The rivalries between schools have only deepened. Be it the use of different gods, the different approaches in methodologies, any number of explanations, it seems there is little that any Ritual Technology school can agree upon.

It was long ago that Ritual Technology became more commonplace. The usage of the conjunction of magic and technological advancement came to be known by such a name regardless of the amount of ritual involved in it. It became apparent, over the years, that the usage of Ritual Technology was an important part of the modern world, including in combat. After all, the darker things in the world proved to linger... though it has been many years since a true threat resurfaced.

As a result, there came the founding of schools explicitly based around the use of Ritual Technology. A normal education along with use of such abilities was simply a part of the curriculum. However, merely being a school would not foster the development of abilities with Ritual Technology very well. A deeper tie to the mystical elements of the world was required.

For this reason, each Ritual Technology Academy was built around a shrine, designed to successfully form a pact with a major deity. This pact would ensure defense for the school, and even a materialization of that deity, albeit weakened due to incarnating on the mortal plane. It would also foster true advancements, true learning for students.

However, well... for any number of reasons, including the rivalries between deities themselves, these schools soon became opposed to one another themselves.

To avoid any dangers that might come between real clashes between these schools, a system of non-lethal tournaments was put in place. Students from all over would meet and do battle to prove their school superior. After all, the combat training they received would surely be put to good use then, wouldn't it?

For it has been many years since something truly has threatened humanity. But could it again...?

[hr]

Otsuki Academy is not the oldest Ritual Technology school. It isn't the most prestigious among them, either. But still, the administration holds pride and hope in its students. And in turn, a strong desire to win an Academy Tournament. Unfortunately, the student body has consistently failed at this.

That's not to say that they completely fail, but it seems that, always, the last round of fights leads to their loss. Every single time. Initially the Academy was able to take pride in this, but as time wore on, well... it almost became worse they outright losing. After all, to come so close every year only to lose builds frustration, to say the least. This is apparently even in their patron deity. The Maiden of the Moon's pride cannot allow her to lose again.

And so, amongst their lessons, the students of Otsuki Academy prepare for the coming Academy Tournament. Mock battles of all kinds are held in the student arena, and they hone their abilities to fight.

After all, isn't this the only reason they learn how to fight? There hasn't been a real threat to humanity in years... The Gate of Samhain is firmly shut. The One-Hundred Demon Parade has not threatened humanity for a decade.

Nothing could go wrong.

[hr]

So, um, trying out something new again since it'd be nice to have something work out. ^^; This is a magitech school RP! Set around Otsuki, a Ritual Technology Academy using a shrine to Tsukuyomi. They've had bad luck failing on the Academy Tournaments, contests of battle between Ritual Technology Academies who seem to no longer have much purpose to their combat training, on the last round. Initially going so far was something to have pride in, but when it's been every year it gets kind of frustrating, especially for the Goddess.

Ritual Technology is a blanket term for all varieties of magitech, of which there are several kinds. A consistent thread of them all is that the presence of divinity strengthens it, explaining why they are built as both a school and an enormous shrine that facilitates the materialization of a deity.

Of course, things aren't just going to be so simple as winning a tournament.

The world itself is a somewhat futuristic modern era, with a proliferation of magitech in all forms. The RP itself takes place in Japan, since... with a strong anime inspiration it only seems fitting, really. ^^;

Tonally I'd like to be serious when necessary, but lighthearted when it's not. Nothing completely goofy, but comic relief and lighthearted interactions are fine. I'm also aiming for a somewhat over the top feel with action when it comes to it.

[hr]

[u][b]Ritual Technology[/b][/u]:
[list][*][u]Divine Gear[/u]: A Divine Gear is a piece of technology inherently powered by mana(through a device called a Light Engine), using it to produce magical effects. For example, a hammer could alter size and produce enormous impact, as well as grow in length to hit more targets. Divine Gear can also use a mythological basis to strengthen itself. A Divine Gear based on Excalibur would gain elements of the myth, such as shining with divine light, and a Divine Gear based on the Tonbogiri would gain increased cutting power. The ultimate Divine Gear are true mythological artifacts upgraded into Divine Gear, such as a Masamune katana outfitted with a Light Engine, or Joyeuse, the blade of Emperor Charlemagne. They are quite powerful(the difference between a Tonbogiri-based Divine Gear and the true weapon would be that the true Tonbogiri could cut even the fabric of reality), but exceptionally rare. Modern Divine Gear can also be incredibly powerful, but take a powerful user to wield them.
[*][u]Ritual Device[/u]: A ritual device is a technological item containing all the elements of a traditional shrine to a god, or other place of worship. This item allows for a pact with a minor deity, gaining abilities from that deity in the process. For example, a minor god of celebration would allow a defensive field that restricts attack as long as the user is doing something that the god considers a celebration. They often provide more utility then a Divine Gear, but less potent attack.
[*][u]Sacrifice Cauldron[/u]: A variant of Ritual Device that utilizes a sacrifice for power as opposed to a pact with a minor god. These are more purpose-built, and require less capability to wield a weapon then a Divine Gear. Sacrifice Cauldrons demand some form of Sacrifice, typically a small item of some form. For example, a Sacrifice Cauldron could be powered using a Sacrifice of yen coins to fire a target-seeking laser. Sacrifice Cauldrons using living material are strictly prohibited by all Academies.
[*][u]Aerial Superiority Broom[/u]: An item specific to modern witches, Aerial Superiority Brooms are a broom outfitted with Ritual Technology armor and one of the above items. Sacrifice Cauldrons are a common choice.
[*][u]Light Engine Suit[/u]: Also known as an L.E.S, the Light Engine Suit uses an enormous Light Engine to power a roughly twenty foot tall suit of advanced Ritual Technology armor. They use a variety of mana-based beams and missiles, and are a military-grade form of technology exceptionally uncommon in Ritual Technology Academies.
[*][u]Divinity Network Interface[/u]: A system available to all students and faculty at a Ritual Technology Academy, this is a form of networking that uses Interface Towers positioned around the school to tap into a God's inherent divinity to form a personal internet for attendees. A holographic panel is summoned to access it and communicate.[/list]

[u][b]Other Items of Note[/b][/u]:
[list][*][u]Gods[/u]: Ancient beings of divinity and objects of worship for humanity. Their very existence in the mortal plane strengthens Ritual Technology. For this reason, Ritual Technology Academies are built as enormous shrines to a god to allow for this. However, by existing on the mortal plane, they are weakened, and must be compensated for their presence by worship. After all, they are supporting the Academy with everything they have. Otsuki's deity is [url=http://i.imgur.com/Au2GEJ0.jpg]Tsukuyomi[/url], the Maiden of the Moon. She dwells in the large courtyard in the center of the school.
[*][u]The Gate of Samhain[/u]: A gate between the mortal plane and the world beyond. It is closed firmly shut. While not all things beyond the gate are malignant, many are dangerous, and some of the most powerful actively hold malice towards humankind. It was open once before, a hundred years ago, and required many using Ritual Technology to force it shut again.
[*][u]The Hundred Demon Parade[/u]: Not necessarily an evil event, the Hundred Demon Parade is a troup of numerous supernatural beings, primarily youkai, that travel the world every few years. It mostly causes minor mischief, or even benevolent acts. However, if a malignant figure seizes control of the parade, it invites darker spirits and can cause enormous amounts of destruction and death.[/list]

[hr]

Bios:

[u][b]Student[/b][/u]:
[list][*][u][b]Name:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Age:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Gender:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Appearance:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Personality:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Skills:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Equipment:[/b][/u] (Divine Gear? Ritual Device? Sacrifice Cauldron?)
[*][u][b]Abilities:[/b][/u] (Using the Above)
[*][u][b]Brief Backstory:[/b][/u][/list]

[u][b]Faculty:[/b][/u]
[list][*][u][b]Name:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Age:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Gender:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Appearance:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Personality:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Skills:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Equipment:[/b][/u] (Divine Gear? Ritual Device? Sacrifice Cauldron?)
[*][u][b]Abilities:[/b][/u] (Using the Above)
[*][u][b]Brief Backstory:[/b][/u]
[*][u][b]Position:[/b][/u][/list]