Kinsenka Sonohana
| Kinsenka Sonohana | |
| |
| Gender | Female |
| Race | Au Ra |
| Clan | Raen |
| Citizenship | None |
| Nameday | 5th Sun of the Fifth Astral Moon |
| Patron Deity | Azeyma, the Warden |
| Alignment | Lawful Neutral |
| Primary Class | Conjurer |
Contents
Basic Info
A gentile Raen lady whose demeanour always seems tranquil. With her rare skills carried over from the Eastern land of Othard, she provides soothing therapy for the mind and body. When she is not tending to patients, Kinsenka spends her time studying the arts of Conjury and Botany.
Despite her heritage as a Raen Ojou (lady of noble birth, daughter of a Samurai Lord), she currently resides in the Gridanian forest, with no home, no family, and no gil. She bears great pain in her soul, as well as terrible scars upon her body, which she sailed to a foreign land to forget.
History
Born to the Samurai Lord of a prosperous Raen clan, Kinsenka was guaranteed a life of privilege. She spent her childhood in luxury, revered like a princess, highly educated in everything from musical instruments to swordsmanship. Along with her fine lineage and wealth, she was admired for her beauty throughout Othard. Tales of this golden princess reached the roaming Xaela clans across the western steppe, capturing the interest of one clan noblewoman in particular; Qalerdene, wife of a mighty Warlord.
Qalerdene, who was notoriously vain and prone to extreme acts of jealousy, upon hearing Kinsenka referred to as the “sun jewel of the mountains”, demanded to see this woman for herself. Although her husband was the clan’s leader in title, Qalerdene commanded equal – if not more – allegiance from them. She bid the Warlord arrange peaceful trade talks with the Raen clan, as an excuse to glimpse Lady Kinsenka. The gathering did not proceed as peacefully as the Raen had hoped. When Qalerdene caught sight of Kinsenka and saw how truly beautiful she was, she flew into a violent rage and signalled the Xaela to attack.
Dozens of lives were lost in a pointless battle, before Lord Sonohana (Kinsenka’s father) was brought to surrender upon his knees. Kinsenka begged for his life, and this pleased Qalerdene so much that she issued the order to spare him – with but one caveat: the “sun jewel” would have her head shaved and her breasts cut off. Despite her father’s vehement refusal, Kinsenka consented. There, before the eyes of both clans and her own family, she suffered the shame and agony that her beauty had bought her. She was left bleeding and naked, but alive, when the Xaela withdrew from the mountains. With the aid of the clan Conjurers, Kinsenka did not succumb to blood loss or infection. But when she regained consciousness she learned that her father had committed ritual suicide to atone for the dishonour that had come upon him and his family. Her mother blamed her, telling her that she should have let her father die in battle, instead of shaming him with surrender and the public degradation of its brutal terms. Kinsenka was reduced to a woman with no title, no family name, and the disfavour of her clan. She was essentially a vagrant among them – though they would not go so far as to drive her away, she was no longer a clan member, and would thus be forced to survive day-to-day on charity alone.
For almost a year Kinsenka lived on the outskirts of the village, scavenging for food and taking shelter wherever she could find it. A particularly harsh winter finally compelled her to seek other options. Without a farewell from her family or former friends, she set off across Othard to find a place for herself in the harsh world beyond.
Personality
If you have ever met an old-fashioned Japanese woman, or read/watched anything about period geisha, you might have an idea of what Kinsenka is like as a person. She can appear quite cold - almost robotic - but with a delicate grace that never falters. Never one to raise her voice, make eye contact with strangers, utter a vulgar word, or seek the limelight, Kinsenka is the very picture of self-control. She moves as softly as a blossom in the breeze, and her voice - when heard - is like a sorrowful ballad. She does nothing frivolously; every word and action she chooses is for a specific purpose and with calculated forethought.
Kinsenka is a student of life. She enjoys not only academic pursuits, reading, and developing practical skills, but also simply observing the world around her. Silent and unnoticed, she can sit for hours and watch people go about their business, picking up on their individual habits and personalities. She examines the different cultures, which until recently she has seen very little of in Othard. Because of Kinsenka's watchful nature and keen ear, she has the ability to read people with effective accuracy. She attunes to subtle emotions and listens to what is unsaid, all the while painting a picture in her mind of the individual's soul. Though she could use this skill to manipulate or cause pain, Kinsenka instead chooses to heal. She knows what a person needs to hear in order to feel better, and where her mystical touch would best be applied.
It is very rare for Kinsenka to talk about herself. Though she will provide insights into her Raen culture to those who wish to hear, she is careful about keeping the information impersonal and general. She mentions neither her past nor her emotions. When asked about her reason for leaving Othard, she gives vague responses. When someone notices her savage bodily scars and amputated breasts, she offers no tale of suffering. She returns the conversation to the weather, food, academic topics, local news, or questions about the person with whom she is speaking.
To anyone who knows Kinsenka beyond the tranquil surface, she is a loyal friend, wise confidant, and vessel of deep sorrow. She sometimes speaks of recurring dreams - visions of her late grandfather, who instructs her as to her destiny. Her closest companions know a little of her tragic past, but no one alive knows exactly why she dishonoured her family name and fled her homeland.
Education & Skills
Expert Level:
- Musical instruments of the East
- Anma therapeutic massage
- Traditional Raen cuisine
Intermediate Level:
- Weaving, needlework, tailoring
- Botany
- Martial arts
- Archery (particularly mounted)
- Eastern swordsmanship
- Poetry, creative writing
Currently Studying:
- Conjury
- Alchemy and medicine
- Western Swordsmanship
- Western cuisine
Relationships
Coming Soon
Affiliations
Coming Soon
RP Rules
If you’re interested in RPing with Kinsenka Sonohana, here are a few things you should know:
- She is a holistic healer and provides massage therapy, HOWEVER, this does not include “happy endings” or any form of sexual contact.
- Though her figure is very feminine, Kin’s breasts have been removed. Thus she tends to wear clothes that conceal her upper body. Muses might notice this, and might even ask her about it, but Kin is unlikely to open up about the cause.
- Her most frequent location is the serene village of Fallgourd Float, where she watches the sunset each night.
- Since the Raen are based on ancient Japanese culture, Kin has many Japanese-like qualities and habits. The mun is well-versed in all things Japan and speaks Japanese, so if I seem to add headcanon to Auri lore, it’s usually an educated guess drawn from true cultural parallels.
Where to find her: (Balmung) Usually Gridania or Fallgourd Float.
How to start RP: Approach Kin in-game, message me for my Discord details, talk to me on my tumblr, send an IC ask directed at Kin, or respond to an ask meme or open RP post.
