Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 1: Atsumari/Gathering

[Rain Yupa]

@ Athletics Competition, 100m Race:

Heading the pack, and the first one to the finishing poles, Ujina Denbe would grab the first flag, easing down to a gradual jog to round up his glorious victory!

Mirumoto Sozen chugged his arms as hard as he could, easily passing Sayoko and surpassing Susumu. He would reach out with his extended reach, and barely able to snag the second place position! {41 vs TN 30} "Come ooonnnn.... got you!"

Yoritomo Susumu had seen his opportunity to claim second place when Sozen lost his footing, and he was mere inches from finishing! But in the final stretch of the race, Sozen quite easily caught up and managed to outreach him, grabbing a silk flag mere moments before he could! {26 vs TN 25} "Dammit dammit dammit dammit DAMMIT!" he yelled, slowing quickly to catch his breath.

A few seconds later, Horiuchi Sayoko would finish up at a brisk run, grabbing a flag. {28 vs TN 20} She would not wait around, however, dropping it with a slight "Feh" before walking away from the three bushi who had already finished, not wanting anything to do with them.

Bayushi Kojiro would realize his lead on the rear of the pack, and resigned to his chosen fate as a clear finisher of this race. Not long after Sayoko finished, he would grab ahold of the fifth flag, taking up the median position in the race's finishers! "Heh... one down, Scorpion," Sozen said in a confusing display of pride and mockery.

Yoritomo Hisashi would follow up right after Kojiro, grabbing a flag of his own. Susumu would grin broadly, plopping down on his butt and panting. "Now THIS is a competition. Isn't that right, Hisashi-san?"

Kakita Zanzen would push as hard as he could to be able to recover. With Kaori at his side and Sosuke right ahead of him, he was in danger of losing! And... was Sosuke jogging?! Praying for Lady Doji to grant him flight, he struggled, and pushed himself harder than he had at the jiujutsu competition, and by sheer grace of his dexterous grip, managed to grab one of the remaining flags!

Isawa Sosuke, simple yojimbo, would push himself the same pace he had gone the entire race. Slow and steady wins them, right? Zanzen practically threw himself past Sosuke in an effort to finish, which Sosuke was okay with. If he finished, he was meant to finish. If he did not, then he was not meant to. But as he grabbed the last flag, he and Zanzen would look over their shoulders.

Kuni Kaori, out of breath, was stumbling and trying to maintain her composure. Covered in mud from the racers ahead of her, plus when she had tripped herself, she fell to her hands and knees just before the poles, not a single flag left...

KUNI KAORI HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Kuni Raicho walked up through the mud beside Kaori, looking down at her sternly. "You should have considered a career in kabuki if you're going to be so dramatic. You're done here. Get yourself out of my sight, and for the Fortune's sake, clean yourself up."

Kaori would look up at Raicho, panting heavily, before letting her head droop. She would do her best attempt at a nod, and after a few seconds, found the willpower to stand, and begin her solemn march back towards the tent area.

Raicho would not even give her a moment's more notice as she turned and approached Ujina Denbe. "Denbe-san, a word, in private? The next competition is yours to decide." She would take the Hare aside, and discuss what would be to come...

ATHLETICS, 75m-100m

Group 1 (the lead!)
Ujina Denbe 34

Group 2

Group 3
Mirumoto Sozen 41
Yoritomo Susumu 26

Group 4

Group 5
Horiuchi Sayoko 28

Group 6

Group 7
Bayushi Kojiro 27

Group 8
Yoritomo Hisashi 24

Group 9
Kakita Zanzen 20
Isawa Sosuke 15

Group 10

Group 11
Kuni Kaori 23 with void

 

[Psychofish]

Denbe nodded and followed. Away from the others, he'd continue to nod and thoughtfully listen to Raicho's words. It was immediately apparent to him which ones he had the most experience or affinity for, but unfortunately his very best had come first of all. And not all the options were things he was so confident in as he'd been hoping an athletics based competition would have meant for him.

But did he keep them going through his ideal competitions, or did he try and save his strong points for when the competition was getting fiercer?

He glanced around, and nodded.

"The extended race I think, Kuni-sama. Might as well get all our running in mud out of the way."

Safe, but not the competition he felt best suited to. A decent compromise.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Athletics Competition:

Kuni Raicho would nod, then face the rest of the remaining samurai. "Ujina Denbe, winner of the 100m footrace, has decided that an extended race around the perimeter of the Daidoji Training Grounds will be next! Come on, children; pick yourselves up from the ground and walk with me, and I will explain the rules," Without waiting for any sorts of acknowledgments, and ignoring the groans, she would head towards the gates.

"We will begin at the eastern gate, where Lord Sun begins his journey each day. The eight of you will race along the barricades northward, encircling the territory. The entire layout is surrounded by a large square wall, so each segment of the race will be equal. No flags will be needed this time; I will simply wait at the eastern gate, and the last one to reach me is eliminated."

Quote:

Extended Race. There will be a series of 4 rolls (done as a group, one at a time). The rolls will be contested Stamina/Athletics [Running] vs TN 5/10/15/20 for each section of the race. Each rank of Fleet lets you roll +1k0. If your Water is 3, roll +1k1. If your Water is 4, roll +2k2, etc. Successfully raising puts you one 'level' ahead of the group per raise, while failing to meet the TN makes you fall one 'level' behind. The winner/loser will be determined by comparing the totals of the highest/lowest level, respectively.

Kuni Raicho does take a gradual pace to get to the eastern gate, stopping as the Daidoji open them for the lot of you. By the time all of you are lined up, you've pretty much recovered. "As you've noticed by now, I'll suffer no excuses for defeat. Focus on the task at hand, and you shall be victorious. Now go, and weed out the weakling in your midst!"

Hopefully none of you are slow learners, and understand that's the signal to go!

ATHLETICS, EASTERN GATE
Group 1
Kakita Zanzen
Mirumoto Sozen
Yoritomo Hisashi
Yoritomo Susumu
Isawa Sosuke
Bayushi Kojiro
Horiuchi Sayoko
Ujina Denbe

Stamina/Athletics [Running], TN 5!  

[Plainsfox]

@The Athletics Competition

Kojiro sadly glanced at Kaori. There were few people he would have wished that display upon. Needless to say, the Crab shugenja was not one of them. The Scorpion thought briefly about forfeiting to speak with her, but it would serve no purpose. The Scorpions would fall behind and he'd lose out on his chance to have the Dragons investigate Kan.

Now the Bayushi had to try his best at an endurance race. Heh. If only they started with this, then Kaori could have perhaps won the thing.

OOC
Stamina/Athletics (3k2; last two die handle explosions)
Raises: 2
Results: 20  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Ceremonial Competition, Round 3:

First check: Kan gains a Free Raise for his final roll!
Second check: Kan gains a Free Raise for his final roll!
Third check: Kan gains a Free Raise for his final roll!
Kan's TN is increased by 5 due to his Lost Love disadvantage!

Kan would lift his tea, hesitating a bit in silence, before drinking from his cup once more. "It is fine, Seichiro-san. You didn't know, so how could you be at fault? I wouldn't concern yourself with it. Everyone has a sad tale to tell, and you can't shoulder the burden of them all."

Kan wouldn't seem to have anything more to talk about, so unless Seichiro brings up anything further, he goes until the time limit in silence.  

[Raganui Minamoto]

@ Athletics Competition:

He frowned, then while Kuni Raicho went to speak with Denbe, took a moment to walk to Kaori. "You did well, for us having to run in mud. If you'd like, I would ask you over to share tea once the competitions for today are done." With a bow and without an answer, he returned his attention to the Raicho, aware that if he was caught not paying full attention, he was going to be in pain.

When the next part was announced, he groaned with some of the rest. More racing. He was a duelist and one to move in the production of his craft, but not extended running. "Fortunes give me strength to do this."

At the signal, he attempted to be off.

3k2, 1 raise for tn 10

12  

[Psychofish]

Denbe let out a puff of air, and then pressed himself full forward like he had been in the last competition. He'd have to pace himself here, and that was the hard part; Denbe could move like nothing, but he couldn't necessarily do it all day, and they'd barely gotten down time. On the upside, he was no one legged Hare, and everyone else had just been doing the same, which meant he should at least be a step ahead of everyone but the most hardy in the competition.

With the Crab out, he was hoping none of those left were exceptionally difficult to exhaust.

[2 Raises to take lead.]
[5k2+3 Athletics(Running): 18 vs TN 15]  

[Sutiiven]

Athletics Event: North/East Corner 1
(Athletics (Running) Check with Water Ring 3, 4k3 vs TN 15) (2 Raises)
Result: 25

Hisashi knew better than to mess around with this race - their judge was indeed judgmental, and bore no approval of failure. He would get moving in order to make a decent position before he got left in the dust!  

[Sutiiven]

Exploding Die  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Athletics Competition, Endurance Race:

As soon as Raicho would give the command, the samurai would all take off on the start of their long trek around the Daidoji Training Grounds! Some took off in a sprint, others more of a paced jog.

Bayushi Kojiro would try to put the plight of Kaori-san out of his mind and focus on winning. As soon as he had the chance, he rushed forward, starting this arduous task and putting all other things out of his mind!

Kakita Zanzen, after a few motivational words with Kaori, hurried to the start line, arriving just as they were set to go! He would move quickly, but this would not be a time of quick reflexes, but of endurance - something he wasn't specialized in. He would set a decent pace, but see everyone else begin to pass him...

Ujina Denbe would practically bounce forth in excitement of the race, hurrying to take the lead once more. Unfortunately, it wasn't something quite so easily gained this time 'round, with most of his fellow samurai still shoulder to shoulder with him.

Yoritomo Hisashi would be prepared to push himself to his limits, and wasted no time trying to establish himself as a potent threat in this race! He would join the mass of samurai struggling for the lead - an impressive feat for a mere courtier!

Miruomoto Sozen would bound forward, making sure he kept pace with Denbe. "I'm not letting you out of my sight, Hare!" he said seriously, though a smile would ruin his facade. {2 raises, 18 vs TN 15}

Yoritomo Susumu would surge forth like last time, eager to make sure he would not go unnoticed. "May the best Mantis win!" he would call out to Hisashi as he tried to run by, finding it more difficult than he thought! {2 raises, 26 vs TN 15}

Isawa Sosuke would be... casually jogging? He seemed in no hurry to tire himself out, and kept pace with Kakita Zanzen, giving a polite nod! {1 Raise, 11 vs TN 10}

Horiuchi Sayoko, probably given a wide berth, kept pace with the large group of samurai, not paying anyone any heed. She seemed focused on her goal of winning in this competition... and before long, the entire group would cross the first corner of the perimeter! {2 Raises, 24 vs TN 15}

ATHLETICS, NORTH/EAST CORNER
Group 1 (the lead!)
Mirumoto Sozen
Yoritomo Hisashi
Yoritomo Susumu
Bayushi Kojiro
Horiuchi Sayoko
Ujina Denbe

Group 2
Kakita Zanzen
Isawa Sosuke

Stamina/Athletics [Running], TN 10!  

[Plainsfox]

@ Athletics Competiton

The Scorpion thought about pacing himself for this portion of the tournament. If he carefully measured his reserves of stamina, he would be able to pull through. However, Kojiro thought it wise to develop as much slack as soon as he could.

OOC
Stamina/Athletics: 3k2 (two additonal dice for explosions)
2 Raises TN: 20
Results: 28  

[Psychofish]

"I'd have it no other way, Miruomoto-san!" the Hare replied, also in seriousness betrayed by a grin welcoming the thrill of the good challenge from a familiar competitor. But in some strange double-crossing, Denbe's grin was cut by a hint of weakness. They'd only just stopped running, and while Denbe knew how to get the most out of his strides, his legs weren't especially long at his height, and his endurance wasn't the best.

Already he was feeling a little tired, forced to slow slightly, even though his footing remained sure. He'd keep an eye on the other competitors, aware he might need to press himself hard and exhaust himself a little early in the competition if too many of them were catching up- or leaving him behind.

[1 Raise to take lead.]
[5k2+3 Athletics(Running): 20 vs TN 15]  

[Sutiiven]

Athletics Event: North/East Corner 2
(Athletics (Running) Check with Water Ring 3, 4k3 vs TN 15) (One Raise)
Result: 25

Hisashi heard Susumu but took no mind to the challenge - he was content with keeping his current position until it seemed he needed to kick it into high gear even more. If nothing else, the courtier hoped he could prove himself to be more than just a man of words - action, it seemed, was the best course for this event. Proof of greatness would come only through success.  

[Sutiiven]

Exploding Die  

[Raganui Minamoto]

@Athletics

He'd nod back and continue his trek. He hated this type of thing.

3k2, going to call a single raise, tn15

16