Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Sept 20, 2011 18:16:01 GMT -5
In the timing of a single motion, Keisuke dashed the Cranes yari over his own left shoulder bringing his blade back around his body in a cut that removed the Crane's head from his body.
Through the tides of battle he could see men dying all around him, then he noticed several shapes falling from the top of the walls, no they were not falling but they had leaped from the heights of the wall. Quickly he motioned for his unit to change direction, he would meet personally these heroes or fools such as they were.
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Post by Doji Kenna on Sept 20, 2011 18:27:13 GMT -5
The sudden winds around the ram cast the arrows of his archers aside like fireflies in a gale, beside him Shuen gave a curse lacking in genteelness that Kenna was more than mildly tempted to echo. Atop the main gate he saw his commander, Yasuki Chad giving orders and interpreting the message flags passed on his own instructions. Sadly there were no shugenja in his command capable of task at hand, the death of the ram's defending shugenja and teh end of the magical winds that defended the Lion's mighty siege weapon would lie in the hands of the Crane soldiers surrounded on all sides below him on the battlefield.
From a commanding position beyond the ram he saw the mon of Akodo Keisuke, Daimyo of the Akodo waving tall and proud in the light of the sun. A roar went up from the gold and tan troops around the Lion general and like the rushing sea the military machine of the Lion surged forward. He noted the great siege ladders being brought towards the wall and he knew that even were the ram stopped the task was not over.
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Sept 20, 2011 18:45:52 GMT -5
The Lion Champions unit presses quickly through the chaos, passing the great ram. A small knot of Defending samurai are trapped in front of the Gate. They are taking a great toll on the Ashiguru the Lion sent in the vanguard, but have tired and all bear some kind of wound. The archers on the wall lend a writhering supporting fire, haveing discovered the wind barrier around the ram.
The Ashiguru back off for a moment as Keisuki arrives. The two bands of samurai face each other uninterrupted as the rest of the battle rages on.
(The ram cannot advance until the Crane are removed. The Ram cannot be attacked unless Keisuke is defeated or bypassed somehow.)
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Alesha
Spider Clan
Fallen Crane * Duelist * Bloodspeaker * Tactician * Maho-Bujin
Posts: 418
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Post by Alesha on Sept 21, 2011 7:00:41 GMT -5
He looked from the wall onto the banner of the Akodo Daimyo, about to charge the brave few Cranes by the ram. They needed time. Badly. There was but one action a man could do to win it... Standing on the battlement his assistant rose the banner of the Kakita Shireikan, one of the adjutants sending the humming arrow to acquire the attention of the Lion clan hero. It was a clear indication of the challange. He observed the Akodo Daimyo's response, hand resting on his ancestral Kakita blade, the chance was too good to be missed.
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Kakita Hiroshi
Crane Clan
* Duelist * Courtier * Magistrate * Warrior Poet *
Posts: 285
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Post by Kakita Hiroshi on Sept 21, 2011 10:52:38 GMT -5
Hiroshi, Daidoji Yuushi and the ashigaru they encountered formed a defensive line, their backs towards the gate, their chests towards the spears of the Lion. Hiroshi noted several figures jumping down from the battlements and making their way towards them. Who could be so foolish? Could it be...
“Sojiro-san, Hitoshi-san, it is nice to meet you this fine day! I am glad you decided to join us, however, I cannot greet you properly, for I left all the tea in my tent,” he said, greeting his kin.
There was one more figure making its way down, but he could not focus his eyes on it...
It was then that the air kami whispered the message from the Yasuki-daimyo. The ram... Making sure everybody heard the message, he smiled and said: “Seems we have some wood to chop. The last one to the ram buys sake this evening in Toshi Ranbo, eh?”
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Sept 21, 2011 11:56:45 GMT -5
Mai's forces were waiting for the breach, her archers taking shots at the samurai who were still taking up pockets around the city's fortifications and threatening the battering ram from the outside. They kept to the areas beyond the reach of the city watchtowers, keeping largely to the scattered forces still acting outside the city walls. She split her main force into smaller, more mobile units, who could attack quickly and fall back before the forces could reestablish to counter. A flag bearer with the symbol of Toturi waited for her signal to raise the standard to rally the cavalry units together for the charge into the breach.
She took a deep breath, waiting for the moment of truth, when the walls would collapse against the might of the Lion, and the strength of the Unicorn would finally be tested.
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Sept 21, 2011 14:47:05 GMT -5
Sojiro, Saiko, and Hitoshi carved a bloody path to the embattled Crane at the gate. In between swings, dodges, and blocks, Sojiro made quick introductions.
"You let me ...talk you into this.... because you can't turn down a good fight, Hitoshi-san," he quipped. A yari came at him from his right. He caught the shaft between the blades of his two swords in an X block, the katana and wakizashi severing the tip of the spear before the wooden shaft struck his chest armor. The ashigaru died with a disbelieving look on his face as Hitoshi cut him down. To his left, Saiko was employing his own personalized version of Sojiro's Niten-Iaijitsu fusion with brutal efficiency, using more thrusts in his style than his former sensei did. "Hitoshi-san, this is Mirumoto Saiko.... my first pupil... and good friend. Saiko-san.... this is Kakita Hitoshi... the man that.... I accompanied on... the rescue mission."
An ashigaru Gunso charged Sojiro with a jumonji-yari, only to catch a kick to his right flank from Saiko that knocked him off balance. Sojiro quickly put his katana through the man's throat to finish him off, then a tight smile made it's way across his face. He quickly sheathed his swords and picked up the three-tipped spear. The points were arranged in a T formation, and each edge was sharpened. "Excellent," he muttered.
The jumoji became a blur in his hands as he feinted, slashed, stabbed and twisted. He used the weapon's superior range to deal with incoming threats, while Saiko and Hitoshi dealt with anything that got past his tip. Eventually, the bloodied trio made their way to Hiroshi and his Cranes at the gate. Blood ran down Sojiro's face as he greeted his friend from the academy.
"I can't think of a better day for tea with good friends, Hiroshi-san, but that will have to wait."
The Crane forces, seemingly inspired by the reckless antics of the three samurai, tightened ranks. Hiroshi barked out his orders to intercept the ram, and the group began cutting a swath towards the lumbering behemoth, just as a Lion detachment broke away from it to intercept them.
"Great, just what we need. We have incoming!" he shouted as Crane arrows dropped all around them. Between the arrows and the concentrated teamwork of the Crane unit, they were actually making progress towards the ram... which was most likely the reason they had caught the Lion's eye.
Then Sojiro saw something else. Something that renewed his faith in miracles a little bit.
From the tower, he saw Kakita Alesha's personal banner unfurl, denoting him as a Shireikan - and a little further down, on a ladder, one man seemingly moved with the shadows themselves as he decimated Lion forces scaling the wall. Sojiro didn't recognize the man, but he did recognize the defiant, proud form of Alesha at the banner. The man brazenly stood in front of it, issuing an unspoken challenge to the Lion samurai leading the unit towards their position. A challenge his honor wouldn't let him refuse - one does not get a chance to take on an enemy shireikan every day. The Lion unit changed direction, aiming now for Alesha's position.
"Alesha-sama hasn't abandoned us! Let's make the most of this!"
He charged forward, bodies of crane and Lion alike falling all around him. A low swipe from a naginata slammed into his left thigh, cracking the laminated armor there. His thigh was unbroken, but the strike knocked him off balance. He recovered in time to block the next strike aimed at his head with the jumonji, and then whipped the shaft in a clockwise circle that sliced through the ribcage of the naginata wielder. At that moment, a cloud of arrows descended onto the ram...
....and were cast aside like gnats by a wall of wind.
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Sept 21, 2011 14:59:25 GMT -5
Lion Shugenja were protecting the ram with their magic. Sojiro counted 8 of them.
"Hiroshi-san, we've got to shut those Shugenja down! Give me a little bit of time!" He took a deep breath and blocked out the dull ache in his thigh as he recalled a basic lesson he learned as a boy.
When he was 7 years old, his father has demonstrated how meeting force with direct, opposing force was not the most effective method of countering it. He had three men grip a piece of wood and attempt to drive the end into a target on the floor of the academy, while Sojiro tried to push against their combined strength from the other end. Obviously, Sojiro was woefully unable to stop that combined strength. But then his father told him to change strategies - instead of pushing against the force, he told Sojiro to merely push the shaft aside as it came down towards the target. One boy was able to prevent three full grown men from hitting their target in this way.
Sojiro knew that he was no Shugenja. He doubted that he could handle one of the Lion Shugenja in a direct battle of might, let alone 8.
But his limited magical abilities were more than enough to throw a wrench into their complicated, joint spell.
He cleared his mind and felt the energies around him, felt the air kami responding to the Lion Shugenja's call. Instead of trying to pull them away, he actually added his energies to theirs... and called to the kami of the void.
He opened his eyes in time to see a second wave of fire arrows fly towards the ram. This time though, while some were cast aside by the winds, roughly a third of them slipped through "holes" in the air wall. Two of the Shugenja fell, burning arrows stuck in their chests.
Sojiro grinned.
"Now is our opening! Charge!" Hiroshi yelled.
The crane force dashed towards the vulnerable defenses of the ram and their precious Shugenja protectors. Sojiro cast aside the jumonji and bisected another ashigaru with an Iaijitsu strike from his sheathed katana, his wakizashi quickly following suit. Behind, beside, and in front of him ran Saiko, Hiroshi, Hitoshi, and the bravest men the Crane had to offer.
The area around the ram became a bloodbath.
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Sept 21, 2011 16:18:47 GMT -5
(OOC: One possible problem, The akodo is a player, it would be bad form to dictate his actions for him. If he's okay with your discription, cool, otherwise we may need a retconn. )
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Sept 21, 2011 20:22:21 GMT -5
(OOC addressing it with the player now)
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Sept 22, 2011 20:41:24 GMT -5
(OOC: Ok, it's been more then 24 hours. I'm gonna roll with this for now.)
The wild charge of the Crane caught the Ashiguru guarding the ram off balenced, they died astounded at the reckless charge. Their deaths gave the samurai manning the ram time to escape the confines of the war machine and suddenly it was the Crane who were desperately pressed. Mirumoto Saiko managed to kill a third priest but took a vicious cut to his right arm. He was able to deflect a killing blow with his wakizashi and kicked the offender in the knee so hard he could hear the bone snap but had no time to recover the Katana at his feet as he was immediatly pressed by another Samurai. The Lion were pairing off against the crane now, fighting honorable single combat. Only 9 defenders left....8.... then 7.
The defenders were forced into small circle before the ram when the Lion Gunso signaled a halt. "I am Ikoma Shikuru. I Killed Daidoji Susako in a Iajutsu duel! I overcame Doji Aroten at Permission Village. I have defeated you! Surrender, you made a brave attempt and I honor you for it, but you have lost. Lay down your arms or become another conquest."
He gives every impression of following through his threat.
It is only now that you notice the arrows falling on the ram have lessened significately. A quick look at the pallisade show the massive ladders have attached themselves to the wall and a brutal fight rages.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Sept 23, 2011 11:57:06 GMT -5
Keisuke looked up to the battlements where the Crane general stood in acknowledgement. But then he pointed his ancestral katana at the western gate, and with that the shugenja at his side began drawing magic for casting a spell. A massive spectral fist formed from a thunder cloud drew shape above the Lion soldiers. With blinding speed the fist slammed into the western gate with sound of a massive impact. The wards on the gate could not be defeated by this lone spell but Keisuke was declaring his intention to open wide the gates this day. He would broker no individual challenges, this day would be won by the Lion army and not the deeds of any one man.
His command squad gathered, Keisuke moved forward to enclose the circle on the remaining samurai defending the gate.
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Kakita Hiroshi
Crane Clan
* Duelist * Courtier * Magistrate * Warrior Poet *
Posts: 285
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Post by Kakita Hiroshi on Sept 23, 2011 13:06:50 GMT -5
Suffering several lighter and deeper cuts, Hiroshi found himself side by side with his friends, pressed hopelessly against the ram. He was fighting without hope, with mere desperation. When the fighting suddenly stopped, and the Lion gunso spoke, one could a spark light up in Hiroshi's eye. Spitting out some blood, he straightened his back and said loudly: “Ah, Ikoma-san, so many conquests. You might be a worthy challenge then. I am Kakita Hiroshi, taisa under Shireikan Kakita Alesha-sama!” He paused for a while, trying to look as dignified as is possible with hair dirty, armor bloodies and mud-covered, and looking generally unfit for conversation.
“I propose this: we fight a duel. Should you win, I will come with you peacefully. However, I will not part with my father's katana. I shall give you my word not to use it against you or any other member of the army besieging Toshi Ranbo... should you win, he grinned.
“Should I win, you will ensure me and all my comrades safe passage to the gatehouse, not to be disturbed in returning to the walls. What say you?”
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Sept 23, 2011 19:57:37 GMT -5
"I'm afraid I cannot agree to those terms, the battle is rageing and there can be no escort to the gate as my champion tears it down. Toshi Ranbo will fall this day Hiroshi-san. The best I can do is allow you to leave the field if you win. Take it or leave it.. but decide quickly! I believe I have stalled enough in recognicion of your bravery."
His words are punctuated by another loud *CRACK* at the gate. The thought passes in your head as to weather the Ram was ever the main threat, or the Shugenja apparently hidden in the Lion Champions Retinue.
Your charge took you deep into lion lines. Several of the Samurai look at the few survivors with respect, even giving the briefest of bows as they wait for Hiroshi's answer.
(I'm will to allow you to describe the Duel and it's results if you wish, including the victor. If you accept his terms anyway.)
At the Gatehouse....
The impact at the Gate shook the tower Violently, nearly causing Yasuki Chad to topple over the Rampart. One of his personal Guards, a man who'd been with him since he assumed control of the Yasuki was not so lucky. The Man overbalenced and fell thirty feet into the middle of the Lion Champions retinue. He did not rise.
"This is it. SOUND THE RETREAT! Back to the city! Burn the camp!" As soon as the Drummer sounded his commands He turned to the ladder and was struck with a arrow in the shoulder. The projectile passed through the armor and halfway out the front and Chad gave a short scream of pain. His arm was useless.
His Yojimbo Yasuki Koji was at his side in an instant, preventing a potentially fatal fall down the interior of the Gatehouse. When they finally reached the ground level Koji asked,"The combination, what is it? If you die perhaps I'll have a chance to activate it."
"2nd, 1st, 9th, 3rd. It's been an Honor Koji-san."
"Yes it has, Chad-dono." Without warning Yasuki Koji decks his Daimyo in the face. Completely flat-footed he took the full force of the blow, falls to the ground and does not move.
"TAKE YASUKI-DONO TO THE CITY!", Koji yelled at the retreating Defenders. He hesitated just long enough to see two Crane pick up the fallen Crab before turning sprinting back to the inner gatehouse.
The Defenders filter down the wall in relitively good order. The Remaining Yasuki House guard shields their retreat. They gather in the courtyard just beyond the gate, still nearly 800 strong, with the burning camp just behind them. As the last men trapped on the walls fall the Gate bursts open and Lions Pour into the courtyard.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Sept 24, 2011 10:24:44 GMT -5
"The wall is breached! Time to go!" Without another word the banner carrier unfurled the symbol of Toturi III and Mai and her small retinue of cavalry charged down into the city. In the distance her other troops saw the signal and rallied behind her. They had been waiting for her signal, and caught up quickly.
Lion forces stormed in and opened what was left of the gate, according to plan, allowing for the cavalry charge. There was no more time to think, or reason. Mai raised her katana into the air and gave a high war cry; the other riders answered her back, the fearful chorus soon filled the air around the city.
She lowered her katana to a low sweeping form as the gate filled her view. Whatever lay beyond this point, she was there to defeat. For the emperor, for her mother, and for the lives wasted at the Keep.
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