Ma Chao

[Ma Chao]

Ma Chao (馬超) the Splendid

Mengqi (孟奇)	Han Chinese—Qiang	35
183 cm (6'0")	196 lbs.	Other
Male	Heterosexual	General Who Conquers the West

Appearance

Ma Chao grew into an impregnable and swarthy frame, with a wide back—seemingly fashioned from iron—connecting equally impressive arms and legs. Much of this physical prowess rendered him forever indebted his Qiang bloodline; fierce, angled brows and an ambitiously drawn jawline completed the package. It is said that his pupils blended neatly into the surrounding blackness, giving him the mien of a carnivorous demon on the battlefield. He maintained unyielding eye contact with every man whom he addressed.

In response to the rising tensions (and paranoia) in the Guanzhong region, Mengqi can be seen wearing gleaming sheets of light armor more often than not. Engraved in them are deep grooves and layered ridges to better protect the warrior in hand-to-hand combat. Plumes of ivory-white adorn his terrific bronze helmet.

personality

• Brave
• Idealistic
• Passionate
• Strong-willed
• Tough

• Abrasive
• Compulsive
• Demanding
• Intolerant
• Superstitious

history

Ma Chao was from Maoling county, Youfufeng commandery. He was the eldest son of Ma Teng and a descendant of the Han dynasty general Ma Yuan (who himself was descended from famed general Zhao She). In 197, the warlord Cao Cao – who had become the de facto head of government in the Han imperial court – placed Zhong Yao in charge of guarding the Guanzhong region. Zhong Yao wrote to Ma Teng and Han Sui, explaining to them the benefits of submitting to the Han court and the negative consequences of not doing so. When Cao Cao later became the Chancellor, he wanted to recruit Ma Chao to serve in the Han government, but Mengqi refused.

In 202, when Cao Cao was on a series of campaigns to unify northern China after his victory over Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu two years ago, he ordered Zhong Yao to attack Yuan's allies Gao Gan and Guo Yuan in Pingyang. Ma Teng sent Ma Chao to assist Zhong Yao, and Ma Chao became an "Assistant Officer Who Supervises the Army" under Zhong. During the battle, Ma Chao was hit by a stray arrow in the foot, but he wrapped his foot in a pouch and continued fighting. His subordinate Pang De slew Guo Yuan and they defeated the enemy.

Later, Ma Teng had disagreements with Han Sui, so he requested to leave Liang Province and work in the capital. He was granted permission and was appointed "Minister of the Guards" by the Han court. Ma Chao was appointed as a Lieutenant-General, granted the title of a "Marquis of a Chief Village", and placed in charge of his father's troops in Liang Province. Ma Chao's younger brothers Ma Xiu and Ma Tie were appointed as "Commandant of Equipage" and "Commandant of Iron Cavalry" respectively, and were ordered to bring all their family members with them to Ye. Only Ma Chao remained behind in Liang Province, his family members essentially held hostage to prevent him from invading.

In 211, Cao Cao sent Zhong Yao and Xiahou Yuan to lead an army to attack Zhang Lu in Hanzhong. They were due to pass through the Guanzhong region along the way, and Ma Chao suspected that Cao Cao was planning to attack him, so he contacted Han Sui to form an alliance. He told Han Sui, "Previously, Zhong Yao ordered me to harm you. Now, I know that the people from Guandong cannot be trusted. Now, I abandon my father, and I'm willing to acknowledge you as my father. You should also abandon your son, and treat me like your son."

Han Sui's subordinate Yan Xing urged his superior not to cooperate with Ma Chao but Han still agreed to the alliance. Ma Chao also contacted Yang Qiu, Li Kan, Cheng Yi, Hou Xuan, Cheng Yin, Zhang Heng, Liang Xing, Ma Wan and others, and they formed a 100,000 strong coalition army. As the westerners took up arms to defy Cao Cao, Ma Teng, along with every member of his family that accompanied him, was executed.

[Lexi]

Approved.