Hojo ~ Verge of Disaster

Difficulty - expert, Hojo - 1530
(First time I've ever played on expert, and i get the feeling I'll fail :laugh4: )


I am Hojo Ujitsuna, My rule has been uneventful, and my peoples are suppressed in the province of Sagami, my hostile neighbours provinces have done much to weaken from petty rebellion, and my nation is ready to strike, Hojo Ujiyasu, my son will come of age to command soon, and i don't want him to take up the forces of an army that is too weak to expand and prosper, and will inevitably crumble, my son has such prowess with the sword and spear, like a man already, i hope he can bring the Hojo together on my deathbed. To stop our noble legacy from coming to an outright end.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/Hojo1530.jpg

The Takeda, arrogant on there horses, will not be around to threaten our lands any longer, and the "wise" Uesugi know of war all the same, my targets are clear, amongst the disarray and rebellion, It is a fight to kill or be killed, and presently, my future could be either.

I look forward to seeing how this develops. Good Luck.

P.S I rekon an all out attack against the Takeda will reap marvelous dividends.

Like a blossom in the spring, i wait for the right moment to unravel, before settling in the Autumn.
And Uesugi were wise enough to guard there defensive province well, after Takeda closes in on the last rebel province in my site, a gap of weakness emerges, and his armies are spread across two fronts, and so the battle of Kai began, I myself lead the assault in the hope my experience will encourage my men to fight well against the horsemen the Takeda field.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000002.jpg


As i arrive at the mountainous province there is no sound, no movement at all, the day is rainy and clouds swallow the sky, I feel that I will be fighting soon.

Amongst the terrain ahead a huge hill could be seen and on it Horsemen and spearmen, My army of Yari Ashigaru and Archery would not fair well with this height dis-advantage and as my army got nearer it was evident that rows of samurai Archers were lining up, imminent to firing.

I was forced to double march to the left of the Takeda hill, i had to use Kai to my advantage even as an attacker. Both clans now on a hilly terrain, i deploy my own archers, but i notice something peculiar, as my slightly more numerous troops advanced the Takeda fled off of there hill, allowing my archers to fire from an advantaged height. He might well of committed seppuku for the generals stupidity, but my error was in underestimating my enemy as my opponents archers were being decimated his Yari cavarly were running as tremendous speed toward my archers, and an air of alert surrounded me, my Yari Ashigaru collided with the Yari cavarly, had I have left it one second later my archers would have took terrible causalities.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000003.jpg

Despite this, the battle was swift and the Takada ran off of the field to join there master, now stranded on Izu, the Takeda shogun must have been angered by the display of his cowardly soldiers.

Me and my army strolled through the mountains of Kai endlessly and found that it was now ours for the taking, but a siege was still to come, the plan very much is to starve them into submission, even after the battle, the Takeda shogun made no attempt to break the siege, he clearly must have thought his troops didn't deserve any help.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000005.jpg

War with Takeda was more consequential than initially assumed, with my newfound alliance with the Imagawa broke the same season through mine and the Takeda conflict, to enable alliances and avoid being targeted from all sides, it is essential to drive Takeda from Izu, and with such a profitless province, it would probably be in such a way that wouldn't require me to meet the Takeda Shogun at the field....

Firstly i sent my new embassy to try and resolve our differences


https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000010.jpg


Reports show this attempt wasn't entirely successful, so sabatoge soon followed


https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000009.jpg


After the rebellion, the Takeda have nerve enough to ask for a ceasefire, but, on the assumption my embassy was pig ignorant i shamelessly accepted, in the hope the rebellion will drive him off, and that our peace will allow relations with Imagawa to improve.

The siege in Kai ended and the province gave me much income, building a spear dojo there is top priority now.

By the end of the year, i am surprised to find that i am the richest of all clans, strange particularly because i have but a mere 700 koku in my coffers, my son will be ready to fight soon, and I look set to do well with Kai secured, i would think the next few years may be uneventful now, who knows?


(wishazu - looks like i took your advice without even realizing :clown: )

Ah, nice start! Takeda is dead meat! :2thumbsup:

Don't worry about the Expert-level. It's not that hard. (as you're finding out)
A spear dojo already in Kai? That's really early. I tend to concentrate on economical structures first, because 1 regions training 1 unit each turn is usually (more than) enough for the first few years.

Good luck!:2thumbsup:

Thanks alot :beam: I'll build farming after, i guess 2 places for building aren't needed yet, besides, the training facilities on sagami get the morale bonus from a palace, kai's troops my be less reliable, so yes silly choice when i think about it like that! :egypt:

Hopefully i can take shinano, but then i'll get tons of rebels attacking me, taking musashi could be hard with a river, and he has a powerful general stationed there, izu is worthless, besides im neutral with takeda now, im not attacking the imagawa because i want peace with them, and sugara is also worthless, so there are only 2 options from here realistically.

Also, i often by drill dojo's but how effective are they? do they increase the rate that my troops morale recovers on the field? always nice to know if i'm wasting my money or not :yes: :balloon2:

Hey there. ~:)

I'd say, go for Musashi anyway. If you want to hold Shinano you'll need a large stack. And Shinano is not that godly that it's worth the effort, I think. I say, head in to Musashi, and after that conquer some more of the territory that Hojo start's with in the 'Sengoku Jidai Campaign'. It will provide a massive amount of cash. Wipe out Uesugi soon as possible, because he too has good options for conquering rich lands and might become a real threat. Peace with the Imagawa is ok I guess, and Izu is indeed pretty useless. However, when you have Musashi you might as well conquer it. I don't recall properly, but I think Izu is better defenable than Sagami. So you could leave Sagami since it would border only your lands, and you'd have a defense line of Izu & Kai... sounds ok. ~:)

Cya!:book:

There seems to be a campaign story renaissance in the dojo of late :2thumbsup:

Thanks for the advice drisos, and yes, lots of campaigns been done at the moment, good to bring shogun back into the lime-like :2thumbsup:

Poor Takeda... the rebels might even finish him off for you!

Yay, another one. :) Nicely written, nicely done! See what happens to Takedas if they are not led by zyxo. :laugh4:


I'll enjoy reading it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zyxophoj

Poor Takeda... the rebels might even finish him off for you!

---

Hehe, thats what you get for destroying hojo on your campaign :balloon2:

thanks for the interest patdj, much appreciated! These are school days now so i won't write too much in detail, but at the weekend i should spare alot more time for it.

I think you've really gotta go for Musashi, it'll be harder to take the longer you let Uesugi get dug in there, and sooner or later your going to be fighting him anyway, better to do it sooner before he gobbles up the rebels/ ronin and gets too strong. taking the Kanto will bring in the koku. I usually take Izu at some point around that time as well if its still available. Largely before Imagawa gets any ideas.

Seriously...you've been bold so far, and it's working! Don't stop now.

I concur with the others.....go for Musashi now before Uesugi gets dug in deeper than an Alabama tick:wall:

I realize i must tread carefully now, early success can be ruined by later disaster, and so i use my spies to create more havoc than ever before, dishonorable perhaps, but needless deaths when simple subterfuge is the all that is needed is a waste of good men.
My spies are so numerous and so efficient, the Takeda shogunate will be plagued for his lifetime with local peasantry who hate his rule with a godlike passion...

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/10000008.jpg

They were freed a few seasons later, within this time I declined an offered alliance from the Uesugi, and accepted one from Oda and Shimazu clans, any potential allies will be invaluble when surrounded by these rebel scumbags.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/10000011.jpg

Imagawa must have control of Aki now, he will likely be the strongest of all factions soon...

And after the Takeda's fall, i realize that i must face the men i gathered in order to restore Izu and defend my border efficiently....and my son came of age that same year, fate perhaps? that he be tested straight away, this battle held great things for my Son. And his report only encourages me to believe hes a general even worthier than of myself.

'Izu was a hilly and small region, the day was so windy that i was blinded at certain parts of the day, the weather fine until the battle, when a menacing grim coveted over the horizon.

My Father, my Leader generously sent me his best spearmen and archers to fight alongside me, the peasantry we faced were organized groups of archers and levies, but they were strong enough to destroy the Mighty Takeda warlord, and so nerves began to attack me, as much as i hate to confess. Finally upon going up one hill, by a cluster of trees the enemy were sighted, unprepared were both sides, as i marched my army frantically into cover while my opponent fired confused shots in an attempt to attack us in our weakest position, something they did with minor success, 7 of the best Samurai spearmen fell to the ground, i felt so responsible, so guilty, i knew of them not, yet under my command did they die, i assembled my archers on higher ground with rampant anger, and soon a missile war began.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/10000027.jpg

My archers were superior, i cannot lie and say it was me, but them who saved the day, the rebels were in disarray for most of the fight, and there hesitation and constant reforming lessened there firepower and increased my own mens confidence, that i secretly stole from them upon the battles beginning. Soon so few enemies existed that i myself charged the spear men into the last of my enemies levies, they had us running around Izu for so long that we were all exhausted and sceptic, but eventually, the day was finished, and for the first time i killed a man today, it didn't bother me i felt nothing as a skewered some old ashigaru on my spear, nothing but the sweet smell of success with each and every blow we inflicted.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/10000030.jpg

After what must have been the longer part of the day, the result was clear, and i had earned Izu in the name of my Father and for the Hojo's honour!'

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/10000032.jpg


With this superb result, re-building soon began and a peaceful few seasons went ahead, but as the nearby Uesugi grew stronger, i eventually used sabotage against them too....
Musashi with a colossal good quality army, a fine commander and a river crossing would be suicidal on any battlefield, only my incite of rebellion has not had the desired effect, but merely aid the rebels even more, my situation is strong now, but without movement soon, it could turn dire.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/10000034.jpg

There retreat, unless it provokes Uesugi to attack, is not desirable....

I may have to consolidate with my son on this one, and my personal advisors, among this court, what do you think? I am turning into an old man now and a second opinion is always welcome when in my Clans interest.

When I played the Hôjô I was rather lucky because my foes crushed themselves, leaving me a rather plain path to advance. My route was 1. Suruga, 2. Musashi, 3. Shinano. I did this with 3 major armies, if I recall right, but I am sure that I did not have such a strong Imagawa against me, I think Oda kicked him badly rather early, while Uesugi had it on with 2 times reemerging Takeda and half his provinces in rebellion. I would move to Uesugis backland with Shinobi to force him split his main battle forces.

Good idea patdj :2thumbsup:

also what i forgot to include was that i went to attack musashi, but on the same turn he moved a bigger army in there, and called of the attack, i couldn't of won.

Just so everyone knows, i'm still very much doing this campiagn but finishing the next section on the weekend when i have more time and less aches! :yes:

Looking forward to the update mate. :)

The seemingly eternal, dull seasons grated against my desire to conquer, but a wise and patient man I must be, conquering Shinano will plague me with rebellion and assaults, Suruga Is defended viciously yet evidently worth little and Musashi is quite possibly the most heavily guarded area in Japan at the moment in both land features and army....

After a whole year of nothing but setting down crops I needed to find something to do, something I would enjoy and something that would benefit our nation as a whole, a project, a challenge, a.....

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...es777777/z.jpg

Buddhist Temple. What better way to motivate my peoples and train superior warriors than to build such a fine building? Work went ahead straight away with barely a second of hesitation, I myself lead the construction team, adding my own personal designs to make this thee great temple of Japan, with only the location of the shogunate being any contest for it.

I forgot about war for a year or two, and saw that the magnificent temple was built, in just 5 seasons the paradise had been evoked, located on one of the only Sagami hills, by a lake and some large huts crowded around, the interior of my Temple was engraved with golden Letters and proverbs, pristine bamboo as pillars with an Obsidian roof that could fit half of Japan under it!

And it was while there, when training my first enthusiastic monks the art of warfare that I remembered about the spies that had been sent to Uesugi's inner provinces, and my reports indicated they were being weakened considerably, I came back to reality at last, not before another of my shinobi, telling me the Imagawa have recently conquered Shinano and are even weaker!

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...s777777/zz.jpg

War brought out the worst in me, yet i felt a duty to engrave a legendary legacy for my peoples. But in the end while pleading it was best for our clan, i met my own wants and attacked the weaker Imagawa, those who were friends not so long ago and left the Uesugi alone simply through numbers, I didn't want any long winded fight and I could at least hope this would spell the end of all wars outright.

But then, I failed my peoples again, i couldn't face the Imagawa shogun in battle, I had betrayed him, we both knew it, and while we outnumbered him secretly I wanted my men to lose just as a way to comfort myself, pathetically in the knowledge that he had gotten his revenge.

But he retreated and Suruga was ours The commander sent me this letter;
'Lord Imagawa rode down the musky hills as a lone rider and eyed my units of spearmen with eloquent curiosity then finally shouted out.
'Where is your master?'
I failed to reply, I didn't know the answer
'If he wants this territory, then he can have it, there is no way we can fight an army like this, you must quadruple are numbers, so have your land this day coward'
With that he flew against the wind on his stallion and merged into the sunset. And by orders we did exactly that, Suruga was indeed ours, no traps or ambush, nothing.'


https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777777/zzz.jpg

Now I was more depressed than ever, and just when i was ready to go over the edge my son helped me like no other could, he told me he would help me train the monks and then lead them to battle himself, his experience a necessity and his motivation an inspiration and fulfilled his promise he did. Before we knew it Warrior monks and samurai Archery were embedded into every border of our territory, ready to strike like a tiger in long grass upon sighting an injured deer. Totomi Fell again without a fight, as Imagawa pushed up through Uesugi Rebels in an attempt to migrate from trouble, they clearly didn't want war and I let my cruel demeanor take advantage of that, taking and pillaging Shinano, and still he refused to fight.

Upon taking Shinano, this vast and mountainous province Kozuke was now incredibly vulnerable, with Shinano secure my son advised me that removing garrisons from Sagami and Kai was now much more feesible with less potential enemies, and I knew already that my greed and cowardice would lead me to Kozuke, compensating one dis honorable victory with another couldn't be more immoral, but upon arrival Victory was one thing my troops knew was unachievable.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...77777/zzzz.jpg

The day was beautiful, if pathetic fallacy is to take place in life then we were sure to do well, but we were not favoured, as the first Uesugi flag was sighted masses of rebels were too, my shinobi were now so effective they ruined my best laid plans, even worse I left my bodyguard at Kai, to arrogant to bring them and so I guided the Archers through the Kozuke passes, the Rebellion lay still and now that victory was out of the question, so was letting Uesugi keep there province, and letting the rebels rule over this territory was now even more preferable than letting the Uesugi have it and expand any further.

I faced a military genius it would seem, as my men were quaking after approaching the Uesugi and there barking commander, but we were puzzled, only the commanders spearmen were on the field, reports suggested more and i took this into account in diversity as there was cover nearby. Before even realizing it my men were charging into his men half-heartedly, few men there may have been, but even with the use of a wedged charge to the rear, his spearmen inflicted brutal casualties to my disheartened soldiers.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7777/zzzzz.jpg

It was only when the commander fled that the rest of his army emerged, they were red in anger, with hate cascading from there faces. And this ruined there abilities, his archery charged into my spearmen but to no avail that they did so.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777/zzzzzz.jpg

After there defeat, the rebellion began to move back, and without even realizing we had won the battle, All of my worries suddenly went away as i felt that God helped us, and that we were chosen to lead japan to an era of peace and prosperity!

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...77/zzzzzzz.jpg

It was hard to take in the deaths we suffered, but the dead will be remembered as great men and there bodies to be sent back to Sagami for burial by the temple.

After the battle I pillaged Kozuke with my men, and then withdrew, while the heroic blood ran through me, while the God's favored me running the risk of spreading my forces to thin was too high.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/zzzzzzzz.jpg

And for what was an uneventful time, recently My clan has expanded marvelously. And I'm proud my peoples have stood by an old fool like me, when I could have lead them to there deathbeds.

Nice moves. But now you need Musashi, urgently. :idea2:

Well done so far, I too reccomend you take Musashi, leave a small garrison in Shinano and use everything else there and from Kai and Sagami to attack.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by patdj

Nice moves. But now you need Musashi, urgently. :idea2:

---

..and Mikawa too. Mikawa-Shinano-Musashi would be much easier to defend than the current border.

I know getting musashi is vital, but i hate bridge battles, it decimates any tactics and even with more men i usually fail, uesugi has masses of archers and YS, now ive got monks there is some hope though.

What works good for me is to let a disposable infantry unit pull the enemy onto the bridge (usually happens on 3/4 of the way. You might take many archer fire, but if you draw back carefully their infantry (usually a lot more than yours) gets engaged and takes heavy losses of your AND friendly fire, too. Just reinforce them if they strugle or give too much ground.

Another tactic is what Wishazu frequently does: charging with your Daimyo over the bridge (they will not get you) and pull half of his army towards their flank. Then you have a temporary majority and can charge into the back of the defenders. Watch out for time management.

I usually like bridge battle as defender as well as attacker. You can ften trick the AI which is not in position do to some annoying manouevres messing up your whole plan. :furious3:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 777Ares777

uesugi has masses of archers and YS

---

Fortune favours the bold!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by patdj

What works good for me is to let a disposable infantry unit pull the enemy onto the bridge (usually happens on 3/4 of the way. You might take many archer fire, but if you draw back carefully their infantry (usually a lot more than yours) gets engaged and takes heavy losses of your AND friendly fire, too. Just reinforce them if they strugle or give too much ground.

---

I already tried this on previous campaigns, sending YA in loose formation forward, but to get in range of his inf before mine die or rout i have to get close (else his inf will return to there defensive positions) that means while my archers fire at his inf, his missile troops will desecrate mine.

Grab Musashi! The tactics suggested by the others work really well.

Next season after the recruitment of yet more monks and spearmen, the invasion on Musashi began, it had been prosponed for far too long as it was through my cowardice, and now I felt well enough to capture this crucial place, with Uesugi's reclaim of Kozuke, Musashi would put him back into a disadvantage even more as Musashi wields vast income aswell as recruitment stations. My shinobi incited yet more rebellion on the day of battle, for them to retreat yet again, however though fighting on a fearsomely defendable province we did have a large numerical advantage. I and my son realized that Kai and Sagami would need almost no garrision with Musashi securly ours and so we were ready to fight with reckless abandon.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000000.jpg

Upon arrival In Musashi the enemy were already in position to fight, they knew of our attack. There was a varying degree of rain, which may serve useful against Uesugi's wall of Archers....

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000001.jpg

And upon seeing this horde of Marksmen I was truely worried, any attempt at crossing the bridge would be fatal, while victory seemed likely either way I didn't want one with large casualities, and so noble and brave soldiers they were, some spearmen volunteered to move forward, in the knowledge they would get a heroes funeral. These men inticed Uesugi's sparsely populated Infantry forward in range of my bowmen, and with no Infantry Uesugi would be vunerable to cavarly attack. Unfortunately my attempt to distract there infantry was only mildly successful.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...00000002-1.jpg

Soon a stalemate began, with this tactic being used continuously until Uesugi reacted to my provoking no longer, and brute force was the only way forward, my Yari cavarly stormed into enemy archers but I underestimated the force of infantry still left in Uesugi's ranks, and so my cavarly lost several of there unit in the process. Had my noble monks not been on the field this battle would have been very close, however there superiority in hand to hand combat soon freed us into easy picking against archers. I saw all on the front line as my heavy cavarly skewered some of the Archery on there silver glazed swords, now anything but silver but more a bloody burgundy, resistance was high however as I felt many a minor blow deflect against my breastplate, the Uesugi Shogun was fighting a battle he knew he wouldn't win yet his motivation won my respect in boundless proportions.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...00000005-1.jpg

But ironically eventually the Shogun himself turned to cowardice and ran off of the field, and so a victory was achieved without casualities being ridiculously high, though I cannot help but feel responsible for poorly using my Yari Cavarly on the field of battle when cavarly stables are so rare in my homelands.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000007.jpg

With this newfound victory my financial advisors informed me of high increases in income and Kai and Sagami were securely content even without garrison, knowing the borders of Totomi, Shinano and Musashi were guarded fiercely. I felt at some point I was ignoring other clans successes to, ignorance is bliss they say as Oda unsuspectingly moved an experienced commander into Mikawa along with troops in Mino, furthermore Imagawa moved many troops into Echigo, I realized an attack from either clan could be imminent, even though Oda not so long ago claimed they were friends to our peoples. With this in mind peace with the Uesugi had been decided by myself personally as a priority, but my embassy was killed, and so it seemed that realtions were not going to improve, and that my embassy's truely were tactless. After careful deliberation my final target was Shimosa, it didn't border or offend Uesugi any further also having a small garrison and a reasonable income from farming and so a battle commenced.

I sent my captain to the battle and this is his report on the days events. 'Shimosa was so calm and tranquil at the time we invaded, but soon darkened. The rebellion we faced consisted of poor and experienced spearmen alike with some archers, a fear when fighting on bridges. Immediately I found my cavarly archers to be frustratingly rebellious, newly trained, but the horses were wild and there owners were still getting to grips with there thirsty animals, a frontal assualt with my monks began as my archery had let me down and this seemed to scare my Rebel foe into retreating...

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...00000009-1.jpg

Which shocked us all the more when they stopped and charged into my monks, when they were all in a rather unorganized formation and vunerable to attack, after a disappointing loss of my monks the Yari spearmen engaged and the rebels retreated again, all so clever for such an inexperienced general. A chase began yet this was his failure as my spearmen caught the running rebels and killed the whole back row of these scumbags, the turning point in the battle had just been performed.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000011.jpg

Shimosa was took with minimal casualities, though unfortunately most belonged to the monks I had foolishly thrown into battle first and so I expected loyalty to be the next war in this province....'

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000012.jpg

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000013.jpg

Expansion was pleasing as year by year, region by region I was becoming the strongest nation, however distant spies told me there was another distant clan even stronger, the Shimazu, these people were unheard of to me yet already they seemed to be future enemies with there escalated power, from this report we can only hope the Takeda-Imagawa lands are enough to bar the expansion of this clan for a while at least.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000014.jpg

With finances booming and military strong, expansion into Oda's lands will border the Shimazu off before they can get over half of japan and the advantage that would come with it, western expansion seems to be more logical than eastern if I am to threaten my only real threat.

Excellent progress mate. You have a nice, rich set of provinces to build up. I would focus on building 1 or 2 powerful armies then focus your attention one at a time on your neighbours.

I notice that you also posted this AAR over at the TWC. It was well received there also. Interesting that some had never seen STW before...

:bow:

Awesome!
I don't have STW myself but this AAR
has actually inspired me to get it.
Apparently its better than MTW because it has clips when you assassinate etc...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Asai Nagamasa

I notice that you also posted this AAR over at the TWC. It was well received there also. Interesting that some had never seen STW before...

:bow:

---

I think some of you guys should post yours over there too, they would go down even better :2thumbsup:


@graal, i couldnt possibly comment, i love all total war games lol, your best bet is to buy it from ebay as its age means very few stores have it.

What is TWC?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wishazu

What is TWC?

---

It's a different total war forum, it's more populous but it also has more controversial members, rules are laxer, if the org is The countryside the TWC is a busy city!

You could post some links of our AARs there, starting with Wishazu's Oda campaign. This could create a flood of new members for the Org. :2thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by patdj

You could post some links of our AARs there, starting with Wishazu's Oda campaign. This could create a flood of new members for the Org. :2thumbsup:

---

I could make a 'THE ORG SHOGUN AAR SERVICE'


Each week i would cover a completed AAR, give an interview (if they agree to answer a few questions) to the AAR's maker so they get loads of praise naturally, and keep going until the AAR supply dwindles :2thumbsup: I'll give org links naturally

Autumn, 1541, and now was the time to beat the Shimazu to the middle of Japan, Shinobi offered there services in Ninjitsu and soon there training began...on real targets, enemy embassies, my skilled shinobi proved to be successful assassins in there sudden change of occupation.


https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000017.jpg

One of my most trusted agents tells me of his first act of subterfuge

'After travelling across the larger part of Japan my target had been located. An exquisitely dressed eccentric, with bright blue bolsterous robes for attire clearly from the Imagawa residence. The time was late and the streets were slient, perfect timing for an embassy to deliver messages, and a perfect time for people to stop this happening.... Upon arrival to his bed, I had followed the man as close to his quarters as possible which were embedded into a little village just outside of Nagato.

The scene at night being menacing even though a man of my status, howling onomatopoeia and guardsmen prowled there prescence from varied distances. The Embassy was important and was so defended by two samurai spearmen, and so my interception began. I spread my nimble legs across the cracked ground in a light and flowing posture, leaping with the wind to my destination, using dark apperal and the night sky to conceal my existence against the numerous, but rather drowsy Guardsmen. Eventually his quarters emerged from some heavy plant-life, a sliding door appeared and upon opening with the most delicate hand the guards were standing patiently without a visible movement. Still as statues. Silent as serpents. As vulnerable as could be as my throwing knifes were digged out of my inner pockets, and at the moment of throwing I knew precision was all that would ensure instantaneous death without arousing suspicion. Thankfully I through amiably and so the guards were dead and the tired Embassy was never to wake again'

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000015.jpg

Against intial idea, the capture of Kazusa was too tempting to resist, after securing it would require so little a garrison, and yet while in enemy hands remained garrisoned by a small spear squadron, or so my reliable shinobi reported, soon my journey to Kozusa was underway but this involved weakening Musashi substantially, a terrible mistake as I was soon to realize....

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000022.jpg

My newly claimed land could not be stolen, it would ruin my border of defense and while at a numerical advantage, I was sure that my enemy would fall, and I was sure if we were to lose, I would die with the region, a fight to the death and a price to pay if my peoples are captured because of my stupidity.

The day was relatively clear, made all the worse for the Uesugi archery obsession! Skirmishs crossed the bridge of death as arrows hailed down from both sides, but in the knowledge of my oppositions missile advantage close combat was hurried forward, and Uesugi's force was bold enough to initiate the attack. No holding back was necessary, there small Infantry supply were facing monks I has trained personally, and I had no doubts they would destroy my foes infantry, even if not there archery.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000023.jpg

The battle was fierce and the rather arrogant Uesugi, by this stage, were cramming there archers onto the bridge to fight instead of fire! I was severely outnumbered in close combat now, but we would win, no other result could be achieved or I was to let my whole legacy down. The disorganized enemy were frantically ploughing through each other knocking a good few into the river with the fate of drowning, bravery they did not lack however as the battle was tense and challenging. My bodyguard had been depleted almost entirely as I cut through my foe frenzied on destruction. I unleashed my power, totally unaware that my army around me has dwindled so badly that they had resorted to fleeing, and soon even my own archers had to fight in close quarters, on there own order it would seem, as I was in no fit state to know what was happening and if I even had any archery left by this point.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000024.jpg

Things were dire, outnumbered and disheartened we were, but I never relented, the samarai archers were cut down like rag dolls but they were never ending, or so it seemed until something triggered, I don't know what happened but there men scattered. I was on the assumption there was a trap, a farce in this action, but none were existant.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000026.jpg

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000028.jpg

A win, I kept to my word and the imbalance was restored, with but a few poor battered souls alive, we had made it through the fight against all odds, accept my own belief.

Soon after having some of my battle wounds tended too, shaolin monks inhabited musashi once more, reinforcement was vital for law as well as keeping the settlement, matters returned to Kozusa barely a minute after returning to Musashi castle, I would have took the province myself but my son insisted I rest, and a reliable captain was sent to battle with his troops instead. Here was the report on the days outcome....

'My force strolled for a long time, no wonder my enemy was so hard to find, they were some mere spearmen hiding in a forest of trees, I cannot blame them, no means of retreat with a force a fraction of my own, but it really wasn't as easy as we thought initially. The day became heavy with rain as the sky filled my bow reliant army with nerves, and so the battle with the bow was differcult at best, this battle could not avoid large casualties on my part, at least not with my skills.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000030.jpg

After my bowmen exceeded there limits, there arrows depleted, I sacrificed my brave cavalry to help my spearmen in victory and a flanking movement was achieved, even though it resulted in the loss of highly able horse archers, the impact of the clash was of a terrifyingly high efficiency.'

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000033.jpg

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000034.jpg

I was happy with the result, but now expansion into the centre of Japan was essential, at least I believed so In a rapidly growing Japan, my alliance would have to end with Oda, there control blocks off my hope for freedom and the dream of becoming the Shogunate of all of Japan. I could only hope my repeated betrayals won't ruin my reputation, Mikawa would be useful as it would ease the amount of troops required at Totomi, not to mention boost income and create a stepping stone to claim before the Shimazu expand too potently. May due years of Deliberation while slowly building my armies finally lead me into attacking Mikawa, My armies vast, just like Oda's, my information on the province is vague however, I know not who I'm facing and have lead my men blindly. But, with no clear outcome, on we must go, I write this before invading Mikawa, and we border soon to be my very own territory, hopefully. Me and my vast army of warriors, the risk was high, maybe...maybe this could be my last battle.

And so it was, the battle of Mikawa, I had started my journey with my royal monks, letting my bodyguard rest and replenish.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000035.jpg

Tunnels of mountainous valleys were passed in Shinano and A huge natural border of rocks and sediment from Totomi as our armies met up on the edge of Mikawa after exhausting journeys. From then onward the ground was flat and full with farmland, as we restrained from burning the crops in the hope we would have the province just later that day. Lotus flowers dotted the midsummer setting and the odd bird from a distance. Many a river flew through our path as they crushed downward slowly flooding the riversides. The sky motionless just like the scenery, but we knew that was to change soon as a huge bridge unravelled amongst some mud huts in the background, with an array of men behind it.

Upon closer Inspection the Oda were a disappointment, their armies riddled with levies, amongst them a few groups of Archers and even fewer veteran spearmen. The battle looked easy than I thought and once my Archers deployed there rains of death, Oda were only too happy to join me at the bridge. This was their only way of hurting me at all though close combat was inevitable.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000038.jpg

The battle was short as the yellow covered spear wielders moved so slowly and lacked any motivation as the battle glared defeat down into their hearts; they were being mangled on katana, stabbed by Archery, and skewed on spears. Soon my casualties began to dim and my opponents rose, it seemed only Oda archers did substantial damage as they preyed on my men, all huddled together in the race to breach the Infantry obstacle. Once the barrier had weaken courage looked like it would leave at any second for my enemy.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000039.jpg

But they stood strong, though driven back they still managed to fight as my men got tired and wary, they crumbled much later than expected and only after my opponents captain had been killed, did the glory of Mikawa change its owner.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000040.jpg

Upon finishing battle my embassies rushed to tell me that the newly conquered Kazusa had a rebellion force, he reports

‘They were complaining about their new leader as the peasantry complained at your tax rates, they were silenced rather well though, the captain there stood on high ground with his archers and the barely equipped rebels were mostly killed just walking up the hill.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000042.jpg

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000044.jpg

‘There is no question that Kazusa is now secure, though it does raise a question, when our peoples must rebel because of the tax we charge’

Tax went up the same season in Kozusa as a deterrent to never do such a thing again! And for all but a small army there, my defensive lines were now amazing as wanted, with a secure inner through a huge outer force.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000045.jpg

Many years went by uneventful, my money intakes were amazing as taxes came in from complaining citizens, so did praise from how well maintained my regions were, I respected nature and made sure people were getting a quality of life, even if expensive, they knew the money would help development and expansion more than anything else. I began a militaristic plan in my settlements and I knew that a final push towards the centre of Japan was vital before I was to die, for the year I was in I still felt disillusioned that, while winning many a battle, I was still miles away from my dream of conquering Japan for myself. Especially as the Shimazu had expanded to my worst fears and have done so quickly.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000046.jpg

Nicely written.

Watch out if expanding towards north/north-west. With the Shimazu wave wobbling over Honshu like Flubber in person you should spare to give Oda the death blow. I would recommend to turn your head eastwards or prepare to fight a two-border war against Uesugi AND Shimazu.

nice advice, I'll listen :yes:






Autumn, 1546 And I decide to give my captains more responsibility, more authority, and with it the residence in Shinano successfully assaulted Etchu with such force that the enemy fled by autumn the next year! instead of fight like real men should. With the rapidly less distant Shimazu my strategy was different now, many advisor told me pushing against Shimazu with large Uesugi armies behind me could be fatal, and so At any costs I was to destroy my eastern foe before I could build up in the west, my armies and loyal buddist monks were posted everywhere, which made me quite angry when some foreign catholic fool offered me something rather preposterous.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000049.jpg

Not only the demand that we change religion, but also offering us the most dishonorable way of warfare, death by gun! And so it wasn't surprising that this 'trader' was sent on his way, not before considering he be shot with his own weapon! With foreigners away from our lands matters returned to the Uesugi, they were building there armies up as well as they could manage and there regions were expanding, I was now to risk destroying them completely, delay would only make there destruction harder to achieve and an attack was made, and an imitation movement was performed after attacking Kozuke.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000050.jpg

As my army rushed into Kozuke the Uesugi rushed into Musashi on an alternative route, what there information cannot of told them is that I quickly headed back with my force, in the knowledge we could outnumber them and destroy there army, leaving Kozuke as an easy picking. On first inspection of the scene as my army quickly deployed across the bridge a tremblingly strong army approached us, some tall men in outfits rich in red, wielding a two-handed katana, about the same size as the user. These strange men had never been seen before and my men and I were cautious in consequence.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000052.jpg

What was clear is that they could still be, like many infantry killed easily by arrow fire, I wasn't wrong as There crimson apperal was soon ripped to shreds in the prospect of arrows penetrating there rather flimsy armor, a surprise given first impressions. And like there previous attempt to capture Musashi the Uesugi were driven in taking the bridge, there predictability much to my liking. The battle felt as if it was destined for the defender as Uesugi's normal archery hordes were suppressed in occupation by damp weather and there best infantry cut down through there poor defense, the battle on the bridge however was a long and ravaging one. The Uesugi fought as one as there entire army stormed the bridge and charged frantically into my speciality, warrior monks, the clash was devastating in effect.

On one side enemy spearmen were flung into the air as my favoured warrior monks swung at the targets. Limbs spewing out from victims, Heads rolling across the middle of the chaos and many a toe and finget sliced through as the injured opponent attempted to fight hand to hand. On the other side the remainder of what were known as the 'Red swordsmen' by now thrashed there weapons into my spearmen cutting some practically into two with the odd archer attempting to fire and pierce the eyes, throats even hearts of my heroic warriors. The balance was still in my favour however as I lead my men and compressed the enemy even though they had conquered the bridge.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000054.jpg

Soon the kills were to overwhelm my foe and there inevitable defeat had been wrought forward, the battlefield was not a pretty sight, none of it was, but the overall outcome was like gold dust as Kozuke was left unguarded.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000055.jpg

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000056.jpg

With the amazing way my men fought, I promoted a monk to be a high commander, a legendary swordsmen, and we analyzed the 'red swordsmen' corpses in order to craft weaponery like theres, recruitment of my warrior monks could be converted to recruit some of these swordsmen too, the man I chose certainly knew how to use his sword!

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000060.jpg

And so with the defense of Musashi successful Pillaging Kozuke was all to easy, I didn't fight there but reports tell me the win was achieved with near to no loss, my views had certainly got more tolerant with age. In my youth I was frustrated by just a few deaths in my army. But I've learned death is a part of war, luckily there were near to none in Kozuke. I often wondered how long would I live? I felt well and I didn't want to die at the climax of my reign but I was approaching the age of 60 sooner than I could believe.

Top priorities for capture were now Hitachi and Shimosuke in my command, however my captains in the newly captured Etchu were already contemplating the invasion of Kaga, And they did so without a fight as the rebels agreed to live under my rule, I was proud of there efforts for my clan but I was always brought back to the harsh reality that Shimazu were stronger than I when my reports came back each year....

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...00000000-1.jpg

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/00000068.jpg

Regardless we had best more fertile lands than the Shimazu, better men too as I didn't need to encounter them to know how good my troops were in comparison with any other. But I am looking into a future I probably won't be around to see, and whilst torn as to what to do, Oda could suppress Shimazu while I finish off in the East, and for the first time the glimmer of conquering all of Japan had appeared and that my son himself was in reach of doing it all himself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 777Ares777

I could make a 'THE ORG SHOGUN AAR SERVICE'


Each week i would cover a completed AAR, give an interview (if they agree to answer a few questions) to the AAR's maker so they get loads of praise naturally, and keep going until the AAR supply dwindles :2thumbsup: I'll give org links naturally

---

Sorry I havn`t posted in this thread for a couple of weeks but I`ve been rather busy of late. Anyway, I just read this post and personally, I think this is actually a very good idea. Anything that increases the flow of people to the .Org and the Sword Dojo in particular is a good thing. All are welcome here as long as they abide by the rules.

777Ares777, I`m glad to see your campaign is still progressing, it looks like your going to have to face off with Shimazu. (again lol)

Very well done so far, and very well written! :bow: Looks like the eventual meet with the Shimazu will be challenging! I'm curious... Will you continue this campaign sometime?

I enjoyed writing this, looking back on it i think i outdid myself, i must hav written like pages upon pages in amount, i wont be continuing it though, shogun is uninstalled now and my disk drive doesnt work, tho i did save this game specifcally.

It was good and im glad people liked it anyway :2thumbsup:

Things have started picking up a little in the Dojo again recently. I may be tempted to write a new AAR after xmas :)

Will you not be bothering with Shogun anymore at all Thermal Mercury?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wishazu

Things have started picking up a little in the Dojo again recently. I may be tempted to write a new AAR after xmas :)

Will you not be bothering with Shogun anymore at all Thermal Mercury?

---

well im afraid not, my laptop is vista and it wont work on that, and this xp computer is getting very old, the disk drive dont work (cant afford a new one right now) and its making funny noises so i dont expect it to last much longer.

HOWEVER

The old TW games were to me very good, if not for the graphical difference, I would easily say there better than rome/med2/empires, well actually i think the creative assemblies first three games are actually its best (that is shogun, medieval 1 & rome) so while I'm not playing shogun, I am still playing the good old TW type of games (on that engine) :2thumbsup:

Also I'll be reading it if you do do another AAR :balloon2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Thermal Mercury

well im afraid not, my laptop is vista and it wont work on that, and this xp computer is getting very old, the disk drive dont work (cant afford a new one right now) and its making funny noises so i dont expect it to last much longer.

HOWEVER

The old TW games were to me very good, if not for the graphical difference, I would easily say there better than rome/med2/empires, well actually i think the creative assemblies first three games are actually its best (that is shogun, medieval 1 & rome) so while I'm not playing shogun, I am still playing the good old TW type of games (on that engine) :2thumbsup:

Also I'll be reading it if you do do another AAR :balloon2:

---

I agree with you about the first 3 titles. STW and MTW were easily the best single player experience and I believe that RTW/BI was the best multyplayer game in the series.

About running STW on Vista, it works perfectly fine on my vista laptop mate. :yes:

If I get the time in the next week or so I may start another AAR but i`m not sure if I will do something different or do it as another one of my "Sengoku Jidai Journals".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wishazu

I agree with you about the first 3 titles. STW and MTW were easily the best single player experience and I believe that RTW/BI was the best multyplayer game in the series.

About running STW on Vista, it works perfectly fine on my vista laptop mate. :yes:

If I get the time in the next week or so I may start another AAR but i`m not sure if I will do something different or do it as another one of my "Sengoku Jidai Journals".

---

Shogun installs and plays on campaign on the laptop, but it cuts off on any battle I fight.

Also my last post was edited so I'm not sure if its clear but I am still playing a variation of medieval 1 total war to this day...

Also I think you should do something different, so It is less predictable. Though I'm sure your not predictable anyway :2thumbsup:

Winter. 1550.

This was a brilliant year. And it started with the invasion of Hitachi. The east had to be mine now and Uesugi's gradually failing army was the only strong obstacle in my way.

Hitachi was rebel land for several years. Newly conquered by the Uesugi. But there feeble garrison was no match for my army of elites, making Uesugi pull back and stand his ground on his only province still standing. Mutsu.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777/mutsu2.jpg

Mutsu is a massive province, filled with hills and flats. The land is prosperous and beautiful. Perfect for defending, even better for its income. This province was the ultimate goal. Before I die I promised myself I would eliminate the cunning Uesugi. I've even grown to love cutting my way through a helpless crowd of peasants, to ride on my steed with such speed and momentum that the wind almost burns my face. The thrill of riding a steed into battle, an unpredictable one at that, has always given me a sense of superiority, even though I am no better than my fellow men.

I've always wondered why people support me and cherish me so favorably for it wasn't skill that got me here today, but luck. My descendants had ensured that I would have a prestigious position even if I was decidedly a pathetic whelp. That nobility can outclass skill has always eluded me. And as the march into Mutsu began, I began to see perhaps that it was skill too.

After all, I had, over my reign conquered almost half of Japan, always fought with my troops and made sure they were happy. Is this why they respect me, or is it because I'm the off-spawn of a legend? It is apparent to me that any man can be good when they've received nothing but great luck throughout there life. Perhaps this is all a facade then, that's been placed on noble foundations. Maybe the afterlife will answer my questions...

...Time to leave the dream, I told myself as we approached an especially jagged and tall hill. Encrusted with pure white snow. And some dots in the background. It soon dawned on me that the dots were archers. As the Uesugi bows all raised into the air, signaling a volley of death was to arrive.

I broke away from the pack, not even leaving time to give orders, my fellow horsemen frantically attempting to keep up with the thunderously fast steed I possessed, yet another luxury I possessed. Our cavalry charged the archers before they could release a second volley. They knew there fate was decided. As we approached the isolated archers with no mercy and plenty of temper.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...7/mutsu1-1.jpg

With there demise, we joined up with the main force, only to see an open battlefield had emerged, with Uesugi's dayimo taking the charge on my troops! My careless command had left my men disorganized, but certainly not unprepared. The fight, which was on a slanted hill was heating up quite rapidly. Now was a good time to join the conflict.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777/mutsu3.jpg

I charged through the enemy lines like a knife through butter. There whole line had been severed at parts and I made short work of many of my foes only too ambitious archers.

As I went backward to withdraw however, the enemy Daiymo followed me into the lair of my fighters when, even more surprisingly, my bodyguard had completely dispersed. It was just me and him, a battle to the death for the best to win.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777/mutsu4.jpg



































I won.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777/mutsu5.jpg

His shoulders less broad than mine and his height quite tall, he was a target on his steed as I slashed at the Uesugi's leader with great agility, whilst he lazily thrusted his custom made scimitar against me head on, where I avoided his predictable moves with much discontent to himself. It was a strike to the heart that finished his life. And this uproar certainly had the desired effect on the rest of his army. Furthermore, my reinforcements had arrived, any doubt we may have had soon dispersed before the end of the day had come. I soon realized that the Daiymo's death meant only one thing...

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777/mutsu7.jpg


Mutsu was ours and Uesugi was yet another hopeful clan etched into history. Victory never tasted so good! And it was with that, that a bombshell had struck, Lord Oda had attacked Lord Shimazu, suicidal perhaps? All I have to do now was remove Imagawa from the east before Oda is destroyed, provided my forces stay in line, our chances of Conquering Japan look hopeful. But presently hangs in the balance. Though my troops are superior, my first doubts creep in, after all Lord Shimazu must train good troops himself to be conquering at such a frightful rate.

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777/mutsu8.jpg

My plan had to be put into action. I am sure many battles will occur soon, I don't know, I can just...sense it....

https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/...777/mutsu9.jpg