Topic: Moar Naruto D20 (Short Chuunin Exam Campaign)

[Inerrant Lust]

PLOT

It's been decades since the Fourth Great Ninja War and the time has come once again for the Chuunin Exams to take place. With all the villages attending and the 'era of fraternity and cooperation' that the Seventh Hokage has been promoting, this exam is set to challenge the participants' ability to work in joint-relations with ninja from other countries.

STRUCTURE
The invitations will be sent out and all attendees will be allowed to stay within the village for a week before the exams begin. During this time they are under the supervision of their sponsoring Jounin.

The first stage of the Chuunin Exam is the written test. The emphasis will be on team work and creative thinking.
The second stage will commence immediately after the first. It involves each team being given either a heaven or an earth scroll and placed at the edge of a large training area. They must reach the central building within a certain amount of time possessing both scrolls.
The final stage will occur a month later. It consists of a one-on-one tournament between all finalists, culminating in an overall winner. Success does not guarantee promotion nor does failure preclude it.

At any time that there are too many candidates who have passed on to the next stage, a special preliminary round will be organized.

CHARGEN
Level: ECL 6, no more than LA2 (All LA taken up front, cannot be 'bought off')
Race: Any Human, Any other Core*, Homebrew*
Bloodlines: Any Core*, Homebrew*

Characters from ANY village will be allowed. Prior to the first stage, the teams will be randomized. This means that the teams will be composed of strangers from other villages and the emphasis of the exam will be cooperation even under these circumstances.

Abilities: 40pt buy
Starting Occupation: Any
Classes: Any Core, Basic Paragons, Samurai, Weaponmaster, Sage*, Homebrew*

Feats Progression: Every Odd Level (1/3/5/7/9/11/13/15/17/19)
Feats: Free Genin (Effective Level 1)
--Tough Hero/Paragon: Simple Weapons, Light/Medium/Heavy Armor
--Strong/Fast/Dedicated Heroes/Paragons: Simple Weapons, Light/Medium Armor
--Smart/Charismatic Heroes/Paragons: Simple Weapons, Light Armor
--All Classes get Nin or Archaic Weapons for Free

Skills: Consolidated Skills As Below (New Skill: Old Skills Combined)
--Acrobatics (Dex): Balance, Escape Artist, Tumble
--Artisan (Int): Forgery, Craft Calligraphy, Craft Writing, Craft Visual Art, Decipher Script
--Athletics (Str): Climb, Jump, Swim
--Chakra Control (Wis): Chakra Control, Concentration
--Conversation (Cha): Diplomacy, Intimidate, Sense Motive, Knowledge Current Events, Knowledge Popular Culture,
--Deception (Cha): Bluff, Disguise
--Fuinjutsu (Int): Fuinjutsu
--Gamble (Wis): Gamble
--Genjutsu (Cha): Genjutsu
--Handle Animal (Cha): Handle Animal, Ride
--Knowledge Lore (Int): Arcane Lore, History Ninja Lore, Tactics, Theology and Philosophy
--Investigate (Int): Gather Information, Investigate, Knowledge Streetwise, Knowledge Behavioral Sciences, Research
--Mechanic (Int): Craft Mechanical, Craft Structural, Demolitions, Disable Device, Repair
--Medicine (Wis): Craft Chemical, Craft Pharmaceutical, Knowledge Earth and Life Sciences, Knowledge Physical Sciences, Treat Injury
--Ninjutsu (Int): Ninjutsu
--Outdoorsmanship (Wis): Navigate, Survival
--Perception (Wis): Listen, Search, Spot
--Professional (Wis): Perform, Profession, Knowledge Business, Knowledge Civics
--Stealth (Dex): Hide, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand
--Taijutsu (Str): Taijutsu

Techniques/Jutsu: 10 techniques at 1st level. +2 Techniques at 2nd. +3 techniques at 3rd. And so on and so forth. For a sixth level character, that's 30 techniques of any type. Any type of Adept feat (Ninjutsu Adept, Taijutsu Adept, ect.) grants you a number of techniques for that skill equal to your character level.

Masteries: You can sacrifice a technique gained from above section in order to get two steps of mastery.

NOTE: After char-gen, jutsu will be learned normally at various 'free time' points if you dedicate time to it. If you do not, you may still gain jutsu upon level-up based on above (I will not punish you for not training, but you get benefits for training instead. Spending the intermittent periods training can be valuable, but so can doing things like collecting intelligence on your opponents.)

*: Mandatory GM Approval First

NOTES

Because I like to mix things up, this will NOT take place in Konoha. I'm leaning towards Kirigakure, actually. But it could also be a joint exam between two villages, so the whole exam may take place in two or three villages. In either event, I highly encourage you to play a character from any village. I'm looking for 3 PCs who did not know each other prior to the exams. It's only upon entering the village will they be told that the teams will be randomized.

The only important thing is that if you don't work together, particularly in the first stage, you will fail super hard. Chaotic stupid characters are out of the question.

Right now... I don't intend to run this game beyond the structure/plot I've outlined above. That doesn't mean I won't throw some curveballs, but it does mean it'll most likely end at level 8 once the exam is concluded. If I'm up to it, or anyone else who runs Naruto D20 games on E... I'm sure you could find a use for that character afterwards... 

If there's an abundance of interest, I may try and find another GM to help me run this with a second team.

[Vex]

Hi! I'm just here to express my interest in joining, and see if we can't generate a little more. I already PM'd Inerrant Lust about my concept, but we should continue the discussion here.

I want to play an aspiring Iryou-nin, a Medical Specialist, who was unfortunate enough to be afflicted with the Chakra Vampire bloodline. I thought it an interesting dynamic. A naturally helpful soul, focused on trying to help preserve life on the battlefield, but to do so, is forced to feed on the chakra of other beings. It can be a bit of a blessing, as she can potentially draw on a lot of chakra over a short period, not really needing to have to rest to restore her chakra. As long as she has something to feed on, she can keep healing herself and her allies, potentially making for very long excursions.

However, I imagine it could be quite shameful to her, as she feels like she's a parasite of a creature, and goes out of her way to help others, in part to atone for what she has to do. Starving herself doesn't work, as she just becomes irrationally desperate to get that skin-to-skin contact necessary to restore her chakra, and I could see her afraid of what others think of her if they knew the truth of her existence, so she probably hides it as best as she can. Setting her up in this style of a Chunin exam is ideal, because none of the other characters would know her, so we can RP out trying to hide it from them. I think it could be a really interesting exploration.

Ah, I was beginning to think no one was interested! You should post there... I think it's about to be buried behind page 2, if it isn't already. 

But yes, that idea would work. In fact, it would work well.. considering one of the NPCs (or GM PCs, if we didn't get three players) would have their own gimmick that would interact very interestingly with a chakra vampire. And yeah, I agree, this character sounds like she would be interesting to play with in a situation where her two partners are complete strangers. Though it is unfortunate that the interesting techniques and things belonging to the vampire only really kick in at later levels.

I figure this game will roughly end with the players at level 8, but that won't effect the chakra vampire template much. I think there's a technique related to it that you could get by the third stage of the exam, though. Probably.

All in all, very interesting! :3

I'm glad you like the concept! And I'm thrilled you think she would be in a unique place in terms of character interaction. I'd be excited to see what kind of unique roleplaying opportunities we can work with this affliction.

Admittedly, I don't entirely know how she became a Chakra Vampire. Maybe she's a remnant from one of Orochimaru's experiments, or maybe it was the side effect for an experimental treatment for a rare condition, or maybe she's a forgotten descendant of the long-rumored but mostly extinct Kagetsuki clan (although the chakra vampire seems less like kekkei genkai and more like a rare disorder, as it's more of a hindrance than a benefit). We could work out the details for however works best for the setting. Either way, I see it, the disorder doesn't manifest itself until later on in their shinobi development, and by that time, she was already a Genin, and a promising one at that. She had no idea this was coming. It must be a rather confusing time for her, as it's not something she's had to deal with until recently. She probably thinks of herself as a monster.

There aren't many techniques for Chakra Vampires. They have some unique interactions with the Ryukuin and Chakra no Souin fuintjusu, but only one technique is specifically for them, Nyoukai no Kuchitsuke, the Kiss of the Succubus, a potentially neat one for an adult RP. It's a rank 7 ninjutsu, so she could get it after the next level, or potentially have it at the start, if she's a Genius (and I'm somewhat inclined to make her one).

Should I get working on a sheet? Or would you rather I hold off on that?

[Zaer Darkwail]

I voice interest for this game, but it sort depends on Keelan does she take my char or not. If she does take then I do not have time for another Naruto game . But if she drops my char, then I roll up with something nice :). So far I am thinking lean to Naga clan member (shadow jutsu stuff) as basic idea atm. Or if there is no one taking the byakugan or sharingan, could take one those two bloodlines and build something based on them.

[Vex]

I'd think it'd be almost crazy for Keelan not to accept your character. Zaraki's the only healer in a crowd of damage dealers (and one Genjutsu specialist), so you're in a good spot. Besides, you bring a lot personally, and very active. But, if it somehow ends up being the case, I'd be very happy to have you on board with this one. 

[Zaer Darkwail]

Yeah, but still things are not certain until Keelan makes decision .

[Vex]

Of course. I'm just expressing my confidence in your capabilities. Either way Keelan decides, I'm going with this game. I like the concept too much, and after reading over a bit of Inerrant Lust's previous games in this category, I'm pretty excited to take this on! 

But, while I have you here, mind if I throw some building ideas your way? I trying to decide this character's stat distribution. On the one hand, I'm thinking it's usually a good idea for a Medical-nin to have fairly balanced stats over all. Yeah, Int and Wis get favorable treatment, but in the end, your job isn't offense, it's support, and you can't do your job if you're dead or unconscious. Any offense is nice, but ultimately supplemental. So, I was thinking of a stat distribution of 10, 14, 14, 16, 16, 14, with further stat bonuses going into Int, to help with her Ninjutsu DCs. That gives her fairly good save bonuses, decent hp, and a solid work base to use techniques with. Not sky high, but good. She could even throw in some Genjutsu in there for diversity (she won't be exceptional at it, but a lot of Taijutsu focused character have weak will saves).

On the other hand, she's a Chakra Vampire. That means she can't tap her reserves. Ever. That's a heck of a blow for a Medical-nin, because Iryou Ninjutsu isn't cheap, and the vast majority of the bonus chakra the Medical Specialist class gives them is reserve chakra. Sure, Efficient Technique might help with that eventually, but at level 6, she isn't likely to have it (and frankly, probably not by 8 either). So, I'm thinking the way to work around this is to take Will Over Flesh and pump her chakra pool as high as possible. Maybe something like 8, 14, 12, 16, 18, 12, with a heavy focus on Wis going forward. That 8 strength means she really can't carry much, and will likely have to settle with very light armor, but her chakra scalpel doesn't need strength. That weakness might actually come in handy in providing an excuse for her to need breaks often (which she subtly uses to drain chakra from the environment), but it'll also make grappling creatures to drain their chakra much more difficult (not that I find that terribly practical anyway, but it's nice to have the option). With lightest armor and low-ish HP, it's certainly not doing any favors for her survival chances.

Thoughts? Alternatives?

[Zaer Darkwail]

I think my opinion go second approach if you go medical shinobi as devoted hero. As there are useful talents in devoted hero (like cool in pressure) which can help immensely make you reliable in combat or stressful situations. Although low Str is weakness but your not meant to figthing but healing or at best disabling foes without engaging them . Although if you get shinobi prisoners you can suck them dry and thus disable them from doing anything fancy.

[Vex]

I was afraid you'd say that. I'm usually the type to play it safe, but in this case, a little risk might be warranted. Heck, in this case, I'm rather tempted to bring Con down to 10 to get her Charisma up to 14, so she'll still be able to use Genjutsu more effectively, but my better senses tell me not to. With that kind of chakra pool, she'll be able to pull a lot of tricks, though. I just fear for her when the inevitable Reflex save is called.

I honestly don't think she'll be draining humans much in a visible way. Frankly, the Chakra Vampire ability isn't very good in combat scenarios. It's much better when she has an extended contact with whatever she's draining from. I'm thinking of making a unique skill tactic, feat, or training technique that makes her draining capabilities very subtle, to the point that the victim doesn't even notice it. In a game like this, I think that could have a lot of applications. I'd be interested in making some new techniques for her to actually enhance her draining capabilities (a technique that allows her to drain chakra from on-going effects would be pretty neat), but this is a Genin-focused game, so she might not have that kind talent yet.

[Inerrant Lust]

Admittedly, I don't entirely know how she became a Chakra Vampire. Maybe she's a remnant from one of Orochimaru's experiments, or maybe it was the side effect for an experimental treatment for a rare condition, or maybe she's a forgotten descendant of the long-rumored but mostly extinct Kagetsuki clan (although the chakra vampire seems less like kekkei genkai and more like a rare disorder, as it's more of a hindrance than a benefit). We could work out the details for however works best for the setting. Either way, I see it, the disorder doesn't manifest itself until later on in their shinobi development, and by that time, she was already a Genin, and a promising one at that. She had no idea this was coming. It must be a rather confusing time for her, as it's not something she's had to deal with until recently. She probably thinks of herself as a monster.

There aren't many techniques for Chakra Vampires. They have some unique interactions with the Ryukuin and Chakra no Souin fuintjusu, but only one technique is specifically for them, Nyoukai no Kuchitsuke, the Kiss of the Succubus, a potentially neat one for an adult RP. It's a rank 7 ninjutsu, so she could get it after the next level, or potentially have it at the start, if she's a Genius (and I'm somewhat inclined to make her one).

Should I get working on a sheet? Or would you rather I hold off on that?

You'll hit level 7 by the end of the second stage. The first stage will be very short, also, and won't include any encounters or serious crunch. It's more of a puzzle than anything. As for being one of Orochimaru's experiments or a long-lost member of the Kagetsuki clan, either's fine. I figure chakra vampires are not very unheard of, since I believe someone with the ability shows up in the manga without much fanfare or hype. So it's not like the second coming of the Rinnegan. Personally, I would prefer the team be from three different villages. If Zaer goes with a Nara person, or Sharingan or Byakugan, the Orochimaru angle might be too close, thematically.

So far I am thinking lean to Naga clan member (shadow jutsu stuff) as basic idea atm. Or if there is no one taking the byakugan or sharingan, could take one those two bloodlines and build something based on them.

Nara. But yeah, any of those work. Albiet they're so... canon. Though being that this game is still occurring within Naruto's lifetime, any Sharingan user would either be directly descended from good ol' Sasuke or genetically recreated somehow. Orochimaru's probably slaving away at that, considering he already made someone with the Mokuton...

But, while I have you here, mind if I throw some building ideas your way? I trying to decide this character's stat distribution. On the one hand, I'm thinking it's usually a good idea for a Medical-nin to have fairly balanced stats over all. Yeah, Int and Wis get favorable treatment, but in the end, your job isn't offense, it's support, and you can't do your job if you're dead or unconscious. Any offense is nice, but ultimately supplemental. So, I was thinking of a stat distribution of 10, 14, 14, 16, 16, 14, with further stat bonuses going into Int, to help with her Ninjutsu DCs. That gives her fairly good save bonuses, decent hp, and a solid work base to use techniques with. Not sky high, but good. She could even throw in some Genjutsu in there for diversity (she won't be exceptional at it, but a lot of Taijutsu focused character have weak will saves).

On the other hand, she's a Chakra Vampire. That means she can't tap her reserves. Ever. That's a heck of a blow for a Medical-nin, because Iryou Ninjutsu isn't cheap, and the vast majority of the bonus chakra the Medical Specialist class gives them is reserve chakra. Sure, Efficient Technique might help with that eventually, but at level 6, she isn't likely to have it (and frankly, probably not by 8 either). So, I'm thinking the way to work around this is to take Will Over Flesh and pump her chakra pool as high as possible. Maybe something like 8, 14, 12, 16, 18, 12, with a heavy focus on Wis going forward. That 8 strength means she really can't carry much, and will likely have to settle with very light armor, but her chakra scalpel doesn't need strength. That weakness might actually come in handy in providing an excuse for her to need breaks often (which she subtly uses to drain chakra from the environment), but it'll also make grappling creatures to drain their chakra much more difficult (not that I find that terribly practical anyway, but it's nice to have the option). With lightest armor and low-ish HP, it's certainly not doing any favors for her survival chances.

The advantage of Chakra Vampire is that you can at least have, at this stage, 6 more chakra than you would otherwise. Which is nowhere near the amount of reserve you'd have, of course... but it does mean you only have to rest for hit points. Being a medic nin, this means as long as you have trees and stuff to suck chakra from, you don't have to rest for anything but sleep. Given that the second stage will be a camping trip that takes a bout a week, that's a huge advantage.

In short, your character can remain active nearly 24/7 until sleep deprivation hits. And unless you run out of things to suck chakra, your team will likely always be at full hit points throughout the second stage.

Technically, you could pass the second stage of the exam without fighting anyone. You'd just have to be able to steal a scroll without the other team noticing... given that this E, and 18+... yeah, some seducing will be going on.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I wonder how common is sexy jutsu Naruto developed .

[Vex]

You'll hit level 7 by the end of the second stage. The first stage will be very short, also, and won't include any encounters or serious crunch. It's more of a puzzle than anything. As for being one of Orochimaru's experiments or a long-lost member of the Kagetsuki clan, either's fine. I figure chakra vampires are not very unheard of, since I believe someone with the ability shows up in the manga without much fanfare or hype. So it's not like the second coming of the Rinnegan.

Ha! You know, it's funny. We're first introduced to the concept of chakra absorption early in the series, through Yoroi, Sasuke's match in the preliminary touriment to determine who would go onto the third round of the Chuunin exam. By the way he gets soundly dispatched, we are to think this is a common, unremarkable ability. But then, after that...it hardly ever shows up again. And when it does, it's almost exclusively through rather special and powerful individuals. From the Naruto-wiki:

Some ninja, such as Yoroi Akadō, Jirōbō, Kisame Hoshigaki, Orochimaru, Black and White Zetsu, Madara Uchiha, Fūka and the Ultimate Summoning Beast are able to use this technique by merely coming into contact with an opponent, while most ninja require a medium to absorb chakra through (such as the Aburame clan's kikaichū feeding on the chakra of their hosts and opponents). However, Orochimaru only retrieved his own chakra that was in Kabuto.

One of these names is not the others. Yoroi is a chump compared to everyone else on this list. Most shinobi that can absorb chakra need a medium through which to do it (it's often an ability powerful weapons and armor have, Samehada, for example). Those that can usually have something unnatural about them. It's not a common ability at all, and in each case, it requires a rather powerful technique or a unique creation...except Yoroi, for some reason. Really weird. But Naruto's writing hasn't always been consistent. Maybe they meant to make it a common ability, until they decided against it. That's happened more often than you'd think (like Naruto's lonely past with no friends...except for Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba, who he apparently hung around with all his childhood, but I guess they don't count as friends or something).

Regardless, it's true that absorbing chakra isn't unheard of. But, I think there's an exceptional difference between someone who can absorb chakra to supplement their own, and someone who needs to absorb chakra, because they can't generate their own naturally. In a world where everything, even trees and plants, has chakra, that's really weird and kinda unsettling. It's like saying vampires aren't a big deal because there are people out there that drink blood, and aren't treated as monsters. One is just a habit, and the other is an entirely unnatural thing, and to sustain it's own existence, must victimize the living by draining it's very essence each and every day. I think that would be treated as something more horrific. No, it's not Rinnegan, in part because it's not really an advantage. But it is exceptional, in it's own way.

Besides, what's the fun in turning this into a mundane thing? "What's that? Your an orphan and grew up alone, and now you act out to get the attention and recognition you so desperately desire? Meh, happens a lot in the ninja world, kid. No big deal." Way to suck the drama from the concept, GM! 

The advantage of Chakra Vampire is that you can at least have, at this stage, 6 more chakra than you would otherwise. Which is nowhere near the amount of reserve you'd have, of course... but it does mean you only have to rest for hit points. Being a medic nin, this means as long as you have trees and stuff to suck chakra from, you don't have to rest for anything but sleep. Given that the second stage will be a camping trip that takes a bout a week, that's a huge advantage.

Theoretically, sure. Realistically, it buys her half a day. As far as I can tell, a Chakra Vampire still needs to rest their bodies and minds the same way everyone else does. Sure, they don't need to restore their chakra, but their muscles wear and tear just like everyone elses. Theoretically, I suppose she could keep using her Iryou techniques to restore her body, but I'm not sure her mind can work on the same concept. If she's to stay healthy those five or so days, she needs rest. Likewise, she needs to keep moving, lest she leave a trail of damage/dead trees and plants to lead right to where her team is.

And that assumes that she has living things to take it from. If she's in the middle of a forest, fine. If she's in the middle of a desert, that's a problem. It also makes capture extremely risky for her. She could die in a couple of days of captivity if she can't find a chakra source to feed on, even if she's being nourished properly.

Anyway, I'm not saying it's not an advantage. It just think it's a very situational one, and one that could be used against her in other circumstances. It certainly helps that, should she find herself in a lush environment, she can heal the team as often as she needs without any worry of draining her chakra for the day. You know, so long as she finds herself in a place with lots of plant life.

Technically, you could pass the second stage of the exam without fighting anyone. You'd just have to be able to steal a scroll without the other team noticing... given that this E, and 18+... yeah, some seducing will be going on.

Oh, I haven't forgotten. I'll be keeping my options open on that front. Don't you worry on that.

I was thinking I'd work the whole Chakra Vampire thing into it, actually. The process of draining chakra is kind of a slow one, especially if you have a large pool. If plants aren't available, then extended skin-to-skin contact is necessary. Lots of directions we can play with that idea. Maybe, as she gets lower on chakra, the more "touchy feely" she becomes, even if she doesn't drain chakra from them. And, should she ever be held captive, she'd be potentially denied chakra from plant sources. She'd need to rely on other prisoners, or her captors to sustain her. Interesting ideas to play with.

[Inerrant Lust]

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it was mundane... but that it wasn't so extraordinary that you'd have trouble justifying it existing outside of one place (like, the bearer of Shukaku being a Kumogakure ninja. )

I agree with everything you've said, though. It is unusual and worthy of drama, but it isn't so extraordinary as to be restrictive in terms of fluff. It could be, like in Rock Lee's case, just a weird genetic hiccup.

Theoretically, sure. Realistically, it buys her half a day. As far as I can tell, a Chakra Vampire still needs to rest their bodies and minds the same way everyone else does. Sure, they don't need to restore their chakra, but their muscles wear and tear just like everyone elses. Theoretically, I suppose she could keep using her Iryou techniques to restore her body, but I'm not sure her mind can work on the same concept. If she's to stay healthy those five or so days, she needs rest. Likewise, she needs to keep moving, lest she leave a trail of damage/dead trees and plants to lead right to where her team is.

And that assumes that she has living things to take it from. If she's in the middle of a forest, fine. If she's in the middle of a desert, that's a problem. It also makes capture extremely risky for her. She could die in a couple of days of captivity if she can't find a chakra source to feed on, even if she's being nourished properly.

Anyway, I'm not saying it's not an advantage. It just think it's a very situational one, and one that could be used against her in other circumstances. It certainly helps that, should she find herself in a lush environment, she can heal the team as often as she needs without any worry of draining her chakra for the day. You know, so long as she finds herself in a place with lots of plant life.

Yeah. Mechanically, all you'd need is sleep. But that's part of the fun, no? She could stay awake and watch over her comrades or do things while the others are resting.. but at the risk of burning herself out.

And that's also an interesting dynamic, the trail you mentioned or the risks she could find herself in. All in all, I find it interesting.

As for the training area, I'm thinking it will have plenty of life. It'll likely be in Kirigakure, so expect a lot of water but not for the whole arena to be a lake or something.

Oh, I haven't forgotten. I'll be keeping my options open on that front. Don't you worry on that.

I was thinking I'd work the whole Chakra Vampire thing into it, actually. The process of draining chakra is kind of a slow one, especially if you have a large pool. If plants aren't available, then extended skin-to-skin contact is necessary. Lots of directions we can play with that idea. Maybe, as she gets lower on chakra, the more "touchy feely" she becomes, even if she doesn't drain chakra from them. And, should she ever be held captive, she'd be potentially denied chakra from plant sources. She'd need to rely on other prisoners, or her captors to sustain her. Interesting ideas to play with.

:3

[Zaer Darkwail]

I am not against idea that you make a 'lustfully hungry' chakra vampire  . Emptier her chakra pool gets, hornier she gets (or more sensitive to touches or such).

[Inerrant Lust]

It would also be an interesting interaction with another character I have in mind who has a similar but distinct ability..

[Vex]

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it was mundane... but that it wasn't so extraordinary that you'd have trouble justifying it existing outside of one place (like, the bearer of Shukaku being a Kumogakure ninja. )

Heh. I know, I was being a bit facetious. I figure you didn't mean it quite to that extent. And you're right that it has no ties to any particular location. I'm trying to find a reasonable place for her to have grown up, in part because it can potentially be anywhere. I'm kinda liking Takigakure at the moment, as it's kind of a remote, out of the way location where a rare disorder/bloodline like this might be hidden away, and the place seems to be rich with it's own secrets. Plus, I just like how it looks ascetically. 

Yeah. Mechanically, all you'd need is sleep. But that's part of the fun, no? She could stay awake and watch over her comrades or do things while the others are resting.. but at the risk of burning herself out.

True. She definitely needs rest less than her allies do (well, unless one of them has really high Con or the Endurance feat, then maybe they could stay up with her). And there's a lot of things she can do in that quiet time. Actually, in a former version of this game, that used to be one of it's biggest advantages. Because they could theoretically restore their chakra all day and night, they had the potential to train all the time in their off-hours (unlike everyone else who's limited to eight hours a day).

They've since added a rather artificial limit to it, purely for balance reasons (they didn't even try to fluff an IC reason for it), to the same training hours as everyone else, but it goes to show how easily that extra time can be used to one's benefit. She can brew shinobi drugs, or make traps, craft poisons or pharmaceuticals in that time, for instance. Or do a bit of scouting, maybe make traps. We can definitely play with that.

And that's also an interesting dynamic, the trail you mentioned or the risks she could find herself in. All in all, I find it interesting.

As do I. I really like the Chakra Vampire for this reason. Mechanically, it really adds little to no advantage (I almost feel cheated by the feat it costs to take), but it's filled with potential RP goodness. I'm really surprised I haven't made one before now. It's very, very fluffy. And perfect to explore in a game where one can take some mature liberties. 

As for the training area, I'm thinking it will have plenty of life. It'll likely be in Kirigakure, so expect a lot of water but not for the whole arena to be a lake or something.

Kirigakure should make for an interesting setting. Maybe even a scary one, but seeing as this is post-Naruto, it's not likely the blood affair it once might had been. I was going to make her have a Fuuton affinity, but I'm at least a little tempted to give her a Suiton affinity instead. My Hyuuga character is Suiton, though, so I'm not sure I wanna run with it. A water rich environment would be ideal for someone to have it, at least. If not her, than someone on her team.

I am not against idea that you make a 'lustfully hungry' chakra vampire  . Emptier her chakra pool gets, hornier she gets (or more sensitive to touches or such).

Heh. Well, I wouldn't go that far. Remember, she's ashamed of this nature of hers. She thinks she's at least a freak, if not an outright monster, and she feels guilty for feeding on others. That's one of the reasons she dedicates herself as Medical nin, to sort of pay back the karmic debt she owes, and use it in a positive way. So, I don't think it makes her horny. But it does alter her behavior, despite her desires, and make her more desperate for skinship. Physically clinging and pressing herself to her partners when she's drained could lead to some rather intimate consequences, and make her more accepting towards affection, which she might find very confusing. Let's not forget this is a bunch of adolescents after all, and that crazy hormonal period is prone to risky behavior and confusing feelings. 

Although, I suppose she could eventually learn to associate the feeling with lust, should she ever come to embrace it, and have a regular partner that she connected with in a sexual way. It'd be kind of like a Pavlovian response, in that case. She could be "conditioned" to make it sexual. It's just not gonna start out that way, and I'm not going to assume it goes that direction.

It would also be an interesting interaction with another character I have in mind who has a similar but distinct ability..

That's the second time you've mentioned that. I'm suitably intrigued. Are you gonna fill us in, or are we just gonna have to find out?

[Inerrant Lust]

Heh. Well, I wouldn't go that far. Remember, she's ashamed of this nature of hers. She thinks she's at least a freak, if not an outright monster, and she feels guilty for feeding on others. That's one of the reasons she dedicates herself as Medical nin, to sort of pay back the karmic debt she owes, and use it in a positive way. So, I don't think it makes her horny. But it does alter her behavior, despite her desires, and make her more desperate for skinship. Physically clinging and pressing herself to her partners when she's drained could lead to some rather intimate consequences, and make her more accepting towards affection, which she might find very confusing. Let's not forget this is a bunch of adolescents after all, and that crazy hormonal period is prone to risky behavior and confusing feelings. 

Although, I suppose she could eventually learn to associate the feeling with lust, should she ever come to embrace it, and have a regular partner that she connected with in a sexual way. It'd be kind of like a Pavlovian response, in that case. She could be "conditioned" to make it sexual. It's just not gonna start out that way, and I'm not going to assume it goes that direction.

Well, for this game- all characters will be 16 and older. For obvious reasons. But I assume you meant that was more innocent than it might be taken for.

I may be inclined to put some kind of 12 year old genius or comic relief or something there, but he or she will be as far removed from any sexiness as possible. It seems like too much trouble to even try.

Also, I mean... you don't have to make her a giant slut, but I imagine draining chakra is... a pleasurable sensation. Especially if she's low on it. It's like a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day.

That's the second time you've mentioned that. I'm suitably intrigued. Are you gonna fill us in, or are we just gonna have to find out?

Keeping it a mystery.

[Vex]

Well, for this game- all characters will be 16 and older. For obvious reasons. But I assume you meant that was more innocent than it might be taken for.

I may be inclined to put some kind of 12 year old genius or comic relief or something there, but he or she will be as far removed from any sexiness as possible. It seems like too much trouble to even try.

I didn't mean that in a creepy way, obviously. I can see why, in a legal concept, someone might stop being an adolescent when they've reached the age of majority (which can be as low as 14, depending on the area), but I was thinking more in a biological concept. Plenty of people are still maturing physically into the late teens and even early twenties. Heck, if I had the choice, I'm not sure anyone should be considered a full adult until sometime in the late twenties. 

No worries. She'll be at least 16 years old. And I'm not going to be a part of having her prey on a twelve year old, at least not in a sexual context.

Also, I mean... you don't have to make her a giant slut, but I imagine draining chakra is... a pleasurable sensation. Especially if she's low on it. It's like a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day.

I didn't say it wasn't pleasurable. I imagine it is. I just said it was confusing. It's just a guilty pleasure that one enjoys at the time, but regrets once they're back to their senses. Hell, feeling good when she does it only probably makes her feel worse about it. Kinda like indulging in a pleasurable sin, for religions that forbid pre-marital sexuality of any sort. It feels good at the time, but that doesn't mean they don't feel horrible about it later. The fact that she feels pleasure from the whole thing, when she knows she shouldn't, has got to add a heavy load to the guilt factor.

Keeping it a mystery.

T'ch. Meanie. 

Anyway, I'm working on the sheet. Things seem to be following onto place really nicely, much more so than in my last sheet for Keelan's game. I'm not sure I'll have anything for you tonight, but I could hopefully have it done by Tuesday. Or at least, ready for inspection.

A couple of questions. First, how are we handling HP in this game? What about Action Points and Wealth?

The Medical Expert feat required for the Medical Specialist class seems pretty lousy as written with the modifications to this system. It once gave +2 to Craft (Pharmaceutical) and Treat Injury checks. That was kinda lackluster before, to be honest, but now it's effectively +2 to one skill. Any chance we could make it higher (maybe +3, like Skill Focus) or add a different skill to it (Investigate might be reasonable). Or, as my preference, change the requirement to the Surgery feat? It fits thematically, is about the same effectiveness as the previous feat, and actually serves a purpose for the prospective Medical-nin.

[Inerrant Lust]

Don't stress out over getting a sheet done tonight. I'm about to go to sleep, myself.

As for wealth, I'm inclined to say... max every level. Judicious use and rationing of chakra might be the deciding factor of things... Action points and wealth will be handled the normal way.

But yeah, I find all the +2 skill feats to be rather lackluster, and they are required for a few PrCs. I suppose Surgery works fine as a replacement.

[Vex]

Don't stress out over getting a sheet done tonight. I'm about to go to sleep, myself.

As for wealth, I'm inclined to say... max every level. Judicious use and rationing of chakra might be the deciding factor of things... Action points and wealth will be handled the normal way.

But yeah, I find all the +2 skill feats to be rather lackluster, and they are required for a few PrCs. I suppose Surgery works fine as a replacement.

Thanks. But, I do sorta want to get it out of the way, at least mostly finished. That way, everyone knows what I'm bringing to the table, and I can focus more on my character's story while we wait and see if we get any more applicants.

You mean, max out the HP? Or do you mean Wealth, like you typed?

I'm not entirely sure what the "normal" way is for Action Points and Wealth when you're starting above first level. The Modern d20 chart on page 204 says that a 6th level character should have a wealth of approximately +8, but in my experience, it's a value that can be difficult to nail down hypothetically, as it really makes a difference whether someone saves or spends along the way. Action Points are said to be half the character's level (so, for any character in this game without a LA, 3).

Or, did you mean that we should roll wealth each level one by one, and use the total sum of action points? Again, I've met different GM who handled these matters in different ways, but if the aforementioned table is on the low side, this is on the rather generous side.

Anyway, I appreciate the quick reply. I just wanted to be clear, so I don't have to bug you any more about it. 

[Inerrant Lust]

Oh yes, I meant max HP.

Wealth is done by rolling profession each level, with it's own set of rues and stuff. I would say do it normally in the sense that you roll each level. Action points are listed in each class's entry. Usually 5 + half your level for base classes and 7 + half your level for PrCs.

Action points only 'resupply' each level and don't add together. So you ought to use them a lot since you'll level quite rapidly in this game.

[Vex]

Gotcha! Makes perfect sense now. Thanks for the clarification!

That should be it from me tonight. I hope you have a good night!

I'm busy on Mondays, so I probably won't have anything until Tuesday at the earliest. But, I'll take as much time as I need for it. Hopefully, we can get at least one more aspiring Chuunin to join along with us soon. 

[Inerrant Lust]

I suppose I should ask what you're looking for in terms of story/character progression and heck, even sexiness. While you'll be working with strangers, there IS the possibility that you'll meet and even oppose your old team mates, the people you thought you'd be working with during the exams..

Of course, this will be a fairly short campaign.. lasting about 2 months in-universe and 2 levels. However long that takes in E.. 

[ShadowFox89]

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Name: Yamagi
Human; Rustblood
Fast Paragon 3/Live Wire 3
Hit Points:
Defense:
Chakra Pool:
Reserve chakra:
Experience:

Attributes:
str: 8
Dex: 18
Con: 17
Int: 14
Wis: 16
Cha: 10

Base attack: +5; Melee +4; Ranged: +9; Unarmed: +
Fortitude: +; Reflex: +; Will: +

Occupation:

Skills: 72pts; rank + ability + misc


Class Features:
Fast: Evasion, Bonus Feat, uncanny dodge
Livewire: Wire Trick x3 (Diamond Wire, Great Reach, Webspinner)

Feats:

Learn Bonuses:
Chakra Control:
Ninjutsu:
Taijutsu:

Techniques:

[Vex]

Welcome ShadowFox! Nice to see we have another taker. Depending on how Keelan decides, we might just have a group already. 

I suppose I should ask what you're looking for in terms of story/character progression and heck, even sexiness. While you'll be working with strangers, there IS the possibility that you'll meet and even oppose your old team mates, the people you thought you'd be working with during the exams..

Of course, this will be a fairly short campaign.. lasting about 2 months in-universe and 2 levels. However long that takes in E.. 

Ha! Yeah, I hear you. While not specifically at E, I once played a single day in a high school game that that took over four months to complete. I don't think it'll get that extreme, but there's certainly potential for even a couple of months of IC to run on for quite some time.

It's a bit unusual to come up with an appropriate story-line for this game. After all, you want it to be interesting, but seeing as this is a short-lived campaign taking taking place in no more than a couple of months, you can't be too interesting. Ambition is great for a long term game, and if this whole thing works out well, I'd love to work a long-term angle over this shinobi's career, but that's not what you're promising, and I certainly am not looking to convince you otherwise. So, it's gotta be something that can be resolved in this relatively short period. I don't particularly expect her to win it. I think she'll do really well in the first two events, even though I expect her to struggle through the survival test, but I'd be surprised if she manages to get past even a single opponent in the third part, seeing as one-on-one battling isn't her thing. I'd still like to give it a try, though. It'll be fun to see what kind of fight she can put up, at least.

At the moment, I'm thinking Shiori (working name, I like it, but I do wonder if it's too close to Akatsuki member Sasori) should end up having a bit of a revelation about herself that helps her grow, much like Neji, Hinata, Sakura, and Ino all have during the Chuunin Exam arc, even though they all lost. Naturally, it should have to deal with her Chakra Vampire status, although it doesn't necessarily have to be ultimately about it. I think it's part of just coming to terms that she'll never be the shinobi she naively wanted to be when she first started as a Genin, but to accept the hand she's been dealt and make the most of it. It might be a harsh situation, one that provides some extra challenges to her but not one that makes her dreams impossible. The comparison to Lee's condition you made earlier isn't an a bad parallel, as it's about adopting an optimistic outlook about it. That can have a variety of outcomes in and of itself, from a begrudging acceptance of the fact, figuring out how to work around it and compensate for it's weaknesses, to a full embrace and enthusiastic exploration of what she had been denying of herself.

I imagine Shiori was a relatively normal Genin for much of the time she started out, so she probably had a fairly normal to good relationship with her teammates. I'm rather fond of the traditional trio the series often relies on, between a reserved genius, a passionate but often foolish shinobi, and a supportive shinobi, so we can run with that. Shinori is inclined toward the latter role, as I think most Iryou-nin are, but I could see her pulling the genius role too. I imagine she got along with them well, until her Suppressed Chakra Retention Disorder fully developed (at around level 3, as per the template), where she grew more distant with them, as she was afraid of them finding out. I imagine her Jonin instructor already knows, and has been helping her cope with it (probably while discretely seeing a Medical-nin advisor on the side), and if she's not the genius on her team, then the one who is might had found out about it through their own digging, although they might not have said anything about it. The passionate member on the team, however, is likely in the dark about the whole thing, but is intensely curious with her sudden change in behavior, her secret meetings with their Jonin, and the lies the whole group has been telling them. It has the potential to collide into a fairly dramatic moment, should the other two meet her in the exams, with either one teammate confronting her about it, or another exploiting her weakness.

As for sexual situations, I'm not really one to plan for anything in particular. I enjoy smut as much as the next person, but to me, the story and a reasonable portrayal of the characters is more important, so much that I'm okay with skipping out on a lot of potentially erotic scenes if it just doesn't make sense or seems disloyal to the character or context. I'm certainly not looking for this story as an excuse to run from one sexy scenario to another. I have no issue with those who like smut-driven games, but it's not what I'm looking for. That said, I have a lot of ideas for things that could potentially come up. The captive situation I mentioned before, for instance. Maybe a sadistic ally extorts his knowledge of her condition and her fear of rejection to their benefit. Maybe she gets seriously drained of chakra and gets put into a position where she can't help the temptation to come into close contact with one of her comrades, in a subtle way so they won't notice. Her condition lends itself toward some mind-twisty and manipulative situations, but normal attraction and curiosity can certainly come into play as well, from occasional nudity or quiet, intimate moments. I don't expect any one particular scene, though. Rather, I just set up specific elements and let things play out as they may, and so long as we have an engaging tale and an enjoyable time with it, I'm cool with whatever we end up with it.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Here is some idea for my char and appearance;

Yoshi Uchiha (son of Sarada Uchicha and Boruto Uzumaki)

Idea behind my char is that he is natural born genius who's grandparents are two greatest known shinobi from last shinobi war (and shadow of their greatness cast him into deep shadow). He at first was thrilled for his awesome grandparents but he soon grew hating it as everyone has super high expectations and he has no control of his life as everything is arranged before him by default and everyone knows his grandparents (and his parents) but nothing about himself (nor have much interest for it either besides what 'great potential' he holds).

Things exploded out of hand further as he manifested sharingan early for even Uchiha clan standards (it was triggered on believing his mother was dead albeit she faked death with genjutsu as part of larger plan to deceive enemy which she and Boruto were hunting down). His parents he does adore but they are often away from missions so most of time he lives with his grandfather; Naruto Uzumaki (which is both hate and love relationship, more so as he is not that keen becoming Hokage if ever). His teammates naturally know his status and are both 'highly honored' to be part of same team with him.....and because of their adoration he does not feel close to them nor count them as close friends because they always view him with rose tinted glasses.

OOC: Build wise thought make him a Smart Hero 3/Shinobi Adept 3 with intermediate bloodline (so he suffers -10% XP penalty as he haven't taken bloodline level after 5th level). He would be heavily ninjutsu user (focus on Katon techniques and genjutsu). He would have genius ninja feat but besides that have not much developed stats wise.

What I would expect for the story is for him get genuine friends from those who do not know him nor his family reputation. He most likely would use alias or clever way not tell his clan name correctly. Also he is easy going and haven't thought his future seriously (he actually disliked from going chuunin exam but he knew if entire team does not join then none of them will, so not wanting upset his teammates and his parents/family, he did not walk out from the exam). He is constantly under hard pressure by everyone to excel as he has great potential.....but he senses lack of freedom and it bothers him and he is not having much fun as he haven't met a genuine challenge for his abilities in his age group (he is not arrogant; he is plainly that good thanks being genius shinobi he feels unchallenged/bored).

So chuunin exam can either drive him more extreme to become lost shinobi or change his view on things.