[BitP:R] BleachITP Reborn: OOC Thread 9

[riccaru]

Spoiler

Show

Sonido:Sereg's use of sonido varies. Most often it is used to disorient or gain an edge over an opponent, though he will sometimes use it for general movement throughout Las Noches.

Hierro: Slightly above average While concentrated, while weak when not concentrated. Sereg has the unique passive ability that his hierro concentrates itself, blocking incoming attacks that he is aware of and are not too fast or powerful.

Cero/Bala: Sereg often uses cero, though rarely uses bala unless there is an opening. Sereg's cero is a deep red color, akin to coagulating blood. His cero is most often fired from two fingertips in the shape of a fake gun, though he can fire it from anywhere on his body.

Cero Latigo: Sereg has the unique ability to form his cero into a whip of raw power. This technique is completely solid, and acts much like a zanpakuto.

Regeneration: Sereg ultimately chose to keep his regeneration for his own defense. It is slightly below average, though nothing special.

Garganta: Sereg cannot use garganta more than once a day, and then only for himself. He usually makes his fraccion take him.

Swordsmanship: Sereg is only slightly above average with sword fighting, isntead opting to use his hands or cero whip most of the time. He uses tactics to keep his opponent close at all times

Unarmed Fighting: Sereg is quite proficient at unarmed fighting, choosing to use it more than his sword. He uses a mix of fast kicks and punches along with powerful two handed strikes when an opponent is open.

Physical Strength: Sereg is stronger than average, though his fighting style usually relies of fast and brutal techniques, never letting the enemy react.

Sereg's new proposed abilities. I'll have to slightly change the personality though. Just to take out the part about being a sonido specialist.

Final proposal, if no one has objections i'll change Sereg in the registry.

[KnightDisciple]

That is not the intention. You've all been surprisingly lenient with us, and I don't think we'll strain that generosity just for the kicks. I hope Innis's epic and the color we're trying to add to Kido will make this worth your time.

If you can't tell, I'm still not completely sold on the idea on any level or iteration.

Especially in light of this:

...that is my point. Why add yet another thing that not only makes summoning zanpaktou less unique, but also overlaps with the Bount?

Edit: And of course deleting the post makes this look odd out of context.

Beyond that, you say it's "not your intention", but it nonetheless throws the doors wide open for just that.

Again, while the Huntsman himself is fine, I'm still unsure about how good of an idea the whole "kido can summon him" aspect is.

[Frozen_Feet]

...that is my point. Why add yet another thing that not only makes summoning zanpaktou less unique, but also overlaps with the Bount?

I don't feel these two spells lessen the "uniqueness" of summoning zanpakuto, just like I don't feel that fire kido lessen the value of fire zanpakuto - there is overlap, yes, but the two follow so different rules that it doesn't become bothersome. And ultimately, I don't feel it's summoning what makes summoner swords unique - the idea is too general. What is being summoned and why are bigger factors.

Ultimately, I don't feel the Headsman (that's what you're referring to, right?), is "yeat another thing", as it is one thing, with a very specific purpose, and it is supposed to be extent of this idea. Again, I feel the returns will make up for this slight, and the story will be better for it. I hope you will feel the same way once you've seen Innis's little story.

[riccaru]

If you can't tell, I'm still not completely sold on the idea on any level or iteration.

Especially in light of this:

Beyond that, you say it's "not your intention", but it nonetheless throws the doors wide open for just that.

Again, while the Huntsman himself is fine, I'm still unsure about how good of an idea the whole "kido can summon him" aspect is.

It could just send a message to him, and he teleports to them with his own ability/ item. But that would defeat the whole summoning idea.

[KnightDisciple]

It's not "one thing". It's, at minimum, two things: the Black Huntsman and the White Headsman. And considering how you alluded to your character being only one of many possible, that makes it even more.

[Frozen_Feet]

It could just send a message to him, and he teleports to them with his own ability/ item. But that would defeat the whole summoning idea.

Erm... the current idea isn't much different from that. To summon Zamiel, you make a candle using your blood, and put it on a window sill as a beacon for him - same with the Headsman and a mirror. I worded it, per KD's suggestion, that the "Hunstman has the power to be summoned", rather than "user has the power to summon him". I likened it to calling someone with a phone before.

EDIT: deadtiming for now. Hopefully, Innis finishes his story before I wake up. There's little else I can say to defend my case before that.

[KnightDisciple]

Erm... the current idea isn't much different from that. To summon Zamiel, you make a candle using your blood, and put it on a window sill as a beacon for him - same with the Headsman and a mirror. I worded it, per KD's suggestion, that the "Hunstman has the power to be summoned", rather than "user has the power to summon him". I likened it to calling someone with a phone before.

EDIT: deadtiming for now. Hopefully, Innis finishes his story before I wake up. There's little else I can say to defend my case before that.

So...It's not really a kido. It's just the ritual to dial his phone number?

Which...means there's no "need" for a counterpart. Because the Huntsman is just a Bount with a listed phone number that lets him location-hop. I mean, there can be someone who "eternally stands against him", but...*shrugs*

[strawberryman]

So... I had a thought for a short-lived actual villain within the SWORD organization, however, there is some possibility for his involvement before the arc itself. Nothing major...

But, how receptive are people to the idea of a scientist who controls and captures Hollows with his SCIENCE!!?

[KnightDisciple]

So... I had a thought for a short-lived actual villain within the SWORD organization, however, there is some possibility for his involvement before the arc itself. Nothing major...

But, how receptive are people to the idea of a scientist who controls and captures Hollows with his SCIENCE!!?

Well. One question, and one thought.

Question: How strong of Hollows? As in, what's the "upper limit" of what he can control?

Thought: He should probably have trouble controlling more than a certain number (no idea on the number). And maybe have it be via devices that can be damaged?

[happyturtle]

nothingclever, can you edit the title of the OP to include the [BitP:R] tag at the start? Cheers!

[Kuroimaken]

...Okay, either Dissidia eats more time than I first figured it did, or you people post too much.

[strawberryman]

Well. One question, and one thought.

Question: How strong of Hollows? As in, what's the "upper limit" of what he can control?

No Adjuchas/Vasto Lorde obviously, and probably an absolute limit of Gillians, though it's likely highly inefficient enough that he may only have one for a rainy day. Mostly talking mooks here.

Thought: He should probably have trouble controlling more than a certain number (no idea on the number). And maybe have it be via devices that can be damaged?

Both things I can work with, depending on what people are okay with.

[AmberVael]

Alright, here is the arrancar I've been working on- her background connections have been approved by Draken and FF (but if I said anything specific that either of you dislike, feel free to speak up).

She's an homage to an old character of mine, who was a loose adaptation of a mythological entity. If anyone who doesn't know the original source material can guess what it is, they will win like, five internets.
(Draken, Callos, FF- you all can probably guess it, given that I mentioned it to all of you. So don't spoil it for anyone else).

Akena, Arrancar

Spoiler

Show

Akena
Age: Old, very
Gender: Female?
Size: Big
Affiliation/Type: Tentatively Loyal Arrancar
Aspect of Death: Savagery
Speech Color: #445599

Appearance:
While most arrancar take on human form, or at least have some vague semblance of humanity to them, Akena is persistently monstrous. If Akena even has a human form, none remember it, or have lived past seeing it.

Describing Akena's form is difficult, however, as it is remarkably protean and bizarre, adding new limbs and subtracting old ones, shifting length and height and coloration. However, Akena generally has to keep the same size, and usually is quadrupedal (or more), and has a long and slender body rather like an over-sized salamander. Quite often, exposed bones weave in and out of Akena's skin and flesh at random places, sometimes in sharp barbs, or in curved, protective plates or rings.

One constant, however, are Akena's eyes; She possesses eight, each one a rounded triangle. Each eye is a dull, steely blue, and tends to be placed with one other eye so they form a strange diamond shape.
The other constant is Akena's breath, which bears the same coloration as her eyes. Involuntarily, Akena releases a strange smoke or fog from her mouth and other places across her body, which tends to clump and gather, or spread out subtly so that it is difficult to notice. Where it is dense, shapes can be seen in the fog- phantom limbs and faces that mimic the forms Akena has taken.

Generally, also Akena has razor sharp teeth and claws of a dull gray material that acts like metal- however, she sometimes substitutes it with bone, and uses the "metal' more protectively in patches across her body.

Personality:
Monstrous is the best word to describe Akena. Following after that is bestial, savage, and inhuman. She does not care for society or social norms, but instead acts like the terrible creature she appears to be. As often as she would speak, she would eat or maul, or simply ignore. The idea of civilization is simply bizarre to her.

This is not to say she lacks intelligence or the capability to speak or socialize, however. Akena is quite canny and cunning, and has been known to talk to people she isn't interested in devouring, and those that catch her attention. People who manage to do this will often note that Akena's personality seems... disjointed. She will say things that are contradictory one after another, or shift emotions and goals rapidly. Even if she isn't coherent or consistent, however, she remains purposeful, and rarely ever does something that isn't self-serving (whether for entertainment or out of greed or need).

When she does speak for longer periods of time, it becomes apparent that she enjoys trying to rile people- to make them angry or hateful, and it doesn't matter what their anger is at (though most often it is directed at her). If she's pursuing a specific goal, she tends to try and get her way through intimidation, brutality and forcefulness, which serve her quite well.

However, there are a few who manage to get the better of Akena, and around them, she manages a resentful servility. She often tests these people, either with direct confrontation or through contrived challenges, always watching and waiting for weakness, biding her time until she can strike them down. Until that time, however, she can be considered loyal... though not reliable. Currently, the Ghost King exerts this form of loyalty over her to ensure her obedience, and she may defer to Espada if pressed (though they will likely have to demonstrate their superiority).

History:

The history of Akena is incredibly long, extending back over two thousand years. It is difficult to piece together everything she has done, but the best way to track her activity is through plagues. The Antonine Plague, or the Plague of Galen, is one of the first known plagues attributed to her, and later the Black Death and Third Pandemic. While it's clear she could in no way cause all of the deaths in these plagues, it is known that she delighted in them, and quite possibly did engage in her own rampages as they took place. Whether she actually caused, started, or actually aided the progression of the actual disease is unknown.

The Antonine Plague is of particular note, however, for it was in this time period that Elder and Akena encountered one another. Having moved west from her usual locations, Akena drove into the Roman Empire, laying havoc on the people within as the plague spread... and inadvertently interfering with Elder's current territory. Since then, the two have remained fierce enemies and rivals, clashing violently.

Though she is considered a useful weapon against Elder, Von Geister has taken steps to curb and remove some of Akena's tendencies and abilities, to ensure that she is not overly detrimental to his cause. As such, Akena is somewhat weaker currently than she was in the past, a fact which she deeply resents... not that it changes her situation.

Capabilities

General Capabilities:

Spoiler

Show

-Physical Strength: Akena is immensely strong, as is befitting a creature as large as she is.

-Offense: Akena is only of average combat skill, as she relies more on her strength.

-Defense: Her skin is quite tough, and especially due to the bone and metal that shifts across her body.

-Mobility: Akena is not especially mobile due to her size, though attempting to flank her is much more difficult than it seems. She is quick at running, though her attacks don't benefit the same way.

Standard Arrancar Powers:

Spoiler

Show

-Bala and Cero: Akena is not capable of using Bala or Cero.

-Hierro: Incredibly potent. Attacking her may result in damage to the offending object.

-Sonido: While she can use Sonido with slight below average ability, generally she has to use it in short dashes as she has difficulty turning while using it.

-Garganta: Akena can use Garganta, but it is limited to herself, and it can only take her to one place (her lair) in Hueco Mundo (though she is not limited to where she can arrive in the mortal world)

-Pesquisa: Akena's Pesquisa has a good range, but is incredibly dull- she cannot distinguish between auras in any manner other than very general size, and particularly weak auras may escape her entirely.

Unique Abilities:

Spoiler

Show

-Breath of Decay: Akena constantly releases a steely blue breath that spreads out around her like rolling fog. When angered or riled, this smoke becomes more dense around her, forming shapes that mimic her or her limbs (or sometimes just eyes). Any caught within this aura will subtly began to decay or dissolve, skin and fingernails peeling away the first sign of its effects, with flesh being next. It takes time to work, but it tends to cling even after moving away from Akena, though it fades fairly quickly when removed from the source. Protective abilities (such as hierro) and strong auras can diminish her breath's effects.
If she wills it, Akena can release as little of her breath as possible, but she cannot do so over extended periods of time, and cannot fully negate it.

-Chimeric Body: Akena's body is highly mutable, and can be reshaped in a variety of ways. However, she cannot add or subtract anything from her body- thus, she always has the same mass, and same materials with which to construct it. Some things seem to be a necessity to her body (such as the form of her eyes, openings from which to release her breath, and outer patches of bone and metal), so Akena is hard pressed to use this as a disguise or drastically reform herself- however, she can use it to protect certain parts of her body over others, move wounds, grow and retract limbs, and more.

-Plague Bearer: Unusually, Akena is capable of catching and purposefully retaining diseases, though she does not suffer from their effects. It is tiring for her to sustain them for too long, however, so generally she does not carry diseases for long periods of time. She can purposefully release these diseases in manners that allow others to catch them (though this doesn't allow her to infect those who would normally be immune to it, such as other spiritual creatures).

[KnightDisciple]

Alright, here is the arrancar I've been working on- her background connections have been approved by Draken and FF (but if I said anything specific that either of you dislike, feel free to speak up).

She's an homage to an old character of mine, who was a loose adaptation of a mythological entity. If anyone who doesn't know the original source material can guess what it is, they will win like, five internets.
(Draken, Callos, FF- you all can probably guess it, given that I mentioned it to all of you. So don't spoil it for anyone else).

Akena, Arrancar

Spoiler

Show

Akena
Age: Old, very
Gender: Female?
Size: Big
Affiliation/Type: Tentatively Loyal Arrancar
Aspect of Death: Savagery
Speech Color: #445599

Appearance:
While most arrancar take on human form, or at least have some vague semblance of humanity to them, Akena is persistently monstrous. If Akena even has a human form, none remember it, or have lived past seeing it.

Describing Akena's form is difficult, however, as it is remarkably protean and bizarre, adding new limbs and subtracting old ones, shifting length and height and coloration. However, Akena generally has to keep the same size, and usually is quadrupedal (or more), and has a long and slender body rather like an over-sized salamander. Quite often, exposed bones weave in and out of Akena's skin and flesh at random places, sometimes in sharp barbs, or in curved, protective plates or rings.

One constant, however, are Akena's eyes; She possesses eight, each one a rounded triangle. Each eye is a dull, steely blue, and tends to be placed with one other eye so they form a strange diamond shape.
The other constant is Akena's breath, which bears the same coloration as her eyes. Involuntarily, Akena releases a strange smoke or fog from her mouth and other places across her body, which tends to clump and gather, or spread out subtly so that it is difficult to notice. Where it is dense, shapes can be seen in the fog- phantom limbs and faces that mimic the forms Akena has taken.

Generally, also Akena has razor sharp teeth and claws of a dull gray material that acts like metal- however, she sometimes substitutes it with bone, and uses the "metal' more protectively in patches across her body.

Personality:
Monstrous is the best word to describe Akena. Following after that is bestial, savage, and inhuman. She does not care for society or social norms, but instead acts like the terrible creature she appears to be. As often as she would speak, she would eat or maul, or simply ignore. The idea of civilization is simply bizarre to her.

This is not to say she lacks intelligence or the capability to speak or socialize, however. Akena is quite canny and cunning, and has been known to talk to people she isn't interested in devouring, and those that catch her attention. People who manage to do this will often note that Akena's personality seems... disjointed. She will say things that are contradictory one after another, or shift emotions and goals rapidly. Even if she isn't coherent or consistent, however, she remains purposeful, and rarely ever does something that isn't self-serving (whether for entertainment or out of greed or need).

When she does speak for longer periods of time, it becomes apparent that she enjoys trying to rile people- to make them angry or hateful, and it doesn't matter what their anger is at (though most often it is directed at her). If she's pursuing a specific goal, she tends to try and get her way through intimidation, brutality and forcefulness, which serve her quite well.

However, there are a few who manage to get the better of Akena, and around them, she manages a resentful servility. She often tests these people, either with direct confrontation or through contrived challenges, always watching and waiting for weakness, biding her time until she can strike them down. Until that time, however, she can be considered loyal... though not reliable. Currently, the Ghost King exerts this form of loyalty over her to ensure her obedience, and she may defer to Espada if pressed (though they will likely have to demonstrate their superiority).

History:

The history of Akena is incredibly long, extending back over two thousand years. It is difficult to piece together everything she has done, but the best way to track her activity is through plagues. The Antonine Plague, or the Plague of Galen, is one of the first known plagues attributed to her, and later the Black Death and Third Pandemic. While it's clear she could in no way cause all of the deaths in these plagues, it is known that she delighted in them, and quite possibly did engage in her own rampages as they took place. Whether she actually caused, started, or actually aided the progression of the actual disease is unknown.

The Antonine Plague is of particular note, however, for it was in this time period that Elder and Akena encountered one another. Having moved west from her usual locations, Akena drove into the Roman Empire, laying havoc on the people within as the plague spread... and inadvertently interfering with Elder's current territory. Since then, the two have remained fierce enemies and rivals, clashing violently.

Though she is considered a useful weapon against Elder, Von Geister has taken steps to curb and remove some of Akena's tendencies and abilities, to ensure that she is not overly detrimental to his cause. As such, Akena is somewhat weaker currently than she was in the past, a fact which she deeply resents... not that it changes her situation.

Capabilities

General Capabilities:

Spoiler

Show

-Physical Strength: Akena is immensely strong, as is befitting a creature as large as she is.

-Offense: Akena is only of average combat skill, as she relies more on her strength.

-Defense: Her skin is quite tough, and especially due to the bone and metal that shifts across her body.

-Mobility: Akena is not especially mobile due to her size, though attempting to flank her is much more difficult than it seems. She is quick at running, though her attacks don't benefit the same way.

Standard Arrancar Powers:

Spoiler

Show

-Bala and Cero: Akena is not capable of using Bala or Cero.

-Hierro: Incredibly potent. Attacking her may result in damage to the offending object.

-Sonido: While she can use Sonido with slight below average ability, generally she has to use it in short dashes as she has difficulty turning while using it.

-Garganta: Akena can use Garganta, but it is limited to herself, and it can only take her to one place (her lair) in Hueco Mundo (though she is not limited to where she can arrive in the mortal world)

-Pesquisa: Akena's Pesquisa has a good range, but is incredibly dull- she cannot distinguish between auras in any manner other than very general size, and particularly weak auras may escape her entirely.

Unique Abilities:

Spoiler

Show

-Breath of Decay: Akena constantly releases a steely blue breath that spreads out around her like rolling fog. When angered or riled, this smoke becomes more dense around her, forming shapes that mimic her or her limbs (or sometimes just eyes). Any caught within this aura will subtly began to decay or dissolve, skin and fingernails peeling away the first sign of its effects, with flesh being next. It takes time to work, but it tends to cling even after moving away from Akena, though it fades fairly quickly when removed from the source. Protective abilities (such as hierro) and strong auras can diminish her breath's effects.
If she wills it, Akena can release as little of her breath as possible, but she cannot do so over extended periods of time, and cannot fully negate it.

-Chimeric Body: Akena's body is highly mutable, and can be reshaped in a variety of ways. However, she cannot add or subtract anything from her body- thus, she always has the same mass, and same materials with which to construct it. Some things seem to be a necessity to her body (such as the form of her eyes, openings from which to release her breath, and outer patches of bone and metal), so Akena is hard pressed to use this as a disguise or drastically reform herself- however, she can use it to protect certain parts of her body over others, move wounds, grow and retract limbs, and more.

-Plague Bearer: Unusually, Akena is capable of catching and purposefully retaining diseases, though she does not suffer from their effects. It is tiring for her to sustain them for too long, however, so generally she does not carry diseases for long periods of time. She can purposefully release these diseases in manners that allow others to catch them (though this doesn't allow her to infect those who would normally be immune to it, such as other spiritual creatures).

Can't say the mythological connection rings specific bells, though it seems vaguely familiar.

Seems generally solid, though the Breath of Decay is definitely one of those "talk very clearly and specifically about this before fighting" items.

[Draken]

It's actually just an acid breath attack.

[13_CBS]

She's an homage to an old character of mine, who was a loose adaptation of a mythological entity. If anyone who doesn't know the original source material can guess what it is, they will win like, five internets.
[/spoiler]

The fact that Akena is "loosely" based off of a creature makes it more difficult, but my two main guesses are...

Spoiler

Show

Ajatar, Finnish creature of the woods. Takes the form of a serpent, spreads diseases.

Or,

Lamashtu, Mesopotamian demoness. Apparently has a hairy body, a lioness' head with donkey's teeth and ears, long fingers and fingernails, and the feet of a bird with sharp talons. Sometimes spreads disease.

Meanwhile, I've finished reading the powers of all the current Shinigami and Arrancar. I haven't even started on Bounts, Quincies, Mortals, Samsarites (Samsara members), Loose Cannons, and S.W.O.R.D. members. It's taken me about 2 hours so far.

[KnightDisciple]

Good lord, 13! You don't need to read them so deeply!

If you're worried about overlap, maybe instead post a handful of ideas here, and we can tell you if they've been done already? That way you don't have to slog through stuff quite as much?

[tgva8889]

Armin, Bount Mercenary, Assassin, and Bounty Hunter

Spoiler

Show

Name: Armin, the "Brown Rose"

Position/Allegiance: None

Race: Bount

Vital Stats:
Age: Unknown, probably 250-300
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 163 lb.
Reiatsu/Spiritual Color: Dark Red
Health: Healthy

Personality

Spoiler

Show

Armin is cold. He cares little for other people's emotions and feelings, and is generally aloof. The concerns of others are not concerns of his. Even things that interest him generally do not receive any amount of obvious attention. Everyone is a threat to him, everyone a possible danger or a possible attachment that Armin, in his line of work, does not wish to keep. Almost none of his alliances are permanent, and he is willing to work for one side one day and his enemies the next.

In general, Armin speaks very rarely, even to those he considers friends. When he does speak, it is usually in very short sentences. However, Armin's voice is actually quite soothing, almost always calm and relatively deep. Should he truly have something to say, his words are often full of hidden meanings or implications. Those who hear his real voice generally only hear them before they meet their demise.

In terms of interests, Armin generally only cares about his job, his tools, and his survival. He is constantly working, even when not hired. Sometimes he organizes, sometimes he repairs, sometimes he observes. But always, Armin is working.

Appearance

Spoiler

Show

Armin looks somewhere in his thirties. When seen, he appears clearly Eastern European. His skin has a slight tan tone, somewhere between yellow and bleach white. His irises are an ocean color, slightly green but slightly blue. Though rarely seen, his light brown hair barely goes below his forehead. Considering it is almost impossible to see Armin without a hat, seeing his hair is a very rare sight.

Armin usually wears in an open khaki coat that reaches his knees. His head is adorned with a brown fedora. A small glass rose is pinned to the hatband. Oddly, the rose appears to be brown, as if it is dying. Under his coat, he carries a gun belt on his shoulder which features two revolver-style weapons and two pouches for ammunition. He also carries one revolver on each hip under his coat. Beneath the belt he wears a white button-down shirt. Even in more casual settings, he tends to wear the same attire. No matter where he goes, he seems to wear his hat. Even if he is somehow caught without the hat, he will always have the glass rose somewhere on his person.

Style/Abilities:

Strangely for a Bount, Armin's most common fighting style does not even use his Doll. In fact, for most of his fighting he generally does not use his Doll at all. He is an expert marksman, and generally fights with his set of pistols. In addition to a set of normal bullets which are used on normal, mortal foes, Armin uses a series of specially designed bullets to eliminate spiritually-aware targets. When it comes to close-range combat, Armin generally uses some combination of his own martial arts prowess and his pistols. While much harder to use in melee distance, Armin is still quite capable with his pistols. Armin prefers to fight at a distance and from the shadows when necessary.

When he uses his Doll, however, Armin becomes a different combatant. His Doll generally attracts attention while Armin sneaks around and attempts to score hits with his set of pistols. He will also support his Doll with ranged fire of various types. Should it become necessary, Armin is capable of fusing with his Doll, in which case he becomes a much more powerful combatant focused more on direct combat.

Tools of the Trade:

Spoiler

Show

Revolvers: Armin possesses a number of revolver pistols. These pistols are made of an extremely tough reishi-like material, capable of blocking zanpakuto several times with only chipping. This also allows them to function as makeshift weapons without firing, though they are not designed for this purpose. He generally has all but one pistol loaded with spiritual bullets while one (on his belt) is loaded with normal, but they are interchangeable and he can prepare specifically for certain jobs.

Special Bullets: In Armin's possession are several bullets specially-designed for dealing with spiritually-aware targets, including Shinigami and Hollows. Unless otherwise specified, Armin can have more bullets of a specific type created at any time through his own efforts or those of an ally.

• "Ghost Touch" Bullets - Like firing normal bullets, except at Shinigami and Hollows. His most common bullet. Armin generally has one gun loaded entirely with these. He can create these himself.
• Smoke Bullets - Explode upon striking any surface, begins spewing smoke that lasts for a medium amount of time (about as long as a smoke grenade). It blocks vision and is difficult to breathe through, much like normal smoke. Armin creates these himself.
• Flash Bullets - These bullets explode with light, generally blinding targets for a few seconds. Can also be used like the typical ninja escape pellets. Armin creates these himself.
• "Bakudo" Bullets - Before reaching their target, these bullets create a net of energy, binding the target they hit similar to a Bakudo spell, probably somewhere in the 50's in terms of strength. While the net is very difficult to break, it is easy to see coming because the bullet expands into a net before it hits its target. Armin has about 10 of these at any given time. These are harder to obtain due to the fact that he must outsource their creation.
• Spore Pellets - These bullets contain Röschen's spores, and are generally fired directly at her to increase the speed at which she reaches maximum potential (see below). Armin uses Röschen to help create these.
• Feedback Bullets - Specialized for high-priority targets, these bullets, upon striking, imbed themselves in the target and initiate a feedback loop through which the target's own reiatsu is forced back upon them, inflicting constant damage. These bullets are more powerful the more reiatsu the target has, and are capable of piercing hierro and reiatsu of any kind. In a deal with Kujo, Armin obtained 6 of these bullets and has since only ever used one. Armin only has 5 of these bullets in his possession and has absolutely no way of gaining more due to their specialized creation, nor can they be reused. (Currently not confirmed, as I haven't gotten full approval of Zarah on the idea yet.)

Prototype Reiatsu Hiding Device: A retooled reiatsu draining device designed by S.W.O.R.D., this device causes Armin's reiatsu to appear as one of three things: a normal human, a normal Shinigami, or a normal Arrancar. It functions by actually draining Armin's reiatsu to hide it, making it risky for prolonged use.

Disguise Kit: Pretty much standard clothing, though customized by Armin over his long lifetime to allow him to appear as just about any profession necessary, including a Shinigami, though actually passing as a Shinigami to other Shinigami is not made at all easier.

Doll: Röschen (Little Rose) takes the form of a brown glass rose. In order to summon her, Armin removes the rose from his hat and blows, causing the petals to fall in the shape of a flower on the ground. From that, Röschen rises.

When summoned, Röschen appears as a small humanoid girl with petals instead of hair and root-like appendages for legs. At first, she appears relatively sickly and brown, but the longer she is active she grows more green and the petals grow more red. From the moment she is summoned on, she is constantly releasing green spores into the air, which fade after the cloud is dispersed. When used in combat, Röschen causes vines to grow from the ground and tie up her foes. These vines generally have thorns, causing them to inflict damage should they be pulled through. Additionally, Röschen can stretch her arms and legs, allowing her to reach or see targets afar and strike them with thorny bludgeon-like vines. However, once summoned she is incapable of moving her base until she becomes strong enough (see below). As a plant, Röschen is naturally weak to fire and ice and naturally resists water.

Techniques:

Spoiler

Show

Plant Control: Röschen is capable of using plant-life of all kinds to her advantage. She can cause them to experience accelerated growth or decay. Accelerating growth expends her own energy, while decaying it causes her to regain energy. As such, she has a limit to how much plant life she can create at any given time, though she can always decay previous life to regain her energy. Any plants that are disconnected from their roots are not subject to this effect, nor can she use it if she has uprooted herself.

Spores: While not a technique in and of itself, the spores that Röschen creates have no effect on anyone or anything but Röschen. The longer Röschen feels the effect of her spores, the stronger her vines get and the harder they are to damage with attacks. Thus, Röschen actually becomes more powerful the longer she fights. It usually takes about a minute for her to reach maximum strength. Once at that level, she can uproot herself and walk about.

Uprooted: Once uprooted, Röschen can move quickly by extending her limbs and using them to travel. Her base body is much stronger than the vines that make it up and generally more resistant to damage of any physical kind, especially considering when uprooted she is at her strongest. Additionally, she is capable of using her petals like sharp blades capable of fighting on par with a zanpakuto. These petals can be thrown from her head, growing back almost instantly. She remains weak to fire and resistant to water-based attacks, but is now more resistant to ice.

Bonded: Röschen Großdorn (Litte Rose Big Thorn)

Spoiler

Show

When bonded, Röschen surrounds Armin's right arm completely with her vines, then injects her thorns directly into him. His eyes change to a more yellow color as the vines grow over his body. In order to bond, Armin has to expose his arm directly to Röschen; she cannot bond through clothing. Once the process is finished, Armin's entire body is a writhing mass of vines, his right arm covered in thorns. His face is shrouded in shadows, blocked from vision by the vines around it. However, his bright yellow eyes are visible.

In a bonded state, Armin continues to release spores like Röschen that continually increase his strength. He also has all of Röschen's powers. However, he can also move at a much faster speed despite his less human form, basically writhing along the ground at the speed of Röschen's accelerated growth ability. At close range, he can envelop anyone nearby in the vines of his body. He can also cause thorns to grow from any vines he creates at any time. The thorns on his right arm drain their target of their reiryoku, delivering it directly to Armin. He can also drain water to regenerate himself.

For those who may possibly have not seen this to critique it, posting it again. Just want to make sure no one has any major problems with it.

As reference, his intended power level is Tier 3.5, with the ability to threaten up to Tier 2 with tactical advantage.

[strawberryman]

Concepts look good. Now, for mine!

Agent 13 and Hollow Researcher, Tsukino Hiroto

Spoiler

Show

Type: Mortal Medium

Age: 27

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 132

Speaking Color: Teal

Appearance:

Spoiler

Show

Hiroto is a thin, pale, disheveled-looking man, with thin hair died blue and combed to one side, and remarkable blue eyes which he hides behind orange-tinted glasses. When not in a lab-coat, he tends to walk around in a green jacket and navy slacks.

Personality:

Spoiler

Show

Hiroto, in one word, is irrevocably insane. His methods are morally questionable, his empathy for the common man is nil, and he has little to no regard for the safety of society. There is no question he is a prime candidate for institutionalization, and yet SWORD continues to consider him a valuable asset (or a dangerous enough foe) to keep him on their side.

The only real humanity he shows is in the oddest of places; he treats the hollows he captures and mind-controls like his pets, as such, he is prone to fits of rage and plots of vengeance when one of them are killed.

History:

Spoiler

Show

Hiroto has long been a member of SWORD, as apparent by his rank, and one of the primary researchers on Hollows. Other than that, however...

Spoiler

Show

Hiroto was condemned to an insane asylum, for his violent reaction to seeing hollows... or, rather, his violent reaction to seeing hollows killed. He spent a short period of his life as a small-time terrorist in the eyes of the Mortals, attempting to strike at Shinigami by setting bomb traps, completely ignoring the collateral damage. His skewed perspective had grown into a love for Hollows, considering them naturally beautiful and a pinnacle of evolution, even though his exposure was limited given the danger (he had mostly survived encounters with hollows on luck); so, shinigami purifying them was naturally a crime punishable by death in his eyes. During his trial, he held no issue in explaining his actions, which naturally caught the attention of SWORD, albeit not enough for them to bail him out from his sentence.

In his years in the Asylum he came up with a myriad number of theories on Hollows, which sparked SWORD's interest in freeing him from his prison.

Tools:

Spoiler

Show

Head
Scanner: These pair of glasses have an intelligent computer that recognizes patterns and analyzes opponents for their weak points.

Hands
Spirit Shock: Harnessing power similar in theory to a seele schneider, this unique glove steals spiritrons from the air as well as opponents, physically draining them, and storing it in the glove for use with his other tools. It glows red when in use.
Trainer's Glove: This glove allows Hiroto to control Hollows with controllers (see below) attached to them with certain simple commands.

Feet:
Aero Boots: These boots allow Hiroto to airwalk, much like a shinigami or hollow.

Miscellaneous:
Hollow Controllers: These devices (small blue orbs when dormant) latch onto a Hollow's mask on contact, making the creature a slave to Hiroto's desire (as above). However, they can be removed (they protrude from the struck area) or damaged, freeing the hollow instantly. However, Hiroto can only control basic hollows with these; anything stronger than a Gillian is out of reach.

Weapons:

Spoiler

Show

Hiroto always carries a fair number of smoke grenades, as well as knockout gas on his person. Other than that, he tends to be unarmed.

Hollows:

Spoiler

Show

These Hollows are always in Hiroto's presence, and are more or less his favorites.

Flamespine: This hollow looks somewhat like a cross between a huge lizard and porcupine, with ash-gray skin, and a dozen or so red spines on its back. Each spine burns near the temperature of magma, are extremely sharp, and can be shot out like a projectile. Each spine takes about a half a minute to regenerate.

Ironwing: This green, insectile hollow stands upright at around 6 feet tall, with a pair of large wings like a fly and two iron-hard claws not unlike a crab. Ironwing boasts significant defenses, however a significant enough force can break through its carapace.

Octoblast: This blue, octopus-like Hollow has cannon-like openings at the end of each of its tentacles; from each of these, it can let loose an explosive blast of ink that blinds foes and hinders their movements.

Doompine: This tall, pine-tree-like hollow has low-level regeneration as long as it has contact with the sun, and attacks with several vines that stretch out from its body.

Yes, Tsukino. I'm feeling a running... uh, not really a gag unless you consider crazy, unforgivable villains particularly funny.

[tgva8889]

Looks good, Strawberryman. I like the idea.

[13_CBS]

Alright, as per Knight's advice, I'm going to throw out a couple of ideas and see how you guys like them. It's getting late over here, so I'll have to finish off the rest of the characters' stuff later.

The Twins:

Spoiler

Show

A set of fraternal twins formed from an anomaly in the Soul Burial process. In their incarnation in the mortal world, they were one soul, but for some reason they arrived in Soul Society as a tall, muscled girl and a short, thin boy. Presumably, their soul was split apart during their Soul Burial. Luckily for the two, they were Hayashi clan members in life, so they were taken in by that family and sheltered until they got their bearings set. They eventually joined the Academy, and graduated with honors into the 13th squad. (If Horngeek is okay with it, I was wondering if the twins could be very well acquainted with Captain Natsuko--it might even have been Natsuko who found the very confused and frightened twins, identified them as being Hayashi clan members, and brought them to the estate. The twins could regard Natsuko as an inspiration, a hero, and a Cool Big Sis.)

The central design themes to the twins are "Lacking", "Incompleteness", and "Extremes". Because they are essentially two halves of a soul, one in each person, each twin lacks something that the other has. The male twin has plenty of creativity, intuition, social awareness, and emotional capacity, but lacks prowess in logic, reasoning, deduction, and critical thinking. The female twin has plenty of strength and coordination, but lacks height (and thus reach) and constitution (she's frequently ill). The male twin is tall and tough; the female twin is intellectual and logical. Id and Superego, with no Ego to balance the two.

Their Zanpakutou are likewise split. Were they one person they might have had a powerful blade that improved all aspects the mind and body, but instead each twin has a Zanpakutou that amplifies one or the other. The male twin's weapon improves his memory, reasoning, and critical thinking and helps draw in reiatsu for the purpose of improving overall Kidou techniques. The female twin's weapon improves her dexterity, strength, speed, and toughness for honing her into a master of the sword.


Overall power level: ~Tier 4, Seated Officers/Numeros

Lord of Golems

Spoiler

Show

An Arrancar whose Resurreccion is the conversion/usage of Reiryoku (Spiritual Power) into Reishi (Spirit Particles) for the purpose of creating constructs out of said Particles.

Power levels of constructs range from that of a mortal animal (cat, dog, bear, human, etc.) to that of an average Canny Hollow (Fishbone D, Hexapodus, etc.).

Speed ranges from unmoving to average Canny Hollow speed. Speed can depend on size.

Strength ranges from negligible to average Canny Hollow strength. Strength can depend on size.

Toughness ranges from consistency of tofu to hardened leather.

Size ranges from 2 inches cubed (~size of a mouse) to 12 feet cubed (~size of an adult African elephant).

Abilities of constructs ranged from basic melee (basic claw/tentacle/blade swinging) to advanced melee (Shinigami Academy cadet level swordsmanship, etc.), from basic ranged (fire quills/weak energy shots in a straight line) to advanced range (slowed bala shots, severely weakened cero shots).


How much Reishi (and therefore Reiryoku) is used depends entirely upon the quality of the construct. Thus, a construct with the overall power level of an Uncanny Hollow, is as big as an elephant, has an exterior as tough as treated leather, moves as quickly as an average Uncanny Hollow, and has maximized combat ability will take a good chunk out of the Arrancar--for now, let's say that he can make only two or three of such constructs per day. Alternatively, he could make lots and lots of constructs with the toughness of a chunk of tofu, are the size of mice, and would lose in a fight against an infant, but that would be useless.


It takes him several seconds to mold the Reishi into the proper shape and another few seconds to regurgitate the construct into the world--speed of creation depends on overall quality of the construct (sufficiently low quality constructs can be created and regurgitated en masse). All constructs have limited intellect: they will follow basic commands on their own ("Kill that Shinigami", "Attack anyone who enters this room who isn't me", etc.), but anything more complex, such as ordering constructs to provide cover for another, requires more attention, and thus concentration. Orders are sent through bursts of reiatsu sent to the construct in question. Constructs can receive orders from almost any distance from their creator, but orders cannot be passed to constructs across planes (so an order can't go from Hueco Mundo to Soul Society, for example), and a sufficiently powerful barrier or even Spiritual Pressure will jam the signal. The Arrancar can use the construct as spies, but at the moment he can only see what the construct sees. He cannot use constructs to eavesdrop or sense the presence of other spiritual beings, like Shinigami or Hollows.


Overall power level: ~3, Fraccion or Lieutenant

There's one more I have in mind, but it's 3 in the morning here and I need to sleep.

[tgva8889]

I think Reiatsu is actually the "spiritual power" you're looking for; Reiryoku is more like "spiritual potential." Besides that, the Twins seem interesting. I'm unsure of the Lord of Golems due to the fact that we found that Reishi Manipulation is an inherently broken ability, but based on the limits provided it doesn't look like it's as game-breaking.

[horngeek]

Technically, it's 'Hayashi family member'. Since they were... you know. Only one soul.

That said, I find it an extremely interesting concept. Do you intend to play both siblings?

I'd be fine with Natsuko having been the one to find them.

[Innis Cabal]

Part 1: The Epic of the Young Thunder Sage

Spoiler

Show

Stanza One

Spoiler

Show

Oh the precious Little Ones, trapped forever in fear from the roving beasts that slink in dark passages and twilit halls. Feasts are they to Crown and Hoe alike. Only under the eye of the watchful eyes of larger beasts did such valued embers seek respite. Only by the fortune of the Beast Generals did they find peace. And it was that the Generals made forth a land for the Little Ones to dwell, verdant and green did it stretch, a valley between the lands of North, South, East and West. To dangerous were these lands to walk alone, for the Little Ones were food and tool alike even to the beasts that roamed free.

The Lands of the North were eternally warm, mountains stretching into the sky until they could almost reach the sun that hung over head. Such was the way the mighty people of this land communed with the King that dwelt in that lofty place. From the mountains came sand the color of metal, and its people were wise in the way of its workings. They crafted beautiful things for their lord the Turtle General, and for themselves and others for trade in other lands. Paths wound their way through these peaks, forever linking the mighty giants together. Along these paths sat the villages of creatures and Little Ones alike, the higher one traveled, the more beneficent and powerful the creature became. Because of this, the Little Ones forever dwelt at the foot of the Mountains, looking up at what they could never touch. The highest peak was owned by the Turtle General, and the seven peaks around it were gifted to his daughters, all maidens fair and generous of assets. And from his high vantage, the Turtle Lord could see the lands of his brothers, and with his wisdom and slow movements, he was considered the wisest of all the Generals.

Stanza Two

Spoiler

Show

Across from the Lands of the North were the Lands of the South, and here lay the Ocean, crashing and eternal in its glorious blue and white foam mantled beauty. Seven boats of redwood and silk sails plow the waves, though never are far out of sight from the beaches and shores of their land. Each a city, Little Ones and beings alike walk between plank and prow to other ships without fear, for the South is filled with bravery and pride. These ships did not glide against the waves for sport alone, they searched forever for the treasure that made the koi of the deep oceans so rich and golden in color. Surely such magnificent creatures must feed on lost treasures to gain their hue and brilliance. Such was their brilliance in fact that each fallen scale from their backs were used as coin throughout the four lands. And in the largest and splendid boat sits the Phoenix Lord, known by all his kin to be the most handsome of their family. But fearsome is his Pride, and deadly is his heated anger which could sear a thousand men with a single stroke.

East, mighty forests grew to the clouds which always hung in the sky, their mighty bulk pouring forth a stream of rain that would never cease. Lanterns the size of horses floated between the branches of this forest, casting its light against the wet ground and green, forever making the inner glades sparkle and dance with speckled luminosity. Birds sang cheerful songs between the rain drops, darting to and fro within the coiled and tangled web of brown and verdant leaves, snatching insects as they hovered around the lanterns, a sight of befuddling grace and savagery. But the birds avoided the fireflies that flew above the ground, for each was made of gleaming metal and shone the light of a hundred torches from their backsides in flickering colors. Each was a messenger of the General of the East, a long serpentine creature known as the Dragon Lord, who was attended by seven farmers, each having drank his blood to gain his immortality. Each farmer oversaw the mighty rice patties and stills of the Dragon General, who was thought to be the fair and wise like his brother Turtle, fierce like his brother Tiger and passionate like his brother Phoenix but not better then each in such.

Stanza Three

Spoiler

Show

The Lands of the West groaned and rang with the songs of wind through hollowed out trees and windmills turned, grinding grain, spices and herbs for the many peoples of the lands. Grass as tall as men whistled and bent, and within did the sons and daughters of the Tiger Lord hunt at their leisure. Around each windmill sat a city, seven in total, which were known far and wide to be the best retreats for the ill and aged, so powerful was the medicines they produced. But many did not take the journey, for the Tiger Lord was known for his savagery and lust for battle, and many more feared his desire to command and control through rash action and strong words. But those who took the journey always found themselves in the plains, the winds speaking kind and soft words to their ears. For it was the winds domain, not the Tigers, that produced the mighty salves that kept the ailing creatures well. It was said that by the glory and splendor of the Tiger General, Eight Suns rose and fell in the sky, each marking the passage of time for the entirety of the world, but these Eight Suns were merely a clock to massive and glorious to truly be the work of the General himself.

But not all was well, for slowly the Little Ones were fading away. Distraught the Generals met and pleaded with the Soul King. “We four eternal servants ask for your aid, oh mighty Emperor, grant us the power to protect these weak souls and allow us to offer them back to the world they came! We are powerless to stop the mighty beasts from the Land of White Sands. For every one we slay a hundred more take their place! The Generals of their land are equal to us, and we dare not call for war, their armies are too strong.” If the Soul King heard these pleas he did not respond, but from the sun came four bolts of light, each a chariot the color of gold. The Generals glanced at these fine things, and felt greed in their hearts. But it was a Little One who had snuck into the grand meeting hall as he ran from a Masked Beast of Flesh and Bone whose jaws still snapped at him as he climbed through the window. “Stop!!” He shouted as he rushed between the four Generals and their chariots. “Stop before you take such wonders, the likes of which my people have never viewed!” The Generals, so struck with shock paused, glancing at the Little One who dared to intrude into their sanctum. “Give heed oh wise Lords, my people die each night by the teeth of beasts we cannot fight! We wish to live in peace with each other! But we are scattered by the winds, driven by the rains. We have no home oh mighty Generals! Ye Lords please, use the powers to grant us a land! We beg with you, plead forever more to be free and safe!”

Stanza Four

Spoiler

Show

The Generals, so moved by the tears of the young man, bowed their heads in whispered discussion. Heated were the words of each, the Tiger Lord demanding the Little One be slain on the spot. The Dragon Lord bayed forgiveness but spoke against giving the Little Ones what they desired most. The Turtle Lord simply shook his head, and demanded neither. But the glorious Phoenix Lord stood straight, glancing at his brothers with disdainful eyes. “How selfish are we, as our people die without us caring. We shall give this man his wish. But he must pay the price for his people. Forever shall he be banished to the land of their dead, but in life he shall travel it.” And the Generals turned to the young Little One, and together formed the scroll. “Sign this” They intoned, “And we shall use these four chariots to forge a land for your people, forever between our own lands. But you must never return, banished to The Land of Firmament. Go now, but know your people are safe.” The young man wept tears of joy, bowing to each General in turn before fading into nothing. True to their words, the Generals each took the reins of their chariot, and drove each horseless to their lands. In each Mansion they rode, and together met at the center of their territories with a crash and a bright light. The Sun was ashamed of such a display, and fell to earth with a crash, shattering into a thousand and one pieces. And when the light cleared, a massive Valley was formed, the shards of the Sun fading into life filling the Valley. But one shard still rose high into the sky, forming a ball much smaller than its previous form, which shone its light on the world once more. And at the center of this Valley rose a pagoda, and deep within even the Generals could see a gate most glorious. Each bowed their head, knowing deep within was their lord. Nine roads rose from the land to the gate, four doors leading to its massive structure and six pillars that rose to the very sky. And all of this was made from light and gold and sunlight, intangible yet forever there.

The Valley held all the Little Ones, and when they passed away, room was made for more. The Beast Generals servants taught them to make thatched huts, and to live from the land though the Little Ones never grew hungry like the great Generals and their kin. In time, the Little Ones had made a home for themselves in the valley, and it was proclaimed it was good. Weapons did not exist in this land, the Generals feared these Little Ones while they felt pity for their weakness. And the Generals retreated back with their peoples to the shining lands of North, South, East and West to live in their homes. But in time, the beasts of that White Sand land smelled their prey had moved, and slunk through the hallways between it and the verdant Valley, and at night would feast on homes and families until sated only to return with word of fortune and food. Never could there be a perfect defense, never it seemed could the Little Ones be safe. Was it the destiny of the Little Ones to forever be taken for the powers of others? Was it always to be the way for the Little Ones to be food for beasts? They lamented such at the boards of the four lands that surrounded them, but the Generals watched on, their people watched on. How could they help? How could they raise a hand, and risk the demise of what they wished to protect. They lamented back in silence for their impotence, and yet more Little Ones were stolen away in the night.

Stanza Five

Spoiler

Show

And the young Little One who dared to intrude in the land of Gods, lost in the land from which all Little One’s go to die was ignorant of his people’s plight. But it was not peaceful for the young Little One who traveled the strange lands of the Dead. Never had one walked these lands alive, the Little Ones simply fading from the sight of their loved ones and friends, never to be seen again. Many to were uncertain were they even went! But the young Little One now knew. It was a land much like the Valley he had been born in, screaming and covered in blood. The scents were alive, filling his nose. The colors were vibrant, causing him to shield his eyes. But in this world, Beasts roamed this world to. Each seemed unconcerned with him, almost as if they could not see him. They would walk through him, lunge at other beasts as if he were not standing in their path. He would reach out to touch them, but his hand would pass through them. It was the tenth night, for even this world had a sun and moon, he cried. He begged whatever power dwelt in this world to kill him so he could at least not be alone. But no such event was delivered. He found no cold here at night. Did not get wet when it snowed or rained, or felt warmth when the sun was high in the dark blue sky. He did not move for days, weak from hunger, a feeling he had never known. How could the dead feel something the living could not he wondered aloud to no one. But it was this day, a day where he had all but given up hope not moments before, that he heard a small voice. “What are you doing so distraught?” It asked allowed, high pitched in its tone, flowing around him from above. The young Little One stared up into the trees, calling out in surprise. “Who is there! Please, can you see me? Can you touch me? What manner of beast are you!?” He railed at the voice, shivering in fear and isolation.

“I am the Sparrow!” It called, a bird he had never seen flying down from the trees before becoming a beautiful woman, her hair the color of her feathers, dressed in the most elegant kimono. “I have watched you for days, why for do you cry My Lord?” The young Little One looked upon this woman with wonder, never had he seen such a thing in the world of the living. He reached out to touch her, feeling the fabric of the kimono, bursting into tears far harder then he had ever cried as he flung himself into the arms of the surprised beauty. “How long I have waited in this land of the Dead to feel such things! I cry for I am removed from my people, never knowing their happy faces!” And it was here that he spoke to the Sparrow of his life, and his rash action and the punishment it caused. And the Sparrow cried to, moved by the plight of the young Little One.

Stanza Six

Spoiler

Show

“I shall help you Man for I cannot feel anything but sorrow for you.” She rose, kissing the young Little One on each cheek before slipping into the trees, returning with a blade made of bamboo and metal the boy had never seen, layered and lapped so that the edge appeared as a wave. “Take this, and find the Word of Man. You have such makings, you may return to your people only when you have done such. But I must bide you leave me for I have spoken to much. Be fleet of foot son of Man! Do not show fear or tears!” And the young little one did run, he ran until the forest gave way to sand the color of gold, and continued to run until he met the sea. All the while he held the sword in his grip as if it were his life, the blade cutting deeply into his hand, a trail of blood flowing behind him. Along this trail did a path of flowers grow, lotus’s all floating on top of the vermillion bank.”

But the Sparrow was not the only manner of creature in this world, and the blood attracted the attention of the Snake, who followed along the lotus path, his tongue flicking to and fro in search of the delicious smell. And it was on the banks of the mighty lake that stretched from view that the slick Evil found its prey. The young Little One had stopped for breath, run ragged and into a froth, but ever alert was he. As the Snake reared into the air, it felt the cold of death cling to it, its head falling to the sands, its black blood spilling out and catching alight. And it was here that the young Little One found his first meal, devouring the flesh of the evil beast with ravenous intent. But in his hurry to fill his stomach he bit down on a stone the snake had eaten. Pulling it from his mouth he saw it glitter in the sun and as he clenched it in his hand, he felt his stomach fill as if he’d eaten to its fill. He cried out in surprise, dropping the stone and soon thereafter the pain of hunger returned. Surely this stone was no normal item, he thought and took it back in his hand.

Stanza Seven

Spoiler

Show

And it was from these shores that the young Little One struck forth once more, a new fire glowing in his belly. He could feel the warmth of the sun and wet of the rain and ocean spray. He could touch the beasts of the sand, snapping armored things that scuttled about. He could touch the things of the sea, much like the Golden Koi but oh so different. But yet he earned for home, for the birds that sang happily in the East. The glowing Suns of the West and the mighty boats on the Southern Ocean. And it was so, that the Sparrow once more found the young Little One at the mouth of a roaring river, flying down to rest on a branch, full in dismay. “My Lord Man! Please help me, I beseech you! I hath given you aid, please now return the favor done unto you!” The young Little One was filled with dread, for the Sparrow had been kind, as well as beautiful. “I shall help you fair Sparrow! Tell me what distress you have fallen under and I shall strike it down.” The Sparrow hopped left and right with the flutter of wings, and chirped further in dismay. “The Snake you slew was one of eight, and its brothers seek revenge for their loss. They came to my palace and ate seven of my children; please you must save my last child and kill the serpents!”

“What horror I have caused you, if I were to know such a fate would befall you I would have ran! I shall slay the seven beasts myself.” The young Little One ran as he never ran before back into the forest until he came to a cave that descended deep into the earth. Poisonous air belched forth from the hole, the forest dead and blackened around it such was the smell alone. Wrapping his face with his shirt, the young Little One struck down into the cave, his flesh burning and eyes watering through the purple haze. Deep in the bowels of the Firmament did he find the seven snakes, a pot of iron aglow the color of a cherry between them with seven beautiful women dangling from a rope of their own hair above. The snakes called out to the maidens, hissing and licking their lips for the taste of their tears. The young Little One could stand not the sight of such a display, and rushed forth, kicking over the mighty pot, the evil snakes boiling alive in the place of their meal. Each lashed out, biting the young Little One over his body, their poison seeping deeply into his very existence. In agony did he cut the hair of the maidens and bid them run with his dying breath. Falling to the floor, the valorous boy died with no true glory, no one to speak his name. The seven maidens wrapped his body in the robes of the snakes, and wept over him, their tears soon wetting the fabric to the very flesh of the young Little One.

Stanza Eight

Spoiler

Show

They brought the body before their mother Sparrow and sister, weeping ever harder at the final sacrifice of the brave warrior whose name was not known, and they were joined by their mother and sister in their lamentation. They cried for days, their tears forming a new river to the sea, where they journeyed to set the young man adrift, his final journey in the land of the dead. But the word of the young Little One had spread through the mighty forest and all manner of beasts who had encountered the great man joined in the procession, until they were a thousand hands strong. Their cries echoed off the blue heavens. Their tears formed lakes when they stopped to rest, and the beating of their thousand feet echoed like thunder across the land, calling forth more to join them. The mighty grieving mass finally took itself to the shore of the sea, and laid the body of the young Little One down. There they drank the finest sake in his honor, and ate sand and iron shavings from the forging of his mighty blade. They danced and sang their ancient dances to give honor to the fallen boy, and at night lit bonfires that rivaled the noon sun in their intensity. They danced and sang and ate for twenty days and twenty one nights. And on the last morning of their feverish revelry, they went to place the young Little One on the sea. But from the wrapped form of the boy a mighty ring sounded as the thousand hands touched it. It burst apart akin to a mighty cocoon, the boy raising from its inner reaches fresh and new, appearing to glow with an inner light, alive and healthy and well. The creatures cried out in joy, bowing to the mighty Little One. “You are blessed!” They shouted, “You are Alive!” they cried “And you are enlightened! Go forth, and find the Will of Man with the knowledge the land of your Dead will always honor you, and be in your stead if you so wish to protect us!”

Deep in the White Wastes, something stired. Something far fouler then any Masked One had ever known. One Thousand Moons had passed since its last move. Two Thousand Suns had passed since it had last eaten. Three Thousand suns since it had been born. That the Black Dog rose from the White Sands of ancient Rodanini howling and screaming as its massive heads devoured the lesser beasts in its path. Even the Mask of Flesh and Bone knew worry at the face of the unquenchable hunger of the Black thing as it made its way to the hallways and corridors. For it smelt the rich land of the Valley, and its massive heads slavered and drooled foul ichor onto the ground, and from whence it sprang so to do its spawn. Things that crawled and snapped and devoured each other in their hunger, and harried the Black Dog ever forward as they nipped at its heels only to be devoured by the beast itself. Though such beasts were of little note, among its sons and daughters were born four great evils all their own, born of dark intellect and cunning desire, they knew to bite the Dog was death, so they ran alongside it, feasting on their kin, glutting themselves on the power of their progenitor. And it was this Host that crashed through the hallways and corridors, forcing them wide that twenty men could walk side by side and still have room to break apart if they so desired.

Stanza Nine

Spoiler

Show

But it was not just the Black Dog that marched on the land of the Generals and the Little Ones. For behind its padded foot, an army of Masked Ones followed behind, devouring anything that survived the onslaught. The White Sands had gone to war, and its herald was the Dog’s howl. The Generals, hearing the horns of their destruction gathered together at the center of the Valley and though filled with fear and dread for their children and their servants they showed bravery and honor as they marched. They knew where their hated enemy would come. They knew all too well that reason could not be used with the beasts of the White Sands. And they knew they had not the might to stop the coming gloom. They called forth their armies to stand before the halls and corridors between the ancient land of Rodanini, and led from behind. In the front where the armies built their towers and mighty tents of iron into rings did the Host arrive. The Black Huntsman had been called from the depths of the South, and his brother the White Headsman from the North who would judge and slay the sin filled monsters. Both struck awe in the creatures and children of the Generals, and all bowed their head. With their mighty steeds, both rode forth to do battle and to die. For such was surely the fate this coming day as the Sun rose over the horizon. Almost as if it were to watch the coming dance of survival.

A note: This is merely a Myth. A story told by the Kido Corps of the Origins of Soul Society, Kido and the Shinigami as a whole. It is not meant to be real. It is not meant to be anything then a fun continued growth and depth for the Kido Corp and perhaps the rest of Soul Society as well.

It was written with Kido Incantations as a base work, and it is my sincere hope as I write more, that perhaps it helps others create more incantations. If you so choose to read it. That said, if you do read it, I hope you enjoy it.

[13_CBS]

@ Tgva: Thanks for the pointer. Fixed.

Technically, it's 'Hayashi family member'. Since they were... you know. Only one soul.

Do you intend to play both siblings?

Yes. I swear on my honor (or what little is left of it) that I won't take advantage of this to metagame.

(But seriously, I won't metagame with them. The twins might have, at the very most, a very vague sense of empathy towards one another if they're very close by to one another, but that's it. The twins can't sense if the other is in danger, is hurt, is dying/dead, etc.)

I'd be fine with Natsuko having been the one to find them.

Sweet. Are you okay with the twins knowing Natsuko well and/or being their role model, or would you rather not have me do that?



@ Innis: in your own words:

Holy bleeding wall of text. I'll have to read that tomorrow, unfortunately.

[horngeek]

That's fine, too.

What seats will they hold?

[Frozen_Feet]

So...It's not really a kido. It's just the ritual to dial his phone number?

Which...means there's no "need" for a counterpart. Because the Huntsman is just a Bount with a listed phone number that lets him location-hop. I mean, there can be someone who "eternally stands against him", but...*shrugs*

Okay, lets go through this from ground up again. The spell that summons Zamiel allows him to teleport to whatever plane and location the summoner's in; it outfits him with weaponsy; it allows him to make metaphysically binding contracts and permanently chip away someone's Reiryoku; it spirits away portion of lifeforce to be used in emergency; and finally, it allows him to speak without words to both his contractor and his target.

Overall, quite potent, don't you think? And those are the things the Headsman spell targets. The counterpart is for the spell. It banishes Zamiel, dispels his weaponry, severs the contract, possibly returns lost lifeforce etc. The White Heasman spell is based on the principle of Hanki, countering a spell with a spell of equal-but-opposite force. Again, the spell is rooted in Kido mythology - the White Headsman isn't necessarily the actual Headsman, or have all the qualities attributed to him. He might just be a construct of energy, like dragons of Hado 99 - the important bit is that there's a "soft counter" available, so characters who'd have hard time figthing the Huntsman straight on have another way to dispatch of Zamiel if necessary.

Before we get to "Wu Wei 80 is not available to...", as I noted, if respective group leaders and members feel like going with it, calling/banishing Zamiel will be availabe to the Bount, Enclave and SWORD.

Okay, so this still isn't much of a defense, but Innis's epic is so god damn long my eyes are hurting when I try to read it. >.>

[Innis Cabal]

Okay, so this still isn't much of a defense, but Innis's epic is so god damn long my eyes are hurting when I try to read it. >.>

[Frozen_Feet]

I'm trying, I'm trying, but my head is still a bit woozy from long sleep. Patience, please. I'm not saying it's bad, my eyes are just tired, that's all.

[Prime32]

""? He called it epic, that should be a ""!