Deleted
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Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2018 1:39:37 GMT -8
Just on the fringes of the Shogun's claimed territory on the western half of the island is one of several bandit forts looming dangerously close to peaceful settlements - fortified and inhabited more than a simple watch post or camp. The palisade walls are constantly manned with patrols to watch for any fools attempting to get close without their knowledge - or take their fort away from them. Situated on the western side of the large river running from the caverns of the mountain range to the north, they have a very strong position between Yueqiu and the valuable mines that the river flows from.  |
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149 
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 4, 2018 13:44:18 GMT -8
It took two days for Lord Haitaka and his entourage of 15 Samurai, 3 Samurai veterans, 10 archers, 4 footmen, one shinobi, and a cart of lamp oil, to make it to the fort. Smartly the party would stop well out of sight of the fortress, setting up camp in the nearby forest. No fires would be lit of course, ensuring the party would remain undetected by the fort's watchmen.
Haitaka stood in the brush, looking at the fortress from cover. His eyes watching patrols and watchmen as closely as he could. Between the distance and the darkness of night he could make out very little, but enough. He had a strategy and at the moment staying hidden was the most important piece of his plan.
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Deleted
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Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2018 20:25:24 GMT -8
Nori was quickly growing impatient, but at the same time he understood the silence and stealth approach to shadows and how vital it was here. The Shogun was no fool, and despite his youth Nori was not one, either. But this didn't stop him pacing repeatedly around a tree - in the back of the camp as to avoid bringing unwanted attention by his motions from the fort. Sadly this only evolved into a figure eight around two trees, but he remained quiet all the while. Eventually he would stop and carefully slip up beside his lord and peer through the darkness at the fort in the distance - the fires and lamps there providing a rough outline of the walls and towers in the night. "... far be it from me to question you, my Lord, but is there something we can be doing?" He would turn his head to glance at the man. "Or at least for me? Sitting still is driving me crazy." |
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 4, 2018 23:20:29 GMT -8
Lord Haitaka ignored the man for a moment. "Tell me. With this fortress being on a water's edge. When would be the best time for someone to get close, through the open ground, without being spotted?" The question was rhetorical. The shinobi would already know that with the rising sun a thick fog would, or at least should, rise from the river and come down from the mountains thus blinding the fortress for a few hours everyday. It was the greatest weakness of this fortress as well as her sister across the water's edge. "That's when we'll strike. When they are blind. But we cannot risk being detected before that moment." His tone became grim, "If any bandits enter these woods kill them. I would ask you to capture instead but I wouldn't risk any getting loose and warning the fortress." He spoke a bit more cheerfully, "With luck you'll have some entertainment, depends on if bandits are brave enough to venture in the woods at night. Oh, and it goes without saying, kill them in a manner so they don't cry out in agony."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2018 23:30:27 GMT -8
Nori perked up almost instantly upon the thought of getting to slit a few throats, silently. The mirth was clear in his gaze where his expression was still hidden. "Of course, my Lord. Nothing less~" he chirped. "You won't hear a sound." |
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2018 23:46:31 GMT -8
The night would pass uneventful. No one left the fort. The only ones outside the walls were patrols of men in pairs, and they were never leaving far from the actual construct itself.
And much to the prediction of Lord Haitaka, with the first rays of the sun creeping up over the horizon came a thick mist of the morning that settled over the river and billowed out over to consume the fort and the sister location on the opposite side. Here, it made it extremely difficult to see the anything directly outside the gates or even the earth below at the base of the walls from the platforms.
But it would be now that a small party of 4 men would leave and headed for the forested area that the Shogun was camped at - armed with hunting bows and daggers. All they were after was fresh game.
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 5, 2018 0:34:43 GMT -8
Haitaka had given his troops their orders in the night. The four troops and four additional samurai would each take a pot of the lamp oil, a large an unwieldy load that would prevent them from fighting and carry them quietly to the wooden fort. The rest of the melee forces, Haitaka himself and Nori, would be divided amongst the pot bearers forming 4 squads of six men; 2 pot bearers and 4 defenders. The archers would hang back and protect the cart of additional lamp oil, spread out and hidden to ambush anyone who might investigate the lone cart.
The oil squads began to move out of the forest into the dense fog, silently shuffling as fast as they could. Haitaka's goal was 3 trips total like this.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 0:52:30 GMT -8
By sheer luck, the four men out on the hunt would miss the groups that were moving around them and towards the fort. They would, however, come upon the said cart left behind. What was this? Perhaps this was a merchant's cart and they were in luck! Two would eagerly hop up into the cart to examine the jars that were left, the other two keeping a wary eye out in case the merchants returned - they would be easy to get rid of when found.
The fort was quiet - no one seemed to see what was coming through the fog. No alarm was raised. Patrols commenced. The squads would be able to see a perimeter patrol pair already making their way around a corner and out of sight. When they would be back? Lord Haitaka would know from watching that they had only about five minutes before the pair on the opposite side would make their way from the other corner.
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 5, 2018 1:15:40 GMT -8
The pot bearers opened the wax and cloth seals on the clay pots and began to spread the oil across the gated side of the fortress. Splashing the thick amber liquid across the rough wood that provided the bandits within with safety. The defenders formed semi-circles around the pot bearers ensuring that, should they be discovered, they would continue uninterrupted.
Meanwhile in the forest the archers were taking aim at their prey as they crawled over the cart. They had little time to enjoy their find before an arrow each sank into the two who climbed into the cart, each one with deadly accuracy aimed at their hearts. The other two on look out fared much worse as eight arrows shot out, 4 for each of them.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 1:22:25 GMT -8
The four men dropped one by one, the most being heard was from the immediate vicinity as a gurgled gasp or two left their lips. But the bodies dropped quickly to the ground with rolling thuds as their lives were forfeit.
Tick, tock, tick, tock. Time was passing with footsteps of the patrols within the walls and the four in total outside them. The oncoming pair was drawing near. None seemed the wiser.
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 5, 2018 1:42:22 GMT -8
The archers moved quickly, drawing their tanto daggers and confirming their prey's doom with an aditional stab to the heart or slice across their throats. They then moved the bodies into the brush, covered the blood with leaves and dirt and went back into hiding, just in case.
The pot bearers finished emptying their pots, grabbed the seals and stuffed them into their empty pots then the squads headed back still quietly moving through the fog. The only sign that they had been there was the wet looking wood, oil seeping deep within, which could be attributed to the very fog they were using as cover.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2018 7:47:39 GMT -8
And just as they patrol came about the corner... there was nothing to see. The groups had made it out of sight with their task complete, and not a soul escaped to warn the fort of what lay in the forest waiting for them.
Tick, tock... tick, tock...
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 11, 2018 2:02:41 GMT -8
A repeat of the last maneuver was in the works. Already the assault groups were on their way back to the fort with another load of oil, the south wall their next target.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2018 2:56:42 GMT -8
The patrols continued, none the wiser. There was a remark of an odd smell near the front gates, but a blame of each other quickly dispelled it to nothing. The mist was still rolling over the grass and hiding the base of the fort walls from the watch towers, especially now that the braziers were being extinguished with the rising sun. The darkness was coloring slowly.
Tick, tock...
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 11, 2018 3:14:31 GMT -8
Just as before the defenders spread out while the pot bearers splashed their oil across the fortress.
Haitaka already realized, with annoyance that they may not be able to treat the northern wall of the fortress the same. With the rising sun the fog would disperse and if they were caught in open ground the fortess' archers would merely slaughter them. Besides, he needed that early morning fog for the other part of his plan.
The pot bearers finished their tasks. This time though only one would retreat back to the forest. The others would move silently taking a huge breath around the front of the fortress to the north wall. It was a bit of an impromptu change to Haitaka's strategy but maybe...
Haitaka himself stopped in front of the gate, still deep in the fog, and waited for his troop movements to complete. With ample time for all parties, including the archers who were informed by the single footman of Haitaka's new plan, to get in position he approached. His helm on and the demonic mask coating his face. As the gate came into view he stopped. One hand was on his scabbard, the other at his side. He waited for the guards to take note of him.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2018 3:27:20 GMT -8
Indeed, they would. The mist was partially starting to fade as the sun continued to rise, but not greatly yet. However, the boldly standing form was perfectly in view when the pair of the patrol turned the corner from the north wall to the western side gates and found him poised blatantly at their door.
"HEY!"
The rough bark of one man rang out loudly in the silent morning. The two would move along the wall and gates to stand between the Shogun and their fortress gates, pikes at the ready and aimed directly at him. Archers were mobilizing in the watch towers, two in each, and one more on the walls on either side of the gates. Not an arrow was fired, yet.
Meanwhile, the other part of the patrol would be on the eastern side, and if the troops moved around the south side to the east they would likely have a chance to sneak up on them for the element of surprise as the alert hadn't reached them yet.
"No moves for your sword if you don't want to be gutted!" snarled one of the pikemen. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"
Activity was beginning to rouse within the fort itself.
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 11, 2018 3:56:48 GMT -8
"I am Haitaka Takehiko, Shogun of Dongshu," his words were loud, solid, and pure. He was laying claim to more than the "civilized" lands that he had control of, but the whole of the land. "I give you this one chance to surrender your fortress and retreat to her sister across the river."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2018 4:06:10 GMT -8
So... he was that self-proclaimed Shogun bastard. What a fool, thinking he was lord of Dongshu. There were disbelieving, condescending chuckles from the archers overhead.
Another bandit appeared along the wall, this one bigger in muscle mass and scarred considerably. His voice was gruff but booming - clearly the leader of the establishment. A massive stone tetsubo club was hoisted to rest upon his shoulder.
"... heh. Idiot. LOOSE!"
The whistle of arrows rang in the air as they soared towards their target - six in total, trained directly on Takehiko's location.
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Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 149
Age: 26
Physical Description: He stands about five feet, eight inches tall. His face is rugged. His hair is well groomed and solid black. His body is firm and toned, proof of his constant training to hone his skills.
Clothes and Equipment: Often he wears simple silk robes. In the event of being prepared for a fight however he dons a full set of armor.
The armor is dark blue, a carefully applied lacquer that coated the leather and steel scales and plates gave the material a dull glossy shine. Bright white threads weaved through the armor holding the plates in place, several of them were stained red with blood that could not be washed out, something Takehiko had no problem with. A horo of blue was also upon the armor, its edges trimmed with gold, a white tiger on the back and the Haitaka clan sigil emblazoned on each side of the front of the horo. Light blue silk kimono and black hakama were neatly folded beneath the armor and a thick white juban kimono is worn beneath the armor. A thick rope of weaved white, light blue, and dark blue fibers wrapped its self around the armors waist to hold his blade.
The blade is a simple but very very high quality katana.
Registered: Jul 7, 2016 22:34:34 GMT -8
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Post by Shogun Takehiko of the Haitaka on Feb 11, 2018 4:41:06 GMT -8
Haitaka stepped to the right. It was a sudden and smooth move. If the archers were decently trained they would have missed. Even should a stray arrow strike him he wouldn't allow pain, perhaps not even death, to stop him. He placed his hand on his katana's grip and shouted. "Light!"
In the fog several small fire might become noticeable, though unlikely in the fog and early morning light combined.
"HANATSU!" Release, the shogun commanded.
The fires would fly towards both the western and southern walls of the fortress.
Haitaka would look up at the big guy, fire already shining in the young shogun's eyes. "I sentence you to death."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 3, 2024 8:00:03 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2018 23:33:20 GMT -8
The smooth evasion was near perfection - only one lucky arrowhead scoring over his armor at his arm and chancing to leave a scratch on the flawless craftsmanship.
But there were bigger problems than to worry of nocking more arrows, or for the pikemen to charge in with the first wave being done. Fire rained from the skies and thumped a number of times into the walls of the fortress, arrows set alight - and the sudden lift of blazing flames wrought a number of manly screams and yells from inside. It was impossible for this to suddenly be, but now the fortress was being eaten in fire at an alarming rate. The gates were no exit now, except unto pain and death. Climbing the walls was just as dangerous a feat, with the southern one dancing in fire and now it was spreading across the beams and walls and towers.
Archers found themselves trapped, and the southwestern tower was engulfed in moments - two flaming bodies flailing as they flung themselves from the height in pure desperation, only to slam to the earth in silence.
The only hope was trying to jump over the north and east walls to escape, before the flames got that far.
The gruff leader vanished after a visible recoil the moment the flames erupted with the oil just before his face, disappearing into the fort amongst the chaos.
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