[D'rek]

Reference Thread #2 - Scenes from Rot3K Mafia

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Mafia 50: The Yellow Turban Rebellion

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Roles:


Scum:
baudin - Emurlahn - Zhang Jue (killer)
PB - Ruse - Zhang Bao (guard)
Obdigore - Thyrllan - Feng Xu (symp and backup killer)

Town:
Hoosier - Kaschan - He Jin (healer)
Shin - Karat - Zhu Jun (guard)
Silencer - Omtose - Huangfu Song (finder and suicide bomber)
Sixty - Ampelas - Lu Zhi (vig)
DiBs - Hood's Path - Dong Zhuo (teacher)

Grief - D'riss - Liu Yan
Slick - Sorrit - Yuan Shao
dkt - Serc - Sun Jian
Bwgan - Galayn Lord - Cao Cao

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Scenes:


***NOTE: These scenes were not originally written with a series of games in mind. Some of the scenes were altered after the game to match up with the rest of the plot of the series. Furthermore, some player characters that were "killed" return in the next game anyways.



Start of Game:

Quote

It is a general truism of this world that anything long divided will surely unite, and anything long united will surely divide. At the end of the Zhou Dynasty, seven kingdoms vied for supremacy, and became part of the Qin Dynasty. Similarly, after the Qin Dynasty was destroyed, Chu and Han vied for supremacy, and became a part of the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty had ruled over a unified empire ever since Emperor Gaozu chopped a white serpent in half.[1] Later on, Emperor Guangwu reestablished control of the country.[2] After that, control of the empire was maintained through the generations until the time of Emperor Xian, whereupon the empire divided into three kingdoms. If one were to deduce the origins of the Han Dynasty's decline, one might start with Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling. Emperor Huan imprisoned many gentleman of talent, and put the palace eunuchs on a pedestal.[3] Then Emperor Huan passed away, and Emperor Ling ascended the throne. Commander-in-Chief Dou Wu and Grand Tutor Chen Fan were two of his closest advisors. When eunuchs such as Cao Jie began to abuse their power, Dou Wu and Chen Fan plotted the assassination of the head eunuchs. However, their secret was revealed, and Dou Wu and Chen Fan were assassinated instead. From then on, the eunuchs became more depraved than ever.

At that time, there lived three brothers in Julu Commandery: Zhang Jue, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang. Zhang Jue was a failure in the county level examination. He had gone into the mountains to gather some medicinal herbs, when he came across an old man; the old man had a youthful countenance, and was carrying a walking stick fashioned from the hardened stalk of a goosefoot plant. The old man beckoned Jue into a cave, presented him with a book in three volumes which had come from the heavens, then said, "This book is called The Essential Art of Great Peace. Once you have mastered its contents, you will represent the heavens in spreading this knowledge, and thereby save all of mankind. If you start to have second thoughts, there will be terrible consequences for you." Jue enquired as to the old man's name. The old man said, "I am the old immortal spirit from the southern lands."[8] With that, the old man vanished into thin air.

Upon receiving this book, Jue practiced night and day. Eventually, he could summon the wind and rain, and came to be known as the Great Peace Daoist. Within the first lunar month, during the first year of Emperor Ling's Zhongping era,[9] an epidemic had spread throughout the country side. Zhang Jue made charmed water,[10] which he used to cure the peoples' sickness. He gave himself the title of great and virtuous teacher. Jue had developed a following of more than five hundred people, who spread to the four-corners of the empire. All of them had learned how to write magic charms and chant spells. Later on as he gathered more followers, Jue organized his disciples into 36 chapters --- a large chapter numbered well over 10,000 people, whereas a small chapter might contain six or seven thousand, --- and each chapter had its own commander, who was called a general. Rumors abounded that, "The blue skies of spring are now dead, and the yellow skies of summer are upon us."[11] People were also saying, "This is the 'Yang Wood Rat' year, first year of the sixty year cycle,[12] a hugely auspicious turn of events in the world."

Zhang Jue worked both day and night to build his army. He called himself general of the heavens, --- Zhang Bao was called general of the earth, and Zhang Liang was called general of the people. --- They proclaimed to the multitudes that, "The end of the Han is at hand; the great saint has arrived; all of you must abide by the will of heaven in order to accommodate the great peace. Four to five hundred thousand common people, from the four corners of the empire, tied yellow turbans around their heads, and followed Zhang Jue into rebellion. The bandit rebels wielded a huge amount of power, and easily routed the government troops in battle after battle. He Jin petitioned the emperor to quickly issue an edict, ordering defensive preparations in every region, so that a campaign could be launched against the bandit rebels. In addition, he dispatched Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun --- all three of them being commanders of a their own team of palace guards --- to launch campaigns against the bandit rebels from three different directions.

--Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Day 1 lynch:

Path-Shaper, on 28 July 2009 - 08:56 PM, said:

7 votes Serc (Karatallid, Galayn Lord, Sorrit, Hood's Path, Ampelas, Kaschan, Thyrllan)



People from the households of eight administrative regions --- Qingzhou,
Youzhou, Xuzhou, Jizhou, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Yanzhou and Yuzhou --- all
worshiped the great and virtuous teacher Zhang Jue. Jue secretly sent one of his
cronies, Ma Yuanyi, to offer gifts of gold and fine cloth to the eunuchs of the Emperor,
in order to establish friendly relations, so that he could have internal conspirators.
Jue discussed the situation with his two brothers, saying, "The hardest thing is to
win over the peoples' hearts. Right now, the people are already on our side. If we
do not seize this opportunity to take over the world, it will truly be a pity."
He dispatched his disciple Tang Zhou to deliver a fake letter which would be
intercepted by the eunuchs. Acting on his plan, the Ten Regular Attendants
went straight to the Emperor and reported that Sun Jian was collaborating with
the Yellow Turbans. The emperor ordered Commander-in-chief He Jin to dispatch
troops to arrest Sun Jian, who was subsequently beheaded. Following that,
He Jin rounded up all Sun Jian's ilk, and threw them all in prison.

Serc (dktorode) is dead. He was Sun Jian of the Han.

Middle of Night 1 for no particular reason:

Path-Shaper, on 28 July 2009 - 11:30 PM, said:

It was a dark and stormy night. The armies of Zhang Lu fared far better then all the others at coping with the many weeks away from their homes, as Zhang Lu's followers all followed the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice, a Taoist sect that disapproves of any sort of sex, whatsoever, and thus the men didn't miss their wives nearly as much as the other armies.

There were 3 hours and 30 minutes left in the night.

End of night 1:

Path-Shaper, on 29 July 2009 - 02:58 AM, said:

At this time, the imperial troops under Yuan Shao were occupying Wancheng. Zhang Mancheng led his
army on an attack, and Yuan SHao sent his officer Yan Liang out to fight. Zhang Mancheng sent Zhao Hong
and Han Zhong to attack the southwest corner of the city. Yuan Shao gathered up all of his best troops under,
and deployed them to the southwest corner under the command of his officer Wen Chou to defend against the
rebels. In the meantime, Zhang Mancheng set loose a force of 2,000 armored cavalry, and made a direct play
for the northeast corner. The imperial troopsfeared that they would lose the city, and immediately abandoned
the southwest corner so that they could regroup. Zhao Hong took them by surprise from the rear; having
suffered a major defeat, the imperial troops now retreated into Wancheng as fast as possible. Zhang Mancheng
divided his forces, and surrounded the city on all sides. The city was now cut off from any new food supplies,
so Yuan Shao sent Wen Chou out of the city to say that they were ready to surrender.

Sorrit (Slick Mongoose) is dead. He was Yuan Shao of the Han.

------------------

It is now Day 2. 32 hours, 0 minutes remaining.

10 players still alive: Ampelas, D'riss, Emurlahn, Galayn Lord, Hood's Path, Karatallid, Kaschan, Omtose, Ruse, Thyrllan

6 votes to lynch. 5 to go to night.

No one has voted.

mid-day 2

Path-Shaper, on 29 July 2009 - 12:38 PM, said:

Omtose (Silencer) has been modkilled. He was Huangfu Song of the Han.

end of day 2

Path-Shaper, on 30 July 2009 - 12:19 PM, said:

There was no lynch. It is now night 2. 6 hours remain.

end of night 2

Path-Shaper, on 30 July 2009 - 02:19 PM, said:

Before many days it was announced that the rebellion had actually broken out, and a Yellow Scarves chieftain, Cheng Yuanzhi, had invaded the region with a body of fifty thousand rebels. He Jin bade Zhu Jun and his forces to go out to oppose them with their thirty thousand troops. Zhu Jun joyfully undertook to lead the van and marched to the foot of the Daxing Hills where they saw the rebels. The rebels wore their hair flying about their shoulders, and their foreheads were bound with yellow scarves.

When the two armies had been drawn up opposite each other, Zhu Jun rode to the front, Wu Fu to his left, Ding Yuan to his right.

Flourishing his whip, Zhu Jun began to hurl reproaches at the rebels, crying, "O malcontents! Why not dismount and be bound?" Their leader Cheng Yuanzhi, full of rage, sent out one general, Deng Mao, to begin the battle. At once rode forward Wu Fu, his serpent halberd poised to strike. One thrust and Deng Mao rolled off his horse, pierced through the heart. At this Ding Yuan whipped up his steed and rode forth with sword raised ready to slay Cheng Yuanzhi. But Cheng Yuanzhi swung up his ponderous green-dragon saber and rode at Zhu Jun. At the sight, fear seized upon Zhu Jun, and before he could defend himself, the great saber fell, cutting him in halves.

Their leader fallen, the imperial troops threw away their weapons and fled. The rebel soldiers dashed in among them. Many thousands surrendered and the victory was complete. Thus this part of the imperial control was broken up.

Karatallid (Shinrei) is dead. He was Zhu Jun of the Han.

End of day 3

Path-Shaper, on 31 July 2009 - 05:02 PM, said:

5 votes Thyrllan (Ruse, D'riss, Emurlahn, Thyrllan, Hood's Path)


Gongsun Muo was summoned into the Imperial Palace by the Empress He, but was interrupted by Feng Xu inside the palace before he reached her. Outside, his sub-generals Zhang Pi and Gongsun Du waited long. By and by, impatient at the delay, they called through the gate, "Thy carriage awaits, O General!"

For reply the head of Gongsun Muo was flung over the wall. A decree was proclaimed: "Gongsun Muo has contemplated treachery and therefore has been slain! It pardons his adherents."

Gongsun Du shouted, "The eunuchs have slain the High Minister. Let those who will slay this wicked party come and help me!"

Then one of Gongsun Muo's generals, Wu Kuang, set fire to the gate. Yuan Shu at the head of his guards burst in and fell to slaying the eunuchs without regard to age or rank. Zhang Pi and Gongsun Du broke into the inner part of the Palace. Four of the eunuchs---Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng---fled to the Blue Flower Lodge where they were hacked to pieces. Fire raged, destroying the buildings.

Four of the Ten Regular Attendants---Feng Xu, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, and Zhang Rang---led by Feng Xu carried off the Empress, Emperor Bian, and Prince Xian of Chenliu toward the North Palace.

Huangfu Song, since he had resigned office, was at home, but hearing of the revolution in the Palace he donned his armor, took his spear, and prepared to fight.

He saw Eunuch Zhang Rang hurrying the Empress along and called out, "You rebel, how dare you abduct the Empress?"

The eunuch fled. The Empress leaped out of a window and was taken to a place of safety.

General Wu Kuang burst into one of the inner halls where he found He Miao, sword in hand.

"You also were in the plot to slay your own brother," cried Wu Kuang. "You shall die with the others!"

"Let us kill the plotter against his elder brother!" cried many.

He Miao looked around: His enemies hemmed him in on every side. He was hacked to pieces.

Yuan Shu bade his soldiers scatter and seek out all the families of the eunuchs, sparing none. In that slaughter many beardless men were killed in error.

Gongsun Du set himself to extinguish the fires. He then begged Empress He to undertake the direction of affairs, and soldiers were sent to pursue Feng Xu and rescue the young Emperor and the young Prince of Chenliu.

Meanwhile, Feng Xu had hustled away the Emperor and the Prince. They burst through the smoke and fire and traveled without stopping till they reached the Beimang Hills. It was then the third watch. They heard a great shouting behind them and saw soldiers in pursuit. Their leader, Min Gong, a commander in Henan, was shouting, "Traitors, stop, stop!"

Feng Xu, seeing that he was lost, jumped into the river, where he was drowned.

Thyrllan (Obdigore) is dead. He was Feng Xu of the Han.

End of night 3

Path-Shaper, on 31 July 2009 - 05:24 PM, said:

Zhao Hong and Sun Zhong led their bandit army in an attack on Chang An. He Jin
saw that Hong's army was powerful, and withdrew for the time being. Hong took
advantage of the situation and again took control of Wang Pin Gate. Jin traveled
about ten li, then made camp. Just as he was about to mount an attack, he suddenly
saw a group of horses and men approaching from due east. In the lead was a man
with a wide forehead and broad face, a torso like a tiger's, and a waist like a
bear's; he was from Shouzhang. His surname was Bao, his given name was Zhong.
He was the brother of the Imperial Inspector Bao Xin and known for his martial
prowess all across the land.

He Jin was overjoyed, and ordered Zhong to attack the south gate; Liu Bei
would attack the north gate, Yuan Shu would attack the west gate, and the
east gate was given over to the bandits so that they could make their
exit. Bao Zhong first climbed onto the city wall, then he slew more than twenty
of the bandit rebels. The bandit rebels all scattered. Zhao Hong charged on his
horse at full speed, his long lance raised, directly toward Bao Zhong. Bao Zhong
tried to leap from the city wall and grab Hong's lance, but Hong pivoted at
the last moment and skewered him mid-fall. Hong turned about
his horse and rode back and forth at high speeds, killing imperial troops.
Sun Zhong led his bandits out the north gate, directly toward He Jin.
Unintentionally caught up in the heat of battle, all He Jin's men
could think about was fleeing. Sun Zhong drew back an arrow onto his
bow, and shot at He Jin, who fell over off of his horse when the arrow struck
home. After that, Zhao Hong's vast army went on a killing rampage before anyone
had time to react. They took tens of thousands of heads, and it became
impossible to tally up all of the imperial troops who
surrendered.

Kaschan (Hoosierdaddy) is dead. He was He Jin of the Han.

End of day 4:

Path-Shaper, on 31 July 2009 - 06:02 PM, said:

Zhang Bao was commanding some eighty thousand troops. The rebel had led his army to a strong position in the rear of the hills. An attack being decided upon, the court dispatched an army under Xiao Qiao. Liu Bei was the van leader. On the rebel side a general of Zhang Bao, Gao Sheng, came out to offer battle. Liu Bei sent Zhang Fei to smite Gao Sheng. Out rode Zhang Fei at full speed, his spear ready set. After a few bouts Zhang Fei wounded Gao Sheng, who was unhorsed. At this Liu Bei signaled the main army to advance.

Then Zhang Bao, while still mounted, loosened his hair, grasped his sword, and uttered his incantations. Thereupon began the wind to howl and the thunder to roll, while a dense black cloud from the heavens settled upon the field. And therein seemed to be horsemen and footmen innumerable, who swept to attack the imperial troops. Fear came upon them, and Liu Bei led off his troops, but they were in disorder and returned defeated.

Xiao Qiao and Liu Bei considered the matter.

"Zhang Bao uses magic," said Xiao Qiao. "Tomorrow, then, will I prepare counter magic in the shape of the blood of slaughtered swine and goats. This blood shall be sprinkled upon their hosts from the precipices above by soldiers in ambush. Thus shall we be able to break the power of their shamanic art."

So it was done. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei took each a thousand troops and hid them on the high cliffs behind the hills, and they had a plentiful supply of the blood of swine and goats and all manners of filthy things. And so next day, when the rebels with fluttering banners and rolling drums came out to challenge, Liu Bei rode forth to meet them. At the same moment that the armies met, again Zhang Bao began his magic and again the elements began to struggle together. Sand flew in clouds, pebbles were swept along the ground, black masses of vapor filled the sky, and rolling masses of foot and horse descended from on high. Liu Bei turned, as before, to flee and the rebels rushed on. But as they pressed through the hills, the trumpets blared, and the hidden soldiers exploded bombs, threw down filth and spattered blood. The masses of soldiers and horses in the air fluttered to the earth as fragments of torn paper, the wind ceased to blow, the thunder subsided, the sand sank, and the pebbles lay still upon the ground.

Zhang Bao quickly saw his magic had been countered and turned to retire. Then he was attacked on the flanks by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and in rear by Liu Bei and Xiao Qiao. The rebels were routed. Liu Bei, seeing from afar the banner of Zhang Bao The General of Earth, galloped toward it but only succeeded in wounding Zhang Bao with an arrow in the left arm. Wounded though he was, Zhang Bao got away into the city of Yangcheng, where he fortified himself and was besieged by Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao pressed harder yet upon Yangcheng, and the approaching break-up of the rebellion became evident. Then one of Zhang Bao's officers, Han Xian, killed his leader and brought the head in token of submission. Thus rebellion in that part of the country was stamped out, and Xiao Qiao made her report to the government.

Ruse (PB) is dead. He was Zhang Bao of the Yellow Turbans

End of game:

Path-Shaper, on 31 July 2009 - 06:31 PM, said:

Acting on the conclusion that you are all dead-set on voting Emur as soon as day starts again:


It was the ninth lunar month. Emperor Xian sent a messenger to Dong Zhuo (who had assumed command of the imperial armies after He Jin's demise) for news on the pacification of the Han's provinces from the Yellow Turban menace.

The messenger reported back, saying, "Cao Cao has won a major victory against Zhang Liang, and after He Jin's defeats, Dong Zhuo proceeded with all haste to Xu Chang to replace him. When Zhuo arrived, Zhang Liang was already dead. Zhang Jue was now the only remaining leader, and was locked in battle with our forces. Zhang Jue lost seven straight battles to the combined might of Dong Zhuo and Liu Yan's troops arriving from Ru Nan, and was beheaded in Quyang. The rebels tried to escape with his body, but Liu Yan recovered Zhang Jue's casket; then they mutilated his body, and sent the head back to the capital so that it could be posted high on a wooden pole for all to see. All of the remaining followers surrendered."

The court granted Liu Yan the title of general of chariots and cavalry, and made him overlord of Jizhou. Also, Dong Zhuo submitted a petition to the emperor on behalf of Lu Zhi, emphasizing his innocence and his achievements. The court restored Lu Zhi to his original position. Cao Cao was awarded with a new post as well, thanks to his own achievements. He was made minister of Jinan; he disbanded his army that very day, and departed for his new post.

After Emperor Xian listened to the report, he pressed the governors of the other provinces to attack the remaining Yellow Turban bastions with all their might. The bandit rebels' situation was desperate. The bandit rebel leaders were exceedingly harsh in their governance; He Yi, who had assumed command after Zhang Liang was assassinated, and his head was offered as proof of his followers' sincerity in wanting to surrender. Thus, Lu Zhi pacified several commanderies; he submitted a report to the emperor which listed all of the loot obtained from the campaign, disbanded the imperial armies and returned to the capitol to assume He Jin's former position of Regent Marshal.

Emurlahn (baudin) is dead. He was Zhang Jue of the Yellow Turbans.


The Han forces have won the game:

He Jin - Kaschan (Hoosierdaddy)

Zhu Jun - Karatallid (Shinrei)
Huangfu Song - Omtose (Silencer)
Lu Zhi - Ampelas (Sixty)

Cao Cao - Galayn Lord (Bwgan)
Liu Yan - D'riss (Grief)
Sun Jian - Serc (dktorode)
Yuan Shao - Sorrit (Slick Mongoose)



The Yellow Turbans have been defeated:

Zhang Jue - Emurlahn (baudin)
Zhang Bao - Ruse (Peanutbutta)
Feng Xu - Thyrllan (Obdigore)




Please clear your inboxes and report to Spoiler Heaven. Password is "diaochan".

This post has been edited by Path-Shaper: 28 September 2011 - 05:20 PM

[D'rek]

Mafia 51: The Tyranny of Dong Zhuo

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Roles:


Town:

Atrahal (obdi) - Yuan Shao - healer
Kessobahn (hinter) - Gongsun Du - duel enhancer
Sorrit (morgy) - Yuan Shu - supplier

Anomandaris (grief)- Cao Cao - finder
Korlat (shin) - Sun Jian - BP
Gamelon (baudin) - Liu Bei - good dueller (can beat lu bu)

Olar Ethil (pb) - Qiao Mao
Karosis (bent) - Yuan Yi
Okaros (tapper) - Han Fu
Korbas (gem) - Bao Xin
Eloth (sixty) - Wang Kuang
Silanah (venge) - Kong Zhou dueled by Lu Bu (Amp) day 1
Kalse (dibs) - Zhang Miao


Scum:

Anthras (Ment) - Dong Zhuo - supplier
Ampelas (alt) - Lu Bu - killer
Karatallid (stalker) - Diao Chan - symp to Lu Bu
Alkend (dkt) - Li Ru - finder

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Scenes:

Pre-rules:

Path-Shaper, on 18 August 2009 - 06:35 PM, said:

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms - Chapter 2: The Tyranny of Dong Zhuo

When the Yellow Turban rebels were defeated and peace was restored across the land, the ministers of Han returned to the capital and restored Emperor Shao to his throne. They all broke down in tears. They conducted a thorough search of the palace, but did not find the Heirloom Jade Seal of the Realm.

Let us now turn to former general Dong Zhuo - the marquis of Tai Village, and governor of Xiliang Province - who had played an important role in the defeat of the Yellow Turbans. He was in charge a large army of 200,000 men in Xizhou, but harboured feelings of disloyalty. Soon, he received decree summoning him to the capital to replace Yuan Wei as Minister of Works and bring virtue to the realm. Dong Zhuo was overjoyed. He called up the army and cavalry, and marched them nonstop. He placed his son-in-law, Commander of the Palace Guard Niu Fu, in charge of defending Shaanxi. He led the rest of the army toward Luoyang, accompanied by people such as Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji and Fan Chou. Li Ru, Zhuo's son-in-law and advisor, said, "Even though our intention is to obey the decree, there are many vagaries within its text; why not send someone with a petition to the emperor which clearly states our intentions, so that we may accomplish great things."

Dong Zhuo stationed his troops outside the city. Everyday, he led his armored cavalry into the city, and ran amuck in the markets. The citizenry was uneasy. Zhuo brazenly entered and exited the palace. Captain of the rear army Bao Xin came to see Wang Yun, and told him that Dong Zhuo must have some ulterior motive, and that they should get rid of him. Yun replied, "The court has just been reestablished, we cannot do anything rash." Bao Xin then went to see Yuan Shao, and told him the same thing. Shao said, "Dong Zhuo has many loyal soldiers in the capital and we have none. We must flee Luo Yang, summon an army and return in force."

They fled Luo Yang and forged an imperial edict, then gathered everyone under their commands, both military and civilian alike. Yuan Shao led a total of 30,000 soldiers from Bohai to meet up with Cao Cao and form an alliance. Cao drafted an official call to arms, which was to be sent to all of the commanderies. Once Cao issued the official call to arms, the nobles from each of the garrisons all raised armies in response. They were:

Yuan Shu, governor of Nanyang Commandery, General of the Rear.
Han Fu, governor of Jizhou Province.
Kong Zhou, governor of Yuzhou Province.
Liu Dai, governor of Yanzhou Province.
Wang Kuang, governor of Henei Commandery.
Zhang Miao, governor of Chenliu Commandery.
Qiao Mao, governor of Dong Commandery.
Yuan Yi, governor of Shanyang Commandery.
Bao Xin, chief minister of the Kingdom of Jibei.
Kong Rong, governor of Beihai Commandery.
Zhang Chao, governor of Guangling Commandery.
Tao Qian, governor of Xuzhou Province.
Ma Teng, governor of Xiliang Commandery.
Gongsun Du, governor of Beiping Commandery.
Zhang Yang, governor of Shangdang Commandery.
Sun Jian, governor of Changsha Commandery, Marquis of Wucheng.

The assembled generals all agreed that Yuan Shao should lead their alliance.


When news of this uprising reached Dong Zhuo, he personally lead his own forces from Luo Yang. Among his advisors and generals were:

Guo Si
Li Jue
Fan Chou
Lu Bu
Li Ru
Li Su
Hua Xiong
Xu Rong
Zhang Liao
Dong Min
Niou Fu
Hu Zhen
Zhao Cen

The two forces converged on the mountainous pass of Hu Lao Gate, where the fate of the empire would be decided...

Path-Shaper, on 19 August 2009 - 05:52 PM, said:

Lu Bu is charging out of Hu Lao Gate!!!

Lu Bu challenges Kong Zhou to a duel and kills him. Kong Zhou was Silanah (Vengeance).

Path-Shaper, on 19 August 2009 - 06:17 PM, said:

The snow obscured almost all visibility, but a force could be heard over the next rise. Wang Kuang raised his lance and charged forward, shouting "I am Wang Kuang, who dare challenge me?". He reined in only to realize his opponent was none other than Han Fu.

The two allies turned about and retreated without a fight. Eloth is Wang Kuang, Okaros is Han Fu.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 02:39 AM, said:

Hearing of Kong Zhou's defeat at Hu Lao Gate, Liu Bei and his sworn brothers mounted their steeds and made all haste towards the pass. On the way, they happened upon the mounted forces of Li Ru and gave chase! Li Ru used all manner of clever tactics, from fire traps to the Eight Pillar Maze, but the three brothers persevered and caught up with Li Ru at the base of Si Shui Pass. Unwilling to allow the enemy a chance to enter the pass, Hua Xiong refused to open the gates, and Li Ru died while shouting curses at Hua Xiong on the wall.

Liu Bei (Gamelon) has routed Alkend.

Alkend (dktorode) has died. He was of Dong Zhuo's forces.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 02:43 AM, said:

Guo Si (not a player) of Dong Zhuo's forces courageously rode forth to battle the enemy in single combat. He was annihilated by an unrevealed officer.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 10:01 AM, said:

Kessobahn is dead, he was annihilated.

He was Hinter and Gongsun Du.

I'll leave scene (if any) to D'rek for that.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 01:46 PM, said:

Lü Bu lead a contingent of 3,000 armored cavalry out of Hu Lao Pass to face Yuan Shao's forces. Wang Kuang looked back and said, "Who is daring enough to go out and fight?" An officer in back of him galloped out on his horse, his spear in hand. Kuang saw that it was his famed officer from Henei Commandery, Fang Yue. The two squared off against each other; after not more than five bouts, he was stabbed by Lü Bu's trident halberd. Lü Bu then raised his halberd, and charged straight at them. Kuang's army was soundly defeated, and scattered in all four directions. Bu rode back and forth, killing everyone in his path, as if they were not even there. Fortunately, both the armies of Qiao Mao and Yuan Yi had arrived, and came to Wang Kuang's rescue. It was only then that Lü Bu retreated. The three of them had lost a number of horses and men, so they retreated for 30 li, and made camp. Later, the other five armies arrived, and they all got together to discuss the matter; they were saying things like Lü Bu was a hero, and that nobody could stand against him.

While they were considering the matter, a junior officer came to report that Lü Bu was calling them out to fight. The eight nobles all mounted their horses in unison. They split up into eight armies, while Bu watched them from a hilltop. Lü Bu took a group of cavalry, their embroidered flags fluttering in the wind, and charged ahead. Mu Shun, an officer under the command of Shangdang Commandery governor Zhang Yang, rode out on his horse, his spear in hand, to meet him in battle. He was knocked off of his horse from a single thrust of Lü Bu's halberd. Everyone was shocked. Wu Anguo, an officer under the command of Beihai Commandery governor Kong Rong, galloped out on his horse with his iron mallet in his hand. With a flourish of his halberd, Lü Bu smacked his horse on the rump, and rode out to intercept him. After more than ten bouts, a swipe of his halberd had cut off Anguo's hand at the wrist. He threw his mallet on the ground, and rode off. As soon as the soldiers from all eight armies had come out in unison to rescue Wu Anguo, Lü Bu retreated. All of the nobles returned to camp to discuss the matter. Cao Cao said, "Lü Bu is brave and has no equal in battle; we should gather the eighteen nobles to come up with a good strategy. If we were to capture Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo would be easy to kill."

While they were discussing the matter, Lü Bu again led his troops out to challenge the nobles to battle. The eight nobles all went out in unison. Ma Teng, wielding his long lance, personally fought with Lü Bu. After not more than a few rounds, Teng was defeated and fled. Lü Bu made Red Hare catch up with him. His horse was capable of traveling great distances in a single day, and was as fast as the wind. When he saw that he was about to catch up, Bu raised his trident halberd and stabbed straight at the center of Teng's back. An officer on the sidelines, who had big round eyes and whiskers that stood up on end, held up his 1.8 zhang snake lance and yelled out while galloping at full speed, "Don't run off, you house servant with three surnames! I, Zhang Fei from Yan, am here!"

When Lü Bu saw this, he abandoned his pursuit of Ma Teng, and took on Zhang Fei instead. Fei fought valiantly in a pitched battle against Lü Bu. They fought for more than fifty consecutive bouts, with no clear winner or loser. When Guan Yu saw this, he slapped his horse on the rump, gave a flourish with his 82 catty Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and attacked Lü Bu from the other side so that Lü Bu was trapped between them. The three horses had now formed a "T" shape as they fought. After fighting for thirty bouts, they were unable to bring down Lü Bu. Then Liu Bei drew both of the straight swords that he was wearing on his hips, and raced out on his yellow-maned horse from the side so that he could also assist in the fighting.

The three of them surrounded Lü Bu, and fought with him in a manner that resembled one of those toy lanterns which are adorned with a revolving circle of paper horses. The armies of the eight nobles were all dumbfounded. Lü Bu fought and parried, but was unable to hold them off indefinitely. Seeing Liu Bei's face, he halfheartedly stabbed with his trident halberd, but Bei quickly dodged the attack. Lü Bu recklessly forced his way through the forward double-column formation of soldiers, his painted halberd in tow, and sped off on his horse in defeat. But the three of them were in no mood to let him get away, so they slapped their horses on the rump and chased after him. The forces of the eight nobles let out a thunderous roar, and charged in unison. Lü Bu's forces fled to the top of the pass. Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were following right behind him when they all disappeared from sight of the army.

The three brothers returned at dawn. They had driven off Lu Bu, but their horses were unable to outmatch Lu Bu's Red Hare and they could not kill him. The 8 general's had advanced upon Hu Lao Gate and Lu Bu's forces were no more.

Ampelas (Alt146) is dead. He was Lu Bu of Dong Zhuo's forces.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 05:04 PM, said:

The day passed and all around Luo Yang armies marched, soldiers battled, bombards sounded, catapults fired and supply wagons rumbled across the blood-soaked plains. As the sun rose the next morning, where once had stood Wang Kuang's forces there was nothing but ashes.

Eloth (sixty) is dead. He was Wang Kuang of Yuan Shao's forces.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 05:49 PM, said:

Yuan Shao was all like "I'm going into Luo Yang", and his underlings were all like "uh, sure". At the gates, he ran into Li Jue, who stabbed Shao before he could draw a sword.

Atrahal (Obdigore) was defeated by someone who is not a player.

Atrahal (Obdigore) is dead. He was Yuan Shao of Yuan Shao's forces.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 06:58 PM, said:

Cao Cao sent his cavalry against an approaching army, but it was totally just Liu Bei playing tricks.

Anomandaris (Cao Cao) retreated from Gamelon (Liu Bei).

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 10:48 PM, said:

Han Fu was complaining about a pain in his side, so he got the doctor Zuo Ci to take a look. Zuo Ci declared that there was a bobcat in Han Fu's side and promptly performed surgery to remove it. The bobcat jumped out and eviscerated Han Fu's before fleeing.

Okaros (Tapper) is Han Fu is dead. He was annihilated by an unknown bobcat officer.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 10:52 PM, said:

Yuan Yi and Qiao Mao got into a slapping fight because Qiao spilt Yuan's crumpets. After pulling their general's apart, the officers of each army decided to retreat.

Karosis is Yuan Yi. Olar Ethil is Qiao Mao.

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 10:56 PM, said:

Yuan Yi was tripping on opium and not a good navigator. He would up hundreds of miles off-course in the Nan territory, a poisonous swamp of savages that would one day be northern Vietnam. He found a man wearing oil-soaked bamboo armor, called this man a "ventriloquist flamingo made of comets" and was promtply impaled by said man, who was none other than Wu Tugu.

Path-Shaper (D'rek) has killed Karosis. Wu Tugu remains alive and will soon tell his king Meng Huo and lead a Nanman invasion to wipe out the entire Han! Put aside your petty squabbles and join forces or you will have no chance against the Nanmen! Also, the nanman's one weakness is totally *not* fire, so don't even bother trying that...

Path-Shaper, on 20 August 2009 - 11:49 PM, said:

9 players still alive: Anomandaris, Anthras, Gamelon, Kalse, Karatallid, Korbas, Korlat, Olar Ethil, Sorrit

5 votes to lynch, 5 to go to night.

5 votes Anthras (Gamelon, Olar Ethil, Kalse, Sorrit, Anomandaris)

Anthras (Mentalist) is dead. He was Dong Zhuo.

It is now night. You have 5 1/2 hours remaining.

I hope I didn't fuck something up.

Path-Shaper, on 21 August 2009 - 10:09 AM, said:

Qiao Mao, made uneasy by the raiding tactics of the light cavalry that remained in service to Dong Zhou, assembled his skirmishers to prepare an ambush. With few supplies and no armor to allow for swift travel, he and his men set out to find the light cavalry in the forests they were hid in, counting on the trees to break any charge the cavalry might mount. At night, they marched, by day, they hid. One day, they found entrance to a cave that was stashed with weaponry and supplies. Qiao Mao, leading from the front, quickly vanquished the few guards and took hold of the cave, preparing his ambush.

When his scouts reported the return of the cavalry, he was overjoyed. Joy turned into worry however when the regiments did not get near the cave, but camped in a semi-circle around it, well aware of Qiao Mao's presence. While the cave did not lack in food or weapons, there was no well, and soon, Qiao Mao's men were parched with thirst. Planning to break through or die trying, Qiao Mao led his regiments out, waving his nine-ring sword and bellowing a challenge to his enemies.

The challenge was answered when a masked champion rode forth from the enemy command group, tasseled lance levelled and already gathering speed. Qiao Mao, not to be outdone in bravery, left the ranks of his troops, hoping to restore their morale through a victory in single combat, but his hope and his skull were dashed by the hooves of the swift mare his opponent was mounted on.

With Qiao Mao's demise, his troops scattered, chased down by the light cavalry of Zhou's domain.

Olar Ethil aka Qiao Mao (PB) is dead. He was an officer in Yuan Shu's army.

Path-Shaper, on 21 August 2009 - 10:54 AM, said:

QUOTE (Korlat @ Aug 21 2009, 06:50 AM) Draw is supposed to be revealed on thread.


Two players duel. There is a draw.




Just to clarify: the chart in SH says something different about draws. Game on.

- Tapper

Path-Shaper, on 21 August 2009 - 11:21 AM, said:

Under leadership of Liu Bei, the commanders gathered their armies and marched on Luo Yang, scattering the enemies in their path to the wind. Dong Zhou's remaining generals withdrew to the capital, intending to make their stand before and on the walls. The allied troops started with circumvalation of the mighty bulwarks, from which streamed the emperors banners, only a single standard with Dong Zhou's sign above the South Gate.

Liu Bei himself was the first general to lead an assault on the city, but he was initially repelled and wounded in the shoulder by the guard surrounding Lu Bu's mistress, Diao Chan, who commanded that section of the wall. Then, Zhang Miao, seized by the wish to end the war and moved by his desire to be the first over the wall, led his regiments under cover of great iron shields to the South Gate. Not to be outdone, Yuan Shu assembled the great machines of war on his supply wagons, and brought a ram to the gate. Furious fighting commenced when the gate was smashed, and it was Bao Xin and his retinue of heavy cavalry who were the first to break into the city and crash into the elite infantry that had taken position around the banner of Dong Zhou. Long and hard was the fight, and many valiant soldiers and heroes fell, but finally, Zhang Miao, Yuan Shu and Bao Xin, assisted by the infantry under command of Sun Jian took the banner from the dead hands of lady Diao Chan, the last remaining rebel leader.

Karatallid (stalker) is dead, he was Diao Chan.

Town won.

Password to SH is menghuo

Kudos to D'rek for a highly entertaining game.

This post has been edited by D'rek: 27 July 2011 - 09:51 PM

[D'rek]

Mafia 58: The Rise of Heroes

---

Roles:

Bubba/Galayn Lord:
Zhang Lu >> Yang Dajang >> Yang Dajang

The Dude/Ruse:
Yang Feng >> Huang Zhong

Baudin/Telas:
Zhang Ji

General King/Anomandaris:
Sun Ce

alt146/Okaros:
Han Xuan

Peanutbutta/Meanas:
Tao Qian >> Yan Liang

Silencer/Liosan:
Liu Biao >> Lü Fan

Gem Windcaster/Sukul Ankhadu:
Yuan Shao

Gwynn ap Nude/Spite:
Liu Zhang

Shinrei/Tulas Shorn:
Gongsun Du >> Wei Xu >> Wei Xu

Illuyankas/Tennes:
Cao Cao

Mentalist/Omtose:
Han Sui >> Ji Ling >> Ji Ling >> Ji Ling

Grief/Korbas:
Yuan Shu

Morgoth/Korvalain:
Lu Bu

---

Scenes:

D, on 05 December 2009 - 04:01 AM, said:

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms - Chapter 3: The Rise of Heroes



In the last days of the Han Empire's authority, when men of worth still sought to serve the Empire at the capital in Chang'an, there was an auspicious meeting between ______, the Imperial Protector, ______, Imperial Inspector of Yizhou, and First Field Marshal _______.

That morning, while the Imperial Protector was watering his plants, two of the Field Marshal's generals led a score of men into the garden, summoning the Imperial Protector to the garden of the Field Marshal. There, a smiling ________ greeted the Imperial Protector, as well as, _______, Imperial Inspector of Yizhou, who had also just arrived. "I was admiring the plums on the branch," the Field Marshal remarked, "and having some wine just heated, I decided to invite Your Lordships for a drink at this little pavilion."

The wine had enlivened their spirits when dark clouds appeared and overspread the heavens: a flash storm was threatening. An attendant pointed to what seemed like a distant dragon suspend on the horizon. The three men leaned against the balcony and watched it.

"Do my lords understand the dragon's multiform manifestations?" asked the Field Marhsal of the guests.

"Not in great detail," the Protector replied.

"The dragon," he continued, "can enlarge and diminish itself, surge aloft or lie beneath the surface of the water. Enlarged, it creates clouds and spews mist. Diminished, it can veil its scaly form from view. Aloft, it prances triumphant in the upper realm of space. Under the surface, it lurks among the surging breakers. Now in the fullness of spring it mounts the season, like men who would fulfill an ambition to dominate the length and breadth of the land. In this respect the dragon can well be compared to the heroes of the age. You gentlemen have traveled widely and surely must be familiar with the great heroes of our time. Please try and point them our for me."

"How can these eyes of mine sight heroes?" the Protector said. "Set your modesty aside," the Field Marshal urged. "Thanks to His Excellency's gracious benefaction," the Inspector responded, "We each have succeeded in serving the dynasty. But as for the heroes of the realm, such things are more than we would know of." "Even if you do not know any personally," the Field Marshal persisted, "you should at least have heard of some."

"Yuan Shu of Huainan?" the Imperial Protector ventured. "His warriors are first rate, his provisions abundant. Would he be one?"

"Yuan Shao, then," the Imperial Inspector suggested. "For four generations the Yuans have held highest office and many officials served under them. Shao has a firm grip on Jizhou, where he is supported by capable men. Would you count him?"

The Protector asked, "And how would you rate Liu Biao, a paragon whose reputation stretches across the realm?"

"There is Sun Ce," the Inspector suggested. "The leader of the Southland is in his prime."

"Though he wanders with no lord or army, Lu Bu is still a fearless warrior who can ride a thousand li in a single day and slaughter a dozen men before dismounting. No man can match his prowess, what greater hero could there be?"

"Cao Cao has many fine officers and administers Chen Liu with a strict and efficient government."

"Fan Chou has taken over the armies of the fallen villains Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Guo Si and none dare match the strength of his armies," the Protector said, "surely he is a hero."

"Zhang Lu has administrated the dangerous region of Hanzhong for years and has mastered many of the mystical arts of the great Taoist sages, surely he is a formidable hero!" proclaimed the Inspector.

"Liu Bei is an imperial uncle and a benevolent leader to all his officers and people. When displaced, entire towns give up their livelihood to follow him to his next settlement. How can such exemplary virtue not be worthy of the title of hero?"

"Since Dong Zhuo's demise, the Zhangs Ji and Xiu have recruited many of Dong's former officers," the Inspector ventured, "perhaps they could be heroes?"

"There is Dong Cheng," the Imperial Protector put in, "he is a noble man, of the Empress' lineage and serves the realm with virtue and justice."

"Yan Baihu's fleet knows no equal across the entire Great River," suggested the Inspector. "To clash with him upon the water is to lose. Would he be a hero?"

"Liu Zhang," the Protector said, "perhaps he could be considered."

"Then," the Inspector continued "what about the great generals Yang Feng, Han Sui and Ma Teng of the west, the Gongsuns Zan and Du of the far north, Lu Kang and Wang Lang of the south-east?" "Or," added the Protector, "the Imperial-appointed Governors Tao Qian, Kong Rong, Liu Yao, Liu Dai, Zhang Yang, Jin Xuan, Zhao Fan, Han Xuan, and Liu Du? Each of these men has ample land, valiant officers and could raise an army at a moment's notice."

"Truly," said the Protector, "I can think of no one else." The Imperial Inspector agreed.

"Mediocrities, one and all," declared the Field Marshal. "Now, what defines a hero is this...

Day 1 half-day scene:

Path-Shaper, on 09 February 2010 - 05:21 AM, said:

At this time the court was in the hands of Zhang Ji, who had made himself regent-general, and Fan Chou, the self-styled regent. These two generals rode roughshod over everyone. WHo at court could protest? Grand Commandant Yang Biao and Treasurer Zhu Jun secretly petitioned Emperor Xian: "Your humble sevant has a plan to turn the two traitors against each other and then summon Cao Cao to purge their faction and secure the court." With Emperor Xian's permission, Yang Biao began manipulating Fan Chou's jealous wife to sow dissension between Zhang Ji and her husband.

One day, after Zhang Ji persuaded Fan Chou to come home with him after court. They ate and drank until late. Fan Chou went home drunk and coincidentally was seized with stomach cramps. "You've been poisoned!" cried Lady Fan, and she forced an emetic on him. He felt better after vomiting. "I collaborated with Zhang Ji in the takeover; what cause has he to do me in? If I don't act first, however, I'll be the loser," Fan Chou said and quietly readied his army for an attack on Zhang Ji. Zhang Ji, informed of Fan Chou's moves, said, "How dare he!" and sent his own forces against his own collaborator. The two armies, tens of thousands in all, fought in a free-for-all just outisde the capital, at the same time availing themselves of the opportunity to plunder the populace.

Zhang Ji's nephew, Zhang Xiu, surrounded the palace with his men. He put the sovereign in one carriage, the Empress in another, and assigned Jia Xu and Zuo Ling to escort them out of the capital. The rest of the palace staff and the women followed on foot. As they crowded through the rear gate of the ministerial house, Fan Chou's soldiers accosted them and killed many with volleys of arrows. At that moment Zhang Ji rode up and forced Fan Chou's men to give way.

Thus did the imperial party got out of the city. But, burdened by wounded and with no supplies, would they escape the grasp of the villains Fan Chou and Zhang Ji?

Day 1 lynch:

Path-Shaper, on 10 February 2010 - 01:26 AM, said:

One day Sun Ce was leading some troops in a hunt by Xishan in Dantu. They had a large deer on the run. Sun Ce's horse, given free rein, had chased it up a hillside. Sun Ce found himself among some trees, where three men with spears and bows appeared. "We are Xu Gong's men, here to avenge our lord," they cried. One of the men had raised his bow and positioned an arrow. He shot Sun Ce in the cheek. Sun Ce pulled the arrow out, took his own bow, and shot back. The man fell as the bowstring sang. The remaining two forced Sun Ce back, jabbing wildly with their lances. It was a struggle to the death. Sun Ce was stabbed in several places, and his horse was maimed. His life was hanging in the balance when Chen Pu rode up with a small party and hacked the two assailants to pieces.

Once home, Sun Ce sought the services of the healer Hua Tuo, but the physician had gone to the north, leaving behind a disciple. He was summoned to treat Sun Ce's wounds. "The arrow," the doctor observed, "was tipped with a poison that has penetrated the bone. You need a hundred days' quiet convalescence before the danger will pass - and don't let moods of anger affect you, or the wounds will not heal." Sun Ce, it so happened, had a most irascible nature and was frustrated that he could not be cured that very day.

After some twenty days of resting, the patient heard that a messenger had returned from the capital, and he called him for questioning. "Yuan Shu," the messenger began, "is quite wary of your, my lord, and his counselors respect your prestige. The only exception is Lü Fan." "And what does he have to say?" Sun Ce asked. The messenger hesitated, angering Sun Ce, who pressed him to convey facts. "Lü Fan told Yuan Shu," the envoy finally admitted, "that you were not a serious concern because you are reckless and always ill prepared, hasty and deficient in strategy, a foolhardy man sure to die by a scoundrel's hand." "That fool dares to rate me! I'll take his capital!" Sun Ce swore.

But as the shout burst from Sun Ce, his wounds reopened and he fainted. His mother had him carried to a bedchamber, but he failed to regain consciousness. With that Sun Ce passed away at the age of twenty-six.


Anomandaris(General King) is dead. He was the Warlord Sun Ce.

Day 2 half-day scene:

Path-Shaper, on 10 February 2010 - 10:19 PM, said:

The imperial procession passed Xinfeng and reached the Baling bridge. It was autumn, and a sharp west wind was blowing. Hundreds of troops clattered onto the bridge, blocking the carriages. "Who wants to pass?" a harsh voice demanded. Privy Counselor Yang Qi rode onto the bridge and answered, "The Emperor. Who dares prevent us?" Two generals stepped up to Yang Qi. "We are here," they said, "at the order of General Fan Chou, we cannot allow you to pass." The Emperor was distraught. "Out of the wolf's lair," he lamented, "and into the tiger's mouth. What can we do?" His whole entourage trembled. Fan Chou's rebels edged closer. Then, to the blast of drums another general appeared from behind a hill, unfurling a giant banner reading "Yuan Shu of the Great Han." He had one thousand soldiers ready for combat.

Hearing that the Emperor was passing, Yuan Shu had come to offier his services. Now his army stood opposite Fan Chou's. Fan Chou's general, Li Meng, rode before the two lines and denounced Yuan Shu. Shu turned to his line and called for Ji Ling, who charged out, battle-axe in hand, on a superb steed. Ling went straight for Li Meng and cut him down in a quick exchange. Yuan Shu then overpowered Fan Chou's forces and drove them off some twenty li.

The Emperor proceeded to Anyi to establish his capital there. The procession enetered Anyi, but finding no building with an upper story, the royal couple had to stay beneath the thatched roof of a simple farmhouse without a gate. A screen of brambles on all sides took the place of an outer wall. In the farmhouse the Emperor conferred with his ministers while the generals stood guard outside. There, the court first learned new reports that the armies of Sun Ce, Yang Feng, Liu Biao and Gongsun Du had all fallen. The chaos was on all sides now...

Day 2 lynch:

Path-Shaper, on 11 February 2010 - 04:42 AM, said:

After Liu Bei completed his conquest of Liu Biao's domain, he turned his eyes south to the rest of Jing province. Han Xuan, governor of Changsha just south of the river, immediately sent forth his top general Wei Yan with all the troops he could muster, but the army was decimated in a fiery ambush perfectly executed by Liu Bei's strategist, Xu Shu. With Liu Bei's troops overrunning his capital, Han Xuan fled south with his son, Han Hao, to the remote regions controlled by governor Jin Xuan. Han Xuan said, "Jin Xuan's Wu Ling has tens of thousands of troops, more than enough to hold off Liu Bei. If they receive us, we can kill the governor, take his land, and rebuild our strength until we're ready to stand against Liu Bei. That way we can recover the whole of Jing." Thus agreed, father and son presented themselves. But the governor, feigning illness, postponed their reception and kept them in a guesthouse.

Before long spies reported to the governor that Liu Bei was established in Changsha and had no intentions of marching to Wu Ling. Delighted with the news, Jin Xuan positioned armed men behind the wall hangings in the official hall and had the visitors shown in. The formalities concluded, the governor bade them be seated. It was bitter cold. Han Xuan, seeing no cushions on the floor, asked, "May we have mats?" Glaring at them, the governor said, "Your heads are going on a long journey. What do you want mats for?" Han Xuan was taken aback. Jin Xuan shouted, "Guards! What you waiting for?" The executioners rushed out and beheaded the men where they sat. The governor had their heads place in a wooden box, which he dispatched to Changsha. Liu Bei received the heads and sent to Wu Ling a thousand catties of fine silk as a token of appreciation. Thereafter, Liu Bei made no plans to conquer Wu Ling.

Okaros (alt146) is dead. He was the Warlord Han Xuan.

Day 3 half-day scene:

Path-Shaper, on 11 February 2010 - 07:19 PM, said:

The Emperor entered Luoyang and saw the ruin of his former capital - the palace buildings burned out, the streets and markets desolate. Everything was overgrown with weeds. The walls of the palaces were crumbling. Emperor Xian ordered Yuan Shu to build a small dwelling to serve as a provisional palace. In the meantime court was held in the open woods.

Grand Commandant Yang Biao appealed to the Emperor: "The decree with which you honored me has yet to be dispatched. At present Yuan Shao has the most powerful army in the northeast. He should be summoned to support the royal house." "I have so ordered," said the Emperor. "A second petition is not necessary. Send someone and be done with it." In accordance with the imperial will, an envoy was sent.

In Luoyang the Emperor found all in ruin. Even the walls were beyond repair. Moreover, reports of new threats from Fan Chou and Zhang Ji alarmed him. To Yuan Shu the Emperor said, "Our messenger has not returned. Our enemies could come at any time. What can we do?" Yuan Shu replied, "I will fight to the death to protect Your Majesty." But Dong Cheng said, "Look at our walls and how few soldiers we have! What if we fail? I recommend that Your Majesty proceed to Cao Cao's camp." The Emperor approved, and that day the court set out for the region east of Huashan. Horses were so scarce that the officials followed the Emperor's carriage on foot.

The procession was hardly under way when clouds of dust darkened the sky ahead, and the air throbbed with drums and gongs. Masses of troops loomed in the distance. Emperor and Empress were too frightened to speak. A single rider approached. It was the imperial envoy. "General Yuan Shao," he reported, "has called up every soldier in the northeast and is coming in response to your decree. He has sent Yan Liang on ahead with ten top generals and fifty thousand picked men to deal with the threat to Luoyang from Fan Chou and Zhang Ji." At last the Emperor felt safe.

At the suggestion of Shao's generals, the Emperor returned to his former palace in Luoyang. Yan Liang stationed his army outside the city. The next day Yuan Shao arrived with the main force, established camp, and was received. Prostrating himself below the stairs to the imperial dais, Yuan Shao acknowledged his sovereign. The Emperor bade him stand and commended him for his service. Yuan Shao and his advisors spent the rest of the day updating the Emperor on recent events: after Tao Qian's general Zhang Kai had killed Cao Cao's family, Cao Cao had invaded Xu and Yang. In the west, Han Sui had come into conflict with his sworn-brother Ma Teng, and a great battle was fought between them at Tianshui. Tao Qian and Han Sui's forces were both completely wiped out.

Day 3 lynch:

Path-Shaper, on 12 February 2010 - 07:05 PM, said:

After assisting the Emperor's flight, Yuan Shu had returned to his own capital at Shouchun. Fighting losing battles with Cao Cao to the north and Han Xuan to the south, Yuan Shu feared he would soon see his province aflame. Seeing his lord's despair, Chen Lan proposed that they invite the great warrior Lu Bu to assist in defending the province. Many of the advisors and court officials argued sternly against inviting a traitorous fiend like Lu Bu into their province, but Yuan Shu was desperate and sent Yan Xiang as envoy to Lu Bu, who was currently stationed in Xiapi, asking for assistance. The envoy departed and returned a week later with Lu Bu's acceptance. On the appointed day, Yuan Shu personally lead a force east to meet Lu Bu's own army. As Yuan Shu's force passed through Elm Bridge Gate, Shu was told that his aide Lü Fan had strung himself upside down above the city portals, a written protest in one hand, a sword in the other. Lü Fan was threatening to cut the rope and dash himself to death if his warnings were not heeded. Yuan Shu called for the protest note, which said in essence:

Your aide Lü Fan weeps blood, appealing in all sincerity. "Effective medicine is bitter to the mouth but remedies disease. Loyal words offend the ear but benefit one's conduct." In ancient times King Huai of Chu ignored the advice of Qu Yuan and covenanted at Wuguan, falling prey to Qin. Now Your Lordship lightly leaves his home district to welcome Lu Bu at Fucheng. Will you return the way you came? If only you would put Chen Lan publicly to death and break off with Lu Bu, the entire population of Zhong as well as your own house would benefit.

Angered by what he had read, Yuan Shu said, "I go to meet a humane and benevolent man, a kindred spirit of noble intent. How often do you mean to affront us this way?" Lü Fan uttered a single cry, severed the rope, and crashed to his death. Yuan Shu set off for Fucheng with thirty thousand soldiers. Behind him rolled a thousand carts loaded with grain, money, and silk for tribute.

Liosan (Silencer) is dead. He was Lü Fan, a scholar of Yuan Shu's forces.

Day 3 NAs (didn't get a scene ):

Path-Shaper, on 12 February 2010 - 07:18 PM, said:

Tennes (Illuyankas) has died. He was the Warlord Cao Cao.

Day 4 half-day scene:

Path-Shaper, on 15 February 2010 - 10:10 PM, said:

One day the Emperor summoned Yuan Shao to the palace. Receiving the messenger, Shao noticed that his eye was clear and his manner energetic. "You at least are plump enough. How do you take care of yourself?" "No special method," replied the man. "I have fared hard and simply for thirty years." Shao nodded and continued, "And what office do you hold?" "I was recommended for filial devotion and honesty," the messenger replied, "and have served Liu Bei, as well as Zhang Yang. When I heard the Emperor was back in the eastern capital, I came to pay my respects and was appointed court counselor. I am Dong Zhao, a native of Dingtao in Jiyin." "A name long known to me," replied Shao. "How fortunate to meet with you here."

Yuan Shao admired the aptness of Dong Zhao's replies and proceeded to ask him about the condition of the royal house. "My lord," he answered, "the loyal army you command has saved the court from chaos and rescued the Son of Heaven. For this you rank with the Five Protectors of antiquity, who safeguarded the sovereigns of the Zhou dynasty. In the present instance, however, we have many generals with many ambitions; they may not always obey you. Therefore it might be more advantageous to move the Emperor from Luoyang to Ye. On the other hand, the court is newly installed here in the former capital after a period of shuttling about, and men of near and far yearn for stability. Another move will be widely resented. Still and all, extraordinary acts win extraordinary merit. The choice is yours."

Yuan Shao, who was timid of taking bold actions, took Dong Zhao's hand and smiled. "I really wanted to move the court," he said, "but your counsel has persuaded me I dare not, lest the high ministers who oppose the move turn against me."

So it was that the court remained in Luoyang, which was eventually rebuilt and the lands about recultivated until the capital became prosperous and defensible once more. Meanwhile, Yuan Shao completed his conquest of Cao Cao's territories, eliminating Cao's forces entirely.

Day 4 lynch:

Path-Shaper, on 16 February 2010 - 04:50 PM, said:

After fighting with Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Kong Rong and Yuan Shu, Lu Bu abandoned his fortress at Xiaopei and retreated west. Bypassing Yuan Shao's armies at Luoyang and Xuchang, he brought his forces to Wan and began a campaign against Zhang Ji, hoping to steal from Ji the imperial forces that once followed Lu Bu's own command. They met in a great clash at Tong Gate, and after Lu Bu's generals Song Xian and Wei Xu were lost in the fighting, Lu Bu retreated back to the pass.

After two weeks of scattered engagements, Song Xian and Wei Xu returned to the pass with a few dozen men and called out, "We are former commanders of Lu Bu's who have been forced to surrender against our will. Zhang Ji is treacherous and unreliable and has used us ill. We want to work for our former lord again. Let us in at once." Lu Bu warily allowed only the two brothers up to the pass. They disarmed, left their horses, and went in to tell Lu Bu, "Zhang Ji has only just arrived in full force. Attack his camp tonight before they dig in. We will take the lead." Lu Bu accepted the proposal.

Following the two generals with more than ten thousand men, Lu Bu approached Zhang Ji's camps. Suddenly a roar went up behind him, and an ambush was sprung from all sides. Lu Bu dashed back to the pass but found it already in the hands of Zhang Ji's commanders, Lei Xu and Hu Che'er. Lu Bu turned north and rode to seek refuge with the chief of the Xiongnu. Zhang Ji took control of the pass and sent men after the fugitive.

Lu Bu entered the territory of the Xiongnu nation and came before their khan. Dismounting and pressing himself to the ground, Lu Bu said, "Zhang Ji has devoured my homeland. Now he has designs on yours. With your assistance we could protect the north." But the khan rebuffed him. "I have no quarrel with Zhang Ji," he said. "Why should he invade my land? Are you trying to foment hostilities?" Lu Bu saw the khan make a hand gesture, but before Lu Bu could turn around two of the khan's guards had buried their swords in his chest and another three had grabbed hold of his halberd. In anger Lu Bu thrust off the guards off his halberd and swung it into the faces of the two who had stabbed him. The khan had drawn his own sword and as Lu Bu turned about the Xiongnu chief neatly decapitated the warrior.

Korvalain (Morgoth) is dead. He was the Warlord Lu Bu.

Day 4 NAs:

Path-Shaper, on 16 February 2010 - 05:03 PM, said:

Night is over. No one has died.

By Imperial Decree, Emperor Xian has appointed Huang Zhong as Garrison Commander of Jiangling.

By Imperial Decree, Emperor Xian has appointed Yuan Shu as Governor of Shouchun.

Day 5 half-day scene:

Path-Shaper, on 17 February 2010 - 04:06 PM, said:

The campaign against Lu Bu complete, Yuan Shao invited Liu Bei, who had joined in the fighting at Xiaopei, to return with him to the capital. The next day Emperor Xian held court. After receiving news of the defeat of Lu Bu by Zhang Ji and the Xiongnu, and of Zhang Lu's forces' collapse in Hanzhong, Yuan Shao hailed Liu Bei's feats of arms and presented him. Attired in court apparel, Bei paid homage at the base of the steps to the throne. THe Emperor then instructed him to asced. "Tell me of your lineage," the Emperor said. "I can trace my ancestry through Prince Jing of Zhongshan," Liu Bei replied, "back to his father, Jing, the fourth emperor. My grandfater was Liu Xiong, my father Liu Hong." Emperor Xian ordered the director of the Imperial Clan to recite from the clan registry.

The Emperor checked the order of the lineage and found that Liu Bei was indeed an imperial uncle. Elated, Emperor Xian summoned him to an adjoining room, where they enacted the formalities befitting uncle and nephew. The Emperor mused, "Yuan Shao abuses his authority to the point that state affairs are out of our control. But now we may have a remedy in this heroic uncle of mine."

The Emperor guided Liu Bei to the ancestral temple and then into the Gallery of Meritorious Officials, in whose honor the Emperor burned incense before walking on with Liu Bei to admire the portraits. "So splendid, so heroic the forefather," sighed the Emperor, "so fainthearted and feeble the progeny. One can't help sighing." As he spoke, he directed Liu Bei's attention to the portraits of the two officials on either side of the Supreme Ancestor. "Is this not Zhang Liang," he went on, "lord of Liu? And this, Xiao He, lord of Cuo?" "Indeed," replied Liu Bei, "the Supreme Ancestor relied greatly on them in founding the dynasty." The Emperor observed that no one was near and whispered, "So should you, uncle, stand by us." "I have no merit," Liu Bei answered, "to serve as they served." "We remember well," the Emperor continued, "your service in fighting the tyrant Dong Zhuo, for which no reward could suffice." Then, pointing to his garments, he added, "Won't you ear this robe of mine and tie it with this girdle so that you will always seem to be by my side?"

Returning home, Liu Bei discovered in the girdle a secret decree written in the Emperor's own blood:

Of late the treasonous Yuan Shao, abusing his authority, insulting and degrading his sovereign, has connived with his cohorts to the detriment of our dynasty's rule. Day and night we brood on this, dreading the peril to the realm. Think of the obstacles and hardships the Supreme Ancestor faced when he founded this dynasty: forge a union of stouthearted men, stalwarts of unimpaired integrity and unimpeachable loyalty; exterminate this perfidious faction and restore the security of our holy shrines for our ancestors' sake. I have cut my finger and shed this blood to compose this decree confided to you. Remain vigilant. Do not fail our hopes.

Day 5 lynch:

Path-Shaper, on 18 February 2010 - 06:11 AM, said:

After fighting off his northern aggressors, Yuan Shu had concentrated on expanding his territory south into the lands formerly held by Liu Biao and the Sun family. Soon his reign stretched south the Chaisang and westwards through Jing right up to the borders of Huang Zhong's domain. It was in the eastern lands of Wu, however, that Yuan Shu would meet his gravest threat - Liu Yao. Brother of the esteemed Liu Dai and a humane but mighty governor in his own right, Liu Yao had conquered Wang Lang's fertile plains and Yan Baihu's mighty fleet intact, and now wielded these two resources to dominate the land from Jian Ye to Jiang Xia. After the death of Sun Ce, Liu Yao had taken in refugees from the Sun family's forces, including the generals Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin and Chen Wu, as well as Sun Ce's sister Sun Shang Xiang, who was now Liu Yao's wife. But above all of Liu Yao's resources and officers, it was Taishi Ci - a fearless warrior from Huang Xian who could break through a fifty-thousand-man siege by himself - that Yuan Shu feared the most.

The two forces engaged each other at Lu Jiang. Yuan Shu sent out his top general Zhang Xun for personal combat. Taishi Ci spotted Zhang Xun, raised his spear, and rode out to meet him. The two horsemen tangled, closing and breaking some forty or fifty times. Then Zhang Xun yielded and made for his line; Taishi Ci galloped after. Zhang Xun began circling round his formation; Taishi Ci would not let up. From a point of vantage, Yuan Shu's general Qiao Rui drew his bow and, sighting true, shot Taishi Ci in his left eye. Bellowing in pain, Taishi Ci plucked out the arrow; the eyeball had stuck fast to the point. "The essence of my parents cannot be thrown away," he cried, and swallowed the eye. He pulled out his own bow, placed the arrow and shot at Zhang Xun, striking Xun squarely in the back. Turning, he went for Qiao Rui and speared him in the face before he could defend himself. Zhang Xun fell dead from his horse and Qiao Rui toppled from his vantage point. The spectacle left both sides aghast.

Taishi Ci rode back to his men. Heartened by their general's merits, Liu Yao's forces delivered slaughter on the leaderless troops of Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu's slain soldiers were strewn over the blood-soaked field. Thousands more fled. His former commanders, Lei Bo and Chen Lan of Mount Song, plundered his treasure, grain, and fodder. Bandits kept Shu from returning to his base city, Shouchoun, and he was forced to remain at Jianting with barely a thousand men, most of them old and weak. It was midsummer. He had thirty pecks of wheat to feed his followers. Many of his own family had already starved to death. Shu could not swallow the coarse meal and asked the cook to find some honeyed water to ease his thirst. "We have bloody water," the cook said, "no honey." Suddenly Shu, who had been seated on his couch, groaned and toppled over. He spit up mouthfuls of blood and died.

Korbas (Grief) is dead. He was the Governor Yuan Shu.

This post has been edited by D'rek: 28 July 2011 - 06:11 PM

[D'rek]

...Maf 58 Continued!!!

---

Day 5 NAs:

Path-Shaper, on 18 February 2010 - 06:24 AM, said:

Night is over. No one has died.

The Emperor has promoted Yuan Shao to Governor of Ye.

Day 6 half-day scene:

Path-Shaper, on 19 February 2010 - 03:19 AM, said:

Liu Bei read the imperial edict through his tears. He could not sleep that night and in the morning returned to the library to reread the document. But no concrete plan occurred to him. Finally he fell asleep against his desk pondering the means to get rid of Cao Cao.

The courtier Jian Yong arrived, intending to discuss with Liu Bei the most recent news of Yuan Shu's defeat in Zhong by Liu Yao. Recognizing his master's intimate friend, the gateman did not stop him, and he straight into the library. Jian Yong saw Liu Bei dozing at his desk, a silk scroll under his sleeve. The imperial "we" was barely visible on it. Becoming curious, Jian Yong quietly took up the document. After reading it, he stowed it in his own sleeve. "Imperial Uncle Liu," he cried, "are you not ashamed? How carefree to be sleeping so!" Liu Bei came to immediately. Missing the decree, he felt his senses swim and his limbs fail. "You plan to murder Yuan Shao, then?" Yong demanded. "I shall have to denounce you." "Brother," Liu Bei wept, "if that is your intention, the house of Han expires."

"I was simply playing a part," Jian Yong reassured Liu Bei. "Our clan has enjoyed the fruits of service to the Han for many generations. Far from failing in loyalty, I mean to lend my all to the task of destroying the traitor." "The dynasty is fortunate indeed if you are so minded," Liu Bei responded. "Let us retire, then," Jian Yong suggested, "and draw up a loyalist pledge to do our duty to the Emperor whatever the risk to ourselves and our clans."

In great excitement Liu Bei fetched a length of white silk and wrote his name at the head. Jian Yong added his, and suggested his trusted friend General ______ would surely be willing to make cause with them. Liu Bei also proposed his trusted friends Commandant _____ and Counselor ______. At the moment a servant announced all three officials had arrived in quick succession. "Thus Heavan aids us!" Liu Bei exclaimed and sent for the three. Each eagerly added his own name to the pledge.

The unexpected arrival of Ma Teng, governor of Xiliang, was announced. "Say I am not well and cannot receive him," Liu Bei instructed the gateman. But when this answer was brought, Ma Teng shouted angrily, "I saw him only yesterday at the Donghua Gate in a new robe and girdle. Why is he giving me excuses?!" Flicking his sleeves, Ma Teng turned to leave. "And no one to save the dynasty!" he said with a sigh. Liu Bei caught his words and held him back, saying, "What do you mean, 'no one to save the dynasty'?" "I am fuming over Yuan Shao's insurrection of His Highness, but it seems even the closest relative of the ruling house has sunk in dissipation and gives no thought to punishing the traitor. How could you be one to relieve the dynasty's distress?" "There are eyes and ears everywhere," Liu Bei cautioned. "You must lower your voice." "Those who crave life above all," Ma Teng retorted, "are unfit to discuss serious matters." Convinced of Ma Teng's loyalty, Liu Bei said at last, "Restrain yourself a moment, my lord. I have something to show you." He drew the governor into his chamber and handed him the imperial edict.

As he read, Ma Teng's hair stood on end; he bit his lips until blood covered his mouth. "If you plan to act," he said, "my Xiliang troops will help." Then Liu Bei led the governor to meet the other supporters of the indictment against the prime minister. At Liu Bei's request, Ma Teng affixed his signature, confirming his oath with a swallow of wine and some drops of blood. "What we swear here we will never disavow," he said, and pointing to the five men, he added, "If five more will join us, our cause will succeed." "Loyal and stalwart men," Liu Bei warned, "are all too few. If we take in the wrong ones, we will only ruin ourselves." Ma Teng asked to see the register of current office-holders. Coming to the names of the house of Liu, he clapped his hands and cried, "Here is the man we must talk to!"

Whom did Ma Teng name?

Day 6 time-out:

Path-Shaper, on 19 February 2010 - 06:38 PM, said:

"Whom do you recommend?" Liu Bei had asked Ma Teng. "I see here the name of Huang Zhong, protector of Jingzhou. Why not try him?" was the reply. "He's that villainous Han Xuan's man, he can't get involved in this." "Han Xuan was a tyrant to his people and was easily conquered by yourself, my lord," Ma Teng responded, "but Huang Zhong has now reclaimed the Jing province and rules it benevolently. Furthermore, his own personal soldiers are among the fiercest in the land. He is here in the capital in anticipation of receiving a promotion to District Commander, but he is no man of Yuan Shao's. I'm sure he is more than willing to organize against Shao, but he feels thwarted, unequal to Shao's many guards. Try to enlist his help - I know he will respond eagerly." The group dispersed with Wu Shi cautioning, "Let's not be too hasty. This requires careful consideration."

The next night Liu Bei pocketed the imperial decree and paid a quiet call on Huang Zhong. Flanked by his sworn-brother and top general Wei Yan, Zhong received him in a small chamber. After host and guest were seated, Huang Zhong said, "Only a most serious occasion would bring the imperial uncle in the dead of night." "I couldn't risk coming by day," Liu Bei replied. "Yuan Shao would have suspected something." Huang Zhong called for wine, and Liu Bei went on, "The other day at the hunt, Wei Yan seemed set to kill Yuan Shao when he took the Emperor's bow, but you motioned him off. Why?" Taken by surprise, Huang Zhong parried the question, asking, "How do you know that?" "No one else noticed," Liu Bei said, "but I did." Unable to maintain his pose of indifference, Huang Zhong answered, "My brother, outraged by Shao's insolent ambition, acted impulsively."

Liu Bei his his face and wept. "If only the vassals at court compared with Wei Yan," he cried, "the peace of the land would be assured." Huang Zhong said, "With His Excellency Yuan Shao in power, is not the peace of the land already well assured?" Liu Bei's face stiffened as he rose. "It is only because you have ruled your own province so kindly that I opened my heart and soul to you. Why have you played me false?"

Would Huang Zhong denounce Liu Bei's plot?

Day 6 NAs:

Path-Shaper, on 19 February 2010 - 07:13 PM, said:

Night is over. And I only screwed up a handful of results!

No one died.

Day 7 half-day scene:

Path-Shaper, on 20 February 2010 - 03:46 AM, said:

Why have you played me false?" Liu Bei asked. "Lest you play me false, Imperial Uncle," Huang Zhong admitted at last, "I had to test you." Liu Bei then produced the secret edict. Dismay and indignation welled up in Huang Zhong as he read the Emperor's sacred words.

Next, Liu Bei handed him the loyalists' pledge bearing six signatures: Liu Bei, Imperial Uncle; Jian Yong, an official in the Ministry of Works; ________, commandant of the _____ command; ________, _____ counselor; ________, General of _______; and Ma Teng, governor of Xiliang. "Since the Emperor has charged you with the task of punishing the traitor," Huang Zhong said, "I commit myself to the cause and offer my fullest devotion." The two men continued talking until the fifth watch; then they parted.

To avoid arousing Yuan Shao's suspicions, Huang Zhong took to his back garden, planting and tending vegetables, keeping his purposes hidden. Wei Yan asked, "Brother, why have you lost interest in the great issues of the realm and given yourself to a commoner's toil?" "This is something you might not appreciate," responded Huang Zhong, and his brother did not ask again.

Day 7 lynch:

Path-Shaper, on 20 February 2010 - 03:46 AM, said:

While Ma Teng was in the capital, Luo Yang, Ma Chao remained in charge of the Xiliang forces. Initially there were several skirmishes with the nearby forces of Zhang Ji from Chang'an, so both commanders lead their own armies to meet at An Ding. Zhang Ji presented many gifts to Ma Chao, and Chao saw the wisdom of a truce. The two armies settled their camps around the city and feasted each other every day. Once Zhang Ji retired drunk and discreetly asked his chamber attendants if there were any courtesans in the town. Zhang Ji's nephew Xiu whispered obligingly that he had noticed a rare beauty the day before. On Zhang Ji's orders Xiu took fifty armed guards and brought her back. She proved as attractive as Zhang Ji had anticipated. "To have met you today," Zhang Ji pronounced, "is a blessing from Heaven. I would like you to share my mat and pillow this evening and then accompany me back to Chang'an where you will enjoy luxury in tranquility. What is your answer?" Unknown to the Zhangs, however, this beauty was Ma Chao's sister, Ma Yunlu.

When Ma Chao learned of this development, he was infuriated and silently vowed vengeance upon Zhang Ji. The following day, he went to Zhang Ji's tent and said, "Many of my troops have run away. I request permission to station my men inside your camp lest more flee." Ji approved, and Chao moved into the encampment, divided his forces into four groups, and passed secret orders amongst his men. Ma Chao hosted Zhang Ji at that evening's banquet, entertained him attentively, and sent him home late and drunk. During the banquet, Ma Chao's cousin Ma Dai had slipped into the camp and stolen the weapons from Zhang Ji's tent.

Later that night, while Zhang Ji and Ma Yunlu were carousing, Ji heard voices and the sound of restless horses. He sent a guard outside who reported that Ma Chao's men were making night rounds. Zhang Ji suspected nothing. Toward the second watch there was an outcry: a cartload of hay had caught fire. "It's only an accident!" Zhang Ji shouted. "Don't panic!" Moments later fire broke out on all sides. Ma Chao's men were at the front gate, mounted and brandishing lances. Grabbing a sword from a nearby soldier as the enemy poured in, Zhang Ji advanced and cut down twenty men. The horsemen drew back, but the foot soldiers came forward. On either side spears poked up like reeds. Armorless, Zhang Ji fought on valiantly, taking scores of cuts. Then his sword cracked and he threw it aside. He picked up two of the enemy bodily and wielded them as weapons, felling eight or nine. Ma Chao's soldiers kept their distance and shot at him, but Zhang Ji fought on despite the pelting arrows. Another group of soldiers burst in from behind and speared him through the back. Three or four howls broke from Zhang Ji's lips. Then he expired, his blood soaking the ground where he fell. Even after he was dead, no one dared pass his corpse into the main tent.

Telas (Baudin) is dead. He was the Warlord Zhang Ji.

End-of-game scene (the opening scene modified for the victors):

Path-Shaper, on 20 February 2010 - 03:48 AM, said:

One day when Wei Yan was away and Huang Zhong, now Imperial Protector of Jing, was watering his plants, two of Shao's generals, Yan Liang and Chunyu Qiong, led a score of men into the garden, summoning the Imperial Protector to the garden of the Prime Minister. There, a smiling Yuan Shao greeted Huang Zhong. "That's quite a project you have under way at home," Yuan Shao said in a tone that turned Huang Zhong's face pale as dust. Taking Huang Zhong's hand, Shao led hm to his own garden. "You have taken up a most difficult occupation in horticulture," Shao continued. "Just to while away the time," Zhong answered, relieved. "There is nothing else to occupy me."

Entering the garden, Huang Zhong was met by Zhang Xiu, who recently took over his uncle Zhang Ji's forces, but with pardon from the throne for Ji's atrocities. Xiu had just recently been promoted to Imperial Inspector of Yongzhou. "I was admiring the plums on the branch," the Shao remarked, "and having some wine just heated, I decided to invite Your Lordships for a drink at this little pavilion." Regaining possession of himself, Huang Zhong went along with Yuan Shao and Zhang Xiu. Delicacies had already been set out: a plate piled with new green plums and a jar brimming with warmed wine. Sitting opposite one another, the three men drank freely and enjoyed themselves without constraint.

The wine had enlivened their spirits when dark clouds appeared and overspread the heavens: a flash storm was threatening. An attendant pointed to what seemed like a distant dragon suspend on the horizon. The three men leaned against the balcony and watched it.

Yuan Shao turned to his guests and asked, "Do my lords understand the dragon's multiform manifestations?"

"Not in great detail," Huang Zhong replied.

"The dragon," Yuan Shao continued, "can enlarge and diminish itself, surge aloft or lie beneath the surface of the water. Enlarged, it creates clouds and spews mist. Diminished, it can veil its scaly form from view. Aloft, it prances triumphant in the upper realm of space. Under the surface, it lurks among the surging breakers. Now in the fullness of spring it mounts the season, like men who would fulfill an ambition to dominate the length and breadth of the land. In this respect the dragon can well be compared to the heroes of the age. You gentlemen have traveled widely and surely must be familiar with the great heroes of recent years. Please try and point them out for me."

"How can these eyes of mine sight heroes?" Zhang Xiu said. "Set your modesty aside," Shao urged. "Thanks to Your Excellency's gracious benefaction," Huang Zhong responded, "We each have succeeded in serving the dynasty. But as for the heroes of the realm, such things are more than we would know of." "Even if you do not know any personally," the Prime Minister persisted, "you should at least have heard of some."

"Liu Yao of Jianye?" Huang Zhong ventured. "His warriors are first rate, his provisions abundant. Would he be one?" "Dry bones," Shao laughed, "rattling in the grave. Sooner or later I will have him."

"Yuan Shu, then," Zhang Xiu suggested. "For four generations the Yuans held highest office and many officials served under them. Shu protected the Emperor, but also had a firm grip on Huainan, where he was supported by capable men. Would you count him?" "His expression was fierce enough," Shao said. "But his courage was thin. He enjoyed conniving but lacked decision. He played for high stakes but begrudged personal sacrifice, spotted a minor gain and risked his life. No hero he!"

Huang Zhong asked, "And how would you rate Liu Biao, a paragon whose reputation still stretches across the realm?" "Liu Biao?" Shao answered. "A name without substance, and no hero either."

"There is Sun Ce," Zhang Xiu suggested. "In his prime, he had the potential to sweep across the entire Southland." "Sun Ce," Shao replied, "stood on his father's reputation. He's no hero."

"Though he wandered with no lord or army, Lu Bu was still a fearless warrior who could ride a thousand li in a single day and slaughter a dozen men before dismounting. No man will ever match his prowess, what greater hero could there be?" The Prime Minister laughed "Lu Bu may be a great warrior, but it availed him naught in ruling the people and it was only a matter of time before his wanderings got him poisoned or strangled by the many he offended. One cannot call such a life heroic!"

"Cao Cao had many fine officers and administered Chen Liu with a strict and efficient government." "Cao Cao was prone to fits of anger, executing his officers and repenting later. Even if I had not conquered him, his followers would not have borne his temper much longer." came the reply.

"Fan Chou took over the armies of the fallen villains Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Guo Si and none dared match his strength," Huang Zhong said, "surely he is a hero." "What Fan Chou had in numbers he lost in poor strategy and his indulgences to women and wine." was the Prime Minister's response.

"Zhang Lu administrated the dangerous region of Hanzhong for years and mastered many of the mystical arts of the great Taoist sages, surely he was a formidable hero!" proclaimed Zhang Xiu. "His administration was corrupt and his mystic arts were mere illusions," was the reply.

"Liu Bei is an imperial uncle and a benevolent leader to all his officers and people. When displaced, entire towns gave up their livelihood to follow him to his next settlement. How can such exemplary virtue not be worthy of the title of hero?" "Liu Bei is no hero," Shao declared. "He owns no land, holds no title and is disrespected by the lords across the realm. The people follow him only to their own demise."

"There is Dong Cheng," Huang Zhong put in, "he is a noble man, of the Empress' lineage and serves the realm with virtue and justice." "Dong Cheng appears noble but will use dishonourable means to satisfy his own ambition," was the reply, "surely you would not consider such a man a hero!"

"Yan Baihu's fleet knew no equal across the entire Great River," suggested Zhang Xiu. "To clash with him upon the water was to lose. Would he be a hero?" "Yan Baihu had many ships, but not the will to hold them," was the Prime Minister's reply. "He was replaced as easily as a knife splits bamboo and the fleet is now in Liu Yao's hands."

"Liu Zhang," Huang Zhong said, "perhaps he could be considered." "Though connected to the royal house," Yuan Shao said, "he was nothing but a watchdog by the gate and hardly deserves the name of hero."

"Then," Zhang Xiu continued, "what about the great generals Yang Feng, Han Sui and Ma Teng of the west, the Gongsuns Zan and Du of the far north, and Wang Lang of the south-east?" "Or," added Huang Zhong, "the Imperial-appointed Governors Tao Qian, Kong Rong, Liu Dai, Jin Xuan, Zhao Fan, Lu Kang and Liu Du? Each of these men has ample land, valiant officers and could raise an army at a moment's notice." Yuan Shao clapped his hands and laughed. "Petty mediocrities,"he said, "beneath our notice."

"Truly," said Huang Zhong, "I can think of no one else." Zhang Xiu agreed.

"Now," the Prime Minister went on, "what defines a hero is this: a determination to conquer, a mine of marvelous schemes, an ability to encompass the realm, and the will to make it his."

"Who merits such a description?" asked the two lords.

Shao pointed first to Huang Zhong, then to Zhang Xiu, then to himself. "The heroes of the present day," he said, "number but three - and they are each at this very table."

---

Yuan Shao's faction has dominated Han China and won the game!

Gem, Gwynn, Bubba and PB win, with assistance from The Dude. Mentalist and Shinrei get special mention for surviving!

The Three Kings will be: Yuan Shao, Zhang Xiu and Huang Zhong

This post has been edited by D'rek: 27 July 2011 - 08:22 PM

[D'rek]

Mafia 61 - Liu Bei's Conspiracy

---

Roles:


Town:

Liosan - Obdi - Chunyu Qiong, Grand Marshall (Guard/Heal)
Hood's Path - Shin - Yang Dajang, Chief of the Secretariat (Finder)

Alkend - Ment - Peng Ji, Court Counselor
Ampelas - Jusen - Zhang He, General of the Flying Cavalry
Anomandaris - Bent - Che Zhou, Inspector of XuZhou
Barghast - Silencer - Tian Feng, Commandant of the Hong Nong Command
D'riss - Edrigan - Cen Pi, General who Pacifices the North
Eloth - GK - Chen Lin, Commandant of the He Nei Command
Galain - HD - Wu Shi, Imperial Libationer
Karatallid - MTS - Cheng Yu, Commandant of the Guards
Karosis - Alt - Guo Jia, Minister of Works
Kaschan - Gwynn - Fu Wan, First Secretary
Korvalain - Yellow - Xu You, Official in the Ministry of Revenue
Omtose - JA - Wu Zilan, General of Chariots and Cavalry
Sorrit - The Dude - Guo Tu, Official in the Ministry of Justice
Sukul Ankhadu - Lisheo - Ju Shou, Court Counselor

Scum:

Spite - Gavin - Liu Bei, Imperial Uncle (Killer)
Korbas - Morgy - Jian Yong, Official in the Ministry of Works (Killer)
Tulas Shorn - Vengeance - Dong Zhao, Court Counselor (Symp)
Kessobahn - PB - Chong Ji, Commandant of the Ru Nan Command (Symp)
Gamelon - Dkt - Gao Lan, General of Heavenly Might (Symp)

---

Scenes:

Path-Shaper, on 19 April 2010 - 02:51 AM, said:

It was about two weeks after the beginning of the fifth year of Jian An (A.D. 200). Yuan Shao invited all eminent court officials to a banquet. Liu Bei and the rest felt compelled to attend so as not to arouse Yuan's suspicions. The banquet was laid in Yuan's private apartment. After several rounds of win, Yuan said, "Our feast wants entertainment. We do have one man, though, who may sber you all up." At Yuan's command twenty jailers dragged in Ji Ping, secured in movable stocks. Yuan ordered the jailers to begin alternately beating and reviving the prisoner.

"You officials," Yuan cried, "may not be aware that this fellow is associated with an evil faction that tried to rebel against the court and kill me. But today Heaven has ruined him, and the rest will soon follow. This court will be sequestered here in my palace and investigated by my heads of staff until the conspirators are found and surrendered to me. Any man attempting to flee the premises will be cut down." With a gesture, Yuan Shao turned and left. Elite soldiers began taking positions outside every door and window of the palace, while the chief steward began barring every available exit.

Path-Shaper, on 20 April 2010 - 09:21 AM, said:

The esteemed members of the court argued fervently, but many had drunk too much wine during the banquet and the debates quickly fled the topic of the conspirators and plunged into horrifying acts that disturbed even the court eunuchs. Hearing the highest offices of the court debate the likelihood of the majestic dragon being an androgynous sex machine drove one official to grieve for the lost majesty of the Han before he plunged his head into the wine bowl and drowned.

Anomandaris (Bent) has killed himself. He was Che Zhou, Inspector of Xuzhou.

The officials were then lead off to their guest quarters by the estate's servants. When they convened in the morning, one of their number was missing.

Ampelas (Jusentantanka) is dead. She was Zhang He, General of the Flying Cavalry.

Path-Shaper, on 20 April 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

After Huang Zhong left the capital, Liu Bei continued to meet night and day with Jian Yong and other members of his cabal, but they were unable to concert any action against Yuan Shao. At the New Year's court ceremonies for the fifth year of Jian An, Liu Bei watched Yuan Shao's arrogant and ruthless behaviour with growing indignation until his health was affected. The Emperor noticed that the imperial uncle looked unwell and ordered court physician Ji Ping of Luoyang to treat him. Ping called on Liu Bei at his residence and applied various remedies. He stayed with his patient day and night, noting his mournful sighs but refraining from expressing his concern.

It is now Day 2. 18 players alive.

I'm in a hurry and only resolved day + night because D'rek posted the relevant stories in SH, so you can do the alt count yourself - Tapper

Path-Shaper, on 20 April 2010 - 05:07 PM, said:

Chong Ji spent the the first afternoon in the Prime Minister's residence perusing the great works of art displayed in the great hall. As the sun began to set, he chose one last painting to view in the fading light. Coincidentally, it was a depiction of a battle he himself had fought in, against the warlord Cao Cao during the conquest of the Eastern heartland. The forefront of the scene showed the famous generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou battling bravely, but on a mountain in the rear was Chong Ji himself kneeling in surrender to Cao Cao's general Xiahou Yuan. As he stared at the scene, the chief steward approached and said, "Ah, you have a good eye for superb artistry, my lord. That painting is one of the Prime Minister's favourites. He said it always reminds him of his brave generals." Stricken with grief, Chong Ji sputtered nonsense to the steward before wresting the steward's dagger and slitting his own throat in shame.

Kessobahn (PB) is modkilled. He was Chong Ji, commandant of the Ru Nan command.

Path-Shaper, on 21 April 2010 - 03:37 PM, said:

It was the first full day in the Prime Minister's residence. Officials of the court held grand debates in the grand halls, invoking the practices of the Great Ancestors and their own expertise in astronomy, rhetoric, civil management or military strategy. Some officials took the opportunity to sneak off into secluded rooms, to sample the Prime Minister's fabulous teas or to have dire secretive meetings. One fellow secluded himself in the stables and imagined he was painting calligraphy in a great hall while knocking over walls with his fingers. A skilled mathematician, he endlessly threw incomprehensible numeric solutions at any officials who dared to argue with him.

With the Prime Minister expected to return that evening in want of a suspect, the civil officials agreed amongst each other to damn a military officer rather than one of their own, and so it was that the esteemed Yuan Shao was told upon his arrival that the most likely conspirator was the second-highest military officer in the palace.

Omtose (Jump Around) is dead. He was Wu Zilan, General of Chariots and Cavalry.

Yuan Shao held another banquet for the officials, and afterwards sent them to bed. Content with the day's proceedings or worried by the accusations, they each slept undisturbed until morning.

Night is over. No one has died

---

On the fifteenth of the first month, the time of the first full moon festival, the physician was ready to take his leave, but Liu Bei detained him, and the two men began drinking. After several hours Liu Bei felt fatigue; loosening his clothes, he drifted into a dream in which Jian Yong and three other comrades were announced. As Liu Bei received them, Jian Yong said "Everything is going smoothly." "Let me hear the details," Bei answered. "Huan Zhong," Yong began, "has joined with Ma Teng. They have half a million men marching here in ten field armies. In the northeast Gongsun Zan has mobilized seven hundred thousand troops; they are advancing now. Yuan Shao has mustered his last man and horse, dividing his fronts to meet his enemies. The capital is undefended. If we marshal a thousand servants and young attendants from our five households, we can surround the prime minister's residence this evening while the full moon festival is being held, and charge in and kill him. We have a unique opportunity." Enthusiastically Liu Bei gathered the men of the household. Arms were collected. Liu Bei was mounted and dressed for battle, spear couched for action. They were to assemble at Shao's inner gate and storm his quarters. Night, the second watch: all advanced. Liu Bei raised his jeweled sword and strode into the banquet hall, where Shao was presiding. "Don't move, traitor!" Liu Bei cried to Shao, chopping at him with his blade. Shao crumpled in the wake of the blow, as Bei repeated the words "traitor, traitor," until he had awoke from the empty dream.


It is Day 3. 27 hours and 59 minutes remaining
17 Players still alive: Alkend, Barghast, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Gamelon, Hood's Path, Karatallid, Karosis, Kaschan, Korbas, Korvalain, Liosan, Sorrit, Spite, Sukul Ankhadu, Tulas Shorn

9 votes to lynch, 8 votes to go to night.


Players not voted: Alkend, Barghast, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Gamelon, Hood's Path, Karatallid, Karosis, Kaschan, Korbas, Korvalain, Liosan Sorrit, Spite, Sukul Ankhadu, Tulas Shorn

Path-Shaper, on 22 April 2010 - 04:02 PM, said:

I was going to wait until the end of the day for this, but that's a good point of the non-posters making more votes required for a lynch and that's not exactly fair to those who are still present and playing. Therefore:

Barghast is modkilled for not posting in 36 hours.
Sukul Ankhadu is modkilled for not posting in 36 hours.

You'll get their CFs at the end of day.

Path-Shaper, on 22 April 2010 - 07:39 PM, said:

Another day finished, another banquet. As the meal ended, Yuan Shao stood and held up his hands for silence. "And whom do you present to me as a conspirator today, gentlemen?" The officials expressed their disappointment that they could not reach a consensus throughout the day.

Yuan Shao turned to the first official on his left and said "Since a traitor could not be found, I would like to hear how you passed the day." After the official had recounted his personal events through the day, Yuan Shao halted the man and turned to the next. Each official in turn explained their actions throughout the day. When the turn came for Sukul Ankhadu and Barghast to give their own tales, they did so nervously and their anecdotes made little sense. Yang Dajang whispered in the Prime Minister's ear, who then shouted "You impudent toadies! You cowered in your quarters all day, rather than have the courage to purge the Han of corrupt seditionists!" Shao's hand lifted and a dozen arrows were fired, neatly pinning Sukul and Barghast to the banquet table.

Sukul Ankhadu (Lisheo) is dead. He was Ju Shou, a Court Counselor
Barghast (Silencer) is dead. He was Tian Feng, Commandant of the Hong Nong command

The officials were dismissed to their quarters, and again they were undisturbed throughout the night.

Night is over. No one has died.

During the night, some officials had sent secret messages to Yuan Shao's staff about certain treasonous opinions expressed by Sorrit during the day. The Prime Minister had it circulated to all other officials that Sorrit was not to be trusted, but in a show of gratitude did not kill the official.

Sorrit's vote weight is reduced to 0 for 2 game days for violating the spirit of rule B7.

---

Path-Shaper, on 22 April 2010 - 07:40 PM, said:

Liu Bei had just awoken from his dream. Ji Ping, the physician, leaned forward. "So you intend to murder Lord Yuan?" he asked. Liu Bei was too stunned to reply. "Calm yourself, " Ji Ping went on. "Though a mere physician myself, I have never forgotten how much I owe the Han. Day after day I have listened to your deep-drawn sighs but hesitated to question you. Now, by chance, the words you spoke in your dreams have disclosed the actual situation. Please do not keep the truth from me. If there is any way I can help, even if it means clan-wide extermination, I shall do it without regret." Than, as a pledge, Ji Ping bit off the top of his finger.

---

It is Day 4. 27 hours and 59 minutes remaining
15 Players still alive: Alkend, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Gamelon, Hood's Path, Karatallid, Karosis, Kaschan, Korbas, Korvalain, Liosan, Sorrit, Spite, Tulas Shorn

8 votes to lynch, 8 votes to go to night.


Players not voted: Alkend, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Gamelon, Hood's Path, Karatallid, Karosis, Kaschan, Korbas, Korvalain, Liosan, Sorrit, Spite, Tulas Shorn

Path-Shaper, on 24 April 2010 - 02:35 AM, said:

The officials had been stranded in the Prime Minister's palace for four days, and many were reaching a breaking point. As evening approached, one man did not emerge from his room and would not respond to any calls from the hall. The palace staff knocked on the door, saying, "Fu Wan! His eminence approaches soon for the evening meal. You must come out!" There was no response, and when Yuan Shao arrived, he ordered the guard to open the room by force. When it opened, its occupant was found inside, dead. Shao's physician knelt over the body and said, "This man has not opened his mouth in days. He has died of dehydration."

Kaschan (Gwynn ap Nudd) was modkilled. He was Fu Wan, First Secretary of the Han.

Shao returned to the officials at the banquet. With the knowledge provided by the informant, Qin Qintong, as well as his own officers' inquiries, the Prime Minister was certain that the Imperial Uncle Liu Bei was the chief conspirator. But accusing, let alone, arresting a honoured relative of Emperor Xian remained above the privileges of his rank, and he was irritated that the court had not yet convicted the man, despite his Grand Marshall guiding them to that very conclusion. So it was with great pleasure that Yuan Shao received the solemn pronouncement of the gathered officials declaring that the Imperial Uncle Liu Bei seemed to be conspiring against the Prime Minister, and therefore the Han Dynasty itself.

"It saddens me greatly to give this order," Shao said, "but the responsibilities imposed upon me by such a consensus of the officials of the Secretariat, Chancellery and Department of State Affairs surpasses the privileges and duties of all men who serve the Son of Heaven. Guards, please escort the Imperial Uncle to the gaol."

As Liu Bei was being escorted out, he made a discreet hand gesture that was unremarked by most at the court. A select few men, however, noted the gesture and saw that it pointed to the official Jian Yong, who in turn was watching the Prime Minister exchange glances with the Grand Marshall Chunyu Qiong.

Spite (Gavin) is dead. He was Liu Bei, Imperial Uncle.

In the morning, only Yang Dajang appeared to lead the officials through the lengthy debate of the extent of the Imperial Uncle's involvement. A search party soon found Chunyu Qiong's remains hidden in an abandoned cellar. When news of this tragedy reached Yuan Shao, he openly weeped at the loss and ordered his bailiffs to renew their efforts at torturing Ji Ping for the other conspirators' names. He then sent orders for Chunyu Qiong to be buried with the highest honours ever given to one of three Elder Lords.

Liosan (Obdigore) is dead. He was Chunyu Qiong, Grand Marshall of the Han.

(scenes edited by D'rek later for multi-game continuity)

---

Ji Ping had just bitten off the tip of his finger to show Liu Bei his loyalty to removing the Prime Minister. "I only hope you are sincere," Liu Bei said, covering his face; then he handed Ji Ping the Emperor's secret edict, adding, "Our prospects are poor now, with Huang Zhong and Ma Teng gone. My worries over our inability to act have made me ill." "You have nothing to worry about," the physician replied. "The traitor's life is in these hands. He suffers from chronic headaches, with pain that pierces his marrow. The moment one comes on, he calls for me; and the next time he does, I will administer a treatment sure to kill him. Why bother with weapons?" "If we succeed in this," Liu Bei answered, "the sacred shrines of the Han will owe their salvation to you." Ji Ping then took his leave.



It is Day 5. Timer frozen at 28 hours remaining.
12 Players still alive: Korvalain, Sorrit, Galain, Hood's Path, D'riss, Karosis, Karatallid, Alkend, Tulas Shorn, Korbas, Gamelon, Eloth

No one has voted.


Weekend freeze is in effect -> the day timer is stopped but if lynches occur they will end day, night will be resolved and the next day will begin, again frozen.

Path-Shaper, on 26 April 2010 - 03:12 PM, said:

It is Day 5. 18 or 19 hours left or something like that.

12 Players still alive: Korvalain, Sorrit, Galain, Hood's Path, D'riss, Karosis, Karatallid, Alkend, Tulas Shorn, Korbas, Gamelon, Eloth
7 votes to lynch. 6 to go to night.

7 votes Gamelon (Galain, Korvalain, Eloth, Alkend, D'riss, Tulas Shorn, Karosis)


Players haven't voted: Sorrit, Hood's Path, Karatallid, Korbas, Gamelon

---

Yuan Shao was pleased that the court had found the Imperial Uncle as suspect on their own, though lamented that it had cost him the life of the Grand Marshall Chunyu Qiong. At the banquet some officials tried to subtly suggest that with Liu Bei arrested the crisis was over and they should be returned to their offices, but the Prime Minister knew that at the very least Jian Yong was still at large. Even though Jian Yong was a minor official, he was well known to be an intimate friend of Liu Bei and Yuan Shao feared that accusing Yong directly would reveal to the court that he had been manipulating them into accusing the Imperial Uncle. So, the Prime Minister waited and hoped that the court would soon indict Jian Yong. Today, however, the assembled officials declared another of his capable generals a traitor and Yuan Shao was forced to send him to the executioner.

Gamelon (dktorode) was lynched. He was Gao Lan, General of Heavenly Might.

Once again, an officer was found dead in the morning.

Karatallid (MTS) is dead. He was Cheng Yu, Commandant of the Guards.

---

Liu Bei had recruited Ji Ping and the physician had expressed his plan to assassinate the Prime Minister before retiring for the night. Liu Bei suppressed his excitement and was walking to his room when he came upon a house servant, Qin Qingtong, whispering in a secluded corner with the concubine Mi Shi. Liu Bei had them seized. Only on his wife's appeal did he spare their lives. Each was given forty strokes with a staff, and the man was locked in an empty room. During the night Qin Qington, burning with resentment, forced open the metal lock and bounded over the wall. He went straight to Shao's residence, offering valuable information. Questioned in a side room, the man said, "Jian Yong, Ma Teng and three other officials held a secret talk with my master - I am sure there is a plot against you - and my master brought out a roll of silk with something written on it. And yesterday Ji Ping bit off his fingertip to seal an oath. That much I saw myself." Yuan Shao kept the man in his house. Liu Bei thought he had simply run away and made no attempt to locate him.


It is Day 6. 28 hours and 1 minute remaining
10 Players still alive: Alkend, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Hood's Path, Karosis, Korbas, Korvalain, Sorrit, Tulas Shorn

6 votes to lynch, 5 votes to go to night.


Players not voted: Alkend, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Hood's Path, Karosis, Korbas, Korvalain, Sorrit, Tulas Shorn

Path-Shaper, on 27 April 2010 - 04:26 PM, said:

Well Mafia Manager appears to be on the fritz suddenly but I think I can resolve this fairly well....

It is Day 6. 2 hours and 56 minutes remaining
10 Players still alive: Alkend, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Hood's Path, Karosis, Korbas, Korvalain, Sorrit, Tulas Shorn

6 votes to lynch, 5 votes to go to night.

6 Votes for Korvalain ( Sorrit, Eloth, Karosis, D'riss, Alkend, Korbas )
1 Vote for Alkend ( Korvalain )

Players not voted: Galain, Hood's Path, Tulas Shorn

---

Yuan Shao was restless over the competence if the assassin Jian Yong. He assembled the court eunuchs, going once more over all the protective measures on the residence, and yet, while he was unable to find any fault in their preparations, he knew once more that sleep would elude him. All exits were barred, the various guards were in place, the palace was policed by regiments of loyal troops, the curfews heavily enforced. No person should be able to so much as leave their room at night, but with each passing day, he lost more of the officer corps and the officials gathered in the grand hall where they tried to root out the traitors in their midst. Already, the price paid for his security was high, and while he had sycophants aplenty, skillful men were hard to come by.

"How, oh Heavens, am I going to rule this country with no men of capacity to carry my edicts to the four corners of the empire?" he muttered. "How, dear gods, can I defend the lands of the Emperor against those who wish it harm? How, demons of the underworld, can I possibly prevent another conspiracy against me coming from those I elevate to grand position? Will I never be free from the ambitions of the others?"

Then he turned turned to face the mirror and bellowed in laughter. He would have every official in that palace killed if he must. He had plenty of loyal generals, and he cared little for the civil officials. If they died, he would simply elevate more lesser officials to their positions. These new officials may not be as competent, but they'd be eternally bound to him for the promotions. Yuan Shao had plans for the Han, and the Emperor was not a part of them.

His maniacal laughter was interrupted by a captain of the guard, who reported that Xu You, one of the officials of the Ministry of Revenue, charged with the taxation of the Imperial Provinces, was the next suspect accused by his colleagues. Yuan Shao turned away, looking at a flight of the swallows from the Imperial Balcony, and took a moment to compose himself. Then he proceeded to the banquet hall to pretend he was a naive, unknowing buffoon once again.

Korvalain (Yellow) is dead. He was Xu You, an official in the Ministry of Revenue.

In the morning, a Minister turned up dead, and so the next day was spent in a mix of solemn mourning and furiously renewed intensity in the search for the assassin.

Karosis (alt146) is dead. He was Guo Jia, Minister of Works.

---

Yuan Shao had just suggested Ji Ping drink his own medicinal concoction. "Medicine is for the sick," the physician responded. "What's the use of my tasting it?" But Ji Ping knew he had been exposed and yanked Shao's ear in an attempt to pour the potion into him. Shao forced it aside, and the liquid spattered on the ground, causing the bricks to crack and split. Before Shao could give the order, his guards had pinned Ji Ping to the ground. "You really thought I was ill?" Shao said. "It was all arranged to test you, to see if you actually meant to do me harm." Twenty husky jailers whisked Ji Ping to a rear yard for interrogation. He lay bound on the ground, impassive, showing no fear; Yuan Shao sat on a raised platform. "A mere physician," he said, "wouldn't have the nerve to poison me. Who put you up to it? Talk and you'll be spared." "Traitor who has wronged the sovereign!" Ji Ping retorted. "Te entire realm would see you dead - not I alone." Shao hammered him with questions, but Ji Ping replied vehemently, "I meant to kill you for myself alone. No one sent me. My mission failed. I'm ready to die." Yuan Shao ordered Ji Ping beaten without mercy. After several hours his skin split open and the stairs before Yuan Shao were covered with blood. Finally, rather than lose the man and his testimony, Yuan Shao ordered a respite.

---

It is Day 7. 8 players still alive.

Path-Shaper, on 28 April 2010 - 07:32 PM, said:

Thus did Yuan Shao learn of Liu Bei's conspiracy from Qin Qintong and capture the would-be assassin Ji Ping. The very next day he invited all court officials and sequestered them in his palace. After an entire week had passed, the Imperial Uncle had been accused of treason by the court and Yuan Shao continued waiting for them to give him the mandate to arrest and execute Jian Yong as well.

At the seventh evening banquet, the officials unanimously pleaded with the Prime Minister to end their isolation and allow them to return to their offices. They acclaimed his wisdom and virtue in purging the court of the insurrection, but surely by now all the conspirators were caught?Yuan Shao clapped his hands in delight and said, "So you have grown bored of pointing fingers at your colleagues? Allow me to offer you some other entertainment, then!"

"Bring him in!" he called to the guards, and the hapless Ji Ping appeared, securely fastened in a wooden collar. He was placed where all could see him. "Heaven has indeed defeated the conspirators' plans, but I would like you officials to hear the evidence from this assassin's very mouth so that there is no doubt." Then Yuan Shao ordered the guards to beat the prisoner. They did so until Ji Ping lay unconscious, then they revived him by spraying water over his face. As soon as he came to, he glared at his oppressor and ground his teeth. "Yuan Shao, you rebel! What are you waiting for? Why not kill me?" cried Ji Ping. Yuan Shao replied, "The conspirators were only six at first; you made the seventh. Is that true?" Ji Ping shouted more abuse, while Jian Yong and the others exchanged uneasy glances, looking as though they were sitting on a rug full of needles. Yuan Shao continued his torture of the prisoner, beating him into unconsciousness and reviving him with cold water, the victim disdaining to ask mercy. Finally Yuan Shao realized he would incriminate none of his accomplices, and so he told the guards to remove Ji Ping.

The banquet was finished and the officials retired to their chambers, shaken, after they pronounced the counselor Dong Zhao as the most likely traitor among them. Yuan Shao remembered that Dong Zhao had advised him when the court was still fleeing Fan Chou, but said nothing.

Tulas Shorn (Vengeance) was lynched. He was Dong Zhao, Court Counselor.

---

Sorrit (The Dude) is dead. He was Guo Tu, Official in the Ministry of Justice

---

It is Day 8. 28 hours remaining

6 Players still alive: Alkend, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Hood's Path, Korbas

4 votes to lynch, 3 votes to go to night.


Players not voted: Alkend, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Hood's Path, Korbas

---

Please note that if the issue at work persists, I may not be able to handle counts and updates for several hours until I get home for the day.

-pb

Path-Shaper, on 29 April 2010 - 11:30 PM, said:

It is Day 8. 2 minutes remaining
6 Players still alive: Alkend, D'riss, Eloth, Galain, Hood's Path, Korbas

4 votes to lynch, 3 votes to go to night.

4 Votes for Korbas ( Alkend, Eloth, Hood's Path, Galain )
2 Votes for D'riss ( Korbas, D'riss )

Players not voted:

---

Korbas (Morgoth) was lynched. He was Jian Yong, an Official in the Ministry of Works.

The town has won!

This post has been edited by D'rek: 27 July 2011 - 08:31 PM

[D'rek]

Mafia 63.5 - The Gongsun Family's Pride

---

Roles:

Yuan Shao's forces (town):

Cen Pi - Field Marshall -> 1xBP, 1xLP, Finder [HMQB]
Chen Lin - General who Displays Might -> Paired Guard [Vengeance]
Han Xun - General who Pacifies the North -> Paired Guard [The Dude]
Geng Bao - Military Advisor -> Paired Healer [Edrigan]
Chen Rong - Military Advisor -> Paired Healer [Grief]
Cui Juye - Cavalry Commander -> Lover [PB]
Gui Yuanjin - Cavalry Commander -> Lover [Ment]


Gongsun Zan's forces (scum):

Gongsun Zan [dkt]
Gongsun Kang [alt]
Zhao Yun [Silencer]

---

Scenes:

Path-Shaper, on 03 June 2010 - 11:02 PM, said:

After eliminating Liu Bei's conspiracy, Yuan Shao ruled the capital Luo Yang absolutely. After elevating his favoured officials to occupy the vacant senior court positions, Yuan Shao began conscripting peasants and recalling his military commanders from across the northern plains. His generals began training the new armies for a full-scale invasion of the westlands.

However, in the sixth year of Jian An (A.D. 201), rumours reached the court of hordes of mounted bandits calling themselves the White Riders sweeping through the far northern regions. At their head, a fearsome warlord known as Gongsun Zan proclaimed to the peasants wherever he rode that he was coming for the head of Yuan Shao.

In his rise to power, Yuan Shao had crushed many other warlords and governors, among them the defender of the north-east, Gongsun Du. The entire Gongsun family in Liao Xi had been seized and executed as usual, but the governor's own son, Gongsun Kang, had escaped. It now seemed that Kang had ventured north beyond the Great Wall to find and bring the wrath of this most distant member of the Gongsun family upon Yuan Shao's head.

Yuan Shao sent his best cavalry commanders and as many mounted recruits as he could spare north to contest every li of land between Fan Yang and Luo Yang. The plans to conquer the westland would not be delayed even by the splitting of the heavens themselves.

Path-Shaper, on 03 June 2010 - 11:05 PM, said:

This is an alt-less town-vs-scum game.

24-hour days. 6-hour nights.


Multi-lynch is in effect - lynches do not end day, but voting for night still does. The number of votes required to lynch or vote night decreases as it would normally and does so immediately after the hammer vote is posted. Likewise, a lynched player is officially dead as soon as the hammer vote is posted. You can begin voting for a new lynch or night as soon as the hammer vote has been posted even if the mods haven't resolved the former lynch yet.

The CF will be given for all deceased stating their role name and alignment. The CF of lynches will only be given at the end of day.


The town is Yuan Shao's forces sent to subdue the northern invasion. The scum is Gongsun Zan's forces. Town win when the scum are all dead. Scum win when they achieve a majority or there is 1 town and 1 scum left alive.

---

Game Continuity:

If Yuan Shao's forces win, then Yuan Shao's forces will be of a brute-force nature at the coming battle of Shang Yong.

If Gongsun Zan's forces win, then Yuan Shao's forces will be forced to adopt more subtle tactics at Shang Yong. Additionally, Gongsun Zan will continue to harass Yuan Shao until he is eventually defeated (if ever).

---

Game Map:
GZ Pride map.jpg

Path-Shaper, on 13 July 2010 - 12:43 PM, said:

Day 1 is ended.

One lynch: 6 votes Vengeance (Silencer, PB, Dkt, HMQB, Grief, alt)

---

As Yuan Shao's forces traveled beyond the security of the border forts, the Field Marshall split the force into 3 units. One general rode to reinforce the castle at Zhuo Jun. The Field Marshall took his own forces to entrench himself around Fan Yang. The last general established camp in the open plains east of Fan Yang. On the first night, the soldiers awoke at night to hear the roaring of Gongsun Zan's White Riders beyond the hills. The soldiers could not sleep for fear of attack, but no assault came.

At dawn of the second day, Chen Lin rode out with his loyal bodyguard of 50 crack troops to survey the hills directly north of Fan Yang. Two days' journey beyond these hills lay the occupied town of Yan Guo, and Chen Lin suspected the White Riders were using a concealed valley to get within shouting distance of Yuan Shao's camps. Chen Lin had spotted the valley and was riding closer for a better examination when suddenly three dozen men burst out of the nearby forest wielding lances and charged for his horse. While Chen Lin's bodyguard swept past him to tangle with the enemy, Chen Lin turned his horse about and was suddenly cut in half by a single stroke of a sword. Bleeding out onto the ground, Chen lin looked up at a youthful, handsome figure astride a a silver horse, with long black hair tied in a simple knot. The figure, staring down at him, said "I will not let you scum spoil the dreams of our fathers!" then turned and rode off.

Vengeance is dead. He was Chen Lin, General who Displays Might of Yuan Shao's forces.

---

It is now Night 1. 6 hours remaining.

Path-Shaper, on 13 July 2010 - 03:30 PM, said:

In the waning hours of the evening, one of Chen Lin's sub-commanders arrived at Han Xun's camp to report Chen Lin's murder. Han Xun quickly gathered his fiercest company of soldiers, loaded several dozen wagons with incendiaries and set off for Chen Lin's camp. He left his deputy in charge of Zhuo Jun with orders not to open the gates to anyone but himself personally. Any messengers arriving at the gates were to be bound and stripped of weapons before entering the town.

Han Xun reached Chen Lin's encampment in the middle of the night and found the soldiers unorganized and frightened. He quickly rounded up the other sub-commanders and had the entire camp immediately begin erecting false tents and placing the wagons in preparation for an ambush.

At dawn, a thunderous charge could be felt through the ground as a horde of riders came sweeping down the hills into the camp. Han Xun placed his own crack troops just inside the camp, all feigning sleep. As the White Riders breached the outer walls and passed the row of wagons, the camp soldiers stood, lit arrows and released a volley. Flames burst into the sky along the wagons and the rear ranks of White Riders were burned alive instantly.

Han Xun shouted to press forward and push the panicked horde into the flames, but then heard fighting to his rear. The rear ranks of his crack troops had been cut down without warning and the next rows had now turned to repel a ferocious assault from the camp's soldiers. Xun saw the red scarves wound about the camp defenders' brows and knew he'd been tricked. He quickly dispatched his swiftest lieutenant to break out of the camp and send word to the Field Marshall and his own camp.

Han Xun was about to spur his own horse and ride towards the battle line when a sword abruptly slid into his chest. Xun stared down at the iron piercing his armor, then up into the eyes of the sub-commander who had warned his camp of Chen Lin's death earlier that evening. "The Gongsun family," he said, "has its pride, general. And you are not the man to stop it." In the chaos and flames, no one saw the killer flee towards the enemy lines.

The Dude is dead. He was Han Xun, General who Pacifies the North of Yuan Shao's forces.

The messenger dispatched by Han Xun expertly galloped through the chaos along the battle lines. He ducked the arrows speeding overhead and vaulted the lances thrust towards his horse, until at last one final leap took him through the flames and into the open plain beyond the camp. Hearing an especially loud commotion from within the camp, he turned just in time to see a lithe, long-haired figure upon a silver horse vault through the flames in precisely the same place and manner that the messenger had just performed. It was the last thing he ever saw, as the figure upon the silver horse brought down his sword through the messenger's head.

PB is dead. He was Cui Juye, a Cavalry Commander of Yuan Shao's forces.

Path-Shaper, on 14 July 2010 - 03:30 PM, said:

End of day 2.
There were no lynches.

---

The sun rose to shine down upon a thousand corpses and a thousand more feasting crows. Here and there, small groups of riders mounted on white horses passed through the field looking for survivors. On a hill overlooking the battlefield, a lithe, young warrior dismounted from his silver horse to retrieve the arrow he had loosed from the clamouring chaos of the middle of the battle. It had flown true and lodged itself in the neck of the silver-brocaded man shouting orders beneath the command canopy. Now the young warrior stared down in confusion, for the man with the pierced neck was far too young to be so much as a sergeant, and carried no rank or insignia at all.

---

It is night 2. 6 hours remaining.
7 players still alive: Alt, dkt, Edrigan, Grief, HMQB, Mentalist, Silencer

Path-Shaper, on 14 July 2010 - 07:16 PM, said:

After several defeats, Cen Pi called upon his top military advisor, Chen Rong, to devise traps and ploys against the enemy. Over the next few weeks, forest ambushes were fire-bombed, cavalry charges broken in pitted valleys and supply convoys were raided ceaselessly. Gongsun Zan grew more and more enraged after each report of Yuan Shao's soldiers luring his own into descructive schemes then disappearing before his mounted reinforcements could arrive.

When the latest report arrived, Gongsun Kang spoke up "Uncle, you have brought down the wrath of the Gongsun clan upon the treacherous Yuan Shao. And yet I, to my shame, have performed no great deeds in service to our clan. Am I not a competent rider, a fearsome warrior? They say this Chen Rong is just a strategist, that he has no skill with a blade. Give me your fastest horse and I will charge through his camp and eliminate him for you, uncle." Gongsun Zan replied, "If you can achieve all that you describe, this army's praises would mount to the sky!"

The next morning they rode to a hill overlooking Chen Rong's encampment. As they neared the hill's summit a scout suddenly dashed out of the forest and ran into the camp, shouting the alarm. Gongsun Zan was furious and ordered the retreat, but Kang said "This army has not the courage to dull my blade!" and put heels to his horse. Pointing his blade to the ground, he raced downhill, his golden eyes round and fixed, his cloak whipping in the wind. He dashed into the enemy line. The northern army parted like a wake as Gongsun Kang charged straight for Chen Rong, who was still under his canopy. Before Rong could identify the figure crashing toward him, the speed of Kang's horse had already brought them face-to-face. Chen Rong feigned a lunge for his sword but dived to the other side. Gongsun Kang adjusted his stroke mid-swing and scored deep gashes along Chen Rong's side. Even as he landed Chen Rong threw three daggers in quick succession. Kang deflected the first two, caught the third and flung it back at Chen Rong where it embedded itself between the strategist's eyes.

Gongsun Kang then turned his horse and charged out of the camp, knocking scores of men aside until they no longer tried to stop him. Gongun Zan and his commanders were amazed. They returned to Yu Yang where Zan hosted a lavish banquet in Kang's honour and had all his army refer to Kang as The Queller of the North.

Grief is dead. He was Chen Rong, a military advisor of Yuan Shao's forces.

---

It is day 3. 24 hours remaining.
6 Players alive.

4 votes to lynch. 3 to go to night.

No one has voted.

Path-Shaper, on 15 July 2010 - 02:03 AM, said:

After escaping Zhao Yun's fury, Cen Pi raced back to Fan Yang and gathered together the remnants of all three armies into the city. Geng Bao, one of his advisors, suggested that with Zhao Yun leading Gongsun's cavalry on their own borders, Zan's own encampments would be vulnerable to a surprise attack. "Geng Bao speaks my thoughts!" declared Cen Pi. Leaving a sizeable garrison behind, the army set out for Gongsun Zan's stronghold at Yu Yang. Cen Pi had cavalry commander Gui Yuanjin take a regiment of elite cavalry to continuously harass Zhao Yun's forces without engaging the enemy completely. This succeeded in keeping the mighty Zhao Yun away from the main battle.

The army reached Yu Yang midway through the morning. Mobiel catapults were immediately deployed to hurl flaming debris into the town while the infantry formed up to storm the walls. As Cen Pi had planned, the defenders were unprepared for the sudden arrival of his army and the walls were quickly breached. Crack troops made their way through the city to force open the main gates and soon Cen Pi's army was pouring into the city where the defenders fought a desperate retreat to the north gate. By mid-day the last remnants of Gongsun Zan's troops were fleeing into the hills. Cen Pi left Gui Yuanjin in charge of repairing and garrisoning the town, then took most of the army back to Fan Yang.

As they approached Fan Yang, Cen Pi addressed his commanders, "Geng Bao's brilliant mind has brought us a great victory today! Let him wear my own golden surcoat and ride at the head of our column into the city to receive the praise of the citizenry!" So, Geng Bao, wearing the Field Marshall's surcoat, lead the army through the gate to Fan Yang. He was ten paces inside when dozens of arrows sped from the wall, piercing the advisor and his horse. A moment later a man appeared on the wall. He was eight spans tall, and as broad as an ox. Brandishing Geng Bao's severed head, he shouted "Your meagre cavalry force is slaughtered, your encampments are taken and now your Field Marshall is dead! Submit, fools!"

Cen Pi rode up and shouted back "Don't count your bamboo stalks unless you've split them yourself, Gongsun Zan, you haven't got me yet!" Enraged, Gongsun Zan flung the head at Cen Pi and shouted orders to the soldiers behind him. The gates swung close and archers began firing at Cen Pi's troops. The Field Marshall pulled his forces out of arrow range and had them immediately begin encircling the city with defensive encampments.

On the walls, Gongsun Zan surveyed Cen Pi's camp contruction and thought, you cannot keep running from my ploys, Cen Pi, this will do nothing but delay my triumphant arrival in Luo Yang!

Ment is dead. He was Gui Yuanjin, a cavalry commander of Yuan Shao's forces.
Edrigan is dead. He was Geng Bao, a military advisor of Yuan Shao's forces.


Gongsun Zan's forces have won the game!

dktorode was Gongsun Zan, warleader of the White Riders
alt146 was Gongsun Kang, son of Gongsun Du
Silencer was Zhao Yun, Gongsun Zan's champion

This post has been edited by D'rek: 27 July 2011 - 08:32 PM

[D'rek]

Mafia 68: The Battle of Shang Yong

---

Roles:

Yuan Shao, Prime Minister of the Han - 1xBP, can Heal or Guard (Catapults!)
Shen Pei, Chief of the Secretariat - Operations Master {knows Cai Mao and Kuai Yue}
Yang Dajang - Finder (location, supposed alignment, role name) {knows Yuan Shao}
Yan Liang - Paired Killer w/ shared 1xBP {knows Yuan Shao}
Wen Chou - Paired Killer w/ shared 1xBP {knows Yuan Shao}
Cai Mao - Infiltrator {knows Yang Dajang}
Kuai Yue - Infiltrator {knows Yang Dajang}


Zhang Xiu, ruler of the Eastlands - 1xBP, Healer
Jia Xu, Chief Advisor - Operations Master {knows Hu Che'er and Zhuge Jin}
Hu Che'er - Infiltrator {knows Zhang Xiu}
Zhuge Jin - Infiltrator {knows Zhang Xiu}


Huang Zhong - Guard, shared BP
Wei Yan - Killer, shared BP {knows Huang Zhong}
Pang Tong - Finder (location, supposed alignment, role name) {knows Huang Zhong}

---

Scenes:

Quote

Intro Scene

In the fourth year of Jian An (A.D. 199), Huang Zhong fled Yuan Shao's court at Luo Yang. His forces wandered about, fighting bandits, recruiting men and pacifying the realm. By the seventh year of Jian An, he had established himself in Xin Ye, south of Wan Cheng, where he stockpiled grain, recruited talented officers and trained his soldiers into an elite fighting force. Yuan Shao, meanwhile tightened his grip on the imperial court, eliminated Liu Bei's conspiracy and strengthened his own forces in preparation for uniting the empire under his rule.

By the eleventh year of Jian An, Yuan Shao had complete control of the imperial court and the northern invasion of Gongsun Zan had turned into a lengthy siege. Eager to begin his invasion and capture Liu Bei's accomplice, Huang Zhong, Yuan Shao ordered the mobilization of half a million soldiers in the capital Luo Yang, divided into five equal contingents.

Word soon arrived in Xin Ye that Yuan Shao was descending upon them with half a million men. The call went out for all of Huang Zhong's twenty thousand men to prepare for battle…

In Han Zhong, spies reported to the warlord Zhang Xiu that Yuan Shao had mobilized his forces in an invasion of northern Jing, and there was no telling where he would stop. Would Zhang Xiu's forces combat Yuan Shao once again?[/i] [/size]

---

Day 1, Half-Day Scene

Huang Zhong's meagre forces fled Xin Ye and traveled to Xiang Yang. The city was currently under the control of Liu Zong, son of the deceased former Jingzhou governor Liu Biao. The two forces joined together to defend the city. When Yuan Shao's vanguard arrived, Liu Zong's officer Wen Ping secretly defected and then set fires at the northern gate. Yuan Shao's forces rushed into the city while Wen Ping fought off all attempts to seal the gate. Huang Zhong and Liu Zong could not secure the walls, so their forces retreated west.

Word soon came that Yuan Shao had secured the northern bank of the Xiang River and had crack troops racing south to capture Jiang Ling. Huang Zhong's master strategist, Pang Tong, said, "Fang Ling enjoys natural defenses and has ample cash and grain. It can be held indefinitely. I advise you, my lord, to station yourself there. Let young Master Zong take his forces to besiege Jiang Ling while we work our navy into fighting condition and recruit more men. We can hold Yuan Shao off by thus placing our forces in pincer formation. For us to attack Jiang Ling together would leave us isolated." "Wise counsel," Liu Zong said. "However, I would ask that your forces help escort our siege weapons to Jiang Ling. After that there'll be time enough for you to proceed to Fang Ling." "Young master Liu has a point," Huang Zhong said and, after dispatching Wei Yan to Fang Ling with five thousand men, he headed for Jiang Ling with Pang Tong and Liu Zong.[/size]

In the west of the empire Zhang Xiu, stationed at Han Zhong, heard that Yuan Shao had moved into Jingzhou and was marching on Jiang Ling double time. He therefore assembled his counselors to discuss the defense of his territory. Zhuge Jin said, "Jingzhou adjoins our territory. Rivers and mountains protect it. Its people are prosperous. If we can seize and hold the province, we will acquire the resources to establish our rule over the empire. I propose that you send me to Shang Yong to exchange formalities with Huang Zhong. I believe I can persuade him and Liu Biao's former commanders to make common cause with us against Yuan Shao. Huang Zhong's cooperation would provide a firm basis for our grand strategy." Zhang Xiu adopted the proposal and dispatched Zhuge Jin to Shang Yong with gifts.

---

End of Day 1

As Yuan Shao's forces raced south to Jiang Ling, the vanguard lead by Wen Chou passed the coastal town of Mai Chang. He found the top of the wall crowded with banners, the moat below thick with sharp staves and barbed branches. Wen Chou reined in and shouted, "Open your gates in the name of the Emperor!" Kuai Yue, a former advisor to Liu Biao appeared on the walls and shouted back, "Traitors to the Han! How dare you spoil our peaceful province and hunt down the warlord Huang Zhong, a man of humane character and virtue!" His archers began firing at Wen Chou's party, who retreated to a safe distance.

However, from within the town another voice shouted out "Kuai Yue, common footslogger! Why do you incite sedition and expose the people to Yuan Shao's wrath? I, Zhang Yun, will cut you down and deliver this city to the Prime Minister!" Soldiers poured out of nearby buildings and charged the positions on the wall. By afternoon, Kuai Yue's archers had fallen or fled. Looking out upon his province of Jing, aflame all across the horizon, Yue was cut down by Zhang Yun, who immediately tendered the city to Wen Chou.

Kuai Yue, a former advisor to Liu Biao, is dead. (Liosan and High Mage Quick Ben)

---

End of night 1

After taking Jiang Ling and routing Liu Zong's forces, Yuan Shao's southern contingent marched north to encamp near Shang Yong and harass the Huang Zhong/Zhang Xiu alliance's southern flank. The hundred-thousand-man force was commanded jointly by the brother generals Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang. For the march north, Lü Kuang lead a three-thousand-man shock force fit out in iron armor to sweep aside any scouts or traps placed by the enemy. In the afternoon of the fifth day of the march, Lü Kuang reached the slopes of Magpie Tail Mountain and saw soldiers massed under orange and grey flags. As he advanced, an enemy general Wei Xu was spotted dispatching soldiers into elaborate prearranged maneuvers. Lü Kuang called a brief halt. "There must be an ambush ahead," he said, and sent a messenger to his brother and Yuan Shao's chief officer of personnel, Yang Dajang, who was with the main command. "It's only a decoy," Yang Dajang sent back. "There's no ambush there. Press on. We will follow."

Lü Kuang's force advanced and engaged in a brief skirmish with Wei Xu's forces, but the enemy fled quickly, leaving Lü Kuang vanguard to exit the narrow slopes uncontested. As Lü Kuang prepared to send a message of praise to the command group the earth began to rumble and enormous boulders tumbled from the mountain into the main army passing through the slopes. Behind the boulders came Wei Xu's troops crashing into the confused army. Lü Kuang used his crack troops to clear a path to the center of the battle, where he met his brother. Before they could rescue any other officers, the Yuan Shao soldiers threw down their weapons and surrendered to the enemy. The Lü brothers mounted horses and fled.

Yang Dajang, chief officer of personnel of Yuan Shao's forces, is dead. (Serc and Lisheo)

---

Day 2 half-day scene

Knowing that a mighty naval force would be the key to conquering Shang Yong and pushing on to Han Zhong, Yuan Shao had constructed a naval camp at the newly-conquered Xiang Yang. Among the many Jingzhou officers who surrendered, Wen Ping and Zhang Yun were well-known expert naval commanders. He commissioned them as chief naval commanders and entrusted them with training his northern forces in marine combat. The two commanders set up a row of twenty-four water lanes for communication; the larger boats formed the outer rim, enclosing the smaller like a city wall. At night the torches lit up the sky and river, while on land the camps, which stetched for three hundred li, sent up smoke and fire day and night.

Spies reported on the layout of the camp to Zhang Xiu's forces. The commanders were shocked: "With such an effectively orgnized naval force, and so many soldiers, how can we hope to overcome them?" Jia Xu laughed and replied, "Have no fear, gentlemen, I will set Yuan Shao's naval forces into disarray without loosing a single arrow!" The next day, Jia Xu sailed a small boat close to Xiang Yang to observe the enemy naval camp, and made sure that Yuan Shao's command tent could spot him observing. That evening, Yuan Shao conferred with his commanders: "The enemy has observed our camp with ease, but we know little of their own." "Your troubles are over, Your Excellency," said Peng Ji, an advisor. "Jia Xu and I were acquainted as children, but he is unaware that I am serving as a military advisor. I will go west, pretending to be arriving from the court, and while reminiscing will gather all the intelligence you need!"

So Jia Xu and Peng Ji's plots were each begun, but who would triumph in the battle of wits?

---

End of Day 2

Peng Ji, dressed in hempen scarf and plain weave robe, sped downriver, straight to the western forces' forward camp on the river north of Shang Yong. Jia Xu received him with low bows. "You have been well since we parted, I trust," said Peng Ji. "My friend, you have taken great trouble, coming so far to serve as Yuan Shao's spokesman," Jia Xu responded. Taken aback, Peng Ji said, "We have been apart so long, I came especially to reminisce. How could you suspect me of such a thing?" With a smile, Jia Xu answered, "My ear may not be so fine as the great musician Shi Kuang's, but I can discern good music and good intentions too." "Dear friend," Peng Ji replied, "if this is how you treat an old friend, I must beg my leave." Laughing, Jia Xu took Peng Ji by the arm and said, "I was afraid brother, that you were working for Yuan Shao, that's all. If you have no such purpose, there is no need to rush. Please stay." And so the two of them went into the camp. After the ritual greetings they seated themselves, and Jia Xu summoned the notables of the west to feast his friend.

"Since fielding the army," Jia Xu declared, "I have drunk no wine. But today, in the company of an old friend, with no lack of trust, let us have our fill and then some!" With that, he laughed loudly and drank deeply. The toasts came thick and fast. Feigning intoxication, Jia Xu laughed heartily. "To think we were once students together!" he said. "Who would have foreseen a day like today?" "Brother," said Peng Ji, "with your supreme abilities, such accomplishment is only too fitting." Gripping Peng Ji's hand, Jia Xu pointed to the commanders and said, "These are the pillars of the west. And this gathering today shall be known as the Congregation of the Heroes." The company kept on drinking and laughing gaily until late into the evening.

During the evening, Peng Ji recognized a familiar face in the minor officers. Catching his eye, Jia Xu said, "That is the fearless Cai Mao. He commanded Jiang Ling until Yuan Shao's forces took the city and fled across the province to join us here for revenge." Believing him to be a spy for Yuan Shao and wishing not to foil Cai Mao's deception, Peng Ji prepared to leave.

Jia Xu interrupted him, "We have not shared a couch for many a year, my friend. Tonight we share a bed foot-to-foot." Thoroughly intoxicated, he led Peng Ji arm in arm into his bedchamber and there collapsed, sprawling into bed fully dressed and vomiting copiously. How could Peng Ji sleep? He lay on his pillow, listening. Looking about the tent, he saw the wasted candle still giving light. On the table Peng Ji noticed a sheaf of documents. He rose and stealthily looked through them: among the correspondance was a letter from Zhang Yun and Wen Ping, Yuan Shao's new naval commanders. He peeked at the contents:


We surrendered to Shao by dint of circumstance, not for wealth or rank. We have tricked the northern army by enclosing it inside the large ships. The moment we have the chance, we will deliver the traitor Shao's head to you. Cai Mao will be our contact in your camp: Yuan Shao believes he is spying for him, but he will feed Shao all the false information you wish and keep you updated on our plans within the Prime Minister's camp. Have no doubts. Herein our respectful reply.

Peng Ji stowed the letter in his clothes, extinguished the lamp and lay down. At the fourth watch, he slipped out of the tent and headed for the main gate. "Where to, sir?" the guard asked. "I'm afraid I have been keeping the field marshal from his work, so I am saying good-bye for now." The guard made no attempt to stop them.

As soon as Peng Ji had departed, Jia Xu called for armed guards to arrest and execute Cai Mao as a traitor. Had Peng Ji flushed out Cai Mao's disguise?

Cai Mao, a spy, is dead. (Ruse and Vengeance)



---

Start of Night 2

Yuan Shao faced his chief strategist, "Are the preparations ready? If we attack en masse, will your infiltrators set fire to the supply depot? Will they sound bombards to alert us to enemy ambushes? Have you DONE ANYTHING AT ALL?!" The strategist did not so much as twitch. "I am uncertain, my lord. I have not received any secret messages in many days." "Enough with these games," Yuan Shao shouted. "Tonight, we strike! Send the signals to your spies, if they are still alive." The chief strategist bowed and left.

At dawn, Yuan Shao's five contingents closed upon the enemy from all sides. Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang each lead a contingent against Huang Zhong's forces encamped in Fang Ling, while Zhang Yun and Wen Ping bombarded Zhang Xiu's naval base on the river. Yan Liang's cavalry roamed the terrain between the camps eliminating any scouts and Yuan Shao personally commanded a regiment of catapults to bombard the enemy fortifications. With the enemy on all sides, the defenders could do nothing but try and hold their walls.

Yuan Shao's Total Enfilade Operation has been used. All Yuan Shao's enemies are guarded tonight.

---

End of Night 2

After Yuan Shao's attack, Peng Ji returned in his boat and sped back to Yuan Shao. "Have you learned anything worthwhile?" asked Shao. Peng Ji showed the Prime Minister the letter. "That's how the villains repay my kindness!" roared Yuan Shao, "They and all their clans will die for this, but first we shall use them." Just then Zhang Yun and Wen Ping were announced. They lead in a third man, hands bound. "This warrior claims to be an officer of Zhang Xiu who has been sorely abused and wishes to defect," they said. "His name is Hu Che'er." Yuan Shao eyed the man, who was 8 spans tall and covered in scars, a fearsome warrior for sure. So, they bring in this man to assassinate me, he thought. "This defection is a ruse," pronounced Yuan Shao, and signalled to the guards to remove the man and execute him. Zhang Yun and Wen Ping were shocked. Yuan Shao declared, "Let that be a warning to any who contemplate treason." Zhang Yun and Wen Ping retired, shaken.

Hu Che'er, a defecting officer, or maybe a ruse of Jia Xu, is dead. (Mockra and Silencer)

---

Day 3 half-day scene.

Yuan Shao's overwhelming assault had killed countless men on both sides and had severely reduced the Zhang Xiu-Huang Zhong alliance's stock of horses, arrows and ships. Ultimately, though, Yuan Shao's forces had been unable to storm the western fortresses and had returned to Xiang Yang to plot their next attack. As repairs began across the camps, Zhang Xiu sounded the drums, convening a general assembly of the alliance's commanders, outside his tent. Zhang Xiu began: "Yuan Shao's million-strong horde, deployed along a three-hundred-li stretch of land and shore, will not be defeated in a single day. I am ordering the commanders to take three months' rations and prepare to defend our line." Huang Zhong's strategist Pang Tong came forward, interrupting him. "Never mind three months' - thirty months' rations won't do the job," he said. "If we can beat them this month, then let's do it. If not, what choice have we but to throw down our weapons, face north, and sue for peace?"

Zhang Xiu explored in fury. "I lead our troops to destroy Yuan Shao. The next man to advocate surrender dies! Now at the very moment of confrontation between the two armies, how dare you weaken our morale?" Roughly, he barked orders to his guards: "Throw him to the ground. One hundred strokes across the back should teach him a proper lesson." Huang Zhong rushed forward to make an appeal, but Zhang Xiu overturned his table, silenced them with a gesture, and ordered the whipping carried out.

Pang Tong was stripped and forced facedown to the ground. After fifty blows of the rod the officers appealed for mercy. Zhang Xiu said, "You have dared to show your disrespect! The other fifty will be held in reserve. Any further insults will be doubly punished." Still muttering angrily, he re-entered his tent. The officers helped Pang Tong to his feet. His skin was broken everywhere and his oozing flesh was crossed with welts. Returning to his camp, he fainted several times. All who came to express their sympathy wept freely.

Pang Tong lay in his tent all day. Commanders came to sympathize, and Tong moaned but did not speak. As the sun set, Pang Tong rose, dismissed his attendants, and instructed his guards not to permit entrance to anyone for two days. Disguised as a fisherman, Pang Tong snuck out of his tent and stole a boat on the south shore of the river. At the third watch, he reached Yuan Shao's camp...

---

End of Day 3

Pang Tong was captured by a river patrol and brought before the Prime Minister. "Only a fisherman," said the patrol's commander, "but he claims to be Pang Tong, an advisor of Huang Zhong." Sitting rigidly at his desk, Yuan Shao said, "A name long known to me, but what brings you here?" Pang Tong described how he had opposed the alliance with Zhang Xiu and urged his lord to surrender to Yuan Shao. "Now, my lord sits idly by while that western tyrant answers my voice of reason with unjust punishment!" Pang Tong removed his robes and showed an astonished Yuan Shao his still-bleeding wounds. "People say that Your Excellency yearns for men of ability. Outraged and vengeful, I wish to defect." Delighted, Yuan Shao said, "If you can achieve real merit, you will be rewarded far above all others." "It is not for rank or emolument that I come," answered Pang Tong. "I am doing what Heaven ordains and men approve." Yuan Shao poured Pang Tong wine and then had him escorted to a tent to rest.

The following day, Yuan Shao called for Pang Tong and said, "Your great name has long been familiar to me, and we welcome your gracious regard. May I hope that you will look over the features of our deployment, offering us advice and instruction?" Yuan Shao called for horses and invited Pang Tong to review his naval stations. There were twenty-four openings facing south, and in each the attack boats and warships were laid out like a city wall, within which clustered the smaller craft. For passage there were channels, and everything proceeded in good order. Smiling delightedly, Pang Tong said to Yuan Shao, "Excellency, if your use of forces is like this, your reputation has not preceded you for naught!" So saying, Pang Tong pointed across the river and cried, "Zhang Xiu, Huang Zhong, the day of your doom is fixed!"

Immensely pleased, Shao returned to camp and invited Pang Tong into his tent to share his wine and talk of military machinations. After much discourse Pang Tong said, "You have good medical services for the troops, no doubt?" "Unfortunately, much of our sailors have been unable to adjust to the southern clime and have been seized with nausea and vomiting. We have too few physicians to treat them all," Yuan Shao responded. "There is a way to free the sailors of their ailments, to make them steady and capable of success," said Pang Tong. Yuan Shao was delighted and eager to learn. "On the river the tide swells and recedes," Pang Tong continued, "and the wind and the waves never subside. These northern troops, unaccustomed to shipboard, suffer from the pitching and rolling. This is the cause of their ailment. Reorganize your small and large vessels: marshal them in groups of thirty or fifty and make them fast with iron hoops, stem to stem and stern to stern. Then, if wide planks are laid so that horses as well as men can cross from ship to ship, however rough the waves or steep the swells, what will you have to fear?" Yuan Shao was amazed and toasted Pang Tong's wisdom. Thanking him, Yuan Shao excused himself to begin the changes immediately.

As Pang Tong returned towards his tent, a man dressed all in tight-fitting black silks approached, grabbed him and said, "Your audacity is remarkable! You use the 'battered-body scheme' to win His Excellency's trust, and now you submit the plan for linking the boats - your only concern being that the coming fire attack might not consume everything! Such insidious mischief may be enough to take in Yuan Shao, but it won't work on me." Terrified, Pang Tong tried to break free, but his captor neatly pulled a dagger and thrust it into the advisor's heart.

Pang Tong, Huang Zhong's chief advisor, is dead. (Rashan and Tattersail)

---

Night 3

The soldiers were formed up, the boats were unanchored, ballista oiled and horses well fed. Jia Xu called together his commanders to receive their orders. First he told Wei Xu: "Take Cai Mao's surrendered soldiers along the southern shore. Fly only the flag of the northern troops. Penetrate the camp around Yuan Shao's grain depot, then signal with fire." Next he called Yang Qiu and instructed him: "Take three thousand men on transports down the river, exit on the north shore and secure Fan Cheng to intercept Shao's reinforcement from Wan Cheng. Attack immediately and signal us by fire. Look for the red flag: it will mean Hou Xuan is coming to your aid. Wei Xu and Yang Qiu had to travel the farthest, and so they went off first.

Jia Xu turned to the remaining commanders. "Marines and archers to the ships, cavalry assemble at the front gate, infantry assemble one li east of the camp. Keep your craft, weapons, and rigging in readiness. Once the order comes down, the slightest delay will be punsihed with the severity of martial law." Lastly, he turned to Wei Yan. "Our fate rests with you. As soon as you set the flames our forces will strike the enemy encampments from all directions. If Pang Tong has succeeded in chaining Yuan Shao's ships together, the flames will spread and we will crush his forces with ease."

Wei Yan's elite force took ship and charged the enemy naval base. Their approach was reported to Yuan Shao, who sent Wen Ping and Zhang Yun to eliminate the incoming force. Wen Ping shouted from his ship "You assault us with only a handful of ships? You come to your deaths!" As these words were hanging in the air, Wei Yan nocked an arrow and let fly. As the arrow sang, he shouted back "No, yours!" and Wen Ping, struck in the left arm, toppled over in his boat.

Yuan Shao witnessed the arrow kill Wen Ping, followed by Zhang Yun's attempt to board Wei Yan's vessel. Wei Yan, wielding a five-span axe, repelled the boarders, then leapt on to Zhang Yun's vessel. Zhang Yun dove overboard and was lost in the river. Wei Yan's fleet broke formation and spread across the width of Yuan Shao's navy. Shao heard Peng Ji note, "If they held grain, they would be low and steady in the water. But these boats are so light, they are practically skimming-" and then the first of Wei Yan's ships burst into an explosion of flame and smoke. As each boat made contact with Yuan Shao's fleet, oil-soaked timber and kindling were torched. Soon smoke and flame screened off the sky. The face of the water where the rivers joined could scarcely be seen as the flames chased the wind in piercing currents of red that seemed to rise to the heaves and pass through the earth.

The Zhang Xiu/Huang Zhong Fire Attack has been launched. Their forces receive additional kills for this night.

However, Yuan Shao had been informed by Qu Yi of Pang Tong's ruse, and many of his ships, unchained, were able to escape the flames. From all sides, Zhang Xiu and Huang Zhong's forces closed in and battles raged between the flames from horizon to horizon. Seeing that the ships were unchained, Jia Xu personally lead an elite force of marines to stall the enemy ships' retreat long enough for the flames to take them. Catapults and ballista were fired from all sides, and Jia Xu's ship was struck directly. Struggling to the shore, he was spotted by Wen Chou, who drew his bow and shot the strategist in the shoulder. Jia Xu drew his sword, killed a passing scout and stole his horse to retreat west. When he reached Shang Yong he fainted and could not be revived, so he was sent to Han Zhong to recover.

Jia Xu, chief strategist of Zhang Xiu, is severely wounded and is out of the game. (Kessobahn and Kurt Montandon)

---

Night 3, after the operation

As Jia Xu escaped into the distance, Wen Chou turned back to his army to find the field strewn with their corpses. Walking up the hill, a broken spear in one hand and a longsword in the other was Wei Yan. Wen Chou loosed another arrow, but Wei Yan knocked it aside without breaking stride, so Wen Chou threw down his bow, drew his sword and charged his horse towards the warrior. Wei Yan stood his ground until Wen Chou was only a stride away, then rolled under Chou's sword and buried his spear in the horse's flank. The horse reared and Wen Chou neatly tumbled off onto Wei Yan's sword.

Wen Chou, a general of Yuan Shao, is dead. (Merrid and MTS)

---

End of Day 4

Fires rolled across the river like waves, and the cries of men shook the earth. Zhang Xiu's agile boat squads encircled the exposed northern craft and raked them with arrows. Wei Xu lead a cavalry force that stormed through Yuan Shao's encampments, while on the north and south shores of the river, Zhang Xiu and Huang Zhong personally lead their elite guards to strike the unbroken camps in force. Unchained, many of Yuan Shao's larger craft had survived the previous night and turned about to ram the smaller western craft. Zhang Xiu's spies had not opened the gates of Yuan Shao's main encampments, so the attackers scaled the battlements by hand. Such indeed was the battle at Shang Yong and the bloody trial of war at Xiang Yang. On each side, those who fell to spear or arrow, or burned to death or drowned were beyond numbering.

---

Night 4

While the sea war raged, Yan Liang lead an elite cavalry force through the mountains west of Xiang Yang. As Zhang Xiu's rear forces departed camp, they stampeded down the hills and stormed towards the grain depot. Leaping the outer wall, the horses landed in a dense field of buried spears. Man and horse alike were torn to pieces. Seeing the spears in mid-air, Yan Liang vaulted from his horse and thrust his lance into the ground. The lance carried him beyond the spears, where he was immediately set upon by a dozen guards. Wielding his twin sabres, Liang made short work of the guards, retrieved a package of kindling from his horse and made his way to the grain stocks. As the depot burst into flame, Yan Liang made his escape.

At the gate, a solitary figure waited with sword drawn. As Yan Liang approached he saw that the figure was an aged figure, with a grey beard as long as his chest. "Can it be the famed Huang Zhong?" "If you know my name, you know that with this sword and this bow, if a thousand come, a thousand die! Get on your knees and submit!" The two figures clashed, but Yan Liang immediately found himself parrying frantically, even though Huang Zhong wielded only a single sword to his two. For all his age, the veteran general's sword darted about with unbelievable speed and precision. Desperately, Yan Liang feinted to the side, then leaped backwards and threw a sword. Huang Zhong was not fooled and deftly caught the sword in his other hand. Yan Liang used the space between the figures to wisely flee through the gate. Huang Zhong shouted after him, "Allow me to return your blade!" and threw the sword. Yan Liang ducked, but the sword cut his neck as it flew overhead. Clutching the wound, he fled to regroup with the stragglers of his forces.

Yan Liang, a general of Yuan Shao, is wounded, lost in the mountains and out of the game. (Galain and Peanutbutta)

---

End of Day 5

His forces in complete disarray and enemies closing on all sides, Yuan Shao ordered a full retreat of his core forces. They struggled north from Xiang Yang, pursued by roving bands of Zhang Xiu and Huang Zhong's forces. Yuan Shao saw the front line come to a halt and asked why. The report came back: "The hills ahead are rarely crossed; the paths are too narrow, and the horses have bogged down in the ditches after the morning's rains." In an exasperated tone Yuan Shao said, "Are you telling me that an army that forges through mountains and bridges rivers can't get through a little mud?" Then he sent down the command: "Half the able-bodied are to carry earth, wood, grass, and reeds to fill in the road. Let the old, the weak, and the wounded follow as best they can. The remaining healthy soldiers are to guard the rear against the enemy. The march must resume. I am counting on every man to aid its speed as best he can, but we leave none behind." At these words, the soldiers felt renewed vigour and trudged ahead.

Starved and exhausted, the troops progress was tortuously slow. By the seventh watch, the remnants of the army crested a hill and saw the fortified town of Deng in the distance. "We've made it," shouted the commanders but just then a bombard sounded and five hundred expert swordsmen flanked the road. At their head, raising a serpentine blade, the general Yang Qiu checked Yuan Shao's advance. Shao's men felt their souls desert them, their courage die. They looked at one another helplessly.

"It is the last battle, then," said Yuan Shao, "and we must fight it or perish. No doubt he is under orders not to settle this with single combat, but let's see him refuse the temptation of eliminated the Prime Minister himself!" Ordering his guards to remain, Shao dismounted and stepped forward of the army, drawing his longsword. Yang Qiu advanced and the two swords clashed again and again through fifty rolls of the drums. As dawn began to rise, Shao began incrementally maneuvering about Yang Qiu to face his own army. As the sun broke from the horizon, the Qiu was momentarily blinded and Shao thrust his sword through the Zhang Xiu general's chest. Zhang Xiu's swordsmen parted to allow the northern army to pass.

Yuan Shao has retreated from the region. (Tulas Shorn and Mentalist)

---

Night 5 and end of game

As stragglers of Yuan Shao's forces were engaged around Xiang Yang, Zhang Xiu turned to Zhuge Jin, "Jiang Ling is the stronghold of Jingzhou. I will provide you with a crack force of infantry, archers and cavalry. Proceed with all haste and take the city before Huang Zhong realizes. From Jiang Ling we can control all of Jing with ease." Zhuge Jin quickly gathered his forces and marched south. From within Jiang Ling, the master strategist Shen Pei saw the approaching force and knew he could not hold them off. "If Zhang Xiu takes Jiang Ling, he will control all of Jing within a year and will threaten Luo Yang itself," he mused. "Better to let the two tigers fight over the carcass while the dragon licks its wounds." Shen Pei called for a swift messenger and said, "Here is a missive for the general Lü Xiang. I want you to race north to the area near Xiang Yang. Get as close as you can to Huang Zhong's camp without seeming suspicious, then make sure you are captured by his patrols. Do not let yourself be captured by Zhang Xiu instead!" Confused but loyal, the messenger rode off immediately.

Zhuge Jin's forces arrived and encamped around the city's exits. Shen Pei lead his meagre forces in a charge out of the eastern gate, broke the encirclement and continued east while harassing Zhuge Jin's forces. Jin sent all his forces in pursuit. A sharp clash ensued, lasting until the late afternoon. Eventually, Shen Pei broke off and fled northeast. Satisfied, Zhuge Jin regather his troops and returned to Jiang Ling. Reaching the walls of the city, they saw a host of flags and banners, and the famed Wei Yan calling to them from the wall tower: "On orders from Huang Zhong, I have taken posession of the city." Zhuge Jin was furious, but no commander dared to go to the walls and face Wei Yan. Shamed, Jin's forces retreated and reported to a furious Zhang Xiu.

Shen Pei has retreated. (Tiamatha and General King)

The Zhang Xiu and Huang Zhong alliance has defeated Yuan Shao's invasion!
Huang Zhong has also succeeded in claiming the Jing province.

This post has been edited by D'rek: 27 July 2011 - 08:33 PM

[D'rek]

Scenes from Mafia 70.5 - The Stalwart Ma Teng

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Roles:

SCUM:

Ma Teng (leader) - dibs (can communicate with each killer separately)
Ma Chao (killer) - Grief
Pang De (killer) - Lizra
King Midang (symp) - Trull's son (knows Ma Teng)


TOWN:

Wang Can - great scholar/minister/advisor(observe guards and heals, pass on to one person, 1xBP) - MTS

Hou Xuan - cavalry commander (guard) - HiddenOne
Li Tong - general (vig) - Ace Hunter
Ma Liang - military advisor (healer) - ansible
Lady Zou (lover) - Tapper (can change lover every day)
Qubei - brother of Xiongnu Shanyu Liu Bao (ninja) - Vengeance

Wei Xu(delayed killer) - Shinrei
Zhuge Jin(delayed finds) - Roldom
(these two have no abilities until day 3. If killed/lynched before then, the character does not die)

Yang Ang - military commander (RI) - Mentalist
Liu Ba - military advisor (RI) - Silencer
Pang Yi - military commander (RI) - PB
Yue Jiu - military commander (RI) - The Dude
Yi Ji - military advisor (RI) - Tattersail

---

Scenes:

Intro Scene:

Quote

Zhang Xiu's forces had triumphed in the battle of Shang Yong, but gained little due to the trickery of Huang Zhong. With many veteran officers having been wounded or killed, and morale low amongst the soldiers, Zhang Xiu lead the main army back to Han Zhong. Edicts were sent around the west calling for men of talent to present themselves at court. The soldiers were returned to the fields to increase the grain reserve. Foreign relations were developed withthe surrounding tribal nations. By the reign year Jian An 20 (215 A.D.), the West's granaries were bursting, while Zhang Xiu's court was full of intelligent ministers and courageous generals.

In late Jian An 22, numerous reports arrived in Han Zhong that the Emperor had abdicated the throne to Yuan Shao, who had proclaimed the beginning of the Xia Dynasty. Soon, Zhang Xiu's officials began calling upon him to establish his own throne in challenge to the traitorous Shao. At the end of the year, Zhang Xiu proclaimed himself Emperor of the Lu Dynasty, and set his own reign year to Huang Wu 1 (it was 218 A.D.), promising to gather his forces and destroy Yuan Shao. Before the ink on the royal edict could dry, a messenger rushed in to the court to report the fall of Jin Cheng. Uncountable cavalry wings bearing the banner of Ma Teng were sweeping all across the northern border!

Day 1 - Pang De (lizra)'s kill fails from Ma Liang(ansible)'s heal:

Quote

In the surrounded city of Di Dao, an official of Zhang Xiu was contemplating charging the besiegers with their elite guard to break through and flee south. On the morning of their planned attack a messenger charged into the compound bearing a message that had been fired over the walls by arrow during the night. The message read "If your esteemed self is planning to force your way through the blockade, you may not be aware that Ma Teng's nephew, Ma Dai, commands an elite cavalry force just east of Di Dao that will easily catch you once you break out. Consider instead how you may better serve our Lord by remaining among the enemy forces, gathering intelligence and exchanging secret messengers with our generals. I pray that you see the wisdom in this and do not sacrifice yourself needlessly." Reading the message and wondering what advisor of Zhang Xiu saw matters so clearly, the official ordered their guards to put away their weapons and begin disguising themselves as peasants.

Day 1 - Ma Chao (grief) kills Roldom

Quote

In the capital Han Zhong, the loss of Jin Cheng put an end to all discussion of an eastern campaign. Zhang Xiu summoned general Zou Jing and the veteran military advisor Zhuge Jin. He instructed them: "Ma Teng is no fool, he will try to prevent our main army from reinforcing the north. Take a force of ten thousand and head immediately to San Pass and hold it for ten days. Be especially wary of ships sailing down the Wei River. After ten days your responsibility ends. Wei Xu will bring up the main army." The two officers sped to the pass with their orders. On the ninth day, a flotilla of ships arrived on the Wei River and a force of five thousand men disembarked carrying the banners of Ma Chao. Ma Chao led his troops below the pass and loudly defamed Zhang Xiu, his father, and his uncle. Outraged, Zou Jing called for horses and detailed three thousand to go down from the pass and slaughter the enemy. Zhuge Jin lit out after him to call him back, but shouts to the rear brought him up short. Cavalry lead by Ma Chao had hid in the forests to either side and now attacked Zhuge Jin's forces from both sides. A frenzied clash ensued. Half of Zhuge Jin's men were lost before he broke through enemy lines and bolted for the pass. Ma Chao pursued the fleeing soldiers, who fled the pass while the Xiliang troops raided the supplies and commandeered the defenses.

Roldom is defeated. He was Zhuge Jin,

End of Day 1

Quote

In Tian Shui, the governor Wang Can summoned representatives of all the generals in the northern region. The officers assembled in the local garrison and Wang Can relayed his orders: "Ma Teng's legions ride the swiftest mounts and can traverse our territory from east to west in two days' hard ride. Our infantry are slow and our siege weapons easily avoided. I am ordering all armies to take defensive positions in our cities, bring the villagers and grain behind your walls and hold to your positions. To have come this far, Ma Teng has no catapults or arbalests, only ladders and portable rams. Let him waste his soldiers on our walls like water on rock. By now, our lord Emperor has already sent the main army from Han Zhong and when they arrive we shall pour out of our cities and trap Ma Teng's forces between us!" So saying, Wang Can directed the armies to station themselves in the cities of Long Xi, Qin Chuang, Fu Feng and others. An edict was circulated recommending all peasants to flee with their harvests into the walled cities before Ma Teng's forces arrived to plunder the countryside.

Day 2 - Lizra kills Vengeance

Quote

Since declaring himself Emperor, Zhang Xiu had sent representatives and gifts to all the tribal nations surrounding his dynasty. As soon as news of Ma Teng's assault was received in Han Zhong, word was spread to all of Zhang Xiu's foreign representatives. Several nations pledged their support in soldiers and supplies, including the Xiongnu, nomadic tribesmen living north of the Great Wall. The Shanyu (chieftain) of the Xiongnu, Liu Bao, sent his brother Qubei with five thousand horse archers to ambush Ma Teng's supply convoys. For ten days Qubei's warriors roamed the region north of the river, ambushing and looting Ma Teng's supply convoys. On the eleventh day, Qubei's lieutenant spotted an unusually large group of supply wagons in a shallow valley. The Xiongnu warriors charged down the mountain, loosing arrows. The wagon drivers turned their wagons to the sides of the trail, then fled into the hills. Qubei's horse warriors poured into the center of the convoy, hurling torches. Suddenly a hissing sound erupted on all sides. Qubei drew his sword and sliced open the canvas of a wagon, revealing only open casks of black powder. There was no time even to turn away before the casks detonated and scorched the valley clean.

Vengance is dead. He was Qubei, brother of the Xiongnu Shanyu Liu Bao.

Day 2 - Ace Hunter vigs Silencer

Quote

As spring arrived in the north, heavy rain and thunderous storms blew across the land in all directions. Ma Teng, sleeping soundly in the center of the loudest storms, dreamt that he was a tiger drowning in a river made of phoenixes. His cries brought his daughter, Ma Yunlu, who awoke her father. Teng related his dream, and Yunlu said: "The tiger can run free in any rain, but cannot swim across the river. Father, could this be an omen of looming danger at the river?" Suddenly wary, Ma Teng summoned his general Pang De and bid him investigate the river nearby.

At a camp along the river, the Lu general Li Tong was inspecting the finished dam. A messenger from a secret Lu official had given him the location of Ma Teng's main camp, hidden in a deep valley north-east of Jin Cheng. Satisfied from the inspection, Li Tong ordered his forces into their positions to prepare for diverting the river into the valley of Ma Teng's camp. As the soldiers were quietly getting into position, reports arrived of guards found dead at the southern gate of the camp. Suddenly the main supply tent burst into flame and black-clothed figures emerged from the shadows on all sides to cut down Li Tong's staff and guards. Drawing his sword into his left hand and his battle axe into his right, Tong fell upon the assassins, gutting and mauling the enemy wildly.

Li Tong called to his soldiers to retreat northward across the dam, while Guanxi troops entered the camp from all sides. "Finish them all!" called Liu Ba, a subordinate general, who then called his guard into a defensive line. While Ba held off the enemy, Li Tong brandished his axe and smashed aside the locking pins. With a rush, the dam's gate fell and the river rushed southwards, drowning Liu Ba, Lu and Guanxi soldiers alike.

Silencer is dead. He was Liu Ba, General Who Dominates the North of the Lu Dynasty.

Day 2 - MTS scans the heavens

Quote

In Tian Shui, the Governor Wang Can sat on the rooftop of his estate, gazing upon the heavens. Over Bao Han he observed a golden star shining brightly and pure and thus his worries were set at ease.

Grief kills PB

Quote

News of the fall of San Pass was reported in Tian Shi, so the general Pang Yi lead his army out of the city and south. In San Pass, Ma Chao could do little but watch while the Lu main army from Han Zhong blocked the pass to the south and Pang Yi's army to the north. Ma Chao's officers advised they break out before the encirclement was complete, so Chao had his soldiers sabotage the southern gate of the pass and charged the northern army. Pang Yi's forces set spears to hold back Ma Chao's advance, but the Guanxi soldiers feinted to either side. Pang Yi's forces spread to match the Guanxi offense, at which point Ma Chao personally charged the center of the Lu troops and pushed back the center line. Falling in behind their commander, the Guanxi charged the Lu troops, broke through the center and raced for their ships. Pang Yi's troops pursued, leaping onto the enemy ships.

Battles raged on every ship, until each was secured for one force or the other. Then the ships set upon each other with ballistae and rams. Ma Chao's ship fled north but Pang Yi's ship had more rowers and caught the fleeing Chao swiftly. Leaping aboard, Pang Yi found heaps of straw and an enraged Ma Chao holding aloft a torch. The Guanxi general let out a thunderous laugh then threw the torch into the straw and leaped overboard. Pang Yi fled to his ship, but the flames followed and burned it down. Unable to swim, Pang Yi drowned in the swift currents.

Peanutbutta is dead. He was Pang Yi, General Who Suppresses the North of the Lu Dynasty

End of Day 2 - The Dude is lynched

Quote

As the rushing waters fled south to drown Ma Teng's camp, Li Tong turned and ran towards his army north of the river. As he neared the rise where the army was re-forming, another dozen black-clothed figures with heavy long knives arose in the grasses to surround him. From the hilltop, Li Tong's field-regent Yue Jiu saw his commander surrounded and rushed down to assist. Half-way down the hill, an arrow sped out of the darkness and drove into his leg. As he limped towards the army, hollering for their support, another arrow flew from the darkness, piercing his other foot and pinning it to the earth. Yue Jiu spun around, but saw only the cold fury of eyes so dark they were nearly black staring into his own, while a jagged sword thrust threw his gut.

The Dude is dead. He was Yue Jiu, General Who Conquers the North of the Lu Dynasty

Day 3 - Tapper is modkilled

Quote

The mystic Guan Lu sat upon the peak of mount Tie Long, his gaze sweeping across the armies, cities and towns below. As night fell, he stood and waved a yak's tail fan across the deepening sky. "Alas, sometimes the will of Heaven is truly unfathomable." The clouds broke apart and a golden beam rose from the ground, passed the clouds and disappeared.

Tapper is modkilled. He was Lady Zou, an esteemed personage of the Lu Dynasty.

Day 3 - Lizra attacks MTS' BP

Quote

In the court at Tian Shui, black-clothed assassins balanced above rafters and hid behind tapestries. In strode a tall, grizzled man garbed in silks and followed by dozens of guards and notaries. The assassins emerged with portable arbalests (Cho Ko Nu) and fired upon the group from all sides. Most of the party fell immediately and the few remaining guards charged the assassins. The assassins quickly dispatched the remaining guard. They turned to finish off the official,only to see the captain of his guards ushering him into a secret escape hatch in the floor.

Day 3 - Grief kills MTS

Quote

Wang Can ran along the underground corridor, sandals flapping wildly. Escorted by the captain of his guard, he emerged three streets from the court. A passing squad of soldiers halted and reported that northern soldiers were assaulting the city from the west and north. Wang Can took charge of the soldiers and they headed for the south gate. As the gate came in sight, additional figures could be seen mounting onto the wall from the far side. Within moments the Lu soldiers had fallen and the gate was opened. Soldiers poured in around a mounted officer, the banners of the soldiers bearing the name Pang De. While the two armies clashed in the street Pang De galloped through the melee and reined in before Wang Can. Can turned to Pang De and said "Is this truly the-" and then his head fell from his shoulders while Pang De re-sheathed his sword.

MTS is dead. He was Wang Can, Governor of Tian Shui province (of Zhang Xiu's forces).

End of Day 3 - Mentalist is lynched

Quote

After Pang De killed Wang Can, he returned to his main camp outside Tian Shui where he met a soaked Ma Chao. Messengers arrived to report that Wei Xu's main army had cleared San Pass and was headed for Tian Shui. The generals split their forces and set defensive lines in readiness as Wei Xu's vanguard came into sight. The vanguard commander, Yang Ang, rode forth and challenged Ma Chao to single combat. Chao mounted his steed, couched his lance and rode towards the enemy warrior. The two lances impacted head-on and shattered, knocking both warriors from their horses. The two drew swords and set upon each, slashing at each other in the mud. After thirty bouts, Ma Chao slipped and fell. As Yang Ang plunged his sword downards, Chao tore off his helm and let Ang's blade slide into the left eye hole. A twist and Ang's blade spun free leaving Chao free to cut Ang at the ankle followed by a slash across the throat.

Mentalist is dead. He was Yang Ang, General Who Establishes Might of the Lu Dynasty

Day 4 - Grief kills Ace Hunter

Quote

After flooding Ma Teng's encampment, Li Tong's army escaped west before turning southward. He made his way to Bao Han, where he found the army of Midang, king of the Qiang people, defending the city. Midang pledged to help Li Tong retake Jin Cheng, so the two armies set forth and encamped three li from the city. "I will lead five hundred of my crack troops to scale the wall at night and open the south gate, you follow and be ready to charge in." Li Tong agreed, and Midang departed. At the sixth watch, Li Tong had his army cover their boots and horses' hooves in cloth to mask their sound and they marched to Jin Cheng. As they arrived, the south gate opened and so the army moved into the city. As Li Tong entered, the gate's bridge collapsed, stranding half his army outside. Midang appeared on the ramparts above with scores of archers who fired into the Lu forces. Li Tong and all his forces perished in the rain of arrows while Midang's Qiang army slaughtered the remainder beyond the walls.

Ace Hunter is dead. He was Li Tong, General of the Guards of the Lu Dynasty

End of Game

Quote

One by one, the walled towns and cities of the Lu Dynasty fell. In Qin Chuang,Yi Ji surrendered the city hoping to join Ma Teng. A laughing Ma Dai promptly threw him from the city walls and let his forces loot the city unrestrained. Hou Xuan rode out of Fu Feng to lure Ma Dai into an encirclement by the combined garrisons of Wu Gong and Han Xing, but Ma Teng's own forces arrived to break the encirclement and rout the Lu forces. Ma Liang secured Long Xi and would not venture out with his soldiers, so the city was encircled in a siege until Ma Teng's siege weapons arrived from Jin Cheng.

In Tian Shui, Wei Xu's crack troops lead a four-sided assault on Ma Chao and Pang De's encampments while archers on ships raked the Guanxi troops from the river. Pang De and Ma Chao retreated into Tian Shui but were pursued by Wei Xu's forces. The two armies fought viciously from street to street until each side was recalled. Ma Chao and Pang De controlled the north and west gates, while Wei Xu controlled the east and south. The two forces clashed throughout the city and in flanking maneuvers around the walls for two weeks until an uneasy stalemate began to develop.

For now, each side would wait until a new advantage presented itself...

This post has been edited by D'rek: 27 July 2011 - 08:35 PM

[D'rek]

Mafia 75.5 - The Nanman Rebellion

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Roles:

He Qi - ansible
Ma Zhong - Tattersail

Jinhuan Sanjie - Khellendros
King Duosi - Shinrei
Gao Ding - Roldom
Yang Feng - twelve

Yong Kai - Kurt Montandon - Meng Huo #1
Liu Xian - Vengeance - Meng Huo #2 (Day 9, onwards)
King Mulu - Grief - Meng Huo #3 (Day 11, onwards)
Wutugu - Mentalist - Meng Huo #4 (Day 12)
Ahuinan - Gust Hubb - Meng Huo #5 (Night 12)
Jin Yi - HiddenOne - Meng Huo #6 (Day 13)

---

Scenes:


Game Opener:

Quote

Following the Battle of Shang Yong, Huang Zhong consolidated his power in Jing and began expanding his rule into the southern provinces. With the ample naval resources of the Jing province, Liu Yao in the east was daunted into an alliance with Huang Zhong and was cause for concern. In AD 220, Huang Zhong followed Yuan Shao and Zhang Xiu in declaring himself Emperor, founding the southern Yan Dynasty. The next few years were spent establishing an imperial bureaucracy and military across his kingdom.

There began a period of happiness and prosperity for the people. Tranquillity prevailed, the harvests were rich year after year, and old and young, with fair, round bellies, well lined, simply sang with joy. The people hastened to fulfill their state duties and vied with each other in the performance of all arts. As a natural consequence all military preparations were perfect, the granaries bursting with grain and the treasury full to overflowing.

In the far south, the Nanman King of Kings, Meng Huo, turned a covetous eye on the riches of the Yan while the southward-traveling border angered him. Gathering his forces, he marched into the southern Yan territories, pillaging and plundering. Word arrived in the capital and Huang Zhong swiftly dispatched forces under Gu Yong. A large battle ensued and King Meng Huo was captured in a Yan ambush as he fled through a narrow ravine. The King was bound and brought before Gu Yong.

"Why do you rebel against our Emperor?"

"The two River Lands belonged to others, and your lord took it from them by force, and gave himself the title of Emperor. My people have lived here for ages, and you and your cohorts invaded my country without the least excuse. How can you talk of rebellion to me?"

"You are my prisoner. Will you submit or are you still contumacious?"

"Why should I submit? You happened to find me in a narrow place. That is all."

"If I release you, what then?"

"If you release me I shall return, and when I have set my army in order, I shall come to fight you again. However, if you catch me once more, I will submit."

The King's bonds were loosed. He was clothed and refreshed, given a horse and caparisons, and sent with a guide to his own camp.

Random scene created due to Shinrei submitting useless night actions

Quote

Deep in the jungles of Eight Fan, rumours ran wild of Yan armies headed southward to root out Meng Huo. In the Nanman bastion of Tulong Cave, the populace assembled around an ancient tree stump. The stump was twenty spans tall without any sign of a branch ever having extended from it. Legend told that the tree had been cut down to a single span by the famed Nanman warrior Tuhuang and his great blade Wind Tortoise centuries ago but the stump had continued to grow defiantly while the sword eventually rusted and was thrown away. Atop this stump sat the king of Tulong Cave, King Duosi. The assembled populace shouted up to their king asking if he would follow Meng Huo in rebellion or accept Yan rule.

Duosi, a wizened mystic known for his roundabout explanations and love of hallucinogenic mushrooms, cast an imperious gaze over all his subjects, shook his fist at some passing monkeys and said: "The soldiers of the Yan dynasty are accustomed to their plains, fields, mountains, rivers, deserts, crags, mountains, valleys, plains, seas... what? Yes yes, they have things that are sparse! With plants, yes yes yes. We are men and women of the jungle! Especially the women, look how hairy they are! The Yan women aren't hairy at all. Do you think they'd give me one if I surrendered? Oh don't tell my wife that- where was I? Oh yes. They have smooth jungles and we have hairy seas but look I have no moustachios to twirl now do I my people?!" The crowd was confused. With a mighty intake of breath King Duosi roared at the passing monkeys and suddenly a great moustachio grew out of his face in a heartbeat. "And that is that!" he said, then retired.

Day 4 lynch (twelve):

Quote

Yan forces from Gong An made their way south through the Wu Xi region until they came upon a squalid Nanman village along the river north of Xiang Ka. The villagers paid the marching soldiers no heed, but a single Nanman chieftain rode out upon a masked elephant calling war cries. The Yan general Ma Zhong said to his lieutenants "With our many shiny weapons and noisy sandals, the villagers should surely be staring at us. Their feigned indifference indicates that this is clearly an ambush set up by Meng Huo and the Nanman chieftain will retreat to lure us in."

So Ma Zhong sent his fiercest commander to duel the Nanman chieftain, but the elephant got scared and ran back to the village while the chieftain hurled insults at the Yan soldiers and his mount. The retreat confirming Ma Zhong's suspicions, the Yan soldiers encircled and razed the whole village but found no sign of Meng Huo or any Nanman soldiers. In the ensuing chaos, the crazed Nanman chieftain fell off his elephant and smashed his head upon a rock.

twelve is dead. He was Yang Feng (town).

Gao Ding lynch day 5(Roldom):

Quote

Following rumours from villagers that Meng Huo had followed the southern tributary of the Lu River, Ma Zhong's strike force commandeered boats and travelled upriver to the village of Xiang Ka. Large swathes of jungle had been cleared around the village. Cleared areas where tents had been set up and the remains of campfires were still visible all around. Ma Zhong deduced that Meng Huo must have gathered his defeated forces and sheltered in the village before continuing south. Seeing no defences in the village, the Yan soldiers entered in the dead of night and took command of the village. The village chieftain was found and questioned, but claimed no knowledge of Meng Huo. When asked about the signs of soldiers, the chieftain claimed it had been a training exercise of soldiers from Jian Ning. Ma Zhong ordered the chieftain executed, stole as much grain as his troops could carry and departed southwards after Meng Huo.

Roldom is dead. He was Gao Ding (town).

King Duosi lynch day 6 (shinrei)

Quote

In Tulong Cave, a man eight spans tall clad in elephant hide and with a helmet made of the head of a crocodile marched into the village square and shouted "I am Dailai Dongzhu, brother-in-law and trusted lieutenant of the great King of Kings Meng Huo. The King of Kings summons all the southern Man to take up arms against the middle kingdoms. People of Tulong Cave, long have you been known for your mastery of the four poisonous springs and the awakening of vengeful river spirits. Come, you will gift these talents to our King of Kings!"

From atop his enormous tree stump, King Duosi stood for the first time in twenty years. The populace was so shaken they all fell to their knees before the great tree stump, but Dailai Dongzhu did not understand the remarkable feat and remained standing. This made him an easy target. King Duosi dropped his loin cloth, shouted "Here's my vengeful river spirit!" and let out an enormous golden stream into the face of Meng Huo's emissary.

Of course the emissary then shot him with an arrow.

Shinrei is dead. He was King Duosi (town)

Yong Kai/Meng Huo lynch (Kurt):

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After Gu Yong had released Meng Huo, the commanders inquired of him "We had the good fortune to catch the leading chieftain of the Nanman; this could have brought the south under control. Why did the General set him free?" Gu Yong replied, "Holding Meng Huo captive will only inspire the rest of the south to rise up to release him. Pacification of the south requires that we subdue the hearts of the Man people." This explanation did not satisfy the commanders.

Meanwhile, Meng Huo fled south of the Yuan River, gathering his surviving followers. His call for reinforcements was answered by his loyal friend Yong Kai, who brought with him ten thousand men at arms. Yong Kai was a native of the region who had been appointed as prefect of Jian Ning by the emperor. Having no contact with the court for decades, Yong Kai had developed Jian Ning and its surroundings into his own miniature kingdom and supported Meng Huo's bid to keep the Nanman regions free of Han, Yan or Lu influence.

Meng Huo bid Yong Kai split his forces and approach the main Yan camp from each side while Meng Huo's own forces advanced in the centre. Gu Yong was deliberating in camp when a scout excitedly informed him that Man armies were approaching from three directions. The general ordered a blue flare fired into the sky, overriding the commanders' protests that it would give away their position. At the flare's signal, dozens of scouts began pouring into camp and reported the precise locations of the Man armies. Noting the wide spacing and lack of outriders amongst the Nanman armies, Gu Yong quickly dispatched two thousand of his best troops to each side to sneak past the approaching forces in narrow columns. The remainder of the camp formed up in defensive positions.

When the Nanman troops arrived they immediately charged the Yan camp with a thunderous roar. The Yan forces held formation and only broke in a few locations. Yan cavalry harassed the Nanman flanks while Gu Yong's elite troops struck from behind. The Nanman forces, weary from travelling so far and having only spears and shields, were easily routed. Meng Huo fought at the front of his line to inspire his troops, but they turned and fled leaving him to be captured by Yan captains. Yong Kai's lieutenant, E Huang, fled his right-side army broke. Yong Kai himself was thrown from his elephant and trampled by Yan cavalry.

KurtMontandon is dead. He was Yong Kai and Meng Huo.

Meng Huo was brought before Gu Yong. "Remember your promise: 'If you catch me again, I will agree to submit.' What do you say now?" "I only failed because here in Wu Xi we were too far to bring many Man soldiers, or any weapons other than spears and shields. We are too far from the rivers for my army to have been supplied with enough food so we had to fight you right away. It was the exhaustion and hunger that defeated us today, not your soldiers. Why should I submit?" "And if I let you go again?" Gu Yong replied. "Even a Man knows something about the art of war. If you send me home, I will be back with a real army to decide the day. And if you catch me again, I will offer my allegiance with heartfelt unwavering sincerity." "Next time you're captured alive and refuse to submit," Gu Yong warned, "it will go hard on you." He had Meng Huo's bonds removed and the King of Kings was sent provided food and sent south.

Meng Huo has been captured two out of seven times.

Jinhuan Sanjie/Khell gets lynched:

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Seeing the might of the Yan dynasty extending itself south, Zhao Fan of Gui Yang feared his small dominion would soon be swallowed by the expansionist kingdom. More importantly, he feared his head wouldn't stay on its shoulders when the Yan soldiers came. Zhao's reports indicated that the Yan forces seemed to be especially concerned with conquering the Nanman people. In a bid to gain favour with his soon-to-be oppressors, Zhao Fan set out south with half his army, raiding all the Nanman camps and dwellings he could find.

In the summer of the year 221 AD, Zhao Fan's forces reached the Nanman city of Nan Hai, the de facto capital of the Guang Zhou region. The Nanman governor of the city, Jinhuan Sanjie, assembled his army outside the city and the two forces fell upon each other in a wild melee.

In the center of the battle, Zhao Fan's champion Bao Long raked through the Nanman forces towards Jinhuan. When the two met they dueled for fifty passes while their guards kept the rest of the armies from interfering. The skills of the warriors were equally matched, but the quality of Jinhuan's rattan spear was no match for Bao Long's finely forged steel sword. In a rapid succession of strikes, Bao split Jinhuan's spear in three places before cutting Jinhuan apart at the knees and across the torso. Thereafter the forces from Gui Yang routed the Nanman forces and stormed the city.

Khellendros is dead. He was Jinhuan Sanjie (town).

Venge gets FK'd:

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Meng Huo had left the Yan camp appearing to head southward, but he doubled back under cover of night and snuck into the walls of Ling Ling. There he appeared before the local warlord in secret. Liu Xian, prefect of Ling Ling, was not a mighty hero like Yuan Shao or Zhang Lu, but had a loyal retinue of talented officers, a well-trained army and an efficient local bureaucracy. Meng Huo, however, knew the warlord's one weakness: his bitter rivalry with Zhao Fan of Gui Yang.

With news of Zhao Fan's army departing Gui Yang and his own slippery tongue, Meng Huo convinced Liu Xian to gather his army and march on Gui Yang while it lay vulnerable. Liu Xian, ambitious and vengeful, summoned his top commanders and the army set forth the next morning. Meng Huo traveled alongside the warlord, feeding his ego and ambitions each day. The King of Kings knew that once the warlord satisfied a small bit of greed in Gui Yang, he'd be unwilling to submit to the growing Yan dynasty.

When the army reached Gui Yang, the city was completely empty. Only a handful of guards patrolled the walls and the gates all stood open. Liu Xian gave the order to storm the city and his army rushed in through the north and west gates in a disorganized rush. Once most of the army had entered, the gates slammed shut and arrows flew from the houses on all sides. Outside the city, Liu Xian and Meng Huo saw the Yan commander He Qi mount the wall and shout "You Ling Ling peasants are no match for our great General Wei Yan! Surrender now or die!"

Liu Xian turned his remaining followers about and fled, but as soon as the forest on each side of the road narrowed, a lone warrior appeared. He bore a polished golden brocade and carried a solid metal halberd weighing half as much as a man. "I am the Heavenly General Wei Yan. All of you surrender, or all of you will die!" he called and then set upon the party. In only a handful of heart beats he had cut his way through to Liu Xian, whom he cut in half. Wei Yan dropped his halberd, lifted a half of Liu Xian in each hand and threw them at each side of the party. The soldiers from Ling Ling immediately threw down their weapons and pleaded for mercy. As Meng Huo tried to sneak into the forest, the soldiers grabbed hold of him and brought him to Wei Yan as a pledge of surrender. The Nanman King was bound and sent to Gu Yong's camp in Wu Xi.


Vengeance is dead. He was Liu Xian and Meng Huo

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Gu Yong offered amnesty to the captured Ling Ling soldiers, though their city had now fallen under Yan rule. To the captive King Meng Huo he said "Now that I have caught you once again, are you willing to submit?" "You did not catch me by your own ability. The spineless underlings of Ling Ling turned on me. Your forces would never have caught me if not for that - so why should I submit?" "Why not?" Gu Yong asked."It's the third time!"

Meng Huo lowered his head and kept quiet. "I'll have to let you go again, then," Gu Yong said with a smile. Meng Huo responded, "release me and let me regather my own clansmen for a grand battle with you. If you succeed in capturing me again, I will submit to you and banish forever all thought of resistance." "It will not go easy with you the next time," Gu Yong warned. With that, Gu Yong freed Meng Huo, who bade good-bye and left.

Meng Huo has been captured three out of seven times.

Grief gets FK'd:

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Meng Huo returned to his camp to find that most of the survivors had deserted to return to their families. Meng Huo gathered the troops and lieutenants remaining and proclaimed loudly that he would have to submit to Huang Zhong. The next morning the Nanman lieutenant King Mulu lead one hundred Man troops bearing gold and pearls, elephant tusks and gaur horn to the Yan camp. He was met by the sound of drums and horns as a band of soldiers under He Qi fanned out before him. He Qi lead in Mulu who said, "The King of Kings, grateful to you for sparing his life and having until now presented no tribute to you, has ventured to prepare a number of treasures that may serve to reward your army. The King of Kings has gone south to collect more valuables in the Silver Pit Hills. He should be back shortly." Gu Yong bid Mulu's men be brought into the center clearing of the camp and turned to his commanders, " The Man have laid down their arms. Let us celebrate our union with a great feast!"

Meng Huo was waiting at his camp when two of King Mulu's men came back and informed him, "Gu Yong, most pleased with the gifts,has slaughtered oxen and horses and feasted the whole retinue in the center of the camp. King Mulu asked us to inform you that the action is set for the second watch tonight. Our men are ready to take out the Yan generals and commanders at the feast while you overwhelm the leaderless soldiers." Meng Huo called up all the remaining soldiers, some ten thousand, and they stealthily made their way to the Yan camp. Once within site of the camp, a great bombard was struck and the Nanman troops rushed nto the camp only to find it deserted. Meng Huo charged forward to the center clearing where King Mulu and his entourage lay in drunken stupors. Fires rose up around the camp and the Man soldiers saw they were surrounded by Yan forces. The outermost forces gave battle but were quickly defeated and the remaining Man threw down their weapons in surrender.

Grief is dead. He was King Mulu and Meng Huo

Soon, He Qi brought in Meng Huo. Gu Yong smiled as he said, "Did you expect to fool me by sending your lesser king with gifts, pretending to surrender? Now that I have caught you once again, are you willing to submit?" "You won because Mulu overindulged a bit and fell victim to your poisoned wine. That's what ruined us. Had I come myself and left Mulu to back me up, we would have succeeded. Heaven, not any failure, has defeated me." "I'll have to release you again, then" Gu Yong said. "Exercise extreme caution, study diligently the texts of war, use sound tactics without delay and let us decide this on the battlefield once and for all."

Meng Huo has been captured four out of seven times.

Ment is lynched

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Gu Yong released Meng Huo for the fourth time, but kept his forces in control of Ninety-Three Mian. "Where can we go?" said Meng Huo. "Our stronghold is in the hands of the enemy."

Dailai Dongzhu replied, "There is but one country that can overcome these troops. That is the Black Lance (Wuguo) Kingdom. It lies two hundred miles to the southeast. The King of that state is named Wutugu. He is a giant of twelve spans. He does not eat grain, but lives on serpents and venomous beasts. He wears scale armor, which is impenetrable to swords and arrows. His warriors wear rattan armor which no weapon can penetrate."

So, Meng Huo traveled to the Black Lance Kingdom, and Wutugu swore to avenge him. The fearless rattan legions marched north and struck the Yan camp. The Yan soldiers fought with all their might but their weapons could not harm the rattan soldiers, so they threw down their weapons and fled. For two weeks, the Yan forces fought each day and were forced to retreat each time. The Yan commanders appealed to Gu Yong to abandon the campaign and return north, but Gu Yong replied "I have sent for reinforcements, we must endure until they arrive."

Five days later, King Wutugu was leading his rattan soldiers through a steep valley against retreating Yan forces. The fleeing Yan forces had not even had time to bring away their supplies, and so the valley was full of black-painted wagons. Suddenly rocks and debris came rolling down the sides of the valley, blocking the path ahead. Shouting from the rear informed him that the path back had also been blocked off. A gong sounded and Yan soldiers appeared on the slopes of the valley, out of arrow range. Round-boxed torches were hurled down the mountainside until they bounced against the black wagons, where they ignited fuses leading to powder hidden beneath the wagons' beds. Then the ground suddenly heaved with the explosion of bombs beneath. The whole valley was soon full of flames, darting and playing in all directions, and wherever they met with the oil-soaked rattan armor the rattan caught fire, and thus the whole army, huddled and crowded together, burned in the midst of the valley.

Meng Huo has been captured five out of seven times.

Gust Hubb gets FK'd (immediately after Ment is lynched)

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Meng Huo was brought once again before Gu Yong, who asked if he would submit. Meng Huo made no comment. Recalling Meng Huo's vigorous defiance during his preceding captivities, Gu Yong suspected a ruse. He ordered his soldiers to remove the King of Kings' large ceremonial headdress, which revealed enough of the face to show that it was actually a fake Meng Huo! Cries arose from within the camp, and Gu Yong rushed to the back of his tent, cut through the material and leaped into the darkness. No sooner than he had left the tent it burst into flame. Gu Yong hurried to the central tower where he found the guards dead. Yong climbed the tower and pounded on the alarm gong, rousing the camp.

The raiders who had infiltrated the Yan camp were soon apprehended, among them Meng Huo himself. Gu Yong made sure it was the real King this time! Meng Huo admitted that he had had his trusted commander Ahuinan disguised as himself to fool the Yan forces into complacency while he kidnapped their general Gu Yong, himself!


Gust Hubb is dead. He was Ahuinan and Meng Huo.

Meng Huo has been captured six out of seven times.

Final scene:

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Following his sixth release, Meng Huo summoned all the forces he could muster. Emissaries were sent to every city, village and cave he could think of. Gu Yong's scouts reported these developments and he sent word to bring all the southern Yan armies together at the central camp. In the last month of 221 AD, Meng Huo's armies and allies converged on the Yan camp and a great battle ensued. Elephants charge through men and barricades alike. Arbalests sent so many arrows skyward the sun was darkened.

The southern Man forces gained advantage when Jin Yi of Wu Ling unexpectedly struck the camp from the north. Yan commanders Ma Zhong and He Qi set out with only a handful of men to block the northern gate of the camp until Gu Yong could spare reinforcements for the northern side. By the late afternoon, the entire camp was ringed in a chaotic melee of fighting with only isolated pockets of order around the various commanders. At the end of the day, the Yan soldiers had won and Meng Huo had been captured for the seventh time.

HiddenOne is dead. He was Jin Yi and Meng Huo.

[i]Meng Huo was held in the usual tent and after he was fed dinner a messenger appeared in the door of the tent and addressed the King: "The general Gu Yong is ashamed and does not wish to see you again, Sir. He has sent me to release you. You may enlist another army if you can and once more try a decisive battle. Now you may go."

But instead of going Meng Huo began to weep.

"Seven times a captive and seven times released!" said the King. "Surely there was never anything like it in the whole world. I am not entirely devoid of a sense of propriety and rectitude. Does he think that I feel no shame?"

Thereupon he and all his followers fell upon their knees and crawled to the tent of the Commander-in-Chief and begged pardon, saying, "O General, you are the majesty of Heaven. We people of the south will offer no more opposition."

"Then you yield?" said Gu Yong, sighing.

"I and my children and grandchildren are deeply affected by your all-pervading and life-giving mercy. Now how can we not yield?"

And so the southern Man were pacified by the Yan dynasty, who would never again need to worry about rebellion to their rear while they fought the reclaim the Han.


The game has ended. The Yan Dynasty (town) has won by capturing Meng Huo seven times!

This post has been edited by D'rek: 27 July 2011 - 07:30 PM