Ma Chao | Shu

Name: Ma Chao

Age: 36 (Born 176 AD)

Appearance: Ma Chao is a tall, broad-shouldered man standing at 6’1. He’s got brown eyes and spiky, messy blonde hair, though his hair is rarely seen since he is almost never seen without his helmet. Ma Chao is often seen in splendid gold and green armor, with his signature golden dragon helmet with a magnificent tuft of white horse hair adorning the top.

Personality: Filled with a warrior's pride, Ma Chao is a straightforward man who believes in making his future with his own power. A firm believer in justice and heroics, he always declares his intentions in battle for all to hear. His determined proclamations are not always appreciated by his listeners from his home or from rival armies since he often yells the loudest in Shu's army. While his charisma and honesty win him followers, his lack of foresight and planning sometimes cost him their trust, as he often neglects to consider others while completing his own personal goals. In addition, there is some hypocrisy in his actions, as refuses to forgive Cao Cao for killing his father yet is baffled that Wang Yi "still holds a grudge" against him for slaughtering her family.

He shares a mutual friendship with Zhao Yun as both warriors agree on similar morals and mindsets. Back when they were together at Xiliang, he idolized Pang De. When Pang De leaves him to join Cao Cao, his opinion of the warrior sours due to the betrayal. He resents Cao Cao severely. He’s close with his cousin Ma Dai.

Ma Chao is a complex man with a complicated story. He’s well aware that his rebellion against Cao Cao got his family killed-- he resents Cao Cao for the death of his family, but also knows that it’s his own damn fault. If cornered by the details of his family’s death, he gets evasive and hostile, pinning the blame on Cao Cao.

Ma Chao’s weapon of choice is a spear. He is a talented horse rider and cavalry soldier.

Background: Ma Chao, the eldest son of Ma Teng, came from a powerful family of warlords in Liang Province. His father, Ma Teng, was initially appointed General Who Attacks the West in 192 but later rebelled against the Han dynasty, attempting to conquer Chang'an, though he failed and retreated. In 197, Cao Cao attempted to recruit Ma Chao, but he refused to serve under him.

In 202, Ma Chao assisted Zhong Yao in defeating Yuan Shao's allies Gao Gan and Guo Yuan in Pingyang. Later, after his father’s conflict with Han Sui, Ma Chao remained in Liang Province, where he was appointed Lieutenant-General and placed in charge of his father’s forces.

In 211, fearing an attack from Cao Cao, Ma Chao formed an alliance with Han Sui and other regional warlords, leading to the formation of a 100,000-strong coalition to attack Tong Pass. Cao Cao, using Jia Xu's strategy, sowed discord between Ma Chao and Han Sui, ultimately defeating their forces at the Battle of Tong Pass.

In 212, after Ma Chao rebelled against Cao Cao, his father Ma Teng and his family were executed. Devastated, Ma Chao fled to Liu Bei, offering his service and surrendering, along with his cousin Ma Dai.