(IRR) Turn 1: The Emerald Contest

[William Ronald]

William Ronald is ready, willing and able to judge. I will need to be eased into the contest. So, I hope to see great battles and superb role playing.

I sent something to creamsteak yesterday, so unless he objects all those gathered at the site of the Jade Contest see the following:


On a hill overlooking the site of the contest, a tall figure, clad in gray, his face hidden in the folds of a thick cloak, appears. A table with several tokens are laid on a table, next to a scale. A single white feather, dazzling in the sunlight, is weighed on one side of the balance. The keen eyed note that the tokens resemble the participants in the Jade Contest.

(Any attempt to reach the top of the hill results in tthe person being teleported back to where they first began to approach the hill.)

 

[Black Omega]

It does look like things are coming along interestingly.

 

[Creamsteak]

Re-arranging the Emerald Contest:

Togashi Samanosuke
vs
Matsu Nimuro

Uda Hiyone
vs
Utaku Xieng Chi

Shinjo Shono
vs
Shiba Tsukune

Kitsune Wiljia
vs
Kakita Kaiten

Everything is switching from round robin to tournament because of the new -even- number of fighters.

 

[Knight Otu]

OOC: In hopes that the contest may spark up to life...


IC: Somewhat discouraged by the chaotic turn of events, Shiba Tsukune seeks out Shinjo Shono.

"Shono-san, it is an honour to see you again as my match in this contest. May your ancestors smile upon you during this important match."

"May i humbly suggest that we carry out our duel as soon as it is legally possible? I fear that any further delay will be hurtful for the Empire."

If Shono accepts, Tsukune will go to the tournament field when the appropriate time comes, readying herself.

She tries to calm herself, drawing upon the Void to strengthen her perception and reflexes. Concentrating on the mon of her opponent, Tsukune tries to ascertain the moves of Shinjo Shono, ready to draw her katana and strike at the mon, without drawing blood.

 

[Lichtenhart]

Shono bows deeply in front of his opponent.
"I share your concern, Tsukune-sama. The sooner the Empire finds its Champion, the better it will be. I hope to be a worthy opponent for a living legend as you."

When the time comes, Shono will wait on the field for the judges' sign, focusing his energies.

Finally here I am. Finally I have the chance to cleanse my family honor and redeem my name. My first opponent is one of the best bushi in the whole Empire, a samurai-ko that I hold in high esteem. I'll never reach the purity of style she gained; every move of hers is so careful, so dedicated that I'll never win if I try to fight with a classical technique. I pray to you, lady Shinjo, if you still care about the family that bears your name, make my attacks as unpredictable as the desert wind, as you taught us when we left Rokugan. A single moment of surprise will be my only chance of victory.

OOC: I guess this should work as my role-playing post. As soon as a judge gives us a sign I'll post my strategy. Good luck, Knight Otu! May the better win.

 

[Serpenteye]

Matsu Nimuro

It was late in the year and a cold wind tugged at his cloak, making him pull it tighter around himself. His opponent seemed unaffected by the temperature but Nimuro was neither a northener nor a youth. He had lived a long life, a good life but a hard life.
For many years he had been the Daimyo of the Lion Clan, his words had been heard, and heeded, throughout the Empire and few men had stood above him. Now, all that had changed. Toshiro-sama had forced him to abdicate, the only way he could keep his honour intact after being outmaneuvered and manipulated by that dangerous man. He was still the daimyo of the Matsu, though that had proven to be an empty title of late, the Akodo's rule was too strong, his followers too many. Once he had tried to scheme against his lord, only to snare himslef deeper under his control, this was his last chance, as Emerald Champion he could restore his family to their rightful position at the head of the Lion Clan. Toshiro was walking a dangerous path and had to be stopped, some roads were simply not meant to be travelled, no matter the reward at the end.
A drop of rain on his helmet roused him from his reverie, the gong struck once, twice, it was time. Icy cold water soaked trough his clothes, but he no longer felt it, he raised the katana of his ancestors in salute to his opponent and in a deep, strong voice declaimed;

Emerald Realm
We guard your peace
Steel and honor

With a silent prayer to his ancestors he advanced carefully towards his opponent, katana held in front of him in a defensive position, waiting for the Dragon to strike first.

 

[William Ronald]

(Posted in the hope to jump start the thread.)

The mysterious gray-clad figure on the hill slowly begins weighing tokens against the single white feather. None balance with it, and the figure gazes silently across the field -- waiting in silence.

 

[Serpenteye]

edit.

I'm glad I was wrong.

 

[William Ronald]

Creamsteak, could you announce in this thread and the other IRR threads what the benefits of being a champion would be and what power having a champion in one's group would mean if there is a new emperor.

I am available to judge, but the contest does seem a bit inactive.

 

[Knight Otu]

Shiba Tsukune bows to her opponent, and then readies herself to draw her katana.

Silently, she watches her Shinjo Shono as she clears her thoughts. This was not the moment to worry about outside events, as this would only distract her. This was not the moment to think about the problems it would cause if the man calling himself Sanctus became the Emerald Champion. When she would face him...

Swiftness was the key, and cunning. She faced an Unicorn, so swiftness would not be enough. Ready to draw the katana, at the sign of the judge...

First, she would have to deflect Shono's katana a bit so that he would have some problems to bring his strategy into full swing, and then sever the Unicorn mon. Just drawing the katana...

She does so with a swift movement, trying not only to sever the mon of Shono, but also to distract his blade with a slight touch.

OOC - I know this isn't much for a strategy post, but I'm a bit tired at the moment.

Hopefully, the contest will start to get more interest. Lichtenhart will certainly post, and creamsteak should post Samanosuke's reactions to Nimoru's starting post.

Maybe, if the involved players don't post, we should skip the following fights:
Uda Hiyone vs Utaku Xieng Chi
Kitsune Wiljia vs Kakita Kaiten
and assume that the characters that won the other matches advance to the final duel?