Kurama Shion

[Shion Kurama]

NAME: Kurama Shion
ALIASES: N/A
CLAN: Kurama & Shirogane
AGE: Twenty-eight
GENDER: Female (she/her)
RANK: D
STARTING NATION: Land of Fire

APPEARANCE

163cm (5'4") – curvy figure, toned legs and midsection – small, dainty hands, always partially covered by gloves – dark grey eyes, with a mole under her left one and thick, dark lashes – long and loosely curled dark red hair – likes to take care of her appearance & often puts on makeup – large burn scars cover her upper torso, neck, shoulders and upper arms as well as her left hand; faded to a pinkish color and slightly raised — favors fully covering clothing, not so much to hide the scars per se, but rather because her skin has become highly sensitive and she likes the comfort of fabric tightly hugging her body – very meticulous about her appearance, enjoys well tailored and pretty clothes, even when she's traveling.

BACKGROUND:

War. A word that never meant much to Shion until late in her life, a hazy notion out of her grasp.

As a small child, she already had a sense that her family was odd – her father was from another land, and for the most part, there was no love lost between him and her mother's clan. The Kurama had, after all, only very little reason to trust that Shirogane man to live among them, only tolerating his presence thanks to his wife's stubbornness. That and the fact that he seemed to be nothing else than a meek, harmless man.

But then again, it was easy to be forgotten when you had a wife such as Otoha Kurama. Strong-willed and intimidating, she had spent most of her life trying to overcome her lack of status or title by mastering her clan's arts, without as much success as she'd hoped. Unmistakably skilled yet still lacking, she grew bitter and strict, especially towards her children. Both daughters, they looked very much like their mother, sharing her dark red hair and fierce personality and in time, she hoped, her fighting skills.

However, the future, as it turned out, rarely follows one's will.

Sumire was born twenty-eight years before the end of the war, and just two before her sister Shion. Their mother, ambitious as ever, was set on making her oldest the warrior she could never be, someone who could proudly say they're a Kurama, with the skills to match. On the other hand, it was decided that the youngest would follow her father's will, to walk his path in the craft of the Shirogane. Children were, after all, only a means to an end.

Nevertheless, the young girl was treated with love and care, her father being far gentler than his wife, as he genuinely loved his daughters. From a very young age, she spent most of her time with him, in his workshop or library, learning the intricacies of puppet-making. Her reality was made of whimsical stories and mythical creatures, waging an endless war for some sort of forgotten treasure, or so her dear father told her. As a child, she would never question the truth of his words, fascinated by his tales and dreaming of one day seeing one of those monsters. Sometimes, she would hear other adults talk about this terrible war, and she'd ask if the yokai would ever find what they were looking for, quickly prompting them to dismiss her with puzzled looks.

Her whole world was, for all intents and purposes, a fairy tale as real as she was.

Being around other children never broke the illusion either, not when make-believe is their favorite game, neither did the fact that she was rarely allowed outside, only if her otherwise recluse father had to run an errand. Her relationship with her mother as well as her older sister was strained to say the least, the former way too busy molding her first child to her whims while the latter was trying to live up to her mother's unreachable expectations. Shion rarely spent more than a few hours in their company, no matter how much she'd wanted more – Mother didn't have time and Sumire resented her for reasons still unknown to her.

Thus, up until her teenage years, she honed her craft, diligently observing her father and building puppets like he taught her, giving them names and stories, making friends out of lacquered wood and precious fabric. The outside world was a mystery to her, still firmly convinced that the war was lead by monsters and fantastical creatures, and no reason to think otherwise. Suffice to say, the young woman didn't want for more, and seemed perfectly content with her current life, until an unfortunate event forced her to reconsider a lot of things.

As long as she could remember, she always had been scared of thunder and lightning, usually finding comfort besides her father. That night, however, the old man was bedridden with a fever, and the fourteen years old would never have dared bothering him with such childish fears. Instead, she had sought the comfort of their workshop, it's warmth and familiarity quickly lulling her back to sleep and unwittingly knocking down a candle in the process.
After that, she didn't remember much, aside from the pain before passing out. When she woke up, at her bedside was the worried faces of her parents, relief suddenly washing over them. Still dazed, she could only partially take in what she was being told. That she had been lucky, that the burns weren't as serious as they looked, that she shouldn't move for the foreseeable future. A future that took the form of months confined in her room, under the watchful eye of the nurse appointed to her. Even doing so much as moving her head conjured fits of pain so terrible she would often faint. And when it subsided, her body slowly healing, she was still unable to do as she pleased, as to make sure to not worsen the scaring.

She came to know every inches of those white walls, every knots in the wood making up the beams ; which bird would sing in the morning, and which at dusk. Unable to talk for a while, probably due to shock, Shion started listening a lot, to the noises outside, the people always talking. That's how she learned of the troubled times they were in, about the world – the real world this time. For the first time, she felt an unknown fear creeping up to her, grabbing her by the throat and shattering all that she knew.

Weeks then months went by before she was allowed to leave her bed. Her body had healed, the scars bright pink against her pale skin, but she found herself plagued by too many questions, too many worries ; painfully aware of how she had been lied to from the start. At barely fifteen, it was a tough wake up call, and she couldn't understand her father's selfish motives.

And selfishness seemed to run in the family.

Her sister had decided to leave their home, their village, in pursuit of glory and a name for herself, or so she said in the hastily written note she had left behind. Even today, Shion still remembers the rage in her mother's eyes, as well as something akin to pain, lost somewhere in all the resentment that had suddenly swelled within her.

After Sumire's departure, everything changed. No more stories, no more fairy tales. Although it was still hard for her to really take reality in, the young girl seemed to be resolved to see the world with her own eyes, and for that, she had to be able to defend herself – even if the meaning of true danger still eluded her. After all, even young as she was, she couldn't just be complacent, pretend that all she learned wasn't real. Between her puppetry work and training with her mother, the only thing they still had in common, she had very little spare time, as well as little time to think too much, which suited her just fine. All that mattered was her own progress, no matter how slow.

Time went by, scars starting to fade as she grew older. It already had been a few months since the last of Sumire's news, and the hope of seeing her again anytime soon had been worn thin, replaced by silent anger. One that would never go away, simmering just under the surface. Enough that even the end of the conflict couldn't make it go away. On the contrary, it only made her want to leave even more, now that she was woman grown and confident in her abilities. All that was left was the right time, the perfect opportunity.

And one day, just a few months after her twenty-fourth birthday, that opportunity took the form a traveling theatre troupe.

From then, it was just a matter of biding her time, never letting her objective out of her sight. And a few words to her parents, yet not the ones they were expecting.

« You know, Mother, you were right all along; this family truly is home to one of the biggest disappointment our clan has ever known. It truly is a shame that it turned out to be you. » Years of quelled resentment, given form through bitter words. « And you, dearest Father. Be proud that I'll never be even half the selfish coward you are. »

STARTING STATS

Ninja Points (NP): 15 (D Rank)

Ninjutsu: 3
Taijutsu: 1
Genjutsu: 5 + 1 (legacy bonus)
Technique: 2
Toughness: 1
Speed: 2
Stamina: 1

ABILITIES

Starting Affinities: Fire & Medical

Spending Starting XP and Ryo:

• 20,000 ryo converted to 10XP
• Spent 10XP for Rank D
• Spent 14XP for character techniques (starter 10XP + extra 4XP)
• Spent 16XP for puppet techniques (www)

Clan Traits:

[BOON - KURAMA] MIND GAMES: The fearsome ability of the Kurama clan makes them a nightmare on the battlefield, their genjutsu jutsu are so effective that they cause some measure of actual physical damage.

• Half of the genjutsu damage that you successfully inflict is treated as real damage. The real portion of the damage can be avoided by using a non-genjutsu evasion jutsu, but cannot be blocked by a defensive jutsu.

[BASE - SHIROGANE] MASTER PUPPETEERS: Taught the ways of puppet construction and manipulation from a young age, Shirogane members are adept experts of their shinobi path. You start with a free minion, which must narratively be a puppet (you are not obligated to choose the 'Puppetry' moderate trait in the Minion creation list unless you want to). On top of it's regular traits, it also has the following trait, which can be applied to any puppet minion you create afterwards:

• Shirogane Puppetry: Due to their master's skill in puppet construction, it costs the character half the amount of Ryo to revive in the event of its death. When this minion enters a thread, you can declare that they have an item integrated into their body. It is still consumed on use, if appropriate, but will not count towards its ‘once per thread’ limit once when used.

[BANE - KURAMA] ILLUSIONIST'S FOLLY: The abilities of the Kurama Clan are said to be so fearsome, that even members of the clan have been conditioned to permanently limit themselves at an unavoidable subconscious level.

• You cannot learn S-Rank Genjutsu of any kind by any means.

E RANK

Name: Shizuka no Maindo [Tranquil Mind]
Rank: E
XP Cost: Starter, 0XP
Type: Utility Genjutsu
The user is able to calm the mind at will and suppress their illusionary prowess. This gives them the ability to regulate the potency of their Genjutsu, lowering it's output. This proves to be a very handy technique for those who wish to spar effectively with those weaker than them, evening the fight to make for a fair battle.
[This technique uses 0 Chakra Points. The user is able to set their Genjutsu Score to a lower amount than they naturally possess, up to a minimum of 1. This set amount can be changed at any time, and can be undone at any time as well.]

Name: Minamo hokō no Jutsu [Water Walking Technique]
Rank: E
XP Cost: Starter, 0XP
Type: Utility Ninjutsu
This technique involves focusing chakra to the bottom of ones feet. The amount of chakra that needs to be emitted changes constantly so the user has to be emitting a constant stream of chakra from the bottom of the their feet and using the repellent force to walk across the water's surface. Too little and the user will sink, too much and the user will greatly disturb the water's surface. Additionally, a user under water can focus chakra on their hands or any other body part that makes contact with the surface of the water. If they were submerged, they can climb atop the water as if they were climbing out of a pool.
[This technique uses no chakra points.]

Name: Chakura no Ito [Chakra Threads]
Rank: E
XP Cost: Starter, 1XP
Type: Utility Ninjutsu
The user is able to extend chakra threads, akin to those used to move a puppet, to their chosen target. This gives them the ability to disrupt the target's movements, and can be used as a quick distraction.
[This technique uses no chakra points.]

D RANK

Name: Shōsen Jutsu [Mystical Palm Technique]
Rank: D
XP Cost: Starter, 2XP
Type: Healing Ninjutsu
Affinity: Medical
Action: Long Action
Chakra Cost: 5
Power/Damage: 2x
Description: The user applies their hand to the afflicted or wounded part of the body and sends chakra into it, accelerating the body's natural healing abilities. Although its most obvious use is as a way of treating external wounds, it can also be used for internal illnesses.
[This technique uses 5 Chakra Points. Heals one target for 2x[Ninjutsu].]

C RANK

Name: Genjutsu Kai [Genjutsu Dissipation]
Rank: C
XP Cost: Starter, 3XP
Type: Genjutsu Dispel
Affinity: Non-Elemental
Action: Short Action
Chakra Cost: 10
Power/Damage: 4x
Description: By disrupting their own chakra flow, a victim of Genjutsu can break the caster's influence over themselves and free themselves from the effects of the Genjutsu.
[This technique uses 10 Chakra Points. Ends one Genjutsu of C-Rank or lower affecting you or an ally.]

Name: Magen: Ōdokuro [Demonic Illusion: Giant Skull]
Rank: C
XP Cost: Starter, 4XP (+1XP Escape Prevention)
Type: Support Genjutsu
Affinity: Non-Elemental
Action: Long Action
Chakra Cost: 10
Power/Damage: 10x
Description: The targets experience the illusion of a gigantic skeletal figure coiling its bony fingers around them, preventing them from moving. Because targets are immobile yet still conscious, this technique is a useful way to perform interrogations. Alternatively, users can simply kill the immobilized targets; emerging from the skull's mouth above the target to cut their throat.
[This technique uses 10 Chakra Points. This technique has the Escape Prevention effect and targets the Speed statistic.]

Name: Katon Genjutsu: Kazenbō [Fire Release Genjutsu: Monk in the Flames]
Rank: C
XP Cost: Starter, 4XP (+1XP Deep Nightmare)
Type: Offensive Genjutsu
Affinity: Fire
Action: Long Action
Chakra Cost: 10
Power/Damage: 10x
Description: After performing several hand seals the user must then touch their opponent and project a warm burst of chakra throughout their body trapping them in a genjutsu. In the genjutsu the opponent will see the charred form of a monk embracing them, the flames engulfing his body slowly progressing to their own limbs and body. The genjutsu gives the sensation of their flesh burning and through prolonged exposure melting off of the bones.
[This technique uses 10 Chakra Points. This technique has the Deep Nightmare and targets the Ninjutsu statistic.]

[TimeCraked]

Sorry I kept you waiting to long for review! My only excuse, is, um... she was SO COOL that I had to reread it a few times to absorb her awesomeness in full. I've traded you your free minion so look out for that (in the little green box in the bottom left). Approved!