Whether by Sun or by Storm...
is the shared name of two disparate personalities inhabiting the same body. Originally one being, the trick of a magician sundered their mind in two, and though they may be eternally bound, neither is particularly happy about it. Though the two share many of the same immutable traits, ranging from their stormy green eyes, to their slender frame, their 167cm height, their androgynous face, and their Asian ethnicity, they have grown separate enough over the years to want
some way to distinguish themselves from the other. The most magically-efficient method they've devised is hairstyle.
While the sun-bearing Summer is in control of their shared body, they prefer to color their long hair blonde and wear it back in a ponytail, gathered in an autumn-themed hair tie. Fashioned in a neat manner befitting the more level-headed half.
While the storm-bearing Summer is in control, they prefer to color their hair black, using only a cherry blossom ornament clipped to the side. It's not uncommon for the winds they command to make their hair messy and tangled. Perhaps it would benefit them more to wear their hair in a ponytail, but good luck convincing them of that...
History
Once upon a time, the two disparate Summers were one being in one body. Prideful and loud, they would often flaunt their power, reveling in battle and the eventual fall of those who would dare challenge them. Where they tread, they would bring havoc. Some lives would be lost, others would be ruined. It was to no one’s surprise then, that they made many enemies, and that one day the boastful immortal would bite off more than they could chew.
Their comeuppance eventually came, not in the form of a deadly fellow spirit or a scorned god, but of a well-read human in a royal cloak. Knowing they could not best the spirit through force, the magician instead came with a plan to cut the deck in their favor; a sleight of hand coupled with a powerful spell. First, they needed to draw the spirit in. They boasted, bragged about how they were the smartest in the kingdom, how utterly confident they were that they would be the one outwit, and eventually drive the spirit out from their land. So confident did they claim to be, that they even offered the spirit the better end of the bargain. All they had to do was keep track of one ball, as the magician shuffled it between the bowls. Should they successfully do so, the magician was prepared to offer anything the spirit could possibly request, provided it was within the kingdom’s reach. If they failed? Simply leave the territory and never show their face again. Why should they abide? Well, spirits like Summer were well known for keeping their word even in death...
Excited, naive to the trickery they were about to stumble headfirst into, the spirit jumped at the opportunity. The game started, their eyes kept glued to the display before them. Single-minded focus kept them blind to the spell being weaved right before their eyes. A form of hypnosis first slipping a shred of uncertainty into their mind.
Wait, was it this bowl? Or that one? The sleight of hand continued, and with it, the power of the spell grew. Their mind split, two disparate trains of thought diverged, and within moments the spirit found their internal argument with themselves had become external, as though one had become two.
Before the magician had even finished shuffling the bowls, the two Summers realized what had happened. They realized they couldn’t even agree on which one held the ball. Defeated, humiliated, and deep in conflict with themselves, the spirit fled. Word spread quickly, the storm had been bested, and by a human no less.
Though unable to abandon civilization completely, the split Summer upheld their bargain, never again showing face in that kingdom. Time passed as they kept their head down. Though they still traveled the world, they no longer boasted as they used to. Their mutual desire for normalcy could not conquer the growing rift between the two, and as days and weeks blended together, they eventually created their own personas, only adding fuel to the fire.
Now that they’ve found themselves stranded in a new place, in a new world, one can only wonder,
would this new situation bridge their schism, or deepen it?
Abilities
Shifting Seasons (950)
Shapeshifting (1500)
--
Limited (-500), Chaotic (-50)
The disparate halves of Summer switch control of their shared body, resulting in a minor change in hair color and often a taken moment as they put on their preferred ornament. As they are often at ends with each other, the process is far from painless, and they can frequently be seen actively fighting each other for control.
Sun
Still as the Sky, Ceaseless as the Sun (300)
Protection 1 (100)
-- Ongoing (+100), Limited (Sun) (-50)
Endurance 3 (300)
-- Limited (Sun) (-150)
While under control of the Sun, Summer's shared body is imbued with enhanced resilience and stamina, but loses the Storm's speed and strength.
Life-Bringing Light (375)
Healing 5 (1000)
--
Affects Multiple 1 (+250), Ongoing (+500), Activation 1 (-250), Concentration (-250), Indiscriminate (-250), Limited (Sun) (-250), Side Effect (immobile) (-250), Weakness (non-organic life) (-125)
A light-bringing spell only available to the Sun-possessed Summer. The Sun comes to a standstill and clasps their hands together in a prayer-like stance, harnessing their innate light over 15 seconds. For as long as they’re allowed to hold still, they glow with warm, healing light, quickly patching up the wounds of all who come close to them. While undoubtedly useful, its effectiveness is limited by their need to keep still, and its inability to mend possible inorganic allies.
Anticyclone (750)
Protection 5 (500)
-- Affects Multiple 1 (+250), Ranged (+250), Ongoing (+500), Concentration (-250), Limited (-250), Indiscriminate (-250)
A powerful defensive spell that can only be used by Sun-possessed Summer. With a moment of focus, the sun spirit creates a field of heavily condensed air and mana within a 10-foot diameter of a target they can see (including themself). Though this high-pressure system is invisible to the naked eye, the sudden shift in air pressure can be felt by those within its bounds, and its effect is more than noticeable. Any attacks that pass through this field, either from within or without, are drastically slowed and weakened, protecting whoever is inside, but also hindering their ability to attack. As long as Sun is able to keep their focus, the spell persists and keeps centered on their target. Should their concentration break, however, such as through taking a hefty hit, or meddling by Storm, or should they choose to use another ability, the field immediately disperses and must be conjured again.
Storm
Swift as the Wind, Strong as the Storm (400)
Speed 1 (200)
-- Limited (Storm) (-50)
Damage 2 (200)
-- Limited (Storm) (-100)
Move Object 3 (300)
-- Limited (Storm) (-150)
While under control of the Storm, Summer's shared body is imbued with enhanced speed and strength, but loses access to the Sun's resilience and stamina.
Lightning Strike (250)
Damage 5 (500)
-- Affects Multiple 2 (+500), Ranged (+250), Chaotic (-250), Indiscriminate (-250), Limited (Storm) (-250), Side Effect (self-damage) (-250)
The storm-bearing Summer’s prized attack. With a release of electricity and a strike of their fist, they discharge a devastating bolt of lightning somewhere vaguely in front of them. Though powerful and capable of piercing anyone within the 40ft range, the thin bolt travels an erratic path, making it difficult to land outside of melee, and the burns it leaves on Summer only further discourages ranged use.
