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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Black Omega" data-source="post: 1016523" data-attributes="member: 79">The party made their way to the house former used by the Octopus gang.  They found it deserted, a sign posted warning the house was infected with a disease and no one was to enter.  All valuables had already been stripped away but it worked out to a relatively safe place to stay.  While the group settled in to wait on the dawn Toshiro and Kaz set to work stripping the disguising paint from their armor.  For the battle tomorrow, they wouldn’t be hiding who they really were.  Verick and Volar cornered Naga for a little chat as well.‘I only know a little of the plan.  I have a friend who’s in charge of a small group in the second line.  I guess there are going to be three lines.  His group’s been told once the fight starts, the front line with take the first charge.  Once they’ve blunted the first attack, they will fight a little more then retreat quickly.  So if it looks like the front line is running for their lives, it’s nothing to worry about.  It’s all part of the plan.  I’m not sure I believe that, but the men are pretty confident.  This is for blood and Rodrigo’s never let them down.”  Naga patiently explained under questioning, doing his best to cooperate.As dawn drew near Toshiro grew more quiet and thoughtful.  Like everyone else, he was set to use a Cyrician cloak as a disguise, to follow the army as it went out.  Finally as he rose to join the others he said “Dmitrios will be out there.  I really hope I don’t have to fight my friend.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The party peeked out of their little house as the town prepared for war.  The first to come were the Yabanjin.  Axes held at the ready, paired with wooden shields, the barbarians sounded more like they were going to a party rather than a fight.  A few Yabanjin half sang, half yelled out something in their native language and the others responded with enthusiastic shouts of “Da!” often punctuated with the thunder of three hundred axe handles pounding against their wooden shields.  The Yabanjin weren’t just ready for the fight, they were eager for it.Next came the bandits of kuzo, a mix of tough, hardened killers and young peasants looking for a better life.  Surly and often looking hung over, they were driven into battle by tough looking bandit leaders who mixed harsh language with liberal uses of whips or clubs to keep their men moving.The Sons of Rodrigo came next, hulking halforcs in heavy armor, armed with long spears and great swords.  Viktor was allowed to lead them and his group looked the most disciplined of the bandits so far.  Next came Rodrigo, a shriveled shadow of the savage killer who had terrorized the countryside for decades.  Stravros rode with him.  And right behind came yet one more abomination.  He looked like a halforc crossed with an ogre.  And the monsterous thing was carrying a heavy banner.  Toshiro’s fiancé, Shinjo O-Hisa.  Bound up onto the banner pole, looking much the worse for wear.  Now the group knew what the mysterious mission the night before had been about.Last came the Cyricians.  Yet one more disorderly mob, though well armed and spoiling for a fight.  Mostly bandits and a frew clerics, mixed in with halforc wizards.  It was here the group made their move.  Picking a good moment to slip out of their house and mingle in with the straggling followers of Cyric.  And there were plenty straggling.  Toshiro’s doubts had been dispelled by the sight of O-Hisa on that heavy cross.  He was ready for blood.The army marched out from the mist shrouded town, then headed east for two hours.  A nervous two hours where the group did their best to simply mingle in with the less eager Cyricians who were also trying very hard not to be noticed.  Obviously not everyone was excited about the idea of fighting a thousand samurai.At the battlefield the group faded back even more, watching from a small hill a little way back from the left flank as the bandits formed into three lines.  The weakest, least reliable warriors in front.  The second line was mostly Yabanjin, though with a large number of the more hardened bandits as well.  Last were the Sons of Rodrigo.  Viktor’s faction held the right flank, horse archers in place to prevent a flanking attack.  Rodrigo’s banner was planted right in the middle where all could see.  And the left was held by the follows of Cyric, their wizards and clerics giving them an edge the others lacked.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Within the hour, the Unicorn army marched into view.  More infantry than they would have expected but disciplined and organized.  Different shades of purple dividing the different divisions.  Unlike the bandits of Kuzo and their allies, the Unicorn army was neatly organized into squares, samurai with long spears in the front, followed by divisions of archers and a light cavalry screen for the flanks.  Banners were displayed for the lords leading each division.  The party’s old friend, Utaku Shiko.  Shinjo Yuji.  Shinjo Jyaku himself.  And Hiruma Toshiro and Toritaka Kazuyuki on Viktor’s side.From their spot on the hill, the party watched as both sides prepared.  And Verick simply shook his head “We missed something.  Those bandits can’t possibly stand up to those samurai.  No hordelanders.  No Bloodspeakers present.  They don’t have a chance in Jigoku.”Volar agreed “The Bloodspeakers are waiting out there.  But it’s ok.  I have a little trick of my own to spring on Rodrigo’s group.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The battle began with a volley of fireballs from Shugenja’s in Lord Jyaku’s army, then the advance of the samurai.  Timed to coincide with the first contact between the front lines, Stravro’s and the Cyricians looked back at a hill behind their flank and saw a new army walk into view.  A hundred Crab Samurai in heavy armor just creating the hill and standing ready.  Fluttering in the breeze was the banner Volar had gotten made in Kuzo, the mon of Toshiro.Aied with Volar’s magic, Toshiro’s voice boomed out over the left flank “Prepare to die, you dogs!  Hiruma Toshiro has come!  The Crab fight beside the Unicorn today!”</blockquote>

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