This thread is for the DakkaDakka play by email campaign of En Garde.

Game results, news and rules explanations will be posted here.

Awesome.

Basic Game Introduction

En Garde is a Play By eMail (PBeM) campaign game set in the rollicking world of Paris in the 1620s. Each player controls one character, whose objective is to increase his social level to the highest degree possible. There are no female player characters in this version of the game. (Players need not be male.)

Characters are generated by random dice rolls, like most RPGs. In the PBeM version this is done by the Umpire.

Physical Stats of Strength, Expertise (in duelling) and Constitution are all rolled on 3D6. They can be improved during the game. Endurance (hit points) is derived from Str x Con. It is reduced by wounds suffered in duels, and heals naturally.

Military Ability is rolled on 1D6 and cannot usually be improved. It comes into play when a character is in a military campaign.

Social Level is determined by birth and the player’s success in the game.

Players are completely free to communicate with other players by PM or email. The Umpire will ignore any communications except properly formatted orders or enquiries about the rules.

A directory of all characters will be updated and published each month in the monthly newspaper, Le Poireau Parisien.

A character sheet and useful game tables can be downloaded from www.engarde.co.uk. Please note that the rules for duelling have been completely changed for PBeM play so most of the Duelling tables can be ignored.

Advanced Game Information

Families
Except for establishing your initial SL and money, they have no effect on the game.

Death
This can only occur from duelling, bad battle results on military campaign, or by criminal prosecution for embezzlement, etc. There are no deaths from disease or accidents.


The Game Year and Campaigning Seasons

The game year consists of 12 months of exactly four weeks each. While the year has the same months as our normal year and starts on January 1, for the purposes of the game it is divided into military campaigning seasons as follows:

Winter (December, January, February)
Spring (March, April, May)
Summer (June, July, August)
Autumn (September, October, November)

Status Points
The objective of the game is to reach the highest levels of smart society, represented by your social level (SL.) You gain SL by getting Status Points (SP.)

SPs are accrued by various kinds of activity. Your total at the end of the month determines whether you will gain an SL or even lose one. At the start of the next month your SP total is reset to 0.

You gain one SL if you accumulate SPs equal to triple the target level. Example: If your current SL is 4, your target level is 5, so you need 15 SPs at the end of the month.

You lose an SL if you fail to accumulate SPs equal to your current SL.

You can’t gain more than one SL per month except if the King gives you a noble title.


Ways to Gain SPs (or lose them!)

Membership of a regiment -- Refer to Regiment Table B.
Membership of a club -- Refer to Clubs Table
Duelling -- Refer to Duelling Table D, also see the explanation of Duelling below.

Having a Mistress +1
A Beautiful Mistress +1
High SL Mistress + the difference in SL
Not having a mistress and not visiting a bawdy house each month -2
Repeating the above an extra -2 for each month going without (-4, -6, -8, etc.)
Courting a mistress and arriving at her door at the same time as another player character; if the higher SL character withdraws in favour of the lower, he loses the difference between their SLs.

Conspicuous Consumption +1
Normal subsistence costs 2x SL pistoles a month. Conspicuous consumption costs 3x SL a month.

Carousing +1
Cost is your SL in pistoles
Carousing is done while visiting bawdyhouses or clubs. These visits can be combined with other activities such as female companionship, gambling or toadying.

Toadying
This means sucking up to your social superiors and takes the form of your being invited to their club.

The lower SL character receives points as follows:
SPs equal to the difference in rank between the highest ranking club you could join and the one you are visiting. See the Club Table for details.
SPs equal to half the difference in SL between your character and the higher character to whom you are toadying.

If carousing at the club you must pay costs equal to the higher SL character’s carousing cost and receive +1 SP as normal.

High SL characters may lose SPs from being seen surrounded by a crowd of plebs. Refer to the Toady Table for details. Players may wish to arrange some form of compensation for this loss.

A character may allow himself to be toadied to by any number of other characters.

Gambling
This can be done at clubs or bawdyhouses. The basic game is the same at both venues.

The player decides in advance how big and how many his bets will be.
Your stake on each play can’t be higher than the club limit.
There is no limit at bawdyhouses.
The game is a simple dice game in which the house rolls a D6 and the Player tries to beat it with his roll. The house wins on a tie. Having seen the house roll the player may decide to cut rather than roll. If he cuts, he loses half the stake. A win gains pistoles equal to the stake.

Obviously this system can’t work in an online game so the Umpire will make both rolls and the player should specify in advance what he will do according to the possible house rolls. For example:

House Roll Player’s Strategy
6 ----------------- Cut
5 ----------------- Cut
4 ----------------- Play
3 ----------------- Play
2 ----------------- Play
1 ----------------- Play

Your orders can also specify how many times to gamble, and how much for each stake. You could gamble until you win twice, for example, or some other set of orders.

SPs from Gambling
Each win +1
Each cut or loss -1

Club gambling: Total the money staked that week and divide it by the club divisor (see Club Table) -- the result is the SPs gained. (Fractions are dropped.) Please note that this means you get fewer SPs when gambling at a bawdyhouse.
A character may not place more than nine bets in one week.

High Military Rank, Military Appointments, Government Appointments and NobleTitles
Consult the relevant tables for details.

Campaigning
Each Mention In Dispatches is worth 1d6 SPs for the three months after you return from campaign, and 1SP per month permanently thereafter. There is more detail about campaigning below.


Duelling
A duel may take place when two characters meet who have some grudge or complaint between them. Duelling is not allowed for the sake of it, there must be proper cause.

Examples of a Valid Cause for a Duel

Characters of unfriendly regiments meeting.
Committing an indiscretion with another character’s mistress (when found out!)
Insulting a regimental friend of a character.
Two characters courting the same mistress (and meeting at her door.)
If a noble meets a non-noble who is four or more SL above him.

When two characters meet and there is cause for a duel, a character who does not fight will lose SPs equal to half his current SL, unless he is already seriously wounded.

If there is doubt about the cause, it will be decided by vote of all the non-involved players belonging to the same regiments as the involved players and the duel will be arranged for the following month. (Due to the time lag involved in PBeM.)


Resolution of Duels (The Fencing System)

Each player should prepare with the following precautions which should be noted in your orders. (They can be standing orders, meaning you do not have to repeat it each month.)

1. Decide what weapon to wear. Everyone has a rapier. Alternatives are the sabre, carried by cavalry regiments, and the cutlass, carried by marine regiments.

Personal weapons are carried at all times, so you will be assumed to be wearing a rapier unless you have specified something else.

2. Take account of your Endurance and decide how hard to fight.

Simply state in your orders at what number of remaining Endurance points you will surrender.

Whilst it is possible for a death to occur by accident, it is strictly illegal to duel to the death.

The Fight

In order to determine a duel, follow these steps:

Who goes first?
Each round, roll 1D6 for each duellist and add the following factors:
Higher expertise +1
Struck first in previous round +1
Scored higher damage in previous round +1
Current Endurance is higher +1

The higher modified score wins and attacks first.

Chance of striking

The character with the higher expertise has the following percentage chance to hit:
40 + Exp. + The difference in expertise between the duellists.

The character with the lower expertise has the following percentage chance to hit:
40 + Exp. - The difference in expertise between the duellists.

Expertise and damage are modified by the weapon used, as below. The damage a character will cause is determined as followed: Strength x weapon factor

Weapon factors Damage Exp Mod.
Rapier x1 0
Sabre x1.5 -3 pts.
Cutlass x1.5 -3 pts.

Each round both characters determine who attacks first. They then roll 1D100 to look whether they hit or not and damage is caused. A To Hit roll which is a double modifies the damage factor to 2.

This will be repeated until one of the gentlemen surrenders or is killed.

The winner of a duel increases his Exp. by 1 point.

SPs from Duelling
If your End is under 50% of normal, you are allowed to honourably decline a duel. If you accept, you gain three SP.

See also Duelling Table D.


Recovery of End. Points
By the end of the week following the duel, your character will recover half the End lost. He will then recover End at the rate of his Con per week.


Money

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistole

List of Things Which Cost Money

Basic subsistence -- 2 x SL per month
Conspicuous Consumption -- 3 x SL per month (replaces basic consumption)
A groom -- 2 per month (required if you own any horses)
Horses -- 100 each to buy, continuing cost of 3 each per month. You must own a horse if you are in a cavalry regiment or if you are a captain of any regiment. Majors and above of all regiments must own three horses.
Club membership -- See the Club table
Courting -- 3 x SL of the object of your affections per week of courting. The money is paid whether you are successful or not.
Enhance courting -- 3 x SL per +1 die roll modifier (See the Mistress Courting Table, always fails on a roll of 1.) This represents extra presents.
Maintaining your Mistress -- 3 x her SL per month, starting form the month after getting her as your Mistress.
Entertaining your Mistress at a club -- Her SL. (This may replace the monthly visit to her house an may be combined with other club activities.)
Carousing -- Your SL
Carousing while toadying -- Your host’s SL
Visit to a bawdyhouse for the purpose of female companionship -- Your SL
(Before setting off for the evening you must specify the amount of money to be carried in case footpads set upon you on your way home. (1/6 chance.)
Don’t forget to carry enough money for carousing and gambling if that is part of your plan.)

Loans -- 10% interest at the end of six months for loans borrowed from a moneylender. Maximum borrowing = 100 x SL.
Loans from a character -- Interest free but must be repaid after three months if requested.

Fencing practice -- Exp. per week of practice with a weapon.
Practicing your regiment’s weapon is free. For four weeks of practice (not necessarily consecutive) you add 1 to your Exp with the weapon you practice with. You can exchange 5 Exp for one point of Str. This is not reversible.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
Le Poireau Parisien de November 1620

Advertisements
Monsieur Le Capitan de Busche seeks brave and worthy gentlemen to join the Royal North Highland Border Regiment for service against the Walloons. Both private gentlemen and officers are needed. Applicants should present themselves to the barracks by the end of December. Please have regard to the special requirements for service in this elite regiment.

Court and Social
It has pleased His Majesty the King to appoint Monsieur Le Capitan de Busche to command of the Royal North Highland Border Regiment with the rank of Colonel.

Around Town
It is rumoured that His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu commanded a private performance of the latest play by Moliere -- Le Misanthrope -- at his palace last week, and several ladies were in attendance.

We are reliably informed that Her Majesty the Queen has ordered new curtains for her carriage. It is said the pattern combines purple velvet and lace of Nantes to great advantage.

Sport
Our brave ball-foot players won by three goals to one against a visiting team from the English province of Ireland. Protests that the winning goal was struck by hand into the target were countered by the obvious point that the handball rule has not yet been invented. Asked to comment, the referee said, “Bof!”

Paris
Two workmen were killed by falling from the roof of Notre Dame while replacing a gargoyle. No doubt they were drunken sots; the cathedral authorities should be criticised for employing such imbeciles. Fortunately no damage was suffered to the gargoyle or the pavement where the idiots struck ground.

La France
Floods in the Dordogne!
After several days of unseasonable rains, the river Semmes burst its banks and swept away the bridge into Arles, and some other bridges.

International
Another disturbance in Silesia, where a rebellious Protestant rabble had to be scattered by Imperial Kurassiers when they prevented the Bishop of Mainz from entering the cathedral of Wroclaw to celebrate Holy Mass.

Des Autres

Un annuaire discret des femmes jolies, riches, influentes, et sans attaches*

SL --- Nom --- --- --- --- --- Joie? --- Riche? --- Influente?
15 --- La Comtesse ... ... ... .. N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
14 --- Camille Dupont ... ... ... Y ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
13 --- Delphine Artois ... ... ... N ... ... .. Y ... ... ... ... Y
13 --- Manon Bouvier ... ... ... Y ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
12 --- Roxane Lambert ... ... ..N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
12 --- Yasmine Moreau ... ... ..N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
10 --- Olympe Prideau ... ... ...Y ... ... .. Y ... ... ... ... Y
9 ---- Ninon Girard ... ... ... ... N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... Y
6 ----- Bibi Roux ... ... ... ... ... N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N

*Information may not be entirely correct. The publisher takes no responsibility for problems arising from an error.

Business
The East India Company is fitting out a fleet to sail in the Spring. Shares are now available on the usual terms.

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

Membership of a Regiment
The named regiments are shown in Regimental Table B. The chance of joining is shown in Regimental Table A.

You can resign your regiment and apply to another one when you like. If you volunteer to campaign with the RNHB or other border regiments, you keep your place in your named regiment, and you take your rank with you.

All border regiments count the same as the Gascon Regiment for pay, but joining is automatic, except for the RNHB which requires qualifications of expertise and endurance which your character may not match. If you can't join the RNHB you can always join a no-name border regiment.

SPs don't matter when you are on campaign because your status is froze.

I'd appreciate clarification on how to write orders for applying to join a regiment. I am under the impression that Table A is some sort of diceroll table for random acceptance into one's chosen regiment? If so I don't understand the negative numbers... anyway, here we go.

Supposing I would like to join the 53rd Fusiliers, do I specify that I would like to apply for a rank? If so, can I presume that lower priority applications would be different ranks and/or regiments?

Do I automatically join as a Private, or can I apply for higher ranks if my SL is sufficient (ie should intended rank also be specified)?

Would I be required to pay the 'purchase price' should I be accepted into the regiment?

Is it mandatory to spend a certain amount of time performing regimental duties when a member of one?

Here is my example, as I understand it...

Let's say I am SL 6. Referencing table A, I have a 4+ (50%) chance of being accepted into the Queen's Own, Archduke Leopold's, or the Crown Prince's.

The Queen's Own and Archduke's fall under regiment 4 in Table B, and the Crown Prince's is regiment 5. Referencing the minimum SL row, this means I can join at Captain for the first two, and at up to Major for the Crown Prince's.

So I would place joining orders as follows:

--------------------------------------------------------
Apply to join the following in descending order:
Queen's Own as Captain
Archduke Leopold's as Captain
Crown Prince's as Major
--------------------------------------------------------

Have I completely missed the mark here? I'm still unsure about Table A.

A lot of players want to join a regiment for obvious reasons. Since the process is complicated here is a full explanation.

There are 17 elite regiments in the game. They have names like Grand Duke Max Dragoons and 13th Fusiliers -- these regiments are listed in Regimental Tables A, B and C for different purposes.

If you want to join one of these regiments this is what to do.

Compare your SL with Table A (Application to Regiment.) This gives you the chance on a D6 of your application being successful. (Later in the game, when players have become commanders of regiments, they can decide for themselves about new applications.)

You will see that if you have SL=6, you have a chance to succeed in applications to any regiment except the Royal Foot Guards. Naturally, the lower regiment you apply to, the better your chance.

A successful application admits you as a private. If you want to be an officer, you have to pay for it.

Commissions up to the rank of Major can be bought on successful application. It is important to know the costs.

A. The cost listed in Table B is the cost for buying a rank from the rank below. If you are a Subaltern in the Crown Prince Cuirassiers, it costs 110P to buy a Captaincy. However, as a new joiner, you are not a Subaltern, so you need to buy the position of Subaltern (100P) and the Captaincy (110P) for a total of 210P.

B. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince Cuirassiers is a cavalry regiment. Although membership gives you free sabre practice, you have to buy a horse (100P,) engage a groom (2P per month) and pay for the horse’s upkeep (3P per month.)

C. Even in infantry regiments, most officers are mounted. Captains of any regiment must buy a horse, and Majors must buy three horses. (Your groom can take care of all of them.)

D. Once you have been a member of the regiment for one month you may buy commissions higher than Major, but only if there is not an incumbent in the post. Basically, when a player character joins a regiment the Umpire has to roll up the other officer positions to see which slots are empty. You don’t know this information until you have joined.

(Historical note: The system of purchasing commissions was used in the British Army until after the Crimean War.)

E. If you decide to volunteer for a border regiment, you carry your rank with you.

F. You do not have to resign your regiment to volunteer for a border regiment, and you rejoin your regiment at the end of the campaign.

G. You can resign your regiment at any time and join another one. You lose the value of any commission you hold. There are no other penalties in game terms.

H. Border regiments are paid at the same rate as the Gascon Regiment. There are no SPs as you can’t collect or lose SPs while on campaign.


Making applications
You can apply to as many regiments as you like in a week, however if your first application is unsuccessful, your second must be to a lower ranked regiment, and so on.

The top rank is 1, the Royal Foot Guards. If you applied to the Queen’s Own Carabiniers (rank 4) and were refused, you can’t apply to the Archduke Leopold Cuirassiers the same week, but you can apply to the Crown Prince Cuirassiers, as they are rank 5.

If you are rejected from two regiments in one week, further attempts are penalised by -1 to the die roll.

However, the next week your status is reset and you can apply to any regiment. It shouldn’t be too difficult to join a regiment in a month if you spend several weeks applying.

You can make conditional orders, so you can make an order like this:
Week 1. Apply to Crown Prince Cuirassiers as Subaltern. If not successful, apply to Grand Duke Max Dragoons as Subaltern.
Week 2. Regimental Duties, or repeat applications of Week 1.


Frontier Regiments
These regiments have no name and are constantly on campaign around the borders of France. Most people only volunteer for a frontier regiment because they are desperate for money or Mentions In Dispatches.

The rate of pay of frontier regiments is the same as the Gascon Regiment. There are no SPs since while on campaign your SL is frozen.

The death rate is frontier regiments is higher than in the elite regiments.


The Royal North Highland Border Regiment
This is an elite frontier regiment. It campaigns all year round so positions are always open for courageous young men. SL does not matter.

As an elite regiment, the entry restrictions are based on minimum level of stats as follows:
End. minimum 110. Exp. min 9. MA. min 2 (for officers.) In addition, officers may only volunteer if they have received a merit promotion (not purchased) or a Mention In Dispatches. An officer of an elite may volunteer as a private, if not qualified as an officer.

Officers of rank of Major and higher will always command a battalion when they volunteer for the RNHB. This matters for campaign resolution. I will cover all the details of campaigns in another bulletin; here are the basics.


Campaigns
While the frontier regiments campaign all year round, some elements from the elite regiments are added to field army for the summer campaign (June, July, August.) The decision is made partly by dice rolling and partly by players whose characters are in various high command positions.

The advantages of being on campaign are:

While on campaign you receive pay and allowances, but there are no costs.
Your SL is frozen and you do not need to keep track of SPs.
The possibility of plunder.
The chance of a Mention In Dispatches or even a promotion.

The disadvantages of campaigning are:

Some miscreant idling his time in Paris may take a crack at your Mistress.
While on campaign you can’t increase your SL.
You might get killed.
To avoid being killed you might need to resort to Poltroonery and get noticed with the consequence of Disgrace!


Volunteering for Campaign
Each campaign season lasts three months. You can volunteer at the start of any month, but once on campaign you can’t come back to Paris until the end of the campaign season. Each month of a campaign, the Umpire will determine results for any player involved.

Do you need to buy commission immediately upon acceptance into the regiment, or can you do it later?

You can buy it later. The disadvantage of waiting is that ranks above subaltern can get filled up, thus blocking you.

Cool. I sent my orders. Are we going to have a cast of characters post here?

Me too... is participation holding up?

We've got eight players ATM.

I am still waiting for one or two sets of orders.

I plan to introduce the characters naturally as they meet each other in the game.

As it happens, a lot of people are going to meet in the Royal Marines HQ.

Hopefully, not all disappointed . . .

I presume late entries are okay, if we got any new players? I just put word out to some friends who might be interested.

New players can join any time. It is too late for the first turn, however this is the kind of game you can join at any stage and have fun as long as there are several other characters with maybe 6 SL of you

It's not unusual for characters to die, either in duels or on campaign. New characters can by luck start with all the advantages of high birth or if they are plebs at least they can ascend SL fairly quickly.

Le Poireau Parisien de Decembre 1620


Advertisements

Wanted, Lace of Nantes. Highest prices paid for bolts of good quality. Contact Mr. Dior, Maitre Drapier, of Rue des Modes.


Court and Social

The King was present at the test firing of his newest cannon, named Tonnant. It is a powerful piece discharging a ball rumoured to be of four pounds weight, with a range of over 500 yards.


The King wrote many commissions for young gentleman officers. His Majesty was heard to say that he would rather his hand become fatigued by signing commissions than by signing treaties to conciliate his enemies.


His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu has proscribed the plays of Moliere as being obscene, irreligious and an affront to all right-thinking people.


Several of the best regiments recruited gentlemen this month, in preparation for possible engagement in the next year’s campaigns. Among other notable commissions, Mr. Jean-Michel Bael became Captain in the 13th Fusiliers. Subalterns were recruited to the following regiments: the Royal Marines, the Picardy Musketeers, Princess Louis’s Light Dragoons, and the 13th Fusiliers.


Around Town

A Mr. Alain Fortescue gambled intensely at Red Phillips in Week 3. Although his bets were not large, everyone agreed that his play was strategically sound. Unfortunately, the dice gods were against the bold player and he suffered some losses.


It is reported from the HQ of the Royal Marines, that a young man with a thick accent, probably not French, was turned away in Week One.


The servant of Cpt. Jean-Michel Bael of the 13th Fusiliers was seen to buy a large and expensive arrangement of flowers in Week 3. No doubt destined for the boudoir of a young lady!! Our reporter followed the Captain and his servant to the door of Ms. Bibi Roux in Rue des Capuchins, where the flowers were taken in by the maid, but the poor Captain was left on the steps outside!


Mr. Agramant Yves L'Angley, newly joined Subaltern in the Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons, is said to have celebrated his commission by lifting his horse above his head! With such strong warriors in its ranks, the Royal Army cannot fail to press the claims of Our Royal Highness against the Walloons.


Entertainment houses in the Rue Pigalle were noted to be well attended by young officers this month.


Sport

A strange incident in the Rue du Soleil.

Mr. Bois, the celebrated half-Scottish, half-Louisianan, half-Haitian goffer, was seen to crash his carriage into a lamp post in the early hours of the morning, on the way out of his apartemente!!! His wife and servants were forced to smash the window of the carriage with goffing sticks, in order to rescue the unfortunate occupant.


Paris

The Constable of La Bastille has commanded the City Watch to pay particular attention to late night carriage drivers south of the Seine.


La France

Heavy rains and floods continued.


Huegenots of the Poitou region continued their abominable defiance of His Excellency the Cardinal’s appeals to convert to the True Faith. When will His Majesty see fit to send an army to suppress these rebels?


International

England: Religious persecution continues unabated in this benighted island. Not only are followers of the True Faith penalised under unfair laws. The worst of the protestants, called puritans, have been sent out of the island in a ship called the Mayflower. It is not known where they have travelled.


Des Autres


Un annuaire discret des femmes jolies, riches, influentes, et sans attaches*


SL --- Nom --- --- --- --- --- Joie? --- Riche? --- Influente?

15 --- La Comtesse ... ... ... .. N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N

14 --- Camille Dupont ... ... ... Y ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N

13 --- Delphine Artois ... ... ... N ... ... .. Y ... ... ... ... Y

13 --- Manon Bouvier ... ... ... Y ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N

12 --- Roxane Lambert ... ... ..N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N

12 --- Yasmine Moreau ... ... ..N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N

10 --- Olympe Prideau ... ... ...Y ... ... .. Y ... ... ... ... Y

9 ---- Ninon Girard ... ... ... ... N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... Y

6 ----- Bibi Roux ... ... ... ... ... N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N


*Information may not be entirely correct. The publisher takes no responsibility for problems arising from an error.


Business

Nantes Lace shares gained 25 Pistoles.


The Compagnie de Theatre Moliere reported strong demand for tickets and attracted a large investment of “Louis d’Ors”.


The East India Company is fitting out a fleet to sail in the Spring. Shares are now available on the usual terms.

Awesome. I particularly liked the carriage crash.

Just to confirm- is Cpt. Bael an officer of the 13th Fusiliers or the Picardy Musketeers? Your results email said the Musketeers, and the amount of Pistoles spent corresponds to the Musketeers.

I probably made a mistake.

It has been very confusing trying to match up Dakka names, character names, email addresses and email names.

Well, the conduct of the Royal Marines recruiters is absolutely shameful. Much better to be a Picardy Musketeer!

Hear hear!

Badmouthing the Royal Marines!?!

Poor form mon ami!

[Roland LeBlanc dusts off his newly purchased Royal Marines subaltern epaulets]

When toadying, the player gets SP equal to half the level difference. Do you round up or down?

Is weapons practice a separate week from the two of regimental service?

How do we know which regiments are unfriendly?

Sorry if I'm asking silly questions. Those tables baffle me.

How often do we have to perform regimental duties each month and what other orders can they be combined with? For example, can you order "Perform Regimental Duties. Visit bawdyhouse on way home."

Manchu wrote:Is weapons practice a separate week from the two of regimental service?

How do we know which regiments are unfriendly?

Sorry if I'm asking silly questions. Those tables baffle me.

The arrow links on the left are your friends the arrow links on the right are your enemies.

The Picardy Musketeers are friends with the 27th Musketeers and enemies with the 4th Arquebusiers

The Royal Marines are friends with prince leopold's cuirassiers (I mistakenly insulted them in my email and possibly caused your confusion by doing so! my apologies to this lovely regiment) and enemies of the 69th Arquebusiers.

No one likes those damnable soldiers who use an Arquebus. Get up to speed and use a musket like everyone else!

Weapon practice takes a week of actual free time -- it stops you from doing something else that week.

Regimental duties take a week of free time, or two if you are a private. Part of the advantage of being a Captain or above is no duties!

When one of your characters has to do duties, I roll automatically to see if he is excused but so far no-one has been lucky.

If you got lucky I would make your character do practice instead.

One of my jobs this week is to roll up the regimental structure and officers for each regiment a character has joined. This will show you if there are free officer slots to move up into. Once player characters start to get into the higher ranks they come into command of the lower characters and can excuse them their duties without a di roll.

It is a general rule for the game that decisions affecting characters are determined randomly unless a player character is in the position to make the decision himself. For example, a player character who is the Field Marshal of the Army can change the deployment of regiments to the summer campaign.

Decisions taken by non-player characters can often by affected by Influence. None of the player characters has any Influence yet.

Is there a deadline for January orders?


I was thinking about buying a higher command (Captain) but not sure if I can

The life on a hopelessly in debt Frenchman for me

Friday night/Saturday morning is the deadline for the next turn's orders.

People shouldn't be too worried about debt.

It can be an investment in reaching higher SL, which allows you to borrow more which allows you to pay off the earlier debt and extend your 6 month deadline.

The thing is to get up to SLs which give you a good chance of making money by campaigning, having lower SL characters toady to you, and getting military or government appointments.

So say I borrowed 100 pistoles in December due on June

If I borrow 200 more in February is 300 total due in June? or is that second amount due in August?

I was curious about duties too. Glad to hear being a Captain gives me such free time.

Toadying = being invited to the club of someone of higher social standing, yes?

Mannahnin wrote:Toadying = being invited to the club of someone of higher social standing, yes?

Everyone is welcome to my club (even you social level 2 commoners )

This invitation is based on the assumption that I don't have to buy drinks or entrance fees to the club for the party goers.

The Frog and Peach is hopping (with toadies ) on the First Week of January

ChaplainSeverus wrote:So say I borrowed 100 pistoles in December due on June

If I borrow 200 more in February is 300 total due in June? or is that second amount due in August?

The first 110 (10% interest) would be due in June.

The second 220 would be due in August.

If you are on campaign you can't be dunned for your debts, so it is always an option to stay on campaign for months in the hope of winning enough loot to come back rich.

(The penalty for not paying your debts on time is to be disgraced and sent on campaign with a frontier regiment.)

The disadvantage of going on campaign is that you could get killed.

While you can't go up SLs you also can't drop, and you don't have any expenses but you will draw pay and allowances.

On campaign you have the chance of getting Mentions in Dispatches which are basically free SPs when you return.


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Mannahnin wrote:I was curious about duties too. Glad to hear being a Captain gives me such free time.

Toadying = being invited to the club of someone of higher social standing, yes?

Toadying = being invited to visit the club of a social superior in his company and sucking up to him.

Which of you fine gentlemen are now Picardy Musketeers? I'd be happy to share a round of drinks with you in Week 4, and invite any of you who are not already members (*cough* Manchu *cough*) to attend as my guests.

-Cpt. Jean-Michel Bael, of the Picardy Musketeers

Sir,

While I am honored by your gregarious invitation, I will not be able to join you because I will be busy performing my required regimental duties.

--Manfred Guderian, Subaltern of the Picardy Musketeers

does a captain need a horse?

and is there a deadline for January orders?

Yeah, any captain needs a horse. It's in the material above.

Jan orders are due tomorrow, right?

Manchu, any other Picardy Musketeers- any interest in coming 'round Red Philips to toady in week 3 or 4? LMK.

Merci beaucoup mais I have already been invited by the gracious M. Guderian. I would accept your invitation as well, but a pauper private such as myself can neither afford the expense on its face or the time away from his duties.

We have quite a generous group in the Musketeers! Vive la Picardy!

~Luc-Vincent Thore

D'accord! Vraiment!

KK, can we toady (or be toadyed to) more than one week during the month? Or is it a 1x/month limit?

You can toady every week.

Don't forget the need for feminine companionship.

Kilkrazy wrote:You can toady every week.

Don't forget the need for feminine companionship.

j'ai ri

Kilkrazy wrote:You can toady every week.

Don't forget the need for feminine companionship.

But you can suffer a -2 SP on one turn by staying clear of the bawdy houses as long as you have SP= to you SL for that turn.


Next turn will be a -4 SP if you don't visit the ladies but you can visit the bawdy house then and be fine, correct?

Exactly right.

Anxiously awaiting the updates....come on SL4!!

Yes, the need for feminine companionship. Love this game! I feel like killing someone.

*brushes dirt of newly acquired epaulets* Better to be the junior captain than the senior subaltern. After all the carousing and toadying, I look forward to the next edition of the Parisien. Should be very interesting.

It's up on the website now.

Will copy here.


Le Poireau Parisien de Janvier 1621

Advertisements
Best value swords at Swords R Us. Army surplus, refurbished to the highest standards. Rue des Manches.

Court and Social
His Majesty the King entertained orphans of the charitable foundation “L’école Militaire Saint Suplice” this month and gave them a peroration on the military art. So wise and instructive was this speech that we take the liberty to reproduce it in full here:

“Our late father established the organisation of regiments in accordance with the best principles of Vegetius and the other classical writers of the Military Art and Science.

“Each regiment is commanded by a Colonel. His support is the Lieutenant Colonel, directly commanding the First Battalion (or Squadron, if it be a cavalry regiment.) The second and third battalions are commanded by Majors.

“Each battalion comprises of two Companies (or troops); these are designated in order of seniority A though to F. They are all commanded by Captains.

“This structure of the regiment clearly delineates to the gentleman officer his proper place in the military hierarchy and offers structured progression to the higher ranks. Thus social order is maintained and the gentlemen privates can be properly instructed in their duties.

“We are pleased to maintain this system which has served us so well.”

His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu thanked His Majesty on behalf of the pupils and expressed his hope that they would all grow up to become loyal subjects, and doughty warriors in the Cardinal’s Guards.


Around Town
Captain Jean-Michel Bael of the 13th Fusiliers was invited to the Frog and Peach by Mr. Roland LeBlanc of the Royal Marines. The Captain showed his strategic skills by carousing broadly. Fortified with drink the bold Captain occupied a seat at the gambling tables where he soundly thrashed the House for play after play, until new dice were called for. The Captain’s servant was overheard complaining about the weight of the purse he was made to carry home that evening!

New in town! Mr. Patrick le Tacomanne, second son of the very wealthy Marquis of Quimper, has taken rooms in the Rue Frambois. He is said to be seeking high office in the military.

Mr. Manfred Guderain, rumoured to be a German, newly made Captain in the Picardy Musketeers attended Mr. Roland LeBlanc at his club the Frog and Peach.

A young subaltern of the 13th Fusiliers, Mr. Gabriel Adlam, was seen buying expensive perfume. What lady might be the happy recipient of such a present? Mr. Adlam was later seen walking near the apartemente of Miss Ninon Girard.


Sport
The draw for the International Cup of Ball Foot in 1622 was made. France has been drawn in the same group as Spanish Flanders (rightfully French!) Spanish Morocco and Spanish Savoie (rightfully French!!)


Paris
The Constable of Paris closed L’isle de la Cité to carriages while debris was removed from the roads. The obstructions were due to several gargoyles having fallen from Notre Dame. Clearly Spanish workmanship was to blame for this disaster. This is a lesson to us all!


La France
Invention of a new cheese!!
Mr. Amblon, fromageur of Burgundy announced the creation of Baratte. This delicious, mild cheese of pure goat’s milk is made in small balls and sold with a straw thrust into it, by which it can be conveniently eaten without a knife.

Snow fell in Toulon for the first time in several years.


International
The Papal States -- Great sadness.
His Holiness Pope Paul V died suddenly on 28th January. Among the great works of his life were the completion of the Vatican, and the refutation of the clearly stupid astronomical theories of Copernicus and Galileo.



Des Autres

Un annuaire discret des femmes jolies, riches, influentes, et sans attaches*

SL --- Nom --- --- --- --- --- Jolie? --- Riche? --- Influente?
15 --- La Comtesse ... ... ... .. N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
14 --- Camille Dupont ... ... ... Y ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
13 --- Delphine Artois ... ... ... N ... ... .. Y ... ... ... ... Y
13 --- Manon Bouvier ... ... ... Y ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
12 --- Roxane Lambert ... ... ..N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
12 --- Yasmine Moreau ... ... ..N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N
10 --- Olympe Prideau ... ... ...Y ... ... .. Y ... ... ... ... Y
9 ---- Ninon Girard ... ... ... ... N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... Y
6 ----- Bibi Roux ... ... ... ... ... N ... ... .. N ... ... ... ... N

*Information may not be entirely correct. The publisher takes no responsibility for problems arising from an error.


Business
Reservations are now offered for the Christmas Market of 1621. Apply as usual to the Constable of Paris.

The East India Company is fitting out a fleet to sail in the Spring. Shares are still available on the usual terms.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The Leaderboard -- Jan 1621



SL Character Player Email

8 Patrick Le Tacommane Tacobake

7 Mauvoisin Mauvoisin

6 Roland LeBlanc ChaplainSeverus

4 Jean-Michel Bael Mannahnin

4 Mannfred Guderian Panzerleader

3 Gabriel Adlam holidayhalflife

3 Alain Fortesque Arctik_Firangi

2 Agramant Yves L’Angley GoFenris

2 Luc-Vincent Thore Manchu

Women are such fickle creatures.

A fortune spent to have the door slammed in one's face! Sacre Bleu!



Questions

1. Are we using the physical conditioning rule (2 consecutive weeks of training allows a .25 bump to str or con)

2. When are next turn's orders due?


Roland/Matt

Answers

I will think about the conditioning rule. There is a danger in a long campaign that it would allow everyone to turn into Charles Atlas. I suppose it could be limited some way, such as not being able to increase a stat more than 20% of original.

The next orders are due on Friday night. I will send a reminder email to everyone on Thursday morning.


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There is a lot of luck involved in the game, of course. If you persist with a woman she will eventually succumb.

Anyone who got a bad result this turn can blame Captain Bael. His run at the gaming table used up all the luck available.

Kilkrazy can you issue orders while on campaign?

also the PC rules have a monetary cost involved.

Here are the rules I saw (from vive le Roi pbem)

Physical Conditioning

13.5 A character may increase his strength or constitution by spending time at the regimental training
yard working out.

13.6 For every two (2) consecutive weeks spent training, a character will have +0.25 added to his
strength or constitution. A character my never increase his strength or constitution beyond fifteen (15) in
this manner.

13.6.1 The weekly cost is 3 X Current Attribute in crowns.

I think the campaign tables are confusing me. What are some of the advantages of being a major versus being a captain? And is there any way to improve military ability?

ChaplainSeverus wrote:Kilkrazy can you issue orders while on campaign?

No. While on campaign you do nothing but collect pay, loot and Mentions in Dispatches. Sometimes there is a little light skirmishing.

ChaplainSeverus wrote:
also the PC rules have a monetary cost involved.

Here are the rules I saw (from vive le Roi pbem)

Physical Conditioning

13.5 A character may increase his strength or constitution by spending time at the regimental training
yard working out.

13.6 For every two (2) consecutive weeks spent training, a character will have +0.25 added to his
strength or constitution. A character my never increase his strength or constitution beyond fifteen (15) in
this manner.

13.6.1 The weekly cost is 3 X Current Attribute in crowns.

I'll consider it.


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PanzerLeader wrote:I think the campaign tables are confusing me. What are some of the advantages of being a major versus being a captain? And is there any way to improve military ability?

A major gets the following advantages compared to a captain;

1. More pay.
2. More status.
3. Can volunteer his battalion/squadron for an off-season campaign.
4. While on campaign can roll for battle results using his Military Ability. Obviously this is better if you have high MA.
5. Can excuse subalterns and privates in his battalion/squadron from duties.
6. During summer campaign, may be appointed Brigade Major or Aide de Camp to the General. See Military Appointments table for details.

Sometimes a captain may be acting Major if the regiment does not have enough live majors. In this case he gets advantages 3,4 and 5 but not 1, 2 or 6.

Improving Military Ability
While on summer campaign, if a Commander (of battalion/squadron or above) gets a battle result at least one level higher than his immediate superior, he will receive a permanent +1 to his MA.

If I have practiced 4 times with the same weapon does that mean my Expertise in that weapon is my base EXP +1

And it will continue to rise through the course of the game?

Yes.

Your expertise with each individual weapon is tracked separately.

Your system looks cleaner and more user friendly

I was looking at the original dueling rules (from the game)
it looks like using a cutlass is pretty predictable and slow weapon. is the cutlass a big disadvantage under the old rules?

If any of you pussies are Captains or higher with the Queen's Own (or even the Archduke's) let me know where we can settle some things.

Otherwise if anyone of SL 4+ wants to come along to the The Horse Guards we can probably work something out. Heck I can even be persuaded if you want to join the company. We will probably be campaigning in the Summer unless something comes up. Or maybe put in a word for you with the Grand Duke's.

Speaking of needing money, keep your hands off Olympe. She has no interest in riff-raff besides. Actually, just do not even look at her.

ChaplainSeverus wrote:Your system looks cleaner and more user friendly

I was looking at the original dueling rules (from the game)
it looks like using a cutlass is pretty predictable and slow weapon. is the cutlass a big disadvantage under the old rules?

It is about 20 years since I played with the proper fencing rules. I remember they are good fun but take a long time to resolve fights.

Realistically the cutlass ought to be a slow moving weapon compared to a rapier. The sabre should probably be in between. However, when you start making differences between weapons it opens up the chance for power gaming which I think is detrimental to this sort of game.

I ripped the rules in our campaign from "Briney En Garde". I thought a system that had been in use for years would probably be more balanced than something I invented on Thursday night.

If duels become common, we will be able to see how the system works and make adjustments if necessary.

KK, can I get an answer on the 13th Fusiliers v. Picardy Musketeers confusion? In my month 1 results you state I joined the Musketeers, and deducted Pistoles matching their cost (as a column 7 regiment), but every reference since (in the papers and in my month 2 results) you're saying the Fusiliers, and I got 2 status, matching the Fusiliers . I'm happy enough with either, but I need to know which one is right in order to properly plan my next set of orders. Please let me know.

Thanks!

I will look at it tonight.

Merci beaucoup!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
In trying to evaluate the attractiveness of Tacomanne's offer, I note that it seems tricky to calculate the SP gained by Toadying at the Horse Guards. Normally the points gained are equal to the difference between your own SL and that needed to join the club in question. But The Horse Guards doesn’t have an SL requirement, per se. Its entry requirement is to be an officer of the Horse Guard Brigade.

The Horse Guards Brigade appears to be comprised of the Dragoon Guard and the Queen’s Own Carabiniers (this is interesting; that these two enemy regiments share the same club!). You need to be at least SL4 to join the Queen’s Own, and at least SL5 to be a Subaltern therein. So does that mean that it counts as SL5 to join?

I dig the idiosyncracies of this game. Sorry to pester you, KK. It's fun to talk about, though.

SL4.

The attraction of the Horse Guards is the number of fights that happen and the high gambling limit for relatively low level characters.

Kilkrazy

Could a duel ever be issued with pistols as the weapons of choice?

the idea was in practice.

It isn't in the spirit of the game.

*sharpens cavalry sabre*

Tacobake wrote:*sharpens cavalry sabre*

*Loads dueling pistol*

ChaplainSeverus wrote:

Tacobake wrote:*sharpens cavalry sabre*

*Loads dueling pistol*

*sharpens guillotine*

I am actually working on my orders right now, as a matter of fact; weighing the pros and cons of courting the lovely Olympe when equally lusty laidez can be found at any common bawdy-house.

Tacobake wrote:I am actually working on my orders right now, as a matter of fact; weighing the pros and cons of courting the lovely Olympe when equally lusty laidez can be found at any common bawdy-house.

Paying for it is more your style

M'Sieur LEblanc-

I must say that I 'ad the best time at the Frog and Peach last month. Are you planning another round there any week 'zis month?

-Cpt. Bael


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Tacobake- are you inviting for any particular week this month?

I understand that everyone has plans lined up already but if anyone is interested in meeting the Horse Guards they can come along in Week 3 this month. Janvier. SL 2 or higher, please, no street-sweepers.

Next month I might be looking at joining The Blue Gables precluding Hunter's for a more civilized crowd but I will have to see how my mood strikes.

- Patrick le Tacomanne

Tip Top Toadying

In order to toady to someone you need to make an arrangement with them to be seen in their company at a prominent public venue, where you will fawn upon them, buy them drinks and laugh loudly at their jokes.

The location is normally their club as you will hopefully be able to get an SP or two from their club being higher ranking than yours. Also, at a club you can indulge in other useful activities such as carousing, etc.

It is also possible to toady with someone at the bawdyhouse. You will not receive any club related points but you will be able to combine toadying with carousing, gambling and women.

You can in theory toady to someone at their regimental HQ, however the toadying can't be combined with any other useful activity (duties, sword practice.)

The object of your toadying needs to make an order to allow himself to be toadied to. This can be specific -- naming his sycophants -- or general.

If the character does not allow toadying, he will spurn you as he snub you. This would not be cause for a duel.

A good way of toadying is to arrange a big party where as many lower level characters as possible toady simultaneously to one character.

Another good way is for one very low level character to toady to a very high level character.

Costs of Toadying
If you carouse with a higher level character you must pay the same cost as he does for his drink (better quality wine.)

There is no fee as such for toadying however the higher level character may wish to be recompensed in some way for allowing himself to be toadied to, especially if he will lose SPs in the process.

Worked Example 1
Suppose Agramant Yves L'Angley (SL2) toadies to Patrick Le Tacomanne (SL8) at his club The Horse Guards.

Agramant can't join a club so his club is considered to be SL1. The minimum SL for Horse Guards is 5 which is subaltern in the Queen's Own Carabiniers.

The difference in Club SLs is 7-3 = 4. Agramant receives 4/2 = 2SPs.

The difference in SL of the characters is 6. Agramant receives 6/2 = 3 SPs.

Agramant can also Carouse for a cost of 8P, since Partrick is SL8. +1SP

Agramant gains 6SPs and needs to find another three elsewhere to get to 9 which will increase his social level.

Patrick loses 0 SPs as the difference in SL is 6.

Le Poireau Parisien de Février 1621


Advertisements

New Club!
Mr. Pierre Camarade-Ducorde announces the opening of his new club “Les Camarades” in Rue des Plébs. Applications are now accepted for membership starting in Mars 1621.

Club Les Camarades
Rank 7 / SL1 / Fees 5P / +1SP pcm / House limit 25P / Divisor 100P

Classifieds
Gentlemen are welcome to submit advertisements on behalf of themselves and friends. Terms: Cost = your SL per sentence. (+1SP per advertisement. Submit your copy as part of your standing orders and it will appear in the news at the end of the month if accepted for publication.)


Court and Social

The Army
By order of His Majesty the King, Captain Jean-Michel Bael is transferred from the 13th Fusiliers to the Picardy Musketeers.

Crisis at 13th Fusiliers!
His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu was heard to complain that the 13th Fusiliers is severely under strength in its establishment of commissioned officers. At present the regiment lacks any senior officers in its 3rd battalion. ”This is not a fit condition for service in the summer campaign,” the Cardinal declared.


Around Town

Mr. Patrick Le Tacommane, Major in the Dragoon Guards, spent week 2 in Rue Pigalle, snubbing his juniors. Later he threw a party at his club The Horse Guards, and nobody of any significance attended. The Major was visibly put out of countenance.

Mr. Agramant Yves L’Angley was set upon by footpads when returning from his carouses in Rue Pigalle. Undeterred by this experience, the tough light dragoon (Princess Louisa's regt.) returned for more carouses later in the month.

Mr. Luc-Vincent Thoré was seen moping in Rue Pigalle. His recent elevation to subaltern in his regiment the Picardy Musketeers should be cause for celebration. No doubt the young blade wishes to see some action at the front.

Mr. Gabriel Adlam visited the residence of Ninon Girard, his servant Barsac bowed down under the weight of many expensive presents. Soon afterwards, the young Captain was seen returning home, apparently bowed down under the weight of many woes. Asked to comment, Barsac said, "Well’m. T’ young marster, see’m, dint do so well just now, did he?"


Sport

Great Scandal in the World of Goff!!
In the past month no fewer than three Mistresses declared they have never entertained Mr. Bois nor visited his club with him. Where will it all end?


Paris

Several young officers were set upon by footpads in the notorious Pigalle district. The Constable of Paris should be criticised for employing his watchmen on traffic duties when he ought to keep the streets safe for honest citizens.


La France

Farmers complained of the unseasonable weather. It is widely held that the King ought to do something.


International

A New Pope
His Excellency the Cardinal Alessandro Ludovisi of Bologna has been elected to Pope, and has taken the name Gregory XV. His Holiness has already taken steps to reinforce the Papal Army for service in the Germanic Principalities.

Bad news from Spain
The annual Flota de Chocolate was captured by English pirates as it was cruising in the Caribbean. One hardly knows whether to condemn more strongly the inefficiency of the Spanish or the illegal depredations of the English. At any rate, this is bad news for all fashionable gentlepersons.


Business

Speculation
Departes Èpineux offers investment opportunities in both finance and commerce.

Financial investments are made in anticipation of a large summer campaign and will benefit if many brigades are sent.

Commerce shares are made in the hope of a small and successful campaign and will benefit if the army is small and efficient.

In either case, investment must be made in blocks of 1,000P. Investors should be wary that if conditions are unfavourable, they may be called upon to support their shares with additional funds in order to restore them to solvency.

Voyages
The East India Company fleet will sail in Mars according to plan.

Stock Market
Patissieres sector down 12P. Sell.

Tacobake wrote:I am ... weighing the pros and cons of courting the lovely Olympe when equally lusty laidez can be found at any common bawdy-house.

Olympe is a winner.

Rich, beautiful and influential, means she is low maintenance and returns a good dividend on your original investment especially for lower SL characters. Not to be sniffed at even if you are about the same SL.

Specifically, a rich mistress pays you rather than you her. A beautiful mistress is worth an extra SP. An influential mistress has double the normal amount of favours to use in support of her beau.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
The Leaderboard -- Feb 1621
SL Character Player (Dakka name) Rank and Regiment
8 Patrick Le Tacommane (Tacobake) Major, the Dragoon Guards
7 Xavier Mauvoisin (Mauvoisin) Major, the Crown Prince Cuirassiers
6 Roland LeBlanc (ChaplainSeverus) Subaltern, the Royal Marines
4 Manfred Guderian (Panzerleader) Major, the Picardy Musketeers
4 Jean-Michel Bael (Mannahnin) Major, the Picardy Musketeers
3 Gabriel Adlam (holidayhalflife) Captain, the Picardy Musketeers
3 Lafayette Gagnon (apeloverage) Major, the Gascon Regiment
3 Alain Fortesque (Arctik_Firangi) Subaltern, the 13th Fusiliers
2 Luc-Vincent Thoré (Manchu) Subaltern, the Picardy Musketeers
2 Agramant Yves L'Angley (GoFenris) Subaltern, the Princess Louisa's Light Dragoons

Coming soon: A Gentleman's Primer Battlefield Tactics.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
A Gentleman’s Primer of the Art Military


The Danger of Campaigning
When on campaign there is unfortunately a chance of getting killed. The exact chance is very variable and depends on several factors including

✶ The type of operation
✶ Battle results from Army level downwards
✶ Your military ability if you are a Major or higher commanding a unit
✶ Your rank and regiment

It is too complicated to explain all this in detail. Basically it comes down to rolling under a final modified number on a roll of 2D6 in order to survive the operation. (If you want to look at the details, the tables to check are the Personal Outcome Table and the Personal Outcome Table Modifiers Table.)

The death number (the number you need to roll under) can vary between a minimum of 5 (for a private in a dangerous regiment) to well over 13 for a very senior officer.


Better Living Through Poltroonery
In case of a low death number you may wish to consider enhancing your chance of survival by poltroonery. This means choosing a number to add to the target number.

For example, if your death number is 8, you might choose to add 3, giving you a target of 11. Please note that you need to roll less than 11 to avoid death in this situation. A roll of 11 is death.


Consequences of Poltroonery
Each time you poltroon, a D6 is rolled. A result of 1 or 2 means you get away with it, and have the chance of promotion and mentions in dispatches as normal. You get no plunder as you did not hang around to collect any.

A result of 3 to 5 means your conduct was noticed. From now on, your monthly SPs are penalised by double the die roll modifier you chose. This penalty is lifted once you redeem yourself by getting a mention in dispatches.

A result of 6 means your cowardice was particularly despicable. Your are immediately dismissed from your regiment and may not join any other until you redeem yourself by getting an MD in a frontier regiment. You also lose the status points as above and will not be re-admitted to your old regiment ever.


Reckless Bravery
You may also choose to modify your death target number downwards by taking a negative modifier. You may choose to deduct any number from your death target number. The same modifier is also used for your promotion, MD and plunder rolls.

If your rank and circumstances make it impossible to die, you can still be reckless and take the benefits. For example, if your death result is 14 you can take a -1 which means you will automatically survive as you can’t roll a 13 to die.


Orders for a Campaign
Please prepare a chart giving the modifier you wish to add to your Death Number. You can change this every turn after seeing the results of the month’s campaigning.


Example
The following table will give a character a Death Number of being killed on 11, whatever the original death number.

Death Chance Poltroonery Recklessness
14+                    --              -3
13                    --              -2
12                    --              -1
11                    --              0
10                   +1              0
9                   +2              0
8                   +3              0
7                   +4              0
6                   +5              0

You do not have to follow this. You can choose whatever modifiers you want.

I have set the Dakka En Garde site permissions to allow any Dakka member to view it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://sites.google.com/a/dakkadakka.com/dakka-en-garde/

None of you pussies were interested in joining us at The Horse Guards and you are not getting a chance this month, I am practicing my swords-manship in preparation for the upcoming military campaign.

- Patrick le Tacomanne

Taco-
You never specified a week! Mon dieu!

I would have much rather hung out and drank with you, getting a guaranteed SL instead of pissing money away gambling. Agh.

If you've taken at least one week of practice in a prior month, so can spare a week, I'd love to get together for a round of drinking/Toadying this month, before the campaign. Hell, I'll pay for your drinks! Just tell me where and when!


KK- do we get to know the nature of the campaign so we can check out our risk on the Personal Outcomes chart prior to deciding our Poltroonery or Bravery level?

No, it's too complicated.

That's why you should make a chart which adjusts any death number.

Le Poireau Parisien SPECIAL BULLETIN

Picardy Musketeers assault the town of Chat-Queue in the Spanish Netherlands.

Major Guderian, commanding 2nd Battalion the Picardy Musketeers, has gained a pyrrhic victory in his first engagement.

The surprise tactic of committing an elite unit to the campaign so early in Spring has discomfited the enemy.

The battalion entered the town so swiftly that a supply convoy was captured and plundered.

Casualties are reported to be heavy. It is not yet know if any significant persons are among the fallen.

Vive le Roi! Vive le Regiment! It is a shame that so many have fallen for France, but many more of the Vache Espangol have fallen!

Le Poireau Parisien de Mars 1621


Advertisements

New Club!
Mr. Pierre Camarade-Ducorde announces the opening of his new club “Les Camarades” in Rue des Plébs. Applications are now accepted for membership starting immediately.

Club Les Camarades
Rank 7 / SL1 / Fees 5P / +1SP pcm / House limit 25P / Divisor 100P

Classifieds
Gentlemen are welcome to submit advertisements on behalf of themselves and friends. Terms: Cost = your SL per sentence. (+1SP per advertisement. Submit your copy as part of your standing orders and it will appear in the news at the end of the month if accepted for publication.)


WAR NEWS
From our own correspondent...

Chat-Queue Captured!
An early morning attack by two columns rapidly entered the town where a supply column and the defenders' war chest were comprehensively plundered. Officers of the Crown Prince Cuirassiers and the Picardy Musketeers distinguished themselves in this sharp action.

Court and Social

The Army
His Majesty the King was pleased to release excerpts from the Dispatches of General Abondance.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully beg to submit the following dispatches for your consideration.

"The attack on Chat-Queue was carried out by two columns, the 1st made up of the Frontier Regiments spearheaded by the 2nd Battalion, Picardy Musketeers under command of Major Guderian. The 2nd made up of the Royal North Highland Borderers, supported by the 3rd Squadron, Crown Prince Cuirassiers under command of Major Mauvoisin, the whole operation being directed by Brigadier Viso who directed the 2nd column.

"The basis of my plan was that our 2nd column would make a demonstration at the north of the town, and draw the attention of the defenders in order to allow the 1st column to storm the defences over the River Flumen, which is currently frozen.

"For some reason the 2nd column was late in starting its attack, so that the 1st column nearly became stopped at the edge of the river. Major Guderian pressed his attack in the best traditions of his regiment, in the face of heavy firing.

"At this critical stage, Major Mauvoisin took his squadron out of reserve and assaulted the main north gates. This unconventional move has been highlighted by Brigadier Viso.

"Thanks to the rapid action of Infantry of the RNHB regiment, the gates were quickly overthrown and the attack was pushed into the town. I wish to draw attention to the bravery of Major Mauvoisin in taking his cuirassiers into the streets in support of our infantry.

"After this the defenders became confused. Major Guderian, ably supported by Captain Adlam and a young Subaltern, Mr. Thoré whom I wish to commend to the attention of Your Majesty, was able to reorganise his attack and bring the Picardy Musketeers and Frontier Regiments quickly to the centre of the town, where the enemy supplies were destroyed by carrying them off or burning them."


Around Town

Duelling in the Rue Maudit
Mr. Patrick Le Tacommane, Major in the Dragoon Guards, and Mr. Roland LeBlanc, Subaltern of the Royal Marines, fought two duels in the Rue Maudit! Although Mr. LeBlanc is thought to be a much weaker duellist than Mr. Le Tacomanne, onlookers say that he gave as good as he got in these encounters, and praised the officer for his courage and discretion.

The cause of the quarrel is thought to have been competition for the affections of the beautiful Olympe Prideau, whose apartements are situated in Rue Maudit. Miss Prideau is well known for never having been associated with the famous Goffer Mr Bois.

Mr. Le Tacomanne was clearly successful not only in his duels but also in his encounters of another style. He squired the lovely Miss Prideau to the Horse Guards club for a party at the end of the month.


New In Town
A Mr. Guillame Capet has been appointed Captain of the Princess Louis's Light Dragoons.


Gambling Mania at Red Philips
Mr. Jean-Michel Bael of the Picardy Musketeers spent the entire month drinking at Red Philips and gambled prodigiously. Although he did not repeat his wonderful success of January, he left with a smile on his face and the hand of Miss Bibi Roux on his arm. This is clearly a man with a great future ahead of him.


An Indiscretion!
A young officer of the Gascons is rumoured to have visited the apartement of Miss Bib Roux in the second week. Things may not go so well for him if the fiery tempered Major Bael ever finds out the identity of this interloer


Sport

Le Cricket
An English team has arrived to give an exhibition match of a new sport in which a man throws a boule at a small gate while another man tries to hit the boule with a plank. This fascinating game will be played at Jardin des Tuileries on the 1st April.


Paris

The Constable has doubled his patrols searching for duellists on the west of the city.


La France

Farmers complained of the cold and icy weather. It is generally considered that the Cardinal ought to do something.


International

The Holy Roman Emperor Condemns Protestantism
His Imperial Majesty issued an edict inveighing strongly against the forces of revolution currently sweeping the German principalities.


Business

Speculation
Departes Èpineux offers investment opportunities in both finance and commerce.

Readers are reminded to make any investments for this year during Avril.

Voyages
The East India Company fleet set sail on the 5th Mars according to plan.

(As tempted as I am to write out my Frenchman's words in English with a phonetically spelled French accent... A direct translation will have to do. Just pretend it sounds French-ish. (I'd probably have a quebecois accent anyway. In any case, the italics are a fictional letter to Guy's mother. Make of it what you will.)

Dear mama,
I have arrived in Paris, at last. It is less enchanting than you described it to be. I realize now that this is most likely because you have admitted that you've never been. Perhaps, once I have proven myself more than a stain upon Father's honour, I will be able to afford to bring you here. Of course, the city does not seem to be a place for women of morals such as yourself. There is open duelling in the streets, and there are many places wherein dwell women of ill repute. It's possible that, once here, you will decide to return to the quiet country life.
I have been accepted as a Captain in Princess Louisa's Light Dragoons, a cavalry regiment of some repute. I was able to purchase the commission with the money I blackmailed out of Father. It's no grand posting, but I've only been here for a month. There is still time. It's a cavalry regiment, and I've been practicing desperately to learn how to sit a horse like a gentleman. However, as you've told me many times, I was born to the life of an officer, and it will shine through.
Your son,
Guy.


I'm excited to be playing. Let the games begin.

Le Poireau Parisien SPECIAL BULLETIN

The King Honours the Hero of Chat-Queue

It was announced today that His Majesty King Louis has been pleased to recognise the meritorious service of Major Mauvoisin of the Crown Prince Cuirassiers.

Major Mauvoisin is created a Knight and will henceforth be known as Sir Xavier. His social level becomes 10.

Loyal readers will already know of Sir Xavier's bold initiative in taking his squadron of cuirassiers to attack the town gates.
This action was instrumental in relieving the pressure on the Picardy Musketeers and Frontier Regiments.
Their renewed attack lead to the capture of Chat-Queue and its supply convoy.



His Majesty King Louis and His Excellency Cardinal Richelieu observe the departure of the East India Company Fleet.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The Leaderboard -- Feb 1621

SL Character Player (Dakka name) Rank and Regiment
10 Sir Xavier Mauvoisin (Mauvoisin) Major, the Crown Prince Cuirassiers
8 Patrick Le Tacommane (Tacobake) Major, the Dragoon Guards
6 Roland LeBlanc (ChaplainSeverus) Subaltern, the Royal Marines
5 Jean-Michel Bael (Mannahnin) Major, the Picardy Musketeers
4 Manfred Guderian (Panzerleader) Major, the Picardy Musketeers
3 Gabriel Adlam (holidayhalflife) Captain, the Picardy Musketeers
3 Lafayette Gagnon (apeloverage) Major, the Gascon Regiment
3 Alain Fortesque (Arctik_Firangi) Subaltern, the 13th Fusiliers
2 Luc-Vincent Thoré (Manchu) Subaltern, the Picardy Musketeers
2 Agramant Yves L'Angley (GoFenris) Subaltern, the Princess Louisa's Light Dragoons


Automatically Appended Next Post:
How to Gamble Like a Pro

A Special of Le Poireau Parisien

By our dicing correspondent



Gambling is a useful though financially risky way of enhancing your reputation.

The key to successful gambling is to understand the importance of the house divisor at a club. This is the amount you need to gamble to receive +1SP regardless of the results of individual throws.

As an example, let us review the strategy of Mr. Jean-Michel Bael, who is a noted gambler at Red Philips.

Mr. Bael’s strategy is to gamble the table limit of 50 Pistoles each throw, for all nine throws allowed in a session. His total amount staked is therefore 450P. The house divisor is 150. This means he will receive +3SPs as well as any SPs from his individual wins and losses.

In a recent session, Mr. Bael followed his usual pattern of cutting on a house roll of 5 or 6, and throwing on a 4 or under. The individual throws are not important. The final result was four wins, two losses, and three cuts.

This is worth +4 -2 -3 SPs for a total of -1SP, however the +3SP for gambling 450P means that Mr. Bael’s overall gain was +2SP. He also cleared a useful 25P profit on the evening, which settled his substantial bar bill.

Added to his other SPs for the month, for carousing and so on, this propelled Mr. Bael to SL5. His next evening of dice will no doubt be held at Club Blue Gables, where the higher table limit will allow him to stake twice as much in a session.

Obviously you must be prepared to risk both the Pistoles and SPs when you play at dice. Luck will average out over time, but it is possible to lose most of your throws in a single session. Only gamble if you are prepared to take that risk.

Huzzah for Major Mauvoisin! A brave and noble Frenchman!

Let's hope for some death's or promotions in the Royal Marines!

Toujours la gloire pour la cavalrie et rien sauve merde pour l'infantrie.

Felicitations, Sir Xavier.

Sir Xavier-

Best congratulations on this most noble action, and on His Majesty's inerrant wisdom in recognizing it. I wish you all joy.

Maj. Jean-Michel Bael

Le Poireau Parisien de Avril 1621


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WAR NEWS
General Abondance reports...

Avril 1621, Battle of Charleroi

The army having been reinforced by detached battalions from several elite regiments, field operations were conducted with the objective of manoeuvring the enemy army into a position where it could be attacked at a disadvantage.

After two weeks of marches and counter-marches around Chat-Queue, the Spanish offered battle to the west of the city of Charleroi.

An attack was ordered. The 1st Army, 1st Division (separate battalions of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Infantry Brigade regiments) formed the central column. Only the Picardy Musketeers regiment was present in full strength. They were supported by the 2nd (Frontier) Division stiffened by a battalion of The Gascon Regiment forming the left column. The Gascons were positioned on the extreme left flank.

The 2nd Army (Cavalry) deployed in three brigades to screen the right flank, each brigade consisting of a single squadron from each regiment.

At first the attack went well. Lt-General Cacid made good progress in the centre while Lt-General Viso commanding the left column (2nd Division -- Frontier Regiments) kept his units in good order to cover that flank.

After two hours, though, the Spanish uncovered an artillery battery on their left flank, which dealt serious fire to our centre and halted the advance. At the same time, the enemy pressed a strong attack on our left flank. Lt-Gnl Viso quickly ordered a counter-attack by a battalion of the Gascon Regiment, commanded by Major Gagnon, which was very effective in stopping this enemy attack.

While our centre was re-organised, cavalry attacks were ordered on the right to distract the enemy and hopefully silence their artillery. The strongest attack was made by a troop of the Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons. Sadly their captain fell in this charge, however Subaltern Yves L’Angley took command immediately and brought out his men safely.

Major Sir Xavier Mauvoisin, who is serving as Brigade Major of the Heavy Brigade, was under orders from Lt-Gnl Gaslon to keep a close eye on the cavalry battle. When the PLLD retreated, news was brought to Sir Xavier that a new column had been seen issuing from the gate of Charleroi.

Realising this new reinforcement would give the Spanish a strong advantage, the Major quickly sent a courier to me to report the news, and lead his squadron of the Crown Prince Cuirassiers to attack the enemy before they could array their ranks. The attack was successful and Sir Xavier reached the enemy commander’s carriage, which his men overturned and despoiled of its ornamentation. This threw the enemy into confusion allowing the Cuirassiers to make a good retreat to our lines.

In the meantime, I had regretfully decided it best to break off the action, and issued orders accordingly to the centre column to array themselves for a fighting retreat.

Despite strong enemy pressure this was accomplished in very good order. The tactics of the Picardy Musketeers were particularly notable. A young Subaltern Luc-Vincent Thoré has been mentioned to me for his highly effective rapier work and I noted Captain Adlam giving strong encouragement to his company.

Excellent support was given by the Royal Marines, of who a Subaltern Mr. Roland LeBlanc cut down three Spanish with his cutlass, which proves the usefulness of this weapon on the modern battlefield.

Although the Spanish pressed us for over three hours, causing a number of casualties, the army was able to recover itself to its camp in good order.


Field Promotions
Mr. Alain Fortesque of the 13th Fusiliers was promoted to Captain of the 13th Fusiliers.

Mr. Agramant Yves L’Angley was promoted to brevet rank of Captain of the Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons.


Court and Social

The Army
His Most Christian Majesty approved the following Military Appointments for the new campaign.

Sir Xavier Mauvoisin to be Brigade Major of the Heavy Brigade of Horse
Mr. Patrick Le Tacomanne to be Brigade Major of the Horse Guards Brigade of Horse
Mr. Guillame Capet to be Regimental Adjutant of the Princess Louisa's Light Dragoons
Mr. Lafayette Gagnon to be Brigade Major of the 4th Brigade of Foot.
Mr. Roland LeBlanc to be Aide de Campe to the general commanding 1st Brigade of Foot


Creation of a New Noble
His Majesty King Louis the Just is pleased to honour Sir Xavier Mauvoisin for his significant contributions to the success of French Arms by raising him to the title of Baron.



Around Town

A Quiet Month
Paris was very quiet this month as so many young bloods are on campaign.


Sport

Racing
The Avril meeting at Le Hippodrome de Longchamp was cancelled due to unseasonable snow.


Paris

Police
Due to lack of informers there have been no significant successes against Habsburg or English inspired crime this month.


La France

Agriculture
Farmers complained of the snowy weather. The Farmers' Union appealed to the King for something to be done.


International

Sultan of the Ottomans raises himself to Caliph
This typical piece of meaningless self-aggrandizement is no more than we have come to expect from the Turkish Empire.


Business

Fall in Price of Beaver Hats
A record number of pelts was imported from New France which has resulted in an overabundance of the material for fur hats.

KIlkrazy,

nice write up on the website!

My thanks to the gentleman who put in a good word for my job as Aide de Camp to the Brigadier General, but with my promotion to captain will I lose the job since it is for subalterns only?


also will we be on campaign for this month as well?

Roland LeBlanc

I haven't figured out if you lose the appointment due to promotion.

Everyone will be on campaign for one more turn.

Everything looks great but what is with all the appointments? I thought this was En Garde! I did not know it was Kilkrazy's pussy-towne.

Le Poireau Parisien de Mai 1621


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Gentlemen are welcome to submit advertisements on behalf of themselves and friends. Terms: Cost = your SL per sentence. (+1SP per advertisement. Submit your copy as part of your standing orders and it will appear in the news at the end of the month if accepted for publication.)


WAR NEWS
From Our Correspondent...

During May the weather continued to be very clement and there being plenty of forage for the Horse, General Abondance extended his operations around Charleroi with the intention of establishing conditions favourable for a siege.

Field operations are unpopular with the men. I heard much complaint from the Frontier Regiments about the wear of boot leather caused by constant marching and counter-marching. Too, there is little chance for plunder. Nonetheless, the army has the necessity to manoeuvre the enemy to a disadvantage before commencing a siege.

It was the 14th day of the month when our march column was attacked by a strong enemy detachment. The army was marching north in three columns on parallel roads; the 1st division in the centre, the 2nd division (Frontier Regiments) on the left (west) and the cavalry on the right. I was marching with the Royal Marines and could see the Horse in the near distance.

The cavalry bore the first impact of the Spanish attack and were driven back in confusion owing to the enemy’s sudden appearance from behind a wood.

The Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons suffered heavily. Captain Capet was killed and his troop’s standard lost to the enemy.

The Lt-General Gaslon of the 2nd Army sent Major Baron Mauvoisin to General Abondance to ask for help and instructions.

Acting decisively, General Abondance ordered the Royal Marines and Picardy Musketeers to array themselves for a counter attack, while the Frontier Brigade and Gascons prepared a support line.

These arrangements were so quickly and capably organised that our brave Infantry moved to the attack within an hour of the enemy’s first appearance.

The Royal Marines were the spearhead of the advance. The Picardy Musketeers shocked the enemy with the weight of their fire; ably directed by their Majors the men were shooting at an incredible rate. If my attempt to count them was correct, a volley was fired at least every five minutes!

This violent pressure disorganised the enemy pikes and allowed the Marines to penetrate their lines at cutlass point. I followed Captain LeBlanc in person, whom Lt-General Cacid instructed to carry the order to the Royal Marines to press their attack to the heart of the Spanish Tercio.

When the engagement became hot along the whole line we heard a huzzah from our right. It was the Frontier Regiments making a new attack. The smoke was so thick I could barely make out the banners of the Royal North Highland Borderers and the Gascon Regiment side by side at the front of the column. Major Gagnon added to his reputation, by leading the attack in person.

As the afternoon wore on, it became clear that Fate had her thumb on our pan of the scales, and the enemy began to withdraw. Our Horse were by now well rested and eager to take revenge for their earlier humiliation. As the enemy retreated, their cavalry screen was attacked by our Dragoons, who made a spirited charge, with the happy result that the lost standard of the PLLD was recaptured by Mr Agramant L’Angley, Brevet Captain in that corps.

The Horse Guards were allowed to pursue the enemy to the gates of Charleroi.


Report of General Abondance

Your Majesty, I have the honour to report that a general engagement has been fought near Charleroi, the result of which is that I consider the area is cleared of significant enemy forces and the city can now be laid under formal siege, which anticipating your instructions I will commence by the end of the month.

In the recent battle several officers distinguished themselves, whom I wish to bring to the attention of Your Majesty.

The Major Baron Mauvoisin acted with coolness as Brigade Major of the Heavy Brigade of Horse.

Brevet Captain Mr. Yves L’Agramant of the Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons, showed courage and initiative in recovering a lost standard from the enemy.

Major Mr. Gagnon of the Gascon Regiment distinguished himself in the counter-attack.

Captain Mr. LeBlanc of the Royal Marines again made famous the name of that Corps by his actions among the enemy pikes.


Field Promotions

Mr. Luc Vincent Thoré is promoted to Brevet Captain and receives the hearty congratulations of the General.


Court and Social

Notable Casualties
It is with sadness that we record that Mr. Guillame Capet, Regimental Adjutant of the Princess Louisa's Light Dragoons, has laid down his life on the field of battle for the glory of His Christian Majesty King Louis XIII


Around Town

Another Quiet Month
It is reported that all the Army except the 4th Brigade of Foot will be deployed during the Summer Campaign.


Sport

Angling
Noted English piscator Sir William Walton gave a lecture on the use of the Frog in trapping the Pike, at the Opera de Paris.


Paris

Notre Dame -- An Appeal
The Bishop of Paris appealed for all right-thinking and generous Gentlemen to contribute to his new fund established for the repair of the distressed stonework of the cathedral.


La France

Religious Strife
Protestant extremists created a disturbance in Nantes, calling for the laws discriminating against them to be repealed.


International

Embassy of the Marocs
His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu entertained an embassy from Maroc. It is speculated that this may lead to an alliance against the Spanish.

Condolences to the family of Captain Capet. It is always tragic when a hero of France falls.

I concur with my major. The Captain was a spirited warrior. I pray God for the repose of his immortal soul and that I may make my end even half so nobly in the service of His good servant, my King.

Did we not get a turn this week or are we waiting for the whole season? Pillage, sack and burn!

You will get a turn at the weekend after I have finished having jetlag and catching up at work.

sweeet.

Yay!

Le Poireau Parisien de Juin 1621

Siege of Charlesroi


Report of General Abondance

Your Majesty, I am chagrined to report that the siege continues, the defenders having shown an unusual amount of courage and initiative for the Spanish, which has thus far frustrated our efforts.

My first action was to choose and fortify a camp -- this proved a wise decision as my report will show.

The camp having been completed, I set the Engineers to sapping towards the town walls and constructing a battery, with the help of the Frontier Brigade.

The 1st Division of Foot was drilled in assault tactics, while the 2nd Army foraged around the town and kept watch for possible enemy reinforcements.

After three weeks of sapping, our battery was close enough to the walls to begin effective bombardment. The steady pounding of the guns had such good effect that it became necessary for the Spanish to make a sortie against the battery.

At dawn on the 25th they began a counter-battery fire from the walls and columns of infantry issued forth to attack our lines.

Lt-General Viso, commanding the siege lines, was observing the town at this time and was unluckily killed by a cannon ball from the first enemy salvo. Fortunately both his brigade commanders had the good sense to rouse their troops without waiting for orders and they assembled them to repulse the enemy.

Both brigades moved swiftly to counterattack despite a hail of enemy fire. At first, the enemy was halted between our lines and his own walls, and it seemed they would be forced to retreat. Then, a lucky shot brought down the commander of the 2nd Brigade of Foot. This dismayed the troops and they began to fall back. I have no doubt that the lack of regimental officers in the 12th Fusiliers, which has been remarked upon in the Paris press, was partly responsible for this reverse, since the 1st Brigade which as Your Majesty is well aware contains some strong young officers, was unaffected by the enemy attack.

The 1st Brigade however bravely it fought, was unable to hold position unsupported, as a second enemy column began to move around their flank. They commenced a fighting retreat, during which the Colonel of the Royal Marines was cut down, and a courier at his side also wounded. When the 1st Division reached out camp, they were able to rally. In the meantime, the Frontier Regiments, supported by a battalion of the Gascon Regiment, moved out against the enemy.

By this time it was nearly noon and I confess my spirits were low, as it seemed very likely our battery would be overrun and the guns spiked. Spanish troops were already among the guns, demolishing the embrasures, spilling the ready powder, hammering the balls, and other such acts of vandalism. It only needed their Artillerists to come up and Your Majesty’s fine pieces would have been seriously damaged.

Fortunately, the sound of fighting had attracted the attention of some of our cavalry. At their own initiative, the Horse Guards Brigade and Dragoons Division fell on the flank of the approaching columns and forced them to retire into Charlesroi, thus, the battery was saved from serious damage.

During this action, the Princess Louisa Light Dragoons became separated from the main body, and, venturing too close to the town walls, sustained serious casualties from light artillery fire.

I am glad to be able to state that the siege works have been delayed only by a week, and things could have gone a lot worse if not for the prompt action of our cavalry.

Sadly there are a number of notable casualties to report.

Lieutenant-General Viso of the 1st Division
Lt-General Langres of the 2nd Division
Brigadier General Fourme of the 2nd Brigade of Foot
Brigadier General Salers of the Dragoons Brigade
Colonel Roquefort of the Royal Marines
Major Tomme of the Princess Louise Light Dragoons

Also a number of lesser ranked officers and many Privates fell, but not so many as to force our lifting the siege.

In order to make up the losses it is necessary to promote some of the younger officers. Fortunately, there are a number of young Gentlemen in your service who have already proved themselves in combat and I have no hesitation in recommending the following names to Your Majesty.

Brigadier General Munster of the 1st Brigade of Foot to be promoted to Lt-General of the 1st Division.
Lt Colonel Pélardon of the Royal Marines to be promoted to Colonel of that regiment.
Colonel Valançay of the Picardy Musketeers to be promoted to Brigadier General of the 1st Brigade of Foot.
Lt-Colonel Epoisses of the Picardy Musketeers to be promoted to Colonel commanding that regiment.
Major Bael to be promoted to Lt-Colonel of the Picardy Musketeers.
Brevet Captain Thoré of the Picardy Musketeers to be promoted to Brevet Major commanding the 3rd Battalion, and his rank as Captain to be confirmed.

I love war. And my King. Lord, let me but wage war for my King!

Yay! I've been gaining in command ability, now I get a promotion too! Sweet.

"Never mind maneuvers- just go straight at them."

Le Poireau Parisien de Juillet 1621



Great Victory at Charlesroi !


Spanish Menace Confounded by Surprise Attack !


Town Liberated by Assault !





A special report from our War Correspondent

Never let it be said that French arms can be dismayed for long by a reverse!

After last month’s battle, in which the siege battery was damaged by a Spanish sortie, General Abondance set his men to work to repair the damage and enforce the siege with utmost vigour.

The Dragoons Brigade were detached to forage for wood, while engineers were set to making wooden boards and gabions to reinforce the trenches.

Regimental officers who had distinguished themselves in previous fighting, were put in charge at command level. New generals were quickly summoned from Paris, to fill the various positions in divisional and brigade command which were emptied last month by the fortune of war.

This however was all merely a cunning diversion. In secret, the General prepared a dramatic assault against the town. Reckoning that the defenders would be lulled into a false sense of security by the success of their sortie, and the obvious signs of the siege being re-instated on regular terms, the General gave orders for a two pronged attack.

The most daring part of the plan was to put everything into effect within only three days of the enemy sortie, so that the repair works on the battery were still incomplete. This would mean the advance would take place without covering fire, and the General relied on the element of surprise to allow his troops to approach the enemy walls without incurring serious casualties.

The first prong of the assault was carried by the 1st Army, 1st Division, 1st Brigade of Foot. This brigade, comprising the Royal Marines and the Picardy Musketeers has already covered itself with glory during the course of the war and is a clear choice for such a hazardous duty as the Forlorn Hope.

The assault took place in later afternoon on the 3rd, at a time when the westering sun would obscure the defenders’ view of approaching troops.

The formed up brigade, apparently carrying materials for the repair of the battery, was actually equipped with fascines and escalading ladders. They marched towards the battery, then continued straight through it without any fanfare. By this quiet approach, they were able to reach the first parallel of the town’s walls and had begun to fill the moat, before any alarm was raised.

The defenders then opened fire with all their guns, but were unable to halt the 1st Brigade who, closely supported by the 2nd Brigade, gained the parapet and attacked the wall mounted artillery. The guns there were quickly silenced, allowing the 2nd Brigade to escalade quickly and move into the town, with the 13th Fusiliers leading the advance.

Although the street fighting slowed down the movement of our troops, it also attracted defenders from all over Charlesroi. At this time, the second prong of the attack made itself known, a direct assault on the North gate, carried out by the Dragoon Brigade, supported by a battalion of the Gascon Regiment.

The cunning of the General’s plan was to let the Dragoon Brigade be equipped with two carts of gun powder from reserve siege stores, under cover of their foraging expedition.

With the defenders’ attention distracted, the Dragoons brought the carts to the gate and exploded all by means of a fuse. The concussion was heard all over the battlefield. As soon as the debris stopped falling, the Gascons cleared the road and the Cavalry Division charged through the gate.

Readers will know from previous reports that cavalry are not usually reckoned effective in town fighting. Despite this, the moral impact upon the Spanish of the sudden irruption of so many enemies into their rear, when they were already hotly engaged in front, quickly led to the collapse of organised defence.

As the Spanish evacuated Charlesroi to the south-west, our glorious troops were welcomed with flowers and kisses from the liberated inhabitants.

The campaign thus far is a great success, yet one more month remains in which effective operations may be undertaken.

Considering General Abondance’s proven ability to pull large elephants out of small sacks, who can say what dashing deed of arms he may put over against the Spanish before our elite regiments return to their normal quarters?


Report of General Abondance

Your Most Christian Majesty,

It is with great pride in the army, the command of which you graciously favoured me, that I humbly report the liberation of the town of Charlesroi by assault.

My siege plan having been frustrated by a Spanish sortie, I determined to bring the operation to a quick conclusion in order to have time during the rest of the campaign season, for some other useful action.

The assault on Charlesroi was accomplished by means of surprise and the utmost energy of your troops..

The defences west of the town were escaladed by the Royal Marines and Picardy Musketeers, carrying fascines to fill the trench and ladders to escalade the parapet.

This operation was a quick success, silencing the defending guns. Several officers distinguished themselves in this attack. I particularly commend to Your Majesty’s attention, Lt-Colonel Bael of the Picardy Musketeers. Majors Guderian and Thoré of the same regiment, are to be congratulated on the speed and resolve of their battalions’ advance. I regret that Captain Gabriel Adlam, a dashing officer of the corps, fell at Major Guderian’s side, as they crossed the enemy parapet.

The support troops consisting of the 13th and 53rd Fusiliers, moved forwards quickly and broke into the town, where they became embroiled in street fighting.

At this stage the second attack took effect. I had recourse to the use of gunpowder bombes, or minnes, prepared for this occasion from our siege supplies, which were packed into wine tuns, and carried forwards by Your Majesty’s Dragoons by use of small carts. These bombes were placed at the north gate, and exploded by fuse. This was overseen very capably by Brevet Captain Yves L’Angley of the Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons.

The attack was completed by the Heavy and Horse Guards Brigades, supported by a battalion of the Gascon Regiment, who charged into the town as soon as the road was clear.

The cavalry was well handled in street fighting. The cavalry brigadiers have asked me to note their brigade majors, Baron Mauvoisin of the Crown Prince Cuirassiers, and Major Tacomanne of the Dragoon Guards, who performed an exemplary duty in organising the advance through the narrow streets.

In the confusion of being attacked from two sides, the Spanish were forced quickly to fall back, and withdrew from Charleroi under cover of darkness, leaving a great quantity of stores and many guns to be captured by our army.

Regrettably there have been some notable casualties, which glorious names I note here, along with a list of the officers recommended for promotion.

The Fallen
General Gaslon of the 2nd Army
Brigadier-Genl Cabecue of the Dragoon Guards
Brevet-Colonel Rochebarron of the Picardy Musketeers
Captain Adlam of the Picardy Musketeers

Mentions In Dispatches
Baron Xavier Mauvoisin (Crown Prince Cuirassiers)
Major Patrick Le Tacomanne (Dragoon Guards)
Lt-Colonel Jean-Michel Bael (Picardy Musketeers)
Major Manfred Guderian (Picardy Musketeers)
Brevet-Major Luc-Vincent Thoré (Picardy Musketeers)
Brevet-Captain Agramant Yves L’Angley (Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons)

Field Promotions
Baron Mauvoisin to Lt-Colonel of the Crown Prince Cuirassiers
Major Tacomanne to Brevet Lt-Colonel of the Dragoon Guards
Captain LeBlanc to Major of the Royal Marines
Lt-Colonel Bael to Brevet Colonel of the Picardy Musketeers
Major Guderian to Lt-Colonel of the Picardy Musketeers
Brevet-Major Thoré is promoted and confirmed Major of the Picardy Musketeers
Brevet-Captain L’Angley is promoted to Brevet Major and confirmed as Captain in the Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons.



Announcement from Les Tuileries
It pleases His Most Christian Majesty Louis XIII, to mark the occasion of the capture of Charlesroi, by congratulating officers who have distinguished themselves and their arms in the current campaign.

Major Manfred Guderian, Brevet-Major Luc-Vincent Thoré, and Brevet-Captain Agramant Yves L’Angley are most warmly thanked for their courage and esprit de corps.

Kilkrazy wrote:This operation was a quick success, silencing the defending guns. Several officers distinguished themselves in this attack. I particularly commend to Your Majesty’s attention, Lt-Colonel Bael of the Picardy Musketeers. Majors Guderian and Thoré of the same regiment, are to be congratulated on the speed and resolve of their battalions’ advance. I regret that Captain Gabriel Adlam, a dashing officer of the corps, fell at Major Guderian’s side, as they crossed the enemy parapet.

Cover save???

-Gabriel

A New Character is on his way.

Kilkrazy,

great write up.

The battle report is exciting and offers some cool historical insight.

Thanks for the work.

So we have one more season of campaigning?

can we have a tally of our pistoles/debts at some point?

Next month's battle is the last in the summer campaign season.

When it is finished I will do a complete accounting update and refresh everyone's character sheets.

No moneylender would dare to interfere with a King's Officer on active duty, so anyone who has outstanding debts need not worry about them at the moment.

One more battle may with luck bring in some useful loot, alternatively characters may get killed in which case their accounts will be of only academic interest.

Individual results of Juillet, including any plunder captured, will go out tonight.

Outstanding. Another great writeup!

Most of our heroes cover themselves in glory, including the tragic Captain Adlam- a romantic figure if there ever was one. I can picture the German Major Guderian, mourning his junior officer despite the differences of their backgrounds, before leaping back into the fray.

I think perhaps Col. Bael will commission some sort of memorial- perhaps a plaque, or painting, to commemorate the crossing of the wall of Charleroi by the Picardy Musketeers, and remember Col. Rochebarron and Captain Adlam's glorious sacrifices.

If I am promoted to Brevet Lt-Colonel am I still Brigade Major or do I lose that appointment.

You'll be brigade major until the end of the campaign. All military appointments come up for renewal then.

Alright so I am Brigade Major until the end of the campaign but when we are gallivanting in gay Paris I do not get the extra SP from it then. I mean it is cool.

Brigade Major Dragoon Guards +5 SP/ turn.

And correct me if I am wrong, and I may very well be, I get another 4 SP for being a Brigade Major at all. So 4 for Brigade Major and another +5 for my regiment. From the Regimental Appointments table and the Regimental Table C.

Tacommane deserves SP for knowing the rules !

Captain Adlam's service will be remembered in a fitting memorial service at the battalion chapel in Paris when we return. Our honorable regimental commander will be invited of course, and the service will be compulsory for all members of the Battalion, to include the officers.

General Abondance, Commanding His Most Christian Majesty's Armies in the Spanish Netherlands
Currently situate in The Lines Around Marchienne-au-Pont,


Your Majesty,

Following the successful conquest of Charlesroi, I paused for several weeks to rest the Infantry, organise the city, repair the damages of the siege, and bring up supplies.

Meanwhile I sent the 2nd Army (Cavalry) to sweep the area of Marchienne-au-Pont, northwest of Charlesroi along the River Sambre. This operation was most capably orgnaised by Majors Bael and Tacomanne of the Heavy and Horse Guards brigades.

At Marchienne, as its name indicates, there is a substantial bridge which if captured would achieve the twin objective of denying the Spanish a crossing to the rear of Your Armies, and also enable our continuing winter operations to be more easily supplied.

The 2nd Army was able to clear enemy resistance in a series of field operations. A bold attempt by Monsieur L’Angley of the Princess Louisa’s Light Dragoons to sieze the town gates by a coup de main, regrettably was unsuccessful. It became clear that the town and its bridge would only fall to a formal siege by Infantry and Artillery.

At the start of August I brought the 1st Army along the north bank of the Sambre, the Guards Division being detached to close off the southern end of the bridge.

I let the cavalry continue operations to the north of the city while the Engineers, assisted by the Frontier Brigade, began to construct siege lines. I caused a pontoon bridge to be built, to allow our forces north of the Sambre to be supplied in case the enemy should manage to cut between Charlesroi and our camps around Marchienne-au-Pont. Major Gagnon of the Gascon Regiment, deserves credit for foiling a sortie against the pontoons.

Although the lines have been completed satisfactorily, and our batteries are making steady progress, it has become clear that the army is not in a fit state to complete a siege before the autumn.

While the Frontier Brigade has received good reinforcements, much of the 1st and 2nd Infantry have been on campaign now for four months. Their spirits are of course high, however the men’s equipment is pretty well done in. Ammunition is low, some men having fired as many as two or three dozen shots during the campaign.

The ranks have been thinned by camp fever and deaths in the many daring attacks the regiments have made. Furthermore, many higher commanders have fallen, such was the intensity of the campaign.

Although the regimental officers have proven themselves capable of good tactics, it is essential that their social level is sufficient to command the respect of the army. The case of Brevet Major Thoré is very illustrative; this young officer’s talents have propelled him to a position much higher than his social rank befits. A few seasons in Paris will mature and round out these young fellows’ characters.

Always mindful of Your Most Christian Majesty’s interest in the welfare of His Army, I have therefore issued orders to return the following regiments and brigades to Paris for reorganisation.

The Picardy Musketeers
The Royal Marines
The 13th and the 53rd Fusiliers
The Gascon Regiment, 3rd Battalion
The Horse Guards Brigade
The Heavy Cavalry Brigade
The Dragoon Brigade

Your most obedient servant, General Abondance

Awesome. Looking forward to the Fall in Paris. I can't wait to get back to my carousing and gambling ways!

The Leaderboard has been updated on the website to Aout 1621.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Août 1621


Led by General Abondance the elite regiments began to arrive in Paris at the end of the month.

The Queen herself greeted the senior officers of each regiment, honouring the conquering heroes by her gracious presence.



Such a spectacle drew great crowds, enabling a number of men to absent themselves from the ranks in a bid to avoid their creditors.

The more loyal men, however, returned to their respective headquarters expecting to be paid off. Many of them were suffering from camp fever and needed proper nursing care.

Also jamming the stately quarters were hundreds of horses, many in poor condition from low grade campaign feed, especially the cavalry whose mounts are generally harder driven than those belonging to infantry officers.

Moneylenders thronged around the gates, eager to tap the returning troops for their owings before all the plunder could be spent on debauchery.

Many tasks need to be completed to stand down the regiments for the close season. Apart from paying off and caring for the horses, all the campaign equipment needs to be inspected, returned to store, sent for repair or condemned as unserviceable. The battle flags must be cleaned and repaired, unless they are badly damaged in which case they will be mounted as wall hangings. Captured standards will be displayed as war trophies. The guns will either be taken into The King’s artillery, or melted down for scrap.

The losses of senior officers meant many units are short of the experience needed to complete all these important but tedious tasks. Astute officers lean heavily on their experienced subordinates, others simply scamp their duties and off-load as much work as possible to civilian agents. Naturally this leads to a significant amount of ‘wastage’ as barrels of ration wine or gunpowder fall off the back of wagons, and so on.

Nonetheless, those who had a ‘good war’ are pleased to be back in Paris. There is money to be spent and social opportunities to pursue.


Lapsed Players
I urge you to rejoin the campaign. It is much more fun with more players involved.


The Military Awards 1621

Plunder
The lowly brevet Major Langley proved a reputation that light cavalry have always held.

Mentions in Dispatches
Baron Mauvoisin and Major Thoré tied with six each. Major Thoré wins by the total value of his being greater.

Military Ability
Lt-Colonel Guderian of the Picardy Musketeers proved himself a tactical genius.

Honourable mention for Lt-Colonel Tacommane, who started out thinking that warfare involves a certain amount of rushing around and shouting, and ended with a good appreciation that you should not stand either in front of or behind a cannon.

Promotions
Major Thoré started a newly spawned subaltern and ascended to senior Major of his regiment.

Baron Mauvoisin was given two titles raising him from a Gentleman to a Baron.

Dodgiest Looting
No-one knows where Brevet Major Fortescue of the 13th Fusiliers got his money.

Flush with booty, yet still lacking in social recognition, Lafayette Gagnon is ready to consider offers to pay in return for toadying.

(GM, if this needs to be done as a paid advertisement let me know and I'll re-write it)

If you want to advertise in le Poireau Parisien the rates are in one of the back issues.

You get a bit of SP for doing so.

Lafayette Gagnon, now a Major, has come to Paris to seek his Fortune. He is a Stout-Hearted Fellow of proven Valour and Loyalty in the service of His Majesty the King. Yet, hailing from Bruges, he finds himself Bereft of Friends in the Capital. Thus he wishes to make the Acquaintance of other Men of a Respectable and Virtuous Sort, who may lend Aid towards his Prospects and Career. Correspondence should be directed care of Mme Fournier's Boarding House, rue Gilet, La Rive Droite.

A smartly-dressed servant, clearly pleased with himself in new clothes, delivers a letter:

To the attention of the Hon. Major Gagnon-

Best greetings and felicitations to a new inductee into our Illustrious Brotherhood, the officers of High Royal Majesty's armies. Truly we are blessed, as there is no better possible Role a man can serve, nor a better place to serve it, than Paris. I am recently returned from Campaign, and am planning to host a fine party in the first week of the month, at my club Red Philips, in which we shall toast our victory in finest champagne, and no doubt talk strategy well into the night. You are welcome to join.

Best regards,

Lt. Col. Jean-Michel Bael, of His Majesty's Picardy Musketeers.

Couple of quick questions: (1) how would one apply for transfers to maintain rank in open positions? For example, if a Lt. Colonelcy in a better regiment were open and you met the purchasing requirements, what would you need to do to get moved over? (2) When are brevet promotions revoked and which ones became permanent since the campaign? I.E. is Colonel Bael the regimental commander or the acting one with a full colonel vacany for purchase?

And yes, this game rocks. Great work so far.

If you want to move regiment this is the procedure.

1. Check you fill the requirements of SL and money.
2. Go to new regiment headquarters and see if the position is vacant.
3. If it is, apply to see if you get blackballed.
4. If accepted, hand over cash.

A brevet promotion lasts one year or until you achieve the SL needed to hold it permanently or if you receive another field promotion to a higher brevet rank your current brevet rank is confirmed as permanent even if your SL is too low.

Most characters who get a brevet promotion will probably go up enough SLs to have it made permanent inside the year. The main limitation is you can only go up one SL per month.

Excellent.

Are any of our other fellow officers planning to host any parties this month, in celebration of our glorious success?

AMENDMENT: To better simulate Lt. Col Bael hosting the party at Red Philips, I'll pay the carousing costs of any attendees. Please confirm any acceptances of this invitation in this thread by Friday at the latest. Thanks!

Col. Bael,

I must catch up on personal matters this month, but I plan on hosting a victory party in October for all who are interested in attending.

Respectfully,
Lt. Col. Guderian

KK- if any of my social superiors attend the party, can I simultaneously toady to one of them while being toadyed to by any lower-SL folks who want to? If not, that’s totally fine.

I don't see why not.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Being toadied to is essentially a passive business.

Col. Bael,

I have reconsidered and find it most appropriate to attend my commander's event to better recognize his tremendous generosity.

Lt. Col. Guderian

(I'll be there and I'll toady to you. Enjoy your +1 SP.)

(Yay!)

Psst: I'm trying to get Christian F to join the game.

Mrs Bael and LeBlanc:
Congratulations, sirs, on your successes both against the Spaniards and here in Paris. If you can stand up to (and stomach) the company of our local cavalry regiments I would ask that you join me next month, the first week of (Octobre) at the Horse Guards for gambling and carousing. I would like to meet my fellow officers before we all move on to better things. I will be paying myself for carousing although you will have to pay for your own mistresses, gambling etc.

Regards,
Patrick le Tacomanne

Le Poireau Parisien de Septembre 1621

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Lafayette Gagnon, formerly M. but now a Major, has come to Paris to seek his Fortune. He is a Stout-Hearted Fellow of proven Valour and Loyalty in the service of His Majesty the King. Yet, hailing from Bruges, he finds himself Bereft of Friends in the Capital. Thus he wishes to make the Acquaintance of other Men of a Respectable and Virtuous Sort, who may lend Aid towards his Prospects and Career. He is also an excellent Prospect for a Husband, having a sound Financial Status in addition to the aforementioned Qualities, and thus Inquiry may prove useful to Parents of Daughters. Correspondence should be directed care of Mme Fournier's Boarding House, rue Gilet, La Rive Droite.

Monsieur Roland LeBlanc wishes to announce that he is drunk and doesn’t give a fig who knows it.


Court and Social
His Most Christian Majesty the King was pleased to sign the commission of Baron Mauvoisin as Major in the Royal Foot Guards.

The Cardinal Richelieu proposed that the 13th Fusiliers Regiment should be dissolved, since its establishment is so badly depleted by service in the recent campaign that it will be easier to recruit the few remaining officers to other regiments than to fill out the ranks.


Around Town



A great Party was held at club Red Philips in Week 1. The famous strategist Major Guderian, lately returned from famous service in the Spanish Netherlands with the Picardy Musketeers, was seen attending Lt-Colonel Bael of the same regiment, who himself was paying close attention to Lt-Colonel LeBlanc of the Royal Marines. The comrades in arms were joined by Major Thoré, normally dour, who was no doubt intoxicated by his rapturous reception by the Paris mob a week before. The young war hero is the most famous warrior of the recent campaign and has ascended rapidly from an obscure background, making him the icon of the man in the street.

Week 2: Major Gagnon of the Gascons, chanced to visit the apartements of Madame Bibi, where he encountered Lt-Colone Bael who was about to take the lovely Bibi to his Club for a revel. The modest Major withdrew in favour of his social superior. Monsieur Bael conducted his lovely Mistress to Red Philips, where they settled in for a serious session at the dice tables.

Although the Lt-Colonel is a famous gambler, his luck was not properly in this evening. Three wins were balanced by two tactical cuts and a loss -- the Monsieur left the tables 50 Pistoles to the good, which is a poor haul by his normal standards.

His comrade in arms Major Guderian absented himself from the gaming programme and was seen with his servant carrying bundles of late summer flowers to the Rue des Batiments, where are to be found the apartements of Madame Delphine Artois. The Major was afterwards seen returning to his barracks with a scowl on his heroic face!

Meanwhile Monsieur LeBlanc moved his party to Hunters Club, where he attended his old friend the recently ennobled Baron Mauvoisin, who was seen to be wearing a magnificent new suit and the sash of a Major in the Royal Foot Guards! While the young cutlasseur fawned upon the noble Baron, his bill was settled by the Major’s servant.

Major Thoré, apparently a slave to duty, stayed at the Picardy Musketeer’s headquarters practicing rapier with some of the men.

In Week 3 the partying continued non-stop as Lt-Colonel Tacommane of the Dragoon Guards squired his fragrant Mistress Olympe to Club Horse Guards. Such a good time was had that the beau sabreur had hardly left the Club before he came back to continue his revels into the following week!

Major Guderian, maybe despairing of the wiles of women betook himself to the Rue Pigalle, where he fell in with Leblanc of the Marines, and much merriment ensued. Unusually they were joined by Major Thoré, normally an abstemious character.

Lt-Colonel Bael, meanwhile, appeared at Red Philips again without Bibi, and began a carouse of heroic length, it lasting well into Week 4. While this debauch aroused the admiration of his fellow officers, it seems that his Mistress was less than amused by being left out of the festivities, as the luscious Bibi was seen walking out one afternoon with the young Major Gagnon!

Unaware of this disaster in the realm of Venus, Monsieur Bael was busy giving the benefit of his gaming experience to a young gentleman, Monsieur Le Main, a member of the Club, but sadly the run of dice was against the young man who ended the session 50 Pistoles down.

Week 4
The newly commissioned Baron Mauvoisin introduced himself to his Battalion by a week of rapier practice. We are sure that the King will be most gratified to note that such a war hero takes so seriously the duties of protecting The Royal Person.

Roland LeBlanc left his carouses for a few minutes in order to pen an advert for this paper, which he sent by hand of his servant Robin, a notably rotund man who certainly did not suffer from the recent rigours of army rations. He might be said to be a Round Dobin. Le Poireau is gratified by the patronage of such distinguished gentlemen as Mr. LeBlanc.

The Lt-Colonel Bael was also working hard to solve the problem of being nearly sober, and
seems to have succeeded wonderfully well, judging by the final bar bill at his Club. Regimental colleagues amused themselves separately though, Major Thoré applied himself to drills at the barracks, while Major Guderian made a determined foray to the hotel of Madame Manon Bouvier, though we are unable to report on the results of this expedition.

The young Le Main, having tired of the game of Dice, elected to continue his carouses in the Rue Pigalle.

Such was the life of Paris this month, when conquering Heroes returned from War to resume their normal daily lives.

Sport
Monsieur Bois, the famous Goffer, apologised publicly to his followers for having entertained a mere 19 mistresses during the recent years of his career. “I know I have let down my family and disappointed my friends, and I promise to apply myself diligently to improve my scoring in the months ahead.”

Paris
Le Poireu Says: Save the 13th Fusiliers!!
Let a a good man be found to become Colonel, so that our glorious 13th Fusiliers may not die.

La France
Farmers nationwide complained of the appalling summer weather. In unison they called upon His Most Christian Majest’s government to do something.


International
Laughable Silliness of the English King

His Majesty King James the 1st of England and 6th of Scotland is said to have given the province of Canada to Sir Alexander Sterling. Intelligent Frenchmen can scarce believe that such a minor territory, fit only as a source of beaver pelts, should be considered a fit reward for a knight.



Swedes On The March

The monstrous wave of Protestantism rose higher this summer when Godless Swedish troops occupied the Baltic port of Riga. When will this horror cease?



Business
Normandy declares a Bumper Crop!
Both the apple orchards and the herds have prospered greatly thanks to the wonderful summer weather. The province reports with confidence the expectation of the most bounteous Calvados harvest and plentiful supplies of Camembert in the autumn.

Cheese shares fell 15 points on the news.

Awesome. With awesomesauce on top. The boys are back in town!

Yup. And the new maxim is: If the presents don't succeed, find a girl who always accepts cash.

There isn't enough fighting in Paris. I hate having to have a reason for a duel. This is why I prefer the battlefield. In war, a soldier needs no reason but the command of his king.

Recruit more players! Seriously, if we had two dozen guys going after the same short list of mistresses, no doubt there'd be blood on the streets nearly every week. I've tried to recruit about a half-dozen friends so far; might actually get one or two of them in soon.

I like the new character sheets a lot.

Leaderboard has been updated on the Website.

Is there anyone who still can't see the website? I made it visible to all the internet.

I can see the website now, though I still don't have a googlegroups account.

I've just accepted one invite via email, and extended another, quite different one...

A servant wearing dark clothes delivers a handwritten note to Col. Bael's servant. It simply states: "Mon ami: I have heard. Let me know if you require a second. M.G."

So like, are we getting to be behind a turn here. I don't mind doing the game every other week instead of once a week. Maybe once a week if we are ever on forced campaign again. I mean heck there could be MORE PLAYERS soon.

No disrespect to Kilkrazy who is running the best darn campaign of EnGarde! I myself for one have ever played in. Heck the best pen and paper I have been involved in in a while, maybe we could go back in time ten years and assault Undermountain. I suppose once a week keeps players interested other than just me, Ragnar and Panzer.

Or we could do something like every ten days. Orders due on the 1st, 11th and 21st of each month, for example. So 36 turns in a year instead of 52, maybe more if we are campaigning we can get an extra turn in.

The schedule got badly disrupted around Christmas-New Year.

Now the character sheets are properly organised it becomes easier to run the game.

We can go weekly with the number of players we have at the moment. If the number of players increases enough, I would have to go to fortnightly turns. I think I can handle 12-15 players on a weekly basis.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
As players what you will find it the more players in the game, the more planning and plotting you have to do each turn, especially when you start to use influence and get Appointments which allow you to directly affect other players. For example, if someone became a colonel of a regiment, they make the decisions about who can join the regiment.

Le Poireau de Paris -- Special Bulletin



The 13th Fusiliers are saved from disbandment!

His Most Christian Majesty King Louis XIII has made the following announcement.

“The 13th Fusiliers being an honourable corps with a long history, it would displease Us greatly to disband the Regiment.

We hereby appoint the Monsieur Jean-Luc Thoré, being at present a Major of the Picardy Musketeers, to the Colonel of the Regiment.

We confide that the 13th Fusiliers will quickly be restored to strength and good regard under his leadership.

Young gentlemen of bold spirit seeking a career in service, may apply to the Colonel for admission to the Corps.”

Le Poireau thanks the people of Paris for their dedicated support of one of our oldest regiments.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
NB: If a regiment has a player character as its colonel, he makes the decision to accept or refuse applicants regardless of other factors such as Influence and Luck.

Someone wanting to join a regiment without the nuisance of visiting the HQ and dicing for it, might find it advantageous to send a note to the Colonel regarding their desire to join his corps.

"Huzzah for Col. Thore! Well done, there."

Have to echo Taco's comments about the campaign. It's a ton of fun, and I love the details KK adds.

Le Poireau de Paris de Octobre 1621


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Classifieds
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Court and Social

Commissions and Appointments
Monsieur Jean-Luc Thoré is appointed Colonel of the 13th Fusiliers.
Monsieur Jean-Michel Bale is appointed Colonel of the Picardy Musketeers.
Monsieur Manfred Guderian is appointed Divisional Adjutant of the 1st Division of Foot.

Danger of the Huguenots
His Excellency the Cardinal has warned of the dangers of religious factionalism. “One country must have one religion, and the religion of France is Roman Catholicism.”


Around Town
The new Colonel Thoré of the glorious 13th Fusiliers repaired immediately to the headquarters of his regiment, where he spent the entire month in examining applicants, practicing rapier and other necessary duties.

One applicant who was accepted to the regiment, is the young André le Main, who takes up the duties of Subaltern. While he closely followed his Colonel’s example in practicing rapier, the young blade did not neglect the necessity of rest and relaxation, and partook of a carouse in the Rue Pigalle in week 4.

The Major Gagnon of the Gascons, having made a new acquaintance last month, enjoyed three weeks in her company – we mean of course the lovely Bibi, lately seen out and about with Monsieur Bael who is said to be fuming about her lack of fidelity to him.

The new Major of the Royal Foot Guards, Monsieur le Baron Mavoisin, advanced his rank to Lieutenant-Colonel. We feel sure he could be persuaded to step higher if the way were open. The new second-in-command spent several weeks in practice of the Rapier.


Week 1
Monsieur Bael and Monsieur Le Tacommane went together to the club Horse Guards and caroused. They played at dice – Monsieur Le Tacommane making the throws while his accomplice gave him advice. Although Monsieur Le Tacommane is quite a novice at the tables, he certainly does not lack the stomach for the game and played maximum bets on every throw. His Mistress Olympe was always at his side, offering moral support.

After three throws Mr. Le Tacommane had lost twice and cut once. Pistoles were flowing like a river across the table to the House, but Monsieur Bael advised his friend that Luck would soon change, and so it did! The next three throws were all won by the Dragoon Guards officer, who declared himself satisfied and left the table 125 Pistoles to the good.

Monsieur Bael’s comrade in arms Monsieur Guderian was absent from this carouse. He had better things to do apparently – involving a young lady whose name is known to begin and end in N.


Week 2
While Mr. Le Tacommane continued his carouses at Horse Guards, Olympe on his arm, Colonel Bael excused himself on an affair of the heart. Who knows which lovely young lady is fortunate to have been the object of his affections?

Mr. Guderian meanwhile was content with the simple pleasures of Rue Pigalle.


Week 3
The doughty Guderian went to his club the Frog and Peach, in order to carouse. Where he met Mr. Bael who was back at the dice tables.

The Colonel, an experienced gambler, had a choppy night of it, and could not establish his luck. Even so he managed to walk away 100 Pistoles to the good.

Mr. Guderian however much he enjoyed his drinking, received a mysterious note and became most upset on reading it. The club’s doorman said it was definitely from a lady since it carried a delicious scent. One can only speculate as to the contents. The good officer returned to his carousing, perhaps to drown his sorrows.

The Horse Guards Club, most unusually was not graced by the presence of Lt-Colonel Le Tacommane and his Mistress Olympe. The lady was abandoned at home while the beau sabreaur, already a noted swordsman, practiced with his regiment’s weapon.


Week 4
As Mr. Le Tacommane continued his practices, the young Gentlemen Mr. Gagnon of the Gascons and Mr Bael of the Picardy Musketeers had arranged a meeting at the hill of Montmartre outside the city walls.

This engagement followed on an indiscretion committed by Mr. Gagnon during Septembre.

The ground was prepared by Mr. Bael’s servants. When Mr. Gagnon arrived, the two gallant officers exchanged the usual courtesies before they drew and crossed rapiers.

Mr. Bael sprang to action at great speed, taking his opponent by surprise and touching his left hand. Mr. Gagnon however was only lightly cut and returned a cut which took Mr. Bael in the arm.

This wound put Mr Bael slightly off his pace. Although he attacked swiftly, his timing was off. Mr. Gagnon was able to parry and riposted with a thrust to the thigh.

Mr. Bael was by now looking weak from loss of blood, however his courage was still as strong as ever. Again he sprang to attack, and Mr. Gagnon sprang at the same instant! Both men landed their blades on each other. The Colonel Bael’s was a serious thrust through and through Mr. Gagnon’s shoulder. For a moment it seemed this might turn the tide of the fight, however the Major’s blade also drew blood. At this, Mr. Bael feeling very weak, found it necessary to put up his sword.

The two Gentlemen shook hands and with the help of their servants bound up their wounds, then returned to Paris together, the Colonel Bael heading for his club in order to help speed his recovery by a good carouse. The Major Gagnon went straight home.


Le Sport
France wins all of The Rugby!

The Three Nations tournament of The Rugby between France, England and Scotland was won by France when Scotland and France ganged up on England thus outnumbering the English by 73 players.

The English kicking game was hampered by their new boots, which cover the leg up to the mid-thigh. The English found difficulty in raising their feet higher than the level of the knee. Thus they were unable to kick properly at their opponents’ crotches, a serious disadvantage in this sport. Despite this setback the English played well, their heavy boots offered a firm footing in the mud and allowed them to swing their fists with great effect.

Final Score: France and Scotland 1, England 0.

48 players are recovering in the Hopital St Suplice.


Paris
Le Poireau Says Hurray for Colonel Thore and the 13th Fusiliers!!
Colonel Thore is to be congratulated in taking this important post. His heroic reputation will surely restore the regiment to full strength.


La France
Farmers complain of bad weather
The Farmer’s Union petitioned the Cardinal Richelieu for relief from the unseasonable autumn weather.

Rebellion of the Huguenots
The Siege of Montauban has ended badly for the forces of Law and Order.
The Huguenots still hold the city, while the Royal Army is done in and worn out by a two month’s siege. With the season no far advanced towards Winter, it is doubtful whether any progress can be made this year.


International
Peace between Poland and the Ottomans

Battle at Khotyn Dniester
King Sigismund II of Poland has beaten the Turks in a great battle lasting a full month and ended on the 28th last.
This news arrived at the same time as word of a Treaty signed between Poland and the Ottomans on Octobre 9th.
The treaty, called Peace of Khotyn, must be ratified by the Sublime Porte and the High Porte, even then, it may be doubted as to how long the peace may hold.


Business
The East India fleet now being delayed a month, The Company said a Fleet might be delayed and still make port safely, though the likelihood of danger of storms increased as the season wanes.
Shares of the Company fell 20 points.

*cough*. Ow. My spleen.

Mes amis, is anyone in a mood to share a drink in comraderie with a wounded man?

Always at the ready to support a comrade in arms--always. Still, a noble fight. Ah to fight again! The autumn bells of Paris are lovely, of course, but my heart belongs to the din of the battlefield . . . and to one other. But alas, she is as far above me as heaven itself. Come, Monsieur Colonel, and let us sing of old wars and fresh wounds.

Yes, mes amis, Paris is both beautiful and deadly when it comes to matters of the heart. I believe I shall avail myself of this city for another moon, but I grow restless as do my troops. Perhaps a little blooding against the Huguenots will do us some good. My battalion will join the winter campaign against the nonbelievers as a training exercise of sorts to sharpen the sword for the summer months ahead.

I can only pray and toil that the 13th recovers in time to join you, my old friend.

Gentlemen, if you would be so kind as to accept my invitation, I will welcome you both at Blue Gables in the third week of Novembre. Friend Manfred, if you will sit and drink with me, I look forward to discussing your plans in regards to the heretics, and the use of Picardy's finest.

It will be an honor as always Monsieur. I shall be there with a full set of both battle plans and vixens.

Le Poireau Parisien de Novembre 1621 


Advertisements 

Luc-Vincent Thoré gratefully accepts command of the 13 Fusiliers, of
whom he expects no less heroism than that so recently evinced by his
former regiment the Picardy Musketeers.  Thoré has sworn that His
Majesty's enemies shall tremble whenever the 13th marches.


“Some lines recently translated by Col. Bael, from the barbarous English tongue into something more refined”:
 
“Dedicated to an Ideal Lady:
Drink to me, only with thine eyes
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I'll not look for wine.”


Court and Social 
His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu congratulated the Polish on their concluding a peace with the Ottomans.

The King has taken up a new sport of Le Croquet. It is played upon a fine lawn with a mallet by which the player strikes a wooden ball to direct it through a narrow hoop.


Around Town 
The city was rather quiet this month. Many gentlemen spent a lot of time practising with Rapier, &c. which is not to be wondered at given the great duel which occurred in the month last, which has excited all sporting passions.

Week 1: The Baron Mauvoisin squired Madame Olympe to Club Bothwells. Whilst the lady is perhaps somewhat beneath a gentleman of the Baron’s social lievel, she is indeed lovely and has other qualities to recommend her to the discerning.

In contrast to the rarefied atmosphere of Bothwells, the stews of Rue Pigalle were patronised by Lt-Colonel Guderian and the young Subaltern Le Main of the renowned 13th
Fusiliers, who were followed by footpads on their returning to their apartements and Mr. Le Main, a doughty young man turned upon his follower like a raging bull and clasping him by the neck and thigh, threw the knave bodily over a wall into the cess pit of the convent of St Martin, a fit punishment for such a creature!

Meanwhile the servant of Lt-Colonel Tacommane, was seen to purchase a large quantity of lavender eau de toilette of Provence, a very fit gift for a lady if a Gentleman were to find his heart ensnared by some bewitching visage. The valiant Mr. Tacommane having recently abandoned his Mistress Olympe, must have cast eyes upon another Lady of charm and grace.

Week 2: The Baron Mauvoisin seemed to consider he had enjoyed enough disports for one month and applied himself to his regimental duties with vigour, and was seen fencing up and down the courtyard of the Royal Foot Guards headquarters for most of the rest of the month.

Lt-Colonel Le Tacommane caused a stirr by appearing at Club Hunters not his usual haunt of the Horse Guards and wished to gamble to the greatest extent allowed. The Lt-Colonel was disappointed to find how low the table limit is, only 200 Pistoles, and declared that such a club was hardly fit for a cavalry officer but he would stay as long as his Mistress Camille, were content to accompany him.

The fierce officer then repaired to the dice table and threw down a steady series of bets, winning five, losing only one and cutting on three which proved him an apt student of his friend Mr. Bael. The warrior left the tables 500 Pistoles to the good and declared perhaps Hunters was not such a bad club after all. After this excitement being a dedicated office Mr. Tacommane spent the rest of the month in practice of the Sabre.

At the Picardy Musketeers Colonel Bael and Lt-Colonel Guderian, old comrades in arms, sparred with each other and seemed evenly matched in skill though the Colonel is certainly the stronger of the two.

Week 3: The Colonel Bael chose to relax this week by holding a party at Club Blue Gables which he attended with Mistress Roxane whom had not been seen in the company of a Gentleman for some months. The Colonel was attended by his deputy Mr. Guderian, and a young Subaltern Mr. Le Main of the 13th Fusiliers who brought the regrets and apologies of his Colonel the undoubted Hero of the late campaign in Flanders, whose current task to revitalise the regiment takes up all his time.
It was disappointing that Mr. Bael, a noted gambler at Dice, did not display his skill for the edification of the members of his new Club on this occasion. It is much to be hoped that the Colonel will choose to challenge Fortune when he next visits, so that Dice fans may once again have the pleasure of observing his skill.

Week 4: No-one of note was seen around town as all busied themselves in practice of their favourite weapons.


Paris 
The Constable of Paris warned that the activities of footpads in various areas, especially the Rue Pigalle, being a concern to the authorities, it behooved any gentlemen who might be returning home in the early hours, to take care of themselves and their purses.


La France 
The recent weather has been of great concern to farmers in all of France, who are united in their call for the government to do something to avert the crisis which is advancing upon them as surely as a glacier advances down from Mont Blanc.

In surprise news, a rumour emerged that The King has not taken an acknowledged Mistress from among the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting for some months. Le Poireau does not care to dignify such a scurrilless rumour with any expectation of its proving to be the truth.


International 
This month there has been no news, so instead we present a commemorative lithograph of the Siege of La Rochelle.




Business 
East India Fleet Arrives!
Early indications are of a disappointing 10% return on investments.

Dear sirs:
After studying our nation's noble history in recent weeks I considered heading back off to war but I have decided it is worthwhile, and has been made my worthwhile to remain in Paris for just a liiiiiiiitle while longer. Besides the fact my (our) men need their rest. Madame Dupont and I will be at Hunter's this first week in Decembre if anyone should care to join I (the incomparable Mr. le Tacomanne) will be picking up the bar tab you will have to pay for whatever gambling yourselves, of course. Mrs. Bael and Leblanc are invited in particular although Mrs. Guderian, Gagnon Thoré can consider themselves invited as well. I have found Hunter's to be an excellent place for gambling although maybe not as generous as my old home with The Horse Guards, of course. With the highest regard,

Patrick le Tacomanne

Mrs. Tacomanne,

I have decided it would be a terrible sin to send my good Catholic men into the field for Christmas. I will let them rest for the holidays with their families and pursue the campaign against the heretics in the new year. I will gladly join you in the first week of December.

Manfred Guderian

::crickets chirping::

I was just wondering where our GM had gotten to.

Some people might be interested in a game I'm working on. It's called The Jewelled City, and it's going to be an online game heavily based on En Garde, but with its own setting.

I am a bit curious about this as well. I presumed life must have gotten in the way and perhaps too few of us were submitting orders. I didn't submit last Friday as I hadn't gotten a turn result for the previous week.

I do love the game, but if the level of player interest/involvement is too low and/or life too busy for the GM, that's understandable.

Yeah, no harm no foul. I wonder if there could be a 40k version of this . . . something premised on the players being aspiring Chaos Lords or something?

I think the En Garde model could be adopted to almost any RPG, fantasy or sci-fi setting. In some cases it'd probably work better than the D&D model of rootless adventurers (for example the world of Vampire).

Hey, apeloverage, would you mind starting a thread in this forum describing your concept?

The game I'm working on, or the general concept of En Garde-like games?

The one you are working on, please!

Done, it's here:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/291075

Kilkrazy for President.

Decembre 1621



Advertisements and Classified

Colonel Thoré wishes felicitations to the people of Paris in this season of our Savior's nativity and enjoins them to pray God for the renewed strength of the 13th Fusiliers. He reminds all brave young men who love France and God's servant her King that it is not too early for thinking on the fortunes of the new year's impending campaign and reporting to 13th Fusiliers Regimental Headquarters.


Court and Social

His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu completed arrangements for a Great Ball to be held in Week 1, Janvier 1622. The Ball at the Palais des Tuileries will be hosted by His Majesty The King and all of France’s greatest warriors are to be invited.

His Most Christian Majesty was cast into despond by the sudden and greatly regretted demise of the Constable Of France.



Charles d'Albert, duc de Luynes

5th August 1578 to 15th December 1621



Around Town

Gambling at dice was the preferred diversion this month as the bad weather conspired to keep gentlemen from their usual sport at the Chase and encouraged them to follow indoor pursuits.

Week 1
Lt-Colonel Tacomanne hosted another of his famous parties at Club Hunters. The lady on his arm was Camille Dupont, which excited some comment from the other members as it is only one month since that the gallant officer was seen in company of Madame Olympe.

The beau sabreur was shortly joined by old comrades in arms Colonel Bael and Lt-Colonel Guderian of the Picardy Musketeers. Mr. Bael was accompanied by Madame Roxane, while Mr. Guderian contented himself with some small talk with a bar maid. They were soon met by the dashing Colonel Thoré of our own 13th Fusiliers, who declared he had come to learn the art of gambling from the masters.

The party moved to the dice table where Mr le Tacomanne extended himself considerably and bet 1,800 pistoles in the evening. He made a small loss but was heard to remark it was little enough to pay to alleviate the dullness of the club.

The other clubs of Paris were quiet this week as gentlemen were occupying themselves with different pursuits. The flower, perfume and fur markets were heavily patronised by several officers, among them the young Major Gagnon of the Gascons, who is known not to take an insult from any man.

Week 2
Lt-Colonel Le Tacommane again went to Hunters for the gambling and played a few rounds before he declared himself content and enjoyed the rest of the evening in a private room with Camille.

His erstwhile comrade Colonel Bael was at the congenial Blue Gables Club, and gambled with his usual panache though Fortune did not smile upon his dice and the Colonel left the tables 300P down so that it was said by observers this was not his best form and he must sharpen up in the New Year.

The Baron Mauvoisin caused some small surprise by appearing at his Club Bothwells in company of Olympe, who very recently was known to be stepping out with Mr. Le Tacomanne, though that gentleman was seen the week before in company of Madame Camille which was to be remarked at. However nothing untoward eventuated so any parting must have been amiable.

Various other gentlemen diverted themselves by skirmishes in the field of Venus, and the Rue Pigalle was attacked by Mr. Guderian and the Colonel Thoré among others.



Week 3
The Colonel Thoré made a rare appearance at his club the Frog & Peach and declared his intention to practice lessons of The Dice which he had recently taken at the hand of a master.

The Colonel, whose fiery passion in war is tempered with a thoughtful strategy of dice, was cautious but resolute in prosecution of his campaign. Mr. Thoré cut on each of his first four rounds then rallied and won three of his last five, so it was said by onlookers that his play exhibited the depth of strategy that he customarily deployed when facing the Spanish in the Field of Mars. While a negligible loss was sustained, the admiration of the onlookers was greatly excited by the steadiness of the Colonel’s eye and throwing arm.

The Colonel then finished his sixth pint of claret, declared himself satisfied with the evening’s entertainment and went back to his apartements where he would be engaged on official business, no doubt concerned with enhancing the glory of the 13th Fusiliers.

Meanwhile our reporters could not fail to notice the several visits by Major Gagnon to the hotel of Madame Ninon, on one occasion his servant was bearing flowers, then perfumes, on a third furs. This last present seems to have won the heart of the lady since the Major was admitted to the apartements and did not exit for several hours.


Week 4

Blue Gables Club was drunk out of wine by Colonel Bael, in his third week of a continuous carouse, so that the doughty warrior had to content himself with beer to slake his thirst, and declared himself dissatisfied with the level of service however the Butler came to the Colonel and blamed the recent snow for the failed delivery of the usual tuns of wine, which excuse was accepted graciously.

Most other gentlemen of the town either devoted themselves to choosing their outfits to be worn to the New Year’s Military Grand Ball, or idled their time away in practice of duelling.


Paris

A Great Fireworks will be displayed on the evening of the 14th January at the Ile de la Cité, by gracious favour of His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu. The best views will be had from the Left Bank.

Many hundred valiant gentlemen have flocked to the banner of the 13th Fusiliers. Paris confidently expects its favourite regiment to rise again to glory in the campaign of 1622 wherever it may be directed.




La France

Snow was complained of as affecting many crops including asparagus, sheep’s wool, foie gras and Tomme du Savoie.

The Farmers’ Union called upon the government to consider the distress of the ordinary working farmer in such extreme conditions.



International

His Majesty King James having ruled wisely and by means of the sale of honours &c for several years had been compelled to summon a Parlement, the iniquitous gathering of lower classes who falsely believe it is their position to bandy words, dicker and otherwise argue with their natural sovereign.

Le Poireau is over-joyed however to hear news that the glorious monarch as dismissed the gathering of plebeians and will once again rule as God intended by the keen intelligence of his own crowned head.


Business

The Wurst Scandal
Sausage futures fell 13% when it was discovered how German sausages are actually made.

Will we be given any clues as to the amount of SPs gained in the Winter Ball? Mayhap it will count as toadying to the King?

Very likely. I have worked out a mechanism which I think is fair to all.

I cannot imagine that any loyal officer would refuse an invitation from their sovereign.

Just to remind people of the rules:

The King extends an invitation to the following:

All Royal Foot guards officers
All Colonels of Regiments
A selected number of lower ranking officers chosen at random.
player character Colonels of Regiments may nominate one of their officers to accompany them.
Non-player Colonels can be Influenced to nominate a player character.
Mistresses may be brought.

No fights allowed at the ball however if a disagreement should arise, gentlemen may make arrangements for the following month.

If you are not in the categories above and didn't receive an invitation with your results it means you are not one of the lucky ones this year.

Col. Bael is happily trying on new outfits, and sparing little thought for whether he might invite a lucky friend officer. But he is about the regimental HQ and his usual carousing haunts often enough that he could certainly be approached about an invite...

Lt. Col. Guderian feels slightled by the oversight of His Majesty's inept clerks and will be headed to the battle fields to prove his worth for King and Country.

You know a colonel in your regiment.

I know. But I feel like being a moody, irritated Prussian. ;-) If Mr. Bael needs company, however, I would be hard pressed to decline my commander's request. Perhaps I could help him procure something for the regiment using my influence with the division commander....

OOC: Aw, but you're OUR moody, irritated Prussian! Like a Regimental mascot!

Alhors! Can I just say how much I love this game?

Le Poireau Parisien de Janvier 1622


Le Poireau offers Greetings of the Season and all best wishes for Prosperity and Health to our Subscribers.



Advertisements and Classified

Recruitment
Many gallant sons of Paris have already answered our King's call to glory.
But there are still billets available at the 13th Fusiliers' headquarters for any able young man with a brave heart.
Inquire there, especially you gentlemen seeking commissions, to follow Colonel Tho into heroic battle.

The Scottish Method -- An infallible Way of Training the Strength of the Limbes and Bodie.
Monsieur Sholto MacBain, of Edinburgh, an Expert in the Art of Training, presents The Scottish Method. This Discipline and Training shall if diligently followed without fail restore the strength of a Gentleman, depleted by lack of martial exercise.

(Rules: A character can train their strength for one week at a cost of the current level of the characteristic. Four weeks training will increase the characteristic by +1. The characteristic cannot be trained more than +3 above its starting level.)


Court and Social

Military Ball of the Feast of Epiphany
The great Military Ball, held on the Feast of Epiphany was the premier event of the Month. Attended by all the Royal Foot guards, and the most distinguished of elite regimental officers, the occasion was graced by the presence of His Most Christian Majesty, who deigned to receive all officers and their Ladies into his presence before the commencement of a glittering Ball, held in the most lofty chambers of the Palais des Tuileries.

The gardens having been specially decorated for the occasion, revellers were able to refresh themselves at buffet tables set up both inside and outside, where snow covered the formal gardens and was used to ice the champagne.


The Great Fire Workes
His Eminence Cardinal Richelieu was pleased to present a splendid Fire Workes for the delight of the people of Paris. This splendid display, on the evening of the 14th January, culminated in a salute of 21 guns, fired by order of the Constable of Paris from La Bastille.

The noise of the discharges, coming on top of the ravishing spectacle of colour and light, was seen to overwhelm numerous ladies in the crowds, who had to be helped and revived by the few gentlemen present.

Madame La Marchesa Rosalba Fimiani, a noblewoman of Milan newly arrived in Paris, was among the high born women who succumbed to the excitement of the occasion, however she was happily rescued by the Cardinal’s Guards.


Around Town


Week 1: Defying the inclement weather and the lure of civilian pursuits Lt-Colonel Guderian marched the 1st Battalion of the Picardy Musketeers out from the south gates of Paris and they were seen to take the road towards the Midi. While the march was carried out in severe cold, the diligent Lt-Colonel had provided excellent rations for his men, so they were sustained by a pint of hot rum and water at their midday break and evening camp. Further, Mr. Guderian had organised his Subalterns to bring up the rear of the column with their servants and grooms all mounted and armed. Thus there was little straggling.

At the same time, many of Mr. Guderian’s comrades were making merry at the Military Ball. Notably present among the throng were the following gentlemen:

The Baron Mauvoisin, accompanied by Madame Camille.
Mr. Patrick le Tacomanne, who was in a bad mood.
Mr. Roland leBlanc of the Royal Marines, and his fellow of the 1st Brigade, the Colonel Bael of the Picardy Musketeers, who squired Madame Roxane.
The Colonel Thoré, fresh from reviewing the 13th Fusiliers, who was seen to be looking coldly at the Baron. He was accompanied by his aide the Subaltern le Main -- it is so typical of the Colonel to remember to show favour to the junior officers.
Apart from many colonels and staff officers the roll of honour was completed by Major Gagnon of the Gascons, with his Mistress Madame Ninon.


Week 2: The Baron Mauvoisin applied himself to study of the Rapier.

Most gentlemen however found time to amuse themselves in the Clubs, and much dicing was engaged in though in general the results were poor and it was said the dice were cold. Colonel Bael at Blue Gables went down 50P in an evening, though normally a very successful gambler, and Lt-Colonel le Tacomanne, who reverted to the Horse Guards to take advantage of their higher table limit, had mediocre luck and stayed into the third week in the hope of changing his fortunes.

Colonel Thoré caroused by himself, while the young Subaltern le Main was nowhere to be seen and he is thought to have been paying a visit to a Lady.

Major Gagnon spent the rest of the month carousing with his Mistress Ninon at the Frog & Peach, a highly commendable use of time considering the miserable weather of this season.


Week 3: The Colonel Thoré returned to his club the Frog & Peach in order to play at Dice, however the luck was against him and the Colonel needed all his skill to cut and cut again escaping with a loss of 300P. He was heard to remark that being unlucky at dice perhaps he would be luckier in Love, and left for his regimental HQ with a spring in his step.

At the Horse Guards, Mr. le Tacomanne carried straight on through from the previous week, and was not without luck; at the end of two weeks his losses were only 125P, onlookers said how admirable were his fortitude and determination to persist.

The serving staff at Blue Gables was again kept most busy by Colonel Bael, who caroused through to the end of the month.


Week 4: In general a quiet week and only the news from the south enlivened the Clubs.

A despatch from General Salers, commanding the siege at Montpelier, welcomed the arrival of the 1st Battalion, the Picardy Musketeers and mentioned that Lt-Colonel Guderian had not only made a record time of march to reach the siege lines, he had also fought a successful action against a sortie of Huguenots which had threatened to carry away a supply train.



Paris

Thanks to the excellent efforts of the bold Colonel Thoré, the 13th Fusiliers has grown its establishment to over 800 men and seeks to expand this further. Both private gentlemen and the militarily ambitious are invited to apply to the Colonel for admission to this elite Regiment.


La France

Snow, mists and cold fogs affected the Ile de France, while the Midi and the south enjoyed strong winter sun.

Shepherds warned that either kind of weather is strongly injurious to the health of their flocks, and the government had better consider what aid should be given to avoid a dearth of sheep’s milk so important in the production of many of France’s finest cheeses.




International

English adventurers of their East India Company have formed alliance with the Persian Empire, as they claim to prosecute pirate activities however it is doubted this can be true and the hidden objective of the allies may be to disrupt lawful French trade with the Indies or otherwise discomfit Certain Foreign Powers, viz. the Spanish and Portuguese, which if it came about would not be a Bad Thing.


Business

East India Company
Shares rose 7% on expectation of a Royal Commission.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The Leaderboard has been updated.

Mr. Patrick le Tacomanne is still in a bad mood but at the least some quality time was spent at the Horse Guard's.

*STAMPS FOOT*

My dear Lt-Col Tacomanne, it is only natural to experience a certain torpor and foulness of mood when so long deprived of one's natural vocation to soldiery. Why, one only need to think of brave Guderian marching out in the middle of winter. If you want to know my opinion, sir, the only tonic for it is a fight. Yes indeed, the soul only knows repose after honorable combat. Paris, alas, for all her many pleasures often denies us the one we soldiers most require.

What a grand event.

Our sovereign is truly magnificent and beneficent to host such an event!


In the evening's excitement I noted hostility between our good Baron Mauvoisin and Col. Thore. Would either gentleman care to explain this?


Lt.Col LeBlanc

Le Canard Sale de Janvier 1622

All the news that other papers dare not print!


Military Balls
A certain lt-colonel experienced a personal Epiphany when he found the Lady whom he thought was his Mistress, on the arm of a high ranking Royal Foot Guard!


Love and Rockets
So many high-ranking beauties at the Cardinal’s Fire Werks, who fainted of the noise, to be carried off by the Cardinal’s Guards. Where and from who did they receive succour?


Gambling -- is Dice Rigging Rampant in the Clubs?
With such notable rollers of the bones as Mr. Bael and Le Tacomanne failing to score consistently, perhaps the Constable of Paris should leave off from his feu de joie salutes and investigate the source of the foreign dice now in use. Are they Spanish? Are they English? One thing is sure, they cannot be French!


All the nice girls love a sailor!
But none of them love a Royal Marine... When will the lonely Le Blanc find a Lady?


Le Canard Says Save Our Cheese!
With bad weather all over the country threatening the production of ewe’s milk necessary, nay VITAL for the making of France’s best cheeses, the time has come for the Government to protect this essential national resource.


A Bad Neighbour at the Palais?
Rumours reach us that a certain senior officer of the Royal Foot Guards, desirous of advancement with despatch, has been importuning in a wide sphere, preferring Promotion by Influence rather than by hard work in the field of War. Command of a regiment, and the dignity of a Minister, are within his grasp if only his friends will rally round.


Marvellous Mess at Montpelier
The month’s military dispatches make much mention of Mr. Guderian’s great marching and defending of the supplies. The good Lt-Colonel’s skills fully deserve the praise, none can doubt he is a credit to his regiment. The question should be asked though, why a battalion that had not yet reached the lines, should have need to defend itself against a sortie. What kind of Siege commander allows the Enemy to walk in and out of the town he is supposed to be attacking, practically as they like. General Salers should be recalled.

Dear Sirs:

While disappointed I was not able to post a bulletin in time for one of our local papers, I have been trying to decide what to do with myself this Fevrier, the Summer Campaign growing closer and closer -- as I am sure you yourselves have noticed.

So I am proposing a party at the esteemed establishment Bothwell's this month in the first week of Fevrier. Anyone is welcome to come, regardless of their own social standing in Paris it is an EXCELLENT opportunity for our social circle to establish ourselves further before the summer campaign. I (with the help of my family's purse) will be paying for carousing for our circle as well as any mistresses who might happen to join us.

Oh yes by the way. The "Baron" Xavier Mushy-man is NOT invited but thankfully I only have eight invitations going out so We will have no concern of such a disreputable lush crashing our party.

Speaking of which, and yes you will have to pay for your own gambling -- but Bothwell's as you may know boasts NO LIMIT on bets made there. You will have to cover your own bets of course but feel free to share any winnings with your comrades haha.

Sincerely,
Lt-Colonel le Tacomanne
Dragoon Guards

Dear Monsieur le Tacomanne,

I am highly desirous of your esteemed company and will certainly clear my schedule to attend one of your famous parties. It is widely known throughout Paris that you have the finest taste regarding who you do and do not invite. I will be honored, by the by, to attend with the lovely Mademoiselle Prideau, which gracious and charming lady was so lately misued as you may have heard. Her plight, I believe, has some connection with a certain offense to the honor of your own munificent person in which regard I assure you I too am deeply aggrieved. My rancour is somewhat assuaged, however, knowing that no dishonorable cads would dare show their snooty cowards' faces at your party realizing as they must that only sharp blades wielded by strong arms wait to greet them.

With warm affection,

Colonel Luc-Vincent Thoré
13th Fusiliers

P.S.--Did you see that article about foreign dice in Le Canard? That paper may be no Poireau Parisien but I reckon they are on to something!

Yes my Friend the dice have indeed been rolling poor of late (even taking a loss!) but I personally thought it was due to the lack of a Lady's accompaniment. But yes, the English and Spanish could also be to blame! Mon dieu!

- Patrick le Tacomanne
Dragoon Guard

This really made a very stressful day at work a lot more bearable. Great stuff.

Could people post about their experience with En Garde! by way of advertisement in the thread linked below:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/292698.page

If it's okay with Kilkrazy, I reckon we could do with some new blood.

Someone enquired at the weekend. I sent them a character and they have just replied.

The Horse Guards' Guide to Gambling
So I wrote a gambling primer, it is not finished yet I need to type up the explanation of the math and a couple other things but it will be ready for say early Monday morning. Today being Wednesday.

I like it, I think it is OK I might edit it a couple times over the months but it is pretty much done other than the fact it is not finished yet.

If anyone thinks it is cool or has any questions, righto.

Looks good. I tried to load the Fighting Fantasy page but there was nothing there but the header.

Yeah it actually looks like this right now:

http://madbean.com/anim/totallygridbag/

Thanks.

Le Poireau de Paris, Fevrier 1621


Advertisements and Classified

Colonel Jean-Michael Bael on Gambling
The use of foreign dice in Paris’s clubs is a public disgrace. The Constable of Paris should suppress this pernicious practice!

Recruitment
Colonel Thore wishes to express his sincere gratitude to Le Poireau Parisien.
He declares its unflagging support of the 13th Fusiliers a most commendable service to His Majesty and all France.
Also, he encourages gentlemen readers of this honorable gazette, excluding any few who are cowards, to appear before him at regimental headquarters where some few billets might still be filled.

The Scottish Method -- An infallible Way of Training the Strength of the Limbes and Bodie.
Monsieur Sholto MacBain, of Edinburgh, an Expert in the Art of Training, presents The Scottish Method. This Discipline and Training shall if diligently followed without fail restore the strength of a Gentleman, depleted by lack of martial exercise.



Court and Social

A Proclamation of His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu
“The practice of duelling has increased grieviously in recent months. Far from being an affair of honour, the clashing of arms within Paris is little better then brigandage. The Cardinal’s Guards have been instructed to aid the Constable of Paris in suppressing duellists wherever or whenever they are encountered within the walls of the city.”


Military Appointments
His Most Christian Majesty King Louis XIII has been gracious as to accept the resignations of the following Colonels, who are to be employed on other government duties.

Mr. Chaorce, the Royal Foot Guards, who is appointed to Governor of the Port of Toulouse
Mr. Raclette, the King’s Musketeers, who is appointed to Constable of the Vosges
Mr, Beaufort, the Dragoon Guards, who is appointed to Chief Inspector of Customs

The Baron Mauvoisin is hereby commissioned as Colonel of the Royal Foot Guards.

Mr. Patrick Le Tacomanne is hereby commissioned as Colonel of the Dragoon Guards.

Mr. Jean-Luc Girad is hereby commissioned as Captain of the 13th Fusiliers.


Ministry of State
The Minister announced the immediate resignation of the Commissioner of Public Safety and the appointment of Colonel Le Tacomanne, of the Dragoon Guards, to be effective forthwith. The Minister confides that all gentlemen of Paris will give the new Commissioner their utmost help in the performance of his duties.



Around Town

Week 1:
The lively Mr. Le Tacommane, a great Clubman, moved his premises of regular attendance to Bothwells and celebrated his entry into this most prestigious establishment by a great Partie, which was attended by many friends and hangers-on including most notably the Colonel Thoré of the 13th Fusiliers and guest his Mistress the lovely Olympe, the Colonel Mr. Bael of the Picardy Musketeers and his Mistress Madame Roxane.

The Baron Mauvoisin was also in the club however spent the time closeted with his Mistress Camille and they only emerged to watch Mr. Le Tacommane at the dice, where the ardent sabreur devastated the table with five straight wins!

The fiery chevalier declared loudly there was nothing wrong with the dice whichever country they might be from.

Meanwhile a great Drama was played out in front of the Hotel of Madame Olympe Prideau. Apparently unaware that the lovely Lady was absent, not one but two young officers presented themselves with gifts on her doorstep at the same time!

The first to arrive was the notorious Major Gagnon of the Gascons, who while waiting was joined by a certain Royal Marine officer of higher social and military rank. The Major refused to give way to social precedence as was the custom and hot words were issued, followed swiftly by the ring of tempered steel! Fortunately our reporter captured all the action before the arrival of the Cardinal’s Guards.


The Duel

Round 1
Major Gagnon’s light rapier gave him a speed advantage, and he certainly looked strong. Mr. Gagnon took the initiative, jumping forwards to stab the Marine’s arm, who wielding a cutlass was slower but seemingly more skilful and made good use of the weight of his weapon to clip the Major’s shoulder.

Round 2
Having gained the initiative Mr. Gagnon pressed his advantage and hit his enemy in the thigh. Who seemed fairly badly hurt, however he was yet able to return the favour and the sharp cutlass cut the wrist of the Picardien.

Round 3
Although bleeding from two wounds, the Royal Marine upheld the greatest reputation of his regiment and had no stomach to yield. He made a very swift return from the previous pass, with an unusual (for the cutlass) thrusting blow catching Mr. Gagnon in the chest which clearly hurt him grievously, though it glanced off his rib. This strike though effective left the young officer open to a riposte and he was discomforted by a further stab in the arm.

Round 4
By now clearly seriously hurt, the Marine nonetheless determined to continue the engagement. In fact his blood was up and realising his skill was superior to Mr. Gagnon’s, he took advantage of the Major being still off balance from his previous thrust. The cutlass cut the Major’s arm and swept his return attack aside. This left Mr. Gagnon looking distinctly peaky, however he too declined to abandon the fight.

Round 5
Seeing the opponent’s endurance starting to deplete, the Marine’s confidence was renewed and he struck first, hitting Mr. Gagnon leg and again deflecting the return thrust. Everyone could see that this new wound was bringing Gagnon’s endurance down to level with his more skilfull opponent.

Round 6
Again the Royal Marine attacked first, beating Mr. Gagnon’s blade to the side with his heavy cutlass and striking again to the arm. The Major seemed to know this was a crisis and made a determined riposte. The Marine already being so tired, Mr. Gagnon’s rapier evaded his parry and took him in the leg. However, as both of the combatants rested, the Royal Marine proudly declared he was not ready to accept defeat.

Round 7
Mr. Gagnon regained his breath first and attacked. The cutlass’s handguard turned his blade and a riposte was made which cut the Major’s shoulder, bringing fresh blood to soak into his clothes.

Round 8
As Mr. Gagnon swayed with faintness, the young Marine seized his advantage and jumped forwards with the last of his strength, cutting Mr. Gagnon’s arm again before he could react.

At this point his accumulated wounds and blood loss became too much, and the Major fainted honourably. The servants carried him home where our reporter is assured a barber leeched him and bound up his wounds.

Although left in possession of the field of battle, the sudden approach of the Cardinal’s Guards forced the Royal Marine also to remove to a nearby place where he could rest and recover himself a little.


The 13th Fusiliers gains a new Officer
While not attending the Clubs, the Colonel Thoré was pleased to welcome another young recruit to his illustrious regiment. Mr. Jean-Luc Girad, recently arrived in paris form the provinces, applied for and was granted the commission of Captain of Company F of the 13th Fusiliers. He joins the young André Le Main, promoted last month from Subaltern, who spent this week with his mistress Bibi at the Frog & Peach.


Week 2:
A flurry of military appointments was made as previously announced in our Court & Social columns.

While the departure of three senior colonels was perhaps a surprise, Le Poireau wishes them well in their new appointments and extends congratulations to the new Colonel Baron Mauvoisin of the Royal Foot Guards, and Colonel Mr. Patrick Le Tacomanne of the Dragoon Guards, who were commissioned this week.

Mr. Roland Le Blanc was seen to visit the Rue Pigalle, limping!

The Colonel Mr. Thoré visited his Club the Blue Gables, together with his Mistress, Olympe,

Meanwhile, undiscouraged by his failure last week, the Major Gagnon of the Gascons, returned to Madame Prideau’s doorsteo however he was of course frustrated by the absence of the lovely Lady.

Colonel Bael, of the Picardy Musketeers, was seen at Blue Gables too, and spent the rest of the month there, as he is so often wont to do.

The lower clubs were also well patronised, Captain Girad repairing to the Frog & Peach however it was noticed that no gambling was done perhaps reflecting general mistrust of the state of Paris’s dice, though the skill displayed by Mr. Le Tacommane in the previous week seems to refute this calumny, though also it must be said that even the Colonel (as he now must be named) gambled little money compared to his normal habits.

It was heard that the new Captain Le Main, misunderstanding his military duties reported for service and finding that senior officers have no regular work decided to spend his time in the martial exercise of the Rapier, which is greatly to be commended and explains why the 13th Fusiliers is truly the most Elite regiment of Paris.


Week 3:
Promoted to Colonel last week, the Baron Mauvoisin displayed the best example to his men by spending the week in practice of the Rapier.

Meanwhile there was a stirr at the Office of the Commission of Public Safety. The Minister of State arrived and removed the erstwhile Commissioner from post with immediate effect, whose performance had been so lacking and was so justly criticised by this paper. At this moment the Colonel Le Tacommane arrived seeking a position and his reputation having preceded him, the Minister was glad to seize the opportunity and appointed the Colonel forthwith, thus there was no real lapse in the continuance of this important work.

The Lt-Colonel Le Blanc of the Royal Marines, enrolled himself with Mr Sholto McBan, the noted Scottish athlete and master in a scientific method guaranteed to restore strength to the limbes. For some reason, after examining the young officer Mr. McBain decided to start him on the lightest part of the programme, which is to be wondered at since as a Marine the Lt-Colonel is not seriously lacking in bodily strength. Could he have suffered some strange wounds recently and how?

At the Rue des Capuchins, in the Headquarters of the 13th Fusiliers, the men were joined at their martial exercises by their Colonel, who practised rapier with the rest of them and showed considerable skill.

It was perhaps lucky for someone that the Colonel had not chosen to visit his Mistress Olympe this week, since the fragrant presence was affronted by the appearance of a certain Major of the Gascons, carrying armfuls of presents. While the presents were accepted, the young officer was not admitted to the apartements and went home hanging his head.


Week 4:
The Baron Mauvoisin again visited Bothwells with his Mistress, Camille.

The Commissioner of Public Safety, assured by his assistants that all was well, left his office and was seen to walk in the direction of the hôtel of the gracious La Comtesse, though it is not known if he made a call there or merely happened to need to go in that direction on some other errand.

The training hall of Mr. McBain attracted another illustrious client as Colonel Thoré, ever searching for ways to improve his ability in the service of The King, joined Mr. Le Blanc in a programme of lifting exercises. On returning to his home after these exertions, the Colonel was heard to lift his voice somewhat angrily, the phrases “Madame Prideau”, “that insolent Major” and “Insupportable” being clearly heard despite the shutters closing the window aperture from the present cold winds.

The reason for this outburst is not hard to find. The notorious Major Gagnon, whom we understand has been rejected by his erstwhile lover Ninon, had been seen importuning the Madame Olympe with gifts which were roundly refused by that vision of virtue, who sent a note to her beau thus causing the outburst.

Surely this will lead to a most sporting engagement next month!

Perhaps anticipating some future need, or at any rate eager to emulate the marvellous example of their colonel, the young Captains Girad and Le Main of the 13th Fusiliers, spent the week in practice of Rapier, and though neither had any notable skill, Girad was clearly the better of the pair.


Paris
The Colonel Thoré announced the establishment of the 13th Fusiliers as being currently 950 men and 10 field officers, which is a good strength for a regiment particularly at the low point of the year, reflecting the assiduity of the Colonel in building up the regiment, supporting loyally by this very newspaper Le Poireau Parisien. Le Poireau congratulates the good Colonel on his efforts.

The Cardinal’s Guards deployed to suppress duelling!
His Excellency the Cardinal arranged for two companies of his Guard regiment to be attached to the office of the Constable of Paris in order to help suppress the lamentable outbreak of duelling, or more properly street brawling, which has sadly afflicted the city these past months.


La France
Strong winds swept the Gironde, afflicting the vineyards by way of scouring the protective snow from off the sleeping vines. Vignerons appealed for help from the government to avert a collapse in this year’s harvest leading to a dearth of this most vital drink of the military and civil populace alike.

Montpellier
The siege continues. It is reported that the Royal Army had some success against some outwork of the Huguenots, though it is not clear what.


International

Peace of Nikolsburg a Threat to France
The Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II having signed a treaty in December of January -- the date is not clear -- with the Prince of Transylvania in Nikolsburg, the Imperial forces no longer threatened from the east can focus their effort on the Rhineland in support of the Spanish attempt to suppress the Dutch Republic.

This is a great threat to France since with strong Habsburg forces on both the northern and southern borders, and possibly entering the Rhineland, the country could possibly be invaded from any side.

Thank goodness for the loyal support of the English, says Le Poireau.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
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Le Canard Sale de Fevrier 1622


All the news that other papers dare not print!


Counting on La Comtesse
The newly appointed Commissioner of Public Safety certainly set his sights high when he called upon La Comtesse this month.

The Colonel’s surprising success surmounted another summit as he was admitted to the awesome apartements.

Let us hope his energies are depleted in the battlefield of Venus, or certain gentlemen will surely feel the long arm of the so-called law on their collar before the season is out.


Duel in the Dusk
A certain Picardien blotted his copybook in a Major way this month, first losing a duel on a lady’s doorstep, then enraging the cool Colonel Thoré by committing an indiscretion with the Colonel’s acknowledged Mistress.

We hear that Madame Ninon Girard, her eyes opened to her lover’s louche ways, has thrown him out on his ear!


A Royal Marine’s Revenge
Lt-Colonel Le Blanc, still searching for love, found a sword instead when he was affronted by Mr. Gagnon recently. The sailor’s heavy cutlass cut last, but it cut deep, sending the saucy swain swooning home.


Cardinal’s Guards to Clean Up the Streets!
His Excellency recently railed against the rapier in a disingenuous diatribe designed only to provide a pretext for His personal paladins to patrol Paris.


Mauvoisin Makes His Move
As prevously predicted, the ambitious Baron prepared a plot with the aid and Favour of his Mistress Camille, which duly delivered new duties as the highest ranked Colonel in the Royal Army.


A Bridge Too Far?
The news from Montpelier is too depressing for other papers to report.

General Salers’s percipient plan for the capture of a bastion was barely a success, owing to slack execution by the front line troops.

The rebels have yet one bridge fully open into the city. At this rate of progress it will be summer before the siege can be called successful.

Kilkrazy,


OOC: what a great campaign this is turning into. Excellent summaries and plot twists. Thanks!

It is indeed.

However, I'd suggest making duels more costly - either more dangerous, or costing money or SP. As it is, there's little incentive not to get into duels.

Wait until someone gets killed.

The duelling system was pinched out of Briney En Garde so it is not untested. I added a critical hit to make it a bit more dangerous.

If people set their surrender level to 50% they are unlikely to get killed. If they set a low or no surrender level, someone will get killed in due course. There just need to be more duels.

OK

Yes so I will be gambling at Hunter's in the first and second weeks of this month so if anyone would like to join me feel free. I would expect to be at Horse Guards for the rest of the season to celebrate my Colonelship and in preparation for the military campaign but Hunter's for this month.

Regards,
Colonel Patrick le Tacomanne
Dragoon Guards

You can't rejoin a club you resigned from for three months, so check if/when you were a member of Hunter's and whether you want to resign from Bothwells.

You can't be a member of two clubs.

ah man.

Lt. Colonel LeBlanc invites the good gentleman, Major Gagnon, to join him for a drink in the first week of April when his wounds have healed. The Major acquitted himself will and despite his disregard for rank or social order, is not a dastard or a villain, nor do I consider him a foe.


May you survive to serve your king and regiment well.


Roland LeBlanc

Major Gagnon is overwhelmed by the Lt-Colonel's courtesy, but regrets that he must spend the week in martial exercise.

Last call for your orders for Mars 1622!

I need your orders by Saturday evening UK time so I can process the turn.

Thanks to everyone who has already sent their orders.

Yes so while I do appreciate the patience and diligence of le Roi I WILL be in fact throwing parties at Bothwell's with le Comptesse this month in the first two weeks before I get back to the training yard. New Colonelship, it would not do to appear lax in my duties. So if anyone is interested in joining the carousing etc is on me but you will have to pay for your gambling etc.

Regards,
(Colonel) Patrick le Tacomanne
Dragoon Guards

Captain Jean-Luc Girad hereby declares his anger at the despicable advance of the dastardly Major Gagnon. His advances on the fair Mistress of Colonel Thore'. By slighting our fine leaders honour, he has made an enemy not only of our Colonel, but of the fighting men of the 13th Fusilliers. I am sure that Captain Le Main will agree with me when I say that the men support Colonel Thore' in whatever manner of retribution he seeks upon the briggand. The only reason that I do not make my utmost effort to cross swords with the man is becuase I am sure the Champion of Le France will want the first go!

-Captain Jean-Luc Girad

Meanwhile, in the mud of Montpelier...

A young Subaltern watched with trepidation as his commander perused the news from Paris, his face darkening with anger the further he got through the "Poireau Parisien." Finally, the commander balled the paper in rage and flung it into the mud. The Subaltern, being new to the battalion, made on grave mistake. He opened his mouth, "Any news from Paris, sir?"

Manfred Guderian spun on his heels, his gaze making the young officer flinch as he barked out: "Only that those idiots continue to party while there is a legitimate enemy of Paris to be fought just over there," a vague hand gesture indicating the stony grey redoubts of the Huegonots. "Ready the men for inspection. We will remain here until those bastards castles are razed and their stain upon the King's honor permanently erased from the memories of all France."

Le Canard Sale de Mars 1622

All the news that other papers dare not print!


Duelling Disturbance Defies Guards
Two men fought furiously in direct defiance of the dour directive recently released by The Eminence Rouge. The Cardinal’s Guards rushing to the scene were wrong-footed by locals who sent them on the Rive Gauche.


Party Hearty ends Smartly
The Commissioner of Public Safety seemed to belie the name of his own office in hosting a party at which a duel was fought. The contenders engaged for two rounds in the courtyard at Bothwells and the victor Colonel Thoré returned to the bar for two rounds of drinks.


Arise Sir Manfred?
Honours were heaped on the German Horatio for his defence of the Bridge at Montpelier against the odds. But Le Canard can reveal the engagement was a modest melee mentioned merely to mask the military misdeeds of the useless General Salers. A smokescreen is a tool to fool the foe, not the public. Recall Salers and replace him with Guderian!


McBain’s Marvellous Muscle Method
No-one believed in the success of the so-called Scottish Scientist Sholto, yet Mr. LeBlanc parades proud possession of superior strength subsequent to stern submission to the Hibernian hard man.


Prideau Before a Fall...
A rumour reaches Le Canard that the lovely Olympe has been persuaded to transfer her amorous attentions away from the fiery Fusiler Thoré. Though all’s fair in Love and War, the Colonel has been found a first-rate fighter in both fields of battle. The Lady Olympe’s lucky new Lover had better seen to his sword as well as his club-going clothes.

************************************************

Le Poireau Parisien -- Paris's Premier Paper
Mars 1621


Advertisements and Classified

Colonel le Baron Mauvoisin
The Baron Mauvoisin is disturbed by the slanders and innuendos being circulated by a certain cavalry officer.
On the first week of next month, the Baron and his second will be taking a stroll on the Rue St. James, if there is any interest in having a "discussion" of our differences.

Recruitment
On behalf of the 13th Fusiliers, Col. Thore congratulates Commissioner Colonel Patrick le Tacomanne on the Happy Occasion of his Advancement.
The 13th is eager to take the field alongside Col. le Tacomanne's Famous Regiment this Spring.
Col. Thore recommends that able-bodied men desirous of such Glorious Exploit enlist in the 13th Fusiliers without delay.


The Scottish Method -- An infallible Way of Training the Strength of the Limbes and Bodie.
Monsieur Sholto MacBain, of Edinburgh, an Expert in the Art of Training, presents The Scottish Method. This Discipline and Training shall if diligently followed without fail restore the strength of a Gentleman, depleted by lack of martial exercise.



Court and Social

Glorious Victory at Montpelier!

His Most Christian Majesty King Louis XIII received the following dispatches from the General Falers commanding the Royal Army at the rebel city of Montpelier.

"Your Majesty, it is my honour to be able to report that following the success last month of closing the bridge that approaches Montpelier from the west, I took prompt and stern action to prosecute the siege and bring it to a speedy end

To that design, the 1st Battalion, Picardy Musketeers was ordered to patrol the region south of the city, and
scored a great success by its commander Lieutenant-Colonel Manfred Guderian who made an ambush which successfully destroyed an important enemy supply column.

In proof of which I present to Your Majesty this barrel of Agen Prunes, part of the supplies that were destroyed by the valiant officer. Also a prisoner whom was captured in the engagement and he having no useful information I have sent him to be imprisoned at your pleasure in the Bastille."


The King Honours the Glorious Heroes!!

His Most Christian Majesty is delighted by the present of Prunes and even more by the success of Our Royal Armes.

To show Our Pleasure We are pleased to grant the distinction of Knighthood to the valiant Lt-Colonel Guderian, who shall henceforth be known as Sir Manfred.



Around Town

Week 1:
The Baron Mauvoisin was as usual in his Clubbe Bothwells and gambled modestly for a total of three wins a loss and cutting once, carried home 125P of the Clubbe’s money and was well satisfied with the evening’s work. It was noticed though that he did not partake in the great Partie of the Colonel Le Tacomanne, who with his usual generosity threw open his table to all who cared to join.

The Colonel also played at the Dice, cooly throwing 500P down as his stake at each play. He quickly notched up two wins and a single Cut, then played twice more for another win and a loss which satisfied his sporting instinct for the night having picked up a very handy 1,250P for his evening’s leisure.

The next day, a commotion was witnessed in front of the apartements of the Madame Yasmine. The young Major Gagnon was walking down the street carrying a large bunch of expensive flowers when he was met by Colonel Thoré of the Glorioua 13th Fusiliers.

The Major clearly put out of countenance by this sudden appearance of a man who has good reason to wish for an encounter with the Major, rashly accused the Colonel of having followed him by means of Ferretts, not the action of a Gentleman.

Mr. Thoré already angry replied shortly that he would happily give satisfaction for that at the same time as taking revenge for the insult offered last month to his Mistress, and drew his rapier.

Pausing only to see the flowers safely in the hands into the hands of his servant, Mr. Gagnon also drew and the swords were crossed.

Round 1
The Colonel took initiative but his excitement was too great and his attack was weak, so Mr. Gagnon was easily able to parry. Mr. Thoré parried his return attack.

Round 2
Mr. Thoré seeming to hold the great skill took initiative again, however again Mr. Gagnon eluded him. The Major’s riposte was weak and easily blocked.

Round 3
Taking stock of the situation, the Colonel prepared his attack. Somehow he could not come to grips with his foe. Although his swordplay seemed greatly superior, his blade could not find its rightful place in the Major’s body. Mr. Gagnon’s attack was equally ineffective and easily parried.

Round 4
The cheerful ringing of the clashing blades had by now attracted a small crowd, some of who kept watch for the Cardinal’s Guards.

The Colonel struck first again and lunged quickly, for a narrow miss. The Major swept and Mr. Thoré ducked his blade.

Round 5
Taking the initiative for the fifth straight round, the Colonel showed his skill with a careful sequence that caused Mr. Gagnon to move into the very spot where he could finally touch his rapier into the Major’s arm. First blood! However the Major managed to catch Mr. Thoré and cut his thigh as he sprang back.

Although wounded the Major wished to continue the fight, which prompted cheers from the onlookers.

Round 6
After a brief rest, Mr. Thoré attacked first once and scored easily. The Major made a weak riposte, which glided past the Colonel. Thanks to wounds remaining from last month, Mr. Gagnon was now down to half his endurance and could not continue, so he put up his sword.

With honour satisfied the Colonel returned to his headquarters, limping slightly, and the Major went to a nearby tavern to recover himself.


Meanwhile at the 13th Fusiliers, Captains Le Main and Girad were engaged in a friendly swordplay for the sake of practice.


Mr. Roland LeBlanc, again visited the training groundes of Mr. McBain for further training of his strength and being pleased with his progress of increasing his Muskularity announced his intention to return the next week to complete the first part of the course.



Week 2:
The Colonel Le Tacommane held another great Partie at Bothwells, and was attended by Mr. Thoré and his Mistress Olympe, and all were disturbed by a commotion as Mr. Gagnon desiring entry to the party was refused by the doorman as not being a member of the Club or else a Guest.

However Mr. Le Tacommane thinking the Major was another latecomer to his party had the gentleman admitted who sat with the others and after some while began to importune upon the Madame Olympe which was the natural cause of jealousy on the part of the Colonel Mr. Thoré who invited the Major outside to resolve their differences.

The party removed to the private courtyard of Bothwells a venue well suited for duelling as it is broad and spacious and contains various tables and awnings which can be used for acrobatic feats of skill if the gentlemen so engaged are minded to take advantage however on this occasion the Colonel Mr. Thoré being in high temper wished to bring the engagement to a swift conclusion and quickly struck the Major’s sword aside and cut him, then rested and seemingly invited a riposte however this was revealed as a ploye when Mr. Gagnon, lunging quickly forwards appeared to throw himself directly onto the the Colonel’s blade it taking him in the thigh and tearing the great muscle which was cause of great effusion of blood so that the Major was forced to surrender.

Even though Mr. Thoré took a slight cut in the course of this fight he was swiftly attended by the Clubb servants and passed the rest of the night in conversation, apparently complaining about the bad quality of senior officers to be found now in the Royal Marins which was wondered at by some onlookers since Major Gagnon is known a member of the Gascon Regiment.

Mr. Gagnon survived his wounds and after being bound up and refreshed with wine and beer, German sausages &c was sent home in a sedan chair.

Mr. Le Main spent a quieter evening at Club Red Philips with his Mistresse Bibi Roux by which we are assured he must have enjoyed his time uninterrupted by alarums.

The town was otherwise quite this week as many gentlemen engaged themselves in martial exercises such as practice of the Rapier or training of the Bodie and Limbs.


Week 3:
The Major Gagnon, somewhat recovered from his recent encounters yet still looking somwhat ragged around his limbs by reason of various bandages, and patches to his suit, took himself via the street of the perfumiers to the residence of a Lady whose name is not to be mentioned however he was not admitted to her company, so that we are left to feel most sorry for the young Major who whatever his good sense in the handling of his affaires at least has the stomach of a true Frenchman to continue against all odds in pursuit of his goal.

Even so we are happy to report that having failed in his latest attack within the battlefields of Venus the young Gascon was able to console himself and rest his bodie in the bawdy houses of Rue Pigalle during Week 4.

The young Mr. Le Main continued his carousing at Red Philips, his Mistress Bibi at his side.

Lt-Colonel of the Royal Marines, was seen in Rue Pigalle, and his shirt looked somewhat tight upon his arms which cannot be good for the purpose of duelling.



Week 4:

A quiet week as so many gentlemen occupied themselves with activities not worthy of particular note, however the city was greatly enlivened by news from the Army currently at Montpelier, as has been already reported.


Paris
The Cardinal is said to be angry that his Guards have not managed to stop a single duell in the past month and upbraided their captains and the Constable of Paris with this failure.

Meanwhile the Constable welcomed to Le Bastille a Captain of the Huguenot rebels in Montpelier, who had been captured by Sir Manfred Guderian in a smartly fought action.


La France
Fogs and mists combined with lack of off-shore winds made a shortage of fresh fish this month causing farmers to complain that fish guts as well as seaweed being a most important fertiliser of coastal lands the government should take care to support this essential industry or risk shortage of something later in the year.



International
Spanish movement in the Dutch Netherlands threatens northern Frontier

The Dutch Republic loyal ally of France is threatened this season by unwarranted movement of Habsburg troops on the border where preparations are said to be under way for the Spanish to lay siege to several important fortresses.

*************************************************

Le Canard Sale de Avril 1622

All the news that other papers dare not print!


Mine Mess at Montpelier
As usual his plans go awry for Salers, shortly to be superceded and not a moment too soon. His mistake of the Minne made much menace to Thoré’s Troops and only a Lt-Colonel’s cunning contrivance of cordage could encompass the security and safety of several battalions.


Doormen Dutifully Defy Dubious Duo
What happened at Bothwells Clubbe, that happy haunt for high-ranking hosts? All Tomorrow’s Parties finished early as two would-be guests and their ladies were turned away and slunk shame-faced to Hunters. Mauvois and Le Tacommane were the perpertrators, Le Blanc and Bael their victims!


Southern Exposure?
The Cardinal’s Strategy for Summer conflicts with his Royal Patron’s preferences.

While King Louis's attention alternates between the various Huguenot strongholds, the real danger lies elsewhere as the Habsburgs harness their hordes for war on our northern borders. If Montpelier must be besieged, best it be done and finished soon. The army is needed elswhere.

Zut alors!

Le Poireau du Paris Avril 1622

Advertisements and Classified


Colonel Mr. Bael, the Picardy Musketeers

To Your Eminence; I thank you devoutly from my heart for the blessing. 
I pray only that I can be worthy of it, and that God protects my sword hand and my men,
despite its having experienced the corrupting touch of Cursed Dice!

To our brave and bold fighting men in Montpelier- particularly the bold Sir Manfred. 
All honor attend you; I curse the fates that have kept me in Paris during your ascent to glory. 
I shall fly back to your sides soon!

To a Certain Lady: Duty soon calls me to the field; but I shall carry the memories of your smile within my heart, just as I carry thy token close to it.
If I return, it shall be covered in honor won for you. 
If I die, it shall be in striving to best serve Le Roi and with your name on my lips. 

To His Honour, le Commissioner- may your success ascend as readily as your glass! 


The Scottish Method -- An infallible Way of Training the Strength of the Limbes and Bodie.
Monsieur Sholto MacBain, of Edinburgh, an Expert in the Art of Training, presents The Scottish Method. This Discipline and Training shall if diligently followed without fail restore the strength of a Gentleman, depleted by lack of martial exercise.



Court and Social

Heroic Action at Montpelier

The Lt-General Salers ordered exploded a grate Minee or gunpowder contrivance which by its great Force did throw into the air and overturn a great Bastion of the enemy's defence.

Storming forwards the 13th Fusiliers newly arrived from Paris, inflamed with ardent spirits of Rumme and eager to fight, entered the crater and made their way to the centre of the enemy defence.

But smoake and dust, raised by the terrible force of the explosion, cast a pall over the battlefield, thus the Fusiliers were unable to find their way and became lost among the enemy ditches, ramparts, glacis, ravelins, paradosses, re-entrants, saps, redoubts, bastions, walls and other defensive workks. They could neither advance nor find their way back to their supports, whom had been left to garrison the crater.

On recognising his comrades’ plight, the heroic Sir Manfred Guderian, Lt-Colonel of the Picardy Musketeers lost no time in moving his battalion forwards and entered the crater, his men carrying long roapes and cords they had got from the Engineers with which to mark a safe path though the darkness by stretching said roapes behind them as they advanced, a marvellous contrivance indeed!

Without delay, Sir Manfred brought out the 13th Fusiliers guided by his cunning apparatus of cordes, the whole movement being covered ably by the 3rd battalion, 13th Fusiliers (Mjr Niolo) for which the Major has been commended in dispatches by Lt-General Salers.

His Most Christian Majesty is well pleased by the action of his Picardiens in succouring their fellows in sore plight.


For Services Rendered, Sir Manfred Guderian is hereby granted Patent of Nobility and named Baron Guderian.


An Artistic Impression of the Noble Warrior


Around Town

Week 1:
Disturbances were noted at the door of Club Bothwells as two gentlemen accompanied by their ladies were refused admittance owing to their names being found neither on the list of members nor on the list of guests.

Although the gentlemen concerned insisted they were expected as guests of the Baron Mauvoisin and Col. Mr. Le Tacommane, the doorman had no ear for their importunities and they were sent away to make best of their situation by entering Club Hunters where it was noted that Lt-Col. Mr. Le Blanc and Col. Bael were the personages concerned however they ignored each other and drank privately with their Mistresses.

Mr. Le Blanc closeted himself with Olympe and they were seen to be deep in discussion of some serious matter though we cannot say what it was.

Meanwhile, a reporter of Le Poireau having been sent to the Rue St. James in anticipation of some honourable encounter found no sign of the Baron Mauvoisin but many Cardinal’s Guards having been sent there by the Constable of Paris so they declared to prevent a Breach of the Peace.

What has become of the leading gentlemen of Paris?


Week 2:
The Colonel Bael again attended Bothwells by himself this occasion and was again refused entry, Considerably put out of countenance the Colonel took himself to a better place, viz. Hunters and drank the week away.

Meanwhile there was no sign of either the Baron, or the Commissioner of Public Safety, though it was rumoured that both were engaged on serious business at their respective regimental headquarters.


Week 3:
Mr. Sholto McBain’s Traininge Grounde was again patronised by Mr. Roland Le Blanc, the most regular visitor of the gentlemen of quality and we hear he is well ahead in the way of being buff.

The Major Gagnon, much recovered from his exertions of recent months, spent much time to-ing and fro-ing between the markets of luxury goods, his apartement and the apartements of Madame Ninon, but as far as is known, he was not admitted.


Week 4:
Lt-Colonel Le Blanc, looking buff from his Scottish training visited Bothwells and was refused entry, thus he took himself and his lady Olympe, to The Blue Gables Club and spent a good evening.

The Colonel Bael, his fingers itching by reason of lack of the touch of the Dice, spent the week at Hunters and did gamble 600 pistoles on three throws, with results as follows:

1 - Win
2 - Loss
3 - Win

Thereby he raked in a useful 200 Pistoles profits which covered his drinking and to spare.



Paris
New cannons were ordered for the fortress of Saint-Lazare, and the Constable began work to improve the roads to the north, in anticipation of the movement of troops in May.
 
 
La France
Huguenot rebels at La Rochelle are rumoured to have sent an army to the aid of their fortress at Montpelier. The Baron du Rohan himself is leading the army which numbers several thousand.

The Farmers' Union protested that troop movements over the roads impede their spring planting and their ability to tend to their flocks of sheep, geese &c which has caused a shortage of first grade omelettes in the restaurants of the Nation.


International
His Excellency The Cardinal opened negotiations with the English upon the subject of mutual defence against Spanish encroachment in the area of Flanders which would be a serious threat to both the island kingdom and northern France. It is hoped that an alliance of the Dutch and English against the Hapsburgs will restored peace to a vital area of the borders.

Monsiuer Colonel Bael,

Due to the hard fighting around Montpellier, I ask that you send a new draft of recruits prior to the summer season as the 1st Battalion numbers less than half its allotted strength at the moment. I trust that my men have brought only honor to our King and regiment since taking to the field in Janvier. I look forward to our reunion on the fields of glory in a few short months when our glorious regiment will once again prove why it is the best in the army.

Regards,
Manfred Guderian

we still playing? I hope so because it was getting really interesting.

Hurry back Kilkrazy!

Captain Jean-Luc Girad also eagerly awaits the issue of Le Poir -ahem- Le Canard. Hopefully, he shall not be found in the obituaries.

It will get done when I recover from post-E3 video madness.

Hopefully, very soon.