[center][h2][u][b]The Twin Paths[/b][/u]
[i][sub][sup]Zanpakuto Growth System[/sup][/sub][/i][/h2][hr][hr]The Twin Paths System is an ancient system that was designed by shinigami of the forgotten past before the Seireitei and Rukongai had formed. It was designed during an age when there was no time to simply sit on one's laurels and slowly grow close to one's Sword Spirit. While its creator is long gone, and no complete written records of its existence persist, it is by this system that the Foundation was laid for the future.

[I]This system is, to some degree, a work in progress and may be subject to some changes. Additionally, it should be noted that, for the most part, players will not need to keep track of this system as by and large it will be managed by myself and any Co-GMs I appoint. Primarily this simply exists as a structural progression element for character growth over the course of the RP.[/i][/center]
[hider=Progression][h3][u][b]Phase One[/b][/u][/h3][hr]
[hider=_][indent][indent][b][u]1-24 [i](Unattuned)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami gets visions of their inner world and sword spirit. They hear and feel the spirit at times, but communication is difficult. As their attunement increases, communication becomes easier and the visions/voices more persistent.

[b][u]25 [i](Attuned)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami gains the ability to communicate with their sword spirit consistently.

[b][u]26-49 [i](Transition)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami continues to get flashes of images, sounds, and other sensory impressions of their inner world, sometimes lapsing fully into it during Dreams or particularly deep meditation or moments of intense focus.

[b][u]50 [i](Shikai)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami gains access to their Shikai for the first time. They can only utilize the most basic form of the release ability. They do not possess any techniques, but they gain the additional ability to enter their Inner World to train and interact with their Sword Spirit directly. All Shikai passively grant the Shinigami higher effective Reiatsu than their baseline stats would.

[b][u]55 [i](1st Tier)[/i][/u][/b] - The first Shikai Technique becomes available.

[b][u]65 [i](2nd Tier)[/i][/u][/b] - The second Shikai Technique becomes available.

[b][u]75 [i](3rd Tier)[/i][/u][/b] - The third Shikai Technique becomes available.

[b][u]85 [i](4th Tier)[/i][/u][/b] - The fourth Shikai Technique becomes available.

[b][u]95 [i](5th Tier)[/i][/u][/b] - The potency or complexity of the Shikai’s base ability is increased, allowing greater versatility or power. This can manifest in a number of ways. Often, the techniques become deeper, more nuanced, or more powerful in some way. Alternatively, the shinigami may gain a Stat Enhancement beyond the base amplification of their effective Reiatsu.

[b][u]100 [i](Alignment)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami has fostered sufficient understanding of their Sword Spirit to manifest them in the interest of unlocking Bankai. Alternatively, the shinigami may choose either to further deepen their relationship with their zanpakuto to attain further techniques in the interest of pursuing True Mastery of their Zanpakuto’s Shikai.

[indent][indent][i][Shinigami may choose to spend up to 50 additional attunement points toward gaining new Shikai techniques. A new technique becomes available for every 10 points spent.][/i]

[i][It takes a total of 50 attunement points to achieve Bankai. While this may not be apparent now, such time and effort might be better spent elsewhere….][/i][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/hider]
[h3][u][b]Phase Two[/b][/u][/h3]
[hider=_][indent][indent][b][u]1-24 [i](Discord)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami struggles to maintain or fully manifest their Sword Spirit, though as they progress it gradually becomes easier to do so.

[b][u]25 [i](Harmony)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami gains enough proficiency that they can consistently manifest and maintain their Sword Spirit, allowing them to challenge them so as to attain Bankai.

[b][u]26-49 [i](The Trial)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami partakes in their Sword Spirits Challenge(s) in the interest of coming into a state of greater union with them. This can take virtually any form. Notably, the Sword Spirit will demonstrate the capacity to manifest some or all of their Shinigami’s shared inner world to facilitate these trials.

[b][u]50 [i](Union/Resonance)[/i][/u][/b] - The Shinigami has Dominated their Sword Spirit and/or passed the necessary trials and challenges necessary to learn part or all of their Spirit’s True Name. Those with full mastery of their Shikai gain the entire True Name of their Sword Spirit, whereas those who don’t merely gain a fragment of it–the former is referred to as Union, whereas the latter is Resonance. This affects the manifestation of their Bankai. Notably, the endpoint for these two paths may look different, but no path is truly inferior to the other. At this stage, the shinigami thus gains access to their Bankai’s base ability. Shikai techniques may be used in Bankai. Additionally, all Bankai passively grant the Shinigami higher effective Reiatsu than their baseline stats would. Those of the Union Path gain an additional Stat Enhancement beyond their Reiatsu, whereas those of the Resonant Path do not–notably, this Stat Enhancement may be different from that of Shikai, and it does not stack, nor does the Shikai Stat Enhancement carry over into Bankai.

[b][u]60 [i](1st Stage)[/i][/u][/b] - At this stage, those of the Union Path gain access to [abbr=Known as Advanced Techniques]enhanced versions[/abbr] of their first three Shikai Techniques. Those of the Resonant Path gain access to their first [abbr=Techniques native to Bankai are innately more potent, versatile, or nuanced than enhanced Shikai techniques.]Bankai Technique*[/abbr].

[b][u]70 [i](2nd Stage)[/i][/u][/b] - At this stage, those of the Union Path gain access to [abbr=Known as Advanced Techniques]enhanced versions[/abbr] of their second set of three Shikai Techniques. Those of the Resonant Path gain access to their second [abbr=Techniques native to Bankai are innately more potent, versatile, or nuanced than enhanced Shikai techniques.]Bankai Technique*[/abbr].

[b][u]80 [i](3rd Stage)[/i][/u][/b] - At this stage, those of the Union Path gain access to [abbr=Known as Advanced Techniques]enhanced versions[/abbr] of their third set of three Shikai Techniques. Those of the Resonant Path gain access to their third [abbr=Techniques native to Bankai are innately more potent, versatile, or nuanced than enhanced Shikai techniques.]Bankai Technique*[/abbr].

[b][u]90 [i](4th Stage)[/i][/u][/b] - At this stage, those who follow the Path of Resonance gain their fourth Bankai technique. However, unlike those that come before, these–and all that follow–are Advanced Bankai Techniques. These are meant to be trump cards, they are the finale, the last resort, and certainly the cream of the crop. Yet, those shinigami who follow the Path of Union now begin to see the true fruits of their labor, for it is at this stage that their Bankai truly blossoms, affording them a single Transformative Technique. Abilities of this sort take on an entirely different form. Unlike Advanced Techniques, these tend to take on entirely different forms. Whereas an Advanced Technique might serve as a distinct individual advantage, Transformative Techniques change the game itself, turning it entirely on its face.

[b][u]100 [i](Cocoon)[/i][/u][/b] - The final traditionally accepted stage of Bankai, the Cacoon Stage differs–as one might expect–depending on the Path one has followed up until this point. For those who walked the Path of Resonance a Stat Enhancement is gained, this Enhancement follows the same rules as that gained by the Union denomination earlier on their Path. In addition to this, the Cacoon Stage affords the Resonant with a single Transformative Technique. On the other end of the spectrum is the Path of Union, who gain an additional Stat Enhancement and a boost in the potency, nuance, or versatility of their Bankai’s base ability.[/indent][/indent][/hider][/hider]