Tsainetomo Keibatsu Sadow is a Son of Sadow, the Deputy Combat Master of the Antei Combat Center and the current Aedile of House Ludo Kressh of Clan Naga Sadow.
- "All will be revealed in the fullness of Time."
- ―Tsainetomo Keibatsu Sadow
Appearance
Tsainetomo Keibatsu Sadow is the physical epitome of a swordsman extraordinare; his lean, tall frame has been tempered by the rigors of training with the blade, and as such moves with the graceful fluidity afforded such students of the craft. No movement is superfluous, no action, wasted.
His skin is a sun-darkened bronze, a product of both genetics and environment, being of Korun and Keibatsu stock and growing up on a harsh, desert world. His hair is probably his most distinguishing feature, growing impossibly long and flowing seemingly with a life of its own. Tsainetomo has worn it out and untamed, and has pulled it back to a long braid. Recently, he has taken to pulling it back and leaving the untied portion bushy.
He can be affable to those he has become close to, and businesslike and distant to others. His friendship comes with a heavy cost, as he is 'in for a penny, in for a pound', for better or for worse. He does not take betrayals lightly, and has been know to plot for years to correct any slights to him or his character.
Character Facts
- Sai is fanatically loyal to the Keibatsu family, most notably Shin'ichi Keibatsu Sadow, and the Sons of Sadow.
- Sai has played pivotal roles in the recovery of the Sword of Sadow for Clan Naga Sadow and the crushing of the Suukou Bodai Rebellion on Kyataru, and the ousting of True Brotherhood usurpers from Sadowan holdings.
- Sai suffers from a neurosis, as several of the members of the Keibatsu family do; his is such that he loses all emotional attachment to people and situations, enabling him to act with almost mechanical coldness, precision, and efficiency.
Youth
Blood From A Stone
Tsainetomo Keibatsu had a relatively uneventful childhood; that is, until the 'Trials of Al'Thun', the test that all who've demonstrated Force sensitivity on his homeworld undergo in order to determine their Warrior or Diplomatic aptitude. As he had inherited his Force Ability from his father's prodigious bloodline, Sai tested extraordinarily high in both; however, since his father was not present to exert his influence, Sai was pushed towards the life of a diplomat. Five short years later, an unexpected turn of events found Sai Na'Ashar speeding off world; it seemed that, after a particularly heated argument with his mother, Sai went to bed and, upon awakening, found his wife of an arranged marriage dead in their bed. Sai had unknowingly reached out to the Force in his sleep and killed her. He quickly found himself on the wrong end of his mother's ire and he left his homeworld shortly thereafter, feeling betrayed and abandoned by those whom he'd so faithfully served.
Exodus
Following his flight off world, Sai bounced from system to system, honing his skills, when he found himself on Coruscant. His abilities were quickly recognized and he was taken in by the Jedi Order, a rarity for one so 'advanced' in age. Sai was initially enthralled by the 'Glittering Jewel of the Galaxy', until he became embroiled, then disgusted, by the planet's muddled politics and the Jedi Order's increasing ineptitude. It was in the face of this that Sai developed his stony demeanor, and earned the name 'Alabaster'. He left the Temple without ceremony, claiming the Force was all he followed now. Sai found himself aiding (and some say, abetting) a smuggler's den in the Outer Rim when he had a chance encounter with then Archpriest Shin'ichi Endymiron Keibatsu. Details are cloudy regarding the particulars of this meeting, but it is known that it had such an impact on Sai that he immediately sought admittance to the Shadow Academy, and subsequently, the Dark Jedi Brotherhood.
The Widow's Son, Ascendant
The Brotherhood
File:7925 Kwarbanner.gifTsainetomo Keibatsu's Sadow's Current WarbannerSai began his career with the Dark Brotherhood, and soon began a meteoric rise within its ranks, quickly attaining prestigious appointments, such as Tetrarch of the Jade Serpents Battle Team and Judge of the Antei Combat Centre. However, it is his apprenticeship to Shin'ichi that had the most profound influence on the Dark Jedi. Sai was to be honed as a weapon, and by Shin's own admission, became one of 'the most promising students he has ever let live.' In faithful service, Sai had completed various and sundry missions, bringing glory to Clan Naga Sadow and House Ludo Kressh time and time again. It was on one such mission that his greatest glory would be revealed.
Revelation
Keibatsu DragonSai had occasion to accompany his master Shin'ichi back to the latter's homeworld of Kyataru, where a rebellion seeking to oust the family from rule had sprung up. As Sai, Shin'ichi, and Mononoke Keibatsu Sadow made preparations to leave for Kyataru, Shin noticed Sai fretting over his ever-present katana, inherited from his father. When Shin went to see what the matter was, Sai told him that he was having a bit of trouble rewrapping the hilt. As Shin’ichi bent close to give Sai instruction in an advanced wrapping technique, he espied, inlayed in gold, the Rampant Dragon on the hilt, marking the weapon with their familial sigil. Making no mention of it, he allowed Sai to continue with his preparations. Meanwhile, Shin’ichi sequestered Macron in another part of the quarters, asking the Mad Alchemist to analyze a blood sample that was taken from Sai during their recent mission to find and retrieve the Sword of Sadow.
Scientific investigation confirmed ethereal suspicion; Sai did indeed have the blood of the Keibatsu coursing through his veins, and had been under their noses the whole time. A silent look exchanged betwixt the warriors confirmed that the revelation was best left to the Elder after a family conference.
Shortly after reaching Kyataru, Shin’ichi disappeared after he was attacked by Macron’s sister Anaxela. Sai was despondent at both the absence of his master and the Family’s perceived nonchalance. Finally, in order confirm his brothers’ and his own research into the familial line and to ease the agitated Korun, Muz revealed the Family’s unique disposition for fanatic loyalty, and confirmed the reason for Sai’s concern: it is only natural to be concerned for one’s Brother. Muz revealed that Sai was descendant from Meishu Daraku Keibatsu, the elder brother of Shinmen, the family proper's grandfather.
Sai stared in disbelief at the eldest Keibatsu; after he searched his feelings, he was awash in relief. His lost history was found, his mysterious heraldry confirmed. Sai was welcomed among the venerated family, another lost child of the Keibatsu, returned. He was told of his true name, Tsainetomo. Further, the family patriarch presented Sai with an heirloom, known as "Meishu's Tear", named for his grandfather Meishu Keibatsu. It is a weapon of unique design that Sai has learned to employ within the ACC and in the field with deadly efficiency.
Paid in Blood
Seeing Double
At this point, the Clan had seen fit to bolster their ranks by employing clones; in this era, as in any other, the best producers of clones were the Kaminoans. As it was unnecessary to put someone else on the Dlarit payroll, the Summit had decided to take the technology for themselves.
It was during this time that Tsainetomo had begun his trend of leading from the front, something quite unorthodox from those of the Krath discipline. Unorthodox or no, the Keibatsu had an influence in securing the technology from the Kaminoans, and was rewarded with Knighthood. Tsainetomo was also instrumental in the creation of the clones that had primarily made up the upper echelon of D:SOG, the DAC's.
Dogs of War
File:Customsaber.jpgTsainetomo Keibatsu's Lightsaber
Shortly after the action with the cloners, the whole of the Brotherhood had found itself at war with the Yuuzhan Vong, a race that was as primitive as it was savage, and who were invisible in the Force. It was during this time that Tsainetomo was given leave to serve as the Clan's Rollmaster, in many eyes a thankless job, but one that he had taken to with zeal and fervor. His on-field valor and behind-the-scenes attention to even the most mundane of detail had netted him his initiation into the Krath Priesthood Mysteries, but even this honor was not without its price: the loss of his cousin's son, Sanjuro Keibatsu. Although the Korun was not directly responsible for the loss of the Lion's Heir, he still felt the sting of failure. In an attempt to locate Sanjuro amongst the Clan's dead, Tsainetomo spent countless hours looking at one corpse's face after another, an act that has scarred him beyond measure; the long reaching mental effects have yet to be determined.
Void's Song
A relatively calm period had settled upon the Clan after the War, as it was still coming to grips with the defeat it had tasted at the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong. Tsainetomo went about his duties, performing admirably as Rollmaster and even being granted the Sadow Palace Prefecture and his own DAC, Captain Orenth. It was during this period when the Clan had seized upon a chance to exact a measure of revenge on the Vong; they struck successfully at a Vong Worldship, and Tsainetomo had continued his storied trend of leading from the front.
It was during this action that he had found his relations with one of his staunchest allies within the Clan strained, nearly to the breaking point. Malisane, a man who had mentored him time and again had committed a seeming betrayal in surrendering their group to the Vong aboard the Worldship, and Macron had even found himself in the clutches of the Embrace of Pain. Still, these minor obstacles were met and overcome, and friendships had survived the strain.
Point Of The Blade
- "It does not matter if you believe; what matters is that others believe, others who hold influence..and who will act accordingly."
- ―Tsainetomo Keibatsu Sadow
Tsainetomo would get a harsh lesson in the uses of power during Xanos Zorrixor's and Trevarus Caerick's play for supremacy on Lehon, wherein the Apostate Sons of Sadow managed to reach the Heart of The Force and attempt to use it for their own fell purposes. Here, Tsainetomo saw his closest mates fall to their basest selves, as each one attempted to come to grips with near destruction in the face of absolute power. Indeed, it was only the Apostate's inability to share that had saved the members of the Clan that had traveled to Lehon to stop them. Tsainetomo, for his part, stayed at the Overlord's side and did what he could to protect his mates. Still, he learned the paradox of power, where, to be most effective, it was to be wielded on as large a scale as possible, yet with a surgeon's precision.
A House, Divided
Even as the Clan attempted to recover from this latest action, Tsainetomo found himself battling not some usurper from without, but the fires of unrest from within: his very own Clan mates.
- "Then I name you one of my father’s chosen, and forever shall you walk in his house, an eternal servant to his undying will."
- ―Astronicus Aurelius Sadow, Overlord of Naga Sadow
Mark of the Sons of SadowIn an effort to out any dissention, the Clan Overlord saw fit to order Derev Niroth, then Quaestor of House Marka Ragnos, to affect a total seizure of the Clan's assets in light of yet another potential invasion. Many in House Ludo Kressh, Tsainetomo included, had mistaken the action as a coup attempt and rushed to block the so-called usurper. Tensions mounted and came to a head on the far-flung moon of Inos 42. Losses were incurred on both sides, but the events were not without their rewards. Tsainetomo, for his staunch loyalty, was dubbed a Son of Sadow, and he and Macron Sadow had discovered a reason to return to the icy planetoid.
Winds of Change
Tsainetomo and Macron, acting on orders from the Overlord, returned to Inos 42 to investigate strange readings they had taken during the House Feud. The pair had led a contingent of Journeymen to some ancient tombs, where they encountered Sith Undead and a massive vein of raw Adgean crystal, the likes of which had not been seen since Ilum.
They also encountered the hermit Dark Adept Curwen Sunei, who, before being humbled by the Sadowans, had exerted his vast knowlege and power to corrupt Aleho Ruoxf, a young Journeyman who Ashura Isradia had taken under his wing.
The Son of Sadow would go against type and informally begin instructing Jades "Imperial" Atema in the subtleties of the Krath Priestood, even though he had long before vowed against taking any apprentices for formal teaching; he felt that someone of his own rank and power would be better suited to the lessons he had to impart. It seems those lessons, no matter how small, had been beneficial, as she was named Daughter of Sadow shortly thereafter.
Tsainetomo's DB Robes and ACC Uniform
Tsainetomo would also suffer his most grievous injury to date when he took a serious wound from an ancient lightsaber to his side. It constantly plagues him and refuses to fully heal; even more curious, he refuses any accelerated treatment for it, on the grounds that he feels that he received it for payment of his hubris, and that it will heal when he's reached an unnamed plateau of power and understanding of the Dark Side. As he felt he had reached a new level of his development, Tsainetomo had taken to wearing simplistic robes, shunning any armor or war-like accoutrements, choosing to bolster his martial prowess with cerebral pursuits.
The War God Awakens
As Tsainetomo was ever aware of the tides of battle lapping on his Clan's shores, he chose take a proactive approach in his preparedness.
The Son of Sadow had always eschewed esoteric religions in his quest for power, choosing to make use of the vast resources that the Dlarit Corporation offered him, secreting technologically advanced caches of surveillance equipment on all Sadowan holdings, known only to him. It was only through this preparation that he would become of aware of the future doings of Cyrus Raze. His prowess also allowed him to assist Macron and his new apprentice Aisha Qifaxa to escape a cadre of Light Jedi.
Shadow and Light
The Clan had been called to service once again, this time, in the retaking of Antei from the Vong invaders who had ousted them two years prior. However, surprise greeted them as the Dark Jedi found their erstwhile home had not been settled by the Vong, but by Lightsiders.
Tsainetomo had uncharacteristically missed the initial planetfall by his bretheren in arms, choosing to follow up on a suspicion he shouldered after a meeting with the Consul, Bob. The latter had begun to display some of the same madness Tsainetomo had encountered in Curwen Sunei, the Dark Side Hermit, and Sai felt he had no choice but to follow up on his hunch.
Even as the Clan was embroiled with the Light Side invaders, Tsainetomo continued his investigation, discovering that Bob was aware of the bombings on Seng Karesh; further, the Consul was implicitly involved in their cover-up. Before outing his information, the Son of Sadow felt it prudent to gain hard facts, the impetus behind his fateful meeting with Cyrus.
Tracking the errant Knight down in the desert of Adas, Tsainetomo, before being struck by numerous bolts of Force Lightning, discovered the truth of Cyrus' existence: the Knight was Darth Vexatus, reborn. Upon his recovery, he immediately reported his findings to the Clan Overlord, choosing not to implicate his fellow Son, Bob, in any wrongdoing.
Soon after, Tsainetomo assisted his bretheren in the defeat of the Jedi at the Hall of Immortals, and the subsequent battle with Cyrus/Vexatus destroyed the venerable structure.
Primus Inter Pares
Tsainetomo, amongst others, counts himself as the "First Among Equals" of all the apprentices of Shin'ichi Keibatsu Sadow. Until one of that number bests him, he will continue to carry that mantle.
Service in Darkness
After proving his skill during a Clan Naga Sadow House Feud, Sai was named Tetrarch of the Jade Serpents. Soon thereafter, he has enjoyed increasing responsibility by being appointed Judge of the ACC, as well as Shikyo Keibatsu's Black Guard. As Shikyo currently serves as Herald of the Brotherhood, Sai's commission was placed on hold; as Sai still bears the mark, he is ever ready to be called back into service.
He has served as Rollmaster of Clan Naga Sadow, having inherited the mantle from his Master, Shin'ichi Keibatsu, upon the latter's appointment as Clan Proconsul. Word of his leadership skills has reached the hallowed halls of the Shadow Academy, the venerable institution having conferred the degree of Dark Maven to him in recognition of the same. With his resignation, the office was split to have the duties shared among House Ludo Kressh and House Marka Ragnos.
After serving valiantly along side his bretheren and Clan mates to oust the True Brotherhood from the Sadow holdings in the Orian System, Sai has been named Prefect of Sadow Palace. He also holds the rank of Senior Commander in the Dlarit Corporation's Special Operations Group, or D:SOG.
Tsainetomo, having served his Clan faithfully and loyally, has been named Son of Sadow. He is singularly proud of this achievement, as only a few who have ever served with Clan Naga Sadow have ever gained such status.
Most recently, Tsainetomo has become Aedile of House Ludo Kressh. He follows in a long line of distinguished Sadowans in the execution of the office's duties, and has vowed to maintain the high level of quality that the office demands.
- "Shall we begin?"
- ―signature commencement phrase of Tsainetomo within the ACC
A long time supporter of the ACC, Sai has served in various stations on the venue's staff, including Judge, Trainer, and the Deputy Combat Master.
DJB Facts
Weaponry
- A custom Lightsaber with an orange blade, courtesy of the office of the Herald and a synthesized orange Adgean crystal gifted by the Mad Alchemist.File:Saichainweapon.jpgMeishu's Tear, Tsainetomo's Custom Weapon
- His father Nathaniel's katana, with an extended hilt.
- Meishu's Tear, an heirloom from his paternal Grandfather, consisting of a foot-long kunai with a three meter long tether attached, both made of durasteel.
Notable Achievements
- Was named Tetrarch and ACC Judge at the rank of Jedi Hunter.
- He has completed his Dark Jedi Knight Trials and has been initiated into the Mysteries of the Krath Priesthood.
- He currently serves on the ACC's Staff as the Deputy Combat Master.
Trivia
File:Sai-eye.jpgSai's Tripartite Eye
- The name "Tsainetomo" is a bastardization of Yamamoto Tsunetomo's name, who is the author of the Hagakure. Those that are familiar with him know him as "Sai" for short, and even fewer people know of his honorific Na'Ashar.
- The name Na'Ashar has dual meanings: 'chosen' or 'damned'. Both situations apply to Sai.
- After receiving a 'battle cocktail' from Mononoke Keibatsu-Goura, his eyes' pupils split into three distinct apertures. He is constantly discovering new Force Abilities with them; the far reaching effects have yet to be revealed.