Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jan 27, 2011 8:50:07 GMT -5
(Intended for those who took part in Beiden Pass)
Atop a hill east of the keep, Senshi looked out over the field, and realized what a fool he had been. He was glad he was such good friends with Akodo Tomatsu, for if he had wished Senshi ill will, he could have let Senshi waste away his entire efforts on a plan that would never work and see only certain defeat.
The Yobanjin had the keep surrounded, a complete siege was taking place: Senshi would never be able to provide relief for the men at arms within until the Yobanjin were routed.
A Gunso called out a command somewhere behind Senshi, and several burning rocks flew by over his head, traveling at best speed toward the enemy's lines, which were just now beginning to form to face the newly arrived threat of the Crane, Scorpion, and Lion.
"I think I see now why we haven't heard from our couriers, no one is getting inside that keep Tomatsu-san." Senshi points off toward the keep, the distant gates seemed to be shimmering with water. "Nevermind the Yobanjin, the Shugenja seem to have the keep on lockdown."
Senshi looked over to find the northern hill, it was relatively empty, and the cavalry units had begun to gather, awaiting the command to move out, but doing a very good job of looking unorganized. Senshi then looked to Tomatsu, "Everything is in place, sama. My forces are at your disposal." Senshi using the honorific here to make it clear on the battlefield who was in charge, though they may be playing at being unorganized, Senshi knew better then to ruin this chance by trying to take command himself. Senshi held absolute trust for Tomatsu's ability to wage war.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Jan 27, 2011 9:09:56 GMT -5
Tomatsu comes out from around behind his tent, where he had been relieving himself. Now is the time old friend, if you need to use the bathroom, no time once things get started. He motions to his nearest servant who comes froward, taking Tomatsu's Kabuto from him and in turn, giving him a simple Tessen. Tomatsu pulls the lion head hood up over his head and brings in his lion pelt cloak tight around him, becoming nothing more than a rather tall and limbless, upright lion. He turns to Senshi, his breath turning into vapor as it left his mouth. The Unicorn are hard people, to live in such a cold place willingly. Now we wait, to see if the Yobanjin take our cue.
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Matsu Domotai
Lion Clan
Samurai- Lion Clan general-magistrate-courtier- Tensai-Unique
Posts: 123
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Post by Matsu Domotai on Jan 27, 2011 9:24:19 GMT -5
Akodo Domotai is organising the first line of attack on the top of the hill. Rushing in front of his troops back and forth trying to organize the lines and give the troops courage.
"Today my brave samurais is a good day to honor our ancestors. We shall fight till the end and make the history books with this glorious battle to come. You all have the chance today to serve under the command of Akodo Tomatsu sama. Make us proud and fight like lions until the last breath. May the power of our ancestors be with you all."
The troops raise their weapons in the air and shout:
"Hooza, Hooza"
Matsu Domotai then rides towards the war tent. Bows towards the champions and says:
"Honorable Champions my troops are ready to fight. We can unleash the Matsu Fury at your command. I hope the battle will start quite quickly because I don't know how long I'll manage to contain the fury of my deathseekers. What are your general orders of the battle for my troops my Lord? Are we the only army here?Where are the crab, the dragon, the mantis and the phoenix? Are they all trapped in the stronghold?"
Akodo Domotai waits for Tomatsu sama's response and starts tightening is Kabuto, fixing is Mempo and oiling his blade so that it doesn't get jammed in the sheath because of the cold.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Jan 27, 2011 9:36:16 GMT -5
We wait, we need to hear in from the other units on the front. Senshi, have your siege engines begin harassing the Yobanjin once all units report in. We need to get their attention.
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Matsu Domotai
Lion Clan
Samurai- Lion Clan general-magistrate-courtier- Tensai-Unique
Posts: 123
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Post by Matsu Domotai on Jan 27, 2011 9:39:17 GMT -5
" I also a few of my own my Lord. I'll tell my men to start firing."
Matsu Domotai goes back to his troops and orders the catapults to fire down in the valley on the advancing Yobanjin.
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Daidoji Fitsu
Crane Clan
A prepared Daidoji is an implacable foe on the field of battle. Fitsu is always prepared.
Posts: 311
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Post by Daidoji Fitsu on Jan 27, 2011 10:00:45 GMT -5
Daidoji Fitsu approaches the command tent with an air of confidence. His armor wears the markings of many battles, though that it has received the utmost care is made obvious in it's fine repair. He carries the Yari that is the signature weapon of the Daidoji, its blade shining in the morning light, polished to a brilliant sheen to defy all the blood that has darkened it on days such at this before.
Ohayo gozaimasu.Fitsu bows to the Champions.My belly is full and my blade is ready. More importatly, the same can be said of our army.
He looks over the assorted troops, their banners streaming in the biting mountain winds. I look at the colors of this force and I can't help but think we have already won the first battle, simply by arriving together with one purpose. I see the enemy and know this will be far more complicated than our talks around a table, but we represent the greatest military minds of our time, sharpened on the stone of strategists that came before. If we keep our wits we cannot lose to this barbarian horde.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Jan 27, 2011 10:57:35 GMT -5
Truly blessed we are, to be in the presence of giants. He shivers in the cold. So Daidoji-san, have any of your ancestors come to you in the night and demanded my head? He raised a shoulder height lump under his cloak, which must be his hand. I jest, I jest, a little pre-battle humor. He turns to a servant near him, quietly inquiring as to why a fire hasn't been built near him. The servant, realizing the mistake quickly grovels before him while turning and barking orders to the servants under him to bring the fire making materials.
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Daidoji Fitsu
Crane Clan
A prepared Daidoji is an implacable foe on the field of battle. Fitsu is always prepared.
Posts: 311
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Post by Daidoji Fitsu on Jan 27, 2011 11:48:59 GMT -5
Fitsu's struggles unsuccessfully to suppress a grin at the Lion's good natured barb as he returns in kind, No more than your own called for mine, I am certain.
What I am uncertain of is whether our initial plans accounted for a counter siege. There may be need for minor adjustments. I did study with the Kaiu during my time claiming the label of Iron Crane, so I may be able to scrounge up something appropriate if we feel it would help.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Jan 27, 2011 12:08:57 GMT -5
I'm sure as a fellow student of the great Akodo, you know that there are no reasons for not planning for a contingency in war, so please, Daidoji-san if you would honor us with what the Kaiu have to teach, I would be honored. He turns and watches his servants build a small fire in a brazier that is slightly raised off the ground. A messenger arrives, hands him a letter, which he parts his cloak quickly to accept and read as fast as he can before closing it to preserve heat. Excuse me gentlemen, I have to quickly write a letter. He says as he goes back into his own tent, directly across from Senshi's. A few minutes later he returns, handing the same courier another letter and returns to the brazier, now lit and emitting a small bit of warmth.
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Daidoji Fitsu
Crane Clan
A prepared Daidoji is an implacable foe on the field of battle. Fitsu is always prepared.
Posts: 311
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Post by Daidoji Fitsu on Jan 27, 2011 12:38:48 GMT -5
Fitsu warms rests his yari on his shoulder as he rubs his hands by the fire. It's somewhat like Go in this situation. Their ability to outlast the keep within is their connection to the world without. The mountains do part of the job for us by narrowing their routes of supply. We cut off those routes with a few units trained in delaying tactics, then apply pressure to their siege force with the bulk of our army.
Fitsu pauses from rubbing his hands to illustrate his thoughts in the dirt and snow. If our friends inside the Keep see the dilemma the Yobanjin are in, they can apply pressure from inside and we will grind these invaders out of existence together. The trick to letting them in on the plan is simple...make lots of noise. The Daidoji looks intently at the siege engines assembling.
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Matsu Domotai
Lion Clan
Samurai- Lion Clan general-magistrate-courtier- Tensai-Unique
Posts: 123
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Post by Matsu Domotai on Jan 27, 2011 14:35:43 GMT -5
"Tomatsu sama, Daidoji san." Domotai bows. "The siege engines are in place and are starting to fire their first boulders. You seem to be thinking of a new strategy. Can I join in to be enlightened by your tactics Daidoji san?"
Domotai sits next to the fire and starts warming his hands up. He is really interested in knowing Daidoji san's strategy but prefers the company of this sparkling fire even more.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jan 27, 2011 18:00:21 GMT -5
Senshi grins wryly inside his war mask, "Your troops are already doing a very good job of the revised plan. Keep them yelling."
He then looks out over the Yobanjin forces, seeing the valley the Iron Crane referred to. Then in sudden realization, "The Yobanjin. Where are their siege weapons?" Senshi took a couple of steps forward, to get a clearer view. Two gunso nearby bowed and retreated before him. Senshi scanned the horizon, looking all around.
"Thats it, the cold... Tomatsu-sama! The cold, the altitude. There are no trees around. If the enemy were to have any siege engines they would have to brought here under escort down those treacherous mountain passes. The Yobanjin have no way of taking the walls, save what? Ladders? Ropes and hooks? This is child's play for mountain watch keep. If we can get around their forces and hit their supply lines with the cavalry..." He lets his sentence trail off so Tomatsu can put the pieces together himself.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Jan 27, 2011 18:49:58 GMT -5
He continues to stare into the fire, rubbing his hands as he speaks. I have already considered that. Consider this, why risk our soldiers lives actually engaging them at all. Think about this, if they are committed to attacking the fortress, how many of them are guarding their camp? If our cavalry moves now, we can sack their camp. Without supplies the will leave, but we must make our decision now, for they certainly know we are here and are no doubt taking measures to correct their exposure.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jan 27, 2011 18:55:35 GMT -5
Faced with the moral choice, Senshi turned away to ponder. Do we go for the glory, and take their camp. Leaving the keep to fend for itself a while longer? Or dig in and help the keep.
"I suppose dividing our forces is out of the order?"
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Jan 27, 2011 21:09:23 GMT -5
Well we could try, but its a suicide mission for those who attack the Yobanjin. What ever we do, we must do it together, if not for the sake of victory, then for the sake of friendship. Whatever you gentlemen wish to do, I will devote myself to it, and we will win. So shall we ride to the rescue of the Unicorn in the keep or sack the Yobanjin camp and force them to give up the attack? He says, finally looking up and making eye contact with everyone around fire.
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