I Like it Like That [Training]

[Dr. Neuro, RN]

+ 11

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Technical Path III
Rank: "A"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User's Technical Path increases their Crafting Time and allows the user to craft Masterwork items without extra cost.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: An Artisan that chose the Technical Path learns an ability called Skill Mastery. This allows the user to choose 3 + Impeccable Will Skills, and can have an automatic 100 die roll to determine difficulty Roll, even under the stress of combat or other adverse conditions. Their confidence in their abilities enable them to retain a level head and act steadily even if their lives should be in danger. The user's ability to accelerate progress on items increase to +20 per Class Level to their Crafting Time (This does not stack with Technical Path I and II). Any craftwork that the Artisan does in their chosen Artisan skill is automatically considered a Masterwork without any need to spend extra time for that specific purpose. The default quality of their work is Masterwork. Determining the price of Quality Level items for creating is one level lower than normal. Example: Creating a Superior item will cost as much as a Masterwork item.
Limit: Must be an Artisan. Must know Technical Path II.

55|80TP +1TP per post. [continuing thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomomi, after finishing the first blade, was approached by a superior ranking marine. Perhaps a vice-admiral, or captain. He was commissioned to make a higher quality blade, this time a Katana. He was given a sack of shitty iron scraps, and told to make the katana with that. Fortunately, he was given the previous hilt of the Katana, and two dowels with which to attach it. Too bad he wouldn't be getting paid for this, but his motivation was plenty. If he completed the task correctly, he'd be allowed to live. So, on he went, pumping the fan that was used to circulate the flame of the forge. It was just then that Tomo noticed truly how awful this forge was. It was more like a terrible clay oven than a real forge, actually. But before he could think about it any more, the forge was ready.

Tomomi carefully stacked the iron and coal bits into a little pile, which he'd sat on top of a small steel spatula. He wrapped the combination in cloth, and then placed it gently into the opening of the forge. For several moments, he pumped the fan, circulating the air, and allowing the heat to remain at its optimal temperature. Eventually, the iron and steel had combined somewhat, and he removed it from the forge, and set the lump on top of his anvil. He then began to repeatedly hammer the lump fiercely, flattening the lump somewhat. He used the spatula to rotate the lump, while continuously hammering the shape. Eventually he was left with a five sided rectangle, attached to the end of his spatula. This shape was then placed back into the forge.

Pumping away at the fan, he watched as the lump of imperfect steel heated to an ideal, more malleable temperature. Since it was steel, and his forge was terrible, the metal wouldn't melt no matter how long he left it in the fire. Eventually it was ready, so he removed the shape, and approached the steel with his pointed hammer. He then hammered the shape of steel until he was left with a seam right down the middle of the lump. With this seam, he was able to hammer the steel across itself. Before hammering it all the way down, Tomo scraped the impurities off of the soon to be concealed surface. He had to do this two more times before that piece of steel was ready. He then placed the mostly pure piece of steel in the bucket of water to cool.

tags

[Dr. Neuro, RN]

+11

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Technical Path III
Rank: "A"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User's Technical Path increases their Crafting Time and allows the user to craft Masterwork items without extra cost.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: An Artisan that chose the Technical Path learns an ability called Skill Mastery. This allows the user to choose 3 + Impeccable Will Skills, and can have an automatic 100 die roll to determine difficulty Roll, even under the stress of combat or other adverse conditions. Their confidence in their abilities enable them to retain a level head and act steadily even if their lives should be in danger. The user's ability to accelerate progress on items increase to +20 per Class Level to their Crafting Time (This does not stack with Technical Path I and II). Any craftwork that the Artisan does in their chosen Artisan skill is automatically considered a Masterwork without any need to spend extra time for that specific purpose. The default quality of their work is Masterwork. Determining the price of Quality Level items for creating is one level lower than normal. Example: Creating a Superior item will cost as much as a Masterwork item.
Limit: Must be an Artisan. Must know Technical Path II.

66|80TP +1TP per post. [continuing thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomomi prepared another two pieces of steel exactly the same as the first, with varying levels of hardness. He then placed once of the new pieces on top of the first piece, and then set it in the forge. Once the two pieces were hot enough, he removed them from the forge. They obviously hadn't quite joined together all the way, because they can't melt, so Tomo hammered the top of the two pieces. He then placed them back into the forge again, and repeated this process until the two pieces were joined together. This process took quite a while, he had to place the two pieces in the forge, and then take them back out several times.

Next, he completed the previous series of steps with the third piece of steel, combining the three pieces into one piece. He then began heating, hammering, and folding the steel again. Eventually, the steel condensed and began to form one much longer piece of steel. The blade began to take shape, lengthening to a surprising three and a half feet, including the portion that would eventually become the hilt of the katana. Next is the process of sharpening the blade. A surprisingly lengthy process. The entire length of the curved blade needs to be sharpened, with the simple tools he has at hand.

Carefully, Tomo layered soft, mostly wet clay on the edge of the blade. He then placed the blade on the water stone, and began rubbing it back and forth across the length of the blade. His practiced stroke was extremely even, leaving a beautiful buff down the entire sword. After several layers of clay, and several hours of grinding, the blade was finally sharpened and polished all the way down. Since this was to replace a blade that was already broken, Tomo pushed the flat end of the blade through the recycled hilt, and ran the dowels through the holes he'd previously prepared in the steel. With this, the blade was entirely done, and he carefully sheathed the finished katana and set it aside to be picked up later. Now it was time for bed.

tags

[Dr. Neuro, RN]

+11

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Technical Path III
Rank: "A"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User's Technical Path increases their Crafting Time and allows the user to craft Masterwork items without extra cost.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: An Artisan that chose the Technical Path learns an ability called Skill Mastery. This allows the user to choose 3 + Impeccable Will Skills, and can have an automatic 100 die roll to determine difficulty Roll, even under the stress of combat or other adverse conditions. Their confidence in their abilities enable them to retain a level head and act steadily even if their lives should be in danger. The user's ability to accelerate progress on items increase to +20 per Class Level to their Crafting Time (This does not stack with Technical Path I and II). Any craftwork that the Artisan does in their chosen Artisan skill is automatically considered a Masterwork without any need to spend extra time for that specific purpose. The default quality of their work is Masterwork. Determining the price of Quality Level items for creating is one level lower than normal. Example: Creating a Superior item will cost as much as a Masterwork item.
Limit: Must be an Artisan. Must know Technical Path II.

77|80TP +1TP per post. [continuing thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomo woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't help but feel uneasy about the katana he'd created earlier. It was just then that he realized that he'd forgotten the most important part of the sword-making process. He didn't sign the blade. He ran quietly to the forge, where he grabbed the katana he'd set aside. Luckily it was late when he finished, so nobody came to claim the sword yet. He unsheathed the katana carefully, setting it upon the anvil on top of a cloth. This was so that he wouldn't scratch the blade during the etching process. He grabbed a chisel and his hammer, and went away at engraving his title into the base of the blade. Careful not to ruin the blade, after several minutes of gentle pounding, the inscribing was finally complete. A simple four letter word now rested at the base of the blade on one side.

MAMA

And with this, he felt content with his work. He brushed the excess off, and polished the blade once more, before placing it back into the sheath, and setting it aside. Tomo went to bed comfortably that night, despite the poor living conditions.

tags

[Dr. Neuro, RN]

+3
Learned

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Renown Master of the Craft
Rank: "C"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User gains the recognition and confidence of being a Renown master of their chosen craft.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Must choose Skill based off of Miscellaneous Slot. The Artisan gains the recognition and confidence of being a Renown Master of their chosen Craft. This Grants them a +10 morale bonus to any skill concerning this topic, or any related topics. For Example: A Renown Master of the Craft of Forgery gains a +10 morale bonus with all skills when dealing with literature, heraldry, signs or sigils. Renown Mastery of Pottery grants a +10 morale bonus to all skills in dealing with logistics, transport of items, storage, merchant trading and appraisal. May learn 1 time per Miscellaneous Mastery.
Limit: Must be an Artisan.

00|10TP +1TP per post. [continuing thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomomi awoke to a splash. Water had been abruptly thrown at him from a container of some kind. Probably a bucket. As he wiped the water from his face, and his vision came into focus, a different man appeared before him. It wasn't the typical grumpy fellow that woke him up from his exhausted slumber. This fellow looked to be considerably more decorated than the man that kicked him to consciousness on a daily basis. He said something just then, but Tomomi couldn't quite understand the fellow. It seemed that Tomo's ears hadn't quite caught up to his eyesight yet.

"I SAID GET UP, VICE-ADMIRAL OHTANI'S CALLING FOR YOU"

The man yelled. Tomomi quickly stirred himself to his feet, and followed after the man. The rags he currently wore were hardly appropriate for an introduction with a high ranking officer, but whatever. At this point, Tomomi hardly cared what he looked like, it was survive or die. As soon as they walked around the corner, the man came to his feet. He had a rather disgusted look on his face, gee I wonder why, but otherwise he seemed rather excited to meet Tomo. As he walked around his desk, Tomo came to understand exactly why this man felt obligated to bring a disgusting slave to his presence.

He wore the katana he'd just finished at his hip. Without so much as a handshake, the man began to rave and holler praise about how it was the finest katana he'd ever held. Tomo hardly believed the fellow, and felt he could do much better, but with that out of the way, the man had a request. He wished for Tomo to create more of these katana for his fellow admirals. Twelve of them to be exact. He wasn't really interested, but perhaps eventually he could work his way to freedom. Clearly word of his work had begun to spread upwards in the organization.

tags

[Dr. Neuro, RN]

+10
Learned

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Master of Great Renown
Rank: "C"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: An advanced version of Renown Master of the Craft.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The Artisan has advanced in their skill that their reputation and confidence is enhanced even further. The morale bonus to skills for being on the topic is increased to +20. May learn 1 time per Miscellaneous Mastery.
Limit: Must be an Artisan. Must know Renown Master of the Craft.

00|10TP +1TP per post. [continuing thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomomi made his way straight to the smithy, where he had been working to this point. Unfortunately, he had the added pressure of being monitored while he worked this time. There were witnesses to prove whether or not the incredible work they'd seen actually came from the boy who they'd been working to the bone. If this were in fact true, and the masterful technique did in fact belong to the boy, perhaps they owed him some degree of special treatment? Or probably not. Tomomi belonged to the famed Hyuuga bloodline, and that solely was the reason for the predicament he found himself in. He fanned the flames of the forge quickly, hoping to get this over with as soon as possible.

Instead of a pile of iron scraps to work with, they gave him some proper pieces of steel. Ten pieces of flat steel of varying thicknesses and hardness. One was three or four millimeters thick, while the rest were either one or two. He carefully stacked the steel so that the thickest piece was near the middle, and the thinnest pieces were on the outside. He then skillfully set the pieces inside the forge. Extremely careful that the stack didn't come undone during transit. He could manage a slightly uneven stack, but if the stack fell apart in the forge, it'd be a pain in the ass to remove and re-stack the steel.

As the steel reached the topmost temperature it could reach in his shitty smithy, he removed it promptly. He placed the steel gently onto the anvil, and then began pounding the steel thoroughly. Because he didn't have any kind of press to do this, this step was thoroughly time consuming. But he couldn't ask for help, because nobody else's hands were nearly as skilled with a hammer. He continued to bang on the now somewhat flattened piece of steel, while his audience watched on. The entrance was only a regular doorway, so the four of the marines watching were crammed into such a small space. He'd ask them to come in, but they might get their uniforms messy.

tags

[Dr. Neuro, RN]

+10
Learned

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Artisan Skill Bonus
Rank: "C"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User chooses 1 Skill to specialize in gaining extensive bonuses.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The Artisan chooses a specific Artisan skill in which to specialize. This skill becomes the Primary character ability focus. The character adds their +5 per Class Level to their Crafting Time. The character adds +5 per Class Level to Expertise (Crafting Type), Appraisal (Crafting Type), Haggling (For the Crafting Type), Local History (For the Crafting Type), and Observation (For the Crafting Type). For example: If an Artisan chose "Cooking", could appraise a meal, negotiate diplomatically for the best price on ingredients, on spotting something out of place in a kitchen, or remember a meal in an obscure piece of history. May learn 1 time per Miscellaneous Mastery.
Limit: Must be an Artisan.

00|10TP +1TP per post. [continuing thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomomi continued to strike the lump of steel. After pounding one side of the steel for a while, he turned it ninety degree. With this process, he was able to turn the steel into a mostly flat rectangle. So he put the steel back into the fire, and heated it up again. He then took it out, and struck the steel some more. After a few more cycles, Tomo was able to turn the piece into an entirely flat piece of steel. He then grabbed the heavy hatchet, which is like a hammer with a pointed edge. He pressed the edge of the hatchet onto the middle of the steel, and hammered it into the steel repeatedly, chiseling a seam into the surface. After scraping the impurities off of the steel, Tomo began hammering the steel towards itself, using the seam as a crease of sorts to make the process easier.

He folded the steel once, and hammered it into itself. After running the steel through the forge another time, he began the hammering and folding process once more. He noticed that each time the steel was folded, it became more difficult to hammer the steel. He also needed to forge the steel longer each time in order to manipulate it. The steel however, was of a nicer quality than the iron given to him before. It required less folding to purify the steel as perhaps it went through a folding process once before already. Eventually the steel began to lengthen out, as he folded and hammered it down to its eventual mostly completed shape.

The next step was to file the blade of the sword, that it may be much closer to the final shape of the sword, although still dull. Next he took the recycled tsuba, or hand guard, of the katana, and ran it through the handle-end of the katana. He then took the hilt of the intended katana and placed it over that end of the sword. This katana's hilt was composed of bamboo, and embroidered luxuriously with some kind of silk or other high-quality cloth. He then took the dowels that are used to hold the hilt in place, and hammered them through the holes he previously drilled into the steel of the katana. With these dowels in place the only steps left were to engrave his name in the blade, sharpen the blade, and then polish it in order to present it to its new owner in peak condition.

tags

[Dr. Neuro, RN]

+10
Learned

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shadow Mirror Shapeshift Seals
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user takes the time to learn specific handseals designed to learn the Shadow Mirrior Shapeshift Technique.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User learns the seals Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, and Handseals in order to perform the Shadow Mirror Shapeshift technique.
Limit: ---

00|50TP +1TP per post. [starting new thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomomi awoke one morning to a brutal strike to his side. Perhaps slightly harder than usual. It didn't matter though, he wasn't particularly surprised at the assault. The man that attacked him seemed to be ranked higher than the typical fat hairy dopes that come to wake him up. This was one of the three admirals of the Marines. Why would an admiral waste their time with Tomo, who was just one of the many slaves in Marineford. Tomo obediently followed after the man, though. Soon, they arrived at their destination. The fleet admiral's office... This man was the biggest and baddest Marine of them all, and here he stood, waiting for an answer to the admiral's knock.

"Enter..."

A feminine voice echoed through the thick wood door. Upon ingress to the office, Tomo was informed as to exactly what his situation was. The fleet admiral happened to be a lustful individual, but she was only attracted to herself. So, on a regular basis, they chose a slave to become the next fleet admiral doppelganger. Horrified by the notion, Tomo agreed, simply to avoid death. He really didn't wanna be a woman, and this would definitely be permanent. He sighed mightily before they began explaining the process. It was surprisingly extensive, and he needed to actually put in the effort himself. For a favor, they sure asked a lot of him...

The first step of the process was to learn the handseals required to perform the technique on himself. The seals required were different from the regular seals used to focus chakra, not that Tomo used those anyways. The first seal, was shown to Tomo as clasped fingers, with the index and middle fingers pointed upwards. He was pretty sure he remembered using this seal before, but either way he sat down and tried it out. The first attempt resulted in an aggressive denial of his effort. Clearly he did it wrong, his first two fingers were bent a little too much. Maybe his fingers weren't quite flexible enough? He'd definitely have to try again.

tags

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shadow Mirror Shapeshift Seals
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user takes the time to learn specific handseals designed to learn the Shadow Mirrior Shapeshift Technique.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User learns the seals Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, and Handseals in order to perform the Shadow Mirror Shapeshift technique.
Limit: ---

??|50TP +1TP per post. [continue thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomo, moving on from where they left off, continued attempting to perform the first handseal. It didn't seem especially difficult, but apparently it required extreme perfection in order to perform the technique correctly. If Tomo didn't do the handseals perfectly, nothing would happen when he attempted to perform the ritual. So he started out by forming the first seal exactly as they showed him. But apparently that was wrong too. So he started from the beginning, by clasping his fingers together tightly. Interlocking the digits, so that they alternate from left hand to right hand. Finally, he un-clasped his index and middle fingers, and pointed them upwards, pressed against each other. This time the two standing before him seemed to be somewhat satisfied.

"I know you've probably performed these handseals thousands of times before, but they need to be exactly perfect or the technique will fail. Okay?"

It's not like Tomo really cared if the technique worked or not, but nonetheless he continued. Perhaps someday he'd be a person who failed to be swayed by the wants and needs of others. So, he moved onto the next seal. This seal was slightly more complicated than the first, as he recalled. The left hand was exactly the same as before, but this time remained un-clasped from the right hand. The right hand, was held in a fist with the thump pointed upwards. By carefully and precisely placing the knuckles and thumb of the right hand against the left hand, the seal would be produced.

So, Tomo replicated the seal, exactly as he was shown. Or at least exactly how it seemed he was shown. Again, he was wrong. He needed to lower his right hand, and apparently his fingers weren't flexible enough... again. Determined to complete something he was sure he'd been doing correctly since he was able to stand, he tried again. First he formed the left hand. This was the more difficult portion of the seal. As he flexed his first two fingers upwards, his ring finger extended slightly. The ring finger was supposed to remain tight to the top of his palm, so he tried again and again for a few minutes, until he was told to stop and rest. Apparently the admiral had some advice for him.

tags

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shadow Mirror Shapeshift Seals
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user takes the time to learn specific handseals designed to learn the Shadow Mirrior Shapeshift Technique.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User learns the seals Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, and Handseals in order to perform the Shadow Mirror Shapeshift technique.
Limit: ---

??|50TP +1TP per post. [continue thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

"If you squeeze your ring finger towards your hand first, your finger won't bend so much."

The admiral spoke. Tomo thought about it for a moment, before realizing just how pointless the piece of advice was. He'd have definitely have to kill this man eventually. Why didn't he understand that the handseal has to be performed so quickly that he wouldn't be able to form one hand and then the other. What an utter moron... This ugly pink haired old woman standing before him wasn't much better. She was huge, and hideous. As he practiced the seal, he wanted less and less to look like this lady. If it weren't for his circumstances as a slave, he'd have killed all of these weaklings. These cowards that call themselves the justice of the seas.

Anyways, Tomo continued to practice the seal in silence. His murderous gaze fell upon these ugly monsters and didn't waver even once. It was around this moment that the highest ranked marines began to realize exactly what it is that they'd done. Luckily for Tomo it'd be too late before they noticed exactly what he was planning. Meanwhile his hands repeated the seal over and over again. Index and middle finger up, ring and pinkie fingers clenched. The other hand was closed into a fist, with the thumb pointed upwards. You know the drill, you've probably seen the handseal a million times before. It's not especially unique.

Tomomi then moved onto the next seal, which happened to be a bit more different from the last seal. First, he took his two hands, and bent his fingers at each of their last two knuckles. With this, all four of his fingers on each hand were pointed towards the palms of his hands. After that he turned his right hand, so the knuckles were pointed most of the way towards the floor, and placed his palms against each other. This seal was relatively simple, but just to be sure, he continued to practice it for a while. Tomo definitely felt like he was gonna get arthritis from this technique.

tags

[Spectre of the Falls(Kuroki)]

+33 TP

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shadow Mirror Shapeshift Seals
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user takes the time to learn specific handseals designed to learn the Shadow Mirrior Shapeshift Technique.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User learns the seals Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, and Handseals in order to perform the Shadow Mirror Shapeshift technique.
Limit: ---

33|50TP +1TP per post. [continue thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Tomo, after a short break, continued right where he left off before. Tomo continued to practice the seal for a while longer. This seal was somewhat more simple than the last two. Although, apparently the angle of the left hand, crossed over the right hand, has to be exactly precise. As he stared, he couldn't help but notice how hideous this woman really was. An absurdly tall woman, with long flowing pink hair. She was also probably obese, at least to some extent. Definitely fat. Tomo wished she wouldn't make him look like her... But what could he do? Slaves have to do what their masters ask, and this woman was more like his master's bosses boss. Prospects were hopeless.

At the very least, he could expect this woman to provide him with some sort of special treatment for the ordeal he was going through. Perhaps better food, or nicer lodging. Anyways, it was time to move onto the next seal. So Tomo carefully examined the seal they presented for him to imitate. The next seal seemed to be even easier than the last, as he attempted to place his hands across each other, with one flat-fingered hand pointed in the opposite direction from the other. However, he was told NO, that it wasn't correct.

Apparently the middle finger on the left hand was pointed down slightly. It took a while to get the angle exactly right too. But eventually he was allowed to attempt to place the hands against each other and attempt to complete the seal. It seemed that with each seal that he completed, they got more and more nit-picky. But this was probably for the best if it meant that he was to complete the technique correctly. Tomo practiced considerably for this seal. But it seemed that every attempt he made was even worse than the last. Surely after a short break he'd be able to get it right. NYOOM

tags

[Spectre of the Falls(Kuroki)]

+11 TP for total of 44

[j]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shadow Mirror Shapeshift Seals
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user takes the time to learn specific handseals designed to learn the Shadow Mirrior Shapeshift Technique.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User learns the seals Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, Handseals, and Handseals in order to perform the Shadow Mirror Shapeshift technique.
Limit: ---

44|50TP +1TP per post. [continue thirst for power mission]

*continue flashback*

Apparently, being in a hurry meant moving onto the next seal. So, Tomomi observed while the Admiral presented the very last seal to him. This seal seemed to be another seal where the hands mirror each other and their placement. Tomo mimicked the position of the man's hands as closely as he could, adjusting them slightly as he re-checked a few times. His index, middle, and thumbs were bent towards the palm. However, this is where he ran into a problem that he'd experienced earlier in his training. As he bent his first two fingers, his less than flexible ring finger tried to bend with them. Because of this, his seal was imperfect, and therefore unacceptable.

He even tried the advice he'd been given earlier, which was to extend his ring finger first, and then bend his fingers. After a few minutes of experimenting with this trick, he came to the conclusion that it wouldn't work. He'd just have to practice it till his fingers moved the way he wanted them to. Perhaps the ligaments on that side of his hand just simply don't stretch that far. Eventually, he produced a seal that he and the admirals considered to be acceptable. After producing the seals in order, Tomo and the admirals decided this would be good enough to complete the technique.

tags