The Dented Shield of Sun Tzu

[The 49th Ronin]

*Note: This legend is a collaboration between Carveyfan and Mstrgmr. Each of us deserves equal credit for its creation.

Legends of the Hidden Temple
Lost Season 4, Episode 15.
The Dented Shield of Sun Tzu

The camera traverses its way through several plants to simulate a thick rainforest. It eventually makes its way to a large stone head. Its eyes light up and it begins to speak.

OLMECpx]The Moat:[/b]
OLMEC:
Hanging above the moat are six vines. When Kirk gives the signal, one team member will jump out and grab the vine nearest to them, bring it back, and swing across the moat. Then their partner will do the same. If either partner falls while swinging, they must go back and start again. When both players swing across successfully, run over and hit the gong (Kirk hits gong for emphasis). The first four teams to hit their gongs will go onto the next round.

KIRK:
Let?s get started! Teams, are you ready? (wait for response) Olmec, are you ready?

OLMEC:
Ohhhhhh yeahhhhhhhh.

KIRK:
On your marks. Get set. GO!

[Mstrgmr]

All of the teams started equally, getting the rope and bringing it back at about the same time.  Both the Silver Snake and Orange Iguana made it on their first swings, and everyone else had to go back.  On their second swings, the Red Jaguar and Purple Parrot both made it across.  On the third swing, it looked like nobody would make it until the first Orange Iguana reached out and grabbed his partner, pulling her out, and they rang in first.  On their fourth swings, both the Silver Snake and Purple Parrot made it across, with Silver ringing in first, and the first Green Monkey also made it across.  On the fifth swing, the second Green Monkey made it across, making them the last team to move on.

1. Orange Iguanas
2. Silver Snakes
3. Purple Parrots
4. Green Monkeys

[The 49th Ronin]

The Legend:
KIRK:
As the quest continues, it?s now time for Olmec to tell us about The Dented Shield of Sun Tzu. But teams, you?re going to have to pay attention, because your knowledge of the legend can bring you a step closer to Olmec?s Temple.

OLMEC:
During an era of expanding conflicts in ancient China, warring armies fought almost nonstop, with little to show for it. The laws and strategy of combat were not understood by many, but a man by the name of Sun Tzu traveled across China learning everything there was to know about battle and warfare. He demonstrated an example of what he learned to King Ho Lu.

SUN TZU:
King, I need 180 men to demonstrate. Have them stand in two lines, and give them orders to obey me.

HO LU:
Okay, but no funny business. We need to win this war, and I need to know what we?re doing wrong. Here are the troops with their general.

SUN TZU:
You soldier, how has your army done recently?

CHINESE SOLDIER:
We?ve lost over five-hundred men, today!

SUN TZU:
How far did your army advance?

CHINESE SOLDIER:
About three feet.

CHINESE GENERAL:
I don?t see what the problem is. We?re winning!

SUN TZU:
I?ll show you: Men! Turn right!

HO LU:
Why didn?t they turn? They?re incompetent as soldiers! You?re all fired.

SUN TZU:
King, please. If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the soldiers are not to blame.

HO LU:
I don?t know what that means.

SUN TZU:
Watch: Armies, grab your swords and turn to your right, now.

HO LU:
Miraculous! How?d you do that?

SUN TZU:
To have a well-functioning army, you need a well-functioning general. The problem is not your troops, but your generals. Fire them, replace them with whoever is next in command, and notice the difference.

OLMEC:
The general was not about to be replaced. He was so furious at Sun Tzu, the general picked up his sword and swung at him from behind, but Sun Tzu picked up a nearby shield and blocked without even turning around. The former general was imprisoned for treason, and the armies went on to achieve a glorious victory. Sun Tzu?s teachings were collected into a book called ?The Art of War,? which has been used by military servicemen of all civilizations in all eras. The shield that saved Sun Tzu?s life was dented beyond repair and was no longer of use, bu it has found its way into the temple. Your quest is to find it, and bring it back here.

KIRK:
Thank you, Olmec. Tell us, where is the dented shield?

OLMEC:
The Dented Shield of Sun Tzu can be found in the Swamp.

The Steps of Knowledge:
KIRK:
Teams, you?re now standing on the Steps of Knowledge. In a minute, Olmec is going to ask you a question. If you think you know the answer, I want you to stomp down on the ancient marking in front of you. If you?re right, you?re going to move down to the next level, but if you?re wrong or run out of time, I?m going to give the other teams a chance to answer. The first two teams to make it to the bottom level (Kirk descends steps for emphasis) will be one step closer to Olmec?s Temple. Olmec, we are now ready for your first question.

OLMEC?S QUESTIONS (answers in bold):

1)   According to our legend, was Sun Tzu?s shield dented by?
a)   An axe
b)   A sword
c)   A hammer

2)   Sun Tzu?s military strategies were collected from generals of what country?
a)   China
b)   Mongolia
c)   Vietnam

3)   What was the name of the king that asked Sun Tzu to demonstrate his laws of war personally?
a)   Me Linh
b)   Mulan
c)   Ho Lu

4)   The book containing all of Sun Tzu?s teachings was called what?
a)   The Secrets of Battle
b)   The Art of War
c)   Combat for Dummies

5)   What is the highest ranking officer of an army called?
a)   A lieutenant
b)   A general
c)   A major

6)   To demonstrate his strategy, Sun Tzu asked to borrow how many men?
a)   120
b)   150
c)   180

7)   How many groups did Sun Tzu divide his army into for his demonstration?
a)   2
b)   4
c)   8

8,)   Which of the following is not a Chinese province?
a)   Hunan
b)   Sichuan
c)   Teriyaki

9)   What is the longest river in China?
a)   The Yangtze
b)   The Amazon
c)   The Nile

10)   An era of Chinese kings from the same family is called what?
a)   Class
b)   Heritage
c)   Dynasty

11)    Swordsmen keep swords in what when they?re not in use?
a)   Sheaths
b)   Baggies
c)   Lockboxes

[Mstrgmr]

The Orange Iguanas were introduced as Jamal and Brittany.  Jamal collected basketball cards and Brittany liked to sing.  The Purple Parrots were introduced as Craig and Ally.  Craig played tennis and Ally liked to read

[The 49th Ronin]

Temple Games:

KIRK:
Welcome back to Legends. Now the glory goes to the fastest and the strongest. But before we get started, lets meet the Orange Iguanas and the Purple Parrots. (Reads individual player profiles). All right, guys to my left, girls to my right. Go get ready for the temple games, I?m going to explain the rules. In the temple games, they?re competing for Pendants of Life. The winning team is going to need them to protect themselves from the dreaded temple guards as they make their way through the temple. There are three temple games. Olmec, can you tell us about temple game number one?

TEMPLE GAME 1:

OLMEC:
Sun Tzu was able to protect himself from behind without even looking. In this game, you must protect yourself from behind also. When Kirk gives the signal, run out and avoid the swinging pendulum to grab a shield similar to Sun Tzu?s. When you grab one, return and place it in your basket. Then go back and get another. If the pendulum touches you, however, you must go back and start again. The first team to place all shields in their basket, or whoever has collected the most in sixty seconds wins.

KIRK:
Are we in position? Good. Let?s put sixty seconds on the clock. On your mark. Get set. Go.

[Mstrgmr]

Jamal and Craig both started off good, grabbing the first two shields without any trouble.  On the third trip, both players were hit, and there was :34 left.  Both players were having trouble getting their third shield, and there was only :07 left when Jamal grabbed his third shield.  Craig also grabbed his third shield, but there was only :04 left when he grabbed it.  He made a mad dash to the bucket and dove for it, putting it in as time expired.  The judges conferred, ruling he made it in time, so both players earned a half pendent.

[The 49th Ronin]

TEMPLE GAME 2:

KIRK:
The second game is worth a half pendant as well. Olmec, tell us about it.

OLMEC:
Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, that to be an effective warrior, you must use every tool at your disposal to accomplish difficult tasks. You must use your strength and determination to pass this challenge. When Kirk gives the signal, climb up the slopes on your knees to reach the shields at the top. When you grab one, slide back down and place it in your bucket. Then go and get another. The first to grab all the shields and place them in their buckets, or whoever has collected the most at the end of sixty seconds wins.

KIRK:
There?s a shield in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza. There?s a shield in the bucket, dear Liza, a shield. (Hold for canned laughter.) Alright let?s put sixty seconds on the clock. On your mark. Get set. Go!

[Mstrgmr]

Brittany had no trouble getting up, grabbing her first shield with :49 left.  Ally was pretty quick too, grabbing her first shield with :43 left.  Brittany sped up the slope again, grabbing her second shield with :36 left, but Ally was gaining on her, grabbing her second shield with :33 left.  It was a race for the final shield.  Brittany had her lead, but Ally was gaining fast.  They were even about ? of the way up.  Both made a dive, and both grabbed the shield, but Brittany came down sideways, and Ally, coming down feet-first, got the shield in the bucket first, winning the half pendent

[The 49th Ronin]

TEMPLE GAME 3:

KIRK:
We?ll go into our third and final game. It?s worth a full pendant, and crucial for victory. Olmec, tell us about temple game number three.

OLMEC:
Sun Tzu knew that defense was important in battle, but no one started wars just to protect themselves. When Kirk gives the signal, you and your partner must roll your giant wheel over to the group of words on the board opposite you. Grab the first, roll back, and place it on your board. When completed, it should read ?The best defense is a good offense.? Be aware; only words placed in the correct order will count. The first team to complete the phrase correctly, or whoever has come the furthest in sixty seconds wins.

KIRK:
This is for a full pendant, so give it your all. And try not to crush me or the stagehands. Put sixty seconds on the clock. On your marks. Get set. Go!

[Mstrgmr]

The Orange Iguanas got ?The best? across first with :52 left, but Purple was right behind, getting it over with :50 left.  Purple evened it up on the next trip, with both teams getting ?defense? on with :39 left.  Orange took another lead on the next trip, getting ?is a? on with :25 left, while Purple got it on with :24 left.  In the next trip, the teams were even again, but there was a problem.  Purple had grabbed ?offense? instead of ?good?, so about halfway through, they turned around to switch, while Orange got ?good? on with :09 left.  Purple ran as fast as they could, but couldn?t get ?good? on, so the Orange Iguanas won the full pendent, and were heading to The Temple.

1. Orange Iguanas, 1.5 Pendants
2. Purple Parrots, 1 Pendant

[The 49th Ronin]

The Temple Run:

KIRK:
Welcome back to legends. The Orange Iguanas have proven themselves worthy and now have earned the right to enter Olmec?s temple. But before we get started, Olmec?s going to give them some information that is going to help them retrieve the dented shield of Sun Tzu

OLMEC:
You could start by climbing through The Ledges, and climbing down into The Rock Quarry. Place five stones in the bucket to lift the slab and venture into The Throne Room. Sit on the throne of the pretender to spin the wall and you could choose to go into The Swamp. Manuever through the murkiness to gain access to The Dark Forest. Reach into the holes to find the key, but beware the Temple Spirits that may inhabit the trees. If you decide to plow through the wall, and into The Dungeon, you can attempt to maneuver up the Pharaoh?s Secret Passage, where you?ll enter The Shawnee Lodge. Place the sticks into the holes in the center of the room to create the tepee, and you?ll open the door to The Shrine of The Silver Monkey. Assemble the statue, and you may be headed for The Room of the Ancient Warriors. Place yourself into the suits of armor and pull the levers, and you may be headed into the Room of The Mandarin Hand. Place the fingers onto the orb and gain entry into The King?s Storeroom. Smash the clay pots to find the key. Then race across The Troubled Bridge, pass through The Crypt, race down the stairs, and back through The Temple Gate. The choices are yours and yours alone. You won one and a half pendants in the temple games. Who?s going first? (wait for response) Very well Jamal, when Kirk gives the signal, you?ll race through the gate into the temple and make your way towards the dented shield. Hidden inside the temple are temple guards assigned to protect three specific rooms. You can trade your pendant for an extra life and go on, but if you?re caught without a pendant, you?ll be taken out of the temple and it will be Brittany?s turn to enter and try his/her luck. Hidden inside the temple is the other half of your pendant. If you can find it and are carrying the other half, you?ll receive an extra life. If you reach the artifact, all the doors in the temple will instantly unlock, and the temple guards will vanish. Return through the gates with the shield within three minutes, and you will both be handsomely rewarded. And here?s how: (reads prizes).

KIRK:
Okay Jamal. Get on your mark there. Mouthpieces in. Olmec, lower your gate. (Wait for gate to lower). Let?s put three minutes on the clock. On your mark. Get set. Go!

[The 49th Ronin]

Name of Artifact: Dented Shield of Sun Tzu
Season: 4
Layout: 8
Result: Got artifact, couldn't get out
Time Remaining: N/A
Team: Orange Iguanas
Pendants Won: 1.5
Location of Artifact: The Swamp
Diagram:

Run summary: Well, this episode certainly answered a long-standing question concerning the temple: With any layout containg the Troubled Bridge, the central room of the column's door is in fact active. Jamal met with an early temple guard in The Crypt, and got confused in The Room of the Ancient Warriors when the door to The Shrine didn't open. But he eventually found his way to The Mandarin Hand where he met his second Temple Guard. Brittany made decent time, but didn't exactly sprint to catch up. She got the fingers onto the orb, and headed out into the rock quarry, grabbing onto the bucket's rope for stability as she climbed down the wall. She lifted the slab, and spun the throne to get into the Jester's Court. This was a very close win, as there were only six seconds left on the clock upon her entering the swamp, but what made it even closer was that Brittany seemed to forget where in the room the sheild was. When she finally found it, she lunged and grabbed it with a second left on the clock. Quite needlessly to say, time expired afterwards. I don't think they cared though, both of them looked pretty happy just to get the TVs.


Episode Fanfic written by Adam ?Carveyfan? Jaspering and Mstrgmr. Episode Summary format and Temple Diagram in the style of NickLegends. Kirk?s entrance courtesy of Purple Parrots.

[nicklegends]

Very interesting layout! I wish the Legends crew implemented the ''go back to go forward'' technique more often than they did. This one also seems more realistic than the other ones coming out recently, and while realism isn't a requirement, it helps it stick in my head more. Fine work.

[The 49th Ronin]

That was actually Mstrgmr's idea. He cave me one criterion for the temple run, and that was he wanted them to use the Rock Quarry door from the center of the central shaft.

[dshban]

Hey, you did the idea! Nice work.