Takara Kano

Quick Look

Takara, known in the Hingashi underworld as "the Spider of Kugane," is a Hingan native who more recently has resided in La Noscea but also frequents Ul'dah and Ishgard. She possesses an otherworldly grace, vivid red eyes surrounded by silvery limbral rings, and ruby lips usually quirked into a sly smile. The au ra prefers fine silks tailored in Eastern fashion, her black and silver tresses spilling over her slender shoulders with large, natural curls. Her lithe build possesses pleasing curves often accentuated with snug silk gowns.

Takara presents a Hingan courtesy, evident in her graceful if slight bows and practiced movements, though this modesty seldom reaches her proud eyes. Her accent is still strongly Hingan, her voice quiet but possessing a natural self assurance. She often travels with an arcane staff and pouches filled with potions and crystals. Collected, confident, and perceptive, she reveals an intense interest in discussions of magic, people of power, kami, and her homeland.

Story

Takara was a crime lord over Han Kage (the Penumbral Syndicate) in the Kugane underworld for many years, being known as the "Spider of Kugane" and "that onmyoji witch," if not worse. Those in the Hingan underworld and possibly even confederates of the Ruby Sea might have heard rumors that her syndicate consisted of ruthless enforcers, drug distributors, and corrupted shinobi. Whispers speak of a cult within the syndicate that sought dark magics.She was recently driven from Kugane, relocating to La Noscea to rebuild, establishing herself as Lady Kano at the lavish Sojourn Estate in La Noscea. Rumors abound of her fall from power, ranging from an inside betrayal of a loyal underboss to ijin from Dalmasca supporting rival criminal groups so overthrew her. Whatever the cause, it succeeded in driving her out following bloody skirmishes.

Takara is the public face of an arcane order called Discarnate, which uses the Sojourn Estate as its base of operations. It serves as a haven for Discarnate's arcane studies and other surreptitious activities, also visited by those seeking to spend their wealth or secure employment. The well-protected estate has areas to entertain visitors including a bar, dining, guest rooms, and an onsen, along with a well-stocked library.

Rumors and RP Hooks

- The Spider still has many contacts in Kugane, where she once sat atop the Penumbral Syndicate, dealing in extortion, smuggling, and black market activities. Some tied her to dark cabals and forbidden magics. She has been driven out of Kugane, somewhat humbled, and forced to begin anew. Rumors are that she has gone legitimate, putting her criminal roots behind her.
- Takara maintains an extensive list of patrons and contacts who buy and sell arcane wares from her, usually of the stolen, extremely dangerous, or illegal variety, but also crafted foci, weapons, and armor. She entertains those of means to maintain her connections.
- The raen has funded treasure seekers and expeditions for generous (for her) salvage right agreements and rates some would consider predatory. Among those whom she respects or has a history of results, her funding agreements have been much more fair.
- She has visited several social hubs within La Noscea and Ul'dah as a collector or acquisitions expert, attempting to establish her social network in Eorzea.

Magic

Takara has years, possibly even decades of experience using Eastern magic, primarily Onmyojutsu (see Encyclopedia Eorzea II).Onmyojutsu is a Hingan school of magic that is similar to both thaumaturgy and divination, focusing on the elements of fire, ice, and thunder, polarizing these elements with both astral and umbral energies to maintain a balance. They often serve as priests to perform necessary rituals for the people. There are shrines, perhaps in the hundreds, devoted to the kami throughout Hingashi, many of which are tended by onmyoji.Onmyoji—those who practice Onmyojutsu—are known for conjuring restless spirits (shikigami) and binding them to golem-like servants crafted from wood or clay, though this is considered taboo and forbidden in Hingashi.Takara also learned void magic, though this is known to very few. Her interests in this school have been for the study of dark pacts/bargains made with voidsent and the effects that their blood have on mortals (see Red Mage questline, Encyclopedia Eorzea I).

OOC

- Like so many others, I separate IC from OOC and expect the same of others. Takara's antics as an occasional villain do not reflect my own values.
- Darker themes involving psychological intrigue, forced or coerced employment or servitude, and rivalry or adversaries are my favorite! While I tend to follow lore fairly closely, I think anything in the supernatural realm that is well written and doesn’t fly in the face of lore can be fun.
- I prefer paragraph RP with passable grammar. We all make typos, and I am often ridiculed by my friends for my own typos when I get excited in RP. I just hope for effort from other RPers to maintain immersion. I would describe myself as relaxed, approachable, and attentive as an RPer, even if my characters can be intense. Feel free to ask me about RP hooks, likes and dislikes, and potential plots!

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