If Washington destroys America (Something I don't think is possible here), something would have gone horribly wrong.
And he would be dead.
Along with every other founder and Whatever replaced America would be worse... far worse than even the darkest of timelines we imagine America could have gone down.
Yeah... it will make Victoria from Victoria Falls... look saintly.
Along with every other founder and Whatever replaced America would be worse... far worse than even the darkest of timelines we imagine America could have gone down.
Honestly materially speaking, the US was pretty weak in this era. The fact the US is breaking down into civil war probably more than offsets the earlier good rolls. The US didn't take over Spanish Florida till around 1819.
Frankly the big impediment to expanding a lot west is the Fact France still holds onto a ton of territory in the midwest. With the US wracked practically at civil war they won't be in a position to offer us the same funds that even we had in canon.
Frankly the fact we managed to hold onto Haiti makes me think that the Louisana purchased will be delayed, with it entire possible it doesn't happen in nearly the same way.
I'm dubious of France's ability to hold onto it, when there are better pickings closer to home, but it's not a given we'll hand it over soon.
Honestly materially speaking, the US was pretty weak in this era. The fact the US is breaking down into civil war probably more than offsets the earlier good rolls. The US didn't take over Spanish Florida till around 1819.
Frankly the big impediment to expanding a lot west is the Fact France still holds onto a ton of territory in the midwest.
No, France does not. France had to give Louisiana to Spain at the end of the 7-years war and did not get it back OTL until 1801, after Napoleon forced Spain to give it back at the third treaty of San-Idelfonso, ending the 3rd coalition war. The later has not happened ITTL as of now, for obvious reasons.
So Both Florida and Louisiana are Spanish at this point.
Just a thought for any of you all who might ask later.
Therese has actually become (at least when given time, and subordinates who have more experience in certain areas) a very capable recruiting General, and someone who has trained tens of thousands of men into fighting shape, with her officers.
That she has also created the corps system (because you lads memed it to existence with Beirther and De Lisle) means she's one of the most skilled organizers (on paper) in France.
So she's going to see some... reactions from the government, the army, and of course, Napoleon.
And next turn might have an interesting Option... one I actually was really surprised that Cyber came up with.
Just a thought for any of you all who might ask later.
Therese has actually become (at least when given time, and subordinates who have more experience in certain areas) a very capable recruiting General, and someone who has trained tens of thousands of men into fighting shape, with her officers.
That she has also created the corps system (because you lads memed it to existence with Beirther and De Lisle) means she's one of the most skilled organizers (on paper) in France.
So she's going to see some... reactions from the government, the army, and of course, Napoleon.
And next turn might have an interesting Option... one I actually was really surprised that Cyber came up with.
And as much as you have done wonders for women's rights in France (even if you don't know it yet, or in a way that really matters in the grand scheme of things at the moment)...
There is no way in hell you would ever be in a position of government... not without...
Yes. I'm still working on it, because Sweet Jesus, I've got to 10 pages and said... "Am I really going to POV hop to Massena, Lannes, and then Brian Again for the Battle (Because Nappy B's POV is reserved for... special occasions, and this is brian's moment) to get as full a picture as possible?"
Generals: General Joseph Alvinczi von Borberek, Friedrich Benedikt Baron von Melas, Paul Kray, and Peter Karl Ott von Bátorkéz
Counterattack on Guns (Enemy Casualties): 1189
French Casualties: 45
Lannes Wound Check: 54 (A grazed neck.)
The night was full of stars, but without the Moon and as Brian Auclair looked up towards them, he counted how many times he thought he looked back to the North Star, and Orion's Belt. Stars that always drew his mind back to the maps and surveying equipment of his youth, when life was far simpler, both in the world and in his own life.
When he was a boy, before his father and mother died to the pox, he had been taken out of Avignon, when the night was darkest by his father.
He did not remember why he had been brought out into the fields, but he remembered the stars. How beautiful they were on a clear night.
How bold they were. How on a clear night, a man could make peace with his lot in life, and prepare for the uncertain future that was before him.
And the Words his father spoke, resonating even now. "Be like the Stars in the night sky Brian. clear, concise, and unwavering in the detail that you know is true, that no one else but God can see. When men think you are wrong, it is because they do not see the Stars that you can and do not despair. Chart a course with your heart, and your mind. If you do that, then you will achieve greatness in whatever task is before you, no matter how impossible it may seem."
They were the words that Brian Auclair struggled to live by. First when his mother and father died… Then being forced to care for Therese. He suffered a fate that should have left him destitute, his sister starved or dead.
Yet he pushed forward, plying his father's trade, trying to survive, teaching everything he could to his dearly beloved sister, and to himself.
Find a stop, pull a line, measure, triangulate, rinse repeat until the entire region was mapped, he met with his master, or father, or it was done. Back when people who could afford his services were nobles, men who had never worked days in their comfortable, but meaningless lives.
Brian had to work many times, deep into the night, deep when the stars were shining bright, and only candlelight provided a semblance of light for his weary eyes to sleep. Many times he had slept only a few hours at most. Energized but never fully rested.
It was work, and he was comfortable. But that could never last forever.
When he joined the army, it was when chaos reigned. The King had still wished to overthrow a constitution proposed to him by his ministers and estates, to prove he, and only he, was the State, and that his power was absolute.
And over the next years, he just did his duty. Nothing else mattered. He had expected his life to continue, either dying in battle, or meeting a woman who would be at least supportive of him, and see Therese married to a man who would respect her, for her intelligence, for her ideas, for her status as a person.
Brian wished to be nothing more than a man in the background, a man who would be among tens of thousands. Important, but replaceable in the grand scheme of things.
Then Valmy happened, sweeping his entire life into something out of a storybook.
He found himself jumping several ranks, to Colonel, a rank he had never imagined in his years to reach, even with Kellerman being supportive of him, saving his life and Therese's life when the possibility of being executed was a possibility that kept him awake at night.
But there was one man who caught Brian in the whirlwind of change.
Napoleon Bonaparte.
That man was something Brian despised, hated, loved, respected, and ultimately…. Considered Family, if not by blood, then by marriage.
Napoleon was Brilliant, tactically, strategically, he was without equal as a commander. His work ethic was remarkable, even putting his own maddening but only so far. His mind was for war. For grander things that even Brian, for all his intellect could not understand. Perhaps in the future, he could… but now, with the battle at hand.
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October 21st, 1794
2:46 AM
If one looked into the tent of Brian Auclair, they would find it in a rather spartan state. While many officers in the army are known to have frivolous expenses and small comforts from home, it was not the case for Brian Auclair. His entire tent had only three amenities that could be considered better than the average common soldier. A Table, some lanterns that glowed with candlelight, and a few chairs, and a bottle of wine.
The Tent's table was covered in wooden figures of horses, castles, and chess pieces. Though he despised chess with every fiber of his being, quietly thinking that any man who believed that chess could help a man learn anything about strategy was a fool… Brian Auclair admitted one thing.
That those pieces were rather useful in allowing his mind to gather, to plan strategy. The orders that he had written for the officers and members of his staff laid, neatly stacked, next to the bottle of wine, opened, with two tankards waiting to be poured. However, many of the orders were empty or changed from their original messages.
Orders that had changed to fit a design that was far different from Napoleon's designs.
Napoleon, for all his brilliance, had one glaring flaw, that Brian Auclair was aware, better than most others.
His anger, his want for grand adventures and victories.
There were many other flaws, flaws that men were aware of. But Napoleon's lust for glory… would make men die in droves. Men who did not need to die.
Brian Auclair, perhaps the only man he would listen to other than Lannes… could show him the light.
And, resting on the chair, across the table, with his hat resting on his lap, his eyes blackened and sunken from lack of sleep, yet as energetic as ever, was Napoleon Bonaparte, staring at the maps that his subordinate had prepared.
His anger, bubbling towards the surface. "I made you my Chief of Staff, Auclair, because I believed I could trust you to follow my orders, see my orders carried out in a way that would bring us both victory." His eyes narrowed, and Brian fought the urge to sigh, both in contempt, but also in boredom. Every time he was angry, he used his last name, not his first. And he would not hurt him, not the least because, for all his anger, Brian Auclair knew that he had piqued Napoleon's ever-growing curiosity. "Yet all I see is insubordination."
He wanted Brian to explain himself, to show precisely why he had seen such drastic changes in his orders, his plans, even the order of battle, and how men were being stationed near the river.
And Brian was all ready to make the matters that Napoleon wished known… very shortly.
"Do you wish for me to resign as your Chief of Staff? Perhaps for someone far more skilled at the position, like Beirther, whom you passed over for me?" The bait was there for two reasons.
One, to remind Napoleon that it was he, not anyone else who was put into this position, and he had chosen, for being trusted, loyal, and family.
Nepotism was the downfall of most men, but not Napoleon… not yet, at least. He always had an eye for talent, it was why Massena, Lannes, and Brian himself, among all the other generals within the Army of Italy were considered part of his inner circle, trusted confidants and men who were skilled at their respective positions. They provided insight into things that even Napoleon was blind to, be it troop movements, supply issues, payment for the soldiers, conducting a civilized campaign. Including ensuring discipline amongst the ranks.
Two, to remind Brian himself, that his life was on the line, not only from Austrian soldiers who wished to do battle against them but from his own brother in law. Notorious and quick to anger, like most men in the world it seemed. That it was his choice, and his alone, that he accepted Napoleon's offer.
Brain pointed to the pieces. "The Austrian Army will advance on our position tomorrow morning, possibly by noon if there are any lucky chances by our spies to disrupt staff communications." He pointed to several pawns. "They are across the river… and there are three crossings that they can take." You placed them at the three positions. "Their cannon will be across the river, to protect their forces from any harassment."
"We've already covered that minute detail, it is why we are not pouncing them on the bridge." Napoleon stated board at getting the information he already knew.
That made Brian smile, Napoleon didn't see it? For all his brilliance, he was focusing just too much on the enemy force, and not on the maps. "Actually, there is a fourth crossing."
Brian pointed just a little farther south. "Our spies have been using it to run messages and troop movements. A well-hidden one, that most mapmakers did not find because most of the year it is too deep to cross safely."
Morozzi and Tozzett's work on the Florentine region, and if there was any chance that his border region sketches Brian obtained from Elisa was accurate, then it would be fortunate that he knew about them. The notes that had not circulated to other cartographers in Italy and Austria were in his possession… but they could be copies, not the originals.
Perhaps Brian was gambling on luck that they were the originals and that word of a potential fourth crossing around the area that was shallow enough to march across.
But his life seemed to be a storybook with God Playing the role as the Playwright… and he was not going to refuse such a Role in such historical importance.
In fact, for his family… he'd jump at the opportunity.
Anything to end the war and be able to go home.
"Then sent Lannes and the Second Grenadiers and fifth dragoon's, and the 23rd Artillery without their cannon, we need all the speed we can get to set up a flank across the river, to strike at their guns." Brian stated.
"Three Regiments, against an entire artillery division?" Napoleon asked. "Awfully risky move, and risking Lannes."
"They won't expect such a move from their side of the river, not when they believe they control all the crossings in this entire region. And we need the Crews for when we capture those guns." Brain paused and gave a small smile. "You trusted him with my life near Bologna… Now I trust him with the entire army."
"And if the Austrian's try to retreat across the Bridge?" Napoleon asked, his curiosity peaked. "Then, Lannes would be caught with no chance for reinforcements."
Brian allowed himself to feel confident in his plan, now with Napoleon's full attention. "We destroy the bridges and strand them on our side of the river. They will either fight with no artillery support, from two directions… or surrender."
Napoleon was silent, as his mind partook the information that was now in front of him… "We're outnumbered… 100 to our 60 thousand, they could outlast us, wait until we run out of ammunition, or are forced to retreat for the night. They will be desperate and do everything in their power to escape us."
Brian nodded. "Napoleon, this may be a stupid question to ask… but have you heard of Canne?"
Napoleon seemed shocked that you even asked such a question. "Hannibal's greatest achievement… the greatest achievement any general has ever achieved."
"We have a chance to replicate it here… maybe not as brilliant and artistically as the Great Hannibal Barca… But it will work." Brian now was fully confident in his plan.
And Napoleon was as well. "Have the orders been drafted?"
"Massena will hold the Right Flank, you will hold the center, and I will hold the Left. But my plan will rely on two things, Napoleon. One. We must allow them to cross the river before the battle can begin in earnest… and two… Lannes will need to leave now, with the night to cover his advance."
The only order that Brian had prewritten, and not a scattered note, was one to Lannes.
And Napoleon stood. "Good. I'll hand it to him personally."
And the Commander of the Army of Italy left Brian Auclair's tent. With a Frantic Brian, writing as fast as he could.
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4:23 AM
For Jean Lannes, his hours of rest were over, as he had been riding his horse ahead of the column of men, with a single lantern guiding the way on the poor dirt road, and to give light to the single map that Napoleon had given to him, with instructions to get across the river before first light.
He asked for the impossible, bringing only Three Regiments across the river at night… with a map that looked less a map more a sketch that Brian came up with drunk?
IN ITALIAN!
It was madness. Utter madness that he found himself in such a state. But the orders were orders, and drunken Sketch or not, it was enough for him to try and find that crossing.
"We're Lost!" Delmas shouted as he rode beside Lannes, panic on his face as he spoke again. "We have to find our path, otherwise we will move too far south."
"We're almost there Delmas," Lannes said with confidence. "Brian never gives an inaccurate map."
"That is when Brian makes the map, not some Italian who only sketched the region when mapping Florence! All these roads are from decades ago, how can we be sure to trust it when so much has changed?"
Lannes did have his doubts, but he learned long ago that sometimes when it came to mad plans that seemed impossible, there were three people he could trust with seeing it through. Franquos Kellerman, Napoleon Bonaparte, and for recent actions during Bolunga, Brian Auclair.
He considered Auclair's sister for a moment, to make the list four, but he did not believe that the woman who fought at Valmy was as bright a tactician or strategist as her older brother. Her actions at Mainz and Aimes were remarkable, but she was clearly supported by her experienced peers and juniors. She was a propaganda piece for the French army, allowing her to roam around would inspire the men to fight better.
After all, if a woman could do such a thing, an untrained one at that, then surely men of great talent, bravery, and training could do better.
But for a moment, Lannes doubted Brian, for a single moment, he thought he was lost.
Until the stars twinkled on the river bank, and Lanne jumped from his horse, splashing down on the water. And he walked across the river… taking a step forward, for a minute to judge the depth of the water.
If it was the crossing, like Brian suspected, he could cross his men here. If it wasn't… and deeper, Lannes could be swept away by the current, by the powerful body of water that was rushing down the river.
It only went to his legs. And for a silent moment, he prayed to God, his savior, and Brian himself for his trust.
"Come on LADS! We've got to March!" It was a noisy shout, and one he almost cursed himself for the outburst, that getting caught would doom them all..
But it was replaced by jubilation. Brian's mad plan might actually work.
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5:43 AM
General André Massena, a senior commander of the Armee of Italy, was sitting upon his horse, looking before the smoke of the Camp of the Austrian army that only miles away from his position.
He had, unlike many of his fellow compatriots, a night of restful sleep the previous night, despite many of the comings, goings, and new plans made by the unlikely, but Impressive, Brian Auclair.
Bologna was a place he had proven himself to the officers for his defense on the Austrian Right Flank, taking his horse and infantry through the fields, with artillery fire-making craters for the infantry to hide in, and to bottle the Austrian advance into a single line of fire, in positions with his best skirmishers brought down line after line, causing them to be open to a charge that forced the Austrian force to retreat.
Brian Auclair was not incompetent, nor did he earn his positions due to Napoleon's Machinations, or the Republic's need for heroic figures on every front.
And for that, Massena was grateful. He had seen too many young men and idiots who did not deserve any sort of position in places of authority and military command
More often than not, those men were either killed by their stupidity or got men killed for their stupidity instead
He looked back to the orders from Napoleon… though he knew they were from Auclair himself, with very little input from Bonaparte himself.
If Napoleon trusted his entire plan for it to be sent without any input then Massena was not going to argue with such plans.
But he had a march to prepare for, defenses to prepare for when the Austrians attacked across the river.
"Massena!" Auclair's voice rose through the commotion of the camp, awakening and preparing for battle.
The Giant of a man was on the ground, walking the camp with a stride in his step, and a sealed letter in his hand.
"General Auclair, what is the matter?" He asked, feeling the nervous energy from the younger officer.
"Some new orders, ones that I must request you read once you get into position." Auclair was adamant, there was something in his eyes that Massena could not read, something that confused him.
Brian Auclair, for all of his flaws as an officer, who was not a gentleman, was remarkably easy to read. He always approached the world with honesty and even desire for his beliefs that was refreshing in a world where everyone had secrets and wished only for power and influence.
Brian Auclair desired power, but only to make sure he would remain alive and did not seek to enforce his will upon others unless there was a damn good reason for him to do so.
He was a leader of men, someone who was… comfortable in command but preferred to be nothing more than a follower.
The only thing that caused him to become riled, was Napoleon trying to court his sister… which caused both men to come to blows, before laughing at the absurdity of the situation, and getting back to work.
Lannes was the only one who spoke plainly with Napoleon, besides Auclair himself, and that was after several battles in the field, and when Napoleon's life was saved by the Grenadier.
Auclair came from mutual respect from years of serving together.
But one thing Massena found odd was Napoleon's odd fascination and fantization of Auclair's Sister, Therese. He was obsessed with her.
Massena however, found himself looking at the orders Brian gave to him, and broke the seal, and opened it.
Massena,
When you see Lannes seizing the guns, Send out Green Flares, then circle northward with your Cavalry, then push down south as fast as you can.
If you do everything right, and Lannes succeeds in his objectives, the bridges should be destroyed by the time you reach the Austrian army.
And if Napoleon's counterattack works… The entire army should be routed, destroyed, or our prisoners.
Go with God my friend.
From the Office of General Brian Auclair, Chief of Staff, Armee de Italy.
Sargent Hans Gruber, of 15th Division, of the First Austrian Army under the command of General Friedrich Benedikt Baron von Melas was marching towards the field, listening to the speech of his superiors.
"Men, we are about to destroy the great Butcher of Corsica, and his Giant of Avignon! You have heard the tales of them butchering thousands of men at Bologna, where Brave general Liptai. That they fought for seven hours and charged into cannon without fear, even as we nearly slew the Butcher and his Giant. We will slay them today, and we will return to Austria as Heroes, never again threatened by the Frogs and their blasted ideals! We will return Order to the World, and we will SUCCEED!"
And they marched forward, towards their destiny.
The Bridge underneath his feet sturdy and strong, like his conviction… and his brothers in arms.
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10:59 AM
Brian looked out towards the gathering Austrian forces. "Their Rear Guard is twenty miles away?" He asked the agent that he was speaking to as he watched the Austrian's prepare for battle.
"Yes Sir, Twenty-Two miles away sir, if they marched forward now, they would take the remainder of the day to reach our position." The Agent stated.
That meant for the intrepid Brian Auclair had half a day to get this battle over with, build another bridge, and rescue Lannes before his position was overrun by the Rearguard.
A Pressing time limit, but not impossible. Morale was something that even God could not predict.
Though he prayed for the Heavenly Father was on his side, that this battle would be over soon, so peace could be achieved in the region, and hopefully, between France and Austria.
"General Auclair!" Napoleon's voice spoke through the crowd, as he rode in with another rider on his side. "It seems you were wrong. It is Eleven o'clock. Our spies could not delay any longer."
Dammit! Another hour and you would certainly have had everything going your way. Lannes would be unopposed to taking the canon, save for the crews, and then you could destroy the bridges…
Wait… an hour early.
If the information of a battle was now just being sent to the Rearguard for reinforcements, that would be an hour or two at most, if the Austrian Army wasn't feeling arrogant.
No… That meant once the battle began…
Lannes would need to move fast.
The Bridges were now the most important objective. For your plan to work.
The Austrian Forces were ready for battle, and they foolishly brought their reserves over the river.
Now Napoleon-
He Lit his flares! The Rockets from the cannons fired high into the sky, exploding into a red flash of color and blood.
Good.
"THIRD DIVISION, ADVANCE!" He ordered. Time to start closing the Trap.
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11:31 AM
He only had a hundred men still on the bridge with him, but more would follow soon. and the only way to succeed was by slaughtering the men across the bridge to their flank.
Sargent Hans Gruber knew an officer when he saw one, with a fancy hat, medals, and a fancy uniform.
He knew it was against civilized, Christian warfare to kill officers on purpose, but he did not care.
This battle would be won,!
And If it meant, officers must die by the droves… then so be it.
He took aim and prepared to fire.
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11:32 AM
The Wheatfields were excellent cover from hiding from enemy patrols that were looking for any spies. Moving with the wind for the last two hours had made Lannes respect his mens discipline even more than they had moved through the night. It was lucky that no one was lost, or at least really lost once they crossed the river.
Some squads went too far to the east, but the sense to follow the flares from Napoleon, and remain in the Wheatfields, for your orders.
After a few minutes of reorganizing, you looked to Delmas and gave him a single order. "Protect the cannoneers, and I need volunteers to blow the bridges, we won't have much time."
The Volunteers came running, Three groups of twenty men strong, carrying their payload of gunpowder.
Lannes saw the flares from Massena, Green Flares, and smiled.
The cannons were now focused on the Left Flack, and the Center... that was the signal to attack.
"CHARGE!" He ordered his Cavalry.
The thundering hooves of his Cavalry ran out of the wheatfields, crushing the last of the late harvest with their thunder and screams.
In less than five minutes, the Closest cannons were taken by your men.
Seven Minutes, The Center Canon location, and the bridges themselves were under contest, with the volunteers trying to blow them up.
Ten minutes… Every canon was yours, their crews dead, or wounded…
The Cannoneers would need another minute or two to reach them to assist the destruction of the Bridges and -
A Volley… no cannon!
Oh hell. "INCOMING!" Lannes shouted as a bullet struck his horse.
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11:39 AM
Sargent Hans Gruber smiled… that officer was dead.
Now time to-
He never felt the explosion that evaporated his body, nor collapsed the bridge he had taken a position on.
He did know, however, that God smote him just before everything went dark.
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11:49 AM
General Massena led his vanguard as fast as their horses could carry their bodies, their sabers, pistols, even lances were drawn and ready to be used on the enemy.
The bridges were blown, which meant that he could reach the enemy flanks while they were disoriented and trying to figure out what their orders were.
The clashing of men, steel, and the horse was a sight to behold, even as he led the way. His sword hacked and slashed through the infantry in front of him as he pulled towards the river, to see what Lannes and Delmas were handling the situation.
All he saw was french soldiers shooting cannons at the enemy.
Lannes was a bloody hero… let's hope he survived.
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12:15 AM
General Friedrich Benedikt Baron von Melas, realized his situation was untenable five minutes after the bridges were destroyed.
And made a fateful decision to save his men, and fight another day. It was over.
"LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS! LAY THEM DOWN!" He ordered.
And regiment by regiment, they did.
There were pockets of resistance of course… but they were quickly snuffed out by… French forces.
It was over.
The Austrian Army of Italy was defeated.
He only hoped they would show mercy to his men… and to him.
Brian Auclair did not feel relief as he surveyed the sight, leading his division towards the bridge with the least amount of damage, that only had a large gap on the far side.
Napoleon rode next to him with a smile on his face. "The day is ours." He stated with a tone of fact.
"Not yet, not until Lannes is safe across the river. Or we are with him." Brian replied.
"You worry that a force will attack him?" Napoleon asked.
"I worry he will run out of supplies. A Night march needs them to gain extra rations… we will need to prepare commendations for bravery as well." Brian muttered.
The battle was over.
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1:58 PM
Jean Lennes was lucky to be alive. The cannonball struck his horse and tore its head clean off, but it was not the wound that frightened him.
The bullet had struck his neck, but only grazed the surface… if it had been any closer, it would have severed the vein in his neck and he would have died instantly.
He had bandaged the wound with haste and quickly was back to leading his men. "Turn the cannons around quickly, we have to prepare for a counterattack!"
His men were exhausted from a night march and the battle they had just fought. "Let them rest." Delmas
"We can rest when we are safe," Lannes stated as he looked to his gathering of troops. "Rally the men! We've got to get across the river… Smash those cannon wheels, we don't need them going anywhere with the Austrian Read guard when they arrive."
And the men got to work. The cannon would belong to the French… not the Austrians. It would just take Brian's engineers extra time to get them repaired.
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5:11 PM
Brian was exhausted, the entire day was completely draining on his mind and his exhausted body, as the sun slowly began to set..
"This victory is yours," Napoleon stated.
Brian froze… Humility, from Bonaparte?
The world must be coming to an end. He was calm, collected, and at peace, like he always was at the end of a battle, a victorious battle.
His energy was focused on the tasks at hand.
"Well… you were good bait," Brian replied weakly. He looked at a tree and sighed. "I'm going to sit down… and sleep."
He had not slept in two days, even Napoleon would be exhausted after such a feat.
"Rest Well Brian." He started with a smile.
And as the sun dipped below the hills, Brian Auclair entered History.
The Architect of the Battle of The Adige River.
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Reward:
The battle of The Adige River has been won with a decisive French Victory.
The Austrian Army of Italy (Save for 20,000 under the command of Archduke Charles who was their rearguard) has been captured by the French Army of Italy, with all eagles, cannons, colors captured by the French Army.
Generals: General Joseph Alvinczi von Borberek, Friedrich Benedikt Baron von Melas, Paul Kray, and Peter Karl Ott von Bátorkéz have been captured.
General Lannes has been wounded but will recover in five days.
Brian gains the Trait:
L'arpenteur de la victoire : Your great victory at the Battle of The Adige River has etched your name into the annals of military history, and even for all his greatness, Napoleon bows to your wisdom on occasion, when he feels the need to consult his greatest ally. And when you make a request of the man, he will do everything he can to see it done.
-When commanding forces under Napoleon, gain a +10 to all rolls.
-When commanding forces alone, gain a +5 to all rolls.
-Napoleon will listen to you when you feel the need to change his strategy, and may also listen to others if Brian supports their ideas.
-Napoleon has been filled with joy, for another may match him in skill and possibly his ambitions as well.
-+5 to Grand Strategy,
-+4 to Administration,
-+3 to Logistics.
Lannes and Brian Gain the Following Trait:
La Confrérie du Soleil: Napoleon Bonaparte considers these men his brothers in all but name. It is something that places them in a position of great trust, friendship, and influence.
-Napoleon will do everything in his power to protect you from what he perceives to be outside, hostile influences.
-You can make a request and Napoleon will grant it even if it seems impossible.
-He expects you to follow him, even doing things that may not suit your personal beliefs. -Gain Personal Belief Napoleonic. (Note, this does not override previous beliefs)
Brian Gain: 4 Reputation.
Napoleon, Lannes, Massena gain: 3 Reputation
Negotiations will continue next turn.
AN:
I am going to sleep. If there is stuff that I missed please just wait till the morning.
The Brotherhood of the Sun: Napoleon Bonaparte considers these men his brothers in all but name. It is something that places them in a position of great trust, friendship, and influence.
-Napoleon will do everything in his power to protect you from what he perceives to be outside, hostile influences.
-You can make a request and Napoleon will grant it even if it seems impossible.
-He expects you to follow him, even doing things that may not suit your personal beliefs. -Gain Personal Belief Napoleonic. (Note, this does not override previous beliefs)
Jesus, what a way to kick of just part 1. I can't imagine what else Brian could do that would be comparable to this. Because at this point he is already likely among the greatest military leaders in France's history.
....Welp. Austria is DONE for the forseeable Future. I don't see them recovering from this for a good few years. And with Prussia out of the War and Britain sueing for Peace, I think the Republic has survived it's first Test.
Well, militarily at least. Politically, there is still much to come...
....Welp. Austria is DONE for the forseeable Future. I don't see them recovering from this for a good few years. And with Prussia out of the War and Britain sueing for Peace, I think the Republic has survived it's first Test.
Well, militarily at least. Politically, there is still much to come...
We didn't actually kill that many men though, we did capture a lot of guns, but the men will eventually be released. I don't think they'll be very willing to buy another fight though, and it will be a ransom for the ages...
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