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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 18, 2014 21:50:36 GMT
The last competitor wasn't the worst, but after Kasumi, anything else was obfuscated by the trail of excited whisperers behind the fans her performance caused. However, for a Kitsu, Hikaru could be considered one of the best Iaijutsu duelists of his family in his generation... The only one, perhaps? His long training and natural attunement with Void permitted him to focus and do everything perfectly... but for a fraction of second too late. Kitsu Shugenja 1+Void 4+ Perfect Heartbeat 1=6
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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 18, 2014 22:15:00 GMT
After a long break in the middle of the day, sound of the gong called for the third test of the day, the unarmed combat. Every contender would lead two other samurai in combat. They'd be fighting at the same time within an arena. This competition wasn't that popular as duel and the anteriors. The courtiers decided it was "too extreme" to serve as spectacle. However, it gathered more bushi from many clans, mostly Unicorns, eager to watch the " extreme" fight. The rules were once again detailed and the candidates were asked to draw their group from the available pairs. The fight would last 7 minutes. After they were ready and defined their strategies, the gong sounded again...
OOC: Ok guys, now you roll 1d10 to choose your group (reroll if you got 10 or a number someone else already rolled) and describe your first round (from the two available rounds) action. If you were attacked, you must describe your defense as soon as possible. Check the rules again if you have doubts on how to attack (Fire-Agility or Water-Strenght) and defend (Air-reflexes). Don't forget to describe what your team is doing, and not only what your character are doing. After everyone posted their first round actions (attack and defenses), we start posting the second and final round.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Nov 19, 2014 2:51:28 GMT
Shugenja Earth spells Rank 3/Earth Ring 3 and Utaku Fire 3/Air 2 Te drew his ball. He checked the listing of who would be fighting by his side and gave a short laugh. An earth shugenja. This was actually quite perfect. He wasn't familiar with any Utaku but he was sure the woman would be competent. He walked over to where the two of them were standing with the other bushi and shugenja. Once Te separated his two from the pack they introduced themselves and the three of them started talking strategy. The biggest question was should they take on Izo or Satomi first. Izo should be the obvious choice since weapons weren't involved. Somehow though he didn't think he should discount Satomi, or Kasumi for that matter. Izo it is. Once the combat starts Te nods to the shugenja who sends a minor tremor to try and knock Izo's group off of their feet. The wave of rippling earth is followed closely by Te and the bushi. While one bushi squares up against the other Te comes in at Izo like an avalanche, coming down the mountain. In what he hopes will be a surprise to the large samurai Te actually left ground. He launched himself into the air, forcing his massive frame into a spin to kick Izo in the head and hopefully end this quickly. Te: Initiator 1+ Togashi monk 1+ Yojimbo 1+ large 1+ tempered body 1+ fire 4+ wolf 1= 10 shugenja: Horiuchi shugenja 1+ earth ring 3+ earth spell + 3 = 7 bushi: Utaku Battle maiden 1+ fire 3 = 4 Team attacking total - 21 ooc - let me know if I got anything wrong.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 20, 2014 14:17:34 GMT
Rokuro would see all the contests, including those considered too violent by most courtiers. Growing up amongst the Yoritomo he was used to these kinds of contests as the bushi of the family could be a rowdy bunch at times. He also used the time to talk to other courtiers, continuing his mission to get the winter court to the Mantis lands. He hadn't spoken to Mirumoto Mizuki, although he had seen her during the day and he had made sure she had seen him as well. She had said she would speak to him so he would wait until she was ready, although he assumed it would only be after the conclusion of this day's competitions.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 20, 2014 23:52:08 GMT
Izo drew his ball and looked nither pleased or displeased. An Pheonix Ishiken and a minor clan bushi.. what a group they would turn out to be. At least all the silly ceremonial crap was over with and it was down to something interesting at least. While he had never been a master of unarmed combat he would not go down easily. His strategy was simple the group did what they were best at. It wasn't long before the start of the melee before the monk decided to single him out immediately. It would prove to be an interesting match if he already had to go up against the likes of him. The void priest seemed to make them batter at anticipating the attacks somehow. Both himself and his Bushi doing what he could to ward off the powerful attacks of the group. He certainly wasn't about to let himself look bad for his knew clan! Izo team defense Izo: Hida Bushi 1 + Emerald Magistrate 1 + Large 1 + Paragon of Duty 1+ Air 3 + Feared 1+ Dark Countenance 1 = 9Shugenja: Pheonix Shugenja (1) + Void Ring (3) + Void Spell (3) =7 Bushi: Toku Bushi (1) + Air Ring (4) = 5 Defending total = 21It was a bitter battle one he did not come out unscathed he moved through the mellee and focused on his real opponent when the opportunity presented itself. The ishiken wielding its void in way only another shugenja could understand and the minor clan bushi and himself pressing the attack against Kasumi's group. Izo team attack 1 against Kasumi Izo: Hida Bushi 1 + Emerald Magistrate 1 + Large 1 + Paragon of Duty + 1 + Water 4 + Feared 1 + Dark Countenance 1= 10Bushi: Toku Bushi 1 + Fire 2 = 3 Shugenja: Pheonix Shugenja 1 + Void ring 3 + void spell 3 = 7 Attacking Total = 20Pressing through the fight they then returned to attack Te still empowered by the strange void trickery his ushi companion far less adept at continuing his attacks and more focused on defense. he had no such qualms. Izo team attack 2 against Te Izo: Hida Bushi 1 + Emerald Magistrate 1 + Large 1 + Paragon of Duty 1 + Water 4 + Dark Countenance 1 + Feared 1= 10Bushi: Toku Bushi 1 + Fire 2 = 3 Shugenja: Pheonix Shugenja 1 + Void ring 3 + void spell 3 = 7 Attacking Total = 20
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 21, 2014 8:10:03 GMT
Shungeja Fire spells Rank 3/Fire Ring 4 and Kakita Fire 2/Air 4 Defense against Izo Air 5 + Tsuruchi 1 + Emerald Magistrate 1 + always ready 1.5 = 8.5 air 4 + kakita 1 = 5 Phoenix Shugenja 1 + fire ring 4 + fire spell 3 = 8 Total defense: 21.5 no hit Attack against Satomi: fire 4 + tsuruchi 1 + emerald magistrate 1 = 6 fire 2 + kakita 1 = 3 Phoenix Shugenja 1 + fire ring 4 + fire spell 3 = 8 total attack: 17 Spell used by the shugenja (for those who have the 4th edition roleplay core rule book): Fires of purity (p181).
Kasumi got a Kakita bushi named Hideki and a Phoenix fire shugenja as team mates. Right before they were to go into the arena, she went through the strategy with them. The basics would be to defend against attacks, which was something both she and the Kakita were good at. Attacking unarmed would be more of a problem, but if they managed to get out unharmed it would be a partial victory. They agreed that she and the Kakita would defend mostly and the phoenix would use his fire spells in both attack and defense. Arriving in the arena, the Phoenix quickly casted a spell that engulfed him in flames, before casting the same spell on both Kasumi and the Kakita. Kasumi had actually seen that one being used before and she knew that anybody who would attack them would get burned. The same would go for anybody they would touch. All in all the perfect spell for this part of the tournament. Soon they were attacked by Izo and his group. Being protected by the flames, Kasumi and Hideki managed to avoid being hit by moving fast enough and using the distraction of the flames, while protecting the Phoenix. As both had been yojimbo, they didn't found it hard to defend themselves and someone else at the same time. When Izo and his group started to focus on someone else, Kasumi decided to attack Satomi's group, as she considered her the most important contestant. She knew that their attacks would not do much, but they had to try.
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Nov 21, 2014 22:10:24 GMT
Satomi drew her group and by their young faces she knew they were unexperienced and barely fresh from gempukku. They were clearly the weakest team from the bundle. Just my lucky I have an Asahina shugenja and this Hida "I've killed-a-goblin-yesterday" boy under my command… C'mon what I'm trying to fool? I love it! That's like coming home.
Probably when the general approached the two young samurai with a stern face, and started to talk to them with a low tone, keeping eye contact and making them feel like they were the two last standing samurai between Rokugan and total doom... something clicked into them. When Kasumi turned to her Satomi wasn't really surprised. After seeing the "fight of bulls" between Izo and Te, Kasumi probably thought it would be easier to defeat her… She should have listened carefully to my poetry… the Bayushi woman thought, commanding her "kids" to hold terrain while she personally took care of the Phoenix shugenja with a jiujutsu maneuver that would destroy Kasumi's tactics in a blink. Kaiu Engineer 1+Rikugunshokan 1+ Tactical Genius 1+ feared 1+ Brawler 0.5+ Air 3=9.5
Shugenja = School 1 + Air 2 + Spell 2=5
Hida Bushi = School 1 + Air 2 = 3
total = 17.5
They were weak, that's true, but Satomi made sure to use every inch of their raw talent to benefit of the team. Now, to turn the table… Using the victorious defense to boost her team's morale, she led the attack on the retreating Kasumi. She rarely before saw an Asahina Maiden roar like a Lion or a Hida bushi bend like a Dragon monk… but they fought like their lives depended on it. She made them believe they could. Then the Hida boy berseked... and oh Bishamon!(counter)Attacking Kasumi:
Satomi= Kaiu Engineer 1+Rikugunshokan 1+ Tactical Genius 1+ Feared 1+ Brawler 0.5+ Fire 5 =11.5
Shugenja = School 1 + Air 2 + Spell 2=5
Hida Bushi = School 1 + Fire 5 = 6
total= 22.5
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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 21, 2014 23:01:10 GMT
Matsu Fire 3/Air2 and Moto Fire 4/Air 1 (this team is reserved for the shugenja competitor Kitsu Hiraku) I don't wish to… Hiraku tried to talk, but the Matsu woman practically shushed him: That's what we are going to do…After listening in silence, the Kitsu tried to opinate, his compassionate nature horrified with the display of brute force that seemed to arouse the most animalistic instincts of men… And him, a Kitsu of pure blood, was starting to feel really sick… Wasn't that the ultimate proof of his ancestors superiority upon humans? Just don't be too rude to Kasumi-san… She's just had a baby.Uhn… Why do I have to care with what she doesn't? Matsu huffed. The Moto was just eager to have his share on this glorious day, and the dilemma the two Lion were discussing wasn't of interested to him. But he didn't wish to look like a fool in the arena and the the rokugani fortunes decided he and the Matsu were to team up with that lame Kitsu… the worst candidate by far. So whatever the shugenja was talking the Moto decided to ignore. Seeing that Kasumi miscalculated her attack to the Crab-Scorpion General, the Unicorn bushi decided to led the team. With a war cry, he urged the Matsu to join him against the team led by the Tsuruchi… To Hiraku, the only alternative was join his team and make his best to sound convincing... Hiraku= Fire 3+Fire Spell 2+ Kitsu1+ Large 1=7 Moto= School 1+Fire 4=5 Matsu=School 1+Fire 3 =4 Total=16 Of course it wasn't enough.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Nov 22, 2014 4:15:03 GMT
Shugenja Earth spells Rank 3/Earth Ring 3 and Utaku Fire 3/Air 2
Shocked that anyone could take such a powerful kick and not even slow down, Te had to rethink his strategy. Unfortunately he didn't have much time to think as Izo came back at him. Thankfully his shugenja was a faster thinker. As Izo's group came in Te found himself suddenly surrounded by a thin layer of stone.
Te: Togashi monk 1+ Yojimbo 1+ large 1+ tempered body 1+ air 3+ wolf 1= 8 shugenja: Horiuchi shugenja 1+ earth ring 3+ earth spell +3 = 7 bushi: Utaku Battle maiden 1+ air 2= 3 Team defending total - 18
With the stone crumbling at his feet Te continued to move, followed by his bushi and shugenja. Following their original strategy now that they were back on the offensive they neared Satomi's group. There wasn't much that the shugenja could do for Te at this point but like the stone he worked with the shugenja was dependable. The bushi flexed his arms as the spell took effect leaped into the fray with his increased strength.
Te: Togashi monk 1+ Yojimbo 1+ large 1+ tempered body 1+ fire 4+ wolf 1= 9 shugenja: Horiuchi shugenja 1+ earth ring 3+ earth spell +3 = 7 bushi: Utaku Battle maiden 1+ fire 3 = 4 Team attacking total - 20
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Nov 22, 2014 10:03:32 GMT
Although Satomi wasn't afraid of Te or Izo, she was realistic and knew that, once one of them decided to attack, they'd crush her "kids" bones like glass . She woldn't be different, as Satomi in spite of being tall never had a heavy frame... Her vision impairement never made much for reflexes too... But it was her responsibility to not let the kids to take the worst of the attack of the giant Dragon monk and his superior team. She interposed between Te and the Asahina maiden, taking the worst of his potent attacks the best as she could, while her team managed to hold ground once again brawling the other members of Te's team. She bit dust once and twice, tasting her own blood in the process.
A lot battered she regained stamina with a healing spell the Asahina casted on her. it had to do for their next attack. The show must go on, as says Isuke...
Defense Kaiu Engineer 1+Rikugunshokan 1+ Tactical Genius 1+ feared 1+ Brawler 0.5+ Air 3=9.5
Shugenja = School 1 + Air 2 + Spell 2=5
Hida Bushi = School 1 + Air 2 = 3
total = 17.5 hit= 2.5
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 22, 2014 10:16:06 GMT
It was logical when she attacked Satomi's group, that there would be a counter attack. Only she hadn't expected it to be that hard. The two people she had with her didn't do all that much, but Satomi herself packed quite a punch, much more than Kasumi had expected from a Kaiu. A Hida was logical, as they had an unarmed fighting tradition, but the Kaiu had not.
One thing she had seen was that while her group was very good at defending, they were one of the weakest when attacking and they weren't able to do any lasting damage to any of the contenders. Except maybe Hiraku. He had been the weakest in the other contests and now the others had started to ignore him, which was dangerous as he could still gain if the others continued to ignore him. The story of the wedding of Hida O-Ushi came to mind. So she directed her group against Hiraku's.
Defense against Satomi Air 5 + Tsuruchi 1 + Emerald Magistrate 1 + always ready 1.5 = 8.5 air 4 + kakita 1 = 5 Phoenix Shugenja 1 + fire ring 4 + fire spell 3 = 8 Total defense: 21.5 hit 1
Attack against Hiraku: fire 4 + tsuruchi 1 + emerald magistrate 1 = 6 fire 2 + kakita 1 = 3 Phoenix Shugenja 1 + fire ring 4 + fire spell 3 = 8 total attack: 17
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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 22, 2014 11:17:45 GMT
Matsu Fire 3/Air2 and Moto Fire 4/Air 1
Defending Kitsu Shugenja 1+ large 1+ Air 1=3 Moto = School 1+Air 1 =2 Matsu = School 1+ Air 2 = 3 total = 8 hit=9
Kitsu saw it coming... the two braggarts warriors at his side were too confident of their brawl skills... they seemed to never think they should plan a defense...
But it was the lat thing he thought before things turned black.
The Kitsu team was quickly knocked out by Kasumi's team and needed to be carried out from the arena. Some could consider it as excessive violence... or utter incompetence.
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Nov 22, 2014 12:28:32 GMT
Ouch! Satomi was surprised with the "blitzkrieg" assault Kasumi's team made on Kitsu's team... What's the glory on it?
Attacking Kasumi:
Satomi= Kaiu Engineer 1+Rikugunshokan 1+ Tactical Genius 1+ Feared 1+ Brawler 0.5+ Fire 5 =11.5
Shugenja = School 1 + Air 2 + Spell 2=5
Hida Bushi = School 1 + Fire 5 = 6
total= 22.5
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 22, 2014 14:44:25 GMT
Kasumi was surprised to what they had managed to do to Hiraku's team. It had certainly not been the idea to go that far and it was also not that they had attacked dishonourably from the back, as Hiraku had attacked her and was clearly aware of where she was. She would have to give an apology for the attack on Hiraku after the conclusion of the day.
By focusing on this, she almost forgot the other teams and only the quickness of her and the Kakita and the continued fire spell from the Phoenix shugenja made that they weren't completely taken out by another attack of Satomi and her team, as they still had to be careful. But she took another beating, about the same as before.
Defense against Satomi Air 5 + Tsuruchi 1 + Emerald Magistrate 1 + always ready 1.5 = 8.5 air 4 + kakita 1 = 5 Phoenix Shugenja 1 + fire ring 4 + fire spell 3 = 8 Total defense: 21.5 hit 1
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 22, 2014 14:48:55 GMT
Rokuro had been following the contest, finding it odly interesting. Not that he wanted to participate, but it still had a certain appeal. Things appeared to go equally until the attack of Kasumi on Hiraku. That was something he hadn't forseen and judging from the reactions in the crowd, so had nobody else. He would have to talk to Kasumi and see what could be done to mitigate this, as he didn't want to have any trouble with the Lion clan. Relations between the Lion and the Mantis, and especially the Tsuruchi, weren't all that good at the best of times. The only reason there was little in the way of warfare between the two clans was simply because there was too much space between them. The Lion didn't have a navy and the Mantis had no army that could compete with the Lion's. And the mainland holdings of the Mantis were in such a place that they could be defended with little resources against a far bigger army. But still some form of communication had to be done, something he would have to think on.
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