OOC: Rooftop sounds good, just get around to a side of the building that I won't be fired upon while climbing. A rooftop would give me a good advantage, so do that.

[Sakura is heading for the roof as well.]

The ashigaru pursuing Sakura and Sumi stop and watch in awe as Bayushi Kenshin's perfect strike cuts down the mighty Matsu Minako with all of the artistry that Kakita's technique can achieve.

"At last," Minako coughs, blood flecking her mouth, "a worthy foe."

With a crash of lacquered armor, the Lion bushi falls.

[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: +1 Drama Raise to be used on a later roll]

Meanwhile, Daidoji Sakura and Tsuruchi Sumi continue to climb stealthily to the rooftops...

[Private to Daidoji Sakura; Tsuruchi Sumi: make an Agility/Stealth check]

Tsuruchi Sumi rolled 28 using 7k3 with rolls of 1,3,(10+3)13,8,6,7,2. Agility/Stealth.

Once in a good position, Sumi readies her bow again.

Sakura climbed quietly behind the somewhat more agile (and much more recently trained) Wasp. She was well versed in stealth techniques, though her chances to practice them were few. Still, this was Ashigaru that she was going up against, not Kitsuki Magistrates.

It would be good enough.

[Agility/Stealth: 34

18:16, Today: Daidoji Sakura rolled 34 using 10d10, dropping the 7 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,1,(10+8)18,1,3,4,7,9,7. Agility/Stealth.]

Kenshin flicked the blood off his blade and returned it to its saya.

"She has died with honor" he said to nobody in particular.

"Your Bushi has fallen" he said calmly to the assembled Ashigaru, "you may withdraw with honor. Should you choose not to do so, you will all die."

It was not bravado or pretense that made Kenshin say such a thing, but rather Duty. When a Samurai died in such a fashion, it was the Duty of their followers to maintain her honor. Should these Ashigaru fail to do so on their own, he and his small party would ensure that they did so in spite of their dishonor.

Two of the ashigaru lift the still form of Matsu Minako and carry her back to their lines.  The four remaining ashigaru hold their weapons respectfully, if warily.

"We have our orders, Samurai-sama," one bows without lowering his guard, "as your duty is to defend this position, ours is to take it from you.  While we appreciate your compassion in allowing us to withdraw, we cannot do so without betraying our oaths.  We too are prepared to die."

So saying, the four Ashigaru ready themselves for combat.

[Private to Daidoji Sakura; Tsuruchi Sumi: having found a safe place on the rooftops to prepare, Sumi and Sakura are close enough to see and hear the exchange between the ashigaru and Kenshin.]

OOC:  roll initiative and post actions

Sumi was prepared to fire, even pulling her bow back, but didn't release just yet. Instead she called to them. "Surely you realize that you cannot win this. Why throw your lives away needlessly? Just four of you? You cannot hope to succeed. Go back to your clan's army and admit that you came close but could not take it."

Tsuruchi Sumi rolled 18 using 6d10 keeping the 3 highest rolls, with rolls of 8,4,5,2,5,3. Initiative.

Honor. He understood it's nuances well, but also why his clan chose Duty over everything else. By standing as they did, their own deaths were assured. Brave? Yes. Honorable? Certainly. Foolish?

Yes.

Now they could not serve their clan any further -- they would simply die. The Lion were not good at turning the death of any Lion into an advantage, not like his Clan.

"Very well" Kenshin replied, standing firm. "then come and die with honor."

Sakura stayed hidden and kept her eyes on the Ashigaru that had attacked her earlier. If only the four stayed, and they fought with honor, then the Junshin would take care of them soon enough. If not ...

"This is Seppuku" she whispered to her companion, "nothing less."

"I agree," Sumi answered Sakura in a whisper, "but I feel like giving them a chance to change their minds."

"Perhaps," the Lion Ashigaru replies, lowering his spear as his fellows do the same.  As the sharp points drop arrows arc over their heads to strike out at Bayushi Kenshin and Tsuruchi Sumi.

"And perhaps not!" he cries, lunging with his spear.

OOC:
Enemy Initiative:  17
Enemy TNtbH: 18

Bow attack on Kenshin 22
Bow attack on Sumi 20
Spear 1 attack 18
Spear 2 attack 23
Spear 3 attack 19
Spear 4 attack 22

20:37, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 17 using 4d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 9,4,4,3. Initiative.
20:35, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 22 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,7,1,1,5,8. spear attack Kenshin 4.
20:35, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 19 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1,6,4,2,6. spear attack Kenshin 3.
20:35, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 23 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,6,4,3,3,(10+3)13. spear attack Kenshin 2.
20:35, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 18 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5,1,8,2,3. spear attack Kenshin 1.
20:35, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 22 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,7,2,7,8,2. bow attack Kenshin.
20:35, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 20 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,7,2,2,9,4. bow attack Sumi.

"Chikushō! Baka." Sumi swore, cursing her own attempt at talking the ashigaru down. After the ashigaru arrow missed her, sumi returned fire with her own bow.

Tsuruchi Sumi
rolled 34 using 6k3, with rolls of 5,9,2,(10+7)17,5,8. Bow attack @ archer.
rolled 36 using 5k3, with rolls of 8,(10+9)19,2,4,9. Bow damage.

Kenshin was not going to waste any more time discussing the issue with these Ashigaru. Honor was one thing, but foolishness and false bravado ... they could discuss these things with their ancestors.

Kenshin struck.

[Init: 52. Will use Tides of Battles to add 1d10 to his init next turn.

Trying to strike 2 Ashigaru at once (3 called raises; using 1 free raise; 3 free raises towards damage). Modified TN: 33

Hit 1(39) & 2(47; gains another free raise).
Damage is (7k3 = 3k2 + 2k0 + 2k1; 7k4 = 3k2 + 2k0 + 2k2): 31, 24.


Boring Details:
15:13, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 24 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,4,3,1,3,6,5. Damage 2 (reroll).
15:12, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 31 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1,(10+8)18,6,4,7,1. Damage 1 (reroll miscounted raises).
15:10, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 23 using 6d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,5,2,5,(10+5)15,1. Damage 1 (reroll).
15:08, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 32 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,9,3,4,4,9,1,9. Init (+20).
15:05, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 7 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 7. Exploding 9 (2).
15:05, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 5 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Exploding 9 (1).
15:04, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 22 using 5d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(10+3)13,9,1,5. Damage 2.
15:04, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 16 using 5d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,8,8,7,7. Damage 1.
15:02, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 30 using 10d10, dropping the 6 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1,4,6,8,3,6,7,9,2. Strike two Ashigaru at once (call 3).
15:00, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 24 using 10d10, dropping the 6 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,9,6,1,1,3,4,4,2,5. Strike two Ashigaru at once (call 3).]

Sakura observed the events quietly, choosing to do nothing for now -- for now. These were, after all, Ashigaru and Ashigaru didn't deserve the effort it would have taken for her to use her true abilities. Especially those that acted as these did.

She would remember, however, to obtain a bow -- preferably a Hankyu -- or to learn a spell that could be used more effectively at range.

[Hold. These two seem to have everything well in hand.]

A figure emerges from the rubble behind the two ashigaru archers.  The sun flashes as the newcomer's katana slashes at the peasants.  Those who know can immediately identify the man as a trained Daidoji Harrier by the style of armor he wears, but the facing scorpions comprising his battle mask attest to his Clan.


OOC:
Init:49

Full Attack Posture

Attack 2 ashigaru archers from cover
Stealth (Ambush)- 22
Attack Rolls (2 Free Raises, 2 Called Raises)- 32 & 45
Damage- 23 & 12

One of the archers screams as Sumi's arrow shatters his femur, but it is quickly cut off as Kenji's surprise strike punctures a lung.  The other archer is still turning when the dual trained bushi's strike takes him in the arm, causing him to drop his bow.  The ashigaru staggers back from the Scorpion samurai groping for his spear.

None of the ashigaru facing Kenshin manage to pierce his formidable defenses, and two of them attempt to fall back after his responding strikes cut into their bodies.  They are, however, soldiers of the Lion, and they rally themselves, continuing their doomed path.

OOC:  seriously, I need to come up with tougher enemies
Enemy Initiative 17
Enemy TNtbH 18

All attacks miss

As the one ashigaru fell, Sumi sighted another and launched an arrow at him.

Tsuruchi Sumi:
rolled 30 using 5k3, with rolls of 9,3,9,3,(10+2)12. Initiative.
rolled 28 using 8k3, with rolls of 6,2,4,(10+3)13,8,5,7,1. Bow attack.
rolled 19 using 6k3, with rolls of 5,2,3,3,5,9. Bow damage.

Rarely would a Scorpion have the Force of Honor on his side, but this was one of those times. As far as Bayushi Kenshin was concerned, these worthless vermin had defiled their Samurai's memory and wasted the Emperor's precious resource -- their lives. Honor -- and his ancestors -- guided Bayushi Kenshin's blade, leaving very little left before him.

In fact, there was nothing left in Kenshin's mind at this point. He had entered one of those rare, meditative times. Now, there was only what was. There was only sword and honor.

The Pincher Crushed.

[Tougher enemies at this point would be anti-climactic. Matsu-San was quite tough, thank you very much.

Init: 57 (with Tides of Battle). Four free raises will go to attacking twice, leaves one free raise left. Calling three for damage (total of four).

TN: 33. Hit both with two uncalled raises (total six). Damage is:
  8k5 = 3k2 + 2k0 (STR) + 3k3 (six total raises)

Damge: 31, 54

23:41, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 54 using 8d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5,9,6,8,2,9,(10+10+2)22.
23:40, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 31 using 8d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,4,2,1,3,3,9,9.
23:37, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 57 using 10d10+10, dropping the 6 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,6,7,4,9,6,7,(10+5)15,2,(10+6)16.
23:37, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 55 using 10d10+10, dropping the 6 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5,1,5,(10+10+3)23,8,4,2,9,4.]

Sakura was preparing to take out one of the archers when Kenji appeared. It was probably for the best that the two Samurai were destroying the few remaining Ashigaru.

It was for the best that her abilities remain hidden ... for now.

Kenji's blades flashes again, striking the wounded ashigaru again.  Kenji emotionless eyes flash around the immediate field of battle, taking note of the Lion casualties near Kenshin as well as the angle of fire of the hidden archer.  His katana snaps outward, Lion lifeblood flung to the earth, before returning to its rest.


OOC:
Attack Posture
Attack (2 Raises for damage)- 34
Damage- 19
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:40, Mon 28 Nov 2011.

The ashigaru fight bravely, but against the combined forces of three trained samurai, even outnumbering them two to one, the ashigaru fall.

OOC:
Continuing against the Lion:  2 VP Challenge, +1 bonus Glory

Hold position:  1 VP Challenge, +1d10 healing

Fall back:  0 VP Challenge, +2d10 healing, -1 Glory

+3 VP (2 VP challenge +1 VP for defeating challenge in less than three rounds), +1 Glory[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: +2 Glory, +1 xp for duel]

Kenji approaches the rubble filled breach.  "It is an honor, Bayushi-sama. Your skill is renowned and I feel the Fortunes have blessed me with the opportunity to stand with you on this field," he says, bowing in greeting to Kenshin.

Once the immediate ashigaru threat was over, Sumi climbed down from her perch and began recovering her arrows.

Kenshin flicked the blood of his blade, wiping what little remained on the fine steel of clothing of the fallen Ashigaru before returning it to the sheath.

"The honor is mine, Cousin" he replied a bow, "or, perhaps both of ours that the Fortunes would trust us with this Duty, in this time and at this place."

He looked around and thought for a moment.

"We have been delayed, though thankfully not by much. We should hasten to our next position."