02: Day One of the Topaz Championship

May 14, 2019 7:58 am
[ +- ] THE CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE
[ +- ] APPROACHES
[ +- ] SPENDING OPPORTUNITY
[ +- ] THE EVENTS
OOC:
Thread is locked for the moment, above information provides details and guidance for the the next section of the game. Any questions/queries please let me know in the OOC thread
May 21, 2019 1:34 pm
The next morning dawns, as pure and golden as the voice of the lark. You make your way across the river to the sandy courtyard and training field of the Kakita Dueling Academy, where the gray-haired sensei Kakita Toshimoko gives a brief speech reminding all present that the eyes of their clans, the eyes of their ancestors, and the eyes of the Empire are upon them. He introduces the current Topaz Champion, Kitsuki Yuikimi, and last year's runner—up, Bayushi Sugai, and instructs the contestants to direct any questions they have about the tournament to the two samurai.
A white—clad priest then emerges to bless the assembly, and the contest proper begins!

You have a few moments before the first contest, a Sumai bout, begins and you stand with the other competitors. Those you are familiar with such as Shiba Toya and Yasuki Jun exchange at least corteous nods (in the case of Jun they greet you with an overly friendly grin) whilst most of the others look accross you and the rest of the competitors with an appraising eye. Hitoshi stands to the side, somewhat isolated from the remaining competitors.
OOC:
You have a few moments to interact with the other competitors if you wish

Other competitors
Kakita Riku - female Crane bushi
Bayushi Mei Lin - female Scorpion bushi
Mirumoto Hinata - female Dragon bushi
Shiba Toya - male Pheonix bushi, met the previous night at the Tea House.
Moto Batbayar - female Unicorn bushi
Kitsu Tsubasa - male Lion shugenja.
Yasuki Jun - Crab Courtier, met the previous night at the Tea House
Hitoshi - male Mantis bushi, met the previous night at the Tea House
May 21, 2019 2:12 pm
Otaku returns any greeting bows courteously, initiates such with the Moto girl, and seeks out the Kakita. "Kakita-san, if this is your school, then I thank you and your family for hosting this wonderful event." She bows gratitude. "I suppose the pressure would be on any representative of the host to perform admirably."
May 21, 2019 2:21 pm
Yoshi wakes up early to do his morning stretches and meditation after which he joins the others as they leave to the Kakita Dueling Academy. He takes good notice of Kakita Toshimoko, the Doji Satsume's childless brother-in-law. "What could that letter mean?" he wonders. He greets back Shiba Toya and Yasuki Jun and approaches Hitoshi. "I hope you had a good night of rest after that confusion yesterday". He notices Kakita Riku the female Crane Otaku is talking to, thinking "There is a crane here after all... Could she be the one threatening the mantis? "
Last edited May 21, 2019 2:24 pm
May 21, 2019 2:28 pm
Aki stands slightly separate from the other participants. If she wants to do well and perform the task their group has been given last night, she really needs to focus. She also still thinks she has to talk to Kakita Toshimoko, although now hardly seems like the right time. She tries to calm her emotions to mentally prepare herself for the competition.
May 22, 2019 2:08 pm
Qralloq says:
Otaku returns any greeting bows courteously, initiates such with the Moto girl, and seeks out the Kakita. "Kakita-san, if this is your school, then I thank you and your family for hosting this wonderful event." She bows gratitude. "I suppose the pressure would be on any representative of the host to perform admirably."
OOC:
Are you approaching your fellow competitor, Kakita Riku, or the master of the Academy, Kakita Toshimoko?
May 22, 2019 3:46 pm
OOC:
The competitor, sorry.
May 23, 2019 10:28 am
Qralloq says:
OOC:
The competitor, sorry.
OOC:
No worries, I figured but just wanted to be sure.
Kashita - Kakita Riku turns slightly as you approach. As per most Crane she is impeccably dressed in an ornate pale blue kimono, half of her hair is dyed white which she has weaved into a striking black and white braid. She returns your bow, bowing a hairs breadth short of what you would expect for someone of equal social standing and regards you for a moment. "Greetings Otaku-san. I am indeed a student at the academy here and I was honored to be chosen to represent my school and clan in the Topaz Championship however any praise should rightfully be directed to Toshimoko-Sama" she pauses for a moment and smiles slightly "I suppose the contest would cause some to feel more pressure than others" her eyes flicker over to where Hitoshi is standing "some more than the rest of us"

Yoshi - as you approach the Mantis samurai you see that although he is trying to put forward a calm demeanor he is obviously quite tense. As he notices you he seems to relax a touch and smiles and bows in greeting "Greetings Togashi-san. I did rest well, thank you again for your assistance in the matter"
May 23, 2019 11:02 am
"Make nothing of it. Helping another is helping oneself." Yoshi looks at the other contestants and then asks Hitoshi "What do you think about the other participants? Everyone here seems to take this Championship maybe a bit too seriously". Yoshi, as a monks, wouldn't normally bother with this type of events.
Last edited May 23, 2019 11:03 am
May 23, 2019 12:18 pm
Otaku obviously, at least to Riku, follows her gaze to the young Mantis. "The Mantis and the Crane share and compete in the same waters. I imagine the footsteps of both clans echo loudly in each other's ears. My clan, too, has experienced some reticence to make space for us after our return. Events like this allow us to meet each other in person, rather than in rumor. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you, Kakita-san, and look forward to seeing how each of us showcases honour."
May 23, 2019 12:19 pm
Yoshi - Hitoshi blinks, obviously quite surprised "Well, yes, I suppose they are. It is hardly surprising though given the expectations placed upon the competitors here. To fail ones Gempuku would be shameful enough but to fail with the eyes of the other clans on you would be almost too much to bear"
May 24, 2019 6:54 am
Yoshi goes around making small talk with the other contestants, particularly Yasuki Jun since he looks friendly, but with nothing really to ask for the moment. At some point in this he will meet Isawa Aki "Strange start of the day, wouldn't you say?"
OOC:
He is referring to ghosts ;)
May 24, 2019 8:36 am
"Very strange indeed", she replies quietly. "And it worries me that there seem to be things going on that we do not yet understand. If there is some plot to disrupt the tournament, we should keep an eye on the Scorpion. Did he not strike you as strange during our travel to this place?"
May 24, 2019 8:54 am
"Indeed the scorpion is poisonous, but I also see the cranes hovering above us". Yoshi looks at briefly at Otaku Kashita and Kakita Riku briefly, and them moves his gaze to Kakita Toshimoko before continuing. "And we still have that letter..."
Last edited May 24, 2019 8:55 am
May 28, 2019 8:55 pm
Before you can continue your thoughts a dull, sonorous ringing of a gong sounds out indicating the start of the first contest, the Sumai bout. You all quickly prepare yourselves, changing your dress to clothing appropriate for the traditional form of wrestling. As you all enter the training yard you can see a priest drawing a large circle into the sand and making it with rope whilst another splits all of the competitors into pairs and blesses them.

Whilst this is going on the judge, Hida Goroharu of the Crab Clan, stands before you all. "Remember," the judge says, "In sumai, as in life, a steady stance creates a solid foundation for success.".
OOC:
Ok, all I am needing for this is a description from each of you detailing your approach to the bout. You will then need to make a TN 2 Martial Arts [Unarmed] check, the ring used for the check will be determined by your approach (feel free to suggest which one you think is most appropriate based on your approach) and remember if you use the approach (i.e.the Ring type) favoured by the judge you will earn extra points.
May 29, 2019 12:35 am
Otaku enters the ring, facing against her opponent. She isn't skilled at this sort of movement, but thinks of her horse. The horse is a power, and she braces against it, using its solidity to enhance her own strikes. As they circle each other in the ring, she plants each foot, inviting and attack, ready for it.

3: Opportunity
6: Explosive success & Strife
Explosive: 6 explosive success & strife
Explosive #2: 2 OPP & Strife (foregone)

Result: 1 OPP, 2 successes, 1 Str
Last edited May 29, 2019 12:29 pm

Rolls

Earth Ring 2, Unarmed 0 - (2d6)

(63) = 9

Explosive - (1d6)

(6) = 6

Explosive 2? - (1d6)

(2) = 2

May 29, 2019 8:54 am
"As the rocks and the mountains stand tall, we too must walk the path of steadiness" Yoshi whispers to himself some mantra as he enters the sand circle, breathing in slowly as he studies his adversary. He stands as a mountain, unmovable and resisting all elements, feeling as one with his surroundings
[ +- ] Martial Arts (Unarmed): 1 and Earth: 3
Last edited May 29, 2019 9:06 am

Rolls

unarmed earth - (3d6, 1d12)

3d6 : (562) = 13

1d12 : (10) = 10

reroll explosion - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

May 29, 2019 9:18 am
Qralloq says:
Otaku enters the ring, facing against her opponent. She isn't skilled at this sort of movement, but thinks of her horse. The horse is a power, and she braces against it, using its solidity to enhance her own strikes. As they circle each other in the ring, she plants each foot, inviting and attack, ready for it.

3: Opportunity
6: Explosive success & Strife
OOC:
If you are keeping the Explosive success you may as well roll the additional die and decide if you want to keep it as an aditional 'bonus' kept die
CESN says:
I can keep up to 3 dice right?
ring 5/6(3) and skill 10:
3 success, 2 opportunity and 1 strife
OOC:
Yeah that's right but remember any additonal dice from Explosive successes do not count towards your limit of Kept dice if you decide you want to add them to your final Kept pool
May 29, 2019 9:52 am
When Aki steps into the ring, she hesitates, unsure of what stance to take. She knows that the judge wants to see a firm, unmoving stance but that is far from her specialty. Taking this into account as well as the fact that her opponent is expecting her to be steady and grounded, she decides to go on the offensive instead, attacking quickly and directly.
OOC:
Edit 1: I take the Explosive and roll 1 additional
OOC:
Edit 2: I take the 6 and the 5 - an explosive success with strife and a regular success
Last edited May 29, 2019 9:54 am

Rolls

Fire 3 + Unarmed 0 - (3D6)

(625) = 13

Explosive - (1D6)

(1) = 1

May 30, 2019 9:11 pm
Whilst the judge frowns at Aki's approach he begrudgingly confers the point for her performance in the contest. He is however much more pleased with Kashita and Yoshi's performances, the dragon monk even earning a number of complimentary comments on his style from the watching samurai. The only samurai who failed to achieve the required standard are Kitsu Tsubasa and Yasuki Jun however Jun does not seem overly upset at the turn of events.

You all have a short time to wash and prepare yourselves for the next contest, the Heraldry competition.
OOC:
Yoshi earns a point of Glory for their performance. You have a few minutes to interact with the other competitors or each other if you want to before the Heraldry contest.
mcneils5 sent a note to CESN
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