Disciples
Yana Wyen
In General:
She is a good person, willful in her words and even more so in her actions.
In a Fight, Winning 4/10 Times:
While I knew I wasn't invincible by any means in the wilderness, sparring with people who's blades could all pierce my hide has been enlightening to say the least. Yana's blade is a particular annoyance to deal with, with various afflictions constantly and painfully whittling away at me whenever she lands a hit. That is to say nothing of the woman wielding the enormous weapon, who manages to move gracefully even while slashing her mighty armament. Though I can more than slash through her bony and bloody shields, and the fight is over whenever I land a proper grapple on her. Though by that time she's usually already hit me with enough to bring me down. Perhaps with further training I can manage to fight her on a more even playing field. Overall, I can more than see her conviction to when clashing claw to blade.
Xu
In General:
I know not what Xu lacks within his nature that makes him off-putting to my senses, nor do I care. The thing Xu doesn't lack is ambition, the man is honorable in his own way and that is all that matters.
In a Fight, Winning 1/10 Times:
It is within fighting that one gets to know one another, and even one as mysterious as Xu cannot hide his boundless will during a duel. That being said, actually fighting him is....confusing. Animals, and oft times people are straightforward in their intentions and Xu certainly isn't. It's like swatting a mosquito, it always manages to avoid your blows and yet still is there all the same. He manages to constanly outfox me until before I know it, I'm on the ground with small bruises across my body. The only thing which I can sense from him is ferocity that rivals any beast I have slain over my life. It is a weirdly comforting sensation, to compare the absolute chaos of his fighting to the ruthlessness I know all too well from animals backed into a corner.
Shi Ren
In General:
An extremely unlucky man, even by the standards of the men and women of this academy. His mind must be far stronger than mine to live such a cursed existence and still have so much hope, an admirable quality indeed.
In A Fight, Makima Plushie/10
Write the techniques damnit!
Shizi Dansheng(This'll be OOC)
In General:
Shizi's personality could be described as a combination of Baki Hanma and Mufasa. He's generally very tranquil and laid back and almost lazy most of the time, but is more than willing to and does enjoy fighting to a large extent. Shizi's speech and actions have an inherent pride to them which can be ignited into anger if he feels insulted, though it doesn't happen all that often. Whenever it does, Shizi does have a bad habit of getting carried away by his emotions and being irrational. Like most Taoists, there is an inherent wisdom and profundity to his words, and due to living in the wilds for most of his life, Shizi has been able to glean insights into the natural world and its processes that the more "civilized" members of the Open Sect simply don't have . Intellect wise, Shizi isn't stupid, and he's more than capable of deducing things based on his enhanced senses, he just isn't really book smart.
He also really wants to be accepted by other people
In a Fight:
One of the other things that Shizi has in common with Baki is an absurd kinesthetic or "battle" IQ. Along with the statistical advantages his physiology give him, his instinctual mastery over his bodies' movement and function is one of the main reasons he stands a a chance against the other members of the Open Sect in a fight that have extensive training in how to use their techniques to maximum efficiency. That being, while Shizi can certainly make good use of his strength and abilities and is constantly improving at a rapid rate, his current discipline and martial arts are nothing compared to the absolute pinpoint optimization that even Disciples possess. Shizis got a looong way to go.
Taizhou Xiu'Er
In General:
My senses usually do not fail me, but I will admit I did indeed mistake Taizhou for a woman the first time we met. Though he still mocks me for that incident, he has since become one of my personal closest companions within the academy. His obsession with literature and history, while certainly annoying, has been a great help in expanding my vocabulary and knowledge even outside of studying. Though for someone who knows so much, I do not understand why he feels the need to ask me so much about the wilderness and the outside world. A strange one indeed, but I would not have him any other way.
In a Fight, Winning 5/10 Times:
His fighting style, much like his personality is almost completely opposite to mine. While I rely upon my powerful body and will to fight through battles, Taizhou relies upon powerful outside techniques to manifest his will upon upon reality. His body is frail even compared to others, let alone mine so he must constantly send obstacles and spells my way in order to slow me down or trap me, which often works much to my shame. It often comes down to who can strike a decisive blow first, which can go in either's favor. He always comments about how my nature always makes me an "unstoppable obstacle" in all of his "stories" even if he doesn't want it to be so. Strange.
Ageratum
In General:
He is smart, but uses his intellect for all the wrong reasons. He believes himself some sort of leader, I highly doubt that. For all his bravado he wilts like a dying tree whenever I so much as look at him.
In a Fight, Winning 10/10 Times:
His battle prowess is pathetic, he's worse at martial arts than even I am. Not even worth trying to Temper my Body against.
Dong Fuai
In General:
Dong is a a good man and easy to banter with, but I don't know much outside of that due to lack of time spent with him
In a Fight, Wining 4/10 Times
Dong is what Taizhou would call a "Jack of All Trades". He isn't as strong as me, but his blows can harm me. He isn't as durable as me, but he can take several blows and be more than able to fight. He is indeed faster than me, able to dodge many of my attacks with ease. While I can bring him down, it is only with far greater effort than what he could do in order to damage me enough to effectively even the odds of our difference in strength and overwhelm me. Well played.
Saya Kurokami
In General:
Its obvious through speech and body language that she is constantly making efforts to suppress herself, I do not know why and I do not care. Otherwise she is a generally good person to talk to and make merriment with. Still, my hairs are always on end around her, like she is a beast that is just about to lash out and attack me.
In a Fight, Winning 5/10 Times:
With Saya's blade sheathed, she is quite honestly a boring person to fight as she cannot harm me nor does she seem all that willing. Though on the rare occasions she does unsheathe her blade, she is one of the best fights to have in the Open Sect. Even though she is small, her blows are just as strong as mine and twice as ferocious. Like Yana's blade, she is both able to pierce my hide and manipulate blood. Unlike Yana however, she does not put annoying curses on my person and instead heals herself in order to have more glorious battle!.....Though, coercing her into going deeper into her bloodlust for the sake of my selfish desire for battle is something I regret indeed. I hope that she gets over her curse one day.......definitely not so we can have an all out duel without any guilt afterwards.
Tain
In General:
I understand that he is a good man. I understand that he is "a genius among geniuses". I still do not understand why he lives like he does, it seems so very restrictive to have to dress and act in a certain way for preconceived virtues. Was freedom not a virtue to follow within your previous Sect?
In a Fight, Winning 1/10 Times:
As much as I do not like Tain's philosophy personally, he is indeed an incredible combatant, to the point where he can pierce my hide with his blade even without it being of any special artifice. He is opposite to Xu, his intentions clear and precise to detect. Which makes it all the more infuriating when I cannot intercept his strikes. It seems as if he can predict my every move before I make it without even trying. Mark my words, I will beat you one of these days Tain, one of these days....
Zhimin
In General:
First of the living swords who attend the Open Sect. Zhimin's mannerisms and lifestyle admittedly to appeal to the more....slothful...aspects of my being(Shizi is still part cat). Though I cannot imagine willingly giving up your freedom to someone else, though with how hedonistic she is I'm still not entirely sure if her wanting to be "wielded" is a euphemism or not.
I'm no swordsman, but if I have to, I'm sure I can get over my aversion and associate her enough with my claws to be able to use in her in battle If I absolutely have to. Don't ever tell her this.
In a Fight, Winning 9/10 Times:
Whenever we clash, I understand slightly more why she wishes to be wielded. She is more than capable of piercing my hide, yet is often unable to due to a lack of strength and conviction. I feel any that any of the swordsmen and women here would make her a truly fearsome opponent, but on her own she is not enough. However sentient, a weapon is only as good as its wielder, and is no good if there isn't one.
Gale
In General:
Never have I seen such a creature so very in tune with itself in all of my days. Not the grazing antelope, nor the swimming salmon, nor the gliding albatross are themselves as much Gale of the clouds. Its a shame he is afraid of me, I would've liked to discuss the state of the natural world with him. I cannot exactly blame him. My appearance and mannerisms are.....disconcerting.
In a Fight, Winning 3/10 Times:
His fighting style is much liek Xu's, fluttery yet impactful. Unlike Xu's, instead of relying on unpredictability it relies upon sheer freedom of movement to outdo his opponent, something that I will admit works quite well against me even with my honed senses. He also lacks power compared to Xu, with him taking far more blows to bring me down and thus give me opportunities to end the fight in one grapple. Though whenever I do win, I swear I can smell a storm brewing.
Alkaios
In General
He is a foreigner, yet I feel like I know him somehow. I can understand him perfectly whenever he talks in his native tongue, and the aura he emits is feels akin to the strange feeling of overwhelming pride and might I feel whenever I cultivate my Soul. Though even besides that he is a great man to talk to and banter with.
Φαίνεται λοιπόν ότι και οι εχθροί μου είναι ξύπνιοι. Ίσως κάνω συμμάχους από αυτούς αυτή τη φορά.
In a Fight, Winning 5/10 Times.
He is a formidable and worthy opponent, more than able to trade blows and deal them back. His foreign power clashes with mine more than any others, and makes for a wonderful spar whenever we do enter combat with one another. He is strong enough that his spear pierces my hide with his prowess alone, yet unlike Tain it does not bother me such as I can more than fight back.
A tale as old as time. The Unbreakable Shield and the Unstoppable Spear, A Demigod of Strength and the Nemean Lion. If you would like I would be more than willing to make Alkaios into a Fated Rival.
Hongxing
In General:
Another living sword that attends the Open Sect. Hongxing is as greedy as Zhimin is lazy, possessively hoarding anything that she deems of value, whether it be precious materials, her wielders, or even any praise that she manages to get. I can empathize. A facade of pride and pointless personality traits to make connections with seem insignificant in order to hide how much you desperately want and need it because it is something you never got.
Between the two, I would more so like to have the dragon by my side. At least she would have one friend if I did indeed become her wielder. Again, don't ever tell her this, and never tell Zhimin.
In a Fight, Winning 7/10 Times:
Unlike Zhimin, Hongxing can more than function on her own with her will and ferocity, and is more than willing to burn that fact into your skin if you aren't guarding against her flames and slashes. Still, she does lack a fundamental...."wholeness" that would be solved by a wielder.
Zheng Hao
In General:
Zheng is fiercely determined to be one with the elements, yet he is calm all the same. I cannot understand his lifestyle, nature is cruel beyond measure to all, and mercy is a word this world has never known......perhaps someday that word will be known, and will be because of a stone monk from the Open Sect.
In a Fight, Pacifist/10
Zhou Yun:
In General:
Zhou is arrogant beyond belief, claiming it is he and he that will reach the pinnacle of Sword Cultivation. Though unlike Ageratum, he is able to at least somewhat back this up with.....anything resembling actual ability. Though I will say that his immediate declaration of superiority to Tain and what followed is one of my best memories since coming here.
In a Fight, Winning 3/10 Times
Zhou can somewhat back up his constant bragging. I am more than able to score some hits upon him, but its an uphill battle. Even while his Intimidation Qi has practically no effect on me and if anything it serves to make me more willing to fight, his ability to detect and go again weakness surpasses that of even Tain, slashing me as if my hide were the skin of a pig. If I manage to grapple him fully and disable his sword swinging, he's quite useless in a fight in hand-hand.
Yue
In General:
Yue joyful bundle of contradictions. A fighting buddhist, A young woman who speaks as if she was old, and a woman concerned with her looks who decides to go deep into the wilderness for education. That being said, she's still quite fun to talk to, always wanting to go on some new venture or other for the sake of freedom.
In a Fight, Winning 8/10 Times:
Yue has everything she needs to take me down handily, yet lacks the focus and conviction to truly utilize her abilities to the fullest. She goes on about freedom and has the tools to break her chains and then some, why does she not use them to their fullest potential?
Tora
In General:
Ah, it is as if I am looking upon a mirror that reflects yourself as the opposite gender. I don't doubt that exists somewhere, and if It did it would show someone exactly like her in that reflection.
In a Fight, Winning 5/10 Times:
One of the few people I can an honorable all-out glorious brawl with! Every blow is with fearless conviction and every motion with ferocity! Fighting her will never get old I tell you.
Elders
Yewan
Yewan is the venerable head of this Sect, and graciously accepted me into his ranks, regardless of any prior assumptions. For that, he has my eternal respect and admiration. I only hope that I do not disappoint him.
Zao Zhen
It really puts into perspective how different we Taoists are from the rest of the people within this world when one is teaching you how to comprehend a civilization you've never interacted with. I thank her for helping me ingratiate myself into this world with her teachings.
Yue Quanli
She is the one who taught me how to properly cultivate my Mind, Body, and Soul, even with my unique circumstances she was able to help me on the path to my Tao, and for that she has my upmost gratitude.
Ancestors
Wen Wanroe
I've personally never been near her supposed "empire", and from what I've heard I never will unless it is to destroy it.