“It was always fire and ruin, why didn't I think to look elsewhere...?”
The shinigami gazed down from Sokyoku hill, a blade to his throat, his knees on the ground, body teetering near the edge of the drop off, a foot on his back, a hand tugging roughly at his hair to hold him in place. There was a harsh chuckle, the voice rugged, as if the sound had been clawing its way from the man's throat and over the years the damage had piled up.
“You picked an awful time to look back on past mistakes. Then again,” the raspy-voiced man said with pause, causing the shinigami to swallow hard, the blade nicking his throat and drawing blood, which trickled down his neck, sending shivers down his spine.
“...the moments before Death are always rather...nostalgia inducing,” the figure smiled, but the look was private, meaning little to anyone but him. The shinigami, Taikou, closed his eyes and exhaled, before drawing another breath in. “I guess this is it,” he said.
The man chuckled again, “No, not quite,” and before Taikou could react, the villain had shifted the angle of his blade and stabbed him through the chest, before moving it free and kicking him from the ledge. As he plummeted through the air, a literally stabbing and throbbing pain coursing through his chest, he found his vision tunneling and at the end of it he saw the man.
Behind the rugged figure was only a vast blue, and it was not the sky. As that thought entered his mind, he found the rest of his awareness slipping away, as the wind embraced him and he fell, picking up speed rapidly.
He knew he could not survive the fall, so he gave in, and so his eyes closed...and his awareness put itself to rest, before the harsh world even could.
One might have said that Taikou had died before he'd even hit the ground, but they would have been wrong.
Very very wrong.
Premise
It happened fast, too fast, the fall of the Captains of old, of the Gotei Thirteen as it was once known. Like dominoes lined up in a row they were toppled, each following the last. You could have called it a rebellion, but a coup would have been more apt—though a restructuring of government would have been even more so.
Like Taikou, the last of the captains to fall, they had not seen it coming for when threats came to mind, it was destruction conceptualized. The tearing down of everything, to rebuild something entirely different, but alas, what fate befell them had not taken such a form.
In fact, though they had been shamed and cast afar, many of those who had once held sway over the great Seireitei were left alive to fight another day if they so chose. Some did...and some did so again when they were laid low once more, and it those who so foolishly charged forth a second time, well, their comrades have yet to hear word of them, leaving them unaware as to the exact nature of their disappearance.
For the Captains, and those seated officers who would not bow to their aggressors, it has lead them to dwell in the world of the living where many stew in their shame and anger, while others merely accept their fate.
However, more importantly, are those who were changed by their engagements with the enemy, those who learned the truth, or at least fragments of it. Those who learned that much of what they had been taught to believe about the world, including even the weapons they wielded, had been elaborate and clever lies.
Now with their pride shattered, their home far away, and even their zanpakuto growing distant, it is these shinigami who must strive to discover meaning in their new lives, and to cast aside the shackles of the past, be they the shame of a battle lost, or even the tradition and practices of the old world.
The foundation on which they once stood must be rebuilt and so there is work to be done for those with the resolve to do it.
So the question is, will you accept your fate as a fallen warrior brought to shame, or will you rise above the adversity of circumstance and reclaim your rightful place in the Court of Pure Souls?
Welcome to Bleach: Souls Adrift, a RP with extended Bleach lore, which possesses an overarching plot, but will focus on smaller arcs more often than not. As the title hints, your characters will be, in large part, outcasts. You are all members of the “Old Gotei,” as it were, cast down from your domain by a group of shinigami which appeared to come as if from nowhere, their exact motives unsure, and the means used to defeat your ilk an enigma. Exiled from the Seireiti, the Old Gotei has been forced into the world of the living. You and your allies are presented with a dangerous situation, as shinigami patrols from the New Gotei are significantly reduced, resulting in drastically increased hollow activity in the world. Many, driven to carry out their duty as shinigami despite their new circumstances, have spread out across the world, acting as units to deal with the hollow threat.
All the while the enigmatic shinigami remain in the Seireitei, having deprived you of a place to belong. While many have scattered, a select few—those once of a higher rank than their peers—have gathered in a familiar place, Karakura town intending to find a way to reclaim what was once theirs. Your are a member of this group of like-minded shinigami and as your scattered comrades you must both handle the hollow threat and find means with which to surmount the obstacles impeding your entrance into the Court of Pure Souls.
Among these obstacles are the difficulties of opening—let alone traversing—the dangai, insufficient intel and of course strength, or rather a lack thereof. With the odds stacked against you can you reclaim your rightful place in the world?
Rules
Add in what you are expecting as a Gm from your Rpers. How many times they are expected to post. What you will and will not allow. How you plan to handle rule violations. Let your Rpers know what you expect from the start.
It should be noted that this RP will have mature themes. Fade to black will be applicable to sexual situations, but don't expect situations including drugs, gore, or some taboo subjects to garner the same treatment. This is not to say that any of the above will be done in excess, just that they may be done.
Combat will be handled on a case-by-case basis, with the GMs proctoring in case issues or disagreements arise. Should you want to script your fight, let the GMs, and your partner(s) know. Make sure all parties are in agreement. A 'scripted fight,' is one wherein the victor is decided before hand.
Burning house rule--if you're gone too long and holding things up, expect your character to either be moved aside quietly, or killed to further plot. To avoid the burning house rule, keep us updated, a hiatus can be arranged.
If a problem arises for a player in regards to the GM and they feel uncomfortable bringing it up. Go to the other GM for advice. Don't worry, we're perfectly reasonable people and nine times out of ten we'll work through it with you.
The GMs have final say on all matters--this does not mean that I cannot be swayed or convinced. Still, if something must be resolved, we will resolve it and that'll be the end of the discussion.
Should you lack inspiration or enough material to post, tell someone. Communicate. Talk to your GMs. Worst case scenario, we'll just move your character aside till you can post again.
While you may expand on or modify the base format of the character sheet, make sure all necessary sections are included.
No OOC drama. Keep it to PMs, and hopefully keep it non-existent. If needed contact a GM for problem resolution.
Only accepted characters go in the character tab.
Post your Character Sheet in the OOC for review.
Standard Guild rules apply.
IC swearing will occur.
What to Expect
Interactions with at least semi-realistic cause and effect. If you are tortured or have your arm cut off, expect to have trauma and difficulties going forwards.
A GM who is willing to work with you, hear you out, but not break his back to suit your every need.
Good communication be it player to player, GM to GM, or GM to player.
Multiple plotlines if possible.
Some Taboo Subjects.
Collaboration posts.
Some dark themes.
Some slice of life.
Plenty of combat.
Expanded Lore
FAQ
Q: Will there be other races? A: Yes, but not from the outset. I will be opening those up if we get enough people to warrant it, as well as when they start playing a significant role.
Q: What races will be available later? A: If other races become available, it will likely be Arrancar, Humans(Quincy and maybe something AKIN TO Fullbringer), and perhaps some more...custom creations.
For this RP, I will be utilizing a stat system. However, the RP will not include dice rolls and the stats will not be intrusive to creativity and combat. They will be a guidepost by which to navigate more than anything else.
When you submit a character, remove the system from the “General Aptitude,” section of your CS and instead send a PM to the GM. I will do pretty much all of the number crunching so that you don't have to. I will do this through Guild PM and/or Discord, asking questions to get an idea for how you want your character's skillset. Before sending this PM, you would do well to fill out your characters “Fighting Style,” section. Make sure to touch on all the mentioned points.
Additionally, while you are not at all required to use the below character sheet, given that it can be a bit finicky code-wise. Nonetheless, you are required to have all the information found in it. As a note, the “Relationship,” section can be used for two purposes. The first being to give me individuals/NPCs that I can integrate to assist in a given character's personal arc, and second to show your character's relationships with the other members of the “Old gotei.” The second is required, whereas the first is optional.
For age, it is a 20:1 ration. Every 20 years is 1 year of physical aging to a shinigami. If they had a human life, make sure to consider at what age they died and continue from there.
<Optional Bits> >Likes/Dislikes. >Neutral Defining Traits. >Equipment section, provided you have no Equipment.
The actual system aside, which you are not required to learn in the least, you do need to know how to interpret it. However, if you do want to learn, I do have an easy way to teach it. Just ask, it's not really that bad--I'd know, after all, I hate math, but still like this. Anyways, moving on.
Basically there are Talents and Skills. Talents are the traits you are assigned a static amount of points for based on your rank/power level. You distribute these Talent points across the five talents (Reiryoku, Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kido, and Hoho). Each of these Talents possesses a set of Skills. Reiryoku/Kido have two skills each; Zanjutsu/Hakuda have three each; and Hoho has one. All of these are graded on a scale from 0-5, with 0 being the least and 5 the most.
Each of these numbers is assigned a word to denote its rough meaning. Generally a 0 means you have not learned anything in the given category, whereas a 5 denotes a legendary mastery, which is beyond the scope of normal individuals. While the words vary slightly depending on the given stat, they are roughly the same at the end of the day. Use your common sense.
Reiryoku: "Spiritual Power" is how much energy has been stored by the user. It also describes their Stamina and Willpower. (Average (0) - High (1) - Great (2) - Immense (3) - Vast (4) - Legendary (5))
Reiatsu: "Spiritual Pressure" is the density the user can exert their Reiryoku (in spite of the actual level of stored Reiryoku). It describes the skillful use of energy. (Extinguished/Non-existent (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legend (5))
Resiliance: One's ability to continue fighting or recover after both physical and/or psychological attacks. Durability/Mental fortitude. (Non-existent (0) - Weak (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legendary (5))
Zanjutsu: Simply the application of the sword. It also indicates the skill one has in wielding any other weapon. (Yet to Learn(0) - Practitioner (1) - Expert (2) - Master (3) - Grandmaster (4) - Legend (5))
Offense: This only applies to the more aggressive tactics of applying Zanjutsu. It indicates finesse and skill in applying one's weapon. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legendary (5))
Defense: This only applies to the more passive tactics of applying Zanjutsu. It indicates the ability to deflect, block, parry, and counter strikes with one's weapon. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legendary (5))
Physical Strength: This only applies to the power and endurance of applying Zanjutsu. It indicates the power behind swings and thrusts made by one's weapon. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legendary (5))
Hakuda: Simply the application of the body. It also indicates the skill one has in any martial art. (Yet to Learn(0) - Practitioner (1) - Expert (2) - Master (3) - Grandmaster (4) - Legend (5))
Offense: This only applies to the more aggressive tactics of applying Hakuda. It indicates finesse and skill in applying one's body. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legendary (5))
Defense: This only applies to the more passive tactics of applying Hakuda. It indicates the ability to deflect, block, and counter strikes with one's body. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legendary (5))
Physical Strength: This only applies to the power and endurance of applying Hakuda. It indicates the power behind strikes and blows made by one's body. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legendary (5))
Kidō: The ability to successfully execute Hado and Bakuda spells. The higher the level, the higher chance of success and the greater ability to cast powerful spells. (Yet to Learn(0) - Practitioner (1) - Expert (2) - Master (3) - Grandmaster (4) - Legend (5))
Kido Power: The stability and resilience of spells depends on the control and even the type of Reiryoku one has. Hindrances can be overcome through diligence. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legend (5))
Perception: This indicates one's awareness of their surroundings, their ability to pick up on information via either instinct or from training. The two highest ratings can allow special perceptual abilities. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legendary (5))
Hohō: Purely the application of Shunpo and other similar abilities. It also indicates one's reflexes and ability to react. (Yet to Learned (0) - Practitioner (1) - Expert (2) - Master (3) - Grandmaster (4) - Legend (5))
Mobility: This describes one's physical speed, agility, and flexibility overall. (Poor (0) - Unremarkable (1) - Average (2) - Impressive (3) - Incredible (4) - Legend (5))
The last, but certainly not least, notable points regarding the "stat system," are Resonance and Alignment. Which are, respectively, the strength of the shinigami-zanpakuto bond and the depth of one's personal mastery. While these do have assigned numbers much like the other stats, they are not based on math, but are instead a rough approximation of the aforementioned. These will always be filled out by a GM and given to a player, but only after thorough review and discussion of a character--often involving the player as well. Trust that I have a good reason for including these and consider that they won't have much effect on your characters in normal interactions or fights. Also know that both are more easily raised than the normal stats, but as a result can also be weakened or lowered. They're a plot device, and they're gonna pay off ;)
【Name: 【Nicknames: 【Alias: 【Age: 【Age Appearance: 【Gender: 【Race: Currently, only shinigami are available. 【Former Rank: 【Former Division:
【Additional Appearance Info: Include height, weight, style of clothing worn, as well as the outfit they're most commonly seen in. Consider the position of their zanpakuto and any tools they might carry.
【Biography: Minimum of three paragraphs. Conversely you may reveal it ICly, but must inform the GM.
Summary of Relationship. When they met, how long they've known one another, how they feel about them and why.
【Equipment】
Item name:
Insert lots of text under these.
Item name:
Insert lots of text under these.
【Capabilities】
【General Aptitude】
Fighting Style:
>Do they have the stamina to wear an opponent down. >Do they have a lot of presence? >Do they have control over their presence? >Do they use kido, hakuda, or zanjutsu more often. If more than one, how do they do so. >Are they hit and run. Do they use their mind, or their instincts? >Do they use their environment? >Do they rely on their skills, or their zanpakuto more often than not. >Are they physically resilient, how much so? >Are they very aware of their surroundings? >Are they fast?
Resonance: Leave blank.
Alignment: Leave blank.
{INSERT STATS HERE}
【Specialization】
Skill/technique name: Prerequisites
Insert lots of text under these.
Skill/technique name: Prerequisites
Insert lots of text under these.
【Zanpakuto】
Sealed State
~"A quote about and/or from their zanpakuto."~
Additional Description:
Inner World & Spirit:
Description. Feel free to make the title of this a set of links.
Zanpakuto Personality: What are they like?
Shikai
~"Release command and name."~
Ability:
Techniques
Name: Description.
Name: Description.
Name: Description.
Bankai
~"BANKAI...NAME"~
Ability:
Techniques
Name: Description.
Name: Description.
Name: Description.
[center][color=#ffffff][h1]【[u][b]Name[/b] - [i]Alias[/i][/u]】[/h1][/color] [img]americansnoring.com/wp-content/uploads.. 【[url=roleplayerguild.com/]Theme I[/url][b]/|\[/b][url=roleplayerguild.com/]Theme II[/url][b]/|\[/b][url=roleplayerguild.com/]Theme III[/url]】 [h3][color=#ffffff][sub][i]~[/i][b]"A quote from the character."[/b][i]~[/i][/sub][/color][/h3][/center][hider][center][u][b][h2]【Personal Info】[/h2][/b][/u][/center] [hider][indent]【[u][b]Name:[/b][/u] 【[u][i]Nicknames:[/i][/u] 【[u][b][i]Alias:[/i][/b][/u] 【[u][b]Age:[/b][/u] 【[u][i]Age Appearance:[/i][/u] 【[u][b]Gender:[/b][/u] 【[u][b]Race:[/b][/u] Currently, only shinigami are available. 【[u][i]Former Rank:[/i][/u] 【[u][i]Former Division:[/i][/u]
【[u][i]Additional Appearance Info:[/i][/u] Include height, weight, style of clothing worn, as well as the outfit they're most commonly seen in. Consider the position of their zanpakuto and any tools they might carry.
【[u][b]Biography:[/b][/u] Minimum of three paragraphs. Conversely you may reveal it ICly, but must inform the GM.
[indent][i]Negative[/i][/indent] [color=#FF0000]▼[/color] [color=#FF0000]▼[/color] [color=#FF0000]▼[/color] [color=#FF0000]▼[/color] [/indent][/indent] [/hider][indent][indent][indent][indent][u][b][h3]【Relationships】[/h3][/b][/u][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][hider] [indent][indent][i][b]NAME: Friend/Rival/Acquaintance/Superior Officer/Nemesis etc[/b][/i] [indent]Summary of Relationship. When they met, how long they've known one another, how they feel about them and why.[/indent]
[i][b]NAME: Friend/Rival/Acquaintance/Superior Officer/Nemesis/Lover/Spouse etc[/b][/i] [indent]Summary of Relationship. When they met, how long they've known one another, how they feel about them and why.[/indent]
[i][b]NAME: Friend/Rival/Acquaintance/Superior Officer/Nemesis etc[/b][/i] [indent]Summary of Relationship. When they met, how long they've known one another, how they feel about them and why.[/indent]
[/indent][/indent][/hider][/indent][/hider] [center][u][b][h2]【Equipment】[/h2][/b][/u][/center][hider] [indent][indent][i][b]Item name:[/b][/i] [indent]Insert lots of text under these.[/indent] [i][b]Item name:[/b][/i] [indent]Insert lots of text under these.[/indent]
[/indent][/indent][/hider] [center][u][b][h2]【Capabilities】[/h2][/b][/u][/center][hider][indent][indent][indent][indent][u][b][h3]【General Aptitude】[/h3][/b][/u][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][hider][indent][sub][h3][u][b]Fighting Style:[/b][/u][/h3][/sub] >Do they have the stamina to wear an opponent down. >Do they have a lot of presence? >Do they have control over their presence? >Do they use kido, hakuda, or zanjutsu more often. If more than one, how do they do so. >Are they hit and run. Do they use their mind, or their instincts? >Do they use their environment? >Do they rely on their skills, or their zanpakuto more often than not. >Are they physically resilient, how much so? >Are they very aware of their surroundings? >Are they fast?
[indent][indent][indent][i][b]Skill/technique name:[/b] Prerequisites[/i] [indent]Insert lots of text under these.[/indent] [i][b]Skill/technique name:[/b] Prerequisites[/i] [indent]Insert lots of text under these.[/indent]
[/indent][/indent][/indent][/hider] [center][u][b][h2]【Zanpakuto】[/h2][/b][/u][/center] [center][i][b]Sealed State[/b][/i] [img]cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/2385042.."A quote about and/or from their zanpakuto."[/b][i]~[/i][/sub][/color][/h3][/center] [indent][i][u]Additional Description:[/u][/i]
[i][u]Inner World & Spirit:[/u][/i] [indent]Description. Feel free to make the title of this a set of links.[/indent]
[u][b]Zanpakuto Personality:[/b][/u] What are they like?
[/indent] [center][i][b]Shikai[/b][/i] [img]cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/2385042.."Release command and name."[/b][i]~[/i][/sub][/color][/h3][/center] [indent][u][b]Ability:[/b][/u]
I have added the Character Details section to the Opening Post of this thread. Be sure to read the information in it before working on a CS and, if it scares you off--which I sincerely hope it does not--please consider that you do not need to crunch any numbers yourself, and do not have to use my complicated/in depth Character Sheet so long as you have the necessary sections excluding what is mentioned as Optional in the Explanation hider ^_^
I will be leaving both this thread and the other Advanced Interest Check open for another couple of days, allowing people to work on their characters--including myself, while I work on the IC Opening Post. I am also doing this to allow people to start on their characters :)
By the way, the RP will likely be posted in Advanced. Do not despair though, I may still change my mind as Casual tends to get more people looking at a thread and regardless of where it goes, it will be--as mentioned--High Casual or Low Advanced (which are admittedly about the same). Posting expectations will not change from what is mentioned in the OP.
@MysT3CH Ah, I had honestly forgotten to include that. I'll find somewhere to put it in the OOC. For now though...hmmm.
It's been about 4 years since everyone was kicked from the Seireitei. I'd like to say that some of the "Old gotei," surrendered and basically consented to being under the supervision and jurisdiction of the "New Gotei," shinigami.
The majority of the shinigami who did get kicked out were the higher ranked ones (from 10th seat upwards, more or less. Note that there are 20 seated officers in any given division (including Lieutenant and Captain). About a year after ya'll were exiled, I'd say 60-70% of that group spread out to deal with the increase in hollow activity in the world of the living. This group is the 30% left after some of its members tried to attack the Seireitei again to reclaim it (twice) and failed, not returning.
A total of 7 Captains(including the Captain Commander) are confirmed to be alive, one confirmed dead, and the rest MIA, but not confirmed dead.
This group will be composed of Five Captains. One will be the Captain Commander, two are Veterans, two are normal captains. There are four lieutenants in our group, with those outside of it, barring two of them who are MIA, spread out across the world of the living managing the other shinigami.
Thee rest will be individuals from 3rd seat to 6th seat in former rank. So yeah, there's that. This group has only been assembled for a few months, let's just say 4 months.
Timeline: >Got exiled 4 years ago. >1 year after exile most shinigami split away and spread over the world of the living. >4 months ago our current group started gathering and training/trying to figure out how to reclaim the Seireitei.
Group Stats: >1 Captain Commander >2 Vet captains >2 Normal captains >4 Lieutenants >Any number of 3rd-6th seat members...within reason.
Notes: >12th division captain and lieutenant are both MIA. >7 total Captains are MIA >2 lieutenants are MIA
Timeline: >Got exiled 4 years ago. >1 year after exile most shinigami split away and spread over the world of the living. >4 months ago our current group started gathering and training/trying to figure out how to reclaim the Seireitei.
Group Stats: >1 Captain Commander >2 Vet captains >2 Normal captains >4 Lieutenants >Any number of 3rd-6th seat members...within reason.
Notes: >12th division captain and lieutenant are both MIA. >7 total Captains are MIA >2 lieutenants are MIA
Thank you kindly. :) Now, do ranking have to be requested, or will they be decided/approved upon CS submission?
<Snipped quote by yoshua171> Thank you kindly. :) Now, do ranking have to be requested, or will they be decided/approved upon CS submission?
Good question. My suggestion? If you want a captain, apply not for veteran or normal. Just write a good CS and state which section you'd prefer. I'll grade the CS, consider your preference, and decide ^_^
However, you may put in a reservation for a given rank/division. I will keep it in consideration. Especially since I know a good number of you and can attest to your skill level. Note that if you're going to play a captain, that I expect you to be available for posting AT LEAST once every 2 weeks. Hopefully more than that.
