Ambitious Dynasty: Southern Jing Province Campaign

[Part of my Dynasty Warriors 8: Ambition Mode story.]

Are you asking for a challenge?

Before heading out to battle - Lu Bu, now my good friend, tells me that I've grown powerful as a warrior and might one day surpass even him. He looks forward to the challenge. Aww. He's a nice guy. He's also a terror to the enemies in combat since for some reason the game just puts him x levels higher than the stage I think. That didn't dissuade the enemy defenders of the Southern Jing Province though, as they made good use of the mountainous region's defenses to kill a number of my allies.

As we pushed through the Jiangxia canyon, the bodyguard Dian Wei fell to an ambush while the old bandit Zuo Ci got crushed by a rock. A rock in the form of a few hundred enemy soldiers raining from a nearby cliff. Not only raining arrows. They were jumping down with spears.

Put your faith in the cards! *DEAD*

This must be... what porcupines feel like... *DEAD*

We then had to cross the Chibi river where Cao Cao became too ambitious and got his ship sunk, leaving him to sleep with the fishes.

What!? No one told me my ship was sinking! *DEAD*

Finally we made it to the Yiling mountain near Baidi castle (I have no idea how near or far they are in real). The mountain had a maze of dark caves leading to the base at the top, and it is in that darkness that Wang Yi the insane died miserably, stabbed by a gazillion blades. Wang Yuanji didn't fare much better in there either. The enemy leaders, Sun Shangxiang and Guan Xing fought tooth an nail to keep us out but they ultimately failed and perished in battle.

Ow. A gazillion blades is painful! *DEAD*

I have everything under contr... *DEAD*

Remember how I said I had feelings for you? I lied! *DEAD*

They broke through our defenses!? *DEAD*

Having to kill her own brother probably broke something inside her as Guan Yinping lost her focus and was killed soon after by a stray arrow at Baidi castle, a position that was comparatively easily taken, having no named commanders at hand.

We should try settle things peacefully! *DEAD*

In the castle dungeon we found only one prisoner, suffering wounds of torture. She was more than agreeable to get some payback.

Don't piss off the blonde Chinese barbarian(s).

Ambitious Dynasty: The Zhongyuan Campaign

[Part of my Dynasty Warriors 8: Ambition Mode story.]

With such low numbers it was no surprise when the enemy forces led by Dong Zhuo complete with staff wielding wizards and siege weaponry came knocking on the door. It was a long fight to push the invaders out and a learning experience for me as the battles were bigger and tougher than any I've been to before.

I was also caught off guard when people started to die!  I lost four lasses in the opening battle at Ji Province: Bao Sanniang, Yueying, Cai Wenji and Xiaoqiao as each of their positions were over run by Dong Zhuo's horny bastards. Suddenly, the shit just got real.

DEAD!

Through blitzkrieg-ing the enemy commanders I got them to withdraw to Xiapi Castle where Lu Bu again faced me and again was defeated after putting up a harder fight this time. This made the remaining enemy try flee through Xuchang, and where they all met their doom. Their fat leader Dong Zhuo was captured and executed on the spot.

I have no regrets.

Surprisingly, I did make it out with more people than I started with as enemies Lu Bu, Chen Gong and Zhang Jiao decided to join me upon being defeated again, AND I managed to free a few familiar prisoners in the process.

Dian Wei: Sir, it looks like we have been rescued!

Cao Cao: Do I look blind to you?

Zuo Ci, Zhenji, Lu Bu, Zhang Jiao and Chen Gong also rejoin!

Ambitious Dynasty: Strange Recruitment

[Part of my Dynasty Warriors 8: Ambition Mode story.]

On my next material gathering outing in the shadows of yet another ruined castle my group runs into the ever ambitious Cao Cao, managing to defeat his defenses and gaining his allegiance as well as that of his bald bodyguard, Dian Wei.

"Sir! The enemy got past our defenses!"

"I can see that captain obvious."

We next find ourselves in a desert region in combat with the forces of the young strategist, Jiang Wei. His position was pretty tough but not enough to dissuade my attack. Obviously he ended up joining me as well.

Definitely not related to captain obvious.

I do have to say this is one strange way to raise an army... to fill it with your defeated enemies. Surely it's not a smart move? I should mention I also gained a mountable elephant but found it too slow to be effective. Sticking with the fastest horse instead.