Hann Roleplay Thread

[ann]

For roleplay in Hann.

[Chou Yu]

[For Hsihaoutun and anyone else who wishes to join]

Yang Yu stood straight, shifting his left arm painfully as he intently inspected a piece of paper in his other hand, an unreadable look on his face. The paper was torn slightly at the top, a result from Yu forcefully ripping it off the building wall where it was posted, and the surface was full of dust; but the words were as clear as day and it interested him, something he could not say about many things these days. A bold man, the writer of this missive was, for challenging the King of Chu so openly and carelessly. Xiang Yu has proven himself devoid of mercy when it comes to those he considers his enemies. A brave man, this Shi Tong, a foolish one many would say.

Yet, it is this kind of people that Yang Yu needed for he cannot thrive nor achieve his goals under a meek leader, and he was going to achieve his goals; it is the driving force that kept Yu living, and he would see it realized whatever the cost.

Looking around, Jia looked for the sign of ruckus and the sound of hoofs that would mark the coming of his brother. Yu clicked his tongue. His brother was late as always.

[Hsiahoutun]

[Yet again, you MISSPELLED MY NAME! ]

Yang Xi moved through the bustling markets in search of his elder brother. He got sidetracked on a weapons shop and misjudged the time. Dammit. He's gonna kill me. You'd think he'd been used to it by now, what with me being late most of the time, but nooo. He's always the cold, calculating one. I'm always the brash and stupid one. He tugged the reins of his horse as he moved faster to the crowd, his hulking frame pushing many away, occasionally yelling out, "Out of the way! Coming through!"

He saw his brother on the place they had decided to meet in, in the exact center of the market. He was reading a torn piece of paper, face in his usual frown. He called out to him in his rugged voice from a distance. "Brother! Brother Yu!" He ran the last few steps as his horse trotted behind him. He let out a gasp of air and looked apologetically at his brother. "Sorry I was late. I saw this great spear on display, looked like it was crafted by the gods themselves. I lost track of time."

[Cao Chao]

As the two fell into discussion, a carriage was seen approaching from the distance, making it's way at murderous speed through the crowds of the busy city streets of Yingchuan. Screams were heard as bystanders threw themselves out of the path of the onrushing carriage. A flick of some kind of child's toy had made the horses bolt and the carriage was now out of control. The driver tried desperately to calm the horses and stop the carriage before it ran over someone. Due to some miracle, the carriage driver was barely able to rein in the horses within a few feet of the two Yang's. Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, the driver flopped onto the ground. Pulling back the cloth that covered the carriage, the frail, elderly gentleman within gave his servant a reproachful look.

Turning his attention to the pair of individuals, the gentleman bowed his head and spoke in a polite voice. "My sincere apologies, sirs," he said, as he straightened his head, "I hope that this out of control carriage of mine did not startle you."

[Chou Yu]

Yelling and cursing resounded from the crowd behind Yang Yu, and in the middle of it was a man carelessly marching a horse through a throng of people. Yu sighed at his brother's behavior as he turned his head to see the latter running, on foot now and leading his horse by the reins. Tapping his foot impatiently, Yu crossed his arm and glared at his younger brother as he ran the last few steps. Yu pondered scolding him, but it seemed to have no effect in the past, and scolding him in public like this would bring dishonor to the both of them. Instead, Yu said simply, "I do not care what your reasons are. This bad habit of yours will get us killed in battle one day Litle Brother." and handed off the paper to his brother to read. [PMed!]

While waiting for his brother to finish reading, Yu looked around at the people, innocently bustling about their own daily business. Sometimes, Yu wondered how these people can bear to live with such low ambition in life. For them, to be born, survive to just finally die was enough. Such things was alien to Yang Yu, and he thought less of the common people for it.

Judging that his brother had finished reading the paper Yu turned back at him and asked, "What do you think?" Yang Yu already decided the course of action, but he asked his brother anyways. He always do, "I do not know how he thinks he can do anything alone, or with a single town under him. But I think he's worth the travel. I will judge him in person and see if he's worthy of his lofty ambitions." Yang Yu shifted his arms, turning to one side, which uncovered the cape that was slung over his shoulder and masking his left arm, which if one would look closely, was a stump just above where the elbow should have been.

"With the state of the land like it is, there could be no better chance for us Little Brother. Even if the people in Xiang Yu's Court thinks that he is secure in his throne, they would be wrong, and this missive is just one of the examples. Where one says something, one hundred thinks it." Yu said, quoting from a book he read once.

"This is our time Little Brother, our Age; Let us ride the wind of Chaos and make a name for ourselves, carve our deeds in the annals of History. By the time we're done with the Middle Kingdom, there will be none who have not heard the name of the Yang Brothers."

Before his brother had the chance to reply however, another ruckus was heard. This time it originated from a wild uncontrolled carriage that sped through the street, knocking people aside and dangerously skidding towards the two brothers. Yu was ready to bolt, but thankfully the carriage managed to stop just in time to spare the two Yangs from a painful collision.

Dusting off his white and blue robes with his good hand, Yu cast an annoyed look at the driver, ready to berate him. However, the driver uncovered the cloth on the carriage, revealing an older looking man, who bowed and apologized. Yu was not a needlessly nice person, but he had great respect for elders. Bowing his head in return, Yu said, "Please do not let it trouble you sir. There was no harm done." With that, he shifted out of the way of the carriage and gave his little brother a look that warned him to not speak on the matters of the missive or their intentions with the old man around.

Wanting the old man gone so they could speak once again in private, Yu asked politely, "Is there a particular place that you wish to visit? I could help you point the way."

[Cao Chao]

Dusting off his white and blue robes with his good hand, Yu cast an annoyed look at the driver, ready to berate him. However, the driver uncovered the cloth on the carriage, revealing an older looking man, who bowed and apologized. Yu was not a needlessly nice person, but he had great respect for elders. Bowing his head in return, Yu said, "Please do not let it trouble you sir. There was no harm done." With that, he shifted out of the way of the carriage and gave his little brother a look that warned him to not speak on the matters of the missive or their intentions with the old man around.

After making sure that the duo was unharmed, the elderly gentleman bowed apologetically again before issuing a command to his driver. Swiftly, the carriage went on its way.

A few individuals who recognized the elderly man could be heard murmuring about how the man was Zhang Liang.

[Hsiahoutun]

Xi took the paper from his brother's hand and read it quickly. New age... Coming storm... Generals.... Coming war... Blah blah.... He looked back at his brother as he talked. What do I think? Yeah right, as if he doesn't have a plan already. He was about to reply when Yu continued talking. "Knew it." he muttered under his breath. He listened intently to his brother.

As he was about to reply, he saw a carriage from the corner of his eye, coming straight for them. Dammit. He prepared to jump back, but the carriage stopped short of them. He saw the look Yu gave him, one that told him to shut up or he'll ruin everything. The usual. He saw an elderly man in the carriage and his brother exchange sentences, followed shortly by the carriage continuing on its way.

"Our age, huh?" He said when the carriage was gone. "None who has not heard of us... That... Sounds good..." He smiled confidently. "The great Yang Xi and the cunning Yang Yu, saviors of the middle kingdom. Something like that?" His smile widened as he thought of it. "That sounds great! But," he paused, his voice lowering. "I suppose you've decided what we're gonna do next, huh?" He looked at the paper again, frowning. "After all, you wouldn't have mentioned this Shi Tong in particular if you don't think it would be worth serving under."

[Chou Yu]

As the carriage left, Yu heard murmurs from the people around him that the old man in the carriage was in fact Zhang Liang. Masking his surprise, Yu looked at the back of the carriage, now steadily getting smaller in his field of vision, and pondered sending his brother on his horse to greet the man properly, now that he knew who it was.

Having traveled since he was but fifteen of age, Yu have never seen Zhang Liang personally, though he knew that the latter was a native of Hann like himself. Yu has however, heard of his name and his deeds, most notably recently against the Qin Army. What is he doing back in Hann? After hearing what had happened between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, Yu had assumed that Zhang Liang would return with the man he formerly served, south into the Han.

Frowning, Yu felt like he had lost a great chance to speak to a great man but decided against pursuing him. It would be unsightly. Not to mention, Yu could not see any reason why Zhang Liang would stop to speak to them.

Turning back towards his brother, Yu chuckled dryly at the response, "I never said that I thought he was worth serving under, I merely expressed that he is worth the travel to Bei Ping. The former, we have yet to be seen." Already turning away, heading towards the house that they shared Yu said sharply, "Well? What are you waiting for? It's a long travel to Jiaodong even on horseback, and we've got no time to lose."

[Li Dao Wen]

The Shadows [暗兵] - Converging in Hann

In a secluded valley near the Yellow River basin, surrounded by thick vegetation and rough hills was encamped a sizable army of brigands and bandits. Most of them were wearing durable black clothes with patches that introduced their affiliation with the Shadow Guild, a mostly unknown circle of some of the most elite, cut-throat terrorists in the Middle Kingdom. The band, however, is a poor reflection of the deadly discipline and resolve practiced by their officers; most of the conscripted men were untrained rogues with poor equipment and little training. Many of them were already starting fights in their own camps.

One of the more disciplined camps, a small group of around 500 men, set up camp about half a mile away from the rest. This group, led by the one known as the 'Twilight General', was busy foraging for provisions in the forests, hunting down whatever crossed their path. Soon the air was filled with the smoke of boiling stew and venison, attracting a group of weary travelers from nearby Nanyang.

Immediately the group was seized and bound in tight ropes, then brought the leaders were brought to the tent of Xun Jiang of Chu. The dozen or so guards who accompanied them were not so lucky to be spared an audience; their blood curdling shrieks and yelps pierced the night amidst the howling of the crowd.

"Let us go! We have done nothing wrong!" squealed one of the men, obviously a merchant judging from the fineness of his clothes.His voice was still steady, but his face was deathly pale, aware of the blunder which his group had just come across.

Another of the travelers, perhaps his wife, was crying hysterically as she sat on her knees, held by the hair by one of the black-hearted men. "P-please... Le-let us-s g-g-o..." she sobbed. It was a pitiful plea which fell not on deaf ears, but on sadistic ones.

Sitting on a chair like some king on a throne, a massive man in gilded black armor looked down upon his prisoners more as a god than a judge. By the scowl on his face his men already knew what his verdict is. It was actually the only one he ever gave. Still he said nothing nor did anything, continuing to observe them as they squirmed, pleaded and growled in their binds.

The last of the bound captives, perhaps a soldier from his uniform, glared defiantly at Xun Jiang, teething on his desire to set them all free through force. Perhaps he knew that he didn't stand a chance, perhaps he thought that he did. It was more than enough to give Xun Jiang an urge to fight. To kill.

Finally he spoke, with a good, raspy voice that belied a soul more animal than human. Two eyes of stone stared at the defiant one like an abyss waiting to eat him. "Do you fear death?"

"Set me free and I shall show you death!" he bellowed, both fists closed in raging fists that wanted to hit but couldn't. The answer hushed some of the men and made others laugh quietly and knowingly. Perhaps he was trying to save face against a horde of honorless bandits, or maybe he genuinely thought that it was a path to freedom that he was espousing. He did not know the facts that the men in black behind him did: no man has yet to survive a duel with Xun Jiang.

Grabbing his halberd from beside his chair, Xun Jiang stood up and, with a nod of his head, the man was freed from his bounds. Emotions surged from within the soldier quickly, and he made a desperate dash for Xun Jiang's armored back as soon as he could run. But he was just as soon flying into the open field outside, guided there by a mighty hand that caught him in mid-air and flung him away like some puppy. The first sight that greeted him were the disembodied heads of his other companions, hanging from a clothesline like mere ornaments. It made him shudder and despair.

"Give him a sword and a spear." the criminal lord commanded his men. The two types of weapons were immediately thrown the man's way, who scrambled to grab the pointed pole with both hands. The two other captives were brought out men around them stopped eating, they were in for a show.

Another adrenalin-powered rush surged the man forward, brandishing the spear in his hands with some measure of force. However the man he was up against was no ordinary warrior with no ordinary skill and power, and as soon as he reached within a dozen feet of Xun Jiang was he falling to the ground with no sense of balance. He collapsed in a heap of blood, screaming in horror at the fact that his left arm was gone, lying prostate a few feet away from him.

"I didn't see it coming!! I didn't see anything!!" his eyes were wide with terror, as if begging his two remaining companions for aid. They could only look back in horror at his impending doom. Their impending doom.

For his part, Xun Jiang was stationary as his opponent groveled in pain in the dirt. Was he feeling chivalrous, giving the man some time to get up on his feet? Most of his troops knew better; in truth he was just feeling somewhat lazy and bored at the easiness of his fight. He thrust the other end of his enormous halberd into the ground, waiting for his man to get up.

Bleeding profusely, the paling man got up on his feet, using his fading strength to grab hold of the sword. Still in a state of shock, he made one last lunge at Xun Jiang, who gave him the chance to swipe at him. It hit the armor with everything he had--and instead of claiming bone, blood and marrow, it broke off and flew and away into another direction.

A smirk creased Xun JIang's face. A devilish one. It was in this instance that he grabbed hold of the now terrified man's head, lifted him up with one arm, then flung him again into the air. With a sickening crunch he landed on the flawless blade of the bandit lord's stationary halberd, Twilight Mourning. The crowd roared in approval, the prisoners yelped in awe, and Xun Jiang didn't even bat an eye. Soon the impaled man bled dry, mounted like a piece of meat on a priceless piece of weapon.

Grabbing hold of the bloodied pole, Xun Jiang unceremoniously flung the dead man for the third and last time into the ground. He cast his eyes at the two prisoners. "Now, do as you would please with those two."

Sadistic hands of lust, greed and brutality immediately set themselves upon the two. The wife was taken to the deep forest, where her screams and pleas were silenced only after hours of unseen activity. The bald, fat man was stripped of his clothes on the spot, tied by his limbs, then chopped into pieces with a blunt axe.

The next day, the heads of all the victims were found impaled on spears beside the road leading to Yuan city.

[Cao Chao]

Seated upon a warm mat and with a heavy cloak wrapped around him, the famed tactician named Zhang Liang observed the battle unfolding before him over the city of Yangdi. While it was not an overwhelmingly large army commanded by Ying Ranzhen, Zifang could see that it would be more sufficient to defeat the meager garrison forces of the city. Composed primarily of half-trained militia and commanders either to old or too young, the garrison forces would be defeated and the city lost. It seemed that the Chu did not trust the governors that they had appointed in Hann. Shaking his head, the elderly scholar heaved sighed, depressed by the sight before him.

Earlier that day, he had come across rumors of another group of soldiers that had moved in Hann. Unlike the soldiers of Ying Ranzhen before him, these soldiers in question were no better than brigands and highwaymen. A small merchant caravan from Nanyang had been discovered robbed, it's members slaughtered to a man along the border. The heads of the men stuck on pikes and the woman had been found half-dead in the woods, having been ravished again and again until her mind and her resistance had been broken.

War had returned to Hann . . . And Zhang Liang once again found himself powerless to stop it.