Announcement to Great Clan Samurai.

[kasuga]

Summary: The Minor Clan Alliance places their full support behind the War Effort against the Yobanjin. The Minor Clan Alliance is united in players, leadership and support, and will, from time to time, announce our intentions for war, peace, and prosperity.

IC: In Toshi Ranbo, before the assembled hosts of military leaders, clan champions, and samurai of all professions and families. A short man, robed in dark blue and gold, with a green over-kimono, steps forward. He stands up upon a platform, and speaks out in a crisp, clear... if humble voice.

Great Leaders, Clan Champions, friends and fellow servants of the Son of Heaven... I, Kasuga Himiwari, the mere hatamoto of the Tortoise Clan, am speaking on behalf of the Minor Clan Alliance...

We are humbled to have been included in the Shogun's call to defend the empire against the Yobanjin. Our resources, while helpful, do not amount to those of any of the great clans. Our armies, combined, cannot match the strength, skill, and measure of the great clans. Our Shungenja and their prayers do not create a chorus of praise to the kami as your Great Clan priests and shungenja do... And yet our strength of heart and purpose are no less than any other Samurai. Our souls may be as honorable and pure, even as we learn the lessons taught from the Great clans whom we sprung from. Even as children, there is a contribution to be made to those who foster and protect us. So today do we announce and pledge, with our honor and that of our clans at stake...

'WE... THE MINOR CLAN ALLIANCE... BADGER, BAT, DRAGONFLY, HARE, MONKEY, OX, SPARROW, TORTOISE and TSI... GIVE OUR FULL SUPPORT TO THE WAR AGAINST THE GAIJIN. WE ARE UNITED IN VOICE AND ACTION, AND SHALL SHOW THAT EVEN BEES MAY DRIVE OFF THE WOLF WHO INVADES THEIR HOME."

Later this week, as the last of our troops and supplies arrive, our Rikugunshokan, the veteran of many battles with the Yobanjin, Morito Shizuyo sama, shall meet or be available to meet with other war leaders, to coordinate and assist with the forces at her disposal.

We are not fearless warriors as the mighty Lion. Nor are we Elemental Legions as the Phoenix. We are not masters of individual combat as the Crane and Dragon. Nor are we the horde of cavalry that the Unicorn Provide. We are not archers without fail as the Mantis. Nor are we as resilient as the Crab or as clever as the Scorpion. Yet we too have talents that can be used, and we will serve the Son of Heaven this day, with whatever we have been provided. As the great Akodo was once purpoted to have said... If you are without a sword, a knife will do... We shall be the knife at your side... and thank you for allowing us to accompany you, our greater and more noble cousins."

With that, he steps down, and the crowd moves aside, to see if any of the Great Clan Samurai will respond... or if Morito-san herself will provide some encouraging words for the troops assembled.

OOC: This is your chance, either in character or out... to discuss how your clan or character will interact with the newly energized Minor Clan Alliance.

Thank you!

[kasuga]

Clarification... Morito-san is a Samurai-ko... I apologize and must have been too deeply engaged in sake last night when I wrote this proclamation...

[Kasuga Shinobu]

Shizuyo clears her throat, giving an awkward bow. "Perhaps I have more of Morito in me than many of my family, so I am honored by your round about compliment Kasuga-san. I... will not be making any formal announcements in my new role for the Minor Clan Alliance at the moment, not until I understand better what everyone has to bring to the front. Rest assured, many minor clan samurai are already off on the front helping in the war with the Yobanjin, and the organization by the Minor Clan Alliance is only to make thing smoother to assist the Great Clans in their efforts."

[Komori Yukio]

Many weeks later, a young shugenja in black robes stands before the assembled court.

Quietly... Thank you for hearing me today. The following message....

Speak up! A large Crab courtier yelled.

Ah.... The shugenja muttered a short phrase and suddenly his voice was the only one that anyone could hear. Is that better? Can everyone hear me? As I was saying, thank you for taking the time to listen to one so minor as myself. I have received the following message from my Lord Komori Warai that he wishes to be imparted to the assembled courts. Similar messages have been sent to all Bat shugenja who have been assigned to the various forces assembling to drive the gaijin invaders from our lands. The message is as follows:

Suddenly, even though the young shugenja moved his lips, it was the voice of Komori Warai that was heard. Noble Lords and Ladies, I find at this time that I am in the best position to keep the Empire informed for the movements and conditions of the forces currently assembled by the Minor Clans and so send this report.

In the north, our most Military Representative and the Badger Clan Champion Ichiro Kojuri is preparing to lead the combigned forces already engaged, made up of Badger, Dragonfly, and Ox in support of the Shogun's other assembled forces, and are to be joined shortly by forces from the Hare clan. As before, each of these forces, as well as the mighty forces of the Great Clans and the war camp of the shogun have been assigned a shugenja from my own clan to speed communication and facilitate coordination in the manner that you see here. In addition to these, at last count the Minor Clan forces assembled in support of the the Shogun consisted of the following:

Five units of Badger Heavy infantry
Two units of Badger Scouts
The Badger Champion's personal command group, including siege engineers
Four units of Dragonfly Archers
Five units of Dragonfly Medium infantry
Four units of Dragonfly Light infantry
Four units of Dragonfly Scouts
Twelve Dragonfly Shugenja
Two rotating units of Ox heavy cavalry
Four rotating units of Ox light scout cavalry
The Ox House Guard is also in rotation
An as yet unreported number of Hare bushi
and
Twenty Six units of Ashigaru from the these clans (again, with no word as yet as to whether any are to arrive with the Hare forces.)

The messages pauses a moment before continuing.

Meanwhile, the other shugenja I have sent, will be joining with the forces of the Monkey, Oriole, Sparrow, and Tortoise in supporting those forces being marshaled by the Emerald Champion. At last report, these included:

Four units of Monkey Heavy Infantry
One unit of Tortoise Light Infantry
An unreported number of Oriole and Sparrow bushi
and
Twelve units of Ashigaru from among their lands

My humble thanks for your time. I will be certain to keep you updated once I learn more.

With that, the assembled courtiers could once more hear each other, and the young Bat yielded the floor with a deep bow.

[Mirumoto Machu]

The one armed Dragon of little station speaks to the man next to him-
"We have seen this before
The son of storms helped to win the second day of thunder but the banners of the Centipede, Fox, and Wasp fly no more.
The Tonbo are my cousins and I seek the favour of the Usagi but I would not want to see their houses grow at the cost of the Badger, Bat, or Tortoise."

[Matsu Yoshino]

The well-traveled Matsu adds:
"I have studied with all but the Bat, and the Minor Clans can count on my support, as long as my champion allows it."