Clan Name: 意緒 「 Iō 」
Location: Kōsei Island 「 Scattered 」
Specialization: Ninjutsu|Senjutsu.
Elements: Katon|Raiton|Doton|Suiton|Fūton.


Clan History:


Miles from the land, a single island is the home of the Iō Faith. It has been said that Kōsei Island is impossible to map. Whether this is because it is of little size and significance or because there is merit in the old stories that Kōsei constantly moves are true doesn't matter much. Almost nobody knows where the little island is but it can be found, most often by those lost at sea or sojourners seeking refuge on the tail end of some pilgrimage. From above, the island appears to be a nearly perfect circle covered to the very edge with lush flora. In truth, the entirety of the island from the center to the cliffs that make up its shoreline, is a meticulously tended garden. Though small when compared with the great nations, Kōsei is of considerable size herself and is home to six Shrine Cities. From the offset mountain near center of the island, five rivers divide the island and on each section, a holy temple was erected and around them, the settlements grew.

Stories tell of Iō, the taken name a great sage who is said to have lived when the world was young. He lived in an ancient dynasty, one of several warring kingdoms. Growing discontent seeing his fellows succumb to sin, greed and violence he spent his waking moments seeking asylum from the city walls and would travel to the seaside to worship, each time for five days. It was during this time that Iō began to give lectures in the city, preaching the virtues of harmony and the futility of war and bloodshed. After many months, the sage gained a substantial following in the Dynasty's south prefecture, where he built his temple at the foot of Kōsei mountain which is said to have been a thousand kilometers high. Those warrior lords who stood to inherit the most of the ceaseless warfare took opposition to the teachings gaining momentum in the south, sending an edict from the courts that stood to exile all Iō and those who attended his lectures. The wilderness, full of beasts and killers, was no place for the many followers that Iō had amassed, but they refused to leave his side and together, three thousand exited the city walls to wander the earth.

For thirty years the tribe, unable to sustain a city without the military might of the dynasties, became nomads. Secret gardens hidden deep in the forests cultivated by scattered followers living together in groups as small as ten, united by faith. It is said that Iō returned often to the hills outside the walls of the southern prefecture to worship in the face of Kōsei mountain and while meditating a revelation came to him. At once, Iō began a great undertaking; reuniting the people of his faith. Before the scattered nomads had been reunited, one cell at a time, by the roaming prophet, the formed a band of wanderers and approached the gates of the southern prefecture, their home and rightful place. The shogun lords, now well over a hundred years old each, so the story says, one by one the lords rose to challenge Iō and one by one, he lectured each until he dropped his sword, and fell to the ground.

Upon the conversion of the last lord, the nomads returned finally to the ruins of their temple at the base of the mountain and began anew. After millennia of shifting continents, what remains of Kōsei mountain is said to be the circular island upon which the members of the Faith solely reside. Whether there are any truths to these stories is impossible to tell, many of the most ancient records of the Faith have either been destroyed, lost, or are kept stored in the deepest levels of the archives.

The Faith is overseen by a court of Eight Heavenly Kings, those who serve the Heavenly Kings are called by the Faith as Shike and those who serve them are called as Oshō in turn. Together these three inner circles govern the Faith and make decisions in the best interest of its people. Nearly the entirety of the Faith lives on the small island where they continue to cultivate the teachings of Iō, harmony in all things, and use their mastery of elemental chakra to maintain a pristine and vast garden. Children enter the faith from birth and are taught its precepts from then on, resulting in an unusual purity. It seems among the Children of Iō, there is no need for war.

What lost truths lay buried about the Iō Faith may yet be uncovered.



Kekkei Genkai Description:
The infinite cycle of death and rebirth is a well-understood concept and it is from this mysticism, the Methodology (Kekkei Genkai) of the Iō Faith draws its name. As with the many trillions who pass through death and rebirth, so do all things in some way. The concept of continuous change plays a pivotal role in the Shinobi world as well. Even Chakra, the mystical force from which Shinobi draw, is not able to overcome these restraints.

Whether a Ninja knows it or not, they are familiar with at least one cycle. Village Academies, practical experience, and common sense explain to Shinobi the Cycle of Elemental Overcoming, this basic principle is an early lesson at any Ninja Academy, it teaches that certain chakra natures possess inherent advantages over others. Lesser known, however, is the equally crucial Cycle of Elemental Generation which governs how the elements transform to maintain the harmony of creation. Among the chief chakra natures of the Shinobi world, the change between these cycles is subtle; by switching the position of Water and Earth chakra natures, the cycle takes on whole new meaning.

The nature of all things flows into all other things; even the intangible. This is the true nature of Sō Rin'ne, the River of Samsara.


Oneness 「合一, Itsugō」

Iō Faith members begin with all five basic elemental chakra natures. The Faith is built on the foundation of harmony between elements, so all practitioners are subjected to years of rigorous study into elemental chakra natures and their meanings. Through harmony, dedication, time and faith, these Shinobi are able to access extreme versatility. All clan members' elements begin at D-rank and can be trained to SS-rank.

Emptiness「空虚, Kūkyo」

Because the Iō Faith is an ideology rooted in harmony and inner peace, members of this clan find it much easier to steady their minds when afflicted by effects which alter their senses, mental capacity, or ability to connect mental and spiritual energies and form chakra. Techniques used by this clan which break or otherwise dispel the effects of such effects are able to be used with increased effectiveness, and are able to be performed without the need for preparation, hand seals, or other prerequisites. In addition, members of the Iō Faith may activate cleansing techniques via this method at all times, whether another effect would allow them to or not.

The secret methodology of the Iō Faith, the means by which they execute their ultimate discipline. Through intense study and mastery over elemental chakra, by exploiting the Cycle of Generation, members are able to change the chakra nature of elemental techniques after they have been manifested into reality. At first, this might seem like the ultimate expression of Ninjutsu but the Faith Methodology is not one which allows chakra to flow completely boundless, switching natures at will. Instead, through elemental chakra mastery and understanding, they can advance the Cycle of Generation in real time, allowing one element to flow into another along this harmonious circle. The abilities conferred by this clan's Kekkei Genkai must be unlocked gradually, through a life of study and devotion to the Iō Faith. These are no easy feats, the pursuit of this mastery will not come cheap.

「 Methodology of the Iō Faith, Vol. I 」

Clan members begin with this level of the Kekkei Genkai at D-rank, it is the basic methodology by which the Cycle of Generation can be advanced by the Faith. By paying 5 chakra and selecting any jutsu the user currently has activated, they can advance the chakra nature of that technique one place along the Cycle of Generation 「 Katon ➤ Fūton ➤ Raiton ➤ Suiton ➤ Doton 」. Techniques affected by this change do not change their range, speed, damage or duration; but damage typing and other essential descriptors may change. For example, a thrown boulder Doton Ninjutsu affected by this ability would become a projectile of Katon instead, changing the technique's elemental strengths and weaknesses and causing it to deal damage appropriate to its new nature. The conversion of chakra natures is a difficult task indeed and this ability does not allow a constant flow, each time this Methodology is used, techniques affected will interact with other techniques at one rank lower than normal. At this level, each technique can only be affected by this ability one time.

At this level the member also receives three ritualistic tattoos on the back of each hand and on the throat which depict the clan's symbol. These tattoos glow brightly whenever the Methodology is used to change the chakra nature of a technique. These chakra tattoos can be seen clearly through any clothing or armor worn by the user.

「 Outer Teachings of the Iō Faith, Vol. LXII 」

When a member of this clan reaches C-rank, has at least one technique of each elemental nature in their Jutsu List and whose elements are all at least B-rank, they may obtain this level of their abilities through a long period of reflection and study in a sacred location which must be done by completing a 2000 word training thread and paying 1500 ryo.

At this level, the user retains all abilities of the previous level, with the addition of the option to pay an additional 5 chakra to shift the elemental nature of a technique a second time.

「 Inner Teachings, Trials of Sage Ning, Vol. V 」

When a member of this clan reaches B-rank, meets all prior requirements, has at least three techniques of each elemental nature (with at least one of each being A-rank) in their Jutsu List, and whose elements are all at least A-rank, they may advance to this level. To do so, a spiritual journey is needed; the clan member must travel to significant places in at least three countries and at each of them must complete a 3000 word training thread, after these are completed the user pays 3000 ryo to unlock this level.

Once unlocked, the first time a jutsu is affected by the Sō Rin'ne Methodology, the technique retains its rank when interacting with other techniques. The second use still reduces its interaction rank as normal.

「 Secret Inner Knowledge: Five Heaven's Path, Vol. XCIX 」

This level of knowledge is guarded in the secret archives underneath Kōsei, accessible only by high ranking Oshō. To qualify for this level, the clan member must meet all prior requirements, be at least A-rank, must have at least five techniques of each elemental nature, including at least three such techniques of all ranks up to A-rank, and whose elements are all at least S-rank. This level cannot be achieved unless the clan member has the Senjutsu specialization and it is at least A-rank. A Shinobi who wishes to qualify for this level must have visited all five major nations at least one time. Once these conditions are met, the member may commence their training.

Reaching this level in the Faith requires tremendous time and personal growth, an individual must demonstrate an immense willingness for self-discovery. Additionally, they must exhibit an understanding of all cultures and peoples. The Shinobi must complete at least two social threads (With at least 3500 words and 5 posts) in all major countries (these do not count towards a clan member's rank up requirements). Following this, a Shinobi must travel to the wilderness where he is secluded and reflect on the nature of things. The clan member will enter a deep trance and experience an inward journey where they will discover an inner garden, the specifics of which vary from member to member. It is in tending these gardens that the knowledge is cultivated to discover the Five Heavenly Pillars of the soul, the truths on these pillars unlock the next level. This training thread must consist of at least 9000 words and must be completed solo, after which the clan member unlocks this level by paying 5000 ryo.

Once a member of the Faith reaches this level, they are referred to as Oshō, or Priest. This can also be considered the first level of mastery. At this rank, the first and second time a technique is affected by the Iō Methodology, it does not decrease its potency when interacting with other techniques. In addition, the clan member may now pay an additional 10 chakra to shift the chakra nature a third time, this shift incurs the interaction penalty as normal. In addition, clan members may apply their Methodology to techniques performed by other shinobi, but may do so only one time. Upon reaching this level, a clan member may increase their chakra pool by 30.

「 Hidden Truths: Masayama's Betrayal, Vol. II 」

Restricted to only the highest members of the Faith, this level is an extremely well guarded secret even among high ranking Oshō. To qualify, a member must meet all prior requirements, reach a ninja rank of at least S-rank and have at least five techniques of each elemental chakra nature in their Jutsu List for each rank up to A-rank, including an S-rank technique of each chakra nature. Before the member can begin training for this level, a great sacrifice must first be made; the Shinobi gives up either his eyes or his tongue, this process is irreversible.

To begin training, the member requires an act of altruism and must help another accomplish a great deed. A great deed is a major storyline of another character, major site storyline or Major Quest mission belonging to another player, approval of criteria is at the discretion of the moderator. No ryo or prizes (including EP) may be earned from these tasks and no word counts may be used for training of any kind. The Iō Faith teaches altruism, you must give to others without reward.

The member must then take the seeds of a Pomegranate that he has grown himself and plant a tree at the border each nation, each planting requires a training thread of 2000 words. The member must travel between nations as normal. By the time the last tree has been planted, the first will have bore fruit. At the site of each tree, an evil spirit will appear and must be cleansed in order to harvest the fruit. Each of these harvests requires an S-rank Quest Mission to rid the site of the spirit before the fruit may be collected.

When the fruits have been collected he organizes the harvest according to which nations they bordered and takes them to the capital cities where he offers the fruit of the nation's neighbors to a high ranking member of the village (A-rank or higher character or Kage). Through travel and toil, this small gesture of peace between neighboring lands is symbolic of dedication to the Faith, it is a passage and a pilgrimage to prepare a Priest for the Hidden Knowledge of their faith. The final step of the training requires an inward journey which must be a 5000 word training thread along with 5000 ryo. Already, a Shinobi meeting these requirements could be considered a terrifying foe, as such it is fitting that the Hidden Truths of the Iō Faith unlock a power worthy of such accomplishment.

At this level, a member retains all advantages of previous levels with two new additions; firstly, these high ranking members of the Faith are freed from the Cycle of Generation when performing the Iō Methodology ability, allowing the previous levels of this method to change the elemental nature of their jutsu freely between all elements when applied. Secondly, a member who has achieved this level of power may create techniques which utilize the Methodology independently. Techniques applied for in this way are able to change their chakra nature as part of their innate function, and are capable of containing multiple chakra natures. These techniques may not be lower than B-rank.

In addition, clan members may apply for Multi-Elemental techniques, which possess special qualities. Multi-Elemental techniques are applied for as any number of techniques, which must share a rank, and may only be performed in conjunction with one another, and for which the chakra cost must be paid individually. Multi-elemental techniques retain all strengths and weaknesses of both elements that make them up regardless of which element they are currently manifested as, both chakra natures are present in the technique at all times. This unique form of Ninjutsu is the highest mastery of elemental control afforded to the Iō Faith, and techniques created in this way may utilize effect descriptors typically only available to rare Advanced Elemental Nature Transformations. These techniques to not grant access to Advanced Elements, but rather allow an Iō Faith member to generate effects, such as freezing objects by cooling water with wind currents, nurturing soil with water to grow plants, superheating fire with wind, or melting stone with fire. Multi-elemental techniques must contain constituent elements of descriptors they intend to access, and do not gain the advantages or weaknesses of Advanced Elemental chakra natures as they are not combined, but utilized in perfect harmony as multiple techniques. Because such jutsu are performed as multiple individual techniques that are linked together, their staggering chakra cost makes them an unsuitable replacement for the versatility provided by true users of Advanced Releases.

Drawbacks:

Incomplete「 欠落, Ketsuraku 」

Because of the sheer time and dedication required to even begin down the Path of Iō by learning aptitude for all five elemental chakra natures, means the member must give up one of the most versatile means of Ninjutsu: non-elemental chakra. Members of this clan are completely incapable of forming non-elemental chakra. All techniques used by members of this clan must have an element, meaning every technique they use has at least one weakness no matter what.

Self and World「 自界, Jikai 」

Utilizing the Iō Faith Methodology ability is not without its innate drawbacks. By exerting one's will on chakra which inhabits it, one takes part of that world onto themselves. Whenever a clan member utilizes their Method to change the elemental nature of a technique after it has been performed, the clan member takes on all weaknesses of the element they intend to shift it into (e.g - if a clan member turns a Suiton jutsu into a Doton jutsu, they become weak to Raiton, interacting with it as if it were a rank higher). This weakness persists for three posts, and multiple such weaknesses may accumulate in this manner if the clan member employs their Method in rapid succession.

Five Pillars「 五柱, Gohashira 」

The Faith is built around core precepts that one must obey to achieve the mental state required to perform their techniques or indeed, to begin even learning about them. The sanctity of freedom is one such, it views the art of summoning as a form of slavery and clan members may not make use of Summoning or Pets. At the head of these concepts are Peace and Harmony. Clan members must take (and are unable to balance) the negative special characteristic Vow of Iō -

Name: Vow of Iō.
Type: Negative.
Description: This character has taken a sacred vow, pledged their life and eternal soul to the Iō Faith. They must always strive towards peace and exhaust all peaceful alternatives before attacking another living being. Even then, they must only enter combat to defend themselves or others. In the event a threat to life is so great, they are incapable still of using lethal methods to subdue another living being. They are unable to take actions which would trigger the Lethal Damage Threshold no matter what.

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In addition, offensive techniques utilized by the Iō Faith with damaging properties must take the minimum damage for a technique one rank below the rank of the technique, or one rank below their ninja rank, whichever is lower.

Alongside the staggering requirements for mastery of this clan's Kekkei Genkai, they also suffer the following drawbacks -

➤ Members of this clan were raised on Kōsei Island and did not attend Ninja Academy. They do not receive the Academy Jutsu for free, and they receive five D-rank starting jutsu instead of the normal amount, Iō Faith clan members may not trade their starting jutsu for higher ranks, and must possess one starting jutsu of each element.

➤ Due to complete mastery of the elements, Iō Faith clan members begin with only one specialization and may learn only two specializations total. In addition, they must take Ninjutsu as their primary specialization.