Post by Vereaux on Nov 12, 2010 0:30:06 GMT -5
Zanpakutou - Weapon of the Shinigami
A Zanpakutou is the weapon of the Shinigami, and one of the few weapons that can harm Hollows. Every Shinigami has a Zanpakutou and each one is unique only to that Shinigami, for it is the reflection of their soul and power. Unique with a name, a shape, and power, each has a spirit within it, with a specific form that lives in what is called the Shinigami's "inner world". Just as they are a spirit, they also have a personality, just like anyone else. Sometimes, the Zanpakutou can bring them to that world, and other times, the Shinigami must mediate in order to enter it. A Shinigami can communicate with their Zanpakutou at any time, if able, but to truly understand them, they must first learn their Zanpakutou's name, and by learning about each other, they can grow stronger together. A Zanpakutou is formed by the solidification of their reiryoku into their sword's form.
There are three states of being for a Zanpakutou: Sealed, Shikai, and Bankai. A Sealed Zanpakutou is the most commonly seen, and can take various different shapes in the form of a katana. There are some exceptions, where a Sealed Zanpakutou does not look like a katana at all, but something else entirely. In its Sealed state, its powers are dormant. It is only when the Shinigami learns of their Zanpakutou's name can Shikai be released. To release Shikai, a command must be spoken, along with the Zanpakutou's name, and by doing so, their unique powers can be used. These various powers change from one Shinigami to the next. The appearance of Shikai can change shape and size depending on the reiryoku of the Shinigami. Very rare are there that exists Zanpakutou who are constantly in their released Shikai state, known as Constant-Release, because of the Shinigami's vast reiryoku, and lack of control over it. Just as rare are Dual-Blade Zanpakutou, where their Shikai form has more than one blade. Zanpakutou of this nature say a lot about the uniqueness of their Shinigami's reiryoku.
The final release of a Zanpakutou is Bankai, the most powerful form a Zanpakutou can take. To acquire it, the spirit must materialize into the world itself and be defeated, but such a feat is difficult, usually taking ten years to achieve, and hundreds more to master. As the ultimate technique of a Zanpakutou, only the strongest Shinigami can use it. Once acquired, all one must do is say Bankai and their Zanpakutou's Bankai name to release it. This name is sometimes only an addition to the first, but for others, it could be completely different. Often, the abilities of Bankai are an extension of their Shikai abilities, and then more, or at least of the same theme. Once one has Bankai, they can activate their Shikai without a command on instinct, and are able to go straight to Bankai from their Sealed state. Their power increases with each stage learned, because releasing them increases the power of the Shinigami. For example: If 200 points are put into your Shikai stat, it doubles to 400, and those points are distributed among your stats. If 200 is put into your Bankai, they triple to 600, and are distributed. If Bankai is released, skipping Shikai, you still get the double stats from Shikai, just the same as if you had used Shikai before Bankai.
The appearance of Bankai often changes from Shikai drastically, and sometimes the appearance of the person changes, though not always. The more powerful one gets and with an increase in reiryoku, their Shikai and Bankai will change over time. The biggest flaw of all is that of the enormous reiryoku released. Unless one is focused and able to control the flow of their Bankai, their reiryoku could become unstable.
Zanpakutous follow a certain theme with their Shinigami, and it is reflected in their appearance and abilities through both Shikai and Bankai. Amongst all Shinigami, some may not be aware of the name of their techniques. This is the difference between a skilled Shinigami and an unskilled Shinigami. To acquire the name of a technique is to use it at its full power. Not knowing would drastically cut its power below half. It works in the same way as would knowing the name of their Zanpakutou. Unless one knows their name, how can one understand them better?
A Shinigami will acquire their Shikai form once they reach Level 15, and then their Bankai form at Level 30. You can have as many abilities for your Zanpakutou as you want, so long as they are all approved by the staff and other members, but because each technique costs the same amount of points each to increase in level and ability, it is left to your own judgment whether they should be well rounded, whether you should have many abilities, or specialize in only a few different techniques. In the long run of things, it is how you want your character to be.
