Author : zznɟ ǝɥʇ Original Thread : [Americas AAR] The Lonesome Saguaro: An Apache AAR The Lonesome Saguaro: An Apache AARThe Lonesome Saguaro: Update 1 Alosaka: Greetings. I am Alsosaka, Chief of the Apache people. How many years I have walking this earth, I do not know. But my years have been happy and prosperous, and my people are healthy. My son, Helaku, is a great warrior and provider, destined to be a great Chief when I pass. He will doubtless oversee our tribe's expansion, as our lands cannot support our thriving people anymore. Our lands may be large, but our population is growing. We must expand. Helaku determines to explore to the south, towards the mountains, while I send our scout Elki to the west to explore. ------ Alosaka: I have decided to lead my people east as well. We will follow every blow of the wind. In the south Helaku has stumbled upon a small camp, known as Chihauhau. He will raid the camp, and if he can, settle there. The locals seem to be few in number and no coyotes have been seen--no tricksters wait to lead to our defeat. Battle Report--Helaku Helaku: My father has told me his wish to find good places to live, and this camp will do our people well. But first we must drive the local tribe out. We enter the camp, and the enemy tribe's archers are many. We must break through to them quickly if we are to win. War calls and whoops fill the air, along with the sharp twang of loosed arrows. Some braves climb to the top of a hillock and throw their spears, while most our braves run into the mass of enemies. I run in with them, and battle is fierce. To my left a man is cut down with an axe, I turn and kill the assailant. The Apache braves behind me rush at the enemy Chief, now come to confront us. He is no match for them. The battle is not over, even with their Chief laying dead, his blood soaking into the arid soil. But suddenly we realize that only we are left. The other tribe has been wiped out. We can make camp for the night, and soon this land can support my people. ---- Alosaka: This is good news, to be sure. With our people able to expand to the south, we need more wet climates to settle in as well. I am fast approching such an area. Elki sends word that he has found the great ocean to the west--but we can expand much further. He now means to move south with our emissary and meet with the Chichimec tribes--they send word of a war to the south. ---- Alosaka: I have come across a camp belonging to the Comanche tribe. They are greater in number, but I think we will be able to push them east. Soon we will settle in these greener lands. Battle Report--Alosaka Right away I can see that the Comanche camp, while small, is protected my natural hills and some scattered trees. Our braves will be forces to fight tightly, but they are confident of success. War calls pierce the morning air. To battle! Much of the fighting was focused around this lone tree. Many Apache braves fall, but our arrows find their mark and the losses are forgotten in the heat of combat. I run into the melee, slashing everywhere. Comanche braves flee in my wake. The battle has turned. The Comanche Chief comes out, screaming a warcry. But his call is cut short. All resistance falls apart after this. The camp is ours! ---- Alosaka: We lost many braves in the battle for this camp. I think I shall remain here for the rest of my days. I hope I am able to. My son Helaku has plans to move west and south in search of new regions and camps. But I fear for him, as rumors are reaching me here. Rumors about the war in the south. A great war, where ancient people and empires are being decimated. I fear it is only a matter of time before it reaches my people. To be continued..... Update 2.Alosaka:Lootah, our emissary, has met with the Chichimec. They are great in number, but quite friendly and open to discussion. Lootah sends word that he discussed the growing conflict, and they said they may join the war, against the Aztecs. The inquire as to our stance on the conflict but Lootah assures them we will stay out of the war. Good news from my household, my wife has given birth to a child, Sakima. Don't know what gender though, it's hard to tell. Helaku's wife had a child as well, Ashkil, no idea of the gender either. I'm getting old, my eyes must be going. ---- Alosaka: Lootah has met with the Tarascans. They too are very strong, and I think they will attack the Aztecs--they are preparing for war. The Chichimec will probably help them, based on Lootah's conversation. Meanwhile, to the west and north, Helaku attacks a small settlement--Tongva. Battle Report--Helaku Helaku: Our braves number in the thousands. The people of Tongva cannot match us. We charge! The first exchange happens quickly, and very violently. Our braves are stuck in a bottleneck. We need to push through these first enemies. Our medicine men lead the push, and all fall before them. Now I can finally enter the battle. I search out the nearest brave and kill him. I move on, blood pumping, senses heightened, ready for the next attacker. We press on, an unstoppable weight of men crush the enemy. Soon the enemy is fleeing. We have won. ------- Alosaka: With Helaku's victory, we can expand even more. The more area we have to move safely on, the better. Strange forces are at work here....and also in the south. Lootah attempted to meet with a Spaniard, but he was rebuked and his life was threatened. Although locals said the Spaniard confused him with an Aztec. An unthinkable error, but the Spaniards are new to the region...and the Tlaxcalans and Tarascans support them. Later Lootah plans on attempting another meeting. --- Alosaka: Elki has discovered many more goings in the south. The Tlaxacans have undertaken open war against the Aztecs, and the Spanish seem to be supporting them. Lootah was captured by the Aztecs in his travels, and was told to give them his riches or be killed! He lost a lot of collected items during the kidnapping, though he was resourceful enough to get a Spanish map... It seems the Spanish are keen expanding on their holdings. Lootah has discoevered even more, in fact. Luckily all is peaceful in Apache lands. These wars are far from our people. Helaku plans to move southwest to Pitic, and I want to explore the southeast, but our people are safe. The southern jungles may be ablaze, with all nations and people united against the Aztecs, and the Mayans aloof to it all, but here, all is calm. Or is it.... To be continued.... Update 3.Alosaka:Helaku reaches Pitic after a very short journey, and attacks the camp there. Battle Report: Helaku Helaku: If the fighting around Tongvu was any guide, this battle will be easy as well. I send our best braves at the enemy. War crys again fill the air. Before long the two sides meet. The initial combat is far more fierce than I had imagined it to be--the tribe that lives here is experienced in war. Many of our braves fall, and their archers pick off our own archers. The fighting expands to nearly every man. But there is a turn in the tide of the battle! The enemy Chieftain got too close to our medicine men and braves. They killed him almost right off, and they now move off in search of the next warrior worthy to face them. Much of the resistance is gone now. There is no question we will win, it is only a matter of how much longer the enemy can hold. I search for surviving Pitic men. And finally, victory. Though it comes at a far greater cost than I imagined. ------- Alosaka: I have instructed Helaku to stay at Pitic. That last battle hurt our nation deeply, and it will take years to recover from that. But still I move east, exploring. A good spot to stay is near, and I hope to settle our people in that region. To be entirely truthful I am very nervous. These lands are unknown to me, and the French has still not be spotted. They could be anywhere amongst these tall trees. But it seems the French are not the chief of my concerns--a large army of the Chichimec is near! --- Alosaka: The French's whereabouts are no longer unknown. A wandering wiseman found a French explorer deep in the woods of the Miccosukee tribe's realm. It appears the French have taken the land for their own. More news comes through rumoring that the French have taken over more than just Miccosukee land. Word also comes from the wars between the Aztecs and the other tribes and peoples. The Aztecs are suffering greatly, and the Tarascans and Spanish are benefiting greatly from the war. The Aztecs fight on, but they have lost much strength. --- Helaku: The Great Spirit has taken my father back. Earlier today he passed on while he was exploring to the east. His troops are lost--they have no real leader now. I send word for them to continue to explore eastward...we need to determine in the French are a threat. The Chichimec clearly mean to expand as well, but so far they are staying out of my people's affairs, and I will watch them warily. But it would be foolish of them to attack while they fight the Aztecs as well! --- Helaku: I fear I have been far to trusting of the Chichimec. They have assaulted the recent home of my father and I think the Campache camps have fallen to them. Word made it back to me here, but none fighting survived the battle. They were outnumbered to begin with. It seems "Our people tried to stop the attack in two places, one with archers, another with strong braves. The Apache warriors hold for as long as they can, but there is no doubt to the outcome of the battle. Soon there are a handful of Apache men left fighting, all others are dead or dying. And then they too die, and the Chichimec set fire to the camp. They slaughter our people." Such is the story I was told. Scouts confirm it. So the Chichimec have chosen to attack without reason. They have chosen to bring war upon a people that meant them no harm. We shall see. The remnants of Alosaka's army will move to retake what is left of our camp. And in the west I will call the Apaches to war. I will send emissaries to the French to help us with our war against the Chichimec. To war! To war! To-- *ghfebhfrgkdlnbnyufrinlfbyuefrngeywnmoirhcviuw* Oh ****, an earthquake! To be continued.... Update 4.Helaku: We have explored the lands surrounding us almost completely. My scouts and wisemen have done masterful job collecting local knowledge and saving it. We now have a map of the region: Soon we will approach the French with an offer of alliance. Our armies slowly muster in the west while the remnants of Alosaka's warriors march on to the Compache lands taken from us. Far south in Mexico, Lootah and Elki send word that the Tarascans and Tlaxcalans have taken over much of the Aztec Empire. In fact, Elki has learned that the last Aztec fortress is soon to be attacked by the Spanish. It is shocking to think that the Aztecs could vanish from the earth after ruling so many for so long. --- Helako: A large force of Chichimec braves spotted our warriors! They have attacked! Battle Report-Maska I am a lesser leader than my Chief, but I will do what I can to save my people from the Chichimec braves. There is little strategy required in this meeting. They are a charging horde, we must charge them and try to blunt the attack. Our medicine men lead the charge, whooping and calling. Is is a heartening sight. We are fighting for our late Chief, we are fighting for honor. Yet it is apparent we are not destined to win this. Their archers cut down our braves. Their warriors best ours by sheer numbers. I am attacked, wounded greatly, and captured. The battle is over. I do not know if any Apaches live. I can hardly see for the pain. I feel a weightlessness coming over me...a sense of peace... ---- Helako: This news is almost too much to take! The survivors have straggled back into our homeland however, and they wish to recoup then lead an attack on the Chichimec. In Calusa (Florida), a wiseman stumbles upon a pompous French missionary. His dislike of the Frenchman leads him to decide to stay in Calusa and undermine the others' efforts. Meanwhile our emissary manages to secure a trade agreement with the French, but they are against an alliance. I think they can be swayed if we win a victory over the Chichimec. --- Helaku: The world is changed again. The English have been spotted to the south. The Aztecs are no more. My son, Sakima, will lead my people through these troubles, as I am reaching the end of my life and he is yet to reach the prime of his. But I have some time left on this earth. --- Helaku: Ashkil has come of age. He too will lead the Apaches to greatness. My daughter has married Chochmo of the Natootzun tribe. He is a worthy man to enter my family. And with this happy news comes more sobering news: the Tarascans and Tlaxcalans are at war, and Elki spots the English moving north near the Mayan cities. At home our braves continue to assemble. It will not be long before we are on the warpath. --- Helaku: Another of my son, Vipoonah, has come of age. Like the other young men in the family, he appears poised for greatness. And now our peoples are on the move. I move south into Navajo lands and encounter a force of Chichimec, but I don't engage in battle. My son Sakima travels east to the Compache lands, and soon Chochmo and reinforcements from Chihuahua will join him. --- Helaku: Soon I will strike the Chichimec settlement south of the Navajo lands. The move about, not knowing our presence, but soon we will attack. Word from afar still reaches me as well: the English have expanded in number, and the Spanish have landed in Florida. Perhaps to contest the French? The time has come for battle. We attack! ----- Battle Report--Helaku We caught the enemy unprepared. A man of their ruling family is alone with his bodyguards, and far behind him is a larger force with yet another member of the ruling family. This will be a hardfought victory. The enemy noble charges into the fray, slashing and hacking at our medicine men. But his ferocity is matched and exceeded on our side. Soon an axe meets his head and his bodyguards are wiped out. None survive. Our warriors rest for a short time and then the larger Chichimec force is upon us. Everything becomes confused on the open plain. Friend and enemy alike fight back to back, not knowing where the next attack is coming from. Our warriors regroup and the chaos is reigned in. The Chichimec sense a change in the battle, and begin to flee. Only the noble remains, fighting a small group of rabbit boys. Yet even they were more than a match for him. With his death all fighting ceased. We won the battle. --- Helaku: We captured many men that day, but they were all executed. Their have shown our innocents no mercy, we will show their warriors none. With this victory we are able to attack the city of Culiacan. Soon our warriors will be ready to assault the walls and kill the few that defend it. And in east, our warriors meet to form a horde of Apaches. I think that the Chichimec are soon to lose their influence in the world. To be continued.... Update 5. Helaku: My son Sakima had set up camp in a grove of trees, and a Chichimec force passed nearby. Sakuma attacks! But even with the ambush, the Chichimec still have far greater numbers... Battle Report--Sakima's Ambush In the back of my mind I have doubts about this attack. The omens say nothing about the upcoming battle. The Chichimec are going to be taken by suprise but they still have the numbers to win. So to war! Our line of warriors and their line meet within minutes of the suprise attack. The Chichimec were prepared for an attack so the suprise was not as great as I would have hoped. All across the plain our warriors fight, but more and more Chichimec join the fray. I send many braves to help the medicine men that are trying to keep the Chichimec from attacking the rabbit boys. There is no semblence of order anymore. I run in, my bodyguards alongside. We push throw some Chichimec spearmen, annihilating them. More intense fighting takes place near a rather large bush. Clearly my braves know the advantange of not being seen... I too learn the advantage of not being seen... Suddenly the Chichimec reform, and attack the left of our warriors. Braves rush to stop the Chichimec advance, but not before many rabbit boys are killed. The medicine men stop fighting for a second and chant. The sight makes the enemy falter, and our braves attack. The Chichimec flee. We have defeated the Chichimec army. --- Helaku: Sakima sends word that his warriors and those of Chochmo are waiting for the next Chichimec army to attack. When the Chichimec do attack, our armies will surround them and destroy them. Meanwhile the time has come to take the city of Culiacan. A medium sized force remains in the city, but a larger army of the Chichimec has appeared outside. If we are to win this battle we must do so before the reinforcements can reach us. I lead my men to the walls. ----- Seige of Culiacan Perhaps 200 Chichimec warriors are defending their city today, but another 1000 are approaching from the east. We must scale the walls, kill or run past the defenders, and capture the city's square if we are to win. All depends on the speed of our men. The battle starts well. Our ladders reach the tops of the wall and our medicine men make quick work of the defenders there. The defenders that aren't killed flee to the city center. Our troops scurry up the ladders and into the city, but the going is slow and the enemy reinforcements are approaching. Instead of waiting for our entire army to enter the city I intstruct any warrior inside the city to attack the center. First to reach the center are the medicine men, but the bulk of my braves, including me, are stuck on the ladders and walls as the enemy reinforcements get closer. The medicine men are making quick work of the Chichimec in the center, and victory is within sight. Yet out of the corner of my eye, I notice a black flag waving nearby...the Chichimec! Their reinforcements have arrived with half our braves are in the city and half are outside! Their warriors attack the Apaches still on the ground near the ladders. Most of my bodyguard is inside the city, but a few remain with me on the walls. All but thirty medicine men are in the city center. I am surrounded by braves as the reinforcements come. But then I realise--only a few are attacking us--the rest are rushing into the city! In vain we try to run the the center to hold it agains the incoming tide of Chichimec. But we are stuck on the walls, fighting. While this battle rages, our warriors in the center kill the local Chief in their struggle. And then the Chichimec reinforcements reach the city center, and with their arrival our hopes of an early victory are gone. Rumors spread within the warriors that the city was a mere 41 seconds from surrendering. In the center chaos ensues. there are many fresh Chichimec warriors, all running towards the medicine men. Our medicine men, my bodyguard, and the few braves that remain in the center fight well, but the push of the enemy is relentless. We are being overrun inside the city. The fighting is thick on the walls as well. Only four of my bodyguard remain with me, the others are dead. Quite a few braves break off to help those in the city center, then the battle is reversed, and we retake the center. But it is shortlived, and soon the Chichimec have overrun the center again. But it is clear we are winning the battle on the walls, and the Chichimec flee to the city center, and we quickly take off in pursuit. Our warriors in the center are nearly all dead, but so are the Chichimec. The warriors with me get tied up with a small force of spearmen in a avenue, and all the Apache warriors in the city center are killed. But only a few Chichimec remain alive there. We have to get to the city center and retake it. We kill the spearmen and attack the center. With me are perhaps 40 braves, 3 medicine men, and 2 bodyguards. We are all that remain of our thousand-man strong army earlier in the day. I am filled with fury. I know nothing of calm, of peace, of rest. I have a heightened awareness. I know where my next strike will be, I know where my enemy will attack. Around 30 braves are alive, and one medicine man besides me. We fight on against the last of the Chichimec warriors--a meager 25 of them remain. But they are strong and battle-hardened. The last medicine man falls. The braves hold back, unsure of what to do. I press forward, killing all in my path. Now there are only six enemy alive, and twenty of our braves. They are wavering. I am tiring. This battle will only end when one side is completely slaughtered. The braves hold back for the last three Chichimec. I do not. I dodge, I swing, I yell, and they fall before me. No Chichimec that fought this day remains alive. Every last one of them was killed. They will doubtless wonder what befell their city, for none shall escape to tell the tale. Though the victory was great, it was won at a high price. Only 22 of our warriors are alive. I am filled with a cold fury. I turn to my few braves remaining, and tell them to raze with city and kill the populace. You don't **** with Helaku. ------------ To be continued.... hope you enjoyed this update. I've never been in such an intense battle. It seemed nothing was going my way and all the Chichimec troops were heavy inf and all I had were light, and really I can't believe I pulled off a win here, it's all due to Super Saiyan Helaku. My flatmate even came in the room to watch the battle, because that's really all you could do for the last twenty minutes--watch, and hope. Update 6.Helaku: On the plains, Chochmo and Sakima, along with the braves from Chihuahua, surround a Chichimec band of warriors. They attack. Battle Report--Sakima I am glad. The already small Chichimec army will soon be dwarfed by Chochmo's armies. This will be a rout. To war! Charge them, Apaches! We are starting to get flanked. No reason to worry yet, we can hold until Chochmo arrives. But the rabbit boys are being overrun...we need help... WHAT! Chochmo can't make it? The men from Chihuahua can't either? Why? What? No reason? God damn you graphics cards, damn you! Oh no, we're surrounded! *^#@!#%$%&*&$@ I'm completely surrounded, Chichimec warriors are trapping us. There is no escape, we must fight our way out. I slash, strike down one. A quick hop back and another slash, another Chichimec warrior falls. But-- There is blood in my eyes. I blink to see clearly and more blood runs in. I can make out bodies, hundreds of bodies. The groans and screams of dying men...and I am among them today. Maybe some Apaches fight on....I cannot tell. My time is up. I hope I do not disappoint my father. -------------- Helaku: My son...my heir...my son! This will not soon be forgotten. The Chichimec will be made to suffer... And so Ashkil is next in line to be Chief. Such a terrible way to rise in power, through the death of a beloved brother. Chochmo seems determined to avenge Sakima. He marches east as soon as possible and deep into Chichimec territory. The Chihuahua braves follow closely behind. But it seems they did not follow near enough. ------- Battle on the Open Plain I, Askook, am out of my league. The plan was to stay close to Chochmo so we could join forces should the enemy attack. But now I must fight on. I doubt my chances of victory, but I will kill as many Chichimec as I can. Our archers form a line in front of the braves and medicine men. Once the enemy gets close enough, they will fall back and the braves will pelt them with spears, and then the medicine men will aid the braves once melee begins. ...And our archers fall back... ...And battle is joined. I did not imagine this many enemy warriors. Our medicine men are too few to hold them all. The Chichimec archers rain death as our troops struggle with the close combat. I jump into the fray. A sharp pain, a jab, and I am on the ground. I barely fought this day...but we did slay many Chichimec. Perhaps our sacrifice will be of some use... ------ Helaku: Askook made his Apache brothers proud. His brave stand has allowed Chochmo to slip out of Chichimec grasp, and into the Compache camp. He will assault it soon, though an enemy army resides nearby... --- Helaku: Wonderful news! The inexperienced leader of the Chichimec in the Compache lands has attacked Chochmo! If Chochmo can rout his forces, the land is ours! And should we do that the Chichimeca will have a very hard time dislodging us. Battle for Compache Lands--Chochmo Our foolish enemy! He has taken down his defenses to attack us. We are the more powerful army. Our warriors are veterans, his are young boys! I have taken a page out of Askook's book and have my dog soldiers firing arrows, followed by the braves, followed by my medicine men. The Chichimec will be forced into a narrow area, and we can easily surround them and push them backwards. He waits to attack for a very long time, allowing our arrows to kill many. Finally the Chichimec army attacks, but they are already near the breaking point. Our medicine men dart in and out of combat, killing many, and I run into the thick of it all. The Chichimec turn and flee towards their city. But we are right on them, and the doors to their city won't open for us. We slaughter many of the trapped enemy. Finally the doors open and we rush in, charging to the city's center where the last few Chichimec are making their last stand. All of our Apache warriors move in and overrun the area. The few remaining enemy are killed. We have won a great victory, and taken back the land that was stolen from us so many years before! --- Helaku: With that victory I can sleep easily for the first time in many moons. Although I know those lands are far from safe, the simple fact we are winning for the first time in a generation is enough to content me for now. Across our lands, the war is going well. The Chichimec have abandoned all thought of retaking Culiacan, so I am readying another band of Apache braves to move out and attack. Warriors from all parts of the lands now march east, to expand our lands and protect our people. I am especially mindful of the need to protect, as the French now are sending explorers into our lands, and it is only a matter of time before their armies venture here as well. To be continued... Note: I realised that I've been spelling 'Comanche' as 'Companche' I shortened 'comanche camp' in my head to that. Will watch for that in the future! Update 7.Helaku: More English ships have been spotted near the Yucatan. War rages in Mexico between all peoples, and the shifting alliances and truces are hard to follow. Chaos reigns in the south. All the more reason to stay away. We shall focus on the north. A massing of warriors occur near the Comanche camp, though I think the Chichimec are too cautious to attack. Vipponah leads many braves south from Culiacan, but only to get around the mountains--he too does not wish to get drawn up in the troubles of the south. --- Helaku: The English are at war with the Spanish! In the south there is more reason to keep north: the Tarascans have betrayed the Chichimec and are attacking a major city. But Lootah, thinking quickly, has allied with the Tarascans. Our future looks a bit brighter--at least for the moment. --- Helaku: Alas, the Tarascans have cancelled our alliance. For they have already ended the war and allied with the Chichimec. Our attack on a Chichimec army angers them....damn southern dwellers. Mad, the lot of them. We can worry about the south later--now we have battle! Battle of South Comanche The battle is chaotic, like most against the Chichimec. What starts out as even lines always ends up in a horde. The battle is joined, and we have the edge though their warriors fight well. The entire line of braves is in vicious combat, but the enemy begins to falter as our reinforcements approach. The first arrows loosed by our reinforcements are enough to cause the Chichimec to rout. We chase many down, killing and capturing. The battle is won. ----- Helaku: With this victory I think we have broken the Chichimec. Their armies no longer venture in our lands--perhaps they are occupied in the south, perhaps they merely are tired of war. Lootah approaches them, and negotiates a truce. I do not know how long in will last, but we have more pressing issues. A greater enemy than the Chichimec has presented itself--the French. Their armies are now raiding our peoples in the remote corners of our lands. Chochmo moves to ambush them with our other Apache warriors. And Chochmo attacks! Battle of East Comanche--Chochmo I am confident our braves can succeed against an admittedly superior foe. Though their technology may be superior, our braves are strong men and confident in these lands. But so our men march ahead to an unknown fate. Soon our forces meet, and steel and stone meet. But their armor is no match for the fury of our medicine men. The Frech recover and begin to push us back, but our numbers are so great we han hold, then counterattack. I am eager to test my skills against the new enemy. I wade into battle. All is going well until the French cavalry charges a group of braves. Their attention was focused elsewhere, but one saw the charge coming. But our braves hold and don't give the enemy an inch. Soon our medicine men join the fight and the French have no choice but to retreat. Victory! ----- Helaku: Vipponah nears the Rio Grande and plans to move into Louisiana after some time. It is apparent that in order to survive we must adapt to the changing times. Ashkil takes the offensensive and attacks the remnants of the French army. Battle on Comanche Borders--Ashkil I mean to destroy our enemy in this battle. They are battle-worn and few in numbers, whereas my braves are fresh and eager for battle. We start off in a large woods, and our location is unknown to the enemy. Our arrows pierce them and our braves and medicine men charge at the enemy. The French, startled, run. But their heavy armor slows them down and our warriors can make quick work of the disintegrating enemy. All in our path are killed. The enemy scatters even more, and we hunt downt he remaining French forces. We again have defeated the French. Soon we will be able to fight them with their own weapons... To be continued.... Update 8.Ashkil: My father Helaku has passed on. He lived a full and successful life, and led our people well. I am confident we will continue to flourish due to his actions as Chief. His war against the French has progressed so quickly that we have taken a number of their guns. Their advantages are slipping.... Now Vipponah, my brother, is next in line to lead our people. I take action quickly and seige the French settlement built on former Caddo lands. Soon we will be able to push the French back to the shores of the great sea. --- Ashkil: Chochmo has ambushed a small French force trying to relieve the Caddo settlement! Ambush at Caddo--Chochmo It is clear the enemy has no knowledge of our presence. We will raid their army and disappear into the forests... The French spot us moving in the shadows of the trees and run to regroup. Our braves cut off their maneuver and I rush in to battle, killing many. Most of the French are dead, those that are not are scattered and running for the cover of the trees. Our rabbit boys take aim at the French captain and let loose a volley. One arrow strikes him in the groin, killing him instantly. The remaining French surrender. We have destroyed the force. -------- Ashkil: Despite Chochmo's success, more French armies mass outside the Caddo lands. Their armies have far too many cavalry for me to be comfortable attacking them all, so we will soon move to pick them off one by one. And more news from the south: the Tlaxcalans have been destroyed by the Tarascans, who now fight both the Spanish and the Chichimec. I am nervous that if the Chichimec capitulate quickly the Tarascans will move into our land. Musing over this, I assault the Caddo settlement. Battle for Caddo--Ashkil Chochmo waits outside the city on the north side while we attack from the south. But Chochmo has no way of breaking down the walls so I think this battle will be won by my contigent of braves. Our rams make quick work of the walls and gate. Now our rabbit boys shoot arrows into the mass of French inside as our braves stream through the gaps in the walls. As usual the medicine men lead the charge and they smash into a group of French musketeers. The musketeers cannot escape quickly enough, and very few survive. Behind the medicine men our braves gather to attack the settlement's center. As our braves move through the main street the French governor leads his troops into battle. They hit our braves hard. But again they did not count on our strength. The cavalry were overwhelmed and the governor killed by our braves. Our way into the center of the city is open, and only a few muskeeteers defend it. Again the medicine men lead the charge, crying out fearful warcries. The battle is over, and no French survive. The Caddo settlement is ours. ----- Ashkil: With that victory the French withdraw from the lands of the Caddo. Perhaps they are gone for good, but they are likely regaining their strength. Vipponah is nearly to Louisiana, where he plans to attack the French settlement there. However our treasury is being depleted quickly with the constant warfare and we need to asess what resources we need and don't need. --- Ashkil: The French are besieging our Caddo camp! Chochmo close enough to aid us, however. He attacks the smaller French force under the cover of night. The other French army cannot join the battle. Chochmo is a strategic genius, unmatched by any. Caddo Nights--Chochmo The stars are bright this night. A good omen. The Great Bear is clearly visible. Our thunder braves begin firing our newly aquisitioned guns, killing many French. I do not think they expected us to use their weapons against them. Our braves surge forward to slaughter the Serpintine and muskeeteers nearby but the French countercharge with cavalry. Brave and lance meet. I rally the Apaches and we surround the cavalry, cutting them all down. The muskeeteers realise we are fast approaching them and turn to flee. The battle is now a hunt for our French prey. They are slow moving and are easily caught. The remaining French take flight. We have defeated the enemy again. ------ Ashkil: Now only one French force attacks the settlement, and soon Chochmo will aid me in defeating them. Across the Apache nation our men gather and march. In the far west men march from Pitic and Culiacan to take the Navajo lands. The the middle our troops march to aid us against the French. For we are a mobile people, and we are at war. To be continued.... Update 9. Ashkil: We have captured many horses, and it is now apparent we have the skills to use them in battle against the French. We will be using their own beasts against them. Though Caddo remains under seige, the lands further to the east are also full of French troops. I am confident that once we deal with these armies the French will be broken. With this in mind Chochmo attacks the French noble attacking Caddo, and we go to war! Battle to Save Caddo--Chochmo Ashkil has taken this opportunity to move to join us in battle. It may be over before he arrives, but we will attempt to reach him and join forces. The French forces are spread thinly and they seem to be in a panic. Our braves run at the French to increase the confusion and fear, and some cavalry cut in front to get to a better position. Our braves see this and run all the faster. They catch the cavalry and hit them from the side, killing many. Across the field a huge battle rages now. Our medicine men and braves engage the strongest French warriors while our archers fire arrows indescriminately. The French troops begin to rout, and some run towards some trees to the east. Little do they know Ashkil is waiting in there for them. When they reach the trees they try to turn and run away but Ashkil's braves make quick work of the terrified French. On the other side of the battle the French regroup and some curassiers charge at a group of rabbit boys. But they hold firm, firing arrows into the face of the enemy. The charge hits, but the French are so shaken by the losses they do little harm. Our braves and medicine men rush forward to catch up the French forces withdrawing. Suddenly I notice a group of rabbit boys is in danger of being wiped out by some heavy French infantry. I charge into the battle. Ashkil marches closer, killing all the routing French. The proximity of our two armies is too much for the few remaining French to take. They flee. We have all but destroyed the mighty French army, and their noble lies slain on the battlefield. ----- Ashkil: In the far west our braves attack the Navajo camp, but they mean to starve it into submission rather than attack it outright. Meanwhile Vipponah lays seige to the French settlement in Lousiana. There is a very small garrison and the city should fall after a short battle. --- Ashkil: It seems the Navajo are not keen on going quietly. They have attacked one of our armies! Battle of the Navajo Desert The forces gather and wait for the Navajo braves to attack. Many thunder braves are on a flank firing at enemy the rest of us can barely see. Our left flank is attacked by the enemy first. The fighting is thick and fierce, but our rabbit boys move to the left and fire arrows into the open side of the Navajo forces. Some Navajo braves run towards our thunder braves, who do not move at the sight of the appoaching warriors--they just keep on firing. Soon the thunder braves rout or kill the enemy. They then move to fire at the mass of Navajo warriors attacking the braves. Soon the entire Navajo warriors are running to the relative safety of their camp. We charge at them, throwing spears and bullets smash into their cowering braves. Soon none are left alive. We have taken the last independent tribe and have assimilated them into our tribe. ----- Ashkil: Thankfully we can now solely focus on the war with the French. The Chichimec and Tarascans are at war, and the English are fighting both the Mayans and the Spanish, who are also fighting each other. In our homeland Sakima's son, Dyami, comes of age. I have given him command of a large army and he too marches east. Meanwhile very strange events have occured in southern Florida. Apparently, the settlement at Tequesta rebelled against the French and defected to our peoples. I do not think we will be able to defend them while we fight far to the west, but nonetheless it proves we have allies where we have yet to venture. At Louisiana, a very large French army attacks him and he is forced to retreat--for now. He sets up camp on the far side of the Mississippi. --- Ashkil: The French have squashed the rebellion at Tequesta, but I have sent an emissary to assure its people we will liberate them as soon as we are able. And now Vipponah's forces are attack on the banks of the mighty Mississippi! Defense at the Mississippi--Vipponah I am eager for battle. I have marched from one ocean to the other waiting for a battle like this. With a victory here I can assure the liberation of Louisiana and the surrounding lands. The French come prepared, with many musketeers and cavalry. The have cannon as well. Our troops, wasting no time, charge down the makeshift bridge the French built. The French army does the same. Our warriors meet in the center of the bridge. There is nowhere to move. Men are crushed underfoot. The battle depends on our warriors pushing this assault back. Our medicine men force their way to the front of the lines. The enemy musketeers fall before them. Now the French cavalry charge and I fear my braves will falter unless I join the fight. The French captain seeks me out but as he moves closer most of his bodyguard is cut down. I rush at him, swinging my axe. He parries the first swing. He lifts his sword to strike me, I duck out of the way, and kill his horse. As he falls from his mount I strike him in the chest with my axe, killing him. But suddenly the few bodyguards attack me with a ferocity I did not know the French could possess. I kill one, and another, but I am growing tired and they keep on pressing the attack. I miss a parry. The sword cuts deep into my flesh. In shock I fall to my knees....as I do so, my medicine men let out a warcry and surge past me. My vision grows blurry but I see the French forces routing. My trusted friend sees me lying here, near death, and takes command. Our braves run past, killing the remaining French. I can't manage the effort to turn my head to watch. I must focus on each breath. I hear my Apache brethren cheering and I am glad. I may be leaving this world but I led my men to victory...as did...what was my friend's name again? P...Pa...Pata...... ------ Ashkil: Vipponah's death was brave and proud. I am grateful to have known him in my life. Dyami, son of Sakima, is now in line of be the next leader of the Apaches. And the captain and friend of Vipponah, who lead our warriors to victory as Vipponah lay dying, has been adopted by Chochmo. Patamon has proven himself to be worthy of the highest praise--he is a welcome addition to my family. Patamon and Chochmo meet and discuss plans. Patamon means to take Louisiana in honor of his fallen friend, and Chochmo will attack a French settlement built on Chicksaw lands. --- Ashkil: Chochmo now beseiges the French settlement, while Patamon moves to assault Louisiana. The French advance is over, and their defenses are failing. Slowly we are pushing them back. Soon we mean to push them to the sea. It is only a matter of time before they will trouble us no more. But will another take their place? To be continued.... Update 10.Ashkil: Chochmo's scouts report that there is a powerful French army nearby, and he is spurred by this new information to take the Chickasaw settlemt. Battle for the Chickasaw--Chochmo Our forces are numbered in the thousands. Theirs are barely over one hundred. I think we can win the battle by scaring the French. Fighting will hardly be necesary! Their walls have a scattering of musketeers firing at us, but our thunder braves quickly load their muskets and fire. Our rams move forward at the walls. The weak, rotting logs soon give way and three large gaps exist in the walls, and our troops rush through, attacking the French garrison. I lead my braves through the other gap, and attack the French there. Ahead of me I see my braves push the musketeers back, and soon the French flee. The braves see me fighting and run to join me against the heavily armored French. I look up at my men and see them looking to my left. I turn to look but a French soldier swings at me, I duck and kill him. Some braves begin to run towards the walls. Confused, I kill one more soldier and turn to look. It's too late to run, the Curassiers come charging at me, I have my axe ready and ----- Ashkil: The rest of the battle is unclear. Chochmo would always record every minute detail but with his death.... From what the braves say, they went battle-mad. All concern for their lives was gone, it was just running and killing indiscriminately. The French were massacred. The town was put to the torch. But all that doesn't change the fact that Chochmo, our greatest general and my closest friend, is dead. And along with him hundreds of braves went... All this has made one thing clear. I am still young, and a Chief's place is with his warriors. I will attack the French until they are destroyed. There is a blood price to be paid. Patamon attacks the French garrison at Louisiana. He has not made any comment about his adoptive father's death. But he is especially grim. Battle for Louisiana--Patamon It is quite simple. No Frenchman will be alive very shortly. Their walls fall. I run on the ramparts. We push the French off while our braves spear them. The cowards are running to their city center. Our archers are making quick work of the bastards. Then their cavalry charge. They kill many of our archers. I will have none of this. The French are all going to die. Fighting the French is like a child's game. I swing my axe, I turn to my right, kill, kill another, horse and Frenchman alike are swept aside. More braves run behind me and spear the French. There are few left alive to resist us. A Frenchman charges at me. Axe to the stomach. Another comes, axe to ------ Ashkil: What have we done to deserve such punishment? The French leave us no time to weep. They are beseiging the settlement that Chochmo laid down his life for. And another French force materialises to attack the settlement Patamon just died taking. In the west we have discovered a Tarascan spy in Culiacan. He was summarily executed. The Tarascans declare war. We are under attack from all sides. The French push back, and Tarascans push north, and we can only hope we can halt them both in their tracks. These are dark times. November 12, Present Day Yavapai County, Arizona Two figures stood overlooking a wash. One was very young, the other very old. They watched the vultures circle in the sky, seemingly never gaining or losing altitude. They watched the wind push the smallest pebbles across the scrub. The young one, the boy, scanned the sand around him hoping to see a rattlesnake. The older man, his grandfather, looked down at him. "It's too cold for rattlesnakes. They wouldn't be out in the open on days like this." The boy looked down, disappointed. "But...we might get lucky and spot one," the grandfather allowed with a small smile. The boy looked up beaming. Then his eyes were facing the ground again, searching for more snakes. The grandfather chuckled and sat down, facing away from the boy and looking into the wash and vast lands past it. He chuckled and turned to face his grandson. "Boy! Do you want to hear the rest of the histories of your ancestors?" The boy stopped searching immediately and ran to his grandfather and sat down besides him. "Yes! What happens next!" he said, eyes wide. "Are you sure you want to hear them?" his grandfather cautioned, knowing full well his grandson would. "They get pretty sad." The boy looked out onto the wash again, then turned to look his grandfather in the eyes. "Yes," he said with a firm tone. "I won't cry." His grandfather smiled, his weathered face wrinkling at the eyes and mouth. He reached out and hugged the boy. "Very well, my grandson...." he trailed off. "Where were we again?" The boy was excited again. "Well, the French are running and they're all the way in Florida and and and Dyami is chief and he's not a very nice guy and and those people from Mexico are attacking and....I think that's it," the boy inhaled deeply. "Well then...." And so the grandfather began his story, and to the boy everything faded out, and he was there, seeing everything his grandfather was describing. "The Tarascan--they're those natives from Mexico, boy-- they weren't very happy with the Apaches. They saw them as a threat. And our ancestors were a threat to them. So they would attack our people, mostly in an area near Yuma. Our ancestors would not be beaten, though we were fighting the French at the same time, in Florida. Though it wasn't Florida back then. There were many great battles, won by Akando and Dyami, as they pushed the French back. There was one battle in Flordia that you should know about. It was right by where Orlando is today.... Dyami had chased the French governor all the way there. Finally he caught up with him. And it was a different time, my boy, no one thought of talking about their problems, everyone just fought. And Dyami was fighting for his way of life. People say what they will about him, I think he only wanted peace. He just was too uncertain about how to obtain it, so he only attacked. The French were still very strong, and many of our ancestors died that day. But do not fear my boy, Dyami was not harmed. He went to attack a town called Tequesta, in southern Florida. And his friend Akando attacked a town in northern Florida. The Apaches were a changed people by this time, my boy. The old days were gone. Now they fought with guns and horses. Bit by bit the French were pushed back, until finally only one man: the new governor, was alive. He was a brave man, and I think he was lost in this new world. He didn't understand the war with the Apaches, and he didn't understand the land. And soon he was killed, and with him, the French were pushed out of America. This was the year 1640. But war was not over. The Tarascans were still sending their warriors to attack at Culiacan. They seemed to have no limit to warriors. And the Chichimec--you remember them-- they were starting to start to attack the Apaches. So Dyami did the only thing he knew how to do: he prepared to go to war. All across America, Apaches gathered and trained with guns and on horses. The Tarascans kept on attacking Culiacan as they had for the past fifteen years. Finally all the Apaches were ready to march. From all across America the Apaches marched towards one destination: southern Mexico. But these were dangerous times. Other tribes would ambush the smaller armies. Some of the larger armies made up mostly on non-Apaches were disappear into the woods, never to be seen again. Whether they abandoned their Chief or were killed, no one knows even to this day. I think both happened. In the year 1650, the Apaches invaded. Some armies went south all the way to a Tarascan city caled Cuatemoc. Others attacked the Chicimec lands, Aguapalam being the biggest of them all. The last warriors attacked the Tarascan armies near Culican. Everything was going well in the war. The Chicimec had but one city left, far to the south. They would not trouble the Apaches anymore. Cuatemoc fell, and with it the Tarascan Emperor. Many braves made a name for themselves in these wars. Kangee, Montega, Biligaana, these men were all unknown before the start of the wars. At Culiacan, the Tarascans were pushed back, and the Apaches began to fight in their territory for the first time in history. The Apaches kept on winning. They were soon marching on the walls of Tenochtitlan. But, my boy, this is where everything started to go wrong. Dyami was a good warrior, but it was all he knew. There weren't many braves available to fight that weren't fighting already. Apache blood stained the deserts across the lands. Dyami led that attack on Tenochtitlan--but he lost. It was the first defeat the Apaches had experienced in decades. The Tarascans used this victory to thier advantage. They had finally learned how to defeat the most fearsome army since the Romans. One by one, the Apache towns in Mexico fell. Dyami, Akando, Montego, Bilagaana, they all fought bravely. But these few leaders were not enough to defeat the Tarascans. In 1664, the Tarascans attacked Cuatemoc. There were many Apaches there, and Dyami himself was present. Wave after wave of Tarascans attacked, and they were all defeated by the fierce Dyami. But one man was not enough to stop the Tarascans. Soon they had overrun everyone. Dyami was never seen again." The boy interjected. "He died?" Tears began to well up in his eyes. The grandfather smiled sadly and held the boy, small tears forming in his own eyes. He smiled at the boy. "Yes, my boy. He died, but he died defending his people! To not be sad! He was a strong man. I think he woud rather have died fighting than sitting in a cot somewhere." The boy nodded, and wiped away his tears, though his eyes were still glistening. "Go on, grandfather." The old man smiled a bittersweet smile and nodded, and once more the little boy felt like he was there, swept back into the past. "The Apaches were very sad at their Chief's death. But what could they do? The Tarascans would not accept peace. So they kept on fighting, now led by Bilagaana. Montego led a daring attack at a Tarascan army. He surpised them, and killed the Emperor's son in battle. But he was now a marked man. Tarascan armies chased him across the desert, and they caught up to him. He too was killed, right at the gates of Agualpalan. You might be thinking, 'what happened to Akando?' He was on a campaign near the Rio Grande when the Tarascans finally caught up to him. Like all the other great men of his age, he fought bravely. But the Tarascans just had too many warriors. He too was overwhelmed, never to be seen again. Now Bilagaana was lost. He clearly didn't have the numbers to win against the Tarascans in the open desert. There's something I haven't been telling you, boy, but I should. After every victory and every time a city was taken, the Tarascans would leave none alive. Our people were scattered, frightened, and tired of war. But they had no choice to keep fighting. Culiacan fell in 1658 to little resistance--there was no one alive to fight. The Navajo lands to the north fell in 1659. But something else happened in 1659. Chief Bilagaana had decided to make a stand at Chihuahau. He was not ready to give up his ancestral lands and flee to the east like many of his people. Bilagaana's army consisted of the last elite troops. There were all veterans since the start of the war. They were fighting for their freedom, for thier land, for their families. But the Tarascans couldn't be stopped. They attacked with the largest army that part of the world had ever seen--over 5,000 men. No Apache survived that day. Though it is fitting that Bilagaana did his ancestors proud, fighting on the streets of the settlement long after every other Apache was slain. But he is mortal, and he tired. He too was killed." The boy began crying again. His grandfather stood up, and gently pulled the boy up by his hand. "Let's go for a walk, hey? If you don't want to hear the rest of the story I can tell you it when you're older." The boy nodded and the two began to walk. The boy's gaze was once again fixed on the ground, waiting to see a rattlesnake sunning itself. He looked up at the sky, and then at his grandfather, who was looking ahead, deep in though. The boy tugged his grandfather's hand. "Grandpa, I want to hear the rest of the story. I'm brave too." His grandfather looked down at the boy and the boy's serious expression made his smile. "Okay, my boy, let us a walk a while more as I tell you the rest." The boy nodded and grasped his grandfather's hand. "The Apaches were not in a good way at this time. It was 1660, and some of their ancestral lands were under Tarascan control, but they still held massive tracts of land. No one knows who the Chief was at this time. The only name we have from this period is Kangee, one of the men who fought with Dyami since the start of the campaign. Kangee was Dyami's son. He shared some of his father's anger but overall he was a much gentler person. He, as far as historians can tell today, was the leader of the Apaches, chief or not. He determined to stand at his homelands, not to far from here. This is where the Apache tribe was made, this is where it would fall, should it come to that. Beside him were his two brothers, but their names have been lost in the ages. The Tarascans streamed north. Pitic and Tongva fell. The lands of the Comanche fell. The vast east was open for the taking, and the Tarascans rushed to claim the territories. But the Apache homelands still were free." The boy his grandfather reached a tall saguaro, standing alone in the desert. The grandfather sat down, and the boy nestled up in his side. The sugauro cast a small shadow over the two. The grandfather cleared his throat and began again. "Soon the lands where Patamon and Chochmo fought were under attack. They fell to the Tarascans. Kangee ruled over a small realm. Some historians say he controlled the east still, but he had no power to reach that side of the continent. His power extended only to his homelands, like Alosaka nearly 200 years before. Soon the Tarascans determined to attack. They sent thousands of warriors, and Kangee met them in the desert, along with his two brothers. For hours they fought. Three thousand Tarascans are said to have perished that day. The Tarascan nobles that fought all died. But Kangee's two brothers are said to have died early in the battle. Not enough is known about this battle, my boy, but historians agree it broke the Apaches for good, and caused the decline of the Tarascans. Both side's best warriors lay dying in the sand. Kangee fough on. When most of his warriors were dead, he fought. He fough from the cliffs and from the washes and from the caves. No one knows what happened to him. The Tarascans never claimed to have killed him, and the Apaches that fought with him were captured. In the years after, natives were afraid to settle here. They spoke of a powerful spirit that resides in these lands. The Tarascans never stepped foot in the Apache homelands for fear of upsetting the spirit. Everyone knew who the spirit was--Kangee, keeping his homelands safe from those that meant it harm. And you know the rest of the history. The Tarascans couldn't hold onto so much land, and within a decade there were back to their own homelands, and in decline. The Europeans came again, and this land is now theirs. My own grandfather came here from overseas." The boy looked up at his grandfather. "So what happened to all the Apaches that were alive?" "They lived their lives as they had before the first great chief, Alosaka. Today it seems as if those two hundred years had never happened. The Apaches never regained their former power, and soon they had intermarried with all sorts of different people The Apaches that lived in that day are very different from you and I," his grandfather explained. The boy looked sad. "So that's it, then? None of the old Apaches are alive?" His grandfather smiled sadly at his grandson. "No, my boy, they are still alive, but not in the sense you or I are." He paused, thinking of how to explain to his grandson. "As long as we remember them, they cannot die. They will be ageless. And they are ageless, aren't they? I am telling you their story, as I told your father, and one day you will tell your children." The boy nodded, beginning to understand. His grandfather continued. "If you respect and remember our history, if you respect and remember the old Apaches, their lives, their lands, their heritage, their customs, their way of life....you will see that they are alive today, in every one of us." The boy smiled at his grandfather, and stood up. "Thank you for telling me, grandfather." His grandfather too stood up, clasped his grandson's hand in his, and nodded. "I can tell you more later, if you wish. But come, it is getting late, and I think grandma will want us to eat!" The two started walking towards their destination. The grandfather began to walk slowly--he sensed something, a presence perhaps, or maybe just a change in the wind? He dropped his grandson's hand and the boy kept on walking, oblivious to his grandfather. His grandfather turned towards the lonesome saguaro, as he did, they saw out of the corner of his eye, an Apache chief standing tall and proud, standing next to the cactus. But as the grandfather turned all the way, figure vanished, and the sugauro was alone again. The grandfather could not be certain he even saw a man at all. As he was trying to understand what he saw, the wind picked up for a second and the grandfather heard a faint call in the gust, what sounded like an Apache greeting. He suddenly understood. "Kangee," he whispered back, standing tall. Then he turned, smiling, and hurried to catch up with his grandson. He reached the boy, and he turned the boy so that the two looked towards the lone sugaro, jutting up into the blue sky. The wind picked up once more, it called out a greeting again. The boy's eyes lit up, he looked to his grandfather, the grandfather gave a small nod, and the two shared a knowing smile. The end.
Last edited by La♔De♔Da♔Brigadier Graham; January 15, 2010 at 05:30 PM.
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