La Chanson de la Victoire (The Song of Victory): La Petite Arpenteuse (Non, SV, you are a General of France in the Napoleonic War!)

[Azeazyazitgetz]

For Change or Death.

Fredrick was Determined.
"FIRE!"
Musket fire cracked in the daylight.

"RELOAD! FASTER! IMAGINE! You are under attack by the French, here in the heart of the fatherland! They outnumber you and your squad, they will show you and the rest of Prussia, Your Friends, FAMILY, LOVED ONES, NO MERCY!"
He could see and hear the pips of ramrods slamming down faster and faster.

It was almost humiliating to lower themselves to using FRENCH Military Tactics, and ordinarily, we Prussians would have perished the thought.
But things weren't.

Prussia- No WE had been beaten.
"AGAIN!"
ALL RANKS, FIRE!"
The Musket fire puffed out stronger this time, more coordinated.
Fredrick nodded this time "Good! Tomorrow we will do this again until we perfect it. Dismissed!"

Things weren't normal. Twice, the once-proud Prussian Army had been forced into defeat.
This wasn't the time for petty pride. Clearly what we had been doing was wrong. This was the time for Reform.

But perhaps this was what Prussia needed. A lesson that humbled it. Humiliating it may be, but this was what Prussia needed.


What Prussia needed was a Challenge. A challenge found in the game of innovation and survival between nations. The Game that Spain may find itself on the losing side. Fredrick pitied the Spanish. No matter what they had done in the past, nothing would ever truly justify the dissolution of a nation. Especially not the Spanish. They had been once the masters of the world but they had never been given the opportunity to know they needed reform until it was too late.

Prussia however, was given that opportunity. The only thing Prussia needed to justify reform was a challenge; And France delivered that challenge.
If Prussia was to Survive as a nation, they should not, will not, must not lose this game.

AN: Say hello to my first written Omake on this thread

 

[Alexander Sturnn]

OSP-Omake - Therese Auclair, Part 3: Trials and Assassination


Blue: "(Sighs) You know, there are times where I honestly wonder how lucky some people can be in their lives. I mean one day you manage to get the winning numbers of a lottery ticket, and in another, your kids live through an assassination plot and your nemesis loses his supporters.

(Pauses) Lady Luck is quite a fickle mistress isn't she?

Anyway, where we last left off with Therese was that she was had gotten the biggest boo possible for her great speech, a boo in the form of a bullet that nailed her in the chest and the idiot who did so was torn to pieces in a way that would make horror movies blush.

Anyway after the most bloodless Civil War in history was over, Therese was now dealing with the most difficult opponent that a women can face, preparing for birth. Meanwhile, France was yet again dealing with most of Europe dogpiling on top of them because Britain does not want to not be number 1 in the world.

The Reforms Therese introduced to the Army were already being implemented, but that did not help the French Forces in the Field. Fortunately, they had other Advantages, even if at first, things did not look so well.
At the start of the War, the Austrians managed to push Massena's Arms of Italy back and encircle them while the Prussians conquered the Netherlands and destroyed the French Army stationed there. However, this would quickly prove to be the only Successes the Coalition could grab. Because at the same time, the Prussian and HRE's Main Armies suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Therese's old Superior, General Jourdan, as they tried to cross the Rhine.

"But what about Britain, Spain, Naples and Russia?", I hear you ask? Well, Kids, let me tell you!

Britain was quickly finding that the loads of cash they had poured into triggering this War looked more and more like a failed investment. Not only were Prussia, Austria and the HRE already struggling against France, but Spain didn't even have the means to put up a fight. Seriously, the French faced ZERO resistance when they just waltzed in and took Barcelona. Heck, the Situation in Spain was so bad that once the French so much as glared at the country it just completely COLLAPSED. Civil Authority broke down, Warlords carved up the Land and the Royal Family noped the heck out of there with much of the Army and fleet, escaping to their South American Colonies...which they actually managed to bring back under control once they got there.

Impressive, but they were still out of the War. Russia, meanwhile, was taking it's sweet ass time to do ANYTHING for the cash Britain had given them. Tsar Alexander sent no more then 30.000 men to fight France, and he basically told them to march as slowly as possible, enjoy the Scenery and try to come as late as they could. He tried to BS his way out by saying that after the Civil War he just won against his Dad, Russia couldn't supply any more that that, but it was pretty clear he was just putting up excuses to take Britain's Money and then not actually do anything about it.

The sheer AUDACITY of this man. It's even more impressive that it actually worked!

Now, as for Naples, surely this time Ferdinand would put a better fiihihight, hahahaha... (Starts laughing) ...Aaaaahhh, no. Just NO.

Turns out that trying to go to war again with the nation that so thoroughly destroyed you last time is a horrible idea! And so the people of Naples pulled their own Revolution, overthrew Ferdinand, and welcomed Davout's forces as they marched south, expecting a fight. In fact, the revolution in Naples was so successful they formed a Sister Republic after they succeeded.
So yeah, they were barely a year into forming their coalition and already things were falling apart. (Sarcastically) Thanks Britain!

Davout then took his army, turned it 180 degrees and marched up north to help Massena's Army which was under siege in Genoa. And here is where things turned in Italy and some notable actions occurred. Mainly that Severin and Berither were wounded in combat as they tried to relieve Massena, but that they were able to break the siege thanks to Murat and his horsey boys smashing apart the Austrians. In process he further proved his skill as the best cavalry commander of the era and made Severin begrudgingly respect the man even though it probably made him want to slam his head against a wall.

But the biggest play of the game in this case was made by Louis of all people.
He was leading two rifle battalions as they lured an Austrian Division toward their position. Using their marksmen skills along with good cover and ambushing the enemy, they completely decimated the Austrian Division as the rest of the Army and Murat's cavalry completely swept through the enemy camp.
Once again, Louis showed himself as the ultimate madlad. Though he did disobey orders as Severin pointed out after the battle which cost them many men in their attack on the camp and forced them pull more men to reinforce the attack until Murat's cavalry showed up. So not the best time for Louis but he would learn from this.

He also apparently got rid of his suicidal thoughts around this time so...hurray for Child-Soldiering, I guess...?

As for most of the rest of the Coalition, things continued to go awful. Britain managed to blockade the French Caribbean, but was unable to actually take Haiti, the United States pulled a heist that would've made John Paul Jones shed tears of joy and rescued a bunch of Sailors that the British had captured and even ENSLAVED (Seriously, Albion, what the hell?!?) during a daring raid on Dublin, Lannes lead the Part of Therese's Army that had returned with her to France north to liberate the Netherlands and the Prussian/HRE Army had to now face Napoleon and Brian, who rope-a-doped them SO badly that it effectively set their military might back to ZERO.
And to top all that off, Britain got the scare of their lifetime when in India, their and the EIC's Armies were almost destroyed by a Coalition of Indian Warlords lead by Tipu Sultan of Mysore, leading them to almost lose the entire Sub-Continent, although General Wellesley did manage to stabilize the Situation again shortly after.

Karma isn't real? Explain this, Atheists!

So more battles were fought across Europe, including an incident where General Saint-Cyr was surrounded by enemy forces but was saved due to the efforts of Adalene Durand, who much like Therese was quickly raising up the ranks due to her skill at command.
Napoleon did as Napoleon does and smashed apart more of the Austrians and Prussians, who finally threw in the towel after all for the humiliations they suffered during the war. Brian surprisingly was the person to demand the surrender of the Austrians and helped in sending back their Prisoners of war. You know the guy humiliated them when he pulled a Cannae on them?
I think that is one hell of a power move.

This event actually has been stated to be where historians see that Brain was in many ways the true embodiment of the Ideals of the French Revolution. The man may have made mistakes that allowed Robespierre to seize power again but damn if he doesn't stand by his beliefs in the face of everything the world throws at him.

Severin meanwhile helped lead a successful charge against the Austrians despite orders to rest from his injuries and helped turn the tide at Morgeno, much to Murat's horror and begrudging friendship.
(Chuckles) I swear these guys are like anime rivals at times. Once again showing what God was inspired by when he had the Napoleonic Wars happen.

Later they were injured and nearly killed by an Austrian counterattack but Louis came to save them at the last minute.
In the end all of the Coalition powers surrendered and so the war came to a close as another French victory.

However there was one loss that stung for Therese. Kléber, one of her top commanders was killed during the campaign to liberate the Netherlands, torn apart as he fought against his attackers only to be standing in death due to an Elm tree he propped himself up against.
Therese arranged a funeral for him after the war was over, though it was a small one like he wanted. No doubt she wanted to have made it larger and more grandiose because she always cared about the men under her command and wanted the best for them but she respected his wishes and the funeral itself was later captured in a painting.

It is a shame that she lost a good friend and comrade like that, but I guess this death was definitely more inspirational and showed his fierce defiance to the end making him a hero in the eyes of France. I mean it is far better and memorable then say... assassination?

Huh, don't why that was my first thought.

Anyway, with Talleyrand forcing the Coalition powers to make peace and having leverage on of them if they tried to pull anything (except for Russia who didn't fight at all so they got off easy), Napoleon soon got to his occupation of Empire building and hit a major snag.
Said snag was that with his concerns about keeping his new power and paranoia about Robby or other radical groups trying to overthrow him and Therese after they had finally brought peace to the nation after the "Civil War" and fighting the second Coalition. So he began to restrict civil rights to certain groups (sighs) including women.

Okay Nappy, I know how important you are to how Europe became what is today, how great of a military leader you are, and how you made France to a powerful player on the world stage and influenced the later Revolutions that spread throughout Europe, this is one of the biggest boneheaded moves for you to pull!
Seriously you take away women's rights, when your wife is literally the personification of the freedom and will that all women wish to have and proved herself against all of the misogyny of 18th Century Europe? How this didn't end with Therese divorcing him is something I'll never know but she did end up setting him straight after the birth of their twin boys.

Oh and, get this: They were named Alexandre Charlot and Roland Geofferi!
Now, you would be forgiven to think that Napoleon chose these Names in a massive bout of his own Ego, but no. He actually wanted to Name the firstborn Kid after HIMSELF. These Names were chosen by Therese.
You know in hindsight, it's amazing how well these two fit together. Turns out, the love for massive dramatics and overgrown symbolism, mixed with a fair share of ego, was present in both of them from the start. Marriage Goals!

In all seriousness though, these two made for a great power couple. Not only did they know how to lead a Nation, but Therese tended to set her Husband straight whenever he was being a bonehead again. Not only did she manage to make him renege on the whole 'Restricting Women's Rights"-Thing, she also got him and the Court to former acknowledge the meritorious service of the former Slave turned General Alexandre Dumas and his family when she introduced them to court, defending him against those who insulted and belittled him all the while.

Therese had ZERO patience for the nonsense that is racism. A Woman to look up to indeed!

To add to the list of "Therese does something weird/crazy that baffles everyone", she adopted Louis and Charlotte into the family, well her side of the family not Napoleons. Remember, Louis wasn't going ANYWHERE near the throne and becoming king himself cause he didn't want to be a slave.
If you are confused by this, don't worry you're in the same boat as the Royalists in the Vendee region.

Anyway, as she was able to convince Napoleon to not stamp down on women's rights she was also influencing him on another front, naming Marshals. See Napoleon had brought back this previously abandoned title as part of his move to increase the prestige in his army.
He had handed a list to her about the people he was going to name Marshal due to their capabilities and experience in battle. Unsurprisingly, Therese was at the top with her brother behind her. Of course Therese had her own ideas and presented her idea of how they were to gain the title.
She expanded the list of people that were to be made Marshals to 15, mainly those that proved themselves in independent command of armies, save for Michel Ney. In fact, those she selected were those that were specialists in different aspects of warfare and military management.
Essentially, she formed the first ever General Staff, with people who were skilled in their areas of expertise that could offer their own ideas to a campaign. She also came up with the idea of two Marshal types, Staff Marshals which would assist in army management and Field Marshals that were the ones leading armies on the battlefield.
She was certainly going for what she thought would give the French Army the best chance possible, and later events would prove this decision to have merit.

Of course, there were still Issues to be seen to. For one, Spain was a colossal trainwreck by now.

The Country had effectively collapsed into countless Warlord States. Raids, pillagings and constant fighting made the Peninsular just not a good place to be for pretty much everyone in it. There were only three places of relative sanity left: The French holding the Area around Barcelona, the British and Portuguese having established another safe zone in the Northwest and Madrid, under the Rule of Don Carlos...though that place soon collapsed as well.
Spain was rapidly turning into a festering wound upon Europe and the other Nations started to gets cared that, if nothing was done, the very IDEA of a Spanish Nation would soon die, with all the fun destabilizing Problems such a hellhole of ceaseless conflict and endless Warlordism would mean for the Continent.

So yeah, this was going to call for a counter of Europe which doesn't include music shows and performances, but diplomats discussing what to do about Spain since their Royal Family hightailed it out of there.
France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia would be the main nations there (knowing Britain they probably didn't want to even see any French considering how badly they were doing), with France holding many cards thanks to Tallyrand as Napoleon and Therese would accompany him there. After all, having an unstable nation on France's border could give Robby a place to build up for a return to seize power yet again.

So, everyone was getting ready for the Conference in Frankfurt...when suddenly, an Assassination Attempt was made. On the two newly born Babies of France's Imperial Couple!

Three guesses as to who it was that did so and the first two don't count.

Luckily, the children survived without injury though some of their guards were killed. I do feel bad for the kids that they experienced such a thing but they are their parents kids.
Napoleon wanted to come down hard on the conspirators that attacked his kids, the Children of the Revolution who had been formed in the latter days of Robby's consulship and had become terrorists.
Fortunately, Therese was able to convince him to not go through with it saying that if he went after them with the intent to completely crush them it make the situation worse. They were, in her mind, afraid that it would further enforce the idea of Napoleon being a tyrant and give his enemies more ammo. So he choose to not come on the Children with the wrath of God himself.

And surprisingly, it worked!

Not only did Napoleon's restraint from using an Iron Fist to utterly crush them take the wind out of the Children's sails, many of them had not been so keen on murdering two Babies anyway. So when Robby contacted them and ordered them to double down on the Child murder-Terrorism Front, the Children's Leader in France, Jean-Baptiste Carrier, basically told Mr. To-the-Guillotine to shove it, severed all ties with him and decided to instead latch his cause onto Therese, whom he saw as the greatest Chance to keep Republicanism alive in France.

So Napoleons decision to chill for a bit and not use excessive force proved far more effective then any violent retaliation would have been. Just goes to show that sometimes, your Victory doesn't come from what you choose to do, but rather what you choose NOT to do!
Even if that 'not to do' means not going directly after the Guys who tried to blow up your children. That takes restraint and really is the proof that Napoleon, for all his autocratic tendencies, was willing and capable to show reason and restraint. Unlike Robespierre who, again, went so far as to try and murder two Babies sleeping in their beds and consider that a job well done!

So to say that Robby's support base in France went poof is an understatement of the highest order. With the decision to cast him off the Children began to undergo more peaceful efforts to make sure that Nappy didn't go full power hungry.

And so we'll call it here with Therese and Napoleon managing to hold it together. Next time we pick this up we'll cover the meeting in Frankfurt as the fate of Spain is debated and we see what Therese was up to during her stay."



A.N.: Another OSP-Omake written by @Blazblade and me. FINALLY done after I hit multiple snags that kept me from writing. Hope ya'll like it!

 

[Alexander Sturnn]

Oversimplified-Omake: The Napoleonic Wars - The War of the Second Coalition



Narrator: "While the French Civil War had been a quick and mostly bloodless affair, ending with Robespierre fleeing the country and Napoleon and Therese taking over power smoothly, things did not look so well outside of the Borders.

The second Coalition was making moves, marching into French Territory. Already, the Batavian Republic in the Netherlands had fallen to the Prussians, the Austrians were steadily pushing Massena back in Northern Italy, the British Navy went on the attack against the French Caribbean, the Spanish were also slowly getting ready to march over the Pyrenees and Prussian and HRE-Forces were preparing to cross the Rhine while Russian Troops started their long march across Europe to join the fight.

France needed Military Masterminds, both at home and at the front. Thankfully, they had just the People for the Job.

Along the Rhine, General Jourdan, who Therese served under during the battles in Eastern France during the First Coalition was proving himself quite the clever Fox, beating back multiple attacks by the Prussians (Jourdan wearing fox ears as he surprises the Prussians) who really wanted to back at Therese for beating them before. However, he was put into a tight spot until Napoleon and Brian came to the rescue and beat the Prussians back.

Speaking of Therese, as she was recovering from being shot after her big speech, she stayed in Paris to rest. Command of her half of the Army of the Orient fell to General Jean Lannes, one of Napoleon's boys."

Napoleon: Okay Jean, I'm letting you take charge of my wife's half of her army. You cool with that?

Jean: Totally there, Nappy!

Narrator: "His job was to move north, take the Netherlands back from the Prussians and Austrians, and push them out of their sister Republic. So he did, running rampant through the Netherlands (riding on his horse as his men plow through the Prussians and Austrians) During this time, he would form a good friendship with Dumas, seeing him as an equal despite his race (both high five).

French forces were also pushing deep into Spain, not facing any real opposition but disease. (soldiers coughing)

In Italy, Davout and the boys headed south to Naples, making certain that Ferdinand III, the same guy whose butt Therese had so thoroughly kicked in Sicily (Therese kicking Ferdinand offscreen as her men beat up the Sicilians with sledgehammers). However, they were in for a surprise when they showed up into the Kingdom of Naples."

Ferdinand III. (standing on a pedestal and talking to his People): "People of Naples! The French Hordes are coming to take my last Kingdom from me- Um, I mean, to take YOUR freedom away! The Situation is dire, but you must resist and fight to the last breath so that I my keep my crown- I mean, so that you may be free from French Rule! Some...many...most of you may die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing- Uh, that YOU should be willing to make!"

(Utter silence meets his Words.)

Man in the crowd: "...Oooorrrr, instead of dying pointlessly in this stupid war you started, we could just overthrow you and hand the State over to the French, who will make it a Republic and leave us People in charge of our own destiny. All in favor?"

(The entire crowd raises their hands.)

Fredinand III.: "...OoooOhhHhh NoooOooo-!!"

Narrator: "So Freddy was quickly deposed of (Neapolitans throw him off the throne) and the Neapolitans quickly set up their own Sister Republic and quickly joined under France's umbrella."

Davout: Well that was fast. (Looks to Severin and Murat) Alright then time to bail Massena out of Genoa.

Narrator: "And so Davout ordered his half of the Army of the Orient up the peninsula to save the trapped Army of Italy.
Meanwhile, after being besieged in Rome for months, the Pope finally decided to unexcommunicate the the entirety of the Army of the Orient. This must have been a relief for Therese as she was still a good Christian girl and would mean that Catholic nations wouldn't hate her and her forces as much.

Speaking of, Therese was made the Inspector General of the French Army, meaning that she would hear out proposals to improve the effectiveness of the army.
She also did interviews (spoke while the reporters wrote stuff down), met with her husband's ministers (spoke with them in a meeting room), help found Les Invalides (cuts the ribbon to the building), helped make an improved steel press which made the Lorraine region produce tons of metal goods for the army and made one of Severin's family members in charge of the place (gives Matteo the keys to the ironworks), and adopted Louis and Charlotte into her side of the family (brings the two into her side of the family).
Now if that last one seems confusing to you, don't worry, the Royalists in the Vendee region were right there with you (royalists confusingly spoke to one another about this)."

Royalist 1: The empress adopted the royal siblings into the Imperial family? Perfect! That means the Bourbons will be back to ruling the country when those two kick the bucket!

(Royalists cheer)

Royalist 2: Well actually, they've been adopted into her side of the family.

(Cheering stops)

Royalist 1: To HER side of the family? As in the Auclairs?

Royalist 2: Yep.

Royalist 1: That's... an odd way for the prince to get the throne eventually but I guess it still works.

Narrator: "However, she was told to not push herself and relax in order to give birth to her children. This of course, no doubt annoyed her."

Therese: Doctor I have to keep working hard in order to improve France! I can't just not be active!

Larrey: Your highness, you have sustained so many injuries during your career that if you overwork yourself you WILL die.

Therese: So what? I'm supposed to stay still and not try to help the country we fought for? Besides if these are my children they'll be as tough as me and their father!

Larrey: I'm the medical professional here your highness! So go to your room!

Therese: No you are not my parents nor Brian!

Larrey: I said go!

Therese: No!

Narrator: "Thankfully, common sense won out in the end and Therese agreed to rest until her children were born (Therese lying in her bed with a grumpy expression).
Meanwhile, however, the War raged on. Lannes was fighting the Prussians in the Netherlands (Lannes is slap-fighting a Prussian General), Brian and Napoleon prepared another strategic Masterpiece (Brian and Napoleon move Figures across a map) and Davout and Friends were getting ready to give the Austrians, who by now had driven Massena into a corner, an asskicking.

Let's see how Spain was faring.

(Spain is completely on fire, People and Soldiers rioting and looting the streets or running around in a panic.)

Oh Spain, what a mess you have made of yourself.

As the war in Europe was turned against them, and their colonies were falling apart, Spain now dealt with a French army pushing south. However, the Bourbons in Spain had a big brain scheme to solve their problem."

Spanish civilians: "Your majesty! France is invading us! What is your plan?"

King Charles: "Fear not my subjects! I your loyal and proud king swear to solve this crisis and put back on the right path!"

(Civilians cheer)

King Charles: "Yes indeed, I shall fix our problems- Hey look over there!" (He points as the civilians turn as he and his family book it for the ports to go to New Spain)

Spanish civilians (turn around to see the royal gone): "Um... where did the royal family go? (civilians stand around before going to riot)"

Narrator: "So the royal family moved to New Spain to reorganize their colonies and put them back in order. And they succeeded (New Spain cheers). Rebels were put down (Rebels are beaten up with musketbutts), infrastructure was improved (workers get to building new structures), rules and laws that put down the lower classes were removed (tears apart old laws), corruption was rooted out (corrupt ministers were thrown out), and a gold rush in Chile allowed for Charles get a ton of money. (royal family is swimming in gold). Overall, Charles moves to bring the colonies to heel and make a new order in their American territories was a massive success.
Spain however, abandoned by anything resembling official Authority, descended into anarchy and destruction. Much to the surprise of the French Army, which had seized Barcelona and currently was not quite sure what had even happened."

(French Soldiers in Barcelona watch as the rest of Spain burns.)

French Soldier 1: "...D-did...did we do that?"

French Soldier 2: "Maybe indirectly...? Kinda...?"

French Soldier 1: "Should we go in there and do something?"

(A massive fire explosion can be heard in the distance.)

French Soldier 1: "Okay, BAD Idea."

French Soldier 3: "So what do we do now?"

French Officer: "Just...er...just wait for Orders, I guess."

Narrator: "While the Situation in Spain imploded, the Coalition-Forces in the East were busy getting their butts kicked by the French.

Napoleon was again kicking the Enemy around along the Rhine, with Brian helping out where he can. Eventually, he would lead a lightning campaign against Hanover, splitting his army up to tempt the enemy, before getting absolutely smashed. In the end, both Austrian and Prussian forces along the Rhine and in Hanover surrendered, finally forcing the two nations to surrender to France.

During this time, another female officer Adalene Durand showcased her skills and leadership when she lead her cavalry to save General Saint-Cyr when his raiding force was under threat of being destroyed. She was climbing up the ranks much like Therese, meaning she could be the second woman to become a hero of France.

Lannes and his forces also helped to take back the Netherlands, though was shot and wounded by assassins bring the celebrations, leading Dumas to take over.

Meanwhile in Italy, Davout would lead his force to save Massena's Army of Italy. During the battle of Genoa, Severin was wounded in battle alongside Berthier, both leading charges. Murat meanwhile, would prove that he and his horse boys were the best in Europe, smashing apart the Austrians and becoming known as the First Knight of France.

However the biggest surprise during the battle was Louis, who lead a few companies of riflemen and decimated an Austrian Division, using cover and the range of the rifles to his advantage."

Louis: "Good news Severin, I was able to prove Therese right in getting these rifles. You should have seen us, using terrain and cover to pick the Austrians off, and them calling us frogs."

Severin: "Good for you Louis, but you screwed up."

Louis (getting angry): "What!? But I drove off the force attacking us!"

Severin: "You also caused us to divert soldiers that would have allowed our breakthrough to be more effective, and allowing that fop Murat to gain more glory then me. And you know I hate that! Now I actually have respect for that man! Now then, start writing up those letters to families whose fathers and sons they lost today and make sure to learn when to take the initiative in a way that doesn't cost so much!"

Louis (lowers his head): "Okay."

Narrator: "While he did screw up in his deployment, this battle and subsequent battles would finally allow Louis to overcome his suicidal compulsions, meaning that he would now focus on living and becoming a true soldier for France, finally breaking the last of the mental shackles he had from his time of abuse (breaking the shackles around him and smiling at his new freedom). Now he would become a lion that would fight for France, no matter where he would go. Good for him.
So while child soldiers are never a good thing, this time was an exception.

Following this effort, the Austrians were pushed back. Massena would try in bed, having been wounded as Oudinot would take over command of the Army of Italy. Davout planned to finally crush the Austrians at Marengo. Murat would yet again prove his skill at commanding his cavalry as they would get ready for another successful charge. Severin however, had other ideas."

Severin: "Oh no, I'm NOT allowing Murat to get one up on me again!"

So he did the same thing Therese once did and led his Guardsmen while wounded into a charge that slammed into the Austrian right flank, smashing it apart and causing a full on collapse. Murat seeing Severin's charge soon ordered his own and helped put the Austrians to flight.

Now it was Murat's turn to show (to his horror) respect to the Mad Swedish Sargent and even see him as a friend (Murat is annoyed by Severin who is smirking).

Great Britain wasn't having much luck either. While ineffectually besieging the French Caribbean, they utterly failed to find the French Navy, which was playing a successful Game of hide and seek on the Oceans.

(Angry British Naval Officers look around with a telescope, not noticing the French Ships sneaking past them in the background.)

At the same time, they almost lost their holdings in India to a Coalition of the Native Warlords. It was only thanks to the Efforts of a young and brilliant General, Sir Arthur Wellesley, that the tide on the Subcontinent once again turned in favor of the British.

So far, the Brits had little to show for the copious amounts of Money that they had bribed the other Nations of the Coalition with. The War just wasn't going well.

(Shows the British Government looking dismayed at a chart with a red line going downwards all the way to the bottom. The Chart is called 'War of the Second Coalition' and the labels on it going from up to down read 'RULE BRITANNIA!!!'; 'Jolly good War!'; '...Was this really a good Idea?' and 'HOLD ONTO YOUR TEA AND PRAY!!!'.)

In addition, the Russians, who finally arrived at the battlefields, took one look at the other shattered Coalition Forces and decided that this was not what they had signed up for.

(Russian General says 'I'm out' and exits stage right.)

This was quite the steal for Russia, as this meant that the British silver they got for fighting in the coalition would help rebuild Russia after its civil war. Alexander, you sneaky thief (Alex winks to the camera).

In addition, the US pulled off one of the biggest and most successful raids in history, not only freeing half of the sailors that had been taken in by the British and pressed into service and getting back all 200 of their ships but proving that Britain's control of the seas didn't make them safe from invasion. This combined with a defeat at the hands of a Spanish-American Naval force meant that their fortunes were dropping even faster.

Meanwhile, Therese was trying to take it easy as she meant with Napoleon's side of the family which went rather well. However, when visiting the Women's society of Paris, she leant of something that Napoleon was doing behind her back."

Therese (walks into the room as the women were talking): "Greetings ladies, I hope things have been going well-"

Woman 1: "Therese, you have to help us!"

Therese: "Woah there, what's wrong? Is someone threatening you?"

Woman 2: "Yes, your husband!"

Woman 3: "He prevented us from voting during the election!"

Therese: "Well that is sad considering the previous constitution allowed you to-"

Woman 4: "He's also not allowing us to own property or businesses!"

Woman 5: "And he isn't allowing us to hold office either!"

Therese (angry): "What!? Let me see his laws!"

(Therese reading through the papers given to her and as is angry on the inside)

Therese (narrows her eyes): "So my husband is trying to take away the rights of women huh? Don't worry ladies I WILL straighten him out."

(Scene shows the Palace, Napoleon coming into Therese's room as she carries the children in her arms while lying in bed.)

Napoleon (smiles): "Awww...they're adorable."

Therese (smiles as well): "Yes, they are. (Her eyes suddenly narrow) Almost as adorable as my husband restricting Women's rights the way he did, effectively making ME a criminal."

Napoleon (wide eyes of shock and nervousness): "...U-um...l-look, I swear, I can explain."

Therese (with deceptive sweetness in her voice): "I sure hope you can. Because otherwise, you're sleeping on the couch for the next fifty years at least."

Narrator: "So Napoleon, realizing he made his wife unhappy, ended up rescinding the laws about women's rights. A big win for the ladies of France (women across France celebrate).

Meanwhile, the Coalition was now falling apart. Prussia and Austria surrendered, Russia had left without fighting, New Spain was now Britain's enemy, and the HRE also stood down. At last Britain had no choice but to admit defeat as well. The War of the Second Coalition had ended in another French Victory. Brian oversaw the return of Austrian prisoners and proclamation of victory, no doubt to remind them of who had humiliated them so thoroughly.

Lannes returned to help in the fighting in the Netherlands as the joint Austro-Prussian force was defeated. And Dumas proved his skills yet again in battle.

In Italy, both Severin and Murat were wounded and staring down death until Louis came in with some riflemen and saved them, being proclaimed as one of France's great heroes for his actions.

Eventually, all of the Coalition powers soon accepted their losses and the war came to end with the Treaty of Paris in 1796. Prussia and Austria suffered the worst, paying reparations and sending large quantities of food to France in order to deal with its possible starvation issue. Britain wouldn't get hit with all of France's demands but would concede some, once again having to deal with its decision to push for the war.

However, for Therese, she had suffered an important loss. Kléber, one of her generals had been killed in battle, torn apart by enemy troops in the Netherlands but going down fighting. His body was found standing up right, propped up by a Elm Tree. His funeral was small as he had wanted it to be, with Therese bidding him a final farewell with a speech. (Therese holds a funeral, looking sad) Even though he was now gone, Therese would make sure that she would make France the best she could to honor him and the soldiers who fell in battle.

At any Rate however, the War was finally over and France at Peace."

Napoleon: "Glad that's finally over now."

Therese: "Yeah...let's hope that was the last trouble for a few years."

Narrator: "It wasn't."



A.N.: Another Omake written in Collaboration by me and @Blazblade. Hope you all like it!

 

[Magoose]

A Drabble of Unimportance: (Or Magoose decides to make Severin the Main Character in this one)

In the small town of the French countryside, nestled near the mountains, was a small house on a quiet corner. Inside the home was, in the eyes of many men in the town, its most favorite son, son of an emigre from Sweeden, a child of a soldier that had, for a great deal of his young life listened to the stories of his Grandpierre, his grandfather, with a zeal that some could mistaken for fanaticism of faith. For his faith, unlike others, was not to God, or the Chuch, or to the French State.

It was to soldier, the great soldier of war, Matteo Severin was a master of. Perhaps not the most famous man in France, for his small birth, his lack of connections, and his detested of Nobility and those that were incompetent above him, in general. But he was a born soldier, who instilled in his sons, a great deal of what he learned.

And in that small village of the French countryside, this same man, with skill cunning and just sheer bravery, would become one of France's greatest Heroes.

Dennis Martian Severin was not a towering man, like others of his rank, but he was the strongest. He had a strong chin, and arms that seemed more like tree trunks, and a chest that was as if chiseled from Marble itself the epitome of physical fitness for a man. A beard was growing on his face, as he had forgone shaving for a few days, to lax his own personal discipline for a moment to enjoy the company of his family.

And as he sat with his family, looking at his rifles and praising his son's skill with it in practice, or cooing his young daughter, and whispering words of love and comfort to his wife of nearly 20 years, a knock was heard from his door.

Yet the scene of tranquility came to an abrupt end, as his wife stared in stunned silence at the woman who was before her. A towering woman, a strong woman with scars that were unseen, a presence that could command even the Emperor himself to take heed.

For the woman standing before his wife was the Empress of France. His former commanding officer. Therese Auclair.

"May I come in?" She asked politely, as only a woman without a home could ever ask.

And he let her in without a moments hesitation.

AN: Practicing for something special.

 

[AvidFicReader]

I decided to do it based on Magoose's Therese sheet:

Spoiler: Fate Severin

Name: Denis Martin Severin
Class: Berserker
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Titles: The Soldiers' Champion, The Empress' Right Hand, The Empress' Attack Dog, Marshal Baguette

Stats:
STR: B
END: A-
AGI: B-
MANA: A
LCK: A

Class Skills:
Magic Resistance EX: As he comes from a world never touched by gods or magic, he is a void to all but the strongest of magics, such as Divine or True Magic. This includes contracts, area attacks, and Weak Noble Phantasms

Mad Enhancement D: In life he thrived in the blood and chaos of the battlefield, but was renowned for his organization and command, especially his unmatched skill with infantry. He receives a minor boost in power, though he retains most of his sanity and is capable of conversation.

Personal Skills:
Berserk B: A composite Skill of the Valor Skill and Mad Enhancement Skill, negating mental interference such as intimidation, confusion and fascination, and increasing melee damage. Simultaneously, when using this Skill, he turns into a beast that fights with his instincts.

Instinct B: The ability to always "feel" the most suitable development for oneself during combat. By being summoned as a Berserker, he may slightly disregard his intuitions.

Battle Continuation B: One does not know when to give up even to the very end. In life, he survived being shot and stabbed countless times, even surviving an exploding cannonball.

Noble Phantasms:
The Minci Sword Anti-Unit C: A well-made, if old-fashioned broadsword. A weapon seized on the battlefield from the dying grasp of a foe at Messina. A weapon held in trust until it's rightful owner is deemed ready.

That One Marshal's Baton Anti-Unit B: A baton of a Marshal of France, it is immediately recognizable due to being fitted with a masterwork axe head. Although he is the only one capable of wielding it in battle, legend has it the baton was briefly stolen and used against him by an unknown assailant.

Garde Mayence - Anti-Army B-: Severin commanded various formations across multiple fronts, but his first true battle and taste of command was at Mainz. Across the length and breadth of Italy, he commanded those same men, addressing and acknowledging them as the Guard of Mainz. Then, as a Marshal of France and commander of II Corps of the Empire, his corps was also known by that name, hearkening back to the finest soldiering tradition he had imbued upon the men of the Army of the Rhine. They heed his command even in another world.

Logic of Earth - Thaumaturgical Void: Anti-Thaumaturgy Noble Phantasm: EX As a man from a world with no magic or religion, the existence of such is an impossibility to her mind. Thus, through the Grail's power, this logic is temporarily imposed on the world around him, sometimes unconsciously. As he becomes more familiar with his other noble Phastasms and magic, this Phantasm will degrade in effectiveness until eventually becoming unusable.

Dialogue:
Summon: I am Denis Severin, of the berserker class. If the Lord has called me to serve in his heavenly host, then I am ready.

Leveling
Level Up: One must drill relentlessly to see improvement.
Ascension 1: My blade is sharper than ever. All the better to cut down those Prussian scum.
Ascension 2: Ah, my baton is here. I'll not have it taken from me again.
Ascension 3: My men... they march at my call.
Ascension 4: Vive La France! First, Forever and Always!

Battle
Start 1: Witness the soldiering tradition that has been passed down the Severin line through the generations!
Start 2: HAHAHAHA! You shall all fall before me!
Skill 1: The line will hold! It shall not waver!
Skill 2: Sound Pas de Charge!
Attack Select 1: I'll send you to meet the Lord!
Attack Select 2: No onions for you!
Attack Select 3: I shall enjoy this!
Noble Phantasm Select: Form up! Advance!
Damage: GAHH!
NP Damage: MERDE!
Defeat 1: The Heavenly Father calls upon me now...
Defeat 2: Death comes for us all.
Finish 1: VIVE LA FRANCE!
Finish 2: France first, forever, and always.

My Room
Bond LVL 1: Let's get you fit. First, some push-ups, sit-ups, squats, then a brief run. Huh? Copyright?
Bond LVL 2: Come, join me for a game Therese taught me and the others!
Bond LVL 3: Dragons, mana, Heroic Spirits, anime, Alternate history? Strange, but I could get used to it.
Bond LVL 4: You've certainly improved a great deal since we first met, both physically and at our game.
Bond LVL 5: Haha! If it were up to me, I'd welcome you to our brotherhood of marshals. I'll put in a good word for you with Therese.
Dialogue 1: C'mon, let's go!
Dialogue 2: Let's enjoy a nice route march! Know any good marching songs?
Dialogue 3: That's a lot of enemies there. Want me to kill 'em for you?
Dialogue 4 (Therese): Therese? What are you doing here? Me? I'm conquering this land in the name of the Empire, of course!
Dialogue 5 (Napoleon): Hey, Nappy! You sure got ripped! Wanna pump some iron?
Dialogue 6 (Artoria): Anglais? Die, treacherous scum!
Dialogue 7 (Nero): She looks like that Anglais, but isn't? And she's even more full of herself? Bizarre.
Dialogue 8 (Marie Antoinette): I don't care about politics, but your children are safe under my care, madame.
Dialogue 9 (Jeanne): Milady, bless this poor soldier with the grace and the might of the Lord!
Something You Like: France. Family, Julian
Something You Hate: The Enemies of France, Prussians, those with terrible taste in women.
About the Holy Grail: Magic cup? Magic cup. Looks solid enough to bash someone's head with.
Event: More weird magical things are happening? What needs killing?
Birthday: Happy birthday? Let me sing you the song of my people!

I based Berserker!Severin on Berserker Beowulf, particularly his skills and the way mad enhancement affects him.

 

[Alexander Sturnn]

C'tait la nuit de Noël; Napoleonic Edition


'Twas the night before Christmas, when all throughout France
The People slept soundly, without any askance.
Soldiers and Civilians, no difference there,
For they all new their Land was under good care;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Heroics and Freedom danced in their heads;
And in the Palace, the Imperial Couple knew best,
That after a long day of ruling, they needed some rest;

They laid down their Feathers, sat aside the Ink,
After such a hard day of work, others might go for a drink,
But not these two, for they both had great ambition,
And they needed sobriety to work on their mission;

As they looked out the window, Paris was white with snow,
It gave the lustre of mid-day to the streets below,
Turning their eyes upwards, they saw above in the sky,
The endless Stars and the Moon, a feast to the eye;

As they looked and watched, a calm came to their hearts,
A welcome reprieve, for their life was hard in many parts,
Even now, worries wormed into the mind,
That in pursuing their Goals, they had become blind;

"Is this really right?", The Empress asked her husband,
"Can we protect the Revolution, while ruling with a firm hand?
Or have we become Tyrants, like those we despised,
And will History, rightfully, have us chastised?";

"My love, I cannot say what the Future will bring",
The Emperor said calmly. With reassurance his voice did ring.
"But if you look at our City and the Country beyond,
Can you say that our People to us with disdain do respond?"

She thought about that, and found she could not,
Perhaps that was no wonder, after what had been wrought,
Onto the People of France by those who had claimed,
To protect their home and freedom, and instead had them shamed.;

Still, however, a slippery slope it would always be,
The balance between just Rule and cruel Tyranny,
And though they had balanced the act quite well thus far,
How long could it go on, without causing strife and war?;

A noise caught their attention, and they looked aside,
To where their own Sons were sleeping, their joy and their pride.
Lying in their small bed, reminiscent of a child,
Who had laid in a crib, long ago on this very night;

Smiles came to their lips as to their side they walked,
The little ones peacefully asleep, by worry not stalked,
The sight of them much lessened their fears and pain,
Sweeping aside the worry, leaving not even a grain;

And as they looked at them, they resolved to try,
For their sake at least, to let the Dream not die,
A strong France, free and at peace was what they sought,
The Revolution successful, all the struggle not for naught;

They spoke not a Word, but their looks said enough,
Their fears much lessened, though not gone in a puff,
And taking each others hand into their own,
The Imperial Couple knew they were never alone;

And so the night wore on, under it's own time,
The Stars twinkling above, as if to a chime,
And with Freedom and Hope for now secure within sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!



A.N.: Don't ask. I can't tell you why I wrote this either. I cobbled it together within an hour and it's probably garbage. I hope you still get some enjoyment out of it though.
Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

[Magoose]

That Renaissance Quest Idea I was thinking about:

The Renaissance of the fifteenth century was, in many things, great rather by what it designed than by what it achieved.

Walter Pater​

Anno Domini 1500,

It is the beginning of a Golden Era for the Continent of Europe, after many centuries being relegated to the backwater, of commerce, or history, and of Greatness. Constantinople, the City the World desires, had fallen to the Ottoman Turks, and their conquests nearly fifty years prior. The Black Death as it is so-called, and the great plagues have decimated the populations of Europe.

Millions lay dead. Yet the survivors flourish, in a world that is now in front of them.

Commerce flourishes in the great cities of Italy, as the great merchant republics, the banking families, and mercenaries that seek its fortunes. Controlling cities, Lands, and even the Church itself.

And to the West, there is a New World, ripe for conquest, for Trade. For Empire.

And you are a child, born in the path of this Era. You can become something greater than before.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who Are You:

[]The Golden Prince: Your name is Charles, and your lineage is fabled. Born in Flanders to the Hapsburg Prince Philip, you are a child destined for greatness. You will be brought up by the Greatest of tutors, the most skilled of Generals, and the masters of statecraft and diplomacy. You will Rule the World, or die trying. (You will be Charles Habsburg. Prince of Spain, Son of Philip the Handsome, and Queen Joanna the Mad. )

[]The Blood of Gold and Exiles: Your Family was exiled from the city long before you were born. Exiled to France after the city turned on you. You have known life in France, but you will always long to hear the stories of Florence, the Italian Countryside, and of the city that was your family. (You will play as a fictional member of the Medici family, The Last Child of Lorenzo the Magnificent, born a year after he died.)

[]The Scum of the Earth: You are no one. You are a baseborn child, with no father, no mother, and no future. Yet you stand tall, both alive, and healthy. You were not supposed to survive. Yet now you have. And now The World is yours to carve. And Create (Create an Original Character)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


That part of the Idea where I cannot, for the fucking life of me, write a good beginning.

@BuKoG You asked.

 

[Ramble]

New Novel Ideas

---

Voyage of the Dawn Treader - series
An action-adventure saga where a young girl, about to be sold off (as in there's literally money changing hands) in an arranged marriage to a high ranking, fat, disgusting pig of a British aristocrat, runs away from home, obtaining passage aboard a small ship, the Dawn Treader. A fortunitous series of circumstances sees that with her head for numbers and sharp wit, she is becomes the assistant navigator. The stories chronicle her travels aboard the Dawn Treader as it travels to strange new foreign lands and various exciting adventures which she navigates with her skill, wits, and feisty go-getter attitude. At the end, she is no assistant navigator, she is captain. Upon returning to England, she is met by the same stuffy patriarchal society which attempts to strip away her stories and accomplishments, turn her into nothing more than a pretty bird in a guilded cage. The novel ends with the crew rescuing"kidnapping" her. She needs to get far away from England and it doesn't get much further than America. She orders the bow pointed west toward the new world, and new adventures.

Dark Winter
A gritty realistic military action novel set during a what-if future where a pandemic has swept across all of europe, and a young, hard bitten girl turned commander of a national guard rifle battalion trying to defend her assigned sector from the deprivations and unspeakable horrors that English raiders, slavers, and pirates want to inflict on the civilians under her protection, the UK having collapsed into its constituent parts. Over the course of the novel, all the characters show the best parts of the human condition even as their situation becomes more desperate and more hopeless, as more people die and resupply becomes less and less frequent.

Melty Blood
Yet another Womens Association project. A bodice ripper vampire novel about a british woman getting caught up in the dealings of the supernatural, a hidden war under the surface of the daylight world. She's between the nasty, scheming, sickly, patriarchal British vampires who try to rope her into their schemes based solely on her ancestry and her sex, and the suave, charming, beautiful, woman-respecting French vampires who also try to rope her into their scheme, not because she's a british woman but because she's a strong, capable person in her own right, and they need strong, capable people on their side. Ends with the woman siding with the French vampires to drive the British vampire invasion off of french soil once and for all.

 

[Alexander Sturnn]

Superevent - The French-Austrian Alliance




View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x15lVyIr9Ok&list=PLh4Eme5gACZFZ11rVv0YQ-zwKA-UBQZdB&index=4&t=18s



"Fear had driven two enemies into each other's arms and he smiled at that thought. 'They fear me more than they do each other and that is good', he thought."
-Raymond E. Feist


Two Eagles, both alike in dignity...?

​

A.N.: Another one done.

 

[AvidFicReader]

An Unthinkable Situation

Seated atop his glorious throne, Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, presided over his court. It had been nearly twenty years since he had met the love of his life, the brilliant and bright star, Therese. Oft had he joked that among the crown jewels of the Empire, she was the centerpiece. But now was not the time for sentimentality; now he was the emperor holding court, the mightiest and most influential of Europe.

Between the trials and tribulations of war and peace, reforms had been pushed through as France and her allies would either adapt or perish. Many vapid, serpent-tongued courtiers had been squeezed out by the pressured demanded of those who served him. In the present, imperial courtiers we're expected to do actual work, and only make court appearances while not on duty. This had reduced the simpering sycophants and corrupt parasites to only the most competent and efficient, making court much less frustrating.

Today's court was full of pomp and fanfare, as a royals from France's allies were paying Napoleon's court a visit. It would be good to see his brothers, busy as they were running their own kingdoms. An Austrian archduchess, an acquaintance of his stepson Louis, would be in attendance representing the House of Hapsburg. And the heir apparent of a former enemy turned recent ally.

Napoleon wasn't quite sure what the Swedes were thinking when they elected that man to be their next king. Had he not known better, he would be excused for thinking that all Swedes were mad. Having met a sane one in their prime minister, Napoleon revises his estimate; most, but not all Swedes were madmen. He was also of mixed feelings that his heir, Alexander, was to marry the madman's daughter. God in Heaven, they would soon be in-laws!

"Presenting, Crown Prince Erik Denis Severin of Sweden!"

"Hey, Emperor Nappy! I come bearing meatballs and affordable, easily assembled furniture! But the instructions are only in Swedish, so good luck!"

With a strangled scream, Napoleon shot bolt upright in his bed, painfully empty with Therese dealing with the morass that Spain had become.

"Whew, what an awful nightmare. How absurd, that man, royalty? Pah! Were he not so skilled a commander and unquestionably loyal, is have nothing to do with him! Therese, I miss you. I never had such frightful dreams while you slept beside me. Perhaps I should write her some poems to go along with her next letter."

Spoiler: A/N

Just a short April Fool's omake! I wanted to include some jokes and memes, so I did. This dream-like future seems so bright and wonderful, and then bam! Severin comes in like a wrecking ball. With Swedish meatballs and Ikea, no less! At least he wasn't twerking. The Archduchess is Louis' international romcom interest. Sweden fought against France during the Fourth Coalition, and their troops were besieged in Lubeck by Bernadotte when Napoleon blitzed Prussia OTL. Bernadotte's generous treatment of them was what got him elected as their crown prince to avoid a succession crisis.