Hojo ~ Verge of Disaster

[Thermal]

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...

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


@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.

[Wishazu]

What is TWC?

[Thermal]

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!

[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.

[Thermal]

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.

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 I'll give org links naturally

[Thermal]

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.




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'



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....



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.



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.



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.





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.



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.'





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.

[Thermal]

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



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.



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.



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.



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.





‘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.



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.

[Wishazu]

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 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)

[Drisos]

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