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Session

Clash of Clans at Snow Plain

Session 11·2025-06-03

The whole line went forward to make the Unicorn show their commanders. That was the stated purpose. The other purpose was to give one man in the dark somewhere else to be.

Akodo Toronoko laid the field out to be taken. A thin elite centre under her own hand, offered as bait for a frontal charge, and both cohorts thickened to hold what the charge would open — Matsu Morozane on the left where the rice paddies and the hills were, Kitsu Somalia on the right where the river runs, which put a shugenja of the Kitsu within reach of the water kami and was not an accident.

Matsu Sakura's order was to test their mettle and make the Unicorn Clan show who was giving their orders. It was also cover. While the whole line was making noise, Ikoma Akuyaku went into the Unicorn Clan War Camp in the dark.

The first exchange went to the Lion. Kitsu Somalia came off the riverbank into the Unicorn right and put three measures of panic through it. Matsu Morozane took a Lightning Raid straight into the cohort facing him, broke its order, and set the Touchstone of Courage behind it to hold what he had taken. The Unicorn answered hard and both sides lost men, and the round closed with the Lion still standing on their ground and the centre still not committed, which is what a bait centre is for.

In the second, Matsu Sakura gave Kitsu Somalia the lead and she spent Void on it, and the Unicorn right thinned again. Then the Unicorn stopped fighting like cavalry. Red-robed men came forward and threw explosive firebombs into Kitsu Somalia's troops, and their commander turned a whirling incantation into fire and put it across the cohort. That is not a horse clan's battle. That is a prepared position spending prepared weapons.

Ikoma Akuyaku went through the camp unseen, which is what the Ikoma Shadow School is for and what everything else that morning had been arranged to permit.

Out on the field Matsu Morozane did the opposite. He called the Unicorn commander a cowardly dog in front of the man's own troops — a formal challenge, staked on honour and glory. His lion Shigo no Chinmoku went at the Unicorn Officer's horse and drove it off, which put the officer on the ground and made the challenge answerable. Matsu Morozane worked his head before he worked his body, closed his stances down to the ones he wanted, and struck first and struck true. The Unicorn Officer came back at him and took a great deal of him with it.

The battle held there for a moment: both Lion flanks engaged, the centre unspent, the camp compromised. Ikoma Akuyaku moved again in the dark and put another arrow into it.

Setsuna

The Lion Clan ran Ikoma Akuyaku into the Unicorn Clan War Camp at the Snow Plain, and the attack that morning was ordered partly to permit it. That is the case, and the Hall of Scribes does not have it. Ikoma Ichigo's account carries no infiltration and no diversion at all. This one the Lion certainly knew about — a general who orders a diversion is not ignorant of it — so its absence from the record is a decision somebody took afterward, and a narrower one than it looks: it keeps a covert operation out of a victory account, which is ordinary.

The second fact is nearly as good. The Unicorn Clan on that field fought with prepared firebombs and battlefield sorcery out of a fortified camp on ground they had chosen. Whatever the deed says the mines were won by, it was not a cavalry engagement.

The memory gives her both of these from the inside, and neither of them is written down anywhere she can put in front of an envoy. That is the problem to solve.

Timeline

Lion Clan Battle Preparations and Assignments - Akodo Toronoko’s plan established a thin elite center to bait a charge while reinforced left and right cohorts would hold or close the trap on the Snow Plain. Matsu Sakura assigned Matsu Morozane to the left cohort, Akodo Toronoko to the center, and Kitsu Somalia to the right, defining command for the engagement. Terrain and shugenja placement were set: the left flank stood between rice paddies and the hill anchoring the center, the right flank on the eastern river, and Kitsu Somalia positioned on the river side to potentially call upon the water kami. The Lion Clan frontline composition and strategic aims were specified (Yari Ashigaru and Yagami Samurai forward, Yumi Archers in reserve), with a stated objective to “test their mettle” and a diversionary intent to facilitate Bayushi Monban’s infiltration.

Plan and Command Assignments - Akodo Toronoko’s plan set a thin elite center to bait a charge while reinforced left and right cohorts were to hold or close the trap. Matsu Sakura placed Matsu Morozane over the left cohort, Akodo Toronoko over the center, and Kitsu Somalia over the right, establishing command assignments for the battle.

Deployment, Composition, and Objectives - The left flank stood between rice paddies and the hill anchoring the center, and the right flank anchored on the eastern river; Kitsu Somalia was positioned on the river side. The Lion Clan frontline included Yari Ashigaru and Yagami Samurai with Yumi Archers held in reserve and heavy troops withheld for this probing action. Matsu Sakura ordered the operation to “test their mettle” to reveal Unicorn Clan leaders and capabilities, and the engagement was intended to distract the Unicorn Clan so Bayushi Monban could infiltrate the Unicorn Clan War Camp by night.

  • Terrain Positioned Clearly - The left flank stood between rice paddies and the hill anchoring the center; the right flank anchored on the eastern river.
  • Shugenja Deployment Right - Kitsu Somalia, Lion Clan shugenja, positioned on the river side to potentially call upon the water kami.
  • Army Composition Chosen - Lion Clan frontline included Yari Ashigaru and Yagami Samurai, with Yumi Archers held in reserve; heavy troops were withheld for this probing action.
  • Strategic Objective Selected - Matsu Sakura ordered “test their mettle,” aiming to reveal Unicorn Clan leaders and capabilities through momentum from attacks or clashes.

Flank Engagements and Center Hold - Shinjo Kamo commanded the Unicorn Clan opposing army, which formed before the hill and declined to charge the Lion Clan center. Akodo Toronoko’s elite center held in reserve to lure a frontal attack rather than advance. The Lion Clan flanks engaged: Kitsu Somalia assaulted on the right and Matsu Morozane executed a Lightning Raid on the left, producing attrition and earning momentum. Unicorn Clan counterattacks struck both flanks, producing casualties and panic on Kitsu Somalia’s cohort; despite losses, overall Lion Clan discipline exceeded panic and there was no morale collapse at the end of round one.

Unicorn Clan Disposition and Center - Shinjo Kamo led the Unicorn Clan army, which expected cavalry and fielded many spears. Unicorn Clan cohorts formed up before the hill and held position, declining to charge the Lion Clan center, while Akodo Toronoko’s elite center waited to lure a frontal attack.

Assaults, Counterattacks, and Casualties - Kitsu Somalia led an assault against the opposing cohort on the right, dealing attrition and earning momentum; Matsu Morozane executed a Lightning Raid on the left, inflicting three panic and earning momentum. Unicorn Clan cohorts on both flanks counterattacked, adding attrition against the Lion Clan forces. The Lion Clan left and right cohorts each suffered five casualties and Kitsu Somalia’s cohort accrued panic, but overall Lion Clan discipline exceeded panic, preventing a morale collapse. At the end of the round the flanks were fiercely engaged while both centers remained uncommitted, with Kitsu Somalia’s attempted turn meeting resistance and Matsu Morozane holding his own.

  • Center Held Firm - Akodo Toronoko’s elite center waited to lure a frontal attack rather than advancing.
  • Right Flank Assault Began - Kitsu Somalia led an assault against the opposing cohort, dealing attrition and earning one momentum toward the objective.
  • Left Flank Lightning Raid - Matsu Morozane executed Lightning Raid against the enemy cohort to his front, inflicting three panic and earning one momentum.
  • Unicorn Clan Counterattacks Landed - Unicorn Clan cohorts on both flanks struck back, adding attrition against the Lion Clan forces.
  • Casualties Tallyed Flanks - The Lion Clan left and right cohorts each suffered five casualties; Kitsu Somalia’s cohort accrued panic.
  • Army Morale Intact - Despite losses, overall Lion Clan discipline exceeded panic, avoiding any morale collapse at the end of the round.

Second Round Escalation and Infiltration - Matsu Sakura signaled the start of round two and ordered Kitsu Somalia to act first; Kitsu attacked in Void stance, achieving multiple bonus successes that imposed heavy attrition and gained momentum without incurring panic. The Unicorn Clan leadership intensified pressure, inflicting additional casualties on Kitsu Somalia’s cohort and then launching a Lightning Raid of explosive firebombs and sorcery that caused six panic and further attrition. Akodo Toronoko attempted a Void tactics reserve response but failed, while Matsu Morozane invoked Touchstone of Courage with earth to remove panic and bolster his cohort. During this escalation Bayushi Monban advanced covertly toward the Unicorn Clan War Camp and then rode out openly to issue a formal challenge, staking 10 honor and 5 glory.

Void Assault and Unicorn Clan Response - Matsu Sakura used her war fan to signal Kitsu Somalia to act first; Kitsu then attacked in Void stance, achieving four bonus successes, imposing heavy attrition and gaining momentum without incurring panic. The Unicorn Clan leader’s response translated into seven additional casualties on Kitsu Somalia’s cohort and the center remained hesitant. Unicorn Clan forces then hurled explosive firebombs and used a whirling incantation that inflicted six panic on Kitsu Somalia’s ranks and caused further attrition; Kitsu Somalia observed the Unicorn Clan’s strange sorcery and identified a commander on the field as a potential challenge target.

  • Round One Situation - Flanks were fiercely engaged while both centers remained uncommitted; Kitsu Somalia’s attempted turn met resistance, and Matsu Morozane held his own.
  • Round Two Signaled - Matsu Sakura used her war fan to signal Kitsu Somalia to act first.
  • Void-Led Assault Struck - Kitsu Somalia attacked in Void stance, achieving four bonus successes, imposing heavy attrition and gaining another momentum without incurring panic.
  • Unicorn Clan Pressure Increased - The opposing leader’s response translated into seven additional casualties on Kitsu Somalia’s cohort.
  • Center Hesitated Still - Akodo Toronoko remained in reserve, momentarily indecisive as the Unicorn Clan fought defensively.
  • Unicorn Clan Lightning Raid Unleashed - Red-robed, lightly armored warriors hurled explosive firebombs into Kitsu Somalia’s ranks while an enemy commander performed whirling incantations, inflicting six panic and following with an assault that caused further attrition.

Reserve Failure and Scorpion Clan Infiltration - Akodo Toronoko attempted a Void tactics reserve response but failed to act effectively. Matsu Morozane invoked Touchstone of Courage with earth, removing panic from his cohort and strengthening their resolve. Bayushi Monban advanced one range band toward the Unicorn Clan War Camp under cover, avoiding notice, then rode out openly to issue a formal challenge and stake 10 honor and 5 glory.

  • Unicorn Clan Sorcery Observed - Kitsu Somalia noted the enemy’s strange Unicorn Clan magic and identified a commander on the field as a potential target for a challenge.
  • Reserve Response Failed - Akodo Toronoko attempted a Void tactics response to the unfolding threat but failed to act effectively.
  • Discipline Bolstered Left - Matsu Morozane invoked Touchstone of Courage with earth, removing panic from his cohort and reinforcing their resolve.
  • Infiltration Advanced Quietly - Bayushi Monban, Scorpion Clan shinobi, advanced one range band toward the Unicorn Clan War Camp under cover of the battle, avoiding notice.

Monban's Challenge, Clash, and Pause - Bayushi Monban’s covert approach escalated into a public duel when his hunting cat Shigo no Chinmoku leapt at the opponent’s horse and forced the Unicorn Officer to dismount. A one-round clash occurred in the midfield: Monban used Battle of the Mind to restrict the opponent’s stances, secretly bid four strife to win initiative, and opened with a Void yari attack that hit and inflicted minor fatigue; the Unicorn Officer counterattacked in Water stance and dealt four fatigue. The clash remained unresolved, the rider’s mount was chased off, and Monban advanced under cover to loosed a second arrow. The Battle of the Snow Plain then paused with Lion Clan flanks engaged, the center holding, and the Lion Clan army having accrued momentum toward “test their mettle” but not yet completing the objective.

Mounted Disruption and Clash - Shigo no Chinmoku leapt at the opponent’s horse, forcing the Unicorn Officer to dismount and initiating a one-round clash amid the melee. Bayushi Monban employed Battle of the Mind to prevent the opponent from using fire or earth stance for the first turn, secretly bid four strife to win initiative, and acted first. Monban attacked in Void stance with a yari, landed a hit with a bonus success and inflicted minor fatigue; the Unicorn Officer counterattacked in Water stance with a scimitar and dealt four fatigue to Monban’s ashigaru armor. The clash remained undecided, with both combatants intending to continue in the next round.

  • Public Challenge Issued - Bayushi Monban then rode out openly, dancing atop his saddle and calling the opposing force’s commander a “cowardly dog,” issuing a formal challenge and staking 10 honor and 5 glory.
  • Cat Disrupted Mount - Shigo no Chinmoku, Bayushi Monban’s hunting cat, leapt at the opponent’s horse, forcing the Unicorn Officer to dismount.
  • Clash Initiated Midfield - A one-round clash began between Bayushi Monban and the dismounted Unicorn Officer amid the melee.
  • Mind Duel Tactic Used - Bayushi Monban employed Battle of the Mind, preventing the opponent from using fire or earth stance for the first turn of the clash.
  • Initiative Bid Won - Bayushi Monban secretly bid four strife, won initiative, and acted first.
  • Monban’s Opening Strike - Bayushi Monban attacked in Void stance with a yari, landed a hit with a bonus success, and inflicted minor fatigue.
  • Unicorn Clan Counterblow Landed - The Unicorn Officer, in Water stance with a scimitar, counterattacked and dealt four fatigue, battering Bayushi Monban’s ashigaru armor.

Mount Driven Off and Shot - Shigo no Chinmoku continued chasing the rider’s horse off the field while nearby soldiers kept clear. After the clash, Bayushi Monban moved one range band across a rice paddy lip using cover and loosed a second arrow. The Battle of the Snow Plain paused with Lion Clan flanks engaged and the center holding; the Lion Clan army had accrued momentum toward “test their mettle” but had not completed the objective.

  • Clash Unresolved Yet - The clash remained undecided, with both combatants intending to continue in the next round.
  • Mount Driven Off - Shigo no Chinmoku continued chasing the rider’s horse off the field as nearby soldiers kept clear.
  • Stealthy Advance And Shot - After the clash, Bayushi Monban moved one range band across a rice paddy lip using cover and loosed a second arrow.
  • Battle State At Pause - The Battle of the Snow Plain paused with Lion Clan flanks engaged and the center holding; the Lion Clan army had accrued momentum toward “test their mettle” but had not completed the objective.

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