Cue MC hunts down Robes, fails to discredit him and health deteriorates. I think he is the quality of enemy that rarely comes along and we should concentrate on constructive, positive, edifying, life affirming actions. Think what the +50 could do for our education, industry and recovery.
Or we kill and discredit the damn Bastard, making sure he's finally out of our Hair forever and doesn't get a Chance to fuck up France again.
The fact that he's a 'good Antagonist' should not protect him from getting rid of him as soon as we have the Chance. There will be PLENTY more worthy Opponents to fight later. And we can always put more Actions into improving our Stats another time. But who knows when we'll get the Chance to deal with Robespierre once and for all again?
Anyway, with +50 for both Actions dealing with him, we can still boost the other Rolls now.
The fact that he's a 'good Antagonist' should not protect him from getting rid of him as soon as we have the Chance. There will be PLENTY more worthy Opponents to fight later. And we can always put more Actions into improving our Stats another time. But who knows when we'll get the Chance to deal with Robespierre once and for all again?
I believe other point-holders can actually add points even to the actions which already have a +50 (the limit was +50 per action per person) if they so want
I believe other point-holders can actually add points even to the actions which already have a +50 (the limit was +50 per action per person) if they so want
If the other Omake-Writers want to, sure. And I hope they do. Sadly, a single person can only hand out a total of +50, otherwise I'd put Boni on other Rolls as well.
We have a proficiency where the people that make omakes don't seem to be following the thread post for post or at all anymore and so they do not use their points. Kinda sad.
Well I'm going to talk to Plaus and see if the people that are no longer on the thread bonuses can be placed into a full on fund for people of the thread to use.
1. She is doing her duty to France, and that takes precedent over even some of her beliefs. Considering that the Revolution (namely Robe) she also learned to not blindly follow people who espouse ideals of liberty and equality and Republicanism, without giving it a healthy dose of skepticism.
The fact that she has nearly been murdered by the same forces she believes and protects also may have put a damper onto her... enthusiasm. Time also has dampened her spirits a bit, turning her from a young, enthusiastic firebrand who would do anything the Republic told her to do... To a woman who will think before she leaps. On most things.
2. She is kinda too confused to even notice that she's become an autocrat because she's been shot, and is hoping that Napoleon will come to his senses and restore the Republic.
Captain Diego de la Barranca released a gusty sigh as he nursed his tuba in his prized porcelain cup, made in the nearby porcelain works. As one of the officers of the Acapulco garrison, he had led the Imperial loyalists in holding the vital port city against the rebels. Acapulco was the Empire's lifeline to the trade port of Manila, far across the Pacific. As a nobleman whose estate was just outside the city, he certainly would have benefited from the province breaking away from the taxes and authority of the crown. As a proud warrior and soldier who had sworn and oath upon this ancestral blade, abandoning his principles for personal gain was anathema to him. He himself bore the name of his house's founding father, who, over two centuries prior, had journeyed far and wide across the vast ocean, before settling in Acapulco and raising a family.
When the rebellion started, it was among the soldiers of the garrison, men whose families, like his, stood to gain from throwing off the authority of the crown. Among them were several of Diego's friends, one whom he had grown up alongside. Sentimentality did not stay Diego's blade. Having slain the ringleaders among the garrison (and every superior officer), the men fell into line. When the citizens rebelled, Diego led his men to crush the insurrection. When rebel forces laid siege to the city, he led his men and volunteer militia in it's defense. When the royal army lifted the siege, Diego was hailed as a faithful loyalist. The populace was not so complimentary. A butcher, a demon, a merciless tyrant who can cut down his friend without a blink. Diego endured it by remembering his oaths. His grandfather taught him that loyalty to one's liege was paramount. When he joined the army, Diego swore an oath of obedience and loyal service to king and country. Today, that oath sat astride his shoulders like the weight of a mountain. He was fine with that. When death came to him, he would not be found wanting.
Diego had been rewarded for his loyal service with the commission of Colonel and command of a brigade bound for Peru. His orders were to bring the rebellious province to heel by any means necessary, but primarily to reopen the great silver mine of Cerro de Potosi. Other forces were underway to restore the authority of the Spanish crown. One to reassert control over the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, another to assert their control over the Spanish main. Still more to retake Santa Fe through the norther mountains, San Francisco and the rest of California along the Pacific coast, and Tejas my marching along the Gulf of Mexico. It seemed the whole of the Royal Army was brought to bring the New World holdings to heel. He only hoped nothing bad would happen in Europe, with so many troops overseas.
Diego would discharge his duty, regardless of how much blood he spilt. His orders were absolute. His family followed the path of the warrior, after all.
Have you heard the tale of Don Diego de la Barranca? It's not a story most historians would tell you. Diego is based on the historical figure Don Diego de la Barranca, who in this omake is his many times great grandfather. This historical Diego was a samurai who was baptized with a Christian name and adopted a Spanish surname based on his Japanese surname. De la Barranca means something like "from the canyon," so I can only assume his Japanese surname was Otani (large/great valley). He married a Castilian woman and served in the Castilian formation of the Acapulco garrison. Something to keep in mind, is that the Spanish empire, was divided into 19 race-based castes. The highest two are Peninsulares (Spaniards from the Iberian peninsula, then Castilians (ethnic Spaniards not from the the Iberian peninsula). Everything below that was various combinations of racial mixes. This includes Indios (indigenous americans), Chinos (from Asia, the entirety of which was referred to as China), Negros (Africans) and various levels of Mestizos (mixed race).
It was estimated between 40k-100k people from Asia crossed the Pacific on the Manila-Acapulco galleon route (one ship each way per year) for about 250 years; this includes Chinese porcelain artisans, who established local porcelain production in Mexico. One such example is the holy water dish in the original Spanish church in San Francisco that exists to this day. Others included Japanese Christians (mostly of the samurai class) fleeing persecution. There was a small samurai exclave in Manila that helped put down a rebellion by the city's ethnic Chinese underclass (15k of the total 40k population). The Spanish authorities heaped praise on the samurai community for their part in quashing the rebellion, particularly for their loyalty and early decisive action. Forgive me for not using more precise figures and dates. I'm writing this at work on my phone and this info is from a paper I wrote on Spanish trans-Pacific trade the better part of a decade ago.
Edit: tuba is an alcoholic beverage made from coconut palm (not indigenous to the Americas) that can range between wine and brandy in potency. It was produced in local still by Filipino ex-sailors (pressed into service in Cebu and Manila, jumped ship in Acapulco). Because it was produced locally and was not taxed, it was much cheaper than traditional wine from Spain. At one point it was so widely consumed that it replaced wine in Communion service.
"I can just declare war on France and sit back while the British toss money at me. The French are paralyzed by a Civil War. The Austrians and Prussian will probably do all the heavy lifting."
Speaking of the Spanish New World Colonies, if Mexico is part of the rebellion, it would cut off the link to Manila.
I wonder what is happening in the Philippines if the above is true. It is possible that they are having revolts of their own, though it would be a series of separate revolts based on ethnicities and religion (like the at the time ongoing Dagohoy Revolt) rather than a united Philippine Revolution due to the fact that factors that spawned Filipino nationalism haven't even happened yet.
Captain Diego de la Barranca released a gusty sigh as he nursed his tuba in his prized porcelain cup, made in the nearby porcelain works. As one of the officers of the Acapulco garrison, he had led the Imperial loyalists in holding the vital port city against the rebels. Acapulco was the Empire's lifeline to the trade port of Manila, far across the Pacific. As a nobleman whose estate was just outside the city, he certainly would have benefited from the province breaking away from the taxes and authority of the crown. As a proud warrior and soldier who had sworn and oath upon this ancestral blade, abandoning his principles for personal gain was anathema to him. He himself bore the name of his house's founding father, who, over two centuries prior, had journeyed far and wide across the vast ocean, before settling in Acapulco and raising a family.
When the rebellion started, it was among the soldiers of the garrison, men whose families, like his, stood to gain from throwing off the authority of the crown. Among them were several of Diego's friends, one whom he had grown up alongside. Sentimentality did not stay Diego's blade. Having slain the ringleaders among the garrison (and every superior officer), the men fell into line. When the citizens rebelled, Diego led his men to crush the insurrection. When rebel forces laid siege to the city, he led his men and volunteer militia in it's defense. When the royal army lifted the siege, Diego was hailed as a faithful loyalist. The populace was not so complimentary. A butcher, a demon, a merciless tyrant who can cut down his friend without a blink. Diego endured it by remembering his oaths. His grandfather taught him that loyalty to one's liege was paramount. When he joined the army, Diego swore an oath of obedience and loyal service to king and country. Today, that oath sat astride his shoulders like the weight of a mountain. He was fine with that. When death came to him, he would not be found wanting.
Diego had been rewarded for his loyal service with the commission of Colonel and command of a brigade bound for Peru. His orders were to bring the rebellious province to heel by any means necessary, but primarily to reopen the great silver mine of Cerro de Potosi. Other forces were underway to restore the authority of the Spanish crown. One to reassert control over the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, another to assert their control over the Spanish main. Still more to retake Santa Fe through the norther mountains, San Francisco and the rest of California along the Pacific coast, and Tejas my marching along the Gulf of Mexico. It seemed the whole of the Royal Army was brought to bring the New World holdings to heel. He only hoped nothing bad would happen in Europe, with so many troops overseas.
Diego would discharge his duty, regardless of how much blood he spilt. His orders were absolute. His family followed the path of the warrior, after all.
Have you heard the tale of Don Diego de la Barranca? It's not a story most historians would tell you. Diego is based on the historical figure Don Diego de la Barranca, who in this omake is his many times great grandfather. This historical Diego was a samurai who was baptized with a Christian name and adopted a Spanish surname based on his Japanese surname. De la Barranca means something like "from the canyon," so I can only assume his Japanese surname was Otani (large/great valley). He married a Castilian woman and served in the Castilian formation of the Acapulco garrison. Something to keep in mind, is that the Spanish empire, was divided into 19 race-based castes. The highest two are Peninsulares (Spaniards from the Iberian peninsula, then Castilians (ethnic Spaniards not from the the Iberian peninsula). Everything below that was various combinations of racial mixes. This includes Indios (indigenous americans), Chinos (from Asia, the entirety of which was referred to as China), Negros (Africans) and various levels of Mestizos (mixed race).
It was estimated between 40k-100k people from Asia crossed the Pacific on the Manila-Acapulco galleon route (one ship each way per year) for about 250 years; this includes Chinese porcelain artisans, who established local porcelain production in Mexico. One such example is the holy water dish in the original Spanish church in San Francisco that exists to this day. Others included Japanese Christians (mostly of the samurai class) fleeing persecution. There was a small samurai exclave in Manila that helped put down a rebellion by the city's ethnic Chinese underclass (15k of the total 40k population). The Spanish authorities heaped praise on the samurai community for their part in quashing the rebellion, particularly for their loyalty and early decisive action. Forgive me for not using more precise figures and dates. I'm writing this at work on my phone and this info is from a paper I wrote on Spanish trans-Pacific trade the better part of a decade ago.
Edit: tuba is an alcoholic beverage made from coconut palm (not indigenous to the Americas) that can range between wine and brandy in potency. It was produced in local still by Filipino ex-sailors (pressed into service in Cebu and Manila, jumped ship in Acapulco). Because it was produced locally and was not taxed, it was much cheaper than traditional wine from Spain. At one point it was so widely consumed that it replaced wine in Communion service.
"I can just declare war on France and sit back while the British toss money at me. The French are paralyzed by a Civil War. The Austrians and Prussian will probably do all the heavy lifting."
Speaking of the Spanish New World Colonies, if Mexico is part of the rebellion, it would cut off the link to Manila.
I wonder what is happening in the Philippines if the above is true. It is possible that they are having revolts of their own, though it would be a series of separate revolts based on ethnicities and religion (like the at the time ongoing Dagohoy Revolt) rather than a united Philippine Revolution due to the fact that factors that spawned Filipino nationalism haven't even happened yet.
-[X]Allow Napoleon to Choose a commander: You will allow the Emperor to choose the right man to lead your forces. (Gain 100 Influence)
-[X]Tour Paris: The City is Jubilant with your arrival, and you wonder how much the city has changed in your absence? But you know that the Ministers want the People to see their Empress, the Hero of Sicily. To make this Regime Change very… official and very… unlike the last three times it happened. Cost 1 Wealth. DC: 20 Reward: You Tour the City and see it's people. Rolled: 10+20(Reputation)=30
-[X]Discredit Robespierre: What the former Consul of France has done was cause needless bloodshed on the French People. History will not be kind to him… and neither will you. Cost 2 Wealth. DC: ??? Reward: You spend a significant amount of time and money interviewing survivors, and collaborating their stories of horror for all of France to hear. Rolled: 3+50=53 https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kr5sgdx9
-[X]Hunt Robespierre: He will not escape justice, he will be found, and he will stand trial, and his crimes will be aired for the Public to see. Cost 10 Wealth. DC: ??? Reward: Robespierre will make his court date, and stand trial for his crimes. Rolled: 1+50=51
-[X]Official Duties… What do I do again?: You have no idea what your official duties actually are? You need to find out. DC: 1 Reward: You find out what exactly an Empress does… hopefully besides siring heirs and looking pretty for the Emperor's Guests? Rolled: 99+79+20+2+2 (Reputation)=204 https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kr5sgkbe https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kr5sggxp
-[X]A Doctor's Appointment: Dr. Dominique Jean Larrey, your physician has been monitoring your health, and he wishes to check up on you once again, to check your wounds, to see if the baby is doing well, and to make sure you are properly… eating. DC: 5 Reward: You visit the doctor. Rolled: 73 https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kr5sg6rv
-[X]Nesting and Mothering for Dummy Military Leaders, a Guide for first-time parents: You are frightened, and you are going to Brian and Elissa to see how they managed to… Well, How to be a parent? Cost 1 Wealth. DC: 15 Reward: You learn at least a little bit from your Family. Rolled: 79
-[X]Madam Elisabeth: The Former Princess of France, aunt to your Wards... Wishes to speak to you. You have a feeling she is... mad? Relived? You don't know how to read her letter. Cost 1 Wealth DC??? Reward: You meet the Madam, Elisabeth. Rolled: 13+3=16 https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kr4czv0g
-[X]The Littlest Auclair: You wish to meet your Niece. There is no it's, and or buts. You will meet her now! DC 1 Reward: You meet your Niece. Rolled: 87
Napoleon was thankful that you allowed him to take command of your forces, and gave the command to a close member of his inner Circle, Jean Lannes.
You didn't know how to feel about such an appointment, but you had heard some very good things from the man, and he had been very accepting of your new system, though he was going to rely heavily on your commanders for his orders to be maintained.
You made him promise to return the men in one piece, or you would shoot him.
Reward: Jean Lannes is now Commander of the Army of the East, serving as a Subordinate to Napoleon and his Army of France.
Their objective is to restore the Batavian Republic and save Jourdan's Army of the Rhine from being flanked, then push an attack, and throw the Prussians out of the War.
General Dumas has been named the Deputy Commander of the Army.
General Kleber is thankful the emperor did not make him commander of the Army, despite his obvious skill, and has remained in command of III Corps.
To say that the people were exhausted by the new change in government was an understatement.
You did not really do much when you toured the city, you rode on a horse yes, greeted the many onlookers with a smile and a graceful bow.
But there was no true celebration. There was no victory in Paris, a Triumph that would echo through the times, as Napoleon hoped and you secretly wished for.
You wanted to be acknowledged by the people for your merits.
Reward: The People of Paris at least, are utterly exhausted of regime changes, civil wars, and utter horror of possibly being killed by radical tyrants, both monarchical and republican.
They just want stability.
They do not care anymore except for safety and security.
Robespierre has put a spell on the French People, in a similar way that Napoleon, it seems, had placed a spell on his officers.
There were people who still considered him the rightful ruler even in Exile.
But that was not the thing that frightened you.
Even as you showed all of France and all the World the horror he created and tried to continue.
Yet the world seemed to Shrug, not caring. The Dangerous Republic had proven itself unsuitable to exist, the will of the people ignored, as always, for the sake of power, and ideas. The Old ways they reasoned, were best.
This dangerous Republic only invited instability, civil chaos, and death.
But in France, the spell was broken.
Some at least saw the horror and felt… disgusted that they were swayed by a demagogue that only cared for his ideals.
Many more, however… still held the opinion that the man was a hero. A man who did everything for the dream.
Failure: Robespierre's iron grip, both on his legacy and actions in France has been slightly disrupted, but he is still viewed by many in France as a True Hero of the Republic… of the Revolution itself.
One who fled rather than stand with his people. So that colored his reputation within France.
(OOC: Well… he's The Lenin to your Russia boys. Best make France good for the Citizens real quick, if you don't want the workers to start shit.)
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Maximilien Robespierre has dropped off the face of the Earth.
No one, perhaps not even God Himself… knows where that man is.
And that frightens you, more than anything else.
Because it means, in Napoleon's words from one of his dispatches… "France would bleed. And it would die because of him."
You, however, have one clue… one desperate Clue to follow his trail and find him before he causes another bloody civil war in France.
A Bank in Frankfurt.
And a Man called Rothschild.
Failure: Robespierre's Trail has gone cold, and you only have one Clue on how to find him…
There is also the problem of not being able to investigate the matter until after the war is won, as all resources at France's disposal, from spies to diplomats are now being spent to save it from the coalition that wishes to destroy it.
New Action Available, but is delayed until France's War with the Rest of Europe is completed.
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You had asked the question to many of the ministers that were still in Paris. That was not a problem, as you had wished to meet them all anyway.
What surprised you, was how much power Napoleon actually invested in you.
Or rather, how much the army believes in your forward-thinking leadership.
(Continued in: The Empress, The Inspectors, And the Army)
Dr. Larrey was surprised by how quickly you were recovering. "Most people have problems after getting shot in the Chest while pregnant. In fact, most don't survive at all. With your condition steadily improving, you would forgive me for thinking that you were just only punched."
"I'm recovering just fine, and the children inside of me are...in good spirits." You said quietly going to your stomach that had seen growth since your stay in Paris. It was quite… alarming at first, but soon you managed to get used to it.
"I have no doubt about that...but the fact of the matter is, you've had a medical miracle protecting a miracle for you. And I am not one, medically speaking, to gamble even more with your life." He said. "I still cannot allow you to return to active duty until after the child is born and you are allowed to recover."
You frowned. "Doctor, I have been shot, stabbed, nearly blown up by cannon fire, and frozen in very cold rain… childbirth will be nothing compared to that."
The Doctor sighed. "I have heard many a first-time mother say such words, though with far less grievous battle wounds on their body, despite knowing the ever-present dangers associated with childbirth, and were very surprised with how painful the entire process is, both physically and mentally."
You frowned.
"I cannot send you back to active duty until the child is born, those are my orders."
Reward: You have been given leave, and are recovering exceptionally well from your gunshot wound.
However, Doctor Larrey has requested that you do not take active command of any forces until after you give birth.
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Maybe you were terrified.
Maybe you were taking this far too seriously.
NONSENSE!! You weren't taking this seriously enough.
Elissa, for her part, seemed to be very concerned about how you were… Planning. "Is it really necessary to prepare two physicians for the child's well-being? One is enough surely?"
"One is a primary caretaker, the other, a second opinion." You replied.
"And the maps? The Compasses? Surveyor training?"
"In case they get lost. And I was raised as a Surveyor and I turned out fine!" You proclaimed. "They will have a life of danger and daring, if Napoleon seeks to continue being an emperor, instead of stepping down. They need to learn skills that will prepare them for the future." You stated.
Elissa shook her head. "You have not seen their faces. You have not given birth to a child yet, and you are scared. It's okay to be."
You froze. "I just… I'm not-"
"I was," Brian stated firmly, holding your hand as she set you down into the chair waiting for you. You had no idea where he came from, but he was in your blind spot, and now, appearing into view. He was… still the same. A bit more tired, his golden eyes seeming dimmer than usual, but Brian was still tall, still happy. And still very much your brother.
"It's okay to be afraid, but that's the joy of it. A Child is so much more than just our skills. They are our hopes, our dreams, our future brought forth into the world, and shaped not just by us… but by what we chose to leave behind. There is nothing wrong with planning a path for them. But you shouldn't force them into anything. No one, not You, not Napoleon, not even the World itself should force them to become something they are not in their hearts. They deserve to grow, to be happy, to learn on their own, with your guidance."
"Brian, you of all people should know that…" You buried your arms in your head. "We had the chance to chose because we were alone. They won't be."
Brian kissed your forehead, lifting your head up to see his smiling face. "Them give them the wisdom to understand that they do have choices. But never forget to tell them, they are loved."
Reward: Brian reminds you that, despite wanting what you think is best for your children, you need to remember the most important thing is that they are your family.
And despite your fears… things will be okay. For you are not alone.
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The Madam did not wish to see you. In fact, the only thing that made you realize that she even cared about you was the message you received from her, brought by carrier pigeon no less!
"To the Madwoman of the Army,
You have turned the son of my brother into something he is not, a cruel beast that only sees slaughter and death as his only outlet for his pain and his grief.
You deprive him of his family, and now, you send him off to die for your own selfish ambitions.
I hope the Gates of Hell Swing wide for your carcass, and all your children that you bear into this world. For your cruelty and maltreatment of them, will be your undoing.
The Madam Capet, Princess of France."
FAILURE!
Elisabeth Capet hates you and thinks you are a cruel, abusive woman who has tortured and brainwashed her beloved nephew into being a soldier against his will.
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The room for Elissa and your little Niece was… far too massive for a baby and a mother, even one as important as Napoleon's sister.
Elsa Auclair was a spitting image of your mother however, at least, you assume, when she was a child, a baby born, with one difference. A tuff of red hair and pale skin was there… but the difference came from her brilliant grey stones of eyes, which shone brightly as she gazed into your own, betraying her mother's family as well, as she cooed and cawed at you as held her in your arms.
She was so bright that you felt… awe. She was so perfect.
And you knew you would do anything to protect her.
And looking into those deep grey eyes… She felt the same way.
Reward: You and Elsa begin to form a special bond. You must nurture it for it to truly become something special.
When Elsa turns six and can be tutored, an unknown positive effect occurs when she is placed into your care.
It was Minister Barres, the Hero of Paris who saved Elissa and Elsa with General Kellerman when they were thrown into the Bastille, who sat you down one night and gave you a speech that would help you with truly understanding the Law.
"The Law, you see, Empress is something far more than something that governs the lives of people, to tax them, to dictate what they can and cannot do… It's a very idea that defines who we are as humans. Laws that, for thousands of years have enslaved us now have a chance to be rewritten, to protect the rights and liberties that for too long have been denied to the people.
Yet they may also constrain us from doing the things we desire for the good of the state. We must always find that perfect balance between liberty and the protection of the People, no matter the choices we make.
And Freedom that we must grant, must be the same responsibility that must be protected by all."
You raised an eyebrow. "You spent time with the American Ambassador, haven't you?"
Barres nodded. "Guilty. There are things I may not wholly agree with the American's with. But when it comes to the law... I agree with it."
Reward: +4 to Law.
New Influence Actions Available.
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To say the incoming prospects of both motherhood and the duties you now have to the French People as Empress… is a vast understatement. You were sure you were lucky when you learned as much as you did, with the crash course.
Failure.
AN: Hello Everyone.
The update is here. A Little shorter than I thought but that Roll up top is... separating enough to split this into two.
