Test of the Emerald Champion
The Test of the Emerald Champion was a tournament performed in the Plains of Thunder, generally formatted as a series of iaijutsu duels, that determined who would hold the title of Emerald Champion. [1]
Emperor's Enforcer[]
The test was originally created to determine the Emperor's personal bodyguard, and its first winner was Kakita in the year 23. [2] The First Tournament saw contests of athletics, wrestling, and strategy that culminated in a kenjutsu tournament. [3] Because of its reliance on the style of duels that Kakita created and mastered, the test has often gone to Crane Clan samurai. [citation needed]
Schedule[]
The evening before the tournament's first rounds began, the individual Clan delegations present met privately to discuss their focus for the tournament. At the same time a meeting of the assembled Imperial personnel took place. [4]
Test to be performed the First Day[]
The purpose of the first day of competition was to determine which contestants would be selected to advance to the iaijutsu tournament the following day. [4]
- Test of Etiquette: it was considered one of the most difficult of the tests, [5] designed to gauge their ability to maintain their composure under uncomfortable circumstances. [6]
- Test of Investigation: [7] it was by far the most elaborate Test conducted in preparation for the iaijutsu tournament. [8]
- Test of Law: [9] the most difficult of the Tests, it required an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Rokugani law. [8]
- Test of Leadership: [10] the contenders played Go. The boards were made to present a challenge to one of the players. While some boards were set up normally, others were set up in a way that would never happen in a real game. The purpose of the test was never to see if a contender could beat his opponent. It was to see if he could adapt to the scenario and attempt new strategies. [1] Another choice involved a large table with a topographical map, complete with some three-dimensional representations of major landmarks and geographical features, to resolve a battle in a suitable manner. [11]
- Test of Resources: [12] this Test was designed to weed out any contestants who would prove grossly incompetent in administering an organization as large and complex as the Emerald Magistrates. [11]
- Test of Martial Ability: [13] it was the simplest of the Tests to pass, and pitted the competitor against a pair of young guardsmen to demonstrate weapons skills, first with a bokken, followed by katana, and finally with a weapon chosen by the Head Judge. [14]
Final Test[]
The second day held the iaijutsu tournament that ultimately decided who would advance to the position of Emerald Champion. At dawn of the day following the tournament's conclusion, there was a massivc ceremony held wherein the Emperor bestowed a personal oath of fealty to the victor, imparting him with the power, responsibilities, and trappings of the Emerald Champion. [4]
See Emerald Champion for a listing of all known Champions, both current and historic.
External Links[]
Test of the Emerald Champion
- Test of the Emerald Champion (Imperial)
- Favor of the Emerald Champion(Promotional)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Test of the Emerald Champion, Part One, by Brian Yoon
- ↑ Imperial Histories, p. 14
- ↑ Imperial Histories, p. 30
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Art of the Duel, p. 181
- ↑ Test of Etiquette (Emerald and Jade Championship flavor)
- ↑ Art of the Duel, p. 183
- ↑ Test of Investigation (Emerald and Jade Championship Title)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Art of the Duel, p. 184
- ↑ Test of Law (Emerald and Jade Championship Title)
- ↑ Test of Leadership (Emerald and Jade Championship Title)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Art of the Duel, p. 185
- ↑ Test of Resources (Emerald and Jade Championship Title)
- ↑ Test of Martial Ability (Emerald and Jade Championship Title)
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Art of the Duel, pp. 185-186
- ↑ The Test of the Emerald Champion, Part Two, by Shawn Carman
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