First Landing's First Annual Lunar New Year Tournament

It’s a normal sunny day in First Landing. The sounds of combat ring out from the arena and dull sighs come from the Guildhall, long since repaired after the siege. As people go about their daily business, one man walks over to the fountain in the square and jumps on top of it. He clears his throat, speaking loudly so that everyone in the square can hear him. “Excuse me! I have something that I would like to say!” Most people pay the man no heed, but several people stop to look up at Uzuto Sukemoru, reading off of a scroll.

“I am sure that many of you might have seen a few new people working and setting things up around town! This is because I, as well as Terrible-Fangs-Latching-Upon-and-Bringing-Slow-Death-to-Enemies(Anadi) would like to announce the First Landing Lunar New Year Tournament!” More people begin to approach the fountain, listening intensely. Combatants in the arena stop their bouts to watch with rapt attention. “It will be a…” Uzuto squints his eyes at the paper. “... doubles tournament with a prize of 200 gold for the winners! Contestants may also bet on themselves to win even more money, if they feel so bold. We will start it at the beginning of the New Year, as well as hold a festival to celebrate! I hope those of you who wish to test your skills will consider joining and perhaps learn about a culture you might not have known much about!” Uzuto jumps off the fountain and walks into the Blinking Pug… before popping his head out to add one more thing.

“Ah, I have been told to inform you all that the New Year will be at the start of next month. Also, a full list of rules will be posted in Elvira’s Pug. Please familiarize yourself with them and ask questions, as breaking any one of them could result in your immediate disqualification.” And with that note, he leaves for real. The fighting in the arena resumes twofold as people begin to chatter excitedly about the upcoming event.

The summer sun bears down on the city. People go about their business, doing their best to stay cool or out of the heat. Uzuto walks through the square in a simple red kimono and hops onto the fountain. "People of First Landing! I am happy to announce that the festival is now upon you!" Red fills the square as over a dozen stands open themselves up and a large firework goes off in the sky. Dragon and Lion dancers make their way through the streets, bringing revelry, candy and apples wherever they go. "Now you can all go have fun playing all the different festival games and food with your fellow citizens! If you do well enough you can even earn plushies like these." He holds up what appears to be a plush doll of King Mogaru. "We have also invited people who will be able to sell you nice things. The tournament will begin very soon, so please be patient!" Uzuto then speeds off to a nearby stall. After a few seconds past, a pale skinned woman floats to the top of the fountain holding a list. When she speaks, it is with a voice that could put raging bulls to sleep with its monotony. "In addition to the festivities that my Senior Brother mentioned, we would also like to welcome our guests, who have grasciously taken the time to come to our humble town. Tarka of Watcher's Village. King Aseron and his lover Svetlana Skullcrusher of the Millennium Forest. Raket and Ajan of Roanokae. Duke Asculith of the Millennium Forest. The Mephits of the Elemental Portal Shrine. Noyaki and delegation of the Unseen Village. Attys and his sister Vesper of the Purple and Golden Baronies respectively. And our most honored guests, Rip and Oukra of Roanokae. Please give them a warm welcome." The woman then floats off.

Terri and Uzuto stand on a podium above the stands. The spider steps forward and speaks, their words magically loud. "Friends! The first round of the Lunar New Year Tournament has been completed. I hope it has been illuminating and helpful, and has allowed you to learn more about your own martial abilities! It certainly has been illuminating for me. Above all, I hope that it helps bind you closer to your fellow combatants!" 

"I have heard some grumblings of discontent, that this tournament was somehow not fair. This is correct! The point of the tournament is to test to find the most adaptable and skilled fighters, to test their ability to achieve a broad series of objectives in a large variety of locales. Fights are never fair! Combatants are sometimes more prepared, more skilled, or simply more lucky than their foes. But it is our hope that with good teamwork and tactics, one could overcome disadvantages posed against them!"

"Whether you agree with this method or not, at the end of the day, it is our coin sponsoring the purse, so it is our whim that will judge the tournament. And I hope that moving forward you are prepared for the unexpected! Because if you thought round one was surprising and random, it will only get worse for you! But if you strive for victory and use your brain as well as your brawn, that is who we hope to see victorious."

"To those of you that fell in the first round, I do not wish to be cruel, so stay and enjoy the festival! Eat, drink, bond with your fellow warriors. To allow this, we are awarding two free tokens to those eliminated in round one to participate at any level for any of the carnival games. Thank you for allowing us to test you in this way!"

"Round two will begin shortly." With this, Terri turns to Uzuto to see if he has anything to add, and then leaves the podium.

With a serious look on his face, Uzuto adds, "||Terrible-Fangs-Latching-Upon-and-Bringing-Slow-Death-to-Enemies||(Anadi) is right. If you seek strength, you should seek a strength that will not fall so easily to luck, magic, or another's preparations. This world is vast, and the challenges you will meet are far more deadly and far more unfair than what we will throw at you. In addition," He immediately lightens up and pulls out an inert plushy of King Mogaru. "You should all do your best to win one of the plushies! I have one of each! They are amazing!" With that final note, he walks off with Terri.

"Greetings, people of First Landing! I hope you have been having a wonderful time with the festival and the matches!"

"Hah! I can see you've had quite a bit of fun watching these fine people rise closer to the top! But perhaps we should get to know them a bit more! Would Kodzak, Damin, Kotgrym, Tylmae, Sirxus, and Murphy make their way down here if they so please?"

"If it so pleases you, there are some questions we would like to ask you! You may answer as many or as little as you like!" "Who are you?" "What made you decide to enter the tournament?" "How are you feeling about things so far?" "Who do you least wish to face?" "Who do you feel is most likely to win?" "Is there anything you would like to say to your potential opponents and teammates?"

After the second round, the semifinalists Damin Saltric, Kodzak, Saorie Tylmae, Kotgrym Skybreaker, Murphy, and Sirxus are gathered in front of the entire crowd and asked to answer several questions. After doing so, they are herded off to the Semifinals Arena to fight.

After fighting their way through every other opponent, Kodzak, Murphy, Damin Saltric, Saorie Tylmae make their way to the finals. Damin and Tylmae team up against Kodzak and Murphy, achieving victory and becoming the champions of the First Landing First Annual Lunar New Year Tournament.