The New Winds

Please conduct your match here!

Tanshin arrived to the appointed dueling location a few minutes early. He knelt with his back to the position of the opposing duelist. There, he waited.

Sasaiko, having ensured that Saburo is well, returns to the ring and bows to it, to the judges, and to her opponent.

She breathes deeply, centering herself, making ready to act, boulders held to the mountainside by mere pebbles that are grinding away...

(Initiative 36, https://orokos.com/roll/841230)

Tanshin rose to face Sasaiko, but he did not take his mark.

"You appear unsettled Sasaiko-san. There is no need to stress yourself further. Withdraw. See to the needs of Saburo-tan."

Solid as the very earth, she does not move at the taunt.

It is the howling wind around the mountain, and only that.

Tanshin sighed and stepped to the mark.
"May Earth provide us the fortitude to accept what we are about to receive."

D7 EE Initiative: 3d10o10k2 14

She is clearly faster, poised for action as she assesses her opponent, probing for weakness...

(Entering Center Stance; bonus applies next round.
Assessment vs assumed TN 15, 44, https://orokos.com/roll/841415
Available VP, please)

Sasaiko senses that Tanshin's soul burns brightly with 4 Void Points remaining.

He lets his senses dance over Sasaiko's body as he notes her skills:
D7 EE Assess +1VP +2R: 9d10ro1o10k4 59

Tanshin senses the vibrance of her soul, and her connection to the Earth.
- Please provide Earth Ring, Void Ring, and remaining Void

(4, 4, and 1, respectively.)

The stone is the stone, however bright the flame burns that lights it. And when it begins to move, it does so with force and focus.

Sasaiko intones a gravelly prayer.

(Center Stance bonus applied; applies again next round
Casting in Earth
Focus roll 72, https://orokos.com/roll/841420)

Tanshin was about to ask again that Sasaiko withdraw when she began to focus her energies. So be it.

Breaking out my roll:
Spellcasting: Fire Ring 5k5, Affinity 1k0, School Rank 1k0, Spellcraft@5 1k0 = 8k5
Additions: Won Assessment 1k1, Center Stance 1k1+4, Void Point 1k1, Honor 5k0 = 8k3+4
Total: 16k8+4 = 12k10+4 = 10k10+4+4

D7 EE Focus: 10d10o10k10+8 104

Tanshin calls upon his honor to fan the flames of the kami around him. The fiery bird appears again, and circles Tanshin feverishly as his chants grow louder, almost frenetic. With each circle, it grows in size until the heat of the fire kami can be felt by the bystanders, some of whom duck for cover at the display.

Tanshin once again pulled his arms back, gathering energy from his center, then raised and circled his arms towards Sasaiko in the manner of the fiery effigy of the Phoenix that dives down.

Mechanics:
5 Free Raises from Focus 104 - 72 = 32 - 5 = 27/5 = 5
Fire 5k5, Spellcraft 5 (Taryu-jutsu) 5k0,Reroll 1's, Center Stance 1k1+4, +1VP1k1 = 12k7+4 = 10k8+4, Reroll 1s
D7 EE Strike TN 25 +1VP +2FR Knockdown? +3FR Damage: 10d10ro1o10k8+4 77

Knockdown Fire Trait roll ()if allowed):
D7 EE Knockdown Fire Roll?: 5d10o10k5 16

Forgoing Strike Exceptional Raises... 3 Raises called +Fire = 8d5
D7 EE Damage: 8d10o10l5 20

The flames surround and envelop Sasaiko, and she feels their heat, but her own incantation is complete even as the flames begin to touch her. A hail of small stones leaps up from the ground around Tanshin, pelting him from below and bruising him.

Sasaiko bows.

"May the winner have joy of his victory" she says, simply enough.

Then she bows to the judges and bows herself out of the circle.

She has lost the match, yes, but she still faced it solidly. Sometimes, even the mountains are moved aside.

(Center Stance in effect, applying to Damage
Strike 31, https://orokos.com/roll/841479
Damage 18, https://orokos.com/roll/841482)

The judges declare Tanshin the winner of the Shugenja tournament, with a total of 337 Topaz Points.

There are however many who look at the new man with much concern or even distaste in their eyes. The events that transpired will certainly be talked about for some time

Tanshin grunts as the rocks shoot from the ground, narrowly missing important aspects of his anatomy. When all clears, he bows to Saisako deeply.

"You have been an admirable opponent, Saisako-san. Your strengths speak highly of your family and teachers. Your future endeavors will greatly bring honour and glory to your Clan."

He was still frustrated that she had not withdrawn from the contest. It would have been a coup for the Phoenix for him to win, and have such an honourable addition to the clan in the near future. At the same time, the competition was fierce for the Topaz Championship, and without her as an adversary, it was likely the deeds of the Bushi would outshine him.

He was glad it was over. He looked for a healer.

Both contestants are tended to by the healers quickly.

The one who tends Tanshin speaks with him after.

"Congratulations, Isawa-san. From what I have heard from the judges, it is likely you will be the Topaz Champion."

Tanshin winced as shards of stone were plucked from his flesh. He inspects several holes in his robes caused by Sasailo's sharp rocks. Ugh... I'm running out of clothing.

He nods to the healer. "I hope it is worth it. You must have seen several championships before. How does this one compare?"

"You have excelled at nearly every task presented, Isawa-san. You are an excellent candidate. Some may scoff at the idea of a Shugenja taking the Championship, which has traditionally been held only by Bushi, but your command over the spirits is nothing to doubt. Truly inspiring."