Shinobi

## Origin

In some isolated parts of the world, the art of Hunting developed quite differently. In Japan it is especially so. These individuals became a prominent power in the world anywhere from 800 to 900 years ago, and served many purposes, from shifting the tide in politics, to slaying the creatures that normal warriors feared.

## History

Despite their differences is technique and etiquette, Shinobi are classified as Hunstmen in most regards. They are a smaller organization that is allied with the Huntsmen, that serves the same purpose, but also deals with political things. They are notorious for assassinations, and almost singlehandedly bringing power to the Empire of Japan.

## Appearance

Shinobi, like other Huntsmen, are Human. They range from 4.5 to 5.5 feet tall, with individuals above 6 feet being rarer. They are known to wear lighter clothing than their counterparts, preferring agility over armor.

## Behavior

Shinobi tend to fall into one of two categories. They are either calm, quiet, and keep to themselves. The others are cocky, outgoing, and very self sure. Regardless of their personality, they are all skilled warriors, quite capable in the art of killing.

## Abilities

All Shinobi specialize in agility over durability. Also, their specialization tends to be in blades rather than other kinds of weapons. A knife never needs to be reloaded, and does not require alot of strength to be deadly.

Shinobi also employ magic, though the way in which they do so is highly specialized. For them, there are two requirements. First, both the individual's soul and body must be trained, as one, in order to channel and use their magic, which is a combination of magic spells and martial art wrapped in one. Second, they must know the correct incantations, which are spoken in Japanese, in order to channel the magic, to cause the desired effect. It is a system that is extremely hard to learn, often being only possible for prodigies, and is thus why their secret techniques have not been learned by others, despite the occasional leak of information.

### Fire

Abilities of this sort allow the user to employ powerful flames. Usually resorted to after the Shinobi has been exposed, these abilities are explosive and dangerous. Dragon Tongue, which allows the user to breath dangerous flames, and Talon of Dragon, which covers the user's hand in searing flames, are common techniques. Shinobi do not shoot fireballs, but they may apply flames to their weapons.

### Wind

Shinobi are known to use this element to improve their own mobility, as well as to strike from afar. Gale Force propels them along, improving their speed and allowing them to change direction in midair. Cutting Gale is an offensive technique, allowing the Shinobi to concentrate small channels of wind that are capable of tearing flesh.

### Lightning

Among Shinobi, Lightning is a highly regarded category, known for how deadly it is. Overall, it is an element employed directly, through the use of Crackling Fist, which electrifies the user's hand and causes it to writhe in electricity. It delivers enough shock to cause the target's heart to explode.

### Earth

This element is highly destructive, and useful for causing mass chaos. User's of this ability can cause the ground to crack and thrust upwards, through use of techniques such as Bursting Ground. Individuals in this category tend to also be more sturdy than their comrades.

### Water

This category is good for controlling the battlefield, as those in this category are often observed to have the ability to breath underwater. This, coupled with their ability to fill entire rooms with water and hold it their, or suspend their targets in orbs of water through use of Water Prison, makes it quite deadly. If all else fails, Striking Water creates a jet of water capable of punching through flesh and bone.

### Uncategorized

There are some abilities that do not belong to a category, and can be learned by any individual. These include the ability to create physical, but extremely fragile and temporary, clones of one's self out of smoke and shadows, as well as the ability to do so with blades, which are often thrown and disappear after doing their damage. Also, the ability to perform short range teleports are included in this category.

## Weaknesses

The main weakness of Shinobi lays in the fact that all of their abilities rely on their own stamina. Their magic, unlike the magic of most individuals, is not fueled by an internal store of mana, but from their own energy, meaning that the more they use it, the more winded they will become. Also, Shinobi will avoid using their magic until they are sure that they have been exposed, and stealth is no longer an option. While it is difficult, if one can get the drop on a Shinobi, it can easily end the fight before it begins, as this is not an occurence that Shinobi are used to, nor really prepared for.

## Diet

They are Humans, meaning that they are blessed with the ability to have varied diets. Fruit, meat, vegetables, even things not generally considered food by Humans, such as blood, are edible.

## Life and Death

### Lifespan/Lifestyle

Due to the value put in each individual, the Shinobi can be better compared to Shadowhunters than to Huntsmen. Their operatives generally live to about 80 years of age, with their members retiring from active duty at the age of 60 or 70, often becoming teachers and instructors afterwards.

### Reproduction

They're Humans. Able to reproduce with most species, and having a rather high fertility rate out of the known species, 50%. For the most part, however, the Shinobi prefer to keep a pure blood line, and while they do not necessarily hate non-Humans, they do not mix bloodlines with them.

### Death

As with all Humans, Shinobi are said to go to either Heaven or Hell, based on how they were in their life. However, due to the Japanese origins of Shinobi, there are some different stories and names for the various afterlives. Of course, there is the rare possibility for them to become a Ghost. After a Shinobi dies, their family, if they have one, will recieve a lifelong payment each month, for as long as the remaining time that the individual would have served with the organization, up until the point of their retirement.

## Ranks

Rank E - N/A - All Shinobi are skilled killers, capable of outmatching most normal Humans. It is almost insulting for them to be pitted against civilians.

Rank C - Genin - Junior individuals, they have complete their training to become Shinobi, but lack the overall field experience of other individuals. They tend to not really possess much in the way of magical techniques.

Rank B - Chūnin - Advanced individuals, these Shinobi have experience in the field, and are akin to officers in the Shinobi ranks. They possess good skills in their respective magics.

Rank A - Jōnin - Elite Shinobi, these individuals are virtually unmatched. They possess a wide array of abilities, and hold great respect, even among the ranks of those who are not Shinobi.

Rank S - Grandmaster - The most powerful Shinobi. These individuals inspire fear among the enemy, and confidence among allies, just by their mere presence. These individuals are famed with being able to topple Gods if they see fit.