[RP-OPEN] The Wall

[Hiruma Koji]

(OOC: Open to all. No god-moding, yada yada. No sudden destruction of the wall w/o sufficient justification (which does not mean just saying you do so with more paragraphs.) Convincing myself or the Crab Champion that you have sufficient justification and ability to tear down that Wall via PM beforehand is basically required to prevent grief-ing. Other Player Character death basically requires that player's permission! This is meant to be an RP of the defense of the Wall.)

Hiruma Koji stood upon the wall, using one of the ramparts to look over the heads and shoulders of the Hida around him, so that he might better see. He itched a little, from the new mon... although that was likely more a mental issue than an actual physical one.

He was tired, although that was nothing new. A new set of students had been rescued earlier in the day, and for the first time he had to send others to go and do it instead of volunteer to do it himself. Would it always be that exhausting an action? Or like so many things, would he grow used to it?

Heads started turning in his direction. Some familiar, some not. He'd not spent a lot of time upon the wall itself...all along both sides of it, sure, but on it? Well, public speaking time. He slapped an open palm onto a piece of the new armor he wore, one he'd been instructed was purposefully not shiny, unscarred or otherwise...which was all to the better. Perfectly untarnished armor gained little respect on the Wall unless its wearer was the one who bore the scars.

He slapped it again, this time harder and causing a slight reverberating noise. "OI CRABS!!! I HEARD ABOUT A DOJI MOCKING OUR ABILITY TO DRINK TEA." He looked around knowingly as more heads turned his way. One more joke going around the barracks. "YOU KNOW WHAT I'D LIKE TO TELL HIM?"

He got a few, 'who's this guy think he is' looks, and a few 'I know him, he's never his loud what's up.' And then a few looks of recognition from those who'd paid attention to their sensei during "Learn a mon month."

"WHEN YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF DEFENDING ME, I HOPE I HAVE THE COURAGE TO DRINK TEA, LIKE YOU DO WHEN I'M DEFENDING YOU! MEANWHILE I'LL DRINK SOMETHING GOOD!"

Predictably it got a few laughs, "NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, LISTEN UP. I DON'T ENJOY YELLING ANYMORE THAN YOU ENJOY HEARING MY VOICE. WE RECEIVED WORD OF A POSSIBLE ATTACK. THIS IS A TIME LIKE TEN THOUSAND BEFORE IT. WE ARE OUR FAMILY'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS. IF IT IS A GREATER ATTACK THAN BEFORE, THEN WE ARE CALLED TO BE GREATER THAN WE HAVE BEEN BEFORE. ALL OF US WILL EARN THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD OF WITHIN THE HALLS OF KOTEN BEFORE WE ARE DONE IN THIS LIFE."

He looks around again, largely for effect. "YOU DECIDE HOW LONG THAT TALE WILL BE FOR YOURSELVES AND FOR THOSE WHO STAND ALONGSIDE YOU." He gives a broad smile, "SO GIVE YOUR ANCESTORS SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT. FOR HIDA! FOR THE EMPIRE!"

They roared the cries of For Hida and For the Empire, and Koji roared with them. The Unit commanders and Kuni looked over their men for signs of reluctance...for all men can fall when pushed too far, and that's why Hida-kami gave them sake and space behind the Wall.

Koji jumped down from the rampart and moved towards one of the towers. If fighting came he would be back down and fighting amongst the men, but until then he'd be available for making the decisions others couldn't make. He trusted the commanders and officers of the Wall...they'd been doing this longer than he. But he would be there to interpret the news received from the Hiruma...his Hiruma, and perhaps there he'd prove useful.

[Hiruma Koji]

Koji entered the tower, and fought back the groan at seeing the row of messengers waiting to speak with him from their various places along the Wall. It wouldn't do to start complaining on the first day...and he was once one of those messengers. He narrowed his eyes a little, examining the mons of those arrayed before him.

"Alright, first off is any news of anything getting past the Wall, then we move East to West on news from beyond it. After that is requisition requests, and then any other business."

He felt satisfied, just a little, when the messengers looked between each other in confusion. "What, do you not learn how to identify which station you're each from? What are they teaching you these days?"

He waves them after him as he starts towards the table set up for this business. "Get the advisors, and there better be a scribe!" he shouts out to those whose jobs it was to stand ready and follow orders.

He stands behind the table, and looks to the messengers who are whispering amongst themselves. "Well? We don't have all day, get to it."

And then they did...and the business of running the Wall began in earnest.

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma had heard tales of how the crab have been preparing the wall for an attack. He had also heard that there may have been some high ranking Phoenix shugenja who had already made there way to the wall. He took the initiative as Phoenix clan champion that he should head to the wall and ask the Crab if they needed any support and to make sure that any Phoenix shugenja at the wall did not come to any harm.

When Kazuma arrived he was escorted to the tower and introduced to Koji.

Hiruma-san I am Shiba Kazuma Champion of the Phoenix clan. I wish to offer my services in assisting the crab clan in defending the wall.

Kazuma bowed deeply.

[Kuni Kaymar]

(OOC - for the start of this thread I'll be commenting as Toritaka Roan, Messenger and Yojimbo to the current Lord Kuni).

Toritaka Roan was known as self-assured and dedicated to any duty he was tasked to perform. Which was one reason he had risen onto Lord Kuni's personal guard. However, fast promotion didn't always give good results, which was why he often ended up being a glorified messenger. However, that wasn't to be the case today as he escorted the Kuni Damiyo into the council of war with the honourable Hiruma Damiyo. The older more experienced guards had all been given other vital tasks, ensuring that key Kuni shugenja would have some form of personal support. After all, the knowledge of the Kuni was just as vital as the eyes of the Hiruma or the tetsubo of the Hida.

Casting a quick glance around the room, the Crab steped back, keeping out of the main light sources and positioning himself with direct sight and access to the doorway as the head of the Kuni gave greetings to the others present.

[Hida Setsuro]

(( Thread reopened! Enjoy. ))

[Hiruma Koji]

Mar 30, 2011 16:13:10 GMT -5 Shiba Kazuma said:

When Kazuma arrived he was escorted to the tower and introduced to Koji.

Hiruma-san I am Shiba Kazuma Champion of the Phoenix clan. I wish to offer my services in assisting the crab clan in defending the wall.

Kazuma bowed deeply.

Koji bowed deeply as well, although not as deep as he had when last they met. For at that time, he had not been a daimyo in his own right. A number of messengers had already been sent off with new orders to be delivered, and as the phoenix stepped forward a number of Hida elite took notice.

"Shiba-sama, I am Hiruma Koji, Daimyo of the Hiruma Family and currently in charge of the defenses of the Wall. My apologies for the delay in greeting, but it is those very duties which required my attention." He straightens and offers a small smile. "I wish we had time to be as generous and accommodating as you were at Kyuden Isawa, but I must tell you we are preparing for an attack."

He gestures to the table at one side, which has an intricate and delicately carved model of a section of the Kaiu wall. "It looks like someone was organizing efforts again out there, as there are at least three fronts expected to be under siege relatively shortly and nearly at the same time. You find yourself in the center of that expected attack."

He turns to the Phoenix Champion, "So I will be blunt. How many men did you bring, how many are equipped to defend their souls from the grip of Jigoku and how many have any experience fighting against the shadowlands?"

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma took a deep breath. He had not expected it to be this bad, his personal guard would not add much to the defenses. He thought for a second before replying.

I have not brought many troops with me. You may have all of my men to bolster your defenses no matter how small that offering may be. I also offer you my services in helping plan for any attacks and meeting the enemy at the wall. I am sorry that I could not offer you more, but I did not realize how bad it was getting. Do you have any reinforcements expected?

[Hiruma Koji]

Koji nods, making sure not to outwardly groan.

"Aye, reinforcements are expected, although they will assist the flanks first. This is not expected to be a major attack, but if you are here to offer your assistance, it would be rude to turn you away, yes?" He nods to one of the Kaiu, "If you will have the head of your guard or whomever deals with supplies and such, the Kaiu should insure you and yours have jade." He turns to the Kuni... "Kuni-sama, perhaps the Phoenix will be best suited to working with a unit from your family?" Koji frowns, and looks back to Kazuma. "A squadron of the Hida Elite will also accompany you. It will do them good to have the opportunity to work alongside the Shiba, they do not often have opportunity to broaden their experiences so."

He gestures to the mock up of the Kaiu Wall. "Where do you think such a unit should hold, Shiba-sama? I would like to reinforce either west or east of the tower, or to have a unit ready to support either of those who are at the front. Your experience with your men is greater than mine."

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma looked at the mock up of the wall. He took a deep breath and lost himself a second in thought. Those around him could see him looking at the model, nodding on occasion. Drawing attack and defense lines as he thought. It took him nearly a minute to respond, but when he did he sounded sure of his plan.

I think holding them in reserve would be for the best. If you reinforce either part of the wall you can not quickly respond to a new attack plan. However if you hold them in reserve I think they are fast enough to respond to a call for arms. As for fighting beside the Hida elite I am honored. It will be a learning experience on both sides I assure you.

Kazuma once again looked at the mock up of the wall. He could feel Ofushikai calling from his side. He looked back to Koji.

Does this plan suit you?

[Kuni Kaymar]

The Lord of the Kuni turned his head to Lord Hiruma. "Perhaps Hiruma-sama, if Shiba-sama wishes to place himself in the reserve then it might serve if I do likewise? The Witch hunter bushi are already at your call, having set up in their normal positions and many of the Kuni are stationed with their respective commanders as is standard."

"I believe it would be very interesting to fight by the side of our respected guest. Of course, that being the case I will need to bring my small honour guard along with me. If this meets with your approval, then may I make another suggestion that perhaps not as many of the Hida Elite Guard may be required to stand with Kazuma-sama - while some will of course need to be present to aid in my protection, the addition of my honour guard should free some up for other duties on the wall? I am sure that my forces, and that of the honourable Phoenix will have much more in common and be able to provide a much more robust reserve force, should it be required." The Lord of the Kuni finished and raised his eyebrow.

Toritaka Roan listened, but did not take his eyes from the door. His commander had spoken, and it was his duty to follow him - whether it be at the side of the Phoenix or right into the middle of a horde of oni.

[Hiruma Koji]

Koji nods to the Kuni Daimyo. "Hai, such seems like a wise way to do things. Shiba-sama, if you are not opposed? The two of you in the reserves." he nods looking back to the mockup of the wall. He's quiet a few moments...

And then he looks up and waits as a pair of footsteps upon the stone echo inwards towards the chamber, although thankfully not any that sound in a hurry. "If you'll both pardon me? Sounds as if another messenger has arrived. Kuni-sama, I leave our guest in your capable hands."

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma bowed to Koji as he left an then turned to Kaymar.

I would like to get a tour of the emplacements if time is permitting. I like to see the ground that I am about to fight on before fighting on it.

[Kuni Kaymar]

The current Kuni Lord nods to the Phoenix and indicates towards Roan to lead the way. "A prudent choice to survey the land you may need to fight upon. If you would care to follow me." The Kuni led the small group out of the chambers and through a few winding corridors before reaching a secured exit onto the wall. With a grunt from the Hida guarding the entry, the door was opened.

"I believe one of my kinsmen, Kaymar, presented himself to you at your Feast. A strange occurance that, he never seemed the type for public speaking, prefering to spend his time in the field or in the labs." The Kuni shrugged as he exited, pulling his cloak around him to fend off the worst of the chill air.
"But you have my congratulations. Not every Shiba is blessed to be chosen as Champion. May the burdons of your position be easily carried."

The Toritaka Yojimbo darted ahead, ensuring the way was clear of issue and trouble.

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma took a second to look at his bracers. None of the runes were lit. He then followed after the current Kuni lord. He let each breath fill his lungs as he stepped on the ground. He surveyed the ground all around him noting where there where dips in the ground, large groups of rocks, and places where the ground looked unstable. He knew that if the wall to be attacked these obstacles would have to be overcome by the attackers and if they counter attacked also by the defenders.

Kazuma looked back at the formidable defense of The Wall. He could not imagine trying to assail such a structure. As he looked upon the wall his gaze fell on where he would be stationed. The tower was huge, it had a commanding presence on the surrounding area.

Kazuma turned back to the Kuni lord. It was then that he finally broke the silence.

I admire the handy work of your clan. Such a formidable structure shows just how much you do to prevent the likes of the Shadow Land from entering the rest of Rokugan.

I was then he realized that he had missed the earlier compliement.

I thank you for your early compliment on becoming Phoenix Clan Champion. Thankfully the burden has not been too great on me, but I feel that is all going to change soon. Come let us get back to our positions. I have seen enough here to know that the attackers do not have an easy battle ahead of them and that the might of the Crab will surely crush them. Kazuma paused for a second. And the knowledge that we Phoenix gather will surely help us should we ever be called upon to fight such horrors again.

Kazuma had whispered the word again. Not so much to prevent the Kuni lord from hearing it, but more as an after thought. Something had welled up inside of him to say it.

[Kitsuki Bareian]

Mirumoto Katsutoshi stared at the stretching man made structure from afar-- for centuries it had stood as the barrier that protects Rokugan from the dark horrifying things that wished nothing but wanton destruction upon the empire, and with the duty and courage the Crab clan maintain to guard its rampart, remained the fact that it will always be well defended.

But Mirumoto Katsutoshi knew better...

He had learned that the legion of the dark kami had infiltrated Rokugan through discreet means, and have strategically placed spies in each major and minor clan's ranks. Though information was somewhat vague, Katsutoshi enacted on the orders of his lord to root out this corrupted abberation in the name of the Dragon and the empire-- and to further his glory of course.

Well into his usual private musings, Mirumoto Katsutoshi barely noticed that he had neared the outpost leading to the wall.

Taking out travelling documents signed by the Crab Champion himself, he quickly tossed it to the sentries in charge, and quickly barked;

"I have no time for questions-- My duty as you can see in that papers leads me to the wall, and I am not one who tarries to perform it. If you think you have questions, you may question your champion. If indeed you find my motives here questionable, then you will find me on the wall, there and then you may execute me however you like. Until then-- stand aside."

The sentries who were completely caught off guard by the offensive oral barrage of Mirumoto Katsutoshi could only look at the travelling documents and see if it was authentic. When it was made sure that it was, they returned it to Katsutoshi and could only look and grumble as the Steel Dragon rode off towards the wall.


* * * * * *

Moments later...

Upon arriving at the foot of the wall, Mirumoto Katsutoshi quickly dislodged off his horse, and once again threw his travelling papers to the nearest samurai present.

"I need to speak to the commander in charge of the wall, I come under the special command of both Dragon and Crab clan champion to learn from you, and be of any help possible in your duty to the wall. Tell your commander that Mirumoto Katsutoshi has come!

Tell them that the Steel Dragon brings his might to lend to the wall!."