Benares History

From Changeling Venue

Tatsuo was born into the Uesugi family at the Kobe Primary Hospital on September 21st 1983. His childhood was a decent one; he was of the upper class and never suffered from lack of money, respect or education. It wasn’t until age 13 that Tatsuo would ever really know about what his father really does for a living. His Father, Yukimura Uesugi, was a Wakagashira who was in control of many small Boryokudan with in Kobe that were affiliated with the Yamaguchi-gumi. His Father brought Tatsuo into the Yamaguchi-gumi as a member to one of the Boryokudan known as the ‘Kouken Chūō-ku’. Most of Tatsuo’s work however was business extortion by harassing stock holders into giving portions of the business stocks to them for safe keeping. Upon reaching the age of 16 he was given the honor of the Hierarchy of Sakazuki with the local Shateigashira (Gang Boss). This honor brought him into the light of the rest of the Yamaguchi-gumi who now watched the progress of Tatsuo through various contacts and reports from his father, Yukimura. After Tatsuo was inducted into the Yamaguchi-gumi Tatsuo was given the Irezumi (Japanese style tattoo) Mon (Japanese Badge of Family) upon his left arm right where a watch could be placed over the Mon. This gave Tatsuo the ability to cover up this tattoo while in school with a watch or a sweat wrap that he could place around his wrist and use to wipe his forehead.

January 19th 1999; Several months after his induction into the Yamaguchi-gumi, Tatsuo was coming home from school one night. He had stayed late to take care of some business with a couple of classmates, mainly a project that was coming up and to also deal with some serious issues in regards to rape within the school. Since the Japanese Police were very much apprehensive to look into high school issues it fell upon the local Yakuza to look into the issue. So, being the most respected within with in the local gang he was to investigate this rash of crimes; which his investigation didn’t give much detail into the issue, but he figured more would come in time. So that night Tatsuo walked home alone and this would be the night his life changed. Normally his fears were always those other boyokudan who resented his rise and the rest of his gangs rise in the Yamaguchi-gumi and would do anything to harm him. Yet, this time he would find a new fear as he stepped into an alleyway to take a short cut home. In the dim lighting and without any sound a monstrous creature jumped Tatsuo and without hesitation knocks the young man into a near by wall knocking him out cold. The creature that abducted Tatsuo was a creature who classified himself as an akuma (Devil) known as “Fuma.” Fuma, a true fae, captured Tatsuo and was going to feast upon him, yet, when Tatsuo showed his budding talent with his fists, mainly by popping the akuma in the face a good couple of times and making it sting, Fuma decided to take Tatsuo under his wing. Fuma, before teaching Tatsuo anything, gave Tatsuo a new name “Benares.” Once Tatsuo accepted the name, and wasn’t trying to find a way out of the large old Japanese style estate that Fuma in Yomi (Arcadia), Fuma began to teach Benares the martial arts style he formed from Karate and Kung Fu. This style Fuma called was “Winds of Chaos” or “Kaze no Daikonran.” The training was grueling, often times it led Benares to wish he would just be eaten, but, after what felt like a two months within the service to Fuma, Benares body began to change to fit the style of training he was receiving. The training eventually moved onto a much deeper lessons then just kicking, punching and the like, eventually it turned into Koans and Zen Buddhism, but, unlike the traditional Koans, these were aspects to reflect on the nature of a darker self, the Akuma, as Fuma called it. What was taught and eventually what Benares truly believed is that an Akuma was much more then some mindless monster, they had a purpose in their nature and in this, they had to their purpose. It was funny when this was brought to light, for those who didn’t know about the Yakuza, there was more to them then what the movies and the papers detail, much more; they had a purpose, like any other semi-legitimate Organization, which was to give people a way to survive, to enjoy themselves and in times of need, to help bring about Justice when the Japanese government could not or would not do so, such like the rape cases at Benares old high school.

Finally, after what Benares counted as 12 months within the service under Fuma, Fuma released Benares. Fuma, who was a dark creature in all manners, showed a bit of light before he released Benares to the mortal realm again. He first gave his pupil a set of Hedge Spun clothes which was specifically made for Benares, the Gi pants looked as if they were made of pure fire with the wind blowing through the flames, stirring while the top went from a haze of red from the glow of the fire of the pants to an utter darkness that seemed to threaten to consume all who look into it or touch it. The second gift was advice: “My pupil, not many have I ever taken on and given back. You are one of the few deemed worthy of this and in this, be known that your mortal name is Uesugi Tatsuo. If you do not remember this, remember it now, for if you wish to regain your life then you must remember your mask in order to get along in the world. Also, there is another who took your place, a doppelganger, this creature is you, expect in true spirit. Kill it, slay it and take back the life that I stole from you. Now… my pupil go out into the world once more and let the others like you know that I Fuma have given a second student into the world…” with this Fuma steps back and then slips back into the darkness of the Yomi. Benares bowed deeply to his mentor and then, without hesitation, turns and slips through the edge of Yomi, through he hedge and into an alleyway.

January 22nd 1999; Benares found his way back to home expecting things to be different only finding that he has only been gone for 3 days. Yet, in this time, another “Tatsuo” was in his place and the words bestowed upon Benares before he left Fuma’s service came to mind as he realized what his Master meant. It seems once he was taken a fake is put in his place, which in this, Benares sunk back into the night and waited for a change to rid the “Fake” in order to regain his life.

January 25th 1999; Three days later Benares was able to regain his life when he disposed of the ‘fake’ through a simple subtle action of getting a rival gang to beat the ‘fake’ to death. Once the fake was killed Benares was able to scare the three members who killed the fake away and then made sure any means to identify the body was properly removed from it. Once the issues with the fake was taken care of Benares returned home, back to his life once more and regain his life as a Gang member striving to become a Yamaguchi-gumi Yakuza member.

March 3rd 1999; It didn’t take long to pick back up where he left off in life. Yet, granted he was settling back into his life he found that things were now different as he was able to feel things and see things that most people cannot. Eventually at this point he found himself taking on the rape issue that was occurring at his high school and this helped curve some of the idleness that he felt while sitting in class.

May 19th 1999; This marks the night that Benares finally meets with other Lost who seem to be on their way to a meeting with other Lost. In this, Benares tagged along and introduced himself to the Lords and Ladies of Kinki region of Japan upon the Honshu Island. From this meeting he was connected with other Lost in Japan and most importantly those within the Hyogo prefecture who were all present at this meeting.

May 29th 1999; Benares found out who the rapist was at his high school and was able to deal with the issue through proper connections of people in the Yamaguchi-gumi who notified the police about this individual. This individual was dealt with in good manner and soon after the rapists arrest he found himself bored once more and eventually searched for more things to take care of around the school, among external issues that regarded his life out side of school.

May 30th 1999 to March 4th 2001; In this time Benares was able to make it through his high school years without much issues through mortal aspect. Benares graduated high school and from there went on to work full time for the Yamaguchi-gumi as one of their enforcers, which, brought honor to himself and his family since they were involved in the family. On the Lost side, he made allies with powerful members of all the courts while remaining courtless and respected because of this. His ability to talk business with them in terms to help him deal with issues for the family or issues that arised at his local high school was noted with serious approval by those of the Summer and Autumn court.

March 5th 2001 to November 10th 2007; The last six years have been spent working hard for the family, taking care of loose ends in business, extortion of business stoke holders to bring protection to small businesses that seek help from the Yamaguchi-gumi, roughing up those who pose some sort of issue to the family and its business, and investigation into serious matters at Universities, High Schools and Night Districts that the police are reluctant to investigate. In this, Benares found means to get around pointless killing, which to some members of the family saw that as a sign of him being weak, but when looked upon later down the road, Benares used such measures to consolidate strength under him by drawing those he did not kill into own “favors” to him, which more then anything were pledges that he committed too along with those who was able to get to side with him.

During this time Benares ended up gaining the notice of the Phantom Tong who only noticed Benares when his personal dealings in the mortal world some how ended up migrating to the Province of Tokyo, Far North of Kobe. Because of the resulting influence that he began to gain among many mortals, the very nature of the Yamaguchi-gumi began to push into the holdings of some of the smaller families in the Tokyo province which then began to disrupt the holdings of a few prominent Lost of Tokyo. Which, after finding out that he has gained the displeasure of a few of these members in Tokyo, he continued to spread the influence of the family, regardless of the attempts upon his life. Finally, after about a year of watching his progress, the Tong were impressed and eventually inducted him into their ranks.

Some time in the early spring of 2004 Benares ran into a woman, Kobayashi Maiko, a Nekomata who was a Miko of the Kumagawa Shrine in Fussa. This woman would eventually, within six months, become his heart oath and only real true lover. Though Benares has many lovers through out Japan and the world, he only have one he truly calls his. Because of his devotion to her, she does not mind his other mistresses.

May 2004 Benares traveled to the Freehold of Azure Hills to attend the Spring court get together there. While there Benares was able to extend his connections to western Lost and gain some notice.

Also, during this long time period Benares found a young woman, another lost, who he took in under his wing and protected for some time. He helped her understand the world that she left and brought her into a life different then what she would have had, was she still a mortal and eventually they became like family. Yet, while they became close, a lost who was among the Yamaguchi-gumi, a close friend to Benares, felt that this “dependency” of another such as this little girl was a weakness that his “Brother” could not afford. So, Royoji, kidnapped Mei and took her to an abandon water front warehouse where he planned on slitting Mei’s throat. Yet, unknown to Ryoji, Benares had eyes and ears everywhere. Before Ryoji knew it, Benares showed up at the warehouse, alone, and began to talk to Ryoji. After a few minutes of conversation, which was leading to a fight to the death between the two, Mei, cut through her bindings with her hands and quickly, slit Ryoji’s throat. Which, though Benares felt pain from his “Brothers” death, he knew that Ryoji has betrayed his trust, and only death was an answer to his betrayal. After that night, Benares and Mei made a Family Pledge, making them family.

Eventually, do to Benares outstanding performance and representation of the Mortal Family realized his potential and decided to have him help the family expand itself out side of Japan. In this, Benares was given duties to head to Athens Greece to try and set up ties with businesses out there along with possible connection to crime families in the area. This would be what proved to the family that Benares was ready to be the Oyabun of his own Fmaily.

Tatsuo – Dragon Man.

Uesugi – A Feudal Japanese clan; Tatsuo’s sure or family name.

Yakuza or Gokudo – A Semi Legit Organization which is the rough equivalent of a Mafia. Difference is the fact that they are seen as a Semi Legit Organization who has its hands in everything from extortion, prostitution, gambling and black market trades. The Yakuza can be found in many places around the world but their main area of influence is in Japan and Korea. During the Kobe earth quake the Yamaguchi-gumi, whose center of activity is in Kobe, quickly gave relief support to all those hit by the earth quake and gave food supplies and medivac with the use of one of their helicopters. Because of the Kobe Earth Quake and the Yamaguchi-gumi’s quick response, it underlined the slow acting movement of the Japanese Government to help those in need within their own country. Also, the Yakuza also form a type of police, a group who is willing to look into incidents that take place in tight niche organizations such like High Schools, Collages and the like. This is because the Japanese Police are for the most part, apprehensive to investigate in such places so not to disturb the flow and bring unwanted attention to the events going on. The Yakuza’s primary duties of obtaining money are seen as Federal Taxes.

Hierarchy of Sakazuki – A Formal gathering where a person or group of people come together to drink from the same Sake cup of another Yakuza member of usually higher status in the family or of a different family to create a tie of peace and cooperation. Those who drink from the same sake cup as a higher up is given acknowledgment of achievement and is elevate to another step within the family.

Jinji – Means Justice and Duty, the ideals that all members of the Yakuza are supposed to up hold.

Senpai- Means Senior

Wakagashira – A Yakuza boss that controls a group of local gangs in a region or area>

Shateigashira – A common boss of one of the many local gangs within an area; their seen as under bosses.

Mon – It’s the family badge or crest. This dates back to the earliest era of Japans History, but its pretty much most common given identity with the Feudal era.

Irezumi – Japanese tattooing that is long and painful. It uses long sharp needles of metal or bamboo to inject ink under the skin.

Kouken Chūō-ku – Means Guardians of Center, a violent group or gang who is dedicated to the Ward of Chūō-ku in Kobe. This group is dedicated to the extortion of small business in the area along with their protection. This group is most famous for recruiting young members into the group, usually those still in high school. Because of the majority of the members in the gang are high schoolers who attend Chūō-ku High the school has gained a type of secret police who takes care of the students and try to right the problems committed by those over stepping their boundaries.

Boryokudan – Means Violent Group, a term used for the small local gangs that are ran by the Yakuza, but are not officially apart of the bigger picture yet.