[App] - [High Seas]

[put_yur_guns_on]

[Name]: Aya
[Age]: 34
[Contacts]:
♦ DW: disposableninja
♦ AIM: Anryuu Nata
♦ Plurk: trilobite_punch
[Timezone]: PST
[Other Characters]: Gaius, Allegro (dropping..?), Toothless



[Name]: Masamune Date
[Canon]: Sengoku Basara 3: Roar of Dragon (manga based off game 3)
[Age]: Early Twenties
[Gender]: Male
[Canon Point]: Beginning of chapter 5, just before Masamune and his army come across Mitsunari Ishida in Odawara.

[History]:
     The Sengoku period, or the Warring States period of Japan was exactly what the name implied; a turbulent era where Warlords were in constant battle with each other in their conquest for rule over Japan, and it would be some time before any sort of unity was concluded from it.

     A powerful warlord of the Owari province was on the rise and his ambition seemed to know no end. Known as the Demon King, Nobunaga Oda suddenly met a violent end by the treachery of one of his vassals, Mitsuhide Akechi. The traitor's death came soon after, and the sudden fall of Oda's power was quickly taken advantage of by a new contender. Consequently, the end of the rule of Nobunaga Oda was a wake up call to Ōshū's young lord, Masamune Date. The world was on the move, and the winds of change were sweeping Japan. If he wanted to be on top of it all, he had to step up his game.

     In the wake of Oda's fall, a man by the name of Hideyoshi Toyotomi began to seize control of the lands of the West with an aim to surpass the Demon King and control all of Japan. Already his troops began to invade the lands of Ōshū, and Masamune wasn't about to let that happen. Personally meeting these threats head on, he successfully drove off a detachment of Toyotomi's troops, although not in time to keep them from destroying a village in the process. Disgusted by the fact that Toyotomi would even attack the defenseless, the young warlord had his men begin assisting in rebuilding.

     It was during this time that a small disturbance occured, some peasants from a neighboring village having stolen some spare weapons and equipment from Masamune's men in order to arm themselves for the riot they planned against Toyotomi's forces. At this time, being out of his battle armor, Masamune was not recognized immediately as the azure samurai lord who had been seen during the other village's destruction previously, and so he was befriended by the young girl who was assisting in the theft, Itsuki. Deciding to see for himself what would become of his soldiers' stolen property, Masamune went along with them, although while he was trusted by Itsuki, was not so much by the others of her village that had joined her. The girl was forced to intervene when she saw that a potential fight would occur, believing she knocked out the young man. They took the "unconscious" man to their village. Wanting to understand why Itsuki and the villagers detested samurai so much, Masamune listened to what the girl had to say, once she came to check on him. He learned about the heart of the villagers, and about how they saw him as a warlord. It was what Itsuki told him about her dreams that really touched him, however. She dreamt of a world where everyone could laugh together, and where status had no meaning, and for that, she'd fight. Wanting to show her that not all samurai were as she thought they were, Masamune took her back to see the other village where it was in the process of being repaired with the cooperative efforts of both its people as well as Masamune's men. He eventually revealed himself to be that same azure samurai Itsuki had claimed to despise, and she was willing to believe in him when Toyotomi's troops came to ransack her own village. Together with the rest of his army, Masamune managed to protect Itsuki's village.

     With the North taken care of, Masamune returned back to base. His second-in-command, Kojūrō Katakura informed him that their meddling with the riot in the North caused rumor to spread that Masamune himself was the one spearheading it all. It was becoming a bit of a struggle to maintain a firm grasp on his territory, as well as attempt to unite Ōshū under his name. Unfortunately, Hideyoshi's strategist Hanbei Takenaka was carefully prodding the One-Eyed Dragon's movements in order to gain more supporters from Ōshū for Hideyoshi Toyotomi. While keeping the young warlord busy in his territory, the Toyotomi armies also worked at conquering other neighboring lands in preparation of striking against the stronger clans such as Kenshin and Takeda.

     Given that he was seen as too young, brash and inexperienced to be a good leader to follow, many of the older lords were already reluctant to accept Masamune as their leader. Plotting with Hanbei Takenaka, they allied with the Toyotomi armies and sought to kill the young dragon so that they could claim his lands and rule in his stead. Masamune was able to thwart the treachery of the Southern regions of Ōshū, and with his army gathered, he moved on towards Odawara, his intentions set on the defeat of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and from there, he would begin his conquest of the entirety of Japan. He had sworn that he would create a land where everyone could be happy and smile, and he knew that to defeat Hideyoshi would only be the beginning.


[Personality]:
     The One-Eyed Dragon of Ōshū is a respected leader of his land and a fearsome warrior on the battlefield. Ambitious and daring, just as many of the lords of the Sengoku era, he has a love for a good fight and is always eager for a challenge to prove his mettle. Although young for a daimyo, the warlord is respected by his people and the men of his army, those of who would fight to their deaths for him and many of who would sacrifice their own lives for Masamune's sake.

     Likewise Masamune is a man that will strive to do his best for his people. He won't leave a man behind knowing they're still alive, and he'll fight to protect them just as hard as they would for him. He's proud of the men who fight alongside him in his army, and he's long since learned (albeit the hard way) that there are battles to be fought and battles to walk away from. He used to rush headlong into the fray with only victory in sight, but such were not true victories won at so great a cost by the lives of his men. It's true that not every battle fought has been one won, but such experiences have been an important part of his growth as a warlord. While lessons learned won't bring back those lost, it at least ensures that Masamune will take better care not to retrace steps down the same paths. Besides, his trusty retainer Kojūrō Katakura tries to make sure that his sometimes brash lord won't do anything he'll regret later, and no matter how many times he has to chide Masamune not to be so reckless, he is never far behind when the two plunge headfirst into battle. There's no one else that Masamune will trust his back to, and as the Dragon's Right Eye, Kojūrō serves to protect the Dragon as Masamune keeps his sight set upon the goals ahead of them.

     He's got something of a stubborn streak, and being young he's still headstrong and likes to think himself indestructible. To some degree he can be, and once his mind is set on something, it's hard to break that drive. Sometimes he can be a little cocky, but he knows he has the power to back up any bravado he puts on. Concerning battles, this can be dangerous for his target but just as potentially so for himself, depending on what it is he decides to get himself into. Ōshū's One-Eyed Dragon isn't one to back down easily from a fight, and even Kojūrō has a hard time talking him out of things now and then. But for all of the trouble he seems to like causing other lands, barging into battles as he pleases, the young lord of Ōshū is not without honor. He values the lives of those soldiers that fight their all for those whose command they follow, but he won't tolerate unnecessary and needless bloodshed, especially if its purely for another's entertainment. He also won't stand for the harm of villagers, and of those who simply wish to make a peaceful living, and if they have no one to fight for them, then he will lend his support, both to protect and to serve and assist.

     Off of the battlefield, Masamune is almost a different person. He's quiet, and he can be contemplative. He's no stranger amongst his men and is willing to hear their input on matters, most of all, Kojūrō's for whatever counsel his second-in-command may suggest him. That's not to say that he isn't without a bit of a mischivous streak, especially when it comes to contending with the expectations of old men who think him a foolhardy youth that can't handle such large responsibilities like ruling over people. Sometimes it might seem like he'll go with things just to throw off someone or spite them, but mainly because he wants to prove his worth, and just how mistaken others might have been to discount his abilities to do otherwise.

     Things don't always work out as planned, and when the mighty fall, they fall hard. Masamune has met his match more than once, and unfortunately the circumstances weren't always the most pleasant. He has a hard time with higher authority, but when you're aiming for the top yourself, it's probably to be expected. When victories are robbed from his hand, or he meets a crushing defeat, it puts him in quite the mood. He's not very forgiving of those who have wronged him, and when it comes to vengeance, the wrath of the dragon is fearsome indeed. It's like a double-edged sword however, for with his anger comes irrationality. It's difficult to reason with him and with his temper at its peak, he doesn't think clearly, his anger fueling action with really no filter between. Once his mind is cleared, however, it's a different story. He's a formidable fighter as it is, but when he's completely aware of what he's doing and his opponent's movements, he's almost like a different person altogether. On the battlefield is where a man's true strength is revealed, with each strike and blow that comes from one's warrior spirit. No one has captured Masamune's eagerness to meet weapon against weapon like Yukimura Sanada of the Takeda clan. Their battles are not for conquest, but purely for the rush of a good fight, the clash of true warriors' souls.

     With power constantly shifting between warlords, Masamune's priorities still remain in conquest of lands. It isn't solely for power or status, however. As for his people, for Ōshū and for his followers, he aims to create a world that everyone can live in happiness. And he'll do it in style.


[Abilities / Strengths & Weaknesses]:
     As to be expected of a warlord, fighting is in his blood. Masamune Date has proven his worth despite his young age, able to match blades with the best of the veteran lords of the surrounding lands. His choice weapon is the katana, and he carries six of them at his side in battle, capable of wielding any number of them at once. When he draws all six of his dragon's claws, then you know he definitely means business, and as awkward as it might be to bear that many, Masamune uses them with great proficiency, three to each hand.

     His attacks come with devastating force, and when he's charged for a battle, he can knock back scores of lesser troops with a single attack. His strikes are also prone to bearing an electric charge to them, lightning being his element of note, just as it seems certain other warlords and fighters of SenBasa-verse have elemental affinities of their own (i.e. Yukimura - Fire, Kenshin - Ice). It's unclear whether this electrical touch originates from Date himself or from his weapons, but he can definitely channel that energy through his blades to give his attacks even more of a monstrous impact.

     In terms of agility the man is quick on his feet and moves much faster than the average person. His sword strikes can come as a blur, he can seemingly defy gravity with the range of his leaps. He's a neatly packaged powerhouse and his own demolitions crew in one. He can also take quite a beating before he'd be forced to give up, and that's only because he's only human. By sheer willpower alone Masamune can manage to keep fighting until his body gives out unless someone gets him to stop before then. He'll dangerously push his limits otherwise.

     He's cocky, but on occasion even the One-Eyed Dragon knows when there's someone in front of him that he won't be able to take down so easily. More often than not, however, it's a challenge welcome, and he'll boldly strike, especially if he's already been fired up for battle. He's a guy that loves being on the frontlines, and he can get careless from time to time. Being only able to see out of one eye puts him at a slight disadvantage since that leaves him somewhat blind to attacks coming from the right side, but while this hasn't shown to be a great hindrance to him when he's in top form, it becomes but another problem if he's forced to fight in an exhausted or injured state.


[Limited Powers]: Nah.

[Other Important Facts]:

[Samples]:
♦ Thread:
Octacore - Thread with SW!Yukimura
Octacore - Log against Taira Kiyomori's forces

Test Drive post!

♦ Post:
So, these Navy guys. Obviously they ain't gonna be impressed with anything I have to say to 'em. Tch, being stuck here's a pain.

[There's a pause, and the distant thump of cannon fire, and an even closer splash. Masamune snorts.]

They firin' at me? These guys really don't know who they're dealing with. Can't be helped, then.

[It sounds as though he steps away, and when he speaks, he's no longer close to his journal, but he's shouting loud enough to be picked up by it yet.]

You made a mistake to pick a fight with the One-Eyed Dragon of Ōshū! Normally I woulda let you off easy, but what can I say, I'm in a bad mood. If yer lucky, maybe I'll let you swim home, all right?

...Let's party!!