The New Winds

All the participants gather in the training yard of the Kakita Academy where they are greeted by Kakita Toshimoku.

"Students of the Empire, you have been given a great honor to be here in Tsuma. The Topaz Championship highlights the best of the Empire, and throughout the next six days, your skills and training will be put to the test. Those of you who can prove to our judges that you are ready will then undergo your gempuku ceremony, as well as participate in one of three tournaments. The winner of those tournaments will all then be evaluated on their performance from their time here in Tsuma, and the best among you will be granted the title of the Topaz Champion!"

He steps aside and two young samurai come forward, one dressed in the trappings of the Topaz Champion, and the other in the colors of the Scorpion.

"Kitsuki Yuikimi, the current Champion, and Bayushi Sugai, the runner up from last year, are here to answer and prepare you for the days ahead. Please give them your utmost respect and attention."

Toshimoku then takes a seat and Yuikimi begins to speak.

"All of the judges here will test you in a number of skills they believe that all samurai in the Empire should have. Those of you who had the opportunity to study in Hirosaka last year will be familiar with them all, as well as the materials. Those of you who did not may be at a slight disadvantage, but have performed well enough that your Clans have felt you are a worthy candidate. Each event earns you points, and you will need seventy five to be able to graduate. Failure to achieve seventy five points and you will be sent home for further training. Additionally, the judges will not only look for you to be able to perform their tasks, but also to perform them in a way they think is the most appropriate."

She pauses, and Sugai says:

"The approaches match the elemental rings and can best be summarized as follows:

• Air is precise, distant, and analytical. Air does not approach the matter directly, but with care, subtlety, and planning.
• Earth is firm, grounded, and cautious. Earth prefers to act decisively, but only after due consideration.
• Fire is passionate, inventive, and direct. Fire acts swiftly and with overwhelming force.
• Water is flexible, responsive, and powerful. Water acts with confidence, flowing around the problem until it finds a solution.
• Void is the element of no element, the mind of no mind. Void does not think, plan, or react. Void simply acts, moving in accordance with instinct and the natural path of the cosmos

.

"

He then steps back, a sour look on his face. Yuikimi also steps back for a moment and 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 before he then directs everyone back to Yuikimi for questions and retreats into the Academy itself.

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Players may roleplay with each other in this thread, or may ask Yuikimi or Sugai questions about the events

Yotsuo quietly listens to the speech and observes the current champion and runner up. But he has no real questions of any importance. As such he simply waits for the Sumai match time to come. He seems to simply be relaxing and enjoying the nice weather.

Mai listens quietly.

((Please PM if you approach.))

Kaito noticed that the person he is to demonstrate sumai against is someone he hasn't met before and this would be the best chance to meet him before the match began. So he finds this "Yasuki Jun" after the formal speeches are done with.

Asahi studies the former participants with interest. He wondered where they had excelled and where they had faltered.

Kaito Haruki wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:31 am

Kaito noticed that the person he is to demonstrate sumai against is someone he hasn't met before and this would be the best chance to meet him before the match began. So he finds this "Yasuki Jun" after the formal speeches are done with.

The Yasuki boy looks bored and seems quite flush despite the coolness of the morning air.

"Hello, Isawa-san!"

(OOC, Is he drunk now? If so would Haruki need to roll to realize this?)

"I believe we are to be opponents in the first test. I figured it would be appropriate to properly introduce ourselves before we entered the ring. My name is Isawa Haruki of House Kaito."

"And I am Yasuki Jun! A pleasure to meet you!" He gives a small bow.

Nesrin attends in full deel and boots, hair braided and pinned in gentle coils. She's left her stick behind, since this seems the sort of ceremony where an actual blade would be left at the door. Quietly, her eyes drink in all the people and outfits from everywhere in the Empire.

(pm if approaching to chat. This thread is likely to get a bit full and easy to miss such things otherwise.)

He didn't have any questions. Looking around for Akodo-sensei but finding nothing, he is indeed quite surprised to have found that rōnin girl here! He approaches Mirai and nods his head.

"I assume as a Crab samurai that you are well versed in formal Sumai? I would like to do my best to respect the art."

D2 LM: Investigation/Perception TN 20: 7d10o10k4 36

A pretty speech and much fanfare. Mirai had showed up and listened attentively as was expected of her, but the ronin girl stood on the edge of the crowd silent as the speeches ended and the place became a bustle of talking. From what she could tell, she was the only person not of a clan in the room, and she wouldn't want to stick out like a sore thumb.

Matsu Qiang sat quietly as they listened to the Kakita sensei, After the headmaster had finished his speech, the young Lion looked around at the other competitors, considering each of them thoughtfully.

Which were quick? Which were strong? Which were smart? Which one was the mysterious Mantis he had been told about, he wondered? He would find out soon enough, he supposed.


--
Keeping an eye out for Hitoshi, if he's here

Hazrat listened intently as Yukimi spoke. His face was resolute, but a hint of worry showed in his furrowed brow.

Yukimi wrote:All of the judges here will test you in a number of skills they believe that all samurai in the Empire should have.

He glanced around at this, wondering if his knowledge would be enough. He'd studied all he could, but there were still things he knew less about than he would have liked.

Yukimi wrote:Your Clans have felt you are a worthy candidate.

His shoulders slumped just slightly when Yukimi made this pronouncement. Was he really worthy? Was this all a fool's errand? After a moment of being visibly discouraged, he snapped himself out of his negative mood. He was worthy. That is what he was here to prove!

Straightening up, Hazrat held his head high, keeping it that way until the speech was over, at which point he began to look around for his scheduled opponent.

Mirai wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:04 pm

A pretty speech and much fanfare. Mirai had showed up and listened attentively as was expected of her, but the ronin girl stood on the edge of the crowd silent as the speeches ended and the place became a bustle of talking. From what she could tell, she was the only person not of a clan in the room, and she wouldn't want to stick out like a sore thumb.

"Rōnin? I didn't expect to see you here. What are you up to this time?" He says curiously, trying to get her attention.

Ginkarasu enjoyed himself. He hoped the Kakita remembered him. And oh look, that's the Topaz Champion! How awesome to think that he was in Ginkarasu's place a year ago, wondering when he'd become Topaz Champion.

Kaito Haruki wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:02 pm

"I assume as a Crab samurai that you are well versed in formal Sumai? I would like to do my best to respect the art."

D2 LM: Investigation/Perception TN 20: 7d10o10k4 36

He appears to be drunk in fact.

"I am a courtier, Isawa-san. I know little of the art"

"A fair point, either way, may our clans look upon our work with pride."

"Sure, but this is all just some silly Crane games. It means nothing in the long run."

"That may be true, but I see this as just another obstacle in our careers. Like how it is easier to teach a child conduct when they are young, how a samurai starts their career sets how dedicated they are to their clans."