The town square churns around a hastily chalked ring. Rogues lean against market stalls while young martial students crowd the ropes, trading wagers, boasts, and sharp insults.
Above the ring, a hand-painted banner snaps in the wind: MINOR MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT. One vacant place in the bracket remains deliberately unclaimed.
Master Qiu
First bout, step forward! Liao Fen against Han Rui. And the empty place remains for any bold soul who dares challenge the assembled fighters.
Two students enter the ring. One bows stiffly. The other cracks his knuckles and glances toward Genzo's hook swords and nine section whip.
Master Qiu
Weapons are permitted, provided their owners possess the skill to control them. Spectators, place your wagers before the first strike.
Coins clatter across the betting boards. A rogue near the front points toward Genzo, and laughter ripples through the crowd as the vacant bracket marker is lifted into view.
Master Qiu
You with the monk markings. The ring is open, but only until the first exchange. Will you claim the challenge, or let these students fight for your audience?
✓ Quest Accepted
Claim the tournament challenge
✓ Quest Accepted
Win the martial arts tournament
“I bow to Master Qiu and prepare to face the winner.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +1)
Genzo bows toward Master Qiu, hook swords and nine section whip held steady as the crowd's laughter thins into watchful silence.
Master Qiu
A proper answer. The vacant place is claimed.
Master Qiu lowers the bracket marker and marks Genzo's name into the open space. The challenge becomes official before every witness in the square.
The Betting Rogue
Then wager on him now. If he faces the winner, perhaps the winner will bother to remember him.
Genzo settles at the ring's edge, prepared to face whoever emerges. Inside the chalk circle, Liao Fen and Han Rui reset their stances.
Master Qiu
Liao Fen, Han Rui, begin. Genzo, watch closely. Your opponent is about to reveal himself.
Quest Complete
Claim the tournament challenge