[hider=Daisuke Sato] [center][img] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQF-nvqvu0cwyKpcNFEJaEVqSby-tDKl027sg&usqp=CAU [/img] [/center] [h3][b]Daisuke Sato[/b][/h3] [sub]’They look at us and see disparate islands, and so they do not fear us. I see a singular people, that, if united, could make the world quake’ [/sub] [hr] [b]Character Age:[/b] 28 [b]Character Gender:[/b] Male [b]Character Race:[/b] Fire Nation [b]Bending:[/b] Fire Bender, skilled but not a master. [b]Skills:[/b] Daisuke is a leader of men, a visionary, and he has never struggled to bring people to his chosen cause. He has been described by his superiors as a brilliant tactician and strategist, accomplishing missions with minimal casualties while exceeding operational expectations. He is a trained killer, and he excels at leading others of the same breed. [b]Weaknesses:[/b] Like any man who finds success at a young age, his arrogance is untempered by age, and it shows. Oftentimes Daisuke has hindered his advancement due to an inability to come under leadership he doesn’t respect. Most recently said arrogance lead him into rash action in the field, and while his company accomplished their mission there were significant casualties. Beyond his personality Daisuke self-medicates his extreme stress with alcohol, while, in the past, he could play it off as enjoying a drink after a hard day, he now always keeps liquor on his person. Slowly but surely, he is losing control of this vice. His bending lacks the finesse necessary to take the next step into a near-mastery level. A lifetime of training focused on efficiency and explosiveness works well on the battlefield but has not lent itself to fine technique. [b]Possessions:[/b] Daisuke owns little outside of his ideals, his only prized possessions are his katana and tanto, both received from his grandfather. [b]Biography:[/b] Daisuke was just a boy when his parents were killed by raiding parties in the Eastern Fire Islands. They were not warriors, neither of them could even bend, yet they were cut down all the same. Daisuke had been spirited away by his father and hidden in the brush while the village was sacked. The child was wracked with silent sobs as he heard the screams and panic carry throughout the small fishing community. He had emerged to find his world altered beyond all understanding, the few survivors sought refuge at Shu Jing, carting along a near catatonic Daisuke. Through no effort of his own, he was deposited with his Grandfather, Aikido Tanaka, a man faced with the loss of a daughter and the responsibility of a child at the same time. Their shared grief brought them closer, and Aikido loved Daisuke as he would have his own son. Aikido was an old man, but his bending had not deteriorated, and the skills he had honed fighting under various warlords were passed on to a hungry Daisuke. Daisuke, was shaped by that event. As he grew, he heard of the new push for Unity in Caldera City. Would any raider dare to enter a united Fire Nation? Separated, why should any enemy fear nibbling at the edges, killing and raiding away from the cities? Daisuke had found his purpose, and Aikido responded as a man who had a premonition of this event. Daisuke had always shown far more promise than he had, and a vengeful spirit had been growing in Daisuke’s chest for many years. At merely 16 years, Daisuke left his grandfather’s house, and armed with their family steel he set out for Caldera City to join the new Fire Nation, and he knew in his heart, that he would bring unity to his people or die in the attempt. Sadly, things were not so easy or so simple. He arrived in Caldera and found out what most children do upon entering the wider world, things are far more complicated and rarely black and white. He enlisted in the Fire Nations military, a grueling academy where he spent three years in training and low-level service environments. At every level he exceeded expectations. From bending to close combat, and strategic planning to logistics. He was not always the most naturally gifted, but he had the drive necessary to out work his peers. He had learned at a young age with his grandfather, that without hard work talent means nothing. When he graduated the academy he was honored by being appointed a squad leader, and three men were placed under his command. One of which became a dear friend, Ichiki Kitokuro, Together they began embarking on small missions in the southern isles. Daisukes young squad began to get some attention as they racked up completed objectives one after another. So often in battle, it is the tiniest thing which guarantees victory: Noticing a sluggish changing of the guard, identifying the weak spot in a perimeter, finding an unmanned entrance, pacing out your attack formation. These things become force multipliers, and Daisuke had an innate ability to see and utilize them. Their success lead to their assignment as a part of a larger offensive against Warlord Toz. The first objective was securing a fortified port with a sizeable garrison of troops. This location was an essential logistical hub enabling the function of a dozen other offensives. It had to fall, and Daisuke had a moment of enlightenment while going over the topographical maps. The proposed landing area was the only beachhead large enough to quickly deploy the Fire Nation force, they would take losses, but cover was available in the form of numerous rock outcroppings. Beyond that beachhead was a valley that lead directly to the port on the far side of the island. The fighting would be intense, and the confined areas and occupied high ground would be hellish for the government attackers. But Daisukes comrades were well trained and well disciplined, whereas Toz’s militia were little more than mercenaries, and had been known to break when faced with a determined and organized foe. A weak leadership structure makes a weak army. As Daisuke began playing out the future battle, he saw the fort empty out as Caldera’s finest entered the valley. The enemy’s leaders would know their largest, and only, advantage was in sheer numbers. Because of this the fort would be mostly empty, and there was a narrower approach from the left. It had been rejected by their commander due to the smaller beachhead and cliff face pathway, but a small force could land their under cover of night, and perhaps, with surprise and a healthy dosage of luck, overwhelm a skeleton defense force at the port. Daisuke petitioned the commander to allow his squad to take a dingy and land to the west. The risk was small, and the potential rewards were massive, the commander allowed it. And Daisuke’s plan was set into motion, at down on the second day, they would assault the western fortifications. The plan came together, and Daisuke took the fort while Ichiki raised the Fire Nations flag. The enemy, believing they had been surrounded, surrendered en masse. And Daisuke began his ascent, showing his value time and again before reaching Captain at age 26. Shortly before our story is set to begin, Daisuke and his relatively new command were sent out to the black hills to destroy an enemy compound. Their position was surrounded by fortified walls and a small garrison. Though with their defenses intact the small force could hold off ten times their size. But they had a small issue, the fortress was built on a hill, and over the years the southern side of the hill had begun to wear away and settle. Engineers had added support pillars, but the weak point was still there. Daisuke put together a plan to send two fainting attacks from the north and west, while he personally led a strike force, armed with explosives, to collapse the support columns. The General expressed hesitancy, the fortress received reinforcements a fortnight ago, the safer plan would be to wait them out, and let their increased number burn through their supplies. Daisuke however argued that this would delay the overall offensive, and this was, after all, his command. The general deferred to the leaders on the ground and sent a messenger to Daisuke advising that he act in whatever way he saw fit but reminding him that discretion was the better part of valor. Daisuke, in his arrogance, remarked that they could bring in ten thousand troops, it would not make the wall impregnable. He ordered the assault, two forces moved in, feinting towards the walls with siege ladders. Fire roared forth from both the tops of the walls and the assaulting troops. Smoke filled the air, and while the forts attention was directed elsewhere Daisuke attacked. He massively underestimated the additional strength the fort now had, and he lost dozens just reaching the wall. The explosives detonated and he bounded over the settling rubble. The enemy was thrown into chaos, and the feigning troops wheeled and renewed their assault with vigor. Their advantage was now only the surprise, as the casualties sustained had brought their numbers much closer together. Daisuke whirled, his blades danced and fire whirled around him. They won the day, but at what cost? Ichiki was found dead, and Daisuke knew that he alone was responsible for his death. Now Daisuke and his decimated company have been sent back to the Capital to refit, and he is given a hero’s welcome, but this glory has turned to ashes in his mouth. [b] Supporting Cast:[/b] Aside from his grandfather I generally like to discover my character throughout the process of writing them. There will not be groundbreaking characters “Oh he’s secretly the Emperor’s son!” though he does have a company of men under his command, and the nature of their relationships aren’t clear yet. [hider=Deeper Dive Backstory] Daisuke’s vision swam as the second blow landed and his body turned dispelling some of the force like his grandfather had taught him. The first strike had been worse, he hadn’t expected it, and the drill instructor enjoyed beating discipline into his fresh recruits. The other boys had cautiously and almost imperceptibly stepped back from him. “When I want an answer, I’ll ask” Masahiro, the seasoned sergeant, yelled, spittle spraying across Daisuke’s cheek. But he did not flinch, he showed no fear even though his bowels were turning to water. Doubtless the young man was recalling Aikido’s final words of advice “Every moment, every interaction is a test. Show them no weakness my boy, remember who you are.” The Sergeant stepped to the right, giving a sideways glance which held his usual disdain and a touch of appraisal. “We do not fight for riches; we do not fight for fame. If you believe that then you had best leave now, you are no conscripts, and I welcome any of you weak willed shits to walk away and save me the trouble of beating you out over the next few months.” His withering glare passed slowly, noting every boy that met his eyes and those that did not. “The Nation you help to build is greater and more important then any one of you. Accept that.” Daisuke’s chest puffed up, and he looked very much like a man who has found the place he fits perfectly. And though the training was rough, and violent, he excelled. 3 years later - Graduation “Squad Leaders!” Masahiro, flanked by two higher ranking officers, who at this point Daisuke had never seen, though one of the officer’s insignia denoted that he was a General. The recruits were, for the first time, allowed to wear the uniform of the Fire Nation. Daisuke was given permission to wear his grandfather’s swords rather than the standard issue steel. They were all sitting in rows, forming a long rectangular formation. On the sides of their formation were shirtless firebenders, all of whom had graduated the year prior. “When your name is called stand!” Masahiro reached inside his red tunic and pulled forth a scroll, clearing his throat: “Asaka Yasuhiko” A young man three rows and to the right stood, and the firebenders on each side moved in unison. Their left feet stepped forward and planted as their right hand formed a fist while it drove upward and released a powerful blast. Daisuke inched forward in his seat, he had been at the top of his class, first in nearly every area. His firebending was remarked upon by every instruct- “Fushimi Hiroyasu” Again, a man stood, and received the fire salute from his new brothers. Daisuke’s hands gripped the seam of his trousers above the knee, his jaw rippled where his teeth were clenched. “Takeda Tsuneyoshi” The roar of flames filled the open air again. Masahiro had always been hard on Daisuke, though it would be beyond belief if he allowed that to compromise his judgement. Sweat was forming on Daisuke’s brow. To do what he needed to do he must lead. “Daisuke Sato” 18 months later – Southern Isle Raiding Fire raged through the air in the distance, and Daisuke ran towards it with his squad. The fight was not going well. Government forces had moved to take an operating base from Warlord Toz. Nation forces had taken the beach under a storm of heat and flame, and they secured a rock outcropping from which to begin orchestrating a deeper strike inland. Slowly they gained ground, but they paid for it in blood. The warlord’s forces were savage, and skilled both in hand to hand combat and bending. The base loomed before him, little more than a shipping outpost surrounded by hastily constructed barricades. Daisuke sprinted ahead of his squad and leapt into the air, spinning and bringing his heel around in an arc. A scythe of flame whipped out and tore through the crates and sharpened pikes. Smoke billowed and Daisuke heard the scream of a burning man. They hadn’t been expecting an attack on the western side, which is what Daisuke had been counting on when he petitioned the commander to land 2 miles west around the horn of the island. The main force was set to attack that morning at dawn, and the larger, though less disciplined militia, would hopefully meet them with force hoping to drive them into the sea and leaving only a skeleton force at the port. He and his men took the ramshackle fortress rather easily, they dispatched with the few men left behind. Aikido’s blade tasted blood again, and Daisuke raised the Fire Nations flag while his men sounded their signal horns. The warlords troop naturally believed they were now hopelessly surrounded and surrendered, dropping their weapons in the dirt. It was a good day. 8 years later – Defeat at the Black Cliffs Daisuke’s hand began to shake, he reached toward his tunic before pulling back with a small jerk. The flask inside called to him, perhaps now more than ever. Oh how simple his path had seen after his first victory so many years ago. He clenched his fist harder to stop the shaking. At his feet laid the body of Ichiki Kitokuro, face twisted upward in a haunting snarl chest crushed and burned. Ichiki had been with him since the very beginning, he was in Daisuke’s squad when they graduated, and he had followed him ever since. Daisuke had reached captain, and Ichiki a lieutenant in his company. He knelt down, ignoring the sword cut in his side which had soaked his red robes to a deep crimson. Daisuke closed his eyes, “Thank you, old friend, please forgive me…” Time and again they had defeated the enemy, outmaneuvering, out thinking, finding the tiniest weaknesses, but not today. Today Daisuke sacrificed 25 men because he knew better, he always knew better. The General said the defenses were too strong. Daisuke knew better. Reconnaissance said that the enemy’s garrison had received reinforcements in the middle of the night, their assault would be impossible. “Their right wall was still weak, ten thousand troops would make no difference” Daisuke said, because he knew better. The sounds of fighting began to die down, the Fire Nations flag flew high, he had been right ironically. The wall did collapse under fire from his troops, but he lost half his force just reaching the wall. Daisuke went with them and was the first through the gap, and even in the fog of war he felt that everything was wrong. There were too few men by his side, the enemy believed they had a chance and pressed in. His katana cut a swath, his bursts of flame in defense as much as offense. Catching enemy counter thrusts and dispersing them. They were calling this a victory, but the cost was too high, his company was decimated and would have to return to the capital to be re-equipped and re-manned. Daisuke yanked out the flask now, pulling hard from it, tears running down his cheeks. He screamed to the heavens, a bout of flame ascending into the sky. [/hider][/hider]