The Hollow Awards

[Bayushi Suteichi]

With the game getting ready to start, here is a thread where we all can share and re-live the awesome moments. This also encourages good role-play. So in the words of Missy...

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Butaj's event post, here:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=284&start=15#p4453

All of it is great, but this bit really has me interested:

Day 1 - EE - Event: I Am Interesting and Fascinating! - Int/Lore: Butaj (Unskilled) - TN10

... is this a purchasable lore skill? Can I take it?

[Soshi Taira]

Orokos is proving it hasn't lost any of its edge in that thread.

The results are fantastic.

[Asako Hirase]

From this post, emphasis mine:

There was a slight movement of the shoulders of Batul as she relaxed a bit after hearing that she needed not to be constrained, and even a sigh moved out of her. "My brotocol doesn't give me much more than that, actually. But I already feel strange looks because of my bigger eyes, and accent when I sbeak."

I realize that it's a deliberate modification of speech, but oh, lordy, the idea of legions of frat pledges or what have you making protocol for their bro-ness made me crack up.

[Soshi Taira]

From this post, emphasis mine:

There was a slight movement of the shoulders of Batul as she relaxed a bit after hearing that she needed not to be constrained, and even a sigh moved out of her. "My brotocol doesn't give me much more than that, actually. But I already feel strange looks because of my bigger eyes, and accent when I sbeak."

I realize that it's a deliberate modification of speech, but oh, lordy, the idea of legions of frat pledges or what have you making protocol for their bro-ness made me crack up.

I don't have ranks in Forbidden Knowledge: Broshido, so I can neither confirm nor deny that statement.

[Soshi Taira]

"I'm sure you're happy to be back in the empire though, with proper food."

Yuzuki put her foot in her mouth.

"You had rice, out there, didn't you? At least?"

"We attached ropes to our rice fields and dragged them with us, Mantis-san," she responded, tone flat.

I'd like to say Taira, had he heard, would have actually offered you a nod of approval. Practically a standing ovation.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

This is making me laugh so hard.

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=343&start=30#p5537

There was a rattling sound from the birds. After a moment, it becomes apparent that it is laughter.

"...no more a spirit... than yourself... Moto..."

The same crow twitches again, its neck bending at an unnatural angle as the others continue to whisper.

"... a gift... to welcome you... home...

The twitching crow doubles over, making weak, coughing sounds as it starts to wretch up something from the depths of its rotting body. The other crows barely spare it a glance.

"... tomorrow night... return... if you understand..."


The twitching crow heaves one last time, allowing the trinket to fall from its beak and land in the darkened grass at the target's base. Without further hesitation, the birds take to the skies, circling upwards in an ever-widening spiral.

Khulun crouches and picks up whatever the evil spirit coughed up.

She ain’t afraid of no ghost.

"Even the dead know to give tribute to the strong," she says with a curious tone.

And that ladies and gentlemen, is how you Moto.

[Kitsune Kumahime]

This is making me laugh so hard.

Yuzu just seems bored and confused by the whole thing.

[Shinjo Hanashi]

Sooooo...this happens: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=286&start=225#p5683

Make sure to read Khulan's reply right after, to see a Moto care.

[Kitsune Takeo]

Not in character, but u don't care - I'm done!

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Not in character, but u don't care - I'm done!

YES

[Usagi Tomoe]

Oh My Kami, that picture is the best.

Amaya wins the game!

[Usagi Tomoe]

Subject: [Day 1 - Late Evening] Campfire Stories

Hanashi smiles a bit. "Well then, know that you have an opportunity to meet a hero of the Unicorn, to whom no doubt the Fortune of Heroes himself rewards with a smiling face the deeds of one so courageous and dutiful. Hear you at this campfire of mine the beginning of the tale of Shinjo Akil; I say beginning for his feat is more then most can hope to accomplish should they live to see sixty summers; his action during the return to the Empire of such merit that all who dare call themselves samurai can only hope to emulate. My tale is told in the form passed to the Unicorn by Doji-kami herself and accepted by Shinjo-Kami as appropriate for epic, that of the renga stanza, though as Shinjo Akil-sama yet lives and breathes he will one day give us deeds enough for the full 100 stanzas."

Hanashi stands a bit, hands gesturing as he speaks. His voice is such that the tone and pace of it is easy on the ear; when he delves into the story itself it only becomes more so. Warm and inviting at times, and at others quick and sharp to accent the concern that must have been felt by those who had been present at the event. It adds layers that the mere written word has difficulty emulating.

"Any bushi will
draw their blade to serve their lord;
Any bushi kills
in pursuit of their duty.
Some rare few heroes do more.

Any bushi will
die contented in service
Any samurai
will meet Emma-O smiling
at having such a fine death.

Shinjo Akil is
not any samurai, no.
Rare among heroes
He flung aside destiny;
Favored among mortal men.

Otaku Lady
Shining bright against the dark
Leading hundredth charge.
Foul foes seized a chance to win
A deadly trap had been sprung.

The Battle Maidens
Shone bright, reflecting pure souls
fierce battle roaring
Great steeds trampling dozen foes
and then a few dozen more.

They the sharpest spear
At the forefront of the clan
Earth trembling beneath
Dark foes broke to flee, a hah!
But No! Saw Shinjo Akil!

Reinforcing charge
Was was coming over the hill!
With no time for doubt
Hard he rode through the chaos
Like lightning across the field.

As a dozen died
Beneath the Otaku's hooves
A hundred more move
To break the tip of the spear.
And one rides to save them all.

Yet Nimble Setem
never breaks stride despite pace
that could snap two legs
Should Setem misstep but once.
Warning yell lost in the roar.

A sword rising there
Against time and all hope
A sword falling there
Aiming to cut the Lady
Otaku's throat; a fierce cry!

The sword, it misses!
The foe is split; a blow
From second in line.
Blood pouring down Setem's flank.
A second brought victory.

Brave Shinjo Akil
Took blow meant for another
And lived despite it.
Only man to ride beside
the Otaku Daimyo.

Toast Shinjo Akil
No cup empty, but held high
Honor the deed done
For where would we be without
The Otaku's Guiding light?

But lost for longer
Amid the darkness and foul;
Such fate defeated
By Hero Shinjo Akil!
To him we will shout; "Kampai!""

*applauds*

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Here's an entertaining metaphor from the miai, here:

"Aba, the battue," Saksaha says with a hunter's grin. "All the tribe mounts up in two wings and fans out into a great circle, wider than the eye can see. Then they turn inward as one, beating the grasses and brush and drumming as they ride. At last, when all the beasts are driven together into the clearing at the center, each hunter has his easy pick of the game that suits him. Or her."

She turns the mischievous smile onto her cousins. "So you see, a hunt need not be solitary."