I'm not sure how many of you know the iconic scene from The Princess Bride where two fencers discuss fencing techniques as they fight, but I was suddenly put in mind of it today in relation to L5R. Here is my first attempt to replace the real world techniques with RPG kata -

• Inigo Montoya: You are using the Landslide Strike against me, ah?
• Man in Black: I thought it fitting considering the rocky terrain.
• Inigo: Naturally, you must suspect me to attack with Heartpiercing Strike?
• Man in Black: Naturally, but I find that Iron in the Mountains Style cancels out Heartpiercing Strike. Don’t you?
• Inigo: Unless the enemy has studied the Flashing Steel Strike… which I have.

Any thoughts on whether this can be improved?

The progression could go like this:

1) First attacker proposes to start with Disappearing World Style Kata to give the Dazed condition.

2) Countered by Flowing Water Strike Kata, which can remove Dazed before hitting.

3) Countered by Coiling Serpent Style Kata, which makes immobilized and thus prevents Flowing Water Strike, which is a Movement technique.

4) Countered by Earth Stance, which prevents Immobilized.

5) Countered by using Flashing Steel Strike Kata (from Path of Waves) instead of Disappearing World Style if the opponent is in Earth Stance, it works against Earth Stance.

6) Countered by using Eyes Up! Shuji (from Path of Waves) at the start of the Scene, to increase Vigilance.

If you do not like The Princess Bride, this could also be the imagined fight between Sherlock and Moriatty in the Movie Sherlock Holmes.

So in prose:

Montoyo Inigo-san: "Fire Stance? Methinks you are preparing Disappearing World Style, to hinder my attack. But you should know that I mastered the Flowing Water Strike, so your Disappearing World Style will not stop me!"

The Dead Mantis Robert-san: "I find that a pinch of Coiling Serpent Style is the right seasoning to prevent Disappearing World Style from ruining ones appetite."

Montoyo Inigo-san: "But shouldn't you expect me to expect you to use Coiling Serpent Style, and thus expect me to choose Earth Stance as a counter? Not only does that pervent Coiling Serpent, it would also be a tasteful reflection of this mountainous terrain we find ourselves in."

The Dead Mantis Robert-san: "Naturally. But Earth Stance will not save you if your opponent has mastered the new Flashing Steel Strike, which I admit is unlikely, seeing that is is a very recent technique. But I have!"

Montoyo Inigo-san: "Outstanding! But speaking of new techniques, are you familiar with the Eyes Up! shuji? Because I can tell you, I am."

The Dead Mantis Robert-san: "I have to say it is an honor to fight someone who does not only intimately know the classics, but also keeps up with recent developments. Maybe I should just go with Heartpiercing Strike. A bit generic in a duel, I admit, but classics are classic for a reason. Still, the TN of 4 gives me pause."

Montoyo Inigo-san: "As it well should. But what should also give you pause: I am not left-handed!"

The Dead Mantis Robert-san: "I do not think there is a penalty in the books for fighting with your off-hand. But anyway: What you don't know is that I am not left-handed, either! And I took the Ambidextrous Advantage, just to be sure."

Montoyo Inigo-san: "That strikes me a bit as min-maxing. You would not happen to be an adept of the Powergamer school?"

The Dead Mantis Robert-san: "Wow, dealing 2 Strife with words? Look who is in Fire Stance now."

"Who are you?"

"No-one of importance."

"Asako Maezawa-san? You don't look like him..."

"No....I....oh, drat, I forgot he uses that line too....."