Land of the SunA rocky land, close to a river and mountains, the adventurous settlers founded their settlement of Kyoto in a section of land abundant with flocks of sheep, small packs of foxes, and herds of deer and boar within close range as well as wood for building and a fresh source of water. The warriors of the tiny city have ventured off into the wilderness, searching for other explorers and any threats that may be posed to the new outpost.
Our military commander reports they had come across a small, yet industrious city of merchants and whalers with very little force of arms. The initial encounter between the roving band of warriors and their own men was one filled with some trepidations on the part of these people who call themselves 'Venetians'. Their suspicion, nay fear, of us determined that they would pose no threat should we march upon them. But we are a hard, yet honorable people, instead of striking the city down we vowed protection should they come under threat. These Venetians may consider us allies, if they so wish it.
Within only a few miles of Venice was another city known as Manila, the initial interaction with them was a stark contrast to that of their neighbors of Venice. Though they treated us as fairly, there was no fear in their eyes at the sight of our fierce warriors. We have pledged ourselves to their defense nonetheless, though I do believe they will one day fall to our soon-to-grow empire.
Our warriors encountered those of another land, ones similar to them - and very close to our young city of Kyoto. Thankfully they did not appear to be hostile, calling themselves the 'Austrians'. They were a curious people, fair of skin, hair and eye and with an odd accent and language, though one easier to learn for us than ours for them. Our two leaders met and spoke, there's seeming slightly dismissive of ours, making mention of a 'luncheon' she must attend.
Our military leader has reported back that a roving band of men was encountered, initial reactions were unfavorable, one report mentioning the surprise when a large brute of a man draped in thick animal pelts with antlers on his head stepped forth to bellow, growl and snarl at our troops. These beast-men are clearly not able to be reasoned with, it has been decreed that should these brutes be encountered by any force of Kyoto that they are to be destroyed.
Another small state, this one known as Lhasa who were devout followers of whatever belief seemed to grip their people. They met our wounded warriors, who had finished their assault against the barbarous band with calm neutrality, allowing our men to sup and heal just beyond their walls.
Two of the barbarian encampments so near to our beloved city of Kyoto? This shall not stand! As much as exploring this vast land is needed, we must look to the welfare of our peoples before the dreams of expansion.
A crude horn of bone sounds in the night, waking many of the sleeping spearmen from troubled dreams and chilling the blood of the sentries. No attack strikes but none can sleep, and all eyes are turned toward the bright fires of the bedraggled camp that had thrown us back the day before. Bleary eyes are greeted with more barbarians holding the grounds outside the camp, bellowing and challenging our warriors. We wish for more troops, but the only unit close to us is needed at the camp south of Kyoto. We can only hope for victory against these monsters of men.
Once more were we driven from the walls, we took many of the barbarians from their walls, but they cling on to their encampment like the feral beasts they are. Too many men have died trying to take this lone encampment, green boys have the haunted look of seasoned veterans, their bodies scarred and their armor stained with the blood of men they slew and those they knew who died in their arms. It is a with a mixture of a thirst for vengeance and one of grim finality that they hunker down, knowing that even if the walls of the camp fall, there are more barbarians lurking within to face.
The horn sounded again that bleak night, it was a sound that we knew called for our blood and heads. We must take that encampment, if for no other reason than for me to put a blade deep into the horn-blower's lungs and to crush his foul instrument beneath my heel. It is accepted that we may never see Kyoto or our loved ones again... but this shall not stop us from taking as many of these monsters with us as we can before we die!
We have taken the camp and wounded one of the packs of the mongrel curs who tried to stop us! The joy to see the look of horror upon the horn-blower's face as we charged in, screaming the name of Kyoto was one that shall warm me should death embrace us. Though each dawn I awake to see is one that inspires hope that the
Kami are with us, and that we may yet survive the hell. Despite the size and ferocity of the beast-men, without their stakes they fall to our spears and their flint axes break against our armor.
We have fearlessly assaulted the brute camp twice! Each time we have claimed their blood and heads in greater numbers than they ours! There are dark sails on the horizon, billowing from the body of a crude ship. Let them come! We shall take of them everything they own and put their pathetic ships to the torch!
We laughed as the last of the barbarians died! We shouted taunts at the ship sitting in the waters, tossing the heads of the slain toward them! These foolish men think to challenge us? To challenge our great empire? Ha!
Once more we defeated a band of the beast-men, there is only one left and we shall not show mercy. The men long for home, but long to make it safe even more. It will be with an odd pleasure that we kill this last band before heading for home and the arms of our families.
Workers spotted a tribe of the crude humans that both of our commanders have dealt with. They diligently continued to work the fields, though they wish for aid that will come hopefully soon.
Another warband, our own men too far to the south to arrive in time, our others thought to be lost as their messages have stopped making their way to the capital. Is our empire truly threatened with destruction before it can begin?
Weakness cannot be tolerated. The last governor was forced to step down for failing to take action. Citizen levies have been drawn up and trained after the last sightings, every man, woman and child shall learn to defend themselves! We shall not succumb to such monsters as those threatening our borders!
The last tribe was crushed, we will waste no time in hurrying home - if there is still one to go back to.
Our warriors return in time to see our dire peril, and to witness the skill of our citizen-levies who have scored deep wounds on the barbarians twice now! It will be a glorious day to see the last of these blighted monsters fall beneath sword and arrow, a joyous day for us to exult in!
Our warriors chase the retreating barbarians, scout reports tell us of an encampment within close distance to Kyoto. We shall crush them with fire and sword! We shall burn their kind from this world!
They breed like rats, these barbarians, slaughter one warband and another rises to take its place. It seems that our work exterminating this infestation shall never cease. But let us not shirk from this path of war, yet revel in it! The people in the streets cry out for the blood of these hirsute invaders, and blood they shall have!
We have returned to a home we thought lost, and we have heard the cries of joy from the people at our battered and bloodied frames and seen the relief of our families that we were not lost on the field of battle. I have visited the homes of all those whose sons and husbands, whose cousins and uncles had not returned to and saw to my surprise something of a happiness take over them. They mention that they have honored Hachiman with their bloodshed. The worship of this warrior-spirit has given me some surprise, though militant pride overwhelms me that his following has grown.
A joyous day! Our second city is founded close to the sea and is named Osaka. Here we shall play the waters and seek out the treasures of the ocean.
It seems the beast-men have learned from us, carrying crudely made bows and arrows, they take to the land to try and harm our companies that slowly surround their encampment. We shall let them savor their pitiful victories, for all too soon shall the noose close about them and end their existence.
Glorious battle was joined! The barbaric archers slain to a man, allowing the victorious warriors to choke off the lands surrounding the crude encampment. The barbarians within should pray to whatever gods they worship, for they shall receive no mercy from us.
One-by-one they died, brought low by our veteran companies and crushed into the earth until naught but ashes and bone remained to make a vile mud from the spilled blood. No man had fallen in the assault, these crude peoples have gone from being a threat to a flea upon our back.
I liked Kaez's style too... so I stole it.