Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Sept 3, 2011 17:41:56 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Sept 3, 2011 17:41:56 GMT -5
It has been months since that faithful day of the yobanjin war. A war between the samurai of rokugan against the combined might of the barbarian tribes from the north. The minor clan alliance army was put to the test in the battlefield against the northern invaders, lead by Ichiro Kojuri. but even several minor clan armiess combined to form a large unit was not enough to make any significance in bolstering Kaneka's army in the war.
For months Ichiro Kojuri contemplated on the defeat of the minor clan alliance. His defeat on a war that has true meaning to him. In defeating an enemy that is the very purpose of the existence of his clan. Of being Ichiro. Of being Badger.
Months ago kojuri sent home the non-Badger armies that were under his command to their respective clans. After the yobanjin was concluded, the minor clan army temporarily encamped near Shiro Ichiro. Kojuri sent word to his fellow minor clan daimyo on their plans for their respective army. It seems the other minor clans are involved in politics not related to the war. Hence the unified strength to form the minor clan army was disbanded.
'Kaito!', Ichiro Kojuri bellowed. His voice echoed to the halls of Shiro Ichiro.
'Hai, your orders sama?', Kaito immediately responded to his masters summon.
'Prepare my army. Just leave the elite guards and sentries for any incursion that might occur during my absence.'
'As you command my Lord. May I ask If we are again at war and with whom?'
'Yes my friend. In fact, our clan will join the war. The Badger will march to Toshi Ranbo to pledge our allegiance to the current emperor, the Hantei. And with that, the badger army will en route with the emerald champion to give assistance to his troops.'
'That would mean we will be at war against the shogun...Kaneka?', Kaito gave a wide-eyed look.
'Exactly.'
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Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Sept 19, 2011 16:18:03 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Sept 19, 2011 16:18:03 GMT -5
cont..
Now the army of the Badger fully armed and battle ready once again await their champion's order within the grounds of Shiro Ichiro. Kaito paced in front of each formation. Nodding to each division leader if he found it satisfactory that each soldier is well suited and their stance is proud to be a Badger. Nothing less for their champion. Nothing less to show their ancestors.
The main door of the castle inside Shiro Ichiro swung wide. Its champion emerges. Ichiro kojuri step to the morning light of Lady Sun.
'Are my men ready kaito?'
'Hai sama. We await your orders.'
Kojuri scanned his men. The proud and brave army of the Badger. He smiled. He was glad to be among them.
'My Lord, latest report states that the army of the dragon marches to the lands of the Dragonfly and crossing the drowned merchant river to intervene Kaneka's attempt to usurp the throne. The Dragon believes they could negotiate so that the shogun could reconsider his actions.' , Kaito steeled himself not to comment on his champion's remarks after saying this. He knows Kojuri likes to give side comments unethical of a samurai sometimes. He wonders if his champion has Crab clan lineage in his blood.
'So the Dragon thinks they could persuade the shogun with their riddles..eh?', After saying this Kojuri turned and head towards the castle. Minutes have passed and Kojuri once again emerges from the castle main door with a scroll in hand.
'Kaito, please send this letter to the daimyo of the dragonfly through one of our courier immediately.', Ichiro Kojuri handed down a scroll with his personal chop to Kaito.
'As you command sama.', Kaito gave a signal to one of the men and soon enough a rider came galloping to him. He handed the scroll to the courier, gave specific instructions then the rider raced outside the castle walls.
'I suspect that you will march to Kyuden Tonbo my Lord?'
'You easily read me my friend.'
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Fealty
Sept 20, 2011 2:40:14 GMT -5
Post by Doji Naetaru on Sept 20, 2011 2:40:14 GMT -5
Doji Naetaru had a recent correspondence with his niece Doji Hideyaki. She was a perfect biwa player and during the recent war she decided to let some time off the battle joining the forces in Shiro Ichiro. That was a troubling time as she seemed to have been entranced by the life in the castle and by a certain Ichiro samurai. Naetaru had been writing to her for about 6 months and never intended to pry in her personal life. Today however he wished he had, for she had sent him a letter informing of the Ichiro champion's stance, and his journey towards Toshi Ranbo. With swift movements he let his mind race and he drew a parchment...
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Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Sept 22, 2011 9:53:52 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Sept 22, 2011 9:53:52 GMT -5
cont..
Ichiro Kojuri, gave a blank and serious look over the horizon while the Badger army stands ready and wait for his command.
'The journey to Kyuden Tonbo and crossing drowned merchant river is the least of our worries Kaito. Crossing the lands of the Unicorn will be the first of our problem.'
Kaito, his second in command has maintained an unconcerned look. 'Would you be sending a letter to the Khan for permission for almost our entire army have safe passage to their lands?'
Kojuri gave a side way glance to Kaito. He rarely sees his friend being sarcastic especially before heading for war. If he was any ordinary samurai, those would be his last words. Kojuri chuckled. 'I thought of sending a letter to the Khan but obviously since he ally himself to Kaneka the response would be obvious.'
Kojuri stepped forward closer to the stand and scanned the proud army of the badger. Then he spoke.
'Our ancestors gave a sacred oath to protect the legacy of Ryoshun. To protect the border of Rokugan of yobanjin and gaijin invaders. But we cannot continue to protect our beloved Rokugan if it destroys from within. We now march not to make war but to continue to fulfill our sacred oath to defend the empire. To defend the emperor.'
The Badger champion gave pause.
'The emperor is chosen by heaven's will. Heaven's will is absolute. Defying the emperor is defying heaven's will. What good is the law of the heaven when men breaks them? We march to defend that law. We ready to defend the empire. We pledge to defend our emperor, to defend the will of the heaven. Are you with me?!'
'Banzai!', the army of the badger shouted in unison.
'March!', Ichiro Kojuri, champion of the Badger clan, General of the Minor Clan Alliance lead the way.
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Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Sept 26, 2011 9:59:15 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Sept 26, 2011 9:59:15 GMT -5
cont..
The Badger army marched during the day. Set camp during the night. Until they reach their first destination, near the border of Shinjo territory, Unicorn clan. Ichiro Kojuri knows that in order to reach Toshi Ranbo or any place in Rokugan they must first cross Unicorn land. Once again the Badger army set camp and not dare trespass Unicorn ground unannounced to draw the ire of the Khan.
The Badger camp on the outskirt of Shinjo border would look like a preparation for an invasion but with an army the size of a minor clan, the badger clan champion knew such an army size will not pose a threat to the Shinjo family.
Inside the command tent ichiro Kojuri plans his next course of action until the flap of the tent swung wide and Kaito walk straight to his map table. His champion knew that formalities during war is just a waste of precious time. Kaito bowed low nonetheless.
'Speak.', Kojuri with a serious tone while eyes still set on the map laid before him.
'Sama, I have several letters from couriers that arrived lately.', Kaito handed the scrolls to his champion and kojuri readily accepted them. 'The rider arrived from Kyuden Komori and delivered your message and gift for the Bat clan.' Kojuri looked up and stared at Kaito.
'Maybe I shouldn't have sent the army of the minor clan alliance to their respective clans, I would have a much more formidable size of an army to show support for the Hantei. But it would be for the best, not all of the minor clan are willing to take side in fear of possible retribution. Komori Warai will be missed.' Kojuri took a few steps to his writing table and read the scrolls that were delivered to him.
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Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Sept 26, 2011 13:09:13 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Sept 26, 2011 13:09:13 GMT -5
cont..
First scroll he opened was one from the Dragonfly clan, broke the chop and scanned the contents quickly. Kojuri drew a parchment and began writing.
'Please give this to the same courier that brought this letter and head back to Kyuden Tonbo to deliver this scroll to the Dragonfly.' Kaito took the letter quietly and headed out of the command tent.
As soon as the flaps closed, Kojuri took the other scroll with a personal chop of the Doji Daimyo. He broke the seal and slowly read its content. The Badger champion frowned then as he finished reading the short message that contains within he gave a smirk. Kojuri was thinking of pulling all the strings and favors he has mustered from the unicorn to get his army across their territory or he may now accept the Doji Daimyos offer of safe passage and escort? I wonder how will the Crane pull it off if the Crane and Unicorn are of opposite allegiance? Kojuri mused himself.
He drew another parchment and started to write a letter for the Khan.
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Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Oct 3, 2011 0:16:02 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Oct 3, 2011 0:16:02 GMT -5
Cont..
After a day passed, the messenger sent to Shiro Moto came back to the camp. The courier bowed deeply to his champion inside the command tent and handed the message which is a reply from the Khan himself.
Kojuri read the contents of the letter and frowned. He wrote a short letter in response to the Khan's inquiry that contain in his reply. After this he gave the letter to the same messenger and send him back to the lands of the Unicorn clan to deliver another letter.
The Badger champion called his second in command and best friend, Kaito.
'My friend, a wise man once told my father that in a time when you should chose a side between good and evil, staying lukewarm and not choosing sides is still choosing evil. He too said that in order for evil to win is because good men does nothing.'
'A very wise man indeed sama.'
'I've chosen a side but will not allow the slaughter of my whole army to prove it. I just hope I've made the right choices.'
Then Ichiro Kojuri ordered for the whole badger clan army that is temporary camped near the border of Shinjo territory to head back to Shiro Ichiro. Much to Kaito and the other officers surprise.
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Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Dec 29, 2011 14:52:05 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Dec 29, 2011 14:52:05 GMT -5
cont..
As the army of the Badger clan nears their ancestral home of Shiro Ichiro, a lone scout races to meet their champion directly. Made a quick dismount and bowed deeply as he handed several scroll to Ichiro Kojuri.
'Ichiro-sama, letters from clans who are allies of the Hantei'
'Thank you. You are dismissed.'
Ichiro Kojuri opened the scrolls from where he stand just outside the walls of Shiro Ichiro. Kaito watched as his champion read the letters seeing the reaction in his eyes and brows shift from frown to open surprise. Then everyone was caught unaware as the champion of the Badger suddenly gave shout.
'Faithful men of the Badger. We will continue to serve and prove our loyalty to the Hantei and fight by his side!'
All were in shock. As his men know that they cannot cross Unicorn lands without angering the Khan. And it is now to late to cross the mountains.
'Shugenjas will perform a ritual to open a portal that will provide a bridge for us to cross from where we stand directly near Kyuden Tonbo, where we can provide support to our allies who are loyal to the hantei'
The army of the Badger cheer.
'Prepare yourselves. We wait for the portal to appear then follow my lead.'
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Asahina Yukihime
Crane Clan
Crane Clan Ikazuchi
* Air * Water * Shugenja * Artisan * Asahina Family Daimyo *
Posts: 750
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Fealty
Dec 30, 2011 17:37:59 GMT -5
Post by Asahina Yukihime on Dec 30, 2011 17:37:59 GMT -5
Dawn was imminent when a snowy breeze crossed the plains into Shiro Ichiro making a loud whistle.
Through the water, from dew or snow, Yukihime could have a clear view of the Badger army, and wasn't hard to find Ichiro Kojuri-sama, surrounded by his bushi.
The horizon is tinged in oranges and reds. A few birds from the morning are already daring the cold of winter with their songs. And upon the first sign of Amaterasu a silvered glowing doorway can be found ahead of the Badger army.
It grows slowly into a gate of swirling winds. There is shiny and windy nothingness inside and a silver road that leads to Kyuden Tonbo.
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Tamori Koichi
Dragon Clan
Dragon Clan * Shugenja * Earth * Void * Yamabushi * Duelist
Posts: 228
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Dec 30, 2011 22:19:14 GMT -5
Post by Tamori Koichi on Dec 30, 2011 22:19:14 GMT -5
Koichi readied himself. He sat in the lotus position just as the Asahina daimyo and the other shugenja were completing the opening of the gate.
"Increase security during the ritual. Protect my body," he ordered to his honor guard. "my spirit will be within the Way to guide the Badger army. Give Asahina-sama anything she needs to maintain the spell."
Koichi closed his eyes and took a deep breathe. "Hoshi guide us."
The Tamori daimyo's spirit left his body in an instant and passed the gate. It sprinted along the silver road towards the other end of the road. Modifying the spell was difficult and it exerted a heavy toll on the Tamori daimyo's spirit that would have unraveled any commoner. Thankfully Koichi was not any common shugenja. He had a connection with the void that even the Phoenix Master of the Void coveted. His faith in Hoshi the Celestial Wanderer was unsurmountable, and it had fueled him to push through in many a different times. His honor, unwavering, despite strong opposition.
Magic, faith or honor. Whatever he needed to win, Koichi used it. He would not forget his duty. He would not let the Hantei fall.
Koichi reached the other gate. He could clearly see Kojuri-sama and his army just beyond the gate. Koichi focused and made a mental connection with the Badger champion.
"I am here. Step into the gate. We need to move as quick as we can. We move to save the Righteous Emperor."
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Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Jan 3, 2012 14:11:18 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Jan 3, 2012 14:11:18 GMT -5
cont..
No Badger in this age have ever seen how a portal looks like or any works that require great magics. The scrolls delivered did not state the time or the day the said portal will open, but it says it will be open soon. The arrival of the Badger army in their ancestral home was timely, else they would have missed the window of opportunity to cross the bridge.
All were silent, Ichiro Kojuri and his army waited patiently.
Hours passed. Then a sudden gust of wind. The movement of air would be normal if not for the trees further from the army are not swaying with the wind. A swirling mist emerges a few feet above ground between the Badger army and Shiro Ichiro's outer walls. A flash of light followed by a shimmering glow that expanded to several feet in diameter.
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Tamori Koichi
Dragon Clan
Dragon Clan * Shugenja * Earth * Void * Yamabushi * Duelist
Posts: 228
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Jan 3, 2012 21:31:11 GMT -5
Post by Tamori Koichi on Jan 3, 2012 21:31:11 GMT -5
ooc: you can already pass thru the gate here then just post at the other thread at Kyuden Tonbo
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Ichiro Kojuri
Badger Clan
Badger Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * General of the Minor Clan Alliance
Posts: 71
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Fealty
Jan 5, 2012 16:46:30 GMT -5
Post by Ichiro Kojuri on Jan 5, 2012 16:46:30 GMT -5
cont..
It is a window to another place hanging in mid-air. A different landscape, not of Badger but of Toshi Ranbo. A cold breeze blew from the other side. A voice seems to follow from it. Ichiro Kojuri could hear someone telling him that it is safe to cross.
'Kaito!', Kojuri looked at his second in command. 'You're in charge as usual while I'm away. Maintain order and vigilance. The armed regulars will be enough to repel any yobanjin incursions while I'm gome.'
'Hai sama.', Kaito's eyes affix to the portal that appeared out of nowhere.
'Badgers! follow my lead!', Ichiro Kojuri dismounted his horse and made a quick pace through the portal. His army followed suit.
As the last man of the Badger army crossed the gateway. The portal soon collapses and the shimmering lights and mist faded.
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