Jagged
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2004
- Posts
- 3,659
Well for those of you who know me I've always tried to do something different here on Lit, and sometimes it goes well and other times not so much. I've been away for awhile, but I wanted to launch something new and fun and I hope you will all at least give it a read.
This time out the players/writers find themselves leader of their samurai clan in a period very similar to 16th century Japan during the Sengoku period or warring states. There is an Emperor, but he has no real power (think like the Pope) and the shogun in the capital doesn't have the military strength to keep all the clans in line. How you take power of your clan is up to you as writers, and you don't necessarily have to be the one in charge at the start. Your destiny is up to you I just add some flavored text here and there.
You can be.....
1) A samurai clan
These are the vast majority of the residents of the home island
2) Mainland Foreigners
Basically the Mongols or the Chinese. Your either traders or invaders, but either way their treated somewhat hostilely and are confined to certain areas. If you have some other Asian groups in mind let me know, and that includes white Russians.
3) Europeans
This group is restricted in the beginning because they have advanced weapons and ships. They aren't off limits, but we need to discuss this and they can't be in any great numbers since you're so far from your home base.
Unless you decide otherwise each war captain starts with one region on the many island. We'll decide how many regions constitute the main island when we get people on board. Each region has a regional capital which will be your starting point and it is a small city. In your primary region there is one friendly village, one hostile village, and one neutral village.
How you win them over is up to you. Maybe it is a force of arms or diplomacy. You can besiege them or marry into the ruling family it is up to you. Also keep in mind there are rebels and mercenaries traveling through the regions and of coarse there are the other players who won't be far from your location. In addition there are hundreds of small islands and the mainland is only 75 miles away by boat.
This time I am only giving a guideline for players. Some didn't want the basic package last time....so I am offering something slightly different this time around. Ever player will get the Medium setup (posted below). You can choose a smaller size in your story and if you do I will give you bonus assets. They won't negate your disadvantage, but they will give you a lot of potential.
Now you can choose a larger group and for every bonus you give yourself in your setup story you will get a negative. Now negatives are relative but you don't get something for nothing.
For example if you have an elite royal guard they might not have been paid in six months. I am not trying to be a jerk here and if I do say no to something it is more to keep things fair for the others. Most likely though the other player will get another advantage.
Mongol General: Hao! Dai ye! We won again! This is good, but what is best in life?
Mongol: The open steppe, fleet horse, falcons at your wrist, and the wind in your hair.
Mongol General: Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women.
Mongol General: That is good! That is good.
"Typical Medium Size Kingdom"
Now as I said if you take disadvantages you will have other good things happen to you. Also the many small islands around your home island may have many interesting things to find.
Medium Size Clan:
If you want to change a clan a large double the numbers if you want a small divide by half
1,200 Basic foot soldiers equipped with Spears (most likely a naginata),long knives, basic armor, clubs,boots, and maybe uniforms
80% of the soldiers will have a wife or prostitute nearby or with the army.
400 Ashigaru (sergeant-at-Arms, palace guards, police officers, border guards)
All the same of the above only better and long swords as well. 25% of this group will have followers including pages, mistresses, craftsmen, cooks,and horses.
100 Samurai Warriors
Equipped similarly to the Ashigaru, but of the highest quality they're also among the best warriors in the area with the best money can buy. They also bring 2-4 bodyguards (Ashigaru without their own followers) with them.
The wealthiest 30%will also bring multiple horses, but every samurai has at least one.
80% will have a retinue that includes servants, craftsmen, wife and/or mistress, adviser, random family members, archers and foot soldiers, local guide(s), Spiritual adviser...there can be 20 to 100 followers for each. This is your samurai's support network and can spawn other warriors.
2,000 Middle Class are your lawyers, merchants, priests, politicians, advisers, landowners, and craftsmen.
This group is your middle management. They see that everything is running well and often wear many hats. They can serve in the military and 80% will have their own gear and horses, and unlike the regular militia their loyalty will not waver. While they will willingly fight without pay they expect booty and land in return.
These people are your industry and though you might be their lord you still have to answer to them or at least compromise from time to time.
5,000 Peasant families (the backbone of your society.) They can be drafted into the militia with one to two adult males per family on average, but until they're veterans they will need to be provided with weapons (more fights more chance of them taking weapons as booty). Most likely you will be dealing with the family farm setup with the younger sons and daughters working other industries.
Peasants are for every dirty backbreaking job that you need done. They can be killed at random and they live to serve you, but keep in mind they are useful and keeping them loyal out of love or fear is important.
Everyone of coarse has...
House Holds...(If you can't trust family...)
In the past I have had a lot of fun seeing people's characters develop and it has been lot of fun but I am encouraging more roleplay between me and the player/writers and the writers themselves. Each person can have one to eight characters under their command( you share control with me..most things they will do unquestioningly but aren't under direct control like your main character after all they have their own ideas and options).
They can be..siblings, parents, cousins, in laws, trusted advisers, lover, and old family friends. These are your most trusted allies and friends. They are the ones who remain loyal during the worst of it or do they....? They are close to you and can have any number of professions and skills. I most strategy games they lead armies and become diplomats, but we aren't that limited here.
Also "family" adds bonuses to your house hold. After all they own their own processions and weapons. Priests, soldiers, statesmen all have skills and resources that will benefit you.
So any questions?
This time out the players/writers find themselves leader of their samurai clan in a period very similar to 16th century Japan during the Sengoku period or warring states. There is an Emperor, but he has no real power (think like the Pope) and the shogun in the capital doesn't have the military strength to keep all the clans in line. How you take power of your clan is up to you as writers, and you don't necessarily have to be the one in charge at the start. Your destiny is up to you I just add some flavored text here and there.
You can be.....
1) A samurai clan
These are the vast majority of the residents of the home island
2) Mainland Foreigners
Basically the Mongols or the Chinese. Your either traders or invaders, but either way their treated somewhat hostilely and are confined to certain areas. If you have some other Asian groups in mind let me know, and that includes white Russians.
3) Europeans
This group is restricted in the beginning because they have advanced weapons and ships. They aren't off limits, but we need to discuss this and they can't be in any great numbers since you're so far from your home base.
Unless you decide otherwise each war captain starts with one region on the many island. We'll decide how many regions constitute the main island when we get people on board. Each region has a regional capital which will be your starting point and it is a small city. In your primary region there is one friendly village, one hostile village, and one neutral village.
How you win them over is up to you. Maybe it is a force of arms or diplomacy. You can besiege them or marry into the ruling family it is up to you. Also keep in mind there are rebels and mercenaries traveling through the regions and of coarse there are the other players who won't be far from your location. In addition there are hundreds of small islands and the mainland is only 75 miles away by boat.
This time I am only giving a guideline for players. Some didn't want the basic package last time....so I am offering something slightly different this time around. Ever player will get the Medium setup (posted below). You can choose a smaller size in your story and if you do I will give you bonus assets. They won't negate your disadvantage, but they will give you a lot of potential.
Now you can choose a larger group and for every bonus you give yourself in your setup story you will get a negative. Now negatives are relative but you don't get something for nothing.
For example if you have an elite royal guard they might not have been paid in six months. I am not trying to be a jerk here and if I do say no to something it is more to keep things fair for the others. Most likely though the other player will get another advantage.
Mongol General: Hao! Dai ye! We won again! This is good, but what is best in life?
Mongol: The open steppe, fleet horse, falcons at your wrist, and the wind in your hair.
Mongol General: Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women.
Mongol General: That is good! That is good.
"Typical Medium Size Kingdom"
Now as I said if you take disadvantages you will have other good things happen to you. Also the many small islands around your home island may have many interesting things to find.
Medium Size Clan:
If you want to change a clan a large double the numbers if you want a small divide by half
1,200 Basic foot soldiers equipped with Spears (most likely a naginata),long knives, basic armor, clubs,boots, and maybe uniforms
80% of the soldiers will have a wife or prostitute nearby or with the army.
400 Ashigaru (sergeant-at-Arms, palace guards, police officers, border guards)
All the same of the above only better and long swords as well. 25% of this group will have followers including pages, mistresses, craftsmen, cooks,and horses.
100 Samurai Warriors
Equipped similarly to the Ashigaru, but of the highest quality they're also among the best warriors in the area with the best money can buy. They also bring 2-4 bodyguards (Ashigaru without their own followers) with them.
The wealthiest 30%will also bring multiple horses, but every samurai has at least one.
80% will have a retinue that includes servants, craftsmen, wife and/or mistress, adviser, random family members, archers and foot soldiers, local guide(s), Spiritual adviser...there can be 20 to 100 followers for each. This is your samurai's support network and can spawn other warriors.
2,000 Middle Class are your lawyers, merchants, priests, politicians, advisers, landowners, and craftsmen.
This group is your middle management. They see that everything is running well and often wear many hats. They can serve in the military and 80% will have their own gear and horses, and unlike the regular militia their loyalty will not waver. While they will willingly fight without pay they expect booty and land in return.
These people are your industry and though you might be their lord you still have to answer to them or at least compromise from time to time.
5,000 Peasant families (the backbone of your society.) They can be drafted into the militia with one to two adult males per family on average, but until they're veterans they will need to be provided with weapons (more fights more chance of them taking weapons as booty). Most likely you will be dealing with the family farm setup with the younger sons and daughters working other industries.
Peasants are for every dirty backbreaking job that you need done. They can be killed at random and they live to serve you, but keep in mind they are useful and keeping them loyal out of love or fear is important.
Everyone of coarse has...
House Holds...(If you can't trust family...)
In the past I have had a lot of fun seeing people's characters develop and it has been lot of fun but I am encouraging more roleplay between me and the player/writers and the writers themselves. Each person can have one to eight characters under their command( you share control with me..most things they will do unquestioningly but aren't under direct control like your main character after all they have their own ideas and options).
They can be..siblings, parents, cousins, in laws, trusted advisers, lover, and old family friends. These are your most trusted allies and friends. They are the ones who remain loyal during the worst of it or do they....? They are close to you and can have any number of professions and skills. I most strategy games they lead armies and become diplomats, but we aren't that limited here.
Also "family" adds bonuses to your house hold. After all they own their own processions and weapons. Priests, soldiers, statesmen all have skills and resources that will benefit you.
So any questions?
