7:30 PM
Name: Snow
Preferred Pronouns: he/him
Timezone: EST
Reserve: Character Name Hua Cheng
Contact: folklorist#9385 /folklores
Have you participated in a short-term game before? No, only by proxy. (aka living with Sisi)
I have read the rules and understand the activity requirements: Yes!
Name: Hua Cheng
Canon: Heaven's Official Blessing
Age: 17-20 range (+800)
Background: here
Canon Point: Ch. 170
Personality:At first, Hua Cheng comes off as someone that's extremely aloof and indifferent to everything around him. He takes no interest in other people unless they've done something to draw his attention, and even then he's largely disinterested, to the point of being dismissive regardless of who they are. Most people aren't worth his time. (Just Xie Lian, who gets gentleness abound.)
It's justifiable.
This is someone that's worked and fought, for 800 years, to get where he is. He's dangerously clever and charismatic, and as sharp as his saber - both in wit and tongue. The Heavens look at him with contempt and secret admiration, he's worshipped by humans, loved by ghosts, and he earned it.
So certainly he's cocky, even cheeky. He's the master of sarcasm and teasing in spades, being someone that can be both shameless and embarrassing. (Not that he's without shame, considering his own self-loathing - he just doesn't have any remorse for the things that he says or does outside of himself. Even for all his accomplishments and talents, he thinks himself unworthy. Self worth who?)
But his arrogance isn't for nothing, his sharpness isn't just honed at wit. He's not someone outright evil, but he's lethal, frequently described with a killing intent in his presence alone, making him feared by many. Especially when something (or someone) of his is threatened. He doesn't openly act it, considering his self-interests, but he's loyal to few, making it all the more impactful - and he's relentlessly fierce about it.
Motivations/Desires:So Hua Cheng's motivations can essentially be narrowed down: spite and devotion.
Spite has been his greatest motivation since he was young. Being mistreated by the world, he was willing to cause an ill omen and terrible scene by throwing himself off the city walls during a parade meant to bring prosperity and blessings to Xian Le. His adulthood doesn't get much better, as he collects priceless, powerful artifacts with the intentions of heavenly officials never possessing them. He doesn't even care about them otherwise, and is unbothered when they're damaged. He's petty, spiteful, and will rub it in the world's face, however he can.
Taking the murder of those around him into consideration, he's fought in a war and killed countless people. He's driven corrupt members of society to suicide at the mere thought of the terrible things he could do to them if given the chance, and he hasn't lost sleep over it. In the grand scheme, he cares very little for others. He'll take an interest if they'll owe him a debt, but only sometimes.
(At least, openly, considering he takes Yin Yu in, helps He Xuan. Gives shelter to those that need it. Ripped out his own eye to protect wayward humans in Mt. Tonglu.)
Except there's Xie Lian.
He spends 800 years devoted to him, fighting and dying in a war he'd otherwise not have cared about. Attempting to protect his beloved even as a weak ghost fire. Becoming a savage ghost to serve and protect him, then sacrificing himself for him. Fighting and beating 33 gods because they'd belittled Xie Lian. Making Ghost City because Dianxia thought the idea was neat. Searching for him simply to be by his side and protect him, with no expectations for more.
For Xie Lian, he'd do anything. If someone stands in the way of that, then he's willing to rectify that, no matter the cost or blood on his hands. His desires have always been protecting Xie Lian, providing a happier life for him than the fates ever did.
Measurements:Height: 190 cm
Weight: ~190 lbs
Feet: Average for his size, which is like. A US 13/14?
Hands: Average for his size, but long fingered. XL glove size? idfk
Moral Alignment: Chaotic Good (toeing heavy on the Chaotic Neutral line)
Item: His ashes, forged into a crystal clear glass ring. At home, as a ghost, his ashes guarantee that he won't permanently die so long as they're intact - not too helpful here. (Maybe? We'll see if/when he dies!)
Memories: There are about 800-something years of memories here to contend with so we'll go with these and then uhhhh cement them more firmly when we come to that bridge.- the Cave of Ten Thousand Gods, and his time spent carving the Xie Lian statues and painting the murals within it (approx. 10 years)
- his promise to live for Xie Lian as a child, and the encounter that sparked it
- the debt that He Xuan owes him, and their general relationship, for better or worse, making him just some guy
- his time as Wu Ming, including the sacrifice he made to save the people of Yongan and keeping Xie Lian from sacrificing himself in their stead
- that he refused ascension when he was granted it after sacrificing his eye to save the humans trapped in Mt. Tonglu
- the White No Face, and any suspicions, evidence, etc he might have of his true identity
- Xie Lian saving him at the parade when he was a child
Traits: Resolute and abrasive
Role: As fun as this would be, I'm baby, so no.