Quest: The Fate of Wuhuan

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

All battles for the quest will be posted here.

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

October 184: Gongsun Zan invades Lulang Pass!

The Righteous Armies of the Han!
Commander-in-Chief: Gongsun Zan (Bogui) (158) 91*-76*-65-55-62 Architect I, Mounted Tactics M, Logistics I, Cavalier M, Duelist I Items: Báitáifēng (Horse, unique, Lead+6, +Discipline to Initiative), Golden Armor (War+5)
Lieutenant: Xiao Zhe (159) 72-42-92-47-67 Architect II, Ambush I, Battlefield Traps I, Strategist II, The Art of War M
5000 (80) Cavalry

Commander: Guan Yu (Yunchang) (162) 87-95*-61-58-89 Mounted Tactics M, Infantry Tactics M, Art of War II, Heroism M, Infantryman M, Cavalier M, Duelist M, Fluent I, Fortify I, Governor I, Magnetic Aura I, Perseverance II Item: Black Dragon (LR, +5 War, *Indestructible)
Lieutenant: Shu Duo (34) 55-51-69-45-46 Strategist I, Duelist I, Magnetic Aura I
5000 (60) Chariots

Commander: Zhang Fei (Yide) (167) 87-98*-70-30-32 Mounted Tactics M, Pole Tactics M, Headhunter M, Duelist M, Cavalier II, Juggernaut II Item: Black Viper (LR, +5 War, *Indestructible)
5000 (60) Bronze Spearmen

Commander: Cheng Bi (160) 93*-58*-88-58*-49* Infantry II, Infantry Tactics II, Ambush I, Prodigy, Leader, Fighter, Field General Items: Vibrant Scarf (Pol+2, Cha+1), Cartography: Applications and Theory (+4 Lea, Map), Dee Lu (+5 Lead), Pokey (MR, +1 War) - Focus: +3000 troop
Lieutenant: Hán Liǎo (164) 62*-97*-56-42-60 Duelist M, Guard I, Infantryman I, Tough I, Veteran Items: Armor War Lvl 2, Horse Lvl 2 - Focus: +5 initiative
7000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen

Commander: Heng Tai (148) 90*-82*-63-54-42 Field General, General I, Headhunter I, Infantryman M, Infantry Tactics II, Logistics I Items: Halberd (LR, War +1), Horse (Lea +4) - Focus: +10 initiative
6000 (60) Footmen

Commander: Guan Xi (168) 90*-52-68-49-80 Cavalier II, Mounted Tactics I, Bowman I, Bow Tactics I, Detective I, Networking I, Leader Items: Gale (Lvl 4 Horse, +4 Lead), Ancient War Map (Lvl 3 Map, + 3 Lead) - Focus: +1000 troop
Lieutenant: Bu Nu (155) 67-96*-51-62-43 Brutality, Leader, Perseverance II, Calm I, Duelist I, Infantryman I Item: Massacre mk1 (LR, War+1)
6000 (60) Bowmen

Commander: Zhang Heng (163) 86-87*-57-44-51 Calm I, Cavalier I, Duelist I, Field General, Headhunter I, Mounted Tactics II Item: Might of Heaven (LR, War+3)
5000 (60) Chariots

Commander: Liu Bei (Xuande) (166) 86-69*-78-70-98 Fluent I, Farmer II, Charmer II, Infantry Tactics I, Magnetic Aura M, Perseverance M Items: Sword of Fate (SR, War+2, *Indestructable), Sword of Fate (SR, War+2, *Indestructable)
Lieutenant: Can Guo (35) 53-57-49-31-50 Calm I, Battlefield Traps I, Supply I
5000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen
42000 food

vs.

Fangxu's defense force!
Commander-in-Chief: Fangxu (149) 79*.73*.59.31.46 Bow Tactics II, Bowmen I, Cavalier II, Commander I, General I, Mounted Tactics II, Tough I Items: Halberd (LR, War+1), Lufang (Warhorse, Lead+2, War+2)
6000 (80) Wuhuan Riders

Commander: Loufan (161) 67.87*.33.27.45 Bow Tactics M, Bowman I, Duelist I, Headhunter I, Tough I Items: Sword (MR, War+2), Bow (MR, War+2, *Ranged)
5000 (80) Archers

Commander: Zhang Zoujing (165) 73.89*.71.43.55 Ambush II, Duelist II, General I, Heroism II, Polearm Tactics I, Juggernaut I, Tough II Item: Sword (LR, War+1)
5000 (80) Bronze Spearmen

Commander: Tongyan (154) 59.51.84*.57.67 Con Artist II, Strategist I, The Art of War II Item: Tongyan's Tome (Int+2)
Attachment: 8400 food
5000 (80) Bronze Swordsmen

Battle Map


The Han start anywhere in rows 8-10. The defenders start in rows 1-3.

Tactic deadline (to me, of course) is Wednesday, July 14th, at 9 AM EST.

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

The Battle of Lulang Pass!

As the armies of the Han approach the pass, Fangxu rallies his men to the defense. His force is small, yet battle-hardened from many skirmishes toward the border. Still, this is his territory, and he will fight for it with whatever he has.

Round 1 – Rainy (-2 morale)
Gongsun Zan (B8) – 5000 (80) Cavalry, 85 morale
Guan Yu (A8) – 5000 (60) Chariots, 85 morale
Zhang Fei (D8) – 5000 (60) Bronze Spearmen, 85 morale
Cheng Bi (C8) – 7000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 85 morale
Heng Tai (E9) – 6000 (60) Footmen, 85 morale
Guan Xi (E8) – 6000 (60) Bowmen, 85 morale
Zhang Heng (B9) – 5000 (60) Chariots, 85 morale
Liu Bei (C9) – 5000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 85 morale
- 42000 food
Fangxu (C2) – 6000 (80) Wuhuan Riders, 105 morale
Loufan (B2) – 5000 (80) Archers, 105 morale
Zhang Zoujing (C3) – 5000 (80) Bronze Spearmen, 105 morale
Tongyan (D2) – 5000 (80) Bronze Swordsmen, 105 morale
- 8400 food

Gongsun Zan reviewed the strategies submitted to him. Cross the river, check. He wondered to himself if they would be blocking the river in some way, however. Still, with his elite Cavalry, nothing could stop him. He charged forward onto the bridge, but was cut off by the force under Zhang Zoujing, whose spearmen prevented further movement. In an attempt to neutralize them, he send his force straight into the spearmen, hoping his marauders would leave the spearmen hapless. The effort failed, although it still inflicted a number of casualties (Marauder failed, -966 ZZ, -471 GZ). In his wake, the remaining Han armies marched forward, many being able to keep up with his speed. Guan Yu settled a distance away, having been instructed to stay a distance away from Gongsun Zan. From his position, however, he was able to send agents into Zhang Zoujing's unit. They were quickly found and executed, however (Confuse fail).

Fangxu, leading his force of elite Wuhuan Riders, saw the enemy commander at his front. From atop their horses, they fired arrows lit aflame! The attack rained down on Gongsun Zan's unit, engulfing their army in flame briefly before the rains put it out (Fire Arrow success, -1330 GZ)! Zhang Zoujing tried to follow-up the attack with a Charge down the ranks of Gongsun Zan! The cavalry resisted, and while they remained upon the bridge, a large number of horses lay died in the field, impaled by spears (Charge fail, -715 GZ, -458 ZZ).

From across the river, Guan Yu could see the army of Loufan march forward. This was what he dreaded, and why his orders specified that he stay away from Gongsun Zan's unit. However, no such order was given to Zhang Heng, who found himself as the linchpin of a massive aerial barrage of arrows directed upon his unit! The carnage was greatest in Zhang Heng's force, but everyone around him received damage as well (Arrowstorm success, -1792 ZH, -448 to GZ, GY, ZF, and CB). While his armies were having success so far, Tongyan quickly send men over to his master's unit, re-equipping him with the necessary supplies and encouragement needed to, perhaps, use that Fire Arrow attack again later.

Round 2 – Cloudy (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (C4) – 2036 (80) Cavalry, 83 morale
Guan Yu (B6) – 4552 (60) Chariots, 83 morale
Zhang Fei (C6) – 4552 (60) Bronze Spearmen, 83 morale
Cheng Bi (D6) – 6552 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 83 morale
Heng Tai (E7) – 6000 (60) Footmen, 83 morale
Guan Xi (E6) – 6000 (60) Bowmen, 83 morale
Zhang Heng (C5) – 3208 (60) Chariots, 83 morale
Liu Bei (B8) – 5000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 83 morale
- 40240 food
Fangxu (C2) – 6000 (80) Wuhuan Riders, 103 morale
Loufan (B3) – 5000 (80) Archers, 103 morale
Zhang Zoujing (C3) – 3576 (80) Bronze Spearmen, 103 morale
Tongyan (D2) – 5000 (80) Bronze Swordsmen, 103 morale
- 7560 food

Reeling from the damage his unit had taken already in these first few days of battle, Gongsun Zan decided that tarrying here any longer would be disastrous. He spun his cavalry on their heels and retreated to the back lines. Cheng Bi's swordsmen took their place, and immediately launched an attack upon Loufan's archers, that had inched forward to launch that arrowstorm. He rushed his swordsmen back and forth, hoping to discombobulate the defenders. The trickery failed, but the tactic still dealt the archers a deadly blow (Harass failed, -1838 LF, -275 CB). The rest of the Han army continued to move into place. Guan Yu chose to rouse his men, cheering them onto greater heights (Frenzy success; GY, ZH, and ZF all extra attack through round 4! Guan Xi, seeing an opportunity, launched a volley of arrows across the river, heavy and hard, at Zhang Zoujing's spearmen! While the attack was not especially severe, it forced Zoujing to abandon his position (Volley success, -440 ZZ, he retreats to B2)!

The rest of the Han force waited for a better time to cross the bridge. Despite Zhang Zoujing's unit being displaced, the presence of Loufan and his archers just to the side of the bridge made crossing it impossible. Fangxu again chose to take advantage of the enemy in front of him and the arsenal at his disposal, shooting another round of flaming arrows again at the bridge, but this time, at Cheng Bi's swordsmen! The attack again caught fire, and with the rain stopped, the fire continued to burn (Fire Arrow success, -1446 CB, square on fire)! Zhang Zoujing moved back to his previous location, but chose to merely defend, either finding Cheng Bi's swordsmen an unappealing target in their larger numbers, or not wanting to attack an enemy that was aflame. Loufan retreated from his position alongside the river and chose to add to the conflagration, he himself launching an aerial flre attack upon Cheng Bi! The attack carried with it little weight, but the addition to the fires caused even more damage (Fire Arrow success, -785 CB, square still on fire)! Tongyan thought to cause some carnage himself, and sent forward a number of men who infiltrated Zhang Heng's unit. Small little fires broke out here and there, but they were easily put out. It seems as if he was attempting to confuse them into believing that the fires had spread from the bridge down to him (Illusion failure).

Round 3 – Rainy (-2 morale)
Gongsun Zan (A9) – 2036 (80) Cavalry, 82 morale
Guan Yu (B6) – 4552 (60) Chariots, 82 morale (Frenzy through round 4)
Zhang Fei (C6) – 4552 (60) Bronze Spearmen, 82 morale (Frenzy through round 4)
Cheng Bi (C4) – 4046 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 82 morale
Heng Tai (D5) – 6000 (60) Footmen, 82 morale
Guan Xi (E5) – 6000 (60) Bowmen, 82 morale
Zhang Heng (C5) – 3208 (60) Chariots, 82 morale (Frenzy through round 4)
Liu Bei (A7) – 5000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 82 morale
- 38724 food
Fangxu (C2) – 6000 (80) Wuhuan Riders, 102 morale
Loufan (B2) – 3262 (80) Archers, 102 morale
Zhang Zoujing (C3) – 3136 (80) Bronze Spearmen, 102 morale
Tongyan (D2) – 5000 (80) Bronze Swordsmen, 102 morale
- 6777 food

The clouds once again released their bounty, and the fires that still existed on the bridge were quickly put out. While Gongsun Zan felt secure at the far end of the battlefield, his armies continued to press the offensive. The bridge had been an obstacle so far, but finally, the Han would set foot on the other side. Seizing the location abandoned by Loufan, Cheng Bi's unit moved forward. Now having access to the leader of the defense force, Cheng Bi assaulted him with everything he had, surprising the Wuhuan war-leader. Being so caught off-guard, he was forced back along the path that Cheng Bi initially came from. Despite this effort, his unit fared well in the fighting (Circle success, -557 FX, -603 CB, switch places). Heng Tai moved onto the bridge, and seeing the commander of the Wuhuan now adjacent to him, immediately sent his footmen into the unit, attacking in confusing ways in an attempt to disorient them. It did not work, however, and his footmen took decent damage in retaliation (Harass failed, -650 FX, -749 HT).

From his spot across the river, Guan Yu was content (if you can put it that way) to simply send aid to Heng Tai's unit, recovering his use of that harass tactic. The rest of the Han force was unable to act, however, save the bowmen of Guan Xi. Under explicit orders to target the commander, they fired a round over to Fangxu's horse archers! The attack killed a few, but they soon paid for it, as Fangxu possess the ability to fire back (-398 FX, counter -750 GX)!

On the other side of the river, Fangxu found himself in an interesting position. He was adjacent to two enemy units; something that would ultimately be bad for him. However, the unit of Cheng Bi had split his force and marched directly into enemy lines! The opportunity for something grand lay in front of him, and so he called all of his force to attack Cheng Bi's unit! As he charged forward, the Han were reminded that Wuhuan Riders were just as deadly on land as they are through the air. His force pierced through to the other side, thanks to Cheng Bi's unit being split apart in all directions by the many multiple attacks. The end result was devastating (Pincer success, -796 CB, -402 FX, FX moves to D1, -394 CB from ZZ, -472 CB from LF, -383 CB from TY).

Round 4 – Sunny (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (A10) – 2036 (80) Cavalry, 80 morale
Guan Yu (B6) – 4552 (60) Chariots, 80 morale (Frenzy through round 4)
Zhang Fei (C6) – 4552 (60) Bronze Spearmen, 80 morale (Frenzy through round 4)
Cheng Bi (C2) – 1398 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 80 morale
Heng Tai (C4) – 5251 (60) Footmen, 80 morale
Guan Xi (D5) – 5250 (60) Bowmen, 80 morale
Zhang Heng (C5) – 3208 (60) Chariots, 80 morale (Frenzy through round 4)
Liu Bei (A6) – 5000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 80 morale
- 37308 food
Fangxu (D1) – 3993 (80) Wuhuan Riders, 100 morale
Loufan (B2) – 3262 (80) Archers, 100 morale
Zhang Zoujing (C3) – 3136 (80) Bronze Spearmen, 100 morale
Tongyan (D2) – 5000 (80) Bronze Swordsmen, 100 morale
- 6081 food

Cheng Bi's unit was in tatters from the assault he took over the last few days. Under orders to retreat with such numbers, he did the best he could to keep his unit together, although getting to the back lines was near impossible considering his position. Assuming that survival was better than the alternative, he chose to hunker down in his position and make a break for it as soon as the coast was clear. Heng Tai's force was still in fighting shape, however, and so he pushed forward. Zhang Zoujing was still his best target, so he again sent his forces at his unit, attempting to bring his unit to a standstill. It failed, but the damage done was immense (Harass failed, -1098 ZZ, -152 HT). Guan Yu finally got a chance to enter the fray, and so he pushed his armies forward onto the bridge and attempted to steamroll right over Zhang Zoujing's unit! In theory, horses do not do so well against spears, and such theory came into play here, as while many of the spearmen died, Guan Yu's frenzied unit still took more damage than they expected, as well as their tactic failing to achieve its goals (Trample failed, -869 ZZ, -626 GY). From off in the distance, Guan Xi's force again launched an attack; this time on the only unit they could hit, Zhang Zoujing. It met with some success against the weary spearmen (-449 ZZ).

Meanwhile, on the other side of the river, the Wuhuan seemed to have less flair left in store for the fight. Fangxu sent a round at Cheng Bi's unit, putting it on its last legs (-899 CB). Loufan had retreated to the edge of the battlefield, and did the same, wiping it off of the map (-499 CB, unit destroyed, +/-10 morale all units). Cheng Bi and Han Liao easily escaped, however. Zhang Zoujing received the order from his commander, and thus, knew the end was at hand. Yet, he still had a mission to accomplish. He readied his men for the end, as they prepared near the bridge for what would likely be a last, brutal attack. In the distance, Tongyan's force also moved to the edge of the field. With one last trick up his sleeves, he attempted to wreck havoc on Heng Tai's chain of command with misleading and false orders. The footman general saw through it, however.

Round 5 – Rainy (-2 morale)
Gongsun Zan (A10) – 2036 (80) Cavalry, 69 morale
Guan Yu (C4) – 3926 (60) Chariots, 69 morale
Zhang Fei (C6) – 4552 (60) Bronze Spearmen, 69 morale
Cheng Bi – wiped out
Heng Tai (D3) – 5099 (60) Footmen, 69 morale
Guan Xi (D5) – 5250 (60) Bowmen, 69 morale
Zhang Heng (C5) – 3208 (60) Chariots, 69 morale
Liu Bei (A6) – 5000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 69 morale
- 36058 food
Fangxu (D1) – 3993 (80) Wuhuan Riders, 99 morale
Loufan (C1) – 3262 (80) Archers, 99 morale
Zhang Zoujing (C3) – 720 (80) Bronze Spearmen, 99 morale
Tongyan (E1) – 5000 (80) Bronze Swordsmen, 99 morale
- 5465 food

Seeing no reason not to, Gongsun Zan rallied his men, who, while nowhere near the battle, could possibly somehow wind up fighting again (Aid successful, +10 morale GZ). On the front lines, Heng Tai moved toward the enemy commander again, this time, perhaps, hoping to prevent a retreat. He attempted to encircle the enemy, but the action failed, and his unit was sent backward, although they finally dealt the Wuhuan commander a decent blow (Circle failed, -753 FX, -522 HT). Guan Yu inched forward alongside the spearmen under Zhang Zoujing, and with one final attack, put them to rout (-720 ZZ, -96 GY, unit is destroyed, +/-10 morale). Zhang Zoujing attempted to flee to his allies, but was caught in the aftermath.

With Zhang Zoujing's spearmen finally out of the way, the Han armies now crossed the bridge en masse. Guan Xi moved forward far enough to again attack his designated target, Fangxu. This attack wound up similar to the one before, with both sides exchanging arrows, and Fangxu getting the better of it (-423 FX, counter -803 GX). Zhang Heng's unit, having been stuck in the middle of the battlefield all of this time, finally found an avenue through to Fangxu. He rose forward and marauded through his force left and right, trying to throw the Wuhuan commander for a loop. Once again, the Wuhuan resisted, and the melee again broke even (Marauder failed, -619 FX, -673 ZH).

With the loss of Zhang Zoujing and the advance of the main flank of the Han force so far, Fangxu's lesser armies had lost the advantage of terrain. With their options now limited, Fangxu gave the order to withdraw from the field. They had achieved more than probably thought possible, but to fight any longer would only result in the deaths of their men. Oddly enough, however, instead of retreating to their hometowns, they instead fled into the unoccupied Pinggang. Perhaps they were not done fighting yet?

Final
Gongsun Zan (A10) – 2036 (80) Cavalry, 87 morale
Guan Yu (D3) – 3830 (60) Chariots, 77 morale
Zhang Fei (C4) – 4552 (60) Bronze Spearmen, 77 morale
Heng Tai (D2) – 4577 (60) Footmen, 77 morale
Guan Xi (C3) – 4447 (60) Bowmen, 77 morale
Zhang Heng (C5) – 2535 (60) Chariots, 77 morale
Liu Bei (A6) – 5000 (60) Bronze Swordsmen, 77 morale
- 34889 food
Fangxu (fled) – 2198 (80) Wuhuan Riders, 87 morale
Loufan (fled) – 3262 (80) Archers, 87 morale
Tongyan (fled) – 5000 (80) Bronze Swordsmen, 87 morale
- 4946 food

The Han have won! But at what cost?

Zhang Zoujing is captured. Han Liao and Cheng Bi escaped.

+5 drill all forces in battle.

Lulang Pass is now occupied by the Han. Feel free to start a post-battle role-play regarding what to do with Zhang Zoujing; this won't be the same as the council RP, so let us limit it to just that.

All people who participated in battle receive 1/2 whatever normal battle experience you would have got if this were a "real" battle. This battle happened in October, so you can apply it immediately. This will be general practice for all of these battles.

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

November 184: The Battle over Pinggang!

As the Han armies approach, they find that the Wuhuan forces have arrived as well, coming to aid Fangxu's brave warriors! Notably absent from them, however, is Fangxu. Word was sent to the force of Zhi Yongshi, which was advancing upon the territory. In exchange for the deal negotiated with him, Fangxu reassigning his lieutenants Loufan and Tongyan to the force under Ta Dun until the end of the conflict. Fangxu himself had left the field with his own personal army, taking with him the smallest amount of food and by anyone's guess, disappearing from the conflict for good.

((Food consumed on the march to the battlefield has been removed from these posts already, in case anybody is curious.))

Invading Pinggang from Lulang Pass!
Commander-in-Chief: Gongsun Zan (Bogui) (158) 91*-76*-65-55-62 Architect I, Mounted Tactics M, Logistics I, Cavalier M, Duelist I Items: Báitáifēng (Horse, unique, Lead+6, +Discipline to Initiative), Golden Armor (War+5)
Lieutenant: Xiao Zhe (159) 72-42-92-47-67 Architect II, Ambush I, Battlefield Traps I, Strategist II, The Art of War M
Attachment: 20000 food
2036 (85) Cavalry

Commander: Liu Bei (Xuande) (166) 86-69*-78-70-98 Fluent I, Farmer II, Charmer II, Infantry Tactics I, Magnetic Aura M, Perseverance M Items: Sword of Fate (SR, War+2, *Indestructable), Sword of Fate (SR, War+2, *Indestructable)
Lieutenant: Zhang Heng (163) 90-87*-57-44-51 Calm I, Cavalier I, Duelist I, Field General, Headhunter I, Mounted Tactics II Items: Might of Heaven (LR, War+3), Horsey (Lead+4)
5000 (65) Bronze Swordsmen.

Commander: Guan Yu (Yunchang) (162) 87-95*-61-58-89 Mounted Tactics M, Infantry Tactics M, Art of War II, Heroism M, Infantryman M, Cavalier M, Duelist M, Fluent I, Fortify I, Governor I, Magnetic Aura I, Perseverance II Item: Black Dragon
Lieutenant: Shu Duo (34) 55-51-69-45-46 Strategist I, Duelist I, Magnetic Aura I
5000 (65) Chariots.

Commander: Zhang Fei (Yide) (167) 87-98*-70-30-32 Mounted Tactics M, Pole Tactics M, Headhunter M, Duelist M, Cavalier II, Juggernaut II Item: Black Viper (LR, +5 War, *Indestructible)
Lieutenant: Cheng Bi (160) 93*-58*-92*-58*-49* Infantry II, Infantry Tactics M, Ambush I, Prodigy, Leader, Fighter, Field General Items: Vibrant Scarf (Pol+2, Cha+1), Cartography: Applications and Theory (+4 Lea, Map), Dee Lu (+5 Lead), Pokey (MR, +1 War), Textbook (Int+4) - Focus: +3000 troop
4552 (65) Bronze Spearmen

Commander: Heng Tai (148) 90*-83*-63-54-42 Duelist I, Field General, General I, Headhunter I, Infantryman M, Infantry Tactics II, Logistics I Items: Halberd (LR, War +1), Horse (Lea +4) - Focus: +10 initiative
Lieutenant: Bu Nu (155) 68-96*-51-62-43 Brutality, Leader, Perseverance II, Calm I, Duelist I, Infantryman I Item: Massacre mk1 (LR, War+1)
4577 (65) Footmen

Commander: Guan Xi (168) 92*-52-68-49-81 Cavalier II, Mounted Tactics I, Bowman I, Bow Tactics I, Detective I, Networking I, Leader Items: Gale (Lvl 4 Horse, +4 Lead), Ancient War Map (Lvl 3 Map, + 3 Lead) - Focus: +1000 troop
Lieutenant: Hán Liǎo (164) 62*-97*-56-42-60 Duelist M, Guard I, Infantryman I, Tough I, Veteran Items: Armor War Lvl 2, Horse Lvl 2 - Focus: +5 initiative
4447 (65) Bowmen

Invading Pinggang from Wuzhong!
Commander-in-Chief: Gongsun Yue (159) 79*-64-49-57-65 Cavalier II, Mounted Tactics II Item: White Stallion (Lead+3)
Lieutenant: Quan Xi (157) 42-43*-103*-73-70 Architect I, Art of War II, Calm II, Head of Class, Healer II, Strategist M Items: Advisor Fan (+1 War, +1 Int), Map (Int+8)
5000 (48) Chariots

vs.

Defending from Pinggang
Commander-in-Chief: Loufan (161) 67.87*.33.27.45 Bow Tactics M, Bowman I, Duelist I, Headhunter I, Tough I Items: Sword (MR, War+2), Bow (MR, War+2, *Ranged)
3262 (85) Archers

Commander: Tongyan (154) 59.51.84*.57.67 Con Artist II, Strategist I, The Art of War II Item: Tongyan's Tome (Int+2)
5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen
Attachments: 4200 food

Wuhuan forces from Luti moving into Pinggang!
Commander-in-Chief: Nanlou (160) 78*-88*-55-71-41 Bow Tactics I, Cavalier I, Duelist II, Engineer II, Logistics I, Mounted Tactics I, Tough I Items: Horse (Lead+3), Dúsùhuāng (MR Axe, War+3, *Poison-ready), Level 2 poison
Lieutenant: Batukhan Temujin (166) 42-86-82*-45-73 | Skills: Arsonist I, Duelist I, Heroism I, Low Caste, Sap I, Saboteur I, Spy I, The Art of War I, Tough I Item: The Evolution of Greed (Int +3) - Focus: +10% to escape
3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders

Wuhuan forces from Yuantang moving into Pinggang!
Commander-in-Chief: Zhi Yongshi (age) 83*-94*-49-42-60 Commander I, Duelist M, General I, Healer I, Heroism I, Infantry Tactics I, Tough I, Wealth I Items: Lvl 4 Sword, Level 1 Mount (+1 Lead) - Focus: +6000 troop
Lieutenant: Ou Ou (66) 67-61-64-33-38 Bow Tactics I, Logistics I, Quarter Master I
11000 (65) Bronze Swordsmen

Commander: Zhuge Xun (152) 91*-52-64-87*-42 Cavalier II, Commander I, Detective I, Field General, Fighter, General II, Mounted Tactics II, Governor I Items: Nightmare (Lea +5), On Eunuchs (Pol +5) - Focus: +2000 troop
Lieutenant: Cai Lin (163) 44-88*-53-57-85* Skills: Duelist M, Fighter I, Heroism I, Smell of Blood, Tough M, Healer I Items: Hack (MR, War+1), Slash (MR, War+1), Pretty Leather Vest (War+2, Cha+2) - Focus: +1000 troop, +5 init, +10 duel/debate AP
Attachment: 15440 food
3000 (60) Horsemen

Wuhuan forces from Shihuan moving into Pinggang!
Commander-in-Chief: Deng Ren Shu (age) 87*-73*-65-63-50 Architect I, Breeder I, Calm II, Cavalier I, Duelist I, Field General, General I, Mounted Tactics I, Scout I, Guard I Items: Grey Hare (+4 Lead), Budding Steel (MR, War+1, *Indestructible, *Keen - Focus: +2000 troop
Lieutenant: Bi Baiyang (168) 62-52-100*-53-43 Strategist II, The Art of War II, Logistics I, Calm I, Battlefield Traps I, Breeder I, Architect I, Immure I Items: Bi Baiyang's Documents: Yue Guang's Annotated Version (Textbook, +5 Int)
3000 (60) Horsemen

Reinforcing from White Wolf Mountain (will arrive at the start of round 3)!
Commander-in-Chief: Bei Rui (163) 100*-74-69-42-42 Bowman M, Bow Tactics II, Calm I, Field General, General I Items: Horse (+5 Lead), Map (+2 Lead)
Lieutenant: Shou Wei (159) 46-95*-86-42-51 Duelist M, FIghter, Healer, Low Caste, Tough I Item: Lance (+3 War) - Focus: +5 Initiative
4000 (40) Archers

Commander: Wuyan (157) 86*.77*.53.51.50 Cavalier M, Duelist I, Logistics I, Mounted Tactics M, Perseverance I Items: Warhorse (Lead+2, War+2), Tribal Mace (Lead+2, War+2)
Lieutenant: Temujin Hattori (161) 75-85*-68-49-57 Breeder I, Brutality, Cavalier II, Duelist II, Logistics I, Mounted Tactics I Items: Armour (War+1), Weapon (LR, War+1)
4000 (60) Horsemen

Battle Map


The Han start in rows 8-10. The Wuhuan start in rows 1-3. The Wuhuan's reinforcements start in rows 1-2 when they arrive in round 3.

Tactics for this battle will be due to me by Wednesday, July 28th, by 12:00 PM EST! In other words, high noon!

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

Due to generally being unable to use my computer tomorrow, I have pushed back the deadline for tactics a full 24 hours. Post above is updated; everybody's been informed in their halls.

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

The Battle of Pinggang, Engagement One

((Note: Because Guan Yu and Gongsun Yue have the same initials, Guan Yu is referred to as YU here.))

As the forces of the Han arrive on the battlefield, they find that the defenders seem quite organized and larger in number than they might have expected. No one is daunted, however, as it has been made clear that this is the path to victory.

Round 1 – Cloudy (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (B10) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 85 morale
- 20000 food
Liu Bei (C8) – 5000 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 85 morale
Guan Yu (D10) – 5000 (65) Chariots, 85 morale
Zhang Fei (E8) – 4552 (65) Bronze Spearmen, 85 morale
Heng Tai (A8) – 4577 (65) Footmen, 85 morale
Guan Xi (B8) – 4447 (65) Bowmen, 85 morale
Gongsun Yue (D8) – 5000 (48) Chariots, 85 morale
Loufan (A3) – 3262 (85) Archers, 100 morale
Tongyan (B1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 100 morale
- 4200 food
Nanlou (B2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 100 morale
Zhi Yongshi (C2) – 11000 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 105 morale
Zhuge Xun (A1) – 3000 (60) Horsemen, 105 morale
- 15440 food
Deng Ren Shu (C3) – 3000 (60) Horsemen, 100 morale

From his position at the rear of the battlefield, Gongsun Zan seems to disappear! It is an interesting strategy for the commander of an army to simply go into hiding, for sure. However, on the front lines, Zhang Fei does the same thing! Aside from them, the remaining Han forces rally around the unit of Guan Yu as it rides forward and receives special instruction on their defenses and a final rally call (Inspire success, +3 defense to Heng Tai, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Guan Xi, Liu Bei, and Gongsun Yue through round 3)! With this, the Han forces slowly split up and march forward.

On the other side, the Wuhuan seem less energetic at first. Zhuge Xun's unit rides forward to cut off a particular avenue of movement, but finds himself under attack from Guan Xi's bowmen! Having dropped his supplies before his movement, Cai Lin and Zhuge Xun were able to brace the troops for the attack, but a number of them still fell (-345 ZX). Slight movement continued on both sides. Loufan, however, saw a weakness in the enemy's formation and chose to exploit it, launching a mass of arrows at Heng Tai's unit! The attack had only mediocre success, as Loufan's unit is not as full as it once was. Still, the arrows managed to hit others in the area (Arrowstorm succeeded, -462 HT, -116 GX, -116 YU). Tongyan shifts his force over to pick up the supplies once carried by Zhuge Xun, making him the sole supply unit for the battle. While there, he sends over a set of extra arrows to Loufan, assuming he might still need them yet (Councilor on Loufan's Arrowstorm).

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Round 2 – Stormy (-3 morale)
Gongsun Zan (??) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 84 morale
- 18776 food
Liu Bei (E6) – 5000 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 84 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Guan Yu (C7) – 4884 (65) Chariots, 84 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Zhang Fei (??) – 4552 (65) Bronze Spearmen, 84 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Heng Tai (B6) – 4115 (65) Footmen, 84 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Guan Xi (A7) – 4331 (65) Bowmen, 84 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Gongsun Yue (E9) – 5000 (48) Chariots, 84 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Loufan (A2) – 3262 (85) Archers, 99 morale
Tongyan (A1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 99 morale
- 18554 food
Nanlou (B2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 99 morale
Zhi Yongshi (C2) – 11000 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 104 morale
Zhuge Xun (A4) – 2655 (60) Horsemen, 104 morale
Deng Ren Shu (D2) – 3000 (60) Horsemen, 99 morale

The Wuhuan scouts received no word on Gongsun Zan's whereabouts, which would become a trend for this battle (and why I won't mention him again). However, the front lines of both forces were within range of one another now, so such thoughts would have to take a backseat for now. Heng Tai's unit, fresh from its aerial pelting, moves forward in an arc as to avoid Zhuge Xun's horsemen and instead launches a series of feints and sorties into the lines of Loufan's archers! The tactic succeeds in taking the lives of many of his enemy, but fails to achieve any lasting disorganization (Harass failed, -1075 LF, -136 HT). Zhang Fei, seeing one of his primary targets within his range, abandoned the ambush and quickly darted over to Zhuge Xun's unit. With a force unseen in the lands of Wuhuan in many, many years, his spearmen tore into the ranks of Zhuge Xun, yet at the same time, attempted to prepare their defenses for another attack. Ultimately, they could not get themselves properly organized, but the damage was done (Spearwall failed, -1180 ZX, -144 ZF).

Seeing his brother fare so well in the fight, Guan Yu came forward near him to rally his troops further. With his broad voice and his long beard, he drilled all nearby into a fever-pitch, ready to throw their lives away for whatever cause it is they might be fighting for (Frenzy success, +3 Atk to Heng Tai, Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu through round 4)! Bi Baiying from within Deng Ren Shu's unit witnessed this and merely chuckled. He sent in men to Zhang Fei's unit urging them on as well, except this time they were chanting "Down with the Han" and "Kill Gongsun Zan!" The distraction was not enough to phase Zhang Fei's men. Zhuge Xun, not wanting anything to do with Zhang Fei, moved his army backward. Unable to attack the force of Heng Tai sitting atop the mountain, Cai Lin came out and issued a challenge to the champion of his unit, Bu Nu! No response came back (-5 morale HT, no morale for ZX because it's over 100 already).

Seeing the unit of Zhuge Xun bleed, Guan Xi inched forward and launched another barrage of arrows at him, doing some damage (-409 ZX). Nanlou, manning the Wuhuan Riders on the other side, figured he could do better, launching a volley at the army of Heng Tai! The attack was poorly executed, however, and did not carry with it enough of a punch (Volley failure, -333 HT). Quan Xi, from his position in Gongsun Zan's unit halfway across the battlefield, sent people to Zhang Fei's army to remind them exactly what it means to fight for the Han, and further sent additional suggestions to Zhang Fei about how best he might use those spears of his (Councilor on Zhang Fei's Spearwall).

Elsewhere, Zhi Yongshi's unit was careful to avoid Zhang Fei's unit as it moved to the other side of the battlefield, right next to Heng Tai's unit. Their massive numbers surged forward upon the footmen, but the mountain proved to slow down the attack enough that Heng Tai was not completely overwhelmed (-852 HT, -387 ZY). While the Han were distracted on this movement, Loufan retreated slightly, but still was in a position to hit the majority of the enemy army. The arrows flew true once more, assailing all armies near Guan Yu! The damage itself was major, although no unit was hit too hard (Arrowstorm success, -549 YU, -137 to HT, ZF, LB, and GX).

---

Round 3 – Stormy (-3 morale)
Gongsun Zan (??) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 81 morale
- 17579 food
Liu Bei (D5) – 4863 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 81 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Guan Yu (C5) – 4335 (65) Chariots, 81 morale (+3 Def through round 3, +3 Atk through round 4)
Zhang Fei (B5) – 4271 (65) Bronze Spearmen, 81 morale (+3 Def through round 3, +3 Atk through round 4)
Heng Tai (B4) – 2657 (65) Footmen, 76 morale (+3 Def through round 3, +3 Atk through round 4)
Guan Xi (B6) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 81 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Gongsun Yue (E9) – 5000 (48) Chariots, 81 morale (+3 Def through round 3)
Loufan (C2) – 2187 (85) Archers, 96 morale
Tongyan (A1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 96 morale
- 17488 food
Nanlou (B2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 96 morale
Zhi Yongshi (A3) – 10601 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 101 morale
Zhuge Xun (B3) – 1066 (60) Horsemen, 101 morale
Deng Ren Shu (D2) – 3000 (60) Horsemen, 96 morale
Bei Rui (C1) – 4000 (40) Archers, 100 morale
Wuyan (A2) – 4000 (60) Horsemen, 100 morale

As the forces of Bei Rui and Wuyan arrive on the battlefield, their allies rejoice (+10 morale Wuhuan forces)! In the wake of the incoming troops, and without a clear path of success lying ahead, Heng Tai's unit dug trenches on the mountain and prepared for an attack. They were surprised, however, by the arrows that soon pelted them. Bei Rui's unit had launched an all out barrage upon the mountain, hoping to dislodge them. They were unsuccessful, although many of Heng Tai's men died in the defense (Volley failed, -475 HT).

Despite his previous shift in position, Zhuge Xun soon realized that he could not escape Zhang Fei unless he fled completely. The spearmen moved forward and assaulted themselves fully upon the position of Zhuge Xun! They put the entire unit to rout, driving the officers in charge there from the battlefield! Their attempt to strengthen their defenses during the attack failed, however (Spearwall failed, -1066 ZX, -75 ZF, ZX unit destroyed, +/-10 morale, both officers escape). The might of the spearmen were evident to Wuyan... evident enough that he chose to ride across the back lines and to the other side of the battlefield. He came upon Liu Bei's unit, however, and in one fell swoop, tried to run rampant over the entire thing! The attack was brutal, but despite the energy behind it, Liu Bei's troops were still in fighting condition (Marauder failed, -1093 LB, -388 WY).

Elsewhere, Guan Yu's unit, still hesitant about plunging directly into battle, especially with the massive unit of Zhi Yongshi looming about, sent in men to weaken the spirits of the swordsmen. The effort paid off, as it seemed like Zhi Yongshi's unit was shaken (Rumor success, -5 Atk/Def through round 5). Deng Ren Shu tried to mimic this action, except at Zhang Fei's unit. It did not work (Rumor failed).

Back to the bowmen! Guan Xi again prepared her men, this time launching an attack against Wuyan's unit! A number of men died in the attack, although the damage was light (-325 WY). Nanlou decided to once again litter the mountainside with the dead bodies of Heng Tai's unit, taking down just slightly more than Guan Xi this time (-362 HT). Liu Bei found himself in a difficult position. He did not want to put his foot troops up against the horse troops nearby, but at the same time, it was precisely that they were there that he needed to remain where he was. Hoping that somebody else might come to his assistance, he dug in and decided to remain where he was. Sure enough, someone did. Quan Xi again sent men out from Gongsun Yue's unit, this time into Wuyan's! Tales will be written in future times about the trickery and deceit that Quan Xi inflicted upon Wuyan that day, but the details would forever remain hidden. Regardless, Wuyan's unit was thrown into a state of disorder (Confuse success, Wuyan confused through round 5)!

Despite the rumors spread before, Zhi Yongshi had a mission. Heng Tai's force sat upon that mountain, and they needed to go. Organizing the men as best as she could, they began their assault upon the mountain. They were not confident and they were not eager, but the full force of the over ten-thousand swordsmen were enough to seize the position from Heng Tai (Charge success, -717 HT, -405 ZY; ZY pushes HT back one square), despite the ferocity that the defenders showed when put under pressure again. And again, as the eyes of the Han were upon Zhi Yongshi, Loufan used his position to launch another assault, this time with flame upon the forces of Liu Bei! And yet again, Loufan's attack met with success, setting the grasslands that Liu Bei's unit sat upon aflame briefly before the storms put it out (Fire Arrow succeeded, -574 LB). Elsewhere, Tongyan, seeing that Zhi Yongshi was not at full fighting spirits, quickly sent in men to calm her unit down (Aid success, ZY unit no longer rumored).

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Round 4 – Stormy (-3 morale)
Gongsun Zan (??) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 88 morale
- 16485 food
Liu Bei (D5) – 3196 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 88 morale
Guan Yu (C5) – 4335 (65) Chariots, 88 morale (+3 Atk through round 4)
Zhang Fei (C4) – 4196 (65) Bronze Spearmen, 88 morale (+3 Atk through round 4)
Heng Tai (B5) – 1103 (65) Footmen, 83 morale (+3 Atk through round 4)
Guan Xi (B6) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 88 morale
Gongsun Yue (A6) – 5000 (48) Chariots, 88 morale
Loufan (C2) – 2187 (85) Archers, 87 morale
Tongyan (A1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 87 morale
- 16200 food
Nanlou (B2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 87 morale
Zhi Yongshi (B4) – 10196 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 88 morale
Zhuge Xun – wiped out
Deng Ren Shu (D2) – 3000 (60) Horsemen, 87 morale
Bei Rui (C1) – 4000 (40) Archers, 87 morale
Wuyan (E4) – 3287 (60) Horsemen, 87 morale (confused through round 5)

Heng Tai's men, although severely weakened and facing a much larger foe, were tasked with controlling that mountain. There were still tricks up their sleeve, and tricks did they use! Sending everything that was left of their force into the mountainside, they assaulted the forces of Zhi Yongshi. Despite how badly outnumbered they were and how many of them died in the attack, the ferocity of Heng Tai's unit was enough to drive the Wuhuan defenders back in the direction that Heng Tai came from (Circle success, -123 ZY, -763 HT, units switched spots)!

Bei Rui, seeing how well Liu Bei's troops caught on fire despite the storm a few days ago, launched their own rain of fire upon him! For whatever reason, he did not have the luck that Loufan always seems to have, and the arrows were put out in the air. Still, the attack was vicious and killed many (Fire Arrow failed, -547 LB). Liu Bei had been given word that one of his brothers was coming to his aid, and sure enough, Zhang Fei appeared, attempting to launch a massive pincer attack upon the confused Wuyan! However, whether it was the rain or some mis-communication, Liu Bei's force was unable to coordinate with him. It hardly mattered, as the horsemen under Wuyan were systematically slaughtered in the attack (Pincer failed, -1884 WY, -73 ZF).

Believing the east to be contained, Guan Yu decided that it was time for a larger attack upon Zhi Yongshi. Sending his chariots back and forth through the enemy lines, he managed to bring the unit to a complete standstill, as if in awe of the bearded warrior's prowess (Marauder success, -1260 ZY, -939 YU, ZY is Halted through round 5). After the attack, Guan Yu edged away, as if preparing for some future scheme. Guan Xi followed up on the attack, sending a targeted blast of arrows at Zhi Yongshi's unit (-321 ZY). Seeing their friends (acquaintances?) in danger, both Bi Baiying and Batukhan Temujin sent men into the units of Wuyan and Zhi Yongshi, respectively, to bring their units back under control (Aid success for both, Wuyan and Zhi Yongshi back to normal status).

Liu Bei chose to continue to hold his position, remembering the importance of it, and seeing no weak enemies that he could poach without many losses (it is all about the men, you know). Quan Xi, now much closer to the fight, attempts to spread rumors again through Zhi Yongzhi's unit! This time, not so much (Rumor failed). Having finally had enough of Heng Tai's unit, Zhi Yongshi first moved itself into a better position, then struck at the heart of her enemy, demolishing what little was left of the force and driving the remnants from the field. Heng Tai and Bu Nu escaped, however (-340 HT, -27 ZY, HT is destroyed, +/-10 morale, both officers escape).

At the rear of the force, the lieutenants of Fangxu both decided to focus their efforts upon Zhang Fei. Loufan launched a light barrage at him, killing a few (-227 ZF). Meanwhile, Tongyan sent men into their force who were digging holes during the attack. While those holes did little to injure Zhang Fei's men, it caused a mess of confusion, as it seemed almost as if the actual lands of Wuhuan were fighting against them (Confuse success, ZF confused through turn 6)!

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Round 5 – Sunny (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (??) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 75 morale
- 14673 food
Liu Bei (D5) – 2649 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 75 morale
Guan Yu (D6) – 3396 (65) Chariots, 75 morale
Zhang Fei (D3) – 3896 (65) Bronze Spearmen, 75 morale (confused through round 6)
Heng Tai – wiped out
Guan Xi (A7) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 75 morale
Gongsun Yue (A6) – 5000 (48) Chariots, 75 morale
Loufan (C2) – 2187 (85) Archers, 94 morale
Tongyan (A1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 94 morale
- 13966 food
Nanlou (B2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 94 morale
Zhi Yongshi (C4) – 8465 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 95 morale
Deng Ren Shu (D2) – 3000 (60) Horsemen, 94 morale
Bei Rui (C1) – 4000 (40) Archers, 94 morale
Wuyan (E4) – 1403 (60) Horsemen, 94 morale

As November reached its ides, the battle at Pinggang continued to wage. Bei Rui saw the confused Zhang Fei and attacked the confused Zhang Fei with something more than a casual blow (-716 ZF)! Zhang Fei's unit remained where it was, still confused. In the east, Wuyan moved south slightly, as if to better align his attack. The men of Liu Bei stood in his way, but they would no longer. Marshaling what was left of his horsemen, he plowed into Liu Bei's unit with a ferocity unmatched, taking nearly two lives to every one, despite his diminished numbers. And at the end, he found himself straight through his enemy (Trample success, -611 LB, -318 WY, WY passed through unit).

Guan Yu was distraught. One brother just got trampled over, the other was falling into pits and being assaulted. Believing in his elder brother, rumor has it that he personally appeared in Zhang Fei's army with yells of "I AM HERE FOR YOU BROTHER" ringing out around the camp. Whether or not this was true is another matter entirely, but as a result, Zhang Fei's unit was returned to normal condition (Aid success, ZF no longer confused). Perhaps this was the result of an illusion Bi Baiying had attempted to create in Guan Yu's unit. If that were the case, it failed miserably (Illusion failed).

The archers on either side again readied their bows. Guan Xi's unit assailed Wuyan with another attack (-422 WY), while Nanlou proceeded to pepper Zhang Fei's recovered unit with arrows (-374 ZF). Liu Bei, seeing the fighting spirit of his brothers so improved, decided that his unit was finally in a position where he could do maximum damage with minimal casualties. He moved slightly south, then moved on Wuyan's unit! The attack was serious, yet quick and resolved before one would have imagined (-443 WY, -64 LB).

Gongsun Yue's unit was finally in a position to do something here as well. Without the tricks they once had, they now chose to mimic the attacks of Guan Yu from before, hoping to drive Zhi Yongshi's unit to despair. Sure enough, it succeeded, despite hefty losses in the engagement (Marauder success, -941 ZY, -730 GY, ZY is halted through round 6). The attack was appropriately timed, as now Zhi Yongshi was unable to do anything. It was almost as if their general had died in some far-off adventure gone awry.

The tag-team of Loufan and Tongyan again decided to target Zhang Fei. The arrows from Loufan landed, although casualty reports were slim (-211 ZF). And ultimately, the attempts by Tongyan to create spooky sounds in Zhang Fei's camp in an attempt to rattle their forces was laughable (Rumor failed).

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Round 6 – Cloudy (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (??) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 74 morale
- 14673 food
Liu Bei (C6) – 1974 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 74 morale
Guan Yu (D6) – 3396 (65) Chariots, 74 morale
Zhang Fei (D3) – 2595 (65) Bronze Spearmen, 74 morale
Guan Xi (A7) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 74 morale
Gongsun Yue (B5) – 4270 (48) Chariots, 74 morale
Loufan (C2) – 2187 (85) Archers, 93 morale
Tongyan (A1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 93 morale
- 13966 food
Nanlou (B2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 93 morale
Zhi Yongshi (C4) – 7524 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 94 morale (halted through round 6)
Deng Ren Shu (D2) – 3000 (60) Horsemen, 93 morale
Bei Rui (C1) – 4000 (40) Archers, 93 morale
Wuyan (C5) – 220 (60) Horsemen, 93 morale

Map of current positions


Tactics for the remainder of the battle are due to me on Saturday, July 31st, by 9 AM EST!

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

The Battle of Pinggang, Engagement Two

((Actions are role-played out of order a lot early on here, since they fit best in groups and there was relatively little conflict in doing it this way.))

Round 6 – Cloudy (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (A10) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 74 morale
- 14673 food
Liu Bei (C6) – 1974 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 74 morale
Guan Yu (D6) – 3396 (65) Chariots, 74 morale
Zhang Fei (D3) – 2595 (65) Bronze Spearmen, 74 morale
Guan Xi (A7) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 74 morale
Gongsun Yue (B5) – 4270 (48) Chariots, 74 morale
Loufan (B1) – 2187 (85) Archers, 93 morale
Tongyan (A1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 93 morale
- 13966 food
Nanlou (B2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 93 morale
Zhi Yongshi (C4) – 7524 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 94 morale (halted through round 6)
Deng Ren Shu (D2) – 3000 (60) Horsemen, 93 morale
Bei Rui (C1) – 4000 (40) Archers, 93 morale
Wuyan (C5) – 220 (60) Horsemen, 93 morale

Gongsun Zan's unit, which was in ambush technically (even though I accidentally posted his location on the map before), decided to break that and move forward slowly. Liu Bei's unit later would retreat, signaling a change in formation for the Han forces.

On the front lines, however, the Wuhuan had realized that their nemesis for this battle was Zhang Fei. If only they could get rid of him, they could manage to defend! Bei Rui takes action first, firing a volley at Zhang Fei, pushing him back from the mountainside (Volley success, -525 ZF, moved to E4). Zhang Fei was undeterred, however, and marched right back onto the mountain, unleashing the vaunted spearwall attack upon Deng Ren Shu! The attack failed, however, and amounted to about what you might have expected otherwise (Spearwall failed, -501 DR, -272 ZF).

Guan Yu's chariots marched forward to Zhi Yongshi and unleashed a massive attack! The full force of his horses were on display, riding roughshod over Zhi Yongshi's halted forces. Eventually they broke completely through the enemy lines after inflicting huge casualties (Trample success, -1756 ZY, -762 YU, YU to B3)! Deng Ren Shu, seeing the straights that Zhi Yongshi's unit was in, sent men out to calm them down (Aid success, ZY condition restored). This did not last, however, as a short time later, Quan Xi sent some of his own men into Zhi Yongshi's unit, again sowing confusion and putting them into chaos (Confuse success, ZY confused through round 8)! The timing was perfect to leave Zhi Yongshi's unit helpless for the remainder of the round, and the eventual aid sent by Yongyan would prove to be too late to have any immediate impact (Aid success, ZY condition restored).

Elsewhere, Wuyan's unit moved slightly north, engaging no one and hoping that the Han had simply forgot about him. This was not the case, however. The bowmen of Guan Xi took aim at them and cleared out all that was left of Wuyan's unit (-220 WY, unit destroyed, +/-10 morale, both officers escaped)!

Continuing the Wuhuan strategy of peppering Zhang Fei with arrows until dead, Nanlou launched a forceful volley at Zhang Fei's army, again knocking it from the mountainside (Volley success, -597 ZF, moved to E4). Loufan followed this up by filling the sky with arrows once more! Loufan, again, was successful in this gambit, although nobody surrounded Zhang Fei, so there was no collateral damage (Arrowstorm success, -532 ZF).

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Round 7 – Cloudy (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (B9) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 83 morale
- 13934 food
Liu Bei (C8) – 1974 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 83 morale
Guan Yu (B3) – 2634 (65) Chariots, 83 morale
Zhang Fei (E4) – 679 (65) Bronze Spearmen, 83 morale
Guan Xi (A7) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 83 morale
Gongsun Yue (B5) – 4270 (48) Chariots, 83 morale
Loufan (B1) – 2187 (85) Archers, 82 morale
Tongyan (A1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 82 morale
- 12999 food
Nanlou (B2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 82 morale
Zhi Yongshi (C4) – 5768 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 99 morale
Deng Ren Shu (D1) – 2499 (60) Horsemen, 82 morale
Bei Rui (C1) – 4000 (40) Archers, 82 morale
Wuyan – wiped out

In fulfillment of the strategy they had in place, Gongsun Zan dropped the supplies, which Liu Bei would pick up a short time afterward and then become unimportant for the rest of battle. With the full freedom of his cavalry's movement under him now, Gongsun Zan instead inched slightly forward and sent Xiao Zhe on the mission to once again confuse Zhi Yongshi's unit. The mission failed (Confuse failed).

In the north, Zhang Fei would meet his fate. The archers of Bei Rui set their shafts aflame and launched them at the spear general's remaining forces! The attack succeeded, and the land caught fire. The space continued to be aflame, and what remained of Zhang Fei's unit either died in the attack or was consumed by the flames (Fire Arrow success, -679 ZF, unit destroyed, +/-10 morale, both escape, space remainds on fire). Guan Yu's unit, which had burst through into the enemy lines, arrived too late to save his brother's unit. Targeting the weakest force he could find, he took out his grand anger on Loufan's archers, marching back and forth, through the bowmen into a state of disorder and taking many casualties (Marauder success, -1088 LF, -293 YU, LF is halted through round 8). Batukhan Temujin, from Nanlou's unit, would send men to bring Loufan's bowmen back under control soon enough, though (Aid success, LF condition normal), and would then move east away from the scary bearded guy.

Zhi Yongshi's unit was subjected to a quick assault from Guan Xi, which resulted in some casualties (-339 ZY). This was followed up by an attempt by Gongsun Yue to shatter the defenses of Zhi Yongshi and leave her unit in disorder once more. The attack did not succeed, but the once-massive unit of Zhi Yongshi had been stripped of its former might (Marauder failed, -993 ZY, -525 GY). Not wanting to fight with the chariots, Zhi Yongshi sezied an opening, marched up onto the mountainside, and chose to stay there, acting as a deterrent to any future enemy units marching forward, although curiously leaving Guan Yu's unit deep into their rear.

Returning to Guan Yu, after his previous assault upon Loufan, Bi Baiying decided to try and neutralize Guan Yu's force. His messengers seemed to confuse Guan Yu, but only briefly, and there was no lasting detriment (Confuse failed). Loufan moved away from Guan Yu's unit, and from the safety of the mountainside, peppered Guan Yu's force with arrows, doing a reasonable amount of damage considering his size (-250 YU). Tongyan, feeling uncomfortable bordering Guan Yu and Guan Yu only, shifted eastward and sent Loufan another supply of arrows (Councilor on LF's Arrowstorm).

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Round 8 – Sunny (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (B8) – 2036 (85) Cavalry, 72 morale
Liu Bei (B9) – 1974 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 72 morale
- 13303 food
Guan Yu (A2) – 2091 (65) Chariots, 72 morale
Zhang Fei – wiped out
Guan Xi (A7) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 72 morale
Gongsun Yue (B5) – 3745 (48) Chariots, 72 morale
Loufan (C2) – 1099 (85) Archers, 99 morale
Tongyan (B1) – 5000 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 91 morale
- 12124 food
Nanlou (D2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 91 morale
Zhi Yongshi (B4) – 4436 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 99 morale
Deng Ren Shu (D1) – 2499 (60) Horsemen, 91 morale
Bei Rui (C1) – 4000 (40) Archers, 91 morale

Gongsun Zan's unit moved ahead a bit, as Xiao Zhe was itching to attempt a tactic. Seeing that Loufan himself was notoriously stupid, he sent him plainly-worded orders to attack his compatriot Tongyan... and he did (Muddle success, -273 TY, -402 LF)! The advancing armies of Gongsun Zan, however, put him within a day's range of some of the Wuhuan forces' grasp, however. Bei Rui saw the Cavalry of Gongsun Zan as an appetizing unit and moved forward on the battlefield, launching a flurry of arrows at him, causing significant loss of life (-684 GZ). Deng Ren Shu also moved his horsemen forward, and from within them Bi Baiying sent out messengers into Gongsun Zan's unit, attempting to distract them from the battle by depressing their spirits. It was not successful (Rumor failed). Guan Xi rewarded Deng Ren Shu's movement forward by pelting him with arrows (-349 DR).

Guan Yu edged eastward, which was his best option to attack archers, despite his inability to reach them this turn. Thinking over his options, he spotted Zhi Yongshi atop the mountain and decided that enough was enough and that he needed to get him off of that mountain now. Proclaiming that Zhi Yongshi would get off of the mountain sooner than later, as she was fated to die either way, he sent her into a fury, taunting her for what would be an eventual move northward (Taunt success)! There was time yet before Zhi Yongshi's unit would be able to attack, however, and people on both sides decided to take advantage of this. Nanlou sent a barrage of arrows at Guan Yu's chariots, ripping them apart with superior Wuhuan accuracy (-930 YU). Quan Xi, seeing this and realizing that Zhi Yongshi's unit was simply too large for Guan Yu to handle, sent his best men into Zhi Yongshi's unit, scaring the troops into weakness (Rumor succeeded, -5 Atk/Def through round 10)! Finally, the time had come for Zhi Yongshi to make her last move. Her troops rushed down the mountain after Guan Yu's chariots and engaged them in battle. With the combined effort of Quan Xi's men and Guan Yu's own perseverance, the result was nearly even (-537 YU, -538 ZY). While this was happening, Tongyan quietly sent men into Guan Yu's unit to harass and confuse him, with surprising success (Confuse successful, GY confused through round 10)!

Elsewhere, Loufan prepared himself for one last hurrah. Sure, his unit was small, but he had performed this attack flawlessly so many times before. Filling the sky with arrows (or as much as just under seven hundred men can) aimed at Gongsun Yue, his face fell when he saw that most were off-target and only a handful of the enemy died (Arrowstorm failed, -91 GY).

---

Round 9 – Rainy (-2 morale)
Gongsun Zan (D6) – 1352 (85) Cavalry, 71 morale
Liu Bei (A10) – 1974 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 71 morale
- 12741 food
Guan Yu (B2) – 624 (65) Chariots, 71 morale (Confused through round 10)
Guan Xi (B6) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 71 morale
Gongsun Yue (B5) – 3654 (48) Chariots, 71 morale
Loufan (C2) – 697 (85) Archers, 98 morale
Tongyan (C1) – 4727 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 90 morale
- 11340 food
Nanlou (D2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 90 morale
Zhi Yongshi (B3) – 3898 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 98 morale (-5 Atk/Def through round 10)
Deng Ren Shu (E3) – 2150 (60) Horsemen, 90 morale
Bei Rui (D3) – 4000 (40) Archers, 90 morale

Seeing Guan Yu in danger, Xiao Zhe sent men forward to assist him (Aid successful, YU condition normal) before Gongsun Zan's unit fell back to avoid further attack. The aid would not save Guan Yu, however. As if out of a scene from a video game (DW3, perhaps), Bei Rui's archers again terrorized the chariots under Guan Yu and put th em to rout finally. Despite his best efforts, Guan Yu could not take out the enemy archers single-handed (-624 YU, unit destroyed, +/-10 morale, both escaped).

With Guan Yu out of the way, Bi Baiying decided it was time to weaken the rest of the forces. Through clever use of fires planned strategically through the countryside, he was able to create the illusion of the sort of spontaneous conflagration rarely expected in northern Wuhuan right before winter, causing many in the Han to be distracted by their defenses putting them out (Illusion success, -5 Def GX, GY, GZ through end of round). Guan Xi did not care! Nobody attacks his unit! And thus, he returned the favor by launching another set of aerial attacks upon Deng Ren Shu's unit, causing minor damage (-370 DR). Nanlou sought to expose the weakness in Gongsun Yue's unit now, though, and launched his own attack from the bows of his horse archers, taking many lives (-731 GY).

The battle had taken a significant swing to the Wuhuan by this time, and everybody knew it. Gongsun Yue chose to try and salvage something from it by taking out Deng Ren Shu's unit! Moving east, he engaged him in melee, although the distraction from before took its toll (-405 DR, -318 GY). Loufan saw Gongsun Yue move forward and decided that the best thing he could do now was to set fire to his arrows and hope for the best! His missile attack succeeded, despite the rains, which quickly put out what was left. The fires themselves caused more damage than his arrows could have hoped to (Fire Arrow success, -386 GY, fire goes out because of rain). Tongyan tried to scare Gongsun Yue's unit further via filthy, slanderous rumors, but Quan Xi would have none of that. And slightly to the west, Zhi Yongshi would return her unit to the mountain, content to watch the remaining segments of the battle in peace.

---

Round 10 – Cloudy (-1 morale)
Gongsun Zan (C7) – 1352 (85) Cavalry, 59 morale
Liu Bei (A10) – 1974 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 59 morale
- 12248 food
Guan Yu – wiped out
Guan Xi (B6) – 4194 (65) Bowmen, 59 morale
Gongsun Yue (D4) – 2219 (48) Chariots, 59 morale
Loufan (C2) – 697 (85) Archers, 98 morale
Tongyan (C1) – 4727 (85) Bronze Swordsmen, 98 morale
- 10597 food
Nanlou (D2) – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders, 98 morale
Zhi Yongshi (B4) – 3898 (65) Bronze Swordsmen, 98 morale (-5 Atk/Def through round 10)
Deng Ren Shu (E3) – 1375 (60) Horsemen, 98 morale
Bei Rui (D3) – 4000 (40) Archers, 98 morale

Hoping to save his commander's relative's force, Xiao Zhe sent out rumors into Bei Rui's unit, hoping to diminish their will to fight. Such things were folly, though, as Shou Wei saw through it (Rumor failed). Gongsun Zan marched the troops toward the rear of the battlefield, as if shortening the march home. The effort by Xiao Zhe, were it successful, may have saved Gongsun Yue's unit. Instead, he was subjected to a brutal aerial assault by Bei Rui (-784), an assault from land by Deng Ren Shu (-415 GY, -163 DR), and another barrage by Nanlou (-795 GY) before Gongsun Yue himself attempted a last charge into Deng Ren Shu's unit (-102 DR, -221 GY). Ultimately, it would be Loufan's archers, which somewhat miraculously survived, that would finish off Gongsun Yue's unit (-204 GY, unit destroyed, +/-10 morale, both escaped).

While the rest of the Han force started to retreat, sometime in-between Gongsun Yue's two clashes with Deng Ren Shu, Guan Xi got off one last round of arrows on the enemy horsemen (-457 DR). However, it would seem that those men and that unit would last the day, as the Han forces, having simply been unable to lodge the Wuhuan from their places, would retreat from the battlefield soon afterward.

---

Final
Gongsun Zan – 1352 (85) Cavalry
Liu Bei – 1974 (65) Bronze Swordsmen
- 11858 food
Guan Xi – 4194 (65) Bowmen
Gongsun Yue – wiped out
Loufan – 697 (85) Archers
Tongyan – 4727 (85) Bronze Swordsmen
- 9885 food
Nanlou – 3000 (90) Wuhuan Riders
Zhi Yongshi – 3898 (65) Bronze Swordsmen
Deng Ren Shu – 653 (60) Horsemen
Bei Rui – 4000 (40) Archers

The Wuhuan successfully defend Pinggang!

((OOC))

As a note, the result of this battle (victory for the Wuhuan) has something to do with specific quest rules. If this were a normal battle, it would go into the next month.

Nobody got captured, so everybody whose unit was destroyed escaped. This isn't some special bonus on account of the quest, but more because almost every unit that was destroyed was destroyed by ranged attacks.

Again, all quest participants for this battle gain half normal experience, whatever that would be. The 1/2 is applied before skill and estate bonuses... not that it matters much. No renown yet; all renown gains will come at the end of the quest.

And in case it is not clear, the result of the battle is that the Wuhuan keep Pinggang. The Han forces sent retreat to Lulang Pass. The reinforcements sent by the Wuhuan (meaning Bei Rui's unit) return to White Wolf Mountain, since they did not move in the civil turn and therefore always return to their original location when they can.

It will probably be a couple of days until the stuff starts up again, as I am majorly behind on everything and simply wanted to get the largest thing I had to do out of the way.

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

Gongsun Zan's army invading Pinggang!
Commander-in-Chief: Gongsun Zan (Bogui) (158) 91*-76*-65-55-62 Architect I, Mounted Tactics M, Logistics I, Cavalier M, Duelist I Items: Báitáifēng (Horse, unique, Lead+6, +Discipline to Initiative), Golden Armor (War+5)
Lieutenant: Xiao Zhe (159) 72-42-93-47-67 Skills: Architect II, Ambush I, Battlefield Traps II, Strategist M, The Art of War M, Quick Study
2717 (72) Horsemen

Commander: Heng Tai (148) 91*-83*-63-54-42 Duelist I, Field General, General I, Headhunter I, Infantryman M, Infantry Tactics M, Logistics I Items: Halberd (LR, War +1), Horse (Lea +4) - Focus: +15 initiative
Lieutenant: Zhang Fei (Yide) (167) 87-98*-70-30-32 Mounted Tactics M, Pole Tactics M, Headhunter M, Duelist M, Cavalier II, Juggernaut II Item: Black Viper (LR, +5 War, *Indestructible)
5000 (20) Bronze Swordsmen

Commander: Cheng Bi (160) 94*-59*-93*-58*-49* Infantry M, Infantry Tactics M, Ambush I, Prodigy, Leader, Fighter, Field General Items: Vibrant Scarf (Pol+2, Cha+1), Cartography: Applications and Theory (+4 Lea, Map), Dee Lu (+5 Lead), Pokey (MR, +1 War), Textbook (Int+4) - Focus: +3000 troop
Lieutenant: Hán Liǎo zi Rènqí 62*-104*-57-42-60, Skills: Duelist M, Guard I, Heroism I, Infantryman I, Tough II, Veteran , Items: Armor War Lvl 2, Horse Lvl 2 - Focus: +5 initiative
7974 (27) Iron Swordsmen

Commander: Guan Yu (Yunchang) (162) 87-95*-61-58-89 Mounted Tactics M, Infantry Tactics M, Art of War II, Heroism M, Infantryman M, Cavalier M, Duelist M, Fluent I, Fortify I, Governor I, Magnetic Aura I, Perseverance II Item: Black Dragon (LR, +5 War, *Indestructible)
Lieutenant: Quan Xi, 42-44*-103*-75-71 Architect I, Art of War M, Calm II, Head of Class, Healer II, Strategist M Items: Advisor Fan (+1 War, +1 Int), Map (Int+8)
4000 (40) Footmen

Commander: Zhou Meili (168) 92* - 61 - 90* - 42 - 47 Admiral, Bowman, Bow Tactics, Charmer, Detective, General, Infantry Tactics, Marine, Prodigy, The Art of War, Field General Items: Carriage (+3 Lead, +2 Int), +10% Escape chance.
Lieutenant: Zheng Yu (160) 86*-91*-64-42-43* Calm I, Duelist II, Field General, General I, Headhunter I, Infantryman II, Infantry Tactics II, Tough II Items: Two-Handed Sword (+3 War, Long Reach), Tiger's Tooth Banner (+2 Lea, +1 Cha)
4194 (50) Archers

Commander: Guan Xi (168) 89*-53-68-49-81, Cavalier II, Mounted Tactics II, Bowman I, Bow Tactics II, Detective I, Networking I, Leader, Quick Study Items: Gale (Lvl 4 Horse, +4 Lead), Ancient War Map (Lvl 3 Map, + 3 Lead) - Focus: +1000 troop
Lieutenant: Bu Nu (155) 70-96*-51-62-43 Brutality, Leader, Perseverance M, Calm II, Duelist I, Infantryman I, Savage Reputation, Item: Massacre mk1 (LR, War+1) , (+20% chance to escape)
5000 (36) Archers

Commander: Can Guo (35) 53-57-49-31-50 Calm I, Battlefield Traps I, Supply I
Lieutenant: Tai Jun (145) 84-79-79-45-42 Ambush II, Brutality, Infantryman I, Infantry Tactics II - Focus: +5 initiative
1000 (40) Footmen
23000 food

vs.

Defending Pinggang
Commander-in-Chief: Nanlou (160) 78*-88*-55-71-41 Bow Tactics I, Cavalier I, Duelist II, Engineer II, Logistics I, Mounted Tactics I, Tough I Items: Horse (Lead+3), Dúsùhuāng (MR Axe, War+3, *Poison-ready), Level 2 poison
Lieutenant: Batukhan Temujin (166) 42-86-82*-45-73 | Skills: Arsonist I, Duelist I, Healer I, Heroism II, Low Caste, Sap I, Saboteur I, Spy I, The Art of War II, Tough I Item: The Evolution of Greed (Int +3) - Focus: +10% to escape
Troops: 3000 (100) Wuhuan Riders
Attachment: 7000 Food

Commander: Deng Ren Shu (age) 91*-73*-65-64-50 Architect I, Breeder II, Calm II, Cavalier I, Duelist I, Engineer I, Field General, General I, Mounted Tactics I, Scout I, Guard I Items: Grey Hare (+4 Lead), Budding Steel (MR, War+1, *Indestructible, *Keen - Focus: +2000 troop
Lieutenant: Bi Baiyang (168) 62-52-101*-53-43 Strategist II, The Art of War II, Logistics I, Calm I, Battlefield Traps I, Breeder I, Architect I, Immure I, Perseverance I Items: Bi Baiyang's Documents: Yue Guang's Annotated Version (Textbook, +5 Int)
Troops: 3898 (90) Bronze Swordsmen

Reinforcing Pinggang from White Wolf Mountain!
Commander-in-Chief: Bei Rui (163) 101*-74-69-42-42 Bowman M, Bow Tactics M, Calm I, Field General, General I, Logistics I Items: Horse (+5 Lead), Map (+2 Lead)
Lieutenant: Shou Wei (159) 46-95*-86-42-51 Duelist M, FIghter, Healer II, Low Caste, Tough I Item: Lance (+3 War) - Focus: +5 Initiative
Troops: 4697 (70) Archers

Commander: Wuyan (157) 86*-77*-53-51-50 Cavalier M, Duelist I, Logistics I, Mounted Tactics M, Perseverance I Items: Warhorse (Lead+2, War+2), Tribal Mace (Lead+2, War+2)
Lieutenant: Xuang'an (65) 37-56-68-44-41 Strategist I, Battlefield Traps
Troops: 3000 (100) Wuhuan Riders

Commander: Zhuge Xun (152) 91*-52-64-87*-42 Calm, Cavalier II, Commander I, Detective I, Field General, Fighter, General II, Mounted Tactics M, Governor I Items: Nightmare (Lea +5), On Eunuchs (Pol +5) - Focus: +2000 troop [Rank: Commandant of the Dragon Cavalry) (Lv. 4) +3000 Increased Command, +5 Initiative]
Lieutenant: Temujin Hattori (161) 75-85*-68-49-57 Breeder I, Brutality, Cavalier II, Duelist II, Logistics I, Mounted Tactics I Items: Armour (War+1), Weapon (LR, War+1)
Troops: 6053 (52) Chariots

Commander: Supuyan (154) 72.70.75*.68*.37 Engineer I, Fortify II, Juggernaut II, Polearm Tactics II, The Art of War I Items: Map of Wuhuan (Int+4), History of Wuhuan (Pol+4)
Lieutenant: Ou Ou (66) 67-61-64-33-38 Bow Tactics I, Logistics I, Quarter Master I
Troops: 5000 (67) Bronze Spearmen

Commander: Zhang Yan (158) 79-82-52-56-58 Scout I, Perseverance II, Cavalier II, Mounted Tactics I, Duelist I
Lieutenant: Songfa (162) 43.71.73.59.81* Defect I, Heroism II, Magnetic Aura I, Strategist I, The Art of War I Items: Robe (Cha+3), Earrings (Cha+4)
Troops: 5000 (30) Bronze Swordsmen
Attachment: 25550 Food


Battle Map


Han starts in rows 8-10; Wuhuan starts in rows 1-3. Wuhuan reinforcements arrive for the start of turn 3 and in rows 1-2.

Tactics for the battle are due to me by Sunday, August 22nd @ 5 PM EST!

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

The Battle of Pinggang Redux, First Engagement!

After a month of rest and regrouping, the Han armies again assail the small territory of Pinggang! The Wuhuan seemed slightly less-prepared this time, with a smaller force defending, but large reinforcements are on the horizon and will arrive soon. Will the Wuhuan's divided attentions prevent them from meeting the Han advance in full tow, or will the Han suffer another defeat? There is little alternative to winning here this month for the Han invaders.

Round 1 – Stormy (-7 Han, -5 Wuhuan)
Gongsun Zan (A9) - 2717 (72) Horsemen, 85 morale
Heng Tai (B8) - 5000 (20) Bronze Swordsmen, 85 morale
Cheng Bi (D8) - 7974 (27) Iron Swordsmen, 85 morale
Guan Yu (C8) - 4000 (40) Footmen, 85 morale
Zhou Meili (A8) - 4194 (50) Archers, 85 morale
Guan Xi (E8) - 5000 (36) Archers, 85 morale
Can Guo (B9) - 1000 (40) Footmen, 85 morale - 23000 food
Nanlou (B1) - 3000 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 85 morale – 7000 food
Deng Ren Shu (C3) - 3898 (90) Bronze Swordsmen, 85 morale

Knowing that they needed to do as much damage as possible before the reinforcements came, the Han armies marched forward! Heng Tai's unit remained a distance away from Deng Ren Shu's sword, but perhaps it was this distance that allowed his unit to be so caught off-guard, as Zhang Fei himself apparently was in his position! The commander and his lieutenant could not be found, but the unit was thrown into confusion (Raid success, DR confused through end of round, no forced duel)! Gongsun Zan's horsemen marched forward as well, just within the necessary range for Xiao Zhe to send his agents within Nanlou's unit! The Wuhuan Rider general was easily confused by the false orders, putting his unit into stasis (Confuse success, NL confused through round 3)!

Seeing the enemy generals out of sorts, Guan Yu moved into position to rally the men (Reinforce success, +5 morale HT, CB, GZ, GY). The weather was definitely bad, and by all signs, was only going to get worse. The archer units under the Han both moved forward, and with Deng Ren Shu's unit now a sitting duck, they attacked! Zhou Meili's unit did a good deal of damage (-728 DR), but Guan Xi's Fire Arrow attack engulfed the confused people in flame (Fire Arrow success, -998 DR, fire put out by rain).

Round 2 – Snow (-8 Han, -6 Wuhuan)
Gongsun Zan (B5) - 2717 (72) Horsemen, 83 morale
Heng Tai (B6) - 5000 (20) Bronze Swordsmen, 83 morale
Cheng Bi (D6) - 7974 (27) Iron Swordsmen, 83 morale
Guan Yu (C6) - 4000 (40) Footmen, 83 morale
Zhou Meili (A6) - 4194 (50) Archers, 78 morale
Guan Xi (E6) - 5000 (36) Archers, 78 morale
Can Guo (B8) - 1000 (40) Footmen, 78 morale - 21805 food
Nanlou (B1) - 3000 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 80 morale – 6724 food (Confused through round 3)
Deng Ren Shu (C3) - 2172 (90) Bronze Swordsmen, 80 morale

The Han armies moved in to press their advantage! Heng Tai and Cheng Bi both moved in next to Deng Ren Shu's unit, but waited on Guan Yu to arrive, where he launched an all-out pincer attack upon the enemy! Deng Ren Shu's unit had recovered from the raid, however, and met Guan Yu's march, preventing him from getting assistance from his allies (Pincer failure, -504 DR, -114 GY). Seeing his ally in trouble, Bi Baiying sent aid to Nanlou's unit, helping to return them to form, while retreating slightly from the front lines (Aid success, +10 morale Nanlou, condition restored). In thanks, Batukhan Temujin attempted to inspire the defenders. For whatever reason, though, the words did not stick (Inspire failure).

The archer units of the Han inched forward to match Deng Ren Shu's unit, not letting him get out of their sights! Zhou Meili let fly a barrage of arrows, doing mild damage (-496 DR), while the follow-up attack from Guan Xi netted slightly less damage (-474 DR).

Meanwhile, the reinforcements of the Wuhuan arrive on the battlefield despite the snowstorm, bringing much-needed comfort to the defenders (+5 morale per unit arrived; +25 morale NL and DRS)!

Round 3 – Snow (-8 Han, -6 Wuhuan)
Gongsun Zan (B7) - 2717 (72) Horsemen, 75 morale
Heng Tai (C4) - 5000 (20) Bronze Swordsmen, 75 morale
Cheng Bi (D4) - 7974 (27) Iron Swordsmen, 75 morale
Guan Yu (B4) - 3886 (40) Footmen, 75 morale
Zhou Meili (B5) - 4194 (50) Archers, 70 morale
Guan Xi (D5) - 5000 (36) Archers, 70 morale
Can Guo (C9) - 1000 (40) Footmen, 70 morale – 20610 food
Nanlou (B1) - 3000 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 100 morale – 6517 food
Deng Ren Shu (C2) - 698 (90) Bronze Swordsmen, 100 morale
Bei Rui (C1) - 4697 (70) Archers, 100 morale
Wuyan (D2) - 3000 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 100 morale
Zhuge Xun (A2) - 6053 (52) Chariots, 100 morale
Supuyan (E2) - 5000 (67) Bronze Swordsmen, 100 morale
Zhang Yan (A1) - 5000 (30) Bronze Swordsmen, 100 morale – 25550 food

Bei Rui, the commander of the Wuhuan reinforcements, gets right to work. From his entrance onto the battlefield, he already has an excellent look at multiple enemy units. Pushing his archers to their limit, he commands they assail the air with arrows, centered around Heng Tai's unit! The attack failed to inflict any exceptional damage, however; perhaps a result of the snowstorms (Arrowstorm failed, -491 HT).

The Han vanguard quickly went to work. Heng Tai inches forward and attempts to throw Deng Ren Shu's unit into confusion! His men run back and forth, killing many, but the few remaining people are solidly under their commander's ranks (Harass failed, -647 DR, -52 HT). Cheng Bi also moved forward and took the opportunity to put Deng Ren Shu's unit to rout (-51 DR, -8 CB, DR wiped out, +/-10 morale all). The defending officers were able to escape with their lives, however.

Gongsun Zan's army inched closer to the enemy as well, and seeing the potential for confusion, had Xiao Zhe send his agents into Zhuge Xun's unit! Through a series of clever cons whose exact descriptions have been lost in the throghs of time, Xiao Zhe confinced Zhuge Xun to attack Zhang Yan! The result was nothing short of a disaster for the Wuhuan (Muddle success, -1969 ZY, -203 ZX). Zhuge Xun's unit wasted no time recovering itself, however, and moved adjacent to Heng Tai. Using his greatest cavalry tactics, Zhuge Xun plowed through the swordsmen, running riot over them and escaping to the other side (Trample success, -1985 HT, -415 ZX, ZX to D4)! Wuyan followed it up with his own version of the same skill, inflicting serious casualties as well despite his smaller unit (Trample success, -891 HT, -219 WY, can't move through).

Elsewhere, Guan Yu put his army in a auspicious spot and proceeded to rally his troops and all around into a frenzy (Frenzy success, +3 Atk for HT, CB, GY, ZM, and GX through round 5)! Zhou Meili saw the unit of Zhuge Xun pierce through, and using her best wiles, attempted to knock the army under him out of sorts. The agents she sent were captured quickly, however (Rumor failed). Nanlou, seeing Zhang Yan safely nearby, dropped his supplies and moved east, while Batukhan Temujin sent agents into Guan Xi's archers. The bowmen were unfazed (Confuse failed). Zhang Yan quickly moved to pick up the dropped supplies, leaving him as the sole supply unit on the battlefield. Meanwhile, he inspired the nearby men with a tale of the Yellow Turbans' many successes in their homeland (obviously a lie) (Inspire success, +3 Def ZY and BR through round 3).

The spearmen under Supuyan chose trickery over tactics, as the nearby unit of Cheng Bi upon the mountain was not an appealing target. Sending his own people into Gongsun Zan's unit, he attempted to throw his unit out of sorts! Xiao Zhe quickly saw through this, however (Rumor failure). Meanwhile, the archers under Guan Xi shifted slightly while they fired at Wuyan, the smallest unit he could see, for reasonable damage (-489 WY). Elsewhere, Can Guo seemed to disappear into the battlefield.

Round 4 – Sunny (-5 Han, -3 Wuhuan)
Gongsun Zan (C6) - 2717 (72) Horsemen, 77 morale
Heng Tai (C3) - 1581 (20) Bronze Swordsmen, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Cheng Bi (D3) - 7966 (27) Iron Swordsmen, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Guan Yu (C4) - 3886 (40) Footmen, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Zhou Meili (B6) - 4194 (50) Archers, 72 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Guan Xi (E5) - 5000 (36) Archers, 72 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Can Guo (??) - 1000 (40) Footmen, 72 morale – 19419 food
Nanlou (D1) - 3000 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 85 morale
Deng Ren Shu - wiped out
Bei Rui (C1) - 4697 (70) Archers, 85 morale (+3 Def through round 5)
Wuyan (D2) - 2292 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 85 morale
Zhuge Xun (D4) - 5435 (52) Chariots, 85 morale
Supuyan (E2) - 5000 (67) Bronze Swordsmen, 85 morale
Zhang Yan (B1) - 3031 (30) Bronze Swordsmen, 85 morale – 30689 food (+3 Def through round 5)

The commander of the Wuhuan, Bei Rui, was ever cognizant of the potential of archer units, knowing the damage he has inflicted upon the Han himself. Therefore, when the archers under Guan Xi came within range, he launched a barrage of flaming arrows at the archer unit, setting it ablaze and causing many casualties (Fire Arrow success, -1696 GX, E5 is on fire)! Guan Xi, who had trained himself so hard in the skill of quick counter-attacks, was saddened to find that the enemy archers had greater range than he, and were beyond his limits to reach.

To the south of him, the Han vanguard prepared themselves. They knew that Zhuge Xun's unit was too large and too dangerous for all of the foot units they fielded up front. As such, Heng Tai and Cheng Bi faced their armies toward the chariot unit, but waited for another to arrive. Soon enough, Gongsun Zan marched forward, adjacent to Zhuge Xun, and called for all hands in the area to assist him in a massive attack upon the Wuhuan cavalry! In fine formation, the horsemen of Gongsun Zan assaulted the Wuhuan unit, and while they were occupied, Heng Tai and Cheng Bi's foot units attacked from the rear. Further, Guan Yu's footmen hit from one side, while Guan Xi's archers provided cover from the other. The end result was a decimating blow to Zhuge Xun's unit (Pincer success, -694 ZX, -569 GZ, GZ cannot pass through, -306 ZX (from HT), -1203 ZX ( from CB), -615 ZX (from GY), -465 ZX (from GX). Shortly after the attack, both Guan Yu and Guan Xi shifted slightly away.

Seeking vengeance for the previous assault, Zhuge Xun marched northward and into Heng Tai's swordsmen! He tried to run rampant over him, but the men were too unfocused after the previous assaults (Marauder failed, -570 HT, -245 ZX). Wuyan again attempted the same maneuver, but this time was successful, throwing the men under Heng Tai into a state of pure disarray (Marauder success, -618 HT, -78 WY, HT halted through round 5)! Before Zhuge Xun could relax the men, however, Zhou Meili sent another aerial attack his direction, which inflicted massive damage (-810 ZX)!

Elsewhere, Nanlou and Zhang Yan both had the same idea, both encouraing their nearby men into fighting spirits (Frenzy success for both, +3 Atk to BR, WY, NL, SY, and ZY through round 6)! Supuyan smelled blood, and by circling away from Cheng Bi's unit, sent his spearmen cascading into the remaining swordsmen under Heng Tai, putting them to rout! (-393 HT, -47 SY, HT is destroyed, +/-10 morale all, both officers escaped)

Round 5 – Stormy (-7 Han, -5 Wuhuan)
Gongsun Zan (D5) - 2148 (72) Horsemen, 62 morale
Heng Tai – wiped out
Cheng Bi (D3) - 7966 (27) Iron Swordsmen, 62 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Guan Yu (B4) - 3886 (40) Footmen, 62 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Zhou Meili (B6) - 4194 (50) Archers, 57 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Guan Xi (D6) - 3304 (36) Archers, 57 morale (+3 Atk through round 5)
Can Guo (??) - 1000 (40) Footmen, 57 morale – 18365 food
Nanlou (D1) - 3000 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 92 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Bei Rui (C1) - 4697 (70) Archers, 92 morale (+3 Def through round 5, +3 Atk through round 6)
Wuyan (D2) - 2214 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 92 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Zhuge Xun (C4) - 1097 (52) Chariots, 92 morale
Supuyan (C2) - 4953 (67) Bronze Swordsmen, 92 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Zhang Yan (B1) - 3031 (30) Bronze Swordsmen, 92 morale – 29771 food (+3 Def through round 5, +3 Atk through round 6)

The resurgence of the stormy weather quickly put out the remaining fires that once engulfed Guan Xi's force. While the Wuhuan were licking their wounds after some of the attacks last rough, the Han were not too much better off, having lost the services of Heng Tai's swordsmen. Bei Rui, however, found himself a juicy target now in range. The horsemen under Gongsun Zan were ill prepared for the attack, and many died in the assault (-1053 GZ). Seeing the wages of the battle carry on as they were, both Cheng Bi and Gongsun Zan left their positions and disappeared into the miasma of the battlefield.

Guan Yu and Quan Xi, however, had different things in mind. The spearmen of Supuyan, while not much of a threat to his footmen, were definitely a threat to cavalry. It so happened that the one remaining cavalry unit on their side had gone underground, so-to-speak, so leaving Supuyan without any cool targets wouldn't be much fun. Quan Xi sent men into Supuyan's unit, tricking him into believing that Nanlou was, in fact, the enemy! The resulting melee brought cringes up the Wuhuan spines (Muddle success, -1200 NL, -64 SY).

With the main targets for Zhuge Xun either retreating from the front lines or disappearing into the mountside, he quickly saw the now-exposed Guan Xi within his sights and made for him, charging into his unit and pushing it backward (Charge success, -413 GX, -350 ZX, units pushed backward)! The rest of the Wuhuan had difficulty engaging the enemy. The Wuhuan Riders under Nanlou marshaled themselves up for a piercing attack against Guan Yu, but were unable to move him from the mountainside (Volley failed, -183 GY). With only Guan Yu's footmen as a potential target, and with them sitting upon the easily-defensible mountain, Supuyan instead chose to remain where he was. Zhang Yan sent Songfa out in hopes of demoralizing Guan Yu's force to the point of weakness, but Quan Xi laughed the men straight out of camp (Rumor failed).

The Han forces still saw a chance for blood, however. With Zhuge Xun's beleagured unit lingering nearby, Zhou Meili launched her men into an attack, fast and furious, against the Wuhuan chariots. When the attack was over, all that could be seen were the escaping officers (-747 ZX, ZX is destroyed, +/-10 morale all). With the threat of those chariots out of his face, Guan Xi instead chose to target the moving Wuhuan Riders under Wuyan. The attack itself was not immense, but Wuyan's unit was quickly shrinking (-300 WY).

As the battle reached its height, the invaders were struggling with the weather. Despite it, however, their mood seemed light, as they had inflicted much damage upon the Wuhuan. In fact, the Wuhuan army had nearly been halved throughout the fighting already, which did not bode well. However, they still had some of their best units in position, which gave them a fighting chance.

Round 6 – Snow (-8 Han, -6 Wuhuan)
Gongsun Zan (??) - 1095 (72) Horsemen, 65 morale
Cheng Bi (??) - 7966 (27) Iron Swordsmen, 65 morale
Guan Yu (B4) - 3703 (40) Footmen, 65 morale
Zhou Meili (B6) - 4194 (50) Archers, 60 morale
Guan Xi (D7) - 2891 (36) Archers, 60 morale
Can Guo (??) - 1000 (40) Footmen, 60 morale – 17465 food
Nanlou (D1) - 1800 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Bei Rui (C1) - 4697 (70) Archers, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Wuyan (E4) - 1914 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Zhuge Xun – wiped out
Supuyan (C2) - 4889 (67) Bronze Swordsmen, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Zhang Yan (B1) - 3031 (30) Bronze Swordsmen, 77 morale – 29031 food (+3 Atk through round 6)


I would upload the map, but my internet is pretty much worthless at the moment... I'll be lucky to get this post through. Anyway, tactics for the second engagement are due to me by Wednesday, August 25th, at 9 PM EST!

[Xiang Zhuang [Bot]]

The Battle of Pinggang Redux, Second Engagement!

((I shuffled the order a bit when doing the role-play; rest assured that I ran the actions in the right order.))

Round 6 – Snow (-8 Han, -6 Wuhuan)
Gongsun Zan (B9) - 1095 (72) Horsemen, 65 morale
Cheng Bi (E5) - 7966 (27) Iron Swordsmen, 65 morale
Guan Yu (B4) - 3703 (40) Footmen, 65 morale
Zhou Meili (B6) - 4194 (50) Archers, 60 morale
Guan Xi (D7) - 2891 (36) Archers, 60 morale
Can Guo (A10) - 1000 (40) Footmen, 60 morale – 17465 food
Nanlou (D1) - 1800 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Bei Rui (C1) - 4697 (70) Archers, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Wuyan (E4) - 1914 (100) Wuhuan Riders, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Supuyan (C2) - 4889 (67) Bronze Swordsmen, 77 morale (+3 Atk through round 6)
Zhang Yan (B1) - 3031 (30) Bronze Swordsmen, 77 morale – 29031 food (+3 Atk through round 6)

The first half of the month had taken its toll on the Wuhuan defenders. What was meant to bloody the noses of the attackers turned into a situation with serious losses. Realizing that Pinggang was not where this war was to be won or lost, the Wuhuan called for a full retreat! However, the Han still had the jump on them, and put it to good use. Cheng Bi appeared out of ambush, and immediately started to harass Wuyan's force! The Wuhuan general was able to keep a hold of his unit, but the losses were devastating (Harass failed, -1167 WY, -98 CB). Wuyan was effectively blocked from fleeing the battle at this point, and chose to try and ride out the storm of arrows that would soon hit him. Soon, the sky would fill with arrows from Zhou Meili, who nearly wiped out the unit (-541 WY). That pleasure was left to Guan Xi, who launched a fire arrow attack upon Wuyan, putting him to rout and scattering the force (Fire Arrow success, -196 WY, unit wiped out)!

Gongsun Zan soon came out of ambush as well, and after marching forward, sent Xiao Zhe to once again sew confusion in Supuyan's unit. Believing that Cheng Bi had advanced so far, he immediately charged eastward, except his target was Nanlou! The famed Wuhuan Riders were now on their last legs (Muddle success, -967 NL, -94 SY). Elsewhere, Guan Yu had earlier moved from his mountain perch down toward Zhang Yan's force. Mustering his immense knowledge of infantry tactics, he engaged in an ultimately fruitless effort to try and follow up the initial attack with a weaker second one (Assault failed, 689 ZY, -131 GY).

With the Han being able to get in some last licks, the remaining Wuhuan force retreated from the field, battered and bruised, but ultimately prepared for a final showdown at White Wolf Mountain.

Round 7 – Final
Gongsun Zan (A6) - 1095 (72) Horsemen
Cheng Bi (D4) - 7868 (27) Iron Swordsmen
Guan Yu (A2) - 3572 (40) Footmen
Zhou Meili (B6) - 4194 (50) Archers
Guan Xi (B6) - 2891 (36) Archers
Can Guo (A10) - 1000 (40) Footmen – 16631 food
Nanlou - 833 (100) Wuhuan Riders, fled
Bei Rui - 4697 (70) Archers, fled
Wuyan – wiped out
Supuyan - 4795 (67) Bronze Swordsmen, fled
Zhang Yan - 2342 (30) Bronze Swordsmen, fled – 28397 food

The Han have taken Pinggang!

Notes:

Everybody escaped from battle (again). All Wuhuan forces fled to White Wolf Mountain.

I have to recalculate some numbers yet, but the quest should reopen either late tonight or early tomorrow for the final time! For now, just bask in your success/failure.