Kalran: Tales of the four nations/Tutorial

Lesson 1: basics
(Fade in from black. A Vanguard, Ashigaru, Footman, and Legionnaire enters into a city.)

Vanguard: Welcome to Kalran: Tales of the four nations commander. I am a Vanguard of the UCA, and these folks and I are here to help you do your job.

Legionnaire: Yes. As you can see we have signed a temporary truce so that you will lead us to victory.

Ashigaru: As for why we're representing is because each of us are the superpowers, and all of us wields swords, of our respective nations. And because we drew straws and we won.

(camera briefly pans towards the 20 basic infantry of the other factions, who grumbles)

Footman: Wait. Didn't we stop fighting because we're doing a tutorial for the player?

Vanguard: *sighs* What did I say about breaking the fourth wall!

Footman: That it was cool?

Legionnaire: No it was the Ashigaru who said that. The Vanguard said "don't".

Ashigaru: Well because it is.

Vanguard: *fires into the air* We're going off topic here!

(all infantry lines up again)

Vanguard: (clears throat) Now as I was saying. We are here to help you. And in this lesson we'll teach you the basic.

Legionnaire: Let us start by moving and rotating the camera.

(Player does as instructed)

Vanguard: Good job commander.

Ashigaru: Yeah good job, you'll definitely win battle by moving the camera.

Vanguard: Can you cut down the sass?

Ashigaru: *blows raspberry*

Legionnaire: Moving on. Let get on to the basic of selecting and moving units.

Vanguard: Select me by left clicking on me and move me to that area by right clicking.

(Player selects Vanguard and move him to designated point)

Legionnaire: Now left click and drag the green border created over me, the Footman, and the Ashigaru to select and move us simultaneously.

(Player selects all infantry and move them to designated point)

Footman: Good job commander. Now we will proceed to actual mechanics.

Footman: We will start with cover and garrison.

(player is shown to four groups of Vanguard, three firing upon three groups of Swords squad, one Swords is not in cover while the two other is but one has the cover between the Vanguard while the other doesn't. While the last group has the Vanguard charge at a shield in cover to fight in melee. As Footman narrates we see the Swords squad not in cover, the one with the cover not between the Vanguard, and the one in melee dies first)

Footman: During battle there are two types of cover. What your now seeing is directional cover, whether it be a wall of sandbags, a large rock, or a car, will give them protection from range attacks, but it must be between the shooter and unit. And as you can see the Swords squad not in cover, and the once facing the wrong direction, died first. But melee combat negates cover bonus. And comes in light, heavy, and negative cover.

(player is now shown two groups of Vanguard and and two groups of Swords under a cover aura, the one firing upon the shield deals reduce damage, while the second group charges into melee and instantly killing the squad)

Footman: The second seen here is radial cover. While weaker then directional covers it's impossible for the enemy to flank, but melee still negates it. Now onto garrison.

(Player is now shown three buildings, each garrisoned a Shield squad. One which has a group of Vanguard firing upon them, with garrisoned squad slowly taking casualties. When Footman describes degarrison weaponry another group of Vanguard throws a grenade into the second garrisoned building, instantly killing squad. And when Footman describe building destruction a bomber destroys the third, instantly killing the squad)

Footman: As you can see when a squad is garrisoned they are significantly tougher and harder to displace. But note that garrisoned squad, and building, will take damage as they're fired upon, it's just slower and your forces taking more casualties. Unless you're squad has a degarrison ability or weapon, in which case the garrisoned squad instantly dies. And its advice to have your squads evacuate when it's about to collapse, because if it falls while their inside they are dead.

Ashigaru: These buildings can also be repaired by engineers, so those buildings are not lost forever.

(Silly mode only) (A Footman tries to enter a Restroom)

Vanguard: Now is not the time for potty jokes, sir!

(The Footman then automatically ejects out of the restroom)

Lesson 2: Commanders and protocols
Vanguard: Now with the basics done we'll be moving onto commanders and base.

Legionnaire: In Kalran. Each of the twenty-four factions has five commanders that changed the factions playstyle.

Ashigaru: For a total of a hundred and twenty styles!

Footman: A hundred and twenty!

Vanguard: Eeyup. And the five for each are split between classic, airforce, defense, infantry, and armor. And one must be selected before the battle begins.

Ashigaru: Classic, airforce, defense, infantry, and armor?

Vanguard: I'll explain.

(The portrait of their classic commander comes up, followed by commander saying a selection quote)

Vanguard: The first are the classic, though another name could be exaggerator, and they basically double what strength that faction has, for example my classic focus on the UCA versatility while the Ashigaru's classic focus on mobility and specialized forces.

(silly mode: Footman: Is it just me, or do our classics sound familiar?

Ashigaru: *giggles* Yeah, apparently the developer thinks its funny if the classic commanders are also the voice of the basic infantry.

Vanguard: *clears throat* Moving on.)

(The portrait of their airforce commander comes up, followed by commander saying a selection quote)

Vanguard: Next are the airforce, specializing in aerial units. But that actually varies for each factions. Some might specialized in spamming cheap aircrafts, other use smaller but elite airforce, other may only specialized by virtue of having powerful aircraft protocols, and some might not even use aircrafts as a focus but as a close support multiplier for their ground forces.

(The portrait of their defense commander comes up, followed by commander saying a selection quote)

Vanguard: Third are the defense, specializing in, well, defensive tactics. Though how their defences work depends from faction to faction. From using powerful defenses, basically becoming a pseudo tower defense, devastating artillery, or even just delaying an enemies advance until the main force comes in, like the Rokhari whose defense is denying their enemies assets through scorched earth. Hell some might not even be defensive but instead focuses on siege weaponry built to destroy their opponents defenses.

(The portrait of their defense commander comes up, followed by commander saying a selection quote)

Vanguard: Fourth are the infantry, though another term can be subversive, specializing in infantry and subversive tactics. Utilizing fast, but mainly fragile, units, mainly infantry, with hit and run, stealth, or other kinds of subversive tactics to undermine and confound their foes.

(If the Clash at Sea DLC is installed, the portrait of their naval commander comes up)

Ashigaru: Wait! I don't remember that!

Vanguard: Well, that's the naval commander! This commander specializes more on naval aspects of war and amphibious assaults.

Footman: So they’re basically useless on maps with little to no water?

Vanguard: Well yes. But all the maps in skirmish mode contains enough water, and amphibious units, that naval warfare is not only practical but also essential, not to mention that supply points can also be at sea and that all our harvesters are amphibious. And there is no option to off naval combat. Ever. Even the maps with the least amount water has enough for vessels to sneak around, punishing those who don’t invest in naval defenses, with bombardment vessels being able to cover a quarter of the ground map at worst

Legionnaire: Basically if the commander, AKA possibly you, chooses to ignore the ocean they will be forfeiting a significant part of their potential economy, combat strength, and tactics to their opponents. So don’t ignore the battle at seas commander, unless you and your opponent somehow managed to agree to not use your navy.

(If silly mode is on)

Ashigaru: Oh! So it like red-

Vanguard: *fires into the air* Do you want to get us SUED!

Lesson 3: Basic combat
Vanguard: We'll now be moving onto suppression.

Ashigaru: *groans* I always hate this part.

(A Sentinel now walks up to them and fires, causing the Legionnaire to raise shield and the Footman and Ashigaru to go prone)

Vanguard: (shouting over the din) AS YOU CAN SEE. WHEN THE ENEMY IS USING HEAVY WEAPONRY AGAINST INFANTRY THEY WILL DIVE DOWN TO PROTECT THEMSELVES! NOW MOVE US TO THAT AREA.

(Vanguard walks to designated area, but slower, while the Legionnaire and Footman crawls)

Vanguard: (dusts himself) In battle there are two types of suppression. The first is, well, suppressed. Where most infantry, like the Legionnaire and Footman, are slowed to a crawl and have a hard time returning fire. The second level, as demonstrated by our Ashigaru-

Ashigaru: FUCK YOU!

Vanguard: Is called pinned, which either happens if an infantry stays suppressed for too long or if said unit is a skirmisher like the Ashigaru. In this state they briefly gain some buffs to our defenses but infantry is now immobilized, and unable to fire, only thing we can do once pinned is to retreat. But some units, like our Ashigaru, have an ability to briefly negate suppressed or pinned. Use her leap ability and have her moved to the area.

(Commander does so, breaking the Ashigaru out of her pinned state, and have her leap to the area)

Ashigaru: (panting) I. Always. Hate. That. FUCKING segment!

Vanguard: While heavy infantry, like myself, are immune to the suppressive effects but are still slowed down.

Ashigaru: Of course, have the guy wearing armor equivalent to a tank to brag. *blows raspberry*

Legionnaire: As for why I was crawling faster was because I had my shield to protect myself. Unlike those two.

Ashigaru: See that I have choose between being able to fly, or carry a bulky shield, I can say its a hard choice.

Footman: I prefer a charge without unnecessary weight

Vanguard: Now you're asking. If infantry only get suppressed but doesn't take more damage while a heavy infantry are not slowed then why use skirmisher infantry? It's be-

Ashigaru: Because, unlike those types, we can keep firing even as we move. But I know it's better to demonstrate it. (Camera pans to three squads of moving Swords) So command me, the Vanguard, and the Legionnaire to target those moving targets.

(Commander does so. Where we see each of them firing. The Ashigaru keeps firing even as she moves to stay in range, the Legionnaire must briefly stop to fire and have to stop firing to move into range, and the Vanguard requires a few seconds to aim, leading to the Vanguard firing a single shot before the squad moves out of range and leading the Vanguard to get in range again. As Footman narrates)

Footman: As you can see here the main advantage skirmisher infantry has over the other two is that they don't have to stop to fire their weapon, meaning that if the enemy can't properly outrun them they will eventually die.

(Ashigaru kills the squad first and returns)

Ashigaru: So how did I do? Probably first again?

Legionnaire: (panting in between throws) Stand. And die. Like a. Man. DAMN IT!

Vanguard: Hold still! DAMN YOU!

Ashigaru: So what should we do while they're taking their time?

Footman: We actually have another demonstration to show you commander. (Camera pans to three moving Sword, a Vanguard ace, and a Legionnaire) Have the Ashigaru attack that squad over there.

(Commander does so. Where all three units keeps firing even when moving, but the Legionnaire deals little damage but began suppressing the squad. And when the infantry moves away from the target only the Ashigaru keeps firing)

Footman: There are some exceptions to the rules though. Some medium and heavy infantry, like that Legionnaire and Vanguard ace, can fire while moving. But the difference is that only the Ashigaru, and other skirmisher infantry, can keep firing even when moving backward, where as the Vanguard ace, and those with similar skills, can only fire when the target stays in front of them and the Templars is only meant to suppress.

(Legionnaire returns, panting heavily)

Ashigaru: Took you long enough.

Legionnaire: (panting) Do you... Have any idea... How heavy... This pack is! (a few seconds past) Also how's the Vanguard doing?

(Camera pans to the Vanguard, dealing little damage to the running Swords and cussing up a storm)

Vanguard: Oh screw this! (Vanguard pulls out his melee weapon and charge, killing the Swords, before rejoining the group, who stares at him)

Vanguard: With that done what's our- why are you staring?

Ashigaru: *coughs* Cheater.

Footman: But with our friends *clears throat* method of attack segues into our next lesson: melee combat.

Lesson 5: Epic units
Vanguard: Now with the basics down pat we can move to a very special highlight. Epic units!

Footman: Wow, these units must be um, epic to require its own segment.

Vanguard: You bet they do! And the reason why their called epic is-

???: I think we should take it from here.

Legionnaire: Who said that?

???: That was from me!

(Camera pans up to show a Fergus, Ozawa, Arthropleura, and Virtus entering into view)

Fergus: Seeing as how this segment is talking about us. I think we should do the honours.

Ashigaru: Are you sure about this?

Ozawa: Don’t worry. (turns turret to point at a garrison hotel) We even set up a place for you to stay until we’re done.

Arthropleura: It has nice beds, a bar, and even a bath.

Virtus: So take a well earned rest while we do the rest.

Legionnaire: I could go for a break. Especially after carrying this shield through everything.

Footman: A nap after all that would be nice.

(Vanguard, Ashigaru, Footman, and Legionnaire begin to walk to the structure)

Ashigaru: Hot bath here I come!

Vanguard: *sighs* I could use a drink or two.

(silly mode: Ashigaru: And besides, it’s not as if the voice actors changed.

Vanguard: *sighs*

Legionnaire: Not gonna call her on that?

Vanguard: I just need a freaking drink.)

(Fergus clears throat as the four of them line up)

Fergus: Now as my foot slogging friend said. In this section we will talk about epic units.

Ozawa: Which is us!

(inserting tutorial here at some point)

Lesson 8: Earthborn
(Fade in from black. A Vanguard, Defender, Pikemen, Grenadier, Talon and Enforcer exits from a city)

Vanguard: As with all infantry we earthborn have a unique trait, well all except that fascist bitch, in that we have regeneration from the start.

(An artillery barrage hits the group, leaving all of them in a mortally wounded state)

Vanguard: *grunts* Normally in this stage. The infantry can't fight anymore and is susceptible to capture, but can also be brought back by a healer.

(inserting tutorial here at some point)

Vanguard: Good luck in guiding us in battle commander!

(Vanguard, Defender, Pikemen, Grenadier, and Talon now leave. Accidentally leaving the mortally wounded Enforcer behind)

Vanguard: I am famished! Who up for haggis?

Talon: Oh! Me, me!

Defender: Does it go good with spätzle?

Grenadier: I feel like we're forgetting something.

Pikemen: If you forgot then it must not have been important.

Grenadier: Yeah, you're right.

(Vanguard, Defender, Pikemen, Grenadier, and Talon begins to chat as the screen fades to black)

Enforcer: *weakly and in a lot of pain* Fuck... You... Bastards...

Lesson 8: Waterborn
(Fade in from black. A Legionnaire, Dervish, Raider, Guardian and Draugr entering a field. With a large gap between the Legionnaire and the Dervish)

Legionnaire: It's good to see you join us and listen to our lessons legate.

Dervish: And in this lesson we will teach-

Raider: Wait, wait, wait!

Draugr: What's. The. HOLDUP!

Raider: Aren't we missing someone?

(a few seconds pass)

Guardian: Now that you mentioned it, where's the La-

Distant voice: Waaaait up!

(loud footsteps followed as a Lancer comes into view, filling in the gap, with the other staring at him)

Lancer: *panting* Sorry for being late comrades. A knee joint broke and needed to be replaced.

(insert tutorial here at some point)

Lesson 9: Windborn
(Fade in from black. An Ashigaru, Partisan, Voltigeur, Huntress, Combat militia, and Sword entering a forest)

(insert tutorial here at some point)

Partisan: Fortunately our forces are armored with forcefields, to at least compensate for our frailty, somewhat.

Voltigeur: Unfortunately most of our defenses are the forcefield. So if it falls our lives are counted in seconds, literally.

Sword: Wait, what forcefields?

(Combat militia looks towards Sword)

Combat militia: Well, all but our unfortunate friend here has a forcefield.

Sword: Wait, aren't the masters the only one with the pri-

(a bomber flies in and fires upon them, the Ashigaru, Partisan, Voltigeur, Huntress, and Combat militia survived thanks to their forcefields, which broke upon the blast, while the Sword gets blows to pieces)

Combat militia: *gags* Oh gods some of it are on me!

Partisan: Ewwwww.

Huntress: *sighs* There's not even enough to bury him.

Voltigeur: And I just got this uniform.

Ashigaru: Yeah... As you can see daimyo that if it wasn't for our forcefield we would have ended up like our unfortunate friend over there, and there, over there, basically everywhere...

(a new Sword teleports onto the spot where the previous one was)

Sword: Ew! What the FUCK did I just stepped on?

Partisan: *dry heaves*

Voltigeur: *gags*

Huntress: Don't. Fucking. Ask.

Combat militia: Please don't.

Ashigaru: Trust me, you do NOT want to know.

Sword: Ummmm. Ok...

(insert rest of the tutorial here at some point)

Lesson 10: Fireborn
(Fade in from black. A Footman, Privateer, Trooper, Warrior, Marauder, and Ascendant enters a forest)

Main group
Billy Kametz as the Vanguard and Fergus

Faye Mata as the Ashigaru and Ozawa

Keith Silverstein as the Footman and Arthropleura

Elizabeth Maxwell as the Legionary and Virtus

Earthborn cast
Udo Kier as the Defender

Sungwon Cho as the Pikemen

Michael Ironside as the Assault trooper

Cherami Leigh as the Talon

Erica Mendez as the Enforcer

Waterborn cast
Gary Schwartz as the Lancer

Laura Stahl as the Dervish

Gwendoline Yeo as the Raider

Brianna Knickerbocker as the Draugr

Ricco Fajardo as the Guardian

Windborn cast
Brittany Cox as the Partisan

Chloé Hollings as the Voltigeur

Erica Lindbeck as the Huntress

Chris Hackney as the Combat militia

Matt Shipman as the Sword

Fireborn cast
Anairis Quiñones as the Privateer

Michael Dorn as the Trooper

Keith Ferguson as the Warrior

Gina Bowes as the Marauder

TBA as the Ascendant

Trivia

 * The tutorial presentation is based on the tutorial from red alert 3, except with the factions basic infantry instead of their tanks.