Bansentennin (Naruto D20)

[Inerrant Lust]

Four years ago, I started a Naruto D20 game on this very forum, and it is still ongoing. Mostly I sought to introduce this system to the Elliquiy community so I could play it instead of GM it all the time- but here we are. For those of you not familiar with it, Naruto D20 is free and... boy, is it exhaustive. Still, I like it because it's fairly simulationist... and represents the potential of the setting well, rewarding creative use of deception and techniques and allowing for some pretty interesting encounters and characters.

Plot

Long ago, before the devastation of Konoha by the Nine-tailed Fox, the world was on the verge of collapse. Reeling from the First Great Shinobi World War, the five great nations were at a fragile peace. As if mirroring one another's misfortune, the villages of Konoha and Suna both appointed their third Kages during the war, and Kumo and Iwa's founders were also slain in the conflict. The island superpower Kirigakure, however, has been hailed as a beacon for peace. It still retains its second Mizukage.

Tanigakure rests between the Lands of Fire and Wind, comfortable among the ravines of the Land of Rivers. In the last war, the Kawa Daimyo offered his support to the Third Hokage after the Second was killed and the entire Konoha army surrounded on both sides by Iwa and Kumo forces. Seizing the advantage of a weakened ally, this alliance cemented a partnership that lasts today. It has not been without difficulty, however, as tensions between the two nations remain high, as they are all throughout the world. Sixteen years after the last great war, the villages have not forgotten their old animosities and will not so easily ignore the faintest sign of weakness.

One night, Tanigakure was infiltrated by a mysterious mercenary. He had ties to Sunagakure, and it seemed like a provocation of war. In truth, he was a member of the Bansentennin, an old clan from the Warring States Era. It was obvious that this was an attempt to frame Suna, but the leaders of Tani and Konoha paid no heed to the threat posed by the ancient clan. Now, all the nations are preparing for war, and it almost seems inevitable. But the true enemy remains hidden from view... biding its time.

Character Creation

The campaign is already underway, but there's a few ways I could easily incorporate new PCs into the plot. Among them are;
A ninja of Konohagakure, part of an invasion force against Amegakure.
A ninja of Amegakure, defending their homeland.
A mercenary, hired by Amegakure.
A wandering nin or neutral party caught in the crossfire.

In any event, the new PC would stumble upon something relevant to the Bansentennin, and their true nature. Upon meeting the party, information may be exchanged and things might become more clear. The only thing really required of the new PC is a desire not to take any one side in the war, or a desire to end the war by finding and bringing the justice the group that started it and presumably has an interest in prolonging it.

Crunch
36 Point Buy. ECL 10. Any race or clan or template you can justify as being fluffily sound. Homebrew is, by all means, encouraged.

Starting techniques;
Rank 1 Techniques: 1d4+10, as well as Bunshin no Jutsu, Henge no Jutsu and Kawarimi no Jutsu (If you have ranks in Ninjutsu)
Rank 2 Techniques: 9
Rank 3 Techniques: 8
Rank 4 Techniques: 7
Rank 5 Techniques: 6
Rank 6 Techniques: 5
Rank 7 Techniques: 4
Rank 8 Techniques: 3
Rank 9 Techniques: 2
Rank 10 Techniques: 1
Rank 11 Techniques: 0
(+1 to each w/ Genius Nin)

Masteries: 1d4+Level

Proficiency:
Tough Heroes: Light, Medium, and Heavy Armor, Simple Weapons Proficiency
Strong & Dedicated Heroes: Light and Medium Armor, Simple Weapons Proficiency
Fast, Smart & Charismatic Heroes: Light Armor, Simple Weapons Proficiency

Any class or occupation that grants Nin Weapons Proficiency as a possible bonus feat will also offer Archaic Weapons Proficiency.
Any class that requires Nin Weapons as a prerequisite will also accept Archaic Weapons.

On a related note, only Archaic armor is generally available. This does include Battle Vests. Ninja Vests and Reinforced Suits would be considered cutting-edge technology and haven't caught on yet.

Genin, Chuunin, and Jounin feats are granted by RP but otherwise have the same requirements and benefits.

[Lockepick]

Hello!

I've recently been into the Naruto universe, and I've wanted to try the system. I'd love to jam something out, though I'll need to re-read the books to figure out what I want to do!

So general "interest" post.

[Inerrant Lust]

It is something like, what, 800 pages? Most of it techniques, but still- I understand how it could be a handful...

I will probably eschew the whole method of spending time and counting down the hours to learn new techniques and instead just grant a new one in every rank when you level up like in the char gen above. Sure, it removes some of the novelty of those techniques that are supposed to be really difficult and rare to master.. *cough* Kamehameha, which one of our PCs developed mid-battle..

Mostly because it's pretty cumbersome, but also because the party will probably be moving around a bit and might not have time to settle down and devote days to training.

[ShadowFox89]

 If anyone needs help with the system, I would be glad to help walk them through the nuances and the tricks.

Right now party composition is heavy on the face-punchy side, so charismatic or intelligent characters would help round us out.

[Lockepick]

Would a Genjutsu focused person or a medic nin be more helpful? Probably end up going medium-high Int with either idea.

[ShadowFox89]

 Well, my character is a medic-nin, so genjutsu focus would be helpful. For that, you'll want a high Constitution for lots of chakra and high charisma for high DCs on your genjutsu.

Were you thinking of making a character from any notable clans?

[Lockepick]

Naw, I skimmed Clans/Bloodlines but wasn't really sure how I felt about them -- though also not sure I quite understand the idea there. I'll do some more reading tonight and come up with some specific questions though, but I'll start jamming out some kind of Genjutsu/Charisma focused character.

[Inerrant Lust]

I encourage home-brew stuff, to include clans and bloodlines. They basically work as a variant on LA, except that you don't need to take the level hit at 1st level.

A charmer would be interesting.. but I'm also more interested in the fluff. ;)

[Lockepick]

I had a mechanical question: When feats/features say they give "+1 to the effective skill threshold" -- what does that mean exactly? Like I can put more ranks than normal in it...?

[ShadowFox89]

 It's an archaic term from 3.0, it just means you have a +1 feat/class bonus to that skill.

[Keelan]

...I might be interested in this...

Haven't read the source, not sure what I'd make yet, but are you still looking for people?

[Inerrant Lust]

Yeah, I think so. :P

I feel obligated to, since this is a niche system that needs to be brought to E in force. There's just too much potential for it. ;)  ::)

[Keelan]

...is there a way to emulate my love for the Hyuuga heiress in function within this system?

Also, side note:

No seriously, if you haven't read the manga spoilers

YES!!! HINATA/NARUTO WON THE GODDAMN SHIP!  YES!!!

[Inerrant Lust]

There is.

The Byakugan and its bloodline is completely statted out, along with many of the techniques.

In fact, we already have a Hyuuga character, Hyuuga Marise, played by shadow. She's a medical ninja, and half-Uzumaki.. Never realized the similarities until now. ::)

[ShadowFox89]

...is there a way to emulate my love for the Hyuuga heiress in function within this system?

Also, side note:

No seriously, if you haven't read the manga spoilers

YES!!! HINATA/NARUTO WON THE GODDAMN SHIP!  YES!!!

Think I beat you to that one, sorry xD

[Zaer Darkwail]

Nice see you Keelan :). Yeah, Hyuuga clan member is possible. But so is possible to be from the clan with most broken bloodline ever; Sharingan (would fit most best to any genjutsu user type). My own char is bit mixed bag of tricks, nothing fancy besides 'I slash stuff really well'.

[ShadowFox89]

 Hyuuga is possible, though I nabbed the title of heir via backstory.

[Purple Dusk]

Hi, I might be willing to play though its been a while since I looked over the system.  :-)

I'd be interested in playing an Uchiha.  Is there any particular roles that need feeling?

[Inerrant Lust]

Fluff or crunch?

The roles that I could suggest work well with the story are in the OP, but as for crunch.. we have;

A Mibu swordsman from Tanigakure. Straight. Very powerful body, but a little inexperienced. ;)
A Satori swordswoman, wandering ninja. Lesbian. Reads minds and uses a katana.
A Hyuuga/Uzumaki lovechild, a medical-nin that combines chakra scalpels with her byakugan... Well, ought to- but recently has just been flinging energy balls. ::) Bisexual.

Still not sure if allowing a Kamehameha was a good idea...

Lockepick said he's interested in playing a genjutsu user from Amegakure.

[ShadowFox89]

 Hey, that was once, and it uses a lot of energy :-P

But yeah, wee currnetly have most fields covered except for a gay guy and ninjutsu and genjutsu specialist.

[Inerrant Lust]

Lockepick will probably do that, but I feel like the setting allows enough variety than even our three melee-ers play very differently. Two ninjutsu specialists can also be dramatically different.

[Keelan]

There is nothing that says we can't have a team of taijutsu specialists; I always disliked how all the taijutsu specialists in the show were always second place to 'OMFG NEW JUTSU!!!'

That said, I could be a Hyuuga Tai/Nin gal, if that is system-possible...

[ShadowFox89]

 Is this your Hyuuga; daughter of a rogue nin? :P

I think I remember her from my failed attempt at a game...... if she meets Mari, the meeting could be very interesting. Nin/Tai is very possible, you're just slightly splitting your focus. You'll want to aim to get as much bonus chakra as possible.

[Keelan]

I have never done Naruto d20, so... no XD

Anyway, reading through stuff on the pdf of the system now...

EDIT: What is the starting level?

[ShadowFox89]

 Okay! Might have been someone else then.

If you need help, let me know. Or PM me and I can strike up an AIM conversation.

A bit about my character- She's currently the eldest daughter of the current heads of the Hyuuga Clan, Hiro and Tsurai Hyuuga. She's a medical ninja and a member of the ANBU-black ops. Strongly devoted to her village, she's undertaking this journey outside of it's walls and laws (and permission!) to keep lives from being senselessly lost.