Early Life - Born to the Jun of Deisan, Hyousuke, and his wife Naoko, most of Takehiko's early life was spent hearing about Akiro and the peoples there. He often expressed a great interest in the people there, being a curious child, wanting to know more about them. His father would try to stifle this and ask Takehiko to focus more on his training than the vagrants across the way. During this time, Takehiko also had to deal with his older brother being the favorite. Daisho got first priority on a lot of things, and Takehiko got shunned.
Later Life - The older Takehiko got, the more invested he became in the struggles of the peoples of Akiro. In private, he would speak up against his father, telling him that what they did was wrong. For this, he would be scolded constantly, though that only drove him to further believe he was right. His brother, too, who once sided with him now talked down to him.
The Wandering Swordsman - Finally having enough of the status quo, being a young man now, Takehiko gathered his things and took to the seas, hiring a sailor to get him anywhere other than home. For several years, Takehiko wandered the land of Tulrisse, not really having a home but being sort of a wandering vigilante, not staying long in any town but while he was there get would stand up for people who needed help. During this time he would become acquainted with the laws and peoples of this land, even coming to understand the language enough to speak with some fluency. During this time, Takehiko would meet Baldewin and decide it was best to stick together in order to achieve their goals.
The Wandering Blade -
- Hideki (First Year in Tulrisse (Age: 18-19))
The sun sat high in the sky as Takehiko departed the boat which carried him from his homeland to Tulrisse. He looked around himself and took in the sights and sounds. He once more thanked the captain that helped him sail across the sea as he walked out into Peloth, the furthest north port city past the great swamp.
The robed man, having not much more than his sword strapped to his waist and a small sack of coin on his belt walked into the town and cautiously walked around, barely knowing a word of Tulrissian but hoping to find a tavern or someone there who knew his language. Eventually, he got his wish, finding another from Ghia who helped lead him around the town. The two spoke with some trouble, due to Hideki being from Amkhara rather than Ya Jarang, but both were able to piece together what the other was saying.
“I’m curious, Takehiko, what brings you to Tulrisse? It’s not like it’s every day that one of us makes the trip from Ghia. Surely it’s not just to see the sights? Tulrisse is a land of turmoil and war. Not that there isn’t beauty, too, but there is much conflict.” Hideki said, looking briefly towards Takehiko as they walked.
“I’m here to find work and a place to settle, maybe. Though if that’s true, and there’s as much conflict as it seems, perhaps there will be an excess of work for a swordsman of my prowess.” Takehiko said as he looked around. “I ask for much, Hideki, but I pray you will give me a roof over my head and the ability to learn the local language, nothing more.” He continued.
Hideki seemed to consider this carefully, continuing to walk through the town with Takehiko. “I would not do this for just anyone, Takehiko. I will expect much in return, help around the house. To come with me when I hunt for food and to protect me and my family for the time you spend here.” He said, sighing. “If this you will do then I will teach you, this I promise.”
Takehiko nodded. “I promise, then, too. For as long as I am under your roof, my will and my sword are yours to use for protection.” He responded.
Time passes as Hideki slowly leads Takehiko out of the town to his small humble abode. Hideki’s family numbered five, including himself. Hideki and his wife Vereena bore three children; Erik, Aiko, and Tyrel, all three under the age of 13. Vereena was of Tulrisse herself before becoming married to Hideki, whose family came from Amkhara but only a couple of generations prior.
The first year of Takehiko’s stay in Tulrisse was spent with Hideki and his family just a little way outside Peloth. He helped with nearly anything that was asked of him. With Hideki’s permission, Takehiko even helped train the kids in swordsmanship and the history of Amkhara and Ya Jarang, with the help of Hideki to piece together parts he didn’t know from Amkhara’s side. True to his word, Hideki taught Takehiko how to speak Tulrissian and gave him a place to stay, and always made sure that he got to eat, too, since he helped get the raw meats for dinner. Hideki seemed to be rather smart, avoiding trouble where he could, and for a time Takehiko had thought he may not need to use his sword. This would end during the winter, when a man came to the home of Hideki, slamming his fist on the door early in the morning.
A rather short discussion would occur between the two, with the man outside gesturing to something or someone Takehiko couldn’t see, and Hideki seemed to be afraid. From a distance, Takehiko only caught brief words but figured it out to be some kind of debt collector. Hideki owed money, and couldn’t pay. Normally, Takehiko wouldn’t get involved in such things, it’s not his business, but if not for Hideki he would be on the street, possibly dead or worse by now. Slowly, Takehiko would rise from the table where Hideki’s family sat.
“Hide.” He said quickly to his family, not wanting them to see what he was sure would lead to violence, though he hoped would not. He would watch them run off as he grabbed his sheathed sword, approaching the door.
The man at the door glanced behind Hideki at the approaching swordsman, laughing. “You’ve got a friend, Hideki? And why have we not been introduced?” He smiled. “My name’s Adin. Have you got a name?”
“Takehiko.” He says, standing behind Hideki’s shoulder. “I’m gonna have to ask you to back away now.” He continues, seeing now that Adin has four thugs standing with him. Adin would laugh again at this.
“Sure, Takehiko, and how are you going to stop me?” he retorted, suddenly punching Hideki hard in the chest. “What will you do?”
Takehiko would emit a low grunt, firmly placing a hand on Hideki’s shoulder, guiding him back while moving forward, leading with his still-sheathed sword. “You can still walk away. I will not warn you again.” He says, giving a curt bow before placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.
The next few moments happened as but flashes before Hideki’s eye. Adin would begin a swing and would barely have time to bring his sword down before Takehiko could draw his sword and block the strike, parrying it aside and giving a quick return slash across his chest. Rather handily he would push Adin back, and anyone who could see would know that for every swing he was moving his blade in such a way it would never have hit, but still was chaotic and frightening in the melee. For someone such as Adin, who was used to bullying commoners with little in the way of fighting talent, he wasn’t used to someone who knew what they were doing with the blade and found himself being pushed back out to the road, slipping on a slight patch of ice and falling backward away from Takehiko.
The swordsman now stood in the middle of the five of them, looking down at Adin and barely paying heed to his four cronies. “You will leave, now, and not come back. You’d do well to listen to this.” He said and sheaths his sword, watching the blood begin oozing out of the slash he made in Adin’s leather armor. At this there was a moment of silence, Adin gathered his crew and sprinted off down the road, back toward Peloth.
Takehiko watches the five men leave before returning to Hideki. He walked back toward the house, his normally stoic look degrading to a look of remorse. “I didn’t want to draw my blade. I’m no murderer.” He sighed slowly and glanced back towards Peloth. “Things will not get easier for you with me here. Hopefully, they won’t come back for you, out of fear of me, but word of me will spread. I must leave.” He said.
There was no knowing if this was true, but Takehiko believed it firmly. No matter how much he enjoyed Hideki’s hospitality, he didn’t want to take a chance at risking his and his family’s lives with his continued existence there. Before the day’s end, Takehiko was on the road, gathering his few belongings, with some food and water that his family could afford to spare him.
- Meeting Baldewin (10 Years in Tulrisse (Age: 28)
Takehiko wandered into the town of Greywood once more, finding his way back to the tavern. It had been months since he last stayed here, but decided he would do so again while he searched for work. The hour was late, and the tavern was bright and full with life as Takehiko ate and drank. He enjoyed the warmth of the tavern but knew that his appearance would draw the eyes of many --- People looking for hired swords, people looking to prove themselves, and even more people who thought they could use him.
He found himself sitting alone that night. A few people approached him looking to hire, and he strongly considered it all but found his attention held by few. Now only one sat across from him. “Baldewin, you say?” Takehiko asked. “And what did you need me for?” He pressed further, honestly focusing more on his food than on the man who sat down across from him.
“I’m looking for someone. Here isn’t the place to talk names, that’s all you need to know right now. Traveling these parts isn't safe, we both know that. That’s why you ply your trade, right?” Baldewin replied with a grin. “That's all I ask. You will be compensated for your trouble, of course. Feel free to check with the other patrons to see if they have anything better to offer you.” Baldewin's eyes point out a few men that have been eyeing Takehiko tonight. The patrons divert their eyes when they realize they're being watched too.
He takes a deep breath, continuing to eat before looking out at the crowd of people. “Hm. I suppose you’re right.” Takehiko said. He watched as a few men entered the tavern. From the back corner he couldn’t quite make out their faces, or much of what they were wearing, but he merely shrugged and looked back at Baldewin. “I will travel with you for a while, maybe our goals can intertwine for a time.” He said. “That’s all I ask in return.”
The pair would sit and mull it over with a drink before eventually the group of men Takehiko saw from before approached the table. The one seeming to be the leader slammed his fist on the table. “Swordsman, you’ll be coming with me.” He said, looking down at him. “I hear you’re the best swordsman in all the land, and I can’t be having that. I challenge you to a fight.” He concluded, standing up straight again.
Takehiko sighed. In the nine years he’s been in Tulrisse, it never changes. Adin, Gregory, Naia, Deveril, all names put to faces that have blurred together over the years. “I’m not the best swordsman in all of Tulrisse, let alone all the land. Your opinion of me is much higher than it needs to be, I just want to drink.” Takehiko replied, attempting to take another sip, but barely managed to get it to his lips before the man handily smacked the cup away.
“My name is Alexander, and I challenge you!” The man shouted. A few of the nearby tavern patrons turn now, looking at the man calling himself Alexander.
He sighs and looks up finally. “I’m not again drawing my sword on another man unless I intend to kill him.” He relaxes in his seat, looking across the table at Baldewin who casually leans back in his chair. “Beat me, strike me, bring me to my knees even, you will get your wish.”
And so the man would start, swing after swing Alexander would find his blows connecting with Takehiko’s body, bruising and battering him. After some time Alexander would stop, standing up again and shaking his hands. “That’s that, then. So much for being the wandering swordsman, can’t even hold a blade to save his life!” He laughs, turning to his friends. “What a pathetic excuse for a man.” He says.
For a moment Takehiko merely laid there, feeling his strength slowly return. A surge of vitality rushes through him and he gets up to his feet. “I suppose it’s time, Baldewin.” He says, standing slowly but leaving his sword where it had sat.
“Bar fight!” Rang out from another patron, a dwarf could be seen hopping up on a table and downing his drink before hurling his cup at another patron. It wouldn’t take long before another, and another stood. Drunken bar patrons needed little of an excuse to start punching one another, and it wouldn’t be long before the entire bar erupted in chaos.
Alexander and Takehiko would then fight, and Baldewin would sneak away in the ensuing chaos, likely assuming that the wandering swordsman could hold his own if the rumors held true. In another corner of the bar, a fire began to spread, slowly engulfing the building. Takehiko chose not to draw his sword even though he knew he would eventually lose. Blow after blow, Alexander would push back Takehiko bit by bit, and he knew he’d have to do something. There was an explosion as the fire eventually hit the bar, exploding the alcohol that had been behind it. The further eruption of flames surprised the two of them, Takehiko knew how to take advantage of it, however, and took him to the ground.
“No more.” Takehiko would say. “It is done.” He finishes and looks around, the fire taking shape and continuing to engulf the tavern as patrons begin to rush out. “It is your choice if you choose to live on.” He grabs his things but finds himself dragging Alexander out to the street anyways and tosses him to safety before taking his leave. It was a few hours before he saw Baldewin again. “That fire. It wasn’t you, was it?” He asked the sorcerer.
Baldewin shrugged, unfazed by the events. Huh, look at this, some of those stories might hold true after all. He thought. “Too tasteless, my friend. There are better ways of getting desired results.” He said slowly. Only a few more words were spoken between them before Takehiko took to the road again, this time with Baldewin.
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- Menora (5 years in Tulrisse (24~ years old)
The sun was barely peeking up over the horizon as Takehiko walked up the road towards Menora, looking up at the gate and the tower itself. “This must be it, I guess.” He continued up the road, waving at the guard. “Good day,” He pauses before heading in. “I’ll be looking for the academy, do you know the way?” He asked the guard, feeling stupid. Of course, the guard knew.
The guard nodded, explaining the route he’d have to take. Takehiko thanks the guard and enters Menora proper. He looks around and takes in the sights and smells of the city. He was filled with an intense nervousness, deciding to take a stop to eat.
He let some time pass, trying to build up the courage to approach the academy. I don’t know why I’m so hesitant… he thinks to himself. I know they’ll find me at least interesting. Eventually, as the sun was high in the sky he finally made his way there. He approaches the large domed building connected to the tower and enters
He gives a rather formal and polite bow. “Takehiko Sakurai. I hail from the land of Ya-Jarang, my training is incomplete, and I come here to learn more. I wish to finish my training.” He stood slowly, looking at the person behind the desk.
The woman shook her head quickly as if coming out of a daze and trying to focus. “Yes, Takehiko Sakurai… You’re not currently enrolled here. There will be costs and such, and there will be papers to sign.” She gathered some forms. “You likely won’t be able to start today, but the sooner things are put in place, the sooner we can get you started.” She offers a warm smile, passing him a quill, some ink, and the papers. “There’s nothing too intrusive on there, just put down your name, where you’re from. Date of birth. That’s it.” She went back to her work, letting Takehiko get to signing the forms.
A few minutes pass in silence as Takehiko gets to work, putting down his information. “Alright, that’s it.” He said, handing the papers back. “What else is needed from me?” He asks, looking back at the woman behind the desk.
“Not a thing!” She smiled. “I’d make sure you have some money on hand, enrollment here is quite expensive. You might want to stick nearby Menora as well, it can be hard to attend classes regularly if you’re not here.”
With that, Takehiko takes his leave once more. He put himself to work, then, thinking about what jobs he could take on in the city. Eventually, he would find an office where he could fill out paperwork, taking an extended break from adventuring. Weeks pass with nothing of note happening, putting aside money to save up for classes.
He had been in the city for three months now, keeping his nose down and focusing on work. But he now approached the academy once more and paid for a week’s worth of beginner classes, knowing it had been long enough since his last classes he’d need to start again. Magical theory, magical history, even a bit of practical magic. He hungrily took in any knowledge he could, and though he never really enjoyed being at school, he took to his studies as best he could. During his studies, he met another female student there, Andrea, who he appreciated the company of.
They would often study together, which made the time pass quickly for him. One afternoon, wanting to show off for her, he asked to show her some of the magic he learned from home. When he was younger, he had done this dozens of times, but it had been ages since he had needed to use his magic practically.
“Really, it’s not hard,” He said, stretching and smirking at her. “But it’s well past what other new students are capable of, surely.” He took a stance and suddenly vanished. He disappeared for a few moments, before reappearing a short distance away, accidentally in the way of another student who was trying to walk by, causing them both to be knocked to the ground.
“Ow… what did you have to do that for?” the student said, wincing and rubbing his elbow which had smacked the ground. “Gods, you’ll make me late.” He said, standing and gathering his things, not letting Takehiko even respond.
Andrea laughed openly, watching the man walk away. “Surely, Takehiko, that’s not what you meant to do?” She laughed again. “I suppose you were right, in a way.”
This caused Takehiko to frown, standing slowly. He didn’t like to make a fool of himself. That can’t happen again… He thinks. “I just… We should get back to our homework, I guess.” He sat back down with her.
“Are you going to sign up for the tournament?” She asked. “The melee, this weekend. A bunch of knights is going to be there, it might be your chance to get noticed. If you think you’re as good as you say you are, at least.”
Truthfully, this had been the first he had heard of it. He considered the thought and shrugged. “Perhaps. It might be fun to test my mettle against other people of my skill.”
Later that evening he seeks out one of his instructors, an elf named Anlyth Torvaris.
“Sir, you’ve taken the most interest in my skills. Do you think I should join the melee this weekend? Is that even a smart idea, I suppose is the better question.” He asked, looking at his teacher. Torvaris would think about it for a while, reading over some of the homework he had been marking.
“I think it might be good for you to test your skills. If I were you, I would. Maybe you’ll be surprised at what you’re capable of.” He said in response. He shrugged and looked up at Takehiko. “Do you think you’re ready?” Takehiko wouldn’t respond right away. He didn’t know if he was ready, he didn’t like to think too highly of himself. Maybe this is what he needed.
“Yes, I am.” He nodded. “I’m going to sign up, and I’m going to give it my all.”
That weekend came quicker than he thought, Takehiko waited in the preparation area with other contestants, and he found himself meditating. Another of the contestants, someone who held himself like someone of nobility, though he seemed like no one special, approached Takehiko.
“I hear you’re my opponent. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, holding out a hand. “My name’s Falric.” Takehiko would look up at his face, then down at his hand before grasping it firmly, and shaking it.
“Takehiko, a pleasure.” He said, standing slowly. “Is this your first time? I can’t say I’ve been in many tournaments.” He looked out at the rest of the crowd for a moment.
“No, I’ve been in my fair share,” Falric said. “It's been a long time since my last loss, too. Not to sour the night, but I can’t imagine you get to win.” Falric smiles. “But, fair is fair. I guess it could go either way.”
“I suppose I’ll see you in the ring then, Falric.”
“I suppose you will.” Falric says with a smile and a nod.
Takehiko waits in anticipation as the next few rounds go by until he and Falric are called out to the arena. He stands across from Falric, trying not to let the people cheering and booing in the stands bother him, but it did distract him a little bit. He then bows politely, as he always does.
The fight starts and they charge at each other, Takehiko tries and fails to get the upper hand using his magic, teleporting around Falric. Falric seems unfazed by this, however, and stands his ground. Their swords clashed for a time, brief exchanges being numbered by (to the untrained eye) countless sword swings. After each exchange, they would disengage, Falric was seemingly much less exhausted than Takehiko, who was having to expend most of his energy to keep up.
“Give up, Takehiko. You’re done.” He says, cockily. This infuriates Takehiko, causing him to jump back in, but he misjudges his swings just slightly, giving Falric the window he needed to gain the upper hand. At the end of this flurry of swings, Takehiko was sent flying back, wounded and bleeding from his chest, similar to how he had left Adin so long ago.
Finally, after a fight that felt like an eternity but was barely a minute, Takehiko conceded, giving the win to Falric.
Takehiko would retire to a medic to get himself bandaged up, mentally preparing himself for his next day of work.
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Goals- [SHOW]
1) Takehiko wants to bring peace to Tulrisse.
2) I want Takehiko to come to peace with his family and make a family of his own.
Secrets- [SHOW]
1) He doesn't want people to know about where he comes from.
2) Daisho is on a quest to find Takehiko, to either bring him home or kill him if he refuses.
People Tied to Character- [SHOW]
1) Hyousuke - Male, Human - Father, Jun of Deisan
2) Naoko - Female, Human - Mother
3) Daichi - Male, Human - Older Brother, next in line for the Jun
4) Hideki - Male, Human - A friend of Takehiko's, and the one who taught him Tulrissian during his first year in the country. His family comes from Amkhara.
5) Vereena - Female, Elf - Hideki's wife and native to Tulrisse.
6) Erik - Male, Half-Elf - Erik is the oldest son of Hideki and Vereena. He showed a particular affinity for swordplay during Takehiko's lessons. Takehiko hasn't seen him for nearly a decade.
7) Aiko - Female, Half-Elf - Aiko is the only daughter of Hideki and Vereena. She seemed particularly interested in the history between Amkhara and Ya-Jarang, but otherwise came off as pretty normal.
8) Tyrel - Male, Half-Elf - Tyrel was the youngest child of Hideki and Vereena. He was only 9 or so when Takehiko met him, and while he wasn't very good at swordplay he seemed very enthusiastic about learning.
9) Adin - Male, Human - Payment collector and local bully in Peloth. Often would go around to people who owed money looking to collect. He survived his encounter with Takehiko.
11) Alexander - Male, Elf - One of the many people who challenged Takehiko to a fight. Would have won if not for the tavern they had been in going up in flames. Takehiko saved him from the burning tavern, barely getting out by the skin of his teeth.
12) Andrea - Female, Human - Takehiko met Andrea during his time at Menora. Another student of the academy who he grew to have feelings for. He never told her this.
13) Anlyth Torvaris - Male, Elf - One of Takehiko's teachers at Menora who took interest in his abilities. Used him as a physical representation of the teachings in Ghia, and how they teach magic.
14) Ser Falric - Male, Human - The knight that beat Takehiko in a duel during his stay in Menora. He held no ill will towards Takehiko and even helped him to the medic after their fight, but is incredibly cocky about his prowess with the sword.
15) Baldewin - Takehiko met Baldewin at the Shady Rest inn, in the town of Greywood. Takehiko traveled with Baldewin after learning that he was looking for Wes Tarkin, who he knew from before he went to Menora.
16) Wes Tarkin - During Takehiko's travels, he was ambushed near Menora by a group of bandits. Thankfully, he was saved by a group of Arcane Knights, and Wes was among them. After learning where they had come from, and what they were, he went to Menora post-haste hoping to become a member of the Arc Knights, thinking that becoming one would be his best bet to protect the people of Tulrisse.
Memories, Mannerisms, and Quirks- [SHOW]
1) Memory - Losing to his older brother while sparring.
2) Mannerism - Takehiko bows politely before every interaction, whether it is social interaction or combat. He will never, however, commit to a full formal bow for anyone he does not respect.
3) Quirk - Takehiko is stoic and appears to lack emotion, but will lay down his life for people he considers his friends.
Background - Family/Class/Profession/Institutions- [SHOW]
1) Family - As far as Takehiko knows, his family is alive and well. He hasn't seen any of them however in several years and tries not to hear about news from back home. The thought of how the Ya-Jarang treats the Akiran people angers him still.
2) Class - He comes from what some would consider royalty, though he has chosen to abandon the life of royalty. However, a lot of the formalities he learned being the son of a Jun have stayed ingrained in him.
3) Profession - Takehiko considers himself a wandering vigilante, not really working anywhere but accepting payment graciously from those who offer it. He will accept payment to protect people/caravans/etc. temporarily.
4) Institution - An ex-Student of the Lions.
Drives - Primary/Secondary/Tertiary- [SHOW]
1) Primary - Takehiko's primary motivation is to protect people.
2) Secondary - Takehiko strives to maintain his spiritual connection to Ghia, even though he abandoned his family. Often during periods of rest, he will meditate and try to connect with the Lion of Ghia.
3) Tertiary - Though he tries to hide it, Takehiko wants to make friends that he can travel with who have similar ideals and goals to him.
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