Japan's in a L'Oda Trouble - Let's Play Nobunaga's Ambition Sphere of Influence(Oda)

[Tolvo]

Nobunaga’s Ambition - Sphere of Influence

The Fourteenth game in the series, Nobunaga’s Ambition Sphere of Influence was released in 2015. It is a historical strategy simulation game by Koei Tecmo and is the product of its creator Kou Shibusawa. The game features dozens of clans, hundreds upon hundreds of characters, and the story of the warlords and clans of the Sengoku period of Japan. The game focuses mainly on the stories of Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and Ieyasu Tokugawa.

The LP

This LP will be following the story of the Oda clan from 1534 onward. We will be going over the mechanics of the game, strategies, the history of the period, as the stories and characters as they are presented in the game. If this LP is successful I will go on to do the Toyotomi/Hashibe and the Tokugawa clans. For this one we will primarily be focusing on the story of Nobunaga Oda, the Demon of Owari. This will be a screenshot LP as Nobunaga’s Ambition is mostly menus and Tecmo Koei has disabled recording of audio for the game with the share feature.

Characters
Gameplay
Create An Officer

Updates

Update 1 - The Birth of Nobunaga - Introduction
Update 2 - The Birth of Nobunaga - Into Mikawa
Update 3 - The Birth of Nobunaga - Into Mino
Update 4 - The Birth of Nobunaga - Into Mino 2
Update 5 - The Birth of Nobunaga - Nobutora Takeda’s Exile
Update 6 - Viper of Mino - To The Next Generation
Update 7 - Viper of Mino - The Mori Introduced
Update 8 - Viper of Mino - Guns Arrive In Japan
Update 9 - Viper of Mino - Poetry and Motonari Schemes
Update 10 - Viper of Mino - The Date Clan Civil Wars and Kipposhi and Takechiyo Meet
Update 11 - Viper of Mino - Nobunaga’s Marriage and 2nd Battle of Azukizaka
Update 12 - The Struggle For Power - Nobuhide’s Death
Update 13 - The Struggle For Power - Sessai’s Death, the Triple Alliance, and Uniting Owari
Update 14 - The Struggle For Power - Motonari’s Plans for the Kikkawa, and the Imagawa March on the Oda
Update 15 - Battle of Okehazama - Nobunaga’s First True Battle
Update 16 - Battle of Okehazama - The Viper of Mino Perishes
Update 17 - Battle of Okehazama - Oda and Azai Become Kin
Update 18 - Battle of Okehazama - Hideyoshi’s One Night Fortress
Update 19 - Battle of Okehazama - Motoyasu Becomes Ieyasu, Matsudaira and Oda Ally
Update 20 - Battle of Okehazama - Love Is In The Air
Update 21 - Battle of Okehazama - The Genius Tactician Hanbei
Update 22 - Battle of Okehazama - Tenbun War, Miyoshi Uprisings, Christianity, and the Second Floor Incident
Update 23 - Battle of Okehazama - The Shogun Assassinated, and Conquering Mino
Update 24 - Battle of Okehazama - Shogun Yoshiaki Seeks Nobunaga, Introducing Mitsuhide Akechi
Update 25 - Battle of Okehazama - Thrice Met with Hanbei
Update 26 - Battle of Okehazama - The Ouchi Get Sue’d
Update 27 - Battle of Okehazama - The Otomo Bungo’ll About
Update 28 - Battle of Okehazama - Masahide’s Suicide
Update 29 - Battle of Okehazama - The Seeds Of Destruction
Update 30 - Nobunaga Besieged - Sue’s Defeat and the Anti-Nobunaga Coalition
Update 31 - Nobunaga Besieged - Hisahide Matsunaga’s First Betrayal
Update 33 - Nobunaga Besieged - Massacre at Isa Nagashima
Update 34 - Nobunaga Besieged - The Death of Nagamasa Azai
Update 35 - Nobunaga Besieged - Hideyoshi Kinoshita Becomes Hideyoshi Hashiba
Update 36 - Nobunaga Besieged - Harunobu Renamed, The Tiger of Kai Shingen Takeda

Movies

Movies

Opening
Nohime’s Marriage
Journey to Chaos

[Tolvo]

Provinces of Japan

Scenarios

Scenarios

Birth of Nobunaga - Jun 1534

Viper of Mino - Aug 1542

The Struggle for Power - Apr 1551

Battle of Okehazama - Apr 1560

Nobunaga Besieged - Jun 1570

Characters

Characters

Oda Clan

Kipposhi/Nobunaga Oda

The son of Nobuhide Oda and namesake of the game. Originally called Kipposhi, he was known as the Fool of Owari for his outlandish ways. He made a friendship with Takechiyo/Ieyasu Tokugawa when the boy was a hostage of the Oda. After his father’s death he took over the clan and united Owari and the Oda by force. With the new name Nobunaga he managed a miracle defeat of Yoshimoto Imagawa and began his conquest of all of Japan.

Tokichiro/Hideyoshi Kinoshita/Hashiba/Toyotomi

Originally named Tokichiro, he served under the Imagawa before absconding and joining the Oda clan. Hideyoshi was a mere sandal bearer who rose up through the ranks under Nobunaga Oda, eventually becoming one of his most trusted and beloved retainers and generals. He was commonly referred to as the Monkey.

Katsuie Shibata

A proud soldier who served under Nobunaga Oda. Originally he supported Nobunaga’s brother Nobukatsu when there was conflict in the Oda clan following the death of Nobuhide Oda. Nobunaga defeated his brother and executed him then spared Katsuie to take him on as one of his own warriors. After he served Nobunaga.

Toshiie Maeda

Known also as the Dog, Toshiie was an important Oda retainer and warrior who served under Nobunaga. He was considered to be friends with Hideyoshi and married his cousin who was raised as his sister. Toshiie was known as a spearmaster.

Nobuhide Oda

The father of Nobunaga Oda, he was known as the Tiger of Owari. Nobuhide was a cunning retainer who rose to prominence early on in the Sengoku period thanks to his scheming. He died due to sickness leaving the clan to Nobunaga.

Kicho

Daughter to Dosan Saito, Kicho, also known as Lady No, was married to Nobunaga to create an alliance between Mino and Owari, Saito and Oda.

Oichi

The younger sister of Nobunaga Oda. She was renowned for her beauty and married Nagamasa Azai to forge a peace between the Azai and Oda clans. Oichi was also affectionately called Ichi.

Masahide Hirate

Originally called Kiyohide Hirate, Masahide served the Oda clan for a long time. He was a close adviser to Nobuhide Oda and would become adviser and teacher to his son Nobunaga Oda.

Hisahide Matsunaga

A Daiymo that served wth the Miyoshi and against them. He was the man who famously did three great sins. Killing his master, killing the Shogun, and burning the great Buddha in Kyoto. Afterwards he came to work for Nobunaga, but would now and then rebel hopelessly against his new master.

Matsudaira/Tokugawa Clan

Kiyoyasu Matsudaira

The grandfather of Takechiyo Matsudaira , he was a famed warlord who rose to power before he was assassinated in 1535. His death left a power vacuum in Mikawa that led to the Imagawa clan ruling over the Matsudaira clan.

Takechiyo/Motoyasu Matsudaira/Ieyasu Matsudaira/Ieyasu Tokugawa

Heir to the Matsudaira, originally called Takechiyo, he befriended Kipposhii/Nobunaga as a child and formed a bond they’d share for the rest of their lives. After being freed by Sessai Taigen and growing up he received the name Motoyasu with Moto coming from Yoshimoto. After the defeat of his master Yoshimoto Imagawa he retook Mikawa his homeland and took on the name ieyasu to get rid of the Moto before becoming a fervent ally to Nobunaga Oda.

Ashikaga Clan

Yoshiteru Ashikaga

13th Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate. He was a master swordsman who became Shogun at a very young age, just like his father had. He struggled to gather enough power to do anything with hs title. Ultimate he was killed by the forces of Hisahide Mastunaga of the Miyoshi Clan.

Yoshiaki Ashikaga

Yoshiaki was the brother of Yoshiteru. Originally a monk, after the assassination of his brother he sought out the title of Shogun. He wished for aid but all failed to help him retake the capital, all but Nobunaga Oda. After retaking the capital he was made a puppet of Nobunaga’s. Yoshiaki was not happy with this and secretly formed the Anti-Nobunaga Coalition. After its defeat he lived in exile.

Imagawa Clan

Yoshimoto Imagawa

The Daimyo of the Imagawa clan and ruler of the Suruga province. He was a strict adherent of Buddhist teachings. Yoshimoto rose to power after the death of his eldest brother and after outmaneuvering his 2nd eldest brother in political matters. He was taught by his uncle and master Sessai Taigen. He met his end against Nobunaga in a battle that was a genius ambush by Nobunaga.

Sessai Taigen

The uncle of Yoshimoto Imagawa, Sessai was a mountain monk known as a Yamabushi. He served as Yoshimoto’s military adviser and as his master. He died due to illness leaving the imagaw clan solely in the hands of Yoshimoto.

Saito Clan

Dosan Saito

Known as the Viper of Mino. Dosan Saito was a nobody who rose to power and became a daimyo of his clan after betraying his leader, the daimyo of the Toki clan, Yorinori Toki. He was later betrayed by his son and allegedly his dying words were “I cede Mino.”

Asakura Clan

Soteki Asakura

His original name being Norikage Asakura, Soteki was a famed warrior and samurai of the Sengoku period. He fought in many battles and became a priest, taking the name Soteki, but continuing to take part in warfare.

Azai Clan

Nagamasa Azai

Known as an honorable warrior, Nagamasa Azai was married to Oichi, Nobunaga’s sister, to form an alliance between the Azai and the Oda. When Yoshiaki Ashikage called for a coalition against the Oda, he became a part of it. Ultimately this led to his death and the destruction of his clan at the hands of Nobunaga.

Takeda Clan

Nobutora Takeda

Daimyo of the Takeda clan. Nobutora was known as a fearsome figure who inspired terror in those around him. He was highly aggressive and expanded the Takeda clan greatly. Soon after he was betrayed by his son, Harunobu Takeda, and was banished.

Harunobu Takeda/Shingen Takeda

Harunobu is an incredible military leader that even at a young age was regarded as a great warrior. The son of Nobutora, he betrayed his father after winning battles for him, upon learning he was still not to inherit the clan.

Mori Clan

Motonari Mori

Motonari was a wise warrior and Daimyo who brought up his clan from beneath the troublesome Ouchi. Originally a mere vassal, with the aid of his sons he grew the Mori clan into a greater power.

Uesugi Clan

Kenshin Uesugi/Kagetora Nagao

Leader of the Uesugi Clan, known as the God of War. He is a nearly undefeated military leader and sworn enemy of those who do not follow the way of Buddhism. Arch enemy to the Hojo and especial Shingen Takeda of the Takeda.

Honganji Clan

Kennyo Honganji

Lead abbot of the Honganji and the main leader of the Ikko-Ikki.

[Tolvo]

Gameplay

Gameplay

Development

As this is the first update we will be starting out simple. You are able to develop your castles. Development comes in three forms, Crops, Crafts, and Conscripts. The three C’s. Crops determine how much food(rice) is harvested when near the end of the year in the harvest season. Crafts determines how much gold your castle is producing every month. Finally Conscripts determines the amount of soldiers you will have at your Castle. Each month you can work on developing one of the three in each castle, this costs one hundred gold per month. Your overseer influences how much each is developed based upon their Politics skill rating. The higher the better. Without an overseer development is a pittance amount. When a castle develops enough it is able to expand which we will go into later. Buildings on the castle’s land also determine development amounts and the speed at which each can develop.

Diplomacy

Diplomacy is a civil action. You send one of your officers off for a month to improve relations with another clan. Doing so costs hundreds of gold which can be risky in early game. However there is a great profit to be had for the investment as when you reach 20 trust with a clan they open foreign trade with you adding to your monthly gold. Clans will either be Neutral, Friendly, or Hostile. Hostile clans have their trust raise incredibly slowly and are effectively unlikely to be worth it. Friendly clans have the trust gain heavily improve, while neutral clans simply have the normal amount. How much trust is gained is based upon the intelligence of the officer you are sending.

Deploy

From the map you have two main menus. There is Civil actions and Military actions. You can either click on deploy under military actions for the game to automatically designate which forces will attack the enemy. Another option is to click on a castle or fort and give the order from there, you get to choose how many troops to send with what supplies. Supplies include either horses or muskets. This will effect how they perform in battle and what abilities they will have available.

Battle Ranged

Battle itself in Nobunaga’s Ambition is fairly simple as far as strategy games go. You control typically up to three armies for a normal battle, they can be your own forces or those of allied clans or tribes. Allies are aqua while your clan’s unts are blue, enemies are red. When facing a foe your army will attack with ranged weapons which do low damage before the age of muskets. Flanking causes more damage and when an enemy is flanked they need to shft their formation to face and return fire upon you.

Battle Melee

When two forces meet in close quarters they enter melee. Each army will bite into one another and feel a pull towards one another and be slowed down. In melee casualties for both side are high and come fast. It is best to have overwhelming odds or powerful melee abilities before entering melee because it is mainly a numbers game.

War Report

At the end of the month while in battle against an enemy the battle can be called off to be finished later, if you decide to continue you will miss giving commands for an entire month, but can finish the battle. The war report at the end of the month will tell you the numbers you have, are facing, and who is winnnig.

Trade

You may not be able to trade with other clans manually. Instead that is delegated to diplomacy and the amount of trust you have, as mentioned 20 causing foreign trade to open. What you can do from the civil menu is open trade with merchants. These merchants can be regular merchants, Sakai merchants, or Western merchants. Those of Sakai and the West offer greater amounts of trade and rare goods more often. You may buy supplies, such as food, horses, and guns. You can also buy special items which can be used to improve relationships with other clans or with your own officers. All that you are able to sell is food. Near a harvest season buying and selling food is cheaper while out of season or during famines and droughts it is pricier. You want to buy food if you need it around a harvest and sell it when out of season for a profit.

Castle/Fort Upgrade

You may upgrade your forts and castles. This will allow them to gain attributes that are helpful for battles and sieges. Castles and forts can be blockaded, stormed, or razed. You want resistance to blockade and storming mainly, which will help when under siege or when field battles are happening outside the walls. As well upgrades can have civil benefits such as increasing population, trade, or with specialty buildings. Building any castle or fort upgrades requires 5 labor. Upgrading your tenshu is generally the most important aspect to upgrade as it increases your amount of troops and population. As well how upgraded your walls are determines whether you are allowed certain upgrades. Early on upgrade castles and forts is expensive but can be helpful for early battles before you have large amounts of troops or castles to allow for you to fight greater numbers.

Labor

Labor determines how many construction projects you can have take place during each month. It costs 2 labor to develop a castle, 3 to upgrade roads, 5 to upgrade a castle, 4 labor to add a facility, 2 labor to repair a castle or fort, 4 labor to fortify a post, 8 labor to expand a district, 8 labor to change a district, 12 labor to build a castle or fort, 12 labor to dismantle a fort. How much labor you have is based upon your population. Buildings and upgrades that grow your population will allow you more labor over time.

Vassalage

We have gained our first vassal. A vassal is unable to do any dealings or any acts of war without the ruling state’s permission. All trade is directed to the greater power making vassals quite profitable to their rulers. At the same time vassals can be seen as weak and may be targeted by other actors. It is important to protect a vassalage. Often when taking a vassal they will send their ruler a daughter as a ward who can be used to marry those in other clans or even your own to create alliances or to improve loyalty.

[Tolvo]

The Birth of Nobunaga - Introduction - Update 1

Nobuhide Oda. Retainer to Nobutomo Oda, deputy to the representative of Owari. Though a retainer, Nobuhide’s natural sense for finance and strategy gave him power enough to surpass both the Shiba clan, his land’s representative, and the Oda clan, their deputy. In the third year of Tenmon, 1584, Nobuhide was finally blessed with an heir, whom he gave the name “Kipposhi.”

Nobuhide Oda:
Masahide, have you heard of Kipposhi?

Masahide Hirate:
I have, my lord… They say he is a child of striking beauty. Finding him a wife should pose not the slightest difficulty.

Nobuhide Oda:
…He seems to be quite the feisty one. Wives aside, I can’t imagine finding a good nanny would be easy.

Masahide Hirate:
A suitable one will be found soon, my lord…I should hope.

Nobuhide Oda:
Well, matters not. I have not the time to be caring for children. Masahide, I leave Kipposhi to you. Raise him into a man the Oda will be proud to have their leader.

Masahide Hirate:
My lord…this role is an honor. I shall do my utmost.

Nobuhide Oda:
See to that. Now, we must deal with the Tushima and the Atsuta.

Masahide Hirate:
Will we march upon them?

Nobuhide Oda:
No, force of arms won’t work. Soldiers may be essential for asserting dominance in this age, but one must have coin to feed said soldiers. Our land of Owari is a thriving one, with a steady stream of coin. And its those two who control that stream. We can’t destroy them and stop the money coming in. We must join hands with them, walk together.

Masahide Hirate:
Then I shall persuade them to our side, my lord.

Nobuhide Oda:
I’ll handle this myself. I’ll convince them as much as it takes to get a nod out of them. War isn’t won by soldiers alone.

Masahide Hirate:
(Lord Nobuhide hasn’t a moment to rest… He doesn’t even have enough time to look at the face of his newborn child… Then I will have to raise Lord Kipposhi into a mighty warrior with my own hands.)

Nobuhide Oda, retainer to the deputy of the representative, didn’t have much land. This led to his dependence on the wealth of the Atsuta merchants brought from the Tushima’s port. Preservation of their relations required the utmost caution, and proved to be a labor as difficult and important as battle.

Working the Tushima(Quest)

Nobuhide Oda, servant to the deputy of Owari’s governor. The father of Nobunaga, what ths man saw in the chaos of the age was not the power of arms, but of coin. Bring the Atsuta and Tsushima tribe’s support to 80.

Both reach 80 Support.

The head of the Matsudaira clan, Kiyoyasu Matsudaira, was famous for his bravery despite his young age. In the blink of an eye, he had increased the size of his army and taken control of Mikawa. But in Kiyoyasu’s camp, and incident was breaking out.

Masatoyo Abe:
Prepare to die, Kiyoyasu!

Kiyoyasu Matsudaira:
Urgh! You’re…Masatoyo… What are you thinking?

Masatoyo Abe:
This is revenge for killing my father!

Kiyoyasu Matsudaiira:
Your father…? You imbecile… Who set this up? I…can’t die here… If I die…what will become of the Matsudaira clan?

Masatoyo’s father had been suspected of rebellion, which caused Masatoyo to be plagued by paranoia. He mistakenly assumed that an incident involving a horse running wild into Kiyoyasu’s camp had resulted in his father’s punishment, and this led him to assassinate Kiyoyasu. Kyoyasu had been regarded as a man of great talent, and with his death, the Matsudaira clan lost much of its influence.

Hirotada Matsudaira has inherited from Kiyoyasu Matsudaira and become the new daimyo.

Kiyoyasu Matsudaira of the neighboring Mikawa boasted great bravery on the battlefield, and caused Owari a great deal of fear. When he died, the report came to Nobuhide Oda immediately.

Masahide Hirate:
Lord Nobuhide, have you heard the news?

Nobuhide Oda:
About Kiyoyasu? Indeed… It went better than expected.

Masahide Hirate:
Then, Lord Nobuhide, that was…?!

Nobuhide Oda:
Not I – the doer of the deed must have been one of the Matsudaira. I simply whispered into some ears, you see. Because no one is as close as kin, there is no one must be more wary of…as this example shows.

Masahide Hirate:
I’ll have to teach that to Lord Kipposhi as well.

Nobuhide Oda:
Heh heh… Indeed. Mikawa without Kiyoyasu is no longer worth fearing. Let’s give it a cleaning up, shall we.

Masahide Hirate:
Let’s, my lord. Though Mikawa has a rather bothersome group behind it, so it’s best we hurry.

Nobuhide Oda:
The Imagawa, ‘ey. I can only hope that monk doesn’t show up…

Into Mikawa(Quest)

Kiyoyasu Matsudaira, leader of his clan and rapidly expanding through Mikawa, found his end the hands of his own retainer. Nobuhide did not let the opportunity slip. Capture Ansho Castle in four years.

Gameplay Introduced

As this is the first update we will be starting out simple. You are able to develop your castles. Development comes in three forms, Crops, Crafts, and Conscripts. The three C’s. Crops determine how much food(rice) is harvested when near the end of the year in the harvest season. Crafts determines how much gold your castle is producing every month. Finally Conscripts determines the amount of soldiers you will have at your Castle. Each month you can work on developing one of the three in each castle, this costs one hundred gold per month. Your overseer influences how much each is developed based upon their Politics skill rating. The higher the better. Without an overseer development is a pittance amount. When a castle develops enough it is able to expand which we will go into later. Buildings on the castle’s land also determine development amounts and the speed at which each can develop.

[Tolvo]

The Birth of Nobunaga - Into Mikawa - Update 2

Diplomacy

Diplomacy is a civil action. You send one of your officers off for a month to improve relations with another clan. Doing so costs hundreds of gold which can be risky in early game. However there is a great profit to be had for the investment as when you reach 20 trust with a clan they open foreign trade with you adding to your monthly gold. Clans will either be Neutral, Friendly, or Hostile. Hostile clans have their trust raise incredibly slowly and are effectively unlikely to be worth it. Friendly clans have the trust gain heavily improve, while neutral clans simply have the normal amount. How much trust is gained is based upon the intelligence of the officer you are sending.

Deploy

From the map you have two main menus. There is Civil actions and Military actions. You can either click on deploy under military actions for the game to automatically designate which forces will attack the enemy. Another option is to click on a castle or fort and give the order from there, you get to choose how many troops to send with what supplies. Supplies include either horses or muskets. This will effect how they perform in battle and what abilities they will have available.

Battle Ranged

Battle itself in Nobunaga’s Ambition is fairly simple as far as strategy games go. You control typically up to three armies for a normal battle, they can be your own forces or those of allied clans or tribes. Allies are aqua while your clan’s unts are blue, enemies are red. When facing a foe your army will attack with ranged weapons which do low damage before the age of muskets. Flanking causes more damage and when an enemy is flanked they need to shft their formation to face and return fire upon you.

Battle Melee

When two forces meet in close quarters they enter melee. Each army will bite into one another and feel a pull towards one another and be slowed down. In melee casualties for both side are high and come fast. It is best to have overwhelming odds or powerful melee abilities before entering melee because it is mainly a numbers game.

War Report

At the end of the month while in battle against an enemy the battle can be called off to be finished later, if you decide to continue you will miss giving commands for an entire month, but can finish the battle. The war report at the end of the month will tell you the numbers you have, are facing, and who is winning.

Into Mikawa(Quest)

Captured Ansho Castle

After the death of the great ruler Ujchika Imagawa, who had played a large role in the growth of the Imagawa clan, he was replaced by the young Ujiteru Imagawa. Unlike Ujichika, Ujiteru was not fit to rule the clan, and due to the fact that he was prone to falling sick, his mother Jukeini (Sometimes called “The Female Daimyo”) advised him in political matters. Ujiteru died mysteriously, which led his two younger brothers, who had left to train as Buddhist priests, to fight over who would inherit the clan. These two brothers were Etan Genko (Yoshizane Imagawa) and Shoho Baigaku (Yoshimoto Imagawa).

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Ha ha ha…

Sessai Taigen:
What are you laughing about? Surely you don’t believe you have won this battle.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
No, it’s not that. But when I think about all the people involved in this ugly feud, I can’t help but laugh.

Ni Jukei (Jukeini):
Oh? What do you mean?

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
We have Sessai Taigen, my master, Jukeini, my mother, Etan Genko, my brother, and Yoshimoto Imagawa, myself. All of us are in the service of the Buddha, and yet look at us quibbling about a worldly matter like the succession of the clan. What times these are. Do you not find it amusing?

Sessai Taigen:
Lord Yoshimoto, you would do well to keep one thing in mind.

Yoshimoto Imaawa:
What’s this? A lecture?

Sessai Taigen:
No matter how chaotic the world may be, the teachings of the Buddha are the truth. However, there are no buddhas in this age of war.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
So that means there are none but demons here.

Sessai Taigen:
Learn from the Buddha, but do not let yourself become a buddha.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
I see… THen, I suppose I will have to become a demon and win no matter what it takes.

Yoshimoto had two talented guardians watching over him: Jukeini and Sessai. On the other hand, Yoshizane had the support of the chief Imagawa retainers, and the Fukushima clan. However, Yoshimoto was the son of his father’s legal wife, Jukeini, whereas Yoshizane, despite being the older brother, was the son of a concubine. Therefore, Yoshimoto had the upper hand in this dispute.

The might clan of the Tokai and ruler of the lands of Suruga and Totomi, the Imagawa. The talents of their leader, Yoshimoto Imagawa, who had triumphed in the clan’s inheritance conflict with the help of Sessai Taigen and others, were bringing the clan’s power to greater heights daily. When it came to Mikawa, the Imagawa sought to help the Matsudaira clan and peacefully expand their territory.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Master, do you think this was done by Nobuhide Oda?

Sessai Taigen:
Kiyoyasu’s assassination… I believe that fiendish Nobuhide only gave the murderer a push.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
I see… Yet, we cannot allow him to get his hands on Mikawa.

Sessai Taigen:
Hmm…

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Oh? Is something the matter, master? That expression tells me this matter goes deeper than I thought.

Sessai Taigen:
I cannot grasp what Nobuhide Oda is truly like, what he is after. Nor can I grasp his measure of strength…

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Then I shall go myself, and see just what he can do on the battlefield.

Sessai Taigen:
Then while you do that, I will speak with the Matsudaira. They are eagerly waiting for our help, my lord.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Heh… So, no matter how this battle goes, Mikawa is ours.

Into Mikawa(Quest)

Protect Ansho Castle For One Year

Characters Introduced

Jukeini (Ni Jukei)

Yoshimoto Imagawa

Sessai Taigen

[Tolvo]

The Birth of Nobunaga - Into Mino - Update 3

Trade

You may not be able to trade with other clans manually. Instead that is delegated to diplomacy and the amount of trust you have, as mentioned 20 causing foreign trade to open. What you can do from the civil menu is open trade with merchants. These merchants can be regular merchants, Sakai merchants, or Western merchants. Those of Sakai and the West offer greater amounts of trade and rare goods more often. You may buy supplies, such as food, horses, and guns. You can also buy special items which can be used to improve relationships with other clans or with your own officers. All that you are able to sell is food. Near a harvest season buying and selling food is cheaper while out of season or during famines and droughts it is pricier. You want to buy food if you need it around a harvest and sell it when out of season for a profit.

Castle/Fort Upgrade

You may upgrade your forts and castles. This will allow them to gain attributes that are helpful for battles and sieges. Castles and forts can be blockaded, stormed, or razed. You want resistance to blockade and storming mainly, which will help when under siege or when field battles are happening outside the walls. As well upgrades can have civil benefits such as increasing population, trade, or with specialty buildings. Building any castle or fort upgrades requires 5 labor. Upgrading your tenshu is generally the most important aspect to upgrade as it increases your amount of troops and population. As well how upgraded your walls are determines whether you are allowed certain upgrades. Early on upgrade castles and forts is expensive but can be helpful for early battles before you have large amounts of troops or castles to allow for you to fight greater numbers.

Labor

Labor determines how many construction projects you can have take place during each month. It costs 2 labor to develop a castle, 3 to upgrade roads, 5 to upgrade a castle, 4 labor to add a facility, 2 labor to repair a castle or fort, 4 labor to fortify a post, 8 labor to expand a district, 8 labor to change a district, 12 labor to build a castle or fort, 12 labor to dismantle a fort. How much labor you have is based upon your population. Buildings and upgrades that grow your population will allow you more labor over time.

Into Mikawa(Quest)

Ansho Castle protected for one year. Quest completed!

While confusion overtook the Matsudaira clan at the death of Kiyoyasu they lost Ansho Castle to the Oda clan. Once their leader Hirotada Matsudara realized that it would not be possible to fend off the Oda invasion alone, he sought the help of the Imagawa clan once again. The Matsudaira clan itself lacked much power, and the relations between the clans started to resemble that of a master and servant.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Your plan was a success, master. Now Nobuhide won’t be able to even touch Mikawa.

Sessai Taigen:
How were Nobuhide’s troops, though?

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Them? Strong. Made me realize why they call him the “Tiger of Owari”. However, he cannot hold a candle to you, master. After all, this age has no shortage of tigers.

Sessai Taigen:
Then we will hunt the beast eventually. Now, however, is not the time.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Indeed – let us organize Mikawa for battle. Nobuhide is a mere retainer; I cannot imagine him doing well in a war of attrition.

Sessai Taigen:
Exactly, my lord. When he is out of soldiers, that is when we will fire the arrow between the eyes of the tiger.

Aside from the Oda clan, the Imagawa clan had the fierce Hojo to deal with in the east, preventing them from throwing all of their military might into Owari. On the other hand, Nobuhide would also find himself with strong foes aside from the Imagawa, bringing his battle in Mikawa to a deadlock.

For generations, the representative of Mino had come from the Toki clan. After a succession dispute in that very clan, Yorinori Toki came out on top as the clan head. However, the clan had become considerably weakened due to the unending internal conflicts and meddling by surrounding countries. Amidst this turbulent situation, Dosan Saito displayed his talents in aiding Yorinori. The internal conflicts in Miino were finally beginning to settle down, but that was not what Dosan desired.

Dosan Saito:
I need to stop protecting that fool soon. In this world, having a weak leader in charge of a country goes against the will of the heavens. Especially if it’s a country abundant n resources, like Mino. cannot hand over Mino to an outsider.

After building Inabayama Castle and fortifying it against intruders. Dosan raised an army and drove Yornori out of the country. Although Dosan’s origins – and even hs true name – are shrouded in mystery, what is certain is that he was able to overthrow Mino’s ruler and take control for himself. Due to his cunning tactics that left his opponents no room to escape, the people took to calling him the “Viper of Mino”.

Caught by the venomous fangs of Dosan Saito, the Viper of Mino, and chased out of his lands, Yorinori Toki, Mino representative, sought the talented Nobuhide Oda’s help. Taking Mino back for its rightful master was the perfect justification for Nobuhide to attack the fertile land.

Nobuhide Oda:
Masahde, prepare to march.

Masahide Hirate:
Yes, my lord! We’re going Mino, aren’t we?

Nobuhide Oda:
Heh. The representative of Mino is begging us for help. We can’t leave him alone now, can we?

Masahide Hirate:
…

Nobuhide Oda:
Haha, what, are you taking that seriously? Yorinori may be a fool better off dead, but this is the perfect chance to make Mino ours! Yorinori’s nephew has asked the Asakura for help. With that, we can catch Dosan in a pincer attack.

Masahide Hirate:
Understood, my lord. I will immediately send a messenger to Asakura, then.

Nobuhide Oda:
…See to it. Masahide, I leave this to you.

Masahide Hirate:
(Yoshimune Shib, representative of Owari, is every bit of a fool as Yorinori. Yet, we lack the proper justification for slaying him. Lord Nobuhide is anxious… I can only hope we do not go too far into Mino and find trouble on our hands…)

Into Mino(Quest)

The Viper, Dosan Saito, succeeded in his revolt and became the ruler of Mino. This gave Nobuhide the perfect justification - defeating an usurper - to invade the north land.
Bring the Asakura clan’s Trust to 40.

Asakura clan’s trust brought to 40.

Chased out of Mino by Dosan Saito, Yoshinori Toki sought the help of Nobuhide Oda, while his nephew Yorizumi asked the Asakura clan of Echizen for aid. Since they were both helping the Toki clan, the Oda and Asakura clans joined hands, deciding to lock Mino in a pincer attack from north and south.

Soteki Asakura:
My lord was very pleased to see you, Sir Hirate – he praised your abilities in song and tea.

Masahide Hirate:
The honor is all ours, my lord – we are eternally grateful to have the famed Sir Soteki aid us in this battle.

Soteki Asakura:
Haha… Truth be told, Sir Hirate, I come wishing to see the young master of the Oda.

Masahide Hirate:
L-Lord Kipposhi?!

Soteki Asakura:
Forgive my rudeness, but… I have heard quite a few rumors of the “Fool of Owari”.

Masahide Hirate:
…

Soteki Asakura:
It hardly warrants worry, Sir Hirate. It matters not if a warrior is called a dog or a pige or any manner of lowly animal, not so long as he win in battle. I hear Kipposhi is quite fond of long horse rides. Though they may call him a fool, I would say he will grow into a warrior of great merit.

Soteki Asakura was a famed warrior in charge of all of the Asakura’s military affairs, known to always bring forth impressive results. It is said that at his death, he said that he wishes to see for just a little longer where Nobunaga Oda’s rapid growth would take him.

Into Mino(Quest)

Capture Ogaki Castle

Characters Introduced

Dosan Saito

Soteki Asakura

[Tolvo]

The Birth of Nobunaga - Into Mino 2 - Update 4

Hello and welcome to update 4. Now that we have our introductions done it is time to get on with the LP. In this update we deal with Dosan Saito but are met with a twist. Our allies are not quite who we thought they were and the same goes for our enemies. Much of our time is spent upgrading and developing castles to entrench ourselves and strengthen our hold on Owari. Nobuhide is disappointed but things have never looked better for him. We are able to earn a great deal of coin and become a financial juggernaut, though our physical might still leaves something to be desired. A famine also hits Japan making the price of rice raise greatly.

Attacked from both sides by the Oda and Asakura clans, Ogaki Castle fell. Though Nobuhide continued on, ready to attack Inabayama Castle as well, the Asakura clan made an unexpected move.

Nobuhide Oda:
You’re telling us to…make peace with Dosan?

Sotek Asakura:
I am. My lord has already spoken with sir Dosan.

Nobuhide Oda:
Hmph. So should we continue our battle against Dosan, we’ll have to deal with you, too, then.

Masahide Hirate:
Sir Soteki! What is the meaning of…?

Soteki Asakura:
Forgive me, but this is what my lord has decided. My only role is to wave the fan of command on the battlefield. And though we won on the battlefield, off of it, Dosan outmaneuvered us. And with that, I will take my leave… I expect an agreeable response.

Masahide Hirate:
My lord…

Nobuhide:
Don’t worry, Masahide. I know. It’s time to pull back. I suppose the idea of taking Mino without controlling all of Owari was too good to be true.

Unable to make an enemy of the Asakura – especially Soteki Asakura – Nobuhide ended up making a truce with Dosan. With the path of expansion to the north blocked off, Nobuhide found himself in an unenviable position with the hostile Imagawa to the south and Saito to the north.

Into Mino(Quest)

Completed!

A famine has spread throughout Japan. Special events may happen each month with famines being one of them. An effected area produces less supplies and causes the price of supplies to increase. It can be a good idea to attack those dealing with a famine as they can support less troops on the battlefield. Likewise avoid battle when under a famine unless you have stockpiled a lot of supplies. Some facilities can reduce the effects of a famine should one happen.

Vassalage

We have gained our first vassal. A vassal is unable to do any dealings or any acts of war without the ruling state’s permission. All trade is directed to the greater power making vassals quite profitable to their rulers. At the same time vassals can be seen as weak and may be targeted by other actors. It is important to protect a vassalage. Often when taking a vassal they will send their ruler a daughter as a ward who can be used to marry those in other clans or even your own to create alliances or to improve loyalty.

[Tolvo]

The Birth of Nobunaga - Nobutora Takeda’s Exile - Update 5

We are onto part 5 already. There is little going on with the Oda clan at the moment. For now Nobuhide gathers his spoils from war and works upon the infrastructure of his castles. To the east in the lands of Kai something is going on. A daimyo is being ousted and replaced, conquest dominates the area, and a soon to be powerful figure comes to terms with who they are. Nobuhide as well takes the time to spend money in the court while talking with its members. He has attained some privileged titles making his diplomatic endeavors easier.

Kai 1541

In the land of Kai… Nobutora Takeda, the representative of Kai, had unprecedented success expanding his territory. However, due to his harsh treatment of his vassals and their fatigue from consecutive foreign conquests, complaints were gradually becoming more frequent. It was then that an incident occurred.

Nobutora Takeda:
What’s going on? Open the gates at once!

Nobutora had returned to Kai after visiting Suruga both to celebrate his military exploits and to see his daughter, who he had married to the Imagawa clan. But the gates of Kai would not open for their lord.

Nobukata Itagaki:
I apologize, Lord Nobutora, but I cannot let you through

Torayasu Amari:
This is an order from the daimyo of Kai.

Nobutora Takeda:
But the daimyo of Kai is ME! Wait… You don’t mean…

Harunobu Takeda:
…

Nobutora Takeda:
Harunobu! I see now! You usurped the clan while I was away, did you?

Harunobu Takeda:
It is as you say. I ask that you kindly live out the rest of your life in Suruga.

Nobutora Takeda:
Ha ha ha ha! I was truly careless to have my country stolen from me by my own son. Just remember that your karma will come back and bite you in the end.

Harunobu Takeda:
…

And so, Harunobu became the head of the Takeda clan by driving out his father. After restoring clan membership to those vassals which Nobutora had exiled, he began restructuring the clan.

Characters Introduced

Nobutora Takeda

Harunobu Takeda

Torayasu Amari

Nobukata Itagaki

Imperial Court

At the Imperial Court you are able to to speak with the court in a similar manner to diplomacy. The higher the intelligence of who you send to talk the faster trust is gained. As it reaches 100 trust you can then ask for something from the court. It should be noted talking to the court is expensive, I’d advise only doing it after you have a strong economy.

You are able to request ranks for yourself or your retainers, the higher your rank is the more trust you gain from other clans surrounding you. If your clan is not large enough or powerful enough your rank requests may be refused. Pay attention only to the class of the rank, otherwise they mean nothing. Each specific rank doesn’t actually mean you perform tasks relating to them. You also don’t gain any additional bonuses.

The Imperial Court is unfortunately not very interesting and not very useful, it can help a bit over time but is otherwise an expensive money sink that can be ignored entirely.

[Tolvo]

Create An Officer

Hello there, originally I was not planning on allowing for custom characters because they can sometimes mess up the story but I think I have found some good ways to balance and introduce them without altering the game too much.

Something fun about Nobunaga’s Ambition - Sphere of Influence is that you can create your own characters. There are limitations, such as they need a selected portrait from those available, male and female are the only genders available, and there are only a few voices available. But we can try anyway! I’ll make a simple character sheet that you can copy, paste, and fill out, to help me create the character that you desire. I may also be upping the difficulty since we will be putting all of our characters in the Oda clan so we can actually keep track of what they are doing. I will introduce the created characters whenever we start over as we reach a scenario. Such as when the Viper of Mino scenario begins.

Sheet

Appearance: (Describe what you want them to look like, be very basic, there are a lot of faces but not too many. Keep in mind that nearly every portrait is Japanese)
First Name:
Last Name:
Birth Date: (Range is 1460-1580)
Gender:
Tenet: (Conservative, Neutral, or Progressive)
Ideals: (Fame, Clan, Talent, Profit, Justice, Ambition, Mastery, or Spirit)
Tactic: (What they do in battle, make it simple, like makes ranged attacks better or moves faster)
Abilities: (Leadership, Valor, Intelligence, Politics. Please pick a focus and just gve me the gist of what you want your character to be good at)

Created Officers

Tamadono Inoue

Saka Yamashina

[Fefnir]

In an effort to not just copy+paste the character I made previously, here’s a new gal:

Appearance: Older appearance, short hair, (I was thinking the portrait that’s four down and three to the right.)
First Name: Saka
Last Name: Yamashina
Birth Date: 1531
Gender: Female
Tenet: Neutral
Ideals: Clan
Tactic: Short range and defense focused.
Abilities: Intelligence; I’ll take any ability that’s basically just “good at farming.”

[Tolvo]

Alright she has been added!

[Tolvo]

Viper of Mino - To The Next Generation - Update 6

In this update Nobuhide Oda discusses his plans for Kipposhi(Nobunaga) and who he should marry. Who it is may be a bit shocking but the plan is sound. But what of the Imagawa? To the south the Oda clan’s enemies gather but they have no idea just how crafty old Nobuhide can be.

With the invasion of Mino ending in waste, Nobuhide Oda began focusing his efforts n maintaining Owari and battling the Imagawa clan. However, making an enemy of Dosan Saito of Min proved to be a source of unyielding pressure.

Masahide Hirate:
A castle in Suemori?

Nobuhide Oda:
One to guard against the imagawa. I plan to move there myself.

Masahide Hirate:
While I think the idea is sound, my lord…what will become of Nagoya Castle?

Nobuhide Oda:
I’ll give it to Kipposhi.

Masahide Hirate:
!!

Nobuhide Ooda:
Masahide, watch over him for me.

Masahide Hirate: B-But, my lord…

Nobuhide Oda:
Oh? Worried about the “Fool of Owari”?

Masahide Hirate:
Well… I have to wonder if Lord Kipposhi is up to the task of governing a castle.

Nobuhide Oda:
Masahide, do you remember what you sad when Kipposhi was born?

Masahide Hirate:
I’m…afraid the memory escapes me.

Nobuhide Oda:
You sad he was a child of striking beauty, who’d have no trouble finding a wife. And I think it’s about time he found that wife. If he gets married, he’ll settle down – settle down enough to lead a castle.

Masahide Hirate:
I see… Might you have someone in mind, my lord?

Nobuhide Oda:
Not just any woman would do as Kipposhi’s wife, all things considered. She needs to be tough, tricky, sly… Like…like that vper.

Masahide Hirate:
Lord Nobuhide, you couldn’t be thinking of…

Nobuhide Oda:
I am. It’s about time we made up with the viper, with all the movement in Mikawa lately. However, for our sake and Kipposhi’s, we can’t give them peace for free. We’re taking his daughter.

Masahide Hirate:
Yet, it is Dosan’s daughter of which we speak… Would she, too, not be every bit as venomous as he?

Nobuhide Oda:
Worry not. Kipposhi can handle any snake, no matter how venomous. Now before that, we need to deal with Suemori. If we let Yoshimoto into Owari, we’ll be ruined.

To The Next Generation(Quest)

Seeing boundless possibility in his son, Nobunaga(Kipposhi), Nobuhide began his preparations to leave the Oda Clan to him.

Build Suemori Castle by September, 1547

[Tolvo]

Viper of Mino - The Mori Introduced - Update 7

Another short update. To the west the Ouchi and Mori face defeat, destruction and ultimately, rebirth. Motonari Mori begins to set into motions events that would help determine the future of Japan and their rise to prominence.

The Ouchi army had surrounded Gassantoda Castle, but guerilla attacks by the Amago army had interrupted their supply chain and morale was dropping. Eventually, the minor clans that had joined the Ouchi clan began openly defecting to the Amago clan, starting with the Kikkawa clan. The Ouchi army had totally fallen apart and was forced to retreat. But, they took heavy losses in the process, including Yoshitaka Ouchi’s son, Harumochi, and Masahira Kobayakawa. Even Motonari Mori’s rear guard got caught up in the Amago army’s fierce counterattack, and barely made it back to Yoshida Koriyama Castle alive.

Motonari Mori:
I came very close to dying in that battle.

Takamoto Mori:
We cannot forget the loyalty of those who gave their lives to allow us to escape.

Motonari Mori:
Yes, we lost many soldiers. But…we also gained something.

Takamoto Mori:
What?! What happened?

Motonari Mori:
I hear Yoshitaka was disheartened by the loss, and has been distancing himself from his ruling duties. Now is the perfect time to take control of Aki and Bingo. It is time for the Mori clan to stop hiding in the shadow of the Ouchi and stand on our own two legs.

Takamoto Mori:
Are you going to mobilize the troops?

Motonari Mori:
Before that, I have to talk with Takafusa. Even if Yoshitaka forgives us, we would be in a tough position if Takafusa opposed the move.

After their defeat at Gassantoda Castle, Yoshitaka Ouchi lost his will to rule and the Ouchi clan fell into decline. Seeing this as his chance to become independent Motonari Mori nullified his vassalage to the Ouchi clan and begun acting of his own accord.

Characters Introduced

Motonari Mori

Takamoto Mori

[Tolvo]

Viper of Mino - Guns Arrive In Japan - Update 8

In this update muskets finally arrive in Japan. The year is 1543 and their arrival would mean that the face of war for Japan would forever be changed. Trade would open up greatly, for now, and guns would flood in from the west and from Sakai.

In August in the 12th year of Tenmon, 1543, on Tanegashima Island of Osumi. On the morning after a typhoon, the people of the island found a single boat washed up on the coast.

Western:
…

Lookout:
Hey, is that…? Hey, you, state your name!

Western:
…!

Lookout:
Wh-What was that sound?! Hey, someone call the ma… No, call the young master! A westerner with strange magic is attacking us!

The westerner on the washed up boat had been carrying a musket, a weapon made from technology not yet in Japan. Though the man fired a shot into the air in surprise when the island dwellers approached him, he eventually calmed down. …and met with the leader of the Tanegashima clan, Tokitaka Tanegashima. Tokitaka fell in love with the weapon the moment he saw it fired and paid the foreign man a large sum of money for it.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
So, this is what my boy from Tanegashima has gotten us?

Takahisa Shimazu:
Yes, father – he’s still young, and knows no fear.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
There are times when recklessness can teach us that which we did not know before… Yet, is it truly wise to give such a rare thing to the shogunate?

Takahisa Shimazu:
We are in possession of another of its kind. Tokitaka is having his craftsman attempt to make a copy of it.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
Meaning that the day will come when we’ll have quite a few of these around, ‘ey?

Takahisa Shimazu:
It will. And when it does…

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
…we’ll be able to use these in battle. I look forward to it, yet cannot help also fearing it.

The copy of the musket Tokitaka had made did not possess strong enough screw to make it effective. To remedy this, the craftsman Kinbei Yaita had his daughter marry the westerner, learn the construction of the screw, and thus created a musket durable enough to use. The war torn world’s demand for the powerful new weapon was immense, immediately prompting mass production. Due to the efforts of the Tanegashima clan’s liege clan, the Shimazu, as well as the visiting warrior priest of the Negoro Temple, Kazunaga Tsuda, muskets spread all throughout the nation.

Characters Introduced

Jisshinsai Shimazu

Takahisa Shimazu

[Tolvo]

Viper of Mino - Poems and Motonari Mori’s Schemes - Update 9

A simple and small update. We learn a bit about the history of Japan’s schooling as well as the poems to live life by, and see Motonari aging and becoming even more of a schemer.

After Tadayoshi Shimazu became a monk, he changed his name to Jisshinsai Shimazu. Praised as “The Sacred Ruler of Satsuma”, Jisshinsai was said to be both wise and virtuous. Additionally, he was als famous for teaching that same wisdom and virtue equally to his followers.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
“Even if you hear the teachings of the past and recite them, they are worthless if you do not incorporate them into your actions.”

Takahisa Shimazu:
Indeed.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
“No matter whether you live in an ornate mansion or a straw hut, a person’s virtue is determined by what is in their heart.”

Takahisa Shimazu:
I see.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
“Can we rely on such a fleeting thing as ‘tomorrow’? ‘Today’ is when your studies must be done.”

Takahisa Shimazu:
I agree completely.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
…Do you really understand what I’m saying? I can’t tell with such halfhearted responses.

Takahisa Shimazu:
Sorry, I’m a man of few words. I may not even live up to the hair on your feet, but these poems you wrote are easy to understand even for me. You are truly a wonderful teacher, Father.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
Well, I thought it would be good for you to learn some things. Studying isn’t only for monks you know. Someday, all the people of Satsuma must study and nourish their minds.

Takahisa Shimazu:
“Even if you think yourself to be unskilled, do not slack off. Your training is the proverbial ‘journey of a thousand miles’.” Well said.

Jisshinsai Shimazu:
“Before you legislate, educate. Punishing someone who is ignorant of their crime…is not a vrtuous path.”

Takahisa Shimazu:
I shall carve that into my very being.

There are forty-seven “Iroha Poems” that Jisshinsai wrote, one for each of the characters of the Japanese syllabary. Each poem starts with a different character. Jisshinsai’s poems expound a sort of model for warriors to follow in their daily lives, based on his wisdom. The Iroha Poems would go on to serve as the foundation for Satsuma’s Goju education system. Later, during the Meiji Restoration, they would also contribute greatly to the education of the people of Satsuma.

The Kobayakawa clan of the Sanyo region boasted a powerful navy. The clan had weakened in recent years as a result of a series of deaths of the clan heads, but Motonari Mori and Yoshitaka Ouchi had begun a maneuver to restore the Kobayakawa clan to its former glory. With support from Yoshitaka, Motonari’s third son, Takakage, changed his name and became the next head of the Kobayakawa clan.

Motonari Mori:
I didn’t expect Yoshitaka to come out so strongly in support of you, I guess it was worth leaving you in his care after all.

Takakage Kobayakawa:
Yes… We must use whatever methods we have available to us.

Motonari Mori:
Indeed. Your talents as a leader are unmatched by both Takamoto and Motoharu. I’m entrusting the Kobayakawa clan to you because I have faith in you. Do you get my meaning? Do not disappoint me.

Takakage Kobayakawa:
Heh… Leave it to me. I wll use the power of the Kobayakawa clan to the fullest in supporting the Mori clan.

Motonari Mori:
Also…

Takakage Kobayakawa:
Yes?

Motonari Mori:
Be careful of flattery. Don’t let our enemies win you over.

Takakage Kobayakawa:
…Understood.

The Kobayakawa clan was in possession of a powerful navy, and gaining control of this held great meaning for the Mori clan. And so, Takakage Mori changed his name to Takakage Kobayakawa, and was put in charge of expanding Mori influence n the Sanyo region.

[Tolvo]

Viper of Mino - The Date Clan Civil Wars and Kipposhi and Takechiyo Meet - Update 10

In this update we get a glimpse at the Date clan to the northeast and their squabbling and plans among themselves. As well Nobuhide Oda takes the Matsudaira heir hostage and two finally meet, Kipposhi(Nobunaga Oda) and Takechiyo(Ieyasu Tokugawa).

Build Suemori Castle Completed!

Tanemune Date was the fourteenth head of the Date clan. He aggressively expanded his territory through marriages, his rule extended even to Oshu and Ushu. Nearly all the daimyos of Oshu were involved in this extended family called a “den” that Tanemune had created. Tanemune was also planning to send his third son, Sanemoto, to the representative of Echigo, Sadazane Uesugi, as a foster child. This would allow him to expand his domain even further. But before he could do that…

Soldier:
Lord Tanemune! Lay down your weapon and do as we say!

Tanemune Date:
Are you Harumune’s men?

Harumune Date:
Why, yes they are! Don’t struggle, Father.

Tanemune Date:
You dolt… I don’t understand what this is all about.

Harumune Date:
If I let you have your way, everyone in Japan would be our relatives. It makes it so hard to do anything.

Tanemune had been clashing with his heir, Harumune, about their territory. Harumune strongly opposed his father’s plans to send Date troops to Echigo, and imprisoned Tanemune. But a few days later…

Soldier:
Lord Harumune! I have an urgent report.

Harumune Date:
What? Did my father escape or something?

Soldier:
Er… Yes. Exactly that. Lord Tanemune has entered Marumor Castle and is gathering troops as we speak.

Harumune Date:
Well, I kind of expected this to happen. It wouldn’t be fun otherwise. Now that it’s come to this, I have no choice but to strike down my father. I’ll show the world a war that engulfs both Oshu and Ushu!

Harumune was proactive in everything he did, even going so far as to attack the marriage procession of Lady Kubo, famed for her beauty, in order to make her his own wife. Conflict between Harumune and his father Tanemune, who had an insatiable greed for power, was inevitable. On Tanemune’s side were the powerful daimyos of the Ashina clan. The conflict in the Date clan came to be known as the Tenbun War, and would come to spread across all of Oshu.

Hirotada Matsudaira, a minor daimyo ruling over Mikawa, was under the protection of Yoshmoto Imagawa, the daimyo of Suruga. As proof of his loyalty to Yoshimooto, Hirotada sent his eldest son and heir, Takechiyo, to the Imagawa clan. However, on his way to Yoshimoto, an unforseen disaster befell Takechiyo.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
What happened to Hirotada’s son?

Sessai Taigen:
It appears someone betrayed us and handed him over to Nobuhide Oda.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Do they have no shame? Yet, perhaps it was our fault for putting him in the hands of people we could not trust.

Sessai Taigen:
The power of money is strong, milord. The reports say the men sold Takechiyo to Nobuhide.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Money… So that’s how Nobuhide operates.

Sessai Taigen:
Indeed. Therefore, we must use our own methods. I vow to bring back Takechiyo personally.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Nobuhide better watch out now that he’s angered my master.

Sessai Taigen:
II am a servant of the Buddha. It is my duty to root out evil. I will show Nobuhide that the world has not fallen so low as to overlook those who would sell a child to their enemy, not even for a sack of gold.

Yoshimoto imagawa:
I don’t know who I’m scared of more: the demons in hell or you.

Nobuhide’s unorthodox plan to steal Takechiyo Matsudaira away by buying out the warriors guarding him ended in success. However, taking Takechiyo as a hostage was not enough to make Hirotada Matsudaira bow to the Oda clan.

Masahide Hirate:
To think that Hirotada would be this stubborn…

Nobuhide Oda:
I can scarcely believe it myself… I suppose his Mikawa warrior dutifulness won’t allow him to betray Yoshimoto.

Masahide Hirate:
What will we do with his son, my lord?

Nobuhide Oda:
Take care of the child. We’ll be able to make use of him someday. Yoshimoto will likely come back for the boy. Put Nobuhiro in Ansho.

Masahide Hirate:
Lord Nobuhiro, my lord…?

Nobuhide Oda:
He should be able to handle defending Ansho. And Ii can’t imagine him taking Mikawa. Kipposhi, however, might have a chance…

Masahide Hirate:
When will we change the Young Master’s name, my lord?

Nobuhide Oda:
When his marriage has been settled. Masahide, move negotiations along with the viper.

Masahide Hirate:
We will have to give up Ogaki…is that permissible, my lord?

Nobuhide Oda:
Give it to them. Because Kipposhi… No, Nobunaga will take it right back.

To The Next Generation(Quest)

Nobuhiro Oda protects Ansho Castle for one year.
Bring Saito Clan’s trust to 100 in a year.

The heir to the Oda clan, Kipposhi (Later known as Nobunaga Oda), was called “The Fool of Owari” from his eccentric behavior. After another day of playing with the other kids in town, Kipposhi returned home to find an unfamiliar child in the garden.

Kipposhi:
Hey. I haven’t seen you around here. What’s your name?

Takechiyoo:
Um, my name is Takechiyo.

Takechiyo Matsudaira would later be known as Ieyasu Tokugawa. At this point in time, he was a hostage of the Oda clan thanks to a plot by Nobuhide Oda.

KIpposhi:
So, you’re the heir to the Matsudaira clan. Do you know who I am?

Takechiyo:
Yes. You are Kipposhi, if I’m not mistaken.

Kipposhi:
Oh, so you already knew. That’s boring.

Takechiyo:
(I can’t say I knew he was the Fool of Owari because of how dopey he looked…)

Kipposhi:
I like you, you’ve got some guts. I think I’ll make you my vassal from now on. Tomorrow, I command you to join me for swimming and horse riding practice.

Takechiyo:
I will gladly join you for practice, but I must decline your offer of vassalage.’

Kipposhi:
Oh? Why is that? Do you also have your pride as leader of a country?

Takechiyo:
No, it’s just that I have a number of followers already. If I became your vassal, I would have to request a stipend from you for them. I didn’t want to cause that sort of trouble for you.

Kipposhi:
…Ha ha ha ha ha! I see, you were already thinking about money. You’re pretty stingy.

Takechiyo:
A-Am I…?

Kipposhi:
But, while I have the deepest consideration for my vassals, I can also handle vulgar topics like money. One who cannot do that is unfit to be a lord!

Takechiyo:
(Huh… It seems like he’s more than just a fool.)

Kipposhi:
It’s difficult to admit, but I don’t have money to give you right now. I suppose I’ll have to give up on making you my vassal.

Takechiyo:
(Phew…)

Kipposhi:
But as soon as the day comes when I have money to give you and your vassals, I will have you obey me… Obey my world.

Takechiyo:
What do you mean?

Kipposhi:
Until then, we are friends! Tomorrow, head to the river at sunrise. Don’t forget!

Takechiyo:
…What an overwhelming personality, to say the least. But, he’s kind of fun to be around. A friend, huh… That might be the first tme I’ve heard that word.

Takechiyo – Ieyasu Tokugawa – would spend the next few years in the Oda clan. Though he was a hostage, he had no strict rules placed upon him and could live freely. This period of Ieyasu’s life greatly influenced his development.

Characters introduced

Kipposhi

Takechiyo

Tanemune Date

Harumune Date

[Tolvo]

Viper of Mino - Nobunaga’s Marriage and 2nd Battle of Azukizaka - Update 11

In this update a marriage is set up between Dosan Saito’s daughter Kicho and Nobunaga Oda. Takechiyo is wanted badly by the Imagawa, while Nobuhide begins to question his own actions. The character list has been updated as well I have added a map of the regions of Japan duriing the Sengoku period.

Saito clan trust level 100 reached!

Sandwiched between the Saito clan to the north and the Imagawa clan to the south, Nobuhide Oda resolved to make peace with the Saito clan. The peace talks ended in success. As a result, Dosan Saito’s daughter, Kicho, and Nobuhide’s son, Nobunaga, were bound in marriage.

Dosan Saito:
This marriage has brought us into alliance with the Oda clan. Would like to believe it would be of use to us, but rumors say Nobunaga is quite the fool. Kicho! If Nobunaga proves to truly be a useless fool…use this blade to kll him. When you do, I will gather the men and take Owari.

Kicho:
Yes Father. However if he is no fool…thiis blade may end up killing you instead.

Nobunaga Oda:
So, Princess of Mino, what did the Viper tell you?

Kicho:
…To support you my Lord.

Nobunaga Oda:
Support me? Not in fact to kill me? If you don’t kill me now, Mino will eventually be mine. Lady No, can you accept that?

Kicho:
…If I choose to kill you, it will be because I realized you are too much of a fool to take even the land of Mno.

Nobunaga Oda:
Heh…is that so…

Ansho castle defended for one year!

To the Next Generation(Quest)

Completed!

Though the Matsudaira clan saw a crushing period of decline after losing their leader, Kiyoyasu Matsudaira at the Tragedy at Moriyama, they were met with another blow. Kiyomasa’s heir and the current leader of the clan, Hirotada, fell at the hands of a retainer as well.

Sessai Taigen:
With this battle we mourn Sir Hirotada, and we take back his son!

Sessai Taigen of the Imagawa clan overcame the danger of having an absent head of the Matsudaira clan to his people’s advantage by fighting in remembrance of Hirotada. Though it’s soldiers fought bravely, Ansho Castle could not stand against the high morale of the Mikawa soldiers and the deft leadership of Sessai.

Masahide Hirate:
Lord Nobuhide, forgive me. If only had arrived in time with reinforcements…!

Nobuhide Oda:
Don’t blame yourself, Masahide. With that monk on the field, there was nothing we could have done. Yet, that blasted Nobuhiro went and got himself captured… Now that was something I hadn’t expect.

Masahide Hirate:
Must we return Takechiyo, my lord?

Nobuhide Oda:
We must… And Takechiyo will then go on to become the leader of Mikawa. The young Takechiyo will be nothing but a puppet to Yoshimoto and Sessai, making Mikawa…all theirs…

Masahide Hirate:
Lord Nobuhide…

The day of Takechiyo’s return, Oda’s central base…

Nobunaga Oda:
Father should have just left Nobuhiro to rot. You’re far more useful, Takechiyo.

Takechiyo:
Lord Nobunaga, I believe people can hear you…

Nobunaga Oda:
Takechiyo, do you want to go back to the Imagawa?

Takechiyo:
Though I don’t wish to go back to the Imagawa, I do wish to return to Mikawa.

Nobunaga Oda:
And why is that?

Takechiyo:
There are retainers of mine waiting for my return.

Nobunaga Oda:
There you go about retainers again… Do you not wish to stay here with the Oda, to aim for conquest at my side?

Takechiyo:
I can aim for conquest with you, Lord Nobunaga, even from Mikawa.

Nobunaga Oda:
Should you return to Mikawa, you’ll be sworn to Yoshimoto. Are you going too defeat him, now, and embark on a national conquest? Now that I’d like to see.

Takechiyo:
!..

Nobunaga Oda:
That was a mere jest. But know this, Takechiyo – do not say that which you cannot do.

Takechiyo:
It is not something I cannot do! Once Mikawa has gained its independence, I’ll come to your aid, Lord Nobunaga – I swear it!

Nobunaga Oda:
Heh… Well, don’t forget those words.

A few days later, at Nobuhide Oda’s residence.

Nobuhide Oda:
I chose the wrong opponent to focus on… Blast, I knew I should have taken over Owari first. It seems the power of coin is not enough… Now, if only my life would hold… No, it matters not. Should my time run out, Nobunaga will remain. That boy has a talent and a destiny I can’t even begin to fathom. He will take all of Owari as his own; of that I am certain. All I must do, then, is lay the foundation for his conquest.

Taking back the head of the Matsudaira clan allowed the Imagawa to exercise full control over the lands of Mikawa. And Nobuhide, without all of Owari under his control, could do little but struggle before the immense power difference of power between him and the Imagawa.

The Muromachi shogunate, which had endured for more than 200 years, was losing its authority. The 20th shogun, Yoshiharu Ashikaga, was stuck in a deadlock war with Chancellor Harumoto Hosokawa. On his son Yoshiteru’s 11th birthday, Yoshiharu made a decision.

Yoshiharu Ashikaga:
Yoshiteru, do you know what happened on my 11th birthday?

Yoshiteru Ashikaga:
I have heard that was the day you became shogun.

Yoshiharu Ashikaga:
Indeed. I intend to make that a custom of the house of the shogun. Yoshiteru, from today forth you are now shogun. Command the nation as you see fit.

Yoshiteru Ashikaga:
Yes, Father!

The Ashikaga clan, the house fo the shogun, had little power left, but rebellions were common n the Hosokawa clan with whom they were currently engaged, and the Kinai region was in complete disarray. Yoshiteru had spent his childhood alternately fleeing from and returning to the capital. Later, he would become a disciple of master swordsman Bokuden Tsukahara and grow to be the “Swordmaster Shogun”, working tirelessly to restore power to the shogunate.

We get a glimpse at the work of Saka Yamashina. She makes for an excellent diplomat and has been traveling in the regions surrounding Owari making peace with thse who would see the Oda clan as friends.

Characters Introduced

Kicho

Yoshiharu Ashikaga

Yoshiteru Ashikaga

[Tolvo]

The Struggle For Power - Nobuhide’s Death - Update 12

This update is a rather sad one. The Oda clan loses Nobuhide to sudden sickness.

Succumbing to sickness, Nobuhide Oda, the head of the Oda clan, realized that his time had come.

Nobuhide Oda:
And so, it is disease that claims me… To think that my life would end so quickly…

Masahide Hirate:
Lord Nobuhide, Lord Nobunaga would like to–

Nobuhide Oda:
Keep him out. We can’t let him catch this too. Let him know, Masahide. Let him know that this is how delicate the human animal is. Tell him not to follow my path, not to be tied down by the old ways…

And so Nobuhide Oda, the Tiger of Owari, passed away, leaving his son Nobunaga to take the reins of the Oda clan.

And then, on the day of the funeral…

Masahide Hirate:
Where…where is the Young Master?

Soldier:
My lord, everyone is searching for him as hard as they can, but…

Masahide Hirat:
What does he think he’s doing on such an important day?!

Ultimately, Nobuhide’s funeral began in Nobunaga’s absence.

Katsuie Shibata:
Sir Hirate, can the men really not find Lord Nobunaga?

Masahide Hirate:
Forgive me, sir Shibata. The responsibility all lies with me…

Katsuie Shibata:
Just where in the world could he be…? Well, Lord Nobukatsu, if you would burn the incense–

Nobunaga Oda:
…

Masahide Hirate:
Y-Young Master…! What on earth are you wearing…?!

Nobunaga Oda:
…

Masahide Hirate:
Young Master! Please, wait!

Nobunaga Oda:
(Father… You were the only one who loved me, who knew me. And I knew you were the only one of this pack who wasn’t a fool. Yet, to see you die so early in life… To think that a man of your caliber could fall so easily… Everyone dies. Everyone lives, simply waiting for death. And if that’s so…!)

Masahide Hirate:
Young Master!

Nobunaga Oda:
Death awaits us all… May tales of my life…be passed on…

Nobunaga snatched the incense and threw it at Nobuhide’s tablet as hard as he could before dashing off without a word.

Masahide Hirate:
Young…Master…

Katsuie Shibata:
…

Nobunaga’s younger brother Nobukatsu, however, went through the funeral a perfect picture of composure. Seeing the stark contrast between the two brothers, Nobukatsu’s supporters gave up on Nobunaga and seceded. Adding insult to injury, a few other retainers, concerned for their clan’s prospect for a future, defected to the Imagawa, bringing the Oda on the verge of collapse.

Nagoya Castle, Owari. The night after Nobunaga ran out of Nobuhide’s funeral.

Kicho:
…Who goes there?

Nobunaga Oda:
…

Kicho:
Lord Nobunaga… What brings you here at such a later hour?

Nobunaga Oda:
No…

Kicho:
Yes, my lord?

Nobunaga Oda:
Do you think a fool is unworthy to lead?

Kicho:
Yes, my lord. None will bow to a fool.

Nobunaga Oda:
Do you think a fool cannot conquer Owari?

Kicho:
Yes, my lord. A fool cannot win in battle.

Nobunaga Oda:
…Do you think I am a fool?

Kicho:
No.

Nobunaga Oda:
Don’t lie to me. All of our retainers and even the people in town call me a fool.

Kicho:
Lord Nobunaga, are you not the Fool of Owari?

Nobunaga Oda:
…Now you’re calling me a fool.

Kicho:
Everyone does, my lord, but I do not think you are a fool. You are the Fool, with a capital F. I feel that a fool of that level can do that which neither the wise nor the foolish can.

Nobunaga Oda:
…

Kicho:
Your fool’s act Lord Nobunaga, has a reason behind it. Did you not also have your reasons for what you did at your father’s funeral?

Nobunaga Oda:
Enough. I was just feeling sorry for myself. Forget I said anything.

Kicho:
Very well. I’ll forget, too, the puffiness of my lord’s weepy face and how he spoke with a voice high enough to be the envy of any maiden.

Nobunaga Oda:
Gah… You won’t see me cry again! From now on, No, all you’ll see from me is unyielding resolve and a face of pure courage.

Kicho:
Haha… When father was alone with me, he would show the same side of himself. Their faces are different, yet so very similar. He’s strong…but I still have to take care of him. Oh, what am I saying? Am I not a woman of Mino, daughter of Dosan…?

The 20th year of Tenmon, 1551. Suemori Castle, Owari. The leader of the Oda clan, Nobuhide Oda, who called this castle home, suddenly passed away due to illness. His dying words left his heir, Nobunaga, as the new lord of the clan.

Masahide Hirate:
Young Master! Do wait, Young Master!

Nobunaga Oda:
What do you want, gramps? I’ve already paid my respects, if that’s what you’re after.

Masahide Oda:
One could hardly call that “paying your respects!” To think you would throw incense at Lord Nobuhide’s tablet like that… Such unruliness from the future lord of the Oda clan is a poor example for our retainers!

Nobunaga Oda:
…

Masahide Hirate:
And furthermore, I hear others say your brother Lord Nobukatsu was a picture of etiquette. This will only strengthen Lord Nobukatsu’s supporters even further. Please bear that in mind, Young Master! If you simply continue to accept the name of “The Fool of Owari”, then as the leader of the Oda clan…

Nobunaga Oda:
Hmph. The Fool of Owari, you say… Not bad.

Masahide Hrate:
Young Master!

Nobunaga Oda:
As lord of this clan, I won’t be held back by petty etiquette and worthless traditions. I’ll be on my way, gramps. There’s things other than this funeral I’ve got to do.

Masahide Hirate:
Please, wait, young master! Did I bring him up the wrong way? Just what is to become of the Oda, or Owari…?

Clan Unification(Quest)

Nobunaga Oda took the reins of the clan once his father passed away. He first sought to complete Nobuhide’s work of uniting Owari.

Capture Kiyosu Castle. Capture Inuyama Castle.

Characters Introduced

Katsuie Shibata

[Tolvo]

The Struggle For Power - Sessai’s Death, the Triple Alliance, and Uniting Owari - Update 13

Nobunaga works on uniting all of Owari under his rule, during this time the Imagawa, Takeda, and Hojo begin the Triple Alliance to prepare each of them for their future expansions. Something to maybe bring up such as with Sessai and Nobuhide dying. While their stories are told romantically do not forget these are pretty horrible people who did absolutely monstrous things. If you feel bad for Yoshimoto losing his best friend and mentor keep in mind Yoshimoto in real life had children crucified and forced to commit suicide. Just try to keep this all in mind as we see these beatufiul stories that pretty much everyone involved is a bastard.

Nobunaga Oda defeated Nobutomo Oda and captured Kiyosu Castle.

Nobunaga Oda:
Father always had a soft spot for this castle…and I can see why. This town is apt for commerce. I claim this castle as my own. Move the warriors and merchants – move everyone from Nagoya over here.

Though not ideal for defense, Kiyosu Castle saw a lot of traffic, making the expansion of commerce in the town promising. From this day forth, it would expand as the center of Owari.

The Imagawa Clan of Suruga. Yoshimoto Imagawa, said to be the “greatest warrior of Tokai”, controlled a vast territory and had an army large enough to back it up. Geographically, Yoshimoto was not too far from the capital either. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was the daimyo that was closest to ruling the nation. However, what was stopping the Imagawa clan from marching to the capital was not the countries that lay between them, but rather the two major armies from in the opposite direction.

Yoshimoto’s late wife had descended from the Takeda clan of Kai. However Nobutora, the head of the Takeda clan and the one who had suggested the marriage alliance, was presently being challenged for control of the clan by the current heir, Harunobu.

Furthermore, although Yoshimoto had married his daughter into the Hojo clan of Sagami, the Imagawa’s alliance with the Takeda clan had reignited a border dispute between the Imagawa and Hojo. The head of the Hojo clan, Ujiyasu, had pulled off a skillful surprise attack that allowed him to survive an attack on Kawagoe Castle, which Yoshimoto had secretly planned. Additionally, Ujiyasu had been showing signs of expanding his army.

In order to pave the way to the capital for the Imagawa clan, Sessai Taigen, one of Yoshimoto’s chief retainers, had been negotiating with the leaders of the Takeda and Hojo behind the scenes.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
An alliance between all three countries?

Sessai Taigen:
Indeed. With just a bit more time, my plan should be a success and we will be able to march to the capital unhindered.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Splendid. What is it that you ask of me, then?

Sessai Taigen:
A meeting, Lord.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Oh? With whom?

Sessai Taigen:
I would like you to meet with Harunobu Takeda and Ujiyasu Hojo at Zentokuji and speak frankly about your intentions.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
I see… This plan is daring, yet intriguing. I knew I could count on you.

And so, the legendary alliance between the three clans was decided at Zentokuji. The Imagawa, Takeda, and Hojo clans formed marriage alliances with each other, and at last each clan could focus on expanding their own territory to the west, north, and east, respectively.

Sessai Taigen. A Zen priest at Kyoto, he was called to Suruga to take the position of young Yoshimoto’s instructor. Since then, he had continued to support Yoshimoto in public and in private. The efforts of the two had brought the Imagawa clan up to being one of the largest forces in the nation.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Heh… Master Sessai, your good karma is still lacking. Should you die here, you will reincarnate in hell. Take the time to recover, master.

Sessai Taigen:
Lord Yoshimoto… I am the one who serves the Buddha. I can tell how much time I have left.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
…

Sessai Taigen:
Yet, I have no regrets. Because, Lord Yoshimoto, your road to conquest has been opened.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
The Triple Alliance… Leaving such a thing behind certainly shows your masterly love.

Sessai Taigen:
It is but a trifling token of my gratitude, my lord. This time I have spent with you…it was very enjoyable. I was able to use my techniques on the battlefield to their fullest because of you, Lord Yoshimoto. Meeting you was a true blessing. And because I received such a blessing in this life, my next destination…can only be hell.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
THen… Then wait for me in hell, master. I will go on to take the nation. And on that road, the sin I shall bear will be immense.

Sessai Taigen:
Then, my lord… Allow me to make our preparations to fight with hell’s ogres. Lord Yoshimoto… Take the nation, no matter the cost…

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
I will, master. I won’t let your efforts go to waste. Now, you need only sleep.

The Imagawa clan had been held up by the works of Yoshimoto and Sessai. And without Sessa at his side, Yoshimoto had to carry the entire Imagawa on both of his shoulders. That fact cast a faint, yet all too dark shadow upon the clan’s future.

Characters Introduced

Ujiyasu Hojo

[Tolvo]

The Struggle For Power - Motonari’s Plans for the Kikkawa, and the Imagawa March on the Oda - Update 14

Welcome to Update 14. This is yet another short update that sets up more for the future conquest of the Mori clan under Motonari Mori. Of greater importance is the plan of Yoshimoto Imagawa. He has decided finally to take the capital with the only true foes between him and it being the Oda clan led by Nobunaga Oda.

Okitsune Kikkawa, the head of the Kikkawa clan, was a valiant warrior but lacked in prudence. His rash nature was made evident with how readily he betrayed the Ouchi clan at Gassantoda Castle. Due to this and other incidents, unease and distrust were brewing among his vassals.

Motonari Mori:
Motoharu. You are to join the Kikkawa clan from today on.

Motoharu Mori:
Ah, you mean the clan that Mother came from?

Motonari Mori:
Yes. Their leader, Okitsune, was just driven out of the clan for misconduct.

Motoharu Mori:
…I see.

Motonari Mori:
I want you to succeed your mother’s clan. Do you understand? Do not disappoint me.

Motoharu Kikkawa:
I understand, Father. Leave it to me. I will become one of the strongest generals in the West and support the Mori clan.

And so, it was decided that Motoharu Mori would change his name to Motoharu Kikkawa and inherit the Kikkawa clan. He would be in charge of expanding the influence of the Mori clan in the Sanin region.

Inuyama Castle captured.

Soldier:
Reporting! Lord Nobukatsu Oda has rebelled at Suemori Castle! He has gained Lords Hayashi and Shibata as allies and is raising soldiers against us!

Nobunaga Oda:
…Is that so? Mother and the others likely put him up to this, telling him to replace his fool of a brother. Though my younger brother, he lets others make his decisions for him… What a pity. Yet, I will give no quarter. Those that stand in my way, no matter who they are, I will crush. Prepare to march! We bring down Suemori Castle immediately!

Capture Suemori Castle

Suemori Castle Captured

Katsuie Shibata:
Guh… To think that I would fall into enemy hands, unable to fulfill my liege’s orders… Such is fate. Come, now! Take my head!

Nobunaga Oda:
…I will not.

Katsuie Shibata:
What?! You would pity one who tried to take your life?

Nobunaga Oda:
No. I simply concluded that I need you for the path I will take. If you are one bound by such trivialities, I have no need of you, I’ll end your life right here. Yet, if you are one who would create this new world with me, living through your shame, then you are worth keeping alive. Now tell me Katsuie…which are you?

Katsuie Shibata:
(He would call joining his brother and attempting to take his life a “triviality”…? Perhaps Lord Nobunaga is called a fool because none in this world can truly grasp the depth of this man’s mind…) …Understood, my liege. I, Katsuie, swear to charge through this world of chaos under my lord, Nobunaga!

Clan Unification(Quest)
Completed!

Tokai, Suruga… Residing here was a might daimyo who had taken Totom, Mikawa, and part of Owari. Yoshimoto Imagawa. This man, known as the greatest warrior in Tokai, harbored a new ambition in his heart.

Yoshimoto Imagawa:
We begin advancing west! We march to Owari, the fertile land of the Oda! I, Yoshimoto, will see how much of a man the Fool of Owari, Nobunaga, is…then conquer his lands, without fail!

Meanwhile in Owari.

Soldier:
Reporting! Imagawa forces have begun marching from Suruga! Yoshimoto himself is marching towards Owari with a large force!

Nobunaga Oda:
Yoshimoto… This battle won’t be easy… Throwing ourselves against a massive force led by Tokai’s best warrior will only get us killed. Winning without depending on old tactics, on old ways of war… Now is the time face my true trial!