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 29, 2011 0:09:33 GMT -5
(OOC: It seems the battle has been lost. By a very narrow margin. This means that "The Fall" will end in a Toturi victory. Feel free to post accordingly. The Narrow margin of victory for the lion means that the Emperor was successfully evacuated, and the Bulk of the Crane army survived the battle.) The Crane and Yasuki in the courtyard are forced to the Western gate of the city. "Go!" Shouts Yasuki Chad, having woken up from his yojimbo's blow. "We'll hold them off you. Get into the City!" The Crane, having few other options withdraw into the city. (Underneath the Gatehouse....)Yasuki Koji was dying. He'd managed to get to the Lever room, but shortly after the Lions managed to do so as well. The small guard placed here was in the process of being overwhelmed by Akodo and Ikoma samurai. He'd taken a yari to the Gut while killing it's owner and was nearly incapacitated by the pain. While the last of the guards here died he moved the levers in the order his Daimyo had described. "Hey Lion," he snarled with his hand on the last lever. The Akodo gunso looked at him. A flash of understanding flickered in his eyes as Koji slammed the last lever into position. A loud crack reverbated through the basement and the ground shook violently, knocking Koji to the floor. "Catch."(Outside....)The walls of the Pallisade shook violently and collasped in on themselves, tossing men and the great Iron ladders into twisted ruin on either side of the wall. The gatehouse itselve, partially collasped and toppled inward crushing dozens of surprised lion soldiers. The defenders safely inside the city, shot arrow after arrow into the suddenly trapped Lion and Unicorn forces inside the basecamp. Men died by the hundreds. The Yasuki were nearly spent. Trapped in the courtyard with flying masonry, Nearly a thousand Lion and a Shiotomi troop, they'd suffered sever causualties. Barely a hundred were still able to fight. (At the ram....)The staredown is broken by the thundering sound of the pallisade erupting into ruin. The Ikoma curses loudly at the sight of his trapped brothers. "Fine. Shio, Katanade, escort these defenders to the edge of the army. If they try to rejoin the battle, kill them. THE REST OF YOU WITH ME!" The majority of his men rush toward the ruins, but two samurai and a large group of ashiguru move to escort you away.
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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 29, 2011 0:29:26 GMT -5
Sojiro's eyes widened in the aftermath of the massive explosion - he had never seen that much raw destructive force unleashed before, not even from the Phoenix shugenja.
He flicked the katana, finally cleaning the blood off of it before sheathing it. He passed his wakizashi to his uninjured right hand and did the same, before bending down to retrieve Saiko's katana. covering his hand with a piece of his hakama that he tore off so as not to touch the blade directly, he handed the weapon back to it's owner. Rain from the storm poured down on all of them, leaving pink rivulets running down his face and revealing the battle wounds on everyone there, rebel and loyalist alike.
"We should be on our way then." He cast his gaze to his allies and the strange, lipless man.
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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 29, 2011 10:28:13 GMT -5
Kakita Hiroshi bowed to the Lion gunso: “Fare thee well, Lion.” He then turned to their escort. “Take us north off the battlefield.”
After taking a few steps (trying to be as far away from the lipless man as possible), he whispered to Sojiro. “Sojiro-san... the duel took more of my strength than... than I anticipated...” He coughed and grinned with pain for a moment, before returning to a cold, calm face. “Can I ask you to help me walk a straight line? I do not... I do not want the Lion to see my weakness now...”
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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 29, 2011 11:57:37 GMT -5
---At the gate--- There was no sound but the deafening roar of hoofbeats. Mai idly noticed a few Akodo shouting orders, their mouths moving but no sound escaping the din around her. She looked ahead to see the Crane readying their spears. No turning back now.
Ren leaped over a spear aimed at her heart, kicking its carrier in the head with a sickening thud. Javelins and arrows fired from behind her to break the line, though the screams of wounded and dying horses and riders indicated many of them had still found their mark. The cavalry that made it past the spear line were gaining ground, but slowly. A group of crane troops were falling back from the press, trying to rally again with a new spear line. "Archers!" she shouted, praying someone could hear or see her signal. To her great relief, the line ahead started falling from the nearly invisible volley of arrows. After that, everything became a blur. Mai could not count how many she had cut down, or how many of her own troops had fallen. There was only the unstoppable force of the Unicorn cavalry, diminished significantly but certainly not defeated. Slowly, the crane resistance fell or retreated. The city was theirs, but there was still a pressing matter to attend to.
As fast as she could Mai reorganized what was left of her troops. Her best unit, with the fewest injuries and fastest steeds, were called to her. "We have to get to the Imperial residence before the traitor emperor has a chance to escape. You will be the vanguard."
She turned to the remainder of her fighting force. Many were on foot, several tending to injuries, either of themselves or their mounts. They were all covered in blood and muck. Mai imagined she looked much the same way. "I can only take so many through the streets to the residence; the rest of you will assist Akodo Kiesuke in securing the gatehouse." She considered saying more, for morale, but there would be plenty of time for celebration once the work was complete.
With a small nod to the forces she left behind, she and her vanguard just barely made it into the main streets when the gatehouse crashed. She took a precious second to look, horrified, as her troops were pinned down by rocks and debris, while Crane archers picked them off one by one. She turned back around toward her only remaining forces with fire in her eyes. "Hantei must be captured or all of today's bloodshed will mean nothing. For this purpose we have been spared from the fate of our brothers and sisters. Failure will cost tenfold as much suffering. Ride!"
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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 29, 2011 15:07:19 GMT -5
Sojiro looked at his clansman with concern. Hiding serious injuries from those around you was a Kakita family tradition, and he was all too familiar with how it worked - and how dangerous it could be.
"Of course, Hiroshi-san. And once we're away, we can tend to the wounds we've all sustained and then figure out where to go from there."
He looked over at the lipless man again. Where had he come from? Why was he so.... strange? Sojiro realized that they knew nothing about him.
"I am Kakita Sojiro, assistant instructor at the Kakita Academy. I'd like to offer my thanks for your assistance, but I don't even know your name."
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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 29, 2011 18:41:58 GMT -5
The depleted Yasuki could not keep the Shiotomi troop from flowing into the city. Still, they could stop the advance of the Lion. For a short time. They fought from just inside the city, blocking the route with their bodies. With the door to either side they were able to reduce the effect of the Lion numbers and fought man to man. It seemed perhaps they could throw them back enough to close the gate....
Then the Akodo General arrived.
His Unit smashed into the Yasuki and slowly....the Yasuki were pushed back.
Yasuki Chad fought in the center of his men. His right arm useless and he still carryed the arrow in his shoulder, he wielded his katana left handed with surprising skill.
"I AM YASUKI CHAD!" he roared from the center of the carnage. "I AM THE DEFENDER OF THE IMPERIAL CITY! NONE SHALL PASS THIS GATE WHILE I LIVE!"
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Post by Shoju on Sept 30, 2011 10:51:44 GMT -5
After being escorted with the others away from the Ram, Yamuso smiled. I believe that I have business to attend to. I promised someone that I would keep an eye on the wily Yasuki, and this detour leaves me out of position to do so. Yamuso bowed to the others. It would have been an honor to win this battle with you. And he began walking towards the wall.
Yamuso heard the yell erupt from The Yasuki, and he knew that he had to hurry. He had come dangerously close so far today in losing himself again, falling to the sway of the shadow. But he had made a promise, and he was determined to keep it.
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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 30, 2011 11:45:22 GMT -5
Keisuke, rallied his men to the the now open gate. He fought his way towards the breach, and he took a vanguard charging head long into the remaining defenders.
Then it came the loud battle roar of defiance from the Yasuki Chad. Keisuke could not hep but be admire the mans courage and honor as he fought this day. But now it was time to end this it was time to seize control of the city.
"LIONS, VICTORY IS YOURS NOW TAKE IT FROM THOSE STILL HOLDING THIS GATE!!!"
With that the two forces met in battle, both fighting bravely, both sides not whiling submit.
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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 30, 2011 13:05:20 GMT -5
Yasuki Chad's Yell drew the attention of all nearby, and he found himself hard pressed as Lion after Lion attempted to hold him true to his claim.
He'd just narrowly avoided a blow from a No-dachi when he heard Keisuke shouted orders. The words enraged him, revitalizing tired muscles. He jumped forward, too close for the no-dachi to manuver, and jerked the lion's head into his own. His vision swam for a brief moment but when it cleared, he saw the lion unconsious at his feet.
Turning he sees Keisuke. Their eyes lock.
"Akodo Keisuke! I'm afraid the Emperor will not see you now. Perhaps if you come another time we can accomadate you." He takes a deep breath and charges the fresh Lion. "Allow me to show you the exit!"
(OOC:If the poll says I die, kill me. If the Poll has me captured, do so. If the Poll has me escape, Yamuso interfers and drags/convinces me to leave. In my state I am no match for you)
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Post by Shoju on Sept 30, 2011 13:44:29 GMT -5
Hmmm.... I could be the hero!? This could be fun
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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 30, 2011 14:31:48 GMT -5
The Lion escort guided them quickly and quietly through the enemy lines, to the outskirts of the battle. Even at this distance, Sojiro could see the smoke rising into the darkened sky, the whole scene punctuated by the occasional flash of lightning and rumble of thunder as the massive storm over Toshi Ranbo continued it's assault on Hantei and Toturi alike.
"Alright, we need to find someplace dry, and we need to find something clean to bandage our wounds. We can either try to get what we need from the Lion forces, or we can tough it out and head to Permission city." He sighed. The idea of this group walking to Permission city in their current state was not an idea he enjoyed. He could barely feel his left arm, a cut above his hairline felt like it was on fire, and his right thigh had also been wounded by a yari during the fight. He wasn't limping at the moment, but he knew that would change if he pushed himself - maybe permanently. And he was fairly certain that he wasn't the worst off.
"Or, if someone else has a better idea, we can do that. I'm certainly open to suggestions right now."
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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 30, 2011 15:36:08 GMT -5
Hiroshi looked around, and noticed a few tents trampled by troops passing this area a day earlier.
“We could check, if the men stationed in these tents a few days ago had some bandages. They don't seem to be using them anymore.”
He knelt next to one of the tents, hissing with pain for a short moment, and started to browse through the leftovers.
“Sojiro-san, did Mitsuoko-dono, Alesha-sama or Fitsu-dono give any orders for us, should the city fall? If not, I agree that we should probably link up with the Emerald Champion. If he is still at Permission City, that is.”
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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 30, 2011 15:44:59 GMT -5
"No, nothing specific. I wasn't even ordered to defend the wall at Toshi Ranbo honestly, I just decided it was where I needed to be. With everything else going on, I think Mitsouko-sama has decided that we know best how we can help the Crane, at least for the time being. It's an odd position to be in, though.
Did you find anything useful?"
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Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Sept 30, 2011 18:42:20 GMT -5
Hitoshi spat, and the spittle was streaked with blood.
"What I wouldn't give for a shugenja with us now..."
He watched the Lion pour into the breach and slowly drive the defenders back. "I must confess that I am at a loss. I suspect the defences will not hold out much longer, and we have given our word not to rejoin the battle. Do we return home? Do we make out way to Permission City? Where can we be of most effect?"
He swayed on his feet slightly. "Whilst we consider this, I think I might sit down to help me think."
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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 30, 2011 20:07:51 GMT -5
Sojiro helped Hitoshi down. "Spitting blood is never a good thing, Hitoshi-san. I've done it a few times. Let me see the wound."
He cursed as the rain came down harder. "Dry is no longer an option, obviously. Clean but soaked will have to suffice." He tore a few more strips from his hakama with the help of the tanto he kept hidden in his sleeve and held the strips up in the downpour, to get the worst of the mud and battle grime off.
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