Bellosh Posted August 14, 2016 Report Posted August 14, 2016 Roleplay Type: World of Equestria Name: Tsuyo Yamabushi (roughly translates to "valiant mountain-fighter") Sex: Male Age: Middle-aged Stallion Species: Ryuma Eye Color: Yellow Physique: Taller and more thickly built than the average Ryuma. Most of Yamabushi's thickness comes from muscle mass, although he's developed a slight potbelly in his middle age. On account of his wanderings and his early military career, the Ryuma's body overall appears world-weary, and bruised in many places. Coat & Antlers: The coat is a dullish, light shade of earthen green; while the scales are light beige. The stallion's light grey antlers are thicker than average, remaining straight after initially curving back like the normal Ryuma horn. Mane/Tail/Tuft: The hair is dark brown in color. Yamabushi's mane is worn in a traditional "top knot" style characteristic of Neighponese samurai. A well-groomed beard and mustache grow on the stallion's face. Attire: A plain kimono of a purplish-red color. Occupation: Ronin (a masterless samurai) who performs bodyguard and escort services throughout northern Equestria. Residence: Currently works out of Seaddle. Cutie Mark: Crossed katanas; blades pointing upwards. They represent his devotion to the Way of the Warrior. It was a warm summer's day, and little Yamabushi was outdoors swinging a stick around pretending to be a soldier. Nearby, a group of disreputable youths tricked one of the local kids into playing a rigged dice game. When the unfortunate colt couldn't pay up after losing, the other scoundrels started shoving him around. That's when Yamabushi stepped in; despite six-to-one odds, the young Ryuma commanded the dishonest ruffians to cease their wrongdoing at once. The resulting six-on-one scrap ended spectacularly poorly for Yamabushi, but the bullied kid he risked himself to defend successfully managed to flee the scene, and that was what counted. As an onlooking old mare intervened to attend to Yamabushi's injuries, the lady revealed that she had once been a samurai — the elite warriors of Neighpon — and she praised the little boy for displaying conduct that exemplified Bushido: the Way of the Warrior. Fueled with encouragement that he too could had a shot at becoming one of the celebrated samurai, Yamabushi came home that day not just with bruises, but with a new cutie mark on his flank. Unique Traits: Yamabushi's most dependable ally is his custom-made katana; the sword he's owned since his induction into the ranks of the samurai. Like most other samurai weapons, Yamabushi's katana is magitech-enhanced. When the katana's user blows a certain breath spell on it, the hilt sends out sonic pulses through the blade. These ultra-high speed vibrations allow the katana to shatter weapons and penetrate armor far more easily than the average weapon. Yamabushi's backup sword, a shorter wakizashi, is similarly enhanced. Although his prefered weapon is the sword, Yamabushi is proficient in most other weapons of war. In a pinch, he can wield a bow, spear, staff, club, and his bare hooves to good effect. However, Yamabushi becomes a legendary figure when armed with his katana. Although heavily built, the samurai possesses deceptively quick reflexes with his hoofwork; quick enough to even deflect projectiles! Combined with his brute strength, any foe of Yamabushi that commits a mistake rarely gets a second chance. Like most Ryuma, Yamabushi's dragonbreath lacks the innate potential of a Kirin's. In certain situations though, the ronin can call upon a huge gust of air from his stomach. It's proven useful many times to throw opponents off-balance, especially when Yamabushi is in danger of being overwhelmed. Afterall, fighting bravely does not call for fighting stupidly. History: Tsuyo Yamabushi came from humble beginnings; the eldest child of a husband-and-wife pair of farmers. Early into Yamabushi's life, his mother suffered a crippling injury that left her permanently disabled. Although the colt's relatives were able to pick up most of the slack with the farming and housekeeping, it fell mostly upon Yamabushi's shoulders to look after his younger siblings. It was the boy's filial duty to teach them the ways of farming, clean up their messes, and keep them out of trouble. Because Yamabushi had responsibility thrust upon him from such an early age, the young Ryuma developed a natural tendency to defend others without regard for one's self. This virtue would serve him well throughout his life. As the boy grew older, Yamabushi yearned for a life greater than that of a simple farmer. His desire: to join the Order of the Samurai, a military fraternity (part of the Neighponese Army and open to anybody from all walks of life) upholding the warrior legacy of Neighpon's pre-unification nobility. During free time, Yamabushi learned the basics of sword fighting from the old mare who first identified him as samurai material along with the Eight Virtues of Bushido: Courage, Duty, Compassion, Sincerity, Honesty, Courtesy, Discipline, and Honor. When he came of age, the Ryuma enrolled in a military academy to train further as a samurai. There, Yamabushi's instructors constantly tested his martial prowess and his ability to uphold the Eight Virtues; with each Trial, the young stallion succeeded. Graduating from the academy, Yamabushi went on to enjoy an illustrious career in the Neighponese Army. During his service, he saw plenty of action against Viking Caribou, Polyneighsian rebels, Hesperian corsairs, and on one occasion, even a kaiju! Those who served with Yamabushi regarded him as a surrogate father figure; a guardian who'd always put his neck on the line for their safety. Numerous times, he never hesitated to charge through the Enemy to save his comrades from great peril. The samurai stallion earned himself a plethora of wounds and numerous decorations, including praise from the Shogun himself. After several years of overseas deployment, Yamabushi was recalled to the Home Island of Horshu to instruct future samurai as an academy instructor. Yamabushi had everything a Ryuma born to simple farmers could want in life: a well-paying posting, a luxurious estate on Horshu with its own private hot spring, a spouse and child of his own, the respect of an entire nation... and access to good food. If the stallion had a glaring vice, it was his love of food and drink. He was always known for having a large appetite (it was no accident that Yamabushi's spouse was a renowned chef), but now that he had the means and opportunity to fulfill his gluttonous fantasies.... well, it doesn't take much to imagine what happened next. Over the next several years, Yamabushi squandered his money on eating at the most fanciest restaurants in Neighpon and hosting lavish all-you-can-eat banquets. The situation became untenable once the samurai couldn't pay off his debts any longer. Due to his gross failure to exert Discipline in his life, Yamabushi had severely violated the Code of Bushido, hence he was kicked out of the Order of the Samurai, his instructor position, and his honor. All the shamed stallion knew how to do was fighting, but few opportunities for warriors existed in peaceful Neighpon. Yamabushi also couldn't bring himself to return to Ryushima Island and let his siblings know of his shame. Lacking any other options, Yamabushi left his family behind to search for new opportunities abroad. This quest has led the masterless samurai to the northern borderlands of Equestria; a place where lone warriors can still hope to make a decent living. With time, Yamabushi hopes to earn enough money to pay off his debts and demonstrate his steadfast commitment to the Way of the Warrior, thereby proving worthy enough reinstatement into the Order of the Samurai. Only then will the ronin regain his honor..... Character Personality: In nearly all aspects of his life, Yamabushi fits the profile of a perfect samurai. He is brave in the face of danger, helps out those in need, performs every assigned task with equal dedication, never lies or loses his cool, and treats both friend and foe with respect. Quick to boisterous laughter when amused, the Ryuma always appreciates a good joke or a funny story. While not someone who actively initiates conversation or seeks out friendship, Yamabushi prefers never being far from the potential company of others whenever possible. The way to Yamabushi's heart is through his stomach. Despite attempts to better maintain self-discipline, the sight, smell, or the mere mention of a well-prepared meal is enough to make the stallion salivate in almost any situation. When appropriately triggered by edible stimuli, Yamabushi will drop whatever he's doing and incessantly ask to be served as well. The longer he goes without eating, the more fiercely the ronin will crave a hearty meal and thirst-quenching drink once triggered. The more Yamabushi eats, the merrier he becomes. On the other hoof, Yamabushi does not suffer fools lightly. If anybody asks him about how to become a samurai, the ronin would strongly discourage that individual from living a warrior's life altogether. Even in his best of moods, Yamabushi keeps silent about his samurai past, lending his exploits an aura of mystery. Although not usually prone to rash decision-making, the promise of wiping away his debt may lead the ronin towards questionable acts without bothering to think things through first. Nothing is more important to Yamabushi than restoring his honor Character Summary: He may be cursed with an insatiable appetite and the desire for honor, but no one will find a more worthy brother-in-arms than the veteran ronin Tsuyo Yamabushi.
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