Tournament of Samurai

The Tournament of Samurai is a contest held at the Tiger Clan's Black Falls Castle. Hosted by the leader, Monju Kanby, a tabaxi Daimyo. The tournament was not meant to be a test of combat prowess and cunning in the field on combat, rather the tournament is instead a test of the virtues of being a Samurai. To test the courtly and peaceful skills, to add to the harmony of the Empire - poetry, painting, dancing, and so forth. It is hoped through this gathering, that the Clans will unite in peace and harmony.

The PCs are as follows:


 * Sanako Karasu - Raven Clan
 * Jihi Karasu - Raven Clan
 * Raion Hokori - Onikage Clan
 * Kai Tanak - Phoenix Clan

The Gift Giving
Before the tournament began, Manju offered a gift of a beautiful sculpture of ivory, jade, and gold. It depicts the mon of the major families from each clan, worked in gems and precious metals, encircling a large Imperial mon at the center. Because their is only one sculpture, it is to be sent on a pilgrimage, spending one winter at the court of each clan Champion in succession.

Then each representative of the clans came forth, and in proper etiquette, refused the offer twice, so that Manju could offer the item three times. Each clan did this most honorably, save for the one who stands for the Crane. He accepted in a rather blunt way on the first offer. After this breach of etiquette, the tournament began. First was the poetry contest.

The First Contest, Poetry
Each of the clan members present in the tournament gave their own haiku, some doing better than others, and then the PCs gave their own.

*Note: The PCs made these haiku themselves (I am a proud DM!)

Sanako:

"Little black bird soars | Through the hills and mountain sky | Beauty everywhere"

Raion Hokori:

"Few fallen feathers | form firm foundations for finches | fantastic furrow"

Jihi Korasu:

"Pine boxes lowered | into the freshly dug earth | raven caws in three"

Kai Tanak:

"The Phoenix burns bright | But all great clans together | Outshine a lone flame."

The Second Contest, Painting
The contest is a one of the brush, a weapon some may not be familiar with. Each representative would paint a picture for the others to view.

DM Note: I did no make them paint pictures (though that would be a great idea), instead the PCs described their picture and made performance check rolls.

Sanako: "Friends to be made Another Day" - Gathered about a Sakura tree are various animals (from a cat to a tanuki), including representatives of the clans.

Jihi Korasu: "Raven's Flight, Dragon's Meeting" - A forested landscape with a raven in flight above, and overhead a dragon is in flight.

Raion Hokori: "A Safe Sunrise" - A silhouette of lone figure at the wall, the sunrise framing his frame.

Kai Tanak: "The Great Eastern Sea" - The Jade Sea with the Emperor's fleet at sail.

After these two contests, Manju invited them all to join him for an evening dinner, and that is where the session ended.

The Banquet
After the painting contest, there was a great banquet in order for all attending to be able to interact and familiarize themselves with each others.

DM's Notes
This page is collected notes of the players and DM organized into an article for the event category.

As the DM, I can honestly say I was really proud of my players, I did not tell them what was coming in this tournament. I was greatly pleased by their creativity and thought they put into the first two contests. They did compose their own haikus as well.