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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 3, 2014 18:11:23 GMT
Amethyst Tournament First day's Eve
Ryoko Owari, a city of Scorpions, controlled by Unicorns. At the moment the biggest city of the whole Empire, a few things couldn't be found here. They got fun and games, everything you want; you just name it. But a witty guest would not name the Bath House that used to exist in the core of the Scorpion Gardens. They don't have it anymore, as it was renamed Shinjo Gardens by the Unicorn. It's not a problem for the Scorpion. They were glad to Shinjo. Kind of. But not to the Unicorn architect who destroyed the Scorpion architecture of the Shosuro palace to transform it in a gaijin palace. You better not comment about about the palace architecture, or you may incur in the wrath of one or other host. The contenders in the Amethyst Championship were taken to their quarters in the Shosuro palace by a Ide diplomat and her Shosuro conterpart. A small retinue was allowed to be hosted along the contender, as previously informed. They were also informed at arrival that all the tests would be realized in the different parts of the palace, and that all the tests were open to audience. They were expected to be ready for the opening ceremony later in the evening, where the judges would be introduced and the Ruby Champion would greet the contenders.
OOC: Ok guys, time to acclimate ourselves before the start of the competition. Post how you arrived, who is with you and the such. Say hello to other contenders etc.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 3, 2014 18:52:00 GMT
Kasumi had left her home suffiently early to be on time, as she had decided to take the baby with her. Her other two children would stay at home, but the little one would come along. She had her husband with her, a yojimbo she rated since her elevation to the upper crust of the emerald magistrates and a Kistune shugenja. Next to that she also had the usual complement of servants, including a wet nurse for the little one. Her two emerald assistants were not part of her retinue, but she had sent them to the Emerald office in Ryoko Owari. As it was one of the biggest offices in the empire, two more would not be a problem and would probably not even be noticed.
After the welcome she pleaded fatigue from the journey and having to care for the child to get to their rooms quickly. And this wasn't lied, as she was tired from the journey. But after a bath and a quick meal things looked better already and soon they were preparing themselves for the opening ceremony. Kasumi and Takeshi put on their best kimonos before going to the main hall where the ceremony would take place, while the other two would stay upstairs with the child.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 4, 2014 9:54:55 GMT
"Ryoko Owari," his Tsuruchi guide said. Rokuro nodded. They had experienced some delays and while he wanted to arrive a couple of days before the start of the tournament, he managed to get there only just in time. So he and his entourage quickly went to the Mantis embassy building in the city where they would stay. In his group were also a couple of junior diplomats who had more feeling with commerce than Rokuro. They would try to boost Mantis trade in the city while he kept himself busy with the court politics.
After a long bath to get rid of the travel dust, he put on one of his best kimonos and accompanied by another junior courtier and his yojimbo he went to the palace where the opening ceremony would take place. He made sure to arrive early so he could check things out before the ceremony started. And by arriving early he could make sure he had a good spot where he could follow the proceedings.
After paying his respects to the host he looked around as it was his first time in the palace since the Unicorn took over and things had changed. While he knew it was a point of discussion between the Scorpion and Unicorn and he wasn't about to comment on it, he did look around to the new things which had been done. While he was doing that he almost missed the first contestant who entered.
After she had paid her respects to the hosts, Rokuro went to Kasumi and her husband, who he hadn't seen since the wedding. "Kasumi-san, Takeshi-san," he said with a bow, "I hope you are well?" "I am, Rokuro-san," Kasumi said, returning the bow, "although the trip was long, especially with a young child." "Ah, yes, I've heard that you gave birth to a son," he said, "congratulations." "Thank you," she replied, "Arata will be a great asset for the clan when he grows up." "I will pray to the Fortunes for that," Rokuro said, "now if you would excuse me, there's someone I really need to talk to."
With another bow he left the couple, heading for an Ide diplomat he had been in correspondence with in the capital.
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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 4, 2014 11:54:45 GMT
Arriving a handful of days ahead of schedule, Satomi spent some days in the states her grandparents had in Ryoko Owari_ which was surprisingly new. She was told in a secretive tone it had been a gift from the last Champion to them, when they returned from Exile. Satomi was aware that they managed to get a lot of advantages for being the parents of Aishun, her mother and Bayushi Yojiro's long late bride.
However, she had opportunity to know this city better. A place she never had been before. Secretly she liked the Unicorn culture (she always did) but kept it to herself and Nao, who knew it already.
Nao used her time to discreetly taunt Masako about the precarity of the walls and beams of her manor, pointed that she managed to find excellent cushions in the market that would match the "modern" furniture (and by modern, all Rokugani meant to say lacking of history) Masako had in her estate, and offered to teach the servants how to properly prepare fine tea. Behind the subtles smiles and nodding, Satomi could see her grandmother fuming behind her mask. Satomi could just pretend she wasn't having fun watching the bickering of the two tenacious old ladies for control. Nao "was just getting even", said calmly her okasan.
She used her time to meet distant cousins, be at parties, and fully "enjoy" her new status as "Emerald Champion betrothed". It was starting to become funny. Everytime her way crossed with one of Hachi's Scorpion lovers, the women balanced between the desire of bullying her "lack of attributes", and fear for the consequences. There was one thing Satomi knew how to do very well, was to intimidate with just a change of tone or a fulminating glance.
However, when the time to join the other contestants in the Tournament came, Satomi only took with her lady Nao, Shosuro Isuke, her yojimbo Bayushi Doromo, a towering figure behind her, and three servants.
She arrived in the Shosuro Palace a bit after Kasumi and her retinue. In fact, she could see their backs when they were taken to their quarters. Satomi noticed a baby among them. She had completely forgotten Kasumi was pregnant, and was surprised with the fact that the baby was born already. Not that she counted the months or knew Kasumi that better, but she recalled something about the events in the Dawn Tower... and how the Magistrate told them about her "encounter" with Fortunes and a sort of prophecy involving Kasumi's son. "Well, at least some are born with a great destiny..." she mused, somberly.
For her utter surprise, the room destined to her was kind of cluttered by gifts. She never had in one Tournament before but she thought it shouldn't be common.
Isuke said, excited:
They love you, General!
Who?
I don't know, but someone loves you! he said chuckling at her genuine candidness. So unfitting! It was normal that clans and individuals felt like gifting their favorite candidates to anything that big and important as the Amethyst Championship. Afterall, this person would have a great power in his or her hands soon.
She found out that, between gifts from her family and officials, presents from Crane, Unicorn, Yasuki and Crab. One of them, a painting, was from her fiancé Hachi, and other, a book on Tactics, was from the Shogun.
It was something to think about.
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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 5, 2014 0:02:32 GMT
Izo could not say he was particularly looking forward to the Championship. Aside from watching Satomi compete it would simply mean one grand annoying adventure and another opportunity to get killed in the name of Rokugan for better or worse. He and his retinue arrived the day before the tournament was to begin. Despite being a new Hatamoto his schedule seemed perpetually full no doubt Sunetra's doing. All that was managing to do was piss him off considerably.
While he had never spent any extended time in Ryoko Owari he was briefed on the situation and considered that enough to get a handle on things. If he wanted to utterly annoy someone just mention the awful redecoration of the place. Duly noted.
His entourage consisted of a Shosuro woman of undeniable beauty and a Yogo shugenja of questionable profession, a handful of Scorpion Bushi to act as guards and a small smattering of servants. He had spent the morning of the bathing and preparing his new set of armor, kimono and mask. All of which served to make the man even bigger and more fierce in due fashion.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Nov 5, 2014 1:04:06 GMT
Who could have guessed travelling with his sister could be such an annoyance. If he had known at the outset that she would have insisted on bringing so many clothes he would accepted his fathers offer of a horse drawn cart, but no, he could just pull the hand cart the many li to their destination. Not only did he have to actually tie some of the chests in place to keep them from falling but quite a few times he would lose sight of Mizuki just to find her sitting on top of the pile because she was "tired". They had only walked for ten hours the first time this had happened. Consequently it took them longer to get to Ryoko Owari than he had expected. He was very glad that had dissuaded his mother from sending a handful of servants, that would only have slowed them down even more.
Keeping the hood of his new travelling cloak pulled low over his face Te and Mizuki entered the city and easily found the Dragon embassy. Looking at the pile on top of the cart, and then to his own bag hanging from the one handle, he calmly reaches out and gathers his bag. Turning to the monk who came to help the siblings and show them to their rooms he speaks "It is time that she learns that her actions have consequences, even they only affect her". Turning to his young sister he continues "you will carry your own belongings to your room. The people here are your hosts, not your servants". Turning from her shocked expression to keep himself from laughing he continues over his shoulder "no magic either, let's not be rude. I will be going to the palace in one hour to meet our hosts for the tournament. I expect you to join me". Done talking Te starts to walk down the hall, his large shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 5, 2014 7:57:00 GMT
Kasumi was talking to a group of Crane. They didn't have a contestant in the competition, but they had sent a delegation to follow the proceedings. Actually, as far as Kasumi could see, their regular representation in Ryoko Owari had been given the order to be present. "I have understood that you know an Imperial legion gunso named Shiba Kaigen," one of the Crane asked Kasumi. "That is correct, Doji-san," Kasumi answered, "I've met him in Yasuki Yashiki this spring. What about him?" "This summer, he was married to one of our Kakita artisans," the Doji replied. Kasumi managed to keep her facial expression bland, although she wanted to shout out. "Well, a wife might just be what he needs," she said, "I mean, I've found a bit aloof at times and a caring wife might just open him up a bit."
She talked some more with the Crane while the other contestants entered the room.
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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 5, 2014 12:03:11 GMT
Hiraku joined the other contenders with a shy smile and a bow to each of them.
OOC: Hiraku is to be treated as NPC. He will compete for real! Declaring his trait: Perfect heartbeat His wild cards: Focus, Honored Behavior, Glorious day (going to roll tests or targets if he is to use the cards)
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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 5, 2014 12:20:15 GMT
At the scheduled and auspicious time, according the Imperial astrologers, the Opening Ceremony started with the sounding call of a gongo. The contenders were ordered in line in a low dais, in front of other dais a bit more elevated. After an amusing artistic introduction of dance and choreographed fight, Ide Tadaji, with his indefectible gentle face and everlasting half smile, reached the upper dais followed by the all the Jewels of the Empire* until the moment: The Ruby Champion Utaku Takai, The Emerald Champion Yasuki Hachi, the Jade Champion Asahina Sekawa, and the Topaz Champion Moto Nadmujin**. His case was interesting, because he had won the championship almost three years ago, but no other Topaz Championship was made during the turbulent time it followed and during the Month of Serpent this year, Tsuma was suffering with floods, so the Tournament was cancelled. They were closely followed by the judges of the Tournament: Kaiu, Matsu, Daidoji, Moto, Seppun, Shiba, Doji and Toku families were represented in this panel of judges. The good thing of having Ide Tadaji as the Voice of Empress was that the man was fond of short discourses and easy vocabulary, maybe due his age, his Unicorn Origins, or both. "This fine evening reunites the noble people of Rokugan through its most notable representatives, to witness the rise of a hero. Those men and women here gathered succeeded where many failed. Guided by Lady Sun's Will and the Fortunes blessings, they retrieved the Amethyst Crown, long lost and which returns to the people of Rokugan in good time. It's a time where we need perseverance, we need spirit of cooperation and we need wisdom to share the goods this land has to give. Lady Sun, the Heavenly Empress Toturi II, could not decide by herself which of you were the most deserving, and most able, to carry on with this responsibility and its consequent glory. She, in her wisdom, calls upon the contenders the judgment of their peers, to decide who will be the Bearer of the Amethyst Crown, the First and only Amethyst Champion of his or her generation. I, Ide Tadaji, the Voice of the Empress to all Rokugan, declare in her name that the Amethyst Championship is a permanent position from this day on, to the betterment of Rokugan and glory of the Empire." After his speech he smiled openly to the contestants who were lined and kneeled in front of everyone and facing the upper dais, and bowed to them displaying his (and Hers) respect. Then it was time of the Ruby Champion, Utaku Takai, to open the services in a more practical fashion. He was too, a practical man (which could have caused some Doji and Otomo present to hide their faces behind their fans as he spoke): "I, the Ruby champion, congratulate you for the initiative that retrieved the Amethyst Crown from its obscure safeguard to the light again. Our Heavenly Empress decided I was the one to organize and judge the Amethyst Tournament and its rules. The Empress Toturi II, may she live forever, also decides that the Amethyst champion is to possess a few but distinct qualities to deserve the title. He or she must be erudite, wise, benevolent, yet able to defend the Amethyst Crown and serve the Empire interests fiercely. The Amethyst Crown is a nemuranai of extreme power, and as every extremely powerful nemuranai, it brings boons and hindrances equally. Wealth and glory, its boons, induces vanity, greed, and jealousy. There will be a cohort of temptations, false friends, and enemies, both hidden and openly, waiting for the one who will bear the Crown. The Amethyst Champion is to share, and protect, its boons, and resist and avoid its perils. The Ruby Champion made a pause. You, contender, take a time to look into you and find the truth in your heart. Are you the right person to bear the Amethyst Crown? Humility is rewarded with recognition and respect. Only the vain and the ones who don't know themselves fear to recognize unsuitability to a so great task. Win the Crown and fail to protect it Is even worse than retreating from this Tournament. This is the moment, monks and samurai, to find in your hearts the reasons to contend for this title. Utaku Takai paused once again, and the audience remained in an expectant silence to see if one of the contenders would give up the tournament. If no one did so, the Ruby Champion continued: I salute you, contenders of the First Amethyst Tournament. Be fair and brave, and most of all, be wise. May the Fortunes bless you all. After the two discourses were finished, the contenders were allowed to stand and turn their faces to the audience, giving their backs to the upper dais. Then every clan sent forward a master of ceremonies to exalt their candidates, introducing them and speaking about every single thing they could gather about glorious feats in the past of the candidate*** (in the case of Scorpion, the same master of ceremonies spoke for the two candidates). After that, the panel of judges was presented by the Emerald Champion, and after that, the Topaz Champion left the upper dais to retrieve a golden box from where it was to be decided the order in which the contenders would present themselves to the contest. He let the contestants and the audience to see the enameled balls with symbols of animals. The same first 6 animals from the traditional rokugani calendar****. As they drew it from the golden box, they immediately knew the sequence in which they were expected to present for the tests. The long ceremony went a bit longer when the rules for every test were detailed in the sequence. To soothe the spirits after the ceremonial ordeal, Imperial shugenja made an astonishing display of magic expertise with colorful vapors and lights in form of animals, fighting dragons and shimmering rain of stars, synching with fireworks and a taiko show to wrap up the opening ceremony in a thrilling fashion.
OOC: *At this time the Turquoise Championship wasn't established yet. **Nadmujin won the Topaz championship in 1160. Until 1164 there are no official names for Topaz Champions, so I didn't want to make up one. *** You can mention what was said if you feel it's relevant. **** Hare (1), Dragon (2), Serpent (3), Horse (4), Goat (5), Monkey (6). In the subsequent post of yours, you can declare your rolls for ORDER. Paste the result in the top of the post, please.
After your posts about your impressions, the roll result etc, we'll make the transition for the first day of tournament, with a new storyteller intervention.
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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 5, 2014 12:35:47 GMT
Hiraku observed the other contenders and felt a bit dislocated. He kind of felt he'd probably get weak results in his battle tests, but his clan expected the best from him. The Fortunes knew he didn't wish to disapoint the Lion, who emerged from the transition years deeply bruised and constantly battered in Court. He looked into himself, to find the necessary strenght. he had trained with a Ikoma the whole summer, and got a grasp of dueling techniques. But his strenghts resided elsewhere. After listening to the feats of the others, he felt confidence. He wasn't above any of them, but he sincerely didn't feel intimidated by any of them either. When Hiraku rose and drew out his ball from the box, he got one with the monkey figure artistically enameled on it. The Kitsu smirked and rose the ball over his head to show the result to the audience and judges. He was to be the last in the court and knowledge tests. It could be of some advantage, he thought.
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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 5, 2014 12:45:22 GMT
Satomi was calm and observant. When the masters of ceremony of each clan started to talk, she wondered where on hell they found inspiration to make a show from even the minimal details in a way each of them lined there seemed to be kami themselves. When her time to draw a ball came, she retrieved the goat to everyone to see. it meant she was to be before Hiraku but after anyone else. A good result indeed. She truly hoped her lucky could keep this close to her the rest of the tournament. Now, to see who'd be the first...
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 5, 2014 12:50:20 GMT
When it was Kasumi's turn, Rokuro stepped forward as her master of ceremonies. It had been agreed before amongst the highest Mantis that their highest diplomat present would do this, as a show of support for the Mantis woman. "Here I present to you Tsuruchi Kasumi," he said, "coming from humble beginnings, she has first helped defend our glorious empire against the dark forces by standing on the Kaiu wall together with our cousins the Crab." A nod towards the Kaiu judge. "Following this ordeal she served as yojimbo in the courts, gaining an understanding of how the courts work. Next she was appointed as emerald magistrate where she was responsible for solving the case of the attempted murder on our Empress' half-brother, Yasuki Kaneka and his wife. For this she was appointed as assistant to the Emerald champion himself and most recently she was instrumental in destroying a number of cells of the hated Kolat. So in short, she knows the way of war, the way of the court and the way of the investigator. All in all a perfect candidate for the Amethyst Championship." With a bow he went back to his place and Kasumi drew a figure, getting the Horse, indicating she would go as number 4. Only Satomi and Hiraku would go behind her, so she would have some idea on how the rest was doing.
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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 5, 2014 23:50:21 GMT
Before the ceremony his enterouge save for his honor guard disappeared. Sent out to gather those that could be trusted to discover the exact locations of everyone's rooms. He did not give a reason for knowing only illustrating to the both of them it would be important. The ceremony proper made his wish someone would come along and stab him as it would liven up things, however even his dour mood could not be suppressed by the dazzling display the shugenja put on. Everyone appeared to be taking this seriously and he was no sure if that was a good or bad thing. There were far more important dealings to be done then hand out another stupid jewel title. He instructed the master of ceremonies to keep it short regarding himself and it was thankfully brief introducing him only as Hatamoto to the Scorpion which gave him the attention of some of the crowd who hadn't yet discovered this fact for them self. Once it was time he bowed as was respectable and drew the Dragon, an appropriate animal for himself he reflected. At the very least he would not have to set the bar horribly low for everyone..
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Nov 6, 2014 1:21:13 GMT
The Hare, it would have to be the Hare. Oh well, if he was going to make a fool of himself in front of half of the imperial court he would at least get it out of the way quickly.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Nov 6, 2014 8:20:03 GMT
After the ceremony, Kasumi sent a message to the Emerald Champion that she wished to speak with him at his earliest convenience. She was sure it wouldn't take that long, but while waiting for his reply, she went back to their rooms to check on Arata. When she got the word he wanted to see her, she dressed in one of her better kimonos and went to his rooms. "Yasuki-sama," she said after a deep bow, "thank you for seeing me on such short notice." Bayushi Satomi
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