Recap pages are Spoilers Off by default, so in all these pages all spoilers are unmarked. Proceed with caution. You Have Been Warned
The advent of the Cakkavatti, the Universal Ruler, has been foretold in Burma. Soon, a powerful warrior king and his loyal servant rise to the challenge, but the prophecy was seemingly misunderstood... when the treacherous foreigners weaken the King's grip, it's up to the humble commoner Bayinnaung to lead Burma on the path to glory and forge the greatest Empire of South Asia.The player is in control of the Burmese, the color being Green.
Scenarios
1. The Burmese Tigers
When a Nat shaman came to the kingdom of Toungoo announcing the advent of the Cakkavatti, the Universal Ruler who embodies the Buddhist virtues, everyone thought he was referring to the newborn King Tabinshwenti, but on that day, another person was born, Bayinnaung, son of the King's wet nurse. Tabinshwenti and Bayinnaung became inseparable and loyal friends. Together they'll fight the war against the invading Shan from the north. Unable to fight back such a powerful opponent, the Burmese turn their attention to the south, where the weak but rich kingdom of Hanthawaddy lies, ripe for the taking.2. The Mandalay Cobra
With Lower Burma under control, the conbined forces of Bayinnaung and Tabishwenti move north towards Pagan, city of Ten Thousands Temples, were the coronation can be made legit and unquestionable. However, the Shan refuses to let the occasion go, and call for allies: the kingdoms of Ava and Rakhine march in battle. If the plan to make Burma a powerful nation is to succeed, then the holy shrines of Pagan must stand tall, the royal crown must be recovered from Ava and the Shan must be repelled.3. The Royal Peacock
For twenty years Tabinshwenti ruled, but the influence of men from Portugal proved nefarious: the once wise and courageous king became addicted to the foreign wine and forsook Buddhism and the way of the Nats, trusting the Portuguese too much and ordering executions while suffering drunken fits. A monk named Hwat, brother of the former king of Hanthawaddy, is encouraging rebellion, and when Bayinnaung is away, the minister Sawhtut has the king assassinated. Before the capital is thrown into chaos, Bayinnaung has to act and fast.4. The White Elephant
Disappointed by the Nat and their oracles, the newly-crowned Bayinnaung is determined to prove the strength of Buddhism. The kingdom of Ayutthaya is currently defying Burma and encouraging the rebellion in the Burmese provinces of Lan Xan and Lan Na, as the court murmurs and questions Bayinnaung status as the Cakkavatti. Determined to prove them wrong, Bayinnaung sends his missionaries to tame the rebels.5. The Old Tiger
King Bayinnaung is now old and tired. Burma is powerful, but still, the King feels that he has something to accomplish, and not by the sword. As his sons lead the attack on the Rakhine capital of Mrauk U, supported by a huge army and the presence of Portuguese mercenaries, who will give the Burmese the fight of their lives. Furthermore, Bayinnaung himself has decided to meditate on his life and purpose, and has made a vow to visit the holy temples on the coast before his demise. As the battle for the gateway to India rages around them, the last pilgrimage of the King proceeds.This campaign contains examples of:
- Animal Motifs: Each scenario is named after a different animal, while Bayinnaung has the Tiger, which he references in almost all the intros.
- The Call Has Bad Reception: The general consensus is that everything hints at Tabinshweti being the prophesied ruler who will usher prosperity for Burma. It's only after his death that Bayinnaung is acknowledged as the true Chosen One.
- The Chosen One: The Cakkavatti. Believed by all to be King Tabinshwenti, in truth he's Bayinnaung, who manages to live up to the prophecy.
- The Corrupter: The Portuguese, with their wine, managed to turn Tabinshwenti from a mighty and just warrior king to a useless, corrupt slob who's eventually assassinated by unsatisfied ministers.
- Cosmetic Award:
- The HD Edition has "Bayinnaung Campaign Completed". DE replaced the achievement with "Cakkavatti".
- DE has also "Chasing the Crown"note .
- Family of Choice: The relationship between Tabinshweti and Bayinnaung is very strong and important in the first three scenarios, in spite of them being only "milk" brothers.
- Gathering Steam: An unusual examples with the Nat Sorceresses in The White Elephant: they start out as normal Scythian Wild Woman heroes, but they get extra armor, attack and health for each unit they kill, forcing you to finish them off quickly.
- The Good King: The Cakkavatti or Universal Ruler is supposed to be the perfect king. Tabinshweti starts as a strong contender for the title but fails to live up to the hype, and it is Bayinnaung who's ultimately acclaimed as such.
- The Hero Dies: Despite being the narrator of the campaign, Bayinnaung dies halfway through the final scenario, upon meditating in the last temple and finally reaching enlightenment. The outro is narrated by one of his sons. note
- It's Personal: The Portuguese cause the ruin of Tabinshwenti, and you get to fight them in the last scenario for revenge.
- Prophecy Twist: The Nat Shaman predicts the birthday of the Cakkavatti. While everyone believes it refers to the Prince Tabinshwenti, it's actually Bayinnaung, born on the same day from the Prince's wet nurse.
- The Siege: The final mission. Unfortunately, your starting army is initially used to escort the aged Bayinnaung to the shrines, while the enemy forces grow strong. By the time you can build an army, the enemy is more powerful and prepared. On the other hand, on lower difficulties nothing stops you from using your trebuchets, bombards and bombard galleons to destroy Mrauk U and the Portuguese before starting Bayinnaung's pilgrimage.
- Timed Mission:
- The Burmese Tigers has an optional objective to kill the Mon King within five minutes of the scenario's start. He isn't far from your base but his speed is such that the objective is tough without either good Arambai shots or the gathering of sufficient reinforcements as you head towards his castle. Successfully carrying out the objective would nullify the Hanthawaddy threat, leaving you to focus on attacking Prome and keeping the Shan forces at bay, as well as unlocking the achievement "Chasing the Crown".
- The White Elephant gives you a limited amount of time to visit all the cities and subjugate them with your relic-bearing monks. This, along with the Escort Mission nature of the scenario and the meager troops compared to the powerful enemies, makes the scenario frustratingly difficult.
- Wham Episode: The third scenario: the king is killed, rebels rise from everywhere to claim the empty throne and Bayinnaung is left to clear up the mess and avoid the collapse of Burma.
- Wicked Witch: The Nat Sorceresses in the fourth scenario. They're even served by wolves and become stronger with each slain enemy.
