[h2][b][i][color=#8882be][center]Lore & Additional Info[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h2][hr]
This will be updated whenever new information is added.

[hider=On Kido][b][i]0(Untrained)[/i][/b] cannot use kido.

[b][i]1(Practitioner)[/i][/b] can use up to 35, but chooses a specialty. Their non-specialty goes up to 15 without incantations at full power. Anything above 35 for specialty is out of range, same for the “15” of their non specialty.

[b][i]2(Expert)[/i][/b] can use up to 55 for their specialty, and up to 25 in their non-specialty. At this point kido theory can be mastered, but not put into orthodox use. Experts can use double incantations, but without high stability and control, they can use more energy than necessary or have their spells fail. If kido theory is focused on, custom kido are an option, but they may not be above their highest mastered spell rank in either their specialty or non specialty areas.

[b][i]3(Master)[/i][/b] can use up to 70 without incantation, but chooses a specialty. The one that isn't a specialty only goes up to 35 without incantation at full power. If they don't choose a specialty, then up to 55 without incantation. A master can still use the full scope of kido, but has only moderate skill with double incantation(combination spells) and forbidden kido. Custom kido of complexity/rank equal to their non-specialty and specialty kido are possible.

[b][i]4(Grandmaster)[/i][/b] can use up to 75 without incantation regardless of specialty. Grandmasters with a specialty can cast up to 99 in their specialty, but lose out in their non-specialty, being able to cast up to only 65 without incantation. These individuals have an easy time with combination kido, but some trouble with the forbidden stuff. Custom kido of complexity/rank equal to their non-specialty and specialty kido are possible.

[b][i]5(Legendary)[/i][/b] can use everything.[/hider]
[hider=The Royal Families][hider=The Tatasuko Family][center][img]http://i57.tinypic.com/mhbxw9.jpg[/img][/center]
[u][b]History:[/b][/u] Once a leading family in the Seireitei several thousand years ago, the Tatasuko family was unlucky enough to be framed for a rather heinous crime involving the murder of several members of the Central 46 with an experimental weapon. So it was that those who were deemed guilty were executed and the family was not only demoted of its noble rank, but was ousted from the Seireitei and forced to dwell amongst the peasantry in Rukongai. So it was that a deep hatred and vengeful outlook towards the Seireitei was fostered for the next two thousand years. However, this was not to say that the once noble house was inactive, for indeed they managed to establish a presence in the districts, fostering relationships with those that one might consider the wealthy to obtain what they could not make themselves. Having once been heavily invested in the Research and Development Institute the Tatasuko still had some of the brightest minds amongst them...and so began their scheming for revenge.

Over the years the Tatasuko began to locate exceptional individuals within the rukongai, kidnapping them and breeding them with their own. Thus as the centuries ticked by the strength of their family grew, as did their intelligence. However, with the harsh training regimens and invasive research done on some of the offspring, a host of mental illnesses began to crop up, especially what with a measure of inbreeding being present. So it was that they ceased the practice, hoping to gain greater strength, rather than mere purity of blood like the fools in the other noble houses. Little did they know, that their mistake would result in one of the most brilliant minds in the history of Soul Society.

On the eve of their three thousandth year of exile, a child was born amongst them. As with every child, they trained him diligently and taught him as best as they could--having acquired resources befitting of their former status in their last three thousand years of exile. Still, as the boy grew older they found themselves unprepared to deal with him in more ways than one. Nonetheless, he served to raise them up further throughout the years, learning to control his truly tremendous reiryoku and reiatsu, as well as to balance his own fractured mind. He, unlike any of their prior offspring, entered Shin'o Academy, and graduated after the full five years--though it was in part due to obstacles placed before him by the other noble houses. Yet, despite those arrayed against him due to his lineage, he went on to become the Captain of the 12th division and, after a thorough historical investigation, he ascertained that the crime had not in fact been committed by his kin. So it was that they were welcomed back into the Seireitei and, using the connections they'd gained and the research they'd done--not to mention the influence of the aforementioned captain--they managed to reassert their influence and authority.

Since then the Tatasuko have acted as a driving force for scientific Research and Development, as well as change. While they are looked down upon and hated by some of the other noble houses, they continue to spread their influence to this day.

[u][b]Influence:[/b][/u] While the Tatasuko family does have about as much influence as the other noble houses, it has focused the majority of its funds into the Research and Development Institute.

[u][b]Hierarchy:[/b][/u] The Tatasuko family, like many noble houses is led by a family head however, it also possesses several branches. Notably there is the research branch, the heir branch, and of course the elder council. The third of these serve as advisers to the head of the family and can also take on executive authority in the absence of the family's leader. unlike many noble families, the Tatasuko do not allow any inbreeding and additionally do not choose their leader by right of succession, instead choosing only the best among their ilk to lead.

[u][b]Notable Members:[/b][/u] Zume Tatasuko: Captain of the 12th Division.[/hider]

[hider=The Masumata Family][center][IMG]http://i65.tinypic.com/24gprt0.png[/IMG][/center]
[u][b]History:[/b][/u] Once a lineage of great promise, potential, and power. Every member born into the clan is gifted with a natural zanjutsu affinity, allowing them to easily master the art of swordplay. Although originally few in number, each member of the founding family was said to possess the strength and fortitude of entire armies. Thus, was able to easily change the tide of battles for the better or worse. While there is no recorded evidence to support these claims. Inklings among the notes of the Seireitei's most notable scholars suggest the clan has been instrumental in shaping the fate of the soul society. With its origins confirmed to date as far back as the soul society's earliest days. 

Among the shinigami, there is a legend called the 'Ken no isan'.  The Legacy of the Sword. Which is said to depict the rise of the Masumatsa. As it is written;

[hider=The Ken no isan]
There was Saisho, the first, who in Jitaku is called Tōshin;
and he made first the Asauchi, the Nameless Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, 
and they were with him before aught else was made. 
And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of power; 
and they sang before him, and he was glad. 
But for a long while they sang only each alone, 
or but few together, while the rest hearkened; 
for each comprehended only that part of the mind of Saisho from which he came, 
and in the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. 
Yet ever as they listened they came to deeper understanding, 
and increased in unison and harmony. 


And it came to pass that Saisho called together all the Asauchi and declared to them a mighty theme, 
unfolding to them things greater and more wonderful than he had yet revealed; 
and the glory of its beginning and the splendor of its end amazed the Asauchi, 
so that they bowed before Saisho and were silent.

And the Zanpakuto was born.[/hider]
And so, the Tōshin gained reknown, and through his lineage, the Masumata was born. 

However, it was the Clan's first official head, Hachiman Masumata whom first raised the Clan to a status of nobility. Having become a legend among warriors as the first weilder of 'The Dance of Death'. The creator of Warutsu, the Extirpating Waltz. Which he used to subjugate several smaller clans. Absorbing them into the conglomerate that is the Masumata Clan today. Being revered as 'the Clan of Blades', the Masumata Clan is known to have singularly funded the construction of what is now known as the Shino Academy.  Under the leadership of the twelfth head, Tadeoki Masumata. Hiroshimoto is the clan's fourteenth head, as well as the only 'non-blood' to ever hold the position. As such many of the subsidiary branches reject his claim. Despite the fact that they still publicly pledge allegiance.


[u][b]Influence:[/b][/u] Respected as the grandfathers of Zanjustu, the Masumata family possesses a significant degree of pull within the Shino Academy. Thus, has previously attemped to stifle the growth of the notable members of their rival clans. Beyond that however, their influence is on par with the other clans. 


[u][b]Hierarchy:[/b][/u] The Masumata Clan follows the same hierarchical structure as most clans. While they do possess numerous smaller branches - two for each of seireitei's cardinal directions - with the main branch being the northern most branch, they are all ruled independently. The rulers of the subsidiary branches are called 'Jintai', and possess authority only over their respective branch. Naturally, the clan head supersedes all other authority. Which are decided via right of succession. 
[u][b]Notable Members:[/b][/u] Hiroshimoto Masumata: Former Captain of the 7th Division, Shizuka Tsukikage: Exile.

[i][sub]Credit to [@MysT3CH][/sub][/i][/hider][/hider]