About Suryi ZhenStatistics:
Male Tian-Shu Human Samurai (Sword Saint) 1 (Ultimate Combat & Dragon Empires Primer)
LE Medium Humanoid (Human) Init +2; Senses Perception +5 ------------------------------ DEFENSE ------------------------------ AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +1 dex) hp 13 Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +2 ------------------------------ OFFENSE ------------------------------ Speed 20 ft. Melee Katana +5(1d8+6/18-20) or Wakizashi +5(1d6+4/18-20) Ranged Shortbow +2(1d6/x3)
*ACP applies to these skills
Special Abilities:
------------------------------ SPECIAL ABILITIES ------------------------------ Iaijutsu Strike Challenge 1/day Resolve 1/day Order(Ronin) Edicts: I will never surrender unless the action would lead to a certain victory through trickery - I will never give up my weapons in defeat. I will follow the orders of Lux, whom I am indebted to. If she begins to work to undermine me or eliminate me, I am allowed to ignore this edict. I will pursue the path of the blade - not through training, but through trials of war and blood. Gear/Possessions:
------------------------------ GEAR/POSSESSIONS ------------------------------ Katana, Wakizashi, Hide Armor, Shortbow, 20 arrows, a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, an iron pot, a mess kit, rope, soap, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin. (Ultimate Equipment) Carrying Capacity Light 0-100 lb. Medium 101-200 lb. Heavy 201-300 lb. Current Load Carried 67 lb. Money 35 GP 0 SP 0 CP
Background:
Zhen was born near the northern border of Lingshen, a few miles from the hobgoblin empire of Kaoling. He was a farmer’s son, subsisting on meager crops that were taxed by the empire. In order to quell his family’s monetary worries, Zhen joined the military, sending his pay back to his family. Zhen was fortunate to be stationed at a fort not far from home: he was one of many to defend the border against Kaoling. The days were long, but Zhen devoted himself in hopes to being promoted, as it would mean more pay to send home. It had been a cold night when Zhen noticed lights on the horizon, dancing just in sight. A hobgoblin regiment! Zhen raised the alarm, and the soldiers made their way for defense. What they lacked in experience they had made up for with training - or so they thought. The hobgoblins swiftly dove upon the barricades, smashing them to pieces. They continued to the front gate, smashing through it with their hefty battering rams. The hobgoblins poured into the fort, forcing the soldiers into hand-to-hand combat. While many hobgoblins were slain, they outnumbered the militia heavily. Wounds began to pile up, until only a few dozen warriors were left. The commander of the soldiers asked for a surrender, to which the hobgoblins accepted. The remaining soldiers were disarmed and put in chains. The soldiers joined with the other slaves from the raid, the rest being villagers and wanderers who had unfortunately stumbled across the hobgoblin army. The hobgoblins saw fit to break in their slaves before selling them, putting them under malicious tortures that were equally for the evil creature’s pleasure. Zhen resisted - leading to more wounds than any of the other slaves, to the point many hobgoblins began to worry he would die before he was sold. The matter was settled when one of the hobgoblin commanders, a male by the name of Meki, decided to buy him. Zhen refused to obey him, as he did all others, to which Meki only smiled. Reaching down, he plucked Zhen’s eye out with his bare hands, ripping it from its socket. After his bleeding had stopped, Zhen became subservient. He did as Meki wished, carrying his belongings and fulfilling the role of victim to whatever cruel methods of torture Meki wanted to experiment with. The army moved back into the center of Kaoling, hoping to bring back their spoils to their capitol. The journey was long, between the broken and unpaved lands of Kaoling, as well as the difficulties of moving the entire army. Meki grew more confident in giving Zhen more freedom, believing the man had no power to nor dreams of escape. And that it would have remained, had Zhen not kept his will. He began to look upon the other slaves with contempt, for he thought none had suffered as he had. He looked upon his hobgoblin superiors with nothing but blunt hatred, masked by his fear. For Meki, he wanted no less for the hobgoblin to go through everything he had - for eternity. Such feelings drew the attention of a demon known as Lux, who appeared to Zhen in the night. While she was indeed beautiful, Zhen kept most of his wits - although he did stop to stare at times. Lux offered a bargain: Zhen would follow any orders she would give him, and in return, Meki would die by his hand before the next dusk. Zhen agreed, vowing in his heart to serve Lux forever afterwards, if only for this one revenge. When morning came, it seemed nothing had changed. Meki acted as he usually did, gruff and commanding, always eager to hit Zhen whenever he acted only slightly out of line. He ordered the army to continue marching along with the slaves, to which they complied. When the sun began to make its fall from its apex, Zhen cursed the succubus as a liar. Meki began to act unusual at that point. He seemed as if in a dream, his eyes glazed over. Only Zhen noticed, the other slaves too used to avoiding his gaze, and the other hobgoblins having a powerful trust in the strength of their leader. Meki then ordered the army to pause, stating he would move on ahead, to ensure they were on the correct way to the city. He instructed Zhen to move with him, but no others. Zhen regarded this with confusion, knowing Meki to be a careful man. Even if he was overconfident in being able to control Zhen, he would always keep a guard with him. As the army vanished from sight, Meki paused, using a map and compass to scour the area for landmarks. Curiously, he placed his blade on the ground, sheath and all, and turned his back to Zhen. As Zhen saw the sun beginning to sink under the mountains, he recognized the event for what it was, a curious bit of magic. Zhen grabbed the sword subtly, placing the sheath at his hip. In a swift motion, he sliced at Meki’s neck. There seemed to be a pause, partly due to Zhen’s disbelief at completing the act. Crimson liquid began to sputter from the wound, giving proof of his success, which began to falter as Meki sank to the ground, still. Zhen shuddered, though whether through delight, fear, or anger he did not know. One thing was clear, however. Lux had struck her end of the bargain. And why not? He had deserved it, he realized. While others had given up, he succeeded. He had only one goal, and had fulfilled it. He was, at last, superior. Zhen managed to escape, taking only the katana, map, and compass with him. He could move faster than the army, especially in their confusion without a commander. The next week was rough, Zhen without supplies, but he eventually made his way across the border once more. But it was a different sensation of home then when he had left. Now it was a country of cowards, weaker than him for not having experience the horrors he had. Lux stayed in contact with Zhen, but never in person, only through his mind. Zhen preferred this method, for it kept her out of his daily affairs. She told him he was required to move to a nation known as Taldor, far from Lingshen. Zhen wished to refuse - but it occurred to him he had already fulfilled his goal in Tian Xia, and anywhere else in the world fit him fine. In fact, he had found the moment he had killed Meki exhilarating - the moment to which he had slain one who believed he was above all. With this in mind, Zhen made his long journey, posing himself as a mercenary to find some business to complete it. Perhaps, at his destination, he could find another like Meki, who he could pull down from his horse, and be the conquerer once again.
Appearance and Personality:
Zhen is a long haired Tian-Shu, his most striking feature being an eyepatch that covers his left eye. A katana sits by his hip, an ornamental tusk attached to it. He is clean shaven and bears a serious look on his face. His posture is upright and commanding, complimented by his lean muscles. His arms and body are covered in scars, spaced in severity, formed from the cracks of a whip. One would guess from Zhen’s appearance that he is a stoic, from his calm and judging demeanor coupled with his serious look. However, Zhen is a man of infinite arrogance, believing himself to be destined for some kind of greatness, something he deserves for his cruel beginnings. His own opinion of being of a higher person brings himself to unconsciously belittle others, ignoring their attitudes and emotions. Zhen refuses to bow down to anybody that does not help him - though he is willing to play the role for some time if it means he gains a chance to strike his foes where it hurts. He understands pride can be broken: it is only whose breaks first that matters in a contest. From this, Zhen keeps a sense of honor, if only to retain a sense of pride in his morality.
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