The second strongest member of the Rikugan no Seifuku (without counting Ran, of course). Tatakai observed the battle between the party and a group of low level members of the Rikugan no Seifuku. He carries a large spear as well as several other weapons. Tatakai is generally busy at the front lines dispatching whatever troops the Crane deem to send to hold back the revolutionaries.
Tatakai was actually raised at Bishamon Seido as his family has been for five generations. They are part of a project of the monks at Bishamon Seido, they are attempting to create the perfect warrior and have approached this in much the same manner as a bonsai tree. Slowly but surely grooming it and passing the work from one generation to the next. Tatakai's Ancestor, Sobe, was a ronin a considerable size and strength and after the monks had finished training him he was a very impressive bushi indeed. Each generation of Tatakai's family has generally had an arranged marriage from either the Hida or Matsu (in one instance a Daidoji) arranged through the monks. Tatakai was raised in the dojo and went to sleep each night listening to treatise on combat and warfare.
After defeating his father and thus the strongest warrior in Bishamon Seido, Tatakai decided he would leave to see what the world beyond the temple's walls had to offer. He has found a number of strong opponents and many styles of fighting he had not experienced before. He roamed from battlefield to battlefield during the Four Winds conflict and now leads a small band of ronin mercenaries in Kaeru toshi, fighting for the army ofering the best offer... as Tatakai sees it, he is more concerned with better weaponry, better opponents and has a standing offer to both Matsu Nimuro and Moto Chagatai that if either of them can defeat him in single combat he will accept an offer of fealty.
Tatakai's Stats:
Fire: 3 Agility: 6, Air: 2 Reflexes: 6, Water: 3 Strength: 6, Earth: 7, Void: 3
Skills: Intimidation: 5, Kenjutsu: 5, Yarijutsu: 5, Tetsubo: 5, Iaijutsu: 3, Defense: 2, Athletics: 5, Battle: 5, Horsemanship: 5, Archery: 5, Horse Archery: 3, Seige: 2, Ringsword: 2, Longsword: 1, Leadership: 2
Advantages: Bishamon's Blessing, Magic Resistance (3 ranks), Large, Strength of the Earth (1 rank)
Disadvantages: Brash, Overconfident
Glory: 3.3 (raises to 4.2 during the war over Kaeru toshi) Honour: 2.6 Bishamon's Champion rank 5
Bishamon's Champion
Rank 1: Bishamon's Blade: By spending a Void point the bushi may double a single damage die's result. This must be announced before the roll is made.
Rank 2: The Cleave of Bishamon: You may attack an opponent's weapon. Roll <Weaponskill> + Agility against a TN of 5 times the opponent's weapon skill, if successful the weapon is destroyed (if it is indestructable the opponent is disarmed instead.).
Rank 3: Bishamon's Armour: When in armour the wearer gains a carapace rating determined by the type of armour worn (Light armour gives Carapace: 3, while heavy armour gives Carapace: 7). To gain this bonus the armour takes an additional 3 rounds to put on.
Rank 4: Bishamon's Wrath: The bushi may preform 2 attacks per round. Also he gains a free raise on all physical rolls (including full attack, but not normal attack).
Rank 5: Bishamon's Warcry: All opponents within a number of feet equal to twice the bushi's Earth recieve a two dice penalty to all actions and have thier initiative reduced by five points, and may not use full defense. This effect lasts for one round after the Bushi charges.
Items of Note: Tatakai has a fine Daisho, fine Tetsubo, fine heavy armour (+ 13 to TN), fine No dachi, and the Creasant Blade Spear (acts as either a fine Yari or fine Naginata; does 4K3 or 5K2 for damage. It also has a recess for catching weapons it grants a free raise towards disarming, or breaking weapons).