Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Feb 1, 2012 19:38:37 GMT -5
This RP focuses on the battle surrounding the Castle of the Swift Sword (Shiro sano Ken Hayai). It is open to all who wish to participate.
![](http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g462/akodokeisuke/_Fate/RideThroughtheNight.jpg) They had come so far now they return to the place they called home.
The march had not been an easy one, from Toshi Ranbo to to Shiro no Matsu they marched. Spells wrought by the shugenja had carried them far. Further and faster than any one man could have dreamed. And yet there was no rest for them to be found at the ancestral home of the Matsu. Later some soldiers would say it was all a dream; they would say they fell asleep in Toshi Ranbo and awoke at Shiro sano Ken Hayai. Deathseekers and those light infantry forces that could move quickly joined the march. Weapons and provisions for the winter were set and readied the march. Every soldier from their general Akodo Keisuke down to the lowest spear-men was given a pack of supplies to carry northward to the castle. No cumbersome, wagons would slow down this march the entire army carried what was was needed for the coming battle. Then once more the shugenja cast their spells and the army was once again on the march. What where the consequences of so much magic being being used upon them. They did not care let tomorrow worry about that. Their clans men and their emperor needed them.
![](http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g462/akodokeisuke/Lion/ShirosanoKenHayai.jpg) What a terrible sight befell them as past over the final hill. Flame surrounded the castle, even in the cold of winter's embrace flames raged around the walls and upon the walls of that ancient castle. One road was left open to the castle and one led to Emperor Toturi's camp. Supplies were divided and those deemed to wherry to continue the march made way towards the castle. So close now Keisuke thought, just a short distance away and and they could rest. He would see old friends again, and once stand at the side of the man he now called emperor. But nothing is ever that easy. From the darkness they appeared a small force of Dragon samurai and tattooed men. What was there purpose on the road this night Keisuke would never know, he did not intend to ask. Drawing Shinrai, whose celestial steel shown like the breaking dawn, Attack, the order came out more as a leonine roar than a word. With out hesitation with out with out concern for all the miles they had just marched Keisuke and his men washed over the Dragons. Both sides fought bravely, but the Lion was to numerous for the small band of Dragons. When it had ended, Keisuke ordered, See to it that the dead both ours and theirs are shown the proper respect. The rest of you men, we have an Emperor to serve.
As they entered Emperor Toturi's camp, Keisuke felt relieved now the real work could begin of lifting this siege.
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Post by Hida Joji on Feb 2, 2012 6:47:01 GMT -5
Joji marchs alone amongst the Crab, his companions shun him because of his abilities, the Dammed shun him because he refuses to wear white and throw away his life. Only his Clan champion, Kaneka and the Spider clan recognize his abilities and value him. “As soon as the battle starts they’ll look to me for leadership when steel meets flesh then I’m tolerated. ” – Joji looks over to a group of young Crab Samurai and Ashigaru, immediately they look away and stop their comments – “Before this battle is over they’ll think differently. When snow, blood and guts coat the battlefield my greasy hair, black claws and smell won’t bother them. When my wounds heal overnight, when my red eyes pierce the darkness they’ll see who advances Kaneka’s claim more me or them. ” – Joji picks up the pace daring the "pure" to keep up but their worthless codes drag them down and soon Joji walks at the front of the Crab relief force.
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Post by Junko on Feb 6, 2012 22:15:02 GMT -5
"It's an interesting situation, tactically" Junko mused, chewing on some onigiri as she surveyed the battlefield. The tiny hillock she and her patrol had found was one of the few undulations in the otherwise flat terrain. Good cavalry terrain.
"As you say, Chui" Matsu Mika nodded. Initially being placed under the command of a Ronin had clearly rankled the proud Matsu cavalry officer but she and the other Lion riders had had the opportunity to see what Junko could do in battle and, while she did not expect to ever be given the keys to their hearth, she no longer suffered the whispers and filthy looks that had first greeted her.
"It would look pretty simple if you had to describe it to somebody" Junko continued, enjoying the discomfort that she knew lay beneath Mika's cool answers. "We outnumber the Dragon, and we have them pinned between the Castle and the River. It should be easy to turn the field into a killing ground. Oh, they'd give as good as they got and make us pay a price for it, but all that means is that it's worth obtaining" She narrowed her eyes, doing her best to focus on the distant fields. Junko had excellent eyesight, but even she could not make out the individual Samurai struggling so far away. Still, it was clear that the battle was raging fiercely. Huge phalanxes of Samurai and Ashigaru lay strewn across the snowy fields like scales on a dragon's back. Thin, pearl-grey columns of smoke rose upward like skeletal fingers, marking where burning arrows or the dragon's infernal alchemical flames had scorched the earth dark and the snow bright.
"But obviously the Dragon know that all they have to do is hold the line against Toturi and they can continue their siege uninterrupted. And a defensive position is stronger. And, pessimists that they are, they've been digging in for weeks before we even arrived" Mika nodded as Junko's gaze shifted to the north flank of the vast Dragon camp. Sure enough, the earth was interrupted by the Mirumoto's field fortifications - trenches, ramparts of earth, dragon's teeth, even a scattering of crude field redoubts. Some had fallen, been breached or bypassed, but the earth around them was strewn with the fallen bodies of samurai.
In the last few weeks Junko and her fast scouts had been vital. This was just the kind of battle her skill set was ideal for - fast engagements, open terrain, and one where communication and maneuver were key. Every day she had ridden with messages between the walls of the Castle of the Swift Sword and the Shogun's command tent. Sometimes the Dragon siege had been so tight that the only way to get messages in and out of the walls was to attach them to arrows and fire them. But never once had one of her messages been intercepted, and she knew as well as any student of Sun Tao that communication between Toturi's two armies was necessary if the Dragon army was to be shattered. The Castle was running low on supplies. The defenders could not afford to sally forward every day - they needed to time their attacks to coincide with those of the Imperial and Unicorn troops. And that meant the messages had to get through.
"Well, that's enough of that" Stuffing the last of the onigiri into her mouth and spitting out a fragment of the twine that had secured it in its paper wrapping, Junko slung her leg back into the saddle, mounting with the ease only a born Unicorn could bear, even if she now wore no mon. The Matsu riders did their best to mount equally quickly. "Let's ride" At a nodded command the small squadron of light cavalry rode out of the grove, Junko in the lead, and onto the plain of battle.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Feb 15, 2012 18:41:51 GMT -5
OOC sorry guys but real life no Oni has been kicking me around lately, but I promise to pick this up again.
Keisuke emerged from Toturi's command wrapping his cloak around himself and watching his breath collect in small puffs of steam. It felt natural to be back on the field of battle once more even with winter chill settling in.
For the first time in what seemed like unto a life's age Keisuke found himself alone. He started making his way through the camp seeking out those who had come to join this army. Many heroes from across Rokugan were here now troops of ronin and the Crab had sent forces to this place. Even the mighty Takezo, was serving with Toturi.
So Keisuke set to walk about the camp he had no particular place he wished to go. Not seeking attention he began to move through the camp seeking out no one individual he just wanted to see who was here.
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Post by Junko on Feb 15, 2012 23:34:50 GMT -5
As Keisuke is walking down a row of tents, listening to the music of the army at alert rest - the clack of kendo practice, the bawdy murmurs and laughter of ashigaru, the shouted commands of gunso - he hears raised voices coming from a nearby tent. The smell of sake and unwashed bodies wafts out. As Keisuke's attention turns idly in that direction, a woman crawls out of the tent, pausing to throw an insult over her shoulder. She is clearly a Ronin, her face still stained with the dust and mud of the battlefield, and judging by the scent of sake that clings to her, she is celebrating something. The woman rises to her feet without turning her gaze back to what's in front of her, with the result that she walks straight into Keisuke, a loud "CLANG" signaling the collision as her armoured body meets his.
The woman turns and a rebuke blossoms and dies in her eyes, although there's no genuine contrition there. She does, however, bow deeply in a formally appropriate apology. "I'm sorry, Akodo-sama, I was not looking where I was going" Standing up from the bow she seems to be waiting for some sort of rebuke, although the look in her eyes doesn't show any fear, just impatience.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Feb 16, 2012 18:28:26 GMT -5
Keisuke let out a small puff of air as he collided with the armored samurai. He had noticed the women just seconds before but it was to late to stop the impact. So Keisuke let his breathing drop and lowered his center of gravity converting the collision into more of one object bouncing off another. With the sounds of mirth in the air, there was no need for anger at this misstep.
Tell me Samurai-ko, what has you in such a hurry that it must draw your full attention. The response came more as a inquisitive statement rather than an authoritative command.
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Post by Junko on Feb 16, 2012 21:20:38 GMT -5
Junko swallows, and then decides to tell the truth. "Some of my... friends and I had a very successful day hunting Dragons. So we decided to celebrate with a little sake. High spirits turned to strong words and I thought it was best to leave before I created an incident. Although it seems I might have created a worse one" Her eyes stray to where she's left mud on Keisuke's armour.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Feb 23, 2012 17:10:02 GMT -5
Keisuke eyes drop down to the splotch of mus on his armor, a bit of anger races through mind but he lets it go. Dust the grim from the front of his armor. "It is just mud though I suspect you will be more careful in the future. Besides there is no such thing as a clean battle field or military camp for that matter."
Looking in to the tent and taking note of the soldiers who were continuing their marry meant, Keisuke turned looked back to the samurai. "Why not start with telling me your name and whose command you are under." Pausing with a slight edge of concern to his voice, "None of soldiers have mistreated you have they?"
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Takezo
Dragon Clan
Shugyosha, Loyal retainer of Toturi, Dragon Champion-in-exile
Posts: 415
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Post by Takezo on Feb 24, 2012 11:11:11 GMT -5
The ronin Takezo emerges from his tent, breath steaming the chill air. Not yet quite light – the sunrise still an hour hence – the reddening sky shows a lean and muscular man, skin calligraphed with a history of battles and duels, scars of an eventful life. Takezo rubs his skin with a towel, muscles complaining of lack of sleep and too much exercise; he is no longer young. Pulling on his haori, he walks through his camp, greeting the men – grim-faced, hard men – who have fated themselves to Takezo’s service.
Later, after a breakfast of grilled mackerel (where did it come from? No matter, it was welcome), rice and pickles, Takezo heads back to his tent and withdraws the sharpening stones which have been soaking. The stones range from a course Washita stone to a fine brown Honyama Awasi, six stones in all, collected by Takezo at various times throughout his life and in various places like a rocky biography.
Takezo first carefully straightens his katana; an expert, he can do so over his knee. The straightening is the crucial step – to sharpen a bent katana is to destroy the geometry of the edge, ruining the sword (though in these days many samurai fight with ruined swords, never skilled enough to discern the difference, nor living long enough to profit from the lesson…) The sword thus straightened, he begins the long morning of sharpening, starting with the coarse Washita. Slow, precise strokes of the blade over stone, ladeling water over the blade periodically to wash away the grit and examine the edge, and then progressing through finer and finer stones, 100 strokes with each, until perhaps an hour later he will finish with the Awasi.
A ronin, passing by, asks why so sharp, Takezo-san?
“Today, I will fight Dragon. I will honor them with the seriousness of my preparation. Should I fall, I fall knowing I never erred, their victory is one of pure skill; should I prevail, I honor them with the fact that I never erred, and my victory is testimony to MY skill, and not to their failing.”
Takezo stops a moment, reflecting.
“I also have a love for the Dragon which will never die. If I must fight them – and I must – I will. But if I must slay a Dragon, I would have the stroke be as clean and instantly lethal as possible, the death sure, the pain minimized. This demands the sharpest possible sword.”
The ronin, not commenting, takes his tea and wanders off. Later, sword straight and keen, Takezo rewraps the hilt, sheaths the blade, and heads off to find Keisuke-sama.
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Post by Hida Joji on Feb 24, 2012 12:01:36 GMT -5
Joji limps back to his spot. As before someone has seen fit to destroy his food and scatter his possessions about. As before nothing seems to be missing. “Cowards. Stupid cowards.” – Joji looks around for someone who is sure to have been here for a while. Spotting a few ashigaru and some servants playing a game of dice and eating Joji approaches still holding the head he took from a Kensai who thought he was easy prey. – “I have memorized your faces. Next time this happens “ – waves the head in the direction of his scattered possessions – “ I’ll find you and I’ll smack you around like a goblin then you will tell me who did it or I’ll make you this Dragon’s manservants.” – Joji turns the head to face him – “You don’t look monkish to me. I’m sure you’d like headservants, right Mirumoto-sama?” – Joji walks back to his spot laughing until a fit of coughing makes him stop and throw-up an unhealthy mass of blood on the ground. The ashigaru look over the tainted samurai as he gathers his scattered possessions and remakes his camp.
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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 Mar 2, 2012 13:28:47 GMT -5
Shinjo Yoshiko and her contingent of scouts entered the camp late, or perhaps early, riding in as the first soldiers and samurai were waking up to start their new day. Their efforts of the previous day had been particularly fruitful, and the horses were heavily burdened with the spoils of victory -- fresh stores of barley and rice, with sacks stamped with the marks of various dragon provinces. Some of the men had to walk alongside their horses, their burden was so great. Many of the men were cheerful in their victory despite their lack of sleep, but Yoshiko seemed to shift back and forth, betraying a growing sense of unease.
After arranging for the transport of goods with the quartermaster, she made her way to the central command quarters, where the Shogun was working in tandem with Akodo Keisuke to organize the multi-clan efforts against the dragon. She held her fur-lined cloak tightly to her chest, the hood obscuring her face, as she paced outside the tent, waiting for an audience with the Lion general.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Mar 9, 2012 18:29:04 GMT -5
Keisuke smiled he had been playing cat and mouse with one of his adjutants for some time. Well it was nothing intentional but it was amusing to watch the young officer run hither and yawn trying to track the lion general. he was taken back to his youth when the great lord Ikoma Ujiaki had done much the same to him. But now it was time to end it the poor samurai looked as though his head where ready to spin from his shoulders.
He stepped out from from between the row of tents he had been though and right in to the path the hurried young officer. Keisuke walked with a casual gate as if this were just an ordinary afternoon and there was nothing amiss.
Lord Keisuke-sama, Ikoma Kyuso called, my lord I cry your pardon. Kyuso's voice was nearly drowned out by the sound of a camp full of soldiers. Kyuso nearly broke into a full run trying to get the Lion generals attention. Stumbling over himself he came to a stop in font Keisuke and with a deep bow, and with a nearly breathless voice My Lord, deep breath, there are several samurai whom were already her and just arrived who wish to speak with you.
Take a moment, and catch your breath Kyuso-san, no need such haste. Keisuke allowed the young officer to catch his breath.
Pausing to take some slower breaths, yes, right my lord. as Kyuso straightened his posture attempting dispel the previous moments exertion. Lord Takezo is looking for you, and one Shinjo Yoshiko wishes to find you as well. Looking over his shoulder, finally my there is the Crab samurai one Hida Joji, whilst he is not looking for you directly, there have been some problems at his camp and it may be prudent to speak with him considering he is the most senior member of our Crab allies present at this battlefield.
Keisuke ran through the list in his head, and curse the fortunes he had not met any of these samurai before. Well then Kyuso-san lead the way, we have kept them waiting far to long.
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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 Mar 14, 2012 10:32:47 GMT -5
Yoshiko's keen eyes caught her goal some distance away from where she was pacing. Having never met the Akodo general, she could guess his identity based on the other signs -- the lieutenant's posture of nervous duty, the constant stream of information and messages moving in his direction, the way the other lion soldiers seemed to straighten themselves as he passed -- this was him.
She moved purposely toward him as he entered the open area about the command tent, her cape flourishing slightly as she stopped and made a low bow from the waist. The hood still seemed to swallow the features of her face, but she spoke in a clear tone with the barest military clip.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, honorable Akodo Keisuke-sama. I've been sent by Toturi-dono to coordinate the efforts of the unicorn army's maneuvers in breaking the Dragon seige, as well as give my own report of a recent...excursion to break the northern supply route."
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Akodo Sosa
Lion Clan
Lion Clan Samurai * Akodo Bushi * Tactician * Paragon * Chui
Posts: 56
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Post by Akodo Sosa on Mar 16, 2012 17:00:07 GMT -5
Sosa began to head further into the camp with Matsu Mina striding alongside him. Having just greeted Toku Kosta once again, he wondered if the Monkey samurai would take up his offer of meeting the Daimyo of the Akodo family.
Passing various soldiers and officers, asking the Daimyo's whereabouts, he finally saw Akodo Keisuke and made straight for him until the sight of an Utaku Battle Maiden caught his eye. She was closer to the Daimyo and obviously had something important to discuss. Politeness would ditate that Sosa wait his turn, so he approached to a distance at which he could be seen by his Daimyo and patiently waited.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Mar 26, 2012 18:02:49 GMT -5
Keisuke looked up form the pile of maps that he had been studying to look over the battle maiden that had entered here. His mind began to race of the thousand calculations of what her presence here might mean, straight forward military demeanor betrayed nothing what of type of news she was to deliver. So Keisuke let go of his tension and making an attempt to smile, What news then, please come closer and you can tell me how the battle goes for the Unicorn and to the North.
I can not begin to apologize enough for the long delays in posting.
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