Kaguya Houraisan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
eternallybored) wrote2012-10-12 12:01 am
eternallybored) wrote2012-10-12 12:01 am
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Player nickname: Jade
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drinksteapots
Other: PM mun or character journal
Are you at least 15?: Y!
Current Characters: Utsuho Reiuji, Naomi Kimishima, Dead Master
Character: Kaguya Houraisan
Fandom: Touhou Project
Character Notes:
History:
+ Kaguya is a "Lunarian". Like the name implies, she's native to the moon. From the day she was born she lived in peace and luxury as one of the princesses of the moon. As she grew Kaguya became admired for her beauty and intellect even among the Lunar people there, becoming respected and loved as a princess. However, what was most remarkable was her ability manipulate eternity and the instantaneous. This drew in the interest of Eirin Yakagarako, the so called "Sage of the Moon". Eirin was a brilliant pharmacist and tutor to other moon princesses.
+ Because she was treated with such respect and honor, she grew selfish and confident. Kaguya went to Eirin and ordered that she make the elixir, not knowing the full repercussions of the request. Using her own knowledge and Kaguya's ability to manipulate eternity and the instantaneous, Eirin was able to create the Hourai Elixir, the elixir of true immortality. The first sip prevents a person from growing up or aging. The second taste prevents them from becoming ill. The third taste makes one completely immortal to the truest sense.
+ As Alice mentioned during the events of Imperishable Night, what "True Immorality" entails is that it makes the soul "invincible". The mystery behind the Elixir is expanded upon in Yukari and Reimu's scenario of Imperishable Night: the Hourai Elixir itself isn't a power that keeps one immortal in the traditional sense, but it makes "one an existence completely independent of even the concept of reality, thus making one not subject to the bounds of life, death, or even manipulation". Of course, pain of injuries can still be felt.
+ As it were, Eirin describes that drinking the Elixir gives the drinker the same taint as humans, which allows for many other questions. Why would being True Immortal make one as tainted as humans, why did even the enigmatic Lunarians shun this kind of immortality, when most (if not all) of them are all incredibly long lived themselves? In the Lunarian society where everything is said to be pure and untainted, having this brand of immorality is a crime worthy of death. They attempt to execute Kaguya using any means they can; as one can imagine, this means all sorts of high magic and reality-breaking powers. All of their attempts were to no avail. Eventually they decide to banish her from the moon.
+ Kaguya arrived on Earth in a glowing bamboo shoot. Eventually an old bamboo-cutter and his wife finds the exiled princes and decides to take her in and care for her. As she was cared for by the bamboo-cutter, it is noted that at first it was not just his kindness; every morning piles of gold were left outside his house as an incentive for him and his family to care for her. Over time, however, the gold did not matter to this bamboo-cutter as he grew to love her as his own daughter.
+ Word of Kaguya's ethereal beauty spread throughout the world. Many men sought out the bamboo-cutter's home to ask her hand in marriage. To decide which suitor would be chosen, she requested five impossible tasks of them. To be selected for marriage, they would need to present to her Buddha's stone begging bowl from India, a jeweled branch from the mountain of Hourai, the hide of a fire rat from China, the five-colored jewel from a dragon's head, and a cowrie shell laid by a swallow (like an egg). All of these suitors failed, either giving up or dying in their quests.
+ The Emperor even hears of her beauty and requests that she be made part of his court. She refuses him, but he organizes a hunting trip next to where she lives. During this trip he slips into the bamboo-cutter's home to see her, instantly falling in love. Kaguya refuses again, and the Emperor does graciously leave. For one reason or other, Kaguya decides to continue communication with the Emperor. Over the years, they continuously exchange letters even though Kaguya refused his request for marriage. It was quite obviously a one-sided relationship.
+ Time passed. The bamboo-cutter aged rapidly. Kaguya offered the elixir- which she apparently had an extra amount all this time- to him, but he declined. He told her he had a full life with a daughter like her, and that he did not wish for immortality. Alone now, Kaguya had nothing much else to do but turn to her friend the Emperor. He, too, had become an old man. She offered the elixir to him. He refused, saying to her that an immortal life without Kaguya was not worth living. Kaguya instructs him to have his men destroy the remaining elixir on Mt. Fuji.
+ Except, unbeknownst to Kaguya, a girl named Mokou followed this party to the summit of the volcano. Mokou was the daughter of one of the men who had fallen for Kaguya. Bearing a grudge against Kaguya for ruining her family, Mokou has sworn revenge. She had followed the Emperor's soldiers to the summit to find out just what they were doing. Only the commander of this party knew that what they were set out to destroy was the elixir. A goddess appears to both Mokou and the soldiers; it is revealed to all that the substance they were set to destroy was the drink of immortality. Overnight a feud begins (implied to be started by the goddess), and only the commander and Mokou are left alive. The goddess tells the two to destroy the elixir on a different mountain. On their journey there, Mokou kills the commander and takes the elixir for herself, becoming immortal as well. Her hatred for Kaguya continues to burn. The two often engage in murderous acts against each other. They are the epitome of eternal rivals.
+ At one point Kaguya knows that emissaries from the moon would come to her, but she would not know why until they actually arrived. On the 15th of August, the emissaries from the moon did arrive- led by Eirin Yagokoro, no less. It seemed that she had been forgiven of her crime. However, both Kaguya and Eirin knew that she would still be tainted and thus not live her life as before. So, the two turned their backs on the moon, murdered the emissaries, and went into hiding.
+ The Emperor and his dynasty died and could no longer offer Kaguya free protection. Eirin realized that Kaguya is no longer as safe as she once was. The elixir was offered as a bribe to various humans to allow them to live in peace and to not give their location away. That being said, it turned out that all those who did accept the elixir were murdered before they could drink it. The perpetrator is implied to be Eirin. Eventually, the two became more and more ostracized from the world.
+ Using Kaguya's power over eternity once again, Eirin constructed Eientei, the House of Eternity, in a remote location in a bamboo forest. Eientei was much, much larger on the inside, with corridors that extends impossibly to the sky. There they live in exile for a millennium, presumably moving Eientei itself to Gensokyo during this time. The bamboo forest began to attract all sorts of powerful youkai at this time, so those beings offered additional protection.
+ The rabbit Tewi encountered them and becomes part of their group. The rabbit Reisen, another escapee from the Moon, also found them and became part of their lives. Both Reisen and Tewi were used as a go-between Eientei and the rest of Gensokyo, but for the most part Kaguya and Eirin were largely unknown to anyone.
+ ....And that brings them up to date with Gensokyo as it properly is!
Personality:
~ As a princess Kaguya can be very strong-willed and pompous. She can be demanding, bossy, and selfish. She refuses to work. To a degree these personality traits are less pronounced as they were thousands of year ago. In canon, it is explained that Kaguya has done some mellowing out over the years. That being said, she does somewhat carry herself as the revered princess she is. This affective personality comes so naturally to her that she hardly has to concentrate to make herself appear regal and graceful.
~ Kaguya is and will remain polite to mostly anyone (as long as you are not Mokou). This is a largely superficial characteristic which she naturally keeps in check. The reason for this is that she is largely desensitized to many different events and deeds. She has heard it all before, she has seen it all before.
~ For the most part, Kaguya prefers to keep a rather naive and polite personality around others. She will project herself is lazy or weak if need be.
~ More often than not she may appear lazy and bored. This is not "just a superficial" trait. This often leads to others seeing her as air-headed at times.
~ There is little to nothing that surprises her- which is why she does like Gensokyo for all of its unpredictable events. Although she may be largely kept indoors, post-canon she holds a fascination for the world. Post-canon she has expressed an interest in being out and about more, but for now she remains in Eientei. She is only connected to the world through Reisen, Tewi, and perhaps other youkai.
~ She has a knack of annoying people she does not know with her presence even if she is not doing anything.
~Kaguya has been troubled enough by an immortal life. When the earth is gone, when the sun is gone, when the universe is gone, what happens then? It is the one unknown that Kaguya fears. She dreads being alone and of seeing all she has come to hold dear inevitably perish. While her own scars and blisters from helping her foster father cut bamboo have healed, memories of his death are eternal. This same thing will happen throughout her life: her body will repair, but she will always remember what has happened. Going along with this reason, this does give her much incentive to remain reclusive and to never become too attached. Of course if she finds someone interesting enough she will be inclined to interact with them more.
Other:
Additional Links:
For your extra information:
Wiki article on Kaguya.
Wiki article on the traditional Kaguya-hime story.
Wiki link on Eientei.
Wiki link on the Hourai Elixir.
Grimoire of Marisa list of Kaguya's spell cards.
First Person (entry type):
Languages die. Cultures die. Ideas die. Countries die. [ She appears to think this aloud, looking upward and counting off her fingers. ] People die. Ah... that makes five. [ She lowers her hand. ] A shame that funerals are held only for people. [ ... Something new, something different. She knows what she can do to at least relieve a little boredom- ]
I propose that at the next death of an idea, we should hold a funeral. [ She smiles. From her tone this proposition is turning into more of a mandate. ] Do not fret; I shall pay for all of the accommodations. [ She taps her chin with a thin, pale finger. Looking totally serious about something. After a moment: ] ...I can also guarantee moon cakes.
[ Yes. Moon cakes. She gives a polite bow to the camera. ] That is all.
Third Person:
Reisen.... [ She draws circles onto the polished cherry desk. ] Reiiiisen.... [ No matter how many circles she draws- or rather carves, given how many time she repeats this- the surface will remain unblemished. It is under her power of eternity, after all. ] Reisen. [ There is the sound of a door sliding. ]
I'm here, Hime-sama.
[ The princess slowly straightens up, her hair and the folds of her robes unwrinkling without her having to smooth them out. She gives a soft, thin smile. ] Have you prepared my tea?
Yes, here....
[ A yawn on Kagyua's end, covered by the sleeve of her dress. ] It is not as if I have all of eternity to wait for tea... [ A feigned look of recollection- one that she knows would fool Reisen. Then, a twisted smile. ] Ah, no. I do.
...Hime-sama...
[ One, two sips of the tea, with the traditional third purposefully omitted. ] Mm... But patience is a virtue, is it not? [ She sets down the tea, and at once she gives Reisen a sharp look. ] Which is why I expect more properly prepared tea next time.
Eh? But--
Tea making is a time-honored tradition. Preparation is key, after all.
[ A grumble. ] Then, let me--
No need. [ She merely places her hand on the cup. Invisible but certainly in effect is her power over the instantaneous. ] I have taken care of it. [ Two sips of tea, and then an airy smile. ] You are dismissed, Reisen.
Player DW:
drinksteapotsWay to contact you:
Email: drinksteapots@gmail.com
Plurk:
Other: PM mun or character journal
Are you at least 15?: Y!
Current Characters: Utsuho Reiuji, Naomi Kimishima, Dead Master
Character: Kaguya Houraisan
Fandom: Touhou Project
Character Notes:
History:
+ Kaguya is a "Lunarian". Like the name implies, she's native to the moon. From the day she was born she lived in peace and luxury as one of the princesses of the moon. As she grew Kaguya became admired for her beauty and intellect even among the Lunar people there, becoming respected and loved as a princess. However, what was most remarkable was her ability manipulate eternity and the instantaneous. This drew in the interest of Eirin Yakagarako, the so called "Sage of the Moon". Eirin was a brilliant pharmacist and tutor to other moon princesses.
+ Because she was treated with such respect and honor, she grew selfish and confident. Kaguya went to Eirin and ordered that she make the elixir, not knowing the full repercussions of the request. Using her own knowledge and Kaguya's ability to manipulate eternity and the instantaneous, Eirin was able to create the Hourai Elixir, the elixir of true immortality. The first sip prevents a person from growing up or aging. The second taste prevents them from becoming ill. The third taste makes one completely immortal to the truest sense.
+ As Alice mentioned during the events of Imperishable Night, what "True Immorality" entails is that it makes the soul "invincible". The mystery behind the Elixir is expanded upon in Yukari and Reimu's scenario of Imperishable Night: the Hourai Elixir itself isn't a power that keeps one immortal in the traditional sense, but it makes "one an existence completely independent of even the concept of reality, thus making one not subject to the bounds of life, death, or even manipulation". Of course, pain of injuries can still be felt.
+ As it were, Eirin describes that drinking the Elixir gives the drinker the same taint as humans, which allows for many other questions. Why would being True Immortal make one as tainted as humans, why did even the enigmatic Lunarians shun this kind of immortality, when most (if not all) of them are all incredibly long lived themselves? In the Lunarian society where everything is said to be pure and untainted, having this brand of immorality is a crime worthy of death. They attempt to execute Kaguya using any means they can; as one can imagine, this means all sorts of high magic and reality-breaking powers. All of their attempts were to no avail. Eventually they decide to banish her from the moon.
+ Kaguya arrived on Earth in a glowing bamboo shoot. Eventually an old bamboo-cutter and his wife finds the exiled princes and decides to take her in and care for her. As she was cared for by the bamboo-cutter, it is noted that at first it was not just his kindness; every morning piles of gold were left outside his house as an incentive for him and his family to care for her. Over time, however, the gold did not matter to this bamboo-cutter as he grew to love her as his own daughter.
+ Word of Kaguya's ethereal beauty spread throughout the world. Many men sought out the bamboo-cutter's home to ask her hand in marriage. To decide which suitor would be chosen, she requested five impossible tasks of them. To be selected for marriage, they would need to present to her Buddha's stone begging bowl from India, a jeweled branch from the mountain of Hourai, the hide of a fire rat from China, the five-colored jewel from a dragon's head, and a cowrie shell laid by a swallow (like an egg). All of these suitors failed, either giving up or dying in their quests.
+ The Emperor even hears of her beauty and requests that she be made part of his court. She refuses him, but he organizes a hunting trip next to where she lives. During this trip he slips into the bamboo-cutter's home to see her, instantly falling in love. Kaguya refuses again, and the Emperor does graciously leave. For one reason or other, Kaguya decides to continue communication with the Emperor. Over the years, they continuously exchange letters even though Kaguya refused his request for marriage. It was quite obviously a one-sided relationship.
+ Time passed. The bamboo-cutter aged rapidly. Kaguya offered the elixir- which she apparently had an extra amount all this time- to him, but he declined. He told her he had a full life with a daughter like her, and that he did not wish for immortality. Alone now, Kaguya had nothing much else to do but turn to her friend the Emperor. He, too, had become an old man. She offered the elixir to him. He refused, saying to her that an immortal life without Kaguya was not worth living. Kaguya instructs him to have his men destroy the remaining elixir on Mt. Fuji.
+ Except, unbeknownst to Kaguya, a girl named Mokou followed this party to the summit of the volcano. Mokou was the daughter of one of the men who had fallen for Kaguya. Bearing a grudge against Kaguya for ruining her family, Mokou has sworn revenge. She had followed the Emperor's soldiers to the summit to find out just what they were doing. Only the commander of this party knew that what they were set out to destroy was the elixir. A goddess appears to both Mokou and the soldiers; it is revealed to all that the substance they were set to destroy was the drink of immortality. Overnight a feud begins (implied to be started by the goddess), and only the commander and Mokou are left alive. The goddess tells the two to destroy the elixir on a different mountain. On their journey there, Mokou kills the commander and takes the elixir for herself, becoming immortal as well. Her hatred for Kaguya continues to burn. The two often engage in murderous acts against each other. They are the epitome of eternal rivals.
+ At one point Kaguya knows that emissaries from the moon would come to her, but she would not know why until they actually arrived. On the 15th of August, the emissaries from the moon did arrive- led by Eirin Yagokoro, no less. It seemed that she had been forgiven of her crime. However, both Kaguya and Eirin knew that she would still be tainted and thus not live her life as before. So, the two turned their backs on the moon, murdered the emissaries, and went into hiding.
+ The Emperor and his dynasty died and could no longer offer Kaguya free protection. Eirin realized that Kaguya is no longer as safe as she once was. The elixir was offered as a bribe to various humans to allow them to live in peace and to not give their location away. That being said, it turned out that all those who did accept the elixir were murdered before they could drink it. The perpetrator is implied to be Eirin. Eventually, the two became more and more ostracized from the world.
+ Using Kaguya's power over eternity once again, Eirin constructed Eientei, the House of Eternity, in a remote location in a bamboo forest. Eientei was much, much larger on the inside, with corridors that extends impossibly to the sky. There they live in exile for a millennium, presumably moving Eientei itself to Gensokyo during this time. The bamboo forest began to attract all sorts of powerful youkai at this time, so those beings offered additional protection.
+ The rabbit Tewi encountered them and becomes part of their group. The rabbit Reisen, another escapee from the Moon, also found them and became part of their lives. Both Reisen and Tewi were used as a go-between Eientei and the rest of Gensokyo, but for the most part Kaguya and Eirin were largely unknown to anyone.
+ ....And that brings them up to date with Gensokyo as it properly is!
Personality:
~ As a princess Kaguya can be very strong-willed and pompous. She can be demanding, bossy, and selfish. She refuses to work. To a degree these personality traits are less pronounced as they were thousands of year ago. In canon, it is explained that Kaguya has done some mellowing out over the years. That being said, she does somewhat carry herself as the revered princess she is. This affective personality comes so naturally to her that she hardly has to concentrate to make herself appear regal and graceful.
~ Kaguya is and will remain polite to mostly anyone (as long as you are not Mokou). This is a largely superficial characteristic which she naturally keeps in check. The reason for this is that she is largely desensitized to many different events and deeds. She has heard it all before, she has seen it all before.
~ For the most part, Kaguya prefers to keep a rather naive and polite personality around others. She will project herself is lazy or weak if need be.
~ More often than not she may appear lazy and bored. This is not "just a superficial" trait. This often leads to others seeing her as air-headed at times.
~ There is little to nothing that surprises her- which is why she does like Gensokyo for all of its unpredictable events. Although she may be largely kept indoors, post-canon she holds a fascination for the world. Post-canon she has expressed an interest in being out and about more, but for now she remains in Eientei. She is only connected to the world through Reisen, Tewi, and perhaps other youkai.
~ She has a knack of annoying people she does not know with her presence even if she is not doing anything.
~Kaguya has been troubled enough by an immortal life. When the earth is gone, when the sun is gone, when the universe is gone, what happens then? It is the one unknown that Kaguya fears. She dreads being alone and of seeing all she has come to hold dear inevitably perish. While her own scars and blisters from helping her foster father cut bamboo have healed, memories of his death are eternal. This same thing will happen throughout her life: her body will repair, but she will always remember what has happened. Going along with this reason, this does give her much incentive to remain reclusive and to never become too attached. Of course if she finds someone interesting enough she will be inclined to interact with them more.
Other:
Additional Links:
For your extra information:
Wiki article on Kaguya.
Wiki article on the traditional Kaguya-hime story.
Wiki link on Eientei.
Wiki link on the Hourai Elixir.
Grimoire of Marisa list of Kaguya's spell cards.
First Person (entry type):
Languages die. Cultures die. Ideas die. Countries die. [ She appears to think this aloud, looking upward and counting off her fingers. ] People die. Ah... that makes five. [ She lowers her hand. ] A shame that funerals are held only for people. [ ... Something new, something different. She knows what she can do to at least relieve a little boredom- ]
I propose that at the next death of an idea, we should hold a funeral. [ She smiles. From her tone this proposition is turning into more of a mandate. ] Do not fret; I shall pay for all of the accommodations. [ She taps her chin with a thin, pale finger. Looking totally serious about something. After a moment: ] ...I can also guarantee moon cakes.
[ Yes. Moon cakes. She gives a polite bow to the camera. ] That is all.
Third Person:
Reisen.... [ She draws circles onto the polished cherry desk. ] Reiiiisen.... [ No matter how many circles she draws- or rather carves, given how many time she repeats this- the surface will remain unblemished. It is under her power of eternity, after all. ] Reisen. [ There is the sound of a door sliding. ]
I'm here, Hime-sama.
[ The princess slowly straightens up, her hair and the folds of her robes unwrinkling without her having to smooth them out. She gives a soft, thin smile. ] Have you prepared my tea?
Yes, here....
[ A yawn on Kagyua's end, covered by the sleeve of her dress. ] It is not as if I have all of eternity to wait for tea... [ A feigned look of recollection- one that she knows would fool Reisen. Then, a twisted smile. ] Ah, no. I do.
...Hime-sama...
[ One, two sips of the tea, with the traditional third purposefully omitted. ] Mm... But patience is a virtue, is it not? [ She sets down the tea, and at once she gives Reisen a sharp look. ] Which is why I expect more properly prepared tea next time.
Eh? But--
Tea making is a time-honored tradition. Preparation is key, after all.
[ A grumble. ] Then, let me--
No need. [ She merely places her hand on the cup. Invisible but certainly in effect is her power over the instantaneous. ] I have taken care of it. [ Two sips of tea, and then an airy smile. ] You are dismissed, Reisen.