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This article is about the scenario in the Age of Empires: Definitive Edition. For the scenario in Age of Empires, see Capture.

Capture is the third scenario of the Yamato, Empire of the Rising Sun campaign in Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, replacing a scenario of the same name in the original. In the scenario, the player must convert and destroy all Izumo Barracks and bring the War Chest to the Temple.

Scenario instructions[]

Description[]

Nara, 180 CE

War has raged over the islands for many years, and the spirits are angry. Their disharmony is felt in the trembles of the earth and the waves which fall over and sweep away the coastal villages. Though you are young, Himiko, as a shaman queen, you know how to assuage the gods and restore the harmony of Japan and her people. Many proud kings remain untouched by the spirits, however. Use your magic and show them the folly of their ways.
—In-game section

Starting conditions[]

Objectives[]

  • Destroy the four Izumo Barracks
  • Capture the War Chest and bring it to your Temple

Hints[]

  1. A priest's healing can help even a simple Axeman defeat many opponents.
  2. If used smartly, two Priests can defeat groups of units.
  3. Chariots are nearly immune to Priests. Use converted units against them.

Players[]

Player[]

  • Player (Yamato AOE DE ROR icon Yamato): The player starts with only two priests and a Trade Workshop in the west corner, and also a Temple compound in the east.

Enemies[]

  • Izumo (Shang AOE DE ROR icon Shang): The brown Izumo player only consists of four Barracks. They won't train units.
  • Izumo (Shang AOE DE ROR icon Shang): The yellow Izumo player solely consists of soldiers that guard the roads. Their patrols are composed of Axemen, Scouts, Archers, Slingers, and some Chariots.

Allies[]

  • Villages (Shang AOE DE ROR icon Shang): Villages represent the towns with civil buildings along the river. They act as spies for the player.

History[]

The introduction of rice agriculture in Japan had profound impacts on Japanese culture. Population increased tenfold from the earlier Jomon period and Yayoi sites featured large structures suggestive of grain storehouses. As in other parts of the world following the introduction of large-scale agriculture, these changes were followed by increased social stratification, tribal warfare, and the construction of military fortifications to defend grain stores and farming lands.

Chinese records from the 3rd century CE mention a kingdom called Yamataikoku, a possible precursor state of the later Yamato. According to these sources, the kingdom was ruled by Queen Himiko, a spiritual leader who ascended the throne as a young woman after the great civil war in the islands. It was said in the Chinese histories that Himiko used magic and her knowledge of the spirits to bewitch the people into placing her on the throne. As Queen, she established diplomatic relations with the Chinese kingdom of Cao Wei, famed for its role during the Three Kingdoms Period of Chinese history. Himiko remained unmarried during her long reign and resided in a grand palace with one thousand women and one man as attendants.

Unlike the Chinese accounts, however, the Japanese chronicles are less certain of Himiko's existence, with the two oldest Japanese histories making no mention of the queen. In later centuries, Japanese would identify Himiko, with other women, most notably Empress Jingū, another legendary figure who reigned as regent during the minority of her son, Homutawake, later known as the Emperor Ōjin.
—In-game section

Victory[]

Queen Himiko, you have pleased the spirits and saved unfold lives from the blight of war. Japan is finally united under your rule and harmony has been restored. You will send envoys to China to establish relations with the mighty Cao Wei kingdom. And when you finally breathe your last, your people will inter your remains in a great earthen mound built to honour your illustrious life.
—In-game section

Loss[]

Maybe becoming queen of Japan was a bit too ambitious, even for a shamaness. You might be better off using your magic on something more attainable. There are some sheep who could use a leader.
—In-game section

Changes[]

The scenario is completely changed from the original. There are no Villagers to build a base and an army with. Instead, the player starts with two Priests where they need to achieve the new objectives with the help of converted enemy soldiers. There is only one active enemy faction as opposed to having to fight off three of them.

Trivia[]

Because Himiko was omitted from two oldest extant Japanese sources, Kojiki and Nihon Shoki (the latter of which quoted Wei Zhi three times yet excluded from itself any Wei Zhi's mention of Himiko), and because several historians speculated that the Yamatai nation ruled by Himiko was not located in Yamato province in today Honshu, but rather in northern Kyushu, it was possible that Himiko wasn't a member of the current Imperial Dynasty of Japan.

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