6th Dan Kendo (Kenna's Tale).

I've been through some ordeals recently, did some exploration, trained heavily... even died and came back thanks to Peltarch's Clergy's Divine Magick.

Usually when one dies and comes back via Divine Magick, one is weakened. But in my case, it gave me motivation for training and recovery.

Going back from fugue plane (outworlds antechamber) cost me 40 000 gold pieces and put strain on my spirit and soul.

But then I've trained and even fought Fire Giants with Jonty (Dwarven Shieldbearer) and David (Human Assassin and Scout).

Judging by my own observations of my qualities, I've met requirements for 6th Dan in the Way of the Katana Sword, in Kendo.

So here I am, back alive and kicking, stronger than ever before.

-- Kenna, 6th Dan Weaponmistress of the Katana Sword, always in training.

--
(( Out of Character: For Martial Arts & Ranks: click to see. ))

Dwarven Equipment (Kenna's Tale).

I was enjoying a bardic performance in the Dancing Mermaid of Peltarch, and then - at performance's finale - bard offered listeners a hint, a hint of adventure and treasures, to be found somewhere in Narfell.

'On the way to darkened places, where only the strangest do dwell, where Dwarves seek the most hideous of faces to slay, where the profane seeking exile where no-one can not find them finds their end without very much style.'

Curious, I went to Kuo-Toa lands and then to the Ettin Caves.

There I did find some vile foes and treasures of Dwarven making. Dispatched the Ettins to the fugue and took the spoils, then carried these to Norwick, to Dwarven Hold, to return the items to their legitimate owners.

-=- Dwarven equipment found. -=-

Schools & Meditations (Kenna's Tale).

-=- Sitting in the Zazen position as one Meditates. -=-

-=- Sitting on heels, without kneeling. -=-


In the Kara-Tur (lands to the far east) there are faiths based on the Cult of the Ancestors, and paths that lead to the Enlightenment (Enlightenment is the Full Development of one's Mind).

Both are very popular and have quite the nubers of practicioneers.

Since the first Enlightened One in our Era, many ways leading to Enlightenment were discovered, and many Schools appeared, each with different methods leading to the same goal (the Enlightenment).

Among the many paths leading to Enlightenment, the most popular are two:
- Tantric practices, based on Identification with the Teacher, and on Meditations in the Lotus or Half-Lotus positions,
- Sutra practices, based on studying the Enlightening Lore and on Meditations in the Zazen position.

There are also 'lesser' Schools that lead to the lesser form of the Enlightenment, called: 'Liberation'. After the Liberation (from one's suffering), one can develop the Mind further and reach the Enlightenment anyway. Even in the Tantric and Sutra Schools, one reaches Liberation first, before reaching the Enlightenment. It's said that the fastest Way to Enlightenment is Tantra, then Sutra... with 'lesser' Schools being considering easiest but the most time-consuming of the Ways.

Many mistake the Zazen sitting position with kneeling, but in fact it's sitting on one's heels, not the kneeling as is practiced in Religions of Faith during their prayers.

I was introduced mostly to the Sutras and the Zazen meditations, in the School called: 'Zen'.

Meditation turns the theoretical lore one learns, into the experiences felt. Meditation brings out calmness, peace, serenity and focus to one's life path. In my case, it allows me to stay calm, brave and focused in fight. It also encourages me to be more peaceful.

When I worship deities as Tempus, Kenji or Red Knight, I become more fierce. Faith makes me hostile, and meditation makes me peaceful.

When one has body and mind trained, prepared for combat, the fights resemble the chess game. One observes the opponent, makes decisions, and speaks Mantras in Mind. Then the body follows, automatically executing the maneuvers and strikes. Repetitions of techniques trains one's Body, Meditation trains one's Mind.

And - of course - studying the Sutra texts and doing the Meditations leads me to the Enlightenment, but that will happen probably in future lives (we believe in Reincarnations). Meanwhile it's still beneficial, as it makes me a better warrior.

-- Kenna, Spiritual Warrioress, Always in Training.

Will to Live (Kenna's Tale).

Recently, I've adventured with my old dwarven friend, with Jonty Glyndywr. We did check areas on Narfell's outskirts, near the Dead Horse Inn by the town of Kront.

We have slayed beasts and bandits, and found some interresting equipment. Part of it we kept, rest we did sell.

I've put my hands on interresting amulet, that - after some tinkering - got some powerful properties of increasing wearer's Willpower, especially one's Will to Live. I've found it in some scary beast's stomach.

Will to Live is put to test when one faces abilities such as 'Touch of Death', in Kara-Tur (far east) known as: 'Dim Mak', and around here, in Narfell, known as: 'Quivering palm'. It also helps against powerful Death Magic, such as the spell called: 'Finger of Death'.

If one's Will to Live is high, and when one tries to resist death hard enough, one can survive such attacks.

My Mind and Willpower were - unfortunately - fairly weak despite my martial arts training and meditations, so I've tried a 'workaround'.

Used items to enhance my Willpower, to reforge a Weakness into the Strength. But there's limit on how far one can get with items... I think that I've met my limit, already there.

-- Kenna, Martial Artist & Katana Sword Weapon Master - always in Training.

Expensive Footwear for Combat (Kenna's Tale).

Recently Kenton Seth, powerful wizard, eldricht knight and fighter, advertised expensive and rarely found item available in his shop.

Curious, I went to check.

Found strongly enchanted boots, enchanted with protection magick - the item that I needed the most at this moment.

After the Katana Sword that I have - named: 'Jitsugetsu no Ken' ('Sword of Sun and Moon') - it's best piece of equipment in my possessions so far^*.

The boots look quite nice as well, as one could expect from so expensive item.

Price was reasonable, even if high - 200 000 gp.

Bought the boots, should be useful in most types of combat (won't help against some of spells), in any team or when alone.

Now my bank account is almost empty.

-- Kenna, Katana Weaponmaster, always in Training.

--
^* (( Out of Character information: Boots offer Dodge Armour Class bonus, and Dodge AC is best type of AC, as it stacks with any same or other AC bonuses. Details on: Dodge Bonus on NWN Wiki )).

Kenji (Kenna's Tale).

In Far East, in Kara Tur, there are 8 millions of kami, as deities and spirits are called there.

From simple spirits of a pond, a tree or rock, to patron kami of villages or to greater deities.

During my pilgrimage to Kara-Tur, earlier in this life, I've trained basics of the Katana sword combat in one of the Dojos there, and this Dojo had a protector deity named Kenji.

Kenji is Protector Deity that knows both unarmed and armed Martial Arts, and has powers over lightning, thunder & travels. He can arrive fast where he's needed (to protect someone, for example), using one of his powers, called: 'Ride the Lightning'. He serves another Kara-Turan kami called Raiden.

Recently, in my dreams, Kenji called to me, telling to call him when I need aid in training and/or combat. And also he said that he wants to help to Protect my Dojo as well.

I liked it, so I guess i'll worship him, beside Tempus and Red Knight, from now on.

-=- Kenji, Protector Kami of Kenna's Dojo. -=-

--
P.S. Kenji has a sister named Astra, deity of Wisdom, Love & Art of Magick and Light.

Service to Waukeen (Kenna's Tale).

Priestess of Waukeen (Godess of Wealth & Trade) visited my Dojo and we had a talk.

I've written the note that summarizes our talk and posted it in my Dojo, inside, near the entrance.

---

NOTICE:

Let it be known that prayers of Peltarchian people to the Godess of Wealth and Trade, to Waukeen, have been heard.

Honoured Matron High Priestess Hecabe (of Waukeen) noticed plight of this city (Peltarch), and sent the word to madam Varchess, Priestess of Waukeen, to come to the City and help. It seems that most of the trouble is certainly over now, but, nevertheless, Church of Waukeen wants to listen to people who called to Waukeen's Faith, to listen their wishes.

Priestess Varchess is a part of the Sapphire Crescent Order, highly martially inclined order which oversees some of the most dangerous trade routes.

Why Martial Artists should care?

Well, there are running costs of the Dojo, and affiliation with the Waukeen's Church might come handy in alleviating these. Perhaps even the Church of Waukeen will take advantage of our Dojo for the improvement of the skills of Priestess' personal guard, or future temple guard at some point too.

Also, celebrations and temple establishments are planned in the future.

---

-- Kenna, Dojo's Owner.

Duel with Grimarch the Orc (Kenna's Tale).

I've went on searching for adventurers to go into Orc lands to challenge Grimarch. They would be an escort in case of orcs' foul play, and witnesses to the duel.

Then guard approached us while we sat in Peltarch's commons and said that orcs by west gate of Peltarch shout my name.


'Kenna! Kenna!' ...

-=- Approaching the Orcs. -=-


We went to to see and group of armed orcs who stood there said that Grimarch will arrive soon.

He did, and we agreed to rules of engagement - potions allowed, and that the fight is only between Grimarch and me. Rest would leave in peace. Earlier we agreed that this duel is to death, as well.

Following the rules of engagement was matter of honor since then.


I drank the potions and attacked.

Duel was quick and gritty, I barely survived, he died first.


Not sure how, but Grimarch resisted my attempt at final blow... and walked away.


Mister Reemul, one of witnesses (and the one who gave me earlier my Katana sword - Jitsugetsu no Ken) said that by avoiding death orc broke rules in a dishonorable manner. And that this would mean that we do not need to be honourable against him anymore.


I have feelings that this is not the end from him.

Challenges & Lessons (Kenna's Tale).

While on my pilgrimage to Kara-Tur earlier in my life, I've picked up morality of eastern warriors named Samurai.

Honor is important for me, and the Bushido code explains how to live honorably.

Anyway, two things happen around these days that are about challenges, honor and learning.

1. When training in orc cave I've met an Orc named Grimarch that challenged me to a duel.

I'll need to assemble a party with whom I'll go to the orc lands, and where I'll have one-to-one duel with Orc Grimarch. We should be able to get there without the fight, as Grimarch provided me with papers that any Orc will honor and will let us pass. But who knows what will happen after the duel?

This duel is matter of Honor for me, and a way to build up my reputation and fame.

Should help to attract students to my Dojo.

2. I've decided that I'll organize an event - will invite martial artists, weaponmasters and fencers from lands all around, from far east (Kara-Tur) to the west. We'll share lessons about martial combat and exchange lore about culture of the lands all around the world.

That about it.

I am preparing myself for the duel. As soon as party assembles, we'll go there.