ooc ; discedo app
OOC Information
Name: Ashley
LJ: japwn
Contact: AIM: shemurai
Characters played at Discedo: asideglance
IC Information
Name: Shanks
Canon: One Piece
Timeline: Chapter 590
Canon Resource Link: Character wiki
Personality:
At first glance, Shanks is a laid-back sort of man. While other characters in One Piece move from destination to destination quickly and with a goal set in mind, Shanks seems to take his time and enjoy his travels instead, throwing parties at any chance. Though he's a typical pirate and loves the sea and wandering, he has a tendency to stay in port far longer than most pirates do. He's shown to stay for a year and longer in certain places, and each time they move it's with a sort of attitude that they've been there too long. He really actively chooses what he wants the idea of a pirate to be, and doesn't care what others think of him, knowing better in his own mind and heart. He goes his own way and won't hesitate about it, and if others wish to go in very different directions, he believes it's for the best that they part ways.
Shanks loves to tease others, this being one of the recurring things about him in canon. He's shown to be extremely light and joking even while others are attempting to be serious with him, and this sort of thing can irritate others quickly. Underneath it all, he does care for those he teases, but there are times where it's shown that he goes too far with his teasing as well. (Like when he encourages Luffy with the weapon in the first chapter, and then realizes what he's done and scolds him for scarring himself like that.) This attitude is also something that can be contagious, however, and he is shown to be able to make even Mihawk (a very serious character) join in the fun. He has a love for things like old drinking songs, and this spreads to even Luffy, who seems determined to gain a musician member of his crew the entire time he searches.
This carefree personality spreads even into more serious issues dealing with pride. He doesn't even care what happens to himself, as shown in the first chapter of the manga where the leader of a group of bandits dumps food on him and all Shanks does is laugh about it with his crew. While Luffy was young, he accused Shanks of being a wimp for this, but then Shanks taught him a lesson from it. So much that it carried over to a scene later on where Luffy and Zoro are being mocked by Bellamy, but he is sure to say "Whatever you do, don't fight them." It shows to be a very strong point of view. Even after losing an arm, he didn't react much at all, assuring a crying Luffy that it was "just an arm."
The only time he seems willing to fight is if anyone attacks a friend. Needless bloodshed is something he's very much against, and he won't purposely go out of his way to harm others. He also refuses to fight someone extremely weaker than him because it "leaves you feeling pathetic yourself." This is a lesson he passes on to Luffy in the first chapter. It's shown to leave a great impact, as it's the reason why Luffy and Zoro don't fight Bellamy when he mocks them, and it also seems to effect Mihawk, who only uses a tiny dagger to fend off Zoro. Because of this way of thinking, he does not use his very powerful skills like haki unless he's very serious about something (i.e. with Whitebeard, or the Sea King) and needs to make a point. Bravery is something he really admires, and this reflects in his pacifistic views, as well. Luffy standing up for him to those bandits was something he really admired, which really inspired him to leave his hat with the boy and risk so much to save him (as well as him being a friend). At Marineford, when Coby stood up to the marines, he greatly admired that as well, stepping in to defend the kid and telling him that his seconds of courage saved lives. It's the same with Ace, where Shanks is obviously amazed by how far he'll go for the sake of his friend. It's very clear in his mind when it's a time to fight and when it's not. Mostly, he falls towards the latter, and he's able to convince even the world famous Whitebeard pirates not to fight for revenge. He's also upset by the deaths, but he knows fighting would end in needless bloodshed. Shanks is a very kind captain, not relying on cruelty or fear to gain respect. He trusts his crew very much, and is shown to respect them just as well. He tends to let his crew members show off simply for the sake of showing off. Yasopp is an example of this, facing many others in random 'duels' simply because Shanks continued to praise him. Because of the meaningful bonds he builds with his personality, to a person who attacks a friend, he's not peaceful in any way. It's then that he declares things like "We're pirates, after all" and is willing to go all out. He's also very sure to let them know just why he's fighting to begin with. No one messes with his friends.
Despite how simple he may seem at first, though, Shanks has a very complex mind. While a first look would show you that Shanks is a carefree sort of guy who goes with the wind, there are moments that show a more serious side to his thought process. The entire situation involving Blackbeard (along with his scars) is an example of something that can turn his laid-back attitude around and get him focused and serious about things. Disagreeing with Ace going after Blackbeard, he approaches Whitebeard about it. Not only is he worried about Blackbeard being a dangerous enemy, but his short meeting with Ace gave him enough to know that the pirate was young and reckless and cared about him. He was genuinely impressed by Ace's bravery, and decided that he would be willing to risk a conflict between himself and Whitebeard (two pirate emperors) in order to prevent it from being cut down. Shanks does in fact try a diplomatic venue, knowing that Whitebeard wouldn't want his interference, he sent one of his own crew members with a letter. Sending someone he's protective of like that was a sign of good faith, and an important first step. When that failed, he sailed out to meet Whitebeard himself. He didn't come empty handed, though, bringing alcohol which he fondly referred to as "healing water" to express his desire to work things out peacefully. He attempts to take this calm sort of approach even while serious, so his showing off of his haki in combination with the gesture of bringing a drink showed this off.
Another thing about his character is just how prone to panic he really is. While normally Shanks seems quit relaxed and calm, even brave as he faces most things, when things go wrong, he is shown to worry to the point of being unsure how to act. He relies on his crew to snap him out of instances like that. He's also not very good at paying attention to his surroundings which leads to these moments of panic. For example, when he doesn't notice until it's too late that Luffy was eating the devil's fruit, or when the bandit gets away with Luffy.
As goofy as he is, he's also shown much fondness for nostalgia. His treasure, Gol D. Roger's hat, was something he held onto dearly and he was always quick to tell Luffy he couldn't part with it because of the memories. However, after being impressed by Luffy's strength, he sees a lot in Luffy's future, and makes a big gesture in giving it to him to take care of. It was a really big deal, and he made it clear that he wanted it to mean just as much to Luffy as it did to him. Falling in line with this, he refused to see Luffy off in the submarine at Marineford because he felt it would break their promise. Also, despite being a lover of alcohol, he claims that the best sake always comes from your hometown. So while his own hometown isn't known for sake at all, he brings it to Whitebeard and claims that it's the best. Along with that, he makes a big gesture of casually bringing a canteen and sake dish larger than he is, more fit for Whitebeard. These gestures show to be a big part of his personality and really have an effect on the impression of him to those around him.
Powers & Abilities:
His wiki page describes all of his powers, but I have his strengths and weaknesses written out as well, so I'll add them here!
Strengths:
Much about Shanks' powers hasn't been revealed yet. What we do know is that he is a Pirate Emperor and considered equal to Whitebeard in power. Flashbacks of Shanks revealed that he could weild two swords with his left arm seeming to be the main one. Before losing his arm, it's shown that Mihawk would seek him out for duels. Mihawk is classified as the world's greatest swordsman, so that shows just how proficient Shanks must be with a sword. After losing his left arm, it's noted that it didn't weaken him in any way.
He can also use at least two of the three types of Haki. The first he's shown to be able to use is Haoshoku Haki, which is an ability only one in a million people can use. He rescues Luffy and frightens off a Sea King with a single glare, showing off this ability. He also uses this as he boards Whitebeard's ship, sending a large amount of Whitebeard's crew into an unconscious state, and even damaging the ship itself. The second haki he's shown as able to use is known as Busoushoku Haki. He shares this with Whitebeard, so when the two clashed their weapons, the "heavens" above them actually split. He also uses this haki to stop Akainu's magma fist by imbuing the haki into his sword.
Another showing of just how much power he holds is the fact that he ends the war at Marineford with only his words. No one stepped up to challenge him, and Sengoku himself called off the war and offered to take responsibility. The only other pirate to achieve Sengoku's respect in such a way was Whitebeard.
The way Shanks holds himself is a strength in its own, as well. He's brave and confident, and though his name does have power, he certainly doesn't rely on it in the slightest. In the first chapter, the bandits make note of their bounty rather quickly to show off, but Shanks never once mentions just who he is. He doesn't even bother with the bandits until it becomes necessary to, for the sake of Luffy.
Shanks has also been revealed to hold the ability to be insightful about situations. For example, he is very aware that a crew should be picked depending upon their strengths. His crew has various members with important strengths or skills to make up for where Shanks fails. He taught Luffy this early on, which is why he began his journey looking for strengths and continued on like this until gaining all of his current crewmates. Along with this, he's emotionally intelligent. He understands what bugs people and what means a lot to them, which is why he gave Luffy his hat, and partially why he arranged a proper burial from Whitebeard and Ace rather than allowing the marines to have their bodies. It meant a lot to him that they not be used as trophies, but he understood that the Whitebeard pirates who remained would appreciate something like that. He also is shown giving a silent prayer that Luffy would know it's alright to cry.
This ability to share lessons with others and have an effect on them really demonstrates just how much charisma he has. The way he can drag others into partying with him, teach Luffy a lesson, or even have an effect on other strong pirates like Mihawk shows that something about him just makes him easy to follow. Even Garp realizes this, blaming Shanks for Luffy wanting to become a pirate. He was also able to stop the war with this charisma, using only words and showing just how much respect he had gained from everyone.
Weaknesses:
Shanks only has one arm. And while that didn't weaken his sword fighting in any way, there are definite disadvantages that come with that. For example, the skilled swimming that I might have put down as a strength may no longer be a strength because of this.
The way he lost his arm reveals many weaknesses in his character on its own, as well. Firstly, that his carefree attitude can cause issues. His big talking to the crew about how no one messes with his friends gave the bandit leader enough time to escape with Luffy. Shanks then proceeded to panic, completely unsure of what to do to fix this, and scolding himself out loud while his crewmates had to calm him down and point him in the right direction. Lastly, Shanks seems to have a habit of making a dramatic (and late) entrance. Seconds before Luffy could have been eaten by a Sea King, he arrives, and his arm is bitten off.
This isn't the only time he's shown arriving dramatically. His arrival to Marineford is after so much that he's unable to help aside from ending it there to avoid further bloodshed. (And he nearly arrives too late to save Coby.) Also, back when he was going to meet with Whitebeard to speak about Ace, he makes it a show to have his haki strong, causing members of the Whitebeard Pirates to fall unconscious. It's a taunting sort of move that probably isn't necessary (even though he claims it to be) and caused more tension.
On top of that, his love for alcohol goes too far. He literally throws a party whenever he gets the chance, and he is shown to drink almost constantly. There are times where even his crew expresses worry about too much drinking, but he usually waves it off and drinks more anyway. This, of course, leads to horrible hangovers.
Shanks doesn't always focus on the facts as much as he should. If he disagrees with something, he'll just move to change it without really looking into it as much as he should. For example, he assumes Whitebeard was the one who sent Ace after Blackbeard, and urges him to call him back. However, it had been Ace's idea, and Whitebeard had tried to stop him and eventually "allowed" him to leave. Still, Whitebeard would claim that he sent him, for the sake of Ace's honor. Shanks seems to miss this completely, and this misunderstanding leads to most of the tension between the two in this meeting.
He's also incredibly stubborn. Flashbacks to his days of being a member of Gol D. Roger's crew show that he spent much of his time arguing with Buggy about pointless things such as whether the South or North pole was colder. As unnecessary and annoying to other crew members as it was, he wasn't willing to drop the argument. In fact, though he is more mature, his stubborn attitude kept him arguing with Buggy until the first mate would have to snap them out of it by smacking their heads together. It could also be said that his attempts to convince Whitebeard to recall Ace were a sign of his being stubborn. When a letter did not work, he went to meet him in person, and they even clashed.
What items will they be bringing with them to Discedo? Just the clothes he has on him, his sabre, and a bottle of sake!
Posting Samples
Third-Person Sample:
Lowering his mug onto the table firmly, Shanks made a gasp for air. Well, it certainly wasn't the best (and how could it be?), but it was alcohol and that was good enough for him.
Slightly off to the side was a table of strangers, to which he grinned and pointed to his mug. "It's not bad!" he offered with a light and hearty laugh once again, turning to face forward without bothering to take note of any of their reactions. It didn't matter. He was just relaxing; having a good time. There was nothing that said it wasn't possible here. He leaned back in his chair a bit, eyes drifting to the ceiling as he rose the drink to his mouth once again. No sign of his crew, his ship, or anything he was familiar with, really. That is, aside from mention of Luffy... And he was certain he had picked up a few other familiar names in there, but it was Luffy's that stuck the longest. So he was here, huh?
He finished off the drink with a thin smile, slamming down his empty cup in reaction to a joke from a nearby person in the bar. "Dahahahaha! That's the kind of attitude I'd drink to! Another one over here!" He leaned forward in his seat to rest his arm on the counter, waiting patiently for his drink. Yes, Luffy was here, but it didn't mean he would go seek him out. That would be breaking their promise, wouldn't it? Though this was a large detour he couldn't have expected, it wasn't something that would throw off anything like that. Even his mood seemed generally unaffected, despite the acknowledgement that this was in fact a serious situation.
"Luffy..." It was hard to keep the kid off of his mind at a time like this. Knowing he was here... Whatever this situation was, he had to hope the kid was handling it in the right way. As much as he wanted to see how strong the boy had gotten, he knew he couldn't be ready to be pirate king just yet. And still, how could they avoid each other in a setting like this? Whether they ended up meeting or not, Shanks knew he wouldn't be getting his hat back just yet. And that was just fine.
The pirate's gaze shifted to the approaching worker who had brought him his drink and he flashed a charming grin, lifting his arm ever so slightly for a waved sign of thanks.
First-Person Sample:
--nice color at least. Dahahahaha! [His voice comes on suddenly as he finds the button in the middle of a sentence. A pause and some noises as he inspects the device. Well, if he was supposed to "use this," he assumed it was something helpful. Hm.]
Oh? [Another brief pause, and when he resumes speaking, he's got a more serious edge to his voice. But it's only an edge. His tone is still overall light.] Well, it looks like it should be working. Can anyone hear this? Care to explain a few things? We can talk over drinks if you'd like.
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