Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Sept 29, 2011 20:01:19 GMT -5
((OOC: Sorry for being out of it; RL no Oni's beating my ass rather handily at the moment.))
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Sept 29, 2011 20:34:21 GMT -5
((OCC: It is all good, hope everything is alright))
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 5, 2011 18:36:17 GMT -5
The Ox settled outside the fortress, in a loose picket formation. It was enough to keep them in but far enough to avoid magic tom foolery or being forced to give up their greatest advantage: mobility. Interestingly enough, the Ox left a small gap in the perimeter;, a silent offering of a way home that would vanish like mist at dawn should a militant move be made to exploit it. The Ox were making no move to storm the city. They could not care less about that vile pit of scum and villainy.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Oct 8, 2011 17:36:23 GMT -5
Kazuma watched as the Ox Clan moved. He took a deep breath and then looked to his personal Yojimbo.
Kake-san I need you to personally deliver a message for me. I need you to talk to Tomatsu-sama, the Lion Clan Champion. You have been my second in command for some time now, I have the utmost confidence in you.
A while later a single Phoenix Clan member could be seen leaving Shiro Chuda under the cover of a white flag. Kazuma watched as he went towards the gap in the Ox Clan lines.
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 9, 2011 20:34:02 GMT -5
The messenger would be allowed to pass by the Ox clan. They were very much calmly waiting, Daikyu's ready. They were very calm and patient.
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Post by Morito Asuka on Oct 10, 2011 2:12:21 GMT -5
Returning from long travels, one usually hopes for a peaceful resolution to the journey. Not so now. Between the safety of the halls, my clan, flags fluttering in the breeze, and a tense and grim readiness on the faces of the men. The horses were not agitated. I marvelled at how they could simply graze when they were likely to be slaughtered soon. They thought of nothing but the moment until there were no more moments. Did I long for that animal ignorance? No. Better to choose to die. Do we get to choose who slaughters us then? Perhaps.
There were so many pieces of this puzzle still missing, but 'why' is the tao of destruction and perfection both. I am not too young to remember the dragon breaking their teeth on the phoenix forces over this land at the battle of Ki-Rin's shrine.
My own face took a grim aspect as I rode in and settled with the quartermaster. They lead my horse away. Where were our allies? There were no faces but our own. None but honored uncles and aunties, cousins and brethren in arms. No mon but the mon of lord Morito. Against the phoenix, even divided? Could such a thing be possible? We were not known for attacking, but defending. Until now, our offense against the phoenix anger has been a good defense, diplomatic and tactical. They did not care over much about our lands, our castle was fortified to dissuade incursion, and Lord Morito is a hero of the empire twice over. If there were no allies here already, they would not be here at all in time, as isolated as we are. I felt even more deeply that the world had turned upside down.
But of course until I understood, my thoughts meant nothing. My only hope is that if we are mobilized, we have only victory as our goal. There could be no other good outcome from what I could observe. It is a good land, so long as the view of the shadow is obscured by the edifice.
So, time to put away the trail's meditation and put the war face on. First thing's first. Secured my mount and provision with the quartermaster: check. Next stop, check in with my lord Mori .
I politely advise his secretary of my arrival.
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 10, 2011 2:26:02 GMT -5
Morito Mori's assistant would bring her to him; he sat astride a powerful warhorse, leafing through a copy of Akodo's Leadership as he observed the siege.
"Welcome Asuka-san."
Continuing his vigil.
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Post by Morito Asuka on Oct 10, 2011 3:21:40 GMT -5
"I am honored to stand before you, sama."
I notice him reading and observing. I say nothing more, politely waiting.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Oct 11, 2011 15:20:21 GMT -5
As night fell, Agasha Agito and Shiba Ame entered the Phoenix Clan Champion's tent. They'd been hard at work most of the afternoon laying wards against the dark spirits that roamed the Dragon Heart Plain and the ruins of Shiro Chuda at night.
"Camp is secure, Shiba-sama."[/b] Agito announced to the Champion. "Ame has raised several earth kami to provide us with defensive walls of rock that will give your archers the high ground and limit the number of approaches the thieves of the Ox Clan can make, should they choose to attack us."[/b]
Shiba Ame looked slightly exhausted; her efforts had been more taxing than Agito's task of placing wards. "While I was working, Kazuma-dono, I noticed that the Morito have brought their cattle herds along with them. This actually opens an opportunity for us, should you permit it. Agito?"[/b]
The fire shugenja nodded. "Despite the fact that the Ox have violated what we have lived our lives believing to be Phoenix territory, the land could be considered to be in dispute as to its true ownership in the eyes of the Imperial Court and therefore any direct assault to drive off the Ox - at least until they make the first attack - would violate the Emperor Hantei Genji's edict that no Great Clan may begin an offensive war against a Minor Clan."[/b]
The man paused for effect. "But if, say, a thunderstorm were to, say, spook the cattle into stampeding either out of the plains back to the north or west into what is definitively Phoenix territory and the Ox riders enter our land without permission... Well, I can't see how we could be at fault for an act of nature... Especially if the storm merely threatens the cattle rather than actually harms them."[/b]
Shiba Ame stepped up. "It might seem like something a Scorpion would think up, Kazuma-dono, but it is the most honorable option at our disposal that would prevent an open conflict from igniting while our forces..."[/b] The earth shugenja broke off. "...are deployed."[/b]
Ame and Agito, like the majority of the Phoenix Clan, were pro-Hantei while Kazuma-dono maintained the honor to the oaths he had taken and remained pro-Kaneka. Neither the Champion nor the Council wanted to risk a rift within the Phoenix as was happening in many of the other Great Clans, so the Council had issued an order to all Hanteist Phoenix forces to maintain proper respect to Kazuma should one encounter him off the battlefield, but not to obey any orders he gave as it pertained to the military nor was he to be given any details of the Phoenix Clan's offensive or defensive strategy.
If Kazuma or any of the pro-Kaneka Phoenix forces were met on the battlefield, however, the pro-Hantei orders were to fight to diable and capture their clansmen if possible. Should this mercy risk chancing a loss in the fight for the forces of the true Emperor, however, the orders were to offer no more quarter than they would ask or give a samurai from an opposing clan.
It was hoped that Kazuma had given similar orders to his men, but neither Agasha Agito or Shiba Ame - nor the Council for that matter - had had the nerve to ask it of their Clan Champion to confirm or dash that hope.
"It would also allow us to do more than wring our hands helplessly as the Morito steal more of our territory as they did six years ago... But what do you think, Kazuma-dono? You are in command here and we will obey your decision as it pertains to the Ox incursion."[/b] Ame asked.
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Khamul
Spider Clan
Monk - Kensei - Sensei of the Venomous Shrine
Posts: 70
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Post by Khamul on Oct 15, 2011 15:34:24 GMT -5
Elsewhere, at the Venomous Shrine
"You see Sensei, it is as I said!" the peasent gestured toward the encampments of the two gathered armies.
Khamul's strange eye's narrowed dangerously, before he suddenly struck the man to the ground. "This is why you have not yet been accepted even among the ranks of my budoka. Had you the insight, you would have known what was happening before they had begun to even arrive in any numbers. You would also have known that your sensei was already aware of the situation."
"S-sensei?"
"Go! Meditate on this lesson before the shrine, and use it to become stronger before your weakness destroy's you!"
"Hai sensei!" The peasent grovelled with his head to the ground before dashing back to the shrine proper.
Khamul did not spare the simpleton even another glance. His plans had been put on hold with the arrival of the Phoenix and Ox armies, and while he could often show inhuman levels of patience, that patience was now growing thin. As the monk continued to eye the encampments in the distance, a low growl began to escape his throat...
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Oct 15, 2011 20:26:15 GMT -5
Kazuma listened to what Ame and Agito were saying. He looked over the maps that he had and tried to contemplate just what they were saying. As he was looking over the maps and moving around it seems that his eye has caught something. He just stares deeply at a point on the maps, a point that seems to have nothing to do with the battle at hand. Kazuma seems to mumble something under his breath almost incomprehensible to even those in close proximity.
Yes, Shiba.
Kazuma looks up from the table.
I can not believe how blind I have been to this. I am sorry Agasha-san and Shiba-san. Your battle plan is a very good one, but it will not be necessary. If you will excuse me.
With that Kazuma moves to his private room.
((OCC next part is done in the Phoenix clan private chambers I am just going to continue here for time keeping reasons))
After a while Kazuma emerges.
I am going to meet the Ox clan Champion in person. There is a much larger problem that I must contend with now. I will leave a contingent of soldiers under your command Agito. I will also recall my personal Yojimbo and have him protect you against any dangers that you may encounter here.
Kazuma rode out of Shiro Chuda with a small escort baring a white flag. He headed straight for Mori's camp.
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 16, 2011 19:04:04 GMT -5
Morito Mori looked through a gaijin looking glass, pausing when he saw the Phoenix clan Champion riding forth to meet under a white flag. He snapped at his attendants, motioning for them pay attention.
"Kazuma-sama is coming to meet with me. Hurry! We need a proper greeting party, sake, appetizers if you can get them. Bring the standard, we must have a proper greeting ready for him. And don't forget a table, parchment, and a sumi-e set!"
Mori handed his lance off to another attendant, slipping from his horse and carefully cleaning the dust from his armor, ordering his last attendant to clean his steed's barding as he slipped from the saddle.
"Asuka-san, you will be my assistant for this meeting as I have run out of attendants. Ensure you look the part. This could be very important."
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Post by Morito Asuka on Oct 16, 2011 21:21:04 GMT -5
"Hai Mori Sama!" Asuka says, bowing curtly. She takes the polite two steps backward and turns to do her lord's bidding.
The most difficult of chores! AI! Presentable in a hurry. Presentable in a hurry! But that's a man for you. What can a man know of women's kimonos other than to take them off?Fortunately, other women in the camp had overheard the order and were already coming to aid me. My court kimono was brought from my pack, still carefully wrapped in its paper, and I am glad the choice was already made. My aunties were wise as usual. My thought, considering the lack of walls, would have been the slightly less formal Homongi, but the furisode would do. I suppose one could never be too formal when serving one's lord. An assistant must look like an assistant. One of small means, a peasant retainer, but for a polite meeting with the honored phoenix, an assistant must enhance his lord's standing, and I suppose something had to be done to counter my very unorthodox features.
The furisode was a swinging sleeved kimono, as appropriate for a single, young samurai-ko. Done by the expert hands of Crane artisans, it was dyed the colors of the ox clan, blue at the top mixing with black at the hem, decending in hue in a subtle gradient with the mon of the Ox over the heart, and around the bottom below the waist and on the hanging was a mountain scene of spring with a herd of horses, the snow still on the peaks. There were twelve pieces to the outfit, and while, yes, I was able to do it by myself, that could take far too long, and the women knew it. fortunately, out here, I would not need more than the basic layer. Formal, but not too formal. Then the kimono, and the obi, which matched the green and cerulean of the grass and sky in the kimono's mountain scene. It was 12 inches wide, and would be tied for me in a simple Tateya musubi knot.
The ladies hustled me into a tent, distrobed me, tugged at my hair and fixed it nicely, sponged the dirt of the road off my exposed skin, and then proceeded to wrap me up again. I fretted as they did it, what if there was a tear, what if there was a stain, what if a piece had gone missing, what if it was overtly wrinkled? But no, they assured me, it was well kept for having been dragged across the empire in a packhorse's saddle.
And now my other worries, it was going to need a full Arai hari after this. I couldn't afford another. This one alone had cost a year's stipend between both my parents, a gift for coming of age. Well, that was in the future. I slid my wakizashi carefully into the folds of my obi, added a simple courtier's fan bearing only the mon of the clan, took a deep, cleansing breath, and stepped out of the tent.
My lord was waiting for his assistant. I hustled to be at his side
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Oct 16, 2011 22:37:09 GMT -5
Kazuma approached the camp. He was flanked on either side by Shiba guards in full battle armor wielding Naginatas that were peace bound with white flags.
Wait for me outside the camp.
My lord is that wise?
Kazuma looked straight at guard.
Shiba-san. First, I am the one to initiate this contact and did so without allowing him enough time to set an ambush. Second, he would not dare to try and harm the champion of a great clan for the knowledge of what would occur. I will be fine.
The guards did as Kazuma had commanded and when they got to the camp they split off to either side and waited outside the camp while Kazuma rode into camp before dismounting his horse. Kazuma wore his battle armor, which was in pristine condition. The Phoenix Clan mon emblazoned across the breast plate was finely painted and extremely intricate. At his side he wore Ofushikai and and extremely fine wakazashi. His wrists had the gauntlets gifted to him by Shodai when he became Phoenix clan champion. Kazuma waited holding the reigns of his horse for an aid to approach him.
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 17, 2011 14:42:58 GMT -5
Mori's black armor was cleaned to perfection, shining in the sun as he awaited Shiba sama, his hair flawless despite being again hidden beneath his helm and mask. He carried his rather plain Ox made daisho, and a Lion Warfan, marking the Ox Champion as an Akodo trained General, a member of the fraternity of the Empire's greatest war makers. Mori would nod to an attendant who would in turn give Kazuma a hastily wrapped box. Mori walked to Kazuma, bowing.
"I am Morito Mori, Lord of the Ox clan. It is a great honor to meet you in person Phoenix sama. Please, come and partake of our hospitality."
Set out on the table were bowls of sake, a variety of bottles in various brands and varieties available. On a few fire baked clay plates were a wide variety of vegetarian sushi; carrots, leeks, celery, if you could wrap it in dried seaweed and rice and stick it on a plate and it was a vegetable they had scrounged some. It was not the greatest offering ever made, but for a table in the middle of a warzone in a moment's notice? It was damn fine; in fact it had probably wiped out Morito Mori's personal stock of "campaign delicacies". A straw mat was set beneath the table so that they might sit without fouling themselves, a parasol jury rigged above the set up to protect it from the elements.
Mori was calm and confident in his military and in this situation. Shiba Kazuma was renowned for his wisdom and his love of peace. He had no doubt that now, away from Kazuma's war hungry advisors they could certainly cut a deal. There could be peace in their time yet.
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