Post by Michael Mattingly on Aug 24, 2015 18:40:03 GMT -5
Character Name: Michael Mattingly
Title Name: Takayama Ukon the 2nd
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Birthday: October 15th
Birthplace: United States of America
Clan: Shimazu
Year: First
Track: Politician
School Clubs: Martial Arts, Poetry, Ceremony Club,
Dorm: Sagami
Weapon: Armored Gloves
Hair: Short brown hair
Eyes: Large Dark Blue Eyes
Build: Muscular
Voice: Dry and even, though not unfriendly
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180lbs
Casual Clothing/appearance: Michael's favored clothing is reminiscent of an American motorcyclist. A red and white leather jackets paired with black gloves and jeans paired with Army surplus combat boots. He has a pair of aviator glasses from his father, but rarely wears them. Sadly, since he is a first year he is most commonly seen in his school uniform.
Combat Clothing/appearance: Michael’s battle gear doesn’t differ greatly from his civilian attire with the exception of strong metal bracers and shin guards being worn beneath his jacket and pants. Additionally, his clothing is fire retardant and made of highly durable Kevlar type material, allowing him to absorb impacts. His leather gloves also have metallic plates along the knuckles, fingers and across the palm, granting them greater protection against weapon strikes.
Inventory/accessories: Crucifix, Leather Sap Gloves, Harmonica.
Personality: Michael Mattingly is a charismatic, friendly young man who seems to embody both Christian and Bushido ideals. He follows the warrior code, he is honorable, but he is also compassionate and fair. Consequently many who cross his path develop a great deal of a respect for the young foreigner. Despite having strong religious and political opinions he only voices them when asked, and endeavors too maintain an air of civility. This is of course, his good side, and only one aspect of his personality. The Michael Mattingly people rarely see is the one he more closely identifies himself with. He constantly struggles with his faith, doubts his purpose and resent being used as pawn in politics to further the desires of people who are motivated more by wealth and status than religion. Additionally, he is very much a womanizer, something that he is ashamed of and actively fails at keeping in check. He actively seeks to improve himself and is always willing to offer assistance to those who are in need, regardless of their allegiance.
Likes: Girls, cigarettes, poetry, singing, motorcycles, and boxing.
Dislikes: Butchery, Dishonesty, Love of Violence, Religious Persecution.
Ambitions/Goals: Increase the Reputation of Christians in Japan, Be an inspiration for future converts. Establish a lasting peace.
Habits/Mannerisms: Michael's most common mannerism is his soft lopsided smile, his second is running his hand through his hair when he feels awkward. Despite being a friendly sort, he is often worn out by continued exposure to groups of people and will seek seclusion. Before battle he often loses his eyes to utter a quick prayer.
Strengths:
- Benevolent
- Can take a great deal of punishment
- Courageous
- Solitary
- Relatively Slow Movement
- Gullible
(You have 54 points. The limit to one stat is 13. You must have at least 1 point in every stat. Please assign them as you will. Your grade from F-A will be calculated by a staff member upon approval. For more on stats check the guidebook. Keep in mind the stat points aren't a deciding factor in RP but are for you to better understand your character.)
HP: 10
SP: 10
ST: 6
Soul: 11
Endurance: 10
Agility: 3
Speed: 3
Luck: 1
Original Owner: Takayama Ukon
Clan: Member of the Takayama Clan who served Wada Korenaga, Araki Murashige, Nobunaga Oda, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi
History: Takayama Ukon was a controversial figure, considered by the Jesuits as a pillar of the Christian faith and by some Japanese as a symbol of the duplicity of Christianity in the Sengoku era. Ukon’s betrayal of both Wada Korenaga, where he and 14 men took on Korenaga and his entire armed escort, and Araki Murashige were looked down upon, to say nothing of his questionable conduct at Shizugatake where he abandoned a fortified position to a superior force. Conversely, Takayama fought gallantly at Yamazaki and was a noted tea man, practicing that art with Sen no Rikyû as Minami no Bô. He was also supposed to have been respected by as many of his contemporaries as not, as his admittance into the service of the Maeda would seem to indicate. Despite his military experience it was his dedication to the Christian faith and conversion of some 18000 Japanese, Samurai and commoner alike, which ensured his legacy. When Christianity was outlawed in Japan he left the country with some 300 followers and settled in Manila where he died 40 days later.
Sacred Item: The Crucifix of Takayama Ukon
Activate Ability 1: Armor of Faith: Michael increases his or an allies endurance stat by 1 letter grade for four turns. Cool down is two turns. This is activated by Michael's recitation of a line from Psalm 144:1 out loud or in his head.
Activate Ability 2: Wrath of Heaven: Michael strikes either the ground or an opponent with his open palm which glows with a pale silver white light. The energy is released in all directions for ten meters, dealing Michael's Soul stat in damage to any individuals, enemy or ally, within range.
Activate Ability 3: By the Sword: Michael blocks and counters a physical attack, using his soul stat to deal damage to his opponent and knock them backwards.
Passive 1: Calming Presence: Michael is a calming presence to all those around him, preventing allies and enemies alike from giving in to blood lust and instead hoping for a more peaceful solution. Even if diplomacy is no longer an option, it at least allows Michael and his friends to maintain their composure.
Passive 2: Undying Spirit: The Crucifix provides high defense against mental attacks like fear, charm, or illusions
OverburstColor: Bright Silver White Light
Overburst Power: Martyr: Can only be activated upon defeat or death. Michael shouts in anguish as the final blow lands, his voice becoming enhanced by the strength of his spirit giving it an effect similar to thunder and accompanied by a bright flash of his Overburst color shooting into the sky. All Allies that see or hear this are given a new will to fight, healing their wounds and replenishing their spirit as well as granting them a bonus to strength and agility as they attempt to gain retribution.
Support:
Father: Samuel Mattingly
Mother: Sarah Mattingly
Family Friend: Padre Ortega
History: Michael Mattingly was born to a typical family in Baltimore Maryland, USA. His father was a former Sergeant in the Army before becoming a Protestant Minister. Michael’s mother was pediatrician. By the age of eleven Michael’s father had decided to travel to Manilla where his organization had opened a new Church. Between leaving the life he had known and the culture shock of having to assimilate into a new culture Michael became withdrawn. His only contact came predominantly from other Missionaries, stopping at his father’s Church before continuing onto Shimazu controlled ports in Satsuma.
One such missionary and a close family friend was Padre Ortega, a Catholic bishop who had been operating in Manilla for several years. Charged with increasing the reputation of Christians in Japan he would be gone for several years at a time. Before leaving, he gave Michael a very old gift. It was the Crucifix of Takayama Ukon, a famous Daimyo of the Sengokou period who abandoned Japan once the country had outlawed Christianity. The Crucifix had been in Ortega’s possession for decades, having been a gift from his predecessor, and was meant to be a reminder of the hardships all great men endured. The sentiment was only moderately effective, but Michael gradually grew accustom to his new surroundings. He quickly became the friendly outgoing young boy his parents knew, making friends with the locals and even beginning to learn the basics of boxing and hand to hand combat from his father.
Sadly, his new fascination was short lived. The Relic from Takayama Ukon had never been given an opportunity to demonstrate its power, having previously been kept in a display at the local parish. Michael on the other hand almost always kept the crucifix on his person. One Sunday while praying with the rest of his father’s congregation for the recovery a patron who had been injured the Relic activated. It wasn’t in a brilliant flash of light, instead it was a gentle glow that enveloped the young boy and gradually spread out across the room. While at first there were murmurs of it being a miracle, a few of the members recognized it for what it actually was. A fourteen year old American with a powerful Relic.
As news of the event spread the Vatican persuaded the Mattingly family to travel to Japan to work as missionaries. They spent two years preparing the family, teaching them the language and basic customs prior to their trip. Despite not being Catholic, the Vatican believed that having a Scion active in Japan that was also Christian and a Foreigner could provide the kind of publicity and good public relations necessary to encourage more conversions and improve the Christian image. These benefits, as far as the Vatican were concerned outweighed the danger of allowing a Protestant presence on Japanese soil. Especially when they received additional donations and support from the United States government who hoped to use it to improve diplomatic relations. The Mattingly family became the wards of the Shimazu Clan, who also intended on using the family to help trade negotiations with American business’. Michael was initially expected to undergo preliminary training with the Shimazu but when he arrived in Japan at the age of sixteen he was drafted by the Shogunate and sent straight to the Edo Bugei Academy. With the reputation of his family, the Shimazu, and the Christian faith on his shoulders he has begun to feel the weight of his decisions.
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