Ring Tail Woe: Keypoint 2 - South

[Nira]

At the bottom of the Mountain of Blessing was a peculiar cave. This cave had an entrance resembling a narrow triangle pointed towards the sky. At the bottom, it was only about six meters across, but the highest point of the cave was over thirty meters above ground. Certainly one of the tallest caves in the area.

A few hours past noon, the rock surrounding the entrance to this cave began to shimmer with a bright green hue.

To accompany the green hue, glowing white water poured out like a geyser from cracks in the ground. This water began to evaporate instantly, and soon filled the cave with a dense white mist that refused to budge. The fog was absolute, hiding whatever could be found deep in this triangular cavern.

[Deleted]

In the time it took to reach the southern cavern, which gleamed green as though in welcome, Riza had managed not only to retrieve her equipment from the crevasse she'd stashed it in, but also change clothes from her white-and-aqua formalwear to her more eclectic collection of orange and black garments.

She skated in cautiously, feet equipped with legendary air treks known as the Flame Regalia, and scanned the area - both to ward against ambush, though instinct alone would defend her from anyone of her relative ability or weaker, and to see just what the puzzle here might be and if the environment itself might bear clues to its solving. Visibility was poor though, so she had to rely on her Sniper Goggles' Thermal setting, though they could also view Condition and X-ray spectrums. All settings were able to zoom in up to four times her normal sight distance. The communication device in her ear offered only silence for the time being, but if an ally with one of their own were to come into range, it would be an easy matter to change its channel setting to match theirs.

Running a mental inventory of her other equipment, she made sure her fingerless gloves were on securely and patted the vambraces under her sleeves, her eyes rapidly interoperating the differing heat gradients in the rock as the terrain itself. She was in no danger of stumbling, at least, but she hoped there might be some hint to her task at hand. In case it helped, she also beaed forward lights from each her lapel in the form of a circular LED flashlight and her left hand in the form of a six-inch length flashlight. [Observation check?]

Her left wrist bore an ornamental bracelet which was in fact the container for fifty-seven senbon throwing needles, her right hip bore a custom holster for a specialized paintbrush preloaded with poisonous ink and cleansing water, and scattered about her person were various bags and pouches each with their own contents.

Three triple scroll-sized pouches sat on the outer side of each her left and right shoulder as well as over her left breast. The bag on her right shoulder was empty, but the one on the left contained eight pouches which exploded in a fast-hardening gelatinous compound affectionately known as "goo", a baseplate compass, and a lock-picking kit. The bag over her breast contained a multitool, a pair of painting scrolls, and a monocular recording camera.

On her right hip there was a unique hermetically sealed pack containing ten slots of strawberry flavored explosive compound as well as ten slots of non-explosive clay, while on her left - held by a strap going across her right shoulder, was a messenger's bag not unlike that worn by postal workers. Its contents were however far deadlier than theirs: Three smoke grenades, three kunai knives each with an explosive tag attached, and one each of fire, ice, and lightning grenades. Additionally there were three small "soldier pills" tucked away in one of its pockets.

Lastly, on her left buttock hung a somewhat larger pouch, loaded down with eight exploding mine tags, an incendiary exploding tag, an elemental exploding tag of ice and of lightning, four thermal capsules, a map of the known world, three additional paint brush cartridges of water and poison, and four cartridges each of standard ink and oil.

What she lacked in offensive abilities, Riza mused, she made up for in demolitions gear.

["The Titan" Bartholomeus]

[enter]

Ishi approached a cave due south of Nodra. It glowed a odd green glow diffused by a white mist.

"Don't see another cave. I'm regretting this already."

As with the depths of the ocean the dark of a cave or night didn't hinder Ishi's sight. A clarity beyond normal capacity was a blessing. He could perceive every contour as Ishi walked in.

[----]

Still wearing the olive-colored tactical vest, in which lay his varying grenades, Tetsune placed his gas mask on his face now that he stood before the mouth of the southern cavern. A sickly green light waxed and waned from within the orifice, and as he stood beside his comrade, he began to converse with her.

"Ah.. so you've changed--and have your gear," he smirked, "Call me Tetsune." He noticed that she had quite the inventory on her now that they had been facing an unknown chasm. Who knew what lay inside?... Who knew who had been on the other side of the mountain, facing off against them on Queen Pearl's side? The E-rank filters fitted inside of the mask would ensure optimal safety to the Kusanin had any foreign odors been present within the misty cave.

[Nira]

Ishi's comrade, a young girl by the name of Felia E. Gal, arrived at the entrance to the southern keypoint. She followed her ally into the misty cavern, despite the unknown qualities that were being shrouded.

In her pocket were three soldier pills. A small sack was strapped to her belt that contained a slot of explosive tags.

---

Several moments after Riza, Ishi, and Felia entered the foggy cave, they would feel as if they were falling.

If Tetsune followed his teammate inside, he would fill the same sensation.

As they fell, the opaque white fog faded away, revealing a world comprised of floating sand. Indeed that was all this world contained. The distant sky was dark red, and filled with shining yellow stars. The sands were a shade of soft pick, which refused to obey gravity as it floated about.

If those who entered this realm had no method of flight, they would each land on their own floating island of pink sand, completely disconnected from everyone else.

Tetsune, if he entered the cave, would have found himself at the highest sand island. He was about forty meters above Ishi. Felia was five meters lower than Ishi, and twenty meters to Ishi's left. Riza was on the lowest part, with her island being sixty meters below Felia, more than a hundred meters away from Tetsune.

Each island was flat and circular, like a worn pebble on a riverbed.

The moment everyone finished landing, the air would be filled with a screech.

A silver chain would burst out from everyone's sand island, or the closest one to them if they were flying. The chain emerged from the everyone's personal left side. It would fly ahead fifty meters, then attach itself to a large metal cube that materialized out of nowhere. Each metal cube was barely large enough to stand up on.

[Deleted]

This setting was....highly unusual. And incredibly vast. Riza switched off her goggles' thermal setting, and checked out the area by normal sight, zooming in to see distant objects more clearly [Observation Check: locations of allies and enemies @ 77 Skill]. There were four metal cubes scattered among the floating platforms, each attached to a silver chain which in turn connected to one platform. Including her own, it was reasonable to surmise that those platforms were the starting positions of the players in this game, and that the cubes were somehow part of the puzzle.

She took out from her clay pouch an amount of two slots of strawberry clay, popping them in her mouth for later. Mostly the flavor just helped her think, but a few years back she'd devised a method of taking this clay and infusing it with her chakra in order to make it combust. In all likelihood, since this was a puzzle challenge, combat wouldn't be an issue, but if it was she trusted her sixth sense to warn her of any impending assaults that caught her unawares.

So then, to solve the puzzle. The most obvious approach was to examine the pieces. Using her Flame Regalia, Riza would grind along the chain to the cube and alight on it's top to observe by eye if there were any mechanisms or clues on its smooth surface. [Observation Check: Puzzle Clues @ 77 Skill] [Techcraft Check: Control Mechanisms @ 117 Skill]Additionally, by focusing inward and drawing on the strength of her spirit, she would attempt to pierce the veil between worlds to gather additional information.

Her next step would be determined by her findings, and the actions of others, but she would begin the process of steeling herself against the affects of others against her.

---

Know Chakra
Rank: "D" [10 TP]
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: This technique allows the user to detect Chakra energies.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: You tune yourself to the energies of others. This technique's range is 20 meters with a cone effect. User sends their own energy outwards to help them detect and know Chakra energies. The amount of information revealed depends on how long the user studies the particular area or subject. For the 1st Round the user will know if there is presence or absence of chakra energies. 2nd round they learn the number of different Chakra energies and the power of the most potent of Chakra energies. Finally for the 3rd round they will learn the strength and location of each energy. Distance increases 5 meters per class level.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster.

Know Why
Rank: "C" [10 TP]
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: Gain information from an object.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: By touching an object you can get information from the impression a soul has left behind much like a finger print. When learning this technique the user can touch 1 object and the user will find out why the object was made and what it is able to do (Ex. If there are techniques associated with the item). User also gains any activation information and if there are any single techniques within it if applicable (Ex. A scroll with techniques inside).
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster.

•Solid Regard
Rank: "C" [10 TP]
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user becomes Immune to fear and intimidate effects.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The user knows their soul and where it is going and this makes them fearless. This technique only works on the user. This technique lasts for 4 hours per class level. The user becomes Immune to fear and intimidate effects. This includes GenJutsu techniques that are meant to cause Fear.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster.

•Clear Thoughts
Rank: "S" [120 TP]
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user's mind is true and rejects the effects of outside influences.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This technique lasts for 4 hours per class level. The user becomes immune to Charm and Compulsion Techniques unless the opponent is higher class than the user. This technique will also end any existing Charm or Compulsion techniques that have affected the Soulcaster.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster.

---

Heh, just barely inside my seals limit, thoughi have more techs I need to cast after this

["The Titan" Bartholomeus]

Ishi entered the cave, then found himself falling. Around him a world much like the sky rose around him until a cloud of pink sand broke his fall. It held his weight, as if it were the ground. But before Ishi could muse on, a screech filled the air. To his immediate left, a chain shot from the cloud forward linking to a odd cube that appeared in the distance.

A few cubes had appeared near similar clouds. His green partner five meters below and another far away. With nowhere to go besides the cube, Ishi gripped the links and dropped. His upper body made this trek easy, using the same muscles for swimming. Something that he did very well. His pace a gentle crawl, he traveled five links at a time.

Ishi hauled himself onto the cube. Steadying himself with his legs wrapped around the chain. It was an odd thing, just suspended in mid-air. Ishi sat on the cube.

[----]

As he entered the cave, the place fell like gravity had sunken. Through the heavy fog they ventured downward, into a world of quasi-illusion; sand floated like clouds across the sanguine skies. Genpaku noted this all as he opened his eyes from bracing himself.

"Woah.." he gasped, looking down at the sand-cloud that held him up. From his high vantage, he could see his teammate and two others below him. These he had expected to be the ninja prospects of Queen Pearl. He grit his teeth as a sudden screech occurred, which caused a large chain to erupt from the side of the cloud. The iron band stretched some fifty meters to a large steely box.

The Iron Leg noticed what his companion and opponent had been doing--she skated on flames to get to her block; she seemed to be observing it--the shark-man, also had moved to his cube and sat down. Gen would choose to remain on his small island of floating sand, given that it had been connected to the cube for some purpose...

He thought it wise to allow his comrade to examine the cube for their team, while he remained on the island to observe any noticeable aspects of it. Could it move? Be willed perhaps? This had been the cavern of mental power..

SPOILER: Click to show

-- observation at 14⁺²⁰⁺⁵=39

-- additional points come from Smuggler trait

[Nira]

All observation rolls automatically pass. These are factors in plain sight, observation precision is not needed.

---

Felia saw that her teammate was heading towards the mysterious metal cube, so she remained still on the island of sand. Being slightly afraid of the surroundings, she sat down and hugged her knees for comfort.

---

Those that reached the cube would find a message carved into the surface, written in the common language. Considering how this was supposed to be an ancient mountain, this was almost proof that there was an intelligence behind these trials.

The message is as follows:

"This calls for two together, and that is what we are.
But if you want to find us, don't look in our stars.
If we switch for evil, we hide the blushing bride.
Though when we don't divert, trees grow on its hide.
To make this, we find no parts in thieves.
Who are we, as made without us in eaves?"

[Deleted]

And suddenly all of Riza's vast intellect proved utterly worthless.

It was a god-damned riddle. She was no good at riddles. They never made a blasted lick of sense. In a fit of pique, she would allow her chakra to seep into her mouth, shaping the clay she'd begun chewing earlier into something far beyond a comforting flavor. No, now it would prove a coping mechanism. Or at least a defense if her current plan went pear-shaped.

Her paintbrush was suddenly in hand, and she withdrew her painting scroll s well, crafting upon it the visage of a mid-sized beast in black and white and the shimmering green of poison - an owl. Her hands formed a series of seals and it floated off the page, where she replaced her goods and sat astride the beast.

Off she flew, to the individual she deemed most equal to herself. The shark man. Her arms were raised in a gesture of truce, as she approached hopefully to hover in front of him. If permitted close, she would give a polite bow from owlback, sweeping one arm in front of her in a gesture of greeting toward him. In the instant her arm had a direct line to him, an invisible fragment of her soul would cross the distance and latch on to his own, making him friendly toward her. Or at east friendlier than he was likely to be otherwise. And only so long as she did not attack him.

"Any idea what's going on?" she questioned, tucking the clay surreptitiously into her cheek like a squirrel, "I just got a riddle on my box. I'm lousy at riddles."

---

•Gahou Tenrai (Divine Art of Drawing & Painting)
Rank: E-Rank, Supplementary [5 TP]
Effect: A skill that lets the user draw in amazing detail and speed.
Description: This technique cannot be classified as a Nin, Gen, or Taijutsu because it is not a technique but rather a developed skill for members of the Li Clan. It allows them to draw what they see or from memory with exact detail and amazing speed. This is the clan’s most basic technique needed for them to use most clan jutsus.
Limit: Clan Jutsu




•Ninpou: Choju Giga
Rank: “C”, “B”, “A” Ranks [50 TP]
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Allows the user to bring to life and control a set amount of drawings or paintings.
Special: “Hand Seals”
Drawback: The objects are made out of ink, and thus very weak. Most “D” rank attacks have the ability to completely destroy the ink creations, no matter of their own size.
Description: The user will rapidly draw several objects, usually animals, on a scroll. Then, performing the right handseals, the user will bring those objects to life and use them for offensive purposes. The monsters, made of ink, also share any special properties that the ink has.
•“C” Rank- Allows for a maximum of ten small creatures at once or five medium sized creatures. This ability may be re-trained in order to increase the number of small creatures by two and the number of medium creatures by one each time this is learned. After the initial time learning this technique and four additional trainings, the user is required to perform “B” ranked training to learn more.

•Kuchisaki Seichuu (Mouth Control)
Rank: C-ranked, [10 TP]
Skill: Passive, Supplementary
Effect: Considered a type of training method (See below)
Special: ---
Drawback: (See below)
Description: The Sankuchi clan's chakra circulation system differs from normal people. There bodies Tenketsu (Aka chakra points) are located and are concentrated in different areas compared to others (while still containing 361 chakra points). This relocation of tenketsu alters the flow of there chakra within there body, leading to a rather unbalance system. It is because of this unbalanced chakra system that a Sankuchi can propagate a unnatural flow of chakra within there body and concentrate chakra into extreme amounts into on area (I.E Mouths), leading to the formation of there amazing and powerful clay bombs. Unfortunately, one is not innately born with the knowledge to control these differentiating flows of chakra. A user is taught and trained to teach there body to flow its chakra properly to there hand mouths/main mouth. If left untrained, the user’s flow of chakra may be directed dangerously within their body (being concentrated in one area to a far higher degree then another).
Because of this, there chakra can potentially bring harm, or even lead to the destruction of their own body (from the inside out). “Back fire” is the term used to explain an over flow of chakra into one area in the body, and being unable to remove said chakra at an equal rate. One could literally leave there body permanently damage, ruined or blown off.
With awakening and the addition of new mouths on the user’s body, this flow of chakra fundamentally shifts over and over again. The user must relearn “mouth control” a total of three times allowing for a balanced flow of chakra to each mouth (Once for the users main mouth, twice for the user's second mouth in there left hand, a third time for the user's mouth in there right hand. There mouths also learn how to move upon the users will just as any other mouth, molding clay and infusing chakra directly into the clay during mastication.
For those who are born with the rare "Fourth Mouth", their is no current way to train one's body to balance chakra flow to this mouth. This mouth is nearly uncontrollable by anyone in the Clan, even to the clans most powerful and wisest elders. Its volatile nature spells emanate death for anyone and must be sealed away.
Limit: Sankuchi Blood line. Three times learned max.

•“Tagging Bomb”
Rank: C-ranked [10 TP]
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: A clay creation that explodes downward into its target.
Special: Refer to “Katsu”
Consumes 2 slots for one mouth.
(Maximum size: small size creature)
(Maximum amount: 1 creature for two slots used)
Drawback: Time and preparation. (See more below)
Description: After molding and infusing a piece of clay, the user may form a creature they wish from clay (Non-flying types only; usually spiders, insects, etc. Small size) This clay creation moves about, fulfilling the users desires and searches for nearby targets. Once a target is acquired, this little bomb attaches itself onto its enemy. The user then commands this bomb to explode inward on its target, with the equivalent force of 1 “Exploding tag”. There is a small 2-second delay between the command of the user and the bomb from the bombs initial latching, which can allow the enemy to brush off the bomb. If the bombs is not removed in the given time period, this blast can seriously harm the target. Although the blast radius is roughly 1 meters in size, it is a blast that is concentrated within that 1 meters, which is why it can be very harmful if used correctly. The blast can leave 3rd degree burns in its wake and minor lacerations as well. If luckily brushed off by the target, the blast does not become lethal (when off the body). Once it is knocked off, the clay bomb cannot attach itself to its target any more.
Limit: Must know "Katsu", Kuchisaki Seichuu (Mouth Control) at least once, C-ranked "Touji Hyu-zu" (Clay Infusion) and C-ranked "Touji Itonami "(Clay Life


•Soulcasting Movement
Rank: "C" [10 TP]
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User gains the capabilities of performing any and all Soulcaster Techniques while moving.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: A simple technique that allows the user to move around in battle while performing their Soulcaster Techniques. The user becomes accustomed to performing Soulcaster Techniques. So much so they are now capable of moving without having to stand still to do so.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster. Must have 500 TP as a Soulcaster

Charming Soul
Rank: "B" [60 TP]
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: You tether part of your soul with the soul of another. This bond makes your target friendly to you.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The user streams out a piece of their soul in a ray effect to the distance of 15 meters plus 5 meters per class level. User targets only 1 target at a time. When the user strikes the attack they create a tethered bond between the souls making the target friendly to the user. User may not move further than the distance they can perform the technique or else the tether will be disrupted. This technique only works on one target at a time. This technique lasts for 4 hours per class level. If the target is a class higher than the user this technique will not work. This technique adds a +2 TP per post to Doubutsu Kougi 動物交宜 (Animal Friendship), Doubutsu Satori 動物覚り (Animal Understanding), Doubutsu Chīmuwāku (Animal Teamwork) technique as long as the user gains at least 5 TP within the post. Attacking the target will disrupt and stop the technique.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster.

["The Titan" Bartholomeus]

Ishi peered between his legs. Besides, the infinite infinite below, lay a riddle. He read it. It confused him. Art was thrown overboard in most cases, paintings, poems, novels; into the drink. As he mused over golden days, something caught his eye. Another participant. This person wasn't in their meeting. Enemy.

"Are you surrendering?"

He hopped to his feet, right hand over the grip of his Dotanuki. She bowed. Ishi felt a odd feeling. He relaxed his posture and faced the flying girl.

"Riddles? Nah. I'm just as stumped as you." A sharp sneer crossed his face. "But, I noticed something. I'm willing to share. For half."

[----]

Leaving his comrade to her devices--which involved her teaming up with the opposition--Genpaku chose to try to dig through the pink sands. Maybe he could find something buried.. he made sure not too dig too deep, though - the other side of the sandy oasis opened to a bottomless world of deep red.

[Nira]

The participants were unable to decipher the answer to the riddle engraved in the metal cube. As a result, the voice of an unknown man fluttered into everyone's mind. He spoke of unintelligible gibberish, but a strange sense of understanding dawned.

This voice gave the answer to the riddle, as well as how it was deciphered.

The answer was...

The Letters 'E' and 'V'

This calls for two together, and that is what we are... so the answer is a pair.

But if you want to find us, don't look in our stars... The letters 'E' and 'V' are not in 'our stars', nor are they in this entire line. All other lines of the riddle at least contained the letter E.

If we switch for evil, we hide the blushing bride... If 'E' and 'V' switch places in 'Evil', it becomes 'Veil', an object that hides a blushing bride.

Though when we don't divert, trees grow on its hide... If 'E' and 'V' don't exist in 'Divert', it becomes 'Dirt', where trees grow.

To make this, we find no parts in thieves... To make the word 'This', you take out all the 'E' and 'V' in 'Thieves'

Who are we, as made without us in eaves?... The word 'as' is made if 'E' and V' aren't in the word 'Eaves'

---

Felia's eyes lit up as she understood the answer to a riddle she never saw. No one saw fit to share the contents of the metal cube, so she was left in the dark.

---

Suddenly, the chains that linked each cube and island began to glow. A pulse of energy shot out from the cube, across the glowing chain, and into the pink sands.

Genpaku, while digging through the sands, would suddenly find himself blasted back. He wouldn't fall off the island, but he'd be displaced.

From all four of the chained sand islands, a pillar of sandstone rose.

On this pink pillar, there were three small craters, and three small statues.

One of the statues was of a bird. The next was of a crying girl. The final statue was a large stick.

On the side of the pillar, there was a message forged from white sand.

Now that you have gained the lead, and found the great cube's pair, place these three into their homes, and triumph is yours.

The leftmost hole must hold the place where many meet.

Only a method to move your head, but still your shoulders, desires to be in the middle.

That which leaves a broken cloth will find its peace to the right.

[Deleted]

"Half of what exactly?" was all she managed to utter with regards to the shark man's offer before a new spectacle arose from the fragments of the old. Still she hovered, and the Shark sat upon his metallic moorings, but the other two...they stood upon the very sand these pillars rose from, and were in danger thus of falling into the abyss.

With the chakra in her mouth sufficiently infusing her brain-stimulating clay, she swooped over to the shark-man's pillar, examining the newest puzzle. She chewed in consideration a moment, before spitting out the pinkish wad, her skillful tongue having shaped it's every contour inside her mouth into a more leasing form, that of latrodectus mactans - the black widow. It would sit inert and lifeless until she decided otherwise for herself, or until the chakra within leeched into the atomosphere, robbing it of its unique properties.

If the shark were amenable to elaborating on his offer, she would of course hear him out, but also she would craft first a second owl of ink in the air, and then split off a large fragment of her soul which would shape into anither version of herself, garbed as her mind desired in the pale white-and-aqua formalwear that would make identifying them easier. At her will the clone, hereafter referred to as Rita, would come into being as though she were climbing out from inside her host, reaching to pull herself astride the other owl. Being that they were originally of the same mind, Rita already knew of Riza's intent, and immediately soared off to confer with the one calling himself Tetsune.

"That would be my other half flying away now. Rita. My name is Rin. Corrine Mordio, a scholar from the Sound Country. It's a pleasure to meet you," She offered one of her several false identities, doing her best to give the impression not only that she was being absolutely truthful, but that she was a genuine and friendly sort of impeccable trustworthiness. Completely contrary to her selfish and conniving nature in truth. That she was also a shinobi would go unspoken, likely a ready assumption despite that she rarely wore her identifying headband openly. She had a habit of preferring to keep it in her bags when in potentially hostile territory, since in addition to being terrible at puzzles, she was terrible at defending herself from. "She's just heading off to confer with my apparent companion. No idea who he is, just met him a minute ago. Calls himself Tetsune."

---

When Rita approached Tetsune on his own island, offering assistance with not falling off should such be needed, she would fend off any concerns he might have. "Relax. I haven't gone turncoat. I have a plan. Regarding this puzzle though...I can't say for sure I know the answer, but my current theory would have to be, left to right, bird-stick-girl. The 'many meet' could be the many feathers meeting to form the wing, the 'move head with still shoulders' might be referring to the spinal column, and the 'broken cloth' is definitely a handkerchief. A crying girl needs a handkerchief."

It was of course just a preliminary guess. She would Observe each of the pieces to see more about them, such as the variety of bird or wether the "stick" was some manner of tree or bone. The crying girl was fairly self explanatory, but one couldn't be too sure. Each piece would be examined from multiple angles, turned over in her nimble hands, before offered to Tetsune to do with as he would.

---

Chouju Giga (again)

•Soul Split
Rank: "S" [120 TP]
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User makes a clone of themselves that can act independent of themselves.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: With a great show of will the user rips their soul in half effectively making a copy of themselves. The duration of this technique is 4 hours per class level. By performing this technique the user makes a full size copy of themselves. This copy is the user as much as the user is a copy of it. The user takes their chakra and splits it in half. This means that the user must now work with half of their energy, and half of the capabilities when dealing with Soulcaster techniques. The same can be said with the copy. At any time one of the copies can dismiss the other no matter what the range may be. If one is dismissed or if they are killed it does not bring back the chakra or energy, however the user will know. If one is killed the other copy is stunned for 1 round. If dismissed or killed any extra items they are carrying drops to the ground as the copy vanishes.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster

["The Titan" Bartholomeus]

"Your prize, of course. Much less to gain here otherwise."

The riddle played in his mind as an odd language but he understood. She introduced herself as Corrin Mirido. Ishi felt suddenly different about Rin as she flew to his sand island, which, had grown a pillar. 'Rin' an enemy through and through but he would try to maintain this air of civility. With such a 'friend' nearby, he would stay upon his cube.

[----]

While Tetsune searched the sands, the chains that linked cube to island started to to glow; soon after, a blast of energy hit his island and caused him a bit of recoil. The Seitetsu teen fell face first into the sand. He had been irritated by the sudden movement. Once he stood up, a set of three pillars began to rise from the stand. The first riddle had been given to the contestants, yet another stood before the Kusanin. His team then approached him on an ink-cast owl. She had displayed a technique similar to the kunoichi known as D from his village..

"I see," he said, as she explained the puzzle to him. He allowed her to examine the items thoroughly, and gave them an eye of his own judgement. Had her theory proven wrong, then he would try his own variation. Carefully he placed in the following orders the statues:

Bird-Stick-Girl. He stood atop the pink sand, eyes intrigued to see what would transpire next in this world of illusion.

[Nira]

Relevant Dice Rolls:
narutoforumrp.proboards.com/post/944915/thread

As Rita examined the statues, she found a fair bit more detail than before.

The statue of the bird had long legs hidden near the bottom, blocked mostly by the wings. The bird also had a thin, curvy neck that was partially tucked inwards. This was... a heron or crane?

Although there wasn't much to be revealed about the crying girl, there was something odd. On her face, hidden partially by her hands, was a single line colored white. The line was as thin as a thread, made up of minuscule beads of white sand, which led from the bottom of her closed left eye and down to her chin.

The stick simply appeared to be a branch ripped from a tree. It was a bit thicker on one end than the other.

---

Nothing happens for Ishi

---

After Tetsune put the statues in the crater-like slots, a transparent barrier surrounded each one. Nothing else happened, but it seemed that the statues were impossible to extract, now.

---

Felia carefully examined the bird statue. When she turned it upside down, her eyebrows shot up.

"Huh!" she said, apparently realizing something.

Felia immediate put the bird statue into the center slot. A transparent barrier, resembling thick glass, surrounded the bird statue. It couldn't be removed for the time being.

[Deleted]

Rita, after examining the pieces and conferring with Tetsune, would fly back to her own platform, to input a different sequence than did her colleague. After all, it appeared that once inserted the pieces could not be removed. Armed with new information, she would place the crane in the central space, as in the term of to crane ones neck, which would move the head up or down without affecting the shoulders.

As for the other pieces...well, there were two choices. She had to anticipate what her other half might come up with in conference with the shark man, and make the opposite decision. Perhaps the girl, with its multitude of tiny parts involved in the single tear, could be where many would meet? Then again, the branch could be the same - where many leaves meet to feed a tree, and could likely shred cloth at sufficiecnt velocity as well. Hrm. Riza would probably lean toward the crying girl being where many meet, as it was a less obvious answer. She always did tend to overthink matters.

And thus would she insert the branch into the left, and the girl into the right.

---

Meanwhile Riza, who was playing herself off as Corrine from the Sound Country who was not in fact a ninja beholden to any one village, noticed the soul tether between herself and the Shark snapping a little over half way to the platform. Oh well, it had done it's job. Even if he regarded her with less than absolute trust now, any potential hostility had been diffused. For now.
Making certain her back was to the man, she would closely examine the "stick" piece...or so it would appear at such a long distance she hoped. Indeed, she did hold the piece in her hand, but was in fact performing a single, very special hand seal around it, as subtly as she could manage. No immediate effects would be apparent anyway, even if her seal was noted, so the logical explanation was that she was using some kind of examination technique. She had already called herself a researcher after all, which was not completely untrue. It was simply that her preferred areas of research were in art, history, and biology, and technology of which this was none of the above.

Picking up the other two pieces after her spider of clay gained a semblance of life, she would remount her owl and return to the shark. Her spider would remain perfectly still, and would not have grown any, as it's objective was to remain small and unnoticed, perhaps even to die without exploding if it proved not to be needed.

"You say you found 'something', but not what that might be. Depending on that, you might very well have a deal. I've been promised payment on success or failure alike, though naturally greater on success. You're welcome to the money, though if Lemur's side wins the game I'll need to herbs he promised for my studies. That's really the only reason we aren't on the same side already, I couldn't care less who has control over the mountain. I took the liberty of examining the new puzzle. The answer to the last one was terrible - how were we expected to know that garbage? - but I think I might have something on this one. The middle is definitely the bird, there's no doubt. But I think the left might be the girl, and the right the stick. Feel free to look yourself, Mr...I'm sorry, I forgot to ask your name, I've been too busy running my mouth. I promise I'm not always like this I just don't get to meet new people very often and well...to be honest you have a very...unique look. Er, anyway the puzzle wants something where many of something meet in the left, a way of moving your neck without moving your shoulders in the middle - the bird. It's a crane. Craning your neck. It's a pun, get it? - and something that leaves broken cloth behind. You ever fall through a ree from above? I have. These owls require focus to maintain when I'm flying to new research sites. Fell asleep once. My clothes were wrecked. I'm babbling again, I'm so so sorry."

---

•"Touji Itonami "(Clay Life)
Rank: D, C, B, A, S ranked [80 TP]
Skill: Ninjutsu, supplementary.
Effect: Allows the user to give a prepped clay certain desired characteristics. Allow the user to control the clay creature. (See more below)
Special: Please refer to “Katsu”.
The speed at which a user can infuse the piece of clay is directly dependent of the user rank of "Touji Hyu-zu" (Clay Infusion). The The amount of bombs; the amount of clay slots used to make a bomb; the size of the clay bomb; the maximum distance in which a clay creature may travel; and the amount of hands required to make a bomb will be stated within the bomb itself. (See more below)
Drawback: The user must have prepped a piece of clay using "Touji Hyu-zu" (Clay Infusion). (See more below)
Description: Clay Life is the true culmination of what a clay creation can really do. Directly after the user completes the fusion process derived from "Touji Hyu-zu" (Clay Infusion), he or she commands their mouth the spit out the piece of clay into their palm. The user further refines and molds this piece of clay using their fingers as it rests in his or her palms. During this refinement process, the users taps into their memory bank and focuses on a desired shape and characteristic they wish to endow their clay bomb with. This selected design is usually something which they have seen and witnessed from real life already. Once they are completed with the refinement process, a small clay version of what they desired rests within there hands. This refined piece of clay may take the shape of a variety of creatures; from insects to birds to reptiles or even mammals and must be stated by the user. (Some restrictions on what type of creature can be produced will stated by the jutsu itself).

From this point on, "Katsu" is used to enlarge their clay creature to a desired size. While enlarged and fully formed, the clay creature will Permanently act in the same mannerism as the creature it is molded after and Only the mannerism of the clay creature it is molded after. A Clay bird will fly, A clay spider will crawl, a Clay fish will swim, etc. Information and restrictions on the clay creature is stated within the jutsu. This entire process of refinement is far quicker then the infusement process and posting time is not required in this case. The user rank within this jutsu determines which bomb he or she can create. If the user only knows the D-ranked version of "Touji Itonami "(Clay Life) he or she may only control D-ranked bombs. If the user only knows the C-ranked version of "Touji Itonami "(Clay Life) he or she may only control C-ranked bombs, and D-ranked bombs before that; and so on and so forth until S-rank (though some Bombs can state other wise).
Each clay creature has a varying enlarged size and shape:

D-rank Clay life: allows for the creation of creatures of the small size, no larger then a foot ball (6 inches in length, unless otherwise stated by the jutsu itself).
C-rank Clay life: allows for the creation of creatures of the medium size, no larger then a small table (6 in- 4ft in length, unless otherwise stated by the jutsu itself).
B-rank Clay life: allows for the creation of creatures of the large size, no larger then a table (4ft-8ft in length, unless otherwise stated by the jutsu itself).
A-rank Clay life: allows for the creation of creatures of the Huge size, no larger then a car (8ft-12ft in length, unless otherwise stated by the jutsu itself).
S-rank Clay life: allows for the creation of creatures of the Epic size, (12ft- in length, stated by the jutsu itself).


The clay creature follows the users will on a near telepathic level. The user dictates which direction a clay creature may go and also dictates when the clay creature will detonate. A clay creature cannot act and attack on its free will and requires the users command. It cannot move to areas which the user does not know or see and detonate thereafter. (This does not apply to certain clay bombs). The clay creature cannot travel great distances from the user or last indefinitely. The maximum distance in which the clay creature can move is the same as the user's visual distance (a normal human visual distance). As this distance increases, it becomes harder to control clay creature(s). Beyond the visual range, the user is unable to maintain control of their clay creature and they become useless as they cannot detonate (though some Bombs can state other wise).The users chakra that has been imbued into the clay creature does not last longer then 1 minute if not detonated (unless the jutsu states differently as well). Afterwards, the users chakra completely dissipates form the clay creature, returning it into harmless lumps of shapeless clay, regardless of what rank bomb has been created.
Limit: Sankuchi blood line. Must be learned Multiple time as the user cannot gain A rank without first knowing D, C and B ranks. Must know "Kuchisaki Seichuu" (Mouth Control)

•“Tagging Bomb”
Rank: C-ranked [10 TP]
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: A clay creation that explodes downward into its target.
Special: Refer to “Katsu”
Consumes 2 slots for one mouth.
(Maximum size: small size creature)
(Maximum amount: 1 creature for two slots used)
Drawback: Time and preparation. (See more below)
Description: After molding and infusing a piece of clay, the user may form a creature they wish from clay (Non-flying types only; usually spiders, insects, etc. Small size) This clay creation moves about, fulfilling the users desires and searches for nearby targets. Once a target is acquired, this little bomb attaches itself onto its enemy. The user then commands this bomb to explode inward on its target, with the equivalent force of 1 “Exploding tag”. There is a small 2-second delay between the command of the user and the bomb from the bombs initial latching, which can allow the enemy to brush off the bomb. If the bombs is not removed in the given time period, this blast can seriously harm the target. Although the blast radius is roughly 1 meters in size, it is a blast that is concentrated within that 1 meters, which is why it can be very harmful if used correctly. The blast can leave 3rd degree burns in its wake and minor lacerations as well. If luckily brushed off by the target, the blast does not become lethal (when off the body). Once it is knocked off, the clay bomb cannot attach itself to its target any more.
Limit: Must know "Katsu", Kuchisaki Seichuu (Mouth Control) at least once, C-ranked "Touji Hyu-zu" (Clay Infusion) and C-ranked "Touji Itonami "(Clay Life)

•“Katsu”
Rank: E Rank [5 TP]
Skill: Special handseal.
Effect: ---
Special: ---
Drawback: If the user performs "Katsu" for detonation, their is no way to stop the detonation. The Bomb will explode no matter what (Though Certain bombs may be the exception to this rule, stated by the jutsu itself ).
If the user uses "Katsu" to enlarge a clay creature, that said clay creature Cannot revert back to its minuter version. The clay creature enlarges no matter what (Though Certain bombs may be the exception to this rule, stated by the jutsu itself).
Description: A special handseal. This seal denotes "Concentration". A sankuchi uses this sign for a variety of purposes; whether it is to alter the size of certain creations, cause a creation to detonate or give a special effect stated by a certain jutsu/clay creation. The handseal is one of the users hand head upward, his/her index and middle finger held upward, while his/her thumb, ring finger and pinky held inward towards the palm. The user may also hold both the index and middle fingers of both there hands together, crossing there pinky and ring finger, with there thumbs meeting as well. (Either way gives the same effect, no being superior to the other). Katsu is used in a the majority of the Sankuchi jutsus, and its effects are constant unless otherwise stated.

"Katsu" detonates any bomb the user selects, but detonates all of the same bombs for the same set. For example, if the user creates 2 clay spiders for "Tagging bombs" and 2 clay Birds for "Grenade", the user may choose to detonate the clay birds used for "Grenade" and Not the spiders used for "Tagging bomb".
However, the user detonates all the Clay birds at the same time and not one after another. In the case above, once the user decides to detonate the 2 clay birds used in "Grenade", they are both destroyed at the same time. (Some Jutsus may be the exception to this rule, stated by the jutsu itself).
Limit: Only useful to the Sankuchi. Anyone may learn this, but why?

["The Titan" Bartholomeus]

"All the excitement is over there."

Back across the chain on his cloud, Her clone messed around on his cloud. 'Rin' came back, just as quick, and began rambling. Outside of asking his name, which he'd respond:

"Ishi."

He'd let the rapid fire words wash over him.

"This is all very crazy. But I need to check on my partner. Green as seaweed, that one. Any chance you could ferry me to my partner down there?"

[----]

Genpaku had tried to move the statues once nothing seemed to happen, yet once he moved towards them, he noticed a barrier which kept him from interacting with the structures. Had his comrade's answer been incorrect?... Before he could turn to face the woman, her doppelganger had already vanished on its mount. Tetsune rushed to the edge of his platform to see if he could discern what actions the enemy team had done. Given that he held the highest vantage, he felt that it wouldn't be hard to see his team mate and the shark-male; it was the other contestant that he couldn't hardly see. Grumpily, he sat down cross-legged on his sand platform, looking at the three pillars to see what other mystic force would overcome them.