Siege of Shiro Usagi

The Siege of Shiro Usagi was the destruction of the Hare Clan by Bayushi Tomaru's Scorpion army in 1123.

Underlying Cause
Sometime in 1123 the Hare Clan Champion Usagi Oda sent his daughter Usagi Tomoe to Otosan Uchi to seek a husband. While there, her brother Usagi Ozaki was forced to go to the House of the Winter Moon to retrieve their retainer Seiki. It was here that Ozaki saw his friend Matsu Akira apparently being blackmailed by a hooded figure. Ozaki followed the blackmailer, who turned out to be Soshi Yukio. In an attempt to help his friend Ozaki continued to follow Yukio. Shortly after he witnessed Akira and Yukio meeting again, but this time Akira handed her money and "new orders". Yukio spotted Ozaki and fled, but was killed in the pursuit. Ozaki stole Yukio's scroll, and fled Otosan Uchi with his sister. The Kolat started making arrangements for recovering the scroll, using Matsu Chokoku to send agents to Shiro Usagi. Failing that Kitsune Hamato arranged for the Scorpion Clan general Bayushi Tomaru to lead an army against the Hare Clan.

Advance Warning
The first news of Bayushi Tomaru's army was brought to the Hare Clan by the monk Dazai, who was known to be trustworthy by Usagi Oda. Oda immediately put Usagi Takeshi in charge of the castle's defenses.

Refugees
The day after Dazai's arrival, peasant refugees began arriving. At the same time the Emerald Magistrate Shosuro Rei arrived and sought to speak with Usagi Oda. Rei wished to prevent the Scorpion attack by obtaining something stolen from one of Bayushi Shoju's vassals. Oda, unaware of his son's actions in Otosan Uchi, is unable to provide the scroll.

Tomaru's Arrival
On the following day the main army of Bayushi Tomaru arrived, consisting of a total of 500 infantry, 500 archers, 600 siege engineers and 200 elite cavalry. Oda's defenses consisted of 200 infantry, 500 archers, 150 cavalry and another 100 heimin that could be armed. The Scorpion send forward a herald who announces that the army is here to avenge the death of Soshi Yukio and retreieve items stolen from her. Oda refuted the claim, accusing the Scorpion of greedily seeking the lands of the Hare. Takeshi considers a frontal assault on the newly arrived troops, but little can be gained from it.

Duels
Later in the day the herald steps forward again and announces that the Scorpion are willing to allow twenty people to leave alive if the Hare agree to participate in three duels. Oda agrees, and decides to be one of the three to face one of Tomaru's lieutenants. Oda kills his opponent, Bayushi Sadako, but Seiki and Kenzo are killed by theirs.

Sneak Attack
As the peasants begin arguing about who the twenty will be, Tomaru launches an attack on the rear of the castle. After an hour of fighting the Hare were able to repel the forces.

Rainy Day
The following morning was blighted by bad weather, but Tomaru still launched a tentative attack. Usagi Takeshi was able to push back the attackers, but the outher palisades fell. The Scorpion immedaitely began bridging the moat surrounding the castle. The rain continued almost until dusk, at which point the Scorpion launched another larger assault. After three hours they finally withdrew, as it had served as a distraction allowing two ninja in over the walls. One successfully poisons the water supply but was later killed in Oda's chambers. The other was unable to locate the stolen scroll and fled back to report to Tomaru.

Continued Attacks
The following day the Scorpion launch a full attack including their reserve troops, seeking to exploit the weakened defenses and poisoned well. For eight hours the Hare barely hold out, until Tomaru stops for the day. Tomaru announced that if they did not surrender that night he would see every last person in the castle killed. Usagi Tomoe finally broke the encryption on the scroll they had stolen, and it appeared to be a kolat message.

Slaughter
The following morning the Scorpion launch their final assault, breaching the castle and slaughtering everyone. Takeshi takes Usagi Ozaki to a secret tunnel, allowing the heir to the Hare Clan to escape with the Hare Clan Sword. Takeshi then commits seppuku. Oda was killed in the final assault, and Tomaru captured Usagi Tomoe.

Aftermath
Following the destruction of the castle, allegations of maho use were levelled against the Hare Clan. The Emperor had no choice but to formally disband the Hare Clan.