3. Chinese
From amongst the ashes of Kashgar, a new/old warlord has emerged, intent on re-establishing Sianking as the leading power in China. You are Slan-Ties the Almighty, the All Conquering and All Powerful, Slant Ties the Cunning; reborn and renewed in your crusade to restore the Imperial might of China. You have gathered the fierce tribes of the steppes around you, and your treasury has been replenished by selling vast quantities of dodgy forgeries to a solid procession of gullible western academic institutions (your latest wheeze is to have a full set of ‘Alexander the Greats Imperial Treasury’ knocked up in Kashgar bazaar, available in three sizes). The priests also tell that this is a fortuitous time, as a new messiah, the so-called Golden Child, is rumoured to be being born in the High Pamirs in the next few months. The skies are full of strange stars and comets and omens, and you believe that it is your destiny to use the power of the Golden Child to crush all opposition to your Imperial ambitions!
Your objectives:
1. Drive into the High Pamirs, locate the Golden Child and return him/her to Kashgar
2. Plant at least two sets of Alexander’s Treasures at credible locations within the High Pamirs and sell them to the highest bidder.
3. Hold Kashgar at the end of the game.
Forces at your disposal: c.7,000 men
(Slan Ties enjoys a cooked breakfast before a day's sport)
5. Bukhara
You are Adrian Enver Pasha, ‘The Beast of Bukhara’ and absolute dictator of the emerging regional super-power of Adrianstan.
Emboldened by your continuing ability to dance rings around the ‘old’ empires of the region, you find that your appetite for conquest and aggrandisement remains un-sated. You therefore want more land and more resources, and have declared a ‘March on the East’, with the High Pamirs as you objective.
This will give you a powerful central position between the British, Russian, Chinese and Afghan empires, and make you a serious player in the region’s ‘Great Game’. Rumour also has it that the area is rich in mineral, oil and precious metals, and therefore has intrinsic value in its own right. You have also proclaimed yourself ‘Iskander’ after Alexander the Great, the only other man in history who has loomed anywhere nearly as large as you in the region. You are intrigued by the many stories that abound throughout the area of Alexander’s treasures being hidden there, and feel that it is your destiny to discover them, and have yourself crowned as Iskander II.
In addition, you have the inconvenience of that effeminate French officer that you captured at Krasnovodsk, Draylon, to consider. The French have vowed revenge, so having him accompany you in your ‘March on the East’ will provide a diversion from French diplomatic pressure. He accompanies you in an iron cage, pulled by two wild asses. You realise that to kill him would mean displeasing your many western supporters, who you still need in view of the ongoing Bolshevik threat, so extracting most value from him is the name of the game.
Your objectives:
1. Conquer the High Pamirs.
2. Drive a hard bargain with the French for the life of Draylon.
3. Find the treasures of Alexander.
Forces at your disposal: c. 7,000 men
(The Beast finalises his 'March on the East', ignoring the screams of Draylon from the cellar beneath..)
04 June 2008, 07:37:02 PM