Yankee

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think William, Sumire, Rin, Belisendé, Artemisia and possibly Mike are escaping - and Trace, Einar, Kyran, Branna and Thom are in/headed to boss battle?

Kimetsu no Yaiba - Shingetsu

---

Evening | Itoshi Estate | with: Jun _@SilverPaw

---

Ah, rain. While usually weather such as this would keep most in doors, the grounds of the Love Pillar's estate were bustling with activity as usual. People dressed in all kinds of garb; yukata, cassocks, haori - uniforms both Eastern and Western - moved about from building to building within the walls of the estate. The health of the members of the Demon Slayer Corps were taken very seriously, and a lot went into keeping them in top shape... though the need for that was slowly coming to an end. The need for demon slayers was coming to and end. It was a good thing.

A tall blonde woman in a habit stood under the eve of the reception house, looking idly out over the estate. She was the estate's owner, and the Love Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps: Maria Itoshi. Something nagged at Maria today, something she couldn't pinpoint. This morning she'd awoken to a bird flying into her window. This afternoon, her teacup had cracked just as she'd brought it to her lips. "Superstition" was not something she would say she believed in, but the country of Japan had a spiritual power to it, and the Lord did work in mysterious ways... perhaps these were an omen of some sort. This strange feeling led Maria to patrol the area, keeping an eye out for anything amiss. Nothing was.

So now she found herself watching over a pair of young recruits as they sparred in the open area between the reception house and the on-site church. The estate did not have a proper training grounds - most students made use of the surrounding landscape to practice - but on days like this when the hearty bustle of people slowed from very busy to only slightly busy, they would use the open space for exercise.

Maria spotted something in the air out of the corner of her eye and glanced up. A Kasugai crow. Maria clicked her tongue, extending an arm for the bird to perch on. As expected, a message was attached to leg.

"Oh, Itoshi-sama! Are you headed on a mission?" One of the young men called, the two having stopped their spar at the appearance of the crow.

"I guess we'll see," Maria responded, opening the scroll to read it. Nothing except the smallest twitch of her eyelid told anyone about the contents of the message. Without looking at either of the students she addressed them, "Go now and fetch Sakai. Quickly." The two men were gone before she looked up.

When they returned with the young woman in question, Maria had donned her uniform over her habit, the bold white kanji on her back comforting. She glanced at the red-headed slayer, taking in her condition before speaking.

"Sakai-chan," the Pillar began, her tone offering no room for arguing, "I'm taking Gerard-kun and going out for a bit. Watch over the estate. Don't let anyone in until I get back unless they're on the verge of death."

She looked over to the two younger slayers behind Sakai. They exchanged worried looks with each other, and it occurred to Maria that perhaps she'd startled them with her sharp tone. Giving the whole group gathered - Sakai included - a small smile she continued, "Not to worry, we'll only be a few hours ♥"

---

Night | Storm Pillar Estate | with: Gerard _@ERode

---

Normally Maria wouldn't have minded a long walk to the elder pillar's estate, but the urgency of his message combined with the unrelenting rain did not make for good walking conditions. Even more so that said walk would have taken days. After locating Gerard and briefly, though vaguely, explaining the situation, she'd called for a carriage. The pair of Christians spent a few hours pulled by horses through the muddy roads before they arrived at the large building. The sister held a hand above her eyes to block the rain as they made their way through the estate's gate and up to the door.

"Gerard," she said, looking up at the large man's face, "Minatozaki-san <<won't want any interruptions. Please wait here.>>" She'd spoken in English to so that there would be no confusion as to what she was asking of him. The thought of the young European bursting in during their meeting and making the veins on the Storm Pillar's head pop out was mildly entertaining, but this wasn't the time for games.

"Practice your Japanese with the others," Maria said over her shoulder as she entered, though it was a suggestion rather than an order. Not that the church representative was under any obligation to follow her orders, but he was a good boy who usually did as asked.

Inside, Maria sat herself down amongst her fellow Pillars and listened intently as the Storm Pillar explained in detail what had happened. It was disconcerting. She hadn't been close to the River Pillar, but such action from him was still surprising. They'd all suspected that there may have been a traitor among them, but she'd hoped it wasn't actually true. She'd kill the demon responsible for this without a doubt.

"I agree with Kiyoura-kun," Maria said, keeping her voice low and calm, "If the River Pillar has truly betrayed us, our response must be swift - but subtle. We must also consider that Tamagawa-kun was coerced somehow. The remaining demons may be taking any number of vile, wicked actions to keep themselves alive a little longer... however foolish that notion is." Merely considering that a demon could have used it's Blood Art for something so devious made the Love Pillar's skin crawl, and though her face and body were the picture of composure, her aura seethed with violent intentions readable to all present.

Kimetsu no Yaiba - Shingetsu

Not trying to backseat drive or anything but the opening post clearly says

^{It is the dawn of the Shōwa period}

Key word: dawn, so to me that would mean late 1925-1926. As far as I knew the actual canon takes place in the Taishō period.

Kimetsu no Yaiba - Shingetsu

@Haruharara I'm actually just not sure what's involved with becoming a pillar in the lore so I have no idea lol. That's it.

@Sho Minazuki

Here is a page from the canon:

Hider

Also I've found this that is apparently from an omake of volume 11 but I can't find a direct source:

"To become a Pillar, you will also need to defeat one of the Twelve Demon Moons or 50 demons."

They can also inherit the title from former Pillars that they have studied under, if that helps you! Though ultimately it is up to our lovely GM of course.

Kimetsu no Yaiba - Shingetsu

♥♥ Sister Maria ♥♥

Itoshi Maria | 愛志 マリーア

A g e : 31 Don't ask a lady their age or weight, okay? ♥
G e n d e r : Female
B r i e f B i o : Maria's father Sento fell in love with her mother Carolina and chased after her for years, even converting to her religion. A Catholic church in a small Japanese town is where they were married, and where Maria spent the majority of her childhood.
When Christian missionaries first came to Japan preaching of overcoming demons, they had no idea just how literal their words would become. After discovering the demons were not only real but incredibly deadly, and realizing their usual method of prayer and incantations did little to stop them, the church sought out the Demon Slayer Corps. Information sharing lead to the church's first true "demon slaying" sub-sect. For church branches outside of Japan that might run into one or two stray demons that had made it off the island, they were told of the power of sunlight. For the Japanese branches of the church, sending a few members to officially join the Demon Slayer Corps was much more effective.
Maria was scouted at a young age by an elderly church matron to have the potential to master a breathing style and aid in the Corps' cause. While her parents were devoted church members, they were at first against letting their little girl get involved in something so dangerous... but Maria herself was enamored with the idea. To her, it was like she would become a knight or heroine to protect people. After some convincing, the Itoshi parents let Maria permanently stay with the old woman and train, coming to visit her once a month to check up. The old woman's name was Kiyoko, and the breath she taught to Maria was one of love. Love thy lord, love they neighbor, love thyself. The breathing style came naturally to her - the swordsmanship she had to work on. Through constant effort, she became proficient with a sword, and came to prefer an iaido style of battling.
At sixteen years old, and having trained in the breath and the blade for more than half of her life at that point, Maria learned that Kiyoko had be killed in action while hunting a demon. Maria did not weep or cry out for vengeance, because Kiyoko had sworn an oath and knew that this would one day be her fate - just as she had sworn Maria to the same fate. To kill demons, until every last one of them was gone from the face of the Earth, or until she fell dead.
At twenty-four years old, Maria had mastered her breathing style and had already invented a form of her own. She was powerful, and she told others she owed all her power to her devotion to the Lord, having become a full-fledged Sister at this point. She was devout in her faith and her work as a full-fledged member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
At twenty-six, after a harrowing battle in which she nearly lost her life and which another new form for her breathing style had been created, Maria defeated a lower moon demon. After recovering, she set her sights on taking down more, and even stronger demons too - now confident in the knowledge that she could do it.
Now at thirty-one, Maria is the strongest practitioner of her particular breathing style alive, and is a force to be reckoned with. She splits her time between hunting missions, the Corps HQ, and nearby churches. Her allies seem to either admire her or dislike her. "She can quiet a crying newborn in one hand while mercilessly decapitating a demon with the other" was once said of her. She enjoys looking after youths, and she can act a bit motherly at times - to either people's delight or ire. Recently, the Vatican sent a representative to Japan for a liaison with those already stationed there. Maria was the Sister assigned to receive the rep: Gerard Godson. It has been a few weeks since his arrival, and Maria has acted as a glorified chaperone for him since.
Her views on humans and demons are simple; humans are the Lord's children and deserve love. When they fall prey to sin they can be forgiven through repentance. Demons cannot be forgiven because they cannot fall prey to sin, for they are sin incarnate and must be destroyed. Her mission has not changed since she was young: eradicate all demons, with extreme prejudice.
P e r s o n a l i t y
[+] Compassionate
[+] Patient
[+] Supportive
[-] Unrelenting
[-] Stern
[-] Doesn't mince words
____________________________________________________________________________________________

_{B r e a t h i n g S t y l e}

^{B r e a t h o f L o v e} : Once said that it was only able to be preformed by those of a certain body type, the Breath of Flames-based branched Breath of Love has evolved into a versatile breathing style. It's forms utilize both speed and power, not excelling in either one, to best adapt to situations as needed. It is a flowing, ever-growing style, as whimsical as it's namesake.

♥ First Form: The Shivers of First Love - A quick forward dash with a series of light and quick slashes, used mostly for confusing and distracting opponents.
♥ Second Form: The Anguish of Lost Love - A powerful diagonal slash from a lower angle to a higher one. Strong enough to cut clean through a demon's hide. Loses some of it's power when Maria uses it with her iai art.
♥ Third Form: The Burn of Passionate Love - A form drawing the most inspiration from the parent Breath of Flames, it is a circular slash used for deflecting attacks.
♥ Fourth Form: The Bite of Unrequited Love - A sharp, accurate thrust attack. Unable to decapitate demons, but a pierce from this form through the heart is enough to slow one down considerably.
♥ Fifth Form: The Pain of Self-Love - A leaping attack that can be used with horizontal or vertical slashes, backward or forward. It isn't very powerful and is used mostly for safely re-positioning.
♥ Sixth Form: The Beauty of Enduring Love - One of the forms Maria developed. A lightning quick draw attack aiming for the opponent's neck, often leading to swift death. Her preferred form.
♥ Seventh Form: The Trust Fall of Agape Love - One of the forms Maria developed. A counter-attack that involves sheathing the blade, closing one's eyes, and relying on sense, instinct, and faith the redraw the blade and slash the opponent before the user is slashed themselves.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

_{N i c h i r i n B l a d e}

^{B l a d e D e s c r i p t i o n} : A katana of standard length and weight, the sword's hamon is wavy and uniform. The only discernible way to tell it was a Nichirin blade at all was it's color - a deep, dark red. The red blade could appear almost black at certain angles, and at others it would shimmer brilliantly. Red could symbolize many things - anger, hatred, passion, force - but to Maria, it could only be one thing: a love to reflect her breath and her faith. In addition to the blade itself, it's hilt is wrapped with a special Nichirin Rosary that Maria had specially commissioned. The rosary isn't meant for fighting, but in a pinch it is tough enough to bind a demon.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

^{O t h e r U n i q u e T r a i t s} : Maria doesn't have any enhanced senses or body oddities, she relies on her skill while battling. However, after devoting her life to the art of demon slaying, and perhaps in conjunction with her strong religious nature, she can sense if a demon is nearby - and if it is a particularly strong one that isn't explicitly hiding it's nature, she may even be able to tell exactly who it is.

Oh, and she's really good at telling when people are lying. This isn't a supernatural skill, she is just good at it. It comes with the territory of hearing others out all the time, she supposes.

Love Pillar Estate NPCs

Fukutomi Aiko
Age: 24
Role: Breathing Expert & Rehab
Breath: Love
Personality: Quiet but stubborn.
Info: Former tsuguko of the Love Pillar. A debilitating injury to her leg left her unable to continue her work as a demon slayer. Whatever happened during this mission is a secret known only to her, but it left her on the verge of committing harakiri - though she was convinced not to. She helps new recruits learn to master the Breath of Love when Sister Maria is not available, and encourages and trains those healing in the physical therapy ward. Tends to avoid strangers.

Nakamura Kaworu
Age: 21
Role: First Responder & Trainer
Breath: Love
Personality: Cautious but clingy.
Info: One of the Love Pillar's most talented pupils behind Sakai Jun. The second son of a distinguished doctor. Originally recruited as a talented nurse, he discovered he was also a talented swordsmen. He is often dispatched to the field with large teams to act as a first aid specialist. He helps train new recruits in both swordsmanship and first aid. Good friends with Nori.

Ebisu Nori
Age: 20
Role: Church & Grounds Security
Breath: Flames
Personality: Friendly and determined.
Info: One of the Love Pillar's most talented pupils behind Sakai Jun. He is tasked specifically with the coordination and protection of the church and clergy on the estate. His charges often ask him to help with errands and he finds it hard to refuse. In his off time he tends to patrol the estate anyway. Takes his job and role in the Corps seriously. Will happily spar with anyone. Good friends with Kaworu.

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Aaaand evacuated! When Bel gets more confidence she will stick around for more fights, but she's a rookie so evacuation it is!

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Belisendé
Evening | Stables -> Castle | Garleton, Lothian Empire

Belisendé watched as the other rider quickly dispatched the would-be opportunist of a bandit, taking in the arc of his sword as it connected with the other man, blood flying before the bandit fell. The way the young man had quickly thought up a distraction plan just a few moments ago, and the way he handled his blade and deftly maneuvered his horse was expert and inspiring. Bel breathed, trying to calm herself down, and now that she got a much better look at the man she could tell her must have been a trained knight. It was lucky that he had found her. If the bandit archer had noticed her and attacked... if the axeman had used her single-minded focus on the assailant to sneak up behind her instead... The train of thought brought gruesome images to her mind, and she shook her head as if to clear it of such things. "Thank you," she said to the rider, "I... Just, thank you." As far as thanks went, it was pretty lame, but the state of her mind let alone the state of the surrounding city had affected her. Everything had happened to suddenly - and she'd just killed a person, hadn't she? It may have been the first time she'd watched someone die, let alone ended their life herself. I... think I might be sick... she though, and hunched over slightly on her horse. Sunbeam backed away from the other horse and the corpse, sensing his rider's distress and eager to leave the area. He was an animal of wild nature, but when Bel was on his back he wouldn't run recklessly. "The soldiers have called to evacuate to the castle. I will head there," Bel said aloud, though only half-directed at the knight. Having a plan of action helped to calm her down a little and ease some of her nausea. Plans were good. "Please stay safe," she told the other man, figuring he was out to help direct any stragglers like herself. With a quick, sharp nod, Sunbeam snorted and took off in the direction of the castle. The young noble held tightly to her horse's reins, though she let him direct them both toward the castle. Belisendé was not a bad rider, or she liked to think at least, but she was not in the state of mind to lead at the moment. She let Sunbeam dodge or jump rubble and fallen market stalls as they passed them as they steadily made their way to safety. Bel kept her gaze focused ahead to watch for anymore enemies, and she dearly wished she wouldn't meet any. The recent altercation was enough. Don't think about it... for now... she thought to herself, and instead she thought to the knight she'd met. As the horse and rider arrived at the castle, she suddenly realized - I didn't even ask his name! Nor offer him mine! How incredibly rude of her, she thought. After everyone was safe, she would seek him out and give him a proper thank you, and the least she could do was learn his name.

_________________________ Status: Alive & Evacuating Class: Squire EXP: 5 Inventory: Iron Bow (3/3) Vulnerary (3/3) Stats END: E STR: E MAG: D DEX: C +2 SPD: D DEF: E RES: D LCK: C Supports N/A

Kimetsu no Yaiba - Shingetsu

Updated my CS to include an image!

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

No worries here! You'll find I'm pretty patient

Kimetsu no Yaiba - Shingetsu

Seeing some other sheets, it seems using a canon Breath but with altered forms is acceptable? So I hope the Breath of Love is okay, even if in canon it's pretty specific to one character. I have a back-up plan if it's not. I'd also like to throw my hat in for a Pillar spot if accepted. Let me know if anything needs changing! A FC/picture will come soon, I was more concerned with getting the actual content approved

♥♥♥♥

Itoshi Maria | 愛志 マリーア

A g e : 31 Don't ask a lady their age or weight, okay? ♥
G e n d e r : Female
B r i e f B i o : Maria's father Sento fell in love with her mother Carolina and chased after her for years, even converting to her religion. A Catholic church in a small Japanese town is where they were married, and where Maria spent the majority of her childhood.
When Christian missionaries first came to Japan preaching of overcoming demons, they had no idea just how literal their words would become. After discovering the demons were not only real but incredibly deadly, and realizing their usual method of prayer and incantations did little to stop them, the church sought out the Demon Slayer Corps. Information sharing lead to the church's first true "demon slaying" sub-sect. For church branches outside of Japan that might run into one or two stray demons that had made it off the island, they were told of the power of sunlight. For the Japanese branches of the church, sending a few members to officially join the Demon Slayer Corps was much more effective.
Maria was scouted at a young age by an elderly church matron to have the potential to master a breathing style and aid in the Corps' cause. While her parents were devoted church members, they were at first against letting their little girl get involved in something so dangerous... but Maria herself was enamored with the idea. To her, it was like she would become a knight or heroine to protect people. After some convincing, the Itoshi parents let Maria permanently stay with the old woman and train, coming to visit her once a month to check up. The old woman's name was Kiyoko, and the breath she taught to Maria was one of love. Love thy lord, love they neighbor, love thyself. The breathing style came naturally to her - the swordsmanship she had to work on. Through constant effort, she became proficient with a sword, and came to prefer an iaido style of battling.
At sixteen years old, and having trained in the breath and the blade for more than half of her life at that point, Maria learned that Kiyoko had be killed in action while hunting a demon. Maria did not weep or cry out for vengeance, because Kiyoko had sworn an oath and knew that this would one day be her fate - just as she had sworn Maria to the same fate. To kill demons, until every last one of them was gone from the face of the Earth, or until she fell dead.
At twenty-four years old, Maria had mastered her breathing style and had already invented a form of her own. She was powerful, and she told others she owed all her power to her devotion to the Lord, having become a full-fledged Sister at this point. She was devout in her faith and her work as a full-fledged member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
At twenty-six, after a harrowing battle in which she nearly lost her life and which another new form for her breathing style had been created, Maria defeated a lower moon demon. After recovering, she set her sights on taking down more, and even stronger demons too - now confident in the knowledge that she could do it.
Now at thirty-one, Maria is the strongest practitioner of her particular breathing style alive, and is a force to be reckoned with. She splits her time between hunting missions, the Corps HQ, and nearby churches. Her allies seem to either admire her or dislike her. "She can quiet a crying newborn in one hand while mercilessly decapitating a demon with the other" was once said of her. She enjoys looking after youths, and she can act a bit motherly at times - to either people's delight or ire. Recently, the Vatican sent a representative to Japan for a liaison with those already stationed there. Maria was the Sister assigned to receive the rep: Gerard Godson. It has been a few weeks since his arrival, and Maria has acted as a glorified chaperone for him since.
Her views on humans and demons are simple; humans are the Lord's children and deserve love. When they fall prey to sin they can be forgiven through repentance. Demons cannot be forgiven because they cannot fall prey to sin, for they are sin incarnate and must be destroyed. Her mission has not changed since she was young: eradicate all demons, with extreme prejudice.
P e r s o n a l i t y
[+] Compassionate
[+] Patient
[+] Supportive
[-] Unrelenting
[-] Stern
[-] Doesn't mince words
____________________________________________________________________________________________

_{B r e a t h i n g S t y l e}

^{B r e a t h o f L o v e} : Once said that it was only able to be preformed by those of a certain body type, the Breath of Flames-based branched Breath of Love has evolved into a versatile breathing style. It's forms utilize both speed and power, not excelling in either one, to best adapt to situations as needed. It is a flowing, ever-growing style, as whimsical as it's namesake.

♥ First Form: The Shivers of First Love - A quick forward dash with a series of light and quick slashes, used mostly for confusing and distracting opponents.
♥ Second Form: The Anguish of Lost Love - A powerful diagonal slash from a lower angle to a higher one. Strong enough to cut clean through a demon's hide. Loses some of it's power when Maria uses it with her iai art.
♥ Third Form: The Burn of Passionate Love - A form drawing the most inspiration from the parent Breath of Flames, it is a circular slash used for deflecting attacks.
♥ Fourth Form: The Bite of Unrequited Love - A sharp, accurate thrust attack. Unable to decapitate demons, but a pierce from this form through the heart is enough to slow one down considerably.
♥ Fifth Form: The Pain of Self-Love - A leaping attack that can be used with horizontal or vertical slashes, backward or forward. It isn't very powerful and is used mostly for safely re-positioning.
♥ Sixth Form: The Beauty of Enduring Love - One of the forms Maria developed. A lightning quick draw attack aiming for the opponent's neck, often leading to swift death. Her preferred form.
♥ Seventh Form: The Trust Fall of Agape Love - One of the forms Maria developed. A counter-attack that involves sheathing the blade, closing one's eyes, and relying on sense, instinct, and faith the redraw the blade and slash the opponent before the user is slashed themselves.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

_{N i c h i r i n B l a d e}

^{B l a d e D e s c r i p t i o n} : A katana of standard length and weight, the sword's hamon is wavy and uniform. The only discernible way to tell it was a Nichirin blade at all was it's color - a deep, dark red. The red blade could appear almost black at certain angles, and at others it would shimmer brilliantly. Red could symbolize many things - anger, hatred, passion, force - but to Maria, it could only be one thing: a love to reflect her breath and her faith. In addition to the blade itself, it's hilt is wrapped with a special Nichirin Rosary that Maria had specially commissioned. The rosary isn't meant for fighting, but in a pinch it is tough enough to bind a demon.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

^{O t h e r U n i q u e T r a i t s} : Maria doesn't have any enhanced senses or body oddities, she relies on her skill while battling. However, after devoting her life to the art of demon slaying, and perhaps in conjunction with her strong religious nature, she can sense if a demon is nearby - and if it is a particularly strong one that isn't explicitly hiding it's nature, she may even be able to tell exactly who it is.

Oh, and she's really good at telling when people are lying. This isn't a supernatural skill, she is just good at it. It comes with the territory of hearing others out all the time, she supposes.