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Post by utakumoli on Feb 17, 2011 20:50:38 GMT -5
Mo-Li tightened her legs around the unfamiliar steed she was riding and rode it harder towards their goal. The feeling of the horse was unfamiliar, but she handled it with ease. She barely saw the scroll sailing towards her through the air before it was within her reach, but caught it gracefully and tucked it in her obi at her side. She nodded to the Crane who had come to save them. Do you suspect that you will not make it, Daidoji-san? she wondered.
As the Matsu charged his horse toward the rocky outcropping, she forced a hard turn from her mount, bringing her dangerously close to the ground. She took hold of her steed's mane and reached out with her free hand to grab one of the many spears thrown by the wyrmriders. Shaking it to check its balance, she twisted up her mouth and nose in contempt. These gaijin weapons are truly inferior...
"HYAA~!" She commanded, leaning over the horse's neck with her spear held forward. As she reached the outcropping, she doubled back on her trail and positioned herself between her comrades and the rapidly approaching Yobanjin hoarde.
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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 20:57:30 GMT -5
*Obori had intended to take down the Samurai clad in gold, sensing weakness in him. But what was this? One of the fools did not seek cover, but instead remained mounted, challenging them with one of their own spears! And a woman, at that! Hefting the massive scimitar over his head, Obori's steady jog increased into a sprint. The woman was mounted, but her steed was tired, and he had taken riders from the saddle before. A deep, ululating yodel sounding in his throat like the yowl of some carrion bird, Obori closed on the woman, bloodlust rising in his throat until, at the last minute, he leapt into the air, somersaulting over her and swinging his mighty scimitar in a lazy but powerful backhand, attempting to swipe her from the saddle with it. He sensed his warriors behind him - he hoped he could slay the purple rider within the scant seconds he had before they arrived and took the pride from this kill*
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Post by utakumoli on Feb 17, 2011 21:04:53 GMT -5
Mo-Li saw the heavily-muscled barbarian running at her, and with the scant few seconds she had, she realized she would never be able to take him if it came to a contest of strength. She'd have to outwit the brute at his own game.
As he lept into the air, she laid back on her horse, her head coming to rest just above the beast's tail. She flattened herself as much as possible, thanking the kami for the binding bands tied around her chest, and sucked in her breath. The sword missed her flesh by no more than a hair's breadth, cutting through two layers of her kimono.
Once the fool landed, she sprang forward and bade her horse kick with his back legs to knock the brave-but-unfortunate scum to the ground.
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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 21:11:04 GMT -5
*Obori was impressed. This woman had skill. He felt the horse's hooves slam into his legs, and he fell, but he managed to turn with the blow, so that the hooves pushed him but didn't shatter bone or tear flesh. As he feel, he swung out with his blade, and was rewarded with a shriek of pain as the purple woman's steed's hind legs were eviscerated by his attack. Rising to his knees he prepared to strike what he knew would be the killing blow - there was no way the purple rider could defend herself and free herself from her tumbling horse at once*
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Post by utakumoli on Feb 17, 2011 21:19:54 GMT -5
The horse's pained shriek told her everything she needed to know. When the back end of the horse failed to land at the appropriate time, she used the shoulders of the unfortunate animal to vault herself over its head, forcing the Yobanjin to land the killing blow on an animal that was already going to die of blood loss anyway. "Sorry, friend..." she whispered.
Though sharp, the Yobanjin's blade wasn't sharp enough to cut through the entire girth of a horse and it stuck for a brief enough moment for her to gain the edge. She spun round and launched the spear with great force right at the brute's neck.
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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 22:31:27 GMT -5
*Obori's eyes only had time to widen in shock as the spear suddenly pierced his neck. Crumpling at the knees, the scimitar fell from his hands and his eyes rolled back into his head. He tried to open his mouth to voice a defiant battle cry but all that came out was a whimper, and then he lay dead on the cold dirt*
*But Mo-Li had little time to savour her victory - only yards away the onrushing Yobanjin were coming for her in their dozens, an overwhelming mass ready to avenge the death of their Champion*
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Post by utakumoli on Feb 17, 2011 22:37:56 GMT -5
Mo-Li savors but a split second of triumph before she takes off for the rocky outcropping to join her comrades. As she approaches the body of Obori, she wraps her hand around a necklace of amulets and trophies, pulling it from his neck with a snap. She kicks over the body, spits on it, and takes off in a sprint for the cover of the rocks.
Along the way she scoops up a few spears to arm herself and her group. She is only yards ahead of the Yobanjin swarm when she dives over 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 22:42:47 GMT -5
*Chuktur could have almost blinked and missed it. When he saw the Battle Maiden refuse the cover of the rocks, he thought she would be the first to fall - and when he saw his champion seek her out it all but confirmed it. But it seemed only a heartbeat later that a flash of blades had sent his champion to the underworld. The Battle Maiden had lost her steed, true, but he had lost the greatest warrior he commanded. But it did not matter. The enemy were outnumbered and surrounded. He could drive them from their stronghold at his leisure. He watched as the Battle Maiden dodged a few desultory arrows to find cover among the rocks. Raising his fist in the air to catch his men's attention, he jabbed it forward. A few seconds later the first Yobanjin warriors were running up the slope of the rocky outcrop, spears ready to meet the Rokugani*
"Bring me my bow" *Chuktur snarled to his lieutenant, who almost fumbled in his eagerness. Chuktur knocked an arrow but did not draw the string, his eyes watching the battle that unfolded before him, searching for an opportunity to land a shot, even as the first screams of pain and ringing clashes of steel began to echo over the chill steppe*
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Post by utakumoli on Feb 17, 2011 22:49:45 GMT -5
Mo-Li hands out spears to the rest of her unarmed comrades and readies herself for the onslaught, praying to the kami for protection and guidance.
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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 18, 2011 4:18:48 GMT -5
Domotai was waiting patiently for the enemies to come his way. When the first samurai entered the narrow ground, Domotai within a split second had unsheathed his sword and cut to the enemies neck. He stayed in this low position leaning on his right leg, his eyes looking at the ground, his arm stretched out with is katana in the continuity of it. Domotai looked up and did what a Matsu does best, charge. The enemy obviously not prepared for this brutal assault were confused giving time to Domotai to slay another three enemies while he was advancing. Domotai was now nearly at the end of the narrow path between the rocks and he knew that if he went any further he would loose cover and then loose his life. Domotai took a spear from one of the slain enemies and threw it to an enemy. The spear dug into a musculus topless barbarians chest who screamed in pain. The other 5 men who tried to breach through the narrow path were now retreating but Domotai knew they were going to come back. Domotai takes two spears on the ground and gives them to Doji Hyuu who's waiting at the end of this narrow path that was acting like a cave for us.
"Doji san, take this and make the most of it if ever I come to fall under the enemies tireless assaults."
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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 18, 2011 8:28:32 GMT -5
Thrakhath accepted the spear from the battle maiden with a nod of thanks, but he couldn't stop eyeing the scimitar lying next to the dead barbarian. Screw this, he thought angrily, and dove out of the safety of the rocks. He rolled when he hit the ground, and when he came out of it the yobanjin scimitar was in his hand. He spun the weapon with a flourish to test its balance as he ran back to the rocks, hearing arrows whistle through the air around him before he made it back to safety, and was surprised to find that it was well-made. Its owner must have been in high standing. He stumbled once but did not fall, and managed to make it back to the outcropping without being killed.
With a blood-curdling howl, Thrakhath turned to face the oncoming troops at Domotai's and Mo'Li's sides just as the barbarians renewed their assault, skillfully wielding the barbarian weapon as if he were born with one in his hands. A perceptive samurai might wonder at the arrow currently sticking out of Thrakhath's back, an arrow whose impact Thrakhath hadn't noticed and certainly didn't seem to be hindering him in any way.
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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 18, 2011 9:43:01 GMT -5
*Hyuu took the spear Mo-Li handed to him. He felt completely lost with this weapon. At least with a katana he had seen them used. At least with a wakizashi he was used to the weight and feel of it from placing one in his belt every morning as part of his courtly dress. But a spear? His only experience with it had come from watching the Yobanjin wield them in the last few days. Well, it was what he had*
*He watched as the bushi battled with the onrushing Yobanjin. As Chuktur's men closed, gripping their weapons, the fog rolled in behind them, almost like some sort of sinister tide driving them towards the shore. The air was dirty with arrows - one whistled through the air and bit into the ground next to where he kneeled. He shrunk away from it, then reprimanded himself*
*He found himself watching the bushi, wishing that he had even one tenth of their skill or resolve. As his eyes moved from one to another, he was shocked to see a single arrow sprouting from Thrakath's back almost like some bizarre part of the Ronin's anatomy. Could the Ronin really be that powerful? There was not even any blood. Thrakath had always smelt strongly of sake, perhaps he was too drunk to feel the pain, but there would still be blood. Maybe it was some strange Moto technique the bushi had mastered before he became a Ronin? He hoped that after this battle he would have the chance to ask Thrakath, although he knew it would be hard to do so tactfully*
*After the battle! He chided himself. He might be no warrior but he could read the faces and expressions of his companions. Each one of them was set in a cast of grim determination - every one of them expected to sell their lives dearly here*
*Well, he could do nothing less. He gripped the spear. It felt cool and firm in his hands. He looked around - and saw with a stab of apprehension in his heart the form of a lithe Yobanjin scout clambering across the frost-pitted face of one of the rocks. The scout wielded a tanto gripped between his teeth so both his hands were free. He could see the man's plan - he would leap from the rocks and plant his blade in Domotai's back, felling the Lion and possibly turning the battle. Domotai and the other bushi were too occupied to notice the Yobanjin's approach*
*Hyuu rose, jabbing the spear upwards. He felt a kiai escape unaided from his lips. The Yobanjin had either not seen Hyuu or dismissed him as no threat - the spear didn't strike home but it spoiled his surprise attack. The man's face was animalistic as he leapt downward, easily evading the spear. Seeing the tanto driving towards his face, Hyuu leapt back, but he was too slow. The Yobanjin drove him to his knees, and the tanto cut a savage slice across his face*
*Hyuu's world exploded into a supernova of pain. He wanted nothing more than to curl foetally and clutch his wound. The blood on his face felt abnormally cold. But the Yobanjin's form was too evident - he could hear the bestial growl in the man's throat, could smell the rancid reek of dead flesh on his skin. The spear was pinned between them, useless. He thought to wrestle with the tanto but the Yobanjin had to be stronger. With one hand he weakly tried to push the stronger man away, with the other he groped uselessly at the rock, nails grating painfully along the stone. He felt a loose rock fit into his palm, and acting on instinct, he grabbed it and smashed it down towards where he guessed the Yobanjin's head must be*
*The man gave a surprisingly child-like, almost babyish grunt and went limp. Hyuu swung the stone again, and again. There was a sharp crack, like ice on a pond breaking, and then a yielding wetness. The Yobanjin twitched. Hyuu had no idea how long he pounded at the Yobanjin's skull, but the man was dead and limp. With difficulty Hyuu scrambled out from beneath the larger man's corpse, forced to tear off a trail of his tattered robe which had been caught in a twist of the Yobanjin's belt*
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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 18, 2011 10:27:25 GMT -5
Domotai heard a slight noise behind him and before he realized what was going on he saw Doji san under a Yobanjin corpse trying to set himself free . Domotai rushed quickly to the courtier pulling him back to his feet.
"Are you alright Doji san?"
Domotai saw the cut to Hyuu's face and saw that Hyuu san was in shock.
" Don't worry, my friend I'm sure the magic of the Asahina's will be able to help you with this cut. "
Domotai tried to cheer up Hyuu san by rubbing is back and saying
" You see after all even if your methods are unconventional you managed to escape the Yobanjin assault"
Domotai smiled at Hyuu but Hyuu san looked in Domotai's direction with horror, his mouth widely open. Domotai sensed that something was wrong and by the time he turned around a yobanjin sliced at Domotai. Domotai managed to nearly dodge the blast but the scimitar caught a bit of Domotai's right here. Domotai roars in pain and his katana falls to the floor. Domotai then got up quickly throwing himself shoulder first into the Yobanjin's belly sweeping the ennemy's legs from the ground. Domotai became like a real lion who just leaped at his pray, there he was on the top of the Yobanjin punching him in face again and again and again even though the ennemy was already dead. Domotai's hands where full of blood when he got up. He picked up his katana and walked slowly and determined towards the end of the narrow path that was know completely covered by the fog disabling any accurate archer shot.
"My friends it was an honor to battle by your side. This fog is an advantage for us if any of you have had training fighting blindfolded. Just follow your feelings and you'll be alright."
He roared one last time and disappeared in the mist, now only shadows could be seen and only the clattering of steel on steel could be heard.
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Post by utakumoli on Feb 18, 2011 10:49:35 GMT -5
Mo-Li cursed that she didn't have a lance, as she was used to. These clumsy Yobanjin spears would have to do. She swooped long, wide semicircles with her spear to keep distance between herself and the barbarian attackers. When one would venture too close, she'd stab at him with her spear. She snarled like a cornered beast and kept the Yobanjin far enough for their scimitars to be useless, at least for the moment.
[OOC: I'll try to post a bit more this afternoon or evening but I'm off until then.]
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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 18, 2011 13:20:33 GMT -5
*The lower half of Hyuu's face is a mask of blood but any trained eye can see the cut is quite shallow, and as long as it's bandaged soon, will be fine, although it may leave a nasty scar. But of course, even with the fog rolling in, it seems that they may not live long enough to do any bandaging. Already limbs grow weary and breath ragged as the fatigue of cutting down Yobanjin after Yobanjin takes its toll on warriors already weary from a long day's ride. From somewhere in the mist Chuktur can be heard barking orders. The arrows have ceased to come - useless in the thick fog - but that only means that the archers can now pick up their lances and scimitars and join their brothers in assaulting the outcrop on foot*
*Hyuu opened his mouth to say something to Domotai but the Lion had vanished like some spirit of war. Gripping the spear once again, even if it had proven almost useless in his hands, he retreated back into the coils of fog that rolled down the rock faces like turgid waterfalls. The wound on his face had ceased to hurt and now only felt numb, matching the numbness born of fatigue that was weighing down his arms and legs. He had to fight off the urge to sink to his knees - but if he was going to die he could at least die on his feet*
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