SŌJUTSU (Art of the Spear)

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Sōjutsu involves the art of the spear, as well as its effective use in any tactical situation that leads towards combat. Spears have been seen throughout history as a preferred weapon for many different types of armies, ranging from foot soldiers to that of horseman and other types of mounted cavalry.

Consisting of mostly fluid yet precise movements, piercing lunges, spins, rapid stabs and perimeter slashes, it’s ferocious potential makes it very useful in a myriad of situations. Better yet, what makes it so effective yet so simple is that even your average footman can pick this style up and use it with deadly efficiency, with enough training leading to truly great maneuvers.

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◀ SŌJUTSU TRAITS

SPOILER: Click to show

{└ HIGHWIND}HIGHWIND
Type: Minor
Ranks: 2
Requirements: Sōjutsu practitioner, Ninja Grade D+

• The legend of Highwind came from proficient users of the Sōjutsu style becoming aware that their weapon, the spear, is just as deadly from a distance as it is in close combat. As such, users are able to close the gap with distant enemies through the precise, ranged use of their elongated weaponry.
  
  At Rank 1, after a brief charge, practitioners will toss their spear with such power, strength and speed that it maintains flight at rapid velocity, flying like a dart towards wherever it was aimed at, carrying the force of a slashing melee strike with a range of five (5) meters.
  
  At Rank 2, your spear can now penetrate and pierce through targets, and your throwing range has been extended to ten (10) meters. The flight path depends on the Sōjutsu technique, but nonetheless gives Sōjutsu users a chance to reach distant foes with the full force anything it comes in contact with.
  

Note: In order for the ranged addition to work, the technique used for Highwind must make sense given the current RP situation the user is in.

SPOILER: Click to show

{└ DRAGOON}DRAGOON
Type: Minor
Ranks: 2
Requirements: Sōjutsu practitioner, Ninja Grade D+

• The legend of Dragoon was born from tales, times, and days gone by. They were benefactors of the dragons themselves, and as such, shared their skills. As such, a successful Dragoon is one that delivers extreme devastation from aerial, forward-moving attacks from any angle, much like the mythical beast itself.
  
  At Rank 1, you are now able to perform a Forward Jump to any Sōjutsu attack. This version of the jump come sin the form of a lunge forward, making the jump more of a forward leap, but much, much quicker than standard. This can be used in conjunction exclusively with Sōjutsu, delivering sheer explosive added power and sudden momentum that can potential destruct solid, tangible barriers one rank lower than the Sōjutsu used.
  
  At Rank 2, you can now perform a High Jump with any Sōjutsu. Reaching incredible heights of up to ten (10) meters high, that translate into downwards explosive power, the added penetrative power obtained results in the destruction of solid, tangible barriers of equal rank to the Sōjutsu used.
  

Note: In order for the jumping addition to work, the technique used for Dragoon must make sense given the current RP situation the user is in.

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◀ Sōjutsu Ability Moveset

Shokubutsu Tane (Sow Seed)
Rank: D
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Offensive
Cost: Standard
Description: The most basic and first attack taught within Sōjutsu is a basic thrust. A simple yet effective move, it uses the momentum of the whole body to jolt the spear forward, as well as retracting it with the same force in order to create an effective and straightforward piercing assault.



Minori (Harvest)
Rank: D
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Defensive, Offensive
Cost: Sustained
Description: A defensive maneuver, the user grips the spear in the middle and proceeds to rapidly spin it so that it creates a full circle with each end of the spear. They then keep the weapon spinning, surrounding themselves at all times. This is ideal for when the user attempts to dispatch an opponent from their front while simultaneously being able to thwart a rear assault. By doing so, they are staving off multidirectional advances, as well as creating distance between themselves and any person in front or behind them. The user can maintain the spinning as long as their experience and energy allows them to.



Kyuu Bara (Sudden Thorns)
Rank: C
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Offensive
Cost: Multi
Description: The forte of the spear is that, unlike other weapons, it needs not to be sheathed, nor does it incur heavy weight while being used with both hands. As such, the user is able to suddenly surprise their opponent with a flurry of forward thrusts that can halt even the bravest of chargers, as well as gore the most foolish. An upgrade to Sow Seed, the user draws back their spear for split second before rapidly jabbing forward, creating multiple strikes that feel as if they are appearing at once.



Joushou Hasu (Rising Lotus)
Rank: C
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Offensive
Cost: Multi
Description: A two part strike relying on the user's strength and their quick movement, the user starts with their spear leaning downwards and then proceeds to raise it as fast as they can, immediately slapping down their spear down on the target and threatening to cut and smash them. First, the upward vertical strike is used to cause piercing and slashing damage, and then the downward strike is used to smash. This binary pattern can be repeated as many times as the user has the stamina for it.



Tou (Sickle)
Rank: C
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Offensive
Cost: Standard
Description: This move is a simple feint where the enemy expects a slash, but instead receives a sudden crack to the legs, threatening injury, as well as loss of footing. This quick movement involves an upward diagonal slice with their spear tip followed by the use of the carried motion to move forward and as such, attempt to smash the legs, ankles and feet of the opponent with the butt of the spear.



Fuka Ha (Shark Tooth)
Rank: B
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Offensive, Defensive
Cost: Standard
Description: For this technique, the user artfully dodges an incoming attack and then, with great strength, causes their spear to shimmy and attempt to cut into the side of their opponent. In order for this ability to succeed, the user predicts a strike and sidesteps it, and then, with all the strength and momentum they can muster, forces their spear to wiggle, slapping the side of the opponent with the tip of the spear, which results in the spear cutting into them with deadly precision.



Doragon Chuuseki (Dragon Pillar)
Rank: B
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Defensive
Cost: Standard
Description: A technique only adept Sōjutsu users have been able to master, the user plants their spear in the ground and soars above the pole to reach the top, using this quick and smooth evasion as a way of avoiding what could have been a lethal strike. To avoid what seems like a dangerous attack, the user plants the point of their spear in the ground and raises themselves to the top of the end of the spear, choosing to either balance or launch themselves in a quick fashion when faced with an incoming attack. The distance for evasion potential is equal to the technique's range.



Kuta Kuta Hi (Withered Flame)
Rank: B
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Offensive
Cost: Standard
Description: After executing the Dragon Pillar technique, the user pulls the spear from underneath them while mid-air and then pulls it behind them, over their head in order to slam it down once reaching the ground, the combined force of gravity and the user's muscle power and strength threatening to cause heavy damage on impact.



Hebi Hitonomi (Snake Bite)
Rank: A
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Offensive
Cost: Standard
Description: The user thrusts forward while shimmying to create a truly devastating two-pronged attack, causing the spear to appear as if it has split into two just before impact. If aimed at the chest, for example, it would end up hitting both sides of the rib cage. The illusion of separation and the devastation of the strike come from a combination of the user's sudden agile yet erratic movement, and a powerful forward thrust slash with their spear.



Kugi No Tora (Tiger Nail)
Rank: A
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Supplementary
Cost: Standard (own) / Sustained (combined)
Description: Simply put, this deadly technique involves an immediate violent twist of the spear along with an explosive full body thrust forward. The user produces a spear shaped blast of air that can tear through defenses, as well as reach targets that may previously been out of reach. This can be used as its own, or combined with other Sōjutsu techniques.



Hasu Bakuha (Lotus Explosion)
Rank: S
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Offensive
Cost: Standard
Description: The last and most devastating attack of the Sōjutsu style. The user slides forward while twisting their torso, and the spear is pushed forward from the dominant hand with an initial spin, which is then amplified as the butt of the spear is reached at the grip of the off hand, extending the whole spear forward with destructive force. Attempting to catch the spear results in a numbing explosion that would knock the hand intercepting attack away. To end the technique, the user then immediately retracts the spear.