Character Name:

Masayuki "Masa" Toritama

The Tenebroso Dynasty - Japanese Enclave

Hierarchy Position:
Royal/Japanese Enclave Assassin

Personal History:
Once a ronin during the Meiji Restoration, Masayuki Toritama had fought a number of rebellious coups against the new parliament that ruled the country. He knew he was fighting a losing battle. But a masterless samurai has only their honor when all else has been abandoned. And honor was the one thing that Masayuki was ever becoming less fond of. He had slain a great deal of the Emperor's soldiers before he was finally laid low in a side-sect battle during the battle of the Satsuma Rebellion, where a nameless, foreign swordsman, allied with the Emperor and the ronin that put a price on his head, ran him through and vanished without a trace. He knew he had been betrayed - made into a prey because he felt no need to live by any code of honor. To the few who clung to such a virtue, felt disgust for him. But he was still driven to exact vengeance on his assailants. If he couldn't find the silent swordsman, then he would find the ones he knew that set the warrior on him in the first place.

One night he came across a caravan of foreign nobles, fully resplendent in their dark attire and alabaster skin. There were even fellow nihonjin in their company, possibly sharing in the same luxuries of such nobility. He had no strength left in him at this point, and it was quite a treat to see one last sight before he would fall into the netherworld. But the caravan stopped and a woman with beauty beyond comparison approached him. She wasn't Japanese. But she was unlike any he'd ever seen. They referred to her as 'majesty' and 'm'lady', designations of royal rank - a queen. And for the first time in his war torn life, he felt fear and awe all at once, looking upon both the beauty of this woman that stood over him... and the pearly dagger like fangs that grew from her mouth.

She knew, from the emotional anguish in his face, that he felt hatred for someone. And for that, she asked if he wanted to avenge himself against whatever had wronged him. His answer, without hesitation, was yes. When she told him her name, he reflected the words in his whispers, in between short, painful breaths. "Car..oli...na.." the name was like the finest sake as it tipped from his tongue. And in that moment between life and death, she embraced him. Letting her power flow through him like liquid fire, burning away all human frailty and weakness. It was on that pivotal night that he learned of the meaning and presence of the word 'vampire' and of the name 'Tenebroso'.

When he woke, he found himself at a residence in Tokyo harbor. He found himself dressed in regal, yet quaint sleeping attire. Servants came to meet his every need, and all made way for his savior to come into the room. He dared not speak her name again, rather referring to her in more humble tones when addressing royalty. He felt as she felt and she felt as he felt. They were, as was the way of the vampire, bonded. She was his sire and he was her childe, her 'Yami no kodomo'. It was then that she told him of the times and ways of the dynasty. What it was, where it was, how it worked. She trained him in the skills of diplomacy and negotiation, but under a less delicate standpoint. The diplomacy and negotiations all included assassinations, infiltration and 'sending messages' such as the head of a noble mounted on a pike. She gave him wealth and power, all in exchange for his unflinching loyalty. He gave it gladly. When he'd gained enough clout within the ranks of the dynasty, he was brought to the head of the Japanese Enclave of the Tenebroso. So swift and precise were his assassinations that he'd earned the name 'Kageshinto' (Shadow Death Blade) as a name to be recognized within the enclave. Nothing would stop him from rising through the ranks.

No servant or soldier dared challenge his abilities. But there was a thorn in these plans. And such an obstacle was met with both hatred and exuberance. The nameless swordsman had returned. He too had power in this small but great nation. And he wouldn't give it up so easily. Yet finding this elusive figure was all the more difficult for Masa. It was as if the man would appear and then disappear, only to reappear again, all just to taunt Masa. Such folly continued for two centuries before the man disappeared entirely. But his allies within the government kept things in order.

It was decided that the best way to gain full control of Japan was not to buy off or take down the allies of the nameless one, but to find and eradicate the source itself. Cut things off at the source and all else falls into place. He looked into circles, gaining information here and there on pockets in politics. Pockets that led him to his prey. Soon enough he had a name. By even saying the name, it filled him with rage. "Fyu-rah" as it was pronounced. "Sh'on... Fyu'rah." he repeated it again. "Sean Fuhrer."

He had a name. He had a trail. And he now had a sure fire way of rushing into the leadership of the Enclave.

He is ruthless, bloodthirsty, cunning and ambitious; willing to do anything in order to secure a position of power. As a member of the Japanese Enclave of the Tenebroso Dynasty, he has risen through the ranks, though still does not retain a seat on the leadership council.

With a face as demonic as it is beautiful, he is often referred to or depicted as a venomous snake, the very totem of such a creature emblazoned across his arms. He has come to America leading a group of his own warriors, four in number, whom are just as monstrous as he is, all of which having their own specialties in the various fields of espionage and warfare. They are more than just vampires, but abominations among the swaths of demons. Kitano, a seductress and gypsy mistress, able to not only drain someone of their strength, but of the very life forces around her. But what's more is that she can not only kill through feeding off the life force, but also return one from the dead as her own servant. Those with enough willpower to resist such feats are few in number. Another among the four is Doken, a brawny but silent colossus of untold raw physical power. But with a strong body comes a stronger mind, hiding a high intellect none give him credit for (simply because none could fathom he possesses it). Jigen, a dark shaman with a body riddled in portraits of various animals, all of which can come to life and do his bidding. Few have mastered such a feat of dark magic, at the very danger of putting one's own soul at risk. Jigen scoffs at such dangers willingly. And finally, Shinkou, a golem of terrifying athletic ability and speed, almost rivaling that of Masa himself. Shinkou, among the other acolytes is the most mysterious, mainly due to his uncanny ability to regenerate any part of his body. Some think that he is a creation of the dark abilities of Kitano and Jigen. None dare to find out.

He has come to New Orleans, to hunt for Sean, this much is true. But his true goal, as he knows Carolina and Tanaka-san are aware of, is to be among the leadership of the Japanese Enclave. He is one of their secret weapons, their dark diamond in the rough, with a sharp relentlessness rivaled only by his lust to kill, raid and conquer. It's best to have a double take when looking into the shadows. Because one never knows when what they are looking at might be looking right back at them, ready to flash the killing blow.

 
Face Representation: