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Post by Admin: Otto on Apr 1, 2023 19:50:45 GMT -5
Cultural GroupsShita Eodum-TaiyangThe people of the Crescent Isles are a strong and resilient bunch that have been hardened by many lifetimes of internal strife and difference. The Southern, Central, and Northern Isles that form the Crescent Isle itself are all inhabited by a group of like yet different people that spent many centuries fighting amongst themselves while maintaining closed borders to the mainland of Charon. It wasn't until the Shita-Isu, Eodum-Tang and Taiyang-Je people aligned with one another due to several key marriages that led to the unification of the royal lines of each people, that the island finally knew true peace. It was in this peace and solace that they formed a vibrant and strong culture that was a unification of their people and ideas, making something truly strong from the sum of its parts.
The Shita Eodum-Taiyang people as they refer to themselves, or Crescent Islanders to the mainlanders, have many festivals throughout the year, filled with laughter, love and vibrancy that cements them as a place for tourism across the continents. Their cherry blossom festivals and new year celebrations some of the most prolific and renowned. They favor natural beauty in their environments whenever possible as they give importance to the land and all that it gives, meaning that their cities and villages try their best to be conservationists whenever possible, an expectation that passes on to those that step foot upon their land.
They are ruled by the Shogun and the Imperial Family as well as a collection of Administers and Daimyo's that maintain control over the cities and villages that dot the crescent isles as they are today. Their relatively feudal lord based system is simple to follow and begins with Lords, Samurai, and Officials, and then elevates to Daimyo, Administers and Gukgong, The Shogun themselves, and then the Imperial Family and its myriad of Prince and Princesses some of which hold titles below their tier of influence as well. It is through this heavily regimented system that the castes can function as their people work within three social classes as well, Sustainers (Farmers/Fisherman/Hunters), Merchants, and Craftsmen, with a fourth semi-social class being occupied by the soldiers that make up the various nobles armies and the guards of cities and villages who come from all backgrounds.
The Shita Eodum-Taiyang wear silks, and fine linens in a myriad of styles that bear accents based on their background and current social statuses. Jewelry of Jade and resin incased cinnabar are common. Their food is unique to them and known the world over for its unique flavors and appearances, being based upon rice, seafood, and noodles made of buckwheat or rice flour. Many beef, pork, and chicken dishes are consumed within the interior of the isles, and a peculiar dish by the name of Sushi or Sashimi which often incorporated raw fish is also consumed within the Crescent isles. Their biggest exports are Rice, Sake, Soju and Finely crafted weapons made with the vast iron deposits found within the Isles. The Nekizoku The Nekizoku are a group of Catfolk that live on a relatively isolated island off of the mainland of the Crescent Isles. Despite their diminutive and often adorable appearances, the Nekizoku are hardworking folk. They primarily worship Solaria, though they do not know him as such - most recorded history depicts him as Sutaiyosama, a giant catfolk spirit who awakes in the earliest hours of dawn and sets out every morning to dutifully push the sun across the sky from sunrise to sunset, which provides warmth and guidance every day as it rises over the hills. No matter what trials and tribulations the Nekizoku might face throughout the day, they keep moving forward, believing that so long as Sutaiyosama wakes to move the sun once more, everything will be okay. As such, they carry on each day with earnestness and a fresh perspective, leaving the troubles of the last evening behind in the dusk.
The Nekizoku consider themselves artisans. Silk weavers and seamstresses, farmers who grow and ferment beans and rice, and smiths who forge ceremonial weapons. The tending to the land itself is considered an art, a tradition whose origins are seeped into the earliest days of the people’s history; where priests and shamans believed that Sutaiyosama would continue to earn and grand them his warmth if they made the land beautiful and enjoyable for him to look down at. Most Nekizoku cultivate their gardens and backyards with careful placement of stones, plants, and lakes, while the insides of their homes are traditionally kept modest save their tools and their craft.
Life for the Nekizoku tends to follow a strict schedule. They rise with the dawn, and work until it reaches the highest point in the sky, and nap the afternoon away while basking in its warmth. Their evenings are spent sharing stories and dancing, enjoying the fruits of their labor until it is time for the next day to begin anew. They enjoy a simple life, a peaceful one.
But it was not always this way.
The beginnings of the Nekizoku as we know it were actually quite bloody and violent. The start of their culture is generally attributed to one person - a woman whose name has been lost to time, but whose fur-markings in visual recordings have earned her the nickname ‘The Tigress’. The Tigress was once a bride to the magistrate of the clan that existed before the Nekizoku. She hailed from a family of dressmakers who were quite well off, and it was said that her long elegant fur and unusual markings interested the Magistrate. Though she lived a comfortable life at the top of the hill, the Magistrate was a cruel man who abused the law and often administered harsh punishments. The Tigress tried to reason with her husband, but he insulted her, claiming that she would never understand the hard choices he had to make. He insinuated that if she was going to be this ungrateful then he would leave her on the curb.
The Tigress was not a warrior, but even she knew that something needed to be done about her husband. So under the guise of working with her family, The Tigress trained with the blade, practicing combat and discipline in preparation of the day she might one day need to confront the Magistrate for his misdeeds. The day finally came when the Magistrate attempted to declare a death sentence against an innocent grain thief, and the Tigress challenged his rule.
A violent civil war ensued, with those that supported the Tigress against the Magistrate’s own forces. The Tigress’s honor and natural charisma rallied families who supported her cause, and set forth a war that lasted for nearly five years. During this time, most of the civilization’s riches and structures were razed, destroyed by the Magistrate’s dirty tactics. In the end, The Tigress suppressed the Magistrate’s army, and began rebuilding the Nekizoku clan as it exists today. It is because of the Tigress’s accomplishments to give them a peaceful life without fear and iron rule that striped markings are considered lucky amongst the Nekizoku.
The Nekizoku are not peaceful because they are naive to the horrors of battle. They are peaceful because they choose to be, and live in contentment knowing that they train with the blade in the hopes that they may never have to use it. The Nekizoku view swordsmanship like a craft, an art to be carefully perfected and honed and practiced until it is perfect. They train their young on forms with wooden swords until the student has proven themselves through a spar with their master. Once they are declared a real warrior, they may go through the process of obtaining their first sword, in which they find an artisan in the village to craft a personalized weapon. This long process is meant to give the student an appreciation for the time and effort that goes into crafting while ensuring they bond with their weapon, forging a relationship between warrior and artisan and blade for life.
The more accomplished and experienced a Nekizoku is in battle, the more blades they carry on their person. As Nekizoku are slow to draw their blades, seeing warriors with several swords hanging from their belt is the sign that they are not to be messed with.
Despite their bloody origins, the Nekizoku are a friendly people - they keep mostly to themselves on their island, though they welcome travelers with open arms and shower them with gifts and stories and drink and food. They do not attack unless attacked first. They have a strong sense of honor and hard work instilled in the core of their values. They work hard, play hard, and live life to the fullest. And if you are kind to them, they will share that kindness with you.
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Post by Admin: Otto on Sept 23, 2023 18:17:14 GMT -5
Regional Customs Interment of the DeadThe Crescent Isles is made up of several mountainous islands characterized by dense forests with foliage and fauna distinctly unique to the island nation. Most of the region's population live in coastal settlements, with much of the region's economy heavily dependent on fishing and seafaring. These populations are often small and isolated from one another, which leads to each settlement having their own approach to dealing with the dead.
Transition of the Spirit
The people of the Crescent Isles long believe that all things have spirits, even inanimate objects. When a thing is broken, destroyed, or dies, the energy that tethers the spirit to that physical form weakens or breaks, allowing the spirit to leave its physical vessel and search for a new one. Spirits can neither be created nor destroyed and instead are constantly moving between physical forms.
What form a spirit gains during its transition is not predetermined or set in stone, and many believe that karma plays a significant role in what forms a spirit can transition to. Someone who acts poorly in life will more than likely have their spirit transition into other lowly forms, while someone who acts virtuously may assume a higher form in their next spirit transition. It is because of these beliefs that Crescent Isles folks tend to put high value in being viewed as polite and self-less, but are also highly superstitious and wary of foreigners who do not hold the same values.
The transition of the spirit is not believed to be an instantaneous thing, which means that the spirit may wander or linger without a physical form for some time. A common worry is that those who died in tragedies or as a result of foul play may turn into restless spirits, chained to a physical place or person and unable to transition because the tether to their previous life is too strong.
To counteract this, there are traditions and rituals that focus on preparing the body to be laid to rest in a manner that helps free the spirit and encourage it to move on.
The bodies of those who have passed often are cremated, their remains sealed within hand-made jars, and then are either safe kept by the family or buried in community cemeteries.
Crypts are not common in the Crescent Isles, though there is at least one located in Starlight City reserved for members of the royal family.
In remote fishing villages, bodies are more commonly buried in dedicated plots inland from the shore within a day's walking distance from the settlement as most of these small communities have limited resources. Honoring the DeadIt is a commonly held belief in the Crescent Isles that there is life after death. It is also believed that everything has a spirit in one way or another, even inanimate objects. Spirits are neither good nor bad, it's the environment around them that can turn them vengeful. Locals are mindful of this and have several rituals and traditions that focus on not just honoring the spirits of everything around them, but work to ensure those spirits are kept peaceful.
Spirit Sites
Because of the belief that everything - living or not - has a spirit, the people of the Crescent Isles are very careful to respect their surroundings, especially in locations that are considered to have a high density of spirits. Spirits do not have a hierarchy of power, however, locations with many spirits are considered more sacred than others. For example, a forest has a high density of spirits - one for each tree and each animal living in that forest - whereas a mountain may have only one spirit for the whole landform. Cities are considered to have a higher density of spirits than small fishing villages, and the land is considered to have a higher density of spirits than the sky or the sea.
There have been many philosophical debates on the societal consequences of these beliefs, specifically when it comes to trade and the exploitation of resources in the region. Isolationists often argue that trade with the rest of Charon risks outsiders coming in and disrupting spirit-dense sites without understanding how to properly pay respects to the spirits inhabiting those areas. They also argue that increased trade with the mainland could lead spirits astray, causing them to become isolated and lost in regions foreign to them. Though this point is hotly debated, with others arguing that spirits are not confined to the Crescent Isles in the first place as they can travel freely over water and through the air without needing to rely on physical means of transport.
Regardless, this point of contention has led to restrictions on foreign interests in mining, fishing, and timber harvesting.
Hauntings
Hauntings are not unheard of or necessarily feared, though they do raise concern as to why a place or person may be followed by a restless spirit. When someone or somewhere is being haunted by a lingering spirit, locals are quick to start investigating the reasoning behind the occurrence. An improper burial, a disturbance of a burial site, or even vandalism are thought of as common culprits. If there is no evidence that the spirit is restless due to these causes, it's not unheard of for locals to start questioning the cause of death, especially if it's a person being haunted. This can cause strife within communities accusations of foul play start to circulate. Local authorities may be requested to intervene with their own investigations and interrogations to try and determine if the one being haunted is responsible for the lingering spirit.
Hauntings have a wide range of severity. Occurrences commonly associated with hauntings include seeing or hearing things that others can't, items being moved or going missing, realistic or cryptic dreams, light sources suddenly going out, and unexplained chills. In more severe cases, vengeful spirits may cause direct harm to someone through possession or inflicting supernatural curses. Though this is fairly rare.
There is no single fail-proof method to stopping a haunting as circumstances surrounding a haunting are often unique. Understanding what may be causing the spirit to linger is the first step in rectifying the situation, though often there is no way to truly determine what caused the haunting in the first place. Some hauntings are short-lived while others have persisted for generations.
Sites of mass tragedy have the most complexity to them which can drive locals to relocate rather than try and figure out how to bring peace to the restless spirits. Ghost towns and shipwrecks are often avoided by local fishermen as to not draw the ire of the restless spirits believed to dwell there.
Cleansing Rituals
If someone or someplace is subjected to a haunting, there are a few ways to try and address the situation. The most popular method is to conduct a cleansing ritual. These rituals vary from place to place, but often involve various methods of placating the restless spirit and encouraging it to stop holding onto the past.
These rituals vary in extravagance, but most include chants or attempts at conversing with the spirit and the burning of incense or candles. The incense or candles are used as indicators of if the spirit is present or responsive to the attempts at communicating with them. Very few spirits can communicate directly with words, but their presence can influence their surroundings in small ways.
Cleansing rituals can be conducted by anyone, though are not guaranteed to work. Areas or people subject to powerful curses by vengeful spirits may not be warded off without the expertise of a spiritual medium who can commune with the spirits, determine what needs to be done to placate them, and perform more intensive purification practices.
Placating a restless spirit can be as simple as acknowledging and apologizing for a past wrong, or can be as complicated as making a substantial offering, acquiring vengeance or justice on the spirit's behalf, or restoring a derelict building.
Sometimes a restless spirit cannot be satisfied, and in these extremely rare cases, expert mediums may resort to banishing the spirit. Banishment does not destroy the spirit, it instead prevents them from remaining attached to a person, place, or thing. This, however, risks the spirit turning its attention to haunt a new location or person, often the person who interfered and conducted the banishment in the first place. NecromancyWhile speaking with spirits is not shunned at all - it's even encouraged to keep spirits from feeling lonely or forgotten - intentionally disturbing spirits or forcing them into servitude is very frowned upon in the Crescent Isles. Spiritual mediums often practice necromancy in the technical sense, though they refrain from using their connection with spirits to control or manipulate spirits into serving them. Mediums who cross that ethical line risk being outcasted by civilized society, and in severe cases, tried as criminals.
Contrary to the common perception held widely across Charon's other regions, the people of the Crescent Isles do not think of spirits or ghosts as being undead. There is a very clear distinction in the minds of locals between spirits and undead entities like zombies.
Spirits transcend the physical and mainly exist as ethereal manifestations of the soul. While not considered dead, they are instead considered to be in a transitionary state between physical forms, much like how water can transition from a solid state to a gaseous one.
Conversely, true undead are reanimated physical forms devoid of a spirit and merely mimic being alive through twisted arcane formulas. Undead are believed to be nothing more than mage puppetry, and a mockery of life itself.
Since undead are not believed to occur naturally or without intent, any sign of undead incursions usually results in manhunts for the necromancer responsible. In cases where no necromancer is found, it's often assumed that the undead presence is due to the curse of a powerful vengeful spirit, or that the corpses are being possessed.
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Post by Admin: Otto on Sept 23, 2023 18:17:19 GMT -5
Flora and FaunaNisshoku BlossomLocation: Found in the Crescent Isles, specifically alongside the lake of a forsaken village in the Bamboo Forest A flower that grows by one specific lake, specifically in damp soil-- the blossom is dark in color, a deep purple almost as dark as the night, with clusters of very thin, fragile petals all curling inward. Light hardly seems to reflect off of them. The blooms face directly upward, and the stems and leaves are very thin and wiry. The whole flower looks fragile and ominous. Oh, these flowers certainly have a property, alright, but I'd argue they aren't medicinal in any sense. The whole thing is a beacon of toxicity; touching it with bare skin will cause severe inflammation and abrasions, whether internal or external. When consumed in any sense, they... seem to cause a hallucinogenic effect, and heighten awareness to another realm. I don't recommend going anywhere near these. Toxicity: Extremely -- even touching it will cause inflammation and abrasions on the skin, no matter where it touches. Consumption can cause severe hallucinations. Please, for the love of Solaria, do not eat these. (You know who you are.) **NOTE: the flower is completely harmless to non-celestials**Additional Notes: They definitely have a quaint mystical quality to them, having sprouted in the wake of severe bloodshed, but they most certainly are best left alone, both for safety reasons and out of respect to the fallen. I take these notes solely to document them. StarberriesLocation: Found in the Crescent Isles, growing in carefully-hidden pockets on the far reaches of Starlight City
Starberries are a beautiful fruit-- small, semi-spherical berries with a five-pointed bloom at the top. They're ever-shifting in color, a vivid sphere of blues, purples, and pinks, with tiny white dots that seem to mimic stars. They really do look like little pieces of space that have fallen down to earth, honestly...
The effects of Starberries are physical-enhancing in nature, and depend on how many you consume-- just a few will improve your energy levels, more than that may aid in stamina or endurance, and great amounts will even see a drastic change in things like speed or even the height of one's jumping capabilities. I'm betting they'd be useful for helping individuals who struggle with chronic fatigue, or with exhaustion... but I'd probably get thrown into an ethics argument over the potential of these being used illegally in performance-enhancers down the line, wouldn't I? Ugh.
Toxicity: Mild...? It's difficult to assess: they're not something anyone should eat in excess, as they seem to exist as an enhancer above all, and the effects of eating too many may burn out one's physical systems, which is obviously a terrible, terrible idea. Still, I don't think they're too dangerous.
Additional Notes: These also have a quaint bit of folklore; some say they're pieces of the night sky that simply couldn't hold themselves up anymore, some say Ziev himself tore some of the stars from the sky by accident and cast them down. Obviously that last bit is total bullshit. Ziev doesn't interfere with the fleeting lives of mortals. EverblossomsLocation: Found in the Crescent Isles, just about anywhere, but most prominently and famously in and around Starlight City
Everblossoms look remarkably similar to the species they evolved from, the cherry blossom– they have the distinct five-petaled flowers in soft pastel colors, although there are some key differences. They can grow in the signature pink-and-red shades, but variants in lavender-and-white also exist, and all Everblossoms have a scattering of pale star-shaped specks across the petals. They tend to grow from thicker trees, too, and some are capable of producing fruit, unlike their ornamental sister trees– Kousei Cherries, though, deserve a separate entry.
Like their sister plant, Everblossoms are very commonly used in various ways, though to a somewhat lesser extent due to being considered sacred in some circles: they tend to be used in teas, as a water infusion, and in ritual beverages, but they’re most valuable in skin and hair care. They have a remarkable reparative quality, and are good for easing split ends or dark spots on the skin– I’ve even found ways to use them in ointments to ease surface-level wounds. They can also be crushed into a powder that serves as a light flavoring agent.
Toxicity: Largely non-toxic: the blossoms are wholly edible (and are used in a variety of dishes and teas), as are the fruit some of them produce.
Additional notes: Everblossoms gain their name from their inability to die naturally– they are resilient trees in a constant state of flowering, even, strangely, through harsh winters. Some believe them to be a sacred plant due to this state of eternal spring– others say they gain their everlasting life from the magic of the yokai.
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Post by Admin: Otto on Sept 23, 2023 18:17:23 GMT -5
Military FactionsThe Starlight CouncilContrary to other areas of Charon where the nobility decide matters of importance for all through inherited title or other forms of nepotism, the Crescent Isles have elected officials that assist Princess Leylani with her decision making. They are chosen representatives of the islands that make up the Isles, and are elected through a nomination process. The individual with the most nominations is elected to serve on the Starlight Council on behalf of the area they were elected in, bringing their interests before the Princess and having their input provided. These electors are often pillars of the community, those who have completed a great feat in service to the people, or a respected elder. These elections happen on a yearly basis, with representatives for certain areas changing annually, while others have nominated the same person over the course of several generations. They are given titles and roles according to their specializations and abilities, in order to offer a broad swath of information to the decision making process of the Court. The formation of the Teishin Shudan was in response to the need to project force across the many islands that make up the Crescent Isles. The main threats that they respond to are the various inter-clan conflicts and bandit raids that permeate the daily life of the waters within and around the Crescent Isles. With this focus on amphibious and naval warfare, the Teishin Shudan have developed a multitude of rapid reaction forces across the isles, these are primarily made up of localized militia and have no defined equipment outside of the necessary amount of boats required to carry the force that is present nearest to the conflict.
In fact, the core of the Teishin Shudan isn’t a military force, but a series of spies, messengers, and scouts that are capable of such thorough reconnaissance and information gathering that the Teishin Shudan often are already at a potential site of conflict before even the other involved parties show up. It is often rumored that their spy networks reach all the way to Thorock, a hotbed of piracy, in Dragon’s Cradle.
The organized military force under the direct command of Yokai Monokailiki numbers around 2,000 soldiers of various specialists across the clans of the Crescent Isles and a fleet of 200 longships capable of bringing to bear the entirety of these specialists to any flashpoint across the isles and the southern coastline of Charon. These specialists are masters of their specific weaponry that have learned from millennia of teachings from their respective clans, making them as individuals the very best at their skill sets. Crescent StarsThe Crescent Stars are a recent organization founded by the High King Eldenwar to subvert his dissenters in the Crescent Isles and reaffirm the Crown's dominion over them. The members that make up the Crescent Stars are all the best of the best from their respective social groups and have extraordinary martial prowess, making them an elite force of immeasurable power that the High King brandishes to stifle any resistance to his rule. They all have different motives for joining the Stars, be it a hope for a unified continent, fear for what may be, or even simply as a method to increase their own power and prestige. No two members are alike or aligned except in that they serve the High King and his chancellors' orders verbatim.
The Crescent Stars will be used as a plot point in the ongoing rebellion subplot that is taking over the Crescent Isles. The actions of you our players and those you choose to help and protect along the way will ultimately decide how the Isles fare at the end of this next batch of story content - Total Eclipse of the Sun Blessed Sea. Don't miss out on meeting some of the already mentioned members of the Crescent Stars and many more to come as this new season of Sub Content rolls out over the next months leading into Fall.
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Post by Admin: Otto on Sept 23, 2023 18:17:33 GMT -5
Important NPCsMeloku Leylani, Princess of Starlight City
Crescent Isles, Human, Female| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | | While the Crescent Isles currently reside under Moonglade, the island chain itself is ruled by the Leylani family. Motorio Leylani has passed leadership of the island over to his daughter as he has no longer been able to lead. Meloku settled into the role just fine, leading her people and looking out for their best interest. Recently rumors have come out that the head family desires to split from Moonglade and become their own region, however this has not been confirmed by the royal family. | Meloku is beloved by her people and considered to be a step in the right direction for the islands future. She is kind, loving and gentle. However, some view her as naive and unable to do what needs to be done, leaning on her family name instead of her own merits. |
Crescent Isles, Oni, Agender| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | Leader of the Teishin Shudan, Monokailiki (a name that is more of a title than identifier, meaning 'One Who Nourishes the Eyes of Gods [in reference to stars]') is an old inhabitant of the land. He has been leader of the Teishin Shudan, the primary defense force in the Crescent Isles themselves, for hundreds of years, recruited by the last ruler of Starlight City. He stands over 9 feet tall and has been known, on occasion, to devour enemies, though he has been asked to cut back on this for the sake of optics.
| Monokailiki speaks with an old cadence, refering to himself as 'This One' as opposed to "I" or "Me" and uses words that many senior elves would consider archaic, even by their standards. While intimidating, Monokailiki is also known for his gentle side and is a well known calligrapher. He is known as a ruthless warrior, an unbowed leader... and a very good listener, especially to those under the banner of his leadership. His wise council has been admired for centuries.
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Crescent Isles, Half-Goliath, Male| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | Huoziang, family name Shou, is the founder of the three main styles of martial arts of the Crescent Isles: Aita-Shou, Tojita-Shou, Yuruita-Shou. The Shou family were original inhabitants of the Crescent Isles, and Huoziang the second eldest son. Though the reason is lost to time, he left home to wander the Crescent Isles in a journey of self-discovery, that made the Shou arts what they are today.
| Much of who Huoziang was has become the stuff of legend. Stories say that he was an affable man who was creative and easily bored. He travelled each island in the Crescent Isles, and knew how to navigate each, without a map. He was known to be frank and a little mischevious, traits that he tended to look for in potential students.
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Crescent Isles, Minotaur, Male| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | Current grandmaster of Yuruita-Shou. His dojo is located in Starlight City, but he himself is rarely there. He was adopted by the Shou family as a youth after getting into an impromptu street fight with a family member of roughly the same age. He has been spotted within the Bamboo Forest, and making frequent journeys between the Isles and the mainland, travelling as far up the coast as the Marsh Flats, ostensibly to find potential students for his school and to continue the never ending journey of self discovery.
| Niú has a personality that is not unlike the flow of water; constant, refreshing, and can shift without warning from gentle brook to unrelenting rapids. He is a firm but forgiving instructor, allowing for mistakes to become important lessons, though he is not especially known for holding back. Niú is a laidback man who is full of mirth, though his dry, softspoken delivery tends to confuse people who are not used to his candor.
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Kōnane Kaʻuhane, Minister of Medicine
Crescent Isles, Human, Female
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| Description | Personality | Kōnane is one of the newly elected to the Starlight Council, and the youngest to be given the honor to represent her area in the past fifty years. When the majority of those on her island, Keone’ō’io, fell ill, including the only physician within several leagues, she took it upon herself to tend to the sick. An herbalist and apprentice physician herself, she used what she had learned during her study and from her mentor's books to create a medicine that helped to cure the sick. It is from her quick thinking that saved many lives, and for this, she was nominated to the Council.
| Kōnane is determined and driven, a proud young woman with a desire to help that runs as deep as the ocean itself. She is fiercely loyal to the island of Keone’ō’io, and does not suffer any talk from those in more developed areas that would disparage her rural community. She is a gifted herbalist, having created a book of medicinal herbs and roots unique to Keone’ō’io. She hopes to one day be the chief of her village.
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Rizalino Abalahin, Minister of Justice
Crescent Isles, Half-Orc, Male
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| Description | Personality | Rizalino was born on the Crescent Isles on the island of Matalahambre. The son of immigrants, his parents had fled the Marsh Flats, accused of a brutal crime they did not commit with no way to fight the punishment. Growing up as the child of fugitives had a profound effect on how he viewed the world and developed a deep interest in law. When the Golden Army found his parents at last, he acted as their legal representative and successfully defended them to the High Court. He has served a handful of times on the Council as a result of his dedication to justice and truth.
| Rizalino is a witty, down-to-earth half-orc with a deep fascination with people. He is a loving husband and a devoted father; He has six children between the ages of 20 and 4, with another on the way. He carries himself with pride, knowing that the community he represents has confidence in him and his abilities to see to their best interests. He is considered wise council and happily takes on pro-bono cases for those who are unable to pay for the services of a lawyer.
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Ka’aukai, Minister of Coasts
Crescent Isles, Taniwa, Agender
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| Description | Personality | Known as a 'taniwa', or water spirit, Ka’aukai was nominated unanimously from unrepresented peoples all over the coast, especially in the more remote areas. They have been on the council for nearly a century. Reasons for their nomination include the ridding of pirates and poachers, cleaning up polluted areas, the preservation of animal life, and attending those who have been lost to shipwreck. Ka’aukai is considered a guardian, and holds much respect across the Crescent Isles.
| Ka’aukai does not speak and does not enjoy interacting with others, but they do attend their duties as an elected representative with diligence and thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, they are not without their enemies; those who do not care for the environment and see Ka’aukai as a roadblock to progress have made numerous attempts on their life over the years. None have come close to succeeding.
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Kang Guoqiang, Minister of Arts
Crescent Isles, Half-Elf, Male
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| Description | Personality | Guoqiang is a master painter from Hongli, considered to be one of the greats of our time. He has painted murals for the High King in Sol City, the Sultan in Zeinav, and overseen the building of many temples and palaces. However, it is his candor that secured his nomination to the council. Known for being blunt to a fault, his constituents enjoy that Guoqiang is entirely unafraid of informing someone the are out of line. A reason he will not be invited back to Sol City any time soon.
| A true artist, Guoqiang seeks nothing short of perfection. He is known to be extremely passionate about art and the works of others, and is often moved to tears by the works of others. He is talented not only as a painter, but as a musician, poet, and playwright. To have him attend your gallery or view your play is considered a mark of high regard. His favorite artists are his eighteen grandchildren.
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Matsushita Kazane, Minister of the Tempest
Crescent Isles, Astralblood, Female
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| Description | Personality | Kazane calls one island home, but considers herself a nomad. Given to a Temple of Avasha in the high mountains of Maiagarutake as a foundling, they became a studious monk, dedicated to serving the goddess of the air. With the more recent news that the gods are long deceased, she suffered a crisis of faith. Thinking her whole life's work a failure, she left the temple and sought out new purpose. It was during the tsunami's that plagued the Isles the past few months that Kazane's magic and selfless-bravery saved countless lives. And so, she found her faith again; within herself.
| A powerful sorcerer, Kazane is a force to be reckoned with. Considered a sorcerer of the storms, she was bestowed the title of Tempest, a term to refer to emergency response situations should the tsunami's and quakes cause havoc again. She is light hearted, compassionate, and deeply generous. Her hard work and belief in her abilities has led to her taking on disciples of her own, to continue the work of rescue and the consultation of storms.
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Crescent Isles, Fellblood, Male| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | One of the four chiefs of the Oniwanban, Han represents the trade unions on the Crescent Isles. Like all Oniwanban, Han's identity is unknown within the organization, only appearing with his mask and as his pseudonym when in the presence of his peers. He has internal knowledge of the inner workings of Moonglade and the Crescent Isles' trade routes and shipping capabilities, working directly under the chief of customs, Saveriel Yalathanil-Wang. As a result, his ability to gather intel on the movements of the crown, and other resources, makes Han an indispensable part of the Oniwanban
| As a man who wears many faces, Han appears to those who know him as a light-hearted man who is as quick with a joke as he is with a formal apology. He seems to have an answer-- or a question-- for everything, naturally curious about any and everything that crosses his path. In his life where he works alongside the Chief of Customs in Moonglade, much is not known, as whoever he appears to be playing as within society is as well hidden and discreet as the Oniwanban themselves.
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Crescent Isles, Fellblood, Male| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | Zhou is the Chief of Religion within the Oniwanban, dedicated to keeping alive the ancient traditions of ancestor worship from before the Rune Wars. Having inherited the role of Shrine-keeper from the many ancestors within his lineage, Zhou's role is the most sacred within the Oniwanban's culture; tasked with bringing the memory of the Lost back into the realm of common knowledge. A preeminent scholar and a troublemaker-- for who is more troublesome than an individual speaking the truth to those who refuse to hear it-- Zhou is a skilled ritualist with many acolytes at the ready to move as the Oniwanban requires.
| Zhou is a brash and outspoken man, who has many strong words for those who would turn their nose up at the traditions of Crescent Isle elderblood. Keeping the practice of honoring one's ancestors alive and well from a young age. Fascinated with concepts such as destiny and how history tends to repeat itself, he is of the mind that his tireless work as a scholar and advocate for the forgotten of society has led to the dawn of this new age for the Crescent Isles.
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Crescent Isles, Fellblood, Female| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | Li represents the Military operations within the Oniwanban. As the youngest of the four Chieftains, her strategic and martial prowess set her above her peers and caused her to be handpicked for her role. She keeps her horns filed down and her tail bound to pass as a human within the more customary realms of Crescent Isle society, where she learned the ways of the Teishin Shudan under the direct tutelage of a general. There is no warrior among the Oniwanban who shares her equal, as she is proficient in all forms of weaponry, preferring the Hyeopdo and the long bow.
| Li is a young woman who leads from the front. Her status as Chieftain was a fraught process of selection to which she surpassed the expectations of her elders and the skills of her peers. Soft-spoken and thoughtful, she considers the lives and well-being of those under her command. Her small stature belies her strength, as she is profoundly courageous, sharp of wit, and tempered with a wisdom far beyond her years. Li has an excellent knack for timing that has led the Oniwanban to the precipice of history, where we all currently stand.
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Crescent Isles, Fellblood, Male| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | Fu is one of the four Chiefs of the Oniwanban, and heads the Agricultural section, which is perhaps the most important of them all. Dedicated to the land itself from which all life stems, Fu is intimately familiar with the lives and habits of the many farmers, gardeners, fishers and cattle-owners in the Isles, knowing many families by name. He secures a place for the common people in the midst of the the Oniwanban's goals; without their support, without their resources, their cause would be but a guttering flame in a large pit. With them, it is a bonfire that lights the signal for what is to come.
| Affable and respectful, Fu is a Fellblood of large stature who maintains his history as a farmer and peasant. His role as Chief was given to him not only by virtue of his trade as a mason building grind stones for windmills, but because of his rapport and encouragement throughout the rural communities of the Crescent Isles. He wants nothing more than to see how the Crescent Isles could grow into its best future, one he knows will benefit all of the Isles who remain repressed under the rule of the Crown.
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Crescent Isles, Half-Moon Elf, Male| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | Assistant to Chief Fu, Aoi is a bard by trade, taking on the role of retainer while the pair travel the Crescent Isles and recording all that he sees, an important piece of memory. He is one of the gifted, able to conjure images through song much the way an artist would be able to paint the likeness of a loved one's face when they pass. This makes him an invaluable means of reconnaissance and connecting with the people.
| A lively young man with a somber edge to his music, Aoi was dedicated to the Oniwaban's cause from a young age. When his family's millstone was fixed by Fu some years ago, saving them from financial ruin and starvation, Aoi offered to become his vassal, and the two have been inseparable ever since. While his path to the Oniwaban has been round-about, he is no less dedicated to the cause.
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Crescent Isles, Fellblood, Male| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | | Assistant to Li, Ko is of a warrior's blood, much akin to the ronin of old who seek fights under any and every circumstance. Though he was passed over for the role of Chief in favor of her, he sees Li as a prodigy, someone truly special-- and someone he would very much like to surpass. Ko recognizes he has much to learn from the young Li, and offers his years of experience to make up for her lack in that area. In exchange, he learns the valuable and unique perspective of the world, a vision that he feels will make him a better leader in the future. | Ko is not much one for words; he would prefer to act. All that tempers his need for war is the steady and unwavering hand of Chief Li, whom he respects greatly, despite being more than a decade his junior. He is quick to anger but has an eye for improvisation and strategy. He takes his role as Chief Li's assistant very seriously and has sworn to guard her with his life. It is said that when he looks upon her, Ko is reminded of his own daughter whom he lost long ago.
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Crescent Isles, Human, Female| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | | Assistant to Zhou, Mi is a zealous individual, a Drake Hussar, and determined to bring the truth to light. Though she has no blood-related ancestors within the Oniwaban to speak of, she was adopted as an orphan and was given to the service of the temple once she was old enough to sweep the stone steps and learn her numbers. She has accepted the faith as her own; as a child who was abandoned, it is second nature to be one of those dedicated to remembering the forgotten. She will do whatever it takes to see this vision come to pass-- for better or worse. | Mi could best be described as hungry. For knowledge, for power, for truth. She shares Zhou's vision of seeing the Forgotten remembered once more, and is furious in the face of any denial of this, whether it be malicious or ignorant in nature. Where Zhou is advocating for societies lost at the front line, Mi skirts around the back, digging up the truth to throw in the face of those who would denounce and deny the Oniwaban and their supporters.
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Crescent Isles, Human, Female| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | | Assistant to Han, Oki is an Arcanatek Researcher, even if her work is understated and tends to go well below the radar (though this is by design). She helps to keep Chief Han's files, schedule, and meetings in order, a skill for which he values her above all others. Her skills lie in the creation of life-like wooden golems that she and Han utilize to gather resources and information while maintaining their outward appearance. She was placed into the orbit of the Oniwaban by none other than Nana Withers, a patron of those who loathe the crown, and Oki's mentor during her youth. | Oki speaks very formally, using an almost archaic structure to her sentences that others find almost too much-- the equivalent of referring to someone as 'thou' rather than 'you'. Regardless of her formality, she is known to have an exceptionally dry wit, and rare is the person who takes issue with her personally, least of all Chief Han. While there is affection between herself and the Chief she assists, the extent is not known, but there is no doubt as to how dedicated they are to one another and the cause.
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Grand Chancellor, Atsawin Lao
Human, Starlight City, Crescent Isles
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| Atsawin Lao holds the illustrious role of the head advisor to the royal court of Starlight City and serves as a personal guard to the Princess herself. While apprenticing to become a merchant, his mother and elder brother fell ill and required constant and expensive medicaltreatment to help them heal. Reluctantly, he abandoned his studies and enlisted in the military at a young age in order to ensure his family could be cared for, going so far as to lie about his age. During his service, he distinguished himself by using his background to discover a trap intended for members of the Royal Family. For this, he was awarded a boon by Princess Leylani, and when she heard his request to simply help his sick family, she did so without question. The two became fast friends and corresponded regularly throughout the duration of his service.
During this time, as Atsawin advanced in his career, he became known as a master strategist, his insight and judgment proved accurate and helpful time and again. After sustaining an injury while stopping an internal coup, he was discharged. Instead of a medal to decorate his service, this time, Atsawin was invited to join the court as a Grand Chancellor, at the personal request of Princess Leylani. Though this was not the path he had intended to take, he would not trade his current situation for anything in the world.
Straight-forward and blunt, Atsawin's military service has made him a dignified and capable commander who expects nothing short of exemplary service and honesty from those he interacts with and employs. He is fiercely loyal to the Princess and takes any threat against her seriously, no matter how minor. While not often seen unless he is to contact you directly, his presence is felt, for it is often whispered that Atsawin Lao is the Shadow of Princess Leylani, the distance that keeps the Starlight Monarch just out of reach of those who would try to steal her light.
It is said Atsawin is a warrior without peer, trained in the ways of the blade by Yokai Monokailiki theirself in order to best protect the Princess. He follows the Warrior's Code to the letter, ensuring that he practices precisely what he expects from others.
Frivolity and deceit are features that will not inspire trust within Atsawin, but if you do what it is that you promise, you will earn his respect. He values discretion, humility, compassion, and above all, diligence.
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Crescent Isles - Starfall City, Human, Female| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | | Xiaomei is of average height and seemingly athletic build, her body is covered in many scars which appear like tiger stripes across her frame. Her hair is almost also in buns but sometimes is in a long intricate braid tipped with an ornate metal bead that can be used in conjunction with her martial arts. As a free spirit it is not uncommon to see her covered in dirt or without shoes, as she goes wherever her whims take her. She is usually not seen too far from drink though! | Xiaomei is fun loving, rough, loud and egotistical. She knows she is all that and will let you know too. She also cares more about being able to fight the strongest opponents then what side of a conflict that might put her on. Her loyalty is usually pretty easily paid for with good spirits, wines or promise of a good fight and that's all she needs to be happy. |
Crescent Isles - Oni Peak, Oni (Fell Blooded), Male| Appearance | 
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| Description | Personality | Mountain-Breaker is a Fell Blooded man hailing from the Oni Mountain range and valley in the Crescent Isles. He stands at nearly eighteen feet tall dwarfing most other people he interacts with, his imposing physique only aiding in adding to the level of presence he brings with him.
He lived most of his life as a bandit lord, taking control of the West peak of the Oni Mountain range and the nearby trade hubs that dot the western landscape of the Crescent Isles. His domain has been run with an efficient albeit heavy handed iron fist that sees all tolls and taxes paid, both to him and Motorio Leylani, the Daimyo of Starlight City.
Given a wide berth by the previous Daimyo, Mountain-Breaker managed nearly forty years of life as a bandit king. However, with the Princess poised to take over, he has found himself in a predicament where the foreign High King's prestige might be worth more to him then his homelands sovereignty. | Mountain-Breaker knows of two ways to deal with any situation, either succeed or fail there is no in between. This lack of gray scale in his way of thinking has led many to refer to him as brash at the very least.
He approaches every situation with an aggressive seething rage that seems to live just beneath his surface waiting for a moment to break free and break something in his way.
He doesn't care if he is seen as a monster or inhumane as most already would think him a demon or worse so he plays to it and uses the fear and bias for his own gain. |
Crescent Isles - Starlight City, Human, Male| Appearance |  |
| Description | Personality | Niji Jōken was the former advisor to Motorio Leylani, Daimyo of the Crescent Isles. While he has done his best to educate the future generations of the Isles leadership on many things including the Eastern continent and its High King, he himself has taken a step back from being active in the government of his homeland.
He is of average height and build, albeit still quite physically fit despite his advanced age. He has long flowing white hair that is almost always tied into a loose ponytail to keep his hair out of his eyes while he goes about.
| Niji always seems to be speaking as if from the position of a mentor even to his foes as he critiques their movements. His eyes hold a discerning gaze which is fully supported by his sharp tongue and quick wit. He can find humor in most things despite his serious almost sage like way of dealing with people. |
Crescent Isles - Parama isle, Human, Male| Appearance |  |
| Description | Personality | | Olea'Kuwe is a man of impressive stature and build, standing at about seven feet in height and muscled as if he could lift a mountain with his raw physical might alone. His skin is like that of the coconuts husk, with his hair being a sea bleached brown and blonde. He sports two traditional Parama styled tattoos on either of his forearms which function as his foci points for the more unique form of Earth Domain magic he practices. | Olea'Kuwe is a proud and noble warrior from Parama Isle located in the northern chain of fractured isles off of the Crescent Coast. He has fought for many years for the rights of his people and their sovereign access to their ancestral land and waters, refusing to let others take hold of them by any means. It is through this loyalty that his place as the leader of the Crescent Stars was secured... | | Weapon | Skill | Leviathan - War Club
Levathan is a massive two handed war club made from Spirit Wood and Ancestor Jade, and wrapped with ironsilk won from one of the first grand martial tournaments held in the Isles themselves many centuries ago. It has been handed down from chieftain to chieftain of the Parama Isle for generations and each of them have carved their epithets and great deeds into its massive frame.
-Has the Heavy, Magic Blocking, Bashing and Elongated Enhancements on it- | Quake Fist
The Quake Fist is the signature technique of Olea'Kuwe leader of the Crescent Stars and is a fearsome martial art indeed. Utilizing his near mastery of the Earth Domain and his martial prowess he coat his arms and limbs in a thin but extremely hard layer of earth that he explodes outwards with each blow of his limbs, causing massive kinetic damage to his targets at the point of impact. This has a secondary effect of causing each blow to take two hit preventions if blocked as the initial attack and then explosion go off. It seems that once a limb is used he cannot recoat himself for several moments. |
| Appearance |  |
| Description | Personality | Doji Han has lived a life of what only could be described as debauchery and gluttony, or at least that's how it has appeared on the outside looking in. He grew up within the great forest as a member of the Jito Tanuki Clan's sub branch the Doji. They were known as masters of the Tanuki Martial Arts Raucous Paw, a style in witch its users look they are drunk or disorderly while they fight. Doji himself discovered that sometimes actually being drunk was more helpful then faking it and used that to propel himself forward as a warrior of renown amongst his people.
Eventually his martial skill rose to a point that he felt bold enough to challenge the terror of Oni Peak, Grudge Ender an Oni of massive size and repute that was known to crush dragons skulls with his feats of strength. While Doji is massive for a Tanuki approaching nearly ten feet in height, his opponent was a mountain of an Oni, closing in on 25 feet tall and as wide as an elder redwood. He fought the Demon for three days and three nights and suffered many blows therein. On the rising of the fourth day the battle was over with Doji left standing, his back forever marred by a burn blast mark left by his most dangerous foe.
Inside Grudge Enders keep were several alchemical items, martial manuscripts and other treasures of the Crescent Isles but none so amazing as the Jade Heaven's Sky Piercer, its Saya, Tsuba and Handle having been desecrated with Oni designs and motif's. Taking it for himself he knew it was his role to keep this sacred blade out of the hands of those who would misuse it again. | Doji is typically seen drinking, eating, partying or otherwise up to debauchery and shenanigans, throughout the gambling dens and seedy areas of the Crescent Isles. This outward persona of being essentially not up to his potential or having zero worth is merely a facade as he has spent the last twenty years since his defeat of Grudge Ender rooting out the worst of the criminal entities whenever he came across them.
He has an intense sense of honor and duty to protect the Isles from within and without so much so that he has cared nothing for how he appears or the methods in which he uses to do what he believes is a sacred duty given on to him after he found the Jade Heaven's Sky Piercer. He has even go so far as to conceal its appearance with its new Saya, Tsuba and Handle and has yet to mention to a single soul what his blade truly is simply calling it "Duty" if he is ever asked for its name. | | Weapon | Skill | Jade Heaven's Sky Piercer - Odachi
The Jade Heaven's Sky Piercer is a an Odachi of impressive length and heft thought lost to the martial world when Oni's descended from Oni Peak two thousand years ago and caused the first great sacking of Starlight City. Amongst the hundreds of stories about the blade itself, it was said it could cleave a lightning bolt in two and even carve a mountain into a boulder. The legends about its mystical powers and strength however are not far from the truth. Currently the blade has a light blue shark skin handle with a silver and bronze Tsuba in the shape of a winking Tanuki, the blade rising from its closed eye. The jade appearing blade is sheathed in a crimson lacquer Saya.
-Has the Fire Rune, Lightning Rune, Wind Rune, Earth Rune, Elongated Rune, Poisoned Rune, Dashing Rune, Blurring Rune, Double Strike Rune- | Jester's Stroke
Despite Doji's outward appearance and generally lackadaisical attitude he himself is an extremely skilled martial artist who blends Raucous Paw and Wind Render Great Sword style into an impressively powerful and cunning martial style in it of itself. His penultimate move is the Jester's Stroke which seems like a feint followed by a blazingly fast slash that catches the very air on fire as it moves towards its target.
This causes massive burn damage to anything it makes contact with and also acts as a source of fire. At any point during the strike he has been known to spit alcohol into the flames causing a spew of fire to launch outwards in a small cone, making the slash itself not the only threat to come from this move. |
| Appearance |  |
| Description | Personality | Seong is not particularly tall for her kind, standing at about five feet in height, but she more then makes up for it with her presence and personality.
She has Teal to White skin that works like a gradient from her arteries to her extremities with her skin becoming gradually whiter or gray the further from a blood center. Her external gills seem to be fire like in nature just the same as her tail ridges which separates her from her kin.
| Seong Min possess a fiery temper that threatens to engulf all of those around her into heightened states of tension that make them feel uneasy to say the least.
It is rare to last a meeting with her without become quickly irritated if not by her aura then by her brash and inconsiderate words. |
| Appearance |  |
| Description | Personality | Sharin has blue, turquoise and grey scales that vary across her lithe but well built form giving her blue to gray gradient that shifts in the light. Like most of the Ōrochikane brood of Dragonblooded she has a long prehensile tail with ridge plates that run from the tip of the tail to the base of her neck.
| Sharin has spent her whole life learning and growing off of the skills and writing that were passed down from her ancestors and the other friendly clans of beastkin and elderblooded throughout the Isles.
It is through this approach of reciprocity in life that she has gained a reputation as being kind and magnanimous to those she calls friends, while being the exact opposite to those she deems enemies to her friends and families successes. It is through her undying loyalty to do doing what is best for what is most important to her that she has been brought into the Crescent Stars and is even considered the second in command of them. |
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protect him at all cost. (can’t use discord anymore so making use of this here)
Oct 9, 2024 3:16:11 GMT -5
protect him at all cost. (can’t use discord anymore so making use of this here)
Oct 9, 2024 3:16:11 GMT -5
Oct 9, 2024 14:58:16 GMT -5
Oct 9, 2024 14:58:16 GMT -5
