Post by Paul on Oct 7, 2007 20:09:12 GMT -5
Seiryuu Shu, 16 (M)
Physical:
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 98lbs
Eyes: Gray
Hair: White
Skin: pale/yellowish.
Handedness: both (left dominant)
Race: Eastern Human
History:
Seiryuu Kane (Shu's father) began his life as the son of a poor retainer samurai of little standing named Asamu Izumi. Unlike his father, who was a man who kept mostly to himself and had little ambition, Kane dove headfirst into the court politics of Crane Clan culture. Excelling with both the pen and the sword, Kane quickly earned a reputation with other local nobles and was sent as an offering to the Crane Clan Daimyo to become a personal bodyguard.
Kane spent several years diligently attending meetings and learning first hand the high level court politics of a Daimyo and meeting many influential members of other clans. Although the Crane Daimyo was a cool-headed man with a mind for diplomacy, the time eventually came when he would be forced to either settle a dispute with armies, or a duel. As he is a man who values life as much as he values land, the Daimyo chose to duel instead of needlessly shed Crane blood.
Rather than sending one of his veteran generals to duel in his stead, the Daimyo instead recognized young Kane (23 at the time)'s skills with the sword and requested that the young man duel in his place. Deeply honored by this, Kane of course immediately volunteered, reassuring his Lord that by his sword the Crane lands would be restored to their former glory and the honor of their warriors would not be tarnished.
The Dragon Clan, known for their fearsome swordsmanship sent forth a man who was the champion of many duels, and general of the elite White Fang unit of the Dragon's vast armies - Toshio Yoshiie. Almost a full head taller than Kane, and baring many scars as a testament to his great fortitude and experience in battle, he stared down the mere boy who was to be his opponent.
Shaken but not deterred, Kane returned Yoshiie's gaze, determined not to fail his lord. The man's ki was overpowering, and Kane could feel it in the air all around him as it stirred the wind into a frenzy. His grip tightened around the ancestral blade he had received from his Lord in honor of his decision to fight for his country. His brow already dripped with sweat, but he did not blink. For he knew that in that instant the dragon would lunge and snatch the fragile crane from the sky in mid-flight.
A flash of steel as blades flew from their sheathes like beams of light pouring from the clouds. Kane turned to face his opponent and shook blood from his blade, returning it to the sheath. Yoshiie faltered briefly as crimson blood flowed freely from beneath his jade steel armor and smirking, drew his second blade.
The second pass was over as quickly as the first. Kane's sword as precise and fluid before, but Yoshiie's wakizashi sparked wildly and burst into magical flames as it coursed along Kane's own sword, throwing it slightly off course. The wakizashi stricken from his wounded arm, Yoshiie's smirk widened into a devilish grin as his katana pushed deeper into Kane's exposed abdomen. His grin vanished however when the young crane had managed to capture the dragon in it's own arrogance. Holding the larger man's sword in place, Kane struck the finishing blow over the man's defenseless left side, ending the battle and earning his first gold ring.
This battle earned Kane and his family the name of Seiryuu - the protectors of the southern point of the compass. Dragons of water in their own right, and an honor bestowed upon only one family while an heir to the name still survives. Kane set out in service of his Daimyo, defending the Crane land borders, and attending court duties as both a bodyguard and now respected samurai land holder.
Eventually Kane (28) met and fell in love with Shinya Suzume (then 22) - a renowned Shugenja who was assigned to Kane and his troops as a healer during an important battle to defend Crane lands aganst an invading Scorpion Clan force from the northeast. Though she did not immediately think much of the brash young samurai when they first met, after watching him in battle and politics she was distinctly disinterested. A man so obsessed with land, power and battle could not make for a good father. However, she did eventually agree to see him as a favor to her father (an influential Crane clan land-holder who was eager to add a warrior of such repute to his own family.) After meeting with Kane several times, she noticed an almost inhuman shift in his demeanor. During battle and court, he was stern, serious. Cold. But when they were alone together he was warm and jovial, laughing often. After much consideration, Suzume did decide to marry him (31 and 25).
The next year in spring, she bore him a son, but died in childbirth. And although Kane grieved, he considered Shu to be his late wife's final gift to him, and ensured that the boy be allowed to let the gifts of his mother flourish within him, sending him to the elite school of magic in the Order of Rain. However upon returning home, Shu insisted that his father teach him in the art of the sword, that he might bear the gifts of both his remarkable parents.
At the time of his 15th birthday, Kane instructed his son to travel to lands unfamiliar with his birthright and establish his place in the world through his deeds rather than his family's reputation. Partially resentful of being sent away, but also understanding the meaning behind his father's apparently cruel orders, Shu left his home and travelled west ...
Physical:
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 98lbs
Eyes: Gray
Hair: White
Skin: pale/yellowish.
Handedness: both (left dominant)
Race: Eastern Human
History:
Seiryuu Kane (Shu's father) began his life as the son of a poor retainer samurai of little standing named Asamu Izumi. Unlike his father, who was a man who kept mostly to himself and had little ambition, Kane dove headfirst into the court politics of Crane Clan culture. Excelling with both the pen and the sword, Kane quickly earned a reputation with other local nobles and was sent as an offering to the Crane Clan Daimyo to become a personal bodyguard.
Kane spent several years diligently attending meetings and learning first hand the high level court politics of a Daimyo and meeting many influential members of other clans. Although the Crane Daimyo was a cool-headed man with a mind for diplomacy, the time eventually came when he would be forced to either settle a dispute with armies, or a duel. As he is a man who values life as much as he values land, the Daimyo chose to duel instead of needlessly shed Crane blood.
Rather than sending one of his veteran generals to duel in his stead, the Daimyo instead recognized young Kane (23 at the time)'s skills with the sword and requested that the young man duel in his place. Deeply honored by this, Kane of course immediately volunteered, reassuring his Lord that by his sword the Crane lands would be restored to their former glory and the honor of their warriors would not be tarnished.
The Dragon Clan, known for their fearsome swordsmanship sent forth a man who was the champion of many duels, and general of the elite White Fang unit of the Dragon's vast armies - Toshio Yoshiie. Almost a full head taller than Kane, and baring many scars as a testament to his great fortitude and experience in battle, he stared down the mere boy who was to be his opponent.
Shaken but not deterred, Kane returned Yoshiie's gaze, determined not to fail his lord. The man's ki was overpowering, and Kane could feel it in the air all around him as it stirred the wind into a frenzy. His grip tightened around the ancestral blade he had received from his Lord in honor of his decision to fight for his country. His brow already dripped with sweat, but he did not blink. For he knew that in that instant the dragon would lunge and snatch the fragile crane from the sky in mid-flight.
A flash of steel as blades flew from their sheathes like beams of light pouring from the clouds. Kane turned to face his opponent and shook blood from his blade, returning it to the sheath. Yoshiie faltered briefly as crimson blood flowed freely from beneath his jade steel armor and smirking, drew his second blade.
The second pass was over as quickly as the first. Kane's sword as precise and fluid before, but Yoshiie's wakizashi sparked wildly and burst into magical flames as it coursed along Kane's own sword, throwing it slightly off course. The wakizashi stricken from his wounded arm, Yoshiie's smirk widened into a devilish grin as his katana pushed deeper into Kane's exposed abdomen. His grin vanished however when the young crane had managed to capture the dragon in it's own arrogance. Holding the larger man's sword in place, Kane struck the finishing blow over the man's defenseless left side, ending the battle and earning his first gold ring.
This battle earned Kane and his family the name of Seiryuu - the protectors of the southern point of the compass. Dragons of water in their own right, and an honor bestowed upon only one family while an heir to the name still survives. Kane set out in service of his Daimyo, defending the Crane land borders, and attending court duties as both a bodyguard and now respected samurai land holder.
Eventually Kane (28) met and fell in love with Shinya Suzume (then 22) - a renowned Shugenja who was assigned to Kane and his troops as a healer during an important battle to defend Crane lands aganst an invading Scorpion Clan force from the northeast. Though she did not immediately think much of the brash young samurai when they first met, after watching him in battle and politics she was distinctly disinterested. A man so obsessed with land, power and battle could not make for a good father. However, she did eventually agree to see him as a favor to her father (an influential Crane clan land-holder who was eager to add a warrior of such repute to his own family.) After meeting with Kane several times, she noticed an almost inhuman shift in his demeanor. During battle and court, he was stern, serious. Cold. But when they were alone together he was warm and jovial, laughing often. After much consideration, Suzume did decide to marry him (31 and 25).
The next year in spring, she bore him a son, but died in childbirth. And although Kane grieved, he considered Shu to be his late wife's final gift to him, and ensured that the boy be allowed to let the gifts of his mother flourish within him, sending him to the elite school of magic in the Order of Rain. However upon returning home, Shu insisted that his father teach him in the art of the sword, that he might bear the gifts of both his remarkable parents.
At the time of his 15th birthday, Kane instructed his son to travel to lands unfamiliar with his birthright and establish his place in the world through his deeds rather than his family's reputation. Partially resentful of being sent away, but also understanding the meaning behind his father's apparently cruel orders, Shu left his home and travelled west ...