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Post by Storyteller on Jul 12, 2011 2:10:02 GMT
Skirmish near Nanzheng(formally known as Skirmish at Qi Shi Zhen) ( Larger Image) Terrain & Movement Guidelines:
Forested Mountain (dark green) and the Han River cannot be traveled over with infantry, siege weapons, and Calvary. The Light Forest in the Ye Valley only slightly impedes movement. A unit can be expected to travel up to approximately 5-8 hexes a turn (dependent on unit composition) using normal marching speed. Even faster if the unit is using a forced march speed, but suffers some penalties. Catapults's range is up to 10 hexes, an onager's range is 6 hexes, archers can fire up to 4 hexes.
Background:
Upon the declaration of war on Wei by Shu, Sima Yi sends his troops to the land between Ye Valley and Han River. Ma Chao and Wei Xiadi, under the orders of Wei Guozhi (the new Regent of Shu), march out from Nanzheng. Ma Chao sees that Sima Yi chose a position between two natural barriers, and cannot be flanked. Does he choose the full-front assault that Sima Yi expects? Or can he find a path less traveled in order to fight Sima Yi? Despite the weather and the battle, traffic on the Han River still remains the same. And some sailboats have even stopped completely to observe the battle whilst the sailors eat their dinner. These sailboats are traveling merchants and are unaligned.
Weather: It is currently severe overcast, a storm is on the way.
Morale:
Victory Conditions:
Wei:
- Shu forces are forced to withdraw, or are completely destroyed.
- Ma Chao is either executed, captured, or routed.
Shu:
- Wei forces are forced to withdraw, or are completely destroyed.
- Sima Yi is either executed, captured, or routed.
Optional Objectives:
- Personally pick the Cherry Tree in the top left corner of the map! (+10 Rep, your troops are less fatigued.)
- Talk to an enemy officer, in or outside of battle! (+5 Rep)
- Help nearby farmers evacuate the area! (+5 Rep, +1 Benevolence)
- Takeover a merchant sail ship! (+5 Rep, 5 Notoriety Points)
- Rally your troops with a speech at one of the campfire sites! (+5 Rep)
War Rules:
All battle rules found in the rules board apply. Shu and Wei forces can appear where designated on the map (via the colored lines).
15,000 Troop Maximum for either side (not including Personal Troops). A Brigade (3,000 - 5,000) troops can arrive as reinforcements from either side on turn 3 of the battle.
Battle Moderator: Mikey Back-up Moderator(s): Steve or Blaine.
Moderator Note: Jen's battle formula will be used for this battle, the weather is subject to change during the battle. Ploys that you know will require time to be set up should be pmed to me. Any questions you can pm to me or post in the OOC thread.
The Battle may start as soon as all parties arrive.
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Post by Ma Chao on Jul 12, 2011 16:04:43 GMT
”Haha, thank you mommy, this is the best day ever!”
The mother hands the young boy a package and all present, at his birthday gathering, move closer to watch him open it.
“I wonder what it is?”
The boy takes no time to enjoy the exquisite wrap on the box and tears it open like a rabid beast does to its prey.
“………”
The boy’s eyes opened wide when he sees his gift.
“Well, do you like it?”
The mother can only hope that her son will enjoy the item she spent her hard earned money on.
The boy slowly lifts the gift from its box and yells out.
“NOOOOOOOOOO!”~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ “Gen…..eral.” Ma Chao awoke with the cold sweats and looked toward his tent entrance to see a soldier standing there. Through the tent material he could make out the light of day or rather early morning. “Sir, the men are waiting on you.” Outside his tent, Ma Chao could hear the men preparing for the massive task ahead of them. The army had pushed into Chang An, but Sima Yi quickly moved to meet them before reaching the city. The soldier that had woke Ma Chao, from what seemed to be a nightmare, turned to exit, but he then stopped as if he had forgotten something. “Oh, I almost forgot. This package came for you late last night.” Another soldier was waved forward and he brought in a package that looked eerily similar to the one from Ma Chao’s dream. His eyes gave away the surprise as they almost popped from his skull. “Who delivered this?”The soldiers were not sure who it was from, they only knew a messenger had dropped it off for him. “Get out.”Both of the men left, leaving Ma Chao alone with his gift. He was shocked and did not want to open it. The horror of his recent dream was still fresh in his head. Still, he gathered the strength and started to unwrap it. A wave of relief washed over him as he looked over the contents. A seal of his official rank was sent from Cheng Du stating that he was now the governor of Han Zhong. It was a great honor and he would have enjoyed the moment had it not been for the way it all played out. What was it exactly that he saw in his dream? It mattered not, he decided, and quickly he grabbed his armor as well as his Dragon spear. Opening the flap to his tent, Ma Chao moved into the center of camp. There, soldiers were practicing with their weapons and talking about the coming war. When they saw their leader, they stood at attention. “Men, we march to war against the scum of Wei and that bastard Sima Yi. If I do not take his funny hat wearing head from his shoulders, personally, I offer a reward to any that do.”Nearest to Ma Chao were the captains he would rely on as well as Ma Dai and Jiang Wei. They all nodded to his command and some of them thought of what they could do with that gold. “Prepare yourselves well. Eat your fill and pray to the heavens, if you must. Be ready within the hour to march.”
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Post by Sima Yi on Jul 12, 2011 23:23:05 GMT
The road from Chang’an had served as a rather pleasant trip. The sun was shining bright during the days, and the nights were chilled and quiet. An army of 15,000 soldiers marched out, many knowing this battle would be their end, but the threat of a looming battle was not dampening the mood of Sima Yi’s army. At least, not yet. The war hadn’t begun yet.
So far, all the talk from the small folk around Chang’an was that Wei Guozhi was a foolish soldier who took command of a kingdom, and that Ma Chao was a brash fool of a warrior without common sense, and together they combined to make a pair of fools who knew not when to make war and when to make peace. Most of the officials around Wei and the Han dynasty figured the marching army led by Ma Chao would be put down in a skirmish and Shu would be gone from their concerns for a few years.
Sima Yi would be sure not to underestimate them so much.
He did have the advantage in terms of numbers, but smaller armies than the one Ma Chao led had defeated larger armies than the one Sima Yi led before. He was too tactical to see his army fall under this category. He would crush Ma Chao, and he aimed to kill both him and the new Regent of Shu’s brother in this battle. Shu’s forces were recovering from making war in Yi and Han Zhong from years past, and even this small force they led would be key to defending their kingdom should Ma Chao’s offensive fail.
If Shu didn’t break Sima Yi here and now, their kingdom would be weakened, and Sima Yi’s eyes would turn to Han Zhong, to return the fruitful city to Cao Cao’s command.
Sima Yi sat in a carriage pulled by four white horses. It looked like a magnificent towering chariot. Beside him was Sima Shi, his eldest son. Outside, guarding the path they took, were the fine generals Deng Ai and Xiahou Ba. Sima Yi wasn’t sure where they were, but Kang Ren and Ling Tong were assimilated into their host as well. 15,000 men strong, marching south from Chang’an and west along the Han River.
It took three days to reach Ye Valley, a fortified range north of the Han Riverbank and a strong defensive position north of the closest Shu outpost of Nanzheng, where he was sure Ma Chao would march out from. They set up camp between the valley and the river, two natural walls that would prove hard to pass. If Sima Yi hid behind stone walls, Ma Chao could tear them asunder with rocks and engineers, but there was no way to move mountains or a river from where they stood. Nature made for Zhongda’s defense here.
They set up camp, and Sima Yi immediately made way for his military council. Inside the largest tent, he laid out a map of the surrounding area, marking where they were posted and where Shu’s army would approach. He looked around his generals, and began discussing strategies. After a night of debating, the battle plan was set. Only one matter was left.
“General!” Deng Ai stepped up from his chair, “Allow me to lead the van!”
“No, father,” Sima Shi followed the motion, “I will crush Shu for you. If I lead the van, you wouldn’t have to lift a finger in this battle. I’ll give you Ma Chao’s head and send Guozhi his brother’s.”
“What of Xiahou Ba, General Zhongda?” One of Sima Yi’s lieutenants spoke out, “Or perhaps that brigand who offered to join the battle for us.”
“I would love nothing more than to put the mute on the frontlines,” Sima Yi answered, “Let Shu skirmish men loyal to gold, and not Wei. Let our kingdom’s men rest while he weakens them, and sweep in for the glory. Perhaps he would even die in the battle and I wouldn’t have to worry about him seeking rewards.
“But he does not speak. Someone cut his throat and though he survived, he does not talk. I need a commander in the front of my army. How is he to properly lead a van if he cannot give his men orders? He made me wait for what seemed like hours as he wrote his propositions on a slab in my hall, I don’t think Ma Chao would be so forgiving to allow the man to write his orders for his men to read before he ordered his cavalry charge.
“No, I will give the van to the most able man here. Deng Ai! Prove yourself to be the Dragonsbane! Send Shu back fearing to ever see a Wei banner in the air again. Prove the foolishness of Ma Chao’s anxiety for war by smashing his army to pieces.”
Sima Yi smiled, and retired for the night. When he woke, it was to the sounds of war horns. Ma Chao’s host had arrived. Sima Yi dressed in black mail with silver fashions, and took his renowned golden helmet upon his head, letting the three crane plumes fall backwards toward his shoulder. Sima Yi himself rode out with Deng Ai, Sima Shi, and an honor guard , flying white banners of peace, and stopped in the field between the two forces. The opposing army was very far away, but he could see the shining silver armor of Ma Chao. He wondered if he had enough honor to meet him peacefully before the killing started.
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Post by Sam on Jul 13, 2011 0:24:40 GMT
Finally, finally it was here! The young general of the Xiahou clan had awaited this moment for months, months that had seemed like years. Ba, could finally give Shu something to regret, the day they led him escape, he'd be a thorn in their side for decades, he had sworn to himself. He would never let them forget the injustice they did him at Hanzhong, the killing of his father. He was here now under the King of Wei's orders to assist Sima Yi's in defeating Ma Chao and this new name, Wu Sheng Tian or something, who meant nothing to Xiahou Ba. He wondered if his King and uncle realized what an honour he was doing him. Xiahou Ba didn't waste anytime, his march from Xuchang to Chang'an was quick and the men and himself rested well within it's walls the night they arrived. Xiahou Ba was thirsty for battle, he was a little remourseful however, he was going to stain the beloved land of his country with the blood of rats, the infestation of the Shu army. It disgusted him, even more so when he arrived on location. The spot the General of the Left had chosen to fortify had great natural defences, imposing and remarkable to the eyes. A beautiful location, set to be tarnished by the coming clash. A shame really. The camps were quickly raised, as usual the Wei banners guided in a large troop, seemed only fitting that Ma Chao should have an excuse when he is sent scurrying back to Hanzhong - if he ever had the chance to return, Ba thought. The young Xiahou general would have felt sorry for Shu if his hate wasn't so deep. Sima Yi had placed four and a half thousand men under the command of Xiahou Ba, enough Ba thought. He liked Sima Yi, the man held Shu in contempt, that was enough to win Xiahou Ba's trust as a commander, augmented by the fact that his uncle had placed the defence of the west entirely in the man's hands. The only thing Ba could nitpick at was that he didn't get command of the van. But, Deng Ai had served under Sima Yi directly for a little while and had gained his respect, now Xiahou Ba had to do the same. Before the battle begun, Sima Yi and his son, Shi went forward to meet the enemy general. Xiahou Ba wasn't asked to join them, perhaps a wise move by Zhongda there.
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Post by Ma Chao on Jul 13, 2011 13:47:25 GMT
Ma Chao the Splendid, Commander of the Northern Assault, General of the Cavalry, and Prefect of Han Zhong, was informed that a small group from Wei, bearing white banners, moved to the center of the battlefield for a parlay. He scoffed at the idea of talking with his new nemesis, but it was standard operating procedure if one had honor. Therefore, he would ride out to meet him.
“Ma Dai, Jiang Wei, call off a few riders and accompany me.”
The two nodded and quickly gathered a handful of veterans to ride out with their leader. The small group made their way to the center of the battlefield where the meet and greet was taking place. Ma Chao thought to himself that it would be much easier to just slay Sima Yi now instead of fighting his massive army. However, he noted the presence of Deng Ai and he thought twice about it. The man had fought with him in single combat during a recent skirmish and he was an able general. Still, the Wei officer had almost lost his life that day and if he pushed his luck it would be his end.
The Shu group arrived and halted once in range of Sima Yi and his entourage.
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Post by Sima Yi on Jul 13, 2011 16:54:32 GMT
Sima Yi sat atop a mighty white war horse. As he waited for the silver-armored warrior and his company to meet them beneath the white banners of peace, his steed stirred with unrest, kicking backwards as it waited anxiously for battle. This was no mere horse to ride to hunt or to carry messages, this horse was a warrior. It was waiting for battle with as much fire as Ma Chao was.
His golden helm glimmered in the sun as Ma Chao approached. He would hear no comments about a strategist hat that the likes of he and Kongming wore to court here. In battle, Sima Yi was a decorated general. He wore armor of black and silver, his golden helm draping his eyes and three crane plumes draping down toward his shoulders. An ornate sword was strapped to his belt, the same one that nearly killed Zhao Yun only a fortnight ago.
“The sun stands above,” Sima Yi spoke aloud, his voice pointed sharply toward Ma Chao, “The Ye Valley stands an immovable fortress of hills, the Han River flows as it has for centuries. Zhongda’s camp burns twice the fires as Ma Chao’s.”
With one hand Sima Yi put his fingers around his pointed goatee, and followed the hair line down to the tip, tugging slightly as his hand as he floated along his beard.
“You seek battle, oh Splendid One. You seek battle with such impatience that you march to doom. Where are you to go but forward, into the jaws of an army twice your size? Are you a fool or are you simply afraid that backing down now will deem you craven?
“Ah, you do not realize it yet. But even with that silver armor and that spear of yours, you are weak. You are a coward. You will realize that before the end of this battle, or you will realize that now. Look beyond me at the camp you intend to charge. Zhuge Liang could not summon a strategy to break me, and unless he has divined with the heavens once more, you and your host will break and flee and you will see so many good soldiers falter and die under your poor command.”
Sima Yi turned his horse half-way around, his side facing Ma Chao. Before he rode back, he’d give Ma Chao the opportunity to leave, or to respond.
“War harms us all, but Wu will watch us and strike you or I when we are weak. They are more cowardly than you are, in truth. This war is folly, and it enrages me that you or your regent are irrational enough to try it. But you are the aggressor. See your faults in your own eyes and you may leave, and I will not pursue. Maintain your silly dream of war and I will scatter and destroy you.”
Sima Yi turned his horse and rode back. Deng Ai and Sima Shi looked over them and smiled before returning with their general. Back at the camp, the army was assembled in ranks. Deng Ai rode to the front, with Xiahou Ba and Sima Shi also taking positions in the ranks. Sima Yi retired to his tent to rest and await word on Ma Chao’s movement before he acted. If Ma Chao left, he would be true to his word and let them escape. If he charged, he would utterly demolish this force arrayed against him.
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Post by Ma Chao on Jul 13, 2011 22:45:35 GMT
The arrayed armies from both forces could only wonder what was being said at the center of the battlefield. Both commanders had moved to meet in the middle accompanied by an entourage of officers and soldiers. Although Ma Chao was known for harassing and taunting the enemy, it was Sima Yi who attacked first; verbally.
Ma Chao’s face was stoic, as it usually was until he was angry, but deep down he wanted to rip Zhongda’s head off. Ma Dai and Jiang Wei kept a close eye on him and also on the enemy.
It was when Sima Yi called him a coward that his hands clenched the reins of his steed. Subconsciously he urged his horse forward, but a call out from Ma Dai check him.
“Cousin, do not let him get to you!”
Ma Chao snapped back from almost rage mode and took heed of his cousin’s words. His horse backed away a few paces before he opened up with his own volley of abuse.
“Ask your lord, Cao Mengde, who the coward is! If I remember correctly, I smelled shit in his pants as he fled for his life from the man in front of you.”
He was becoming increasingly annoyed with Sima Yi and it was what his comrades feared. However, instead of his famed spear it was his tongue that was now the weapon.
“Ask Zhang Fei or Xu Chu if I am a coward! Either one of them has more strength in their small finger than you do in your entire body!”
The Shu commander started to rage and his face was turning red.
“I look beyond you and see an army of rabble, led by a true coward such as yourself. You issue commands and send men to their deaths from the safety of your tent. You dare call me craven!”
Ma Chao’s war horse started to snarl and kick.
“It is true that you are very capable of leading men and maybe you could even be on par with the likes of Zhuge Kongming, but know this, should I get close to you in this battle the only thing that nice armor will be good for is the price I fetch for it after removing it from your lifeless corpse!”
He listened to his foe speak of Wu, whom were also labeled cowards, and it seemed as if that could have been a bit of concern for Wei. Were they worried that Wu would come for them if caught in a drawn out battle in the north? It was of no concern for Ma Chao because he knew the new regent was currently in Wu reinforcing their good relations with Sun Quan. Plus, the likes of Guan Yu was protecting the south and that alone was enough to keep any enemies at bay.
Ma Chao whipped his steed around and looked back at Sima Yi.
“Talk is cheap……..and so is your whore of a mother!”
The last response was classic, getting a final taunting dig in before leaving. Negative words were most likely not enough to rattle Sima Yi, but it was worth a try.
The Shu group rode back toward their battle lines and began to form up. It was not known whether Sima Yi knew or cared that Jiang Wei was among Ma Chao’s army for he was Zhuge Liang’s protégé. If the Wei commander was underestimating his foes, as mindless heathens, he would be in for a rude awakening.
::Officers/Troops/Siege::
Ma Chao Ma Dai Jiang Wei 2000 Peasant Bows 2000 Light Swords 2000 Levy Spear 2000 Light Cavalry 2 Arbalests 2 Catapults
::Reserve Army::
600 Light Cavalry 400 Peasant Bows 400 Levy Spears 400 Light Swords
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Post by Sima Yi on Jul 14, 2011 2:04:47 GMT
As Sima Yi left the meeting, the white flags remained. He laughed aloud as Ma Chao continued his rant. Clearly Zhongda’s words irritated the man. He was a stallion at heart, but alas, a horse was but a horse, and a man was cunning.
The white banners of peace stayed where Deng Ai had planted them, and as Sima Yi rode off, he bothered not to remove them from the ground. This was a message. Not that there was peace so long as those flags stood, but that Sima Yi cared not for peace enough to have his generals waste even the little effort it was to carry banners of peace back to their camp. He no longer needed them anyways.
Perhaps Ma Chao would understand, perhaps he would not, Sima Yi was no longer concerned of him. He was but one man amongst eight thousand, and though he was the finest warrior of the twenty thousand and more taking the field to battle, it was not one man’s might and spear that would win the day. Sima Yi knew this clearly, but he wasn’t so sure Ma Chao did. He rode a tall white horse, dressed in fantastic armor and had a large spear that would tear his skin and shatter his bones should Ma Chao thrust it his way, but war was not played like a duel.
In a duel, there were few in China that could hope to match him. Even Deng Ai, Sima Yi’s finest lieutenant, stood no chance when they last fought. But Deng Ai led a strong van of great numbers and seasoned veterans. Leading the van, Deng Ai had as many veterans as Ma Chao had soldiers. Unless Ma Chao could slash thunder and lightning from the strokes of his spear, his might would not turn the tide of the battle in his favor.
Sima Yi retired to his tent and rested, but the only piece of armor he took off was his golden helm. He sat in his chair, reclining back and seeing the battle in his mind. Ma Chao was leading the van beside his cousin, Ma Dai. They came ahead with such ferocity that neither arrows nor stone slowed them down, and they crashed into Deng Ai’s front like a wave on high tide. Deng Ai fought them back. The infantry crashed into each other as the hooves of cavalry rattled the ground and arrows blotted the sun from the sky. It was hell he imagined.
His thoughts strayed to and fro from reason. He saw Deng Ai killing Ma Chao in a duel and routing the invading army in a heroic victory. He saw Ma Chao leading his host valiantly and breaking his van in one great charge, storming his camp and trampling himself under the great white stallion. He even imagined himself riding into the van, sword in hand, felling soldiers from left and right like he was some great warrior, but the thought of that quickly reawakened him to reality. Sima Shi entered the tent as his father was coming back, merely staring into his gilded helm without breaking a glance.
“Father,” Sima Shi said, cocking his brow curiously. Sima Yi looked troubled, though his son had never thought such a fine commander would ever concern himself with the odds that were arrayed against him.
“War is such a curse,” His father responded. “What fool ever thought that to get anything he wanted, he simply needed to convince thousands of men to throw themselves at each other with pointed ends and horses, and eventually, after thousands died for whatever idea, just or unjust, he would see his dream come to fruition?
“War,” Sima Yi frowned, his gaze still trapped looking into the eyes of his golden helm. He paused for a moment long enough for his son to nearly break the silence, but before he could Zhongda spoke again, “Such a curse. I’ve spent my life reading different ways I can send thousands of men against thousands of other men and kill more than I lose. Does that sound like a noble life of worth to you, Ziyuan?”
Sima Shi was dumbfounded. His father was always such a stone cold menace, a sentinel of gallantry, but this side he had never seen before. It made him realize how young he truly was. This fine general was his father, but were it not for his face being the one he’d recognized his whole life, he’d see nothing of his father in the man sitting in black armor.
“Ma Chao’s army is coming,” Sima Shi said, unsure of how to respond to the soliloquy. “If your books have learned you proper, I’d be glad to take your orders now. There are thousands coming, and thousands at your command. Cursed it may be, our men must send their away still.”
Sima Shi spoke in a harshly confused tone that made his father dart his eyes toward him. It had been the first time in hours, perhaps, that his eyes had seen anything but the shine from his helmet.
“My son,” Sima Yi smiled, and like it was a dream, the sadness within him had vanished, washed away like dirt against stone on an autumn rain, all thanks to the pride for his son. Sima Shi would be a great general some day, but not today. He was still young, and he had much to learn, but he would see great responsibility in this battle.
“Deng Ai leads the van, Xiahou Ba leads the reserves. You shall lead the engineers. Our stones will smash their forces, and you shall be the one hurling them. Send them high and send them true, and send them as Ma Chao runs back to Han Zhong.”
“Very well, father,” Sima Shi bowed. Zhongda knew he wanted to be on horse leading men, but his devotion to his father would prevent him from speaking up against his decision to put him in the rear of their forces, cutting ropes to launch stone.
“Do you know the young men who rode beside Ma Chao earlier? The one to his right was his cousin, Ma Dai. He’s not a great warrior or a commander who would make me think twice to attack, but he’s capable.” Sima Yi said, and Sima Shi instantly gained respect for the man. For his father to call a man ‘respectable’ meant they were great heroes. His father did not give favor easily.
“The other was Jiang Wei, mentee to Kongming. As thus, he is not to be underestimated. Tell Deng Ai that to capture him is to ensure he lives a finer life than I.”
“And Ma Chao? You said he was craven. Is there truth in that?”
Sima Yi paused.
“Ma Chao is one of the finest warriors in the land. He is a tiger of a man more than the stallion he prefers. Splendid suits him well.”
And then Sima Shi understood.
“He is not a coward, but he is brash, and easy to anger.” Sima Shi said, holding back his smile so long as his father watched his face.
“Indeed. And anger guides men along a daunted route. Here, that route ends at Deng Ai.”
Sima Shi smiled, and his father did as well.
“I will tell him what you’ve said. He should know who he faces, whether or not he deems them a concern. Where will you be in this battle, father?”
“I will be ensuring our victory.”
Sima Shi rode out to the frontlines, where Deng Ai sat atop a strong brown war horse in thick armor beneath a green and blue battle robe. His spear was rested at his side. Sima Shi told him of Jiang Wei and of Ma Dai and of Ma Chao, but nothing on the general’s face changed. Behind him, his army stood at the ready. To one side, the ranges of the Ye valley protected him. To the other side, the Han River flew. Behind them, the artillery stood ready and loaded. Between their formations, arbalests were wound and loaded, flanked by leagues of hundreds of archers.
“Let them come,” Deng Ai said, solid as the stones in Sima Shi’s catapults, “and I will give them the bitterness of defeat a million victories could not wash away.”
Deng Ai was a tall and strong man, emitting an aura of bravery and charisma. It was not difficult to see why his father held him in such high regard.
Sima Shi fell back to his place at the rear of the army. He had no soldiers beside him, but rough engineers. They had no horses nor swords nor shields nor spears, but stone axes used to cut rope. But his father said this would ensure victory, and he submitted.
On the frontlines, Deng Ai lifted his spear. That alone told the tale that the battle had begun. He would not forsake his strong defensive positioning. He looked across the hundreds of feet of fields and farmland where the green banners flew, and he awaited to see the silver armor leading his men toward him.
Deng Ai's Forces: 250 Light Swordsmen 750 Retinue Swordsmen 250 Levy Spearmen 750 Retinue Spearmen 250 Light Cavalry 750 Heavy Cavalry 250 Peasant Bowmen 750 Crossbowmen 500 Horse Archers
Xiahou Ba's Forces: 750 Light Swordsmen 250 Retinue Swordsmen 750 Levy Spearmen 250 Retinue Spearmen 750 Light Cavalry 250 Heavy Cavalry 750 Peasant Bowmen 250 Crossbowmen 500 Horsebowmen
Sima Shi’s Forces: 5 Onagers 4 Catapults 4 Arbalests
Deng Ai’s forces mixed infantry together, straining veterans beside green soldiers so that when the skirmish commenced, the might of the hardened soldiers would wear down their opponents and give them the upperhand. The Cavalry was behind them, heavy armed and armored horsemen ahead of the lightly armed and armored ones. Archers and crossbowmen flanked the ranks, beside arbalests, ready to rain hellfire of arrows as Ma Chao advanced. Xiahou Ba’s reserves were behind him in ranks, ready to approach and attack anywhere at any time. Sima Yi, however, was not on the battlefield. Ma Chao and the army of Shu could only assume he was waiting in his camp for word of victory.
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Post by Mikey on Jul 14, 2011 2:58:04 GMT
Round One (a.ka. Prologue) Complete! Post Order:
Attackers 1st: Ma Chao
Defenders 2nd: Sima Yi Cao Cao (Xiahou Ba)
Troop Losses:
None
Sima Hui's Weather Report:
Clouds darken, the overcast begins to produce a drizzle of rain across the land. It is evident that the rain will worsen. A wind from the south blows northward. The winds will get stronger soon.
Summary:
Forces arrive, Ma Chao and Sima Yi share a less than fruitful encounter. Both sides prepare to collide. Ma Chao rallies his lines. Deng Ai is sent to the front whilst Sima Yi disappears into his encampment. Xiahou Ba leads the reserves of the Wei forces. The Cherry Tree remains unpicked.
"Talk to an enemy officer, in or outside of battle! (+5 Rep)"
Completed by Sima Yi and Ma Chao.
Round Two may commence!
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Post by Ma Chao on Jul 14, 2011 16:24:03 GMT
The talking was over and it was time for battle. Ma Chao, Ma Dai, and Jiang Wei all moved into position upon their return to the frontlines. Orders were previously established and the army formed up as instructed. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Front Line = 1000 Bows mixed with 1000 Swords. 2 Arbalests, one on each side. Second = 1000 Bows Third = 1500 Spears Flanks = 500 Swords in a straight line, front to back, on both sides. 750 Light Cavalry on each side. Ma Dai is on the right with the cavalry. Rear with Ma Chao = 500 Light Cavalry and 500 Spears. 2 Catapults, both on the left side. Reserve with Jiang Wei = 600 Light Cavalry, 400 Bows, 400 Spears, 400 Swords **All units are Tier 1**~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~“Fight will all of your strength and do not back down!”Ma Chao looked to his cousin who nodded that he was ready. “For Shu!”The army cheered and began to move forward. Bowmen and swordsmen led the way with 2 arbalests accompanying them. As soon as they were within range they opened up against Sima Yi’s frontline. They had to move a few yards further to allow the second row of archers to fire. The animal sinew of the arbalests let go the energy they had stored and propelled massive spears toward the enemy. The archers sent a volley of 2000 deadly metal projectiles which would rain down from above. Intermingled with the bowmen along the front were swordsmen who would raise their shields to defend as best they could, either from an enemy volley or charge. Ma Dai was located on the flank with a group of cavalry and they all moved forward slowly, keeping pace with the infantry at the front. To the rear was Ma Chao with his own group of riders, 2 catapults, and the remaining 500 spears. However, that was not where he would be fighting from like his weakling counterpart. “Now! With me!”Ma Chao led his cavalry to the left flank and combined with the riders already there. The group was now 1250 strong and they moved forward to charge Sima Yi’s right flank. As they rode, 2 boulders flew overhead aimed at softening that side. Siege equipment was not very effective against troops, but there was such a mass of blue that they would most likely hit something. If not, the operators would adjust for accuracy. A few of the riders rode hard to be in front of their commander, they would risk their lives to protect him. That type of maneuver was typically known as the Meat Shield. Jiang Wei immediately ordered the reserve army to follow him. They all moved into the Ye valley and disappeared. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~- 2000 Bows let loose a volley into Wei's frontlines. - 2 Arbalests let loose at Wei's frontlines. - 2 Catapults let loose against Wei's right flank. - Ma Chao and 1250 Light Cavalry move to engage Wei right flank. - Jiang Wei moves with the reserve army into the Ye Valley.
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Post by Sima Yi on Jul 14, 2011 18:08:03 GMT
Deng Ai had been raised into command of armies, much like Ma Chao. He was born to serve Wei, born to serve Sima Yi and lead his armies. Ma Chao was born the son of a feudal warlord, and though that man was foolish enough to march into the jaws of Cao Cao, Ma Chao learned no lesson. He marched straight into the jaws of Sima Yi.
“Ready formation! Soldiers of Wei!” Deng Ai shouted with a commanding voice that echoed to the heavens.
“Here we make out stand. Here we shall repel Ma Chao, and here is where Han Zhong falls. When they come, swing your sword and do not stop until there are none in front of you, and then give chase!”
His men jeered and rattled their swords. Seeing the horseman in silver armor approach with his host, Deng Ai shot his head back, scanning over them carefully.
“Something splendid this way comes, which way shall his advance take him? Forth or back?”
He spoke silently to himself, but the men around him who heard him shouted, “Back! Back!” Deng Ai raised his spear, and turned around to look by Sima Shi. He was ranks back, but the open fields behind Deng Ai’s ranks gave him away easily. He waved his spear before him, signaling to Sima Shi to begin the bombardment.
Ma Chao shot some arrows and hurled some stones wildly at his flanks and thought it would strengthen his charge. As soon as his men came approached into range, their charge was greeted by a mass rain of arrows overhead and a wall of crossbow bolts impeding their charge. The arrows from above thinned them out while the heavy bolts shot heavy and lightly armored soldiers back alike.
And the axes struck the rope, and in unison the multiple anti-infantry artillery Sima Shi commanded launched their projectiles. The sky filled with stones large and small, and scattered in the air to cover Ma Chao’s entire advancing rank with boulders smashing down on their charge. Sima Shi’s catapults were loaded with long, flat boulders of tremendous size. They were not shooting to dismantle stone walls, they were shooting to flatten armies. These stone sheets flew through the air, falling awkwardly on the ground before Ma Chao’s army and bouncing about his ranks, wreaking havoc, before flattening on the ground, crushing any amount of soldiers unlucky enough to find themselves beneath the stone’s shadow.
It was as Sima Yi had imagined. Arrows filling the air, darkening the sky while stone boulders flattened the bones they fell upon. Infantry filed into ranks, their lives now nothing more than pawns as they readied to skirmish, unwavering to the volley of arrows falling around them. The ground shook at the cavalry’s advance.
The rain began to fall, sharing the skies with arrows, and both fell on Wei and Shu men alike.
Volley’s continued to rain down with the water from the clouds. Archers letting fly on both Ma Dai and Ma Chao’s flanks and crossbowmen meeting a strong charge with a wall of heavy bolts. The siege equipment was readied for another devastating blow.
As Ma Dai led one charge, and Ma Chao led the other, they drew closer and closer, until finally, their hearts sank as the arbalests came into view. There were many of them, and they were aiming right at them. Before they could say their prayers to the heavens, hundreds of spear-thick projectiles flung with great force into the charging force, and the engineers turned the cranks again, and another line of strong projectiles shot out from the destructive weapons. The first charge was always the hardest, but even Sima Yi would turn away from the carnage.
Horsemen approached the frontlines of both sides of Deng Ai’s van, but they would be met by a strong line of retinue spearmen, with levy spears close behind, offering their tips to the spearwall as well. Each line was long but filled into rows. Ma Chao threw his men in a single line, but they fought thicker ranks. Even if they killed the infantry man in front of them, more and more would fill in. And these were veterans they fought. Light infantry led the charge against revenue swordsmen, and light cavalry charged against revenue spearmen.
Deng Ai looked over the initial battle, and looked back to Xiahou Ba. Soon, when Deng Ai spurred into the battle, and Xiahou Ba did as well, the entire main force would be swarmed against Ma Chao’s lesser force, and the battle would be in their favor.
Deng Ai couldn’t help but think of his commander, however. Sima Shi, Zhongda’s son, had delivered word of his plans for the battle, but he was not in those plans. Sima Yi usually led armies from horseback at the main force, or so Deng Ai was told. Was Ma Chao speaking true when he called Sima Yi the craven one for leading armies from a heated tent?
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Post by Sam on Jul 14, 2011 21:05:12 GMT
Xiahou Ba had been idle for too long. Wounds could heal, those he suffered in the rout at Hanzhong had long since been mended, and he could finally dirty that blade of his once more with the blood of his enemies.
Xiahou Ba's lance sat across his lap atop his steed, with his left hand he was tapping on the blade, ding ding, creating a ring which echoed in a small radius around him ding. Slowly as the sound of the Shu charge was made more clear the sound was overtaking the light sounds of the taps. The beating of hooves and feet drowned them out as the battle began.
And the rain began, a crack of lightning heralded it's descend and the thunder welcomed it. Xiahou Ba's eyes raised from the tip of his blade as the flash of lightning blasted his eyes from the angle of his blade. His men we're stationed among the three camps, divided evenly. He sat outside the middle camp with a third of his host.
"They come at last." His hand moved to his side and stroked a wooden horn slung at his side. "Not just yet." His hand withdrew and he shouted over his shoudlers. "The enemy is here, give them some arrows!" A lieutenant on the wall of the camp, lit a torch and waved it, two responding signals went up in the other two camps.
Arrows were fitted to bowstrings, and all bowmen under Xiahou Ba's command raised their aim to the skys. A fresh volley from Deng Ai's battle lines soared to the sky, as Xiahou Ba's arrows reinforced them, forming two nets of sharp projectiles towards the Shu charge. The reload began immediately for a follow up volley, which was lauched likewise from the three locations.
All Xiahou Ba was waiting for now was Deng Ai's advance.
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Post by Zhou Tong (Monty) on Jul 15, 2011 20:24:00 GMT
Kang Ren smirked slightly. His men sat and waited for his lord's orders. Many of them had the word, why, upon their lips. It wasn't like their lord to do this, but nonetheless he did. The men sat quietly, as quiet as their lord, waiting for the right time.
Ling Tong shifted on his horse. He wasn't sure about this. Why? Just like the men that he was supposed to lead, he thought, why? Kang Ren however, could only smile. He knew that he was causing unrest in his men. He was too unpredicitable for them. Would he truly follow the orders? Will he go mad and turn? These thoughts all raced through their heads, because they had seen it before. Why side with them? They worried, but they stayed strong. They had faith in their lord, no matter how mad he may be at this moment, he is a man that they wanted to lead. So they stood, waiting for the order. And if it will finally come.
Kang Ren smiled and turned to Ling Tong. He waved his hand and Ling Tong nodded. Ling Tong turned his horse around, along with 100 light cavalry and 100 spearmen and went off in the direction of the small farming village. Ling Tong rode into the town, telling the people, "People, please! You must leave, I shall lead you away, please evacuate the area." The people nodded.
They gathered their things which made Ling Tong nervous. He wanted them to evacuate as soon as possible. The battle was soon to begin. He rounded up villagers and said to them, "Follow me calmly, we need to escape." Ling Tong said as he started. He led them away and he soon heard the sounds of the army mobilizing. He grimaced and knew that it had begun. He just hoped he could take them to safety before the fighting got reached them.
Kang Ren's Troops: 400 Light Swordsman 200 Levy Spearmen 800 Peasant Archers 200 Cavalry
Ling Tong's Troops: 100 Light Cavalry 100 Spearmen 100 Archers
Kang Ren waits quietly for orders and Ling Tong begins to evacuate the nearby village.
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Post by Storyteller on Jul 16, 2011 3:45:21 GMT
Round Two Complete! Post Order:
Attackers 1st: Ma Chao
Defenders 2nd: Sima Yi Cao Cao (Xiahou Ba) Kang Ren
Troop Losses:
Ma Chao: 400 Light Cavalry. 320 Light Swordsmen. 320 Levy Spearmen
Deng Ai: 350 Retinue Spearmen 350 Retinue Swordsmen 185 Light Swordsmen 185 Levy Spearmen
Deng Ai loses enough spearmen in the initial volley that the charge is moderately effective. Because of the spearwall, Ma Chao's charge's effectiveness was cut in half, however the momentum of the charge almost makes the entire right flank buckle under pressure.
Sima Hui's Weather Report:
Thunder and Lighting appear on the horizon and seemingly approaches from every direction. The wind turns into a small gust. It is now a downpour.
Summary:
Both forces exchange archer and siege fire. Ma Chao launches an attack on the right flank of Deng Ai's right flank. Morale has not fluctuated drastically.
Please post updated troop count, and include a summary at the end of your post. It is in the rules.
Round Three may commence!
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Post by Ma Chao on Jul 16, 2011 17:38:06 GMT
“Shu is not going anywhere, bitches!” - Ma Chao in response to being one of the last Shu members.:: 1st Army:: Ma Chao 850 Light Cavalry Ma Dai 750 Cavalry 1180 Levy Spears (center) 500 Levy Spears (right) 680 Light Swords (center) 500 Light Swords (right) 500 Light Swords (left) 2000 Peasant Bows (center) 2 Arbalests 2 Catapults :: 2nd Army:: Jiang Wei 600 Light Cavalry 400 Peasant Bows 400 Levy Spears 400 Light Swords ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~The battle had just begun and already the blood was flowing in torrents. Steely gifts from above were being offered by each force and the other was accepting in the face, the torso, or the legs. The arrows were dominating the battlefield, but there were other projectiles being launched. The stones and large spears were causing havoc, killing men in a most gruesome way. It seemed a bit over the top for Wei to have onagers as well as their other equipment, but Shu would deal with whatever they dealt out. All of said death had occurred before the frontlines of each army met. The Shu main force had halted to allow for volleys and it was only Ma Chao who had charged. Watching his cousin’s cavalry, getting cut down like blades of grass, Ma Dai felt overwhelmed with emotions. He was worried for Ma Chao, but he was also anxious to enter battle. He remembered the orders and waited a few more minutes to enact them. Along the front, swordsmen did their best to shield from any Wei ranged units. The Shu bows let loose another volley of their own. The collective twang from 2000 bows rang out to offer support for the infantry assault and then they prepared for the unfortunate return from the enemy. The arbalests too let fly their payload toward the enemy and so did the catapults after adjusting to not strike Ma Chao by mistake. All was aimed a softened the Wei lines for the coming charge. The large cavalry group led by Ma Chao was taking a beating. Operation Meat Shield was effective in protecting Shu’s commander, with brave riders forming a barrier around him, but the soldiers were dropping at an alarming rate. Still, they pushed forward with the craze and courage that only Ma Chao could extract from them. As Ma Chao approached the enemy lines, he raised his spear and started to veer to the left. Hundreds of the riders followed in order to attack the outer most edge of Sima Yi’s lines. The rest of the cavalry plowed headlong into the enemy and many a horse were skewered, but the momentum of the charge was great. Once among the enemy in melee combat, they attacked fiercely. It was also the signal for Ma Dai to move. “Now! Forward!” Ma Dai’s cavalry group of 750 strong rode with haste behind the main force en route to aid his cousin. With this, the 500 swordsmen on the right flank opened up from left to right. Then, the 500 spears in the rear moved to aid them. The 680 swordsmen on the frontline began to march and so did the 1180 spears in the second row. The 500 swordsmen on the left flank opened up and quickly increased their pace. Ma Chao was stabbing the shit out of people, but the fighting was fierce on the enemy right flank. Sima Yi had veterans among his army and they were much more skilled than Shu’s soldiers. Wei had earned the reputation of having elite troops, there was no doubt about that. Yuan Shao and Lu Bu, just to name two, had been destroyed by Cao Cao. There was no other leader who had such an impressive resume of victories. Ma Chao, himself, suffered defeat at Tong Gate and Chang An. Still, there was also no doubt that the famed leader of Wei almost perished during that battle. “Push through!”The cavalry unit was engaging in melee combat after the charge, but the call came to urge the steeds forward. Ma Chao aimed at cutting a bloody path to the other side of the enemy lines that were located on the furthest right of Wei’s ranks. The weather took a turn for the worse and the rain began to downpour. Lightning ripped through the sky and the sound of thunder echoed throughout the land. However, the rumble that was felt upon the earth was that of Ma Dai’s thunderous charge toward the enemy. “Cousin!” The Shu army was in a precarious situation, but throughout history smaller armies had achieved victory. Cao Cao himself had done so against Yuan Shao. Ma Chao though, was not Cao Cao. Through sheer will strength, and tactics maybe they would be able to pull off a victory. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:: Summay:: - Ma Chao’s 850 Light Cavalry engage the enemy after the charge. The riders that followed Ma Chao to attack the edge of Sima Yi’s right flank attempt to push through! - Ma Dai’s 750 Light Cavalry move from the right flank of the Shu army, around the marching infantry, and toward the enemy right flank to reinforce Ma Chao’s charge. - 2000 Peasant Bows as well as the 2 Arbalests and 2 Catapults let loose another assault into the enemy all along their front to aid the attacking infantry. - 680 Light Swords and 1180 Levy Spears move to attack the enemy center. 500 Light Swords and 500 Levy Spears move to attack the enemy left flank. 500 Light Swords move to aid on the enemy right flank.
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