Book 4 Chapter 6: And Far Away:
War is upon the Italian Nation again.
The Italian Northern Defenses Act: Fortifications in the North is seen to be outdated against the now Modern type of Siege warfare through cannons. The Prime Minister, Octavian, recommends the official positioning of Border Security through revitalization of the Fortifications in addition to new Forts developed at Strategic positioning with upgrades (such as the addition of Cannons to the forts) and changes to previous designs to make the Fortress less likely to break down against Cannon fire. (Finishes this turn)
You looked at some of the fortresses…
By God… it was a line of terror that any army would have to cross, and it would take miracles to truly bring forth something so powerful.
Reward: The Army has a +30 to all rolls when on the defensive in Italy.
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-[X]Assasination for National Interest: You will kill the man who has made your mentor so scared. DC: ??? Reward: Your government carries out an assassination. Rolled:
D100 + 30 => 124
D100 + 30 => 100
D100 + 30 => 123
D100 + 30 => 89
You looked at the First Minister and the cabinet and felt a weight upon the room that few would ever really… see.
"So… We're really doing this?" You said. "We're initiating a political assassination of a foreign commander."
"It has come to that yes." The First Minister was oddly serious, gone was his mischievous smile and his boisterous attitude. He was utterly… calm and collected. He understood the gravity of the situation.
"And we agreed that no one beyond this room, and the assassin knows of this plot?"
The first minister nodded. "Absolutely." He stated calmly. There is no other way that we can muck about this… the certainty and damage that this action would do to your reputation, and that of Italy was entirely warranted… So nothing will be remembered. No notes, no records, only conversation, and single order."
"And will it succeed?" You asked.
"Nothing is certain." He replied. "But what is certain is this. Do make a habit of this. Your master may have understood the risks of asking this, but I do not approve of this."
"Is that your official capacity First minister, or your personal?" You asked.
"I don't plan to make assassination and subterfuge the official policy of your government." He said.
"I can't promise that, with how chaotic the world has become. But it will have good reasons."
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Two weeks later, a captain who had great ambitions was found dead in a shoot-out between himself, and an unknown soldier, an enlisted man he slighted.
He was dead, and not a man worried about it.
Reward: The assassination was a success. Unknown negative effect to the French military.
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-[X]The Generals Worry: You need to look at the General's plans, and find out what they will do if War is declared… when it's declared. DC: ??? Reward: You see the Plan. Rolled:
D100 + 30 => 35
It was not a good plan. Not a good plan at all.
"We're just going to stay at the fortresses and just wait?"
The General nodded. "As of this point, with the current stratagem, it would be wise to continue that course of action?"
"What about counter-attacking, patroling, scouting for enemy forces?" You asked.
"We are working on it, Sire." He was not nearly as certain as his other statements.
Bare success: The Army is holding fast, and defending only what it can. But doing nothing more. They have ceded the initiative to France.
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-[X]Guns of Patriots: Beretta has come to you, asking for a royal subsidy for a year, to pay for the excess arms that they are going to produce for the Army. DC: 50 Reward: Beretta increases production. Rolled:
D100 + 30 => 62
They got their subsidies, at your expense even.
More guns are needed.
Reward: Beretta is beginning to mass produce its rifles for Italian army service.
Unknown positive effect.
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-[X]Of God and Command: Your Master was not just a diplomat without peers, but he is a commander of men, and while he is not as seasoned as other commanders in Italy, he does have immaculate organizational skills. God Why is he gone leaving you alone? DC: 25 Reward: You learn how to command men, and to be a leader. Rolled:
D100 + 30 => 38
It wasn't much, but you did learn quite a bit from soldiers.
Reward: +1 to command.
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-[X]The Keys of State Craft: Your master wanted you to learn the fine arts of making friends and allies. Even if it means you abhor them. He's smiling while you do this. DC: 40 Reward: You learn the fine arts of diplomacy. Rolled:
D100 + 30 => 45
You look at the courtiers and smile. "Do I have to do this in this silly dress?"
"It's the latest fashion in England?"
"But we're not in England?!" You protested.
"It would be better for you if you at least looked like you give a shit about the fashions of Europe?"
"I care about the fashions of Italy." You replied.
"Blacksmiths clothing and soot is not the Italian fashion." The courtier smiled.
"Make it Italian fashion then for all I care, I don't want to wear this shit!"
Reward: +1 to subterfuge.
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-[X]To Design a Better Gun (Manufacturing): You have an idea to make the Design better, and now all you need to do is put it to paper and try it out. DC: ??? Reward: You make the gun better. For yourself to make it that is. Rolled:
D100 + 85 => 88
How you would have loved to try and make things better for yourself in the ease of manufacturing these weapons.
Yet… You are stumped by something. And it's just…
Difficult to think of a way to do it.
Failure. +1 to composure.
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And Far Away (The Navy Edition): From the Navy… What the hell is that? Rolled:
D100 + 30 => 128
D100 + 30 => 89
From The Admirals of the Italian Navy to King Luciano and his CAbinent…
The French Navy will not be a problem anymore. Marines have stormed Marseille by siege and luck, and they have destroyed numerous ships in construction and in dry dock.
And any ships that escaped are fleeing west, towards Gibraltar and the Atlantic. We implore His Majesty to contact the Spanish Government and have them cut off the enemy so that we may destroy them with due haste.
Godspeed.
Reward: The Navy had destroyed much of France's Mediterranean and southern fleet, and the rest were fleeing to the Atlantic, trying to escape.
You have one chance now to destroy France's entire naval capacity in the Mediterranean. Don't waste it.