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https://github.com/historicalsource/shogun
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55 lines
2.6 KiB
Plaintext
55 lines
2.6 KiB
Plaintext
In Shogun, you play the role of resourceful English seaman
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John Blackthorne, Pilot-Major of the Dutch trader-warship
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Erasmus, which is on a secret mission of trade and plunder
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to the Spanish-dominated Pacific Ocean.
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The year is 1600, and the powerful Catholic empire of Spain
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and Portugal is locked in a death struggle with the upstart
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Protestant nations of England and Holland. The Catholic
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nations have spread their political and religious influence
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across the world, reaching as far as China and the almost
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mythical land of Japan, extracting great wealth in spices
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and precious metals. Their extensive knowledge of the Asian
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seaways is highly secret information coveted by English and
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Dutch traders. But while the European powers battle each
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other, a longer and even more vicious struggle is raging among
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the feudal lords of Japan.
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After hundreds of years of anarchy, Japan was unified by the
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great warrior Nakamura, who became Taiko, or military ruler.
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But the Taiko has died, leaving as heir a seven-year-old
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boy, and a five-man Council of Regents to rule in his name.
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The dominant figures on the Council are Lord Toranaga and
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Lord Ishido. Each is a daimyo: powerful warrior-rulers who
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follow the ancient samurai traditions. Each harbors the
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ambition to be Shogun: supreme ruler under the divine but
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nearly powerless Emperor.
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Toranaga and Ishido are each backed by lesser daimyos and
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hordes of samurai. They jockey for position, nearly
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evenly matched, looking for any way of bolstering their
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chances. Perhaps the Jesuits will swing their support behind
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one candidate, or hostages will neutralize a powerful
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supporter. The balance is delicate, and the appearance of the
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Erasmus creates excitement and new possibilities.
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It is into the center of this momentous conflict that you,
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John Blackthorne, have been thrown, and soon you discover
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that the perils of the sea are almost trifling compared to
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the danger and intrigue among the samurai lords of Japan.
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Life in Japan can be a hazardous affair. If you choose the
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wrong friends or confidants, you may find your head detached
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from your body. But strict adherence to the rules of
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etiquette, some judicious questions, and careful listening
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will enhance your pleasure, prestige, and prospects for
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survival.
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Shogun is one of a new family of Infocom stories which
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utilize vivid graphics to enhance the story. So now, along
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with the quality interactive fiction that you've come to
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expect from Infocom, you can also expect beautiful artwork
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as well. You'll find that the art in Shogun is tied very
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closely to the story and gives you a "fine-focus" on the
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mood or locale as you play the role of John Blackthorne.
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