I thank you all for giving credit for tactics and roleplaying :). Anyways I do agree I did start with a advantage; I had one general besides myself and then via kidnapping I got third player (albeit it took couple seasons for actually kick in). However do note that AnnieSatin herself contacted me first and suggested entire kidnap plot for her char and we discussed details in PM (motivation, why Takeda was interested in her etc). So brilliance of that ploy goes to AnnieSatin and it gave edge to clan Gunba (and nice story element).<br/><br/>Then Autocad joined in and he asked all clans give 'sale pitch' and at first I was hesitant to even give any but I decided to give a go anyway. Autocad chose my clan because of said sale pitch and thus created more advantage to my clan. I did loose general (annoying as it was in tactical view but I found it sort ironic/interesting story twist as it forces Gunba play defensively as I cannot directly steamroll to Yunar Exiles territory). There is also the bandit issue; it came because our GM had been bit unclear with rules regarding tapping out and throwing away units and such. They directly conflicted one another. So favoring me GM made deal with Faeli to either choose run away (no risk) or be captured and she suggested a deal where Gunba makes alliance with bandits and I (and the GM) agreed on that compromise.<br/><br/>Now the civil war or rather aggressive take over on oshiro is again AnnieSatin's idea; she PM'ed me about it but there was no talk about civil war and so that's on discussion will be there move towards that or not. But I would view it as interesting story development and sort growth on Emiko who started game as fragile princess waiting to be wed for alliance.<br/><br/>Now reason why I got Krai Folk as member of my clan is because Krai Folks leader was long time absent and other Krai Folk player wanted growth points to be spend. So we made deal/arrangement on that and is by nature a temporal thing.<br/><br/>What comes to position of my clan; I specifically placed my clan where it is with southern island expansion in mind. I was quite surprised our GM did not place Yunar Exiles to southern island (as sea faring nation that would had been very good spot for them expand and defend against invasions compared to that their main land holdings are part of mainland). What comes to Aka Ka clan dealings since first turn; I did specifically play on role as 'rich bastard' in there for sure. I literally gave iron away to ensure one more aggressive clans who could had got decent chance contest my expansions or able fight me hard, I instead lured them fight Oshiro clan and start war between them which then allowed me expand and keep thus two clans engaged on each other (neither side growing much nor having time for buildings etc). Oshiro fared bit better for having 2 members instead 1 in Aka Ka clan (could been different story if since start Aka Ka clan had 2 people in, including opening battle where it was close call).<br/><br/>So sure, there has been plotting outside IC and OOC posts in PM's but that's what makes this game interesting and surprising. So thus fun (to me anyways and hopefully for some others as well). Metagaming game naturally as you had to predict players movements to able be succesful (but then again IC our daimyos and officers need predict foes actions for real anyways, with or without knowlegde of the situation in hand in other clan). Jez even said all actions taking place in turn thread is public knowlegde (who is doing what) unless ritual is taken to disguise it and it's limited.<br/><br/>Of course metagaming needs limited; like all details in RP threads are not public knowlegde (like kidnapping, it can be speculated or guessed but not direct proof given). Or exact details what Gunba did with bandits (they know that bandits somereason still live, thrive and Gunba arms them but does not lead them and bandits raid all lands expect Gunba's). My fault not RP out the meeting with bandits when the time for it was in next turn but I forgot about it and proceed with other plans and scenes.<br/><br/>Overall I am in favor either that Aka Ka and Oshiro form merge (and if AnnieSatin so decides, causes civil war break out in Oshiro clan and then two daimyos battle over leadership in there and causes chaos in the land and be vulrenable for invasions from north of Krai folks or Aka Ka). Or that Aka Ka and Gunba merge (Oshiro clan going to merge other clan or goin civil war) and then it's matter of time before rest Shindo falls to them or somehow all other smaller clans start merge and fight against all sides the alliance. Either way Metraxa's char could get chance claim some Oshiro's lands (civil war or not) and thus get some expansion going for him as he has been quite stuck in north (not even sea routes to strike on Yunar Exiles even if he would dare to do so).<br/><br/>But we should ask from Jez; what follows after we finish the game? If idea is that 'Gunba Dynasty' lasts sometime until new war breaks out and players then play roles of the old (or new) clans in new scenario/conflict following Takeda's ascension to emperor (or founding shogunate with clans who joined alliance with Gunba). Or will Shindo proceed invade another land? Players split between Shindo people and then people from new land (as Takeda would use invasion stragedy for same reason Tokugawa did in Japan to send war hungry samurai and surplus of troops to get land or die trying as means stabilize control and peace in Japan).<br/><br/>With above if we go do a new war soon after emperor is chosen, so Metraxa could start anew (better position for clan or perhaps be lore wise insticator for new conflict and start with advantages to balance things out).