"The Kuroiban" Home of the Scorpion Clan

Let me tell you about this card game that I always spend my time to and where some of my savings go. The Legend of the Five Rings is an Asian inspired game by AEG (Japanese, Chinese and Korean). It is all about samurai, ninja, shugenja, monks and many more., in the land of Rokugan.

There are 9 major clans to choose from: The Crab, the defenders; The Crane Clan, the artisans; The Dragon Clan, the mystics; The Lion Clan, the warriors; The Mantis Clan, the seafarers; The Phoenix Clan, the shugenja (wizards, sorcerers, etc.); The Scorpion Clan, the underhand; The Spider Clan, the unknown and The Unicorn Clan, the explorers. Included are the shodowlands, the evil, these are the evil creatures of Rokugan. (See the site for more details about the clans).

It was way back in high school that I was introduced to this game. It was Sigfried (Lion) and Sig (Dragon) who both showed me how it is played and interested I am in the game, I asked them which clan would they prefer for me to play. They told me that each clan has its own strategy in winning. The Scorpion for example, wins by dishonoring its opponents, while The Dragon, wins mostly by enlightenment victory (You win an enlightenment victory when you successfully bring into play all the elemental rings, namely: fire, earth, water, air and void) and so on so forth.

I wanted a clan with ninjas and wizards. So they told me that the scorpion clan is the perfect clan for me. Although for beginners, this clan is not advisable because deck construction for this clan require good strategy. But I don't care actually.

It was inspiring in playing the Scorpion clan, even though I don't win in all the card battles. I just like them story-wise. "Even when the Scorpion lose, they win.", this is a similar quote that was given to this clan in the story. And the scorpion has ninjas.

Let me introduce the Scorpion Clan:

Clan mon of the Scorpion

When the Kami first established their place in the Empire, they held a tournament. Hantei was victorious and claimed the title of Emperor. His brother Bayushi however was easily defeated. The other siblings thought him weak for his loss. This was exactly what Bayushi wished.

Bayushi, the kami of the Scorpion clan. Personality Card

The Scorpion are a Clan of deceit and misdirection, blackmail and lies. The Scorpion will use any tactic to discredit his enemies, draw them into dishonor, and use their shame to destroy them. However, they do it as part of their duty. Hantei I charged his brother Bayushi with protecting the Empire from the threats the other Clans cannot see: conspiracies, cults, plots against the throne. The Scorpion do their duty with ruthless efficiency. Their shadow war against the unseen forces of evil have afforded them the ability to spy on the other Clans, and use their knowledge as weapon against potential rivals.

If you carry a shameful secret, there is likely at least one Scorpion who already knows it.

(description taken from L5R site)

The scorpion are the villains in the story but their loyalty to the empire is unquestionable. They are hated, underestimated, untrusted but they use this to their advantage. So many times has the clan of secrets saved the empire from destruction. This is why I like them and because as I have said... they have ninjas.

Last month I realized that I was a pure blood scorpion. (Geekness activated) Bayushi from the calendar year of Rokugan is a Rooster. A gemini falls under the wind element and scorpion shugenjas are mostly air. My favorite sin... lies. So there. :P

One of the many strongholds of the Scorpion Clan

Last year, I decided to visit kuroiban.net, a site where most of the Scorpion players around the world converse and discuss Scorpion related subjects.

I found out that Ryofune, the site moderator, wanted a logo for the site. Since I'm a proud scorpion player, I volunteered myself (without any pay of course). After a few feedbacks and revisions from the governor (that is what they call him there), walah the sub-logo of the scorpion clan:

The governor and the rest of the scorpion community liked the logo that I've made. They also like the 2nd design (the one with the scorpion tail only) and included it into the site.

At first the site looks bare. It is full of text without the logo and just the Kuroiban word as the title. To practice more on my Photoshop skill, I told the governor that I will be making a banner for the site:


Inspired in doing something for the site I made another banner:


The members of the site liked the new look and feel of the site. They say it feels very scorpion-like and really really proud of what I did.

AEG made the game interesting by putting up "The Race for the Throne" event, where people compete through tournaments and join side events to earn a clan some points. There are 7 leg in the entire race and 5 spheres to compete and rule (Military, Economy, Political, Knowledge & Spirit). There are best in costume competition, cooking competition and many more. In the end the clan with the highest point will assign a personality from their faction and become the next emperor of Rokugan. A clan who excel in a certain sphere also selects a personality from their faction who will then be promoted as Chancellor for Politics, Treasurer for Economics, Voice for Spirit, Adviser for Knowledge and Shogun for Military.

Alliance are formed to aid each clan in the alliance in the race. A kuroiban member asked me to create a logo for "The Crescent Moon Alliance", a Scorpion, Unicorn and Dragon alliance.


My clan gave me, if I'm not mistaken a 30$ worth of AEG membership that's good for a year. This includes free newsletter and free promo cards. All members receive a free copy of every issue AEG publishes with the new set of promo cards.

At this point all that I can say is that I was proud to be recognized and be a part of the scorpion clan.

Pain in the head?

I'm resting for a week, meaning no weight lifting in Fitness First and no combat or yoga classes for me (started last Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008). Why?... Every time I lift weights my head suddenly is overwhelmed with pain specially the occipital part of my skull.


Yeah. I thought my head is going to explode every time I feel that stinging pain. Went to Yahoo Answers and posted this question:

While lifting weights the occipital part of my head hurts?

I am close in achieving my goal in gaining weight. From 120lbs to143lbs and the target is 150lbs...

Won this "contender circuit competition" at Fitness First but after a-day rest from that event I went back to my usual weight lifting program.

During the first set of my benchpress, I felt this very painful sensation at the back of my head. I tried to rest and let the pain subside. When the pain was milder, I continued the program and again the intensity of the pain grew and I decided to stop and go back home to rest.

Took another day of rest. When I started to do the benchpress the next day, the first set was ok but I felt a stinging sensation in my head. After the 2nd set the pain came in.

My blood pressure was 110/70.

If you guys know any similar case, are there ways to prevent my head from hurting? Do you know any scientific reason about it? Hope you guys could help me out. Thanks in advance.

Got three answers and most of them from nurses:

It is a good possibility that you have strained your muscles, also you could have a disc, that is bulging. Best rest and leave the bench presses off for awhile. If this don't subside with rest to the muscles, and it continues to get worse, it is best that you see a doctor concerning, the problem. Hope this helps.

from crickett...

and this:

Under no circumstances should you lift ANY more weights until you are seen by a doctor. The pain in your head may be related to a tear in the dura that lines the brain and spinal cord, and you may have the beginnings of a subdural hematoma (???... medical dictionary please).

The blood pressure does not affect an injury such as this. Yes, it is possible you strained the muscles in your neck, or you may have herniated (don't have lulos I assure you) one or more of the cervical discs, but, no matter what, pain such as you describe is a loud WARNING from your body to STOP!

Make an appointment with a physician a.s.a.p.

(Mosby Manual of Clinical Nursing, nurse for 26 yrs)

from Marlyn R

I'm glad I got some really serious answers from my question. I'm itching to go to the gym but I could hurt myself If I don't listen to these advices. Oh well what to do, what to do....

Loners...go into Sports

My worst time in my lifetime was High School. I was soft spoken, frail, thin and confidence and self-esteem was point below zero. A loner in short. Was rebellious but always keeping it within self, until it came to a point that I was cutting my self (learned it from a friend... his name was Christain Alvisse).

Loner by afterthequake

I've read Children live what they learn by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. , and it hit me so hard that I realize that I had a bad start in life. This could greatly affect my life in the future, negatively, and true enough it did and it still will, if I don't do something about it.

When I first step into college (at La Salle Benilde), everything changes. I had this class, SPERDE, a very very boring class because all we do was to study the student hand book for the whole term. My professor there made an announcement that the track and field varsity team will be having a try-out for those who wishes to be a track athlete.

Such a perfect sport for a person such as myself.

I made it into the team, quit smoking and after such time I begin to enjoy the sport. My coach (Sunny Diaz) suggested I took distance running to improve my endurance, and even though I don't like distance running I accepted it. I Got to know my fellow athletes and enjoyed all the training times with them. When my coach saw my dedication and hard work, he gave me free stuff, like shoes, uniforms and etc.

I wake up at 4 in the morning,when there's training and weight lift if there's time after the training in the morning or in the afternoon. Had classes that ends at 9pm but I hang out with friends after that so I come home at around 11-12 in the midnight. But I was never tired and as a matter of fact I did enjoyed it, despite the schedule.

Days; months and a year passed, after some very memorable competitions (haven't won anything on those competitions but for all its worth it gave me a boost in my morale, esteem and performance). My coach and myself believe that I did improve. He added me to the list of athletes who will be receiving discounts in their tuition fees. You don't know how proud I am with myself at that point.

In time I did improve my performance even more. Not just in sports but in my studies as well. I was inspired, confident and slightly sociable and I have gained friends. Every time I beat my previous performance, I get encouraging praises from the team and the respect as well. Things that I haven't had during high school.

Won my first ever NCAA (silver) medal (pic coming soon). Got it from a group relay.

From experience, sport is one way of improving your personality. Just don't brag, be humble, never let negative energies get into your system and believe in God to do miracles. Many great things will happen if you have dedication, patience and humility.

In October 2007 I joined the Fitness First "Body Combat Marathon", believing that joining a competition such as this will relive the memories of my athlete days. Close but worth my while. Got to know some folks and learned a lot, especially those difficult side kick and round houses.

Yeah, truly sports did a great deal in a life such as mine. If I haven't been an enthusiast for sports, I don't know what kind of lifestyle I'd be living, and what kind of person I'd turn out to be.

The Contender - Fitness First Circuit Competition

I joined the "Fitness First - The Contender Competition" that was held yesterday (February 13, 2008). There are more or less 24 participants. We'll here they are... (well most of them).

The challenge:
(1) Distance Run - max distance 2.2 km (in 10 minutes)
(2) Squats with Kick - max repetition: 60 (in 1 minute)
(3) Push ups - max repition: 60 (in 1 minute)
(4) Split Lunges - max repetition: 60 (in 1 minute)
(5) Alt oblique toe touch - max repetition: 60 (in 1 minute)
(6) DB Punch on wide stance - max repetition: 60 (left and right jab punch = 1 count x 60 in 1 minute) with 5lbs barbel on each hand.

• 1 minute rest between each corresponding exercise
• there are corresponding points depending on the number of repetition acquired

Took a half day from work just to go to this competition. Hehe Talk about determination and preparation.

Went to sleep at 3pm coz I feel unwell. I went at Fitness First at around 5pm just to warm up and learn the correct position and execution of all the exercise. The participants were group into three batches. Those who will be called first will be the first batch to perform together with the assigned fitness instructors. Unfortunately my name was not called, so I believed that I will be among the second batch. I was scanning for strong competitors and found one on the first batch. The guy is buff, thats all that I can say but not Arnold Schwarzenegger-kind, just the average.

The second batch was called but then again my name was not mentioned. So third batch it is. Found one strong competitor among the males there. The guy was short and buff as well. I saw him do the push ups and he was able to do 60 but regarding the rest of the exercise, I know I may be able to beat him. My batch turn came (7:45pm), and i don't think that 2 hours worth of warm up is normal. Good thing my nervousness dissipated and I was confident.

I started really well on the thread mill. My starting speed was 14. After 3 minutes I increased the speed to 14.5, then went to 15.5. After seven minutes I decreased the speed to 13. The instructor checked my distance and I found out that I was running more than 2.2 km, so they asked me to stop and rest.

Next was the Squat with kick. In performing the squat kick you must first do a squat position (legs mut be 90 degrees) and then execute a frontal kick using either left or right. If you use your left you must use the other leg next. I did 53 (8 points out of 10).

I was confident doing the push ups. Since I was able to do 60 push ups straight during training. Well I I was only able to do 58 (10 points).

The split lunges was pretty simple. You just need to alternately raise your leg from one side to the other and step then do a lunge then go back to a standing position. I was able to do 40 (6 points out of 10). Now this time my legs are in pain.

The alt oblique toe touch is my most favorite. You need to lie down with your feet raised. Then using your left or right hand you reach the opposite toe. Outstandingly I was able to do 70!!! (10 points)

If I have a favorite, I also have the least fav. Ladies and gentlemen, the final exercise, the DB punch on wide stance. Yup this one was really hard. For a minute you must be on a squat position, then you do 2 jab puches (left and right, 2 jabs = 1 count). Sad to say I only did 35 (6 points out of 10).

The difficult things about this competition are: one, you only have a minute of rest after each of the exercise; two, they wont consider the count if you did the exercise the wrong way (e.g. wrong posture, wrong execution) and Finally I was very hungry. :P

So who won?..... YEY!!! yup, it was me in the men's division.

Won a Fitness First backpack, cap and a Contender T-shirt and a month full of bragging rights. :D

The only girl in the picture is Rose. She's a class instructor for Body Combat, Body Pump and Other Yoga Classes. She did join us while we're doing the exercises. Talk about pressure.

For the women, it was Eileen who won. Nice smile Eileen.... anyways, I woke up this morning and my legs are very painful, and walking was difficult. Still I went to the gym in the evening.

Happy Valentines Day everyone...