Post by DornKoon on Sept 18, 2024 10:03:06 GMT
General Information
“The path that leads to what we truly desire is long and difficult, but only by following that path do we achieve our goal.”
Full Name:
Hamato Yoshi
Codename or Alias:
Master Splinter
The Eternal Ninja
Sensei
Yoshi of the Gentle Touch
The Great Teacher
Anonymity
Where his sons have made something of a name for themselves with their antics and showboating, Master Splinter has always been in the shadows, where he likes to be as the Ninjutsu Master that he is. To the larger public, he is virtually unknown. He has a reputation for his considerable skills in such factions as the Justice League and the League of Assassins.
Gender:
Male
Race:
Reincarnated Spirit
Metahuman Rat
Age:
??
Place Of Birth:
Japan, Ōsaka
Occupation/Status:
Calligrapher
Ninjutsu Master
Legendary Martial Artist
Adoptive Father
Instructor
Alignment:
Hero
Factions:
Justice League
Canon Or Original?:
Canon
Powers/Abilities:
Aspect of the Rat
“I may not be human, but at least I am fortunate enough to have my humanity.”
Master Splinter's perceptiveness is uncanny. He passed the human body's limitations when he became a rat. In essence, he possesses the heightened abilities of a rat, heightened further by a combination of his Ninjutsu training and general size. His sense of smell and taste is highly refined, hearing is acute, and he has second nature when detecting foes attempting to hide themselves. His hearing is such that he can detect whispers at great distances, and he is sensitive enough to feel vibrations in the ground or air, making him as deadly blinded as he sees. Master Splinter has also learned to lean into his new form, incorporating his rat nature in other aspects, such as his jaws being powerful enough to break metal and ways to use his claws for climbing or combat.
Caligraphy & Ofuda
Master Splinter has much knowledge of calligraphy and the creation of talismans for different purposes, usually on slips of paper. Certain kinds of ofuda are intended for a specific purpose, such as protection against calamity or misfortune, safety within the home, or finding love. Master Splinter can also use these tags to stun evil spirits, ghosts and immaterial creatures. They are imbued with the power of the deities (kami) or Buddhist figures revered therein, such as buddhas, bodhisattvas, or other revered figures of the Buddhist pantheon. Potent as they can be, they are also easily removed by a third party or ruined by such things as rain.
Inner Peace
“If you look for happiness outside of yourself, you'll never find it. Happiness exists only within you.”
Master Splinter possesses inner peace in most of his activities. His transformation into a rat helped shape who he is today, giving him clarity and insight he would never have achieved otherwise. This understanding has granted Master Splinter a supernatural knowledge of the world around him, including energies and forces, and made it possible for him to harness the flow of the universe. When one reaches the lowest possible point, they are open to the most significant changes. Combined with his knowledge of martial arts and ninjutsu, it makes it possible for The Eternal Ninja to perform astounding feats well beyond mortal limitations or even the laws of physics, such as balancing on strands of hair, running along walls, redirecting ranged/energy attacks, parrying swords or catching one drop of rain and balancing it upon a claw.
Reality is like a river; one only needs to ride the currents.
Ninjutsu Mastery
"The first rule of ninjutsu is not to harm. Unless you mean to harm, then do LOTS of harm!"
Master Splinter is a true master of Ninja Arts, a historical martial arts style, tactics, strategy, and espionage in unconventional and guerrilla warfare. He can flawlessly perform any martial art with great ease and moves he does not know he can mimic after having been exposed to it for long enough. He can walk soundlessly, with soft paws making him near-undetectable unless perceived with supernatural means. Splinter is knowledgeable, speedy, and has greater strength, which is enhanced further by his mutation. He can take down larger opponents without a whole lot of effort. He might not be as ferocious and would never use forbidden techniques to defeat an opponent. Yet, he has still been ranked as "among the best". He can replace himself with decoys at a moment's notice, vanish and appear instantly, defy the laws of physics using chi, and strike at weak points to disable an opponent's powers by blocking their flow of chi. Master Splinter's most incredible skill comes not from strength or durability but from speed, agility, reflexes, and the skill to turn an opponent's strength back against them. If anything, the stronger a foe is, the more force he can turn back against them.
Past Experience, Present Wisdom
Being the reincarnation of the Eternal Ninja gives Master Splinter much insight. Therefore, he can use meditation to look into these past lives, speak to his past self, and gain insight or knowledge he might not have otherwise. His past lives are both part of and separate from himself. Each has vastly different egos and personalities, but all share the same goal of helping the current "them".
Tennin Nature
“I do not wish to fight. But cast a stone into the lake, and the ripples will return to you.”
Years of devotion have granted Master Splinter a strong connection with the heavenly Chi that resides within him and other living creatures. He can recognize and perceive Oni, demons, and similarly fiendish spirits and supernatural entities for what they are. Chosen by the Tennin, he remains the mirror of the likes of Oroku Saki, the opposite of the same coin—one an Oni, the other of the Tennin.
The Great Teacher
One of Master Splinter's most extraordinary skills is teaching, not just from raising the Turtles but before that. He has a knack for seeing potential in others and the skills to help realize this potential. He can quickly understand what students or others need to improve, even when they might not see it.
Weapons/Items:
Cane
Bow & Arrow
Caligraphy Set
Ofuda slips
Ninjutsu Weapons & Smokebombs
Appearance
"My meditation grants me serenity, but earplugs don't hurt either."
Physical Appearance:
In the past, when he was only Hamato Yoshi, he was a tall, lean, and muscular man with pale blue eyes and black hair. After transforming into Splinter, he now appears as an anthropomorphic rat with grey and brown fur, a droopy white beard, whiskers, a pink tail and a pink nose. He has also grown shorter, about half the size he used to be when human and considerably shorter than his sons and the majority of the Justice League, even if this has done little to hamper his skills. His hands and feet have changed into paws, with nails replaced by surprisingly sharp claws.
Clothing and Armor:
Master Splinter is very fond of his Japanese heritage and, as such, often wears some manner of kimono or robe, the kind he used to wear as a human. He dislikes flashy clothing, however, so all these outfits remain simple and practical. Sometimes, he puts on more of a battle-ready uniform inspired by traditional clothes used by the Ninjutsu Masters of Japan. Most of these clothes are decorated with the clan symbol of the Hamato clan, a clear sign of his heritage and background.
Personality
“A creative mind must be balanced by a disciplined body. We must learn stillness and alertness. For they are the only defence against the unexpected.”
Sexual Orientation:
Demisexual
General Personality:
“Darkness gives the ninja power, while light reveals the ninja's presence.”
Master Splinter is many things: a wise sensei, a defensive parent, a loving father, an authority figure, a quirky master, and a Zen philosopher—a wise, intelligent, and skilled martial arts master.
To the Justice League, His sons, and The Champions members, he is the quintessential calm, all-knowing, and wise master of all martial arts. He is serene and never rash in his decisions. He is nearly always calm, and even when angry, he refrains from raising his voice. Even in the face of great danger or chaos, Master Splinter maintains his composure, helping guide his sons and students through difficult situations, offering thoughtful guidance and often speaking in parables or with profound philosophical insight. Despite his vast knowledge and power, he remains modest, always putting others first and seeing today's youngsters as the Masters of tomorrow. As a general rule, he only steps in when there is no other option, seeking the youngsters to weather the storm but remaining a presence for them to lean on when needed.
Master Splinter can, however, be very strict regarding training, be it his sons or other young heroes wishing to better themselves. This does come from a place of care, and at the end of the day, he only wishes for his students to succeed; even if he often pushes them pretty hard to get to that point, usually, he remains patient and understanding, teaching through calm persistence, if a little harsh from time to time. Master Splinter upholds the principles of self-control, enforcing these values in his teachings: to look before you leap and to not let an opponent get you off balance by targeting your weaknesses, be they emotional or physical. That is not to say he doesn't have a sense of humour; he can be very witty, even if he can be somewhat clueless when it comes to modern things... like using a computer.
Still, he can be somewhat stubborn in his opinions, and it is difficult for the Ninjutsu Master to change his worldview without great effort. It is difficult for him to venture outside the values of honour, loyalty, and perseverance. Many traditional Japanese values can clash with modern ways of thinking. That is not to say that Master Splinter cannot admit faults or mistakes; it just takes some effort to teach an old rat new tricks.
Face/Voice:
Makoto Iwamatsu
Anything Else
Character's History
Siblings:
N/A
Mother:
Hamato Miu (Deceased)
Father:
Hamato Yuuta (Deceased)
Other Family:
Leonardo - Adoptive son
Donatello - Adoptive son
Raphael - Adoptive son
Michelangelo - Adoptive son
History:
The life of Hamato Yoshi started long before he was Hamato Yoshi, and he has had several incarnations over the years. Once beloved by the spiritual Tennin, they were chosen to be bestowed with an eternal spirit to gain new life when it was lost. It's always at odds with The Beast, the Oni.
A struggle that will never truly end.
This time, The Eternal Ninja came as Hamato Yoshi.
Son of the Hamato Clan
Born in Ōsaka, Hamato Yoshi, later known to the world as Master Splinter, was the proud heir of the venerable Hamato Clan. His father, Hamato Yuuta, was a patriarch and a clan leader. Even as a child, his skills were exceptional, and the elders of his clan trained him to one day become the patriarch of the Hamato family. At the same speed as his skill, so did his pride, a flaw that he would later come to regret, but at the time, he was almost undefeated by his peers.
So it was that he was invited to join The Hand, a faction of warriors skilled in martial arts and styles of combat. Hamato Yoshi quickly became an instructor, and many would come to learn Ninjutsu from him.
Oroku Saki's Coup
Over the years, Hamato Yoshi grew in skill and continued to climb the ranks of The Hand Clan until he finally reached the honourable position of Master of the Hand. In those days, he was indeed a very proud man, skilled, yes, but blinded by his ideas and blind to the darkness that was growing within the faction. Particularly inside one of the students, a man named Oroku Saki. At the time, Yoshi failed to see the danger lurking in the shadow of The Hand, how Oroku Saki slowly amassed followers.
It all culminated with a coup to claim The Hand from Hamato and put Oroku as the new Master.
Maybe things would have been different if Yoshi had sensed the plot or been willing to notice the signs. Yet, none of that matters now because the coup took him entirely by surprise. It is Hamato Yoshi's greatest shame and most crushing failure. Most of his followers were slain, and he was forced to flee. Overwhelmed with guilt, he escaped over the sea to America.
Here, in the sewers of New York City, he reached his lowest point. He had little money and struggled to learn the language, but he did so over time. This experience gave him insight into himself and the universe, seeing the world as it could be and not just what it was. It was a revelation as much as any, and why he chose to remain in his new home.
Life in Exile
Leaving the ashes of his past behind, Yoshi sought solace in his new home in New York, leaving his life in Japan behind. He did worry what Oroku Saki would turn The Hand into but was too crushed to do anything, and it was clear to him that he was not wanted on the other side of the sea.
It was here that destiny played its hand again. An innocent purchase of four baby red-eared slider turtles led him to an undercover transaction in a dimly lit alley. This meeting would inadvertently introduce him to the mysterious mutagen, sealing his fate and that of the turtles. Engulfed by the mutagen, Yoshi transformed into a humanoid brown rat while the turtles took on similarly humanoid forms.
Fearing society’s judgment, they retreated to the city’s sewers, where Yoshi, now christened Splinter, embraced his new role. Drawing inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, he named the turtles Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. As the days turned to years, he imparted his ninja teachings, moulding them into the heroes they were destined to be. He had never imagined himself becoming a father, much less a father of four turtles with what could mildly be referred to as energetic personalities. Master Splinter, as he mostly became known, was content in the calm life he built for them and the comfort of their little part of the sewers.
Of course, children have the habit of growing up, and the young turtles grew increasingly curious about the outside world. At first, Splinter could distract them from this with training, but it did not take long before the boys began to sneak off to explore independently. It was only a matter of time before they would be seen or get into trouble, knowing them—most likely both.
Birth of TMNT
The trouble was a robbery by the criminal Adrian Toomes, also known in New York as Vulture. The villain, expecting to run into Spider-Man, was not ready to be attacked by four humanoid turtles with ninja armaments. So, when others arrived, they found Vulture wrapped up ( with a bow). Before that, there had been other incidents where these mysterious turtles had stopped criminals, or that was what witnesses had called them. Two people took more of an interest in these sightings: a reporter named April O'Neil and Spider-Man.
Master Splinter only found out about any of these things when Miss O'Neil accidentally found her way into their lair and Spider-Man's less accidental arrival not soon after. The Rat decided to talk with them because there were few other options. Over some tea, Splinter revealed to the webslinging hero and the young reporter the nature of who they were. He saw no reason to hide who he used to be, as that was now in the past. So, he told them the tale of Hamato Yoshi, The Hand, Oroku Saki, and finally, the exile to New York, followed by their encounter with the mysterious mutagen.
The four turtles became known as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by most people and The Green Menace by those who also disliked Spider-Man. The group formed a tentative friendship with web-slinger and something of a similar friendship with reporter April O'Neil, who did not share the view that either of the sides was any menace. Still, the dam had been opened, and nothing Master Splinter did could get the sons to remain in hiding... if anything, their encounter with Vulture and conversation with Spider-Man solidified their decision to be heroes, too.
TMNT continued to protect the people of New York City, quickly making a name for themselves and loving the attention. Master Splinter could not begrudge them that, and in many ways, they did become the heroes he had envisioned them to become.
The Battle of New York
All was well until the Kree Empire attacked-- as if things could not get more complicated. Of course, the Turtles wanted to help, which forced Master Splinter into action, even more so with the invasion's ground zero being so close to their home. Much to the astonishment of onlookers, including several heroes, Master Splinter decimated the Kree he fought, effortlessly dispatching much larger foes. He was there to help face off against Ronan, helping to defeat him and his elite guard at the climax of the invasion.
He would never admit it to anyone, but it had been refreshing to "let loose" for once without holding back. Not that he wished for another war, but it was still... somewhat... fun.
It only made sense that life would never be the same after that, and when the present heroes decided to band together and found the Justice League, it was natural for them to ask the Ninjutsu Master to join as well. Master Splinter wanted to decline, wishing to state a whole list of reasons, but he did not get that far before his sons accosted him about how amazing that was and how proud they were of their father. The admiration and the happiness in his son's tired faces caused Splinter to buckle, and he accepted on the condition that his sons would be given ample opportunity to become heroes, for he knew that was what they most wanted.
Master Splinter quickly became a respected member of the League, at least inside the League itself. He did not like making a spectacle of himself in the same way as the turtles did. He still kept the home in the sewers but had to admit the TV in the newly constructed Watchtower was a lot nicer for his "stories".
He also started instructing younger heroes who he felt needed guidance, vowing to help strengthen the next generation, whether they wanted to or not.
The Wrath of June Moon
The first significant crisis during his time at the Justice League was when the group known as the Suicide Squad played with powers beyond their comprehension and unleashed the wrathful Enchantress, starting her quest to reshape the world. Master Splinter was not slow to action and joined his sons in defending the people of New York City. Yet, Splinter could sense which way the wind was blowing, and evil done by magic could only be undone by magic. Instead of fighting Enchantress directly, Master Splinter worked with his turtles to mitigate as much of the damage and help the population.
His prediction proved correct when she was finally taken down by a combined effort of what would later become Darkwatch.
Then came what to do with Dr Moone, as she was, for all intents, innocent in the actions of Enchantress. Master Splinter, more than anything, felt wounded by Fate, not for his actions; sending Dr Moone somewhere safe was understandable, and Splinter would have fought for something of that nature. No, what did hurt was the lack of trust he clearly showed in his actions.
The rat, however, did not feel anger towards Fate... he was just disappointed.
Still, Master Splinter was one of few wholly against disbarring Doctor Fate from the League.
The Shadow of The Hand
In the aftermath of the Enchantress, Master Splinter began to hear rumours of ninjas appearing in America. Something troubled him greatly, as he had not been thinking of The Hand and Oroku Saki for many years. It could not be good if this had something to do with his old student. So, Master Splinter decided to look into it but would need help.
Role Play Sample:
Searching Eyes, Hidden Hands
