Tried an Emishi run VS Japan (867), problem is the forts really
Custom martial character within achievement limit, and decided to use the unique horse archer units.
Was a bad idea, one of the forts nearby was calculated at 4 year siege, and I had to fight the kampaku and his bloc (with men at arms only) 5 or 6 times while the peasants sieged the place. I should have gone for an older character that could get the sappers perk(siege time) fast and a synergetic unit that doesn't get countered by horse archers (mounted samurai)
Other than that:
- The emishi have access to han, yamato and Ainu courtiers for marriage purposes so I had skilled people in there.
- Capturing people (raiding) in Japan gives a lot of money. You don't need to recruit prisoners (line above them), but maybe you want concubines?
- You can capture bears in hunts and then sacrifice them for a martial bonus (strong).
- You can't raid the ainu (over sea) until you conquered their first county.
- My character had 3 virtues, 0 intrigue, stewardship, learning, and low prowess (got wounded actually), but 20 martial and reaver + organizer traits.
- Japan is pretty weak in 867, once I had 2000 of my own horse archers they stood no chance (get a wife with high martial, and chivalry focus, perks - right side).
It's fun, but I need to redo it with faster sieges, someone more patient might be inclined to try this.