OOC Chat

[Hantei Kinsen]

Etiquette is for nerds.

Are those... horns?
Real horns?

*is aprehenive*

[Nanzi]

Burn the witch.

[Seppun Dawei]

*checks to see if a burn-ban is on*

[Jin]

Nothing a little bit of jade can't fix... applied liberally and often....

[Nanzi]

Nothing a little bit of jade can't fix... applied liberally and often....

Jade tetsubo might do.

[Jiyo Ayumu]

And I thought this new Empire was more tolerant than the old one.

[Nanzi]

And I thought this new Empire was more tolerant than the old one.

Tolerant?

I mean we have not killed her, so we are already way ahead.

[Jin]

Nezumi: yes. Hellspawn: no. Non-hostile spirits from other realms: shoo back to your own realm.

Plenty tolerant

[Koun]

A wander appears and bows, waves, whatever is appropriate.

[Nanzi]

A wander appears and bows, waves, whatever is appropriate.

Nanzi wandered once, or did Nanzi journey.

Only Nanzi knows.

Sit by Nanzi's fire, tell him your tale.

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

*sigh*

I'm 100% Ningen-do.

[Seppun Dawei]

I believe you.

[Miyako]

I, however, Ningen-don't!

[Nanzi]

*sigh*

I'm 100% Ningen-do.

You sure about that?

[Nanzi]

Rough draft of the first section of the Divine Blade by Nanzi.

On the sacred hill of the Seppun this humble samurai witnessed the birth of the divine art of steel, the perfection that is superb art of the Challenge, the Focus, and the Strike. It is by mastery of the divine form of Iaijutsu that Emperor Shiba earned the favor of the Heavens and proved his right to rule and guide our peoples to the future.

This is the highest aspiration of the sword, the genteel and honorable art of the duel.

The Challenge

There is no honor in simply brawling like a thug, even to settle differences we must be better than the society that came before. A Challenge must be clear and orderly, it must be made with Honor in the heart and Sincerity in the soul. It is not a frivolous thing to make a Challenge, it is only for matters that are of grave importance to the samurai, to their kin, and to their clan.

A samurai must be clear in their intent, the Challenge must be specific and it should announce the why of it, and it is not a tool to be used to deflect punishment but only to seek justice and amend the Honor of the aggrieved party. If a judgment is to be passed one cannot challenge the judgment, but they can challenge the testimony made in such judgment if they contest the veracity of the words.

Once a Challenge is given, a response must be given, samurai honors their word so there can be recourse but to see it through. The Challenged can accept they are wrong and bow to the will of the Challenger or they can accept the Challenge and set a time to resolve the matter through the Divine Art. With the approval of their senior, and with an official of position they can move to the sacred duel.

The Focus

A sacred duel does not need sacred ground, but it is preferred. Heaven is always watching though and thus will know the truth of things if one wishes to act without Honor. The sword is the weapon of the duel, it is the arbiter of justice with matters of Honor between civilized samurai. Most duels should be settled with a single cut, there is no need for continued butchery and if the duel must continue beyond the first strike then the matter is grave indeed and both parties have accepted that only the life of the other can satisfy the demands of Honor.

The Divine Art should spare needless bloodshed, but the demands of Honor and one’s kin are greater than their life and if they must be satisfied then so be it. Before blades are drawn, there is one final chance for the Challenged to accept they are in error and bow to the Challenger, once blades are drawn then only Heaven can decide. To bow is not an act of cowardice but Courage and Honor to accept either a superior foe or to see that they have erred and mend the rift that has formed.

The Strike

This is the most straight forward of all, the singular strike. The blade is drawn and then continued into a strike, and justice will favor the more just party. Even so, Heaven supports those who strive for perfection and seek to emulate the divine ways of her honored Children. Thus, we must hone our talent with the blade, master the draw and strike so we can better be instruments of Heaven’s will.

The strike is not mortal, it should draw blood, but a samurai should be able to recover from such a blow with minimal attention of a healer. The first to draw blood, proves their intentions were just and Heaven favors them, and there can be no further challenges on this subject. One cannot challenge the outcome of the duel, that is an insult to the Heavens and to the Divine Son, whose will is first and foremost.

With the duel resolved, assuming it is not a grave matter, the participants should depart in peace and Honor. If one has fallen, they should be given all due honors and it is the burden of the victor to see that all things are done properly or insult their ancestors and the Heavens with their crass lack of etiquette.

The sacred duel has ended, the Heavens have spoken.

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

I dunno, I prefer "You mess with the Ryoko, you get the horns."

[Shinjo Koyama]

Ah cuid uise some horns fur blawin.

[Reiko]

Now now, everyone is welcome on this mission to save my husband to be. Play nice

[Jin]

Trust is good but not everyone will want to see him freed. Make sure motives and intentions are pure.

[Togashi Saruko]

And be careful of ogres.