Honing One's Skills [T]

[Not Drawl]

This will be my training thread devoted to the development of Izyrin's skills. I will often post my skill training over multiple posts before stopping for grading. I will distinguish this by stating at the end of the last post [Pause for Rolls]. I hope you all enjoy these posts.

[Not Drawl]

SPOILER: Click to show

History, Local (Land of Earth)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Skill
Effect: The character with this skill is a storehouse of facts about the history of a region the size of a Country.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The character with this skill is a storehouse of facts about the history of a region the size of a Country. For example, the character will know when the ruined tower on the hill was built and who built it (and what happened to him). He knows what great heroes and villains fought and fell at the old battlefield and what great treasure is supposed to be kept in a local temple. He knows how the mayor of the next town miraculously grew hair on his balding pate. A GM can provide information about local sites and events as the user requests it when pertaining to an Event. Furthermore, the user can try to retell these events as entering stories. Once the subject is chosen, they can attempt a skill check and, if successful, add that tale to their repertoire. The character can tell these stories to entertain others, however, telling stories to hostile beings is probably not going to do any good. If user has 25 or more Ranks in History, Local (Specific Country) user gains a Synergy Bonus +10 to Evidence Analysis to Profile, and gain Information on people. If user has 25 or more Ranks in Culture user gains a Synergy Bonus +10 to History pertaining to the Culture. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

Post #1
0/5 TP
0/125 SP
5 rolls, +1 per roll from Eidetic Memory

---

Izyrin had been six years old when his mentor and father-figure had taught him the history of the Earth Country. Two years later, as the child stared out of the window of his apartment at the Iwagakure city-scape, he attempted to recall this basic history for the benefit of actually using it in the present time as a Genin of the village. Thankful, as one with eidetic memory, this recall took only concentration and not any extensive reference to literary resources.

Natrix had stressed to Izy from the get go the usefulness of the names the country were called by. He had described them as conventional and local names, coming in both long and short forms. Izy had understood what his teacher had meant by local and only assumed conventional meant more formal. Regardless, Izy had to know these four names before Natrix would tell him anymore. So Izy forced himself to remember that Tsuchi no Kuni was to be used conventionally, while Land of Earth was to be used locally. If he was feeling extra frisky, which the child often was, he could simply call it earth within the boundaries of the country and know that those around him would understand.

Natrix had held up both hands to stress the number of countries that bordered the Land of Earth, six in total. Izy broke his gaze away from the window long enough to pick his baseplate compass and orient himself to the cardinal directions. His window faced south, which made his recollection all the easier. Plus, he had come up with a silly phrase to remember which country laid where along the southern borders of the country. Would Green Rats Scare Brown Bears? Of course they would, Izy thought with a wide grin! Because Waterfall and Grass were to the southeast, Rain and Stone to the south, and Bear and Bird to the southwest.

Izy didn’t have to come with any funny phrase to remember the name of the ocean that bordered the Land of Earth in the east. Tamon-ten was a funny enough of a name to recollect without any help. There were other fairly large rivers and lakes running through the country, which Izy noticed was one of the biggest on the world map every time he looked at it, was one of the largest in the known world. That fascinated the child.

The Land of Earth was one of the five major nations with a storied history that bred hard people in this hard land.

[Not Drawl]

SPOILER: Click to show

History, Local (Land of Earth)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Skill
Effect: The character with this skill is a storehouse of facts about the history of a region the size of a Country.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The character with this skill is a storehouse of facts about the history of a region the size of a Country. For example, the character will know when the ruined tower on the hill was built and who built it (and what happened to him). He knows what great heroes and villains fought and fell at the old battlefield and what great treasure is supposed to be kept in a local temple. He knows how the mayor of the next town miraculously grew hair on his balding pate. A GM can provide information about local sites and events as the user requests it when pertaining to an Event. Furthermore, the user can try to retell these events as entering stories. Once the subject is chosen, they can attempt a skill check and, if successful, add that tale to their repertoire. The character can tell these stories to entertain others, however, telling stories to hostile beings is probably not going to do any good. If user has 25 or more Ranks in History, Local (Specific Country) user gains a Synergy Bonus +10 to Evidence Analysis to Profile, and gain Information on people. If user has 25 or more Ranks in Culture user gains a Synergy Bonus +10 to History pertaining to the Culture. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

Post #2
0/5 TP
?/125 SP
5 rolls, +1 per roll from Eidetic Memory

---

The general climate of the Land of Earth was subarctic to temperate, depending on what part of the country you found yourself in and what season of the year as well. The winter was especially harsh to those in the northern parts of the nation, as well as in the more mountainous areas across the landscape. Along the coasts where it was less hilly and along the southern parts of the country, the winters were more mild and kind to the residents of the villages and cities there.

In regards to the natural regions that the Land of Earth was comprised of were the four following: Arctic, Coastal, Mountain, River, and Volcano. Most of these were self-explanatory when Natrix taught Izy about them and he himself could explain to anyone about all except the volcano region. Even the average child understood that the mountain region consisted mountains and river regions required a river to be running through it. As to where the Volcano was, well, Izy at least knew the Land of Earth had one.

As to where the major villages of the Land of Earth presided, Izy did not ever have to refer to the national map he owned that placed them there. Iwagakure, his new home, was the eastern most village of significant size in the Land of Earth, residing on the western bank of the last major river before you cross over to the more coastal areas of the country. Soseki, the country’s capital, was smack dab in the middle of the country, far from the two major rivers of Earth Country. Finally, Aron Nejiro, or the Iron Citadel, was the westernmost city on the west bank of the west river. Izy nods at this recollection. He specifically remembered Natrix stressing the west-ness of the Citadel city, almost to the point of redundancy.

[Not Drawl]

SPOILER: Click to show

History, Local (Land of Earth)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Skill
Effect: The character with this skill is a storehouse of facts about the history of a region the size of a Country.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The character with this skill is a storehouse of facts about the history of a region the size of a Country. For example, the character will know when the ruined tower on the hill was built and who built it (and what happened to him). He knows what great heroes and villains fought and fell at the old battlefield and what great treasure is supposed to be kept in a local temple. He knows how the mayor of the next town miraculously grew hair on his balding pate. A GM can provide information about local sites and events as the user requests it when pertaining to an Event. Furthermore, the user can try to retell these events as entering stories. Once the subject is chosen, they can attempt a skill check and, if successful, add that tale to their repertoire. The character can tell these stories to entertain others, however, telling stories to hostile beings is probably not going to do any good. If user has 25 or more Ranks in History, Local (Specific Country) user gains a Synergy Bonus +10 to Evidence Analysis to Profile, and gain Information on people. If user has 25 or more Ranks in Culture user gains a Synergy Bonus +10 to History pertaining to the Culture. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

Post #3
0/5 TP
?/125 SP
5 rolls, +1 per roll from Eidetic Memory

---

Izy had been fascinated to learn that the denizens of the Earth Country called themselves Terrans, which also happened to be the name of the language of earthen people which Izy had developed an early fluency in. It was ironic to the child but also in his young view of the world, made perfect sense. It was not to say that the people living here were actually made from the earth. It simply meant they considered themselves a part of the Earth Country. A minute difference to a minute child. Besides, the most-spoken language in Earth Country was not Terran, but common. Though the child had heard the slow-drawl of the former here and there in Iwagakure in his short time here, so he supposed it had to be spoken elsewhere.

As to the racial and ethnic groups, Izy could vividly recall the percentage of non-bloodlimit settlements (41%) that were scattered across the Land of Earth. They were predominately located in the more mountainous regions close to fresh water sources like rivers or lakes. Geographically, the three major cities of Earth country fell under this category. The Bloodlimit population (59%) were thus found in more secluded areas of the country. When Izy had asked Natrix why this was the case, his old mentor had simply said it was sometimes dangerous to have such a heritage. He would not answer the child when he asked if he had a Bloodlimit and specifically told him to never ask again. So Izy didn’t.

Unsurprisingly, the Land of Earth was oriented towards the element of Earth given the mountainous geography that covered much of the nation. In terms of land, the Land of Earth was one of the largest countries in the known world. Iwagakure, by extension, benefited from the innate belief that because of this immense size, their military was just as large and strong, and to a degree it was; being a Hidden Village in one of the five major nations had a certain appeal to any would-be shinobi. Wars over the years with the other various hidden villages only hardened their resolve, though recent internal strife has left Iwagakure in a recovery stage under the direction of the Iwakage, Godric Hyuuga. Izy was a little fuzzy on the exact details of the recent history of the village itself, having only lived there for a short while.

[Pause for Rolls]

[Not Drawl]

Fishing for a grading here

[The Bearer of Bad News]

+15

15 +1 Die Rolls Incoming....

+84/125 Skill

[Not Drawl]

SPOILER: Click to show

History, Local (Land of Earth)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Skill
Effect: The character with this skill is a storehouse of facts about the history of a region the size of a Country.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The character with this skill is a storehouse of facts about the history of a region the size of a Country. For example, the character will know when the ruined tower on the hill was built and who built it (and what happened to him). He knows what great heroes and villains fought and fell at the old battlefield and what great treasure is supposed to be kept in a local temple. He knows how the mayor of the next town miraculously grew hair on his balding pate. A GM can provide information about local sites and events as the user requests it when pertaining to an Event. Furthermore, the user can try to retell these events as entering stories. Once the subject is chosen, they can attempt a skill check and, if successful, add that tale to their repertoire. The character can tell these stories to entertain others, however, telling stories to hostile beings is probably not going to do any good. If user has 25 or more Ranks in History, Local (Specific Country) user gains a Synergy Bonus +10 to Evidence Analysis to Profile, and gain Information on people. If user has 25 or more Ranks in Culture user gains a Synergy Bonus +10 to History pertaining to the Culture. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

Post #4
0/5 TP
84/125 SP
5 rolls, +1 per roll from Eidetic Memory

---

Izyrin had been disappointed to learn upon his arrival to the village that they also followed the norm of calling itself by conventional and local names. Natrix had been with him for those few days while his living situation and schooling was settled and in that time he had been given a basic lesson of the village that he had received for the rest of the country. Thus, if someone were to ask him the various ways they could call this village, he could easily recite the following: The conventional name is Iwagakure while the local names were Village of Stone or Stone Village. This was not to be confused to the unnamed villages in the Stone country to the south of course.

Iwagakure dealt with a similar climate to the rest of the country due to its location in the crest of a mountain range that ranged from subarctic to temperate depending on the season. The village itself was unsurprisingly mountainous with plateaus scattered across the crest on which the major structures of the village were built upon. Whether these plateaus were natural or man-made, Izy was uncertain. Three main streets wrapped around the village proper in a spherical pattern with cross-streets connecting them together with structures built in the spaces between these intersections. The Iwagakure tower—though as of right now, it was not a visible tower like it had been in the past—could be found in the village center along with other point of interests.

The Non-bloodlimit and bloodlimit population percentages within the village mirrored the overall population percentages in the country itself at 41% and 59% respectively. In regards to the former, Natrix had told Izy that the greatest portion (12%) of non-bloodline folk in the village were a part of the Kishiyagi clan. Izy had seen one of these people in the park the other day; they had goat feet! As to the bloodlimits within the village, the Toujitakumi were the most populous (23%). Izy hadn’t seen any of them yet but from Natrix had told him they had mouths on his hands. Izy wasn’t sure if he wanted to meet a person from that clan.

One thing was certain, though: Iwagakure was a strange and different place than other parts of the Land of Earth

[Pause for Rolls]

[The Bearer of Bad News]

+5

rolls inc

+18 skill

total 102/125

[Not Drawl]

SPOILER: Click to show

Geology
Rank: "E"
Skill: Skill
Effect: A geologist is a specialist in the composition of the earth.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This skill gives characters a basic scientific knowledge of the planet and its structure (including subterranean caverns) as well as types of rocks. It can help a character identify potential veins of gems or safely spelunk (navigate through natural caves). Look in Academia Skills thread found in the Skills and Traits Index for more information. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

Post #1
0/5 TP
0/125 SP
5 rolls, +1 per roll from Eidetic memory

---

Izyrin thought next on the geology lessons Natrix had given him during their time together. The duo often found themselves in areas where, at least at one time, gems and other mineral resources had been the driving force behind the ancient settlement and expansion. While they rarely came across areas where these minerals were still in situ were rare, the signs were often still intact there and, if the child could learn to see them, it would make him a better historian and explorer. So he learned.

Before the word gem was ever uttered by Natrix, though, Izy had to show he understood the concept of the rock styles. The three types of rocks that made up this cycle were the following: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Any one type of rock could be the other if various changes were to occur in nature over the course of millennium. It was all rather tedious, of course, but the child dutifully listened to his old teacher anyway.

Igneous rocks formed when magma cooled off in the air, forming crystalline that was often black or dark colors similar to ash. Igneous rocks could either form underground slowly or rapidly aboveground as the magma is exposed to air or water. Obviously, igneous rocks were most found around active volcano sites, though it could also be discovered by miners were they to dig near volcanoes or underground magma rivers. Obsidian was a prime example of an igneous rock.

Sedimentary rocks were most often formed when wind and water erodes larger rock formations into smaller sediments. These sediments are then carried by the rind or water away from their original source. Here and there these sediments would collect over time and form layers atop one another. Give these sediments enough time and they'll cement themselves together and form this multi-layered, multi-sediment rock. Sedimentary rocks could often be found in riverbeds as running water proves to be a prime source of erosion and ferrying the sediments.

Metamorphic rocks are the product of heat and pressure caused by the shifting of the earth both above and underground. One prime example is when the plates beneath the earth collide and push upwards into the sky, forming mountains. Heat from the pressure allows these rocks to mold together to form new rocks while not heating to the point that they become magma and, in turn, igneous rocks. Izy figured that the shinobi in the village who could perform the earth release were simply practicing a man-made form of rock metamorphosis with their chakra acting as the pressure to mold the rock. Of course, this was only the speculation of an eight year old; Natrix hadn't taught him much about chakra.

[Not Drawl]

SPOILER: Click to show

Geology
Rank: "E"
Skill: Skill
Effect: A geologist is a specialist in the composition of the earth.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This skill gives characters a basic scientific knowledge of the planet and its structure (including subterranean caverns) as well as types of rocks. It can help a character identify potential veins of gems or safely spelunk (navigate through natural caves). Look in Academia Skills thread found in the Skills and Traits Index for more information. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

Post #2
?/5 TP
0/125 SP
5 rolls, +1 per roll from Eidetic Memory

---

Izyrin and Natrix once came across an abandoned mine during their travels which allowed the old man to teach the child the valuable skill of ore identification. Settlements prosper and dwindled on the accessibility of natural resources. Not the luxury goods, of course, like gems and rich ores. Iron and coal were the predominate resources villages required to thrive. To be able to identify these ores would make Izyrin a valuable man in whatever settlement he ended up living in.

After a brief scour of the mine's interior, Natrix handed Izy an unidentified chunk of ore and proceeded to teach him a basic method of ore identification. Better tests could be performed in a laboratory but people like Izy and the old man didn't always have access to these tests. When that was the case, they had to rely on their observation skills, starting with the luster of the ore, ranging from metallic to dull. After that, Izy was taught to test the hardness of the mineral; he had used a pocket knife in his lesson with Natrix; now he would use his kunai, probably.

Next was color, but Natrix stressed to the child to not always trust color. Lapis lazuli was almost always blue and indigo but quartz was not always white. A streak test of the mineral across a hard surface could help better determine it; Izy's headband would prove a handy streak plate in the field for sure. After this, Izy was expected to obeserve the mineral's "habit" or the state it was commonly found it. This wasn't full-proof but it certainly helped.

The next test on the mineral was the cleavage test; Natrix had a little, goofy grin on his face when he said that word to Izy but the child didn't understand what was funny. A cleavage test was simply to see how the mineral fractured when struck because some broke in one piece and some in many pieces. After these tests were made, Natrix said the best thing to do was reference a text-book on mineral identification if there was access to one.

Alas, the child and the old man had no such access in the abandoned mine. This was unfortunate because Izy totally thought he had had a diamond in his hand at the time (he didn't).