Lifeandlice
Practitioning side-character
- Location
- Usa
Ah sorry. New to the quest, binged the whole thing in a few hours and then got excited for my first vote.
A Bro's Life (AGG-ish Anime Bro Quest)
- Thread starter LinkOnScepter
- Start date
- Original
Sir Plusse
Overly Vicious Quester
- Location
- Kansas
If you don't mind a suggestion from a newcomer who's pretty much only read the threadmarks: Make the new character the "boss" of a sidequest. Gives them some time to actually do stuff while keeping them out of the recurring cast.
Not sure what the reward would be for it, but then that's your job to decide; you're the QM here, after all. That said, this probably doesn't really help you much... I mean, if the reward turned out to be something like "catgirl becomes an SL's Partner if she survives" then she'd probably wind up joining the main cast due to association, right?
So... yeah, basically make the reward for the omake be more content for us to
Right now my main concern re: Supernatural Skill At Mortal Martial Arts is basically "would the Organization see us as potential recruits to
LinkOnScepter
The One who Strangles Concepts to death
- Location
- Interwebs
Hey everyone! Just an update.
I've basically decided to write Two Chapters/Updates per my current Writing Projects now. So, once I get the second Chapter of a Fanfic done (close to 5k words on it now) I'll start working on the next update for this.
Also, I went back through Eastern Rhapsody (my first AGG and the one I base most of my AGG Quest off of) and learned quite a few things I didn't notice before that I believe will help me differentiate this one.
Also, I will admit, I was worried you guys were advancing a bit too quickly in power. Getting close to 100 on a Skill already.
Then I realized we're only on Week 8 and by Week 10 Zhang was halfway to the Level Cap on Elemental Magic.
So, this is on the right track.
Lastly, some of you may have noticed I haven't been doing Luck Rolls recently. Well, with all the crap that's already on your plate, I figured I'd hold off on Luck Rolls until at least the Tournament was over.
Also, didn't actually catch this.
I...may do this.
Hmm...alright. I know what I'll do. I'll reveal it after the Tournament is over.
I've basically decided to write Two Chapters/Updates per my current Writing Projects now. So, once I get the second Chapter of a Fanfic done (close to 5k words on it now) I'll start working on the next update for this.
Also, I went back through Eastern Rhapsody (my first AGG and the one I base most of my AGG Quest off of) and learned quite a few things I didn't notice before that I believe will help me differentiate this one.
Also, I will admit, I was worried you guys were advancing a bit too quickly in power. Getting close to 100 on a Skill already.
Then I realized we're only on Week 8 and by Week 10 Zhang was halfway to the Level Cap on Elemental Magic.
So, this is on the right track.
Lastly, some of you may have noticed I haven't been doing Luck Rolls recently. Well, with all the crap that's already on your plate, I figured I'd hold off on Luck Rolls until at least the Tournament was over.
Also, didn't actually catch this.
I...may do this.
Hmm...alright. I know what I'll do. I'll reveal it after the Tournament is over.
Last edited:
Icipall
Don't worry, we can fanfix that!
- Location
- Cold snow fields of Finland
We appreciate your show of mercy.
Week 9.1
LinkOnScepter
The One who Strangles Concepts to death
- Location
- Interwebs
"You couldn't find anything?" you ask your brother with genuine surprise.
"Partially correct," Yamato replies, "I managed to uncover information about the Organization. But I do not believe it is sufficient for our cause."
"He specifies himself," Yameko starts while hanging her head in shame, "Because he wouldn't allow me to help beyond waiting in the wings. I was always told to keep myself hidden while staying just close enough to move in if he were in danger. I told him I could help better if he allowed me to be closer but-"
Yameko's body suddenly goes ramrod straight. Then she...melts for lack of a better word with a very happy sigh. Her head soon finds its way into your brother's lap, letting you spot him scratching her at the base of her tail. Well, one of her tails. The others are moving in erratic patterns that makes you wonder if Yameko is part dog.
"To clarify what my Partner was saying," Yamato continues, "I told Yameko to keep a large amount of distance between us while we were searching. We are still unaware of our foes' abilities and possible technology. I do not wish to risk our mythical allies until we are aware it is safe to reveal them."
"A sound idea, Lord Yamato," Yato praises your brother. You agree with the talking pair of gloves. Besides, you're sure whatever Yamato managed to find is still worthwhile.
"I hope so, brother," he says before laying out what he managed to discover.
The two Agents are acting as Student Counselors. They're said to be here to "provide a resource students who are unsure what they will do once they get into the workforce". In other words they are in a prime position to get their hands on a bunch of students.
[Trickery: 102: Pass]
It was extremely easy for Yamato to convince them that he was there for such counseling. It let him take note of exactly what kind of advice they gave...and he noted that much of it was focused around joining the Organization. They would continually mention how the Organization has plenty of positions for people of all walks of life, how it was a rising business that would soon take the world by storm, and how it would be a great first step towards a wonderful career in the workforce.
Of course, Yamato didn't actually care about any of that. But he certainly did a swell job convincing them he did. So well in fact, that they actually gave him a a bunch of Organization promotional material. It's mostly just pamphlets and such, but your brother is certain that there's something to it. You're both just not seeing it right now.
[Perception: People: 6: Fail]
[Perception: Objects: 16: Fail]
[Motives: 30: Fail]
[Business: 29: Fail]
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to find out anything more. He wasn't as good at reading other people emotionally like you were, he couldn't find anything in the office that seemed important, and everything he's managed to pull up about the Organization shows them to be completely on the level. He promises to do what he can to rectify this though.
[Gained Organization Promotional Material! True Value/Information Locked Behind: 50 Perception: Objects]
"Ketsu!"
Hayato flinches as Seteke knocks the shinai from the larger boy's hands. Your fellow senpai shakes his head as he goes to pick up Hayato's sword. His voice is devoid of any mirth as he speaks, "You're holding the weapon too loosely. It makes it easy to knock it out of your hand. And you're wielding it like it's a big stick that you can just swing around. You need to have more balance and grace."
[Swords: 3]
"Well, sorry," Hayato says while massaging his still gloved hands. You've always wondered why he's always wearing those things. Like, he doesn't take them off unless he has to shower or something. Maybe they're family heirlooms?
He manages to grab the intact shinai that Seteke throws to him, "Finding that stuff out is kind of why I'm training with you in the first place. And they work just fine when you use them like a big stick. Smashing someone upside the head with this thing would knock them down in a heartbeat."
You stifle a laugh, memories of you using shinai for that exact purpose flashing through your mind. Seteke doesn't seem to think it's as funny as you do, and immediately sets to reprimanding his underclassman for "disrespecting the ancient weapon of their nation" and other stuff. You shake your head with a sigh, but the smile stays on your face. You knew this was gonna happen the moment Hayato tried to fight Seteke while holding the shinai like it was a bat.
The subsequent humbling Seteke gave him was, you must admit, worth staying to see happen.
"You seem happy to see the guy you vouched for getting his ass kicked, Hose," your gaze moves to Sakura, the girl sitting down with her wrapped up leg out and splints laying across her lap. She smiles at you with eyes filled with mischief, "Or is that why you suggested him in the first place?"
"Oh, you know me so well, Sakura," you say while placing a hand on your chest while letting out a faux evil laugh, "I love seeing my underclassmen completely outmatched in every regard. I find I can't get to sleep without seeing one of them fall to a superior opponent."
You keep up the sarcastic facade for a moment. Then the two of you break down into uncontrollable laughter that only stops when Hayato's shinai lands at your feet. The man in question is quick to come over and get his weapon back, a determined fire in his eyes despite the repeated defeats he's suffered. You give the guy a thumbs up as he rushes back into training.
Sakura's smile disappears and you feel a melancholy air overtake her, "But, seriously Hose, do you honestly think he can pull this off? Learn everything he needs to compete in time I mean."
You straighten your back and nod to the girl, "Yep. The guy's good at fighting, Sakura. You should've seen him during the fight with Kirin. He was knocking dudes on their asses left, right, and center."
"Yeah, but from what you've told me he doesn't fight according to any rules. He only knows that if someone wants to fight, then he needs to beat them up. Who cares about rules or techniques or anything like that? And while that's great for fighting on the streets, it's a surefire way to get kicked out of an official tournament."
"So, what, you saying I made a bad choice?"
She shakes her head, "No. It's just...I mean....I'm the first one who wants the guy to be able to learn everything he needs to learn in time for the tournament. But this ain't a manga or something. No one can learn all that in a couple of days. Especially not if their teachers aren't up to snuff."
She looks down at her leg as she says this. One of her hands grips the hem of her skirt while her face shifts into an angry frown. You can tell what's she's feeling just from looking at her. She may have told Seteke to not blame himself for getting injured, but it seems she's realizing how hard that actually is.
You'd say something to make her feel better...but you don't know what to say. You're not really a guy who's able to lift spirits through words. So, instead...
[Kendo: 3 + 25 (15 + 10 (Seteke)) = 28]
You point towards Hayato and Seteke while asking if that answers her question.
She follows your finger just in time to see Hayato with his shinai locked against Seteke's. Not an unusual occurrence over the course of this training.
What was unusual was the fact that Hayato was not only holding the shinai properly, but that he was in the correct stance for it as well.
Her eyes widen while Seteke's mouth quirks up in a smile, "Good. You learn quickly."
"Eh," Hayato shrugs as the two separate, "Just getting the hang of it I guess. Wonder if I could..."
[Kendo: 28 + 25 (15 + 10 (Seteke)) = 53]
"Ketsu!" suddenly Hayato stamps his foot forward and his blade comes down at a right angle, aiming directly for Seteke's head. Your fellow senpai blocks the blow with ease, but just as he goes to disarm Hayato, the underclassman moves forward. The two crash together and Hayato manages to shove the upperclassman back.
Seteke grunts as he recovers from the sudden move in time to block the next strike. However, Hayato seems to anticipate this. His shinai is blocked but he manages to move it just close enough to tap Seteke's wrist.
Which means he's earned his first point.
"Ha! I did it," he pumps his fist in the air while Seteke nods at him in pride.
"Impressive. You've managed to learn this much within a few days, Hayato. I can see why Hose puts so much trust in your abilities," he gives a Hayato a light but respectful bow. Then he holds his hand out, "I shall put up your shinai. I believe your next bout is with Sakura?"
"Yep. And thanks man," he hands the wooden blade to Seteke before turning towards the two of you.
"Hey, Sakura, what was that about this not being-," the fact that your fellow senpai is no longer next to you makes you pause.
As does the fact that her crutches are currently laying on the floor.
"Come on, Hayato!" your head swivels to the floor of the dojo as you behold Sakura, bouncing on one injured leg while making the bring it on motion with her hand towards your sparring buddy, "Let's get you into shape! Come at me whenever you want!"
In a clear panic, your buddy looks to you for help.
You can only shrug your shoulders in disbelief.
You knew she was impulsive but...this is a bit much.
Hayato has learned the basics of Kendo!
Hayato has fully learned the basics of Kendo! He can now perform most of the standard techniques without issue!
Kendo at 53! Requirement for Tournament Met!
....Ok, you've seen some strange stuff since you got into high school.
Before that, actually. Since you met Yato long before Raijin was even a blip in on your radar.
But you're pretty sure getting Karate lessons from a girl hopping around on one leg while the other was in a cast took the cake.
Especially when she starts knocking you on your ass despite not having the use of one of her legs!
Between how good Seteke was despite not having being able to use one arm and one eye, and Hose's general craziness when it comes to fitness, you have to wonder if all of your senpais are insane.
Eh, guess it doesn't matter.
[Empathy: Feelings: 35]
At least your training is helping Sakura get her mind off her broken leg. You glanced at her while she was talking to Hose and saw how her eyes looked whenever she looked at it. Anger and sadness became one when the white bundle of gauze met her eyes. But when she was training you, those emotions were replaced by a wildfire that wanted to prove it hadn't been stamped out yet.
So, you could put up with the beatings.
Especially since you actually learned from it.
[Karate: 3 + 25 (15 + 10 (Sakura)) = 28]
Karate can be seen as the exact opposite of Kendo. Kendo was originally formed as a way to teach Kenjutsu which is essentially swordsmanship. After everyone was forced to give up their swords, Kendo largely was practiced as a way to keep the art from dying out. The creation of the Battotai is what lead to the modern version of Kendo which is based around ten practice moves, or kata, which are used in combat.
Karate, meanwhile, was and still is primarily an art used for self-defense using nothing but your bare hands. But unlike Mixed Martial Arts, brawling, or simple street fighting, there is discipline involved with Karate. And the first step towards that discipline is learning the Kihon, or the most basic fundamentals of the style.
Strikes, stances, punches, kicks, are all basic techniques that lead into the more advanced areas of the style. And Sakura makes sure she pounds them into your head. Sometimes literally. You now know the basics of Karate, the Kihon. You also understand Karate in the most basic manner.
[Karate: 28 + 25 (15 + 10 (Sakura)) = 53]
Once you learn the basics, Sakura moves into teaching you the stuff you need to know to actually enter the tournament. The kata are much the same as with Kendo, only more numerous and more applicable due to the fact that you don't need a shinai for them. There's very little she can really say about this. It's mostly just making sure you understand the "proper" method to punch someone in the face or kick them in the stomach.
You never knew such things required so many movements. Usually it's just, fist meet face and there you go.
You learn how to make Karate Kata along with fully learning the basics of Karate!
Karate at 53! Requirements for Tournament met!
"Thanks for helping me with this guys. I mean it," you say to your gathered senpai's as you get ready to leave.
"We should be thanking you, Hayato," Seteke says with a hand on his side and smile on his face, "You're the one who decided to shoulder this burden. If anything, we should be apologizing for asking this of you."
"I'd agree, if he didn't readily say yes to doing this," Hose points out to his fellow senpai, "Seriously, Hayato has repeatedly said he wants to do this. Why do you guys keep saying us asking him for this is a bad thing?"
"Because, Hose, he could be lying to spare our feelings. There are people out there like that you know," Sakura says while shaking her head at her comrade.
[Evasion: Trickery: 0]
"Why the heck would I do that? I always speak my mind to everyone I meet. If I say I'm gonna do something, I'm gonna do it. Hose can attest to this, right man?"
Your fellow MMA fighter nods, "Damn straight."
"Plus, I'm not missing out on a chance to win big in a tournament. Especially not if I can help everyone out while sticking it to a bunch of stuck up snobs," your fist meets your palm as you begin hyping yourself up, "I promise you all, I'm gonna bring home the gold."
The moment you say that, the atmosphere in the room immediately shifts. Everyone starts looking to each other with frowns and uncertain glances. They refuse to meet your eyes or shift around on their feet.
[Empathy: Feelings: 35/50: Fail]
You can tell something's wrong, but don't know what it is. Eventually, you shrug it off. They must be as confident as you are and can hardly contain their hype. So you get ready to leave and head back to your dorm. You've got to get back to-
[Bond: Buddies Activates]
"Damn it, hold on Hayato!"
You stop in the middle of the exit to the gym. You turn around to find Hose with his hand outstretched towards you. You ask him what's wrong and that gets him scowling. He shakes his head and seems to mutter something to himself. Then he finally speaks without a hint of hesitation in his voice, "You're not good enough to bring home the gold."
.....
"What?" you step back into the gym. You would be laughing or asking Hose if he's making a joke. But you don't need to.
The serious, saddened looks on everyone's faces tell you everything.
"But...but...the training I've done. It's worked. You've all been training me, and you all know I'm way better at this than I was when I started. I know how I need to fight, I know all the techniques and-"
"But you've never used it before," Hose is quick to interrupt. He shrugs, "Or at least, not in any environment that's like this tournament."
"You're used to fighting street toughs and those of ill repute," Seteke speaks next. When you ask him how he knows this, he points out that Hose told both Sakura and him.
When you ask Hose how he knows it, he just says he has his ways.
"As I was saying," Seteke continues, "You are used to using every thing you have at your disposal to win a battle. No matter what anyone says, you will do whatever it takes to bring your opponent down. Even if it means picking garbage up off the side of the road."
....You can't say he's wrong.
"And you can't do that in a tournament," Sakura is next to point out, "We've all told you that many times, but have you thought about what it really means?"
You take a moment to think about it. Hmm...
[Tactics: Cleverness: 3 + 4 (Yamato) = 7/20: Fail]
....nope. You fail to see the problem.
All your senpai's facepalm at the same time.
"It means," Hose says once his hand has completely traveled down his face, "that you can't use everything you have in the Tournament. You can't mix your street fighting knowledge with your Mixed Martial Arts. You have to rely on just your Martial Arts," Hose lays out the problem to you.
"And don't forget, you're not going up against random passersby picked up off the side of the street," Seteke reminds you of who you'll be facing.
"You're going up students that have training just as hard, if not harder than you have. Meaning some of them will be better than you, as you are now," and Sakura finishes it off by pointing out the gap in your skill.
....Oh.
Yeah...you didn't think of that.
[Training Complete! Tournament Stipulation Revealed: Only Martial Art Skills will be counted for checks. No Combined Skill Checks]
[Secret Blocked By Evasion: Trickery: 30]
I'll try to get the Weekend post up either tomorrow or by the weekend.
"Partially correct," Yamato replies, "I managed to uncover information about the Organization. But I do not believe it is sufficient for our cause."
"He specifies himself," Yameko starts while hanging her head in shame, "Because he wouldn't allow me to help beyond waiting in the wings. I was always told to keep myself hidden while staying just close enough to move in if he were in danger. I told him I could help better if he allowed me to be closer but-"
Yameko's body suddenly goes ramrod straight. Then she...melts for lack of a better word with a very happy sigh. Her head soon finds its way into your brother's lap, letting you spot him scratching her at the base of her tail. Well, one of her tails. The others are moving in erratic patterns that makes you wonder if Yameko is part dog.
"To clarify what my Partner was saying," Yamato continues, "I told Yameko to keep a large amount of distance between us while we were searching. We are still unaware of our foes' abilities and possible technology. I do not wish to risk our mythical allies until we are aware it is safe to reveal them."
"A sound idea, Lord Yamato," Yato praises your brother. You agree with the talking pair of gloves. Besides, you're sure whatever Yamato managed to find is still worthwhile.
"I hope so, brother," he says before laying out what he managed to discover.
The two Agents are acting as Student Counselors. They're said to be here to "provide a resource students who are unsure what they will do once they get into the workforce". In other words they are in a prime position to get their hands on a bunch of students.
[Trickery: 102: Pass]
It was extremely easy for Yamato to convince them that he was there for such counseling. It let him take note of exactly what kind of advice they gave...and he noted that much of it was focused around joining the Organization. They would continually mention how the Organization has plenty of positions for people of all walks of life, how it was a rising business that would soon take the world by storm, and how it would be a great first step towards a wonderful career in the workforce.
Of course, Yamato didn't actually care about any of that. But he certainly did a swell job convincing them he did. So well in fact, that they actually gave him a a bunch of Organization promotional material. It's mostly just pamphlets and such, but your brother is certain that there's something to it. You're both just not seeing it right now.
[Perception: People: 6: Fail]
[Perception: Objects: 16: Fail]
[Motives: 30: Fail]
[Business: 29: Fail]
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to find out anything more. He wasn't as good at reading other people emotionally like you were, he couldn't find anything in the office that seemed important, and everything he's managed to pull up about the Organization shows them to be completely on the level. He promises to do what he can to rectify this though.
[Gained Organization Promotional Material! True Value/Information Locked Behind: 50 Perception: Objects]
"Ketsu!"
Hayato flinches as Seteke knocks the shinai from the larger boy's hands. Your fellow senpai shakes his head as he goes to pick up Hayato's sword. His voice is devoid of any mirth as he speaks, "You're holding the weapon too loosely. It makes it easy to knock it out of your hand. And you're wielding it like it's a big stick that you can just swing around. You need to have more balance and grace."
[Swords: 3]
"Well, sorry," Hayato says while massaging his still gloved hands. You've always wondered why he's always wearing those things. Like, he doesn't take them off unless he has to shower or something. Maybe they're family heirlooms?
He manages to grab the intact shinai that Seteke throws to him, "Finding that stuff out is kind of why I'm training with you in the first place. And they work just fine when you use them like a big stick. Smashing someone upside the head with this thing would knock them down in a heartbeat."
You stifle a laugh, memories of you using shinai for that exact purpose flashing through your mind. Seteke doesn't seem to think it's as funny as you do, and immediately sets to reprimanding his underclassman for "disrespecting the ancient weapon of their nation" and other stuff. You shake your head with a sigh, but the smile stays on your face. You knew this was gonna happen the moment Hayato tried to fight Seteke while holding the shinai like it was a bat.
The subsequent humbling Seteke gave him was, you must admit, worth staying to see happen.
"You seem happy to see the guy you vouched for getting his ass kicked, Hose," your gaze moves to Sakura, the girl sitting down with her wrapped up leg out and splints laying across her lap. She smiles at you with eyes filled with mischief, "Or is that why you suggested him in the first place?"
"Oh, you know me so well, Sakura," you say while placing a hand on your chest while letting out a faux evil laugh, "I love seeing my underclassmen completely outmatched in every regard. I find I can't get to sleep without seeing one of them fall to a superior opponent."
You keep up the sarcastic facade for a moment. Then the two of you break down into uncontrollable laughter that only stops when Hayato's shinai lands at your feet. The man in question is quick to come over and get his weapon back, a determined fire in his eyes despite the repeated defeats he's suffered. You give the guy a thumbs up as he rushes back into training.
Sakura's smile disappears and you feel a melancholy air overtake her, "But, seriously Hose, do you honestly think he can pull this off? Learn everything he needs to compete in time I mean."
You straighten your back and nod to the girl, "Yep. The guy's good at fighting, Sakura. You should've seen him during the fight with Kirin. He was knocking dudes on their asses left, right, and center."
"Yeah, but from what you've told me he doesn't fight according to any rules. He only knows that if someone wants to fight, then he needs to beat them up. Who cares about rules or techniques or anything like that? And while that's great for fighting on the streets, it's a surefire way to get kicked out of an official tournament."
"So, what, you saying I made a bad choice?"
She shakes her head, "No. It's just...I mean....I'm the first one who wants the guy to be able to learn everything he needs to learn in time for the tournament. But this ain't a manga or something. No one can learn all that in a couple of days. Especially not if their teachers aren't up to snuff."
She looks down at her leg as she says this. One of her hands grips the hem of her skirt while her face shifts into an angry frown. You can tell what's she's feeling just from looking at her. She may have told Seteke to not blame himself for getting injured, but it seems she's realizing how hard that actually is.
You'd say something to make her feel better...but you don't know what to say. You're not really a guy who's able to lift spirits through words. So, instead...
[Kendo: 3 + 25 (15 + 10 (Seteke)) = 28]
You point towards Hayato and Seteke while asking if that answers her question.
She follows your finger just in time to see Hayato with his shinai locked against Seteke's. Not an unusual occurrence over the course of this training.
What was unusual was the fact that Hayato was not only holding the shinai properly, but that he was in the correct stance for it as well.
Her eyes widen while Seteke's mouth quirks up in a smile, "Good. You learn quickly."
"Eh," Hayato shrugs as the two separate, "Just getting the hang of it I guess. Wonder if I could..."
[Kendo: 28 + 25 (15 + 10 (Seteke)) = 53]
"Ketsu!" suddenly Hayato stamps his foot forward and his blade comes down at a right angle, aiming directly for Seteke's head. Your fellow senpai blocks the blow with ease, but just as he goes to disarm Hayato, the underclassman moves forward. The two crash together and Hayato manages to shove the upperclassman back.
Seteke grunts as he recovers from the sudden move in time to block the next strike. However, Hayato seems to anticipate this. His shinai is blocked but he manages to move it just close enough to tap Seteke's wrist.
Which means he's earned his first point.
"Ha! I did it," he pumps his fist in the air while Seteke nods at him in pride.
"Impressive. You've managed to learn this much within a few days, Hayato. I can see why Hose puts so much trust in your abilities," he gives a Hayato a light but respectful bow. Then he holds his hand out, "I shall put up your shinai. I believe your next bout is with Sakura?"
"Yep. And thanks man," he hands the wooden blade to Seteke before turning towards the two of you.
"Hey, Sakura, what was that about this not being-," the fact that your fellow senpai is no longer next to you makes you pause.
As does the fact that her crutches are currently laying on the floor.
"Come on, Hayato!" your head swivels to the floor of the dojo as you behold Sakura, bouncing on one injured leg while making the bring it on motion with her hand towards your sparring buddy, "Let's get you into shape! Come at me whenever you want!"
In a clear panic, your buddy looks to you for help.
You can only shrug your shoulders in disbelief.
You knew she was impulsive but...this is a bit much.
Hayato has learned the basics of Kendo!
Hayato has fully learned the basics of Kendo! He can now perform most of the standard techniques without issue!
Kendo at 53! Requirement for Tournament Met!
....Ok, you've seen some strange stuff since you got into high school.
Before that, actually. Since you met Yato long before Raijin was even a blip in on your radar.
But you're pretty sure getting Karate lessons from a girl hopping around on one leg while the other was in a cast took the cake.
Especially when she starts knocking you on your ass despite not having the use of one of her legs!
Between how good Seteke was despite not having being able to use one arm and one eye, and Hose's general craziness when it comes to fitness, you have to wonder if all of your senpais are insane.
Eh, guess it doesn't matter.
[Empathy: Feelings: 35]
At least your training is helping Sakura get her mind off her broken leg. You glanced at her while she was talking to Hose and saw how her eyes looked whenever she looked at it. Anger and sadness became one when the white bundle of gauze met her eyes. But when she was training you, those emotions were replaced by a wildfire that wanted to prove it hadn't been stamped out yet.
So, you could put up with the beatings.
Especially since you actually learned from it.
[Karate: 3 + 25 (15 + 10 (Sakura)) = 28]
Karate can be seen as the exact opposite of Kendo. Kendo was originally formed as a way to teach Kenjutsu which is essentially swordsmanship. After everyone was forced to give up their swords, Kendo largely was practiced as a way to keep the art from dying out. The creation of the Battotai is what lead to the modern version of Kendo which is based around ten practice moves, or kata, which are used in combat.
Karate, meanwhile, was and still is primarily an art used for self-defense using nothing but your bare hands. But unlike Mixed Martial Arts, brawling, or simple street fighting, there is discipline involved with Karate. And the first step towards that discipline is learning the Kihon, or the most basic fundamentals of the style.
Strikes, stances, punches, kicks, are all basic techniques that lead into the more advanced areas of the style. And Sakura makes sure she pounds them into your head. Sometimes literally. You now know the basics of Karate, the Kihon. You also understand Karate in the most basic manner.
[Karate: 28 + 25 (15 + 10 (Sakura)) = 53]
Once you learn the basics, Sakura moves into teaching you the stuff you need to know to actually enter the tournament. The kata are much the same as with Kendo, only more numerous and more applicable due to the fact that you don't need a shinai for them. There's very little she can really say about this. It's mostly just making sure you understand the "proper" method to punch someone in the face or kick them in the stomach.
You never knew such things required so many movements. Usually it's just, fist meet face and there you go.
You learn how to make Karate Kata along with fully learning the basics of Karate!
Karate at 53! Requirements for Tournament met!
"Thanks for helping me with this guys. I mean it," you say to your gathered senpai's as you get ready to leave.
"We should be thanking you, Hayato," Seteke says with a hand on his side and smile on his face, "You're the one who decided to shoulder this burden. If anything, we should be apologizing for asking this of you."
"I'd agree, if he didn't readily say yes to doing this," Hose points out to his fellow senpai, "Seriously, Hayato has repeatedly said he wants to do this. Why do you guys keep saying us asking him for this is a bad thing?"
"Because, Hose, he could be lying to spare our feelings. There are people out there like that you know," Sakura says while shaking her head at her comrade.
[Evasion: Trickery: 0]
"Why the heck would I do that? I always speak my mind to everyone I meet. If I say I'm gonna do something, I'm gonna do it. Hose can attest to this, right man?"
Your fellow MMA fighter nods, "Damn straight."
"Plus, I'm not missing out on a chance to win big in a tournament. Especially not if I can help everyone out while sticking it to a bunch of stuck up snobs," your fist meets your palm as you begin hyping yourself up, "I promise you all, I'm gonna bring home the gold."
The moment you say that, the atmosphere in the room immediately shifts. Everyone starts looking to each other with frowns and uncertain glances. They refuse to meet your eyes or shift around on their feet.
[Empathy: Feelings: 35/50: Fail]
You can tell something's wrong, but don't know what it is. Eventually, you shrug it off. They must be as confident as you are and can hardly contain their hype. So you get ready to leave and head back to your dorm. You've got to get back to-
[Bond: Buddies Activates]
"Damn it, hold on Hayato!"
You stop in the middle of the exit to the gym. You turn around to find Hose with his hand outstretched towards you. You ask him what's wrong and that gets him scowling. He shakes his head and seems to mutter something to himself. Then he finally speaks without a hint of hesitation in his voice, "You're not good enough to bring home the gold."
.....
"What?" you step back into the gym. You would be laughing or asking Hose if he's making a joke. But you don't need to.
The serious, saddened looks on everyone's faces tell you everything.
"But...but...the training I've done. It's worked. You've all been training me, and you all know I'm way better at this than I was when I started. I know how I need to fight, I know all the techniques and-"
"But you've never used it before," Hose is quick to interrupt. He shrugs, "Or at least, not in any environment that's like this tournament."
"You're used to fighting street toughs and those of ill repute," Seteke speaks next. When you ask him how he knows this, he points out that Hose told both Sakura and him.
When you ask Hose how he knows it, he just says he has his ways.
"As I was saying," Seteke continues, "You are used to using every thing you have at your disposal to win a battle. No matter what anyone says, you will do whatever it takes to bring your opponent down. Even if it means picking garbage up off the side of the road."
....You can't say he's wrong.
"And you can't do that in a tournament," Sakura is next to point out, "We've all told you that many times, but have you thought about what it really means?"
You take a moment to think about it. Hmm...
[Tactics: Cleverness: 3 + 4 (Yamato) = 7/20: Fail]
....nope. You fail to see the problem.
All your senpai's facepalm at the same time.
"It means," Hose says once his hand has completely traveled down his face, "that you can't use everything you have in the Tournament. You can't mix your street fighting knowledge with your Mixed Martial Arts. You have to rely on just your Martial Arts," Hose lays out the problem to you.
"And don't forget, you're not going up against random passersby picked up off the side of the street," Seteke reminds you of who you'll be facing.
"You're going up students that have training just as hard, if not harder than you have. Meaning some of them will be better than you, as you are now," and Sakura finishes it off by pointing out the gap in your skill.
....Oh.
Yeah...you didn't think of that.
[Training Complete! Tournament Stipulation Revealed: Only Martial Art Skills will be counted for checks. No Combined Skill Checks]
[Secret Blocked By Evasion: Trickery: 30]
I'll try to get the Weekend post up either tomorrow or by the weekend.
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JoshieWoshie
Mister Doge
Come on, did anyone really expect achieving the bare minimum to result in victory? And its better Hayato learns the rules now than get his ass kicked out of the tournament.
Edit:
Also is there an all-50 perk we've unlocked for getting all Raijin MAs to 50?
Edit:
Also is there an all-50 perk we've unlocked for getting all Raijin MAs to 50?
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LinkOnScepter
The One who Strangles Concepts to death
- Location
- Interwebs
1. For the record, as it stands, Hayato would do well in the tournament. He just wouldn't be able to go the whole 9 yards.
2. Will be revealed in the next update.
JoshieWoshie
Mister Doge
Icipall
Don't worry, we can fanfix that!
- Location
- Cold snow fields of Finland
Cute.
So the organization is more than just a secret society of monster hunters. And good that he managed to keep our supernatural friends secret.
Ouch, I would have expected him to at least get the Business check.
Heh. But not surprising.
She's right.
...Oh dear.
Missing a space.
Shouldn't this be 53?
Well, this is nice.
Kenjutsu.
Dammit! Gotta train that more.
Indeed. This is a tournament after all, not a all-out fight.
Well, we already knew this.
I thought that MAs don't have All-perks, just individual ones?
- Location
- Goose Land
>Not styling on the plebs.
Looks like our options for trying to win mean either grinding up our MAs to 90+, improving them to 70+ and grabbing some supporting Skills, learning to Dodge, or throwing a hail mary and seeing what Secret Trickery 30 gets us (two AP get us to 29, so if we can figure out one SP elsewhere...).
GamingandReading
Browses and Replies With Haste
- Pronouns
- He/Him
The answer. Train harder pleb. Train until you can't Train no more.
LinkOnScepter
The One who Strangles Concepts to death
- Location
- Interwebs
....Man the long gaps between updates is even starting to affect me. Damn it.
- Location
- Goose Land
Damn, I was hoping you'd changed your mind and that I'd have a reason to argue for getting the All-100.
Oh well
Sir Plusse
Overly Vicious Quester
- Location
- Kansas
Isn't skill stacking a good enough reason on its own?Damn, I was hoping you'd changed your mind and that I'd have a reason to argue for getting the All-100.
Oh well
- Location
- Goose Land
Can you define Skill Stacking? I legitimately don't understand what you mean.
Once we hit 100 any Skill points above that are wasted. I vaguely hoped at one point that they'd be preserved for whenever we manage to break the cap, but that's not happening.
We'll also be presented with a "Take This To Supernatural Levels or Keep It Mundane" decision, and there's ambiguity about whether or not we'll be able to turn them into Supernatual Martial Arts while avoiding maiming people.
Personally, I want to go for all three at 90+ and give it a shot, but there's been some opposition to the idea and the purposed alternative would basically have similar or the same levels for actual tournament use (Supernatural used within Mortal Limits gets a -25 applied to the check, meaning we'd end up with something like 75+ either way) while also advancing a supporting skill like Physical Resistance or perhaps Dodging.
Sir Plusse
Overly Vicious Quester
- Location
- Kansas
Using two or more skills for the same action; for example, during the school invasion, we used Brawling, Street Fighting, MMA, Unyielding Mountain, and Physical Resistance for the combat check- 5 skills for one action.
Now, yes, we're only allowed to apply one Martial Art-type skill to the tournament at a time, but since this is Shounen-genre you can bet we'll get into more fights that allow us to use everything at our disposal.
On a side note, rereading that arc has convinced me that the sensei is supernatural in at least one martial art.
edit: It just occurred to me that this tournament might be an opportunity to limit-break the Martial Arts we'll be using in it.
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Icipall
Don't worry, we can fanfix that!
- Location
- Cold snow fields of Finland
That's why I'm here, always watching. Over your shoulder. To remind you of these things.
Speaking of, I don't think that you ever gave us that MMA-50 perk.
It has limited uses. Not everything can be used together. Brawling and Street Fighting are so simple MAs that they can be used together with other MAs, like MMA, and we decided to go all out then, so we decided to also use UMT, our supernatural MA. And since we were fighting mundane opponents, we could use it with mundane MAs. PhysRes is also not an MA skill, though it is pivotal to Hayato's fighting style, so it can be applied whenever necessary.
- Location
- Goose Land
Oh, Combined Skill Checks. That makes sense.
Based on the last time we talked about this, we'll at most be able to use two Supernatural Martial Arts at the same time. There's still benefit to getting them all to 100 and making them Supernatural, but that's because of Perks and specific martial applications than managing to get a tremendous combat number.
Sir Plusse
Overly Vicious Quester
- Location
- Kansas
Which, at most, mitigates my point, but doesn't actually counter it, because we have proof that knowing multiple martial arts stacks.
Now if, say, kendo was used during an unarmed fight, I'd call shenanigans, but beyond that there's little to no reason not to build skill in multiple styles. Especially since we could wind up in more situations where what we use is limited for whatever reason.
Yeah, I'm aware of the cap on simultaneous supernatural martial arts. That said, I also seem to remember that 100 in a skill does not innately turn it supernatural; it's a choice we're given when we hit... 75-80, somewhere in that area, and we can actually get 100 in them without them turning supernatural if we so choose. Thus, there's actually not much incentive to convert all our martial arts at all... especially if I'm right in that we won't get the benefits of perks from martial arts we aren't using, or supernatural perks when we're using mundane skill only.
Honestly, I think Brawling, of all things, might be our best bet for a "converted" supernatural martial art; it leaves our skill in mundane martial arts uncapped for tournaments, while giving us a second supernatural martial art to stack (when Yato teaches us how to combine them) to help in real fights. Street Fighting (also known as Improvised Weapons, IIRC) just doesn't mesh as well with Unyielding Mountain, I feel.
Icipall
Don't worry, we can fanfix that!
- Location
- Cold snow fields of Finland
To a certain degree. QM specifically said that SF and Brawling stack since they're so simple. But, for example, MMA and Karate, no, at least not yet.
It is a choice we can make when the MA hits above 90. The difference is that mundane and supernatural versions of the MA have different perks at levels 90 and 100, you can't get both mundane and supernatural.
And Improvised Weapons is a skill in Throwing Weapons.
Sir Plusse
Overly Vicious Quester
- Location
- Kansas
That "not yet" reads to me like "you must be at least this skilled to combine martial arts."
I've sort-of acknowledged that "pure" and "converted" (for lack of better concise terms I can think of offhand) mundane martial arts get different perks, but have countered by raising the concern that we wouldn't be able to use the supernatural perks if we're using them as mundane only (or not using the martial art in question at all). Mundane perks we can use regardless, but are likely less powerful in exchange.
I read that as "Improvised Throwing Weapons" (distinct from Improvised Melee Weapons, which I remember falling under Street Fighting).
Icipall
Don't worry, we can fanfix that!
- Location
- Cold snow fields of Finland
If we're using them mundane, then we cannot use the supernatural perks even if we have them. If we turn the MA to supernatural, then we won't get the 90- and 100-level mundane perks. Those are the trade offs for turning them supernatural, otherwise there would be no reason not to turn every MA to supernatural.
They do, Street Fighting is pretty much "everything goes" martial art.
Sir Plusse
Overly Vicious Quester
- Location
- Kansas
So the question is, do martial art perks apply even when you aren't using the martial art in question at the moment? Because if not, we have significant incentives to limit ourselves to one conversion (no debuffed skill in the mundane martial arts, actually allowed to use their perks whenever using them, maybe a few others), and no incentive at all to convert them all (because we can only use so many supernatural martial arts at once).
@LinkOnScepter care to weigh in on this topic?
Icipall
Don't worry, we can fanfix that!
- Location
- Cold snow fields of Finland
Once correction that I should make after some re-reading. I'm not sure about the possible perks below 90, but at levels 90 and 100 what we gain from the MA aren't perks but techniques specific to that MA, like the ones we've gained from training UMT.
LinkOnScepter
The One who Strangles Concepts to death
- Location
- Interwebs