qtrmevermore with Tozuro
early concept:
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/159/2/9/tozuro_concept_by_q_t_r_nevermore-d3icqxv.jpgfinal sheet:
bio:
japanese red-crowned crane that is also...
a 5'7" graceful but deadly swordsman
lean muscular build, swift on feet
white-greyish eyes
the red mark is skin, long hair is black, short hair is white feathery
female (but neither feminine nor masculine and often mistaken to be male)
likes to eat fish & drink hot sake/green tea
prefers to be by water
does not express emotion like humans but more like a bird, often appearing blank
fights with either one or both swords depending on the situation
arm block is leather-like and useful against weapon/fist blocks, but not other kantanas
Miyamota Musashi had many students to which he taught the Ni-Ten Ichi Ryu (two sword) technique as well as many teachings. There is rumor is that a few years before he had died that one of his students returned and was given as a gift his two swords, a painting, and a request. "take my swords, but do not use them but guard them well, and when you too retreat from the settled lands into the mountains, seek this place-" marked on a map, "there is a shrine, a Buddha sits by a small lake, here you will write or paint and watch over the cranes. it is there you will learn my secret."
The student did as his much respected teacher asked and retired to the shrine at this old age. And then one day a samurai, rogue ruthless and mad, crazy you could say, killed the old and humble student shortly after hearing his story, but leaving swords behind as not believing a word of it. A crane descends on the scene and asks the Buddha for a favor.
The crane is a samurai but also still a crane, but only with the swords can she in a form to fight in and put an end to the mindless slaughtering of former Musashi students by infamous Crazy Samurai of Void Provence. What obstacles lie on the way? We shall see.
She, though androgynous features, fights like the sword's ancient master. Or perhaps she... being something older, was their original master. Peaceful, neutral, focused... but mortal (as per Buddha deal).
important note: the character is traditional Japanese samurai inspired, but not limited to adaptation to whatever time period/setting you do,