"There are two difficulties I foresee to this approach," Kakita Asakura replies studying the map, "at last count, the Lion outnumber our own forces four to one and Doji Kasarugi has forbidden anyone to venture outside the walls preventing our irregulars from doing any...preparatory scouting."

OOC:  Kakita Asakura is delicately referring to the Daidoji Harriers who are not openly acknowledged among the Crane, due to their dishonorable activities

Kanisai frowns darkly. "That is.. regretable," he replies.  "But if that is his orders, then I withdraw my suggestion."  This assignment looked all the more difficult suddenly, but he was sure there was a way.

OOC:I was under the impression that they didn't discuss it with other clans... But then again Kanisai's the type to not dance around them.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Tue 10 June 2008.

"No, Kanisai-san," Kakita Asakura replies, "your suggestion is a good one, simply riskier without the...prior preparation that the Irregulars will be unable to perform."

OOC:  two points of confusion (which are my fault ^_^) first, Kasarugi hasn't forbidden going out to meet the Lion when they attack just any pre-emptive scouting; second, the Cannon is notoriously unclear about how much other Crane know about the activities of the Harriers but I'm not asking the PCs to pretend that they don't know about them, it's just that NPCs might dance around the subject or refer to them obliquely ^_^

Would if we move the battlefield inside the walls. We could dig a dike about 50 ft square inside the gate. The lion who come through would find themselves under siege and surrounded on all sides my archers and spearmen. The removed earth could be used to create a parapet behind the dike.

            / \
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        \__I   I____________________

Kanisai nods at the idea.  It seemed sound and a little less risky than his original plan.  "Do we know how long it will be before the Lion arrive?" he asks, looking over the map.

"Within the week," Asakura replies, "assuming the reports are accurate.  They are already gathered and await only the final disposition of their forces."

As Kakita Asakura finishes speaking, a tall samurai enters wearing the mon of the Seppun and the Kakita.

"Ah, Seppun Masashi," the older Crane bows, "I know we had a lesson scheduled today, but with the passing of Doji Kusanagi certain matters have become more urgent.  This is Doji Akibeiden, now Chui of the Southern Kaisha and his seconds, Daidoji Kumi and Doji Kanisai.

This is Seppun Masashi, who is visiting Toshi Ranbo to learn more of his Crane heritage and is an avid student of both the sword and the battlefield."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:36, Sat 14 June 2008.

  Bowing to the elder Crane, "You did say you desired to see me at this hour, if I am interrupting I apologize". Turning at the introductions, Masashi gives a polite bow "It is an honor to met you".

I would be honored to to have a cousin of the Son Of Heaven set in on our plans. Please feel free to comment as you wish. Aki replies motioning to a seat while he returns the bow.

  "Thank you, Doji Akibieden San, if you would tell me what is it you are discussing I may be able to join the discussion.  I do have one thing that I ask be understood, I am here officially as an observer, it would not be right for me to appear otherwise."  Seating himself in the proferred spot he settles himself gracefully into position.


(OOC I'm a bit rust on honorifics, and I am not quite sure how my rank as an Imperial Guardsman/observer would equal out with the people here I'm guessing the '-San' is the proper honorific for most of the company, if I remember correctly -Sama is the next step up in respect, followed by -Dono. If I'm wrong let me know.)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:02, Sun 15 June 2008.

"We are discussing plans to defend the southern walls of Toshi Ranbo in our upcoming engagement with our honorable cousins the lion," Aki replies. After a short pause, "They have presented us with a great puzzle, how does one defend himself from a foe who attacks with four times the forces you have to defend."

Aki looks around the room and lets his eyes settle on the elder crane present, "Sencei, did not Akodo-kami state that any force attacking a defended position like a castle should have three times the men as the defenders." allowing his gaze to shift to the Seppun, "You see how the Lion honor us in their attack. They count three of our warriors as four."

Aki lets the statement hang in the air. Perhaps this Imperial can leave the city and speak with the lion. It may be to our advantage to let them know we are waiting for them.

20:23, Today: Doji Akibieden rolled 28 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,9,5,2,4,6,1. INT/battle.
20:22, Today: Doji Akibieden rolled 45 using 6d10, dropping the 2 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(10+5)15,(10+8)18,4,5,6. Awer/etiquette.

"The Lion are not known for overestimating their enemies, Daidoji-san," Kakita Asakura shrugs, "and despite the manner in which the Crane acquired Toshi Ranbo in the first place, we have held it for centuries.  Our main difficulty has always been getting troops here in the first place--after all, the two most direct roads from our lands pass directly through Lion lands."

Indeed, and perhaps the units stationed to the south are their to block just such reinforcements. Certainly they will commit to the battle once it has begun though. Their will no longer be a need to continue holding the road once the fight has begun. Aki pauses and scratches his chin. If only their where some way to keep the lion on the southern roads throughout the battle.

  Masashi listens atentively to the conversation, for now his thoughts his own. Though he can readily see the problems, but for now he was restricted in his actions, the Emperor had his own issues to deal with many of which could never see the light of day without many..Complications that was a good word for it as good as any. His job was to protect the Emperor and the Emperial family, mostly though he had been doing things and he was begining to wondered how they related to protecting the Emperor, but he was sure somehow it did.

"Kumi-san you have not yet spoken, do you have any suggestions for the defence."

  Speaking into the momentary silence, "Since the Crane have villages and ports along the sea it must be understood that a storm wave allowed to strike in its entirity is very dangerous, BUT if the wave first strikes a break water then its power is greatly reduced. Without cohesion the power of a wave or an army is much  reduced." Taking a deep breath more to center his thoughts than anything else, and hopeing he is not stepping to far from being just an observer, he waits to see the response to his declaration.

You are no doubt correct, a break water is a great advantage to an on coming flood. The problem is that to create such a break water usually costs many lives, lives witch we cannot spare.

  A momentary smile, "A break water may be natural or created, but they are of nature, Trenches,  pits, perhaps filled with stakes or flamable material,  do not require expendature of life merly effort.  Allow the earth to help our defense, perhaps the Shugenja may be of assistance with their abilities"

"Not that I believe the Asahina wish the castle to fall to the enemy, but they are not exactly notorious for warfare." Aki pauses a moment. "Your suggestion is however in line with a thought i had earlyer" Aki then recounts his earlyer suggestion to build a dike within the courtyard of the castle.



Is toshi ranbo the city where the gate must remain open at all times due to some curse or what not.

"There are shugenja among the Daidoji Irregulars," Kakita Asakura points out, "and the Asahina--despite their pacifistic nature--may still be persuaded to assist us in developing...deterrents to our enemy."

OOC:  nope, that's Kyuden Asahina

"Do you think they could get a message to Kosaten Shiro. Perhaps the Diadoji their could muster a force to march north and hold the forces arrayed to our south in place. That would deprive the enemy of about half his attacking force."

"Perhaps," Asakura replies doubtfully, "though they would have to march across the breadth of Lion lands to do so.  How are the negotiations with other Clans proceeding?  Support from our allies may provide more timely assistance than our own distant forces."

I believe the mantis will join us in battle. The scorpion seem reluctant to engage the lion so soon after their return however.

"Definitely a logistical problem," Kakita Asakura replies, shaking his head, "Scorpion Lands are perfectly situated to take advantage of the Lion positioning, but the Mantis are a bit more...scattered.  Have we looked for help from any of the other Clans?  The Dragon may be traditionally neutral, but even they cannot like the thought of having the Lion hold a fortified stronghold so close to their southern border.  And the Phoenix have always been our traditional allies, perhaps they will not help us with soldiers, but they may be able to assist us in our transportation difficulties?"

The dragon will no doubt have an enlightened answer to such a request, an answer that only an enlightened person will understand. If the dragon wish this castle to remain in the hands of the crane they will come to battle weather we ask or not. Now as for the dragonfly they certainly would not want their friends the crane pushed so far from their borders by their enemies. Perhaps if we use our tenuous agreement with the mantis to entice the little clan, we may attract their cousins to come down from the mountain.

"That seems to be a sound plan, Akibeiden-san," Asakura nods approvingly, "and I believe I saw a Doji wearing the Asako mon at Doji Kasarugi-sama's conference, perhaps she could be pursuaded to speak to the Phoenix on our behalf."

OOC:  refering to Doji Minako, a PC currently attached to Daidoji Sakura's investigation