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Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)

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[x] Simonblob
-[x] Point at the fact Jade and Cristal can truly harm a creature of the Shadowlands effectively.​
 
Simonbob said:
Luchadore Style!

Now, we just need the right kind of mask......
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But you left Scorpion lands weeks ago! :V

Also, I will admit that I have sometimes wondered if it would be possible to create a half-mad Scorpion wrestler who wears a Luchador style mask and just wrestles all their problems into submission. No grace or subtlety, just beating the shit out of everything and everyone with their bare hands.

Black Sheep would likely be one of their Disadvantages, unless I could think up a good reason for how the Scorpion could use them. I'm sure the Scorpion can find some measure of service in a crazy wrestler Scorpion... I mean, they got utility out of Bayushi Tangen, right?
 
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Winged Knight said:
But you left Scorpion lands weeks ago! :V

Also, I will admit that I have sometimes wondered if it would be possible to create a half-mad Scorpion wrestler who wears a Luchador style mask and just wrestles all their problems into submission. No grace or subtlety, just beating the shit out of everything and everyone with their bare hands.

Black Sheep would likely be one of their Disadvantages, unless I could think up a good reason for how the Scorpion could use them. I'm sure the Scorpion can find some measure of service in a crazy wrestler Scorpion... I mean, they got utility out of Bayushi Tangen, right?
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Sounds like someone who got traded to the Crab for training, though Different School is awfully expensive for what it gives. Might work well with the magistrates, in that "I'll tell you whatever you want, just get this crazy guy off me and make him stop tearing out my arms" sort of way. It'd also go with a "fights for truth and justice" schtick.
 
...and now I'm imagining a Bayushi ninja luchador version of Santa Claus who skillfully infiltrates the homes of all of the Scorpion boys and girls, dispensing either small presents or high-impact wrestling moves depending on whether they've been loyal or disloyal this year.
 
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    • [x] Simonbob


    "Mirumoto-sama, I am, amongst my Clan, the barest novice when it comes to the slaves of the Shadowlands," you reply, completely forthright in your response. "None the less, what little I know is at your disposal. Where would you like to start?"

    "Physical capabilities," Hideki says immediately. "After that, tactics. How do the Lost operate? I would know their strategies so as to better account for any surprises in the battle ahead."

    Hideki's words immediately tell you that he is a skilled, capable commander. He wants to know the strengths of the enemy, how they use those strengths and how to combat them. Indeed, it is something almost any military officer should ask if they have any skill at all. If one does not know the general abilities of their foe, then how can they hope to oppose them?

    It speaks well of the man that he asks these questions. Some are promoted to their positions because of family connections, but Mirumoto Hideki strikes you as one who got to where he is on merit. He looks at problems he is unfamiliar with a keen eye, and isn't afraid to seek advice when he feels his knowledge is lacking.

    His questions also reveal, however, just how little he understands.

    "Mirumoto-sama, I must first begin by saying that one cannot rely upon a general standard where the Taint is concerned," you say. "It is vileness that defies attempts at comprehension."

    Hideki's eyes narrow as he considers your words. "Please explain."

    "The Lost are varied in their abilities, their mutations without uniform and often without any sort of logic," you say. "Almost all of them are dangerous in some form, and I doubt the records we have kept make note of all possible horrors the Shadowlands can unleash."

    "So is there no way to account for what the Taint can do?" Hideki asks. "I find that hard to believe, considering the success the Crab have had over the centuries in containing the Shadowlands."

    "There are some general tendencies that the Kuni have found," you admit. "Many Lost have monstrous strength, with bodies grossly deformed with over-developed muscles. Flesh that is difficult to cut, like saddle leather, is also common. Almost universal is a deadening of feeling. Where a regular man might collapse from pain, many of the Lost will simply keep fighting until their bodies are too broken to work."

    "I see," Hideki says, rubbing his chin with a hand as he considers your words. "That is troubling. And what of tactics, then? Do they have any, or are they just insane and charge in like animals?"

    "There are many given over to madness, though some are clever enough to understand the value of retreat," you answer. "One thing you must remember, Mirumoto-sama, is that those Lost to the Taint are without fear."

    "That is no great barrier to overcome," Hideki replies. "All who would call themselves warriors are trained to overcome the sin of fear."

    "Mirumoto-sama, please forgive me but you do not understand," you say. "They are not trained to overcome fear, they are completely incapable of it. The Lost will never surrender or run, but instead keep fighting until you have killed every one of them. The more intelligent ones may retreat, but it is only to come back later to trouble you again."

    "So they must be eliminated in total?" Hideki asks, his eyes widening very slightly in surprise. He regains his composure, nodding as he continues. "Yes, I suppose that would make sense. If they will not agree to terms, then it is war until the last man falls."

    "Which is difficult, for they can fight on through wounds that would kill or cripple a normal person," you say. "Jade and Crystal can surpass these foul protections, however."

    "We are aware of that much, Hiruma-san, and will take your words under consideration should the rumors be true about Moto Shinichiro's Tainted status," Kitsuki Ryojiro speaks up. He looks to Hideki, then motions to the maps. "I do not think this changes the overall strategy, however."

    "Indeed, Kitsuki-dono," Hideki replies, nodding to his superior.

    The Chui walks over to the maps and beckons you over. You come closer, and get a better look at what he's focusing on. The map details a forested region among the hills further north of the village. There's nothing out there but smaller settlements and farms… Which, if these bandits have been causing trouble for as long as you believe they have, might not all exist any more.

    Just as you thought, Hideki pulls that map close and places a finger atop it.

    "The Ronin have told us that the enemy numbers somewhere between eighty and one hundred twenty, all camped here," he said, tapping his finger. "I have no reason to doubt their skills as scouts, considering their training in the Unicorn when they were still part of that Clan."

    "It seems we have the advantage in number, Mirumoto-sama," you say. "Though the fact that there are so many is… alarming."

    "Yes, which is why we're going to do our best to ensure it doesn't count for anything," Hideki replies. "We fight at noon, where in the light of the sun any of their Shadow powers should be at their weakest, and surround the area on three sides. There will be one hundred Bushi to the north, east and south. Boxing them in, we will force these scoundrels to the west, which will seem like a chance to escape."

    "You're laying a trap," you say, looking over the map again. "This is a killing box."

    "Exactly," Hideki says. "To the west will be the monks of the Tattooed order, along with Asako Akio-sama, the mounted Ronin and your own group. We will disperse the Shugenja among all the elements of the army, but the majority will also be with you. This concentration of force will delay the bandits as they try to flee, and in their attempted flight they will be unready for battle. We will then close the box and slaughter them to the last." His face hardens, his mouth tightening into a thin line. "We will allow no chance of the Great Traitor coming back to haunt us again."

    You nod as Hideki speaks, going over the plan in your head. It is a good strategy. One of the most key elements in battle is to keep the enemy off balance. If they are too busy trying to get into a more favorable position, then they will be ill prepared when they run headlong into a bottleneck. Thus caught off guard, they should be easily handled.

    However, you well know that plans with enemies that are even remotely involved with the Shadowlands often do not go as one would expect. Hideki's plan is a good one, and well suited for what he knows. This is a large group of bandits, and this strategy would keep them from mounting a solid defense. But if this group is touched by either the Taint or the Nothing, as you suspect, then there's no telling just what they might be capable of and how they might react.

    Despite that, it is a good plan. As it stands, with your army's superior numbers and the resources at your disposal success seems likely. So perhaps you are just being paranoid.

    [] Agree with the plan.
    [] Suggest a change to the plan. (Write in)
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • [X] "If I might suggest a very minor addition, Mirumoto-sama? Given that those who are touched by unholy forces can react in unpredicable ways, perhaps a quick signal for bringing in other forces at need? Bandits would flee, as the scum they are, and so might these. But, they may not, as well. You might need to re-deploy your forces."
     
    [X] "If I might suggest a very minor addition, Mirumoto-sama? Given that those who are touched by unholy forces can react in unpredicable ways, perhaps a quick signal for bringing in other forces at need? Bandits would flee, as the scum they are, and so might these. But, they may not, as well. You might need to re-deploy your forces."
     
    I don't want to insult this man's intelligence and the competence of the dragon army by suggesting that they don't understand basic military signals.
    This isn't pre school, they're prepping to fight their most hated enemy.

    Checking the ronin for signs of taint is a decent mention however, since it does fall into understandable oversights given that it's not something they have to do regularly, unlike the Crab who probably do this as a matter of course.

    [x] "Have the Ronin been checked for signs of Taint? One can never be too careful and the signs are often subtle."

    (changed ofter to often, since i assume that's a typo)
     
    Being the Tainted/Shadows, one is better safe than sorry. That said... yeah, it might be kind of insulting the officer.

    [] "Have the Ronin been checked for signs of Taint? One can never be too careful and the signs are often subtle."
     
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    [x] "Have the Ronin been checked for signs of Taint? One can never be too careful and the signs are often subtle."
     
    [x] "If they are bandits, that would work. If they are indeed tainted, or in some other way made inhuman of thought, then they might not flee or become disorganized, no matter what the provocation. Do you have an alternate strategy for that case?"
     
    [x] "Have the Ronin been checked for signs of Taint? One can never be too careful and the signs are ofter subtle."
     
    [x] "If they are bandits, that would work. If they are indeed tainted, or in some other way made inhuman of thought, then they might not flee or become disorganized, no matter what the provocation. Do you have an alternate strategy for that case?"
     
    [x] "If they are bandits, that would work. If they are indeed tainted, or in some other way made inhuman of thought, then they might not flee or become disorganized, no matter what the provocation. Do you have an alternate strategy for that case?"
     
    [x] "If they are bandits, that would work. If they are indeed tainted, or in some other way made inhuman of thought, then they might not flee or become disorganized, no matter what the provocation. Do you have an alternate strategy for that case?"
     
    [x] "If they are bandits, that would work. If they are indeed tainted, or in some other way made inhuman of thought, then they might not flee or become disorganized, no matter what the provocation. Do you have an alternate strategy for that case?"
     
    [x] "If they are bandits, that would work. If they are indeed tainted, or in some other way made inhuman of thought, then they might not flee or become disorganized, no matter what the provocation. Do you have an alternate strategy for that case?"
     
    [x] "If they are bandits, that would work. If they are indeed tainted, or in some other way made inhuman of thought, then they might not flee or become disorganized, no matter what the provocation. Do you have an alternate strategy for that case?"
     
    Changing:

    [x] "If they are bandits, that would work. If they are indeed tainted, or in some other way made inhuman of thought, then they might not flee or become disorganized, no matter what the provocation. Do you have an alternate strategy for that case?"
     
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