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Ashen Hound of Eternal Loyalty
Story
Last remaining member of the group known as "The Watchdogs" and currently a runaway, Kagutsuchi is a soldier that wanders the land trying his hardest to help those in need and doing whatever he can to find a solution to the mess his home has become.
About
One glance at him and one could easily mistake him for a hobo, and not without a reason; always on the run and never staying on a place for long, the person known as Kagutsuchi has made a name for himself as a criminal that has resisted arrest from the Vision Hunters for way too long.
A lone wolf that has survived thanks to his luck, grit and will to carry on despite the overwhelming odds, not without a problem, and never lacking in sake per his team's tradition. No one can be certain if he's a soldier or a fool playing a warrior's act.
Few is known of him, and less even so of the man he used to be, but one thing is absolutely sure: the fact he remains fighting the good fight is enough to inspire some to take on arms, and to push himself to try and find a cure for this disease known as fear.
Voice-Over
Hello: Yo! Well, what do we have here? A pleasure to meet ya indeed. The name is Kagutsuchi. By the way, and pardon the fact this might come as too sudden, but... Just by chance, won't ya have something edible there in yer bag? I am quite literally dying here pal...
Chat: Test of Luck: Huh? What, interested in this medal I carry along? Well, how about playing this little game with me called "The tab's on the loser of the next coin flip"? Come on, don't look at me like that! I promise ya, it will be fun. โช
Interesting Things: Well, this gourd I carry with me was blessed by a fairy so it never runs out. Amazing, don't ya think? Just pour one drink and it will replenish perpetually. One thing, though, I can't seem to find a way to have unlimited sake. What a downer...
Hearsay
Kagutsuchi's Hobbies: Wanna tag along with me on my next walk? Oh, don't ya worry. Just havin' a chance to see the amazin' scenery around is worth all the hassle. โช
Least Favorite Food: Ya know, me bein' a runaway and all, the sayin' "A beggar can't be a chooser" fits like a glove. That being said, I swear to whatever's above of us, please don't give me some weird meat with lots of blood in it. I know, I know, everyone's taste is different but for cryin' out loud I don't want the damn steak to 'moo' once I give it a bite!!
About Kagutsuchi: Loyalty: "Tell me, brother. What makes someone a true patriot? " A pal of mine once asked that. To this day, I haven't been able to answer it properly. Heh. Perhaps, I am but a mutt trying to make do with what they know is right and wrong. Or perhaps the fact of not lowering your head is loyalty in itself? To stand in defiance even if the Seven were to deem something wrong as right? I'd like to know yer view on it, pal.
Gameplay
Kagutsuchi is a tank character that excels at giving the team more opportunities to outlast their enemies.
With powerful blows and precise strikes, Kagutsuchi can deflect and parry enemy's attacks and ensure their guards are broken for the team to seize the moment. Endure, overcome, and triumph throughout any battlefield with a few scorches as proof of your determination.
Talents
Watchdogs' Tactics
Normal Attack: Perform up to 5 consecutive strikes.
Charged Attack: Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to realize a powerful horizontal Quickdraw. Enemies hit will be stunned for a period of time.
Plunging Attack: Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.
Wolf's Reversal: If an attack from Kagutsuchi were to hit at the same time an enemy attacks, the opponent's attack will be deflected, it's damage reduced to 0 and Kagutsuchi's next Normal, Charged or Plunging Attack will be a guaranteed CRIT with increased DMG.
โ Discipline, just like memories, can endure the cruel passage of time when put to test. โ
Trial of Burning Steel
Kagutsuchi performs a quick slash, dealing Pyro DMG to all enemies hit and setting up 3 Defensive Wards. Kagutsuchi's weapon gains a Pyro Infusion for a duration of 6 seconds.
When Kagutsuchi or the current Character on the Field is hit by any source while the Defensive Wards are set, it triggers a Wolf's Reversal.
If Kagutsuchi is not the current Character on the Field when the Wolf's Reversal is triggered, the bonus DMG effect goes to the current Character on the Field.
To be one capable of defending themselves, one must prove to be capable of standing up for someone else.
Fight as One
Kagutsuchi focuses his willpower and massive amounts of Pyro Energy to bring forth a Seishin Hoshล, launching back all enemies around and dealing Pyro DMG to them. The Seishin Hoshล will fight together with the Character on the Field for the duration of the skill.
Seishin Hoshล
Increases the DEF, Resistance to Interruption, Energy Recharge and CRIT Rate of the Character on the Field for the duration of this skill.
Strikes alongside the Character on the Field Normal, Charged and Plunging Attacks, dealing Pyro DMG to nearby enemies. This DMG counts as Skill DMG.
The effects of Wolf's Reversal apply to the Seishin Hoshล's attacks even if Kagutsuchi is not on the Field.
Reduces the DMG of enemy projectile attacks to 0.
โ When clad in the armor of a true, righteous cause, the meek, the frail and the humble become stronger than all the hosts of error. โ
Passive Abilities
Utility
Wanderer's Teachings
Increases the Party's Charged Attack DMG and SPD by 15% and decreases the Stamina Consumption of Charged Attacks by 15%.
1st Ascension
Hound's Insight
Increases Kagutsuchi's Physical DMG Bonus based on his Highest DMG Bonus. Increases Kagutsuchi's Highest DMG Bonus based on half the value of his Physical DMG Bonus.
4th Ascension
Soldier's Solidarity
When switching characters, and while under the effects of Fight as One, the first Character switching in gets a boost to all their DMG Bonuses and Energy Recharge based on Kagutsuchi's Highest DMG Bonus.
Alea Nummun โ The Coin
It represents the duality of one's strugglesโthat one's conflict are, sometimes, more than simply black, white, and any other gray in the scale. If one's outcome were to be decided as simple as the flip of a coin, ruin would be certain to come.
At the same time, however, it also calls to the truthfulness in the decisions that be, as one who has decided a set path with righteous steps is bound to discover the truth behind the coin's duality.
What, then, lies behind Kagutsuchi's carefree smile? Only heavens know.
Stella Fortuna
1st โ Got your back!: While under the effects of Fight as One, reduces the DMG the Character on the Field takes by 25%.
2nd โ Press the Advantage: After a successful Wolf's Reversal, increases the Party's Energy Recharge and ATK SPD by 7% for 8 seconds. This effect can stack up to three times.
3rd โ Tempered Steel: Increases the level of Trial of Burning Steel by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
4th โ True Strike: Increases the number of hits Trial of Burning Steel can counter by an additional 1. Increases the Character on the Field's ATK by 10% while under the effects of Trial of Burning Steel.
5th โ Unforgotten Legends: Increases the level of Fight as One by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
6th โ Hound's Devotion: Every time Kagutsuchi or Seishin Hoshล scores a CRIT Attack after a successful Wolf's Reversal: heals every party member for 33% of the DMG Dealt.
Character Details
โ To decide and stand against the entire world when told to move is an act of loyalty on itself. โ
The legends of the Masterless Samuraiโthe Ronin, tales that to this day continue to flood the land. Of warriors that stood up to the injustices of the past, and of criminals that dared to oppose whatever they found necessary.
If you were to ask him, something necessary for the world to begin seeing things through better lenses. His debt is not to one person, but many; and one can't help but ponder...
To which lengths can someone decide to act before they stop and see exactly the things they are doing?
The warrior's journey will only continue once he decides to let go of the chains in his hands.
Character Story I
If you were to ask some locals about the Watchdogs, many of them would brush it off as an urban legend, a tale once remembered and now forgotten. Even to this day, traces of what they were are lost both to time and to the people of Inazuma, a team once made to serve and protect in cases where help was needed the most.
Kagutsuchi is one of those guardians. A young warrior adopted into the ranks, once devoting his life to the glory of the Shogun and of their home, always willing to push himself as hard as possible. To walk the extra mile despite how exhausting he found the tasks at hand. Bound to the chains of duty, and loyally following what was demanded of him. If you were to ask him back then;
โ Well, our Shogun should know best, right? I do believe that, should a troublesome situation arise, she will have a solution for everyone! โ
This was enough to get him in trouble more than once...
Character Story II
Due to the extensive training he was subjected to ever since childhood, it becomes difficult for him to catch on social cues directed at him. He's a soldier first, and he acts based on an evaluation of his surroundings. Intent and attitude directed at others It's, however, easier to notice.
As a result of this, people are quick to write him off as dumb, and naive at times. This is something that will continue to plague him for a while.
However, with it comes the fact that people can trust him without much problem. His honesty and lack of prejudice when it comes to help others in need being one of the reasons as for why the wandering ronin and even pirates are willing to lend him a hand. As he's been there for them despite their reputation, they say, without hesitation.
โ Outcasts look for each other. And should the Watchdog need our help, you can be damn sure we will fight by his side! โ
Besides, it helps to not only have drinking and gambling partners, but also a contact to get a proper supply of sake when times are tough...
Character Story III
He will be the first to admit, despite his loyalty, Kagutsuchi used to be extremely hyper with his companions. A total contrast with the man he tries to be today and embarrasses him to no end.
During the Watchdog's service time, he worked under the noble lead of Captain Nakamura Chizuru. A lady of honor, skill and beauty; he can't remember the amount of trouble he got her into...
The Udon Stall Incident. The Sushi Madness. All the festivals back then as well. Even something as simple as life on the Watchdog's Estate in Kannazuka was different with the prankster's doing, much to her chagrin.
In spite of that, she never once raised a finger against him. Pushing him to work harder was already enough of a punishment, and that, she noticed, actually managed to work on his temper as well as the lectures.
โ A day will come, and you will manage to do great things to yourself and those you care for. Until that happens, though, another fifty laps around the estate or you won't be eating tempura tonight. Good luck.~ โ
Such was the good life...
Character Story IV
The swordplay he uses focuses extensively in finishing the fight as soon as possible, and to minimize whatever damage can be caused to others by impeding the enemy's advance. This, however, was a development of his own during his time walking the land as an exile.
The soldier's war hasn't really stopped at all ever since that fateful day.
For a long time, the Watchdogs remained a small group, as recruitment was something they simply couldn't do wide open; such was one of the many rules demanded upon them centuries ago.
Continuous warfare was not something they were used to, as while one of them had the strength of armies, numbers are still important when it comes to fighting. And with the ruthlessness of their Master exposed and her methods revealed, standing up and refusing to serve was the only proper response here.
The fact they managed to reach an agreement was nothing short of a miracle.
Yet the difficulty of the tasks only increased ever since, with many falling in line of duty, and others vanishing without a trace.
Eventually, only one remained...
Character Story V
The Watchdogs have existed for a very long time, as records within the organization's forgotten building can attest to up to hundreds of years ago.
A secret team formed by vagrants, wanderers and locals with the purpose of protecting the people of Inazuma, to respond to the threats they couldn't deal with. For the loyalty to the land's Archon remains the same, their loyalty to the nation's ideals shines brighter than that.
There are stories, in fact, that a long time ago they refused to serve their master when their methods began to diverge from what they knew was right, an event that would be recorded as the First Insurrection.
Regardless of time, odds and consequences, their mission remained the same as always, to be the wall upon where the nation's people can find solace regardless of alignment.
โ The Nation of Eternity demands of us one simple duty: to stand and hold the line against threats, both from outside and from within... for the alternative is to look at the weak, the helpless and those in need; and tell them you'd prefer they get to suffer instead of doing your duty. โ
Vision
He remembers well wishing to be, one day perhaps, one of the Shogun's greatest servants. However, the single act that would give him the honor of being noticed was not the devotion to their Archon, but to finally understand the duty he had to uphold.
Conflict raged near the shores of Kannazuka. The Order of the Abyss was acting mysteriously organized for a bunch of beasts, but the point stood, people needed action when the Shogunate had it's hands full at the moment, and they were there the second the mission was clear to them.
Before he came to be someone devoted to his people's protection, he knows, he had a bit of a side that enjoyed to show off his skill in the battlefield. Fending off monsters or beating them silly, he could do no problem. A problem of strength demanded a solution of strength.
But it's easy to be strong when the chips are yet to be down.
Hour after hour he sustained injuries, and the idea of continuing the fight was becoming less enticing to him. Exhaustion, the pressure of (what he considered) the world upon him, he wanted to quit.
But his companionsโthis newfound family of people that stood by his side up to this day, they refused to back down. Outmatched, beaten in numbers against an endless horde of beasts from below, they continued to hold their ground not for them;
โ For Inazuma! โ they cried rallying every single one of their members. โ For the people of the Nation of Eternity! โ
Never once did he hear them yell in adoration to their land's archon, and he saw in all of them the same devotion he thought he was putting to good use. The devotion to stand up even if they had no way out. Even if it wasn't easy.
Hurt, broken and exhausted beyond measure, he took to arms once more with a cry of his own;
โ Inazuma Stands! โ
Last day of the siege, all he remembered was coming to fight with his family of choice. Even if he didn't make it. Even if all that was left was his memory. He has to uphold the promise that every single soldier makes upon joining the ranks.
He woke up three days later, patched up; and the trinket of wonders, the sign that he was acknowledged, lying by his bedside.
The Truth of Names
Locked.
Extras
Around 6'3'' ft (192 cm) tall. Possesses many scars under his robes.
His personal weapon is a nodachi known as ยซ Mumei ยป or ยซ The Nameless ยป. Far from being special (or so people think) it's a standard-issue nodachi passed down from a former Watchdog.
Due to his accelerated metabolism, is extremely difficult for him to get drunk. Much to his annoyance, as he wants to feel what is like to get wasted again despite the benefits. Drugs are also rarely going to have an effect on him unless they are strong or magical in nature.
In spite of his status as a warrior first, Kagutsuchi is a surprisingly good cook and actually enjoys making food for others. Being on the run made him work his head a little.
He keeps his Vision near his chest and under his robes, tied to him with chains. To conceal the truth of it, Kagutsuchi carries paper talismans with scribbled (albeit incorrect to someone well versed) symbols that help "emulate" the use of elemental energy. Those were recommendation from a pair of Kairagi.
The flames he controls have a white and ink-black coloration to them unlike the usual red and crimson.