Introduction:
One of the wonderful things about Souls of the West is the astounding number of character types and combinations that can be formed, and played. Each of these classes, however, has its own nuances.
You may not begin play as any form of hybrid. Those are created through rping.
Shinigami
Shinigami in Souls of the West are Gotei 13 members (with very few exceptions for some lower class shinigami who end up working for noble families, and so forth), who transfer to Gotei West due to a need for people there. They are usually outcasts in the gotei 13, who do not quite fit, and thus are suggested for the post, or aspiring individuals who see Gotei West as an opportunity. No kido corps or special ops members have joined gotei west.
As a shinigami, you will join Gotei West, in one of its divisions, interact with others, and be given unique opportunities in Soul Society and the real world. A gotei West member's power often grows quickly through the unique circumstances he or she is presented with.
Quincy
Several quincy clans during the quincy war with shinigami went into hiding, and abandoned their heritage. These remenants are not clans that pass down the traditions of Quincies, but carry the clan blood nonetheless. Now and then an individual 'rediscovers' their power, and some choose to research their clan's history, and follow their traditions.
These are the quincy in Souls of the West. From discraced offshoots of the clan, they must research and find their way through power, including ginto spells and quincy pentacles, among other power, often traveling around the world to do so. However, as they kill hollow, or if they die and become shinigami, Gotei west is notified, and are forced to take action. As far as soul society is supposed to knoe, all quincy are gone, fo rthe sake of the balance of the worlds.
Hollow
Hollow characters by players are not normally allowed without good reason. That being said, Gotei West does capitalize on some 'tamer' hollows. Fluffy, the winged t-rex who gaurds the catacombs is one of these ,as is a hollow jet that is used for transportation. A few others are rumored to be around, as well. Players in Souls of the West can either discuss with Marrin about being one of these 'useful hollow' or may choose to play an antagonist.
Hollows in Souls of the West are found in Europe, North, and South America, and Australia. To truely catch the West's interest they tend to have a higher than normal intellect, often using blitzkrieg tactics and MO's similiar to serial killers. Some later become Arrancar, thus alerting the 'hollowfication' squad of Gotei West.
Modsouls
Most modsouls were destroyed as placing a false soul in a dead body was considered Inhumane. Nonetheless, Gotei west uses and monitors active modsouls, including ones seperate from the organization, facilitating them with false bodies, and steady word. Modsouls generally become self-sustaining after some time, and either pass themself off as souls in soul society, or become active for Gotei West.
Powered Humans
Powered humans are the Real World's best kept secret by Gotei West. It is no wonder Mayuri considered the Quincy Final Form to be beyond human limits when every effort is made to either seal away powerful humans, keep their existance a secret, and capitalize on their power. Many former gotei west members, now deceased, were once powered humans in life.
Some powered humans are deemed too dangerous by the west and end up going into hiding, others still are kept within their ranks or elabled as future recruits. Many have their powere sealed, but no matter what occurs, they are kept a secret from the majority of soul society.
Demons
Little is known about these darker counterparts to shinigami who reside in hell. Seen in the manga and by many shinigami who seal the soul of an evil hollow, these guardians of hell are the origonaters of demon arts, and are mosnters in their own rights. Usualy living longer than any soul reaper, these demons posess ancient knowledge, and sometimes form pacts with humans or souls to give them power, and to escape the binds of hell. Rarely, one of these gets out.
These are currently a non player class, but pacts can still be made, offering isight into the world these creatures inhabit.. if they are creatures at all...