Isato

Name: Isato Yutamori

Age: 28

Class: Ranger

Alignment: Neutral

Likes nature. People? Not so much.

An Empty Sky Kitsune with a profound fascination and love for all things nature. Not only is he well known for having established the Apple Wood rangers, which is a thriving branch/community of forest rangers, but also for cultivating the Apple Blossom Forest in which the rangers reside. Apple Blossom is a flourishing forest, replete with various kinds of fruits, animals, and plant life. Most famously among these are the apples. They are so well known in fact that Isato allowed a buddy of his to sell these apples, so long as he gets a cut of the profit. It is with this money that he funds his other cultivation projects. He spends most of his days patrolling Apple Blossom, keeping it safe, helping the flora, fauna, the occasional wandering traveler or merchant. Though blunt and stern in demeanor, he wears his passion and heart for nature on his (figurative) sleeve, represented by the tattoos strewn across his body.

Unfortunately, people who have met the dude state that he is quick to anger, or rather annoy, and once annoyed, will often disregard whoever he has deemed in that moment as, “a complete idiot.” (and he won’t hesitate to let you know who is, in fact, a complete idiot.) But they’ll also say, though he has little patience for people, his patience grows almost saintly when it comes to animals, as evident when he talks to his wolf companion, Chikami.

### Isato's perspective of the battle with Masao, and the aftermath following the battle

During the battle with Masao, the evil tyrant asked Isato and his party if they would like to join him in his conquest. Isato believed his rulership would lead to much unwanted destruction of nature, so he sided with Uiraimu. That was until witnessing Masao draw his blade, instantly cutting down one of his allied guards effortlessly. Suddenly, his bow felt much heavier as dread set in. Despite this he tried to fight, but only ended up injuring himself. This one injury led him to believe he was to die this day. He turned to Chikami, ordering her to run. “Ho-has, ho-has!” he shouted, telling her to flee. He turned to fight more, but once again injured himself due to his already existing injuries. He witnessed the death of two of his comrades, and pleaded to Daikitsu for a way out. Masao charged forward, striking him in his side, severely wounding Isato. Before Masao killed him, he shouted, “wait! I…” and with a sigh finished by saying, “... I surrender.”

After the battle however, Masao ordered him to Kill Uiraimu, as he stood on his last legs. Knowing Masao would kill him were he not to comply, he knocked his next arrow, and while apologizing to the emperor, drew the string back, and…. His nerves got to him once more, as he could not properly shoot his bow, resulting in once again, injuring himself. Masao let out an audible sigh, simply saying, “I… do not want you in my army.” Masao finished Uiraimu himself, and turned to Isato. “I… I’m-” Masao interrupted, shouting “Leave, go back to your forest!” Isato grabbed his weapon, and began running. He did not look back.

Upon returning to Apple Blossom, news of what had happened had not yet reached the ranger camp. He was ashamed that had betrayed Uiraimu… That he did not die for the now late emperor’s cause like his comrades. He approached his apprentice, Marshall, giving him his prized bow, and appointed him chief operator on the spot. Too stunned to ask questions, he then ran off into the Apple Blossom forest. It was only after news of the emperor’s death became public that Marshall realized why.

Over the next few years, Isato’s reputation had been tarnished. Had he not left the Apple-Wood Ranger, they too would have become hated. The once loved ranger of Apple Blossom was now hated by many. Since the battle with Masao, he has not been seen since…

However… there have been rumors circulating across the continent of a Kitsune with white hair and fur, wandering around forests across the nations, accompanied by a young woman wearing a hooded red cloak. While the identity of these two are in fact unknown, Marshall has a sneaking suspicion that the Kitsune is his old master…

And for those of you who were wondering, Chikami made it back safely to Apple Blossom days before Isato. Isato had asked Marshall to care for her before he left. Chikami lived her life as something of a mascot for the Apple-Wood rangers. Although she lived a happy life, loved by Marshall and his crew, she missed her original master, and never forgot his kindness. On her last day, it is said that the Blossom bow, the old chief’s prized bow, had gone missing. An unmoving Chikami was found where she had met her old master, with the bow clutched in her jaws. A small bouquet of flowers were found next to her. Though something resembling a smile was seen on her face, the fur around her eyes were still moist with tears… But evidence shows that she died peacefully in her sleep, and the leaves around her tail were positioned in such a way that one could tell she was wagging her tail.

Lastly, there was evidence that someone had been there moments before she was found…

After her death, a monument of Chikami was made in honor of her loyalty, and kindness to all. It is also said that a wolf carrying a bow on its back can sometimes be spotted patrolling Apple Blossom, but there is no actual evidence of this.