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Dawn breaks over the city of Absolom. Most districts are bustling with activity. The lights ignite in the depths of the Irorium, exactly timed with a chorus of grunts in perfect unison.
24 students are all lined up in the Ivory Flame Dojo ; Surrounded by rough ebony wood and battered floormats, 6 magical lights illuminate the room.
Good morning students.
'Good morning Master Leon' All the students respond.
Now we might get a special guest today, if you train hard, I might ask her to demonstrate some techniques for you.
The students immediatly start sparring and practicing, most students are pathfinder recruits or rising gladiators at the Irorium.
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Roughly 20 minutes after dawn, there is a knock at the entry to the dojo
After a short pause, a woman of Tian descent slides open the door. She just under 5 feet tall, wearing robes of crimson coloration. She bows toward Leon.
"Ara. I am late? Good Morning. Yuuno no get name yesterday. Hope it is okay, Yuuno invite friend?"
Behind Yuuno, another woman of Tian descent enters the dojo wearing robes of Sky Blue. She makes Yuuno appear a child next to her 6'4" stature. You notice right away that her skin has a blue tint to it, and that in place of hair is a plume of blue to blue-green feathers that hug the shape of her head and neck.
"This is Aya. She from Quain too. Thought she might help."
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Leon bows in return and his students do the same.
Welcome to the Dojo of the Ivory flame, I do not have a problem of more visitors, but to receive one of such prestige is quite an honor.
As for the Dojo, it is a rather recent addition to the facilities here
I started this dojo after my Pathfinder research and funds reached a point of becoming usable.
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Entering a few moments later, a female Half-orc with a katana on her belt enters the area. Her attire a strange mish-mash of Tien and Inner Sea fashion it seems as if she is a patron of many different lands, yet calls none home. She wears strange, pieced-together armor that seems to fit her like a glove and has a spiked gauntlet in her off hand, as well as a collection of traditional samurai weapons-A yari (longspear) and daikyu (longbow) on her back.
Oh, apologies. I saw the symbol for my patron god on the door of a dojo and was curious. I did not mean to interrupt.
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More visitors are never a bad thing, as a matter of fact, would you all be willing to review my research?
Leon points to the large tome in the corner.
My days on Jalmeray led me to discover scrolls and scriptures of a possible fourth house of perfection tied to the Marid, the most powerful of genies.
Leon calls Some of his students, including a halfling who looks extremely cocky after defeating his half-orc sparring partner.
Or you could review some of my students or hold a demonstration of your abilities, it would be great for their development.
Any of these would be greatly appreciated
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I am afraid I am no Scholar nor Sensei. While I appreciate Irori for his dedication to perfection . . . I am not a person who excels at scholastic research. As for a demonstration? Would that be . . . applicable? It seems that your students prefer unarmed combat. While I understand that is Irori's preferred method of combat, I have chosen to take his lessons to heart with the art of the sword. Is this still . . . an acceptable demonstration?
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Leon chuckles at the the suggestion.
Of course that is still acceptable, there are plenty of techniques that developed around swords and such.
My students would benefit greatly regardless.
Leon then looks to the Vudrani man.
I also believe we have a new guest. Would you be student, sensei or scholar good sir?
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Yes, as my old master once told me ;'a true master, is an eternal student', wich reminds me.
Leon claps his hands twice and all the students form into neat rows.
As you know, we currently have several esteemed guests in our humble Dojo today, including the esteemed Aialaysia Alona who I am sure most of you are familliar with.
Most students flash a look and look away nervously, followed by whispers between some students in the back.
They are here to assist and teach, but I would like you to show them some initiative, and learn from them as much as you can, this is a rare oppertunity and I would advice you to make the most of it.
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Without a word, in front of the class that Leon Harding has assembled, Mikomi walks over to a training dummy and sizes it up. She enters a low and strange stance, seemingly leaving her wide open to attack. With a very loud and powerful "KAI!" she draws her Katana and attacks in one fluid motion.
Hits AC5
And ends her movement, leaving herself wide open to attack. For a moment, it appears that nothing has happened. Then Mikomi reaches over and calmly removes the 'head' of the dummy from the torso. The neck joint has been completly severed in two, almost resulting in polished wood where the blade met the training dummy.
The brutal efficiency and strength of her attack is almost frigtening. Everyone who witnesses the attack within 30 feet must make a will save (DC 13) or become shaken for rounds.
Mikomi Moves to Leon and hands him the head of the training dummy as well as nine gold for a replacement.
Remember class, there are many paths to martial perfection. The empty fist is one way, but do not discount what one can do when blade and soul are one.
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An excellent display of martial prowess and those words ring true, there are many things blade and soul would accomplish where the body would fail on its own.
Most of the students are visably shaken, but still awestruck.
Now students, do not be frightened, true mastery will come if you work hard, but you can't work hard on an empty stomach, today we have exotic green tea as well as homemade halfling sugar bread.
Would the honored guests be interested as well?
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Aialaysia claps after the samurai's performance.She then walks up to the 'ruined' dummy, clenching her fists tightly.
"Even a crippled opponent can still do harm to you and your allies. A wild beast is usually more dangerous in these situations. Know when to show mercy and when to deliver a final blow."
"Yah!"
"If you're going to use a training dummy to it's 'end', might as well go until it's unusable."
She looks down at the pile of frozen splinters at her feet.
"I'll uh...clean that right up."
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Aialaysia looks to Veresh.
"Anger is a pure emotion, just as is joy. There is nothing imperfect about anger other than allowing it to control your actions. The key is to not let emotion consume you. Anger can be a very useful tool when focused. For instance, I use it to enhance my strikes. I am not very strong, and must rely on my training to strike an opponent in such a way that his defenses do not help. While angry, my focus narrows, allowing me to strike with more precision."
She shrugs, and continues.
"My master taught me this: Anybody can become angry - that is easy. But to be angry with the right person and to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."
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The red whisps slowly turns to haze as Rico starts panting increasingly.
No, anger is bad, hate is bad, have to remain calm, in control, clear of mind...
A gravely hissing voice softly resounds through the room.
You haven't been in control since 8 years Little Rico, embrace your anger and hatred, embrace me.
Rico closes his eyes and breaths slowly while mumbling : Please no, Please go away, I didn't mean to do it, they made me....
Miss Yuuno, me being weak isn't the problem, it's just that he is so much stronger than me...