[OOC] The Jade Stream

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

Ah... Well, that story's more reasonable now, okay. And the name seems to be reasonable as well, so that front's also okay. But... Hm.
Well, I think it'll be usable at the end of the day. They'll be fine.

Though I should prooooobably mention that a lot of supernatural and abnormal animals and creatures and whatnot will exist. Because, you know, it's that kinda story. What forms they'll be coming in, I'll leave to you to wonder for now.

Hoping for a few more forms to roll in before I start anything, though.

[Zeroth]

Since the creatures are based on youkai and the like, will they be similar in attitude (mischievous or individualistic) as well, or are they more directly "evil" or otherwise opposed to human beings? And if they're not always hostile, do some of them live openly/in disguise among humans or would they stick to their own kind?

[Muttonhawk]

My eye is on this, but my character idea is vague. I'll post up a sheet if I can flesh it out enough.

Also, I'll have to apologise if I display a lack of knowledge on east Asian mythology. I love the aesthetic, but I'm not well versed :P

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

@Zeroth:
As varied as they come. As for the second half of that question... Well, I'll leave that up to your imagination.

@Muttonhawk: That's fine; if things need explaining, you can always ask. =w=

[Muttonhawk]

Right! Only took me a couple of hours. Hopefully this doesn't sound too much like Mulan. I only ripped off some themes. >_> <_<

Let me know what you think and if anything needs changing...

Name: Chu Kyang
Gender: Female
Age: 18

Appearance:

Appearance

Without looking closely or regarding her hair or face, Kyang's state of dress would suggest that she is a young man. Her build, though slighter than an average soldier, holds strength and skill to hold her own in a fight. Her clothing reflects this intent. She wears a coat of metal scales that covers her body and arms, over a long, vibrant blue robe. Grey foot wrappings and sandals cover her feet and a plumed, hide and steel skullcap with leather skirts to cover the neck sits under her arm wherever she is out of a fight. On her back is a knapsack with a few mementos and up her sleeve is a dagger, but her most precious personal item is the Chu family's polearm, the Dragon Ship Tiller - a glaive with a broad reclining blade, a circular hilt, and a tassel. The base of the blade depicts the head of a boar in bronze.

Kyang's grey eyes tend to glint with what could either be daring madness or simply knowing something that others do not.

Can Manipulate Qi/Ki?: Nope.

Abilities (if any):

Abilities

Combat Training: Much to the chagrin of her family, Kyang practices her martial arts forms regularly. The original rationale was 'self-defence', but it has since grown to the point where mere muggers or kidnappers are the least of her worries. Her hand-to-hand and knife fighting techniques are rudimentary, while her real skill lies in polearm techniques.

Historical and Military Knowledge: Kyang idolises her great grandfather, the renowned general Chu Chihun. She has not only poured over the historical documents that made up his career, but has expanded her voracious reading to military doctrine and the international histories of Kanami in general.

Unflappable Cunning: It is difficult enough to surprise Kyang, but if she shows any fear at all, she is almost inhuman in her ability to obscure it. She is instead resourceful and tries to plan on her feet in clever ways.

Personality:

Personality

Kyang tends to be blunt and vocal about most things, but could not be described as prideful or impatient. Arrogant, maybe, but she likes to deliberately get a rise out of those who act serious in particular. That said, she is not this way out of ignorance for common decency, she just prefers open honesty rather than unnecessary subtext.

The two things that frustrate her the most are people who overcomplicate things and those that doubt her abilities. She is fiercely independent after travelling for so long and is insulted by people who presume to do things for her. This, in turn, makes it difficult to admit that she needs help when such occasions arise.

Despite her banter or her gripes, Kyang is a loyal friend and an encouraging presence. Her loud, confident, and direct nature lends a sort of courage in the face of adversity. As well, her quick plans, whether they are sound or not, give an aura of certainty about her.

History:

History

In the last war of significant scale taken part in by Daeyang-Gug, few versed in its history could pass over the exploits of the legendary general Chu Chihun. On record for winning countless battles, breaking daunting sieges, and commanding the defence of a city against a force twelve times his garrison's number and still achieving victory. His name became immortal and his family was well rewarded.

Three generations later, the Chu family's military legacy has changed forms. Their calling has instead been edged into the realms of politics to remain relevant the prevailing peacetime. The current head of the house is indeed still relevant, being a high ranking governmental official and only two degrees of separation from the king. The family's youngest adult daughter, however, was never a flatterer.

Kyang grew up in a stifling, cloistered childhood amongst her family. The only friends she could have were delicate flowers of young girls, brought to tears by the mildest of chilly winds. She grew up with her family's intention to marry her off and slot her into the role of a lady of the house. Unfortunately, Kyang was more interested in watching the guard drills in the courtyard than learning to pour tea. She liked their dances more than any others. With not much to do but study and practice etiquette, Kyang spend her free time reading, eventually becoming entranced by the stories of her great grandfather.

Age granted Kyang more freedoms, but she was still tied to the family. Whenever she could, she slinked away to find libraries of friends’ houses or kingdom records for more material to worm through, she found herself a tutor to teach 'self-defence', and she would disguise herself and train with the household guard at times. Their cameraderie and blunt nature rubbed off on her. By the time she approached her adulthood, she could never resemble the noble lady that her family needed her to be.

It wasn't even Kyang's eighteenth birthday before she was informed that she would marry a man she had never met. While living with the conveniences of her family was manageable, Kyang knew that she would have fewer freedoms and more responsibilities in matrimony. She knew she had to leave without notice.

What was to be a birthday feast in Kyang's honour found her absent. She had taken the family glaive (disused for decades by this point), a guard uniform, a fistful of coin, and a few personal items, and then disappeared in broad daylight. No one spotted her leaving and no one searching found her since.

Kyang's plan was to head to Mingdu and assume a new identity. If she could, she wanted to become a librarian, or translator, or a scribe, or something similar. If all else failed, she supposed that she could become a nun. Her primary objective was to avoid the stifling and stilted lifestyle she left behind, instead gaining more independence.

There was no chance of Kyang getting a career in the military, which was what she really wanted. She considered trying to cross-dress her way into an army, but she didn't believe it would work like that one tragic story from Yunshou about the girl who took his sick father's place in the draft.

She reached Mingdu within the year, for better or for worse.

Other:
Legends suggest that Dragon Ship Tiller, the Chu family glaive that Kyang carries, holds the soul of a powerful patron creature or ancestor. While it is an exquisite weapon in and of itself, there does not appear to be any outward power imparted by it. However, more than one historical source has attributed General Chu Chihun's tactical prowess to the powers of the glaive, which may explain Kyang's quick thinking.

[VitaVitaAR]

• Name: Ushijima Torako, the Tiger Lily
• Gender: Female
• Age: 22
• Appearance: "I'd ask you to leave them alone, but I don't think my words would reach thugs like you at this point."
• Can Manipulate Qi/Ki?: N/A
• Specialization: N/A
• Abilities: Torako has no supernatural capabilities to speak of. What she does have is a well-forged katana, named for a myth about a child from the moon, Taketori. It has no unique capabilities, and the name is simply given due to its fine craftsmanship and excellent cutting ability. Torako is a swift and direct combatant. One of her specialties is iaido.
• Personality: Those who practice swordsmanship in Rikoku have something of a stereotype constructed around them. Stern, serious, unflappable, these are words frequently associated with them. Ushijima Torako is exactly none of these things. The Tiger Lily of Rikoku has something of a reputation as being dangerous, but the real girl is a laid-back and friendly sort, who is easily seduced by good food and fine sake. She'll talk to just about anyone about anything, and many who meet her fail to realize such a girl could ever be the Tiger Lily. Torako is quite casual when speaking with others, as well, unlike what many would expect, but even with a less-refined manner of speech, she still refers to those around her in a remarkably respectful manner. Torako expresses nothing but gratitude towards people who share new things and experiences with her as well. This lackadaisical, cheerful attitude, however, abruptly changes when Torako decides to enter combat. This is usually only when directly challenged, or when someone around her is threatened. While if it is a mere challenge to a sparring match, she will remain cheerful, anything else is treated with the utmost seriousness and without hesitation. Torako, in an instant, goes from a friendly, somewhat silly girl, to a swordswoman with no hesitation to kill if necessary. She also holds a deep adoration for her homeland, even as she travels, she will always return to Rikoku.
• History: The history of the girl who has gained the unofficial title of the Tiger Lily of Rikoku is not a well-known one. An illegitimate child of Ushijima no Goro, the nobleman did not wish for her existence to be publicized. Even with this un-fatherly decision, at least one of the motivations was so that she would not be taken and used as nothing but a tool to get back at him, for her sake as well as his own. She was secluded to the family's dojo, and initially her training began for the sake of self-defense rather than anything else. However, it was discovered that she took to the training with incredibly fervor and intensity, dedicating herself to to the way of the sword with an unyielding focus. Unfortunately, at this time, her father was becoming more and more paranoid, towards his fellow nobles, especially the young daughter of one family who seemed in a position to take a great deal of power... And at this time, his hidden daughter was becoming so intensely skilled in swordplay even at a relatively young age...
  It was his decision here that made Torako become the Tiger Lily. That Bloody Tiger Lily of Rikoku. Unwilling to dismiss the words of her father, Torako became an assassin for the Ushijima family. Her skill with a blade lead to an unexpected surprise, and even disguise she came to be known for her swordplay and flowing, almost silvery hair. Several nobleman died, many guards were brought to their deaths by the Bloody Tiger Lily as well. But for all her efforts, Torako ultimately failed. Goro was slain, though Torako never saw the killer, and the Ushijima family's home was set ablaze. Torako's travels began both to find her former instructor, whose body was not among those slain, and for vengeance. But as the girl traveled, and discovered how truly wide and wonderful the world is, vengeance became a distant memory. The Bloody Tiger Lily's reputation, however, did not leave her, though now, as she became a traveler whose sword raised only against those who attacked her or others, or those who challenged her directly, simply calling her "Tiger Lily" became more common. Torako always returns to Rikoku, for even with the painful memories of the destruction of her home, she still loves her homeland. But indeed, she loves her travels as well. While vengeance is a distant thought, Torako still wishes to find her vanished teacher once more. And if directly confronted by her father's killer, who's to say what would happen...
• Other: A decent cook in a pinch.

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

@Muttonhawk: Everything seems pretty good from here... 'cept maybe the name, but even then I think it can be justified fairly easily if you know which way to think. Accepted.

@VitaVitaAR: Looks good to me. Accepted.

Aaand that's probably my cue to think something up. =w=;;

[Muttonhawk]

Well, I just picked what I thought was a Korean sounding name. Let me know if I've accidentally included a swear word please >_<

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

It's not a swear word, no. Don't worry.

[Muttonhawk]

Okay, I can live in the bliss of ignorance then, haha!

[XxLyraxX]

”If I never see you again please remember me the way I was before I was broken.”

~Name~
Akiko Yuusuke

~Age~
8 years of age

~Gender~
Male

~Can Manipulate Qi/Ki?~
Yes

~Specialization~
Lightseeker

~Abilities~

• Sealing pressure points
• Healing wounds
• Calming beasts
• Communicating with the recently deceased

~Personality~
Akiko is a very intelligent boy capable of understanding words above his age group and solving puzzles and riddles. While he is silent most of the time, he has been shown to have a witty sense of humor though he tends to take jokes seriously perhaps not knowing they were jokes. He's also less inclined towards mischief. He is a precocious child and very persistent about doing the things he feels he needs to do. When scared or angry, he tends to withdraw in on himself and project an air of indifference. He rarely gets angry but when he does you'll never know it. He'll seem like nothing is wrong but watch out or you may find a frog or toad in your house. He is very good at climbing and is surprisingly agile. He is loyal to a fault and will do anything he can to protect those he cares about. While he does not know how to fight, he isn't afraid of kicking or aiming for areas that are sensitive. He suffers from nightmares though he can't remember them when he wakes up. He acts like nothing is wrong and goes about his day.

~History~
When Akiko's mother passed during his birth, his father did his best to raise and provide for his son. The pressure of being a single parent and running his own business at the same time caused Akiko's father to be a little...overzealous about wanting his son to be the best he could be. He constantly pushed Akiko to do better and when a rival clothing store owner started bragging about how his daughter could control her Ki and such, well, Akiko's father wasn't about to be upstaged by the likes of that! An idea was planted in his mind, the idea of Akiko enrolling into the school and training to master his Ki. So, Akiko was examined and found he had the potential for controlling his Ki. He trained for five long years, his father being ever present at his shoulder. He pushed and pushed Akiko until the boy eventually finished his training. By then, his father had seen potential in his son and decided to use Akiko's abilities to bring in the money.

~Other~
If he isn't working, he can normally be found reading.

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

Good to go! Add it in the list whenever.

[Muttonhawk]

Alright, I've had a fish around and I found a picture that fits Kyang. It's not exactly the description I had originally, but it still fits the attitude. Who am I to be picky?

[VitaVitaAR]

• Name: Nakahara no Momohime
• Gender: Female
• Age: 17
• Appearance: "I am most pleased to make your acquaintance." She has light pink hair, a red kimono, golden decorations in her hair, and a golden pendant fixed to the front of her outfit. The underlayer is white and black.
• Can Manipulate Qi/Ki?: Yes
• Specialization: Lightseeker
• Abilities: Momohime is strictly capable of healing and little else, though she can heal potentially lethal wounds as long as she has time to do so. Reattaching limbs, however, is beyond her. A puncture wound to the chest she could mend.
• Personality: Momohime is a polite, kind, and sweet-natured girl. She enjoys meeting people, and generally appears to be an example of a sheltered noble girl. This is not, entirely, untrue, she is largely naive about the exact workings of the world... unless you are discussing matters of politics. Due to her excellent education and a remarkably intelligent mind, Momohime is a shrewd politician for her relatively young age. Her kind and generous personality is one part honesty and one part projected specifically to build her popularity among both sympathetic nobles and Rikoku's common people. She espouses views of support for commoners, causing them to eagerly flock to her. Some of the more warm-hearted nobles, too, support her ideals, even if many do view her as more naive then she actually is. In spite of this sweet-natured personality, Momohime's political side is not above dispatching some of her more dangerous bodyguards for the sake of preemptively defending herself from those who would do her harm. She's well aware some view her popularity as a threat. While she may deeply desire to support the common people, she is largely unaware of how they live beyond the basics, and is utterly useless when it comes to any sort of physical labor. She's highly embarrassed, as well, by her atrocious cooking ability, which could easily be used as a deadly weapon. In other words, by herself Momohime is largely helpless.
• History: Momohime was born to the Nakahara family, and from a young age faced an intense and focused education. This upbringing fostered great intelligence and an analytical, political mind. At the same time, her servants endeared themselves to her quite effectively, causing Momohime to become greatly fond of her many "onee-chan". As a result, Momohime's primary concerns eventual involved the wellfare of the common person. Since her debut as a figure in active politics, Momohime has gained a surge in popularity do to her kind nature, intelligence, and concern for the common person. Recently, she decided to arrange for travel to Mingdu, due to her own curiosity and a gesture of open-mindedness by travelling to such a mixed town.
• Other: Seriously. Her cooking is bad. Don't try it.

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

@Muttonhawk: I see no problems here. Yuffie tho.

@VitaVitaAR: That looks fine to me. Accepted.

Now... I'll get my own form(s?) up tomorrow, and will likely start that night.

[Muttonhawk]

Oh, so that's who the picture is of...whoops. Oh well!

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

Well, might as well put this up for posterity's sake. We'll start later today. Probably.

Name: Fengxian Liu

Gender: Male

Age: 17

Appearance: But enough about me...

Can Manipulate Qi/Ki?: Yes

Specialization: Naturalist (N/A bound)

Abilities: Having been trained in channeling qi, Liu is able to strengthen his body to endure blows that would otherwise... Well, break a lot more than they would, to put it one way or another. Things that would otherwise snap his bones in half instead damage him (and his lifeforce) directly. Which is helpful, considering that not moving is usually followed by death in the wilderness anyhow. he also has the ability to bind his soul to that of another, but hasn't exactly decided to do so quite yet... Or, more accurately, hasn't been able to. He's picky.

Aside from being able to harden his body, Liu has a jian that he bought and is quite proficient with; having gained the money to do so through his daily hunts, he is also quite proficient in tracking and hunting... Normal animals, at least. The sword itself is a regular sword, custom-made by the village blacksmith (for an additional fee, of course).

Personality: A person who prefers to let his actions speak for him, Liu's much more comfortable out in the woods near Mingdu than he is actually being in the town itself. While he can be talkative at times, Liu is more than happy to let others do the work and chatter on instead. When push comes to shove, though, he'll do all that he can in order to resolve whatever plagues him. Be it anything from trying to fox his way out of a sticky situation to the good ol' "beat up whatever's being annoying" strategy, the way things have worked out for him seemed to have been for the best.

In that regard, though, he's certainly not stellar in any category; just a cut above in most respects, but not much more than that. He remains loyal to his ever-aging parents and, though it may not seem like it, works in the background to ensure their care and well-being. Giving respect where respect is due is also ingrained into his being; he admits defeat gracefully, even when the opponent in question is leagues ahead of him.

History: Trained as a student in the Mingdu monastery, Liu found himself to be a slightly above-average student. Though nowhere near the two prodigies of his year, the young man found himself to be content staying in the shadow of others as he worked to fulfill his parents' ambitions. Though the two of them had grown old working in the fields, Liu found himself favoring the ruggedness of nature, and thus made a living that way. It was certainly much less consistent than the farm, but he was still young, and so his parents let him do as he pleased for the moment. After completing his training, though, his master urged him to go out and find something to strengthen himself with... Which, of course, ended with the comparison between him and the rest of the class. Liu half-heartedly agreed, faking sincerity as the old man time and time again asked about his efforts. It wasn't like he was't trying...

More like, he hasn't... Exactly... Found anything. Yet.

Other: N/A

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

Well, uh... My apologies. I had expected to be able to kick it off last night, but some work came up that I had to resolve. It's a tad late, but... We're starting now!

[Zeroth]

Since those who train at the Mingdu temple/monastery/school are renowned the world over, what would be common knowledge about their style? Like the name, the specialties or focus of the techniques, that kind of thing?

[FujiwaraPhoenix]

Hm...

I haven't figured out what I want the style to be, except that it should have some decent focus around counters. I'm actually more inclined to let you think of how it is and just run it by me instead. =w=;;