Make your performance roll. IT should default to fire, or you can spend a void point to please Kachiko and the others.
At the next contest, Kiyoko takes up a quill and ponders a moment before writing:
Snow atop the firs
A wren returns to her nest
Chasing hawks away
You all passed the test of arms. Sorry about that.
Matsu Niko at the next contest recites,
"Rain slowly trickles down,
The lonely fish cannot hear
Seagull has struck swiftly"
Performance
The seasons changing
Earth crumbles, rivers into streams
Awaiting return
At the end of his recital Tetsumaru makes way for the next contestant. Once out of sight he releases the breath he didn't realize he was holding.
Matsu Niko waits with great anticipation to see how well her poetry came across as well as get ready for the next event.
Kachiko evaluates your poetry and finds it to be moving. She declares Matsu Niko to be the winner of the haiku event.
Matsu Niko graciously accepts her victory, thanking the judges.
She thinks I wonder what else they have in store for us going forward
Ah, at least I did not fail horribly. Winning was a very longshot anyway. Tetsumaru shrugs at hearing the results.
The next event is to test your courtier knowledge. Which clan represents the culture of Rokugan? Which clan defends Rokugan from the Shadowlands? Which clan watches for internal threats to the Empire?
Courtier 4k2 exploding = 36
Matsu Niko answers the question using the most courteous way she can and says, "Well, my grand betters, to answer your second question, although when there is a major incursion from the Shadowlands all of the clans have been known to step in and assist, the clan that deals with the day-to-day manning of the border is the Crab Clan. To answer the third question, the Phoenix clans seems to maintain a detente between the clans trying to maintain the peace internally through diplomacy. This brings me back to your first question, all of the clans represent certain aspects of the culture of Rokugan both good and bad, which differs us from Outlanders from the great desert. Honor dictates that I must say that the Lion clan represents what is right in the Empire most. Thank you great Daimyo and most of all long live the Emperor!"
= 30
"No single clan can represent the entire culture of Rokugan though the Crane lead when it comes to setting trends. The Crab have defended the empire from the Shadowlands since the dawn of the empire. The First Hantei gave the Scorpion the duty of watching for internal threats though all clans are responsible for keeping the Emperor's peace in their own authority."
Tetsumaru states his answer in a less than flowery language than the Lion.
Both of you pass. Those a good rolls, and Hida Tetsumaru has the best score.
Matsu Niko practices playing go
Mirumoto Dai see's a lion playing a game of go. He approaches and says, "Good day, might I join you for a game?"
Matsu Niko bows and says, "I can use some practice against new competition."
Dai sits and quietly waits while the Lion begins to set up the board. "I am Mirumoto Dai. I believe I have seen you in the tournament. Are you a representative for your clan?"
Matsu Niko says, "Yes, I am trying to do my clan and family honor in this tournament. It has been an educational experience. My name is Matsu Niko. A pleasure to meet you."
"A pot of tea. One cup." Tetsumaru says as he gives his order to the servant having decided to take a break in between events. He had come to one of the inns nearest the venue.
"It is a great honor. Thank you for being willing to play a game of Go with me." Dai says as he helps set up the board for the game.
Matsu Niko plays go with Miramuto Dai to practice for the next event.
She says, "This shall be interesting
Mirumoto Dai tries the ancient Dragon style of patient movements to counter the Matsu's aggressive style.
Having some success with the move he notes, "Patience is very useful in this game."
Matsu Niko nods and says, "It seems as you have beaten me. Hopefully this practice will assist me in the event to come."
"You honored me with the game. I will watch your game with interest." Dai says in reply.
Then came the signal that the tournament is ready to resume, with a knock against a board.
Mirumoto Dai takes a seat to watch the tournament continue.
Matsu Niko moves to the area where she will participate in the tournament.
All of you go to a place to either watch the game or participate. Matsu Niko is at one of the gaming tables. Her opponent, another Lion, says, "Just don't think I'll go easy on you, cousin."
Dai is seated on a chair.
Go is resolved by a contested roll of Intelligence + Battle.
The Lion bushi Niko is contesting against rolls first:
Matsu Niko says, "Fair play cousin. We'll see how this game pans out."
Intelligence + Battle 4k2 = 11
Young Asao will take a place at a table as well.
Once they are ready to start, he will burn a Void Point to roll as if skilled.
Young Asao will take a place at a table as well.
Once they are ready to start, he will burn a Void Point to roll as if skilled.
Battle (Int) 4K3: 4d10 ⇒ (6, 1, 3, 5) = 15
Asao's opponent is another Lion, from the Akodo War College.
Looks like she won.
Dai watches the various games and nods in appreciation to various excellent moves and makes small talk to those around him.
After the games are over Dai approaches Matsu and says, Matsu-sama, that was a most excellent match. Congratulations on your victory."
Dai watches the various games and nods in appreciation to various excellent moves and makes small talk to those around him.
Intelligence+Courtier: 3d10 ⇒ (4, 6, 2) = 12 10 on my Courtier check.[/ooc]
After the games are over Dai approaches Matsu and says, Matsu-sama, that was a most excellent match. Congratulations on your victory."
The others make small talk with you, but are engrossed in the Go matches. When they are finished, they see Dai approach Matsu and congratulate her. They all make a courtier check against yours.
They all agree it was the right thing to do.
Matsu Niko smiles and says, "Thank you, Miramuto-san. I just try my best and hopefully fortune favors me and the emperor this day."
"Thank you for the lesson, Akodo-san. I hope to prove worthy of your gift."
Losing gracefully is important, too.
Matsu Niko awaits either the continuation of the Go event or whatever the next event is for this day.
The next contest is an archery contest. This begins after the Go event. So far, Niko completed the Go event with good standing. The PCs are led outside to the archery field.
The PCs who are participating are striking targets that are moved back twenty paces two times after each round. PCs may strike with the first target being 10 TN, then the second target being 15 TN, and the last being 20 TN.
Matsu Niko looses her first arrow at the target 3k2 second attack at first target exploding
First shot at second target exploding and second shot at second target exploding
First shot at third target exploding and second shot at third target
Yep you are reading the instructions correctly. You shoot twice at each target.
"Another opportunity to learn from those who know more on a topic than I. Marvelous. Let us see who the kami favor this afternoon, then, shall we?"
The young Phoenix takes a bow, watches a few of the others, and attempts to copy how they hold the bow and loose arrows.
He puts both of the first pair into his target.
His third shot skips off the top of the target and into the distance, and his fourth buries itself in the grass in front of the target.
His fifth arrow strikes the ground near where he should have put the arrows in the previous round. His sixth arrow hits one of the targets adjacent to his. Which, of course, wasn't the goal.
He looks to the more successful archers, focusing on any who have been struggling in the earlier competitions.. "You have done well. May the kami continue to favor you through the competition."
Mirumoto Dai joins the spectators and watches the various contestants.
The next event is a hunt. And that takes place between the hours of 3pm and 7 pm. So you have three hours to prepare.
Matsu Niko scours and sharpens her spears and arrowheads for the hunt ahead.
Mirumoto Dai will move to the place where the hunters start and begin talking to the other courtiers about who is likely to win the hunt.
"Sugai will be tough to beat in the hunt," one says.
"Matsu Niko seems to learn quickly. That will be a boon in the hunt." Dai replies back.
Matsu Niko attempts to read lips Read lips perception 3k3 exploding again sheesh again = 21+10+10+10+2= 54
Matsu Niko attempts to read lips Read lips perception 3k3 3d10 exploding 1d10 again 1d10 sheesh 1d10 again 1d10 = 21+10+10+10+2= 54
That's enough to realize that Sugai intends to cheat.