Warlords: Three Kingdoms

Amber

Come one, come all, the game shall begin. Whether your a fan of the novels or an avid role-player seeking new frontiers in gaming, all are welcome here.

Conflicts are resolved by a mix of roleplay and stat values, No Dice are used in this system. Players are given PTD and free reign to design their characters however they wish (pretty much). Check us out. Players, Moderators, and GM's needed. We currently have active players involved in rich, detailed RP, though more are always welcome.

WotD Storyline wrote:It is 189 AD, known also as the first year of Zhaoning, and the Han Empire, which has stood for almost four hundred years, is crumbling. During the reign of Han Huan-di, corruption and abuse of power became regular occurances in the Imperial Capital and especially its Court. Huan-di himself had been installed as the Son of Heaven through the abuse of power, done by one Grand Marshal Liang Ji, who later would be ousted from power by the Son of Heaven and through his supporters, namely the eunuchs of the Court. It was through that instance that the eunuchs and attendants of the Imperial Court first gained a taste of power that was so richly desired. Eventually, Xiao Huan-di rode the Jade Dragon into the Nine Springs and the Marquess of Jieduting, known now as Han Ling-di, was installed as the Son of Heaven.

It would be through Ling-di’s ineffective use of power that the eunuchs of the Imperial Court became more and more powerful and affluent with each passing day. Filial and just officials such as Dou Wu and Chen Fan were eliminated or exiled while the corrupt and the unfilial were promoted to high and powerful ranks and given lofty titles for a lofty price. Eventually, a group of Eunuchs, known as the Ten Attendants, had risen to such power that they virtually held the Imperial Court in the palm of their hands. It was even whispered that their leader, Zhang Rang, was called a foster father by Han Ling-di.

The people of the land knew of the corruption in the Imperial Court mostly because they felt it every time the Court’s Tax Collectors would increase the amount of gold taels to fill his own pockets or to fill the coffers of the Attendants. The time was right for rebellion and several would soon come, most prominently from a group of brothers named Zhang, who led hundreds of thousands of angered peasants against the Imperial Court. The rebels were distinguished by the yellow scarves that they wore during their revolt and thus the rebellion was called the Yellow Scarves Rebellion.

The Ten Attendants knew nothing of war and thus Grand Marshal He Jin, a former butcher turned Imperial Official after his sister became the Empress of Han Ling-di, was put in the forefront and issued a command to put an end to these rebellions. The campaigns were successful, though a heavy price was paid and rumors of the escape of the brothers continue to the present. The Yellow Scarves were largely defeated, though remnants of their rebellion continue to pester government officials in the present day. In the northwest, in the uncivilized areas of Liang, Ma Teng and Han Sui rose up in rebellion against the Court at the same time as the Brothers Zhang. The semi-barbarian rebels were appeased however, and Ma Teng himself was made an Imperial official.

After the major rebellions were put down, Han Ling-di increased the levy of taxes once again and sold Imperial offices to help to pay for the cost of the wars and the corruption of the officials of the Court. At the suggestion of Liu Yan, an Imperial Relative, Han Ling-di increased the powers given to the regional governors of cities, effectively allowing for each to administrate their lands as to their will. Liu Yan asked for, and received, permission to head to Cheng’du where he must now deal with Zhang Lu, a former officer of his who turned traitor and Leader of the Five Pecks of Rice cult, and was the sole rebel who had obtained "official" independence from the Empire and who based his administration in the historical birthplace of the Empire, Han Zhong.

Other officials would obtain their own seals of government as well. Civil official Han Fu was given the city of Ye while the famed general Gongsun Zan and his family administrated the city of Ji. Liu Biao, another Imperial relative, was given the land of Xiang Yang while the rebel turned Imperial official Ma Teng was made the official administrator of Xi Liang. Still, shades of rebellion were always present and, in the city of Wu, a man by the name of Yan Baihu has sent out “proclamations” declaring himself the "King of Wu."

In the Capital, however, the chaos was beginning. Now Han Xiao Ling-di has rode the Jade Dragon himself and the Attendants, in an attempt to gain even more power for themselves, attempted to enthrone their choice for the Imperial Robes. However, Grand Marshal He Jin was able to head off the eunuchs and place his relative, the Marquess Shi, on the Throne as the current Son of Heaven. The stage was set for an internal war and the eunuchs struck first by assassinating He Jin with a false edict. Little did they know that He Jin had earlier called upon his allies to assist him in his cause and that one such ally, the Imperial General Dong Zhuo, had heeded the call all too well. The Attendants were quickly eliminated though rumors claim that several and evaded the bloody sword and ax and Dong Zhuo immediately set himself up as Prime Minister of the Han. Rumors of the man's harsh rule has already started to spread beyond the walls of the Imperial Capital.

The time is ripe for men to distinguish themselves now in this, an era of chaos. New lords have been seen to be rising to power in several of the Empire’s cities. Soon, many capable and some incapable individuals will be roaming the lands in search of a lord to serve. Along with the established lords of the land, the stage is set for what will no doubt prove to be one of the most frenzied times in the history of the land. The only question to ask one’s self is, “Are you prepared to follow the Way of the Dragon?"