by Xia Kyoto » Fri May 08, 2015 6:33 am
I just replayed this game and spent a good 10 hours of gameplay making everything lively and interesting.
I played as Xia Han, my created General/Jack of all trades character. Leader of the Xia clan, a descendant of Xiang Yu, where his ultimate ambition is to unite the land under the fallen Chu dynasty or find someone worthy of his service, thus making his ancestor's ambition realized through his own prowess. He's accompannied by Qin Tao, his own personal Zhuge Liang and also sworn-brother (can't do SB in this game so just 100 bond), also the head of his family; a prestigious, Warlord build.
Together, I had them start off in the Wu region during The Yellow Turban Rebellion, training until a considerable amount of skills were aquired. Once they reached the age of 20, almost as a pact, they offered their talents to Sun Jian, joining his camp and raising his small city to a military stronghold of grandeur. Steamrolling the Yellow Turbans was easy with an ill Zhang Jiao, until his son (created officer), Zhang Ra, took over. In fact, all rulers met their demise one by one by their own ill-fated paths, until the old was replaced with the new. Xia Han and Qin Tao struggled to best their foes for a decade, with all original rulers; Dong Zhuo, Ding Yuan, Gongsun Zan, He Jin and Zhang Jiao, dying or being executed and being replaced by their only son and heirs (created for this purpose); Dong Tao, Ding Kai, Gongsun Deng, He Kang and Zhang Ra. It was a new era.
With all factions spread across the map in eerie formations, Xia Han and Qin Tao needed to form their own viceroyed faction of loyal followers of mediocre importance within the Sun domain of power. Selecting Zhu Zhi, Zhou Xin and Zu Mao or "The Three Z's", they tasked their followers with a mission of pushing their limits to the extreme, becoming gods among men under their absolute tutelage in the field of combat, strategy, governing, and leading. (Stats: Xia Han; 110, 110, 110, 110 (100 Imperial Seal [all items earned from liege, not cheated], Qin Tao; 110, 110, 110, 100, Zhu Zhi 108, 108, 107, 100) and so on and so forth.
One by one, Xia Han and Qin Tao conquered their foes in the name of their liege Sun Jian, adding new followers to their faction within their own clans; Xia Hanbei, Xia Han's brilliant and fearless prize. Qin Zai, Qin Tao's sharp and tenacious creation, and Zhu Ran, Zhu Zhi's strong-willed, tireless soldier. Sun Huan was also trained beyond measure, to ensure that the Imperial Family be led by one of Xia Han and Qin Tao's own when they had finally met death.
Until at last, the final battle arrived. Appointed as prefect of Yun Nan, Sun Jian tasked his oldest friend and most glorious General, Xia Han to unify China once and for all and vanquish the last-standing foe; Gongsun Qin, Gongsun Zan's nephew in Yong Chang.
Building up the military for the final assault, Xia Han and his army, led by his god-like followers, were but a season away from fulfilling their Emperor of Tang's ambition. They would crush the Marquis who had been chased and cornered so far from his homeland in the North. But suddenly, something tragically unthinkable happened. Word reached Qin Tao first that Sun Jian had passed on to Heaven, and a wide-scale dispute broke out. Sun Quan vied for power with Sun Ce, splitting up the country. Xia Han and Qin Tao were prepared to declare their decision of support to a brother, but before then, their sworn-ally, Sun Huan, was executed by Sun Ce under conspiracy of trying to take the crown for himself. (Revolted as a prefect in Yun Nan, was attacked by Sun Ce, who was repelled. Counter-attacked with loyal officer Sun Huan as Commander, who was promptly captured and executed). Thus, Xia Han, watching as Sun Ce bested his younger brother and regained control of the Tang Empire, marched forth to meet his late lord's brash son. Some followers of Tang and Sun Jian saw this as an act of betrayal to their lord, and the ranks of Sun Ce swelled. But even more believed in the ultimate mandate of Xia Han and Qin Tao, succumbing to defeat in battle or resigning from their ranks to join that of the Xia/Qin faction.
From one city, Xia Han was proposed to by all to declare himself 'King of Man' (Declaration of one's Dynasty is region-dependent, doh! I made it a play on words, as in King of all men everywhere), humbly accepting his rightful position and naming Qin Tao his Warlord and Supreme with his eventual succession to Emperor of Man. The world bowed at his feet, conquering the false Sun/Tang Empire in Ji, and uniting the land in the Spring of year 228.
Qin Tao went on to become One of the Three Dukes, although he was it's highest leader, and was acompannied by Zhu Zhi and Zhou Xin. Together, they maintained the country throughout their lifetime and their reputation as gods. Zu Mao became Grand Commander of the Army, ensuring the sound defense and peacefulness of the Empire of Man.
Xia Hanbei, Xia Han's Crown Prince was bestowed the position of Prime Minister, ruling the country in his father's stead, while always earning the approval of his father.
A monument of respect was erected for Xia Han's old friend and liege, Sun Jian, as well as his relative and Xia Han/Qin Tao's close friend, Sun Huan.
The end.
Xia Han's Starting Stats: 80, 80, 80, 80
Ending Stats: 110, 110, 110, 110 (100)
Ending Fame and Deeds: 60,000
Starting Age: 17
Ending Age: 55
Starting Rank: Commoner
Mid-Game Rank: Prefect and Cavalier
End-Game Rank: Emperor of Man
Starting Amount of Skills: 8
Ending Amount of Skills: ALL except Oracle
Qin Tao's Starting Stats: 70, 90, 90, 70
Ending Stats: 110, 110, 110, 100
Ending Fame and Deeds: 55,000
Starting Age: 17
Ending Age: 55
Starting Rank: Commoner
Mid-Game Rank: Warlord and Supreme
End-Game Rank: Warlord and Supreme + DUKE.
Starting Amount of Skills: 8
Ending Amount of Skills: All except mystical and Oracle
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.. and if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Nietzsche