Sheet:Nephrite
FOCUS See: Sailor Moon
STYLE See: Sailor Senshi, Shitennou
POWERS AND ABILITIES
Nephrite is both a capable Knight, and an Astrological Sorcerer with an impressive knowledge of the occult.
As one of the Shitennou, Nephrite possesses the ability to teleport. He can levitate and perform athletic acts with great ease.
He is a very capable swordsman and has experience with polearms and sailing, trained in his former life and inheriting that knowledge while in Henshin. He is easily capable of fighting off three medium-high strength youma, simultaneously. He can manipulate energy and channel it for various purposes. His physiology is incredibly durable, as is typical for many Mahou while in Henshin.
He can use various offensive, defensive, support, and utility spells; some with the right preparations or catalysts, many of which may be highly situational. Erecting mystical barriers/wards, or establishing fields of effect is one example-- Warding especially requiring a stationary position, in which he can map out the astrological connections for and bury crystals in the ground around it as anchor points appropriate to those co-ordinates. Warding is not something that can be done in the heat of battle. Another example is that he can amplify someone's latent potential so that at the moment it reaches its peak it erupts into a highly concentrated and emotionally fueled energy spike. In the past, he has been capable of siphoning these for his own uses, or transferring and storing this energy, however this is also able to be used as a support buff (the longer the term of spell effect, the stronger the result). In general, most of his spells have ritualistic components and may require a cut-scened/played/agreed upon set-up, or spoken incantation or catalyst (such as a crystal or sigil).
Nephrite can also utilise his connection to the element of wind (cosmic and earthly) to cast impressive gusts and otherwise manipulate the air immediately around him. He can generate small but powerful whirlwinds and strong sudden gales to knock back his opponents, as well as throw his voice (and eavesdrop on others) very effectively by letting the wind carry the sounds.
Nephrite knows a variety of Astrology-related lore and magical techniques. He can create artefacts related to this magic, or imbue items with astrologically relevant qualities; an example of such is his Celestial Maps and Compasses, made to help locate or track individuals, objects, or places with high energy outputs. He can borrow Celestial powers bearing resemblance to certain constellations-- One such example being Orion's Bow, which allows him to shoot a 'shooting star' style ranged arrow attack called 'Heavenly Arrow'. Another is the summoning of the Lion Regulus, from the constellation Leo, as a battle familiar. Nephrite summons energy (light and heat) directly from the stars to perform 'Stellar Convergence', and other cosmic forces, such as for 'Starstrike Barrage'. Starstrike Barrage, in particular, summons a rain of falling meteors to pepper the battlefield broadly. Stellar Convergence, on the other hand, is a targeted finishing attack that calls upon powerful forces to 'converge' upon a single opponent. He can fire slightly more powerful variations of each, using his sword. Lesser starlight attacks can be performed in variation of style and power. He might produce a single sphere of energy that can knock a Senshi-class opponent to the ground. A stronger attack might be charged over turn of combat, but instantly kill even a medium or medium-high class enemy, unleashed as a two-handed attack. His sword can also concentrate and fire starlight attacks both in waves (crescents unleashed by the swung sword) and beam attacks (directed by the pointed tip), capable of inflicting considerable damage to whatever is directly hit.
Nephrite's longsword was also the Sword of Station he was presented with after taking his Knightly Oath, and is not accessible to him via Dark Energy. It was forged in the Golden Kingdom and is enchanted; it's heat resistant, its edge is incredibly sharp and never dulls, and its able to cut through almost anything mundane (especially while infused with starlight). His sword is also instrumental in the combined group attack that he can perform with Endymion/Mamoru and his fellow Knights-- 'ancient planet collision golden impact'-- in which Nephrite represents 'planet'.
Nephrite is also a Shadowmancer and able to cast visual illusions-- he can cleverly hide doors, cars and other objects from sight entirely, or otherwise alter their appearances. He can also employ Glamours, a type of Disguise Magic, to conceal his identity and alter Expectancy (what people expect to see/accept that they are seeing). It is most effective when making pointed changes rather than completely altering his appearance, and does not obscure him from recording devices or memories. These abilities are far more potent when utilising Dark Energy. Likewise, Nephrite can use his shadow to possess people and objects, temporarily influencing them either partially or fully. The potency and range of this ability is heavily governed by intention and whether Dark Energy is used. Its target range is limited to his line of sight and is more effective the closer he is, though he remains corporeal and vulnerable while the effect is in use. His shadow will reform over time if dispelled by magical means, or if he enters an area of effect where curses are prevented or the ground is consecrated. He cannot use these abilities at shrines or in sacred spaces without resorting to Dark Energy.
He is able to disguise himself quite impressively as Tuxedo Mask, acting as a decoy for Mamoru and using jellybeans or other candy as a basis for illusory roses (which always have gold petals).
Nephrite has a few named combinations attacks with others, particularly the Shitennou and Makoto Kino, thus far. 'Rose of Ashes' is the named combination in which his wind and Zoisite's fire combine in a tornadic maelstrom of flaming petals. 'Bring down the Sky' is the named combination finisher of Nephrite and Sailor Jupiter, in which their existing abilities pair up to create a violent storming downburst of lightning and falling stars, marrying into a potently destructive Finisher.
