The look of most of the characters is based on how they appeared in the fifth game, while the storyline is based largely on the sixth game. I especially liked how Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang's relationship is worked into the game, and how events play out in her story mode. I'm posting this chapter to serve as an introduction for the story, so things will really start with Chapter 2 (which I'll post later this week).

THE QUEEN'S CHAMPION

Ch I. Forward

With the Han Dynasty in decline, and further weakened by the Taoist insurgency of the Yellow Turbans and the tyranny of the Dong Zhuo in the Capital, the empire fractured and the lands were dominated by regional conflicts between the various warlords who had once served the Imperial Han.

Cao Cao, under the pretense of the protector and adviser to the Emperor, seized control of the North and founded the Kingdom of Wei. In the East, the descendants of the legendary strategist and warrior, Sun Tsu, united Yand and the neighboring lands into the Kingdom of Wu. While to the West, many of China's greatest warriors gathered under the banner of Liu Bei- uniting Yi and the surrounding lands into the Kingdom of Shu- taking the first major step in realizing his dream of an empire founded upon the ideal of justice and righteousness...

The mighty Guan Yu- called "the God of War", the stouthearted Zhang Fei- who's fearsome battle cry held off one thousand men at Changban, the veteran warrior and bowman Huang Zhong- who claimed victory over Wei at Mt. Jing Dun, the courageous champion Zhao Yun- who rode into the enemy lines alone to save the infant Liu Shan, the brilliant and peerless strategist Zhuge Liang- who masterminded the burning of Cao Cao's fleets at Chibi, the steadfast and just lancer Ma Chao, the wild man Wei Yan who's furious strength was like a force of nature in battle.

Wei, Wu, and Shu: this period was known as The Age of the Three Kingdoms...

United in their opposition to the aggression of Wei, Liu Bei of Shu joined forces with the eldest son of the late Sun Jian of Wu, Sun Ce, to fight Cao Cao. While taking Wuling from Wei, The Little Emperor Sun Ce was struck down in battle, leaving his younger brother Sun Quan to succeed him. Following the burning of Cao Cao's navel fleet at the Battle of Chibi, Quan chose to send his sister, Sun Shangxiang, to be wed to Liu Bei- in order to strengthen the alliance between their two kingdoms.

Liu Bei launched an invasion of Hanzhong- birthplace of the Han- soundly defeating the Wei Forces at the Battle of Mt. Ding Jun. He then proclaimed himself "King of Han Zhong", enforcing his claim that he was a descendant of the original Han line. Whether fearful of Liu Bei or out of misguided ambition, Sun Quan would ultimately betray Shu to Wei- at the Battle of Fan Castle. This callous act of treachery resulted in the deaths of many prominent figures from all three sides: including Pang De and Cao Ren, Guan Yu and his eldest son Guan Ping, with Lu Meng mysteriously dieing shortly after- with some believing him to have been struck down by the spirit of Guan Yu...

Outraged, Liu Bei swore to avenge his sworn brother and mobilized his forces to attack Sun Quan on the plains of Yiling. Lady Sun Shangxiang severed all ties with both her family and Wu, and joined her husband once again on the battlefield. Lu Xun, the prodigal Strategist of Wu, launched a fire attack on the Shu encampment- setting it ablaze- then lead the bulk of the Wu forces in pursuit of the fleeing Shu army. However, this proved to be a feint devised by Zhuge Liang, meant to draw them into the maze-like underground tunnels of the catacombs beneath the Stone Sentinels.

There, beneath the Watchmen, the Wu troops marched into the trap, where they were wiped out and Lu Xun himself taken prisoner. This would be the end of Sun Quan's ambitions, and his life- at the hands of his own sister- were it not for Liu Bei's intervention, sparing her feelings. Following that day, Wu was formally dissolved, annexed as part of Shu-Han, with Sun Quan, his commanders and followers, and his remaining forces now subservient to Liu Bei...

Now, only the Kingdoms of Shu and Wei remained... However, the numerous battles fought by both sides now left them in a stalemate, with neither kingdom able to move decisively. Yet, Liu Bei was not content to simply wait for Cao Cao to march his armies against him, and so consulted Zhuge Liang as to what steps to take. He advised that Shu seek an alliance with the Nanman in the southwest, as their fierce warriors would be a powerful asset for fighting the armies of Wei when the time came.

While reluctant at the idea, given their past with the Nanman and their King, Liu Bei eventually agreed and prepared to send a diplomatic expedition to Nanzong, sending for Zhao Yun...

(- End of Chapter I -)

I know this was short, but the actual story will begin in the next chapter. As previously stated, I've already finished the next few chapters on it as of the time I'm posting this. I'll go into more detail about the characters in the next chapter, so things should hopefully start becoming clearer by then.

-Bojack727