Jack_Trade
Chasing the Green Fairy
- Location
- Scotland
[X] Yes
best way to preserve a much of our forces as we can.
best way to preserve a much of our forces as we can.
Pro Patria (Valkyria Chronicles)
- Thread starter Emdeman
- Start date
[X] Yes
SirLagginton
Shadow Cabal Caerbannog Bun-Bun
- Location
- Arrrghhh
[X] Yes
- Location
- .
[X] Yes
Emdeman
The Atlantic Federation
- Location
- Australia
Update will probably be delayed for a day or two. Got half of it done on the weekend but didn't finish it in time*. I'm also somewhat busy on Monday.
*I may or may not have spent hours brainstorming background details and worldbuilding that won't become relevant for a long time instead of writing the update... Long term planning instead of immediate toil is a bad habit of mine...
*I may or may not have spent hours brainstorming background details and worldbuilding that won't become relevant for a long time instead of writing the update... Long term planning instead of immediate toil is a bad habit of mine...
2.8
Emdeman
The Atlantic Federation
- Location
- Australia
"Forward."
The word comes out of your mouth softly as you unfasten the holster at you waist. You move ahead with steady steps. The scene in front of you blurry, dust obscures much of the limited night vision. People and objects appear as indistinct shapes. A cacophony of confused voices ring out.
Your bodyguard follow you into the fray. They fan out slightly ahead of you, scanning for enemies. Your own personal Gardes du Corps, ha. They're probably not that much more exceptional than the rank and file. It still reminds you a little of the praetorians though the comparison is laughable.
"Rally!" you shout as loud as you can in your best command voice towards the nearest troops, "Form on me. Get it together troops!"
Unfortunately, you are just one person you can't hope to assist them all, especially in the darkness. However, through your efforts you manage to organise squad after squad behind you. The troops are mostly from the 82nd and 33rd. Anhalt Liners and Chasseurs, people who didn't really get along when you first encountered them. Now they seem to be standing side by side without much animosity. Mutual survival tends to do that, but who knows if it can last?
After a hundred paces you notice the ground appears to have sank several inches or a foot in some places. Footing is not the best and the unstable foundation doesn't lend itself well to sending in extra tanks. Not you could order that since you decided to throw yourself into combat. You know there are some advanced imperial tanks somewhere in front of you so there'll be some armour support, though their condition is another matter.
The sound of chaos is soon joined by something else. A strange sound emerges, it has rhythm. Is that singing? Its like a hundred of voices forming a broad ranging chorus. You can't tell where its coming from, it could be from your people.
Courage!, Duty!, Honor!
The sounds of gunfire on front of you intensify. "Don't shoot unless you can see the enemy!" you scream, "look out for our people." You want to minimise friendly fire as much as possible.
Our way of life is what we are fighting for.
You take out your sidearm and hold it to your side. Its your primary weapon since you deigned not to spend time extensively training with common military firearms.
The dust settles somewhat though vision is still not passable. Soldiers are still stumbling out of the dark miasma.
The flag that flies above us, inspires us each day.
You don't recognise the words of the song but then again you're not familiar with all the ditties of the rank and file. Could be some platoon's marching song.
It's a good day to die.
You raise your sidearm but don't fire, the range is not quite right. Soldiers around you begin opening fire with their long guns. The sound is ear splitting.
When you know the reasons why.
You see it happen in front of you. Multiple grenades falling on your forward positions, the farthest where the brigade had reached. Soon they are overrun and your forces are on the back foot. All along the line troops are being pushed back or overwhelmed. Its close quarters fighting and neither side is in the mood for mercy.
Citizens we fight for what is right.
A tank ahead of you is desperately firing its volley gun. Its tracks have sunk into the ground, immobilising it. The armoured vehicle is swarmed by the enemy in the dimness. Grenades and improvised explosives knock it out. Unsurprisingly they take horrendous losses, bodies are littered across the landscape.
A noble sacrifice.
The distance closes and soon you're a stones throw away from the enemy, your infantry clashing with theirs. Through apparent bad luck your position has become the focus of a couple of platoons. Shots whiz through the air, and you duck for cover. Sometimes it doesn't help to be distinctive. The bodyguard are methodically firing, doing their best to protect you.
This isn't the first time you've seen federation soldiers, but you have to admit it is a nerve-racking sight. They don't wear any visible armour apart from a helmet. It always struck you that their attitude to their troops was so expendable. The helmets were slanted on edges just like imperial ones though instead of the crests and peaks common on your side their helmets were flat and plainer. No visors either so you can see their faces as they die. And that they do, while singing that infernal song like their lives don't matter. Carelessly throwing it all away for honeyed words and false ideals.
When duty calls, you pay the price.
The defenders are obviously launching an all out last ditch attack. You are awfully close to being ventilated. Despite the desperate circumstances, you can't help but reflect what your sisters would think about your impending death. Little Miss Saviour Complex would pretend to be sad while being secretly glad and milk maximum sympathy for future use. Maybe Shorty would feel guilty about being happy but she'd do it nonetheless, like a natural politician. Miss Insecurity would breathe a sigh of relief and do her best to forget about you, responding to any queries about you with a blank look and people would no doubt interpret as extreme sorrow. Miss Prideful Bitch would laugh and pretend to be solemn on the outside, talking about duty and sacrifice while her eyes carry a hint of satisfaction.
You shoot a charging Merovian soldier, the woman's head snaps back as the bullet hits between the eyes. Wait what, you were aiming for the centre of mass like you were taught...
For the federation I will give my life.
Another enemy is shot in the shoulder, causing him to drop a grenade. Finishing off a clump of soldiers. All around you the enemy is being hit with accurate fire. Finally the Merovians falter, the shock of taking ridiculous losses seems to register and they hastily retreat.
You notice that your sidearm has run out of ammunition a while back and you have failed to notice due to your alarm at the frantic situation. and terror.
You hastily reload before anyone notices you've been pointing an empty pistol around for half the fight. You suppose you should have focused some more on personal combat skills. Or it could simply be inexperience and shock at work.
A squad of your troops soon approach, 11th grenadiers you guess since Vorbeck is personally leading them. She is grimly holding a scouts rifle while a couple of attendants hold spares. The troops around her look awed, no doubt by your bravery and willingness to risk yourself on the frontlines. You greet the major and she gives you a respectful nod.
The routing enemy is pursued all along the front by your forces. They are soon surrounded around their fort. You demand their surrender. Surprisingly enough they accept, which was unexpected given their earlier fervour. Perhaps the will to fight left them?
Afterwards it turns out that a series of tunnels run under the Midlon fortress. Realising they would not last another day the Merovians had gathered up all their remaining artillery shells and placed clusters of them at strategic points points along the tunnel network. Creating a gigantic set of mines. Fortunately your surprise nighttime attack appears to have preempted their plan. It was not fully completed and activated prematurely. They had placed them expecting to be aware of when each defensive work fell to inflict maximum damage. That was thankfully averted.
You have to hand it to the enemy, they fought well to defend Midlon fortress. Its certainly no Iserlon but the Merovians made your side pay a steep butchers bill for taking it. Fortunately most of it was paid by Baumann's brigade in earlier part of the assault. You have the sinking feeling that you may have created a legend here tonight, and not the way you'd prefer. At least you're still alive.
Originally before taking command, you were disappointed you weren't going to face any of the Federation's premier soldiers like the marines or republican guard in this campaign. Now you know better than to underestimate the average federation trooper. You're sort of dreading fighting those elites now. how many more will you lose?
The older man greets you with a firm handshake. "I'm glad you came, your help was invaluable and saved many lives. Though its regrettable that you encountered their last trick", he spits on the ground. He's relieved not to have tripped the Merovian trap, it outweighs his indignation at losing some of the credit.
"It was my duty to assist Colonel Baumann" you respond seriously, "after the effort your brigade spent to keep up the pressure, I couldn't let them rest through the night."
"Too true", he smiles thinly. He looks around and points out the obvious, "I see you have taken many prisoners. I wasn't expecting the fanatical extremists here to surrender."
"Everyone gives up sooner or later, though many did choose death in one last hurrah", you respond somber.
"Yes, I suppose they would", he says knowingly. Huh? "I would like to ask something of you, Colonel Hapsburg."
"Go on."
"Could you turn over just the officers to me? I have a promise to keep," He says this matter-of-factly.
No mention of the artillery at all. You're almost a loss for words at the gall of the man. How do you bring this up?
It looks like you can swing one concession for another if you want to leave on reasonable terms. Those republicans probably did something inexcusable to warrant such emotion. Or you could not acquiesce to the request. You haven't mentioned to him yet that you've sent dispatches back to HQ announcing your success. Hopefully your commendations for the artillery will give you an edge.
How do you handle this?
"Well..."
How do you handle this?
[] Compromise with Baumann: hand over the enemy officers while taking your artillery back - should mollify him somewhat.
[] Antagonise Baumman: deny the unorthodox request and take your artillery back - you don't care what he thinks about you.
[] Make Baumann be in debt to you: let him have the artillery and keep the prisoners - he'll owe you big time.
[] Be firm with the regulations: you won't let surrendered foes out of your watchful eye, in consolation he can have the artillery - he'll still owe you.
[] Write-in
OOC: Not dead, just slow to update due to being extremely busy. Shouldn't quite that bad in the future. I also found out you can throw multiple dice in one post. Can't believe I didn't know that before.
Music credit.
The word comes out of your mouth softly as you unfasten the holster at you waist. You move ahead with steady steps. The scene in front of you blurry, dust obscures much of the limited night vision. People and objects appear as indistinct shapes. A cacophony of confused voices ring out.
Your bodyguard follow you into the fray. They fan out slightly ahead of you, scanning for enemies. Your own personal Gardes du Corps, ha. They're probably not that much more exceptional than the rank and file. It still reminds you a little of the praetorians though the comparison is laughable.
"Rally!" you shout as loud as you can in your best command voice towards the nearest troops, "Form on me. Get it together troops!"
Many can't hear you, being temporarily deaf but they can see your maroon uniform. Theres enough moonlight for that. Sometimes it helps to be distinctive.
Unfortunately, you are just one person you can't hope to assist them all, especially in the darkness. However, through your efforts you manage to organise squad after squad behind you. The troops are mostly from the 82nd and 33rd. Anhalt Liners and Chasseurs, people who didn't really get along when you first encountered them. Now they seem to be standing side by side without much animosity. Mutual survival tends to do that, but who knows if it can last?
After a hundred paces you notice the ground appears to have sank several inches or a foot in some places. Footing is not the best and the unstable foundation doesn't lend itself well to sending in extra tanks. Not you could order that since you decided to throw yourself into combat. You know there are some advanced imperial tanks somewhere in front of you so there'll be some armour support, though their condition is another matter.
The sound of chaos is soon joined by something else. A strange sound emerges, it has rhythm. Is that singing? Its like a hundred of voices forming a broad ranging chorus. You can't tell where its coming from, it could be from your people.
Courage!, Duty!, Honor!
The sounds of gunfire on front of you intensify. "Don't shoot unless you can see the enemy!" you scream, "look out for our people." You want to minimise friendly fire as much as possible.
Our way of life is what we are fighting for.
You take out your sidearm and hold it to your side. Its your primary weapon since you deigned not to spend time extensively training with common military firearms.
The dust settles somewhat though vision is still not passable. Soldiers are still stumbling out of the dark miasma.
The flag that flies above us, inspires us each day.
You don't recognise the words of the song but then again you're not familiar with all the ditties of the rank and file. Could be some platoon's marching song.
Striding forward from the dirty mist are numerous shadowy forms, so many you don't bother counting. Scrambling around the sandbag and trench works your troops had cleared a few minutes before. The advance is steady and orderly, moving at walking pace.
It's a good day to die.
You raise your sidearm but don't fire, the range is not quite right. Soldiers around you begin opening fire with their long guns. The sound is ear splitting.
When you know the reasons why.
You see it happen in front of you. Multiple grenades falling on your forward positions, the farthest where the brigade had reached. Soon they are overrun and your forces are on the back foot. All along the line troops are being pushed back or overwhelmed. Its close quarters fighting and neither side is in the mood for mercy.
Citizens we fight for what is right.
A tank ahead of you is desperately firing its volley gun. Its tracks have sunk into the ground, immobilising it. The armoured vehicle is swarmed by the enemy in the dimness. Grenades and improvised explosives knock it out. Unsurprisingly they take horrendous losses, bodies are littered across the landscape.
A noble sacrifice.
The distance closes and soon you're a stones throw away from the enemy, your infantry clashing with theirs. Through apparent bad luck your position has become the focus of a couple of platoons. Shots whiz through the air, and you duck for cover. Sometimes it doesn't help to be distinctive. The bodyguard are methodically firing, doing their best to protect you.
This isn't the first time you've seen federation soldiers, but you have to admit it is a nerve-racking sight. They don't wear any visible armour apart from a helmet. It always struck you that their attitude to their troops was so expendable. The helmets were slanted on edges just like imperial ones though instead of the crests and peaks common on your side their helmets were flat and plainer. No visors either so you can see their faces as they die. And that they do, while singing that infernal song like their lives don't matter. Carelessly throwing it all away for honeyed words and false ideals.
When duty calls, you pay the price.
The defenders are obviously launching an all out last ditch attack. You are awfully close to being ventilated. Despite the desperate circumstances, you can't help but reflect what your sisters would think about your impending death. Little Miss Saviour Complex would pretend to be sad while being secretly glad and milk maximum sympathy for future use. Maybe Shorty would feel guilty about being happy but she'd do it nonetheless, like a natural politician. Miss Insecurity would breathe a sigh of relief and do her best to forget about you, responding to any queries about you with a blank look and people would no doubt interpret as extreme sorrow. Miss Prideful Bitch would laugh and pretend to be solemn on the outside, talking about duty and sacrifice while her eyes carry a hint of satisfaction.
Well too bad for them you're not leaving the mortal coil anytime soon. You raise your sidearm and fire. Its a small contribution but its something. Yet the federals keep on coming, like automations. When one goes down another takes their place, and many do since they seem to be eschewing cover. Soon you abandon all thoughts of conserving ammunition and start firing quickly, almost wildly. A vicious firefight occurs between the two sides, though accuracy is low in the darkness except in close quarters.
You shoot a charging Merovian soldier, the woman's head snaps back as the bullet hits between the eyes. Wait what, you were aiming for the centre of mass like you were taught...
For the federation I will give my life.
Another enemy is shot in the shoulder, causing him to drop a grenade. Finishing off a clump of soldiers. All around you the enemy is being hit with accurate fire. Finally the Merovians falter, the shock of taking ridiculous losses seems to register and they hastily retreat.
You notice that your sidearm has run out of ammunition a while back and you have failed to notice due to your alarm at the frantic situation. and terror.
You hastily reload before anyone notices you've been pointing an empty pistol around for half the fight. You suppose you should have focused some more on personal combat skills. Or it could simply be inexperience and shock at work.
A squad of your troops soon approach, 11th grenadiers you guess since Vorbeck is personally leading them. She is grimly holding a scouts rifle while a couple of attendants hold spares. The troops around her look awed, no doubt by your bravery and willingness to risk yourself on the frontlines. You greet the major and she gives you a respectful nod.
The routing enemy is pursued all along the front by your forces. They are soon surrounded around their fort. You demand their surrender. Surprisingly enough they accept, which was unexpected given their earlier fervour. Perhaps the will to fight left them?
Afterwards it turns out that a series of tunnels run under the Midlon fortress. Realising they would not last another day the Merovians had gathered up all their remaining artillery shells and placed clusters of them at strategic points points along the tunnel network. Creating a gigantic set of mines. Fortunately your surprise nighttime attack appears to have preempted their plan. It was not fully completed and activated prematurely. They had placed them expecting to be aware of when each defensive work fell to inflict maximum damage. That was thankfully averted.
You dread to think what would have happened you'd launched a joint assault the next day. Maybe Baumann's troops would have taken the bulk of the losses, maybe not. Nevertheless you saved quite a few imperial troops. However, you did end up taking some losses. The initial attack went quite well but the counterattack wiped out whole squads.
You have to hand it to the enemy, they fought well to defend Midlon fortress. Its certainly no Iserlon but the Merovians made your side pay a steep butchers bill for taking it. Fortunately most of it was paid by Baumann's brigade in earlier part of the assault. You have the sinking feeling that you may have created a legend here tonight, and not the way you'd prefer. At least you're still alive.
Originally before taking command, you were disappointed you weren't going to face any of the Federation's premier soldiers like the marines or republican guard in this campaign. Now you know better than to underestimate the average federation trooper. You're sort of dreading fighting those elites now. how many more will you lose?
***
After a small amount of time the other imperial forces approach. Soon you are face to face with Colonel Baumann. In front of you prisoners are being escorted out by your troops with their hands on their heads. The meeting occurs under the night sky, you idly note that its filled with stars. Its good to be around to enjoy the small things.
The older man greets you with a firm handshake. "I'm glad you came, your help was invaluable and saved many lives. Though its regrettable that you encountered their last trick", he spits on the ground. He's relieved not to have tripped the Merovian trap, it outweighs his indignation at losing some of the credit.
"It was my duty to assist Colonel Baumann" you respond seriously, "after the effort your brigade spent to keep up the pressure, I couldn't let them rest through the night."
"Too true", he smiles thinly. He looks around and points out the obvious, "I see you have taken many prisoners. I wasn't expecting the fanatical extremists here to surrender."
"Everyone gives up sooner or later, though many did choose death in one last hurrah", you respond somber.
"Yes, I suppose they would", he says knowingly. Huh? "I would like to ask something of you, Colonel Hapsburg."
"Go on."
"Could you turn over just the officers to me? I have a promise to keep," He says this matter-of-factly.
No mention of the artillery at all. You're almost a loss for words at the gall of the man. How do you bring this up?
It looks like you can swing one concession for another if you want to leave on reasonable terms. Those republicans probably did something inexcusable to warrant such emotion. Or you could not acquiesce to the request. You haven't mentioned to him yet that you've sent dispatches back to HQ announcing your success. Hopefully your commendations for the artillery will give you an edge.
How do you handle this?
"Well..."
How do you handle this?
[] Compromise with Baumann: hand over the enemy officers while taking your artillery back - should mollify him somewhat.
[] Antagonise Baumman: deny the unorthodox request and take your artillery back - you don't care what he thinks about you.
[] Make Baumann be in debt to you: let him have the artillery and keep the prisoners - he'll owe you big time.
[] Be firm with the regulations: you won't let surrendered foes out of your watchful eye, in consolation he can have the artillery - he'll still owe you.
[] Write-in
OOC: Not dead, just slow to update due to being extremely busy. Shouldn't quite that bad in the future. I also found out you can throw multiple dice in one post. Can't believe I didn't know that before.
Music credit.
Last edited:
Emdeman
The Atlantic Federation
- Location
- Australia
This update was sitting half done for like five days until I finally got around to finishing it. Decided that delaying any longer was not on and completed the update in one night. I feel like quality has dipped.
Currently experimenting having open ended write-in's like some other quests instead of vote options. Hopefully providing flexibility and encourage discussion. which motivates me to write.
Is the last part clear? I feel like not taking my time could have have left things too vague.
Currently experimenting having open ended write-in's like some other quests instead of vote options. Hopefully providing flexibility and encourage discussion. which motivates me to write.
Is the last part clear? I feel like not taking my time could have have left things too vague.
Chargone
Invisable operator
- Location
- New Zealand
Yeah...
Open ended writeins with no options doesn't usually encourage discussion so much as discourage voting, so far as I've ever seen. Can't think how to properly explain why at the moment, but the vote options usually serve as a jumping off point. Discussion and writeins happen when none of the presented options quite match what the players want to do and you have participants who actually do that sort of thing.
Open ended writeins with no options doesn't usually encourage discussion so much as discourage voting, so far as I've ever seen. Can't think how to properly explain why at the moment, but the vote options usually serve as a jumping off point. Discussion and writeins happen when none of the presented options quite match what the players want to do and you have participants who actually do that sort of thing.
Emdeman
The Atlantic Federation
- Location
- Australia
You appear to be right. I confess to having an ulterior motive in that I just wanted to drop dead asleep after finishing the update. Its been a day and the response to the experiment has been dismal. So I'll spell out some options.
Edited into the update.
How do you handle this?
[] Compromise with Baumann: hand over the enemy officers while taking your artillery back - should mollify him somewhat.
[] Antagonise Baumman: deny the unorthodox request and take your artillery back - you don't care what he thinks about you.
[] Make Baumann be in debt to you: let him have the artillery and keep the prisoners - he'll owe you big time.
[] Be firm with the regulations: you won't let surrendered foes out of your watchful eye, in consolation he can have the artillery - he'll still owe you.
[] Write-in
- Location
- .
Last edited:
[X] Compromise with Baumann: hand over the enemy officers while taking your artillery back - should mollify him somewhat.
Well, not entirely sure what to make of this besides the average reaction to our first real battle.
Well, not entirely sure what to make of this besides the average reaction to our first real battle.
Chargone
Invisable operator
- Location
- New Zealand
[X] Compromise with Baumann: hand over the enemy officers while taking your artillery back - should mollify him somewhat.
- [X] include this event, and our best explaination for why we thought our decision necessary, in our report on the battle.
This is probably a terrible idea, but it also looks least likely to bite us in the arse and Does get us our guns back. Humm... *adds subvote* we didn't send that report yet, did we?
...
Does that addition make things better or worse? I can't tell...
- [X] include this event, and our best explaination for why we thought our decision necessary, in our report on the battle.
This is probably a terrible idea, but it also looks least likely to bite us in the arse and Does get us our guns back. Humm... *adds subvote* we didn't send that report yet, did we?
...
Does that addition make things better or worse? I can't tell...
[X] Compromise with Baumann: hand over the enemy officers while taking your artillery back - should mollify him somewhat.