Common Talents Wrote:Common Talents are the basic skills that a character needs to be a shinobi, and all characters except for Candidates must have them.

Chakra Formation (common) 0pts.
Chakra is the combination of physical energy (stamina) and spiritual energy (chi), drawn out and formed through the use of Hand Seals and Hand Seal combinations, which is used to fuel Ninjutsu. Every shinobi is expected to be able to use chakra.

Equipment Useage (common) 0pts.
All shinobi are taught practical knowledge on how to use traditional weapons and tools: the four-point shuriken, the ring-butt kunai, fiber wire, a grappling hook, a small mirror, a steel file, smoke bombs, and explosive tags. These items are supplied by the ninja's home village.

Generic Skillset (common) 0pts.
Jutsu that one learns before becoming an official shinobi. They're typically a wide variety of low-level skills that range from stealth and information-gathering to combat.

The Leaf Village's generic skillset is: Body Replacement (Ninjutsu, E-rank), Clone (Ninjutsu, E-rank), Rope Escape (Taijutsu, E-rank), and Transformation (Ninjutsu, E-rank). For Chuunin-rank and higher this also includes Wall Walking (Taijutsu, E-rank) and Water Walking (Taijutsu, E-rank).

Chakra Sense (common/supreme) 0-1, or 4pts.
Along with Chakra Formations comes the ability to detect other energies. This involves pressing one's own energy aura against another aura and "feeling" it out. The default ability allows only for sensing other auras when massive chakra is being produced for Jutsu at relatively close proximity. 1-point allows for sensing suppressed chakra that is tinted with aggression, known as "killing intent". 4-points enables a rare level of long-distance sensing that can reach out over several miles and improves Skill by 20%.

Custom Talents Wrote:Custom Technique (common/supreme) 0-5pts.
All shinobi are encouraged to experiment and practice their own special techniques. This is a cost guide for what types of techniques may be developed. E-rank techniques can be developed at no cost to the player, but they are the least effective skills. D-A rank techniques may cost between 1 to 5 points depending on its power, effect, and prerequisites.

Bloodline Limit (super/supreme) 3-5pts.
A bloodline limit is defined as a hereditary trait that allows access to special techniques. Each bloodline limit is different for each clan.

Special Equipment (basic/super) 1-5pts.
This gives the shinobi possession of and skill in using some piece of special equipment. Examples: wind-mill shuriken, unique herbal medicine, or chakra-sensitive weapons.

Stat Enhancement Talents Wrote:Increased Chakra Pool (basic/super) 1-3pts.
If a shinobi has an unusually high amount of stamina they are at a great advantage! This talent enhances the shinobi's Strength by +10% for each Talent Point spent.

Chakra Control (basic/super) 1-3pts.
This defines the shinobi's ability for exceptionally precise chakra formation and manipulation. This talent enhances the shinobi's Skill by +10% for each Talent Point spent.

Performance Improvement (advanced/supreme) 2-5pts.
Through exercise, practice, study, and tutelage a shinobi can increase their physical ability, technique, or jutsu limitations. Most shinobi are expected to raise these attributes to an appropriate level before being considered for a promotion. Point cost varies between ranks. Candidates have the lowest cost for an improvement (3 TP) while Chuunin have the highest (5 TP). Jounin may gain improvements only if the character is central to the plot or as staff-given prizes.

Nature Manipulation Talents Wrote:Manipulating the nature of chakra is a complicated and difficult skill to obtain. For most shinobi it requires years of practice, and even the most talented geniuses may need weeks or months to learn how to control their natural affinity. For this reason, characters may only acquire Nature Manipulations during creation or after "time-skip" events that span several years.

On top of that, more time is required to learn the advanced techniques that combine high-level shape manipulation with a known Nature Manipulation. It's because of this unavoidable difficulty that clans begin training their children in the family arts at a very young age.

Earth Chakra Manipulation (basic/super) 1 or 3pts.
The shinobi can learn to produce earth chakra with earth-type nature manipulation. 3-points is for a Natural Affinity towards earth, they can learn earth-type arts more easily. Shinobi who possess an affinity for earth chakra have 15% more Strength than others.

Fire Chakra Manipulation (basic/super) 1 or 3pts.
The shinobi can learn to produce fire chakra with fire-type nature manipulation. 3-points is for a Natural Affinity towards fire, they can learn fire-type arts more easily. Characters that have an affinity for fire chakra have 15% more Strength than others.

Lightning Chakra Manipulation (basic/super) 1 or 3pts.
The shinobi can learn to produce lightning chakra with lightning-type nature manipulation. 3-points is for a Natural Affinity towards lightning, they can learn lightning-type arts more easily. One who has a lightning affinity also has a 15% increase in Strength.

Water Chakra Manipulation (basic/super) 1 or 3pts.
The shinobi can learn to produce water chakra with water-type nature manipulation. 3-points is for a Natural Affinity towards water, they can learn water-type arts more easily. Shinobi that bare an affinity towards water chakra have 15% more Skill than others.

Wind Chakra Manipulation (advanced/supreme) 2 or 4pts.
The shinobi can learn to produce wind chakra with wind-type nature manipulation. 4-points is for a Natural Affinity towards wind. Characters that have a wind affinity have 20% more Skill than others.

Sage Chakra Manipulation (unavailable) ?pts.
The secret "sixth" element! Whereas all other chakra types are the combination of INTERNAL energies, this chakra draws on EXTERNAL energy: it is the energy hidden inside the earth and sky. It is inherently weak and is easily repelled by a shinobi's own exertion of chakra, so only a small number of people are aware of its existence. One must take absolute care to balance their own energy with the energy around them, drawing it into themselves and combining the physical, spiritual, and natural energies into a single force beyond the mortal level. Even among those that know about Sage chakra, only a select few have ever been able to master it.

Medicinal Chakra Manipulation (advanced/supreme) 2 or 4pts.
While the skill required for the medical Ninjutsu arts are high, Konohagakure is famous for their prolific use of medics. The Leaf's squad formation always includes one shinobi who is proficient in the medical arts for every three non-medics. 2pts only permits advanced use of traditional med-kits, and it is a requirement for squad leaders of three-man Genin teams; 4pts allows for the development of actual Medical Ninjutsu and increases Skill by 20%.

Martial Arts Master (basic/super) 1 or 3pts.
This increases proficiency with hand-to-hand and weapon-based fighting skill, aka Taijutsu. Taijutsu leans more towards the "light" side of chakra, and draws more heavily on physical energy than spiritual. 3-point lends an affinity towards the physical arts, and allows the shinobi to learn the higher forms of close-quarters combat as well as increasing the shinobi's Strength by 15%.

Illusionist (basic/super) 1 or 3pts.
Using the ninja art of illusion takes a well-trained shinobi. Since Genjutsu leans more towards the "dark" side of chakra illusionists develop more spiritual energy than physical. The 3-point Talent gives an affinity towards illusions, increases Skill by 15% and enables the character to learn higher levels of illusion-casting.

Misc. Wrote:Advanced Senses (advanced) 2pts.
Either through natural gifts or training the shinobi's senses may excel beyond the norm. Each sense improved in this way requires a separate Talent. Truly supernatural senses are classified as a bloodline or are limited to highly advanced jutsu effects.

Summoning (advanced) 2pts.
All Summoning techniques use the same C-rank Jutsu that summons monsters and items. The summoning involves using the blood of the shinobi as a "signature" and the called creature/item varies depending on the amount of chakra that is used to summon them. If the creatures does not respect the summoner, then the creature may not listen to any commands. When the summoned creature or item is injured or spends all of its chakra then they'll automatically return to their world of origin.

Sealing (advanced) 2pts.
The least used ninja art and the most difficult to learn. The effects of a sealing technique may range from physically holding a target in place and sealing large items into easy-to-carry scrolls to inflicting curses and counter-curses, depending on the sealer's individual Skill.

Tactician (advanced/supreme) 2 or 4pts.
Tacticians are among the most dangerous types of shinobi, and this is often a requirement for a shinobi to be assigned as a squad leader. 2pts and the character can quickly analyze the strengths and weaknesses of other shinobi. 4pts allows for incredible battle tactics and counter-tactics in a variety of situations.

Technician (advanced/supreme) 2 or 4pts.
A technician is someone that can understand the methods of a technique just by seeing it once. 2pts may develop new jutsu twice as fast as normal. 4pts gives the shinobi optimum development ability which also adds -1 to the point cost for developing new jutsu (lowering the cost to a minimum of 1 point).

Animal Familiar (advanced/supreme) 2-5pts.
Some shinobi and shinobi clans develop strong bonds with particular types of creatures or individual animals. The partnership that grows between the shinobi and their familiar can become quite effective, and the creature(s) themselves can learn to perform and participate in a broad range of ninja activities.

Stat Reductions Wrote:Regression (Lower Attribute) +2pts.
Although improving one's attributes is the normal goal for all shinobi, one may have lower-than-average ability in one or more attributes than a given rank may usually require. (Chuunin with low strength instead of moderate strength)

Weakness (No Increased Chakra Pool) +1-3pts.
Some shinobi are physically inept. This flaw reduces the character's Strength by 10% for each point gained in this way.

Bad Chakra Control (No Chakra Control) +1-3.
Some shinobi have difficulty forming and manipulating their chakra. This flaw reduces Skill by 10% for each point gained in this way.

Jutsu Disabilities Wrote: Chakra Senseless (No Chakra Sense) +1-2.
Occasionally, a shinobi may be inept at using their aura to "sense" other auras, which makes them limited to using their natural senses or some other method of detection. 1-point disables the Chakra Sense Talent; 2-points also makes them completely unable to use any type of "detection" skill.

Ninjutsu Ineptitude (No Nature Manipulation) +1 or 2pts.
Some characters are bad at Ninjutsu, placing them at a severe disadvantage. 1-point reduces Strength by 15%, separately, the 2-points Flaw completely disables the use of Ninjutsu.

Genjutsu Ineptitude (No Illusionist) +1 or 2pts.
Strange but not unheard of, some shinobi have problems performing Genjutsu. 1-point reduces Skill by 15%, separately, 2-points completely disables the use of Genjutsu.

Taijutsu Ineptitude (No Martial Arts Master) +1 or 2pts.
Hand-to-hand fighting arts are essential for close-quarters combat, lacking this ability can be troublesome. 1-point lowers Strength by 15%, separately, 2-points lowers Skill by 15%.

Social Disabilities Wrote: Rival (persistent competition) +1 to 3pts.
A character may have a rival with whom the shinobi has struggles for dominance, either in the squad or ranking heriarchy. 1-point Rivals are shinobi that have inferior heritage, skills, and/or performances, 2-point Rivals are shinobi have a similar level of ability in relation to the character, 3-point Rival are shinobi that have superior heritage, skills, and/or performance ability. The Rival must be involved in most missions assigned to the character. A single character can have multiple rivals, but they cannot add up to more than +3 points at any single time.

Simpleton (No Tactician/Technician) +2 or 3pts.
This is a lack of tactical combat ability. 2-points forces the shinobi to only use head-on attacks, 3-points adds +1 to all jutsu development costs. These flaws are not cumulative; each level is a separate flaw.

Fear (mental handicap) +2 or 3pts.
Though it is unusual, sometimes shinobi fear something that they shouldn't and most others don't. 2-point fears can be challenging but not detrimental, 3-point fears will cause severe distress.

Misc. Wrote: Impairment (physical handicap) +2 or 3pts.
The medical shinobi of Konoha work hard to keep their comrades in good health, but sometimes that's just not enough. 2-points indicates something like a missing eye or a deformation, 3-points is for severe handicaps such as deafness, blindness, or an amputated limb.

Raditzu Wrote:So let's say I start by taking Medical Ninjutsu for 2 points. Can I then spend only 1 point to upgrade it later? Or will that take the full 3?

Quote:With the Ninjutsu/Genjutsu/Taijutsu Ineptitudes, 2 points seems way too low for a completely and permanent inability to use an entire school of techniques. Will there be a way for someone with an Ineptitude flaw to later learn those kinds of techniques?

Quote:With the fear flaw, can a player specify what they're afraid of? Bill Yen, for example, might be horrible afraid of snakes, but nothing else. Would that fly?

Quote:Does a player have to specify whether or not they're taking the common techs? I'm imagining a situation where someone wanted to RP their character actually learning to use equipment/basic techniques/chakra formation and have their "roster" -- if you will -- reflect their progress.

Quote:Will you allow players to come up with their own flaws? Like maybe a Nature Ineptitude where I couldn't use any fire techniques and then you say how many points that would be worth.

Quote:In Shippuden, we see a lot of people carrying around scrolls that contain things like basic weapons and the like. Would characters be able to do this for things like shuriken or kunai or med kits from the get-go, or would that require summoning/sealing?

Quote:BTW, I really like having the "super" Nature Affinities provide different "statistical" bonuses.

Pink Underoo Wrote:However, in the specific example you brought up I don't think I'd allow it. At one point I did have it set up so being unable to use a specific Nature Manipulation was counted as a Flaw, but after a while I figured that since most characters only use one or two types of Nature Manipulation anyway it would be abusive to gain points for something that isn't a true Flaw.

Raditzu Wrote:Just kind of playing Devil's Advocate now.

So, will all players be limited to only being able to learn techniques from a couple of different elements? If I have Fire and Earth, will I not be able to learn Wind or Water, for example?

It makes sense that people choose to specialize one element over another, its fun and thematic, but its still a conscious choice. Point being that someone else could just easily have an Earth, a Wind, and a couple Fire techniques. Its just letting people take a "flaw" without gaining the benefits of taking a flaw, at that point.

Raditzu Wrote:Hmmm... I just assumed the Natural Affinities were mutually exclusive, but it definitely doesn't say that anywhere. My bad.

When you say "bloodline art" are you including things like multi-size, shadow mimic, and body swap?

Quote:The Nara family are one of the original families in Konohagakure, although they only recently began to gain notoriety due to the exploits of the super-genius tactician Shikamaru. The Shadow-Bind uses a constant flow of chakra to alter the caster's own shadow and turns it into a weapon. By extending the shadow and connecting it to someone else's shadow the opponent becomes bound to shinobi as long as the shadows remain linked! The shadow may also move freely among other types of shadows, and the closer the two shinobi are the stronger the Shadow-Bind becomes. Lower levels (3pts) of the Shadow-Bind cause the opponent to mimic the physical movements of the shinobi, while moderate levels (4pts) allow the shinobi to control the opponent independantly from their own movements and to bind up multiple opponents, while the highest levels (5pts) turn the shadow into a physical weapon capable of rising off of the ground and dealing physical damage.

Pink Underoo Wrote:Well, you can get all the Nature Manipulation Talents if you really want to.