Ninpocho Chronicles is a fantasy-ish setting storyline, set in an alternate universe World of Ninjas, where the Naruto and Boruto series take place. This means that none of the canon characters exists, or existed here.
Each ninja starts from the bottom and start their training as an Academy Student. From there they develop abilities akin to that of demigods as they grow in age and experience.
Along the way they gain new friends (or enemies), take on jobs and complete contracts and missions for their respective villages where their training and skill will be tested to their limits.
The sky is the limit as the blank page you see before you can be filled with countless of adventures with your character in the game.
The Main Branch "In an unstable and hostile world, we independent shinobi are the foundation of this village and the source of its continued survival and supremacy. We are the first, and last, line of defense against the unrelenting darkness created in the hearts of men and the madness of the void. Today’s enemies don't always follow rules of conduct, wear uniforms, or march under a hostile flag. They exist in the shadows, and thus, so do we; the Main Branch of Kumogakure."
Shinobi for Hire
The Main Branch of Kumogakure is just that, the main shinobi working force of the village, composing of eighty-five percent of village shinobi. They are the main completers of paid missions for the Bakufuu and as such must have a variety of skills and be able to adapt to all situations. Their work can range from rubbing elbows with the elite of Lightning Country, feeding into a network of spies, hunting down the undead and monstrous terrors beyond imagining, or simply aiding in tasks too difficult for untrained humanity. By the Rank of Chuunin, many of the Main Branch members are assigned to work within a sub-branch division which best compliments their skill sets and temperament. Main Branch Ranks
The ranks of the Main Branch are assigned based on the overall skill level of a shinobi, given after they complete an exam. With each one, there is a substantial increase in the expectations and prestige given to a shinobi. These ranks act as gatekeepers to dangerous yet higher paying missions, the ability to teach, and increasing Sub-Branch Division Level.
Genin: Genin are the first rank of shinobi in Kumogakure obtained. A Genin has proven through their examination that they are shinobi worthy of Kumogakure. Young though they often are, Genin are still shinobi and therefore more than a match for any non-shinobi. It is at this stage that they will begin undertaking many missions and learning the value of teamwork. Their training must always continue even if there is no Academy Teacher to push them along. Their main goal at this stage is to reach the rank of Chuunin, but they will also make money for the village by going on lower ranked missions. Occasionally they may be assigned with higher ranked shinobi for higher ranked missions as well. At this stage, they may consider which division of the Main Branch to be focused. Those Genin that prove themselves capable are considered for Chuunin rank.
Chuunin: Chuunin are the second rank of shinobi, promoted from Genin. At this point, they are considered full-fledged shinobi in their own right. No longer are they considered to be "still learning." A shinobi that has reached the level of Chuunin has proven that they are responsible and skilled enough to represent Kumogakure as a true shinobi. At this point in their career, are sent on missions requiring more skill and promising more danger. They will be considered capable of attending most missions whether they be alone or with a team. Chuunin represents the largest group of Kumogakure shinobi and the stage that most shinobi remain at for their lives; sent on the majority of the village's missions, often leading teams of Genin and sometimes other Chuunin, and are a respectable rank. However, those who truly excel will be taken notice of and tested for the rank of Jounin.
Jounin: Jounin rank is the highest rank achievable for the Main Branch shinobi outside of the rank of Sennin or Raikage. Only the most skilled shinobi make it to this rank and Jounin represents the elite of the Main Branch. They have proven themselves beyond all doubt as the finest the village has to offer. Whether this is a blessing or a curse is debatable. As Jounin they are sent on the missions that require the most skill and promise even more dangerous than ever. They may lead groups of Chuunin or Genin, but sometimes for very dangerous and important missions, they may be assigned to a team of Jounin. Although all ranks of shinobi are commendable, Jounin are what the legends told about Kumogakure are made of. To reach such a rank affords the highest respect.
Non-shinobi Support [NSS]
The village of Cloud is designed to maintain their main source of income; Shinobi. Though it may not always seem so, everyone from farmers and cooks to teachers and nurses helps to support, feed, clothe, teach and house Ninja. In return, they enjoy the relative freedom and prosperity that being a citizen of Kumogakure offers. In early days, most of the village was made up of Shinobi and portion of people too weak or old to take missions who would take on the role of caretakers for the village. As the Village grew, and the chakra mutation took hold, these supportive roles were taken over by the growing force of friends and family members incapable of becoming Shinobi.
There are some jobs which see people of this support network work more directly with Shinobi. Dubbed the NSS or "Non-Shinobi Support" They are generally the direct family members of shinobi, or those raised in the village, who are incapable of tapping into enough of their chakra but, have completed non-combat academy lessons. A large portion of the informants and Data Analysts for The KIO network, teachers for those same non-combat lessons and secretaries in the Legation are made up of NSS personnel; treated with the same respect as any other shinobi, and anyone caught mistreating or bad-mouthing them can expect punishment. Mission Missions: The Main Branch Mission is any task that contracts or pays your character via the Legation. More specifically it is work that the village has been hired to complete, which could be as simple as finding a missing pet or catching small monsters or more complicated like fighting bandits or stealing a well-guarded treasure.
Who can hire Kumogakure, and what kind of missions the village is allowed to take is controlled by the Raikage, and then the Sennin. Missions are restricted by codenames from Tiger Level for the general public to Dragon Level for information that is solely for government members/bodies only, and beyond. A Missions that involves fighting bandits, removing some monsters, or in general helping the public is considered Tiger Level. A Missions that could change the flow of politics, which are often such things like facing a rebellion, assassinating a prominent figure, or sending a diplomat; would be Dragon Level. Kumogakure in general keeps from taking missions, or sides, when any region outside of Lightning Country are at war without the approval of the Raikage, all 3 Sennins, and the Arcadian Judges. The Raikage can, in cases of dire need, allows the taking of a side without further approval. Non-Mission Work and Downtime
Shinobi not needed for a mission rarely have downtime. There are several tasks which are imposed upon all three of Kumogakure's Ninja Branches when they find themselves idle.
Gate Duty: The most common downtime work that a Kumogakure Shinobi can expect to do. Those who are not on missions, and even those with time between their missions, are placed on a roster for gate duty. Every Shinobi learns the intricacies of the gates;' the policies for entrance and exit, how to catch a criminal attempting to break in or flee and village general defense. Every Shinobi is put on the roster and expected to be present for duty.
Teaching / Tutoring: Once taught by full-time shinobi teachers, the academy has seen reform in the recent years. The majority of those teaching in the academy are combat retired shinobi or NSS teachers. However, a shinobi at the rank of Chuunin and above may find themselves assigned to teaching classes or tutoring others between their missions, while genin would receive extra lessons or be expected to continue attending academic experiences.
Continued Education:
Power and wielding chakra is not everything; a shinobi must be quick-witted and capable of solving any problem that comes their way after all. Graduating from the academy does not mean the end of shinobi's education. Those who move on to the rank of Genin and even Chuunin below the age of eighteen are still expected to attend lessons and continue their general education between their missions and training. There are no formal exams, and failing to go to lessons does not result in demotion, however, a character who cannot read, write and complete basic maths should not make it beyond the rank of Genin as they will be incapable of completing the reports required of in an advanced role.
Training: Training comes in many forms, either through advanced lessons, being tutored by other stronger shinobi, studying with your peers, self-study or shadowing a master. These are often dependent on a shinobi's skills and direction- they might be paired with their teachers and peers, or they may need to seek out their own. It is not unusual for those on the main branch to undergo training exercises outside of the village to practice scenarios. Ranking up Mission Point Values
Tutored/Tutoring - 1 Point
D - 1 Point (0.5 Solo-Self Modded)
C - 1.5 Points (1 Point Solo-Self Modded)
B - 2 Points (1.5 Points Solo-Self Modded)
A - 3 Points (2 Solo-Self Modded)
S - 5 Points (4 Solo-Self Modded)
Events - Points may be granted based on what occurred in the event. The number of points is up to the Sennin.
Failed (non-selfmod) missions give half the point value but will yield no more than 2 points (for higher ranked missions). Failed Team Self -mod missions give half the point value if a 1500wc minimum is met. Events may also award points on a case by case basis which the Sennin will decide upon. When requesting an exam, link the missions and events that you'd like to count towards your requirements. Students are no longer forced to take an exam once their 2 lessons are complete(but may request one), as new players are now allowed to begin as Genin.
Rank Attainment Requirements Genin
2 Passed Classes/Tutors
OOC D-Rank
3 Mastered Jutsu D Rank or Above
Chuunin
Meets requirements of a Genin and...
BL or CA obtained
6 Mission Points (total)
OOC B-Rank reached
Minimum 1 OOC months spent as Genin
Jounin
Meets requirements of a Chuunin and...
12 Mission Points (total)
OOC A-Rank reached
Minimum 2 OOC months spent as Chuunin
Points towards promotion requirements are accumulated throughout your career from Genin onward, meaning that points gained as a Genin towards becoming a Chuunin also count towards the requirements for eventually becoming a Jounin. Once meeting the requirements, an exam must be passed to rank up for Genin and Chuunin. The final rank is granted by their peers via other Jounin Shinobi (2 or more) or the Sennin after a simple meeting.
Daily Grind: The Main Branch is the core of the Kumogakure Military, and thus is always there to pick up the missions left behind no matter how trivial. A job done is money earned, and time is money friend. Any Solo-Self Modded Missions ranked D-B done by a member of Main Branch grant full Point rewards.
Exams
Exams are the last hurdle before your character ranks up, a test of their abilities. In the past, exams needed to be moderated, however, there is a new system which allows a character to be recommended as a higher rank which allows them to write a solo exam instead.
.:Sennin and Staff:. Current Sennin: Ryuu Rei
The Main Branch Sennin is, like all Sennin, the head of their branch. They have the highest authority over the Main Branch and decisions regarding the division. The Sennin answers only to the Raikage when it comes to their Branch, and in most cases, the Raikage defers to the Sennin's judgment. The Sennin's responsibility is to keep the branch running smoothly. The office of the Sennin also includes the guards and staff of the Sennin, both shinobi, and secretaries, as well as the Hand of the Sennin.
Current Hand: (Jounin Required, at least 1 mastered Sub Branch, and a meet with the Sennin)
The Hand of the Sennin is the figurative right hand of the branch's leader. The Sennin may choose to delegate many tasks to the Hand that the Hand may undertake with the Sennin's authority. The Hand also continues to direct which ever Branch they were leading, (if they were doing so), and is the only one besides the Sennin and Raikage with authority to send them on a mission.
Name: Hatako Koshiro
Age: 76
Sex: Scruffy Old Man
Rank: Jounin
Position: Infantry Commander of the Main Branch (Division Head)
Physical: A man of high age, Koshiro's hair and thick mustache have long since grayed and his wrinkles formed. Despite his age, he looks far from feeble. His tall stature and broad shoulders give him an imposing presence, and his age has not prevented him from keeping fit. Underneath those bushy eyebrows, his amber colored eyes stare defiantly forward and seem to look right through you.
Mental: Koshiro is precisely what you would expect of a commander. His gruff exterior and no-nonsense attitude command respect. He takes his position very seriously and demands that his subordinates act with sincerity as well. Despite the old front he has, he does care for the village and his branch profoundly and has every intention of serving as long as he is needed.
History: Born in the village to a shinobi family, Koshiro was subject to two very militant parents. Though they treated him with love and care, they were also quite intent on making him the perfect little soldier. Naturally, this only worked until his teenage years when he caught that rebellious phase as a Genin. Those under him now whisper the rumor that he was once caught scaling the village gates during this time, to prove he could. As a Chuunin and a young adult, he mellowed out and began to take his duties more seriously. He founded a kindred soul in his wife, Emi who was teaching at the time. The teachings of his parents took hold, and he developed into the serious man he remains now. Reaching Jounin in his twenties, he has remained that rank for decades now, taking mission after mission and defying the odds. Many times he has taken on the role of leadership when necessary, be it in a mission or leading a squad in war. When he was asked to take command of the infantry division, he took it without question. After all, for him, duty stands above all else. Of course, he knows he's getting up in his years. He accepted his position because he was needed, but he knows that the time has come to pass the mantle.
This is the general force of the Main Branch, essentially. It is the hammer in the tool satchel of the MB, capable of getting most jobs done. While other divisions are highly specialized, the Infantry delivers on a wide variety of tasks such as escorting, combat, message running, protection and any other job that the village is hired to do. As the largest group in the village, these Jack of All Trades take on the most missions and bring in the next largest income in their part of the military; second only to Exorcists. In wartime, they are the mobilized army of Kumogakure. The Infantry Commander will oversee this main force in wartime, usually in place of the Sennin unless they intend to interject. If there is no war, the Infantry Commander is in charge of assigning missions to their division and managing their success unless the Sennin has a vital task to designate themselves. A career as Infantry in the Main Branch is considered the most commonly practiced Branch/Sub-Branch combination in the village. Often when one thinks of the quintessential Kumogakure Chuunin or Jounin, it is an Infantry Shinobi which comes to mind. However, the Infantry is the default sub-branch for Main, and as such is also the funnel for the lazy, unmotivated and under skilled of the village.
Level 1- Nitōhei (Soldier Second Class): Everyone fresh into the in the Main Branch begins as a Nitōhei, and those who follow paths down master of the other sub-branches often remain so; though his or her ranks in specialties place them in higher regards. When you become a Nitōhei, you gain your headband, access to a standard issue headset capable of connecting to any shinobi in the village by connecting to central command. (Whom you speak to is always recorded) moreover, the ability to take missions higher than E-rank.
Level 2 - Ittōhei (Soldier First Class): The Ittōhei makes up a large portion of the Main Branch, and it can be hard to stand out. You're great at completing the odd job missions that filter through the legation, but so are most of your peers. Most of your missions are done as a team and sometimes you're allowed to find someone's cat or wash tall windows by yourself between hours of tutoring and gate duty. In times of war, you are assigned a division and carry out missions and may lead a small team of Nitōhei. Many Genin and Chuunin at this rank consider taking on a Sub-branch, while others endeavor to carve out their path and specialty amongst the many.
Level 3 - Jōtōhei (Senior Soldier): A leader amongst your peers, you are considered capable of leading teams of shinobi on the many odd jobs given to the Infantry. You are capable of completing mid-ranked missions on your own and may be teamed with your peers under a Heichō to complete dangerous A-rank missions. Your reputation is high enough that many other shinobi know you, if not by name, then for your skills. In times of war, you will lead a quarter dozen Ittōhei and by extension, their teams. You answer directly to a Heichō and are expected to carry out their will without question.
Master - Heichō (Leading Soldier): They call you a Jack of All Trades, capable of completing any task your village gives you. You've climbed mountains to retrieve ancient artifacts or to save avalanche plagued villages. You fought off warring armies and powerful bandits, guarded precious cargo or destroyed entire warehouses. All who reach the rank of Heichō are considered to be the best of the infantry, men, and women capable of taking on or leading all levels of missions. Depending on the needs of your village, you might escort teams of Nitōhei and Ittōhei on their more dangerous missions as their commander, lead a team of Jōtōhei into high-risk situations or be amongst a group of your peers, taking on the greatest dangers asked of Kumogakure. You are always busy, and you always have work. In times of war, you answer directly to the Infantry commander and may lead as many as two dozen Jōtōhei and their units. (Heichō may apply for Infantry Commander)
.:Kumogakure Law Agency:. Headed by: Zenith Judge - Tangetsu Nu (NPC)(Open/Jounin required)
Name: Tangetsu Nu
Age: 39
Sex: Male
Rank: Jounin
Position: Zenith Judge
Physical: Nu is has what is known as a wiry build; unbelievably skinny and strong. He stands about 5’8’’ with a short beard and long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. His clothing is 90% suits, vests, and an assortment of expensive cuff links. As a shinobi his prowess was in Genjutsu Mastery, however, his natural build also allowed him to be a physical fighter worth more than his own weight in gold. Surprisingly fast, he’s been known to snatch papers out of the hands of aides who come to bring him news before they realize the page has even left their hold.
Mental: As a Genjutsu Master, Nu’s mental focus is like a steel trap. He has never once missed on a case, lost or won, as far as the evidence and remembering both the intricate laws Kumogakure has in place for shinobi, and the ones for civilians; and how they interact. He’s quick to anger in private settings, but the anger passes just as fast as it comes before he makes a calculated decision on anything. In court, he’s as mentally chilled as a machine. In combat he tends to get carried away in the sense that he loves fighting and a good challenge, but rarely has that ever lead him to anything that can actually beat him.
History: Nu is a special case in more than one way. Originally he worked under the Shogun in a legal department that saw to the checks and balances regarding the capitol and trade. Years and years of watching his fellow lawyers becoming easily corrupted by the stupidest of bribes made him nearly quit multiple times. What stopped him from removing himself from his career was, oddly, how often he was targeted for assassination by the people he refused to take bribes from. Something about the thrill of combat and riding the razor’s edge between life and death breathed excitement into a job he otherwise hated. When the devices that limited the country’s chakra was removed, and he found himself with an abundance of power, Nu realized he was finally given the chance to change is life and the entire country.
He enrolled in the “Special Entry” Academy which was opened shortly after the war to take in all the adults who had awakened to chakra power and train them properly before assigning them to a position in the military. Nu’s training went quickly and he was awarded a Genin Rank within two weeks of starting the Academy. Barely six months later he had climbed the ranks to Jounin with how easily he took on even the most suicidal of missions and prevailed, all to make an appointment with the current Sennin. There he laid out a new detailed system of laws that would effect shinobi and civilians across Kumogakure as a whole that benefited both without giving one or the other too much privilege outside of what a shinobi gained by being in the military. The Sennin was impressed by how well thought out the laws were and how it could work towards curb-stomping the shinobi who were having a hard time adjusting to new protocol.
Then, just as with his previous job, a new wave of assassins came for his throat for the changes he enacted. Nearly 15% of the original force in Main Branch alone have all seen at least some jail time since the new laws were put in place. However, Nu relishes in the increased attacks, using them as both a source of entertainment and a way to train himself to be better.
After the fall of the Feudal government in the wake of their assassinated leader, the village of Kumogakure did what it could by stepping in to help get the country up and running again. With a team of diplomats and can-do shinobi, the Main Branch played a big role in helping their village bring Lightning together as a single country under one rule. After squashing a civil war brewing through the old noble clans, it became clear that the Kumogakure Military had taken control. Problem was, the cloudy mountain military and her shinobi were used to working with little to no restraint. Continuing to do so after the land began to recognize them as their guiding compass put a harsh strain between the lower land people and those that lived in the mountain village. To help combat this a new law system was put into place to police shinobi, at first, and then eventually everyone. While it is clear that those within Lightning have far more leniency towards their actions if serving in the military, shinobi now have very strict rules to follow, but making sure they, and others, were following these new laws put a strain on the limited amount of shinobi Kumogakure had at the time. Thus, the Judge System was created. Sprawling throughout the land of Lightning are courthouses ruled by one of the five Arcadian Judges given power to govern over divided areas all across Kumogakure, for Kumogakure. Shinobi of this sub-branch specialize in knowing the new laws, policing their own, and taking on cases thats shape the government’s future laws by being the detectives, jury, and judge. Where it either be a common man killing a noble, a shinobi assaulting a civilian, or a merchant of great wealth practicing in slavery; all cases are now brought to court in a system that must be ruled on until laws are established completely.
Level 1 - Clerk: A starting position in the law firm that spends most of their time organizing. You will be working directly for most Lawyers and are usually assigned to whatever department that needs help the most at first, but within three weeks you’ll be expected to work in all branches of law to help keep paper clutter to a minimal. Outside of that, you will also be trained in law, diplomacy (both new and old rulings), and how to avoid combat with legalese. No Clerk ever works outside of Kumogakure during this time as most of your waking hours will be spent memorizing every new rule in the land. All shinobi ranks will start with this position.
Level 2 - Lawyer: The Shinobi Lawyer is a title that strikes both confusion and fear into an opponent. To those who know their worth, fear is usually the strongest of the two feelings as you will be capable of anything a Chuunin is, and have connections that make most civilians avoid them harder than any other type of ninja in the Kumogakure army. Unlike most ninja in any other branch, you will have a lot more say over arresting someone over their actions and can act on instinct faster than most due to an intricate knowledge of the new laws that protect you all. However, this power comes with a price. Your job will also be rolled into a diplomat position and you may end up spending most of your career traveling through Lightning and sometimes to other parts of the world in the name of justice. The upside to this is that you will rarely work alone, and often find companions in teams of shinobi in order to give your group a leverage inside of the country, and a Word Warrior outside of it to avoid violence.
Level 3 - Judge: A Judge is the Jounin equivalent to a normal ninja, but unlike most shinobi in any other branch except ANBU, they are the only ninja capable of still being able to act against any threat with impunity. Once a privilege of every shinobi from Kumo, now only you can be a Judge, Jury, and Executioner in the field; as you fully enforce the laws that all others must follow to keep this fledgling Neo-Democracy floating. You’ll be assigned a role, one of five, an area in Lightning in which you are to govern and decide in minor legal matters within that area. Some Judges live within their areas with the Arcadians that also reside there, but most shinobi retain connections in their lands while continuing to live and act within Kumogakure as you will often be more needed in their Village than outside of it. As it is a role that can easily be corrupted by greed and vice, this job is directly seen to pruning by the Arcadian Judges, the Sennin, and the Raikage, should any act by these shinobi go out of line. Your actions will be so heavily scrutinized that even Lawyers will sometimes seen as a more powerful role within the system due to their innate freedom.
Mastered - Arcadian Judge: You are now a part of those that lead all Judges, and the new order of law in Kumogakure. As an Arcadian, you will rarely live within the Village. Instead your home will be in one of the five Arcadian Courts, judging and ruling over a land until you retire, step down, or are removed by the Raikage themselves. From these positions throughout the country, you and four others monitor and control completely the Arcadian Courts; answering only to the Raikage. Your job is will mostly be bound behind a desk as you write, consider, and create new laws and amendments that shape the land. You will also be in charge of keeping the Judges in order and calling them all together for important court matters that requires a jury of multiple opinions. Last, but not least, the Archadians also serves directly to not the Sennin, but to the Raikage themselves, allowing you the power overrule a Sennin’s choice in regards to a new law or an amendment. (May apply for Zenith Judge)
The Kumogakure Shinobi Intelligence Service is essentially the secret agents of Kumogakure. They undertake a wide variety of missions that require discretion above all else. They may often be placed undercover to obtain information on Kumogakure's enemies, but just as well they keep tabs on their allies. They're also responsible for maintaining the Main Branch's spy ring including its safe houses, maintaining aliases, and keeping up with numerous contacts all over Lightning Country. While they clearly share some skill sets with the ANBU, their mission objectives do not typically revolve around death. Leaving bodies could easily compromise the real objective of their mission, which a KIO agent would rather die than reveal. The types of tasks they may undertake often include infiltration, intelligence gathering, and occasionally theft. At the head of this service is the Spymaster, debatably the most well-connected person in the village. It is considered the hardest job in the village, as by the time anyone reaches Field Agent, they’ll have completely erased their entire background to become nothing more than a shadow. Some would consider such anonymity a boon, but most are unable to handle the mental stress of maintaining multiple personalities.
Level 1 - Trainee: You've begun training in the art of the spy. Before you can be trusted, you will be expected to learn the tricks of the trade from another spy. Expect long hours learning to change your image through both chakra and physical means, stealth in all situations and blend into different cultures as you aide others on their contract work. When you're not in the field, you'll be expected to help sort, compile and file piles of low-classified information submitted to the KIO agency network which aids it to keep an accurate vision of the country. Those who work with the KIO branch as their non-primary sub-branch are often amongst those feeding into the information network instead
Level 2 - Field Agent: You can cross a squeaking floor, scale rafters and leap from roof to roof with silent grace. When casing populated areas, you're capable of blending into a crowd and leaving no strong impression on those spoken with. You've developed a few ways to coerce information from your targets and have a good sense for when they're lying. Now that you're getting the hang of going undercover and are capable of switching between personalities and recalling the particulars of your personas at need, you've begun to be trusted on missions of your own. Though the fascinating work is still out of reach, sometimes you are teamed with other branches and tasked with advance information gathering or sent to gather reports from agents personally. Field Agents also make up the bulk of Kumogakure's long-term agents who live second lives for sometimes years to complete a mission.
Level 3 - Intelligence Officer: You've proved yourself to be a capable spy beyond just the physical skills. You're talented at discerning the importance of the information given to you and acting on it. You're now trusted to take on dangerous missions to gain the information Kumogakure needs as well as to teach trainees and agents. This could mean planting or stealing documents/items or coercing or overhear information from a target or sneaking into a dangerous region to case an area before other branches arrive. Intelligence Officers are also trusted with access to all but the most classified information in the Network as they help to connect events and trends.
Mastered - KIO Specialist: As a KIO Specialist you have mastered what it means to be a spy. For many of this rank, it means you and your expertise are in high demand both in the field and at the KIO central network. Some choose to delve deep into the web of classified information allowed to them, making connections and predicting the movements of targets so that they can direct other agents. Others live and breath for the excitement of ghosting into a high-risk zone and completing their mission with extreme precision. Your information web is an intricate woven tapestry. You personally have blackmail that makes nobles all but puppets. It is a position of both great wealth and knowledge, and many spies die trying to reach this pinnical; because mostly a Specialist can once again choose to be who ever they want. (KIO Specialists may apply for Spymaster)
.:Exorcists:. Headed By: The Helsing - No Current Leader (Open/Jounin Required)
Always a land of supernatural, the Lightning Country is a host to a number of creepy-crawlies and stuff that goes bump in the night. Vampires, ghosts, devils, demons, ghouls, werewolves, zombies…the list goes on. In every part of Lightning there exists humans constantly brushing against the Darkness that has been a part of the country longer than the mortals who bother them. The Exorcists are a special guild of shinobi, mercenaries, and priests of varying religions that specialize in dealing with these different kind of monsters; and excel in putting an end to things that just won’t die. The origination of the group is lost to time, with only the lingering history that states that so long as the Darkness continues to meddle in mortal affairs, the guild will continue to reform and rise up no matter how many times they are destroyed. The Exorcist guild was originally a shadow force of Kumogakure - working to keep themselves just as underground as the creatures they hunted. After the Tenouzan Wars, however, a lot of the creatures that stuck to the shadows started to become erratic. Instead of slowly picking off a small town until it became noticeable, the fiends of the night are now increasing brazen in their attacks. The Exorcists has since joined with the Main Branch because of this, turning their once exclusive guild into a full-fledged branch of the military for those with strange gifts, and fearless courage, to give back to the community. However, they have a bit of a high turn-over rate due to the innate danger that is hunting the Darkness and Her creatures.
Level 1 - Supernatural Survivor: You’ve seen some stuff that would instantly age most people and lived. Survivors of brushes with the Darkness are of a rare breed, and you are now different. Be it something simple as a curse, a change in personality, or a recently revealed sordid heritage; those who are touched by The Darkness are forever changed. Strong in the gift of sheer luck and survivability, you willingly throw yourself back into evil’s jaws in order to hunt down Her children and keep others from experiencing the hell you live in. Pluck and courage, however, will only take you so far. At the start you will be tutored by whatever higher ranks are available the very basics of Exorcism and Cures for Undeath before being taken to a Hunt. Once you’ve succeed in your first hunt, you will be turned loose to go hunt the supernatural however you see fit. Most Survivors tend to form groups at first, but the ones that go furthest in the Guild are the ones that keep to themselves.
Level 2 - Vampire Slayer: You’ve slain a few of the Darkness’ children and realized that most vampires are simply mortals who have lived far too long; or at least, that’s what they are to you now. Battling against the supernatural has honed unbelievable reflexes, making you a force to be reckoned with against either vampires or other shinobi. Getting to this rank in the Guild was no easy matter, though, and most who have gained this noble title have lost many along the way. Former masters, teammates, friends, rivals, and lovers; you’ve learned it’s best to keep away from social tendencies lest the Darkness finds those you love…again. The rage you’ve returned in kind has garnished results, however, as lesser evils whisper your name and shy away in your presence. After all, by this point you are a hunter drenched in their cursed blood.
Level 3 - Devil Hunter: The true nutters of the Guild are the ones who stick with it long enough to be become full-fledged devil hunters. While many of the Youkai stick to their realm, Lightning has a weird problem that causes them to sometimes manifest as a deep human fear with power equal to the collective fear of this phobia across the country. You, take care of these rare phenomena before they can become too powerful; or die trying. By this point you hunt werewolves for sport, and vampires for fun. The children of the Darkness cower in your presence, and your innate chakra is so drenched in the blood of evil, it holds a heaviness when used near others. And you need it too, because Devils are in a whole different league. The experience of slaying creatures that can sometimes manipulate the very fabric of time has given you an edge most seek out their entire lives to master.
Level 4 - Reaper: You are now a master of the guild and have a strong say in matters regarding the ultimate hunt: to find and slay The Darkness, Herself. A shadowy energy hovers around your every movement, with a soul so drenched in blood that you now stand on the very edge of humanity yourself. In order to prepare yourself for the goal of slaying the Mother of All Evil, you’ve completely stepped into Her realm to find companions willing to usurp her rule. You’ve made contracts with the very evil you’ve sworn to slay just to get an upper hand on the greatest evil. Yet the true strength of a Reaper is not how deeply they’ve mastered these powers, but the ability to restrain themselves. Only a handful manage to get strong enough to attain this role, but even fewer than that are able to prove themselves time and again without falling to the very dark powers they drown themselves in. (May apply for The Helsing role.)
.:Kaibutsu(Monster) Hunters:. Headed by: Master of the Hunt - No Current Leader (Open/Jounin Required)
There exists in this world a class of creatures that seem to have been created to make the lives of humankind more difficult. Whether this refers to a hungry monster that steals livestock from farmers or an unspeakable horror that lurks in the forest preying on those ignorant enough to enter it, the monster hunting division was established to meet their threat on behalf of Lightning Country. The chakra gifted are virtually the only ones that could hope to stand a chance against many of the higher order monsters, and this division is made up of the most qualified hunters that devote their lives to the study and practice of felling these most terrible of creatures. They excel in the tracking of beasts, maintaining an encyclopedic knowledge of the ever-growing monster hunter bestiary, and developing the most effective strategies for taking each one of them down. They have not only the knowledge and skills necessary but the most excellent tools of the trade to get the job done designed especially for slaying otherworldly creatures. Despite all these things, monsters are an unpredictable lot, especially with new ones continuously discovered, and monster hunting remains a dangerous task never taken lightly.
Level 1 - Prowler: Known sometimes as a monster wrangler, you've just dipped your toes into the world of hunting monsters. You've probably tried your hand at killing some of the lesser monsters and shown yourself to be capable and unafraid. You've begun to learn about the tools of the trade and how to use them effectively. You're figuring out how to creature lures and traps, and work together with a team to kill the bigger baddies. You're learning about a wide variety of beasts and how best to make them dead.
Level 2 - Croweater: You've killed your fair share of monsters by this point. You've learned the art of tracking beasts and have gotten pretty good at identifying them and are getting better at slaying them. Maybe you've even got a few trophies to show for it. You know where to stab, what weak points look like, how to deal massive damage. You're getting proficient at using the best practices and tools for each monster and as such, entrusted with better equipment and more difficult jobs. The newer recruits look to you for guidance.
Level 3 - Windrunner: You've seen some things that people probably wouldn't believe at this point... and killed them. You are known among your peers as a great monster hunter who has felled many a beast. None but the most powerful of creatures give you much difficulty, and you are capable of taking on the lesser ones without any aid meaning more solo missions against bigger, more frightening, beasts. Your knowledge and expertise are called upon frequently as the professional you are, and you are often consulted by your peers for tricky cases.
Mastered - Godslayer: You are a master of monster hunting. Nothing surprises you anymore whether it's a creature with a thousand faces or a 30 foot giant of a monster. Your knowledge of monsters and the best way to kill each one is unmatched, and you are peerless in the use of monster hunting equipment. Stories are told of the kinds of things you've killed, and the exaggeration is only slight at this point. If it breathes, or even if it doesn't, and preys on humans, it is your prey. Some may question if you kill monsters or if you are the monster yourself. (Godslayer may apply for Master of the Hunt)
:: Division Leveling ::
.:Gaining and Spending Points:.
Leveling up in Main Branch Divisions is done via a point based system and roleplays. This helps to flesh out your character's career and allow for them to create a path unique to them. The points are assigned to you upon ranking up after an exam only when you choose to be a member of the Main Branch. When you become a Genin, you gain three points, at Chuunin an additional five and at Jounin, eight more. The Main Branch Sennin gets an additional point, and the Raikage gets two, but they still cannot master more than one Branch. These points may be spent at any time(If you have not spent any by Chuunin rank, they will be automatically placed in Infantry) through THIS TOPIC in the Cloud Request Forum which should also include links to the RPs needed to unlock your ranks (As outlined below). Additionally a Player may simply create a one-shot RP with the required word count for the rank they’re aiming to achieve and post it in Cloud Request for review.
Level 1 - 1 Point | 300 Total Word Count Level 2 - 2 Points | 600 Total Word Count Level 3 - 3 Points | 1000 Total Word Count Master - 5 Points | 1500 Total Word Count
Example 1: Kunoichi Kat has just ranked up to Chuunin. She has always been part of the Main Branch; therefore she has accumulated a total of 8 points. Example 2: Kunoichi Kat has 8 points to spend. She decides to specialize in the Lawyer Division and chooses to spend six points getting to Rank 3. She writes a Solo-mission themed around advancing her Lawyer skills equaling 1000wc, and submits their choice to the Request forum to become a Judge.
.:Changing Branches|OCRing:. Leaving Main Branch: Should you switch from the Main Branch to Medical or Anbu branch, you automatically will lose any master ranks, and the third level ranks you have, retaining the skills but not the resources and new information, so your time is considered to now be dedicated to your new branch. Example: Ninja Nikku has reached the rank of Chuunin but has decided to move to the Medical Branch. Nikku may keep the 8 points he spent in the Main Branch, but will not be considered higher than a Level 2 in any division and cannot move his points.
Joining Main Branch: A player who has decided to join the Main Branch late will be given the points of their current rank when they make the switch and gain more only as they rank up; they are not retroactively given. Example: Shinobi Samu has just ranked up to Jounin. Samu was an Ait out of the academy and switched to the Main branch as an Anbu; therefore Samu has 16 points to spend.
OCRing into a Division: New Characters: When OCRing, you must give a back story equal to the Word Counts needed to advance into a division. This can be part of your history or a separate story(ies) so long as the most of what is being submitted pertain to your advancement. You may choose not to spend your points right away when you OCR, but for players over the Rank of Chuunin, you will be placed into the Infantry Branch automatically if you do not spend them within a month of OCRing
Reactivating Characters:
When you reactivate an old character, any points you spent in the past remain. For anyone whose character existed before November 2022, you are allowed to place the points your current rank would gain and may either find past roleplays which support your rank advancement or write new ones to claim your ranks. You may choose not to spend your points right away when you reactivate, but for players over the Rank of Chuunin, you will be placed into the Infantry Branch automatically if you do not spend them within a month of returning.
A note on Infantry:
Everyone gains Level 1 in infantry when he or she joins the main branch. If you become a Chuunin without spending any points, you will lose 5 points and gain Rank 3 in infantry automatically. If you reach Jounin without specializing elsewhere, You will gain Mastery in Infantry automatically but can only gain up to Level 3 in one other branch if you decide later on to join another sub-branch.
A note on Mastery:
It takes a lifetime to master an art, even for shinobi. Mastering two of the branches is considered impossible, even for the most powerful of the village because it takes dedication to your craft to keep up with the ever-evolving information connected to them. As such, mastery may be switched from one sub-branch to another to signifying a shift in a character's focus, but two cannot be held at the same time. When doing this, you may also pull your points from Rank 3 and place them into your new sub-branch should you need to. The skills you learned in Rank 1 and 2 remains, as the knowledge will only fade so much, but what made you elite is lost.
Personal, Event, and Mission NPCs: An NPC gains points based on their approved rank. What these characters do not need to do is complete roleplays to place levels, however, they cannot master a division, and if a player OCRs into them, they must fulfill the required word counts to keep their standards. The exception is OLD PCs turned into NPCs at OCR, who retain whatever level they had.
A one time use NPCs in a mission or event may be between level 1 and level 3 without needing approval. However, the creation or use of masters or division leaders must be approved by a council member or the Main Branch Sennin.
.:Mastery, Division Leaders and Inactivity:.
Masters are the top of their branch and leaders to their peers. They are considered the best of best; however, even Masters have skills within their branch that they are either naturally better at or that they have dedicated themselves to. These specialties, while purely a roleplay element
Division Leaders are assigned by the Main Branch Sennin, or if unavailable, a council member. To become a division leader, your character must be a master in their division and active for at least 6 weeks. When a division position is open, all players who qualify for it will be asked if they want to take over based on length of time that character has been actively played, with other things like notoriety and past achievements taken into account. If there are no characters available, an NPC is placed as leader instead. If your character is known to be insane, dangerous or otherwise a poor choice to be a leader, they may be passed over for Division Leader regardless of availability.
Inactive users cannot be division leaders. If a user is marked as inactive (1 month no IC posts) they do not lose their mastery in a branch; however, an inactive Division leader will be replaced by an NPC or Player.
.:ANBU Alias:.
ANBU have a Main Branch alias' which they can use when completing Main Branch missions in their spare time, or as cover-ups for their identity if they choose to do so. An ANBU is considered to be their last rank in the Main Branch before joining ANBU until their ANBU rank exceeds that previous rank by two. Since most Anbu join the corps as Genin, the table below is standard:
Default Alias Rank's:
Ait > Genin alias (3 points)
Anbu > Genin alias (3 points)
Anbu Captain > Chuunin alias (5 points)
Anbu Sennin > Publicly known, but chuunin points .(5 points)
While this gives them some access to the main branch and resources, their time and ranking are mostly devoted to ANBU and it is rare for an Anbu's alias to be part of any other division but Infantry unless they have already earned their division ranks. (see "leaving main branch" above) In some special cases, the Main Branch Sennin may allow an Anbu to spend their points elsewhere, but this is a case-by-case basis. Even after being allowed to join the other divisions, reaching beyond rank 2 in any of the branches without having earned those ranks by being in the main branch before, is not allowed.
Changed opening post to match with current times (removed mentions of the previous ruling class/CSS). Sub-Branches have been updated! Changed the way to move up rank to be a little easier, removed Diplomat and the assassin sub. Replaced them with Lawyers and Exorcists. Updated the rules on ranking up in general (already done, but forgot to put in Change Log).
10/04/2018
The big update! Divisions have been expanded to include a rank up system. Extra Info added. Slight changes to rank-up based on the changes made to exams.
9/7/2016
Team Self Mod missions now award 1 mission point.
Genin does not require an exam but an exam is worth 1 point if held.
Failed Team Self -mod missions give half the point value if a 1500wc minimum is met.
6/13/2016
Just a quick update, teaching a class will provide the promotion points of a C-rank mission, only if taught with your actual PC (not a NPC).
3/30/2016
Promotion requirements have changed a bit! I recognize that a lot of people have preferences for doing self-modded missions and that they are generally more readily accessible. Because of this, these missions will now count towards promotion requirements, albeit for significantly less points than their traditional counterparts.
They will be worth .5 points a piece, regardless of rank. The reason for this small point value is because self-modded missions take significantly less time than modded missions. You theoretically have the ability to perform 2 self-modded missions per week. In addition to 2 team self-modded missions per month, this would enable you to do 10 self-mods in a month if you were particularly industrious. That would give you the required points for a promotion in a single month. Most people won't go this far, I'm sure, so think of it this way. If you did one self-modded solo mission per week and one self-modded team mission per month, you would get 2.5 points per month for 5 self-modded missions. With this fair amount of effort you would reach your promotion requirements in 2 months.
You'll also notice that I've implemented a minimum OOC time spent for each rank. The reason for this is simply to prevent people from rushing too quickly through ranks as enabling promotion through self-modded missions would otherwise allow. It's not a race! I also want to be sure that a fair amount of time passed ICly so that the promotion would logically make sense.
To answer the question in advance that people may have, yes, self-modded missions you've done before this point will retroactively count (though note as it says above, missions done as a student don't count as they aren't yet full shinobi at that point). Please review the requirements in the above post so you don't miss anything I haven't mentioned. If you've got any questions or comments about these changes, let me know.
1/4/2016
A "default" division has been added for those that do not go for a different division.
In the next day or two, NPCs will be filling the roles of the division head positions. So long as an NPC is in the position, it can be considered open OOCly and attainable. I would of course prefer to have actual players fill the roles so long as they meet the requirements!
Previous Posts from Masao:
Previous Version, Sennin Masao style: (out of date)
"For the wages of sin are death, but the gift of chakra is everlasting life in service of the Raikage."
- Motto of the Main Branch of Kumogakure
In an unstable and hostile world, we independent shinobi are the foundation of this village and the source of its continued survival and supremacy. We are the first and last line of defense against the unrelenting darkness created in the hearts of men and the madness of the void. Today’s enemies do not follow rules of conduct, wear uniforms, or march under a hostile flag. They exist in the shadows, and thus, do we, the Main Branch of Kumogakure.
"We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us." - Chancellor Tachibana Ami of Lightning Country
Sennin: Tanaka Hikari Veteran Sennin Nara Ryuujin Spymaster: Shima Haruka Hand: Narashi Jo Master of Couriers: vacant Chief Ambassador: vacant Academy Headmaster: Nara Kotaza Gate Captain: Vacant
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Section 1 said:
The Office of the Main Branch Sennin answers directly to the Raikage, and is responsible for the smooth functioning of its divisions, the conduct of its members, and the continued flow of revenue into Kumogakure. It decides who heads the divisions, mediates disputes between members, and resolves complaints by and against the two other branches. It is composed of the Sennin of the Main as well as his or her personal support staff, guards, and adjutants.
The office of Veteran Sennin answers directly to Sennin. The position is one that is only filled in times of turmoil, and as there is not not often a shinobi old and wise enough to hold the position, it often goes unfilled for long periods of time. The Veteran Sennin is an extension of the office of Sennin, another hand with which he or she can manipulate events, and support the branch. Veteran Sennin holds council with the Sennin as an adviser and a second, perhaps more experienced perspective on important events.
The Academy Division is responsible for two things: The production of new shinobi for all three branches, and the suppression of unregulated chakra use and development nationwide. The Division Chief has the title of Headmaster and is supported by an Assistant Headmaster.
Senseis of the academy are responsible for molding young and frail minds and bodies into lethal and capable shinobi of Kumogakure. This is accomplished through a combination of intensive and unforgiving combat instruction, constant physical and mental conditioning, development of a student’s individual chakra potential through meditation and sensory deprivation, and finally, surgical and mutagenic augmentation. It is commonly understood that this results in a high mortality and morbidity rate, and thus it is one of the most grueling jobs available.
Academy Scouts are responsible for scouring the cities and countryside of Lightning Country and identifying and obtaining candidates for the academy, namely children who have the potential to develop control over their own chakra. They are also responsible for the enforcement of the Raikage’s Blood Tithe, in which children of adult shinobi must automatically be entered into the academy to prevent their skills from going to waste. Scouts are also given clearance to obtain candidates by force if necessary, because it is of utmost importance to national security that no citizen of Lightning be allowed to develop or experiment with chakra powers unsupervised, for fear that they might potentially become a "karmic demon" or "bush mage" in the process.
Since the only requirement for entrance to the academy is chakra potential, new students tend to come from all possible socioeconomic and familial backgrounds. Street urchins, privileged heirs to vast estates, plucky farmhands, and even the occasional feral child raised by animals all comprise the ranks of potential genin should they make it to graduation. For those without any home or family in Kumogakure, the Academy may place a student in a local foster home if there is space, or more commonly, provide spartan but adequate accommodations within its own barracks.
The Deathwatch is the division responsible for the day to day operations of the Gates, ensuring the efficient and regulated flow of labor, trade, information, and wealth between Kumogakure and Lightning Country. They are the division in charge of non-human-mediated communications throughout the land, whether through telegraphy, messenger animals, radio signals, or other electronic means. However, as their ominous-sounding name suggests, their final purpose is to monitor the gates for shinobi treachery and attempts to go missing, and to apprehend or even kill those who do.
The Guard Captain is the individual with overall responsibility for the gates and can make the decision to put the village into lockdown independently of the Sennin or even Raikage if he or she sees it necessary. He or she has the privilege of summoning the ANBU and Medical Branches at will to assist with captures or confrontations, and these decisions cannot be contested. Similarly, the Tax Assessor is the individual with overall responsibility for the throughput of money and goods throughout the gates, as all transactions are subject to the Raikage’s tithe.
Day to day operations such as mechanical gate operation, checking of passports and assessment of visas, and enforcement of customs duties, are performed by the Vigil Keepers, who are usually genin and chuunin-level in their first assignments. Finally, the telegraphers are a special class of professionals who are trained in transmission of messages through morse code telegraphy or radio dispatches. They are also responsible for feeding and caring for the gate’s messenger animals.
The Military Intelligence Service is the division that most individuals think of when envisioning a “typical” shinobi mission. Handling both foreign and domestic tasks, agents of the MIS are capable of operating independently and without support for extended periods of time in hostile environments, sometimes for years or even decades. They may be called upon for anything from stealing a ring out of a foreign warlord’s treasure vault to impersonating a Daimyo’s serving girl to eavesdrop on a conversation to bringing down an organized crime ring from within. Their work requires tenacity, independence, and utmost attention to detail.
The Division head is given the title of Spymaster and is also responsible for working alongside the Bakufuu’s own intelligence and secret services when necessary. The Diplomatic corps, headed by the Chief Ambassador, is primarily tasked with maintaining relations with other countries and shinobi villages, and for providing Kumo with critical information about not only enemies, but allies as well. Finally, the Criminal Investigative Division serves as a domestic military police force and is responsible for the prevention and investigation of crimes and illegal activity both in Kumogakure as well as nationwide.
As expected, this is typically the largest of the divisions, since its tasks are so myriad and diverse. It is not unusual to find shinobi working on several jobs at once and under several titles at once while under this division's employ.
The Merces Letifer are the smallest of the divisions and perhaps the least well-known-about. Although shinobi in any division may be called upon to take life, that is usually not their prime objective for the vast majority of missions. However, there are instances in which the sole purpose of a shinobi’s employment is the death of another human being, and that is where these individuals come into play.
Unlike the ANBU, whose combat philosophy is to utterly and spectacularly destroy opponents with overwhelming violence, the Merces Letifer execute their tasks with an emphasis on discretion, disguise, and the minimization of any trace that they were present. Their agents believe that the best kills are those that even the enemy believes are accidental deaths, or even better, just that target’s rotten fate.
"We shall defend our country, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." -Santaru Ryuuto, Raikage of Kumogakure, during the Demon Invasion</COLOR><i></i>
Kumawakamaru escapes his pursuers by swinging across the moat on a bamboo. Woodblock print on paper. Kuniyoshi, 1842–1843.
Section 1 said:
Students:
A hundred children ranging from ages eight to thirteen enroll every year in the Shinobi Academy of Kumogakure. The sole admission criterion is that the child must show signs of the vanishingly rare ability to control the innate energy source from which all shinobi techniques originate: Chakra. Most new students have shinobi parents who have sent their children to satisfy the blood-tithe requirement, but a fair number come from the ranks of the non-shinobi of Kaminari no Kuni, their potential detected by the ranks of the Academy’s Chakra Potential Screening Service (CPSS) who scour the country with the sole purpose of detecting and recruiting candidates. Whether voluntarily relinquished, purchased outright, or simply abducted, these children also add to the ranks of future potential shinobi.
The exact details of the shinobi academy student curriculum are a closely-guarded secret known only to the Academy Headmaster and his or her Assistant. What is known is that children undergo intensive training in all forms of warfare and are expected to master everything from hand-to-hand brawling to field command of entire armies. Simultaneously, they endure exposure to dangerous alchemical processes, absorption of mutagenic compounds, and neurophysiologic augmentation intended to speed and refine the development of their chakra systems, allowing them to utilize shinobi jutsu. The combination of these approaches makes academy students who survive their trials highly versatile and dangerous opponents against all adversaries they may encounter. The overall mortality rate is around ninety percent, with most deaths due to training mishaps, adverse pharmacologic reactions, surgical complications, and suicide.
Yamato Takeru dressed as a maidservant, preparing to kill the Kumaso leaders. Woodblock print on paper. Yoshitoshi, 1886.
Section 2 said:
Genin:
A student is already a formidable force by the time he or she graduates from the Academy and assumes the title of Genin, or journeyman shinobi. Although merely children or young teenagers for the most part, they are already considered a comparable fighting force to a company of non-shinobi military. Genin are expected to spend their time in preparation for their chuunin trials; this is done by the performance of the simpler missions and regular training, for it is in this stage that they learn to operate as an effective team with each other - a shinobi alone is a threat to a regiment, but a shinobi team is a threat to an entire army. They are expected in general to also watch for the safety of academy students and civilians within the village, and often find their first jobs through the Intelligence Service or Deathwatch. It is also during this stage that those with outstanding talents or, ironically, those who need to be intensively monitored, are often recruited as trainees by members of the ANBU or Medic Nin for the specialized training that those fields require.
Actor portraying Nikki Danjō, a villain from the kabuki play Sendai Hagi. Shown with hands in a kuji-in seal, which allows him to transform into a giant rat. Woodblock print on paper. Kunisada, 1857.
Section 3 said:
Chuunin:
The Chuunin is the backbone of the village of Cloud. They are the first into any fight, and often the last to leave. They fulfill a wide variety of roles, from heavy weapons deployment to reconnaissance to advanced genjutsu support in the field. It is said that one chuunin alone is more than a match for a full brigade of soldiers, and combined, their firepower is enough to serve as a strong front for the village’s defense. Chuunin are in general, expected to participate in the missions that make the village money and prestige – often dangerous or high-pressure assignments that skirt the boundaries of international incident and acts of war. In addition, they are expected to help instruct and supervise the genin of the village, stepping in if things become too dangerous or lives are at risk. These individuals usually occupy the directorships of the various divisions of the Main Branch, as they have the skill and time to do so, and because there are simply not enough Jounin who are interested.
Jiraiya battles a giant snake with the help of his summoned toad. Woodblock print on paper. Kuniyoshi, c. 1843.
Section 4 said:
Jounin:
The jounin is a member of an elite brotherhood of powerful shinobi, few in number but great in might, who have fought, served, and survived against all odds to emerge as the pinnacle of the village’s strength. Out of an average academy class of one hundred individuals, less than one percent of those individuals will survive to reach this level. Death, disability, aging, and also, for the most part, a simple desire to live as a normal human being, prevent the vast majority of shinobi from achieving this rank. Jounin often have forsaken family and friendships to become what they are; although they are respected and feared, few are loved. However, they are the only members of the village who can be expected to complete the types of missions and fight the types of battles that literally determine the fate of the world.
"If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared." <COLOR color="gray">-Sennin Nara Ryuujin of Kumogakure
Beating a samurai. Woodblock print on paper. Unknown artist of the Kuchi-e school. c. Meiji Era, unknown.
Rules on Public Fighting said:
1. The use of physical force or any of the three disciplines of jutsu on another individual without their consent and/or without equivalent provocation and/or without legal sanction as determined by the Council of Cloud with the approval of the Raikage, is assault.
2. Assault on other Shinobi shall be handled in the following manner:
a. Every individual targeted by an aggressor s actions, even indirectly, is considered to be a victim of the assault.
b. Assault on a shinobi is a primary offense.
c. The victim of the attack may defend themselves to the fullest extent of their ability regardless of the rank of the aggressor.
d. The victim is expected to attempt to summon ANBU or other shinobi for help if at all feasible.
e. If the aggressor's actions result in the death of a victim, the aggressor may be charged with murder as a secondary (without premeditation) or tertiary offense (with premeditation).
f. If the victim s actions result in the death of an aggressor, the victim may be charged with murder as a secondary offense.
3. Assault on non-Shinobi or secured prisoners shall be handled in the following manner:
a. Every individual affected by an aggressor's actions, even indirectly, is considered to be a victim of the assault.
b. Because non-Shinobi and secured prisoners cannot be expected to defend themselves at the same level as any Shinobi, assault on these parties is considered to be a secondary offense.
c. If the aggressor s actions result in the death of a victim, the aggressor may be charged with murder as a tertiary offense.
4. Assault committed by Visitors on any individual in Cloud, whether Shinobi or civilian, is grounds for immediate arrest and expulsion, as covered by The Village of Kumo's Protocol on Recognized Entry, Visitor Conduct, and Naturalization.
5. The unsanctioned or unnecessary use of jutsu or weapons designed to cause mass casualties, in a populated area, is considered to be a tertiary offense.
a. If the use of such jutsu results in widespread, significant property damage but no loss of life, it is considered to be a secondary offense.
6. Legal sanction to attack is given to the perpetrator of the attack if the victim of the initial attack commits any of the actions below:
a. Failure to comply with a direct order issued by a designated squad, or task leader, Sennin of any branch, or Raikage.
b. Deliberate insubordination against a team leader shinobi during a mission.
c. Actions actively threatening direct harm to life and property.
d. Resistance to arrest or detainment.
7. A Shinobi given legal sanction to initiate attack may only incapacitate his or her target
a. If a sanctioned attack results in the loss of the target's life, the attacking Shinobi may be charged with murder as a secondary offense.
b. The exception to Rule 7 and 7a is in the case of execution of a runner with a prior attempt known to the attacker.
- A person's innocence is not to be disputed until suitable evidence and condemnation robs it. This however does not entitle one to freedom outside of a holding cell.
- Negligence is not a reason for criminal violations
- Citizen's arrest is valid within Cloud. All shinobi are granted the right to arrest with the power of an official.
Three Levels of Law
There are three different levels of law within Kumogakure, even if the majority of possible violations go under the vague term of treason. Each one increases in severity until the Raikage, Sennin, or Ruling Council deem it necessary to condemn an offender to the Underprison or execution.
Primary (Crimes not in Physical Harm), Minor Theft, Deviance, Trespassing
Secondary (Crimes Resulting in Physical Harm), Arson, Assault, Rape
Tertiary (Crime Against the State), Treason, Assassination, Conspiracy
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." -Shiro Amakusa Yoshinobu vi Kaminari, Shogun of Lightning Country, 32BSE - 17 BSE
Mission Points Exchange said:
D - 1 Point
C - 1.5 Points
B - 2 Points
A - 3 Points
S - 5 Points
Self-Modded Solo Missions for pay do NOT count toward this total. This can only be achieved through a traditional mission.
"If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace." -Kagetsu Kiyo, First and Seventh Raikage of Kumogakure
From the Plot Team Country Survey said:
<B>1a.What type of government does your country have?
Lightning Country is a hereditary monarchy with the Shogun as the head of state. There are strict rules governing the right of succession and meticulous records are kept for these purposes. The country is then divided into several states each run by a Daimyo*, Kumogakure is counted as one of these.
1b. How centralized is your country?
Federacy: s a form of government with features of both a federation and unitary state. In a federacy, at least one of the constituent parts of the state is autonomous, while the other constituent parts are either not autonomous or comparatively less autonomous. An example of such an arrangement is Finland, where Åland, which has the status of autonomous province, has considerably more autonomy than the other provinces. The autonomous constituent part enjoys a degree of independence as though it was part of federation, while the other constituent parts are as independent as subunits in a unitary state. This autonomy is guaranteed in the country's constitution. The autonomous subunits are often former colonial possessions or are home to a different ethnic group from the rest of the country. These autonomous subunits often have a special status in international relations.
2. Is ______ regulated or do citizens have free access to it?
a. alcohol
b. civilian grade equipment (e.g. knives, daggers)
c. military grade equipment (e.g. swords, crossbows)
d. recreational drugs
e. pharmaceutical drugs
a: Regulated by local custom and tradition based on locality. No official rules on age of consumption. Intentional production of methanol is frowned upon.
b: Unregulated - penalties for use in acts of violence are extremely harsh however, usually hanging or long imprisonment in the mines.
c: Forbidden for normal use except by military, nobility, and shinobi. Black markets exist however and arms are commonly found in the hands of criminal organizations.
d: Forbidden under penalty of death for civilians. Shinobi found engaging in such pastimes are subject to the judgment of the Raikage
e: Regulated mainly by cost of purchasing - medical-grade drugs and equipment are extremely expensive and thus unavailable to most of the non-nobility.
If it is regulated please elaborate on how so. Can alcohol only be purchased in a government owned store? Can only people with eye patches buy daggers?
a. Policed by the local authorities according to their own rules and regulations.
b. *unregulated*
c. Only available for official sale and production through different military branches.
d. Policed by the local and national authorities.
e. Available at a high price placing them out of the general consumers price range.
3. What is the taxation rate on ______ ?
a. Imported goods
b. Exported goods
c. luxury goods (i.e. jewelry, large electronics)
d. normal goods (i.e. cooked meals, toys)
e. essential goods (i.e. uncooked food, water)
a. National tariffs are put in place on imported common goods to make their price equal to or more than domestically produced equivalents.
b. Lightning Country is a Primary Goods exporter, there are low taxes placed on these exports.
c. Varies by province and is set by the local Daimyo*
d. Varies by province and is set by the local Daimyo*
e. Varies by province and is set by the local Daimyo*
4. What legal system does your country use?
d: On a national and local level, Lightning is governed by common law for the vast majority of its legal affairs. Case precedent is probably the most powerful force behind accepted practice, and is often set by hereditary (by default) judgeships on the provincial level. There is strict written law concerning succession to positions of nobility. Interestingly enough, the position of Chancellor is actually unregulated by hereditary concerns and is thought to have been put in place by a past Shogun to serve as a bulwark against cognitive degradation caused by potential inbreeding among nobles.
5. Does your government provide the following?
a. State Primary Schools (K-12)
b. Utilities (water and electricity)
c. Preventive Healthcare
d. Emergency Healthcare
e. Food
a-e: This varies by province and the will of the local head of government.
If a local lord provides any sort of access to these, they will usually be on a case-by-case basis. Citizens must make a petition to receive aid, if this process is even allowed.
6. What is the nationality law of your country?
6a.
(a) Jus soli (nationality by birth)
(b) Jus sanguinis (nationality by descent)
(c) Other. Please elaborate if you elect this.
Primarily (a); Citizens of other nations may be rarely naturalized on a case-by-case basis and this is usually only considered at the highest levels of government (ie Shogun and Council of Eleven)
6b.
Does your country recognize dual or multi-citizenship?
No.
7. Is there a state religion or can citizens freely worship any religion? Both?
As a country, Kaminari no Kuni has no official state-mandated religion. Most individuals within the country tend to adhere to religious traditions derived from historical ancestor-reverence, with select famous historical figures and heroes being given special attention. Whether thought of as traditional "gods" or figures that bring luck or prosperity, there are a few who stand out, depending on one's location, class, and profession. Typically, the founding figure of the country, Raiden, is given elevated status by most. In Kumo in particular, there are a few notable individuals who a shinobi might mention for a blessing, such as Akyama Kin, Shinbatsu, Aion the Dawnbringer, or Kagetsu Kiyo.
8. Who are the top five employers in your country?
1) The vast majority of citizens are considered indentured serfs, so their employer is considered to be the Nobility of Kaminari no Kuni
2) The Imperial Army (as the largest single organization besides the nobility)
3) The Imperial Navy
4) Various Private Military Corporations set up as mercenary forces
5) Kumogakure no Sato, although this is very small compared to the prior organizations on the list.
*Daimyo do not always use the title of Daimyo and often self-title themselves as other things such as Baron, Marquess, Count
Armed Forces of Lightning Country and Neighboring States
"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle." -Kizoku Takao, Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure<i></i>
Shogunate of Kaminari no Kuni (Lightning Country) said:
The Imperial Army is the main, state-controlled ground force encountered within the territorial boundaries and colonies of Kaminari no Kuni. Their composition at the time of this guide's production is three regiments of Household Cavalry, 27 line regiments of cavalry, seven battalions in three regiments of Foot Guards and 81 battalions in 77 numbered regiments of line infantry, with two colonial corps. Administered separately by the Board of Ordnance, the artillery has 40 companies in four battalions of Foot Artillery, 10 companies in the Invalid Battalion, and a Company of Cadets.
Note: The Royal Marine Corps is the Imperial naval infantry force and is a separate topic. The numerous Private Military Companies in operation are currently being researched by the Intelligence Service.
Line infantry combat tactics are the favored fighting approach, relying on the use of the standard lever-action falling block SA-14 crossbolter supplemented with pikes and spears for deterring cavalry charges. A typical full company of infantry can fire 1000-1500 bolts per minute in this formation using standard firing drill. This is a substantial threat even for experienced shinobi, and a covered approach from the flanks or rear with a focus on neutralizing line officers is the recommended tactic for engaging these opponents.
Serene Kingdom of Bear and People's Republic of Marsh Country said:
Following the almost complete annihilation of old KBC and PRMC armies during the Joseon war, both nations have made a substantial effort to replenish their troop strength and integrate newer tactics into their arsenal. The PRMC army is mainly composed of troops raised through the levee en masse system, in which all able-bodied men and women ages 15-65 are obliged to enter military service, swelling the numbers of PRMC troops to almost that of the nation's entire population. The KBC army was originally reformed the same way, except that after an initial troop surge the nation has been paring down its troop numbers by focusing on creating a professional volunteer army with an emphasis on training and troop quality.
Current numbers and figures regarding the organization of the PRMC army are unavailable at this time. For the KBC, the new army is composed of a series of numbered demi-brigades. Consisting of two or three battalions, there are currently 69 infantry demi-brigades in existence, supplemented with corps of artillery and light and heavy cavalry.
The military doctrine of both the PRMC and KBC puts a heavy emphasis on the use of light infantry and/or skirmishers to pepper more static enemy formations with fire and decrease their morale and unit cohesion, before sending in battalion columns of regular troops to act as a "battering ram" of sorts whose purpose is to break an enemy line formation and cause the opposing force to scatter. When engaging these opponents, shinobi are encouraged to neutralize skirmisher formations first, as these are the most pressing threat and essential to the success of the infantry column.
The Holy Tenouzan Republic (also known as the Holy See of Tenouza) is an independent city-state supported by trade and religious pilgrimage. Available records suggest that the Tenouzans might have been an influential power before the first historical use of chakra in warfare. In recent history Tenouza has consistently denied to show any interest in territorial expansion, preferring instead to increase it's influence by spreading the holy word of its founder and spiritual hero Saint Moto Isamu. Despite its non-expansionist stance it maintains a rather active defense force, staffed by a near-universal conscription rate and augmented by artillery-laden fortifications inside the city.
Tenouza's defense force consists of two distinct groups: Guardsmen and Knights. Guardsmen usually serve as the city's police force when not called to active duty, they are usually proficient with anti-ballistic shields and some are proficient with pistols, batons, or explosives. On a whole they are poorly trained and equipped when compared to their knight counterparts; they rely on fighting spirit and strength in numbers more than thought out strategy. Knights consist of trained and elite forces, often called on to clean up wherever the guard can't. Since the guardsmen can usually protect the city well enough on their own it is not unheard of for knights to leave Tenouza and seek out mercenary work when not on active duty. Knights, on a whole, are well armed, well armored, and well informed. In combat knights usually fill the role of either heavy infantry, force recon, or armored cavalry- the exact role depends on the knight's specialty.
Shinobi engaging Tenouzan forces are advised to avoid fighting inside the city or within range of the city's main ballista (a very large mortar-type weapon named "Domina Senna"), as such an engagement would give a rather blatant advantage to the Tenouzans. If fighting inside the city proves unavoidable, then use of siege weaponry and area-of-effect jutsu are highly advisable as Tenouzans are tenacious fighters adept in, as one general put it, 'weaponizing their entire city, if that's what it takes to win'.
The Democratic Kagoshiman Republic (DKR) is an independent state located on the mountainous northwestern coastline of the Lightning peninsula, which was until twenty years ago a contested region of Lightning Country bogged down in an ongoing insurgency led by factions of ethnic Kagoshimans seeking autonomy. Due to the intervention of Cloud shinobi in the resolution of the insurgency and the resultant declaration of formal independence, the region has become its own separate nation and has developed its own military.
A traditionally nomadic, horse-archer people, the Kagoshimans prefer mounted combat with an emphasis on marksmanship from horseback supplemented by heavy cavalry in the form of lancers. Ground infantry are usually merely troops that have dismounted for close-quarters fighting, and there is little to no true artillery focus. As a result, the army is suited for the defense of the mountainous region, but likely incapable of posing a serious threat to Lightning Country territory. Shinobi engaging such opponents should steer their tactics toward disabling the mobility advantage given by the horses and force enemy troops to dismount in order to even the field.
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