Congratulations to my best friend Steve Horvath who got third place in the Day of Thunder tournie. What a run buddy!
Here is my record of the Day of Thunder tournament held at Gen Con.
On Friday the first night of the event there were over 200 players. I dont know if they made it to 256 but it was close. All of the clans were represented the most popular was Lion the least were Monk and Yoritomo( the Yoritomo deck was kinda neat. It was all kolats and ninjas and Cornejo. Lock down blow up and take out). It was interesting that none of the clans really got together except for Junzo's Army. I'm sure that the rest of us chanting "Death tho Yogo Junzo!" had nothing to do with that though;) The first rounds went from 6 until midnight and left most of us in the dust leaving only perhaps 80 to 90 to play Saturday. Pairing for the games Friday were random and resulted in quite a few clan wars. These seemed to hit Unicorn and Junzo particularly hard reducing their numbers significantly. I was eliminated Friday (stupid kolat master I hate that card)
Saturday was the marathon day. The games started at 11AM and continued until the dealer room closed at 6. Skirmish decks were turned in at 1:30 and the 12 winners were added after the original group was reduced to 20. The first round of single elimination was then played and the sweet 16 were left. By this time several clans had been eliminated and John Wick read their portions of the Book of Void and their plaques were shrouded in black. One mor round and even more clans were eliminated followed by further readings. A disbeleiving Unicorn raced to his Clan's shrouded plaque removed the shroud to carry the plaque in his arms praying to the Seven Fortunes that they might get another chance. When nothing happened he reverently rehung the plaque and shroud and left to hide his shame.
Sunday came all to soon to the final 8. The event began with further readings (all of the readings were accompanied by apropriate responses by the listeners gasps when secrets were revealed shouts when heroic deeds were reported and grim silence at the tradgedies that befell many clans. The thunderous chants of the L5R players resounded throughout the facility. The final four were 2 Lions 1Crane and 1 Phoenix. The final was Lion vs Crane. Luckily the Lion won as it wa later revealed that had the Crane player won he would have removed his Crane shirt to reveal the JA shirt underneath and proclaimed himself the False Hoturi and began a reign of evil.
It was really a magic moment to see John W create the story right before our eyes. Telling us how Toturi and Hoturi, two boyhood friends join together to destroy the Dark God aided by the spirit of Matsu Tsuko herself. The story is epic. Champions and heros die. One clan ascends while another is destroyed and a new villian is created.
On a personal note I want to thank all of the people and players that made this event special. I'll never forget it.