March of the Doomed (D3, Late Morning)

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

Given that Kōgyoku would have to come from the rearguard, she was about to be the last to arrive.

[Giving you guys a round of posts before I come over.]

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Honornigai informs to those called as they reach up. "Keep the information in this group until theres a decision. The port is burnt and there no ships to sail. Attack is potentially imminent. Choices so far are keep the march down and confront whatever may be there, or scatter around."

She nods to Koushi, and reassures everyone else, "We are not getting them back to the city under any circumstance. If you have an opinion, or a different suggestion: explain it now. No time to waste."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:35 pm

Tsukimi's brow furrowed as she listened to the news.

"What is the closest safe location they can be guided to? That is not Toshi no Omoidoso."

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi wracks his brain for an appropriate, true, answer.

Lore: Geography roll, 1 raise=32

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

Doji Koushi wrote:

Koushi wracks his brain for an appropriate, true, answer.

Lore: Geography roll, 1 raise=32

The closest routes were either south through the mountain pass or westward to Nikesake. East was obviously not really an option.

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

"There is south through the mountain pass, but that would take them into the path we suspect the enemy will be most interested in pursuing. There is also Nikesake, to the west."

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

The Unicorn horseman returned from his quick sweep of the area.

"Looks like they're long gone," he reported to the Seppun. "I didn't see any survivors, but I didn't stop to look too hard either."

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Horonigai nods to Baatar and orders, "Moto-san. Get down there, recon and return the fastest you can, onegai shimasu. I worry there are enemies lurking. If there are none, the better."

She looks to the other samurai called, ready to make a call as soon as they express their minds.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"Sure thing, boss!" Baatar replied with a quick salute.

Before riding off again he let the elderly grandfather back down from his horse. "Sorry, old-timer - rest here for a bit."

Then he was off again, scouting particularly to the west, to see what the terrain looked like in case a forced march to Nikesake was required.

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

Kōgyoku arrived, still with the kid riding on her. "You've called me upon, Seppun-sama. We've stopped." She proffered not to jump to conclusions. She just dug her sasumata in the sleet to lean on and calm breath.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 10:01 pm

"Nikesake might be the best option then, Doji-sama," she said thoughtfully, rubbing her marked chin.

"How hard is the road that way, and are there anyone among them that might know the way?"

Matsu Erina · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:52 pm **Posts:** 368

Erina picks up the pace when summoned, the woman charging as fast as a horse when putting her mind to it.

"I was...oh shimatta, that was the harbor. This is a trap?" Erina reaches for her sword.

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

She nods, further explaning to Kougyoku, "Port is burned. Ships don't look operational. We have Moto-san making a recon at this moment to gather more information. Choices so far are:

- Move west along the mountain feet with instructions to go to Nikesake.
- Stay here in the port and seek shelter with whatever is found.
- Scatter the march

In any case, we must enforce only samurai return to Toshi no Omodoiso to defend it."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 10:14 pm

"Scattering them is not a solution, Seppun-sama, it's merely leaving them to the same fate we were trying to avoid, and it won't take long before they return to the walls of the city again," Tsukimi offered calmly to the Imperial.

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Horonigai nods positively to Tsukimi.

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

Moto Baatar wrote:

"Sure thing, boss!" Baatar replied with a quick salute.

Before riding off again he let the elderly grandfather back down from his horse. "Sorry, old-timer - rest here for a bit."

Then he was off again, scouting particularly to the west, to see what the terrain looked like in case a forced march to Nikesake was required.

(Roll either Battle/Perception or Hunting/Perception)

Matsu Erina · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:52 pm **Posts:** 368

"Hmmm." Erina muses. "I agree that Niakese makes the most sense, but the longer we take there is no way that we can defend the city. It's risky but we are mounted. We could let the ground troops continue the escort while mounted forces attack any band Moto-san finds and diverts them away."

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi looked down at the port, then shook his head slowly to signify rejection of a thought.

"To have them seek shelter here puts them too close to the enemy, and there are ugly things that men have done to non-combatants during sieges. My sense is that Nikesake is the wisest choice. I concur with Matsu-san."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

Kōgyoku thinned her lips as the put the child on the ground.

"It's a choice between similar likelihoods of death. As an organised column they may be attacked on the way to Nikesake and wiped out. When scattered, they can try surviving in the foothills, by foraging or scavenging, or get to Nikesake on their own evading the roads. The likelihood of anyone getting through the Treacherous Pass to the Dragon's Guard is similarly very low. What they cannot do is to return to the city. What the Lion must do is to return to it quickly. What we can do thus is to let them choose the way they're likely to die. For those who don't want to flee any more, there are our swords, here and now."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 10:40 pm

Tsukimi raised an eyebrow at the Matsu. "I fail to see the logic in leading them away from the city to avoid a slaughter by slaughtering them here now. That sounds more like doing the enemy's work for them."

"The needs of the many outweighs the needs of the few - I have no qualms in escorting them to Nikesake if that is what must be done."

March of the Doomed (D3, Late Morning)

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