Minh Thị Liêu

▓▓ Basics ▓▓

Name: Minh Liêu
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Height: 5'3.5" (161cm)
Weight: 120lbs (54.4kg)
Origin: A small village in the east called Haigon
Affiliation: Self-interest, but fights alongside Hakuryuu and Judar.

▓▓ Appearance ▓▓

Build: Skinny but athletically fit; flat chested.
Hair: Light, white champagne colored.
Eyes: Pale blue; a disinterested yet sarcastic gaze.
Features: Blue face paint (eyeliner + crescent on forehead), earrings.

The little village of Haigon was only inhabited by members of the Haigon clan. All tribe members have the following defining characteristics: pale skin, light hair, and the unsettling pale blue eyes. The clan also generally has poor eyesight, but every other sense is much more enhanced (i.e. hearing, tasting, smelling). Using body paint is also a cultural tradition shared by the Haigon. Her clan also generally lacks in the physical strength department but has extensive magoi at their disposal.

Clothing Preferences/Style: Style over practicality. Luxurious threads woven with the skilled hands of Haigon's most talented seamstresses. Asian-centric style of clothes that don't seem very functional at all. Minh is very picky with what she wears and refuses to wear something that wasn't created by a native of Haigon. She adores long sleeves because she can stash things away, which helps her conceal weapons.

▓▓ Personality ▓▓

Minh is vain due to her upbringing as the clan leader's daughter, having been spoiled from a young age by her doting father. This explains her tendency to dress in expensive clothes, and also her sense of entitlement towards many aspects of her life. She is perceptive and not easily fooled or distracted, and once she is convinced of something, whether that may be an idea or a goal, it is nearly impossible for her to stray off her chosen path. Her sharp tongue has landed her in trouble more times than it has helped her, but she's very good at arguing a point when trying to convince others to see her way. Once she's begun debating an issue, she won't stop until satisfied, in other words, until the other either acknowledges her point of view, or when the other party just gives up and ignores her. Not surprisingly, she doesn't like to share and refuses to compromise.

The young Haigonnite is also jaded and it is very hard to make her sad or angry. She keeps to herself a lot and doesn't speak up much unless the topic somehow involves her, preferring to observe and make mental notes. When she makes comments in a conversation, they are usually sarcastic or cynical. She tends to avoid confrontations due to her lack of interest in fighting, preferring to weasel or con her way out of a possible fight. This shouldn't be mistaken for cowardice; she is actually very brave and isn't afraid of anything. If necessary she can completely fake a persona that is sweet, kind, and caring in order to accomplish or achieve her goals. Very capable and can adapt to situations with ease. Should she actually like someone, she will treat them with respect and become protective over them.

Minh is loyal to a fault, and since her loyalties lie within many different people from many different backgrounds, they can cause conflict. Since she judges people on a case-by-case basis, she normally doesn't generalize an entire group of people. For example, while she hates the Kou Empire with a burning passion, she does not hate everyone who hails from Kou, such as the army or citizens, but rather just the royal family. Should she make a promise, she'll see it through to the end, even if it inconveniences her. She is a dedicated hard-worker with an ambiguous sense of morality. She is able to persevere when faced with adversity and likes to think outside the box.

▓▓ Likes / Dislikes ▓▓

✓ Passion. Those who are passionate about something that interests her.
✓ Writing, and by default, reading. She pursues knowledge actively, and owns a couple of empty journals where she records her thoughts and experiences in.
✓ Taking care of herself. She takes about 3 hours to get ready in the morning before she eats breakfast.

✘ Feeling unacknowledged/ignored, or being taken for granted.
✘ Idealistic values.
✘ Dirty/unclean objects and/or people.

▓▓ Abilities ▓▓

Weapon: Two sets of four kunai attached to wires. Caries extra/spare kunai with her as well.
Fighting Style: Minh uses magoi manipulation to direct her kunai, which travels through the wires to provide flexibility and precision when she throws them (and makes it easier for her to retract them or hide them in her sleeves). The magoi also stiffens the wire and prevents it from becoming flimsy. The wires are long (almost 11ft) and flexible, and are coiled tightly around her arms underneath her sleeves. The length of wire she uses depends on her personal assessment of the situation, and can range from a few inches to the full 11 feet. This makes her not only suited for close combat but also for mid-range attacks. Her main purpose in fighting is to exhaust the other person's stamina and magoi rather than to outright defeat them. Her quick and multi-angled attacks done in rapid succession usually make her opponents resort to switching into a more defensive stance rather than offensive in order to dodge or deflect the attacks. A seasoned fighter however would fare much better. Generally leaves her opponent with numerous shallow scars to encourage blood loss throughout the battle, also aiding in her objective of exhausting and weakening the foe. She can also use the wires to constrict or bind limbs and other body parts. Also see this: [link]
Strategy: Minh is by no means a tactician, but she adapts to changes in her enemy's strategy very easily. Every action she does is thoroughly thought out, so she doesn't strike randomly unless she's backed into a corner and desperate, or if the opponent is able to read her movements clearly.

▓▓ Statistics ▓▓

Quantity of Magoi: 5/5
Fighting Ability: 3/5
Physical Strength: 1.5/5
Technique: 3.5/5
Leadership Ability: 0.5/5
Wisdom: 4/5

▓▓ Weaknesses ▓▓

Minh's body doesn't permit her to have much physical strength, meaning that she isn't able to deliver strong, hard blows that could finish a fight quickly. Although her stamina is very good, fighting numerous foes one after another can exhaust her considering her fighting style and how long it extends a battle. She's also skinny and will sustain heavy damage from being bludgeoned or hit with something heavy-duty. Also, due to her heightened senses, certain stimuli can really overload her senses, such as a strong disgusting smell or a loud noise. This could distract her or even harm her, and can cause dizziness or nausea.

Also, it is important to note that even though the people from Haigon have a large reserve of magoi, it is still a finite amount. Should Minh deplete her magoi during a battle, she'll sustain damage in the same manner as any other magoi manipulator. This could include internal hemorrhaging and bleeding from her orifices. It also results in eventual exhaustion, and should she go overboard, it is possible for her to be put into a coma or even die. Her life span is also shortened due to her constant use of magoi manipulation.

▓▓ History ▓▓

Minh was born in the small village of Haigon, located north-east of the Kouga clan. Her father was the clan leader of the Haigon tribe, a micro-nation which for the most part was ignored due to its minuscule size and lack of foreign affairs. The clan minded its own business and was primarily based around farming and herding. Her family was largely respected as the most knowledgeable and noble people in the village, although this was namely because of her father. Educated and open-minded, he was the first leader to attempt the arduous task of pushing Haigon outside of its boundaries and try his hand at relations with neighbouring clans to trade for commodities and to establish relations and allies. Due to his charismatic nature, even the conservative people of Haigon who preferred their current isolated state didn't put up much of a protest, knowing that he was merely trying to help their tribe in the long run.

For the most part, Minh was indifferent to her father's changes to Haigon's system of operations. She seemed to care more about her personal pursuit of knowledge and fashion more than politics or diplomacy. At first her father assumed it was due to her young age, but even as she grew, he could only try in vain to pique her interest in the tribe's affairs. Since she was the only child he had, he had wanted to prepare her for the possibility of becoming the clan's leader should he pass. Still, he was content with her insatiable curiosity of the world beyond Haigon, and encouraged her by importing books from clans that were nearby.

Life in the village for Minh was very easygoing. Her royal blood permitted her to make many mistakes without getting reprimanded for it. She spend most of her time outside in the farming fields, propped up next to trees and reading. She didn't really make any friends, preferring to be isolated. The only person she talked to outside of her family was her personal bodyguard, Bellatrix. 10 years older and much wiser, Minh enjoyed hearing about her bodyguard's stories and exploits. Bellatrix would also train Minh in manipulating her magoi and in essential life skills such as fighting in the hopes that she could learn to take care of herself and become more self-dependent. Other than the occasional argument with her parents, life in Haigon made her content.

However, the Kou Empire began expanding its territory, and it now loomed over the small and unprotected village. The effects of the Kou Empire breathing down the neck of the land left a heavy and tense atmosphere, and many Haigonnites worried about a possible invasion, or being swallowed up by the huge powerhouse. Minh's father assured the public that everything would be fine, and no wars would have to be fought. Only Minh could see the fear in her father's eyes, and she could only watch helplessly, day by day, as the fear sapped away the once youthful face of the clan leader. Even though Haigon lacked an army, she suggested that the village of Haigon fight back, and tap into their naturally large reserves of magoi and, for once, put it to good use in battle. Her father rejected the notion and forbid her from bringing up the topic ever again. Initially, she had thought that the reason why he had rejected her idea was because he had a different plan, perhaps to make an alliance with the relatively close barbaric tribe of Zhezzan whom her father had admired for their strength and bravery, but he had a completely different idea in mind. He didn't wish to spill any Haigon blood.

The Kou Empire had sent Koumei Ren and Kouha Ren to the village to warn them that they had two choices: to submit to the Kou Empire, or to fight and suffer severe damage. They explained how the village was situated in an optimal place for a military base to use against the other clans, and Koumei insisted that they'd regret having to slaughter all of the Haigonnites to obtain the land. Minh looked expectantly at her father, hoping he'd accept the challenge and to fight with dignity and honour, but instead he surrendered immediately. Feeling hurt and betrayed, Minh didn't heed his words of "it's better this way," and locked herself up in her room. No matter how hard she tried, Bellatrix was unable to comfort the young princess.

Due to her father's prompt surrender and respect towards the Kou Empire, the Kou imperial family would allow for Minh and her father to serve the family in the palace, should they so please. Her father graciously accepted, knowing that Minh's general lack in many skills would make her useless for labour, and that she wouldn't be able to fit into the Kou Empire's way of life easily due to her spoiled and relaxed upbringing. Despite his reassurances that this was a better choice, Minh bitterly tagged along, seeing this as a new way to humiliate the Haigon tribe even further. For a princess to serve another person was preposterous to her, and moving meant being separated from Bellatrix. Swallowing down her objections, she decided to bide her time in the Kou Empire until she could come up with a solution to her predicament. Due to her skills and enjoyment of cooking, it was quickly decided that she would become a head cook for the family, but being only able to cook Kou dishes made her begin to hate the hobby she once loved.

Her disdain towards the family was hidden, as she played the part of a servant well. Minh faked her amiability towards the people she bore a grudge against, deciding to wait for the opportune moment to assassinate them and return to Haigon once more. Her father could see the intense hatred she harboured, and afraid for his daughter's purity, he attempted to dissuade her from taking "petty revenge," informing her that all of the Haigonnites were displaced due to the building of the military base which ruined their farmland, and therefore most of them were dispersed throughout the Kou Empire, finding work, and settling down. He promised her that the shed of Kou imperial blood would do nothing for their people. This did little to assuage her hatred, and served as kindle to the fire.

Around this time, Minh began to study the Kou Empire in what little spare time she could. She'd occasionally sneak into Kouen's office and steal some books to leaf through. It was only a matter of time before she got caught in the act, but luckily for her, it was only the fourth imperial prince, Hakuryuu Ren. She never really have any sort of regard to him or his sister, seeing as they weren't really involved in the western subjugation army. Suspicious of her intentions, Hakuryuu questions her, asking why she was willing to serve the people who had taken everything from her. In a fit of anger at his insinuation, Minh confesses that there wasn't a single night she didn't come up with some elaborate plan to slay the others in their sleep. Hakuryuu is surprised by her blunt outburst and promptly takes his leave without ever bringing it up again. A feeling of dread settles in Minh's gut as she realizes that Hakuryuu now held something against her, and that he'd probably tell the other princes and she'd end up killed for talk of treason and regicide. She held her breath and waited for retribution or retaliation to come, but days passed, and not a single thing happened. Feeling grateful for Hakuryuu's silence, she begins to open up more and more to him, discussing her life in Haigon and eventually their mutual distaste towards Kouen Ren and the rest of the imperial court.

Gaining confidence in her new confidant, Minh confronts him after the death of the emperor, Koutoku Ren, and the crowning of Gyokuen Ren, and seemingly out of the blue pledges her allegiance to Hakuryuu, stating that she'd make an emperor out of him if in return he'd give a portion of land back to Haigon once he claims the throne. Hakuryuu agreed, and from then on Minh lent her strength to him.

▓▓ Relationships ▓▓

Other OCs
Father - As a young girl, Minh was spoiled by her father, and because of that she became somewhat of a daddy's girl. She had a closer relationship with her father than she had with her mother, mainly due to his generally supportive nature, and how interested he was with his daughter's affairs. Because of their closeness, the feelings of betrayal Minh started to develop after Haigon's surrender to the Kou Empire hurt that much more. The two now seem to be estranged, with Minh trying as hard as she can to avoid contact with him. However, he still remains a source of uncertainty for Minh, reaching out to her and keeping her grounded to preventing her from falling into depravity. His words still matter to her, that much is evident, and she simply cannot fall knowing that he's still around to see it.

Mother - Minh's mother was definitely one of the most beautiful women in Haigon, so when her marriage was arranged with the Clan Leader's son long ago, no one was surprised. Her mother had accepted her duty with no complaint, and had Minh. Around the time of Minh's birth, her husband had decided to visit nearby clans for diplomatic reasons. Minh's mother would tag along occasionally, and it was in Zhezzan where she met the man of her dreams. Soon, she began to take trips to Zhezzan alone, and one day just stopped coming home all together. Minh's father, hearing rumours of her forbidden love affair with another man, took it in stride. While she was forbidden from returning to Haigon, he gave his blessing under the condition that he'd be the one to keep Minh. Because of this, Minh never really had a close relationship with her mother. She does however hate how she was practically abandoned for some man she never got to meet.

Yusef Halabi - text

Bellatrix - text

Canon Characters
Hakuryuu Ren - After their initial meeting, they didn't really hit it off well. Minh began to follow him about, curious as to why he hadn't ratted her out to the imperial family after telling him that she had planned to retaliate and kill them all one day. When she's finally able to corner him, he confesses that he was no different, and he wished to take revenge on his own mother and his half-brother Kouen. Relieved to see that he wasn't planning on blackmailing her, she began to seek him out more often to discuss things of equal to and less importance, and before long they could stay up and talk for hours. Minh enjoyed hearing about his adventures, seeing as she'd never ventured outside of Haigon or the Kou Empire. It couldn't be helped that she had begun to develop a small crush on her first friend since her separation from Bellatrix.

After Minh's decision to aid Hakuryuu in his revenge, the two merely became closer. Minh puts her trust and faith in Hakuryuu, even after he has fallen, hoping that he'll keep his word. Hakuryuu appreciates her as an ally, and sometimes as a little more than just that.

Judal - text

Kouen Ren - text

▓▓ Trivia ▓▓

◆ Her voice is similar to Tharja (Fire Emblem Awakening) as played by Stephanie Sheh

◆ Her surname, Liêu (劉), means "to kill"; her first name, Minh (敏), means "clever, sharp"

◆ text