Sonic Aftermath

Name: Lynx

Age: 125

Species: Kitsune

Gender: Male

Appearance: Lynx is the kind of person who doesn’t mind what he looks like so long as he isn’t a mess. A simple look at his hair will give this away, his style usually being a styled mess. His fur has a habit of not lying flat anyway so the odd tuft of hair sticking up is not an uncommon sight. In terms of colour Lynx is a mix of white and icy blue. The tips of his ears are the only exception, those being black in colour, and his eyes which are an emerald green colour. Being a kitsune he is also gifted with nine tails.

Lynx tends to keep his clothing simple too. He tends to always wear a black jacket over some kind of pale coloured T-shirt and cargo pants.

Personality: Lynx is a quiet individual who enjoys nothing else but a simple life. He hates confrontations and prefers to be alone with his music. He can be surprisingly sensitive and caring, often finding himself the 'shoulder to cry on' when others are in trouble or upset. He doesn't so much mind this, even if he can't give advice he take pride in the fact that he is at least giving comfort.

His anger is an interesting thing. He doesn't tend to get angry at specific things and can go for months without even raising his voice. Then suddenly he'll 'get up on the wrong side of the bed' and every little annoyance will cause him to fly into a rage. At times like this it is often some deeper problem that is causing him issues and he projects this outwards at objects and people.

This said he hates being angry, especially with people. He might grumble about things but full blown anger causes him to loose his appetite and makes him feel sick. This is part of the reason he prefer a quiet life. One thing that does ruffle his fur, so to speak, is injustice and backstabbing. Due to the events of his own past he hates to see others punished for things they didn't do or be treated in a way he feels doesn't fit the situation. He can often loose his temper at these points and rushes into situations without thinking about them.

Lynx also has a few fears. The first is heights, or more so the feeling of insecurity. Whilst he might feel fine climbing a fixed ladder up the side of a building he would freeze if made to climb a swinging rope. He also hates fire in any form and will readily avoid it even if it causes him inconvenience elsewhere. Even being in the same room as it causes him discomfort.

Faction: Freedom Fighters

Alignment: Neutral

Family:
Mother: Amber
Father: Shiro

Weapon: Twin Crystal Short Swords – These swords are formed by freezing the moisture in the air into a physical form. As such Lynx doesn't have to carry them around with him but he can't perform a quick draw as he needs to form them before he can use them. The swords themselves are about two foot long each and once formed have the strength of crystal or diamond. If exposed to fire for a period of time though the magic forming them begins to break down and they are at risk or breaking.

Transport: Lynx has no transport of his own however he can form bridges and paths out of ice in order to travel to places others can't. He can also walk on water by freezing it beneath his feet as he walks.

Background: The kitsune race; a civilisation steeped in culture, knowledge and war. On their own world they are counted second only to the gods themselves and hold the keys to the world. Their true origins are unknown but their history stretches back tens of thousands of years. Many have speculated that they have always been there and that they were the first and true race created on the planet.

The kitsune race has long been held in high regard for many things. They are accomplished architects and singer; talented painters and writers. Not only this but they are revered thinkers and are often called upon to settle disputes or offer advice. This peaceful side is balanced equally by their abilities in war. Over their entire history the kitsune civilisation has only gone to war on three occasions but stories are still told of their deeds. They are powerful individuals; wielding blade, bow and fist with equal talent. All kitsunes are magically talented too giving them yet another tool to call upon.

They live on the Isle of Mistinia, a isolated and secretive place located in the Southern Seas of their world of Kalisto. It is surrounded by high cliffs and fierce seas that few ships have managed to conquer. High above the violent sea the grand city of Pheelanti resides. It is here that the entire kitsune civilisation lives and works. The streets and buildings are made of marble or carved directly into the volcanic rock of the island itself. There is only one entrance reached by a long and twisting route up the sea cliffs and ending in a set of ornately carved iron and wood gates. Few have visited the city but those that have pass on tales of the great sights beyond the sea gates.

Kitsunes themselves have much in common with the average fox. They look very similar although appear a lot more elegant and thinner. One major difference difference is their eye colour. This is normally an extreme shade such as magenta, cyan or sunburst yellow. Kitsunes also live a great deal longer than any other species. It is not unknown for kitsunes to live upwards of eight hundred years and the oldest recorded age was nearly double this.

Because of this extended age the birth rate is proportionally smaller than other species. It is not uncommon for decades to go by without a single birth. This is also due to the strict rules that govern the kitsune civilisation known as the Tomb of Celene. This ancient manuscript has been with the kitsunes since their recorded history began and none of them known where it actually came from or who wrote it. Nevertheless it is followed strictly and has served them well for many years.

Lynx himself was born to parents Amber and Shiro after seven decades of love between the pair. Kitsune pregnancies last between three and seven years depending on the strength of the relationship between the mother and father and the cleansing of the mother herself. For five years Amber devoted herself to performing the rituals laid out in the Tomb of Celene. She ate simply, consisting on foods such as plain rice and spring water. She slept alone in a state known as the 'Waking Dream'. A form of meditation and spiritual vision that allowed the mother to transcend time and picture her child at intervals in the future. Depending on the vision received she could begin to plan for the needs of her child.

Meanwhile Shiro was forbidden to speak or see his partner until the moment of birth approached. It was then that they both entered the ritual together. Isolated from the rest of their kind, mother and father took care of the birth themselves. It was several weeks later when the pair finally emerged but with them was a healthy baby boy, Lynx. As births were few and far between the success was a cause for celebration. Feasts were held long into the night and Shiro and Amber were finally given permission to marry.

Over the next few decades Lynx slowly grew. He took lessons in a variety of subjects, apprenticed with various skills and learned the rougher aspects of combat. Due to the age to which kitsunes live it was not uncommon for them to spend years simply studying and this is what Lynx did. He was forty three before the next phase of his life took over.

When kitsunes finally reach the age of puberty, a length of time known as the 'Ebbing', they begin to undergo a change that finally sees them take up the appearance of their kin. They begin to grow tails. Until the Ebbing begins kitsunes have only one tail and experience no magical talents or real skills. As the Ebbing begins their bodies begin to react to the natural magical ambience in the air and change accordingly. There is no set time limit before this happens but Lynx was a fairly early developer in kitsune terms.

Still the Ebbing is not a pleasant time and can cause great discomfort. Lynx himself was nearly paralysed as it began, his body seizing up as it began to react to the magic in the atmosphere. His parents were quickly granted permission to enter the Shrine of Ages, a series of natural catacombs cut into the rock the city was built on. Inside they left Lynx and, after uttering pleads and wishes to the gods, departed without him.

The Shrine of Ages was reported to be a conduit to the heavens. A place where the gods themselves could walk in the mortal world freely. Of course this was simply superstition but tradition had stopped any further research from being carried out. In truth the catacombs were the home of ethereal spirits that used other being to survive; a kind of symbiotic relationship. By joining the spirits lived in the kitsunes subconscious, guiding them without their knowing and absorbing the magical energies that would otherwise kill them. In return the kitsunes gained a greater understanding of the world and the ability to tap into the creatures powers to control the magic it was absorbing.

Of course this merging was not as simple as that and the kitsune had to be properly prepared for the ritual. This was laid out in the Tomb of Celene. They had to be cleansed and were not permitted to eat for several days before. Then their fur was marked with a series of special crests and symbols that allowed the merging to take place. The symbols were always the same and copied exactly from the Tomb of Celene.

When Lynx emerged from the catacombs many months later he was greeted by his parents and several of the cities eldars. He was welcomed back and greeted with love and affection. The merging had been a success and with every passing day Lynx began to grow stronger and stronger. By the time he was 100 he was already a skilled artisan in his chosen field of music and was performing well in his studies of sword katas.

Lynx's problems didn't start to show their nature until his 109th birthday. He began to suffer from hallucinations and blackouts. They came without warning and almost crippled his body when they started. Strangely though the events that Lynx witnessed during these moments came true in some form or another. It didn't take long for others to work out what was happening, foresight.

It was a rare and unknown talent but it was one that had been experienced by a limited few over the history of the kitsune civilisation. His parents were amazed it was happening to their son but Lynx regarded it with resentment and anger. He had no wish to know the future; he simply wished to live his life how he desired.

There were also others who shared his resentment. Lynx had already proven himself more than capable at matching the skills of kitsunes twice his age and the added gifts he was now beginning to show was enough to cause the roots of his downfall to take place; jealousy and bitterness.

It was several years later when the move was made. A group of kitsunes entered his parents house and took them hostage. It wasn't long before Lynx arrived, stirred into action by a vision he had received. The short combat that followed was as one sided as it could get. Whilst Lynx was skilled he was no master yet and the assembled group had little trouble in placing him under their power. What happened next though was something none of them expected.

Almost unconscious Lynx barely had any fight left in him. In his mind all he wanted to do was end this situation; to save his family and bring the ones who had done this to justice. His intentions were pure and his spirit responded to his wish. In a blinding white flash Lynx's body began to change. His tails lengthened and his fur began to shine with a misty white glow. His muzzle lengthened and his ears folded back as his body began to take a much more animalistic form. The floor beneath him began to ice over and the air temperature dropped.

His assailants were so stunned they halted in their assault; this was all the time Lynx needed. He sprung to his feet, all four of them that is, and stood staring at them like a wild animal. Ice and snow began to swirl around him and a moment later the entire outside wall of the building was sent flying outwards along with each of his assailants.

They scrambled to their feet and quickly backed off as another blast of ice and snow shot out of the damaged house and smashed into the one opposite it. The glowing form of Lynx slowly emerged from the damaged house, his eyes glowing completely green as ice and snow blasted one way and the next around him.

It took several hours for the kitsune to finally calm down. Nobody could get near him and all attempts to subdue him were rebuffed with ease. When the authorities finally managed to get inside the building they found his mother and father huddled in a corner staring at their son lying in the middle of the floor. He was unconscious and glinting with ice crystals.

When he finally came too he couldn't provide any answers. He couldn't remember anything since his beating. He assumed he would be justified in protecting his family but this was not a normal situation. Not withstanding the damage caused and the unknown extent of his powers Lynx had already caused questions to be asked in the higher circle of eldars. The ones that attacked him were not the only ones opposed to his new skills of foresight and they had been looking for any chance to get rid of him.

The situation worked to their advantage, especially when his parents expressed their concern for what was happening to him. The council voted to expel Lynx from the city of Pheelanti; he was to leave and never return.

Even as he stood at the open gates of the city he didn't show any sign of lost hope or hurt feelings. He held his head high and looked back at those gathered around him. A few eldars, the city guards, even his parents stood comforting each other. He didn't say anything, he simply narrowed his eyes and turned his back on them.

For the next few decades he lived amongst the normal people of Kalisto. He learned the simple ways of life away from the magic and awe of the kitsune civilisation. At first people treated him with fear and contempt but his nature eventually began to soften people and his willingness to help slowly gained him trust. He made friends and concentrated on doing what he loved, music. His shows were well attended and what money he made and didn't use he used instead to help others. He was a drifter but he was content with his new life. He could live as he desired without adhering to strict etiquette or rules.

It was a fateful night a little time after his 125th birthday that he had his first vision in months. He saw a great wave, a storm like never before. Lightning and thunder. Swollen seas. The cracking of rock and the cries of help. Even without a clear picture of what it was about he knew what it meant. The next day he hired a boat and set off into the sea alone. The waters were still but his mind was racing. For days he travelled, not stopping to eat or drink; his eyes fixed on the horizon.

When his goal came into sight at last he felt as though a knife had been stabbed through his heart. It was gone. The Island of Mistinia was no more. Securing his boat to a rock he wandered through the crumbled mess that used to be his home. The island had been swallowed by the sea. The waves pounding the great volcanic rock until it had split and been ripped apart. The kitsune civilisation was no more.

Whilst Lynx did not like his kin he was not completely separate from them yet. He had had many friends, a family; and now they were all gone. He sat for several days atop the crumbled rock hoping to find something or someone but there was nothing. Finally residing himself the the truth of his situation he returned to his boat and left.

It was during his return voyage that he had another vision. A great city of tower blocks and light. People the likes of which he had never seen before going about their business happily. Then a dark shadow passed over everything. An oppressive feeling filled the air and then everything went totally black.

When Lynx awoke the sun was shining down on him from behind the dappling effect of the forest canopy. He sat up, wondering just how he had got to where he was. Getting up he set off into the forest trying to work out where he was. It wasn't like anywhere he'd been before. As he continued the sky began to darken slightly and the air became dense with a strange smog. As he finally cleared the trees he stood staring down on a dark and foreboding city before him.

Instantly he recognised it as the one from his vision but before he could do anything he was overcome by the fume drifting up from the city and passed out. When he awoke for a second time that day he was in a hut surrounded by numerous furs. He didn't quite know what to make of it but he explained himself and they explained themselves. They were the Freedom Fighters, a group dedicated to helping others and trying to rid the world of a guy called Robotnik.

Lynx sat in thought for some time considering the new information he had been given and his recent visions. At length he finally decided to join their cause, deciding that whilst he had been unable to save his own people he could try and save others.

Combat Style: Due to Lynx's considerable time spent practicing kitsune swords katas his style in battle is very fluid and clean. In fact his blocks and parries look more like a dance than any real attempt to defend himself. This said he doesn't take things lightly and each and every move is carefully placed to lead into a follow up strike. In so doing he fights with a 'block, block, counter' style of assault and will readily hold himself back in combat until his opponent begins to tire. When he does choose his moment to strike he does so fiercely and with a purpose. He no longer holds back and uses his full strength to finish the combat in as few a mores as possible. Saying this Lynx hates to kill and would rather force his opponent to back off or retreat than openly injure them.

Moves:

1) Frozen Ripple – Lynx focusses his magic into the ground causing a large ripple of ice to fly out in a circle around him. The ripple itself appears as a visible rise in the ground but doesn't do a lot of damage bar knocking people over.

2) Frost Fall – This move requires a turn to charge and literally freezes the particles in the air causing a massive lattice of ice to form around him for about 10m meters. Any kind of explosion or strike against the ice will cause it to shatter. Whilst this does little damage bar a few surface scratches it does remove power ups that might be active and can nullify any move charge.

3) Ice Breaker – Lynx summons a giant vortex of spinning ice and snow around him. After a turn of charging he can release the vortex in a given direction battering anyone along its path with ice and snow. The vortex when fired is about a meter wide and can hit multiple targets in a row. A frontal hit from this move feels like being struck by a sledgehammer coupled with the added damage of ice slashes at any exposed skin/fur.

4) Frost Skin – A move that coats Lynx's skin in a thin crust of ice. Whilst this offers no real defence against attacks it can take the bite off moves and allows him to withstand a fire attack or proximity to a fire source without passing out.

5) Crystal Palette – This move depends on the charge time used to form it. The move creates a circular shield of ice that is thick enough to deflect most attacks. The shield can only withstand one attack before it shatters though. If used instantly Lynx can form a small 30cm diameter shield. If he charges the move for one turn he can produce a one meter shield, a two post charge creates a 2m shield and so on.

6) Icicle Blitz – An area of effect spell that summons a large quantity of icicles above Lynx. He can then release these and shower the area around him with a volley of ice. The icicles shatter on impact and hold considerable impact force that is enough to pierce most types of armour. Being struck directly by an icicle is likely to knock a person out but Lynx can't directly aim the projectiles so this is pure chance. Being caught in the shatter will likely throw a person back some 5-10m depending on their size and weight. The move takes two posts to charge.

CS Move – Kitsune Ascension – The use of this move is something Lynx cannot openly will into being. In his life he has only used it twice and both times he cannot remember what happened during the time frame. He can only use it when he wishes for something with all his heart and his companion spirit hears his plea. The move allows the spirit to take complete control of his body, transforming it into a more animal like version of himself. In this form he has complete control over the ice element and gains a greater degree of agility and speed.

In essence it is a berserk move. Lynx's power and speed increases but his reasoning is limited. Whatever target he was concentrating on before the move becomes the main focus until it is gone or removes itself from combat. After this the spirit becomes confused and starts to lash out at any an all targets around it without thinking. He can use any of his normal moves without charging them.

The move last a total of five posts from the moment it is activated and at the end of it Lynx passes out and requires an extended period of recovery time before he wakes. During the move he appears like this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/l...une2-1.jpg

Skills:
Innate Magic (Advanced)
Lynx's body naturally attracts magical particles in the air and absorbs them. Without his symbiotic host he would die from the stress of the absorption. The host transforms this energy into magic that Lynx can use and protects him from some effects. To this end Lynx does not get tired easily and can go without food and water for much longer than any other being. In addition he is immune to the effects of ice magic; in fact exposure to such magic can cause him to gain greater strength and/or heal. However, this reaction is a double edged sword. Opposite magic interaction, in this case fire, can cause severe pain, blackouts, and even death.

Sword Kata (Advanced)
Lynx has practised his sword skills since a very early age and with over a century of such practise behind him he is very competent.

Musician (Artisan)
One of Lynx's true loves and creative outlets. He plays wind instruments and is widely regarded as a skilled individual in his home community. He is able to pick up notes and tunes with ease and has a keen ear for tone and pitch.

Foresight (Intermediate)
Lynx's skills in time magic have allowed him to see into the future at unpredictable moments. Usually he needs to be highly stressed in order to get a vision and such a vision causes him pain and discomfort. Even after the vision he doesn't always know what it means or why it matters.

Strengths:
+ Immune to ice magic and made stronger by its proximity.
+ Generally unfazed by most situations.
+ Skilled combatant.

Weaknesses:
- Severely sensitive to fire magic. Proximity can cause pain or even death.
- Can be a little rash and dive into situations without thinking.
- Largely untested in actual battle.

Approved by Nokame and Yoli.

OOLD. <3