Jin Mitsurugi

Jin Mitsurugi
Jin of the Flashing Blade
Gender	Male
Race	Au Ra
Clan	Raen
Citizenship	Hingashi
Place of Birth	Bukyo
Guardian	Oschon, the Wanderer
Nameday	17th Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon (Age: 27)
Occupation	Adventurer
Pronunciation	"ˈdʒɛn mitsuɹuɡi"

Hailing from the Far East, this wandering samurai possesses a compassionate soul but no sense of direction.

Born under the name Ryunosuke, the samurai Mitsurugi no Jin (or Jin Mitsurugi) was born to a prestigious samurai family in Bukyo, the bakufu capital of Hingashi. As a youth, he studied the arts of language, etiquette, and swordplay, and stood to inherit much.

However, Jin misliked the political games played within his clan, as well as the shackles of nobility. He took to heart the edicts of bushido—the way of the warrior—and found that other samurai in his nation wanted for compassion.

One day, Jin experienced a vision that would lead him to leave his homeland and, eventually, come to the distant western shores of Eorzea. These days, he wanders the land as an adventurer and ronin, helping those he meets as he travels.

Appearance

A man of the Auri Raen, Jin stands shorter than most of his kind at a mere six shaku and six sun (six fulms and seven ilms in Eorzean measurements). A fair-skinned, young-looking man, his stern expression and serious demeanor belie his warm and curious nature. His sharp, yellow eyes resemble that of a hawk, accented with black markings that almost seem to meld into his thin, black eyebrows. Like all Au Ra, his flesh bears white scales and two, large aural horns on either side of his head. The scales are prominent upon his cheeks, chin, neck, back, arms, thighs, and feet. A thin, reptilian tail protrudes from his rear, bony spikes near its base. Jin's hair is a mess of straight, black spikes, unkempt and sticking out on all sides.

Jin's hands are calloused from years of gripping his sword, and a very large, prominent scar is drawn across his chest from right shoulder to left hip. The scar is seldom-seen, but was clearly caused by a sword's blade. No other permanent scars mar his body, however. Despite his status as a wanderer and ofttimes a vagrant, Jin seems to bathe regularly and knows to file his nails down. He takes excellent care of his horns, which lack so much as a chip or crack, no small feat for an Auri man of his occupation. Jin walks with his head held high and his shoulders straight, often with his hands to his sides. While his posture is almost never threatening, he tries to remain on guard and ready to draw his katana from his hip.

Basic Info Date of Birth: 17th Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon, Year 1550, Sixth Astral Era Height: Short (79 ilms) Weight: Slender (170 ponzes) Complexion: Fair-skinned Hair: Dark, spiky, unkempt. Eyes: Yellow Particular Traits: Scar across the chest. Voice: Tenor Clothing Style: Far Eastern silks and cloths. Laterality: Right-Handed

Outfits Jin favors a finely-crafted set of Myochin attire for travel. Myochin Attire and Kiku-ichimonji: Crafted in the haori-and-hakama style by armorers of the longstanding Myochin clan, this set of armor is common garb for present-day samurai. Whilst it appears little more than a decorative kimono, the cloth is woven in such a way as to promote the flow of aether. A kimono of this style was long favored by Jin's master, Shigeyoshi Sakamoto, during his days as a ronin. Jin commissioned a similar one for himself before leaving Bukyo to become a wandering samurai himself. He seems rather fond of its jingasa, which serves to keep his head dry in the rain, and provides him shade from the sun. Kiku-ichimonji was forged by a legendary Hingan swordsmith, the proof of which can be found in the engraved signature—the character for "ichi" or "one." The sword features a broad point, and an elegant, undulating temper pattern along the length of the blade, whilst the sheathe's serpentine ornamentation amplifies the wielder's energies when performing iaijutsu. This one was a parting gift from Jin's father, Ryuken Mitsurugi, and was originally given to his grandfather by his great-grandfather, a former shogun of Hingashi, in recognition of his tenth son's skill with the blade. Fuga Attire: This stylish raiment from the Far East includes a formal haori punctuated by an elegant wave pattern accented with embroidery of flowers and folding fans, and traditional formal hakama with deep pleats in the front and back. Whenever there's an opportunity to wear casual attire, Jin will wear this outfit, which shows off the ivory scales on his neck. Far Eastern Patriarch's Attire: A traditional garment worn by the heads of households in the Far East. The set includes red-and-black robes and leather longboots. The breastplate covering the torso offers moderate protection, while the light fabrics ensure ease of movement. Jin often wore this outfit while wandering the grounds of Bukyo Castle. Far Eastern Schoolboy's Attire: A style popular amongst young men enrolled in tutoring programs in Hingashi, known for its distinctive synthesis of traditional and modern elements. The kimono, hakama, and zori are much like those that have been worn in the Far East for generations, but the casual undershirt and cap are more akin to fashions found in westerly locales, so the combination is quite arresting. Jin typically wore this outfit during his studies in Bukyo Castle. Bakufu Samurai Uniform: The uniform of samurai in service to the Mitsurugi Bakufu consists of an ankle-length black togi with an armored waistguard, tekko that provide a sure grip on one's sword, a white hakama worn beneath the robe, and close-toed kyahan. This uniform appears to have been sewn back together at some point, and Jin never wears it anymore. Lord's Suikan Set: Another set of formal attire akin to that worn by the Raen of Sui-no-Sato. The front of the white suikan is adorned with a simple design of tree branches with flowers done in red and white stitching. Including a pair of shin-length pants and matching clogs, this outfit is both simple and elegant. Lord's Yukata: A stylish men's yukata crafted to commemorate the Moonfire Faire. The subdued black of this ensemble is accented with vivid red Bombards. A fashionable way to stay cool during the summer festivities. An equally-stylish pair of drawers and clogs complete the set. Jin received this yukata during the Moonfire Faire, surprised and delighted to see such a faithful rendition of Far Eastern summer apparel so far from home. He often wears this on visits to Costa del Sol.

Preferences

Likes ■ Long walks. ■ Fishing. ■ Sleeping under the shade of a tree. ■ Swimming in the ocean. ■ Hot springs.

Dislikes ■ Teleportation. ■ Travel by air and sea. ■ Wickedness and villainy. ■ Liars and cowards. ■ Exploitation and slavery.

Favorites ■ Food: Hanami Dango ■ Drink: Green Tea ■ Colors: Red and Black ■ Place: The Hermit's Hovel ■ Festival: Moonfire Faire

Other ■ Alignment: Neutral Good ■ Religion: Way of the Kami ■ Goal: To travel the world, striking down evil.

Personality

Flaws ■ Stubborn. ■ Strict. ■ Judgmental. ■ Reserved.

Fears ■ Failing to protect someone. ■ Intimacy and romance. ■ Being corrupted by impure desires.

Talents ■ Swordsmanship. ■ Tea ceremonies. ■ Spear-fishing. ■ Painting and calligraphy.

Intelligence

Quirks

Abilities and Skills

Personal ■

Weapons ■ Katana. ■ Bow and arrow. ■ Polearms.

Magic ■ Sen and Kenki.

Crafting ■ Whittling.

Biography

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The Wanderer and the Lordling

Jin was born in Bukyo, capital of Hingashi and seat of the Mitsurugi Bakufu.

Born under the name Ryunosuke, Jin was born to a branch family of the ruling Mitsurugi Clan of Hingashi. From a young age, he was tutored in art, history, literature, and swordplay. However, he often snuck out of the castle grounds, disliking the restrictions of his station. On one such venture, he attempted to defend a woman being attacked by a knife-wielding man. He nearly lost his life, but a samurai appeared to strike down the assailant. Thanks to a heartfelt plea by Ryunosuke to his father Ryuken, the samurai, Shigeyoshi Sakamoto, became Ryunosuke's teacher from that day onward.

For years, the master and student spent their time training while aiding smallfolk against local bandits and monsters while in the guise of ronin. This prompted Ryunosuke to take on the pseudonym "Jin" from the edict of bushido meaning "benevolence." By the age of seventeen, Jin had become a skilled swordsman when he and his master were asked to aid a village against a group of vicious bandits. During the battle, Jin was defeated and heard the words "Hear, feel, think..." before witnessing a vision of his master's past. The leader of the bandits was a figure from Sakamoto's past, Kuroda Kageyama, who was responsible for the murder of his wife and child.

A family heirloom, the Kiku-ichimonji is a precious keepsake from Jin's past.

Master Sakamoto confirmed the story, and that Kageyama was a fellow student under the same master, Senzaemon, who committed seppuku for his student's crimes. Sakamoto became a ronin to avenge his family, but failed to locate Kageyama. The day he met Jin was the anniversary of his family's deaths. After returning to Bukyo to pay respects, he ended up kicked out of a local izakaya for drunkenness. He witnessed the crime, yet only acted when he saw young Jin attempt to rescue the maiden. In the years since, he came to see Jin as a surrogate son.

Though he tried to push Jin away that he might fight Kageyama on his own, Jin stood loyal beside his master. Together, they fought and slew his nemesis only to discover the seal of a Bukyo samurai clan on the bandits' payment. Jin received a vision that confirmed a wealthy samurai named Akechi Fujiwara paid to have Sakamoto's family killed, as well as for the myriad crimes committed by the bandits in the years since. As they could not easily see Fujiwara held to account, Sakamoto declared his family avenged. However, a little while later, on the fifth anniversary of the day he met Jin, Sakamoto assaulted the estate of the Fujiwara Clan. Jin, who came to check on his master, rushed to the burning estate to find injured and slain guards and the corpses of both Sakamoto and Fujiwara.

Though Sakamoto's funerary rites were performed at Jin's urging, few attended the wake of a man now publicly considered a murderer as none but Jin understood Sakamoto's final actions. Gathering what items he could easily carry, Jin prepared to leave Bukyo for good. His father did not approve, but accepted his son's decision, granting him their Kiku-ichimonji katana in the hope that it would keep him safe.

The Ijin Geiko

For the next five years, Jin wandered Hingashi. He found his new life difficult at first, no longer having the wealth and shelter of his family home, nor the company of his master. His poor sense of direction led him to spend days wandering. Yet he never regretted leaving Bukyo, and soon came to find the life of a ronin fulfilling if not glamorous. He became known for his iaijutsu, earning him the epithet "Jin of the Flashing Blade."

Jin was twenty-two when his travels brought him to Kugane. Sakamoto had spoken of the city in high regard, and Jin found it every bit as breathtaking as he claimed. The ijin who visited included peoples he'd never seen such as Lalafells, Elezen, and Miqo'te. He also first encountered the Garlean Empire when he was rebuked and called a "savage" for staring at their consulate. Lacking koban, he slept on the streets for the first few nights. One day, in Kogane Dori, he saw a group of Garleans chasing a young geiko. Misliking this, and unable to ignore her, Jin gave chase and, using the same technique that saved his own life ten years prior, cut through the imperial soldiers in an instant. The geiko, Ayame Utada, claimed she had spurned a Garlean soldier's advances and begged Jin to protect her in case they returned. Jin wasn't sure why she would need a constant bodyguard, but she was willing to pay him and he felt responsible for having intervened. With some hesitation, he agreed to protect her. Though the Sekiseigumi came to investigate the deaths of the Garleans, one of the senior geiko composed a cover story for the two. Jin was granted a room in the okiya and gradually grew familiar with the city as he got to know his energetic young charge. He once asked about her accent and learned that she was an ijin from the continent of Othard, but now lived in Kugane.

About a month later, there was a disturbance in the Ijin District. An intruder infiltrated the Garlean Consulate and stole valuable intelligence about their Doman operatives. Jin awoke to the sound of an intruder in his room only to see that it was Ayame. She asked him to come with her and trust her, and he received a vision showing him her heist on the Garlean Consulate. Though he wanted an explanation, the Sekiseigumi were on their way. Taking what he could carry, he followed her to a small boat and fled toward the Ruby Sea.

Ruby Tides and Ruby Tithes

The Kojin's blessing allowed Jin to travel underwater without fear of drowning.

As they neared the edge of Hingan waters, Jin demanded the truth from Ayame, tired of her trickery. Feeling remorseful, she explained that she hailed from Doma and that she came to Kugane to gather intelligence on Garlemald. She slipped up both the day she left Jin and while stealing the documents from the Consulate. She begged Jin for forgiveness, and while he did not grant it, he put his anger aside as they were now stuck together. Because they escaped Hingashi with the barest necessities, they could not afford the Ruby Tithe. As they crossed the Rasen Kaikyo, the pirates stopped them and, when they couldn't pay, they boarded their vessel and stole the documents and Jin's Kiku-ichimonji before firing upon the boat and sending them into the waters below.

Jin awoke in Tamamizu, saved by the merchant Soroban, who explained that he noticed Jin's unusually fine Hingan attire and hoped to foster trade with his clan. Jin, unfortunately, had severed such ties, yet the good-natured merchant did not begrudge him. As he was injured, he spent the next two weeks helping the Kojin of the Blue. Once his wounds healed, he was granted the kami's blessing. The elder Bunchin recommended Jin search for Ayame in Sui-no-Sato. Escorted to the village by Soroban, he met with the high priest Shiosai who granted him leave to search so long as he did not disrupt their peaceful way of life. After some searching, he met a black-haired maiden who saw a Hyur in unusual garb wash ashore near Isari two weeks prior. With the woman's help, Jin traveled to the small Doman village, but the villagers were reluctant to answer his inquiries. While asking in the tavern, Garlean tax collectors came to harass the citizens. Jin wanted to intervene, but did not at the warning of the tavernkeep. After the imperials left, the tavernkeep, recognizing Jin's desire to help, revealed he had nursed Ayame to help and that she left towards Hells' Lid.

Fortunately, even Jin could not get lost looking for Hells' Lid, but not long after arriving he was attacked by the Kojin of the Red. The poor-quality katana he'd been using broke and he was knocked out and taken captive. The beastmen planned to offer him to Garlemald, or kill him, should he prove worthless. Unable to escape, nightfall came and Jin feared that he might be killed. Suddenly, the Echo began to resonate once more, and he witnessed scenes of his companion's past. Ayame had lived a peaceful life with her husband until he was conscripted. Seeking the means to fight back without endangering his life, she fled to Shinobi-no-Sato and ultimately joined the Doman Liberation Front. As he awoke, he saw that Ayame had come to his rescue, having seen him fighting at Hells' Lid. She cut his bonds and set him free and, together, they made their escape from the Isle of Zekki. After regrouping at Isari, they planned to infiltrate the Confederacy headquarters of Crick, where the Garlean documents and Jin's sword were held. Creating a distraction by setting several of the pirates' ships ablaze, Ayame used the confusion to steal their belongings. Setting a Confederacy ship free towards the south as a decoy, they fled west back to the safety of Isari.

After leaving Isari, Jin and Ayame traveled to Yanxia. Ere long, they were attacked by a small group of imperial operatives. Exhausted, they were nearly overcome but for the timely appearance of the Doman Liberation Front. After defeating the imperials, they were escorted to the House of the Fierce, and delivered the hard-won documents—which he learned contained the names and locations of imperial conscripts from Doma, including Ayame's husband—into resistance hands. After saying farewell to Ayame, Jin asked that he be contacted when the time came. Not long into his travels in Yanxia, he again witnessed the injustices of the Garleans and chose to intervene only when he was certain he could mete out justice without reprisals against the citizens and soon earned a high bounty in the Empire. Wandering the lands of Othard alone, never remaining in one place for long, Jin found that no matter where he traveled, be it Yanxia, Nagxia, or Dalmasca, the people suffered under Garlean rule. His patience grew thinner as he made their desire for liberty his own.

The Fall of Doma

In the five years that followed his arrival on Othard, Jin constantly came into conflict with the occupying forces of Garlemald. He learned to choose his targets carefully to avoid reprisals, striking to hurt the Garlean war machine without lending obvious aid to the people. He instead worked with resistance cells who could deliver aid discreetly. Before long, he had earned a bounty and a reputation as a dangerous, violent criminal. During the third year of his travels, he spent time in Dalmasca, where he aided their resistance against the IVth Legion only to watch them crumble under the combined might of the XIVth and IVth. There, Jin witnessed the true cruelty of the Empire, who hunted down and slaughtered even civilians suspected of aiding the resistance on the orders of Livia sas Junius. Though he played a very small role, Jin took the loss to heart and swore an oath to break the yoke of the Empire, now more determined than ever to see Doma liberated.

Not long after the dawn of the Seventh Astral Era in Eorzea, something began to shift in the imperials' behavior. Jin's suspected a crisis in their homeland, and his suspicions were confirmed when Ayame's sparrow arrived to call him back to Yanxia. The Doman rebellion was underway, spurred by the death of Emperor Solus zos Galvus. Despite five years' passing, Jin and Ayame worked together fabulously during the conflict with the Garleans, his iaijutsu complementing her ninjutsu. They even destroyed a magitek hexadrone together. However, when the XIIth Legion arrived in Doma, their fortunes turned. Zenos yae Galvus led his men from decisive victory to decisive victory in short order. Soon, only the Doman Enclave remained, Jin and Ayame among those defenders who stood and fought to defend Lord Kaien Rijin. All resistance fell as leaves before the might of the legatus, however, who defeated Ayame with a single blow. Jin, through his Echo, could divine a strike ere the legatus swung, and attempted to parry with his Kiku-ichimonji. Jin momentarily met Zenos head-on, but his blade shattered under the might of the Garlean prince, who slashed him across the chest and moved on from his foe without giving him a second thought.

As he fell unconscious, Jin heard the words "hear, feel, think" whispered through his mind. Though he dreamt, he could not recall it. When Jin awoke, it was in the House of the Fierce, with Ayame asleep by his side. She had taken him from the Enclave and saw to his wound as best she could in the weeks since. However, the rebellion had lost, and Lord Kaien was dead. Jin felt that he had failed again, and for a short time wallowed in self-pity. His blade broken, his body injured, he contemplated seppuku, yet an impassioned speech from his friend, a woman whom he realized lost far more than he in the ordeal, helped him snap out of his depression. If she would not give up, then how could he, and how would he face his master in the next world leaving her to fight by herself? Lady Yugiri Mistwalker had begun evacuating Domans to seek aid from foreign lands and, while Ayame would remain in Doma, she bid Jin join in the exodus. Parting ways with his companion once again, he made his way back to Kugane and, from there, set course for the distant lands of Eorzea.

Journey to the West

For two moons, Jin endured near-constant seasickness on his voyage to the west. During his voyage, he heard tell of how a hero led Eorzea to victory against the XIVth Imperial Legion, and hoped to meet this hero in person someday. At long last, he arrived in the port city of Limsa Lominsa. It didn't take long for him to become lost despite directions from the Yellowjackets, and subdued a mugger without much effort. Jin spared him, accepting directions to the Drowning Wench as an apology. Jin deemed the Adventurers' Guild the best way to make money while in Eorzea; he set about performing tasks for La Noscean citizens and completing guildleves assigned to him. On one occasion, he managed to rescue a group of Lominsan citizens kidnapped by the Serpent Reavers, on another he helped thwart a kobold ambush at Camp Overlook. It was during this time that he wandered to the Hermit's Hovel, which swiftly became his favorite place to train whenever he could find it.

As his wanderings brought him to Thanalan and the Black Shroud, rumors of an Auri swordsman from the Far East spread through his many, often accidental misadventures. This eventually reached the Scions, and they extended an invitation to Jin. He promptly became lost trying to find Revenant's Toll, however. By the time he found the town, it was just after the Bloody Banquet, and he was assaulted by the Crystal Braves. He promptly dispatched a few of them before escaping pursuit with the aid of a Doman refugee who noticed and recognized him in town. Upon learning of the events that scattered the Scions, Jin decided to follow their path to Ishgard, its gates newly opened. Armed with a map and specific directions, he still ended up in Dravania in error and soon ran afoul the Gnath. Their god recently felled by the champion of Eorzea, they did not take kindly to the intrusion. Jin made his escape with the aid of a single member of the hive, a nameless beastman who had newly found himself detached from the Onemind. As the hive sought both of their deaths, they fled from Loth ast Gnath.

As neither of them had their bearings, they wandered to Tailfeather (the Nonmind possessing a better sense of direction than the samurai). Learning of Loth ast Vath from the hunters, they decided to make their way there. His companion fashioned a makeshift sword similar to Jin's katana to help defend himself. As they approached the settlement, they witnessed a group of Gnath appoaching their destination from afar. The two rushed to the settlement and, when they arrived, they joined in the fight, Jin's skill helping drive the Onemind back. The Vath storyteller thanked the hunter for his aid, and welcomed the new addition to the Nonmind. Their people struggled as, even with Ravana's promise keeping the Onemind's attacks infrequent, their settlement yet wanted for strong warriors to defend it when they did attack. It was this plight that inspired Jin to teach his companion. At first, they practiced the basics, then on local monsters. Gradually, his friend gained confidence in his swordsmanship and took on the title of "the bushi." When next the Gnath came to attack the Vath, the Vath bushi fought and slew those who would threaten his new home wielding his makeshift katana and the skills Jin taught him. Seeing his work done, Jin departed once more, bidding his student a fond farewell.

Family and Relationships

Family ■

Friends and Acquaintances ■ Shigeyoshi Sakamoto (Mentor) In his youth, Shigeyoshi Sakamoto trained alongside Kuroda Kageyama under the swordsmaster Hatakeyama no Senzaemon. For years, Kageyama tried to best Sakamoto in swordsmanship only to fail time and again. This, as well as the favoritism he felt was shown to Sakamoto, created resentment that eventually turned to hatred for his rival. Years after leaving their master's dojo, Sakamoto became a member of the bakufu government and began a family, taking the unconventional move of marrying a woman far below his station. This convinced him to try and affect reform in Hingashi, and he only became more zealous in his pursuit after the birth of his son. These policies made him unpopular with many samurai families in Bukyo, and his strict and largely-unbiased belief in justice caused him to report many of the excesses he witnessed within the clans' members, even his own. As a result, Akechi Fujiwara, whose clan he personally disgraced, took action by hiring Kageyama to slay him and his family. Because he survived the assassination attempt, Kageyama's involvement became known, and their master was forced to commit seppuku as a form of recompense for teaching a murderer. Sakamoto was not immune to the fact that many in Bukyo whispered that he had brought his tragedy upon himself, that the "nail that sticks up gets hammered down." Out of disgust for the lack of compassion among the samurai clans not only to his family but to those of lower social status in general, he finally resigned and became a ronin, hoping to avenge his family by killing Kageyama. However, Fujiwara helped conceal the assassin that he might secure his services in the future. For years, Sakamoto searched for his enemy while performing tasks for the people he met in Hingashi and abroad. He even went as far as Doma before he realized that he no longer felt the fire of vengeance in his heart. This depressed him, and he soon began to drink in excess. By the time he met Jin, Sakamoto had wandered his way back to Bukyo in the vain hope that something might have turned up. He didn't expect to meet a boy who seemed so kindred in spirit, nor one who would help him find years of purpose and happiness until his ultimate demise.

Enemies

Rumors

Note: This section is editable by anyone. Just keep in mind that the rumors here may be both true or false.

Other Information

Name Etymology Jin: Taken from the Japanese word for "benevolence", one of the eight virtues of Bushidō. Mitsurugi: A Japanese surname roughly translating to "beautiful sword". Nicknames ■ Jin of the Flashing Blade Current Residence None Gallery