Cannibal
09-05-2003, 04:28
With apologies to those who are no longer Shoggies, I just have to post this AAR. It's seems aprops given the lively thread about Time Commanders, and disagreement about what the weather was like. Question is: are there any kick ass units like this in Medieval, or proposed for Rome?
Army general Sanada Yukitaka cursed his luck as he contemplated the impenetrable grey veils of fog. Lord Takeda had ordered an invasion of Harima as quickly as possible despite the inclement season, and the honourable general had hurried his troops to comply. Confronted with bad visibility on their arrival in the province, Sanada Yukitaka had held the army for a while awaiting clearer weather. He was beginning to wonder if Buddha’s blessings were on their enterprise, as the weather had continued to worsen until he was finally obliged to attack in the fog or retreat. Sanada hated to fight in the fog, his experienced archers could not shoot what they could not see, and his men would become tired blundering about in the blankets of mist just to find the enemy; the wily general was not about to retreat, however, and earn his master’s disfavour.
Sanada’s keen mind began to contemplate the alternatives, and his thoughts turned towards the two new units of troops that had been assigned recently to his army. He knew the reputation of the black-garbed ninja as one of stealth and subterfuge, these men were individually very dangerous by reputation, having 24 Battlefield Ninja together was somewhat unnerving to say the least. He resolved to see if these men might make a difference in what seemed an impossible situation, and sent for their leader, Hiraga Yoshiro.
“Hai” Sanada started as he realized that Hiraga was standing two feet in front of him. He had not seen the Ninja approach, and would not even have noticed him now if he had not spoken. Sanada understood immediately that these troops would be ideal scouts in this dire weather, being able to locate the enemy without the enemy knowing of their presence. He quickly gave Hiraga instructions about the scouting job required; fix the position of the enemy and lead the army to an advantageous contact with them. The advantage was needed because of the appalling conditions and because Sanada was outnumbered almost two to one. Hiraga spoke orders to his men and twenty three more ghosts materialised from the fog, Sanada took a step backwards as he realised that not one of them had been more than ten feet from him. The ninjas disappeared into the fog again.
Sanada could hear the men grumbling at this inaction as he held the army, waiting for news from the black ones. “Sire”, said his aide, bringing forward a breathless messenger. The ninja bowed his head waiting for permission to speak, and when Sanada gave it said, “Sensei Hiraga sent me to guide you to the Mori pigs, and tell you that we have removed the head of the dragon.”
Ever merciful Buddha often called an end to battles if they went on too long, and this time Sanada was not disappointed; he would get another opportunity next season and he knew Lord Takeda would not be displeased because his men had accounted for 694 enemy heads for the loss of only 15. The ninja had single handedly killed Lord Mori in battle, and now the clan would be lead by his incompetent son.
Army general Sanada Yukitaka cursed his luck as he contemplated the impenetrable grey veils of fog. Lord Takeda had ordered an invasion of Harima as quickly as possible despite the inclement season, and the honourable general had hurried his troops to comply. Confronted with bad visibility on their arrival in the province, Sanada Yukitaka had held the army for a while awaiting clearer weather. He was beginning to wonder if Buddha’s blessings were on their enterprise, as the weather had continued to worsen until he was finally obliged to attack in the fog or retreat. Sanada hated to fight in the fog, his experienced archers could not shoot what they could not see, and his men would become tired blundering about in the blankets of mist just to find the enemy; the wily general was not about to retreat, however, and earn his master’s disfavour.
Sanada’s keen mind began to contemplate the alternatives, and his thoughts turned towards the two new units of troops that had been assigned recently to his army. He knew the reputation of the black-garbed ninja as one of stealth and subterfuge, these men were individually very dangerous by reputation, having 24 Battlefield Ninja together was somewhat unnerving to say the least. He resolved to see if these men might make a difference in what seemed an impossible situation, and sent for their leader, Hiraga Yoshiro.
“Hai” Sanada started as he realized that Hiraga was standing two feet in front of him. He had not seen the Ninja approach, and would not even have noticed him now if he had not spoken. Sanada understood immediately that these troops would be ideal scouts in this dire weather, being able to locate the enemy without the enemy knowing of their presence. He quickly gave Hiraga instructions about the scouting job required; fix the position of the enemy and lead the army to an advantageous contact with them. The advantage was needed because of the appalling conditions and because Sanada was outnumbered almost two to one. Hiraga spoke orders to his men and twenty three more ghosts materialised from the fog, Sanada took a step backwards as he realised that not one of them had been more than ten feet from him. The ninjas disappeared into the fog again.
Sanada could hear the men grumbling at this inaction as he held the army, waiting for news from the black ones. “Sire”, said his aide, bringing forward a breathless messenger. The ninja bowed his head waiting for permission to speak, and when Sanada gave it said, “Sensei Hiraga sent me to guide you to the Mori pigs, and tell you that we have removed the head of the dragon.”
Ever merciful Buddha often called an end to battles if they went on too long, and this time Sanada was not disappointed; he would get another opportunity next season and he knew Lord Takeda would not be displeased because his men had accounted for 694 enemy heads for the loss of only 15. The ninja had single handedly killed Lord Mori in battle, and now the clan would be lead by his incompetent son.