The New Winds

Please conduct your match here

"Of course, it isn't enough to send me up against possibly a literal horse transformed into a human body..." Zashi's ears almost seem to twitch at the comment. "Hey, I said almost, and stranger things have happened. Where was I? Right, I get to go against a Unicorn again...in horseback riding. Grumble, grumble, grumble grumble."

Zashi heads over to Hitoshi, having promised to help and reaches out with his senses. He pulls at the kami nearby and asks for their help...and nothing happens.

"Huh. Oops." Zashi offers a sheepish look to Hitoshi. "It looks like our ancestors aren't stepping in for some quick guidance. I'm sorry"

It is certainly an inauspicious start to things, but Zashi shakes it off, heading over to the horse provided for him. He approaches slowly, hearing a quick neigh. His ears perk.

"Oi! I heard that!"

Zashi grips the reigns and pulls in the close. "Alright, what do you call a camel with three humps?" Zashi leans in a whispers something inaudible. The horse pauses for a moment and then suddenly lets out a snort and a whinny that almost sounds like...laughter? The horse gently pushes its head against Zashi's shoulder, inviting him to continue.

Of course, winning the horse over doesn't do much if you don't know what to do with it. Zashi has a very rough ride through the course, veering off the course several times because he doesn't have the anticipation of the ability to read the course. He arrives back at the end, looking tired and frustrated.
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OOC
Fire Ring Selected

Spell: Horseback Riding Event-Fire Mastery Level One, Raise for +1 target, +1k0 for spellcraft rank 5-TN 15: 5d10o10k3 10 Failed, no bonus
Mount the Horse: Horseback Riding Event-Animal Handling/Intelligence-Touch of Chikusudo for +1k1-TN 15: 7d10o10k4 26 Pass, no penalty
Ride the Course to the Flag: Horseback Riding Event-Horsemanship/Agility-1 raise-TN 20: 6d10o10k3 14 Fail
2nd attempt: Grab the Ring-Attempt 2(no points)-TN 15: 6d10o10k3 29 Pass, no points
Grab Flag: Grab the ring-TN 20-Athletics/Agility: 7d10o10k3 34 Pass, +2 TP ES
Ride Course to Start:Ride to Course to Start-TN 20-Horsemanship/Agility: 6d10o10k3 16, Fail
Attempt 2: Ride course back to start-reattempt (20 points)-TN 20: 6d10o10k3 16
Attempt 3: Ride course back to start-attempt 3 (no points)-TN 20: 6d10o10k3 23
Lance the Ring:Lance the Ring-Animal Handling-Touch of Chikusudo-VP spent-2 raised-TN 35: 8d10k5 59 ]Exploded tens herePass with 2 called raised, 3 ES for +8 TP
Return to Start: Return to Start-TN 25-Aehtletics/Agility: 6d10o10k3 29 Pass for +1 TP

11 TP pending further results

Hazrat ran his fingers through Gishgesen's mane as he walked his steed to the course. "Nothing we haven't done before, old friend. We just have a special audience this time. Let's show them how we do things on the steppes!"

In addition to calling upon the aid of the spirits, Hazrat also offered a short informal prayer for the health of his horse while he had their attention. "Zhuanlun, Lord of Changes, smile upon me and grant me Good Fortune. Songdi, Lord of the Black Ropes, mark Gishgesen's loyalty in the Great Ledgers so that he may live many happy years and cross the Golden Bridge when his time comes."
Spellcasting Roll: 18

Then, giving a fierce shout, Hazrat slapped his horse gently on his flank to spur him into motion as he leapt into the saddle.

RING: Fire

Mount the Horse: Animal Handling / Intelligence, TN15: 31, passed, no penalty *using this one*
Re-roll just for the heck of it: 22, passed
Ride to the Flag: Horsemanship / Agility, TN15: 36, passed (orokos record says "Intelligence," but that's just a copy/paste error on my part; my ranks in those traits are the same) *using this one* +2 TP ES
Re-roll just for the heck of it: 20, passed
Grab the Flag: Athletics / Agility, TN20: 25, passed *using this one*
Re-roll just for the heck of it: 22, passed
Ride Course to Start: Horsemanship / Agility, TN 20: 25, passed
Re-roll just for the heck of it: 26, passed
Ride to and Lance the Ring: Animal Handling / Agility 25, spent VP: 54, passed +2 TP ES
Return to Start: Horsemanship / Agility, TN 25, spent VP: 31, passed


Satisfied with his own performance but impressed to see such effortless feats from Zeshin, Hazrat could not help but comment. "It is almost as if you and the horse speak the same language, Kitsune-san!"

"I have an excellent rapport with animals." Zashi responds, feeling as if he has just lost. "It seems like a shame to break the fire of this one's spirit, but I think that costs me." He gives a smile, trying to show the grace that he can. "You're clearly the superior rider though. I just made a good show trying to keep up"

"Ah, but it's not just riding skill, though," notes Hazrat, clearly enthused to be talking to someone else who appreciates working with animals. "As you say, it's the spirit that counts. You have to bring out the best in the steed while not dampening the fire that burns within them."

On a whim, he leads his horse over to meet Zashi. "This is my traveling partner, Gishgesen. My mother gave me many pointers, but he is the one who really taught me how to ride."

The large war horse sniffs as he comes close, and gives a soft, calm nicker.