Greetings from Massachusetts! A large group of us traveled down to New York for this event. There were 41 of us from The Knight's Quest and The Lair packed onto a school bus. Not a pretty sight, but it got us to where we needed to be. The tournament had about 80 players...someone else will let you know the exact numbers, I'm sure. We were to play 7 rounds of swiss and then the top 16 would finish it up. I was playing a Ninja deck... Round 1 - Lion with Kuro Sensei played by Matti. He was new to the game although I did not find this out until after the game. Early in the game he got free gold, a couple of small farms. A plague of locusts hit and they were gone. Soon, one of his samurai fell hopelessly in love and dishonored himself. A kolat assassin found him. A couple den of spies added to the scene. I honored out 49 to -18. He played very well for just having started. Kudos! 1-0 Round 2 - Unicorn with Hantei Sensei played by Jason. I usually play Unicorn, a deck very similar to this one. He refused to touch the shadow (wouldn't cut my deck). He Hantei'd kolat master while I responded with Armor of Earth. An early breach slowed him down, followed by den of spies. A test of honor for his sword carrier proved fatal. I honored out 49 to -16. 2-0 Round 3 - Naga with Yokuni Sensei played by Brad. I asked to read his sensei. And then asked again. I was ready to concede this game early if things went as I expected. I breached him...He got lots of free gold. 5 personalities later and the rampant plague hit. It stayed around for 3 turns. The naga were decimated - 7 warriors dead. Unfortunately, they were quick to return...about 7 of them. A plague of locusts shut down his gold production. I look across the table at a lot of chi...he plays his ancient spear. My doom of the dark lord had come up several turns earlier. I pray for the cards. One, two, three. They appear in my hand. A triple portent's bomb hits. I honor out. 3-0 Round 4 - Horde with Kaede Sensei played by Nick. His cards came out predictably fast. At about 9 chi, the dead were seen walking the earth. Next turn, his side was clear. More free gold for him. A plague of locusts... He conceded the game when a Ki-rin(!) appears in his province. 4-0 Round 5 - Unicorn with Hantei Sensei played by Jay. Jay plays at the Knight's Quest, too. Since I usually play Unicorn, I had taken a look at his deck before the Kotei. I told him that doom of the crane would be a great card to slow down honor runners... He gets gold and lots of chi. I got little gold and little honor. I still have hoof prints all over my cards. Note to self: doom of the crane needs to go into my pony deck. 4-1 Round 6 - Kitsune with Hantei Sensei played by Aaron. I had heard a lot about this type of deck. A lot of chi quickly...the doom of the ninja. Or so I thought. He came out quickly. Fortunately, I was able to get him below 0 honor quickly. A little personality elimination and a couple of imperial summons holds him off until he is at -17 honor and me with only 2 provinces left. He attacks province. He destroys province. I play plea of peasants. Very good game. 5-1 Round 7 - Toturi with Hantei Sensei played by Martin L. He named command of the kami. I had two in hand. Plus the breach to follow up. All of my attempts to cost him honor are thwarted by the favor. He crushed me. Not the best I have seen my deck come out, though. 5-2 I finished up 6th after the 7 rounds of swiss. Not too bad. I hope that I don't have to play ponies and Toturi again. Half of my hopes were realized... Round of 16 - Lion with Yoritomo Sensei played by Ben. Probably the most interesting game I was involved in all day. The winner wasn't decided until the last play of cards. His gold scheme is great. He gets out several personalities. I finally get him below 0 honor. I have won. Wrong. He next puts out Kachiko's Fan. I kolat duped Osen with Gohei's Daisho. I kolat assassin Agetoki. He is at -17 honor. I have one province left. In his action phase, I play one evil portent and then another. He cannot take the province. I honor out at 41. We had quite an audience for this one. A loud cheer followed. As much for Ben as for my victory. Kudos to Ben for a great game and great deck. Round of 8 - Toturi with Hantei played by Martin L. He had won a close game against a CTB deck. I think I had a better chance against CTB. This was not to be. This was a much better game. I am able to get above him in honor, eventually. I am also able to keep him below 10 honor. Death of the Ki-rin shows up. I have a chance. Not really. He attacks and is able to empty his hand. Ring of Void. I will let one of the other players who went on into the semi-finals and finals write about those games. I had a great time. It was hot. The rounds were too long. But I was playing L5R. It was okay. I believe that I either finished 5th or 6th. I have to check the final postings online later. Not bad for a Ninja. I want to thank Vinnie and Martin for all of their help with this deck. We all had been working on this deck over the past week. Each was a little different. Still needs a little work. >From Central Massachusetts, the den of the ninja, have a great day. Paul D.