Author's Games: Samurai

Clan 6: Takeo Rokkaku

This was written by NicoTrip.   

Name: Rokkaku Takeo (tah-kay-oh)

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Appearance: Takeo has a muscular build from years of intense training, and stands at 5'8". He wears his hair down, instead of the traditional chonmage, and the blood red hair runs down to his shoulders, at times making him look feminine. He has a nasty scar across his face which he recieved ten years earlier during a small skirmish. His kimono is typically red, with a black haori and hakuma.

Weapon of choice: While he is trained in a wide variety of weaponry, from bo staff to bow to the manriki-kusari, Takeo carries the traditional Samurai weapon of the katana and wakizashi.

Personality: Takeo is a patient man. He would rather wait for the right moment then strike blindly. He uses the Shinobi tactics taught to him when he was young to bring the battle under his advantage. Stealth and other Shinobi tactics are not usually seen in a samurai, but Takeo uses that to his advantage. He is sly, cunning, and very intelligent. A master tactician and strategists, he always plans five steps ahead.

Background: Not much is known about his early years. In 1541, a baby was found in the Rokkaku providence. No one knew who the parents were, and he was given to Rokkaku Kenji, the leader at the time. Takeo was raised as on of his children. At five, the boy showed signs of being at least partly foreign. He was placed under his older brother, Rokkaku Katsu, who became a role model and teacher to the young boy. Katsu taught him how to fight, and even taught him how to use a few different weapons. Around eight, a few of the Shinobi warriors under Kenji taught the young boy their ways. He was a fast leaner, and soon surpassed his teachers. At the age of ten came a tragic time for Takeo and the Rokkaku clan. Katsu was killed in cold blood by a ronin samurai. Takeo had watched the killing from the shadows, and received a wound when he tried to protect his brother. Takeo took this very hard as this was his brother, sensei, and mentor. He swore revenge on the ronin, and anyone that tried to stand in his way. After these events, Takeo trained harder becoming one of the best samurai in the Rokkaku providence.

Important side characters: Tsuyoshi, his younger brother; Rui, his younger sister; Kenji, his father; Oshiro Hayato, his best friend; Oshiro Chika, his betrothed.

Influences decisions in battle: Takeo plans out the best strategy for every battle. Whether sending troops behind the enemy or keeping a few in reserve, he will always have a plan.

Belief: Takeo was taught to believe in the katana, and he does. But he also believes in family first.

Nobunaga Oda: "It's a shame about your foreign heritage. Your cunning and strategist nature, combined with what you've learned as a Shinobi could make you a formidable opponent in battle."

Mitsuhide Akechi: "If a man values his life, he will not take his eyes off you for an instant. Your sly, Shinobi tactics are ones to be wary of."

Hideyoshi Hashiba: "It's hard losing a loved one, but losing a sensei is even worse. For that, I am sorry.  One day, you'll see to it that justice is served, but don't let revenge consume you. Your sensei and brother wouldn't want that, Rokkaku-san."

Magoichi Saika: "I've fought alongside Shinobi before, and I've always found them good fighters. What I'm more interested in is your younger sister. I can't wait to meet her, so I can show her what a real fighter does."

Ishida Mitsunari: "Do not stray from your path of revenge, and you will find it."