Sodium

Four Winds

I'll just be over here acting as if I don't feel left out by January.

Four Winds

Apache attack helicopter armed and standing by.

Seishun Academy of Swords, a sword forging RP!

@KoL

Yeah, I'm still here. I'm just waiting for the current challenge to end before I jump in.

✮ Stardust Memory ✮

Smooth, sweet, and foreign music blared atop a particularly tall building in the town. Beside the boombox from which the music poured, a Russian boy reclined in a beach chair. A hands-free reading apparatus held a textbook open above him as he relaxed on the rooftop surrounded by music. The cool night air danced across Ivan's skin as he studied. A windsock picked up the shift in the wind from atop a pole, and in turn Ivan noted the change.

He gave the bow in his hand a gentle squeeze as he turned the page. He'd been rushed to Japan due to the immediate urgency of the situation, so he hadn't been able to get a full working knowledge of Japanese. He knew enough to just barely scrape by, but that was not enough; he had a country's reputation resting on his shoulders, so he couldn't accept mediocrity. As such, he spent his nights studying the language, working to become fully literate and fluent.

As he was The Prince of the Sun, Ivan's fighting prowess was reduced at night; his finisher could work on the sunlight reflected by the moon. But on a night with clouds like this, he thought, it simply isn't worth the trouble of running through the streets without direction. As if sensing the boy's thoughts, Makar huffed his agreement from his cushion beside Ivan's chair.

However, Ivan wasn't helpless on this cloudy night - not by a long shot. In fact, that was exactly what Ivan was being. As Ivan turned the page again, he felt a Shadow's presence about half a kilometer to his east. Judging by the constant appearances and disappearances of the Shadows to the north of him, Ivan could tell the other Princes were probably hunting in that area, leaving the east unoccupied. This prey would be his.

Ivan brushed the textbook holder aside as he sat up, readying his bow. He sighted down the shaft, searching for the telltale visual distortions that marked a Shadow's presence from outside its barrier. A flickering shadow caught his eye, marking his target's location. He carefully raised his bow straight toward the sky from that point, drawing one of the special arrows he'd prepared for night sniping sessions. He pulled until his hand found his cheek, then let the arrow fly.

Off into the heavens it soared, seeking to join the stars hidden above by the clouds. As if it had been turned away by the heavens themselves, the arrow turned, curving gracefully back toward the earth. About 100 meters above the ground the arrow burst like a firework, sending streaks of light in all directions. A whistling, buzzing sound screamed through the night to all who could see the event as flechettes made of magical light streaked down from the arrow's burst. The deadly hail fell, impaling all Shadows below but harmlessly dissipating on contact with anything lacking Cosmic traits.

Ivan nocked another arrow as he strained his senses, hoping he'd made the kill in a single shot and wouldn't have to expend a second arrow for such a simple beast. Luckily, the presence faded to nothing, telling Ivan he'd scored another kill. With a smile, Ivan lowered his bow and used the tip of the arrow to burn another tally mark onto the wall. 27 in total he'd killed from this seat, and he'd not kept count of his kills on his feet.

Satisfied, Ivan swung back into the chair, pulling the textbook back into place. I'll let those princes to the north have their fun, he thought. I've got all I need right here.

Seishun Academy of Swords, a sword forging RP!

@RoflsMazoy

I'm still here, just been rather busy. I'll hop in after the godsword competition; give me a mention then, if you would.

✮ Stardust Memory ✮

Solar Prince

Character Name: Ivan Dorovich
Title: Prince of the Sun
Character Age: 15
Character Gender: Male
Nationality: Russian
Appearance (and theme):

When not transformed, he dresses in an average suit with a hat and his hair is shorter.

Personality: Ivan wants nothing more than glory. He packs his actions with flair and flamboyance, aiming to outshine even the sun. Anyone who has met him would summarize him with the word "showy". However, Ivan doesn't want this glory for himself - instead, he attributes all his glory to his homeland, the great Mother Russia.

Faction: Sun Prince
Magical Weapon: Ivan wields a brilliant bow that shoots arrows made of magical light. This light bursts upon impact, resulting in a firework-style effect and fire- or light-based magic damage in addition to the explosive physical blast.

Magical Abilities:
Light Trickery: Ivan can manipulate light to produce illusions, illuminate dark areas, or even remove light from an area. The effect is reduced the further out of sight the target is, similar to the way light can shine around corners at a reduced vibrance.

Noble Steed: Ivan's trusty dog Makar transforms with him, becoming a mammoth covered in glorious golden armor. Makar is capable of providing Ivan with a mighty solar lance should the situation necessitate it; otherwise, he attacks with his golden tusks.

Solar Beam: Ivan's signature Magical Boy finisher attack. Ivan uses magical light to create multiple foci (AKA lenses) that magnify natural light into a single deadly beam. This laser cannot be formed on naturally cloudy days, though magical clouds and darkness have no effect.

Strengths: Ivan is best when fighting at range, on Makar's back or not. He is also incredibly nimble, even for a Prince - after all, it was his agility that earned his status as a Prince.
Weaknesses: Ivan's power significantly falls when forced into a close-range battle, or when an ally is too close to the target to avoid friendly fire. Despite having training in the use of Makar's solar lance, Ivan remains fairly unskilled with it in combat. Ivan also falls behind the other princes in brute strength.

Biography: Thousands of years ago, the Cosmic Princes were founded. Using both his power and his personal charisma, The Prince of the Sun worked to found Russia. By way of actions probably too graphic to describe on this public forum, The Prince of the Sun ended up being a part of the family tree of all true Russians. Thus, the legend of the Prince of the Sun became known to all Russians.

The Prince of the Sun, wanting to have a strong successor, laid out plans for a tournament to determine prospective successors. Participants would be tested in many areas deemed important to The Prince of the Sun's fighting style to make sure that the most likely to be his reincarnation would be chosen. The top contestants would then be given intense training out of the world's sight, preparing them for their fight against the hidden evils of the world.

So it was for thousands of years that The Prince of the Sun was trained in secret by the Russian people. Whether by design or by sheer happenstance, The Prince of the Sun always reincarnated as a Russian boy. In the present day, school P.E. incorporates training for the tournament into the basic curriculum, regardless of whether the position is open. The government keeps the real meaning behind the tournament under wraps, but it has become so ingrained into culture that none think to question it. You wouldn't question drying your hands after washing them, after all.

Ivan enters the story in the present day, two years after the demise of the previous Prince of the Sun. Ivan performed well in all the tournament events due to his outstanding agility, landing him among the top contestants and earning him long and rigorous training. Ivan gained his powers toward the end of training, at which point he swore to glorify Russia in all his acts as Prince of the Sun.

Presently, Ivan is in Japan investigating reports of Chaos Witch activity that had begun affecting the eastern cities of Russia.

✮ Stardust Memory ✮

@Leslie Hall Revised CS, ready for approval.

Solar Prince

Character Name: Ivan Dorovich
Title: Prince of the Sun
Character Age: 15
Character Gender: Male
Nationality: Russian
Appearance (and theme):

When not transformed, he dresses in an average suit with a hat and his hair is shorter.

Personality: Ivan wants nothing more than glory. He packs his actions with flair and flamboyance, aiming to outshine even the sun. Anyone who has met him would summarize him with the word "showy". However, Ivan doesn't want this glory for himself - instead, he attributes all his glory to his homeland, the great Mother Russia.

Faction: Sun Prince
Magical Weapon: Ivan wields a brilliant bow that shoots arrows made of magical light. This light bursts upon impact, resulting in a firework-style effect and fire- or light-based magic damage in addition to the explosive physical blast.

Magical Abilities:
Light Trickery: Ivan can manipulate light to produce illusions, illuminate dark areas, or even remove light from an area. The effect is reduced the further out of sight the target is, similar to the way light can shine around corners at a reduced vibrance.

Noble Steed: Ivan's trusty dog Makar transforms with him, becoming a mammoth covered in glorious golden armor. Makar is capable of providing Ivan with a mighty solar lance should the situation necessitate it; otherwise, he attacks with his golden tusks.

Solar Beam: Ivan's signature Magical Boy finisher attack. Ivan uses magical light to create multiple foci (AKA lenses) that magnify natural light into a single deadly beam. This laser cannot be formed on naturally cloudy days, though magical clouds and darkness have no effect.

Strengths: Ivan is best when fighting at range, on Makar's back or not. He is also incredibly nimble, even for a Prince - after all, it was his agility that earned his status as a Prince.
Weaknesses: Ivan's power significantly falls when forced into a close-range battle, or when an ally is too close to the target to avoid friendly fire. Despite having training in the use of Makar's solar lance, Ivan remains fairly unskilled with it in combat. Ivan also falls behind the other princes in brute strength.

Biography: Thousands of years ago, the Cosmic Princes were founded. Using both his power and his personal charisma, The Prince of the Sun worked to found Russia. By way of actions probably too graphic to describe on this public forum, The Prince of the Sun ended up being a part of the family tree of all true Russians. Thus, the legend of the Prince of the Sun became known to all Russians.

The Prince of the Sun, wanting to have a strong successor, laid out plans for a tournament to determine prospective successors. Participants would be tested in many areas deemed important to The Prince of the Sun's fighting style to make sure that the most likely to be his reincarnation would be chosen. The top contestants would then be given intense training out of the world's sight, preparing them for their fight against the hidden evils of the world.

So it was for thousands of years that The Prince of the Sun was trained in secret by the Russian people. Whether by design or by sheer happenstance, The Prince of the Sun always reincarnated as a Russian boy. In the present day, school P.E. incorporates training for the tournament into the basic curriculum, regardless of whether the position is open. The government keeps the real meaning behind the tournament under wraps, but it has become so ingrained into culture that none think to question it. You wouldn't question drying your hands after washing them, after all.

Ivan enters the story in the present day, two years after the demise of the previous Prince of the Sun. Ivan performed well in all the tournament events due to his outstanding agility, landing him among the top contestants and earning him long and rigorous training. Ivan gained his powers toward the end of training, at which point he swore to glorify Russia in all his acts as Prince of the Sun.

Presently, Ivan is in Japan investigating reports of Chaos Witch activity that had begun affecting the eastern cities of Russia.

Seishun Academy of Swords, a sword forging RP!

Paul Hisson

Name: Marquis Paul Hisson, AKA The Fabulous French Rapier, AKA The Prick of Peace
Age: 17
Appearance:


Bio:
As an orphan, Paul began his work in the forge on his hands and knees. He was merely three years old, and most of the metalworking he did was simply sharpening blades the master had made. He was the master smith's favorite apprentice, and as time went on he performed a great many special assignments at his master's request.

At age six, Paul was finally allowed to begin working steel under his master's close supervision. He mostly worked on shafts, leaving the rest to his master to finish, but on a few delightful occasions he was allowed to handle the tip himself. By age nine he could take on whole swords by himself - he'd mastered the process by age ten.

His life as an apprentice ended one day when a barren marquis caught sight of him working the forge and found himself charmed. The marquis and master spoke a while, and a deal was struck: since Paul was outgrowing his master's care, the marquis had little trouble adopting the boy and paying to end his apprenticeship.

In his new home, Paul continued his craft. However, his newly elevated status likewise erected a taller pillar for his works to be displayed upon. The nobility's taste favored simple, yet intricate, swordcraft, which was a big change for the ex-commoner's designs. He took the challenge head-on, refusing to back down, and in merely two years' time he'd struck a unique balance between elegance and utility. It was this, mixed with the fact that it was impossible to get him to keep a shirt on, that led to him being known as The Fabulous French Rapier.

It wasn't until Paul turned 15 that Seishun Academy accepted him into the student body. During his tenure at the academy, Paul gained a reputation as "The Prick of Peace", though the exact details of the nickname have faded into obscurity. Paul's eccentricities have made him popular with both the boys and the girls at the academy, and he can often be found walking around the campus with at least three students at his side.

Despite the many distractions at the academy, Paul strives to perfect his craft. He dreams of a white rain falling upon a perfect blade hewn by his own hands, and often wakes in the middle of the night in a hot sweat, afraid his dream will never come to fruition. Only time will tell if he shall reach fulfillment here at Seishun Academy.

Specialty:
Paul can sharpen blades like no other, providing a keen edge that lasts much longer than it should. Also, as his title would suggest, he focuses on making rapiers, sabers, and other thin blades.

Seishun Academy of Swords, a sword forging RP!

@RoflsMazoy Got a character application for ya.

Paul Hisson

Name: Marquis Paul Hisson, AKA The Fabulous French Rapier, AKA The Prick of Peace
Age: 17
Appearance:

Bio:
As an orphan, Paul began his work in the forge on his hands and knees. He was merely three years old, and most of the metalworking he did was simply sharpening blades the master had made. He was the master smith's favorite apprentice, and as time went on he performed a great many special assignments at his master's request.

At age six, Paul was finally allowed to begin working steel under his master's close supervision. He mostly worked on shafts, leaving the rest to his master to finish, but on a few delightful occasions he was allowed to handle the tip himself. By age nine he could take on whole swords by himself - he'd mastered the process by age ten.

His life as an apprentice ended one day when a barren marquis caught sight of him working the forge and found himself charmed. The marquis and master spoke a while, and a deal was struck: since Paul was outgrowing his master's care, the marquis had little trouble adopting the boy and paying to end his apprenticeship.

In his new home, Paul continued his craft. However, his newly elevated status likewise erected a taller pillar for his works to be displayed upon. The nobility's taste favored simple, yet intricate, swordcraft, which was a big change for the ex-commoner's designs. He took the challenge head-on, refusing to back down, and in merely two years' time he'd struck a unique balance between elegance and utility. It was this, mixed with the fact that it was impossible to get him to keep a shirt on, that led to him being known as The Fabulous French Rapier.

It wasn't until Paul turned 15 that Seishun Academy accepted him into the student body. During his tenure at the academy, Paul gained a reputation as "The Prick of Peace", though the exact details of the nickname have faded into obscurity. Paul's eccentricities have made him popular with both the boys and the girls at the academy, and he can often be found walking around the campus with at least three students at his side.

Despite the many distractions at the academy, Paul strives to perfect his craft. He dreams of a white rain falling upon a perfect blade hewn by his own hands, and often wakes in the middle of the night in a hot sweat, afraid his dream will never come to fruition. Only time will tell if he shall reach fulfillment here at Seishun Academy.
Specialty:
Paul can sharpen blades like no other, providing a keen edge that lasts much longer than it should. Also, as his title would suggest, he focuses on making rapiers, sabers, and other thin blades.

✮ Stardust Memory ✮

@Leslie Hall

Here's my idea for a change: The tournament is used to find those most likely to be the Prince, so that Russia may train the Prince to glorify Mother Russia. The Prince of the Sun has just happened to always be Russian, by luck or whatever. Makar simply finds the Prince after he inherits his powers.

How does that sound?