Cao Cao (Mengde) DECEASED

[Sam]

"What is at a peak is certain to decline. He who shows his hand will surely be defeated. He who can prevail in battle by taking advantage of his enemy's doubts is invincible."
- Cao Cao -

Cao Cao
(Mengde)

Age: 64 (Born 155)
Gender: Male
Style: Canon

Rank: King of Wei
Residence: Xuchang, Yuzhou, Zhongyuan

Personality:
A frank ruler, utterly devoted to his duty to the country, he wishes to restore order and he will see it done. Unrelenting in creating a pathway forward to order and stability, who treats his officers like family, rewarding merits regardless of position and previous faults. A character made up of personal principles.

Appearance:
Cao Cao though in his sixties has maintained a rather youthful presence he still actively rules his empire and leads his military. He's not as physically strong as he was in his youth, but he still has the same vitality. His face remains well preserved, looking like a man in his mid-forties, but his hair is streaked with grey, and only a faint trace of his dark hair remains.

Apparel/Armour:
Cao commonly sports darker colours, black, red and blue, usually trimmed with gold or silver, as he is at liberty to use as a king. This usually consists of a long robe tied with a sash, over which is an overcoat with a high collar to protect him against the elements and to make him look regal.

Cao isn't seen sporting any armour 90% of the time, the 10% he does wear some protection is when visiting the frontlines in battle, in which he will only wear a heavy breastplate below his overcoat. Being advanced in years Cao is no longer fond of full suits of armour when riding to battle, as he no longer burdens himself with leading the forward unit nearly as much.

Weapons:
The Qinggang Sword - Cao Cao's prized sword, said to be able to cut through any armour without consequences being imposed on the blade. Xiahou En once carried this sword but lost it to Zhao Yun at Changban, yet somehow it found its way back to Cao Cao after the fighting between the Three Kingdoms in Jing in 219.

History:
Cao Cao, styled Mengde, was born in Qiao County of Peiguo. He was born into an eminent eunuch family, with his father Cao Teng, being a eunuch of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Being a master of both the pen and the sword, Cao Cao was considered an excellent strategist, politician and poet in the late Eastern Han.

In 174 when Cao Cao was 20 years old, he was elected as a local official of Luoyang. In this position, he carried out his duties and the law strictly, without fearing the power of royal relatives and minions which contributed to his promotion. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, Cao Cao was appointed by the Han Court to suppress the insurgents which, because of his achievements in the suppression, lead to a further promotion.

In 190, he joined the military alliance fighting against Dong Zhuo, and started to build up his own armed forces which were named the 'Qingzhou Army'. In 196, Cao Cao led his troops into the capital city Luoyang and forced the Emperor Xian of Han to carry out his commands in order to control the political situation. In 201, Cao Cao's troop defeated Yuan Shao's in the Battle of Guandu. From that time on, Cao Cao quickly unified northern China. However, his political aim of complete unity of China was never achieved. In the Battle of Red Cliff, which had the aim of capturing the lands south of the Yangtze, Cao Cao suffered a disastrous defeat in fighting with the allied forces of Liu Bei and Sun Quan.

As a politician, Cao Cao paid great attention to the development of an agricultural economy by setting up the Tun Tian (farming done by soldiers) System to promote productivity and meet the demands of the army's food supplies. Meanwhile, he also set up Zu Tiao (Tax Modification) System to ease the tax burden on farmers' while at the same time punishing the big landlords. All these efforts had consolidated a strong economic foundation for his military group. In dealing with human resources, Cao Cao focused close attention on recruiting talented people to strengthen the power of his group and was also considered an impartial dispenser of rewards and punishments.

Known as an illustrious poet, Cao Cao wrote a list of poetry anthologies, such as Haolixing, Duangexing, Guancanghai (The Sea) and Guisuishou (Though the Tortoise Lives Long). His poems were deeply influenced by Yuefu Poem pattern while being more creative in content. Therefore, Cao Cao's poems, as well as those of his two talented sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, began a new style of Jian An literature.

Friendly Characters:
Ai Rui
Cao Ren
Jia Xu
Sima Yi
Xiahou Dun
Xun Yu
Zhang Liao

Hostile Characters:
Huang Zhong
Lu Xun
Ma Chao
Sun Quan
Sun Shang Xiang
Zhou Yu
Zhuge Liang

Statistics

Strength: 5
Perception: 8
Endurance: 6 (+1)
Charisma: 10
Intelligence: 8
Agility: 5 (+1)
Luck: 5

Entourage

Foreign Relations

Personal Army

None

[Sam]

In Game History

Since losing Hanzhong to Liu Bei, Cao Cao has been personally inactive in the raging wars, torn over the loss of his cousin, and top general Xiahou Yuan. Cao has been working on breaking apart the fragile alliance that Sun Quan and Liu Bei have maintained since Red Cliff, since his defeat at Hanzhong and to restore the morale of the nation he has been plotting to strike back. This strike hit in Jing when he pushed Wu into a mindset to attack Shu, with the goal to permanently break apart their mutual goal to push north.

All didn't go as well as planned as despite the victory at Fan and fighting broke out between Wu and Shu, the two rival kingdoms managed to settle their dispute once more and Guan Yu's counter attack felled Xiangyang and pushed Wei's presence for the most part out of Jing; but Cao jumped at the opportunity and agreed to peace with Liu Bei, hoping for another chance to tear the Shu-Wu alliance apart. It was the only way to secure unity and victory for Wei.

01 - The Return of the King
02 - Talking of the Future
03 - Recruitment: Ai Rui
04 - The Young Tigress and the Phoenix
05 - Midnight Stroll [Xiahou Ba]
06 - Broken Bonds [Xiahou Ba - Subplot]
07 - Discussion in the Dark
08 - Cao Ren's Return
09 - A Means to an End (Unfinished)
10 - The Trial of the Princess
11 - Enter Xiahou Dun
12 - Skirmish near Nanzheng [Xiahou Ba] (Unfinished)
13 - Hustling and Bustling [Cao Xiu] (Unfinished)
14 - The Golden Age (Unfinished)
15 - Omnious News From the South (Unfinished)

Reward History

+20 Reputation
+20 Reputation, +1 Agility
+20 Reputation, +1 Endurance
+10 Reputation
+10 Reputation

[Sam]

Cheng Qi
(Fengyi)

Age: 53 (Born 166)
Gender: Male
Style: Original
Relationship: Retainer

Personality:
A controversial character that does everything in his own way, unorthodox in his own conduct, the pattern is similar, yet different. Fengyi is a shrewd and cunning, individual, and very outspoken about all things, but has a kind of charisma hidden within his voice and bearing. On one hand a major pain in the ass and on the other a person you couldn’t be without, he’s comforting and wise, just in a crazy way. He comes off as a sour individual at times, but is in fact trying to serve the best interest of his country, in doing so he comes off ambitious and on occasion arrogant.

He loves reading and writing they are his favourite past times, he is an accomplished scholar. That’s not to say he doesn’t enjoy a fair share of chaos, he takes enjoyment in the occasional ruckus out and about, it adds spice to the norm, these times of chaos allow Fengyi to put the many military manuals, and a good amount of martial arts he has studied to good use.

Appearance:
Fengyi is a moderately built individual of generous height, standing perhaps a good inch above the average man. He is neither big nor small, compared to most clad in battle armour he may appear small, but he has a well balanced physique, cable of some minor feats of strength and swordsplay, but nothing too demanding of him. His fair face has been enveloped by experience and his eyes are pools of knowledge; he has a well trimmed beard that extends downwards from his chin, which is now well flecked with strands of grey.

Apparel/Armour:
Fengyi sports a simple tunic of thick white cotton, over which he wears a worn out dull purple robe, fixed at the waist with a leather belt and silken sash. His feet bear walking shoes, with upturned toes. On his head he wears an official hat, with two silken strands hanging from each end of his long hair pin, that fits through each side of the hat.

Primarily a scholar, Fengyi has very little need on armour in his present situation; being so he only carries a breastplate and helmet. The helmet which is a family heirloom, is of fine craftsmanship, detailed and well formed, extremely sturdy, has a thick leather neck cover and bears a deep purple plume, this helmet boasts that no arrow can penetrate its surface, or even tarnish its smooth patterns with a scratch.

Weapons:
Sword - Qi is a competant swordsman and still wields the same jian sword that he did when he first entered Cao Cao's service. It shows signs of age, but it is still just as practical as a newly forged sword.

Staff - Qi wields a gun staff, a flexible pole of waxwood that he can wield as both a walking stick during his travels or a weapon in times of need, it is capable of absorbing direct impacts, as it bends to receive blows.

History:
Season One Profile. Qi was born into a well-off family of land owners in Qiao, as the second of three sons. The family lived outside the city in a family manor that housed a large inn for travellers. With a share of their wealth, Qi’s mother and father they bought their three sons a good education; their teachers were Lu Zhi and Zheng Xuan, unbeknownst to them they were in classes with the to-be warlords Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei...

After he joined Cao Cao back in the time, after the coalition to overthrow Dong Zhuo failed and Lu Bu was on the prowl. Cheng Qi hatched the scheme to seize the Emperor and to manipulate the feudal lords, since that day, Qi has been a leading advisor, with a lot of influence over Cao Cao. It was he who subdued the city Wan after initially being foiled by the twisted tongue of Jia Xu and the falseness of Zhang Xiu.

Cheng Qi did not participate in the Battle of Red Cliff, and saved himself the black mark on his career, instead looking after matters with Xun Yu on behalf of Cao Cao. Now he still holds much sway in the court, and still maintains a close bond with his lord and now King. Much has changed since those times back when there were many feudal lords to do away with.

Friendly Characters:
Cao Cao

Hostile Characters:
None.

Strength: 5
Perception: 9
Endurance: 5
Charisma: 7
Intelligence: 9
Agility: 6
Luck: 4

[Sam]

Cao Xiu
(Wenlie)

Age: 30 (Born 189)
Gender: Male
Style: Canon
Relationship: Nephew

Personality:
Loyal and filial. Xiu is a very cautious individual unless someone he cares about is in trouble. A dutiful young man who is well respected among the officers of Wei for his loyalty, devotion and personal integrity. Xiu is very benvolent and caring and finds joy in being there for people.

Appearance:
Xiu has maintained a lot of his youth as he has grown, although his face is lined faintly from years of work. He has a well-trimmed beard and a rather slim physique for an experienced fighter and rider.

Apparel/Armour:
Xiu sports a very mono-coloured heavy plate armour, that can absorb some degree of direct impact without hitting him personally too hard. Colour is gifted to the suit of armour only by the cape Xiu sports.

Weapons:
Sword - Xiu wields a dao sword, a single-edged broadsword with a curved blade. This weapon is used for slashing actions and is generally poor at thrusts due to its curve.

Bow - Xiu is an accomplished marksman, and usually carries this bow on his horse's saddle rather than personally.

History:
A distant nephew of Cao Cao, Cao Xiu was given special attention by the former, who once asserted him befitting the role of a commander. During Liu Bei's Hanzhong Campaign, Cao Xiu outwitted his two opponents, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao, who were far more well known than he was. He currently serves as Cao Cao's deputy in recognition of his martial and tactical skills.

Friendly Characters:
Cao Cao
Lu Xun

Hostile Characters:
None.

Strength: 6
Perception: 7
Endurance: 7
Charisma: 8
Intelligence: 7
Agility: 6
Luck: 4

[Sam]

Xiahou Ba
(Zhongquan)

Age: 22 (Born 197)
Gender: Male
Style: Canon
Relationship: Nephew

Personality:
A very brash yet gifted young man, if he chooses to use his head he can prove to be a very tactically sound person, but often he passes it over for a more violent temperment, as of late the latter has succeeded beaten to the fore with the death of his father. Fiercely loyal to his kingdom and has a thirst for glory.

Appearance:
Ba is still very young and his face shows as such, but that youth is hidden in distance behind a full beard, he has a strong physique from practicing the martial arts with his father since he was a boy.

Apparel/Armour:
Ba sports a leather-based armour, over which is a layer of light steel for ease of riding. He normally sports a cape to suit his status.

Weapons:
Lance - A pudao sabre, a long handed dao, a single-edged broadsword on short pole just as long as the blade itself. Just as effective when wielded on both horse and foot.

Sword - Ba wields a dao sword as a back-up incase the usefulness of the spear should expire. A single-edged broadsword with a curved blade. This weapon is used for slashing actions and is generally poor at thrusts due to its curve.

History:
The second of son Cao Cao's top general Xiahou Yuan, who fell in Hanzhong. Still young he has little merit but is well versed in the martial arts, he has a burning hatred for Huang Zhong, the man who slew his father. Out of respect for his late cousin Cao Cao took the young lad under his wing to forge him a more promising career.

Friendly Characters:
Cao Cao
Sima Yi
Sun Shang Xiang

Hostile Characters:
Huang Zhong

Strength: 8
Perception: 6
Endurance: 8
Charisma: 7
Intelligence: 6
Agility: 6
Luck: 4

[Mikey]

Great profile Sam. Approved!