"The honour of knighthood came first among the civilised people among the Latins of the Middle Kingdom. The art of sword and lance was birthed in the iron years when the kingship was abroad with the barbarians. The Frankomen of the great kingdom have forgotten them, since - though we remember." - The Chronicle of San-Koryu Abbey, The Writings of St. Go-Apsimar the BladesmanYou drink from a laquerwood cup and hold your chest tight to keep from coughing. The conversation around you has dulled - your fellow gentlemen knelt at the low table have emptied their cups and plates both, and look around muttering as if not one has any further tale to tell - at last a young northerner, fellow with the Emishi look about him, looks to you, and asks if you've any tale for the company - from whence do you come?>You are of noble blood, for certain, but from where did your family come?>The northern marches of Kyumar, the great-isle, an aristocrat settled among the knights there when the shoguns first marched north.>The Isle of Pearls, in the distant south - you are of foreign stock, merchants of tea and lacquer with the burghers of Baek and Sildon>The Curia itself! You are descended from a distant offshoot of the consecrated line of Christ's daughter, from whence the Saint-emperors spring. Certainly you are poorer now.
>>6149173>The northern marches of Kyumar, the great-isle, an aristocrat settled among the knights there when the shoguns first marched north.
>>6149173>>The Isle of Pearls, in the distant south - you are of foreign stock, merchants of tea and lacquer with the burghers of Baek and Sildon
>>6149173>The Isle of Pearls, in the distant south - you are of foreign stock, merchants of tea and lacquer with the burghers of Baek and Sildon
>>6149173>The Curia itself! You are descended from a distant offshoot of the consecrated line of Christ's daughter, from whence the Saint-emperors spring. Certainly you are poorer now.
>>6149173>>The Curia itself! You are descended from a distant offshoot of the consecrated line of Christ's daughter, from whence the Saint-emperors spring. Certainly you are poorer now.Sounds very Quixotic. Interesting set up, so, basically, instead of a samurai class, the japanese adopted knights and chivalric codes or sumthing?
>>6149260>>6149342>>6149347>>6149354>>6149362>>6149363>>6149379There is a gasp from some of the more provincial men at the table as you tell of your bloodline - that even a few stray drops of the lord's blood should share table with them is spellbinding. The more worldly men present, though, simply nod and look about themselves - either not believing you or not caring too much. The Saint-emperor's court has lost much of its prestige in recent generations, though you burn to admit it. Still, you press on. Your forebears were the illegitimate offspring of a Saint-emperor, Go-Otto "the Black", known for his grim fortitude against the dishonours inflicted on the imperial household by the Tyrant. Your family held on as the court grew more impoverished, studying verse, poesy and the virtues of chivalric romance.>In the time of your grandfather, though, much changed;>When the warriors stood up at last and seized the lordship, your grandfather went with them, teaching the wild-men of the Eastern plains of knightly virtue and becoming one with them.>In that time of trial, of the first Shogunate, your father stayed with the Emperor - you remained aristocrats in silks and not a barbarian in armour, and though you were raised to the ancient virtue of the blade you learned much of art and little of war as a boy.
>>6149389>When the warriors stood up at last and seized the lordship, your grandfather went with them, teaching the wild-men of the Eastern plains of knightly virtue and becoming one with them.Grandpappy based asf
>>6149389>>When the warriors stood up at last and seized the lordship, your grandfather went with them, teaching the wild-men of the Eastern plains of knightly virtue and becoming one with them.
>>6149396>>6149391The tale of your grandfather, Shirokon no-Manuel, is one you are ever-eager to tell. A true knight and a man of virtue, he left behind the comforts of the court to join the warriors of the north and east, to teach them to be knights and lords rather than mere sellswords. Tales of him are told in Kanmaer and Kyumar around a thousand campfires - of how he slew the bearded giant Baerso, tricked the False Prince in a contest of riddles, and of his noble death beside the falls of Mura at the Battle of Twelve.The men around the table are spellbound, but for a few who preen at their own lineages being overshadowed. You grin, an make a point to turn your head in the proper, courtly way as you speak the words of the story, tossing the head of black ringletted curls you share with your famous forebear with each honour you pay him.At last, a fellow across the table tires of your pride, and ambushes you with a question - a man telling the tale of his lineage cannot forebear to tell of his father, after all;>Your father was a weak man, who fled back to the court when the Emperor Daigo-Alexander was lead by false courtiers to betray his knights.>Your father was a drunkard and a rogue, who slept his way through every castle he could find. You sigh heavily - this is not the first time you've had to stand to defend his 'honour' for the sake of your own.>Your father was a commoner - a mere adventurer, who won the hand of your noble mother with his charms. You are a bastard.
>>6149402>Your father was a drunkard and a rogue, who slept his way through every castle he could find. You sigh heavily - this is not the first time you've had to stand to defend his 'honour' for the sake of your own.
>>6149402>Your father was a weak man, who fled back to the court when the Emperor Daigo-Alexander was lead by false courtiers to betray his knights.
>>6149402>>Your father was a drunkard and a rogue, who slept his way through every castle he could find. You sigh heavily - this is not the first time you've had to stand to defend his 'honour' for the sake of your own.
>>6149422>>6149440>>6149492>>6149515You hold little esteem for your father, whatever the priests say of filial piety. You spent little of your youth with him, fleeing from castle to castle with your mother to seek refuge and lodging from cousins and acquaintances, living on favours and charity while he lost himself in debauches. Still, he is your father - his honour is your honour. You cannot allow a man to insult him without admitting yourself either weak or as much of a knave as he.The room goes quiet as those about the table realise what the man has implied in asking such a question."A true knight must be a true knight's son, must he not? Was not Gale-Hatto the son of Ran-Seryo? Did you, then, flow, like holy water, through a clean stream?"A serving girl gasps behind a paper screen. The other men at the table look between you and the man insulting you. "Or was it that Shirokon who they say still haunts the brothel at Amen-Uryo? The brave bushi who battles the devils of lover's pox ever in the underworld?">What do you do?>Rise, elegantly, and challenge him without rancour. [Composed]>Spring at him across the table and snap the bastard's jaw. [Reckless]>Laugh - tell the other men the tale of how your father adventured across the whole province - come up with a tale of his seducing the man's mother. Then challenge him. [Worldly]
>>6149580>Laugh - tell the other men the tale of how your father adventured across the whole province - come up with a tale of his seducing the man's mother. Then challenge him. [Worldly]
>>6149580>Rise, elegantly, and challenge him without rancour. [Composed]
>>6149580>>Laugh - tell the other men the tale of how your father adventured across the whole province - come up with a tale of his seducing the man's mother. Then challenge him. [Worldly]
>>6149580>Laugh - tell the other men the tale of how your father adventured across the whole province - come up with a tale of his seducing the man's mother. Then challenge him. [Worldly]The apple fell far from the tree, but not that far.
>>6149749>>6149766>>6149952>>6149585The tension breaks with a peal of laughter. The other men around the table are a mix of confusion, surprise and nervous snickering to match you. Your foeman seems the most shocked. You note the heraldry on his robe, the mon-symbol at his breast of a white ermine, telling you he hails from Ash, a southern land of wild forests."He was a rogue, aye indeed, I don't deny it - you, from Ash-don ought know it, since he was well famed thereabouts. Tell me, southerner - what is your name?""Kastris no-Kathur, Mikael's son - a fine man and no rogue, to be certain."You grin - you remember the man's father - and more importantly his mother. You have not seen the lady, and of course do not know her personal name, but you remember enough."Oh, yes - I see who you are by your mother's hazelwood eye you bear, "Mikael's son" - my father spoke of them often."The serving girl giggles behind the screen. Other men roll their lips tight to keep from laughing. At the mere mention of his mother he bolts to his feet, and by the time you've finished speaking his hand is on his sword, fists tight and tendons white, his teeth snarled in rage."Oh yes - he told what a beauty she was, how kind and welcoming was her hall - I ought say your father's hall, though he was so seldom in it. You might see what else I learned of him - outside, if you've enough dignity to meet me."He storms out without a further word. A friend of his follows - the boy with Emishi looks. The others look to you - a few impressed, others sneering at the crudeness of mentioning a woman in a quarrel. You sigh - foolish to get into trouble here and now, but it can't be helped.>>Or can it?>This Kathur is known for his swordsmanship - perhaps it'd be better to spin a tale for the lads at the table and see if the serving girl knows a way out the back door, leave him looking a fool out in the yard? [Charismatic]>You know your blade well. See how brown his eyes look in the dirt. [Brave]>Find a second, see that this is done properly. Proclaim your complaint and give him the chance to apologise. [Just]
>>6150013>You know your blade well. See how brown his eyes look in the dirt. [Brave]While being witty and worldly is a good combo, or being just, yet not detached is a good contrast, I'd like the apple to have fallen at least some distance from the tree, as I said.
>>6150013>>This Kathur is known for his swordsmanship - perhaps it'd be better to spin a tale for the lads at the table and see if the serving girl knows a way out the back door, leave him looking a fool out in the yard? [Charismatic]
>>6150013>Find a second, see that this is done properly. Proclaim your complaint and give him the chance to apologise. [Just]
>>6150013>You know your blade well. See how brown his eyes look in the dirt. [Brave]
>>6150013>>Find a second, see that this is done properly. Proclaim your complaint and give him the chance to apologise. [Just]
>>6150013>>This Kathur is known for his swordsmanship - perhaps it'd be better to spin a tale for the lads at the table and see if the serving girl knows a way out the back door, leave him looking a fool out in the yard? [Charismatic]Words win swords
>>6150591>>6150581>>6150079Honour demands this is done right. A knight and a gentleman is known by his reputation, that which guards him from the knives hidden in strangers' hearts, and to act in accordance with law and justice is the only right way. You're no fool - you know the way the world works and aren't stupid enough to get tricked into a battle you can't win, but against an equal foe it is your duty as a man of noble blood to act rightly. You rise to your feet and place your hand on the hilt of your sword, resolute."Who will be my second, then?"A duel demands a second. There must be someone to stand at your side, see that no trickery nor cowardice takes place, and see that you die in honour if it is Christ's will that you should fall. Two men stand. Katsumiya no-Vasil, an ineperienced young man you've travelled with for the last few weeks and have some trust in, if little friendship, is first - his grey eyes fix on yours. The other, whose name you do not know, is a veritable giant, still wiping the tears from his eyes at your jests. The size of the sword at his hip and the marks of wear on his armour tell of years of practice, though you know nothing of his character.>Who do you choose?>Vasil, the young man you've travelled with>The giantWith your second behind you, you walk out of the hall with your head high, taking no pause that would imply cowardice. The night air is brisk - the silver light of a full moon falls over the narrow vale about the inn. You take a moment to look out - you are perched on the edge of the mountainside, looking across the forested valley below, three days from Montpell-san-Eku. The small courtyard between the inn and the road is nearly empty - but for a few horses and the ostler leaning up by the stable. Kastris no-Kathur stands facing away from you, his second straightens himself at your approach. You each issue your challenge and approach. His eyes burn with anger.>Pick your stance.>Ready to spring forwards and meet him in one overhead blow. >Poised to flick aside a wild blow and lunge.>Sturdy in place, ready to catch his blade in the lock and push to grapple.
>>6150786>The giant>Sturdy in place, ready to catch his blade in the lock and push to grapple.
>>6150786>Vasil, the young man you've travelled with>Sturdy in place, ready to catch his blade in the lock and push to grapple.
Rolled 6 (1d20)>>6150842>>6150847>>6150909With Vasil at your back you stand steady - no-Kathur is, it seems, not clear of mind, as he stands across from you huffing like a bull. You fall into the fencer's stance, and raise your blade in a high guard - your eye falls with the point of the blade, as it has done a thousand times since you were a squire, and you await the blow. It comes, sure as a thunderbolt - your foe barely pauses to set his stance before launching himelf forward, his blade raised for the over-strike. You tense, imperceptibly, as the man's sword descends in the half-light. The weight of the strike against your guard sends a shock of pain through your forearms - whether he's a great swordsman or not you can't tell, but he is certainly strong.Alas, a horse's shoe slips the same as a man's - all the strength and weight of a man is not enough. You twist your sword as it meets his, and the two lock, his blade pinned against your crossguard. The motion leaves him off-balance, one shoulder out above his knee, reeling. You sweep for his knee->In combat each combatant rolls 1d20, aiming to be equal or less than the relevant combat skill, modified by traits/circumstance. The further you roll under the skill, the more degrees of success, the further over the skill the more degrees of failure.Your Skill in [Grappling]: 14+(+2 Tactics, +2 Worldly Cunning)+4= 18His Skill: 12 (+2, Enraged, -2 Drunken Disorder) = 12>>Roll 1d20
Rolled 1 (1d20)>>6150942Let's gooooooooo
>>6150969Oh shit. Knew it was a good idea to phone post this roll while I was afk eating at a Mexican food joint
Rolled 2 (1d20)>>6150942>>6150969It’s only up from here.
>>6151007Fuck…
Rolled 14 (1d20)>>6150942
>>6151007>>6151009Hey, you realize it's a roll under system, right That 1 is the best possible roll
>>6151022Ah. I guess my mind couldn’t process that when I read it.
>>6151104It's cool. The usual d20 is over, so we've been conditioned to freak out when a 1 shows up
>>6150969>1<18 (3 degrees of success)>6<12 (1 degree of success)And catch it - your leg swipes hard into the backside of his extended knee and pulls him forwards off balance and towards the ground. In the classical Ringen you'd get your back against his chest and throw him but the weight of his rage and momentum is too much - he drops his sword and grabs you around the waist as he falls.You're a fine brawler, though, and know more than merely the classic drills any boy learns on the training yard. You step around and over him in a clean motion, and drop down, pinning him with a knee on each arm. He growls in pain as your weight presses against unguarded muscle - he flails his leg like a stuck beetle but can't bring it to bear on you.You toss your own sword aside, and;>Go for your knife to put an end to this - hold it under his chin and demand his yield. [Chivalrous]>Get some frustration out and teach the fool a lesson - land a few blows to his face first. [Fearsome]
>>6151179>Go for your knife to put an end to this - hold it under his chin and demand his yield. [Chivalrous]We already humiliated him enough.
>>6151179>Get some frustration out and teach the fool a lesson - land a few blows to his face first. [Fearsome]
>>6151179>Go for your knife to put an end to this - hold it under his chin and demand his yield. [Chivalrous]
Just found this song that fits the vibe, so I'm sharing it https://youtu.be/S6ALsucfTyE
>>6151179>>Get some frustration out and teach the fool a lesson - land a few blows to his face first. [Fearsome]
>>6152346>>6152200>>6151734>>6151309>>6151250The man is a bore - his being a poor enough duelist to have ended up on his back makes the audacity of insulting you even more infuriating. It's one thing for a master swordsman to treat you like dirt but a man not even you equal? How dare he presume to insult you, to stand over you in honour? Your blood is up, and the adrenaline of the fight hasn't faded.You rear back to bring your fist to bear against the braggart's cheekbone, and bring it down hard. He grunts in pain and grits his teeth as you land another blow, and another. You slam your fists down across his quickly bruising face until the sweat cools against your shirt in the night air. Finally, you grasp him hard by the jaw, like a stubborn mule, and make him yield.By now both seconds are wincing for the downed man. The Emishi catches your eye for a moment as you rise to your feet, and flinches to look away. You wipe the blood of the man's cracked nose on your cloak, and spit in the dirt as he gasps for breath and staggers upright.Eventually, Kathur no-Kastris is standing steady enough to wipe the blood from the red mess of his face. He'll be fine, but neither his nose nor ears will be elegant enough for any court lady again. He blinks through the pain and takes a moment to find his voice;"You have bested me, sir - you have my apology for the insult to your lineage - the saints make it clear that your father must have been a finer man than I had heard, and you in turn."He bows deeply, though does not lie flat in the dirt as a peasant or one in peril for his life might. If he's scared of you he makes no show of it.>What do you think of this?>Contempt; your father was a villain - all you've proven here is that you're strong and he is weak - it's pathetic to apologise and pretend dignity as if it changes anything.>Respect; you bloodied the man quite badly - to stand and apologise shows a strength of character - he is a man of honour, whatever your disagreements. >Amusement; what nonsense people will perform. He's a good sport to take the loss.
>>6153942>Respect; you bloodied the man quite badly - to stand and apologise shows a strength of character - he is a man of honour, whatever your disagreements. He gave insult, we hit back just as hard and then some, bloodying his nose, and his pride. Now his head is clear and he shows himself to be the more ungrudging man, good on him.
>>6153942>Respect; you bloodied the man quite badly - to stand and apologise shows a strength of character - he is a man of honour, whatever your disagreements.
>>6153942>>Respect; you bloodied the man quite badly - to stand and apologise shows a strength of character - he is a man of honour, whatever your disagreements.
>>6153942>Respect; you bloodied the man quite badly - to stand and apologise shows a strength of character - he is a man of honour, whatever your disagreements.He seems a good lad, took the beating like a man and still show proper decorum afterward. Let's get him inside for a drink and help clean up his wound.
>>6153942>Amusement; what nonsense people will perform. He's a good sport to take the loss.
