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I HEREBY DECLARE MY PARTICIPATION

Faction details

Name: Ascended Stag Cult

Colour: Green w/ orange highlights - Orange will suffice if green can't be done due to map colurs

Elite unit: Deer Men - Stealth marksmen and ambush professionals. Use traps ect

Lore

>Leader

Little is known about him, his name is "Herne". It is said he was raised by a hermit when his parents abandoned him in the forest. He believes that the Chinese people grow weaker the further the Chinese stray away from the forest. He intends to reduce the cities and towns to soil, remove the religion of Buddhism, and shape china into a society of warrior-poets tested and strengthened by the forests.

>Special Forces:

The "Deer Men". A group of hardened survivalists who are at their strongest in the forest. Said to have become half beast they wear minimal clothing and no boots as to avoid making noise, they travel light. Highly capable in guerrilla warfare and as marksmen with bows.

>Officers

Officers are also religious leaders, shamans who have sipped the jungle juice in the forest. Must be capable of playing one instrument, expected to lead the singing for their unit

Faction:

The army of Zhang Zongchang, know as "72-Cannon Chang" for his vast army and usage of armoured trains.

Colour: black and navy blue

Elite unit: White Russian Mercenary cavalry. Experienced veterans of the first world war and the Russian civil war, after the defeat of admiral Kolchak and the execution of Ungern, they have found employment in Manchuria under Zhang Zongchang and fight for their survival.

Lore: Zhang was known everywhere as the "Three Don't Knows". He said he didn't know how much money he had, how many concubines, or how many men in his army.' Supported by the Fengtian Clique and the Japanese, Zhang Zongchang seeks to control and stablise the province, and prevent further KMT advances towards Fengtian territory.

>tfw probably going to be at such a disadvantage because I suck so bad at diplomacy

small update for everyone, you all have a troop census now listing the current and total strength of your divisions. Up to you what you do with them.

Turn 2

Early Morning

Sprays of birds fly across the province, distressed, disturbed by the deep report of guns to the south.

—

Ascended Stags

Turn 2

Early Morning

Xun Wu's Tong creeps at speed through the forest, his runner reports enemies visible, marching up th south road to the city. They're too far away to know anything more.

Sun Wu's contingent careens down the hill, he reports that he has reached his position and

Ye Yun's Dadao Assault Division quick-marches to the entry point.

—

Heavenly Empire

Turn 2

Early Morning

Peng Ming moves to the eastward edge of the mountains, his galloper reports smoke rising from the south and an unidentified column of men marching along the road to the north.

HQ moves into the mountains and uses the passes scouted by Peng Min to reach sector C11.

Long Lin's Assault Corps enters C12.

Tang Lin's Assault Corps enters B12.

Lu Shui's infantry takes position at the entry point.

—

Zhang Zongchang

Turn 2

Early Morning

Ding Lan's infantry stands at the entry point as if on parade.

HQ Mounted Infantry rides into the village and dismounts, unpacking equipment. The infantry and the villagers begin fortifying the village. With a small gift of rations, the villages are happy enough to help. The village elder says they will aid in the defence if they are attacked.

Zeng Bo's cavalry makes a wide sweep of the area, briefly occupying the nearby hills before returning to stand at the north bank of the ford.

Kazarezov enters the field, his lancers await orders at the entry point with Ding Lan.

Yao Ling's infantry and artillery is following behind but has not reached the field yet.

—

Gargle Blasters

Turn 2

Early Morning

Li Guo Tong and Dai Dong Infantry advance up the road, making it to the rear of the hills before the city.

Quan Song steams past the village and lets loose a volley, causing panic and damaging the eastern docks. The villagers flee to the city, in front of Li Guo and Dai Dong. The gunboat shadows them, running out of steam south east of the infantry.

Li Yu's riverboat rows past the village and into the sector before the gunboat. If Dai Dong is attacked th rocket carts could cover a retreat, or provide extremely close and hazardous support.

HQ Mounted Infantry occupies the now-deserted village and assists Li Jia's assault troops in boarding Lai Shi's riverboat, they make it across the river and disembark at I20.

Turn 3

Morning

HIDDEN Zhang to spot Stag Cav+Cart - 21 - fail

HIDDEN Stags to spot Blaster Assault L19 - 15 - fail

HIDDEN stags to spot Blaster RB rockets - 93 - succ

HIDDEN stags to spot Blaster Tong hill - 15 - fail

HIDDEN Blasters to spot Stags Tong - 36 - fail

—

Zhang Zongchang

Turn 3

Morning

Zeng Bo waits at the ford, Ding Lan's infantry marches along the road and joins them, marching into the next village. They begin to fortify the village, again enlisting the help of the locals who will act as conscripts if attacked. Zeng Bo leads a delegation to the city and is welcomed by a party of officials, who send a galloper with a message to you. It reads "remove the invaders and Jiaocheng will pledge itself to you. Until then there will be no entry to the city."

Kazarezov leads his Russians into the HQ village and assists in preparations.

Yao Ling's infantry and artillery enter the battlefield.

Ding Lan sends you a runner, he's spotted a gunboat coming around the southern river bend, steaming towards his position.

—

Ascended Stags

Turn 3

Morning

Xun Wu's tong crawls through the plains to the riverbank, concealing themselves under long grass and reeds. A gunboat steams right past their position but shows no sign of spotting them. It flies a golden ensign. A river boat showing a similar flag is some way downstream and a sharp-eyed bandit spots rocket carts on it's top deck.

Hu Zhou's tong flits through the woods and arrives at Xun Wu's previous position.

Sun Wu's cavalry and artillery advance past Xun Wu and Hu Zhou, stopping five li short of the more northerly hills. They are in direct line of sight of the gold-flagged gunboat and can be fired upon and return fire. Sun Wu reccomends leaving the rocket carts to burn the gunboat and pulling back the cavalry to cover behind the southernly hills.

Ye Yun's assault corps enters the southern forest.

The rest of the army marches down the hills, HQ at the rear, Tan Jia's infantry in sector T19 and Dagar Zand's jihadis at sector T18.

—

Heavenly Emperor

Turn 3

Morning

Peng Min rides down the mountain and turns sharply north through the millet and rice paddies, heading for the nothern village.

HQ Cavalry occupies Peng Min's prior position with a good view of the plains below. They see infantry preparing defensive positions on the hill at I15.

Long Lin holds position, allowing Tang Lin to take point at E11.

Lu Shui's infantry moves to B12, with Dai Yi's infantry and cannon behind him at the entry point.

—

Gargle Blasters

Turn 3

Morning

Li Guo's tong scouts and reforms eastward, on the scree slopes of the hill next to the river.

Dai Dong occupies the hills near the road and begins to set out sandbagged positions and dig shallow trenches in the hillside. He spots infantry in dark blue climbing down the mountains to the north east.

Quan Song's gunboat steams upriver, coming in line with the northern slopes of the hill. Cavalry with a baggage train flying a green pennant are to the east, within firing range. The village to the north buzzes with activity.

Li Yu's riverboat moves to the south east of the hill.

HQ takes Lai Shi's riverboat and debarks at I20, Li Jia advances through the woods to L19.

The locals, those that you haven't scared away, are a bucolic lot and can't tell you much. The local governor has kept his land peaceful through shrewd diplomacy until now and will probably be willing to cut some sort of deal.

Jiaocheng Province

Turn 4

Mid-morning

The walls of Jiaocheng's city are crowded with guards and curious onlookers.

Reports have been sent.

Hidden roll - Zhang Div. HQ Villager spot Ascended Stags - 30 - fail

Hidden roll - Heavenly Empire to spot Blaster Tong - 65 - fail

—

Zhang Zongchang

Turn 4

Mid-morning

Ding Lang's infantry continues to fortify the village, they see the gunboat loose two volleys at an unseen target and turn around.

Yao Ling's infantry and artillery begin to move forward, but are slowed to a crawl in the crowded and busy HQ. As per orders, he leaves the artillery behind and reaches R6, just outside the village. The artillery begins to emplace itself.

Ding Lan's infantry crosses to the west bank of the ford and begins to fortify themselves.

Zeng Bo, operating from the village, sends scouts out to a distance of 15 li. They bring back reports of a large group of cavalry with a baggage train in the south end of the farms there, carrying a green and orange banner.

Kazarezov's lancers pass Yao Ling and enter the second village, they rest rather than lather their horses scouting.

Villagers at HQ and two-fords village don't know anything, the province having been taken by surprise.

HQ Mounted Infantry, Artillery and Local Force (villagers) raise sandbags, ditches and embankments around the village.

—

Shàngsheng xiónglù (Ascended Stags)

Turn 4

Mid-morning

Xun Wu Tong's orders are relayed via Hu Zhou Tong's stealthy signals. They burst up out of the long grass and reeds and run into the forest to rejoin at Hu Zhou's sector. Their sudden appearance startles the gunboat's crew, their aim thrown off a little by a few arrows and gunshots sent their way.

Hunluàn (Mayhem) Unit is fired upon by the gunboat, the first broadside causes some damage within the formation, but most shots are bracketed around the rocket cart and logistics train, which is not hit. According to their orders, though in panic, they flee northeast, around the forest and into the farmland.

Hu Zhou maintains position at the forest edge.

Ye Yun's Big Sword Unit moves slowly through the forest edge, staying concealed. They make it to S15.

Dagar Zand and Tan Jia reach the forest edge at T16.

The Deer Men (HQ) walk down the hill and settle before the forest edge in T17.

—

Heavenly Emperor

Turn 4

Mid-morning

Peng Min's cavalry is slowed by the farmland and makes it to the south bank of the ford.

HQ Cavalry pick their way down the mountains and enters the farmland at F12.

Long Lin reaches D12.

Tang Lin reaches F13.

Lu Shui reaches C12.

Dai Yi reaches B12.

Both conscript divisions arrive at A12.

Your army notes the presence of infantry flying a golden banner, fortifying themselves on the hill at I15.

—

Shùkoushui (Gargle Blaster) Gang

Turn 4

Mid-morning

Quan Song reverses the gunboat engine and begins to turn, letting off a ripple of cannon fire which impacts around the ordered column of cavalry and their baggage train, startling the formation, which scatters and flees, attempting to reform further to the east. They get the boat turned around, but as they prepare to fire their second broadside a ragged band of men spring up from the nearby east river bank, loosing arrows and gunshots. The crew ducks and dodges, a few are hit and the second volley goes wide. The first shots are bracketed around the baggage train, none hit that target, but some balls fly through the cavalry formation and causes some damage. The ragged band of men in green are seen fleeing to the eastern forest.

NB the Gunboat is armed with imported modern cannon that fire solid and cannister shot

Li Guo's Tong moves over the hill and through Dai Dong's position, entering the farmland westward. They spread out into thin skirmish formation. As they perform their manoeuvre they note the presence of cavalry flying a large dark blue pennant in the fields and paddies, heading northward. Additionally, foot soldiers are spotted heading eastward into the fields and paddies, 5-10 li away from the Tong.

Dai Dong's infantry continues to reinforce their position. He sends a messenger inquiring if he should spread his forces and begin fortifying the whole hill range.

Li Yu debarks from the riverboat at J16 with his infantry and rocket carts, reforming into skirmish order with the rocket carts at the centre rear of the cloud. Sun Zan takes command of the riverboat and begins rowing upstream at L16.

HQ Mounted Infantry begins moving north along the riverbank, but is slowed by forest, reaching K19.

Li Jia retreats to K20, leaving pickets along the tree line. He appoints Lei Tu as detachment commander and sends half of the Big Sword Unit out into the plains at M17 with their coats turned and packs left with Li Jia.

Jiaocheng Province

Turn 5

Late morning

Flocks of birds fly from the eastern forest and are startled up from the reed beds beside the city by the hollow thud of cannon.

Hidden roll, Tang Lin to spot Li Guo - success

—

Zhang Zongchang

Turn 5

Late morning

With some clever siting, the guns at HQ Village are able to hit the river at N11, their officers calculating that position in advance.

Zeng Bo's scouts spot a party of ragged men armed with antiquated weapons walking northward, near to the hill south of the village. They retreat into the village and prepare for combat as per orders, noting the continued presence of horse and baggage in the southern area of the farmland to the east.

Yao Ling continues his march, ending the turn at O7, engaged in crossing the ford.

Kazarezov mounts up within the village, prepared for combat as per orders.

HQ Mounted Infantry leave the village at S6 with the guns in tow, reaching O6 with the assistance of the road and dismounted infantry's horses.

—

Ascended Stags

Turn 5

Late morning

Xun Wu's Tong moves in the open to O13 on their way to P11. They see black and blue uniformed parties of horsemen ranging the landscape and know they are spotted. They also witness the gold-flagged gunboat and drop to the floor as it's cannon fire, but reform after there are no impacts.

Hou Zhou's Tong moves stealthily through the forest, reaching the south edge of the farmland to the north at S13.

In a forest clearing at T14 a mighty formation assembles. HQ Deer Men are at the head, dispersed in near-invisible skirmish formation. Dagar Zand's muslims make up a second skirmish line, of sharpshooters. Behind them stand Tan Jia's infantry in as good order as can be expected within the forest. Finally, Ye Yun and his swordsmen stand at the rear, ready to charge through the other ranks. They will advance together, unless the Deer Men want to use their speed and scout further without their support.

Mayhem Division rest at R12 and reform in good order, the horse logistics team gathering ripe rice and millet for tonight's provisions.

—

Heavenly Empire

Turn 5

Late morning

Peng Min's cavalry reaches the northwest village and establish good relations with the elders. The village will defend with you, if attacked.

HQ Cavalry reach the shadow of the south-eastern city bastion at H12 and are met by a delegation from the city, after exchanging diplomatic niceties you are thanked for your munificence and told that your aid will be appreciated but that the situation is too dangerous to allow entry to the city proper. The governor personally assures you that if you can expel the invaders from his county he will give you his fealty.

HQ Cavalry records entrenched infantry in gold at I15.

Long Lin's assault corps reaches E13.

HQ observes the enemy infantry climb down the hill and begin preparing defences at I14. They leave behind a rearguard on the hilltop who stand guard with silhouettes of what could be machineguns or larger artillery.

Tang Lin enters the farmland's edge at H13, less than ten li away from the gold-uniformed infantry. He also spots ragged men digging pits south of his position in the fields at H14 before retreating.

HQ sees an infantry division rush over the hill at J14 and take position behind natural cover.

Lu Shui climbs down the mountain to D13.

Dai Yi's infantry and cannon reach the mountain edge.

Both conscript rabbles enter the mountains east of the entry point.

—

Jiaocheng Province

Turn 6

Midday

NOTE TO COMMANDERS

In the aid of cutting down my workload, please repeat orders in full instead of having "same orders as last turn". I habitually remove the previous turn's orders and replace them with the current ones to save space.

The Logistics update is here, units carry a certain amount of supplies before requiring resupply from a depot, you will get an initial report from each unit then are responsible for keeping track yourself, commanders may use and request ammunition depending on their temperament and situation, it's up to you if you think they need it.

There are now supply lines on the map, cutting your enemy's supply lines can make it easier to defeat over-extended units - the only way for armies to resupply themselves is by following their supply line back to their entry point.

Each sector is now three li (a mile) rather than five li and thanks to the clean map (which you will see in the AAR) enemies can occupy the same sector which will facilitate the coming fights.

—-

A pillar of smoke is seen from the eastern forest.

The city walls are crowded with people.

HIDDEN ROLL: Zeng Bo scouts to spot Hu Zhou scouts - fail.

—-

Zhang Zongchang

Turn 6

12:00 report

Quartermaster reports a supply line has been established from the entry point of T6 to a depot at Liang Dukou Village. It's empty right now.

Zeng Bo Scout Report: Scouts 6 li southeast from the village spot horsemen and carts heading north through the farm. They turn around and head back south, leaving behind some carts and men.

The ragged men approaching by the river veer off course and walk up the hill.

Kazarezov, Following orders to support Yao Ling from the Western flank, moves to O9.

Yao Ling arrives at P9. He and his infantry mischeviously goose step out of the village with military pomp and stand on the plain in parade order, lacking time to begin fortifying this turn.

Ding Lan raises an enclosed redoubt protecting Dongxi Ford at M8 big enough for his whole division.

HQ MI and artillery arrive at N6 and set up their guns.

A messenger is sent to the city and comes back with a reply:

"We have only a militia and the citizenry, who are garrisoning the city walls. If you fight within their shadow, we can help. Otherwise, it is too dangerous for any subject of mine to leave the city. We have prepared for a siege and cannot spare supplies."

——————————————————————————–

Ascended Stags

Turn 6

12:00 Report

Hu Zhou interprets his orders as a scouting mission and moves in stealth to the middle of the farmland, sending his men out individually and receiving their reports at his rudimentary HQ. He sends back a runner with the following information:

-Infantry and Cavalry seen taking formation outside the village. They wear dark blue and black. The infantry appear confident, marching formally and are arrayed in good order.

-Cavalry are ranging the area around the village but did not spot him.

-The village is bustling, but occupied. The cavalry scouts enter and leave and the peasantry are constructing defences.

HQ and Dagar Zand move northward to T11. The scouting horsemen are miles away from their position.

Mayhem Unit moves to R10, detaches the rocket carts and leaves them and the artillerymen behind, heading back to R12.

Xun Wu's Tong, still in plain sight, receives their orders via runner and move across the plains and onto the hills, moving toward the rocket carts. Scouting horsemen spot them and report their presence, though none come close. From the vantage point of the hill Xun Wu can see an entrenched position across the western ford.

Ye Yun and Tan Jia move through the forest to T12 and quickly start a large, smokey fire. Their troops enjoy a cooked meal and the smoke rises far above the forest in the still noonday air.

The artillerymen do not fire, there are no targets for their rockets and they prefer to be ready for attack now they are unprotected.

———————————————————————————

Heavenly Empire

Turn 6

12:00 Report

Peng Ming exits Xibei Village and arrives at H10 in sight of HQ.

HQ Horse moves to E12.

Tang Lin moves to E13.

Long Lin moves to E15.

Lu Shui moves to F13.

Dai Ye's infantry and cannons move down the mountains to D13.

Xian An and Lin Cai's conscripts move to D12.

Most of the newly arrived enemy infantry on the hill retreat behind the summit, but leave behind a company of men who scratch out defensive positions.

The infantry that was working on the plain below the hill move back up after placing ranging markers along the north front of their redoubt.

——————————————————————————————————

Jiaocheng Province

Turn 7

12:30 Report

Hidden roll - Zhang Zongchang scouts to spot Ascended Stags Deer Men HQ - 9 - fail

Hidden roll - heavenly Empire [PC] to spot rocket carts - 99 - success

————————————–

Zhang Zongchang

Turn 7

12:30 Report

HQ splits a tenth of their mounted infantry for artillery logistics purposes, they head to Donghe and begin requisitioning carts to reform into a Horse Logistics Group. Donghe is on good terms with you and their militia forces help.

Yao Ling advances southward along the riverbank, drawing level with the middle hills. He sees the ragged men on the hills, there are about 300 of them. As he reaches the end of the march, enemy cavalry and baggage carts trot into view around the hill less than three li away.

Scouts spot the men on the hilltop dropping to the ground and crawling to Q9.

Robed and turbaned figures advance to the eastern slopes of the hills.

Ding Lan seperates a tenth of his force for a logistics group, they enter Liang Dukou and requisition carts. They will ferry ammunition to the depot there and from there to a secondary depot Ding Lan is constructing in his redoubt.

HQ MI detaches a scouting company which navigate the crowded road and village and reach the redoubt.

——————————————-

Ascended Stags

Turn 7

12:30 Report

HQ moves toward Q9 by concealing themselves in the farmland. They reach R10 but stay away from the rocket carts.

Xun Wu's tong drops to the ground and reaches the edge of Q9 but are unable to construct anything. Additionally, the close presence of enemy scouts makes Xun Wu think he's been spotted.

Dagar Zand marches to the reverse slope of the hill at Q11 but are spotted. The mounted scouts keep out of range.

The infantry division that was on parade moves out, marching southward along the riverbank. They fly the flag of Zhang Zongchang.

[YA] Dadao Assault Division with attached Heroic commander (Ye Yun) and [TI] Modern Infantry Division (Tan Jia) march toward their objective but are slowed by poor terrain and stop at R12.

Scouts report the roadways to the north are bustling with uniformed troops and porters, the northern village of Donghe is occupied and has defences. The entrenchments across the ford to the west are being expanded and a mounted company crosses the ford.

Sun Wu regrets to inform you that the river at N12 is not fordable and that he has moved to O12 instead.

Enemy infantry are three li away.

——————————————–

Heavenly Empire

Turn 7

12:30 Report

Peng Min advances down the road to H12, 3-6 li away from the infantry on the hills. A flag flies from the southern trenches emblazoned "Shùkoushui Jiéhuo" (Gargle Blaster Gang).

Headquarters moves to G12.

Long Lin marches into the south of the farmland but is slowed by the poor terrain.

More enemies arrive on the hill, Peng Min sends an urgent rider to tell you that they have brought up rocket carts capable of hitting his current position.

Tang Lin Assault Corps enters F15.

Dai Yi moves into position at F14.

Both conscript divisions get to E14, their commanders note their nervousness suggest they might be better used establishing roads, building defences and depots.

———————————————

Gargle Blasters

Turn 7

12:30

Li Guo's tong retreats eastward to I17.

Quan Song moves to K17, reporting that he can only protect the westward approach or the northern retreat with his cannon, the hill is in the way and his guns cannot be angled to fire over the hill.

Heavenly Empire horsemen are spotted gathering in the north. Infantry divisions enter the farmland.

Chen Chao splits his forces and promotes Ren Bizhong, who takes some artillerymen and horses up to the northern hillside as Rocket Cart Horse [RR]. A company (a tenth of the main force) is split to guard J17.

Li Yu's men continue to screen the approach up the hillside in diffused pickets.

Dai Dong's infantry completes a surrounded redoubt on I15.

Lai Shi ferries HQI [HI] to J16.

Li Jia occupies HQ's redoubt and signals whether he is to pull Lei Tu's actors back to the main force.

Sun Zan rows to K16.

Troops on the hill are getting nervous at all of the infantry. They say they can see ten thousand new men in the plains to the west…

Jiaocheng Province

Turn 8

13:00

Keep

It

Simple

Stupid

—————————————-

Zhang Zongchang

Turn 8

13:00

[YI] constructs a shallow surrounding redoubt.

[DI] the city guard say the smoke was probably a signal fire.

[KL] moves to K8 along the road, reconnoitering in force.

[ZC] pulls scouts back to (O8) Liang Dukou, unable to scout further to the south than Yao Ling's men can already see. The enemy irregulars are still at Q9.

[HM] detaches from [A] and moves to 08.

[HMD] scouts 6 li along the east city walls. The enemy cavalry and baggage are still 3 li from Yao Ling.

——————————————

Ascended Stags

Turn 8

13:00

[HD] holds position at R10 and constructs hidden traps.

[SH]:[L] holds position and observes infantry constructing defences 3 li to their north.

[XT] holds position in the open, the cavalry scouts pull back to the village.

Scouts can see heavy mounted traffic across both fords.

Your other units hold position.

—————————————————————

Gargle Blasters

Turn 8

13:00

[LT] to H15, no time to scout or prepare traps.

[QG] to I18, can cover farmland and road approach.

[SB] to L16, spots cavalry and baggage west of the eastern hills.

[LR] to K17, ready to board.

[JA & [TA] reform within the entrenchment.

Enemy infantry advances to the edge of the farmland in a front 12 li long. The northmost division is slowed as they encounter stake pits.

[HI] remounts, attaches rocket carts and becomes [HM]:[R]. Remainder joins [RR].

[DI] the enemy are just over 3 li away as the redoubt is expanded. They don't have enough time to make a depot but do detach logistics group [DIL]

[LI] reforms with [LID] and takes their places in the redoubt to the west. [CR] follows

[LIR] arrives in [LT]'s sector but has no time to dig.

[RR] moves to the defences in the north but keeps his horses, wanting a quick escape.

—————————————————————-

Heavenly Emperor

Turn 8

13:00

Enemy Irregulars spotted in plains to the west of the hills.

Enemy Gunboat in position to cover western approach to the hills.

All Infantry move southeast.

[LI] some men are wounded crossing trapped farmland at G14 and have to be helped away by others.

Enemies infantry and cavalry spotted south of the hills.

Defences on the hilltop are being expanded and manned.

Enemies on the northern hill sector move to the western defences.