"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
