ryslig app for hideyoshi,

[mights]

OOC INFORMATION
Name: Kristen
Contact: jikaku, aim: villain.ous
Other Characters: N/A

CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character Name: Hideyoshi Toyotomi
Age: ~32
Canon: Sengoku Basara 4
Canon Point: Pre-SB4 routes.

Character Information: HISTORICAL LINK
BASARA WIKI LINK

Hideyoshi’s era in history begins during one of Japan’s most tumultuous times to date. Of course, it wasn’t known as Japan during the days of ronin, daimyo and feuding warlords. The 15th century country was merely a wealth of opportunity: for farmers and traders hoping to make use of the fertile land, for villagers and artisans to establish a flourishing market, and for lords and retainers to conquer and make the region their own. These times are known today as the era of the Warring States, also called the Sengoku Era. This bloody and pivotal phase in Japan’s history houses the names of many infamous lords and daimyo that are celebrated even today- especially those that personally shaped Japan’s future and sought to make it their own.

While the Sengoku Era consisted mainly of interpersonal battles between daimyo and other political figureheads, it also stepped forward during the beginning of mass innovation- particularly ones in the military field. Japan would see a late boost of economic intellectuals from China and Korea, all partaking in the businesses and trade that would strengthen Japan’s growing population for eras to come. This would be an essential asset to Japan’s growth, as many of its soldiers were lead out into battles nearly every day- always a new conquest, always fighting for what rightfully belonged to each clan.

Three names in particular stand out amongst the rest in Warring States history, and these names together with the embodiment of their history, become the stepping stones to Japan’s newly brightened future. The name that usually comes first is Oda Nobunaga- ruthless warlord of Owari, whose militant ambition lives on in media and legends here in the present. The second is Toyotomi Hideyoshi, successor of Oda and unifier of most of Japan until his timely death. And thirdly, Tokugawa Ieyasu- one who would become shogun and assume power over those who once rose before him, both in name and in memory.

With these names, Japan endured an era of many wars, many deaths, and many successions.

SENGOKU BASARA:

Take everything I just wrote up there, all the facts and euphemisms and disjointed sentences regarding Japan and it’s glorious age of war and chaos- just take all of it and screw it all up. Scramble it around. Now throw in some interpersonal and non-existent relationships and as well super-powered samurai with glowing auras. Throw in a bit of devotion and angst, some drama and a slapstick joke here or there. Imagine badly portrayed historical figures, giant robots with huge drills, a money-grubbing cult based on love and peace, and a giant walking crab made of metal. Toss in a flying horse with turbo boosters attached to it’s stirrups as well- soaring through the sky with a warlord sitting on it’s saddle.

You basically have Sengoku Basara.

In this series, the age of daimyo and feuding lords is taken on an extreme level- and when I say extreme, I mean a sort of ridiculous but also very actiony and cool level. It’s the aesthetic Basara aims for, one with a lot of explosions, mass armies marching off to do battle with one another, and extremely powerful samurai with passionate grudges.



In this series, the age of daimyo and feuding lords is taken on an extreme level- and when I say extreme, I mean a sort of ridiculous but also very actiony and cool level. It’s the aesthetic Basara aims for, one with a lot of explosions, mass armies marching off to do battle with one another, and extremely powerful samurai with passionate grudges. However, Hideyoshi’s history in Basara (in accordance to the games and the anime) doesn’t go off as spectacularly as one might think. In fact, Hideyoshi had a rather humble beginning…



Like many of the vague pasts obscured by irrelevancy in Basara, Hideyoshi had no family to speak of. If he did, it was never said who raised him or how- he is simply introduced as a calm, politely-spoken young man. Placid and courteous to no fault, Hideyoshi was a known figure around the villages he spent his time in- perhaps for his helpfulness, but almost assuredly for his great size and strength. He had a righteous sense of justice, and believed that peasants and anyone who wished to fight should be allowed to do so (contrary to the historical Hideyoshi who laid a prohibition on peasants carrying swords!). It is hinted in both the Basara manga and second anime that Hideyoshi had a growing interest in joining the ranks of an army, but it is unclear as to whom he would pledge an allegiance to. In the end, he would be pledging to no one but himself.

Of course, before all that, Hideyoshi was still a reckless young man. With no daimyo to tie him down and no heavy responsibilities to burden his lifestyle, Hideyoshi spent most of his early days with his best friend: Maeda Keiji.

With Hideyoshi’s easy-going demeanor and Keiji’s love of mischief and freedom, the two sparked an onslaught of jokes and pranks on the hapless few who they deemed worthy enough to test them. From fighting outlaws to dumping buckets of water on monks’ heads, Hideyoshi and Keiji exercised their youth and stamina to the fullest. The only difference between the two- besides their obvious personalities and methods of pranking- was that Keiji had responsibilities. A potential successor to the Maeda Clan, Keiji knew his time would come when he’d have to put his strength towards the benefit of the Clan. His future seemed set in stone, as much as he hated to admit it. Hideyoshi, one who had always admired Keiij’s strength and prowess, saw it as an opportunity for Keiji to utilize his skills in battle, amongst an army fit to defend the Maeda Clan. Keiji saw it as a chain, dragging him away from the life he truly wanted: a free one, devoid of war and fighting. With Keiji’s aunt (Matsu) and her husband (Toshiie) currently running the clan, Keiji felt he would be able to live his dream of being freed from responsibility. A dream that consisted of him, Hideyoshi, and well...perhaps someone else.


We’re not sure when Hideyoshi was introduced to the young woman known as Nene, but it is hinted that Hideyoshi and Keiji knew her long before they had become close friends. Nene was described as a generally soft-spoken girl who always carried a small charm around her neck. For a short while, she had become the compass leading the two towards her, gravitating them to her presence as someone who needed to be protected. Eventually, Nene gravitates towards Hideyoshi, and the attraction there becomes quite evident to most- especially to Keiji.

While this brief yet peaceful phase in Hideyoshi’s life remains largely untouched upon in the actual games, it serves as a reminder of the peace Hideyoshi once held within himself. Unfortunately, it is during this time in his life when he meets the man who would drastically change all that- a man by the name of Matsunaga Hisahide.

At this point in time, the only notoriety Matsunaga held was his title as an entrepreneur of fine relics and rare prizes. It may have been this seemingly harmless reputation that prompted Hideyoshi to try and test his strength against him, as he had done with all of the other men he and Keiji had bested before. What Hideyoshi didn’t realize, however, was that Matsunaga was also something of a complete villain. With paid off soldiers tailing his every move and an abundance of firepower and bombs at his disposal, Matsunaga easily overwhelmed Hideyoshi with his experience and cunning. In the anime, Matsunaga captures and leaves Hideyoshi to his hired men. They beat him senseless, and leave him half-dead by the time Keiji comes to his rescue. Keiji is caught and is beaten alongside Hideyoshi, left to lay by his side and lament on the poor choice they made that day.

In the Basara games, both Hideyoshi and Keiji plot revenge on Matsunaga, after having learned that it was him who sent a nefarious group of killers called the Miyoshi Trio to attack their village. Hideyoshi leaves first to deal with Matsunaga, but is consequently captured and tortured by him. In game we see Hideyoshi on the ground with a sword speared through his hand, pinning it to the floor as Matsunaga circles him. Matsunaga proceeds to dig his foot into the hilt of the sword, torturing Hideyoshi further with cruel, cold words of weakness. He leaves to deal with Keiji, who soon invades Matsunaga’s household in order to rescue Hideyoshi. He briefly fights Matsunaga, setting the household ablaze in the process and forcing him to retreat. Keiji goes to the room where Hideyoshi is being kept-

only to find Hideyoshi freed, and surrounded by the dead bodies of the guards. Keiji, in disbelief, asks Hideyoshi if it was him who killed these men- to which Hideyoshi replies that there was no other way.

Here, Hideyoshi becomes warped. Disillusioned by Matsunaga’s words and humiliated beyond comprehension, he swears to himself that he will transcend the kind of strength he knows now and achieve a new understanding of it- a strength gathered through force and power. He begins to believe “being powerless is a sin”, and those who are not strong have no part in the future of the country. He decides then and there that the past no longer exists for him, and the only way to move forward is to become stronger, and place himself above all others in that very sense. He no longer exists in the past, only in the ‘now’ and whatever lies ahead for him.

Hideyoshi tears away from everything attaching him to the past, going as far as to prove his strength in one of the most senseless (literally, it makes very little sense) ways possible. He kills Nene, the one last attachment of weakness holding him back, and leaves a mourning Keiji to grieve alone while he sets out to implement his newly destined goal- to conquer the country with his iron fist.

It is not entirely clear as to when Hideyoshi begins to carve his way throughout the already warring lands. By the time he's established a name for himself and renewed his strength, Oda Nobunaga- the blood thirsty tyrant who came before him- is already dead. Having been betrayed and slain by Ackechi Mitsuhide, Oda's death paves a new way for aspiring lords and rulers alike to take the country for their own. Unfortunately for them, Hideyoshi is already a step ahead- with his daunting strength and now callous view of a country that needs to be cleansed of weakness. Still, Hideyoshi is missing something. Behind every good leader is a good tactician, and Hideyoshi knows someone out there is equal to the task...


That's when he meets Takenaka Hanbei.


Historically, it had been said that Hideyoshi visited Hanbei several times before the strategist decided to join him. However, it only takes one fated meeting for the two to join forces, and it was the farthest thing from a simple drop in. Hideyoshi first finds Hanbei occupying a castle- Inabayama Castle to be exact, the very place that belonged to his former masters. Hanbei, tired and cynical in the world of feuding civil wars, rebels against his lords and takes Inabayama with only sixteen of his own men. With his intellect and skill, it is a simple accomplishment- although unheard of with such a small amount of soldiers. It catches the attention of Hideyoshi almost immediately, and he begins his own one man siege of Inabayama. Hideyoshi successfully takes the castle from Hanbei; who reveals himself in a graceful and immaculate display of surrender. There was no true point in taking the castle to begin with, aside from his small rebellion and withering view of the Sengoku era. Hanbei tells Hideyoshi to do what he pleases with the castle, and soon learns the true intentions of the bulking leader.

[ Hanbei: Toyotomi-dono, our forces are insufficient to fight you. Do as you like with this castle.

Hideyoshi: I have no interest in the castle.

Hanbei: What? Then why did you-?

Hideyoshi: What I’m interested in is you, Takenaka Hanbei. ]



Pretty subtle, right? Hideyoshi goes on to explain his purpose, how he believes the weakening country will only rot away if these civil feuds continue on. When he asks Hanbei if he fears this as well, Hanbei is taken aback. He doesn't expect Hideyoshi to tap to readily into his own views of the country, but the more he speaks, the more Hanbei realize that he had been alone in this way of thinking. Rather, he may have been completely alone this whole time and simply didn't care to realize it.

Even more surprising is when Hideyoshi admits to his own loneliness, although he detaches the emotion from the sadness that would accompany it. Walking a lone path on his own, following a single burning goal with no one to recognize it beside him is not what Hideyoshi wants. Hideyoshi, according to his own words, had always known there was someone similar to him in the world, someone who could share his dream of uniting Japan and be strong enough to stay by his side. He is certain that the person he had thought of is Hanbei, and tells him as much with very little restraint.


It's one thing for Hanbei to be as inspired as he is by Hideyoshi's words, and another entirely to agree to follow him wherever he goes. The connection is there- two wandering souls hoping to shape the world they live in, expecting no gratitude in return but expecting all of the results of it. And in the end the gratitude is hardly needed, especially when they have each other to look to towards for encouragement.

With Hideyoshi and Hanbei resolute in their goal, the vast movement of the Toyotomi faction begins to set motion. Hideyoshi's routes in the 4th game follows this same story line, although each has their own particular ending depending on which route it may be.



Personality:

From the day one, Hideyoshi sets his sights on uniting Japan under his iron fist. The limitations of his ambition seem nonexistent, with the way he carries himself through the countless battles that comes with living in the warring states. He's single-minded in the notion that Japan, someday, will be a country that can compete with the world. Civil wars were a poison in his opinion, and Hideyoshi makes sure to mention this each time someone opposes his ideals (which is almost all the time).

It's no surprise that Hideyoshi is met with so much opposition, with his totalitarian motives and movement which tramples those weaker than him under its foot. It doesn't stop him, however, from continuing on- not even his former best friend Maeda Keiji can reach him when confronted. As far as Hideyoshi is concerned, their friendship is a product of the past, never to be mentioned again. Not friendship, emotions. Even the elements can't stop him- as we see in the anime when he literally punches the ocean away to give his army the upper hand.

For all of Hideyoshi's hardheaded ambition and thorough use of his power, he is surprisingly adaptive to events and is even described as patient when it comes to forces beyond his control. Historically, Tokugawa Ieyasu was a fellow warlord who rose above Hideyoshi after his death. In Basara, Ieyasu is forced to join the Toyotomi and resign his position as Lord of Mikawa. It's several years later that Ieyasu does rebel and abandon the Toyotomi in order to unite the country through his method of bonds. Even after losing an invaluable member of his army, Hideyoshi sees Ieyasu's betrayal as just a small inconvenience, and holds no true anger or rage towards him (most fans would agree Mitsunari does more than enough of that in his place). Of course, this is during the timeline in which Ieyasu simply takes off.

The most widely known event is Hideyoshi's death at the hands of Ieyasu- which triggers the clash between the eastern and western army. In the game, Hideyoshi tells his devoted retainer Mitsunari to let go of his anger and look ahead instead of mulling over the past. It is a profound example of Hideyoshi's oddly placed benevolence and patience which he is known to associate through his strength.

In this same likeness, it is not only his loyal retainers who take hint of Hideyoshi's seemingly natural pace of authority. In the 4th game the well known protagonist Sanada Yukimura willingly allies with the Toyotomi out of respect the young lord has for Hideyoshi. Their alliance is a fruitful one, with both clans working together in a balance that weighs between tentative respect and well-defined space. Hideyoshi's domineering plans for the country comes at a brutal yet well thought pace- executed during a calculated length of time that only enhances the strength of the Toyotomi.

Of course, it is none other than Hideyoshi's right-hand man Takenaka Hanbei who is responsible for this meticulous speed, and Hideyoshi expresses many times in both game, anime and manga, that Hanbei is an invaluable person (dare we say, friend-) who earns most if not all of his respect. Hanbei is seen in nearly every scene standing beside Hideyoshi, overlooking their vast armies together or overlooking strategies together- Hanbei explaining every alternative and Hideyoshi giving him his undivided attention.

It is a fated companionship born of similar ideals and opinions for the country, as well as the shared goal of changing Japan for the better- each offering their own strengths to see this dream become a reality. While this bond proves that Hideyoshi has not forgotten the importance of support and companionship, it is still a product of his towering goal to bring Japan under one sword- a still strict and brutal goal that he is prepared to overthrow everyone and everything for.


In addition to his patience, an occurring trait we see fairly often in Hideyoshi is repression. Speaking of the past is practically forbidden with him, and he refuses to look back and acknowledge the mistakes he's made long ago. The future is ahead of him and it's that and only that which he grips with all his might. Love, friendship- all of it points to a familiar weakness which he once let consume him. When Keiji confronts Hideyoshi and asks him why he killed Nene- the young girl who harbored feelings for him- he tells him Nene was an attachment he needed to get rid of. When Hanbei dies of tuberculosis in several of the Basara games- Hideyoshi refuses to acknowledge it. Instead he pursues his goal even further, and refuses to let himself be weighed down, even to mourn.


5-10 Key Character Traits: AUTOCRATIC, INFLUENTIAL, CONFIDENT, FOCUSED, PATIENT, BLUNT, REPRESSIVE, DENYING, OVERWHELMING, OPPRESSIVE, SEVERE
Would you prefer a monster that FITS your character’s personality, CONFLICTS with it, EITHER, or opt for 100% RANDOMIZATION? Fits
Opt-Outs: Naga, Arachne, Troll, Werebear, Gargoyle



Roleplay Sample: Here is an RP sample!


Third person sample:

The first to step forward- among the hidden village consisting of roughly a hundred and eight men- was a young boy.

In the sun, Hideyoshi could make out the darkened freckles that lined the lad's arms- splotched sun spots from years spent hunched the fields. His feet were bare and dirty, possibly from the run from home to the very forefront of the village, where Hideyoshi had en massed his company to begin purging homes of any weaponry. The boy held a sword in small, trembling hands. Judging by his stance, Hideyoshi thinks this may be the only time he's ever held a weapon in true defense. Judging by the way he quivers, he believes he may have a mother at home. Possibly younger siblings.


The boy points the sword at him. Held too high, ready to die.

In his eyes, Hideyoshi sees the great image of himself reflected back. It was this, that Hideyoshi wanted to rid the country of. Against his own will, he remembers the many summers he spent in ignorance, roaming hillsides and regions as if they were his (his and Keiji's) to claim. Directionless, aimless in their youth and oblivious to the insurrections around them, Hideyoshi recalls the strength the found in Keiji- the same he sees in the boy before him- and remembers it neglected. Wasted.

What good was their freedom if there was no one to reign in it? What purpose lied in his strength if he had no where to implement it? To think he had spent so long without using his strength, without taking control...letting these civil wars rage on. Hideyoshi feels the same, comfortable anger rise in him. Not boiling, nothing like foam falling off the kettle, but like the warmth of the sun on one's back. His righteous anger has always been a secondary sensation, and it has always suited him since his rise as General. It is the flame that had always resided in him. He only regrets not realizing it sooner, and even that emotion is promptly stubbed out.

Beyond his line of sight, he hears Hanbei call out orders and remembers his own duty to the country.

Hideyoshi unclenches his gauntlet.

In his world, there will be no civil uprisings. No commoners who only wished to tear apart the country, no mindless battles against one another. In his world, it will only be the Toyotomi. Japan will become one, and unite under his fist until the new world broke free through the horizon.

In his world, there is no past. Hideyoshi steps forward and reaches a hand forward in the brief distance that remains between himself and the trembling boy.


He will create that world and pry it open with his own hands- anew.