Ken Kaneki (Played by Salem)

## Player Information

* Discord Name: salempoe
* Age: 29
* Time Zone: est

## Character Information

* Universe of Origin: Tokyo Ghoul
* Canon
* Latecomer

### Distinguishing Features

White hair; surgical scar on the right side of his abdomen not far from his navel; a single kakugan (an ocular phenomenon in ghouls) in his left eye; blackened nails; a ghoul mask that resembles a leather gimp mask with an eyepatch on the right side, with a lipless zippered mouth and gnashing teeth and bolts in the neck that resemble Frankenstein's monster.

### Personality Traits

Passionate, idealistic, intelligent, introspective, sensitive, empathetic, emotional, curious, reliant on gut instinct, indecisive, reserved, escapist, resentful, self-righteous, "all-or-nothing" mentality, unpredictable, unstable, cold, ruthless, brutal, methodical, self-destructive, self-deprecating, strong sense of morality, weak sense of identity, forgetful, detached

### Skills

- Ghoul Physiology: Kaneki is a rare instance of an artificial one-eyed ghoul (or human-ghoul hybrid). He possesses an organ known as the kakuhou, from which Rc cells harden and break through the skin to form the kagune – a hard, muscle-like protrusion best described as a ghoul’s natural weaponry. After inheriting Rize Kamishiro's kakuhou, Kaneki has displayed a unique healing factor, as well as a rinkaku kagune consisting of tentacles and increased physical power. Due to hybrid vigor, Kaneki’s abilities are said to be more potent than those of a natural-born ghoul.

- Rinkaku Kagune: Known as a ghoul’s predatory organ, the kagune is blood-red in color, flexible like the flow of water, but firm and sturdy. When released, a ghoul's physique is strengthened, they are more resilient, and their mobility heightens. A kagune is composed of Rc cells, which flow just like blood, can become as solid as teeth and can be described as "liquid muscles." Although a ghoul's healing ability is high, the healing of wounds tends to be delayed if the wounds are inflicted by a kagune. Kaneki’s kagune type is a rinkaku kagune, meaning it has an appearance similar to scaled tentacles and is released at the back around the waist.

- Rinkaku Kakuja: A Kakuja is a kind of ghoul with a transformed kagune that clads the ghoul's body. Though it is rare, it can occur through repeated cannibalism between ghouls. It is said that through cannibalism, a ghoul absorbs Rc cells, and this increases the concentration of Rc cells within a ghoul's body. If the concentration becomes high enough, it may trigger a mutation and lead to the formation of a new kagune. Kaneki’s kakuja are twin centipede-like tails protruding downwards from his back with sharp talons on the side. In this form, Kaneki’s kakuja forms a mask that features a hole for his left eye and a bird's beak over the middle of his face. As an incomplete kakuja, Kaneki loses all aspects of his personality when using this form and, as a result, fights like a psychotic berserker. Due to this, he only uses his kakuja form in the direst of situations.

- Superhuman Physicality: Kaneki has a high physical capability and is four to seven times stronger than the average human. He is capable of jumping to heights not achievable by a regular human. His agility and balance are similarly great; he can perform various acrobatic feats during combat and casually maneuver on narrow surfaces (such as lamp-posts). His body is extremely resistant to injury. For example, if he were to stab himself with a normal knife, the blade would break instead, and he would only suffer a small scratch that would heal almost instantly. However, higher kinetic forces, such as a fall from a great height, can and will harm him.

- Superhuman Senses: Ghoul senses are much keener than those of humans. Kaneki can smell people or meat from afar and tell humans and ghouls apart by their scent. He also has a heightened sense of hearing that even allows him to discern individual footsteps far away.

- Superhuman Regeneration: Because Kaneki possesses the strong regenerative ability of a ghoul, small wounds and fractures heal in a matter of seconds. Larger wounds take longer to heal, but will usually vanish after a few days, as long as he has access to an adequate food supply. Ghouls in general have been shown to regain their strength and heal wounds almost immediately after consuming a small amount of flesh, suggesting that they can quickly metabolize their food to boost their regeneration.

- Immense Pain Tolerance: Kaneki is known to have a strong tolerance to pain, withstanding multiple blows from powerful ghouls and enduring ten straight days of repeated torture. He can even break or lose his own limbs without so much as a reaction.

## Background

### History

( Note: My interpretation of Kaneki has unaddressed & undiagnosed Dissociative Identity Disorder, Complex PTSD, and major depression. I am not a medical professional, and in no way should my portrayal of Kaneki be taken as gospel for all experiences related to these disorders. If you notice something about my portrayal that seems incorrect, insensitive, etc, please make me aware ASAP. )

At one point in his life, Ken Kaneki was human. His father had died when he was only four years old, while his kind-hearted mother had passed away due to overwork when he was ten – and after living with an aunt who had resented him and treated him poorly for doing better in school than her own son, he lived on his own in a cramped apartment. Yet at one point in his life, he considered himself normal. He was a bookish introvert with a strong affinity for literature, a college student with one loyal best friend named Hideyoshi Nagachika. He even had a crush on a girl at the local coffee shop, a spectacled beauty by the name of Rize Kamishiro, and was lucky enough to go out on his first date with her.

Too bad Rize turned out to be a bloodthirsty, binge-eating ghoul. While walking her home, Kaneki had been attacked by Rize at a nearby construction site, beaten and impaled within an inch of his life. However, before she could finish him off and feed from him, a series of lifted steel beams snapped from their restraints and fell upon Rize, crushing her to death. In order to save his life, staff at Kanou General Hospital under the direction of Dr. Kanou decided to transplant Rize’s organs into Kaneki – including her kakuhou. As a result, Kaneki became an artificial one-eyed ghoul: a half-human, half-ghoul hybrid.

Kaneki's life became a tumultuous struggle as he grappled with his newfound identity, trying to balance his humanity with a ghoul's insatiable hunger for human flesh. His journey led him to Anteiku, the same coffee shop he had frequented before, that served as a sanctuary for ghouls seeking a more peaceful coexistence with humanity. The shop’s owner, an elderly ghoul named Yoshimura, provides him sanctuary and a part-time job as a waiter, as well as the insight that he can exist in both the human world and the ghoul world. There, he formed meaningful connections with the ghouls within Anteiku while also confronting the moral dilemmas of his new existence.

Kaneki's life takes a dark turn as he gets caught up in the conflict between Anteiku and a group known as Aogiri. Banjou, an acquaintance from Anteiku, initially mistakes Kaneki for Rize's boyfriend, leading to a brief scuffle. However, their encounter is interrupted when Aogiri, led by Ayato Kirishima and the sadistic Yamori, launches an attack on Anteiku. Kaneki and Touka are overpowered, and Kaneki is captured by Yamori, who subjects him to brutal torture in a hidden "hobby room." During this ordeal, Kaneki's body and mind suffer, and he's forced to confront his inner demons and traumatic past, including memories of his abusive mother.

As Kaneki's suffering continues, he's visited by Banjou and his resistance group, who propose an escape plan from Aogiri's clutches. On the night of their daring escape attempt, chaos ensues, but Kaneki, Banjou, and others are confronted by Aogiri members. In a shocking turn of events, Yamori offers Kaneki an ultimatum: spare one life between a mother and child, or both will die. Kaneki's refusal leads to their gruesome deaths, pushing him further into despair. However, Kaneki finds a newfound determination to survive and protect his friends, accepting the necessity of embracing his ghoul nature. Eventually, Kaneki defeats Yamori, cannibalizes his kagune, and unleashes his newfound strength against Ayato, seeking revenge for his suffering. With his friends' safety secured, Kaneki decides to separate from Anteiku, choosing a path filled with uncertainty as he grapples with his identity and the challenges ahead.

Now, Kaneki – under the alias “Eyepatch” – is determined to do whatever it takes to keep his friends and loved ones safe from the ongoing war between Anteiku, Aogiri, and the CCG… even if it means walking head-first into a portal leading to the Nexus Hub.

### Motivations and Goals

To protect his loved ones; to cull any ghoul who threatens the safety of his people; to explore the Hub and find out if it is safe to bring his loved ones away from threats of undesirable ghouls or the CCG.

## Room

Ken Kaneki's room in the Harmony Quarters of the Nexus Hub is a reflection of his longing for a sense of belonging and comfort. It's a space designed to evoke the warmth and familiarity of Anteiku, a place where he found solace amidst the chaos.

The room features soft, low lighting that bathes the space in a soothing ambiance. To add a personal touch, there are strings of red LED lights that gently illuminate the room, casting a sanguine glow. The floor is adorned with polished wood flooring, and a well-maintained table stands at the center of the room, where Kaneki can work, read, or enjoy a cup of coffee.

Shelves line the walls, laden with a vast collection of books that represent Kaneki's love for literature and knowledge. The paintings adorning the walls are a mix of his own creations and pieces collected throughout his journey, each holding a story of its own.

In one corner of the room, there's a simple yet comfortable bed, adorned with deep red and sanguine-colored bedding, providing a cozy spot for Kaneki to rest. Adjacent to the bed is a dedicated coffee-making area, complete with jars of whole coffee beans, a grinder, a metal kettle, and a pour-over coffee maker. This setup allows Kaneki to indulge in his passion for coffee and serves as a reminder of the bonds he formed at Anteiku, a place that will forever hold a special place in his heart.

Kaneki's room in the Harmony Quarters is a haven of tranquility and nostalgia, offering him a sanctuary where he can find solace and reflect on his journey while also fueling his love for literature and coffee.

### Roommates

Rinya Gaitán (Played by Daisydactyl) & Shinya Nekomura (Played by Kai)

## Companions

Tamago (Companion): The Sanguine-Marked Goat