Third Session [Topaz]

Out of Character (OOC):
 
The details below are written as a way to further engross us all into the story and keep a log. They are meant to be a brief recounting of the most interesting events in each game. If I leave something out, please let me know and I will edit to add in later.


Feel free to write your own if you wish to do so. In fact, if you keep an in-character journal I may reward you with additional xp or other rewards.
 
 
THIRD SESSION
 10 February 2018

The Characters
->  Togashi Kaku (Mike)
->  Hida Ao (Steven)
->  Shosuro Ria (Leia)
->  Ide Kasumi (Lindsey)
->  Shinjo Konishi (Josh)
->  Isawa Kanzen (Tim), a rare ishiken (void shugenja) with a penchant for mystery and a soft-heart
-> GM (Chris)

OOC
-> Tim followed the Way of Josh and threw his character together pre-game. Then we got the party started.
-> Mike had Togashi Kaku meditate upon the strangeness of the previous afternoon. In his meditations, Kaku sensed a connection to the violence and never-ending battle that Ide Kasumi has perceived in the maw of the wild cat.

IC: Test of the Topaz Champion, Days 1 and 2

Day 1: Invitations and Gifts
Our Crane hosts extended their hospitality in the official Welcoming Ceremonies the evening of the First Day. The contestants were brought before the Master of Ceremonies, Kakita Toshimoko, known also as the Grey Crane. Each contestant’s invitation was matched by an official RSVP in the Crane’s possession. All save one…

As the contestants’ names were called, each strode forth and offered a gift to the Emperor, by way of either Kakita Toshimoko or Bayushi Kachiko. The choice was a test that many passed.
 
Of particular note…
 
…the second Dragon contestant, Mirumoto Tomoe, gifted the tournament itself with a prized saya (scabbard for katana) crafted by her family.

…Shosuro Ria offered the gift of a secret to the Lady of Secrets, Bayushi Kachiko (Ide Kasumi’s brash nature)…
 
…Hida Ao gifted a rook, the castle piece from the game of shogi, as representation of his clan’s purpose…
 
…Shinjo Konishi offered an exotic spyglass, a piece of gaijin gear handed down by his family throughout the generations, as the gift of “perspective”…
 
…Ide Kasumi, after wheeling and dealing with the local merchants (including Ide Bento), gave up the obi of a young maiden to Toshimoko…

…Isawa Kenzan  …
 
Finally, when Togashi Kaku moved to offer his strange gift (the dead cricket?), his turn did not come. Fifteen invitations had been called, and when the Kakita lord looked down at the Dragon, he seemed perturbed by the disruption of decorum. It seemed that no official response had come from the Dragon Champion. Togashi Kaku, second contestant of his clan, had no official sponsor.
 
Kaku went to work with great speed that evening and through a series of political maneuvers, was able to convince the Ide to arrange a midnight meeting with the Grey Crane. The odd monk asked for the Crane for their sponsorship, though it came at cost. “Your glory will be ours. Your victories will serve the Crane.” 

…Ao owes Akata a favor, then reveals information connecting Toshimoko and his lover's obi…

…Hida Ao arranged a meeting with the Elemental Master of Void, Isawa Ujina and Yasuki Akata the next day at noon…








Day 2: Tests of the Messenger (morning) and Scholar (afternoon)
The first test of the Topaz saw the contestants broken into groups of four, as they would be for the remainder of the Tournament. Those four would compete for positions and points. First would be granted 3 points, second 2 points, third 1 point, with fourth attaining nothing. Ties would share.
 
The Test of the Messenger would be a race around the city of Tsuma…
 
As the candidates and crowd assemble on a warm spring day, Kakita Toshimoko reveals the first test of this Topaz Championship.
 
"Since the Dawn of the Empire, the words of the leaders of Rokugan have traveled born on the feet of their subordinates. From letters crossing the Empire, to battlefield commands moving from unit to unit, to private messages crossing the halls of a Winter Court, it is this flow of information that unites us as an Empire. Today, we shall test the candidates’ ability to carry the words of their betters."
 
Servants carry out to the candidates’ monless suits of heavy training armor, and backpacks that have been filled with something heavy.
 
"Under battlefield conditions. The candidates shall run around the whole of the city of Tsuma nine times wearing this armor and bearing these packs. Upon completing their ninth circuit of the city, they shall announce their name and the name of their sponsor to the tournament with all the zeal demanded in Leadership. There will be Crane guards stationed around the city to ensure none are lost or succumb to any other issues. Once the candidates are all suited up, we shall begin this race."
 
The day before, Shinjo Konishi had taken time to examine the “battlefield” and discovered three weak spots, places for ambush or cheating. In one, near the end, some unnamed souls had placed punji sticks (sharpened bamboo) in the tall grass.
 
The First Group witnessed the Crab training easily beat out his opponents and the shock to all as Matsu Aeki failed in her test of endurance and could not finish the race.
1.      Hida Ao (3pts)
2.      Mirumoto Tomoe (2pts)
3.      Isawa Kenzan (1pt)
4.      Matsu Aeki (0pts)
 
The Second Group prevailed with Crane at the top and a failed ronin, Toku, unable to complete the competition.
1.      Kakita Himeko (3pts)
2.      Daidoji Sai (2pts)
2.      The White Wolf (2pts)
4.   Toku (0pts)
 
The Third Group saw Shinjo Konishi give up a commanding lead in order to foil the cheating shenanigans (punji sticks). Fortunately for him, none of his opponents had the stamina to complete the competition.
1.      Shinjo Konishi (3pts)
4.   Ikoma Shorisuru (0pts)
4.   Shiba Tadamo (0pts)
4.   Kuni Fujizaka (0pts)
 
The Fourth Group saw the shocking failure of crowd favorite, Bayushi Sugai, as he and Ide Kasumi fell out, unable to finish. Sugai’s clan’s attempt at cheatery could not avail the young bushi. The Togashi followed suit with Konishi and aided the other contestants by fighting back against the cheating.
1.      Shosuro Ria (3pts)
2.      Togashi Kaku (2pts)
4.   Ide Kasumi (0pts)
4.   Bayushi Sugai (0pts)
 
In the few hours between the morning and afternoon contests…
 
…Isawa Kenzan met with the White Wolf and began to unravel the mystery of her existence (discovered her Paragon: Honor advantage and Lord Moon’s Curse disadvantage)…
 
…Bayushi Sugai berated Shosuro Ria for not “getting with the program” and making him win at all costs…
 
…Ao owes Akata a favor…  



The Test of the Scholar would take place in the afternoon…
 
A series of tents have been erected on the tournament grounds that the candidates will soon enter, while the crowd area has been prepared for its own discussions over tea as they'll have nothing to watch today. Once again, Kakita Toshimoko is here to give announcements.
 
"Before I get into the details of today's test, I need to announce that we've received word that we're expecting a rather powerful storm over the next two days. Therefore, as a precaution, tomorrow's test will be held in the Tears of the Blue Sky Theater." Toshimoko gestures back towards the tents.
 
"As is written in Akodo’s Leadership, ‘Victory lies within the top three inches’. True samurai must understand more than how to fight, but why we fight. Today's test will the candidate's proficiency in matters of law and bushido. As there will be little to observe from these proceedings, the Crane would like to extend to our guests an invitation to discuss such matters over tea, as the candidates take their tests within the tents."
 
The test grouped the contestants into fours once more and ranked their answers to a series of difficult questions. (See questions at end if interested)
 
Rankings by Group
 
The First Group
1.      Isawa Kenzan (3pts)
2.      Kakita Himeko (2pts)
3.      Bayushi Sugai (1pt)
4.      Kuni Fujizaka (0pts)
 
The Second Group
1.      Togashi Kaku (3pts)
2.      Ide Kasumi (2pts)
3.      Shinjo Konishi (1pt)
3.      Toku (1pt)
 
The Third Group
1.      Hida Ao (3pts)
1.   White Wolf (3pts)
2.      Matsu Aeki (2pts)
3.      Mirumoto Tomoe (1pt)
 
The Fourth Group
1.      Ikoma Shorisuru (3pts)
2.      Daidoji Sai (2pts)
2.   Shosuro Ria (2pts)
4.   Shiba Tadamo (0pts)
 
Dance of the Topaz
Each evening of the Topaz bears witness to a celebration of sorts. After the first day of competition the entire town of Tsuma comes out for a citywide dance. A night of raucous debauchery for some, an opportunity to obtain knowledge for others…
 
…Shosuro Ria received a secret message: “I know your secret…wear a mask of the monkey in the streets and I will approach you.”…
 
…Hida Ao met with the Elemental Master of Void, Isawa Ujina…
 
Before the night was through, each of the six samurai heroes found themselves embroiled in strange plots…
 
…Ide Kasumi and Togashi Kaku celebrated alone. Kasumi encountered a rowdy band of young samurai, to include the shamed Matsu Aeki and a hidden Mirumoto Tomoe. The crowd of bushi cornered the young Unicorn courtier at a stall, threatening to beat her, when Kaku saw from a distance Tomoe egging the drunken Matsu on. As the ise zumi approached to aid his friend, insults turned to fists and brash Unicorn bled the Matsu warrior…
 
…Hida Ao and Shinjo Konishi encountered a man mugged in an alleyway. When the Unicorn went to investigate he discovered a pool of blood and a hidden tunnel. Retrieving his erstwhile Crab ally, the duo dove down into the secret tunnels to investigate the world below. They moved silently, if cramped, and hit upon a maho-tsukai (blood sorcerer) in the midst of a dark ritual. A noise revealed them and the Hida was thrust out into the open…
 
…Isawa Kenzan witnessed from afar Shosuro Ria accosted by none other than a copy of himself (the Isawa). Before the void shugenja’s eyes, his twin harassed the Scorpion and sought to fight her. From a distance, the Isawa armed his ally with a Bo of Water. The creature revealed itself, tore off its own arm, and bled strange green fluid into the screaming crowd. It was an odd turtle-like being on two legs with a full bowl of water for a cap…
 
…Hida Ao and Shinjo Konishi encountered a man mugged in an alleyway. When the Unicorn went to investigate he discovered a pool of blood and a hidden tunnel. Retrieving his erstwhile Crab ally, the duo dove down into the secret tunnels to investigate the world below. They moved silently, if cramped, and hit upon a maho-tsukai (blood sorcerer) in the midst of a dark ritual. A noise revealed them and the Shinjo was thrust out into the open…

Honor: Hida Ao recieved glory for revealing the trap door and tossing it aside.(IDK how much.)
 

Experience Awarded:
-> 5xp

-> Glory:
o   Ria +2 (Gifts)
o   Ao +1 (Gifts)
o   Kasumi +3 (Gifts)
o   Konishi +1 (Gifts); +1 Infamy

-> Honor:
o   Shinjo Konishi +4 (Race)
 
Non-Player Characters (NPCs) Added:
->  Ide Bento, Master Merchant of Medinaat Al-Salaam (exotic goods)
-> Yasuki Akata, Wily Merchant (possibly a secret Taka)