yokai Kamikakushi no Shinrin [Ready]

[Zeig]

 

Roleplay Type: World of Equestria
 

Name:  Kamikakushi no Shinrin. Literal translation of "The Forest of Spiriting Away".

Sex: Male
 

Age: Exact age unknown, presumed very old.
 

Species: Yokai, specifically an Ōkami.

 

Eye color: Solid gold, with no discernible pupils. 
 

Coat: Primarily white underbelly and on the legs, with varying shades of blue arching across his back and down his haunches. His coat sports a few golden designs and symbols that frame his face, and his fur often seems to move on its own in an almost ethereal manner, as if a light breeze is playing with it. Of special note are the horns that grow from the top of head, which are separate at the base, but form an intricate web of bone and keratin near the middle and top, somewhat resembling the interweaving branches of a tree. 
 

Mane/Tail: Though comprised entirely of fur, Kamikakushi no Shinrin has a section that starts from the top of his head and flows separate from his back, much like a mane might do on a pony. His tail is similar, looking more akin to a pony's tail even though it too is comprised of soft fur, and both are vivid red in color, with the tail slowly morphing in purple and blue hues. Both mane and tail are also in a constant state of movement, rippling like gentle waves thanks to his innate magic.

 

Physique: Kamikakushi no Shinrin stands about a head and a half above the average pony when on all fours, but is about three times as long. He has a lean body but muscled body, and can easily carry two to three ponies on his back should the need arise. 

 

Residence: Kamikakushi no Shinrin, a forest situated inland of Neighpon, through which lies the major road between ports leading to Poninawa and the first of the MAGLEV stations heading inland. There are other routes around the forest, but the one leading through it is the fastest.

 

Occupation: N/A as a Yokai. When in pony form, he takes random modeling jobs whenever it suits him.

 

Unique Traits: 

 

Extremely swift and agile, Kamikakushi no Shinrin is capable of physical feats no normal wolf could ever hope to accomplish. The Ōkami is much faster than the average pony, and can sustain a medium run for a long period of time. His form allows him to leap and maneuver his body, passing over great chasms or obstacles. Kamikakushi no Shinrin also has exceptional balance, able to climb what looks like sheer rock face while balancing on the tightest of ledges, and is even able to run across tree branches, provided they are sturdy enough.

 

As a Yokai - and most particularly an Ōkami - magic is as inherent to Kamikakushi no Shinrin as is breathing, and he is largely talented in this regard, although he has a few specific tricks that he relies on most often. The Wolf Yokai has the ability to "feel" the land around him, which in turn lets him sense presences, sources of water, and animals in distress. This ability is strongest in his home forest, but becomes increasingly less effective the closer he is to "pony-made" areas, such as large cities or structures. When at full power, this ability has the small side effect of producing grass and sometimes small flowers wherever the Yokai walks. Kamikakushi no Shinrin is a capable shapeshifter in his own right, and he favors an Earth Pony form that vaguely resembles his true Yokai form. He can also summon pure energy in order to defend himself, or attack another, usually as something of a "force push" that can leave a pony reeling. One other ability of note is Kamikakushi no Shinrin's capability to induce a sort of hypnotic effect on those who make direct eye contact with him. Dependent on the other's own strength of will, the Ōkami can essentially hold another hypnotized by his gaze if he can remain concentrated on them - a break in concentration means a swift end to this effect. 

 

Kamikakushi no Shinrin has a white gemstone that rests dead center in the intricate bone work of his horns. Whether or not it is a part of his natural shape, or something he himself inset long ago, the Ōkami no longer remembers. It is not capable of being removed to his knowledge, though perhaps a more delicate touch is required aside from his paws and magic.

 

History: Kamikakushi no Shinrin no longer fully remembers how he became the Yokai he is today, but his true origins have never intrigued him. What he does remember is one day, at a time when he was still smaller than the wolves that sometimes traveled through the forest, meeting a young pony far inside his forest. Upon his first sighting of something other than animals, Kamikakushi no Shinrin was at first anxious, then hesitant, and finally, intrigued by the stranger. Eventually, after she had fallen asleep by the lakebed, Kamikakushi no Shinrin gave in to curiosity and went to meet her, dry her tears, and stayed with the young filly the entire night. He was quick to leave the next morning before she had woken up, still apprehensive of this stranger, but despite that, the Wolf Yokai fast learned that he needn't worry.

 

A routine began developing between the two of them. The young filly, although still distraught, quickly figured out that someone, or something, was looking out for her, as she would always find fresh food and water sources as she journeyed through the forest. Wild animals that might have harmed her instead gave wide berth, leaving only the harmless ones to curiously make her acquaintance. The young filly was charmed, as was Kamikakushi no Shinrin, and although the two of them never met face to face, it mattered little to the Yokai, content to simply watch over the stranger that had stumbled into his world. 

 

However, even a life of peace inside a pristine forest could not erase the young filly's memories, and after catching her crying one evening, Kamikakushi no Shinrin finally realized he needed to do what should have been done in the first place. After the filly fell asleep, Kamikakushi no Shinrin carried her towards the edge of the forest, right alongside the main road. In the morning, the filly awoke as usual, and after a very confused moment, realized where she was with a happy shout of delight. In no time at all she was running away at full gallop towards the small village in the distance, and from the safety of the canopy, Kamikakushi no Shinrin watched her leave his forest. 

 

Life returned to normal, for the most part, even as Kamikakushi no Shinrin became aware of something missing in his life. However, it wasn't until years later, when an elder mare came wandering into his forest, did the Wolf Yokai realize what that missing piece was. With no hesitation at all, Kamikakushi no Shinrin approached the mare, who gave him a blinding smile and immediately thanked him for looking after her when she was young. The two spent a few days together in the forest, with the mare informing him of the events of her life. She laughing told him that villagers had begun calling his previously unnamed forest "Kamikakushi no Shinrin" after her return. Incredulous that a small filly had managed to not just survive for so long in a wild forest, but thrive, the villagers were certain some creature had spirited her away by using magic to force her to become lost in the first place. The Wolf Yokai, despite the connotations, found the story amusing, and as he had long since claimed the area, eventually took the name of the forest for himself.  

 

Those few days were some of the happiest of his life, but they were, sadly, only a few days. The elderly mare passed on shortly after, and Kamikakushi no Shinrin buried her deep inside his forest. After that, things were never the same. The mare's brief but powerful company had awoken a longing in Kamikakushi no Shinrin, and he actively began to lead some travelers off the well-worn paths and deeper into his forest, spiriting them away to study and observe at his leisure. He always provided for any ponies he took, and would return them to the edge of the forest in due time - but otherwise, Kamikakushi no Shinrin thought nothing of his activities, justified in his actions with thoughts of learning of life both outside his forest and the ponies that populated the world. Not every traveler met the same fate, but enough did for rumors of the forest to begin circling wildly, giving it a negative reputation.

 

Eventually, the Ōkami Yokai grew knowledgable enough to begin leaving his forest, traveling to other wild areas of Neighpon. Though a few chance meetings with ponies resulted in less than favorable conditions, others still broadened Kamikakushi no Shinrin's understanding of the pony world around him. In time, he became fully integrated into the world around him, adopting the shape of ponies in order to interact more fully with them. A specific shape was noticeable enough for a company in Polohama to actually request his services as a model, an occupation that amused Kamikakushi no Shinrin to no end. His look became so well known that he was ironically given the moniker "Ōkami," thanks to the wolf-like cutie mark the shape had, though he also became notoriously difficult to book, more often than not simply appearing when he cared to yet always able to land a modeling job no matter the place or setting.

 

Nowadays, Kamikakushi no Shinrin has developed two reputations - one as a forest where travelers are spirited away to unknown realms, and another as an elusive model who simply walks into studios whenever he sees fit. The Yokai himself takes no stock in either reputation, but instead simply continues to integrate himself further into the world of ponies, all while keeping a watchful eye on the travelers that pass through his forest.

 

Character Personality: For a being that has lived a life of almost total isolation, Kamikakushi no Shinrin has made well enough for himself. Quiet and thoughtful, the Wolf Yokai has a perchance for simply observing the going-ons around him, taking in the sights and sounds. With his interest in the world around him, the Yokai is extremely inquisitive, always wishing to know what is going on or what a particular object is. He has a particular interest in festivals and areas of large gatherings, and the model named Ōkami can almost always be counted on attending them. However, as Kamikakushi no Shinrin is a Yokai who has set himself master of a wild area, he sometimes appears to be standoffish and aloof. This is not due to any particular desire of the Ōkami to distance himself, but rather a part of his isolated nature as a Yokai - he simply does not "fit" with the modern world at times, and it shows.

 

As he has grown in wisdom and insight through his years, Kamikakushi no Shinrin often acts as a voice of reason to others seeking advice and council. However, as a Yokai, said advice is not always the most helpful. The Ōkami is blunt and realistic, with little understanding for sentimentality. Almost everything boils down to a black and white view for him, the laws of the wild governing him, and he is not averse to simply telling it like it is, or advising others on various courses of action that make sense for an animal but little else for a civilized pony. Despite this, Kamikakushi no Shinrin is a knowledgeable Yokai, gained from several years of studying the behaviors and natures of both passing travelers and the ponies he interacts with face to face - even if he fails to understand some of their quirks. He is naturally inquisitive Yokai as well, who will not hesitate to investigate some strange occurrence or smell or sight. He's gotten into the habit of sticking his snout into random pots around villages and settlements, always curious as to what sort of item or food they might contain. 

 

Despite being a generally good-natured sort, Kamikakushi no Shinrin is inherently selfish. Again stemming from his life inside a forest, the Ōkami, like most animals, is predominantly occupied with survival, and it shows in his mannerisms. He holds no regret in spiriting away the random traveler for his own personal benefit - whether it is to simply learn something from them or keep them around a while for his amusement - believing his needs and wishes greater than their own happiness or comfort, and takes of them what he will. So long as he returns them in good health and care, Kamikakushi no Shinrin doesn't see any problem with his actions, as animals take what they need and lose what they cannot defend. It is nature in its most primal sort, and a facet of life that the Ōkami fully embraces. 

 

This sense of selfishness has left something wanting in Kamikakushi no Shinrin's life. Unknown even to himself, the Wolf Yokai is a sociable creature who yearns for company, a desire that was awoken inside him after meeting the young filly in his forest. Even as he converses with the random pony he's spirited away from time to time, or the ponies he interacts with while modeling, Kamikakushi no Shinrin doesn't fully understand his reasonings, believing that he only wishes to amuse himself for a while. Having been secluded for so long, Kamikakushi no Shinrin cannot put a name to what it is he seeks, but continues both of his games, filled with a yearning he cannot fully explain.

 

Character Summary: Despite the double life he leads, Kamikakushi no Shinrin is a Yokai who yearns for something even he himself cannot identity. Venturing into the pony world has softened his world view some, though it is too soon to say where his new choices will lead him.

[RainbowFoxxy]

Beautifully written as usual