The drums of the Lion army can be heard well before they are sighted on the horizon.  Rank upon rank of yellow clad bushi march in coordinated step across the plain towards Toshi Ranbo.  Chants praising the history of the Lion echo across the fields until the armies pause outside the walls of the city.

"Children of Doji!" the Lion commander shouts, "the Lion come to claim what is rightfully theirs, taken by treachery!  Either surrender honorably or prepare to meet your ancestors!"

"The Crane have held Toshi Ranbo for generations against the Lion!" Doji Kasarugi replies, his voice enhanced by Asahina magic, "we have held it in battle and in court, if you want it, come and claim it in battle!"

In all reality, Takashi was paying little attention to the grand posturing of the Crane and Lion.  He had a job to do, and was moving into position to perform it swiftly so he could move on to introducing Lion to his Soul.  After several deep breaths, he quietly began to move, preparing for what was next to come.

Toyozo said a silent prayer to his ancestors. His hand floated over his blade waiting for the first sign of his enemy.

Expecting no less from their old enemies, the Lion begin their inexorable advance upon Toshi Ranbo.  The Crane lining the walls put up a token resistance, firing several volleys of arrows into the Lion ranks, but the out pouring of Crane the the Lion had been expecting to flood out of the city never materializes.  Never one to be cautious the Matsu general orders his warriors into the apparently defenseless city...and the battle for Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigisaho begins.

At your position in one of the first choke points--a wide street that, with the strategic placement of barricades, now wanders back into itself, you see the first wave of Lion Ashigaru approaching.

OOC:  roll initiative

Toyozo did not move outwardly but his spirit shifted as he awaited his foes, it would not be long now.

[Private to Kaze no Kage: 00:32, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 37 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,3,4,6,9,7,(10+3)13. init.
Add a 10 to it as a result of the Rank 1 ability of the kakita school and I have a 47.
Please let me know when it is my turn to act whose initiative score I beat by ten or more. Thanks.]

Takashi's eyes narrowed as he waited for the first wave.

[Private to GM: 22 initiative, swapping with person closest to me that is higher than myself via combat reflexes]

 For the first time since he came to Toshi Ranbo, Kedo is dressed in the simple armour that he's carried about with him in his small bundle of possessions, the plates and straps laquered and died a clear, plain pearl-grey without emphasis or mon and utterly without any evidence of ever having possessed any.

 He's been passing the time waiting for the assault to begin by delicately sharpening his sword and discussing the philosophy of smithcraft with the Crane bushi alongside whom he's been privilaged to be permitted to fight, and with the onrush of the first wave of Lion settles himself into a defensive posture on one flank, eyes unfocused, breathing slow and steady.

 ---

 01:57, Today: Kedo rolled 21 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,8,1,6,1,3,7. Initiative.

Separated by the maze that Toshi Ranbo has become, only eight ashigaru make it to the position where Kedo, Takashi, and Toyozo are making their stand.

"FOR THE LION!" the ashigaru cry as they catch sight of the first enemies within the walls that they have encountered and charge towards the three samurai.

Inititive:  10
TNtbH:  15
all three of you act before the eight ashigaru, please post your actions
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:49, Tue 21 Dec 2010.

Takashi's eyes narrow as he sees the eight ashigaru.  His hand moves slowly to his katana as he closes in on one of them, drawing it with a brilliant flash.  Perhaps, in this case, the flash was simply too much, and he found that his swing simply lacked the killing efficiency he desired out of it, sliding off of the armor of the ashigaru.

[Private to GM: 00:01, Today: Bayushi Takashi rolled 15 using 8d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3,3,6,5,2,1,2. Free raise-damage, 3 raises damage.
00:00, Today: Bayushi Takashi rolled 42 using 8d10+11, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,7,7,9,(10+1)11,1,(10+1)11,6. Iaijutsu-fast draw blade.

TN to be hit is 35]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:03, Sun 19 Dec 2010.

 Kedo, separated for the moment from the companions he'd agreed to stand beside by the necessity of covering this side-street, smoothly draws both swords as the Ashigaru line closes, letting them nestle lightly in his hands, balanced to strike as the charge goes in, waiting until the very last moment before he steps out and forwards on Bayushi Takashi's left flank with a call of "Hold them in the centre while I disrupt their line!"

 The first blow is directed along the line of the charge, aimed underneath a striking spear that's deflected high by his wakizashi, intended to come out of the midriff of the charging man, reverse and dart back at neck-height, finishing him and clearing enough space for an attack upon the Ashigaru immediately behind him, who is met by a clumsier but still heavy blow that if it should hit ought to shatter armour and bone alike as it passes through an extended shoulder before a stop-thrust finishes its object...

 ...and who could have expected a Crane city to be warded by a student of Miromoto?

 ---

 Alright. Everyone on my side gets +1k1 to initiative.

 Then Kedo hits 46, 30 & 21. If any of those blows drop someone he hits 61 & 51 with his free 'someone died' blows. Those hits do 23, 19, 21, 16 & 22 respectively, except that I forgot to roll the four raises on 3 and the two each on 4 & 5. Oh well, I'm sure you'll figure it out boss.

[Private to GM:  14:55, Today: Kedo rolled 36 using 8d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+2)12,6,2,5,5,3,(10+8)18,3. Tactical check.
 Everyone gets +1K1 initiative, in case that matters. ^_^

 15:01, Today: Kedo rolled 26 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,7,6,7,2,3,6,6. Initiative after the strike.

 And then, some hits:
 I get a free raise, so both the main hits are at +3 raises in order to give me a third attack. If any blow kills someone, I get one extra attack per kill.

 15:04, Today: Kedo rolled 61 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,4,9,6,(10+9)19,6,6,(10+2)12,8. First attack, three raises.

 15:06, Today: Kedo rolled 45 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,6,8,4,1,1,8,5,7. Second attack, three raises.

 15:06, Today: Kedo rolled 36 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4,2,9,3,6,3,4,3. Third attack, three damage raises.

15:10, Today: Kedo rolled 66 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,6,5,5,(10+7)17,7,(10+9)19,9,8. And if someone dies... 1 (1 raise).

15:10, Today: Kedo rolled 55 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,5,1,2,9,(10+8)18,5,2,6. And if someone dies... 2 (1 raise).

15:14, Today: Kedo rolled 23 using 6d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,8,7,(10+4)14,9,7. Damage.
15:14, Today: Kedo rolled 19 using 6d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2,1,(10+1)11,8,3.
15:14, Today: Kedo rolled 21 using 6d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(10+3)13,8,1,1,1.
15:14, Today: Kedo rolled 16 using 6d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,9,3,1,6,1.
15:14, Today: Kedo rolled 22 using 6d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,7,(10+4)14,7,1,8. ]

[Private to GM: With an Initiative of 37 I get two free raises against these guys.
My TN to be hit is 30, 20+ 5 for lt armor + 5 for ranks in defense.
So First I draw my blade for free as per iaijutsu:
Doji Toyozo rolled 28 using 9d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,2,6,5,1,6,5,7,1. iai draw katana.
Next I will strike with my katana, taking into account the two free raises for the higher initiative I will make two raises for a +1k1 of damage for the strike.
Doji Toyozo rolled 39 using 9d10+10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,6,7,2,2,7,9,2,1. Strike w/ katana w/ 2 raises for Damage.
AND ACTUALLY forgot about my Kakita blade which gives me an additional 1k1 for attacks...
Doji Toyozo rolled 4 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Extra die for attack K Blade. SO A TOTAL OF 43 to hit.
And damage:
Doji Toyozo rolled 25 using 6d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(10+1)11,1,8,6,5. damage. ]

Toyozo steps to the Bayushi's right flank, drawing his blade with a quick and practiced motion. His eyes lock on a single ashigura and all else fades away as his blade swings in an upward arc, hip to shoulder of his target.

The ronin's sudden explosive charge totally disrupts the Lion line, a fact that Bayushi Takeshi and Doji Toyozo quickly take advantage of.  Kedo's blades quickly bring down two of the outmatched Lion ashigaru and badly injure a third.  Takeshi and Toyozo are no less accurate with their iaijutsu technique, if somewhat less effective.

The one of the three injured ashigaru sallies forth bravely alongside their uninjured peers, two of them--cripplied by their injuries--attempt to fall back.  The remaining ashigaru are amazingly successful, managing to injure the three outnumbered samurai.


Kedo takes 19 wounds
Bayushi Takashi takes 12 wounds
Doji Toyozo takes 25 wounds

Ashigaru 1:  Hurt +10
Ashigaru 2:  Crippled +20
Ashigaru 3:  Down +40
Ashigaru 4:  Healthy
Ashigaru 5:  Healthy
Ashigaru 6:  Healthy

23:33, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 25 using 5d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,7,5,3,(10+8)18. Ashigaru 6 damage.
23:33, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 36 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(10+1)11,3,3,9,2,7,3. Ashigaru 6 attack Doji Toyozo.
23:32, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 19 using 5d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(10+2)12,6,6,7. Ashigaru 5 damage.
23:31, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 53 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,7,(10+6)16,(10+10+1)21,3,7,2,9. Ashigaru 5 attack Kedo.
23:31, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 12 using 5d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,8,3,2,4. Ashigaru 4 damage.
23:30, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 56 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,6,(10+10+9)29,(10+2)12,4,7,4,6. Ashigaru 4 attack Bayushi Takashi.
23:29, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 19 using 8d10-10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1,3,7,9,4,6,7. Ashigaru 1 attack Bayushi Takashi.

Takashi seems to completely ignore the effects of the strike that lands on him, his focus looking more towards the blade that just missed him.  Capitalizing on the opening caused by the miss, his weapon sings towards the ashigaru, aiming to cleave a deep cut in the Peasant soldier's side.

Voiding 10 damage down
05:54, Today: Bayushi Takashi rolled 30 using 8d10, keeping the 4 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,8,6,7,3,2,7,8. damage.
05:54, Today: Bayushi Takashi rolled 27 using 8d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(10+4)14,1,3,4,3,3,8. 4 FRS damage, Ashigaru who missed.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:56, Tue 21 Dec 2010.

 With the stop-thrust successful and a second Ashigaru falling away in blood and ruin Kedo's blade hisses smoothly out of the collapsing soldiers breast, circling once and crossing the path of the spear that lunges out at him from the third charging warrior, slashing open his arm even as the spear-point takes the flowing Ronin high on one flank, scoring agonizingly across his torso between the light plates of his armour.

 The wound - though debilitating - is insufficient to slow the Ronins blades however, and the dance continues as he moves past and through his assailant, steel flashing once, twice on the way striking for the spearmans advanced leg, looking to sever the great blood vessels in his thigh before looping up and around at neck-height to decide the matter, another circule step-and-thrust putting a fifth Ashigaru in range of an extended lunge if there should be need and opportunity.

 ---

 Okay, the uninjured guy who stabbed me. I hit 44 and 43 for 25 and 26 damage respectively, then if I have a 'killed someone' stab at the end it goes on whomever is nearest that is uninjured or still looking to engage us. It hits 55 and does 26 - if they go down, feel free to roll the dice for another stab on my behalf.

 My defence stays at 38 and I just hope they don't get that lucky again or I'm screwed. ^_^

[Private to GM:
13:11, Today: Kedo rolled 49 using 9d10+8, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(10+8)18,7,7,3,1,3,9,6. Attack with one raise for damage.
13:11, Today: Kedo rolled 25 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,8,3,8,9,5,3. Damage for each.

13:11, Today: Kedo rolled 47 using 9d10+8, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5,(10+3)13,3,7,6,8,9,9. And again..
13:11, Today: Kedo rolled 26 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,9,3,9,8,7,8.
13:11, Today: Kedo rolled 55 using 9d10+8, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+4)14,(10+8)18,6,4,6,2,9,2,1. And in case someone dies.
13:12, Today: Kedo rolled 26 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5,3,(10+2)12,5,6,8.]

[Private to GM: So I shall also spend a void point to reduce some wounds but dang does that still leave me at 'hurt' level. So my two free raises for having a higher initiative vs. these guys pretty much will be going to lower my own Wound penalties...
01:56, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 47 using 10d10+3, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,6,8,3,7,(10+3)13,4,5,2,7. To Strike ronin 6.
and for damage I screwed up and left it at dropping five lowest... and i rerolled where instead I should have just noted what dice I should have kept. So I should for all intents be keeping the dice roll of the first one which is 22 damage instead of the crazy slice your head off 44.
01:59, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 8 using 6d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5,4,8,8,3. damage.
01:59, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 44 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4,(10+8)18,(10+8)18,8,7. oops correct damage.
PS Strike #6 if he stays fighting I know have an additional +10 to be hit by him bringing me to 40 vs #6 30 vs everyone else... oh plus wound damage :(]


The Crane lets out a hiss and quick slashes at the ashigaru who struck him.  The Crane is clearly hurting but there is certainly a sense that he could be much worse off.  He connects with his foe and does some damage to him though it remains to be seen if this will drive the peasant away from the battle.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:46, Fri 24 Dec 2010.

Two of the remaining ashigaru fall, unable to stand against the fury of the samurai.  The other two, horribly injured by the whirling blades, attempt to disengage and retreat.  The courage of the Lion holds even in their ashigaru, however, and they do not turn to run--choosing not to abandon their more injured companions who are still stumbling away.

Takashi saw little point in attacking people who were retreating, so he chose to refocus himself.  He took time to breathe, to calm himself, before the next storm.

(OOC:Fixed for misunderstanding information)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Wed 05 Jan 2011.

 Kedo however is raised in a different school, not the hard pristine succeed-or-fail of the duellist but the grounded, practical understandings won by the Miromoto upon countless battlefields. The question of which style is the greater will always echo down through Rokugans history but it is and ever has been flawed by the failure to grasp that duels are not battles and battles are not duels.

 His own blood staining the padding under his armour and that of a full hand of spearmen staining the protective garment itself, Kedo briefly raises his katana in salute to the retreating spearmen and steps back, stating simply "You honour your Clan." and waiting until they have retreated out of ready thrusting range before he offers them a simple bow and settles back to examine his injury.

 Each wounded man after all, takes an able-bodied ally out of the fight and must be fed, treated... In the cruel mathematics of siege warfare, such things soon tell.

Toyozo watches the Scorpion take a parting swing at the ashigaru, but holds his own strike as well. Instead he drops his sword low scanning for anymore foes in the vicinity.

Are the ashigaru leaving as Kedo seems to imply or staying to fight as Bayushi-san seems to imply? If they are staying I will swing...

OOC:  the ashigaru are retreating and, injured as they are, they pose no threat.  Attacking them will result in honor loss.

on a separate note:  each skirmish/objective is worth a certain number of Victory Points, you just earned 3 VP.  1 VP for successfully defending your position, 1 VP for each wave of enemies defeated, 1 VP for defeating them in 3 rounds or less.

at this point, your options include:
Pushing back against the Lion:  2 VP Challenge (more VP will be awarded based on how well you do), +1 bonus Glory (in addition to any other Glory awards you earn)
+1d10 healing

Hold position:  1 VP Challenge, +2d10 healing

Fall back:  0 VP Challenge, +3d10 healing, -1 Glory

 OOC: There is an overarcing plan that Kedo has put together for the defence of the city, but for our purposes that plan is 'do what we most want to do as a group'.

 For my money, I say let's relocate and go get 'em. What do you boys and girls think? ^_^

(OOC: I'm good, let's go get 'em)

(charge!!!)

An Asahina Shugenja, retreating from the front lines pauses briefly to offer you her blessings.
[Private to Doji Toyozo: 1 wound healed, +1 honor, +3 glory][Private to Kedo: 6 wounds healed, +1 honor, +3 glory][Private to Bayushi Takashi: 3 wounds healed, -1 honor, +3 glory]

Moving ahead into the next bottleneck, you enter at the same moment as another squad of Lion ashigaru, led by a single samurai proudly displaying the mon of the Matsu.

Roll initiative and post actions

 Despite the potential for a swift, clean charge and the glory of battle Kedo is all too aware that this is a Crane city and that those trained in the archetypical Crane school have precedence here, the Ronin assuming a defensive stance as he cedes the right to engage the commanding Bushi to his companions and visually assesses the remainder of the opposition, standing upon their flank in a defensive posture as he asks, "Does anyone wish to challenge their leader or shall I..?" with humble curiosity.


[Private to GM:  13:43, Today: Kedo rolled 38 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(10+5)15,6,9,3,5,8. Defensive stance.

 That gives me a defence of 71 for the round... which will hopefully keep 'em off while one of my buddies makes a challenge. ^_^]

Takashi continues moving forward, his eyes focused on the lion.  Noting the Matsu mon on the man's armor lit a bit of fire in Takashi's eyes, and he boldly slid his katana back into his sheathe before speaking loudly.  "I, Bayushi Takashi, do challenge you, Matsu-sama, to an honorable duel!"  If the man had any respect for the crane's "precedence", he certainly didn't show it.

[Private to GM: 00:00, Today: Bayushi Takashi rolled 39 using 9d10+3, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(10+1)11,2,(10+6)16,9,2,8,6,1. Initiative. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Mon 17 Jan 2011.

Toyozo curses to himself. But says nothing to challenge the Bayushi's claim.  He waits to see how the Matsu responds.

[Private to Bayushi Takashi; Kedo: Apologies for the delay, guys.]

The ashigaru fan out behind the Matsu samurai, respectful of his precedence rather than fearful of the bushi arrayed before them.

"I am Matsu Maguro, the Furious Roar of the Seventh Legion," the Matsu samurai declares, raising his no-dachi high in preparation for battle, "I put down four honorless Scorpion dogs in the Battle for Otosan Uchi, I slaughtered nine of those worthless Dragon toadies in the Battle of Kyuden Tonbo, and I defeated  Kakita Shiroi on the field of the Battle of the Forgotten Tide."

"I accept your challenge, Bayushi," Maguro sneers, "and you will face the full fury of the Lion!"

OOC:  Maguro will fight you one on one, but he'll do it with kenjutsu

20:06, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 48 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+10+1)21,(10+8)18,1,2,1,9. Initiative.

Takashi would react with lightning speed, his katana leaving his saya swiftly to get a strike in on the Matsu.  If the Matsu would not duel under Takashi's terms, then he would die under his own.


Combat reflexes to steal the Matsu's initiative and give him my own.

13:13, Today: Bayushi Takashi rolled 26 using 8d10+5, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,7,6,5,7,7,3,2. free raise to hit the Matsu.
13:13, Today: Bayushi Takashi rolled 44 using 8d10+11, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,6,7,7,(10+9)19,5,3,3. iaijutsu draw.

13:14, Today: Bayushi Takashi rolled 16 using 6d10, keeping the 2 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4,7,8,8,5. damage (assuming a hit).

Void point to increase tn to be hit by 10.  Current TN: 45

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:36, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

 Kedos eyebrow quirks slightly at the talk of the slaughter of 'worthless dragon toadies', not so much because of the insult to a Great Clan that a mere Ronin could not dare claim to claim as his own, but rather for the denigration of the foes Maguro claims as worthy victories... For where is the honour in claiming to have defeated those that were no challenge to begin with?

 Of course, the battlefield is no place for such philosophy and so Kedo simple relaxes out of his lethal stance and moves aside, conversationally asking of the nearest Ashigaru, "I do not suppose you know how the battle is going?" with an air of general curiosity.

 It costs nothing after all, to be polite.

Toyozo frowns at Kedo's casual nature but is not surprised at the frivolities of a ronin. He watches the Bayushi & Matsu battle with great interest but his hand while not tensed is ready to grasp his sword's hilt at a moments notice if need be.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Matsu Maguro shrugs off Bayushi Takashi's blow and counters with two of his own--the first of which misses by only millimeters, but the second of which connects with some effect.

[Private to Bayushi Takashi: take 27 damage
Matsu Maguro - Full Attack Posture
TNtbH:  25 (3 free raises for you to hit)]

"Well for the Lion, Ronin-sama," the ashigaru responds with pride, "the siege engines proved unnecessary and we were almost entirely unchallenged in our attack."

 Ronin frivolity indeed, and yet... frivolity from the man who was more responsible than any other for the plan of defence that the city now uses, and who has a natural interest in observing its progression from the other side.

 "Ah, unfortunate - though perhaps not to be unexpected since I have heard rumour that Toshi Ranbo has been considered for the Winter Court... No doubt neither Crane nor Lion wish to shame themselves before the Son of Heaven with shattered walls and broken streets." he speculates idly while watching the fight develop, planting a perfectly logical notion in the mind of a foe for why so little defiance was offered, that may very well find its way up the command ladder in due course - or may not, but nothing is lost in the attempt.

"You are challenged now, and you will be repelled, I will not stop until I see all Lion driven from this city" Toyozo says, eargerly anticpating the Bayushi striking down this Matsu so he could drive off these ashigaru.

OOC:  do we wait for Takashi or move forward?

 OOC: If someone doesn't pose in a week... Hell, in a fortnight, we move on. You can roll the dice for them or fiat what happens at your discretion. They've held up what was an excellent game before it ground to a halt long enough - I want to find out what you've got in store for us next, dammit! ^_^

I yeild to the opinion of my peer in this.

"Those are not matters in which we are fit to speculate, Ronin-sama," the ashigaru bows politely, "Winter Court, of any sort, is not a place for mere peasants."


"As you say, Crane-sama," the ashigaru bows meekly.

OOC:  just a note, these are peasant ashigaru (as opposed to ji-samurai ashigaru) just trained enough to charge each other with spears en masse--basically a backdrop for dueling samurai.  They're the ones you check to see how sharp your sword is on...and they know it.

As you talk, the duel continues--strike and counter strike--though you can see it goes less well for the so called "Furious Roar" than the Bayushi Bushi who is your companion.  The Matsu's wild technique is calmly and elegantly countered by Takashi's patient maneuvers.

OOC:  make an awareness/courtier or awareness/storytelling roll to convince the ashigaru that they've got somewhere else they'd rather be.

 "If your leader should fall. It would be best were he to be carried to the rear by those who saw him fight with honour." Kedo remarks in his puzzle-box fashion, making no gesture that could be construed as hostile, his tone almost speculative rather than judgemental or harsh, head turning to lock deep, dark Dragon's eyes with those of the Ashigaru replying to him.

 ---

 12:19, Today: Kedo rolled 13 using 3d10 with rolls of 4,2,7. Not terribly persuasive.

"Peasant, when your master falls, as the ronin said you may carry the bushi to be tended by shugenja or medics. It will be in your and his best interest." Toyozo says, pleased to be watching the Scorpion gain the upper hand.

12:29, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 31 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,8,1,9,7,7,5. aware/courtier.

"We thank you for your words of wisdom and mercy, Crane-sama, Ronin-sama," the Ashigaru bow, "if the Fortunes are not with Matsu-sama this day, we will bear him to his family."

Their decision made, apparently not a moment too soon.  Matsu Maguro brings his no-dachi down, cutting deep into Bayushi Takashi's shoulder.  Blade thus trapped in the plates of Takashi's armor, Maguro is unable to parry as the Bayushi bushi drives his katana deep into the Matsu's midsection.

Their leader fallen, the ashigaru are as good as their word as they gather up his still twitching body and retreat.

OOC:  +3 VP.  2 VP for successfully meeting the challenge (which wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be), 1 VP for defeating them in 3 rounds or less.
+1 Glory
+1 Honor

you can:
Push back against the Lion:  3 VP Challenge, +1 bonus Glory
+1d10 healing

Hold position:  2 VP Challenge, +2d10 healing

Fall back:  1 VP Challenge, +3d10 healing, -1 Glory

 The death of the brave Matsu brings with it a moment for silent thought and leads Kedo to murmur a soft-voiced, "Excuse me one moment." to his companions as he nimbly ascends the nearest convenient trellis to gain some few feet of altitude, taking in what he can of the developing situation before coming to a simple decision and indicating a side-street from which the sound of soldiers in motion issues, "The Lion press hard - it would seem the course of wisdom to seek to interupt their efforts. I would take it as a kindness if you would accompany me..?"

 ---

 Press on, trying to cut into the Lion chain of command between their forward units and their HQ in order to throw them into further confusion I think. ^_^

Toyozo keeps himself from bristling at a ronin ordering him in defense of his own clan's city. "I will continue with you, ronin. Bayushi-sama, thoug hI thank you for your defense of this city you must see to your wounds, go find an Asahina, please."

He should probably be more gentle with the bushi's pride and honor but time was short and he was afterall a Scoprion.

[Private to Kaze no Kage; Kedo: Apologies for the delay]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Thu 17 Mar 2011.

As you advance through the streets of the City, you hear a shout of alarm as three Lion Ashigaru, pulling back from the front, catch sight of you.  These are clearly not the farmers with sharp sticks that you allowed to retreat earlier.  These Ashigaru hold the fire of the Lion in their eyes.

Even as the ashigaru block the path behind you, three ji-samurai, advancing from the rear, step into the path ahead of you.

OOC:  due to unforeseen circumstances in the battle, the Lion have a +1k0 morale bonus to all rolls and there will be one extra enemy in each combat ^_^

-1 VP

Roll Initiative and post actions

 His blades moving smoothly into a defensive posture, Kedo glances once athis Doji companion and suggests - respectfully - "This is deadly ground, perhaps we should maneuver..?" as he indicates the buildings upon either side of the street, witht he obvious intention of using one or more of them to counteract the Lion advantage in numbers by forcing their foes to come at them three or four at a time, rather than all six together.

Toyozo nods at the ronin's words and puts his back to the wall of the nearest building and focusing his attention on the ji-samurai. He draws his sword  and swings at the nearest ji-samurai.

So...
Intiative: 43 (Kakita rank 1 tech+ my roll)
16:59, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 33 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3,9,7,6,9,8. intiative.
Healing: 1 (sigh)
17:02, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 1 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 1. healing.
With the healing I am still in the Hurt wound rank (curse you Earth 2) so +10 wound penalty.
I will strike at the closest Ji-samurai (assuming they are within range). Now I rolled a 32 with my wound penalty, however for every ten that I beat their intiative I get a free raise to attack which I will use directly for the roll.  Also anyone I strike has a +10 to hit me.  My current TNtbH is 30.
17:29, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 32 using 10d10-10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,9,9,5,8,1,7,7,7,9. Strike w/ katana.
Damage if I hit 15
17:35, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 15 using 6d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,7,8,1,2,5. damage for kakita blade.

 Kedo had something a little more... tactical... in mind, but with Toyozo's decision made - and he the greater in station of them - whatever it might have been dies stillborn in the young Dragons mind and he moves instead to cover the Doji's flank, remaining just far enough out to free his sword-arm to act at need as he waits at bay for his assailants, mind dropping smoothly out of the here-and-now and into the visualisation of meeting charging blades with a forwards step and a circular deflection, Katana rising to spill out hearts blood and dart over a falling arm to punch through the throat of a second man before the circle-and-step that would see him resume his original position with two dead men at his feet...

 ...if visualisation and reality align.


[Private to GM:  Okay, I figure two Ashigaru (or Samurai) can get to me as I guard Toyozo's flank. I swing for the leader hitting 43 for 30 damage, then if he's still alive I hit him a second time for 43 and 20 damage.

 The second guy in range then benefits from my free attack for dropping someone, which hits 39 for 21 damage (and may already have been hit by my second attack if thirty killed the first guy).

 I don't think I can legitimately call an extra hit on a target out of range when I do this though, so even if the second guy drops I probably can't call a free hit on the third.

22:52, Today: Kedo rolled 32 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3,6,9,3,8,9. Initiative.

22:54, Today: Kedo rolled 48 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,8,6,9,7,9,5,9. Attack, raise for damage.
22:55, Today: Kedo rolled 30 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+4)14,8,7,5,1,8,4. Damage #1.

22:54, Today: Kedo rolled 48 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3,6,3,3,4,6,3,(10+9)19. Attack, raise for damage.
22:55, Today: Kedo rolled 20 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4,6,2,5,1,9. Damage #2.

22:55, Today: Kedo rolled 44 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,7,3,7,9,8,5,7,5. Attack if #1 died, 3 raises for damage.
22:56, Today: Kedo rolled 21 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1,6,9,6,3,4. Damage #3.]

Doji Toyozo's elegant strike pierces the defenses of the lead ji-samurai, but not fatally.  Unfortunately for the Doji bushi, the ji-samurai's own weapon also finds its mark, though his partner swings wide.

The circular technique used by the 'ronin' Kedo, is somewhat more effective against the advancing ashigaru.  His first strike cleaves through the advancing soldier's spear...and neck.  Without missing a beat, Kedo's second strike removes the barrier of a hastily raised defense...via the arm, and the Ronin follows through by plunging his blade through his enemy's neck.  Heedless of the fall of his comrades, the remaining ashigaru charges forward, intent on avenging his comrades...only to fail to pierce the ronin's defenses.

Ji-samurai:
Initiative 31
TNtbH 25
Health 1:  Grazed
Health 2:  Healthy
Health 3:  Healthy

Ashigaru
Initiative 11
TNtbH 18 (3 free raises from full attack)
Health 1:  Out
Health 2:  Out
Health 3:  Healthy
[Private to Kedo: +1 drama raise]

 The flowing movements of the Miromoto-trained Ronin serve to elegently underline the arguments of one side of the millenia-long dispute over which of the two premier sword schools of Rokugan is more advantageous in battle - just as a Kakita duellists would have done the same when a hopelessly overmastered opponent fell away from a lightning stroke that could barely be perceived let alone countered or evaded in the eyeblink of a duel.

 Kedos counter to the courageous stroke of the onrushing Ashigaru is a fluid sideslip to the left where his Wakizashi comes up to draw the hard-thrust spear away and out of line so as not to imperil Doji Toyozo's back, attempting instead to redirect it to impede the onrushing Ji-Samurai as he strikes with his Katana once, twice, four feet of blood-spattered and razor-edged steel licking out to kiss human flesh once more, striking for the limbs rather than chest or throat as if its master has other intentions than a clean and beautiful kill, intending to render the Ashigaru unable to press the fight as Kedo moves in close and states simply, "Tell your commander that the courage of the Lion has been seen upon the mountain." if the mans wounds force him back.

[Private to GM:  Alright, he's tried a full attack and is hopelessly vulnerable to me. I'm going to call an attack action with as many raises as you feel I need to make to redirect his last spear-thrust at me into the Ji-Samurai attacking Toyozo. If I fail, at least it might upset his aim.
 I have no idea what I would need to roll for this, so feel free to do it for me. Oh, and if it will prevent Toyozo from being hurt or better yet, let me instead set him up to get in a good blow of his own, I'll blow a void point on it - it's cooler for me to help him get a free attack or avoid damage than it is to kill someone myself.

 Then I'm going to make an attack and an additional attack (paid for with raises) with two more raises in order to deliver a pair of cuts, one to his arm, one to his leg - nasty ones, but clean enough to take him out of the fight and recover with care. I'll therefore pull damage on them.

02:31, Today: Kedo rolled 87 using 9d10+13, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(10+7)17,(10+3)13,5,6,6,(10+4)14,6,3. Second attack with raises for a third.

Oops! That's actually 63 keeping four!

02:35, Today: Kedo rolled 15 using 3d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 7,7,8. Damage #1.

02:31, Today: Kedo rolled 53 using 9d10+13, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1,7,5,3,3,8,8,3. Third attack made with raises.

And this is 43, keeping four.

02:35, Today: Kedo rolled 13 using 3d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 3,6,7. Damage #2.]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:39, Wed 13 Apr 2011.

Toyozo casts a quick look over to see how the ronin was faring.  He winced to himself as his competitive spirit took over.

He slides forward, raising his sword above his head, Toyozo's eyes train on the middle Ji-samurai and he lunges forward with his right foot and brings the sword down and to the left as he makes his body perpendicular to the Lion attackers.

[Private to GM:
20:30, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 47 using 10d10-5, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,1,7,5,8,2,8,(10+9)19,6,8. Strike w/ katana w/ 1 raise for Damage.
20:31, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 43 using 7d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5,6,1,(10+7)17,(10+10+6)26,1. Damage.
If the guy lives my TN will be +10 for him.]

[Private to Kedo: for future reference, I'd say a stunt like that would be an Agility/Defense roll with relevant Kenjutsu emphasis to hit TNtbH + 4 raises and uses one of your attacks for the round; you have 3 free raises from his full attack and 1 Drama raise, so your TN is 18
Aaaand you rolled 51]

Toyozo's aggressive attack brings down his target, but leaves him open to the attack of the other ji-samurai in range.  Kedo's masterful deflection of the last remaining ashigaru, however, eliminates that threat as the unsuccessful spear thrust ends in the throat of the threatening Lion.  Kedo's own blades cut deeply into his enemy's leg, bringing him down with a sharp cry of pain followed swiftly by unconsciousness.  Faced with two unmatchable and implacable enemies, the remaining ji-samurai, nevertheless, charges in, catching Doji Toyozo's arm with a violent thrust.

ji-samurai TNtbH 25
Healthy

Meanwhile, the chaotic sounds of battle come ever closer.

 There is a moment of genuine regret for another death flickering across Kedos face as the Ji-Samurai falls with an allies spear driven into his throat and with Toyozo more than capable of facing his foe the Ronin moves forwards and down onto one knee, Katana and Wakizashi spinning once to face blade-down and sheathing themselves a few inches into the blood-stained roadside soil as Kedo makes haste to fashion a simple wound dressing of the still-living Lion Ashigaru's belt and harness, attempting to stem the bleeding and preserve at least one life in the midst of all this destruction, calling "We shall need to hold this road if we can honoured Doji. It will likely see courier traffic as the Lion realise their error and it would be for the best if it was interdicted." in respectful fashion as he works.

 Which naturally begs the question how the hell the Ronin seems to know that.

[Private to GM:  I figure that's worth at least three raises if the remaining Lion switches targets, and of course I get only a very low TNtbH on one knee with no swords, but I'm hoping Toyo will see to him, and it would take a real scumball to interupt battlefield first-aid. ^_^]

[Private to GM: Yes I think I will spend 2 void points to remove both stikes, thank you.

11:31, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 37 using 10d10-5, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,6,7,4,4,5,2,4,2,(10+6)16. Katana strike at last samurai.
11:38, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 22 using 6d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,6,4,7,7,(10+3)13. Damage. ]

Toyozo's strike, bringing down the ji-samurai, carries him forward next to the last samurai, his blade held low.   With the same ferocity as before but with slightly less power, Toyozo flicks his blade around and lifts it up and into his foes torso.

"Holding this spot is fine, for I doubt I can really press forward, Ronin."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:47, Wed 20 Apr 2011.

"RUN!" a new voice cries out, a Lion bushi staggering towards the Lion held areas, drawing the gaze of you and the remaining ji-samurai, "RUN!  IT'S A-" his cry was cut short along with his life, as his body is pierced by arrows.

Suddenly three more arrows sprout from the still living ji-samurai, and he falls silent and dead.

From around the corner, a Crane bushi--likely one of the Daidoji irregulars--appears along with several others on the rooftops.

"We came to assist, on the orders of Doji Kanisai-san," he shrugs, "but it seems that you are not in need of assistance, Doji-san, Kedo-san,"

OOC: at this point, holding position does not mean staying in the same place, just facing a challenge that is roughly equal to the one you just completed
[Private to Kedo: what kind of drinking establishment were you thinking of?  and what would it be equipped with?]

 "Then we should get you a seat Doji-san." Kedo remarks with a small smile, looking up and down the street only to half-turn and nod in approval as the irregulars arrive, pausing in his efforts only to bow and ask "I trust that the hunting has been good, Daidoji-san?" in a slightly rhetorical fashion as he moves off the street proper to duck into a small saki-house and returns a moment later with two rolled half-Tatami resting on a small upturned table with a bottle and a suguroku set, which he sets down more or less in the middle of the street, glancing down it with a brief smile towards the most likely line of Lion advance, "Perhaps Daidoji-san, you might prepare a warm welcome for any impolite enough to interrupt our game?" he then requests, bowing his head respectfully in lieu of a bow from the waist.

[Private to GM:  That's all I was after - basically when they come around the corner I want the Lion to see two Samurai surrounded by dead bodies nonchalantly playing a childrens board game in the middle of the street... After a morning of ambush and hassle that ought to be worth a good five minutes of psychological warfare. If not, we have archers. ^_^]

Toyozo bows, "My thanks, Daidoji-san. Please continue searching the area .  Kedo-san and I.." he freezes in the midst of his sentence as the adrenaline seeps away and pain replaces it.  "Perhaps a few prayers from an Asahina would be appropriate." he grits out.

OOC: I am looking for whatever gets me healing 2d10 of dice or more at this point.

"It has been quite excellent, Kedo-san," the Daidoji squad leader smiles grimly, "why we have collected enough lion pelts to decorate our walls for some time to come."

"You have a wicked turn of mind, Kedo-san," he grins wickedly, when the ronin emerges from the pub with the suguroku set, "you would have made a superb Daidoji.  I have a feeling the hunting is just about to get better." Turning, the squad leader orders his men to the alleys and rooftops.

"Doji-san," a small woman wearing the garb of an Asahina shugenja taps Toyozo on the shoulder before bowing, "Asahina Chika at your service.  If you will allow, I shall tend to your wounds."

OOC:  +4 VP; 3 VP Challenge +1 VP for clearing area in less than three rounds

+1 Glory to Kedo and Doji Toyozo
+2d10 healing

 "Sincere effort is its own reward Daidoji-san, but it is sometimes pleasant to have more tangible results." Kedo remarks rather dryly, as though discussing the simple philosophy of flower arranging or poetry rather than the ebb and flow of blood-spattered warfare, before his features flash in an honest and delighted smile at the officers closing comment, replying "Curiously, Daidoji Ryu said the same thing... And please Daidoji-san, hold your arrows until they seem prepared to charge in numbers. We are here to delay their messengers to better let your brothers and sisters destroy their lost and scattered lead forces. Better I or Doji Toyozo-san should bleed a little to earn a few moments more than we simply kill them out of hand." without any attempt to name-drop or curry favour (not here, not now) but rather in a more or less sidelong compliment to the youthful Crane stood before him.

 Then it's time to settle in, Kedo removing his swords from his Obi and laying them beside where he's chosing to sit, on the off-hand side of his body (not that that means anything at all to a... man of the mountain) and bowing low to Toyozo, accepting only the briefest of prayers from the Asahina before requesting softly that she see to his companion before he starts to set out the playing pieces in the positions from which they should start, "Doji Toyozo-san." he then voices calmly, "I had not the chance to say so earlier, but I am conscious of the honour you do me permitting a ronin to fight at your side."

 ---

 OOC: I'll redirect one of those D10 to Doji Toyozo - get her to focus on him rather than me, since he's worse hurt.

Chika's prayers have quite an effect and Toyozo finds himself newly rejuvenated.

He looks to Kedo and begrudgingly shakes his head. "You have... acquitted yourself more than honorably, Kedo-san.  There is no shame in fighting with you."  he tentatively tocuhes where before he felt great pain. The kami have done much to alleviate his pain though there is a subsconcious part of him that winces as he probes. "My thinks, Asahina-san.  Kedo, I am ready to tackle our next challenge when you are."

[Private to GM: 11:52, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 17 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(10+2)12. healing.
Removes all wound penalties. Most excellent.]

 "And yet there are those who would judge based only upon what they have heard, rather than upon the evidence of their own senses..."  replies the well turned out, if rather blood-spattered robin, no doubt completely unaware of the hidden censure that might be considered to lay within his words for one touchy about the disgrace of standing at a wave man's side when the storm of battle breaks. After all, it's hardly the time for lessons in philosophy and expanding world views even if it were Kedo's place to offer them.

  Smiling, Kedo casts the pieces to begin the game, humour dancing in his eyes, "Patience Toyozo-san, our next guests shall come to us, and soon. It is your move, by the way..."

The two samurai (and their hidden allies) hear a Lion marching song as a Lion squad enters the killing zone.  The song falters as the approaching troupe sees the ashigaru corpses littered about...and the two samurai nonchaelantly playing a board game in the middle of the street.

"What in the name of Akodo-kami..."

Toyozo had been preoccupied with the Priest's prayer that he had not realized kedo had brought out a game.

He frowned at how the Lion must perceive them.

"Greetings, Lion. I am Doji Toyozo, this... is Kedo. Tell me who do we have the honor of facing on this day."

 OOC: Oh well, so much for nonchalantly. Kedo should have been explaining the plan to Toyozo, not our reinforcements.
^_^

 ---

  There are those born with a certain natural flair for deception and manipulating the minds of others, and there are those who are trained to it. For all his marked gifts in the field - gifts that have contributed their modest share to seeing most of a Crane city turned on its ear since his arrival - he's no trained courtier, and that lack briefly puts his head despairingly into his hand as his Crane companion speaks up, before it occurs to him that blithe innocence might work as well to delay Akodo's children as artifice, and he recovers to offer a small seated bow to the Lion officer and his men.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Fri 03 June 2011.

"I am Koritome Ichiro, Doji-san," the Lion replies, "and it is my honor to face you in battle.  But before one of us dies--preventing forever the satisfaction of my curiosity--I must know what occurred."

 Since each minute that passes delays the opening of the street to the Lion, and in so doing maintains the Crane stranglehold upon their communications that is the keystone of Kedo's strategy in the matter of defending the city, the thoughtful Ronin allows himself to look up and then around at the carnage in some semblance of surprise, his expression almost comical (and in fact quite deliberately shaped after the vastly more skilled efforts of the artisan-actors of his Crane hosts when performing for the young, then remarking to Toyozo, "Doji--san... do you remember that noise earlier? I think there is a battle happening!"

 This of course could be taken any number of ways - but it will be down to Toyozo (as is right and proper) to  determine where the Ronins sally goes next.

Toyozo remains stoic. "Other than a battle between the defenders of this land and invaders, nothing happened." Toyozo said simply.

"Yes, yes, they fell facing the brave Crane defenders of Toshi Ranbo," the Lion squad leader replies impatiently, "but what were the circumstances..." his eyes narrow as he takes in the entire scene.  Turning to his second, he says something quietly before handing his weapons to an ashigaru.

OOC: roll perception/invesitgation (notice) TN 30 to hear what he said, the notice emphasis is not necessary--you may roll raw perception if you do not have investigation

"Very well then," Ichiro says, looking shrewdly at Kedo and Toyozo, removing his helmet and sitting down at the game board, "if a game of sugoroku is the price of knowledge, then I shall gladly pay it.  Minobu-san!" he commands, not taking his eyes off of the two samurai, "get another board!"

The ashigaru holding Ichiro's weapons takes the weapons of another samurai who quickly dashes into the same bar that Kedo emerged from and retrieves another game set.

"Choose your opponent, Doji-san, Kedo-san," the Lion smiles as his second takes a seat beside him and all but one of his soldiers retreats beyond your field of vision, "if you should prevail, I will depart with my curiosity unsatisfied, if I should prevail, you will divulge how these Lion died before we face each other in deadly combat.  Are those terms acceptable?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:51, Wed 06 July 2011.

Toyozo suppresses a sigh. "Very well. Since you both seem to desire this game, you will play each other and I shall play your second."

he says sitting down adjacent to Kedo.

 This... wasn't even slightly the plan. Not even a little bit - the board game was supposed to be a psychological distraction buying the two Bushi a little more time holding this street in order to deny it to a Lion advance - but it can't be denied that the opportunity to know a little more of the foe, as well as to settle its possession in a fashion that the Lion at least are likely to look on with amusement and approval shouldn't be passed up... and so:

 "Quite acceptable." Kedo replies with a bow of his head, before offering Toyozo a slightly sorrowful glance and then meeting the Lion officers eyes once more with a small smile playing about his lips as he wryly suggests, "If you wish Toyozo-san, we could always throw the pieces at one another with unrestrained viciousness when they are removed from the board?", gently chiding his companion despite their widely differing stations.

 As the pieces of the game are reset, the thinly disguised Dragon reaches out to pass over the dice cup to his opponent and asks "Tell me Ichiro-san, asides from the obvious, what brings you to Toshi Ranbo?" while leaning back to his relaxed position.

 ---

22:15, Today: Kedo rolled 37 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(10+9)19,9,4,9,5. Perception & Investigation.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Thu 30 June 2011.

[Private to Kedo: What was said to the squad before they left.  "I sense a trap.  And, given what we've already encountered, I suspect a Daidoji to have planned the defense of the city.  Return quickly to the General and tell him that our runners need to go out in groups of at least three to keep our lines of communication open."]

"I was a resident of Toshi Ranbo for several years," Ichiro replies, shaking the dice cup, "I came to study early Hantei temple architecture and modern ikebana techniques.  I was on my way north to study the ikebana methods of Kitsuki Sadaharu upon the mountain, I was most impressed by his stark elemental style when he came to visit Lion lands last season."

With a flourish, he rolls the dice across the board.  His companion, a dour looking Lion follows his commander's lead, and also tosses the dice across the board, glaring silently at Doji Toyozo.

OOC: roll Void/Games, whichever games skill is highest, dice still explode if you do not have any games skill; normally it would be Awareness, but since you're not in court, Void seemed the most appropriate.

 "Ahhh, I am afraid that architecture has never been a passion of mine - I have always sought to understand those that pass beneath arches rather than those who design and create them..." Kedo replies, taking up the cup and giving them an elegent swirl before upending it and spilling them over the board, letting them rattle to a stop to define his opening moves, beginning a strategy not of outright offence, but of swirling defensive deception and distraction - his slowly forming intention to blunt thrusting attacks and divert flanking ones until hopelessly broken up and able to be disassembled... The very mirror in fact, of what is going on in the city beyond, "...for myself" continues the Ronin, not requiring his Lion opponent to lower himself to express interest in the affairs of a Wave-man "I have a great fascination with the working of steel, and so inevitably my path led me to the lands of the Crane, where I am afraid the recent excitement has for the moment limited my opportunities for study."

 The Siege of Toshi Ranbo, perceived as an inconvenient barrier to a Ronins education... The Dragon are nothing if not good at presenting alternate viewpoints.

 And while talking - why not share a cup? Kedo seems struck by the thought and raises a hand for a moment while his opponent contemplates his turn and suggests "Perhaps, as our guests for the moment, you might favour tea with the game?", making to rise and head towards the open-fronted tavern where he'll be in full view all the way as he collects the necessary components.

[Private to GM: 12:22, Today: Kedo rolled 47 using 9d10, rerolling max with rolls of 6,4,5,3,5,4,9,6,5. It works better with D10..]

Toyozo mirrored his opponents dour visage. He said nothing in regards to Ichiro and Kedo's discussion and it was not a small miracle that he kept from shaking his head and muttering curses.

He rolled his dice with no real strategy as games were not his forte. Relying on simple instincts he did his best to navigate the board.

16:35, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 19 using 4d10, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5,7,3. Void roll.

"A spot of tea would be splendid," Ichiro replies, with a tilt of his head, "it seems you have a talent for these games," he says, studying the board, "and how are your studies in the nature of steel?" Ichiro asks.

"Fortunes damn these dice!" the other Lion curses, his luck being worse than Doji Toyozo, "why don't we just kill them and be done with it," he snarls to Ichiro, clutching at his blade.

"Are you so eager to die, Tamahoro?" Ichiro berates his subordinate, "live and learn."

OOC:  roll Perception/Investigation (notice) and (choice)/games (you may choose to roll Awareness, Perception, Willpower, Intelligence, or Void as you choose)

 The task of securing a tea seat from the small tavern is a simple one, and it's hadly worth mentioning that while he's doing so Kedo extends some trust towards the skills of the Daidoji marksmen scattered about the place and remarks as though to thin air, "The Lion appear to believe that the defence of the city was planned by a Daidoji general and it has been suggested that couriers travelling in threes might well serve to prevent further loss of command and control upon their part. I trust they are mistaken." before returning to where he can take part in the game carrying a small stove and the other necessary acoutrements of tea, setting them out in pleasing patterns of wholeness and grace that take account of the nearby soldiery and the stacked corpses, incorporating the devastation of war as a counterpoint to the cultural perfection of tea.

 There must be standards after all.

 Once he has set them out - plainly content to serve in this instance, as the lowest-station member of the tense little quartet - he resumes his original position on his mat and smiles gently, with the natural humility that's surprisingly easy to develop when you wake each morning in the shadow of a mountain a million times vaster and older than yourself "I flatter myself to think that I have  touched the sleeve of steel in my time here. I was honoured to earn perimission to study at the feet of Kakita Maru and have high hopes of winning an invitation to speak with Daidoji Kuromori, who was once Kaiu Kuromori and who is said to know much of alloying and the hardening of metals."

 Tamahoro's outburst wins Ichiro a small smile of sympathy however, one that very definitely does not come with a sidelong glance towards the similarly frustrated Toyozo (who probably hasn't realised that a game of strategy played between enemies in the middle of a deadly siege is the sort of thing that makes it into honoured stories) along with a measured look and the thoughtful observation that "If it is not inappropriate for me to ask Ichiro-san, since I do believe that you might be the most dangerous Lion it has been my pleasure to encounter this day... Do you have an opinion on the development of the battle so far?"

 Alright, perhaps it is a slightly forward inquiry, but eloquently put, and Kedo is only a Ronin... Wherein lies the harm?

[Private to GM: 13:20, Today: Kedo rolled 33 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+5)15,8,7,9,9,3. Perception & investigation.

13:21, Today: Kedo rolled 39 using 9d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3,8,8,3,8,6,7,8. Void/Battle(Games of Strategy).

13:18, Today: Kedo rolled 35 using 5d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5,4,7,(10+9)19. Tea ceremony. ]

Toyozo accepts his tea and lifts it towards the hot headed Lion.  Annoyed though he was about this highly unusual turn of events, he would be damned if he would hold himself the same way a Lion would. So he resolved to push through, and remembered his training.

A smile crosses his lips. "I understand your frustration, Ichiro-san. However, we are all samurai here. If we cannot be civilized as we conduct our warfare then we are nothing more than animals. And animals are not good servants of the Empire.

Thank you, Kedo, for fetching the tea." he says with a small nod of the head to the ronin.

[Private to GM: 09:48, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 18 using 4d10, rerolling max with rolls of 1,7,1,9. Awareness/games.
09:48, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 10 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 9,1. Percep/Invest. ]

"This isn't civility, it's a damned farce!" Tamahoro growls, glaring at Toyozo as he tosses the dice again, "games, tea, forced politeness!  It's all the worst parts of Winter Court!  Except that my brothers are out there earning glory, while I'm stuck here playing games of chance with a Crane!"

Tamahoro's luck isn't any better on his second roll than his first, but the difference is not as large.

"If you asked my commander," Ichiro replies, studying the board in an effort to hide his expression from his subordinate, "she would say that it is going splendidly.  We breached the walls with little loss of life, and after that what could be more difficult.  I am somewhat more skeptical.  Given that the Crane, and the Daidoji in particular, take Akodo's stance that there are no dishonorable actions in warfare, and given what we have seen so far, I do not think the battle is going as well as she believes.  Much like this game, war has an element of chance that cannot be planned for," he finishes wryly, as his dice fall far short of Kedo's roll.

OOC:  roll (choice)/games (you may choose to roll Awareness, Perception, Willpower, Intelligence, or Void as you choose)
[Private to Kedo: you see the Crane squad departing stealthily--presumably to intercept some of the messengers]

 The tea is merely good - it is its presentation which is exceptional, taking full account of ill humour and growing irritation and working around them in a fashion that would be calming, even soothing if only the recipients would let the ancient ceremony work its time-honoured magic.

 "There are many who have spoken in favour of the honoured Akodo's position, and while it is a fine aphormism, I do not know that I necessarily concur with it." Kedo replies with utmost delicacy, his turn of phrase and manner making it quite apparent that he holds the ancestor in the utmost respect even as he enters into the debate, "For it would seem to be that when one agrues that the end justifies the means one neglects to consider whether the means justify the end. Can any truly honourable task be founded in dishonour?"

 "This of course" - the eloquently meditative Dragon goes on - "Should not be taken to suggest that I feel there is dishonour in the methods of the Daidoji. They face a Lion host after all, to not employ strategems in such a situation would seem to be... less than wise."

 "No, it seems to me." he concludes as he takes up his dice-cup and swirls it once in-hand before spilling them across the board, coming full-circle from his first words to Daidoji Sakura some days before as he selects his pieces and moves them accordingly, his developing strategy plainly one intended to use the enemy momentum, its force against itself in an effort to seek a defeat with minimal loss to either side "That glory is what others know of you... but honour is what you know of yourself."

 He does not, it may be noted address Ichiro's speculation upon the course of the battle...

[Private to GM:  10:38, Today: Kedo rolled 27 using 9d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,1,5,3,1,6,1,8,3. Void/Battle (Games of Strategy).]

Toyozo rolled the dice, and fought back the urge to swear.
[Private to GM: 11:08, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 12 using 4d10, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4,5,1. Awareness/games.]

The Crane does not say anything in regards to the battle or what was honorable.

He was barely keeping his frustrations in check and would not discuss his opinions of his Daidoji brethern to the attacking force in this conflict.

"HA!" Tamahoro crows, the dice finally falling in his favor--not enough for him to overtake Toyozo, but a significant gain nonetheless.

"You are correct, of course," Ichiro shrugs, tossing the dice, seemingly unconcerned about their result, "and yet I am still puzzled by..."

Ichiro is interrupted by screams of pain as the sounds of combat suddenly erupt rather closer than could have been expected.

"Ah, and now I understand," he rises, bowing, "thank you, Kedo-san for the conversation and the tea, if you will excuse us..."

 "Not yet Ichiro-san... but I venture to say that you have come closer by far than many of those to whom you look for orders." Kedo replies with a certain warmth in his tone that seems to suggest he approves of the Lion officer, whether it's place to do so or not. Smoothly he takes one last sip of his tea and lays it down in regretful fashion then takes a long look at the board before remarking "I would appreciate the opportunity for us to finish our game later, should the Fortunes permit." as he too rises, recovering - but not yet drawing - his swords and setting them at his side for all the world as though he's been sitting in a tea-house upon the mountain rather than in the middle of a dusty Crane street.

 "Tamahoro-San, Toyozo-san... " he then ventures to state amiably as he moves to one side of tea-mat and game-settings, in order to give them at least a chance of being preserved through what is to follow, "I believe that our peaceful interlude may be at an end."

 Well if nothing else, he's a polite chap, isn't he?

Toyozo smirks at Tamharo's reaction. But goes deadly serious with the cries of battle. He rises smoothly and rests one hand over his sword the other behind his back, he says nothing and does not block the men's path.

OOC:  are you going to attempt to prevent Ichiro and Tamahoro from leaving or let them go?

 OOC: If they head into the city, they get regretfully stopped. For as long as we can stop them. If they head back the way they came and guards charge up in their place... that's a different matter. ^_^

What Kedo said.

With a final nod of acknowledgement, Ichiro and Tamahoro retreat back towards the Lion lines.

OOC:  +3 VP, +1 honor, +3 glory
[Private to Kedo: bonus +1 honor]

you can:
Push back against the Lion:  5 VP Challenge, +1 bonus Glory
+1d10 healing

Hold position:  3 VP Challenge, +2d10 healing

Fall back:  1 VP Challenge, +3d10 healing, -1 Glory

I feel like I'm missing something...

 "Well Toyozo-san, I believe that we are done for the moment with pleasant company. Shall we perhaps see if there is anything amiss on the next street over?" Kedo suggests, trusting to the Daidoji archers and skirmishers in the buildings nearby to keep this way closed for the moment at least and selecting the next most interesting spot in their vicinity.

 ---

 'Push Back' by way of cutting forwards and across, taking a different street to our hosts and trying to sever more of their communications, maybe take out an officer or banner-bearer I think. ^_^

"Hai, Kedo-san, perhaps there will be a shugenja there who wishes to play a round of Sadane with us." the Crane says a bit dourly.

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

PUSH ON!

 Pausing for a moment, Kedo can't help himself and grins with positively youthful playfulness as he remarks, "Ah yes, it would add a much-needed level of intellectual exercise to this otherwise decidedly sprawling conflict." whilst moving in their mutually-agreed-upon direction.

The two samurai make their way down to a parallel street.

OOC:  roll perception/investigation (notice) TN 15

 OOC: 22:09, Today: Kedo rolled 19 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3,7,4,8,3. Did you see that..?.

18:11, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 11 using 2d10 with rolls of 7,4. Perception.

As the two bushi turn the next corner, Kedo, out of the corner of his eye, catches sight of a flight of arrows arching their way towards them...

OOC:  Kedo may make an Agility/Defense roll to avoid getting hit TN 43
or a Agility/Defense (Yadomejutsu) roll to cut the arrows from the air.

Doji Toyozo may spend a void to make an Agility/Defense roll to avoid getting hit TN 43 or a Agility/Defense (Yadomejutsu) roll to cut the arrows from the air.

yadomejutsu rules are in the house rules thread

Enemy bow strength 1

20:44, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 25 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5,9,7,9,5. Ashigaru 6 attack Toyozo.
20:43, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 40 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4,(10+6)16,5,3,(10+9)19. Ashigaru 5 attack Toyozo.
20:43, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 43 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+10+8)28,4,7,3,8,1. Ashigaru 4 attack Toyozo.
20:43, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 43 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+6)16,8,8,2,9,(10+8)18. Ashigaru 3 attack Kedo.
20:42, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 22 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,5,2,1,9,5. Ashigaru 2 attack Kedo.
20:42, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 25 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4,(10+5)15,2,6,3. Ashigaru 1 attack Kedo.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:53, Mon 10 Oct 2011.

 The cornerstone of the Miromoto school is formlessness - where the Lion think and plan endlessly to perfect the tactics of Akodo, the Crane move time and time again through the patterns of Kakitas dance, refining their understanding of the smallest muscle-twitch and how it changes the angle of the cut and the dragon esteem motionlessness, the ability to break any strike upon the rock of their resistance the Dragon merely think when thought is called for, move when motion is needed, remain still when time calls to wait.

 The motion at the corner of Kedo's eye does not pass though his brain exactly - certainly there's no process as crude and directed as 'decision' taking place within him, instead the flight of the chisel-tipped arrows is incorporated into a world in which the 'Ronin' moves body and soul, flowing forwards and left, wakizashi lazily sweeping through an overhead half-circle followed half an arc later by his katana as the pearl-gray clad Bushi pirouettes, graceful as a dancer, both blades completing their arcs and parting to sweep back up on either side of his body...

 ...if all goes as well, the world in which Kedo stands surrounded by splinters, feathers and deadly but spent and shattered arrowheads becomes the one in which he stands. If not... Well... such is fate.

 ---

11:33, Today: Kedo rolled 52 using 9d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,9,1,7,5,(10+10+2)22,8,2,1. Arrow cutting (void point).

 The TN to get all was 48 (highest roll +1 per additional arrow) if they all came at us from the same general direction... 58 if they were shot from multiple points. In which case I believe I get cheesed by between 2 & 6 depending on what the rules are for defence 4. Thank the Fortunes for those Daidoji Assassins or I'd never have raised my Defence and bought the Arrow-cutting emphasis! ^_^

With a sudden explosion of graceful movement, Kedo reduces the barrage of arrows to so much kindling.  The resulting pause of shock and surprise allows both sides to take stock of the situation.

On one side of the street is a well constructed barricade--obviously captured from the Crane defenders as evidenced by the blue clad corpses at its base--reinforced by at least ten Lion defenders, six of which are armed with bows.

On the other are two battle weary samurai, one wearing the battered and barely recognizable mon of the Crane, and the other the lowly gray of the ronin.

There is a sudden panic as the Lion defenders realize that their deaths are rapidly approaching.

OOC:  roll initiatives and post actions; you are at least 4 rounds from the barricade (2 if you sprint with no thought at all to defense).

[Private to Kedo: +1 Glory, +1 Drama Raise]

 Odds of five to one against are not to be lightly engaged, and yet there are times when it is necessary simply to cut, and ignore the hard, cold mathematics of battle in favour of doing what need be done.

 Turning his head slightly, Kedo considers his Crane companion and in a gesture that the Lion will patently be able to read as deference (which opens up for them the horrible question of just how good a swordsman Toyozo is to earn the deference of someone who can survive archery like that) bows his head slightly before suggesting "It would be more convenient for the defence of the city if the barricade were to be in Crane hands, Toyozo-san. In addition to which, I seem to recall leaving instructions that such strongpoints were to include cold meats and a bucket or two in which drinks could be kept cooled, to refresh the defenders."

 A small, sly smile plays over Kedo's lips as he commits to quite probably die for the city of Toshi Ranbo, the honour of the wave-mans gray and a cold meat sandwich... He nods towards a nearby cart in the street that might provide some cover for their approach and suggests "Shall we?"

 ---

 12:02, Today: Kedo rolled 63 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+10+10+5)35,(10+7)17,(10+1)11,5,9,2,4. Initiative.

 Alright, now that's just getting silly... But I still bless and thank the die roller. ^_^

 Moving defensively into cover with the intention of leapfrogging towards the barricade and hoping like hell reinforcements appear. ^_^

The archers stare in a state of shock as the Doom of the Lion, as the Ronin and the Crane are quickly becoming named--or would be if anyone managed to survive an encounter with them--began their inexorable advance upon the Lion position.  By the time they recover their state of mind, they are already halfway to the barricade.  As they scramble to get arrows into the air, a flight of arrows--fletched in the colors of the Crane falls among them.  Two of the archers cry out in pain as arrows strike their bodies, but not before they were able to launch their volley at Kedo and Toyozo.

OOC:
11:43, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 25 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4,9,8,8,1. Ashigaru attack 6 Toyozo.
11:43, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 26 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5,2,5,1,(10+6)16. Ashigaru attack 5 Toyozo.
11:43, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 34 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,1,(10+8)18,7,3,6. Ashigaru attack 4 Toyozo.
11:43, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 15 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4,1,7,1,4. Ashigaru attack 3 Kedo.
11:43, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 16 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5,5,6,3,1. Ashigaru attack 2 Kedo.
11:42, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 25 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,9,2,8,6,4. Ashigaru attack 1 Kedo.

[Private to Daidoji Akimitsu: You have been charging headlong into the fray with the Lion and your original squad of twelve ashigaru has been decimated to two.  This has not deterred you from continuing to push the Lion from the streets of Toshi Ranbo.
As you turn another corner, expecting to see another Lion squad, instead you are greeted with the sight of a Crane samurai and a Ronin charging headlong into the Lion's maw, arrows arching their way to strike them.
Your ashigaru don't hesitate a moment, and their own arrows are in flight striking two of the Lion--injuring them, if not fatally.

roll Initiative, and post actions
you are 4 rounds away from the Lion barricade which the Lion are attacking from.  2 if you give no thought at all to defense.  I'll NPC your squad.]

Honestly, why was this happening? The Lion had to chose this to be the time to stage their attack. Perhaps if Akimitsu had invited some Lion to his poetry party by the stream which cuts through that wonderful grove just outside of the city they would all be sharing in each others company instead of trying to kill each other. He was very disappointed that he now had to risk his life running through the streets, like some messenger or magistrate's assistant, dodging arrows instead of enjoying warm beverages and pleasant company.

Just the idea that his armor was now scuffed and in need of repair was of no small annoyance. His eyes glanced to either side as he noticed how few now joined him in the fray. Already ten had joined their ancestors. Admittedly just ashigaru but they had been someones servants or worked hard to provide food, some of which may have had the priveledge of gracing Akimitsu's plate. It was a sad loss of resources. Admittedly better them then him but that wasn't even a debate he was currently having in his over active thought process.

Spotting the ronin and the other true samurai the Daidoji saw a glimmer of hope. Sadly there were ravening monsters or Lions whatever you wanted to call those Jigoku be damned souls shooting at them. Well, Akimitsu had a bow of his own and a desire to fell some more of these vile men who dared sully the streets of Toshi Ranbo. Then he remembered the voice of his father, chastising him for how he held the bow, his shakiness, the inevitable failure... Akimitsu simply continued forward, readying his katana and preparing to join the battle.

He signaled to the two remaining ashigaru to remain and provide covering fire.

---

14:51, Today: Daidoji Akimitsu rolled 31 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,9,9,5,8,2,4. Initiative.
Action is to continue forward defensively and signal his troops to stay and provide covering fire.

 More than one Lion has fallen back from the onrushing Bushi - from their first encounter two fell back bleeding from three and the ruin of an eight-strong charge and the retainers of the Matsu Bayushi Takashi slew in single combat walked away unharmed. While the half-dozen that came against the two who remained after Takashi fell back to see to his wounds became one, injured but alive as they moved on to drink tea and speak of affairs with their foes.

 Of course, that rather distinctive progression through the battle has yet to make an impression on the archers behind the barricade, and so they're able to gather their resources and strike back, sending yet more arrows the way of the first, these either lashing through empty space or met by chisel-edged steel as Kedo and Toyozo run on under the exchange of arrows, the Ronin trusting to his speed and grace to see him through the volley and lending his efforts to his allies defence.

 ---

 Well, they all miss me so I'm free to try and assist Toyozo.

 00:16, Today: Kedo rolled 36 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4,8,2,(10+4)14,5,4,9. Arrow cutting (I hope).

 Okay, 34 is my target, +1 per additional arrow. There may be penalties of course, since I'm defending someone else but it's rather sweet to have exactly hit the needed number. ^_^

Toyozo's face was a mask of discontent.  Unlike his Ronin companion he could find no levity in the cowering and creeping that this latest chapter of battle had brought about. But still, to charge the enemy head on was foolhardy. What divides Crane from Lion is that the Crane would never needlessly throw lives away.

He ducked and moved ready himself for combat, his sword still sheathed but as always, ready in a flash.

Seeing the approach of their doom, the Lion manage to get off one more volley of arrows--targeting the ronin cutting them effortlessly from the air--before dropping their bows and drawing their spears.  Akimitsu's archers demonstrate their own worth by striking two of the enemy as Akimitsu himself proceeds just moments behind Kedo and Toyozo.

And then Kedo and Toyozo are at the barricade, among the sharp spear points of the Lion.

OOC:  Ashigaru TNtbH 22 (18 + 4 from higher ground and barricade)
Ashigaru Initiative 17

Damage to Kedo (assuming he doesn't make his defense check) 15

13:10, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 15 using 3d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 9,5,6. Damage Kedo.
13:08, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 40 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(10+10+8)28,2,3,1,8. Ashigaru 6 attack Kedo.
13:08, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 31 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4,(10+6)16,9,6,4. Ashigaru 5 attack Kedo.
13:08, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 19 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1,4,9,5,5. Ashigaru 4 attack Kedo.
13:08, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 30 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(10+2)12,1,(10+2)12,6,5. Ashigaru 3 attack Kedo.
13:07, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 22 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,7,1,6,7,8. Ashigaru 2 attack Kedo.
13:07, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 21 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,8,6,4,3,4. Ashigaru 1 attack Kedo
13:06, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 8 using 3d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5,3. damage Crane 2.
13:06, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 10 using 3d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5,5. damage Crane 1.
12:59, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 21 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2,3,3,(10+3)13,5. Crane Archer 2.
12:58, Sun 20 Nov: Kaze no Kage rolled 30 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,3,7,(10+5)15,7,6. Crane Archer 1.

 It would be inaccurate to say that what Kedo is doing comes without effort - each circular sweep of his body, each flowing motion of his arms and the blades that seem so much a part of them brings with it a debt to be repayed in the moments to come of speed and endurance... As he moves, there is a struggle within the simply clad Ronin to retain the necessary clarity of mind that will let him achieve the almost impossible task of keeping track of half-a-dozen individual archers and moving so that his blades can deflect or destroy their shots before they are launched (for no merely human set of reactions can hope to reliably intercept a war-arrow in flight without warning, to say nothing of five).

 Again the arrows are loosed, again a rain of splinters, feathers and metal shards rain down from their inconclusive encounter with chisel-edged steel and Kedo reaches the foot of the barricade to leap right (expecting Toyozo to leap left in order to present his right, dominant blade-side to the foe), the young man seeking to hasten towards the top before spears can be brought to bear upon him.

 ---

 03:16, Today: Kedo rolled 56 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1,2,(10+8)18,9,(10+10+4)24,2,4. This is going to sting..

Toyozo has become accustomed to following the ronin's lead and flowing in his wake, he bears left and squares shoulders as his katana arcs upwards at the nearest ashigaru.  The advantages the peasant has are inmaterial to the well trained Kakita and his sword strikes home.

[Private to GM: OK...
12:54, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 58 using 7d10+10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+4)14,1,8,5,1,(10+7)17,9. Belated initiative
13:08, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 37 using 10d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4,7,4,6,9,8,6,5,7. Attack w 2 free raises for damage.
13:08, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 24 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1,4,3,(10+7)17,2. damage. ]

Still reeling from the shock of Kedo's impressive display, the first of the defenders fails to adequately defend himself from Toyozo's explosive emergence from behind the ronin's wall of steel and he falls, clutching at his spilling innards.  Another ashigaru staggers under fire from Akimitsu's archers, but does not fall.  And then the Lion finally organize their response...but it is insufficent to deter the advancing bushi.

OOC:Ashigaru TNtbH 25 (18 + 4 from higher ground and barricade)
Ashigaru Initiative 17

19:27, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 33 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,5,(10+6)16,4,4,9. Ashigaru attack 8 Kedo.
19:26, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 30 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+2)12,3,9,7,9,6. Ashigaru attack 7 Kedo.
19:18, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 32 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5,(10+6)16,2,7,9. Ashigaru attack 6 Toyozo.
19:18, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 22 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,4,7,9,6,5. Ashigaru attack 5 Toyozo.
19:17, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 32 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(10+6)16,7,1,9,6. Ashigaru attack 4 Toyozo.
19:17, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 24 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,8,7,6,3,9. Ashigaru attack 3 Kedo.
19:17, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 14 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3,3,7,3,4. Ashigaru attack 2 Kedo.
19:16, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 20 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,2,4,3,3,7. Ashigaru attack 1 Kedo.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:19, Sat 24 Dec 2011.

 Kedo plunges through the expanding cloud of shattered arrows and drifting fletching to storm towards the barricade, pirouetting on his right foot to glide effortlessly between two ill-aimed spears... And coming within a few desperate inches of being skewered by two more as his off-hand sword blurs up in a hasty deflection, making up for in effectiveness what it lacks in grace as he momentarily raises a pair of Ashigaru spears high so that his Katana can glide in to lash twice across extended arms, gashing them severely before plunging over the exposed cover, aimed to slide between light spearmans armour and send his targets tumbling to the ground around clean but vicious wounds.

 The assault leaves a clear space for him to attempt to dive over the barrier and  he steps up them rolls across its top to seek secure footing on the far side, even that fluid motion serving as an attack when his boot snaps out at the jaw of one charging spearman while he's shifting his centre of balance and his sword hisses through the air to cut low at a second as he lands, aiming to send yet another foe spilling in the dirt clutching at his thigh while the first is checked for the moment he needs to find his balance.

 ---

Right, after an initial cock-up where I didn't drop dice and then rolled D3's for damage because I'm a bloody idiot:

41 initiative.

Ashigaru #1 (the one who rolled 33) gets hit twice, arm and torso with 39 & 60 for 14 & 45 damage respectively.

Ashugaru #2 (the one who rolled 30) gets hit twice, arm and torso with 47 & 34, for 34 & 31 respectively

 Those both ought to qualify me for free attacks for dropping someone, which will be a boot to the head (40 for 7 damage) and a slash to the legs (47 for 40 damage).

 The leg-cut might well let me get a free hit on the last Ashigaru. Instead I think Kedo will stand slowly on the far side of the barrier and just look at him.

[Private to GM: 15:00, Today: Kedo rolled 41 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(10+5)15,6,6,(10+7)17,9,5. Oh yes, initiative!


14:56, Today: Kedo rolled 39 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4,8,5,1,9,1,2,3. Ahem... #1, raise for extra attack.
14:57, Today: Kedo rolled 14 using 7d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5,5,2,7,1,6. Damage #1, 1.
14:57, Today: Kedo rolled 60 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2,7,8,4,3,9,(10+10+1)21,9. Ahem... #1, raise for extra damage.
14:58, Today: Kedo rolled 45 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+10+3)23,3,6,4,(10+3)13,2,9. Damage #1, 2.

14:56, Today: Kedo rolled 47 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,9,9,2,4,9,6,7,3. Ahem... #2, raise for extra attack.
14:57, Today: Kedo rolled 34 using 7d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,7,4,6,8,4,(10+10+6)26. Damage #2, 1.
14:57, Today: Kedo rolled 34 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2,4,4,4,4,7,5,3. Ahem... #2, raise for extra damage.
14:58, Today: Kedo rolled 31 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,7,(10+7)17,2,7,4,5. Damage #2, 2.

15:07, Today: Kedo rolled 47 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,9,6,8,2,9,7,8,8. Free attack, raise for damage.
15:07, Today: Kedo rolled 40 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+3)13,8,(10+8)18,9,7,2,9. Damage.

15:09, Today: Kedo rolled 40 using 5d10+13, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 2,8,9,3,7. Boot to the head!
15:10, Today: Kedo rolled 7 using 3d10, dropping the 2 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3,1. Whoops, boot to the head damage.
]

"Honor and speed are my strength." Toyozo whispers to himself and the ashigaru that stands in his way.  His sword flashes across the foot soldier's midsection  and in a similar flash the sword is back to it's neutral position waiting for the next opponent.

[Private to GM: 13:10, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 57 using 10d10+8, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,5,4,6,(10+10+4)24,6,5,8,5. Atk w 4 raise for dam.
13:13, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 40 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,7,7,(10+9)19,2,7,7. Katana damage.]

Kedo and Toyozo burst over the barricade like a force of nature--Kedo like the fire from Sleeping Thunder Mountain, Toyozo like the gentle wind that brings the hurricane.

As he leaps into the fray, Kedo rapidly cuts down two of the defending ashigaru, first removing their limbs and then gutting them like fish.  A third approaches to strike, but is met by Kedo's boot.  As he staggers back, stunned, the ronin takes his legs out from under him.  Literally.  At the knees.

Toyozo's single strike is a study in contrasts.  A graceful leap atop the barricade, followed by a rising cut through one of the ashigaru's desperate attempts to stop him...and the ashigaru himself.  As Toyozo stands, flicking the blood off of his blade, the ashigaru falls, blood raining down upon his surviving comrades.

The sudden death of half of their surviving number shakes your enemies' resolve, but they are Lion trained, and they hold, rather than flee from certain death.  Resolve, however, is not enough to overcome the defenses of the two samurai, and their responses are simply ineffective in the face of superior adversaries.

[Private to Kedo: +1 Drama Raise...I have a bad feeling that you're saving those up for something scary ^_^]
[Private to Doji Toyozo: you know that 4 raises will net you an extra attack, right?  That might be more efficient in terms of damage dealing than raises for damage.]

OOC:  I'm going to have to come up with some rules for attacking barricades--those should be harder to overcome.  Maybe an athletics check that reduces the number of dice you roll...Oh well, next time.

Ashigaru TNtbH 18
Ashigaru Initiative 17

22:54, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 35 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(10+3)13,3,8,1,(10+4)14. Ashigaru attack 4 Toyozo.
22:53, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 21 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,2,3,(10+3)13,2. Ashigaru attack 3 Toyozo.
22:53, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 25 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,2,7,2,5,9. Ashigaru attack 2 Kedo.
22:53, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 21 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5,6,1,9,2. Ashigaru attack 1 Kedo.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:40, Wed 28 Dec 2011.

 There is a dreadful calm settled upon Kedo and mirrored in his expression that is somehow far more unsettling than the war-cries of charging Matsu, a calm centered in and upheld by the wandering Ronin's need to keep some precious and unquenchable part of himself from this ending of mens lives, the unceremonious termination of their journeys through the world and the cutting away of all that they might yet have become.

 Without it he might give way under the weight of his deeds, with it he merely dances at the heart of the storm and deftly glides aside from one spear-thrust, turning smoothly into the gap between the second and the first that he deflects another down low as both weapons, continuing his turn as both swords reverse themselves deftly in his grip and slice up high, aiming to cut cleanly through sword-arms to inflict dreadful, but not life-threatening wounds that will leave neither Ashigaru able to fight but give each the chance to one day show their grandchildren their scars.

 It does not do after all, to risk that calm too greatly.

 ---

 I'm aiming to take these folks out of the fight wounded but not dead since they're not a real threat to two trained Bushi at this point. Means I don't get my 'drop someone free attack' ability but I think that's hardly going to matter.

[Private to GM: 23:55, Today: Kedo rolled 71 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,(10+4)14,3,8,8,1,(10+7)17,(10+9)19. #1, ? Raises for called shot to arm.
23:55, Today: Kedo rolled 45 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1,6,9,8,2,8,7,2. #2, ? Raises for called shot to arm.

 No idea how many raises that'll take, but I didn't roll damage (although I can if you want me to), instead just wanted to gash up their weapon arms so that they can't fight, but won't die or be particularly crippled. Oh, and I get one free one to play with on each strike as a matter of course.]

Toyozo's outward body radiates a calm and form that is as second nature as breathing. However within he finds himself growing impatient, anxious to move past these peasants.  Two breaths and two strikes, two different men taste his wrath.

[Private to GM: 23:05, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 50 using 10d10+3, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(10+7)17,6,5,8,8,5,4,2,8. Atk w intention to raise for xtra atk.
23:05, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 43 using 10d10+3, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,7,6,(10+1)11,6,3,6,5,9,4. Extra atk w raises.
23:20, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 11 using 5d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,1,6,3. damage 1st atk.
23:20, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 17 using 5d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,4,9,7,7. damage 2nd atk.]

As the last of the Lion ashigaru lose their weapons--or their lives--avoice rings out from the streets.

"Stand down!  Your spears are of no use here, and your lives are too valuable to waste upon an enemy that is beyond you!" the surviving ashigaru turn and bow, for out of the streets come three samurai displaying the great armor and banners of the Lion.

"I am Matsu Arugake, the crushing hammer of Kyuden Tonbo.  I defeated Mirumoto Masahi in the battle of Kyuden Tonbo and Kakita Hinato fell to my blade in the last battle of Toshi Ranbo!"

"I am Matsu Shigarami, and I served with the Crab on the Kaiu wall for three seasons.  There is no mortal death that you can deliver that is more terrible than the hordes of Jigoku."

"I am Ikoma Kazeguruma, and I have no such record of combat, but I can promise to be more entertaining than the slaughter of poorly trained ashigaru."

 With two Ashigaru spinning away from him bearing neatly matching sword-wounds on their weapon arms, Kedo finishes his turning forward step just in time to hear the announcement from up ahead and stands attentively as the trio announce themselves, only to offer a polite bow (so they don't think he's ignoring them) when the three have done and look about for a moment, using the end of a bale of cloth that's been stuffed into the barricade in order to painstakingly wipe his blades clean - which of course serves to give his social superior, Doji Toyozo, the opportunity to reply before he does.

Toyozo steps forward, his bearing is haughty, proud, Crane. "I am Doji Toyozo, and I wonder which Lion trained these ashigaru so poorly. My accolades matter not, for none of you shall live to tell them." Toyozo looks to Kedo.

"The Ronin his Kedo, he is the death of one of you, whether you wish to be firghtened of it or not.  Arugake-san, his sword will have struck you several times before your hammer even begins to descend upon him."

 After Toyozo's slightly grandiose but suitably impressive introduction, Kedo opens his mouth to do likewise only to be cut short by the fact that his Crane companion is taking care of that little detail for him - for a brief moment his face falls in an almost comical fashion and he takes on a slightly pained expression behind Toyozo's back, giving a slightly apologetic shrug as if to say 'what can you do?' towards Kazeguruma, obviously of the opinion that if he's working with a pair of Matsu he knows exactly how Kedo feels.

 He doesn't however do anything as impolite as disagree or edit the assertations of his social superior, and instead simply bows slightly then assumes a ready, defensive stance in order to see how this will develop.

Ikoma Kazeguruma merely raises an eyebrow at Kedo's shrug and glances at his fellow Lion with a smile as if to say, sometimes you have to let the bull loose in the china shop if you want to bring it home--but what else can you expect from a man named after a child's toy in a Clan full of bushi.  At Kakita Toyozo's well aimed insults, the two Matsu start foreward, fury filling their faces, but Kazeguruma stops them with a raised hand.

"Kakita-san," he says, "while I am not the bushi that the Matsu aspire to be, I believe that I will be more entertaining to you.  And they, in the way of the Matsu, will be more entertaining to the ronin than myself.  If you would oblige me?" he asks, his posture indicating that he is offering to meet Toyozo on his own ground--the ground of iaijutsu.

"I would tell you to prepare to meet your ancestors ronin," Arukage spits, drawing his nodachi, "but I doubt if they care about your survival one way or the other."

Shigarami simply spits at Kedo's feet before the two of them charge the waiting ronin.

OOC:  Kedo, roll initiative and post actions.

Toyozo, you get a choice:  you can roll initiatve to fight Kazeguruma with kenjutsu or you can take an iaijutsu stance and face him in a duel scenario.

[Private to Doji Toyozo: +1 glory]
[Private to Kedo: From somewhere far away you hear Daidoji Sakura's voice whisper "Ganbatte yo Kedo-kun"]

 And that is something Kedo has never truly understood - the greatest achievements in a Bushi's life come when they must face life and death against another of their own kind. Those moments will define and enrich all those that follow them, and to denigrate the ones who give the gift of those moments is... madness at best.

 Instead he simply advances his defensive stance one pace and replies "Whether you stand or fall, know that you will be seen upon the mountain, Matsu-san's." and prepares to receive their charge, moving with his accustomed balance and grace to try and deflect the awesome power of the charging Matsu's blows away from his lightly armoured flesh in order to gain a moment to strike.

 ---

 Full defensive posture while I work out what I'm dealing with

 12:04, Today: Kedo rolled 45 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,9,6,7,8,(10+9)19,(10+7)17. Initiative.

 12:03, Today: Kedo rolled 37 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+6)16,7,7,4,7,2,1,3. Defensive posture.

 That makes my TNtbH this round a mighty 75, which since the Matsu attacks are coming in with No-Dachi and berserker strength, is none too much for my comfort. ^_^

In reply to Kaze no Kage (msg #113):

Toyozo steps outside of the two Matsu & Kedo's area.  He dips into a squatting stance, legs shoulder width apart, both arms bent at ninety degree angles and his palms up.  His eyes are closed.  He exhales and peculiarly brings his right foot forward and drags it thru the dirt in a line in front of him, sweeps it once to the right and then to the left.  A peculiar habit he picked up while sparring on the Isles of the mantis. Bringing his foot back, he resumes his stance and his eyes flutter open.  "My house is Doji, you deaf fool. If you want entertainment, flee and I can later arange for a Kakita Storyteller to write of your many failures."  With that he takes the familiar Kakita pose of an open palm above his sword hilt.

[Private to GM: Apologies for relishing too much in what was obviously a typo, but I could not resist making Toyozo more of a jackass.]

"A Doji wishes to tell an Ikoma how to handle failure?" the Ikoma replies with a shrug, settling into his own stance--bending at the knees and waist as if bowing, "well, you speak of what you know, I suppose."

roll awareness/iaijutsu

***

The two Matsu approach Kedo with all the wild fury associated with their family name, albeit from different directions.  Matsu Arukage charges at Kedo from the right with a wild scream, his nodachi raised high.  The Lion samurai brings the weapon down in a series of mighty blows heedless of the ronin's defenses, as if by sheer force of will he can shatter them.  But like the storm upon the mountain, all of his his fury that is frustrated by Kedo's technique.  From the left, Matsu Shigarami brings to bear a massive studded tetsubo--a legacy of his time with the crab no doubt--swinging it with abandon in an attemp to batter through the ronin's defenses like the horde against the wall...with about as much success.  Kedo's skill is simply too much for them to batter through by main force.

Initiative 17
TNtbH 35

21:46, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 17 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4,5,5,5,7. Initiative.
20:10, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 59 using 10d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+6)16,1,8,1,2,(10+6)16,3,8,8,(10+1)11. Attak 2 Kedo.
20:10, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 51 using 10d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,5,9,9,7,9,(10+7)17,1,5. Attack 1 Kedo.

 But that skill is only so great when augmented by everything the ronin has of speed and focus, narrowing his world down to the motion of the enemies weapons and the bare inches by which they miss his lightly armoured skin - to give up anything of that defence in order to strike at one foe over the other would be to lay himself open to a crushing blow from the other Matsu, whereas to strike at both in one fluid motion is to almost certainly leave him exposed to a return-stroke from two wounded, but fundamentally unharmed Matsu berserkers.

 That, needless to say would end the fight swiftly.

 Instead he sways out from under the descending Tetsubo and then moves over it before it can be raised to strike once more, turning swiftly as he deflects a sweep of the no-Dachi up and over his descending head to come out behind the pair of Matsu and using the momentum of their charge to buy him a few seconds in which he remarks "Did not Akodo say that on dangerous ground, one should maneuver?" and leaping up and back onto the wooden boards in front of a nearby merchants home, defending himself as he prepares to back through the door, permitting only one of the two Matsu to reach him (unless they want to spend a few moments smashing the wall down with tetsubo blows).

 ---

 12:22, Today: Kedo rolled 34 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,7,9,8,3,2,8,2. Defending m'self while maneuvering.
 A defence of 72 (which is worryingly within their reach) and next round I want to be somewhere where only one of them can smack me.

Toyozo exhales sizing up his opponent.

[Private to GM: 16:42, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 31 using 9d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4,7,9,5,8,3,1,4. Assesment with 3 raises.
Give me the three traits Void, Reflexes, and Agility I think, and his Iajutsu rank.  I believe those are what I can look up, though I must admit my book is back at home right now.]

Kedo successfully defends himself against his opponents' brutally efficient attacks as he ducks into a nearby building.  Within the ricepaper and wood walls are a pair of women, masked as thieves, riffling through the goods of what appears to be a moderately successful kimono shop.  One of them stops to look at the intruder--as if they, not he, were supposed to be there.

"I know you!" one of the women cries, "you're that ronin from the bath house!  Eep!"  She is interrupted by the sudden entrance of Matsu Arukage and his nodachi.  With a wild Lion cry, the Matsu charges, swinging wildly at the grey clad savior of the bath house.  Meanwhile, Matsu Shigarami begins clearing a path for himself by applying his tetsubo upon the shoji with good effect.

OOC 23:12, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 49 using 9d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+8)18,(10+7)17,1,6,2,5,1,8,2. Matsu attack.

---
The Ikoma is no foolish Matsu, to allow rage to cloud his focus.  Dispite his foolish demeanor, he is well prepared for a duel of this caliber.

OOC Void 3, Reflexes 4, agility 4, Iaijutsu 5

 The leap up and back carries Kedo free of the rending sweep of the No-Dachi, his pirouetting sidestep with a circling flash of steel that distracts rather than parries wards him from the Tetsubo and in a moment he's through the door, a few seconds grace bought in the tangle of pressing Lions as they race after him, in which he can offer a chiding "Unless those are to be torn for bandages for the fallen, you shame yourselves in this, what bene... Excuse me."

 The break-off of course is caused by a towering Matsu berserker shouldering through the door with the express intention of seeing Kedo spit like a war-banner, and there's time only for a small bob of the head from the Ronin towards the ladies before he's turning back to engage, giving over a little of his focus on defence in order to strike swiftly and lethally, Wakizashi moving in a straight-arm thrust to ward not the No-Dachi but the arm that holds it, while his Katana reverses in his hand to flashe out from right to left at midriff-height between Kusazuri and Do then returning at shoulder height in an effort to end the threat from one Matsu before the second can reach him.

[Private to GM:  My first blow is 51 to hit (one raise from my skill, one from the roll) and 46 damage.
 My second blow is 45 to hit (likewise), 33 damage.
 My defence however, is down to 38 when I attack so if Matsu Attack comes this round, before my initiative (when I very much hope I drop them) I'm going to get smeared. ^_^

10:50, Today: Kedo rolled 56 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,9,8,6,2,7,2,(10+8)18,8. #1 One raise for damage.
10:51, Today: Kedo rolled 46 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+5)15,(10+4)14,8,1,2,9,(10+7)17. #1 Damage (one raise, one free raise).

10:51, Today: Kedo rolled 50 using 9d10+13, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1,8,(10+1)11,9,1,9,6,2. #2 One raise for damage.
10:51, Today: Kedo rolled 33 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5,9,3,3,3,(10+8)18. #2 Damage (one raise, one free raise).]

kedo's bout with the two Matsu does not even register to Toyozo. The world falls away as he takes in his opponent and no one else.

Void shall be his stat, what shall mine be?

"I believe we are done here," Ikoma Kazeguruma stands, ending the duel, "I look forward to meeting you in the upcoming Court, Doji-san," the Lion bows, "assuming the both of us survive the next few hours."

As Kazeguruma's voice pierces Toyozo's focus, he hears a sharp cry of pained anger cut off by a terrible gurgling gasp.

***

Kedo's blades strike home, streaks of red red blood exploding along the walls.  Arukage struggles to raise his blade to strike at the vulnerable ronin, but cannot even keep his feet.  Slowly the Lion sinks to his knees, unintelligible curses spilling from his lips along with flecks of blood.

"Arukage!" Shigarami screams, his tetsubo crashing through the last of the obstacles in his way, "Ronin!  Prepare to die!"

Initiative 17
TNtbH 50

 Stomach and throat open in the same half-second of flashing steel, Kedo's sword sending arcing crescents of blood and worse splashing across paper walls and wooden floors alike, bleeding the strength from the raging Matsu's counter-strike in the tiny sliver of time that his maneuvering has opened up between the two Lion's relentless assault. He leaps back from the smashing descent of the Tetsubo, centers himself and lunges back, seeking to end the fight before it can be raised again, both blades striking forwards with unchecked agression, aiming to take the raging Bushi from his feet in a while of swift-striking steel.

 His leading sword slides through a chink in the Matsu's armour low on the chest, while his second scores a jagged line along the laquered steel and fails to penetrate, leaving the Ronin momentarily vulnerable...

[Private to GM:  Initiative 45
 TNTBH 38, but he has three free raises.
 Aggressive attack (lowering the DC to hit him by 10 and using 1 for extra damage, which adds to my existing free raise for an additional 1k1)

11:02, Today: Kedo rolled 45 using 9d10+13, keeping the 4 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4,8,7,8,7,7,9,1. #1 Aggressive (2 damage, 2 to hit).
11:04, Today: Kedo rolled 47 using 7d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+9)19,3,4,(10+9)19,9,2,3. #1 Damage (1 raise, one free raise).

11:02, Today: Kedo rolled 37 using 9d10+13, keeping the 4 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2,2,5,5,1,7,5,3. #2 Aggressive (2 damage, 2 to hit).
 Attack misses!]

Toyozo relaxes out of his stance and gives the Ikoma a short bow.  He looks to Kedo and holds back his instinct to charge to his defense.  No, this is Kedo's battle, only if he falls or another engages will I risk dishonoring his skill.

Matsu Shiragami coughs as Kedo's blade enters his chest, piercing a lung, blood flecking his lips.

"I'll kill you, you grey bastard," the Lion hacks out, raising his tetsubo with weakening arms, "if it's the last thing I do."

However, his attack fails to connect, the tetsubo thumping solidly on the ground.

12:52, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 12 using 9d10-20, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1,5,3,7,3,2,(10+6)16,4. Attack Kedo.

TNtbH 35

 The samurai is a man who is dead. His life is the property of his Lord to be spend or hoarded according to the needs of family and clan... But a Ronin has no family, no clan. His life is therefore worth nothing and his honour similarly without value. That is the attitude that has grown up since the appearance of wave-men across the Empire... but it is not necessarily a traditional one merely because it is widespread.

 The Miromoto (for example) tend to feel that the final arbiter of the value of a Samurai's life is determined by the manner in which that life was lived - a harsh judgement perhaps, but one that has led them to better relations with wandering swordsmen than most, and something of that attitude has rubbed off on Kedo, which means that while his heart is town with sympathy his mind is filled with disgust for a man who cannot die with grace.

 It is his heart which is ascendant however, and so as his blade whispers from the pierced body of his lion foe he gently whispers "Sleep now Matsu Shiragami, and know that you served your family with honour." as his sword whistles around in a keen-edged sweep designed to separate head form body as cleanly and swiftly as possible, while the grey-armoured Bushi steps in in and past the foe, aiming to avoid the inevitable splatter if his blow strikes true.

 ---

22:43, Today: Kedo rolled 43 using 9d10, keeping the 4 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2,2,8,9,8,(10+8)18,2,7. Kedo, chop! (one raise for damage).

22:44, Today: Kedo rolled 20 using 7d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,2,4,7,5,1,4. Damage.

Seeing the other two Lion Bushi dead or near death, Toyozo calls to the Ikoma, "I believe that concludes things here Ikoma-san.  You may of course head back to your lines or stay here until the battle has past and we are to begin collecting our dead."

Like Arukage before him, Matsu Shigarami falls to the sweep of Kedo's blades.  He dies standing upright, his head falling from his shoulders before his body strikes the ground.  Kedo's grey remains so, unblemished by the blood of the fallen.

***

"I believe that I shall head back to our own lines, Doji-san," Ikoma Kazeguruma replies, inclining his head politely, "to bring word of Shigarami and Arukage's deaths to their families.  I expect that they will be comforted by the fact that they fell in battle to a superior foe.  You, Doji-san, I expect to face upon the battlefield of Winter Court, so do not die before then.  I am known to fight my own duels, and I will be training with you in mind."

With a final bow, the remaining Lion bushi departs from the field of battle.

 In the shattered remains of the kimono shop, Kedo pauses to take up a length of moderate-quality cloth and wipe both his swords before putting them away, looking about him for the two women he caught in the act of theft as he does so - and rather predictably discovering them to have employed discretion over valour when a trio of warring Bushi stormed through the door and wall.

 He then steps out of the store and down the steps, one Ronin returning where three Bushi hastened away, pausing to offer a deep and respectful bow to Ikoma Kazeguruma as the third Lion conducts himself in a manner both honourable and courageous, mention of the fallen Bushi's families stirring him to remark "They fought with great courage and determination. In death, as in life, they were Lions." for what little comfort it might offer.

In reply to Kaze no Kage (msg #128):

"Until Winter Court then." Toyozo says simply.  He gives a nod to Kedo, "Well fought Kedo-san. Your legend grows amongst the Lion no doubt."

"To fall while facing a worthy opponent is second in honor only to success," the Ikoma bows, "you may be certain that their tales will have a conclusion worthy of their end.  Until Winter Court, where I expect to face the two of you in a different sort of conflict."

 Rising out of his bow, Kedo breaks into a wry, boyish smile for a moment and remarks "I am accumulating a number of social obligations at the Winter Court today... I only hope that I have the fortune to be able to meet them.", which is as close as he's likely to come to acknowledging the giddy adrenaline-thrill of being alive when your foes are not.

 Rejoining Toyozo, he glances back over his shoulder for a moment, seeking a flash of Daidoji colours and then suggests politely to the Crane "With the barricade here secure I expect there will be archers of our own to hold it in due course... Would you care to chose a place where we might make our presence felt?"

Toyozo gives a small nod and glances around the city.  Trying to get a feel for the flow of battle.

[Private to Kaze no Kage; Kedo: What does it look like currently on the field of battle?  Would you like me to roll battle? And isn't Akimitsu supposed to be nearby?]

Just from a cursory observation, it is clear that the battle is going well for the Crane and poorly for the Lion.  What had been an aggressively staged advance on the part of the Lion, now seemed to be a cautious retreat.

OoC:  if you'd like more detailed information, you can make a perception/battle roll.
Yes, akimitsu was supposed to be around, but his player seems to have disappeared. :-(

Toyozo looks around and frowns. It is painful for him to say this... "I yield to your judgement, Kedo-san." he says thru a great feat of keeping his On.

Ha,
16:54, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 11 using 2d10 with rolls of 7,4. Perception/Battle roll.

 If Kedo notices that he is being consulted due to a failure of perception upon his companions part rather than as a simple courtesy he gives no indication of it and instead gives a swift, deep bow before looking about him, eyes lingering for a moment on an arrow-feathered bodies of Lion messengers laying atop the debris of earlier battle, ears picking up the sounds of engagement drums outside the walls... And assessing accordingly.

 "Thankyou Toyozo-san... as I am sure you are aware, the Lion are engaged heavily within the city and it seems as though our allies have arrived... Shall we then go and see if it is possible to further disrupt their plans with a visit to their commander?" - he indicates the street ahead, beyond which lies the breach in the wall with a wakizashi-filled hand.

Toyozo nods. "You continue to prove a worthy addition to the Crane's forces, Kedo-san." Toyozo says as he moves off in that direction.

 "You are more generous than I deserve, Toyozo-san." replies the architect of the defence plan for Toshi Ranbo softly, with the typically soft-spoken, grey-clad Dragonish humility that's all the more frustrating because they have an annoying tendency to believe in it, "I am here only to remind some few people of who they always were, and to perhaps learn something of Steel. The strength of the Crane is and always was what shall carry this day."

Doji Toyozo and Kedo advance on the Lion.  As they make their way to convince the Lion commander that his presence in Toshi Ranbo was unwelcome, they see a number of ashigaru being dispatched to the ever advancing front.

OOC:  I'm taking a page out of the 7th sea book, so these ashigaru only take a successful hit to take out, no need to roll damage--so feel free to take raises for extra attacks per round.

Every round more ashigaru will arrive, so as long as you take out all of them, you can advance in that round, if you don't then you're stalled until you're overwhelmed by numbers or you get past them.  Think of it like those chains of enemies being cut down by a single samurai ^_^

Current Ashigaru count:  3
TNtbH:  13

 Permitting his companion precedence, Kedo automatically falls into position on Toyozo's flank, swords at the ready to face the charge and attempt to slice a path through whatever portion of the onrushing foe successfully passes his steel.

 With the Crane heading forwards to engage, Kedo takes his flank and wards it, moving to bring his blades into position to intercept threats to his companion and - when opportunity allows - slice through the bodies and limbs of the courageous, but ultimately outclassed Lion Ashigaru.

 ---

 Ceding initiative to Toyozo, I'll try and carve through what's left.

[Private to GM:  I hate to say this... but at their TbHN it's not possible for Kedo to miss. He gets two attacks a round, bonuses to make the raises for more and whenever he kills someone, he gets a free attack. I can't quite bring myself to glory in slaughtering brave, but hopeless foes so do you mind handling Kedo's part of backing up Toyo narratively?]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:19, Tue 13 Mar 2012.

Toyozo nods and lunges forward he strikes down the first ashigaru and follows thru slashing upward at a second target.

[Private to Kaze no Kage; Kedo: With higher initiative (which I assume I have) I get extra raises so my second swing would still hit the second guy. First swing was obviously a hit.
12:52, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 49 using 9d10, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(10+9)19,(10+4)14,1,4,9,3,2,7.
12:52, Today: Doji Toyozo rolled 8 using 9d10-20, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4,1,2,9,9,3,2,6. 4 raises for 2nd attack against 2nd ashi.]

OOC moving you guys to group 1, the Lion Crisis for the climax