She says, "Well Kachiko-san, he did have some creative ways to try and win. However, he may have spent his time learning his craft more than trying to circumvent it."
"Yes, I do see your point," said Kachiko.
The next contestants include:
Matsu Niko and
Isawa Asao!
This will be the final pairing!
After providing the obsequious honors, Asao comments. "When we met on the road I never thought I would be here now. Having both of us here is a miraculous gift from the kami."
I fail to learn anything, and probably lose the roll.
I expect she will have first strike.
Matsu Niko nods in agreement and for a moment searches an appropriate remark from her teachings, says, "You are most correct, Asao-san, fore according to the ancients, a warrior is worthless unless she rises above others and stands in the face of the storm. I hope we maintain our status."
Initiative Reflexes + Insight exploding =23
Assessment Round Awareness + Iajustsu 3k2 =14
Matsu Niko then attacks 5k4 with her Nodachi Bokken exploding =46 [
Damage
Spend 1 in void Ijustsu + Void 4k3 =18
Asao feels the contact of her training blade before he sees the motion. He lowers his fan, and bows to the victor. "Well done, Matsu-sama. Well done indeed."
"The victor will approach the Emperor," said Bayushi Shoju.
Matsu Niko bows towards Isawa Asao and says, "That is high praise, Asao-san. Maybe our travels will coincide."
Afterwards, she looks toward the emperor and follows the appropriate protocol.
Ettiquette 6k3 = 24
And she moves toward the emperor and bows before him.
The emperor says, "Thank you. I declare you winner of this tournament. You are the Topaz Champion. I give you this katana as proof of your win."
He gives you a sword. The hilt is green wrapped, and is green like an emerald. The Imperial Seal is on the scabbard, which is also green like an emerald, and has a rim that runs down the scabbard that is topaz colored. Much like a piece of beauty, the katana's scabbard end is of brass.
The seal looks like a golden Chrysanthemum.
Matsu Niko bows with her hands palm up to receive the weapon from the divine Emperor, "Divine Imperial Majesty, I, Matsu Niko, your humble servant from the Lion Clan, accept the honor with which you grant me and my family for this tournament. I hope to use this blade in your service from henceforth!"
"Very enthusiastically spoken," said the Emperor. "Would you like to serve as an Imperial Magistrate?"
Matsu Niko says, "It is my honor to serve in whichever manner your majesty and my daimyo sees fit. And if your Majesty deems me fit to serve in this capacity, I shall do so."
"Good, the Emerald Champion might have some words for you after we're finished," said the Emperor.
She bows and says, "It would be a delight to speak to the Emerald Champion, my liege."
She bows and says, "It would be a delight to speak to the Emerald Champion, my liege."
I understand. :)
Now you, Mirumoto Dai, and Isawa Asao are presented.
The young shugneja takes the position indicated, prepared to plant his face in the dirt as is only right before the Son of the Heavens.
Matsu Niko bows and then ties her newly won katana to her kimono and goes where she is told and follows protocol.
Mirumoto moves forward when he is called for and bows low.
You hear a swallow past by while singing. Proving that this group is chosen by the kami. There was nothing else besides that. The three are chosen and they are chosen by the Fortune of Luck.
The Emerald Champion approaches you and says, "All of you are lucky. I'd like to have you join the Emerald Magistrates. I'll be your Daimyo."
"I would be most honored to serve you." Mirumoto Dai says in reply to the great offer.
Asao bows to the Emerald Champion, bending as deeply as he can without falling to the ground. "You honor us each more than our humble selves could possibly deserve. However you need, I shall serve."
Matsu Niko bows her head low for the Emerald Champion and says, "To be extended such a grave honor at such a young age is something that hope to humbly but successfully carry out according to the traditions of the service."
"Good," said the Emerald Champion, Doji Satsume. "Travel to the Capitol where we will get you inducted in."
Matsu Niko bows and says, "As you command." and leaves when appropriate and after the ceremony she strikes up conversations with her relatives.
Once dismissed, Asao will return to speak with the Phoenix observers sent to watch over the contestants. "My apologies, but I have been instructed to leave for the capitol. Thank you for ensuring we all were here and could participate, could prove that we are qualified to be Samurai. Your guidance has been unparalleled. But I must gather my few things."
It doesn't take him long to gather his travelling pack, but he slows, looking for the symbol of status that he knows he should receive before leaving, trying not to look like he's looking for it, of course.
The symbol of status that Asao receives is simple. A wakisashi that is in a scabbard tipped with bronze.
Dai will find the representative for the Dragon clan and inform them of the high honor offered him. "If it is the Daimyo's will I will go and represent the Dragon Clan in aiding the Empire."
After getting her great-grandmother's No Dachi, she bows and grabs her gear from the inn and meets her colleagues ready for the long trip ahead.
Traveling to the capital was easy, since there has been rain at least once a week. You trio still had to wear your rain gear, and it's not that far. A Rokugani horse was not like the Unicorn horse, that is for sure. Going on after the Topaz Championship was certainly good and right.
No peddlers on the road to the capital makes it either more pleasant, or less pleasant.
"The Kami seem to have blessed our travels so far. Hopefully, they continue to be with us as we are given our new tasks." Mirumoto Dai says as he scans the beautiful city that stretches out before them as they approach.
Matsu Niko rides her horse and smiles. She says, "The kami are a wise lot and have seen fit to grant us fair travel. I look forward to serve as our new Daimyo sees fit. It shall be a challenge."
On the way, you see a Scorpion samurai, practicing his public speaking.
"I do say, I sound better than the Emperor," he exclaimed.
Matsu Niko steps forward and says, "Those are some bold words, scorpion-san. My name is Matsu Niko and I would love for you to practice your speech on my travelling companions and I. To see if your rhetoric and presentation are up to snuff."
Etiquette 6k3+3 =22
Asao raises an eyebrow as The Emerald Champion chooses to engage the Scorpion's foolishness but holds his tongue.
Mirumoto turns and also waits to see what will come of the Scorpions blasphemous claim.
"Why should I practice on you?" says the scorpion bushi.
Matsu Niko smiles and says, "Well, for a few reasons, practice makes your speech better and to have an audience may be able to give you some pointers. Also you have made a very precarious boast that borders on blasphemy. So let's hear it Scorpion-san."
Asao grins, slightly. "Would you deny the new Topaz Champion the beauty of your words on the very day of her victory?"
Matsu Niko smiles lecherously at the would be speech giver and lets a bit of the topaz embellishments on the scabbard be seen but not in a threatening way.
The scorpion coughs and begins, "Two and one harmony, which lifts graciously, Song and stone."
It was a haiku.
10 total.
25 would be a good DC for Imperial level.
Matsu Niko smiles and says, "Scorpion-san, my name is Matsu Niko the current Topaz Champion and you have some good points here and since you are cute, I will try to give you some pointers to improve your skill at oratory."
Etiquette 6k3+3 exploding =46
She then recites his haiku, " "Two and one harmony"
takes a dramatic pause for effect
continues, "which lifts graciously,"
another quick and hand gestures,
"Song and stone."
He basically, blinks. "I am Bayushi Najiro," he says.
Mirumoto Dai stands staring at the Bayushi and frowning in anger that he would dare to compare himself to the Emperor and waits to see what the Lion wished to do with the Scorpion.