DMAW02: The Magnficent Seven

[Rex Tyrannus]

A brief note: I loaded up this game immediately after finishing a PBEM turn with a friend of mine. For some reason, the last message from the PBEM stayed on my screen during the entire set. Huh?

Also, I must appologize for the time this report has taken. This weekend has been frustrating. Anyhow, onto the show...

800 AD

My footsteps echo as I walk through the palace. Alone. So silent and empty. Where is everybody? "Guards!" I call out and get no response. A cold breze sifts in through a drafty window somewhere in the palace. What time is it? It must be close to evening. Shadows in the yard outside are long and the light casts an oragne glow about me.

Somewhere in the distance, children laugh. I smile and follow the sound. It eventually leads me to my private garden where my wife watches my children at play. Joy overwhelms me and I drop to my knees weeping.

"Papa!" says my eldest son. "Lord Father, we're playing dragons and samurai. Have you come to watch." The other children swarm to me with cries of "Papa" and a thousand embraces. I am speechless seeing my children and wife after so long.

"Papa, watch." Again, the eldest trying his best belanced stance. Master Haya has taught him well. Pride mixes with the joy. "Are you watching, Papa?"

In an instance, the joy erupts into grief as an arrow rips through the boy's throat, red life raining everywhere. Men leap from the walls in all directions. Where are my guards? More arrows tear into my children. I have no sword. A man grabs by wife from behind and opens her throat from ear to ear.

"Papa," my boy mouths as blood babbles from the wound, drowning his speech. A horn sounds. My army. Too late, I realize. The horn blows a second time. A moan.

A third time, and the sleeps leaves my body. I am back in bed--alone. The same nightmare I have every night. I grab the cup of wine my good servants have left by my bed to help me to sleep.

The horn.

That was not the drem. It blows again. Attackers, here in Kyoto. My guards burst into the room. It's not as bad as I thought. Not here in the city. Outside. Our workers in the camps have been taken by a Carthaginian raiding party.

So far, my thoughts have not dwealt long on Carthage. Was Hannibal behind the murder of my family? No, it was Stalin. As we speak, the Russian is fighting for his former home.

815 AD

And again, more attacks:

830 AD

Though, if it were Stalin, he must have had help from my old enemy, Octavius. That one has concentrated his efforts in Osaka. I will attack his guard with *my* elite warrior.

But Rome's God's are more kind than Japan's. We lose this battle.

Back to Stalin, I attack his troops in the forests outside Moscow. Fortune favors Japan.

845 AD

My advisors tell me that my vengance has cost me my economy. I have no choice.

My master of war tells me that Rome is preparing a full assault on Osaka. I am uncertain of our future.

Further, our scouts tell us Rome employs an archer we've not yet known. This threat is menacing.

In all this chaos, it is almost pleasant to know that, in places, art is still a treasure.

To be continued...

 

[Rex Tyrannus]

875 AD

Rome is preparing his assault on Osaka, but I decide, again, to take the battle on *my* terms and attack.

But again, this decision turns out to be unwise and I lose. Fortunately, the Russian front proves more productive.

Our spears win this attack on a chariot outside Moscow, but loses to two archers.

890 AD

Our forward scouts on the Russian front tell me taht St. Petersburg is too well guarded for an attack at the moment.

905 AD

Like a master, Rome has maneuvered his troops to place a death-stroke on Osaka.

But it is Moscow that concerns me at the moment

Stalin will pay for this outrage.

Meanwhile, Caesar Augustus sends three units at Osaka, but the defenses hold.

920 AD

The loss of Moscow hurts more than we know.

OOC: I don't understand this. We still have Iron at Osaka.../OOC

Rome continues his relentless purpose for Osaka

But, come dawn, the city still stands.

935 AD

And I can return my attention to my nemesis.

 

[Rex Tyrannus]

Ugh... That was a lot of fightin'. Lot of dying, too. Our economy is in the sh*tter and every time I tried to get the elephants back up, enemies would harass the worker. I felt like I took two steps backward this set. Good luck to the next guy.

As bleak as bleak gets

 

[Cabledawg]

I took a look at the save. The great general bar is full. We should have generated another one.....it shows 77/60. Were 17 points above generating one...whats the deal with that?

This game is going south in a bad way. Rex, I just noticed youre from Charlotte. I lived there for years working at Harrelson Ford and Town and Country Ford. I moved there right after Hurricane Hugo to head up the rebuilding of their Cable TV system. Man did it get tore up badly. Most of Charlotte has their Power poles in the rear easements....where all the trees are that fell during the hurricane.

 

[Cosmichail]

@cabledawg that is strange.
We are losing this battle and even a hardened warrior who likes to fight can see we won't likely prevail. Of course we fight until we die. I see longbows and cats too mmmmm not long before we are facing maces.

We need a miracle....erhem (a miracle an event). In hindsight settling up in those hills north of us would have made it difficult for the AI to attack as there is only one tile of entry there which is a forest hill. A combined force would/could have held off their forces, only problem is the metal aspect.

Good luck to the next player.

 

[GreyFox]

And who would the next player be?

Let's see ...


DAMNED.

:<

 

[pholkhero]

yeah, phew! i don't know if it's the jump from prince, the new patch or the map but this game has been DRASTICALLY more difficult than the last AW game! I don't think i'm Imhoteping (TM) here when i say we may be dead in 51 turns

oh, and the road to the river has been cut. That's why Osaka has iron, but no other city does.

Roster:
Pholkhero >
Rex > just played
GreyFox > UP NOW and dreading what he'll find!
Imhotep > on deck
Patagonia >
Cabledawg >
Cosmichail >

 

[GreyFox]

Turns played, but I went screenshot crazy ... a whopping 51 images ... need some time to process them ... Fortunately I am now in Dallas ... no, this is not Mark Cuban's Isolationist, I am in the real Dallas ... which is a downright boring place meaning I have nothing better to do.

Wait for my report.

 

[Rex Tyrannus]

I am in the real Dallas ... which is a downright boring place meaning I have nothing better to do.

You could always see if you can eat the 96 ounce steak. If you can do it in an hour, you don't have to pay. Shouldn't be too hard. If the hot dog eating contests are any judge, you Asians can really pack in the food.

Wait for my report.

Damned demanding Asian, at that!

(Edited for dumb-ass)

 

[GreyFox]

A Song of Sorrow and Sacrifice

Part I - Muramoto's Reminiscence

My name is Muramoto. The glorious past of the clan is all but now a fade memory. The world has changed so much since the evil emperor's death. We used to be a peace-loving tribe. We still are. But the cold-blooded, merciless murder of the chieftain's family can only be washed aclean in one way .... with blood.

My father used to tell me, the break out of the war against the other clans seems to be surprise to every son and daughter of the Rising Sun, however, it soon became too clear that the other 6 clans were well-prepared for that outcome. Scouts everywhere reported that the Russians, the Mongolians, the Romans, the Carthingnians, and all, were much better prepared than we were ... they have amassed swords and horses in great numbers that can only be explained in one way ... they have all been anticipating a war.

Now, in retrospect, it is clear what had happened.

After the Emperor's Death, the other 6 clans gathered together and plotted against Japan. Who instigated this can no longer be verified ... and it is no longer improtant. Each of them owe us a blood-debt now, whoever started all this. Because it was Shogun Tokugawa who plunged the final blow into the Evil Emperor's heart, the long-oppressed populance see the Shogun as a hero. Added to the fact that the Shogun was an unwilling party in the Magnificent Seven initially, it further enhance the Shogun's hero image since the people would perceive (quite correctly) that the Shogun had not risen against the Emperor for power, but for the love of the people.

A tribe of barbarian assassins were engaged by the Other Six, and that faithful night, the assassins scourged the settlement of the shogun. The sorrow runs so deep now that we no longer have tears when any of us talked about this. There were no longer any emotion attached ... there is only determination to avenge the victims ... we would weep for years later after vengence has been exacted. Before that, the pain and sorrow can only wrench blood out of our eyes, not tears.

The Other Six did put up a pretense of fight against the barbarians, but it was all too obvious that barbarians joined them and focus their fightings on our warriors alone. The war went well at first, even if the enemies were prepared. We liberated the Russians cities. But soon, when the Mongolians and Romans league started arriving, our brave soldiers can hardly hold our land. Untold number of sacrifices were made to defend the land of Tokugawa. Every one added onto the blood-debt.

Now hear this, Sons of Tokugawa, I, Muramoto, would now lead you to protect our homeland. Odds maybe impossibly high, as the enemies now bring more powerful units in far greater numbers, but hear this:

As long as there is a single soul that survives, we would fight on.
Even when all that is left are the fallen leaves and petals that still fly in the wind, the spirit of the shogun will live on!​

Part II - Sacrifice for Osaka

As I arrived a Kyoto, it was clear that the people, although brave and determined, suffered with a lack of leadership with the chiefs all fighting the Russains down south.

Farming? Road the city, we need to connect the iron back!

But soon, I can see that Kyoto is lost.

Those Romans are coming hard. I had make the painful decision to protect our source of iron at all cost, and Kyoto, is simply too far away from any metals. Thus the General were moved south ...

... leaving only those that refused to abandon the hometown to guard the graves of Tokugawa's Family.

Back in Osaka, the fight raged on. The enemies made a push for our iron, but our warriors held fast.

And counter attacked:

The great warriors down in Moscow were called back north to meet the general, and though the Russians tried to ambush, our warriors remain prevalent.

It was then clear that Osaka were the main target for the enemies, as they all focused their armies towards the city, even those Roman league that at first appears to be heading for Kyoto

We have no choice. We must make a stand at Osaka, or all is lost. The General made a sacrifice, and performed the ritual binding to join his soul with the arriving sword ...

Osaka must be protected, at all cost.

The fight was brutal, and even though our men (alas, they were actually mostly boys) fought hard, the enemies' number were too great. The fighting that day had turned the hills of Osaka all red, but we prevailed.

Yes, we prevailed against the Romans ... for another day.

The mongolians arrived after the roman. Even as despair filled my heart ... we must fight on ....

To Be Continued

 

[GreyFox]

A Song of Sorrow and Sacrifice

Part IIIa - Fallen Leaves and Scattered Petals ...

I am kanazawa. The day that news arrived that Muramoto had perished together with the city of Osaka, I knew I would join him ... and many others. There was no point in selecting a successor for Muramoto to lead as Daimen, as the remaining people need no Daimens. I knew they would fight to the last,and that's all we need to do.

Spoiler OOC :

I knew the game can only end in one way now, so instead of passing it on, I shall finish this game.

After Osaka, the enemies broke into two -- one headed for Kyoto, the other for Novogod.

Even though we were hopeless out-matched and out-numbered, we fought on.

And woth my last breath, I shall curse upon this land.

Death, I embrace thee.

Part IIIb - ... Dispersed All Over the Land

I knew Kanazawa would hold on, but how much longer I can only hoped for the best. The only relief for me, Kawasaki, was that the main bulk of the enemies decided to head towards Novogod instead of Kyoto. That may give Kanazawa a chance, while I may join Tokugawa much earlier than him. But Novogod was much better defended, as more people sacrificed themselves inspite of the certainty of doom ...

I can only hoped that Kanazawa had killed as many enemies as I did ...

... and fought as hard as I had ...

... and died a good death as I died.

To Be Continued

 

[GreyFox]

A Song of Sorrow and Sacrifice

Part IIIc -- ... Carrying the Sorrowful Song

I don't know what killed me. The waiting for the doom, or the doom itself. It pains me to learn that I am to be the last son of Tokugawa to join him, as Kyoto and Novogod falls within the same day ...

My loyal servant, this I entask you. Carry this baby girl to a land as far as possible, and protect her with all your life. For tomorrow, she will be the only one left in the bloodline of Tokugawa. Raised her, teach her, and gave her this song when she came of age.

This is a song of how Tokugawa had risen, how he was betrayed. This is a song of how the people of the Shogun had vowed to exact vengenance, only to find that evil was too great. This is a song of the sacrifices all of made. This is a song of all that is sorrow and joyous ... that is living and dead.

Now, go, as swift as the sparrow. I am sorry I denied you your rightful death, but the Song of Sorrow and Sacrifice must be made known ...

Epilogue

And as all the leaves that had fallen and all the petals that had been scattered finally settled among the dust and ashes, far far away, a single seed had been carried by the wind beyongd the great mountains and meandering river. There it will grow, where the Song would be sang. Far Far Away.

--

 

[Rex Tyrannus]

Bogus...Heinous...Most non-triumphant...

Sorry about the farm, Fox. I had that worker on the Elephants, but an enemy harassed him away. He moved one square, but still had a movement point, so I set him to make one turn of a farm. I forgot to deactivate his farming. Either way, it would have made no difference.

Despite the outcome, I had a very fun time. I like the story-teller's SG that Pholk has put forward. In that light, I'd like to invite all players and lurkers in this game to pop over to monkey HQ. All members have an open invite to help further that (FUBAR) story.

Edited to add the link.

 

[Cabledawg]

I enjoyed the journey guys and wouldnt mind trying this one again in the future with different settings unless you guys think its possible to win this with the same settings and the new improved AI.

 

[Cosmichail]

Great story fox it actually brought a tear to my eye. (ok a guy admitting having emotions what will the world come to). A valiant fight to the last man. What greater honour then to die on the battlefield serving your country.

Perhaps we can try again but a different map that allows us to develop like continents/fractal/or even islands.

 

[frankcor]

Lurker's comment: Thanks to this great team for an entertaining story. While most of say we play (and lurk) these games to learn, it's the great writing that brings us back again and again. Job well done!

Great story fox it actually brought a tear to my eye. (ok a guy admitting having emotions what will the world come to). A valiant fight to the last man. What greater honour then to die on the battlefield serving your country.

I concur! And, I'm reminded of George Patton's directive: "Your job is not to die for your country. Your job is to make some other son-of-a-b*tch die for HIS country." REMATCH!

 

[GreyFox]

As seen, I have planted a plot for rematch ... the baby girl, the seed that flew to a far far away land and all that ... so I am on and willing.

As I see it, this map is definitely doable, but we need to be more focused. We were unlucky in that the barbs came rushing down on our side instead of the AIs.

Fractal is okay, island maybe too much. AIs simply sucks at island ... at least before Blake's tweak. But I am willing to do island if just to see Blake's adjustment made any difference to AI's performance in Island map.

@frank: I tot someone said he is going to fix his sig?

 

[Cabledawg]

count me in if you start it up again

 

[frankcor]

@frank: I tot someone said he is going to fix his sig?

Did I say that? Is mine broken?

 

[pholkhero]

Well, i've been holding off on replying for a bit to collect my thoughts.

First, a terrifc ending from Fox very poignant! a terrific ending to the SG.

Second, though this was a loss, it was one of the best SGs i've been in, and, if you ask Rex, i've been in about 20,342 (and everyone i start sux ass). The most wonderful part is that i had no preconceived notions about this game. It was really a through-away idea in my silly attempt at compromise (i'm the natural diplomat), and was just started for kicks. I wrote the intro as a story just for the heck of it b/c i was a little toasted and ya'll just picked it right up! Awesome! as i said, one of the most memorable games and teams i've been on!!

okay, now, we can stop the circle jerk

Perhaps we can try again but a different map that allows us to develop like continents/fractal/or even islands.

No. That is for nancies and poofters . . . i didn't know you wore a dress Priveate Cosmic. Developing is for women! we need WAR!!

perhaps it may be trite and Rex may start more threads about my ineptness at SGing, but i'd be partial to a return to roots and a Pangea, Natural coastline, still raging barbs, still Monarch. The Highlands is just SO barb heavy ~ raging made it 10 times worse. If the group is against this (and of course, you're all in for the sequel unless you don'te check in), i'd be open for suggestions.

Also, we could use a different civ ~ the girl-child may have to adopt a disguise to avoid capture?

thoughts all?