Ten'ro
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
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| "Your day of Judgement has arrived at long last..." | |
| Ten'ro | |
| Player: | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Stalker |
| Security Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Unknown / Only given to the most trusted of friends, or those about to die by his hand |
| Known Aliases: | Tenka, Tenkalus |
| Species: | Human? |
| Age: | Classified |
| Height: | 6'4 |
| Weight: | 210 lbs |
| Eye Color: | Gray |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Citizenship: | Confidential |
| Occupation: | Shadowrunner |
| Place of Birth: | Somewhere on the eastern side of North America, Exact location unknown |
| Current Residence: | Confidential |
| Marital Status: | Unknown |
| Known Relatives: | Unknown |
| Known Powers | |
| None known | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Military tactics, Shadow Op's, Master of thrown Weaponry, Master Swordsman, Master of hand-to-hand combat, Master of stealth tactics and all of the relevant fields thereunto. | |
| Equipment | |
Weapons:
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| Footnotes | |
Other Equipment:
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"As far as you are concerned, I never existed."
Contents |
Paragon City top 10 Most Wanted
Personal notes from Lead Detective John Adams
"This is Detective John Adams of the Paragon City Police Department, I am making this audio recording in case anything further should happen to me over the course of this investigation. Uhhh Okay, where do I start? This is investigation file number 13042, in the case of an individual we think is known as "Tenkalus". Over the past few months the individual belonging to this name... or title even, has been reported numerous times throughout the City for a few different reasons. As of late several individuals that the PPD has had under house arrest or otherwise kept 24 hour surveillance on, have been turning up dead. There have never been any eye witnesses, and the units in charge of said individuals had no idea that the person they were supposed to be either keeping an eye on, or protecting respectively, had been killed until hours afterwords due to silence and lack of activity. We have no idea what the suspect looks like, save for we think he wears a lot of black. Our cameras can't seem to catch him in the act however. The only picture we have of this individual known as Tenkalus, is nothing but a dark smudge on a photograph taken by accident. This smudge is presumed to be simply that however, just a smudge left by perhaps a stain on the lens of the camera.
Audible sigh
My personal investigation has lead me to believe that this "Tenkalus" uses some kind of sharp weapon for the murders, possibly a knife or sword. The only real information that we have on this....ghost... is from a man who was deemed clinically insane and admitted to the psych ward for examination upon his arrest. The individual in question was a man aged approximately 83 years old, and was suspected to be a target on our Ghost's list to hit. The only thing we got out of the man was that he kept repeating the name "Tenkalus" when we questioned him. Hell he looked half crazy when we brought him in in the first place. I don't think that the name is reliable but for the time being we will assume that the name Tenkalus refers to the man we are after.
Allegedly, a few small time street gangs learned of our confusion surrounding this person and tried to capitalize upon it by using copy-cat tactics. Yesterday I was out at another crime scene, believed to have been the work of our Tenkalus character. A few deaths in a small area. I showed up and investigated a bit but I determined that it was not the man we were after, as it was much too sloppy of a job for the caliber of skill regarded towards Tenkalus. Before I left however, I was jumped by several members of numerous gangs that I had been investigating in the past. I had known at the time that most of their leaders had been imprisoned by my hand and assumed that that day was going to be their retaliation.
A quick intake of breath is heard
........I didn't even see what happened. I just heard someone whisper the words "Shadow Dance" and every gang member in that room fell to the floor dead. Some of them missing heads, others slashed open at the chest. But not one of them survived. I was left surrounded by dead bodies yesterday and decided that I should record my findings as soon as possible in case I am not so lucky next time.
It is strange however... When I think about the people that have been killed, I come across only one thing in common...
All of the men and women killed by Tenkalus have been people that were either already sentenced to death, or on their way to it. Most of them probably would have slipped out our hands in court by some way or another. No amount of evidence can really convince a jury of the death penalty these days. All of the people killed could be considered as terrible. I read through all of their files and every last one of them had committed atrocities in their lives. Does that make this Tenkalus figure an ally?
Power surge is heard on the recording
... That was strange... the lights just flickered. Anyway, the last of my report is much more intriguing than the rest of it. I think I have finally uncovered some evidence that Tenkalus is a man and by sheer luck may have found out his real name. I believe that my sources are correct when they tell me that Tenkalus' true name is Ce....."
Dark calm fluid voice fills the tape recording.
".....Turn the tape off John........."
"YOU! HOW DID YOU GE....!?!"
"I will not tell you a second time."
Sounds of a sword being slowly unsheathed can be heard
CLICK
- End of recording
The day after this recording took place, John Adams retired from the PPD after 30 years of service, took his pension and now lives with his wife and two daughters in Miami Florida. All files pertaining to "Tenkalus" mysteriously disappeared from the record halls of the PPD.
This individual is considered to be armed and extremely dangerous.
Personality
"He is only the leader of Darktide because he has the public face. But not the power to lead..."
"So what would it take to elevate the whole of Darktide and lead them to the status they deserve?"
"What do you think? You are smarter than this. Use your head."
"....To lead, one must have the allegiance of the soldiers. But you have that."
"Go on..."
".... A coup then....This organization works by dog psychology, prove that you are better than the pack leader and become the head yourself. Trap the Alpha in an unavoidable death trap and show your superiority, the soldiers will follow their true leader."
"Very good. A Coup de tat would work rather well."
" ...Excellent.... when do we start?"
-Teenage Ten'ro, on learning the ways of mental manipulation from his best friend and mentor-
Ten'ro is a difficult person to examine. To all normal outward appearances he seems like a calm laid back individual. Though the inner workings of his mind are something that psychologists would spend years pondering over and never come to a final conclusion. Regardless of what situation Ten'ro may find himself in, he is always thinking of every possible escape route from wherever he may be as a precaution, while at the same time, observing everything around him without seeming to even look at things in general. Those who already know the ins and outs of Ten'ro know that he is simply complex in every sense of the word. He approaches every situation with the utmost precision and tact. Whether that means making new acquaintances or planning to take out a drug lord. Occasionally Ten'ro may seem to have a normal conversation with people and even make them feel good about themselves. But in reality, may actually be manipulating them to a certain end. This is rare but not unheard of. On the inside however, Ten'ro is actually a kind and caring individual, that only takes drastic measures and actions in response to a friends plight. Even in the most tense of situations, when he seems out of control.. Ten'ro retains his mental discipline and is usually formulating plans around aggravated actions.
Skills
Ten'ro has been training in the ways of combat ever since he was 15. Because of this, he is now one of the most capable combatants around. His mastery of the sword, knives, and virtually all types of stabbing or thrown weapons make Ten'ro a living death trap to those that oppose him.
- Training
Regardless of his experience as an assassin, Ten'ro is always in training in some way or another. He refuses to use conventional magic in anything he does, and instead relies on his own body, strength and awareness to get by. An example of this can be found in his unusual training methods themselves. Before he achieved true mastery of his spirit, Ten'ro elected to blindfold himself for a period 3 months. During which time he was involved in many battles. Using the blindfold served to augment his other senses of touch, sound and smell, to such a degree that he can effectively dodge and block conventional small arms fire. His hearing has been tuned to be so acute that he can literally hear the springs of a gun being depressed, the grinding of the internal parts. With this information he then judges exactly where the weapon is, how it is aimed and in turn, simply moves out of the way before the trigger is even fully depressed, giving off the illusion that he can dodge bullets. This skill was only augmented further upon the completion of his training and the return of his eyesight.
Many of the things that Ten'ro has been seen doing are sometimes attributed to some kind of magic spell or trick. This is not the case. In his culture, the spirit is the main weapon that one has at their disposal. Like magic, the manipulation of energies of the spirit and soul can be used to accomplish seemingly superhuman feats. But again, it is not magic. Any ordinary human who completes certain aspects of training could do the same, it is simply an unfortunate fact that most who undertake the training, die because of it.
Enzeru Hane
In the culture of Shinobi, it is customary for the rank of Master to be achieved by completing one final task in the training. This is a bench mark for all aspiring Shinobi. The construction of their final blade. In their lifetime, a Shinobi may use many swords. But sometimes things happen. Swords break after too much strain. Some weapons are lost to battle, others lost to time. The final blade however, is the mark of the Shinobi's passage and knowledge, and is as much a part of themselves as their own beating heart. The final sword that a Master wields is the most powerful tool at their disposal. Using ancient tools and methods, when done correctly, the final blade is one that never loses it's edge, strength, or composition. The final blade draws forth the wielders inner shadows and manifests them outside of the body. This is known as the "Mark of the Master". Only those who have completed the training and forged their final weapon have this dark aura. The principals of the final blade are simple but very meaningful.
"We share the heart of steel,
Forged in white bliss and fiery chaos,
Tempered in life and death are we,
For we are one..."
-Shinobi recitation upon completing their Final Blade-
The blade and wielder become one with the inner shadow. The edge becomes the Shinobi's resolve and is as sharp or dull as their will to use the weapon. It becomes honed with their mentality and overall skill as Shinobi. Typically, the sword is forged as a normal looking Katana, based on the Shinobi's skills. In rare cases, A much larger weapon is created because of the sheer power that certain individuals wield. This is the case with Ten'ro.
Because of the strength and sheer mastery that Ten'ro has achieved in his lifetime, Enzeru Hane turned out roughly the size of a full grown man, and weighs nearly as much as a small car. But because of the mystic Shinobi forging, for some reason unknown to any but him, Ten'ro is able to wield Enzeru Hane as if it were a feather to him. Only rarely in times of extreme fatigue or exhaustion, does Enzeru Hane begin to feel heavy to Ten'ro. Because of his Will to defend those close to him, the structural integrity of Enzeru Hane has become flawless. Because of his steel determination to destroy those who would threaten the sanctity of the world, the very edge of Enzeru Hane is paper thin and can slice through nearly anything.
Master Swordsman
Ten'ro has had a long and eventful life. During his life, there has rarely been a single day that he has not practiced with his sword. He has developed many techniques and fighting styles that make him unpredictable in battle. Listed below are some of the maneuvers that he has developed.
Apple Blossoms in the Wind:
A versatile technique, intended for use against an ambush by multiple opponents. The blade is held low, but ready for use in a number of strike forms. Keep loose and move slowly.
Arc of the Moon:
A simple slash, meant to take off an opponent's head. Probably begins at midbody level, arcs to neck, and ends back at a guard stance.
The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain:
A vertical slash, but one that can alter course in midswing quickly. Starts high and ends low. Try this with Tower of Morning.
Bundling Straw:
Several quick chest-level thrusts, followed by an arc and a paired return arc that should return the blade to a guard stance. Try this against a quarterstaff opponent.
Cat Crossing the Courtyard:
Not a sword-form or stance, but a method of movement which maximizes alertness and reaction potential. Weight should be on the balls of the feet, with head held high and eyes constantly shifting, watching for threats. Arms and hands should freely move, not in pockets or holding items. Each step should be taken confidently, but not hurriedly.
The Cat Dances on the Wall:
A feinting, tentative series of short slashes, thrusts, and parries. The swordsman must have good wrists and quick feet for this to be effective. Useful for buying time.
Cat on Hot Sand:
A faster, less tentative version of The Cat Dances on the Wall. Better for multiple opponents.
The Courtier Taps His Fan:
A quick, powerful overhand blow, meant to split the head. A good move for anyone to have in his repetoire.
The Creeper Embraces the Oak:
A slow, circling stance. The blade goes from high to low and back to constantly offer a new threat and to guard against others. Forms to use out of this: The Falling Leaf, Lightning of Three Prongs.
The Falcon Stoops:
An abbreviated version of The Kingfisher Takes a Silverback. A quick overhand thrust, returning to a guard position just as quickly.
The Falling Leaf:
A more exaggerated and slower version of The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain. Starting high, the blade sweeps back and forth before reaching its lowest point. Can be used to parry effectively against multiple opponents, or just one. Move from this straight into The River Undercuts the Bank or The Wind Blows over the Wall, and you've got an effective pair.
Folding the Fan:
The sword sheathing technique. The blade is smoothly swung around from guard stance and sheathed, all in one motion.
The Grapevine Twines:
A circular motion when blades are locked, used to disarm an opponent.
The Heron Spreads Its Wings:
The operational version of Heron Wading in the Rushes. A tighter cut, concentrated in one sector of the arc of the sword.
Heron Wading in the Rushes:
This form should only be used for practicing balance. It is possible to use this form in combat, but it is highly likely you will receive your opponent's weapon in your chest before you take his head. A horizontal, pivoting slash done on one foot. Begun at shoulder or head height.
These are but a few techniques that he has developed and revised over the years.
Employment
Records show that one "Ten'ro" was formerly under the employment of the Silvermoon Pub and Inn organization. This record seems to be invalidated as of late due to the disbandment of said organization. He has recently been spotted in public with some associates that are known members of the Ghost Hound mercenaries. Further digging will show that the members roster of Ghost Hound, does indeed have Ten'ro listed as one of their ranked Shadowrunners. To be elevated to this rank within two weeks is not unheard of but is not a feat normally set by new employees. It is assumed at this point that Ten'ro has a strong interest in staying with the group and eventually contributing to it's leadership.
Guardian
As of late, Ten'ro has been seen spending an alarming amount of time with his section leader within the Ghost Hounds organization, Will McBlack. It is noticeable to those who see them that William McBlack obviously has command over Ten'ro, as his leading Officer. It is believed that Ten'ro came to his position currently, by pledging his life and sword to protect McBlack for reasons unknown.
