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

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I haven't really participated in this quest actively though I've been reading the updates so this does feel a little rude but I'd like to add my perspective on the issues of omake bonuses in this quest.

I have always found the use of an "omake bonus" to be something that detracts from the narrative of a quest. Giving people the ability to influence the outcome of rolls and thus actions in the quest cheapens what is often meant to be character-defining struggles and conflicts. Why did Thérèse succeed on the roll to lead a charge against the Austrian right flank? Oh, this personin the quest wrote a side-story that the QM decided to reward by giving the person power to wave a magic wand over any roll they want to make it more likely to succeed. Thérèse didn't succeed because she's a badass who rose from nothing to be one of the best military commanders of an era, she succeeded because she constantly get helped by forces outside of the narrative.

If I had to compare it to something, I'd say the feelings in engenders in me are similar to those I get when I see microtransactions in games that affect gameplay. Being able to buy success, whether it's with money or writing, makes the accomplishments you achieve with this aid hollow and meaningless.

All this is not to say that I dislike omakes, though I'll freely admit that I usually skip them in this and other quests unless they're highly rated. No, my problem is that writing and sharing the omake with the community of fellow questers and the QM should be reward enough. In fact I think the act of giving additional "in-quest" rewards cheapens what omakes are supposed to be; a show of the passion and inspiration for the quest that the omake is based on.


On a different note, I want to add that the current mechanics honestly seem somewhat poorly suited for the quest. Simple d100's with arbitrary bonuses doesn't seem like the best system to create enjoyable and believable outcomes. I, for instance, don't see how Robespierre would ever be able to avoid either death, prison or exile after his loss of power. Sic semper tyrannis and all that. Maybe I've misunderstood something but it seems to me like a less swingy system might be a better fit than flat d100's. For example I personally think the quest might benefit from a stronger narrative direction in the "news" updates where rolls play an important but not exclusive role in determining the cause of events.
 
ConfusedCanuck said:
Ah yes what's his face went to far into enemy territory and now we have to clean up his mess. It's been a while can someone point me towards the threadmark/turn where this happened so I can refresh my memory?
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Wrong, jourdain is actually coming to us with fresh orders.

and a who lot of men to compleate them.
 
Magoose said:
Wrong, jourdain is actually coming to us with fresh orders.

and a who lot of men to complete them.
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Ah ok so we're getting reinforcements and I guess to push into the Rhine and force Prussia to come to terms if I made my guess. Which I look forward to since it would be our first offensive and probably our first proper campaign as well. But I'm also worried now since if this does happen we will be fighting at a disadvantage since several of our bonuses only work while on the defensive.

Could you still tell me which threadmark this is again I'm kind of curious to see what else I've forgotten.
 
ConfusedCanuck said:
Ah ok so we're getting reinforcements and I guess to push into the Rhine and force Prussia to come to terms if I made my guess. Which I look forward to since it would be our first offensive and probably our first proper campaign as well. But I'm also worried now since if this does happen we will be fighting at a disadvantage since several of our bonuses only work while on the defensive.

Could you still tell me which threadmark this is again I'm kind of curious to see what else I've forgotten.
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Well, yes and no.

We are embarking on a campaign.

but it might not be to Prussia.
 
ConfusedCanuck said:
Northern confederation or whatever it is called in this time
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Doesn't exist, the North German Confederation is a lifetime away from where we are right now.
And the OG German Confederation doesn't come into existence until over 20 years from now.

Here is a map of Europe for the time we're in. There are some differences in the quest because of some differences in the course of the war (I'm pretty sure the French hold a lot more territory in the Low Countries than OTL and likewise Corsica isn't independent and Mainz is under French protection) among other things.



PS. The coloring of this map gives me cancer and I'm truly sad that someone thought making France red and Russia yellow was okay.
 
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If it ain't Prussia, we're either heading to Italy, sweeping up the Low Countries, or heading to Spain. Or doing a big brain and heading overseas to Egypt and/or Britain. OR an EVEN BIGGER BRAIN and we're heading to France to put down a revolt.
 
Haruhi is Waifu said:
If it ain't Prussia, we're either heading to Italy, sweeping up the Low Countries, or heading to Spain. Or doing a big brain and heading overseas to Egypt and/or Britain. OR an EVEN BIGGER BRAIN and we're heading to France to put down a revolt.
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France is Revolted out right now.

Now that I say that, Vendee uprising two, Electric Boogaloo is now in effect.
Versharl said:
On a different note, I want to add that the current mechanics honestly seem somewhat poorly suited for the quest. Simple d100's with arbitrary bonuses doesn't seem like the best system to create enjoyable and believable outcomes. I, for instance, don't see how Robespierre would ever be able to avoid either death, prison or exile after his loss of power. Sic semper tyrannis and all that. Maybe I've misunderstood something but it seems to me like a less swingy system might be a better fit than flat d100's. For example I personally think the quest might benefit from a stronger narrative direction in the "news" updates where rolls play an important but not exclusive role in determining the cause of events.
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I think there is one thing we can say on the d100's.

We actually did that out of necessity, and for my own and plaus' sanity because, well, everything else we had come up with (including what you offer, a strong narrative bent) just did not seem feasible for us.

We had early on in the planning of the quest thought it would be very narrative based.

Then I had a breakdown.

Let's just say that enough breakdowns from all three of us QM, we decided to not make everything so... well, lets just say the few months being gone and away... also should tell you everything about writing this quest.

Then we had this.
 
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Magoose said:
France is Revolted out right now.

Now that I say that, Vendee uprising two, Electric Boogaloo is now in effect.

I think there is one thing we can say on the d100's.

We actually did that out of necessity, and for my own sannity because, well, everything else we had come up with (including what you offer, a strong narrative bent) just did not seem feasible for us.

We had early on in the planning of the quest thought it would be very narrative based.

Then I had a breakdown.

Let's just say that enough breakdowns, we decided to not make everything so... well, lets just say the few months being gone and away... also should tell you everything about writing this quest.
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Vendee again... Oh boy, what fun, killing compatriots because humans have to be fasetious bastards. Weee.

...it's okay. Mental health over everything. And I say it from experience; don't fry yourself trying to make everybody happy. You'll lose too much time, trying to gather yourself and feeling numb, and that's just not worth it.

You two are important, not only because you're the QM, ok?

Take care.
 
SRLYWHYTHO said:
Vendee again... Oh boy, what fun, killing compatriots because humans have to be fasetious bastards. Weee.

...it's okay. Mental health over everything. And I say it from experience; don't fry yourself trying to make everybody happy. You'll lose too much time, trying to gather yourself and feeling numb, and that's just not worth it.

You two are important, not only because you're the QM, ok?

Take care.
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Thanks.
 
Tjakari said:
It seems I've missed quite mess.
Good.
It was hardly worth the ire, what's done is done and I wouldn't have had the energy to defend or attack anybody.

@Plausitivity I think you meant to say "the impartiality of the court" not "impracticality".
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Good catch, thanks for looking out! Fixed.
Versharl said:
I haven't really participated in this quest actively though I've been reading the updates so this does feel a little rude but I'd like to add my perspective on the issues of omake bonuses in this quest.

I have always found the use of an "omake bonus" to be something that detracts from the narrative of a quest. Giving people the ability to influence the outcome of rolls and thus actions in the quest cheapens what is often meant to be character-defining struggles and conflicts. Why did Thérèse succeed on the roll to lead a charge against the Austrian right flank? Oh, this personin the quest wrote a side-story that the QM decided to reward by giving the person power to wave a magic wand over any roll they want to make it more likely to succeed. Thérèse didn't succeed because she's a badass who rose from nothing to be one of the best military commanders of an era, she succeeded because she constantly get helped by forces outside of the narrative.

If I had to compare it to something, I'd say the feelings in engenders in me are similar to those I get when I see microtransactions in games that affect gameplay. Being able to buy success, whether it's with money or writing, makes the accomplishments you achieve with this aid hollow and meaningless.

All this is not to say that I dislike omakes, though I'll freely admit that I usually skip them in this and other quests unless they're highly rated. No, my problem is that writing and sharing the omake with the community of fellow questers and the QM should be reward enough. In fact I think the act of giving additional "in-quest" rewards cheapens what omakes are supposed to be; a show of the passion and inspiration for the quest that the omake is based on.


On a different note, I want to add that the current mechanics honestly seem somewhat poorly suited for the quest. Simple d100's with arbitrary bonuses doesn't seem like the best system to create enjoyable and believable outcomes. I, for instance, don't see how Robespierre would ever be able to avoid either death, prison or exile after his loss of power. Sic semper tyrannis and all that. Maybe I've misunderstood something but it seems to me like a less swingy system might be a better fit than flat d100's. For example I personally think the quest might benefit from a stronger narrative direction in the "news" updates where rolls play an important but not exclusive role in determining the cause of events.
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Honestly? We kinda want to have things be slightly bigger than life in this quest, with normal characters in otherwise cool scenarios. I'll just point to the time when Thérèse dreamed of a magical girl scene involving Napoleon :V
To be honest, the quest is kinda handwave-y about lots of things, and I do ask for a modicum of understanding as it really strains my mind to keep track of too many things in the plot, and I'd less want to burden the other QMs with such a task.

Also, be assured that Robespierre only passed his trial, he hasn't gained the trust of anyone he's wronged, nor has his image been reformed as of yet in the public. His loss of position and his wicked reputation mean that it's going to be difficult to show his face in public, and I'd think he's smart enough to know that. Of course, the Maximilien plot point is going to be saved for later if there's something involving him. It's not really relevant to Thérèse at the moment.

Hope this clarifies some things! Feel free to ask about stuff you'd like answered.
ConfusedCanuck said:
Ah yes what's his face went to far into enemy territory and now we have to clean up his mess. It's been a while can someone point me towards the threadmark/turn where this happened so I can refresh my memory?
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I guess it's this one?
Mainly these parts:
Plausitivity said:
Once the Austrians were thrown out of France, the Army of the North reorganized.

Scattered units once thought lost were found, fighting guerilla campaigns all over the Northern plains and woodlands of the countryside.

They even recruited locals to bolster their numbers, those whose homes were destroyed by the advancing enemy armies. Men and women, soldiers and outlaws, those will nothing left to lose; all joined in defense of the nation…

Coburg was nearly captured by a cavalry unit under Dumouriez, while the Austrian general failed at disguising himself as a private, as his height and distinctive statue made his identity easy to recognize. The fact that he was on his Hungarian stallion did him no favors.

When he tried to escape, he led the men to William of Orange, trying to ford a river, but barely escaped a traitorous ratting them out by galloping away at the first sign of trouble. The pair, trudging through mud and overgrowth, managed to leave French forces in the dust, though not without being the targets of ridicule for deserting their men to save their own skins… surely.

Reward: Army of the North gains momentum and forces to push into the Low Countries.

Coburg and William escape by the skin of their teeth, damaging their reputation for cowardice.

Prussia: 1d100 = 7

The Prussian army in the Northern theater is in complete disarray after numerous victories by French forces under the command of Therese Auclair, Dumouriez, and Jourdan, Commissioner Saint-Just reports. The Prussian chief of staff and nobles are concerned that the lack of prestige and casualties suffered by Prussian armies in the field by this woman must be rectified, harshly.

A decision was made to place a bounty on her head for her capture: 50,000 Thalers, was met with almost unanimous approval from their respective nations, but they knew it was an empty promise, as the French would never give up a national hero. Such a bounty would assuredly damage their reputation, and add to Auclair's own.

Reward: Prussia and its armies in the Netherlands and the Rhine River Valley are under a ceasefire with French Forces for now, and most likely preparing a new offensive. However, they lack generals to face the enemy's increasingly fortified position on the Rhine River, and their fearsome commander Brunswick will not for reasons untold publicly for a few months.

The Prussian king has also paid France 3 million Francs worth of gold to retrieve Prussian officers in the Armies captivity. The Committee sent you a proportional bonus for your work in protecting France. (+5 to army wealth and personal wealth next turn)

There is now a bounty on your head in Prussia, 50,000 Thalers (quite a bit) for your capture. Preferably alive. The reputation of the Prussian State has been damaged slightly with this action, being a less civilized way of dealing with troublesome rivals.


Austria: 1d100 = 44

Austria has been humiliated through the Battle of Amiens. With the fleeing of their generals as well as allies from within the Low Countries, they are on the backfoot. The only solid fighting force they have left is in Italy, currently preparing to weather the winter in the western Alps.

Reward: The Austrians are badly bloodied, and now only have one army in the field that can truly fight in France that has not been bloodied by battle. They will still regain their strength, but are taking time to recover.
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