Introduction to Characters of Three Kingdoms. 全面战争：三国演义人物
Here are some of the portraits done by Creative Assembly for their upcoming game:
Total War Three Kingdoms. Hope you enjoy it. More contents coming soon in 2019!
Liu Bei: Humble, virtuous, and kind. Liu Bei came from humble origins despite being related to the imperial Liu clan of the Han dynasty. He could almost be seen as the protagonist hero of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms: a man who stowed virtues of the past and who sought to restore a sense of (status quo) harmony to the realm. His humanity is his greatest asset, and acts as a force multiplier to his many loyal followers
Guan Yu, one of the sworn brothers of Liu Bei along with Zhang Fei, the three men were often inseparable and Guan Yu followed Liu Bei through much of both the good times and the bad. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms he was depicted in an iconic green garb and handling a massive glaive in hand. Honorable to a fault and deadly in battle. His later death at the hands of Wu eventually started a domino effect that sped up Liu Bei's death.
Zhang Fei: A drunk ruffian, but through the love he had for his brother Liu Bei, Zhang Fei became one of the pillars of the kingdom of Shu. Rude and utterly bereft of formalities, he had the brawns of a muscle man and the temper of a berserker. Not the brightest bulb but ferocious in battle
Zhao Yun, a champion astride a white horse called "White Dragon." Young, handsome, and deeply loyal to his lord, Zhao Yun was a fine hero admired by many, even his enemies. Originally he served the frontier general Gongsun Zan as one of the "White Horse Volunteers." His actions at the Battle of Changban where he rode alone into a burning city to rescue to son of his lord was perhaps one of the most memorable climaxes within the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Zhuge Liang, the sagacious chancellor of Shu. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which is largely pro-Shu, Zhuge Liang was depicted with so much abilities and foresight that at times he practically resembled a wizard from the Middle Earth. He secured Shu's refuge in western China and subdued many rebellions of the Nanman barbarians in the region. After Liu Bei's death Zhuge Liang acted as one of the last pillars of the Shu state.
Ma Chao. Called Ma Chao the Splendid, for his name literally means "supreme" or "to surpass." Ma Chao was perhaps one of the most capable cavalry champions of the era. A daring horseman who was trained by his father, the veteran Ma Teng. After wars with Cao Cao in the north, Ma Chao eventually joined Shu to oppose a Wei hegemony.
Huang Zhong, old timer, veteran sniper. In the Romance of the Three Kindoms, Huang Zhong was said to be one of the best archers of the era. Originally he served the southern lords, but eventually he served Liu Bei. Together with the likes of Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao," he was among the ranks of what was called "The Five Tiger Generals of Shu"
Cao Cao, cunning, ambitious and ruthless. A dynamic man of ability who valued those of abilities. Absolutely contemptuous of useless conventions and full of strange mirths, Cao Cao's character shifted between a bloodless villain and a Byronic hero. Having deeply resented the corruption and ineptitude of a world without legitimacy, Cao Cao seeks to be the revolutionary that kickstarts something new, utterly unchained by all that failed in the past. A capable man who would have been the undisputed master of the post Han world if not for a realm of worthy heroes who opposed him. Unjustly vilified in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Xiahou Dun, the one eyed general of Wei. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were both Cao Cao's cousins and helped him in destroying many of northern China's warlords. During the campaigns against Lu Bu, Xiahou Dun lost an eye when it was struck by an arrow. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms he was described to have pulled the arrow out with his eyeball still attached and ate it before his stunned soldiery. Though in many media he was described as a ferocious general, Xiahou Dun's military career was somewhat unfulfilling, however he was a great administrator and retained Cao Cao's trust
Xiahou Yuan: Cao Cao's cousin and one who rendered aid to many of Cao Cao's campaigns. He helped Cao Cao in unifying northern China and was responsible for several forays into the south
Dian Wei, manslayer, one of Cao Cao's fiercest bodyguards, when Cao Cao was ambushed Dian Wei performed one of the most heroic last stands in the entire Three Kingdoms era, personally preventing many enemy soldiers from pursuing his lord and slew several dozen of them with his weapons and then his own bare hands
Xu Chu, a giant of a man and faithful bodyguard, Xu Chu served Cao Cao for many years and was seen as one of his most trusted guards. A tough and muscular man, full of strength
Xu Huang: A model of integrity, Xu Huang is both a great warrior and an astute general, having defeated numerous legendary generals in his time under Cao Cao. Extremely respectful, Xu Huang never fails to be courteous to friends and enemies alike
Yue Jin, One of Cao Cao’s most courageous generals, Yue Jin was always willing to put his own life in danger for those he deemed worthy of respect. He fought against the infamous Lü Bu on more than one occasion, and survived…
Sima Yi, the cunning mastermind of Wei, reported to be full of talent even as a child, Sima Yi was one of the most shrewd of Wei's ministers. After Cao Cao's death Sima Yi would gradually extend his own personal influence in the Wei court. His rivalry with the Shu strategist Zhuge Liang is legendary
Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiang Dong (Southern of the River/ Southlands) Patriarch of the Sun clan, who were reputed to have descended from the legendary writer of the the Art of War: Sun Tzu. A confident veteran commander, respected by friends and feared by enemies. His early death brought his family to ruin, however his most dangerous assets turned out to be the brood of fierce children he raised. If you like the Starks from "Game of Thrones," you will learn to love the Sun family in a similar light. The southlands~ as always, remembers.
Sun Ce, the young conqueror, brought the Sun clan from the brink of ruin to renewed dominance. Fierce in battle yet jovial and kind. A very personable ruler and one who was seen as a big brother to his soldiers. Though a brash warrior, he often sees his own limitations and rely on wise counsel from the likes of his sworn brother Zhou Yu. Like his father, Sun Ce also met an untimely end at the height of his military career
Zhou Yu, the young strategist, and sworn brother to Sun Ce, one of the architects of Wu's ascension. The hero of Redcliff. Unfortunately, like many of the pillars of Wu, he too would die before his time in service to Wu.
Sun Ren, or Sun Shang Xiang: fierce lady of the Sun clan, reputed to have an all female corp of bodyguards who wore armor. Though her life is largely embellished in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, historically she was a tomboy and was recorded to have delighted in wearing armor.
Sun Quan: The young lord of the south, wise beyond his years. Though at first he was unprepared for the monumental task of shepherding his kingdom. Eventually Quan became a wise and calculating ruler. His long reign saw much of the Three Kingdoms era pass by.
Gan Ning: The swashbuckling pirate, a violent man but also one who was entirely devoted to Wu, a daredevil tactician who volunteered for many of Wu's most dangerous missions. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms he was said to have strapped many bells on his body so all who would know he was coming
Taishi Ci: The honorable champion, aided many and found his home serving Wu. Originally traveled the realm and served the beleaguered people, including a besieged Kong Rong. All around wholesome fellow
Yuan Shao: Proud and arrogant, and if you were Yuan Shao you would probably have the same reason to feel that way. Descended from nearly impeccable lineage, Yuan Shao was one of the most influential leaders in the late Han court during the transition from Han to the age of high warlordom that followed. Both he, his half brother Yuan Shu and his long time friend Cao Cao witnessed the rapid disintegration of imperial power first hand. Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu slaughtered the eunuchs and later Yuan Shao and Cao Cao helmed the anti- Dong Zhuo coalition which saw most of northern China mobilized against Dong Zhuo's tyranny and kick started the age of warlords. He would later resoundingly destroy his rival Gongsun Zan in the north but was eviscerated in turn by Cao Cao.
Yuan Shu. a covetous man with a chip on his shoulder. Yuan Shu has both the pride and the arrogance of his half- brother but must content to play the second fiddle to Yuan Shao for most of his life. Yuan Shu truly believed that his half-brother has less claim to the Yuan family name and long harbored a resentment against Yuan Shao. Both purged the eunuchs from the imperial palace and both were part of the Anti- Dong Zhuo coalition. The imperial capital of Louyang was torched in Dong Zhuo's retreat and as a result much of the north was left in the hands of the warlords. After the Dong Zhuo's death, the coalition quickly carved up northern China and began to snipe at one another. In the chaos that followed Yuan Shu got his hands on the imperial seal. It is with this seal, Yuan Shu's ambition blazed and he declared himself the emperor of a new dynasty, further plunging the realm into anarchy.
Gongsun Zan, the frontier protector of the north. When the Han royal power disintegrated and many warlords carved up northern China, Gongsun Zan remained guarding the frontiers against potential incursions by the steppe nomads against the realm. Despite being the lone guardians on the walls, without hope of supplies from the bickering realm, Gongsun Zan took the fight to the northern steppe nomads. He led a powerful vanguard of elite horsemen called the "White Horse Volunteers" and achieved several resounding battles against them. For this he was known as the "White Horse General," unfortunately when he made his bid against his neighbor Yuan Shao he was utterly crushed in a series of defeats.
Ma Teng, the frontier general of the west, having descended from the famous Han dynasty general Ma Yuan who put down the rebellion of the Trưng Sisters in Vietnam, the Ma family had been faithful stewards to the Han cause for centuries. Stationed in the west, Ma Teng was charged with guarding the boarders against the many Qiang tribes in the region. The Qiang were proto-Tibetans. Ma Teng was recorded to have good ties with the Qiang people, at the start of the realm wide conflict he held western China as his own. His son Ma Chao would eventually join Liu Bei after Cao Cao annexed north western China as his own.
Liu Biao: a scholarly man who is not very active in the conflict. Having ties with the royal family, for the most part of the conflict Liu Biao was more interested in protecting his own province against outside invasions. In due time he eventually formed a rivalry with the Sun clan neighboring his territories. In time his domains received many refugees, one of whom was Liu Bei and followers. His death eventually allowed Cao Cao to extend his reach southward.
Kong Rong, a brilliant scholar who was perhaps very much incompatible for this era. The historical Kong Rong was one of the most talented scholars of this age, even from a very young age he showed much talent in the understanding of classics, writing and rhetorics. Unfortunately, the age he was born in was not for scholars such as him. Instead he found himself in a world of ruthless and duplicitous men. A world of chaos almost encapsulated in the personhood of Cao Cao. Perhaps it is telling that Kong Rong would one day be executed by Cao Cao.
Zheng Jiang, a bandit queen leader who rose to prominence for several months after Cao Cao has largely consolidated his hold over northern China. The historical Zheng Jiang led bands of outlaws in defiance of authority. Her rebellion was eventually put down by Cao Cao.
Zhang Yan, the leader of the infamous Black Mountain Bandits, a prominent group of rebels and outlaws who caused much trouble in the war torn northern China. Often they would act as mercenaries and join various factions in the wars against the other. During the intense fighting between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, the Black Mountain Bandits left their mountain lairs and threw their weight behind Gongsun Zan against Yuan Shao, however they were repelled.
Han Sui, warlord of the western frontiers. Like Ma Teng, Han Sui was also one of the guardians of western China, especially the Liang province in Gansu which is located close to the Hexi Corridor. In Cao Cao's wars of consolidation across northern China Han Sui was killed
Liu Zhang: The youngest son of Liu Yan, Liu Zhang ruled over the Yi Province. While he maintained peace in his realm, some view him to be a foolish and incapable ruler. He is easily taken in by tricks and deception, and will choose the wellbeing of his subjects over his own ambition. Should not have opened the gates to Liu Bei.
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Comments
Best of all, he has the entire Han Empire as his starting vassal faction under Huangfu Song, and is accessible to the Xiliang Cavalries and it's superior Elite Xiliang riders.