Completely understandable and the blame is entirely on me for that! In other news to those who still are around I will be working on the IC today and tomorrow to hopefully get it up by Saturday. Trying to aim for it, at least.
Yeah, I'm thinking of writing a post but as you can tell from my recent history my other RPs are reaaaaally picking up. But if you're patient with me this can be great.
“Sania... you don't think I went to far, did I? I mean, all things considered, it was a rather tame bit of annoyance I say.”
“You know how Pythia is, Laz! She’s probably j-just in a bad mood. She’ll forget about it just like last time, I’m sure. Probably.”
Sania Belchardt never could quite understand Pythia’s temperament but she never really tried to challenge it. In a perfect world for the cyan-haired girl everyone in the guild would never make each other mad or cause trouble, they’d be all friends and never take issue with each other’s antics. It was her vision and great hope for the Cloud Chasers, even considering the fact that Sania knew the concept wasn’t exactly a realistic aspiration to have.
The appearance of Henry Machina whom Sania referred to as “Machi” seemed to catch Sania off guard, and by extension out of her thoughts about Pythia’s current mood and the weight of Laz’s actions, as they asked everyone in relative vicinity to help with another guild member, Asahi, considering the fact he had decided it would be a good idea to vomit and writhe on the floor whilst not one fellow guild member took charge to help him out at all. Sania rose both of her hands to her mouth to cover up an expression of worry and slight panic.
Oh my g-gosh!
“That doesn’t sound go— oh geez Asahi!!”
Whilst Lazulin muttered under his breath Sania took off as she always did when a friend was in need of her help; a trait she held that to those who didn’t know her would seem contrary to her apparent meekness and shy personality but was very much part of who she was. It was here that as if on cue Sania summoned a small amount of magical energy which she quickly converted into her affinity— water magic to use in helping Asahi in his awful state.
“A-Asahi!” She exclaimed as she applied the water magic as directed by Henry.
From behind her shoulder Sania could hear the approach remark from Lazulin about the whole situation. “Hmmm, guess we'll have to wait until he cleans himself up before we can have him try on his new outfit, huh Sania? No one likes a server that smells like rum and vomit.”
She sighed. Why did stuff like this have to happen?
Whilst clans are older than the one-hundred and twelve years of the current period (fukugen), you do have to consider the fact that the preceding era (konton) was pretty much the founding of shinobi clans though how long that era was I left ambiguous for a few valid reasons. I wasn’t saying your clan is unrealistically large, by the way, just that you’ve defined familial members more extensively than any of the GMs have— a fact that made me smirk at the irony of it all.
It was not an elaborate criticism but rather a neutral comment.
Nakazono is of average height and weight for his age. He is rather slender and could be described as effeminate even though he doesn't act like it. Nakazono has pale skin and blue eyes. Like all young boys in his clan, Nakazono has never cut most black hair. The longest part is currently down to his butt and to quote him "an absolute pain". The bangs and shorter (about shoulder length hair around his face) is more tolerable and less at the same time because it never stays tied up like it's supposed to. He also has his ears pierced.
For his age Nakazono isn't small. He appears to be about twelve when in fact he is eleven. It doesn't help that because of his clan traditions most people mistake him for a girl either. At least when he's at school he's allowed to wear clothing that isn't specific to girls. Though his formal Fujioji outfit is. Therefore most of time he's seen in just a plain kimono.
PERSONALITY & MOTIVATIONS
Nakazono is the youngest child of four. And he happens to be the least talented. Because of this he has mainly stopped trying his best. He's just kind of floating through school. He used to care, but no matter how hard he tried he could never keep up with his older siblings. Which lead to him deciding if he couldn't make his parents happy he'd stop trying. At least then they'd have something to complain about. With this attitude Nakazono sometimes ditches class to go do whatever stuck his fancy that day (usually reading).
Nakazono really doesn't want to be a ninja. He's thought about running off and hiding forever in a book store or library but he's never done it. It's mainly because he cannot bring himself to disappoint his parents even more than he has despite all of his protestations that he doesn't care. Which is central to Nakazono's character. He likes to pretend that nothing matters to him when in truth everything seems to matter.
CLAN HISTORY
The Fujioji clan isn't a big clan. A select few families joined Konohagakure at the founding in hopes of stability. Before that the Fujioji's were a wandering clan. In fact the majority of the clan still are known to be wanderers and have not settled in any one village. Because of their nomadic lifestyle their traditions are the most important thing to them.
The main tradition passed down from parent to child is their fighting techniques. The Fujioji clan uses a bo staff to fight. They have no unique nin- or genjutsu's to the clan name. Only their skill with a staff. Such skill some of their members have their name is closely tied to the staff they use. Sometimes it's even referred to as a Fujioji Staff since all staves used by the clan are made handmade by the clan. No one who is not a Fujioji is allowed to use the staff. If someone is known to be using one having procured it somehow, a Fujioji will be honored bound to retrieve it. This is mostly because a Fujioji staff isn't a normal bo staff.
A Fujioji staff is similar to a bo staff in that it is about 1.8 meters in length and up to 15 meters in circumference. It is made from a supple white oak. It's tapered from the middle so that it's thinner at the ends. The Fujioji staff ends are octagon in shape. Inlet in the supple wood is iron. Usually in a complicated design in order to allow the wood to maintain it's flexibility and durability. The secrets of the Fujioji staves are found in these designs. Some are hidden compartments for various ninja tools such as poisons and knives.
Each Fujioji staff is specifically crafted for the user. clan members such as Nakazono have plain dyed bo staves. They are for learning how to use the weapon and if lost, it is nothing to cause shame upon the owner. For they are just normal bo staves. It isn't until the clan member reaches the age of fourteen that they are given their first true staff. The design is tailored to the user and reflects their status in the clan and their personal history. It is a serious breach of honor to ruin or lose a staff.
Apart from their staves the Fujioji clan has a very rich tradition for raising their children. No child, male or female, can cut their hair apart from the prescribed haircut. Tradition holds that the first Fujioji, a woman, cut her hair like that and that's the way it has been ever since. Once a child reaches the age of majority they will cut off their long tail of hair to make everything even with their shoulders. All children are also dressed the same in traditional female clothing. Though in Konohagakure they are allowed to wear nondescript kimonos while not in the clan's buildings.
When a child reaches what they believe to be the age of majority they must prove themselves. In the clan it is called The Proving. It's a closely guarded test where the child must fight their parent. If they fail to prove they have sufficient skills, no matter their age, they are not considered adults. A waiting period of usually half a season is observed before a child may try again. If a child does not challenge their parents for a proving they are cast out of the clan and into the wild. They are given nothing but a plain bo staff and told to return in a month. If they never return the child is considered dead. The same holds if the child returns too soon. However if the child returns on time they are considered an adult and inducted back into the clan.
The traditional uniform of the Fujioji clan is a sleeveless black kimono with a gold Uraeri. There is a dark blue blue obi. The sleeves are threaded with gold string to hold them on over the biceps and below the shoulder joint. All Fujioni clan members have pierced ears and with the traditional uniform they wear a tassel with a golden ball attached. The color of the tassels is up to the individual and their status in the clan. Young children are given a burgundy color. Those of age range from Blue to black depending on their skill with their staff.
One of things that make the Fujioji clan different from most others is their matriarchy. A set of three Elders lead the clan in important matters. They are the decendants of the three original women who decided to settle in Konohagakure. The heads of the clan are all female. They also expect their females to be just as good of fighters as the men. Therefore women are not given any quarter in training nor is it expected. Which has caused a few clashes with the Academy because the Fujioji clan doesn't view some of the curriculum (such as flower arrangement) as necessary.
PERSONAL HISTORY
Nakazono was a child conceived from emotion. After the terrible battle at Konohagakure and the loss of so many people, his mother sought what physical comfort she could. And the result was Nakazono. An unplanned but not unwelcome child. For his mother it was reason to remain at home for a long while. Even his father enjoyed having a baby around once more. His brother, Kageteru didn't much care for Nakazono having been the youngest and therefore the most spoiled child. Or had been. After his dethroning by Nakazono he's always held a sort of grudge. His two eldest siblings were wrapped up with their their training and had no time for a baby.
Nakazono's life was set for him from as far back as he could remember. He was given his first bo staff about the same time he started walking. By the time he was four, maybe five, he was expected to be able to use it. It was also about the same time that Nakazono realized he was not the most coordinated and therefore good fighter. Before this point Nakazono had happy memories of his parents. But this was a changing point in his life. Suddenly from this point nothing ever seemed good enough. It was always "Kageteru mastered that when he was your age" "Nagu never had a problem with that move" or "Even Moroari could fail to teach you how not to trip over nothing".
His only saving grace was his Aunt Sanako. When he stayed late in the practice grounds, or tried to hide his bruises from the staff, she was always there. With a soft word or touch she had the power to keep him from drowning in the unreachable expectations of his family. She was the one who gave him hope that he wasn't completely useless. She was the one who smuggled his nonsense scrolls about completely fictional people and places. She was the one who helped him with his drills.
Aunt Sanako was the only reason Nakazono still remains at the Academy and is somehow going to be a Genin. Without her support (and lets face it, her disappointment in his lack of motivation in school) he never would have made it this far. He wants to do better by her, but he can't bring himself to do so. He fears deep down if he starts trying again and fails he wont be able to live with himself.
This deep, dark fear keeps Nakazono from really making friends at the academy. He smiles, laughs and generally gets along with the other students, but he doesn't invest himself in the relationships. He doesn't hang out after school unless it's coursework related. Because of this he knows lots of people but no one he would call friend and he's sure they all would agree.
INFLUENCE & RELATIONS
Grandfather (Mother's)- Fujioji Nobuuchi- 63- Nobuuchi is your stereotypical grumpy old man. According to the family he used to be really happy and kind. But after his wife died he changed completely.
Grandmother (Mother's)- Fujioji Masako- Deceased- Masako passed away in 101CE with her grandson Koreshige. She was fifty years old. Even though she was older it was said she fought like she was young woman again. It's not known how she died but her body was found after the fighting was over next to her broken staff.
Grandfather (Father's)- Fujioji Norihiro- 74- Norihiro is a stern man. As Yaya's husband he takes their position in the clan very seriously and is very concerned about the clan's honor.
Grandmother (Father's)- Fujioji Yaya- 71- Yaya is one of the elders of the Fujioji clan. She sits on the small council that governs their particular branch. She's already named Nakazono's sister, Nagu, her successor.
Father- Fujioji Kanemoto- 51- Kanemoto acts much like his father; Stern and kind of harsh at times. He's really only soft around his wife Moku.
Mother- Fujioji Moku- 42- Moku is often distant. She spends a lot of time off on missions or training. When she's home she spends most of her time with her husband.
Eldest Brother- Fujioji Moroari- 21- Moroari is a work-a-holic. He's yet to be married and doesn't seem to be inclined to do so. Instead he seems to be married to his work.
Older Sister- Fujioji Nagu- 18- Nagu is the most skilled sibling Nakazono has. She is also the one under the most pressure. Because of this nothing she does nor her family does is ever good enough.
Older Brother- Fujioji Kageteru- 16- Kageteru is much like his older brother. He just passed his Proving and is eager to make a name for himself. He often daydreams about life outside Konohagakure and sometimes wishes to join the wandering Fujioji clan.
Aunt (Mother's Sister)- Fujioji Tsuneno- Deceased- Tsuneno was Nakazono's mother's triplet. She was twenty one when she passed in the year 91CE. When Konohagakure joined the Great Shinobi war she was one of the ninja's on the front lines with her other two sisters. She died defending Sunagakure along with Fuku.
Aunt (Mother's Sister)- Fujioji Fuku- Deceased- Fuku was Nakazono's mother's triplet. She was twenty one when she passed in the year 91CE. When Konohagakure joined the Great Shinobi war she was one of the ninja's on the front lines with her other two sisters. She died defending Sunagakure along with Tsuneno.
Uncle (Father's Brother)- Fujioji Narihide- 54- Narihide is the only non-fighter in Nakazono's family. Instead Narihide is a staff maker and a very good one at that. He lost his leg below the knee in 101CE.
Aunt (Father's sister-in-law)- Fujioji San- 49- San is a bright happy woman. She enjoys drawing more than fighting. However that isn't to say she isn't very skilled with her staff like most Fujioji's.
Cousin- Fujioji Koreshige- Deceased- Koreshige died in 101CE. He had been a Jounin defending Konohagakure when the war came to their doorstep. According to the clan Koreshige died a hero not only saving Nakazono but many other Fujiojis as well. He's still hailed as a hero to this day. He was only 19 when he was killed.
Cousin- Fujioji Masa- 28- Masa is married to Fujioji Ama and have two young children. The eldest, Fujioji Ichime, is one year younger than Nakazono. Both of them attend the academy together. However neither of them have much to do with each other due to their being in different classes.
Uncle (Father's brother-in-law)- Fujioji Tsunenobu- 51- Tsunenobu is thrilled with his brother (Nakazono's father) and wants nothing to do with them due to circumstances when the two were younger.
Aunt (Father's Sister)- Fujioji Sanako- 48- Sanako is the only family member that Nakazono gets along with. She's the only one who doesn't put pressure on him to be the best. But she doesn't condone his laziness either. She just wants him to be himself.
Cousin- Fujioji Shigeteru- 30- Much like his father, Shigeteru, also has nothing to do with Nakazono's family. They only see each other at clan meetings. He's married to Fujioji Suko and has one child: Fujioji Michiie who is twelve.
Cousin- Fujioji Mego- 27- Mego is married to Fujioji Nakakane, a woman who used to be part of the wandering clan. She only settled in Konohagakure a few years ago. They have two children. One is seven and the other is five.
Cousin- Fujioji Junjii- 24- Junjii is engaged to Fujioji Some. Some is their to Fujioji Gen, another of the clan Elders.
CHAKRA NATURE
Fire
SPECIAL TRAITS
Fujioji clan uses a bo staff along with their ninjustsus.
FOCUS & SKILLS
Nakazono leans towards taijustsu since his ninjutsu isn't very good.
EQUIPMENT & INVENTORY
Bo Staff General ninja tools (shuriken and kunai, etc)
◈ I pretty much agree with Ryo’s assessment, but I do have my own points as I will detail in subsequent bullets. ◈ I fixed minor formatting bits, because I do that. ◈ You seem to contradict yourself when describing Nakazono’s appearance; he’s “average height and weight” yet “isn’t small”. It’s a minor nitpick, but consistency helps in the character creation process. ◈ Whilst I agree with Ryo here (and personally find a whole clan of traps odd, but anime, so it’s whatever), I can appreciate the extensive amount of work put into your clan history; such lengths I don’t know if I would even go to. Going back to Ryo’s comment however, I do think some adjustments to your rites should be done but for the most part I think it’s just me being pedantic in my review. But then again you did want an extensive review. ◈ “Even Moroari could fail to teach you how not to trip over nothing.” — This particular mention made me laugh, good statement of his inadequacies and familial relations. ◈ You have succeeded about making a small less noteworthy clan of traps seem large and relevant through the extensive description of Nakazono’s immediate and extended family. I think it could be formatted a bit better with spacing and the fat trimmed, but I’m also of the belief that no information is irrelevant information so I’m compelled to find a way to work this in on the GM front. ◈ On that front, I’d also like to see some mentions of the academy students who obviously were present— Fukushu, Tensai, Mikoto, Mitsuko. Understand his perspective on his peers would be great. ◈ I feel like despite Nakazono being remarkably unremarkable you could describe and detail his skillset with a bit more detail. ◈ Despite us going over his lack of noteworthy techniques— I feel like you could mention any techniques unique to him in the Bukijutsu department, specifically in bojutsu. If you intend to really center yourself around the Fujioji’s mastery in this weapon art I feel like we should not only more detail about it but you should at least have some basic techniques (ala custom jutsu) made? ◈ Once you have considered and adapted this, I think I could accept you with little issue.
No, if a player wants to make a character that is more or less genin-rank Sakura without her Chakra Control (or Intellect) that is completely acceptable. I just have to make sure that is what you want to do!
Ryo will handle your review, and I'll add any notes to it after the fact.
So what you are telling me is you are okay with having no techniques outside of those learned at the academy? This is of course fine, but I just need confirmation therein.