Siege of Seawatch Castle (Open RPG)

[Yoritomo Raiden]

Anyone who is not currently evolved and would like to dedicate some time to Seawatch Castle cmon and jump on in.


BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

A bolt of lightning struck the ramparts of the overlook of the Seawatch Castle. The once beautiful stronghold was now darken by war. Raiden arrived in the middle of the siege returning home from one conquest in the Ivory Kingdoms to find himself in the middle of a civil war. All Raiden needed to know was his clan was attacking the crane, and Raiden served his lord and his clan. Besides war is good for profit, and Raiden liked profit.

Raiden snapped his fingers and another bolt struck the cliff face where archers were posed to shoot down onto some Yoritomo Bushi running up the beach head. Raiden looked almost lazily tired and bored from the assault. He leaned against the mast pole and watched the conflict looking for anyway to aid the Bushi. His main goal was to keep an eye on the saboteurs slowly climbing up the cliff face to flank the enemy skirmishers. An arrow from far up the enemy defenses went whirling by Raidens legs. Raiden brought his forefinger and thumb up to his chin and looked back at the arrow quizzically.

"mmmmmmmm" Raiden turned and looked up at the castle and yelled "This is stupid just surrender huh. Then we can start talking about treaties and pay offs and such. The interesting things ya know. Im tired of this just stop already". Raiden looked at the battle with his eyes half open. "They arnt going to surrender, are they." Raiden talked to no one in general just thinking out loud. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples as another arrow wizzed by his head.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Mitsouko , accompanied of Kakita Alesha, and the loyal Kakita Hitoshi, was observing the flow of battle by the top of the hill. They had arrived with Alesha’s reinforcements and Mitsouko had chosen to fight by his side, defending the southern province from Mantis attack.***

The defense was doing well, Mitsouko had no experience fighting attackers like them, but she was confident.

The sunset was tinting everything in a reddish light, and soon the armies should retreat from battlefield, or so she expected, for one more night of planning and counting the win and losses. Right now, though, Crane Castle was well defended and standing still.

She handed her spyglasses to Hitoshi, at her right side:

Good. I think we arrived in good time. We can plan a counter offensive. Right , sensei?

She turned to the Kakita shireikan at her left side. She knew by the night, probably, they would have a full ceremonial to attend, with laut dinner and distractions that were made to keep officials happy, but by the dawn, plans for the coming days should be made over maps and numbers. She was learning.


OCC: ***This thread happens after the one night only meeting for truce in “The Brush Weight “ thread (Imperial Lands)


OCC: If you think you have reasons to be here, feel welcome to join. Infiltrators are welcome as well.

[Alesha]

He observes the ground, in the morning mist over the sea shore...

"Mantis took the beach head... But they are no experts in siege warfare, this should tire them quickly I hope. I sent several units ahead, to test their reactions to counterattacks, they won't go far from seashore, so we can easily regroup after engagements inland. I like the set up."

Unlike Fitsu, Alesha wasn't a big fan of planning for long, he was the action man.

"We cannot really lift the siege with forces we have however, Mitsuoko-dono. But what we can do, is prolong the siege, I doubt Mantis can camp on beachhead for a year, without serious morale losses. Main target is simple - enemy officers and siege equipment."

He looks over the set up of smaller units at this moment and looks to Mitsuoko.

"Mantis don't persist on sea water, do they? This is where we will be skirmishing with their provisioning units for now." - He gestures over the water sources. - "How do you feel about going on reconnaissance by force?

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Far from her comfort zone, because Mitsouko wasn’t either a battle strategist or a battle maiden, but before becoming daimyo she was a diligent officer under her Daidoji commander's orders, she felt ironically a fish out of water. She wasn’t a coward, and felt offended when Alesha thought her so, but she had to admit that, it was after all the point of view of an experienced shireikan. Her best wasn’t open warfare, but she chose Kakita Alesha, Lion hater and talented leader, to teach her an essential lesson every daimyo should learn.
And the idea was becoming quite interesting, differently of what she thought at first.
I think... I can swim. She laughed and nodded, simply. Should her sensei have the necessary patience to teach such unpredictable woman?
What we will do?

[Asahina Yuuto]

The train of horse clamors in lock step, banners of teal and rose bouncing in formation as the company of shugenja riders adapt to the twist and turns of road and civil war. Asahina Hatsune, ineffectually wipes the dust from his unshaven face, one of many consequences of the impromptu ride. His stomach grumbles and complains. He lowers himself in the saddle further, dipping his wagasa in compromise.

The orders had been clear -- half rations to ride light; forced march through the night. The rumbling during the flight of the Kakita 1st Legion from Toshi Ranbo had been, “In awe of Alesha-san; hes hell on retreat.” Hatsune’s company of Asahina now could hear a different tune as they neared, “In awe of Alesha-san; hes hell on assault”

The advance sentry wave the shugenja through, Hatsune’s mind racing with his steed’s movements, Did Yuuto-sama choose correctly? Is not Miga-san, a daughter of the Kakita a better choice to lead? The newly appointed Nikutai steels his nerves, the two squads threading seamlessly through the base camp; its atmosphere uncharacteristically stale for being so close to the sea. Something was not right.[/i]

Dismounting, Hatsune motions his second to make preparations with the quartermaster for their accommodations. He eyes down a few soldiers hunkered down by a small cooking fire, the smell of something queer frying in their pan, he signals “Nikutai Hatsune of Company A, we just arrived, where has Lady Kakita set her command tent?”

The soldiers ignore the greeting, appearing more interested in their meal, one finally pipping up, licking his lips, “mullesks, hard to keep on your plate, or even keep down. Baggage train been hold up,” another soldier eyeing his comrades, a snarl in his face, “you lookin’ for Shiriekan Alesha-sama? Hes over on that ridge, but hes only interested in those here to fight,” pointing in a disinterested manner, the soldiers soon return to fighting to keep down their meal.

Hatsune continues on his way, finding a double quick haste in his step, soon encountering the twin Kakita swapping strategy at the top of the hill. They appear as if cut from the very rock they stand, cold and unflinching as they direct their attack. The wind does little to lift Mitsouko’s or Alesha’s flowing hair. Together, they stand parallel.

“Lady Kakita, I am Nikutai Hatsune – Asahina Yuuto-san has ordered us south to reinforce your assault,” his hand trembles in front of the two titans, revealing a letter sealed.

[Alesha]

He looks to Mitsuoko for a moment, perhaps if he could explain her his vision one day, she would help reforming the Crane clan making it truly perfect.

"It is not polite to arrive unanounced... We will send a greeting message, my Lady. Written in Mantis blood, and signed with head of one of their commanders." He watches her carefully. "We'll intercept their harvesting party by the water sources, we already sent scouts ahead to find a good point. Only thing we need is couple of shugenja to..."

Noting the aproaching Asahina his eyes sparkle darkly. "At ease, Nikutai. Can you or your men screen a company by mist?"

[Kitsune Poxo]

"Has any clan ever simply surrender?" Kitsune Daichi said as he duck to the side as an arrow stuck to the deck a few feet behind him. "I am surprised we have not locked them down with a storm yet. No matter the ritual is almost complete.

The Kitsune Daimyo crossed his arms as he looked hard at the scene unfolding in front of him. "I am sure you have been infromed of my distaste for this war but we are still a part of this clan." Daichi said to the new Yoritomo daimyo. Daichi did not have much of feelings as of yet for the new daimyo but he sure this battle would surely test him.

This battle would also test the kitsune daimyo. First real battle he was in as a daimyo and for that he could feel his own pride swelling. His actions at lonely shore city were a ruse, thus not fully counting in his scrolls. It also meent it was his first real fight in awhile and something inside him tore to get into the fight.

"Do you have any commands before I go join my family?"

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Mitsouko looked over his shoulder, her eyes focused for a moment in the movement of his raven silken hair in the windy morning.

Can we have a more traditional approach? I mean, I don’t wish to sound barbarian, the simple idea of a bloody head and bloody letters seems capable to insult our ancestors, sensei. Mantis is a great clan, not yobanjin. Among them I had found honored people, people that understood the precepts of courtesy. I really don’t… she noticed the man coming up to the hill, an Asahina.

… wish to turn it personal…

But she thought in how it should have sounded foolish to her new sensei's ears.
But the moment of listen Kakita Alesha’s reply had to wait, the Asahina presented himself and delivered her a letter. Mitsouko impatiently opened it and read the parchment. A subtle smile came to her lips. Talented healers, impressive astrologers, how you can hide your heart from a dedicated Asahina?

Thank you very much, Hatsune-san. She said, looking into the eyes of the man, sincerity in its best. It was Mitsouko’s way. So Asahina Yuuto sent 20 shugenja to reinforce our defenses and to take care of the infirmary?

Yuuto-san will receive his response soon. The Asahina family honors me with such friendship. Can I count on you to lead the shugenja he sent?

[Yoritomo Raiden]

Raiden chuckled a bit at the notion of accomplishing the ritual. He was the most talented Shugenja that was in the Ivory Kingdoms, now he was dealing with the Daimyo of the Kitsune things seemed to get interesting.

"I am interested to see what spirits you can summon Daichi-san. I am calling the storm to us and the winds lets see what mayhem we can cause. These arrows are starting to annoy me."

At that moment a arrow whizzed by Raidens face causing a light line of red to form on his cheek.

"Greatly!"

The winds started to pick up giving the Mantis wind at their backs and turrets of wind to the faces and arrow paths of the Crane. A look of satisfaction crept onto Raidens face. He smirked to Daichi.

"So how much time should we give to Crane to surrender before we plunge the entire castle into the deeps?" Raiden had to yell loudly over the sound of the wind whipping past the two of them.

"You have delt more with Korin-sama than I, how would she react to us sinking the castle?" Raiden laughed when he suggested such a thing. "No commands Daichi-san I am new to this battle and Rokugan it has been some time, if anything you know these men better than I. Reinforcements and one talented and handsome Thunder Shugenja is all I have brought today." The smirk appeared again

Appearing on the deck was one of the advisors. bowing to the two Daimyo's deeply.

"Samas the saboteurs have sent their sign they are ready. Yoritomo Eisho is ready to lead her troops on the mission, she is requesting a distraction from Lord Daichi."

[Alesha]

"I am glad that you had pleasant experience with the Mantis, Mitsuoko-dono, I suppose that they do send their brightest to winter courts. But I do not share your high opinion on Mantis. They are a mercenary upstart clan, and their founder is not a kami. Need I remind you the tales of their villainry?" - he shakes his head. - "We are not presenting a painting before court here, my Lady, we are trying to win a war, and as you may have noticed we don't have the troops to go into direct pitched battle as we did in Toshi Ranbo. Wars are cruel, look behind you, all those peasants and estates of the crane, what will become of them if Mantis breaks through and takes this castle?Nothing good I assure you. We have to deal with Mantis for good and do it quickly, and that is all that matters, the method should be perfect and mercy is not going to hamper you. For every nod you give to the enemy equals death of our men and misery of our people. You are the daimyo, and its time to be ruthless, either to our people or the enemy. I insist on the later."

[Asahina Yuuto]

Hatsune acknowledged Lady Kakita's statement as she mulled over the presented letter. Yuuto believed him more than capable to lead. "Hai, Lady Kakita"

He did not respond to Alesha's request for fog. The stale air was bothering him, his mind flashing back to the storms during the siege of Toshi Ranbo. The "Twin Titans" were content to return to their conversation, as the humble Asahina slinked into the background of their dispute. The duel of two minds would not relent.

It quickly became clear, as he stepped between the two, "might I offer a compromise? The air here is dead, the kami in absence, and that can mean only one thing -- a powerful ritual is at work," the shugenja pointing to storm clouds in the distance, "we've encounter such magicks during the storms at Toshi Ranbo."

"If we choose the destruction of an all out assault, we will soon find a storm surge flooding this camp and sinking the foundations of the castle. If we choose creation, we may be able to ward the beach to redirect their elemental assault against them and nudge our unwelcome guests back into the sea"

Grinning, Hatsune rubs his hands in excitement, "I can give you fog; can you lend enough swords to protect us while we commune with the kami?"

[Kakita Sojiro]

As Alesha is giving his speech to Mitsouko, hoofbeats can be heard approaching. Soon a small contingent of riders becomes visible, bearing a banner depicting a black crane on a blue background. Emblazoned on the crane's back in silver is a fusion of the kanji for the words Elegant and Aggression, with a katana underneath the crane.

Kakita Hitoshi rides up to Mitsouko and Alesha, dismounts, bows, and reports.

"Alesha-sama, Mitsouko-sama, it is good to see you both. Sojiro-san sends you his regards and regrets that he is unable to be here right now, but he took the liberty of informing his brothers that you may need some assistance, samas - and also of lending us his troops to bolster our own. How may we be of service?"

[Kakita Mitsouko]

She spoke in low tone, meant to not turn this in a public dispute of opinions, but barely keeping her frustration aside.

I had sparse meeting with Mantis, and was when some of them offered to transport refugees from Lonely Shore City to safer lands. This is the courtesy the bushido teaches and I am referring about, sensei. But I understand and I am here to learn from you.


She regretted to be the one to command retreat from Toshi Ranbo and gather the hate of the combatants of the First legion It wasn't an easy task or an easy choice. They doubt of her. Alesha doubt of her. She put her life into Hantei's hands, he spare it, then sent her to deliver a letter to Kaneka... And Kaneka spared her life as well. Is she becoming too politic? She must learn more of war, forget courtesy. The last thing Mitsouko had read before sleep, last night, was some lines of her father's journal, where she found some lines about herself:

"Mitsouko is turning into an excellent warrior. But I remember she was once more combative. Shouldn't I have gone too far when I punish her when she sought an extremist vengeance from an Otomo girl's bully*? She was 11, now she is 14. She uses to say she wants to mirror Lord Kakita's courteous behavior to his rivals... Mitsouko is too romantic, cannot differ fantasy for reality. She is turning too gentle to be my child."

Let's do it, Alesha-san.

The shugenja was waiting a reply, which she let Alesha give, and when Hiroshi's approached, she saw her apprenticeship there would become less hard. She was among true friends again.
Welcome Hiroshi-san!

*for the curious, this vendetta was briefly mentioned in Blood Oath (Kyuden Doji)

[Kakita Sojiro]

Hitoshi cast his gaze out to the sea, where the mantis ships were gathered. He was excited for the chance to prove himself in combat yet again, perhaps even win a few duels here. However, duty came before personal glory, and he had an idea he wished to try.

"Alesha-sama, Mitsouko-sama, I have an idea. The mantis obviously have to store their supplies on their ships until they get a good foothold on the beach. Is there some way we can set those ships on fire? We would take care of the mantis, their supplies, and their ships in one go."

[Alesha]

"Hitoshi-san. We want them to leave, not stay on this beach forever, for that they need ships. Its the fresh water the supply they can't go without, and least protected. Way of strategy is simple. Don't put your enemy on the ground of death, and don't fight in your enemies territory. Water is the Mantis territory, so going to them is unwise, fresh water on our land however is territory of opportunity for us."

"As you order my Lady. Now I had enough talk." - He motions to his men. - "First Mounted Company, on your horses. Chui Kakita Yuki, take three companies to screen shugenja redirecting wards. We need that mist before you start with the wards. Rest will stay in reserve in the camp under Taisa Kakita Yamada." - he motions to his aide-de-camp to bring him horse. First Mounted Company was quick deployement medium infantry, more like dragoons, for quick atacks and reconaissance in force.