Name: Tsunade no Mari. This is not her true name.

Nickname: She goes by the name Mari, and uses Tsunade as her family name in the modern world, i.e., Tsunade Mari (east) or Mari Tsunade (west).

Age: 911 years old, but appears to be in her mid-20s

Sex: Female

Species: Kitsune, Nine-Tailed (Nogitsune, Thunder Lineage)

Powers:

• Foxfire. Generally small balls of celestial fire which can be used to light the way, as a toy for amusement, or even as a weapon.
  
  
• Illusion. The ability to cast illusions of anything and make them solid and indistinguishable from the real thing. A deeply devout person can see through the illusions and should they touch it the illusion breaks.
  
  
• Shape shifting. Different from her three forms; the ability to transform herself into anything found in nature, as well as any human being. Does not gain the innate abilities of side form, does gain forms vulnerabilities.
  
  
• Dimension pocket. The ability to make a pocket of reality all her own of varying size and detail. Most often used to make a den or hiding place safe from the outside world, though she can make this larger and more detailed should she choose. She can change the flow of time in this pocket realm.
  
  
• Seduction. The ability to hypnotize an individual via the swaying of her tails in a certain pattern. The target sees and thinks what she wishes them to inside their mind. Can be broken by certain magic and wards.
  
  
• Possession. Taking over a targets body for a period of time. Easier when the target is willing, however a forced possession is possible but requires trapping or breaking the targets will, potentially driving them temporarily insane when the possession is over. In either instance the target has no memories of the time they were possessed. She has very limited access only foxfire and illusion during the possession.
  
  
• Avatar. Possessing either a unborn child in the womb or a dead body that was not properly buried and consecrated. In essence a human form without a soul.**
  
  
• Stormaiden. Mari has control over storms. She can call them if necessary, though this takes a tremendous amount of energy. She can also ride them, dancing on the winds and riding the lightning itself. Additionally, Mari can produce electricity in addition to her Foxfire, using it to attack or to power small electronic devices. Finally, she can feed on the energy of the storm, though this will cause the rain to become sterile and unable to support life.
  
  
• Weakness: Feeding. Mari must feed in order to sustain herself. She can do this in several ways. She can create a connection with a mortal and slowly drain their life energy. She can do this slowly so as to leave the mortal mostly unharmed, or quickly to leave their soul drained and lifeless. She can feed on sexual energy in much the same way, though this doesn't seem to harm her partner as much. She can also feed on Storms and from electricity. Storms on which she has fed cannot sustain life and crops will wither and die if they don't get other sustenance. If she feeds on electricity there will be a power drain in the area and many buildings will lose power for a time. She also finds feeding on electricity from a power grid flavorless and empty, and prefers not to do it.
  
  
• Weakness: Kitsune Ball.  While in her human form or during a possession Mari places a portion of her essence into a small silver ball. Should it be stolen while she is in human form she is required to do a favor for whomever possesses it, if it is taken while she is possessing someone she cannot return to her natural form until it is returned. Also, see below for details about Mari's ball.
  
  
• Weakness: True Name. Mari is a name she has taken as a personal moniker. Should anyone learn her true name they will hold power over her.

Mari's Kitsune Ball (AKA the Void Prison)(For more, see link to another game): Mari posses a black, pearl-like ball that swirls with inky darkness. Staring into it for too long causes one to get lost in the infinity of the dark depths. It resonates with power to those sensitive to such things, though the energy is dark and angry. The ball is, in fact, a prison. Inside dwells a Void Kitsune who was punished centuries ago for his misdeeds. The ball is precious to Mari, and Mari has bound herself to it and the Kitsune inside. As a result she keeps it on her at all times. It grants her the following power:

• Power. The Void Kitsune in the ball grants Mari extra power. Just possessing the ball makes her illusions and other powers more potent than they would be under normal circumstances. This effect is just residual. The Void Kistune is 400 years older than her and a practiced sorcerer. However, when she deliberately calls upon the ball to expresses her power, and the Void Kitsune inside grants it, it is with the combined power of two Nogitsune and not just one. The Void Kitsune usually bargains for something when this more potent effect is granted. He uses this power to get what he wants of her.
  
  
• Void Magic. As above, but the Void Kitsune may express his Void magic through Mari, should she call on it and he grant her use of the power.
  
  
• Dreamscape. Because of Mari's bond with the Kitsune inside the ball, the two spirit foxes may enter a shared dreamscape. This allows them to interact directly, though it is on an astral or dream level.
  
  
• Dark Whispers. The Void Kitsune in the ball may whisper to Mari when he wishes. No other beings can hear this communication. He often does so to try to direct her behavior, to urge her to malicious actions driven by his resentment and anger at his imprisonment, or to push her towards doing things that might ultimately empower him.
  
  
• Addictive. As it is with many legendary dark artifacts, especially ones with a sentient force with its own desires, plots, machinations and such, using the power of the ball is addictive. Not just the addiction of extra power, or hidden knowledge. But like heroine, using it creates a sort of intrinsic dependency that makes it harder and harder to break the longer and more frequently it's used. Mari has been using the ball for five centuries.
  
  
• Hedonistic Pleasure. Using the ball feels good. Not just a little good. But really, really good.

Appearance: Mari has three forms (in addition to her shapeshifting which allows her to appear as anyone she wants). She can choose to appear as a human (usually a female), a hybrid-yokai form, or as a fox. In all forms her behavior is best described as instinctual, and there is always something of the fox in her mannerisms. Her nine tails are visible in all three forms, however, unless she takes pains to hide them.

Human Form. Mari can appear in most any shape she wishes. However, her current preferred human form is that of a striking young woman of clearly mixed heritage, showing equal measures of Asian and Caucasian ancestry. She has large brown eyes that flash with the intensity of the storm--betraying her true nature--that are tinged with equal measures of curiosity, mischief, and defiance. They are highlighted by nearly black-mahogany hair she wears loose over slight shoulders or in a single, tight braid down her slim back. A petite young woman, she is nevertheless athletic and in excellent physical condition, with feminine curves that soften what might otherwise be a fierce look. As a human Mari tends to dress in a style best described as "street chic." It's a look that somehow says "I don't care" when she clearly does. Stylish military jackets, sleeveless t's, jeans purchased with holes in the knees, cool boots. She's not adverse to wearing jewelry or dressing up when called upon to do so.

Yokai Form. Mari's Yokai form is similar to her human, though in this form she has clearly visible fox-ears and she doesn't usually bother to hide her tails. Her hair, as well as the fur on her ears and tails, is white with dark tips, like a cloud transitioning from calm to stormy. It seems to be perpetually blown about as if by an unseen wind. Yellowish markings flash with intensity on her tails, which writhe about like a raging storm. The markings continue from her tails to her body, appearing as magical tattoos on her pale skin. In this form Mari will don a traditional Japanese Kimono with intricate patterns, or a simpler Yakuta when she wishes to be more comfortable. She will also choose to wear this form without clothing, and isn't shy about being naked.

Fox Form. Mari appears for all intents and purposes as a normal fox in this form, although her fur is white, fading to black on the tips of her tails, ears and legs. Additionally, her nine tails are clearly visible unless she makes an effort to hide them with illusions. This she will almost always do when she thinks she might be seen by mortal eyes.


Face Claim: Meisa Kuroki

Personality:  Mari is driven by instinct. She's not an especially complex person. Or if she is, she deals with this complexity in a simple way. Clever and intelligent, she remains a fox in human clothing. Neither good nor evil, she has lived most of her life driven by her base needs and desires. If she wanted something, she would take it. If someone threatened her, she would hurt them. If she loved someone, she would do anything to bring her love happiness, even if others were harmed in the process. The concept of human morality is new to her, and remains somewhat foreign, although she is trying to learn. She wears her emotions and her passions on her sleeves. She's often quite reactionary, and acts before she thinks.

Mari can be quite feisty and inquisitive. She's also got something of a sharp tongue, and uses sarcasm and wit to great effect. She's never very reflective about things. She doesn't stop to analyze. She accepts her circumstances without question and reacts, for better for for worse. And yet she's quite witty and clever, and when she's feeling happy or playful you will definitely know it. She is spectacular when she is happy.

Recently, Mari has come to realize that the way she has lived her life has not brought her the happiness she seeks. She is lonely, after almost a millennium mostly on her own. She has decided, against her nature, to take a new path. She has decided that maybe there is something to living in harmony with the people around her. And to be compassionate and kind. Maybe then she will find the companionship she seeks. That is her hope, anyway, although this way of thinking certainly doesn't come easily to one as instinctive and fox-like as she.

History:

Early History.
The Kitsune who now goes by the name Tsunade no Mari began her life over 900 years ago as a simple field fox in the rice patties of pre-feudal Japan. She feasted on the mice and other vermin who gnawed on the farmers' rice, and in return the farmers--who considered her strange fur pattern a sign of luck--did not hunt her or chase her from their fields. At first she was shy, but over time she learned not to fear the men who thought of her as a protective spirit who aided them in their work and protected their crops. There were other foxes, of course, but none as bold as her. And so, curious, about those with whom she had formed this unwitting partnership, she took the form of a young maiden so that she might walk among them.

She did not realize how beautiful the form she had taken was, nor that it would enthrall the men and make them mad with desire. She was young and innocent then, and knew not the ways of these things. But when they saw her to a man they wanted her, and she found she liked the attention. She flirted with them and they would bring her gifts of delicious foods and shiny baubles, which pleased her. She did not understand jealousy then, and was unconcerned when the men fought with one another over who would be with her. She merely encouraged them so they would bring her more gifts, until such a time when a man was murdered, and the local lord became concerned at the state of things, and he hired a holy man to chase her off.

Now the fox was born of the Thunder clan, though her mother was of Fire, and so the foxes of her clan located her and took her in. And with her clanmates she wandered on the edges of the storms, and danced in the rain, and fed upon the vermin who sought to take shelter from the tempest. And she learned how to feed on the storms and to ride the lightning itself. But eventually she remembered the happiness of human company, and how the men and even some women had brought her little gifts, and she became curious again and longed to walk among them. So she left her clanmates and sought once again the world of men.

For a time she found pleasures among humans--seducing villagers or lords alike, taking lovers both male and female among them, and dwelling for a time in their company. She learned their writing and their philosophies, and developed a taste for their vices. She would encourage them in their interest, so that they would bring her gifts of food and beautiful objects. She would, in turn, bestow gifts on those who aided her and harm and trick those who were their enemies.

Unlike most Kitsune, who never go further than simple tricks and basic mischief, Tsunade no Mari did not know to show restraint. She enjoyed too much her pleasures, and went out of her way to stir things up so that chaos would reign around her. Always she asked of her lovers or worshippers to bring her the finest things; to steal or even kill for them if necessary. She asked of them to find her the most rare and delectable delicacies, even if it meant sending a lover far off in search of such things, abandoning all his or her responsibility and dependents. She would make those around her compete for her attention and affection, stirring up jealousy and violence. Where ever she went, she left chaos, violence, and death in her wake.

Neither was Mari not directly responsible for the suffering and deaths of those around her. She fed from the people around her, draining lovers entirely and swallowing their souls. Her feeding on the Storms would make the rain sterile and the crops would die, and people would starve. And she stole whatever it was that she wanted and that others couldn't steal for her, so that she always had nice clothing and pretty baubles.

Once a young samurai to whom she had taken a liking killed a dozen people just to prove his worth to her, for he saw that she was impressed by his prowess in battle. He was in turn hung from a tree as punishment and she was driven out. Another time she tricked an entire village into worshiping her as a minor goddess, creating a cult of devout worshipers. They brought her many delicious offerings and what little wealth they had, and they went to war with the neighboring village who refused to give offerings to the fox goddess. Finally, a monk of the mountain religion visited and used his rituals to drive her away.

Always the pattern was the same. Mari found she could not dwell among humans for long, and grew used to moving on when the time came. For many centuries she walked both worlds, flitting between the world of humans and that of the thunder and the spirit world.

Confrontation with Mia Ranger.
During the Muromachi Period of Feudal Japan, when she was nearly 400 years old and had grown several of her tails, Mari had decided to once again leave the Storm clan and walk among humans when she came upon a ronin samurai who had been cast out by his lord for his failure to win a battle with a rival lord. The lord in his anger had blinded the samurai and sent him out into the world on his own. Mari found him beautiful and was quickly smitten.

Mari decided she would care for this poor wounded creature, who was otherwise kind of heart and sound of mind. They took up residence on the edge of the village, and Mari began to use her power to aid him. She took food from the farmers and wealth from the merchants, and stole pretty gifts from the lord who had wounded the samurai. She fed from the storms and from the samurai to keep herself strong, and although this would make the rain sterile she did not care nor think of these things. She had fallen in love with the samurai and, although she knew he would eventually grow old, decided she would spend the rest of his days with him.

Mari did not know one of the local farmers had taken a Kitsune wife from the celestial clan. She may not have changed her behavior had she known. But when the celestial Kitsune learned of Mari's presence so near to the village the celestial confronted Mari. Under other circumstances Mari might have simply moved on to avoid the confrontation, but she was in love and was determined to protect her wounded lover. The fight between the two female Kitsune was terrible. Each was determined to drive the other away while protecting what was hers. A storm crashed over the village and the heavens resounded with the force of their battle. Both Kitsune suffered awful wounds. Mari lost one of her tails. Finally, Mari retreated from the village when it became clear she would give up her own life if the fight were to continue. Battered and beaten, she withdrew back to the storms, weeping for her loss. She never saw her blind samurai again.

Finding of The Ball Prison (Mari's Kitsune Ball).

Mari moped among the storms for over 10 years after her defeat, dejected at her loss and angry at the world for denying her what she saw as hers. Several times she lashed out at the mortal world, deliberately entering a village and causing havoc and pain; not so she could find pleasure but simply for the sake of discord. She poisoned crops and caused violence and death, even going so far as to wipe away an entire town with a particularly violent storm. But it brought her no satisfaction.

That was until she decided to raid an Inari Shrine to get back at the celestials who had harmed her. The shrine she picked was small and out of the way, hidden high in the mountains, and held no particular value. She settled on it randomly. It was simply a target on which she might vent her frustrations.

Knowing the holy men there would see through her illusions, Mari snuck into the shrine at night. She toppled statues and broke the shrine's bell. She tore spiritual documents or spilled ink on them. She took valuable coins and then set the shrine on fire with her foxfire, so the whole thing would burn.

It was while she was watching it burn that Mari heard the call. Answering, she followed the song in her head back to the inner sanctuary, which was burning all around her. There, locked behind several wards that were being consumed in the fire she found the ball. It was a beautiful black Kitsune ball that swirled with absolute darkness. Transfixed, she found she needed to possess the ball. A monk arrived at that very moment and denounced her for what she had done, saying, "No, that is not for you! We have sworn to protect it at all costs!" But it was too late. Mari simply slipped it into her yakuta and in turn slipped into her fox form. She bounded away with her new prize.

Into the Void.
It took Mari some time before she discovered the true nature of the Ball. It contained an imprisoned Void Kitsune who, like her, was angry at the world. He was older and more powerful than she, and lent her power in order to gain influence over her. The next 500 years of her life would take an even darker turn as a result of the ball.

Mari was angry at the loss of her Samurai and her chance at happiness. The Void Kitsune in the ball would take advantage of this. Where she lashed out like an angry child, his rage was more directed, and he influenced her to take out their shared anger in ever more extreme ways. At first it was minor torments for the sake of tormenting others. For almost a century, for example, Mari created a Ryokan (traditional hotel for travelers) hot spring along a main road to Kyoto. The entire thing was illusory, even the staff, but wealthy and poor alike were drawn to it. Mari would pick and choose the best among them and, after toying with them for a time, would torment them and then feed on them until she had entirely swallowed their souls.

This was not enough, however, to satisfy either Mari or the Void Kitsune. After a while she found herself doing anything she could to leave a lasting scar on the world while also sating her pleasures. Starting strife and conflict became her specialty, culminating in the mid 15th century, when Mari used illusions and trickery to influence many of the daimyo intent on succeeding the ruling shogun. Rather than forming alliances that would ultimately lead to a new shogun being chosen, Mari played them all for fools. She made each fall prey to his own desires, and none of the most powerful daimyo would bow down to the others. As a result, the Onin War began. Kyoto itself would be burned in the ensuing violence, and thousands would die, leaving Japan splintered into hundreds of feuding feudal states, each ruled by a different daimyo. Centuries of conflict would follow.

This was her darkest period, but she also gained significantly in power. In addition to hurting the world, Mari would begin to seek power at the behest of the Void Kitsune, who wanted out of his prison. She began to search for powerful magic, ancient wisdom, and terrible artifacts, all in a quest to open the prison cell so that the Void Kitsune might find release. Never did she come about these items honorably. She stole and killed to obtain them. She did this all at the behest of the Void Kitsune, who would whisper into her ear and tell her secrets that granted her more and more strength. She became addicted to his whispers and the rush of power he granted her; power that she used in pursuit of her own hedonistic ends. She spiraled more and more, and as she did she grew her tails until few could rival her.

On the Road to Redemption.
One month ago from the present, while tormenting a small elderly community in rural Japan, Mari came upon an antique katana sword from the Moromachi Period in the possession of a man she had just drained of life. There was nothing special about the sword. It harbored no secret power, nor did it trace back to anyone special...at least not that she knew of. But it reminded the now nine-tailed nogitsune of her blind samurai from so many centuries ago.

Mari thought of what might have been, had she been able to stay with him. She looked at the dead body of the man she had killed, and decided that he, in another lifetime, could have been her samurai or someone else's samurai. She reflected back on the last half a millennia and realized that, though she had gained power and sated all her vices...she had become an empty husk of dark emotion and anger. She realized she had been feeling this way for a long time, but it took the catalyst of the sword to pierce the dark veil she had been wearing. Tsunade no Mari the nine-tailed Nogitsune broke down and wept for the first time in over 500 years.

When she pulled herself together several hours later, Mari made a vow to herself. She would change. She would swallow the anger and hatred that had consumed her. She would learn to control her base urges. She would stop making innocents suffer just because she could, just to sate her anger or because the dark ball told her to do so.

Suddenly a great weight lifted from Mari's shoulders. But she also didn't know what to do or where to go. She had been driven by the need to hurt the world for so long, she didn't know what to do with herself. How does one find redemption? How does one change? How does she give up everything she's known her entire existence, since she first left the fields and took her human form?

She didn't know the answers to these questions, and her senpai in the ball would be no help in this. But she thought she knew of one who might. She decided to look for the Kitsune who began it all--the Kitsune whom she had battled and whom might be able to set her on the right path. She would scour the world looking if she had to. Surely it wasn't too late?

Profession: Mari has been a thief, a manipulator, a trickster who fed on others her whole life. More recently she has been a seeker of magic and magical treasures. She could turn these skills into a profession, but thus far she's never needed to truly work. Mari is considering, however, the idea of reopening her Ryoken Hot Spring in Belcoast...except this time she won't be using it as a trap.

Hobbies: Mari's hobbies tend to be self-indulgent. She lead a life of theft and trickery, taking lovers and discarding them, and generally doing what she pleased. She is trying to reform, but old habits die hard.

In the modern world she has taken up listening to music, going to concerts, clubbing, and dancing. She is a wonderful singer (it helps to have Kitsune powers) and can play several traditional instruments. She still indulges in more carnal activities when the mood suits her, and can be easily led astray by a delicious meal or a beautiful face.

Sexual Orientation: Flexible. Mari is bisexual and takes male and female lovers.

Gallery: