The students make their way back into the Academy and are greeted by three judges. Doji Murashige, the Crane that tested them on heraldry, and two new faces. One is a jovial looking Lion named Ikoma Ikehata, and the other a woman masked and clad in the Scorpion colors, standing in a shadow, named Shosuro Tomoe..
- 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
"Welcome back, contestants!" Ikehata exclaims brightly. "Step right up and show us your..."
He is interrupted by a glare from both Murashige and Tomoe. The Crane woman steps forward and says in a flat tone:
"The Empire is held together by the proper Etiquette we all show one another."
Ikehata then says "The knowledge that our ancestors and History pass to us."
Tomoe finishes by saying "And the tenants of Bushido that guide us all."
They then point to a student to come forward and have them follow them back into the gallery where they are asked three questions, one on each subject. The questions range from the deceptively simple (“Who receives the last cup in the tea ceremony?”) to the excruciatingly specific (“The Topaz Champion meets an Emerald Magistrate at a bridge wide enough for only one samurai to cross; who must bow and defer to the other?”).
Judge Ring Hint: "Take caution in how you answer, but answer without doubt."
Event Rules:
Participants: Unlimited (Mandatory Event)
Spells: Allowed, Each roll is considered a "Round". You cast the spell just before the event begins and may not cast during.
Kiho: Allowed, each roll is considered a "Round", Kiho must be activated at the start of the event, not during.
Kata: Not Allowed, as this is not a Combat.
Tattoos: Allowed, as each roll is considered a "Round" and you may use free actions at any time.
You may NOT target an opponent with any of these abilities before the event begins.
If you purposefully harm an opponent outside of the realm of the Sumai event (By winning the contested Jiujutsu roll) or the Weaponry event (By winning the contested Weapon roll) you loose 1.0 honor and 10 topaz points. If you do so a second time, you will be sent home in shame, removed from the tournament (and thus the game)
Also please remember that Spellcasting in Rokugan is a very spiritual thing, and to ask for the kami to do something for you is an incredibly rare thing and should not be done lightly.
Select a Ring to use during this event. Unless the roll specifically mentions a trait, you must use that ring for the entire event.
Players must make 3 rolls, all at TN 20
Etiquette / Mental
Lore: History / Mental
Lore: Bushido / Mental
Rewards:
-The student gains 1 Topaz Point per passed roll
-Additionally, students may gain an additional +2 points per successful raise
-Exceptional Success Raises may be utilized if you possess the skill you are rolling, each exceptional success (Up to your Void) granting +1 points
-If a student passes all 3 rolls, they are deemed to have sufficient knowledge, passing the event and are awarded 5 Topaz Points
At the end of the event, the three sensei will reveal which Ring they felt was the most appropriate and you will gain +7 Topaz Points if you used it.
