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

[Magoose]

To Make Kings: Italian Edition

You had opened the door to Napoleon's office and get a great deal of annoyance as Napoleon did not look up to notice. "Pierre, I have already told you that I wish not to be disturbed."

"That's funny, he never told me that you did not want to be disturbed by me." You replied as you sat down, and a smile rose on your face, seeing the horror and later relaxation from Napoleon take hold.

He seemed annoyed that you were here. "Is there anything I can help you with?" He asked he went back to writing papers.

"Yes. I hope to see the list of the men you wish to make King." You replied.

Napoleon raised an eyebrow, before looking up and putting down his pen, chewing on his thoughts and something in his mouth, before he shook his head. "I did not think you would care about the death of the republics. They had chosen to elect a new king, and I am granting them their new candidates."

While the republics' desire for a monarch surprised you, even to this day, you did not take the bait that Napoleon was offering. He was trying to tease you, to play into your promise to him.

"May I see the list?" You asked.

That made Napoleon frown, before handing over the list to the King of Italy. as you looked towards the list of names he has chosen. "I didn't think you cared so much about this matter?"

"I do. Especially because it involves Brian." You replied as you gazed at the list.

"I would have thought you would try to make the other kingdoms have kings that would be more stomaching to a parliament?" He asked.

"I know I cannot stop you from doing that." You replied. "But what I can do is make sure the most loyal man can sit on the Italian Throne." You replied.

"You have trust in your judgment of character?" Napoleon asked.

"It hasn't failed me yet." You replied.

And you looked at the list.

Well, quite the candidates:

Which do you support?:

[]Thérèse Auclair: He want's to choose you? You are flattered but why?

[]Brian Auclair: Your Brother, your protector for most of your life, and possibly the last person that would wish to become an autocratic monarch of Italy. You know for a fact, he would have started a republic if Napoleon had deemed that from him. But you consider that if you support him, he would have a greater chance than the others for becoming King. The thing that troubles you, is this: His loyalty to the Revolution, to the ideas that it champions, along with his independent attitude, and ability to say no to Napoleon… may cause a great deal of friction between him and Napoleon. He is a masterful administrator, a brilliant soldier, and a capable General. And the fact he is a Frenchman, not Italian… well that can cause a great deal of trouble, to the more nationalistic of the Italians.

[]Napoleon: He wants to crown himself king of Italy? That is quite a stretch, considering that most of the northern Italians dislike him for forcing him to become republics, then into a monarchy under his crown. However, this makes a great deal of sense. He is Italian, he is the Emperor, and there may be a certain level of prestige that Italy can claim. That he is also everything that the Italians look for a king and more… well it is a no brainer as to why they would choose him?

[]Andre Massena: Napoleon's Man, through and through. That is the best way you can describe him. A vicious looter, and a masterful general, who, in a pinch, can be relied upon to be a brilliant army commander and administrator. He is of Italian blood, and the former nobles and the higher republicans who had gained much with Napoleon's victory were without question eager to see him crowned king. The problem is his corruption. Dare you say he could be expected to beggar his realm with vanity projects of wars of conquest with his neighbors or personal glory. But Napoleon loves him for his loyalty. And that man is loyal to his Emperor without question.

[]Joseph Bonaparte: Napoleon's brother. Possibly the only administrator that you consider Napoleon's equal in administrative and legal matters. He may have been a republican, but he is loyal to his brother. You don't know too much about him personally, but you know he is someone who takes his work very seriously. A man who can do the best for the Italian people, and for Napoleon. The best of both worlds.

[]Choose another: Write in a name here!

AN: You know something funny happened when writing the update.

I almost put Severin as a candidate for the Italian throne.

I then realized he had no business being granted a kingdom, even though he is a member of our inner circle.

Maybe a German crown, probably will make more sense.

Or we can send him to Sweeden when they have their succession crisis.

 

[Magoose]

The Marshals of France and the important people of France's Army Itself: Q3

Andre Massena: 76

While Massena was passed over to become a King, he was not deterred, taking the refusal with gusto. Even when he was focused more on his army. The Italians still called him names that made you think that he could still be called a King.

Consul Massena. The Reformer… Even Prince Massena, to a few of the more brave and notable Italian noblemen and women.

But even with a crown not resting on his head, he has his army prepared, drilled and ready for a campaign anywhere, even against France itself.

A Worrying thought, but one that Napoleon is quite happy to laugh off.

After all, Massena is his man, through and through.

Reward: Massena has taken not been made a king with gusto, and his army is prepared for any campaign that Napoleon may send him on.

There are worrying reports that his garrisons are stockpiling munitions in key chokeholds all over Italy, but they are just that. Rumors.

The Italian nobles, at least some of them, are quite happy with the current state of affairs, and even happy that Massena is not King. He is, after all, a far better general than a politician.

There is also rumors abound that he is working with this new king to get himself a title in Florence, where he can make a staggering fortune.

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Berthier: 86

Napoleon has taken quite a liking to Marshal Berthier, whose ability to work in a way that would even make Brian pause, causes the emperor a great deal of pleasure when they work together.

Napoleon is amazed at how much work the marshal can get done in a single hour, much less a single day.

He even proclaimed aloud that, if he could, without upsetting the senate, he would make him the Minister of War.

But seeing as the Senate was not in session for the Harvest season, Napoleon would have to wait until Fall, to see him become a Minster of War.

Reward: It seems that Napoleon has a new star in his life, at least at his chief of Staff. Brian may have served him well in Italy, but as Emperor, Marshal Berthier has proven indisputable to his liege.

Brian does not care as much as Napoleon thinks. He's just happy that Napoleon will not leave him alone and allow him to work in VIII Corps in Peace.
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Jean Lannes: 88

There is love in the Air, at least with Jean Lannes. After divorcing his unfaithful wife, he has found a new love. Louise Antoinette, A countess, and daughter of a Senator, who was an influential member of the Conservative party that was taking shape within the Senate.

While the two fell hard, fast and madly in love, it was soon enough that the two were wed… and less than a month later, she was pregnant with his child.

Reward: Jean Lannes is happily married. And happy to have finally have a wife that will actually care for him.

Michel Ney: 41

Michel Ney is bored.

That would not be a problem for most men.

Not for Michel Ney. He's ridding off around getting into brawls, duels and even getting shot a few times.

He's unharmed mostly, save a few broken fingers, but the fact of the matter is… he is acting like an undisciplined vagabond, rather than a Marshal of France.

Reward: Ney is acting not brave, but suicidally overconfident.

He is in fact, trying to see how far his luck and skill can take him.

Marshal Jourdan will be disciplining him soon.
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Jean Baptiste Jourdan: 65

Marshal Jourdan's neverending quest for training has led to him… forming his own company of engineers to start handling the more day-to-day problems of his camp, and his own situation.

His defenses are strong, but not impregnable.

He plans to make it that way.

Reward: Jourdan's Corps now has a company of engineers.

Louis Nicholas Davout:100+92+97+72=

You are starting to think that you underestimated the man that most of the Marshals are calling Iron.

He was more brilliant than that.

Far more.

(Continued in: War Plan Eagle.)

Murat:24

Napoleon had put his foot down to the Knight of France.

His sister would not see him again, not until she was older.

This caused quite a stir in court, with many supporting or not supporting Murat's cause to woo her over into marriage.

In your case, you couldn't care less about Napoleon. You cared about how poor Caroline would feel.

No one else did.

Reward: Murat has been banned from trying to court or even meet Caroline until she is of age.

This has caused Murat a great deal of stress, and Caroline is starting to act out against her brother in defiance.
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Severin:91+5=96

To say that Marshal Severin has enjoyed his time training the new class of riflemen, as his wife joins him as an instructor, is a great joy.

All who met Evylin Severin knows one thing.

She is a she-wolf carrying another child into the world, who will not hesitate to kill them all if she had to.

Severin himself is happy at the progress of the riflemen, and perhaps in a few months, every Corps in the Grand Armee will have at least a regiment of riflemen to serve as skirmishers.

Reward: Severin's are taking men to school when it comes to rifles.

And training a lot of skirmishers for new companies of riflemen.

He is even reaching a point where France may run out of rifles in stockpiles and it does not have a great deal of domestic production for rifles, at least not yet.
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Mortier:30

Mortier's entire new mission is to rescue Irish from across the water, to arm them, and prepare them for a glorious return to their island…

Hopefully.

Reward: Mortier is trying to save the Irish in Ireland, by any means necessary.

Franquos Kellerman: 92+13=105
Lefebvre: 97+95+94+88=
Dumas: 99+90+82=

You are starting to Believe that Napoleon isn't the only one mad enough to create a plan that could… plan for everything.

Dear god, what the hell was wrong with you, these men were absolutely insane!

(Continued in: War Plan Eagle.)

 

[Magoose]

The French Sphere and Her Allies: (Q3):

Napoleon: 107+111+90+91+35=524
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To describe the… highs that Napoleon had been feeling during the great second half of the year truly do not know the great strides in cementing his power across France and her New Empire.

Local forces among the empire were among some of the finest drilled in the world, even above that of the British empire, whose loss on the American front has weakened its prestige and honor.

There is also talk that his diplomatic prowess has cowed the Prussians into accepting the new reality.

But there is even bigger news.

He has asked the Senate to allow him to create titles of nobility and to, in theory, pardon several royalist terrorists.

There was other news.

Napoleon has increased the wages for all soldiers in the Army by over 20 Franc's. More than triple a normal farmer's wages, and even double a factory job for Auclair industries.

But he has requested more subsidies and raised prices for food, to help the farmers exporting, while also offering to lower prices on the market, covering any loses with Government subsidies and funds to any that may fear the loss of profit.

He agreed that he would cut taxes greatly if the measures were not seen as satisfactory.

The Business leaders, the farmers, and even the shipping magnets have all applauded the Emperors both hands off… yet hands-on rule.

Reward: Napoleon, even now, cements the loyalty of the People, with more moves to make life better for the French citizens, and their property.
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The Kingdom of Italy:

Brian: 2+15+30 (Therese Auclair Influence)=47

Joseph: 85

Massena: 66+15 (Popularity in Italy)=81

Napoleon did not find any problem with the crowning of his own brother in Joseph…

Even though he flattered greatly, almost second-guessing himself into making Massena the king.

You had suggested Brian, but Napoleon had almost immediately scoffed and laughed at your proposal. He called Brian a man who is not fit for any rulership.

He is a liability, a man who is too weak to take up the courage of stamping down, and making his word Law.

He cannot rule, not until he learns how to. And he has not.

Reward: Joseph Bonaparte is now King Joseph the 1st of Italy.

He has left court to Milan, which now serves as his capital.

Italy will be added to the Concert of Europe.

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The Kingdom of Holland: 64

Lucian: 97+47=143

Jerome:59

Louis Bonaparte: 44

Brian: 22

The Former Batavian Republic was a little hesitant on the choosing of a new king to rule over them.

But it was not to last, as Napoleon chose a man who would respect the traditions of the New Kingdom of Holland's Old Republican tradition, and also dissuade any fears that they may have.

Lucian had been a dedicated Republican, and was even against some of his brothers more autocratic policies.

However, he begrudgingly accepted the throne, on the condition he would not be placing any laws that would prevent their assembly from being dissolved.

Napoleon, agreed But he said he would make binding requests when he feels the most urgent of needs for either defense, or mobilizing troops.


Reward: Lucian Bonaparte is now King Luke the First of Holland
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The Kingdom of Naples:

Murat: 13

Brian: 31

Davout: 32

Louis Bonaparte: 43

Therese Auclair: 4

Severin: 27

It was the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily that Napoleon had trouble to make a king for however.

He had almost chosen one of his three marshals, and even you.

Yet in the End, his family won out, as Louis Bonaparte, is now King Louis of Naples.

To your confusion. As Louis was only a child, barely more than a teenager, with no experience in rulership.

Yet you have a feeling he is not being placed there for any reason of competence, merely toact as a figure for Napoleon's will.

Reward: Louis Bonaparte. is now King of Naples and Sicily.
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The French Protectorate of Barcelona: 54

The Spanish living under French Occupation are content.

It is not well ,and they fear for the future. But they do not fear being mistreated, with a man like Suchet watching over them.

Reward: They are okay with french occupation. Even though they wish for it to soon end with Peace in spain
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The Army of Spain: 724-30 (Lacking Corps System)=696

Republican Spanish Army: 222

Kingdom of Spain Army: 99

French Casualties: 894

French killed: 533

Spanish Casualties: 1734
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The Battle was less a battle and more a feat of both engineering and leadership.

Marshal Suchet was not keen on fighting, only keeping his men from deserting, or dying.

He had surrounded the last main army of the Republic of Spain in the City of Leon, and was ready to accept it's surrender, when the reports of their continued, perhaps stubborn and impossible attempt to remain in control of both the city and the countryside.

But than the Kingdom of Spain, led by Don Carlos, remained. He had come leading his forces himself, to put an end to this rebellion and restore order for Spain.

It began on the 5th of June, late in the night, when his scouts told him that there would be an enemy skirmishing and cannon fire.

Suchet needed to act fast, witout showing how dreadfully exposed his position was.

So he bagan to cut down trees and use local terrain to build earthworks, and dig trenches to break any sort of cavalry advance.

Within two days, of constant skirmishing, he had built a fortress around the city of Leon.

They had than fired six cannon onto the city, a lucky shot hitting the magazine, and setting the city ablaze.

The Kingdom's army was not prepared for the surrender of the city to that kind of luck, and their attempt to retreat had led to Marshal Suchet's trap.

Another Series of walls and forts, made by engineers that had snuck past the enemy battlelines. Guarded by only 200 men.

But the effect was brilliant.

The Spanish king, realizeing he was trapped, surrendered his sword to Suchet, and the French Army.

Arms and Horses were taken, and the Armies, both Republican and Royal Army were disarmed.

And Soult revealed the truth.

He had only 30,000 men.

And they had, in total, nearly a hundred thousand between the two armies.

He had won through guile and trickery, and the Spaniards lack of will.

His men were the better soldiers.

And he would march them to Paris… victory being his.

Don Carlos could only shake his head and accept his fate.

One he was unhappy with.


Reward: The conflict in spain, at the very least the conventional Conflict between the main governmental forces of Spain, the Kingdom and the Republic, has been concluded.

The Majoraty of Spain is now under French occupation.

Soult is desperately requesting reinforcements to now deal with the growing guerilla and insurgency that is now forming against his forces.

Loyalists are few and far between, and those that are loyal have remained in Barcelona, to make sure their voices are heard by the Emperor.

Corps can now be sent to Spain to manage the situation.

Spain is now nominally under French influence.

The Balance of Power in Europe is now unquestonably in France's Favor.
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Haiti:1

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Violence Roll: 31

Jules Leo Severin: 89

Haiti erupted into a race riot. The Big Whites and the Little whites clashing in a a rage of mob violence.

No one knew what started it, though the murder of a Negro girl who had been coming home from church has been widely considered the final straw.

The Little Blacks, the farmers and laborers, and the freed slaves, had had enough of the abuses that they had been suffering from, and with too little change, they took action.

By deciding to attempt to burn Saint Marc to the ground.

But Colonel Severin was having none of that, and despite being on the other side of the army, marched across the island, and than, after an offer of amnisty and mercy… brutally put down the mob, that had attempted to charge him.

He did not wish for the Bloodshed.

But he knew he saved lives.

He brought the surviving ringleaders to the courts and let them judge. Even though he wanted to shoot them all.

The mob had nearly killed twenty children when they had nearly burned down the orphanage in the city, the fire only being stopped by his men blasting a few barrels of gunpowder and snuffing the flame.

He was furious that they could fall low to such barbarity.

Reword: Haiti is slowly erupting in to Race violence, as income inequality, and abusive conditions have not been answered.

The Whites are growing increasingly parinoid that they will be murdered in race riots and are asking for a more firm action from Colonel Severin, including the arrest of colonial leaders.

Severin, thankfully had not done any of those things, and has worked tirelessly to maintain the provincial government and the elected government that is still in power.

But Haiti will slowly decend into chaos and ethnic voilence soon, if swift action is not taken.

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Brian: 93+83=176

Napoleon: 21

Brian had stormed away. Tired, exhausted… not defeated, but certainly deterred.

And you realized that things will only get worse without your influence.

(The Emperor and the Hero Replaces The Uncle and the sons)
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[Magoose]

To Shape Europe: An Austrian Crisis Minturn 1:

August 1st, 1797
Vienna, Austria​

Minster Talleyrand was in his element, courtly pursuits and diplomatic stances were a hobby. He greeted the regular affairs of the great court of Austria, which, while less than its famous size due to the rebellions that were occurring, still had the opulence and grandeur that it always had.

It also made you feel sick with how much it smelled of perfume, fragrance and other, terrible smells to cover the odors that had to emanate from their bodies.

Have any of them ever heard of a bath?

Perhaps they were mocking you? Or they were unable to do so, with so many of them fighting against the rebellions that were still being fought.
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The stories you heard about said rebellions were like the ones soldiers told of great horrors, of the inhumanity of their fellow man. There was one story that particularly stood out to you.

A Serbian Christian and his family had betrayed their Muslim neighbors, the same people who had lived with them for their entire lives. Who had lived together with them, in all things, and even respected each other's faiths. There were even rumors that one of his sons would convert to marry their beautiful daughter. There was acceptance in the community. Perhaps not total acceptance, but enough that all would at least live together in a way where both would not try to fight one another.

Then the Serbian Army, the Republic in rebellion, armed with stolen and bought weaponry, came into town, demanding to know where the Muslims were.

They demanded them to convert. They demanded them on the pain of death.

The Family then betrayed them all. Giving up their hiding spaces, their families, even helping burn down their mosque.

The friends that had been their neighbors, who had lived as neighbors, were shot. Their daughters were taken, and the stories of them being sold into sexual slavery were not uncommon, after being forced to convert.

The son who wished to marry his friend was brought before a court, as a traitor to his faith, and his people, and brought out into a field, into a pit of corpses. The corpses of his neighbors.

Then burned alive. He had survived that.

They then buried him alive.

And he survived that too, being rescued by an Austrian Cavalry brigade.

It didn't take long for the word to reach Archduke Charles, and his vengeance was swift and brutal.

He had even taken a page out of the Serbian's history. If they would treat others as barbarians and traitors. He would do the same.

After a small skirmish, he had captured the unit that had carried out the atrocities. And the family that sold out their neighbors.

He had said. "You have committed crimes, not only against God, and his commandments, but of basic humanity."

He then tied up the traitor's sons and daughters, in a circle around a chain, with the father in the center. "You are a monster, a stain on God's Green Earth. And hell is too good for a butcher like you. So we shall bring it here and make you wallow in it."

Charles burned that man's family alive, before having him executed.

There were stories like that all over the fragmented empire.

Horrible crimes. And even more vengeful justice from an army growing tired of showing mercy.

That was just one story. One story that Charles personally was involved in.

There were many more, with his officers committing their own brands of justice and vengeance upon all. Albanians, Bosnians, Bulgars, and Serbs. All rebelling nations were carving their independence through the death and suffering of others. Their hatred for each other, greater than their hatred of their Emperor.

There was no grand idea of equality or liberty.

Just violence and death.

All were acting like monsters.

And all were treated as monsters in return.
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"Are you alright Empress?" Talleyrand shook you as you returned to Vienna. "Are you well?"

"How can they be so happy with such barbarity being committed? How can civilized men treat others like animals?" You stated as you reminded yourself where you were.

"I thought you knew men were monsters?" He replied.

"My men are not monsters." You replied. "They knew the punishment for barbarity."

Talleyrand nodded. "Perhaps. But this is not the French Army, and they are not under your command."

You frowned, shaking your head. Then you saw Charlotte. Dressed in the latest fashion of the Austrian court, looking uncomfortable, but recognized all the same. "Charlotte?" You started to run over to her, all decorum lost, as she saw you too.

"Therese?" She said your name in german, and then shook her head. "I didn't know you were here?"

"I'm on a diplomatic mission." You replied. "Minster Talleyrand and his assistants are here to negotiate." You frowned. "I thought you were going to Constantinople?"

"Cossacks happened, we had to flee into Poland. And one of the Austrian nobles we were staying with recognized me." She paused, for a moment looking down at her shoes. "She thought I was my mother."

"I take it everything went well?" You asked.

"My bodyguards were wounded, one lost an arm and an eye, while the other was near death, and we almost didn't make it across the river. Jullian… you know him." The name made you raise an eyebrow in surprise. You thought he ran back to Sicily, not to Russia? "He saved us."

"How did that fool know where to find you?" You asked, feeling a bit confused at how Jullian managed to find them while riding across Europe to Russia when he didn't know the country at all."

"We don't know. Jullian just said he rode as far east as he could, and he claimed it was luck." Charlotte replied. "But he saved us with those rifles of his."

"I should punish him when we get home." You stated firmly.

"I won't allow it." She said. "He may be stupid and disobeyed orders, but he saved my life, as much as he deserves it."

"Can I see him?" You asked.

"My… God the Emperor thinks he is a danger to others." Charlotte stated. "They locked him in the dungeon, saying he is an assassin."

"Tell the Emperor I wish to see him." You replied. "I cannot allow one of my soldiers to be locked up like an animal. Consider it a courtesy."

"I'll try." She stated. "I have to warn you, he's a bit… crazed."

"How so?" You asked.

"He keeps on saying that the entire city is in danger, and we need to get out of it." She replied. "I'm starting to believe him."

You nodded. "Just get him out, please."
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Jullian Minci looked like he had been through hell. His face was covered in a wispy beard that seemed uncomfortable on him, and the chains had left scars on his wrists.

His uniform, what was left of it, was only a coat and his shirt. The pants were replaced by some riding pants fit for a cavalryman, and the shoes were riding boots he did not like wearing. He must have thought of Murat.

"Jullian, give me one good reason to not have you tried for desertion when we get home?" You asked.

"I saved the Princess's life." He replied.

"No. I'm asking what madness drove you to run across Europe?" You asked.

Jullian remained silent as if he was trying to keep something straight. "You wouldn't believe me." He stated.

"Try me?" You asked.

"I dreamed it." He replied.

"Your right I don't believe you." You stated. "That just makes you sound mad."

"What would you want me to say?" He asked.

"Anything that sounds sane."

"But that would be a lie," Jullian replied. "And I would not lie to you, or Charlotte."

"So you just believed she was in danger, and you just happened to be right?" You asked.

"My instincts never failed me. Nor will they fail you." He stated.

"The city is in danger?" You asked.

"Yes. We need to leave now." He replied.

"What do you think is going to happen?" You asked.

"Someone is trying to kill you." He replied.

"Someone is always trying to kill me." You replied. "Be more specific."

"Russian assassins." He stated.

"Why would the Russians want to kill me?" You asked.

"You're a target of opportunity. You die, people would blame the Austrians, and there would be war." Jullian replied. "You have no idea how many in Austria wish for you to die."

"And how do you know that?" You asked.

"Guess?"

"Dreamed it?" You scoffed.

"My instincts are never wrong," Jullian replied. "Trust me please."

Do you trust Jullian (This will make Jullian your bodyguard for the remainder of the miniturn)

[]Yes: "Jullian I trust you, but don't let this be madness. You are asking me to leave during an important diplomatic event. I have to stay."

[]No: "Jullian you are sounding insane."
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Before negotiations What do you do?:

[]The Emperor: The Emperor wishes to speak to you. In Private.

[]The Soldiers: These men are fighting a brutal war to keep the Empire together. They also seemed horrified at what they were doing.

[]The Court: You hated them, but everyone and you fear everyone… wanted to see the Warrior Empress herself. Like you were some freak show.

[]Talleyrand and Co: You are going to see how the Company is doing.

 

[Magoose]

To Shape Europe: An Austrian Crisis 2: The Emperor

"Jullian, must you be so close?" You asked.

"Yes. If there is a shot, they must hit me." He replied.

"You are being a bit overdramatic." You stated concern on your face.

"Oh come now Empress, do not act like Marshal Baguette," he complained. "I know what I am doing."

"And what would that be, besides making yourself look like a fool?" You replied.

"Protecting you." He replied. "

Everything felt strange as you waited outside the office of the great Emperor of Austria. It was a place that was high in the Palace, overlooking the Ancient city of Vienna, its subjects, and the valley of the Danube river, but not too much. If you did not know better, you could say that he could see everything, yet you knew it was a lie. There was no way one man could see everything in his city. Control it, even when he had eyes on it. It was like having the power of God but not having His power to stop what is to come.

It was like all great monarchs shared a common problem, a problem that stemmed from them being mortal. They in theory had the power to do whatever they wanted, without any repercussions. To rule as God did in his kingdom. But they were mear mortals that were bound to this earthly realm.

And unlike even Napoleon, who had chosen to stifle and surrender many of the powers he could have been absolutely powerful, these men had no luxury.

"Enter." A voice, in French, stated, as the door opened to the office of the Emperor.

As you entered, you saw only a single servant with the Emperor, who was merely helping him with a few notes, as if he was a stenographer.

The Servant was young, perhaps even your age if you had to guess, but clean-shaven and with wavy blond hair that was cropped short. His clothes were that of a soldier, and even with the youth, he had a fire that reminded you of Severin.

An unyielding force.

You entered with as much grace as you could, first mustering a soft bow of your head, and then a curtsy. "Emperor."

The Emperor did not share the same glance of decorum. He saw how uncomfortable you were trying to act like someone you were not. "Leave us, we will discuss the defense later."

There were more words spoken, but your limited German was not enough for you to truly understand it. The servant gave a bow before he brushed aside you. His eyes were filled with a hatred that was burning for you, but he wisely did not say anything to you. You ignored him, but you felt uncomfortable. You had seen him in eyes of many nobles, and a few soldiers. But never with such intensity. Most hated your brother and your Husband. Not you.

Jullian for his part, remained by your side. "Are you going to be alright?"

"Yes. Just remain quiet." You answered. "Please."

The door creaked shut, before locking behind you, the Emperor sitting back, relaxing in his chair as he turned around to look out a window. "Do you speak German?" He asked.

You took a moment to realize that the question was more for him than you. "My German is not good enough for lengthy conversations, though I can read it quite well."

"The Boy?" He asked again.

"Jullian cannot read, or speak German, only Italian, and French, unfortunately."

"A Poor choice for a translator." Francis then turned his chair before sitting up. "You can sit if you like." He offered to a chair that was beside the desk. "And for your sake, I will speak in French."

You would have taken the bait, feeling insulted once upon a time, but you instead took a seat. "Thank you, Emperor."

You turned to Jullian. "Go outside."

"But-" He protested.

"Please." You replied, looking deep into his eyes. He then obeyed your order without question.

"You command not only the love of your men but their fear as well." The emperor approved. "Please Thérèse." He paused as he took a deep breath. "May I call you that?"

"Only those who know me well can call me that." You replied. "And with no disrespect Emperor. I do not know you that well to feel comfortable being spoken with such causality."

Emperor Francis chuckled, seeming to take great pleasure in making you defensive. "Would you prefer Generele? Or Marshal?" He asked. "I have heard many tales of you taking great pride in your military achievements. Even the ones that seem impossible, like when your army stormed Palermo in a storm."

"Marshal would be well." You replied.

"Not Empress than, as you are the consort of the So-Called Emperor Napoleon." You knew he was trying to get a rise out of you, but not in a way to make a mesure or to insult you. He wanted to see how you react.

"My husband's title, like my own, is not one we were ordained by God to have, as it was, you as well." You redirected, placing the ball into Francis' court. "A title is merely an empty vessel that person inhabits. Actions grant it power. Just as my actions have granted me a title by Merit, just as your birth granted you your title."

He was impressed. In fact, now he seemed to begin to take this seriously. "Do you know why I have asked you here?"

You paused. "As much as I believe you have something great and profound to say, I will answer with honesty. I do not know."

Francis seemed to chew on whatever answer he wished to have said, now lost. "I see." He stood up, allowing himself to stand in the sunlight that streamed into his office. The light made his pale face seem warmer, and more dignified instead of a shadow in the shade. "There are some in my court that wish nothing more than to thank you for the protection of my kin, and the True King of France, Louis, and his sister."

You wanted to interrupt, as you did not wish to be reminded of Louis's disdain and distancing to the crown, and the pain that came with it. He was much happier as a simple rifleman, much to your continued horror. Even as he grew older, and you accepted his role.

"There are others who wish nothing more than to scorn you, for being nothing more than the wife of a monster, and a giantess who is only good at war." He stated. Your eyes narrowed. "As you can tell, I am in the camp where the rational lie."

"The one that should hate?" You asked.

Francis chuckled. "No. Merely that angering France is not a subject that will inspire continued survival, both in my empires and in my people." The Emperor pointed to a map on his table, and you recognized it, at least in some way. It was old, months old, but it was the troop movements of the Corps. Your corps in particular was taken in a noted interest on the map. "France has proven to be the most powerful military force in this modern world. It matters not how many alliances it may take to destroy it, my nation will be in ruin." He stopped before taking a breath. "As it is now."

A great pause occurred as if he wanted to wait for you to speak. But you said nothing. "This revolution that is sweeping Europe. It may promise liberty. But all I see is bloodshed. Chaos. Death. That is what revolution brings. That is what its great spokesmen Robespierre preached, if only in his actions, rather than his speeches."

You found yourself standing. "Do you truly believe that it is only a radical you believe in? Or are you forgetting all the others?" You asked.

"The Radicals are the only ones who ever succeed," Francis replied. "I have yet to see a moderate revolution in our history."

"And that of the United States?" You questioned.

Francis, for a moment, raised an eyebrow, before shaking his head. "I do not consider a revolt started by tax evaders, that turned into a secession movement a true revolution. One that required a great power such as France for it to win."

You took a deep breath. "Yet you cannot deny the Republic it spawned. That now survives, even when Great Britain wishes to destroy it?"

Francis frowned. "I admire the strength of the character of General Washington, who died to see it survive. It remains to be seen whether it survives him."

You smiled. "I for one, have a strange and strong belief that, despite their challenges, and their struggles, they will become greater than all the old world."

A moment passed before you asked. "Why did you truly ask to see me, Emperor. You most certainly do not wish about what qualifies a revolution? Are you afraid that it may lead to your head being removed?"

"No." He was blunt in his answer. "I fear that the so-called genie is let out of the bottle. There will always be revolutionaries and revolutions. The only thing I fear is that it will only lead to the death of nations."

The Emperor took another breath to steady himself. "You may say a lot about myself, or my court or my ministers. But never ever doubt my duty to my people, who are slaughtering each other right now. There is a great tragedy in this revolution they had and showed how barbaric they are." Another moment, another pause. "There is one thing I will ask from your nation, that will be of great importance."

"And what would that be? I seem to remember the anger that my nation faces in the face of your own. Your people despise me."

"Yes. But I do not care about you, I care for my people. What I ask of you is help." He stated.

"And what would that help entail?" You asked.

"To stop this damn foolish thing in the Balkans… from destroying all of Europe with its flames," Francis replied. "That is all the Balkans are. A powder keg that is just waiting to be lit. And any man in Europe is the Match that could set it off."

"What it sounds like is you asking to dampen the powderkeg with blood." You stated.

Francis said nothing. He didn't need to say anything.

Before he finally spoke. "Blood is the only way this powder can be dampened. And if they have shown my people anything… there will need to be much blood spilled for it to finally stop.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Austrian Diplomatic Stance:

(-) 60 DC

The Austrian Government is willing to make significant concessions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Note about Negotiations with Minster Talleyrand:

You will have considerable sway and bargaining power within these negotiations, but make no mistake, Talleyrand will do what he considers his best.

If you go above (+) 35 in the Negotiations on the DC, there will be a roll by Talley, and depending on how high that roll is, one, two, or three items will not be accepted by Talley and his crew, seeing that you are asking for more than France Desires, or will upset the Austrians.

So keep that in mind.

You are not the head honcho here. Talley is. And he is not giving you much leeway here.

-----------------------------------------------------

Concessions: What do you ask of them:

[]The Alliance of Empires: France and Austria used to be one of the great partnerships of the Great Game of European Power. Perhaps once again, they can be… again? (Adds +60. Will cause a great deal of shakeup in the Entire Continent, as this clause will be for active participation in Austria's Part. Will also send alarm bells to Prussia, Russia, and Britain… )

[]Accept Napoleon as Emperor: There will be no question on who leads France. His name is Napoleon, and he is the Emperor of the French. (Adds +20. This will ruffle some feathers around Austria, as Louis is still alive, and even with past treaties nulling their royal titles, He is still the Rightful ruler of France.)

[]The Austrian Netherlands Change Hands: Though informal, due to the War, the Austrian Netherlands have not officially left Austrian control, despite their defeats and withdrawal. It is time to make it official, with no hard feelings. (Adds 5. Will Clean up the Boarders in Europe. Austria has all but given up trying to hold onto it thanks to Napoleon. Cause a great deal of disruption within Northwestern Europe. Britain will become Scared)

[]Accept French Dominion over the Italian Penninsula: The Austrians will no longer hold dominion over Italy, and none of their traditional holdings and claims will be recognized. (+30 The Many hardliners within THe Austrian Court will see this as an affront to their honor.)

[]The Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire: The Holy Roman Empire, an institution that has lasted since Charles the Great, will come to an end. May something better come to it's place. (+45. This will create a great deal of Chaos in Germany and Central Europe, but also an opportunity to nation-build, and to create new organizations that are stronger than the old Reich. Watch out for Prussia, however, as this may be the exact opportunity for the Unifiers in the Prussian Court to unleash their plans.

[]Navel Building, and Other Empire Building Projects: Austrian shipbuilding capabilities are not near the greatness of the British Isles, but they have a great deal of lumber and shipbuilders. French Ships are needed. And they can offer. (+35. The French Navy will see a SIGNIFICANT INCREASE in the coming years. Britain may attack your colonies in the New World as revenge if this action is taken.)

[]Disarming a Nation: Austria, after its civil war, will never be a threat ever again. (+75 You are asking a lot from a nation that is on fire to disarm and stick to only an army of 50,000 men)

[]Release A Republic: Due to the Nature of the revolts, this will not be accepted. (Do not attempt to do this, or you will be booted from negotiations.)

[]Write in: (Subject to QM Approval)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grants: What do you Give them?:

[]The Army of the East: The Austrians are wishing for help in their dealing with the Revolt. You will send 3 Corps to the Balkans and they will restore order. (-20. The Army of the East is formed, and 3 random corps are sent to the East to help the Austrian Army)

[]The Renegotiation of the Treaties?: Austria will renegotiate the Treaty, and will pay a significant sum of money less to France. Austria will also get their eagles back. (-10 Austria will not be humiliated anymore)

[]Returning Territory (Italy): You will return territory to the Austrians, a deal of it in Northern Italy. (-15. There is a great deal of territorial change in Italy, pissing off the Italian allies you have, along with placating all of the more radical nobles.)

[]Retunring Territory (Austrian Netherlands): Control of the Netherlands is not entirely lost, but on paper, they still maintain control, despite the nominal occupation by the Kingdom of Holland. (-10 The Austrians are plicated and will look at you more favorably, but the Former Batavian Republic and now the Kingdom of Holland is angered.)

[]Stregnthinig the Empire: The Emperor needs military force to pass a few centralizing reforms into the HRE. The French Army can do just that. Backing his words and proposals with the most powerful army on the Planet (-30 You help the HRE become a far more centralized state. Dear God, what the hell are you doing?)

[]Write in: (Subject to QM Approval)


AN: Enjoy and vote in plan format.

THere is a moratorium for 12 hours.

You may note that some of the explanations are vague. That is intentional.

 

[Magoose]

The Marshals War Game Tournament:

You were exhausted. "For the love of god Napoleon, let us never do this again." You proclaimed as you laid your head down on the table, feeling a great headache come over you as you realized that, yes, it was finally over.

And you could not believe who won.

Napoleon chuckled heartily as he sat down next to you, keeping a smile warm and his face clear. "This was your idea."

"Yes, and I blame myself for such foolishness to be taken place." You stated. "And I believe that most men here are furious."

"I should give him a Baton, make him an equal." Napoleon joked.

"For paper generalship, I believe that they might overthrow you." You stated. "Their pride would demand nothing less."

It was Napoleon's turn to give a healthy chuckle, and you realized that despite his surprise at the sudden victor of your little tournament, you were sure that he was more amused at the Marshals whom he thought would win were suffering this badly in their loss. "I didn't didn't expect him to win, and if it were any other man, I would say you cheated to make him win."

"You think that he is not competent enough?" You asked.

"At high command?" Napoleon nodded. "Hardly, his record in high command without supervision is very questionable."

You frowned. "Head led his men well despite his superior officer's wounds, I think he has more than proven it."

"As an emergency measure, in the friendly territory while I was on the field, nearby?" Napoleon shook his head. "I hardly consider his months in command a fair assessment."

"You just jealous it wasn't Lannes who won." you replied.

Napoleon rolled his eyes. "It must hurt his pride, knowing he lost to one of his subordinates."

You allowed yourself a small bit of pride as you finished the rankings of the top ten. "Are we going to keep these records and these plans secrets?" You asked.

Napoleon nodded. "Of course. I am not going to risk our enemies learning about this great pasture that has occurred. And the winner that was not among my Marshals."

You found yourself smiling. "Very well, but the one thing I must ask is one of simplicity. Will you still face him?"

"In this battle, no." Your husband replied. "At least in this public forum."

"Afraid you may lose in public?" you asked, teasing.

"No, more that I am afraid that my wife, will be making more plans with Severin and Davout and Lefervbe." You found yourself frowning at his words. "Without my approval again."

"You like War Plan Eagle." You replied. "I like, the entire staff like it. Even Ney and Murat like it, and they hate staff meetings."

Napoleon nodded. "Well, it just shows how thorough you were. To make Ney and Murat listen."

"Indeed." You replied. "Now, are you happy now? With this contest?"

"Yes." He replied.

You looked at the list of the top ten men who had taken a part in this.

The Top Ten, as Ranked by the Empress, the Inspector General of the Grand Armee, by order of their victories.

10. Dennis Martian Severin
9.Joachim Murat
8.Franquos Kellerman
7. Andre Massena
6. Michel Ney
5. Mortier
4. Serrurier
3. Louis Nicholas Davout
2. Jean Lannes​

1. Thomas Alexandre Dumas​

Reward: General Dumas has gained, +4 to Infantry Command, Artillery Command. +3 to Grand Strategy +2 to Military, Command, Cavalry Command. +1 to Logistics, Administration.

Gain Trait: Dans Guerre et Paix: There are few men who can claim to be a man who has dedicated his life, so powerfully, to peace, with artistry and fancy, and dedicates his life to a great subject of war. His name is Dumas, and while he is no nobleman, no king, no Emperor, he is greater. He is but one man. One man who wishes for War, but can live in its Peace (Uknown Effect. His children will not seek to follow their father's military glory. Instead, forging their own paths. +10 to certain rolls.)

Dumas is very happy that he won.

Dumas is now respected by the Marshals enough to be able to command over them, and if under your command or the Emperors, he may act independently of such commands if he has a better idea.

AN: enjoy.

 

[Magoose]

War Plan Eagle:

You had never thought yourself crazy. That was for others who were violent, mad, or just downright weird. Or another word for saying, the subordinates who were standing before you, eyes wild, red, and completely energetic.

Energetic was what you described the man known as Denis Martian Severin, whose massive grin and holding off his Baton was something you were quite used to. He was swinging it around like a drunk, but in such a controlled manner that he was clearly just playing with it, just as a child would with a toy. There was control, that made you feel, more than anything, safe.

Energetic was not what you would use for the words of your bespeckled marshal, and counterpart, the younger man than the jumped Sargent, Marshal Davout. He was ecstatic. There was an energy within him that made his entire, normally stoic and dour demeanor feel much more genuine.

It also frightened you, because you had never seen Davout with such energy except when the man was angry and had made his frustration known to the Emperor himself.

This Davout was jovial.

By god, you were terrified of what scheming occurred in his mind.

"Gentlemen, I was expecting far more paperwork?" You questioned as you realized you were very confused. Napoleon expressly requested for his war plans to be at least 20 pages long as an introduction to them. There were only ten pages.

And a very large map of Europe, not the most accurate for your taste, but you would accept it for the purposes of the detailing.

"We found that to be cumbersome." Severin stated.

Davout nodded. "It's better to show on a map, than paperwork."

You were shown a map of Europe, most particularly a map of Germany. And as many accurate troop movements as possible. "In the last three months, we have noticed a great deal of drill and training among the great Prussian army. Generals have been fired or demoted, with new men in their place, men who have had experience in fighting and countering French doctrine, which includes rapid deployment, envelopment and encirclement, and choosing our ground in which it serves our best interests."

He pointed to numerous army groups around the border. "Half the Generals in the Army of the Rhine have been replaced, and there were more than two hundred replacements and constant scouting attempts at the border. They are either planning an assault across the river, an unlikely proposition considering their situation with the changing of their Generals… or more likely, they are trying to glean as much information as possible from our commanders. I shall say that Marshal Jourdan's work on turning the Rhine into a fortress has made them focus a lot of their efforts entirely on his defenses. It has provided us a great deal on information on their army."

It was Severin's turn to speak and speak with an energetic tone he did. "We have managed to get a spy into the ranks, someone whom we can trust, and he has been feeding us accurate information on deployment schedules, and a plan for defense." he then pointed towards the forests. "They plan to take defensive positions at key positions, and force neutral princes we do not wish to fight into war, and force us to split our attention across multiple fronts, hundreds of miles long. We also have decent intelligence that there are talks with Britain, trying to convince them to invade France."

You frowned. "Yes but what are we going to do if we discover or face an army in the field when we are marching? What is their strategy?"

"That we only have bits and pieces," Davout replied. "I have been working with the Emperor's spies to come up with a more concrete answer, but the plans, from what we have heard, are all in berlin known only to the top Generals, and the King."

That was going to be difficult. "So tell me then, what is this plan?"

Davout chuckled. "To make a long story short, it involves attacking on two fronts."

You raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

"From the south and the West." Davout replied. "It is the best way we can split their forces, and strike them on grounds of our choosing."

"But how will we strike from the south?" You asked.

"Bavaria." Severin replied.

"You want to rely on Bavaria?" You asked.

"In a sense, it would require us to make Bavaria an ally, something that Napoleon has not done yet, but this entire plan hinges on Our troops being in Bavaria, rather than Austria. Poland will not suit us, and it will allow us to be flanked by a possible Russian attack and flank."

You put your hand on your face. "But that won't be enough?"

Davout nodded. "But they won't expect it."

"What are they expecting, a Spanish Army?" You asked. "They are expecting a French Army."

"Yes. but we have a very strong intelligence that it will work. Read a little bit more?" Severin asked.

You looked to the form and read the piece de resistance. "Well… I like it. I'll see it submited."

Reward: War Plan Eagle is in effect.

During a potential War with Prussia there will be two french columns of attack, one from the south, from Bavaria (Or Austria if negotiations fail with them), and the West, from the Rhine.

Due to the thoroughness of the plan and how it was devised, all forces taking part of this operation gave a +20 to all rolls (except for surveying/scouting rolls).

Due to devising this Operation: Davout can be placed as commander in chief of the Army without any debuffs. Anyone else besides you, the Emperor, or Strangely enough, Marshal Lefverbe will suffer a debuff of -5.

If the plan is executed, the Prussian Army will suffer a -10 for all battle rolls until one year after the invasion.

If done before their reforms are completed, it will set back their reform progress by one turn.

New Action: Form General Staff can now be done, without any cost from Wealth, and DC is lowered by 10.

AN: New Year, new update.

Rumor mill coming tommorow.

 

[Magoose]

The Rumor Mill of the European Powers (1797 Q3)

Austria: 96+4=100
https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kyb2ul1r

https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kyb2uqju

Rebels Holding on (Without Russia Propping them up): 1

https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kyb31iuu

Who's Corps was Sent: 6th, 10th, 11th

Who commands: 1

Marshal Mortier is in command of the Army of the East.

To describe the situation within the Austrian Empire as a diplomatic clusterfuck (As one Dennis Martin Severin would say), would be a remarkable understatement of numerous ethnic groups trying to kill each other.

Emperor Francis, however, took the desire to rebuild and reform his empire, into something more under his control, as a challenge worthy of him, and one that would be backed, By French Muskets.

Once word spread that the French and Austrians were agreeing to an alliance, the great rebels that were too busy murdering each other, gave up, at least their citizens did.

The Armies and their government, now flush with Russian Guns, Silver, and bodies, were quickly continuing their campaigns of terror and battle against Archduke Charles.

But the news of French Forces in Austria soon to arrive made all of those that still lived for their Emperor Cheer.

Napoleon had chosen to send his more untested commanders into the Fray, Mortier, who was by all accounts, a brilliant general who has never been in truly independent command, or even a command grater than a division, was given his first taste of it.

It was not a horrid choice, as some feared, and even his subordinates, Lefrvbre, Ney, and Serrurier were accepting of his orders with little fuss, though Marshal Ney insisted he leads the vanguard and the forward column, to the surprise of no one. He seemed to take to it as if he was leading a city garrison, keeping supply, and organization among his ranks. And despite his lack of battle experience, he was receptive to his more experienced subordinates.

He was not as prideful as they feared. But his orders were final. And they were good. Not like a Severin, and auclair or Davout level of clarity, but enough to give room for interpretation, and to keep doing things well/

And while he was still rather frosty with his counterpart, Archduke Charles, they both had a decent working relationship and kept in constant communication once he passed into Austrian Territory.

They would soon be finally putting an end to this rebellion. Perhaps there may be peace in Europe for a little while.

Reward: The Army of the East have crossed into Austria, and the Austrians have won the hearts and minds propaganda war for their other subjects, as many citizens living in the Republics are horrified and terrified of becoming not only a Russian puppet state but also possibly murdered by the armies trying to protect them.

The Army of the East and Archduke Charles have a steller, but a frosty, working relationship.
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Prussia:87

https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kyb2w0qs

The Reforms of their army continue slowly, but there is progress.

But a great reform has passed that is a benefit to all of the people of Prussia.

Serfdom has been officially Abolished.

Every man, every woman, and child, despite being subject to a crown, will no longer be tied to the lands they are born to.

Reward: Serfdom has been abolished in Prussia. All men may not be free, but they are not born slaves.
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GB: 9

https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kyb2we97

Great Britain's Reputation in Europe has become second to France in terms of Pariah status.

They are infamous, and their army's reputation and their naval dominance have been called into question.

No one wishes, at least openly, wishes to take part in maintaining relations with the British Empire.

Reward: Britain has become, at least openly, Diplomatically isolated. Merchants are viewed with suspicion and fear. The Union Jack is not flown as openly in the coastal ports as it once was.
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Negotiating the Release of the Prisoners From America: 89

To say that the British were able to steal their prisoners and ships back from the Americans was an understatement.

It was not by force of arms that they threatened them with. It was a complete and total blockade from Europe.

Jefferson may have been able to win many victories against the British, but even his supporters could not risk losing the markets of Europe.

Not when the US Navy, small in number, and now receiving the funding it needs, is not prepared for such ability to enforce American neutrality in European affairs.

Jefferson, despite his gut telling him not to, agreed.

But on one condition.

Britain's debts, ones that the United States owed to them, were being put on hold. All Payments would be stopped, with no interest gained on them, for 4 years, the remainder of Jefferson's term. To be renegotiated by either his next administration or the next president.

Reward: The British, despite being beaten, still had the reputation and the gall to threaten a total blockade of all European markets from American shipping.

And America blinked first, instead of calling the bluff.

A Failure of the Jefferson administration. Gaining next to nothing, except far less money in their deficit. And more time to prepare for whatever is to come

Jeffersons Failure will be felt throughout the American Psyche.

There will be blood, even as Jefferson, pragmatically, wishes for peace.
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Russia:5

https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kyb2xixf

To say that the Russians were dealing with problems was an understatement.

The Russian nobility was not liking the games that Alexander was playing, making plans, and getting involved ni wars that, on the surface, did not suit Russian interests.

Alexander even agreed with them but told them that the destabilization of much of the Austrian Empire would only Benefit Russia in the Long term, especially if he was still winning.

But his nobles shut him down, and Tsar Alexander was given a quick reminder that just because he ruled with an iron fist, he was still very much in need of his nobles now.

Despite his victories, he had to back off from supporting more rebels across Austria, or risk dying like his father had.

Reward: Despite his victories, Alexander's ambitions of expanding Russian influence, will have to wait, while he deals with the great… annoyances that are within his Empire.

Nobles that hold too much power, and wish to profit from his successes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ottoman Empire: 1

https://rolz.org/embed?jgyx2ov3nq:kyb2z6xa

The empire has shattered into civil war.

Egypt has been invaded by Muhammad Parsha, and his Albanian supporters, trying to take over Egypt and its inner lands, while Greece Rebels, every major city and township has seen a greek militia take out the Garrisons.

Millions of pounds of silver were seized in the great cities.

And The Jewel of the Empire, Istanbul, or now Constantinople by its new occupiers, the Russian Empire, was no longer under Turkish control. Their empires' control of europe, was effectively ended.

And now, the Sultan, is fighting for his life, with whatever supporters he has, against his brother, who rose with Arabic Rebels, in Jihad against the Russians.

Reward:

The Ottomans have entered what is likely its death nill. A civil war between brothers, Egypt is falling to Parsha and his compatriots.

Greece is now, nominally Free of Ottoman Influence.

An Empire is on the precipice of Death.

Can it be saved?

 

[Magoose]

The Life of Brian: The Emperor and the Hero

(Brian POV)

There were few times you ever truly felt angry at your friend. There was something of an unspoken rule that you had both understood since you both began working with each other. There was the need, not only to communicate with one another but also to be honest.

There was never a time you felt the need to lie to Napoleon, the man whom, for the longest time, you thought your friend.

Not when you were in the Vendee. Not when you stormed Paris and threw Robespierre in chains, and when you told him that he needed a trial when he wished to hand Robespierre over to the Razor.

Not in Italy, not when he crowned himself Emperor, and most certainly not when he marched on Paris and killed the Dream of a French Republic. Perhaps in your lifetime.

Perhaps forever.

No. There was the reason you had stormed into his room, where his study was, overlooking the city. And slammed the door shut behind you and worked to bar it. You wanted this conversation to be alone, between you two men. Without pageantry, without titles.

With only the respect you both thought you had for one another.

If there was any left on Napoleon's end.

"Why?" You growled as you turned to the men that were chasing behind you, trying to open the door with force, thinking there was an assassin trying to kill the Emperor. It was farther from the truth than any realized. "Leave us!" You ordered. "The Emperor is unharmed. I merely wish to speak to him like a man."

Unbenounceted to you, Napoleon was just watching you, gawking for a singular moment as he tried to find out what on God's green earth was going on, and how was he going to respond. Yet in the end, with the coolness that he seemed to have in your presence. He was confident that he would control the outcome of the conversation. "Marshal, I was not expecting this intrusion."

He tried to take control, but you did not allow him, standing at your full height as you glared at him. "I want to know the Truth about the appointments." You stated. "I know those ballots were not entirely true to the will of the people."

Napoleon frowned, as he narrowed his eyebrows. "And what could possibly possess you to think of such a rational?"

That almost made you think about a great deal of damage that you could do to the man if you just threw him out the window, onto the balcony below. Sure it was marble, there were some chairs that could break the fall, and it wasn't long enough to kill him, but it might hurt him badly enough that the treason charges that he may throw at you would be enough to be worth it.

But onto the subject at hand, you looked to your brother-in-law, the man you considered a friend, and gazed so coldly into his soul that, for a brief second, the Emperor was gone, and all that left was the man who you fought beside.

Napoleon.

"You mean to tell me that your manipulations of the Italian Electorate with bribe money and intimidation was not under your orders, to prevent me from gaining a crown? Even when my sister wished for that same thing?" You asked.

Napoleon remained silent, as he twiddled his thumbs and thought carefully about his next words. He realized that you would not stop until you learned the Truth.

"You want to know the Truth?" He stated firmly as he stood, shorter in stature than you yes, but in authority that was matched by no one else in France. "You would have been the perfect king."

Napoleon paced around the room, from his chair to the window. "I am of the honest belief that a man whose loyalty is as assured as your own, one that has, without question, sought the betterment of France and her people, would have been such a great King, that I would be foolish to let him sit back, and become strewn with anger. You have the skills of command and administration that few in all of the Grand Armee can attest to. You are competent in independent command operating without my orders and can move mountains when under me. You have proven loyalty to myself rather than the idea of the Republic that has faltered because you put France's survival over your lofty ideals."

Napoleon gave a chuckle. "You are perfect as a king. Yet your desire to not place yourself as the sole authority, you wish to be a first among equals to a people that owe their liberty to you, and to ME." He paused, pointing at himself. "You lack the will to take power for yourself. If you had, The Republic may have survived. The Revolution may not have needed a man like me to take its torch and be its standard-bearer."

Napoleon faced you now and glared right into your soul. "If you were any more perfect a king. You would be Emperor, and not me."

At his words, you felt the weight crush you. "Brian Auclair, You are not king, not because I do not trust you to be loyal to France, but because I know you. The moment you are forced into power, you will quickly try to get rid of it, to avoid the responsibility of your mistakes, your failings as a man, and as a Sovereign, and above all else, your wish for the lofty ideals, ones that cannot exist any more than but a dream in the eyes of those who do not understand what they ask for when it comes to power."

Napoleon, finishing back in his chair, looked at his paper. "Do you understand?"

You nodded and knew that any other words may as well kill you in his eyes. "I do." You then pulled out your Baton from your belt and held it in your hands. "And I know you are lying about every word you have said." Gently setting it down onto his desk, your gaze was into his soul again.

"The Truth is, you don't trust me anymore." You stated. "And If I cannot be in your trust then I will not be in your service. And when you find that all the power you have cannot give you that… you will come back to me, and I will be waiting for you. And you better pray, that the words you speak, are the right words. Or you will never see me again."

Napoleon stammered, at a complete loss for words in his anger at you. "If you walk out that door, I will court-martial you. You will lose your rank, your privileges, and all that I have given you."

And you left the room, unbarring the door, and avoided the Imperial Guard that rushed in. "You cannot take away my honor Napoleon, as tattered and tainted that you have made it in your quest for power and control."

You were going home to Avignon.

And hopefully, never see another War again.

"I believe in the Revolution, and what it stands for Napoleon. Now you need to find out if you do too."


Reward: Brian Auclair is now retired from Active duty.

He will be taken off as Chief of Staff of the VIII Corps.

Napoleon now must ponder questions that, for the longest time, he left unanswered.

All without one of his closest friends.

 

[Magoose]

12.7: A Year of Triumph; Une année de triomphe

It was a very tiring day when you realized that things were quiet around the court of France. Your Husband had been waiting for you when you returned to the room and office, the twins were gone, having been returned to their own room by one of the nursemaids that had walked past you.

You stood at the door as Napoleon continued to read numerous reports, both from Spain, and Austria as he muttered to himself. "Too much-dammed attention elsewhere. The Empire is not secure."

"Well of course it isn't, no one likes a situation where a massive power surge on a continent will cause chaos that many of the powers will not like at all." You found yourself stating as you walked through the room and nodded your head. "We have done everything we can to do with this situation."

"Mortier's inexperience, despite allowing him to be a great deal more flexible in his operations, has caused him some headaches in Austria, and while the Russian attempts to destabilize the nation has failed, and many of the great problems on the surface has been dealt with, there is a great of minor and prominent issues, including Archduke Charles wish to use french troops to police numerous of the trouble regions within the region, a statement I do not agree with."

He sighed. "Don Carlos of Spain is still reeling from the end of the civil war, and is requesting more French Corps into his kingdom to help secure it, while I negotiate a deal that will benefit France, but in the meantime, Spain still burns from rebels, bandits, and rebel armies. Marshal Suchet has already requested to be relieved from his command, to rebuild his own forces, to rotate the army. He also claims that, despite local support from the local governors and bishops, he is viewed in a mistrusted light. He has destroyed Spanish forces, and while he has not extracted great wealth from Spain's countryside, he is mistrusted, for he was a supporter of the revolution, and there have been rumors that he approved of your man Davouts actions against the pope."

He paused. "So I need a new commander in charge of Spain, one that will respect their rights, and not loot them, and cement our alliance with the State."

You frowned. "Something tells me that it will not be something I am going to like that well?"

Napoleon frowned and shook his head. "I trust no one else to see these jobs through."

"What about Brian? Or Davout? Or other marshals."

Napoleon looked away. "I trust no one else."

"But I believe that you should have the choice, seeing as I can rest easy whatever you choose."

"Are you relieving me of the Inspector Generalship?" You asked.

Napoleon nodded. "For now."

Where do you Go?:
[]Austria: You will go to Austria and take command of the Army of the East, and their police action in Austria.

[]Spain: You will relieve Suchet from his command, take your corps, and bring peace to a nation that has no law, no order, and no king.
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Army Spirits gained from the Inspector Generalship! And beyond!:


The College of War: The French Military is lacking, in many junior officers. Men who were maybe privates or sargents, or never held a military rank before. They needed to be trained so thoroughly that they will be without peers.
-This will open up a new military college, and depending on how funded and how rigorous its recruitment is, it can create the highest quality of officers.
-Officers will no longer suffer debuffs in their first combat, and they will know what the hell they are doing
-Staff officers and junior officers for Staff work will not be left out to die, and in fact, are encouraged to learn field and staff work.
-Remedial training for Officers are required for promotion to a more senior rank and officers must learn the duties of the next two ranks if they wish to proceed
- (OOC: Opens up OC Creation!)
-Current Funding Status: (Fully Funded)


The Emperors System: Marshal Kellerman has finished his creation of payment for each rank, first to prevent men from relying on Loot, stealing from the land they are occupying, or within France itself, to maintain good order and discipline. While in the upper circles of the Army, this move was seen as unpopular, as the great wealth officers of their station gained during the looting and sacking of cities and townships. But among the rank and file, there is nothing short of celebration. Many men are happy that, for the rest of their careers, they can be assured payment on the first and 15th of the month.
-Men will no longer have a loot roll, meaning that after an assault, there will be no negative relationship penalties during negotiations.
-The Morale of the French Army has increased in its lower ranks due to assured payment.
-Expect more on-duty gambling and other activities that will need to be disciplined.

The Post Soldier Vocation Career Paths: Once a soldier who has fought for his entire career or even his youth, leaves, he may have nothing but the soldiering experience to guide him. He may be a good man, but lacking many skills. To alleviate, and prevent a crime wave when soldiers are sent on their own, they will be trained in vocational skills, and other trained skills that will be needed, carpentry, masonry, engineering. There will be a test that all soldiers will take when they are recruited, after they are assigned their units, to test their aptitude, and then are assigned courses while in France to take.
-This will create a skilled labor force post-army career, and help prevent a large crimewave from happening again after demobilization
-May lead to a great increase in skilled labor and may cause problems for the economy.
-You will need to enforce the training for the young enlisted men who just want to be soldiers.

Gain Doctrine:

Counter Insurgency (Infnacy): Marshal Soults Theory on how to maintain and occupation of a foreign land, and win its populous has become something of required reading as of late for the senior staff of the French Army. You are no different, as you have taken in numerous advancing lessons on how the Vendee was handled, before Brian and Napoleon unleashed hell upon the region, how small units were able to combat the bandits and the guerillas. There was so much to learn, yet even as Soult finished such a treatise… he stated he still did not have a single idea how the hell all of it would work.
-When acting as an occupying or police force, gain a +10 for these actions
-The Doctrine is still very much new, and as such, will be developed on how you react and act during it's usage.
-Other commanders do not like this doctrine and may wish to see it revoked or changed.
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Do you Request for Additional Corps to Join you?:

[]Yes
[]No
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Which Corps would you like to join you (6th. 10th and 11th corps are unavailable):
[]Write in
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Do you Try to Bring Brian with you?:

[]Yes: You are bringing your brother with you. DC: 30

[]No: Let him stay home.
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AN: Enjoy and vote in plan format please!