Zhou Tai

"I am a sword. I am wielded by those whose can bare my strength. I shall cut anything in my path that oppose me or those who I protect."

- Zhou Tai

Personality

 * Tai is described as a silent man who speaks only if he needs to. He shows respect to everyone and typically doesn’t make small talk. When he does speak, it is direct and straightforward. He isn’t one to beat around the bush and often avoids discussions if possible. He finds talking pointless, unless it is needed.
 * Serving as a Hunter to Vytal, Tai is seen with those who joined the field and often has to show them the ropes of their new workfield. For 3 years, most Hunters have come to not bother Tai unless he is required. This is due to his anti-social behaviour and the fact that he often stares at people without realizing it leading to many to avoid eye contact. Notably, Tai does not hold back when engaging Grimm.


 * In the field, many have learned not bring up one matter: Ryan Reaper. Tai’s anger has been shown to be rather destructive and will often employ the use of his weapon, Tempo. Not only have people been injured, but many say that he has tried to kill them. Though rumors and information have painted his ex-leader as a criminal, Tai has remained loyal to him no matter the context.

Attire

 * Unlike most, Tai sports a tattered Gi set. The Gi is most black and with red cloths running over it. Sewn in the torso piece is a long hoodie that often rests upon Tai’s head casting a shadow over his face. His shoulders and waist possess dark red armor that resemble the masks of Grimm. His arms and hands are encased in blood stained bandages that leave his finger exposed. He wears a set of hand woven sandals dyed black. His feet and ankles are wrapped in bloody bandages that hide his scars.

Physical Details

 * Tai is a rather tall male with an athletic build. His skin has been darken from extended time in the sun. His skin is not soft in the slightest, it is tough and scarred by his extensive training without armor and being attacked directly by his opponent. His eyes are typically darker than most. When his hair is revealed, one can short jet black hair that is untamed. Possessing a rigid hairline, his hair doesn’t cover much of his face.

Tempo

 * A Dual Dust Sheathed Katana (DDSK) named Tempo is Tai’s signature weapon. Tempo often is sheathed when most see it. The hilt of the katana is black with a dark red cloth used to enhance his grip. On the base of the hilt is Tai’s symbol, two blades position to resemble a clock set at 9 o’clock. The katana possesses no hilt guard, however the sheath is completely black with two triggers opposite of one another. They rest above long rows full of two different dust: fire & ice.


 * The sheath is able to sheath his katana flipped, though to use one of the two dust, the blade has to be sheathed facing it. Using a iaijutsu-style method, when he draws his Tempo, he pulls the trigger and causes the blade to release a wave of fire or ice depending which Dust he uses.

Aura

 * As a skilled Hunter, Tai has been trained rigorously to use his aura. As an offensive and defensive tool, Tai has learned to make use of it in combat. Often employing it to enhance his hearing, he often uses to dodge or avoid his opponents attacks from afar or trying to sneak up him. Though not perfect, it allows him to create a barrier and to enhance his strikes. Even unarmed, it has proven to be of great use.

Pace

 * Tai’s semblance, Pace enhances the movement of his arms. Pace may not come off as an impressive ability, Tai has learned to make full of use it. Though it may consume more of his dust in Tempo, it allows him to cast both dust affects faster and pile them upon targets in a short amount of time. Due to the effect, it enhances the impact of his strikes.

Strengths

 * Tai strength lies in his quick and powerful strikes. Combined with his large frame, he can deal massive damage in a short amount of time. His aura and semblance training has allowed him to maximize his overall offensive and defensive capabilities. His style of using his blade can also cause his opponent to be distracted by watching his hands and not the actual blade. Given the quick draw style, he can use the sheath as a guard to block attacks before using one of the two dust up close upon sheathing and striking. He often will use the sheath to block even if the sword isn’t sheathed, but it is weaker due to not having both hands to hold the sheath up to block an attack, especially a heavier strike.

Weaknesses

 * His weakness lies in his lack of range. Though his aura and semblance do not strain him, at long range, he must use cover to move in closer. In any format, his limited range makes him easy to keep at bay and his mid-range also relies on dust which means he must use a limited supplies. Outside of close range, Tai’s options are very limited and given he has no real ability to cover range, Tai is simply a bruiser.

Bio

 * The Sun family is one that does not originate in Vytal, but a branch moved to Vytal, notably to the city of Vale. The branch had brought the first heir to the Sun family along with an adopted boy, Tai. Tai was to be raised as a bodyguard for the heir, Sun Ce. Tai was given Zhou as to symbolize their family’s unity.


 * Ce was a wild boy who often sparred with Tai. Tai was more reserved, but respected Ce. Raised to respect those who were to lead, Tai never doubted Ce in anyway. However, this proved to be incorrect. At the age of ten, Ce and Tai along with Ce’s siblings who were visiting had been assaulted by group of thugs. Ce, Tai and his siblings fended the thugs off, but at the cost of Ce’s life. Ce had sustained the greatest of injures and was declared dead in hours.


 * The thugs came from an opposing family who opposed the Sun family who were Pro-Faunus. Ce’s father who had been assassinated in a similar fashion was murdered. Tai was not punished, but told to train more. It was lucky that neither the second heir was harmed or the future mother to possible heirs. Tai, who received many scars from the assault saw Quan off, the heir to the Sun family along with his younger sister. Tai took the chance to train and apply to enter Signal Academy. From his home schooling and the appeal of the political family, Tai was accepted and begun training as a Hunter. Though it was not meant to help defend the Sun family, Tai used this to learn more about others and to grow as a person.


 * Time passed and Tai graduated and moved onto Beacon Academy, where he met a young boy named Ryan Reaper. At first, he didn’t expect much of the boy, but during the initiation, Tai, Roxanne, Blair and Ryan had encountered a rather large Deathstalker. In that moment, Ryan took lead and used the team’s abilities to conquer the Grimm.


 * For 4 years, Tai acted as Ryan’s sword finding not only a new leader, but a new friend. despite Ryan’s antisocial shell, Tai and Ryan hit it off. As time progressed, Tai introduced Ryan to wine, which at first ended poorly as Ryan hated the taste at first, but the more time they spent together, the more they grew.


 * However, their bond didn’t keep them together as the four years passed and Ryan disappeared after graduating. Roxanne, who begun dating Tai decided to continue with her pursuit of technology and decided to venture into forming her own business. Blair went along her path becoming a full-time Huntress. Tai became a full-time Hunter, until Ryan appeared requiring his blade once more or if the Sun Quan recalled the service of his elder brother’s bodyguard.

Trivia

 * Tai exposed Ryan to wine
 * Tai has never drank with another since he and Ryan last drank together
 * Tempo’s blade has become rigid from the time wielded by Tai

Influences

 * Zhou Tai takes from the historical influence
 * He also draws from the Dynasty Warriors counterpart
 * Along with Vergil from Devil May Cry 3 & Ishida Mitsunari from Sengoku Basara 3
 * Tai’s clothing is inspired by Ieyasu from Sengoku Basara 3
 * Mainly the torso design