Kagehiko Torioi
A xaelan taken from the steppes to be a retainer for a Samurai Lord in Doma. Freed of his service after the failed rebellion, now a wanderer who hopes to be a master smith as much as cope with his past!
Overview!
Age: 25
Height: 7'2
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Pansexual
IC Jobs: Samurai, Shinobi, Blacksmith!
Born: The Azim Steppes
Home: Doma!
Languages: Doman, Hingan, Eorzean, Xaelan
Profession: Adventurer and Professional Blacksmith
Physical appearance!:
Scales: Black
Hair: Silver
Eyes: Sapphire-Blue, red-ringed.
Build: Athletic, lithe and wispy if it wasn't for his muscles.
Smile?: Fragile, always a fragile smile
A failed past and an uncertain future
Unbroken Bindings lead to broken bonds
Kagehiko was born under a name he's all but forgotten now, among the steppes and the Tumet tribe. His name back then was a title, a placeholder, for upon his tenth summer. The Xaela was tied to the sacred tree and was made to struggle free of his bindings. However, he had not the strength, perhaps the will, or some other excuse. But he could not break free, no matter how he tried. And as time passed, he only grew weaker not stronger as the fatigue and desperation set in. He would die bound to the tree, unnamed and forgotten by the Tumet. To be a body the steppe-beasts will pick clean.
That is until the lord of the Torioi clan, not a Steppe clan but one of Doma's elite. Of the samurai lords. Had chanced upon the bound Xaela, it was here that the lord Hiro Torioi extended a hand to a child that had been filled with fear at the death he was bound to at the tree. Knowing there was nothing for him in his tribe, with the Torioi cutting his bindings. His place was cemented as a child of this Clan. Not to be one of Royal Blood, adopted or otherwise, but to be a Retainer like those that traveled at the Lord's side.
No one knew why a party from Doma had ventured so far into the Steppes. Perhaps the closest guard and Retainer at the time knew other than the Lord, but with the situation in Doma. The Lord was looking for strength to secure his clan, his dynasty and family from threats. From occupiers, to rival clans, and he found what he was looking for. Another tool to use to establish his House.
-----------------A new tribe, a new name----------------------
Taken from his certain wasting death at the Sacred Tree and absconded with back to Doma the Young Xaela was 'blessed' with a new name from the Lord Hiro that had freed him. Naming him Kagehiko, and letting him take the last name of the House as per the Xaelan tradition. To Kagehiko, it was as if he was granted a wonderful gift, a blessing, to be taken in when the alternative was death. To be named so readily as part of the Clan. To the Lord, it was a mark akin to a branding, to mark the young Xaela as property of the house. For the Lord saw and sought not allies, but means to a prosperous end for his Clan.
And to be sure, he set to grooming the young Kagehiko for his future position as a Retainer of the Clan. For him and his family. Being brought up with an education fit for a servant, to learn fundamentals and basics of any education. But as well the martial skills required to master the Katana like the many warriors of the Clan. And in each, his wide eyed joy at his life was replaced with the growing empty stare of one realizing they were shackled once more to a new position. A path in life they are being forced to walk. Failings in studies were met with berating words and harsher work. Lack of skill in training met with injuries and scalding words than reassurances. The light he had seen in a new life, all but gone as he saw the dark path of a Pawn for Lord Hiro
**----------------A Failed Rebellion, An uncertain future---------
Achieving maturity wasn't met with fanfare one might hope coming of age in normal house holds. But the solemn oath of swearing to serve Lord Hiro and the Clan until the end of his life or release of service. An oath he was trained years for to take, and when the time came. He was put to work immediately. The tasks were varied, from handling what threats of beasts in the demesne of the Clan. Keeping his skills sharp. And the more troubling of actions of being used to secure what 'Allies' or agreements Lord Hiro wanted that the Xaela could help achieve. From being ordered to amuse or oblige passing fancies of honored guests or for more bloody means of removing those that act against the Clan. Garlean or other servants of rival clans, and there were many rivals when your master considers none a Friend or true Ally.
His life was to change though, when the first rebellion started. Under the auspices of Doma's all-but-captive leader. The Clan was put through a schism. To back the Empire and earn better favor when they inevitably win. Or to join with the rest of the Houses and fight against their oppressors to secure better standing for their house with their Lord, or to take land from those that fall in fighting. This dilema splintered the house, and with the sons and daughters of Lord Hiro acting for one or the other. It only served to draw ire of both their domestic enemies and those of the occupiers.
The Clan was all but destroyed, the Torioi House had no true allies, and no positive standing. Being Savages to the occupiers, and monsters to the other Houses. Kagehiko fought the Garleans, his master's will was to rebel. But after facing against some of their Machina in the village around the Torioi's estate. The sight upon his return was a ruined Estate, the destruction wrought by Garlean Machina, and the bodies of those slain by the servants of rival Clans. The puppet that Kagehiko had become, had his strings cut when his master's corpse was found among the main hall with some few close guards.
He did not know what happened to the others of the Family, the children of the Lord, the other servants, he didn't know anything. To finally have a chance to live a life he wants and walk a path he wants. How can he choose when he doesn't know anything else but to serve.
That is until the fires of the estate lapped at the stunned Samurai. And if there's one great decision maker, it's Fight-Or-Flight. Fleeing the burning estate, deaf to the remaining sounds of battle. His thought was only to flee. And flee he did, until he was no longer running from the burning estate. But his past as well. To some place he can look up at the stars, find a place he wants to call his home. Take a breath and not feel the pressure in his chest of stress. He searches for a place to be, and if the Kami bless him. Then he might just find it.
((A big ol' WIP section!)
RP hooks!
A failed retainer -- Kagehiko came from the Torioi clan in Doma, a clan often reviled for the way their master behaved and acted. Some people might notice the name Torioi if they are familiar with Doma before the rebellions and be curious, worried, or any such apprehension to see if the name comes from the old Clan. Perhaps they are cautious they might be a relative of the revilled-lord. Or worried that another power-play by the clan remnants is afoot!
A foolish Samurai Warrior -- Kagehiko has taken his first tentative steps into trying to enjoy his life. But all he knows are the skills he was taught and the passion he pursues. Some might encounter him in the roads, wandering between city states or even Kugane if he's bold to walk publicly there! Some might see his apparel and strike up a curious conversation with the Samurai, or seek protection on the roads in the form of a Bodyguard. Kage hopes to not disappoint no matter the request!
Wielding a Magic Sword -- One of Kage's past passions, the small lifeline he had in service and after service. Was blacksmithing. Starting with maintaining his own gear it has grown into a true passion. Some might be looking for a blade to be forged, a commission. Or perhaps repairs or even improvements to their weapon. Kagehiko's stalls end up in the major city states, minor save for a hole in Ul'dah's walls. But the tales of 'Kagehiko's Mastercrafts' of the visual magic surrounding special blades and the works of art in the more Mundane weapons. Might be enough to attract a customer!
A Teacher, An adventurer, a helping hand -- Kage roams around, but his ultimate vice is being kind, trusting, and helpful to a fault. despite the risk, Kage can help with many things if people ask him! If they are passionate, patient, and persistent, he might even teach them how to use a Katana! -- People seeking an adventurer's help, to tag along on grand quests or minor adventures. Hunting monsters, to standing against a great foe. Kage's a nervous wreck, but he will help if the cause is good! -- Just an extra pair of hands, to help pour tea, carry goods, and be in the right place at the right time to just offer some help. It might be inconvenient for him, but the thanks he gets is enough to keep pushing him!
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Anything and everything! - Kage is also open to being moved into people's stories for their own character development. So it's possible to make new hooks for characters too!
A tool too easily used -- Kage's attempting to live a new life, to feel what he wants to feel and not what he's told to feel. But beneath the attempt at a happy exterior is a man willing to get a Job done no matter how tough and with no moral qualms if pushed far enough. And one that is so used to being discarded after. An easy tool for those aiming to use some manipulation to get what they achieve.
A Hated Mark -- Kage's stall is often frequented in the Pearl Lane by those shady syndicates and cheap gladiators and thugs. Having found a source for great weapons, people might recognize his smith's mark in the weapons of those they go up against. Or perhaps, you have a found a new smith for your own unscrupulous business.