Character Portrait: Akimoto Satoru
In this writers opinion, one of the most rewarding components of world building is properly developing characters whose backgrounds enhance the rich, colorfully crafted canvas of one’s story. When appropriately fleshed out, a solid character framework serves to not only guide their actions through cause and effect, but also provides proper levels of nuance, which is where many in the content creation community fall short.
Anyone who has played a role-playing game (RPG), such as Dungeons and Dragons, which is a personal favorite of mine, can attest to the importance and excitement of creating a character whose background reflects aspects of themselves in the real world.
The characters in the Sy’Arrian Legacy universe are, in many ways, bits and pieces of my own psyche. Lourous was the first character I created for the series. One day, I hope to obtain a fraction of his insights and spiritual nature. Norah emulates my flirtatious side, although I keep it under tight control in the real world except around close friends. She also reflects my observational and organizational skills. Bayne replicates my respect for practitioners who truly understand the role of the martial arts, while honing their bodies and minds to a fine edge. I could go on but the cast of characters in my universe are far too numerous to mention in a single post.
As I continue to work on specific details related to Destiny’s Shroud, which is now the new book two to the series for those who have not read my prior posts, ensuring characters are thoroughly conceived is even more important. It is one of the primary reasons why I choose to craft character portraits for this blog. They serve a dual purpose of providing readers glimpses into characters sprinkled throughout the series, while aiding me in creating long overdue specifics I previously had put on the shelf.
When Alexis Striken dissolved the Telerin Confederation in 3088, turning it into a dictatorship and eliminating those who did not agree with him, he had given the remaining Sy'Arrian Warrior contingent on Terakia a choice; join him or be executed. Those who remained began to live their lives under the watchful eye of a government ruled by an extremely paranoid and authoritarian leader who would stop at nothing in his quest to annihilate all Sy'Arrians, aside from those who had already pledged loyalty to him.
Akimoto Satoru, born in 3057 to Yasuo and Nariko, knew only a life of constant scrutiny and strife after the death of his father in 3088 at the hands of Triminion soldiers, the Telerin Government's primary fighting force, during Alexis Striken's coup. Akimoto Yasuo, a member of the Sy'Arrian Warrior fighting force, had been aboard a Telerin ship who refused to acknowledge and support the coup, leading to its eventual destruction. Considering the shock and utter chaos of the entire event, Nariko opted to stay on Terakia, fearing defiance could also lead to Satoru's death. Although Satoru did not agree with his mother's decision to stay, he was a resolute and honorable young man, hoping to emulate the examples set forth by his father.
In the years prior to Yasuo's death, Satoru had learned a wide variety of techniques on how to use Akasha properly, while incorporating a myriad of styles associated with the martial arts beginning at the age of five, when he started attending the Andaris Academy on Hyprus. Satoru absorbed all knowledge and techniques effortlessly, impressing not only his parents but his father's childhood friend, Grayson Renaldi.
Upon reaching year 25, Satoru earned the title of Sajor, the third stage of academic development. In this phase, the Sajor will live with another race who is open to housing Sy'Arrians, which lasts approximately five years. Satoru approached the Lancor, the exceptionally adaptive race on the planet of Corsal, whose thick reptilian skin can change colors at will to blend in with their respective environment. Corsal's relatively short distance from Terakia made it easier for Yasuo and Nariko to visit their son if they felt the need to do so.
Once complete, a Sajor will return to Hyprus to finish this phase and apply what they learned during their sojourn. This was cut short when Alexis Striken usurped control of the Telerin Confederation and renamed it the Telerin Government with himself as absolute ruler. The transport vessel enroute to Hyprus, which was situated several sectors away in the Omega Star System, was about to enter lightspeed travel when it was recalled back due to the Sy'Arrian massacre in 3087. The pilot of the vessel, an Alexis loyalist, quickly altered course and returned the confused young man back to Terakia.
Once the horrific events of the Sy'Arrian massacre and the subsequent coup by Alexis mere months later at the beginning of 3088, began to simmer, Grayson approached Nariko to train Satoru as a Sy'Arrian Warrior, a conversation both Satoru and Grayson had been mulling over for a number of months. Satoru had not made the decision whimsically with Grayson initially declining when the young man first approached him, citing it a life not suitable for all Sy'Arrians. Grayson wanted to ensure there were no underlying desires for revenge or a much deeper hidden agenda. Once he was satisfied with Satoru's intentions, Grayson assured Nariko, her son would receive the best mentorship Grayson could provide. Had Grayson not been a prior teacher at the Andaris Academy, Nariko may have never agreed.
In the years to follow, Satoru learned and progressed in his training as if he were in the Andaris Academy, below Alexis' progressively scrutinizing radar, who generally forbade such practices unless it benefited him. Satoru technically reached the highest status of Maven in 3092 at the age 35, which is continuous throughout the natural course of a Sy'Arrians life. Satoru remained in a mentee relationship with Grayson, realizing there was still much to learn.
Satoru, Grayson, and Nariko remained on Terakia until 3287 when Alexis discovered a means to track the remaining Sy'Arrians and uncovered the location of Liara Mirriam, initiating an order of succession designed to rescue Liara before Alexis could find and eliminate her. Nariko had fortunately received permission from the Telerin Government to visit friends in the Praysis star system, just outside of Telerin controlled space. Grayson had already assembled and prepared a small group of trusted Sy'Arrian Warriors, including Satoru, for this particular event decades earlier. This maneuver led them to be labeled as traitors by Alexis and put on every bounty list of those hunters willing to pursue Sy'Arrians.
Be safe, be well, and build a mind on a foundation of compassion and unconditional love. By doing so, you will influence others to do the same and help make the universe a much better place to live by helping change one mind at a time for the better.
Thank you for reading and, also, listening.
