text: [Themes: historical]
  
  Three legendary warlords. One land. Who will rule?
  
  Warlords: Strategic Conquest is a story set in medieval China. Each choice you make will logically determine how your campaign proceeds. Clues to help you select the best choices are woven into the narrative.
  
  Background story:
  
  It is 907 A.D., and China has seen better days. Riots spreading like wildfire ended three hundred years of Tang rule. Ordinary citizens overthrew their local politicians, fed up with inept government and rising taxes. The central government responded by increasing the allowance of military power to each province. Amidst the political unrest and military buildup, ambitious warlords everywhere saw a chance to grab their piece of the pie. These absolute leaders, exercising both military and civil power, declared their independence from Tang authority, seized private property, fought each other, and turned order upside down.
  
  China's power vacuum longs to be filled by someone skilled enough to defeat his opponents and unite the country once again. Three particular warlords stand out:
  
  Governor Toleron
  
  Growing up in a poor Southern village, Toleron's childhood was marred by domestic violence. His seldomly employed father spent what little money his family had on liquor and gambling. The more he drank the angrier he would get at not being able to provide for his family. Toleron's mother would often receive the brunt of his father's drunken temper. Toleron stayed home for his mother's sake, but resolved to make a better life for himself. At the age of 20 he finally left home and started his own business as a fabric manufacturer. He worked hard and his company eventually became one of the most profitable businesses in the South. After transferring company ownership to his mother, Toleron joined the Tang army's civilian staff. Thanks to his knack for organization, he soon rose to a high administrative post. After the revolution began, a loyal following of soldiers urged him on to take over the provincial government. Toleron is highly regarded for his expertise in leveraging resources and logistics. Everyone serving under him believes he would make a wise emperor.
  
  General Nahru
  
  Abandoned by his parents at the age of three, Nahru spent his childhood learning the power of violence while fighting for scraps on the streets. After learning what Tang soldiers get paid to do, he immediately enlisted in the army. In battle, Nahru fought fearlessly against Korean revolts and Mongol invasions. After years of heavily decorated service, he was promoted to Supreme Commander of the Northern Forces. He sees the revolution as a golden opportunity to carve out his own empire. Famous for his ruthlessness and hot temper, Nahru inspires as much fear as respect among his own colonels, but that keeps them focused lest they make a career-ending mistake. He is confident that he will one day take over the entire world, and no one would bet against him considering his unblemished battle record.
  
  President Min
  
  Min was born into an affluent family in western China. An only child, his mother was overprotective and smothered him with attention. He grew up shy, awkward, and shunned by peers at school. His only constant companions were books. In addition to helping him make excellent grades, the books also cultivated Min's fanciful imagination. He started to notice people's body language and what it would indicate. Over time he honed his communication skills until he could impress anyone he came across. He talked his way into mayorship of a burgeoning western city only a few weeks after graduating from Soh Lin University. Over the years Min has built a reputation as a peerless diplomat. When the rebellions began, several admiring towns voluntarily incorporated themselves into his territory and elected him president. With a persuasive tongue like his, there is no limit to what Min can accomplish.
  
  Who are you?
  
  > General Nahru
  You command 18 thousand infantry and 5 thousand archers, each drilled and trained to be the best. Although you have no support units or advanced machines, you know that the battle is often not won by the best equipped, but by the most decisive.
  
  Your territory contains little infrastructure or arable soil. Although your castle is a majestic fortress providing a big defensive advantage for an occupying army, you decide it is time to set out and do battle. You will bring all 23 thousand soldiers with you. Crown Prince Lurdu, your eldest son, will stay and defend your capital from potential invaders. You have not spent as much time with him as you would have liked and he has grown into an insolent, manipulative, and petty brat. Lurdu's only saving grace is that, like you, he always finishes what he starts, all the way to the end. Retreat is never an option.
  
  To your East is the ocean. You wish that one day engineers can devise a sea-faring vehicle that hold up in its tsunamis, but for now, the ocean is an impenetratable barrier. To your West is a barren desert. No people reside in it, and its conditions would decimate your army if they were to march through it.
  
  Beyond your Southern border is the medium sized territory of Governor Toleron. It is a land of dense forests and dry plains. His subjects are loyal to him and he has an army more than three times the size of yours, at 90 thousand troops. Fortunately for you, Toleron is a peacenik and using them solely to defend his empire. He has pledged not to increase the size of his standing army and is not at all an aggressor.
  
  To your North are small Mongol tribes. They are neither organized nor united and are too distracted with each other to defend against you. While they do not own much technology or infrastructure, if you conquer them you will gain some additional tax revenue and possibly reinforcements, as well as strike more fear into the hearts of would be enemies.
  
  Where do you expand your kingdom first?
  
  > march North to conquer the Mongols
  Throngs of shouting supporters energize your army as it leaves for the countryside. Your army stays in high spirits as it marches towards the steppes of Mongolia. Soldiers placate their hunger with white rice and small game, picking the occasional cherry tree lining the road.
  
  Your spies report that the Mongolians still have not made preparations against your army. Their permanent state of disorganization means they have no chance of mounting any defenses whatsoever. You thank your diligent spies for the information and continue on your way. Your spies have never let you down.
  
  The winding north road becomes a dirt path as it passes through the center of Clearbrook Forest. Suddenly, your second in command slumps over on his horse. You look over your shoulder and see an arrow through his chest. Looking behind you, you see more arrows flying toward your troops. You ascertain that the arrows are coming from the dense forest on both sides of the narrow path your troops are marching on. You cannot see where the enemy is however.
  
  Do you:
  
  > send your infantry into the forest to find and kill the archers
  Infantry scatter to both sides of the forest. Not too long passes before you see them join the enemy in battle. Your men take a few initial losses while entering the trees but are able to uncover the enemy from their hiding spots. Your warriors eviscerate the enemy force, with your infantry's superior hand to hand combat ability overwhelming enemy archers.
  
  One of your lieutenants drags a wounded soldier to you. "This is their leader," he says.
  
  You look at the disheveled soldier. He looks back at you with contempt.
  
  "Who are you and why did you attack me?" you ask.
  
  "I am a captain in Crown Prince Lurdu's royal guard. After you left your castle Lurdu left the capital to retrieve his secret army of 15 thousand men and is currently on his way back to claim the city as his own. He sent me out here to destroy your army while he usurps your power. You are a horrible ruler and he will annihilate you."
  
  "Lurdu! That scoundrel!" He rubbed you the wrong way even back when he used to take your battalions and make misguided excursions against his personal enemies. Now that insolent brat is trying to start a revolt in your capital. Even worse, he knows all the brutal things you have done and can actually turn your people against you. All you can think about now is how to execute your traitorous son. After you chop off the captain's head,
  
  Do you:
  
  > keep marching to Mongolia and conquer the tribes; then get revenge on Lurdu immediately after
  You must not reverse your army's momentum. You march on to Mongolia.
  
  The dawn had hardly begun when you gaze down at the first tribe. Fifteen gigantic yurts, or tents, flap in the cool breeze. There is no human activity save for a few early risers tending their goats. You waste no time charging into the yurts and raining chaos onto the unsuspecting camp. As predicted, the Mongolians had no idea you were coming and did not conscript any soldiers. The first settlement surrenders quickly, followed by their neighbors. You slaughter their leaders, force their successors to pay monthly tributes, take a few young women as trophies, and commandeer what supplies your army can carry.
  
  Even in victory, hardly a moment goes by without thoughts of revenge on the treacherous Lurdu.
  
  You head back toward your capital. Your scouts report that Lurdu has indeed captured the city. He has also stationed 15 thousand troops behind the castle walls but your scouts are unsure what type they are.
  
  After a long march, you arrive at the closed gates of your former castle. Lurdu's archers and blue banners are not a welcoming sight.
  
  With your entire army away, Lurdu was able to easily capture your capital. However, he will pay for his crimes with a heavy penalty. His head.
  
  Shaking with anger, you order your archers to fire at Lurdu's soldiers stationed on the parapets while your infantry scale the walls with rope ladders. A few of your colonels can see that your emotions are clouding your judgment, but are too afraid of you to dissent. They hesitate for a moment before bravely charging the castle. Lurdu sees your tactics and chuckles. He responds by having his archers rain salvos on your troops.
  
  Elevation gives Lurdu a big advantage in this battle. Your troops take heavy losses while his ranks remain relatively unscathed. Just as you are about to reconsider your strategy, the front gates open and you see Lurdu's mounted cavalry rush out at your remaining troops. Too tired to run away, you order them to stand fast and brave the inevitable assault.
  
  "For our homeland!" you shout. You draw your sword and enter the fray.
  
  Your soldiers fight valiantly but in vain. Tired foot soldiers are no match for charging cavalry. In the end you are surrounded by eight of Lurdu's troops. You swing your sword wildly before three blades simultaneously converge on your internal organs.