Yangu Surunog

**Yangu Surunog** is an Aprósopi from Clan Sarangay, and a member of the Balete as a retainer. A model warrior of the Sarangay, Yangu is a pragmatic warrior using every tool in his disposal, from his extremely durable armor, to hidden enchanted items and artifacts that can catch an enemy off-guard, But the weapon that made him earn the title of the Dragon of the Sarangay is the familiar etched to his arm as a tattoo that could create an intense gout of flames, flames that only his armor could allow someone to survive.

## Background

Clan Sarangay, named after the bull monsters that traverse the realms freely in Filipino and Balete myths, is an ancient clan of Aprósopi that traveled to the Border Realm and integrated themselves within Balete society as skilled warriors and hunters of dangerous beasts that populate the Balete territories in the Border Zone after their predecessors traveled through Asia and fighting Akashics during the early 200s CE. Unlike other Clans who primarily use Aima Tu Ari as their armor, the Sarangay use materials from the monsters and creatures they have slain, reflecting their more hunter-oriented traditions.

Yangu comes from one of the founding families of Clan Sarangay and was trained since birth to be a proper warrior. Trained in traditional and modern combat, Yangu was an ambitious youth, influenced by Balete's culture of individualistic ambition since he grew up in Bakunawa City. While his clanmates found employment as elite warriors from different Balete magi and nobility, he focused on earning a name for himself in Bakunawa City by constantly taking in "chores" from Lady Haliya, which involved travelling across or even outside the Border Zone, eliminating the Lady of Bakunawa's enemies, plundering treasure and property of magi, and simply accompanying Lady Haliya as a bodyguard. Throughout his time spent working for Lady Haliya, he was introduced to Laonsina, a former slave and fellow agent of Malayari, and the two developed a friendship across many missions, built from being comrades in arms, respect earned in many shared missions and battles.

One of his greatest achievements was slaying an ancient Akashic Vajrapani known as the Dragon of Hanoi with the help of Laonsina, resulting in him "plundering" the Draconic familiar that exists like a tattoo etched into one's skin and soul, allowing him to spew fire from his left arm, where the familiar now resides. Such victory also earned him the ancient set of armor known simply as the Serpent's Bones, a set of highly durable armor combining Aima Tu Ari with the bone plates of the very titanic Bakunawa snake that his home city was built on, an extremely durable armor boasting resistance to fire, especially the infernos he can create with his Dragon Hand. They do not call him the Dragon of the Sarangay for no reason.

Yangu frequents the city of Bakunawa in his free-time, typically seen sparring and training with Laonsina. He also frequents the territories of the Balete that feature expansive wilderness and hunting the dangerous fauna to further hone his abilities.

## Personality

Yangu is the very model of a modern Sarangay Aprosopi. He values efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of his life, including combat. While he possesses a code of honor as a warrior, he believes the sign of a true warrior is his capability to prepare for every situation and bring that into every battle. To use Force Belts or hidden arcane blasters in his armor is not dishonorable, true dishonor is not preparing enough to counter his arsenal. Yangu has undergone rigorous training and adheres to a strict code of discipline. The Sarangay tactical combat and Yangu maintains a calm and composed demeanor even in the heat of battle. His disciplined nature allows him to make calculated decisions and execute them flawlessly, from escaping uneven fights to finding ways of turning the tide of a fight.

Outside of combat, he is a man who is completely straightforward with how he speaks as he finds metaphorical or fanciful conversations as inefficient. When he speaks with someone, it is blunt, absent of hidden meaning. Despite being pragmatic, he maintains a strong sense of honor as a warrior. He adheres to a personal code of conduct, valuing his clan's honor and making sure not to sully their reputation. He also makes sure he repays his debts. He treats his allies with respect and extends the same courtesy to adversaries he deems worthy.

As part of the oldest families in Clan Sarangay, he has a lot of pride as a warrior and as a Faceless. He is extremely strict towards himself whenever he feels like he is dishonoring his Clan. He will not allow himself to be captured or killed in such a undignified manner, resulting in him using different tricks up his sleeve, from hidden blades and enchanted artifacts that fire bolts of concentrated magical energy, to a Force Belt that projects a violent burst of kinetic energy that could send enemies surrounding him flying. He also makes sure to follow the Creed of Clan Sarangay, from honoring their kills by taking trophies and displaying them or using them as their own weapons, as well as making sure no Outsider (non-Faceless and non-Balete) sees his face, a weakness once exploited by Cards Berani in a gambit. He is fiercely loyal to his family, his comrades, and his principles. He stands by those he trusts and supports them wholeheartedly. He never compromises the trust placed in him and expects the same loyalty in return. His loyalty extends to his duty as Lady Haliya's Retainer, and he serves her as his liege. His most trusted comrade, Laonsina, is also extended this fierce loyalty.

## Abilities

### **Physical Capabilities**

Yangu has been trained in the ways of the warrior ever since he could stand and hold a weapon, allowing him to surpass the limits of Sleepers to the point where he can match magi using Reinforcement on their bodies through his raw strength and speed alone. Despite not being able to use magic, he compensates with technical skill in multiple martial arts used by Balete and Aprósopi and the vast arsenal he wields. From swords to guns, he is as versatile as he is proficient with his weapons.

### **rồng mực đen**

Also known as the Ink Dragon, is a famliar that etches itself into the soul and skin of its master, disguising itself as a tattoo on its master's arm. The Dragon used to belong to an Akashic Vajrapani warrior, before being defeated by Yangu. The Dragon transfers to the killer of its former master and is completely loyal to whoever controls it. Even if bound to a non-magus, one could simply just will the dragon into attacking and it will fire a steady stream of magical fire, running on the willpower and endurance of its master instead of mana. A weak-willed master would barely be able to use its fiery capabilities, but one with the will of iron can create infernos with it.

### **Equipment**

#### Buto Kan Bakunawa

Or simply "The Serpent's Bones", is a set of armor made from The Blood of The Wargod that the Faceless use for their armor and bone plates crafted from the giant skeleton of Bakunawa city, resulting in a durability slightly weaker than normal Aima Tu Ari but more potently resistant to magical energy and provides the wearer nearly complete resistance from mundane and magical fire. It is also a status symbol among the greatest warriors of Clan Sarangay. HIs armor is complimented by several enchanted items and pieces of clothing, from a **Monsala Skirt**, a purple enchanted skirt that allows the wearer to levitate and fly, enchanted hidden blades that remain folded in his gauntlets, and even hidden rune-crystals hidden in his knees that fire bolts of magical energy. Another powerful artifact complimenting his armor is his **Force Belt**, which emits powerful kinetic shockwave that can send enemies standing close to Yangu flying from the force, useful for when he is surrounded.

#### HexTek Revolvers

Revolvers built and sold by the Snake Tong. Considered too experimental for standard equipment, they are made upon request of an agent or an outside client, the latter requiring a price thrice than normal. The Revolvers utilize “Aetherium”, a fusion of crystalized mana from the world's leylines with the physical material of mage's blood, and cultivated with purified mage-fire, which creates a localized field of acceleration within the internal parts of the gun, . Instead of relying on bullets, HexTek guns simply need metal shaped into a magazine, or in this case, cartrigers inserted in all 6 cylinders, only to have them be cut into small fragments and launched by the Aetherium accelerator as a projectile that travels faster than a bullet. These fragments end up with a simple burst of magical energy trapped inside them as they leave the barrel, detonating and spreading more fragments on impact with extreme precision. And with the lack of reliance of typical ammunition, these guns can fire hundreds of rounds before being reloaded. The superheated shots result in overheating if fired in rapid succession, however.

Yangu carries two, and were purchased from the Snake Tong he saw it in action when a Snake came to Bakunawa City and killed a wanted magus hiding in the city. Despite the Magus' seemingly impenetrable Magisteel armor, he died to five shots to the head. Yangu knew he needed to have this and offered to buy or fight the Snake agent for the revolvers. Seeing an opportunity to make a quick buck, the Snake sold them and went home with extra money in his pocket. They come with a hidden setting, but only Snakes are made aware of it.