Ninjas

"Aaaaay...ya!"
"Sneak up, garotte, sneak away. Simple."

The Ninja's are an elite group dedicated to preserving the old ways which ruled in times now long gone. They believe that modern life is rubbish, and like Blur a bit too. In their pursuit of maximum greatness, they will stop at nothing to become the best. Most Ninja's follow one of the established martail arts, such as Kung-fu, but is is acceptable to create your own and live by this.

All Ninja's lead double lives, which they work hard to maintain. It would be impossible to live as one all the time, because they have other duties which they must perform. Not everyone can abandon their parents and leave for the revolution - you included. When night falls (you like it to be that way), you leave your homes behind and enter the world of the Ninja.

What You Look Like

It depends on who you are.

When you are 'on the job', you wear a traditional black robe set, which is both practical and endearing. It has many hidden linings, pouches and pockets, where you store various ancient artifacts and mobile phones. There is also a holder for your blade, which can be concealed to prevent un-necessary conflict. Your suit is designed to aid you in your work.

The rest of the time, your tastes in clothing are varied. Some like simple casual clothes to blend in, while others stick more closely to the old ways and wear more robes, just less efficient ones. These are usually brown, grey or white, and although they disclose your status to anyone who sees you (a rare event), you like them.

SubCulture

Little contact is made between individual Ninja's, as to do so would be to risk revealing the identity of one. When contact is necessary, it is explained away as a casual meeting of friends at a house, or a visit to the mall on a Saturday afternoon. At these meetings, you discuss what 'projects' should be undertook, who needs eliminating, and who's worthy of a promotion.

All Ninja's require payment to function. You don't particularly like it, because the old ones weren't payed, but it's necessary now. Whoever is offering the most becomes your current employer, no qualms. Some jobs are done for your own reasons, with no payment, those which benefit the YoGang as a whole. You take more satisfaction from these.

Leading a double life can be straining, even for the most dedicated. So you have a web of friends, who help to explain where you were until 4 in the morning to your parents. The main advantage of this is when your leader assigns you a 'special friend' - sometimes this has real advantages.

The gang has a rigid structure, from the sho-see at the top, down to the initiates at the bottom. Orders are expected to be obeyed, and dissent is not tolerated. Those who fall out of line are taken to one side, and given a sound beating. It is believed and accepted by all that this is the best way to instill discipline in a student.

Belonging

It would be impossible, or very hard, to learn the skills you need to become a Ninja by yourself. So all Ninja's are given apprenticeships with a more experienced Ninja, who shows you how things are done. You learn all your skills here, so pray for a good teacher.

Ninja's are expected to contribute to the YoGang when called to do so. These summonings are infrequent and informal, yet failure to complete the tasks given leads to exclusion from future meetings and severing of ties to your gang. The upkeep of the Ninja's requires support from all - including you.

Many rituals must be performed when you are a Ninja. It is common to share in the performances of these. You can also rely on another Ninja when you really need support, though you will be seen as weak for it.

Allies & Enemies

You like the Streetfighters in principle, but in application you tend to squabble and bicker. You think you are superior and more skilled than them, while they claim you are arrogant and soft. You also like the GlitterKids, because experience has taught you that they are the best customers.

If anyone could get in your way more than the Guardians, you'd be very surprised, because they take every opportunity to disrupt your movements. Quite why you don't know, but if you run across them at night, you can be sure of a fight. You also have a few problem with the MegaViolents, who you see as laughably crude and inefficient. When you meet, you love to skillfully dodge their cludging blows then swipe their necks with laser-thin wire. Well, in theory.

Slang

Maximum greatness: to be really good
Hweur: old, bad Ninja
Cludgers: MegaViolents

Skill: Deadly Silence (REF)

Unlike the MegaViolents, who have the grace of an elephant, you are skilled in the art of killing. You know a thousand and one ways to efficiently take out your opponent, with minimum fuss. This covers a knowledge of all the best weapons, how to bait someone and ambush them, and where to go for the best jobs.

To be accepted into the Ninja's, you must have a skill of at least 4 here. Any lower, and you will simply not be skilled enough to live up to your fellow gang members, and will quickly be left out.

If You're a Ninja

Pick four things...

Garotte
Nunchaku (DC5)
Gymbag
V-card sparring partner (REF 7)
Laser pistol (DC8)
Various trap devices
Robes and mask
Aeroboot Boots

"The skill is in the knowledge."
"You cludger."