Threnody Ouka Tsukitomi-Renard Body: 5 Mind: 7 Soul: 6 HP: 55 EP: 65 Shock: 11 Psyche: 7 (6 + Mental Toughness x1) Attack Combat Value: 6 Defense Combat Value: 6 Total Character Points: (18 Stat, 25 Attribute, +9 Defect, +0 Background) Attribute Level Points Notes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appearance (Cute) 1 1 Boyish good looks Aura of Smooth 1 1 Charming! Combat Technique 3 3 Block Ranged Attacks, Counterattack, Precise Strike Contacts 1 1 Isis Tsukitomi (his mother) Defense Combat Mastery 2 2 Much better defense than offense Heightened Awareness 1 1 Observant Highly Skilled 4 4 Well-educated Lifestyle 2 2 (1 free) See below Mental Toughness 1 1 He's heard stories Personal Gear 1 1 See below Telepathy 4 8 Can read minds, etc. Combat Technique: Counterattack -- On a full defense, you may counterattack (as per the weapon attack ability) with a normal unarmed or armed attack. Lifestyle -- Although he has two levels, Thren lives at level 1, effectively. His "small apartment" is actually a single pair of rooms (bedroom and washroom) his aunt Karen's brother-in-law Miyahara Jun keeps for him, for a modest fee, in his mansion in Red Osaka. Thanks to being a frugal spender, however, and gifts from his mother, he has considerable savings (20,000cr, the max for his level). Personal Gear Item Type Attributes ------------------------------------------------------------------ Treated Wooden Sword Major WA Level 2: Beam Refractive, Melee. Dmg = 10. Light Exo Suit Major As template, plus Maneuver Bonus 2 Wooden Sword: The same size, shape, and general weight of a katana, but made of cherrywood and chemically treated to be virtually unbreakable, so it can be used against metal objects without fear of chipping, breakage, or being sliced through. It has a similar beam-refractive coating to that used on Isis' suit sword during her ATC days. It has no cutting edge. Defect Points ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Psychic Backlash +1 Favors (Isis Tsukitomi) +1 Attack Restriction (Bushido) +1 Recurring Nightmares ('Demon Thren') +1 Skeleton in the Closet ('Demon Thren') +1 Nemesis (See below) +2 Wanted (See below) +2 Attack Restriction -- Threnody follows a sort of modified Bushido code. He won't fight an unarmed man with a weapon (he will fight an unarmed man with his own two hands, however). He doesn't attack first, and refuses to kill purposefully if at all avoidable. Favors -- His mother's patronage comes at a price, mainly in that Thren is expected to comply if she has a request. He is free to decline, but filial duty and a feeling of indebtedness means he will almost always agree. Nemesis, Wanted -- Kataki wants Thren (and Isis) dead. There's a huge bounty on Thren's head dead or alive, and pretty much anybody in the Mars underworld knows about it. See background for more details. Recurring Nightmares, Skeleton in the Closet -- Threnody has bad memories of 'Demon Thren' that often trouble him at night. Also, it's not known (thanks to Isis' efforts) that the person responsible for the 2086 killings in Japan was actually Thren, though the physically distorted version of him *is* semi-wanted on Mars. See background for more details. Psychic Backlash -- A side-effect of Thren's telepathy and his Bean Disorder. Dealing lethal damage to a human (or other intelligent being like a Sleythin, but not an animal) provokes a Psyche check. Thren's state of mind influences this: unintentional killing has no penalty. Intentional but to save a life or other good cause is +2. Intentional with no mitigating circumstances is +4. A failure causes crippling pain (like a migraine) for several minutes. A critfail presents a danger of his dark side manifesting itself. A success means nothing happens. Skill Points = 70, Skill Paradigm = Cyberpunk Skill Level SP Specialties ----------------------------------------------------------- Acrobatics 1 4 Tumbling Computers 1 5 Intrusion Cultural Arts 1 2 History Etiquette 1 3 Upper Class Foreign Culture 1 3 Sleythin Linguistics 2 4 Earthese (Free/Native), Marsal, Sleythin Medical 1 4 Emergency Response Social Sciences 1 2 Psychology Stealth 1 4 Silent Movement, Concealment Visual Arts 1 1 Calligraphy 1H Edged 2 8 Sword Unarmed Attack 2 8 Strike Block 2 10 Sword, Unarmed Dodge 1 5 Personal Soak 1 5 Personal [Background] Full name: Threnody Ouka Tsukitomi-Renard Alias: "Ouka Ikari" (his Japanese given name and a fake surname) Race: Human (Twenty-Four) Nationality: Earth, Japan, Kyoto prefecture Occupation: Wanderer, Penitent Age: 21 Birthdate: June 20th, 2068 (12:05am) Sun Sign: Gemini/Cancer cusp Numerology: Expression -- 3, Lifepath -- 6 Sex: Male Height: 5'10" Weight: 125lb. Hobbies: Swordplay, calligraphy, Sleythin history Fav. Color: Copper Strengths: Learned, level-headed, helpful, brave Weaknesses: Dark side/Bean Disorder, untrusting Quirks: Was forbidden by his mother to learn Spacer Relatives: Isis Tsukitomi-Renard (mother, living in Kyoto, Japan, Earth) Daena Renard (father, deceased) Kataki Tsukitomi-Renard (brother, living underground in Twilight City) Karen Miyahara (maternal aunt, living in Red New York, ESC, Mars) Background presented in Vignette-O-Vision(tm)! << Isis Tsukitomi, Successor >> Disenfranchised with humanity in general, after the end of the Bug conflict Isis excused herself from the public eye, took her considerable consultant compensation, invested it with uncanny acumen, and moved to Earth to take up permanent residence. She moved to one of the last green spaces in the mountains outside Kyoto, and built herself a traditional manor/dojo. For at least a year, she secluded herself from humanity, struggling with internal demons and driving away anyone who interrupted her meditation. In truth, she was coming to grips with being the successor of the Tsukitomi school, as she had discovered that her parents were killed during the Hippy quelling after the fall of the Pyramid. She was no longer 'assistant master' in her father's absence; she was now the successor, the 13th in a line stretching back to the style's origins in feudal Japan. As Charlie has put it, the Tsukitomi school had become the "sword style that saved the galaxy". << The Tsukitomi Iai School of Swordsmanship >> Originally, the Tsukitomi school was adopted by palace guards in the Edo (Kyoto) region of 1600's Japan. At the beginning, it was a pure style, focusing only on the techniques of drawn sword, emphasizing speed and accuracy over raw power. Beginning with the appearance of Perry's ships, however, the Tsukitomi family began a tradition known as the Adoption. The 4th master, Tsukitomi Fumyou, adopted some of the cavalry saber technique of European military men into the Iai style. The 7th master, Tsukitomi Shoko, adopted the dancing moves of Brasilian Capoeira into her Adoption. Thus has the style progressed. The successor must find and adapt a foreign fighting style into the techniques at the core of the iai swordfighting style, which are all the current master will teach him/her. Once the successor has finished his or her Adoption, s/he faced the current master in a duel which both do not always survive. If the successor wins, s/he becomes the new master. Isis's father, the 12th master, included some of the techniques of Highlander two-handed swordsmanship, using a heavier katana with a weighted tip that added considerable power to the swift grace of iaijutsu. Isis embraced Asian roots and adopted the dancing moves of Chinese one-handed swordsmanship into her style. But at the end of her year of meditation, it became clear to her how things must progress from that point on. << "Shogun-sama" and the handsome musician >> Isis made her debut into the social circle of Kyoto with little fanfare, but was still received as a national hero by a culture trying to find the moral significance of its national roots. Her ladylike, commanding demeanor earned her the polite nickname "Shogun-sama", which she accepted with amused grace. She opened her dojo to prospective students and busied herself otherwise with social projects her money could help fund. Although she had no elected or political clout, the people of Kyoto found they loved their modern-day samurai lord. But knowing that she was, deep down, ninja rather than samurai, caused Isis occasional pain. In an unlikely twist, Isis fell in love with a British musician named Daena Renard, a cellist she met at a social function. Renard's happy demeanor, smooth talking, and generally affable persona was balm to Isis' long-since wearied nerves. He was intelligent and thoughtful, and when she finally managed to share some of her experiences as a member of 'Europa Team' with him, he understood and was there for her. They were married in short order. << The Princes of Kyoto >> Not long after, Isis gave birth to twin boys. She compromised with Daena in their naming: one would be named traditionally in the Japanese sense, and one would be named with an English name. The elder by 10 minutes was Kataki Largo Tsukitomi-Renard; his younger brother became Threnody Ouka Tsukitomi-Renard. A huge party was thrown at the dojo afterward, whereupon Kataki and Thren were dubbed 'Princes of Kyoto'. Kataki clearly took after his mother; he had more pronounced Asian features and his mother's jet black hair and eyes. Thren took after his father, with dark auburn hair and blue eyes. They didn't want for anything as they grew up. Noting her own parents' failings, Isis took care to spend the time to be an excellent mother, and empathetic, sensitive Daena was an excellent, if somewhat soft, parent. Both children were encouraged to follow their own pursuits and interests. However, at their mother's urging, from age 12-13, both were educated in the City of Refuge; Isis felt that understanding of Sleythin and their culture would be essential for a successful future. The two boys had very dissimilar demeanors. Serious, wry Kataki was the spitting image of his mother. A realist and an opportunist, he would have been a troublemaker if not for his upbringing. A natural leader, he also deeply enjoyed the study of the sword with his mother. Sensitive, studious Threnody was a loner, but a good-natured child. He didn't enjoy swordsmanship so much, but he knew that it was important to his mother and devoted himself to it. Kataki balked at the concept of living among the Sleythin for a year, but Threnody had taught himself basic Sleythin before they even left. << The 24th Chromosome and Red Bean's Memories >> Around the age of 16, both Kataki and Thren began to complain of serious headaches. Concerned (more than Daena thought necessary), Isis consulted the best doctors she knew and discovered that she was, in fact, a Borenstein carrier, as was Daena. Kataki and Thren's headaches were like a result of emerging mental powers, or so psychologists assumed. The parents were told to watch carefully for signs of abnormal behavior and not to dismiss anything the boys might report. There were, however, complications. As with all members of the Europa Team, their conflict with the psychic Red Bean had left... scars, which were passed on to their children. In the case of Thren and Kataki, these took the form of aberrant, sociopathic personalities. Kataki's, however, got the best of him and began to control him. He discovered that he had a mind control power, which he quietly and subvertly honed in subtle ways until he learned to control it. However, the fragmentary personality had turned him into something quite different: a selfish, ruthless individual only concerned with his own power. Threnody, on the other hand, was developing unique telepathic powers, the ability to sense and read thoughts. In its own way, his gradual resistance to blocking out unwanted voices also helped him to control the 'Voice' at the back of his head that often compelled him to do things that could only be described as 'wanton'. The conflict, however, came with Thren's accidental look into Kataki's mind... and seeing that Kataki's 'Voice' had totally taken over. Biding his time, he waited to confront his brother about this until the time was right. Sadly, his judgement was off. He confronted Kataki during practice in January of 2086, as his parents prepared to receive guests at the far end of the training hall. After many hissed expressions of harsh words, Kataki gave in and attempted to use his Mind Control power on his brother. << The birth of 'Demon Threnody' >> It didn't work. Apparently Kataki's power was completely ineffective on blood relations. He had suspected so, after covertly trying simple tricks on his parents. However, doing so on Thren was a big mistake. Thren's "Bean Disorder" was considerable orders of magnitude greater than Kataki's. Whereas Kataki simply exaggerated the dark side of his nature, Threnody's splinter personality had access to whole areas of Thren's brain he knew nothing about. Kataki's attempt 'tripped' the switch and gave the splinter personality complete control. And it had only one goal: destroy everything. Nobody saw him move, but in the blink of an eye Thren had changed, physically. His hair became blood red, his eyes the same dark color. His skin took on a dark grey, almost zombie-like color. His features twisted into unrecognizable forms, and he removed a sword from the wall and in one swift motion crossed the room and ran through his father. Thankfully for her, Isis' shock did not prevent her from defending herself, though at great physical cost. Grabbing Daena's body, she rolled out of the way of Thren's second strike, taking a serious but not fatal gash to the side. When she opened her eyes, the room was empty, except for her dead husband's body. She called out for Kataki, but he didn't answer. Thren, meanwhile, had slipped into Kyoto in his bloodthirsty, mindless rage. He killed at random, indiscriminately, as he wandered the city's streets and byways at the earliest hours of the morning. It only came to a stop when he was confronted by his wounded mother, holding a sword. The fight was brief but brutal. Isis' wounds slowed her reaction time, but her considerable years of combat experience completely overcome Thren's careless, rage-fueled technique. In the end she KOed him with the blunt edge of the sword and escaped with him back home before authorities could arrive. << Threnody's Adoption >> When he woke up two weeks later, Threnody remembered nothing. He was in a hospital bed alongside his wounded mother, though physically he was fine. When she awoke, Isis explained what had happened as best she could. Thren filled in the gaps: Kataki was under the control of... 'something', and his 24 power triggered something in his mind. After that, a total blank. Realizing what must have happened, Isis cursed herself for not taking a more direct route in shaping Kataki's predilections. She declared him dead, for the crime of violating his family's mental sanctity, and Thren the new successor of the Tsukitomi school. They both went home the following day. All of Kyoto showed for Daena Renard's funeral. Kataki was nowhere to be found. The last sighting of him that anyone could discover was on a space plane headed to Mars. What came after that was training. Dedicated solely to his martial studies, Threnody threw himself into the study of the sword. However, he had learned all he could from his mother, who told him of the tradition of the Adoption. That June, on his 18th birthday, Threnody left Kyoto with nothing but a gift from his mother, his unique wooden sword, and some parting words: "At some point, you'll have to face what Kataki gave you a taste of. When you've defeated that, come home. Your Adoption will be over. Stay true to yourself. Use what you were given. I love you." << Ronin and Ninja >> Threnody spent two years travelling Earth itself, assimilating meditation and martial techniques thanks to the national cultural revivals spurred by Earth's economic security. He found particularly interesting the multi-tiered fighting arts of southeastern Asia. In a total fluke, he ended up studying Bruce Lee's legacy, Jeet Kun Do, in Thailand for many months. When he left, he knew what he would do for his Adoption, and began to develop defensive techniques designed to disable rather than kill. He also used the meditative exercises to perfect his telepathic control and mental defenses. It was about this time that assassins began to make their appearances in Kyoto. Sent by Kataki, now a major Twilight City criminal mastermind thanks to his ambition, martial skill, and not inconsequentially his 24 power, the assassins were hired men sent to eliminate people he saw as 'threats' to his eventual dominance: Isis and Threnody, the only two people known with complete immunity to his power. The tide of assassins to Kyoto came to an abrupt halt as soon as they began. Isis sent one of the last two back in a box, along with an ugly homemade sweater and a get well soon card. Since then, Kataki has left her alone. Threnody, on the other hand, soon became used to the large number of attempts on his life. However, using both his martial skills and telepathic abilities he has been able, to date, to foil all of them. A considerable bounty exists for him, dead or alive, in the Mars and interspace underworlds; however, a number of bounty hunters return to their haunts with multiple broken limbs and often warn others to think twice before taking that commission. For his own part, Threnody sees them as a useful exercise in developing non-lethal defensive techniques. At least, so he says. To avoid endangering friends on Earth and to simply see what he could see, on the 13th of January 2088, in anniversary, he left Earth for space. << Angel/Devil >> Although he is more like his artistic, intelligent father, Threnody is not without elements of Isis' personality. He is generous and sharp, but also practical and logical. He considers helping others a natural duty and an extension of his mother's last exhortation. He has a passion for learning but, in a true 'bardic' fashion, is not necessarily a master of any particular discipline. He is one of the rare humans who can speak (or at least understand) native Sleythin. In combat, he is a rock of calm, as deep down he knows what the power of rage can do. He will never press the attack, preferring instead to let his opponent wear himself out attacking and then disable him with a single counterattack. He affects a Chinese style of dress, thanks to his extended stay in Thailand, and a like of simple clothes. He traditionally wears Mandarin shirts and kung-fu trousers, and occasionally the type of round cap worn in northern China. In a homage to his mother, he wears his wooden sword 'ninja-style': horizontally at his back, just above the waist. Although his mother wishes for him to be independent, she continues to help Thren if he asks for it. This is rare; he generally prefers to make his own way. He has a sort of patronizing amused air when it comes to the Cult of Europa, who treat him well (sycophantically well). He considers them children to be protected. He has inherited his mother's distrust of ATC (and to a lesser extent Calhoun Electronics and corps in general) and dislike of Artificial Intelligences. Former employees of What Would Jesus Do? Corp. have a serious grudge against Isis thanks to details of her exploits that were leaked after the Bug conflict; any one of them who makes a connection between her and Threnody is likely to treat him very poorly. Since coming to Mars he's been keeping in touch with his aunt, Karen, who has been since estranged from Isis because she chose to remain on Mars and is employed in ATC's research and development division. Karen, who never understood Isis' martial impulses, nonetheless has a soft spot for her nephew (who she sees as more likeable than her sister, thanks to Daena's influence, though Karen and Daena never met). She will often allow him to stay with her in Red New York if he needs somewhere to go, though if assassin activity is high, he will usually politely decline.