(no subject)

[faithfultenko.livejournal.com]

[OVER VARIOUS COMPETITORS' PDAS, EXCLUDING GENSOKYO RESIDENTS]

All right, competitors. We will be fighting against each other in the ring, but until that moment, I am still your ally, and I wish to see you all fighting your best. Therefore, I am offering a quick crash course in creating and using your own spellcards. I would highly recommend taking this, as I will not be offering an other opportunity. Feel free to swing by the Simulation Chamber in the next few hours, and I will do what I can.

[ACTION]

One competitor, at least, has already joined up; Kitaro can be seeing trying out some patterns, though they're still obviously not very high quality. Observers might note he's slightly tense around Ran, though Ran is doing her best in spite of it as far as coaching him.

Comments

[faithfultenko.livejournal.com]

It's a style of fighting which heavily emphasizes large, elaborate spreads of bullets. The spell card system which was initiated not too many years ago has the added benefit of allowing grand displays of power without threatening the lives of those who fight. This was a practical consideration; many youkai would lose their lives to the Shrine Maiden, and in turn, if she were to lose her own life, the Gensokyo barrier would collapse.

Some people fight this way whenever they can; I generally prefer it as self defense, or to use it when I deem necessary. Still, there is a certain pleasure to be had in designing a perfectly elaborate card. Of course, it doesn't mean much if your opponent can dodge it too easily; once you run out of spell cards, after all, that's it.

[phobophage]

So it's ceremonial combat. That's pretty popular in the Dream World.

[faithfultenko.livejournal.com]

You could call it that, yes. Many youkai are fairly aggressive in nature, so this is the only way they can express it. Mind, since it turns combat almost into a game, the system was very quick to take off.

These spell discs that these newcomers use are ones I am curious about, however...

[phobophage]

I wonder what the difference with those discs is.

So I should use beautiful patterns that are hard to dodge. I presume there are rules against impossible to dodge patterns if it's to be fair ceremonial combat.

[faithfultenko.livejournal.com]

Yes. One of the key factors in this style of fighting is sportsmanship, no matter what SOME people may think. So even if it is just a small chance, there still needs to be the possibility of escape.

[phobophage]

That explains all those gaps and openings in the danmaku I observed while working on your game. Okay, I think I've a grasp of the principles. Now, how do I go around creating those cards?

[faithfultenko.livejournal.com]

It is mostly a matter of putting your magical power to card form. The cards hold specifically crafted spells, and you may use each card once per battle. Some of the folks training here have been able to channel very unique abilities into their danmaku. I am quite interested to see how yours turns out.

[phobophage]

I'll have to be creative then.