Spoilers: (Highlight to reveal)
ZHAO

Name: Zhao
Sex: in this manifestation Zhao’s actually a feminine aspect, thus female.
Age: can not be defined, according to Kurodai, Zhao can predate the known universe.
Height: astonishing 8’ 1â€? as his humanoid sttructure is known, as the Scourge 8’ 8â€?!
Weight: more massive than almost anyone known save for Shokan. 340, as Scourge 365 lbs!
Birthplace: the craddle of the universe, Zhao is pure above anything else alive or dead.
Alignment: yet to be reconstructed, but Zhao’s state we cannot speak about alignment.
Fighting style: Fist of Five Ancestors, Yau Kung Mun, Moon Halberd

Character primary oufit:

The head: Zhao wears a chinese rice hervesters hat, carefully painted with an opaque white, silverish liquid what looks resilient to the suns burning rays. A black leather stripe is strapped on her head to keep it quite stable, and to maintain the ironed inside of the headwear to provide the given protection against blows. Her head is inside a white, slightly golden silk cloth what has only an opening infront of the face. The face is hid behind a translucent veil, only the thick black hair is visible what is dangling down to the legs as a horse’s mane.

The torso: Zhao bears a white kimono of somesorts, however the shoulders are protected by two seemingly thin, but underclothed with leather and silk. Theese metal shoulderplates are curved downward at the edge, for practical methods, and are completely unornamented and silverish. A dark red and black cloth brigandine cobvers most of her torso, the breasts and her stomach, leaving only the neck and the areas slightly downward open. This black-red armored coat is comprised of small units covered with leathers and small metal spikes. The real protection is hid between the kimono and the coat-of-arms, the chainmail what fits perfectly on the curved and tall body shakes almost silently. It’s dyed in shiny red.

A small rucksack on her back is visible. To the disillusioning effect, this holds several skulls of unknown origin. One can only wonder how theese clean and shiny skulls play a role in her costume, but they do. They most definitely do…

The arm/hand: Zhao’s arms are covered by wooden and metal units of plate armor, carefully attached to the upper and lower parts of the arms, and the outer side of the hands. Both of theese wooden coverages have insignias painted on them. They are truly quite resilient and tight, the hands are outfitted with chain gloves and puncture nails for the punch.

The leg/feet: Zhao’s appendages, much like both of her arms are covered by tight plate armor, only her legs are covered by the lowest dangling parts of the brigandine as extra defense. The legs, especially the legs are more tightened, as no free clothing is visible, are protected against critical blows and the plates are all spiked with longer metal heads than on the arms. The feet are curiously are not covered. When Zhao appears, she is usually barefeet.

The face: unusually, Zhao only speaks a few words. Therefore much of her mouth is closed and only when she fihts are they used for anything, mostly exhalation of air. The mouth is so degraded, that Zhao’s sound structure is consistant of chambering sounds, echoing and resonating. However those who are aware of the slight vibration of the magical energies aro-und, know that there is something wrong. Zhao’s skin is pale, but humanish and alive. Only with strong light, can we observe the slight bluish shine of her flawless and simetric face, what is only imperfect becouse of the two diagonal and one vertical slice on her forehead.

Character secondary oufit:
-coming soon-

Character stage: The Sanctuary

Zhao’s level is nothing but an underground cave system in which she dwells most of the time. It is dimly lit by the openings far above the other channels, and the many candles that provide a dim and murky clouding inside. The arena in the center is completely unobstructed, covered in small stones, and rubble of exhausted skeletal remains of battles lonf past. Chalklike dust is poured around to signal the edges of a once used battleground. Various flora covers most of the walls in this smokey and deep sanctuary, flowers bloom in dusty and faded colors.

The arena itself is clouded on the dround, movement is hard becouse of the large amount of debris spilled across the floor. Running is seemingly-slightly impossible, but with suprisingly easy efforts one can get used to the rubbish. Everything is dark, except for the rays of light sweeping through the grounds from above. Huge statues watch over the ground from all four directions, and between them downward streaming hot magmatic waters slowly fall down from their open cracks inide the walls high above. Each of them is lethal to be used against the opponent. The showering fluids are not only sulphurous and posioning, but burn flesh away almost instantly. The statues comment such dexterity wih rewarding sarcasm, since they are silently observant.

The central point holds a pedestal what holds a sword of great age. A thick straight blade, covered in black paint, only bent slightly at the end of the blade into a smaller hook bending inside to the back of the sword. This weapon has been used by many great warriors, none of them managed to get it out of the lair though. The Fleshcarver remains unclaimed.

The edge of the caverns lead into various conjuctions of caverns canals, where blood-stained dirty water pours between the feet of the characters, and the grim darkness grew even more unpenetrable. Essentially, everyone fights here blindfolded. Sometimes, there is something in the darkness moving, almost undetected. The caves are stricktly narrow, and very little space is left for the actual combat and weapons. Then again, for most of the part, there never was a real combat. Zhao slaughters most of the daring souls here.

Theese caverns have one oportunity for the weak though. The narrow tunnels prove only so much space for combat, but the occasional swirling netherish air makes each blow weaker. The draining powers of this accursed place of a paradise are twisted, so time can be bought with a good sense for tactics.

Tw tunnels lead upwards on a “balconyâ€? of somesorts above the arena. Essentially this rock is leaning over the arena and is decorated richly. However the abnormally adaptive nature has made itself at home here and most of the glyphs and things are overgrown. Ancient statues hold watch from all four angles over the arena. Each of them are holding the chains that swing around the arena below. However several chains what are only hanging around the outcrop-ping can be used as grappling to avoid the free fall and the dangerous central point. Should they be tossed down, they are almost definitely destined to fall on Fleshcarvers cursed edge.

If not, the pedestals four large legs what are srouting from the construction itself upward will make short work of anyone through impalement through the torso. There is no escape once someone’s lungs and organs are pierced by the thick wooden spears what they are.

Also, the constant danger is Zhao’s protectorate, the god known as Kurodai, who amused by the battles wanders around the arena, cleaving anyone into two pieces with his trusted Odachi.

Character s special moves:

ENTROPIC FLARE: one of the basic spell attacks of Zhao. Her leaning stance instantly gives the warning of only a milisecond of impending danger. A fast, vividly glowing, thundering flame sprouts out of her blowing mouth from behind the veil. The wisting and swirling breach of the natural world takes such powers uneasy, as its screeching volume breaks the ears and minds of those unprepared. A couple of theese entropic spells will take out any opposition, most of the time six or seven will eradicate anyone. Its damage is potent, however the range is only medium, and it can be evaded if attention is given. Also, it is not a projectile attack but retracts fast from its casting stance. Once hit, however, the flame-like dazzling swirl will then embalm the opponent and send it staggering behind, cousing damage all the time.

Casting speed: fast
Duration: 1,5 sec.
Damage: moderate

GRINDER IMPLOSION: horrific to behold, Zhao’s powers literally crush her opponents into themselves. With a grasp, or a slight weave of her hand, she commences a power that is hard to resist, only with instant musclework, for once the muscles are left relaxed, the powers grasp at the bones and bend them out of shape temporarily. To cause anguish, they return the bones to their places shortly after, leaving the victim battle erady but dizzy. One of her dreadful abilities what makes Zhao so convincing.

Casting speed: moderate
Duration: 2 sec. but both player are occupied during it’s scenery
Damage: high

AMATERASU FIREWHEEL: despite the tricky sight of a “Yâ€? shaped flaming wheel thrown out from Zhaos praying-like hands, this attack can cost someones life if they undervalue the small projectile’s purpose. Damaging, true, however Amaterasu, goddess of the Sun and its warm rays lends much assistance trough this conjuration. Wessentially the intensive desolati-on distracts and weakens the opponent enough to slow him for a consecutive 5 seconds. And as we know, combined with the modetrate damage and with this ability, Zhao’s projectiles are to be reckoned with.

Casting speed: fastest
Duration: instant / 5 seconds
Damage: low

SCOURGE: once commenced, Zhao’s fine body will fall on the floor and silently begin its agonizing transformation to her pre-birth form. A creature of hideous proportions, augmented for perfection of combat. Zhao takes upon the form of a huge humaoid arachnid with many limbs. As she twists on the floor her feet are portuded by huge claw-like apendages, and her flesh peels away from her torso and face, as she take’s upon form. Black skin and an almost invisible exoskeleton shapes around her body, while leaving the limbs in their pale color, vut elongated by the bending bones. A pair of arms form out of her shoulders, leaving there two pairs of forearms. Only then do they completely fall from the shoulders and take upon their shokanesque look. Huge clawing bones portrude from her back, as grotesque pair of hind legs are formed, however as they seem secondary to the frontal legs, they are quite powerfull and necessary for her speedy movement.

As the Scourge, Zhao is quite vicious, and completely unpredictabgle. Her martial arts finesse is degraded, but with the extra limbs she replaces the gap with unusual and instinctive destruction. However, as the dementing chaos that rules her form, she cannot use any of her abilities as a spellcaster, and most rationalize everything. No animalistic rage, or hellish and demonic fury, the Scourge is a vicious tactician of cold heart. The smirk on her overgrown and energy-salivating smile tells all. Why does Zhao then use this form?
As a child of times unknown even to most of the gods, Zhao’s body, mind, spirit and soul is completely invulnerable to the machinations of sorcerers and gods, even the elders can only oppose him directly, as noone has authority over her. In this transcended state, her immunity gains completion, and no special moves, power or fate can harm or restrictively controll her. As a fact, Zhao becomes completely impervious to any kind of harm unless received via true combat. Not even the end of the world would phase her in such state, however most likely it would completely shatter her as it almost did a while ago.

If she wishes to retract her warform, Zhao can immobilize herself into a fully opened stance vulnerable to attack, but can always shapechange back into her truer human-self. However the damage she might take is something that has to be calculated before. Even if Zhao holds no extra strenght or massive speed within this power, she is mostly feared as a shokan who are superbly matchign Zhao in close combat. However, there is stil a shokan to match her skills in tackling as Zhao has only won and preyed upon the four armed dragon race.

Character s finishing moves:

FATALITY 1: Denial of the Existent: The entropic powers that overwhelm Zhao can be put to no small use. Her mere thought of the buried rational minds shards that lie in her can make an opponent reduced to ash, or nothing. Let alone to combat, the fatal outcome is uncontested by anything previously known: Zhao if she is willing, can erase the past, the present and the future of a character!

Engulfing the opponent in the vibrating gold-black radiation that thunders through the victim, the aura begins to melt into the body, shaking the corporal form violently, while several small explosions prtrude through the victims skin, resulting in a bloody fountain of a once proud creature. No scream is heard, as the lower jaw dislocates itself into the skull, and the head suddenly turns around breaking the neck. With this done, Zhao allows the opponents corpse to dissipate into nothing, fading out of the world.

FATALITY 2: Grinder exploration: Zhao takes upon her Scourge form if not already wearing her primordial figure. The upper arms tenderly grab the shoulders and raise it within an iron grasp, only letting the opponent cry out in agony, when the pointy legs pierce through the feet into the floor.

Slowly examining the possibilities Zhao begins to rip through the flesh and pull several bones out of the body, flaying the opponent during her increasing the tempo of slashing through the corpus. Zhao’s opopnent is still alive when she decides to extract the sinews and melt into the corpse body that she inhabits. The opponent is robbed of all her vital blood and marrow, as Zhao drains essential parts of him/her inside her decrepit but lively body. When she is done, she releases her legs which hold the victim in place awhile and drops the lifeless body while humming a laugh with her sewed-shut mouth.

HARA KIRI 1: Zhao’s fatality on herself is nothing extraordinary since she already condem-ned herself to renew in a previous time. She let’s her own entropic powers overtake, glows in a brimming aura of golden black flare, and then dissipates into the nothing with her voice.

HARA KIRI 2: truly shocking, Zhao’ if she’s taken upon Scourge formation, can let those out whom she digested previously. Under her sking and lively surface, hundreds of souls moan for freedom as they are trying to escape the inevitable, and refuse oblivion. Zhao tears through her stomach with her claws, and before she can open her ruptured body, she errupts in a violent bloody massacre, as the shiny, abominable skeletal structure blows the flesh apart and dissipates the souls that she vomited up into charred dust. Zhao is no more for the time of being.

Prologue:

The universe is based on lies. It is a lie to believe that permanence exists solely to confort the tinkling gods wishes of survival. Everything is set to decay, and be forgotten inside the world, but if a mere memory is enough to recall a being of eons past into the living world, than there is certainly a reason for us to be afraid of. Afraid of what we might not know, or rather say:

…of what we may know…

the One Being is not a personal, concious structure, though once it accidentally took upon an individual form, and as a result, the elder gods, offspring of the creation before the creation and even before that, shattered it to give birth to a coplete multiverse. Little did they know, that the universe has continued to compress the shattered pieces of its former knowledge and empathy. Shattering the One was necessary, since it has fed off from the Elder Gods as you now call them. The Elder Gods took no liking to the fact that the One Being in its latest sole incarnation decided to do so.

The Kamidogu was used, and thus the previous world, unlike the existence of what we experience as an illusion here, was broken. A constant of endless pandemonic, free energy as a constant was given halt, and a different kind of life died on that very instant. Almost all, save for one…

It was called by many names -since such things as genders, or names, or anything you can try to rationalise was simply unnecessary at the time- has reached a point of complete concious-ness and awareness. Not omnipotent though its kind was not far from it. He deided that since time was to be recreated, let’s call her a she, would live through the cataclysm. On that very instant, the least advanced but most aware one, daughter of entropy warped the chaos, and enbedded herself as a strain of lingering energy into the future. It was not power, it was not foresight that she targeted this outcome, the one existant reality of the shattered Sleeping One, it was not other than: pure accidental luck.

She decided she would not want to end as the other who also tried several means of escape from the coming doom, and the Free Ones of the timeless age have came through. Or one, it is irrelevant. Like us, they also basked in power, and contested each other for the total freedom of their utopistic existence. And theese creatures of unkown are abhorrent for the elder gods, who have lived through the recreation by their own power.

Do we fear them? Yes they do, me for myself, I found it quite beautyfull how the fate what is otherwise a fool’s illusion of justification could imprison the essence of this creature what others may call abominable into the perfectly devised shape of harmony and dazzling charm. Such charm is only found in my work, and even that palmost ales in comparison to this creation of flesh augmented to perfect survival. I, Kurodai, God of Weapon shall undertake the task to tutor this childe, and outfit her properly in the fashion so that its dazzling presence would be complete. I shall make this beauty the grand weapon of undoing, unmatched and unparalelled.

-

Beware, for all who may feel confortable, horrific truths are lingering about. We do not speak them, just remember them from tales of old at our old and fatal risk. Knowing them is certain doom, or worse. I have fallen prey to bearing witness both theese…events that take place in time, in here and in our heads.

I havegrown feeble, but strong for I am an apocryph, sealed in an everwander speel that binds me to tell and travel. But to my unfortune, I have experienced the worst: the crumbling throne of the elder gods, the warmonging demigods of the Outworld, the raging wars, all for what? Nothing is permanent, not even eternity. We are trapped inside a huge psyche that we are a tiny part, serving our duty in the wheel of destiny. A wheel that is spinning around, in a cycle that repeats the total destruction of itself.

And only it could break the cycle, but it’s cost was the ones own self.

I am weak and dying. I shall carry the weight of my soul into the depths. For by not telling the tale I have learned I have forsaken my wow to spread the knowledge, but I fear, what I know may drive others insane as well. For even spelling the name of the very evil outsider power can doom what we know and hold dear. I fear to speak it, but the urge grows greater with eve-ry little thought. I shall soon call upon thee, and may the powers that let this happen have mercy upon my remnants.

I fear. I fear her.

-

Recall. Can not. Remember. Back. Disappear. Shape. Truth. End. Prevent. Spell. Die. Laugh. Stun. Again. Know. To know. Not. Power. Learn. None. Be. May happen. Cover. Transist. What’s this? It. Confortable. End? No. New. Thought. Experince. Sane. Conciousness.

Spoilers: (Highlight to reveal)
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