It was getting crowded in Doji Kasarugi's sitting room.  Between his two yojimbo, Daidoji Sakura, Daidoji Kumi, Bayushi Shinobu, Bayushi Kenshin, Yoritomo Yukiko, and Miya Momoko, he was rapidly running out of room for himself at his own table.

"Well, now that everyone is here," Doji Kasarugi smiles, "let's get some solid facts on the table.  The Lion are rapidly approaching, the Crane need more than vague promises, and your respective Clans need to know what we're willing to offer.  Now who would like to begin?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:07, Mon 09 Nov 2009.

Kenshin did his best to provide formal introductions to everyone involved. From his group, he introduced Momoko first, his wife second and (as he was the least important) himself last. For the others, he introduced the Governor first (as it should be) and Dadoji Sakura second. As he had never met Sakura's yojimbo, he could not introduce her, but rather deferred that introduction.

Kenshin then waited for either the Governor or the Imperial to speak. They were not here for him ...

[I assume you meant Bayushi Shinobu, Kenshin's wife, instead of Bayushi Sakura? If not, I'll edit.]

Sakura sat across from the small group. She waited for the Governor to speak before introducing her Yojimbo.

"This is Daidoji Kumi."

When she was introduced, Kumi bowed to the assembled company, her face as blank and impassive as a plank of wood.
Her role was not to negotiate, but to guard the shugenja, and since she was unlikely to come under attack in the private rooms of the Governor of Toshi Ranbo, Kumi did what she always did when bored; simulated in her head ways she might kill anyone entering the room.
When those possibilities were exhausted she moved onto ways she could most efficiently kill everyone present. This offered more scope for her mind, since there were so many options for who to kill first. The governor's yojimbo were the obvious choice, but she had heard that the Scorpion was a remarkable swordsman. Then again, could she safely leave Sakura till later? She could better defend herself from steel than the wrath of the kami. The exercise was, perhaps, purely academic, but Kumi believed in being prepared.

Looking rather uncomfortable, Momoko bowed as she was introduced. She looked at the others gathered, not seeming to note the unsavoury and violent thoughts of the Doji.  She flattened her obi which held both her swords nervously, nodding her thanks to Bayushi-san for his kind words.

"The Miya do not want a war to happen." Despite her nervousness, the small woman spoke with confidence. "That the Lion and the Crane are ready to fight without first seeking arbitration could be considered shameful by some people.  I volunteer to act as arbitrator, unless one of the Otomo family can be found, or someone more suited to the task steps forward. I have strong ties to the Crane clan, but I will freely seppuku if the final judgement is at all influenced by this.  I am an instrument of the Emperor."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Fri 13 Nov 2009.

"It is a little late for that," Doji Kasarugi replies, raising an eyebrow, "the Lion army is already on its way.  And why should we expect any aid from the Black Lion?  His own brother was slain attempting to take Toshi Ranbo from the Crane.  Besides," he shrugs, "this city has always gone to the Clan with the strength to take and hold it.  No Lion ever demanded intervention from the Emperor when the Crane took it, no Crane will do our enemies less honor than they have shown us.  You may choose to stand with us or stand apart, Miya-san.  If you choose the latter, the Crane will still welcome you as our guest; but if you choose to stand with us, it will be as a Crane."

"What word from our allies among the Scorpion and the Mantis?"

Miya bowed as Kasarugi finished. "I most respectfully agree, however, may I be permitted, on behalf of the Crane, to try and find a peaceful solution to this problem?  I feel that it may be possible.  If my life can buy the lives of many, then it is an endevour worthy of a Miya."  As she spoke, she flushed, going very white.  The realisation that she might get Bayushi Kenshin in harms way should she persue peace bothered her, but then again, so did the prospect of war.

Can I really stand with one side or another?  If I stand with the Crane, they may use that as an Imperial Sanction.  If I stand by and let a war commence, the Lion might view it as a tacit approval of thier aggression.  The only way I can be seen to remain impartial is to refuse to fight for one side or the other and instead become a very visable agent for mediation.

"I will leave immediatly - I do not wish to know of any plans for war, should the Lion act in a manner so as to weed information out of me."

She looked at Bayushi Kenshin.
"I ask that you follow your heart and find your duty there - do not follow me out of a sense of breaking your word.  Your duty is first to your sensei. Mine is to my family"

Kumi could not disguise a slight sneer. This hostage was more bloodless than an Asahina. War was the glorious destiny of any Bushi. Would the Miya let her Grandfather's sword grow rusty through disuse?

It was bad enough that she brought such dishonour upon her school, worse yet that the other Kakita trained students allowed her to.

Miya bowed, and stood. She noted the sneer of the yojimbo but did not react.  Instead she flattened her obi, tucked a stray hair behind her ear and smiled.
"With your permission I will leave." she said, and walked to the door.

Kenshin looked at the Yojimbo, though he kept his "Face" about him. Much easier to do behind a thick mask, of course. Before he spoke, he looked to the Governor.

"Forgive me if this seems out of place" Kenshin said with a slight bow, "but she speaks with the Imperial Voice -- this my wife and I heard with our own ears. Given the Duty of the Miya, then, the Choice of a Miya for this post is significant -- the desire for peace must be assumed to come from the Emperor's lips. Should the Lion choose to ignore this and bring Dishonor upon themselves ... well, that is their choice."

"She is still with the Crane of course. Should you permit her to do so, I will be escorting the Imperial Voice. The mission is hers, I will remain silent if I am permitted; but the Lion scouts have undoubtedly learned of the approach -- and the timing -- of the Scorpion troops now en route."

Timing?

"Surely they will wonder what the Scorpion are up to -- but there will be no doubt who we aide. Thus if honor and the Voice of the Emperor does not dissuade them, then perhaps their tactical senses will."

"Shitrurei Itashimasu*"

Kenshin bowed once more and rose to follow his charge.

[A very formal "excuse me"]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:48, Sun 22 Nov 2009.

Sakura lifted an eyebrow, both at her Yojimbo and at the reply that came. The Imperial Voice? Apparently someone at the Imperial Enclave was listening ... but it could just as easily be the opposite. And being witnessed by the Junshin -- and his Imperial wife? That could not have been an accident.

Sakura remembered the note sent to the now deceased commander.

"That is certainly noble" she finally inserted, "and I had heard that the Eyes of the Emperor would be cast upon the Crane during this battle ..."

Kumi recomposed her expression, and swallowed her disdain.

"Has there been any official word from the Imperial families, Doji-dono?" She asked, archly. "The Lion would surely resent being forced to cede their apparent claim to Toshi Ranbo after so many centuries of contention. If the Imperium has thrown its support behind its Left Hand, I would be surprised if the Right Hand were to meekly return west. They will likely contest our borders elsewhere." She spoke with no rancour, despite the subject matter.

"Forgive me if I was not clear, Daidoji-San" Kenshin interjected politely, "Momoko-Sama is the 'official word'."

"For now, Bayushi-san," Doji Kasarugi replies, "but there are far too many ways for Miya-san's message to get 'lost' or even simply delayed in transit.  The Lion might choose to hold her as a 'guest' while they confirm her identity and traveling papers.  They might demand that she show proof of the Emperor's intent in his own hand--forcing her to travel to Otosan Uchi and back.  There might even be an entirely innocent miscommunication between the two Lion armies, with the end result that the attack still occurs.  While we may hope for Miya-san's success in this matter, we cannot depend upon it.  Follow Miya-san, Bayushi-san, and know that the hope of the Crane goes with you."

"Which leads us back to those upon whom we can rely," he says returning to the remaining samurai, "Sakura-san, what word from the Scorpion?  Will they stand with us?  and in what numbers?"

Kumi kept her own counsel once more. So far as she had been aware the Miya was a guest of the Crane. Presumably an honoured one, since she had been allowed to train at the Kakita Dojo, so quite when she had received the Imperial sanction to declare the upcoming skirmish against the will of the Emperor, Kumi could not tell.

Of course, word might have been passed from another Imperial representative, but in that case, why was said representative not present to provide the proclamation personally? And why was a hostage to the Crane being used in this manner? Lacking any physical representation of the Emperor's wishes she would be largely ignored by the Lion, who would probably consider her partial to the Crane cause, and part of some elaborate ruse. Perhaps that was Kasarugi's intent, for he would surely realise that the Lion would not simply back down in front of the Miya and her Scorpion retainer, especially when both openly carried the Kakita school mon.

Where it not for the recent confusion in the Daidoji command structure, involving the other clans at all would not have been an issue, and in the aftermath, regardless who finally occupied Toshi Ranbo, there would be such fallout that the Doji courtiers wouldn't have seen its like since the Great Clan War.

In the end, all Kumi could do was ensure that she sold her life dearly, though whether it was to the Lion, Scorpion, Mantis, or even her own clan, she could not say.

Miya Momoko strode out of the place and found herslef a horse.  She heard footsteps behind her and smiled.  "Bayushi-san, I am glad you have come. I hope you realise that this course of action might bring you into conflict with the orders from your sensei, and I do not wish it was so.  You have the oppertunity to turn about and I shall not hold it against you."

Miya prepared herself for what would be a dangerous and wearing mission of peace, leaving behind her armour and ensuring she was impeccibly dressed before mounting the smallest, most patghetic mare she could find.

"It would be better if you could hide any mons, Bayushi-san.  My plan is to look as innoffesive as possible, and the kakita bushi school mon might be the only excuse a Matsu killer needs to start attacking."  Miya was wearing clothes with only her family mon.

"Naturally" Kenshin replied with a smile, "but most of those ways would make the Lion look weak or dishonorable. And there is nothing that the Doji could not use in the courts against them."

Kenshin bowed and took his leave, his wife presumably trailing behind him. When they finally caught up, he listened to Momoko and considered what she said.

"Of course, Miya-Dono" he replied, "I will change to something that has only my Clan Mon when I take Shinobu back the Scorpion Conclave. Might I also suggest that Kasarugi-Dono is correct, that having something in writing from Seppun-Sama would considerably smooth the mission."

"The Lion will undoubtedly be looking for any excuses they can conjure ... there is no point in providing another for them."

"And as for my Sensei, I have been returned to my Clan and they have allowed me this freedom. My Sensei will only be concerned that I have acted honorably between the time I left the Dojo and the time I return."

[I have no objections to fast forwarding, if that is desired. All Kenshin needs is to make sure his wife is safe and to change his Kimono.]

"Seppun-sama... good idea.  I never heard Kasarugi's advice... I'm afraid I am quite focused on the task at hand."

"Bayushi-san, I have never fought except for in dueling situations. I am... concerned that I may freeze. If i do that, i fail so many people.  I am afraid of failure."

Miya turns while Bayushi goes to get changed, and seeks out Seppun-sama for a writ from him to engage the Lion in mediation talks.

"There is a saying among my Clan, Miya-Sama -- 'There is no failure, only success or death'. All you need do is speak for the Emperor, and your very presence will do that."

"So you cannot fail."

"You will succeed in delivering the Son of Heaven's will -- regardless of what the Lion choose to do about it."

"Not only are you a skilled swordsman, you are a wise advisor as well, Bayushi-san.  Thankyou"

Kenshin bowed his gratitude.

"I will meet you at the Imperial quarters then ..." he said with a bow. She would not be in any danger here in Crane territory ... or so he would think.

Kenshin turned to leave.

Timing.

It would have been better had Kenshin not mentioned this, but he was correct -- the Akodo would undoubtedly notice.

"Five Kaisha will arrive within four days*."

That meant that the troops had to have left the day that the Imperial Messenger arrived -- and before the treaty was secured.

"More disturbing, however, I had a visitation yesterday. The Enemy tells me that they have accomplished their goal in this city and that they have left. I believe that they have left, but the other disturbs me."

"It may be that they are referring solely to the departure of some of our Daidoji, but I would rather check that assumption."

"And what have the Crane offered for such unprecidented and generous support?" Doji Kasarugi asks.  You can tell that the governor is more than mildly curious--or perhaps concerned would be a better word--about the speed and intensity of the Scorpion's response, however, your immediate survival is the paramount concern.

"As far as I know" Sakura replied truthfully, "just what was mentioned here -- fostering a few of their Samurai with the Crane."

"How...altruistic of them," Doji Kasarugi replies, "I worry when the Scorpion act in an altruistic manner.  But," he continues briskly, "that is a matter for another time.  Is there a plan of deployment to meet the Lion when they come?"

"They were working on it when I spoke to them last night. I have not not checked in with the Commander today, but I was going to call and find out if they needed anything."

"Perhaps, while we wait for the Mantis to bring word of their acceptance or decline of our request," Doji Kasarugi says, "the two of you might help to organize our defenses.  Not that I doubt the efficacy of our samurai, but the confusion of a new commander may require some additional support."

"Of course" Sakura replied, "by your leave ..."

[Sakura will leave when given permission and head directly to the Daidoji encampment.]

Kumi bowed in acknowledgement of the instruction, and when Sakura was dismissed she rose smoothly to her feet and accompanied her charge from the room.

"Go then, with my full support," Doji Kasarugi replies offhandedly, passing Daidoji Sakura a swiftly scribbled note, "oh, and remind the new commander that Doji Kusanagi's orders still stand--with one small alteration detailed here."

[Private to Daidoji Sakura: the note reads, There will be no...irregular operations outside Toshi Ranbo's walls, until the Scorpion arrive.  He could not have anticipated such a rapid response from our allies, and we cannot afford to waste this opportunity.]

"Of course" Sakura replied. She took the note, bowed, and headed out ...

[Sorry!]

The Daidoji complex continues to bustle with activity as all of the Harriers make preparations for a battle far different than the ones their peers believe that they will be fighting.  Sakura and Kumi are quickly ushered into the new commander's war room where they find him pouring over maps of Toshi Ranbo and the surrounding terrain.

"Commander ..." Sakura said politely, not wishing to interrupt prematurely, "a message for you."

"Thank you," Daidoji Takamura replies absently, studying the maps for while he opens the scroll, "Fortunes preserve us!" he curses, reading Doji Kasarugi's hastily scrawled message, "what does he think we are, miracle workers?

"Do you know where that ronin you were with went?  I was hoping that, with the loss of Ryu-sama, Kasarugi-sama would give us some leeway with our...irregular operations, but I suppose not."

"The Scorpion will arrive in four days" Sakura replied, "sooner than any of us expected. As for Kedo ... I know where to look for him."

"Would you like us to go fetch him?"

"No, if you see him, please invite him to return to explain the finer points of his strategy," Takamura replies, "but there are other things that are more critical to deal with before we reach that point.

These are the primary choke points that we've identified," he continues, pointing to several places on the map, "if you two could check to see that the barracades and other...welcoming items are placed efficently?"

"Certainly" Sakura replied. She examined the map to make sure that she knew where the choke-points were before turning to leave.

Sakura and Kumi head towards the first--and most obvious--of the choke points, the main southern gate.  The crew here is exclusively Daidoji and a large area has been cordoned off and tented into which none without the Daidoji mon may pass.  Once the two of them enter the tented area it is quickly evident why such major precautions are being taken--the wall is being reinforced with stones behind which are hidden barrels of gaijin pepper.

[Private to Daidoji Sakura: it'll be a couple of posts before the sound that Bayushi Kenshin heard reaches Toshi Ranbo ^_^]

Sakura's eyes went wide at the sight. This was a mistake -- one that she would do her best to rectify.

"Who's in charge here?" she asked the nearest Daidoji quietly.

[Just to let you know where this is going, I need to know who gave the orders to use Gaijin powder inside the city. We've gotta fix this ...]

Kumi followed Sakura passively. Quite what a priest would be expected to know of tactics she wasn't sure. Kumi was no general herself, possessed of only the rudimentary familiarity picked up by a career soldier, but that still might reasonably be expected to exceed that of a shugenja raised in the pacifist Asahina tradition. Still, she was a Daidoji, so perhaps the more martial inclinations of her blood had yet persisted.

She had looked over the plans before leaving the general's office, and they had seemed sound. The barricades observed throughout the city appeared well enough constructed. Inside the Daidoji lines she frowned at the sight of barrels of Gaijin pepper. Quite why the Daidoji had mined their own defences was unclear.

[private to kaze no kage: see dice roller. battle+intelligence=28 battle+traps=24]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:22, Wed 13 Jan 2010.

"Daidoji Arimi, Daidoji-san," the nikutai replies, gesturing towards a small, mousy looking Daidoji giving quiet but competent commands near the gate.

[Private to Daidoji Kumi: what you're looking at is a boobytrap designed to trap a contingent of Lion within the walls while transforming the gate into a wall.]

Sakura gave her thanks and then went immediately to Arimi. She bowed, and waited only long enough the get his attention.

"Arimi-San" she asked quietly, "who gave authorization for ... this?"

She clearly meant the Gaijin powder.

"I did, Daidoji-san," Daidoji Arimi replies politely, clearly this is a woman unafraid to take responsibility for her errors--or her successes, "the Ronin's plan called for us to be able to control in influx of Lion troops, but this gate is too wide for that to be feasible.  This particular configuration allows us to shut it permanently without eliminating it's usefulness as a choke point.  The gaijin pepper is enough to crumble the stone without damaging the structural integrity of the entire wall."

Kumi was prepared to trust that the quantity of Gaijin Pepper was small enough that any explosion would shift several tons of stone without being obvious. However she knew it would destroy more stone than it would create, and the gate was broad. Would there be enough stone to adequately blockade the gate?  Instead of a rampart, there would be a scree of rubble that determined Lion might climb.

"Arimi-san, I suspect that Sakura-sama is afraid that the cause of the collapse be inobvious.

"My own concern is that to shift so much stone will be to leave a less defensible weak point for the Lion to focus on, that will simply not be worth the certain destruction of a few dozen of our enemy.

"If we demolish some of the houses nearby we might better be able to barricade the gate, or, should we choose to collapse it now, we might use the building supplies to construct some form of rampart atop the rubble. There will be no time during the fighting, and that sort of structure will offer an advantage against more than just the first wave of troops.

"I volunteer to move the peasants from their homes that we might use them."

"No" Sakura replied quietly, "my concern is different. Should the Lion find out -- by any means, even a lucky Hohei -- that we are using this, we are very likely to loose Toshi Rambo in the courts."

Kumi wasn't there when the warning was discovered, so she wouldn't know such a thing.

"On the other hand, our courtiers can easily defend a ... more generic construction. I can summon any raw elements, though I don't know in what quantities until I try, that might be useful in such a construction -- and they are usually round."

Sakura looked around for a moment. She was familiar with traps, but by no means an expert.

"It would take ... what, fifty on each side?"

"While the blessings of the Kami are always desirous, the Lion will certainly seize on any suggestion that we have used such dishonourable methods as traps, in which case a collapsing wall is easier to defend than a pile of boulders."

"As long as the Lion" Sakura whispered in a lower voice, "can't trace this back to us, you can do whatever you wish."

Sakura was trying to make clear that she didn't disapprove of the plan -- as long as the Crane were not caught with black powder.

"Perhaps a compromise is in order," Daidoji Arimi replies, "we did not include the possibility of shugenja support in our calculations--the Asahina have often been difficult to deal with in these situations.  If you could create a few extra tons of stone, we can be more subtle in our use of the gaijin pepper."

As if to punctuate her words, a low echoing rumble sounds in the distance.  The sound is like thunder...or the distant application of a large quantity of gaijin pepper.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:58, Tue 19 Jan 2010.

Sakura thought for a moment. Eventually she came to the conclusion that it was probably worth it.

"I will do what I can" she replied, "In the time allotted."

Sakura drew a scroll from her pouch. Like most Shugenja, she had mastered this spell early but it was always easier with the scroll in hand.

"Are you looking for weight or quantity?"

[Private to Kaze no Kage: Do you want me to do the rolls, or just 'wing it as GM'? Personally, I'd prefer the latter.]

Kumi's head tilted at the far off sound of thunder. "Subtle," she remarked, wryly.
She would have liked a better idea of what the ronin's plan had been. Even a small contingent of Harriers would excel at street to street fighting, but that was only any good once the Lion rolled into the city, and by that time it would likely be too late. All the same, she did not relish facing the Lion on the fields outside Toshi Ranbo, and the only other option was a siege, which would negate the one advantage Harriers most relied upon, mobility.

Still, tactics were not her responsibility. Her role was only to ensure the survival of this strange shugenja, and hopefully this would give her a chance to feed some Lion their own teeth.

"Quantity, though something a little more dense than pumice stone would be preferable," Daidoji Arimi replies.

OOC:  okay, here's where things get interesting.  I'm experimenting with how to make player preparations matter in mass battles, where there's no PC in command.

Sakura:  make an Earth/Spellcraft check TN 30 (don't bother making the normal spell casting rolls)
Kumi:  make an Intelligence/Traps check TN 30

Each Raise (free or otherwise) will give a +1 bonus to the Battle roll for this location.  Don't forget the free raises from beating the TN by 10.
Failure will give a -1 penalty to the battle roll.

if you guys have a better idea, please suggest it ^_^

[Oh ... kay. Two questions for you:
1) Do I get to keep the raise for using a scroll while having Mastery?
2) Can I use Wisdom of the Kami first?

I have two chances of making the "raw" roll: Slim and None. (4k2 raw; w/void is 5k3. Even 8k3 (void + wisdom of the Kami) is stretching it ...).]

OOC:
1) yes, any raises you would get from items apply
2) yes, assume anything you would normally do before a difficult task that you have time to prepare for also apply
3) you may also substitute your Void ring for your Earth ring (I'm considering making this a house rule for any spell casting rolls)
4) you can also use your free raises to lower the TN by 5

that should make your 'raw' roll 6k4, and 10k5 w/void and wisdom of the kami

Well that was unlucky. I even spent a void but still only got a 17. I just hope that Kumi isn't the only Daidoji helping with the trap.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:28, Sun 24 Jan 2010.

[Wait! If you let me ... never mind. ;p

Seriously, though, Sakura can use Wisdom of the Kami on you as well (though it would take two spells). That, plus spending a void point, might give you a shot.

Sakura made her roll, with two raises -- one free, one from excess.

You rolled 46 using 10d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, re-rolling max of 1, 2, 2, 4 & 5 ((9,4,5,(10+7)17,2,5,1,7,2,8)).]

OOC:  basically, these were rolls to see if you were helping to improve the trap.  Arimi's pretty good at these things (which is why she got the front gate and why the TN was a little high)

"Thank you Sakura-san, Kumi-san," Daidoji Arimi bows, once the stone has been summoned and the trap has been redesigned, "this will give the Lion a bloody nose, not enough to send them home, but maybe the accumulation of of enough of them will make them think twice about attacking Toshi Ranbo."

"Think nothing of it" Sakura replied with a polite bow, "but we must go check on a few other things."

Sakura considered the "thunder" in the distance. She was sure that this was no coincidence -- it was certainly what she would have done. It was also what Kedo had suggested.

Though Sakura doubted he would have used Gaijin Pepper ...

"Where's our next stop?"

[Where's our next stop?  ;p ]

Kumi fell in beside her charge. There was little real danger, which was almost a shame. That would change soon enough.

"Perhaps we might make an inspection of the preparations being made for the house to house fighting, Daidoji-sama."

[OOC:]I have no idea where we are supposed to go next. But we've been standing around long enough!

Sakura and Kumi make their way to the next area that seems to need further support.  They find a major thoroughfare with Crane busying themselves constructing a barracade...badly.  It is clear that the defending forces are far more confused with this project than the last.

"No!  The Lion will be coming from that direction!"

"What are you talking about?  Of course they'll becoming from this direction!"

"Don't put that there!  You'll cut off line of sight for the archers!"

"What archers?"

Sakura cleared her throat, attempting to get the attention of the arguing Samurai. She was not pleased -- this was not how Samurai were meant to act. The Daidoji knew who she was as well as who sent her, so these Samurai should 'snap to'; however, should that not be enough to calm the argument, her stare should suffice.

Daidoji Sakura didn't wait long to assert herself.

"Kumi-Kun*" she interjected firmly, "will be taking charge of this project temporarily on behalf of the Commander."

Name dropping never hurt in these kinds of situations.

"Make a full tactical assessment" Sakura said, turning to her Yojimbo, "and give me your recommendations."

Kumi would undoubtedly be much better at this sort of thing than Sakura would. In fact, the best thing to do until a plan was devised was to get out of Kumi's way.

Sakura moved a short distance away and sat down to meditate.

Kumi rejoiced at being given free reign, and simultaneously lamented at having to restrain her own proclivities. The two emotions combined to a white hot fury, which couldn't fail to be apparent in her every word and gesture.

"Who are you, and what are your roles in the ronin's strategy?"

Mentally she oriented her location in terms of the city maps she had memorised in the Daidoji commanders head quarters.

[private to gm: If there are any appropriate rolls, feel free to make them for me. I'm not really terribly sure what's going on.]
PM

"Hiramichi Itsu, vassal to the Daidoji Family, Daidoji-san," one of the builders replies, "this is Hiramichi Katsu, Hiramichi Maruko, and Hiramichi Shitsuro.  We are to construct this barricade as a fall back position for our staged retreat...

"No!" Hiramichi Maruko interrupts, "this is supposed to be one of the primary blockages to channel the Lion into more controllable areas!"

"And there is some discussion about the direction that the Lion will be approaching our position," Hiramichi Katsu replies dryly, "as you can see this discussion is impeding our efficiency."

OOC:  the soldiers here don't have the big picture, so they're a bit confused about the part that they're supposed to play ^_^

an Awareness/Battle check TN 15 to explain things so that they will understand--further embellishments (traps, ambushes, etc. will take further rolls)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:02, Thu 18 Feb 2010.

Kumi was silent for a moment. Typically she worked alone, so the issuing of instructions was somewhat unfamiliar to her. There was some justification in the Ji-samurais' confusion. The Ronin's plan was simple in its grand objectives, but complex in the details. While if this barricade should fall before its time, it would not be a disaster for the Crane, the Crane to Lion kill ratio would not be as pleasing.

She spoke. "He is right," she nodded towards one of the vassels, "he is wrong" she continued with a gesture towards another. "When all goes to plan, the Lion will approach in smaller numbers from that side. They will throw themselves upon this position in increasingly desperate numbers. You are to kill them until they breach the barricade, and then stage a fighting retreat in that direction, that direction and that direction." She pointed towards three narrow alleys, which led, according to the Daidoji's maps of the city, towards more fortified points such as this one. "You will all gain great honour in bleeding the Lion Clan white for their impetuous bravado."

OOC: I rolled a 20. And now I am out of void :(
This message was last edited by the player at 11:34, Thu 18 Feb 2010.

Sakura watched, prepared to support her Yojimbo if it were needed. There were things that the Kami could do, when properly petitioned, and sometimes an encouraging word could go a long way.

"Hai, Daidoji-san!" the ji-samurai reply with aplomb, getting straight to work as Kumi directs.

"Are there any refinements that you wish to include, Daidoji-san?" Hiramichi Katsu asks.

"There may be, Hiramichi-san. I shall need to investigate this particular location more carefully. For now, continue to reorient that barricade."

Kumi let the ji-samurai get to work, and after a brief reconnoitre of the area, returned to Sakura's side. "Daidoji-sama. The Hiramichi now understand what they must do. We may be able to improve the fortification, perhaps by collapsing the buildings to cover our mens' retreat. What do you think?"

Sakura smiled at her Yojimbo. This situation was unusual, to say the least ... a Shugenja helping with preparations for mass warfare.

"I'm afraid I can't advise you on this matter without consulting the Kami" Sakura replied quietly, "However if you believe that you can collapse the buildings in such a way as to cover their retreat without hindering it, I will support you in this matter."

That was, in the long run, all Sakura could do.

"Tactically speaking it is sound. I am no architect, but we might weaken the supporting beams so that they might be easily demolished by the Hiramichi as they retreat, perhaps with a lever..." She pondered.

OOC: intelligence + traps?

OOC:  yes, Int/Traps +3 free raises

Despite the poor showing that the ji-samurai demonstrated when you arrived, they jump to your orders with speed and finesse--showing that they were not unskilled, simply in need of direction.

int + traps result of 19, plus raises is 34, if that's how you want to work it.

Sakura stayed to the side, allowing her Yojimbo to take care of the issues.

Kumi and the ji-samurai have outdone themselves with the construction of their barracade--the Lion will be in for an extremely unpleasant surprise when they try and fail to pass this particular barrier.

OOC:  your next location is a fall back point where the Asahina shugenja are preparing medical supplies in preparation for the wounded.  This is also where Daidoji Sayuri will rejoin the game ^_^

Sakura led the way to where the shugenja were preparing. Probably the most vulnerable part of the city because of their pacifistic nature, she was quite concerned ...

Kumi fell in beside Sakura, her mind, as always, on the coming violence and her part in it.
The Asahina could preach their pacifism all they liked, it would have no impact on this particular bloodthirsty Daidoji.

Daidoji Sakura and Daidoji Kumi come upon the Medic Station and find three very different situations occurring simultaneously.  Asahina shugenja are rushing around preparing scrolls as well as more mundane methods of dressing wounds.  Separately, several Kakita and Daidoji bushi are clustered around a table discussing defensive tactics.  Meanwhile, there is an extremely loud argument going on between a fussy little Asahina shugenja and a Daidoji bushi, while a familiar face--Daidoji Sayuri--looks on.

"Asahina Makuro-sama," the Daidoji snarls, "I understand your objections, but I am trying to assure your safety and the safety of your patients!"

"Obviously you don't understand, Tsuchiya-kun," the Asahina shugenja sputters, "otherwise you wouldn't keep insisting on bringing violence and bloodshed into my temple...such that it is," he gestures to the medical tent that provides shelter, but is easily transportable, "you keep your bushi outside unless they're bleeding!  I won't have you using this place as a battle ground!"

Sayuri stepped between the two with a giggle and an adorable smile. "Tsuchiya-chan, please? We don't have a lot of space in here, and we need your men outside to watch for danger." Leave the hard nose for Makuro-sama; Sayuri would turn on the sweetness-and-honey.

"Not to mention the distractions that you would cause each other, ne?"

Sakura did not introduce herself properly. There wouldn't really be any need for that, and it would probably just get in the way in any event.

"If I might be blunt, the problem of safety might be better solved with other means, ne? Barriers, decoy tents ..."

She was not trying to sound stupid, but she was making it clear that this was not her specialty.

"... and other such strategic details that Kumi-Kun is more trained in than I. We can keep your troops outside the hospital tent and provide excellent protection."

"Probably even better then if you were in here with them, ne Kumi-Kun?"

Kumi gave a disinterested half shrug.

"Bushi would be more valuable manning defences around the perimeter, while the Asahina stand ready to evacuate when the Daidoji deem the fighting to be uncomfortably close.

"Once the Lion have penetrated among the tents they will have such numbers that any bushi stationed within the tents will be overcome, leaving the Lion to execute any wounded that they find; though we might rely on their honour to not cut down the priests."

Kumi's bloodless tone suggested that whether the Asahina lived or died was nothing to her.

"We might demolish these peasant's houses to secure material to construct a rudimentary pallisade." She gestured towards the nearby buildings.

"Fine!  Fine!" the squad leader replies, throwing up his hands in frustration, "but if you are slain, Asahina-dono, don't complain to me in Tengoku!"

"Daidoji-san," he says, in a more respectful and moderated tone to Daidoji Kumi, "I have men prepared to do just that, but I fear to cut off the lines of retreat to this area from the front, as the wounded will be coming here."

Kumi squinted critically at the area.

"I see your concern. We are not trying to build the Kaui wall here, we have neither the time nor the materials, so a rudimentary barrier will have to suffice. Perhaps two overlapping walls, in that space" she gestured to one of the larger breaks in the buildings. "With a crooked path between through which the wounded might pass in good order, but which we will block with rubble when the Lion are sighted. The other buildings might also be collapsed to impede the Lion advance as the Asahina fall back."

Sayuri spoke up. "Why block the hole, so to speak?" she asked. "Couldn't you block it with men, turn it into a killing path?"

"As fun as that sounds, the Lion will have more men than us, so in a straight battle of attrition they will win. We must fight where we can from a position of tactical superiority. Heavens know, where we do secure a tactical advantage it won't last long." Kumi frowned.

"See to it," the Daidoji squad leader orders his men, before turning back to Kumi, "our advantage lies in being able to force the Lion into the channels that we want and being able to kill more of them faster than they can do the same to us," he shrugs, "it's not a strategy that I'd like to try out on the plains, but it's one that's worked well for the Dragon in their mountains and it's one that I think will work here."

"It will work, provided the Lion troops follow the paths we have set out for them. Unfortunately, city streets do not offer the same reassuring solidity as the Dragons' mountains. We must hope they do not force their own path - and adapt when they do - since we can be certain they shall not retreat."

"Do not be so certain" Sakura interjected. She had watched quietly, tactics not being her specialty, but there were ways to make the Lion retreat. They were not Crane ways, but the ways existed.

"The Fortunes may yet deliver a victory without blood. Prepare for the worst, but always allow for good fortune."

Sakura could do it herself, but the risk would probably be to great.

Probably.

"Of course, Daidoji-san," the Daidoji replies to Sakura, "I would greatly appreciate the opportunity for all of the survivors of the Clan War to see another year.  But sometimes the Fortunes do not smile."

"We have set some...obstacles for the Lion, in case they decide to diverge from the plan," he says to Kumi, "a few are traditional--baracades and the like--but we have also weakened the floors of the buildings along their path.  If the Lion should choose to make their way through the residences, they will find themselves in basements full of spears."

Kumi gave a narrow smile at the information.
"You seem to have everything in hand here now, Daidoji-san. May the Fortunes see to it that we meet again to share our tales of fighting over a warm cup of saki."

OOC: I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do here. It seems we are mostly done.

Then let's move on to the next location!

Kumi bowed in farewell to the gathered guards and returned to her charge's side.

"I believe matters are now in hand here, Daidoji-sama. Where to next?"

For the next several hours, the Daidoji Trio of Kumi, Sakura, and Sayuri travel across the width and breadth of Toshi Ranbo refining strategy, discussing tactics, and and creating new ways to make the life of the Lion as short and unpleasant as possible.  This pattern would most certainly have continued if a young messenger had not arrived to inform Sakura of a rather important arrival.

"Daidoji Sakura-sama," the young peasant says breathlessly, "there is a troop of Scorpion at the southern gate and the Governor requests that you go to speak with them."

Sakura nodded to the messenger. "Please tell the Governor I will see to it immediately." Sakura then turned to her two companions.

"Time for a detour."

Sakura made her way to the Scorpion contingent, confident that the other two would follow.

Sayuri followed along at Sakura's heels, quietly clutching her medicines and scroll satchel.

Kumi's expression became even more sullen. Scorpions. What price would they extract for their help? In all likelyhood it would be greater than the cost of losing the city to the Lion. And Scorpions were difficult to kill.

Still, now was not the time to lose focus. Her duty laughably demanded she accompany the shugenja wherever she went, so follow she did. The mornings experience at least reassured Kumi that come the battle she would not be stuck in the rear watching over a soft priest. Sakura, it seemed, liked to get her hands dirty.

The three of you are quickly ushered to the southern gates of Toshi Ranbo.  On the other side of the gate, under an open pavilion drinking tea, sit the governor, the Daidoji commander, and a Scorpion dressed in great armor with a steel mempo depicted a horse-faced demon of some variety--presumably this is the commander of the Scorpion forces currently present.  Standing, watching everyone and everything warily are the various assorted yojimbo.

OOC:  move to Chapter 8 - Helping Hands