Herein begins an account of Wilhelm of Hochsleben. Accounted via letters sent from the islands of Nippon to his family in Hochsleben in the year 1652 of the Imperial Calendar.“My dearest Heidi. I hope this letter finds you well. I hope young Otto is growing up strong and tall (and fat). I trust you have received my previous two letters, informing you of my safe arrival and then of my acceptable lodgings with the family Odayaka. All is and remains suitable and advantageous for our cause. After the long trip, it is nice to have a moment to find myself settled in and with spare hours to learn more of the language and peoples of Nippon.”
**Here, Wilhelm goes on at length regarding the beauty of ponds and the tranquility of fishing with his Nipponese hosts. These paragraphs have been removed for brevity, allowing to those of a more military nature.“As you know, Meister Keinrick has asked me to report on all coming and goings of the military forces of this land. My instructions to you are to take the following pages of this letter to our Meister. He will be expecting these reports such that he can discuss with our provincial leaders about a possible alliance with the proud folk of Nippon – and specifically with the strong family of Odayaka.”
“Meister Keinrick. I have been asked to compare the fighting military force of my hosts to something seen in my home country. This task is not easily done, but I shall try my mightiest. Please excuse my rough translations. I have been learning more words every day, but mastery of this foreign language is no easy task.”
“My short answer to you is this: the Nipponese are a well versed army. Their lack of gunpowder weaponry, relative to our provincial army, is notable. Their troops are both more and less vigorous than a typical empire solider. Allow me to explain. Their elite forces, their Samurai soldiers, go to battle both on foot and mounted on various beasts. These Samurai have an unwavering loyalty to their leaders and a firm belief in their military code. They are fantastic fighters and soldiers.”
“As valuable as the Samurai are, the average foot soldier of Nippon is comparable to a well below average man in one of our regiments. They are conscripted into units by their feudal Samurai lords. These foot troops sometimes wield a Halberd type weapon that they call a Naginta. For my measure, I feel the rank and file in the Armies of Nippon are best suited to long range weapons. They are familiar with bows, arrows, crossbows, and bolts.”
“My next letter will get into more detail, unit by unit of the successes and failures we can expect when allying ourselves with the armies of Nippon. For now, permit me to present to you the marching orders of the army of the local feudal Count. Or, I suppose, what we would call a count. Perhaps the correct word is Daimyo?”
“This is an archetypal army of the forces that Lord Daimyo Hiroki Odayaka would lead for most medium sized engagements. There are rat men here in Nippon, and battling them is as gruesome a task here as it is back in Averland. Demons come down from the North on wings of evil. There are roaming tribes of Hobgoblins. Of course, they face corrupt men of their own race… brigands, rivals, and so forth. All of these enemies and more have been mentioned by the military leaders I have met, but none have been witnessed by first hand as of yet.”
“As they march to war, I would compare these troops as follows:
Whereas we would have a General of the Empire on Griffon:
Lord Daimyo Hiroki Odayaka, riding on Tengu (‘Haninu’, feather dog)
Whereas we would have Knights, (11) Inner Circle Knights led by (1) BSB:
Naito-Kusari, Order of the Steel Dragon
BSB, Yuki Odayaka, nephew of Hiroki Odayaka
So named for the steel barding on their horses.
Yuki is a “Red Devil” Samurai, and carries his family banner.
Whereas we would have Demigryph Knights (5), i.e. Dragon Rider Samurai:
Naito-Hada-Ishi, Order of the Stone Dragon
So named for the stone of the mountainous regions from which these dragons come.
[So named for the stone scenic bases on the models themselves.]
Whereas we would have Greatswords (20), i.e. Samurai of foot:
The Blades of Justice
Led by Warrior Priest, Shoi Nikushimi
So named for their katanas.
Each katana is blessed before battle by their warrior priest.
Whereas we would have Flagellants (30), i.e. Warrior Monks:
Brothers of the Broken Chain
Joined by Majo Kaiju [Level 2 Beasts]
So named for their weapons, these monks eschew normal swords or axes or even clubs, preferring to fight with long lengths of chain. These chains act similar to flails amidst battle.
Crossbowmen (20):
Arrows of the North Wind, Kita Kaze Kinzoku
Joined by Uza Dotetsu [Level 2 Metal]
These archers bring death through the air, and they offer thanks and prayers to the north winds that their crossbow bolts may find their intended target.
Archers (10):
Arrows of the South Wind, Minami Kaze Kinzoku
These archers seek guidance from the South wind, masking their approach and blessing them in retreat.
Cannon (1); Jishin Ju Odayaka
Odayaka’s Fire Gun
One of only a very few cannons to be found in Nippon. This is actually an antiquated piece, more prone to misfire than newly forged cannon from the Empire of the Old World.”
“This is a list of what I have seen so far, as the Battle Lords and Samurai march on and over the parade grounds – resplendent in their dress. There is often a gathering of massed groups of spearmen pulled from peasant levies. There is a talk of an automated motorized Turtle Machine. I have not seen this wonder, but have made arrangements to do so the next time it is up and running. Perhaps it is not so dissimilar from one of our Steam Tanks?”
“My next letter will carry more information of all military noteworthiness. It is my hope to see the troops in action, although I suppose not – on behalf of my hosts. This is a peaceful village and I wish no horror to fall upon them. Nonetheless, the true worthiness and mettle of any ally is seen in the heat of battle and through the fog of war.”
**Here, Wilhelm goes on regarding his pay and requests for more personal supplies from the Old World to be delivered to his possession in Nippon. These paragraphs have been redacted at the request of the author’s family.
