OTAKU EVENT: Lancing (D6, Early Afternoon)

[Shinjo Kemuri]

Lances, he hadn't thought of that. Kemuri was a scout, charging into battle was not what he was supposed to do.

"Alright boy, take good care of me. I still have a headache."

The first charge went fine, he struck the target clean at full speed and recovered without issue.

The second charge did not find its target, as the lance fumbled out of his hand. He reigned in Sarangerel and prepared for his final pass.

The third charge splintered the target as he met it with greater force. Kemuri was pleased, but sighed as he rode off. He knew he could have done better.

--
Pass #1
Charging Speed: Success
Lancing: Success
Stay Mounted: Success

Pass #2
Charging Speed: Success
Lancing: Fail
Stay Mounted: Success

Pass #3
Charging Speed: Success
Lancing: Success with 1 Raise
Stay Mounted: Success

Total = 3pts

[Soshi Taira]

Taira managed to make a much better showing of his riding than the last time he sat on a horse, and at the end of the day, that allowed him to feel somewhat less like a... disappointment.

Still, as he looked back over the grounds, sweating and staring at the target which had suffered no damage, he couldn't help feeling a gnawing fury.

It was so close, and yet so far. He just didn't know how to wield the long, ungainly spear, and couldn't get it to land where it needed to destroy the dummy, and instead it just slipped past, or scraped off.

Another day. Another failure.

He was starting to hate this contest.


____

Charge: http://orokos.com/roll/509084
Stab: Taunted by Orokos http://orokos.com/roll/509086
Stay on: Auto

Charge: http://orokos.com/roll/509087
Void Stab with raise: http://orokos.com/roll/509088
Stay on: Auto

Charge: http://orokos.com/roll/509089
Void Stab with raise: http://orokos.com/roll/509090
Stay on: Auto

Final, no points.

[Togashi Udo]

After having spent a few days in the stables working, Udo was feeling very comfortable around horses. They were a lot like big goats, but much more open to suggestion. He figured he could handle a ride.

Climbing up onto the mount, he drew forth the power of his tattoo and spurred his horse into action. It leapt forward at the target, which he hit dead on. The hit was jarring, but he managed to stay on the horse.

The Otaku congratulated him and encouraged him to try again, which he did. Though it did not go as well as his first pass, he managed to keep it together enough to pass the test. They told him he could give it one more go.

By now, Udo felt he was understanding this whole horsemanship thing more, and he rode at the target, solidly connecting and passing through.

He smiled at the Otaku as he dismounted. "I understand the appeal, but I think I'm more sure with two feet under me."

After his uncomfortableness the previous day, after the fight, he was feeling much more sure of himself. As if the fight with the orochi had made him stronger.

---

Pass 1: Ride, Hit w/ Raise, Stay Mounted = 2 points
Pass 2: Ride, Hit w/ Raise, Stay Mounted = 2 points
Pass 3: Ride, Hit w/ Raise, Stay Mounted = 2 points

Total: 6 Lancing Points

[Yogo Mizuki]

Mizuki gets her hosrse to a nice trot. It was pleasant, if uninspiring.

[Ide Amaya]

Amaya swings herself lightly into the saddle of the steed provided. It feels so right to be on horseback again, the familiar sensation of the horse beneath her, the deep and earthy smell, the reins in her hands. She tenses her thighs and easily kicks the horse into a smooth canter.

She tilts at the target, the lance is heavy and unfamiliar, awkward. She can't seem to bring the tip out far enough, and the spear skims past the inside of the target. She doesn't care, she wheels the horse, the wind is in her hair and the steed is like water beneath her. She brings the horse to a canter once more and lowers the spear....

It hits! The tip strikes the target! It's not the best of strikes, but she has managed it! The recoil almost unseats her, a foot comes free of the stirrup and she is certain that she is going to fall, unbalanced by the weight of the spear. At the last moment, she recovers, sliding her foot back into place and desperately wishing she had brought riding leathers.

She wheels the steed once more, a little shaken by her near-fall, but still eager. This time the spear tip glances off the target... that's not going to count for a point. She hands the spear off to an attendant and gently walks the horse off the field, delaying that moment when she would have to dismount.

Astride the beautiful horse, the wind gently fluttering her hair, fresh and cool on her cheeks that are reddened already from the riding, she closes her eyes. It is several minutes before the respectful groom can get her attention and have her return the horse.


---

Pass 1: Speed: 26 Pass! | Lancing: 11 Miss!
Pass 2: Speed: 16 Pass! | Lancing: 34 Hit! | Stay Mounted: 20 Pass!
Pass 3: Speed: 13 Pass! | Lancing: 14 Miss!

Total: 1pt

[Doji Ameka]

Doji Ameka was feeling good. She hadn't been sick when she'd woken up. It was major progress after the second day. Sadly, today was horses. She was not likely to do well. BUT THAT WAS OKAY! She was going to try. That was the important thing.

She got onto the horse and managed to get it up to speed, gritting her teeth a little. This was going to hurt no matter how glancing the foreign weapon hit. As promised, the impact knocked the wind out of her and there was a slow moment as she felt herself falling from the saddle and heard something unpleasant as she impacted the ground, tasting copper in her mouth.

She picked herself up carefully from the ground and raised her fan, making sure it wasn't visible as she left the field with as much dignity as she could while muddy and injured.

~~~
Pass 1: Ride, Hit, Stay Mounted = 1 point
Damage: 8 (Grazed)

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"It is our time to shine, Hikazume!" The pair rode out onto the field. She took the lance and rolled her shoulder. Not a bad weapon. I could see myself using this on the field of battle, actually. Let's give it a shot.

For her first blow, she decided to test the weapon to its limits. Right when she was about to swing over it, instinct took over; she lowered the lance slightly and collided straight with it. She dropped the battered weapon and latched onto her horse. "Whoa there! Let's take it a little easier for the next run, yeah?"

The two turned around after receiving a second lance from a servant. This time her aim was true from the start. She stayed atop of her mighty steed easily and continued on her way.

"Alright. Hikazume, don't tucker out on me now!" She herself went for an easier strike, a mere grazing shot, though it was again easy for her to stay astride.

"Yes! We did great! Ah, I feel like you deserve a break after all of this." Yue stroked the horse's mane as they made room for the next contestant.

---
Pass 1:
Horsemanship/Agility TN 10: 14 Success! (Forgot +2 in the roll but it's Irrelevant)
Spears/Agility, VP for Skill, 2 CR, TN 25: 23 Failure!
Spears/Agility, VP for Skill, 2 CR, TN 25, Lucky Reroll: 27 Success!
Horsemanship/Strength TN 20: 26 Success!
Total: +3 Points

Pass 2:
Horsemanship/Agility TN 10: 18 Success!
Spears/Agility, VP for Skill, 1 CR, TN 20: 24 Success!
Horsemanship/Strength TN 15: 30 Success!
Total: +2 Points

Pass 3:
Horsemanship/Agility TN 10: 15 Success!
Spears/Agility TN 15: 19 Success! (Forgot +2 in the roll but it's Irrelevant)
Horsemanship/Strength TN 10: 36 Success!
Total: +1 Point

Final Total: 6 Lancing Points

[Otaku Imane]

This was more like it! There were few things that Imane and Almatar enjoyed more than the sacred art of the cavalry charge... Although they would have preferred living targets.

Having watched several of the other competitors put in solid performance she found herself more impressed than she had expected to be with several of them. Still this was now her turn to shine and she squeezed Almatar for a simple, confidence boosting start to proceedings.

Unfortunately her easy start completely missed the target, causing her to curse under her breath, a sound that was masked by Almatar's thundering hooves. The horse was confused her rider had not hit anything, there was usually a target shattering 'kaboom' at this point.

Go big or go home little girl.

Her father's voice echoed in her head and she looked at the heavens before gritting her teeth, wheeling the horse, and accelerating at full speed towards a more challenging target. Almatar did not miss a beat. The lance struck true, there was an almighty kaboom, and the little Shiotome easily handled the impact, making it look like a child could do this all day.

Their pace hardly slowed as she collected a second lance and once more charged towards one of the most challenging targets. Almatar seemed to fly, her rainbow mane streaming. The lance exploded along with the target, and once again Imane took the impact with no noticeable change in her posture.

Swiftly riding around to the judges she bowed before leaving the field to take her place as a spectator in the crowd.


-------------
Rolls

First pass.
D6 Event. Pass 1. Charging speed. Horsemanship/Agility. Rank 1 bonus.: 7d10o10k3+8 33, success.
D6 Event. Pass 1. Lancing. Spears/Agility. TN15: 4d10o10k3 13, fail.

Another pass #1.

D6 Event. Pass 2. Charging speed. Horsemanship/Agility. Rank 1 bonus.: 7d10o10k3+8 33, success.
D6 Event. Pass 2. Lancing. Spears/Agility. Void for +1k1. 2CR. TN25: 5d10o10k4 32, success. +3 points.
D6 Event. Pass 2. Stay mounted. Horsemanship/Strength. Rank 1 bonus. TN20: 6d10o10k2+8 35, success.

Another pass #2.

D6 Event. Pass 3. Charging speed. Horsemanship/Agility. Rank 1 bonus.: 7d10o10k3+8 42, success.
D6 Event. Pass 3. Lancing. Spears/Agility. Void for +1k1. 2CR. TN25: 5d10o10k4 33, success. +3 points.
D6 Event. Pass 3. Stay mounted. Horsemanship/Strength. Rank 1 bonus. TN20: 6d10o10k2+8 25, success.

Event total: 6 Lancing points.

[Otomo Tenzo]

Otomo Tenzo mounted the horse with relative ease but handling the lance handed to him was a little more than awkward as he tried to figure out how to hold it up and not drive it straight into the ground as he trotted about. When his turn came, he got his horse underneath him to full speed - and oh how exhilarated Tenzo was as he held down the lance, slammed it into the target, and managed to stay upright! YES! He did it! Another pass was warranted! And still another after that! But unfortunately for him, the thrill of charging into mock-battle wore off after he missed the second as well as final attempt at it.

After all three passes came and went, it became clear: he was no warrior. If he didn't show it already, it should have been obvious before he started from his family name not being Seppun. Having missed a couple of targets with the lance, though, at least Tenzo could trot away with the satisfaction of showing the Unicorn watching and participating that this Imperial knew how to ride a horse! Despite the misses at the end, he still trots passed the assembled crowd, a nod given to the Unicorn gathered about on his way to return the horse underneath him back into the arms of the stablehands.

Charging Speed 1: PASS
Lancing 1: PASS, +1
Stay Mounted 1: PASS

Charging Speed 2: PASS
Lancing 2: FAIL
Stay Mounted 2: PASS

Charging Speed 3: PASS
Lancing 3: FAIL, -2

Total: -1

(Note: I rolled this roll before realizing that it was unnecessary since I missed in Lancing 3, including here for disclosure). Since I missed in Lancing 2, Stay Mounted 2 was unnecessary as well.)

[Fairuz Kaiya]

Having missed a couple of the events due to his interest in these other strange occurrences, Kaiya figured it was time to try to get back into this... during an event that it would have been far more understanding for a shugenja to avoid.
Still, despite not knowing his way around a spear very well, he struck the target on the first pass.. only to let that get to him, too much kiai building as he pushed the horse to its limit.. far too fast for him to level the unwieldy weapon in time for the second pass.

He was fairly certain that wasn't going to get him any points, but at least he managed to display a little skill without embarrassing himself...



D6 Event, Charging Speed, Horsemanship/Agility TN 10: 4d10o10k3 17, pass
D6 Event, Lancing, Spears/Agility TN 15 unskilled: 3d10 17, success, 1 point
D6 Event Stay Mounted, Horsemanship/Strength TN 10: 3d10o10k2 16, pass
D6 Event, Charging Speed #2, Horsemanship/Agility TN 10: 4d10o10k3 45, pass
D6 Event, Lancing #2, Spears/Agility TN 15 unskilled: 3d10 12, miss!

1 point total.

(Edit: Realizing I could still make a third pass. Disregard following if it isn't allowed)

... at least, that's what he would have thought if his blood weren't boiling! Passing around again, he let out a cry as he pushed his mount around for another shot at the target, landing a rather incredible hit.. that left him hanging onto the weapon as his horse continued forward.

He hoped the part where he landed on his ass would be less remembered than the hit itself.



D6 Event, Charging Speed #3, Horsemanship Agility TN 10: 4d10o10k3 22, pass
D6 Event, Lancing #3, Spears/Agility, 2CR, VP for skill, TN 25: 4d10o10k3 26, hit, +3pt
D6 Event, Oh f*** I have to actually stay on now, Horsemanship Strength TN 20: 3d10o10k2 13 uh oh..
For every action, there is an equal and opposite faceplant: 4d10o10k1 6 damage to self


4 points total

[Moto Khulun]

Khulun arrives grabs a lance and says, "Hold my kumis, I got this."

Then pulls off three flawless runs. She gives a playful wink to the Kitakuhime.

OOC: 6 points.

[Soshi Yuuru]

Yuuru walked up to the beast that he had been pointed to.

So... Horses today huh? Can't be harder to ride than a tiger...

He patted the horse on the neck gently.

Ride a tiger? Who are you kidding? You're talking to yourself... I know what happened there.

He smiled at the beast, "Alrighty then... We're gonna get along just fine okay?"

He pulled himself up on top of the creature and found his balance. "Wow, it's like being in a tree or somethin'."

He grabbed the spear and looked down at the target, "Well alright then Mr. Horse sir... Let's do this."

He wiggled his hips a bit, but the horse didn't respond. "Tally ho..!"

Still no response. "Go Go Horsey Go!"

Still no response. He thought back to some of the earlier riders.

"Uhhh.. Hiya!?" As he spoke the command the horse lunged forward, galloping at the target. Yuuru was surprised by the speed and force of the animal but relied on his natural strength and agility to stab a spear directly into the target's center.

When he came back to the starting point he chuckled and patted the beast on the neck, "Awesome job there buddy. Let's do another round then. Hiya!"

Once again he landed a blow and kept his balance on the horse. He was now beaming a bright smile as he returned back to the start, "I guess I could see how this could be fun. You're a good horse there buddy. One more go!"

He called for the horse to move forward, and he hit the target, though perhaps a bit off center one final time. Keeping his perch atop the horse, he turned it around and prepared it for the next passenger. He patted the creature on the neck and smiled, "Thanks buddy. We'll have to do this again sometime soon."

---
OOC:

Run #1-
Step 1: Pass
Step 2: Pass w/1 Raise
Step 3: Pass

Run #2-
Step 1: Pass
Step 2: Pass w/ 1 Raise
Step 3: Pass

Run #3-
Step 1: Pass
Step 2: Pass w/ 0 Raises
Unlucky Reroll: Failure!
Step 3: Pass

Total: 4 Points

[Moto Baatar]

The horse’s hooves flew as the young rider charged at the target. But the lance was unwieldy in Baatar’s hands, and he was unable to bring it to bear on the target before horse and rider had sped past it.

Frowning as he turned his mount around to take another pass, Baatar leveled the lance once more. Carefully he lined the lance point up with the painted target, and held it steady as his horse charged. He was rewarded with a sharp crack! as the lance struck home.

Wheeling his steed around once more, the young Unicorn charged once more, spurring his horse to even greater efforts. Baatar grinned at the feeling of the wind in his hair as rider and steed raced across the field. But the speed made him misjudge how quickly the lance point, so very far ahead of him, would reach the target. The lance glanced off the side of the wooden target; but without solid contact, he knew the Otaku would not count it as a hit.

Baatar tried to contain his disappointment as he trotted back to the judges stand. “Thank you,” he said in a carefully neutral tone as he handed the lance back to one of the Otaku.

He wanted to shout in anger, to blister the air with furious curses; but the young Moto could not - would not - give the rumors circulating about his clan any more fodder. Not if he could help it.

—
Charging Speed 1, Horsemanship 32 hits TN10
Lancing 1, Spears 12 missed TN15, 0 Lancing Points

Charging Speed 2, Horsemanship 20 hits TN10
Lancing 2 with 1 raise, Spears 25 hit TN20, +2 Lancing Points
Stay Mounted, Horsemanship 28 hits TN15

Charging Speed 3, Horsemanship 34 hits TN10
Lancing 3 with 2 raises, Spears 24 missed TN25 , -2 Lancing Points

Net: 0 Lancing Points

[Shinjo Hanashi]

In a foul mood after hearing about how the other clans were talking about how his clanmates had forsaken any sense of propriety, Hanashi waited awhile before taking his test, to get a sense of the competition.

Nodding a bit, he knew he'd have to hit perfectly at least twice, to stand a shot.

He didn't, and so rode with Mori back to return the Lance, thankful for having had at least the one shot.

There wasn't much reason to talk to his cousins, seeing as they couldn't keep their hands to themselves while all the Empire was here to judge them. He'd have to search his memory for a story to tell, to remind them of the way to behave.

*****************************
Charge 1: TN 10 Horsemanship/Agility Roll: 21
Lancing 1: TN 15 Spears (Lance)/Agility Roll: Void, 2 Raises: TN 25: 15 -2 Lancing Points

-2 Lancing Points.

[Seppun Hideo]

Horsemanship! This would make for an interesting event. Wait...what are those...

Lancing?

Sure, why not. Hideo mounts the horse with no issue, and certainly has no issue with charging at speed. However, he truly lacked the skills to hit the targets, nearly dropping the lance more than once. By the end his arm was tired, and he felt truly ashamed of his poor display.

"Sorry girl" He said quietly to the horse, stroking her mane gently "you were a star, I would certainly welcome riding you again. It was my skills that let us down."

The horse man a sound. Hideo chuckled.

"Ok that's fine, agree with me."

When he made it back to the stables, he climbed down and after a moment he collected the brush from the surprised stablehands.

"So" he smiled to the boy "I intend to reward this beautiful horse for her work. Will you instruct me on the correct method to brushing?"

He spent the rest of the event brushing the horse, and ensuring she was well rewarded for her hard work.

(OOC: Rolls
Run 1:
D6 EA Event run 1 - Horsemanship/Agility TN10: 4d10o10k3 28
D6 EA Event run 1 - spears/agility unskilled TN15: 3d10 11

Run 2:
D6 EA Event run 2 - Horsemanship/Agility TN10: 4d10o10k3 17
D6 EA Event run 2 - Spears/Agility, vp for skill. TN15+1 raise (tn20): 4d10o10k3 18 -1 point

Run 3:
D6 EA Event run 3 - Horsemanship/Agility TN10: 4d10o10k3 20
D6 EA Event run 3 - spears/agility unskilled TN15: 3d10 9

Final: -1 point, but didn't fall off the horse