"I must admit I have not; I only arrived earlier this afternoon." Ryuko studies Heihachi for a long moment before saying slowly, "Kuni-san, forgive me for asking, but is it at all possible that what you sensed was your own concerns about this tournament? We are, all of us, on edge here, and it would hardly be surprising or shameful if you were, on some level, worried about your performance..." She seems to have deliberately ignored the question about other shugenja, but you noticed Isawa Tsuakito wearing a scroll satchel earlier.
"No, Ryoko-sama, I feel it was not. I will do my best, and if bested I know I will have done right by my lord. Perhaps you should meditate as well."
I look around for the Pheonix Shugenja
"Thank you, Moto-san." Turning to the rest of the group, she bows to them before introducing herself. "I am Utaku Yukari."
"Thank you, Moto-san." Turning to the rest of the group, she bows to them before introducing herself. "I am Utaku Yukari."
Tsuto points around the table. "Matsu Chigitsu, Matsu Ume, Bayushi Tenmaku." Clearly etiquette has been a great priority in his studies. "I was just telling this fine group about a couple of my less interesting adventures during my training. Tomorrow, you'll see some of the stuff I've kept quiet about till now, and maybe tomorrow night I'll tell some of the stories about how I learned those tricks!"
"No, Ryoko-sama, I feel it was not. I will do my best, and if bested I know I will have done right by my lord. Perhaps you should meditate as well."
I look around for the Pheonix Shugenja
Tsutakito is sitting by himself at one of the tables, drinking tea and staring almost absently at the wall.
"No, Ryoko-sama, I feel it was not. I will do my best, and if bested I know I will have done right by my lord. Perhaps you should meditate as well."
I look around for the Pheonix Shugenja
Nagatsuna remains silently weighing each of his clansmens words. t never is wise to ignore omens and portents on the edge of the Shadowlands He follows quietly.
Tsutakito is sitting by himself at one of the tables, drinking tea and staring almost absently at the wall."No, Ryoko-sama, I feel it was not. I will do my best, and if bested I know I will have done right by my lord. Perhaps you should meditate as well."
I look around for the Pheonix Shugenja
quickly bows, and immediately heads to Tsutakito, obviously vexed by the omen
"Tsutakito-san, I am Kuni Heihachi, I was meditating a little while ago, and I sensed something wrong...something is not right, have you sensed anything in the void?"
Ume but up a smile. Quite proud, but justifiably so, she guessed. They were all the cream of the empires' crop. The tournament would tell if riding tricks eclipsed history in the esteem of the courts, and if wrestling outweighed knowledge of bushido.
"I wonder one thing, though. Quite a few seem to have arrived here only today. Have you staid on a village just a days travel away, or actually risked planning travel so tightly that you could not account for any circumstances. I know i had a lot of time tucked away for this when i started out, and used all of it."
"Tsutakito-san, I am Kuni Heihachi, I was meditating a little while ago, and I sensed something wrong...something is not right, have you sensed anything in the void?"
Tsutakito looks up in surprise. "Ah... what? Your pardon, Kuni-san. Sensed something in the Void?" He frowns, thinking. "I did not, when last I meditated, but I have no special connection to the Void that might have allowed such a thing." He blinks, surprised again by another thought. "Are you... can you speak to the kami of the Void?"
"I wonder one thing, though. Quite a few seem to have arrived here only today. Have you staid on a village just a days travel away, or actually risked planning travel so tightly that you could not account for any circumstances. I know i had a lot of time tucked away for this when i started out, and used all of it."
Tenmaku nodded. "I stopped at a village about five miles away and spent last night there, because I wanted to be as presentable as possible when I arrived." He grins in a self-effacing manner. "Of course, I seem to have been the first arrival, so there was no one to notice my extra effort." Tsuto snorts loudly, and Chigistu offers a small grin of his own.
Chigitsu raises his head after a moment, as if struck by a thought. "Bayushi-san," he asks, "have you had a chance to learn the full structure of the tournament, in you extra time today?"
Tenmaku nods, smiling. "I have," he replies, "and would be honored to share that knowledge with you. Tomorrow begins with a sumai tournament, and the heraldry exam. Then, after a midday break, the athletics competition, the mounted combat - where we can apparently expect quite a show from our Moto friend, and possibly from the lovely Utaku as well - and the law, etiquette and bushido debate. The following day begins with the weapons trial and the poetry contest in the morning, and the courtier skills test, the go games, and the hunting competition in the evening. The final day, of course, is simply the iaijutsu tournament."
Yukari takes a seat at the table after Tsuto's brief introductions. "Pleased to meet you all." She glances around the table, her gaze lingering just slightly longer on the man in Scorpion colours, the one that Tsuto had named as Bayushi Tenmaku. This was the first time she had actually seen anyone of the Scorpion clan, despite her opinions of the clan's actions as a whole. Now wasn't the time to bring up such matters though - she could best bring prestige to the clan by outdoing the others in the tournament itself.
At Matsu Ume's question, Yukari nods her head. "I attempted to pace my journey as best I could - I did not want Arashi to be overtired for the tournament itself, so I didn't want to push him hard. Had the journey looked to take longer than I'd planned, then we would have had to speed our pace. Fortunately, that wasn't necessary."
She then listens to the description of the tournament itself. There were a few events that would certainly not be her strong point. Poetry, heraldry and courtier skills would not go well for her, she suspected. Mounted combat on the other hand, would hopefully go well.
"That's quite the variety of events," she comments thoughtfully.
Ume nodded. "Yes, but a Samurai's duty is varied and challenging every honorable aspect of a person. It only makes sense that this challenge includes them all." She looked around the table she had seated herself on. The Bushi-table, it seemed. None of them looked overmuch interested in playing the role of the lawyer.
"I heard most of the points are awarded in the duelling contest on the final eve, though. Still, I would not scoff at the earlier contest - still a good way to honor our teachers."
Tenmaku nods. "Most of the contests are matches - each of us will be paired against one other contestant, and the winner of the match earns one point. A few of the contests are individual trials, and in those we can all potentially earn points, and in one, the hunting contest, we will actually be working in teams, with the winning team earning points. It takes 5 points to earn our gempukkus, and whoever has the most points at the end of the tournament will be the Topaz Champion." He smiles, a little sardonically. "The duels in the iaijutsu competition are worth two points each, however."
"Tsutakito-san, I am Kuni Heihachi, I was meditating a little while ago, and I sensed something wrong...something is not right, have you sensed anything in the void?"Tsutakito looks up in surprise. "Ah... what? Your pardon, Kuni-san. Sensed something in the Void?" He frowns, thinking. "I did not, when last I meditated, but I have no special connection to the Void that might have allowed such a thing." He blinks, surprised again by another thought. "Are you... can you speak to the kami of the Void?"
looks stunned
"Not...to...my knowledge. There is something wrong tho, I must keep my vigil up, and watch the omens. Good luck in the Test, May the Kami watch over you."
looks stunned"Not...to...my knowledge. There is something wrong tho, I must keep my vigil up, and watch the omens. Good luck in the Test, May the Kami watch over you."
Now that Heihachi is alone again Nagatsuna asks, "You sensed something wrong in the Void. Could you tell whether it might be a presence? Or maybe some impending event? The Kami work in strange ways and it is never good to ignore them."
"Hai Natgatsuna-sama, I would not ignore the Kami. I think I need more tea..."
The rest of the evening passes uneventfully, in easy conversation or uneasy contemplation, depending on mood. Slowly the competitors drift off to their rooms upstairs, to sleep and dreams about the coming challenges ahead.
The following morning's competitions begin promptly at the hour of the Moon .
I'll meditate at first light to prepare for the matches.
Ume had risen early, very early. She had slept poorly, despite the taxing travel. Though she was not so much frightened, the calmness and center she was trying hard to reach was elusive.
Meditation helped, somewhat. Soothed her enough for her to go through her morning quickly and efficiently. Arrived at breakfast just on time, and opted for some tea and a tiny bit of dried fish.
She approached the grounds for the first competition among the first. Wrestling competition, so a full stomach wouldn't be a good idea either way.
She approached the grounds for the first competition among the first. Wrestling competition, so a full stomach wouldn't be a good idea either way.
Upon seeing the Lion Samurai-ko enter the contest grounds, Utsuro ceased his stretching exercises, and began moving through an intricate series of kata-like movements, each of which was clearly intended to show off the well-toned muscles of his arms and shoulders.
After going through his early morning exercises and meditation to focus his emotions and put them on the razors edge where they belonged. Hmmmmm, nothing seems out of place. I wonder if Heihachi-san sensed anything more last night. He does not eat before the upcoming physical event to keep his body ready. Preparing himself for the first wrestling competition by painting the blue symbols of strength, earth, and good fortune over his torso and arms. Covering himself in a light weight dark blue kimono with his clan symbol woven into it he puts on his sandles and heads to the competition.
Yukari rises at first light, both nervous and relieved that the day of the tournament has finally arrived. Soon, the tournament would be underway and there would be little free time to fret over it. The anticipation was always worse than the actual event with this kind of situation.
The shiotome takes some time to run through some simple exercises and stretches to take her mind off the wait. Once she is finished with those, she dresses in her clan colours and heads down to the stables to give her usual morning greeting to Arashi. After her brief visit to the stables, she then heads to the area where the first contest would be held. This was it.. it was now or never. Steeling herself, Yukari attempted to quell her inner butterflies and appear calm and collected as she approached the first event.
Rising relatively late considered she retired so early Megumi will casually ready herself for the coming trials. She takes some time to make certain she is presentable by any Crane standards but puts on a more simple kimono in the traditional white and blue. When she is prepared she curiously eyes the ancestral swords passed on to her then bows her head to the floor praying for guidance and honour during the days events.
After eating a modest sized breakfast Megumi will head out to arrive with ample time before the beginning of the day's events.
As the contestants file onto the training grounds of the Kakita Dueling Academy, they see a large empty space, several hundred paces across, that marks the tournament area. On one end, the tournament ground is edged with a viewing box, and huge stands of bleachers have been erected along the other three sides of the space, stands that are now filled to bursting with samurai and merchant onlookers, all waiting for the start of the tournament. In the viewing box itself, the Emperor, his sons and young daughter, Doji Sarutomo and his mother, Matsu Hoketsaku, Akodo Gintaku, and Miya Shikan are all seated, watching carefully as the young samurai to be take their places on the field.
After you are all assembled, Miya Shikan rises and makes his way down to the tournament ground, his sharp face faintly dispproving as always. He walks past each of you, inspecting you carefully, before reaching the end of the row and turning to face the crowd. "People of Rokugan!" he shouts, his voice easily carrying across the empty space. "Today we begin the Tournament of the Topaz Champion! Each of these youths will face challenges in eleven areas, from weapons skills to poetry, demonstrating their abilities in all the areas that make samurai who we are, as shown to us by the traditions laid down by the Kami themselves, nearly fifteen hundred years ago! In each challenge, the contestants will be awarded points for success, but no points for failure. Five points are needed to achieve their gempukkus! At the tournament's conclusion, one of these - the one who has earned the most points over the tournament's entire length - will have proven himself or herself not only a samurai, but the Topaz Champion! We pursue these events under the eyes of the Son of Heaven himself - let all bow and acknowledge him now!" Shikan turns and prostrates himself toward the viewing box, and across the stands, the audience does the same. Each of the contestants does as well, and as you rise once more, you see the Emperor's handsome face smiling benevolently as he waves to the crowds.
Shikan turns to face the stands once more. "Our first contest is one of jiujutsu, and will be judged by Matsu Hoketsaku, Emerald Champion and Champion of the Lion!" Hoketsaku rises from his seat in the box and descends to the tournament field, offering a slight bow to the crowd. He looks at you all with a stern expression, but you can see beneath it a repressed excitement; he seems to be genuinely looking forward to this.
Shikan continues, "One contestant, Shosuro Tamu, has been forced to withdraw from the tournament due to illness. As a result, I would like to now introduce our alternate, Shiba Utsuro of the Phoenix Clan!" The audience applauds politely as Utsuro bows to them.
Shikan then draws your chops - small tiles of wood, ivory, ceramic or some other light substance, marked with your names - from a silk bag in pairs, determining who will face who in the first matches. The pairings are as follows:
Toru vs Kagetora
Heihachi vs Nimoro
Tsuto vs Ryuko
Nagatsuna vs Oroko
Tenmaku vs Keitomaru
Ume vs Utsuro
Yukari vs Morito
Chorotaku vs Amiko
Kenji vs Chigitsu
Tsutakito vs Megumi
When their turn comes, Utsuro moves to keep pace with the Lion as they approach the ring. "Greetings, Lion-san. I am Shiba Utsuro, and I am truly honored for my first opponent in this contest to have the martial background and training of the Matsu. I expect to learn much!"
He turns and gives a quick bow before taking his place in the ring.
As the jiujutsu contest is announced Megumi says another prayer hoping the fortunes will smile upon her. When Tsutakito is drawn to be her opponent her face shows no joy and though she is facing a Phoenix instead of one of the more physically powerful Clans her heart sinks a little.
After a brief moment Megumi tries to shake off the doubts beginning to creep into her mind. When the match begins she takes a deep breath and resolves to do her best to honour the Crane.
Tsutakito bows to Megumi and takes his stance as well. He does not look completely sanguine himself. After a moment, Hoketsaku drops a handkerchief to indicate the start of the match, and the two contestants close with one another. Megumi is faster, however, and finds an opening almost at once.
Initiative is ?
I thought I had it on my sheet, but I don't see it.
Initiative is ?
I thought I had it on my sheet, but I don't see it.
Initiative is ?
I thought I had it on my sheet, but I don't see it.
bows; then Kuni Heihachi squares off with his opponent, staring at his opponent's chest rather than his eyes, since the eyes can betray
Initiative3k2=24
10 Raw Agility rolls for Grappling
10 Crab Hands Strength rolls for grappling
Matsu Nimoro and the Crab shugenja square off in the ring of hard-packed earth, and Heihachi is keenly aware that the judge for this match is his opponent's father. Nevertheless, when the handkerchief drops, both contestants spring forward, ready for the battle. Nimoro's edge is speed is vanishingly small , but enough to allow him to move first.
Nimoro grabs Heihachi and the two begin to grip one another, struggling for control.
Ah, what are the raises avaiable? I'm at work so no books...
After giving the Emperor and judges the appropriate bows. Nagatsuna takes off his kimono and carefully folds it revealing his well oiled arms and chest covered in the painted symbols. Upon seeing who his opponent is a sly smile crosses his face as he gives a bow and says, "It seems as if the fortunes have smiled upon me this day." Too busy watching her he fails to notice the handkerchief drop.
3d10.open(10).takeHighest(2)=9
Shisumo:
Ume looked over her opponent, her subdued-brown training clothes fitting her well. She seemed every bit the Matsu... not as big as the woman of the deep south, not as self-reliant as the Battle Maidens, but fierce like her ancestor.
She was upon the Shiba as soon as the formalities were done - no time for hesitations now.
From the corner of his eye, Utsuro saw the piece of silk touch the ground, and launched himself at the Matsu in the same instant. Calling upon his inner strength, he attempted to grab the young Lion.
Ah, what are the raises avaiable? I'm at work so no books...
After giving the Emperor and judges the appropriate bows. Nagatsuna takes off his kimono and carefully folds it revealing his well oiled arms and chest covered in the painted symbols. Upon seeing who his opponent is a sly smile crosses his face as he gives a bow and says, "It seems as if the fortunes have smiled upon me this day." Too busy watching her he fails to notice the handkerchief drop.
Oroko gives him an appraising look as they square off, and she smiles slightly as his words. Neither of the two warriors responds to the signal with all the speed they might have otherwise done, but Oroko is able to get into position slightly faster than Nagatsuna. Her attack is not swift, but without his armor Nagatsuna is not especially difficult to hit, and so she grabs on. Together, the two grapple for position.
Shisumo:
** spoiler omitted **
Ume grunted as the Phoenix proved faster than she had anticipated - but although she was off balance for the moment, this was far from over.
He had the advantage of momentum, and speed. She knew how to use momentum and speed. She dived below his body, and suddenly, things turned out a bit differently.
As Yukari's turn arrives, the battle maiden takes a deep breath before stepping into the ring. Grappling had never been a focus point of her training, but she could hope that the years spent honing her skills on horseback and with weapons would help her at least a little.
As she steps forward, she gazes at her opponent entering. So, against a Scorpion first then. It would have been bad luck to be paired with one of the powerfully-muscled Crab first. She bows to Morito before straightening up again, steeling herself for the fight about to happen.
Heihachi and Nimoro struggle for a few seconds, but Nimoro uses the momentum of his attack to gain the upper hand. He wrestles the shugenja toward the ground, muscles straining.
Ume finally managed to get some handle on the man, and turned him, twisted herself somewhat to get better leverage. Holding him down for the allotted time wouldn't be easy - but it would be possible.
As Yukari's turn arrives, the battle maiden takes a deep breath before stepping into the ring. Grappling had never been a focus point of her training, but she could hope that the years spent honing her skills on horseback and with weapons would help her at least a little.
As she steps forward, she gazes at her opponent entering. So, against a Scorpion first then. It would have been bad luck to be paired with one of the powerfully-muscled Crab first. She bows to Morito before straightening up again, steeling herself for the fight about to happen.
Whatever else they may be, Scorpion are fast. Morito leaps into action, trying to catch at Yukari, but she ducks away, just barely managing to avoid his attack.