The New Winds

Please conduct your match here

Nesrin looks over the weapons racks, debating whether it would stand out if she picked up something less familiar. But in the end, she takes up the bokken, finding one with a balance that sits properly in her hand. Someday, she needed to try one of the curving blades the Moto fancied.

When called forward, she bows to the judges before beginning her kata, adding some force to the phantom blows and picking up speed as she goes, the demonstration manages to be an elegant and impressive example of her skill. She then steps back to her side of the space to allow Kichiro room for his demonstration.

When she faces Kichiro, she takes the time for a proper bow. "May our ancestors approve of our contest today," she says before shifting into a balanced stance, ready to move.
__________
Ring: Water
Strength: 3

Weapon: Katana
(damage increased by +1k0 for mastery)

Demonstration: Kenjutsu/ Perception
D 4 Weaponry Demo. Kenjutsu/Perception 1 raise, TN 20: 6d10o10k3 26
2 points

Initiative: 5k4
D 4 Weaponry Initiative: 5d10o10k4 27

Similarly scanning through the weapon racks, Kichiro grabs a bokken as well. A posture reveals much of a warrior's spirit. A tighten grip with his ring and pinky finger while leaving the index and middle loose to better snap his strikes forward. His stance strictly traditional with lessons dating back to the early empire. Kichiro can't help but to wonder what strange foreign swordsmanship a unicorn would have at the ready.

__________
Ring: Water
Strength: 4

Weapon: Katana
(damage increased by +1k0 for mastery)

Demonstration: Kenjutsu / Perception
D4 Weapons Event: Demo Ken/Per +4 raises TN35: 8d10o10k5 46
+5 points

After a respectful bow to the judges, Kichiro rivals his opponent's display of speed with a showing of water's immense strength. A series of powerful strikes soar through the air like a crushing tide building up strength into one final overhead strike. With a warcry of Kichiro's fierce warrior spirit he ends his demonstration with that final grand strike rippling kinetic energy throughout the room.

Once the demonstration is complete Kichiro moves into position and mirrors Nesrin's proper bow. "May they smile down upon both of us. Come! Let us define the brilliance of our generation." Kichiro takes his stance and readies for battle.

D4 Weapons Event: Initiative IR/Reflexes: 4d10o10k3 18

After watching his kata, Nesrin knows she'll need all her skill and some luck on top to hold her own. Her grip and form are probably wildly unfamiliar if described, since Nesrin's player is quite unknowledgeable on the topic. But her footwork remains fluid, connected to the mat to drive strength from feet to knees to hips and on into her strike, but light enough to move where the flow of battle dictates.

___________-
Round 1
Kenjutsu / Strength
D4 LM Weaponry. Kenjutsu/Strength, Void for +1k1, Utaku tech +7: 7d10o10k4+7 42

D4 LM Weaponry. Damage (if applicable) includes +1k0 for mastery, choosing dice: 4d10 6, 2, 6, 4: Keeping 2 (ignore if not applicable)

Kichiro takes to the defensive and flows in between Nesrin swift strikes. His light brown eyes dead focused on her as he patiently awaits an opening. The unpredictability of her wild form nearly takes the advantage when the young lion suddenly takes to the offense and lands a powerful attack against the samurai's guard followed by a swift strike on his opponent's shoulder. The judge declares the strike true and Kichiro returns to his standing position to begin the next round.


D4:LM Weapons Event: Round 1 Ken/Str Akodo Tech (+1k0 +5) Voided (+1k1: 9d10o10k5+5 52
D4:LM Weapons Event: Round 1 Damage +1k0 Mastery: 5d10o10k1 8 - Keep 3

+2 points for winning contested +1 for exceptional. Total 3 points.

Nesrin accepts the tap with a nod of acknowledgement, and a slow breath as she returns to her spot. Taking advantage of a lucky moment could still happen, but her true task here would be to learn. Balance resting on the balls of her feet, she adapts a defensive kata as they circle, seeing if she can draw a blow that may leave an opening, but should at least provide a lesson.

There! Lunging low, she entirely expects that Kichiro will hit her on this maneuver, rather than merely slipping away.
__________
Round 2
Kenjutsu / Strength:
D 4 LM Weaponry: 6d10o10k3+7 29

Standing his ground Kichiro does just that and strikes before Nesrin's lunge connects. A daring maneuver that charges straight into her attack but connects with his own inches before being struck.

__________
Round 2
Kenjutsu / Strength:
D4:LM Weapons Event: Round 2 Ken/Str Akodo Tech (+5) Voided (+1k1) +2 Raises: 8d10o10k5-5 38
D4:LM Weapons Event: Round 2 Damage +1k0 Mastery: 5d10o10k1 9 - keep 3
+2 points for winning contested, +4 for successful raises. Total 6 points

He returns to his starting position and the next round begins. Circling right around the unicorn the lion is on the prowl.

Holding her own blow as she feels the expected tap, Nesrin nods and steps back to the beginning once more. She grins as she bows, adrenaline surely flowing. On horseback, she could be faster, but that was not a contest likely to happen here. So she watches the Lion prowling, and considers what she might, in fact, do with four legs instead of two. The whirl and leap, is as fast as she's ever been, creating a wind in her sleeves as her overhead strike strives to connect...or at least look impressive.

___________-
D 4 LM Weaponry Kenjutsu/Strength: 6d10o10k3+7 41
On the off chance that connects: D 4 LM Weaponry Damage, if applicable, choosing dice: 4d10 keeping the 3

3 points

An impressive strike indeed as Kichiro isn't fast enough to leaping assault. A loud snap as the two wooden blades collide. Kichiro's blade is dragged down from its upward guard with Nesrin's own following through for a true strike! The superior blow is acknowledged by the lion and he returns to position.

There appears to be a menacing expression ramping up from his opponent. A wild flame igniting her adrenaline. An expression totally juxtaposed by Kichiro's own cold focus and the lessons of Akodo disciplining strict control in all things. His own expression growing more hollow and eyes more chilling. The two clearly stood apart.

D4:LM Weapons Event: Round 3 Ken/Str Akodo Tech (+5): 7d10o10k4+5 30

More exhilarating than the hit, was learning in the moment and successfully utilizing it. For just a moment, she thinks of all the information Wyn would notice in this space, and how heady that must be when moving into a contest. She practically vibrates with the energy she's directing now, everything distilled to the joy of movement, highly directed and focused movement. The crowd is welcome to the show of such opposing styles circling the ring like fire and ice.

Lessons learned on the fly are probably still not enough for a win, but that doesn't remotely dim her approach. With her eyes on Kichiro's footwork, her own feet stamp across the tatami rapid as hooves accompanying her shout and the strike aimed at the Lion's hip.

___________
D 4 LM Weaponry Kenjutsu/Strength: 6d10o10k3+7 31

D4:LM Weapons Event: Round 4 Ken/Str Akodo Tech (+5) Voided (+1k1) +1 Raise: 8d10o10k5 46
D4:LM Weapons Event: Round 4 Damage: 5d10o10k1 8 - keep 2

The fierce roar of a battle maiden is cut silent by a singular loud crack of clashing wood. An attack towards Kichiro successfully parried. A moment in time freezes as Kichiro glares back at the unicorn, the two's bokken struggling against one another. Regrettably under this strict regimented battle, the forces of tradition imposing on both their styles, such a wild spirit remains suppressed. Unable to gallop free and radiantly shine. Within these dojo walls it is the cold culture of rokugan that reigns supreme. However on the fields of true battle, enveloped in the chaotic flames of war and rage, the tide is sure to turn...

Kichiro ripostes the unicorn's blade, aiming his swing horizontally and tapping her on the side of her neck. The judge calls the strike and Kichiro leaves the blade there inches away for a moment before stepping back. He offers the most respectful bow to his opponent as he could muster. "It has been an honor Utaku-san."


_______________
Demo Points +1 for pass +4 for successful raises. Total 5 points
R1: +2 points for winning contested +1 for exceptional. Total 3 points
R2: +2 points for winning contested, +4 for successful raises. Total 6 points
R4: +2 points for winning contested, +2 for successful raise, +1 for exceptional. Total 5 points.
+10 for win

Final Kichiro score before ring reveal: 29 points

She feels the steel behind the wooden blade as they strain against one another. It will neither bend nor break this time, and she is forced away. The touch of wood at her neck freezes her, not just because her blade should still as the point is scored, but even a wooden blade can do terrible damage in such a vulnerable spot. It's safer to pause, then slide her eyes to look at the blade held there before withdrawing.

Her own bow is equally respectful. "The honor is mine to accept the loss to so skilled an opponent. I thank you for the lesson, Akodo-san."

(and don't forget your demonstration points)
_______________
Demonstration: 2 points
R3: +2 points for winning contested +1 for exceptional: 3 points

Total: 5 points (12 if correct ring)