Lets Play Romance of the 3 Kingdoms XI

[HerbieRAI]

Anyone interested in a Lets Play for Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI? I figured since it's a less known game I should see if there's interest before starting.

Game Basics:

I'll go into more detail if this gets off the ground, but Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is a turn based strategy based on the same story as the dynasty warriors line. Every action you do has to be carried out by one or more of your characters. There is very basic elements of city building that allow you to recruit troops, build equipment, and get gold and food. You have to recruit toops, build equipment, then march on your enemies. Fighting depends a lot on the characters leading the units, so just because you have 10,000 men attacking their 3,000 you may still lose, especially if their leader is of Lu Bu's quality. There are also other abilities which a smarter general can get off against a dumber one which can more than even the playing field. There is not a real leveling system, although your abilities can increase after being extensivly used.


Character submissions. Submit the following for a character

Name: the character name
Gender: Male or felmale
Type: Warrior or Scholar
Growth: Normal
Favored Weapons: which type of troops your good with
Unfavored Weapon: which type of troops your not good with
Character: Bold, Timid, Cool, Reckless
Voice/ Tone: Not something you'll hear, but different voices for in game.
Court: How your character feels about the Emporer
Aspiration:
Portrait: If you have the game and like a particular picture.
Family/Friends: If you want a emotional connection to someone else. This will only be allowed between you guys.

Aspirations:

Military- Aspires to rule through might
Royal- Aspires to rule through virtue
Self- Trusts only his/her own strength
Steadfast- Favors gradual base expansion
Goodly- Rules for the good of the people
Able- Acts to the best of his/her ability
Eminent- Aims for success and wealth
Secure- Aims for safety, avoids danger
Retiring- Cares nothing for the world


Favored/ Unfavored weapons

Spears (beats horses, loses to pikes)
Pikes (beast spears, loses to horses)
Horses (beats Pikes, loses to Spears)
Crossbows (loses to all, but has range, a really big buff)
Weaponry (siege equipment, loses to units but can hurt cities.)
Navy (strong boats)


Things that will be given to you:

Abilities:

LDR: Leadership skill. Affects your unit's combat ability. High leadership takes less damage and deals more damage. Low is vice versa. Affects your ability to police a city when instructed to do so.

WAR: War skill. Affects your personal combat ability. High War deals more damage during duels and takes less damage. Low is vice versa. Also determines how well you train troops.

INT: Intelligence skill. Affects your unit's strategy success values. High Intelligence is better than Low Intelligence, generally. Also affects how many spears/pikes/bows you construct when instructed to do so.

POL: Political skill. Affects your unit's misdirection success values. High political skill is better than low political skill, generally. Also affects how fast you construct buildings when informed to do so.

CHA: Charisma skill. Affects your unit's combat ability. High Charisma is better than Low Charisma, generally. Affects how many troops you can hire when instructed to do so. Also has minor affects on hiring officers.

Warrior types prioritize WAR>LDR>CHA>INT>POL. Scholar types prioritize INT>POL>CHA>LDR>WAR.


Skills:

+Flying General: Ignore land ZOC, Powerful vs. Weak unit

+Fleetness: Ignore ZOC on land

+Forced March: Improved land unit Move (Not transport/seige)

+Forced Gallop: Improves Cavalry Move

+Propulsion: Ignores ZOC on water

+Seamanship: Improves Move on water

+Traverse: No damage on plankways, less from rocks

+Transport: Improved transported units' land Move

+Antidote: Guards against posion (Posion from the southern region)

=Type of Skills: Attack=

+Sweep Asunder: Lowers small amount of Will of enemy unit

+Majesty: Lowers large amount of Will of enemy unit

+Promotion: Recover Will on defeating enemy unit

+Chain Attack: 50% chance of regular attack occurring twice

+Raid: 50% chance of taking no damage (land attack)

+Marine Raid: 50% chance of taking no damage (water attack)

+Close Combat: Stronger attacks in forests

+Siege: Stronger attacks vs. constructions

+Entrap: 50% chance of confusion on joint attack

+Capture: Caputer officers (Without providence/elite horses)

+Masterful: TP x2 on defeating enemy unit

+Plunder: Steal item on defeating unit

+Beguile: Enemy troops defect on defeating unit

+Exterminate: Stronger attack vs. weaker units

+Range: Towers, stone projectile range +1 square

+White Riders: Strong horsebows avail, without research (even with the
technique, the horsebows are more powerful with this skill)

+Assistance: Support avail, without ties (Except disliked)

+Spear General: Stronger spear attack vs. weak unit

+Pike General: Stronger pike attack vs. weak unit

+Archer General: Stronger crossbow attack vs. weak unit

+Cavalry General: Stronger cavalry attack vs. weak unit

+Admiral: Stronger naval attack vs. weak unit

+Valiant General: All attacks stronger vs. weak unit

+God's Command: Stronger regular attack s. weak unit

+Divine Right: Stronger spear & pike tactics

+Divine Spears: Stronger spear tactics

+Divine Pikes: Stronger pike tactics

+Divine Bows: Stronger bow tactics

+Divine Cavalry: Stronger cavalry tactics

+Divine Forge: Stronger weaponry tactics

+Divine Waters: Stronger naval tactics

+Puissance: All tactics stronger

+Stampede: Cavalry tactic vs weak unit confuses

+Bowmanship: Able to use bow tactics in forest

+Vehemence: 50% injury inflict chance if enemy moved by tactic

=Type of Skill: Defense=

+Fortitude: With few men, 50% chance of no damage

+Indestructible: 50% chance of no damage from weak enemy

+Iron Wall: Regular damage from join attack

+Resolute: Recover Will after enemy tactic

+Aegis: .5 damage from non-fire attack, 2x for fire

+Providence: No injury, capture or death in battle

+Escape Route: Officer not captured when defeated

+Escort: No damage to unit if officer dies in battle

=Type of Skill: Strategy=

+Critical Ambush: Stronger attack on ambush

+Fire Assault: 100% chance of success vs low Int unit when using fire

+Poison Tongue: 100% chance of success vs low Int unit when using misinform

+Disconcertion: 100% chance of success vs low Int unit when using perturb

+Trickery: 100% chance of success vs low Int unit when using blunder

+Agile Mind: All strategies successful vs low Int unit

+Cunning: Stronger strategies vs low Int unit

+Covert Plan: Stronger strategies vs high Int unit

+Detection: Twart strategies of low Int unit

+Insight: Thwart all enemy strategies

+Divine Fire: All fire strategies successful (take no damage from fire)

+Divine Potency: All strategies sucessful/thwarted

+Focus: Unit strategies only use 1 Will

+Augment: Strategies' range increased by 1 square

+Chain Reaction: Strategies affect adjacent units also

+Intensify: Stronger unit strategies

+Counter Plan: On thwarting strategy, counter with the same strategy

+Siren: 2x success rate with strategy vs male unit

+Sorcery: Able to use sorcery

+Black Arts: Able to use sorcery and lightning

=Type of Skill: Support=

+Integrity: Immunity to misinform

+Indomitable: Immunity to perturb

+Clear Thought: Immunity to perturb and misinform

+Gladdened Heart: Own unit recovers Will each turn

+Stirring Heart: Will gained via band platform x2

+Fortification: Facilities & repair HP increased x2

+Colonization: Troops use no food at harbors, barriers

=Type of Skill: Domestics=

+Fame: Increased troops when recruiting

+Efficancy: More spears, pikes, bows produced

+Breeding: More horses produced

+Invention: Weaponry production time halved

+Shipbuilding: Naval equipment production time halved

+Pedagogy: Technique research cost halved

+Enlister: Search always finds people if present

+Negotiator: Easier to use debate in diplomacy

=Type of Skill: Revenue=

+Wealth: Cities monthly gold income x1.5

+Sustenance: Cities monthly food income x1.5

+Taxation: Cities receive gold each turn

+Levy: Cities receive food each month

=Type of Skill: Disasters=

+Wuwan Ties: No Wuwan citadels appear on player land

+Qiang Ties: No Qiang citadels appear on player land

+Shanyue ties: No Shanyue citadels appear on player land

+Nanman ties: No Nanman citadels appear on player land

+Suppression: No rebel citadels appear on player land

+Benevolent Rule: Officer loyalty does not diminish

+Feng Shui: No locusts or plague in the city

+Prayers: Abundant harvests more common

=Type of Skill: Ties=

+Spousal Support: Player & spouse abilites +1 on marriage


All of this stolen from ZeroNumerous (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119505)


And Please choose starting map

Map Rise of Dong Zhuo (after Yellow Turbans)

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/6821/dongzhuorise.jpg


Map Rival Warlords ( after Lu Bu kills Dong Zhuo )

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9218/rivalwarlords.jpg


Map Rise of Heros (Non Historical )

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8129/riseofheros.jpg


Current Players
{table=head] Player | Character | Starting Location
Vauron | Vaun Ro | 2
ThePhantom | Phan Long | 2
Raistlin1040 | Song Jia | 1
Kurgan | Hu Khem | 1
Batyzero | non submitted | No choice
TheJJ | Zah Zah | No choice
[/table]

[Batyzero]

Ooh, sounds interesting!
I wouldn't mind being included. :smallsmile:

[Thorcrest]

Wow... they're at 11 for these already... huh? I'm way behind. I'd be interested in seeing this, but I wouldn't have time to be one of the characters.



I'll go into more detail if this gets off the ground, but Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is a turn based strategy based on the same story as the dynasty warriors line.

Actually Dynasty Warriors is based off of the earlier games in THIS series, both made by Kou Shibusawa and Koei, which started in 1984(?)(Around there anyways) which is in turn based off of the Chinese Novelisation of the Historic Period, with the earlier games lacking the more storied elements due to limits on technology of the time.

Yeah, I got into this series with 2, played a bit of 3 and own 4. I've also own, and have played extensively, 7 and 9. It might be interesting to see what is new and what has changed. I personally find the games have gotten easier as they simplify them/make the computer somehow more predictable, except for 9 which I just never really got into enough to beat and always seemed to be falling behind militarily even though I had the best cities, if not necessarily the most.

Well, that was a bit of a tangent, I'd be interested in seeing this, and I'd follow it, but I don't think I'd be a participant, unless my upcoming schedule changes drastically.

[Flickerdart]

Sounds like fun. I've never played the games, nor am I familiar with the history, so a few clarifications here and there would be swell.

[ThePhantom]

Interesting. I have heard some good things about this game. I'm in.

[HerbieRAI]

I will say 11 is a complete 180 from 10. In 10 you are a single character serving a lord or doing what you wish. 11 seems to go more toward a tactics side as you become a side and are no longer an individual character. Controlling a character will not take much time, although if you ever get a city it may.

The next question is starting time frame. I think the best starting points would either be after Lu Bu kills Dong Zhuo, or after the Yellow Turbans are defeated. They also have another setting where history is given the metaphorical finger and almost every city is controlled by seemingly random factions.

* maps moved to opening post

[Flickerdart]

You're using the wrong link: you want "Direct Link" instead of regular "Link".

[Fri]

We actually had a somewhat long running lp of rotk XI before, but it's in an indifinete hiatus I think. It was really fun while it lasts. Maybe you could get a feel for LPing this game from that one. It's really a coincidence. I was planning to have an LP of ROTK too almost at that exact point, but he released his LP first so I scratched my plan.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119505

.

[HerbieRAI]

I like his basis as well, only I was planning on giving more city control to prefects if they wish. I'll edit the opening post (along with the screens, which are more screwed up than just the wrong link) when I get to the game later tonight.

* character creation moved to starting post

[Vauron]

Name: Vaun Ro
Gender: Male
Type: Scholar
Growth: Normal
Favored Weapons: Navy + Siege
Unfavored Weapon: Spears + Pikes
Character: Cool
Voice/ Tone: Don't care
Court: For the Han
Aspiration: Goodly
Portrait: Something with a funny hat and no facial hair
Family/Friends: -----(I have no problem with him being someone's uncle/father/brother/sworn brother/whatever)

[ThePhantom]

Name: Phan Long
Gender: Male
Type: Warrior
Growth: Normal
Favored Weapon: Crossbows + Spears
Unfavored Weapon: Navy + Weaponry
Character: Timid
Voice/Tone:
Court: Yay, emperor.
Aspiration: Secure
Potrait: Something with a banada
Family/Friends: ------

[HerbieRAI]

And your characters. I can edit the friends/ family if anyone wants to start one of those later.

Vaun Ro

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/9589/vaunro.jpg


Phan Long

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2197/phanlong.jpg


On a side note, my game seems to love creating powerful characters.

[Raistlin1040]

I'll put up something soon, I'm just in the middle of something.

Edit:
Name: Song Jia
Gender: Female
Type: Scholar
Growth: Normal
Favored Weapons: Crossbow
Unfavored Weapon: Pikes
Character: Cool
Voice/ Tone: Not sure what to put here
Court: Generally Positive
Aspiration: Royal
Portrait: One that is not horrifically disfigured
Family/Friends: ---

[Kurgan]

For map my vote is Rival Warlords.

Name: Hu Khem
Gender: Male
Type: Warrior
Growth: Normal
Favored Weapon: Horse, Weaponry
Unfavored Weapon: Spear, Navy
Character: Bold
Voice: ----
Court: Indifferent (or whatever the option is)
Aspiration: Military
Portrait: either something with an eyepatch or something with a helm with a sufficient number of feathers
Family/Friends: ---- (unless someone really wants a relative for their character)

This looks fun, can't wait till it starts.

[HerbieRAI]

Alright then

Song Jia

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/3856/songjia.jpg


and Hu Khem

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/1118/hukhem.jpg

[The_JJ]

Name: Zahzah
Gender: Male
Type: Scholar
Growth: Normal?
Favored Weapons: Bows Spears
Unfavored Weapon: Weapons Navy
Character: Cool
Voice/Tone: Whatever
Court: Neutral
Aspiration: Able
Portrait: *shrug*
Family/Friends: If someone wants to tag along...


And let's go with Rival Warlords.

[HerbieRAI]

Zah Zah

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3072/zahzah.jpg



Rival warlords has been chosen. Now for starting location.

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6623/mapfk.jpg


1) Wan - a well defended city with some room to expand. This will also put us somewhat close to the heavy fighting. Cao Cao will be trying to destroy us.

2) Luo Yang - A very good city, with enough slots to build everything under the sun and a good supply of forts for supplemental income. It is located between 3 of the superpowers (Cao Cao, Lu Bu, and Li Jue) of this scenario, which will make this a very hard place to defend and we will be constantly under attack.

3) Jin Yang - force Zhang Yang - We'll start off with 4 other officers and are allied with Lu Bu, who is nowhere close. We will be next to 2 large powers and the city itself is pretty weak.

4) Ignore, the city is weak, but he is surrounded by allies so I don't think it will be a fun game

5) Han Zhong - force Zhang Lu - We'll start with 7 other officers, but the city is a weak one and all 3 of the surrounding factions have at least 2 cities and great officers.

Other) If you know the game and know another interesting spot

So everyone start submitting votes for the starting location. I'll probably start the game tomorrow or Sunday.

[Vauron]

2) Luo Yang - A very good city, with enough slots to build everything under the sun and a good supply of forts for supplemental income. It is located between 3 of the superpowers (Cao Cao, Lu Bu, and Li Jue) of this scenario, which will make this a very hard place to defend and we will be constantly under attack.


You have my vote now.

Will our lack of S rank pike officers be problematic? Iunno how useful the units are.

[Leecros]

You have my vote now.

Will our lack of S rank pike officers be problematic? Iunno how useful the units are.

it shouldn't be too problematic.

Then again i have only recently purchased RTK XI and am not that great at it, so take that as you will...



P.S to OP: I will be lurking.

[HerbieRAI]

Will our lack of S rank pike officers be problematic? Iunno how useful the units are.

the main units go like the following

cav > pikes > spears > cav

crossbows lose to all but have range where they take no retaliation

siege loses to all but does large damage to cities

I'm not sure what troop types Li Jue, but I think Lu Bu and Cao Cao mostly use cav so lack of pikes wont be to bad of a problem.

[Raistlin1040]

I vote Wan. Luo Yang will get us eaten alive far too quickly, and I don't like the idea of swearing allegiance to another force (especially crappy ones like Zhang Yang or Zhang Lu).

[ThePhantom]

I like the idea of number 2

[Kurgan]

My vote is for Wan. Nice city, and easier to hold on to at the beginning of the game than Luo Yang.

I agree with the sentiments that we should not be under the power of an already existent ruler, so a definite no to those options.

[HerbieRAI]

alright, we're looking for the tiebreaker vote between Wan and Luo Yang (JJ) and a submission from Batyzero if he's still around

[Flickerdart]

Luo Yang sounds good. Can't you play your powerful neighbours against one another?

[Kurgan]

Luo Yang sounds good. Can't you play your powerful neighbours against one another?

To an extent you can, but is usually involves a large sum of resources changing hands to form a "Please do not kill me" pact. That or an officer with the "Negotiator" skill. Philosophy duels ho!

[HerbieRAI]

More Characters:

Opening

First I introduce your leader, a great general and known by the people.

Pi Shou

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/9012/pishou.jpg


And his wife, A great diplomat and a great judge of character.
Stai Huai

http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/7153/70870356.jpg


Set Up:
Game settings:

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/8826/settingsx.jpg


Our Capitol, Lou Yang. The Port and gate are technically in our territory, but we have yet to capture them.

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/992/opening1.jpg


Our neighbors to the East, Li Jue. We have a slight advantage against him, his city currently only has 5 unimpressive officers. He does control a few gates between our cities, so getting to him would not be a quick march for us.

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8060/opening2.jpg


Our neighbors to the West, Cao Cao. He will probably be our biggest adversary. He has 27 officers in his city (some are very good), and enough troops to wipe us out quick. We do have a gate between us and them.

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/3310/opening3.jpg



LP (writing will be soon)

Pi Shou: "We have taken the City! Lets storm the tavern and begin the party!"
Stai Huai: "I think we have a few other matters to attend to. Our neighbors are strong and ready for war. We need to begin building our Lou Yang's infrastructure and appointing officers to positions as to be ready for them."
Pi Shou: "Fine, I'll make you my strategist"

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6640/opening4.jpg

Pi Shou: "and the rest of you will have official positions as well.

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/88/opening5m.jpg

Pi Shou: "Now let the party begin!"

The Next afternoon:
Stai Huai: "While our lord recovers, we should give out construction orders for the coming weeks, while I look for new recruits to be our officers"

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/1326/24211888.jpg



http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/5849/28575267.jpg



http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2589/82452834.jpg

Stai Huai: "Well, he may not be the best among us, but he will do. I will need to convince him to join us."

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8296/85360327.jpg



http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/342/53485267.jpg


2 minutes later:

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5838/82956063.jpg



http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/2541/62072149.jpg



http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/525/99457625.jpg

Stai Huai: Because that's what happens when you debate Stai Huai. Your head will explode and you will be injured. Lets see who else in this city can be of some use for us.


http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/8300/113de.jpg



http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/2035/110gm.jpg



http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/849/115vh.jpg



http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7263/117jsn.jpg

Pi Shuo: "Well, our numbers have grown significantly. I think we should march out and capture the surrounding abandoned fortifications. We don't have the men to man them, but we can use them to generate extra income and food. Have Yang Xiu go capture them."


http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/3670/112yd.jpg



http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/1314/114x.jpg



http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/9499/116jf.jpg



http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/5823/118bq.jpg

Pi Shou: "WHHAAATTTT! I WILL HAVE HIS HEAD ON A SPEAR. HOW DARE HE ABANDON HIS POST!"

Stai Huai: "Calm down some. Maybe we should see how the other officers are feeling"


http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/2339/119ov.jpg

Pi Shou: "Ok, seriously guys, where is all this hate coming from?"

Hu Khem: "Well sir, we have been building for 9 month straight, and when we signed up we thought we'd have more input into the kingdom."

Pi Shou: "Well, that makes sense. Here, have a nice bonus. We will have a council tomorrow to decide the direction of our empire."

Current State of Lou Yang.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1666/120hp.jpg



The Questions for the council:

1) we have 4 building slots left. Currently we have a surrounded mint, a surrounded granary, 1 barracks, 1 smith, 1 stable, and 1 workshop. The 4 slots are next to each other, what should we put there.

building explanation:

cities only have a certain number of building slots. Lou Yang has a lot of them. A market increases gold income in a city, and a farm increases the food production. Mints and Granaries increase the generation of each market and farm they touch respectively. Therefore a surrounded mint is 6 markets and a mint in the center. The other buildings allow us to recruit troops or build equipment. Each building can only be used once per turn. Smiths build bows, spears and pikes.


2) Buildup. What should we spend our money on? Diplomacy with certain factions, build troops, build weapons.

[The_JJ]

1. Three markets and a mint! Money is truly the path to victory!

2. Let's look at annexing a neighbor or two.

[Raistlin1040]

"There's a meeting called for you, Lady Jia. Lord Shou has requested your presence in a council meeting."

Send back my refusal, soldier. I didn't learn to fight, or teach myself philosophy to be an...an...AGRICULTURAL ADVISOR. I ran away from my foolish, greedy father to help keep peace in this realm, and keep the Han Dynasty afloat, or at least find an honorable leader to construct a dynasty to replace it. But I will not see my considerable talents and goals cast aside in a position where I can do nothing.

"...Lady Jia, if I may speak freely?"

Go ahead.

"I am but a lowly swordsman, Lady Jia, but even one such as I can appreciate your insight into the workings of the world. Lord Shou has been busy with building the new kingdom, but look how far we've come in less than a year. We were fortunate enough to get Luo Yang, but now Meng Jin and Hu Lao Gate? This land could form the basis for a great kingdom, but it takes all of our Lord's considerable resources to achieve it. He has been busy, as has the Lady Huai, and I'm certain if you articulate your opinions and make the most of your position, your efforts will be rewarded with the status and respect you deserve. I would suggest attending Lord Shou's council meeting and voicing your opinions."

Hmm. I suppose you are right, soldier. What is your name?

"Zhou Shen."

Mm. Zhou Shen, I invite you to take a position as my assistant and bodyguard, in addition to your soldiering duties."

"I would be honored and humbled."

Very well. I will attend the council meeting. I will return shortly.

---

It's obvious that Lu Bu has no desire to deal with us, given that he stole one of our officers. He might be strong, but he is a warrior, not a ruler. If we can hold him off for a while, his little kingdom will collapse internally. Li Jue is far away, and his officers have neither the wits of our finest scholars, myself included, nor the martial aptitude of our warriors. We have nothing to fear from him. Soon he will find himself weakening in comparison to other rulers, and that will be our moment to strike.

Cao Cao however...I fear he might be a grave threat to us all. He doesn't seem like a man easily bribed, and I fear sending him our hard earned gold will do little to sway him if he is determined to take our land from us. I suggest building a stable and a smith, as well as a market and a farm. This will give us the ultility to raise a army quicker to defend our Gate if Cao Cao decides to attack, but will also allow us to more easily pay for and feed such an army. A ragtag army with shoddy weapons is weak, but even a broken sword can defeat a hungry one. We don't want to be in a situation where the morale of our soldiers is low, from hunger or discontent.

I suggest lying low for the time being, building a small army and retaining the means to quickly build a larger one. While we wait for action, our food supply and treasury will stay well stocked, and if we begin construction in Meng Jin, we can work on making alliances with other, stronger figures who might be able to check Cao Cao for now. When the time is right, we can strike swiftly, taking out Li Jue and expanding our territory eastward.

[Kurgan]

We need money and food to maintain our armies. I vote that we construct another mint plus three more market places. With the added revenue, we can easily afford whatever weaponry we need and simply buy food off of the peasantry for when we march.

Lady Jia, I agree with you that Cao Cao is the primary threat out there, but I disagree on your belief that lying low is the way to success. The only way to defeat a man like Cao Cao is to be bigger, and more imposing than he is! That path is simple, all we need to do is march on some of the unclaimed cities in the area, make some claims about a return to the good old days to win the loyalty of the people, and then outproduce the man.

South of us is unclaimed territory as far as the eye can see, if we take those before Cao Cao can, he will be helpless before us!

[Raistlin1040]

We don't have the troops, we don't have the alliances, we don't have the numerous talented officers, and, simply put, we don't have the power. In this time of unrest and uncertainty, we can't afford to take the fight to Cao Cao yet. Li Jue and Lu Bu are not threats to us, but if we attempt to attack somewhere, I'm sure Luo Yang and Hu Lao Gate will be targeted. If we build up our forces here but delay attacking yet, at least we'll be able to hold Luo Yang, even if millions descend upon our city. When Lu Bu is gone and Li Jue is weak and Cao Cao is entangled in other affairs, that's when it will be our time to attack. But if we try to expand rapidly right now, we'll leave our capitol defenseless and mark ourselves as targets. We are unknowns, without any rivalries or family ties. If we seem unassuming, we should be left alone until we are ready to fight. If we try and assert dominance now, we'll be viewed as just another overambitious faction waiting to be crushed beneath the heels of another warlord. We must have patience.

That said, perhaps a small expansion would be in our best interest. Lord Shou, what unoccupied cities are nearest us, and who other than us would have an interest in them? Cao Cao is the wrong man to fight with right now, but I'd be willing to risk a fight with Li Jue over unclaimed land.

[HerbieRAI]

We have 4 cities surrounding us. To the east is Li Jue's capitol and to the West is Cao Cao's capitol. To the south west and south are unoccupied cities. (south is Wan and south west is Xu Chang)

map:

We are Orange
Cao Cao is blue
Li Jue is the light black
Lu Bu is the dark black
White are free cities
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9969/extrax.jpg

[ThePhantom]

Look, we will need more military support, so building another barrack. After that let's increase the income with a mint and two markets.

The other thing needed to be done is to use the men recuited through the new barrack to man the gates we caughted. We need a strong defense before we can go on the offense.

[Kurgan]

We need to expand now, while there are still unaligned territories. If Li Jue and Cao Cao take Wan and Xu Chang, we will be surrounded on all sides. This is unacceptable!

Therefore, I propose this my liege. We need soldiers, 22,000 should work for the moment. Give me command of 12,000 cavalry, as well as Han Xuan as my lieutenant. We will fortify Hu Lao Gate and protect the capital from Cao Cao.

The remaining troops will go to Wan, and capture the city in our name. The beauty of this plan is that in order to attack Wan, Cao Cao will need to pass Hu Lao Gate. With this position, we will be able to pincer his forces should he ever attempt to attack either Wan or the Gate, so our cities would be safe from the east.

With the added resources from Wan, our influence will be felt across the land.


After that let's increase the income with a mint and two markets.
Might as well just build 3 markets at that point, if I remember correctly, mints give no profits in and of themselves, but multiply the income of markets by 1.5. That means that 2 markets + a mint would have a profit equivalency of 3 markets, and mints are more expensive than markets.

[Raistlin1040]

I don't agree with the specifics of Hu Khem's plan, but I agree with the general idea. I don't think possessing Wan will put Cao Cao off our backs, but fortifying Hu Lao Gate will keep Luo Yang safe, and Wan will provide a springboard into Li Jue's territory when we are ready to attack.

However, Han Xuan is a fool. His mental capabilities border on vegetative and his battlefield capabilities are meager at best. I suggest Xu Huang accompany you, as his leadership and combat skills are great, and he's no intellectual slouch either. Xu Huang has shown an affinity for Cao Cao in the past, so if we cannot trust him so close to our future adversary, then I suggest Yang Xiu. He might not have any fighting ability, but at least he's a competant scholar.

For the journey to Wan, I request that I be allowed to lead the army occupying the city, accompanied by Cai Yan if her presence can be spared. Between the two of us, there will be more than enough intellect and wit to go around, and while I don't pretend to be any great general, my abilities to lead an army and fight for myself are competant. If you feel further protection is necessary, and don't use Xu Huang at Hu Lao Gate, he could accompany us to Wan.

[Kurgan]

I believe I can live with this set up. You should take Xu Huang with you though, just in case an attack comes from a direction I will not be able to reinforce you from.

Yang Xiu could work out, he is no fighter, but he is far more competent than Han Xian. I think we can agree on that mark at least.

[HerbieRAI]

Part 2:


Pi Shou - So be it, we will first finish developing more markets then move onto occupying Wan and defending Hu Lao Gate. Our first goal will be to finish the second market district, while Han Xuan and I start recruiting more men

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3571/15742087.jpg



http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2756/51786504.jpg



http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6584/29712375.jpg


Pi Shou - Curses, they made a move. How far along are the markets?
Stai Huai - They should be done in 20 days
Pi Shou - Well, then I think we should keep this quiet from the other officers, I don't want to have to re invest in those stuctures and it should take them about that long to reach the gate. In the meantime we need some way of delaying them.
Han Xuan - We could sacrifice minions
Pi Shou - Of Course! What can sacrificing minons not solve! March out the minio.... I mean men out ot the gate immediatly.


http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/2548/76321791.jpg



http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8934/66146886.jpg

Pi Shou - More of them? I think Cao Cao is testing our defenses
Vuan Ro - Sir, the new market district is up and running, we should start seeing some income from the area.
Pi Shou - Great timing. We have some very pressing matters, Cao Cao is marching on Hu Lao Gate. We have enough men now, but we need equipment to arm them. Start making crossbows to pelt the enemy as they advance.


http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/7049/51862852.jpg



http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5791/92211959.jpg

Messenger - The enemy has arrived at Hu Lao Gate sir!
Hu Khem - Let me ride out to fight them!
Pi Shou - Very well, but we don't have the horses for your men yet, you'll have to use the bows for now. We'll send the horses up later. Also, take Song Jia with you, they may try to fool or confuse your men, she should be able to stop it.
Hu Khem - Very well, I guess that will work.


http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/9143/11850517.jpg



http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/4125/90594182.jpg

Pi Shou - The rest of us should start making some horses and crossbows


http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/4959/210bm.jpg

Zah Zah - Sir, I'm not sure if you've noticed the state of the city, but the riots are scaring people and causing damage.
Pi Shou - Well then, everyone else should work to calm the riots down.


http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/7761/211fm.jpg



http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9145/212tb.jpg

Pi Shou - I'm not sure if Hu Khem and Song Jia will be able to handle all the men marching on the gate. The gate is holding for now. Let's continue producing weapons and we'll be ready if they call for reinforcments.


http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9522/213eu.jpg

Messenger from Hu Khem - Sir, the defenders have destroyed the cavalry and severly damaged the spearmen attacking Hu Lao Gate. Also, Cao Cao's pike reinforcements have arrived. The gate is still holding strong and we should be able to weather the rest of the attackers.
Pi Shou - Great news! I guess Cao Cao isn't the powerhouse we thought he was.


http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8255/214x.jpg

Pi Shou - Curse you Cao Cao, the one thing sacrificing minions can stop!! (explination to new players at bottom). Phang Long, take Zah Zah and some archers and go clear a path so we can open the gates. Xu Huang, lead some cavalry and charge through the gate and keep those rams away from the gate.


http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/4543/215ff.jpg



http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8092/216xd.jpg



http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/9228/217z.jpg

Stai Huai - There are more rams approaching? Sir, I think we'll need more men to hold them back.
Pi Shou - Acutally, I was just thinking of re equiping men already at the line. Send 6000 horses and men to Hu Lao Gate and have Hu Khem take command. When all the men are on the other side of the gate. (forgot to get a pic for this)


http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/8058/218t.jpg

Pi Shou - Gongsun Who? We should keep an eye out for his officers.


http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/8452/219ce.jpg


Messenger - Sir, our reinforcements have reached the front!


http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/4807/220q.jpg


Messenger - The Pikers have been scattered by out volley's of arrows.
Pi Shou - Good, then have Hu Khem get ready to march out against the enemy.

Current state of the Battle For Hu Lao Gate
The Gate itself has 8,000 men and 6,000 horses.


http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/4396/221ts.jpg


Out Capitol, Our men are getting tired (will) and our people are still frightened (order)

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/7885/222ath.jpg


Cao Cao's city, still has a decent amount of men, many officers, and a good supply of cash

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4862/223xx.jpg


Li Jue's city, has a large amount of men, but few officers and not much money

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1185/224nr.jpg


Current Techs we have. (Techs will be explained below)

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/3421/225h.jpg




Explinations:
Sieges

There are 2 methods for taking a city or bulwark. One is kill all the men defending the city, the second is to lower its defense to 0. If a city or bulwark is dropped to 0 defense all the soldiers inside are killed and officers have a high chance of being captured.

There are also 2 types of siege engines, rams and towers.

Every attack on the city or bulwark will do both kills and damage to the city, but in different proportions. Normal attacks and towers do more kills than damage, while fire and rams do more damage than kills.


Tech

Everything officers do generate Tech Points (TP). When you reach certian amounts of TP you can research techs that improve the faction as a whole. There are 8 trees with 4 techs in each tree. The first tech costs 1000 TP, the second costs 2000 TP, the third costs 3000 TP, and the fourth costs 5000 TP.

Spear Tree

Drill Spears - Increases Spear's Power
Attack Provisions - Spears steal food when attacking
Surprise - enemies do not retailiate in forests
Elite Spears - spears get more move, attack, and defense


Pike Tree

Drill Pikes - Increases Pike's Power
Withstand Arrows - 30% chance to ignore arrow attack
Great Sheilds - 30% chance to ignore melee attack
Elite Pikes - pikes get more move, attack, and defense


Bow Tree

Drill Bows - Increases Bow's Power
Counter Fire - bows retailate to bow attacks
Powerful Crossbows - bows get +1 range
Elite Crossbows - bows get more move, attack, and defense


Cavalry Tree

Drill Cavalry - Increases Cavalry's power
Horse Breeding - Horses have more move
Horsebows - Horses get a ranged normal attack (1 square)
Elite Cavalry - Cavalry get more move, attack, and defense


Command Tree

Veteran Troops - max will is increased from 100 to 120
Adept March - troops take no damage from plankways and shortcuts are revealed on map
Military Reform - all officers get + 3,000 command
Yunnan Ladders - units do more damage when attacking bulwarks and cities


Invention Tree

Reinforced Axels - siege equipment moves faster
Stone Construction - can build stone pillars (trap confuses nearby enemies) and stone walls
Develop Catapaults - catapaults replace towers, and you can build catapault towers (building)
Thunder - catapaults do splash damage


Defense Tree

Train Engineers - buildings, bulwarks, and cities repair faster
Reinforce Facilities - buildings get more HP
Reinforce Ramparts - Bulwarks and cities get more HP
Reinforce Defense - Bulwark and city retaliation is stronger


Fire Tree

Develop Juggernauts - rams get upgraded to juggernauts (able to attack units, do fire damage)
Fire Strategem - can you 'fire' ability from 1 square away
Gunpowder Training - unlocks more fire traps
Explosives Training - unlocks more fire traps




The battle of Hu Lao Gate is coming close victory, we have a few choices moving forward. Should we press the attack on Cao Cao and hope to take his city, or should we build up our forces and move into Wan?

Second, we have 1,000 tech points so we can research something. What do we want to research? We can choose to hold of on the tech if we choose to push Cao Cao.

[ThePhantom]

Perhaps we put those tech points into command. More will = stronger defences.

[Kurgan]

From the way I am seeing things, we simply do not have the manpower to finish off Cao Cao at the moment, at least not without stripping the defenses of Luo Yang bare. What we do have, however, is a strong force at Hu Lao Gate, some of which we can divert to Wan.

I suggest we send Phan Long and Xu Huang's units to Wan. Cao Cao has enough resources to repel a direct attack on him, but not enough to stop us from waltzing by on our way to Wan. From there, we can continue the plan we had made before.

In terms of the technology reports you have sent, I believe we should work on boosting the morale of our soldiers. The longer we can stay in the fight, the better I say.

That said, I should get back to the battle. Those horsemen you sent me should work out nice. Might even put them to use on those rams out there.

[Raistlin1040]

I agree. We've very nearly turned back all of Cao Cao's forces in what is obviously a victory for us. Let Cao Cao lick his wounds while we take Wan. We should scour Gongsun Du's former officers for worthy men to employ and make sure Wan is quickly occupied by able officers and competent soldiers. Depending on what happens next, the hour for our descent upon Li Jue might be quickly approaching.

(OOC: I think we should prioritize the Command and Fire trees for now. Command will keep our men on the field longer, and fire, especially this early on, is a really strong resource.)

[Raistlin1040]

(Bump? Still on?)

[Kurgan]

Just curious if we are still on or not.

[HerbieRAI]

Sorry about the long delay guys, I got Dragon Age 2. Now that it's out of the way I'll have another update tonight.

[HerbieRAI]

Update 3:


Pi Shou - That our goals until the next assembly will be a) finish off Cao Cao's attack forces, b) research veteran troops, and c) take Wan
Hu Khem, you are in command of the forces defending Hou Lao Gate. Song Jia, you will lead the expedition to Wan, and I shall do the veteran troop research.


http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2393/20377025.jpg

Song Jia - Sir, Li Jue has sent Dong Cheng with a cavalry force out toward Wan.

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/7638/82731435.jpg

Hu Khem - Reports say Cao Cao is sending more spears to the Gate.
Song Jia - I'm going to need some help either getting to the city first, or taking it from those cavalry.
Zah Zah - If Hu Khem joins you to Wan, I'll stay behind with Xu Huang and hold the gate
Hu Khem - Do you think you'll be able to hold those spears with only horses and archers?
Zah Zah - We should be able to manage.

Hu Khem - Then I'll march out and leave this battle in your hands


http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/6318/55361949.jpg


Pi Shou - They don't seem to be following the plan
Stai Huai - They are capable generals, they will achieve their goals. We should start on ours.


http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8303/61209018.jpg



http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/6241/13529914.jpg

Zah Zah - Send a report the the governor, we have good news and bad news. The good news is the rams have all been destroyed, the bad news is the spearmen have reached the wall. and our men are out of will. We will continue the attack as long as we can.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6299/43289203.jpg

Hu Khem - Sir, we have reached Wan, it seems we are too late, they have taken the city. I suggest we attack now before they can build defenses.
Pi Shou - Attack, better to strike now before they surround us. Yang Xui, send money so they can build the city fast, and take some men with you to get through the battle at the gate.


http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/9517/81024508.jpg



http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5572/36906244.jpg

Pi Shou - Ha, our men now can be more motivated to fight!

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/1282/10428995.jpg

Hu Khem - Ha, I will decimate that pitiful force!
Song Jia - I see you were not fast enough, I will begin the attack on the city itself.

Meanwhile at the capitol,
Pi Shou - Our troop levels and equipment are low. Let's begin building or numbers for an attack or if the gate falls.


http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5996/310c.jpg



http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/4998/311eq.jpg


Pi Shou - Ha! Another kingdom down! Soon the entire country will be under our rule!


http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6849/312g.jpg

Pi Shou - ARRGGHH! Now we have another faction to take out. Luckily this one will be nothing more than a speed bump for our army!


http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/3456/313ys.jpg



http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/2926/314vdm.jpg



http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5554/315ek.jpg

Song Jia - We have taken Wan. In the battle, we have captured Zhu Jun. He would not serve you so we have taken him prisoner to try later.


http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/4846/316i.jpg


Pi Shou - Interesting, this should be some good news.


http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2089/317mn.jpg


Pi Shou - Yes! With this promotion I'll be able to give more of my officers promotions and have more men in our units!


http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/7585/318pn.jpg

Messanger - Great news from the gate, The last of Cao Cao's force are retreating. The defenses have held!

Pi Shou - Good news indeed. With no battles, we should begin building our forces in Lou Yang and build Wan up to a productive city. Stai Huai and Cai Yan, go to Wan and help with the construction.


http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/245/319ns.jpg


Pi Shou - Hu Khem, return to your post at Hou Lao Gate. We will be sending some more horses and crossbows for the defense.


http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9586/320qb.jpg




So, 2 questions for the people still here. 1) construction plan for Wan. We have 15 building slots, section 1 has 4 slots, section 2 has 6 slots, and section 3 has 5 slots.

Section 1:

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/4682/321j.jpg


Section 2:

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8130/322ux.jpg


Section 3:

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/8066/323g.jpg


Possible buildings (you will have more money coming)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9964/324h.jpg

Descriptions:

Market - increases gold income
farm - increase food income
barracks - allows us to recruit troops once per turn
smith - allows us to build spears/ pikes/ or crossbows once per turn
stable - allows us to build (yes, build) horses once per turn
workshops - allows us to produce a siege engine at a time
shipyard - allows us to produce a ship at a time
Mint - all markets next to a mint produce 1.5x (+ 50%)
Granary - all farms next to a mint produce 1.5x (+50%)


The other question. You get to pick your rank. Currently only Hu Khem can get to the second tier, but the rest of you can move around however you like.

http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/5145/325kg.jpg

[Kurgan]

Wow, that was fast. Sorry if I guilted you into updating so fast. I understand all too well the allures of a new videogame and the effects it can have on one's social life. I enjoy this LP, but I don't want to force you into it if you have other things going on. That said...

Well, we finally captured Wan, and with money being sent there for construction, it should be up and running in no time. We need food and a means of producing more wealth to keep our armies running. With that in mind, I say we build sector two into a farm district, sector three into a marketplace, and use sector one for barracks, armories, and stables. That should optimize out output and allow us to prepare for war all the more quickly.

So I see that you are recognizing my greatness by increasing my command. How kind of you. I'll take whatever post that gives me the authority to levee more troops into my army. 6,000 soldiers is nice...but 7,000? That looks even better!

After we build up Wan and fortify our position, I suggest we take the eastern two gates from Li Jue. This way, if he wants to attack us, he has to press through his own fortifications before he can strike at our heartland.

If nobody else volunteers, I'll do the dirty work. Its what I'm good at. Problem is, I think I will be more useful guarding Hu Lao Gate for the moment. At least until we close in and assault Chang An.

[ThePhantom]

Sure, its a sideways promotion, but I'll take it. (Phan Long to officer)

We will need more money, so build markets and a mint.

[The_JJ]

Perhaps one market mint district, one agricultural, and one (section one) barracks/smith/stable/workshop, unless we want to pick one set of soldiers to emphasize. I think we ought to skip naval concerns for now.

I'm happy with my current position, but if I can start hopping up, I don't mind.

[Turstin]

Too bad I dropped by too late to get in on this! I'll be lurking

[HerbieRAI]

I'll give Raistlin and Vauron one more day to submit answers.

Turstin, you can "become" one of the other officers in our fice. I would suggest either Cai Yan or Xu Huang.

[Raistlin1040]

Perhaps one market mint district, one agricultural, and one (section one) barracks/smith/stable/workshop, unless we want to pick one set of soldiers to emphasize. I think we ought to skip naval concerns for now.

I'm happy with my current position, but if I can start hopping up, I don't mind.

Out of character, I agree with this basically.

[HerbieRAI]

Update 4:



Pi Shou - The goal for this year will be development. The wars last year have drained our resources. We are to develop and build our forces so we can attack and expand. Ladies, I want you to go out and recruit as many able men as possible to lead our forces.
Cai Yan - Understood sir.


http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/4112/60829481.jpg



http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/1623/76188882.jpg



http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6448/74552968.jpg



http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/2066/42499449.jpg



http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3250/66683397.jpg



http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5420/52751405.jpg


Pi Shou - What are you guys doing to get these men on our side?

Cai Yan - Lets just say it's an ancient chinese secret.

Pi Shou - Fine, have it your way. How are the Hu Lao Gate repairs going?


http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/4240/12835695.jpg


Hu Khem - We should have the men in perfect fighting order and the damage repaired near the end of the year sir.

Pi Shou - Good, we are sending you reinforcements and more horses in case of attack.

Vaun Ro - If we are going to attack a city in a year, we need to build some siege engines. I suggest we let Han Xuan do this. It may take a while, but I don't think he'd have anything better to do.


http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7929/50602047.jpg


Song Jia - I think we have enough officers. Lets begin construction of the market and military districts.


http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/801/15662532.jpg



http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9769/410xb.jpg


Song Jia - That didn't take long at all. Now let us start on the farming district. After thats up this city should be in working order and ready to build an army.

Messanger - Madem, The new market district is under attack from Liu Bao's vessels!


http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/121/411i.jpg


Song Jia - Who do we have available to march out and meet them?

messanger - Only Gan Ning

Song Jia - In that case what are we worried about? Have him take all the crossbowmen we have at push them away from the markets.


http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5099/413f.jpg



http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9103/412ob.jpg


Song Jia - Now that the farms are complete, we only need to repair the markets and finish the military buildings. We should be able to meet that year deadline easy. In the mean time, I think we need more soliders. Ladies, lets get to work.


http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/7595/414o.jpg



http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/4710/415x.jpg


Gan Ning - Send a message to Song Jia, we have routed the boats attacking the markets. Unforturnetly they did get away, but with few survivors.

At the next assembly.

Pi Shou - Great work to everyone for the development over the past year. Lets take a look at each of our cities.

Lou Yang

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7418/416vv.jpg


Pi Shou - Currently Lou Yang has 40,000 troops and 10,000 pikes, spears, crossbows, and horses along with 1 tower. All the men are fully trained (120 will) and order is very good.

Wan

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/470/417qm.jpg

Song Jia - Wan will be fully developed in the next week. Our markets were attacked half way through the year and are almost rebuilt. We have a good number of defending troops, but not many weapons. Will and Order are very good in the city.

Hu Khem - Hu Lao Gate has 15,000 men fully trained and 12,000 horses ready to march if attacked.

Pi Shou - Lets look at our neighbors.

Xin Ye:

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6695/418j.jpg

The city bordering Wan seems to be very weak with only 9,000 troops. They do have a lot of officers and the city is next to fully developed. It would be a long march from Lou Yang.

Gates:

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/4388/419cx.jpg


Chang An:

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/8462/420q.jpg

Pi Shou - Li Jue has a very well defended city with many troops and multipule layers of walls to get to. He doesn't have many officers to lead his men which may be his weekness.

Chen Liu:

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/8610/421y.jpg

Pi Shou - our old nemesis Cao Cao. He has a decent amount of men and more than enough officers.


What should be the target of our invasion? What units should march out/ any volunteers for leading units?

Lastly, we have 1000 TP again and are able to research a lvl 1 tech. We already have the first command tech, but we could choose to save our TP until we can get the lvl 2.

Suggestions?

On a side note, At Wan the three women were doing some questionable acts. Any officer they tried to employ joined without even a debate, while the guys were unable to employ anyone. I know the game works off of the stat lines, but a couple of the guys had better stats.

[Kurgan]

I say we work to whittle down Li Jue's defenses by taking the easternmost gates he is currently in possession of. With them, our cities will be safe from direct assault from his direction.

Aside from that, I say we send a punitive force against Liu Biao and take Xin Ye. Gan Ning and Li Yan should be able to take on the city on their own, it does not appear to be heavily defended.

We have the manpower to take Cao Cao or Li Jue, but it seems to me that if we strike Cao Cao, we would leave ourselves completely open to an attack from the west, unless we capture those gates of course. However, if we strike at Li Jue, we have 15,000 men and myself stationed at Hu Lao to throw back anything Cao Cao sends our way.

((out of character, I really don't want to see Cao Cao defeated yet, if we take him and his 30 officers, it would be like playing on easy mode for the rest of the game. I say we give him more time to rebuild and expand/get conquered by npc powers. ))

[The_JJ]

Xin Ye looks ripe for the picking.