Yuri was born in a small village called Taikikawa in the ancient lands of Rokugan, before it was destroyed by the "Jade Dragon."

Being a Samsaran, Yurisuzu (or just Yuri) was not born to a family, but was instead born though a mysterious, magical reincarnation. Yuri spent the first days of her life in a forest, near a waterfall. A place she would often visit later in her life. The location was situated relatively close to a small farming village within Kyushu. The small village was Takikawa. One fateful day, a curious and wayward Yuri had wandered herself into the village, following a small stream from her waterfall. Seeing the young Samsaran all alone, Yuri was adopted by a young couple who owned a small farm in the village.
 
Yuri's life was not much different than that of a normal child. Sure, she had very vague fragments of her past lives, but other than that, she lived as any human child might. She spent her days tending fields, learning from books, doing odd jobs for the villagers, or playing with the local children. She was close with everyone, but one boy in particular. His name was Shiro. Yuri and Shiro were quite close, and it was obvious to most everyone in the village something more was there. As time went on, Yuri's adoptive parents had a child, a son named Lyon.
 
One day while exploring the nearby forest, Yuri found a small blue bird, a Thrush, lying almost lifelessly with a broken wing and very slow breathing. Panicked, she rushed the bird back to Takikawa and did all she could to nurse it back to health, with the help of her family and Shiro. Her parents did what they could to stabilize the creature, but Yuri spent the following two weeks giving the baby bird much love and care. After about two weeks and three days, Yuri awoke to find the small Thrush up and about, fully healed. Yuri expected the bird to return to its forest home, but it stayed with her. It could often be found flying about Takikawa or perched upon the girl's shoulder. From then on, Yuri called the small bird Akko, and they were always together.
 
A year or two later, Yuri began to study the basics of magic. It fascinated her. She read many magic books and tomes to try and grasp the fundamentals, until she began having strange dreams. It started with a surreal feeling, but over the course of a few days, Yuri started to feel like she was being transported somewhere in her dreams. She eventually learned the Kami of Peace had been influencing her dreams. The Kami granted Yuri the magic she sought. Yuri had read stories about "Patrons" that would gift powers, and that the receivers of such powers were known as "Witches." Witches would form a special bond with an animal, it would be their familiar, and the conduit from which their powers came. Yuri knew that her familiar was already there with her. The blue Thrush, Akko. Yuri began studying deeper into her newfound powers.
 
As time went on, the kids in the village, and Yuri's family, grew older. Samsaran don't age like humans, and while her friends grew older, Yuri stayed young. Her mother got crow's feet on her eyes, and her father's back began to act up. Her brother, Lyon, grew into a strong young man. It felt a little bit odd, watching her friends and family get older so quickly. Even Shiro had grown noticeably older. It became harder for Yuri, as her friends began either leaving the village, or starting their own families. It was very lonely, but Yuri knew that one day, she'd do the same.
 
In the coming years, Yuri had grown apt with her magic. She often would help drive bandits away from Takikawa. Her friends all grew up, and all but three left Takikawa to see more of the world. One of the boys stayed to take over his family's farm, and Shiro stayed with another girl and married her. Yuri, though happy for the couple, couldn't help feel a strange sadness in her gut when they tied the knot. As for Yuri, she was slowly, but surely, maturing. Becoming more elegant and nubile. Her parents were now much older, starting to become gray-haired and a bit feeble. Lyon had a wife of his own, and they had a beautiful daughter named Midori.
 
Now 62 years after Yuri came to Takikawa, she was a fully-grown adult. Her parents both still alive, but too feeble to tend the farm, so Yuri, Lyon, and Midori have taken over running it. Yuri had also grown fond of Alchemy, as she often found many herbs and ingredients through her journeys in the forest. She made many salves and fertilizers to help their crops thrive. Shiro and his wife were expecting their firstborn soon. Bandit raids became slightly more frequent, but the village had grown better at defending itself, especially thanks to Yuri's magic. One afternoon, the sky cloaked in dark rainclouds, Yuri decided to make a lengthy trip to gather some herbs that were excellent for the health of Shiro's unborn child. The trip in total took about two days: one there, and one back. Upon returning, Yuri's heart sank as she saw the roaring blazes consuming her village. It appeared the culprits had left recently. Distraught, Yuri sifted through the crumbling homes and ashes of the fires. She noted each corpse as she saw it. Her parents, her friends, neighbors, Shiro's poor, pregnant wife. The only two bodies that couldn't be found were Lyon and Shiro. With a heavy heart, Yuri laid everyone in her village to rest, and left her village behind.
 
Yuri took up travelling. She was sad about the destruction of her village, but since the war started, things like that were common. She wished nothing more than for the war to end. For people to be able to live in peace once more. For families to be raised, and communities to thrive. Of course, Shiro and Lyon crossed her mind often. Had they escaped? Were they captured? Dragged off and killed elsewhere? Questions would only lead to frustrations and no answers. All she wanted was her peaceful life back. Her village restored, her friends and family. But it wouldn't come back, no matter how much she wanted it. It wasn't just her. People all over Rokugan were suffering from this senseless war.
 
After traveling Kyushu for a while, Yuri was summoned to a meeting with the Daimyo of Sugikawa to aid in a mission. Seeing this as an opportunity to get involved with ending the war, she gladly accepted.

Eyes

White with no irises or pupils

Hair

Long, sleek, and black

Height

5'6"