Shao Jian

[Shao]

ZAN SHAO JIAN "It is only when take a step back to temper our hubris, that we realize we have much to learn; and only then, do we truly start learning." CHARACTER INFORMATION Zan (lit. "to cut") Shao Jian (lit. "the youthful blade") Full Name: Zan Shao Jian (to be read surname first, in the traditional way) Alias: Xiaoshao Gender: Male Race: Human Age: 19 Birthdate: 492 AV (22nd Winter) Birthplace: Lhavit Occupation: Shinya CHARACTER APPEARANCE His hair and eyes are both dark, stark, and gleam with an intrinsic enigmatic hue that intrigue many of those who set eyes upon him. Angled, swarthy oriental features are paired with heavy, serious brows shrouding the irises, and a twisted, once-broken nose gives his features a vaguely rougelike quality. In the traditional Shinyan style, Shao Jian keeps his raven-black hair in a military fashion, with the sides shaved, and the top trimmed flat, while the excess hair at the back is tied down into a topknot. Like all Shinya, he sports the usual silver-trimmed light blue robes that hug his muscled form in a tapered fit, held in place like a night-black sash with two contrasting white stripes. Flowing black pants styled like hakama are paired with bandage-like bindings around his feet, where he usually dons leather-plated 'battle-sandals'. A set of dark red beads are draped around his neck. When he dons armor, he wears the simple yet well-crafted trademark leather armor of the Shinya, consisting of lacquer-colored vambraces, pauldrons, greaves, and a breastplate, all complimented by a crescent-moon-peaked helmet unique to himself. At times, when the weather proves cold, he can be seen with a flowing blue coat over his usual garb. CHARACTER CONCEPT Duty. Honor. Those two words resonate in his head, pounded into him since childhood by his father. The harsh, mighty philosophies would then be softly tempered by the whispers of his mother. Wisdom. Courage. Shao Jian lives by these four simple yet heavy words that have been thrust upon his shoulders since youth. Volunteered into the ranks of the Shinya aged only eight, he was trained in the noble ways of a warrior, taught right from wrong, good from bad, how a blade was a tool of war, but swung in the defense of the innocent. Shao Jian is a peculiar creature, to those alien to the city of Lhavit. He is an experienced, highly-disciplined warrior, skilled in his own right and in the eyes of others, and yet he fails to understand the need for war. To other warriors from lands far away, it is hard to understand the peace-loving warrior concept. Indeed, while he is eager to challenge other warriors to better his own skills, to let both sides learn from the engagement, he is slow to draw his blade when provoked, when insulted, and even when spat upon. Something many carrying a weapon would not tolerate. It is not about personal integrity, though. It is about something bigger. It is about honor. About being the bigger man. Perhaps that anger was directed at you because the other had some mishap fall upon them, leading to their wrath? Is it not better, then, to stand and take it, to let them vent their anger, so that their soul might be calmed, and the stars might look upon them and decipher their problems? Shao Jian is not one for the rules of 'no women, no children' during combat. Rather, the peace-loving warrior would not even hesitate to attack women or children. But his conditions for doing so are rigid. Come a time of war, a time of conflict, he would not attack anyone unless they bore arms. If one takes up arms, he or she has shown the intent to protect, and that intent is noble, and must be respected by baptism in the flames of combat. Should one not hold a weapon in a city wreathed by battle, Shao Jian would not move a finger, and instead ask them to leave and begone, even if they were fully healthy male specimens well-capable of defending themselves. The weapon is the key. Sometimes there is an exception, for example, when the opponent strikes an unarmed stance. That, too, gives cause for respect for a fellow warrior. CHARACTER BIOGRAPHY: "My story? There's not much to tell. When you're chosen to become a Shinya - you go to the monastery. And that's that." Like most of the others, Shao Jian was brought to the monastery at the tender age of eight, and soon learned to accept the fact that he was to become one of the city's revered protectors - one of the Shinya - and that this road would not be easy. Sudden pounding on the gong in the wee hours of the morning to wake everybody in the room up. Rigorous physical training till dawn's first light. Breakfast. Lectures on the code of honor, and the way of a warrior, while sitting in a painful seiza position that numbs the legs and leaves you unable to walk properly after lengthy lessons. Long meditation sessions. Break for meals. Intensive weapons training till nightfall. Dinner. Then a few sparse hours of free time before the candles are extinguished. That was Shao Jian's childhood in its entirety, adhered to a strict schedule that enlightened him on a warrior's path. When he reached adolescence, the magical drills begun in buddy-level. Projection was one of the key aspects of being a Shinya. And his instructors made sure he knew it. Day after day after day, was lectures, ruminations, meditations, practical lessons, and the occasional physical stint to keep one's body in shape. By the time he was sixteen, he had become proficient enough in Projection, and skilled enough in the use of weaponry, that he was able to meld the two together and use them both actively during combat. That was the peak. When he was deemed ready, at eighteen, Shao Jian became a fully-fledged Shinya. LORE, LANGUAGE, AND SKILL POINTS: Lore Name Acquisition Way of the WarriorShao Jian stringently follows the warrior-teachings under Zintila, and these teachings have fortified his soul and steeled his body, making him a mental fortress dedicated to Zintila and the stars. These teachings are not secretive - they are meant to be shared - and Shao Jian is a willing teacher to those who wish to learn. Starting Lhavitian GeographyYears spent doing his duty patrolling the Lhavitian borders and the city's surroundings have given Shao Jian a deep understanding and familiarization with the terrain, and he is able to find his way around with relevant ease - as well as spot anything out of the ordinary in a matter of seconds. Starting Skill Name Starting Racial Total Meditation 10 10 20 Projection 30 0 30 Unarmed Combat 0 5 5 Weapon: Kusarigama 10 0 10 CHARACTER INVENTORY x1 Set of Clothing (Starting Package) x1 Waterskin (Starting Package) x1 Backpack (Starting Package) x1 Set of Toiletries (Starting Package) x1 Week's Worth of Food (Starting Package) x1 Eating Knife (Starting Package) x1 Flint & Steel (Starting Package) x1 Great Helm, Lhavitian Design (Heirloom) x1 Leather Armor, Lhavitian Design (Bought) x1 Surcoat, Lhavitian Design (Bought) x1 Wardog (Bought) x1 Kusarigama (Bought) CHARACTER ACCOUNTS Created New Character: +100gm (Total: 0gm + 100gm = 100gm) Bought Leather Armor: -10gm (Total: 100gm - 10gm = 90gm) Bought Wardog: -25gm (Total: 90gm - 25gm = 65gm) Bought: Kusarigama -35gm (Total: 65gm - 35gm = 30gm) Bought: Surcoat -2gm (Total: 30gm - 2gm = 28gm) Total Balance: 28gm CALENDAR A Warrior's Path (510AV, 3rd Winter)