Yazuki Sakutaro

Yazuki was born in the small and poor village of Sakana with a population of roughly 1000, located on the tip of the Eastern Peninsula from the mainland, directly north of Fenbei. Sakana was filled with Elves, no one ever came and went, so there was never a chance for any other species to develop.   Yazuki was the son of the chief of the village Takishima Sakutaro and his mother was Kiko Sakutaro. He was the youngest of three. Ozaki, the oldest boy, had always done the most heavy lifting in the family, seeing as their father was out dealing with problems in the village. Hana, the middle child and the only girl of the three, was always helping around the house with our mother.   Lastly, there was Yazuki. For as long as he could remember, he looked up to and was fascinated by an old man named Kuga, an Elvish Magus and claiming to be a member of the Black Feather Rangers.   Kuga arrived just a couple weeks after the first famine set in. For reasons still unknown to Yazuki, the new Shogun had decided to cut off trade routes to Sakana and apparently several other small towns throughout Kuhaku. Because of this, Sakana lost the valuable trading ally of Tianziu, leading the village to fall into a great famine. At this point, Yazuki was 165.   Kuga would come and go, arriving in their house and speaking to Takishima, Yazuki’s father. Kuga and Takishima would never share what they said; but, seeing Yazuki’s frustration, decided to teach him the art of magic and the blade.   While Kuga was gone, Yazuki would practice his technique. He would also teach his friend Ogata the art of spell striking so they could practice with each other. When Kuga would return, he would teach him more and more about the art of spell striking. As Kuga would come, more and more of the family would join in on his discussions with Takishima. First Kiko, then Ozaki, and finally Hana.   After about 2 years of these discussions, the entire family had joined in on Kuga’s discussions, except for Yazuki. More “Black Feather Rangers” would join in on his discussions, although Yazuki had never been able to catch their names or their faces.   During this time, Yazuki’s father, Takishima, finally taught him how to hunt. Yazuki would now hunt and provide for the family. Taking on Ozaki’s old role, seeing that he is now entirely preoccupied with the rest of the family, Kuga and the other men that join in on the discussions.   Eventually, Takishima, with a look of fear and regret, requested that Yazuki leave the village. “WHAT!?” He thought. After all this time of secrecy, instead of finally revealing what had happened he simply banishes Yazuki.   Yazuki stormed out and would not come to understand this for 6 years.   When he left, he was joined with his friend Ogata. Together they accomplished quite a bit. He went to Narahidaka to join the military where he first saw the divide in classes and the horrible lives of peasants. Serving under the Shogun’s rule for four years. During this time, he met a man named Ferian. They served in battle’s together and became quite close.   As well, during a battle one day, he found a Guinea Pig running around the battlefield. Feeling bad for the poor creature Yazuki decided to take it in and name it Coco (he had grown fond of the drink throughout his travels).   After serving in the military for 2 years, he had changed. Coming to a new philosophy that NO ONE should have absolute power. Seeing the way the Shogun treated his “lessers” infuriated Yazuki and he began believing that the line of Shogun’s should be ended once and for all, although he never told anyone about this.   For the following 4 years, he travelled the world. He travelled North to Pilo where he met an old Halfling who only went by Cody Castaway. He spent a year and a bit fishing with him and after he left he took a small fishing frog as a memento for his time with him. Lastly, he went back to Narahidaka where he again met Ogata who had now fallen into ruin, corrupted by gambling and alcohol. He tried to get Ogata back up on his feet but it was no use; and, in the end, he convinced Ogata to come back to Sakana with him where he could maybe fix himself up.   So, they journeyed back to Sakana where they found nothing but ash and fire, the entire town, burnt to the ground.   Yazuki was shocked, he instantly went to his old house where he found the entire thing burnt, and his mother’s body inside.   After some looking around he found an old hilt of the sword he used to use when practising, he stuffed it in his bag for safe keeping. In addition to this, he found a burnt picture of the family they had taken when he was just a baby, he kept that too.   Yazuki left in anger and confusion, while Ogata cried drunkenly on the ashes of his old house.   For the next 3 years, he searched for answers, that was until he got a letter marked with The Golden Dragon, and this is what that letter told of:   We’re sorry, deeply sorry for what has happened to Sakana, but you were just a kid and your family didn’t want you involved. When the Shogun took power 8 years ago, he cut off trade routes to Sakana. Your father Takishima had enough of it, he wished to rebel, or at least break free from the Shogun’s rule, so he contacted us. We are The Golden Dragon, a group dedicated to the lower class and fighting against oppressive power, Takishima asked to involve his family and some other parts of the town; although, just in case this didn’t go to plan, he asked that you not be a part of it. When your father banished you, he was only trying to protect you, hearing that the Shogun had heard rumors of the coup beginning to form in Sakana. Just a couple months after you left, the Shogun sent forces to burn the place to the ground. We are the “Black Feather Rangers” that Kuga claimed to be a part of, and we hope that answers your questions.   The Golden Dragon   Yazuki, overcome with emotion, decided to join The Golden Dragon (which is a very small organisation right now). He now adventures around the land with the goal of freeing the people from the tyranny of the Shogun.