Name: Kensai "Ken" Tanahashi
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Village: Wanderer
Rank: B-Rank
Title: The Desert Rose/Ronin
Clan: N/A
Bloodline: N/A
Element(s): Futon
Skill(s): Kyujutsu, Sensory, Fuuinjutsu
Stats
Unique Abilities:
Skill Trade: 2 Skill points traded for 1000 EXP and 2 additional skill raises.
Advanced Training: 1050 EXP is owed towards the next rank and must be paid back before any other exp can be gained.
Seal-less Combat: A player may choose to perform technique of a certain skill without hand seals. However, this is only gesture-less casting. The player must still "charge" their chakra and follow the other "tells" or triggers such technique requires.
Appearance:
Ken tends to favour simplicity in his appearance. He keeps his fair face unshaven, his medium length white hair a sharp contrast to his tan skin and gold eyes. He has a tendency to wear flowing linen robes, perfect for beating the heat in the desert due to being a lightweight natural material. These robes hide his wiry frame, decently muscular but still not big. His more traditional garb comes from his upbringing, his father being a samurai. He wears gloves that assist him in archery most of the time, favouring them to bare hands. He is never seen without a weapon, as being a Samurai it is an important part of him. He wears eye glasses sometimes, though not always, and can often be found with a cigarette placed between his lips.
History:
Kensai is the son of a man who is a true Ronin, a wandering master of the blade who had traveled from land to land, learning all that he was able too. In his storied career he had become fairly well known, the name Tanahashi becoming whispered across the lands. When Ken was born, his father settled down with his mother in the Land of Wind, resolving to raise his son to be a swordsman like him. From the time he was old enough to stand, his father began teaching him basic footwork, when he could hold a boken he began going over drills to hammer home blade techniques. He didn't have a childhood like most, though in his time spent free from training his mother would play him music. She would sing to him and teach him of the arts, drawing, painting, performing, sculpting; he was obsessed with all kinds of different arts because of it.
On his fourteenth birthday his father told him it was time for him to go on a soul searching journey in order to better himself with his blade and as a person, and while his mother might have been against this initially, she caved to the wishes of his father, as well as young Ken, who was determined to prove himself to his father. He would wander off into the desert with nothing but a sword, a water skin, and the clothes on his back, taking on whatever the elements would send at him. His robes helped to keep him from overheating during the day, and kept him warm at night until he was able to hunt and kill for furs to use as blankets. His survival skills would improve constantly and quickly, as they had no choice but to do so if he wanted to survive.
At the age of sixteen, after two years in solitude, he would attach himself to a wandering caravan, becoming the bodyguard for a merchant who moved from village to village selling his wares. The young swordsman would often be utilized to deter bandits and other unsavoury types, protecting his wards and ensuring that the people and the wares were kept safe. The merchant and the swordsman became friends, working together for many years as Ken grew into a fine young man, enjoying a life of relative luxury with the caravan. The steady income and availability of food and shelter was a welcomed change from his two years in isolation, and getting to visit lands outside of the Land of Wind was thrilling and educational for the young swordsman, giving him access to training from different kinds of sword users as well.
Eventually the caravan would take on someone who told Ken that he wasn't utilizing his true strengths to their full potential, teaching him how to use the chakra inside of and around him. He would learn how to force his chakra into another person, influencing their perception and their senses and giving him another edge in battle. This skillset was something that Ken became extremely proud of, potentially giving him a leg up on his father. After eight years with the caravan, Ken would return to the Land of Wind, making his way to the small area where his family had settled. He would take his leave, the Caravan owner sad but proud of the young man as he returned home. He would make his way to where his family had originally settled, being surprised when he was unable to find them. A little bit of searching would lead him to understand that his parents had lost their lives defending the area, his father having been considered a saviour of the village. Ken was devastated, returning to his family home and shutting himself in once more. He would spend the next year dealing with a lot of harsh thoughts before something finally snapped inside of him. He put a smile on his face and went to face the world once more, hearing the news of the formation of the village of Sunagakure in the area where his home was located, and deciding that he would try to be a productive member of this new chapter in their world.
He would keep himself unaffiliated with the village personally, taking on missions and helping them but refusing to become a part of their military or politics due to a general disdain for ninja, and would eventually align himself with The Stag Emporium, feeling personally indebted to Tomi Okane for kindness shown to him.
Personality:
For the most part, Ken is someone who is considered to be fairly kind but at the same time occasionally difficult to deal with. He can be aloof, occasionally staring off into space and completely in his own little world, though never when he is working. He is staunchly loyal, as proven during his time with the caravan, and will do anything to protect an employer, or someone whom he cares about. This was kicked up a notch after he learned about the death of his parents, not wishing to have to deal with a similar pain ever again. What people don't know is he spends the majority of his time speaking to his father in his head, being driven by him as a sort of compass. He has no qualms with spilling blood, and has been known to get lost in his own bloodlust from time to time, enjoying the feeling of the warm arterial spray splashing across him in almost a comforting way.
Ken is a lover of art and music, something instilled in him by his mother when he was young. He also appreciates people who dedicate their lives to a craft as such, not only limited to the arts, but including the blade, cooking, and anything similar. He likes people who treat the poor like people, and consequently hates those who look down upon them. He has a general disdain for the wealthy, as they tend to be the worst for this kind of action. He sees himself as a saviour of the slums and a protector of the poor, and will do all that he can to aid the distraught when they are being treated anything less than human.
Ken rewards kindness with loyalty, and as such is fiercely loyal to Tomi Okane for the kindness he was shown by the man. He considers his weapons and armour to be a part of him, as are the samurai teachings, and takes immense pride in the keeping of them. He meticulously polishes his armour and weapons as a result, and takes tremendous care of them and his bow and arrows. He is always found practicing with his blades and bow when he isn't working, and loves his time spent at the archery range.
Ken's goals are simple. He wishes to bring the Tanahashi name honour, as he will likely be the last member due to the fact that he is a homosexual and the last of his line (as far as he knows.) He wants to show the strength of the path of the samurai. He wishes to become a well respected man across the lands, and someone whom anyone would feel comfortable to have guarding him. He hopes that one day he will be other to lead other Samurai, and to help give his people a greater presence in the shinobi dominated world.
Ken fears losing those close to him. He has few strong bonds, but those with whom he has bonded he will not allow harm. He would see it as a personal failure if those close to him were to be killed and he would never be able to forgive himself. He does not fear death himself, but the thought that should he die those whom he protects would become vulnerable and targets. He smokes when he is nervous or unhappy or angry in order to calm himself, enjoying the feeling of the swimming in his head.
Roleplay Sample:
(From a thread I posted)
It was an odd feeling for Ken Tanahashi to have money in his pocket for once as he wandered into the Sunagakure Marketplace and glanced towards the variety of shops. He knew exactly what kind of shop he was looking for, and it was the one place he would be able to feel like a human again. There were people selling pets, pottery, gems and jewelry, and even musical instruments and the like. Ken was almost drawn into several different places, but he didn’t allow himself to be distracted, instead making his way to the bowyer’s shop. A kind looking man nodded to him as he entered the shop.
“Welcome to my archery shop, Sir.” The sir almost threw Ken off as he wasn’t used to being addressed like a human after his time living on the streets. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve...come to purchase a Yami, Master Bowyer. A proper Samurai’s weapon.” The bowyer looked him up and down before a smile crossed his lips.
“Not many of your type around here, Master Samurai. I didn’t recognize you without your weapons, but it looks like you’re trying to rectify that situation. Might you accompany me to the range? We must make sure we get the right bow for you after all.” Without awaiting an answer, the old Bowyer led Ken to the back of his shop, taking a few bows as he went and nodding at each choice. Ken truly was stunned at the kindness and acceptance of this man, who when he reached the archery range, handed one of the bows to Ken. “I’d have brought you a glove, but I see you’re wearing your own.” Ken had basically forgotten that the gloves he normally wore were archer’s gloves, and he took the bow in his left hand, extending his arm out to its maximum reach before the bowyer took the bow from him and handed him another. “This one should be better, and now that I’ve measured your arm...”
He walked away for a second as Ken stood there holding the bow like an old friend. His fingers gingerly brushed over the bowstring as his hand found the centre notch and sat just below it. He gave a test pull at the string, testing the weight of the draw just as the bowyer returned with a quiver of arrows that he would attach to Ken’s hip. “You’ll need these too, Master Samurai. Please, feel free to use the range for as long as you need.” He stepped back and crossed his arms. Ken couldn’t see the look of pride on the man’s face as he watched the young Samurai took an arrow into his right arm, drawing it from his hip and turning it so that the smooth shaft could run through his fingers down to the fletching, which he pressed against the string.
He would find the knock on the arrow, hooking it into the strong as he rested it above his hand on the bow. The draw was smooth, like it was something he had practised a million times before, and everything about the process felt right. As he looked down the arrow towards his target he breathed in and held his breath, time seeming to stand still in that moment before he released the arrow along with his breath, watching as it sailed along and hit its mark. The bowyer walked away after a few more shots, Ken taking several hours with the bow and arrows as tears rolled down his face. His father would be proud of him. His father taught him to use a bow. This was a part of him.
When he made his way back into the shop the bowyer had already retrieved him about fifty arrows that were the same size as the ones he was using. Ken asked if he had anything else that might interest him, and the bowyer stroked his chin before pulling out a weapon that Ken hadn’t had the pleasure of having with him on the caravan, but that his father held dear, a Kusurigama. He told him that in order to replace his swords, he would want to speak to a man named Okane, who referred to himself as the Grand Merchant. Ken was assured that he managed to live up to his name, as his wares were some of the best he had ever seen. Ken exchanged Ryo with the man, taking the kusurigama and the bow and wearing them on his body as the quiver with fifty arrows sat at his hip. He bowed to the bowyer.
“Thank you, Master Bowyer...you’ve done more for me than you realize.”
“No, thank you Master Samurai. It was truly a joy to help someone become closer to being whole today. I look forward to hearing tales of your heroism...just as I have heard of your father.” He had once again shocked Ken, who stood in silence as the bowyer came and put his hand on his shoulder. “You would have made your old man proud, Kensai. He died protecting this village so that you could take up his mantle. I’m happy to finally see you walking into my shop. You are a good man, just like him. Never forget that.” And with those words, the Bowyer made his way back to his counter and Kensai Tanahashi made his way back out of the shop and towards his next assignment with new found vigor.
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Village: Wanderer
Rank: B-Rank
Title: The Desert Rose/Ronin
Clan: N/A
Bloodline: N/A
Element(s): Futon
Skill(s): Kyujutsu, Sensory, Fuuinjutsu
Stats
- Strength: B
- Constitution: C
- Stamina: C
- Speed: D
- Coordination: A
- Intelligence: C
- Perception: A
Unique Abilities:
Skill Trade: 2 Skill points traded for 1000 EXP and 2 additional skill raises.
Advanced Training: 1050 EXP is owed towards the next rank and must be paid back before any other exp can be gained.
Seal-less Combat: A player may choose to perform technique of a certain skill without hand seals. However, this is only gesture-less casting. The player must still "charge" their chakra and follow the other "tells" or triggers such technique requires.
Appearance:
Ken tends to favour simplicity in his appearance. He keeps his fair face unshaven, his medium length white hair a sharp contrast to his tan skin and gold eyes. He has a tendency to wear flowing linen robes, perfect for beating the heat in the desert due to being a lightweight natural material. These robes hide his wiry frame, decently muscular but still not big. His more traditional garb comes from his upbringing, his father being a samurai. He wears gloves that assist him in archery most of the time, favouring them to bare hands. He is never seen without a weapon, as being a Samurai it is an important part of him. He wears eye glasses sometimes, though not always, and can often be found with a cigarette placed between his lips.
History:
Kensai is the son of a man who is a true Ronin, a wandering master of the blade who had traveled from land to land, learning all that he was able too. In his storied career he had become fairly well known, the name Tanahashi becoming whispered across the lands. When Ken was born, his father settled down with his mother in the Land of Wind, resolving to raise his son to be a swordsman like him. From the time he was old enough to stand, his father began teaching him basic footwork, when he could hold a boken he began going over drills to hammer home blade techniques. He didn't have a childhood like most, though in his time spent free from training his mother would play him music. She would sing to him and teach him of the arts, drawing, painting, performing, sculpting; he was obsessed with all kinds of different arts because of it.
On his fourteenth birthday his father told him it was time for him to go on a soul searching journey in order to better himself with his blade and as a person, and while his mother might have been against this initially, she caved to the wishes of his father, as well as young Ken, who was determined to prove himself to his father. He would wander off into the desert with nothing but a sword, a water skin, and the clothes on his back, taking on whatever the elements would send at him. His robes helped to keep him from overheating during the day, and kept him warm at night until he was able to hunt and kill for furs to use as blankets. His survival skills would improve constantly and quickly, as they had no choice but to do so if he wanted to survive.
At the age of sixteen, after two years in solitude, he would attach himself to a wandering caravan, becoming the bodyguard for a merchant who moved from village to village selling his wares. The young swordsman would often be utilized to deter bandits and other unsavoury types, protecting his wards and ensuring that the people and the wares were kept safe. The merchant and the swordsman became friends, working together for many years as Ken grew into a fine young man, enjoying a life of relative luxury with the caravan. The steady income and availability of food and shelter was a welcomed change from his two years in isolation, and getting to visit lands outside of the Land of Wind was thrilling and educational for the young swordsman, giving him access to training from different kinds of sword users as well.
Eventually the caravan would take on someone who told Ken that he wasn't utilizing his true strengths to their full potential, teaching him how to use the chakra inside of and around him. He would learn how to force his chakra into another person, influencing their perception and their senses and giving him another edge in battle. This skillset was something that Ken became extremely proud of, potentially giving him a leg up on his father. After eight years with the caravan, Ken would return to the Land of Wind, making his way to the small area where his family had settled. He would take his leave, the Caravan owner sad but proud of the young man as he returned home. He would make his way to where his family had originally settled, being surprised when he was unable to find them. A little bit of searching would lead him to understand that his parents had lost their lives defending the area, his father having been considered a saviour of the village. Ken was devastated, returning to his family home and shutting himself in once more. He would spend the next year dealing with a lot of harsh thoughts before something finally snapped inside of him. He put a smile on his face and went to face the world once more, hearing the news of the formation of the village of Sunagakure in the area where his home was located, and deciding that he would try to be a productive member of this new chapter in their world.
He would keep himself unaffiliated with the village personally, taking on missions and helping them but refusing to become a part of their military or politics due to a general disdain for ninja, and would eventually align himself with The Stag Emporium, feeling personally indebted to Tomi Okane for kindness shown to him.
Personality:
For the most part, Ken is someone who is considered to be fairly kind but at the same time occasionally difficult to deal with. He can be aloof, occasionally staring off into space and completely in his own little world, though never when he is working. He is staunchly loyal, as proven during his time with the caravan, and will do anything to protect an employer, or someone whom he cares about. This was kicked up a notch after he learned about the death of his parents, not wishing to have to deal with a similar pain ever again. What people don't know is he spends the majority of his time speaking to his father in his head, being driven by him as a sort of compass. He has no qualms with spilling blood, and has been known to get lost in his own bloodlust from time to time, enjoying the feeling of the warm arterial spray splashing across him in almost a comforting way.
Ken is a lover of art and music, something instilled in him by his mother when he was young. He also appreciates people who dedicate their lives to a craft as such, not only limited to the arts, but including the blade, cooking, and anything similar. He likes people who treat the poor like people, and consequently hates those who look down upon them. He has a general disdain for the wealthy, as they tend to be the worst for this kind of action. He sees himself as a saviour of the slums and a protector of the poor, and will do all that he can to aid the distraught when they are being treated anything less than human.
Ken rewards kindness with loyalty, and as such is fiercely loyal to Tomi Okane for the kindness he was shown by the man. He considers his weapons and armour to be a part of him, as are the samurai teachings, and takes immense pride in the keeping of them. He meticulously polishes his armour and weapons as a result, and takes tremendous care of them and his bow and arrows. He is always found practicing with his blades and bow when he isn't working, and loves his time spent at the archery range.
Ken's goals are simple. He wishes to bring the Tanahashi name honour, as he will likely be the last member due to the fact that he is a homosexual and the last of his line (as far as he knows.) He wants to show the strength of the path of the samurai. He wishes to become a well respected man across the lands, and someone whom anyone would feel comfortable to have guarding him. He hopes that one day he will be other to lead other Samurai, and to help give his people a greater presence in the shinobi dominated world.
Ken fears losing those close to him. He has few strong bonds, but those with whom he has bonded he will not allow harm. He would see it as a personal failure if those close to him were to be killed and he would never be able to forgive himself. He does not fear death himself, but the thought that should he die those whom he protects would become vulnerable and targets. He smokes when he is nervous or unhappy or angry in order to calm himself, enjoying the feeling of the swimming in his head.
Roleplay Sample:
(From a thread I posted)
It was an odd feeling for Ken Tanahashi to have money in his pocket for once as he wandered into the Sunagakure Marketplace and glanced towards the variety of shops. He knew exactly what kind of shop he was looking for, and it was the one place he would be able to feel like a human again. There were people selling pets, pottery, gems and jewelry, and even musical instruments and the like. Ken was almost drawn into several different places, but he didn’t allow himself to be distracted, instead making his way to the bowyer’s shop. A kind looking man nodded to him as he entered the shop.
“Welcome to my archery shop, Sir.” The sir almost threw Ken off as he wasn’t used to being addressed like a human after his time living on the streets. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve...come to purchase a Yami, Master Bowyer. A proper Samurai’s weapon.” The bowyer looked him up and down before a smile crossed his lips.
“Not many of your type around here, Master Samurai. I didn’t recognize you without your weapons, but it looks like you’re trying to rectify that situation. Might you accompany me to the range? We must make sure we get the right bow for you after all.” Without awaiting an answer, the old Bowyer led Ken to the back of his shop, taking a few bows as he went and nodding at each choice. Ken truly was stunned at the kindness and acceptance of this man, who when he reached the archery range, handed one of the bows to Ken. “I’d have brought you a glove, but I see you’re wearing your own.” Ken had basically forgotten that the gloves he normally wore were archer’s gloves, and he took the bow in his left hand, extending his arm out to its maximum reach before the bowyer took the bow from him and handed him another. “This one should be better, and now that I’ve measured your arm...”
He walked away for a second as Ken stood there holding the bow like an old friend. His fingers gingerly brushed over the bowstring as his hand found the centre notch and sat just below it. He gave a test pull at the string, testing the weight of the draw just as the bowyer returned with a quiver of arrows that he would attach to Ken’s hip. “You’ll need these too, Master Samurai. Please, feel free to use the range for as long as you need.” He stepped back and crossed his arms. Ken couldn’t see the look of pride on the man’s face as he watched the young Samurai took an arrow into his right arm, drawing it from his hip and turning it so that the smooth shaft could run through his fingers down to the fletching, which he pressed against the string.
He would find the knock on the arrow, hooking it into the strong as he rested it above his hand on the bow. The draw was smooth, like it was something he had practised a million times before, and everything about the process felt right. As he looked down the arrow towards his target he breathed in and held his breath, time seeming to stand still in that moment before he released the arrow along with his breath, watching as it sailed along and hit its mark. The bowyer walked away after a few more shots, Ken taking several hours with the bow and arrows as tears rolled down his face. His father would be proud of him. His father taught him to use a bow. This was a part of him.
When he made his way back into the shop the bowyer had already retrieved him about fifty arrows that were the same size as the ones he was using. Ken asked if he had anything else that might interest him, and the bowyer stroked his chin before pulling out a weapon that Ken hadn’t had the pleasure of having with him on the caravan, but that his father held dear, a Kusurigama. He told him that in order to replace his swords, he would want to speak to a man named Okane, who referred to himself as the Grand Merchant. Ken was assured that he managed to live up to his name, as his wares were some of the best he had ever seen. Ken exchanged Ryo with the man, taking the kusurigama and the bow and wearing them on his body as the quiver with fifty arrows sat at his hip. He bowed to the bowyer.
“Thank you, Master Bowyer...you’ve done more for me than you realize.”
“No, thank you Master Samurai. It was truly a joy to help someone become closer to being whole today. I look forward to hearing tales of your heroism...just as I have heard of your father.” He had once again shocked Ken, who stood in silence as the bowyer came and put his hand on his shoulder. “You would have made your old man proud, Kensai. He died protecting this village so that you could take up his mantle. I’m happy to finally see you walking into my shop. You are a good man, just like him. Never forget that.” And with those words, the Bowyer made his way back to his counter and Kensai Tanahashi made his way back out of the shop and towards his next assignment with new found vigor.
