Zhu Jūn

## Backstory

Being the daughter of a low-ranking aristocrat in Changdo, whose noble lineage had become even more downtrodden after the fall of Lung Wa, wasn't too comfortable. Even though she didn't exactly have to live in the poor conditions that a lot of other peasants had to suffer through, the amount of bad blood that festered between her ordinary citizens wasn't anything fun either. As the empire may have fallen over a hundred years ago, the disdain people felt for the aristocracy hadn't faded away much. However, despite not having good connections with the common folk, those with her parents weren't anything to write home either.

From a young age, she was forced to sit through lesson after lesson of forming proper etiquette, learning about the various royal ceremonies. It wasn't that she didn't like it, the intricate workings of a royal court always something that intrigued her. . . Though, the way her parents became abusive when she did something wrong did hit a sensitive snare. Not to mention, it's not like these teachings actually helped her in any meaningful way, as Po Li's government didn't even value noble or royalty too much except by those of the fabled Eternal Emperor. . . The young girl being raised for an age that had already ended.

As years slowly crept by, and Zhu Jūn grew up, her parents' failure in raising her became more apparent. Not because her customs were lacking, as she indeed had the mannerisms of someone of high-standing down. . . But the way that these teachings slowly changed her. She pitied everyday citizens who didn't have the same education as she was, anger towards her mother and father for their horrible parenting skills, and distant treatment. Not to mention, immense disappointment at how great her country used to be, and how far it has fallen.

One thing she did on her own, completely unknown to her parents, was practicing magic on her own. . . As she felt like she couldn't have power unless she had actual power. She soon understood that this task was exceedingly difficult, not having too much of a natural penchant of magic, unless she resorted to an obscure method - Utilizing her calligraphy as a focus, and writing the effects she wanted to happen down, causing them to manifest for real. Though it didn't have much direct offensive potential, these words did have more of a conceptual power to them.

Eventually, something broke in her as her parents set up an arranged marriage, forcibly sending away her hand to another noble. It was a rather useless one, just the tiniest bit above their current social standing, her parent's greed winning out over asking her daughter what she wanted. And although more power sounded good to her, this wasn't an offer she was willing to take. No, if she wished to attain strength, she'd grasp it with her own two hands, and wouldn't resort to marrying someone to gain it.

Before the ceremony could occur, Zhu Jūn decided to do something that she wanted to do all along. That being is to leave this place with almost nothing but horrible memories attached to it, deciding to head somewhere else. Somewhere where she could attain power, amass a force and name of her own instead of relying on others - Only to return one day and take proper control of the households. With that, she set her sights towards Absalom, the city at the Center of the World, knowing that it held plenty of opportunities. . . And not to mention, knowing that her parents had some old, decrepit estate that they didn't use coupled with some minor funds - Both of which would make perfect stepping stones for Zhu Jūn's quest to gain power and fame, no matter the forces she had to use. . . And perhaps, return her home country to how it was before the fall.

## Personality

If there is any word to describe Zhu Jūn, it would probably be reasonably narcissistic, the woman who thinks of herself as a future emperor having an ego that matched the elevated self-image. However, despite this blown-up perception of herself, she still retains some form of humility, knowing that no true leader is born without it. She has an intrinsic urge to control others, which functions as somewhat of a virtue, wanting to become strong enough that others can rely on her. . . And also a vice, as she tends to be rude towards people that refuse to follow her. Compassion is also something she feels to those that stand close to her, showcasing that she's not completely irredeemable.

In her spare time, she often busies herself with the art of calligraphy, because it soothes her mind and calms it down, and because it's required for the magic that she practices. When she does this as recreation, it's as if she's in her own world, unbothered by anyone - Though, those who disturb her doing this are usually met with a verbal rebuke, if not worse. Some interests in other hobbies are also present, namely performing several tea ceremonies, or reading about several battles of old and re-enacting them in her mind.

## Appearance

Zhu Jūn herself is a relatively small woman, standing at the height of 5'3 - Something typical in her home country, but makes her somewhat short compared to other races in Avistan. Her face possesses deep, yellow pupils, and was mostly immaculate, save for a singular beauty mark present under her right eye. Aside from her black-emerald colored hair containing choppy bangs which covered up her left eye, she also has a trademark feature on her tongue - Those being the Tian characters 导致 in black ink, tattooed on her tongue. They're both there for status, as the symbols mean 'to lead,' signifying her future to become an emperor - And as a magical focus 'to create,' allowing her to bring forth magical effects. When this happens, it usually glows in a slight purple.

She opts never to dress for apparel in any mundane manner, always deciding to wear an ensemble, which makes her pop out of the public. Usually, she dons an azure-colored qipao with hints of emerald and softer black in it, embroidered with her noble house's symbol. Accompanying it is a cloak made out of luxurious silk

and fit the colors of the garment underneath it, usually worn under her narrow shoulders. Though this is far from the only costume - As she has a vast wardrobe with different dresses for most occasions, none is any less expensive than the other.

Being ever so slightly vain, Zhu Jūn doesn't withhold spending a great deal on accessories that accompany this lavish clothing style either, a fengguan with plenty of shiny gems - More than often pearls and emeralds - set on top of her head. Aside from that, a pair of polished earrings hang from both sides of her ears, the design differing day by day, and a couple of turquoise-colored half-gloves made out of patterned silk yarn. Though, she usually eschews most other jewelry such as rings of necklaces, finding them uncomfortable to wear.

## Relationships

At the moment, she doesn't have relations with others. The only form of the connection she has with someone else at this point is with her parents in Changdo, and that relationship isn't good in the slightest.