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Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling Lore Bits
Want to give some scattered bits of lore information regarding the Shao sisters in Cryas Darkstalkers. Help to give you a bit more insight into them as people beyond just being Xianshushi jiangshi. 🤗
Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling are an ethnic mix of Manchu and Han, with their mother being Manchu and their father being Han.
Due to their mother, many customs and cultural aspects they hold onto are predominantly Manchu in nature.
Pickled vegetables, like cabbage, play a major role in their diet. The coffin they travel with has compartments with jars of such delicacies ready for consumption or preparation for meals.
Mantou (馒头) is a staple food that the sisters will eat often. A steamed bun made of wheat, they will sometimes add other flavoring in the process to add some additional flavor.
Due to the incident that made the sisters aware of what happens when a jiangshi tastes blood, Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling refuse to eat any meat-based food if it wasn't prepared by them or a very trusted individual.
As far as meat in their diet, they primarily obtain that via fishing or small game hunting. When they have the chance with what little money they get, they do buy pork as a treat. Blood sausage was something they did consume in a soup when they were human. However, they no longer consume this as they can't.
Often, Mei-Ling will grill them food over a fire. From grilling meat to making varies types of stir fries, it is a great day when the Shao sisters can enjoy a meal cooked over a campfire.
For a hearty and filling meal, Mei-Ling will make baozi (包子). Quite the savory dish.
As a special treat for difficult hunts or special occasions, Mei-Ling will make suziyie doubao (蘇子葉豆包), one of Hsien-Ko's personal favorites. It is a steamed bun filled with sweetened mashed beans.
Mei-Ling has a major sweet tooth. Her personal favorite sweet is a treat that their mother would make for them: Sachima (沙琪玛). A very sweet fritter treat, it is strands of fried batter that are bound by sweet, sugary syrup. She remembers by memory how to make this treat.
Another sweet on Mei-Ling's radar is dragon's beard candy (龍鬚糖), a treat similar to cotton candy. An incredibly rare treat, she tries to find time to figure out the secret to making this dish as it is difficult and time consuming.
Mei-Ling does try her best to not eat as many sweets. It isn't so much because she fears getting fat, just more so keeping in mind the idea of self-discipline and control.
The sisters don't actually eat as much rice dishes as you would think, thanks in part to how they grew up. But they do engage occasionally when the chance arises.
Tea and water are common for the sisters to drink. Interestingly, they do prefer to drink warm/hot water rather than cold water.
Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling Lore Bits 2
Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling are polylingual. Both sisters are fluent in Manchu (their first language), Mandarin, Cantonese, and English.🗺️
Mei-Ling can also understand well enough Burmese, German, Spanish, and Japanese. This comes down to mostly because of allies and friends over the years who speak these languages.
Both sisters can read the writings of the Crylesh and Ech Tung languages.
Both sisters have an accent to the way they speak outside of their native Manchu. However, due to being alive for so many decades and exposed to many cultures in their travels, they are fully capable of masking their accents when needed.
When speaking with each other, Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling will default to Manchu.
During their travels, Hsien-Ko likes to wind down by doing a bit of artistic hobbies. From ink sketches to wood carving, Mei-Ling likes to see her sister find a way to express herself and encourages her.🎨
Yes, Hsien-Ko will have her big sis be a model for her when she wants to practice painting people. As her skills and techniques developed, her paintings of her sister got more and more beautiful. This makes Mei-Ling very bashful of seeing herself being painted in such a way. 😊
The coffin that Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling use can fly relatively quicky. However, it is limited by the energy that Mei-Ling can put into it via her Qi. To combat this, Mei-Ling goes through exercises of a mental and physical nature to help her.
Via training, she is able to further efficiently channel her Qi to help fly the coffin for longer periods of time. Of course, there are nights where Hsien-Ko will let Mei-ling rest so she can build up energy for when it is needed.
Also, Hsien-Ko pulling the coffin still helps her build up strength and stamina as the bed/storage unit of the Shao Sisters is still heavy. Plus, she wants to help her sister out whenever possible plus see the sights of the world as they explore.
There are the rare times when Mei-Ling will pull the coffin herself by hand. While not able to pull it physically for the long distances that Hsien-Ko can, it is needed when going through a settlement. Plus, further helps her build stamina and strength.💪
Sometimes, Mei-Ling will do it purely to help her train when she and Hsien-Ko are already far out of the range of human settlements. Hsien-Ko will cheer on her big sister, which Mei-Ling appreciates.😆🙌
Cryas Darkstalkers Cast Bits
So, I only really have designs for the characters I have shown via lore blogs. However, I already do have thoughts for many of the other cast. So rather than wait till I have designs to make longer lore blogs, I'll give brief snippets about how each have changed for the mythos and their general role.
Jon Talbain:
He is still a werewolf, born in the wilderness of the northern forests of the United Kingdom.
His father is still Baraba Kreutz, while his mother now has a name: Cathwulf Talbain. Cathwulf has a pet dog, an Airedale Terrier known as Norward.
He still has an ordeal of being unable to fully control his werewolf form. It is via the help of many of the years that he eventually can learn to control his Qi and control his bestial form.
He will have a fairly northern accent thanks to his mother.
He does learn martial arts from a Japanese master he finds in the mountains of the main European continent. The master does go by the name of Gallon.
He does eventually become friends with Felicia and becomes a relative mainstay in the Rose household from his travels. Their relationship is strictly platonic, despite Ramona making sly remarks about Jon being a fine man for her daughter.
Victor Von Gerdenheim:
Victor's 'birth' year is changed to 1831. No current month or date as of yet.
Honestly, aspects of his lore are inspired by the story he had from the Udon mythos. One of the very few things I can praise about those comics.
Professor Gerdenheim sees Emily and Victor as not only his creations, but also his children. He wishes to use his knowledge to further improve them, especially Emily since her 'heart' is defective compared to Victor's.
He and Emily both speak fluent Germen, but eventually learn English. Victor does tend to talk in the third person, but eventually learns to better improve his speech over the decades.
After the events of Victor and Emily's introduction into the mythos, their goals both involve making their father proud in their own ways. Victor wishes to get strong to help protect the village and his big sister from those who would cause harm. Emily wishes to follow in her father's footsteps to continue his research so that one day his studies could be fully realized and help the people.
Demitri Maximoff:
He is born in Makai.
He plays an antagonistic role, generally being a menace and nuisance to the various protagonists in the Cryas Darkstalkers mythos and eventually to even a few individuals from the Cryas Chronicles reality.
After his failed coup against Belial, he, his castle, and those in it were banished to Earth as a sign of humiliation and contempt for the vampire lord. Not only that, but the vampires who remained in Makai were under heavy watch.
However, there was another added thing in Cryas Darkstalkers. Belial cursed Demitri that so long as he lived, Demitri's power would always never be able to reach its full potential no matter how blood he consumed. Not only that, but he couldn't pass through the Gate to return to Makai.
With no knowledge of the curse, Demitri's time on Earth is spent trying to feebly regain his power and more to once again rechallenge Belial. However, he does seek to try and make a base of operation on Earth.
Despite not being at his full power, he still proves to be quite a powerful creature of the night.
His hatred of Belial extends to Morrigan. In essence, those who bear the family name of Aensland are his mortal enemies and must be crushed under his heel so he can take the throne and power of the ruler of Makai.
He does still have his harem of women. They are Patricia, Elizabeth, Francoise and Angelica. They are the ones that he gives the best treatment to in regard to their duties him compared to all his 'loyal' subjects.
His clothing is gonna be changed. Despite my desire to make fun of Demitri and see him as this dumb onion head, I will take him seriously enough in my mythos. Thus, no skintight clothing. It was and still is stupid looking.
Despite being a Makain by birth, I will likely try to design him with some sense of coding to a region on Earth. For exactly where, I still need to think about that.
While he does speak in a way to give a sense of regality to his mannerisms, he is not above going more brutish and animalistic in his tone when the time calls for it.
Zabel Zarock:
His birth year will be completely different to better match the idea of when he rose to stardom as a metal musician. For now, a current year of 1968 is in mind.
He is born in Australia, but this time will have an accent and speech mannerism to match that along with his cultural love of metal.
He becomes a zombie at a relatively young age, in his early 20s.
Despite the short time span of becoming a zombie, he amasses power at an unbelievable rate.
He begrudgingly works under Ozom, with Le Malta being Ozom's middleman to insure Zabel upholds his end of the bargain.
Despite Le Malta's initial role, he actually grows to have a good friendly, brother like relation to Zabel. Zabel does treat him like he would anybody else but does grow to like his company.
Lord Raptor was his stage name when he performed. He still goes by that name a lot during his concerts as a zombie and when out killing for souls. Only a few people are aware of his real name of Zabel Zarock.
NO, he and Hsien-Ko are not a couple in this mythos. However, I would like to give an idea of what I plan. This next bullet point will be longer, but I need to stress this very badly.
Upon his first encounter with the sisters in the brush of Australia, he merely saw Hsien-Ko as just another jobber out to kill him. A buzzkill basically. Despite being stronger than her, something about her willingness to keep fighting despite being badly injured and losing sparked something in his heart and mind. Her ferocious fighting spirit lit a flame in him that made him respect her and even grow to find this sheila as quite the catch. He would throw the battle to let her 'win' and eventually make his escape after teasing her with his honest answer as to why he allowed her to live and win. I want to explore the idea of his crush on Hsien-Ko being built on his respect for her after that first encounter. While the sisters clearly would want him dead since he is a murderous menace, the dude proves to be too slippery to fully kill. If anything, he basically likes to annoy her when he can come across Hsien-Ko. Not only to see her react but catch more glimpses of her.
Zabel is basically a chaotic antagonist. While he generally is a terrible individual, he is quite the goober with how he just lives by his own rules. However, there will be times where he does lend a hand to Hsien-Ko based on the circumstances. It is not often but does occur.
After his first encounter with the Shao sisters, he has no intention to harm or kill Hsien-Ko. By proxy, this is the same for Mei-Ling, but only because she is related to Hsien-Ko.
He wants to gain enough power to kill Ozom so he can be free from him and just go about living his undead life his own way. He does hope that maybe in time, perhaps he could even somehow get his sheila to aid him in killing Ozom.
Sasquatch:
His father is the leader of their tribe and is known as Tundra.
Their tribe is located in the artic regions of northern Canada.
The Bigfoot race once lived in Makai, but eventually left via a gate that no longer is active. The original location of the gate that brought their ancestors to this land is regarded as a sacred place and holds major cultural significance.
I am still uncertain how big of a character and role he will play in the overall mythos, but the sisters do encounter him and the Bigfoot during their travels through the North American continent.
Rikuo:
I'll be honest, I don't really have anything in mind. He will get a redesign and his people will live near the region of Brazil. But overall, the merkin and Rikuo play no major role. Just will do things to build the world and stuff.
Oh, I guess I will refer to his race as Merkin. I could say Merfolk, but I already refer to Felicia's race as Catfolk. So, want to spread things out with my vernacular.
Anakaris:
Same as Rikuo, but I do at least have a story event in mind with him. But again, he is a minor character in the grand scheme of things.
Likely, time travel will be eliminated from his lore since I do not want to deal with such story elements. But still, Anakaris will be quite the powerful pharaoh.
And yes, he still has commandments.
Okay, I think I will stop here for now. Just give you a taste of lore cast bits. I'll give some more at a later date. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll be happy to elaborate. 😉
Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling Lore Bits 3: Rewrite Edition
During the research for a video essay I am working on, I have come across information that has shaken the foundation of what I have thought about Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling. While my AU is free to do what I want, I would like my interpretations of Shao Hsien-Ko and Shao Mei-Ling to be based on the foundation of what was established and either expand, change, recontextualize, or add ideas to make them feel like the best they can be. With some additional flavor text that works for the mythos they are in.
With that established, I feel I need to look back at the last 'Lore Bits' I made for them and change information. Rather than edit what was there, I'll instead grab information from each one that must be changed and say how it will be changed here for this Lore Bits on them. A time capsule of what I wrote before with the information I had back then. If I don't bring anything up, then the information on Lore Bits 1 and 2 are still canon to Cryas Darkstalkers.
To begin, Lore Bits 1:
Due to the incident that made the sisters aware of what happens when a jiangshi tastes blood, Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling refuse to eat any meat-based food if it wasn't prepared by them or a very trusted individual.
Blood is no longer an issue as that idea was based on misinterpretations from the Darkstalkers Wiki based on a panel from a manga. They are free to eat whatever they want! That includes the mentioned Blood Sausages in Lore Bits 1.
Oh... turns out that is the only thing as looking back at my 2 Lore Bits, that was the only thing. 😅 However, I did make other things not under the banner of Lore Bits. So let us look at those and see what must be changed. First of all:
No longer will this Burst going forward be referred to as Dark Embrace/ Xié è De Yōngbào(邪恶的拥抱). Instead, it shall be known as:
腐敗的拥抱 (Fǔbài de Yōngbào)/Corrupt Embrace
It makes better sense in terms of naming as the Burst was obtained via the Corriyami and the Qi of the sisters effectively corrupting one another in a mixture. While yes, the idea of the name of Corriyami is 'Dark Corruption', I already have a character who has a Burst that can basically mean 'Dark Embrace'. Plus... Corrupt Embrace sounds very cool to me.
Another thing to bring up since it is mentioned in the post: Afflicted with nightmares and even being taunted by her inner darkness, it all comes to a critical point during a battle with a large group of Corrupted, beings who fall victim to Corruption.
Without going into too much detail, the whole 'inner darkness/jiangshi' bit with Hsien-Ko is no longer part of the mythos as that has no bearing at all in the original lore. Just a fabrication. While I liked the idea... I decided to ultimately scrap it as there are other ways Hsien-Ko can deal with the consequences of becoming a jiangshi without the idea of some sentient inner demon in her mind.
Also, Hsien-Ko actually can't sleep proper without the help of Mei-Ling. I'll explain in another Lore Bit.
Onward to the next thing to edit:
After a scuffle with some xianshushi and talking with one of the shifu closest to their mother, they were banished from Xianmencun for their own safety.
Reading the official source I found, I actually want to tweak things. So here it seems to imply there being more shifus. Nah, only Mingxia was a shifu. The lore makes a clear statement that the only practitioners of the sorcery that is on display was only her and the Shao sisters. While I am gonna go with this idea of scarcity in Xian Men Cun, I want to have it to where Mingxia did at least have some other woman that she vetted and saw their potential to utilize magic. A small school of xianshushi of varying levels.
Another thing is that in the lore, it makes clear how their village was basically razed to the ground during the raid. I will go with that idea so there is no real sneaking out and stuff. No banishment.
Next:
On both sheets, the term 'ofuda' will no longer be used. While that is the official term in the og lore, that is a term with ties to Japanese Shintoism. Not sure if you noticed, but the sisters are Chinese and no mention of practicing Shintoism. Instead, I will be going forward using the following terms: talisman or 護身符 (hùshēnfú).
To reiterate, the inner jiangshi entity is no longer going to be part of Cryas Darkstalkers. So that Xienian, ignore it. However, her eyes going red is still a thing when she does go berserk.
Overall, in time do need to update these sheets with more accurate aspects, like Hsien-Ko's body frame, an update I want to make to the keyhole on her qipao, and edit the text.
Hmmm, kinda about it. I'll be making a Lore Bits 4 for them to go over some new aspects about them I do wish to share. Look out for it in due time. :)
Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling Lore Bits 4
I had made mention of bringing up some new information that came to mind during my research. And now, I am ecstatic to share! 😄Brace yourself for not only cool additions to their lore, but some Mandarin Chinese script here and there. 🧧
The Igyou Tenshin no Jutsu (いぎょう-てんしん-の-じゅつ) was the name of the art used by their mother and them in the original lore. However, that name is Japanese. After finally getting a translation of this skill (Change Oneself to a Strange Form Technique) then finding a way to translate that into Mandarin, I finally have a name for the art in Cryas Darkstalkers!
異形變形術 (Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù) is the new official name of the art. In English, it means Irregular Shape Change Skill. Also for fun, the simplified script for ya'll: 异形变形术
Jiangshi can enter into a state known as 狂暴 (kuángbào). Basically, translating to 'frenzy', this is a state where a jiangshi is driven into an unpredictably violent rampage for Qì if they have gone too long without feeding.
Hsien-Ko is no different in terms of the requirements to enter kuángbào. However, as she still possesses a conscious, unlike most jiangshi that come into existence. When in frenzy, her body forces her mind to be locked deep away as the desire for Qì takes over.
Even if Qì is obtained, the frenzied Hsien-Ko would still go on a rampage as with her mind locked away, Mei-Ling can't influence Hsien-Ko. The only way to stop her is for Mei-Ling to reattach in her talisman form and bring back Hsien-Ko.
As she is also a jiangshi by nature of the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù, Mei-Ling does require Qì. However, she doesn't enter into kuángbào via a hunger for Qì. Only via sufficiently strong magic interference can cause her to go frenzy.
When Mei-Ling does get hungry for Qì, she tends to get lethargic and irritable.
Mei-Ling can transform into a form known as 護身符 (hùshēnfú). With her role as 'the mind', she has to help regulate the flow of Qì in Hsien-Ko to allow 'the body' to function at full power while also having control of said power.
While the term hùshēnfú basically translates to amulet/talisman, the specific form she takes on is joss paper, 金紙.
金紙 (jīnzhǐ) translates to 'golden paper. The texture of her form is that of coarse bamboo paper, the traditional material for joss paper. Interestingly, the golden color is a signifier of being an offering for deities.
The script on her form translates to 'keep this on your body to keep you safe'.
While in her talisman form, Mei-Ling has a special enchantment on her granted by the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù. This enchantment is known as 奇異守護 (Qíyì Shǒuhù).
Qíyì Shǒuhù, or Strange Protection, allows her to be able to perform her function as 'the mind' by granting her hùshēnfú form total immunity from practically any form of magic. The only real way to 'damage' her is to physically break her talisman form to force her back to her true form. Ripping, shredding, and cutting the form are the best ways.
Even when her form is attacked by physical means, Mei-Ling's true form doesn't suffer actual harm. However, she can't change back for some time as her Qì needs to reconstruct the form internally. This can not only leave her vulnerable to genuine harm but means that Hsien-Ko can't be at full strength for the time being.
Mei-Ling did attempt to reverse engineer the Qíyì Shǒuhù to provide Hsien-Ko with this form of protection. Years of tinkering, she eventually had to stop by the pleads of Hsien-Ko.
Despite the fruitless endeavor, her trying to figure out this enchantment did help her eventually craft one for Hsien-Ko that allowed for the phasing of her body through clothing, along with manipulation of it. Something that would be applied to the clothes that she would make for Hsien-Ko in the future.
轉生術 (Zhuǎnshēng Shù) is the final art taught to Xiānshùshī who have been recognized with the title of Shīfu. Translating to 'Reincarnation Skill', Zhuǎnshēng Shù is said to allow the caster's soul to be able to safely depart for the afterlife.
Because the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù transformed them both to jiangshi, their souls have been tethered to their bodies as a fuel source to allow them to continue living and replace the metabolic functions of their bodies.
The sisters are incapable of passing on via natural causes. The only ways the sisters can truly die is either being killed or allowing their bodies to fully consume their souls. The first option is not a way that either sister wishes to die and the later would lead to their erasure. A true death in a way.
The Zhuǎnshēng Shù is the only means that allows the sisters to pass away peacefully. Once they save their mother and have a final conversation with her after awakening from a long coma, Mingxia bestows not only the mirror and necklace back as a gift to her daughters, but also the knowledge of the Zhuǎnshēng Shù to recognize them both as Shīfu.
As mentioned above, the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù turned Hsien-Ko in the body of a jiangshi and Mei-Ling into the mind of a jiangshi. The rest of this Lore Bits shall be dedicated to what the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù did to Hsien-Ko, to Mei-Ling, and to both. First, to both:
Metabolic functions ceased in both sisters. For all intents and purposes, they are dead.
Qì is required to not only satiate their bodies, but to allow for limited bodily functions, like their digestive systems, movement, and brain function.
Neither sister needs to breathe oxygen.
Innately, both sisters are granted the ability known as Qì Absorption. This art is executed by a focused deep breath that allows for spiritual energy to flow from the target into their bodies.
Both have a high tolerance for temperature variance. The only way they can feel hot or cold is via extremes of either.
They possess a sensitivity to the presence of living beings and of stray spiritual energy.
Both have the ability to walk on air for brief periods of time.
They age physically very slowly.
Food can be eaten, and liquids can be drunk and processed by their digestive systems. The energy obtained from this can be used, but since their bodies require Qì to make their digestive systems work in the first place, this can't be a substitute for consumption of Qì, only slow it down.
As for how Hsien-Ko is specifically affected:
Sunlight debuffs Hsien-ko, specifically during the times when the sun is up directly in the sky. The reason for this is that the amount of energy from direct sunlight disturbs the imbalance of Qì she suffers innately from.
Thankfully she is not harmed by the rays of light, but she can feel its effects on her.
Unlike when she was human, Hsien-Ko is incapable of properly controlling her Qì.
Thanks to the innate imbalance of Qì flow in her, Hsien-Ko requires the consumption of more Qì compared to Mei-Ling.
Being 'the body', Hsien-Ko possesses a healing factor. The more Qì she has in reserves, the better her regenerative abilities are.
Despite the lack of full control of her Qì, Hsien-Ko innately has greater physical strength than she could ever achieve with Qì control as a human.
Hsien-Ko's nails have the ability to grow to 152cm (5ft). They are very durable and can be used to slash or pierce particularly vulnerable targets.
Hsien-Ko's body can easily contort into very unnatural poses and directions.
Oddly, her tongue can extend her tongue by 92cm or roughly 3ft.
While the best way to consume Qì is via Qì Absorption, Hsien-Ko can also sap Qì via physical contact. But this is less efficient.
Hsien-Ko cannot enter REM sleep naturally. In fact, she hardly needs to sleep. While initially seen as cool, Hsien-Ko desperately wanted to experience sleep, especially during the times she must be in the coffin. With help from Mei-Ling, she found ways to be able to rest.
The only way Hsien-Ko can enter REM sleep is via talismans crafted by Mei-Ling with the enchantment to allow it.
As mentioned above, Hsien-Ko can enter kuángbào via a hunger for Qì. However, she also can enter the state via being too far away from Mei-Ling for too long or via a disturbance to her Qì at an extreme caliber.
If not in kuángbào, should any talisman be placed on Hsien-Ko, she will be left paralyzed. However, if commands written in Manchu or Chinese scripts are on the talismans, she will be forced to obey the commands against her will.
The only commands she will not obey are ones that bring harm to Mei-Ling, her 'mind' to her 'body'.
Hsien-Ko undergoes the most physical changes to her form. Her skin is now a shade of light blue. Her eyes are that of a golden yellow. Her hair color is now a deep blue violet color, along with a wilder style.
Moss does grow on Hsien-Ko. However, she does strive to get rid of it when grows sufficiently on her body.
Finally, how Mei-Ling was affected:
Unlike Hsien-Ko, Mei-Ling didn't experience many physical changes. Her hair changed style and color to of a more umber shade rather than her original near dark brown color. Her eyes changed to that of a brilliant jade green.
The only giveaway that Mei-Ling is not human to the average individual is her lack of body heat.
Mei-Ling in her talisman form can possess other individuals, the ability of control varying.
Being 'the mind', Mei-Ling has a deep sensitivity to Hsien-Ko's thoughts and emotions.
When she sleeps, often enough she will suffer nightmares, ranging from reliving the night her mother sacrificed herself to the time her frenzied sister nearly killed her.
However, some nightmares are the perspective of Hsien-Ko's fears and memories.
Not only does she serve to stabilize Hsien-Ko's Qì, but also her emotional state as to ensure Hsien-Ko can serve her function in combat. A negative filter in a way.
While she can and does strive to work through this, there are times where she will breakdown and require comfort from Hsien-Ko. In turn, Hsien-Ko does her best to maintain a cheerful mood that is born from her being in a good headspace and not because Mei-Ling had to absorb some of the brunt of her emotions. Plus, to also make her big sister feel better. 🥹
After being comforted, Mei-Ling generally is capable of experiencing pleasant dreams. Assuring both sisters are in a great mood.
Mei-Ling generally sleeps for about 7 hours.
That should end this Lore Bits. Quite a lot to go through, but finally happy to get this out! 😎 Hope you enjoy learning about Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling of Cryas Darkstalkers. 😊
Lore Bits: Of samurai and bees
Have had some thoughts lately about two different characters and wish to now share with ya'll what I have crafted for Cryas Darkstalkers lore within this installment of Lore Bits. Today's focus will be on the cursed samurai, Bishamon and the demon bee, Q-Bee.
Bishamon:
Born on January 18th, 1673, during the Edo Period of Japan in the northern region of what would become the Aomori Prefecture.
'Bishamon' is actually not his name. This samurai's true name is Zenbē (善兵衛).
Being a samurai, he was part of a clan. His clan was know as the Tsugaru Clan (津軽氏)
Thus, his full name would be Zenbē Tsugaru (津軽 善兵衛, Tsugaru Zenbē).
He would eventually marry a woman who went by the name, Orin (オリン).
An accomplished and skillful warrior, he was well respected as a force of nature on the battlefield with his tactics, keen eyes, and mastery of his arsenal. Despite many battles, he had managed to live quite a long life by the standards of Japanese at the time. However, a life-changing event would occur in 1722 when he was age 49.
The enemy of his clan, the Nanbu Clan, were making their way into Tsugaru territory, seeking to conquer.
Initially, Zenbē's clan had sent the younger blood to fight. Despite some initial success, the tides were turning in favor for the Nanbu. As word of the ever-snowballing losses for the Tsugaru kept coming in, Zenbē grew worried for not only his people, but especially Orin.
One night, he had a dream where the voice of two spirits sought to provide him with the answer he needed. Upon waking up, he went to the location without telling anyone where he was heading.
Trekking up a mountain, Zenbē happened on the ruins of a monastery. Within, as told by the spirits in his dream, he came upon an armor and blade. While the armor looked intimidating and something within him felt uneasy, the promise of becoming an unstoppable warrior who could save his clan from ruin clouded his judgement. Aware of his age and too worried for his wife and people, he donned the armor and blade.
Immediately, the demonic influence of the pair, Hannya and Kien, began taking hold of Zenbē. With the promise of battle, they initially allowed Zenbē to keep control. Going into a battle that was going on, the Nanbu forces were slaughtered by Zenbē as their arrows couldn't stop him and their weapons bounced off him.
However, after the battle was won, Hannya and Kien would take control. Turning on his fellow Tsugaru kin, the demonic kinnies began a murderous rampage to quench their thirst for blood and souls. Seeing what he was doing, Zenbē desperately tried to regain control, but was powerless.
In time as they slowly began their spree of terror, Zenbē would begin to have his mind be clouded by the kinnies. However, one key moment would allow him to almost regain control.
When Zenbē came across a familiar building, he happened upon his wife. In the fog of his mind, he realized what was going on and tried to stop as his memories of Orin were coming to the forefront of his mind. However, he would kill his wife. As the pair were about to consume her soul, Zenbē's sheer rage and grief allowed him to regain control. However, it would not last as the kinnies, in a last-ditch effort for survival, sought to quell their host. Promising him that they would keep her safe within, allowing the two to stay together. This allowed them to regain control. Hannya and Kien would not seek to double cross on their word, only to make sure that an outburst like that would not happen again.
Upon coming across a temple and seeing inscriptions about the deity, Bishamon, the kinnies sought to rename their host to Bishamon. Their idea was to strike fear into the mortals with the idea that this god of war now walks among them, seeking only for their blood and souls.
This rampage would go on across Japan and eventually make way into China from 1722 till 1807.
After an intense battle with the demon of the east, Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling unknowingly freed Zenbē and Orin from their imprisonment after defeating 'Bishamon'.
Despite effort by Hsien-Ko to break the kinnies by sheer force and Mei-Ling using her Xiānshù arts to banish them, nothing either sister did worked.
Hannya and Kien, per an idea by Zenbē, would be sealed in a tomb among the eerie, volcanic landscape of Mount Osore. With the idea in place, Mei-Ling was able to at least place many talismans upon the kinnies to quell their ability to seek a new host.
Upon making way to Japan and traveling to Mount Osore, a tomb at the highest, most dangerous peak was dug up. The sealed Hannya and Kien were placed deep within and the tomb was promptly sealed
From then on, Zenbē sought to dedicate the rest of his time to seeking a way to permanently destroy the pair as a way to redeem his soul from the horrors he committed upon the innocent. Orin would stick by him to aid in his goal.
While his wife and the sisters would call him by his true name of Zenbē. he decided that as penance, he would keep the mantle of Bishamon as to not tarnish his clan, nor name, any further that he already did with his foolish decision he made all those years ago.
Before I explain about Q-Bee, I must first explain more about Soul Bees as a species/race in Cryas Darkstalkers.
Soul Bees are a race of lifeforms that evolved from a species of Makaiin bees many eons ago. Makaiin bees were a parasitic, solitary species that sought to infect hosts in order to reproduce. However, a mutation occurred that paved the way for the evolution of Soul Bees of the current day.
Soul Bees are a eusocial race that work together for the good of the hive. Among their structure are three sub-species: D-Bees, P-Bees, and the Q-Bee.
D-Bees:
D-Bees, ranging in heights of 1ft to 2ft play the role of scout, hunter, and gatherer of the hive. They scour the territory in order to gain information to inform the hive. Information is not the only thing they seek as they also hunt down a valuable resource: souls.
If a suitable prey is found, the D-Bee will use their speed, venom, stingers, and claws to kill their prey. They do not seek to confront above their weight class as they must manage their energy output properly.
Once victorious, the D-Bee consumes the body and then gathers the soul to keep safe for transportation to the hive. The soul is kept in a specialized organ in their abdomen.
In the time between scouting and hunting, D-Bees will also seek flowers in order to gain nutrients to help fuel their bodies. This allows them to be pollinators in Makai, allowing for a large variety of flora to grow.
Can live for about a few years.
P-Bees:
P-Bees, standing around 3ft to 4ft, take on a number of roles in the hive, from maintenance, caretakers of the brood, defenders of the hive, and distributors of food supplies.
In their role of maintenance, P-Bees will make repairs and improvements to the hive. They make sure everything is sturdy enough for food storage, a 'nursery' for the brood, and for the Q-Bee. The hive is constructed from a specialized mixture of saliva, pollen resin, natural wax produced by D-Bees, and sediment from the surrounding area. While the outside primarily uses sediment for a tougher structure, the inside for the comb structures used to store the brood and food supplies use the other listed materials to allow for some flexibility, while being strong enough to withstand their weight.
The eggs, larvae, and pupae make up what are known as the brood. These are cared for by the P-Bees as to ensure the population is maintained for the good of the hive. When the Q-Bee has laid her batch of eggs, the P-Bees will gather them and place them in special combs so they can be kept safe till they hatch. From there, they are cleaned and fed by the P-Bees till they eventually become new D-Bees and P-Bees.
Built stronger and sturdier than D-Bees, the P-Bees are capable of defending the hive should a curiously hungry predator seek a meal. They have stingers and claws, but unlike D-Bees, fully have the support of the hive close-by, along with food supplies to keep them energized. P-Bees seek to kill when the hive is threatened. When victorious, the prey, along with fallen P-Bees, are consumed for nourishment. Any souls are given to the Q-Bee.
Gathering the honey produced by the Q-Bee, this substance is stored in specialized combs around the hive. The P-Bees are tasked with feeding the entire hive, making sure everyone gets their share of this highly nutritious substance.
Lifespan of about a few decades.
Q-Bee:
Standing at a titan 8ft to 9ft tall, the Q-Bee is the heart of the hive. She plays an important role in the repopulation of the hive and the reason the species are known as 'Soul Bees'.
When D-Bees comeback with souls or P-Bees manage to defend the hive and get souls out of the endeavor, all souls are given to the Q-Bee. Ingesting the souls, Q-Bees begin a specialized process in breaking down the soul in order to get at the unfathomable energy within.
While D-Bees and P-Bees can process stray spiritual energy for nourishment, their bodies are not capable of digesting a soul. Any attempt to do so would prove catastrophically fatal. However, the Q-Bee has evolved to not only do this safely, but efficiently.
The vast energy is used to feed the Q-Bee's ravenous need for energy to do several things: produce eggs, fuel her body so she can digest more souls, and create a viscous substance used to feed the hive known as honey. The honey of Soul Bees is packed with an immense of energy and the nutrients P-Bees, D-Bees, and the brood need to survive and thrive.
While the rest of the hive will put their lives on the line, should a powerful threat start to prove too much, the Q-Bee will step in as the final line of defense. Despite her immense size, she is fully capable of flying with great speed and maneuverability.
Beyond her speed, she is equipped with claws, stingers, and venom like her fellow D-Bees and P-Bees. However, these are far more deadly with her sheer size and speed, allowing her to impale and tear with ferocity.
Another trait she has are specialized toxic scales that can be emitted from her wings. These scales can irritate the skin and lungs of victims.
The Q-Bee exoskeleton evolved to be extremely tough.
Using specialized signals via vibrations and pheromones, the Q-Bee can rally and fully control her hive to fight more effectively beyond their instincts.
Unlike the rest of her hive, the Q-Bee is the only one with a fully-fledged soul and thus the capability to think at an intellectual level beyond instinct. This allows her to plan and strategize.
The Q-Bee is the only one capable of speech and thus has the ability to talk with other lifeforms. In general, she can speak the Makaiin tongue to some degree.
Jedah managed to make contact with a Soul Bee hive millenia ago. He was curious about the ability of the Q-Bee to so easily reduced souls to tangible sources of nourishment. In studying her, he gained a better understanding of souls and thus his own being and ability to manipulate spiritual energy.
In return for allowing his studies, he granted them protection and a steady source of 'food' to maintain the hive.
When the time comes for the end of the Q-Bee's life, a signal is given to D-Bees to seek a suitable host. Prepping them with more honey than usual, D-Bees seek to find a competent host and bring them back to the hive alive. Once one is brought back, the host is paralyzed via a special venom. From there, the Q-Bee emerges to pierce the host and insert a special larva inside their still living body of the victim. From there, the Q-Bee dies. The body of the victim serves as an incubator and food source of the quickly growing larva. Once ready, the still growing Q-Bee will emerge from her incubator. The hive will then seek to care for the new Q-Bee till she has fully reached maturity within a few days of rapid growth and change. From there, she will then care for her hive and assume her role.
The soul of the past Q-Bee is used as the first soul to be consumed by the new Q-Bee to begin her role in creating a new brood and food for her hive.
In the chance a Q-Bee dies in combat, the soul of the Q-Bee will influence a P-Bee, likely the strongest, to undergo an extremely quick metamorphosis. While this will cause some of the food supply and fellow P-Bees and D-Bees to be consumed to fuel the transformation, once the P-Bee has transformed enough to become the new Q-Bee, the soul of the deceased Q-Bee will then feed herself to the new Q-Bee to allow for the extreme hunger to be quenched and to quickly get the hive back into healthy order.
Due to her role, the life span of the Q-Bee can be for around a century.
That should do it for this installment. If ya got questions, feel free to ask and I'd be happy to elaborate on some Cryas Darkstalker lore regarding what I talked about. 😎😙
Prompt list:
Btw you don’t necessarily have to draw for Loretober, you can just write stuff. :]
Went a bit overboard today.
