Rise of The Horse Lords

[mambaman]

Deffo John and I have also discovered that you can turn off the mini map in replays so will be posting better screenies in future-thanks for tehe tips mr!

[mambaman]

...In their headlong charge across the valley it was Sanekatsu's Captain of Bodyguards and factotum Tashiro Mensito who first noticed that something was amiss. The rapidly retreating squads of Honma Yari and Bow Ashigaru were to their immediate front but to their left, cresting a large hill were five or six units of fresh troops marching in perfect order. The nearest, a squad of rapidly advancing spearmen, was poised to intercept their charge. Seeing the danger and without thought the captain reached over, grabbed the bridle of his Lord-consequences be damned-and pulled the younger man's charger to a shuddering halt.

Any surprise that registered behind the young General's mask would have been hidden by the sudden shock of one hundred and fifty spearmen hitting them from the left flank. Warhorses such as those that the Daimyos of sixteenth century feudal Japan favoured were good for charging down fleeing soldiers or for shock action to the flank and rear of enemy formations-against well-ordered spearmen they were next to useless.





'The General! Protect the General!' Tashiro had screamed as a wall of spears came stabbing up at them from below and several of the horsemen formed a protective ring around their Lord. Highly trained Samurai, they may have been, but their three foot Katana's were no match for the nine foot spears with which they were now being assailed.

Within seconds seven of their number had perished and it was only when, once again, the quick thinking Bodyguard Captain wheeled his lord's horse back towards their own advancing troops that they were finally able to extricate themselves from the fray. They had not gone far, however, when the seething Takeda Lordling halted the troop, raising his helmet visor to address his number two:

'Dog! Craven Cur! You dare impugn my honour thus!' spittle flew from the young man's handsome features as he drew his Katana and prepared to separate the Captain's head from the rest of his body. But Just as he rose up in his saddle to deliver the killing blow a storm of fire arrows descended amongst them with a hellish roar, one taking Tashiro in his unprotected neck just above his sode shoulder armour. Ten of the captain's comrades also went down under the onslaught and whilst this new menace rained fire down all around them their General sat transfixed and immobile, his young mind not able to properly comprehend what was happening. Fully three broadsides were loosed by the hundreds of Honma archers in the valley below before a young corporal took on his erstwhile Captain's duties and grabbed the Taisho's horses bridle and galloped him and what was left of his troop over the hill to safety.



Elsewhere on the battlefield the Senior Takeda General, Yamadera Yoshiari, had realised what was happening, seen that at least two of his units, one Yari Ashigaru and one Yari Samurai were in a precarious position to their fore where the enemy reinforcements were arriving en masse. Giving orders for the nearest units to support he charged his bodyguard forward into the next valley so that he could properly assess what was happening.

Luckily the nearest units were both Samurai, one Katana and the other Yari. The spearmen 'rapid advanced' to help their Ashigaru comrades who were furthest forward and desperately engaging no less than three enemy troops to their front. Behind them the Katana unit came to the aid of the exhausted Takeda Yari Samurai unit that were hard pressed to contain two fresh units of Honma spears. But beyond that it was not a battle at all, Yoshiari realised, as he crested the ridge of the hillock behind and took stock. He saw the younger general's plight off to his front left and wondered where the rest of that man's army was. He could see some leagues distant now at least two of his own cavalry squads chasing routing Honma from the field of battle whilst to his immediate front was playing out the last desperate throw of the dice of the enemy which were the remnants of the Honma Yari Ashigaru battling with his own forces..and losing since it was only a matter of time before his own superior and well-marshalled troops started to win their own fights, even against such superior numbers. The hundreds of Archers that seemed to make up this reinforcing army could only watch helplessly, unable to loose their arrows, for fear of hitting their own troops. The accomplished general watched as his hardy troops fought on, finally causing the spearmen that they were locked in combat with to waver and then break and when they did it was like the unblocking of a dam. A tutor had always told him that the moment of greatest danger for any army is when units start to rout for it was like an infection that quickly spreads until the whole army is running. And so it was here: hundreds of enemy spearmen and Archers, possibly even up to a thousand turned and ran...from no more than two hundred of his brave remaining Katana and Yari soldiers. The battle for all intents and purposes was over....





Afterwards there was no immediate pursuit: Yoshiari had to assemble Takeda Sanekatsu's own army that had arrived on the battlefield in such bad order and get a report as to why his own cavalry had disappeared chasing down the enemy. A severe dressing down of all the captains was issued in front of the whole army and a reminder that, by their actions they had allowed a large part of the enemy army to escape and fight on. Any such repeats would be met with the responsible Captains being selected for immediate Hari-kiri, no questions asked and no excuses.

After that sobering experience he had to deal with his younger counterpart. So that there was no loss of face Yoshiari went to the junior man's bivouac, leaving his bodyguard at the entrance and making his way into the generously provisioned space inside. At the far end next to his cot sat the boy who had dreamed of such glory, head bowed in his hands. He had taken all of his armour off and had his Katana beside him.

Yoshiari sat down next to him.

'You know my hero when I was a boy was your uncle, the esteemed Nobushige. Some leader he was, as we all know.'

Tears streamed down the lad's face-this was certainly not how he had thought his first battle would end, with him committing seppuku and in disgrace before his clan.

If Yoshiari was cognisant of the boy's distress he did not show it, smiling as he continued his musings. 'Yes Nobushige was possibly the greatest general this clan has known-quite brilliant. He would make Nobukado look like an elementary school teacher by comparison...'

'What is this to do with me My Lord Taisho!' Sanekatsu snapped-that famous temper to the fore. 'Let me in peace to do what I must do!'

'Hear me out My Lord.' Yoshiari continued, carefully, displaying infinite patience, 'did you know that Nobushige's first battle also almost ended with his disgrace? It was a minor skirmish with the Oda in the forests around Kofu Castle-a raiding party. The Taisho was impetuous, led a cavalry charge against massed spears. Lost most of his men and was only saved by the intervention of his elder brother and his father. He, too, was going to do what you propose. He was stopped by none other than his older brother, Shingen, who loved him then but was eventually consumed with such jealousy and resentment that he destroyed him.'

At last the young man's fine features softened and he allowed himself to cry again.

Yoshiari pressed on: 'I see, in you, many of the features of all of your kinsfolk and chief amongst them is your impetuousness. Learn to curb that and you will be the equal of any of them. Come to my tent when you have composed yourself-we have a war to win and Honma to track down and destroy. Good day my Lord.'

And with that the older general rose and departed, leaving Sanekatsu to his thoughts. It was a full hour before he exited,making straight for the billets of his bodyguard where he went amongst all the men, bowing to all as if he was the subordinate and they the overlords. It was his way of showing that no more would he be gripped by the childish urges that had almost destroyed them. The corporal who had ultimately saved them he promoted immediately to Captain, his new factotum, and hand picked the rest of the replacements from the best of his cavalry units.

One week later and in sole charge of his own army now, he tracked down and destroyed one of the remaining two Honma armies, a rag tag bunch-the other was annihilated by Yoshiari. And then his troops swept aside the defences of the Castle town of Aikawa-the only stronghold on the Island: it is said the young General fought at the very head of the assaulting army...

The minstrel paused, placing his Biwa down before him, his beautiful voice stretching out the sweet notes of the interlude. All around, the rapt audience strained to hear every word, with those outside ignoring completely the raging winter storm that whipped around them.

“And so it was that the Takeda took the Gold fields of Sado Island, immeasurably enriching themselves for the struggles ahead- a battle to come with the so-called Shogunate, those false lords that called themselves rulers of Japan but in truth were rulers only of enmity and discord!

The Daimyo considered the maps and was well-contented: the Takeda were now rich beyond measure, well supplied with grain throughout their lands, provisioned with five good generals, his uncle, chief amongst them. He would call a great council- an Idaina kyōgi-kai and set out, for all, his plans for them and for their allies, the Hojo, who's lands were even now being riven by rebellions as their masters also turned their gaze North-westward. Why should they settle for rebels in their midst? No the Takeda would take those lands that no longer swore allegiance to their Hojo Overlords-alliance or no-and let all of Japan tremble at their rising power.

And so the 'quiet' Daimyo, he that they called Yoshinobu, cast covetous eyes towards the Northwest and the isolated and deluded factions that resided there and slowly but surely he made his plans against them...”

[johnhughthom]

[mambaman]

Hey John-thanks for the thumbs up...don't know whether you noticed my cheeky adjusting of Nobukado's relationship with the new Daimyo but was a little surprised to see when Shingen got killed his brother Nobukado was immediately installed as the new Daimyo (Yoshinobu-Shingen's son)'s 'son and heir' (a little difficult given that Nobukado is 7 years older than his new dad??????) Was non-plussed at this and it's been confusing me so I have taken matters into my own hands. This has presented me with another issue, however, in that Yoshinobu now has a little son of his own and am wondering when to install him as the real heir, if at all.

What do you think?

[johnhughthom]

I would generally ignore the game doing things like that for an AAR and write it the way I wanted it, so I totally understand sneaking in little changes. It actually sounds like a good opportunity for intrigue and betrayal.

[mambaman]

Indeed John...will wait a bit methinks given the real heir is still an infant but you're right: all sorts of possibilities in there lol

[mambaman]

Kofu Castle

Kai Provincial Capital

New Year 1585

'You understand what I ask of you Hatoshi?' The old Daimyo asked of his pre-eminent Legate as they walked the marbled halls of the great castle that was the seat of Takeda power.

'Hai my Lord.' The emissary understood full well his mission-to get the message to the other Generals remaining in the clan to prepare for war...finally.

It was unusual for a Daimyo and a messenger to be alone but such was the case as they traversed the battlements of the impressive fortress town of Kofu with its spectacular views of snow-capped Mount Fuji away to their southwest. This particular underling was clearly held in the highest regard. And it was true that for twenty years and more he had been the main liaison between Daimyo Takeda Yoshinobu at Kofu and his esteemed uncle Nobukado, holding the lands closest to the despised Kyoto Shogunate.

It was all supposed to have happened quite differently of course, the younger man thought. He had been just out of his manhood when he had first met Nobukado that fateful spring just before he led his armies to victory after victory against the Oda. Now he was into his forties, just under ten years younger than his Daimyo who had committed the cardinal sin of sitting on his hands for the best part of a decade and this despite all the bold talk at the Idaina kyōgi-kai that had been held early in the New Year of 1578, a time that had brought the triumphant clan generals together supposedly to plot their assault on the Shogunate itself.

It was a busy, bustling and joyous period, the retainers of the four generals clashing with the castle garrison as they fought for pre-eminent billets within the town. He remembered clearly braving the freezing temperatures to ride out and meet his favourite, Nobukado-the two embracing like old friends before the castle walls as the snow fell gently around them. Once inside Hatoshi had been introduced to a pair of the Taisho's most trusted retainers, one a musician-a Biwa player, no less but who, he was told afterwards, was instrumental in keeping the morale of the men up, with his ballads and ditties-many of which included the very names of the rank and file. The other was a master of Bajutso, who over the years with the Takeda had become renowned as one of the pre-eminent horse Sensei in the land.

'So we see what our next great adventure is Hatoshi of the Buk-kon!' The General had said clapping the emissary on the back-If there is to be any attempt on the Shogunate then it will fall to my men-you see?'

'Who else my lord? You are the foremost battle commander in the land. This much is obvious.'

The older man, who was looking older than his forty-seven years, was in great spirits,

'I have my fellow generals to greet and my nephew Sanekatsu-where is the young hero of Sado?' This last was said with no hint of irony.

It was Hatoshi's job to know: 'he arrived with his retinue two days past my Lord and is billeted in the Jin-su district.'

'Then let us go visit Hatoshi-come!'

And so he had gone with his friend and mentor. It was a strange match but it was an enduring friendship nonetheless. Furthermore despite the strange looks that he received from the two non-family generals, the old Admiral, Kosaka Hidenari and the hero of Nagoaka Bridge and Sado Fields, none other than Yamadera Yoshiari, Nobukado insisted that the lesser man accompany him everywhere.

The ebullient mood had been dashed, however, by the events of the council itself: far from laying out a plan for the immediate conquest of the Ashikaga Shogunate, their lord and master, backed up by a fawning group of ministers, had spoken passionately of the need to secure their stocks of grain and cash and build these such that, when they were in a position to strike, the treasury would be able to sustain them. It had come as quite a shock to the warriors present and drew loud if impolitic recriminations from the youngest Taisho there, Sanekatsu.

'My Lord brother-this is not the Takeda way surely? Should we not strike now whilst the steel is hot and whilst we have some of the finest battle commanders in Japan!'

If the other generals agreed they held their tongues and an uneasy silence settled the great hall. Yoshinobu, for his part, affixed his young half brother with a steely gaze, daring him to say more. There was suddenly a feeling of threat in the cold air.

It was Takeda Nobukado who broke the oppressive silence 'If it is our Daimyo's wish for us to build our resources then we will fulfil it to the very best of our ability. We will, of course, also keep our troops honed and ready for battle so that should your order come to strike the Ashikaga snake in Kyoto we can and will.'

It was a diplomatic answer and one that had the desired effect of clearing the air, much to the relief of all. The rest of the meeting was taken up plotting how to develop the economic infrastructure within the provinces. Almost by way of a sop to more martial spirits in the council Sanekatsu was ordered back from Sado with his army to menace the rebels in the Hojo Province of Fukushima. If the Hojo were not up to dealing with the enemy within then the Takeda would-it would also send a message to their allies, Yoshinobu reasoned. It was cleverly done and allowed the two brothers a modicum of face-saving.

It was at this point that the grizzled Admiral, Hidenari spoke up, a sly look on his face 'My Lord Daimyo it has surely not escaped any of our attentions that our friends, the Hojo, are the ones massing their armies close to Kyoto Province-these, our allies, with full access to our lands. My own agents tell me that it is no wonder they are not minded to attend their own rebellious interior provinces when their eyes are fixed on a much greater prize...'

The menacing hush descended once more.

When the great leader finally spoke it was in words so hushed that all strained to hear.

'They would not dare.' But the words carried no conviction. A curt signal and the council was over. The great and the good of the Takeda had dispersed, many with a feeling that this had, somehow, been an opportunity missed. Hatoshi had remained in Kai, or had split his time between there and Nobukado's stronghold at Ueno in Iga Province. The weeks had turned into months and then years and all the while their leader sat and fretted over his finances and counted beans.

By the summer of 1584 The Takeda treasury amounted to some one hundred and fifty thousand Koku-an unimaginable amount. The armies of the Takeda, split as they were, amongst their sprawling lands, were well provisioned. And yet their leader did not bestir himself to summons his retainers to the drumbeat of war.

And then the news that they had all dreaded arrived like the onset of a summer storm: in the months when the sun was at its hottest their allies finally struck at the Ashikaga in their Citadel of Kyoto, destroying them utterly, with an army that numbered almost ten thousand. It was a bitter blow for now any move on Kyoto would mean war with their ally-an ally whose many armies even now ranged across their territories. The delay had proved catastrophic but if this was bad news worse was to come: over the preceding months Hatoshi had noted the increasing frailty of his great friend, Takeda Nobukado and especially when he visited him that autumn but the general had still retained all of his vitality even if he now leaned a little too heavily on his walking cane. Only a few weeks before the turn of the year, however, that great man had suddenly taken ill from a common cold, taken to his bed, nursed by his beautiful bride, Kimoko, but he had succumbed and died. He was only fifty-four years old.

It was a bitter blow and one from which Hatoshi had found it very hard to recover from. In the weeks following the dreadful news he had often found himself walking the same halls and gardens that his friend had liked to wander, tears flowing unchecked down his cheeks. He had been able to glean some comfort from Nobukado's Lieutenant, Kosaka Tadasue, who had been similarly bereft.

'We were to have ridden in triumph into Kyoto, Hatoshi' the grizzled old Samurai Captain had mumbled one evening amongst his cups in one of the seedier taverns of Ueno's bustling town. 'That was our dream.'

'It was a good dream my friend-maybe someday you will get to fulfil it-I hear that the Daimyo finally bestirs himself and has ordered Yoshiari south from faraway Ugo. I have been summonsed back to Kai-you may well get your wish...'

And though they were both too engrossed in their grief to appreciate it messengers were even then riding from Kai to all the castles and strongholds in Takeda lands-their brief: mobilise the forces. The call had come at last: the Takeda were going to war....