Name: Ketsueki Du Sang
Nickname/Alias: Ketsu
Age: 69
Race: Sanguine Demon
Height: 4'8"/6'4"
Weight: 95lbs/200lbs
Personality: A very young blood demon - an infant by the standards of most magical beings - Ketsu acts out like a child. Flighty, impudent, and self centred, the only thing they truly seem to value is their own personal triumphs over whoever they have decided is their current nemesis. Valuing brains over brawn, they prefer to triumph in feats of intellect over something as base as physical combat.
History: A child of Hades, they first stepping fully formed out of one of it's vast lakes of blood. After a few years of deciding on a name and identity, and sampling the unique delights of their home, Ketsu quickly learned of the lands above, and began to find the underworld oppressive, uninteresting, and limiting. It wasn't long before they decided, impulsively as always, that they would be seizing the next opportunity that passed through to leave for the lands of Althanas.
Appearance: They have yet to settle on a preferred appearance. Ketsu's innate form shifting allows them to step into whatever shape they desire, though most often they pick between one of two polar opposites. Switching equally between a tall and lithe young man, or a petite yet muscular young woman, they use both with equal confidence and comfort.
While they can shift between shapes with the ease that most creatures draw breath, they still lack experience with their transformations. Unless they are focusing on holding a specific appearance in their mind, their skin, hair, and eyes always revert back to a constant vibrant, almost visceral red. In addition, when they get particularly excited or agitated, they tend to manifest pointed ears, a long, flexible and expressive tail, and small leathery wings.
Clothing for them seems to almost be an after-thought, and mostly consists of large bolts of simple red-hued fabrics, wrapped and tied around them without much care. However they do have an almost draconian affinity for precious metals and jewels, which they hoard in the form of dozens of individual pieces of jewellery. These are either displayed fully or secreted away within their clothes, depending on if Ketsu is trying to draw attention to or away from themselves.
Skills:
Deception - As a shapeshifter with a mischievous streak, Ketsu has spent countless hours taking on other forms and voices, refining the art of a truly believable lie.
Esoteric knowledge - A magical being born and raised on another plane, they have become familiar with things that others have only read in forbidden tombs.
Ninjutsu arts - Naturally taking to this combat style through a mix of research and practice, Ketsu is self taught and has yet to seek out a master to help refine their abilities.
Abilities:
Malleable form - Ketsu's body is a pliable and flexible creation, able to shift and change seamlessly between the shape of any creature they have previously seen. They can rearrange it to take on other forms and divide it up into smaller, independent parts. Should part of their body be separated from them and sealed away, their thoughts and personality will become scattered and distracted until reunited. While divided into smaller parts, they can remain that way forever as long as the parts remain within three feet of each other. Scattering any farther takes a toll on Ketsu's focus and sanity, and they must return to a fully formed creature within two posts or risk permanent psychological damage.
If given access to a source of blood, they can grow and take on larger forms otherwise they are limited to a total size/weight of 250lbs. The largest Ketsu can currently grow, given an unlimited source of blood, before being unable to sustain their form and collapsing back down is to a size/weight of 10,000lbs. In the rain, they struggle to keep non-human forms and are forced to revert to a humanoid form after one post.
Substitution technique - By separating their body and building multiple hollow copies of themselves, Ketsu can jump their conscious between these fragile bodies, allowing them to evade enemy attacks. These shells are fragile and dissipate into a red mist when hit, and have the physical strength and capabilities of a 10 year old child. This cannot be used in the rain.
Equipment/Weapons:
Fuuma Suriken - A large iron suriken that stands at 4' tall, Ketsu uses this as their primary weapon if they end up cornered in a fight, preferring to attack from a distance. Usually it is carried on their back, wrapped in a cloth.
Kunai - An iron kunai hidden in their clothes, this is their last line of attack against opponents who have gotten too close for them to wield their suriken.
Oil-paper umbrella - Ketsu always carries their umbrella with them, claiming to hate how rain 'dilutes' them. The shafts and core of it, while appearing to be bamboo, have iron shafts inside. In a pinch, they can use it to try and disarm or misdirect an opponent, or as an impromptu shield.
