The New Winds

The training grounds of the Academy are quickly decorated, cleaned, and blessed by the many Crane servants, Academy Artisans, and priests. As the contestants arrive back at the Academy, they are gathered into rank and file formations with the sensei of each clan at the head of their formations.

The Imperials are given a place in front of all others, with the minor clans and ronin in the rear, both contingents leaderless.

Kakita Toshimoko stands at the head of it all, and begins his address.

"Over the past days, you have all been given tasks and trials, some set forth years ago by our ancestors, and others given by the heavens themselves to test your character. Each tenant of the Tao and Bushido put into act, and you have all stepped into those challenges without hesitation, proving one of the greatest generations of students that this championship, and the Empire itself, has ever seen. Rejoice in your success, but today is only one step of many. You still have thousands of forms to practice, words to write, or art to create to reach the 10,000 hours goal of mastery. Do not forget those who you have trained with, for there is no doubt that in time you will all, should life see fit for it, will encounter each other many more times before you retire to a monastery."

He bows once again.

"Now, we will recognize the Topaz Champion. Matsu Qiang, Champion of the Iaijutsu tournament, Bayushi Jiro, Champion of the Court Debates, and Isawa Tanshin, Champion of the Taryu Jiai tournament, step forward."

Once the three come forward, servants approach with many objects covered in a cloth.

"Each of you have proven yourself above all of your respective peers and experts in your field of study, though there can only be one Topaz Champion."

He motions and the former champion, showing no signs of her grievous injuries only hours ago, and wearing only a green and gold kimono instead of her usual armor, steps forth and looks at each of the three.

"After careful deliberation and consideration.."

She approaches Matsu Qiang and unsheaths her blade carefully, resting it in both hands, palms to the sky and drops into a modified seiza.

"Will you accept this honor, Matsu Qiang, and take up the mantle of the Topaz Champion?"

Matsu Qiang stepped forward and bowed low.

"I shall!" he declared formally, in reply to the Kitsuki's question.

The blade is handed over gently, the sheath shortly after and then the former Champion retreats back behind Toshimoko.
((Normal Katana, when carried, gain the Prodigy advantage. This stacks with previous Prodigy Advantage. This item is lost after 1 year.))

Then, the servants step forward and offer up the Topaz Armor to Qiang
((Heavy Armor, Reduction 10, Honor counts as 1 higher when worn, count as Glory 10 for the purposes of people identifying Qiang when worn, does not count as breach of etiquette to wear when armor normally would be forbidden. This item is lost after 1 year.))

To Jiro, an elegant fan
((Grants +1k1 to all social rolls, Honor counts as 1 higher when worn, count as Glory 10 for the purposes of people identifying Jiro when carried. This item is lost after 1 year. ))

To Tanshin, a sacred scroll satchel
((Gain a second Affinity that you do not already possess and are not deficient in while in your possession. You may only select Void if you have Ishiken-Do, Honor counts as 1 higher when worn, count as Glory 10 for the purposes of people identifying Tanshin when carried. This item is lose after 1 year, and any spells you no longer meet the Mastery for are taken back by your clan, replaced with the players choice of what they would qualify for.))

"Each of you are now adults, but you have one last task. Choose your name and receive your blades to take your fully place as samurai of the Empire!"

((All players can post in any order, please approach your sensei, give your new name, and receive your Katana and Wakizashi. If you have already been through your gempuku, these are just for ceremony, as you already have your blades.

The Sensei:
Hida Goroharu, A stout warrior of the Crab, renowned for his skill in Sumai. Has a fondness for carving stone statues

Hiruma Kagehiro, a long surviving scout for the Crab

Doji Murashige, An elegant courtier of the Crane who has several famed paintings and works of calligraphy

Kakita Naomori, an expert in Archery

Kitsuki Tai Yu, an enigmatic magistrate of the Dragon. Well known for intricate origami

Akodo Eiko, an aged General of the Lion

koma Ikehata, a friendly and carefree storyteller

Asako Himeya, a solemn shugenja of the Phoenix, well versed in the Empires laws

Bayushi Kiriko, a Scorpion magistrate

Bayushi Moriko, a relatively unknown Scorpion courtier with a sly tongue.

Shosuro Tomoe, an actress from the Scorpion

Utaku Oichi, a beautiful Battle Maiden))

Haruki solemnly walks up to Asako Himeya-sensei, looks at her with a strong on, then recites the bog standard oath that every Shiba bushi recites when they get their first swords. After which, he asks for everyone to call him by his new name: Isawa Kunio of House Kaito.

Yasuki Ginkarasu strides forward, dressed in his antique fancy kimono, the raven feather cloak on his back.

He bows before Hiruma Kagehiro and Hida Goroharu. "Hida-sensei. Hiruma-sensei. You have both taught me much." He looks to first Hida Goroharu. "Hida-sensei, you made sure I understood how to stand my ground." He looks then to Kagehiro. "Hiruma-sensei, you taught me how to choose my ground."

He smiles to them both. "My parents gave me my name." He reaches one hand to pat the cloak, flipping it over his shoulder to free his obi to hold the blades. "But it was the Heavens that proved them correct in doing so. My friendship is worth more then silver. My ire a message sending enemies to Emma-O to be judged. I am Yasuki Ginkarasu! May I prove worthy of the blades you give me, defending the Empire as a Crab!"

He accepts first his wakizashi, his honor, from Hida Goroharu, as the Hida lead the clan. He accepts the katana, his soul, from Hiruma Kagehiro, as his friend and ally who best led him through the darkness during his moments of doubt.

He bows again to them both, and then to the crowd.

Jiro accepted the fan with a deep, reverent bow. Then, turning to the Scorpion sensei, he bowed a second, third, and fourth time to each

"Sensei of the Scorpion clan, I have observed and I have discovered much on my road to this moment. I must acknowledge first the efforts of my father and of Lord Shoju, who have labored together for many years to make me the instrument of the clan, and to inspire me to work effectively as an independent representative from a young age. Their examples, as much as their knowledge and experience, have allowed me to thrive. I must also acknowledge my time at Hirosaka as having provided me something of value--an ability to observe, appreciate, and in some small way understand members of other clans in a way that has inspired friendship where many long hours' work as an adult would otherwise be necessary. It is these experiences, culminating in this tournament, that has given force to the name I chose for myself long ago as an aspiration, now fulfilled.

I am Bayushi Tomohiro." The kanji he used to write it here were the kanji for knowledge and firmament--entwining the concepts of knowledge and of heaven.

He took time to bow to each of the sensei before the presentation of his wakizashi from Bayushi Moriko. His surprise was, for once, plain on his face. The wakizashi he had been given and held for a year--his grandfather's--was not here. Instead, it was an ancient sword, clearly well-cared for, but almost certainly unused for hundreds of years. The edge had been lovingly restored, and the old decorations and embellishments--not that there were many, the 2nd century was not a time for vain frippery--shone in the light. It was possessed of a certain elegance--after all, its bearer had never been a warrior, and had died before he ever used it in anger, but it was, unlike some wakizashi, clearly a killing tool first, and a status symbol second. It had been worn three times since its original, most famous bearer, the last in the 4th century, since which time it had rested in a place of honor among the ancestral treasures of the Main Branch of the House of Bayushi--from which his house had split only two generations before.

Swallowing his emotion, he spoke: "As a man, as a servant of Lord Bayushi, I take up this, the sword our shared ancestor, Bayushi Tangen, wore, to serve my Lord and the Son of Heaven in his memory. I pray that I shall be proven worthy of the duty of carrying his legacy of wisdom and true service, as so many among our people have striven to do."

He bowed a second time, still more deeply, to each, slipped the sword into his obi, and withdrew from center stage to contemplate the weight that had just settled across his shoulders and his hip. Lord Shoju needed, no, demanded a Tangen in this new age, and Bayushi Tomohiro would never let him down.

There being no Minor Clan representative on hand, and the young Falcon being set to marry into the Phoenix, Toritaka Sasaiko does one last thing and presents herself before Asako Himeya. Bowing deeply, she asks if the shugenja will hear and attest to the oaths of one who will join her Clan and calling. Receiving the nod, she kneels into seiza, setting a small case before her, which she opens to display a Seppun wakizashi, such as had been promised to her at the Ruby Champion's schooling.

"I take up this blade and the station it represents not for myself, but for my Family of the Toritaka and my Clan of the Falcon, and in the service of the Throne and the Empire ruled from it," she says. Continuing, she adds "I thank those who have guided me and raised me, and I will work to always be worthy of their trust and their time, to discharge those duties assigned to me in good faith and with utmost effort, to place the welfare of Family and Clan and Empire above my own, until such time as I am released from service by the word of my lord or the will of the Heavens.

"So I, who am Toritaka Noriko, say now, and in the presence of those here assembled, on this first day of the month of the Serpent in the Year of the Isawa Calendar One Thousand One Hundred Twenty-three, the twentieth of the reign of His Imperial Majesty, Hantei XXXVIII."

She thrusts the wakizashi into her obi and rises, bowing, and returns to her place in the ranks.

Although his eyes were all over Oichi-sensei, the Mantis young man moves toward Hida Goroharu and kneels to accept his daisho.

He says, “This one will become Daiōkyō! Profetizing the greatest and largest city in Rokugan: dangerous, rich, bustling with life, walled to enemies, yet with open gates to allies. Will withstand any storm, and be a safe port to those coming from the dangers of the elements. Above all, at its heart, it will house the Son of Heavens.”

He shows a very large scroll with the name on it. Three kanji: one for great, another for king and the other for capital. He does so in the same fashion he did at the nearly failed test at Hirosaka — stealing some smiles and glares.

大王京

After doing so, he folds the scroll, adding, “As my great ancestor Kaimetsu-uo-shiryo, rightful child of Osano-wo-kami, this one becomes samurai from the hands of a mighty Crab. Yet, one so unworthy humbles himself into the path of man, to learn the life of waves, so that the Heavens may soon allow him to bathe their shores with bountiful glory.”

The soon to be Dai-oo-kyou takes the blades from Goroharu, rests them at his left, and remove his kimono, so he shows no mons. Then, he tucks shoto, then tachi back into his obi. At last, he folds his green kimono gi neatly, and is ready to leave as dismissed.

Ichiro approached the battle maiden with direct purpose. He may not be Topaz champion but you would nit know that to look upon him as he strode with his head held high to the Unicorn sensei. "I have worked hard to get where I am today and now I pledge myself to the Unicorn clan, and to the empire. My life is in service and so I shall serve with all of my heart. My path before me may yet be a mystery but whatever I do and all that I am will be toward one goal." Did his eyes flit toward a certain Otomo? Only the keenest among the crowd would even suspect.

"I will serve this empire as Moto Zhang, son of the Ujki, another in a proud line!" He announced triumphantly as he bowed once again this being mostly ceremonial as he already had his blades but before he stepped away he apparoached the Gida sensei as well "Your lessons have been invaluable to me not only here but in defense of truth and justice. Thank you Hida-sensei and don't forget" he said with a grin "I'll still beat you one day." With that he returns to his place in the ranks.

While the sensei he had the strongest relationship with was Shosuro Tomoe, the Crab that had carried his blades to the tournament had given them over to the Hida. He seemed to be one of those older folks that was a bit sore about the former runner-up being an attempted assassin and thus had avoided the Scorpion completely after the incident.

So Yotsuo approached Hida Goharu to receive his blades and declare his new name. Taking the blades, he bowed deeply to the Hida and rose. "I am placed now among fellow servants of this great empire. And in being so placed I become Kuni Fujiwa, in honor of the Son of Heaven that chose to stand with the Crab in defense of all his lands. I too am prepared to serve in whatever manner is necessary to see to the safety of the empire."

He then moved to bow to Shosuro Tomoe. "I thank you for your guidance and lessons, Shosuro-sensei. They have helped me to become the samurai I am and they will continue to ensure I am able to serve the empire capably."

Ikoma Eichiro has no real strong tie to any of the sensei, aside from blood. He approaches Ikoma Ikehata, makes the appropriate gestures and says the appropriate words.

For his name, "I choose Ikoma Jujinin, to borrow the legacy of the eldest son of Ikoma. First to step forward to be the Lion Thunder, but denied by Lady Matsu. First to carry Ikoma's name, but denied daimyoship by his younger brother. A name that carries not the stigma of failure, but of the Courage to step forward and be denied, only to try again. Persistence in the face of adversity, that is what this name means to me."

He places his family's ancestral wakizashi into his obi and returns to his place.

Asahi suppressed a smile as he approached Kitsuki Tai Yu and bowed with deep respect.

"I will depend greatly on the lessons of our family for years to come and I will continue to learn until I leave this life. Thank you, for preparing me to carry the Kitsuki name." He accepted the offered daisho, though they both knew the katana was merely symbolic, and he placed them in his obi with his father's hammer. "I am Kitsuki Amakura. I am ready to serve."

There was no one or two Sensei of her family to bow to, so Nobuko bowed to all of them. Three times she bowed, first to where the Crab and Crane were lined up. Then to where the Dragon, Lion, and Phoenix stood near to each other. And finally to the group of Scorpions and the Battle Maiden just to one side.

"Sensei," she said, pausing to acknowledge them all with a look to each, "As Lady Sun rose this morning I was a child. A 'faithful child'."

That is what Nobuko meant.

"I face you now as woman of the Otomo," she stepped forward to take the ceremonial daisho from Kitsuki Tai Yu, bowing to her as the one to pass her her blades, "I am called Zhi-Wan. So named because I am ready to embrace whatever fate has for me and enjoy the experience."

It wasn't strictly obvious from the name, but would be when she gained a new chop. Having the characters for "without restraint" and "to have fun" was not the usual combination for a name that sounded so similar to another, more common one.

Zhi-Wan rose and tucked her daisho into her obi, then turned to face the rest of the gathered samurai, bowing to them. As she rose, her eyes caught on a particular Moto and this time, she did not pull them away demurely. She let them linger with a small, proud, smile before letting them pass on to the rest, where she paused again at each of her friends - though those beats of time were much shorter than the look she allowed herself at her betrothed. None of it was improper, but it was far bolder and more open than she had ever allowed herself to be - even as far back as that morning.

Zhi-Wan gave a final bow from where she stood to Kakita Toshimoko before returning at a casual pace to her seat.

Kenji walked up to Kakita Naomori.
The last days were harsh and unforgiving. Pictures of Failure, Desperation and Death crossed his mind as he was approaching his Sensei.

"Kakita-sensei" Kenji bowed as deep as he could.
"All my life i dreamt of this very moment. But this championship turned out to be a test of hardship for me. I was trained for a long time by the crane dojo and learned so many things. To run like water down the river, how to defend the honor of the clan and one's own honor with words and politeness, how to explore one's innermost being and find peace with tea, and how to learn to move forward purposefully with the Yumi. But above all I dedicated myself to the study of the sword. I spent hours, days, weeks, months and years to perfect this art. For this I thank you and the crane."

He raised himself again to take the Wakizashi and the Katana.

"But this tournament showed me that I still have a lot to learn. From this day on I will follow the path of the waves for a year to become a worthy samurai. Let it be known that i am Nijing. If the crane wants me again after this year, I will take the name Kakita again"

He then does the same as Kokyou did and disrobed his Gi to remove the clanmon and mark himself as wavemen.
Then he gave all the sensei and Toshimoko a deep bow.

With ironclad resolve Kichiro marches up to his superior, Akodo Eiko, to claim his birthright. Years of education and hardship has broken him down and refined him to finally be acknowledged as a samurai worthy of his father's legacy. He might not have taken the championship but with total pride in his own accomplishments and his fellow clansman taking the prize there was not a single shred of regret. Together the lion have stood tall in total brilliance! Now before him stood a grand general of his family, a man he hopes to one day emulate, and he was truly ready to accept destiny's call and begin his service to his lord.

The ritual begins with a Akodo's demand to recite his lineage back to the original Akodo himself. A tradition honoring not only his parents but the long ancestral line that brought him here to this day. The ritual ending with the words spoken to the aged general "I am part of your family, a piece of the family's blood. I am your brother." He repeats mantra and passes Kichiro his daisho.

"With these blades I pledge the upmost devotion to answer my dharma to clan and empire. My soul sworn to the lion, my soul sworn to the son of heaven. As with the responsibility of my generation, with duty, honor, and leadership I will do my part to bring the empire into a brighter tomorrow. Let the world know me as Akodo Yukihiro." Kichiro first bows first to his sensei and then to the crowd. Finally taking his seat thereafter.

Mai approached Akodo Eiko and received her wakizashi.

She had some regret that she didn't get a chance to meet him and show how her knowledge of war had grown. But there will be other times. She chose the name Aiko. The old general seemed a little surprised. And then she realized the similarities to his name. Honestly, she just liked the name. But part of her felt it was appropriate for consider the influence he had on her.

Afterwards, she went back to the other Minor Clanners to contemplate on what it meant now that she was an adult.

Wyn, with no sensei of his family present debated long and hard on which to approach, having learned much from the Kitsuki, Akodo, and Hida senseis each was considered, but finally he decided instead on the Utaku sensei, approaching Oichi he bowed low, accepting the blade, and the Imperial engraved satchel that came with it. He smiled as he rose. "From this day I shall devote myself to exploring the Emperors lands, both current and future, in the name of those vast territories I take my own name, Miya Hiro"

Tanshin approaches and kneels before the collective sensei.

After speaking the oaths, and performing the ceremony with Asako Himeya, Tanshin prepares to reveal his new name.
He speaks in a loud, clear voice, pausing after each statemernt:

"A Samurai's successes are a tribute to his daimyo and sensei.
It is expected to do one's best, and use everything at hand to succeed at the tasks that are given.
I have done so.
My success is a credit to the teachings of my Isawa Sensei, of you, my Ruby Sensei, and to my Family, my Clan, and the Empire.
As I perform this Gempukku, I rise from my trials a Phoenix: Isawa Saiguren. 最紅蓮

He takes in turn, the Sacred Scroll Satchel, a set of Seppun Prayer beads, and finally, a wakizashi.

Deel brushed to showcase the glowing purple haze of fine wool, hair in a single neat braid straight down her back, Nesrin comes forward, carrying the dignity and grace expected of a battle maiden, despite grinning openly in the crowd as her friends and comrades completed the ceremony. The chrysantheum-decorated blade and smaller, wakizashi with chrysanthemum and bamboo represented in the tsuba, are finally worn openly.

She bows deeply to Utaku Oichi, and while she maintains the stoic expression expected of such an event she can't help the worry her elder sister might see in her eyes. She bows also to Kakita Naomori, in thanks for his lessons. "I offer my deepest appreciation for the training the Empire and the Shiotome have provided me. May I never disappoint their expectations."

"The Utaku place great reverence on their bonds with mothers and grandmothers and the wisdom passed unending through their lines. It has been a tradition in my family, often to keep the name one's mother chose, as a reminder and tie through her to those ancestors. My elder sisters have chosen their own names, my younger will not remain among the battle maidens. So I will serve as Utaku Nesrin, daughter of Utaku Kyo, of the line of Utako Monnaghara. I retain the name my mother searched for and my grandmother blessed."

After a long moment, Mirai approached Shosuro Tomoe and kowtowed before rising. "This one has no sensei, and never has. To presume that any of those present are worthy for me to declare to feels folly... and yet, it is the lands of the Scorpion that I've spent the most time, so I would repay that honor here as I could not before."

She paused, face furrowing a bit in thought before continuing. "I... am not worthy to keep the name Mirai any longer. The name means future, and it was to be the future of my parent's line in me. They are dead, and I must make my own future... and present. I take as my new name Yoru (夜), which means night. The day of my youth is done. May the Dawn of my new life show itself in time."

With that she bowed and stepped back.