i lie and sign myself to lies -- 体術

skills wrote:

• Sealing Techniques | Fūinjutsu 封印術
  
• Summoning Techniques | Kuchiyose 感知
  
• Sensory Techniques | Kanchijutsu 感知
  
• Body Techniques | Taijutsu 体術
  

• Strength: D
  
• Constitution: D
  
• Stamina: C
  
• Speed: D
  
• Coordination: D
  
• Intelligence: C
  
• Perception: D
  

unique abilities wrote:

• Bought and Paid For - Nagato was quite literally clinging to life - the slow steady throb of his heart dulling in his ears. On his tongue was the taste of copper, and the ground showed more of him than dirt. For the Shinobi who refused to accept death, that this was the end, his wish sparked an accord within the Universe and a demon was born. With an offer that Nagato could not refuse.
  
  Past records speak of summoned creatures granting miracles to individuals, but this is a different situation entirely. Instead of arms or legs, Nagato surgically grafted on the spiritual replacements for a heart, intestines and eyes, with some minor touches for his lungs. There have been a number of ramifications for Nagato ever since he sold his body and mind to the figurative devil. The standard contract was completed, in return for the demon's services - Nagato provides him with sustenance and a place to live. Hence, Nagato has had a distinct disregard for his own personal safety, a trait which is in part encouraged by some of the features having a demon instilled inside you. First and foremost, his 'nature' changed from human to 'mixed blood' as soon as the demon and performed the spiritual surgery and implanted herself into Nagato's Circuits.
  Additionally, since it has taken over several of Nagato's identity, it has altered him not only on a physical level but a spiritual one as well.
  As a result of this fusion between summon and Shinobi - Nagato's Kuchiyose techniques do not require hand seals. But he suffers from a permanent reduction to his chakra reserves, equal to the to the rank of KEOT, the demon that lives beneath his skin. Nagato must pay the upkeep cost of the demon for each post that KEOT is active.   
  
  During non-combat topics, KEOT can be lulled to sleep to prevent the incursion of the chakra upkeep cost. However, if he must be roused from this state, it takes 1 turn for him to do so.
  
  
• BOUGHT AND PAID FOR PT.2 - as a natural consequence of the unity between the two of them - KEOT is considered to be permanently summoned at all times, even though he may not always show his face. His presence can be detected by sensory abilities, typically presenting akin to pregnancy. KEOT and Nagato cannot be separated by over 100m or they both perish.
  
  
  
• UNHOLY REGENERATION - despite an otherwise frail appearance, Nagato is strangely durable and hardy in nature. In truth, this is more so due to the work of his inner parasite. By channelling chakra towards KEOT, Nagata can take 1 turn of reduced stamina(---) in exchange for 1 turn of an increased constitution(+++). Doing so costs 5CP to induce this state.
  
  
• COLOURLESS SECRETS - KEOT is a surprisingly scholarly creature - and a being of antediluvian origin. Chakra and it's rawer secrets dance for him under such tutelage; allowing Nagato to cast NON ELEMENTAL NINJUTSU without the need for hand seals. (CLANLESS UA.)
  
  
• PACT MAGIC - as long as Nagato has access to his own reserves, he can tap into Keot's own wellspring by paying 5 CP in order to boost his stamina by 1 Tier for the remainder for the thread. Doing so reduces his strength by 1 Tier as well.
  
  
• AWKWARD BRILLIANCE- whilst it is ungainly to observe- when pushed to perform, Nagato can perform hand seals for various techniques whilst using a single hand. However, he does so at a disadvantage (-1tier) to his co-ordination whilst doing so.
  

appearance wrote:
In no other place than the planes of Nagato’s face are the distinct ethnic and cultural divisions of his birth and later life. During his youth, his skin was bright and vibrant; a sunkissed prepubescent filled with dreams and grandeur. It is a far cry from his current pallor: the golden fruit is long submerged under the Kirigakure winter washed sky.
Whilst alabaster in tone, there is a faint reminiscence to the faded past: a pale undying nimbus lurks.  He is not possessed of an unhealthy scholar’s pallor, but rather a flower who has just wilted before ripening again in the spring.

The Shinobi of old would find many familiar features on Nagato’s face, assuredly they would find a strong kinsmanship with his prominent nose. The thinness to his face detracts from its size, but viewed in profile it is often starkly contrasted to an assortment of otherwise more subtle features.
Born into relative opulence and even greater exposure to the arts and craft of the world than many – it is this life of luxury that he wears most openly.  Occasionally likened to being lupine, this is a contrast that Nagato frequently rejects.

If his lips were a shade more vibrant or less protuberant over his chin and his chinless a study in sharp angles; he would find himself a more masculine individual. Instead, his sharper features work against him whereas on another face they would be quite desirable. In isolation: exquisite. Together: discordant.

Deep-set eyes are set to a perpetual glower, shedding an intense bead of attention which almost borders on the manic. If eyes are the optic oracles to the individual zeitgeist; then Nagato’s passion and fervour shine through for all to see. But it is tempered by an easy temperament and humour – strip these mediators away, however, and red runs the rivers of the heart.

Between beating dark lashes, these angry orbs are veiled from direct observation and are relegated to being a background wallflower in the grand scheme of Nagato’s countenance. Jutting out over them rolls two languid eyebrows, perhaps the most bewitching of his characteristics.
Of all the genotypes his ancestry provides, Nagato counts upon these as his most fortunate. Without the presence of the elegant growths, his face would be bereft of a balancing lynch-pin around his other features may circulate.
Never truly in harmony with each other, but managed by his fierce eyebrows. The sharp knife-cut lines of his jawline, cheekbones, nose and chin are complemented by their brush strokes and his cantankerous countenance is tamed by the long shadow they cast.

These dark highlights creased above his fell orbs are herald to an early wintering of hair; white before its time. Long and perpetually unkempt despite any efforts to the contrary, Nagato suffers from the perpetual air of a man who looks like he has recently risen from a deep sleep. An effect which has won him more affection than it has cost.
His dark wayward hair often exhibits a rogueish, tumbling down to one side of his face but has never been permitted the length to fulfil its true desire of obscuring his vision. Faint flecks of silver drift in the roots of his hair, reminders of the occasions where Nagato has pushed himself to the point of breaking.
Most other men his age would hide these lines of unadulterated strain and premature ageing: to shinobi they are mementoes of honour and a monument to the accomplishment of the individual. Selfish trophies, perhaps, but beloved ones nonetheless.

Other marks of a relatively harsh and violent life are catalogued in the atlas of his body. Not unfamiliar markings for one mired in a life of danger and deceit.
Strangest of all, however, are the sections of skin along his right forearm where the skin itself seems rusted and metallic, rough to the touch like a cat’s tongue but not unpleasant as its edges are soothed by a layer of body hair.

Nagato’s wardrobe has never suffered through the summer seasonal variations, and as such everything found within belongs to items that would be found within a winter catalogue. The most common staples of his wardrobe are derivatives from his birthright – a long mottled green travelling cloak with dark highlights and an abundance of pockets often are the first impressions available when observing him.
Beneath this, an assortment of clothing can be found - ranging from tank tops and long cargo pats to more formal wear. However, his long comfortable overcoat is never far from hand.

personality wrote:Nagato possess a rather remarkably personality in that he believes that he possesses the traits to rule, but knows that he doesn't have required stability for the task. He’s both prone to emotional instability, yet his resilience and determination are the very things that define his responses to these two failings. This very determination is often mistaken for outrageous arrogance and - it frequently is- an increasingly obvious superiority complex, however the male-only does this out of his fundamental beliefs which are utterly malevolent - but that's a matter of perspective as he well knows. Growing up relying primarily on his own mental and physical prowess has made him a bit insensitive and cold-hearted when social sensibilities are in question.

Striving for perfection is ever the unattainable goal of many a mad man – some successful, others not. Some burn out long before their stars muster to their full glory, and Nagato? His was snuffed out before it had even begun the preliminary stages of combustion. Doused in a dark oil – that former glorious heat still lingers beneath the surface now.
In his present mental iteration – Nagato prefers to take things slower – equal parts necessity and equal parts

At the forefront of Nagato’s psyche is the opinion that he is not worthy. But this opinion is at the forefront because the rest of his personality is built on top of this thought. It defines much of his opinions in life, but how he interprets and emotionally acts upon this cornerstone are what make up the vital summary of his mental being. From this root, there spring two potential pathways for the majority of the population given the standard upbringing.

Either they become more introverted, lose their self-worth and ultimately struggle to form meaningful attachments, develop relationships and will either learn how to do so or become your stereotypical late-night horror villain. Some people rebel against this, against themselves and struggle to redefine themselves. Succeed and they are better, stronger people. For a man or woman who has triumphed against himself or herself has very little to fear from the world. Should they fail, they fall into a pit of self-despair and loathing.

However, Nagato is not at all a serious man. He may have serious emotional issues, and many strict codes of conduct, but he never acts this way. Around anyone for that matter. It is simply not the man he is. His ego and optimism are what contribute to his carefree and luxurious lifestyle. By having plentiful amounts of self-determination, he simply has nothing to fear. Now, that’s not saying he has no fears.
He does have those, but his only materialistic fear is that of insects. He does not even fear death, for he understands life is about accomplishing what one can while they are around, nostalgia over death is just another sign of weakness which he cannot behold. Now these other fears of his, are more revolved around him not finishing the task he has been given. This isn’t a shallow idea such as forgetting to sign a few peace treaties. No, this is on a fundamental level. Nagato's greatest fear is that he won’t have enough time to accomplish his lifetime goals, and is the only thing that ever keeps him up at night.



Finally, whilst logic and reason have their place in Nagato’s mind he finds himself more strongly led by his intuitive practices and tends to give both methods of situational analysis equal weight. Occasionally this provides him with a hard-headed or stubborn air, because of the value he places in his ability to deduce and make cognitive leaps that those with equal amounts of information would not be able to make. Occasionally wrong, occasionally right - he frequently abandons this mental speculation during combat however as he has found that often times combat is decided by a careful application of strategy, technique, reflexes and skill. Intuition has little to do with these principles.  

history wrote:

There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile,
Through narrow, crooked streets, with a wicked, crooked smile.
He saw a crooked alley, and a girl, not crooked, fine...
He took his crooked hands, and ushered her towards crooked exile

Beyond the incident which would become to transform his life - Nagato is not a man for whom the stars destined for the noteworthy or even the mildly famous. Unlike the vast majority of other shinobi - his degree of chakra did not meet the cut off to be considered a candidate for the academy. So he moved into other areas of work; family business, retail, culinary, looking to establish his skills in a wide variety of areas and learn what role he would be suited for in adult life.

Unfortunately, this would never truly come to pass. However minor, he still had enough talent and ability to pick up some skills here and there - becoming friends with a number of the ninja they shared a few tricks with him: learning one or two higher-rated techniques was often a way to bypass the academy process entirely: a supreme display of talent often displayed greater pedigree than the academy and its rigorous academic rigmarole.

The first one that Nagato learned from their half-baked, drunken lessons was the summoning technique. Although they regretfully informed him that whilst it was a key to a doorway of success, there was a caveat.

You have to have a contract with a creature to be able to summon it. And this wasn't a gift that the young bored men of Kirigakure no Sato could give to someone else - especially someone too weak initially to qualify for the training regime of the academy. It was up to the young teen to find his own opportunity.

It would come much quicker than any of them would have guessed.

Taking on a gig as a field guide and general assistant to supply trains - Nagato was exposed to the wider civilian world past the realm of the village's influence. But also learned that the suppressive nature of Kirigakure kept the more common and garden malicious influences at bay.

Attacked by bandits in the night, Nagato took up arms with the rest of the supply crew. The battle was not a quick one, and they were constantly hounded across the countryside towards a place colloquially known as no man's land.

Vyborg Castle in the eastern slopes was a place in the world where many strange things had taken place - a nest for the inhuman and unspeakable. It was amongst these craggy clusters of refuge that the troupe made camp.
Furiously defending their mortal coils, cargo long forgotten, an ugly struggle broke out amongst the relic ridden shadows of Vyborg. One of their casualties: Nagato, torn in great rents by numerous blades before their busy edges darted onwards.

Bleeding out, lonely and cold - Nagato thought back towards the lessons he had learnt and his mother's words to him before he had left:'If you ask politely and earnestly enough, all manner of help will come to those who wear our name.'

Fumbling with his families pendant in one hand, and his blood in the other to draw out the seals for the summoning technique itself before injecting the last of his life force into the seal and out into the world.
A fisherman, standing on the edge of the world - slowly crumbling into dust as he frantically used his own essence as a lure to attract a morsel.

And for better or worse, Nagato got a bite.

The offered contract was simple, and Nagato did not hesitate to accept - incorporating the ethereal forces into his body as the mysterious creature made himself at him: repainting him in a new colour.

Rising from the grave, Nagato came from behind to win the day for his troupe. But with every step he took, he wondered whether it was really a victory or the beginning of a prolonged defeat.