Cai Yan

[Cai Yan]

Name: Cai Yan (Wenji)
Age: 20
Residence: Chen Liu, Zhong Yuan

Appearance:

Personallity: A mature and collected woman, Cai Yan carries herself gracefully. She is an elegant and patient woman who displays her cunning with her music and poetry. A kind and benevolent individual, she does not enjoy violence yet finds that battle is inevitable in the times she lives in. Since she wants to protect her loved ones from harm, she braves the trials of battle to the best of her ability. She ultimately stays true to her own set of beliefs. Cai Yan is talented at poetry, analytical writing and music. She often read the books that her father wrote about politics and studied calligraphy with him and grew up to be an intelligent and wise woman beyond her years.

Weapon: Cai Yan she doesn't like conflict and would normally not want to perpetuate it. However, she will bear arms should the need arise. She uses an Er-Hu called, Dark Moon. The top of the Er-Hu has a large golden crescent blade that is capable of cutting.

Weapon Strengths: It is light making it easy to use and useful for quick attacks.
Weapon Weaknesses: Its not an actual weapon but its enough to pack a punch!

Armour: Cai Yan is a lady therefore she doesn't like to wear heavy armor. However, if she had no choice but to protect herself, a simple breast plate will do. She would wear her breast plate under her imperial robe, the breast plate going un-noticed.

History: It was during the final days of the year 200 AD when the Han dynasty saw its end. Its demise ushered in a new a new era of chaos. brought on by several regional lords vying to rule China. There were those who sought absolute power as well as those who those who fought for justice. And some simply for the sake of their beliefs. Many would rise and fall in the attempts to dominate the land....

Coming from a family of imperial scholars, Cai Yan was born in Yu Prefecture, Chenliu Commandery. She became a well-read woman of letters, an eloquent speaker and a highly refined calligrapher. She is a poetess and talented musician who excels in her studies. Cai Yan was the only daughter of the Han Minister and writer Cai Yong.

Influenced by her father, Cai Yan started studying at an early age. It is said that on one occasion while her father was playing a 7—string zither for relaxation, one of the strings snapped. Wenji told her father without looking, that it was the second string that had broken. Assuming that his little daughter had only coincidentally guessed correctly, Cai Yong kept on playing. When he purposely broke another string, he was surprised that the girl immediately announced that he'd broken the fourth string that time. From this he concluded that Wenji had an ear for music.

When the Han Dynasty came to an end, Cai Yong argued with the Court Eunuchs about the future of the Han. Emperor Ling was not impressed with Cai Yong’s warnings, and forced him to retire to his house near Tong Gate (outside of Chang An).

Cai Yan became knowledgeable, skilled in debates and had musical flair. She became accomplished in many fields such as history, music, calligraphy and literature. During the Han Dynasty, not many women would have the privileged of learning how to read and write. Generally only daughters of high officials and nobles would be taught in private schools. Cai Yong was a master calligrapher, and because he had no sons, it was natural for him to pass it on to his daughter, Cai Yan.

Other details: "There is no doubt that I'm the greatest musician in all of China!"

Gold: 1000

[Lu Xiang]

History is a little void, seeing as its only year 182AD at the moment - but accepted.