The day long awaited, which the people of Ikoma's Eye have looked forward to ever since word of their lord's great luck in hosting the Imperial Winter Court, has finally arrived. All this morning, ostentatiously clothed officials have moved to and fro under the gleaming eyes of the bookmakers, pacing the appointed space along the river's edge to find the appropriate distances for the targets while laborers erected the stands for the great and the good.

Now, with all in readiness for the premier archery tournament in the Empire, it seems that the entire population of Ikoma's Eye has lined the route from the castle down to the river to catch sight of the competitors. For to the victor go the spoils, and it is the well-informed man who makes the winning bet. And so what if the motive for many is the crass love of coin if It ensures that a wide audience is there to witness your glory?

Event Rules wrote: Stage 1: Shooting
In this stage, archers will fire from a standing position at stationary targets. Each archer has 5 arrows to fire, and may choose which of four targets they wish to shoot at.

The Taupe Target: tn 10. A success on the Taupe target is 1 Archery Point.

The Yellow Target: tn 15. A success on the Yellow target is 2 Archery Points.

The Red Target: tn 25. A success on the Red target is 3 Archery Points

The Blue target: tn 30. A success on the Blue target is 5 Archery Points.

Each called raise on a target is worth an additional Archery Point.

The 8 highest Archery Point totals will advance to Stage 2. Should two players tie for eighth place, the winner will be determined by the number of Raises called successfully. If that should still result in a tie, the higher Influence rank will proceed.

Ryusei had no serious ambitions- but he was a bushi, he had trained in the bow, so... here he was.

His first shot went for style over substance, at the nearest target- and achieved neither.
So of course, he did the same thing for the second arrow- and made his point.

Thus re-centered, he moved to the next, and put an arrow in the target with aplomb- indeed, it was possibly the finest shot of his life to date.

His fourth arrow, at the same modest target, he did a little less showing off- and it paid off, the arrow finding the way without much help from him.

He repeated the feat with his final arrow.

No one would ever accuse Ryusei of being the greatest archer in Rokugan's history, but the day represnted a personal best for him.
--
Bowman's Wager, Shot 1- Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Taupe Target, TN 10, 3 called raises for total TN of 25 | 4k3 ⇒ 20 (TN: 25)- NO POINTS

Bowman's Wager, Shot 2- Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Taupe Target, TN 10, 3 called raises for total TN of 25 | 4k3 ⇒ 25 (TN: 25)- 4 points

Bowman's Wager, Shot 3- Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Yellow Target, TN 15, 2 called raises for total TN of 25 | 4k3 ⇒ 67 (TN: 25) Holy explosions Batman!- 4 points

Bowman's Wager, Shot 4- Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Yellow Target, TN 15, 1 called raise for total TN of 20 | 4k3 ⇒ 23 (TN: 20)- 3 points

Bowman's Wager, Shot 5- Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Yellow Target, TN 15, 1 called raise for total TN of 20 | 4k3 ⇒ 35 (TN: 20)- 3 points

Total of 14 archery points, and the floor has been set!

The Darling of Kyuden Ikoma knew that there were expectations of her to perform well, and after a wave to the crowd she assumed her position.

After a few breaths, she impressed by firing three shots in rapid succession at the blue target, all three hitting with the precision expected of a Lion trained by the Akodo.

Following that opening, she scores two excellent shots at the yellow target.


-----

D11 LA Bowman's Wager. Blue Target. +1k1 Void. Kyujutsu/Reflexes. | 8k4 ⇒ 53 (TN: 30) +5 Points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager. #2 Shot. Blue Target. +1k1 Void. Kyujutsu/Reflexes. | 8k4 ⇒ 34 (TN: 30) +5 Points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager. #3 Shot. Blue Target. +1k1 Void. Kyujutsu/Reflexes. | 8k4 ⇒ 38 (TN: 30) +5 Points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager. #4 Shot. Yellow Target. Kyujutsu/Reflexes. 2 Raises | 7k3 ⇒ 26 (TN: 25) +4 Points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager. #5 Shot. Yellow Target. Kyujutsu/Reflexes. 2 Raises | 7k3 ⇒ 30 (TN: 25) +4 Points
Total of 23 Archery Points.

Honoka stepped up to the plate with a grin, and initially it looked good. Then she started getting more cocky, and the shots flew just past the targets! Finally, in more annoyance than anything, she attempted a harder shot and it landed.

She wasn't happy with her performance

(ooc:
D11 LA Bowman's Wager event Roll 1: Kyujutsu/Reflexes+void. TN30 | 6k5 ⇒ 46 (TN: 30) 5 points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager event Roll 2: Kyujutsu/Reflexes+void. TN30 | 6k5 ⇒ 16 (TN: 30) miss 0 points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager event Roll 2: Kyujutsu/Reflexes+void+ILS3. TN30+1 raise (TN35) | 8k6 ⇒ 34 (TN: 35) miss by 1! 0 points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager event Roll 4: Kyujutsu/Reflexes+void+ILS3. TN30+2 raise (TN40) | 8k6 ⇒ 33 (TN: 40) miss again 0 points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager event Roll 5: Kyujutsu/Reflexes+ILS3. TN30+2 raise (TN40) | 7k5 ⇒ 52 (TN: 40) 7 points

12 points total so likely out!

Ryushi wanted to try his luck in this event. The Shiba stood and let the arrow know the way to the yellow target. 4 arrows shoot and landed on the target. He tried to get a bit cocky and get the central of the target but his luck had ran out and hit the hay instead.


Archery
D10 LA Archery Event A1 yellow target Kyujutsu Ref CR 0VP TN 20 | 5k3 ⇒ 23 (TN: 20)

3 pts

D10 LA Archery Event A2 yellow target Kyujutsu Ref CR 0VP TN 20 | 5k3 ⇒ 34 (TN: 20)
3pts

D10 LA Archery Event A3 yellow target Kyujutsu Ref CR 0VP TN 20 | 5k3 ⇒ 31 (TN: 20)
3pts

D10 LA Archery Event A4 yellow target Kyujutsu Ref CR 0VP TN 20 | 5k3 ⇒ 20 (TN: 20)
3 pts

D10 LA Archery Event A4 yellow target Kyujutsu Ref 2 CR 0VP TN 25 | 5k3 ⇒ 21 (TN: 25)

Failed
Total 12 pts

Shiori would participate in the archery wager, considering she didn't get too many chances to fire a bow. It seemed pretty obvious with her stance, especially when she initially shifted her arrow placement with the bow before she fired her first shot. Maybe she was rusty? She didn't overly challenge herself or break any records, opting for a bit of consistency by favouring the yellow target.

Her shots were just that and she hit her target every time. The last shot was perhaps where she went astray, feeling a bit more confident and daring, she attempted to hit the red target. Its colour made it feel like it would be such an easy shot, the colour was visible even from afar. Unfortunately, she was deceived by her own assumption and the shot went wide.

All in all, it was an effort she was proud of, even if she didn't stick to the plan in the end. She would never tell anyone that her only experience in archery was with the festival stalls where people shoot for snacks and treats.

Rolls
Day 11 - Late Afternoon, Shot #1 at Yellow Target, TN15: Unskilled | 3k3 ⇒ 17 (TN: 15)
Day 11 - Late Afternoon, Shot #2 at Yellow Target, TN15: Unskilled | 3k3 ⇒ 18 (TN: 15)
Day 11 - Late Afternoon, Shot #3 at Yellow Target, TN15: Unskilled | 3k3 ⇒ 17 (TN: 15)
Day 11 - Late Afternoon, Shot #4 at Yellow Target, TN15: Unskilled | 3k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 15)
Day 11 - Late Afternoon, Shot #5 at Red Target, TN25: Unskilled Kyujutsu, Void for +1k1 | 4k4 ⇒ 20 (TN: 25)

Total: 8 Archery Points

Daichi never proclaimed himself to be a great archer, and in comparison, to some members of his family he most certainly was not. That did not mean he wasn't proficient in the use of the weapon though and while he thought his skills merely adequate to do his duties for his clan, after his final shot it was easy to see his definition of adequate might not be the exact same as some others.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bowmans wager Day 1. 6k3 base, + Hiruma 1, +Void Taupe target three called raises tn 25 | 8k4 ⇒ 38 (TN: 25) 4 points

Bowmans wager Day 1. 6k3 base, + Hiruma 1, +Void yellow target two called raises tn 25 | 8k4 ⇒ 46 (TN: 25) 4 Points

Bowmans wager Day 1. 6k3 base, + Hiruma 1, +Void, Blue Target tn 30 | 8k4 ⇒ 33 (TN: 30) 5 Points

Bowmans wager Day 1. 6k3 base, + Hiruma 1, Yellow Target, 1 raise tn 20 | 7k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: 20) 3 Points

Bowmans wager Day 1. 6k3 base, + Hiruma 1, Yellow Target, 2 raise tn 25 round two | 7k3 ⇒ 35 (TN: 25) 4 points

20 Total. 8 raises

Ryu was fairly comfortable armed with a yumi, and showed it. However, his performance was conservative, and while certainly competent, it wasn't outstanding. He plunked all five shots into the closest target, quite near it's center; good shots, but not exceptionally challenging ones.

That complete, he bowed, and made his exit.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D11LA Bowman's Wager Arrow 1, Taupe, 2 raises | 6k3 ⇒ 45 (TN: 20) - 3 points
D11LA Bowman's Wager Arrow 2, Taupe, 2 raises | 6k3 ⇒ 42 (TN: 20) - 3 points
D11LA Bowman's Wager Arrow 3, Taupe, 2 raises | 6k3 ⇒ 22 (TN: 20) - 3 points
D11LA Bowman's Wager Arrow 4, Taupe, 2 raises | 6k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: 20) - 3 points
D11LA Bowman's Wager Arrow 5, Taupe, 2 raises | 6k3 ⇒ 42 (TN: 20) - 3 points

15 points with 10 raises

Masaki thought of coming to *watch* the Bowman's Wager, and only that. But seeing Shiori try her hand at it, she decided to try it as well.

She'd heard a few times back home that, if she were to try her hand at some sort of martial pursuit, kyujutsu would probably fit her. She even tried her hand at it a few times - always only against targetrs - but, perhaps in part due to her Asahina training, she never quite convinced herself to really practice it.

Her stance, much like Shiori's, was not quite right, hinting at her lack of experience. But some shifting of her feet, and she seemed to get the hang of it - somewhat, at least.

Again like Shiori, she decided to focus on the yellow target - not so easy as to be considered almost effortless without tricks, but definitely not hard - and easy to see. Even so, one of the shots hit *right* at the edge of the target, barely enough to count. After the fourth shot, however, she was feeling some confidence get into her, her stance feeling a bit more 'right', and she decided to try to get a bit more adventurous, going for the red target instead.

The arrow flew true, and did hit the target.

It was probably luck - even if better at first, the stance shifted a bit - Masaki's own surprise at the 'thud' also certainly indicated more luck than skill. But hit it did, and the points counted!

-------------------
D11 LA - Bowman's Wager because why not? Arrow 1 - Yellow target. TN 15, unskilled. | 4k4 ⇒ 23 (TN: 15) Shot 1: 2 points

D11 LA - Bowman's Wager because why not? Arrow 2 - Yellow target. TN 15, unskilled. | 4k4 ⇒ 15 (TN: 15) Shot 2: 2 points (barely!)

D11 LA - Bowman's Wager because why not? Arrow 3 - Yellow target. TN 15, unskilled. | 4k4 ⇒ 18 (TN: 15) Shot 3: 2 points

D11 LA - Bowman's Wager because why not? Arrow 4 - Yellow target. TN 15, unskilled. | 4k4 ⇒ 27 (TN: 15) Shot 4: 2 points

D11 LA - Bowman's Wager because why not? Arrow 5 - Red target. TN 25, unskilled. | 4k4 ⇒ 34 (TN: 15) Shot 5: 3 points

Total: 11 points! Not great, but not awful for no skill at all XD

Ah yes, the Bowman's wager. Kenji scowled slightly as he strung his yumi. He was a swordsman. Not that he couldn't shoot, it was just his least favourite weapon.

He looked at the targets and decided not to get too uptight about it. The art performance was taking place later and that was far more his thing. Time to fire and forget.

The first shot flew gracefully at the target. He thought about an eagle.

The second shot landed beside the first. He thought about a funny looking cloud.

As he pulled the string back he focused too intently on making a nice grouping of thr...oh shit.

He stopped thinking again. Ooh, a flower! Twang, thunk, hit.

What was it he had seen in the gardens the other day? Oh yes a koi <thunk> pond.

Four good shots. Not terrible.

---
Rolls
D11. LA. Bowman's Wager. Taupe Target. 2CR. Prodigy. Shot 1. | 5k3 ⇒ 30 (TN: 20)

Success, 3 points

D11. LA. Bowman's Wager. Taupe Target. 2CR. Prodigy. Shot 2. | 5k3 ⇒ 23 (TN: 20)

Success, 3 points.

D11. LA. Bowman's Wager. Taupe Target. 2CR. Prodigy. Shot 3. | 5k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 20)

Miss!

D11. LA. Bowman's Wager. Taupe Target. 2CR. Prodigy. Shot 4. | 5k3 ⇒ 33 (TN: 20)

Success, 3 points

D11. LA. Bowman's Wager. Taupe Target. 2CR. Prodigy. Shot 5. | 5k3 ⇒ 27 (TN: 20)

Success, 3 points.

Total = 12 points with 8 raises

Yuna decided to try, despite her lack of archery training. There appeared to be no harm to doing poorly. And it was always possible something unexpected would happen.

She was reasonably agile, but primarily in the fingers for shamisen playing...

She studied the targets and decided to aim each time for the yellow target. (TN 15)

Her first shot landed solidly! She looked delightfully startled. How fun!

Her second shot missed. No surprise, really. And actually close!

Her third shot hit! Most excellent arrow! Her best shot yet!

Alas her fourth and fifth shots both missed. Her arm was definitely getting tired.

4 points!

She smiled. Not bad at all for an untrained courtier. Could she have gotten 5 points if she'd consistently aimed for the easiest target? Perhaps. Perhaps not. It felt good to push herself and try.

https://sakkaku.org/r/17204 18 v 15 (hit!)
https://sakkaku.org/r/17205 13 v 15 (miss)
https://sakkaku.org/r/17206 23 v 15 (hit!)
https://sakkaku.org/r/17207 14 v 15 (miss)
https://sakkaku.org/r/17208 8 v 15 (miss)

Shinnosuke used to practice archery with his cousins at home, and he still keeps his hand in from time to time. Although he has no pretensions to being an excellent shot, he can at least keep up with a hunting party without completely embarrassing himself, which is quite good enough for social occasions. And the first round of the Bowman's Wager is open, so it looks better for their hosts and the prestige of the court to have a good crowd, right?

He plinks away at the largest, nearest target with his borrowed bow. The first shot feels just perfect, which goes to his head a little and impels him to try a longer shot with the rest of his arrows. From that point on, his hit rate is only half and half, but that's not too embarrassing... for an artist.

D11 LA Bowman's Wager--Shot 1, Taupe, 1CR | 4k3 ⇒ 41 (TN: 15) 2 points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager--Shot 2, Taupe, 2CR | 4k3 ⇒ 23 (TN: 20) 3 points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager--Shot 3, Taupe, 2CR | 4k3 ⇒ 18 (TN: 20) 0 points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager--Shot 4, Taupe, 2CR | 4k3 ⇒ 22 (TN: 20) 3 points
D11 LA Bowman's Wager--Shot 5, Taupe, 2CR | 4k3 ⇒ 13 (TN: 20) 0 points

8 points.

Of course Hikaru was doing this! Never mind that Honoka would never let him hear the end of it, there was Crane pride on the line. Alright, bows weren't his strongest suit, but there were reasonably sized targets, with the chance to show off overly elaborate form.

Hikaru lines up, movements automatic. He wasn't quite the shot with a bow than he was a blade, but the relentless precision in drill shows through. He's not making the most difficult of shots as much as each draw is clean with perfect form, one shaft after another. After the fourth Hikaru adds a tiny bit more flourish, using the momentum of the final shot to turn, from which he offers a bow to the onlookers.

Every shot hits.

______________________________

Bowman's Wager Day 1 - Shot One - Yellow Target - 1 raise - TN20 | 7k3 ⇒ 43 (TN: 20) +3 Points
Bowman's Wager Day 1 - Shot Two - Yellow Target - 1 raise - TN20 | 7k3 ⇒ 22 (TN: 20) +3 Points
Bowman's Wager Day 1 - Shot Three - Yellow Target - 1 raise - TN20 | 7k3 ⇒ 44 (TN: 20) +3 Points
Bowman's Wager Day 1 - Shot Four - Yellow Target - 1 raise - TN20 | 7k3 ⇒ 21 (TN: 20) +3 Points
Bowman's Wager Day 1 - Shot Five - Yellow Target - 2 raises - TN25 - VP spent | 8k4 ⇒ 36 (TN: 25) +4 Points

16 total points

As the competition is wrapping up Sae comes screaming down the hall to the river, practically rips a bow out of the startled hands of an attendant and starts blasting.

Yes!
Shit
Shit!
Yes!!
Yes!!

"Uhh, someone tally whatever that was, and thank you to our gracious hosts."
She dumps the bow back in his hands before turning and sprinting back up towards the castle to make her meeting.


--------

D11 LA, Bowman's Wager Day 1, shot 1.

Yellow target with 1 raise, TN 20, attack stance, Kyujutsu/reflexes | 5k3 ⇒ 31 (TN: 20)
3 points from shot 1
D11 LA, Bowman's Wager Day 1, shot 2.

Yellow target with 1 raise, TN 20, attack stance, Kyujutsu/reflexes | 5k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 20)
0 points from shot 2
D11 LA, Bowman's Wager Day 1, shot 3.

Yellow target with 1 raise, TN 20, attack stance, Kyujutsu/reflexes | 5k3 ⇒ 15 (TN: 20)
0 points from shot 3
D11 LA, Bowman's Wager Day 1, shot 4. voided

Yellow target with 2 raises, TN 25, attack stance, Kyujutsu/reflexes | 6k4 ⇒ 28 (TN: 25)
4 points from shot 4
D11 LA, Bowman's Wager Day 1, shot 4. voided

Yellow target with 2 raises, TN 25, attack stance, Kyujutsu/reflexes | 6k4 ⇒ 52 (TN: 25)
4 points from shot 5

((Total of 11 points, 5 raises called in all))

Sponsored by Yasuki Ryoichi, Tatsuya steps up to the mark!

Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Void, Red Target | 7k4 ⇒ 29 (TN: 25) Hit=3
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Void, Red Target | 7k4 ⇒ 29 (TN: 25) Hit=3
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Void, Red Target | 7k4 ⇒ 47 (TN: 25) Hit=3
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Void, Red Target | 7k4 ⇒ 22 (TN: 25) [Miss]
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, 1 raise. | 6k3 ⇒ 23 (TN: 20) Hit=3

Tatsuya scores twelve (12) points!

Not to be outdone, Otomo Gorobei takes up his trusty bow and prepares to rain iron on the timorous targets down the pitch!

Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, Void, 2 raises | 8k4 ⇒ 35 (TN: 25) Hit: 4 points
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, Void, 2 raises | 8k4 ⇒ 55 (TN: 25) Hit: 4 points
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, Void, 2 raises | 8k4 ⇒ 33 (TN: 25) Hit: 4 points
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, 1 raise | 7k3 ⇒ 27 (TN: 20) 3 points.

But then, Gorobei looks over and sees that Tatsuya has primarily shot at the Red Target, with some success. Rather than questioning Tatsuya's mathematical reasoning, Gorobei looks on that as a true challenge.

Kyujutsu/Reflexes, Red Target | 7k3 ⇒ 28 (TN: 25) A challenge he meets! 3 points.

18 pew-points.

Shosuro-ke no kashin Unabara Asakaze looks like he might have shot a bow before.

Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, void 2 raises | 7k4 ⇒ 43 (TN: 25) 4 points
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, void 2 raises | 7k4 ⇒ 31 (TN: 25) 4 points
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, void 2 raises | 7k4 ⇒ 42 (TN: 25) 4 points
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, 1 raises | 6k3 ⇒ 28 (TN: 20) 3 points
Kyujutsu/Reflexes, taupe Target, 1 raises | 6k3 ⇒ 36 (TN: 20) 3 points

18 pew-points.

Results
The top 8 scoring competitors advance to the next round, one step closer to the thrill of vicotry...or the Cup of Defeat.

1. Kitsu Sayomi: 23
2. Hiruma Daichi: 20
3. Shosuro Asakaze: 18 (8 raises)
4. Otomo Gorobei: 18 (7 raises)
5. Doji Hikaru: 16
6. Daidoji Ryu: 15
7. Shiba Ryusei: 14
8. Akodo Kenji: 12 (8 raises)
****************************************************
9. Shiba Ryushi: 12 (6 raises)
10. Ikoma Honoka: 12 (2 raises)
11. Tatsuya: 12 (1 raise)
12. Daidoji Sae: 11
13. Yasuki Masaki: 11
14. Doji Shinnosuke: 8
15. Kuni Shiori: 8
16. Agasha Yuna: 4