Akane stands as somewhat above-average height for an Auri woman, at about 5'6". She is slender (~130 ponze) but somewhat athletically built, denoting her newfound place on the field of battle. Her skin tone is fair, with wine-red eyes, and the signature ivory scales of her people; her hair is black and straight, hanging just below her shoulder blades. Akane's horns are forward-curving and point slightly down.
Scars & Markings:
Akane's only scars of note are most-often hidden. A large, rather gruesome scar runs along the length of her back; a glancing blow from a greatsword and failed attempt on her life. Her right eye is scarred shut, at the cost of the eye itself, but is hidden by a steel-plated eyepatch; her right horn is missing its tip, capped off by steel as well. On her left forearm she is missing a small patch of scales, where they refuse to regrow over scar tissue; possibly self-inflicted.
Voice: - Generally, Akane is soft spoken, though her tone can read as a bit cold or aloof most of the time. She speaks with a slight Doman accent, but is exceptionally fluent in Eorzean/common tongue. Her voice is perhaps somewhat deeper than her appearance might let on.
Clothing: Akane typically dresses in neatly-kept finery, preferring to mix form with function; her clothing allows her the mobility required of someone who may find themselves in a situation that demands attack or escape, while still being presentable, and possibly suggesting to onlookers a position of power, influence or wealth. Most often, her wardrobe is Eorzean-influenced, but she will dress in Far-Eastern fashions when abroad or in private. She is never seen without a pair of bauble horn-ornaments, nor her eyepatch.
Deep within the mountains of rural Doma once stood a prosperous village, nestled into a quiet, wooded valley. Its name was 'Kamui Kotan'; in the old Raen tongue, supposedly, 'The Place Where Kami Live.' Since the Raen's migration from the Azim steppe, the people of Kamui Kotan lived peacefully, preferring a rather medieval way of life while the world around them grew more and more advanced. It was seldom that visitors strayed so far into the mountains, and equally rare for villagers to leave its gates for long, leaving its denizens more or less cut off from the world. Commerce was had only between the next-closest Raen village, across the mountain eastward, and with the Lupin tribe that inhabited that of the west. This was their way of life, and seldom was it disturbed.
That is, until the Garlean Empire sought land for their newest Castrum.
The destruction of Kamui Kotan was nigh imminent; however fierce and dedicated its warriors and magic-users were, they had never encountered the destructive force that was a Garlean artillery. From the moment it was decided they would not turn over their land peacefully, the Imperial forces razed the ancient, holy village, and nearly all its inhabitants with it. A small few were afforded escape into the neighboring forest -- namely, the sovereign family of Kamui Kotan, and a number of dedicated servants and guardsmen. For weeks did this group travel the forests, largely by night, toward the hills of Yanxia; finally arriving to see the land was no less ravaged by war than their own. A war they had never imagined may even exist. Eventually, after bartering their arms and armor, the survivors of Kamui Kotan found themselves aboard a vessel to Hingashi; from there, the servants and guards would depart at their Lord's behest, who used what little he could to purchase hidden passage to Eorzea for his sons and daughter.
This is how Akane Gozen arrived in the strange continent to the West. Her father's bribery found Akane and her brothers as far as Limsa Lominsa, closed up in a cramped, derelict storage shed, where the three siblings lived for several moons. Eventually, Akane's elder brothers left La Noscea, joining a supposed Doman resistance faction in Mor Dhona; Akane herself, timid and fearful of war, took instead to educating herself, soon joining the College of Arcanima in Limsa, where she discovered not only a passion, but a prodigal knack for the arcane and healing arts, as well as strategy and tactics, progressing at a rate seldom seen of even its brightest students. By the time a cycle of seasons had passed, Akane had left Limsa Lominsa to see the world for herself, discarding the blood-stained memories of her former home in the pursuit of knowledge and adventure, eventually joining the Order of the Twin Adder in Gridania.
Akane has since left the Twin Adder and joined the Anti-Garlean insurgence as a strategist, and has taken part in several of the more recent battles involving the Doman rebellion as well as the freeing of Ala Mhigo. The now twenty-five-year-old woman is no longer timid, nor afraid of warfare, and has a colder, more cynical outlook on the world since its horrors were revealed to her.
Since returning to Eorzea from a prolonged, complicated stay in the East, Akane's life has spun into utter turmoil. She received news that her husband-to-be, in a desperate search for her, was killed by Sekiseigumi in Kugane; this plunged her mind into the depths of guilt, blaming herself for the ordeal. Most recently, Akane was able to come into posession of her beloved's soul stone, and is working toward posession of his battleaxe as well -- by whatever means she deems necessary to preserve his memory.
Hiring a small number of subordinates into her employ, Akane has begun to amass a collection of Auracite, though her purposes for such a thing remain undisclosed. She often joins her hirelings on forays into different tombs, crypts and ruins, excavating whatever artifacts and uncovering whatever knowledge worth the effort (and coin), and is seen traveling between almost all regions of Eorzea amidst her conquests.
In the streets of Kugane and Shirogane alike, there have lately been wanted posters bearing an illustration that may resemble Akane's face, albeit with both her eyes, horns intact, and differently-worn hair. While it is possible the likeness is mere coincidence, it could also be noted that Akane nolonger travels to or through Hingashi. The current bounty is 150,000 gil.
"Don't speak to me, worm, until you earn such a privilege."
♥ In A Relationship: Akane is romantically involved with this character.
♥ Romantic Attraction: Akane is romantically interested in this character.
♥ Sexual Attraction Akane is physically interested in this character.
♥ Platonic Love/Family: Akane considers this person family.
♦ Friend: Akane considers this person his friend.
♦ Friendly Acquaintance: Akane considers this person mostly friendly, or as an ally.
● Good Standing: Akane has no specific feelings about this character, however they left a good impression.
● Neutral: Akane has no specific feelings about this character.
● Bad Standing: Akane has no specific feelings about this character, however they left a bad impression.
♠ Dislike: Akane doesn't consider this person a friend, and will talk if needed, but try to avoid them.
♠ Hate: Akane considers this person an annoyance, and will try to avoid them. Conflict can happen.
♠ Fear: Akane is terrified by this character, and will try to avoid them at all cost.
♠ Rivalry: Akane consider this person a rival, and will try to initiate conflict every time he gets to meet them.
♥ Family Member: This character is related by blood to Akane.
✔ Business: This character is either an employer, employee, or coworker.
✖ Deceased: This character has passed away.
?Hidden Feelings/Unknown: This character has one of all the color keys above, but Akane isn't fully aware of it yet.
NPC
Okuni Gozen(♥ ✖ ) - Mother
Akane's mother died during the first wave of Garlean assault on Kamui Kotan. The two were very close and it was often said that Akane greatly resembled her, both in appearance and manner. She was a talented spearwoman, devoted wife and loving mother.
Yoake Gozen(♥ ) - Father
While the two were nevery close, Akane loves and respects her father, not only in memory of his legacy as beloved Chieftain of Kamui Kotan, but for the sacrifices he made to safely deliver her and her siblings to Eorzea. She does not know he current whereabouts, but believes he yet lives.
Shogo Gozen(♥ ✖ ) - Brother
Shogo was the middle Gozen child, and Akane's older brother. They were close as children, being only two years apart, and had a typical relationship of that between an older brother and younger sister. Shogo joined the Doman Resistance during its early stages, but was killed by Garlean Soldiers at the battle of Baelsar's Wall.
Makoto Gozen(♥ ) - Brother
Akane's eldest brother. The two were never very close, and he often looked down on his sister for her timid and gentle nature as a child. Makoto was the golden child of the Gozen clan, and heir to the village of Kamui Kotan.
A martial prodigy, it took little to persuage Makoto into joining the Doman Rebellion in Mor Dhona. Though his whereabouts are currently unknown, Akane was able to meet with him once during her travels in the East.
A highlander and staunch Ala Mhigan patriot who Akane met during her time as a mercenary. Although their personalities contrast at first glance, Akane learned much about herself during her friendship with Piera, and considers her the closest thing to family in her life. The two share ideals on justice and liberty, as well as a hatred for the Garlean empire, and have found themselves allied on the field of battle many a time. She is somebody who Akane trusts without hesitation, and therefor would protect with her life if need be.
Akane's lover, who she affectionately refers to as her husband. The two met by chance in Ul'dah, while Akane was still working with the Twin Adder. As they interacted more, the pair discovered feelings for one another, and quickly pursued them. Akane eventually began to live with Willis (also known by the alias 'Altan Ejinn,' or his birth name 'Oyuun Borlaaq'), and the two made plans to marry. Before this could happen, however, Akane found herself amidst the chaos in Doma; unable to return as quickly as planned. Willis made for Kugane to search for his fiancee, but was driven mad by the machinations of their former employer, eventually being killed by Sekiseigumi. His death constantly haunts Akane, and she blames herself for allowing it to happen,
the guilt quickly twisting her into the cynical, harsh woman she is today.
Akane first met this person under the name 'Claire Hart,' director of Yojimbo, the company she had begun to work for. Initally distrustful of her, Akane almost grew close enough to consider Claire a friend, before realizing the woman had deep-seated feelings of violent jealousy concerning Akane and her husband-to-be, who was Claire's former lover. Akane believes that Willis's bout of insanity before his death is due to some scheme of Claire's, and has since vowed to kill her should the two ever meet again.
Lukas, along with his adopted sister Mandy, was one of the first sincere friends Akane made in Eorzea. He happened to make conversation with her while she waited for a prospective business partner in Ul'dah, and they soon joined the same Free Company. She once had feelings for him, and the two were briefly close, but decided mutually that his more lecherous behavior may end up in one of them getting hurt, deciding instead to remain friends. Akane has not seen Luke since her time as an Outrider, but he plays a key role in some of the few fond memories she still keeps.
Lukas Madrazo's self-proclaimed sidekick. Akane met Luna on the day they both joined the Outriders, and was unsure what to make of the odd girl. Once they undertook their first training mission together, however, it was shown their polarizing personalities worked well together,
and the two formed a fast friendship. Akane has not seen Luna in some time; while she had a tendency to disappear now and then, Akane still wonders about her wellbeing from time to time.
Some of these rumors are untrue, speculation, or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to add your own rumors under the Player Character category!
NPC
.
◢ Common Rumors - Easily overheard. Use these freely!
■ "She used to come around here with a Xaela lad a lot. Wonder what happened to him..." - Ul'dahn Citizen
■ "Akane? One of the best students I've had. I wonder if she'd take over my position, so I can retire..." - Arcanist Guild Instructor
■ "Saw her scream in a man's face, right in the middle of the street. Think he was tryin' to make a pass at her..." - Ul'dahn Marketeer
◢ Uncommon Rumors -A little more difficult to hear. Use sparingly or ask first!
■ "No more uniform, huh? ... Strange, I thought she was an officer of the Twin Adder." - Gridanian Citizen
■ "I could swear, I've seen her talking to that stone around her neck... Kind of spooky!" - Goblet Caretaker
◢ Rare Rumors -Very rarely overheard. Please ask before using!
■ "Haven't I seen her somewhere? Couldn't be that guard-killer on the loose... could she?" - Hingan Boatswain
■ "Yeah, she buys from us. Old tomes, mostly-- Nymean and Amdapori stuff. Always asking about White Auracite, but we ain't got any." - Black Market Rep
PC
.
◢ Player Character Rumors -Feel free to add rumors of your own!
■ "She's scary! I don't know if I can trust her half the time, and I *work* for her!" — Hitomi Koga.
■ I will play mature content and themes (violence, sexuality, drug/alcohol use) as long as they're logical in a plot-driven encounter. Coarse and excessive language; temporary injury and incapacitation; temporary imprisonment; most walk-up encounters.
■ Ask about long-term and/or possible history of our characters for RP hooks.
■ I won't play Strictly for ERP.
Disclaimer
■ If an aspect of RP makes you uncomfortable in a scene we're playing, please send me a /tell, letting me know. Communication is very important, more important than potentially keeping immersion.
