Zhuàn (Zoo-ahn)

The Enigma

Zhuan is a Master NPC.
Zhuan is a trained spymaster and tactician in the New Flying Opera Company. A charismatic yet intimidating figure, he is a man born to defy tradition. Zhuan is a master of deception, and there is more than what meets the eye.

THE YOUNG PRINCE

Zhuan was born as the only son in a new generation of an Earth Kingdom noble family. His family was as sophisticated in business and as they were powerful in Earthbending, having accumulated wealth through politics and business affairs while securing their lineage as legendary Earthbending masters. As a young child, his father and uncles would raise him around their traditional style of Earthbending and his mother would usher him into politics to ensure their legacy would live on. It was destiny for Zhuan to become a central figure in the Earthkingdom, both on the battlefield and in high society.
Destiny, however, was not his friend.
Elegant, poised, and refined, Zhuan fully mastered his family's side of politics and court intrigue through the matriarchs His father and the partiarchs, however, would be disappointed that not only was Zhuan not an earthbender, but he was also not interested in being a warrior at all. Zhuan spent more time in dance, etiquette, and academic lessons than self defense, a trait that his father saw as weakness.

COMING OUT

One night, Zhuan's curiosity lead him to sneak into his parent's bedroom to visit his mother's closet. Immediately, he was awe struck by her silk robes, vibrant jewels, and vast collection of fancy, decorated paper fans. Only one word came to mind: opulence. It was at this point that Zhuan decided that he wants to own everything; everything he is, everything he loves, and everything that made him happy.
Donning an emerald green robe with gold trimmings, a golden crown with topaz jewels, and a paper fan decorated with elephant koi, he sat on her vanity and attempted applying makeup on his face. When he looked at the mirror, he saw it all. He was to become the most sought after bachelor in the noble courts, making any young man's heart melt. He saw what he wanted to be, and everything he is, at the same time. But in the mirror, he also saw the face of evil. From behind him, a pair of terrifying eyes paralyzed him on the velvet seat. Zhuan turns around to see his father, red with rage. Everything around him turned into rubble within a fraction of a second. Everyone in the house rushed to see the commotion, but no one stopped him from unleashing his anger on his son. Not even his beloved mother.
On the same night that he saw light, he also saw darkness. Zhuan hated that he could not protect himself and stand his ground against his father. He hated that he could not protect his dignity and identity. But most of all, he hated that his parents could not love him for who he truly is.

BREAKING FREE

That night, Zhuan decided that he would defy destiny. He would be opulent and have everything he wanted, but on his own terms. To gain everything, he had to lose everything. Facing his parents, he announced that he would renounce his noble lineage and live among the people to learn what it is like to be truly free. His father once again lashed out, lifting a slab of earth covered in solid gold from the palace floor over his son. But Zhuan held his ground. He locked eyes with his father in a glare that was so intimidating that his father to collapse in anguish. His mother, once again, did nothing, as her son walked away from their home.
For a whole year, Zhuan traveled the earth kingdom in search of his identity. He worked in farms, taverns, inns, and wherever he could find work to survive. It was then when he saw that his life had been a lie within the palace. The world was torn because of constant war between politicians. This experience humbled Zhuan and enabled him to have empathy and love for all people.

MEETING A HERO

Around 300 BG, Zhuan was working in a teahouse in Qinchao village as a server. It was then when he saw her; a figure in an elegant green robe, with a metal crown, and a face covered in makeup that exuded power. Zhuan ushered Avatar Kyoshi to her seat, where she would await for Jianzhu, an Earth Sage. He could not keep his eyes off Kyoshi. For another moment, he saw everything he wanted to be -- an icon who radiated both power and elegance without a single word or action. It was that day that he met his hero.
Before he could blink, the teahouse began collapsing as Kyoshi and Jianzhu battled. Yun would walk in and murder Jianzhu, and Zhuan would barely escape the building before its collapse. He risked his life behind a column, eyes full of wonder, watching The Avatar fight an Earth Sage.
Kyoshi escaped the authorities, and Zhuan decided to follow. After some time, he met Kyoshi in Yokoya port, by the water where elephant koi jumped and danced in the air. She was training a group of women alongside her lover, Rangi. This was the first time Zhuan saw two people of the same sex exchange a kiss. He aimlessly walked towards the warriors, who quickly apprehended him. Kyoshi pointed her golden metal fans at Zhuan and demanded him to tell why he was there. And so he spoke, for what felt like a lifetime, telling his story. And the rest was history.

Zhuan is a trained spymaster and tactician in the New Flying Opera Company. A charismatic yet intimidating figure, he is a man born to defy tradition. Zhuan is a master of deception, and there is more than what meets the eye.

Current Location

Yakoya Port

View Character Profile

DRIVE: To prove to his estranged family that he can have honor while staying true to his identity.
PRINCIPLE: Self-Love | 0/+1/+2/+3
CONDITIONS: afraid, angry, guilty, insecure, troubled, panicked, hurt, dismissive
FATIGUE: 10x

Age

20

Pronouns

He/Him

Gender

Male

Eyes

Golden brown

Hair

Brown

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Tan

Height

5'10

ZHUAN'S TECHNIQUES:

Disarm | defend & maneuver | Target your foe’s ability to fight by breaking, removing, or limiting a particular style. Mark 2-fatigue to name any advanced advance and attack technique your foe has—they are unable to use that technique for the remainder of this encounter.
Paralyzing Strike | Advance and Attack | Make a single precise chi-blocking strike that temporarily paralyzes an enemy. Mark 3-fatigue, reduced by 1 for each paralyzed limb an opponent has, or for every two conditions an opponent has marked. Your target is immediately paralyzed, essentially Trapped. They cannot pay to escape the Trapped status until at least one full exchange has passed.
Pinpoint Flaws | Evade and Observe | Take a moment to observe weak points in your environment. Name a status you wish to inflict on a foe next exchange; the GM will tell you what you need to break in your environment to inflict that status. Next exchange, you may use Smash for free no matter what approach you use.