[Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby CarrieVS » Thu Feb 06, 2020 11:18 pm

Li Yu promises that he has been practising his swordwork. And indeed, he is making a little progress; Baozi cannot help but be a little disappointed that he never really took to it, but he hides it. So long as the boy learns enough to defend himself if he ever has to, there is no need for him to become a master swordsman. But he had hoped... especially now: as far as his own skill in weapons goes, if he is going to be make a career of directing battles, he is determined not to go into them needing to be protected. Lu Zhi would never have done so.

He is coming along well in all his other lessons - well, almost all. Even his calligraphy is quite legible, if it is never likely to be elegant. His regular teachers speak very well of him when Baozi ventures to enquire, and although Li Yu will never boast of it, he is reckoned the best weiqi player among the school's students.

He looks nervously at Baozi, "Is something wrong, Shifu?"

"Oh! No, Yu, nothing is wrong." He just isn't sure how to say this; he meant to say it the last time he visited. "The opposite: you are a good student and I am proud of you. I... I would like to adopt you, and take you with me to the capital."

The boy looks up at him, shocked, and then bursts into tears.

"But... not if you do not want... you are old enough to make up your own mind."

"Oh no, Shifu," Li Yu wipes his eyes fiercely, "I would want nothing more, Sh- Father."

Baozi finds it almost as difficult to tell Dewang. "It isn't that I have any doubt about his education here," he insists, "but I miss him."



Baozi returns to the capital via Xi He. Another thing he meant to do the last time he visited Hu Qu, and didn't dare - he would dearly like to make Lu Yu's acquaintance, but it is after all partly because of him that Lu Zhi is dead. Perhaps his son will hate him for it, or at least not want to have to see him.

He needn't have worried. "Administrator Mao, how wonderful to see you!" His pleasure seems genuine.

Baozi finds that he and Zijia share many interests, but unlike Baozi he can quite comfortably carry on a conversation even with a relative stranger. He brings their talk around to the rebellion five years ago, when he was just a child, and asks intelligent questions about the battles and stratagems.

"And is it true," he asks, "that you led a charge at Ping Yuan, as well as planning the assault?"

Baozi looks awkwardly away for a moment. "It was really my elder brother Zhiteng's plan, and I only led the charge because no-one better was able to ride. My elder brother's soldiers followed me for his sake."

"I see you are a warrior as well as a strategist," Zijia says. "Like my father." And he falls silent for a while.

Baozi is amazed and embarrassed to be compared to the great minister, and insists that that is not true. "I have a little skill with the sword but I am no warrior, at least not yet. My elder brother Yan is teaching me."

Zijia nods, almost absently, and when he finally speaks again it is with sudden vehemence. "One day I will avenge my father. When politics does not demand the rebel Dong be rewarded for his treason." He has a plan too, when - he does not say if - he is finally able to assail Dong Zhuo: he would launch a raid on Shuofang, making use of the river.

He invites Baozi to stay as an honoured guest. When it finally comes time for him to leave, Lu Yu tells him that he has a gift for him. It is a suit of armour.

"I am sure that my father would have liked you to have it. You will wear it better than I would."

Baozi looks more closely. The white paint has been scrubbed off it but it is indeed Lu Zhi's armour. "I cannot accept this," he protests. "I have no right to take it." But Zijia insists.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Ladki96 » Sat Feb 08, 2020 1:04 pm

Winter of 189

-> Career

Wenchang moves to the capital with Baozi to take command of the capital garrison. He reports directly to that Lu Bu guy /o/

-> Punchventure

Wenchang and Zidan start working closely together. Duh, they have the same superior. They go on an epic winter sidequest where they kick massive amounts of rebel ass, an event which is too awesome to put into words \o\

-> Stabventure

Since the two younger brothers shifted to the capital, the two are always too busy to see each other, boo! That all changes when one day Baozi is like, "I need to start kicking more ass than I already do" and Wenchang says, "Say no more." Lads weeps for the lack of muscle emojis.

-> Family

Wenchang receives his huge clan at the docks of Hu Qu <3 His sister is 18 now, so Wenchang corners Wenyuan and asks him to marry Lin, and the guy (also super young btw, we are all very comfortable with these kids setting up a household and having babies) is like, "Uh, okay boss!"

Wenchang has those dolla dolla bills now, so the wedding is a grand, one-week affair. Gifts are exchanged, scrolls read out, and blessings given \o/ Wenchang visits his father after the couple have left for the capital.

"Dad, did you know we are kind of royals?" Wenchang recites the battle of Ping Yuan and the dream after.

"I did not. That is pretty cool." Sr. Wei says, soaking his feet in the river.

"Okay, well do you want to be a king? I can make that happen. I think."

"Nah. Those beads will make me look like a clown. Smh, let me enjoy my retirement, son."

"Okay." ^^
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Last edited by Ladki96 on Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Scarik » Sat Feb 08, 2020 9:47 pm

Bingzhou, Spring CE190

With the spring thaw news of turmoil once more spreads across the land.

Local authorities report banditry at high levels but it is not long before the scale of the problem is fully known. All over the Middle Kingdom these bandits throw off their cloaks, raise yellow banners and march against loyal cities in their thousands.

Governor Ding has already left to attend the Emperor's court as he had planned before the winter along with Lu Bu and 1000 cavalry and so it is Mao Xu who receives the frantic messenger two weeks later.

"The sorcerer Huang Shao, leading 10,000 Yellow Turbans, has attacked Shangdang, Your Excellency!" Huang Shao was the greatest student of Zhang Jue after the Brothers Zhang themselves.

And that is only the first such dire message.

In Qingzhou, Governor Kong Rong is once more beset by rebel forces commanded by Guan Hai, a disciple of Zhang Bao. The last time Governor Kong held out only due to the timely arrival of Gao Gan and Yan Liang. It is unlikely that such aid will come again.

Yangcheng Commandery to the southwest of Chen Liu is beset by rebels under the Yellow Banner as well. These are commanded by the priest He Yi and his towering brother He Man.

But all is not entirely bad news. In the heart of the Westlands, pride of Dong Zhuo and seat of his authority, Gong Du has made the transformation from barbarian plunderer to fervent rebel. He is said to have already gathered 20,000 yellow scarves from among the disaffected Han as well as 10,000 Di barbarians whose cavalry ride massive, shaggy bulls instead of horses.

The worst news waits until the next day as Mao Xu deliberates with his officers.

Zhang Liang has returned from the northern mountains and already taken Jicheng with a horde of rebels when a great storm erupted and lightning shattered the gates of the city.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby CarrieVS » Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:58 am

Baozi has little doubt that Bingzhou's army, even lacking the half of their cavalry that are the Governor's escort, can tackle a larger rebel force. Though the sorcerer's presence could make a difference. But the preparations have only begun when the news from Jicheng arrives. He calls everyone together again to discuss what to do. Even Dewang is there: Wenchang and Baozi asked him to visit when the first reports of Yellow Turban attacks began to circulate, to seek his advice about what magic they might employ.

"The loss of Shang Dang would be no threat to the rest of the province. Jicheng is far more important - I think we must do something." And Jicheng is his home. His parents live not far from the city and his elder brother Wu is an officer there. He doesn't mention that. "But Bingzhou is our responsibility first."

They study the reports and conclude that the rebel army under Huang Shao is likely only around six thousand, and that in Jicheng could be two and a half or three times the number. A thousand men might be enough of a force to relieve Shang Dang - though the sorcerer is a worry - but in the end it comes down to logistics. It will take a month to bring in the reserves from the commanderies, and in that time the regular provincial army could be in Jicheng. With a month to muster and a month of marching, who knows what damage will have been done.

Zhang Yang should be able to hold out for the month - at least, if that sorcerer cannot perform the same tricks as the other. Dewang thinks it unlikely. So the commanderies are ordered to muster their troops and go to Shang Dang. Baozi places Dang Fu in command, which pleases Wenchang but Dewang is dubious. However, none of them trust Han Fu with the task, and Lu Yu is so young and untested in war that his appointment might not go down well with the other leaders. But he is to act as strategist to Dang Fu, which seems the best they can do.

Meanwhile, the provincial army already equipped and stationed in the capital prepare to march to Jicheng. Three thousand men is few enough to face what awaits them, but they hope for allies. After combining politics with simple geography, Gongsun Zan is the only likely prospect.

"He will probably agree, but if he helps retake Jicheng he will want it. And that will make us an enemy of Yuan Shao once and for all." It seems a reasonable enough price; Yuan Shao is probably a hopeless cause already.

Baozi sends a messenger to the capital with a report of their actions for the Governor, and the army marches for Jicheng. Not without one more complication.

A series of letters from Jiang Ju to Han Fu had come to Baozi's attention. By now their coded meaning is becoming clear: Yuan Shao wants an alliance with Han Fu, supposedly to fight rebels, but the true intention is not hard to deduce. But there is precious little to be done about it in the time and circumstances.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Scarik » Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:17 pm

Under Administrator Mao the Provincial Army of Bingzhou Marches East.

It is a heavily forested route out of the mountains into the woods of Zhangshan until they reach the walled town called Dai. Dai is built up against a spur of the Great Wall and marks the end of the hills and woods of Bingzhou. From there the land flattens out into rolling pasture that is good for raising horses. Many of the finest northern steeds are born in those fields, including the fierce warhorses of the Bingzhou army.

Once in the open the light horses gallop ahead. Ostensibly they are scouts, but at their core they are riders and steeds who long for open space to run. Their leader is Lu Lingqi Zidan and her horse charges like the wind over and around the many hillocks that are all they will find for several days.

It is nearly two weeks before they finally enter Youzhou and for days streams of refugees have been passing by. Most have only what they can carry and the few carts they have are reserved for the elders. There are no wounded or infirm, but only because they were left behind...

The mass of peasants contains few, if any useful as soldiers.Anyone strong enough to hold a spear is already carrying supplies or their parents. Taking either the youths or what they carry for the army would bolster the cause but also condemn the families left behind. As it is war's cruelty has driven them hundreds of li into unknown territory.

They have nothing useful to say either until the last couple days of the march. These poor people have just fled from the farms around Jicheng where the rebel army has confiscated all the winter grain and spring vegetables. The people were given then choice to join or to flee. As many who fled, twice as many joined.

That is when they leave the highway and turn north where it seems like the army will encounter deep forests and tall hills as they move closer to the where Great Wall towers along the ridgeline, long unmanned and unmaintained. But it is just this lack that Baozi relies upon and in a particulalry tight ravine he finds what he remembered: a place where the wall should have a gate, but only brush covers the gap. It takes the army an entire day to traverse, but when they emerge on the other side the open terrain speeds them along until they come Zhuo Jun.

Baozi's hometown was nestled into the wall to its north and west and against the forest to the south when he last saw it. Now it is also guarded by a wooden pallisade backed with rammed earth as well. Even the gates in the wall have been fortified once more with heavy logs and the towers have guards. The few soldiers panic at the sight of an army, unable to tell who it is through the dust kicked up by their horses, and sound the alarm.

A hundred men await them once they are near enough to clearly be identified, and if they had been enemies those hundred could have held out for weeks, maybe months until weight of numbers and siege engines ground them down. Longer of course, when the rest of the beleaguered defending force is counted.

But that is unnecessary. The defenders of the wall fly the Provincial Banner of Youzhou and recognize their Bingzhou counterpart. It doesn't hurt that their leader is non other than Mao Wu.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Scarik » Tue Mar 03, 2020 12:33 am

For the first day all they encounter are scouts, and while many are captured or killed by the second day the enemy knows they are coming. By their disposition it seems Zhang Liang had intended to meet Gongsun Zan in battle and that he was not aware of the Bingzhou force just to his west.

But regardless of what could have been the rebel army is now behind the high walls of Jicheng, waiting to see who has come to face them.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Kivutar » Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:27 am

Baozi mentions as casually as he can manage that he intends to go scouting the next day, and tries not to meet anyone’s eyes. Later, he manages to be alone with Dewang and Wenchang.

“Tomorrow… I’m going to go in- in disguise. But… only the two of you know. If anyone realises that I’m gone and no-one saw me leave, will you…” he isn’t certain entirely what he is asking them to do or say.

Dewang, bless him, nods and smiles, “Of course. We’ll cover for you. But how far will you get as a cat?”

“I won’t- I won’t be a cat.”



The previous winter...

Baozi is asleep. In his dream, an eagle soars above him, closer, and lower. Now it is directly above him, spiralling down until it is close enough to see every feather of its immense wings. It circles above him. It is new, yet it feels familiar.

Follow me

The great bird beats its wings, so close that Baozi feels the rush of air, and rises again. How can he follow?

Follow me

He tries to picture himself in an eagle’s form in his mind’s eye. To feel those huge wings, beating with the power of the great breast muscles, riding the wind. He reaches out, seeking for the bird spirit to call down into himself.

For an instant, he feels it, his wings, his feathers, his strong taloned feet… and it slips away. It is a strong spirit and will not be held - not by him.

The eagle is leaving him behind. Not very high yet but no longer circling in place over his head it is speeding away from him as it steadily rises.

Follow me

Baozi reaches out again. Not seeking the power and majesty of an eagle, but calling more freely: it is not the eagle form that he seeks, but flight, wings.

What he finds is smaller, more delicate, but swift. So swift. It slips past his grasping mind, dances around him, evading but never quite getting away, until finally it accepts his call.

Follow me

Baozi does not know how to fly, but he knows how to ride an animal form, letting its own spirit take control and only putting forth the desire to go that way, to do this… His long slender wings carry him high and fast, so fast. Angling to use the wind, beating his wings to gain height. And then, falling, the air rushing past, so fast. Falling, and then levelling out with this new speed, chasing the eagle, closing the gap.

The bird spirit instinctively shies away from the larger predator, but he calms its fear and guides it onward, and the two of them soar and circle together.



It isn’t quite as easy for the falcon to get onto the windowsill without making a noise as the cat, but once perched there it is even easier to get away. A hop and a short glide, a brief flutter of wings, and he is on a tree branch, and for all anyone can tell he is a wild bird.

As the light is starting to fade in the evening, the falcon alights on a bush a little way from the walls of Zhuo Jun, where there is a thick stand of undergrowth. He hops down to the ground behind this cover to make the change back, and then Baozi in his usual form approaches the gate. He is far enough away to appear from behind the clump of vegetation as though the sentries had simply not seen him sooner, and once he is close enough to be recognised they hurry to open the gate for him.

It has been a long day, but profitable. On the swift wings of a peregrine he had no difficulty in reaching Jicheng, and farther yet. The rebels have repaired the gate, of course, but they are drilling their army, and so their troops could be roughly counted, and it was a heartening figure: fifteen thousand still greatly outnumbers their own force, but they had counted on that many as the very least, and perhaps several thousand more.

Zhang Liang’s scouts are mostly staying within a day’s march of the city, but small groups are venturing further: they may not yet know that Mao Wu has been joined by the Bingzhou army, and if they send out patrols to chase them off before they get close to Zhuo Jun, they may keep them from learning it for a while longer.



Dewang stays out of the way as much as possible when Baozi greets his brother. His presence will doubtless cause awkwardness. Instead, he racks his brains for some way to help in the coming battle.

From Mao Wu’s description, it sounds as though Zhang Liang has indeed raised an army of the dead - some of them may have been Zhang Jue’s fallen warriors. Those can be fought, though they are harder to kill than the living. Furthermore, they had predicted this, and Zibin had spent the month of preparation painting hundreds of peachwood spears.

There is no sign of Gongsun Zan’s forces yet, and it seems as if even Baozi is unsure how best to proceed. Dewang is no strategist, but he can do one thing - pray. He begs one of Wenchang’s better robes off him, which is brother gives up happily, and that night he offers it as a sacrifice to Beidi Xuanwu.

That dawn, they see a cloud dragon in the sky, racing away from the sunrise, and are cheered at the sight. Gongsun Zan’s finest warrior is named Zhao Zilong - Dragon Chases Clouds - and their allies will also see the omen and understand it. They set out for Jicheng.

There, they do indeed meet Gongsun Zan and his second. Zhao Yun looks vaguely familiar to Dewang, though he is certain he’s never met the man. After a short meeting, they ride out to the walls and demand that the rebels speak.

Zhang Liang is impervious to threats and insults, though the warriors give it their best, and only responds in kind. It goes nowhere, and Dewang sees Baozi give Gongsun Zan a glance. The man might actually charge the walls, which will get them absolutely nowhere.

“The Han is dead!” bellows Zhang Liang. “The Yellow Sky rises, and the tyrants will fall…”

It’s the same speech, give or take, that they’ve heard from every Yellow Turban leader - but there’s a repetitive quality to it. As if Zhang Liang is imitating, not truly confident. Repeating his brother’s words…

“Zhang Liang!” calls Dewang. “The jiazi year has come and gone. Where is your Yellow Sky?”

The enemy leader appears taken aback. He attempts to bluster, but it is clear that he did not expect to be challenged on religious grounds. Dewang presses him harder, and though Zhang Liang refuses to back down, it is clear to all that he falls far short of his late brother in terms of learning.

That night, a handful of enemy soldiers come over to their side - they appear to be mostly Han Xian’s men, and say that Han Xian himself is willing to help them. There is no letter and no details, and the brothers are skeptical.



The shaman is taciturn, but Dewang persists. His name is Batu, and the Xiongnu brought him there for more or less the same reasons that Dewang’s brothers brought him.
Still, he’s intriguing to talk to, until Dewang asks a few questions about animal spirits that he imagines Baozi will be interested in. This prompts a long lecture about falconry. Batu’s giant eagle is indeed magnificent, but it’s terrifying as well.

The good part is Kitten's, obviously.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby roobeastie » Mon Apr 06, 2020 12:02 am

The plan was simple - set up a small train of caravans, lie in wait, see if they get ambushed. Much as Zidan enjoyed being in a straight up fight, there was something quite fun about the potential act of catching someone in the act of pulling shenanigans who assumed they were smarter than you. Waiting had never been Zidan's strong suit, but if all went according to plan, she would be able to prove once again that she was more than just a pretty face.

Han Xian, the selfsame jerk who said he'd open he gates for them, had one shot to prove he wasn't as shady as they all suspected. Sadly, he failed. While at first it seemed as though Zidan was just managing to hold off Han Xian, soon the battle turned in her favor. Her maidens were slightly outmatched by his cavalry, but were able to keep them occupied just long enough for Zidan to be successful in getting Han Xian to reveal some useful information before meeting his end thanks to Zidan.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Kivutar » Thu May 14, 2020 4:51 pm

A day after the ambush, the war council gathers around to go over Han Xian's revelations.

"So Zhang Liang is raising the dead." Gongsun Zan says heavily.

"He is not his brother. He has not the power to command the spirits, so he will make do with flesh," mutters Batu.

"There are ancient crypts under Jicheng, but they should only be filled with bones at most." Baozi is seemingly lost in thought.

Dewang looks up at that. "Then, if he has truly gone mad, he could be killing his own followers - or the citizens - in order to raise them again, couldn't he?"

No one dares to answer that.

"In the end, there are only two options," Wenchang says bluntly, "siege or assault."

"A siege will harm the people and the land more," Zhao Yun gestures at the city walls, "Better for warriors to die than commoners."

His lord is not so enthused, half his force being cavalry. "Better to besiege them and try to get them to attack where my White Cavalry can be used," Gongsun Zan circles the outskirts of the city on the map.

"They will attack, and even stronger when they are dead," Zidan speaks up. "Starving them out won't help us here, Governor."

"But the walls-"

"I… think I have a plan," Baozi says slowly.

Desperate, frowning, confused and hungry eyes focus on him.

"If we can open the gates, the cavalry could charge in. There are many broad streets in the city where horsemen can fight effectively," Baozi traces the map.

"How would we open them? The gatehouse will not be easy to take by storm." ventures Zhang Liao.

Baozi nods. "There are three gates," he begins cautiously, "the first and last will have to be winched up from above. The middle one is lighter and could be lifted from below, if it wasn’t latched above. But very few men could have any hope of doing so." He looks at Wenchang significantly. “I think our soldiers could take the outer one, scaling the walls.”

They wait, but Baozi doesn't speak more.

"And what about the rest?" Mao Wu asks. He knows the city’s defenses as well as his brother. “It would be a bloody business to take the whole gatehouse, whether they lift the small gate or not, and I don’t think we have enough men.”

Baozi swallows, "I… believe I can arrange for them to be opened. At least the third gate, and the middle one unlocked. But I will have to attend to it myself."

Dewang's eyes widen, and Wenchang says hastily, "I will lift the middle gate. Zilong can-"

Gongsun Zan lifts a hand. "You have contacts inside then?"

"I cannot say." The shaman is looking at him again, unblinking. But then again, the strategist has repeatedly achieved the impossible and it is whispered that he knows many things no human can, so the unsatisfied Governor lets the matter rest.

After a short conference on the most agile men around, Wenyuan and Yuanjian are picked for the climb; Wenchang has already volunteered for the second gate. Zidan will lead the cavalry charge in when the final gate is up. Dewang and his followers will focus on thwarting Zhang Liang's tricks.



Away from everyone else, Wenchang starts, "What exactly-"

So Baozi tells his brothers.

They stare back. "You cannot be serious."

"It's dangerous!"

"Someone will see you."

"Many people will see you!"

"And someone might get away."

"The secret will be worthless if you die!"

Baozi shakes his head. "The plan is set. I prefer my secret is hidden from the world, and certainly I will do my best to ensure it remains that way, but this is still the best chance we have at securing Jicheng. Besides," he says quietly, "if I must give my life to open a gate, I will not be the best man ever to do so."

Wenchang folds them both into a hug.



Dewang stays up late, praying to the spirits to grant their side good fortune in the battle ahead.
(roll 6, Style, 2 Invokes created: Luck)

Baozi looks over the maps and army numbers on both sides for some time, offering advice on formations, before leaving for his own tent. (roll 6, Style, 2 Invokes created: Devious Strategy)

Just before dawn, Wenchang gathers his soldiers and gives a stirring speech about duty, good causes and bad causes, good rebellions and bad rebellions, and while we are at it, the birds and the bees, and the kids roll their eyes but listen anyway to Grumpy Dad. (roll 3, 1 Invoke created: Inspiring Speech)



Wenyuan and Yuanjian scramble up the walls, ahead of the ladders. It is not a competition, but it can't help being one. For a few moments, at any rate. But the arrows are showering down on them almost as violently as the rain, and there is little to cling to. Almost halfway up, they are even. (Wenyuan and Yuanjian roll 6 vs. 4, 2/5)



Wenchang leads his cavalry (well, temporarily infantry) on foot to the gates, several carrying ladders and several more dragging a huge battering ram. Wenyuan had already taken his leave half an hour ago.

Arrows fly at them as they near the walls; one embeds itself in Wenchang's shoulder, the old pain flaring up. [roll 2 (+2 invoke) = 4 vs. 5, 1 stress] He growls, but waves his force (roll 5 vs. 5) ahead while he hangs back to get his bearings. (skip round 2)



Zidan is so bored.

But true to her word, she hangs back, watching Wenchang’s cavalry split off, stamping down the urge to commit some brash heroics. Man, is this one of them character arcs?

Her maids grip the peachwood spears that weird Zibin guy has crafted for them (he's so weird). Hopefully this is one legend that's true. (2 Invokes created: In Reserve)



It is dreadfully dark, and the rain doesn’t make it any easier to see or hear. Wenyuan focuses on one step at a time, dulling his other senses. (roll 6 vs. 4, 4/5) It is not until a few minutes later that he notices the rebel is no longer climbing with him. He grits his teeth and looks down.

They are high up, so very high. The ground is covered by soldiers, just a bit bigger than chickens from up here, jostling and groaning. And there is Yuanjian, hanging on with all his might, five feet below. (roll 4 vs. 4, 2/5) Plastered with rain, he cranes his neck and blinks at the vague outline of the soldier.
  • 3

Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."

Hosea 3:1
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby CarrieVS » Thu May 14, 2020 5:57 pm

At Wenchang's command the soldiers peel off into three parts: one team bashes the gate with the battering ram, the second mounts ladders and starts climbing up the walls (roll 6) , and the third contingent covers them by firing upon the archers on top. (roll 4)



Baozi is anxious. So much depends on him, and he cannot be certain whether he is able to do it. And if all goes perfectly, then afterward… he has been avoiding thinking about afterward. Needs must. He stayed up late into the evening, making prayer and offerings, before snatching a few hours sleep. What he hopes to do can be done, but he will need help.

Now the soldiers are assaulting the gate, and it is time for his part. He has been circling in his bird shape for some time, but now he flies, gathering speed and height, for the gatehouse. But once he is inside, he will be able to do very little unless he can take a more powerful form than he has ever managed, and make the change more quickly too. With his ancestor’s help, it can work. If it doesn’t… there is no more time to think about that.

He is higher than the towers of the gatehouse. The falcon is fighting the storm, but the rain and the wind all help to hide him from the eyes of the men inside, who he will have to fight, and those on the roof who could, if they could guess what he was, put an end to his plans with just one well-aimed crossbow bolt.

He dives. (roll 6 vs. 0, Super Style, 3 Invokes created: Early Bird Special) The window of the gatehouse’s central tower is not large, but more than large enough for a creature as agile as a falcon. He is already focusing on the form he hopes to take, as he barely registers the shock of the four men guarding the middle gate.



Wenyuan carefully tests one leg on the ledge below and then crouches, stretching a hand. Yuanjian barely hesitates, then seizes it and pulls himself up. The rest is no easier, but it feels easier. The storm dies down just as they pull themselves over the edge. [Wenyuan roll 5 vs. 4, 5/5, Yuanjian roll 5 (+2 Invoke, Help is Here) = 7 vs. 4, Style, 5/5]



The typhoon is abrupt, though not unexpected. Although the battering winds and rain are bad enough, Dewang’s heart freezes when he remembers the great bolt of lightning that had broken the gate before. Baozi is in the gatehouse itself, Yuanjian and Wenyuan on the walls… it would kill all of them.

Calm, he orders the sky. Light. Sunlight. The storm dies down a little, but doesn’t let up. [roll 10 vs. 7 (+2 FP/Invoke) = 9] The other sorcerer is awake, behind the walls, whipping the winds back into a fury. [roll 8 vs. 8, Boost]

Dewang takes a breath, then gathers a few of his followers around him. “Do what you can, all of you. There are more of us.” None of them are very powerful on their own, but together! (roll 11 vs. 8, Style)

Sure enough, with all of his followers throwing their power behind him, and Dewang directing it straight at the heart of the storm, the clouds waver, then finally break. (Du Zhiteng wins 3 turns first) The morning sun sends fierce yellow beams on both armies. It will not hurt their own side. Some of the men even cheer. (2 Invokes created: Sunshine and Rainbows)



"Well, hello there," Zidan calls out as she rides forward. "Nice weather," she smirks.

At that moment, the dying storm subsides completely. The sun shines down on her head, creating a halo effect.

Wenchang suppresses a smile. "It is now." Big brother must be doing his thing.

Zidan waves airily at the back, "Brought your horse." She gets her bow out. "Shall we?"

The two start shooting at any face that appears on top of the walls and gatehouses.



One man recovers from the shock of the bird’s sudden entrance and moves to shoo it out. Baozi stretches his talons forward, forcing him to defend his face, but that will only buy him an instant. He pictures a more powerful form, and calls on the animal spirit. Now… please.

The soldier strikes out at the bird, and is thrown back as the great cat lands on him. The cries of surprise take on notes of true fear. And now, now Baozi knows how to do this. It feels little different from his usual cat form; it moves the same way, acts on the same instincts. His prey is larger than him, but not by much, and he pins it with his front paws as the little cat would a large rabbit, and rakes with his hind claws.

Alone of the great cats, the grey leopard of the mountains has no roar, and so he gathers himself and springs in silence. Two more men go down beneath him, dead or unconscious or simply feigning, too stunned to put up much fight. One remains, but with a yell of terror he runs for the opposite window and hurls himself out. [roll 2 (+ Scale) vs. 1, Style]

With the hot blood of prey in his mouth it takes a few precious moments for Baozi to recollect himself. It isn’t difficult to throw the gate latch open with his nose, but it isn’t a natural movement for the leopard and he has to keep a tight focus. (roll 4 vs. 0, Style, doesn't require a turn) But it is done, and he turns away and is on the windowsill in one short bound and that of the inner tower in a long one. (roll 4 vs. 2)

There are six men in here. If they held their nerve and worked together they would be more than capable of bringing down a leopard, but none is prepared for such a thing and none manages to withstand his lightning attack. [roll 6 (+2 Invoke: Early Bird Special) = 8 vs 1 (+2 Scale) = 3, Style



Yuanjian is over the parapet in the blink of an eye and throws two shocked soldiers off the wall before they can move. (roll 5 vs. 3) Wenyuan, only a heartbeat behind, runs a third through with his sword and knocks a fourth aside with that one’s body. (roll 4 vs. 2) Moments later, they are in the gatehouse.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby roobeastie » Thu May 14, 2020 8:05 pm

There is nothing more the leopard can do. The winch of the inner gate can only be worked by human hands. Baozi sits, and focuses. It is difficult; the knowledge that he must do this quickly intrudes on his stillness and makes it more difficult, but going back to his true form is always a little easier. [roll 0 1 (+reroll Invoke: Early Bird Special, + 2 FP: Magic ancestor) = 3 vs. 3

He takes a sabre from one of the dead guards, and bars the two doors into the room. There is nothing to be done about the trapdoor in the ceiling except to hope that the bowmen above him don’t become aware of him until it’s too late to stop him.

He spares a moment to look to the middle gate. It is still completely lowered. If he opens this one too early, it may alert the defenders too soon. Thus far, he hopes, they still think only the outer gate is yet threatened. He uses the time to drag the guards’ bodies up to the doors as a hopeful addition to the barricade.



Six more soldiers are waiting inside the gatehouse, clustered around the wheel. There is more light now - the sunlight is streaming in through the east window, enough to show how pale their enemies are. Yuanjian immediately commands their attention as Wenyuan slides over and starts turning the big wheel. It’s heavy - almost too heavy for one man, but even up here, over the sounds of the dying guards [roll 6 (+2 Invoke Sunshine and Rainbows) = 8 vs. 3, Style, Wenyuan can hear Wenchang’s enormous bellow. If his commander intends to lift an entire gate, the least he can do is turn a wheel! [roll 2 (+2 Invoke: Inspiring Speech) = 4 vs. 2 (+1 guard) = 3



"Window, 1 o' clock."

Wenchang nocks an arrow and lets it fly. "Mm. Yellow helmets, 10 o' clock." (roll 5)

"They all wear yellow, you know?" Zidan grins wearily, downing them. (roll 4)

Wenchang is about to reply, when there's a sudden shout from the frontline.



The first gate creaks open.

By the time Wenyuan has raised the gate fully and the army is pouring through, Yuanjian has the entrances closed and barred. They face the doors back to back, panting, waiting for the inevitable counterattack.



They flood into the small courtyard.

Wenchang squints up at the central tower, but there is no movement at the windows. Then again, Baozi shouldn't be there anymore. That means the plan is working. Right?

Zidan folds her arms and nods at the gate. "Go on, then." Cheeky.

Wide-eyed warriors wait with wide whitewood (Try saying that five times?). Crouching, Wenchang feels around before getting a good grip on the bottom. The metal is cool to touch, and utterly inflexible. He experimentally raises and lowers the gate a few inches. Alright. Best to do it in one go.

Roaring from the sudden pain exploding throughout his arms, Wenchang lifts the central gate in one quick heave, as high as his palms can reach. (roll 8 vs. Gate 5, Style) His kids rush in to support it with the lumber. Wenchang slowly breathes in and out, holding it up. The soldiers brace the logs correctly, and he carefully lets go. The gate holds. The surrounding forces cheer.

Wenchang mounts up. "Baozi will open the final gate any minute now," he points ahead, "I will follow your charge."

"A-alright." Zidan looks red.

He peers at her, brows creasing. "You okay?"

"Yes!" Zidan turns around to shout at her lieutenants to form up, and rides off. Okay then?



The moment the middle gate begins to move, Baozi throws his weight, such as it is, against the winch of the last one. Almost absurdly, this might be the hardest part. No magic, and no stratagem, can help him raise the gate alone.

He hears an unexpected sound - the song of a lark, sweet and bright as silver. He realises that the storm is ended, and golden sunshine is pouring into the room. That is Dewang at work. He isn’t alone. His brothers are out there, doing their parts, and they are depending on him. Somehow, he finds some reserve of strength and gets the gate up. [roll 1 (+2 Invoke: Sunshine and Rainbows) = 3 vs. 2]



This is the moment Zidan has been waiting for. (roll 6, Style) The Shooting Star Lancers rush through the final gate. Four hundred hooves stamp all over the zombie infantry awaiting them, and those who somehow escape that eat some peachwood! To the face! Close after that magnificent charge Wenchang barrels into the infantry (roll 7, Style), bringing in the second cavalry. (roll 4) Zhao Yun heads the Governor's army at the rear. (No rolls for them, boo!)



Baozi expects to be attacked any moment, but for what feels like an age, no-one seems to have realised this gate is open. When they do, the crossbowmen on the roof will be the first in. He positions himself close to the trapdoor, so he can tackle them one by one as they drop down, without giving them room to aim. (roll 7, Style, 2 Invokes created: Strategy)

The trapdoor finally opens, as at either side, men begin to hammer on the doors and shout. The first bowman drops down with ill-founded confidence and Baozi’s borrowed sabre opens the big artery in his thigh while he is still recovering. The next one is more cautious, but almost as easily dispatched, and the next, and the next... [roll 3 (+ 2 Invoke: Strategy) = 5 vs. -1, Super Style]

With a falcon’s keen vision, he counted a dozen men on the roof before he entered the gatehouse. When half of them have tried to face him, the trapdoor is thrown shut and it seems the rest dare not follow. [Enemies Demoralized]

The doors are still holding, and in another minute the sounds outside turn from hammering on the doors and trying to break into, to desperate fighting. Then it goes relatively quiet, and then someone bangs on one of the doors again.

“Baozi? Are you… are you in there?” a familiar voice calls. “It’s me, Dewang.”

Baozi has to drag three corpses out of the way before he can lift the bar and open the door. The moment he does, his elder brother seizes him in a tight embrace.

“You’re alright, ancestors be thanked.”
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Ladki96 » Thu May 14, 2020 10:33 pm

There’s simply no end to them!

At least, (small consolation though it be) they do go down pretty easily. Zidan drives her halberd into the gut of a groaner reaching out for her and, spinning the long handle, chops off another one’s naughty sword-arm on the other side of the saddle. [roll 7 (+2 Invoke: In Reserve) = 9 vs. 7] Seriously, don’t these fellas know to at least buy dinner first?

The Lancers too, lance zombies (duh). Ma Xiao is delighted to find the peachwood spears (thanks Mr. Weird Guy!) work very well, as the Maids [roll 3 (+2 Invoke: In Reserve) = 5 vs. 3] and the Golden Dawn (roll 6 vs. 5) work in tandem to dispatch the infantry. Wenchang himself rushes the undead with a scary shout (roll 9 vs. 6, Style). The sorcerer hides behind his Elite Immortals. Wimp.



Dewang scrambles through the trapdoor onto the top of the gatehouse. Below him, the sea of corpses squirms like maggots, almost - but not quite - swallowing up the charge. But the sun is beating down strongly now, and Dewang raises his hand. (roll 10, Style) A shaft of light sweeps through the dead, and the ones it touches turn to dust. More take their places, but there is no shortage of sunbeams either. Again, and again, he calls the Yang energy down, and slowly the dead army diminishes.



Finally, the awesome army and awesomer wizard dent a big hole in the zombie force. The light is brighter than ever, and Wenchang’s sword (also shining suddenly? Will he ever get used to this shit? Did Dewang’s magic make it do that this time? Find out next time on Three Kingdoms: Well That Just Happened - Ep. 660) sends sunrays with each move, blinding quite a few. (Sorry!)

Zhang Liang seems to move his arms - and not a small amount of the remaining zombies suddenly move to surround Zidan, the rest focusing on Zilong’s men. Undaunted, Zidan maneuvers brilliantly for another charge (roll 9 vs. 2, Super Style, 2 Invokes created: Chaaarge) and in doing so, clears a path for Wenchang to the sorcerer. Is she winking? Hard to tell under all the fresh red paint.

Boxiao and his lieutenants fall upon the Chosen Eight [roll 3 vs. (Scarik didn’t roll nuthin’ and you know what that means! It means my bebbies don’t get harmed at all and also kick ass!) 0, Style] and tear them into pieces.



Zhang Liang is awaiting Wenchang. They circle each other. Everybody goes still, breathlessly watching. (Zidan goes on absolutely wrecking zombies in the background, Dewang continues shining the spotlight on the hellspawn, Zilong destroys Yu Fuluo and some other nameless people presumably perform their duties thanklessly.)

The sorcerer, unlike his elder brother, is trained in the battle arts. He lunges in a practised fashion and draws first blood. [roll 5 (+2 Invoke: Luck) = 7 vs. 6 (+2 Elite Cavalry) = 8, 1 Stress] But he miscalculates, and Wenchang gives a fitting reply before he can withdraw as quickly. [roll 7 (+2 Invoke: Luck) = 9 vs. 6 (+2 Invoke: Elite Cavalry) = 8]

Zhang Liang snarls. "The Azure sky shall fall and the Ye-"

Wenchang charges in, feints and turns, dealing a vicious slash. [roll 8 (+2 Invoke: Chaaarge) (+Condition FP: Killing Stroke) = 10 vs. 5 (+2 Invoke: Elite Cavalry) = 7, Style, Doomed] His opponent lifts his blade before he reaches him, but the strength overwhelms him. He gasps, hand at his side, which is beginning to bleed heavily.

Aiming the shining sabre at his enemy's chest, Wenchang says steadily, "Your cause was doomed from the start. Surrender."

So of course, the sorcerer's hands twitch on the reins, and his horse turns around and gallops away. Fine. His head will suffice.

Wenchang rides off after him, catching up in time [roll 4 (+2 Invoke: Doomed) (+2 Invoke: Chaaarge) = 8 vs. 5 (+2 Elite Cavalry) = 7] to avoid a "surprise" blow. Neither one manages to get a shot for a short while. [roll 5 (+2 Invoke: Strategy) = 7 vs. 7, Boost]

Slowly, surely, the old man is getting tired. Wenchang presses in with any advantage he can find. [roll 9 (+2 Boost) = 11 vs. 8, Style, Wounded, In Peril] Zhang defends with all his might, in a final burst of strength, and takes Wenchang by surprise, but he gains the upper hand again in a moment. He seems to be favouring the side that's not a gushing cavern, so Wenchang mercilessly goes for the weak spot, plunging his blade into it again and again. [roll 5 (+2 Invoke: Wounded, +2 Invoke: In Peril) = 9 vs. 5 (+2 FP) = 7]

Zhang Liang stumbles back, almost falling off his steed. "My talents… I can make you a force to be feared… you will rise, greater than before… a King…"

Wenchang stares back. Delirious little wizard. He doesn't deserve a merciful death but they are pressed for time as it is.

The moment the last Zhang's head hits the ground, the entire zombie infantry collapses, incinerated in the light.



A few of the enemy (foolishly) barricade themselves in the palace. Baozi knows half a dozen secret ways in, and they have the last stronghold in half a day.



The Way of Supreme Peace had not been on Zhang Liang’s body, or in the palace. With the help of several captives eager for mercy, a few of the earlier turncoats, and the Treatise of Truth, Dewang eventually finds it in the Grand Temple of Peace. The Yellow Turban leader had done little to alter the place beyond removing the statues of the Sage; he’d enshrined the book in the main hall and left it at that.

It is nearly dark by now, and the smoky brazier will make it harder to read rather than easier. They will have to take it outside. Dewang reaches out to pick it up, then stops.

“Should I take it? Should I even read it?” He turns to his followers, imploring them for some kind of answer.

“It’s powerful,” says Zibin, irreverently. “You might need it.”

“I don’t want power,” says Dewang. He gestures vaguely outside, where the men are even now rounding up the last looters. “It wouldn’t end any differently for me.”

“At least read it?” says Zibin, but Dewang barely hears him.

It kept growing. I was underneath it, and it blocked out the sun, all the light…

The Way of Supreme Peace gives him a conspiratorial wink in the flickering firelight, and Dewang shudders.

“Dewang,” said Yuanjian, and he tears his eyes from the yellowed scroll. Yuanjian’s gaze is steady. “It’s only a book.”

“Only a book, yes,” says Dewang, and quickly, before he changes his mind, he shoves it into the brazier.

It is old, dry as autumn leaves. A word leaps out at him here and there, appearing to glow through the flames.平. 权. 义. 木. He forces himself to watch as the book crumbles into ashes.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Scarik » Sat May 16, 2020 12:27 am

Meanwhile, outside Shangdang...

From a nearby hill Xu Huang scowls at the mass of rebels arrayed outside the city walls, "Look at those fools, the northwest approach is clear, we can be inside the city by nightfall."

"It is a trap," Lu Yu says beside him. "The river is wide and shallow, but the floods have yet to abate across the rest Bingzhou, there is no way they could receed in this low part on their own. The sorcerer must have lowered the water. If we cross his magic will destroy us."

"Hmmpf, wizards," Xu Huang grumbles. "We can't stay here and just watch, and we can't cross the river to help, so what does that leave us?"

Lu Yu considers the terrain, "We have the high ground and the prevailing wind. The Tao is about balance, so it is logical to assume that the sorcerer suppressing the water means that other elements must be stronger. If we build catapults on these rises we can reach more than a li with small projectiles."

Gongming considers, " A few small rocks won't do much against an army three times our size."

Zijia smiles, "A low river is easy to fish.We can use the oil to make bombs and hurl them at the rebels while we feed the men with the fish. And since we are upstream we will starve the rebels of the fishes as well. And if the sorcerer wishes to keep his tents from burning he will have to pull back his army or allow us to cross the river."

Meanwhile, inside Shangdang...

Zhang Yang is not having a good day. Or week.Or month. In fact, things haven't been going his way for quite some time. He's pretty sure Mao Baozi is the reason. Before that guy showed up Zhishu was the governor's right hand man. He got his old friend Lu Bu in good with Ding Yuan and with Fengxian causing major trouble all the time no one payed any attention to the minor waves.

But now Lu Bu is away and Governor Ding left Baozi in charge. There is no question the man is a genius, but he's insufferably filial as well. Ought to call him Mao Mengke! He almost misses Liang Ju, a corrupt rival is much easier to live with than an honest superior.

His private troubles have to wait though. There are 10,000 rebels outside his walls and his gamble in White Wave Valley cost him too many of his men to repel them himself, and the relief force from Han Fu is only half of what they need. Plus Xu Huang is just sitting on a hill and throwing wildly at the rebels.

"At least the rebels don't have us surrounded. If they attack we can escape to the north." His cronies nod and congratulate him on his smart plan, but it fails to make him feel better about trading a palace for a tent.

He expects to leave in a hurry, and so he has been gathering the most portable wealth and keeping it ready to go. Most of the copper cash will have to be left behind to make room for the gold and jewels in the event of a retreat but he's keeping it on hand for now if only to keep up the appearance to his men that he intends to still pay them after the city falls.
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Scarik » Fri May 22, 2020 10:36 pm

The Fall of Shangdang, Day 1

Huang Shao dismounts at the gate of Shangdang's palace.

"So, Zhang Yang has set it aflame to deny it to us," he says to his disciples while watching the fires reach ever higher into the grey sky. "No matter, such a decadent place is of no use to me. Better that it falls."

He turns to his commanders,"Let it burn itself out. Then carry away the debris and I will hold court beneath the sky. Peng Tuo, organize patrols. Many of our soldiers may forget they are no longer bandits in the chaos. See that any who do are hanged from what is left of this wall."

Peng Tuo salutes and leaves to do as he is bid.

Huang Shao then turns back to the city where he spends the rest of the night treating the wounded.

Day 2

Two dozen stripped corpses hang from the palace walls, their clothes torn into rags and used as bandages. Inside, a dozen paces from the embers of the palace, Huang Shao sits on on of the cornerstones. His men hauled it free and dragged it the bottom of the grand stairs.

Soldiers and commoners alike move through out the city putting out fires,clearing rubble and trying to repair the northern and western gates. The Imperialists continue to hurl fiery projectiles to stymie them but sheer manpower will soon see the gates restored regardless.

Huang Shao's officers handle the clean up while he holds court. Today, and for the immediate future days, he will hear the complaints of the people and deliver justice.

Later That Night

White and Black Spirit gazes at the sky.
His eyes catch a falling star in the north.
He weeps, for the dream has died.
He stands and draws his sword.

Day 3

Huang Shao announces to his disciples, "Zhang Liang has died. The city of Ji has fallen to the Imperials. It will not be long before another Imperial Army comes for us."

He prepares for a siege. Teams of woodsmen are sent south to gather lumber. To the north he releases his command of the river and allows it to refill. In three days the waters will return to normal and block the fords but allow for a ferry crossing. The Imperial force to the north is too small to take advantage for now.

Day 10

Spies report that Yuan Shao marches toward Shangdang from the east with 8000 men.

Day 15

Yuan Shao approaches the river to the east and word comes of another army coming from the north. Its size is unknown.

Day 20

Huang Shao listens to the reports.

Another 2000 men will join with yuan Shao in the coming days and in 5 days the northern army, now known to be the one which defeated Zhang Liang, will join with Dan Fu's force to the north.

"We cannot hold Shangdang against this enemy," The sorcerer concludes. "We have several days. Each night 1000 men will head south and take shelter in the hills. On the fifth night the rest of the army will join them and we willmarch south and cross the Yellow River. The goal is to reach He Yi. Only united with are brothers to the south can we prevail."

Conclusion

And so, each night a group departs by the southern gate and on the fifth night Huang Zhao says to Peng Tuo.

"You will stay here and contest the river crossings but no more. Once the enemy takes hold of our banks you are to fade into the night. Pick 1000 men to remain with you. When you withdraw take to the hills and harass the enemy so that the bulk of our forces may proceed south. It will take us a week to cross fully into the central region. Once that is done you will return to me."

"As you command, Master Huang," the warrior says with a bow.

"Alas," Huang Shao sighs, "It is Lord Huang now."

"Yes, my lord."
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Re: [Fate RP] Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CE189

Postby Scarik » Sat Jun 20, 2020 12:47 am

Dewang and Zidan

A couple hundred cavalry head south before the siege begins in earnest much to the ire of Yuan Shao. Little does the Duke know that there won't even be a battle. The last of the rebels have fled in the night and the gates lie open when the sun rises.

South of Shangdang is easy, familiar country and they make good time until early on the third day when a band of a few hundred rebels tries to ambush them in the morning fog. They fly Peng Tuo's flag, but they are afoot and the Bingzhou party turns away and refuses to give battle.

Insults are lobbed into the wind but their errand is too important to waste time.

With an expectation of further ambushes, after all the rebels must have left over several days to do so unnoticed, they keep to the main roads. They camp away from obvious ambush locales and ride fast during the day. Soon they are crossing the Yellow River and landing at Sili, the port town of Luoyang.

The crossing itself takes a whole day and they are held up until dusk in the port as their guards check their papers. No amount of name-dropping gets the process expedited, and if one were the suspicious type they might think that a relationship with Lu Bu is indeed the cause of the slow process.

In any case it is only two hours to the city and another delay at the gates. Bands of armed soldiers are strictly inspected, and it seems they might be held up another day but one of Zidan's maids sneaks inside the walls and carries a letter to her family. An hour later they are released with an apology from the captain. He never says why, he is too busy bowing and trying to take attention from how red his ears are.

Lady Yan and her guards await them just outside.

"Lingqi, my dear, come kiss your mother."


Baozi and Wenchang

If Yuan Shao was angry at the messengers leaving he is livid when Baozi departs along with the rest of the Bingzhou soldiers. Its clear to everyone that the transfer of Shangdang is not amicable but for now violence between loyalists is avoided.

Given the situation, Xu Huang travels back to Hangu before turning west and taking the long road to Hedong rather than leave Yuan Shao behind them on level ground. The fortified, mountain pass at Hangu is invincible from the east. No one would dare follow them that way.

So they are free to discuss the recent situation and return to Jianyang to regroup.
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