Konaa Hirano was a fire mage, occultist, and swordsman. Throughout his 36 years he was a blade for hire, an acting general, a sworn sword of House Sakete, and finally, Lord of Nostvale. He was active within Valmasia from 754 AC to his death in 776 AC. He began as a mercenary of little note, before a brief but fateful stint as Commander of Nostvale's Emperyon Legion during the Western War chained into a series of events that ended with the young man bearing the Black Crown on his head.
A somewhat controversial figure in history due to the nature of his dark powers and the company he kept - he stated without shame that Vindicator Namarre Sakete was his foster sister, and he was known to have loyally served her and her husband, the Sin Mage Zahilekim Sakete, during their tenure over Nostvale. However, his rule within Nostvale is remembered well for his devoted and vigorous service in defending the city from all manner of attacks in its time of healing. He was by all accounts an extraordinarily compassionate and humble man who rarely spoke at any level above his subjects, remembering, perhaps, his own childhood as the lowest of the low. He went to great lengths to found a new, competent military order for Nostvale - The Viridian Legion.
On suspicion of colluding with his sister's necromatic powers, Lord Hirano was confronted by Uriel Melym in late 776 AC. The two fought a pitched duel to the death, ending in the Silver Monster's victory. Konaa Hirano was executed at spearpoint, but not before the legendary warrior King praised his fighting spirit.
Appearance and personality
History
Known Abilities
A magi who amassed well over twenty years of combat experience, Konaa Hirano was known to utilize both swordplay and sorcery in battle, adjusting his style between blasts of magic and close range assaults depending on the situation at hand. His fighting form was self-taught and unorthodox - coupling that with his jocular personality made for a confusing opponent to face. He was not a warrior on the level of the former Empyreal Watchmen, but he still ended life as a powerful individual.
Shadowflame Magic
Konaa's signature school of magic - combining his fire affinity with the occult, he was able to project waves of black flame that seared to the bone with unholy might. The development of his ability to use this type of magic was known to have taken him several years - he noted in his personal journal that it was "a union of what came naturally and what was forced upon me." Whatever the case, he wielded Shadowflame Magic with nothing short of absolute mastery, being perhaps the most powerful mage of this type in his time.
Fire Magic
Hirano was noted to possess many of the traits commonly associated with fire mage - being a determined and passionate individual. Indeed, he was often spotted wielding fire magic as opposed to shadowflame during many minor encounters, saving the dark fire for more important battles. His affinity for flames was unquestionable - he wielded enough mastery to be capable of burning opponents to ash and cinders, though he rarely if ever utilized such overwhelming force. He was even able to briefly wrest control of both magical and nonmagical flames, as seen when he protected Nostvale from a wave of dragonfire. This ability extended to enemy shadowflame, as well.
Such was his mastery over fire magic that Hirano eventually gained the ability to transform himself into a fire elemental for a boost of power mid-battle - an ability he used sparingly.
Darkness Magic
Easily his least utilized tree of spells, Hirano was nontheless a fairly accomplished occultist, often falling back of the power of darkness to aid him in his youthful fights as a mercenary. He was known not for mastering the use of darkness, but more for mastering its use of him. Konaa Hirano is one of the few occultists recorded as able to almost completely shake off the mental corruption the occult naturally brings upon its wielders. A great personal struggle throughout his life, Hirano alluded many times that his ability to use dark magic was something gained artifically and against his will, but no details were ever discovered.
Swordsmanship
An accomplished swordsman, Hirano preferred wielding a hand-and-a-half sword in combat, noting its adaptability as being invaluable. His fighting style was self-taught, but incorporated elements of Vritra style.
Trivia
- In Eternia's Power Ranking, Konaa Hirano's stats are: Strength (B), Durability (B), Agility (C), Magic Power (C),Magic Damage (B+), Intelligence (D-), Willpower (S).