Post by ● AniSkyWolf on Oct 9, 2009 21:48:51 GMT -5
[/size]死神------------> S O U L - R E A P E R SI'm a soldier, and that means
I'm both defendant and judge
I am standing on the two ends of fire
Bending over the steep turns, overtaking death and life
I'm running to fight the shadow of the lies
This section deals with the basics as to what Soul Reapers really are, as well as how to beome one, as well as their special abilites and more. This section will also discuss use and creation on forum, as well as what is allowed and what isn't.
[li]A) They are a race of spiritual beings that act as enforcers and psychopomps who all share similar supernatural powers.
[/li][li]B) They are souls with a high level of innate Spiritual Energy, recruited from the ranks of the residents and nobility of the Soul Society.
[/li][li]C) As such, their bodies are composed of Spiritrons (spirit particles) instead of atoms. This means that just like most other types of spirits, they can only be seen by other spiritually aware entities, which excludes most humans.
- Nevertheless, they are quite capable of influencing their environment.
[/li][li]D) They use their Zanpakutô, supernatural swords that are the manifestation of their owners' power, to perform Konso on Wholes (wandering innocent souls of deceased people).
[/li][li]E) They as well use magic known as Kidô to fight their arch-enemies, the Hollows (malevolent lost-souls of deceased people with regret).
[/li][li]F) They are the personification of death. Their job is to send spirits to the Soul Society (the afterlife) in order to maintain a balance of souls between it and the world of the living, and to exorcise evil spirits. Because of their duties Soul Reaper possesses supernatural abilities such as:
- a) Longevity: while they can age and die of natural causes or as a result of physical injury as regular humans, Shinigami have extended life-spans and it is not uncommon for one to live for thousands of years.
- b) Enhanced Endurance: while they can be injured and die like regular humans, though it takes considerably greater injuries for the latter to occur than it would in regular humans.
- c) Spiritual Pressure: Shinigami also naturally give off Spiritual Energy, which varies greatly in magnitude with the strength of a Soul Reaper. Additionally, unlike humans, they do not have to eat anything to sustain themselves, though they engage in the act none the less as Soul Reapers and other spiritual beings only become hungry when they used too much Spiritual Energy within a short amount of time.
[/li][li]G) Soul Reaper operations are based out of the Soul Society, where departed human souls reside. Travel between the human world and Soul Society is extremely limited and monitored, but some Shinigami are stationed in the human world to carry out their duties and therefore must often travel between the two.
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[li]A) Most Soul Reapers appear like Humans, a notable difference being their mostly old-fashioned garments by 20th-21th century standards, and their Zanpakutō which is in most cases tied to their obi sash.
[/li][li]B) There are, however, a few Soul Reapers who are less Human-like in appearance. For example it seems that between Soul Reapers there are much greater variations in body-sizes than between Humans, as there are real giant-like entities (i.e. the four guards of the four gates to Seireitei) and also ones with extremely small stature among them (i.e. Yachiru Kusajishi). This variation seems to occur not just between Shinigami, but also between regular dwellers of Soul Society, too.
- Variations do not just occur in size but in overall appearance, too, the most notable example being Captain Sajin Komamura, who appears like an anthropomorphic canine.
[/li][li]Most personnel of the 13 Court Guard Squads (Gotei 13 for short) wear the standard Shinigami uniform, called Shihakushō (死覇装; Garment of Dead Souls) - a white shitagi, a black kosode, a black hakama, a white hakama-himo, white tabi, and waraji. The black hakama also has its owner's division insignia emblazoned on the inside, though it does not appear to have any significant reasoning other than minor security authorization. Lieutenants sometimes also wear an armband which carries their division symbol and its number, usually on their left arm. They are required to do this when they are summoned to a meeting but apart from this it seems that it is rarely compulsory; at the time the series takes place, the use of the armbands was noted to have fallen out of fashion.
- Captains wear a white haori over the usual black Shinigami clothes, with the number of their division on the back, inside the Gotei 13 symbol (a rhombus). Some captains have long sleeves, while the others do not. It also seems that the color of the underside is division-, or at least captain-specific, as every captain has a different color of it.
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[li]A) Kidō is one of the four basic Soul Reaper combat forms. Kidō is the technique that Soul Reaper use to focus their Spiritual Energy into magic spells of various powers. These spells serve a wide variety of uses such as healing, defense, or combat.
- a) Each spell is graded on a scale from 1 to 99, the latter being the most powerful and the most difficult to perform. The scale is a measure of difficulty, as there can be multiple spells which share the same level. To use Kidō, a Soul Reaper must recite the specific incantation for the spell, which is often long and requires a few seconds to speak.
- b) This weakness can be negated by Soul Reaper capable of using Eishohaki, a technique that releases Kidō without a spirit chant. While it decreases the time needed to release the Kidō, it drastically weakens the spell. While anyone well versed in Kidō can use this technique, it is most effective when done by a skilled practitioner, otherwise the spell could utterly fail. The most skilled experts are capable of using this technique to amazing effect.
- c) The power of a spell relies on the power of the user, as even a low-level spell can be utterly devastating when utilized by a high-class Soul Reaper.
[/li][li]B) There are three main types of Kidō: binding spells, destruction spells, and healing spells.
- a) Bakudō (Binding spells): are a broad category of defensive spells which block or repel attacks or freezes enemies in place.
- b) Hadō (Destructive spells): refer to offensive spells which harm an enemy or cause damage.
- c) Healing spells: do not have known names, numbers, or incantations to cast, and simply heal the target. As the user holds his hands above the patients wounds, his/her palms glow with green spiritual energy to facilitate healing.
[/li][li]C) Though Kidō is commonly used by Soul Reapers in combat, it has several weaknesses that make it difficult to use for that purpose. All of the spells have fairly long incantations and require concentration; because of this, the person using the Kidō leaves themself open to attack during the duration of the incantation. In addition, if an opponent is familiar with Kidō, there is the possibility of them identifying the spell by its incantation before it can even be used. However, highly skilled Kidō users can use various techniques to counter these weaknesses, such as Eishohaki and Double Incantation, which involves mixing the incantations of two or more Kidō spells together to save time and confuse ones opponent. A rarer use of Kidō is mixing various spells (such as Bakudō and Hadō together) for unique effects, which is the mark of skilled user. Kidō is commonly seen used in instances of surprise attacks rather then all out assaults, being most effective when one's opponent doesn't see it coming.
[/li][li]D) Agility is an important skill for most Soul Reapers. Though never stated clearly it most likely relates to the Soul Reapers ability to walk on air using spiritual power. By collecting and solidifying Reishi (spirital particles) beneath their feet, Shinigami can gain traction on thin air to either freely move about or to stop themselves from falling.
- a) Flash Step, a movement technique that allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow. The focal point that determines the bases of this technique is speed. As speed is the main point of the technique the method is best characterized by how fast one can get from point A to point B in the least amount of steps. Training and skill are what determines how fast a user of flash steps can move; those of little skill in the technique or those who haven't used it an extended amount of time would obviously be out of practice, causing those individuals to be considerably slower, which requires the use of more steps to move the same distance and become winded far easier in a shorter amount of time.
[/li][li]Zanjutsu (swordsmanship) is the most used form of combat among Soul Reapers. As the name suggests, it involves using a Zanpakutō and its various special abilities to attack an opponent. In addition to its basic form, each Zanpakutō has two enhanced forms: Shikai and Bankai, which change the sword's form to unlock its potential and that of its user. (explained in another thread about Zanpakutos)
- Master Swordsmanship Specialists vary greatly by power and technique. The criteria for a master is simple; one must have masterful skill in swordsmanship above all else. The attainment of this level of skill is a testament to the wielders power and determination. Most Captains are masters, since as the heads of the their divisions, they are the true military power of Soul Society. As use of the Zanpakutō is the Soul Reaper's primary form of combat, it is preferable to have mastered skill in order achieve the rank of captain though mastery is not excluded to them or even to Soul Reapers.
[/li][li]Hakuda (Hand-to-hand Combat) is not elaborated upon by most Soul Reapers. Physical strength and skill is determined by this class. It seems to be a combination of several martial arts.[/li][/ul]
[li]A) The cleansing of Hollows is very dangerous task, as most Hollows are no more than mindless monsters thirsty for devouring more and more souls, be it a Plus, a Human soul still in its body, or a Soul Reapers. Moreover, Hollows who have some of their human consciousness remaining are even more dangerous, as they can be swift, strong and cunning adversaries, utilizing various tricks to avoid purification and catch their prey.
[/li][li]B) Taking these facts into consideration, Soul Reapers have to be highly trained in defending themselves and other spirits from being devoured, while being able to land a critical strike on the Hollow itself with their Zanpakutō, which is on their mask.
[/li][li]C) When a Soul Reaper slays a Hollow (evil spirit), with their Zanpakutō they cleanse their sins. Once this takes place a Hollow will return to its former state as a Plus and is led into Soul Society. This is called sublimation. Souls that live in the Soul Society are reborn again into the human world. Not all Hollows are sent to the Soul Society. Hollows that committed serious crimes when they were alive are sent to Hell.[/li][/ul]
[li]Konso is the process by which a Soul Reapers sends wandering Wholes (souls) in the living world and send them to their respective place. Either Soul Society if they are good in life, or to Hell if their life was full of evil acts (such as murders, theft, etc). Soul Burial is performed by using the hilt of the Soul Rea[er's Zanpakutō, tapping the soul on the head and transporting them to the afterlife.
[/li][li]Soul Reapers are responsible for governing the flow of spirits between the human worlds and Soul Society. This is commonly carried out by balancing the total number of souls by moving and managing them in the human world. All of the soul-related jobs are under their authority.
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[li]A) Spiritual Arts Academy: sometimes called the Shinou Academy. The majority of training for individuals (that is, souls residing in the Soul Society) wanting to become Soul Reapers is done through the Shinou Academy. It is a six-year academy, during which time its students learn how to use their Spiritual Energy properly, fight Hollows, and perform Konso. While the exact date and details of its foundation are not specified, the academy seems to have been founded by Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai about 2000 years before the Bleach storyline.
[/li][li]B) Not much is known about the conditions on which a dweller of the Soul Society is admitted to the Academy. One elementary requirement seems to be that the individual has to possess a certain, above-average level of Spiritual Energy, and has to be able to perform some basic feats using that. Becoming hungry seems to be a good sign in Soul Society for hopeful Soul Rea[er candidates, because feeling hunger means that the person in question is capable of using up Spiritual Energy.
[/li][li]C) It is at the Spiritual Arts Academy where all the military forces of Soul Society are formally taught. While a majority of students are taken into the main force namely the 13 Court Guard Squads. There are those who have a special affinity for certain forms of combat that get taken in by the two more secretive and selective branches of the military, namely the Kidō Corps (excelling in Kidō) and the Onmitsukidō (excelling in Hohō & Hakuda).[/li][/ul]
[li]A) As stated in the "Orignal Characters" thread, you cannot have a Soul Reaper who defies everything and literally owns the opponent with no chance of winning. Really. Only Ichigo can do that, but that's in the actual series. That's not allowed here.
[/li][li]B) You MUST attend the Shinou Academy in order to become a Soul Reaper if your character is not one already. And since 6 years on forum is rediculous, we're going to reduce it to 6 years = 1 rped out month. Don't stress. (LOL). But yeah, you must attend the Academy before your character can become a Soul Reaper if your character is not one already. After which, your profile will be moved to the Accepted Soul Reaper subboard where the Character profiles are placed on the forum.
[/li][li]C) If your character is already a Soul Reaper, they must send an application to the captain of the squad of your choice to be put into it.
[/li][li]D) You MUST train to obtain Shikai if they do not already have it. It must be roleplayed out, but in a manner that it is not just you in the thread (it would be awkward RPing by yourself ._.). Be aware that this just DOESN'T happen in one day. It is gradual.
[/li][li]E) You may NOT have a character that has a Bankai. The Captains have it an and all that. Let the characters that already Cananonically have it, have it. Only they can. We don't want EVERYONE having Bankai. That... just doesn't happen.
[/li][li]F) Soul Reapers (this also goes for regular souls) are not immortal, and do have ages. Younglings are usually 1-30+ years. Children are usually 40-70+ years old. Teenagers are usually 80-150+ years old. Adults are usually 200-600+. Middle age adults are usually 700-950+ years old. Older people are usually 1,000-3,000+. Elders are usually 4,000-8,000+ years. On forum, 8,999 years is the oldest a Soul Reaper can be set to/age up to. Anything after would mean the person is dead, most likely. You must ask mod permission to have a Soul Reaper older than that. (the "+" means a unit from 1-9 for double digets, 01-99 for triple digets, and 001-999 for quadrupal digets, and so on)
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That's all~ If you have any questions about anything, please PM a staff member and we will be glad to help~
D A I S A K U staff~
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