greening app

APPLICATION
OOC
Name: Fishbone
Age: 31
Contact: Fishbone#3416, DrFishbone
Character(s) Played: Shadow (CRAU)

IC
Name: Zangetsu
Canon: Bleach / CRAU
Canon Point: Canon: After being reforged, Lost Carnival: endgame, Deerington: Mid September 2020
Age: 18ish
Appearance: Usually something like this. But with his fae influence and abilities, he often has animal parts, such as; hare ears, feathery owl legs, and a long reptilian tail. Thanks to his fae powers, he can take almost any form he can imagine — but they are typically primarily white with black, blue, or red markings, along with gold eyes with black sclera and blue viscera.
Abilities: There’s a LOT here but nothing gamebreaking, I promise.

• Martial arts/Master Swordsman: Skilled in karate and mixed martial arts, honed by streetfighting, Zangetsu’s body is powerful and fast even without powers. His fighting style is brutal, and he’s not afraid to take cheap shots in order to win. His sword skills are similarly brutal and instinctual, and not based in any particular style.

• Spiritual Awareness: Like Ichigo, Zangetsu can see and interact with spirits as if they were living people. He can also detect people and creatures by their Reiatsu (or soul signature) alone. Because he is part soul predator, Zangetsu is much better at tracking and detecting Reiatsu than Ichigo is, and can detect souls he is familiar with from far away.

• Super Strength: Unencumbered by the trappings of humanity, Zangetsu packs a lot more punch than his slender frame would suggest. He can crush a person’s trachea or even their skull with a single hand, and he can throw people through buildings with ease.

• Enhanced Speed and Agility: In short, he can jump higher and move much faster than a human. He is crafty and agile, and difficult to read because of the chaotic nature of his movements.

Spiritual Powers
• Immense Spiritual Pressure: Like his master, Zangetsu possesses a vast sea of spiritual energy, which is comparable to something like mana. Unlike Ichigo, he is skilled in dampening it and can even hide it completely. He’s also very good at using it like a blunt weapon, literally turning up the “pressure” in the atmosphere, instilling a feeling of existential dread and increased gravity. He goes through his energy pretty quick, though, and must rest inside Ichigo’s sword in order to recuperate effectively.

• Durability: Due to his high levels of spiritual power, Zangetsu is incredibly durable, able to withstand attacks that would kill or even atomize lesser beings. Quite plainly, he can take a beating and get back up, wanting more.

• “Zangetsu” sword: I know. Confusing. Zangetsu possesses a pure white version of Ichigo’s larger blade, resembling a giant khyber knife with a hole in the center. The end of the blade is wrapped in a long strip of jet black cloth, allowing Zangetsu to wield it like a flail or throw it like a javelin, a technique he calls “Deadly Darts”. He also seems to have some psychic control over its direction, and can recall it back to his hand at will. It is not a true, physical weapon, though it is solid and sharp. As a manifestation of Zangetsu’s power, his “true self”, so to speak, he can summon and dispel it at will.

• Getsuga Tenshou: A crescent-shaped blast of black and red energy that has the ability to “slice the heavens”. Zangetsu has been shown to cleave even huge buildings and monsters in two with this ability. Even more skilled with the technique than Ichigo, he can decide whether he wants it to be a cutting or concussive/explosive blast. Zangetsu is also skilled at holding the energy of the Getsuga “in” the sword, powering up its close range abilities.

• Bankai; Tensa Zangetsu: An even more powerful form achieved by the complete communication of shinigami and zanpakutou… and, unfortunately, not given any real details in canon. As Ichigo and Zangetsu are separated, and Zangetsu lacks the second sword in the set, this ability cannot be used at all by Zangetsu alone.

Hollow Powers:
• High Speed Regeneration: A Hollow specific form of healing that allows Zangetsu to recover from almost any wound instantaneously. This includes knitting together scrapes and bruises, setting broken bones, to outright regrowing limbs that have been torn or sliced off. The only damage he can’t repair is to his heart and to his brain, and he is not able to heal from decapitation.

• Soul Hunger: Hollows are so named because of the emptiness that they experience when they transform from normal ghosts into monsters. They seek to fill this emptiness in any way possible, most commonly by eating other souls. Stronger souls provide longer relief from the hunger pangs. Zangetsu is not normally subject to this ailment because of his connection to Ichigo, a wellspring of spiritual energy. However, since he is separated from Ichigo, he does have this hunger. He can satiate it with normal food, but live animals and their souls work better, and human souls work the best. While Ichigo is in the game, he can also take the edge off by resting “inside” Ichigo’s larger “Zangetsu” sword. If Ichigo ever leaves, though… well! If Zangetsu does not attend to his hunger, he can lose his senses and go into a blind, starving rage, killing and consuming anything he can get his claws into.

• Sonído (“Sound Ceremony): Equivalent to the shinigami shunpo (flash step), Sonído is a technique used by powerful Hollows to cover distance in an instant. It is super speed that is functionally equivalent to teleportation, but can be stopped by solid structures. Additionally, Zangetsu can move so quickly with Sonído that he cannot be detected while using it.

• Gran Rey Cero: An incredibly powerful blast of condensed spiritual energy, fired like a laser. Can be combined with a drop of the user’s blood for extra oomph. Zangetsu can fire a Cero from his palm, the tips of his fingers or, when applicable, from between his horns. Ceros take a few seconds to charge, and if the user is disrupted during this period, the energy can explode back on the user.

• Shapeshifting: Even before becoming a changeling with a specialty in changing shape, Zangetsu could take on various different forms. While separate, he is unable to take his more powerful forms, but is able to turn into a hulking reptilian beast. He can also transform piecemeal, for example: just the shoulder spikes, talons, or tail, or combinations thereof. Additionally, Zangetsu can summon his mask at will. It is made of bone and can have various appearances, such as being all white, black with white bars, white with black bars, and with or without horns and a more helm-like appearance. The mask does provide some protection for his face, but is mostly ornamental. If broken, Zangetsu is stunned for some time. Additionally, he can sprout a huge, worm-like appendage from any injury. This appendage ends in a fully functional, wide mouth with blunt, human teeth and a long tongue.


• Possession: OK THIS ONE IS A BIG “MAYBE”. If you guys don’t like it, we can nix it, but I would like it to work with at least Ichigo. Once a week, Zangetsu can take a noncorporeal form and “possess” a host, imbuing them with the Hollow powers listed above for a short time. The host gains a mask similar to Zangetsu’s, but can vary depending on the host preference. It can either be a mutual decision, where Zangetsu’s consciousness takes a backseat to the host who can then use his powers at will, or it can be against the host’s will (but with ample player permission, of course!) and Zan will puppet the body as if it were his own. The possessed form combines the powers of the original host with Zangetsu’s and the possession lasts as long as the host can hold out — this can be anywhere from hours for someone like Ichigo, to seconds for someone less experienced. Both Zangetsu and the host will be exhausted after the possession ends, and Zangetsu can be forced out via various kinds of exorcism, or by strong force of will of an unhappy host. Additionally, non-Ichigo hosts can take different Hollow forms, but always with markings and build similar to the original full Hollow. If one non-Ichigo person is possessed multiple times, they may begin to develop Hollow-like traits, such as black sclera, claws, or a hunger that doesn’t quite go away… player’s choice, of course! I just want people to be able to have some good old mutating fun. Again, I am perfectly fine if you guys say “no” to this for any character besides Ichigo! I would limit this ability to once a week due to the high level of OOC communication required for it.

CRAU Fae Powers
As a changeling, Zangetsu has been infused with the magic of the fae. Specifically, he has been blessed by the Red Beast, with the power of growth and decay. The original description was as follows: “Housed within the Red Beast, the power Growth and Decay represent the power of changing states and the gain and loss of power. This energy guides every life from its creation until its death, allowing it to shift in form and to eventually spark new life in what is left behind. At a base level it can hasten the growth or decline of life forms. At its most intricate, it governs all physical and spiritual change, for the better or for the worse.”

When we OOCly chose our blessings, we were allowed pretty wide latitude in the interpretation of the blessing. I took the “shift in form” bit and ran with it. Therefore…

• Enhanced Shapeshifting: Zangetsu’s body becomes a canvas for his imagination, though his skills lie more in using his body as a tool than creating perfect doppelgängers. Think more Venom symbiote than Skrull. Indeed, he can’t change his coloration or markings extensively, so every form he takes will have white skin, blue blood, and gold eyes with black sclera. He rarely changes form completely, instead adding to or modifying his base body. For example, turning his arms into wings, his feet into talons, giving himself large ears for enhanced hearing, growing blades of bone and keratin for attack and defense, gills for breathing underwater, etc. In general, he can’t grow larger than a large horse, or smaller than a hare. He takes inspiration from creatures, both real and imaginary, but can’t take the appearance of specific people. Some of his favorite motifs include dragons, owls, sharks, and rabbits. Additionally, he can change other character’s shapes (with player permission, of course) with a touch. This includes breaking some lower level fae enchantments from the game’s events, if desired, but a lot of the magic here in Greening is above his pay grade.

• Plant Growth and Decay: Zangetsu can coax plants to grow faster, bigger, and sometimes into different forms. He can also cause plantlife to rot away with a touch. He isn’t very good at this particular power set, though, and it doesn’t always work out as he intends.

• Iron Toxicity: Zangetsu is about as close to true Fae as you can get without being born one. There’s lots of perks… and one big, huge, shiny drawback. Zangetsu can be poisoned by even a small amount of iron, rendering him powerless and weak. Enough iron can kill him, painfully and slowly. He cannot even touch iron without getting a nasty, acid-like burn that takes a long time to heal. An iron chain around his wrists or neck is enough to render him powerless and barely conscious. Even being near concentrated sources of iron induces nausea and headaches, and weapons made from iron penetrate his defenses. The more pure the iron, the greater the effect; cold or unrefined iron having the most potency and steel having the least. Zangetsu can safely handle objects made of steel, but extended contact leads to malaise.

(Optional) Personality: Zangetsu is the ferocious incarnation of Ichigo’s deepest, darkest instincts; his instinct to fight and to win at any cost in order to protect those he cares about. However, Ichigo possesses the strength of will to reign in his instincts and not completely obliterate everything around him. Zangetsu does not have this restraint. He is well known for his wide smiles and unhinged laughter, as well as his incredible physical prowess and utter disregard for life and limb. He fights berserk-style, using his weapon form in unconventional and strange ways, such as throwing it and twirling it by the cloth on its hilt. He is proud of his power and enjoys “playing” as he fights, enjoying the act of battle itself. He seems only to care for Ichigo’s wellbeing insomuch as he would perish if Ichigo were to. His desire to protect seems to be, at first blush, for completely selfish reasons. He even goes so far as to compare Ichigo to the “King” and himself to a “Horse”, who carries the king. He ominously warns that if the king is not cautious, he may fall from the horse and be trampled under its sharp hooves. He expresses a desire to take the “crown” for himself and become the dominant soul of Ichigo’s body. He disrespects Ichigo at every turn, but seems to show some deference to the other resident of Ichigo’s soul, the manifestation of his Quincy blood. He is shown to somewhat mirror his master’s personality, and is prone to loud outbursts. Unlike Ichigo, he is shown to be quite immature and throws fits when he doesn’t get his way. He doesn’t have Ichigo’s respect and morals, and has no problem hurting even Ichigo’s friends who get in his way.

He is fairly nonchalant about his identity as Ichigo’s true zanpakutou, however, and is more than willing to let the Quincy power manifestation (referred to from here on out as “the Old Man”) play the part. The Old Man is the one who offers most of the advice, the reassurance, and the mentorship. However, when training Ichigo to use his Shinigami powers, it is always Zangetsu himself who spars with their master. Zanpakutou also have a few deep-seated instincts that can’t be completely erased by Hollow contamination. They are weapons of purification, and have a strong urge to cleanse dark spirits, even if they are dark spirits themselves. They long to get stronger, and to make their wielders stronger. They are also bound by a strong sense of duty, though Zangetsu’s is a bit more hyper-focused than most. His only duty is to protect Ichigo, and make him (and therefore himself) stronger, and this he does with an unbreakable will. Hollows also have an instinct to get stronger, to always be moving forward, but are also plagued by a sense of emptiness and longing. Hollows are driven to destroy and consume to fill the figurative and literal holes in their souls. Since Zangetsu is a hybrid of both, he combines traits of both the corrupted souls known as Hollows and the sentient blades forged to cleanse them, the Zanpakutou.

However, all may not be so simple. Zangetsu is not just a mindless, insane battle-hungry beast, though that is a lot of it. ‘Insane’ may not be the best word to use, either; he doesn’t subscribe to the same moral code that humans do. In order to defeat Aizen, Zangetsu and the Old Man combine into one form to challenge Ichigo and ensure he can handle the power needed. Ichigo calls upon his sword for the power to protect his friends and family. The merged form declares loudly that what Ichigo wants to protect is NOT what he wants to protect. What the Old Man and Zangetsu wish to protect is Ichigo himself. And not just for selfish reasons. When Ichigo finally defeats the merged form, he cries, truly despondent, for using the technique that Ichigo needed to defeat Aizen would destroy Zangetsu and the Old Man, and leave Ichigo powerless to further protect his friends, perhaps even dead. This casts some doubt on the truth behind Zangetsu’s promises to destroy Ichigo and take his body for his own. Were they true threats, or lies in order to keep his master sharp and alert? After all, which man runs faster; the one running of his own volition, or the one being chased by a man-eating tiger?

Regardless of his true intentions, there are a few things about Zangetsu that are always true; he is an impossible hybrid who loves to fight with no regard for himself or others, he laughs like a crazy person, he’s stupidly powerful, and he has a deep instinct to protect.

It can also be assumed that Zangetsu may have picked up a few traits from Ichigo. A love of rock music, the ability to play a bit of guitar, a love of fighting video games, and a taste for chocolate and spicy food.

- Since becoming a changeling, Zangetsu has taken on some fae attributes. These include increased territoriality (protectiveness of people, objects, and places that belong to ‘him’), hoarding instinct (specifically of pillows and soft fabrics, gems and other shiny objects, and plants), a reluctance to lie (though bending the truth is always acceptable), and a preference for natural or wild areas as opposed to man-made locations.
-There’s also the general character growth from being alone, away from Ichigo, and being forced to live life on his own terms… and to face the consequences of his actions. This Zangetsu is more levelheaded and even, and has more humility than his canon fresh self (which is to say, he has a small amount of humility, rather than none at all whatsoever). Having your ass kicked by super powerful godlike beings can do that for a swordmonster. He is still a fighty and impulsive bastard, but he does now give his actions some thought… every once in a while. He has learned a lot about how to interact with other people, and though he is still crass and direct, his heart has warmed to others just a bit. In short, he became a fuller and more rounded individual, instead of just the incarnation of battle instinct and survival.
-Additionally, due to the nature of the game he came from, he is very familiar with the concept of alternate universes, multiple worlds, parallel realities, and time shenanigans. Fourth wall breaking will technically be a new concept for him, but one that he’ll surprisingly take in stride.
- He now plays guitar really well.

History: Wiki link!!
Lost Carnival game history:
- ended up walking through a door to a fae carnival about a year ago
- made a deal with the high fae Ringmaster; one year of service to the Carnival in exchange for a wish. Zangetsu’s wish (now fulfilled) is for he and Ichigo to be immune from Ywach’s power, “The Alimighty”.
- Many world-spanning hijinks ensue. Worlds visited include; supernatural YA lit style Portland AU, the realm of the Summer fae, a world with HDM-style daemons, a living castle with a high fae based on the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, a world with technological magical girls and boys, some very poorly planned space olympics, a magical library containing the knowledge of the multiverse, the actual garden of Eden where he was undercover as a shark, an entire Japanese bath house world, kidnapped by an evil winter fae and experimented on, then a whooooole big fun finale in the Wyldlands, home of the Fae who are neither Summer nor Winter Court.

Deerington game history:
- While still at the carnival, Zangetsu fell asleep and woke up in Deerington, Maine. Actually a crappy dream version of it populated by eldritch abominations.
- He didn't actually get much done there before I had to drop but he met up with Ichigo there and they had some discussions about STUFF!! He comes to Greening after waking up back at the Carnival and setting out in search of Ichigo and Deerington again.

Sample(s): With Ichigo on TDM