Morning in the Crane city of Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigisaho is normally a loud, boisterous, busy affair.  Now, with the Lion siege becoming imminent, it is simply busy.  Samurai and ashigaru rush from building to building to wall, determined that everything be in readiness before the need to do so becomes frantic.  Through all this, a single well groomed and tattooed ronin walks with a purpose completely unrelated to the Lion, the Crane, or, in fact, most of Rokugan.

 It feels impossibly, almost wickedly good to be well rested and clean once more, Kedo not having had leisure or luxury for true sleep since the night spent finalising plans for the Daidoji defence of the city with tactical masters and officers of twice his age and experience who spent most of the time staring at him with their jaws hanging and trying to translate that one moment of perfect clarity into written orders.

 The fact that he might never know such a moment again is the only thing that marrs the morning for the mystically inclined bushi.

 But there are other moments to be sought, and for now Kedo goes in search of them beginning not at the forge of the once-Crab whom he has reason to hope will lend him some slight credence once he has fough at the side of his children, but at the workshop of one of those smiths his daughter named as worthy of respectful consideration.

 Politely, but aware that it is likely a futile endeavour, Kedo approaches the workshop of Kakita Maru.

Kakita Maru's workshop is a large, single story building.  From within, Kedo can hear the pounding of hammers on steel, voices shouting out orders, and the rattle of ore being poured and smelted.  Within is a scene of chaos, smiths and apprentices alike running, carrying, and hammering.  Upon closer study, however, only one person is crafting a blade--the others are smelting ore, pouring metal into molds, or crafting steel bars.  The older woman with graying hair and deep set wrinkles that cannot hide her elegant beauty is laboring with intense concentration on a no-dachi, oblivious to the chaos that surrounds her, an eye of calm in the midst of a storm.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:11, Mon 23 Nov 2009.

 So it is to be a smith, drawing order and harmony from the natural seeming-chaos of the untamed elements... The painstakingly well-groomed ronin drifts through the outskirts of the industrious work and stands well back from the forge to watch - knowing that were there secrets to be employed then he would never have been permitted this close, but nonetheless enjoying the use of technique for its own sake, the economy of motion and the perfection of hammer-strikes upon glowing metal, waiting his time before he chooses to speak.

 After all, one does not interrupt a craftsman at their work.

"Who are you?" one of the bustling apprentices asks the only mildly out of place ronin, "never mind, just go over there and start resmelting those bars.  What wit the Doji, the Daidoji, the Kakita, and even the blessed Asahina demanding iron for their forges, we barely have enough time to do our own work."

 The gray-clad Bushi seems about to answer before the apprentice brusquely moves straight on into instructions that completely disregard status and station in favour of the need for more hands at the forge and for the first time since his arrival in the city of Toshi Ranbo, Kedo undergoes several falls with temptation and loses, offering a simple bow and turning to move as requested rather than correcting the misapprehension that a glance at the swords hanging on the lowest rung of the visitors rack by the door (since a forge is in many respects a shrine of its sort) would have corrected.

 Competently and with the silent joy of a man who has come, much to his surprise to care very much indeed for the song of steel, the Ronin begins to work, carefully selecting such bars as show signs of best matching one anothers strengths and weaknesses to smelt together, laying aside some of the very finest for the final pour.

Distantly, through the haze of his concentration, Kedo hears Kakita Maru call impatiently for more steel.  As the ronin continues to blend alloys, he notices one of the apprentices take some of the cooled bars that he has poured to Kakita Maru.

"Who blended this, Matsumoto," Maru snaps, examining the bars before beginning the process of reheating them, "it couldn't have been you, it's far better than your usual sub-standard work."

"Th-the n-n-new apprentice, Maru-s-s-sensei," the apprentice stammers, pointing, "over there, b-b-by the f-f-forge..."

"New apprentice?  I haven't taken any new apprentices," she snarls, "who is that?  You!  Ronin!  Come here!"

EDIT:  I think it's clearer who's who, right?
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:47, Wed 09 Dec 2009.

 Pssst, Ref. Kakita Maru's cross-dressing mid-post again.

 ---

 And of course Kedo answers in good time - though it is the good time of a smith rather than of a mere Ronin before an honoured Clan Samurai, time that is spent delicately and smoothly transfering the care of the steel pour before him to the apprentice nearby who seems to Kedo to be most in harmony with their task - not necessarily the most skilled, for they would no doubt have better things to do, but the one who seems to match the requirements most completely.

 The moment the transfer is accomplished however he turns and arrives at a practised compromise between the dead run of lower responding to higher and the careful step of a merely mortal man in the presence of large quantities of cherry-red metal, completing his journey with a graceful bow judged to a degree of respect if anything as great as that earlier offered to mere generals and lords.

 "How may I serve Kakita-san?" the gray-clad wanderer inquires politely.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:36, Tue 08 Dec 2009.

"Did you blend these, Ronin?" the Kakita smith demands.

 Kedo's hand flows out smoothly to indicate one of the apprentices bustling about the business of the forge, though by way of explanation rather than any attempt to deflect blame, "The honourable apprentice requested that I do so, mistaking me, I believe for one who was intended to aid in the work of the forge. It..." his expression at this point does turn subtly apologetic, as though confessing to a minor sin, "It has been some time since I had the privilage of working with metal, and I am afraid that I unworthily gave into the temptation to do so without correcting his misapprehension."

"Hrm," Maru grunts, "and why did you come here in the first place?"

 "Truthfully?" he asks, as much to buy a moment in which to arrange his thoughts as out of any real intention of answering in any other way - Kedo is generally of the opinion that while a good lie may be able to get around the world while the truth is still putting its boots on, at least it's worth the truth making the journey - and then answers after a few heartbeats, honestly and from the heart, for despite his having been set upon his present path by chance rather than intent, it has come to have no small value for him.

 "I have some small hope that one day I shall be worthy to touch the sleeve of steel." he answers, gazing back at the Crane with the slight dip in his posture that's indicative of respect, "When one speaks of steel, the Kakita are often mentioned, and when one speaks of steel in Toshi Ranbo... The name of Kakita Maru is sometimes voiced. It seemed to me therefore that there would be some wisdom in seeking to simply witness her at her forge, and perhaps speak with her for a time, if she would permit such indulgence."

"HA!  So a Mirumoto comes to a Kakita to learn about steel," Kakita Maru barks, "don't bother to deny it, Ronin, the mountain has left its mark on you--and I'm not talking about all of those tattoos that you have.

"Well then, Ronin, if you want to watch and talk about steel, it's only fair that I see your skills beforehand," she sneers, handing Kedo the bars that he had blended, "prepare these for the folding process.  Eventually, it will be the blade of a nagamaki, feel free to use the tools of your choice."

OOC:  make a Willpower/Weaponsmith check, base DC 10; I'm only guessing that willpower is the right trait to use, and you'll probably want to take a raise or two to improve the quality of the item ^_^

you are totally getting extra xp for this--I'm spending a lot of time researching ancient Japanese forging techniques, it's fun ^_^

 "Merely because steel's road began upon the mountain does not mean that it did not gain from every mile it has travelled, and every hand through which it has passed." replies Kedo smoothly, both managing to retain Dragonish humility and encapsulate it around the subtle reminder of just who it was that invented the process of making a blade in case he should be mistaken for a complete patsy (which is rather unlikely at best) before offering a respectful bow and extending his hands to accept the metal in question, which he weighs in hand and by eye afresh, as though measuring them for the form they will one day take and setting aside several of the blocks which do not have the... feel he's searching for.

 That done he moves aside to a quiet corner of the forge and settles himself, taking a little time to centre an image in his mind, picturing which of the soft and hard steels will become which part of the blade, occasionally reaching out to touch or weight one or another of the ingots in order to keep them clear in his mind's eye, though never with bare skin - always with the edge of his sleeve.
 The final step in what is obviously a hasty procedure in which many of the traditional corners the Ronin would prefer to indulge in have been cut is to formally bow before the small shrine that every good forge places in a spot of honour to thank the Fortunes for their gifts of wisdom to men - and only then does Kedo feel able to turn to mundane matters of tools and forges.

 He begins simply enough, selecting not the finest of either but rather those that will put least strain upon the vital work now in progress, understanding that harmony is more important than the decoration upon a hammer-handle, arranging matters so that as each stage of the forging to come occurs he will be able to slip between the work of others in a dance as profound and finely judged as any he has flowed through with bared blades.

 From there the heating begins, bringing the softest and most pliable steel to a fine glow and beating it out, using several twined bars to provide the necessary mass for what will be the spine of the weapon, extending and folding them back to purify them with a pause between each reheating for a short prayer, scraps of old songs - some childish, some profound and each addressed to the spirit that will sleep in the steel to come - murmured over a process that is increasingly one that occupies him to the exclusion of all other concerns.

 Unmeasured time passes in this manner before he's free to select the very hardest steel from those bars provided him, giving it the still-warm bars one last caress before fierce-heated and sharp-cooling them, leaving them shattered upon the anvil to provide the fragments which will be forge-welded by countless hammer blows over several hours, united into a single block that will be folded and hammered out again for a full dozen folds and half as many again - a nicely symmetrical number that contributes to the finest steel, but without pressing past the point where it becomes meaningless repetition.

 At the end of yet more hours, five bars of steel - one soft and flexible to form the spine, two of medium temper and hardness that will flank the first and the final pair of the keenest, fiercest and most unyielding metal that will one day lead and follow the cut wait to be united and though tired, the Bushi sets to work with a will to unite them - not without yet further prayer and meditation however, each step guided as much by the touch of insight as that of conscious thought and reason, the weakness in his limbs more than offset by the joy in his heart as every action, every step along the way sings with its rightness, with the perfection of every hammer-stroke and the song of steel that rises about him until the heat of the forge and the touch of harsh eyes are but a distant memory belonging to another life, and only the steel is real, is true.

 The Dragon comes down from the mountain... and in time, with love and with care... Earth and fire and give birth to a blade sung in Air and quenched in water. Simple, mortal steel forged for Mans hand. A blade called simply 'Lesson'.


 ---

 This takes ages - but basically by the end of the process, I imagine that Kedo will have no void left. He'll only spend one, but he pours himself into things he makes - the rest will just be expended on prayer, meditation and simple purity. Oh, and it's Intelligence for craft skills.

 07:34, Today: Kedo rolled 74 using 10d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(10+10+1)21,2,(10+3)13,4,7,(10+10+2)22,4,5,9. Making a blade with... five raises?.

 Okay. My target was 35 (because I get a free raise for being good) giving me six to make an excellent quality polearm blade. So I pass by... 39, or three full raises and one off a fourth.
 It should also be noted that at 60, I passed into the realms of a Legendary blade, for which I got two raises.
 I think there are also some raises to be had from the fact that I'm using one of the finest three forges in a major Crane city...

 I think I'm going to go and burn some incense for the dice roller. ^_^
This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Sun 13 Dec 2009.

As Kedo emerges from his steel induced trance, he notices the apprentices and journeymen of Kakita Maru's forge leaving and closing the doors behind them.  When his awareness fully returns to his surroundings, he sees Kakita Maru waiting for him patiently.

"A few months ago, I heard rumors about a ronin, walking the path of steel, who was bound to craft a blade the equal of Kakita and Kaiu," she says, eying the newly crafted weapon, "I wondered if that was the same ronin whom I'd been hearing so much about here in the city.

"I suppose I have my answer now."

 The final hiss of cooling metal sends up a cloud of steam from the last in a series of baths of oil or water depending upon the needs of the forging, and at last Kedo is able to hold up the unpolished, unsharpened length of bare blade - which even in its raw and unfinished state has something of the mountain about it, breathless simplicity and purity, grace even in stillness.

 The sun has risen and descended outside without him having even realised it, and both hunger and thirst gnaw faintly at the back of his mind, but his eyes shine nonetheless as he turns towards his host and bows deeply, respectfully... "And I have learned much in your forge, for which I shall always be grateful, Kakita Maru-san. I may have set my feet upon a foolhardy path, but beneath this roof I believe I have touched the sleeve of steel as it passed by." he replies, taking a measure of cloth and using it to cradle the weapon before he turns and offers it to her across both hands.

"You have done more than touch the sleeve of steel today," Kakita Maru bows, accepting the finished blade, "the path which you have chosen is a long one, and no less arduous than the frost locked winter passes of the mountain.  Few will appreciate what you have accomplished, and fewer still will truly recognize the perfection of your creation.

"This blade will stand in our shrine to the Fortunes as a reminder that a fine blade may have a humble sheath," the Kakita smith bows again, before offering a well worn, oft-used pair of tongs, "these are the tongs which I used to craft my first blade, and the ones which I used to forge my finest blades since."

 "The purpose of a blade is to cut... but it may do so to preconceptions as well as flesh. I would be honoured and past honoured to think that Lesson will rest in this place until the day comes for it to be carried forth." replies the Ronin with simple grace, giving over the unfinished but exquisite blade without more than a hint of regret - and that more for the passing of the experience that saw it take form than for the loss of the weapon itself, which after all was only his to channel, not to possess.

 His response to the offering in return is equally formal and polite, a weakness in his powers - that inability to truly conceal his depths with a courtiers flair - revealing just how touched he is by the extended tool even as he walks through the first refusal, "I worked not in hope of reward Kakita-Maru-san, but for the simple joy of doing so, and greater joy I have found here than I had ever dreamed I would find the first day I took up the hammer."

 One more refusal and a gracious acceptance will follow in due course - there is no way that Kedo would offer the least offence to a smith such as Kakita Maru in her own forge.

"Your name is fast becoming known and respected among the Crane," Kakita Maru replies, offering the tongs again, "and, as the Empire generally defers to the Crane in such matters, I expect it will grow far beyond that.  I am old enough to know the heights to which I may aspire and selfish enough to want my name immortalized in some small way, even if it is only in a footnote of your legend."

 And that's how you completely disarm and disorder the lean, apparently brilliant Ronin. For a long moment he simply stands there with his jaw flapping in the breeze as he tries to come up with some sort of reply that isn't 'that's ridiculous' - which would go a long way towards undoing any of the good he might have done here.

 He self-consciously closes his mouth and then tries to come at the problem from another angle, but has no sooner tried to speak a second time before he's aware that there's a distinct flush run up the side of his tattoed neck and across his cheeks, so he simply bows for a few moments and bludgeons his serenity into line, gathering his reserves and marshelling his forces to stand straight once more and reply, "I am but a simple traveller from the mountains who foolishly wishes to know something of steel that he may seek his hearts desire. Were I as worthy as you suggest I would not be enslaved to that desire." with both rueful honesty and a certain measure of self-perception.

 He's always known that his... purpose... was fundamentally unworthy for the purity of what he seeks, but from the day he first came upon it to this there has never been a moment in which he doubted his commitment to it. To her.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:47, Wed 23 Dec 2009.

"The kami use us for their own purposes, regardless of what we think are our motivations--look at Toturi, he would not now be Emperor if that had been his desire.  The kami of steel are no less manipulative in their choice of mortals.  Besides," Kakita Maru shrugs, offering the tongs again, "Kakita himself traveled the length and breadth of the Empire for the love of a woman, who can say that your quest is any less worthy?"

 Talk of Toturi, talk of Kakita - were it not for the solid core of good sense that grows around a young Dragons bones living in the Shadow of the Mountain (which is a wonderful way to acquite perspective) it could turn the head of a young man, but Kedo simply bows in deep and respectful fashion and moves forwards once more to accept the offered tool with both hands, drawing it to him and weighing it in his hands.

 "You speak too highly of a blade yet to be tested... But I am grateful nonetheless, for your words, for your lesson and for your gift - which if I am ever to do what I seek to do, will draw the steel from the fire." he replies warmly, eyes shining despite himself.

"Do not thank me," Kakita Maru replues shaking her head, "steel is a harsh daimyo, unforgiving of sucess and failure alike.  No, it is I who should thank you, for reminding me of a lesson that I learned long ago:  a humble sheath may hold a fine blade.  It is a lesson that I taught to others in my youth, and it is my shame that I needed to be reminded of that myself."

 "Even upon the mountain it has been known for the wisest sages to benefit from returning to the lessons of their youth." Kedo replies diplomatically, though once more with the perfect honesty of someone who grew up squarely in the middle of the Rokugans most impressive and humbling (though far from hospitable) landscape wherein even the Imperial roads bow before the needs of philosophy.

 In many ways it's a sort of anvil for the soul, and one that at times throws up the most exceptional alloys of spirit rather than steel - which here and now lead Kedo on to the reason for his entering this forge, so many hours before; "I do not wish to intrude upon the preparations for the defence of this city - but if it should come to pass that we are granted to live through the battle, may I return here and speak with you of steel?"

"If we are both fortunate enough to survive," Kakita Maru bows, "it would be my honor to receive you."

 "The honour Kakita Maru-san, would be mine." replies Kedo with a smooth and graceful bow before making his fare-the-wells, mentally ticking off one of the three smiths he had planned to visit in this city before moving on with his quest, and still perhaps just a tad punch-drunk from the sheer intensity of his experience within.

 Which of course, since he's now on the street in the Smiths district on his way more or less towards his friends Dojo, should make him easy enough to find by those who have reason to look for him.

As Kedo leaves Kakita Maru's workshop, two ashigaru wearing the Daidoji mon approach him.

"Kedo-san," one of them says, as they fall into step to either side of him, "Daidoji Takamura politely requests your presence at your earliest convenience."

OOC:  they're not insisting that you come with them now, but it's a strong suggestion--the implication is that they'll stick with you until you go with them
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:44, Thu 14 Jan 2010.

 Having reclaimed his weapons, no doubt under the watchful and speculative eye of more than one apprentice or journeyman smith lingering near the scene of his most recent jackhammer blow to the serene self-satisfaction of the Crane (which with the Kami's blessing, will gradually turn instead into far more well-deserved self-confidence) Kedo is in a good position to tense subtly as he's approached by the Ashigaru, remembering with a touch of regret the last time he had cause to encounter such men upon the street.

 His manners however are impeccable as usual and he grants them a small bow of polite acknowledgement rather than humble self-effacement - for even a Ronin is of higher status than an Ashigaru - and replies, "I would be honoured to answer the honoured Lord's call." before setting deed to word and moving off at a steady jog, guards in tow.

 When a Lord calls, one does not dally.

The two Daidoji ashigaru take Kedo along the now familiar path to the Daidoji complex, through the labyrinthine halls that the ronin could probably walk blindfolded, and into the war room in which he had changed the course of the upcoming siege.  There, the Daidoji officers--excepting, of course, Daidoji Ryu and Daidoji Tokagero--stand studying the map of Toshi Ranbo intently.  Nearby, a large samurai wearing the mon of the Daidoji, but clearly of the lineage of the Crab, stands in the background.

"The ronin Kedo is here, Daidoji-sama," the ashigaru announce, bow, and retreat from the room.

"Kedo-san," the new Daidoji commander bows, "thank you for coming.  We are requesting some clarification of the battle plan that you outlined for for us the other night.  I am also personally concerned for your safety," he says, looking darkly at the other Daidoji leaders, "this is Hida Zenko.  I am assigning him as your yojimbo to protect you against...unfortunate incidents, so that your tactical expertise will be available to us for the upcoming battle."

 Familiarity it is said, breeds contempt - but that is far from the case as Kedo jogs steadily through the maze of chambers that lead to the war room, instead with each twist and each turn he gains a new appreciation for the simple cunning of its arrangement, possessed of countless places where a guard might both see and be seen only by his colleagues and numberless well-placed killing zones and points designed to redirect intruders away from the valuable core.

 Entering the war room at last he immediately offers deep and sincere bows to those officers who are present, flowing up out of it with a subtle grimace of apology for his condition - still glistening faintly with sweat and dusted with the soot of the forge.

 "I apologise for my appearance Daidoji-san, I was called from the forge of Kakita Maru and thought it better to present myself in response than take time to bathe." the somewhat scuffed Ronin states before settling back and listening to the commanders offer, first tilting his head slightly in consideration and then - for the second time this day - finding himself rather wide-eyed and startled.

 "I had agreed this morning to accompany Daidoji Tomoe, Doji Suou and Kakita Rokutunda - students of Tsutomu-sensei - during the course of the hostilities." he explains, subtly underlining once more that he has chosen to join the defence as one who is a guest, rather than as an employee of the Crane without being so crass as to actually come right out and say so, before taking a slow pace towards the map table and casting his eyes across it, marshalling his thoughts as Hida Zenko is introduced, "I... am honoured past words, Daidoji-san, though I feel you offer too much praise. My role in this was to remind you of what had been forgotten in the face of too many threats and too little time... To do battle not as the Lion would have you, but as the Daidoji always have, turning the strength of the foe to weakness and striking in a hundred tiny cuts that bring down an opponent too great to meet head to head."

 "All that you need, lies within you and always has." he states after a few moments of looking across the table and then up at his newly-offered companion, "I was offered only the insight to guide you to that understanding... But... if you feel that there is need, I will try and do what I may to help you."

 Dragons... it is never easy to be in the same room as one of the real, high-mountain ones... and by inference, Kedo was raised at the top of a ladder on one.

Zenko's kimono and clothing are rather plain with little in the way of affects, bu there is the mon of the Daidoji as well that of the Crab. Stepping forward upon his introduction, Zenko takes a moment to regard the man that he has been assigned to protect. As he comes closer, one can almost feel a quiet menace to the man something akin to the calm before a storm. Kedo-san, as has been mentioned I am Hida Zenko. I have had the honor of being trained by the Daidoji as a Yojimbo. By my life or death, I swear that none shall harm you. Bowing his head low, he takes up a position behind the ronin and says nothing more.

"I'm pleased to hear that you will be part of the defense of our city," the Daidoji commander replies, "but despite your modesty, some of our team leaders have some questions about your strategies."

"Yes," one of the other Daidoji interrupts, indicating one of the major thoroughfares, "like here, how are we to keep the Lion on this path through our blockades and not on this one?"

"And what about..." and so the questions keep coming.

OOC:  make an awareness/battle check TN 20 to explain the details of your insight so that they can understand (you can drop the TN to 15 by spending your free raise)

 For the first time since he arrived in the city, Kedo is put into a position where he can appreciate just how much of a trial he's been to Daidoji Sakura by following her around like some relentless Bushido-driven fortune-cookie-programmed slicing and dicing machine, but with typical cosmic justice fails to recognise the irony at first, instead bowing deeply to Hida Zenko and replying, "I have hopes that your protection will be unneccessary Hida-san, but I am grateful for your sword.", a polite formulae to cover just how unsure he is about the propriety of a well-born clan Samurai being ordered to protect a ronin, even one on pilgrimage.

 In any case, when he rises out of the bow it's to address the questions being fielded to him and he turns to address the group, half-closing his eyes as he tries to see that perfect, shimmering structure that is fast becoming only a memory, "By the time they reach this throughfare the Lion forces will have had to fight past these ambushes here, and here - they will be prepared for a third upon the side-street but as they reach this road the archers from the first ambush will be here." - he taps the map gently - "Or, if they are unavailable the Ashigaru from the second."

 This being a feature of his plan for the city of course - redundancy. No unit has more than a half-dozen orders, but those orders overlap at many points, allowing really quite serious reverses to be recovered from. The idea at the core being that it is not the breach of the wall that loses a city under siege, but the panic and loss of morale that follows. Make the breach part of a clear plan however... And the equation changes as a massive army pours itself without central control or command into a hundred tiny skirmishes that it's helpless to understand or respond to.

 "When the foe see the ambush force in the open, they will almost certainly give chase - past the market stalls into this courtyard, where the archers from the second ambush will be on the rooftops or, if they are unavailable, Ashigaru from the next street over. They break contact by closing the market gate here, which will take some few minutes to breach. By which time they will have moved onto their next objective."

 The questions are gradually fielded - not always with the haunting, ethereal elegance of the night when he devised the plan, but with solid competence that plays heavily to the Daidoji strengths and finds uses for each little blossom upon the great Crane tree, the plan rarely repeating itself as such but always using the twists and turns of the city as force multipliers, encouraging cavalry charges in market throughfares and archers or thrown spears in narrow confines, making use of countless stockpiles of weapons and arrows so that as the Crane forces fall back, they need not carry all they need to do battle, but can instead prick and slash and bleed the increasingly angered, fevered Lion into thrashing impotence.

 When you fight a stronger foe, make use of every advantage seems to be the theme, though to Hida Zenko it probably all seems a little old hat - the Crab being after all, the acknowledged masters of this art form.

 The hardest answer of all of course, is the simple one that is fielded against the question 'but what if a unit is cut off and unable to fall back?' - to which Kedo must honestly and simply reply; "Then they must sell themselves as dearly as they may. And be honoured for their sacrifice."


 ---

 11:14, Today: Kedo rolled 23 using 8d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,2,8,3,8,2,7. Trying to put across the idea..

 Finally, a normal roll. ^_^

 A success with one raise.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:32, Fri 22 Jan 2010.

Zenko stands quiet and stoic throughout Kedo's tactical analysis of the situation, when the man finishes up Zenko steps forward and says Kedo-san, your analysis and tactics are sound and the men should be honored to do as you ask. But we Crab use such tactics quite frequently and if I may, I would like to add some ideas.

Looking down at the map, he pauses for a moment before he says anything.What are these buildings here?, he points to an area on the map in the second ambush. Perhaps some engineers can weaken these walls so they may be collapsed and thereby slow down the Lion forces and give the first ambushers extra time to get to the third ambush. Is there anything not represented on the map terrain wise that the Crane might use to their advantage? Carts, merchant stalls, anything small and mobile that gives us the advantage.

Turning to Kedo again, he asks What are the unit sizes? Smaller groups are more mobile, especially in city streets but the Lion will realize this as well. I would expect the Lion to have a few skirmishing units. How many scouts do the Crane have? How are you using them?

Thinking for a moment, Zenko adds Back to carts, I would suggest filling a few carts with straw and soaking the straw underneath with oil. Have a few archers ready to ingite the carts when the Lion draw near. The heavy smoke should slow them down as well.

"Thank you both for your valuable insights," Daidoji Takamura bows, "I will not interrupt your business this day any further, Kedo-san.  Please, feel free to go about your business."

 Kedo is quite obviously unconcerned by the offerings that his new bodyguard and protector offers up - and is if anything pleased by them, since they address areas that he, for the most part did not. Unqualified to take part in planning the fine minutiae of siegework he left a great deal of discretion to men on the ground - and as a result there are no engineering traps or incendiary barricades in his great scheme of defence, but rather a great deal of insight into the way men react in time of battle, sweat-streaked and angered by their losses, fiercely determined to cut down the foe before them as repayment for what they have suffered.

 As a result there is a gap between strategy and individual tactics into which Hida's observations fit like a puzzle-piece alongside those of the Daidoji themselves and the Ronin swordsman-smith and strategist seems glad to listen and observe as they are brought together, interjecting only to answer the question regarding infiltration squads and Crane scouts by stating, "My purpose was simply to remind the Daidoji of the strength that was theirs all along - once that was accomplished, I was wiser than to attempt to tell them how to arrange skirmishers in battle." with a measure of dry humour.

 All too soon however, the questions are done and the duo are dismissed, which leaves Kedo at something of a loose end for a few hours, causing him to look thoughtfully at his new companion for a moment and ask, "I should return to my companions at some point Hida-san, but if there are those you would first wish to speak with within the city, it would be a pleasure to take the time for you to do so?"

Kedo and Hida Zenko arrive at Kakita Tsutomu's dojo, where Daidoji Tomoe and Daidoji Yukito sit discussing strategy with their friends.

"Ah, Kedo-san," Daidoji Yukito smiles, "please, come and join us.  I see you have brought Hida Zenko-san with you.  Both of you, feel welcome here.  We were just discussing the skirmishing order--dependent on the terrain, of course."

 "A matter upon which Hida-san is no doubt more qualified to speak than I." Kedo replies with his usual humility, despite having just been summoned to the Daidoji military centre of the city and invited to expand upon his insights into the art of war (which if nothing else will have the benefit of being Dragon to the core, and so utterly unlike anything the Lion will be expecting to face here in the lowlands), then assigned a Yojimbo on the strength of that understanding.

 He offers a small bow to those present and then undertakes to introduce Hida Zenko to each of those who do not already know him, using the term 'Who has been asked to watch over me' rather than embarrassing the man by naming him as Yojimbo to a Ronin.

"Well, no plan survives contact with the enemy," Daidoji Tomoe shrugs, "but it helps to have one anyway.  Before we get into details, however, perhaps we ought to determine what we can do."

"For example, Yukito and I would both prefer the range granted by our naginata, set to defend against a charge, but Michio, here, who is a monk of Osano-wo on a training journey, is likely more comfortable in a different style of combat.  He is better able to discuss his strengths, however."

OOC:  blech, that was awkward
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:28, Sat 20 Feb 2010.

 "Of course." agrees Kedo without even having to question the assertion, it being a fundamental truth that using warriors in a fashion that they're not trained to support, or failing to use the varied skills of your companions well is a recipie for disaster irrespective of the intentions of the foe, "I would suggest that it might well be wise also to practise in some time as is made available, that we might know one anothers timings and prefered stances." he adds, before looking down at himself with a rather distasteful expression, the stains of forge-work quite obviously marking his clothing, "But I do no honour to your house or hospitality with my appearance - might you excuse me for long enough to repair the damage that the day has wrought?"

"Hello Samurai-Sama," Michio says.

 Turning slightly, the smoke-stained and sweat-streaked (And obviously unhappy about both for all the lingering high of his having been privilaged to be the vessel through which Lesson chose to enter the world) Ronin offers a polite bow to the monk, albeit one not as deep as he would offer to other members of the martial classes (and yet respectful enough for all of that - there was never a Dragon born who did not appreciate the monastic life), "I am honoured to make your acquaintance Michio, have you come to lend your insight to the defence of the city?"

"My apologies, Kedo-san," Tomoe bows apologetically, "for failing to notice your discomfort.  Please feel free to use Tsutomu-sensei's facilities to freshen your appearance.  Our eagerness does not excuse our rudeness."

 "Nor mine for appearing so before you Tomoe-san... I am afraid that events have moved more swiftly under my feet than I might have wished." replies Kedo, simultaneously absolving his host of any possible wrongdoing and making plain his belief that the fault is his, before repeating that bow to each of the others present and making for the nearest small bathing facility - he might not have a change of clothes to hand, but he can at least make an effort to do something about the worst damage the day has done, and ohhhh but it will be good to be clean once more.

Michio quietly observes the group.

"That's the 'Kedo' we've been hearing so much about?" Kakita Ginta sneers, "he's little more than a dirty ronin, politer perhaps, but not much else.  It's hard to believe that our general would accept any plan that he developed, let alone the 'genius' that rumor makes it out to be."

"That 'dirty ronin' also dispatched several assassins single-handedly, Ginta-kun," Daidoji Tomoe points out, "unarmed and in a bath house.  I would not dismiss him so lightly, if I were you."

"And what did you think of the ronin Kedo, Michio-san?" Doji Shinichi--the most level headed of the squad--asks.

***

The ronin Kedo emerges from the bathhouse, no longer as dirty as when he arrived.  His hair still damp and his clothes refreshed, if not clean, he feels like a new man.  It is with some surprise, then, that he notes the presence of a young woman waiting near the bathhouse entrance.

She is dressed in the greens and blues of the Mantis, though she wears an orange and black obi, reminiscent of the Centipede.  At her side are the wakizashi of a samurai and the scrolls of a shugenja.

OOC:  enter Moshi Reiko
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:51, Mon 29 Mar 2010.

The Mantis shugenja perks up as she sees a man exit the baths, wearing the grays she knew to look for. Her expression is even, and she approaches at a brisk but respectful pace. "Samurai-san," she queries, her voice as even as her expression as she offers a small bow, "I apologize for being forward. Are you the one named Kedo?" She waits for his reply silently, seemingly unaware of, or unconcerned by, any potential damage to her reputation that might be done by approaching a ronin.

 It has to be said that Kedo certainly doesn't look like a prodigy, or even much of a Bushi beyond his obviously innate grace and good physical condition - certainly by Crane standards he's simply, even plainly turned out and of course also a ronin. On the other hand he's so very obviously a Dragon masquerading as a wave-man that the Scorpion are starting to doubt it, and the one thing you can almost always guarantee when the Mountain Clan stir themselves to act is that things will be interesting.

 When he returns he might still be at somewhat less than his best (even shabby by the standards of Toshi Ranbo, given what his clothing has been through lately - both in battle and in the forge) but he moves with his accustomed fluidity and offers each of the assembled Bushi (and monk) a respectful bow as is appropriate for a houseless man showing respect to those who still have their honour before turning at last for the deepest of the bows to the approaching priestess, answering "I have that slight honour, Moshi-san*." as he rises out of it once more, "How may I be of service?"

 ---

 * That presupposes there's a Mon in there somewhere, if not I'll edit accordingly.

Upon confirmation of his identity, Reiko bows just as deeply as Kedo. She moves evenly, simply. "I believe the matter may be the other way around," she replies. "I am Moshi Reiko, now of the Mantis, servant of the kami. And," she adds quietly, I am no friend of the Lion."

A twitch, or a shadow, something passes over her face as she says the clan's name.

"I have heard...that you are the architect behind the plans for defense of the city. In this, I wish to assist, if you'll allow it," she says. "Though my training centers on being centered, sometimes, the only way to return things to balance...is with a significant show of force."

OOC: No worries on the mon; if there's not one clearly visible, the obi SCREAMS Moshi. Perfectly reasonable assumption to make. :)

Michio replies to Doji Shinichi, "I think that it is too soon for me to be able to tell Doji-san. I have only just met Kedo-san and I would not want to judge him based on first appearences, and as you know appearences can be deceiving."

[I'm still a bit new with the formalities so I'm not sure if they are correct or not. If my formalities are not correct please let me know and I will change them if I can.]

 The deep bow results in yet another round of that classicaly Rokugani game 'who thinks they're lower in the Eyes of Heaven' as Kedo bows right on back just a touch more deeply, the slight smile that passes over his features at the bottom of the gesture of respect visible to just about everyone else in the room and suggesting that the gray-clad Ronin is perfectly prepared to keep this up all evening if there's need.

 "It is not lack of fondness for Akodo's children that brought me to Toshi Ranbo." replies Kedo gently, though without heat or censure, certainly not daring to judge the motivations of a priestess but rather making it plain that he bears no especial hatred or love for the bearers of any Mon; "But rather a search for the point where the weight of a feather might achieve more than the marching of mighty hosts a year from now."

 "As for the defences of the city?" he goes on to add, turning a small, wry sort of smile in the direction of Daidoji Tomoe, one that seems to invite the young man to take a moment to revel in the strange yet humourous ways that the universe chooses to unfold itself for the wonderment and education of the mortals who dwell within it, "If I have returned a fine edge to the Daidoji blade it was only possible because it was wrought of the best steel to begin with. All I have done is to remind some few men and women of what was in them all along... And yet I believe that my companions and I would welcome the company of another brave soul come the test, is that not so Daidoji Tomoe?"

 ---

 You're doing fine Michio. Don't worry, I think we'll cut you a lot of slack just for being a monk, let alone being new. ^_^

Pausing only a moment, Reiko returns his bow, not quite meeting his depth. She would rather talk, it seems. "A prudent and wise philosophy," she nods at his feather imagery. He is very well-spoken, something she's been told to expect. Still, it's a pleasant surprise, though perhaps his words a bit knotted up in the worries of necessary humility.

She looks up as Kedo references a Daidoji, presumably still in the baths, soon to exit. "I wish not to trouble anyone; if I have come at a bad time, I can arrange to speak with you elsewhere, later, at your convenience. I did not even ask if you had other business, and in that I am remiss. My apologies." There is genuine remorse in her face, and perhaps a bit of self-censure.

Like Kedo says--you're doing just fine, Michio. :) I usually play Crab because I can never get a proper handle on courtesy, so this is a challenge for me, too!

Edit to fix fiddly grammary errors.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Wed 31 Mar 2010.

"That's for damn certain," Doji Suou mutters in response, not noticing the return of Kedo and the presence of Moshi Reiko, "who would've thought that the children of Doji would be fighting side by side the Scorpion and the Mantis."



"That is certainly the case, Kedo-san," Daidoji Tomoe bows, "as you can see, Moshi-san, we welcome any who would join us in defending Toshi Ranbo against the predations of the Lion.  Please, feel welcome to join us.  This is my brother, Daidoji Yukito," she says, introducing each in turn, "our fellow bushi, Doji Shinichi, Doji Suou, Kakita Ginta, Kakita Rokutunda, and the monk Michio of the Temple of Osano Wo."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:20, Fri 02 Apr 2010.

 "Such are the lessons of the mountain." Kedo replies with the very slightest rueful touch in his voice, that suggests without explicitly stating that those lessons were, in his case particularly hard-driven in order to make it through his skull.

 He moves with the priestess closer to the main group in order to facilitate the introductions, offering Doji Suou a slight nod of the head with dancing eyes that suggest he understands the other mans concerns and judges them not at all, before directing his attention back to Tomoe and Reiko "You see? - You are welcome among us Moshi-san, as is any true-seeking soul. Before I parted to refresh myself we had been discussing how we might best work together - have any thoughts been voiced on the topic in my absence?"

Reiko nods and bows at the arriving Cranes as Tomoe makes introductions. She looks Suou in the eye; she very likely heard him. But her face lights up at the mention of the monk.

"I, too, am from the temple of Osano-wo," she says, offering an extra bob of respect.

She advances alongside Kedo. "I know little of battle plans, and formations, and the world of the soldier. My understanding lies with the ancestors and the kami, whom I treat with the deference they deserve. And I am well versed in the art of divination, which I suspect may be of use. And if it isn't, I assume that a shugenja whose affinity is Fire will be welcome in any fight."

With that, she waits for the Crane to reply to Kedo's query.

"Only insofar as both you and Michio are both unknown quantities, Kedo-san," Daidoji Yukito replies, "the styles of the Crane that we represent are primarily linear, but we have trained to help cover each other's flanks.  Both of you have trained as solo combatants, making you more versatile, but difficult to fit into the established paradigm--especially in the cramped quarters of the city.  Tomoe and I have considered the possibility of splitting our forces in order to flank our enemies, the concern is that one of the groups will be to isolated to reach aid should the Lion force a retreat.  Always a possibility in any battle, but not one that I'm willing to accept without a fight."

"You're doubly welcome, Moshi-san," Doji Suou says fervently, "the Crane rarely have enough Shugenja support relative to the other Clans, so your presence will be a most welcome addition."

 "The wise Bushi will always make time for the strength and the insight of a Shugenja of any focus, though one dedicated to fire will be of even greater assistance in battle than most." Kedo agrees warmly as he moves alongside Reiko, then nods in definite agreement to Yukito's words, plainly seeing both the value in his observations and mulling them over before he comes around to a suggestion.

 "A fluidity in war is to be much prized, but to achieve that fluidity we should have some knowledge of one anothers abilities and skills - some small time spent here with training weapons will not allow us to match the lifetime of mutual support you have trained to offer, but it shall give us each an appreciation for the others abilities." the Ronin points out reasonably, before admitting with a slightly shy smile as he glances between the Crane assembled, quietly confident that word of just what happened in the forge of Kakita Maru won't have spread yet and that it won't seem out of place to add "Besides which, after a day spent at forge and table, it will be good to move once more."

Reiko listens to the Crane, nodding appreciatively to Suou, and smiles--faintly--at Kedo. "Knowledge of ourselves is good, but knowledge of those who choose to oppose us will be useful as well. While I can fight with a katana, it is not something I relish, and my blade is not mine, but the favor of the kami. And while it would be useful to demonstrate my capabilities, I do not believe it prudent to be frivolous with the favors of the kami. Therefore, I offer to perform divninations. I am well-versed in kawaru."

Knowing how senstive some bushi can be about secrets and techniques, she ponders a moment. "I would ask to watch you all, if that would be amenable," she says.

Drawing close to the group gathered near the bath house in some slight haste Idun approached glancing around rapidly. Fairly young looking and with the slightly rumpled look of someone who'd dressed in a rush the ronin was armed with the traditional katana of a samurai secured at his side, carried a small bag over one shoulder, and had the expression of one faintly perturbed. This lessened slightly as he caught sight of Reiko but shifted instead into a somewhat aprehensive stance as he saw the company she was keeping.

Slowing his pace Idun approached with his head kept low and adopted the most deferential stance he could to the Crane present and, after a moment's hesitation, to Kedo also. Discretion was surely the better part of good manners and there was no sense in assuming anyone was further down in the social order than himself. Drawing closer to Reiko he placed himself pointedly in her line of sight and waited for those conversing to pause for a moment.

 If it was possible to derive the inner meditations and mental focus that translates technique into lethal beauty by mere observation, then there would long ago have been a loss of all such secrets - and so Kedo at least is perfectly happy to offer Reiko a nod of the head and the simple answer, "No mortal is unarmed who yet has their spirit unbroken, least of all a Shugenja." in a fashion that sounds like some sort of proverb before he turns to the others and gently slides katana and wakizashi (scabbarded of course) from his obi and places them on the lowest rung of the storage rack set aside for such honoured implements, before gesturing to the barrel of practice staves.

 "Perhaps - if I might be so bold - we might practice two or three against the remainder of us, acting out the role we plan to perform come the day of battle?" he suggests to the other Bushi, obviously preferring to practice as he means to fight (without such foolishness as bearing live steel against a friend).

Listening to Kedo's response and moving forward as he gestured to the staves, Reiko glances back at the samurai who has just joined her. "Idun-san," she says, nodding at him, and offering him a hint of a smile. "It is good you have found us," she says gently to him.

"Honored samurai--I should like to introduce you to my able yojimbo, Idun. These good samurai are Kedo, Doji Shinichi, Doji Suou, Kakita Ginta, Kakita Rokutunda, and the monk Michio of our Temple of Osano-Wo," she says, introducing Idun to the others, and vice-versa. "We are learning about one another, to better defend the city from the approaching Lion."

Ducking his head in acknowledgement of his charge's greeting Idun offered a small smile during the introductions. Once those were finished he responded to Kedo's earlier suggestion, keeping close to Reiko's side as she advanced towards the staves. "I would agree. A sparring session would not hurt to give us all an idea of what we will be able to rely on one another to do on the battlefied." He negelected to mention his other reason, that otherwise they'd likely have to go through a slightly more formal and extensive discussion which would take more time and get less information as people either over or understated their abilities.

Sliding his own swords free of their place at his side Idun carefully placed them on the holding shelf, and the bag he carried just to the side of them where he could see it, before picking examing the staves. As he shifted through them the samurai also pulled loose a small wooden fan from his belt and idly tapped it against one leg as he eyed them over.

 "An honour Idun-san." Kedo offers as he's introduced to the nondescript new arrival, musing on the curious synchronicity that sees both Sakura and Reiko coming to the city with Ronin as their protectors, drawing a pair of staves without apparent care for their weight or balance and sliding them through his obi before motioning to the assembled Crane warriors, "Perhaps if we begin by a demonstration of how you work as a group so that Idun-san and myself might best fit ourselves into your technique? You will, after all be the greater part of our efforts, with Reiko-sama at our centre."

Reiko's eyebrows rise at Kedo's words. So I am to be in the center? Very well, then, she muses, and a small smile briefly appears on her lips.

Crouching, she removes her wakizashi and places it in one of the stands. She rises and stands aside, giving others room to store their weapons.

"It will be an honor to fight along such accomplished bushi," she says with sincerity.

Michio watches silently and with interest as the others prepare to spar.

"Not as good as facing off against someone who's Lion-trained," Kakita Ginta shrugs, sliding a bokken into a ready position, "but at least it's something."

"No, it's better than sparring with someone trained in the ways of the Lion," Daidoji Yukito replies, with an apologetic glance at their guests as he places his own weapon in a high guard stance, "remember Kakita Tsutomu-sensei's lesson:  'the enemy's stance in the dojo and his stance on the field of battle are not the same.'  It does us no good to try to predict the unpredictable--even with an enemy as tradition bound as the Lion."

Doji Shinichi merely grunts as he tests the heft of his chosen weapons before taking his place beside Kakita Ginta.

OOC:  do you guys want to do this the crunchy way (with initiative and attack rolls) or RP it out?  Either way is fine with me ^_^

if you decide to go with the dice roller: roll initiative, declare your stance and make whatever rolls are necessary; we'll skip the damage portion since you're not actually trying to kill each other

 Honestly speaking, I don't want to dig out the dice and get freaky with them any more than I did the last time I did this. I'm happy to post generalities and let the description take care of the rest. Besides, it's not like the dice pool gives a real idea of Kedo's effectiveness in battle anyway, so long as I continue to make offerings to the dice roller. ^_^

 ---

 "Ginko-sama makes a fair point - the majority of the foe's Bushi shall be trained in the schools of the Lion, but in the absence of one who knows their style, we must instead look to learning our own strengths and weaknesses." observes Kedo without seeming to be in the least offended by the gruff Crane's manner, instead busying himself with preparations for the sparring, leaving the shorter of the two bokken he chose sheathed in his obi as he weighs the longer a few times and assumes an offensive stance with it, "If Idun-san and myself assume the roles of attackers upon your flanks and front, whilst you in turn assume that your other Bushi are engaged? - We shall use no especial technique, merely seeking to strike through your guards, until we have some sense of how you work together, then you may assess our individual skills and determine how we might best assimilate with you?" he then suggests, choosing a scenario that will let them test the teamwork of the Crane companions whilst in turn giving them a chance to shine (since Kedo at least is far less dangerous without a pair of blades in his hands) before the two Ronin demonstrate what the road has taught them.

Shifting himself to stand alonside Kedo and between Reiko and the enemies offensive Idun just nodded at Kedo's suggestion, still absently tapping the war fan on the side of his leg whilst watching and waiting. The ronin seemed mostly unconcerned about the idea of the combat though his posture made it clear he was ready to lunge back alongside his charge should he need to. He doesn't comment on the choice of combat training, instead taking the time to size up the two before him quietly whilst he allowed the others chance to fight.

------------------------

OC - I'm happy enough to go with majority

"Draw your bokken, Ginta-san," Doji Shinichi says quietly as Kakita Ginta takes a classic iaijutsu stance, "when we engage the Lion your iai technique will only work once, assuming you're not foolish enough to sheathe your weapon in the middle of combat--in which case it will only work once and you'll be dead."  Ginta glares at Shinichi, but follows his...suggestion.

Silence follows as Ginta's weapon takes a low guard position.  To Ginta's left, Shinichi's two weapons shift smoothly into what appears to be Mirumoto's Second Position, one blade high, the other low across the body.  To Ginta's right, Yuikto's naginata begins to whirl in a complex defensive pattern.

 Like his companion, Kedo spends a few moments looking over the forming defense, noting not without some interest the unusual choice of style practiced by Shinichi before he hefts his bokken and assumes a blade-high-and-about-to-charge posture, remaining true to his word and using no especial technique, but rather trusting to speed, grace and aggression to come down upon the flank of the Crane trio held by Shinichi and Ginta, Kedo targeting the polearm-wielder and leaving the swordsman for Idun as he makes an attempt to first disrupt the pattern of the defense with a short, controlled sweep of his stave and then step inside its reach, trying to force the bushi to either concede ground and break open the defensive line or concede an advantage of maneuverability (which of course will mean nothing if Ginta manages to stand him off or simply smacks him with whatever comes to hand in order to open the distance once more).

 ---

 Basically it'll be two on two against each of the possible combinations they've got until we get a sense of how well they work together... and where we might fit in. Then we break for half-time oranges and change ends. ^_^

Reiko watches, letting the motions and movements stop being individual things and become a part of something greater. Withdrawing one of her scroll cases, she opens it and takes out a swatch of raw, undyed silk, and a bundle of kawaru rods. Kneeling on the ground well out of the way of those sparring, she spreads the silk on the ground before her, tucks the sticks into the scroll case, and begins shaking them with the soft rattle common to kawaru divinations.

[Private to Kaze no Kage: I can roll for the divination, if you like, but I figure it's a bit of flavor. I was going to use an online I-Ching reader give me my "divination" and run with what I got.]

Watching the other ronin move in Idun fell into his wake, focusing on the foe not currently engaged by Idun. Unlike the other man who seemed to move into a slightly more aggressive stance Idun himself favoured forcing the opponents making a move, drawing close until they were forced to strike at him then attacking back when he had chance. The samurai moved in a rather minimalistic manner, favouring small movements that did not overly expose himself when he acted. He also kept an eye on his fellow, prepared to try to assist with any sudden changes in the flow of Kedo's attack.

Daidoji Yukito breaks his defensive pattern, blocking with the edged side of his naginata, but following with an advancing return strike from the weighted, blunt end.  From the other side, Kakita Ginta doesn't miss a beat as he advances with a low cut to Kedo's right side.  The two of them together, forcing Kedo to retreat--though had he been fighting in his customary style, he might have been able to hold them at a standstill.

[Private to Kedo:  your observations of their defensive patterns show that Yukito has particular holes in his defense which Ginta is prepared to defend should an enemy attempt to take advantage of them.]

Doji Shinichi, maintaining the line, advances with his allies, his dual weapons lashing out at Idun, not so much to force him back, but to prevent him from making any offensive maneuvers towards Kakita Ginta.

[Private to Idun: Shinichi appears to be fighting more independently than the other two, though you are not yet certain that you can take advantage of that fact.]

In the rattle and clack of wooden blades, the Fortunes make known the secrets of the world to Moshi Reiko.

[Private to Moshi Reiko: I used an online I-Ching reader like you suggested, feel free to do the same ^_^

The present is embodied in Hexagram 46 - Sheng (Pushing Upward): There will be great progress and success. Seeking to meet with the great man, its subject need have no anxiety. Advance to the south will be fortunate. the sixth line, divided, shows its subject advancing upwards blindly. Advantage will be found in a ceaseless maintenance of firm correctness. The situation is evolving slowly, and Yang (the active masculine force) is gaining ground. Yang (New) Yin (New) Yin (New) Yang (New) Yang (New) Yin (New)

The future is embodied in Hexagram 18 - Ku (Decay): Great progress and success will come to him who deals properly with the situation. There will be advantage in efforts like that of crossing the great stream. Weigh well though, the events of three days before the turning point, and those to be done three days after it.

The things most apparent, those above and in front, are embodied by the upper trigram K'un (Earth), which is transforming into Ken (Mountain). As part of this process, docility and receptivity are giving way to stillness and obstruction.

The things least apparent, those below and behind, are embodied by the lower trigram Sun (Wind), which represents penetration and following.]

 Kedo's attack - which is patterned very much like the headlong but contained aggression common to a Lion charge, if lacking their refinement of technique - falters and fails to be driven back in a series of blurringly fast blocks as the pair of Bushi upon his flank not only repel him but force him out of range, earning a nod of approval from the Ronin as he breaks off and steps back to offer a slight bow, "I particularly admire the way that the exposure of Yukito-san's lunging strikes to drive back a foe are warded by Ginta-san's blade - you have practised together at length." he observes readily, waiting for his fellow Ronin to finish his own assessment and then moving on to strike at the other flank, likewise looking for weaknesses and strengths with the single stave before thinking of taking up a second.

 ---

 I don't think we need to draw this out too much, just one more turnaround for them coming at us to satisfy the requirements of a training montage set to a cheesy-inspirational power ballad and then we move on? ^_^

Idun steps back only for a moment alongside Kedo, no comments to make or their style. At this point he was still analysing the fighters and considering the three. Having fought one he could make his anaylysis of them but at this stage it would be nothing more than an assumption.

Completely silent except for a some slightly strained breathing he stepped back in alongside Kedo, this time moving forwards of the Dragon and making a more forceful approach. Though still fighting in a defensive manner he approached the three bushi in a manner intended to force them to fight him. Though he might not be able to break through their defenses he could focus their attention on him and give Kedo the chance he needed to break through.

With the change in opponents, the Crane adjust their response.

"Fall back as if you were injured, Ginta-san," Shinichi orders.  In response, Ginta falls back, taking up a high stance as if in preparation for morotte tsuki as Shinichi and Yukito close the gap, adjusting their maneuvers accordingly.  "After all, there is no guarantee that none of us will be injured and will have to fall off the line," he says by way of explanation.

Shinichi and Yukito are obviously not as practiced in working together as Yukito and Ginta, however, their differing styles allow for broader coverage than the single weapon used by Ginta.  The pair fall back before the furious assault of the two ronin  One of Shinichi's blades flicks Kedo's mere inches off target as he retreats, the other held ready as if to ward off an opponent farther to his left.  Yukito uses the extended length of his naginata to ward off Idun's weapon, keeping him out of striking distance, concentrating, not on striking back but on retreating.  Ginta, meanwhile, holds steady, ready to strike at any opening Idun or Kedo make in their advance on his seniors.

Hida Zenko waits watchfully near the entrance of the dojo.  His duty was to protect Kedo from his enemies and he couldn't do that if he was engaged in this admittedly interesting practice session.  From his vantage point, however, he could make useful observations as well as keep an eye out for unforseen enemies
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:49, Wed 23 June 2010.

 Kedo of course, would be quick to say that he has no enemies, only those with whom he does not walk in complete harmony... But he's a strange sort at the best of times, rarely more so than when he has a sword in his hand and lets his mind drift into odd, philosophical realms. Gracefully he complements Idun's assault, taking advantage of the other mans opening of the defences and then smiling with genuine approval as his stave is deflected mere inches from its target, stepping back in due course to offer a curt nod of approval, "As well-drilled as any Bushi I have had the pleasure to stand beside." he states before picking up his own second weapon and balancing it lightly in his hand, where it nestles like a hummingbird drinking nectar from an orange blossom, "But now Idun-san, it is our turn to weather the storm, that our best place in the struggle to come might be measured."

 ---

 I figure we make this the last descriptive go-around then head forth and see what adventures Kaze's got for us, what do you think Idun? ^_^

Content for the moment to maintain his vigil, Zenko continued to watch the sparring pratice. He noticed a few thing he would mention to Kedo when the time was right, but for now he stood silent and still.

Nodding his head in acknowledgement of the compliment Idun replies in a low voice to the other ronin, eyeing the second stave he now wielded.

"I thank you Kedo-san, hough I must confess it seems my own skill is insufficient for opponents such as this. Though whether they can get past my defenses will be the real challenge."

Dropping his stance to let his swordarm rest low behind him Idun eyed the fighters ahead, bringing his other hand up readying his fan to intercept incoming blows. His duty in this upcoming battle was to defend his charge from all possible attacks. This would likely include warriors such as this, and maybe in similar numbers.


OC - Sounds good to me.

Given the opportunity to attack rather than defend, Kakita Ginta grins with a maniac glee generally assumed to rest on the faces of the berzerkers among the Crab and the Lion.  Doji Shinichi and Daidoji Yukito, however, maintain their composure as they take more offensive stances.  Shinichi falls comfortably into the Fifth position of Niten--his shorter blade held before him as his longer weapon is held behind.  Yukito, however, takes an unusual position, leading with the weighted ball of his naginata rather than the blade.

And it is Yukito of all of them that strikes first, lunging at Idun with several rapid strikes from the butt of his weapon, before committing to a risky spinning strike with the blade to the ronin yojimbo's right side.  Simultaniously, Ginta lashes out with a lightning fast cut to Idun's left knee.  While quite talented, the ronin would find it difficult to do much more than defend while retreating from the well coordinated attack.  Shinichi continues to cover Ginta's vunlnerable side against Kedo's counter attacks, adapting Mirumoto's Niten to include Kakita's technique as his blade leaves the Fifth position in an iaijutsu strike.  Kedo's own skills are such that, with both his blades, he is able to exploit the miniscule space offered by Shinichi's barely imperfect integration of the two styles.  To advance, however, would leave Idun exposed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:35, Sat 31 July 2010.

 The mountain does not seek to advance; instead they are patient and they are unyielding, worn away only by the slow dance of the elements across their slopes secure in their eternal solidity. Like the mountains themselves, so then too do the dragons that lair in them know that there are times when all that can be said is 'here I stand, I can do no more' and resolve to hold their ground against whatever comes, knowing that only the elements themselves can grind them down.

 Kedo's eyes subtly go out of focus as he lets the world move at its own speed around him, and when his arms move it's almost as an afterthought, slow-seeming movements that carry the all-but forgotten staves as extensions of his body into lines that complement rather than counter the dances around him, gently guiding Sinichi's weapons into new lines that promise to extend the dance instead of ending it, moving out from time to time in order to cover one half of Idun's body from blows or sweeps that might impede his companions own dance, until at last at an unspoken signal he moves to take a pace back and end the spar when Idun himself is ready to do so.

As the blows came in towards him Idun only smiled fro a brief moment, recognising the skill of those before him. Concentrated attacks like this would be beyond most samurai to defend against, and if Idun was completely honest they were generally beyond him. He'd be unable to provide any sort of decent offense against them in the midst of a pitched battle.

Of course this wasn't a pitched battle. With only one samurai at his side and full awareness of how many other foes he was facing Idun had slightly more advantages than he ordinarily would. Defending against the attacks with slight, precise motions, intended not to block the blows but to divert them from him instead, the ronin moved his body only when he had to, using the reach of his stave to shift aside the far faster blow from Ginta and then in the same motion flicking the weapon across himself towards the blow coming from his other side. Behind him he could hear the sounds fo the other attacker being efficiently handled and adjusted his own defenses to take account for the man at his back, compensating his parry attempts to ward blows away from Kedo also.

Upon concluding the practice session, the three Crane Bushi bow respectfully to the ronin.

"_{I could've taken them both,}" Kakita Ginta grumbles, before Daidoji Yukito smacks him upside the head, prompting him to apologize shamefacedly.

"So there are some obvious areas in need of improvement," Daidoji Yukito says, in his businesslike manner, "Kedo-san, Idun-san, Hida-san, Moshi-san, you thoughts?"

 For all the subtle disparities in skill and experience between the various Bushi who have moved through one another in the dance of blades, not to mention the difference in station between those with a family name to lend them honour and those who have none, Kedo's bow is deep and respectful enough to satisfy the touchiest Crane, even favouring Kakita Ginta with a wry smile when straightened and observing that "Notable masters of the sword have spoken well of confidence - it is a necessity if one wishes to cut. But it must be tempered with the knowledge that it cannot grant victory. Only the certainty that live, or die... one will cut."

 "In any case, I believe that our first instincts were the most reliable. We would need to be swordsmen by far better than yourselves to make worthwhile disrupting your obvious familiarity with one another in battle by our own placement." Kedo points out, glancing to the others with him, "I would therefore suggest that Idun-san and myself work upon your flanks in the event of open battle - letting the force of a charge break on your defence and then moving in to devastate it as it falters."

OC - Apologies to folk, somehow this fell off my list.

Bowing low to those who had given him the latest extensive workout Idun let his fellow speak first of all, his features blank as he considered the man's words and the fight they had just indulged in. When his time came to speak he responded quietly, considering each in turn.

"You complement each other better than we do. Wherever one lacks the others pick up. As a unit I have little to say other than to express a desire never to face you in ernest. As for how we would feature I agree with Kedo to a degree. Our abilities are not suited to meshing with the already existing cohesiveness you have. I believe we would function better seperately to support your existing teamwork."

A screen slides to the side and into the dojo steps a tall but slender samurai. His facial hair is neatly trimmed and groomed. His hair is pulled back and up; it is black mostly but there is a streak that is stark white. Whether it is white by some sort of unique occurence or if it is merely the work of dye is hard to tell.

Dressed in clothes to spar in, his daisho is on his left hip.  The saya of his katana is a soft blue with white crane appearing across it, the crane are on the ground with one foot up and a wing extended outward on each extended wing sits a tiny green insect that upon closer inspection would appear to be a Mantis.

Doji Toyozo does not notice the collected bushi at first, indeed he seemed to be deep in thought before casting his eyes around the room. He paused, keeping his face even. An odd collection to be sure.

"My apologies for intruding. I am Doji Toyozo. I was just looking for a place to practice my kata. Will you be using the dojo for a while? And if so would it be a distraction if I were to practice off to the side?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Fri 08 Oct 2010.

 With the mismatched group apparently coming to a consensus about how they're going to handle the upcoming street fighting and achieiving a measure of respect for one anothers skills (with the Ronin seeming to have an appropriate edge in lone-wolf combat and the Clan bushi the superior group training), Kedo is free to part-turn towards Toyozo's arrival and offer a polite bow, before looking to the Crane student who is their effective host - and whom of all of them is the only one with the right to extend the hospitality of the Dojo to one not already a student here.

At the arrival of the Crane Idun nodded to him immeidately, giving no other indication beyond the usual bow of a man to someone above his station of any feelings towards the newest arrival. Straightening he continued to listen for any further debate on the matter of the upcoming battle.

"Of course you may, Doji Toyozo-san," Doji Shinichi bows, "we were just about to debrief regarding our recent training session.  Though..." he says thoughtfully, "you would be welcome addition to our discussion.  As you can see most of us come from non-traditional Crane schools, a more traditional perspective as we examine our response to the Lion would be welcome."

Toyozo nods, "It would be a pleasure, Doji-san, to observe this debreifing. I am curious what schools have you all studied at? And of course your names as well."

He smiles and his eyes drift to each man in the room assessing them each briefly for a moment before moving on to the next.

"Of course, Doji-san," Doji Shinichi bows, introducing each of the Crane as they bow in turn, "I am Doji Shinichi, son of Doji Namura and and Doji Meiko, student of the Mirumoto Bushi School, under the tutelage of Mirumoto Echizen.

"This is Kakita Ginta, son of Kakita Suou and Kakita Arimi, student of the Kakita Bushi School, under the tutelage of Doji Namura.

"This is Daidoji Yukito, son of Daidoji Kuromori and Daidoji Shihomori, student of the Daidoji Bushi School, under the tutelage of Daidoji Keiko.

"The three of us currently train under Kakita Tsutomu, once a student of the road, while we are away from our sensei."

So saying, Doji Shinichi turns to the other members of the group.

"This is Moshi Reiko," he begins, starting with the Mantis shugenja, "honored shugenja of the Mantis.

"This is Idun," he continues, indicating the Ronin with one blade and the tessen, "a student of the road and yojimbo to Moshi Reiko."

"This is Hida Zenko," he says, indicating the Crab, "son of Hida Yuri and Hida Shogo, guest of the Crane, student of the Daidoji Yojimbo School, and yojimbo to Kedo.

"This is Kedo," he concludes, indicating the Ronin with two blades, "a student of the Mi...road.  He came to Toshi Ranbo as the Yojimbo to the shugenja Daidoji Sakura, but has since found that his path diverges from hers.  You may remember his name as the bushi who was primarily responsible for driving off the assassins from the bath house now known as 'the Ronin's Rescue', he is also the same Kedo whom you may have heard is the author of our current defensive plan for Toshi Ranbo."

Toyozo regards his clans men with a nod and bows to Moshi Reiko, Idun, Hida Zenko. he paused a moment before bowing to Kedo as well this bow a bit deeper after hearing of his accomplishments.

"Thank you for over seeing the defense of our city, Kedo-san. Indeed, Kuwanan's unorthodox tactics have always allowed him to stay a step ahead of the Lion. I do not doubt this tactic will pay off as well."

He turns to regard the Crane before him, "A Mirumoto trained Doji & a Kakita in a room together. I believe this has the makings of quite an interesting play." He smiles.

"If it is not outside my duty, may I inquire as to your plans, Kedo-san."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:40, Tue 12 Oct 2010.

 The Miromoto are amongst the most traditional Bushi of any amongst the great clans, perhaps to offset the strangeness of their mountain-dwelling kin. On the other hand for those who live in the gentle lands of the south and east they still have a tendency to appear strange as a result of their isolation, a state that hasn't brought them into contact with the ebb and flow of changing fashions in civilisation as a whole.

 So Kedo, whom in common with many of those who come down from the mountains, can best be described as 'a bit odd' hears the fashion in which he's introduced his expression becomes just a little pained, plainly uncomfortable to hear the deeds of the past few days recounted all in one go and silently sending up the prayer that none of the Bushi present have heard about what transpired in the forge of Kakita Maru, though since the place was full of apprentices, all of whom were absent when he came out of his trance, and who (being apprentices) will have found time to gossip, it's a thin hope and a slender prayer at best.

 The expression of slight strain passes after a moment though, and Toyozo's bow is returned to the greater depth of one who walks the roads to one who has a Great Clan at his back and indicates Doji Shinichi and his companions with one hand, "Not realising that my part in the plans for this city was only to remind the Daidoji of their strength, Doji Shinichi has offered that Idun-San and myself might stand with them come the days of decision... Needless to say, the honour is ours and we leapt at the chance to do so."

 Curiously, he doesn't seem to go into whatever he knows of the plans for the defence of the city against the besieging Lion forces... But there's probably a good reason for that.

Bowing low at his introduction Idun carefully did not meet the higher ranked samurai's eyes, indeed shifting his weight backwards slightly. He had no desire to bring himself into the public eye in this manner, though he was clearly paying close attention to the conversation, in particular mentions of tactics intended.

Rather than intrude on the matter he continued to listen, mind drifting as he did to potential tactics that might be used by defenders and attackers alike.

How delightfully uninformative of two ronin... Toyozo grumbled to himself.

Determined to find more from these strangers he pressed on.  "Well, the Crane are honored at your selfless behaviour. May honour and glory guide you in the coming battle, Kedo-san, Idun-san.  The Lion clan is always a tenacious foe, many would pale at the thought of facing them on the battelfield." Toyozo says.

"Such bravery is to be commended. For even though driving off assassins is a brave and glorious feat, it is an action done in the heat of the moment, where reflex & instinct are masters. Well honed reflex & instinct obviously. BUT to know an impressive & deadly foe is coming and yet maintain your demeanor is truly a tribute to your character and the training you have had on your travels. You as well, Idun.  Tell me, if it is not too personal, what events have transpired in both your lives to have such a steel resolve.  I ask only because it would be good to impart these lessons upon my clan."  a brief smile graces Toyzo's face.

 If Kedo were an ordinary ronin, it would be an act tantamount to suicide to speak of the defensive plans of the city in which he is employed to someone he does not know, whatever their mon... As the rather... singular individual he has proven to be thus far however, it would merely be one of foolishness, a vice he tries his best to avoid indulging in more than the strictly necessary human amount (because a little foolishness from time to time is a much underated preventative).

 This decision is only underlined by the unexpected compliments being offered by Doji Toyozo, and after a moments uncertainty, Kedo offers another smooth bow and answers as best he is able, "I was raised in the mountains, and it is often difficult to speak of them to those who were not... The Road is not what it is in the lowlands, and The Way often winding. In time I left, and came in search of something that I could not find amongst the peaks." he explains, a touch of uncertainty in his voice as he tries to put into words what until now he could only understand, though as he moves out of the mysticism of his native clan and into more recent events that uncertainty passes into the hard fact of history "And in the course of my wandering was recommended to Daidoji Sakura-sama as a potential Yojimbo when no suitable Bushi of her own house was available at short notice."

 "As for the Lion? - They are skilled and courageous, but they are mortal men and women as are we. That is their strength. I expect to learn much from them, and if it is the last lesson I am given to learn in this life then so be it, but I shall endeavour to make it a lengthy one." he adds at the last, a faint smile playing about his lips, almost wistful rather than cocksure or overconfident.