Norimasa no Shou

The Shadow of What Was Lost

"I still remember the cold, remote sky of the North, and a dream of childhood forgotten in time"

The Basics
Age: 32
Birthday: 25th Sun of the First Umbral Moon
Race: Au Ra Raen
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Marital Status: SinglePhysical Appearance
Hair: Red
Eyes: Silver-Grey
Height: 7 fulms, 2 ilms (7′2")
Build: TonedDistinguishing Marks
When he bleeds, his blood is golden in color—a trait that runs through the Norimasa bloodline.Profession:
Blacksmith
HunterHobbies:
Playing the Shamisen or Koto.He is also a somewhat accomplished poet.Languages:Hingan/Doman, EorzeanResidence:Currently residing in ShiroganeBirthplace:Former Yukibayashi CastleReligion:Worships a myriad of KamiPatron Deities:Shiro-no-Kami (The Dawnfather/Azim)Takemikazuchi-no-Kami (The God of Swords), one of the seven aspects of Kagutsuchi-no-Kami (Patron of Blacksmiths)Fudo-Myo-O (The King of Brightness)Parents:Deceased:Norimasa no Aoi (Mother)Norimasa no Gunji (Father)Siblings:None that survivedI’m Looking For:People to enjoy Roleplay with in Far Eastern settings! I am deeply fascinated by Eastern culture and am well-versed in Xaela and Raen lore.Possible HooksThe Drifter
He travels following the wind, trying to live a quiet life and forget the grudge in his heart caused by the destruction of his clan. You might see him sitting alone in the corner of a tavern or at the docks during sunset.The Far Easterner
The cold snows of the North still haunt his dreams; no matter where he goes, he always finds himself returning to the East. Perhaps it is because all that he once loved now rests beneath Othard’s soil.Mender of Broken Arms
When Issen no Matsumoto, the last head of the Matsumoto-shi, passed away at the onset of the Age of Blood, it was believed that the metal-folding arts of the Matsumoto, the last descendants of the fabled Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, would pass forever into obscurity.Rumors have surfaced years later, however, of a masked blacksmith who possesses the same esoteric skills as the fabled Sword-God clan.Shou resides on the Final Fantasy XIV - Mateus Server.

This is a story of old, when Othard was divided between many warring lords and the Great Empire was still intact. Not many remember it, and therefore it is known as the "Gokasu Monogatari," the "Tales of the Obscure.""The Year of Long Darkness" is a subject that faces polarized views among scholars and historians. The exact dates are debatable, despite the many writings and chronicles documenting the era. What is known is that when Emperor Kiritsubo died without an heir, the responsibility of carrying on the sacred line of Hingan emperors fell to his nine-year-old nephew.Initially, the succession matters proceeded smoothly. Due to his young age, however, Prince Shikichi—who would later be known as Emperor Antoku—had his divine mandate carried out by a guardian. Grand-Prince Shirakawa, his own uncle, was chosen as the bearer of the imperial mandate.Shirakawa proved to be an able and strong-handed administrator; his achievements, even when he was just a royal prince, were numerous. The young emperor, however, was the opposite: soft-spoken, he preferred to spend his time reading holy scriptures rather than learning how to govern.In truth, the future was already predicted by many loyal retainers and ministers of the court. Rumors spread that the court supported Prince Shirakawa as the next emperor, and this effectively split the court in two. The day before the royal coronation of the young emperor, the Shirakawa faction rose in power and usurped the legitimate government. Blood flowed upon the Jade Terrace of the Imperial Palace, heralding a dark pall cast upon Higashi—which was still considered a young nation at that time. No fewer than seven hundred ministers and officials loyal to the true government were beheaded or massacred that day.Evil in men’s hearts would have prevailed that day, were it not for Norimasa no Seiun, a southern lord who gathered those who remained loyal. Alone in a sea of traitorous servants, he rose, raising the tattered banner of the Imperial Guards and rallying what remained of the broken Phoenix's Guard. Through a cunning mind and valiant mettle, paving every step with blood, he led the young emperor and his mother on a long journey to the north—to his mother's clan, the Hojo of Asami.The journey was perilous, but through fire and steel, across many malms of land torn by war, they arrived at the stronghold of the Hojo. The next twenty years would be called "The Year of Long Darkness," an era equal to, if not more bloody than, the Age of Blood. In the end, the hearts of the people, weary of the blood feuds, were won over by the sage-emperor Antoku, whose dedication to the Kami was without equal and who held the people's well-being in his heart.For his valiant deeds, Norimasa no Seiun, who by this time was a warrior almost without equal in both tactics and battle prowess, eclipsed only by his undying loyalty toward the Emperor and Hingashi—was granted the Nine Bestowments, which were usually only given to members of the Imperial Family or an Imperial Branch:The Gift of a Wagon and Horses: Granted when the official is appropriate in his modesty, so that he no longer needs to walk.The Gift of Clothes: Granted when the official writes well and appropriately, to display his good deeds.The Gift of Armed Guards: Granted when the official is brave and willing to speak the truth, so that he may be protected.The Gift of Written Music: Granted when the official has love in his heart, so that he may teach music to his people.The Gift of a Ramp: Granted when the official is appropriate in his acts, so that he may walk upon the ramp and maintain his strength.The Gift of a Red Door: Granted when the official maintains his household well, so that his home may be distinguished.The Gift of Arms, Bow, and Arrows: Granted when the official has a good conscience and follows what is right, so that he may represent the central government in stamping out treason.The Gift of an Axe: Granted when the official is strong, wise, and loyal to the imperial household, so that he may execute the wicked.The Gift of Wine: Granted when the official is filially pious, so that he may sacrifice the wine to his ancestors.He was also granted his own domain in Fuchu, a fertile land with a vast yield of koku (rice bushels). He was elevated to a third-rank Danshaku Daimyo, with his own domain to govern—equal to, if not slightly below, the Fudai Daimyo of the Imperial line.(The tale ends here; the lines below are collected from the record of an old hermit who lived in the hills surrounding Doma’s Swallow's Compass. He is believed to be the last historian of the Norimasa clan.)"...For generations afterward, the Norimasa produced offspring: able sons and daughters who adhered to their ancestor’s teaching: 'Worship the Kami, Obey the Emperor, Uphold the People.' They were a powerful clan, the eyes of the north against the barbarians at the door.Yet, like the coming of spring and autumn, twilight descended upon the mighty Norimasa. In the twenty-second year of the Reigen era, the seven families of Oushuu, facing excessive taxes, rose up in protest against the policies of the Bakufu. Capitalizing on this chance, the Mitsurugi, the Kuwabara, and twenty-two other clans—under the pretext of protecting the Emperor and enforcing his will—sent a punitive force north. The seven families never intended to rebel, but forced into a corner, they fought.The Norimasa, at that time, were busy fighting at the northern border, facing an onslaught of foreign barbarians who had landed in northern Koshu. After a bloody three-year battle, they managed to push back the invaders at the cost of most of their realm’s power. Exhausted and battered, they did not expect that the land they protected so dearly would turn on them in their most dire hour. The Mitsurugi forged evidence of Norimasa involvement and proceeded to annihilate their forces.Yukibayashi Keep fell, and the seven iron gates of the Norimasa were breached : both by the attrition of power and by traitorous opportunists. Over three thousand clan members were massacred; the Lord fell in the defense of his home, while the Lady jumped from the castle walls to her death. This left only the last surviving male of the clan: Norimasa no Shou.Shou would have been murdered as well, had it not been for the protection of the Dragon Cloak. Granted by Emperor Antoku many generations ago, it carried the promise that whoever wore it would be spared once from any crime worthy of death. The Mitsurugi, unwilling to see their 'righteous judgment' marred by a broken promise, stripped the boy of his title and inheritance. At the age of nine, Shou found himself alone on the streets of the north, just as the coldest winter in fifteen years began to descend.Of the last scion of Norimasa, the people would gradually forget..."

About the Mun39 Male, IT Professional, 2 cats.I have been engaged and fall in love with RP ever since I played Beyond the Beyond and *Suikoden *. My first text-based RP experience was in Talk-City, In a chat room called Mystic Shadows Inn back in 98.A pacifist soul, I try to steer away from conflict and drama OOCly, although conflict ICly is always welcome.I RP in both short-liners and paragraphs, catering to my RP partner's style.I believe RP is a two-way street, your character matters to me and I want to be a part of their life. Looking and listening to their life stories.Last but not least, my availability is in PST. I also currently working remotely, i can adjust to your RP schedule.