Post by Chiba "Haru" "Haruko on Jan 3, 2011 21:14:49 GMT 1
Shaman History and Overview
[/center]Shamans are those that are skilled in the arts of spirit fusion, or the Famed Over Soul.
The Art of Shamanism begins over 3000 years ago, in what we now call "North America". There, a tribe of the indiginious humans, calling thenselves the "Patch" tribe.
Now, Patch isn't their true name; it is mearly a close pronounciation given by the European bred, English-speaking Foreigners corrupted over hundereds of years, used only because the original name has been lost to time's merciless flow due to the Christian culture's forced assimilation practices
They were the earliest surviving culture to develop Shamanic techniques; and these techniques have been passed down to the current generation, though little else of their heritage has. This is believed by modern historians to be due to a secretive passing down of such things to counter the foreign attacks on their beliefs, as well as a surprisingly well developed writing system.
However, the American Natives were not the only culture to develop such techniques independent of outside influence. During the 2nd Millenium BC, Japan first began to develop Shamanistic techniques to fight the growing Hollow threat. Two particular developing order of Shamans was drafted by the Japanese Government to develop their powers to take part in the "Shaman King Tournement" in the hopes of bringing great glory to their homeland. They would go on to be called the 'Shisengumi' and the 'Onmyoji'.
During the long off season, the Shisengumi was tasked with the production of callenders and other seemingly mundane items that more often than not brought at least peace of mind to the people who purchased them, though many of the higher priced ones had actual spiritual abilities. The Onmyoji, meanwhile, were given the task of slaying Hollows and keeping the peace. The Onmyoji absorbed many Taoist techniques into their repetoir to aid them in this task. This was to fund and justify their continued existence, even during the large gap between tournaments.
More recently, with the resergence of the Quincy, and the appearance of the Advent Humans; Shamans of all sorts, particularly the Shisengumi and Onmyoji, have been dwindling in number. Those that remain are only moderately trained and woefully under equiped and funded compared to their former glory.
Speaking of those other spiritually involved beings, Shamans typically are on rather good terms with all, even Hollows. This is because they form a pact with some Hollows, many of them becoming partners the Shamans. This pact involves the Hollow no longer hunting Pluses, and protecting the Shaman. In return, the Shaman provides the Hollow with some of their Life attributed Reiryoku, this causes the Hollow hole to close up and disappear, which serves to differenciate them from 'wild' Hollows; therefore theoretically stopping Shinigami and Quincy and such from mistaking them for their prey.
Shinigami also have a decent relationship with Shamans, who not only help fight Hollows, but also many Shamans go onto be Shinigami after their passing, though there is more than just a hint of rivalry. Quincy have perhaps the most strained relations with Shamans, as both fill nearly the same nitch.
