Katsuo Maekawa

Royally-Lineaged Daemon of Strength. Picture by @ARDISARTWORK

## Summary

Katsuo Maekawa is an Astralic Royal, (Son of Yokoi, Grandson of Yaewi, and Great Grandson of Yamahana Maekawa) born and raised within the ***Azura Enclave*** inside the capital of Astralaa; ***Rhiiak-Tai.*** He is an original member of The Renegades of Inzuria and has close friendship with Vasel Ein. Katsuo prefers wearing darker, somewhat formal attire; save for his hair which, especially recently, has been becoming more wild than previously. During battle, or intense bouts of emotion, his eyes warp into an emerald green color; which is most likely linked to Katsuo choosing to stay in his *Inzuric Form.* With that being said, Katsuo specializes in the Incubus class of combat with a slight affinity for strength-based fighting, relying on Soul Manipulation and longswords to take out an opponent and charm them in the process. His favorite weapons and skills to use are Yamahana's Greatsword, which he found via Eighpaach Maan as he was traveling The Dew Woods to sell various wares, along with the...**C-cockchain Grapple?!** *(I plead to Nohscrute that is NOT the name he gave that technique)* After meeting Nature's Wrath and learning about Sifre, he's shown interest in potentially harnessing the power through conversations with Lunara Cipher and Mia Altara, however his final decision on the matter remains to be seen. The royal is quite fond of moving suddenly and spontaneously, with a knack for exploration and chasing things that catch his interest. When it comes to his personality, Katsuo holds all information pertaining to himself close to his chest, trusting nobody who he'd consider a stranger. Pride is the last thing he takes in his royal status, and whenever he sees another Astrali, he's quick to avoid any sort of confrontation. However, for those who gain his trust; he's a reliable ally, on and off the field of battle.

## Backstory

October 28th, 1643 was a day of celebration across the whole of Astralaa, as the firstborn of King and Queen Maekawa would be born within the walls of the grand palace. Little did the citizens of Astralaa know, the next generation of the Maekawa line would be one of the most chaotic members ever recorded. From the very beginning, Katsuo cared little for the life of a royal. Day in, day out, he would do the same menial tasks and was quite sheltered for a good portion of his life. This changed, as one day he would routinely break his father's wishes and walk among the common-folk, curious on how the other-side lived. Eventually he would meet a group of teenage Astrali, close to him in age. Two of these Astrali commoners, Saja and Draco, would change his life forever; Saja being his first love and Draco being a rival of sorts to the young man. For once, times were good and interesting for the Prince, he was even able to call himself happy. This all changed on the day of his official coronation. What happened that night is a mystery, however all that's known is Katsuo fled the realm of Astralaa through an Astral Gateway and destroyed it with an intense power. The next hundread-or-so years are wrapped in mystery, that is until he made is way into a shady tavern; and an even shadier group.

## Skills

**Lustful Gluttony:** *Finale Skill!* Spend 5 **Soul Cores** to permanently level up any stat by 2. The soul cores must be organic.

**Devilish Allure:** Force the target to roll a Wisdom saving throw. If the target fails, and they can understand Katsuo, they will be inflicted with CHARM for 1 action. The targets saving throw scales with Katsuo's charisma modifier. When the status disappears; the target is aware of the fact they've been charmed, and consequences are bound to follow. *Astrali* are immune to this skill.

**Soul Rend:** Spend 1 **Soul Core** to restore a percentage of health. The soul core must be organic, the heal will span from 10%-40% of Katsuo's maximum HP.

**Cockchain Grapple:** Place up to 2 **Soul Cores** around the battlefield, up to 10ft away. These cores then become *Soul Anchors*; granting Katsuo one additional Dynamic Action in the form of a dodge or to propel himself (which grants him a +2 TRUE-DMG bonus until he lands) PER ANCHOR. These anchors dissipate at the end of the next turn or after they're used. *Enemy Astrali* can also use the cores, along with enemies who possess a skill that allows them to warp souls.

**Puppetry:** Spend all **Soul Cores**, organic and artificial, for a chance to inflict HYPNOSIS for 2 turns. This chance increases based on how many cores have been spent; starting at 20% and increasing by 10% per core, maxing at 90%.

**Equivalent Exchange:** Reveal an enemy soul, granting ALL perception checks a +4 modifier. However, this will reveal Katsuo's soul as well, increasing damage dealt to him by 3 AND enemy perception checks on him by +2. Both souls are concealed and these effects are reversed when this skill is deactivated, which can be done after 2 turns of this skill being active.

**SUMMON//Greg?:** Can be used once per day. Greg triggers a random effect.

***The Prince and the Pauper:*** *Double Feature Attack (Vasel Ein)* Katsuo uses Yamahana's Greatsword, and Vasel uses Soul Sword, to unleash a dance of blades upon a single target. This attack can only be activated if Katsuo OR Vasel parry an attack from a weak enemy, and they're both within 10ft of each-other. This attack will EXECUTE the target, giving Katsuo a soul and Vasel 1D12 HP. This skill cannot be used on Bosses, but can be used on Mini-Bosses.

**RETIRED - Core Improvements:** Spend 1 Soul Core to increase a stat by 1 for the rest of the day. This buff dissipates when Katsuo falls asleep naturally, either through exhaustion or choice.