Crank coming out of retirement?

[Crank]

If, in the next few months, we need a captain for one of the Squads, would Crank be able to take that on?

Crank is currently severely physically and spiritually handicapped. He's probably on the level of a low-tier Captain already, but, in his current state, could probably not even push himself beyond the level of performance expected of a 3rd Seat without encountering some serious problems (as seen in his duel with Sunny/Chay-Chan).

However, this might not necessarily be as big a problem for a Captain as what it would be for a Lieutenant. Crank could be an Ukitake-like figure - debilitated, ill and mostly restricted to the non-combat-related duties of his office, yet still equipped with the combat capability to back up his authority (but not without price).

Of course, if the idea of Crank becoming a Captain is unworkable, I'm more than glad to remain on the sidelines, sparring newbies, hanging around the Shinigami Academy and generally acting as this site's Justified Tutorial Level.

I notice that Squad 12 is lacking a captain, by the way... Which leads me to another possibility. Could it be possible to integrate Squad 12 with parts of the Shinigami Academy, making it into a sort of "designated training division"? New users inexperienced with RPing could be recommended to join the Squad for a time to let them get a hang of RPing around here before moving to another squad based around their specialty.

Still, having a Captain with Crank's abilities in their current state could qualify as "stealing" a spot from someone more qualified to take on the role. For this, I propose two solutions. First, Crank could step down and retire again when someone better for the job comes along. Alternatively, Crank could take a level in Badass - through some intense spirit energy and kidou training and maybe an artificial limb suited for regular use, Crank becoming a Captain may become more reasonable. He'd still be severely restricted to a level of power well below that of any other Captain without hitting serious problems, though - having Crank completely recover from the pre-timeskip incident with Gekkoran would be a nothing more than a copout.

What do you think?

NOTE: It recently came to my attention that this happening for Crank may become a problem for Ken, since (if I remember correctly) he's going to be leaving Starks in charge of Squad 4 some time in the near future, which may lead to him wanting the captaincy of another squad. Before any admin approvals of this go ahead, I need to finish talking with Ken about all this and see whether that is really his plan for his character. Still, the topic is here and up for discussion, so... yeah.

ANOTHER NOTE: After hearing some opinions (mainly Tek's and Ken's), I've decided the whole Making-Squad-12-The-Noobsquad idea is a fairly flawed concept. So, if I were to be given command of Squad 12, I'd probably come up with a different specialisation.

[Kateros]

Hmm, you have been around a looooong time. I don't see any really huge problems, even giving him a bit less incapcitation as well. The second part may hurt however, because new people may want to choose their squad instead of just being stuck somewhere. Though, going there for training and better help does make sense too.

[Crank]

Hmm, you have been around a looooong time. I don't see any really huge problems, even giving him a bit less incapcitation as well. The second part may hurt however, because new people may want to choose their squad instead of just being stuck somewhere. Though, going there for training and better help does make sense too.

The second part isn't mandatory by any means. It's more for people who lack confidence in RPing, and want to go to a designated squad where they can build up some experience and confidence before moving on to whatever specialty they'd prefer. If a newcomer knows just what they want, and/or they're experienced in RPing, they could just as easily opt to join any other squad.

[Kateros]

Oooh, that makes more sense. XD Alright, sorry for reading it wrong!

[Tek]

Of course, if the idea of Crank becoming a Captain is unworkable, I'm more than glad to remain on the sidelines, sparring newbies, hanging around the Shinigami Academy and generally acting as this site's Justified Tutorial Level.

I notice that Squad 12 is lacking a captain, by the way... Which leads me to another possibility. Could it be possible to integrate Squad 12 with parts of the Shinigami Academy, making it into a sort of "designated training division"? New users inexperienced with RPing could be recommended to join the Squad for a time to let them get a hang of RPing around here before moving to another squad based around their specialty.

No, >__> I hate to say it, but a newbie squad is silly, RPing isn't so hard that it requires you to join a Tutorial level group first. You can grow in talent for RPing sure, but it's not like someone is incapable of basic RPing, otherwise I doubt they'd join an RP. And RP basics can be summed up in like one page for new people to read, it doesn't have to be some weird squad.  And we really don't get so many new users (who are that clueless) to justify it. And it's not like they can't learn in a real squad.

Now, I'd be in favor of making a Shinigami Academy group, where people who want to RP training themselves to become a squad member first, and if so you'd be the main teacher for that group. But we could naturally not make that mandatory, becasue we don't get enough members to do that. (And a Shinigami Academy would probably have more to do than normal squads >__>). But that's neither here nor there, and I'm getting off the point.

Still, having a Captain with Crank's abilities in their current state could qualify as "stealing" a spot from someone more qualified to take on the role. For this, I propose two solutions. First, Crank could step down and retire again when someone better for the job comes along. Alternatively, Crank could take a level in Badass - through some intense spirit energy and kidou training and maybe an artificial limb suited for regular use, Crank becoming a Captain may become more reasonable. He'd still be severely restricted to a level of power well below that of any other Captain without hitting serious problems, though - having Crank completely recover from the pre-timeskip incident with Gekkoran would be a nothing more than a copout.

To be honest, I don't think Crank deserves a captain spot, >__> sure you've been here a long time, but when you "retired" Crank, I don't think you should expect to come back and get a high spot and a promotion right off the bat. The Ukitake example, he was capatin when he became ill if I'm not mistaken, he was appointed before hand. Even if that's not true, Ukitake, while ill, is still one of the most powerful captains, Crank as you said yourself, can't even make light work of a 3-4th seat.

NOTE: It recently came to my attention that this happening for Crank may become a problem for Ken, since (if I remember correctly) he's going to be leaving Starks in charge of Squad 4 some time in the near future, which may lead to him wanting the captaincy of another squad. Before any admin approvals of this go ahead, I need to finish talking with Ken about all this and see whether that is really his plan for his character. Still, the topic is here and up for discussion, so... yeah.

We came to a group decision as admins, that we were leaving the 12th squad open for Ken, if he wants it. The 12th squad is reserved for him, this was announced along side all the other time skip stuff. It's not up for discussion, if Ken declines the spot, which he may. Then we the admins and Yuh will either pick someone else, or leave it empty. Again, >__> as I told Tez when he tried to ask for Squad 12, Captains are appointed by either the previous in some/most instances. I don't think they should be given out to who can make the best case for themselves as to why they deserve it.


NOTE: This is my initial thoughts, sorry if anything sounds harsh, I just think it is a fair reading from my point of your proposal.

[Spider]

To be quite honest, I agree with Tek on all counts. Not to sound rude but the whole idea just sounded like a shot at Captaincy and nothing more.

[Crank]

No, >__> I hate to say it, but a newbie squad is silly, RPing isn't so hard that it requires you to join a Tutorial level group first. You can grow in talent for RPing sure, but it's not like someone is incapable of basic RPing, otherwise I doubt they'd join an RP. And RP basics can be summed up in like one page for new people to read, it doesn't have to be some weird squad.  And we really don't get so many new users (who are that clueless) to justify it. And it's not like they can't learn in a real squad. Now, I'd be in favor of making a Shinigami Academy group, where people who want to RP training themselves to become a squad member first, and if so you'd be the main teacher for that group. But we could naturally not make that mandatory, becasue we don't get enough members to do that. (And a Shinigami Academy would probably have more to do than normal squads >__>). But that's neither here nor there, and I'm getting off the point.

You know, if there was an actual Shinigami Academy group, that'd also be cool for me to handle. Almost as cool as being Captain of an actual squad. That could be a nice alternative if Ken decides he wants the Squad 12 captaincy.

To be honest, I don't think Crank deserves a captain spot, >__> sure you've been here a long time, but when you "retired" Crank, I don't think you should expect to come back and get a high spot and a promotion right off the bat. The Ukitake example, he was capatin when he became ill if I'm not mistaken, he was appointed before hand. Even if that's not true, Ukitake, while ill, is still one of the most powerful captains, Crank as you said yourself, can't even make light work of a 3-4th seat.

Crank can't make light work of a 3-4th seat presently. This was a concern of Bebo too, and that's why I threw in the bit about some extra training and a couple gadgets (like an artificial limb) to allow Crank to function at low-tier Captain level. The transition to me being a Captain from now would not be an overnight thing. I would do that stuff gradually, over the course of maybe a month or two IRL.

We came to a group decision as admins, that we were leaving the 12th squad open for Ken, if he wants it. The 12th squad is reserved for him, this was announced along side all the other time skip stuff. It's not up for discussion, if Ken declines the spot, which he may. Then we the admins and Yuh will either pick someone else, or leave it empty. Again, >__> as I told Tez when he tried to ask for Squad 12, Captains are appointed by either the previous in some/most instances. I don't think they should be given out to who can make the best case for themselves as to why they deserve it.

Hence why I PMed him. If he says no, I'll back down. If he says yes, we'll have the debate as to whether it would be appropriate to take control of Squad 12 without the mandate of the previous Captain.

[Ken]

Well after some thought, I was wondering if there would be any factions that can possibly take up Ken just in case we decide that Crank is worthy of a captain place, because then I would step down as I see him fit at this moment.  If no faction is available I can also become a lone wolf?

This is all if you guys decide that Crank is worthy of the position, however as according to your decision on that claim I'll follow accordingly.

[Starks]

Ken, with all due respect, worry about right now. I'd like to see what you will do with Squad 4 instead of hearing of plans for your not-too-distant yet planned departure.

[Ken]

Ken, with all due respect, worry about right now. I'd like to see what you will do with Squad 4 instead of hearing of plans for your not-too-distant yet planned departure.

And I guess that's where the problem lies...I have to come up with some original idea that is also useful for the role of a squad.

[Starks]

Can't you just be sociable. RPing doesn't alway have to be serious stuff.

Take squad 6 and 8 for example, they are fun to hang around because business and pleasure are separate and the characters there are chill.

[Ken]

Yes but both squad 6 and 8 have useful purposes.  Sure we can be rather chill...have a hookah lounge or something, but what work would we specialize in? <____<

[Crank]

What about a division dedicated to economic management - The Treasury squad? lol

[Starks]

It has to be something practical to promoting IC use of the squad, not just something that exists behind the scenes.

More power to us if it's an interesting specialty that can break the disproportionate domination of 6, 8, and 9.

Ideas like specializing in ranged zanpakutou combat (we already do this somewhat), housing the hell butterflies, being ambassadors are fine and good but they lack practicality.

What can squad 4 do that would subject its member or facilities to regular, if not frequent, use or discussion?

Whatever we figure out, the battlefield coordination aspect of the squad should stay. If squad 2 can multitask or have multiple branches, there's no reason squad 4 can't be similar in nature.

Of course, while a separate issue, in the case of squad 2, having multiple branches (as well as intruding on squad 5) when squads 4, 12, and 13 have nothing is a quite unfair despite there being canon basis for the great breadth of the Onmituskidou's duties.

[Crank]

What about a Diplomatic Relations Division - handles contact with Soul Societies from other regions, facilitates movement of pluses to the correct Soul Society for their nationality (if desired) and such on and so forth. The envoys and diplomats of the afterlife.

Another possibility I came up with was the Rukon Welfare Division. By this, I mean a squad dedicated to keeping order in the Rukon and providing the essentials to the Pluses in the districts that aren't too far away; not to mention being talent scouts, looking for any "hungry" souls worthy of training... That'd make for plenty of RPing opportunities between events, I think.