Legend of the Dragon Mirrors: Beyond the Glass [The subtitle means OOC] (Private)

[Silent Assassin]

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In the beginning, there was nothing but darkness. Darkness as far as one could see. Then, matter shaped, coming together to form a world that its inhabitants would know as Longzaru. A vast world full of many rich cultures and their distinct flavours. Many borders, many countries, many people and many ways of life. Unlike Earth though, Longzaru was full of mystical invention and wonder. Its myths intertwined into the folklore of many nations. One such tale is the Legend of the Dragon Mirrors. It is an high-action-adventure, science-([an-eastern)fantasy, martial arts epic where a poor farmer, a wandering thief, and the friends they make on their journey have their own stories which converge at a certain point, connecting them all to the Dragon Mirrors, and by effect, to each other. But just what are the Dragon Mirrors? And, is there something beyond the Mirrors that hides a bigger plot that will shape the fate of Longzaru for generations? Join this tale of love, honour, sacrifice, jaw-dropping stunts and wanton badassery as we stroll through this truly epic story!



TRUE NAME
???

PSEUDONYM/STAGE NAME
???

AGE
???

RACE
???

ETHNICITY
???

APPEARANCE
???

PERSONALITY
???

HISTORY
???

MARTIAL ARTS STYLE
???

TECHS
???



The IC! (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/showthread.php?8556-Legend-of-the-Dragon-Mirrors-(IC)-(Private))

[Silent Assassin]

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<Dao>
pending!


<The Martial Way>
Longzarians have a long and established history with martial arts. It began as an expression of their spiritual nature, and oneness with mystic energies (like Chi, Qi, Chakra, and Dao). It was a spiritual and physical discipline which turned the body and mind into finely-tuned weapons. Soon, the discipline would become known as the Martial Way, with each unique expression being a style or martial art. As different styles were created emphasising different body parts and moves, two major ideological groups would form; each opposing the other. The Way of the Hand, favouring hand striking styles and grappling styles, and a precursor to boxing in some isolated villages. And The Way of the Foot, favouring almost exclusive striking styles with the legs, jumps, and raw power. Though it wasn't known at the time, both groups would create a surge in martial interest. Their conflicts ushered in an age of romanticism of the arts -- called the Sudden Enlightenment. Eventually, Longzarians would learn to manifest their mystic energies to aid them in their arts. These manifestations were called techniques.

If one were to explain martial arts in Longzarian culture simply, it would be Martial Way > Martial Arts > Martial Ideologies/Philosophies > Martial Styles > Techniques/Moves. Techniques were the latest "addition" to the Arts. They were first discovered by the first cultivator, Lord Wushu, who created these concepts as the greatest respect to the Dao -- the life energy that flows through all living things. Lord Wushu only taught techniques to his group (called a Sect; the first known Sect in all Longzaru history). Soon, others would seek this knowledge, but to rend its original purpose -- to tools of hatred and destruction, or to fall slave to the delusion of grandeur. Both the Hand and the Foot collapsed, and various Sects took their place, wielding their powerful techniques and martial styles in conflicts against each other.


<Martial Style>
A style or specific Art is a collective of moves and manoeuvres meant to injure, kill, or otherwise disable an enemy or neutralise a threat. Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Ju-Jitsu, Kyokushin Karate, Muay Thai -- these names all have one thing in common: they are martial arts styles. Each have their own moves, philosophies and ways to overcome an opponent. Longzaru is home to hundreds of styles! Some use quick, furious strikes; some are based on reversals; some even use weapons, elements and various materials!


<Techniques/Moves>
If a martial style is an umbrella of techniques, individual techniques are the building blocks of their particular styles.

[Silent Assassin]

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[Silent Assassin]

TRUE NAME
Leifang Uzurah

PSEUDONYM/STAGE NAME
The Clothbearer

AGE
14

RACE
Longzarian

ETHNICITY
Omashite

APPEARANCE
Leifang is a small, petite teen with long, black hair tied into twintails, porcelain skin and brown eyes. She'll always wear her blue skirt with a sleeveless matching t-shirt, and wrap her hands in gauze. Mainly to hide them from her parents or any worrying soldiers who might inquire into the life of such a young martial artist.

PERSONALITY
Stubborn and hard-headed, Leifang's personality fits her fighting style to a 'T'. In true Ironstrider fashion, she prefers to pound her way through her problems, and doesn't see herself as one who has time to piss around the bush or try another method.

HISTORY
Leifang was born to a poor farming family in Kin Village. The Uzurahs have always been a poor people, but are said to have a legendary ancestor who was a powerful martial founder, and created the...

MARTIAL ARTS STYLE
Disciple of the Bronze God, Ironstrider -

TECHS
Fists of Bronze -

[Jacket]

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Stars may always guide our way,
From desert sands where winds blow harsh and long
But here's where our hearts will pray
And all our loves will slumber with a song

Roroshk (Roh-Roh-/ˈʃeɪk/) southeastern desert filled with red sands, canyons, and sprawling starry skies. Asides from some nomadic mercenary camps, Roroshk's capital is Freese.

Freese's religion takes flavors from Zoroastrianism. Freese has two patron Gods - Ahura, the creator God, and his brother, Angra, an equally destructive spirit. Ahura and Angra were said to constantly fight, and that the cycle of day and night were caused by this war. Freese is one of many grand cities said to be created by Ahura and Angra. The others have been lost through time.

Freese is considered an "old city" and the culture is vastly removed from the rest of Longzaru. Freisian culture is loosely based on that ancient Persian, Indian, Moroccan and Turkish societies. Freese is well known for having mosque-like shrines, arched doorways, and many climbing walls. The entire city of Freese is surrounded by walls in an attempt to keep sand and wind out of the inner reaches of the sprawling buildings. The people of Freese value clothes and works of art such as paintings and pottery made with metallic jewel colours and precious stones. Freisian people often keep themselves well-clothed when outdoors to protect themselves from the harsh sunlight and choking desert sand. The streets are often filled with markets at all hours of the day and night, particularly in a section of the city called The Grand Bazaar. Underneath of Freese, there is a great spring that gives water to the entire city and allows it to flourish in the harsh Roroshkian deserts.

There are many urban legends about Freisians as a people, and some of them are true

[Jacket]

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Sanaa sokhor bol nud sokhor.
the eye is sightless when the mind is oblivious.

Khovalyg is northeastern area filled with steppes and desert, known for its nomadic people. Khovalyg is based off of ancient Mongolian and Turkish customs and society.

In Khovalyg, the meaning of life is seen as living in harmony with the surrounding world, and is expressed in a religion similar to Tengriism. Tengriist believers view their existence as sustained by the eternal blue Sky, Tengri, the fertile Mother-Earth, spirit Eje, and a ruler who is regarded as the holy spirit of the Sky. Heaven, Earth, the spirits of nature and the ancestors provide every need and protect all humans.

Khovalygians are known for being fierce, passionate warriors and hunters, sharing special cultural links with eagles and horses, animals capable of hunting of sustaining life in such a difficult and harsh climate. The people of Khovalyg wear furs and appreciate metal and stone jewlery, as well as finely crafted wines, stories and dances that often revolve around Tengri or hunting culture. The people of Khovalyg live in yurts, and often move around to follow hunting quarry or find better land with the changing seasons. Khovalyg's leader, with the largest tribe, Aztai Salkhi, is a fierce warrior with a vast army. He is known for speaking very little.

More TBA!

[Jacket]

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The Dragon Mirrors are the namesake artifact of Legend of the Dragon Mirrors, and are told to have incredible mystical powers. As the name implies, the Dragon Mirrors are not only decorated with a fierce dragon, but were created by the heavenly creatures. These mirrors appear to be aged bronze on one side, and a clear glass mirror on the other. They are roughly 3 inches (7.62 cm) in diameter. Though the bronze sides of the mirrors are somewhat aged and damaged, the glass sides is flawless and shimmers with a soft white glow. It is said if one looks into a Dragon Mirror, they can see the future.

Often the mirrors are linked to cultural stories or techniques as symbols of spirituality. Such examples are this are each mirror representing one of the gods found in Roroshkian society, Ahura and Angra, or each mirror representing the yin and yang of Taoism.

It is also said that when brought together, the Dragon Mirrors create a map that can lead to a great treasure. Other rumors claim if the mirrors are brought together, they can grant untold powers or wishes. The mirrors have been lost to time.

[Jacket]

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TRUE NAME
Shahzad Misra

PSEUDONYM/STAGE NAME
Sah (A shortening of his given name)

AGE
15

RACE
Longzarian (?)

ETHNICITY
Freisian

APPEARANCE
Sah is tall and lean, and keeps his body well wrapped in typical layered Freisian robes to try and hide his body type: awkward gangly teenager. His skin and hair is rather dark, a normal characteristic of Freisian people. He keeps his head bundled up in an elaborate cloth scarf that obscures his eyes, the other eye is brown, though is dark enough that it can appear to be just one large pupil. His jaw-length hair is extremely bristly and juts out the back of his makeshift turban like a horse's or a lion's mane. He sports stubble (Freisian men are often known for having thick bristly beards) which makes him appear more unruly and awkward. He likes to grin, and his canines are long enough that they can be seen even when his mouth is often closed.

PERSONALITY
Cocky and immature, Sah is extremely talkative and musical. He is more than eager to make his mark on the world, though it's unsure how he'll do that, with a mischievous streak and a penchant for taking anything that isn't bolted down. Despite his rather rowdy outside, Sah is extremely loyal to those he considers teammates and friends, as well as fearless. For someone who is likely 30 lbs soaking wet, he has no problem running headlong into dangerous situations.

HISTORY
Sah is rumored to be related to the royal family of Freese, due to his rather unique given name (Sahzad means 'prince') though if confronted, he'll give a shrug and pretend not to hear you. This is as far as most people get. A guard who asked Sah about his childhood was bitten on the arm. Sah is notoriously known across Longzaru for stealing objects (anything metal is his favorite) and bringing it to a hidden cache somewhere.

MARTIAL ARTS STYLE
Azi Shamshira (Traditional Freisian Martial Arts), Shariyar Discipline

TECHS
Fangs of Ahura + Personal Flair

[Silent Assassin]

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“All Heaven and Earth
Flowered white obliterate...
Snow...unceasing snow”

Dubbed "the Forgotten Land", the Holy State of Omashu is a small theocratic entity located in the Blessed Continent's northwestern region. Legend has it that when the Martial Way reached the Blessed Continent, Omashu became a powerful nation of the Arts and, while not becoming a hub for martial arts, was a well-respect community and martial arts authority in its own right. Once the Schism occurred, Omashu fell to the anti-martial religious leaders, who instituted the "Martial Reform Act of Unity", which prohibited any kind of martial thinking and action as a physical, mental, emotional, spiritual or intellectual pursuit. In fact, martial arts are still outlawed to this day, officially, though the military tends to turn a blind eye to the Arts unless one uses it to cause trouble.

Obviously, Omashu would be a conservative nation, being so religious. The priests and missionaries built it up after the war, and declared anything but their religion as being dangerous and inviting of another conflict. The religion? Shalism. Long ago, the Creator of the Heavens, Shal, made the Holy Realm, the Hellish Realm, and then Longzaru -- the world. It's said that he put the Omashites on the Blessed Continent and told them that they were his chosen, and then over the course of 100 generations, would take a human form and give them instructions they were to follow. Shalism seeps into all cultural aspects of Omashu, even bleeding into the originally agnostic indigenous culture of the region before the Schism. You will rarely find babies being had out of wedlock, nor will you hear talk of "contraception". While the ruling body is aware such things exist, promoting the populace to indulge may result in exile, or even worse...death.

Aesthetically, Omashu is a soft fusion of Japanese and Chinese culture, though with a heavier Japanese influence.