Uesugi Yukitaka

Name: Uesugi Yukitaka (上杉　幸鷹)
Age: 20
Birthplace: Kozakura, Kara-Tur
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Faith: (None) Eight Million Gods
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Base Class: Samurai

Background:
Born to a small, nameless village in Kozakura, Yukitaka had a hard childhood. His village was constantly raided by bandits; year after year, usually when the harvest had just been collected in, bandits would return to prey on the defenseless village.

After having his parents killed in front of him, while he lay cowering in a hidden room, Yukitaka realised that power was the the only true univeral law. From that day, he worked diligently on his farm by the day, and trained with his home-made wooden sword through the night.

Later on, he joined his friends in a vow to one day destroy the bandits that had taken everything from them - this led him to eventually sell his farm and buy a real sword. Not being able to wait to enact his revenge, he attempted to single-handedly wipe out the bandits that had terrorised his village for so long.

He suffered an embarassing loss, however, and barely managed to escape with his life. He lay delerious for several months, while his wounds were tended to back in his village. Once he deemed his wounds fully healed, he returned to the bandits to try and challenge them once more - only to find they had been killed by a group of warriors already.

Hearing that one of his childhood friends, Tsuhara Nagayoshi, was one of the warriors who had killed them, he sought him out to ask if he could train under him. Nagayoshi promised to introduce him to his lord, only to find out that his lord was in fact dead, and the love of his life had married another in his absence.

Taken under the wing of the Lord Matsunaga, Yukitaka continued to train with the sword, and the learning of bushido. As much out of gratitude and respect as much as friendship, Yukitaka managed to help Nagayoshi recover from his shattering experience - this help form a nigh-unbreakable bond of friendship between them.

Now, in his early twenties, Yukitaka is much more proficient with the sword than he ever was. Much calmer and cautious now, he still has a yearning for power that cannot seem to be quenched. Recently, a mysterious westerner had arrived - Yukitaka had great respect for him, due to the skill of the man in combat, and tried to glean as much useful advice from him as possible.

Upon the westerner's departure, Yukitaka was ordered by Lord Matsunaga to accompany him, along with his friend Nagayoshi, and aid him with whatever he needs. In addition, Lord Matsunaga wanted him to gain experience of a new land and environment, and build on the experiences he has there.

Personality:
Though somewhat selfish, he treats those that have gained his respect well, and tries to help them where he can. He looks down on those with lesser power, however, and tries to disassociate himself with them. He is calm and cool-headed, and well aware of his ability.

Significant Relationships:

1. Tsuruhara Nagayoshi - a childhood friend, they have an strong bond between them, and Yukitaka respects him as a reliable, or at least, //mostly// reliable ally.
   
2. Yukimora Kosuke - almost like an elder brother, Yukitaka respects the wisdom this one holds, and his equal prowess in language and swordsmanship.