Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
It would certainly make things interesting. if nothing else.
La Chanson de la Victoire (The Song of Victory): La Petite Arpenteuse (Non, SV, you are a General of France in the Napoleonic War!)
- Thread starter Plausbius
- Start date
- Mature Alt. History
- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
Votes are closed! Plan Wrong Bridge wins, and your survey team is called The Harbingers!
There's a few different ways to say it in French, all some variation of harbinger/omen/messenger, so I'll just list a few and see what y'all think are the coolest or whatever. No need to formally vote, just give out an opinion on one or another that catches your fancy!
Les Précurseurs (precursors, forerunners)
Les Présages (presage, omen)
Les Avant-coureurs (literally forerunners)
Les Annonciateurs (announcers, messengers)
Of course, if you got another suggestion, then feel free to drop a comment about how a cool name should really be made!
There's a few different ways to say it in French, all some variation of harbinger/omen/messenger, so I'll just list a few and see what y'all think are the coolest or whatever. No need to formally vote, just give out an opinion on one or another that catches your fancy!
Les Précurseurs (precursors, forerunners)
Les Présages (presage, omen)
Les Avant-coureurs (literally forerunners)
Les Annonciateurs (announcers, messengers)
Of course, if you got another suggestion, then feel free to drop a comment about how a cool name should really be made!
- Location
- Texas
I like the first two.
- Location
- Cambridge, UK
Les Présages - I like the hint of chicken entrails divination about it. Mystical science before the battle. Not very enlightenment on the face of it, but the old term must have new meaning in the age of reason. It mocks those superstitious while obscuring from them methodical intelligence gathering.
Coureurs are rangers, so Les Avant-coureurs seems a bit off.
Coureurs are rangers, so Les Avant-coureurs seems a bit off.
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- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
While we're waiting on the update, I've put up our three officers' stats!
Have a gander at them in the info tab for Contacts:
forums.sufficientvelocity.com
Also included the Harbingers/Présages in Thérèse's Commands.
Have a gander at them in the info tab for Contacts:
La Chanson de la Victoire (The Song of Victory): La Petite Arpenteuse (Non, SV, you are a General of France in the Napoleonic War!) Mature - Alt. History
Contacts & People of Interest – Les Personnes Intéressantes Allies People who don’t wanna stab you. Big Brother Relationship: Brother Opinion: MAX "You're my precious sister." Appearance: More muted colors than Therese, but still a small Tricolor pinned to his Brest. A tailcoat and decent...
forums.sufficientvelocity.com
Also included the Harbingers/Présages in Thérèse's Commands.
- Location
- Cambridge, UK
The command strengths are particularly useful to know.
Colonel Chamans is "okay" as a cavalry leader. He has youth enough to ride well and improve, but clearly we are missing Durand in this role. Chamans is an ideal second in command. An able administrator with all round command and strategy skills, albeit with weakness at the grunt infantry end of things. More staff officer than command? He needs infantry training and combat skills if he is going to bridge the gap between staff and line officer, as overall command requires. Your diplomatic and spook officer.
Whilst Col. de Lisle is a slightly better cavalry commander than Chamans, he is also a better artillery commander by virtue of his logistic and engineering skills. With two wings of cavalry you might use him in that role, or for scouting, but you will always need an able artillery leader. He will fortify the guns in good positions and feed them for effect. This is the man to develop horse artillery.
Capt Severin, as drillmaster, is the infantry leader you would expect. As your main infantry officer you need to advance his career to colonel as quickly as his merit and training will allow. Whenever the infantry are spread out you will have to be your own (and only) infantry colonel. You need a super brave Captain of the guard. To lead in the thick of it. Yet I would be seeking three infantry colonels right now. Left, right and centre. Perhaps on an open field Chamans and Severin could take a flank each for you, but this is less than ideal.
When can Durand come and lead our cavalry?
If we ever need a dedicated logistics and support engineering commander, big brother would be great for that, but not so much a combat front line command. Logistic and engineering staff officer. A greater administration and legal skill would make him perfect as support staff.
Colonel Chamans is "okay" as a cavalry leader. He has youth enough to ride well and improve, but clearly we are missing Durand in this role. Chamans is an ideal second in command. An able administrator with all round command and strategy skills, albeit with weakness at the grunt infantry end of things. More staff officer than command? He needs infantry training and combat skills if he is going to bridge the gap between staff and line officer, as overall command requires. Your diplomatic and spook officer.
Whilst Col. de Lisle is a slightly better cavalry commander than Chamans, he is also a better artillery commander by virtue of his logistic and engineering skills. With two wings of cavalry you might use him in that role, or for scouting, but you will always need an able artillery leader. He will fortify the guns in good positions and feed them for effect. This is the man to develop horse artillery.
Capt Severin, as drillmaster, is the infantry leader you would expect. As your main infantry officer you need to advance his career to colonel as quickly as his merit and training will allow. Whenever the infantry are spread out you will have to be your own (and only) infantry colonel. You need a super brave Captain of the guard. To lead in the thick of it. Yet I would be seeking three infantry colonels right now. Left, right and centre. Perhaps on an open field Chamans and Severin could take a flank each for you, but this is less than ideal.
When can Durand come and lead our cavalry?
If we ever need a dedicated logistics and support engineering commander, big brother would be great for that, but not so much a combat front line command. Logistic and engineering staff officer. A greater administration and legal skill would make him perfect as support staff.
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- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
THEN THE WINGED HUSSARS ARR--
wait no wrong country. I'm sure she'll show up sometime!
Spooky, very topical, being October and all that.
Oops, he's still a captain here. Lemme just... make that not incorrect anymore.
If you roll high enough, I'll let you mount cannons onto the horses
The true first tanks will be born here, I can smell it.
3.2 - Blood and Steel; Le Sang et L’Acier
- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
[] plan Wrong Bridge
-[] Disrupt: You will use your cavalry to disrupt the enemy, their lack of cavalry is going to be a clear detriment to their long term success, and as long as you have that advantage, you will raise hell.
-[] Thérèse: The North Bridge: Hold the line for as long as is tenable before falling back to prepared positions, baiting the enemy cavalry to attack.
-[] Severin: The South Bridge: Defense in depth, do not allow the enemy to cross the bridge.
-[] Chamans: The Cavalry: Utilizing local terrain to obscure size of force, the Cavalry will attempt to destroy the opposing cavalry and engage targets of opportunity.
-[] de Lisle: The Artillery. With the bridges and areas beyond and before them presighted, the Artillery will prioritize counter-battery fire and large force concentrations.
--[] Set up a smaller battery in the hills to the North to both serve as enemy cavalry bait and provide closer support to the local infantry.
-[] de Beauharnais: The City: Coordinate local forces and ensure good order, the plan is useless if the city falls.
[] The Harbingers
-[] Disrupt: You will use your cavalry to disrupt the enemy, their lack of cavalry is going to be a clear detriment to their long term success, and as long as you have that advantage, you will raise hell.
-[] Thérèse: The North Bridge: Hold the line for as long as is tenable before falling back to prepared positions, baiting the enemy cavalry to attack.
-[] Severin: The South Bridge: Defense in depth, do not allow the enemy to cross the bridge.
-[] Chamans: The Cavalry: Utilizing local terrain to obscure size of force, the Cavalry will attempt to destroy the opposing cavalry and engage targets of opportunity.
-[] de Lisle: The Artillery. With the bridges and areas beyond and before them presighted, the Artillery will prioritize counter-battery fire and large force concentrations.
--[] Set up a smaller battery in the hills to the North to both serve as enemy cavalry bait and provide closer support to the local infantry.
-[] de Beauharnais: The City: Coordinate local forces and ensure good order, the plan is useless if the city falls.
[] The Harbingers
2 Avril, 1793
You arrive along the mouth of the bridge, clutching your tricorne as a strong gust blows past in the lazy morning light. A black blur could be seen near the horizon, whipping the denizens of the camp into action since an hour ago. The clopping of hooves under you gave way to numerous shouts from soldiers.
"Here they come!" De Lisle shouts, raising his saber in the air from atop his grey steed. "Check your reserves, make note of ammo, this is where we hold the line!"
He rides down the small hill as the men on top are busy doing last minute calibrations. "General, time to get everyone ready. These men are yours. I'll be upstream, nearer to the east bank, delivering the signal to the others and helping as well as I can there."
"They might circle around us if resistance here is too high, so make sure the south side is secure, captain." You think back on the two crossings to the river. Severin had moved up and across to set up an interesting series of fortifications all the way to the bridge to fall back to in case the enemy pushes back. You were hoping it wouldn't come to that, since a path to retreat might hurt morale. On the other hand, it would help with unit cohesion…
De Lisle waves his free hand as he starts his horse into action. "I will. The banks will stay clear of enemy fire; make sure my boys on the hill aren't overrun!"
You look up on the hill as the captain gallops off with the wind. Thirty cannons pointed proudly at the approaching army. Soldiers cleaned, stuffed, and readied the barrels for firing, some carting extra ammunition and powder from the camp.
As you trot around the hill giving a strong wave to those who notice your presence, you notice Chamans nervously looking towards his band of cavalry at the edge of the western forest.
"Something on your mind, colonel?" You approach as he snaps out of his trance.
"Oh, general." He quietly moves his hand away from his saber's pommel. "I was just contemplating the next charge. It's risky, but we have a good advantage, so I'm going over the plans for disruption. Those hussars aren't to be toyed with, after all."
"The Hussars. I've heard a bit about them from various people; they are mainly lightly armed and engage in melee, similar to our own cavalry, and likely tired from the long trip here. Is there any part of the plan that you would like help with?" You ask as he shakes his head and closes his eyes at the sky.
"No, it's just my nerves. As confident as I am in speaking to thousands of people, this is somehow causing me distress… but I digress. I'm good to go. Let's get this over with, shall we?" He tips his head to you and begins riding off.
You give him a look as he rides off abruptly, but you know little, if anything, about riding and hit-and-run tactics, much less how to prepare oneself to charge at a bunch of men with guns. There was a slight feeling of foreboding as you circle around the hill once more and shouted at the men at the bridge to pull up the barricades along the bank to prevent any possibility of haphazard enemy crossings. You can't be too careful, and if there's anything you've learned about strategy, it's that no plan survives contact with the enemy or something like that.
Well, this was even more so the case as you are about to meet an enemy force properly for the first time.
Friendly Morale (North) = 100
Friendly Morale (South) = 100
Friendly Morale (City) = 100
Enemy Morale (Force 1) = Weary
Enemy Morale (Force 2) = Weary
Friendly Morale (South) = 100
Friendly Morale (City) = 100
Enemy Morale (Force 1) = Weary
Enemy Morale (Force 2) = Weary
Squinting out into the distance yielded no better amount of detail, but you could make out the banner colors of the Prussian king alongside the Habsburg coat of arms. The sounds of drums and flutes could be heard faintly drifting downwind as a chill set into your bones.
Rolls Notice
Global Modifiers:
+20 for all Thérèse rolls due to Surveying and ally maps
+20 to Thérèse Defense (Nous Ne Tombons Pas)
+10 to all ally rolls due to Surveying bonus sharing
+10 to Bridge and City Defense rolls due to Artillery support
Day 1:
Brunswick Scouting VS Chamans Harassment: Military + Subterfuge + Command + Cavalry Command
91+ 8 + 6 + 10 + 1 = 91 + 25 = 116 (Artificial Crit!) + 27 (Crit Bonus) = 143
vs
8 + 10 + 16 + 8 + 4 + (10) = 8 + 38 + (10) = 56
[Enemy scout greatly successful!)
Chamans Harassment VS Brunswick Repel: Military + Subterfuge + Command + Cavalry Command
74 + 38 + (10) = 122 (Art. Crit!) + 82 (Crit Bonus) = 204
vs
27 + 25 = 52
[Chamans harassment greatly successful!]
91+ 8 + 6 + 10 + 1 = 91 + 25 = 116 (Artificial Crit!) + 27 (Crit Bonus) = 143
vs
8 + 10 + 16 + 8 + 4 + (10) = 8 + 38 + (10) = 56
[Enemy scout greatly successful!)
Chamans Harassment VS Brunswick Repel: Military + Subterfuge + Command + Cavalry Command
74 + 38 + (10) = 122 (Art. Crit!) + 82 (Crit Bonus) = 204
vs
27 + 25 = 52
[Chamans harassment greatly successful!]
The line stops moving for a second, far out of range of fire, but within visual range of all at the north bridge. You stare at the opposing side, as if waiting for a gun to go off, a hit from a mortar shell, or a clopping of hooves to trample the eart—
Movement on the left grabs your attention as masses of horsemen weave in and around each other. Light firearms are discharged, and weapons are swung, but a large number of them—the enemy, you assume, were focusing on running away rather than staying to fight. The exchange is over very soon as the lightly armored ones begin outpacing what you assume to be Chamans's heavily armed forces.
"Attention!"
A soldier yells out into the ranks as more point to the group containing Brunswick.
He's making a gesture of… stretching? You could barely make out what it was before a projectile of some kind flies out of his hands.
An arrow.
He shot an arrow at you.
The projectile lands a few hundred feet away from the bridge, and the bow-wielding general begins commanding his troops back over the horizon with a wave and shouts. His horsemen also retreated, somehow none of them were injured, it seemed. You could almost glimpse the leader of the French lancers drooping down a little on his steed.
<><><>
To the mob-ruled, misguided revolting subjects of the French monarch.
Your timely surrender will expedite the process of retrieving some semblance of order to the chaos that you created, and which we must clean up. If you abandon the city of Mainz and surrender yourselves to a proper ruler, then we will come to an understanding and no harm will come to any of you.
Failure to oblige will result in little mercy shown to your side.
--Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Duke of Brunswick Lüneburg, Generalfeldmarschall of the Kingdom of Pru—
"Okay, that's enough." You take the letter and crumple it before Chamans projects your thoughts into words.
"He what!? Shot an arrow? The nerve of this guy, won't even send an envoy! Those fucking hussars of his were just dodging left and right; we couldn't even get a proper hit on any one of them! I had one under my swing, but he just flew out from under me!" He fumes and makes a point with his saber drawn, causing multiple men to slowly pace back.
"Well, they apparently were focused on something else. I'd suspect a final scouting run before the fighting properly begins." You try to calm the callous colonel before he actually hurts someone here. "They'll be more vulnerable if we can pin down their supporting troops in the back, as well as their front lines. Jean, what goes in the south?"
Jean, a lieutenant under de Lisle, snaps out of trying to distance himself from Chamans. "General, I report that the south barricades are well and ready. Most of the cannons are laid out along hills to provide proper cover to Captain Severin and his men. The remaining pieces are in the city and walls, under General de Beauharnais."
"Excellent. Get the men ready in case of an assault this day." Jean salutes and gets back on his horse to ride back to camp as the midday sun starts to warm the air significantly. "Chamans, this is a good chance to strike at the enemy, when they are likely going to not attack the south. I'd still defer to your decision on this mission, however."
De Lisle, seemingly calmed from his earlier outburst, stares into you with a newly lit look of determination. "This will be done with. We ride out. Now."
As he rounds up his riders, you could feel a wave of affirmation spread through the troops. Most looked at the mess of paper on the ground and back to you, readying their muskets.
"I'm ready to get this going, too, that bastard's really arrogant, no?"
"Yeah, let's not let Chamans get all the glory, come on!"
The soldiers get to their positions along the river and hill, lines of muskets against the coming tide of enemies.
<><>
…or so you thought.
There were no words as to Chamans's fate while your ass felt a little sore from being on horseback most of the day. Worry crept up into your legs—or maybe it was the numbness from sitting for too long, you couldn't say for sure. Was he alright? He felt a bit aggressive in the gathering, so you couldn't be sure if he would just be reckless in his actions… it would be problematic if he was caught, or even killed…
You were shaken out of your nihilistic rumination by a horde of horsemen riding back under the late afternoon sun, their figures casting a long shadow over the plains of the north. Their clothes were dirtied, lances and firearms conspicuously missing. At the head was Chamans, looking uncharacteristically gleeful.
You weren't sure if you've ever seen him laugh before, but there's a first time for everything.
The colonel brandished his bloody saber, startling a few men as he crossed the bridge over the set of barricades let down beforehand by the guards.
"General! Good to see you alive and well! The same can't be said of our enemy's will to fight, however! Before you inquire, it's all in flames right now. I'm sure you can see the smoke trails from here…" He turns his head towards where he came back from in a mocking manner and hops off his steed. It was too dark and distant for any smoke to be seen. "Their riders are mostly of the equation. All it took was a few distractions, but it payed off! One side of their camp was set to the torch, the other once full of soldiers, now either dead or fleeing!"
He stabs his saber into a table while grabbing his flask to refill.
"That's impressive, colonel. Celebrations are certainly in order after all this is over."
"I'm sure Brunswick is shaking in his boots right now, putting out those fires. Too scared to do anything. No sign of any troops coming after us while we taunted him all the way back across those fields!" He starts to hum and sing as you could almost feel the battle trance hasn't quite worn off.
Something hit your consciousness as something bothered you. "…Colonel…" You inquire worryingly.
"Yes?" The colonel wafts his gleaming visage over to your direction, as if seeking a reward.
"You said you burned their camp…" He chuckles in affirmation. "…did that include any… civilian targets?"
He ponders for a second. "The fields and food stores were burned, I can confirm. They likely snatched supplies from locals anyways, so I don't see the issue?"
"The fields are farmers' livelihoods! Even though we're in war, we have to try to keep unnecessary casualties down! These are people we're supposed to protect from the monarchy! Every bit of burned land is another strike against us in the eyes of the people!" You fume. "I acknowledge that you were angry, but the fact is that when word gets out to the citizens, they'll be much less amenable to us as a whole, and I wouldn't even know if any civilians were caught in that fire, since you all galloped off right after!"
He looks a bit shocked at the sudden outburst, somewhat collecting himself to speak when you glance menacingly from your stoic perch upon a slope. "Now, the lands are the king's, the Prussian king's, to be exact. We're here to liberate these lands, to become republican. Like us." You look like you're about to say something, but he adds, as if predicting your words. "But, of course, what's done is done. I'll take the repercussions as they may come, and reduce the… intensity of my actions in the future."
"… thank you, Colonel." You turn your head around. The various officers and soldiers were huddled to watch the spectacle happening in front of you. "Well, any news on Brunswick?"
"Heh. That uptight German commander?" You hear some men speak in hushed tones.
Revanchism – The fires of humiliation have scorched your reputation and tarnished your perception. Your sworn rival must be put down at any cost.
Roll DC 30 for focusing on your enemy if they are present in an upcoming battle. If you fail, you must attack them at all costs. You gain +10 to all rolls against them if you do fail and chase after them. +20 to DC and reroll each time you fail an encounter with them/their associates, if you have not yet failed. Reroll with no added DC whenever your rival's associates fail an offensive action against you.
Brunswick Revanchism: DC 30 + 20 (Harassment successful) = 50
79
[Pass; contains himself]
Roll DC 30 for focusing on your enemy if they are present in an upcoming battle. If you fail, you must attack them at all costs. You gain +10 to all rolls against them if you do fail and chase after them. +20 to DC and reroll each time you fail an encounter with them/their associates, if you have not yet failed. Reroll with no added DC whenever your rival's associates fail an offensive action against you.
Brunswick Revanchism: DC 30 + 20 (Harassment successful) = 50
79
[Pass; contains himself]
"He… wasn't seen, to be honest. Like I said, he was in all likelihood busy with the damage we caused more than us. All the better for him. Most my boys and I would likely have been driven to run our blades into his cranium if he showed his ugly silhouette, putting the entire operation at risk. He'll be too busy getting his camp back in order to launch any meaningful attack this day." Chamans speaks loudly over the soldiers trading raunchy jokes about the impotence of the enemy commander.
You clasp your hands to your sternum. "Glad that's settled. I do commend you on your efforts, colonel, and all of you brave men. Hopefully, tomorrow we can apply what we've learned of the enemy to any movements they make. Defense is still our main goal, since their numbers are still not fully known. Dismissed."
Friendly Morale (North) = 99
Friendly Morale (South) = 100
Friendly Morale (City) = 100
Enemy Morale (Force 1) = Weary, losing cohesion
Enemy Morale (Force 2) = Weary, halved horses
Friendly Morale (South) = 100
Friendly Morale (City) = 100
Enemy Morale (Force 1) = Weary, losing cohesion
Enemy Morale (Force 2) = Weary, halved horses
Day 2:
Northern Assault VS Thérèse: Military + Command + Infantry Command + Artillery Command + Grand Strategy
47 + 8 + 10 + 3 + 1 + 16 = 47 + 38 = 69
vs
30 + 1 – 2 + 0 + 8 – 4 + (20 + 20 + 10) = 30 + 3 + 50 = 83
[No enemy advancement]
47 + 8 + 10 + 3 + 1 + 16 = 47 + 38 = 69
vs
30 + 1 – 2 + 0 + 8 – 4 + (20 + 20 + 10) = 30 + 3 + 50 = 83
[No enemy advancement]
This was your time. Cannons were sighted, lines of men ordered up on the banks in and around the ditches and barricades Severin lovingly shouted out of the troops. You imagine these must be like the ones he ordered in the south, too.
You tilt your tricorne into a comfortable position as the wind shifts, a stench of tar slowly wafting through the air as the "Quaker" guns were brought into mind. Would these even work? Perhaps it wasn't best to think about that, as they were just for distractions.
Though you couldn't get that thought out of your head. Upon closer look, these were barely even cannon-like, with the logs simply too thick to be confused for cannons from afar, the tar also not a convincing shade even from your distant position on the hill. You knew that the first time the enemy encounters these would be interesting, but would they ever fall for it again? What if they already did, and these were just a waste of time? Perhaps you were overthinking this. They were simply to draw attention, being far from the rest of the troops.
… but the distance would be an indication of the suspicious nature of the "cannons", being so far that they would be observed to be distractions by a scrutinizing officer. Maybe they've already scouted the logs out? Were there informants in the ranks? No, Chamans made sure of that.
Your thoughts were disrupted by a bunch of screams, and a shell exploding near the bridge. Too far for damage, but close enough that the enemy must have had time to complete their own calibrations.
"Aux Armes! Citizens and soldiers of France!" You whipped out your sword out of its sheath and made a gesture that could be seen as piercing the clouds themselves. "They'll take no land today, we shall drive them back!" It was liberating to let your voice carry out as ranks of men crouched and stood in preparation for sending volleys down range.
As the sound of flutes cut through the air, drums began their tinny clatter. With a wave, your own drummers started their own beat, to the tune of a song de Lisle wrote not so long ago. The boots of the enemy approached in lockstep, though you could make out the tiredness in their movements. The man on the horse near front was a little different than you remember of the leaders. This one wore an almost comical hat, shaped like a tricorne if it was extended too high up. This must have been Brunswick's aide, von Kalckreuth.
What little morning light peeking out of the cloudy ceiling was quickly covered up even further by cannon discharge. Dirt sprays around the foot of cannons as they breathed their iron breath upon the encroaching army. The first few lines collapsed inwards as the weighted balls crashed into them, the very sight reminding you of rolling marbles into stacks of upright twigs.
Another round was being reloaded as the enemy ranks reformed, their movements visibly shaken but still filling in where their comrades had fallen. It almost hurt you to see the men simply being left in the dirt, but there was time for that later. Kalckreuth made a signal, and the back of the line stopped with what you could see were mortars and cannons. The barrels pointed in your direction and you could feel a foreboding lump form in your throat.
You cleared it as well as you could as you shouted. "Garde à vous!" You rode along the hill to get a better vantage.
Your men stood and awaited your signal as the air mixed with gun smoke and steady, clashing musical notes. Enemy cannons roared seconds after the sparks visibly exited their chambers, and you could hear a whistling sound as the weights crashed into the barricades and men, sparing some but leaving others not as lucky. Cries of "Putain!" and various other moans were heard while you tried commanding another volley of cannon fire. It seemed the black logs were not very popular targets, though they were too far to count.
The smoke was idly clearing until you gave the command for both muskets and cannons to fire, and to devastating effect. The entire front row of the enemy was laid down, some by stray rounds, some by cannons ripping into the ranks. The cannons that pointed slightly upwards managed to burrow deep into the formations, causing maneuvering issues for the enemy as they tried to move around the unfortunate souls caught in the blast.
Kalckreuth didn't seem to flinch as he steadily advanced towards the bridge, but you could see the tension in his arm as he raised one saber and yelled.
Muskets and some rifles leveled at your ranks and you instinctively go wide-eyed and freeze. The guns went off before you could react. Fortunately, none of them were aiming at you.
Unfortunately, some of your own troops dropped from shots to the head, the only targets that were exposed. Friendly casualties were relatively small compared to the losses suffered by the Germans, but it stung you nevertheless.
Another volley was ready in the chambers of the cannons before long, and you could see the enemy still struggling to get their rounds into their own guns. "TIRE!"
The cannonballs ripped the lines of enemy soldiers as they stumbled, tripping and colliding with one another. You watched in horror as the bodies were tossed like children's toys, their fellow soldiers' eyes wide in shock as the fear of death finally crept in alongside the volley of musket fire clouding the vision of both sides. The ditches were filled with so much smoke that you could barely see, and some coughing was heard, and warranted.
It was at this time that you waved your sword in a brandish, yelling "Arrête!", trying to be as threatening as possible while still signaling to the enemy commander. He looks to the left and right, and along the bank. Lines upon lines of soldiers were shaking, pointing muskets at the stopped and now-bloodied enemy. It was clear there wasn't a good enough force to storm the bridge, and it could be seen in Kalckreuth's eyes as he glared.
Seeing the heavy losses, Kalckreuth turned backwards with a wave, barking some orders as he stood there with a dismissive glare at you. The enemy turned with their leader, marching wobblingly as they picked up what remained of their forces, dreading any retaliation from their foes.
But that didn't come.
As the line held, so did the fire.
Southern Assault VS Severin: Military + Command + Cavalry Command + Infantry Command + Artillery Command + Grand Strategy
67 + 38 + 1 = 67 + 39 = 106 (Art. Crit!) + 93 (Crit Bonus) = 199
vs
12 + 8 + 8 + 0 + 16 + 0 + 1 + (10 + 10) = 12 + 33 + (20) = 65
[Pushed back entirely to the bridge]
Southern Assault VS Severin 2: Military + Command + Cavalry Command + Infantry Command + Artillery Command + Grand Strategy
33 + 39 = 72
vs
63 + 33 + (20) = 116 (Art. Crit!) + 50 (Crit Bonus) = 166
[Severin's heroic countercharge]
Severin's Charge: 84 + 10 = 94
[+94% Casualties Inflicted!]
67 + 38 + 1 = 67 + 39 = 106 (Art. Crit!) + 93 (Crit Bonus) = 199
vs
12 + 8 + 8 + 0 + 16 + 0 + 1 + (10 + 10) = 12 + 33 + (20) = 65
[Pushed back entirely to the bridge]
Southern Assault VS Severin 2: Military + Command + Cavalry Command + Infantry Command + Artillery Command + Grand Strategy
33 + 39 = 72
vs
63 + 33 + (20) = 116 (Art. Crit!) + 50 (Crit Bonus) = 166
[Severin's heroic countercharge]
Severin's Charge: 84 + 10 = 94
[+94% Casualties Inflicted!]
You heard about Severin. Or rather, the news came to you instead.
The mass of fleeing soldiers seen in the distance of the east bank was like ants in a park, being scattered by a force unknown. Not long after, a messenger is riding up to you with news.
"Critical news. Captain Severin led a countercharge against the Prussians. They broke through all the barricades, but were driven off at the bridge, with one last charge! The… crossing will need to be fixed, however, as it was…" He scratches the back of his head as he catches his breath. "… damaged in the fighting."
"That's wonderful news! What of the bridge? Will we be able to have everyone cross to get rest?"
"No, General. The men will need to take the long way around, north, for safety." He looks a bit nervous as he delivers the news. "The lines were damaged greatly, with the enemy pouring in with cavalry and infantry, completely overrunning our positions as we retreated to the last line at the mouth of the bridge."
You listen a bit as he rambles on.
"Then, the commander decides to charge, and I mean, right as the enemy was in our faces, less than a few gallops away! The men likely caught onto his shouting and fervor as he started running over those chasing us, throwing men left and right!" He's throwing his elbows out; it's quite humorous, actually, despite the subject matter. "He yelled something that I didn't really know, being a messenger and all, but they just rammed right back, our cavalry shielding them from the enemy's as they burst right back into those German bastards!"
You see him barely hold onto his breath as he tosses his hands in the air. "… and what of you? Did you see the bridge collapse?"
"Ah, oh… it was not destroyed completely, but will need repairs due to stray fire. Should be operational within a day." He tries to compose himself.
"What of the enemy general, was he seen? Big hat, ornate dress, and pompous, white hair?" You nearly spit as you think of the possible image of his mug.
The messenger looks a bit mirthful at the mention of Brunswick. "… there hadn't been any reports. He either wasn't seen in the battle, or must have fled from the battle after this counter."
"… right. Thank you…?"
"Oh, soldat Barbosa!"
You tip your tricorne. "Glad to know. We'll gather for a briefing in the camp in the evening, so please burden Captain Severin and his men with coming back for a round of meetings and likely celebrations."
In the moments that the messenger leaves, you hear faint hollering in the distance, a noise similar to that of a certain colonel…
<>
Chamans Harassment VS Brunswick Repel: Military + Subterfuge + Command + Cavalry Command
42 + 38 + (10) = 90
vs
6 + 25 = 31
[Chamans harassment is successful!]
42 + 38 + (10) = 90
vs
6 + 25 = 31
[Chamans harassment is successful!]
You couldn't believe it, a large group of men captured, led on a few carts by a band of barely-roughed up riders.
"Are these…?" Beauharnais asks, quizzically squinting in the warm torchlight.
"Enemy soldiers, trying to flee, yes." Chamans dismounts as he enters the encampment. "We have quite successfully destroyed the bulk of their mounted capabilities, and now they are on the run. We should probably make a decisive strike now if we're to finish this fight on a strong note."
Severin shakes his head. "Killing is what a soldier is trained to do, but the destruction of the enemy's morale will be even greater, the stain on his reputation is something those nobles cannot handle, in many cases."
"Yeah, you would know, having fought for a king!" De Lisle pipes up, with a punchable smile, likely having been bottling it up for a while. "… what? Me too, I'm just pointing out that we might know something about these monarchs, having worked and toiled under them. We shouldn't hide our past associations if the fire in our hearts burn true!"
You can sense many people giving him a look. "Well, I see we have a few different opinions here, though any sure status on Brunswick? Is he running away, or surrendering any time soon?"
Chamans cracks his knuckles. "Oh, no, they're pulling back to their camps in the northern farmlands. We're going to need to get a new plan of attack. The casualties they've suffered won't compare to what we'll do if we take the initiative and drive right into them."
"Either way, the choice is yours, commander." De Lisle settles into the bench, alongside Severin.
Right… course of action… Commander?
Chamans gains new trait:
Maraudeur de Mayence – Scorcher of the countryside, bane of enemy supply lines. This man had directed his anger at the forces of Brunswick after they evaded the edge of his saber. The renown and experience he gained from disrupting enemy supplies has also gained him some infamy as a force of nature, the bane of those relying on the countryside for sustenance.
+15 to rolls against enemy logistics and hit-and-run tactics.
-10 to rolls for diplomacy with civilians.
-20 to rolls for diplomacy with farmers.
Maraudeur de Mayence – Scorcher of the countryside, bane of enemy supply lines. This man had directed his anger at the forces of Brunswick after they evaded the edge of his saber. The renown and experience he gained from disrupting enemy supplies has also gained him some infamy as a force of nature, the bane of those relying on the countryside for sustenance.
+15 to rolls against enemy logistics and hit-and-run tactics.
-10 to rolls for diplomacy with civilians.
-20 to rolls for diplomacy with farmers.
Severin gains trait:
French Fire, Swedish Steel – Your legacy burns within you. The new combined arms strategies meld with your knowledge of Carolean tactics to birth a risky, but highly devastating charge. Instead of charging after the fire, you charge with it, making your approach thunderous and completely morale-shattering to anyone on the receiving end.
+d100 to rolls involving charging, attack or defense. Add in your Combat modifier. This increases the casualties the enemy suffers by the roll percentage.
+Bonus to morale upon successful charge, up to +20, depending on above charge roll.
French Fire, Swedish Steel – Your legacy burns within you. The new combined arms strategies meld with your knowledge of Carolean tactics to birth a risky, but highly devastating charge. Instead of charging after the fire, you charge with it, making your approach thunderous and completely morale-shattering to anyone on the receiving end.
+d100 to rolls involving charging, attack or defense. Add in your Combat modifier. This increases the casualties the enemy suffers by the roll percentage.
+Bonus to morale upon successful charge, up to +20, depending on above charge roll.
Friendly Morale (North) = 99 – 20 = 79, lose 1500 men
Friendly Morale (South) = 100 – 50 + 20 = 70, lose 3000 men
Friendly Morale (City) = 100
Total Therese troops: 20,000 – 4500 = 15,500 remaining
Total Beauharnais/d'Oyré troops: 20,000; de Beauharnais can spare 1000 cavalry if you so choose to have him chase the enemy.
Enemy Morale (Force 1) = Severely Damaged, losing cohesion, lose 2000 men
Enemy Morale (Force 2) = Breaking, horses are lost, lose 4500 men
Total Brunswick losses: 6500
Friendly Morale (South) = 100 – 50 + 20 = 70, lose 3000 men
Friendly Morale (City) = 100
Total Therese troops: 20,000 – 4500 = 15,500 remaining
Total Beauharnais/d'Oyré troops: 20,000; de Beauharnais can spare 1000 cavalry if you so choose to have him chase the enemy.
Enemy Morale (Force 1) = Severely Damaged, losing cohesion, lose 2000 men
Enemy Morale (Force 2) = Breaking, horses are lost, lose 4500 men
Total Brunswick losses: 6500
"When should we attack, if we do?"
[] Tomorrow: Our men are tired and deserve a good rest. Some light celebrations, perhaps, then we go first thing in the morning.
[] Now: Rest is for the weak! Push now, while they are on the back foot!
[] Defend: Brunswick, though angered, is anything but inexperienced. We cannot take his directed anger as something as simple as blind anger.
[] Write-in
"It looks like we are on the advantageous side this fight. Any last minute reassignments?"
"My forces will help where possible, fixing the bridge and securing the surrounding countryside." – d'Oyré
"I can afford some to guard the southern flank, or to give chase to the enemy." – De Beauharnais
NOTE: Currently you have…
Chamans – Cavalry
Severin – Southern Infantry, relocating north
De Lisle – Cannons
De Beauharnais and d'Oyré will be moving independently but will support you.
Beauharnais will take over Severin's current position, and send a portion of his troops under his officers to aid you.
D'Oyré has begun cleaning the countryside to the west and south as well as the bank to secure the city, thanks to no siege being started.
[] Keep all as is.
[] How about…
-[] Write in. Name: Assignment and/or actions
"What of our policy towards the enemy?"
[] Scare Tactics: We should try to scare them as much as possible into surrender. Breaking their morale is enough. Breaking their bodies beyond what is necessary is ludicrous. Those who surrender will be allowed to go without their weapons. They've done enough for this battle, and will spread word of what happened. (++reputation, may be seen as soft by some, but will gain the gratitude of some German people)
[] Status Quo: We should just continue as we are. Take those who surrender as captives; that will gain us prestige and bargaining power against their inept leaders. (+reputation, will be able to gain some extra wealth and army wealth at negotiations)
[] No Prisoners: They're soldiers, and so are we. If we are willing to die for our ideals, should they not be, too? (---reputation, +++Republican Sentiments, ---Monarchist Sentiments, will become notorious, which brings great fear; as useful as it is a burden)
[] Write in? I'll give some related bonus, pending approval.
Plan Voting!
[] PlanName
-[] TimeForAttack
-[] UnitAssignment
-[] HostileAttitude
24 Hour Moratorium!
A/N: This was a big update (for me), so thanks for sticking with us!
Hopefully you've enjoyed this battle! Though, there's always a way to make them better. Any tips or recommendations, please feel free to leave, or slide into my DMs, if that's what you're into. Impressive set of rolls, though Brunswick tried to avoid you as much as possible to keep his cool, he couldn't really take the losses too much. You've lost much, but managed to drive Brunswick back. The question is how far you wish to push back. The casualties were calculated using highly advanced calculus to measure the accuracy of fire with the difference in rolls, after I summoned Mephistopheles to help with the calculations. The percentages were hopefully reflective of mostly accurate casualties from the exchanges. I may have rounded the numbers a bit, for calculation purposes.
How are the rolls? Do you prefer them FIELDSET with the box but without a drop down, or as SPOILER, where you have to click them? Did y'all like the way the rolls were handled? Red results are for things that work against you, and green is for stuff that works in your favor.
Also, congrats! You've invented trench warfare. This definitely won't end badly.
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Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
There is going to going to be some omakes with good old Severin in the coming hours. That I promise.
I like the spoiler boxes. I also kind of like having them all up front or all at the end. That way it doesn't break up the flow of the narrative.
I'm also a fan of muting the importance of rolls generally so you don't get silly thing like the Civ game having a spearman roll enough sixes to take out a tank.
In fairness, I don't think it becomes a dominant strategy until the gatling gun is built.
- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
An
As farmers move from simple land-owning serfs commanded by their tyrannical overlords to make food to law-abiding citizens of the glorious ideals of Liberty, they gain dual status of both civilian and farmer, thus enhancing their social as well as political status. This allows them to vote twice in elections normally only limited to farmers and civilians, as they can register as civilians as well.
This logical loophole in our burgeoning bureaucracy is taking a toll as unprecedented numbers of former servants of monarchs are flooding into our borders, some taking advantage of our generous offers and exploiting this loophole. While this has yet to cause enormous trouble, it is a potential weak point in our young republic that must be mended before there can be expansion of the law.
...
In other words, no, the two are separate statuses in game/mechanical terms, and can stack, since that's just so ridiculous it might just work.
Noted! Yeah, the rolls are generally to guide the results, but I'll keep them in a narrative balance so they don't dominate the story and we don't get Jacques the pastry chef who crits ten times in a row to topple the British Empire.
Kicker
A perfectionist with an inferiority complex.
- Location
- Malaysia
What the fuck Severin. If we win afterwards, he's getting any drink he wants
I thought this meant he will attack Therese's position?
Oh now we really need to get our Charisma and Speaking skills up.
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
Don't worry, Tomorrow morning you'll get a little taste of what happene.
ThatGuyWithIdeas
Treize died for our sins
- Location
- Romania
I really wish we didn't get the Maraudeur de Mayence trait on Chamans... yes, +15 against logistics and hit-and-run tactics is nice, but it also significantly tanks his effectiveness regarding diplomatic actions when it comes to civilians (and especially farmers, so much so, in fact, that it would be better for us to use De Lisle for any diplomatic actions against farmers, as +8 is better than +6), and considering that, as of now, only he and De Lisle are good at Charisma + Oratory (or at least average, like De Lisle's oratory score), that trait is gonna be causing us problems. We really need to start focusing on Charisma and Oratory here to compensate for Maraudeur de Mayence making Chamans much less good at diplomacy.
- Location
- USA
Same time-frame, different reasoning. Entrenching was prevalent in the Western Theatre and latter half of the American Civil War. It's nice to only expose a part of your body when everyone's packing a rifled firearm.
Tfw the Speech-build companion goes full murderhobo. Not very cash-money of him. Still, I was the main proponent for disruption. I should have seen that coming, so the fault is mine, methinks.
____
[ ] Plan Run 'Em Down
-[ ] Now
-[ ] Keep All As Is
-[ ] Status Quo
Both sides still retain over 90% of our troops, but Brunswick's force is in disarray and on the verge of shattering. Furthermore, enemy reinforcements are en route, iirc. If we can break the enemy, we might just be able to dissuade the second force from continuing with the plan to attack Mainz. However, we have to do it ASAP, or the enemy will be able to recover, which won't end well for us, outnumbered and on an open field. Our force seems to remain roughly one entity, with Severin rendezvousing with us across the bridge, with the force composition outlined, so I'm okay with it.
Finally, allowing the enemy prisoners to just walk away is asking for them to run back with intelligence, if only because some enterprising bastard might double-back and spy on us. And, of course, murdering surrendering troops is just plain barbaric. So, Status Quo is in line with the Golden Rule, that's how I'd expect my guys to be treated if they surrendered.
[ ] Plan Stay The Course
-[ ] Defend
-[ ] Keep All As Is
-[ ] Status Quo
On the other hand, enemy reinforcements are en route. What if they attack from the south/east while we're hunting tall tricorns? We will best be able to repulse them from across the river. Positioning and Prisoner Policy remains the same, as there's no real fundamental difference in the situation on either end.
As it stands, I think we have a real shot at ending this fight early, so I'm leaning towards Plan Run 'Em Down, but there's definitely a case for Plan Stay The Course or something like it. Modifications, anyone? Different thoughts?
- Location
- Sweden
*Be me finished reading and see the title*
*Me and my Carolean ancestors, Pride*
- Location
- Rapidly approaching your location.
- Pronouns
- Any/Morb
Well, he's got his nose bloodied, he won't be coming for a round right after the destruction that Severin caused.
He might be coming for you, but who knows when? That's part of the thrill of not having perfect intel in this age of horseback communication!
I mean, you don't need to talk to peasan--I mean, farmers, but I'd say Thérèse could be a better face for the gang later on, since she's supposed to be the leader and all that.
Maybe get her a signature style like Napoleon did with his ruthlessness and cool outfit and horse?
A cool maneuver or something, or write a book, who knows what could happen in downtime!
Chamans is still your go-to guy for talking with anybody in higher places (the republic's citizens are plenty good at being snooty in their own ways). I made him a paranoid guy with some anger issues. Some feelings of ineptitude stemmed from his failure in the spy episode back during the journey to Mainz, so he's been through a bit torturing himself mentally.
De Lisle is also good with Decorum, due to his father rubbing elbows with the nobility, so there's that, too.
"Hussars! On an open field, Sev!"
Glad you liked it! Magoose is cooking up something for tomorrow to share with the class that might have to do with Severin, so stay tuned!
Kicker
A perfectionist with an inferiority complex.
- Location
- Malaysia
They are tired, low on morale and their cohesion is barely there. We must strike now before they can reorganize.
Choosing this one not only for the reputation gain but also for more Germans to be more accepting of us, French troops and Republican ideals. Less troops needed to garrison, less likely for a revolt, less people who would willingly join
No reason to change what worked.
Also I noticed that Military skill is almost everywhere. If we max that out with the help of our Int, we could gain reroll in so many battles and their preparations.
ThatGuyWithIdeas
Treize died for our sins
- Location
- Romania
I say we stick with defend, as going on the offense drops our roll bonuses outside of stats from +50 to +20 (going on offense from defense, the bonus from Nous Ne Tombons Pas goes from +20 to -10). Also, regarding enemy policy, take Status Quo. A bit less reputation boost than than Scare Tactics (and no gratitude from the Germans, but that is not worth the risk of having people report our fighting style to other German generals so that they can take measure to counter us), but additional wealth is always a good thing.
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