From The Old Republic Roleplay

Through combat, I truly feel alive. And, as long as I am, so will remain those I’ve sworn to protect. ~ Takeshi Yamato

Early Life

Takeshi Yamato was like many other Jedi in the Order; taken away from home as an infant and trained at the Temple on Coruscant. He practiced the art of Lightsaber combat, learned how to use the Force and studied Jedi history, although he wasn't all that interested in the history bit. His training was no different than other learners. However, early in his training, Takeshi became adept with a Lightsaber, and his training was focused into that of the Knight. He showed exceptional promise, but his Corellian nature and love of combat raised a few doubts amongst the Council.

When it came time for him to be apprenticed to a Master at the age of nine, he was chosen by a Female Miraluka Sentinel by the name of Voany Maris, who felt Takeshi showed incredible potential as a Sentinel like herself. From that day on, he began training with two Lightsabers, and found that that style of combat suited him well. He trained in both the Jar’Kai and Ataru forms, and also began a project to combine them into a brand new style, which he called Kotetsu. Furthermore, Voany did not follow traditional Jedi Beliefs in regards to emotions. Emotions should be controlled, yes, but not in the fashion the order typically taught, which was essentially suppression. Instead, Voany taught Takeshi to harness his emotions, use them to increase his efficiency in battle without being dominated by them. She also gave him an Astromech Droid, designation T7-X5, which became Takeshi's trusted traveling companion.

At the age of twelve, Takeshi began to "notice" the female learners, and his instinctive attraction to them slowly became a distraction. It was through insistent urging from Voany (who had become like a mother to him) that Takeshi would turn to training to occupy his thoughts. Like most Corellians, he didn't care to know the odds, but he loved to stack them against himself. It began with his training, to ebb his flow of thoughts on women, and later manifested itself in Takeshi's missions, where he'd purposely seek less than favorable odds.

Takeshi's lack of patience became more pronounced with age, along with his preference for danger. When with Voany, Takeshi preferred combat-oriented missions, feeling everything else was like a vacation; relaxed and dull. For the Council, this was a less than favorable quality. However, Takeshi remained staunch in his approach, claiming: Through combat, I truly feel alive. And, as long as I am, so will remain those I’ve sworn to protect. He'd channel his enjoyment for combat and danger, often using it to try and help improve his connection to the Force during battle.

The Sacking of Coruscant

Takeshi was fifteen when the Sacking of Coruscant occurred. Alongside Voany, he protected and transported many Younglings to the temple 'to be' on Tython. During the fighting, Takeshi split off from Voany to assist another Padawan, a Human Female named Shion Takamachi who was training to be a Sage. Takeshi and Shion fought and defeated several Sith, before running into a Male Feeorin Sith Juggernaut who identified himself as Zark. Zark was not your typical Sith—he was a battle-lusting, bloodthirsty maniac who lived only to fight. This disgusted and angered Takeshi, because even though Takeshi enjoyed combat, he still fought to protect others, unlike Zark who simply fought for the sake of fighting. With Shion supporting him, Takeshi engaged Zark in a fierce Lightsaber Duel. Although they fought valiantly, apparently impressing Zark, Takeshi and Shion were both overpowered by the Feeorin, with Takeshi getting a scar on his face from a glancing blow, and might have died had Voany not arrived and driven Zark away. They did survive though, and Shion became one of Takeshi’s closest friends. Takeshi also decided to keep the scar Zark had given him, as a reminder to never get overconfident in his abilities. He still has that scar to this day.

Current History and Status

It was through his effort and abilities on Coruscant that the Council’s doubt in young Yamato was erased, and he became a Knight at the age of eighteen, and a full-fledged Sentinel a year later at the age of 19. He was paired with Shion on many missions, and the two steadily grew closer, eventually falling in love, although they kept it secret from most of the Jedi, only telling Voany. Voany couldn’t be happier for the two, and helped them keep their relationship secret from the rest of the Order. And when Takeshi was 23, he and Shion were secretly married.

Since that time, the Sith have become a dominant presence in the galaxy, presenting the newly trained Jedi Sentinel with a worthy adversary, and an opportunity to feed his insatiable hunger for the dangerous.

Affiliations

Jedi Order - Takeshi is a loyal member of the Jedi Order, and will defend it if called to do so. That said, he does not follow all of the tenets of the Jedi Code or regulations of the Order, particularly the prohibition of relationships.

Galactic Republic - As a Jedi, Takeshi is also a protector of the Galactic Republic, and will come to the aid of any Republic Troops that need it.

Personality

Don't ever tell him the odds. He is a resilient and easygoing young man with a short fuse. He can take a joke, he can take a hit, but don't ever push his buttons. Patience isn't one of his strongest qualities; rounding out what makes Takeshi Yamato your typical Corellian. He is punctual and dependable; a man of his word; and often a man of many words, depending on his level of interest.

He is also a thrill seeker and an adrenaline junkie; if he isn't doing something dangerous and exciting, particularly involving combat, then he isn't living. He also cares deeply for his wife, Shion Takamachi-Yamato, and will do whatever it takes to keep her safe from harm.

Supplementary Info

Preferred Voice Actors/Actresses:

Takeshi: Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach)

Shion: Anna Cummer (Miriallia Haw from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED/Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny)

Soundtrack:

Main Theme: Shooting Star Lovers by JAM Project

Takeshi & Shion Romance Theme: Force of Love (opening to RF Online)

Journey Through the Cosmos: Cosmic Voyagers from Star Ocean: The Last Hope

A Time of Respite: A Place for Reflection from Star Ocean: The Last Hope

Exploration: Silk Road in the Sky I from Star Ocean: The Last Hope

Battle Theme: Danger Zone from Persona 3 Portable

Boss Battle Theme: Battle Theme 3 (Arranged) from Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals

Space Battle Theme: Eliminating Targets!! (00 Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam 00)

Just in Time!!!: Triangler (Ver. Z2) from Macross Frontier

In a Tight Spot: Boosted Crisis from Super Robot Wars Original Generations

Moment of Sorrow: For the Sake of One Flower from Wild Arms 4

Community Hub Theme: Totally Busy from Wild Arms 4