ほう関和也 Kazuya Hōseki

バックグラウンドBackground
Kazuya had everything going for him. Being born into an upper class family, his life was destined to be free of worry and full of glory. His childhood was generally uneventful, mostly filled with academics and preparation for his future. His parents, although strict, didn’t hesitate to show their love and care for Kazuya; as their only child, he was their everything—their little Jewel of Fire. When he came of age, Kazuya trained to become a samurai and a damn good one at that. He was quick to learn during instruction and his practical skills were impressive for someone his age, especially his skills with fire. Once Kazuya finished his training, he ventured out alone into the world to serve his nation; his actions and feats made him a hot topic to his superiors and foes alike. After a couple years, he was appointed to teach in the very same academy in which he trained and studied, his skills and memory making him the perfect instructor. It was his time there which grew his love of helping others succeed and find fulfillment. The calm after the years of rigorous training and eventual service was bliss for him. It seemed Kazuya’s future was going to be as bright as his childhood, however, the universe seemed to have other plans for him.

After being granted an extended leave after 4 years of exemplary service, Kazuya decided to return home. However, tragedy struck upon his return. Once he arrived, he quickly discovered that his parents estate was being sacked in the night. Kazuya forgoed an engagement, instead choosing to look for his parents. He did find them, but he was too late. The scene showed that Kazuya’s father defended himself and his wife till the very end. Seeing his parents like this lit a fire inside of him, a fire which burned throughout his body and fueled his rage. No raider survived his fury, nor did his home. After that fateful night, the remains of the raiders and his parents couldn’t be found. All that remained of his home was a mound of ash and stone.

After the massacre, Kazuya ran away. Far away. It was months before someone found him. That someone was his Grandfather. He found Kazuya up north near Sukochi, living as a recluse and a hermit. Kazuya had spiraled into a deep depression, his inner fire extinguishing completely. His Grandfather took it upon himself to rebuild Kazuya from the ground up, to reconstruct the once happy-go-lucky kid who had dreams of greatness. He took Kazuya on a journey, both physical and spiritual. They ventured to foreign lands and learned their culture. Kazuya was hesitant at first but warmed up to the idea, he found solace in training again and learning about the nations he visited gave him joy; joy which he thought he’d never feel again. Kazuya took his time abroad seriously and strived to master all martial arts and techniques he could. After 6 years, the pair had visited each of the three other nations. Kazuya had developed a habit of wandering around the land and offering his aid to anyone who needed it. It was during this time when he was given the name, “Ronin of the South Sea”, a man who helped any and all he could. When their journey was complete, they returned home and Kazuya began a fresh start. He bought the land his childhood home was founded on and built a dojo. After years of studying and training foreign arts, Kazuya had developed his own martial art, Majrijutsu(Combined Technique). It was here that he spent the last 2 years, being an instructor to those who asked and a counselor for those who listened.

人格と行動 Personality and Behaviour
Kazuya is a friend to all. He emanates a sort of calm whenever he enters a room and his mere presence seems to invoke joy. He's a happy-go-lucky soul who certainly lives in the now more than the later. He loves to aid those in need and will never deny a cry for help. On several occasions, he’s interrupted lessons and seminars to help out a passer by or even ran several dozen yards away upon hearing someone in need. He’s been several hours late to events only to arrive dusted up and dirty, claiming to have warded off a wake of Lion Vultures or even slaying a Spider Snake. These “stories” definitely didn’t entertain the event hosts.

Kazuya will never forget what happened to his parents, what happened to him when he saw them… when he lost control. He had regained his Inner Fire years ago, but still hasn’t trained his elemental skills. He’s scared that he’ll lose himself again, destroy his new life and tarnish all he’s accomplished. Striving for power in his youth only led to anger… pain… and suffering. He’ll stop at nothing to ensue it never happens again; and ensure no one else suffers a similar fate.

職業の詳細 Occupational Details
After years of wandering, Kazuya now runs his own dojo in Bimu where he teaches all who venture through his doors. Although students were slow coming at first, when word got around that the Ronin of the South Sea had begun accepting disciples, people flocked to his school from all across the land. Nowadays, Kazuya’s schedule is stacked with little time for dedicated leisure; the occasional seminar abroad being all the leisure he can manage.

宗教的信念 Religious Beliefs
Kazuya finds more fulfillment in his training than he does in any belief. He’ll never think less of someone who chooses to follow the pantheon, worship just isn’t in his interests.

強迫嫌い Likes and Dislikes
Kazuya loves all manner of training, not preferring any method over another. Whether it be vigorous exercise or calming meditation, the mere fact he’s improving himself gives him joy. The only thing that can come close to providing him a similar amount of fulfillment is helping others improve as well.

Kazuya learned in his youth that striving for power will only lead to suffering, a sentiment that only strengthened in his adulthood. He finds pity in those who lust for power and while try to guide those who blindly seek it.

恐怖症 Fears/Phobias
More than anything else, Kazuya fears that he’ll lose control of himself again. His fear of repeating the events of his youth have kept him from improving his own abilities as a fire bender even after he regained his inner fire, choosing to only use basic techniques (for the most part).

The age of his Grandfather also taxes his mind. He was all the family Kazuya had after what happened to his parents, helping guide him three his grief and setting him on the right path. His death shall truly be a dark point in Kazuya’s life.

興味 Hobbies/Interests
Besides the obvious, his training and meditation, Kazuya very much enjoys the little things: a nice walk through the countryside, good literature, a refreshing cup of tea. Cooking is actually a favorite hobby of Kazuya, not that he’s bragging, but he is known to make the best desserts in Bimu. His Takoyaki is to die for.

強み弱み Strengths and Weaknesses
Kazuya has the memory of an elephant and is quick to pick up new information, a trait which has helped him greatly throughout his life. It’s this memory and quick learning which has allowed him to master several different martial arts from all across Shiizun, allowing him to create his very own martial art as a result (Majrijutsu). Due to Kazuya’s lack of complete elemental mastery, he developed his fighting style to supplement his intentional shortcoming.

Kazuya has a mastery with his chi and spirit, although the same cannot be said about his emotions. It’s not the petty jabs which get to him, it’s the more personal attacks which will lead to him losing control  himself. This loss of control will usually result in immediate retaliation, but on rare occasions it might result in a fiery outburst.

野望 Ambitions
Kazuya seeks no wealth, no power, and no status in life. He’s found happiness in what he does and that’s more than enough for him. Bettering himself and others is all the fulfillment he needs.

家族 Family
Kazuya’s father, Kōte Hōseki, and mother, Yui Hōseki, died when he was 20. Ever since, his Grandfather, Nobutoshi Hōseki, has been a loving guardian to the young man, guiding him through his grief.

アライズ Allies
N/A

敵 Enemies
N/A

物理スキル Physical Skills
Kazuya’s strength lies in his discipline, able to match a much stronger opponent through sheer will and technique alone.

知的スキル Intellectual Skills
While he was abroad, Kazuya had two years, each, to study every nation's martial arts and styles. He forged his own style from his combined knowledge. Not a style to counter each element, the knowledge alone is more than enough to create an advantage, it’s a style which any bender, or even none-benders, could use to better their abilities. Additionally, due to his travels, Kazuya gained a widened perspective on the world in which he live. This granted him newfound knowledge and respect for the other nations and their cultures—along with a decent knowledge of their individual languages.

エレメンタルスキル Elemental Skills
Due to his past trauma, Kazuya has become very weary of utilizing his elemental abilities; However, as a wise fighter and tactician, they are an asset he cannot ignore for combat. Although he has intentionally refrained from further developing his offensive skills, Kazuya has trained to master more practical and passive abilities.

Energy Reading

In a similar way to healing, fire users are capable of using fire to sense chi paths and interpret spiritual energy.

Advanced Heat Control

Using this technique, fire elementalists can heat a wide range of liquids, like water or tea, heat metal to scalding temperatures, or melt ice. Kazuya further developed this skill to offer even more control over heat. He gained the ability to remove heat from matter, heat which he then internalizes and must release out of his body.

Heat Parry

Kazuya has developed a technique which allows him to expel his own body heat in bursts of superheated energy. This heat may be released anywhere on the body, but can be concentrated to the hands and feet to offer more control and intensity. Bursts, if timed appropriately, have the ability to deflect oncoming attacks.

衣服スタイル Clothing Style
Kazuya’s style changes depending on the occasion. He likes to “blend in” when visiting other nations and has apparel from each. During classes and seminars, he wears his training gi; while during special occasions, he wears his red robes.

兵器Weapon/s
A Stiletto Katana given to him from his Grandfather after his return home. It’s been in the family for generations.

鎧 Armour
Kazuya prefers to be lightly armored, sporting only a shoulder guard on his left.