Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Nov 30, 2011 9:58:44 GMT -5
Thrakhath sat astride his horse, never having moved from the spot as he continued to watch the siege unfold. The assault on the walls had stopped for now, and the field was relatively quiet for the first time in days. Chuda Mishime stood beside his horse, his hands twitching impatiently. "We should strike again, Thrakhath-san," Mishime said, for the tenth time in the last hour.
"I have explained this to you before, Mishime-san," Thrakhath replied, "and I grow tired of repeating myself." Thrakhath appeared relaxed, though one could never tell with an undead, and his hand still rested on the hilt of his weapon. "We must wait for your Chuda to raise more undead and bring them to the front." He squinted at the distant wall, trying to discern how many troops still manned the ramparts. "There is no use attacking with insufficient force."
"You have an entire army of Lost with you, Thrakhath-san; could they not storm the walls more effectively than my undead?" Mishime replied.
Thrakhath smirked. "You'd like that, wouldn't you, Mishime-san," he said, venom in his voice. "Weaken my army so that you can betray us and take command yourself, hm?"
Mishime glared at him. "I serve the Spider clan, Thrakhath-san," he said.
"Of course you do," Thrakhath said.
At that moment, one of his Lost rode up to him with a strange procession of samurai with a Crane-like look about them at his back. "My lord," he said, "these men come claiming to be new recruits, with a message for you personally from Lord Daigotsu-dono."
Thrakhath eyed the newcomers curiously. "Thank you Bukaro, you are dismissed," he said. Bukaro bowed and left them, and Thrakhath trotted up to the one with the red Crane mon. "Welcome to the siege," he said cordially. "What's this message you have for me?"
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Alesha
Spider Clan
Fallen Crane * Duelist * Bloodspeaker * Tactician * Maho-Bujin
Posts: 418
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Post by Alesha on Dec 1, 2011 10:02:27 GMT -5
He bows courtely to the assembled. Likely it is the most elegant move they seen in a while.
"Greeting, -sama's. I am Alesha, most recent addition to the Spider clan. Daigotsu-dono sends you his congratulations and grants you his favour and title of Regent, Thrakhath-sama." He stops for a moment to read the reactions of those gathered. "I also believe that I am to be comissioned to some form of command. My last battle, was defeating Mantis in Seawatch castle. I believe they are retreating Crane lands now."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Dec 1, 2011 10:14:58 GMT -5
For a moment Thrakhath sat unmoving, his expression neutral as he processed this information. Mishime, however, was outraged, and made no effort to hide it. "A random Crane samurai whom no one has heard of rides into a Spider camp claiming to be a new addition to its ranks, and calmly informs its commander that he now rules the entirety of the clan save Daigotsu-dono himself??" He laughed; a harsh, grating sound that somehow still managed to convey amusement. "I'm afraid I will need more than simply the word of some powdered-up Crane to satisfy me."
"My compatriot, as rude and uncivilized as he may be, speaks truly, Alesha-san," Thrakhath said, his voice as neutral as his expression. "I assume you have brought proof that your word comes from Daigotsu-dono himself?"
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Alesha
Spider Clan
Fallen Crane * Duelist * Bloodspeaker * Tactician * Maho-Bujin
Posts: 418
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Post by Alesha on Dec 2, 2011 10:31:09 GMT -5
"Thrakhath-sama. I did indeed bring you the proof... But before I present it to you, there is something that needs to be done..."
He looks towards Mishime coldly. "I would expect Chuda to be better informed and wiser..." The next movement was quicker then lightning. The kenshinzen speed magnified tenfold by gift of the Taint, was a spectacular sight to behold... If only eye could. Blade is sheathed before anyone noticed that it was drawn... But the cleanly beheaded Mishime head rolling to the side tells the tale of what happened better, as it smashes with force into the nearby stone further disfuguring what remains of it. Alesha kneels on one knee then and presents a scroll from the sleeve of his kimono. It bears Daigotsu's seal. "Forgive my outburst, but I take question of honour and alligiance seriously.I am not a Crane anymore, but when I was part of that clan, entire Empire knew me. I am Spider now, and anyone who will question that or challange my loyalty will follow the fate of Mishime. Maho-tsukai or shugenja... You don't insult iaijutsu master within ten step range. Especially one that is proficient in maho and warding from it. Do not think we lost a valuable resourse, for I intend to reclaim the power of Mishime and his secrets if you permit, so it serves our clan better, its but a single ritual."
Cranes found him brutal. But ruthless would be a better word.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Dec 2, 2011 11:12:29 GMT -5
Thrakhath dismounted and grabbed the scroll violently from Alesha's hand, the anger in his expression was unmistakable. He had not, however, drawn his weapon, and that spoke volumes. Without a word he broke the seal on the scroll and unfurled it. When he'd finished reading, he rolled the scroll back up and deposited it in his sleeve.
"You may have been some poncy big-shot samurai when you were with the Crane, Alesha, but you are a Spider now," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Get this through your thick skull; you are nothing. I don't care if you were the most renowned general in all of Rokugan; until you've proven yourself capable, you are as worthless as the lowliest grunt in this army." Alesha's personal guard must have been horrified to hear Thrakhath's words, especially having just come from the ranks of the Crane. "Mishime may have been slime, but he was a daimyo, and he was useful in his own way to keep those thrice-damned Chuda under control."
He smirked then. "Congratulations; you have just inherited his job. Not as their daimyo, but as their military commander as long as they remain here. If I were you, I would not consider it a reward. The Chuda will not be happy that you killed their leader, and you may have to remove a few more heads before they are willing to take orders from you. The letter you brought marked you as a bloodspeaker of some talent, and you say you helped to defend Seawatch Castle. I want proof. Help me take Shiro Hiruma from these blasted Crab, and you'll get all the respect you feel you deserve, and more." He gestured toward the rear of the Spider army. "You'll find the Chuda that way, performing a maho ritual to keep up that rain of blood you see out there. You can't miss them. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind."
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Alesha
Spider Clan
Fallen Crane * Duelist * Bloodspeaker * Tactician * Maho-Bujin
Posts: 418
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Post by Alesha on Dec 3, 2011 11:31:16 GMT -5
He raises slowly with a cruel grin. "Very well. Watch me go, Thrakhath-sama." As he headed towards the Chuda grabbing head of their former daimyo on the way as he tossed them into the group... What insured later was the quick dispatch of few challengers that appeared and a ritual to gather their knowledge and power. Once that was done he overlooked the Hiruma castle for a moment... It was a lot tougher than he expected.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Dec 8, 2011 14:09:54 GMT -5
The battlefield was quiet once again. Thrakhath had dismounted and now stood at the head of an army of samurai, standing at perfect attention and arrayed in a line. He paced before them, scimitar held at his side, looking each of them in the eye as he walked. Behind the living (mostly) troops stood a horde of goblins and undead, the last of the monstrous forces that remained to the Spider Clan. Alesha and his bloodspeakers stood nearby, ready to unleash whatever dark magic they had in store.
Thrakhath stopped and faced his army. "Warriors of the Spider Clan," he said, projecting his voice as far as his undead lungs would carry it. "You are all here for different reasons. Some of you came to us because the Empire through you out for the simple crime of bearing the mark of Fu Leng. Some of you came to us out of curiosity, and have found our ways to be superior to those of the great clans. Some of you knew in your hearts that Bushido is a lie, and came to us when you learned of Shourido's truth. Some of you even came seeking answers. And some of you..." he smirked, despite himself. "Some of you just like to kill people." That elicited a snicker from one or two of the samurai, and Thrakhath let it go.
"Those men, in that castle," he said, waving his blade toward the walls of Shiro Hiruma, "represent everything you came to us to escape. They cling to their traditions and their codes, refusing to change and evolve with the times. Their time is passing." He lifted his free hand and clenched it into a fist. "The lands beyond the Wall belong to the Spider clan, and this castle stands in mockery of our dominion. Today, we will show the great clans of Rokugan that their time is over, and the Spider are not to be ignored." He turned his back on the army and held his blade out before him. "WARRIORS OF THE SPIDER," he roared, "HEED YOUR CHAMPION'S CALL! FOR THE SPIDER!" And with that, Thrakhath sprinted toward the walls of Shiro Hiruma, an army of screaming Lost and monsters armed with grapples and ladders at his back.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Dec 8, 2011 15:50:37 GMT -5
And it was during this blood thirsty charge that Thrakhath noticed that there had been a new addition to the shadowlands forces. Alongside him, he saw, something that should not be. There were suddenly Nezumi among his forces.
They were screeching and yelling as severely as any goblin could and when the forces of Thrakhath's army smashed into the wall and began their siege anew, the ratling forces were with them. They also had grapples, and some of them just buried their claws into the very rock and began their ascent.
Some of the Nezumi had black hands shoddily painted on their shabby clothing and armor. It was a terrifying sight to behold. Though none of the crab defenders wavered after seeing this approach, due to their familiarity with the Nezumi.
Some of the Nezumi could be heard yelling what one could discern as a name. "FOR IKM'ATCH-TEK!!"
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Alesha
Spider Clan
Fallen Crane * Duelist * Bloodspeaker * Tactician * Maho-Bujin
Posts: 418
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Post by Alesha on Dec 9, 2011 11:42:43 GMT -5
When the Lost army rushed forward, Alesha stood his ground, as did his bloodspeakers and firmly disciplined (by now) Chuda forces. They gathered several captive Crab retainers, and what else they could gather, and rose up an altar, intricately decorated. Alesha stood with ancient book he acquired from late Chuda Daimyo, who suffered a recent accident. The ritual was powerful, but unsafe. This called for blood and a lot of it. The group began slaughtering the innocents to fuel it...
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Dec 15, 2011 11:57:30 GMT -5
Thrakhath was as surprised as anyone when a bunch of Nezumi seemingly appeared out of nowhere and charged the walls alongside his Lost. As confused as he may have been, he wasn't about to say no to their assistance. He hurled his grapple at the top of the wall and hauled himself up as quickly as his enhanced muscles could carry him, and soon he was over the rampart and clashing steel with the defenders, first over the wall. Soon the sound of metal clanging against metal and angry voices filled the air, and it was difficult to discern the insane screams of the Lost from the angry yells of the Crab.
((OOC: I'll leave it there for now in case you guys want to post some more.))
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Saiko
Spider Clan
Here we stand, at the end of all things...
Posts: 355
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Post by Saiko on Dec 17, 2011 2:14:41 GMT -5
A dark-clad figure stood high atop a cliff overlooking the Kaiu wall, the battle raging below him. His face was impassive as he surveyed the carnage, though a white cloth covering his lower face would hide it any feelings he might have. Even from this height, the man could tell that the battle below was not going well. The ferocity of the Lost and the accompanying horde was a sight to behold, but they were breaking on the Crab wall like the tides upon a cliff. It would not be long now before they would have to retreat... He shook his head; such things were Lord Daigotsu's concern, not his. He was simply a pawn in this game, and he had his part to play. He contemplated briefly going down and paying his respects to the Obsidian Champion, but he saw a new offensive begin, and the path of destruction being carved on the wall, and knew that the Daigotsu general was probably preoccupied. He gathered up his belongings and began his decent towards a more deserted part of the wall. Three Days Later... It had only been a few weeks since he had been in "civilized" Rokugan, but he was seeing the land through a whole new set of eyes. He walked into a small sake house to take his dinner for the evening, his dark armor and robes discarded, replaced by a remnant of the man he used to be. His dark green kimono seemed a little tighter on him than he remembered, most likely due to his newfound amplified strength; I must fix that before the court, he thought to himself as he took a seat at a small table. The patron of the house approached him. "Greetings sama, to my humble inn. Is there anything I can get for you...?" The man's sentence trailed off as he scanned the samurai's attire for clan and family markings, searching for a name. The samurai grinned slightly, cold and feral, as he thought how to reply to the man. His first test.... After a moment of letting the servant stand in uncomfortable silence, he responded. "A hot meal, as fast as you can, please, and a bottle of your finest sake. I've been fighting on the wall, you see, and have a long journey ahead of me." The statement almost made him laugh, but he continued. "Of course, though, where are my manners? I am Mirumoto Saiko, and I thank you for your hospitality."
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Alesha
Spider Clan
Fallen Crane * Duelist * Bloodspeaker * Tactician * Maho-Bujin
Posts: 418
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Post by Alesha on Dec 24, 2011 12:47:13 GMT -5
Endless rain of various oni and kaisen summoned by Chuda and Alesha's bloodspeakers seem to be repelled by the ensorcelled walls of Shiro Hiruma... He frowns as he watches it...
- "This isn't looking good at all, and direct assault won't change this..."
He explored a few options as he noticed that the Spider forces preparing withdrawal, and notices a sally by Crab, led by a rather good looking young Hiruma officer. Her skin was precisely what he needed to roam Empire... He raises his command fan.
- "I need her alive..."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Dec 29, 2011 11:15:50 GMT -5
Thrakhath yanked his blade out of his latest victim and looked for another opponent, surprised to find none in the immediate vicinity. Her took the brief respite from combat to survey the rest of the battle. It seems his furious initial attack combined with the surprise of Nezumi troops had given them an advantage on this part of the wall, but the rest of the battle was not faring nearly so well. In fact, he and the troops around him were the only ones standing on the ramparts; the Crab had held on to the rest of the wall and showed no signs of giving it up. The varied colors among the defenders confused him as well; clearly there was some secret way into the castle his troops had failed to find, and fresh reinforcements from the great clans had found their way into the castle. The troops around him were still fighting fiercely, but it wouldn't be long before the attack on the rest of the wall was stopped and the Imperial forces could concentrate on retaking the one section of wall the Spider had managed to secure. Shaking with rage but unable to see an alternative, Thrakhath made his decision. "Fall back!" he roared, his voice powered by the blood of his fallen foes. "Fall back to the City!" ((OOC: So concludes the battle for Shiro Hiruma! Continued here.))
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