Ashbringer

## Background

The playboy patriarch

Once, he was the stern and demanding Lantern of the Cleansing Flame Sentai. Though rarely seen outside of the Court of a Thousand Hopes, when walking in Tokyo proper, Ashbringer is always seen in custom tailored suits of usually white color. While his distant and somewhat reserved attitude can come across as extremely traditional, those who know him better are aware that his holding to traditions only goes so far.

To those who only know of him as the head of the Takeda Family, he may seem to either just be a stupid playboy who will run the family into the ground, or a dangerous and calculating man whose choices in lieutenants make little to no sense. In recent months, he has been seen less and less, resulting in speculation that he might have serious health problems.

WHen the Court of a Thousand Hopes was established, he joined the ranks of their Gai'nan, leaving his Sentai in the hands of Running-Stream Amanda who would soon be known as Smoking Mountain.

### Clothes and Gear

Ever since completing the rite of the Godai, he has been wearing a ring of pure metal on his right biceps.

### Irezumi

* His entire torso and his arms are filled with scenes of snakes and Nagah biting and strangling monsters and people.
	+ These have become his sacred Irezumi for the Nagah
* If one looks closely, the bodies of two wolves, one tiger and several rats can also be seen.
* Another Nagah snaking around a volcano is portrayed on his right thigh
	+ This has become his sacred Irezumi for Kagu-tsuchi
* The snakes hold five differently built lanterns, one of wood, one of red iron, one of blue steel, one made of gold and one made of silver

### Owned Fetishes

* Scarf of truth, a white scarf embroidered with the Takeda crest, bound with a falcon spirit
* Mask of the Volcano, a totem mask depicting Kagu-tsuchi
* Needles of carving, a set of traditional tattoo implements with iron, silver and gold tips

### Known Powers

* Gifts
	+ Slayer's Eye, Persuasion, Executioner's Edge, Sense Wyrm, Snake's Skin, Pulse of the Prey, Unexpectend Venom, Staredown, the Subtle Serpent, Pure Venom, Smothering Question, Fluid Grace, Pierce Illusion, Darting Fangs, Open Wounds, Being One
	+ Scent of the true form, Truth of Gaia, Fangs of Judgement, Balance, Strength of Purpose, Part the Wall, Blaze Talons, Walking the Bone Road
* Rites
	+ Gathering for the departed, Wounding, Prayer for the Prey, the Loyal Sentai, Cleansing
* Languages
	+ Japanese, English, Korean

### Tidbits & Trivia

* When guarding the Dragon Nest, he always showed off his tattoos
* He needs to see the moon in order to shift his form.
* He is a master craftsman, specializing in tattooing Irezumi
	+ This is presumably what earned him his second role in the Court of a Thousand Hopes
* Operates a diverse array of illegal activities.
* He shared his Daisho with his sister, him carrying the katana, while she carries the wakizashi
	+ Ever since his ascent to regent, he rarely carries his blade
* Even among a Court filled with Hakken and Khan, he was known as a dangerous and deadly combatant with his blade and one of the most skilled swordsmen there
* To many other Yakuza, he is seen as rather soft, having promoted two women to the rank of lieutenant
	+ Many see him as a dumb young playboy who probably won't last a decade
* While still acting like a scalpel himself, he had adjusted to the pyromaniac attitude of his Sentai
* In his new role as the Regent of the Court of a Thousand Hopes, he once again mostly acts like a scalpel

### Relationships

* Brother of Glimmer in the Dark
* Cousin of Natsumi Hino and Natsumi Gin
* Distant cousin to Kinslayer
* Seems to have casual relationships with more than one pretty young woman.
* Confirmed to be in a polygamous (at the very least trigamous) relationship
	+ Nishida Akemi, a daughter of a good house whose family is disdained by Ashbringer is one of them
	+ Noroi Masako is another one of his "girlfriends"
	+ While not his girlfriend, he did sire a child with Tsukino Kuraiko while on a quick trip to Kyoto
* While he is rather stern, he is highly respected and even very liked by his sometimes rather rowdy Sentai
	+ While this respect extends to most of the Court of a Thousand Cranes, there are those who misunderstand him or think themselves above his judgement.
* Dislikes Fat and Furious after learning of his role in Moto Asuka's frenzy and eventual death
	+ Ashbringer himself struck the killing blow, which makes his resentment understandable
* These days, his calmness balances out the unbridled fury of Falling Star, with both Snake in the Grass and Mourning Mountain falling somewhere in the middle.

### Quotes

> I would sacrifice each and every one of you for victory,
>
>

> and yet, I would die for each and every one of you.
>
>

> - towards the Cleansing Flame Sentai
>
>

> I am sorry
>
>

> - when slaying Moto Asuka
>
>

> I give this gift, freely
>
>

> so you may feel comfortable within your own skin once again.
>
>

> - to Mitarashi Yumi when giving her her first Irezumi
>
>