Showdown at Nakamura [Battle]

[Simon]

Motochika had won in the Battle of Tonomoto alongside his father, putting an end to the Motoyama clan of central Tosa with the help of the Icjiro. His father instructed him, that with this victory, and achieving vengence for Kanetsugu, it was time for the Chosokabe to own Tosa again like it had for centuries past. However, that mission was for Motochika as Kunichika passed away.

While being careful to look loyal to the Icjiro, Motochika formed alliances with local families, and spread his influence throughout Tosa, before taking advantage of the unpopularity of Kanesada Ichijro, their esteemed aristocrat leader, by taking those who no longer wished to serve him and saw Chosokabe as greater, henceforth making the Chosokabe the most influential in Tosa as men flocked under their banner.

Shortly after raising up the flag, Motochika sent Nobuchika with his forces, while using his influence and the alliances he had made to force Aki to bend the knee, giving them East Tosa, seeing that they could not stand with the revolts around them and the death of their leader from the revolt.

Henceforth, all those that opposed the Chosokabe fled to Ichijo's headquarters at Nakamura and prepared to gain revenge for their fallen leader. Motochika, taking initiative of his new allies from Aki, instructed them to sow seeds of mistrust to those Aki officers who left to seek support from Icjiro, whose support would be nothing under the control of their "great leader".

Motochika moved his forces through Icjiro's territory, as soldiers feigned retreat to pull them towards Icjiro's stronghold where the showdown was about to commence, though it was unclear who was present in Icjiro's forces at the moment, though only hoped that the seeds those in Aki had laid for the Aki here would take effect. Though he wished for Tosa to come under his control, he would like to take with as little casualties as possible but there was no way for Icjiro to surrender knowing him...afterall, the Chosokabe was once their vassal, and not willing to trade places so easily.

"This battle shall mark the rise of the Chosokabe, and be remembered for times to come. Come! and let History be ours!", as he stood infront of his army with Nobuchika by his side before dismissing him to command unit 5, while he stood in the center infront of Nobuchika's unit in the middle of units 3 and 4, while units 1 and 2 were close together infront, all in a ring formation until the enemy formation was clear.

"Let us all lead our forces to victory and follow the plan", before strumming his shamisen along with the war drums behind him, as birds were released with the messages the Aki officers who had surrendered had carried, which flown towards the enemy infront while Motochika and his troops remained on alert and prepared to attack.

[Admin]

-Controlling the NPC Officer of Icjiro Kanesada. Leader of the Icjiro forces.


Kanesada would notice the Chosokabe ranks forming up in their territory. It would seem that seeds of defections would be sewed here today. Kanesada could see family armor and colors that of his own kingdom, a sight he didn't like at all. As he sat in his small fort within Tosa a messenger would arrive. The messenger would kneel and speak, "My lord, it would seem that Chosokabe Motochika has sewn the seeds of rebellion. Reports are coming in from all around that your forces and that of the Aki have surrendered to Motochika." The messenger would lower his head. "Chosokabe Motochika has also taken up positions here to siege us."

Icjiro Kanesada would be very displeased with this information. His left hand would rise to move his hair out of his face as he spoke. "Motochika wishes to claim Tosa as his own? Very distasteful, our fort here is much to small to hold out for any prolonged battle." The fort that which his soldiers and Icjiro Kanesada would be in could only hold 2,000 men, which would be there. The fort was constructed out of wooden planks and had no gates. Two large openings were both visible from the rear and the front.

Kanesada ordered 1,000 Ashigaru to form out in front of the fort, the rest would be positioned inside. Archers would be positioned to defend the rear opening of the fort. He wasn't at all prepared for what would come next.





Icjiro Kanesada Troops
2,000 Ashigaru
300 Archers

[Admin]

-Turn Results:

Chosokabe Motochika has invaded Tosa to stake his own claim. His soldiers would number in the thousands as they form up rank according to Motochika's orders. The Ashigaru would form up in a Ring Formation. Two units as vanguard each forming a spear wall, behind them is Motochika as Commander, with Nobuchika leading another unit which is positioned behind their leader. Either side of Motichika is two more units, which are ready to reinforce the vanguard units while remaining on defence.

Under his order Birds were released from the officers who surrendered after the Aki clan fell, telling them of the Ichiro's ways and how he cannot bring peace and make a difference, how unpopular he is with the people unlike their Lord and that serving Chosokabe would be better.

The Birds would arrive next turn to the troops/officers within the Icjiro ranks.

Icjiro Kanesada seemed very frustrated with the reports coming in. He ordered his men to form a wall in front of the opening, that was visible from the front of the fort. His archers would be placed to guard the rear opening.



Troop Counts:

Chosokabe Motochika
4,000 Ashigaru

Icjiro Kanesada
2,000 Ashigaru
300 Archers

No loss of troops this turn. Commanders formed ranks and combat has yet to break out.

[Simon]

Motochika could see the birds travelling in the distance. If only he could fly, thinking about it made him smirk, it could be possible but not yet. A foundation for his clan had to re-established first. This was only the first step in his plans towards unification, but for each step he took, he'd make sure that history would not forget his name.

His fingers strummed against his shamisen, before outstretching his arm for his army to move, before taking control of the unit of the right and moving it alongside the vanguard units, before glancing up towards the Nakamura fort, and saw the wall infront, and yet Kanesada had not yet moved. He was waiting for him to make the first move, though his first move did not necessarily means he had to enter combat just yet.

With his father moving to the front, Nobuchika moved his unit southeast of the unit his father took to complete the formation his father sought, before seeing his father return to his original location between his and the 3rd unit behind the new three vanguard units, in which he moved alone to him, "Father...".

Motochika turned and smiled, "Not yet Nobuchika", knowing how he wished to charge in and finish it once and for all. He was a capable fighter, "The Icjiro's time is up. History has declared it, and I shall make it so, but I believe that the Icjiro will destroy themselves", giving a chuckle, since he already had bannermen of the Icjiro and Aki under him, and the letters will no doubt get a reaction, especially seeing the size of his forces closing in, and when one man defects, many will follow, and eventually they will see they fight for a lost cause.

"Then why bring so many troops, when..", Nobuchika began before Motochika finished, "..the enemy are weak....Sometimes a push is needed, and when they see that our cause, and our strength is greater, then they will be inclined to follow. Regardless, our presence is very much required, and would ask you take charge of your unit while I take charge of the unit of the left. Once we pass through into the fort, we'd want to adopt a new formation".

Nobuchika nodded, and looking out, the wall of guards that Kanesada placed were close before Motochika called a halt after taking the unit of the left, and standing up from his horse called, "Our land is in turmoil. Our government can no longer stand tall and rule us. What we need is strength, or our existance will fade from History. History calls upon us today to make a change, to make a new, and build a strong nation to oppose the Lords of the mainland. Icjiro is weak, his time is over. It is the Chosokabe which will provide the strength needed! Rally with me now, and help bring us one step closer to our goal!".

The speech was not only directed at Icjiro's ashigaru at the entrance, but also to rally his men, before seating himself back down on his horse, and giving the enemy the opportunity to join him, before his vanguard units, formed as a spearwall, charged forward to knock the Icjiro wall down.

[Admin]

-NPC Icjiro Kanesada

As the forces of Chosokabe grew ever closer, Kanesada could notice birds flying into the fort. He could see his men reaching up their arms so that the birds could land on them. These birds had words that would cause many defections. He could notice a few men attempting to flee to the Chosokabe's side. As the soldiers in front of the fort, in a wall formation, began to break rank and raise their weapons up. Kanesada could see that they were defecting to the Chosokabe banner.

"How dare they? After all we've done for them, they flee to Motochika." Kanesada grew restless. He knew that if he couldn't prevent these defections then there was no way he could win this battle. So he ordered his archers of the rear guard to move to the front. They would be positioned along the very front of the fort. As the soldiers ran to defect to Chosokabe, arrows could be seen flying threw the air, striking down a few of them.

[Admin]

Turn Results:

Chosokabe's forces formed the Hook Formation. Three vanguard units in a spearwall, with Nobuchika and Motochika in the support units with Nobuchika in the right and Motochika in the left. Birds had been dispatched to try to incite rebellion amongst the enemy soldiers. It would be successful, somewhat. Motochika also rallied his men to prepare for combat.

As the soldiers fled in defection to the Chosokabe banner, Kanesada had ordered his archers to move up and shoot any of them down. A few arrows would land on target. Icjiro forces thrown into confusing. Chosokabe's men have advanced to the front of the fort and are hit with a volley of arrows as the soldiers of Icjiro break rank and attack Chosokabe's soldiers.



Troop Counts:

Chosokabe Motochika
4,100 Ashigaru

Morale: 85
+5 due to speech

Icjiro Kanesada
1,780 Ashigaru
300 Archers

Morale: 65
Plummeting due to defections.

200 Ashigaru tried defecting to Chosokabe, only 150 made it.
Combat has broken out, Chosokabe's units are not faltering due to high spirits and keeping formation. The Icjiro forces are thrown into confusion and the archers are the only ones doing any real damage to the Chosokabe forces.

[Simon]

"Forward! Charge them!", were the orders he bellowed to the vanguard as each strutted down and thrusted their spears forward at the enemy to create a path into the fort, their movement solid and sharp and quick, as the spears lunged into an enemy officers before swinging down and lunging again.

Motochika turned to Nobuchika, "Once we are through, take the rear units and take out those annoying arrows. I shall join the van and be the shield", before leaving his unit under his son's command while he took out his shamisen and joined the vanguard in pushing their way into the fort.

"If you turn against me, then your end is near, and history will not remember you. Icjiro is weak. I am strong. You may live, or die. Make your choice, and make it a wise one, as I have", he said once more, before thrusting his shamisen forward and then with his other hand, pulling out his sword and slicing his way through.

Nobuchika nodded to his father's orders, before moving inbetween his units with them either side of him, "We must all answer the call of destiny when it beckons. Come!", as his units, remaining in formation and in high spirit remained behind the vanguard units and acting as support until the vanguard pushed their way inside, hearing his father order them all to push on.

His two units then dispersed with one unit climbing to the top from the right, with the other to the left to surround the archers, either attacking with the point of the sword or the hilt to knock them down, and giving them a chance to make the best decision they could ever make. If Tosa was to become under his fathers' rule, then the people, both those with him and against him, should realise he would be the shield for them all.

Actions: Motochika gives enemy one last chance to change their minds, before he and his vanguard consisting of three units, charges through the falling apart wall and into the fort, while Nobuchika leads the remaining two units to finish off and once inside, divides his units back into two, to climb the steps to the top of the fort to surround the archers and attack/injure those in their way.

[Admin]

-NPC Icjiro Kanesada

His units fleeing to the Chosokabe side, those loyal to him are being struck down. Not left was much of his once kingdom. What was he to do now? Surely, he could not surrender to Motochika. He was left with one option. As he stood from his chair he ordered his remaining soldiers to come to his side. As they did many were knocked down and given choice to surrender to the Chosokabe banner. It would be left to their loyalty, did they value their lives over loyalty?

Some would stay loyal to the Icjiro and those that did would surely meet the end of a blade. However, Kanesada was not going to surrender. As almost in key with his motions, archers had begun firing down into the small fort. If Kanesada was to go down, he would try to take Motochika with him.

[Admin]

Turn Results:
Icjiro forces soon to be routed, but in a last attempt Kanesada ordered his archers to fire a volley onto his own men. As well as the forces of Chosokabe, as they are located within the fort. Many have surrendered to Motochika by now and the others are soon to die. However, Nobuchika was shot with a single arrow in his lower ankle. This has forced him to retreat from the battle.


Troop Counts:

Chosokabe Motochika
4,700 Ashigaru

Morale: 90
+5 due to gaining troops from the other side

Icjiro Kanesada
850 Ashigaru
234 Archers

Morale: 40
- due to defections and volley on oneself


Icjiro is doomed and their last attempt is sure to do more damage to them than the forces of Chosokabe. However, Nobuchika has sustained an injury in his lower ankle. He is force to retreat from battle.

[Simon]

The wall was broken and now Motochika and the vanguard pushed on towards Kanesada, along with those that had left Icjiro's side, before hearing Kanesada himself order a volley as arrow after arrow descended around him, in which he swung his shamisen to deflect the arrows away from those near him and his men.

"This...is your last chance!", calling out to those remaining around his troops and towards Kanesada, "Your own leader orders your death, something I will never do. I am the shield for my men, and will make sure those that perish are not forgotten, but as long as you are under the Icjiro banner, your mightswell not of existed", with a slight bit of mockery in his tone, mostly due to Kanesada's orders that still amused him, and to think his father had to serve him.

Regardless he pushed on and swung his shamisen about, while his other hand pointed his sword in the direction of Kanesada, "Surrender to me Kanesada and you may just go down in history, if not, then you are history...literally", amused by his own twist of words.

--

Meanwhile, Nobuchika, following his fathers' units, divided his units as one half climbed to the top of the fort on one side, while he and the other unit with him, climbed the other, before charging at the archers. Nobuchika pulled out his numchucks and began to hit the archers, twirling around as if he was at a party while his men belted them with the hilts of their sword, "You better give up now!", with a warning.

However, that was not to last as he felt and arrow hit his ankle when he was twirling..."Why must I do things the hard way", as he slowly backed away, "Continue the attack!", he said with what energy he had left, before descending the stairs, and taking a horse, rode out of the fort while his men continued to make mincemeat of the archers.

He'd be back though. If his father was the shield for his men, then he must be his fathers' shield.

Actions: With Kanesada ordering arrows on his own men, Motochika takes this into account to help his foes "see the light", before offering Kanesada to surrender while his men remained round him, ready to attack and ready to defend their lord....while Nobuchika's units continue the attack despite their commanders' absense after asking the archers to give up, seeing that they had the advantage.

[Admin]

Icjiro Kanesada had done something so cruel, he couldn't believe his own eyes. "Am I really that vain?" He raised his hands up and ordered his men to halt their actions. "Soldiers, the time has come of the Chosokabe. The Icjiro, my family, has betrayed you." Kanesada would kneel down and order his men to surrender. He had been beaten himself.

Kanesada would surrender to Motochika, but under one condition. He would raise his head up and speak to Motochika. "If your father would of seen this..." He shook his head. "Take the men Motochika and serve them well. End my life."

[Simon]

The conflict then seemed to come to a halt, as soon as Kanesada held his hands up. In response, Motochika raised his shamisen and waved it in the air so those on the walls could see, as it was now just between him and Kanesada, as he admitted defeated.

As for what he said about the time had come for the Chosokabe, he couldn't of spoken no truer words, he was learning...though that was what an aristocrat does. While Kanesada knelt, Motochika swung his shamisen over his shoulder, before listening to him speak of his father and then asking for his life to end.

The request made him chuckle, "And why would I do such a thing, if not to get my hands dirty. I recall myself saying that if you surrender, you may just go down in history...and I see you are already down, the proud Icjiro bending their knee and asking for their life to be taken. It is never good to let a man get what they want, you shall serve me, in what capacity, I do not yet know, but you are sure to make history interesting", giving another chuckle, before circling round to him and saying silently for his ears, "For I am history, I am what makes History, and history, shall be great!".

He walked away with the shamisen over his shoulder. If a man desired death in battle or after battle, it was a honor, but there was no honor in taking the life of an aristocrat. He either accepts servitude, or leave. Afterall, he had relatives in Bungo to turn to. "Raise the banners! The battle here is won, and belongs to the Chosokabe! Tosa is ours!", before turning suddenly towards Kanesada incase he made any movement towards him, pulled his shamisen down and begun to play a victory song...

[Admin]

-Tosa has fallen into the hands of Chosokabe

Troop Counts:

Chosokabe Motochika
4,850 Ashigaru
100 Archers

Will be added to the Site Bank, shortly.