Marching on Ise

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Type of Quest: Subjugation or Extermination. Territory claim.
Quest Info: Using the momentum from taking Shima so quickly, Takehiro marches onto Ise, with the Kitabatake sons bound. He draws his main force as far inland as he can to draw the attention of the Kitabatake forces, but not far enough to be attacked just yet. His goal is to have the enemy forces drawn to his and form ranks on the front lines, so there are few men guarding the main camps. In that scenario, he sends out his wife, Wakahisa Megumi, and her daughter, Wakahisa Ayumi, to try and reason with the Kitabatake leader and seek a nonviolent end to the battle.

If Possible: Takehiro would like to claim Ise without eliminating the Kitabatake, instead using their numbers to add onto his own. If this plan fails, he will slay as many officers as he needs to, while still taking in defectors. If negotiation does not work, he will use brute force.

NOTE:: This does not need to be tended to right away. I realize I have a lot of these going on right now (Hida, getting involved in Suruga) and being put on hold is fine by me.
Location: Starting at the Ise-Shima border.
People Involved: Amakusa army, Brandt(?), Kitabatake Army.
Plot-Important: This is faction-related stuff, so maybe.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Hearing of the advances of his lord against Shima, Ryunosuke decided to accompany his lord and, with some reinforcements from the Totomi militia, moved towards the camp of the Amakusa that was encamped against Ise. Ryunosuke feared that with such a small number of the force that moved with the Daimyo, they would be defeated. At least when the reinforcements were added, they would stand a greater chance of defeating the Kitabatake. And so Ryunosuke and the militia with him were outside the Amakusa camp, asking for entrance within.

[Gabriella Santos]

Gabriella would accompany the Totomi, however while Lord Takehiro hoped for a non-violent confrontation. Gabriella would be prepared for the worse. She would be in the back of the main force. Overseeing the management of the armies supply chain, and if worse came to worse. Which way would be the greatest direction for retreat. She would happily take upon herself this task, as it gave her ample opportunity to liberate a bottle of drink, to await what came. 

[Brandt Solveig]

Standing beside Takehiro, the stoic giant would scan the surroundings. Brandt had deemed it necessary to join the Daiymo in the field. While his teacher hoped for a peaceful resolution, one could find trouble easily out on the battlefield. He stood at the ready, arms resting at either side of his zanbato as he patiently awaited the meet.

Whatever happens, it is the will of the gods.. I shall keep close to Takehiro. I will prove to him my worth on the battlefield.

[Tokugawa Ieyasu]

The main bulk of the Kitabatake army would have formed up in order to meet the Amakusa forces. 3 large units of rifle-men spread out in front were followed by 5 units of infantry, with the sides of the force, flanked by a single unit of cavalry on each side. The men were lead by the Daimyo of Ise, Kitabatake Tomonori, His brother Kitabatake Tomomasa, His last son, Kitabatake Chikanari, And his advisor Iwami no Kami.

Back in the city the remaining men of the Kitabatake  army guarded Ise, and Anotsu Castle. Here Tomonori and Tomomasa father, Kitabatake Harutomo, the grandfather of the men that Takehiro had captive. Unlike his son, who will not sumbit peacefully, Harutomo is know from deploring violence, and may be able to reach a accord with Amakusa. 

-

3 Rifle units, 5 Infantry Units, 2 Cavalry Units. 

Unit sizes - 30 Normal troops (Stats 10) , 15 Exceptional (Stats 20), 5 Commanders (Stats 30). 

Kitabatake Tomonori (Stats Unknown + May have Musou)
Kitabatake Tomomasa (Stats Unknown)
Kitabatake Chikanari, (Stats Unknown)
Advisor Iwami no Kami. (Stats Unknown + May have Musou)
Kitabatake Harutomo (Stats Unknown + May have Musou)

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro would be mounted side-by-side with Toshi on the forefront of the battle, each of the two men looking out at the evidently larger Kitabatake army. While the Amakusa did not have numbers, they had incredible skill on their side, and most of their generals belonged to the Hojo Elite prior to their affiliation with the Amakusa. Should things go south, Takehiro was prepared, and had units stationed in key locations all across his side of the battlefield, and even put up some mounted siege weapons, such as catapults, ballistae, and arbalests. Most of his units would be obscured by hills, leaving him with the much smaller main force to be visible. Four of the ninja elite would be hidden in the trees, waiting for the Kitabatake to strike.

Wakahisa Megumi and Ayumi would infiltrate the Kitabatake's main city, finding it much easier to sneak past the smaller force than the large one. Using Takehiro's distraction to their advantage, they went on in hopes of finding the sensible man who sought surrender rather than a sustained war. The two sought Kitabatake Harutomo.

Ryunosuke and his force would be permitted entrance into the Amakusa main camp, and from there, he would have free-reign of his decisions, unless he opted to strike pre-emptively, at which point he would be stopped.

1 Ninja Unit, 5 Assault Units, 2 Rifle Units, 2 Siege Units, 3 Fire Units

Unit Sizes:
30 Normal Troops (11 in all stats), 2 Exceptional Troops (23 in all stats), 1 Commander (35 in all stats)
All troops have faction bonus (+5 Con, +10 Str)

Remaining troops (i.e. troops not sorted into units) are hidden among trees, or part of Ryunosuke's division.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

It had been hours since Ryunosuke and the militia stood without the camp asking for entrance, but there were still no reply coming from within. The night had passed without any reply, but Ryunosuke just stood there, waiting for the response from the inside of the camp. Finally the gates of the camp opened, and, as he went inside the camp, Ryunosuke, with mixed feelings of frustration and relief, he said, laughing, "I thought you were not going to let us in! What just changed your minds?" But he had really thought at some time that the soldiers within the camp would really not let them in. There might have been too many people that the Daimyo brought with him that some of them really did want to manipulate the Daimyo's decisions and take command even over the locals of Totomi, Ryunosuke himself included. But Ryunosuke would not let that happen this time. He endeavored to be both the strongman of the Daimyo and the protector of the people of Totomi, and in that respect he dedicated his life upon. Only death would stop his aspirations. 

After some time, Ryunosuke found himself leading both rifle units, which mostly composed of the militia whose talents in gunnery exceed most of the other soldiers, hiding within the hills in the Amakusa side. He just waited there until they would strike, leaving himself under the command of the Daimyo.

EDIT: Ryunosuke's division: 2 rifle-spear units, each composed of 30 Normal soldiers (11 all stats) and 1 Exceptional soldier(23 all stats); each also enjoying faction bonuses due to wielding two-handed weapons.

[Gabriella Santos]

There wasn't much for Gabriella to do while the force waited. Until some form of order cam to her all she did was look out at the force and plan. There were quite a few places on the battle field that could be of tactical importance. Takehiro and Ichimaru had already done pretty impressively with troop placement, she could tell. A main force to entice with a surprise force hidden by the hills. 

She would seeing as there wasn't much for her to do. Creep up past Ichimaru's forces and crouch down atop the crest of the hill so that she could better see the enemy force. Ready for once or if as it were, started she would be in a position to use her rings power on Ichimaru's men if they took the initiative of surprise. 

[Brandt Solveig]

"How do you think the peace talks will go, Takehiro? I do not fear their numbers. We can crush them if we have to.. But if we can convince them to join your cause, Think of the man power you would gain.."

Brandt continued to stand, watching patiently. He wasn't really one for horses, or so it seemed horses just weren't meant to hold a behemoth such as Brandt. At least no horse he had seen thus far. So as always, this battle was to be done on foot.

If things did start to sizzle, the Nord would be sure to show them the might of Odin and Thor this day. Brandt had been honing his skills as of recently, and now it was time to see the fruits of his labor in action.





.

[Tokugawa Ieyasu]

The Kitabatake army unlike the Amakusa army rather then relying on siege weaponry such as catapults and abalests would instead be setting up cannons. The cannons they had, were not original designed for ground combat, but had been remove and converted from ship cannons. Something that the Coastal faction of the Kitabatake had in spades.

Meanwhile, Wakahisa Megumi and Ayumi would be able to navigate themselves around the smaller guard on the capital. Their skills in stealth beating the guard abilities especially due to the fact it was unexpected. However Harutomo's room was much more guarded then the rest of the castle. Getting pass them would require more planning. Harutomo's room was guarded by 4 exceptional guards, and was a internal room, and as such lacked windows for the intruders to sneak through easily. 

---

Army
1 Infantry Unit equipped with Cannons. 3 Men operating each cannon.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Ayumi and Megumi would be hidden, while Ayumi used her enhanced touch to feel for structural weaknesses that would allow her and her mother to pass through unnoticed. If they had to fight, they would do so, dashing in from the sides with their superior speed to rip the guards apart before they could call for reinforcements. However, if they could get in without a scuffle, that would be their preference.

"If the man has any sense, he'll spare the lives of his sons rather than risk an all-out war he's sure to lose. I don't doubt we can sway him to surrender, as it would be ideal for both armies. However, if we must crush the Kitabatake to show them our might, then we shall do so." Takehiro replied to Brandt calmly, staring out at the enemy forces. The hidden catapult units had their siege weapons aimed at the cannons, while the ballistae were aimed at the main army. They would be mowed down in an instant if they needed to.

"I don't think you understand how tense things are here, Sir," a man replied to Ryunosuke. "Sorry for the delay. Our Lord is at the front lines and things are getting heated. All our attention needs to be drawn to the task at hand. Thank you for the reinforcements! You can assist the main force, or hide your men among the trees. Either would bolster our ranks enough to ensure our victory."

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke did not say a word to the man who answered his response. He just bowed as he positioned his militia units within the firing range of the army of the Kitabatake, but still hidden and would just act when the Daimyo issued his orders.

But, as he looked at the other side of the battlefield, he saw a large amount of cannons being prepared by the Kitabatake army. He became wary of those cannons as he told his soldiers to keep themselves from being hit by those, as he still waited for the signal of the Daimyo to strike. He would not need to be hasty in this, since the battle was crucial for the army of the Amakusa.

[Brandt Solveig]

"Alright. Would you have me stay by your side, or should I split ranks and move as I see fit?"

Brandt would do whatever was asked of him. If Takehiro needed him to take care of something specific, he would. Otherwise he didn't really have a plan in mind. Apart from hacking every soldier he ran into pieces if he must. There was no way the would suffer defeat this day. Brandt knew the gods would not forsake them so. Thor was on their side.

[Tokugawa Ieyasu]

Ayumi and Megumi would manage to get pass, the guards only to enter the room and see an elderly gentlemen sitting there quite calmly. "Please come in sit down. If you come for my life, there is not much I could do to stop you." The old man would say. On the table in front of him would be maps, but they appeared not to be of the battle about to take place. "You would be here on behalf of the Daimyo of Totomi correct." The man would state, not a question as if he knew, it wasn't a giant leap of the imagination. 

Back on the battle field, cannons ready, the Kitabtake seemed to be ready to wage war. One until of the Kitabatake Calvary would break off, heading slowly off as if going to circle around the battle field before the battle started and be ready to move into a flanking position of the Amakusa forces. However the rest of the Kitabatake forces didn't wait. Cannons would be turned and aimed at the central column of the Amakusa's forces and fuses lit. Cannons would fire out, planning to break the men slightly, and then the infantry advanced.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

"Lord Kitabatake," Megumi walking into the room with her blades at her sides. They would not be held in a threatening manner, though Ayumi watched the doorway at the ready, willing to kill any who threatened the talks of peace. "I believe I would be correct in assuming you know the might of the Amakusa army. Our Daimyo alone was capable of leveling one of your entire fleets." Megumi would pause, allowing that to sink in. "We come here not for your life, but to negotiate surrender. We hold, within our custody, four men who bear the name of the Kitabatake, and as it is now, their lives have not been compromised. Should you convince your forces to surrender, they would be spared, and you would be allowed a portion of your land to live out the rest of the era as you see fit. Your territory would bear the Mon of the Amakusa, and your forces would find for Lord Takehiro, though you would be guaranteed your safety, and that of your kin."

Megumi paused once again, though she would continue after a moment. "However, if your forces do not discontinue their assault, all who fight against my Lord and husband will perish, your family included. Alone, our Daimyo took Shima, and now he has brought an army to Ise. Tell me, how long do you expect your forces to last?"

Outside, Takehiro would not speak just yet. The Daimyo shut his eyes atop his horse, and gained an overview of the battlefield through the eyes of all who were present. He watched the Kitabatake forces move, and would have his troops act accordingly. As it were, Brandt, Ryunosuke, Gabriella, and Toshi were instructed - telepathically, it seemed - to stay where the were for now.

As the forces began to move, Takehiro's army would act. Seige ramps had been modified to carry a large slab of granite, and as the cannons fired, the ties holding that slab up were cut. It would fall, acting as a wall between the Amakusa and Kitabatake main forces, taking the brunt of the cannons. It would not last very long, but it was long enough to minimize casualties and prepare a swift counterattack. The ballistae hidden in the trees and atop the hills would begin to fire on the cannon unites without relent, intent on slaughtering them to prevent further cannon-fire. Meanwhile, arbalests were being set up behind the wall of granite. Catapults were being armed, as well.

As the Kitabatake force that broke off went around to attempt and flank the Amakusa forces proceeded along their path, they would walk right into an ambush. Amakusa ninja, armed with sake bombs and bows, would wait for the group on four fronts: two on either side of the path on the high ground, one to wait for them to pass and attack from behind, and one to meet them head-on, though still hidden in the brush. As the force passed, the two on either side would throw out sake bombs, creating walls of fire on either side of them, while the two on the high ground would unleash a hail of arrows down onto the enemy. Those who throw the sake bombs would continue to do so, using the confusion that would ensue to their advantage.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

As Ryunosuke monitored the enemy's movements, he saw that the cannons prepared by the enemy were about to be fired. He was about to aim his howitzer at the cannons, but a voice in his head seemed to halt him from doing so. It seemed as if the Daimyo was communicating with him in his mind, but Ryunosuke didn't believe that it was true. Nevertheless, he saw the point of the voice within his head as he saw  the Daimyo prepared his various traps. He then ordered his units to stand by until he gives the signal to attack.

[Gabriella Santos]

When the cannon fire started, Gabriella watched impressed at the tactics of Lord Amakusa. Converted siege ramps to create temporary cover. Who would of thought of something like that. Well the Daimyo for one it seemed. Staying were she was, was dangerous. Quickly she crawled back to the bottom of the hill, and to Ichimaru's unit, and to the man's size. "Ichimaru-san, am I correct?" She asked she had seen the man in passing but had not had a reason to be along side him before. This battlefield had changed that. 

"Are your men ready for this?" She would ask quietly, so the actual men themselves couldn't here her concern. While the Daimyo could probably assault the Kitabatake happily on his own, or at least most of the Totomi forces believe so due to his past actions. Gabriella was more concerned for the men who could fall in the time that would take. Their were many ways, that the day could go badly, she just hoped that Lord Amakusa was the better leader on this day. 

[Brandt Solveig]

The Nord would feel as if Takehiro spoke from inside his brain,  asking him to hold his position. While the foriegner was itching to join the fray, he would instead do his bidding. It was clear Takehiro had tactics to play out, and that when it was time for 'The Sword of The House of Strength' to strike down, his friend would let him know.

I trust your judgement, Takehiro..

Patiently he would watch as the clash began. Admiring thr command that The Demon of Totomi had over his army. It was someyhing beautiful to watch within the theatre of war. And Brandt would watch closely and learn as much as he could in the mean time.

[Tokugawa Ieyasu]

"I don't." Harutomo replied simply to the women. "However I do not control these armies, my sons do. I am old, and they believe me incompetent in my age." The elderly man looked down at his map for a moument. "However if your lord truly wishes a peaceful end to this, he may be sorely annoyed. I may be able to pull some of his forces away, convince my grandson along to my side. But my sons still will not back down. Would Lord Amakusa spare those who do not fight?" He would ask, reaching inside a draw nearby, and pulling out paper. Even if they didn't agree he would start to write a message out. Saying that the capital had become attack by a small force, and could he send his grandson and Iwami no Kami and thier men back to provide aid. 
---

The cannons would continue to fire, block by the make shift wall but slowly taking them apart. They would protect Takehiro men, but not forever. The Amakusa weaponry would fire in return, and the first of the cannons would be smashed back the men around it dead. However the next would not get to hit there mark. A man near the back of the army, jumped into the air as if expecting some strike. A keen eye would see, an middle aged, mostly bald man, with hair at the back of his head, plated downwards in a ponytail. Throwing palm strike in the air, small blasts of fire would shot out wards at the incoming projectiles blowing some of them out of the air. Another cannon would fall, but the man set to the task of preventing the Amakusa weapons taking out their own.

Advisor Iwami no Kami.

Musou - Fire Manipulation (1 of 12 posts used)
Classification - Dash (1 of 6 posts used)

Str-30(35)
Dex-60(70
Con-40
Wis-60(70)
Spr-60

--

As the Calvary moved, and were ambushed. A loud shout of, "Charge through." called out over them. Men would fall, under the attacks of the Amakusa ninja, however those that remained would charge straight for the forces blocking them, planning to cut there way through. At the head a large man, battle scarred armour clad but still reasonably young. Led them forth. Seemingly wielding nothing, but would still mange to cut his way through, trying to lead his men to safety.

Kitabatake Tomomasa

Classification - Dive (0 of 2 used)

Str- 80 (85)
Dex- 40
Con- 50 (60)
Wis- 20
Spr- 20

--

In response to the fire on the cannons, a unit of infantry would break off and head for where they hid. While it would be possible to re aim to prevent them reaching them, weapons of the sort take time to do so, so doing so would make it a close thing. It would also allow, Iwami no Kami to refocus his powers to somewhere offensively and not in defence of the cannons. They would need protection, if Takehiro did not want them falling into enemy hands. 
 

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Ayumi nodded to the man's question, eying his writings. "Those who do not take up arms will not be seen as our enemy. Our Lord will spare the lives of those who do not throw theirs away in a losing battle." The woman crossed her arms, looking around herself. "Your sons will continue to fight on, even at the risk of losing their kin?"

The ballistae served their purpose, causing the Kitabatake to rethink their tactics. The granite wall would eventually shatter, but immediately as it did, the arbalests behind it would fire steel bolts toward the main force in thousands at a time. The sheer number of arbalests would be enough to wipe out at least the cannon units, and they would fire in three waves, due to the time it took to reload the weapons.

The units who met the flanking force would not relent, continuing to rain down a hail of arrows atop the force. The brush surrounding them would eventually be lit entirely aflame by the sake bombs to trap them in, or severely burn them should they try to escape. A direct path to the Amakusa main force was cut off by burning brush and forestry.

Brandt would be instructed to meet the units advancing toward the ballistae, and he would have the aid of the units hidden within the trees. His job would be to intercept them and keep them from damaging the siege weapons, which were crucial to the battle. Ryunosuke and Gabriela would quickly be urged to meet the flanking force and halt them in their advance. Toshi would ride in to meet the main force with Takehiro's crossbow in hand, his target being the pesky fire-wielder. As he charged, he would conjure up a wave of water from the moisture in the air - combined with the sweat the countless soldiers in the area would have dropped - to launch toward the Kitabatake main force to keep their cannons from having any successful, direct fire. The size and shape of the cannon balls would cause them to slap hard against the wave and lose any momentum they had, while the bolts of the arbalest were sharp and pointed and would be able to rip through it with ease.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke watched on as a man protected the cannons of the Kitabatake. Although it didn't surprise him that one should protect the artillery as much as Ryunosuke always did, that event gave him admiration of that middle-aged man who was with the cannons. But Ryunosuke did not let himself be carried away by this. He had to protect their own forces.

Once more, the Daimyo's voice in his consciousness urged him to meet the flanking force and halt them so that they would not be able to destroy the siege units. Although he did not believe blindly in what the voice had said, he saw a force from the main body of the Kitabatake army split out. Realizing that what the voice in his head may be true, he and his men moved to a point where they could get a good aim of the flanking force as near as possible from their deployment area, but still hidden among the trees and bushes, and then, when they got their aim, Ryunosuke's howitzer started to roar, firing at the flanking force, which was the signal for the militia riflemen to fire away at where Ryunosuke aimed at. Ryunosuke would specifically made it sure that he would fire at the ground, blowing away the enemy soldiers due to the impact the ammunition of the howitzer would make on the ground, shaking them into disarray so that the militia would be able to take them out at will.

[Brandt Solveig]

Heeding his mental instructions, the giant would focus upon the ballistas in which he was tasked with protecting. Such valuable tools could not be lost, or the tides of war could turn. However Brandt would not let such a thing happen. 

Double-timing it, the behemoth powered through each step as he tore across the distance between him and the seige equipment, halving any soldiers that crosses his path.

Upon reaching his destination, Brandt would step in front of the equipment and take his stance, the flat of his massive Zanbato resting on his left shoulder as he lifted his right arm and unleashed two rapid burts, ten barbed bolts each, only to reload and do it again. He would look to clear as many as he could before the makn body reached the siege equipment.

[Gabriella Santos]

Gabriella under the strange mental orders of Lord Amakusa would move out with Ichimaru's unit into the position that he lead them. Taking up position alongside the other riflemen. However she doubted that she would be of to much use, her pistol lacked the range that the rifle had. However that didn't mean that when the unit opened fire she wouldn't do so with them. She didn't aim for the men themselves but for their horses. They were much bigger targets, a lot easier to hit and as such a lot easier to take down. She could easily un-horse a men, making it that much easier for the others around her to kill them. 

However if they didn't relent and still manage to force they way in closer she would hold her shot, let them get closer and the firer directly on those that still did not stop in their charge. However she doubted that they would last. IT was clear to see that under both fire bombs and rifle fire that they could last long against the Totomi here for long.  

[Tokugawa Ieyasu]

"Indeed they would. I fear I have failed in raising them. Maybe if their mother had still been around they would be better. I just hope I can redeem myself in my grandsons." Harutomo would reply to Ayumi, finishing the message. Gentle blowing it dry he rolled it up and placed it into a small wooden tube before standing and moving over to the door. A strange bird of something ethereal would form in the air in front of him. He would then tie it on before opening the door, and allowing the creature to fly off. "I hope it arrives in time." He said after closing the door. "You best make your exit ladies. It would be hard to explain your presence here." He told them returning to his desk.

Harutomo

Musou - Spirit Animal (1 of 16 used) Animal has overall stats equal to 2 x Spr, spread as chosen. No less then 10, no more then uses Spr.
Classification - Dive (0 of 8 used)

Str-20
Dex-20
Con-20
Wis-40
Spr-80

Spirit Animal (Will arrive next round of posts)

Str-20
Dex-80
Con-20
Wis-20
Spr-20

---

Toshi would ride in, raising his barrier of water to protect the force, and still allow the Amakusa's weapons through effectively. Iwami saw this and immediately knew that he was not in, as it were, his element in this battle. Double jumping back and throwing fire to almost fly he put himself back at the rear of the cannons. Delaying a direct confrontation between himself and Toshi. The cannons would come under heavy assault, and men would fall to the weapons. However Toshi had placed himself in harms way, as 2 units of rifles aimed at fired at him. Much like the Amakusa siege weapons the projectiles would be much better suited to breaching his barrier of water. They would fire in waves, as to give each other time to reload and fire once more. Among the unit the commander present wielded much larger rifles like those used by one of the Kitabatake grandsons in Shima. Designed to be accurate even over the distance. 

Iwami

Musou (2 of 12 used)
Dash (2 of 6 used)

---

Brandt and his troops would meet the infantry force. Cutting them off from attacking the siege weapons in time. Brandt himself would quickly be able to prove himself a threat, cutting down those they faced him. As such 3 of the unit commanders with halberds unlike the smaller weapons of the  unit would move into face him. Attacking as a team in order to eliminated him as quickly as they could. While the other 2 commanders would try to break the enemy unit, taking loses but inflict some of their own. 

Commanders - 30 in each STAT. 
---

Ichimaru and Gabriella along with the rifles and spy squad would inflict heavy losses on the cavalry as they tried to break through. Tomomasa using a unnatural burst of speed to avoid what could have been deadly fire from the rifles. The Kitabatake son and the commanders of the unit would not fall, and unrelentingly would ride through the fires. Charging the rifles hidden location, in hopes to reach them and eliminate them, as well as gain cover from the spies fire bombs within the Amakusa's own men. The remaining soldiers and horse however would be taken out by the combined effort of fire and bullets. 

Tomomasa 

Dive (1 of 2 used)

---

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Ayumi and Megumi would take note of the man's strange powers, nod, and make their leave. Using their abilities, they would stick to the shadows and make their way out from the castle and head back to the main force. They would be sure to avoid any conflict on the way out of the castle. Once they were back to the main force, the ninja unit would move around to the back of the Kitabatake main force to cut off their supply line into the city.

As the rifle units fired on Toshi, the man acted quickly. Armed with explosive bolts in the Takehi-bow, he would fire them into the ground in front of himself. The explosion would cause all the bullets to veer off-course and away from him. From there, he would summon the wave to act as a spear of sorts, launching it toward the rifle units to render their gunpowder useless, and, in turn, their rifles and cannons that remained. Once that was successful, Toshi would point forward with his spear and trebuchets would begin rolling toward the force, and catapults would launch large, fire-covered stones at the army.

Brandt's unit would be provided heavy back-up in two full assault units. The assault units would flank the force attacking the ballistae, making a three-pronged defense against the advancing force. Riflemen would unleash a hail of bullets upon the main troops, and the commanders of each unit would charge to strike down those who went after Brandt.

(OoC: Commanders: 45 Str, 40 Con, 35 in other stats)

As Tomomosa's unit charged into the trees, the fire units would drop their sake bombs and pull out halberds, with which they would strike down the fleeing Kitabatake men from their hiding places. Having forced the enemy into a corner, they would continue to press the advantage and utilize their momentum. One officer, armed with two rifles, would fire shots aimed directly at Tomomosa's kneecaps.