NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This rp is based upon the historical events that took plac in fuedal Japan between 1500-1600. If you wish to sign up for it the link is here: Link (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=463896). Hope you enjoy the writing skills and battles involved. And thanks to all those players who signed up.
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Echigo Province, Oni Castle

The new dawn was bright over the mountain, its rays shining out over the large green fields and the city that they surrounded. The city was dominated by the castle that sat on the large hill side, the castle donjon’s (keep) seven levels sat squat on their stone base, the walls of the castle quietly patrolled by samurai retainers.

Lord Nagao Tamekage sat on his small seating futon on the top of the dais in his large audience room. Six of his bodyguards sat cross legged in neat rows along the walls on either side. Seated in front and bowing low before Tamekage was his 3rd son, Kagetora.

“My Lord, the last report I received from Omi-san was that the last of the Uesugi clan members have been subdued. The battle did not take long, and we collected over 600 heads. Only Uesugi Norimasa is alive and has taken over the last of the clan. He wishes peace and asks with great humbleness to become your honored vassal,” said Kagetora. He kept himself bowed until his father roughly nodded, then he raised his head and sat still.

“Very good, very good,” Tamekage said. He smiled inwardly; glad to finally be rid of his old enemy, Uesugi. “Tell Norimasa-san that he is given the right to become my vassal. He is to come here to Oni Castle within a week to make his commitment, and once done he is to send messengers with his seal on the declaration throughout Echigo, so that it will be known that I now have full control.” He huffed and slapped his hand on his thigh. He smiled openly this time, and then brought a small cup of sake he had in his hand up to his lips and drank from it.

A small maid entered through a shoji door near the dais and came in bearing a tray with two sake bottles, a small bowl of rice, and a small plate of char-coaled eel. Tamekage smiled and then waved a dismissal to his son. “Kagetora-san, send the message before the mid-day and then see to it that my generals are brought here tonight, and my chief magistrate, I will be making some changes,” Tamekage said. The maid set the tray down next to the dais and bowed low, first to Tamekage, then to Kagetora. She raised up then set the food tray before Tamekage who picked up his chop-sticks and began eating slowly. The maid poured him another cup of sake.

Dismissed, Kagetora bowed, then stood, he walked backwards for 6 yards, then turned and went to the far end shoji door. It opened and two guards there sat on either side. One offered up his long killing sword which, by custom, he was forced to leave here before entering the room of the Lord Nagao. He took it then moved on through the halls, going over in his head his father’s orders.


The long meeting hall was filled with about twenty men. All dressed in their best silk kimonos, their indiviual symbols of their Houses were present, as well as the Nagao clan emblem, showing their loyalty to the House of Nagao.

Each sat with their long killing sword, the katana, next to him and with their short sword neatly pushed into their sashes. Each was a general of Nagao Tamekage, and hatamoto, an honored and special retainer of the daimyo and had special capabilties that went with the title.

Kagetora sat at the end, where a dais with an emtpy cushion was for his father, along with Souchiro Omi-san, one of Tamekage's most experianced and loyal retainers.

"Ah Kagetora-san, your father is never this late for a council meeting," Omi said. He scratched his chin and looked around the room. Several of the generals nodded their agreement.

"The Lord, my father, had pressing business earlier Omi-san. I am sorry if he is late, but then the Lord may come when he comes, but we will still be here and waiting patiently, neh?" asked Kagetora.

"Hai, your right of course, I meant no insult or meaning that he was late. It is simply that I wonder what he will do with Uesugi." Omi had left the san, a title of respect off the name. Omi and several other of the generals in the room had only just gotten back to Oni Castle for the meeting, having finally crushed all opposition in the Echigo province on behalf of Nagao Tamekage.

Suddenly the shoji doors behind the dais opened, and Tamekage entered. All the generals immediately bowed. Tamekage walked onto the dais and sat down, he bowed back. The generals raised up and looked at him. A man wearing the robes of a magistrate entered as well behind and the shoji door slid shut. The man sat down to the left of Lord Tamekage and bowed to the assembled generals.

"Welcome old friend and comrades," said Tamekage. "I am glad that you all arrived swiftly. For this meeting is important. For I have decided a new course for our clan." All eyes instantly widened and every one of the generals concentrated.

"I Nagao Tamekage noh Fujimoto, will become Shogun," he said simply without pretext. All the generals sat silent, some in slight shock, others in determination. All of them knew that the last Ashikaga Shogun had died over 20 years previously, and since all the daimyo's of Japan had strived for the position. But as yet, not one had come close.

"And right now, I have brought Doshu-san here," he motioned to the magistrate. " So that we can record what I will say and for the adjustment of the army and its expansion. For to attain what I want, I need more men."

"Nagao-sama," said Omi-san. " I am proud and honored that you will seek the throne of Shogun, and I will fight and die for you until you have achieved that goal. However, how can we raise such an army to do this? Are there not other daimyo seeking the same?"

Tamekage smiled and nodded. "That is true old friend. There are others seeking the Shogunate. However, we have the resources and power to raise more troops and I have come up with a strategy that will win me the position of Shogun." Tamekage motioned to the magistrate. The man bowed again.

"At this time the province of Echigo provides my lord with some 375,000 koku each year. 187,500 of which can be used for military expenses," Doshu-san said. "These so far has the lord decreed:

"20,000 Archers are to be raised and trained, at a cost of 40,000 koku. 15,000 more samurai foot soldiers will be raised and trained at a cost of 60,000 koku. And a force of 500 mounted heavy calvary samurai will be raised and trained for cost of 4,000 koku.

"Because the lord is interested in a Navy as well, our shipyards will construct 50 Seki-bune medium craft, and 100 Oadake-bune large craft, all for a cost of 35,000 koku.

"Thus the lord will have spent 135,000 koku to train and build, and in the years to come will cost 67,500 koku to maintain this force," said Doshu-san with finality.

The seated generals were awed by the massive amounts of spending and men. "My Lord, how soon will you order these things, and who will command them?" asked one general.

"Now. Within the year they will be trained, and the ships will take at most two years, maybe three. Is that not right Doshu-san?" asked Tamekage, he turned and looked at the scribe.

"Hai Nagao-sama, that they will. This also leaves us with 52,500 koku in the treasury."

"Good, good. Now, I will explain my strategy!" said Tamekage. The generals sat in the council long into the night and did not finish the meeting until the dawn of the next day. All left satisfied and with wild dreams of battle and expectations at the coming campaigns.

Kyushu, Hyuga Province, Obi Castle

The morning sun shon down upon the citadel of Obi, the heart of Ito power, the castle stood in a low field with a long road snaking toward it.
Within the castle Lord Ito Sukemitsu was busy planning for his next round of campaigns, three men sat about him as they examined a low table covered in maps of Kyushu and their holdings.

The older of the four men spoke first, he was a solid man with his hair salted in grey "Sukemitsu-san, I recommend we raise an army and march north. Bungo is a rich land, one that doesn't compare to our might but could nonetheless provide a welcome boost to our power"

A taller paler man with jet black hair spoke next "I oppose Agachi-san on this matter, Sukemitsu-san, I think Osumi would be a better target, it has a lower chance of being able to repel us and we can leave a garrison there and then march on to take Satsuma, it will secure our southern borders and give us a boost to our influence and power".

The man known as Agachi spoke again "Both our plans allow for some significant growth, Sukemitsu-san, the north provides more chances for greater conquest, Tabei's plan can be achieved with less men later".

The third man finally spoke, unlike the other two he was much more plainly dressed and wore no sword, his hair was a light brown that almost made him look like an old man, "Lord Ito, I support Tabei-san's plan. The north allows greater conquest but doesn't secure any of our borders, it actually makes them wider, I suggest we follow Tabei in this matter, the north can wait for a year or two".

Sukemitsu let out sigh and sipped his tea, it had been three hours since he had announced to his generals that he was planning on war and wanted to call a council and finally they had made some progress.

"Agachi-san, your plan is good and would indeed open up the north, but in this matter I will go with Tabei-san, the south does not lead to as great conquests but it will still double our influence and power, my decision is made" Sukemitsu proclaimed.

"Hai" all three spoke at once.

Sukemitsu nodded and spoke again "Agachi, you are in charge of raising the army. I will be spending a total of 185 000 koku, almost my entire military treasury I will admit, but I will take no chances in this matter, the south has a few wily men who I'd rather not risk assaulting without a significant advantage in men".

Sukemitsu handed Agachi a scroll "these are the men I desire, Agachi-san do you best to achieve this number" he said.

Agachi took the scroll and read it aloud "100 000 Ashigaru armed with spears, 30 000 archers, 15 000 samurai on foot, 3 000 mounted warriors for scouting and harassing purposes and finally 4 000 mounted samurai. An ambitious size for a single call-out but I will raise it my Lord, if it is possible I will do it" he finished with a bow.

"One last thing before you all go to your duties, I would like to thank you all, your skills in battle and intelligence are priceless and with your support it will surely be a short road till the Ito clan are masters of all Kyushu"

They all gave a bow and left the room, Sukemitsu smiled after them.

Kagetora sat on his horse waiting. He was on a low hill next to the castle overlooking a great clear plain where his father's army trained. Before him some 10,000 men drilled in formation using Yari spears, wielding their katanas, or shooting their long bows at targets some 200 meters away.

It was the second group of men being trained after the conscriptions his father had ordered. Four other such training areas were constructed within 40 ri (Japense mile) of the citedal. Thus far some 4,000 samurai had been trained along with 8,000 archers. All young men in the province had been bred on war since birth, so Kagetora's father had great pool of man power to dip into.

The sound of horse hooves caused Kagetora to turn around in his saddle. He relaxed when he saw that it was Omi-san riding up next to him. The aged general and young heir bowed to each other.

"Good afternoon Kagetora-san, how are you?"

"I am well Omi-san, thank you. And how are you?"

"I am doing well. I see you are watching the training. These men have been drilling for two months. How do you find the program your father developed to do this?" asked Omi-san. He wiped his forhead, the sun overhead of the beginning summer months was heating up the day's air tremendously.

"I think it is impressive. I am wanting to see the army in the field however."

"You soon may. Your father wishes to see you at the hour of the Hare."

Kagetora turned and looked at the aged councilor. "Is it war?"

"I do not pretend to know my Lords mind, but I would guess he has a plan of action in which to use. Our forces that we had against Usuegi have all be recalled to the north. Other than that, I know nothing," said Omi-san.

Kagetora nodded. "Very well, I shall see him in three hours." Omi-san nodded. They both sat quietly and watched as the training below them continued.

Oda Nobuhide sat quietly sipping tea in his castle's great audiance chamber. Two mains we sitting nearby watching attentively if their Lord should need anything. Nobuhide breathed deeply, filling his nostrils with the scent of his fresh cha the wise drink that had come from across the sea from China. He smiled as he looked out at the dawning sun. It was still late summer, and the fields were being emptied of their rice, the harvest almost over.

He looked up as the shoji doors at the end of the hall opened. And in came his oldest and most treasured retainer, Hirate Masahide. He was an old man, in his early 40s, but still a strong samurai and a great general.

Hirate stopped ten paces away from Nobuhide and bowed. He settled down on the floor and bowed again.

"You called for me, my Lord?" he asked ceremoniously.

"Yes I did, thank you for coming so swiftly."

"I am honored to serve my Lord in whatever manner, or at whatever time he requires," said Hirate, finishing the usual play of words and ceremony that was required when one spoke with their lord or fellow samurai.

"I sent for you my friend to enquire as to how much my military coffers have in them?"

Hirate slowly took a scroll from his sleeve. He unravelled it and nodded while reading.

"My Lord's domains have given him 90,000 koku for the use of military expense. Equalling 30,000 gold koban," read Hirate. Nobuhide nodded and smiled with pleasure.

"Very good. You will order the raising of 65,000 Ashigaru spearmen, and 5,000 archers this afternoon. Training is to commence with every group of 100," said Nobuhide simply. His old friend's eyes widened at the suddenly vast amount of spending, but recovered quickly.

He bowed. "As my lord wishes. That shall cost the lord 70,000 koku, and
leave him with 20,000 more koku in reserve."

"Indeed. Report this to the my scribes and have the order copied four times and with my seal to make it official. I want this carried out before the setting sun."

"Yes my Lord," said Hirate. He bowed, then got up. He bowed and turned slowly, then walked back to the end of the hall. The guards outside opened the shoji doors for him, sliding them back. He exited and the doors were shut.

Nobuhide smiled and sipped his tea. He would soon have is army up and much better. And now he must plan for other things. He snapped his hands, and another man entered from a side door. The man bowed.

"Send a message to the Lords Nagao and Murakami. I wish to extend a hand of friendship to both. Send the neccesary messengers before tonight. Swiftest horses by the Tokaido road," ordered Nobuhide. The man bowed wordlessly and nodded. He left just as quickly and quietly as he had left.

Kagetora entered into his father's chambers at the appointed hour. The guards took his offered katana and bowed as he passed through their doors. He entered hsi fathers private chambers. They were at the center of the castle, on the second level of the citadel.

His father sat in his room speaking with Omi-san. They both looked up as he entered. Omi bowed to Kagetora, Tamekage waited for his son, who sat and bowed first to his father then back to Omi. Tamekage nodded to his son in return.

"Welcome my son. I am sure you are wondering as to why I called you here so late?"

Kagetora shook his head. "No father, I am your servant and question not the manner in which you express your orders," said Kagetora. His father nodded, delighted at his sons loyalty and good show of wit, not being trapped into his words.

"Yes, indeed. Now you know from the council meeting we held over two months ago about my raising of more troops and of expanding, my aim to become Shogun." Kagetora nodded, wondering where this was leading.

"Well, I am ordering an attack. We have spies in the neighboring province of Dewa and Mutsu. The Lords Akita and Date who rule those provinces have relatively small armies, and are at current odds with one another. My spies report that their harvests where not as satisfactory this year as last, and there is a slight possibility of famine," said Tamekage. Kagetora nodded, waiting for more.

"My Shinobi and others have been quietly stiring trouble among the peasents of both provinces and spreading information about myself among them, how I am a noble and worthy Lord, unlike their present masters."

"But that I still don't understand why you need me here then," said Kagetora. Tamekage shook his head and sighed.

"In a weeks time I will be launching a two-pronged attack. I have promised Lord Akita the head of Lord Date in return for his support. While we march into Mutsu and destroy the Date Clan. I will have Omi-san here leave with our new navy and land with our elite troops in Dewa. At the same time some 3,000 samurai and 8,000 archers will march into Dewa from the south.

"While the armies of Lord Akita are outside of Dewa and in my clutches I will destroy him there, after we have destroyed Lord Date. Thus I will gain both provinces for my own," said Tamekage with satisfaction. Kagetora nodded his understanding.

It was a good plan, and a clever one, playing the enemy lords against each other. "Who will lead the troops into Mutsu, along with Lord Akita?" Kagetora asked.

"You will, along with 4,000 archers, 250 calvary, and 5,000 samurai footmen," said Tamekage.

"What of you father?"

"I will stay here in Oni Castle, with the garrison and the remaining 250 calvary, 8,000 archers, and 5,000 samurai," said Tamekage. "Should your campaign go ill, I will be able to assist you with reinforcements."

"When will you launch the secret attack against Lord Akita?"

"Once we recieve news of your forces engaging Lord Date, we will launch the attack. I have made it clear to Lord Akita that we must crush Date, or he will return with supporters. My spies have said that the 10,000 man army that Akita commands is nearly all being assembled for the campaign."

Kagetora nodded agian. His father had thought of a clever plan. He suddenly had a thought. "What of the Lord Murakami, of Shinano. Won't he perhpas move against our southern flank when our armies are in the north?"

"No, because I will be here to defend against that, and I have recieved messengers from Lord Oda Nobuhide, daimyo of Owari. He is training a fairly large force in the south, and should Murakami make agression to the north, Oda may choose to attack. No, he will not risk it. And I have already decided to send a peace offer to him, to create an alliance between our clans."

Omi's face cracked into a smile. "My lord you are a devious devil if I've ever known one!"

Tamekage laughed aloud and nodded. "Yes, I like to think so. But this plan could fail. But it will not. My son will not let it," said Tamekage. He looked hard at his son and searched his eyes. He saw a driven passion within his third son. He may make a good heir, and he is still unmarried thought Tamekage.

"Yes, now go my son. I want you prepared to leave for the the border in two days. I have already assembled most of the army in the north under Karana-san, he will be your second-in-command. Lord Akita will meet you with messengers once you have crossed into Mutsu."

"Yes my Lord," said Kagetora. He bowed to his father, marvled at his brilliance and then rose and left. Omi-san and Tamekage smiled to themselves and then continued speaking of the secret attack plans, far into the night they remained talking.

Hyuga, Ito army training camp

General Agachi Takai rode through the camp, all around him the busy sounds of an army rang out into the clear blue sky.
To his left men practiced with bomboo and wooden staffs while others practiced moving in formation further up the road.

Almost there, just another couple of weeks and Sukemitsu will have his army Agachi thought while he examined the men around him.
They probably weren't the finest men in Japan, but it would only take a few years of campaign to harden them up.

The south had some very skilled comanders within the Shimazu and Kimotsuki but Agachi and Tabei too were skilled comanders and his clan had more men at their disposal. Still those cursed Shimazu might be trouble, they are crafty ones Agachi thought as he ran a hand through his hair.

Hyuga, Obi castle

Sukemitsu and Tabei examined their position, most of their army was trained and ready for combat, supplies were being organised at certain points ahead of the army and a final large deposit was being organised near the border.

Tabei stood in front of one of the narrow windows and looked out on the castle around him "Sukemitsu-san, never underestimate logistics, a hungry and thristy army can be routed by a fresh and well fed one even if it has the size advantage" he said in response to Sukemitsu's query on why so many stores of food were being set up along their route.

"Very well Tabei-san" Sukemitsu said tapping his fingers together, "I'll still be heading south with you and Agachi when the campaign begins".

Tabei wasn't fond of the idea as it exposed the Lord of the Ito to unnecessary risk and had suggested several times that Sukemitsu stay back in Obi but every time Sukemitsu insisted on accompanying the army south.

"It's dangerous in battle, all it would take is a few samurai who manage to slip through our formations to reach you".
"If you fall then someone will have to be regent untill Yoshosuke his old enough and that could be a dozen years, it's not good for morale to lose ones Lord" he said dryly.

Sukemitsu sighed and spoke "I'll set a good example to my men by showing I'm not afraid of the Kimotsukii or the Shimazu and the boost in morale should be worth the risk" he stated and then went on "besides it's not like I'm going to be alone, five thousand samurai are going to act as my guard all through the campaign".

"Very well then, who shall you leave to guard Obi and Hyuga in case of agression from the north?" Tabei asked.

"Tekika Horimoto, he has the skills to hold out untill we can send aid, in any case it'll take some time for Bungo or Higo to raise an army". Sukemitsu replied "Tochimaru assures me that they aren't planning on attacking, they aren't gathering stores of food and weapons and they aren't moving their army from the towns and cities they garrison".

"It's better to be prepared for an event that doesn't happen than to be unprepared for an event that does" Tabei said.

Sukemitsu examined the map that showed Obi castle, now ringed by training camps, 20 ri south was the massing point where the army would come together and at several points food and equpment stores had been placed in the path of the army.

Sukemitsu was confident of victory, even combined the Shimzu and Kimotsuki wouldn't equal his power and alone he would outnumber each more than three to one, Although then again smaller armies had defeated greater odds he thought to himself.

ooc: Hey Uldarious. You think we should maybe pause this thing for more players? I'm talking to Oda about it, but I don't know anything yet for sure.

OOC: That's why I haven't posted again, I posted after Oda did because I thought the RP was up but with only three people it might be a little bit lame, so iif you decide to pause it it's cool with me.