Telltale

When frustrated in being a success (or being recognized as same), he tends to ... growl. Something low and preternaturally rumbly.

Description Ken (Kenichi) was raised in Japan by a very demanding father. Having an early skill at programming, he decided to pursue that profession. His father, who owns a large tech firm (Osato Technology) put him to work at his company, though strictly forbidding any favoritism (and, in fact, stacking the deck otherwise). Ken overcame the obstacles, and attained fame pretty quickly as a high-in-demand programmer. In fact, he eventually struck off on his own, doing some very lucrative software deals of his own. He's recently started working again for Osato Tech, overseeing their US software house in Massachussetts.

Ken -- ironic to someone with such a high will -- actually suffers from awful self-esteem. It's based largely on how others perceive and judge him (due to how his father treats him, and has since a child). That makes outward signs of success and triumph and achievement very important to him. Indeed, that need for appreciation (in the eyes of others, esp. his father) gives him a focus and drive that comes across as arrogant and hyper-competitive to some -- and which have gotten him dependent on Doji for success. That focus also aids him in driving toward puzzle-solving and coding issues; those sorts of things become personal affronts to him, if he's unable to resolve them.

Ironically, it was his father who taught him sorcery and demon-summoning. "If you can't succeed on your own," he said, a bit contemptuously, "here is a way you can get the help you need -- assuming you are strong enough to do so." He's turned his skills both to his own success and in support of Osato Technology -- both proving himself to his dad through his helping the business, and competing with him, too. He's oriented his sorcery toward what he calls "programancy," using a computer metaphor to organize his thoughts and controls over demon-kind

On one level, Ken hates his father, for forcing him to become some ruthless about winning. He still remains dependent on his father's opinion of him, though. To that end, while he's aware of what Doji (the demon)'s magicks do to support him, he can't really acknowledge it to himself -- that would make him a manipulative and destructive monster like his father. And it would call into question whether *he's* really been a success, or if it's all been a cheat ...

Ken is taking advantage of being in Massachussets to do some lecturing at MIT. At 26, he's not much older than some of the students, and so hangs with both them and the faculty. That, in turn, has led to further personal challenges to his abilities (by the "natural" talent there) and his social status (by the faculty). He lives by himself in a small but richly appointed house (a cleaning person comes in to keep it in order) near the campus.

In his spare time, he ... well, codes. Plays MMORPGs (and cheats). Builds anonymous web pages on major geek media to experiment with new technologies and gain attention. Sometimes goes out for a beer (or several).

NPCS

Kicker

Last night he signed a contract for Osato Tech worth $1MM. This morning he opened the door to get the paper, and his dad was there, saying, "You killed me. Now who will save --?" and then dropped over and died of a heart attack on his front doorstep.

Bound Demons