Gala Presentation - Ebon Fist

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "Today, the Ebon Fist would like to present an original story from our libraries. It is titled, "A Tanjinn Parable", written by Lizara Darkthorne Seir."

Sherazad disappears from sight as the scene turns dark again.

Ruth appears in the light, wearing the gi of the monks of the Ebon Fist, consisting of three pieces. The soft, black trousers hang loosely off the body, allowing for unrestricted movement of the legs. The inner shirt is bright red, and hangs loose at the waist, although a brilliant white cord tie at the back of the shirt secures it around the ribs. The long outer robe is black and sleeveless with several leather ties closing up the front, and also bears a large symbol on the back, emblazoned in hellish embroidery. The symbol is that of a large ring of joined daemons protecting a large, gnarled fist, blazing with fire.

The lights grow again, and you are able to perceive that Ruth is followed by a group of Ebon Fist monks, wearing exactly the same outfit.

These monks follow Ruth when she presses her palms together and bows low, ready to perform the demonstration of their skills.

Sherazad locks her right thumb in her left fist and deftly slides her right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as she does so.
Hayte locks his right thumb in his left fist and deftly slides his right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as he does so.
Ruth locks her right thumb in her left fist and deftly slides her right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as she does so.
Micaelis locks his right thumb in his left fist and deftly slides his right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as he does so.
Cesarina locks her right thumb in her left fist and deftly slides her right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as she does so.

Ruth twists her waist and pulls her left arm up and around in a warding block. The other monks are almost like her parallel reflections as they move in synchronization. Their forms are equally rhythmic as she continues the motion by throwing a firm punch with her right hand before dodging nimbly backwards as if to evade an imaginary foe.

Meanwhile, Cesarina, who is standing in a stance behind Ruth demonstrates her strength by performing a string of high, front kicks in swift succession.

Hayte, who stands next to Cesarina, launches into a lightning fast combination of jab and hook punches in a true display of impressive dexterity.

Threatening to rival a jester's flexibility, Micaelis launches into the air in a perfect somersault over Cesarina and Hayte, landing confidently before them. Dropping straight down to the floor and into the splits, Micaelis warily eyes the audience before picking himself up.

Ruth and her group of monks lower their upper bodies in a stiff bow before taking several steps backward simultaneously, melting into the darkness. The lights come up again, focusing upon the Daemonic Hand.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "One day while I was walking along a path on Ulangi, I came across an elderly man. He told me his life was near closing and he wished to discuss weapons one last time. The man was formerly a knight who, due to an injury, settled to work as a blacksmith."

Stepping out from the darkness and into the shadows behind the Daemonic Hand, Ruth drops confidently into the Eagle stance and lashes out with a competent side kick, then swivels around and chains another side-kick to the previous one.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, ""Weapons," he said, "are the breath of life. Without them, the warrior is weak. Without his sword, the warrior is defenceless. So tell me stranger, why do you walk so confidently without your sword by your side?""

Stepping out from the darkness and into the shadows behind Ruth, who changes her stance smoothly, the group of monks begin to imitate the following movements, circling attentively around the hall while jabbing the air with their fists, concentrating on speed and accuracy. Each monk raises their knee as high as they can and freezes like a statue, then releases the stance and lets loose a powerful jump kick forward before landing steadily on the ground, each maintaining their balance with skill.

Ruth drops into the Horse stance and tenses her powerful leg muscles to remain perfectly still. She jumps forwards and dives to the floor, rolls swiftly forwards and rises to her feet with startling speed and fluidity.

Ruth darts forwards in Sherazad's direction and cuts the air before her with a rapid roundhouse, then follows up the kick with a flurry of punches.

Turning nimbly with the intent of dodging the Sartai Navarch's assault, Sherazad raises her arms to her chest and manages to block the kicks and punches with both arms just in time. Right after, she dives to the floor, rolls swiftly towards Ruth before rising to her feet with startling speed and fluidity.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "A smirk came across my face as I replied, "I need no sword. My mind my body, and my soul are my weapons.""

In response, Ruth drops to the floor immediately and sweeps her legs around in an arc and pulls back her fists, ready to strike with all her might.

Cesarina spins herself out of the group, drawing back into a well-formed Cat stance as she begins to circle with wary precision, muscles tensed and ready to spring into action at any moment.

Hayte spins himself out of the group, joining Cesarina and drawing back into a well-formed Cat stance as he begins to circle with wary precision, muscles tensed and ready to spring into action at any moment.

Micaelis spins himself out of the group, joining both Cesarina and Hayte, drawing back into a well-formed Cat stance as he begins to circle with wary precision, muscles tensed and ready to spring into action at any moment.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "I chuckled as I saw the look of confusion on his face. "I have trained my body to be both a weapon and a shield. I can shatter an opponent's limbs with a single punch, or cause a proud warrior to run in fear with but a thought. Weapons themselves, are but a weakness.""

Sherazad fakes a step backwards and lets fly with an elegant, arcing moon-kick, which connects with a satisfying thud against Ruth's right arm. She forms a blade with her hands and slices at the arm as well, watching Ruth wince with each hit.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, ""How can you say that?" the man inquired. "After all, do you not owe your life to someone who wields a blade?""

Ruth backs away, and then adopts an aggressive stance, narrowing her eyes to thin slits. She strikes out with a deadly combination of joint locks, forcing Sherazad back.

Sherazad says calmly in a husky, drawling voice, "The person yes, the blade no. As I said, weapons themselves are weaknesses. A knight who relies only on the stroke of his sword or a serpent on the crack of her whip is weak. There is more to strength then just wielding a physical weapon."

Ruth straightens herself and bows towards the Daemonic Hand. Around them, Cesarina, Hayte and Micaelis relax into a neutral position and clasp their hands together in front of themselves.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "But a weapon is an extension of a person's being."

Sherazad says carefully in a husky, drawling voice, ".. Only if used properly. However, a person who depends solely on a weapon is a fool and a coward. Behold the Maldaathi: they use swords, but I would never call them weak. After all, they do not rely solely on the sword, they also use the dark arts to their advantage. When one uses more than a physical weapon, they show strength of character, and strength of spirit."

Ruth steps forward, assuming a lotus position, continuing the demonstration.

Cesarina throws three front punches, designed to shatter a hapless opponent's rib-cage. Recovering in an instant, she turns to the left and executes a powerful frontkick. Looking quickly behind her, she throws a mule-kick at head level. Without changing her orientation, she lifts her left leg and thrusts it out in a side-kick at groin level.

Imagining an opponent rushing at his from the right, Hayte performs the same maneuver in reverse. Dodging multiple opponents, he leaps into the air and performs a fully-extended back flip. Upon landing, he immediately throws a series of rabbit punches to one of his nebulous foe's kidneys. Spinning around to face another enemy, he quickly knees to the groin, and as the imaginary foe doubles over in pain, he then smashes his face into his other knee.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, ""You are wrong about this, my young friend," the senile old fool proclaimed. "I might not look it, but I am still capable with a blade. I proclaimed. "I might not look it, but I am still capable with a blade. I have only ever needed to use a sword my entire life, never relying on anything else. I know that weapons are not a weakness, but a strength. Anyone who says otherwise does not know the pleasure the sword has, how it moves with your body.""

Cesarina thrusts a hand out, and Micaelis crackles with kai energy as loud cracks emanate in the air, his limbs breaking into two. He slumps onto the ground, while a smirk crosses Cesarina's lips.

Raising herself until she rests solely on her palms, Ruth unfolds her legs. She extends her legs straight up until she is performing a handstand, before flipping herself over again and landing on her feet.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "At this, the old man got up deceptively fast for his frame, and attempted to attack me with his sword drawn."

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "After easily sidestepping the attack I reached out and paralysed him with my mind. Then, I proceeded to disarm him."

Together, Ruth and the group of monks form two bladehands and carve them confidently through the air with bonebreaking speed and force, then unleashing another series of dazzling kicks, flying through the air in the defiance of gravity, and finally landing on their feet.

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "After a few seconds' thought and a quick prayer to Lord Sartan, a wicked grin came to my face as I decapitated him with his own sword."

Sherazad says in a husky, drawling voice, "We must never overlook our greatest weapons."

As the Daemonic Hand finishes, Ruth and the group of Ebon Fist monks disappear from view. The scene immediately becomes dark again.

Sherazad locks her right thumb in her left fist and deftly slides her right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as she does so.
Cesarina locks her right thumb in her left fist and deftly slides her right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as she does so.
Micaelis locks his right thumb in his left fist and deftly slides his right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as he does so.
Ruth locks her right thumb in her left fist and deftly slides her right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as she does so.
Hayte locks his right thumb in his left fist and deftly slides his right hand into an open palm beneath the clenched fist, bowing respectfully as he does so.

Jurixe claps her hands together in a series of short, muffled claps.

Tirac nods in appreciation and applauds heartily.

Aepas says in a multifarious voice, "Most excelent."

Jurixe says in a low, silken voice, "Well done, Ebon Fist."

Quei says in an unusually soft voice, "Wonderful."

Kaevan claps his hands together, soft applause echoing through the chamber.

Cahin takes a deep sip from a frosted glass goblet, his eyes widening with delight.

Kaevan bows his head to Sherazad respectfully.

You have emoted: Xer's lips twitch upwards.

(Clan): Tirac says, "Beasted. I said haidouken IRL."

Norbert shuffles northeast.

Kaevan Lichlord says, "There will be a very short intermission. Before 'Honour in Evil', presented by the Maldaathi, will take place."

Vrah joins in the applause, smiling in appreciation.

(Clan): Ruth says, "Hahaha, haidouken."

Sohl says with an urbane accent, "Very ellucidating, thank you."

Niro gives a black bowl of golden, deep-fried wasps to Kaevan.

Amunet smiles and says in a chic, liquored voice, "Yes. Well done."