Part I: Hidden Dragon

"Do not be ashamed Horo-san, my name does not carry as much weight as that of Togashi or your Mirumoto clan. My name is Yona Shana though the others often refer to me as Shakugan no Shana. (He smirks a little) You are on pilgrimage? Then perhaps you would aid us in our mission?"

"What is your mission, Shana-san? If it does not interfere too greatly with my current plan, I would be honored to assist you."

"Have you heard of the white bandits?" They are merciless thugs that commit atrocities on the villagers here. They have taken the lives of some couple dozen villagers and those remaining will starve if the pillaged food is not returned. We have been sent by lord Obe to thin the ranks of these criminals."

I break out into a grin, before quickly composing myself. "That is precisely the sort of thing I am looking for, Shana-san. It would be my most sincere pleasure to fight by your side.

"Wonderful. Take a place among the vanguard over there, every warrior in the charging line will help us triumph."

I stride over to the vanguard and find a place in line which will guarantee me the most glory (at least without displacing anyone of higher rank).

One of the samurai whispers "He has no horse?". You cannot tell who it is.

I give a cool glance across the crowd, making clear my displeasure at the dishonorable samurai who would dare insult my lord in such a manner. I then speak to the the men, introducing myself and telling them how pleased I am to be fighting at their side.

I will also try to discern who specifically said that snide remark.

Awareness

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 8, 5

Unable to discern who was rude towards you wait for Shana to resume issuing commands.

"The path is too treacherous for mounts to cross, disembark now and let us make for their camp in the woods."

(Any last minute preparations before you set out?)

I will simply offer a quick prayer in thanks to the kami that my lack of a mount has not dishonored me (silently of course). If there is time to acquire more rations I will certainly attempt to do so. I will not betray my poverty by asking any of the samurai; I will only ask for food from the peasants, and will pay if necessary.

You secure five days rations from hei-men for a paltry sum.

You follow Shana and the others up along trail-blazed path on mountainside. As you walk another samurai fills you on the details of the plan. The party will take this lesser known path on the mountainside to reach the bandits earlier than they could by horse. The bandits, not expecting the party, should not have moved the food by the time your group arrives. From there you will all charge upon them, slay them where they stand, and return the food to the villagers. The lack of detail with regards to when you "charge upon them" concerns you.

Hours walking northeast through the woods serves as a peaceful repose before the upcoming battle. Finally the party reaches an edge of the woods 100 yards west of the destination. The camp is setup in a small dip in the mountainside. The dip goes low enough that passerbys on the trails in and out of the village would not be able to spot the din of the campfires at night.

Shana stops the group and speaks in hushed tones: "It appears the villager was correct about this path. Indeed the brigands have not made off with their food yet, this is the time to strike. To the point then, vanguardsmen take your positions."

I will make an awareness test to try and determine what exactly we are heading into with more detail (looking for how many bandits there are, etc.) As a side question, how many samurai are with me? While I look, I will also be moving into the vanguard.

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 1, 9

You are in the center of the vanguard. To each side of you stand five samurai. Behind you four samurai are preparing their bows and Shana draws his daisho. He steps into the line next to you and takes a moment to gauge the morale of the bushi.

From the looks of things there are approximately 20 thugs camped out and probably a few more in the tents. There are two look outs to the left and right of the camp (from your perspective).

Shana turns to you and smiles "Are you excited Horo-san? White Death-chan should be an exhilarating foe."

"I'm surprised you even have to ask Shana-san. I look forward to introducing White Death to his namesake. May our swords strike true this day!"

"Your words ring with religious zeal. Your fervor will serve us well. (Shana points to the enemy camp with his katana). KIYYAAAAAIIII!" With the battle shout everyone begins charging towards the brigands. Said brigands notice the screaming squad of armed bushi descending upon them and scramble to their tents to grab arms.

I rush forward and charge with the rest of the bushi, fighting to be in the front line.

You and your comrades rush down the enemies before they can organize themselves. Most have crude blades at hand but a few towards the back are still unarmed. You descend upon one armed woman in the middle of the bandits defensive line. Take action.

I am in the Full Attack stance (+2k1 to attacks, -10 to Armor TN). I will slash at her with my katana, rolling 10k4.

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 3, 1, 1, 9, 2, 9, 10, 8, 10, 1

Now rolling the two exploding dice

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 1, 4

Roll damage

I will spend a void point to increase my damage by 1k1, raising the total to 7k4.

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 7, 4, 3, 8, 8, 2, 2

You cut the woman down with a flash of metal. She falls to the ground dying but not yet dead. The bandits are converging and trying to encircle the group. Shana and the others are holding their own but your comrades to the far right is peppered with cuts and falls to the ground.

There are 3 bandits immediately assailable in front of you, somehow or other you've been shifted to the center of the front line. Take action.

Still in the Full Attack Stance I will slash at the bandit furthest on the right, making one raise for increased damage. (10k4)

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 5, 8, 9, 4, 8, 3, 5, 2, 2, 2

Hit, roll damage.

Because of the raise i will roll 7k3

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 4, 6, 5, 10, 5, 10, 8

rolling the two exploding dice

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 9, 5

Another bandit goes down. Where your group cuts down 5 men your own group loses 1. Amidst the fighting a woman's voice booms out "Pull back, let the archers loose their arrows!" - Take an action.

Assuming that the voice is a bandit, I will continue to press my advantage, not giving the bandits I am currently engaged with a chance to break free. Again, Full attack, raise once for damage. Rolling 10k4.

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 2, 9, 4, 10, 8, 5, 9, 5, 6, 1

rolling my one exploding die

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 4

Roll for damage

rolling 7k3 as before

The member 'Jarrion Xanatov' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 7, 3, 6, 7, 6, 6, 3

Another fellow falls to the ground from his injury (though not dead). The man standing beside him steps in to attack you and simultaneously an arrow from an archer behind their line finds its way towards you.

[Bandit melee attack, Bandit archery attack]

The member 'Darkgenesis' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

#1 'CTech D10' : 5, 6, 9, 8

--------------------------------

#2 'CTech D10' : 5, 10, 10, 5, 5

Two exploding dice for archer

The member 'Darkgenesis' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 10, 2

Archer exploding die (again)

The member 'Darkgenesis' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'CTech D10' : 7

Melee bandit attacks for 17.
Archer bandit attacks for 44.