otter

We really otter find some better puns.

 

Because we're stuck on the same two puns and it's getting old.

Name: Ahren
Species and Gender: Male Toa of Crystal
Powers: Elemental control over Crystals of various types; Ahren is able to create, control, and absorb numerous different types of crystals, using them in various applications. As well, with his mask, he has the power to perform at the very peak of his physical abilites when it is active, giving him seemingly superhuman ability, though nowhere near surpassing a mask dedicated to one facet (such as a Pakari or Kakama).
Appearance: Ahren is slightly on the taller end for Toa, though he doesn't tower over a crowd. He's neither particularly muscular nor particularly thin, with a relatively average build and distribution of muscle. He may have been considered handsome in his youth, though by now his age shows on in the lines on his face and the scars in his skin and his armour. His eyes are a piercing blue, and his skin is pale. His armour is the colour of slate.
Abilities and Skills: Ahren is an accomplished warrior, having been dedicated to the study and practice of battle since his youth. Often it is thought that he knows only battle and only lives for battle, and not entirely wrongly. However, he is also well at home with animals, keeping three large ones as pets (albeit also having them carry him on along).
Weapons, Possessions, and Kanohi: Ahren has many weapons that he owns, most of which he gained from defeated enemies in battles in his youth. His favoured weapon is a hand-and-a-half sword with a crystalline blade that is as resilient as protosteel, that he has had since his youth. The primary portion of the hilt is only one hand long, should the weapon be used one-handed, with an extra-long protosteel pommel providing the remaining length of the grip, flared at the base to prevent the hand from coming off it. The quillons are protosteel as well, with a ring on the outside (right-hand) side of the guard to further protect Ahren's hand in battle. The blade is thirty eight inches long, translucent with a slight silvery-white tint, and leaf-shaped. It is normally stored in a metal-lined leather sheathe, attached to a baldric/sword belt (it wraps around both his shoulder and his waist).
 
The other weapons he has, most gained from previous battles, are: an arming sword with ring pommel, simple guard and thirty inch blade, bronzen steel with leather sheathe; a broad-bladed spear, gifted to him; a simple axe, with head of iron and bit of steel; a maul with a steel head and a four foot haft, totalling four feet and four inches in total length, gifted to him; a flanged mace made of steel, single-handed; a single-handed warhammer, with complex head comprising of hammer, hook, and spike; and a lance, counter-weighted at the back end and with a thin point to the protosteel head made to punch through or pry apart armour, bought and often replaced, though the head and counterweight he has kept since he got his first lance.
 
His armour is a relatively simple affair, comprised mainly of a mail hauberk (with overlapping scales attached to the lower portion, forming a protective skirt), a simple cuirass, padded demi-greaves strapped with leather, boiled leather cuisses, sabatons, spaulders, vambraces, padded boiled leather rerebraces beneath the sleeves of the hauberk, couters, and articulated demiguantlets, his fingers left bare, and a simple helmet, much like a great helm, but with a more open front. He also has a teardrop-shaped kite shield, iron-rimmed and with a large boss in the center.
 
For possessions, he has a tame Kikanalo that he rides when in battle, though he also has a pair of Vako - the slightly smaller cousins of the Kikanalo - that pull a small wagon for him. He normally rides in the wagon with his Kikanalo in the lead of it, and the wagon holds his extra weapons, his tent, his cookware and his provisions of food.
 
His mask is a Calix, though it is shaped primarily like a noble Hau.
Weaknesses: Ahren is very honour driven, and compassionate; if an enemy seems to have yielded, he will allow them to yield, and trust them not to engage in any treachery against him, and he will often refuse to kill a foe he deems honourable in either cause or action, no matter how just the killing may be. As well, he is very proud, and insulting him can often be a good way to make him angry - although this could just as easily prove a strength as a weakness.
Personality: Ahren is a wise man, and far prefers to listen to others than to hear himself speak. However, he can - at times - still be as rash as when he was a youth. Still, he is quite compassionate and honour-driven, and strives always to do good in his actions. He is also proud and well-spoken, though often even when he does speak he speaks rather softly.
Bio: (To be written)
 
Name: Irard Faelan
Species and Gender: Male Vortixx
Appearance: Tall and thin, Irard Faelan has a wiry and lithe build, with a strength that isn't belied by his size and a natural dexterity and alacrity that come as easily to him as breathing. His eyes are a dark green colour, set in an attractive face, while his skin is primarily a light grey colour and his naturally occuring armour a simple ebony.

 

His clothing is a relatively simple affair, and is the clothing that might be expected of the average renaissance swashbuckler. A fine linen undershirt, breeches, simple shoes, a tunic belted at the waist that goes over both (mid-thigh length, split in the middle in case he finds himself with a mount to ride), and a cloak over that. He doesn't, however, sport a hat to wear. He detests hats.
Abilities and Skills: Irard is both a good shot with his pistol and well versed in the usage of his sword, though those are two of the only things he's really particularly good at. Still, he does get practice in rather often, with how much he challenges others to duels.
Weapons, Possessions, and Technology: Irard has relatively light armour, his clothing (primarily his cloak, though his casual wear too) having very fine and strong chainmail sewn between the layers of cloth (or just on the inner side of it, if it isn't multilayered cloth, such as his tunic), while he does have a leather vest with metallic scales sewn to it that he can wear over his tunic.
 
He has a backpack in which he keeps enough simple food to last him to the next village if he has to travel by foot, as well as some waterskins (one at least is always full) and his money, and a fresh change of clothing.
 
Lastly, his weapons and his technology (approved by Nuju Metru):
 
Plasma-edged Side Sword: Hilt Detail The Plasma-edged Side Sword is a fairly typical side sword in its unactivated appearance, except for it's lacking of an edge. The ricasso and central spine of the blade are there, with a small point further up the blade, enabling it to be used as a weapon (somewhat) even unactivated; however, when activated, where the edges and point should be on a normal blade, superheated, glowing plasma forms the edges and point (being emitted from small channels in the unactivated spine of the blade), bound to the spine of the blade by a magnetic field that prevents it from dissipating. This plasma is hot enough to slice through flesh like hot butter, though tougher armour and other weapons are still able to resist it for a time - lengthy blade locks are not recommended against this, however.
 
Plasma Bolt Self Defence/Duelling Pistol: This small pistol is relatively utilitarian in design, with no specific elegance attributed to it (unlike the sword) and without any bells and whistles attached. It has simple sights, and is small enough and has little enough recoil to be used easily one-handed without worry for loss of accuracy.
 
This pistol fires small bolts of superheated plasma, which can cause grievous damage to flesh and are capable of punching through lighter armour with just one or a couple shots (while heavier armours will require more consecutive shots). It has a capacity of five rounds at a time, with a maximum capable firing rate of two rounds per second, or one hundred twenty rounds per minute. Once the capacity is expended, the pistol expels excess heat and recharges the shots over the course of five seconds. However, if the round capacity isn't fully expended, the pistol will not recharge the shots until two minutes have passed, or until the user manually restarts the recharge cycle (which isn't particularly feasible in battle).
Weaknesses: Being a Vortixx, Irard has neither elemental powers nor mask powers to use in battle, and his strength is really only average. He's not exceptional in any of those respects. As well, he wears relatively light armour in battle, and a strong enough blow will definitely pierce through it.
Personality: Irard Faelan is a fighter at heart, and often won't allow that to be forgotten. He seemingly takes any supposed insult or slight very seriously, often challenging those who have given the insult to a duel and pressing them to follow through with it, though only ever to first blood (unless he is truly insulted or somebody does something unforgiveably dishonourable, in which case it will be to the death); this is because he wants to maintain his skills, not because he is actually so thin-skinned to be insulted so easily. However, he is still prideful, and is just as good at accidentally insulting people as they are at accidentally insulting him.
Bio: (to be written)

Name: Kalen
Species and Gender: Male Toa of Iron
Powers: Kalen is a Toa of Iron, able to create, control, or absorb his element (or the energy within it, causing the destruction of the physical manifestation). As well, he has a higher natural endurance than any other variety of Toa. Lastly, his Kanohi is a Tryna, allowing him to reanimate the corpses of the dead and use them as he wishes.
Appearance: Although his relatively thin build might give a small impression of height, Kalen is actually relatively average in terms of how tall he is, and rather slight of stature - though he at least has good posture. His facial features are rather average, though the small distinctions are a slightly heavier brow than average, a larger nose than average (at least masks hide that...somewhat), and large, expressive dark green eyes. His armour is generally a dark grey colour, although the breastplate, spaulders, and vambraces are maroon in colouration. His Tryna is the same dark grey as much of his armour, and he generally keeps a large cloak, made out of self-crafted protosteel threads, to wear when travelling around, which functions as a coat, a blanket, a bedspread, and something to protect his armour from the dirt all around the place.
Abilities and Skills: Kalen is a relatively skilled craftsman, able to make - quickly - quite a few things with his element if he needs to - from replacement weapons and pieces of armour to threads of protosteel or iron that are flexible enough to be woven into protective clothing. He has prowess enough with arms - even if he isn't particularly physically strong - that he can protect himself and others in battle if need be. As well, he's rather fond of singing.
Weapons, Possessions, and Kanohi: Kalen's primary weapon is a protosteel quarterstaff that he has constructed himself (and that is probably the thirteenth or fourteenth such weapon he has created), although he is known to fashion it into a spear, pole axe, or glaive at times, if needed. As well, he has also been seen using various types of swords, hammers, axes, maces, and other weapons, although he's really best off with a quarterstaff.

He keeps a dark grey cloak on him at all times, that has been fashioned out of a very many miniscule protosteel threads to afford some more protection than simple wool might, while fulfilling all the requirements expected of a comfortable, warm cloak. He also has a simple backpack for carrying most of his other items, such as his widgets, eating utensils, waterskin, some small provisions of food, and things of that nature.

Lastly, his Kanohi is a Tryna, the Mask of Reanimation. Kalen doesn't often find reason to use it, though he can easily animate two or three corpses to fight for him if needed.

Weaknesses: Despite being a Toa of Iron, Kalen isn't particularly strong, focusing more on deftness and dexterity than strength when he's fighting, so his attacks can generally be parried quite easily. When he is controlling corpses in battle, his focus is much more easily broken, leaving him open to another attack.
Personality: Kalen is generally an easy-going young Toa, quiet and shy towards those he doesn't know, though he communicates very easily and comfortably with his friends. He often speaks quite plainly, although he is intelligent - he just doesn't care for being particularly locquacious when simple words will get his point across just as well as any larger and more complicated phrasings. However, he isn't without his temper; although he generally only becomes annoyed rather than angry, that's just proof that he has quite a long fuse. When his limit is reached, he's known to fly into rages that most think are quite uncharacteristic for him.
Bio: Neglecting the obvious upheavals that have occurred, up to the current day, Kalen's life has been quite plain. He was a craftsman in Onu-Koro up until quite recently, when he showed up to the shop where he worked rather late and was promptly fired (his boss was quite a stickler for things like punctuality). That done, he decided that, rather than try to find a new job in the same field in the same place, he would rather travel. Go an adventure, become a Knight Errant, that whole deal. Seemed to be what all the other young Toa were doing anyways.
 
Name: Ulkar
Species and Gender: Male Toa of Gravity
Powers: Ulkar, as a Toa of Gravity, is able to control the element of gravity in whatever way he is strong enough to do so. As well, his Kanohi is the Mask of Stealth, making him nearly invisible and completely silent when he uses it.
Appearance: Ulkar is quite tall, and is bone thin, emaciated as though starved. His armour hangs loosely from a body no longer thick enough to fit the armour as it was originally made, the loose pieces rattling as he moves. What armour still remains has also lost all colour, being either the steely grey of plain metal, or the reddish-orange of decaying rust. From his shoulders hangs his dark grey, woolen cloak, serving to slightly hide his emaciated condition from others. His face is also almost completely expressionless, and his flat grey eyes always hold a somewhat disinterested look to them.
Abilities and Skills: Ulkar is well practiced with his element and his mask, able to use both effectively. However, his practice with any weapons beyond his mask and element is rather lacking - however, he is capable of simple swordplay, using it with brutal efficiency in battle.
Weapons, Possessions, and Kanohi: The only weapon that Ulkar carries around is his scythe-sword, his own being a weapon with the long blade of a scythe and a longsword-sized hilt, made in a rather utilitarian manner with no ornamentation whatsoever. He also has a dark grey woolen cloak that he wears, and his armour. His mask is a Kanohi Volitak, Mask of Stealth.
Weaknesses: Ulkar's swordsmanship is generally quite basic, and more complicated maneuvers can escape him so long as he is distracted from using his element in conjunction with his attacks.
Personality: Ulkar is a quiet man, focused more on observing those around him and what they do than on being the mover himself, who starts and carries through all the action around him. He is rather impassive and uncaring when it comes to the thoughts, emotions, and actions of most other beings, unless they should affect him or his works, in which case one might elicit a sliver of anger from him.
Bio:

Yeah, I'm careful to take the advice I've received from teachers and friends alike to heart - play just until the point you know the blisters will form, and then take a break, moisturize your hands, let the calluses build up. Problem is, as I see when my hands get wet enough, my calluses, when they do finally form, start getting torn apart.

 

I use D'Addario Helicore Orchestrals on the primary bass I play (rented from my high school), right now - before I was using the hybrids, and I still have those for a backup set. On the other bass I play over with a college jazz band (same college I'll be going to next year), they've actually got old Lycons (well, with a helicore hybrid D; luthier that they sent it to recently decided that the Lycon D was about to break so he replaced the string) that are about 40 years old on it, because they really stocked up on those strings way back when. Those are absolutely wonderful strings, and the tension is nice and light, but sometimes it still feels like too much, and still feels too harsh on my hands, even with the set-up as forgiving as you can get it (on a nice Eastman VB-350, too). But I've played on synthetic core strings and gut strings before and they were just so much easier on my hands, and just felt better.

 

Not to say I'm too horribly annoyed with the blisters. Over the years I've just gotten used to playing through them when I have to, just because I can't always have the opportunity to stop. They've just been a necessary evil for me. So when my index finger decides to pop open on the opening solo I have to the jazz version of the Nutcracker Suite while my middle finger has a ridiculous blood blister on it all because of how hard I had to go at it playing Shiny Stockings, three songs earlier, while I'm at a relatively important gig...I play through the pain and fix it when I get home. Maybe I should just start dipping my fingers in super glue before I play.

 

But yeah, I'm fairly certain it's the strings. I do everything in my power to take care of my hands so that this doesn't happen, and so far it's always happened, so the only conclusion I really can come to is the strings by now, and a teacher of mine agrees. I'll be trying some really low-tension string alternatives (downtuned spiro solos, at least E and A because that's what I've got coming in) to see if that might help, and if not, it's off to the soft world of synthetic and organic strings for me.

 

Yay, high costs.

my body is ready

Name: Kal Grochi
Gender: Male
Element 1: Jungle
Element 2: Earth
Other: Kal Grochi often attempts to be a happy, helpful fellow, although he does oftentimes seem to be slightly too trusting of others. Make him angry, meanwhile, and you'll have quite a problematic enemy on your hands. His favoured weapon is a bearded axe, with a large, heavy head - all the better to crush into his enemies' armour. Elemental blasters are for squares, according to him.
Role: That Miscellaneous Leader spot looks lovely.

Name: Naria
Species and Gender: Female Matoran of Water.
Power(s): While Naria has no actual powers, she has a rather large lung capacity, as well as a penchant towards healing.
Appearance: Slightly taller than the average Matoran, Naria’s form-fitting armour is composed of varying shades on the darker spectrum of the colour blue. Her armour is light, and does little to restrict her movement, though still offering a modicum of protection. She’s a bit thinner than other Ga-Matoran, and possesses a natural grace and attractiveness, with dark green eyes - however, she does have a small series of scars along one arm, looking almost like bite wounds.
Abilities and Skills: Naria was, formerly, a dancer, and still retains the flexibility, grace, and balance one derives from that; as well, she is a great player at Kolhii, and has little trouble catching fish...one a line, or by hand.
Weapons, Equipment, and Kanohi: Naria’s only actual weapon is a small diving knife, with a blade just long enough to reach a Skakdi’s heart and no longer, though she also has a kolhii stick she carries with her. She keeps various bandages and herbs in her pack, in case somebody gets hurt and there’s no actual healer around, and her Kanohi is a semi-translucent Kaukau.
Weaknesses: Naria doesn’t possess as great a strength as other Matoran, and can’t use any active powers; however, her real weakness has to do with the fact that she has a nearly irrational fear of any feral Rahi, as well as getting somewhat nervous when alone or lost.
Personality: Naria is, at heart, a lover of nature and people in general, and while she might make some pretty mean jokes every once in a while, she never actually tries to hurt anybody. She is generally rather patient with people she doesn’t know well, though if she’s getting annoyed at a friend, that friend can generally expect, at the least, an exasperated sigh and a facepalm.
Biography: While it’s not a subject often spoken of, as Naria prefers to live in the present and keep her past exactly where it is, Naria does have a fairly varied past, having worked before as a dancer, as a hunter, a fisherwoman, and as a Kolhii player (something she still does for fun). She has also travelled over the island, had a bad experience with a Rahi-like Toa once, and has a great friend named Cysero.
 
Name: Marfoir
Species and Gender: Male Vortixx
Appearance: Tall and wiry, with dark coloured, light armour, fashioned in such a way to allow him a maximum range of motion and agility at the expense of some protection. He isn't unattractive for a Vortixx, although he isn't the most attractive by any means. He is missing a finger, and he does have quite a few scars around his body. 
Abilities and Skills: Marfoir is a great shot with his rifle, and can fight well in melee combat if he has to, although he prefers to keep things at range.
Weapons and Equipment: Magnetic Accelerator Rifle - Marfoir's primary weapon, the magnetic accelerator rifle operates on principles similar to a coilgun, using electromagnetism generated via special construction of its barrel to send ferrous, armour-piercing projectiles (generally made of protosteel) flying down range at super-sonic speed to tear apart his opponents. It has a five round magazine, is operated via bolt action, and is slow to reload, as it has to have each shot individually loaded and the power source of the weapon has to recharge. It is also possessed of a scope, and is used generally as a sniper / designated marksman's rifle, although Marfoir can use it at closer ranges if needed. (Approved a long time ago by Nuju Metru.)
 
His other weapon is a falcata titled Reverie, which is in most respects a normal falcata, except that the blade is coated in a hallucinogenic poison, released into the wounds it causes; the poison goes into effect in about a minute, initially causing mild nausea and uncertainty of vision, which develops into vertigo and hallucinations if left untreated for extended periods of time. (Vault tech, pre-approved, given by Darkon [L'Etranger now].)
Personality: Marfoir has a sarcastic, almost bitter personality, after having done all the things he has had to on the island of Mata Nui. While at first he held no emotions regarding his job, being simply a "go-out-and-get-it-done" type of individual, the beings he worked with in the 'Bad Company,' as well as having to destroy Xa-Koro and his murder of Turaga Matau, led to him becoming somewhat disillusioned with his life and becoming quite bitter about it, although most don't see that; instead, they deal with his sarcastic and oftentimes mean quips.
Weaknesses: Marfoir isn't the best melee fighter, preferring to stay stealthy and far down range from those he's fighting, and can quickly be overpowered should the fight come close - although his recent acquiring of a drugged falcata from Hakann has made things easier.
Biography: Marfoir has very little of a biography relating to his time prior to coming to Mata Nui, as he was just a gun for hire, an assassin - although he was quite good at it. Upon washing up on the shores of Mata Nui he quickly found a job with the 'Bad Company,' put together by a man named Brykon and controlled by wealthy criminals on the island. He travelled with them for quite some time, though he never got on particularly friendly terms with any of his compatriots. Later he was given a job to kill Turaga Matau - he had few misgivings about doing it, and he did it quite well, though later on he came to regret it, seeing the turmoil he was now causing with his skills. When Xa-Koro was destroyed and sank beneath the water, alongside the killing of the Turaga, Marfoir decided to end his ties with the Bad Company, instead leaving to find his own way of life. He never escaped his criminal past, however, and is now working with two of the Piraka.
 
Name: Ilyin Brokenwrist
Species and Gender: Male Fe-Matoran
Powers: As a Fe-Matoran, Ilyin has slightly greater strength than the average Matoran, coupled with increased endurance compared to the average Matoran.
Appearance: Ilyin "Brokenwrist" is a tall Matoran, although nowhere near being as tall as a Toa - at the most he comes up to about elbow to mid-upper-arm height, depending on the height of the Toa in question. Quite odd for all Matoran, from underneath his mask - and growing through the cheeks of it, as well as over his upper lip and under his lower lip as well as across and under his chin - Ilyin grows a beard. His metallic 'skin' is a pale colour like unto electrum in hue, and his beard has the colour and sheen of bronze. His natural armour seems heavier than the average, and in contrast to the warm colours of his skin, is a cold and unforgiving iron. His mask is powerless and is shaped like a Hau. Over it he wears a helmet similar to a crestless Corinthian styled helmet, although it is more close-fitting and shaped than an actual Corinthian helmet, and has a more open face.
Abilities and skills: Ilyin is a very proficient fighter, having had many ages to hone his usage of his axe and shield in combat. As well, he is a good smith of weapons and of armour, as well as a hard-working miner, although he doesn't do that much. And, lastly, more of an odd quirk than an ability, Ilyin's effectiveness in battle seems to correspond to the length and fullness of his beard, and he is very skilled at protecting his beard - most likely he considers it a sign of his masculinity and only fights as well as possible when feeling as manly as possible.
Weapons, Equipment, and Kanohi: Ilyin's primary weapon is a trusty and large bearded axe, with the head fashioned in such a way that the beard can be used to pull down an opponent's shield or other weapon, and a small dagger-point in line with the haft for stabbing. On the back of the head is a spike used for more stabbing or for pulling down enemies (mounted or just simply taller). The haft is of a length enabling it to be used either one or two handed if needed, depending on what Ilyin needs to do. He also has a small round shield that he can use in battle, protecting both himself and the person next to him if needed, fashioned mainly of wood, but covered over with a layer of iron and with a large boss in the center.
 
For equipment, he has many items of use in smithing and mining, such as a hammer, a small anvil, the tools and bricks and such necessary to create a small forge, a pickaxe, and many other things besides, all layed out in a dedicated kit and carried in a cart. For the purposes of carrying that cart as well as himself, Ilyin also has an Ussal crab named Veyu.
 
His Kanohi is a powerless Hau.
Weaknesses: Ilyin is just a Matoran, and as such lacks any directly usable powers, either of masks or of elements or of the technology that Vortixx and Skakdi use, putting him at a disadvantage compared to those beings. As well, he is smaller, which can be a weakness or an advantage, depending on who he is fighting.
Personality: Ilyin is gruff and at times unfriendly, although he is staunchly loyal to those who do earn his trust and friendship, and he's very sarcastic - sometimes this leads others to choose not to be his friend, rather than the other way around. As well, he is generally rather friendly and easy to get along with, regardless of whether or not he considers you a friend.
Bio: A miner, blacksmith, and warrior from Onu-Koro, Ilyin was at one point in the employ of the ussalry - although not as a full member, but as a sort of contracted-out mercenary, if you will. This is where he got his Ussal, Veyu. His life was relatively uneventful living in Onu-Koro, although eventually he decided to make his business as portable as would be possible, and to travel around the various Koro doing what he could to make money - and fighting whenever he had to, or wanted to, or anything of that nature. Eventually he came back to Onu-Koro and learned about the Exo-Matoran, and almost instantly decided that he wished to go and hunt Rahkshi. After all, he could eventually get an Exo-Matoran of his own, and make money besides.
 
Name: Inazuma Tetsu
Species and Gender: Female Dasaka Menti
Power(s): Tetsu specializes in the Mindarm discipline of Menti powers, and with practice she has developed great skill with her telekinetic abilities, both in and out of combat. She also is proficient in the standard Ideatalk discipline, enabling her to communicate telepathically with others around her. Lastly, her Kanohi power is that of Levitation.
Appearance: Tetsu is of average height for a Dasaka, and has a wiry, strong build, belying both her strength and her endurance. While she does have the usual set of crystal armour possessed by most Dasaka, Tetsu is more commonly seen wearing a simple robe, patterned more similarly to what a male would wear than a female such as herself, saving the wearing of the heavier armour - rather than her natural armour and some clothing - for battles. Her Miru is shaped like a Hau, and her body is primarily coloured light blue with purple accents. She has been acknowledged to be attractive, although little comes of it, due to her lack of focus in romantic endeavours.
Abilities and Skills: Tetsu is very proficient in combat, either armed or unarmed, and oftentimes will start fighting unarmed only to end a battle by finally drawing her sword and bifurcating her opponent. As well, she trains quite often, not only to maintain skills but also to increase her endurance - and, indeed, she practices specific endurance training as well. This has led to her developing great familiarity with her weapon, body, and fighting discipline, and great ability to use it on the battlefield without tiring - so long as she doesn't press her limits too far.
Weapons, Possessions, and Kanohi: Tetsu has the usual set of crystalline armour possessed by most Dasaka, as well as regular clothing. She also has a backpack in which she carries her armour and her other meager possessions (mainly cooking and eating utensils, some paper, a brush and ink, an extra robe, and personal hygiene supplies). Her primary weapon is a crystalline sword, with a blade that is thicker than most, made to easily cut another warrior in half from shoulder to hip with the right strike - even in armour. However, the blade is, also, almost completely straight - it is very slightly curved, almost imperceptibly. Underneath the hilt, the tang of the blade has a signature carved in it from its maker, and it has a high quality scabbard that Tetsu normally wears (blade in it, of course) thrust through the belt of her robe. The blade does, however, have one small difference from the average - what little guard there is is only there to stop Tetsu from slipping her fingers up onto the blade, and otherwise offers no defensive aid. She also has another blade, made the same as the first, except it is smaller - the little sister to her larger blade. The smaller one, as well, has a larger guard on it, one that actually does have defensive advantages, although it doesn't quite fit with Tetsu's normal fighting style. Her Kanohi is a Hau-shaped Miru.
Weaknesses: Despite the endurance training Tetsu has undergone to mitigate the weakness of being a Mindarm, she can still tire herself quite easily in combat if she isn't careful. As well, her main sword has almost no guard, and what guard it does have would be useless to try and protect against an enemy's blade, so Tetsu primarily has a combat strategy of "attack, attack, attack!", with little defense.
Personality: Tetsu is often described as arrogant and brash. She is also described as headstrong, stubborn, and rude (or, when it's somebody who likes her speaking, honest and frank). All these descriptions are correct. She also does not favour the caste system, the general system of societal norms and mores, or the government in place in the Kentoku Archipelago, and as such has set off to circumvent it entirely and do what she wishes to do. However, she is also very honourable, and will never break any agreement or promise she makes.
Bio: Inazuma Tetsu was born to the Inazuma family, which was a minor family within Clan Eiyu. She was the model Eiyu child, a proficient scholar, and still able when it came to combat. Soon enough she was sent off to her warrior training, and although she never ended up practicing the Twin Souls tactic of her clan, she became a proficient Mindarm and sword wielder. Eventually, however, through her studies of philosophy and history, she ended up deciding that the social system that was currently in place was not what she wanted to be a part of. So she packed up her things and left, becoming a travelling mercenary fighter. Although, she does still remain friendlier with Clan Eiyu than with other clans, and maintains her own honour even as regards what he occupation is.

AYYO BABY

We never called you a sociopath for your beliefs. We called you a seeming sociopath due to numerous examples both from the past and from that chat that seemed to fit with the disorder - and there are numerous other things that I could have said as well and didn't. But this isn't the place to go into it, nor do I particularly wish to at all.

 

The issue is that you decided to summarize the entire debate in a way that was so completely and utterly incorrect that it causes me physical pain to read it, and you did so somewhere where it was entirely unwarranted, nor did it even have any need to be said, as things stand, anywhere.

 

And that's really quite disappointing.

Gee, why am I not surprised that apparently we're being made to look like the bad guys...Or that you're leaving out all but an eighth of what was spoken about.

 

Oh, right. Because you've got to twist everything to suit your own ends.

 

I give you a C+ for the attempted manipulation of your readers. It was a good try, but it wasn't Machiavellian enough.

wait what

 

your girlfriend-s

 

what is this

 

Micah you dog you

 

I should have known you would do this to me~

The game's monetary system leaves a little to be desired.

 

I mean, seriously. It's impossible to expect anything from it, depending on where you spawn/travel.

We always have the funnerest timez.

 

[9:00:26 PM] Kal Grochi: Lul Micah

[9:00:37 PM] Kal Grochi: Imagine if a character of yours and a character of mine became good friends in the game

[9:00:38 PM] Kal Grochi: ...

[9:00:40 PM] Kal Grochi: Hey wait

[9:00:41 PM] Kakaru: oh gog.

[9:00:46 PM] Kal Grochi: We would like

[9:00:48 PM] Kal Grochi: Destroy everything

[9:00:53 PM] Kal Grochi: But

[9:00:54 PM] Kakaru: yeah

[9:00:57 PM] Kal Grochi: I have a character I need to introduce

[9:01:08 PM] Kakaru: and I'd feel bad about that bar in retrospect

 

 

Of course, that was my favorite part. So, any ideas for how to introduce that character? xP

Hey Andrews, I just want you to know, you should each trade your book series with each other and read those too.

 

Just for how novel of an idea that would be.

My two cents on the matter is that a whole lot of it was a big misunderstanding, really. *shrugs*

 

Meh, it happens on the web and off. I should just be used to it by now.

 

Also, as a side note and assuming your situation you wrote out was based on truth: Furries rock.

...Beatles?

 

I thought Queen wrote that song.

 

In fact, I'm fairly certain of it.

 

Maybe I'm just hearing it to Queen's beat.

...I tried to follow, but I didn't. I've failed.

 

But I think I get the gist of it.

I've just noticed something I find funny: The fact that none of us here have been able to argue on the same facet of this argument at the same time.

 

/attempts-to-relieve-tension

I feel like I've seen this post before...

 

But yes. They're awesome.

Did I say not to? Did I go in there, and specifically tell Gato not to do that? No. I told him that he shouldn't just give in and let them walk all over him.

 

Don't let the others belittle you, as I think you must feel that I have.

 

Right there, in the beginning. What I'm saying is not to assume that somebody is automatically wrong, as you are doing-nothing is automatically wrong, nor is it automatically right. I hate to go to this, but: Take a look at it from a Biological viewpoint. There, Homosexuality makes no sense and is outright wrong. From another viewpoint, it's perfectly right, and the only option that can be taken.

 

As well, what I said earlier about sin: Those words are not words I hide behind, because I don't. As well, in this day and age, yes, it must seem so, but not for everybody. I can't help but feel like I was just called homophobic myself, there.

 

Being against something is not the same as being so afraid of it that you have to constantly fight against it and make it bad. If you're against something, fine. But say, homophobia. It's part of the name. They don't argue against you just because they're against it-it's because they're afraid of it, afraid of the very thought. They're afraid of you for taking that thought and making it your life. Are they afraid because you've brave enough to do that, or because they feel you'll try to make them the same way? I don't know. Read into that what you will, because I feel that's all that has been done.

 

As well, I will say again: From certain viewpoints, things are wrong that aren't wrong in others. I don't respect racism or anything like that as an idea at all-however, I understand and accept that people have that opinion, and I will respect them for standing with their opinion in the face of such opposition.

 

I'm sorry, but respect, acceptance, and understanding are the large issues here, as with every argument. And I know that if I have to continue arguing, I'll end up physically ill.

 

Good day, all of you. I'm done with this. If you act the same as those you hate, so be it. You are who you are, and I can't change that.

However, I find disagreement with a lifestyle/actions also odd. It (again in my view) would seem hard to disagree with someone about their personal relationships (unless you're in a sitcom).

 

Paleo: Relieving tension since 2012. But yeah, it is odd...People still do, though.

 

Gato: You've missed my point again. I'm saying that everything is right/wrong from a certain point of view. I honestly don't care if I'm quoting Obi-Wan here.

 

Yes, you and I would agree that homophobes are wrong. Other homophobes would say they're right. Points of view.

 

But you've really missed the point in this: I'm not arguing about homophobia being right or wrong, here. I'm arguing about those who think that homosexual acts are wrong. Does that make them homophobic? No! They just have a polite disagreement.

 

Homophobes take everything too far, and that can be considered a fact. Arguing against it in support of your views, that's fine. Generally. Yes, they may attempt to belittle you and make you less of a human being...in their eyes only. That's their opinion.

 

But still, from a certain point of view, one that is, obviously, not yours, your argument as well would have no merit. I'm not saying you have to accept their arguments, not at all: You just have to accept that they have a different viewpoint, and leave it be. Nobody's viewpoint is explicitly right except to them, and that's all their is to it.

 

It might be egotistical and arrogant of me to say this, but they are absolutely wrong and my viewpoint is the right one.

This is the exact problem. We're too unwilling to accept that they have a different viewpoint and leave it be-we have to constantly argue that they're completely wrong and we're completely right. I won't say that that doesn't apply to them either, it does.

 

It's the depth of Humanity's ability not to understand these things that leads to the problems they have. Is it too hard to understand that they have a different viewpoint? To accept that their viewpoint is different, and that's it? Too hard to respect them for standing up for their own beliefs?

 

Like it or not, you're doing the same thing they are. Refusing to even bring into mind whatever they say. They make no sense-not because they don't make sense, because you don't want them to make sense, because you're already biased against them, just as I was saying.

 

Before you say anything, yes, I've thought long and hard on this, now and in the past in other arguments. Am I anti-homosexuality? No. Am I homophobic? No. On the same side, am I explicitly for the opposite? Yes and no. I'm inclined, just as is everybody else, to follow only what I say and to disregard what others say. That's what I'm getting at.

 

The problem isn't that people are wrong, or right, or anything like that. Nobody is. It's all shades of grey. The problem is that we don't respect what their opinions, their viewpoints, we're too busy arguing to accept that, inevitably, they will be different, and every last human being is too stuck up to understand what the other person is saying. If we don't want something to make sense to us, it won't, and that's that.

 

But, at the same time, am I saying not to argue? No. Stand by your beliefs. Otherwise you'll just be opening others to continue doing what they do. But at the same time, don't be so quick do just as they do, don't be so quick to judge. Try to view things from both sides, alright? Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes. Old, old advice, I know, and yet it's helped over time to resolve more differences than constant arguing and fighting.

 

Yes, I know you're hurt and angered and a million other things by people's actions towards you. No, they don't have the right to judge you the way they do, to just say things that will automatically hurt you just because they want to. But does that give you the right to do the same things back? No. All you're doing is taking the low road that everybody does, and making the problem worse.

 

The least you could do, instead of arguing back and continuing the problem, is ignore them. Eventually they'll realize there's no point in continuing their arguments, and you can at least leave each other happily alone.

 

Maybe they'll run out of things to say, arguments to make, because they'll be coming too close to violating their own beliefs...such as the position I am in. I have played the position of devil's advocate, one that needed to be played. I have made arguments where the point behind them has been missed completely-they may as well have been completely disregarded, by now. Once I am put in that position, I will finish my statements and make my leave.

 

Gato, you've said in here that you're ashamed of who you are, it's in the title. Don't be. While I know it isn't so simple as saying "I'm not ashamed of myself anymore," you'll probably come to the point that you can say that. Don't let the others belittle you, as I think you must feel that I have. In all, I'm not in the least bit ashamed of what I've said-I'm ashamed that I feel that my arguments may have harmed you, ashamed that I may have done that to somebody I don't even know.

 

I'm deeply sorry if I've offended you, Gato. Many apologies.

True, but it's the best I thing I could think of at the moment. You don't necessarily have to treat it as sin, but that just flowed better than anything I could have thought of.

 

Basically, while you may disagree with the actions, somewhat, you still love the person. Like I and the others have said, it's not that simple, but that's what it'll boil down to.

I'm sorry if I confused you, Gato, but you've missed the point: I'm just saying that similar arguments, in how things make sense to some people and don't to others, can apply to nearly any issue. That's just what I'm saying-no, they obviously aren't that close in truth, but that's one thing they share in common.

 

I say again: Person A may agree with subject, but Person B, who doesn't agree, finds that Person A's arguments, however cogent or logical, make no sense due to a pre-existing Bias. Person A will feel the same about Person B.

 

People argue, and they refuse to accept other people's arguments. Some people become less vocal, others become more vocal, the arguments continue. It's a cycle that lasts with nearly every issue possible-religion, politics, sexuality, you name it.

 

Yes, people argue against things because they find them wrong-that's the only reason people argue. If we argued against something we felt right, we'd either A] Have trouble because we were arguing with ourselves, or B] We most likely would have been lying to ourselves about whether or not we felt it right. Again, that's a gross oversimplification, and that's not always the case...but you get my point.

 

The arguments we're having can apply nearly everywhere, to nearly every issue. And it's that fact that has kept Humans arguing throughout the years...leading to any number of things. One common thing these disagreements lead to is war.

 

So, I say again: Maybe the problem is that people argue, instead of accepting? And when I say this, it applies to both sides of every argument.

Well, maybe it would be less hating that fundamental part of them, and instead hating the actions they take, no? But still, I see what you're getting at, and I say again: It really depends on your viewpoint.

 

As well: Yes, some people hate homosexuals because of their homosexuality. Other people don't-yes, I know it isn't simple. There's a lot left to be explained. The simple part, though, is that you don't have to hate the person just because of their beliefs. The good part is that people are learning that, accepting that.

 

Yes, they can feel that that means the person can be redeemed...so what? Again, so long as they don't go overboard on it, and be so terribly overbearing like many people can, what's the matter? People can learn to accept things, or they can learn to shut up about their disagreements-like they are doing, finally.

 

There's one big, other problem, though: As some people shut up, other people get more vocal. The problems continue. It doesn't matter what the problem is-racism, sexism, homosexuality, the death sentence, anything. That's just the cycle. These arguments we have can be applied to just about every issue around, in our time and in times past. Maybe the problem is that people argue, instead of accepting?

being anti-homosexuality makes as much sense as being anti-short or anti-brunette or anti-any-other-way-some-people-naturally-are

 

Yes and no. To some people it does make sense, to others it doesn't. Really, it all depends on your viewpoint-and that is a thought that can be applied to many other things.

 

For an example: Person A supports the death penalty/homosexuality/etc. His arguments make cogent, logical sense to listeners.

 

Person B, however, has a different viewpoint, and is influenced by his viewpoint to ignore a lot of what Person A says. Therefor, what Person A says makes no sense to him. At the same, he presents cogent, logical arguments as well, as to why he disagrees with the subject.

 

Person A, following his bias, thinks that Person B makes so sense. Then, a never-ending cycle is made.

Did he ever say that Homosexuals themselves were bad? No, and that wasn't the least bit implied. The only good reply I can think of to that thought is this: Love the sinner, hate the sin.

 

You don't have to hate homosexuals or anything to be against homosexuality itself. People like to think that, if only to further their arguments, but it's not true. You can think a person is bad but agree with their views, same as you can disagree with the views but hold that the person is good.

 

Basically: You can dislike the idea however much you want-everybody disagrees on some things, and this is but one of many. However, does that mean that you're going to hate the person, or be afraid of them, or anything like that? No! Love the sinner, hate the sin. Love the person, hate their idea. That's all there really is to a disagreement like this.

 

You don't have to be against homosexuals to be against homosexuality, whatever people may want you to think. While yes, that is the general connection, it isn't always how it works, so don't just assume that will be the case.

 

EDIT: To Gato:

 

I certainly get where you're coming at with that last paragraph, and with the first: Yes, there is little sense to disagreeing with homosexuality in that sense, but people do it anyways. However, you can disagree with something without having to be overbearing about it, trying to force others to your view-that's somewhat what I'm getting at. Just that while you can hate the thought, it doesn't mean you have to hate the person.