Folkmore Application

★ Character Information ★

Character Name: Reno
Character Age: 31
Character Species: Human
Current Health: Recovering from injuries, but relatively healthy
Outfit: Jeans, high tops, a tee shirt and pullover hoodie. Everything seems new.

Character Canon:
Link to History: Main History | Case of Shinra | The Kids Are Alright
Canon Point: Just before the events of Dirge of Cerberus
Canon Iteration: CRAU from Enervation + Blood Tithe + Noctium
Canon Iteration Explanation: Reno wasn’t very long in the three prior worlds, but it was still enough to leave some drastic marks on him. In Wulgrimm, Reno found himself conscripted as an expendable body for an invading empire with a ruthless leader. A blood summoning ritual tore him from there to Irkalla for much the same purpose. In these worlds, he became familiar with the concept of “mana” generated by intimacy; however, from his experiences in war conducted over such mana, Reno came to expect that it was primarily hoarded by the power-hungry through dubious and often violent means. Despite a much kinder world in Noctium, Reno is still a little touchy and suspicious of those who would want to become close to him, and he may lash out if startled.

More than anxious, though, Reno is surprised thankful to even be alive. Before arriving in Noctium, he had died in Irkalla, ripped to pieces by a group of werewolves. Then, suddenly, he found himself in the Burnished Crater, just barely together, as scientists in environmental suits rushed to bring him to the planet’s mobile sky station. After undergoing decontamination and then surgery, Reno remained in the medical ward on the station for a short time while his new gem, a sapphire, enhanced his healing. This enchanted sapphire remains fused into his throat with no obvious way to remove it.

Reno isn’t exactly “used to” transforming already, but he isn’t surprised by it. The Gembonded of Noctium were all able to use various magical abilities and transform into limited beasts, all governed by their gem’s realm of power. His sapphire allowed Reno to heal others, raised his sensitivity to others’ emotions, and gave him water and ice magic (including a resistance to cold and the ability to breathe underwater). It’s still weird, but he can’t deny it’s convenient. He was initially embarrassed and annoyed that he didn’t get a gem that was “flashier,” but he’s growing to appreciate what he can do.

★ Folkmore Roles & Attributes ★

Skills:

- Skilled in hand to hand combat, Reno is primarily known for speed, dodging, and strong kicks in a style that’s both street and akin to Jeet Kune Do

- Blunt weapons like his electromag rod and truncheons. Has had firearms training, though he prefers not to use them.

- Trained pilot and can drive most vehicles (“safely” is relative)

- Trained in the use of materia (favored materia is lightning-based and Pyramid)

- Street savvy. Reno is practiced at navigating the seedy underworld places, knowing who to bribe, and knowing how to make connections with the shadier members of society

- “Advanced Interrogation Techniques.” He’d had to use this “skill” somewhat in Wulgrimm, though he’d rather not use it if he doesn’t have to.


Canon Abilities:

[All Abilities CRAU Without/Unless Using Materia]

- Resistance to cold

- Manipulating water and ice

- “Waterbreath” - can breathe underwater and can grant this ability to others through a kiss

- Healing touch - able to invigorate fatigue or even seal wounds with physical touch (the more intimate, the more effective)

- The sapphire increases Reno’s charisma and charm and makes him more sensitive to picking up on the emotions of others nearby

Role: Familiar
Role Qualities/Attributes: Iridescent scales surround the gem on his throat now and may also appear on the backs of his calves. However, Reno’s slyness and association as a company “dog” may just as likely lead to more canine attributes at times, including a fox tail and/or ears, when he gets excited.
Role Reasoning: Reno has defined a lot of who he is by his being a Turk – practically already a “familiar” for the Shinra Corporation. Even after Meteor, after the practical dissolution of Shinra, he chose to stay by Rufus’ side. What initially started as simply “a job” and “following orders” evolved into loyalty – not even necessarily to an idea, but to a man. But Reno still struggles with authority, as well as when and which orders to follow. He can jump to conclusions and strike first, apologize later (if at all). He has the potential to be an invaluable support and confidante but he’s been a bit too busy being a “consummate professional.” In Folkmore, Reno can explore who he is as a person without orders getting in the way, and maybe practice making some friends without concentrating on what they can do for him.

★ Personality ★

OPTION 2 QUESTIONS (PICK 4-5) 100-300 WORD LIMIT EACH:

What was the most traumatic experience your character endured? How did this change them? Within canon, Reno’s most traumatic experience would probably be the combination of two traumatic experiences, one right after another: witnessing what he’d believed to be the assassination of Veld/Verdot, and then seeing the majority of his peers caught in an explosion fighting Zirconiade. It was only later that he discovered that Veld’s death was faked and that his comrades were still alive. Tseng needed Reno’s reaction to be real to sell the scenario, otherwise all of their lives would have been forfeit. While he understands the necessity of the lie, he still has deep anxiety over the very real possibility of sudden loss and betrayal. That farce was also designed as proof that the remaining Turks – Tseng, Rude, and Reno – would remain “loyal” to the company and would follow orders, even to kill one another. It marked the end of being able to make more flexible decisions and to refuse orders, when Reno had been able to do so before (refusing to participate in kidnapping Nibelheim survivors to become Hojo’s test subjects) – at least, under the rule of President Shinra, Sr., and Heidegger.

What is a headcanon (or two) you feel strongly about and that you prefer playing your character with? How is this supported in canon and why do you think it benefits the character's story? I headcanon that Reno doesn’t have family, or doesn’t know them. Perhaps he lost his parents young. He clearly values family and he’s stated that if he found out he had a long-lost sibling like Rufus, he would want to meet them. His enthusiasm for getting to know Evan and putting Evan and Rufus in a room together for a family reunion strongly suggests that Reno not only romanticizes family, but wishes that he had one. If asked, he’d say the Turks are his family, especially his partner. I don’t think he would easily admit that he envies Rufus in this way, and because of the danger of his work, he’s probably resigned himself to the belief that having a family wouldn’t actually be good for him. Watching how the Shinra family fell apart and what happened to Lazard, Rufus, and Evan is pretty much all the evidence he needs that family ties are easy targets and prime collateral damage. But Reno still can’t hide the way he feels when he sees other people with their families. He gets too excited for them.

What is your character's safespace? When do they feel the most settled and comfortable? When do they feel confident and relaxed? Reno’s safespace isn’t a place, but a person. He feels safest and most comfortable when he’s with his partner, Rude. In the Remake version of the fight on the Plate, a look of abject despair takes over Reno’s whole expression when he believes Rude could have been killed in the helicopter wreck; a split second later, he looks like he’s lost all boundaries and is willing to actually take his mission to handle AVALANCHE personally for the first time. Discovering Rude is alive lightens his demeanor markedly. Rude is his best friend, and Reno will do just about anything – including spying on his partner – to make sure that Rude is okay. As long as the two of them are together, Reno seems fairly readily adaptable to new and uncomfortable situations, such as starting from scratch without the security of the company or sharing the burden of remorse.

What famous folklore, legend, or myth would you associate your character with? Are they literally inspired by Snow White? Do they have similar struggles or energy as Red Riding Hood? I can see Reno being similar to a puca – largely mischievous without necessarily being malicious. Of course the puca has the capacity to be wicked and bring misfortune, but they also were known to bring help and protection to others. Most of the time, though, the puca would lure an ignorant person for a ride upon its back, then go tearing through the moors to give them a good scare for fun. It always brought them back. Even when following the most distasteful orders, Reno maintains that it’s not personal and he holds no ill will against his targets. Likewise, despite all the harm he and the Turks did do, they put their skills to better use during and after Meteor – evacuating Midgar, helping to build Edge, and guarding and distributing the very limited and precious medicine to treat the symptoms of geostigma, making sure those who needed it actually received it rather than hoarders who would inflate its price. Reno has the full potential to be both a harbinger of misfortune or a benevolent and protective spirit. And, like the puca, he is mostly a whirlwind of energy that can only be reigned in by a clever wit and sharp spurs.

What is a time where your character failed drastically at something and how did it impact them, what did they do about it? Reno would consider dropping the Plate one of the biggest, if not the biggest, failure of himself as a person. It’s not an order he agreed with or wanted to follow, but it was given almost immediately after the Turks had just barely escaped being sentenced to death for treason. So Reno didn’t have much wiggle room not to obey. Other Turks had ordered firebombs of smaller towns to cover up evidence in the past, but never “at home” affecting Midgar, and never Reno (before this point). Another fan has made the case, after examining the animated scenes after the duel with Cloud, that Reno’s eyes look wet and tearful in the light. I’ll leave it up to interpretation, but his eyes do look red in comparison to Cloud’s and he would certainly be frustrated that an already taxing mission was made even more difficult by having to fight for something he didn’t even believe in. As far as coping, complaining and drinking were the first canon attempts. By the time of Advent Children, Reno has made it to the Acceptance stage and is debating how he could atone for his behavior rather than try to ignore the problem, but he’s not sure how to start. So as for what he’ll do about it now – he’s still figuring that out.

His next most impactful failure would be his and the Turks’ inability to find and protect Zack Fair after discovering their friend was the “escaped sample” from Nibelheim. What makes it extra frustrating is that Cissnei and Tseng were aware of Zack’s movements in the beginning. However, when the Turks’ priority changed from capturing Zack to extracting Zack, the SOLDIER had slipped through their fingers and they were unable to prevent his death.

★ Player Information ★

Player Name: Magellan
Pronouns: she/her
Are you over 18?: Yes
Contact(s): shinra_dog, shinra_dog#5395 on Discord
Who Invited You?: Current player, invited by Art
Current Characters: Rhys
Permissions: Here
Writing Samples: TDM with Axel, TDM with Rufus, TDM with Cain