane pistols. Lieutenants and captains are equipped with rifles and grenades. The General is equipped with a precision missile system on his shoulder, with enough firepower to wipe out a suite in an apartment building. Kai can make any of these for himself. Same as before, the larger they are, the more energy they take to manifest.

The Midnight Artifacts

Kai is able to imbue the will of his minions into artifacts, allowing them to mold and take shape. He's not really limited here. First, the minion must be thought up in his head, with its personality and traits. This is crucial, as a fiery minion may translate to an artifact that burns. Kai never really knows how his artifacts will turn out, given the unique nature of the minions that go into them.

Using mundane objects and metals take a long time for Kai to create an artifact. For a simple steel blade, it can take weeks. But using a unique ore found in the Gloam dimension, Kai can make artifacts in hours.

An example of Kai's artifact-creation is his sword, the Indigo Feather. It's made of iodoite, and only took a few hours of creations from the inception of the minion destined for it. The minion in question was lazy with the lack of a challenge, and so it channeled into the sword and gave it cutting properties against only the toughest, most physically and magically-resistant materials.

Humbly requesting these and Lancy Zhu be moved to a new tab, the Zhu Family.

Patriarch - Jin
Pure Blood - Zi and Kai
Lesser Blood - Lancy

[Skai]

Elizabeth Burns

"I’m here to finish what my cousin started."

_______________________________________________ Elizabeth Marcy Burns She/Her | 24 | European Descent | 5’2” | 113lbs _______________________________________________ Hellbent _______________________________________________ Skills & Talents "I have the usual tricks up my sleeve." ___________________________________ [+] [Lock-Picking] ⫻ Nothing keeps me out. [Hot-Wire] ⫻ No keys needed.

Appearance ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "Yeah, the hair is natural." Fair skin, unblemished besides the scar that crosses her left eyebrow in a slash and the beauty mark that graces her left cheekbone. She sports a few tattoos along her arms and legs. Her face is the shape of a heart, with a slender nose, and her bow shaped lips beneath it are usually twisted in a smirk. Stormy blue eyes sit beneath her black brows that always hold a hint of mischief within them. She was born with raven black hair, but as she's learned the ways of her family her hair has lost it's color entirely. Leaving her with white streaks interspersed throughout it. She's seen it as a mark of her power and not as a loss of beauty. Her relaxed posture makes her appear shorter than she is. At 5'2", she has a small frame that holds all of her weight around her hips and thighs in what people would call a pear shape. She doesn't have much muscle, preferring to use her magic to get any heavy lifting done. Liz absolutely adores mixing white, cream, greys, darker shades of reds, and even purples with her black ensembles. She usually wears sweaters or long sleeves, or layers cardigans or jackets on top of t-shirts. She prefers loose pants or skirts over tight jeans, and will occasionally pair a dress with tall socks and black tights underneath. For shoes, she prefers mary janes, platform heels, or boots over sneakers.

_{Psychology
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"What's the fun of living in a grey world without taking advantage of both the good and bad?"

MAIN GOAL ⫻ Liz is in St. Portwell to earn the Burns legacy. She’s a powerful necromancer, but she is nothing like her cousin was. She is in St. Portwell because she wants to get payback for her cousin, and to earn the family’s respect in her own way.

PHILOSOPHY ⫻ At her core, Liz is determined, mischievous, and courageous. She'll stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she'll make sure she has fun doing it. She will never back down from a challenge, no matter how big or small it is.

SECRETS ⫻ Liz is searching for the missing Burns family spellbook that Lyss had in her possession in an attempt to grow her power.

SEXUALITY ⫻ Any attractive man that looks her way.

FEARS ⫻ Most Black Lux adepts do not fear death, but Liz sure does. She holds love for The Hound, but she wishes to live her life to its fullest and die with a head full of grey hairs. Things such as ghosts creep her out because she knows that they didn’t get to fulfill their life’s dream.

REPUTATION IN OLD COVEN ⫻ N/A

ROLE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THE STYGIAN SNAKE ⫻ N/A

FLAWS ⫻ Other than being creeped out by death in general, Liz is certainly not as powerful or as mature as her cousin was. There are times when her immaturity comes back to bite her in the ass.

_{Backstory
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"Burns family legacy this, Burns family that."

Growing up under the shadow of her successful aunts, uncles, and grandparents, Liz always worked hard to learn the ways of the Burns family. She just happened to play harder, too. She got into a bit of trouble in school but her grades were high enough to keep her academic record from getting bad marks on it.

Her father was a one-eye open. She learned the ways of the living from her dad, and the ways of the dead from her mother. Her adept grandparents were in St. Portwell with Alyssa's family, but her father's side lived with them in their mid-sized town. Lyss's mother came to stay with them when she was just a toddler, actually, but left soon after a fight with her own mother. Liz never really understood what happened there.

She grew up hearing about Alyssa, and she visited St. Portwell a few times, but the distance was too great for them to make a real connection with each other. She just remembers the fun they would have while her mom and grandmother had their chats.

When the Stygian Snake began to attack St. Portwell, Liz's mother banned them from returning until it was resolved. Something about being too young and inexperienced. Liz was furious the day she found out that her grandmother had died in one of the attacks. Especially when she heard that Alyssa had eventually joined a coven and successfully put an end to the Snake.

She never heard Alyssa's name again, until she was made aware of her cousin's passing.

_{Abstraction
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"I'm a Burns, of course I can do that."

TYPE ⫻ Adept

ABSTRACTION ⫻ Black Lux, with a necklace of black obsidian as her channeler.

ABSTRACTION DESCRIPTION ⫻

Reanimation ⫻ Liz is able to summon the dead to do her bidding by projecting her emotional-field into the area below her. Her emotional-field then fills the body with energy, enabling it to be controlled. This acts as an extension of her body, with the ability to see through their eyes and hear through their ears. She is unable to feel or smell through them, fortunately enough, and if one perishes, she can only feel the loss of her connection to them.

In addition to summoning human bodies, Liz is able to summon the bodies of dead animals. These animals can be small enough to act as surveillance or large enough to take down enemies.

The Hound's Blessing ⫻ With reluctant permission from The Hound himself, Liz has the ability to summon hellhounds and golems.

Golems are constructed using the flesh of the dead. They are usually humanoid, resembling giants, or monstrous if the flesh of an animal has been used. These creatures are bound together into a macabre horror standing up to eight feet tall and weighing about 500 pounds.

Hellhounds are ferocious, terrifying entities that serve The Hound himself. To those able to see magic, they manifest as large, demonic pitbull-like canines, with red eyes and a black-aura around them, making hellhounds appear to be made of shadows. They cannot be killed by conventional methods, yet they will sustain damage from these attacks. The only way to truly kill them is with magic. Along with the invulnerability to human weapons, hellhounds can track any human or apparition once they have the scent of their emotional-field and possess the strength and speed of twenty live canines.

Spirit Summoning ⫻ Liz can summon the spirit of a person if she is feeling up to facing a ghost. She does this by using her emotional-field to seek out the traces of soul left in the body, and search for it in the afterlife. Once they have been summoned, the hardest part is facing their death itself.

LIMITS ⫻

Reanimation ⫻ Liz is only able to summon up to 89 undead at one time without weakening herself. This includes humanoids and animals. If she pushes past this limit she is at risk of a very long nap.

The Hound's Blessing ⫻ Creatures like golems and hellhounds require more energy and focus to summon. If she chooses to summon only golems, she can only summon eight at a time. If she chooses only hellhounds, she is only able to summon four. When she summons hellhounds, she must remain in complete control of them or else they will run rampant. They answer to her commands alone, and she must remain confident in her commands or she risks losing control of them. This makes them an extreme risk, and Liz only summons all four if she is in a desperate situation.

Spirit Summoning ⫻ Liz is only able to summon spirits if she is close to the original body or close to someone who had a connection with them. She is only able to communicate with one at a time, and the longer she keeps their spirit above ground the weaker she becomes. Plus, the longer she has to spend around something that creeps her out the less focus she is able to have in keeping them there. Additionally, if the soul has become an adjoined apparition, Liz is unable to summon them due to their attachment to a living soul.

WEAKNESSES ⫻ (DO NOT FILL THIS OUT, I WILL PROVIDE IT FOR YOU)

^{Other
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"So what makes St. Portwell so great?"

Liz is hoping to get her hands on her cousin's favorite baseball bat, if anyone's seen it around.

[Estylwen]

@Skai Welcome back!

[Shin Ghost Note]

@Skai Welcome back!

@Estylwen

Liz is actually Lyss with a mustache on

Source: Trust me bro