Yukari ducks out to the side as Morito lunges for her. She attempts to spin and catch hold of his arm in return as he moves past.
Ume frantically tried to capitalize on her advantage. She wasn't really that well-educated in personal combat, but her teachers had insisted on it - and now she was reaping the fruits of that.
It's not so hard to turn an arm in ways it is not intended to be turned. In ways the muscles can not do much, and the sinews scream in protest. She was moving him towards just such a position, where he would be helpless, and under control.
Yukari ducks out to the side as Morito lunges for her. She attempts to spin and catch hold of his arm in return as he moves past.
Though for a moment, Morito's arm feels the Unicorn's fingers, she cannot lay hold of him firmly, and he is across the ring once more.
The Scorpion darts in again, trying for another arm. This time, though, Yukari has the measure of him, and she steps aside with almost casual ease.
Ume frantically tried to capitalize on her advantage. She wasn't really that well-educated in personal combat, but her teachers had insisted on it - and now she was reaping the fruits of that.
It's not so hard to turn an arm in ways it is not intended to be turned. In ways the muscles can not do much, and the sinews scream in protest. She was moving him towards just such a position, where he would be helpless, and under control.
Somewhat surprised at the woman's ferocity, Utsuro let his grip relax briefly, and the Lion used that to her advantage. Uttering a brief prayer to his ancestors, he dug his feet into the earth and attempted to resist the pressure being exerted by his opponent.
The Shiba could feel the Matsu's hold beginning to break, but was unable to gain enough leverage to escape her grip.
The Shiba could feel the Matsu's hold beginning to break, but was unable to gain enough leverage to escape her grip.
OK, so since I'm heading to the ground can I attempt a new strength roll using void to get a raise?
OK, so since I'm heading to the ground can I attempt a new strength roll using void to get a raise?
The young Crane waits patiently for a moment until she sees an opening, not a long wait it seems. Superior speed allows Megumi to capitalise quickly on the clumsy defenses of the Phoenix but it is clear the Kakita spent little time studying grappling.
The young Crane waits patiently for a moment until she sees an opening, not a long wait it seems. Superior speed allows Megumi to capitalise quickly on the clumsy defenses of the Phoenix but it is clear the Kakita spent little time studying grappling.
Megumi grabs hold of the Phoenix, but it almost seems as though that was what Tsutakito was waiting for. He takes her wrists and bends her arms back, keeping her pinned for a moment as they wrestle.
After a few seconds, Tsutakito makes another move, trying to hook his legs behind the Crane warrior maiden's and send them both to the ground.
Megumi's haste does nothing but help seal the hold of the Phoenix on her and soon enough the two combatants are on the ground in a heap. The samurai-ko writhes and twists but the hold is too strong for her and she can't seem to gain any edge.
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.
** spoiler omitted **Shisumo:
** spoiler omitted **
and here is his first grappling roll
7d10.open(10).takeHighest(3)=19
Nagatsuna waits like the mountain feeling Oroko's hands and body twist and fell him to the ground. Bide your time, wait for the moment to strike. However, he waits slightly to long and she surprises him with reversing his hold momentarily. His deep voice rumbling, "You wrestle well Oroko-san."
Ume felt the man turn to evade the force she put on him. Just a little further... She'd have "first blood" so to speak, and her poor opening of the bout would be forgotten.
Draws upon the void to combat his opponent
Ume felt the man turn to evade the force she put on him. Just a little further... She'd have "first blood" so to speak, and her poor opening of the bout would be forgotten.
"You honor me with your skill, Matsu-san," he said through clenched teeth, "but the fight is not yet done."
Utsuro gathered all the force he could muster, and focused it into his back and shoulders, hoping the sudden pressure would cause his opponent to release her fierce hold on him. At the peak of his exertion, however, there came a loud popping noise, and the Shiba's left arm went numb. Pain flashed briefly across the young man's face, and he fell to one knee at the samurai-ko's feet.
"Thank you for this lesson, Matsu-sama."
Ume rose with the Shiba, and returned his bow. She tried hard not to show her triumph all too obviously, but the wide smile and sparkle in her eyes was unmistakeable. She obviously had enjoyed the challenge, and enjoyed winning more. Her own excertion and the doubts she had just a day ago where all gone now.
Some small part inside her told her not to get too cocky. She was still watched. She really didn't pay it much mind beyond not howling out in elation, though.
"Thank you for the bout. I hope you are not seriously injured, that pop sounded bad." She replied, just barely paying enough mind to Compassion and decency. While the massive Hida probably would fold her like Origami later on, she started the tournament with a victory - more than half the others could claim.
Evading the Scorpion's grab yet again, Yukari attempts to catch hold of him by the lower arm, hoping to find an opening.
The young Crane holds her ground for a moment tapping into inner reserves of strength. Then suddenly Megumi tangles with the Phoenix once again trying to break his hold like a furious storm. This is her last chance this match and the samurai-ko knows it.
"Thank you for the bout. I hope you are not seriously injured, that pop sounded bad." She replied, just barely paying enough mind to Compassion and decency. While the massive Hida probably would fold her like Origami later on, she started the tournament with a victory - more than half the others could claim.
"I am sure it is nothing that the priests cannot handle," Utsuro said as he rubbed his disjointed shoulder. "May your ancestors continue to guide you through the remainder of your challenges this morning. Perhaps this evening, we could meet at the inn and discuss your victories?"
** spoiler omitted **
Also, in case it needs to be said, you can only attempt an intimidation check against a given target once per encounter, one way or the other.
Oroko's Willpower, however, allows her to resist your efforts fairly easily.
Nagatsuna waits like the mountain feeling Oroko's hands and body twist and fell him to the ground. Bide your time, wait for the moment to strike. However, he waits slightly to long and she surprises him with reversing his hold momentarily. His deep voice rumbling, "You wrestle well Oroko-san."
Oroko grins as she tries to tighten her grip on him. "These muscles are nice," she says, "but they don't seem to bend too well."
Draws upon the void to combat his opponent
After tight movements on both sides, and as Hoketsaku watches closely, Heihachi not only manages to catch himself on a knee, but to abruptly flip Nimoro over his shoulder, reversing the hold. Nimoro hits the ground hard, and struggles to rise, even as Heihachi works to pin him further.
"I am sure it is nothing that the priests cannot handle," Utsuro said as he rubbed his disjointed shoulder.
Indeed, even as Utsuro says this, an Asahina shugenja of the Crane Clan is approaching. A few brief chants - and one sharp wrench from the man's surprisingly strong hands - and Utsuro's shoulder is back to normal, the magic of the kami even wiping away the pain.
Evading the Scorpion's grab yet again, Yukari attempts to catch hold of him by the lower arm, hoping to find an opening.
Yukari's sidestep nicely sets herself up for a counterattack, and this time, she lays hold of the Shosuro.
Oroko grins as she tries to tighten her grip on him. "These muscles are nice," she says, "but they don't seem to bend too well."
Grapple roll (3k2+5=16)
He smiles, "You are right, of course. The mountain does not bend to anyone." Having found her measure he slowly inexorably flexes and begins to reverse the pin using his mass against her.
Megumi's haste does nothing but help seal the hold of the Phoenix on her and soon enough the two combatants are on the ground in a heap. The samurai-ko writhes and twists but the hold is too strong for her and she can't seem to gain any edge.
Tsutakito's grapple roll (3k2+5=15)
The young Crane holds her ground for a moment tapping into inner reserves of strength. Then suddenly Megumi tangles with the Phoenix once again trying to break his hold like a furious storm. This is her last chance this match and the samurai-ko knows it.
Tsutakito's grapple roll (3k2+5=19)
Unfortunately, all her efforts are for naught. Slowly, relentlessly, the Isawa bears her down, until she is fully pinned on the mat. After a few short beats, Matsu Hoketsaku slaps the mat to indicate the pin, and Megumi's first contest has ended in a loss.
He smiles, "You are right, of course. The mountain does not bend to anyone." Having found her measure he slowly inexorably flexes and begins to reverse the pin using his mass against her.
Oroko looks shocked at the shift in momentum, and struggles to undo it.
Oroko looks shocked at the shift in momentum, and struggles to undo it.
Nagatsuna sees a fatal flaw in her style and presses his advantage. She might as well be trying to stop a Tsunami with her bare hands.
Catching hold of Morito, Yukari then attempts to twist his arm around behind him, hoping to force him down towards the ground.
Nagatsuna sees a fatal flaw in her style and presses his advantage. She might as well be trying to stop a Tsunami with her bare hands.
The size advantage seems to be more than Oroko can handle, but she rallies for a last-ditch effort nonetheless.
Catching hold of Morito, Yukari then attempts to twist his arm around behind him, hoping to force him down towards the ground.
Yukari's greater strength seems to give her the advantage now, and she moves to try to take advantage of it.
The size advantage seems to be more than Oroko can handle, but she rallies for a last-ditch effort nonetheless.
7d10.open(10).takeHighest(3)=33
"I must apologize Oroko-san for I must end this bout now, unfortunately far too early. Your Jiujutsu is impressive."
With that he keeps his lock on her body and brings her shoulders into contact with the mat. After the match is called he stands and gives her a more than respectful bow, "I hope we cross paths again in this tournament so you have the opportunity to return the lesson." said with a slight smile only noticable by her. He than turns and once again gives the Emperor and judges the honor they deserve.
Shisumo:
Having twisted his arm around, Yukari then leans down on the Scorpion to keep him on the ground, but she misjudges her move and ends up accidentally loosening her hold on Morito's arm.
"I'd be honored to spend time with you" Ume replied, still fighting back the urge to just shout out in triumph. "I certainly hope there is actually "victories" to discuss this day." She had the odd idea that in a way, he really should hope she took home the victory. It would mean he only lost to the winner. But she wasn't too sure that thought was honorable, so she kept quiet about it.
She briefly looked down on herself, if her clothes were in any way disturbed and in need of re-adjusting. No good walking around like an awkward child. When she found that everything was in order, she glanced back towards the organizers - maybe the lots would be drawn soon for the second round.
"Not the Hida" she whispered to the fortunes. She wasn't afraid of him, but she knew her chances where slim, should she have to fight him.
"I must apologize Oroko-san for I must end this bout now, unfortunately far too early. Your Jiujutsu is impressive."
With that he keeps his lock on her body and brings her shoulders into contact with the mat. After the match is called he stands and gives her a more than respectful bow, "I hope we cross paths again in this tournament so you have the opportunity to return the lesson." said with a slight smile only noticable by her. He than turns and once again gives the Emperor and judges the honor they deserve.
Oroko bows back, seemingly frustrated but not angered - or particularly surprised - by her loss. "Oh, don't worry - we've got lots more time to meet again," she says, with a small smile of her own.
Shisumo:
** spoiler omitted **
Having twisted his arm around, Yukari then leans down on the Scorpion to keep him on the ground, but she misjudges her move and ends up accidentally loosening her hold on Morito's arm.
Morito seizes the opening Yukari's misstep provides, trying to wrap his arms around her head and pull her to the ground.
"Not the Hida" she whispered to the fortunes. She wasn't afraid of him, but she knew her chances where slim, should she have to fight him.
Yukari attempts to twist free of Morito's headlock, but is unable to quite shake him loose.
Bowing deeply to the Isawa Megumi closes her eyes tightly and curses her lack of skill silently. She honours the emperor and other personalities then leaves the arena breathing deeply. Her head quickly fills with memories of her match and moves she could have done to reverse the hold but that didn't come to her in time.
Frustrated with the sound defeat Megumi attempts to cast aside her thoughts and the creeping doubts by meditating.
Nagatsuna stays and observes the remaining matches. Heraldry? What purpose does that skill serve in becoming a Samurai? Ah, pointless. Something was bothering him though, I could feel my focus slipping when she caught me offguard. I can't afford to lose control here and dishonor my clan.
Shisumo:
Oh, yes. Missed that on my look-through. Jiujutsu 3 gets you an additional rolled die on unarmed damage. Unarmed damage is normally 0k1 (and remember, you always add your Strength to the DR of a weapon, so it would usually be [Strength]k1 in the end), but thanks to Large, Hands of Stone and the Jiujutsu 3 Mastery, your hands have a DR of 2k2 - the same as your wakizashi, if that gives you anything to judge by.
Ok, I am a little confused but I think it is because I only have the Second Edition rules to look at. So according to what I have here it's 3k1 base (strength) +5 damage for large advantage +1k0 for Jiujutsu mastery +0k1 for Hands of Stone advantage. All that adds up to 4k2+5 or does large now allow you to roll +1k0 now? That would make it be 5k2 in the end if that's the case.
Draws upon the void to combat his opponent
After tight movements on both sides, and as Hoketsaku watches closely, Heihachi not only manages to catch himself on a knee, but to abruptly flip Nimoro over his shoulder, reversing the hold. Nimoro hits the ground hard, and struggles to rise, even as Heihachi works to pin him further.
Heihachi presses the maneuver
Yukari attempts to twist free of Morito's headlock, but is unable to quite shake him loose.
Morito maintains his grip on Yukari's head, but also tries to force her to the ground beneath his left elbow, allowing him the pin.
Shisumo:
** spoiler omitted **
Heihachi presses the maneuver
Heihachi manages to come down on top of Nimoro, and only the quickest of shifts on Nimoro's part prevent a pin immediately. Painfully aware of his father's judgmental gaze, Nimoro reaches deep within himself to try to break the Kuni's hold.
Nimoro's grapple roll with Void Point (4k4=17)
Gritting her teeth, Yukari attempts a last-ditch effort to throw the Scorpion off, trying to summon all the strength she has to throw against it. Sakura-sama would certainly disapprove if she lost this, and Yukari didn't want to give her more reason to berate her. For a moment, it feels as though she might manage it, but Morito's pin is just too much for her in the end and he pins her down.
Matsu Ume swallowed. Well, the heraldry contest would certainly be... interesting. She really should have studied that area more, she realized. But things should not be so bad. She had a good education, even though she did not specialize in this.
"I'll manage this." she whispered to herself. She tried to conjure up all the banners and symbols she had seen, organize them in her mind. These were painfully few. There probably would be hundreds more.
"Well, off to the next competition? I wonder if they organize this as a duel as well, or just set a bar of knowledge, and all who manage it are declared victors?"
Gritting her teeth, Yukari attempts a last-ditch effort to throw the Scorpion off, trying to summon all the strength she has to throw against it. Sakura-sama would certainly disapprove if she lost this, and Yukari didn't want to give her more reason to berate her. For a moment, it feels as though she might manage it, but Morito's pin is just too much for her in the end and he pins her down.
As soon as the match is called, the Scorpion rolls free of Yukari, rising to his feet and offering her an expansive and somewhat overdone bow. If it is mockery, however, it does not show on his face.
Yukari rises to her feet, frustrated and disappointed at losing a match she had thought to have a fairly good chance at. However, she returns Morito's bow to him, attempting not to let her inner emotions show to him. "Thank you for the match Morito-san. You have great skill."
"Well, off to the next competition? I wonder if they organize this as a duel as well, or just set a bar of knowledge, and all who manage it are declared victors?"
"It is my understanding that it will be a test of individual knowledge, rather than a competition. I wish you well, Matsu-sama, but I must ask you to excuse me. Perhaps scanning the various mons worn by those in the crowd will help refresh my memory on such things. I look forward to speaking with you this evening."
"I wish you well, too. As I said, there is more to the duty of a Samurai than Kenjutsu, duels and tactics." Ume replied, but she realized she was a bit too uptight about all this. "It's going to be one of the tough ones for me. But I wouldn't want to see too many mons I don't recognize right now, so I will see you later."
She gave him another short bow, and turned towards the next competition. This was probably one of the hardest events on her.