Budget Total War Three Kingdoms. Background (this is also good for the essay I am writing). The year is 197 AD, and China has significantly changed, from the glorious Han Dynasty has now corrupted and broken apart into the warlords that once returned. As such, All Things United Must Divide, And All Things Divided Must Unite!
More Background, After the fall of Dong Zhuo, the empire has crumbled into factions that are major players in the scale, I'll be going over each playable kingdom (note, you cannot pick your kingdom because everyone would either choose Cao Cao or Lu Bu.)
Cao Cao, Hero of Chaos, you recently defeated Lu Bu and made him flee to Xu Province, however, your greatest general, Dian Wei has passed away, luckily, you are gifted with many resources and a large army, plus your family has helped your cause. Finally, you have excellent generals and strategists (Guo Jia and others) plus, Liu Bei and his brothers have fled to your cause! (Plus 5 for war, plus 10 for sieging, minus 20 for peace and stability)
Lu Bu, the Flying General. Once again, you are the strongest warrior, however, you are also really dumb. That is why you have a fine strategist named Chen Gong. However, you can choose to ignore his advice and sleep with multiple women (don't do that). You are also gifted with loyal warriors like Zhang Liao and Gao Shun. You command a fierce cavalry regiment, and you are extremely strong in battle. (Plus 10 in war diplomacy, plus 15 in army strength, minus 10 for intelligence, and minus 5 for technology)
Yuan Shao, ah yes, the warlord of the north. You are gifted with strong military generals such as Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Zhang He. You are also gifted with the most talented strategists at the time. The bad side though, you are indecisive, and your sons want to kill each other. Good side, you probably have the largest army in this period. (Plus 10 for army strength, plus 5 for moral boost, minus 15 for diplomacy, minus 5 for development)
Gongsun Zan, my guy, you are kinda cooked. Yuan Shao has been beating you many times, your best general, Zhao Yun has mourned his brother's death and unless you do something, he won't come back. On the bright side though, you do have an impressive cavalry! (Plus 5 for mobility, plus 10 for attack speed/cavalry boost, minus 10 for stability, minus 15 for unrest)
@LucasLLLLLLLL's alt coming here again
Gongsun Du, you're just chilling, though you have an impressive army, you kinda don't have a global stage till later, although you can help your relative Gongsun Zan out (plus sides, Gongsun Zan will probably need your help, plus 5 for barrack training, minus 2.5 for diplomacy)
Li Jue, you once held the emperor, but you fought with your comrade Guo Si, your empire is in shambles and the only good thing is that you own a large city. That's it, plus you might get assassinated. (Plus 5 for population, minus 10 for stability, minus 15 for corruption, minus 10 for loyalty)
Xiongnu, you are a shell of your former past, you still have an impressive army though as you kidnapped Lady Cai at one point. But you don't have a global stage. (Plus 10 for army boost, plus 15 for training speed, minus 20 for stability and unrest)
Ma Teng and Han Sui, to shorten things up, you guys are just Turkic warlords who fight for the emperor's cause. Though you aren't the strongest, you are handy and loyal when needed. (Plus 10 for army strength, Ma Chao would be impressive, plus 15 for army speed, minus 15 for army size)
Sun Ce, you are the Little Conqueror, you are phenomenally strong and have a loyal army that your father before gave you. However, despite being successful at peace and war, you are a vassal to the Zhong Dynasty (Plus 10 for loyalty, plus 20 for stability, plus 15 for army morale, minus 10 for economy, and minus 5 for diplomacy)
Yuan Shu (Zhong Dynasty) You are really at risk right now, either you can proclaim yourself to be the new emperor (this is risky as you're rebelling against the Han Dynasty), or you can back down and make a smart approach. Though, you do have Sun Ce as your vassal, and you do have critical generals. (Plus 10 for loyalty, plus 15 for army strength, minus 10 for diplomacy, minus 15 for technology)
Liu Biao, Jing Province's warlord, you are extremely neutral which is good for defense, and you are extremely strong with talented warriors. However, your neutrality can get you killed, especially if a rising warlord wants to kill you. (Plus 10 for defense, plus 10 for army strength, minus 5 for diplomacy, minus 10 for annexation)
Liu Yao, you have the notable Taishi Ci, but you are incompetent, and you just got your ass served by Sun Ce. (Plus 5 for army strength, minus 10 for stability, minus 5 for desertion)
Zhang Xiu, you managed to defeat Cao Cao and kill his son and general. However, you lack a lot of men and generals, the only notable characters are you, the warlord, and your adviser Jia Xu. (Plus 10 for technology, plus 10 for strategies, minus 5 for population size)
Zhang Lu, you are a celestial master that is neutral. That is it (Plus 5 for magical arts, plus 10 for defense, minus 15 for diplomacy)
Liu Zhang, oh boy, how do I explain this? You have talented warriors and strategists, however, you are incompetent, and neutral, and also you have bad terrain (Plus 5 for army boost, plus 5 for technology, minus 15 for supplies, minus 10 for unrest)
Shi Xie, you are the neutral warlord of Vietnam. That's it (Plus 5 for guerilla warfare, plus 5 for defense, minus 10 for diplomacy)
Finally, the hero, Liu Bei. You serve Cao Cao right now, you can either betray him or join him. You have talented strategists and powerful generals like your two sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Bravo! (Plus 10 for diplomacy, plus 5 for army strength, plus 15 for publicity, minus 10 for unrest, and minus 5 for incompetence)
