Shinigami Duties
TERMINOLOGY | KIDOU | SHINIGAMI DUTIES
✓ SPECIAL DUTIES OF THE GOTEI 13...
1st Division
Checks and Balances*
Since the Gotei's inception, this division has been run by the captain-commander. Granted, Yamamoto was the only captain-commander there had ever been, so there wasn't much of a contingency plan for what to do in the event of his death. Ultimately the position of soutaichou followed the successor rather than uprooting Ukitake from his own division, however the heavy mantle of respect for the fallen fatherr of the Gotei remains draped across the shoulders of his former division. The First Division is in charge of regulating the proper flow of souls between Soul Society and the Living World. It is their duty to keep the balance of souls in check and make certain there are no complications in the transfer and acclimation of new souls into Soul Society, as well as keeping tabs on the flow of souls out of Soul Society into new bodies on earth.
The flower insignia of the First Division is the chrysanthemum, symbolizing truth and innocence, as well as friendship. The Chrysanthemum was also adopted as the official seal of the Emperor of Japan around the 8th Century, and this may be part of the reason for choosing this flower as a symbol of the division originally run by the leader of the Gotei.
2nd Division
Special Ops
Though the Second Division as a whole does not have any special duties allocated to it, traditionally the captain of the Second Division is also commander-in-chief of the Onmitsukidou--the Special Ops Corps. The Onmitsukidou is divided into five branches, which are supervised by the first five seated officers of the division. The entire task force is very under the table, and most of the Gotei doesn't even know about the duties of the Onmitsukidou.
• 01. Executive Militia: Run by the captain of the division, this judgment task force is ranked the highest within the corps. Their duties include the sentencing and execution of traitors and enemies of the state; they also serve as scouts for Hollow-hunt missions. The members of this task force specialize in hakuda, dress all in black, and are known for being ruthless and bloodthirsty.
• 02. Patrol Company: The guard-dogs of Seireitei, members of this team police the corridors of the court and apprehend delinquents. Outside the walls of Seireitei they are a first line of defense against dangerous Hollows and invaders. This team is headed by the vice-captain of the Second Division.
• 03. Detention Unit: Responsible for the jailing and supervision of those criminals of Seireitei not put to death, the third unit of the Onmitsukidou has a most dangerous and secretive duty. Within this unit is a sub-division in charge of those souls who entered the Gotei 13 but were deemed too dangerous to be allowed to continue their career. Since they have not yet committed a crime, they cannot be sentenced, and thus they are simply imprisoned in a large underground containment facility known as The Maggot's Nest. One of the prerequisites of the Third Seat of the Second Division, therefore, is to be able to control any of the prisoners with his or her bare hands, as zanpakutou are forbidden within the Maggot's Nest.
• 04. & 05. Sentries*: Since the deaths of three of the four guardians of the gates of Seireitei, the fourth and fifth tiers of the special ops squad have taken up the torch. Standing guard at the four gates that connect Seireitei to Rukongai, these teams of elites make sure no one gets in without permission, and ascertain that everyone who is supposed to stay within the walls of Seireitei does so. The fourth tier guards the northern and southern gates, while the fifth tier guards the eastern and western gates.
The Second Division flower insignia is the okinagusa (翁草). This plant doesn't have a proper translation in English, but the breakdown of the kanji is [old man] and [grass or root]. Okinagusa is named thus because after the flower blooms, the seeds have trails of long white hair like an old man. The significance of this flower is satisfaction: a want of nothing.
3rd Division
The Prisoner of Azkaban*
While the Onmitsukidou plays judge, jury, and executioner for Seireitei's hardened criminals, they don't handle every case that ends up behind bars. Once delinquents are apprehended and deemed a secondary menace, as it were, they are often turned over to the Third Division, who houses Seireitei's Slightly Less Wanted in their medium-security prison. On the rare occasion a prisoner from their ward is sentenced to death, the Third Division carries this out as well.
The insignia of this division is the marigold, standing for despair, cruelty, jealousy, and grief. (Gin and Kira suit it all right, but rather odd that Rose ran a division symbolized thus, huh?) Since this division's duties were created for the context of the game, the choice of flower cannot be aligned with any significance unless we step outside the Fourth Wall of canon, where the symbolism of this flower kind of makes the choice follow in regard to a most duplicitous captain and a decidedly morose and taciturn lieutenant. Incidentally, the marigold is viewed as the flower of the dead in some cultures, much like the lily represents death in Europe and the US.
4th Division
Medicine and Sanitation
Charged with the well-being of the Gotei, the Fourth Division is truly one of the most integral and pivotal divisions within the ranks. While all of its members are, of course, trained in combat, their main purpose is to heal the wounded and bring home the fallen. The field medics of Soul Society, the Fourth Division is always prepared to take on the decidedly hefty task of keeping the soldiers in the fight. When they're not splinting limbs and saving lives, the Fourth Division is also in charge of general sanitation and cleanup, as well as maintenance of the sewer systems that run beneath the city.
The flower of the Fourth Division is the gentiana, which is, in fact, a medicinal plant. Representing integrity and a love of caring for those who suffer. Named for the Illyrian king who used the roots of this flower to heal his wounded soldiers, this flower suits this proud, curative division well.
5th Division
Magic and Messengers
Don't let the new captain's skills (or lack thereof) fool you--the Fifth Division has always specialized in kidou, and despite their fearless leader's shortcomings in that particular field, the lieutenant surely stands as a good representation of that standard. Kidou--the way of the demon--is a Shinigami's intangible weapon, drawn from the spiritual energy their very bodies are created from. The members of the Fifth Division specialize in this ethereal skill, and are renowned for their prowess in this field. Also within the Fifth Division is the Riteitai--the recondite messenger squad. Dressed in the traditional uniforrms of the ancient couriers, these messengers send covert information between captains and officers within Seireitei. As they are entrusted with extremely sensitive information at times, an extensive background check is done before any officer is even considered for such a position.
The Fifth Division wears the Japanese andromeda, a flowering tree variety of the lily of the valley, which symbolizes purity, sacrifice, and the innocence of love. It is believed that the lily of the valley protects a garden from evil spirits, and was grown from Eve's tears when she was expelled from Eden. Rather tongue-in-cheek when you take its ex-captain in mind, wouldn't you say? Interestingly enough, the leaves and flower nectar of this shrub are actually highly toxic and if ingested can cause death.
6th Division
Butterfly Maintenance
For those messages that aren't quite so confidential and urgent as to require the Ritentai, Hellmoths are one of Seireitei's most widely used methods of communication. These handy little critters can record messages, and then fly to their intended recipient to play back the information. They are also used to safely escort Shinigami (and the odd guest) through the Senkaimon gate to get between Soul Society and the living world. The butterflies are housed and cared for in a stable-like structure on the grounds of the Sixth Division.
The camellia is the insignia of the Sixth Division, symbolizing noble reason, and everlasting union. The camellia is one of the most well-recognized and respected flowers in Asia, and was honored as the national flower of the ancient Southwestern Chinese city of Dai Li.
7th Division
Smithies and Smackdowns*
Ever wonder where those asauchi blades carried by officers who were never able to bond with a zanpakutou come from? That would be the work of the Seventh Division. The smithies of Seireitei, the Seventh Division officers can often be found folding steel and forging weapons--asauchi and practice blades alike, as well as more obscure weapons for those who wish to keep up their skills outside of the field of the standard katana. (They have also been known to make lovely wrought-iron gates, decorative patio furniture, and delightful plant-stands.) It is also the job of the Seventh Division to serve as a sort of overt defense squad. Whereas the Second Division is a more clandestine line of defense, the Seventh Division makes it very clear that No Shenanigans Will Be Tolerated so long as they're on watch.
The iris is the flower insignia for the Seventh Division, symbolizing courage, faith, and valor. In ancient Greece, purple irises were often planted on the graves of women who had died to summon the goddess Iris--messenger of the gods who acted as the link between heaven and earth--to guide them to the afterlife. Iba may also be pleased to discover that certain types of alcohol use the roots of the iris plant for flavor and color.
8th Division
Records and Archiving*
Most of the reference section of the Seireitei Spirit Arts Academy library has been compiled and published thanks to the hard work of the Eighth Division. Specializing in archiving and recordkeeping, this scholastic squad of bookworms (captain's antics notwithstanding) keeps Seireitei's history neatly recorded and precisely archived. In fact, they have a whole building in their barracks dedicated to the annals of Soul Society history, and most of the information is public, too...if you want to bother to go through all 2,000 years of history to find what you're looking for...
The Eighth Division insignia is the bird of paradise. This exotic and brilliantly colored flower symbolizes joy and, unsurprisingly, finding the gateway to paradise. "All that you seek you shall find in your hands."
9th Division
Media and CSI
The Ninth Division is in charge of Seireitei's main news circular, The Seireitei News Magazine, which is published monthly. It features news from around Seireitei as well as editorials and human interest articles and photography. They are also responsible for the collection and proper distribution of all weekly division reports. In addition, the Ninth Division is also home of Seireitei's internal investigation squad. If there's something fishy afoot, not to worry, the CSI Squad of the Ninth Division is
on the job.
A white poppy is the flower insignia for the Ninth Division. In the Databook SOULs, it is indicated that these flowers symbolize a lapse of memory and the concept of oblivion, however a white poppy today actually indicates a wish for cessation of war, and white poppies are traditionally worn in observation of Armistice/Veteran's Day.
10th Division
Living World Information Desk*
It's no coincidence that Hitsugaya was the captain to lead the mission to the living world to investigate the Arrancar--that's what the Tenth Division is for! In charge of general living world information and reconnaissance, if there's something going on across the Senkaimon, the Tenth Division is there to check it out and report back to Seireitei to organize any necessary countermeasures. They're also pretty knowledgeable about living world technology and fashion.
The Tenth Division is marked by the daffodil, is a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, but also carries a secondary symbolism for mystery, as well as egoism and self-gratification, hence the other common name for the daffodil, the narcissus. Legend tells that receiving the gift of a bunch of daffodils can bring wealth and good fortune to the recipient, but when given as a single bloom, the daffodil spells tragedy and misfortune.
11th Division
Combat Specialists
If you're looking for a bodyguard, this would be the place to start. Quintessential antithesis to the Fifth Division's kidou experts, the Eleventh Division is stafed by the Gotei's roughtest, toughest brawlers. These guys take a lickin' and keep on tickin', and a peaceful surrender is not in their vocabulary. For the Eleventh Division, fisticuffs are a way of life, and only those who are the cream of the strongest crop are admitted. Don't try reasoning with them--they only let their fists do the etalking, and if you can't keep up, you'll just go home bruised.
The insignia for the Eleventh Division is the achillea--or Siberian yarrow--a very manly plant indeed. According to Homer's Iliad, Achilles, for whom the plant is named, used this plant to heal the wounds of his soldiers. The meaning off the yarrow plant is good health, specifically, but this rough and ready division takes it a step further--to them, the yarrow is the sturdiness to fight, and the stamina to win.
12th Division
Creepy Science S.R.D.I.
The Twelfth Division is Seireitei's leading R&D department. A hundred years ago, Urahara Kisuke founded and led the original Shinigami Research and Development Institute, with Kurotsuchi Mayuri as his vice president. Kisuke used the reesources of the SRDI to begin his work on the gigai and the hougyoku, though the latter was mostly a secret side project. Today Mayuri is the president, with Nemu as his vice, and while the institute hasn't changed a whole lot, their primary focus nowadays is researching the intricacies of soul modification. The SRDI is responsible for the mass production of Soul Candy and the creation of Zaraki Kenpachi's reiatsu-dampening eyepatch.
The thistle is the flower insignia for the Twelfth Division, representing vengeance, rigidness, and independence. With a captain who has no qualms about sacrificing his men for the sake of science, and a lieutenant whose very existence is sustained by the research and discoveries of the division, these ideals are vividly upheld and maintained by the ranking officers of the Twelfth...though just how willing to go along with them the rest of the division is remains unclear...
13th Division
Humanity's First Last and Only Line of Defense*
If the Tenth Division is the keeper of earth's information within Seireitei, the Thirteenth is their Immediate Response Team. Whenever there's a sign of trouble on earth, count on the Thirteenth Division to send troops to handle the situation. With division members stationed in spiritual hotzones all over, they always have an ear to the ground in the living world and are always ready to react in case of a spiritual emergency.
The Thirteenth Division's flower symbol is the snowdrop. A symbol of hope, purity, unity, and peace, the snowdrop is a rather fitting image to go along with Ukitake's division, especially as he now sits as the pillar of the entire Gotei.
✓ NOBLE OBLIGATIONS...
The Kuchiki Clan
FOR GREAT JUSTICE*
The noble clan of Kuchiki is one of the oldest noble families in Soul Society. Over nine two thousand years ago, the Kuchiki Clan served as the judicial and lawmaking body of Soul Society, preceding the Central 46 as the official legislative assembly. 100 years before Yamamoto Genryuusai created the Shinigami Spirit Arts Academy and founded the Gotei 13, a parliament was created to serve as a more impartial jury, and when the Gotei 13 was initiated, Central 46 became an integral part of the process. As the original administration, the clan of Kuchiki was woven into the creation of Seireitei and remains a fundamental core component of the Gotei's legal evolution, though their duties are largely ceremonial anymore.
The Shiba Clan
Cast Magic Missile!*
Once upon a time, there was the noble clan of Shiba. Experts at kidou, they served in Seireitei as the founders and keepers of the Kidou Corps for many generations. Sadly, there are only two remaining members of this once-great family, and their presence in the Kidoushuu is now but a memory. Approximately 150 years before the current timeline, the leaders of the Kidoushuu were killed in the line of duty, leaving their three young children behind as the only remaining members of the clan. The eldest of the siblings, Kaien, was not of age to succeed his parents and take control of the Kidou Corps, and thus began the Shibas' demise. Unable to fulfill the duties of their clan, the Shiba siblings were removed from their family estate in Seireitei and exiled to Rukongai. After all, they weren't Shinigami, they had no skills to offer, and no one had the time to care for a bunch of children. Their family's property and fortune were auctioned off hashing debts, and after some clever manipulation from Central's greedy law interpreters, Kaien, Kuukaku, and Ganjuu were left penniless orphans in the wilds of Rukongai.
When Kaien was old enough to join the ranks of the Shinigami, he enrolled at the academy and amazingly finished his training in a single year. However, since the Kidoushuu had already been taken over by Tsukabishi Tessai and Ushouda Hachigen, Central deemed that the Shibas no longer had any claim to the group, and thus Kuukaku and Ganjuu had to remain in exile in Rukongai. Now, 100-some years later, after the exile of Tessai and Hacchi, the Kidoushuu is without leadership or direction, most of its remaining members spread thin across the various divisions of the Gotei Thirteen. The members who stayed were put on Senkaimon duty, and the further development of kidou as a means of combat was commandeered by the SRDI. A mere shadow of its former glory, the Kidoushuu now stands unused and mostly forgotten in the wings of Serieitei's history.
The Shihouin Clan
In Ur Base
For 21 generations, the noble Shihouin family led the Onmitsukidou. For 21 generations, they had successfully served as commanders-in-chief of the Onmitsukidou, and when they were made captains of one of the divisions of the Gotei 13, they united the two separate forces together in a tight military bond of power. For 21 generations this proud tradition was upheld, and when Shihouin Yoruichi, the 22nd generational head of the clan, took her place as head of the Onmitsukidou, it was an especially significant event, as she was teh first female to ever hold the position. She was made captain of the Gotei's Second Division, thus unitied the Onmitsukidou and the Gotei for another generation.
But then something went wrong. When Aizen Sousuke betrayed his captain 100 years ago and created the Vaizard, he framed Urahara Kisuke for the crime, making it look like Kisuke's scientific research had been used for evil. When Yoruichi learned that Kisuke and Tessai were to be punished severely for crimes that were not theirs, Yoruichi defected, abandoning her post, her responsibilities...and her familial status. Branded as a deserter, Yoruichi was stripped of her title and nobility, and the Onmitsukidou was absorbed into the Second Division, where it has remained since her departure, as she bore no heirs to take her place.
* - These duties are not outlined or specifically supported by canon and were created for use in this RP so that each division would have its own specialized duty to adhere to. While in several cases context for these duties was drawn from canon sources, the precise assignment of such responsibilities cannot be considered true canon.