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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 15, 2011 21:02:57 GMT -5
Hikori turned to see the reaction of the heroic samurai that shared the camp fire with him finding puzzled faces...just then he realized that he had spoken in a Mura Sabishi Toshi half-Mantis dialect...barely understandable to anyone. He blushed at his error but regained his composure almost instantly.
"Please let me elaborate. I believe we all agree that letting the fortunes decide our fate by attempting a suicide run in the open fields is out of the question. The barbarians that are following us know this place much better than any of us does.On the other hand heading towards Shiro Ichiro is equally foolhardy as it is further away and our persecutors will probably catch up to us for the same reasons. While I could try to hide our advancement there is no guarantee a skilled scout won't be able to spot our trail. So what do we do?"
Hikori waits for a moment to see if he has everyone's attention.
"I suggest we try a double deception."
Hikori looks at the night sky and returns his attention to those gathered while drawing a cross on the snow.
"To get to Mountain Watch Keep we have to head south east, to get to Shiro Ichiro we would have to head east"
He makes some marks for everyone to see approximate direction and distance from their position.
"We head south east with our horses. I cover our tracks but not as much as to hide them from a skilled scout. Once we are well on our way and our destination can't be mistaken we leave some marks indicating further progress south east and we change direction going south covering our tracks. In the meantime I create a second false trail suggesting we are advancing on foot to the east towards Shiro Ichiro. This should give us more time to reach the Mountain Watch Keep and allow us the use of horses" Hikori pauses for a second waiting for remarks and then adds "... and even if they don't fall for it completely they would probably have to split their forces. "
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Feb 15, 2011 22:06:16 GMT -5
Hyuu gathers his robes around him and peers curiously at the marks Hikori makes in the dirt.
"Well, I feel I understand, at least as much as somebody without training in this can. It does seem the best way to negate our enemies advantages of speed and the home ground. I think Hikori is correct that we cannot expect to be able to leave a false trail they cannot detect, but if we make half-hearted attempts to disguise one trail they may be satisfied they have seen through our deception and not attempt to look still harder for another false trail. Certainly it is often the case in the courts that a weakly-hidden concept will be taken for the truth in the way an openly stated one will not. People often experience a surge of self-satisfaction when they think they have seen through a falsehood that can blind them"
He looks to the others. "But I am an incompetent here. I will submit myself to the judgement of more skilled warriors"
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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 Feb 16, 2011 9:33:18 GMT -5
"It's the best plan any of us has been able to come up with, Daidoji-sama," Thrakhath says. "Overly complicated perhaps, but I'm sure a scout of your apparent skill will have no trouble pulling it off." He gulped down another mouthful of sake. It may give me a chance to slip away as well, before it becomes impossible to hide my true nature any longer.
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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 Feb 16, 2011 12:09:40 GMT -5
" Daidoji san, I think your plan is the best we have come up with until now. I think it is worth trying. As you said when someone discovers a deceit they always follow it because of the pride of having discovered it. As you expressed, it works for scouting techniques, as Doji san expressed, it works in court and I can definitely tell you that it works in battle. Tomatsu sama used this technique at the battle against the Yobanjin in Mountain Watch keep and it worked. We also used it in the Yobanjin camp by challenging Chukturs pride and it also worked."
Domotai looks at the samurais gathered around the fire.
"Lets take this plan to a vote."
Domotai raises his hand in the air to express his approval.
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Post by utakumoli on Feb 16, 2011 14:38:48 GMT -5
"I believe you may have a good plan. It's the best we've got, anyway. I vote we try it."[OOC: I'm really sick, so I may or may not be back on today. I'll go along with whatever you all decide to do, unless it's too rash or dishonorable. ]
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Feb 16, 2011 23:16:45 GMT -5
*Hyuu nods* "It seems we are agreed. Then let us see what we can do about sleeping and pray to the kami and our ancestors to give us good fortune tomorrow" *And with that, and a little fussy adjusting of his blanket, he's soon snoring softly on the cold ground*
OOC: Sorry to hear you're crook Mo-Li - we're still waiting on that story! I'll post some more about the events of the next day using the Chuktur account - I'd like to finish with a big climatic battle, Kurosawa-style, that will give all you bushi a chance to show off your mad fighting skills.
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Chuktur
Banned
Yobanjin * Broken Hammer Tribe * Duck Clan Champion
Posts: 15
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Post by Chuktur on Feb 17, 2011 4:42:58 GMT -5
*It is a still, misty day, and the monotonous miles of steppe are broken only by clutches of twisted trees that loom out of the fog like murderers. Having watered their horses from a spring known only to the tribe's trackers, Chuktur's men are eager and ready to go, convinced that it is under this sky they will recapture their prisoners and regain their honour. Chuktur ate a small meal of horse-meat jerky and fermented milk, taking perverse glee in the disatisfied grumbling of his stomach in the inadequate meal. The hardship made him feel tough, dedicated. The way he needed to be to prevail*
*A few hours later, after having ridden a slow but steady pace through the fog, he saw a group of advance scouts clustered around some tracks in the earth, debating quietly but intently. The scouts were riding ten minutes in advance so they had been arguing at least that long. Chuktur did not call a halt, instead ordering his bodyguard with a nod to lead his horse forward. He interrupted the scouts with a quick whistle*
"What is happening?" *He grunted curtly. The scent of his bandages irritated his nose but he kept his expression cold. The scouts looked up and, with a brief exchange of glances, decided on a spokesman. The man stood to his full height and then fell to his knees, prostrating himself on the ground and speaking into the dirt. A gesture of apology. The scouts were confused*
"Son of the Sky. We have lost the trail. They were moving south-east towards the distant castle, but we cannot follow their tracks anymore"
*Chuktur snorted with disdain and glanced about, his trained eyes taking in the landscape. The hoof tracks did indeed terminate, but he could see that his scouts had been taken in by a simple deception. There were no more tracks - perhaps the hooves of the steeds had been wrapped in cloth, or filled in - but smaller, more subtle signs showed the Rokugani's passage. A broken twig, a tiny fleck of blue cloth on a trunk, a disturbed bird's nest. They had changed direction and were heading north-east. It made sense. There was another, smaller Rokugani citadel there, further away but less heavily besieged. It was what he would have done too. They must have realised their tired steeds had no hope of outrunning his fresh ones, so they had resorted to deception. But he was not simply faster, he was smarter. Grabbing his steed's reins, he jerked them harshly to the north-east, causing the mount to whicker with surprise* "This way!" *He bellowed* "To me, men of the Broken Hammer! Victory lies beneath the horizon!" *And without waiting for the scouts to remount or his men to whirl, he thundered into the fog, already imagining the taste of victory*
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Feb 17, 2011 5:10:46 GMT -5
A few hours later...*It had all been going well, Hyuu mused, until the fog had lifted. But within half an hour of the sudden rays of winter sun that had cut through the fog like knives through bamboo, the Wyrm Riders had appeared overhead, circling like ribbons against the sky. At first he had feared that the Wyrms and their Yobanjin riders would come swooping down but they stayed well above the Rokugani, out of arrow range, just distant black marks in the sky. It reminded him of pennants flown at his father's funeral. Dark streaks across a bright winter sky, signalling ruin* *He looked to his companions. Of all of them, Hikori was the most energetic - he saw a gleam of purpose in the Daidoji's eyes as his steed ate up the miles. It might not be enough, but they owed what freedom they had to Hikori's tactics. He resolved that if they did survive he would do everything he could to find Hikori the finest bride in Rokugan* *Domotai's face was pallid and haggard. Hyuu wondered what it would be like to see the Matsu in what he imagined was his accustomed pose - proud, confident, at the head of an army, shining with honour and purpose. Now the fire of determination that burned within Domotai was less of a glorious beacon and more of a forest fire - dogged, hard to snuff out, unpredictable. The Lion's flesh might be weak but Hyuu sensed his ferocity, if anything, had increased. It would be a brave Yobanjin that faced him, but Hyuu had to admit that their foes, barbarians and fools that they might be, were not cowards* *Mo-Li too had fallen silent. He wondered what consumed her. She was in her element more than any other, doing battle on horseback and defending her own Clan's lands. What was it that kept her focused, he wondered?* *And finally the Ronin, Thrakath. Hyuu was too civil to raise it, since he had heard Ronin hated to speak of their lives before they became Wave Men, but he guessed that Thrakath had once been a Unicorn, probably a Moto, if only from his name. So perhaps he, too, had memories in these lands that kept him silent. Hyuu sensed that Thrakath was hiding something, but then, did not all Ronin have a dark secret?* *They were riding across a barren stretch of land where rocks broke through thin soil, criss-crossed by fast-flowing, narrow, cold streams that hissed between sharp stones. The only vegetation were low, clinging scrubs and tall, slender, whip-like black trees barren of leaves. It was a land as alien and hostile as he had always imagined the shadowlands to be, and the horses, already exhausted, were having difficulty picking their way through the low, steep ridges of rock that burst from the dirt like the fins of sharks* *As Hyuu struggled to guide his tired mount around a frozen stream bed, he looked up, and saw something that made his heart leap into his mouth. Could it be...? At first he saw, not the Keep itself, but the columns of smoke from campfires and burning siege weapons that were its constant companion in the days he'd been there. But amid the smoke, squat and tough looking like a toad among reeds, was the shape of the Keep itself. They were near! Maybe an hour's ride, and doubtless there were Yobanjin between them and the keep, but they were there! Even as relief filled his mind a part of Hyuu realised that only a few weeks ago he would have regarded the Keep, a desolate frontier outpost on the edge of the lands of a Clan not known for its comforts of civilisation, as a most unwelcome destination. Now he longed for it like he longed to see the familiar walls of Kyuden Doji* *But as he turned to address his companions, hoping to inspire them to further efforts with the aid of the Keep, he caught sight of something that plunged his heart into despair just as the shape of the Keep had lifted it. To the west of the cluster of Wyrm Riders that followed them like a curse, another, small, dark shape was moving in their direction - another Wyrm. Why would it be rejoining its fellows? Where had it come from? He had only one thought, and it was a dark one - and confirmed* *On the steppe beneath the Wyrm was a billowing cloud of white-grey dust, thrown up by scores of riders. The Yobanjin were coming. Hikori's ruse had bought them time, bought them within sight of the Keep, but once the Wyrm Riders spotted them it had been for nought. One Rider had gone to fetch the main force, who were doubtless riding their steeds to devastation to catch them. And they would. Even as he watched the tiny dark specks that were the Yobanjin riders grew slowly but irreversibly larger* *Hyuu turned to his companions, feeling the pallor in his face. Wordlessly, he gestured, and one by one they spotted the encroaching force. It was clear that within ten minutes they would be caught, and there was no way that they could reach the Keep by then* *Hyuu gestured to a nearby outcrop of rock, studded with long grass and hardy bushes. It offered the best defensive position - even a tactical incompetent like he could see that. As he spurred his horse in that direction, the Wyrm Riders, perhaps sensing the same thing, began to swoop. Now that the main force had sight of them, the Riders were no longer needed as scouts - they would try to slay he and his companions with their spears and bows, as he had seen Riders do around the ramparts of Mountain Watch Keep, so as to earn Chuktur's acclaim for slaying his enemies. As he spurred his tiring horse through the long grass, a spear, sleek and black like a burnt needle, hissed into the ice only an arm's reach to his right. All he hoped for as the cold air burnt his face was to reach the outcrop - it would be a glorious place for a last stand, and maybe one day a poet or painter would immortalise this battle. It only pained him that he, with his lack of combat skills, would be the first of his comrades to fall* OOC: Here's what the outcrop looks like - disregard the fence post, natch. farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2222179688_da3d82b914.jpg?v=0I suggest a few posts about our mighty Samurai dealing with the Wyrm Riders, and then on to the glorious "last stand" at the outcrop.
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 17, 2011 7:13:00 GMT -5
Looking above and seeing the great beasts "Damn" he turns to the Unicorn general and hurls his pillow book at her.
"If anyone can breach enemy lines and reach Mountain Watch Keep that is you sama. May the fortunes guide you"
(ooc: since Mo-Li won't be around I thought I gave her the chance to play her fight when she can)
Hikori positions himself near the crane diplomat. He will die before letting anything happen to his ward.
His eyes scan their surroundings trying to find any advantage that can be used. As they near the rocks he clutches his tanto in his left hand using his right hand to guide his steed.
A couple of arrows fly past him and a spear hits the ground between himself and the Doji separating them once more as he tries to retake control of his horse.
He offers a prayer to his ancestors as his steed charges ahead once more. Fleeting thoughts of his sister cross his head, Mitzuko forgive me, he thinks to himself...His mind lingers to another maiden...before reality sweeps by him in the form of yet another arrow.
"Hyuu sama, stay low" He shouts regaining ground on the diplomat.
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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 Feb 17, 2011 8:00:51 GMT -5
Domotai was tired and his wounds were paining. He started to be slowly drifted into a semi conscious state, while his horse was slowly following the rest of group. Then he saw Doji san waving to the west. Domotai stood up and in rage cried
"Yobanjin Riders. My fellow companions our last chance is to reach this rocky outcrop on our right, from there we will be able to defend ourselves for a while. But who has is weapon?"
Domotai looks around. Only he and Daidoji Hikori were armed. This was not going to be an easy battle. As he was looking at the horizon a spear swished passed his face and ended in the ground next to him. He took the spear and through it to the ronin. Domotai spured his steed and galloped towards the rocky hill.
"Follow me samurais." Domotai managed to find his way to the hill even though he was under heavy fire, arrows and spears flying past him. Domotai leaped from his steed and tried to find a cover between two rocks. The narrow path he was in was just enough to allow a one to one man combat.
"My friends position yourselves between rocks it will give you cover from arrows and spears and the enemy will have to attack you one by one. Doji san stay with me I'll protect you to the best of my abilities. They will get to you only over my dead body."
Domotai seems to have regained his strengths to face the battle to come. Domotai takes out a war horn from under his lion pelt and blows in it.
waououou, waououou.
He hopes that people in Moutain Watch Keep will hear it.
«Friends to battle and may the ancestors and the kamis be with you"
Domotai unsheathes his katana and roared to scare of the enemy and give him courage. He seems like possessed by rage and fury and shouted
"Chuktur, this is your time to die"
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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 Feb 17, 2011 9:25:21 GMT -5
Thrakhath cursed loudly in a decidedly Moto dialect and turned his horse violently toward the rocks the Crane and Lion had indicated. That is, until an arrow took his horse in the side of the head and threw him from the saddle. He rolled with the fall and was on his feet quickly, his horse forgotten as he broke into a sprint to reach the rocks before he was hit as well. He caught the spear that Domotai threw to him just before he reached the rocks, and he hunkered down there to find what little cover he could.
He was pleased to see the other samurai reach the rocks relatively unscathed, and smirked as Domotai immediately proceeded to expose himself to enemy fire and roar a challenge. "I always liked the Matsu," he muttered to himself. He frowned as he clutched his spear and waited for the enemy to reach close-combat range, wondering how the samurai around him would react if he revealed his true nature only to help save their lives. An arrow pierced his cloak and missed his torso by a narrow margin and he cursed again. Whatever you're going to do, you better do it fast, he thought to himself.
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 17, 2011 10:58:37 GMT -5
Hikori cursed under his breath for not having grabbed a Yari when he had the chance. His time at the courts had softened him. No time to think about that, he had to reach those rocks in time...Hyuu and Domotai had already reached the defensive formation and he Thrakhath was almost there as well. He prodded his horse onwards....but it seamed he wouldn't make it in time.
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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 Feb 17, 2011 12:07:30 GMT -5
Thrakhath could see that Hikori was in dire straits. With a yobanjin wyrm diving hard toward him, he would never make the relative safety of the outcropping before it took him. He briefly considered allowing the creature to succeed, but dismissed that thought from his mind quickly; the more of them there were, the more likely survival would be. He leaned back and hurled his only weapon with all of his strength toward the diving wyrm.
The spear took the creature in it's flank and it howled in pain, veering away from Hikori despite its rider's attempts to control it. He gave the Daidoji a quick salute and hunkered down into the outcropping again, narrowly avoiding another hail of arrows that clattered uselessly off of the rocks.
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Chuktur
Banned
Yobanjin * Broken Hammer Tribe * Duck Clan Champion
Posts: 15
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Post by Chuktur on Feb 17, 2011 19:51:54 GMT -5
*Chuktur cursed softly under his breath as he watched the Samurai abandon their stolen steeds and make for the rocks. The Wyrm Riders, thwarted in their attempts to bring them down before they could reach cover, rose back up into the air and began to circle the rocky outcrop, seeking a better vantage point to rain arrows down. Meanwhile his men, needing no orders, drew their own lances and spears from their saddle sheaths and began to advance. Chuktur's tongue darted from his lips as he tasted the air. The fog would return, soon. Better to have his men use their arrows while they could. He made a quick, efficient gesture, and his troops split - one group abandoning their steeds to advance on foot towards the rocks, the others circling them, shortbows out, firing at the Samurai whenever they exposed themselves*
*As Chuktur drew closer he saw Domotai's challenge. There was a part of him that wanted to level his lance and charge, but he restrained himself. His feet were still useless, and his steed would be a disadvantage in the narrow passage between rocky faces. He would still slay Domotai, and by his own hand if need be, but he wanted to make sure things were stacked to his advantage*
"Obori!" *He called out. His personal champion turned to face him and gave a quick one-kneed bow before springing up. Oboi had been absent during the break out, leading a patrol, but the man was eager for battle. Oboi was a muscled titan, his body covered with crude charcoal tattoos, wielding a massive notched scimitar stained rust red with blood, his ugly, scarred features fixed with a cruel grimace. He and Chuktur had been inseparable since boyhood, and he new Obori would die for him*
"Take these men" *Chuktur gestured to the dismounted half of his troops - nearly eighty all in all. They would not be able to make full use of their numbers because of the narrow quarters between the rocks, but for each one that fell, the Rokugani would grow more and more tired, until eventually they lacked the spirit to fend off a killing blow* "Bring me the heads of these heretics"
"By your command" *Obori grunted. He turned, hefted his scimitar into the air, made a silent cutting motion and then began to run towards the rocks, holding the blade before him like a woodsman with an axe. Chuktur sighed inwardly. He wanted to lead his men, but he had put pride before victory before and it had almost cost him his life. He could wait. He surveyed the landscape. The fog was rolling in again, but he would have his victory soon*
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Feb 17, 2011 19:56:52 GMT -5
*Hyuu would never know if it was the rough ground that tripped his horse first, or the arrow from the Wyrm Rider that found its flank. Whatever the cause, he suddenly found himself hurtling through the air and then just as suddenly he crashed into the harsh, stony ground, rolling over and over in an attempt to lessen the impact. His hair fell into his face and he groped blindly across stone and harsh, spiky grass, trying not to imagine a Wyrm Rider casually preparing for the killing shot. But then he heard Domotai's voice, rose, and ran towards it*
*Collapsing with exhaustion, he surveyed the scene as the Yobanjin warriors began to advance across the open ground towards the rocks. He resolved that he would try to slay at least one of them, even if he had to do it with so crude a weapon as a thrown rock*
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