The New Winds

"We usually paid our respects at the Temple of Ancestors," Tsuyoshi admitted. "But I hope that will not be a problem? It's important to me to make an offering here in Tsuma, and we all stand under Lady Sun, after all."

"Yes, in fact," the Lion replied. "I... I was hoping it might be possible for the monks here to pray every night for the soul of my departed sister, Matsu Meilin. She... she was a great inspiration to me." Matsu Qiang (no, Matsu Tsuyoshi now, he reminded himself) struggled to keep his face impassive...

Once he had accepted the regalia and sword of the Topaz Champion, the young Matsu declared, "A new stage of life demands a new name. Henceforth, I shall be known as Matsu Tsuyoshi ... a loyal samurai of the Lion Clan!" After bowing deeply, the new samurai stepped back to stand near Akodo Eiko. Bowin...

What was your favorite part of this game - I really liked Team Lion and the Lion study group, and how the Lion were very supportive. Many props to the other Lion players. Their support was nice for Qiang since he was quickly treated as an antagonist for a lot of the other PCs early on. What was you...

Thanks much for running the game!

Matsu Qiang stepped forward and bowed low.

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

Later that night, Matsu Qiang paid a visit to the temple.

"I'd like to make a donation," the young Lion said to the first monk he could find. He held up a small pouch full of coins.

Matsu Qiang bowed low to Kakita Toshimoko. The young Lion held his tongue, but his heart pounded and his eyes were filled with triumph.

As the Crane began to raise her sword, the Matsu’s practice sword connected with her forearm. Qiang held back from delivering a full-strength blow, but the force of the strike still stung. — Day 7 duel with Kazuko, strike with free raise to reduce TN, REF/Iaijutsu (Strike) +center +kata TN20 : 9d10r...

Best not to think of the girl she once was, Qiang decided. Her form was excellent; she was a formidable opponent, and it would be foolish to underestimate her. He focused his eyes on her center - the source of her chi. When her center began to move, Qiang instinctively began to move to counterattack...

“Kakita-san,” Qiang acknowledged, with a precise bow. As he fell into a practiced dueling stance, Qiang remembered the girl who had gone over the school wall with him and the other students, back in Hirosaka. They had all gotten in trouble with the headmaster afterwards. That girl was gone now, he k...

The Lion’s strike connected solidly with Haruki’s midsection, though Qiang pulled the blow enough to absorb most of the impact. The Matsu stepped past his opponent as part of the follow-through for the attack. Then, turning to face Haruki again, Qiang lowered his sword and bowed to the Phoenix. — Da...

Qiang saw Haruki begin his movement, and began to counter it - but mid-motion, he realized the Phoenix’s first action was merely a feint. The true strike would come from a different angle entirely. Pivoting to avoid Haruki’s true attack, the Lion counterattacked in the same motion. — Day 7 duel with...

Matsu Qiang took a confident dueling stance. His form was excellent, his weight well balanced; it was difficult to discern a good opening for an attack. — Day 7 duel with Haruki, assessment with no raises AWA/Iaijutsu (Assessment) +kata TN15 : 10d10ro1o10k5+5 65 succeeds with 4 exceptional successes...

The Matsu approached the dueling sands and bowed to the Phoenix. “Good afternoon,” Qiang said mildly as he made himself ready for the match. Despite the number of duels they had both fought already, and the corresponding high stakes, the Lion seemed unperturbed. — Day 7 duel with Haruki, initiative ...

Matsu Qiang tensed as the Iuchi moved, but relaxed once he saw Prashant had dropped out of his dueling stance. Lowering his hands to his sides, the Lion calmed himself and bowed respectfully in turn to Prashant. "Thank you, Iuchi-san, for honoring me with this match," Qiang said courteously. "Your s...

Qiang cleared all thought from his mind except for studying his opponent. The Iuchi's stance was curious, unconventional to be sure; but with the way his weight was distributed, the Matsu had a good guess as to his likely line of attack. — Qiang’s Void is 4. Emphases are Assessment, Focus and Strike...

The Matsu’s eyebrow quivered momentarily as Prashant began his speech, but his composure returned after it became clear the Unicorn’s words were well-intentioned. “The Unicorn fought valiantly on the docks today,” Qiang replied, bowing his head with hands clasped together in respectful acknowledgeme...

Qiang quietly wiped the blood off the borrowed sword, lost in his thoughts for a moment. The young Lion had fought a hundred practice fights, training for a moment such as this; but during the skirmish itself, it seemed like everything had happened so fast. He thought about what it felt like to stri...

"Your skill is formidable, Yasuki-san," Qiang replied, bowing respectfully. "Thank you for the excellent match."