Question 8

[Mailliw73 he/him]

So he hates this guy --> 

And Twi loves using him. I'm not sure she learned her lesson.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

So he hates this guy -->

How can anyone hate that guy? He's adorable.

[Comatose he/him]

So apparently I should refrain from using my clumsy thumbs to up vote while on my phone. Edge, I gave you an accidental down vote on that hilarious music video, so I found two other posts to up vote. I'm sure there's a way to remove down votes, but I couldn't find a way using my admin powers . No more phone upvoting for these thumbs!

[Kobold King he/him]

Right. And that's part of why he hated it so much. Samurai, he told us, had a code of honor that they upheld at all costs. Ninjas killed in the dead of night for whoever paid the most. He taught a lot of kids, and I think he felt teaching them to face down bullies like a paid assassin would have been the wrong lesson.

 

I've never been sure what to think about the ninja vs samurai debate. I mean, it's true that ninjas were assassins, but they were also one of the only communities in feudal Japan to have a halfway democratic society. It's also true that the samurai upheld a strict code of honor, but code of honor permitted for the random decapitation of peasants for looking at you the wrong way.

 

There were a lot of shades of grey in medieval Japan, is what I'm saying. I know this because I once read it in a book.

 

Out of curiosity, how far along in training does a brown belt indicate? Is it closer to the rookie or master end of the belt spectrum?

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

I've never been sure what to think about the ninja vs samurai debate. I mean, it's true that ninjas were assassins, but they were also one of the only communities in feudal Japan to have a halfway democratic society. It's also true that the samurai upheld a strict code of honor, but code of honor permitted for the random decapitation of peasants for looking at you the wrong way.

There were a lot of shades of grey in medieval Japan, is what I'm saying. I know this because I once read it in a book.

Out of curiosity, how far along in training does a brown belt indicate? Is it closer to the rookie or master end of the belt spectrum?

Their code of honor was also the live-up-to-it-or-die-trying sort, if you catch my drift. Personally, from what I've seen of Ninjitsu, I think Shudokan and its sister styles are better for defensive purposes. They assume you'll be meeting an assailant in broad daylight, or fighting them off after being attacked from behind. Ninjitsu relies too much on the element of surprise, in my opinion.

[Kobold King he/him]

Last belt before 1st degree black belt. There's 9 degrees of black belt. If her belts work the same as mine. 

 

So, forgive my ignorance... but I am correct in stating that a brown belt in Shudokan does, in fact, make TwiLyght a badchull?

 

 

Their code of honor was also the live-up-to-it-or-die-trying sort, if you catch my drift. Personally, from what I've seen of Ninjitsu, I think Shudokan and its sister styles are better for defensive purposes. They assume you'll be meeting an assailant in broad daylight, or fighting them off after being attacked from behind. Ninjitsu relies too much on the element of surprise, in my opinion.

 

Or "If you don't live up to it, you should remove your own vital organs."  

 

It makes sense that Ninjitsu would be a more offensive style. Have you ever used Shudokan for legitimate self-defense, if you don't mind me asking?

 

(Also, if you're at all interested in medieval Japan, you should check out the historical fiction novels The Samurai's Tale and The Boy and the Samurai, both by Erik Christian Haugaard. They're fascinating looks at the Sengoku Period of Japan, and as works of literature it's hard not to tear up from reading them at some point or another. The Boy and the Samurai is one of the first novels I ever read, and I love it just as much now as I did when I was a little koboldling.  )

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

So, forgive my ignorance... but I am correct in stating that a brown belt in Shudokan does, in fact, make TwiLyght a badchull?

Or "If you don't live up to it, you should remove your own vital organs."

It makes sense that Ninjitsu would be a more offensive style. Have you ever used Shudokan for legitimate self-defense, if you don't mind me asking?

(Also, if you're at all interested in medieval Japan, you should check out the historical fiction novels The Samurai's Tale and The Boy and the Samurai, both by Erik Christian Haugaard. They're fascinating looks at the Sengoku Period of Japan, and as works of literature it's hard not to tear up from reading them at some point or another. The Boy and the Samurai is one of the first novels I ever read, and I love it just as much now as I did when I was a little koboldling. )

Not nearly as much as if I were a black belt. Shudokan black belt tests begin with a yearlong probation period, where you have to teach white belts. Your sensei monitors you to see how you cope teaching them, and then you get to take the test. In front of not only your sensei, but his sensei (who you'd call a shihan, or "teacher of teachers"). Most brown belts don't pass the first time, and have to go back to the probation period all over again.

Thankfully, no. But I did learn a lot about self-discipline and developing natural talent, which I think is just as useful.

[Kobold King he/him]

Not nearly as much as if I were a black belt. Shudokan black belt tests begin with a yearlong probation period, where you have to teach white belts. Your sensei monitors you to see how you cope teaching them, and then you get to take the test. In front of not only your sensei, but his sensei (who you'd call a shihan, or "teacher of teachers"). Most brown belts don't pass the first time, and have to go back to the probation period all over again.

Thankfully, no. But I did learn a lot about self-discipline and developing natural talent, which I think is just as useful.

 

How is it that you can impress me with your skill and knowledge every time we have a conversation? I've never taken martial arts classes, so this is all completely new stuff to me. If you got the chance to do so, would you start taking Shudokan classes again with the goal of acquiring a black belt?

 

I'll teach myself self-discipline... tomorrow, maybe.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

How is it that you can impress me with your skill and knowledge every time we have a conversation? I've never taken martial arts classes, so this is all completely new stuff to me. If you got the chance to do so, would you start taking Shudokan classes again with the goal of acquiring a black belt?

I'll teach myself self-discipline... tomorrow, maybe.

Thanks Honestly, though, that's stuff I picked up just attending. I could also tell you some of the stories our sensei would tell us at the end of each class, and how it's taken me until now to really understand most of them. I'd definitely start back up again. I'm a bit rusty, but if I could, I'd love to work toward a black belt again.

Like Winter, I'd also recommend taking classes if you can. I'd recommend against Tae Kwan Do, though. Most of those dojos push you through the ranks so fast you can earn a black belt in a year or two--which means you don't learn as much as you should during that time.

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Thanks Honestly, though, that's stuff I picked up just attending. I could also tell you some of the stories our sensei would tell us at the end of each class, and how it's taken me until now to really understand most of them. I'd definitely start back up again. I'm a bit rusty, but if I could, I'd love to work toward a black belt again.

Like Winter, I'd also recommend taking classes if you can. I'd recommend against Tae Kwan Do, though. Most of those dojos push you through the ranks so fast you can earn a black belt in a year or two--which means you don't learn as much as you should during that time.

I think martial arts would be really fun to learn. It definitely sounds cool. I may look into that soon.

[Kobold King he/him]

Thanks Honestly, though, that's stuff I picked up just attending. I could also tell you some of the stories our sensei would tell us at the end of each class, and how it's taken me until now to really understand most of them. I'd definitely start back up again. I'm a bit rusty, but if I could, I'd love to work toward a black belt again.

Like Winter, I'd also recommend taking classes if you can. I'd recommend against Tae Kwan Do, though. Most of those dojos push you through the ranks so fast you can earn a black belt in a year or two--which means you don't learn as much as you should during that time.

 

I would definitely upvote those stories, if you're inclined to share them.

 

I'll consider it. I live out in a small Texas town, though, and I've never seen classes available anywhere.

[mail-mi he/him]

Well, tecnically Backtrack could tell that said "Koschei" has never been in the Dalles before and must be a fake but then again, we are talking about Backtrack here. By the way, is Reader going next?

 

That's what I was planning on.

 

And I have a black belt in Shotokan karate and I'm going up for my second degree this year.

[mail-mi he/him]

Also, Mailliw, I give you full permission to have Edgerunner pants reader 

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

That's what I was planning on.

And I have a black belt in Shotokan karate and I'm going up for my second degree this year.

I won't lie: I'm insanely jealous.

Also, every time I imagine Arsenal's reaction to that call, I picture him storming over to Shiny Sparkle, yanking Autumn's hand from hers, and telling her to "Stop smiling! This is not a happy place!"

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Also, Mailliw, I give you full permission to have Edgerunner pants reader 

Shall do.

[Kobold King he/him]

I won't lie: I'm insanely jealous.

Also, every time I imagine Arsenal's reaction to that call, I picture him storming over to Shiny Sparkle, yanking Autumn's hand from hers, and telling her to "Stop smiling! This is not a happy place!"

 

First Winter. Then you. Now mail-mi. More and more I'm feeling like the wimpiest wimp on the block.

 

"This is not a happy place!"

 

--Arsenal, all the time.  

[Mailliw73 he/him]

First Winter. Then you. Now mail-mi. More and more I'm feeling like the wimpiest wimp on the block.

 

"This is not a happy place!"

 

--Arsenal, all the time.

I'm with you there, Kobold.

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Ooh, and I think that Reader just earned himself a gravity propelled slap as well. What would be the protocol on slapping him and how would Autumn react?

[Mailliw73 he/him]

I thought I was impressive... me and my little yellow belt.

It's better than my clear one.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Ooh, and I think that Reader just earned himself a gravity propelled slap as well. What would be the protocol on slapping him and how would Autumn react?

She would definitely reprimand Edgerunner for both slapping/pantsing Reader and setting a bad example for other Epics, but she would have to try very hard to hold back a laugh. Later, she might take Edgerunner aside and explain that although she couldn't condone the methods used, she did think it was a good idea to keep Reader in line and suggest they speak to Vondra about coming up with a system that doesn't involve public pantsings.

[Kobold King he/him]

She would definitely reprimand Edgerunner for both slapping/pantsing Reader and setting a bad example for other Epics, but she would have to try very hard to hold back a laugh. Later, she might take Edgerunner aside and explain that although she couldn't condone the methods used, she did think it was a good idea to keep Reader in line and suggest they speak to Vondra about coming up with a system that doesn't involve public pantsings.

 

"Nobody really needs to see Reader's tighty whities, Edgerunner."

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

"Nobody really needs to see Reader's tighty whities, Edgerunner."

"While I agree in principle, you've given Backtrack an image he can never unsee. It's all we can do to hope he doesn't spend the rest of his days sobbing in terror."

[Mailliw73 he/him]

She would definitely reprimand Edgerunner for both slapping/pantsing Reader and setting a bad example for other Epics, but she would have to try very hard to hold back a laugh. Later, she might take Edgerunner aside and explain that although she couldn't condone the methods used, she did think it was a good idea to keep Reader in line and suggest they speak to Vondra about coming up with a system that doesn't involve public pantsings.

I like that idea. I'll get something up tomorrow. Im really excited for this.

[Kobold King he/him]

"While I agree in principle, you've given Backtrack an image he can never unsee. It's all we can do to hope he doesn't spend the rest of his days sobbing in terror."

* from the background *

"OH THE HORROR I'M GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF MY DAYS SOBBING IN TERROR!!!1!"

* sigh *

"See? We're already too late."

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

I came up with the most useless Epic today.

Name: Oklahoma! (exclamation point extremely necessary)

Power: Instant teleportation to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Restrictions: Once in Tulsa, he can only teleport between downtown and the suburbs. If he wants to leave Tulsa, he'll need to take a bus.

Modus Operandi: Alternates between wanting to destroy Tulsa and protecting it at all costs. His Rending involved many angry rants about the city, given between bouts of hugging the buildings, trees, and people while sobbing about how much he hated them.

Edited March 26, 2015 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles