Didn't see anything against new members joining on, so for your consideration:
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Name: Kensei Ryuuma (Eastern Order)
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Profession: Samurai
Primary Weapon: As a samurai, Ryuuma wouldn't be caught dead without a bladed weapon of some sort, namely a daitō (Japanese long sword), about 3 and a half foot long in length, that he calls Shuusui (Clear Autumn Water). Shuusui is rather distinctive, bearing a smooth metallic jet-black hilt - with a tiny golden emblem halfway down with the kanji for sky ("ten") in even smaller print - and a tsuba (guard) shaped rather like a flower, with eight rounded petals, turning into triangular tips; it looks almost like a lotus flower, or maybe a star. The sword's blade is mainly obsidian, but with the sharp edge in silver as well, so when looked at, it appears half-black, half-silver. There's a unique design on the silver edge; what appear to be a series of light-blue flames are emblazoned onto it. According to Ryuuma, Shuusui is a "problem child" and has a bit of a temper, so this empathises that fiery nature. Shuusui is apparently quite heavy when first picked up, but gradually the user becomes accustomed to it. Ryuuma stores Shuusui in a handsome rowan sheath, customised with a loop so it can clip onto belts rather easily.
Elemental Affinity: Wind
Description: Having been trained to fight from a young age, Kensei Ryuuma naturally, as a result, has quite an athletic build; you can see that he is rather accustomed to combat, but still has a way to go in terms of adulthood and genuine combat, not just sparing it out with a tutor or a friend with bokken (wooden swords). While he's not exactly ripped, that's not to say he's no threat. His physique is wiry, built for speed rather than strength, though that's not to say the latter is lacking; it's just not his main forte. Ryuuma was born to be a warrior, it's his heritage, and he's on the right track to becoming one. Other than this and a few other exemptions, Ryuuma is relatively average in terms of appearance; I'd say normal, but then there's no such thing as a "normal" human in his eyes. His height is relatively average for a boy his age, as is his face; it's neither handsome nor ugly, quite aesthetically pleasing, but not greatly. His eyes are a deep brown, and appear much older than the rest of his body, as though he's seen more than he really has. Ryuuma's hair is jet-black, ending in outward facing spikes away from his forehead, and tied in the end into a topknot, as per usual of samurai. If you were to hold something against his face that would split it in two, the only difference would be the odd strand of hair falling free. His face is almost entirely symmetrical.
Ryuuma prefers simplistic clothing in the way of attire; the complex stuff isn't for him. The chest will almost always consist of a long-sleeved T-Shirt of a dark colour scheme - either brown, dark-red or black - which is either left blank or has a picture/sarcastic saying present on the chest. He's lately started to wear a vermillion T-Shirt with a white fascimile of a swallow on the front. Below the waist are a pair of royal blue jeans that appear quite frayed and beaten-up, so not in the best condition, held up by a brown belt made of false leather, and are slightly large so they hang around his legs, making them appear bigger than they really are. Moving further down, Ryuuma's feet are clad in what appear to be modern versions of zōri sandals, midnight-blue leather with flat ribbed soles, and accompanied with tabi (white socks), which does seem pretty unusual. Clipped onto his belt is Shuusui, which hangs from his right waist and almost begins to trail the ground in its rowan sheath.
Personality: Ryuuma is a very calm and nonchalant individual, and always seems to have a cool and collected head regardless of how dire the situation seems to be. This levelheaded nature is an asset, since he can absorb every little detail in the surroundings in about a minute. This will all pretty much go out of the window, however, once scheiße
(if you know German, you should know what this means) hits the fan. When under pressure, Ryuuma's calm demeanour shatters like fragile glass and he'll just rely on instinct when it comes to intense battles. If Ryuuma should ever act this way, then the challenge in question is one crazy mother and he's really starting to feel the heat. However, you shouldn't mistake being calm for being smart; Ryuuma is quite simple minded, preferring to focus on one thing at a time. Many mistake this for stupidity, but Ryuuma does have a fair bit of brains, even if it is only average intelligence.
From a young age, Ryuuma was taught to follow the seven principles of Bushido, or the way of the sword: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, loyalty, and honour. It should come as a surprise that he hasn't completely grasped them all yet. On that note, however, he does have a very strong sense of justice and honour, which forms the basis of a rather strict philosophy he tries to live by. His belief is that if someone gets saved, or he helps them in some way, then they must repay his debt to him or else they don't have any values; or, if they do, then they don't give them high priority. This, in his opinion, is the true way of the swordsman. Not that this way isn't flawed, however; yes, Ryuuma will go to the ends of the Earth and back again if it means repaying a favour, but therein lies its weakness. He'll do it almost blindly, even if it would put him in grave danger or it contradicts any of his other beliefs. Some consider this admirable; others consider this stupid, hence his reputation as a bit of an idiot and a "lunkhead".
Ryuuma is also a bit of a lackadaisical soul, and during everyday life often stares out into the middle distance with his hands behind his head, as though trying to see something that he can't quite identify. In a word, daydreaming, hence that glazed look in his discoloured eyes. On a day off, all Ryuuma would like to do is practice some kenjutsu for an hour or two, and then just sit in an Oriental garden with a couple of trees, a small pond and maybe a friend for company, with some onigiri (rice balls) by his side with a dash of very mild sake (note I said very mild; he's not an alcoholic!), and just look to the clouds, watching the world go by, and perhaps drifting off to sleep, in that grace period when we are closest to death, and before he gets a rude awakening of some kind. Ryuuma does quite enjoy sleeping, considering life as "living a dream". This is an ancient ideal of bushido, the idea of considering oneself dead and death merely awakening from a dream. You can wake from a dream in an instant; in that respect, you should be ready to wake up from that dream when necessary - i.e. be ready to sacrifice yourself should the situation arise.
Moving on, Ryuuma doesn't seem to mind what happens to himself; this ties into to his whole "living a dream" philosophy. He'll take being insulted, taunted, being the target of thrown objects or even hit, and won't even fight back, often replying with something along the lines of "Got a point there, tomo (pal)," or "Yeah, that's true, got me there!" maybe even laughing with the insult. However, he draws the line if these insults or injuries involve his comrades; that, in his opinion, is unforgivable and deserves a just form of retribution. This even extends to his katana Shuusui. Ryuuma treats the blade like it's a sentient male being, and says Shuusui loves to fight and is rather arrogant and smug, in contrast to his rather gathered self. Naturally, with such a high amount of pride, Ryuuma also states that his sword has a temper and was a "problem child", and this temper can only be sated by a good long battle. Ryuuma won't allow his blade to ever spill innocent blood, but when it comes to villainous souls, he has no qualms about "letting Shuusui loose", as he puts it. With enemies he finds rather despicable, he will ensure they fall by the very person(s) they wronged, considering it a fair punishment. Another belief of his is that a battle isn't measured by how much fame or recognition they get; it's what they protect in the process that matters.
Techniques:
Oni Giri (Demon Slash) - This is a very basic sword technique, and is very simple to perform; Ryuuma simply dashes forward with his sword across his chest, and then slashes the opponent near the abdomen, the blade empowered with wind. Even if he misses, he can use the slash as a projectile, as the wind continues to fire forward a few feet. Simple but effective comes to mind, even if it's basic and doesn't do a great deal of damage (This technique's name is a pun; "onigiri" is a name for rice balls, which is also Ryuuma's favourite food).
Tatsumaki (Dragon Twister) – Ryuuma spins Shuusui rapidly with his hand(s), using the sharp side for added edge (cue comedy drumbeat), manipulating the wind into the form of a miniature tornado that, once deployed, takes the form of a serpentine dragon, which launches itself at the enemy in a kamikaze fashion. The strength of the tornado at full potential can knock the target over, but this is rare at his level. It's more likely to push them back. In addition, upon contact, it nicks the skin a little (This technique's name is a pun; "tatsumaki" is another word for tornado).
Takanami (Hawk Wave) – While he's airbourne, Ryuuma swings Shuusui 360 degrees around his person, causing him to create a powerful gust of wind, akin to a gale force wind, that spreads around the area, with enough force to knock people over. This has greater force than Tatsumaki, so is more likely to push opponents over, but is correspondingly weaker, and is more useful in clearing an area (This technique's name is a pun; "takana" can also mean mustard leaf and "mi" refers to ingredients in soup).
Matenrou (Devil-Heaven Wolf) - Ryuuma rushes the opponent, with one hand on Shuusui's hilt, then, once close enough, he slices upwards with the sword, launching a strong updraft of wind that launches them far into the air, about a few feet off the ground. This isn't particularly strong, as Ryuuma uses the blunt edge of Shuusui to do this successfully – if he tries it with the sharp edge it dulls out – but is useful for knocking an enemy off-balance (This technique's name is a pun; "matenrou" can also mean skyscraper).
History: Ryuuma is part of the Kensei clan, a family presumed to have originated in the Meiji period of Japan, all well-known as powerful samurai from the founder on down. They originally served as guards to the daimyo (warlord) of Kyoto, and it was rare that their elderly charge ever had to resort to his shikomizue (sword hidden in a cane). After the end of the Edo period, and the Americans storming Edo Bay, the line gradually fell from grace; the family tree then gets muddled but re-emerges in post-Pearl Harbour. The Kensei clan were Issei (first-generation), and suffered racial abuse after the kamikaze attacks on the US base of Pearl Harbour, so kept themselves hidden until after the war. Ryuuma himself is Sansei (third-generation). Ever since his element was revealed, or the day he was old enough to hold a
bokken, he was trained in kenjutsu, coached by his father Ryoumaru, day and night. It started simple enough, given his young age, but as he grew older, became more experienced with every passing second, the training became harder, akin to a form of military training, to the point where by his teens he was exhausted, with only just enough breath left in his body. Ryuuma has a shrewd suspicion this was because he was a bit of a slacker in his youth, and this was his just reward. At 13, he obtained his sword Shuusui, an all-rounder in speed and weight; then, training got serious. Ryuuma swears fights were performed with the intent to kill from that moment on.
While the training was hard, it paid off; Ryuuma now bears the body of a fighter, with the discipline needed to perform (that's in battle; outside that, he'd just revert to his lackadaisical self again) bushido. He's not exactly starting any revolutions, but still, he's not a disgrace either. That he was able to become adept in bushido and still grow up is considered nothing short of miraculous; some even believe it was divine intervention, but he was just stupid and lucky. No Kensei has ever yet stepped through the doors of Lancester, but that's all about to change; hopefully, it would mean, for the clan's glory, Ryuuma's weaknesses - the clan's weaknesses - would be overcome and he'd inherit new strengths, which would be passed down to his children. When told this, he blinked and said, "...but I don't want kids." His father had to elaborate better for him, tempting him with new power and abilities; whether this was what inticed him or not is unknown, or maybe Ryuuma just wanted to see how it went. Either way, he's now an official student of Lancester.
Additional Information: Ryuuma is ambidextrous, so he can wield Shuusui in either hand; if one is rendered useless, he can just switch. He also has good aim, once throwing a
shuriken with good accuracy when he was bored. Since samurai usually rely on
shuriken to weaken as opposed to kill, it's rare he'll need this ability. His favourite foods are onigiri (rice balls), seabass, and anything that goes with sake.
Roleplaying Example:
This is from Advent of Destinies: A Bleach RPG (yes, that's the title), the same one that .:LemonTea:. participated in. If you need a link, I'll PM it to you.
Yet another Hollow.
Why is it that despite there being so many shinigami about there's always the same three words, spread across the cell phone's GPS map, in bold flashing red letters: HOLLOW DETECTED.
Yet another Hollow.
Tenrai was, chronologically, one of the oldest shinigami serving the Soul Society, but he didn't look older than 18, his youthful face noted for its handsome, almost foxlike features, blue eyes always gazing out into the world with a cheerful light. He was there long before Kuchiki Rukia, Abarai Renji, Ichimaru Gin (or as he liked to call him, "that bastard"), to name but a few. Yet for all his experiences, he would give his kingdom just to stop being called for those goddamned Hollows. Still, this is the only work he ever got, being just a lad when killed, and at the end of the day, everyone did their job.
Tenrai materialised, as a black butterfly practically indistinguishable to all but the spiritually aware, into the Sakurabashi district, standing on the titular curved bridge in the middle of Tsubakidai Park. Yet there were no cherry blossoms; briefly, Tenrai wondered if Kuchiki-taichou would be disappointed by the distinct lact of pink heart-shaped petals on the trees, which stood as barren ugly skeletons in the midst of snow. The river under the bridge was little more than a large spread of black nothingness that threatened to consume all that dared to step on it for a joke. Tenrai was only touching the ground in this different environment that only spirits could dwell. Like the young brown-haired woman in lilac business clothing screaming at the top of her lungs, running in distress.
"Always the women," Tenrai sighed. For this woman was being pursued by a bipedal creature, its monstrous body jet blacked and hunched on all fours like a gorilla, a skeletal mask with vibrant designs and beady yellow eyes peering out of it. The woman had no chance against this heartless beast; hence why Tenrai was about to dispatch it. It would be quick and it would look easy.
Leaping gracefully from the bridge with remarkable height, Tenrai arced downhill from his jump in a somersault, drawing out the katana hanging at his waist, hands wrapped tight around the golden hilt; he was coming to the end of the vault, and would be positioned between the monster and the woman. In one swift moment, a flash of silver as he drew the katana lit the wintery air, and a spurt of crimson signalled the horizontal severing of the creature's mask. The beast gurgled briefly, before its whole body dissolved into mist, its blood and mask completely wiped. The woman stood there, frozen; Tenrai had still kept the sword in the air and was swinging it towards her. She screamed-
But there was no pain. She looked up to see the end of the hilt being drawn away, and a strange feeling of euphoria and peace settled around her.
"Wh-What's going on?" She asked the blond shinigami. He merely smiled cheekily.
"See you on the other side, sweetheart." She immediately turned scarlet.
"S-Sweetheart?! Wait a minute, how old are y-" But her sentence was cut off, for she had disappeared in a flash of light. Hollow eradicated and Soul Burial completed. Excellent. But just as Tenrai began to consider moving, the phone beeped again.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, not another Hollow!" He spat angrily, flipping it open, but there was no alert. Instead, there was a new message sitting patiently in the Inbox. Puzzled, Tenrai read it.
Kenkaku,
This is a direct order and you are not to question it in any way. I am told you are to be sent to the Urahara Shop in Karakura Town. This contains a former shinigami who is identified as trustworthy. You are to report there immediately under new orders. DO NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE UNTIL FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM URAHARA-SAN. THIS IS OUT OF MY HANDS.
Kuchiki-taichou.
